Chapter 16: Welcome to Colony 9
Noel, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, and Carmelita leave Cybertron and return to the space area and the group revert back to their normal forms while Carmelita is now an orange furred fox with blue hair tied to a long braid, wearing a blue short top showing her torso with a tan long sleeved coat over the blue short top, blue pants, yellow gloves, brown boots, a gold officer badge around her neck, and an earring on her left ear.
"Well, that's another world saved." Knuckles said.
"So all you guys do is save a world?" Carmelita asked.
"Y-Yes." Noel answered.
"Now we gotta go to a new one." Banjo said.
"But which one?" Ken asked.
Noel then sees a world that has a plain and a place that looks like a village.
"I think we should go there next." Noel said.
"Good enough for me." Kazooie said.
"Let a rip, Noel!" Ken said.
Noel uses her Keyblade to create a light trail at the world and then creates a light portal and Noel goes into the light portal and the others follow her.
In what looks like a plain area metal like sounds were heard and there are metal parts around the plain.
"A Mechon M71!" A voice said and it's a male voice. "I bet I can use its optical system to align one of the Anti-Air Batteries." The male voice added and then lets out a groan while throwing a metal part away. "No good. It's broken." The male voice and it's revealed to be a boy with short blond hair, has blue eyes, wearing a red hooded sleeveless shirt over a black long sleeved shirt, brown shorts, pads on his knees, and brown shoes looking at the metal parts. "The joint section...it's buckled." The boy said as he throws another metal part away. "It's completely useless." The boy then lies down on the ground while a dragonfly lands on his arm but then he notices something from afar and it's another metal part. "An M69!" The boy runs over to the metal part. "It's armour would be perfect for making a shield!" The boy said as he starts to lift the metal part. "If I could just get it off! I should be able to..." The boy stops talking as the metal part starts acting up making him get back.
"Shulk!" A voice called as another person comes and it's another boy with spiky orange hair, wearing a sleeveless green and orange top while showing his torso, armbands on both arms, black pants with grey knee pads, and black and orange shoes and the boy runs at the metal part and knocks it back with what looks like a white weapon with a blade under it.
"Reyn!" The boy named Shulk said.
Just then the metal part is not a metal part but a metal shell with a creature in it.
"It's not a Mechon! It's just a Krabble!" Shulk said while taking out his weapon which is a sword. "It was using the Mechon armour as a shell!" Shulk said.
"I'll lure it away and topple it! When it's down, use your Arts to finish it off!" Reyn said.
In a different part of the plain the light portal appears and Noel, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, and Carmelita fly out of the light portal before it disappears and the group look around the plain.
"Wow. This place looks really beautiful." Knuckles said.
"So what do we do?" Carmelita asked.
"Well, we should see if we can find any Black Xetis or Heartless. The Keyhole also has to be found." Noel said.
"There could be a good chance your brother is here too." Banjo said.
"Let's take a look around." Espio said.
"Okay." Noel said and the group start looking around the plain.
Meanwhile Shulk and Reyn quickly defeated the Krabble.
"That was a close one." Shulk said.
"I'll say. You really shouldn't have..." Reyn was cut off by something appearing and it's Soldier Heartless appearing and Zombie Black Xetis rising from the ground. "What the...?!" Reyn asked.
"Just what are these? They don't look like Mechon." Shulk said.
"I dunno what they are, but you'd better watch yourself. They don't look like a friendly bunch." Reyn said as the Soldier Heartless and Zombie Black Xetis attack.
Meanwhile the group explore around the plains trying to search for something but as they keep exploring Noel hears something from a distance.
"Noel, what's wrong?" Cream asked.
"I'm hearing fighting. You think someone's in trouble?" Noel asked.
"Could be. We'd better go check out what's going on." Knuckles said.
The group hurry to where the fighting is taking place and they arrive at the different part of the plain where they see two boys fighting against Soldier Heartless and Zombie Black Xetis.
"Black Xetis and Heartless! Those two are fighting, but they look like they need help." Noel said.
"Then let's get out there and help them!" Carmelita said.
Noel runs to the fight and gets in front of the two boys with her Keyblade in her hand.
"Huh? What're you think you're..." Reyn was cut off by Noel.
"Don't worry. We'll help you." Noel said getting ready to fight.
"Thanks. Reyn, we should trust her and fight with them." Shulk said.
"Whatever works." Reyn said.
The Soldier Heartless spin attack at the group and the boys but Noel triple slashes with her Keyblade and then casts Thunder while Ken bashes with his guitar and then unleashes magic music waves but the Zombie Black Xetis throws their limbs at the group but Espio throws four shurikens while Cream throws an Omochao Bomb while Grace uses Bite but the Soldier Heartless leap attack at the group but Carmelita delivers a spin kick and then shoots an electric shot from her shock pistol while Knuckles double punches and then delivers an uppercut but the Zombie Black Xetis dig underground and then rise from the ground to attack while the Soldier Heartless attack with their claws but Banjo has Kazooie triple peck but the Zombie Black Xetis spin attack with their arms at the group but Shulk delivers a slash with his sword and then uses Back Slash while Reyn slams his weapon at the Zombie Black Xetis but the Soldier Heartless spin attack at the group while the Zombie Black Xetis throw their limbs but Shulks uses his Back Slash again while Reyn slams his weapon again while Carmelita shoots three electric shots from her shock pistol while Knuckles delivers a drill punch while Cream sends Cheese to attack while Espio uses Leaf Swirl while Grace tail whips while Banjo and Kazooie roll attack while Ken casts Blizzard while Noel uses Edge Slash and then delivers a swing slash with her Keyblade and the group defeat the Soldier Heartless and the Zombie Black Xetis.
"Are you two okay?" Noel asked.
"We are now. That was a really close one. Thanks a lot." Shulk said.
"It was our pleasure." Cream said.
"I had a feeling the Black Xetis and the Heartless'd be here." Ken said.
"So that's what those things were called? I've never heard of their likes before. You seem to know them quite well." Shulk said.
"Yeah. We run into 'em a lot." Kazooie said.
"I'll admit, you guys aren't bad at fightin'." Reyn said and then he turns to Shulk. "Man, Shulk, what were you doing wandering off by yourself?! Stay where I can keep an eye on you. It's pretty dangerous outside of the colony. There are all kinds of monsters, just like the ones we just fought." Reyn said.
"Yeah. Thanks to you, though, we got the Krabble's shell. Everyone in the colony's gonna be really happy." Shulk said.
"Colony...?" Noel asked confused.
"I'm more worried about you than that shell. Knowing what you're like, at least you'll make a decent weapon of it." Ryen said. "The Scrap Driver's excellent." Reyn added.
"I just learned by watching Dickson make weapons." Shulk said.
"Still, Dunban's weapon still beats them all." Reyn said.
"Right. The Monado..." Shulk said.
"The what now?" Ken asked confused.
"The Monado is a sacred weapon wielded by Dunban. I'm hoping to figure out the secret of its powers one day." Shulk said.
"You will, Shulk. Hey, we should get back to the colony. I can't be late for drills again, or else old Square-tache is gonna kill me." Reyn said.
"Square-tache?" Shulk asked.
"Who is that?" Knuckles asked.
"Oh, the Defense Force Colonel. Yeah, he's kinda scary." Shulk said.
"Tell me about it." Reyn said and he turns to the group. "You guys should come along to the colony too. I think you'd like it there." Reyn said.
"Okay then. We'd like to look at your home." Noel said.
"Great. Look, Reyn, I'm sorry for making you come all this way out here during your break." Shulk said.
"Don't worry about it. These guys even risked their necks to help us deal with those creatures." Reyn said and he walks to the group. "By the way, I'm Reyn and that's my friend, Shulk. We never got your names." Reyn said.
"I'm N-Noel." Noel introduced.
"Name's Ken." Ken introduced.
"I'm Banjo." Banjo introduced.
"Kazooie." Kazooie introduced.
"I am Espio." Espio introduced.
"My name is Cream and this is Cheese." Cream introduced herself and Cheese.
"Knuckles." Knuckles introduced.
"Carmelita Fox." Carmelita introduced.
"And this is Grace the Eevee." Noel introduced Grace.
"It's really nice to meet you all." Shulk said.
"Likewise. So, which way is your colony?" Noel asked.
"Just follow us. We know how to get there." Reyn said.
"Please lead the way." Noel said.
Shulk and Reyn make their way through the plain and the group follow them through the plain while looking out for Black Xetis or Heartless that could appear and they continue on through the plain to follow Shulk and Reyn the way to the colony and later on they arrive at different part of the plain and then they see something from afar and it looks like a village.
"There it is: Colony 9." Reyn said as he and Shulk make their way to Colony 9 and the group follow them into the colony entrance. "Welcome to Colony 9. I'd give you guys the grand tour of this place, but I'd better be at HQ. Shulk, you going to the Weapon Development Lab?" Reyn asked.
"Yeah. When I've sold any parts I can't use." Shulk answered.
"Okay then. See ya later. Hey, while you're off to the Weapon Development Lab, you don't mind showing our new friends around the colony, do ya?" Reyn asked.
"Not at all." Shulk answered and Reyn nods.
"You guys make yourselves at home here." Reyn said to the group and then walks off.
"So which way is that Weapon Development Lab?" Banjo asked.
"It's up ahead in the colony. Follow me." Shulk said.
The group follow Shulk through Colony 9 and while making their way Shulk also shows them around and introduces the inhabitants and they make their way to the Weapon Development Lab and while exploring the colony the group also keep a lookout for Black Xetis or Heartless but there are none so far and they keep going through Colony 9 and later on Shulk and the group arrive at a different place in the colony which is the Central Plaza and then Shulk leads the group to a different place that looks like a fortress and they look around.
"You idiots! What the hell are you playing at?!" A voice yelled.
"What the hell was that?" Ken asked.
"Oh, that's Colonel Vangarre. It looks like he's gonna explode." Shulk said.
The group see a man that has a red mustache and wearing armor yelling at some soldiers.
"Crashing the mobile artillery into a house?! How long have you been on the force?!" The man named Vangarre demanded.
"We're sorry, Sir. It's just that we were trying to go as fast as we could, like you ordered." One of the soldiers said.
"But it's impossible to get back to the Military District in only forty seconds." Another soldier said.
"I don't want any excuses! Champions don't WHINE! They WIN!" Vangarre shouted.
"Yes, Sir." The soldiers said.
"You're both disgraces to the uniform! Are you really forgetting the shame you brought on this force during joint manoeuvres with Colony 6?! Stick your backs into it, you maggots! MOVE IT!" Vangarre shouted.
"Yes, Sir." The soldiers said.
"Get the artillery back to the Military District, double time!" Vangarre commanded. "Then I want a million press-ups from both of you! You'd better not stop until your biceps explode!" Vangarre yelled.
"Wow. Talk about a nice guy." Kazooie said.
"That's Colonel Vangarre for ya." Shulk said.
"Colonel, we can't move the artillery." The first soldier said.
"What?! You'd better give me a good damn reason why!" Vangarre yelled.
"Well, the impact of the crash damaged the ether conduction cable. The ether fuel proceeded to leak out and now the cylinder is is empty." The first soldier said.
"Then change the cylinder! Can't you even do something simple like that?!" Vangarre demanded.
"The artillery cylinders have all been used up. It'll be three days until more come in, Sir." The second soldier said.
"I told you idiots to keep a stock of fuel in reserve!" Vangarre snapped.
"Sorry, Sir." The first solder said.
"You're nothing but slackers!" Vangarre yelled as he punches one of the soldiers in the face.
"Now that just wasn't very nice!" Cream said.
"Chao." Cheese said.
"Who does he think he is to treat his men like this?!" Carmelita asked.
"Man, and you guys called ME jerk." Ken said.
"You are a jerk. You and that dunderhead of a colonel have something in common." Kazooie said.
"Is he always like this?" Noel asked.
"Yep. Same old colonel. At this rate, the men will all be dead before they see any action." Shulk said.
"So which way to the Weapon Development Lab now?" Banjo asked.
"It's this way. Follow me." Shulk said.
The group follow Shulk into the building in front of them and they go through the building are now in the Weapon Development Lab and are now in a room with machinery and at the end of the room is what looks like a red blade with a hole at the near end center.
"What is that?" Espio asked.
"That's the Monado blade." Shulk said.
"All right, Shulk. How are ya?" A voice asked and they turn to see a man with blond hair that's tied to a long ponytail and blond mustache, wearing a blue long sleeved shirt with a grey sleeveless vest over the blue shirt, white pants, grey boots, brown finger less gloves, and a red bandanna and is carrying some papers.
"Dickson! When did you get back to Colony 9?" Shulk asked.
"Just now. I know you've been busy. Looks like your Monado research has been going well." The man named Dickson said. "I made the right choice leaving you in charge." Dickson said and Shulk rubs the back of his head bashfully.
"Your research notes helped." Shulk said.
Dickson then notices the group.
"Are these guys new around here?" Dickson asked.
"Y-Yes, sir. My name is N-Noel and these are my friends, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, and Carmelita." Noel introduced herself and her friends.
"Good to meet you all. Welcome to Colony 9." Dickson said and then walks to the Monado. "So, Shulk, can you activate the Monado now?" Dickson asked.
"Well, anyone can activate it. The problem is controlling it." Shulk answered.
"Yeah. For everyone except him." Dickson said.
"Yes. If anyone other than Dunban were to control the Monado, we could surpass any military force in the world." Shulk said.
"Really now?" Ken asked.
"You think so? What are these hidden functions you mentioned?" Dickson asked.
"It's still only conjecture, but it's starting to look like the Monado might be something far more significant than just a weapon for defeating Mechon." Shulk said.
"Mechon?" Knuckles asked.
"What of the evidence to support your theory?" Dickson asked.
"It's the symbol that appears in the center when it's activated. What I know is, the central piece is made from the multilayered glass. The symbol appears on the top layer and each layer is constructed differently." Shulk said.
"So it's possible that other symbols could appear on different layers?" Dickson asked.
"Which means..." Shulk stops talking.
"The Monado might conceal even more power. Is that right?" Dickson asked and Shulk nods.
"If we could just unlock the Monado's power..." Shulk stops talking as he places his hand on the Monado's center and thinks.
Flashback:
"Dunban! Dunban!" A female voice yelled as a man is being carried on a lifting pad by two soldiers while Shulk is with him.
"Prioritize the most severely injured! Come on! MOVE IT!" Vangarre yelled.
"Dunban!" Shulk said.
"Don't look like that. I haven't gone yet." The man named Dunban said. "Shulk..." Dunban then whispers something in Shulk's ear making Shulk stunned and stops moving while the others move on and Shulk looks back at the Monado blade. "It was the Monado. It was...controlling me... Even so...it saved us...saved our future... Next...it will be up to you..." Dunban said.
Flashback End.
"Dunban..." Shulk said.
"Sh-Shulk, are you okay?" Noel asked.
"Y-Yeah. I'm fine, Noel." Shulk answered.
"Hey, I'd better get the supplies delivered to the Defense Force." Dickson said as he turns to leave. "I'll drop round the HQ and see how they're gettin' on." Dickson said.
"Okay then. I'll see you later." Shulk said.
"It's nice meeting you, Mister Dickson." Cream said.
"Likewise." Dickson replied as he turns to Shulk. "Listen, Shulk, you've been spending too much time in the lab. Either that or rummaging for junk in the scrap yard. It ain't really healthy for a kid your age. That's why you're always lookin' so pasty. You should get out, get some fresh air for a while, show these new people around here. I'm off." Dickson said as he leaves.
"C'mon." Shulk said as he leaves and the group follows.
Later on in the evening in a building a tan shirtless man with semi-long black hair and wearing black pants and brown boots is sitting on a bed while trying to move his arm.
"Dunban! Are you awake yet?" A female voice asked and the man named Dunban sees a blonde woman coming upstairs and is carrying a tray.
"Time to eat already? You didn't have to bring it in. You could have just called me." Dunban said as the woman sets the tray down.
"Don't be silly. Do you want me to feed you?" The woman offered but Duban chuckles.
"Don't treat me like an invalid. I'm better than I was a year ago." Dunban said.
"Much better. I thought I'd lost you back then." The woman said.
"Yeah, but now I'm almost well enough to handle the Monado again." Dunban said.
"Dunban, don't say that! The Mechon have gone now! Why would you say that?!" The woman demanded.
"I just mean I'm prepared. Sorry." Dunban said.
"Okay. More importantly, eat up before it gets cold. I made something really special today." The woman said.
"Don't feel like you need to stay here then, Fiora. Go and make your next delivery. I think our new friend, Morgiana would like to help ya out with that." Dunban said. "I'm sure you'd like Shulk to try some while it's still hot?" Dunban asked.
"That's okay. Shulk has no sense of taste. He'll say it's delicious even if it's stone cold." Fiora said.
"In which case, today he could actually mean it." Dunban said.
"Maybe." Fiora said.
"Fiora, I'm fine. Off you go." Dunban said.
"Okay then." Fiora said as she gets up and leaves. "Oh, Dunban...thanks." Fiora said as she leaves.
Dunban tries to move but his right arm is still in pain and he looks at a photo.
"I'm not finished yet. I have to be prepared to use the Monado again." Dunban said.
Fiora starts to leave the house but then she runs into someone.
"Hey, Fiora!" The person said and it's Dickson.
"Dickson!" Fiora said.
"You look like you're in a hurry. Where're you off to?" Dickson asked.
"I thought I'd take some food to Shulk. I'm on my way to the lab right now." Fiora answered.
"Shulk's not there right now." Dickson said.
"Really?" Fiora asked.
"I sent him out to get some fresh air and show his new friends around the colony. You know where he'll have gone." Dickson said.
"Outlook Park. Did you just say Shulk has new friends?" Fiora asked.
"That's right. I'd suspect they're with him at Outlook Park. Nice people they are." Dickson said.
"Okay then. Thank you, Dickson. I'd like to meet those new friends of his." Fiora said.
Fiora goes through Colony 9 and just then she runs into a girl with pink hair tied to a side ponytail on the left side and pink eyes, a short white dress with a rope around her waist, leg chains on her wrists, a necklace around her neck, and is barefooted.
"Fiora. There you are." The girl said.
"Oh, hello, Morgiana. Are you coming back to the house?" Fiora asked.
"I was about to, but you seem to be going through the colony. May I ask what you're doing?" The girl named Morgiana asked.
"I'm on my to Outlook Park to find Shulk and his new friends." Fiora answered.
"How is Dunban?" Morgiana asked.
"He says he's fine. I think we should leave him alone for now." Fiora answered and Morgiana nods.
"I'll go with you and help you find Shulk." Morgiana said.
"You don't have to." Fiora said.
"I feel like I do. You did help me when I was lost. I've been grateful to you." Morgiana said bowing to Fiora.
"Now, Morgiana, it was nothing. You don't need to bow. I was being helpful. Though, if you feel like helping me, then I'll allow it." Fiora said.
"Thank you. Please lead the way." Morgiana said.
Fiora and Morgiana leave Colony 9 and they arrive at the plain to find Shulk and they make their way to Outlook Park and they find stairs and climb up the stairs until they reach a hill like area and they find Shulk sitting on a bench and the group are with him and the two walk to Shulk.
"The Monado..." Shulk said.
"Is it more than just a weapon?" Espio asked.
"Well, it's the only sword that's effective against the Mechon's armour." Shulk answered.
"The Mechon? The hell is that?" Ken asked.
"Is there a secret to the Monado?" Noel asked.
"They say before time began, it was wielded by the Bionis. The same Bionis that we all live on. The Monado must have a secret. That's how Dunban was able to destroy so many Mechon. It's also why he lost the use of his right arm. I need to unlock the secret of its power..." Shulk said.
"If you'd like, Shulk, we can help you find out its secret. We may be new about this Monado, but we can still help how we can." Noel said.
"You would? Thanks, Noel." Shulk said.
"Shulk!" A voice called and the group turn to see Fiora and Morgiana.
"Fiora!" Shulk said.
"I thought you'd like some food." Fiora said.
"Thanks." Shulk said.
"Are these your new friends?" Fiora asked looking at the group.
"Yeah. They helped me and Reyn back at the plain." Shulk answered.
"Hello. I'm N-Noel and that's Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, and Carmelita." Noel introduced herself and her friends.
"It's to meet you, Noel. I'm Fiora and this is Morgiana." Fiora said.
"Hello." Morgiana said.
"Hey, another pink haired chick like you, Noel." Ken said making Noel blush at her pink hair.
"Hey! Show some consideration, Ken!" Carmelita said.
"What? I was kiddin'!" Ken said and the group, Shulk, and Fiora start laughing.
Later on Fiora gives Shulk the food and he starts eating.
"This is great! It tastes good." Shulk said.
"Really?" Fiora asked.
"It's amazing. Truly." Shulk said.
"Shulk, you say that everyday." Fiora said.
"Not quite. Your food's always delicious. Today, it's amazing." Shulk said.
"You mean it?" Fiora asked.
"Yeah." Shulk answered.
"Thank goodness. I used some special herbs and spices today. If you said it was just as same as usual, I'd know you had no sense of taste." Fiora said.
"What?" Shulk asked.
"Oh, nothing." Fiora said.
"Women..." Ken said and just then Morgiana presses her feet against the ground shocking Ken. "Whoa!" Ken screamed as he sits down scared stiff as he sees Morgiana's face puffed with anger.
"I like this girl already." Kazooie said.
"So, Noel, where are you and your friends from?" Fiora asked.
"Oh, um...we're from a different...colony very far away." Noel said.
"We're from...Colony 5." Banjo said.
"Colony 5?" Shulk asked.
"Y-Yeah...that's right..." Cream said.
"Uh, hey! The breeze feels great, huh?" Ken asked.
"Oh, yeah. I've forgotten how the quiet feels like." Shulk said.
"That's because you've been spending too much time with Reyn. You're getting used to all the noise he makes." Fiora said.
"Yeah. Maybe." Shulk said.
"It's so peaceful. I think you've been enjoying Colony 9 for the first time." Fiora said.
"Yeah. Everyone is nice there." Noel said.
"'Cept for that colonel. He's a real bastard." Ken said.
"Ken!" Cream berated for Ken's cursing.
"I just hope everyday could be like this." Fiora said.
Just then the two start to hear something.
"That's debris siren." Shulk said.
"Strange. There hasn't been much falling lately." Fiora said.
They then see cannons firing green beams in the sky destroying something which are debris falling.
"There could be more on the way." Shulk said.
"I have a really bad feeling about this..." Noel said.
"Eevee..." Grace said.
"The Anti-Air Batteries can't protect us out here. We should get back to the lab." Shulk said.
"Yeah." Fiora said.
"Can we come along?" Knuckles asked.
"Of course you can. C'mon." Shulk said.
The group start to make their way from the Outlook Park and head back to Colony 9 to get back to the lab and later on they return to the entrance of Colony 9 and go through the colony to return to the Weapon Development Lab where they find Reyn taking the Monado blade.
"Hey! It's that guy that was with ya, Shulk! Back at the plain!" Knuckles said.
"Reyn?!" Fiora asked.
"Reyn! What're you doing?!" Shulk demanded.
"Sh-Shulk?! No, I was just..." Reyn stops talking as the Monado's center start to glow and it's causing Reyn to lose control and starts slashing at the group.
"Wh-What's happening?" Noel asked.
Just then the Monado's edge starts to open while glowing blue and Reyn is still losing control and slashes around the room and then Reyn slashes at Fiora.
"FIORA!" Shulk shouted.
"Oh, no!" Cream said.
"Put it down!" Carmelita said.
Reyn then falls to the ground and releases the Monado and then a symbol on its center appears.
"Reyn!" Shulk said running to him.
"Are you okay, Fiora?" Morgiana asked.
"Yes. I'm all right." Fiora answered.
"It's broken!" Shulk said examining the Monado.
"What do you mean by broken?" Banjo asked.
"Yeah! In case ya haven't noticed...FIORA ALMOST FREAKIN' DIED!" Ken shouted.
"But she's not hurt, is she?" Shulk asked. "Don't worry. The Monado can't cut people." Shulk said.
"Oh, well...that's a relief." Noel said.
"But what were YOU thinking, Reyn?!" Knuckles demanded.
"Sorry. I wanted to ask Shulk a favour, but he wasn't here. I saw the Monado and then..." Reyn was cut off by Shulk.
"I know I've been here a lot, but even I need fresh air at times." Shulk said.
"How are you feeling after what just happened?" Espio asked and Reyn doesn't say anything.
"We have to be careful with the Monado. It's not a toy." Shulk said.
"Yeah, man. I know. I wanted to look at it for a little while. I didn't think it could have done that. I'm sorry." Reyn said.
"Mistakes happen, Reyn. That's how we learn from them." Noel said and Reyn nods.
"But is what you said true, Shulk? About the Monado not cutting people?" Reyn asked.
"The pattern in that circle or is it a symbol? I think it shows which power the Monado has at the moment." Shulk said picking up the Monado.
"Ya don't think that's a symbol, do ya?" Ken asked.
"Well...if I could just find a way to increase the number of symbols, I should..." Shulk stops talking.
"I'm sure that's all very clever, but why were you more worried about the Monado and not me, Shulk?!" Fiora asked.
"Seriously?" Ken asked and Morgiana stomps her feet and causes the ground to crack under her scaring Ken again.
"Fiora, it wasn't that. I'm sure that Shulk just explained why." Noel said.
"That's not the point!" Fiora said.
"S-Sorry." Shulk said backing off but then the Monado hits something causing it to open and energy starts to surge through Shulk.
"Sh-Shulk!" Noel said taking out her Keyblade and then starts running to him.
"No! Stay back, Noel!" Shulk said as energy is released and both Noel and Shulk start having visions.
"Look at you! Worthless without the Monado!" A voice yelled.
"Until I've scrapped each and every one of you!" Another voice said.
"So of course I want to get my revenge!" Another voice said.
"Your blade...it did not cut deep through deep enough." Another voice said.
After the vision everyone looks at Noel and Shulk concerned.
"Noel?! Shulk?!" Ken asked.
"What on Bionis happened?!" Reyn asked.
"Reyn...Fiora...Noel..." Shulk said.
"Are you both okay? Did it hurt?" Fiora asked.
"No..." Shulk answered. "Reyn, when you held the Monado, didn't you see anything?" Shulk asked.
"You mean...like a blue blade made of light came out. The same thing just now?" Reyn asked.
"I don't mean that. A feeling like time had stopped and then..." Shulk stopped talking.
"Time stopped? Kinda like Chaos Control..." Knuckles said.
"So was it only me who saw that?" Shulk asked.
"N-No...I experienced that too..." Noel said.
"That sounds strange. Is it another Monado thing?" Fiora asked.
"Who knows?" Ken asked.
"Anyway, no matter how good a sword it is, if that happens when you hold it... Looks like Dunban really is the only one who can use it." Reyn said.
"I won't let my brother use it ever again! Not after what it did to him..." Fiora said.
"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that..." Reyn said.
"Anyway, the point is...I'm fine. What about, Noel?" Shulk asked.
"I-I'm okay." Noel answered.
"Though to be honest, this has happened a few times before. I've been researching the Monado for a long time. But you, Noel, you said it affected you too. How?" Shulk asked.
"I-I'm not sure...maybe it was because of my Keyblade... and it somehow interacted with the Monado..." Noel answered.
"Your what?" Reyn asked.
"Noel's weapon." Ken said.
"You saw it when we helped you guys fight off the Black Xetis and the Heartless back at the plain." Kazooie said.
"Stop changing the subject! Don't act like it was nothing." Fiora said.
"Fiora, don't worry about it." Shulk said. "Anyway, Reyn, what is it that you wanted to ask me about?" Shulk asked.
"Right. Old Square-tache has gone and put me on punishment duty. Fancy tagging along?" Reyn asked.
"Punishment?" Shulk asked.
"For what? That colonel was pretty pissed today. Did he attack you?" Ken asked.
"Well, whether he hit me was neither here nor there, although, actually, he did end up attacking me." Reyn said. "That ain't all. He made me do a thousand squats and sit-ups." Reyn said.
"What a jerk." Knuckles said.
"Now, I have to go all the way to the Mag Mell Ruins and back." Reyn said.
"So you have to go and collect the Ether Cylinders?" Shulk asked.
"That's it. They're used to power the mobile artillery. It looks like the damage's been repaired. But it can't move without the ether energy. It seems like the fueling station's all out of stock." Reyn said.
"Is the mobile artillery that big machine that crashed in the Residential District?" Fiora asked.
"Yeah. Probably." Shulk asked.
"You know your way around, right?" Reyn asked.
"Yeah. Okay. I'll go with you." Shulk said and then turns to the group. "Noel, do you want to help out?" Shulk asked.
"Sure." Noel answered.
"Great. Thanks, guys." Reyn said.
"Hold on. The Meg Mell Ruins are in Tephra Cave, right? I heard that there's a Mell Lizard nest there. I can't take it if anything happened to Shulk and his new friends. Shulk's delicate, but not like you, Reyn." Fiora said.
"What're you on about?" Reyn asked.
"I'll be fine. I can take care of myself and Noel and her friends are pretty good fighters." Shulk said.
"But..." Fiora stops talking.
"Okay. I get it. I'll make you a promise. Shulk and his new friends won't have a scratch." Reyn said.
"A promise won't mean much coming from you. I'll go with you and make sure they won't get hurt." Morgiana said.
"Are you sure, Morgiana?" Fiora asked.
"You can trust me, right?" Morgiana asked.
"I do." Fiora said.
"What and you don't trust me? How come she gets to..." Reyn was cut off by Morgiana having a puffed face and slams her feet to the ground again scaring Reyn. "On second thought, the more the merrier. Welcome aboard, Morgiana." Reyn said.
"That's what I thought you'd say." Morgiana said as Fiora leaves the lab.
The group leave the lab and make their way out of Colony 9 and return to the plain area and later on they arrive at Tephra Hill and they arrive an entrance to a cave.
"You forgot something!" A voice said and it's Firoa.
"Fiora, do you not trust me?" Morgiana asked.
"Of course I do, Morgiana. It's just that you guys will be needing the transport cases." Fiora said taking out capsules. "I'll be coming along as well. It's better to come along than to sit at home and worry about you." Fiora said.
"Okay. Thank you, Fiora." Noel said.
"No problem. Let's get going." Fiora said.
"I knew she didn't trust me." Reyn said.
"I don't trust you either." Morgiana said.
"Let's get a move on. We haven't gotten time to waste." Carmelita said.
The group enter the Tehpra Cave.
"So this is the Tephra Cave?" Cream asked.
"Yep. Looks like it." Shulk said.
"Let's go find this Mag Mell Ruin." Noel said.
The group start going through the Tephra Cave to search for the Mag Mell Ruins and they continue to search the caves until they arrive at a different area.
"Are these the Mag Mell Ruins?" Morgiana asked.
"You haven't been here before?" Reyn asked.
"Hey, we haven't been here either." Ken said.
"Neither have I." Fiora said.
"The Defense Force often uses it for training, but I come here to do research. It's not really a place people go to." Shulk said.
"Not a surprise. There are monsters around here that use Mechon parts for armour." Reyn said.
"Was this place built by the Mechons?" Fiora asked.
"I don't think so. There's a path for people to get in. It might have been a vehicle of some kind." Shulk said.
"Like the Defense Force hover transports?" Reyn asked.
"A vehicle? It's too big..." Carmelita said.
"It's amazing technology. I wonder what kind of people made it..." Shulk said.
"Don't ask us because we don't anything about this." Knuckles said.
"We should keep moving." Espio said.
"Espio's right. The Ether Cylinders are up ahead." Shulk said.
"Okay." Noel said.
The group continue on and go through the Mag Mell Ruins to find the Ether Cylinders and later on they find a hole at the end and they are now out of the cave and are back outside and are in a different plain and they another entrance to somewhere.
"There it is! It's right here! Thanks for the help, Shulk!" Reyn said.
"Hey! What about us?! We helped too, ya know!" Ken said.
"Yeah. Thanks too. I'll start collecting them up. You guys hold on a second." Reyn said.
As Reyn starts collecting Ether Cylinders the others start to wait.
"It's full of Ether Cylinders..." Noel said.
"Yeah, but why do we have to come all the way up here to get them?" Fiora asked.
"Does it matter?" Kazooie asked.
"Well, it's just that there should be an Ether Cylinder fueling station in the colony." Fiora said.
"Refining ether takes a long time down there and sometimes cylinderisation fails. There are so many cylinders here for us already. It's more reliable than making them ourselves." Shulk said.
"Right. And Colony 9's Anti-Air Batteries and mobile artillery are standardized for these cylinders. That way, they can be used straight away." Reyn explained.
"I see." Noel said.
"This place seems to be in good condition." Morgiana said.
"Especially considering it's ancient." Fiora said.
"It might be... There's some kind of technology being used to preserve it. It's such a shame we don't understand its secret." Shulk said.
"Shulk...are you referring to..." Noel stops talking.
"I'll solve it one day and show you. If it's just technology that someone created in the past, it's not incomprehensible. We'll understand it one day." Shulk said.
"Don't try too hard. We can come and get Ether Cylinders whenever we need them. Besides, it's a good place for Defense Force training." Reyn said.
"Yeah. So good that you didn't even want to come here without Shulk, Noel, and everyone else to back you up!" Fiora said.
"Reyn, did you collect the cylinders?" Carmelita asked.
"Yep. All done. Thanks, guys." Reyn said.
"You should go by yourself from now on." Morgiana said.
"Hold on. Did you hear that?" Noel asked.
Just then floating white mechs appear.
"Are those the Mechon things?" Ken asked.
"I don't know, but we have to destroy them." Shulk said as he takes out his sword.
"Finally! I've been willing to bust something." Knuckles said.
The white mechs attack the group who dodge and Noel triple slashes with her Keyblade and then casts Blizzard while Ken bashes with his guitar and unleashes magic music waves but the mechs attack back but Grace uses Tackle while Cream sends Cheese to attack while Banjo has Kazooie shoot eggs but the mechs keep striking back but Espio slashes with his shuriken and then delivers ninja kicks while Carmelita delivers a spin kick but the mechs keep attacking but Knuckles triple punches and then delivers a headbutt but the mechs strike back but Morgiana delivers strong punches and kicks while Fiora slashes with her two knives but the mechs attack but Reyn slams his weapon while Shulk uses Back Slash but the mechs strike back but Noel uses Strike Raid and the group defeat the mechs.
"That was close. Is everyone okay?" Noel asked.
"I'm fine. What about you, Fiora?" Shulk asked.
"I'm fine too." Fiora said.
"What in Bionis are those. I've never seen anything like them." Reyn said.
"Could they be Mechon?" Fiora asked.
"No. I think they were something left by the civilization that built this vehicle." Shulk said.
"They don't look like Mechon to me. Why did they show up now?" Reyn asked.
"I don't know...but maybe they were trying to protect this place." Noel said.
"Yeah. They might have been activated in response to something..." Shulk said.
"I don't think it could have been us." Morgiana said.
"Can we please go back?" Cream asked.
"Yeah. We got what we came for, right?" Banjo asked.
"That, and those freakin' things nearly killed us!" Ken said.
"They're right. We got the Ether Cylinders." Shulk said.
Just then the group start to hear something.
"Now what?" Knuckles asked.
"Listen! What's going on?" Noel asked.
"That sounds like..." Shulk stops talking as the group go outside to see what's going on. "Look! In the sky!" Shulk said looking up at the sky and they see what looks like something flying through the sky.
"What are they?" Kazooie asked.
"This can't be!" Fiora said.
"No way!" Reyn said.
"Those...are Mechon!" Shulk said.
"So those are the Mechon..." Noel said and then she sees something else flying. "And the Black Xetis are with them!" Noel said pointing at a carrier carrying Black Xetis and they also see another carrier carrying something.
"Hey! It's those Heartless too!" Ken said pointing at the carrier holding Heartless that look like Mechon.
"I thought my brother destroyed the Mechon one year ago!" Fiora said.
"Could that defense mechanism have responded to the Mechon?" Shulk asked.
"Never mind that! They're invading the colony!" Espio said.
"Then let's get back!" Reyn said.
"Right!" Shulk said.
"We'd better hurry!" Noel said.
Meanwhile at Colony 9 a siren is going off the inhabitants of Colony 9 are wondering what's going on and they see Mechon, Heartless Mechon, and Black Xetis invading the colony.
"One large Mechon, ten carriers, an unknown number of units, and strange looking creatures are appearing all over the colony!" A soldier said.
"You idiots!" Vangarre yelled. "Why didn't you see this lot until they were right on top of us?!" Vangarre demanded.
"We thought the Mechon have been wiped ou..." The soldier was cut off by a Phantom Black Xetis firing a black beam at the talking soldier. killing him.
"What's happening?! Respond!" Vangarre yelled but no answer. "Anti-Air Batteries one to three! Why aren't my targeting systems online?! Do NOT let a single one drop into the colony!" Vangarre yelled. "You! Assemble anyone who can fight!" Vangarre commanded a soldier. "Evacuate the civilians to the shelter! MOVE IT!" Vangarre ordered the soldier.
"Yes, Sir!" The soldier said.
"Fire at will!" One of the soldiers shouted firing green beams at the Mechon destroying most.
"We got it!" Vangarre said but as smoke clears it's revealed that the Mechon, Black Xeti, and Heartless Mechon have not been destroyed. "What the...?! Our weapons aren't working on them?!" Vangarre asked.
Just then a Heartless resembling a giant Mechon assembles.
"Just what type of Mechon is that?! I've never seen one like it!" A soldier said.
"You slackers, FIRE!" Vangarre ordered.
The cannons fire at the Heartless Mechon but it dodges and destroys the cannon.
The Mechon, Heartless Mechon, and Black Xetis begin invading Colony 9 and start destroying everything while the civilians run in panic.
Meanwhile Dunban sees the chaos being wreaked and tries to do something but his arm won't let him.
"This is bad...really bad...!" Cream said.
"Chao!" Cheese said in agreement.
"We can't waste anymore time here. We have to hurry and help the colony!" Noel said.
"Noel is right! Let's go!" Shulk said as they hurry back to Colony 9.
That's another chapter done. What did you think of this one? This chapter was dedicated to SuperCalebX for requesting this world. Thanks for that. Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I also hope you guys enjoyed this one too. Next time, Noel, Ken, Banjo and Kazooie, Grace, Espio, Cream and Cheese, Knuckles, Carmelota, Morgiana, Shulk, Reyn, and Fiora make their way back to Colony 9, which is being invaded by Mechons, Black Xetis, and Heartless and they must fend off the invasion and Shulk wields the Monado blade. I'll see you all in the next chapter. Take care, goodbye for now, and don't forget to favorite, follow, and review. See ya next time!