The sun rose on a different Alcamoth. Well, the citizen's lives had all but become normal once more. It was in the royal throne room that the difference had occurred. Shulk, unknowing future Emperor of the High Entia, was sitting to one side, giving Melia a large supply of comfort. Dunban and Kallian conversed beside the throne. Lorithia, Alvis and several Imperial High Entia stood on the room's floor.
"Crown Princess Melia's accession will take place one year from today," Kallian announced to the crowd. "Until that day, as decreed by our princess, I shall assume imperial duties as Crown Regent. Any objections?" The room collectively shook their head.
"Our thanks," Kallian said, bowing.
"If I may… I would like to propose a round-table discussion on the strategy concerning the Mechon," Lorithia said.
"I'll get on that right away. I have some business to attend to, first, though. This discussion will occur before the day is out," Kallian said.
Shulk, Reyn, Sharla and Riki stood inside the room they had first been placed in a mere two days ago. It was astounding, how much had happened in that time.
"Friends act strange…" Riki said.
"Of course, Riki. That girl we saw on Prison Island… she's important to us. And I don't know what Shulk's on about," Reyn said. It was astounding that Reyn didn't say 'furball'.
"Me and Dunban, both. I've been worried about Melia… she's worse than when we were arrested. If it wasn't for Sharla, I wouldn't even be here. And how did Dunban get out of this?" Shulk said.
"Your grip was weaker than his. I couldn't even get a word out of him," Sharla said. The door opened, and Melia entered the room.
"Is Dunban's weakness because of that girl in the Mechon?" Melia asked.
"Suppose so. That girl is Fiora, Dunban's sister," Reyn said.
"Melia! Are you all right?" Shulk asked.
"Of course I am. I have decided that Father's death is no longer worth the tears. I must look to the future," Melia said.
"Great! I was worried about you…" Shulk said.
"I appreciate the concern. But who exactly is Fiora?" Melia prodded.
"Dunban's little sister. A more agile fighter than a strong one, but just as lethal as Reyn. A bit annoying, but she kind of grows on you. We knew her all our lives… but we thought her dead in Colony 9. We returned her to the Bionis. I'm still formulating hypotheses about how Fiora appeared in the Face Purity," Shulk explained.
"Shulk… she didn't recognise us. The Fiora we knew would've jumped out of the Mechon and hugged you so hard, you'd be lucky to still be alive, much less standing," Reyn said.
"Thanks for reminding me, Reyn… I was trying to forget she did that," Shulk said. "But Dunban must be in so much grief… I can't even begin to imagine how he feels…"
"Probably because you can't imagine how you're supposed to feel," Sharla said.
"Yeah. When Fiora was alive, I wished she would go away. When Fiora was dead, I wished she would come to me. Now…" Shulk said. He left the room.
Shulk walked through Alcamoth, looking for Dunban. As luck would have it, Dunban was standing in plain sight. Shulk walked beside him.
"Hello, Dunban…" Shulk said.
"Oh, Shulk! Was anyone worried about me?" Dunban asked.
"Everyone. Especially me. I've been hypothesising about Fiora. What's got my attention most… it is the fact that she didn't recognise us. I'm starting to think…" Shulk said.
"That's she hasn't come back? Shulk, get with the times. I've returned Fiora to the Bionis. I'm not upset that there's a shadow of her. Just vaguely offended," Dunban said.
"Good for you, Dunban. I just expected, considering the brother you are, that you'd've been a touch more upset, a tad angrier," Shulk said.
"I'm surprised you aren't, either. You and Fiora used to be inseparable," Dunban said.
"What? Me and Fiora?" Shulk asked.
"That changed not that long ago, really. Fiora grew older and closer to you… and you began to push her away," Dunban said.
"Fiora was really annoying. She stopped caring about personal space, she tried to get me alone with her all the time… honestly, I'm surprised I miss her this much. No offence," Shulk said. Dunban looked up.
"To be young and naïve… Shulk, do you know how many men would give their right arms to be in your position?" Dunban asked.
"Well, you, for one," Shulk said.
"What? Oh… bad analogy. But do you understand the point I was trying to make? Do you know how many men would like Fiora to be as close to them as she was to you?" Dunban asked.
"Oh, that. None?" Shulk asked.
"There is not a single man in all of Colony 9 younger than I that would not like to be close to Fiora. But, of all of those men, Fiora chose you. I agree with her decision. And now, here in Alcamoth, Melia has done likewise. I implore you to consider my words in depth," Dunban said. "We leave before noon. Get ready to move."
"Of course," Shulk said.
"And Shulk? No matter where your heart lies, with Melia or with Fiora… I would like your help. Help me learn who that Fiora was. Help me find out if Fiora can come back," Dunban said. Shulk nodded. He didn't like Fiora, but he was not the Homs to hold a grudge.
Kallian summoned the entire travelling party, plus Melia, to the Audience Chamber.
"I must apologise to you all. Forgive our hubris," he said. "We were content to sit idly by, safe behind impressive technology, as the Mechonis slaughtered Homs by whim. Our decision to ignore your plight was wrong. Wrong. As the High Entia Regent, I will personally make sure that the Homs receive High Entia aid in the coming battles."
"Thank you, Kallian," Shulk said.
"After seeing your group, a group of mixed heritage, I have learned that an allied army of similar heritage must be formed. I ask that you act as ambassadors for this force," Kallian said. Shulk pondered Kallian's decision.
"…Melia? Any reason for Shulk's indecision?" Kallian asked.
"He's standing right there!" Reyn said.
"I don't mind," Shulk said, barely moving.
"Shulk has other people to consider. He has no quarrel with you. It is with another that your goals do not align," Melia said.
"Melia…" Shulk said.
"I used to believe my father did not love me. Until the day he died. If you do not grasp the importance of loved ones until after they are gone…" she said poetically. She shuffled closer to Shulk. "That is simply too late."
"Then I have decided. I'm going to get Fiora back!" Shulk said.
"Shulk, you don't have to do this if you don't want to. I will do it myself," Dunban said.
"No… I want her back as much as you do," Shulk admitted.
"I'll handle the ambassador stuff!" Reyn said.
"No!" everyone said at once. Sharla put a hand on his shoulder.
"You're going to screw it up. Let Riki do it," Sharla said.
"NO!" everyone said at once.
"I wasn't being serious!" Sharla said.
"To forgo the suggestion of Klaus becoming ambassador and breaking every window in this city with the response, I might suggest another candidate," Kallian said. He pointed to one side, and a figure emerged from the shadows. She was the same height as Melia, clad in the same robes, wearing Melia's detestable mask.
"You didn't tell me you had a twin sister," Dunban said.
"This is no sister. This is Marina. She is of the same mixed heritage, of the same age, and, from a purely cursory point of view, looks exactly alike in regal wear. I hope you find her suitable," Kallian said.
"I must protest! I was about to suggest myself!" Melia said.
"Your suggestion is noted and ignored. Admit it: you'd run after Shulk before the week is out. Marina is here to accept your suggestion, perform the task a tad more studiously, and allow you to stay by Shulk's side," Kallian said. "And, I trust, you will eventually destroy the Face Malice, recover the Face Purity, study the lands of Bionis, and make the Mechonis pay."
"Glad to note you said Shulk first," Sharla said.
"We have received reports that the Faces Malice and Purity fled to Galahad Fortress of Sword Valley," Kallian said.
"Shulk. I will accompany you. To reach Galahad Fortress, you will need to travel through Valak Mountain. They are treacherous. I will need to accompany you to make sure you survive," Alvis said.
"Where did you… oh, never mind. Come along, Alvis," Shulk said.
"Heroes of Bionis, make us proud!" Kallian said. Shulk and co bowed, and left the room.
By way of a short-range pod, Shulk and co travelled to Valak Mountain, the snow-covered right arm of the Bionis. Ignoring Reyn and Riki's complaints, the party pressed on throw the blizzard of the mountain. Alvis pointed out the place Shulk was found, all those years ago, with the Monado. It sent a wave of nostalgia and mystery through the party. Hoping not to remain in the snow long, they decided not to linger. Alvis only offered philosophical comments about foresight along the way. They entered a field of snow, and saw a Mechon appear in front of them. The Face Purity. Fiora.
"Fiora?" Shulk asked. Face Purity opened, revealing the shape of Fiora.
*Heir to the Monado… We meet again,* Fiora said.
"Fiora?" Shulk asked again.
*Fiora? Ah, I see… that is her name. Excuse me, Heir…* Fiora said. A red light emitted from Fiora, bathing Shulk. The red light dissipated, and Fiora nodded.
*So that is who this shape is. Wielder of the Monado. There is a matter I must speak to you about,* Fiora said.
*Ka-BOOM!* another voice said. With a big bang, Fiora and Face Purity were blasted into a wall. Face Malice soared onto the scene gloatingly, and blocked the Face Purity from Shulk.
"Hello. My name is Melia Antiqua. You killed my father. Prepare to die!" Melia said. She led the charge, everyone else a half pace behind her.
*Now, now, let's all calm down. If I slip… I might just kill this operator. Now, we wouldn't want that, would we?* Face Malice said.
"You disgust me!" Melia cried out.
*Would you be so kind as to hand over that dangerous toy you have there?* Face Malice asked. *I could take it after I smash you all to a pulp… but in honour of the stupid name this Face has, I think I'll try and keep things a bit peaceful, you know.*
"…Fine. Take the Monado, Malice," Shulk said, planting it in the ground, and taking a few steps back.
*Good boy, Shulk. Always eager to please,* Face Malice said, opening his chassis and revealing his Homs shape. Dunban growled.
"Mumkhar! You dirty, back-clawing, malice-faced, soulless machine man!" Dunban said.
*Greetings to you too, Dunban!* Mumkhar said.
"You're to blame for all this? Killing my sister, murdering Melia's father, destroying nearly every city on this titan… all this can be traced to my old wartime ally? Why did I never spit on your grave?" Dunban asked.
*… I can't tell you how badly I wanted to get my claws on this sword! What does this boy even know about how it works?* Mumkhar asked.
"You put down that blade right now!" Melia cried out.
*Calm down, missy… or Shulk may actually get invested in my murder. Not that it's actually going to happen, but I'm covering my ass,* Mumkhar threatened. *Anyway, boy. What extent will you go to exact your revenge for poor Fiora and Sorean? And everyone else I've killed? All lost-count of them? Would you kill a Homs to do it?* Mumkhar asked.
"Why did you betray us, you murdering swine?" Dunban asked. "Why did you kill all of those Homs? Your old friends, innocents, and everything in between?"
*You wanna know? Because it was your home! I killed Fiora because she was your sister. I destroyed Colony 9 because that's where you lived,* Mumkhar said.
"YOU MURDERING PIECE OF-!" Dunban roared, slashing at Mumkhar. Before he could hit, Face Malice pulled the chassis of Face Purity into the air, and shoved it against the rock.
*Remain where you are. That thing is controlled by my will. Unless you want another hole in your precious Fiora…* Mumkhar said. *So what's it to be, weaklings? Grovel and beg?*
"Not. On. Your. Pathetic. Excuse. Of. A. Life. MIND BLAST!" Melia roared. The Mind Blast put a few dents in Face Malice, destroying it. It also knocked the Monado from Mumkhar's hand into Shulk's.
"Melly hit bad guy in face!" Riki cried out. Shulk and Dunban charged in, and slashed away at Dunban's old friend. Mumkhar fought both at once, blocking both the Monado and Dickson's glaive at will.
"You fought beside me at Sword Valley! Why change sides?" Dunban asked. "Why the Mechon?"
*You're as blind now as you were then! I've wanted you dead for years! Ever since your little sister got her first growth spurt… maybe even before!* Mumkhar said, increasing the rate at which Shulk and Dunban moved. *I want that Monado. I want to be the new hero!*
"That's why you've killed innocent after friend? Just so you could take a larger portion of the glory you already had? I don't know whether your sadistic or selfish… and I've stopped caring, Mechon!" Shulk said.
*You'll never win, Monado-hoggers! Worship me!* Mumkhar demanded.
"Never. I will strike you down and all that you have become, you wretched fool. The Monado will stop you… and if it fails, I will!" Dunban said. "And then you will know the shame of all that you have done, traitor!"
Any further confrontation was lost in a snowfall. Face Mechon surrounded the party. Another Face, this one more intricate than Face Malice, and golden, stepped lightly as well.
"What is that?" Shulk asked.
*Heir to the Monado… this is the strongest Mechon ever built, the Faced Deity! It's operator? It is I, Egil. Leader of the Mechonis, and agent of Lady Meyneth!* the Face said.
"You lead the Mechonis? You control the Mechon? I shall have you made aware: it is my goal to turn you into scrap metal! Just letting you know," Shulk said.
*Yes, I am he who controls the Mechon. I am he who gets in your way. We fight to free the world from the tyranny of Bionis,* Faced Deity said.
"Why? Why trap Homs in machines? Why kill Homs beyond counting? What do you want from us?" Shulk asked.
*Your questions concern me not. I'm simply here for Face Purity. Face Malice, you come too. There'll be a long discussion about your punishment later. And as for you Homs, and that pesky little Nopon, if you want this, you'll have to come and retrieve her," Faced Deity said. Shulk jumped, and looked around. Him singling out Riki meant something… he turned back to Face Purity.
"NO!" he cried out. Melia was trapped with the chassis! She must have tried to grab Fiora earlier…
"SHULK! HELP!" Melia cried back. Faced Deity looked down at her.
*I only wanted the Face Purity, and her operator, Vanea… but if you insist on coming, I will not stop you,* he said. The Faced Deity zoomed away, followed by the Faces and Face Malice. Shulk threw the Monado down in anger.
"Dunban, you can keep Face Malice's death. I want that one," Shulk said.
"Get it together, Shulk… we'll get her back," Reyn said. Shulk looked at him. He wasn't sure whether he was talking about Melia or Fiora, but chose to assume he meant both.
The party, Melia short, emerged onto the Bionis' wrist. They looked down at the long valley: at the sword of the Mechonis. Shulk looked over Sword Valley… and Galahad Fortress.
"Shulk, Melia will be in Galahad Fortress. Are you prepared?" Alvis said.
"Don't know, don't care," Shulk said. "I will tear apart Galahad for what the Faced Deity did. Anyone want to turn back? Because this is your last chance."
"We're all behind you, Shulk!" Reyn said.
"Riki will not abandon Melly! Riki will not abandon Shulk! Riki will continue to fight for Riki's friends!" Riki added. Shulk nodded.
"If anyone needs to do anything, like relieve yourself or change your equipment, do it now. I'm not stopping, so make it quick," Shulk said, walking through the valley. He walked down, and saw a supply convoy. He ignored it: all he needed was the Monado. However, the following party ran right up to it: Dickson led it, and he had plenty for the group.
"Looks like you lot have been having fun without me! And where's Shulk?" Dickson asked, greeting the party.
"One of the Mechon kidnapped Melia. Shulk's gone like he was back in Colony 9," Reyn said.
"Sorry to hear that. But, if you want to save his skin, I'd suggest grabbing some supplies now," Dickson said. "I'm acting as the Homs representative for this allied force, but I couldn't say no to seeing you lot again. And meeting this new face: why is fluffball here?"
"Smelly man not call Riki fluffball! Only Reyn call Riki fluffball. And Reyn says furball! It nicer than fluffball!" Riki said adamantly.
"Wow! Didn't realise I had the monopoly on insulting you, Riki," Reyn said.
"And sorry about the stench," Dickson added.
Melia was thrown onto the floor, Fiora's body following her. The Face Deity snapped his fingers, and repairs to the Face Purity began immediately.
"Why do you keep me here?" Melia asked, pulling out her staff.
*Stopping to turn around and set you down was too inconvenient for me. Besides, it'll get the Heir to the Monado here sooner,* Faced Deity said. Fiora put her hand in front of Melia.
*I will make sure the High Entia is looked after, Egil. You can go back to your planning,* she said. Melia smiled gratefully at Fiora.
*Sadly, Vanea, that plan is not possible. I require the High Entia girl for my next plan to take the Monado from Shulk,* Egil said. Fiora gasped.
*What do you plan to do to her?* she asked indignantly.
*You'll see… but I'll also need this,* Faced Deity said, withdrawing something from Fiora. The Faced Purity's control.
*I knew I should've put the control in the Dyado…* Fiora sighed.
Dunban and co began to follow Shulk. Alvis and Dickson were not among them: they were going back to the Homs. Watching Shulk's movements in the grass ahead, Dunban was grateful to note that Shulk was not mindlessly charging: he was acting stealthily. He took paths that were free from Mechon, but there were still Mechon chassis in his wake. However, luckily, the party managed to catch up to him. Unluckily, he was facing a powerful foe…
*Ah, perfect! Everyone's here!* Mumkhar said. Shulk turned around.
"Took you long enough," Shulk added. The party walked to Shulk's side.
"How could you do this to your own kind?" Dunban asked.
*That ain't got anything to do with it. I'm just having the time of my life here! Ain't that the point?* Mumkhar said.
"Where's Melia?" Shulk asked.
*Told you the last thousand times. Deity Face never told me,* Mumkhar said. He summoned the Face Malice chassis.
*While's he's all focused on that High Entia brat, I can take out Monado boy easily!* Mumkhar said.
"You're talking pretty tough, beardy! You can't take us all on, even with that Face!" Reyn said.
*I'm sadistic, I ain't stupid,* Mumkhar said. With a flurry of spears, an army of Mechon Faces appeared around the party.
*If only I knew where the High Entia was… her screams would make a great soundtrack to your doom!* Mumkhar said. Shulk jumped on the head of a Face, and stood before Face Malice.
*Too scared to fight the Faces, eh? You know… who's inside them, I wonder? Sharla's husband? Dunban's father? Your girlfriend?* Mumkhar asked.
"That was a low blow, Face!" Sharla said. She shoved Shulk aside to face Mumkhar.
Mumkhar will use Special Killing Claw on Sharla. This will disintegrate her. You have about four seconds.
Shulk jumped in, and blocked the claw.
"What's on those things?" Shulk asked. "You were about to disintegrate her!"
*Oh, this? This is something I had Faced Deity and Faced Purity develop. They were made especially to decompose Homs. Not just Homs… any beings of Bionis. That means you, Nopon,* Mumkhar said.
"Riki thank stinky machine for warning. Riki almost touch bad guy's claws," Riki said.
"Did the furball just sarcasm Mumkhar?" Reyn asked.
"No, Orluga. Riki really wanted to bounce on scary claws," Riki said.
*…I'm really embarrassed, now. This world suits me just fine! I'd really, really like it if you lot were to, I dunno, vanish from it?* Mumkhar asked, leaning in.
*I'm going to disintegrate you right here, Hero!* Mumkhar roared. Shulk and Dunban slashed and hacked at Mumkhar, dodging the poisoned claws. Reyn, Sharla and Riki fought off the Faces, managing surprisingly well, despite a few rouge blasts. Reyn looked up, to see Mumkhar preparing a Very Last Resort. He didn't need a vision to know Shulk and Dunban were in danger.
"Furball!" he cried out. He grabbed Riki by the hair, and threw him beside Shulk. He looked at Mumkhar, and activated a Chain Attack.
DUNBAN: Gale Slash!
RIKI: Peekaboo!
SHULK: Back Slash!
DUNBAN: Soaring Tempest!
RIKI: Say Sorry!
SHULK: Monado Buster!
Shulk's Monado Buster pierced through Malice's Face, leaving just Mumkhar and a half-functioning mech.
*The Monado… is too much!* Face Malice said.
"Yes. This is the power of the Monado. You wanted it, didn't you? Well, now you can have it!" Dunban roared. He leaped up. Shulk turned around, and blocked Dunban's katana with the Monado.
"Get out of the way, Shulk!" Dunban roared.
"This is not what he deserves, Dunban!" Shulk roared back. Reyn, Sharla, Riki and even Dunban gasped, although Dunban's efforts were not softened.
"Shulk, Mumkhar deserves exactly this? What else? Put him on trial as a Homs? He doesn't count as one anymore! You said it yourself: he's a heartless Mechon!" Dunban said.
"He doesn't deserve… to die cleanly," Shulk said.
*Monado Boy… I owe you my life…* Mumkhar said.
"PAY SOME ATTENTION, FOR BIONIS' SAKE! I'm not letting you go…" Shulk said.
A piece of the structure of Galahad Fortress will land on Face Malice. This will knock him clean off the Mechonis. You have fifteen seconds.
"Dunban… the leg. Stab through the legs. The sides. Do not hit any vital organs," Shulk said. Dunban complied, while raising an eyebrow. Mumkhar roared out in pain, and Shulk shoved the Face Unit. Mumkhar found himself on an edge.
*No… not like this!* Mumkhar cried out. The piece of debris dropped on him, sending him cascading from the Mechonis, and into the sea below somewhere.
"…You killed. Thousands. You are not worthy of forgiveness. You aren't even worth the mercy of a quick death," Shulk said. Reyn gasped.
"That's not the Shulk I know," Reyn said. Shulk looked up.
"That's the Shulk that saw Fiora and Sorean killed. That's the Shulk that sees Mumkhar for what he is. The Shulk you know… he would've spared Mumkhar," Shulk said. "Now there's a High Entia girl who needs my help. And the time to dispatch of this little bugger was time poorly spent."
"Shulk…" Reyn said. Shulk turned, and left the arena.
"Mumkhar… you went too far, you fool," Dunban added, following Shulk. The other party members followed.
Entering Galahad Fortress through the side path Shulk had found on his charge ahead, the group was looking for them. Faced Deity, Faced Purity, and Melia… whoever they found first, whoever they should find first. Walking into some kind of maintenance bay, Shulk and Co found one such goal. Face Purity.
"Fiora!" Dunban called out.
The chassis of Face Purity opened… wait, was that… That's not Fiora!
Shulk returned from his vision.
"No, Dunban! Fiora's not in there!" Shulk said. Dunban looked from Shulk to Face Purity.
"But that is Fiora's Mechon!" Dunban said.
"No… someone else is in there…" Shulk said. A few smaller Mechon appeared behind the group.
"You lot! Fight them off! I've got to open the Face Purity!" Shulk commanded. Sharla stood in front of Face Purity, and began sniping. Reyn went right, Dunban went left. Riki stood in the centre, spitting ether and attacks everywhere. Shulk jumped on top of Face Purity, and started slashing. He didn't activate the Monado. He wanted to open the Mechon. Reyn, Dunban, Sharla and Riki could finish the small ones, and turned to Face Purity. She was swinging wildly at Shulk.
"Stop! Shulk's trying to help you, Fiora!" Reyn said.
"It's not Fiora!" Shulk cried out.
"Fiora or not, she's not stopping her attack. We've got to move, now!" Sharla said. The party fled from the fight. Shulk hopped from Face Purity, and faced her briefly.
"Please, Melia…" Shulk said. Face Purity continued to glare at Shulk. Shulk took the hint, and followed the party. Face Purity began to float, giving chase.
Face Purity's chase led the group to an arena at the base of Galahad Fortress. The party looked about, wondering what to do.
*I pity you…* a voice said. Shulk turned around. It was Faced Deity.
*Without the power of that sword, I doubt I would see you before me today. Apocrypha… Activate!* Faced Deity said. A purple light burst from the Faced Deity, blinding the party. When the light faded, so, too, did the light on the Monado.
"What?" Reyn asked.
"Oh, no…" Shulk responded. Mechon started to surround the group, and Face Purity showed up, too. One Mechon scraped Shulk, causing Reyn to go chase it. But more showed up to replace it. Face Purity stepped forward.
"Fiora… or whoever you are…" Dunban started.
"It's… it's her. I don't know what she's doing in there… but it's her… Melia! Melia, please! Please, you have got to stop! I can get you out of there! All you have to do is let me into that cockpit!" Shulk cried out. The cockpit opened, but with Shulk's condition, fighting off the Mechon was a dim idea. Melia showed her face. Bound tightly to the chair in the Face Purity, gagged with a sodden rag… seeing Melia in there for real was worse than just knowing it was her.
"What? Melly is Mechon? But… what happened to Fiora?" Riki asked.
"When they captured her… Faced Deity must have devised this plan…" Shulk said.
*Smart boy, Shulk. I have Face Purity's controls here. You cannot harm 'Melia'… but that Mechon she's in can certainly harm you!* Faced Deity said.
"COWARD! You hide behind shields like this one... what kind of man do you call yourself?" Dunban asked, levelling his sword. Shulk continued to stare at Melia. Melia's eyes widened in fear. She was scared for Shulk.
"Why attack us at all?" Shulk asked.
*If you wish to know… simply submit yourself to me. All will become clear when you attack Bionis with a body born of Mechonis…* Faced Deity said.
"NEVER!" Sharla shouted.
"…Melia…" Shulk said.
"Don't tell me you're considering 'is offer!" Reyn said.
"…No… NO! Who would EVER submit to you?" Shulk said, his resolve strengthening.
"Shulk… we are in no position to fight… our only option is to flee," Dunban said.
"With Melia in there? Dunban… I will not leave Melia to the mercy of Face Deity! I will save her… even if it costs me my body!" Shulk said. Melia's eyes filled with tears, as the Face Purity closed.
*Shulk… the Monado is useless to you… there is to be no victory or escape. What do you choose for your friends? Yourself?"* Faced Deity asked. Shulk took one long look at Face Purity, before answering.
"If you let her go… if they can leave this place unharmed… I submit the Monado… I submit myself…" Shulk said, letting a few tears fall.
"Bad Shulk! Shulk want to save Melly. Riki want to save Melly too. But Shulk not have answer!" Riki said. Shulk smiled.
"Young, naïve Riki…" Shulk said.
Look who's talking...
"Big, scary tail Mechon want Monado. But big, scary tail Mechon made Monado useless," Riki pointed out.
"You're right, Riki… I will not give you the Monado!" Shulk said, his resolve returning. He had to fight, now, before he got a third urge to submit to Mechonis. "You have proven the Monado worthless… you will not use it!"
*If you choose to fight… you have a different choice. Killed by me, or killed by Melia!* Faced Deity said. The five were surrounded by Face Deity and Face Purity. Reyn, Sharla, Dunban and Riki began whaling on the Faced Deity. Shulk was still paralysed by Apocrypha. Face Deity slammed the ground with a King Breaker, Toppling those in fight.
*Kiai!* a grey figure yelled. She kicked Face Deity in that Face, causing Face Purity to begin to malfunction. Melia looked about. There were buttons on the armrests, and they hadn't restrained her fingers… but how to power a Face? She started pushing buttons, learning the controls quickly. Face Deity began to charge a Catastrophe, before Melia slammed her palm into the controls as hard as she could. Face Purity collided with Face Deity.
"Melia!" Shulk cried, from the floor. He forced himself up. Melia grabbed Face Purity's twin blades, and begun to swing at Face Deity.
How dare you force me to fight Shulk? How dare you…
Melia's twin swords struck at Face Deity. The intricate body was unable to dodge the blades, and Melia's flurry worked. However, Face Deity had more ideas. He slammed Face Purity into a wall.
"Melia! Take this!" the grey figure shouted. She threw a golden triangle in the direction of Melia. That golden triangle sealed itself on Face Purity, making it glow red.
*How… how did you get the Dyado?* Face Deity asked. Face Purity used her power. She charged at Face Deity, moving much faster. The attack hit hard. So hard, in fact, that the arena they stood on started to break.
*You are in his hands now… I hope you can handle that,* the grey figure said. Face Deity began to hover, leaving the fight. The Mechon started to deactivate. As for the party? They panicked and looked for cover. They had no luck in finding some. Reyn and Sharla embraced. Shulk jumped on Melia, and tried to find out how to loosen her from Purity. Dunban grabbed Riki. The arena collapsed, and the six figures- Shulk, Purity, Reyn, Sharla, Dunban and Riki- fell from the Mechonis.