Author's Notes: Well, here's the second part. From here on out, I will be referring to a Xenoblade 2 script for most of the in-game dialogue, only changing things as I need to. So if the dialogue looks a bit 'samey', then sorry. I kinda need that script to know what characters are saying. I highly doubt I'd be able to remember EVERY piece of dialogue in that game, so if I just jump in using only what I remember, then some (or perhaps most) of the dialogue may end up being inaccurate.
Also, forgive me if things are slow from time to time. Considering that Ash and Kari are both completely new to Alrest, that doesn't leave me a lot of opportunities to just skim through. I think it would be better in a long run to kinda 'teach' the two and their partners most of what Alrest has to offer. It wouldn't make sense for them to suddenly know something about this whole new world without context.
Well, I think that's enough of that. Hope you enjoyed.
Alrest: Population, Dwindling
Part 2: Argentum & Requests
Two people, Ash Ketchum and Kari Kamiya, along with their partners, the Pokémon Pikachu and Digimon Gatomon, found themselves adrift in the middle of the Cloud Sea after a battle with a strange creature. They would have perished if it wasn't for a salvager named Rex and a Titan named Azurda, who hauled them out of the clouds. After becoming friends with one another and explaining the situation, the group of 5 rode on Azurda on their way to a place called the Argentum Trade Guild.
It took quite a while, but the Titan managed to make it to their destination in a single day. Ash and Kari gazed at their destination in awe. Ahead was what appears to be a large airship sitting directly on the Cloud Sea, held up by a large, whale-like Titan shaped like a balloon. An apt description as Argentum looks a bit like a airship crossed with a hot-air balloon.
"Wow... So that's Argentum..." Kari spoke in awe, "If this is what's to expect on our impromptu stay on Alrest, then consider me a fan!" Gatomon nodded at that, mouth agape in awe.
Ash nodded excitedly. "No kidding! And that Titan! Looks about as big as a Wailord or Whamon! And it's capable of flying as well? Alrest is already getting me excited, and I'm not even on a Pokémon journey!" he excitedly exclaimed as Pikachu let out a cheerful "Pika!" And all throughout the excitement, Rex was grinning in amusement at his new friends' reactions.
Soon, Azurda docked himself on one of the docks around Argentum, allowing his passengers to hop off. Rex was first with a quick hop along with Pikachu while Ash climbed down before turning to help Kari down. Gatomon was the last to disembark as someone walked over to Rex.
"Why, if it isn't Rex!" the newcomer called out, "How's business?"
Rex turned to the newcomer with a smile. "Nice to see you, Hirkham," he greeted the newcomer, "I'm doing alright, else I wouldn't be here."
"Fair point," Hirkham agreed before noticing Ash and Kari, "And who might your new friends be?"
"They're Ash and Kari, along with their partners, Pikachu and Gatomon," Rex introduced the four for them. Hirkham couldn't help but stare at Pikachu and Gatomon particularly.
"Partners, huh? They don't look like Blades, but who am I to judge," he shrugged before refocusing on Rex, "So, which one am I unloading?"
"That can wait until I'm done negotiating. Shouldn't be too long," Rex answered.
"Well, mooring is 15 gold per half-day," Hirkham replied.
"I'll have your gold after I sell all the stuff, alright?" Rex replied back as he began to sprint away, "Come on, Ash! Kari!"
"Wait up!" Ash called out as he, Kari, and their partners chased after their new salvager friend, leaving Hirkham behind with Azurda.
"Hold on, Rex!" he called out in vein, "I told you, I don't do credit!"
Seeing that Rex and his friends were already gone, Hirkham sighed. "Not again... I swear, he does this every time..." he noted before turning to Azurda.
"... No wallet, I'm afraid," was the Titan's only response to all that.
Rex was on his way inside the airship when something caught his eye. On the opposite side of the pier was a black, armored ship with what appears to be a helm adorned on the front. It overall looked very impressive.
"Wow..." was Rex's reaction to the strange ship, "This thing's huge... and it's not even a Titan ship!"
"What's this about Titan ships?" Ash commented as he and Kari caught up to Rex.
"You see, while there are Titans the size of countries, there are others about Gramps' size, with some even smaller," Rex explained, "Those Titans are used to haul ships around. Think Argentum here, only smaller scale. It's how we get around Alrest."
"I see," Kari noted before looking at the strange ship, "But I don't see any Titans nearby."
"Yea, I know," Rex replied, back to gazing at the ship, "I wonder what they use for the propulsion system..."
As the group ponder that, another person came over. "Interested in that there ship, Rex?"
Rex and the others turned toward the person. "Oh, hey, Garram," he greeted, "Well, yea. Looks to be a very impressive build. Knows who owns that?"
The person named Garram held his chin up in ponder. "Well, from what I hear, it's some of the Chairman's clients," he answered, "But Rex, I'd advise you to stay clear. Don't want to risk anything happening to it."
"I understand. I'll stay clear of it," Rex assured as Garram turned to Ash and Kari.
"And that goes to your new friends as well," he warned, dropping his arm from his chin.
"You don't need to worry about us. We'll be careful," Ash assured as Kari nodded.
"Alright then. You be careful," Garram stated as he walked off. Rex turned to his offworld friends.
"Well, we better head inside to the Central Exchange," he recommended as they all headed inside.
"By the way, Rex, what did Hirkham meant by 'Blades?'" Kari asked out of the blue, "You also mentioned Blades back on Azurda's back. Mind telling us what that means?". Rex tilted his head toward Kari as they continued walking.
"Well, you see, similar to how your Pikachu and Gatomon are your partners, Blades serve as partners to people called Drivers," Rex explained, "They supply Ether, the life force of Alrest, to their Drivers and support them in battle. Kinda a reverse version of a Pokémon Trainer or Digidestined, only Blades can do more than just support."
"Really?" Ash replied, intrigued by these 'Drivers' and 'Blades.'
"Blades also come in a variety of appearances. Some human-shaped, some more bestial. That's kinda why it didn't fazed me that Gatomon could talk; I thought she was a Blade," Rex continued, "That's about the extent of what I know about Blades, though... If you want to learn more, you're better off asking someone else.
"Oh, and it probably goes without mention, but Drivers who knows a ton more about Blades would probably tell that your partners aren't Blades themselves," he added, "So I think it'd be best if Gatomon stayed quiet around other people; I highly doubt you'd mind telling your stories to other people here on Alrest."
"I suppose that's a fair point..." Gatomon agreed. With that, the group continued on as the offworld quartet wondered about the Blades. Of course, they didn't had time for thoughts as they arrived at the Central Exchange. Behind the counter... was an odd sight for the offworld quartet.
Sitting behind the counter was what appears to be a furry ball of fluff with stubby arms and legs and large ears folded on its... body? Head? Can't exactly tell... Either way, if they haven't already learned they were in another world, Ash and Kari would have mistaken this thing for a Pokémon or Digimon.
"Hey there, Melolo," Rex called out to the strange creature, "I have some new treasures I want to trade in."
"Alrighty, let me take looks at inventory," the creature named Melolo replied in a strange, yet recognizably female, dialect. From there, the two began talking about stuff that, quite frankly, Ash and Kari couldn't make out.
Just then, Pikachu noticed something. "Pi Pikapi!" he called out to Ash.
"Huh? What is it, Pikachu?" he asked as Pikachu pointed toward some people by the entrance they came in. The duo plus Gatomon turned toward the entrance and, upon closer inspection, saw that the people were wearing armor. Two different kinds of armor. "I wonder what that's all about?"
"The armor kinda reminds me of the military back at our world," Kari commented, referring to her own world, "Perhaps they're soldiers."
"The military? Soldiers? What exactly are they doing here?" Ash replied, looking rather unease by the situation.
"I don't know, but they don't look too pleased with each other..." Gatomon commented, not looking any better.
Before they could ponder further, they were knocked out of their train of thought by Rex. "WHAT!? That's it!?" he shouted.
"Is life, meh! This still more than I give to non-friend!" Melolo replied to Rex's outburst, "If you bring military supplies, then you get good price!" She then turned toward, coincidentally, the same soldiers that Ash and Kari were talking about, with Rex doing the same.
"Ceasefire between Mor Ardain and Uraya not keep for too much longer, methinks," she continues, "So weaponry is hot item!"
'Ceasefire?' Kari thought, feeling more unease, 'Does that mean there's a war coming!?'
Melolo turned back toward Rex to get his attention. "Well? What friend think? I make it worth your while!"
"You know I stay away from that sorta thing, Melolo!" Rex immediately retorted, facing Melolo once again, "How many times must I tell you?"
All Melolo could do was sigh. "Is shame, really. Rex good salvager, could be good way to earn good monies! Waste of talent, if you ask me!" she added, "Anyhoo, where were we?"
Rex gave an exasperated sigh. "I suppose I'll take the offer," he accepted, "200 now, and you know what to do with the rest."
"Okie-doodles! Sending monies to Corinne of Fonsett Village," Melolo confirmed with a genuine smile, "Is beautiful thing... Sending monies home at such a young age... I touched!"
She then sighed once more. "Wish my own dum-dum littlepon did same..." she added unamusingly.
"It's 'cos Gramps doesn't charge rent," Rex informed with a chuckle, "Alright then, I'm counting on you."
Melolo gave a salute... with her ear-things... "Roger! Pleasure doing business with Rex!" she thanked as Rex headed off, followed by Ash, Kari, and their partners.
"Before you say anything..." Rex suddenly spoke, assuming he's taking to Ash and Kari, "Melolo's what's called a Nopon. They're one of the races that live on Alrest. They may look like Pokémon or Digimon in your worlds, but Nopon are treated the same as humans. Making note now in case you accidentally insult them."
"Thanks for the heads up, but we have another thing that's bothering us," Ash informed, and somehow, Rex could tell what's coming next by his sigh, "What's this about a ceasefire, and what's with the soldiers?"
"... Years ago, Mor Ardain and Uraya were at war with each other," Rex explained, practically confirming Ash's and Kari's fears, "I tend to stay away from war stuff, so I don't know the details, but I heard it wasn't pretty... War never was... The war's ended in a ceasefire, but there's been talk that it not lasting much longer... and considering living spaces are running out with the dying Titans, I can't exactly blame 'em..."
That's certainly not a good sign. Not only are Titans dying out, there's also a war that's apparently coming. Ash and Kari certainly picked a bad time to enter Alrest...
Before the bad mood could fully set, three more people approached the group. Two of them wore suits while the third one, the one leading, was another Nopon, wearing more important clothing compared to Melolo.
"Pupunin! Been a while!" Rex greeted the Nopon.
"Rex looking bad spirits," Pupunin pointed out the bad mood covering the group, "Friend feeling troubled?"
"Eh, been worse," Rex shrugged, not wanting the war subject to linger, "Anyway, you got something for me? New job maybe?"
"Something like that," the Nopon answered before noticing Ash and Kari, "And who are new friends?"
"Oh right. They're Ash and Kari, and their partners, Pikachu and Gatomon," Rex introduced his friends to the Nopon, "They're crashing with me and Gramps until we get things situated with them."
"I see..." Pupunin replied, deep in thought with eyes closed. After a few seconds, he opened them up and addressed the group once more. "Rex come from Fonsett Village in Leftherian Archipelago, yes?"
"Yea, that's right," Rex answered. Ash and Kari remembered that that was where he lived before moving out.
"And Rex and friends, combat trained?" the Nopon questioned.
"Gramps taught me a few Arts to deal with the sea creatures while salvaging," Rex replied.
"And Pikachu and Gatomon can hold their own against whatever enemies they face," Ash added with Kari, Pikachu, and Gatomon agreeing.
"Interesting... Yes, this all work out..." Pupunin spoke to himself before refocusing on the group, "You all should go straight to boardroom of Chairman!"
"Wait, what's going on?" Rex questioned. Ash and Kari had heard about a 'Chairman' from Garram, and they assumed it was someone important in Argentum.
"Chairman Bana ask for Rex by name!" Pupunin clarified.
"The Chairman!? For me!?" Rex exclaimed in surprised. Apparently, this Chairman was more important than Ash and Kari thought.
Inside a moderate office, the group faced a desk. Behind it was a large, green Nopon wearing very fancy clothing and jewelry. This is presumably the Chairman they've been hearing about, and apparently 'Chairman' meant head of all of Argentum! On either side of the desk were scantally clad dancers. Ash was trying hard not to stare, though Rex appears unaffected.
"Thank you for accepting summons!" the large Nopon addressed, "I Bana, Chairman of Argentum Trade Guild."
"P-pleased to make your acquaintance..." Rex fumbled. He's apparently nervous about this, and rightly so. Ash and Kari were also nervous.
"Me hear from Pupunin that friend is salvager of some renown," Bana explained, "And me also hear that friends of Rex also assists Rex. That being case, I have teensy weensy thing to ask of Rex and friends."
"A request straight from the Chairman!?" Rex exclaimed with Ash and Kari also being moderately surprised.
"Reward is 100,000 gold," Bana added, which added fuel to the surprise fire.
"A HUNDRED THOUSAND!?" "PIKA PIKACHU!?" this time all three plus Pikachu exclaimed. Even Gatomon nearly yelled, though she stopped herself from alerting the Chairman.
"Friends hear right," the large Nopon confirmed, "Actually, that just the advance. Another 100,000 provided upon completing job."
Needless to say, this was quite a shock for the group. "200,000 gold from one request..." Ash said in awe, "Man, that's a lot..." Even Pikachu agreed.
After a bit of thinking, Rex gave his answer. "I'll do it! I hereby swear to use every skill I possess to ensure this job is successful!"
Bana merely raised an eyebrow at that. "You agree without even hearing details of job, and without friends agreement?" he pointed out, causing Rex to rub his head in embarrassment.
"Oh, heh, sorry bout that..." he apologized, "So, um... What kind of job is it?"
Seeing the ordeal, Ash merely facepalmed, Kari sighed in exasperation, and even Bana looked unamused. "... You really have skills for this?" he commented.
"Of course, we'll be fine!" Rex assured before turning to his friends, "Right guys?"
"Sure, might as well," Ash agreed with a shrug while Pikachu sigh at Rex's antics, "Might give me a chance to see how salvaging work."
"Well, if Ash is coming, I might as well come too," Kari added with Gatomon nodding, "After all, someone's got to keep these boys in line." Rex was unamused by that comment, but decided not to bother.
"Meh, if you say. Crew will explain the task," Bana informed before turning toward one of the dancers, "Bring them in."
With a nod, the dancer moved toward the double doors to the group's right and opened it up, allowing some people to walk through. As for the people... they were quite a sight...
On the right was a young, white-haired girl wearing a yellow jumpsuit. Curious thing about her, Ash and Kari thought, was that she had cat ears. Next to the girl was a white tiger wearing some armor. On the left was a large, black-haired man wearing equally black armor. Next to the man was some sort of two-legged lizard creature that certainly looked menacing. Both the lizard and tiger had glowing gems on their chests.
In the middle, however, was a lone, white-haired man wearing white clothing with bits of armor, a cape-like cloth draped on his hips, and oddly, a mask that hides his upper face. Out of the five people, the masked man gave off the most aura of respect as someone you really shouldn't cross. That was prevalent to Rex and Kari, but Ash was more focused on the black-armored man. Something about him doesn't sit right with Ash.
"Drivers...? And... Blades...?" Rex spoke after a tense silence, "So cool...!"
'Drivers and Blades,' Kari thought, looking toward the tiger and lizard, more specifically the gems on their chests, 'Those two must be Blades, then. But why does the masked man not have one?'
"So," the masked man spoke, immediately gaining everyone's attention, even Ash who was still staring at the black-armored man, "There's something that we want to haul up. There were some current shifts. It showed up in an uncharted area. But it's a long way down."
"Long way down, huh?" Rex noted with a smile, "Nice. I like a good challenge."
The masked man's only reply was a nod before Bana explained further. "Bana offered to assemble team of veterans for this job. But this crew very picky. They want small elite team, and only from Leftheria," he explained, "That when Bana have stroke of genius! Should hire Rex!"
Hearing that made Rex chuckle in pride. "Well then, you certainly made the right choice!"
"That's right," Ash added, surprising Kari and Pikachu as he's been oddly silent until now, "We won't let you down!"
However, their pride were washed away when someone giggled. The trio turned to the clients to see that it was the cat-eared girl. "A child salvager and his equally child friends?" she commented with a laugh before addressing the masked man, "Jin, don't tell me we're gonna have to hire some babysitters for this outing too."
Needless to say, Rex didn't take that comment too well. "What the hell!? You look as much like a kid as I do, lady!" he retorted.
"At least I wouldn't wet myself at the promise of a measly hundred grand," the girl responded back.
Now she was getting under Ash's skin. "What exactly are you implying?" he questioned with a glare, only for the tiger to cross paths.
"Rex, was it? And I'm afraid I didn't catch you all's names," the tiger spoke, referring to Ash and Kari, "I implore you to excuse my lady's discourtesy."
Kari also attempted to defuse the situation by placing a hand on Ash's Pikachu-less shoulder. Feeling that, Ash calmed down. "Alright... Ash, and Kari," he introduced the two of them with a sigh, "I supposed we did get off on the wrong foot."
"Dromarch, what did I say about speaking for me?" the girl scolded her tiger Blade, only for the black-armored man to stop her.
"Drop it, Nia," he spoke with such authority as Ash went back to staring-no, glaring, at the man, "Though I do see your point... In any case... it should be easy enough to make sure..."
Then, before anyone had time to think, the man immediately rushed toward, bringing out what appears to be a tonfa with an energy blade flowing backwards, as he swung toward Rex. The salvager barely had time to dodge the first hit as he brought out what appears to be a broadsword made of junk to block the second hit. Whoever this man was, he was merciless as he continues to attack Rex with the implications of killing. Just when it seemed the man was gonna get another strike in...
"Pikachu! Iron Tail!"
"Pika CHU!" Pikachu shouted as he suddenly leaped in front of the black-armored man and, tail turning metal, immediately blocked the man's energy blade with his tail. Everyone, even the man himself, was impressed by such an action. The only one unfazed was Jin, the masked man.
"Lightning Paw, Gatomon!"
Just then, Gatomon rushed forward, paw upfront and covered in sparks, toward the black-armored man. In a split second, however, he turned his weapon into an energy shield, shoving Pikachu away in the process, and blocked Gatomon's attack with it, though unlike Pikachu, she didn't stay long as she leaped back from her blocked attack. Now Ash, Kari, and Rex were glaring daggers at the man, with Rex still poised for further attacks.
"The hell!? What're you playing at!?" he shouted, angry that one of their clients had the gall to attack someone like that. The man, however, had a smirk as he deactivated his weapon.
"Well, well, well..." the man spoke, "Not bad blocking my attack, kid... And those critters... I admit, I've certainly underestimated them."
The trio were still appalled at the man's sudden attack, but they weren't the only ones. "Malos! What good is it, beating up a bunch of kids!?" the cat-eared girl named Nia retorted, also appalled at the man, Malos.
"You said it yourself, Nia," Malos reasoned, "'What if the kids' aren't up to it?' Isn't that right?"
Nia's reply was another glare toward Malos. "I said nothing of the sort!"
"But you did think it though..." Malos continued, still wearing that smirk, "And besides, now we know."
Malos then turned to the kids. "You'll all do right enough. Though you don't look like a Driver, kid..." he commented on Rex before focusing on Pikachu and Gatomon, "And the critters don't look like Blades either. Where exactly did you learned those Arts, kid? And while you're at it, where you'd pick up those critters?"
"Gramps showed me a thing or two," Rex replied, defensive stance still not dropping, "Even when I was little, that was his idea of playtime."
"As for Pikachu and Gatomon... That's a bit more complicated to explain," Kari added, not letting up her glare as Gatomon went back to her side.
"Just know that they're our partners, and unbreakable partners at that," Ash added, who's glare seemed to intensified after Malos' attack.
"Is that so..." Malos confirmed, seemingly content with such answers, "Well, you all seem to have some skill, I'll give you that. Guts, too. You all better work hard."
Malos then turned to the lizard, presumably his Blade, who still looked surprised at Pikachu's and Gatomon's showing. "Sever, we're going," he called out, gaining his Blade's attention as the two of them headed off. Jin held his head low, seemingly disappointed at Malos' actions (though you can't really tell due to the mask) before following the two out. Nia stayed behind a bit to stare at the trio before leaving with a huff with her tiger Blade Dromarch.
"Meh-meh-meh! Friends are such rowdy bunch!" Bana commented, unamused that they nearly turned his office into a battlefield. The trio were startled from hearing Bana speak, who was quiet up to this point. He then pulled out a money bag and dropped it on his desk. "Here is advance. Use to by what gear you need, then go to dock on starboard! Bana has arranged excellent vessel for you there."
Rex, after putting his broadsword away, grabbed the money bag as he, Ash, Kari, Pikachu, and Gatomon headed out of the office. Now that they were out of Bana' earshot...
"I hate that guy already!" Gatomon immediately blurted out, speaking her mind about Malos, "Who does he think he is, attacking us like that!?"
"Yea, what possible reason could he have to do that?" Kari added, also showing hatred toward Malos.
Rex turned to his offworld friends in an attempt to defuse the situation. "Look, I know that guy was a jerk, but what exactly can we do about it?" he commented, "Like it or not, he's one of Bana's clients, and we already agreed to the job. There's nothing we can do about it."
"But-" Kari attempted to interject, only for Rex to raise his hand to stop her.
"I don't know what it's like in your worlds, but Alrest have its fair share of personalities and attitudes, including violent ones..." he continued, "It's just something that you'll come across from time to time."
Kari and Gatomon sighed at Rex's reasoning. "If you say so..." she responded before noticing that Ash has gone quiet again, "Ash? Is something wrong?"
"... He held back..." he spoke to himself, just barely loud enough for the others to hear.
"Held back? What'd you mean?" Rex questioned, prompting Ash to realized that he spoke out loud.
"Oh, nothing... Forget I said anything..." Ash defused, leaving a confused Rex and Kari as the trio continue their walk. Soon, the two were back to conversing with each other, and while their mood seemed to have improved a bit, Ash was still in deep thought.
'That dark feeling from that man... what could that be?' he thought, 'There's just something wrong with him... That is evident in how he attacked us, but why am I not satisfied with that conclusion...? Is there something else going on?' He then turned back to the door to Bana's office.
'... Malos... Just who are you...?'
Well, that's the end of part 2. Now, before you get on my case on Kari 'commanding' Gatomon as if she was a Pokémon, let me give you two reasons why: 1, It's kinda my way of making Kari a part of the battles like Ash. I kinda don't like to leave out characters that are directly or indirectly involved in the battles. And 2, it's to keep up appearances: a talking cat that isn't a Blade is most likely going to raise suspicion.
Anyway, tell me what you think. I am curious to see if I am doing something right.