Melia and Co fled the Mechonis via Junks. As they departed, Egil continued his fight with Zanza, using the two titans as weapons.
STUBBORN MORTALS. SO DESPERATE TO CLING TO YOUR PATHETIC LIVES. EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO HOPE FOR YOU! the Bionis said, using the voice of Zanza. The Monado cleaved down on Junks, to be blocked by the Mechonis' left arm.
DON'T YOU EVER GIVE UP? Bionis asked, continuing his cut.
*NEVER! BUT HEAR THIS, ZANZA! THEY WILL JUDGE ME NOT IN LIFE, BUT DEATH!* Mechonis responded. It punched directly into the Bionis' chest, opening a hole there. The Mechonis fist snapped in that attack, and the Bionis retaliated with a massive swing of the Monado. The Mechonis fell, and with it Egil.
*SHULK… FOR BOTH OUR WORLDS… YOU MUST SUCCEED!* Mechonis said, before Egil's control unit collapsed.
*Lady… Meyneth…* Egil said, falling into the Endless Ocean with the Mechonis ruins.
The destruction of the Mechonis was visible from Junks. Vanea fell to her knees in tears at the sight of it. Reyn looked away sheepishly, to see a small cloud headed their way. He led Sharla, Dunban and Riki to the deck of Junks, and they drew their weapons. Dunban had discarded Dickson's katana, and accepted a Machina weapon instead. It doubled as a light-sword. The cloud Reyn spotted was a group of Telethia, led by
"You're not getting away!" Dickson said.
"Dickson!" Dunban called out.
"Listen. It's over. Time for you all to return to the Bionis," Dickson said. "Nice and quietly."
"That's enough!" Dunban cried out, activating his Machina sabre. "Why, Dickson? What made you like this? Shulk looked up to you, respected you!"
"Dickson! Don't let Zanza control you! Wake up!" Sharla added.
"Quit ya bellyaching, Sharla. I'm in total control. It has been my centuries-old dream of being exactly where I stand today. I'm older than all of you. I'm even way older than that Melia girl in there!" Dickson said. "I am the brawn of the Trinity: Disciple Dickson!"
Reyn, Dunban and Riki charged up to Dickson. Dickson leaped up, and landed on the nearest Telethia.
"Sharla! We're going to need Melia!" Dunban called to Sharla.
"Don't bother, I'm out, I'm out… is that Dickson?" Melia said, coming out from Junks. A mysterious power sent Reyn, Riki and Dunban out of the way of Dickson. Melia launched Mind Blast after Mind Blast at him, eliciting horrible sounds from his Telethia. Dickson shot a bullet into the Telethia, and came out good as new.
"That all you got, you little waste of space?" Dickson asked.
"I will attack you and attack you and attack you until I can attack you no more, and my thirst for your blood will never quench!" Melia answered, using some more Mind Blasts. Dickson simply shrugged these off.
"Not so tough without Shulk, are ya? Stupid Beast!" Dickson taunted. Dunban looked down in despair. "You should be grateful. Not everyone has a war buddy like me to lead them along! Tasted good, didn't they? The victory drinks we used to share!"
"I'll kill you a thousand times once Melia is through with you!" Dunban roared.
"Still not going to be enough, Beast…" Dickson commented. His next attack was interrupted by a blast from one side. The High Entia of the allied force!
"Melia! Are you alright?" Kallian asked.
"Brother! I am fine! But Shulk has been murdered! I am going to make Dickson pay a million times over for that crime!" Melia called back.
"…Is this true?" Kallian asked. He turned to Dickson, who laughed maniacally.
"Your Telethia are no match for the Havres squadron!" Kallian said. "You cannot win!"
"Ah, is that so? You know… you should be concentrating on your own people instead of barking at me!" Dickson responded. "Looks like you have forgotten your destiny. Right, Lorithia?"
"Lorithia? Are you involved in this as well?" Kallian asked.
"Your Highness. You excel in battle tactics, but your naivety is quite charming. But it is also your undoing. I had much fun playing with you and your father," Lorithia said. She shook her butt, and a green light appeared from her Havres. The light enveloped the High Entia squadron.
"These are ether particles emitted so that the Bionis can be destroyed and reborn. Now, it's riddle time: what do you get when you cross high concentrations of ether with High Entia?" Lorithia said. "The answer? These darling pets!"
"NO!" Melia cried out. Kallian and the whole army of High Entia- curiously discounting Lorithia- began to change shape. Their faces, their bodies, their wings… their entire being changed shape. High Entia after High Entia turned into Telethia.
"BROTHER!" Melia cried out.
"MELIA!" Kallian called back. Melia turned to Lorithia.
"Let him go! NOW!" she called out.
"You misunderstand, child. This is the reason why High Entia are born. Don't pin the blame on poor old me," Lorithia said.
"Explain yourself!" Dunban called.
"It's just like she says. The High Entia are a race created by Lord Zanza to eliminate any annoying life forms in the preparation for the rebirth of the Bionis. Their bodies contain a gene that, when the time comes, transforms them into Telethia!" Dickson said.
"So that's what you meant… when you called those monsters the guardians of Bionis! You're a monster to the core, Dickson!" Dunban said. Melia simply sunk to her knees.
"Melia… you must fight! You are our only hope…" Kallian called out.
"Huh?" Reyn asked.
"That Melia is a half-breed. Half-Homs. She can't turn into a Telethia… she's useless," Dickson said. "The only thing she's good for is spreading her legs and finding herself under a Telethia's! And since there's no need for that first one… I'll just have the second one arranged. You'll see your beloved Shulk soon enough…"
Kallian's transformation into Telethia was complete. The Telethia's attacks had blasted at the ship, but Melia was trying to reach to Kallian. His words were garbled by the shape shifting.
"Brings a tear to my eye…" Dickson said sarcastically.
"Such moments are to be treasured…" Lorithia added. Kallian's Telethia turned around, and attacked Dickson and Lorithia.
The future of the High Entia… it is in your hands now, Melia.
A light engulfed the Telethia. The party had to retreat into Junks before that light turned nasty.
Shulk lay on Linada's operating table. Beside him lay a weapon that Miqol built specially to replicate the powers of the Monado. Right next to that was Melia's staff, Melia sitting beside him. Reyn and Sharla were taking the opportunity to have a conversation in Sharla's old home in Colony 6, where they had landed, and Dunban and Riki were going to find a lakeside to converse beside.
"Shulk, I…" Melia said. "When Dickson and Lorithia turned them all into Telethia… I just wanted to… I want to sink into your arms. I want you to hug me, to tell me it's going to be all right. But I guess that's not going to happen now… No. It will happen. Do you know why? Because you are going to come back to life! And we will… we will defeat the Telethia, and make Zanza pay!"
She looked around at herself. Linada was gone. It was just her and Shulk in the room. She was all but talking to herself. She checked the wound: it had closed. Melia only hoped this meant Shulk was to come back to life. She wasn't responding.
"He doesn't… Zanza doesn't deserve to take our lives, no matter what Alvis told us. I will fight on and on…" Melia said. She looked around once more: yes, no one was around her.
"Shulk… wake up. The world needs you… I need you. It's not just about the infatuation… It's about love. Shulk… I love you. I know you don't know what that means… but I love you regardless. I know I will outgrow you… but I will never forget our life together… you just look so helpless, right now… ever since I first met you… my life was changed. Now, I am positive… that change was for the better. Although my life has been one of anxiety, worry and sadness… I have experienced too much pain. My father's death, my brethren's mutation… Galahad… please, Shulk. I will not lose you. I cannot hold back the tears much longer. I wanted to grieve, but I did not. I had to stay strong, for you… you have kept me strong. You, Riki, the other Homs… no matter how much I deny that one… you have given me so much strength… I cannot begin to put my gratitude into words… you have given the most for me. It is because of you that I am the High Entia I am today… but I have given nothing in return," Melia said, on a long tirade of emotions. She leaned down, close to Shulk's face. She almost went in… before pulling back.
"No… it is not fair to you, Shulk. You do not know what I was trying to do… I should explain it to you… properly… before I consider that… Shulk… I am so sorry for that," Melia said. She turned away from Shulk, and started to cry a little.
"What wrong with Dundun?" Riki asked.
"I have lost her… I have lost Fiora all over again," Dunban said.
"Dundun lose Fiora twice… Why Dundun still sad?" Riki asked.
"Riki… imagine one of your littlepon went away," Dunban said. Riki nodded. "Now imagine he or she came back again," he continued. Riki nodded again. "Now imagine you lost him or her again."
"Ooh… now Riki understand. Riki sorry for Dundun. But Riki use Happy Happy! Dundun no have time for sadness now! Big, scary Bionis attacking us! Dundun must help Shulk and Melly! Dundun must fight! Dundun mourn for Fiora later!" Riki said.
"If only it were that simple, Riki…" Dunban said, smiling. A siren sounded, and Dunban went from sadly relaxing to on his feet, the Machina sabre in his hand. He ran to the front of Colony 6, Riki following with his biter. Reyn and Sharla were a bit further behind, messed up and with their armour half-off.
My Mechonis, Reyn… now is not the time for this! Dunban thought, before turning back to the front of the Colony. Melia came rushing out, holding Miqol's Replica Monado. She activated it, and turned to face the Telethia in attack.
"Dinobeast!" Riki cried out.
"And him!" Sharla added, pointing Gadolt's cannon at him one handedly. Her other was adjusting her breastplate.
"He survived…" Reyn said.
"Dickson…" Dunban said.
"The one and only!" Dickson responded. "Glad to see me?"
"Silence! You are Dickson, Brawn of the Trinity. You have no need to tell me another word. Monado… BUSTER!" Melia cried out. She cleaved the Replica Monado down on Dickson's Telethia, which Dickson easily avoided.
"Has someone found Shulk's little toy? Tut tut… we mustn't steal what isn't ours, Melly," Dickson said. "You must be returned to Lord Zanza… and you might even be reborn. I wonder what you and Kallian will be in the next life… maybe he'll be your next husband?"
"You will not mock the memory of the Emperor Consort to the High Entia, nor the official Regent! Shulk and Kallian are much, much better men than you can even aspire to be!" Melia said, switching her Monado Art to Purge.
"You really need to know when you've been beaten…" Dickson remarked. His Telethia attack intensified. The party attacked the Telethia as they came, trying to defend the colony.
"I need… I can master the Monado! We can fight without Shulk!" Melia said.
I only wish we could have him…
"Melia, I have no idea why you're fighting with the Replica Monado… but you're doing well!" Reyn said.
"Well, if Reyn's got time to sound off, we must be doing OK!" Sharla added.
"OK, seriously, what have you two been up to while I was with Shulk?" Melia asked. Neither answered.
"We are… managing," Dunban said.
"But how do you expect to defeat me, I wonder?" Dickson asked.
"No matter how hard you try to break us… the future is ours to shape, Dickson!" Dunban called.
"You have no future!" Dickson said. "Your destiny is to die here!" Dickson's Telethia charged an attack.
"MIND BLAST!" Shulk cried out. He channelled his energy through Melia's staff, and interrupted Dickson. He ran beside Melia, and traded for the Replica Monado. Melia gave it with a surprised noise.
"So… you're still alive… but not for long!" Dickson said. The Telethia's attacks were easily dodged by Shulk and his visions, and the beasts themselves destroyed.
"Sorry to keep you waiting!" he said triumphantly.
"Welcome back…" Melia said. Shulk scratched the back of his head.
"So what were you trying to do while I was asleep?" he asked. Melia sunk her head down.
"So you heard me?" she asked.
"A little," he said. "…OK, all of it. If you started with that tirade on love. But now's not the time!"
"Little brat… time for me to get my hands dirty!" Dickson said. His Telethia reared up, and swiped for Melia. Shulk chopped off the offending hand without looking.
"Melia has been kidnapped for the last time!" Shulk said, turning to Dickson.
"You think you can oppose Lord Zanza? Let's see you against me!" Dickson said. Shulk simply used a Monado Buster, and sent the Telethia's head into the ground.
"Your Telethia is nowhere near as good as you, Dickson… if you wanted to test us, you should've fought us yourself!" Shulk boasted.
"I'd've loved to, but I can't, actually. I'm just here to pick up the Brains of the Trinity… Stop hiding already! I don't appreciate being left with all the hard work!" Dickson said, calling into Colony 6. Alvis appeared behind him.
"You are the Brawn, Dickson… I'm better suited to other jobs," Alvis said.
"Alvis? But you… you advised me, like five minutes ago!" Shulk said. "How can he be one of you?"
"Is this the only reason you served my family?" Melia asked. Alvis remained silent.
"Say something in your defence, already! I can tolerate Dickson's jerkiness, but not this!" Reyn said.
"…Alvis, this doesn't change much, does it?" Shulk asked, realisation dawning on him.
"Precisely. You must find your own path to the future," Alvis said. He summoned a Telethia, and jumped atop it.
"Meddling kids…" Dickson added, jumping atop a new Telethia.
"Is this world yours… or Zanza's?" Alvis asked.
"Either way's good with me. But I wonder what Zanza would say?" Dickson added.
"The same. He sees everything. As Shulk does, of course," Alvis said. "You understand, of course…"
"Yeah… you can bet on it!" Shulk said.
"We'll be waiting," Alvis said.
"We'll be on our best behaviour!" Dickson added.
"And we will be the best guests you ever had!" Shulk called out.
"Good comeback. I'm impressed," Dickson said. "And a tad terrified…" he added, under Shulk's earshot.
The party boarded Junks, and set out to follow Dickson and Alvis. Luckily, there was a way to their destination: when Egil punched the Bionis, he had opened a pathway into the Bionis' chest. Junks sailed into it, with Shulk at the front of the ship. Melia stood beside Shulk.
"Shulk… the fight ahead will be dangerous. We may not survive…" Melia said. Shulk nodded, and raised an eyebrow.
"Please… I want to know what this feels like…" Melia said. Shulk nodded, and Melia leaned forward. She kissed him there and then. She broke apart.
"You're welcome, Melia…" Shulk commented. He was spared having to continue his train of thought by arriving in the Bionis' chest.
Shulk… I had hoped you had more feelings than that…
"Inside the Bionis…" Shulk said. "Zanza woke the Bionis, so it's a lot livelier around here…"
"We are inside Bionis body? Riki go ew!" Riki said.
"We must stomach this. I'm putting money on this being an intentional hurdle," Shulk said.
"Just like you to make light of such an odd scenario," Melia said. She put her hand on her hip, at her new secondary weapon. After the battle with the Telethia, Vanea had created a second version of the Replica Monado: the Monado Rudra. Reyn and Dunban had been offered other Replica Monado alterations, but they declined. They knew that the replicas were perfectly safe, but they vastly preferred their respective battling styles. Shulk had also received a new Replica Monado: Monado Abyss. The group pressed forth, and started their quest through the Bionis interior. They were in the Bionis' heart.
"You look well, your highness…" a voice said. Melia looked up. Lorithia stood on the Bionis' heart.
"Lorithia!" Melia called out.
"The heart of the Bionis. The pulsating life of Lord Zanza!" Lorithia said. "I await you here… there is something I desire to show you. Your friends are welcome, just as Shulk was in the Tomb. That is, if they survive this time. Bionis is filled with more lethal beasts than that Tomb, after all!"
"What are you planning?" Melia asked.
"Forget that… we press on to the heart," Shulk said.
Travelling through the maze that was the Bionis Interior, the party arrived at the Bionis' heart. There, they saw Lorithia standing beside a Telethia. Melia looked at the Telethia closely. While most Telethia were unidentifiable at a glance, even the Homs could name the High Entia that this Telethia used to be.
"Brother!" Melia cried out.
"Exactly. Welcome to our world. I am surprised: Zanza's vessel truly does have a will of its own. And looking quite spritely…" Lorithia commented. "Oh, and this… this is my loyal Telethia. That is… completely loyal. There will be no betrayal, like last time…" Lorithia leaned in to Kallian's face on the Telethia, and kissed its cheek.
"Melia?" Shulk asked. Melia roared, activating a powerful burst mode. Lorithia hopped on the point where Kallian's neck met the Telethia, and turned to face the party.
"This is our fight!" Shulk said. Melia and Riki held up their weapons.
"You will pay for your insolence!" Lorithia said right back. "The meaning of Telethia… is that which eliminates impure life. I, the Beauty of the Trinity, Disciple Lorithia, will strike you down with that which is dear to you!"
Disciple Lorithia opened the fight by using an Elemental Barrier. This summoned a small army of novae, the appearance of which lowered the damage output of the party's physical attacks. Shulk went to dispatch of these novae, while Riki began an attack. Lorithia used a Big Bang VI, and Dazed Riki, blowing him away into an ether puddle. Melia rushed forward, and used her Monado Shield. Riki could confusedly exit the puddle with little damage.
"You'll pay for your insolence!" Lorithia cried out. She used an Ether Laser, sealing Melia's arts, and knocking her back. Melia landed on her knees: not quite her feet, but still upright.
"No… you'll pay for yours… TIME FOR A CHAIN ATTACK!"
SHULK: Back Slash!
RIKI: Say Sorry!
MELIA: Elemental Discharge!
SHULK: Monado Purge!
RIKI: Freezinate!
MELIA: Mind Blast!
Lorithia fell limp, hanging over Kallian's face. The Kallian Telethia began to explode in a brilliant flash of white light.
"Brother!" Melia cried out. The light enveloped the heart, leaving Melia alone in a white plane. She looked around, and saw Kallian emerge from white.
"Brother? Is that really you?" Melia asked. "I have longed to see you!"
"I too, Melia," Kallian said, placing a comforting hand on Melia's shoulder.
"Brother, I must apologise… to you, and to everyone," Melia said.
"Because of our transformation into Telethia?" Kallian asked.
"I am a princess. But I have brought misfortune upon the High Entia. I…" Melia garbled out.
"You are mistaken, Melia. The Telethia gene lies dormant within us all. There was no escaping the cursed blood in our veins, sister. It was fate," Kallian said. "That is why our forefathers sought to dilute the bloodline."
Melia started to sob.
"You are the hope of the High Entia. You will not transform into a Telethia. Even after the Bionis has reawakened, you can still succeed the imperial line. You have the power to end our suffering!" Kallian said.
"But…" Melia said.
"And remember… you have such amazing companions as Shulk and Riki. You are not alone in your endeavour," Kallian said. "Knowing this, both I and father were happy to sacrifice ourselves. It was our choice."
"Brother…" Melia said.
"There is no need to fear. After all, this is precisely our wish. In the end, you are the only ones who can stop Zanza," Kallian told her.
"Yes, Brother. It is my duty to fight Zanza… and win!" Melia said, raising her staff and her monado at the same time.
"Leave Lorithia to me…" Kallian said. "You must go with Shulk." Kallian generated a small explosion in the proximity of the Telethia, causing Lorithia to cry out.
"What have you done?" she asked.
"I? I have done nothing," Melia said. "This is your destiny. Accept it with dignity!" Lorithia convulsed, and she and the Telethia vanished into green light.
Melia… at long last, I can be with Father! Kallian's thoughts echoed. You must now live your own life. The path you forge… the future you choose… That is the hope of the High Entia.
Kallian vanished into a rainbow of dust and some feathers. Those feathers absorbed themselves into Melia's staff.
"Thank you, Brother. Your words will stay with me forever…" Melia said.
"His words?" Shulk asked.
"Did you not hear?" Melia asked, worried.
"Riki heard. Riki heard Melly's brother. Kallian say 'hope of Bird People'. Where Melly's brother? Riki not see him, but Riki hear him…" Riki said.
"Riki…" Melia said, tears of joy streaming down her face. She leaned down, and scooped up Riki. She hugged the little furball.
"You, too… you heard his parting words!" she said gratefully. "Thank you."
"So sorry to break up this little scene… such a brave princess," a voice said. Dickson had appeared. He seemed to have inherited Alvis' teleportation deal.
"Dickson!" Dunban said.
"Don't look at me like that! I take the time out of my schedule to send you off to a nice spot, and that's how ya welcome me?" Dickson asked.
"What do you mean?" Reyn asked.
"I'll be waiting at Prison Island. That's where our actual fight will begin, Shulk. I've picked out the perfect place to return you to the Bionis. Don't keep me waiting!" Dickson said. He turned into a pillar of blue and black flames, teleporting to Prison Island. This pillar was used by the party to follow him.
Prison Island had moved. Rather than floating in Eryth Sea, Prison Island was now in an infinite red void, surrounded by red clouds. Looking up, the party could see an angry hole.
"Riki feel funny feeling from above. Riki instinct say Dickson is there!" Riki said.
"I agree," Dunban said.
"Say your prayers, Dickson! We're coming!" Reyn roared. The party began their charge through Prison Island. Expecting a similar layout to the one they went through before, the new arrangement of the room sent them confused, and into an arena.
"What took you so long?" Dickson asked, from a high vantage point.
"Dickson!" Dunban said.
"Are you even trying? Things are gonna get worse if you don't buck up your ideas!" Dickson said.
"Come down here and say that, coward!" Sharla said, pointing Gadolt's cannon at him. Dickson simply summoned a large beast into the arena.
"What on Mechonis is that?" Reyn asked. The creature got up, and roared.
"I don't think it appreciates traitors to the Bionis… This is my warm-up act, Master Obart! If you can't get by this one, you don't stand a chance against me!" Dickson said.
"Stop these games, old man!" Reyn called up.
"Stop this thing first!" Dickson said. "And hurry up! I'm itching for a good old-fashioned scrap!"
Reyn, Dunban and Riki charged forward, and prepared a Chain Attack.
RIKI: Bitey Bitey!
REYN: Dive Sobat!
DUNBAN: Gale Slash!
RIKI: Say Sorry!
REYN: Sword Drive!
DUNBAN: Blossom Dance!
"Born in a world of strife! Against the odds! We choose to fight! BLOSSOM DANCE!" Dunban called out. The Master Obart was easily defeated by the sheer power of the party at this moment.
"You're pretty good… Are you coming up?" Dickson asked, turning into a black pillar, and teleporting up. A ramp activated where Dickson was standing, so that the party may follow.
The party arrived next at a large cathedral. There was an altar at the other side, and the cathedral was decorated in a terrifying fashion. Shulk stood on the pedestal ahead to investigate the altar.
"It looks like…" Shulk said, pressing his palm to the altar. His High Entia emblem shone brightly, and a bright barrier appeared, locking Shulk out.
Dragon King Alcar will use Bastille Sky V on the entire party. This will not be too good for them. You have… five seconds?
"Oh no! Everyone, be careful!" Shulk cried out. Dragon King Alcar descended on the party, and knocked a few heads around. Shulk launched a Monado Purge, only to plink from the barrier. Dragon King Alcar's next attack was a Carapaia Tail, Toppling Reyn. Sharla ran over to him, and pulled him up. The party surrounded Alcar, and used a Chain Attack.
SHARLA: Thunder Bullet!
RIKI: Lurgy!
MELIA: Elemental Discharge!
DUNBAN: Soaring Tempest!
REYN: Sword Drive!
Dragon King Alcar still stood, and his mouth was leaking flames in anger. He leaped into the air, and used an Ignis Breath, inflicting Blaze on the entire party. Melia started spamming Summon Aqua, using them to try and douse the flames. Shulk focused, and tried a leap into the arena. The barrier leaped with him, and Shulk plinked from the barrier.
"This is bad…" Shulk said. He looked around at the party. The tension was low. A catastrophe was going to occur, and Shulk didn't need a vision to know that.
"I… I will not let this travesty continue!" Sharla called out. She levelled Gadolt's Cannon at the Dragon King, and fired. Head Shot's damage was strong enough to bring the Dragon King to his knees, pinning Sharla underneath.
"Sharla! Guys! I didn't realise!" Shulk said.
"Do not concern yourself with us. That battle was under control…" Melia said.
"Are you kidding? That was the opposite of control!" Reyn called out, pulling Sharla out from under the Dragon King.
"…Yes, yes it was," Melia said. Shulk hugged Melia tightly.
"That was a horrifying battle… I'm just glad you're all right!" Shulk said. An elevator appeared under the Dragon King, containing a teleporter for the party's use.
"I can sense Dickson… we must be near the top. If we proceed, we will be unable to return. Are you ready to go on?" Dunban said.
"Yes… I'm ready," Shulk said.
"Aren't you scared?" Dunban asked.
"I'd be lying if I said no. But we have no other choice. We must go on," Shulk said.
"Agreed," Sharla said.
"We decided ages ago!" Reyn added. Dunban laughed.
"Let's proceed… time to seize our destiny!" Dunban called out.
The top of Prison Island. This is where Zanza unshackled the Monado to become the Monado II, the blade that could kill the Faced Mechon. It had become their final destination once more. Standing in place of Zanza was Dickson.
"Dickson!" Shulk said.
"I'm getting sick of that greeting. Kept me waiting, huh?" Dickson said. "So, is this going to be a fight, or can I just kill you now?"
"We will fight," Shulk said.
"Just as I expected. Wouldn't have it any other way. I've been working for Lord Zanza since the beginning. I raised you purely so he could live on. I intentionally withheld the knowledge of how Fiora and Melia acted," Dickson said tauntingly. Melia held up her staff subtly.
"I know now what it is they were meaning… and I must thank you for granting me the abilities I have today. It's all down to you that I stand here ready for you now," Shulk said.
"Enough talk… you now face… the most powerful of the most powerful… Disciple Dickson, the Brawn of the Trinity!" Dickson roared. He pulled his necklace from his neck, and threw it aside. He began to glow, and turned into a Giant. The extinct race of Bionis was not so extinct now!
"If you're so determined to stop us, then we will kill you!" Shulk said. Dickson laughed, and used a Chaos Punish, knocking down the entire party.
"You worms are no match for me!" Dickson cried out. Melia got to her feet, and held up her monado. Monado Rudra shone a pink colour, and the party began to glow.
"There's no point in dying to this beast! Shulk! Riki! Reyn! Sharla! Dunban! We fight to the very end!" Melia said, switching to her staff, and using a Mind Blast. The party got up, and began to charge forward, using their attacks. Melia remained beside Shulk.
"Real strength comes from within! Believe in yourself, Shulk!" Melia begged. Shulk got to his feet, and grabbed the Monado Rudra. He pulled out Monado Abyss, and faced Dickson. He cleaved down, using two Monado Busters.
"Let's finish this!" Shulk called out. He swung his blades about. Dickson roared, and leaped to do battle with the party. He used a Chaos Dash on Reyn and Sharla, and prepared a Chaos Combo follow-up. Shulk used a Monado Shield with Rudra, following up with a Monado Buster with Abyss. Dickson turned to Shulk, Treacherous Anger in effect. His wild charge was blocked by Dunban, who kicked Riki onto Dickson's head. Riki used a Bitey Bitey, causing Dickson to roar in pain. Melia followed with a Spear Break, and then a Starlight Kick. Dickson was brought to his knees. The party looked between each other. Only one way to end this.
RIKI: Sneaky!
REYN: Sword Drive!
DUNBAN: Blossom Dance!
SHARLA: Tranquiliser!
MELIA: Mind Blast!
SHULK: Double Monado Buster!
Dickson was blasted back.
"How is that possible without the Monado?" Dickson asked.
"Stand and fight, Dickson!" Shulk demanded.
"Still got some fight in ya, then?" Dickson asked. "Well… I don't. Screw this, I'm outta here!"
"Dickson?" Shulk asked. Dickson was reverting to a Homs body.
"I just wanted the power of a god. And I would've gotten away with it, too, if it weren't for you meddling kids… and that dumb goddess! This martyr stuff's not for me. Go. I ain't gonna risk my life to stop you," Dickson said, turning away, and going to smoke a cigar.
"You expect us to let you go?" Reyn asked.
"Of course," Dickson said.
"It's Zanza we're after… not him." Shulk said. The party turned around, to see a purple portal to use to reach Zanza. Dickson laid behind, hiding his wound.
"I won't let you see me die. I won't give you the satisfaction of victory. See ya, kid," Dickson muttered. Shulk looked around, out of the corner of his eye, and watched as Dickson puffed his last smoke. Shulk shed a few tears, as Dickson vanished into the ether.