Author's Note:

Xenoblade Chronicles doesn't belong to me and all characters belong to their rightful owners.

Here we are, the first chapter of our great adventure! It turned out so long, but that's how good introductions always are, right?

Enjoy!

The market clustered around the Ether Light bustled with people. A group of Nopon argued about mushroom prices while their littlepon played with Homs children nearby. A High Entia and a Machina chatted together at one of the many tables snuggled next to the Ether Light. Truly the colony had become a peaceful place for all races. This wasn't the only place however, other colonies had sprung up as well, each populated with a diverse variety of people. It had been two years since Zanza's defeat and this new world had blossomed. Still, there remained room to grow. No one knew much about the new world they now found themselves upon, but it was strikingly similar to the world of Bionis, just not on the body of a fallen titan.

At one of the many tables sat a young man at the age of twenty. His red hair caught the light of the afternoon sun and shined like fire. His uniform identified him as a Defense Force Soldier. He sat alone and in a state of pensive silence, unlike the noise around him. He crossed his arms and sat back in his chair, before sighing and muttering, "Why's this have to be so hard?"

"What's so hard, Reyn?" A voice laughed from behind him. He jumped and turned around in his seat.

"Oi Shulk, don't scare me like that!" Reyn couldn't help but to smile when he saw the blonde. Shulk laughed as he took the seat across from his best friend.

"What were you thinking about?" Shulk's bright blue eyes glittered from underneath his bangs. Reyn's eyes widened in slight panic from the question. He looked away and scratched his head.

"Oh-uh, nothing important…How's your research going?" Reyn quickly changed the subject to something he knew would distract Shulk. At the mention of his research Shulk lit up.

"It's going great! The flora and fauna that populate this area are very similar to the ones that used to live around the old Colony Nine. The main difference is the ocean. The Machina have really helped us to make headway in identifying the aquatic life. A lot of the same creatures live in this world. Apparently, Tirkins have been spotted on the plains. And we got news from our expedition team, they've found another colony!"

"Really? Another colony? That's the second one they've found isn't it?" Reyn leaned forward in interest.

"Yes! The first one was a bunch of Nopon that used to live in Frontier Village, but this one has mostly Machina." Shulk explained. "A few Homs live there too, but not many."

"That's awesome. I hope we keep finding people. I wonder what else they're finding out there… Man, exploring the world would be great." Reyn grinned at the thought. "It sure was fun last time."

"Definitely," Shulk nodded in agreement. "How's the Defense Force?"

Reyn shrugged and opened his mouth to reply but was cut off by a young woman.

"There you are Shulk! Why is it that I can never seem to find you?" A girl with light brown hair smiled down at Shulk. He laughed.

"I'm sorry Fiora. Did you need something?"

She held up a lunchbox and grinned.

"I made you some lunch."

"Thank you, but I was going to have lunch with Reyn today," Shulk said. Fiora's smile fell.

"Oh, never mind."

"Nah, Shulk, you go have lunch with Fiora," Reyn urged. Shulk quickly turned back to him.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, go on, go," Reyn waved them away.

"Thanks Reyn!" Fiora grinned and her green eyes smiled as well. Shulk stood.

"I'll make it up to you, Reyn."

"Don't worry about it."

Shulk hesitated for a moment, his blue eyes looking into brown ones, before turning away to walk with Fiora. As they walked through the crowd Shulk glanced back. Reyn had returned to his pensive silence, but there was something melancholy about it.

It may be hard but I have to make this decision… Reyn looked up and watched Fiora and Shulk go. He shook his head and sighed. That familiar hurt began to ache in his chest. Reyn got up and left the market, suddenly wanting silence. He walked through the streets with his hands in his pockets.

The new colony resembled the old Colony Nine, but it was much bigger and more diverse. Sometimes Reyn would find himself getting lost, mixing up the similar layout with the one he had grown up with. But after two years, mistakes like that seldom happened.

His feet carried him over to the newer side of the commercial district, the part he was most unfamiliar with, since it bore no resemblance to the old Colony Nine. Even so, he knew the path he walked well, having walked it one week previously.

He stopped in front a stout building. A large wooden sign hung next to the door and read: Nopon Wood. The clickety-clack of Nopon technology could be heard moving from inside. Reyn opened the door and the smell of tart berries and wood assaulted his nose. He ducked his head to get through the door and remained that way since the ceilings were just as low.

Nopon rushed about and papers seemed to be flying everywhere. A Nopon ran on a giant wheel and powered the printing press. Finished newspapers popped out the other end and a Nopon quickly swept them away. A group of Nopon jumped up and down on a set of presses; when one group went up, the other went down, smashing berries for ink.

A pink Nopon dressed in a black and white hound's-tooth vest strode up to Reyn.

"Hom Hom here for job?" She asked sharply.

"Yes, I am. We met last week, remember Hochipu?"

"Hochipu remembers. Large Hom Hom knocked over a barrel of ink. Set Hochipu back three days! Almost miss deadline!" She glanced at her watch, which was on her wing, with her usual sour expression.

"I'm really sorry about that…" Reyn winced at the memory. "About the job…?"

"Hochipu has journalistpon. Wait here." She pointed at the ground in emphasis. Hochipu hurried away through the cluttered printing room. Reyn awkwardly shifted his weight as he slouched underneath the low ceiling. Luckily, Hochipu appeared shortly, a quirky blue Nopon at her side.

"This Mogigi. Mogigi writerpon." Hochipu then pointed at Reyn, "This Hom Hom Reyn, Mogigi's new bodyguard."

"Friend new bodyguard? Thanks! Mogigi get story now! Mogigi happy happy!" Mogigi jumped up and down in excitement. His orange hat matched the trim on his light grey vest.

"When do we leave?" Reyn asked Hochipu. She glanced at her watch.

"Tomorrow. Hom Hom come tomorrow morning. Mogigi meet bodyguard outside." Hochipu instructed.

"Mogigi prepare!" The young journalist declared. "See friend later!" Mogigi looked up at Reyn over the half lenses of his glasses before hurrying off.

Reyn departed the headquarters of Nopon Wood newspaper offices. He started toward the Military District, finally resolved in his decision. He went straight to the barracks and to his room. He used the room frequently and considered it home, even though he had built himself a house during the reconstruction.

Reyn packed up the few personal items he had in the room into a bag. He quickly changed out of his uniform and into civilian clothes. He folded his uniform neatly and set it down next to the bag on the bed. He sat down on the edge of the bed and opened the drawer of the nightstand. Reyn carefully took out a crisp white envelope.

Ever since the thought had entered his head, he had been planning to leave. Slowly things had fallen into place and the job at Nopon Wood gave him the perfect excuse to leave the colony.

Reyn stared at the envelope for a moment and took a breath.

"There's no turning back now." He stood and slung his bag onto his shoulder before collecting his uniform. He took one last look at his room before closing the door behind him.

Reyn quickly moved through the building, careful to avoid people, and headed straight for Otharon's office. He was the leader of the Defense Force.

Reyn stopped in front of the door and knocked.

"Come in," Otharon's rough voice called. Reyn entered and Otharon was bent over paperwork. Reyn advanced forward and stopped in front of Otharon's desk.

"Sir, I've come to turn in my uniform."

Otharon's head snapped up in surprise.

"Captain, are you sure?" The older man stared at him in confusion.

"Yes sir. I got a new job and I'll be leaving the colony, sir." Reyn offered his uniform. Otharon reached over and accepted it. The white envelope rested atop.

"Your letter of resignation I assume." Otharon picked up the envelope. Reyn nodded. Otharon opened the envelope and took out the letter. His grey eyes scanned through it quickly. Otharon turned his attention back to Reyn.

"We'll miss you here on the force, Captain. You are dismissed."

"Thank you, sir." Reyn turned and got as far as the door when Otharon spoke again.

"If you ever decide to reenlist, we'll be waiting."

Reyn smiled.

"Thank you, sir."

Reyn ducked out of the office. As he walked out of the Military District the sun was beginning to set. The glow of ether lamps began to light up the interiors of houses and the streetlights flickered to life. Reyn walked through the sleepy Residential District. Everyone was either inside their warm homes or at the Commercial District. Only a few other people were walking the streets.

In the light of a street lamp Reyn saw a woman locking the door of her home. He grinned and walked over to her.

"Good evening, Sharla."

Her long dark hair shined in the fading light.

"Reyn, I was just about to get some dinner, would you like to come?" Only after she asked the question did she turn to look at him. She blinked in surprise. "Did you get fired?"

"Sharla!" Reyn groaned. "No. Why would you think that?"

"I'm sorry. There just seemed to be no other reason that you'd leave the force." She dropped her keys into the purse on her arm.

"I'll tell you about it over dinner. How about Giorgio's?"

"Sounds great." Sharla nodded. The two started toward the Commercial district.

"How's your practice going?" Reyn asked as they walked. Sharla smiled.

"It's busy. I'm so glad I had help from Linada to learn about Machina anatomy and from Yusa and Medi to learn about Nopon. I wouldn't have gotten this far without them."

They joined the crowd around the Ether Light and went over to Giorgio's stall. Sharla found a seat as Reyn secured two plates of curry. He wound his way through the crowd to Sharla's table. Reyn set down the plates before dropping his bag and taking a seat. He immediately began to eat, hungry because he had skipped lunch. Sharla chuckled as she watched him.

"So if you weren't fired, what happened?"

"I resigned." Reyn explained between bites, "I got a new job as a bodyguard for a journalist. I'm gonna be leaving the colony."

"That's exciting. But I thought it was your dream to be in the Defense Force, what made you change your mind?" Sharla asked curiously.

Reyn stopped eating as he remembered the real reason. That sick knot formed in his stomach again. His chest ached. A breath of regret clouded over the decision he had so soundly made. Sharla was right; being a part of the Defense Force was his dream.

"I just wanted to get out of the colony and travel the world again."

Sharla watched him for a moment. Her brown eyes gazed at him with concern.

"Is that the only reason?"

"Yeah, course, do I need another reason? How's Juju doing in school?" Reyn quickly changed the subject. Sharla eyed him askance but replied to his question. She couldn't help but to notice that Reyn hardly touched his dinner for the rest of the meal.

Reyn walked her home and Sharla invited him inside. Reyn tossed his bag onto a chair and reclined back on the couch.

"You never told me when you were starting this new job of yours." Sharla noted as she put her purse down on the coffee table.

"Tomorrow. We leave tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? Were you ever planning on telling me about it?" Sharla joked as she sat down beside him. Reyn shrugged.

"Actually…you're the only one I've told."

"What?" Sharla frowned. "You mean you're leaving the colony and you didn't even tell Shulk?"

Reyn visibly winced at the mention of his best friend's name.

"This is what's bothering you, isn't it?" Sharla observed. "Reyn you know you can talk to me."

"I'm just being selfish. Forget it."

"That can't be it. Did you and Shulk have a big fight?"

"No. That's not it. It's not Shulk's fault anyway. I'm just being an idiot like usual." Reyn crossed his arms defensively and looked away from her.

"Then why leave the colony if nothing is wrong?"

Reyn sighed. Sharla had a way of getting information out of him, she was always so gentle.

"Everything's wrong." Reyn ran a hand through his hair. "It hurts too much to stay here. I thought I could be happy for them, but I can't. Whenever I see them together…my heart aches." Reyn clutched his chest, just thinking about them together brought the feeling back.

Sharla rested a hand on his arm.

"You should go. A little distance would do you some good. It'll give you a chance to put things into perspective."

"Thanks Sharla…but I'm afraid I'll miss him." Reyn placed a hand over hers.

"That's only natur-did you say him?" Sharla blurted the question before she could check herself. Reyn flushed darkly. Having given himself away he decided to tell her.

"I'm in love with Shulk."

"Oh." Sharla blinked wildly. "I thought you…" She blushed deeply but decided to continue. "And here I thought that you were my hero all this time." She clasped her hands on her lap and sighed. "I guess it's safe to say I have a little bit of a crush on you, Reyn. Since we're saying things."

Reyn smiled gently.

"I've known that I've loved Shulk since we were kids. Sorry to get your hopes up Sharla. I know I reminded you of Gadolt."

Sharla's expression turned bittersweet at the mention of her late fiancé's name.

"It's fine…" After a moment of silence she brightened. "You know I should have realized it. You're always so Hell bent on protecting him, even though he's mostly the one protecting you. Your relationship seems much closer than most friends. You almost can't function without him." Sharla laughed.

Reyn shook his head and chuckled.

"I know. Shulk's the brains and I'm the brawn." Then Reyn grew serious. "Sharla, you can't tell him. He doesn't know. I don't want him to know."

"Your secret is safe with me. My lips are sealed." She winked.

"Thanks. I better get going, I have to leave early." Reyn stood and scooped his bag from the chair.

"Goodnight." Sharla waved.

"Goodnight 'n goodbye." Reyn waved back before disappearing out the door and into the darkness.