Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Where The Heart Is

The following is the script of dialogue used in the hero quest Where The Heart Is.

Zeon

As the party arrives at Yzana Plains, they're attacked by Zeon. Lanz raises his shield to counter the attack.

Lanz

Noah!

Noah summons his Blade and attacks Zeon, who parries with his shield.

Noah

Got you!

Zeon

Well-coordinated.
But ineffective.

Eunie

Hey, it's you...!

Noah

Oh no!

Noah parries an attack aimed at Eunie and is thrown off-balance.

Noah

(grunt)

Lanz

Spark's sake... Zeon!

Lanz attacks Zeon, who counters.

Zeon

You lose yourself to emotion.
Some special forces you are.

Lanz

You shut your trap. What a joke!

Zeon

You consider me the joke, do you?
Really now?

Mio

Hey, isn't he...?

Noah

Yeah.
He's our friend, from Colony 9.

Zeon

That's where you're wrong.
You're traitors... You're no friends of mine!

Zeon attacks Lanz

Lanz

(gasp)

Eunie

Zeon, just listen!
We don't want to-

Taion

Drop it, Eunie.
Negotiation doesn't appear to be on the table.

Zeon is joined by Roald, Fox and Eilis.

Sena

Mimi...

Mio

(worried breath)

Zeon

Arrest the turncoats!

Noah

So we have to fight...?

Defeat the Colony 9 Expedition

Zeon receives an Iris call.

Colony 9 Soldier

Commander, please respond!

Zeon

What's wrong?

Colony 9 Soldier

Enemy attack! Agnian forces!

Sena

Wonder what's going on...

Taion

...

Roald

...Commander?

Zeon

Yes...
I'm thinking.

Lanz

Hey, what did ya just say? Zeon's the commander now?

Eunie

Does that mean the old one...?

Fox

There was a change of command! Someone had to take the fall for the traitors.

Eilis

They even dropped our colony rank...
We've been so pressed for food, we had to venture out this far. All because of you.

Eunie

...Well, crap.

Fox

Go back. We'll take care of things here.

Zeon

I can't allow that.

Fox

Just get going already!

Noah

...The Agnian battalion.
They're using terrain to cover their approach. Am I right?

Zeon

...How do you know that?

Noah

I'm well aware that you don't trust me. I'm just speaking aloud here.
We'll intercept the enemy troops, engage them while they're still advancing. They won't get their hands on the Colony.
You retreat and shore up your defenses.

Zeon

What are you really after here? Why is it you're fighting?

Noah

We're both in very different positions now.
But that doesn't have to mean everything's changed between us.

Fox

Oh well done, a voice of reason. Come off it!

Zeon

...Wait.
Change of plans. We're bringing them back to the colony.

Fox

What? Why?

Roald

You're handing them in to the Consul?

Zeon

No... I'm integrating them into our force as the vanguard.

Eilis

We're fighting with them?! Mwamba died because of them!

Zeon

We're up against a whole battalion. Hardly the time for us to be picky.
It's also possible that Ouroboros have instigated this attack themselves.

Lanz

Ugh, you can't be serious!

Zeon

You know exactly how serious I am.

Lanz

Fire and sparks...

Eunie

Hold up. Let's do as he says.

Lanz

What? Why should we?

Eunie

Just play along!
We'll be better able to help protect Colony 9 if we're part of the plan.

Noah

Lanz...

Lanz

Tch. If you say so.

Zeon

You have good friends.

Lanz

One day I'm gonna crack that thick bonce of yours and really see what makes you tick...

Zeon

I look forward to it.

Zeon turns to Roald and the others.

Zeon

You lot head back and update Kite on the situation.
I'll see to these ones. Meet me in Command.

Roald

As you say.

Fox

Hmph.

Roald, Fox and Eilis leave.

Zeon

You said not everything's changed between us.
Your words no longer have merit. So let's judge where your allegiance lies by way of your actions.

Noah

I understand. We won't let you down.

Enter Colony 9

Lanz

How's the supervising going, Mr. Commander, sir? Five by five?

Zeon

Yes, thank you. Now zip your mouth and let's move.

Head for Colony 9 Command

Fox

I'm impressed. You didn't run away this time.

Noah

...

Kite

I'll explain what comes next. The rest of you are dismissed.

Roald

Stay cool, Kite.

Kite

I'm always cool.

Roald and Fox leave.

Zeon

Tell us about Agnus's movements.

Kite

Right now, they're assembling their forces on Everblight Plain.
They've stopped concealing themselves, which feels like cause for concern enough.

Zeon

They're confident they have the numbers for a full assault, then? Or perhaps it's a feint...

Kite

Or they're just a bunch of dolts who like pretending they have a plan. Haha!

Zeon

I'm not in the mood for jokes right now.

Kite

Hey, we need a little levity sometimes.
With enough food, we can draw this out. Give the word and we could even launch a raid-

Zeon

I told you, that's not going to happen. It would cost us too many lives.

Kite

What then? Our troops are hungry, anxious, and quite frankly, more pissed off by the hour.
You leave things like this and we're going to fall apart by ourselves.

Noah

...We could just remove their reason for fighting you.

Kite

What...?

Zeon

In plain language, please.

Noah

If we smashed your Flame Clock, it would alter the equation.

Zeon

If you "smashed it"...?

Kite

Uhh, what? Well now I know you're all jokers!

Riku

Kite biggest joker of all.
This why Kite always runner-up in life. No one can take serious with hopeless second-best attitude!

Kite

Shut it, Riku! Y-you really know how to hit a man when he's down, don't you?
Why are you back here, anyhow? How'd you worm your way back into Zeon's favor?

Riku

Meh... No worming performed...

Kite

We don't need you here! I've had enough of seeing my friends die, betray me... I can't deal with this dirt any more!

Noah

We feel just the same. Which is why we want to do as much as we possibly can to help.
That's why we came back.

Kite

Yeah, you're not fooling anybody.

Zeon

You need not believe them. But they will prove to be an asset.

Kite

Huh, so that's it? You're siding with them in the end?
You choose Noah over your own lieutenant? Again?!

Zeon

That's not what I'm saying.

Kite

Don't you realize how hard I'm trying here? ...Spark this!

Kite leaves.

Noah

Sorry. I didn't mean to complicate matters.

Zeon

On the contrary, was this not your intent? I would have thought you'd be gloating by now.

Noah

We can gloat if it makes you feel better.
But you can't just judge someone in the heat of the moment.

Zeon

...Whatever you might think, suspicion will be cast upon you.
That is all I can say.

Taion

Suspicious or not, isn't it about time you tell us this plan of yours?
You said we'd prove to be an asset.

Zeon

...I'll continue.
Though we have a geographical advantage, our provisions and numbers are limited. That's what the enemy will be banking on.
And that's where you come in, as the vanguard.

Mio

Our sudden appearance will put a spanner in their works. And that'll give you the edge you need, right?

Eunie

Seeing Keves and Agnus bods fighting together and tearing up their front line's gonna throw 'em off their game, for sure.

Lanz

So we've gotta fight independently then.
Better than being on a leash, I s'pose.

Zeon

You seem to misunderstand. I'm not cutting you loose...
You are still being regarded as traitors. Keep in mind that I shall be supervising your every action personally.

Lanz

Sir, yes sir, Commander sir.

Eunie

Do you have to...?

Noah

Let it go, guys.

Zeon

I'll send details of the operation to your Iris. The plan will commence at once.

Noah

We're on it.

Head for Everblight Plain - Enter Everblight Plain

Lanz

Gotta show Zeon what we're made of.

Zeon

I expect great things from you, *former* Special Forces Lanz.

Head for Everblight Plain - Before Riccalo Pound

Zeon

We'll be arriving presently.

Noah

Eunie, you OK?

Eunie

...Just feeling wistful.
This is where we went looking for Fourtune Clovers, isn't it?

Lanz

Oh yeah! You really made a big deal out of that.

Eunie

Did not. Just wanted to wish upon one.
All the others laughed in my face, said I'd never find one here...
Everyone but you guys and Zeon.
You must remember.
You're not the kind of guy who makes fun of people when they're trying their hardest. You help people in need.

Zeon

...

Eunie

Listen, I know you've been through all sorts of crap, but you don't know the whole story...

Zeon

Oh, I'm sure.
There is no such thing as a traitor who rebels without cause.
Be it Keves, or Agnus.

Mio

...

Zeon

You've sent many of my comrades off, Noah.
Time and time again, you saved the dead, helped survivors... Even me.
I know you do not make light of people's lives.

Noah

So you understand?

Zeon

I do. But I can never be the friend to you that I once was.

Lanz

You don't give a cetri, do you?

Zeon

I wasn't talking to you, Lanz.

Lanz

'Scuse me?

Noah

Maybe we can't go back to the old days. But we can build something new.

Zeon

Leave your platitudes for after. The battlefield awaits.

Noah

Don't worry, we'll win. No one's dying on our watch. Never again.

Zeon

Time to move. Stay sharp.

Head for Everblight Plain - Cross Riccalo Pond

Zeon

If you find anything out of the ordinary, I'll issue the order.

Noah

Right.

Head for Everblight Plain - Agnus Strike Force in sight

Zeon

Those vermin...

Head for Everblight Plain - Ready for battle

Noah

There's a lot of them... This'll be a battle of attrition.
We can use the terrain for defensive advantage. First, we need to hurt their morale.

Zeon

Before that, we need to talk.
I'll remain here and fight for as long as I stand. That's also part of the plan.
It will be a grueling fight. I won't have time to be looking out for possible deserters.

Eunie

Hold on, are you telling us to find a chance to escape?

Zeon

I never said that.
But this battle should be of little importance to you.

Lanz

Sparks' sakes, Zeon... Just how rotten do you think we are?

Noah

I see where you're coming from.
But we're fighting on our own terms. We'll be seeing this through.

Eunie

We owe a debt to Colony 9. Maybe it wasn't for very long, but it gave us somewhere to belong.

Zeon

But not any more...

Lanz

Just shut it, you!
How hard is it for you to accept someone just wants to do a good deed, eh? Get a clue!

Lanz runs off to the battlefield.

Eunie

Lanz!

Zeon

How often does he need telling not to abandon himself to his feelings?

Noah

Have you given in?

Zeon

Hah.
Still... Might as well strike while the iron's hot.

Defeat the Agnus Strike Force

Agnus Soldier

What the spark are Ouroboros doing here? I did *not* sign up for this!

Lanz

Want us to run 'em down?

Zeon

We aren't here to kill each other. Pull back now and we won't pursue you.

Agnus Captain

I'll bet you won't.
Because you'll be dead!

Eunie

Levnises?!

Agnus Captain

Always keep your ace in reserve. That's how the game's played!

Eunie

Ngh...

Zeon

Don't falter. We have Kite and the others holding the fort.

Noah

Yeah. And we'll hold the line here, whatever it takes!

Defeat the Agnus Strike Force 2

Agnus Captain

I'm done...

Agnus Soldier

Squad leader's been hit!
Pull back!!!

Agnus Captain

Why aren't you following them?

Zeon

I told you, I don't want needless slaughter.

Agnus Captain

You're soft...rookie commander...
Let me...tell you something.
You don't win wars while keeping your hands clean. You're gonna learn that...the hard way.
You'll see...

The Agnus Captain dies.

Zeon

I guess we will...

Noah

Don't let it get to you.

Zeon

I wouldn't normally, but in this instance, I'm afraid he's struck a chord.
I believe I said something similar to you in the past. We were sparring with training swords.

Noah

You won, in the end.

Zeon

I did. Because you always held back.

Noah

That's not true...

Zeon

You hated the very idea of fighting. That's how it seemed to me.
And back then, I thought that you'd never survive with that lofty ideal. I was blind.
If we don't stand for something greater, strife and conflict will grow ever fiercer.
We would end up fighting not for the Flame Clock, but for our own bloodlust.
That is who we are. It was never going to be easy.

Noah

Yeah... I'm still trying to figure out what's right myself.
But there's something I want to change. And to do that, I have to change myself.

Zeon

Hah...

Zeon receives an Iris call.

Zeon

...Kite and the others pulled through OK. It seems we've averted disaster, for now.

Noah

Not quite. There's still unfinished business.
Zeon, I want you to understand the things we've seen. The truth about the Flame Clocks.
Just let us explain. After that, we'll let you have the final say.

Zeon

As you wish. It also saves us an awkward silence on the way back.
But don't get your hopes up.

Noah

That's fine. Thank you.

Zeon

I'll round up everyone in the square. But first, to Colony 9.

Head for Colony 9 Front Gate

Zeon

(Mio's ears are quite striking... Do they really grow from her head...?)

Mio

(I can tell I'm being watched... He must be very wary of me.)

The Battle with Consul B

Consul B

Our heroes return.
Good work, Zeon.

Zeon

Where have you been?

Consul B

Just watching from the sidelines.
And I must say, it was quite a spectacle.

Zeon

Hm?
In what way?

Consul B

Beg pardon.
I forget! You drones have no aesthetic sense.
Your droll skirmish was one thing... It almost put me to sleep, but this here?
Well, I'd say the colony is due a promotion.

Zeon

I recall no "droll skirmish".

Consul B

The one where these maggots surfaced!
Loathsome little worms plotting together with Agnus, then deserting their duty like the cowards they are!
Truly disgusting. A disgrace to the colony!
And that goes for the ones who croaked for nothing, too.
Even calling that "droll" is a disservice to the word!

Eunie

"Croaked for nothing"...?

Noah

I know you see us as enemies...
But this...?

Lanz

It's our friends you're talkin' about...
Even Mwamba, back then...
How dare you?!

Consul B

Silence, maggots!
You must still be tired from fighting...
Rejoice, then!
You will give me great pleasure as I crush you!

The Consul attacks the party. Zeon intercepts the attack.

Consul B

What do you think you're doing?!

Zeon

The words of an idle man who orders others around,
or the words of rebels who risked their lives for us.
Which do you think is worth more?!

Zeon attacks the Consul.

Consul B

Silence!
This is insubordination!

The Consul attacks again. Zeon counterattacks and locks in a duel with the Consul.

Zeon

Go, Noah!

Zeon thrusts his Blade into the ground, lifting a cloud of dust.

Consul B

Where...?!
Stupid maggot! Where did he-

Zeon

Don't you realize?
The maggot that feasts on our dead...
That would be you!

Noah destroys the Colony 9 Flame Clock.

Consul B

Madness!
You seek death then, Zeon?

Zeon

We want to live.
That is why we fight.
Prepare yourself,
Consul B!

Consul B

Why you...
You good-for-nothing imbecile!

Consul B transforms into Moebius B.

Moebius B

All defectors must be eradicated!

Noah

Zeon!

Zeon

Yes. Let's go!

The Future of Colony 9

Consul B

It's futile, you know.
You won't change anything.
You think you have a future...? Well you don't.
Only suffering and despair.

Consul B dies.

Zeon

Even so...the choice is mine.

Kite

Lay things out for me here, Commander.
Our Consul's a monster.
Our Flame Clock's busted. We still don't have enough food to go round.
I have to ask... What was the point of all this?

Zeon

We succeeded.
Though not quite the way I'd hoped.
Now then, listen.

Zeon explains the situation to Kite and the others.

Kite

Y-you can't be serious.
Then what, it was all a sham?

Zeon

So it would appear.
For that reason, we need to learn as much as we can.
About ourselves.
And about the world outside.

Kite

Oh, is that everything? And while eating shoe leather?!

Zeon

If need be.
Whatever the outcome may be,
only we can change it.
I believe that.

Noah

We'll help you out too.
Not because we're looking for your acceptance.
But just so everyone can live.
So please, let us further your goal.

Zeon

I know you still have doubts,
but won't you give them a chance?

Roald

I confess, I'm still a bit dazed by these developments...
But...I could let them off.

Eilis

Yeah, same.
The commander's never quite been this insistent.
If Mwamba were here, I think he'd have agreed much sooner...

Eastman, Fox and Trish nod.

Zeon

Friends...

Kite

Well, I'm still not buying it.
The one to make the call, should be me.
I should decide! Nobody else.
I'll prove it.
The only one fit to be commander... is me.
We're gone.

Kite and the others leave.

Eunie

Man, way to go off on one...

Zeon

Kite, he just worries for the colony.
He will come round eventually.

Lanz

So? What's the word now, boss?

Zeon

First, I want to solve the food shortage.

Eunie

What, you mean...by taking long hikes? It'll be tough, without anything nearby.

Zeon

That was the case up until now.
Myself, I'll try it the other way.

Lanz

What way?

Zeon

We'll make fields.
Our own food supply, grown with our own hands.

Eunie

When he says fields, does he mean like that bit in the textbook?

Taion

"When food is scarce, one may till the soil and plant Glitter Radishes."

Eunie

You always know your stuff.

Taion

Obviously.

Noah

I see. It was difficult to find time before, since you had to worry about the Flame Clock.

Zeon

Yes, but not any longer.

Mio

Heh. You're giving it a go then?

Zeon

There will be toil, but we'll try.

Taion

Then...start by observing the vegetation.
It's not just soldiers that want to survive out here. You're sure to learn something.

Zeon

I understand. We'll try that.
Oh, and...if you're ever in need of my support, just call on me.
I'll help.

Noah

That's appreciated, but...
are you really sure?

Zeon

If you truly want to change something,
you must start with the self.
I believe you said that.

Eunie

Still, some folks aren't gonna like you, when you're palling around with us lot.

Zeon

It doesn't matter what they think of me.
What truly matters, is whether I carry out my duty.

Noah

Zeon...
You haven't changed at all.

Zeon

Sarcasm?
At this stage?

Noah

Not at all.
I was just thinking that... you're still the same old friend from back then.

Zeon

You've gained a way with words.
I see. Perhaps people *can* change.

Noah

Wow, ouch!

Zeon

Hahahaha!
You gave us strength.
Thank you.

Noah

Thank *you*.