It is another peaceful morning in Colony 9. The merchants are setting up their shops, the children run around the colony with glee, and the Defense Force's soldiers work hard in their training.

Among all of this lively activity, there is a quiet boy. A young, reserved kid who roams around the colony and enjoys seeing everyone live their lives, although he tends to not involve himself with anyone. As he's walking around the Residential District, he's approached by a child Nopon.

Kita: "Good morning! Does friend know where Kita can find Strong Dandelion to give to Mamapon? Her birthday coming up, and Kita want to give Mamapon her favorite kind of flower!"

Shulk: "E-Erm... I'm... not sure I recall, but... outside, near the bridge, there should be a few..."

Kita: "Ah, Kita see! Thank friend very much!"

Shulk: "Y-Yeah..."

Kita runs off to the field just outside the Colony. After Shulk watches her run off, he begins pacing around the rest of the district. As he walks, he suddenly remembers:

Shulk: "Ah, right! I should check up on that spot again... Maybe I can bring back the Mechon part back today!"

Shulk then, unexpectedly, begins running towards the exit of the district, and walks up the fields of Colony 9. When he approaches the Mechon Wreckage Site, he begins walking normally. Shulk approaches the wreckage site carefully, looking for something specific.

Shulk: "...Yes, finally! The Krabble let go of that plate! I can take it back to the Colony!"

Shulk, in his excitement, runs off to the Mechon plate he found, and picks it up. He struggles to grab it off the ground, but he manages to be able to carry it with both arms.

However, Shulk was met with unexpected guests. As he lifted the plate off the floor, he heard steps, or rather, hops approaching as he turns around, he finds himself surrounded by hostile Bunnits.

Shulk: "Oh... oh no...!"

Feeling cornered, Shulk begins shaking, and sits down with the plate, cowering. The Bunnits don't let up, and slowly approach him from all sides. Shulk can't bring himself to move and run away.

However, as all hope seemed lost...

???: "Hey, you lot!"

The Bunnits take their eyes off Shulk, and look at whoever shouted from the distance.

???: "Why don't you lot pick on somebody your own size, eh!?"

A red-haired boy with a spiked shield comes running. The Bunnits feel threatened and begin attacking him, but the boy manages to block their blows.

???: "Your little sticks ain't gonna go through this shield! Have some of this!

Hammeeeer... Beat!"

The boy fights valiantly against the Bunnits, and after a bit, he manages to take them all down.

???: "Haha, in your face!"

After saying this, he puts his shield away, and walks to Shulk, who is still cowering on the floor hugged to the plate.

???: "Hey there, are ya hurt?"

Shulk slowly opens his eyes, and looks up. He sees the boy who saved him hold out his hand to help him up. However, Shulk doesn't take it. He gets up by himself, still hugged to the plate.

Shulk: "Um... who are you?"

???: "...Huh? Aren't you gonna say thanks?"

Shulk: "Oh, um... uh... th-thank you... I guess..."

Shulk is still a little shaken up from what had just happened.

???: "It's dangerous around these parts. The farther you are from the colony, the more monsters are out to get you!"

Shulk: "I... I know that."

Shulk looks down to the side.

Shulk: "But... shouldn't that... also mean you shouldn't be here?"

???: "Well, you see, I'm supposed to be out here! My job is to save people! I'm Reyn, the hero of Colony 9!!"

Shulk looks... unamused.

Shulk: "The hero of... huh?"

Reyn: "When I grow up, I wanna be the strongest soldier the Defense Force has ever had! So to train, I'm out here, saving people from big monsters like those! You've got no need to thank me."

Shulk: "Erm..."

Reyn: "What about you? What're ya doin' all the way out here?"

Shulk: "I... came to get this plate..."

Reyn: "I see. Ya gonna smack some monsters with it?"

Shulk: "N-No... it's for making weapons and the like..."

Reyn: "Ohh, I see... Wait, making weapons!? That means you need to take those to the Weapons' Lab, right!? How's the lab like!? Do they have big cannons in there!? Or-- Or do they have REALLY strong weapons for dealing with all SORTS of monsters!?"

Shulk: "Um... I-- Umm..."

Shulk is feeling quite overwhelmed.

Reyn: "Oh, sorry, guess I got too excited there! Say, what's your name?"

Shulk: "M... My name's... Sh-Shulk..."

Reyn: "Shook?"

Shulk: "No, Shulk..."

Reyn: "Ah, Shulk! Well, nice to meet'cha, Shulk! We should take you back to the colony. I've gotta stake out and see if there's anybody that needs saving from monsters, like you just now!"

Shulk: "Y-Yeah..."

Reyn: "Righty-o! Follow me!"

Reyn begins walking off happily after a job well done, and Shulk slowly follows behind. They eventually reach the entrance of the colony, and Reyn escorts Shulk to the Military District. There is a guard sitting by the entrance, and when they approach him, the guard lets Shulk in, but stops Reyn.

Guard: "Sorry kid: you can't really walk around these parts."

Reyn: "Aw, what!? But I was going to take Shulk here to the lab!"

Guard: "The district is off-limits to civillians. Shulk here works with one of our researchers, so he's allowed to come and go, but... you don't seem to be here for any special reason at all."

Reyn: "Hey mister, I'll have you know I saved Shulk here from a BUNCH of monsters! He would've gotten hurt if I hadn't stepped in to help him! Right, Shulk!?"

Shulk: "I... guess... yeah..."

Shulk is a bit tense to respond.

Reyn: "W-Well?? I did, didn't I--"

Guard: "OK, kid, that's enough. This isn't a playground. Run along home, it's starting to get late."

Reyn: "B-But... But I."

Shulk slowly walks inside the Military District, looking back to see Reyn walking off disappointed. He enters the lab and greets Jackson, one of the researches who works there.

Shulk: "Good evening, Jackson. Is Dickson here?"

Jackson: "Nope, went off on one of those trips of his a while ago. It's almost always impossible to tell when he'll be back."

Shulk: "I see..."

Jackson: "That looks like a nice fetch. You can leave that down there. Watch your step going down."

Shulk nods, and walks down the stairs. As he places the plate on a corner of the lab, he gazes at the red sword sitting on display in the center of the room. He feels as if he's seen it before, but... he can't seem to actually remember anything. After putting down the plate, he leaves the lab and heads home. He thinks a bit about his meeting with Reyn. He seemed boastful, but with a good heart. Looking back on it, Shulk realizes that's the most he's ever talked to anybody that wasn't Dickson, or anyone in the Military District. After pondering it for a bit, he falls asleep.