Chapter 10: Metal Sights
Shulk had awakened early in the morning, and found Fox and Samus who also had awakened and were sparring. "Early morning, isn't it?" Shulk asked. "Sure is. Just doing some training," Fox said. "It wouldn't happen to be because that M. Bison fella kicked your arses?" Shulk asked. "M. Bison was a tough opponent. He meant business. He was close to killing us. We must be prepared should we face him again," Samus said. "Hm. Well, I was about to head out to see any research on the Convergence Crystals. Would you like to join me?" Shulk asked. "If it makes things faster, then sure," Samus said as she walked on ahead. "She really means business, doesn't she?" Shulk asked. "Yeah. She's pretty much like that since I met her. Then again… I could tell she has a past. Probably is why she is the way she is," Fox said. "Don't we all," Shulk said.
The three of them walked through Colony 9. Not many people were up, but some were up doing laundry in the morning, or barely opening their shops. Some kids were even playing in the streets. The sky was filled with clouds, and yet the day still seemed amusing. Shulk opened a door they had to a warehouse. There they found many crates.
"If anything on the Convergence Crystals is here, then this might be a place. I had also asked a friend of mine to do research on her hand, considering that the High Entia do live longer than Homs. A Nopon friend of mine is also doing his research, although I am pretty sure it is not his thing," Shulk said as he opened a crate, filled with research on his sword. "There seems to be a lot on your sword," Fox said. "The Monado. Yes. It was the weapon used by the Bionis," Shulk said. "The Titan that made up this world," Fox said. "One of them. Yes. It is a long story," Shulk said. "Yeah. I heard that Reyn guy telling it," Fox said.
Samus opened some more crates. They probably spent nearly half the day searching, and yet only minimal information was found. "This is all stuff we already know," Samus said. "I'm sure something is in here that we don't know yet. It's gotta be in here," Fox said. Shulk opened another crate. Suddenly, he heard a loud ring, and witnessed missiles falling from the sky from an unknown battleship in the sky. Mechanical monsters raining terror on the Colony, and him facing another monster, one of blue and unique from the others. Fox then tapped him on the shoulder and asked, "Hey. You okay?" "Y-yes. I am fine," Shulk said. "What could that mean?" he thought to himself.
Inside the crate they found, they found that the Convergence Crystals held some ancient history. "According to this, the Convergence Crystals were used to connect the worlds of the universe. Eight warriors were chosen to protect the crystals at their most powerful form," Samus said. "Ruina Orbem," Fox said. "The Smash Orb," Samus said. "It also says here that these eight warriors chose to divide the Smash Orb into the eight Convergence Crystals and each were hidden in the warriors' respective worlds," Shulk said. "Why though?" Samus asked.
As they continued looking at this research, Samus chose to pack it up so that they could continue. "It seems you have found something, yet how we have it is beyond me," Shulk said. "The Convergence Crystal seems to have an important balance to the greater universe, yet how do they bend reality?" Samus asked. "The one crystal we found. It has a lot of energy, but it doesn't seem harmless," Fox said. "But what if someone were to get their hands on all Eight. The temple I found in Zebes had its crystal taken," Samus said.
They walked outside and Samus thanked Shulk for the information. "It's a shame that you must leave so soon," Shulk said. "Yeah, well we can't let these Convergence Crystals get into the wrong hands. Plus Falco and Slippy might be bored out of their lives," Fox said. Shulk laughed a bit, until he felt an odd wind approaching. His expression slowly changed to something of worry. Out of nowhere, a shadow covered the entirety of Colony 9. Across the seas, many witnessed an object of mass proportions fly above the colony.
The people of Colony 9 all looked out their windows or up in the streets and saw the silhouette of something in the sky descending. "It can't be," Shulk said as he remembered his vision, "My vision." "Are you talking about that future vision Reyn talked about?" Samus asked. Before Shulk could answer, a giant battleship exited the clouds. It was bright red and yellow, and it could potentially hold an entire army on it. Beneath it, there is a logo, symbolizing a plump mad scientist with a mustache. From the battleship, a laugh could be heard.
"Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho!" A hologram message projected a big, fat, red scientist. His mustache was probably one of his most prominent. "Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho! Greetings people of Colony 9! I am the esteemed Dr. Eggman!" he yelled. "Eggman?" Fox questioned. "You may be wondering why I am here? Well to put it simply that even your dull minds may understand, I will claim this world to be a part of the Eggman Empire! And so there is one slight dilemma. You. Hence why I must now commence my conquest!" he yelled, "And so I recommend you surrender now before facing any casualties."
Cannons around the Colony began to face the giant battleship in the sky. They began charging up. "So, it will be like that. Well, can't say I didn't warn you," Dr. Eggman said. He turned off his hologram and cannons popped out beneath the battleship. The Colony 9 cannons shot but the attacks were inefficient as Eggman had a barrier on his battleship. The cannons of the battleship shot out, and rained hell on the cannons, destroying their chance to keep the battle away from the ground.
"We gotta get to our ships," Fox said. Shulk, Samus, and Fox ran as containers fell from Eggman's battleship. They arrived back at Dunban's and Fiora's house, where they noticed Dunban and Fiora being prepared for battle. "Did you see that?" Fiora asked. "Yes. This looks bad," Shulk said. "Where's Peppy?" Fox asked. They heard a loud snore as Peppy was still asleep. "Don't worry, I know how to wake him up," Fox said. He wet his finger with saliva and gave Peppy a wet willy. "ARGH! FOX!" Peppy screamed. "C'mon old geezer. We gotta get moving," Fox said. "Darn! You kids need to respect your elders more!" Peppy yelled. "Go on! Get out of here. We'll buy you some time here on the ground," Shulk said. "You sure?" Samus asked. "Yeah. The information you have is more important," Shulk said. "What kind of information?" Dunban asked. "If we survive, I'll explain," Shulk said. "That's very reassuring," Fiora said.
Fox, Peppy, and Samus ran back through Tephra Cave. The soldiers of Colony 9 immediately ran as the containers landed around Colony 9. "Oi! Shulk! Everyone! Did you see that?" Reyn asked as he ran to them. "Couldn't be more obvious," Fiora said. They all saw the two Arwings and Samus' Gunship take off from the cliffside. "Those are bloody epic," Reyn said. The containers began opening, revealing a bunch of metallic creatures. "Those aren't Mechon, are they?" Dunban asked. "They don't look like they're that touch," Reyn said.
The badniks all came out at the same time all around the Colony. Their numbers greatly outnumbered the soldiers of Colony 9. Yet, they were fairly simple to take out. Only problem was that it seemed these were specifically designed to deal with something faster than any soldier. "Huh!" Dunban yelled as he sliced one in two. "Quickly! We can't let too many overwhelm us!" he yelled. Reyn pushed back some that had wheels on them, and shielded the shots from the flying badniks.
Shulk charged towards one, and Fiora stood behind him. "Just like fighting Mechon in the old days," Shulk said. "Yeah, well I'll admit, I did miss em'," Fiora said. Landing alongside the contaminants were more robots that resembled Dr. Eggman. These badniks were more advanced than the others. They shot lasers from their eyes. Shulk did his best to block the shots, but more came incoming, making it more difficult to block them all. Then from nowhere, an electric shot fired upon the badniks. Then another made of fire, followed by one of water. Shulk looked behind him and said, "Melia." From a Gateway Fort came a regal looking warrior. Her hair was gray, and on her head were wings. "Well, when I saw the floating object in the sky, I didn't think you'd need help, but I decided to offer it anyway," she said. "We could gladly use it," Shulk said.
From the direction came a sniper. She looked only slightly older than Shulk, but she was a skilled shot who shot a healing bullet at Reyn. "Oi! Thanks for the assist Sharla," Reyn said. "I saw everything from the Gaur Plains. I thought I could assist," she said. "The more, the merrier I say," Dunban said as he sliced more badniks. "Riki is also here!" said a voice. A little furry creature who smacked one of the badniks. "Heropon Riki is here!" he yelled. "We sure could use a heropon," Dunban said. "Heropon knows that Riki is always there!" Riki exclaimed.
From the doctor's battleship, Eggman was watching the battle unfold, specifically keeping close attention to the recently gathered friends. "Hm. I see now that once they are together, they are a formidable force. Hm, but with my supreme intellect I should be able… Yes! That is what I'll do," he said. He ran over to his pod. He launched from his battleship and on his Egg Mobile he addressed the heroes. "So. You think you could try to prevent my conquest?" Dr. Eggman asked. "I don't know who you are pal, but we are stronger when we're together," Reyn said. "Hm, I see," Dr. Eggman said, "But you see. You may be stronger." Another, larged container launched from Eggman's battleship and landed on the ground, revealing a large robot look-alike of Eggman. Its head opened up, revealing a spot where something could fit in it. "But I am smarter," he said as he entered the robot's head and it closed behind him.
His arms extended, causing the heroes to jump back to dodge. "Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho!" Dr. Eggman laughed. "You may be bigger, but it will amount to nothing," Dunban said. They all charged ahead. Sharla and Melia kept their distance and shot at mech. Reyn ran ahead and tackled the mech. Unfortunately, mech went ahead and grabbed him. "Reyn-time! No worries! Heropon Riki will save you!" Riki yelled. "Wait! Riki! No!" Reyn yelled. Riki smacked Reyn at the head, making the Death Egg Robot lose its grip on Reyn and letting him go. "OW! Why?" Reyn asked. Shulk closed his eyes and concentrated. "That's it! Dunban! Riki! Flank him on his sides! Melia! Sharla, keep shooting! Fiora, you're with me," Shulk said. "Right," they said. "Wait! What about me?" Reyn asked. "On my signal, charge ahead," Shulk said. "Now you're speaking my language mate!" Reyn exclaimed.
Melia and Sharla kept shooting their magic and bullets, distracting Eggman. Then Dunban sliced one of Eggman's legs and Riki severely dented the other one. "What?!" Eggman yelled. Shulk and Fiora yelled as they sliced the giant robots head off. "Reyn! Now!" Shulk yelled. Reyn immediately ran like a football player and smacked the robot way back, knocking it down. "Oi! How do you like the taste of that?" Reyn asked. Eggman got out, coughing as he stood up.
"Why not call off your forces and surrender? You're clearly outmatched," Dunban said. "Hm, is that what you think?" Dr. Eggman said with a smirk. They all heard a loud noise coming from Eggman's ship. Suddenly a much smaller, faster, blue object was approaching. It landed in front of Eggman and the sheer force of its landing caused everyone to be sent back with a huge gust of wind. "Ugh! What is that?" Reyn asked. "Whatever it is, it can't be good," Melia said.
This new robot had a shiny, reflective outer skin of blue. It looked reminiscent of an animal of some kind. Its joints were articulate. "Hee hee! Meet my creation. Metal Sonic!" Eggman yelled. "Metal Sonic?" Fiora asked. "No matter," Shulk said as he closed his eyes. He witnessed the future, seeing a likely potential path to take. "There!" Shulk yelled. "Shulk! Wait!" Dunban yelled.
The vision Shulk had has Metal Sonic flanking Shulk during his charge and scratching him in the back. Metal Sonic charged forward. It yelled with a warble. At the right moment, Shulk jumped as Metal Sonic flanked, although instead of scratching, Metal Sonic went directly for a kick that kicked Shulk back to his friend. "Shulk!" Fiora yelled. "What? How?" Shulk asked in shock, "I used my visions! That thing never did that!" "Hee hee! You see, I implanted Metal with a program that allows him to witness all possibilities. I've been studying all of you for months! And all that data went into Metal, making him the ultimate weapon against you!" Eggman yelled.
"We'll see about that!" Reyn yelled. Sharla shot at Metal, but he dodged all of the shots at the last second. Metal yelled once again and charged straight ahead. Reyn jumped in front of Sharla and yelled, "Take this!" Metal collided with Reyn's weapon, but Metal cleverly boosted, sending Reyn and Sharla back. Dunban, believing he had a moment to strike, attempted to strike Metal Sonic in the back, but Metal quickly turned around in less than a second and grabbed Dunban's sword by its blade. "Let Go!" Dunban yelled. Dunban was launched by Metal Sonic directly into Riki.
"AH!" Shulk yelled. The light of the Monado nearly struck Metal but he turned. Metal Sonic warbled more as his hand turned into a sword, similar to the Monado. Shulk clashed his Monado with Metal Sonic's fake. They were evenly matched. "Summon Ice!" Melia yelled. Melia created a block of ice and threw it at Metal, but Metal merely grabbed it and tossed it at Shulk, freezing him for a moment. "It is pointless! Metal has overcome even my own expectations! And this is merely the test phase!" Dr. Eggman yelled. Metal Sonic charged ahead towards Melia, but out of nowhere, lasers rained from the sky and shot Metal Sonic. "What?!" Dr. Eggman yelled. "What was that?" Fiora asked.
From the sky, Samus' Gunship broke through the clouds, being followed by the two Arwings. Metal Sonic, in anger, chased after the spaceships. "No!" Dr. Eggman yelled. Following the smaller ships, came in the Great Fox, and it landed near the group. Falco had opened the bay door. "Hey! I heard you're friends of Fox's! Get in!" Falco yelled. "No! Attack!" Dr. Eggman yelled. All the badniks directed their attention towards the Great Fox. Falco shot some. "Falco! We're sustaining a lot of damage! Slippy yelled. "Quickly! Get in!" Falco yelled as he shot some.
Shulk, still able to walk, helped Dunban and Reyn with the aid of Sharla and Fiora. Melia grabbed Riki and they all made their way to the Great Fox. "Great! Slippy! That's everyone!" Falco yelled. The doors closed and the Great Fox took off. "No! Fire!" Dr. Eggman yelled. The Great Fox took great speed to avoid the lasers fired at them. Following them was the Arwings and Samus' ship who were being chased by Metal Sonic. Samus purposefully got in the way of the lasers so that Metal Sonic could be shot by the lasers. They all made their way off the planet.
"No!" Eggman yelled.
The Arwings and Samus' ship quickly connected to the Great Fox as they activated maximum overdrive and left the sector. Shulk and the gang quickly looked out into the vastness of space. "We've seen this before. Once, in our battle against Zanza," Shulk said. "There's a whole universe out, filled with wonders," Fox said. "This is impressive, but what about our home?" Reyn asked. "Reyn's right. What happened back there?" Melia asked. "Hold up. I gotta leave overdrive space," Slippy said. "Why?" Fox asked. "Cause we're about to hit something!" Slippy yelled.
Slippy pulled back on the ship's throttle, causing everyone to fall as they left overdrive space and witnessed something else in space. As they all stood up, they witnessed a structure, simply floating in space. Its design formed a star, as if it was one with the cosmos. From it, they could notice a bunch of sentient stars playing, and looking at them. "That's weird," Slippy said as he looked at a screen. "What? That there's something in space or that there are stars that are literally alive?" Falco asked. "Well, besides that, there is an atmosphere stretching from that thing, towards us," Slippy said. They heard a mystical noise from the outside, as a bridge suddenly popped up, leading them into the structure.
"I'm guessing we should go to investigate," Fox said. "You sure this is a good idea mate? Like things like this don't normally happen," Reyn said. "You are literally talking to a talking fox," Samus said. "Well he looks like a really tall Nopon," Reyn said. They all decided to go after some talking. The stars went over to them, and they weren't scared, but they led their way. "Quickly! Mama's waiting! Mama's waiting!" they said. "Mama? Who's their mother?" Peppy asked.
The stars led them to a woman floating. She had blonde hair so long that it covered her right eye, a silver tiara on her head, and a mystic blue dress. "I have been expecting you for a while," she said as she opened her eyes. "Who the heck are you?" Samus asked. "I suppose you wouldn't know that. I am Rosalina, guardian of the cosmos and caretaker of the Comet Observatory," she said. "Rosalina. Well you seem to be doing a good job taking care of the cosmos," Fox said. She chuckled. "Unfortunately even I have my limitations. Fortunately, I'm assuming you have one of the eight Convergence Crystals," Rosalina said. "Wait, you know about the Convergence Crystals? Are you allied with M. Bison and Eggman?" Samus asked. "I do not know of these individuals, and no, unfortunately I do not know much of the crystals for their history is ancient, but a while ago I had a visitor from another galaxy speak with me on such matters, and so it was proven that I needed to be involved," Rosalina said.
They all looked at each other, and so Fox decided to bring the Convergence Crystal they had on the Great Fox. "So this is the Convergence Crystal?" Shulk asked. "Yes. It holds great power, but it is still untapped. Now," Rosalina said as she pulled out her wand, "Hopefully this works," she said.
Rosalina's wand flickered and sent a sparkle into the Convergence Crystal. The crystal began to blindly shine. Suddenly Fox and Samus, individually, found themselves in a space outside of space. They witnessed bright paths of light underneath them, including seven others. Then they awoke, and saw the Convergence Crystal on the floor, alongside three others.