And now for the first few final chapters! YUP! It's ALMOST over y'all!

ENJOY!

Chapter 19.: Love

"Wh-where am I …?" Shulk asked in his head, and when he woke up, he realized: he was laying on some clouds, and the whole area was foggy.

"Wh-what is this?" He wondered. "Am I … dead?"

"Shulk! You're here!"

Shulk heard a voice … a familiar voice. He turned … he saw his childhood friend, Fiora, standing beside him.

"Fiora?!" Shulk cried, and he got up quickly and hugged her. "Y-you're alive! Thank God …"

"Shulk …" She said, "I-I'm not alive … I'm still dead."

Shulk stared at her. "But … you're right here!"

"That's because …" She trailed off, and a man with a long hat walked out of the fog.

"Ah … this must be the one who was taking care of my girlfriend." He said.

"Girlfriend?" Shulk asked. He then remembered: Lucina had a boyfriend who passed away, and this was him right here.

"Laurent, right?" Shulk asked.

"Yes." Laurent nodded, smiling. "You are Shulk."

"Huh? How did you-"

"I watched you spend time together with Lucina."

"Wait ... " Shulk then thought about this. "Am I … dead too?"

Laurent and Fiora shook their heads. "Not really. You're just dreaming." Fiora answered.

"I-I am …?"

"Yes." Fiora smiled. "Shulk … I'm glad that you found someone to love …"

"Love?! W-wait a minute!" Shulk said, shocked, "I-I'm not-"

"You clearly are. I can tell." Laurent smiled.

"Shulk …" Fiora placed her hands on his, "Please … you must tell Lucina how you feel. Don't worry about me. When I saw you two spend time together," She looked up at the fog, "I knew that you found someone … someone like me."

"But Fiora," Shulk started to say, "NOTHING can replace you!"

"I agree. Nothing does … but," She held him close. "please don't dwell on me. Tell Lucina this as well. It's for our sakes … for Lucina's sake …"

Shulk smiled. "Fiora …" He let her go.

"Now … it's time to wake up, Shulk."

"Wake up?"

"Yes." She turned to Laurent. "We must take our leave. Please remember us as you grow to love Lucina …"

She walked past Laurent, and they both nodded, before they walked back into the fog …

Shulk woke up, and once again, his eyes met with the bright light and the white ceiling. This time, however, Lucina was hovering over him.

"L-L-Lucina?" He asked. Before he could say another word, Lucina held him close, sobbing.

"Shulk! Thank Gods you're alive!" She cried.

Shulk blushed, but he held her close.

When she released him, Shulk asked, "How are you feeling?"

Lucina nodded. "Doing all right … thank you …"

"Huh?" Shulk stared at her in confusion. "Why the thank you?"

"You saved my life out there. If you hadn't been there, I would be dead."

Shulk racked his mind, and he remembered the fight against Master Core.

"Ah … right." He smiled. "I'm glad that you're okay, Lucina."

The two said nothing for a few minutes, with Lucina occasionally rubbing his back gently.

"Lucina … I …" Shulk began.

"Hm? What's wrong?" Lucina asked.

"I … I wanted to say that … we went through a lot, huh?"

Lucina nodded.

"Well … I just wanted to say one thing; we should work together not to dwell too much on our loved ones' deaths."

Lucina stared at him. "What do you mean?"

Shulk explained his dream where he saw Fiora and Laurent. Lucina nodded at every sentence, and she spoke up, "I … see. That's so Laurent though." She giggled.

Shulk chuckled. His heart began to beat, and he mustered up the courage to tell her.

C'mon, Shulk. Fiora and Laurent want you to do this!

He then took a deep breath. "Lucina."

"Hm?"

"I … I wanted to say … I love you."

Lucina blushed madly. "H-huh? Shulk …"

"We have been through so much, Lucina …" He then held her hand, "I love you. More than anything."

"Shulk …" She then held him close. "I love you too."

Shulk smiled as they held each other for quite a while. When she released him, he pulled her into a soft kiss. Lucina's eyes widened, and her legs began to shake, but she soon closed her eyes, accepting the kiss.

When their lips parted, she smiled softly. "Shulk … that was wonderful."

"It is, Lucina. It is."

The two held each other close, their friendship now turning into love.

Beta Reader: Zulera301