Chapter 4: On The Beach
Back in the realm of the Zuul'tar, Lorithia is another area as she's doing some type of process, or getting ready for it.
Lorithia suddenly generates a massive, intricately designed circle of energy coloured gold underneath her, and begins to chant some words we can hardly understand while her eyes are closed.
After a while of that, the circle begins to pulsate and throb with energy.
Just then, we get a shot of Lorithia's face as her eyes open, and she gives off a sinister smile.
"The process of my return to the world has now begun," says Lorithia. "I leave everything else up to you, Var'lon."
Just then, we see Var'lon and several other Zuul'tar come from behind Lorithia from a distance as to not step on the circle she made and Var'lon says, "Very well, Lorithia. We shall proceed with the next step in your return. Just so long as you can hold up your end of the bargain."
"No need to worry yourself," Lorithia says. "I still have a score to settle with that boy and his friends, and this time, nothing is going to stand in my way."
"We can only hope so," says Var'lon, who then nods to the Zuul'tar on his left, then the ones on his right.
After a while, Var'lon and the Zuul'tar that accompanied him surround the circle. After that, they hold out their arms and start to release energies that go into the cirlce, changing its colour to purple, and causing the energies going through it to become more powerful.
"It may be a while before I'm free and able to enter the world again," says Lorithia. "But, I do believe my patience will not go unrewarded here.
After we get a final shot of Lorithia grinning, we're then taken back to Colony 6.
Arriving near a house is Shulk, who's now dressed in his swimming trunks and swimming sandals, and is carrying a towel over his shoulders.
Suddenly, we see Dunban step out of the house.
"Hey, Shulk," says Dunban. "Fiora is almost ready. She said she just wanted to make some snacks for the both of you."
"Good idea," says Shulk. "We'll both probably get hungry from all that we plan to do today."
"I imagine so," says Dunban with a chuckle.
Shulk chuckles back, then he says, "So, how did everything go with refurbishing project?"
"Very well," says Dunban. "Hopefully, if all things go right, we should be able to be finished within a few more days before we truly go public with this."
"Great to hear," says Shulk. "If all goes right, Colony 6 here will become a beacon of two of the most advanced technologies in this world becoming one, as well as everlasting peace between all races."
"Hear, hear," says Dunban. "Of course, seeing as we need as much help as we can get, Vanea is thinking of constructing some Mechon units to help with the building process."
"Good idea," says Shulk. "We could definitely use a durable hand with such a task. You know, it is funny though. We once thought of the Mechon as the scourge of this world."
"Yes," replies Dunban. "And now, after everything we've been through, we're relying on their help to create the true utopia we've always needed. It certainly is a funny world, or at least how life acts in it."
Shulk then starts to speak again, saying, "You know, that does remind me, I don't know if Fiora told you, but I had a visit from Alvis last night."
Dunban replies, "Oh yeah, Fiora did tell me about that. What she said about what you heard from him sounded pretty ominous. Let's just hope we don't have to go through such another fight, especially given the possibility this force could be more dangerous than what we dealt with in this past with the Mechon that Egil created, as well as the Telethia."
"Well, whatever happens," says Shulk. "I'll be sure to protect Fiora for good this time, and will make sure nothing happens to her. I may not have the real Monado anymore, but that won't stop me from doing what is necessary to keep her safe."
"I know you will do your best, Shulk," says Dunban. "And I'll be there to help you do so as Fiora's big brother."
Shulk gives Dunban a single nod, and says, "Right."
Dunban puts on a certain look as he says, "You know, Shulk... about last night between you and my sister."
"Uh," says Shulk becoming nervous. "What about it?"
Dunban goes silent then says, "Ah, it's nothing. I just hope you both enjoyed yourselves, that's all."
"Oh, uh," Shulk stammers a bit. "We, uh... certainly did. I at least hope Fiora enjoyed herself, but I think she most likely did."
"From what she tells me, and without going into much detail, she said it was greatest night of her life being able to spend it with you," says Dunban.
"Really," asks Shulk with a bit of a smile.
Dunban just nods to Shulk with a smile, then says, "You two certainly are a perfect match, and I know pretty much all of us back in Colony 9 knew it, too."
"I see," says Shulk as he slightly blushes.
Just then, we hear Fiora's voice as she says, "What are you two talking about here?"
Both Shulk and Dunban look to see Fiora walk out of the house as she's wearing her bikini, swimming sandals while carrying a basket in her right hand and a towel over her left shoulder, and is putting her left hand on her hip.
"Oh, uh, it's nothing, dear sister," says Dunban.
"Uh-huh," says Fiora with suspicion. She then looks at Shulk, and spins around for him while asking, "So, what do you think, Shulk?"
"You look fantastic, Fiora," says Shulk. "But then, it's hard for to not look good in anything I've seen you in."
Fiora giggles cutely, then says, "Anyway, I guess we better head off to the beach now."
"Alright, you two have fun," says Dunban. "I'm probably going to go see Vanea and Otharon to check on what needs to be done next."
"Hey, Dunban," says Shulk. "Can I get you to talk to Colonel Square-stache for me?"
"If it's about the weapon he wanted you to work on," Dunban starts to say. "Sure, that won't be a problem. We'll help you search for any raw materials you may need. For now, just enjoy your day off, okay?"
"Thanks, Dunban," says Shulk with a smile. "Come on, Fiora. Let's head for the beach."
"Yeah," says Fiora. "I hope we have a lot of fun today, especially since I heard Reyn will be trying his hand at fishing again."
"I hope he succeeds this time," says Shulk. "Of course, not to say it won't be a riot if he flubs up again like he did that time before."
"It certainly was," Fiora responds with a giggle, which gets Shulk to laugh a little himself.
"Well, shall we be off," Shulk asks.
"Let's," answers Fiora.
After that, both Shulk and Fiora begin to walk off while Dunban stands back and watches them with a content smile on his face.
After a while has passed, we're taken to the beach with Shulk and Fiora arriving there.
"Wow, the water is so blue today," says Fiora. "And the weather is gorgeous."
"I know someone else who's gorgeous," says Shulk as he looks a Fiora with a smile.
Fiora looks back at Shulk with a surprise on her face, but then looks away and blushes slightly.
"Anyway, let's find a spot to set our stuff down on so we can do some swimming," says Shulk.
"Sounds good to me," replies Fiora.
Just then, as they're going to set down their stuff, they see that Reyn, Sharla, Riki and Juju are at the pier, about to do some fishing.
"Well, there they are," says Fiora.
"Let's see what happens," says Shulk.
As both Shulk and Fiora are about to watch, we're taken over to where Reyn and the others are as Reyn is getting himself pumped to catch some fish.
"Yeah, time to show those fish it's now Reyn Time," says Reyn boldly.
"That's the spirit, Reyn," Sharla shouts to cheer him on. "You show those fish whose boss."
"Please, sister," says Juju. "This will embarrassing if Reyn messes up again at this."
"Oh, don't be so pessimistic, Juju," says Sharla. "I'm pretty sure Reyn will succeed this time."
"Catch big fish, Reyn," says Riki. "Riki want to eat very big fish."
"Don't worry," says Reyn. "I'll make sure to catch us all a real big whopper!"
As Reyn takes his fishing rod with him, he heads to the edge of the pier and begins to cast the line.
After a short while has passed, Reyn feels a strong tug on the line which alerts him.
"Alright, I got one," shouts Reyn.
"Awesome," shouts Sharla. "Reel it in!"
Reyn starts trying to reel in the fish he managed to get.
"Certainly putting up a fight," yells Reyn. "It must be huge!"
"Do it, Reyn! Do it," yells Juju.
"Riki so hungry! Go, Reyn," shouts Riki.
"I think I almost got it," says Reyn. "I'm really about to do it, this time!"
"You're almost there, Reyn," cheers Sharla.
"And here we go," shouts Reyn.
Reyn pulls as hard as he can to catch the fish, but suddenly, the force from the rod causes Reyn to lose his footing.
"Whoa," shouts Reyn before he goes right into the water.
"Oh, not again," says Sharla.
"You were saying before, Sharla," asks Juju.
"Riki thought Reyn had it this time," says Riki. "Oh, Riki very wrong."
Sharla walks to the edge of the pier, and asks, "Are you okay, Reyn?"
Reyn, who's now swimming, says, "Yeah, nothing hurt except for my pride. Stupid fish."
Sharla just giggles, then says, "Well, come back to shore and we'll try again, okay?"
"Right, I'm not giving up yet," says Reyn. "One of these days, I'm going to catch a bloody fish."
Back to where Shulk and Fiora are, both of them are laughing about what happened to Reyn.
"You know, I'd feel sorry for Reyn if it was so funny," says Fiora.
"I know what you mean," says Shulk. "Anyway, let's go find us a spot."
"Right," says Fiora.
To Be Continued in Chapter 5.