Chapter 5: Feeling Useless
Back on the beach, we're taken underwater where Shulk and Fiora are swimming together as they both have their sandals off.
After a while passes, they both bring their heads out of the water to get some air.
"Wow, the water feels so good today," says Shulk.
"Does it ever," replies Fiora. "I'm so glad we decided to do this."
"Same here," Shulk says. "I wonder how long we've been swimming for?"
"For about a while," says Fiora. "I think I'm getting really hungry."
"Well then, let's break for a bit to get something to eat," says Shulk.
Both Shulk and Fiora begin to swim back to the shore to eat some snacks.
As the two of them get back onto shore, they look to see Reyn and the others are still at it with their fishing as Juju is now up to doing it, in which both Shulk and Fiora see that he's successful in catching a fish.
"They've certainly been at it for a while," says Fiora. "I wonder if we should take them something to eat? I did make more than you and I will probably be eating today, anyway."
"You know, that doesn't sound so bad," says Shulk. "I did want this day to be just for us, but having a few friends to share it with might make things better."
Back to where Reyn and the others are at, Reyn tries his hand again to catch a fish.
"Alright, time to show these blasted fish whose boss," says Reyn before he casts the line.
"With the skills you've displayed so far, Reyn, it'll be a miracle if you manage to catch even one," says Juju.
"Don't you worry, Juju," says Reyn with confidence. "Ol' Reyn's got this one in the bag!"
"I can know you can do it, Reyn," says Sharla.
Just then, Reyn gets a tug on his line, making him say, "I got one! Oh yeah, you're mine this time, fishy fishy!"
"Reel it in, Reyn," shouts Juju.
"Catch fish, Reyn! Catch fish, catch fish," Riki yells.
"I'm gonna' do it," shouts Reyn as he's doing his hardest to reel in the fish.
Reyn tries to pull the fish out of the ocean with a strong yank, but only ends up falling onto his back.
"Reyn, are you okay," asks Sharla.
"Well, gonna' feel that one in the morning," says Reyn. "Did I catch the fish."
Juju picks up the line to show the hook is empty, and says, "Nope. It got away."
"Gah, damn it all," says Reyn out of frustration.
Just then, we hear Shulk chuckle and Fiora giggle, which gets the attention of the others as they look to see Shulk and Fiora coming towards them.
"Seems that Reyn is still having a great deal of problems with the whole fishing matter, yeah," says Shulk.
"Oh, hey there," says Sharla with a big smile. "I take it you two were enjoying a little swim?"
"Yeah, Shulk and I were having a bit of a date today," says Fiora. "I made some snacks for the both of us to share, but I don't think we'll be able to eat them all, so I thought you all might like to have some."
"Thanks, and we're probably going to need it if Reyn's fishing doesn't get any better," says Juju.
Reyn sits up and says to Juju, "Ah, stow it, kid!" He then turns to look at Shulk and Fiora, then says, "You know, a little grub might just be the thing I need do a little better. Thanks."
"We can only hope," says Fiora, followed by a giggle.
"Ah, not you too," says Reyn with a sigh.
This gets a laugh out of Shulk, Fiora and Sharla.
After a while, we see the group sitting down to enjoy the food Fiora made. When they get done eating their snacks, Reyn says, "Fiora, for simple snacks, that was some of the best food ever."
"Glad you think so, Reyn," says Fiora. "I tried to use some of the finer ingredients I have in my house to make them."
"Well, whatever you did, it was all very delicious," replies Sharla.
"Anything Fiora makes always make Riki's tummypon happy," says Riki.
"Truly one of a kind, Fiora," says Shulk. "It's spectacular."
"Thank you very much for saying that, Shulk," responds Fiora.
"Ha, looks like Shulk is taking my advice on how to compliment your food a little better than he used to," says Reyn. "Guess ol' Shulk here does have a sense of taste after all."
"Sure seems that way," says Fiora with a giggle, which gets the others to laugh, except for Shulk who just blushes.
"What, now I'm going to be the center of your jokes," asks Shulk.
"Oh, come on, Shulk," says Fiora. "Don't take it so hard. We don't tease you that often, you know?"
"I suppose not," says Shulk. "Still, this was some amazing food you made. And it was all made by an amazing woman."
Fiora just giggles and say in a semi-seductive manner, "Thank you, Shulk."
After a bit of looking at one another, they go in for a passionate kiss, which makes the others look with great surprise.
"Sharla," says Reyn.
Sharla replies, "Yes, Reyn?"
"I may have to have you check my eyes out later, because unless they're bad, I'm seeing Shulk and Fiora actually kiss," says Reyn.
"I may have to have the same check-up, because I'm seeing the same thing," says Sharla.
Shulk and Fiora stop kissing long enough to look affectionately into each others eyes. Just then, they look in the direction of their friends after they hear Reyn clear his throat to get their attention.
"Uh, yes," Shulk asks.
"Mind explaining what's going on here," Reyn answers Shulk's question with another question.
"Nothing really to explain, Reyn," says Fiora. "Shulk and I have just confessed our love for one another. That's all."
"It's true," Shulk follows with.
"Man, Shulk, I know we had a talk about it last night, but I didn't seriously think you would move that fast," says Reyn. "And you were the one saying it's not a race. Before you know it, you two will have taken things to farthest you can without things getting too out of control."
Shulk and Fiora just blush as they both go, "Uh..."
"Wait, don't say you two have already..." Sharla starts to say.
Fiora looks at the other innocently as she says, "When you put it that way... yes."
Reyn, Sharla and Riki just stand there with their mouths hanging open, though Juju's got on a confused look.
"What was that all supposed to mean," asks Juju.
"Uh, we'll have a talk about that one day," says Sharla to Juju while not looking away from Shulk and Fiora.
"You know, if you guys keep your mouths open like that," says Shulk. "You're each going to catch a fly in them."
"Well, you can't really blame us right now, can you," says Reyn. "I mean, shoot, you two were just getting around to breaking the barrier between you two, and now, you've both just about completely eradicated it. For something like that to happen overnight, it's really surprising."
"It shouldn't matter in the end though, right," says Fiora. "What counts is that Shulk and I love each other, and as long as that holds true, nothing can sunder it, regardless of what we do."
"That is understandable," says Sharla. "Just don't do anything you two will end up regretting. Of course, it's not like I'm one to talk. I never even got around to taking things that far with Gadolt."
Reyn looks at Sharla in surprise as he wants to say something, but refrains from doing so, so he doesn't end up getting slapped or anything.
"Well, anyway, I imagine you two want to get back to your date at this point, so we'll let you go if you want," says Sharla.
"Thank you, Sharla," says Shulk.
"Hold on a minute, Shulk," says Fiora. "Can I talk with Sharla alone for just a minute?"
"Something wrong, Fiora," asks Shulk.
"Oh no, just wanted to have a woman-to-woman talk, that's all," says Fiora. "Don't worry, it won't take but a few minutes, and after that, we'll get back to our special time for just us."
"Well, I guess I have no problem with that," says Shulk.
"Besides," Fiora continues. "This will at least allow to bond with the other guys. Maybe you could use this time to teach Reyn how to fish better."
"Aw, come on, enough with that," says Reyn while rubbing the back of his head.
Sharla just giggles at Reyn.
"I suppose that couldn't hurt," says Shulk. "But take too long. You make me eager to get back to the fun we were to have today."
"I know," says Fiora. "Here's a sample of the fun we might have later tonight."
Fiora gives Shulk a long and passionate kiss that looks like it might be a French Kiss, which get smiles from Reyn, Sharla and Riki, though they wonder if Juju should be seeing it at all.
After the two of them get done with their kiss, Shulk, "I'll be looking forward to it."
"Remember, that's just a sample," says Fiora before she gives Shulk a wink. "Be ready for the real deal later tonight."
"Definitely," says Shulk.
After that, Fiora gets up and says, "Come on, Sharla. Let's let the guys have their fun while we go talk."
"Oh, sure," says Sharla as she gets up and goes to walk off with Fiora to go talk.
As Sharla and Fiora leave the guys, Reyn says, "I wonder what Fiora wants to talk with Sharla about?"
"No idea," says Shulk. "But I guess that leaves us to do a little male-bonding, so we should probably use up this opportunity to do that."
"Yeah," says Reyn. "Well, anyway..."
We immediately cut away from the guys to see what Sharla and Fiora are going to talk about.
"So, what did you want to talk to me about, Fiora," asks Sharla.
Fiora gives a brief pause, then says, "Sharla, you first remember meeting me, right? Back when I was in a half-Mechon body?"
"That's right," says Sharla. "Where you were configured to be the central-nerve unit for a Mechon."
"And that it was thanks to you and Linada, as well as Melia, in that I got my complete Homs body back," says Fiora.
"I could never forget how happy you were to be completely Homs again," says Sharla. "For you, it was like you got your life back, especially considering you were only being kept alive my Meyneth's Monado. Why are you bringing this all up."
"Well, I guess I should be frank with you, then," says Fiora. "I think I miss that Mechon body was in."
"What," asks a surprised Sharla.
"Don't get me wrong, Sharla," says Fiora. "I'm more than happy to be back in a complete Homs body as it's the reason I can eat, wear normal clothing and other course, take my relationship with Shulk as far as I did. But still, there just feels like there's something missing from my life now that I'm back to being 100% Homs."
"Do tell," says Sharla.
"Well, for the most part, I just feel useless now," says Fiora.
"How so," asks a curious Sharla.
Fiora continues to say, "It just feels like I was never meant to be a soldier or anyone to help on the main battlefield. My brother, as we all know, is a true warrior. Reyn is sturdy guy that can act as a shield for anyone. You, Sharla, are a skilled medic who's now become one of the top doctors of the colony. Melia is incredibly proficient with ether. Riki's got talents I could never have. Even Shulk has become so powerful, going from a delicate genius to the guy who actually defeated a god and brought about this new world as he gained the ability to use a Monado in a flash."
"And you feel like you pale in comparison to all of us," asks Sharla.
"My skills in combat were merely about hunting for food and nothing more," says Fiora. "Aside from cooking, that's about it. I'm not invincible in battle like Dunban and Reyn are. I'm not as smart as you, Shulk and Melia are. I feel like I even lack compared to Riki seeing as he is considered a hero among the Nopon."
"So when you had that Mechon form, you felt like you were able to match us in strength and skill," says Sharla. "Is that what I'm getting at?"
"I didn't think about it until I long had this Homs body back, but now that I am thinking about it... yes," says Fiora.
Sharla continues to pay attention.
Fiora continues to say, "I guess it's one of those things that you don't realize what you have until it's gone. It's only because I was in a Mechon form that I was able to stand up to the Mechon, Telethia and even Zanza. Without that power, what use am I should another massive battle erupt that we might not be able to control? I know I shouldn't worry about that since we've obtained a near impossible peace, but now that I'm without the power I had, I worry about it more and more these days."
"So, what I think I'm understanding is that you want such power to protect those you care about, especially Shulk," says Sharla. "You don't want to lose any of us, and you don't want any of us to lose you."
"Shulk's lost me once before to the Mechon," says Fiora. "And we all lost Shulk that time to Dickson's treachery. It was a miracle that either of us returned from the dead."
"Too right you are," says Sharla.
Fiora looks to see Shulk helping Reyn with the fishing, then she says, "Shulk's always been important to me, and those times we lost each other made me realise just how important we are to one another. That night we shared with each other last night... I don't want it to be our only one in this lifetime. I want Shulk and I to love one another till the time we die a natural death. I love Shulk too much to see anything or anyone take him from me like Dickson and Zanza did. And I know Shulk loves me too much to lose me to anyone else like he lost me to Mumkhar when he was Metal Face. I want us to keep each other safe and alive."
"Yeah," says Sharla. "I just wish I could have done the same for Gadolt. But, while I may have failed that time, I want to make sure I don't make the same mistake with Reyn."
Fiora smiles sincerely, then says, "You really love Reyn, don't you?"
"I haven't admitted to him completely, but..." Sharla starts to say as she looks at where the guys all are. "Yes, I really do love him. He reminds me of Gadolt in many ways, but at the same time, he's his own person and I think I love him more for that. He has such a sweet and innocent disposition that I think Gadolt was missing. I loved Gadolt a lot, but being around Reyn just makes me feel more energized and optimistic about life. I really enjoy being around him because of that."
"Then you know where I'm coming from, Sharla," says Fiora.
"I suppose I do," says Sharla before she looks back at Fiora. "So, what do you need to know, Fiora?"
"I need to know if there is anyway I can use Mechon technology without giving up any part of my Homs body," says Fiora.
"You mean the Mechon technology you were using before you got your Homs body back, right," asks Sharla.
Fiora just nods.
Sharla puts on a thoughtful look, then she says, "I don't know, Fiora. That just about sounds like technology that doesn't even exist yet. We could make it happen, but as to how long it would take, I'm not sure. Let me talk it over with Melia, Linada and Vanea, and we'll see what we can come up with."
"Really," asks Fiora. "Thank you, Sharla."
"You're very welcome," says Sharla. "I do hope to have good news sooner or later."
"Of course," says Fiora. "Oh, and one more thing."
"Yeah," asks Sharla.
"Can we, uh..." Fiora starts to ask. "Can we keep this secret from the others, such as Shulk, Reyn and my brother?"
"Well, you'll have to tell them sooner or later," says Sharla. "But until then, of course we can."
"Thanks a lot," says Fiora with a calm smile. "I'm glad to know someone like you."
"Ditto," says Sharla. "Anyway, I think we've talked long enough, so let's get you back to having your date with Shulk."
"Right," says Fiora. "I'm very much looking forward to it."
After that, both Sharla and Fiora head back to where the guys are.
To Be Continued in Chapter 6.