Chapter 3

Hm... things are still postitive so far on this work. Which is good. Here's chapter 3! (Also... more writer's block...)

"Alright, we'd better gear up before we try for Tephra Cave," declared Shulk. "Fiona's told me a few times that it's really dangerous."

"It is," grunted Reyn. "But I don't have any money on me right now. Guess we're gonna have to do some Quests."

This is how we decide to perform quests? I thought. For money? "Alright. So... do we just ask around?"

"Yep!" responded Shulk. "Follow me, I've got a few quests I should've done a little bit ago on Agora Shore, like... two Stone Krabbles! Let's go!"

Swimming, I thought as Shulk ran to a ledge and jumped. "Well... here we go!" I also jumped, and when I hit the water, it was painless. "Where's Agora Shore?"

"Shulk's lead us," replied Reyn next to me. I looked at him. "Follow Shulk! He's already starting to swim!" Reyn began to follow his childhood friend.

I blinked, before sighing and following the two. Wonder how long it'll take before my clothes dry... I thought absently.

Later, after we had completed a few quests, Shulk, Reyn and I stood on the path towards Tephra Cave.

"Why exactly did I have to change into this white jacket?" I complained as Shulk led us up Tephra Hill.

"It's made of durable stuff," responded Reyn gruffly. "Unlike that red shirt you were wearing earlier, it's been tested to never rip."

Oh... that solves the question of why their clothes never look different, even in battles... I thought. "Fine..." I grumbled.

"Wait!" Shulk paused. "Bunnivs. One of the residents wanted to have us get some Bunniv hides." He drew his sword. "Ready?"

"Yeah," grunted Reyn, grabbing his Driver. I drew my claymore, as Reyn led the charge. "War Swing!" he shouted.

"Reyn seems to really be getting into it," noted Shulk. "Alright... here we go! STREAM EDGE!" From the Art came a translucent blue colour.

I sighed. "So are you, Shulk." I used my Stab Strike Art. I feel... kind of weak compared to these two... I then watched as the Bunniv died. "That was fast."

"Wait." Shulk picked up the dead rabbit. "I'd better..." He carefully skinned it with his Junk Sword. "One bloody Bunniv Hide!"

"Huh," grunted Reyn. "Alright, Shulk, we only have a little bit to go before we're at the top of Tephra Hill, let's go."

"Yeah." Shulk followed his friend, and within a minute, we were at the top. I looked over the railing, to see water below me. "Amazing, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I spoke quietly. I turned around. Shulk's eyes were a light blue colour. I thought this happened later...! "Shulk?"

Shulk's eyes returned to normal. "Oh. Right." He shook his head. "I just thought of something new. A Chain Attack!"

"Where we all use Arts in a rapid succession?" I couldn't help but say. Crap! I thought. If I spoil the story...

Shulk tilted his head to one side. "How did you know I was going to say that?" he asked. I blinked. "Well... anyway, that's it, yeah."

"Let's go in," spoke Reyn. Shulk and I nodded, before walking towards the cave. However, Fiora emerged with sacks. "Aw, man."

"Hi, boys," she spoke. She looked at me, then at Reyn. "You don't think I was really going to just let you three go in by yourselves, right?"

I sighed. Of course not! I thought. Otherwise this game's story would be one massive mess! "Not really."

Fiona blinked, before entering the entrance. "Told ya she didn't trust me," muttered Reyn, looking at his best friend.

"She doesn't mean it," responded Shulk, before leading all three of us in after her.

No, she's just in love with you and you're so dense you don't realize it, I thought. "I bet she was just worried about you."

Reyn grumbled. "She wouldn't trust me alone with Shulk for a million years."

"Come on, I don't think it's that bad," replied Shulk. Now he's being defensive... I noted. "She's just... overprotective."

I sighed. "Let's just hurry through. Then maybe I can get my red shirt back on." I followed Shulk.

I daydreamed, and walked into Reyn. "Hey, watch it," he grunted. "Also, get ready to fight."

I peered over his shoulder. "Mell Lizards," I spoke. Fiora was standing next to Shulk. "What do you think?"

"Let's take them out," responded Shulk, drawing his sword. "Ready?" He looked at us, before charging.

I drew my own sword, and Shulk's other friends drew their weapons. "Here we go," I sighed. "Let's do it."

"Stream Edge!" shouted Shulk, swinging his Junk Sword. The nearest Mell Lizards instantly turned to him. "Reyn!"

"Yeah. War Swing!" Fiora ducked, before launching her own attack. I ran in to join the other three. I bet outside of gameplay, those three have max affinity... except for Fiora and Reyn... While I thought absently, I saw something lunge for me at the corner of my vision. "Huh...?" I turned to see a bigger creature. "Ah..." I used the named Stab Strike, but was simply tossed aside. "Agh!"

"You okay? Light Heal!" chanted Shulk. I felt the pain wear away immediately. "That should be fine. But this thing... it's massive! I think we'll need to use a Chain Attack to defeat it!"

"Tell us, Shulk, what the heck a Chain Attack is!" shouted Reyn, as he kept the creature busy.

I can't remember that thing's name...! I thought. Eh... as soon as I get out, I'm going to watch Chugga play this game again...

"Here!" Shulk helped me up. "Alright... let's go! CHAIN ATTACK!" he roared. "Stream Edge! Now, Reyn, go!"

"Wild Down!" he growled, and the creature fell over, now Toppled. "Fiora!" he shouted.

"Power Smash!" she exclaimed. "Come on, one last Art... Andrew!" She turned to me. "Do it!"

So I got the affinity boost with her? "Cross Slash!" Now the foe looked downright dizzy. "Yeah! Let's do this!"

"Sure!" Shulk grinned. "Got that overflowing energy, Andrew?! Yell at the top of your lungs and slash with your sword! That's how you release it! TURN STRIKE!"

I saw Fiora use her Butterfly Step Talent Art. "Okay... I'm trusting you on this, Shulk. AAAHH!" I slashed. Suddenly, time slowed down. "What...?" Shulk and the others were barely moving. Oh... like Raiden from Metal Gear? SWEET!

I slashed as fast as I could, and time returned to normal after ten seconds. I staggered, but the beast had fallen. "That was fun."

"Heh." All of us withdrew our weapons. "See, I told you it would only take a little bit for you to feel emotions during battle," grinned Shulk. "Even if it's... joy, over happiness in survival or sadness that you killed a creature..."

"Yeah yeah," interrupted Fiora. "Let's just hurry to get the Ether Cylinders, guys."

"Right," responded Reyn, and we made it to the place where they were located. "Here we are."

I watched as they gathered up the Cylinders, then heard a slight humming behind me. Right! I realized. Ancient machines attack them here...! I turned, and barely managed to draw my sword in time to block an attack. "Wow."

"Huh?" Fiora gasped. "White machines...? Could they be Mechon?" Her hand drifted to her knives.

"I don't think so," replied Shulk, drawing his Junk Sword. "Even if they were, we'd still have to fight."

"Right!" Reyn grabbed his Driver again. "With all four of us, there's no way we can lose!"

I had to smile as I watched the spirits of the other three to grow. "Yeah!" Shulk led the charge as we began to fight.

Writer's block and a lack of time to write this one is the only excuse I have... anyways...

Thanks for reading!