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Script of Xenoblade Chronicles - Chapter 1

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The first chapter of Xenoblade Chronicles establishes the world in a fairly peaceful and conflict-free manner.

This page is divided into sections based on the Definitive Edition's Event Theatre. The exception is the first scene, which the Event Theatre plays as part of the last scene in the prologue, but is for convenience instead listed as part of the first scene here.

Shulk and Reyn[edit]

It is one year later. The sky is clear, and the day is young. The sounds of someone rummaging through scrap metal travel around a small grassy clearing full of Mechon parts. The currently-offscreen rummager, Shulk, is talking to himself.
Shulk
A Mechon M71!
I bet I can use its optical system to align one of the Anti-Air Batteries.
He groans as he flips something to the side.
Shulk
(dejected)
No good. It's broken.
He investigates a circular part further.
Shulk
(dejected)
The joint section...
It's buckled.
He chucks it away.
Shulk
It's completely useless.
He stretches and flops back onto the ground. A dragonfly passes by, and he watches it. Then he spots something.
Shulk
An M69!
He stumbles up and dashes towards it.
Shulk
(excited again)
Its armour would be perfect for making a shield.
If I can just get it off, I should be able to...
The armour shakes him off and he stumbles back.
Reyn
Shulk!
Reyn, a big redhead, runs in and bashes the shaking piece of armour away with his shield.
Shulk
Reyn!
The piece of armour flips over and turns around to reveal that there's some sort of crustacean inside. Shulk draws his Junk Sword.
Shulk
It's not a Mechon! It's just a Krabble!
It was using the Mechon armour as a shell!
Reyn
I'll lure it away and Topple it!
When it's down, use your Arts to finish it off!
The Krabble waves vaguely threateningly at Reyn.


Shulk and Reyn have fought off the creatures bothering them.
Shulk
Thanks, Reyn. That was a close one.
Reyn
(irritated)
Man, what were you doing wandering off by yourself? Stay where I can keep an eye on you.
It's pretty dangerous outside of the colony. There are all kinds of monsters.
Shulk
(shook it off)
Yeah.
But thanks to you, we got its shell. Everyone in the colony's gonna be really happy.
Reyn
(can't stay angry at him)
I'm more worried about you than the shell.
Ah...whatever.
Knowing what you're like, at least you'll make a decent weapon out of it.
This Scrap Driver's excellent.
Shulk
I just learned by watching Dickson make weapons.
Reyn
'Course, Dunban's weapon still beats them all.
Shulk
The Monado...
I hope I can figure out the secret of its power one day.
Reyn
You will, Shulk. Anyway, we'd better get back to the colony.
If I'm late for drills again, old Square-tache is gonna kill me.
Shulk
Square-tache?
Oh, the Defence Force Colonel. He's pretty scary.
Reyn
Tell me about it...
Shulk
Sorry. I didn't mean for you to come all the way out here during your break.
Reyn
Don't worry about it. Let's get back.
The two leave the site.

Colony 9[edit]

Shulk and Reyn arrive at Colony 9, and cross the bridge into town.
Reyn
Here we are. I'd better stop in at HQ. You off to the Weapon Development Lab?
Shulk
Yeah, when I've sold any parts I can't use.
Reyn
All right.
See you later.
Reyn goes ahead, while Shulk hangs behind.

Colonel Vangarre[edit]

Shulk reaches the Military District. He's having a good time. Then he hears a very angry voice from offscreen.
Colonel
You idiots! What the hell are you playing at?!
Shulk
Uh-oh! The colonel's gonna explode.
Colonel Vangarre is spitting angry at a pair of soldiers.
Vangarre
Crashing the mobile artillery into a house?! How long have you been in the force?!
Left soldier
Sorry, Sir. It's just that we were trying to go as fast as we could, like you ordered...
Right soldier
But it's impossible to get back to the Military District in only 40 seconds.
Vangarre
I don't want any excuses! Champions don't whine, they win!
Left soldier
Yes, sir.
Vangarre
You're a disgrace to the uniform! Are you forgetting the shame you brought on this force during joint manoeuvres with Colony 6?!
Stick your back into it, maggots! Move it!
Left soldier
Yes, sir.
Vangarre
Get the artillery back to the Military District, double time!
Then I want a million press-ups from both of you! And you better not stop until your biceps explode!
Left soldier
Colonel. We can't move the artillery.
Vangarre
What? You'd better give a damn good reason why!
Right soldier
Sir!
The camera goes to look at the crashed artillery unit, way over in the Residential District.
Right soldier
The impact of the crash damaged the ether conduction cable!
The ether fuel proceeded to leak out and now the cylinder is empty!
Back to the violently angry Colonel.
Vangarre
Well, change the cylinder then! Can't you even do something as simple as that?!
Left soldier
The auxiliary cylinders have all been used up.
It'll be three days until more come in, Sir.
Vangarre
I told you to keep a stock of fuel in reserve!
Left soldier
Sorry, Sir...
Vangarre
You're nothing but slackers!
Vangarre decks the soldier in the face. Shulk flinches.
Shulk
(unsurprised)
Same old colonel. At this rate, the men will all be dead before they see any action.

Fiora and Dunban[edit]

Shulk enters the Weapon Development Lab. The Monado is waiting for him. Dickson apparently also is, sitting on the desk with papers in hand.
Dickson
All right, Shulk. How are you?
Shulk
(happy-surprised)
Dickson!
When did you get back to Colony 9?
Dickson
Just now.
I see you've been busy.
Looks like your Monado research has been going well.
I made the right choice leaving you in charge.
Dickson gets up and approaches. Shulk makes a sheepish chuckle.
Shulk
Your research notes really helped.
Dickson takes a look at the Monado.
Dickson
So you can activate it now then?
Shulk
Well,
anyone can activate it.
The problem is controlling it.
Dickson
Yeah. For everyone except him.
Shulk
Yes.
If anyone other than Dunban were able to control the Monado,
we could surpass any military force in the world.
Dickson has a look at the notes he's holding.
Dickson
(skeptical)
You think so?
What are these hidden functions you mention?
Shulk
It's still only conjecture,
but it's starting to look like the Monado might be something far more significant
than just a weapon for defeating Mechon.
Dickson
I see.
And the evidence to support your theory?
Shulk
It's the symbol that appears in the centre when it's activated.
What I know is, the central piece is made from multilayered glass.
The symbol appears on the top layer.
And each layer is constructed differently.
Dickson
So it's possible that other symbols could appear on different layers?
Shulk
Which means...
Dickson
The Monado might conceal even more power.
Am I right?
Shulk nods.
Shulk
If we could just
unlock the Monado's power...
Shulk thinks back to a year ago, when the Homs army was returning to Colony 9 after the Battle of Sword Valley. Dunban is being carried out of a transport on a stretcher, his torso and right arm covered in bandages.[1] Shulk and a young lady are worried for him. Various orders are being shouted in the chaotic background.
Young lady
Dunban! Dunban!
Vangarre
(offscreen)
Prioritise the most severely injured!
Come on! Get a move on!
Shulk
Dunban!
Dunban
(with difficulty)
Don't look like that. I haven't gone yet.
Shulk...
Shulk leans down as Dunban whispers something in his ear. He is surprised and stops following him, instead looking back into the transport, where the Monado sits idle and unattended.
The flashback ends, but Shulk continues remembering the whispered words.
Dunban
It was the Monado. It was...controlling me...
Even so... It saved us...saved our future...
Next...it will be up to you...
Shulk
Dunban...
Dickson
Well, I'd better get the supplies delivered to the Defence Force.
I'll drop round the HQ and see how they're getting on.
Shulk
OK then.
I'll see you later.
Dickson makes to leave, but decides he has something else to say.
Dickson
Shulk. You're spending too much time in the lab. Either that or rummaging for junk in the scrap yard. It ain't healthy for a kid your age.
That's why you're always looking so pasty. You should get out, get some fresh air once in a while.
All right, I'm off.
He leaves with a chuckle. Shulk mulls it over for a bit and then reluctantly decides to leave himself.
Over at Dunban's House, Dunban is sitting in bed trying to work with his badly-scarred right arm. He then hears his little sister, Fiora, calling.
Fiora
Dunban, are you awake yet?
Dunban sits back as Fiora carries a tray of food upstairs.
Dunban
Is it time to eat already?
You didn't have to bring it yourself.
You could have just called me.
Fiora
Don't be silly!
She puts the tray on the bedside table and sits down beside the bed.
Fiora
(cheekily)
Do you want me to feed you?
Dunban
(laughing it off)
Don't treat me like an invalid.
I'm better than I was a year ago.
Fiora
Much better.
I really thought I lost you back then...
Dunban
Yes.
But now I'm almost well enough to handle the Monado again.
Fiora immediately turns around and glares at him.
Fiora
Dunban, don't say that!
The Mechon have gone now!
Why would you say that?!
Dunban
I just mean I'm prepared.
Sorry.
Fiora
OK.
More importantly, eat up before it gets cold.
I made something really special today.
Dunban
Don't feel like you need to stay here then, Fiora.
Go and make your next delivery.
She pretends to not know what he's talking about. Dunban knows this and smirks.
Dunban
Well, I'm sure you'd like Shulk to try some while it's still hot?
Fiora turns back around and mopes.
Fiora
That's OK.
Shulk has no sense of taste.
He'll say it's delicious even if it's stone cold.
Dunban
In which case today he would actually mean it.
Fiora
Maybe.
Dunban
(shoo)
I'm fine, Fiora.
Off you go.
Fiora
OK.
Fiora slowly gets up and takes a few steps.
Fiora
Dunban...
Thanks.
She heads downstairs. Dunban moves over to the edge of the bed and picks up the spoon with his bad arm, which he can barely hold for a few seconds before dropping it. He glances at the photo of himself, Dickson, and Mumkhar on the bedside table.
Dunban
I'm not finished yet.
I have to be prepared to use the Monado again.

To Shulk's Side[edit]

Fiora leaves the house and immediately runs into Dickson.
Dickson
Hey, Fiora!
Fiora
Dickson!
Dickson
Looks like you're in a hurry. Where are you off to?
Fiora
I just thought I'd take Shulk some food. I'm on my way to the lab.
Dickson
Shulk's not there right now.
Fiora
Really?
Dickson
I just sent him out to get some fresh air. You know where he'll have gone.
Fiora
Dickson
That's the one.
Fiora
OK. Thanks, Dickson.

A Peaceful View[edit]

Fiora gets to Outlook Park with lunchbox in hand. Shulk is seated on a bench, deep in thought.
Shulk
The Monado...
It's the only sword that's effective against the Mechon armour.
They say that before time began, it was wielded by the Bionis.
The same Bionis that we all live on.
Shulk
It must have a secret.
That's how Dunban was able to destroy so many Mechon.
And why he lost the use of his right arm.
If I can just unlock the secret of its power...
Fiora
Shulk!
Surprised, Shulk looks over to see Fiora holding out the lunchbox.
Shulk
Fiora!
He starts to eat. He's got a sandwich in one hand and a flask cap in the other.
Shulk
This is great!
It tastes so good!
Fiora
(hopeful)
Really?
Shulk
It's amazing!
Fiora
(disillusioned)
Oh, Shulk, you say that every day.
Shulk
Not quite.
It's always delicious.
But today it's amazing.
Fiora
Really?
Shulk
Yeah.
Fiora
(relieved)
Thank goodness!
I used some special herbs and spices today.
So if you said it was just the same as usual, I'd know for sure you had no sense of taste!
Shulk
What?
Fiora
Oh, nothing.
Fiora watches Shulk eat. Eventually the sandwich disappears.
Fiora
The breeze feels so good.
Shulk
Yeah.
I'd forgotten what it feels like.
I never thought it could be so quiet here.
Fiora
You're spending too much time with Reyn.
You're getting used to all the noise he makes.
Shulk
Yeah, maybe.
They share an awkward laugh.
Fiora
It's so peaceful.
You know, Shulk,
I hope every day can be like this, always.
An alarm starts to sound from the colony.
Shulk
The debris siren.
They look up to see two pieces of something falling from a higher part of the Bionis.
Fiora
Strange.
There hasn't been much falling lately.
The guns of Anti-Air Battery 1 swivel into action, firing a volley that blasts the falling debris into nothing. Shulk and Fiora begin to pack up.
Shulk
There might be more on the way.
The Anti-Air Batteries can't protect us out here.
Let's get back to the lab.
Fiora
OK.
They turn to leave.

The Monado's Revelation[edit]

Shulk and Fiora reach the lab to find that Reyn is just picking up the Monado.
Fiora
Reyn?
Shulk
(agitated)
Reyn!
What are you doing?!
Reyn turns around with the Monado in hand and tries to stammer out an excuse.
Reyn
Shulk?!
No, I'm just...
The Monado's ring glows as the sword starts to swing itself around, taking Reyn along for the ride. Fiora finds cover. The blade activates, and Reyn unsuccessfully tries to stop it from cutting a gash into a piece of equipment. Shulk groans as he tries to grab onto Reyn. The Monado cuts open another tank before heading towards Fiora.
Reyn
Fiora!
The Monado easily slices through the object she's hiding behind, but when it reaches her it simply bounces off. The recoil knocks it out of Reyn's hand and knocks him down, with the Monado landing on the floor and closing up, still rattling.
Shulk
(justifiably angry)
Reyn!
Fiora looks around in confusion, apparently unhurt.
Fiora
Goodness.
Reyn shakes himself off and gets up.
Reyn
Fiora! Are you OK?
Fiora
I'm fine.
Meanwhile, Shulk is busy investigating the stuff that had been sliced. He growls in frustration.
Shulk
It's broken.
Fiora
(slighted)
What do you mean it's broken?!
Don't you care about me?! I could have died!
Shulk
(entirely unconcerned, then angry again)
You're not hurt, are you?
The Monado can't cut people.
More importantly...
What were you thinking, Reyn?!
Reyn
Sorry.
I came to ask a favour but you weren't here.
And I saw the Monado and-
Shulk
I know I'm here a lot.
But even I need fresh air sometimes.
Is your body still feeling numb?
Reyn wonders how Shulk knew that. Shulk gets back up.
Shulk
We have to be very careful with the Monado.
It's not a toy.
Reyn
I know, man.
I just wanted to touch it.
I didn't know it would do that.
Sorry.
But is it true?
The Monado really can't cut people?
They look down at the Monado, still shaking on the floor with in the glass.
Shulk
The pattern in that circle...
Or maybe it’s a symbol?
Shulk carefully picks it up so he can return it to its stand.
Shulk
I think it shows which power the Monado has at the moment.
Reyn
You think it's
a symbol?
Shulk
Well,
if I can find a way to increase the number of symbols,
I should...
Fiora, still smouldering, has stepped up behind him.
Fiora
I'm sure that's all very clever.
But!
Why were you more worried about a machine than me, Shulk?!
Shulk
(confused)
Well, I just...
I just explained why.
Fiora
That's not the point!
Shulk
Sorry!
Not understanding the problem, Shulk backs away until he hits something. The Monado awakens again, but he manages to hold it steady. As he groans in exertion to keep control, he sees a flash of light, and begins to hear unknown voices.
Angry man's voice
Look at you! Worthless without the Monado!
He sees himself holding the Monado. He sees a big person with a huge beard.
Woman's voice
Until I've scrapped each and every one of you!
He sees a woman aiming a rifle. He sees a man with an oddly-patterned face.
Shulk's voice
So of course I want to get my revenge!
He sees a bald man struggling. He sees a young lady with curly hair stare at him.
Calm man's voice
Your blade... It did not cut deep enough.
He sees an old man turn around. He sees himself screaming.
Shulk's voice
No!
He sees a large humanoid machine with claws making a move. He sees the claws covered in a red liquid.
The strange visions end, and Shulk finds himself back in the lab, the Monado asleep on the floor.
Fiora
Shulk! Shulk!
Reyn
What on Bionis happened there?!
Shulk straightens up.
Shulk
Reyn, Fiora...
Fiora
Are you OK? Does it hurt?
Shulk
No.
Reyn, when you held the Monado, did you see anything?
Reyn
You know...
Like, a blue blade made of light came out. Same as just now.
Shulk
I don't mean that...
A feeling like time had stopped. And then...
Reyn
Time had stopped?
Shulk
So...was it only me who saw that?
Fiora
That sounds strange. Is it another Monado thing?
Reyn
Who knows?
Anyway, no matter how good a sword it is, if that's what happens when you hold it...
Looks like Dunban really is the only one who can use it.
Fiora
I won't let my brother use it ever again!
Not after what it did to him.
Reyn
Oh, sorry... I didn't mean it like that...
Shulk
Anyway, the point is, I'm fine.
To be honest, this has happened a few times before. I've been researching the Monado for a long time.
Fiora
Shulk! Don't act as if this is nothing!
Shulk
Look, don't worry about it.
Anyway, Reyn, what did you want to ask me about?
Reyn
Ah, yeah.
Old Square-tache has gone and put me on punishment duty. Fancy tagging along?
Shulk
Punishment?
The colonel was pretty angry today. Did he hit you?
Reyn
Well, whether he hit me is neither here nor there, really...
Although actually he did end up hitting me.
And that ain't all. He made me do a thousand squats and sit-ups.
Shulk
Whoa, nasty.
Reyn
Yeah. And now I have to go all the way to the Mag Mell Ruins and back.
Shulk
So you have to go and collect the Ether Cylinders?
Reyn
That's the one! They're used to power the mobile artillery.
It looks like the damage's been repaired. But it can't move without the ether energy.
And it seems like the fuelling station's all out of stock.
Fiora
Is the mobile artillery that big machine that crashed in the Residential District?
Shulk
Yeah, probably.
Reyn
You know your way around there, right?
Shulk
Yeah.
OK, I'll go with you.
Reyn
Yeah! Knew you would!
Fiora
Hold on.
The Mag Mell Ruins are in Tephra Cave, right? I heard that there's a Mell Lizard nest there.
I couldn't take it if anything happened to Shulk. He's delicate - not like you, Reyn.
Reyn
What are you on about?
Shulk
I'll be fine. I can take care of myself.
Fiora
But...
Reyn
OK, I got it. I'll make you a promise. Shulk won't even get a scratch.
Fiora
A promise doesn't mean much coming from you!
Fiora leaves. She's probably still sour.
Reyn
She don't trust me at all.
Shulk
Nah, she doesn't mean it.

You Forgot Something[edit]

Shulk and Reyn arrive at the Tephra Cave Entrance, only ot find that Fiora is there waiting for them. They glance at each other.
Fiora
(mockingly)
You forgot something.
You will be needing the transport cases, right?
She holds up three containers.
Shulk
Fiora!
Reyn goes to take the containers, but she pulls them back.
Fiora
I'm coming along as well.
I'd feel better going with you boys than sitting at home worrying about you.
So, let's get moving!
She heads into the cave. Reyn sighs.
Reyn
I knew she didn't trust me.
Shulk
Looks like it.
Shulk shrugs as they follow her.

Tephra Cave[edit]

The party enters Tephra Cave. Various critters are around. There is no action or dialogue.

Mag Mell Ruins[edit]

The party gets to the Mag Mell Ruins.
Fiora
Are these the Mag Mell Ruins?
Reyn
Haven't you been here before?
Fiora
Nope.
Shulk
The Defence Force often uses it for training. But I come here to do research.
It's not really a place that people go.
Reyn
Not surprising. There are monsters around here that use Mechon parts as armour.
Fiora
Was this built by the Mechon?
Shulk
I don't think so.
There's a path for people to get in. It might have been a vehicle of some kind.
Reyn
Like the Defence Force hover transports?
Fiora
A vehicle? But it's so big...
Shulk
It's amazing technology. I wonder what kind of people made it.
Reyn
I ain't got a clue.
Shulk
Let's keep moving. The Ether Cylinders are up ahead.
Reyn
Right!

The Sentries Awaken[edit]

The party gets to the Cylinder Hangar.
Reyn
Right here! Thanks for the help, Shulk.
I'll start collecting them up. You two hold on a sec.
Reyn gets to work. Fiora looks around in wonder.
Fiora
It's full of Ether Cylinders...
Hey, why do we have to come all the way here to get them?
Isn't there an Ether Cylinder fuelling station in the colony?
Shulk
Well.
Refining the ether takes a long time down there, and sometimes cylinderisation fails.
And there are so many cylinders here for us already. It's more reliable than making them ourselves.
Reyn
Right. And Colony 9's Anti-Air Batteries and mobile artillery are standardised for these cylinders, so they can be used straight away.
Fiora
I see. You know, this place is in good condition considering it's ancient.
Shulk
It might be...
That there's some form of technology being used to preserve it.
It's just a shame we don't understand its secret.
Fiora
Shulk...?
Shulk
But I'll solve it one day and show you.
If it's just technology that someone created in the past, it's not incomprehensible.
We'll come to understand it one day.
Reyn
Don't go trying too hard.
We can come and get Ether Cylinders whenever we need them. Besides, it's a good place for Defence Force training.
Fiora
Yeah, so good that you didn't even want to come here without Shulk to back you up!
Anyway, did you collect the cylinders?
Reyn
Yep. All done. Thanks.
Fiora
Just come by yourself from now on.
A low rumbling begins.
Shulk
Shh, be quiet...
Shulk is first to notice as two strange machines, seemingly made of a light-coloured rock and yellow-tinged metal, drop from the ceiling and block the exit. The other two turn around.
Fiora
Are they Mechon?
Shulk
I don't know!
But it looks like we'll have to destroy them!
Reyn
In that case, just leave them to me!
The party draw weapons and face the machines.

Colony 9 in Danger[edit]

The Ancient Machines are taken down.
Shulk
Fiora, are you OK?!
Fiora
I'm fine. How about you?
Shulk
I'm all right. Thanks to you and Reyn.
Reyn
What on Bionis were those?!
I've never seen anything like them.
Fiora
Could they have been Mechon?
Shulk walks up to investigate one of them.
Shulk
No.
I think they were something left by the civilisation that built this vehicle.
Reyn
They didn't seem like Mechon to me. But why did they only show up now?
Shulk
I don't know.
But they were probably built to protect this place. They might have been activated in response to something...
But I don't think that something could have been us.
Fiora
Please, let's go back.
I don't wanna be here anymore.
Shulk
Me neither. And we've already got the Ether Cylinders.
There is another low sound, this one more like rushing wind. Reyn is the first to notice.
Reyn
What's going on?!
Fiora
Listen. What is that?
Shulk
That sound...
The group runs out of the hangar and looks around. Shulk is the first to look up.
Shulk
In the sky!
A large thing with glowing engines soars across the sky, followed by a group of less fancy but still imposing other flying objects.
Shulk
It's a...!
Fiora
This can't be!
Reyn
No way!
The other objects are transports, each carrying many Mechon.
Shulk
Mechon!
The transports hover high over the colony, and the Mechon begin to drop down.
Fiora
How?
Didn't my brother destroy them all a year ago?
Shulk
Could that defence mechanism have responded to the Mechon?
Reyn
Let's get back to the colony!
Come on!
The others nod and hurry off.

Notes[edit]

  1. In the Definitive Edition, the bare arm model is used instead. In addition, Dunban is wearing his pants and boots from the present day, instead of those he should have been wearing at the time. Presumably these errors are partly due to how the Event Theatre operates, by treating this entire sequence as a single scene.