Script of Xenoblade Chronicles 3 - Survivors

The following is the script of dialogue used in Juniper's ascension quest Survivors.

Enter Colony Tau

♫

Suspicion

Volff corpses are laying around the colony.

Lanz

Waagh?! What the spark's all this?!

Juniper

What are these monsters doing here...?

Noah

What's going on?

Consul U

Why, little Junebug, you're late.

Juniper

Ah! Consul!

Consul U

You know I can't abide tardiness!

Noah

...!

Consul U

Too much fun and games, is it? Hah. Life is not a bed of roses, my dear.
You must be aware of that, surely?

Noah

What are you after?!

Consul U

My, my! Why so sour, my little Ouroberries?
I haven't the slightest inclination to involve myself in a fracas with you.

Eunie

Oh yeah? Then what are you doing here?

Consul U

Dear, I am positively quaking - quaking! - in my boots.
I am here to see my little Junebug, nothing more.

Lanz

And you expect us to believe that?

Consul U

You may set your hearts aflutter with whatever feelings you desire, for all I care.
If I must confide in you a detail, I would like you to know that it was I who dealt those monsters a swift demise.

Taion

...You?

Carson

I can confirm that. If it weren't for the Consul, we might not even be standing here.

Raine

Spark... If only I hadn't screwed up...

Juniper

You're injured...

Raine

Yeah, my fault. I got cocky. Monsters got a free swipe in.

Consul U

You may find it hard to believe, but I'm quite the assiduous type. I've been keeping a close watch on my fruitlings.
But now that little Junebug has returned, there is yet more work to be done.

Taion

You're not angry about the Flame Clock?

Consul U

Angry? You were the ones who broke it. You aren't going to apologize, are you?

Taion

...

Consul U

Besides, I've been aware of the circumstances for a while now.
It has to be said, it's a delicate topic.

Mio

Delicate...?

Consul U

Yes, delicate. Do your ears need rinsing, poppet?
I don't know if you're aware, but the people of Tau themselves chose to break the Clock.
It's hardly my place to complain. I happen to be quite the individualist, don't you know.

Lanz

You're not making a lick of sense...

Consul U

Now Junebug, be a sweet pea and go on ahead, will you?

The party turns to look at Juniper.

Juniper

Don't worry, I'll be fine.

Sena

Uh, Noah? We're just letting Juniper go?

Noah

Juniper said not to worry, so let's not worry.

Consul U

That's the spirit. Perhaps you and I will be able to see eye-to-eye after all!
Oh, one thing. I have a job for you, Ouroberries, if you would be so kind.

Lanz

A job? For us?

Consul U

For you. I'd like you to procure some Twineturf. For me.

Eunie

Yeah? And what're you using it for?

Consul U

Someone's got to remove those nuisances for new life to settle in.
But preparations will need to be in place if we're to dispose of them. Which is where the Twineturf comes in.

Carson

Twineturf... I think I saw some of that in Yellowgrove.

Consul U

Well, look at that! How fortuitous! That's a mere stone's throw from here.

Raine

Well... It's not far, that's true...

Consul U

See? It wouldn't kill you to fetch some.

Consul U walks away.

Raine

...I know what you're thinking. But these things really are going to be a problem for us otherwise, so...
We'd really appreciate the help.

Noah

No, I understand. Let's go, then.

Gather Twinturf

Sena

You think this'll do?

Lanz

Don't see why not?

Mio

I wonder how the Consul's going to use this stuff to get rid of the monsters...?

Noah

I haven't a clue.

Juniper appears.

Juniper

Everyone!

Mio

Juniper! Are you all right?

Juniper

Yes, and the colony is unharmed, thank goodness.

Sena

Hey, Juniper... Has your Consul always been like that?

Juniper

The Consul? Hmm...
I don't really recall.

Mio

You said she pretty much left you to it, right?

Juniper

That's correct. The Consul rarely ever visits us...
We've met a couple of times, but I barely have any recollection of us talking.

Noah

So why on Aionios would she start involving herself now?

Eunie

I say we get this job done and then we give her a piece of our mind!

Juniper

I mean, I don't really sense any hostility from her... Maybe it's fine?

Lanz

But you have to admit, she's got a way of getting on your nerves, right?

Taion

Still, she is a Consul. If we underestimate her, we'll no doubt be in for a world of pain.

Noah

Noted. But even if we do have to fight, it'd have to be outside of the colony.

Mio

Yeah. We don't know what she might be planning to do with the people of Colony Tau...

Noah

We should try to head back soon.

Head back to Colony Tau

Eunie

Remember when we were walkin' through the woods, and Juniper shot at me? Good times, good times...

Juniper

I'm so sorry about what happened before...

Juniper

I'll report in to the Consul.

Talk with Consul U

♫

Suffocating Reverberation

Taion

Is that enough for you?

Consul U

Wonderful, my dear Ouroberries. Quite the speedy little workers, aren't you?

Lanz

So? How're you gonna use the stuff?

Consul U

We're going to make it into a pulp and throw it into a bonfire.
I hear it has the most fragrant aroma. No doubt the creatures will be drawn straight to it.
A little assistance wouldn't go amiss. You!

Cardamine

Huh? Ah, yes?

Consul U leaves with Cardamine.

Lanz

Pfft. What a farce...

Taion

They're drawn to the scent, are they...?

Mio

What is it, Taion? You picked up on something?

Taion

Ah, not exactly.

Consul U and Cardamine gather around a pile of leaves.

Consul U

Ugh, what is this? I do so hate the forest, what with all the bugs...

Cardamine

Um, right... Well, they do say that bugs hate smoke...

Consul U

You know the type of insect I hate the most? The creepy-crawly kind. Ugh, ghastly things. How about you?

Cardamine

Me? I've seen 'em all before. Can't say they bother me...

Consul U

Oh.
Such a tedious little corner of Aionios. Nothing much ever happens around here, does it?

Cardamine

No, not really... I'm kinda used to it by now, though.

Consul U

Well of course you would be. State the obvious, why don't you!

Cardamine

Right... Sorry, ma'am.

Consul U

Now throw in the plants I gave you and we should be all set for the preparatory phase.

They ligth up the bonfire. A red smoke rises from it. Consul U turns away.

Cardamine

Uh, where are you going, ma'am?

Consul U

Oh, you know. I thought I might witness a little of that Ouroberry magic for myself.
The smoke rising from the bonfire acts like a signal flare to indicate the start of battle.

Cardamine

Yeah? What's that got to do with-

Selin

Crap. They're back - again!

Cardamine

What?!

Consul U

Looks like you've got your work cut out for you. Oh yes, you had better live your lives to their *very* fullest...

The scene cuts to the entrance of the colony. The party are facing Rhinons

♫

Immediate Threat

Noah

What?! These monsters...

Selin

Don't ask me! They just showed up out of the blue and started heading this way...

Juniper

These monsters aren't from the forest. Why would they have come in so far?

Taion

I have my hunches...

Lanz

No point guessing right now! Let's send these guys packing!

Talk with Cardamine

Cardamine stays near the bonfire while the Tau-Raiding Monsters are fought.

Cardamine

We've evacuated everyone who isn't great at scrapping, no worries.
Now you lot are our lifeline. Colony Tau's counting on you.

Defeat the first wave of Tau-Raiding Monsters

♫

Impending Crisis (continues as the battle theme after the dialogue)

Lanz

Gah! There's no end to 'em!

Taion

The appropriate tactic in this situation is fight first, whine later, "mate"...

Lanz

Yeah, I know, "man"! Makes me feel better, though!

Taion

...

Consul U

My dear, sweet little Junebug.
I'll tell you what I'm trying to accomplish here.
I want to see Colony Tau performing to the very best of their ability.

Juniper

What?

Consul U

I want them to wallow in regret, to agonize, tremble, suffer, writhe, convulse...and then die.
You see, the look on their faces at that moment is the most delectable thing in the world to me.

Juniper

Consul, I don't understand...

Consul U

All that you are, distilled at the cusp of death to a perfect fraction of unbearable humiliation!
However...teetering there on the edge of oblivion is also the moment in which you shine the brightest.
The terror of death flickering in your minds, fighting madly in the hope that you still might live.
A newborn babe could never hope to match that expression of horror.
Only the march of time can crystallize those grimaces of wrath, and agony...
Aged to perfection, like a fine wine.

Juniper

...!

Sena

They're coming our way too!

Eunie

Heh. Never a dull moment around here...

Consul U

Come now, Junebug, chin up. I want to see you at the peak of your brilliance!

Juniper

Nggh...

Consul U

I can't savor your emotions if you don't ripen to your fullest now, can I?

Defeat the second wave of Tau-Raiding Monsters

♫

Immediate Threat

Selin

Sparks! They got Rowland! Somebody go and help the poor soul!

Raine

How in the... Are we snuffed then? Is this it for us?

Juniper

Stay calm. There's still a glimmer of hope.
There aren't as many monsters as before!
It's doable. Keep pushing them back!

Noah

We'll try!

Consul U

Ouroberries are a force to be reckoned with, aren't they? I hadn't factored them in, but I did get a taste of fear and despair.
And for that I'm truly grateful.
You must have felt such sweet relief when they broke the Flame Clock. How does it feel to have all that taken away from you?
You'd better pick up the pace, or my little monsters will flock to you like a free meal!

Taion

It's the smoke... Put out the fire! Stop the smoke!

Raine and Selin nod and run to the bonfire to put it out.

Consul U

Oh, I think it's a little late for that.

Taion

I had my doubts, but I never thought you were so brazen as to do this openly...

Consul U

When you crush and burn those plants, they make the most irresistible aroma for monsters.

Eunie

So you lied about getting rid of them!

Consul U

I said that nuisances had to be removed. Who said anything about monsters?
I was hoping to remove everyone, save little Junebug here, and make way for new growth in the forest.

Eunie

...You don't half spout a load of shite, you know that?

Consul U

I *was* hoping to see them savaged by hungry beasts, but oh well.
Your efforts have managed to ruin a perfectly good tragedy. Again.

Taion

Again?

Consul U

Did I not mention?
Not a few days ago, I recall that you intervened.
I was hoping to cull some fruitlings before their Homecoming.

Juniper

Ah...! The monsters from before...!

Consul U

Yes, that's it! That's the way! It's the monsters that you encountered on that fateful day. The very same!

Consul U

Yes. I led them there myself.
If they had feasted on your husks, I could have thrown them into the colony and given you such a fright!

Juniper

Why... Why would you think of doing such an awful thing?!

Consul U

I took you to be smarter than this, Junebug. Be a dear and fire up those synapses for me.
Colony Tau was ready to accept their fate. I settled on the monsters as the best way to deal with that.
I thought perhaps if you were to see your friends torn apart before your very eyes, it might give you the...the stimulus you need.

Mio

You're beyond help...

Consul U

When the Flame Clock was destroyed, and you were given the chance to live...
...you also came to fear death and gained the ability to suffer, as you are doing right now.
You've done well, my little Ouroberries.
Yes, indeed. The look on your faces is not something so easily reproduced!
Ahh, how long I've waited just to see those contortions!
The perfect moment... Once matured, then savored... I'll not let you die easily, I shall see to that!

Noah

You Consuls are all the same, aren't you?
How can you toy with people's lives like this? You think this is fun?

Consul U

Oh, I just love teasing my favorite playthings. Is that really so difficult to understand?
Well, it's been lovely talking to you, but I'm afraid time's getting on.
If you despise me so much, slay my little pets and try taking me on yourselves.

Defeat the third wave of Tau-Raiding Monsters

♫

Moebius (music)

Noah

(pant pant)

Consul U

My, you really defeated them? All of them? Well, you're nothing if not tenacious.

Juniper

If you stay away from our colony without interfering, just as you always have...
I'm willing to let bygones be bygones.

Consul U

Without interfering?
You really are a model child, aren't you? I told you, I consider myself the assiduous type.
Why, do you think, that so few make it to Homecoming in this pit that none know about or care about?
Why, do you think, there are few threats to your colony, yet your Flame Clock teeters on the brink of collapse?

Juniper

I... Well...

Consul U

Let me explain it to you in simple terms that even you will be able to understand.
I made it that way. It was by my design.

Juniper

What?!

Lanz

You really are the lowest of the low!

Consul U

I had the soldiers die when approaching their final term, I conceived your peculiar traditions, and I sent monsters to you.
And when your numbers were culled just enough to maintain the colony, I sent you new recruits.
When you lacked a source of life with which to fill the Clock, I placed monsters of adequate strength for your succor.
And it has all been for this moment. Ah, the lengths I went to just for today!

Juniper

I cannot begin to understand you...

Consul U

Countless hours of painstaking effort went into this, but I am so very glad to have met a soul like yourself, little Junebug.
Even your rage brings me delight! The fact that you want to kill me where I stand, even more rapturous!
I shall contort your face into an expression of pure agony. I shall tear down all that you are!

Noah

The people of Colony Tau have been fighting just to survive day to day!
We won't allow you to have your way any more. This ends here!

Noah summons his Blade.

Consul U

Yes... Yes, I suppose you're right. My actions are unforgivable.
Come, then. Do your worst.
If you don't kill me now...

Consul U transforms into Moebius.

♫

Moebius Battle

Moebius U

You'll have to watch as I slaughter your precious Colony Tau before your very eyes!

Consul U's Last Moments

Moebius U is slammed against a tree trunk. She transforms back into her Consul form.

Consul U

Well then...it looks like it's my loss.

♫

That To Which The Defeated Cling

Consul U

You've such power...my Ouroberries.

Juniper

Consul U...

Consul U

Oh, yes... Now that right there is the face I wanted to see...
I'm afraid...I won't be dying here alone.
I'm going to kill off all your dear, sweet friends one by one!
You will remember exactly how they died,
and you will regret it every waking moment,
cursing your own ineptitude, wishing you'd done more...
Avenged though they were,
aimless anger will consume you.
How very...
exquisite the look on your face will be then.

Lanz

She's lost the plot, big time!

Taion

This was our victory. You don't need to listen to this.

Juniper

Colony Tau...

Noah

What about them?

Juniper

We made a promise that we'd survive.
And so...
The Consul's twisted games... are something I cannot entertain.

Juniper shoots at Consul U, shattering her core.

Consul U

Ahh...
Junebug... So you really can make...a face like that too.

Consul U dies, her body turning into blue motes of light.

Juniper

And now I must wonder... Did I do the right thing, in the end?

Noah

I think that...
that's what life is all about. Searching to find that answer.

Juniper

Yes... How true...

Juniper watches U's motes float away.

After the fight

♫

Converging Emotions

Raine

Thanks, yet again. Feels like you're always saving our bacon.

Lanz

Now none of that. We're all mates now, remember?

Noah

Yeah, Lanz is right. We're all in this together.

Juniper

...

Mio

Juniper? What's wrong?

Juniper

...Life is cruel, isn't it?
Just when I'd stopped waiting for death and begun to live for myself...
Why must it be so hard?
It's just as the Consul said. Expecting death would have been so much easier...

Mio

You're not wrong. It's not easy, and it never will be.

Eunie

Sure, but it's still a sight better than doing spark all and giving up!

Juniper

That's also true. You're right.
Life is a struggle, but I think I'd like to go on fighting, for a little while longer at least.

Lanz

Nah, you've gotta dream bigger. Fight until the bitter end!

Juniper

Hah. Perhaps I should.
Even without a Consul, our goal remains the same.

Raine

That's right. And we've gotta start by harvesting the crops.

Juniper

Right, yes. We have our hands full as it is trying to look after ourselves right now.

Noah

Sure. Well, if you ever find yourself having a hard time, we'll be there to help.

Juniper

I'll keep that in mind. Thank you, and see you soon!