Shulk and his friends met back up with Juju at the reconstruction HQ to deliver the materials.
"Yo, kid. Got your stuff." Reyn said and put the Horns down on the table.
"I see that. You got plenty of them here, maybe even more than we originally needed." Juju commented.
"So, what are we going to do with what's left over?" Sharla asked.
"Well, everyone likes the park you guys helped build but they said they needed something more spacious. So, I'm thinking we could refine what's left, maybe get a few more materials, and make a Rec Center." Juju answered.
"Not a bad idea." Dunban praised.
"Yeah, but it'll have to wait for a bit. We're already working on housing and we have that festival just around the corner." Juju replied.
"Festival?" Shulk asked.
"Oh, we forgot to mention that, didn't we?" Sharla suddenly remembered.
"You haven't noticed all the work being done around the colony or seen the flyers? The people here wanted to do something to celebrate the colony being revitalized, so we all agreed on holding a festival. If it turned out well, we could probably make it an annual thing. Here, check it out." Juju said and handed Shulk one of the flyers.
Riki sulked lower into his chair, "But Riki won't be able to come. Riki should be going back home."
"I'll have to see if I can make it as well. Colonel Vangarre said he wanted to see me." Dunban added.
"Dundun leaving too? Dundun try not to cry for Riki when Riki leaves." Riki said.
"I don't think Dunban can cry." Reyn smirked.
"I don't know, it'll be pretty hard to keep it together when I see Riki go." Dunban joked.
"Dundun tell the truth? Riki not want Dundun to be sad. Hm, Riki know! Riki and friends all move to Colony 6! Then Riki ask Juju to build house bigger for Riki's family to move in too!" Riki suggested.
"I don't know, Riki. You're going to have to build something pretty big to house that many people. Can you get a nice enough loan to cover all that work?" Dunban asked.
"Wait, Dundun trying to be funny! This was Riki's joke! Riki not like Dundun's joke!" Riki pouted.
Everyone had a good laugh and Dunban's tone suddenly changed, "Seriously though, Riki. I won't cry, but you will be missed." He admitted.
"Riki knew Dundun would miss Riki!" Riki cried and bounced around happily.
"You guys got time, it ain't starting for another four days. Sharla and I will be there." Reyn assured.
"If not starting for that long, maybe friends want to come with Riki?" Riki offered.
"Vangarre isn't exactly a patient guy. I can't come, sadly." Dunban replied.
"I was going to go with Dunban, too." Fiora added.
"I'll accept your offer. What about you, Shulk?" Melia asked.
"Sure, I'll come along." Shulk answered and put the flyer in his bag.
"Well, we were supposed to stay here and help set up the festival, but it looks like they're doing fine without us. What about you, Reyn?" Sharla asked.
"If you're going, I'll come too." He answered.
They all browsed the shops in the colony to restock for their trip then walked to the entrance.
Fiora frowned and moved her head down, "I guess I'll see you later, Shulk."
Shulk came over and hugged her, "Hey, cheer up, Fiora. It's not like I'm going anywhere far away."
Melia felt her heart sink a little as she watched the two of them.
"Take care, everyone. Hopefully we'll see each other at the festival." Dunban said and waved goodbye to them.
Everyone waved back and watched the two go.
"Sidekicks, move out!" Riki ordered and the rest headed towards Makna Forest.
As they were walking, Riki noticed Melia was quiet most of the way and seemed upset. He walked to the back of the group where she was and bounced into her arms.
"Why Melly look so sad?" Riki asked.
"Have I seemed that way? It's nothing, Riki." She said.
Riki followed Melia's gaze and noticed she was looking at Shulk.
"Oh, Riki see. Melly upset about earlier?" Riki asked.
Melia nodded slightly.
"Melly no be sad. Melly knows Shulk cares." Riki tried to cheer her up.
"I know he does. What I don't know is if he cares in that way." Melia said.
"Never know unless Melly tries." Riki pointed out.
"You're right, Riki. It's just… I'm too nervous. I've never experienced emotions like these before so I don't know what to do. What if he doesn't share those feelings?" Melia explained.
"Riki understand, Riki was scared to tell Oka too. Turns out, Riki worry for nothing. Maybe same for Melly and Shulk too." Riki said.
Melia smiled at Riki and gave him a hug, "Maybe you're right, I might just be overthinking things. Thank you, Riki. I can always count on you to cheer me up."
"It Heropon's job to look after sidekicks." Riki smiled and hugged her back.
Melia put Riki down and they later arrived at Makna Forest. The sun was beaming down, and it felt like there was a heat wave.
"How do the Nopon stand this heat?" Sharla complained as she wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"Nopon bodies adapt to environment, can live pretty much anywhere." Riki simply said.
"It's warm all year round where we're from, but even this is a stretch from what we're used to." Reyn added.
Reyn stopped his complaining and looked over at Shulk, noticing something on the side of his neck.
"Um, Shulk… don't freak out, but there's something on your neck that looks like a caterpillar." Reyn said.
Shulk froze in his tracks, "Get it off… get it off." He said. He was speaking quietly, as if he thought it was going to pounce if he made any loud or sudden moves.
"I'll get it, hold still." Melia said.
Melia started to blush a little as she came closer and put her hand up to his neck. She set the bug back on the ground and walked next to Shulk.
"Thanks, Melia." Shulk said.
"You're welcome. Do you have a phobia of bugs, Shulk?" Melia replied.
"Not all bugs, just caterpillars." He answered.
"Why caterpillars out of all other insects?" She asked.
"Well, when Reyn and I were younger we played pranks on each other. I got him pretty good when I hid a spider in his shoe. When he found it, he screamed as loud as he could and kicked his shoe into the air. He's been scared of them ever since, and to get me back, he hid a caterpillar in my sock drawer. Same as him, I freaked out and I've been terrified of them since." Shulk explained.
"And here I thought you were the brave and tough one out of us all." Melia teased.
Everyone else had a hard time telling if Melia was joking because she keeps a straight face whenever she does, but Shulk seemed to know when she was joking.
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean? I still am." Shulk said, playing along.
"Ah yes, you proved that with the caterpillar. You really are a force to be reckoned with." Melia kept teasing him.
"Oh yeah? I'll show you, then!" Shulk grinned.
Shulk wrapped his arms around Melia and lifted her up. Melia reflexively let out an "Eek!" and kicked, trying to break free.
"Put me down, Shulk!" Melia ordered.
"Not until you take back what you said!" He shot back.
Melia tried a few more times to break free and sighed, "Victory is yours, I submit."
"I still haven't heard you say it." He mused.
Melia rolled her eyes and gave a small laugh, "Fine, you're still tough. Happy now?"
"Now I am." Shulk said and put her down.
Melia looked back over at Shulk and they smiled at each other.
"Okay, lovebirds. That's enough." Sharla interrupted.
"Lovebirds?" Shulk and Melia both said. They looked back at each other and started to blush.
"But… we're not…" Shulk tried to defend it but was too flustered.
"R-right, we're merely…" Melia tried to add.
"Yeah, and I'm the Nopon Sage." Sharla sarcastically shot back.
"But Sharla not Sage. Sharla not even Nopon." Riki pointed out.
"It was a joke, Riki." Sharla said, "Just try not to fall behind, you two."
Melia was back to being quiet the rest of the way, overthinking again about her and Shulk. She decided to let it go as they walked into Frontier Village.
"Riki, do you think you could grant me an audience with Chief Dunga?" Melia asked.
"Riki can do that, but why Melly want to talk to chief?" Riki asked.
"I want to ask for his assistance in searching for the scattered High Entia." Melia replied.
"Okay, Riki and friends go find chief!" Riki said.
They climbed up several floors to the chief's residence.
"Ah, the Heropon returns from his long journey!" Chief Dunga said.
"Yes, but Riki is here for other business too. Friends wanted to speak with chief." Riki stated.
Melia took a few steps forward, "Chief Dunga, I wished to ask for your assistance. Shulk and I are planning to gather as many High Entia refugees as possible and retake Alcamoth from the Telethia. The Nopon travel extensively and have an expansive network. With your assistance, we can achieve that goal much faster."
"I see. I would first like to apologize for what happened to the Bird People's city." Chief Dunga started, "We will help in any way that we can."
"I am truly grateful." Melia said and bowed her head.
"You have all done so much, it is the least we could do." Chief Dunga said.
The chief let out a sigh and continued, "But, we cannot help search in Valak Mountain. A group of Nopon went there a long time ago to do research and we have not heard from them since, so I restricted any routes there."
"That is fine, we can search Valak Mountain ourselves if you assist us with the other areas." Melia assured.
"Very well. I will tell our merchants and other Nopon travelers to keep an eye for Bird People and have them come here." Chief Dunga confirmed.
"Thank you, your assistance is greatly appreciated." Melia said.
They all left and headed towards Riki's house.
"So, this is it." Riki sulked, "Will friends still come visit Riki?"
Melia smiled and picked Riki up, "I'll need you and the others when we go to Alcamoth, so this isn't the end."
"Heropon will be there!" Riki said, cheering up a little.
She set Riki down and he looked back up at everyone, "Riki tell friends nice spot to camp as thank you for coming with Riki!"
Riki took their map and marked an area near the center of Makna Forest, "Friends go to Eks Watering Hole, then go South and climb big tree. Friends can thank Riki later!"
They all said their goodbyes and headed for the area Riki told them about.
"This better be worth it. Took us so long to find the bloody place and… whoa." Reyn said, taken aback by the beautiful view as they arrived.
There was a giant pool in front of them, with waterfalls near the back and the water itself was clear enough to see the bottom. There was plenty of land nearby for them to set up camp near the water.
"It's beautiful!" Sharla said, taking in the scenery.
"That fuzz ball was hiding out on us." Reyn chuckled.
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Reyn said, eager to get in the water.
"Wait, do we even have anything to swim in?" Sharla asked.
"I don't think any of us were planning on swimming, so we didn't bring anything." Shulk concluded.
Reyn groaned, "But look at this place, man! You think I'm gonna let that stop me? I'll strip down if I have to!"
"Hold it there, Casanova. We can still swim, but we'll have to do it in turns, girls then boys." Sharla said.
"Why do you get it first?" Reyn asked.
"Let them have it, Reyn. We can set up camp while they swim, then we'll have a turn." Shulk cut in to make peace before they started arguing.
Shulk looked over at Melia, "You look like you could use it a lot more than we do right now. You look like you're burning up, Melia."
"I do feel a little warm." She said and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
"See, Reyn? Shulk knows how to be a gentleman, ladies first." Sharla grinned.
Reyn scoffed, "Fine, go ahead. We'll set up camp over there."
Shulk and Reyn walked off while Sharla and Melia stayed near the water.
"So how exactly are we swimming if we don't have bathing suits?" Melia asked, not getting what Sharla meant earlier.
"Who said we needed bathing suits?" Sharla answered and started to undress.
"Y-you mean…" Melia gawked.
"Why do you sound so shocked? Didn't you used to go swimming outdoors when you were a kid?" Sharla asked.
"No, never." Melia replied.
"Well, then why not make up for lost time? It's just you and me here." Sharla said.
"That is true." Melia hesitated but followed Sharla's lead and started to undress.
Sharla sneaked a quick glance, "Wow, Melia, I'm actually a little jealous." She teased.
Melia tried to cover herself, "Don't stare! I'm already worried as it is that Shulk or someone might see."
"Relax, Melia. Like I said, it's just you and me here. Besides, Shulk is the last person to worry about. I get that he likes you and all, but that doesn't sound like something he'd do." Sharla assured.
"What do you mean?" Melia asked, turning a bit red.
"You seriously haven't noticed? It's clear as day that he likes you, Melia. He's been paying more attention to you, he's more upbeat when he's around you, and you two have been acting a bit more than friendly lately." Sharla explained.
Melia gave a warm smile through her blushing. She felt relieved to hear that and was almost positive now that she was just overthinking everything from earlier.
"I know I sound like I tease you two a lot, but I'm just trying to push you two a little closer." Sharla said and put a hand on Melia's shoulder, "But enough about that right now, let's swim!"
Shulk and Reyn were nearly finished making camp when Sharla and Melia came back.
"Welcome back. How's the water?" Reyn asked.
"It was great, it felt so refreshing!" Sharla told him.
"Glad to hear. Feeling any better, Melia?" Shulk asked.
"Much better, the cold water helped cool me down." Melia said.
Shulk took another look at Melia and started to smile.
Melia noticed him looking at her, "What is it, Shulk?"
"Nothing. It's just I think this is the first time I've seen you without your hair curled." He answered.
"Oh, it's just from being in the water. I was going to fix it when I got back." She said.
"Well either way, I still think it looks pretty good." He replied.
"If you say so." Melia looked away, she smiled and ran her hand through her hair.
"Almost everything is set up, can you two take care of the rest while we go swim?" Reyn asked.
"Sure, we can do that." Sharla nodded.
"Awesome! Hey Shulk, I'll race ya!" Reyn said and bolted for the pool.
"How is that fair?! You got a head start!" Shulk yelled, but Reyn didn't look like he was stopping.
"We'll be back in a bit." Shulk hastily said and ran to catch up with Reyn.
Sharla grinned and put an arm over Melia's Shoulder. She tried to impersonate Shulk's voice, "I think you look really cute with your hair down, Melia."
"Oh, be quiet." Melia said and nudged her away.
The two girls finished what was left of making camp. Sharla sat and talked with Melia while she was doing her hair as they waited for Shulk and Reyn to come back. It was getting late by the time they finally returned, so they made something quick to eat and got ready for bed.
Melia kept hearing noises keeping her awake and she sat up. Sharla was sleeping peacefully while Reyn was snoring away. She looked over and seen Shulk kicking the blanket off himself and mumbling in his sleep.
"No… wait!" Shulk said and tossed in his sleep.
He must be having a bad dream.
"Shulk?" Melia sat closer to him and nudged his shoulder.
Shulk suddenly threw himself towards Melia, his arms limply around her waist and his head on her lap.
"Melia… don't go." He mumbled.
Melia gasped and put a hand to her chest.
He's definitely dreaming, but… it's about me?
"Shh. It's okay, Shulk. I'm not going anywhere." Melia whispered and rubbed his back.
Shulk stopped tossing and was quietly snoring in her lap after a few minutes. Melia carefully laid Shulk's head back onto his pillow, then moved her sleeping bag closer and laid down beside him. She watched Shulk for another minute to make sure he was okay. She smiled softly and some color reached her cheeks as she watched him sleep.
"Sweet dreams, Shulk." Melia mused and played with his hair. She closed her eyes and went to sleep.