Previously on the Monado Arc...
The sudden attack of the Mechon led by Metal Face and Face Nemesis has led to Sorean's death and there was nothing that Shulk and Sharla could do to save him. Sharla was the most affected as she knew his death was going to happen from the start and another pawn of Zanza, the Ultimate Farmer, Milo and his Pokémon partner, Flapple take advantage of her despair by trying to kill her. The aftermath? Zellium sacrificing himself and warp evolving into a Cinderace, Milo and Flapple being killed, the Monado becoming able to damage Faced Mechon, and the tragic truth that there are Homs inside the Face Mechon. All of this has left Sharla desperate to search for answers for why everything she knew had to be twisted in the way they had and why did her actions result in these changes.
Monado Arc Chapter 8: Searching For Answers
I was floating in the middle of a starry night sky unlike what I've seen on the Bionis.
"Sharla..." The female voice I've heard before in my dreams called out to me. "Respond to me..."
"You again..?" I muttered. "Why... are you calling my name?"
"'Cause I know we will encounter each other soon..." The voice continued. "If answers about the Battle Gems and the Monado are what you seek... come to Ose Tower... on Valak Mountain..."
I tried to reach out to the source of the voice. "Ose Tower..?"
"Exactly, where the Monado was once sealed away."
"Wait!" I exclaimed as I sat up still reaching out. I looked around and saw that I was in the guest room in the Imperial Villa and Mirai let out a sound of surprise, letting me know that I must've startled her when I woke up.
"Nyah! You gave me a jump there." The writer said, her cherry red eye still wide with surprise. "Zellium told us what happened last night. Glad you're OK, especially after witnessing him sacrifice himself to save you and go through his Warp Evolution right before your eyes."
"I really thought he've given his life to protect me and I didn't think a Pokémon sacrificing themselves can trigger Warp Evolution." I admitted. "But now my rifle doesn't really work anymore. Milo's attack on me must've really messed it up."
The shorter girl picked up my rifle and yelped when she got a small shock trying to get a closer look at where Milo hit it the hardest with his rake. "I can see that. You know what? How about I fix your weapon and make this bad boy not only work again but make you stronger against the Mechon and all others in the process? So strong that not even the Apocrypha can stop you!"
"Well, I'm certain Gadolt wouldn't mind too much. That was his rifle after all." I snarked. "But how did you know about the Apocrypha Generator?"
"Let's just say that Murasaki told us a lot about you and how you now know the future of this world." Mirai responded. "Besides, I already know what I have to do to fix this bad boy, especially since you can use the Monado's abilities. It'll take me all morning to complete it. What do you plan to do once I complete it and you set off?"
"I have to go to Ose Tower on Valak Mountain before heading to the Mechonis via Sword Valley." I said.
"I see. Anyway, Kallian wants to see you and your allies in the Audience Chamber." The writer responded. "I've heard it has something to do about creating an Allied Force between all the races of Bionis. I'll handle things from here, you go see what my big brother has in mind."
"Got it. I'll leave fixing my rifle up to you." I agreed as I set off.
After eating a good breakfast, I made my way to the Audience Chamber to see Kallian and my friends already there.
"I apologise for calling you at short notice." Kallian said once I got with the others.
"It's fine. Is anything wrong?" Sae asked.
Melia's brother lowered his head in regret. "I must apologise to you all. Forgive our hubris.
Melia gasped as he continued. "We High Entia were arrogant enough to idly sit behind our defenses, safe in the knowledge that Mechonis lies a great distance from our land. And we were wrong. Our decision to ignore the Mechon assault on your homeland was wrong."
"Your Highness, does this mean..?" Shulk muttered.
Kallian turned to face the mechanic. "Yes, Shulk. We will face the dangers ahead, together."
"Brother..." Melia said.
"Which leads me to my request." Her brother continued. "After setting eyes on a group consisting of Homs, Nopon, High Entia, and Pokémon alike, I realised an allied army must be formed. I ask that you act as ambassadors for the assembly of this force."
Shulk looked to his side, me, Zellium, Sae, and Murasaki knew that Reyn's death has caused him doubt himself ever since his best friend's body was taken during the attack last night as well as the revelation that Fiora was still alive when he and Dunban thought she was dead.
Kallian must've noticed when he spoke up. "Tell me your thoughts, Shulk."
"I need time before I make a decision." The heir to the Monado responded before he went off with Dunban and Riki following him afterwards.
"Does Shulk not want to help us in our mission?"
I turned to face Mirai, holding my rifle. It looked like she made a special trigger capable of handling my Monado Arts and made it more fancy as it looks like it doesn't need ether cartridges to work. Outside of that, nothing much else has changed with the exception that she made the stripe more like a golden howling wolf.
"I do not believe that to be true." Melia said.
"Then why?" Kallian asked.
"Shulk has... other people to consider." His sister responded.
"Anyway, I see you finished fixing my rifle, Mirai." I said.
"Yep, in the nick of time too!" The writer exclaimed as she handed my rifle back to me. "Not only did I make it even more powerful especially against Mechon, I also inserted a trigger that lets you switch between your normal Arts and your Monado Arts. I like to call it the Monado Trigger!"
"I can't believe you went as far as to make a new way to use Monado Arts just to help us." Murasaki said. "It means a lot to us. I didn't think you had it in you."
"What can I say? I know what to do when a weapon doesn't work much." The shorter girl responded with a smug smile.
After catching up with Shulk, Dunban, and Riki in the Whitewing Palace and learning that Melia and Murasaki have to stay behind in Alcamoth, it was time to set off for Valak Mountain.
"It's probably a good idea if I go and tell Kallian myself." Shulk said.
"I'm sure he already understands." Murasaki told him.
"Besides, it's likely that the ministers are harassing him at this present moment." Melia added. "We should spare him any further inconvenience."
"Then... this is goodbye." The heir to the Monado muttered.
"I don't think that's the right way to put it." Zellium said. "If we're going to visit every once in a while, then this would be more of a 'see you later' if you ask me."
"Yes, I suppose you are right." The princess agreed. "Come back as soon as you can. We are in great need of your help."
"Got it. See you later." Sae said as we began to set off.
But I paused, glancing back at Melia and Murasaki, both of them looking alone and dejected. I looked back at the others and facepalmed before approaching the two of them and clearing my throat.
The princess looked at me in surprise. "Why are you still here?"
"Listen." I said. "I'll keep an eye on Shulk for you."
The silver haired girl blushed and she glanced aside. "Whatever can you mean?"
"It's a risky strategy, letting Shulk go off and just hoping he'll come back to you."
"Shulk and I are merely..."
"Yeah, yeah. But remember! The longer he's away, the more chance his feelings for you will fade."
"But–"
"Once we find this Fiora, I will personally whisk him back here in a heartbeat. Don't give up!"
Melia shared a startled glance with Murasaki. "I… appreciate it."
"Great!" I said with a smile. "Don't worry, Melia, I'm on your side!"
Murasaki let out a small sound as she looked up towards the Imperial Palace and me and Melia looked up to see Kallian, Mirai, Angie, Kokichi, Gonta, Tsumugi, Ajia, and Gita walking towards us with three guards following.
"Brothers? Sisters?" Melia said in confusion.
By this point, Shulk and the others had looked back for me and seeing Kallian and the rest approaching, they joined us.
"Just on your way out, I see." Kallian noted.
"It's not what-" Murasaki was about to say before Shulk spoke up.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness." He said. "About your offer…. We must… humbly decline."
"We… see." Angie said, nearly turning the statement into a question. "Very well. Let us hope our big sis and our jewel doesn't shed too many tears."
"We stay because we must, Sister!" Melia exclaimed.
Ajia turned slightly back up the stairs and then a young woman approached wearing the heavy and stiff ceremonial dress and the metal mask that Melia had worn in her public appearances.
"There's two Melias?" Sae muttered in confusion.
Riki glanced between the two women before shaking his whole body. "Sae-sae wrong! This Melly smell different."
"That's right." Ajia confirmed. "The High Entia need Melia to learn more about the lands of the Bionis. But she's still bound to handle public matters. Therefore, another Melia."
"Kallian..." Melia said.
Her brother knelt before her and Murasaki. "Your Highness. Crown Princess and Jewel of the Bionis. As your humble subject, I formally request the following."
"Speak." Murasaki ordered.
"I request that you two accompany Shulk in his quest to find the Mechon that attacked Alcamoth."
"Are you sure?" Shulk asked.
"Shulk. He's aware of everything. We all are." Angie said. "Go forth and follow your heart."
"T-There will be a d-day when we need y-you, but not t-today." Kokichi added.
"Your Highness, that means a lot to me." The mechanic said.
"Those are some cool princes and princesses." Zellium muttered.
"If only someone else could have their sensitivity..." Sae muttered, gazing at him.
He now had a blush on his face. "Sensitivity? I-I can sensitive!"
"The jury's out on that one." Shulk's Pokémon partner said in response and my Pokémon partner looked away in embarrassment.
"That's a relief." I whispered as I approached Melia.
Melia nodded, barely able to keep from smiling widely, knowing that she could remain at Shulk's side.
"We have recently received a report that the silver-faced Mechon fled to Galahad Fortress, the Mechon stronghold at Sword Valley." Kallian said. "It will be a treacherous path. My sister and our jewel are in your hands."
"Thank you, Kallian." Shulk responded. "I will keep them safe."
Melia faced her brother. "Regent, we accept your request. We will return victorious with Shulk."
The prince bowed his head slightly. "I am most pleased."
"Leaving without me?"
In surprise, Shulk turned and watched Alvis walk toward us before speaking up. "Do you… want to come?"
"To reach Galahad Fortress you will need to travel through Valak Mountain, on the right arm of the Bionis." The seer explained. "The snow-covered mountains are fraught with danger. Those unfamiliar to them risk never coming back."
"Of course you would be familiar with that region." Tsumugi snarked.
"Then there's no point in wasting time." Dunban said.
"Leave the allied force to us." Mirai continued. "We're not known for our diplomacy, but call it pride. We shall succeed."
"We'll join you as soon as we can." Shulk promised.
"We look forward to the day." Kallian then turned to look over all of us. "Heroes of Bionis! Make us proud!"
He and the others bowed their heads and the three guards knelt. Murasaki faced me with a soft smile on her face.
"See you soon, everyone." Shulk said.
Then we turned and left Alcamoth. As soon as we stepped out of the transporter, Alvis turned to us. "We will need to traverse Sword Valley if we wish to reach Galahad Fortress."
"If Colony 6 were in better shape, we could have taken a pod from there." I said. "How are we getting there?"
"We will take the path down from the Bionis' right arm." The seer responded. "Sword Valley is where the arm meets the Mechonis' sword."
"Aha. So that's our route." Dunban said.
"As I said earlier, it is a snow-covered mountain range, and you should expect a tough climb." The silver haired man continued. "Are we all ready?"
"Ready as we'll ever be!" Zellium exclaimed.
"Quite." The seer said simply with a slight mirthless smile. He turned, then, facing one of the High Entia vehicles docked just outside the capital. "First, we will head through Makna Forest. This short-range pod will be our transport. All aboard, people."
Face Nemesis had not been able to return to the Central Factory and the repair bays there; her damage was too extensive to enable her to make such a journey, and so she and the other Faces made for Galahad Fortress. Once they arrived, all of them were rushed off for repairs and maintenance.
Though she was currently not in the fortress, Vanea personally oversaw the repairs of Face Nemesis, watching through a display as the small drones hovered around the Mechon, soldering and mending broken circuits and armor. The torso was open, revealing the girl with the metal body.
"Zanza is not dead." She said heavily, retracting the visor that normally covered her Homs face. "I feel it. Our tragedy unfolds once again."
"Lady Meyneth." Vanea said, hardly able to believe the words but unable to doubt the one who uttered them. "Does that mean…?"
"Indeed. I do not doubt that Egil and Brigitte, too, are aware."
She glanced down, her eyes ancient, sorrowful, and Vanea felt a quiver at her throat. Those were the eyes of someone who had seen far more sorrowing things than any being had a right to witness.
"However." The girl continued in her care-filled voice. "Why free the Monado? Zanza must realise it is now a double-edged sword. And what reason could he have for choosing the boy and the girl?"
"Lady Meyneth..."
"Vanea." Meyneth responded as the drones backed away, their task complete. "Your swift repairs are appreciated."
"Thank you."
"I wish to see that boy and that girl again. To meet with the one who wields the Monado and the one who defies fate."
"The boy and the girl?" Vanea said softly. "But my lady, is that not–"
"Are Egil and Brigitte aware of my reawakening?"
"She is, but he is not. As my lady wished, he knows nothing and the Jewel of the Mechonis is already aware."
"Then there is no need to worry. I shall meet the boy and the girl." She continued, voice decisive, the torso closing over her, and, hidden from Vanea, she reached up and pressed her metal fingers to the golden piece affixed to her chest, which gave off a faint red glow at her touch. "Besides, the Monado will draw them to me."
Face Nemesis left Galahad Fortress, and then, facing the Bionis looming in the distance, she flew off. She would be able to find the boy and the girl, and they would be able to find her. Whether they knew it or not, they would be drawn together.
However, her departure did not go unnoticed.
"Flying off without me, huh?" Metal Face remarked from where he stood with his arms folded atop one of the gates of Sword Valley, watching the silver Mechon hurrying away.
"I know you from somewhere." He muttered, trying to recall why she had been so familiar. It was rare for Faces to see each other outside of their Mechon, but he knew he had seen that girl before...
Then he had it.
"Of course, I remember you. You're Dunban's little sister."
She was only a tiny speck in the sky by now. Metal Face fixed his gaze on her form, folded up, and took off after her, staying far enough back where she would not notice him but close enough so that he could keep her in sight.
His departure did not go unnoticed either.
"I understand both of your motives, but..." Brigitte muttered, her ponytail flowing in the wind as she watch them fly off. "Your fates were set from the beginning. One of you will die and the other will keep Lady Meyneth's soul in their body. I already know who goes through those fates."
I don't really recall much of what happened once we got to Valak Mountain other than putting fur-lined clothing and a special cream on to withstand the cold, Zellium lending all of us a spark of his control over fire ether to make us capable of transforming without worrying about the freezing temperatures getting to us, and having a blast racing each other down the Hollow Bone to the Nopon Camp, but after getting something good to eat from the Nopon merchants, we got to Ose Tower.
Only problem now was that the entrance was completely blocked off by a thick wall of fallen ice.
"Ruins? I wonder who built them." I said.
"Alvis? Is this the place you were talking about?" Zellium asked.
"Hmm. It appears to have frozen over while I have been away." The seer muttered.
"Been away?" Murasaki repeated.
"Pay me no mind." The silver haired man advised. "We will need to do something about the ice before we can enter."
"Throw hot water on ice!" Riki exclaimed.
"How would that work?" Sae snarked.
"Precisely." Alvis said. "There should be a geyser nearby. In the cave next to it, we will find a stone called Magma Rock."
"And we can use this rock to melt the ice?" Dunban asked.
"I believe so." The seer responded. "So, shall we head to the cave?"
"Sounds good." Shulk agreed. "Start looking for a geyser, everyone."
Heading out to Jakt Geyser, we were able to get to the Lava Cave where the Magma Rock will be.
"I'm a fire type Pokémon so I can go in to get the Magma Rock, who wants to come with me?" Zellium asked.
Shulk, Murasaki, Riki, and Sae agreed to go with him deep into the cave. While me, Melia, Dunban, and Alvis waited by the entrance.
"Hey, Dunban." I said. "How's your arm holding up?"
"You mean this old thing?" The swordsman asked, knowing that I was talking about his right arm.
"The others told me what happened a year ago, at Sword Valley. It must have been very painful." I responded.
"It hardly even bothers me now. I'm used to this left-handed style now."
"It must be tough, though. Only a year ago you were fighting with the Monado. And this is your reward..."
"You think losing the use of one arm is going to hold me back?"
"You really can't use your right arm then? That's a real shame."
Dunban got up after I said that before speaking up. "I have no regrets. Without the Monado, we would have never repelled the Mechon. I did what anyone would have done."
I got up as well. "There you go again. Showing off in that special Dunban way."
"I wouldn't be in any fit state to be showing off if not for all of you." The swordsman said.
"Wow! That's some honesty right there!" I exclaimed. "I can't believe I've stripped away so many layers so quickly!"
"Did I say too much?"
"No. It was quite sweet, actually."
Dunban blushed lightly. "Erm... Can you not tell Shulk about this conversation? If he ever found out, I wouldn't hear the end of it."
"Don't worry! My lips are sealed!" I promised.
"Alright, you're going down ugly face! YAAAAHHHHH! METEOR STRIKE!" Zellium's voice yelled from the deeper part of the cave, catching all of us off-guard.
Did he just insult Conflagrant Raxeal before killing it? Someone's taking advantage of being able to use Calamity Strikes any time they want. I thought to myself as Zellium, Shulk, Murasaki, Riki, and Sae came back to us with the Magma Rock.
"Are you guys alright?" Melia asked.
"We're OK." Shulk responded. "Let's get back to the ruins."
Heading back to Ose Tower and using the Magma Rock to melt the ice wall, I couldn't help but stare at the massive stone doors carved with a decorative symbol and a curious script that looked familiar but unreadable.
Melia took a closer look at the script. "The letters are worn and difficult to make out. But it's definitely the language of the High Entia."
"They look just like the lettering on Prison Island." I murmured.
Dunban stared at it before walking forward. "If only we could..." As he approached, the doors split open. "...just walk inside."
We entered the tower, which did seem to provide some respite from the bitter cold outside, though not by much. A dim hallway, carved in a style that we had come to recognize as that of the High Entia, sloped upward toward a slightly wider part that had to be positioned directly beneath the tower itself. Peering ahead in the mysterious tower, I could see the pedestal where the Monado was once held in.
I wasn't listening to the conversation as I was more focused on why the voice wanted me to come here in the first place. She was very vauge about it as all I know is that it has to do with the Battle Gems and the Monado.
While Zellium and Riki started a fire, I felt like the source of the voice was there, calling to me from the pedestal.
All of us ate and then we curled up and went to sleep. But I found I could not sleep, not at the moment, and I got up and approached the pedestal that had once held the Monado.
Everyone else was asleep, so I stepped forward. "Hello? Did you want to meet me here?"
"Yes... I didn't think you would have the guts to come here, Sharla."
An image of the girl from my dreams appeared. Fair skin, auburn hair held in a ponytail by a dark orange scrunchie, cute freckles on her face, and soft pastel gold eyes. She wears a yellow tank top, a grey jacket with the sleeves rolled up to her elbows, brown jeans, a black belt with a silver buckle and silver details on it, black boots reaching near her knees with yellow padding on the inside, dark grey rims at the top, dark grey straps with silver buckles, and dark grey soles, a pair of black wrist-length fingerless gloves, and a silver necklace with a silver cogwheel around her neck.
"I am Brigitte Lindholm, the Ultimate Engineer and the Jewel of the Mechonis." She spoke. "I'm talking to you from the Mechonis using my Battle Gem."
"Really?" I muttered. "Then did you..?"
"Yes, Sharla. I created the Battle Gems."
"What?!"
"When Murasaki entered her crystal slumber, I was able to salvage some of the leftover ether from her." Brigitte explained. "Combining that energy with the god-like ability to disrupt the ether from the Monado caused me to create a magical breakthrough. My Battle Gem is capable of defying fate. Your gem has the potential to become just as powerful."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Yours and the Battle Gem of the heir to the Monado were created for one reason, to put an end to the war and create a world with no need for gods. However, the only way for you and your friends to fulfill this goal is to believe in yourselves via a heroic resolve or a strong heart. Either way should work and anyone can do it, but it'll be a while before it happens. Regardless of when we're on different sides, I know you can do it."
"How do you know?"
"Because while I have a lion's heart, you have that and the courage of a wolf. That makes you more powerful than you think you are."
Brigitte vanished soon after saying that, I went back to the fire that Zellium and Riki made and went to sleep.
But what do I tell the others? I'm not sure if they'll believe me, but they have to when they see Brigitte. Whenever she with Egil inside Yaldabaoth or not, they have to believe me! I thought to myself.
Next time on the Disciple Arc...
The maids bring their plan into action on Valak Mountain via a surprise attack after Egil and Brigitte have left in order to separate Sharla from her allies. Meanwhile, Gonta is asked to come to the Ether Plant at Eryth Sea by Bea for reasons that seem to be related to her crush on him. At the same time, Angie, Lorithia, and Alvis discuss how ether is capable of all sorts of things that can prove to be useful in the Killing Titan War.