Chapter 9: The High Entia Ruins

Of course as I expected, there was a quest that we needed to complete in order to move forward. It was a pain to get them, but luckily Sharla found one of the things we needed. To made matters easier, we all decided to split up to go after the rest. Even though there were five of us, it was decided that Shulk, Sharla and I would go after one as Reyn and Dunban went after the other two. I didn't understand why, but I didn't argue my point out. While we were going after one, I was talking to Shulk for most of the time, since Sharla still didn't like me, and I couldn't blame her. Though the conversation wasn't about much at all, the nagging feeling of the Mechon called me "Outsider" wasn't settling nicely in my mind, and I think Shulk can even see it.

"Neetz, are you alright?" Shulk asked concern. "You're not looking too good."

"So Shulk, I was wondering about something that's been in my mind for quite some time," I replied. "It's...about what the Mechon said about the 'Outsider.' You wouldn't happen to know what they meant, right?"

"Actually...that's the first time I've heard of it to be honest." Shulk rubbed the back of his head. "Of everything I know, I've never come across that term being used, like your bracelet for example."

"Right... But if only we had a book or something that could explain what an Outsider is, or this bracelet for that matter."

"What are you two talking about?" Sharla turned around to look at us, so we stopped away from some enemies.

"Just about what an Outsider is, that's all," Shulk replied. "Not to mention Neetz's bracelet."

"An Outsider, you say? Well... I have heard something like from some Nopon Merchants some time ago."

"Really?! C-could you tell us what they said?" I asked, wanting to know more about it.

"Well, they didn't know much, but they did know that they weren't from the Bionis in any shape or form. They just appeared out of thin air, not having any real reason to even be here. As an Outsider, they could change their appearance and blend into anywhere they went. I've also heard they have unparalleled knowledge about this place."

"Is that so?" I folded my arms to think. Knowledge about this place? Could this mean that this might be some type of media back on Earth? Then if so...this can't be good.

"But I'm not sure if that's true or not," Sharla sighed. "But let's get going and get the last thing for the ceremony."

"Right!"

After collecting all of the items that we needed, we all regrouped and went back to complete the ceremony. The ceremony preparations didn't take us very long, and we all decided to get going. Shulk had the Adulthood Emblem and I took note on how the floor of this place looked. From the one pocket hole in the center of the circle, it had unique black carving of a symbol stretching out, making two circles and a square. Mini circles were there as well. As soon as Shulk placed the Emblem into its socket, we all were surprised at how the black line startled to glow as energy began to course through the symbol. The inner mini circle shoot out black gas as the outer one shoot a white gas some kind. These gases flew above us as the Emblem had a small pillar of blue light shooting straight out into the sky, and as soon as it started, it was gone. I think I was only one confused as this was making no sense.

"Um... Isn't there like some of kind test to get into Adulthood?" I asked, looking into the sky. "Because I don't see how gathering a few items is a so-called test."

"Don't push your luck," Dunban answered back.

Just then from the sky came some kind of multicolor–yet beautiful–bird creature thing. We all got our weapons out to fight whatever the creature was. Deducing that this was our test, it was powerful in its own right, even for a group of five. It knew how to fight a large group though, going after Sharla and me whenever it could. We had to watch our backs as the boys were fighting the creature. The fight was going pretty well despite what we were doing, so as long as we kept our ground, it was going to be fine. Shulk finished off the creature using a Back Slash as it fell to the ground defeated. Some of us got injured, but the wounds weren't too bad. Looking towards the gates, I saw the steps coming from the ground like the ground wasn't even there and forming solid stairs... I think I'm never getting used to this world.

After getting ready and finding out that the floor raised up and nothing else–which was still petty cool, we walked up the stairs to make our way towards the Bionis' Head. Once atop the stairs, we all say a glowing, green lift of some kind waiting there for us. Something wasn't right with it, so all walked over and Reyn investigated it.

"Huh? The lift don't work!" Reyn confirmed as he turned back to us. Shulk walked in to examine the lift.

"Looks like it's been broken for a while," Shulk noted. "We'll have to find another way up."

"Really…? After fighting the creature back there, this is what we get?" I asked, letting out a whine. "Does that mean we're climbing up the whole way?"

"We might have to," Dunban replied, looking up.

"Come on, you can't be serious," Reyn folded his arms. "Why'd someone build a lift that don't work?"

"No complaining," Shulk asserted. "Let's start looking for a place where we can climb up."

"Fine..." I trailed off, giving up.

Looking up as I hung out in the back, I thought of any way for me to get up there besides climbing that whole entire wall way up. I didn't notice that my bracelet was glowing until I was last on climbing up the vines. It was glowing gold again, and the next thing, I knew I was standing atop the ruins from the highest point! Ok... What in the name of Bionis just happened? Looking back, I stood while everybody there acting as if nothing happened as the others were looking at the view. My fear of heights kept me from going close to the edge, but did my Time Warp just send me into the future? As much as I'd like to go find out myself, it wasn't glowing anymore, and bringing the attention of me somehow here wouldn't do me much good. Even though last time, there were two of me, but in the future, I somehow entered this place? I didn't say anything more as we headed deeper inside the Bionis. To my surprise, we didn't get in as Shulk stopped in the front of the entrance.

"Reyn..." Shulk's voice trailed off.

"Ready to go, Shulk?" Reyn turned to face him.

"Yeah, but just hold on a minute."

To my surprise, Shulk went up to Dunban, who I was by since Sharla had her suspicions about me still.

"What is it, Shulk?" Dunban asked.

"It's about the Monado," Shulk answered back. "I'd like to ask your permission to use it a little longer."

"And why's that Shulk?" I asked. "Did Dunban originally use it?"

"Yes, The Monado was originally Dunban's sword." Shulk then faced Dunban again. "But… I need it to achieve my goal...so..."

Dunban chuckled a bit, "Don't sweat it. You are far more skillful at wielding that thing than I ever was. Keep it. It's yours. Besides, I have a new sword. That old coot had the decency to forge this for me." He motioned to his katana. "I owe to him to make the most of it."

"Dunban..." Shulk trailed off.

'Shulk, I think by now seeing how long we've traveled together that you're worthy of wielding the Monado," I said, smiling at him. "I think by now the Monado has accepted you, and you should accept it as well. And don't take my word for it or Dunban's. You just need to believe in yourself Shulk."

"Believe in myself?" Shulk looked confused as he looked down towards the floor.

"Never lying down, never giving up," Dunban added. "That's our pride and strength as Homs. And we have to make sure those metal monsters know it."

Shulk looked back up with a confident smile. "You're right!" Shulk said happily.

"Alright! Now let's get going!" I raised my fists into the air. "This Prison Island isn't getting any closer now, is it? If Shulk is to go there, then we shall!"

Everybody nodded, and with renewed spirits, we entered inside.

Note:

As for Neetz "'sudden jump into the future," she actually didn't jump into the future; rather, her mind blocked out the climb for her as there were lots of arguing which she wouldn't be able to handle. Her bracelet reacted to it to save her from hearing all of that. In short, it just blanked out her mind until the group reached the top.

Also, as the story goes on, more of the "Outsider" information shall be reveal. But before you ask, I'll say it now: nobody brought them to this world on purpose. They just appear out of nowhere and nobody knows why. Though as a bit of "joke," I'd like to make this connection: The Bionis is considered a host as the Outsider is a parasite. That's all I'll say for now, and I wouldn't mind you all reviewing! It really helps me a lot! Anyway, I'll see you all later now that I'm back.