Heartwarming / Xenoblade Chronicles 1

All spoilers are unmarked, proceed with caution.

• Dunban openly feels that Shulk and Fiora should get together, even saying as much to Shulk himself. Instead of a stereotypical overprotective brother, Dunban wants to see his sister be happy with the person she loves. Even after Fiora's death, Dunban continues to act as an older brother figure for Shulk throughout the game.
• A minor one, but this is what Riki can say to Melia when her tension is low:
  "Melly, want hug?"
• It is probably safe to say that Fiora and Shulk are a major source of this in the game. Particularly, anything and everything on the Fallen Arm. Over and above the above examples, we have:
  • Shulk and Fiora have unique dialogue when healing each other in battle.
  • The Heart-to-Heart "Just Like Old Times", wherein Fiora pours out her heart regarding worries about being together with Shulk because of her Machina body, because she doesn't want people to look badly at Shulk. Shulk retorts that he doesn't care what other people think, as long as he can be with Fiora. He makes it fairly clear that no matter what, his overriding goal is, always has been, and always will be Fiora.
  • Linada stating that she, with what she has here, can't possibly restore Fiora's Homs body, and Fiora responding that she doesn't care as long as she can be with and protect Shulk, which leads into...
  • Shulk's got a lot of internal dialogue when he checks on the unconscious Fiora, but most sweetly is something he never expected to be able to say after the Colony 9 attack: "Goodnight Fiora, I'll see you in the morning". You can practically feel the smile on his face. Then, a minute later, you get to see the smile on his face while he sits next to her just before her surgery.
  • Their post-battle banter when they're the only two in the party, particularly when they're alone on the Fallen Arm.
    Shulk: Fiora, don't overdo it!
    Fiora: You're always worrying! But thanks.
• Fiora's final skill tree being entirely devoted to buffs she gets from Shulk being in the active party. It is all unique to her so you cannot link them with other party members. It is both kind of funny and super-sweet.
• As the group enters Sword Valley—where Homs-kind only recently stopped their own extinction at the hands of the Mechon—Shulk offers the party members a chance to leave the group. No one considers it, even for a moment.
  • The only one who says anything at all is the only one without a personal stake in the conflict - Riki. Who doesn't even mention being Heropon, only that he's not going to abandon his friends.
• The scenes when the party is split up after arriving to the Fallen Arm are full of these sweet moments:
  • Shulk gives Fiora her first kiss and is so overjoyed that she's back and remembers him that he can't stop hugging her.
  • Reyn opens up to Sharla that he's feeling unneeded now that Shulk is strong enough to protect himself. Sharla returns the favor by encouraging him to treat Shulk as an ally whose back needs guarding instead of someone needing protection—exactly what Reyn needs to hear, and sure enough he and Sharla pull a Big Damn Heroes moment not five minutes later.
  • Dunban asks Melia how she's doing and she replies that she's fine, but Riki insists to make camp since he's tired and hungry. Gilligan Cut to the three around a campfire with Melia in a very deep sleep and Riki catching fish. Dunban quickly figures out that Riki knew just how tired Melia was, even though she wouldn't admit it.
    • On that note, the entire conversation between Riki and Dunban right after that scene, the most unlikely Odd Friendship in the game, as they bond over their parenting experiences. The absolutely lovely music box rendition of Riki's theme that plays during that moment seals the deal.
    • And one more for Dunban, when he finally reunites with his little sister. Definitive Edition adds even more to the scene - Fiora mentioned earlier that Dunban is too proud to cry in front of anyone. The added visual fidelity, particularly the quivering lip, makes it clear that it's taking everything Dunban has not to burst into tears in this moment.
      Fiora: Dear brother...
    • Melia's reaction to it all. Throughout the game before Fiora's return, Melia's feelings for Shulk becomes apparent, here, while she is a touch bit jealous of Fiora, she gets over it immediately and gives a sincere compliment to Shulk for finally reuniting with her. Shulk, for his part, thanks her, saying he could not have done it without her.
• The Machina of the hidden village welcoming Shulk and co. with open arms, even if they are initially suspicious of these "people of Mechonis".
• Right after The group defeat Egil, instead of ending him right then and there like he was going to do at the beginning of his quest, Shulk instead offers him compassion. Shulk shows his growth of character, by forgiving the man responsible for all the horrible things that he's committed on Bionis, including the destruction of numerous Colonies, the deaths of countless of people, including Fiora and Emperor Sorean. He knows what Egil has gone through and came to an understanding that he's hurting just as much as he is. Egil is taken aback by all this, couldn't believe that Shulk would offer him such a thing, and slowly begins to accept it, as well as accepting that Shulk truly is the man who can change the future for the better. Shulk ended the war between the Bionis and the Mechons with compassion, one Egil was ready to accept had it not been for Dickson's betrayal.
  • For his part, Egil 's Heroic Sacrifice was because of Shulk's kindness and his newfound belief that the world can change between them all, and he willingly put all remaining faith that Shulk can win in the end.
• For Melia, Kallian's death and his last words. Also doubles as a Tear Jerker due to the beautiful music. Melia almost breaks down when Riki confirms that he also heard Kallian's parting words, and nearly buries her head in his fur as she hugs him.
  • Just Kallian's relationship with Melia in general. The second heir to the throne resenting the first is a fairly popular trope in media. And it have been understandable if Kallian played that trope straight considering his mother is against Melia and he's also older than her, so he should have been first in line. But even disregarding the plan Sorean and Kallian had for Melia, he truly loved his little sister and even had his own mother locked up to keep her safe.
• Many Heart-to-Hearts are full of feels (or funny moments if you choose the jerkish or horrifically stupid dialogue options).
  • The Heart-to-Heart "Eternal Scars" at the Black Wreckage. Even after everything he did, Dunban still mourns Mumkhar's death and wishes him peace.
  • The final one between Shulk and Riki, where Shulk laments how he doesn't have a family waiting for him back home after their adventure's over. Riki's immediate response? Tell Shulk if he wants him to be his daddypon and become part of his family.
    Shulk: ...Wh-what was that, Riki?!
    Riki: Shulk can live with Riki and Oka, then Shulk have family waiting! Shulk never get sad again!
    Shulk: ...
    Riki: Shulk not like Riki's idea? Riki very, very sorry, Shulk. Riki only want to see Shulk happy...
    Shulk: No, it's not that... Thank you, Riki. Thank you so much. No one's ever asked me to be a part of their family...
    Riki: Shulk not worry anymore! Riki want to always see big Hom Hom smile from ear to ear!
    Shulk: (You are a great friend, Riki...)
• Restoring Colony 6 and sending more immigrants to live there brings warms feelings seeing all sorts of different species coming together. Not to mention the fact that the colony's theme becomes more and more livelier as you do so.
  • Berryjammy's life does indeed improve when she's migrated to Colony 6 due to the fact that the people there don't mock her name (unlike within Frontier Village, where the locals did just that).
• If you revisit Colony 9's Weapon Development Lab at a very late point in the game while playing as Shulk, you'll get the quest "A Token of Friendship", where Shulk wants to use all his new-found experience and expertise to make the best weapon he can for Reyn. It shows that, even after all they've been through and all the people they've met, Shulk and Reyn's bond has remained extremely strong, and it's heartwarming to see Shulk want to do something nice for Reyn.
• During the "Melancholy Tyrea" sidequest, Tyrea insults Melia's bloodline and legitimacy to the throne. In response, Reyn calls Tyrea out and delivers an inspirational speech defending Melia's honor. Contrast that with Reyn and Melia's initial impressions of each other ("This large one is far worse." vs. "I'm not good with her posh accent"). It's touching to see just how much their relationship improved throughout the journey.
  Reyn: You don't have the faintest idea why Melia's been fighting. Even if you'd been born in her place, the Emperor still would have chosen her as his successor. Succeeding the imperial line ain't all about blood. It's about takin' on the will to do whatever it takes for your land, for your people, when the time comes. That's what makes Melia different from you!
• A Mass-Produced Faced Mechon saving Juju from the Telethia at the end of the game, followed by a confirmation that the Mechon are now on the side of the heroes. What sells the moment is the fact that Mass-Produced Face has been confirmed to be Xord, the one that fought against the heroes when they first arrived at Colony 6, now he's there to defend the place he once had a hand in destroying.
• The Streetpass Mii Plaza game "Puzzle Swap" has a puzzle panel for this game. Normally, it depicts Riki and two other Nopon (his children, perhaps?) playing around the Monado. Then you pan to the right to see Shulk and Fiora, gazing up at the Mechonis in the distance together.
• Normally, the Definitive Edition's title screen is the same as the original game: the Monado embedded in the ground, surrounded by the Bionis' landscape. However, after beating the game, it changes to a shot of the main cast sitting on the dock of the new Colony 9, talking, laughing, and just being themselves.
  • Clearing Future Connected adds Nene and Kino to the gang!
• The ending, where we see the outcome of the final battle with Zanza through Fiora's point of view.
  • We see Colony 9 filled with not only Homs citizens, but also High Entia, Nopon and Machina people living together in harmony, something Lady Meyneth and Egil would have wanted. A quick look and you can see a High Entian and Homs couple walking together too. Otharon, Dunban and Vanea are working to improve their fellow colonies with much needed resources.
  • Melia is taking a peaceful relaxation on top of the hills, expressing her gratitude to Fiora and the gang, for without them, she would not be the person she would be now.
  • Reyn, Sharla, Juju and Riki are having a great time fishing at the docks. Given the hints that Reyn and Sharla had feelings for one another during their travels, it might as well have been a nice family outing for them. Just the laugh Sharla gives out when they all fall into the water is something they could finally do without worries.
  • Finally, the moment where Shulk sees Fiora, now fully Homs again, with a new haircut. Not knowing what tomorrow could bring them, the two began wondering in excitement what the future will hold, and how they will face them together.

Future Connected

• In one of the Quiet Moments, Melia taking to heart what she and Nene had talked about previously regarding sisters, and telling Tyrea that she's the only family she has left and that this is one reason she wants Tyrea to join her circle of comrades and stick with her as she takes on her duties in Alcamoth. Tyrea is visibly touched, even if she is unwilling to commit to anything yet.
  • Even earlier, after finding her and Teelan, Melia goes to talk with her half-sister outside. Tyrea explains that after everything in the original game, she wandered aimlessly looking for someplace to die - eventually, she landed on the Bionis's Shoulder and found Alcamoth, but things didn't turn out how she envisioned they would. Try though she might to remain aloof, her actions speak far louder than her words:
    Tyrea: [The Fog King] would be the one to end it... or so I thought, until fate had me save Teelan. Then death ceased to be an option.
• Kino at one point says that he's always thought the Heropon's main role is to make a ton of friends, rather than monster-fighting duty. Why exactly? Because despite being a war hero and saviour who's traveled the entire known world and defeated all kinds of powerful foes, the only thing Riki ever brags about is all the friends he's made during the quest.
  • Kino's backstory itself is this and a CMOA for Riki. Riki found an orphaned littlepon, took him in and raised him just as well as his actual littlepon. There's also the fact that, of all 10 other littlepon, NONE of them bullied or mistreated Kino and all of them treated him as an actual sibling.
  • Another, albeit small, one for Riki is that one quest has Nene talking about how she climbed a tree all on her own and was too scared to climb down. Riki eventually found her though he was run ragged searching for her, probably worried out of his mind.
• After all the crap the High Entia went through in the main game, Future Connected gives them a hopeful future.
  • Teelan, a boy from a sidequest where you help him find Telethia research, is actively researching for a way to save the pureblooded High Entia from their transformations.
  • Tyrea is not only helping Teelan with this research, but also makes amends with Melia and becomes her "shadow": providing her with support in her royal duties.
  • Alcamoth is reclaimed. And with the help of Colony 9 in conjunction with the Bionis' Shoulder population, they manage to rebuild the capital and the game ends with Melia's coronation.
• The Telethia are no longer a force of malice and instead help the party out numerous times, heavily implied to be regaining their High Entian identities.
  • The Telethia were the ones who kept the Fog King trapped in Alcamoth, protecting everyone else from it.
  • During a sidequest where the party salvages ship parts in Alcamoth, they discover a Telethia was watching them, who leaves peacefully after they finish. Since the Fog King is in Alcamoth and the Telethia were keeping it there, it's possible that this particular Telethia was actually watching over them so it can protect them from the Fog King.
  • When Teelan is captured by Gael'gar, he's rescued by a Telethia that may very well be Teelan's mother.
  • During the final battle with the Fog King, the Telethia aid the party by disrupting the rift the Fog King came from, weakening it to the point where the party are able to vanquish it for good.
  • Just to drive home the point that the Telethia are now good, no Telethia are fought in Future Connected at all.

---