Chapter 8

The three of us were resting, against a cliff face. It was the area before we reached Gaur Plains called the Leg Pass. The three of us had just traded gear with some Homs Merchants. We were resting for the day.

Reyn and Shulk were sleeping, with a fire to help keep them warm, made just before they literally collapsed.

I was lying down, looking at the night sky. Next we meet Juju, I thought. And we meet up with Sharla...

I sighed, and sat up again. Something isn't right, I thought. The ground was vibrating. This... I stood, grabbing my sword. I placed on my red parlour jacket and looked towards the plains.

Two Arduns were running over the plains. I breathed out in relief. It was nothing dangerous... yet.

Suddenly, I heard a gasp behind me. I turned to see Shulk sitting up. "Are you okay?" I asked. He was panting, sweating heavily as well.

He stood. "I'm fine," he responded. "Let's go. Reyn and I want to travel to Colony 6," he added easily.

"Yeah," I replied, as Shulk went over to shake Reyn away. Although grumpy, he arose and we took off towards Gaur Plains.

"Hey, look," spoke Shulk after we had been running for a bit, stopping. "There's... smoke over there."

Reyn grunted, and looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe someone's having a barbecue."

Shulk tilted his head to the side a bit. "A strange time and place to be having a barbecue."

But you're gonna head towards it anyway for plot reasons! I thought. "Maybe we should go investigate?"

"Yeah," nodded Shulk. "That sound good." With that, he took off again, ignoring the wildlife that slowly walked around.

As we came closer, we saw that what had smoke coming from it was a buggy. "A... buggy?" Reyn looked confused.

Shulk looked it over. "It doesn't look too bad, but... the circuit is..." He touched it, and his eyes became blue. "Ah..." He removed his hand and looked at the two of us. "Guys, we have to go! Someone's in trouble!"

"Did you have a vision or something?" asked Reyn, starting to look tense.

Shulk nodded. "Yeah It was near water." Wait... Reyn knows about Shulk's visions? I thought.

"We have to hurry!" continued Shulk, face starting to look more and more frantic.

"Calm down, we just have to look at any areas that have water," spoke Reyn.

"Uh... maybe we should just go there." I pointed towards a waterfall. At nearly the same time, there was a loud shout from that direction. I looked back at Shulk and Reyn. "How about it?"

Shulk nodded. "Alright, let's go!" He led Reyn and I down, and we soon saw Juju on the ground, those two Arduns from earlier ready to pound him into the ground. "NO!" Shulk activated the Monado. "Buster!" He used the longer beam of light to stab both Arduns at once. They instantly turned towards him, starting to charge. "Guys!" He used his Shadow Eye Art. "Let's go!"

Reyn grunted, rushing to meet an Ardun head-on. "Hammer Beat!" he shouted, striking. "Kid, run away!"

"Oh, okay!" Juju scrambled back to his feet and ran from the scene.

I drew my sword, dodging the tackle the Ardun tried. "Ha!" I ran and used Slide Edge to get on top of it. "HAH!" I used Stab Strike, but instead leapt while the blade was in the Ardun's back, dragging it through its face. I landed while it fell. "Sweet."

Shulk smiled. "Now you've got it!" He rushed towards the other Ardun, using Back Slash. It turned towards him. "Reyn, Andrew!"

I grunted, using Time Slower. This is a bit too good, I thought. I shrugged before rushing towards the Ardun. Reyn used his Sword Drive Art and fell from the recoil. Without thinking, I held my blade in a reverse grip, like how Dante in Devil May Cry 3 held Rebellion before using his Drive attack. I saw the Ardun strike Shulk.

Shulk was thrust away, into the waterfall. "UGH!" He hit the water, though emerged quickly.

I was distracted for a moment, and the Ardun lunged for me next. Out of instinct I swung my claymore, and it somehow forced both the Ardun and I back. Now, I bet Shulk is going to name this an Art and... wait, how's it move so quickly?

"Ooh! A defensive counterattack! You should name it... uh..." He paused for a moment. "You hold it in a reverse grip... call it Defensive Reversal!" With that, he used Light Heal on himself, rushing back into the fight.

This Ardun's skin... way tougher then the last one! I thought. Like a Mechon... I gasped. "Shulk, Reyn! A Chain Attack! Topple and Daze it!" They nodded, and Shulk started.

"Alright, STREAM EDGE!" he roared. The signs of Break showed on the creature. "Reyn!"

He nodded, and raised his Driver a bit higher for the Art he would use. "Wild Down! ANDREW!"

"Cross Slash!" I grunted, inflicting Daze. Afterwards, we easily took care of the Ardun.

Shulk withdrew the Monado as it fell. "Phew," he breathed. "That..." He yawned. "Ugh... that was good."

Reyn snorted. "That was a pretty good wake-up call compared to just running, you know."

Shulk blinked. "Huh." He turned as Juju came running back. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, thanks," he responded. "Do... do you think you can help me out with my buggy? It, well..."

"We saw a buggy earlier," grunted Reyn, pointing upwards over the small hill. "Around there, right?"

Juju nodded. "Yeah... oh, and before I forget, I'm Juju," he spoke.

While Reyn introduced himself and Shulk as they walked back to the buggy, I was silent.

Shulk looked it over. "The circuit isn't working right..." He swiftly fixed it. "There. All you need now is a new ether cylinder and it'll work almost brand new."

"Thanks again," replied Juju. Then he looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hey... maybe you can come to a camp that's nearby! Right now, some Homs and I are living in it."

"A Homs camp," mused Shulk. "A bit out here..." He turned to Reyn and I. "What do you guys think?"

"Why not?" shrugged Reyn. "Maybe we could get some information on Colony 6."

Though Reyn's and Shulk's backs were turned, I saw Juju visibly flinch at Reyn's words.

"Yeah, sure," I responded. With that, Shulk turned back to Juju.

"Alright, looks like we can!" he told the younger Homs. "Mind leading us?"

"Sure," replied Juju, and he walked his buggy with him as we followed. Soon, he led us to a cave entrance. "Here!"

I looked it over. The ceiling inside doesn't look very stable, I thought. "Well... interesting."

Someone walked out of the cave, rifle at the ready. "Freeze!" As Sharla said it, none of us did so.

"Sharla!" Juju rushed up to her. "Can't you let these guys stay? They saved me. Besides, they want to travel to Colony 6!"

Sharla's expression became one of shock and sadness, before becoming somehow angry.

This is going to end SO well, I thought wryly.

Thanks for reading!