Chapter 1: Romantic Supper

Taking place in a large, circular area made of energy that is coloured purple and black, we see the place is lined with several creatures, all of which have an astral design to them with purple outlining. They are all designed in a peculiar way as far as their shape is concerned.

One creature among them is designed in a way that appears to be more extravagant as it appears like it's wearing an astral cape that is part of it. The creature steps up to a circle which happens to be a type of viewing screen as it shows a single, blue planet.

"This nameless world," says the extravagant looking creature, even though we can't see a mouth on him. "It is a simple planet that holds great potential as it was formed by the hands of a simple creature, as told by our ally, a resident of the former world that was around before."

The viewing screen then changes to a view of Shulk, who continues to walk towards the park.

"This boy who created such a world," says the creature again. "He possesses the powers of a god, but he renounced such a title. While very noble of him, he has also left this world vulnerable to all other threats out there. He is unaware of just what potential he possesses, as told by our ally, who was soundly defeated by him. Let us keep it that way for now as we begin our move, the move that our ally will help us to accomplish. The power this boy possesses will be ours as we can then bring the rest of this universe to its knees."

We then hear a familiar voice call out saying, "You talk as if you have the boy already. I would be careful we don't get overconfident. After all, I learned that very thing myself when I fought this boy and his friends."

We then see a person step into the area, which turns out to be Lorithia, who then gets looked at by everyone else in the room.

"And I would be careful about who you talk to in such a way," says the creature. "After all, it was us who brought you back from the dead and have given you a new greater purpose when you were defeated and humiliated by that boy."

"He possessed power I had thought impossible by anyone else other than Lord Zanza," replies Lorithia. "I will not make that same mistake again. You shall see for yourself, Var'lon."

"I should hope not," says the creature answering to the name of Var'lon. "For your sake anyway."

"I know you brought me back to life as you have the power to do such a thing, being the creatures of ether you are," says Lorithia. "And yet, you are all still restricted to this dimension, and it alone. For that, you, the Zuul'tar are useless without my help."

Var'lon comes in front of Lorithia at the speed of sound, then says to Lorithia, "Careful of what you say, woman. After all, if it wasn't for us, you would be lost without the help of your precious Lord Zanza."

"And yet, you're all relying on me to free you so you can be let loose upon the universe," says Lorithia. "However, I only have enough power to let myself out of this dimension. Nothing short of the power of the Monado will be powerful enough to let the rest of you out. And even then, this is going to take some time, so you all better just sit back and relax while I do the hard work. And in exchange, you will allow me to lead your Zuul'tar and to do with them what is necessary to do. Therefore, you cannot threaten me at this point, being as I am the one to do this for you all."

Var'lon just looks at Lorithia for a moment, then says, "Very well. You will lead our forces should you be able to free us from this dimension, even after we manage to obtain the power of that boy, the one you call Shulk."

"If I get my share of that power," Lorithia replies. "Then my allegiance to you all will be forever. This... I promise you all."

"You talk very sweet words, Lorithia," responds Var'lon. "I certainly hope you can hold up your end of this bargain."

"Remember well, Var'lon," says Lorithia. "You need my help to escape, so until that point in time, your threats are just idle."

Var'lon just makes growling sound.

"Now, if you will all excuse me," says Lorithia. "I need to make preparations for my return to my world."

Lorithia turns around a walks away with Var'lon and the rest of the Zuul'tar looking at her as she does. Var'lon then says, "My threats may be idle now, Lorithia, but don't waste your good fortune. Once we've obtained what we desire, what use will we truly have for you, then?"

Switching back to Colony 6, Shulk comes into the park where Fiora is waiting as she is sitting on one of the benches, and holding a small basket in her lap.

As she hears his footsteps, Fiora looks to her left to see Shulk coming her way. Fiora then smiles and says with what appears to be a sigh of relief, "There you are. I was getting a little worried for a minute that you wouldn't come."

"I wouldn't miss this even for the world, Fiora," says Shulk as he gets closer to where Fiora is.

"Well, worried that maybe you wouldn't come on time," Fiora responds.

"Yeah, I was rather worried about that myself," says Shulk as he then sits himself beside Fiora on her left. "The Colonel really had me working my tail off today in trying to get a new weapon constructed."

"It's strange how Colonel Vegarre is thinking there could be another attack coming," says Fiora. "But with all that we went through in the past, I guess it is better to be safe than sorry."

"Yeah," says Shulk as he thinks back to what Alvis just told him recently.

"What's wrong, Shulk," Fiora asks.

"Huh? Oh, uh, nothing," says Shulk trying to weasel his way out of having to explain himself.

"Shulk, let's don't start this again," says Fiora. "If something is bothering you, you have to tell me about it, okay? I can't help if you don't tell me."

"I know that, it's just..." Shulk tries to say.

Fiora asks, "It's just what?"

After a bit silence, Shulk says, "It's nothing, just trying to come up with an excuse, but I guess I can't."

"You should know you're not going to dodge a question from me that easily, mister," says Fiora in a somewhat playful tone.

Shulk just chuckles a bit, then says, "I suppose not."

Fiora giggles some, then says, "Anyway, being serious about this, what is bugging you?"

Shulk puts on a solemn look, then says, "I... I talked with Alvis a while ago."

"Alvis," asks Fiora. "He hasn't shown himself for a while since that time after we fought Zanza. What was he wanting to talk about?"

"I don't quite know," says Shulk. "He was being rather cryptic. He said that our new world might soon turn into a battlefield. That there might be dangers out there greater than that of Zanza."

"Really," asks Fiora with a surprised expression. "Coming from Alvis, this probably shouldn't be taken lightly."

"Perhaps," replies Shulk. "It's hard to imagine any dangers out there greater than Zanza, since he was a god. But like you said, with Alvis saying this, we may have no choice but to take it seriously."

A bit of silence occurs again between the two of them, until Fiora breaks it by saying with a smile, "Well, we can worry about that later. Right now, I imagine you must be hungry right now."

"I certainly am," responds Shulk.

"Very well, then," says Fiora. "Let's eat!"

After a while passes, both Shulk and Fiora are eating some of Fiora's cooking.

"Wow, this is so good," says Shulk.

"Really," asks Fiora.

"Yeah," replies Shulk. "This food is incredible tonight."

Fiora sighs then says, "And there you go again."

"What," asks Shulk. "I said your food is incredible, and I meant it."

"I know," says Fiora looking somewhat depressed. "But it seems that's all you say about it."

Shulk smiles at Fiora, then asks, "Is this that whole thing about you thinking I have no sense of taste?"

"Well, I do work my fingers to the bone to make sure my food is the best out there," says Fiora. "And it's like you can't even acknowledge that."

"I'm sorry... on all accounts," says Shulk.

Fiora smiles somewhat, then says, "Well, I guess it's not your fault, Shulk. You are who you are. Reyn told me that one time, so I guess I should accept that."

Shulk smirks slightly, then says, "He told me that you think I have no sense of taste, and started to wonder if that was true. I'm very sorry, Fiora. It may not mean much for me to say this now, but your food really is the best I've had."

Fiora puts on a pair of big eyes as she looks at Shulk with surprise, then says, "Really? You think so?"

"Well, I haven't tried all of the cuisines in the world, but I suppose even if I did try them all, yours would rank up top upon all of them," says Shulk.

Still looking at him with her big eyes, Fiora puts on a beautiful smile and says, "Thank you, Shulk."

"You're very welcome, Fiora," says Shulk with a sincere smile. "I know you do this mostly for me, so I need to learn to be more complimenting when you put your all into a dish."

"Thank you again, Shulk," says Fiora. "I really appreciate you being more open like this."

"Anytime," replies Shulk.

They look at each other affectionately, then Fiora looks up at the night sky and says as she closes her eyes after a deep breath, "The breeze feels so good."

Shulk also looks up at the night and says, "Yeah, really good."

Shulk then stops looking at the sky long enough to look back at Fiora, taking in every lovely sight about her, from the delicate, yet bright glow of her skin, to the rich colour of her hair and to every curve of her body. Every bit of Fiora is a treat for Shulk's eyes. Shulk eyes Fiora's soft lips and he slightly blushes about it.

Fiora looks at Shulk to see him looking at her, and she asks, "What is it, Shulk?"

"Oh, uh..." says Shulk with a look that makes it look like Fiora caught him with his pants down. "It's nothing. I just, uh..."

Fiora giggles and says, "Come on, you're not going to hide things from me that easily. You should already know you can't. What is it, this time?"

"Well, you see..." Shulk begins to say.

"Yes," Fiora asks as if to pressure to Shulk to talk.

"Well," Shulk stammers again. "Do you, uh... do you... remember... the first time that... we...?"

"Uh-huh," Fiora asks yet again.

Shulk clenches his eyes shut as he forces the words out of his mouth, which are, "Do you remember the first time we kissed?"

Fiora puts on a more surprised look as she sees Shulk look like he's bracing himself for a slap, but then she puts a sincere, yet alluring smile as she reaches her hand over to stroke his face as she says, "How could I forget?"

Shulk opens one eye to see Fiora with that lovely smile on her face as he says, "Really?"

"Yeah, I remember very well," says Fiora. "We were on the Mechonis's fallen arm, and I was unconscious. The last thing I saw after waking up was seeing your face near mine, and I remember feeling your lips on mine."

"Well, if I am to be honest, I was giving you water in the best way I could since you weren't waking up," says Shulk. "But still, it was a great moment for me, too."

"The best moment for me, in my opinion," says Fiora. "I've never told you this before, Shulk, but... I think it's best I tell you now."

"Fiora," Shulk asks.

"Shulk, I..." Fiora starts to say with a hint of embarrassment as she rests her head on Shulk's shoulder. "I... love you."

Shulk just puts on a big look of surprise while blushing brightly, then he says as he puts on an endearing look while putting his hand on the back of Fiora's head, "I... love you, too, Fiora."

"Really," asks Fiora. "You mean it?"

"Every word of it," says Shulk with a warm smile.

Fiora smiles warmly herself as she closes her eyes, then says after a bit of silence, "Can we stay like this for a while?"

After a bit of silence from himself, Shulk says, "Sure."

After a very long period of no talking between them, Shulk says, "I think it might be getting late, so we might want to head home."

"Can I stay with you for tonight, Shulk," Fiora asks.

Shulk, who looks like he's about to jump out of his skin from what Fiora said, replies, "What?"

"My brother is going to be working a good period of time with Otharon and Vanea on trying to refurbish the colony with both High Entia and Machina technology, so... I think it'll be alright with him if I stay with you for tonight. Will that be alright, Shulk?"

Shulk was finding it very hard to speak right now, but all he could say was, "Uh, well... sure. If that's what you want to do right now."

"It is, Shulk," says Fiora sincerely. "Until then, let's just stay like this for a just a while longer before we head home."

"Well, uh... alright," says Shulk. "We'll stay like for a little longer."

After that, Shulk goes back up to looking at the night sky.

Just then, we see Fiora get a devious smile on her face as she thinks, "Heh heh, what Shulk doesn't realise is that my brother only went to work with Vanea and Otharon for so long just so Shulk and I could have this alone time with each other. Thank you, Dunban. I won't let you down."

To Be Continued in Chapter 2.