Chapter 26

By the way, you should probably skip this chapter... it's not very good...

All five of them rested, just within Frontier Village.

I was outside the Nopon's village, with a few bandages wrapped around me. Sharla's rifle had jammed strongly from firing too many rounds, and Shulk was looking it over.

I groaned. All I was now was a massive, moving bruise that could talk and swing a sword.

I looked at my sword, now having lost its edge somewhat from the excessive amount of blood drawn onto it.

Now I'm a killer over everything I already was, I thought. A cold blooded killer and a sinner. Great.

"Andrew." I didn't have to turn to know who it was.

"Shulk. Aren't you going over Sharla's rifle?"

"Already done." He yawned. "Pass me your weapon for a moment. In my pocket, I have a few tools... should help sharpen it..."

I turned and gave him my blade. He took out a whet stone and it was soon sharper then it ever was. "Here."

"Thanks." I took my blade back. There was a pause. "You disagree with me about killing that guy."

He sighed after a brief moment. "I do," he admitted. "There was no reason to, after all."

I grunted, almost wanting to laugh. "But there was. So that there would be one less person in the world who could kill, would be one thing. But..." I paused. "Doesn't matter. He's dead now."

"'Doesn't matter', huh?" Shulk paused. "Fine. We're going to see the village's elder, Melia's introducing us. Coming?"

"Yeah." I looked at the night sky, before following the Monado's wielder back into Frontier Village.

...

"Nopon of Frontier Village!" called Melia. "Melia Antiqua has returned. I request an audience with your chief. Chief, will you hear my request?"

"Melia here," mused a Nopon, flapping its arm things that aren't its arms but can act as its arms but aren't their actual arms SO WHAT ARE THEY?!

"Bird Lady here," called another Nopon.

"Melia back!"

"Bird Lady back!"

"Bird Lady?" mused Shulk, looking towards Melia.

Then a larger Nopon came out and walked towards us.

"My dear Melia," he rumbled. "It's good to see you again so soon."

But how come it looks like his eyes are closed, like Azama in Fire Emblem Fates? I wondered. Wait... is it a joke? What? Or is it something darker? ARE THE NOPON A BUNCH OF- actually, never mind. Probably too complicated.

"And you look so well," he continued.

Melia looked away for a moment.

"And what of your men?" he asked.

I winced slightly, and Reyn looked at me. "What is it" he whispered.

"You'll find out," I whispered back.

Melia had her eyes closed, head faced downwards. "They are with one with the Bionis. They sacrificed themselves so that I may escape." Regret came into her voice.

Then she opened her eyes and looked at the Nopon's chief. "But this is not my reason for coming."

She gestured towards Dunga as she continued. "But these Homs need your help. Will you be so kind as to listen to their request?"

"What could a Hom Hom need of me?" he asked.

"They require safe passage to Eryth Sea," she responded.

"I see no reason to deny them," he spoke, eyes still closed. "And Melia, what of you?"

"I have unfinished business in this region," she replied, in a lower voice.

She then turned sideways because why not, I guess. "Once these Homs are safely on their way, I shall be on mine as well."

She moved off, Dunga turning to look at her as the half Homs and half... um... High Entia left.

Sharla turned to face Reyn. "That girl..." mused Sharla. Despite her being older then you? I thought. "Something's troubling her."

"We found her half-dead and with Andrew." Dunban nodded towards me, and it was still shocking to see nothing more but a stub for hair right arm. "But I doubt she'll tell us the reason anytime soon."

"Andrew," spoke Shulk. "What happened to Melia?"

I paused. "Things happened and people died," I replied at last.

"The perfect definition of war," mused Dunban.

Shulk sighed. "Maybe... maybe we can help her. I'll go and talk to her."

"Melia... I see that she has gone to the diving board at the top," mused Dunga. "She had a very strong look of determination on her face."

"Then that's where we all have to go!" declared Shulk. "C'mon, guys!" He raced up the nearest stairs, leaving the rest of us to just follow him.

...

"Here!" grunted Shulk, pausing at the top of the tree. "Hey! There she is!"

"Shulk..." I managed. "Break time, okay...? I mean..." I coughed, and wiped a bit of blood from my mouth. "That... huff... was too... fast... okay?"

"Oh. Sorry. You guys stay here, I'll talk to her." He moved forward with a grunt.

The rest of us groaned and dragged ourselves after him.

"Melia." Shulk's voice, which had deepened after running the whole way, was now back to normal. "You're welcome to come with us."

She looked at the ground.

"Was it true?" he asked. "Was it just you and Andrew in the forest, then?"

"Ah... that thing... must be stopped by my hand." She looked up. "This is my pledge to those that have died."

Her bodyguards, I thought. "Hm..."

"Wounded by a girl..." mused Shulk, in his thoughtful pose. "You.. don't mean you're going to fight the Telethia?"

Melia gasped in shock, turning to face him. "How do you know of the Telethia?!" she demanded.

"When Andrew and I went to collect the Ether crystals, some Telethia attacked us," answered Shulk. "He and I managed to destroy them and get away."

"You defeated Telethia?!" she exclaimed. "Who are you?!"

Someone I bet you've fallen for at this point, I thought.

...

"The Monado..." Melia looked away from Shulk, as this may be a lot to take in. "So that sword can..."

"To tell you the truth, it was just the Telethia's spawn," replied Shulk. "Someone told me the primary Telethia is healing somewhere in the forest.

"It was you, wasn't it. You hurt the Telethia."

"It..." She paused.

"Melia?" he spoke, questioningly.

"The Telethia escaped from our homeland," she spoke. "And I am tasked with killing it." She looked downwards again.

"It cannot remain free. For the sake of my people, and the Nopon, it must be stopped."

"Melia... we can help you defeat it, if you want."

"Out of pity?" She almost glared at him.

Is this what the other people call sass? I wondered.

"No." He shook his head.

"Why, then?" she asked.

"It's... it's just that... I want..."

"Speak, Shulk," she spoke. "Or I will be forced to summon the Nopon chief to interpret for me."

"I... would like to help," he spoke.

"What would you possibly gain by aiding me?" she replied.

"I saw it," he spoke. "At the top of a black tower, you and I were fighting together. Fighting that faced Mechon.

"I, I also saw you fighting a huge Telethia."

"It threw me the first time 'n' all," sighed Reyn.

"Forgive me, Shulk, but what are you talking about?" She turned to face him. Again.

"Shulk can see visions of the future," declared Reyn.

Melia took a step back. "See... the future?!" she exclaimed. "And you expect me to believe this rubbish?!"

"Yes!" I spoke. "Though from a practical standpoint, no."

"Believe what you want, lady." Reyn folded his arms. "Same as I tell all the non-believers."

'Ha... that'll be me then," spoke Sharla, looking at him.

"Oh yeah!" smirked Reyn. "In any case..." He looked back at Melia. "One of the only reasons we've got this far was because of Shulk's visions, ya know?"

Is Naruto going to do something in this now?! I thought.

"If Shulk said he saw you in a vision, then you must be important to whatever's next," continued Reyn. "And... if you're tough enough to fight a faced Mechon, you're alright in my book."

"You've got my vote," spoke Dunban. "A lady should not go unaccompanied onto the battlefield."

"Excuse me!" interrupted Melia, before Sharla could speak up again. "I... I am quite capable of dispatching the beast alone! I require no assistance!"

"What about earlier?" I asked.

She glared at me, and Dunga waddled up to her in that moment.

"My dear, I apologize, but I could not help but overhear," he began. "Their offer sounds quite reasonable.

"The danger extends much further than our small dwelling. Makna itself is at risk.

"And we shall provide you with the strongest warrior of our clan."

Wait a second... RIKI?! I thought. "What...?"

"Chief Dunga, I..." began Melia.

"No need for thanks. He is equal, if not better, of the Hom Hom," interrupted Dunga.

"You do know we're listening?" spoke Reyn.

"The chosen Nopon hero will await you below," spoke Dunga. "I shall go ahead and prepare him. Please excuse me."

"A Nopon hero?" mused Reyn. "Now this I have to see.'

"Don't be like that," replied Shulk, but I could sense the laughter in his voice. "Let's meet him first."

"Wait... how are we going to get down?" I asked.

"Jumping!" yelled Shulk, dramatic as he ran. "Hah!" He leapt over the edge, and the rest of us looked over the edge in horror.

Thankfully, Shulk landed in water, though in this high up, that totally should've hurt him in some way.

"Huh," I grunted. "So are we all jumping, are what?"

"I'll join you quickly," spoke Melia, walking around the tree to get down.

Dunban, Reyn, Sharla and I all jumped, and hit the water. It was cold, but there was no clear impact of injury or whatever.

"May I introduce..." Dunga spoke as we climbed onto the platform. "Heropon Riki!" He turned and raised his arms.

"Yay, Riki!" called a Nopon. "Our Heropon!"

As that Nopon finished speaking a Nopon fell from above, bouncing off of Reyn's head.

"Watch out!" commented Dunban, as Riki rushed past him.

"Get off me!" gasped Sharla, pushing the Heropon away from her.

Melia finally caught up to us at that moment, and Riki was to be used as a volleyball as Melia passed him to Shulk. "To you!"

He grunted, passing him back into the air. Riki let out squeaks and gasps of pain as they did so.

"Right in the... TAKE THIS, FURBALL!" shouted Reyn, starting to run at the Nopon.

"Stop," I growled, using my sword to block his path.

"Hey! Andrew!" he shouted, trying to shove me away. I pushed back, and we were at a standstill for a few moments. He sighed, and gave up. "Fine."

By then, Riki had fallen on the ground, dazed from being used as a volleyball despite no one spiking him.

All six of us looked down at him, as he lay on his stomach. I withdrew my sword and pulled away a bit.

Then, a ton of things were being spoken all at once, about Riki, as all the Nopon present threw random bits and ends at their new Heropon, the most epic of Nopon.

"SILENCE!" shouted Dunga, his eyes opening for a brief moment as he shouted.

There was relative quiet and he waddled over to Riki, picking him off the ground.

"I introduce to you... this year's legendary Heropon... RIKI!" He waved the Nopon in front of us, who had x's for eyes.

"Ah..." There was... some unidentifiable expression in Melia's eyes.

Riki recovered and wiggled out of Dunga's grasp. "Ee! New Hom Hom friends!" He did a little dance. "Meet this year's legendary Heropon, Riki! Riki live to serve!" He struck a pose.

All of us stared at him. It was all I could do to prevent from laughing.

Dunban managed to compose himself and spoke. "A Heropon, you say? Not sure where you'll come in handy, but... ore the merrier."

"Shulk, Andrew. Are these Telethia as strong as they sound?" he asked.

"Yes," answered Shulk, and Dunban looked thoughtful. "They're as quick as lightning and can read your mind."

"Read your mind, eh?" mused the swordsman. "A mind-reading giant bird. No problem."

"How is that not a problem?" I asked.

He shrugged. "Eh."

"I can see their movement through the Monado, but even that's not enough to get the better of them," spoke Shulk.

"And we're going up against the daddy version," concluded Dunban. "No one blink for a second."

"Ok," replied Shulk.

"Eyes wide open," declared Reyn.

What was the point of that statement anyway? I wondered.

"And don't forget that Melia is our only chance of making it to Eryth Sea," spoke Dunban. "If anything happens to our guide, it's on our heads.

"The Telethia is our target, but don't forget about the person standing next to you."

Why is Dunban talking so much?! I thought. What, is he falling for Melia or something?!

Huh. Might explain some fanfictions I've seen, if that were true...

"Dunban's right," added Sharla.

"I am... in your debt." Melia looked down at the ground. "My weaknesses are all too apparent."

"No worries, Melia!" spoke Shulk.

She turned to face him and the wielder of the Monado nodded at her.

Please tell me, for the love of god, there will be no love triangle, I thought.

"Riki has been informed of the Dinobeast, which you refer to as the Telethia," spoke Dunga. "Be safe, my Hom Hom friends." The Nopon chief then waddled off and Riki began to speak.

"Riki's friends, listen to Riki!" he spoke. "Dinobeast is big and scary! Friends get ready, friends help Riki get ready!"

"You... want us to get gear for you?" asked Shulk.

"Riki's friend right!" At this point, his arm things flapped slightly. "Hom Hom clever!

"Friends meet Riki when ready! Then friends and Riki leave together!"

He handed us a note, telling us the equipment he needed.

"Big attitude for a footrest," noted Reyn. "'Dinobeast is big and scary!' Yeah. That'll come in handy."

"Let's just spilt up and get the gear from the other Nopon," I replied.

"Is it just me, or did we just become Nopon mercenaries?" wondered Sharla.

Shulk shrugged. "Let's get that gear."

...

Soon, all of us were back with the gear Riki wanted.

"Ready to go!" declared the Nopon, dancing on the spot. "Come new friends, Riki's adventure begins!"

"Riki?" spoke Reyn, looking down at the new party member. "You do know where the Telethia is, don't you?"

"Of course Riki know!" responded the Nopon, before turning to Melia.

"Melly! Riki hear you hurt Dinobeast!" His arm things moved in the air, somehow letting the Nopon fly.

I almost couldn't hold in laughter. Riki flying with what looked like a teddy bear on a stick was golden.

"I did," she admitted. "But only a little."

Riki settled on the ground again. "When Dinobeast hurt, Riki know it go to place with Ether crystals. Then we find Dinobeast."

"Chief tell Riki! Chief always right!" As he spoke he did a little dance.

"So you do know a thing or two about this monster," noted Reyn, and he turned to everyone else as he continued to speak.

"Guess we'll be searching for Ether crystals, then."

Riki nodded at this, and all seven of us moved out of Frontier Village.

...

"Riki?" spoke Shulk, just as we were exiting the village. "Why are you the Heropon?"

He turned to Shulk. "Why?" he repeated. "Because Chief Dunga choose Riki!"

Shulk went into his thoughtful pose. "He chose you?" he mused. "So... you weren't chosen from birth or anything?"

"Friend wrong!" declared Riki. "Chief choose by instinct!"

"By instinct?!" exclaimed Reyn with a gasp or something.

"Why friend surprised?" asked Riki. "Chief have sharp instinct. Chief be village seer!"

"So that's how you became the Heropon?" mused Dunban. "Can't argue with that."

"But he is kind of..." Shulk scratched his hair. "Compact... for a warrior hero."

Riki groaned, somewhat looking at the ground. "Riki owns lots of monies to the village," he admitted. "If Riki defeat Dinobeast, village promise to forget my debts.

"So Riki like being the Heropon!" He perked up slightly at this, with a nod.

"Time to go, then," mused Shulk. "Looking through Makna Forest for some Ether crystals."

"Sounds good," replied Dunban. "Let's go!"

We took off, Riki waddling close to us.

The Legendary Heropon... I thought.

Truly, now we are unstoppable.

Thanks for reading!