Shulk wakes up and prepares his breakfast, ready to start the day. After finishing, he heads out straight to the lab, to see if Dickson had arrived. Unfortunately, it would seem he hasn't made it back yet. Shulk heads out, and lives out his day as he usually does. Roaming around the colony and partaking in people-watching. While walking around the Residential District, he notices something: it would appear as if Outlook Park has finally finished construction. Nobody seemed to pay it much mind, but Shulk was intrigued to see what it looks like. He leaves the district and walks along the path to the park. Shulk admires the new set of stairs and climbs them. When he reaches the top, he looks around to find fencing, trees, a lamppost and a bench. However, he is surprised to see that there is a girl sitting on the bench. He doesn't say anything to her.

???: "...This breeze feels really good. ...Maybe I could get my brother to come see! That is, if he's home tonight at all..."

The girl then gets up and walks towards the stairs to leave. As she passes by Shulk, she greets him.

???: "Good morning."

Shulk: "G-Good... morning..."

She then goes down the stairs. Shulk stares at her for a bit, then sits on the bench the girl was sitting.

The view was just incredible. He could see the whole colony from Outlook Park, and look at how lively and big it really was.

Shulk: "Wow...!"

Shulk's eyes light up a little. He's enjoying the view a lot. He hears somebody going up the stairs, and looks toward them. It's a familiar face.

Reyn: "Oh, Shulk!"

Shulk: "Oh... Reyn."

Reyn: "Mornin'! You didn't seem like the type to be up here gazing at the view!"

Shulk: "Well... neither do you..."

Reyn: "Ha, touché! Say, have you used the plate you found already?"

Shulk: "No... I'm waiting for Dickson to come back so he can make the weapon with it."

Reyn: "I see, I see. Well, ya mind if I sit here with you."

Shulk: "Uh... sure..."

Reyn was already walking toward the bench before Shulk had even said yes. He sits down beside Shulk, and they watch the view together.

Reyn: "Woooooow... it's so big! And I can see all the big cannons as well!"

Shulk: "They're... called Anti-Air Batteries."

Reyn: "Right, right. You know, I've never actually seen them be used."

Shulk: "Dickson told me that... They're used to shoot debris that fall from the upper sections of the Bionis before they fall down on the colony..."

Reyn: "Woah... that sounds awesome!"

Shulk: "I suppose..."

Reyn: "So... what kinda weapons do you make?"

Shulk: "Well... I've never actually... made one... I just help Dickson with gathering materials and assist him when he makes them."

Reyn: "Ahh, gotcha. Do you want to make one?"

Shulk: "I do... See, Dickson actually told me that if I could find the a plate belonging to a certain type of Mechon, he would teach me to make a simple weapon with it."

Reyn: "Ohh, and that's why you were all hugged up to that plate when I found ya!"

Shulk: "I was really happy to finally be able to pick it up. Now that I have it, Dickson is finally going to teach me how to make one!"

Reyn: "That's awesome to hear! If you learn to make weapons, I might be able to use one of them to help folks out!"

Shulk: "Yeah... I suppose you're right."

Reyn: "Say, you sound more lively talking today than you did yesterday!"

Shulk: "Oh... r-really?"

Shulk blushes a little.

Reyn: "I can't wait to see what you make! ...Hey, I just got a great idea!"

Shulk: "You did?"

Reyn approaches the fence. Shulk gets up and follows him.

Reyn: "Ya see that big cave, over there in the distance?"

Shulk: "Y-Yes..."

Reyn: "I see a lot of monsters hogging Mechon parts around, and I've heard that cave has lots of them!"

Shulk: "You're saying... you want to explore that cave to find Mechon parts...?"

Reyn: "Yeah! And since that cave has lots of monsters, we're sure to come back with all sorts of Mechon parts! You'd be able to make a lot of weapons with them!"

Shulk: "I guess... but... I don't know... I don't think--"

Reyn: "Aw, ya don't have to worry, you're obviously not going alone! I, the hero of Colony 9, will be right there to watch your back!"

Shulk: "W-Well... if you say so... but still--"

Reyn: "Then it's settled! We can hop to it right now!"

Shulk looks down and doesn't respond. Reyn walks off towards the stairs, and Shulk slowly follows. They walk around the fields, while Reyn protects Shulk from monsters on the way to Tephra Cave. They eventually arrive at its entrance.

Reyn: "Here we are. Don't be scared, I'm right here with you!"

Shulk: "Mhm..."

They both enter. Shulk is shaking a bit, but he sucks it up. They roam the cave looking for parts, but don't find much. The monsters that approach them are weak, and Reyn takes them out easily.

Reyn: "Thers's definitely stuff deeper inside. Let's move!"

Shulk is hesitant, but they keep walking. Eventually, they come across monsters carrying a part around.

Reyn: "Hey, I think those little guys are hogging around a Mechon part!"

Shulk: "They are, but... that component seems to be completely busted... it's no good. We should leave them be..."

Reyn: "You'll still be able to use it for something, right?"

Shulk: "Well... I... I said..."

Reyn kills the monsters, and grabs the part they were playing with.

Reyn: "Here ya go!"

Shulk: "Hmm... it's just as I thought... this is broken... This can't be used."

Reyn: "That's a shame. But, if we're coming across parts, that means that we can find more if we go deeper inside!"

Shulk: "But... it's going to get... more dangerous... we should turn back and... come back another time."

Reyn: "After making it this far? Come on, we'll stumble across something eventually!"

Shulk realizes he can't talk Reyn out of it, so he simply follows him. Suddenly, the ground beneath them shakes.

Reyn: "Woah! Shulk, do you feel that!?"

Shulk: "I... I feel it..."

Reyn: "I think a big one's coming!"

Shulk: "Reyn... we really should leave...!"

As Shulk says this, a giant Krabble appears before the two boys!

Shulk and Reyn: "Aah!"

Reyn: "...This one looks tough, but... look!"

Reyn notices that the Krabble is using Mechon armor as a shield to protect itself.

Reyn: "If we kill this monster, we can take that huge part back home to the colony! Right!?"

Shulk doesn't look as excited. He begins shaking a bit.

Shulk: "Reyn, w-we really..."

Reyn: "Don't you worry! I said I'd protect you, and I will!"

Reyn lunges at the Krabble, but it seems as if his attacks aren't doing anything.

Reyn: "What the...!?"

Shulk: "I remember reading th-that... weapons don't work against M-Mechon armor...!"

Reyn: "What--!?"

The Krabble strikes at Reyn, but he shields it. However, the sheer force causes the shield to break!

Reyn: "Agh!"

Reyn is launched to the side.

Shulk: "Reyn...!"

Shulk looks up at the Krabble. He's terrified and can't bring himself to move. It prepares to swipe at Shulk. He can't help but close his eyes and cower.

But, just as he was about to get attacked...

Shulk hears a slash, but nothing more. He slowly opens his eyes, and notices that one of the Krabble's arms is cut off and lying at his side. He jumps a little. Standing between Shulk and the Krabble is a man carrying a blade on his right hand. Frightened, the Krabble retreats. The figure then switches to a normal stance.

???: "Now, might I ask what you two boys are doing inside Tephra Cave all alone?"

Shulk is shaking. Reyn comes to, and notices the man standing before them.

Reyn: "Um, thank you, Mr..."

The man walks to Shulk.

???: "Shulk, what are you doing here? You know how dangerous it is here, don't you?"

Shulk: "Yes, I do... I'm sorry, Dunban..."

Reyn: "Dunban?"

Dunban looks to Reyn.

Dunban: "I don't suppose we've ever met before. My name is Dunban."

Reyn: "Uh... My name is Reyn..."

Dunban: "Reyn, hm?"

Dunban notices the broken shield on the floor.

Dunban: "A wooden shield with spikes... this is quite the weapon, but its durability is noticeably lacking."

Reyn: "I... made that myself to be able to protect people..."

Dunban: "To protect people, you say? ...I see. That is quite admirable of you."

Reyn: "W-Well..."

Dunban: "Well, first, we should get the both of you out of here. We can talk later. ...Alright, Shulk?"

Shulk: "Mm... mhm..."

After saying this, the three of them exit the cave and return to the colony. Once they arrive, they come across another familiar face.

Shulk: "...Dickson!!"

Shulk suddenly seems much calmer. He runs off away from Dunban towards Dickson."

Dickson: "Oi there! What have you been up to, kiddo?"

Shulk: "I had gone with Reyn to Tephra Cave to get more Mechon parts for making weapons, but..."

Dickson: "Tephra Cave? Ain't that place a little too tough for you to handle? And... you say you went there with somebody?"

Reyn: "Y-Yeah... I went there with him to protect him, but..."

Dickson: "...Kids these days. You two really oughta be more careful. I'm assuming you two were lucky enough to have Dunban save your hides."

Reyn: "We're sorry..."

Dunban: "Alright, I think they learned their lesson. What about you, Dickson? Back so soon?"

Dickson: "If ya want me to leave so bad, you can just say so, kid"

Dunban: "Hahaha, oh please! It's nothing of the sort."

The two of them laugh it off.

Dunban: "Well, seeing as how it's gotten quite late, I'd say it's time you went home, Reyn. I'm sure your parents are worried about you."

Reyn: "Yeah, but..."

Dunban: "Hm?"

Reyn: "Now my shield's broken, and... without it, I'm not able to protect anyone..."

Dunban: "I see... That... is a shame... but don't worry. If you don't stop believing in your dream, one day, you shall become one of this colony's finest protectors."

Reyn: "That's what I want, but..."

Shulk is looking at Reyn with a curious expression.

Reyn: "I suppose I'll think of something else... Good night, and thank you again, Mr. Dunban."

Dunban: "Haha, you can skip the formalities. You can just call me Dunban."

Reyn: "...OK."

Reyn walks by Shulk with a sad face.

Reyn: "Night, Shulk. Sorry I couldn't help you much..."

Shulk: "...It's fine. Good night, Reyn."

Reyn then keeps walking.

Shulk: "Oh, and... thanks for going with me!"

Reyn hears Shulk thank him. After hearing this, he smiles a little. He waves goodbye and heads off. Shulk faintly waves him back. Afterwards, he's pat on the shoulder by Dickson.

Dickson: "We should head back to the lab too. I saw what you fetched, and I say that's a fine good part for us to start with."

Shulk: "Really!? You'll really teach me!?"

Dickson: "Of course I will, I said I would."

Shulk: "I can't wait!"

Shulk darts off towards the Weapons Development Lab.

Dickson: "Hey wait, don't run off, you--! Ahh, this kid is hard to get a good read on."

Dunban: "Indeed. It's not often you see him act this lively. Well, I'll head home as well. My little sister might end up scolding me for being away for so long..."

Dickson: "Can't really help ya out there, kid."

Dunban: "Haha, that you cannot. Maybe I can make some time tonight to try out the view at Outlook Park with her. I'm sure she'd love to go."

Dickson: "Right, you go on and do that. I'll head to the lab to teach Shulk how to craft a simple weapon. Night."

Dunban: "Good night, Dickson."

After saying their goodbyes, Dunban enters his home, while Dickson walks to the lab. Shulk is sitting there, having already gotten all the equipment out.

Dickson: "You're really fired up about this, ain'tcha? Don't forget the safety precautions."

Shulk: "I won't!"

Dickson: "Wanna make anything in specific?"

Shulk: "Hmm... I think I want to try making a sort of... weaponized shield."

Dickson: "A shield that can also act as a weapon? Hmm... Well, you're in luck. We can get to craftin' one of those with the part you got yesterday."

Shulk: "That's good!"

Dickson: "I'll teach you the basics, and then you do it yourself as I teach you. First, you've gotta make sure..."

Dickson explains to Shulk the basics of weapon crafting, and then teaches him how to create the shield. Shulk is a quick learner, and overall has a good time crafting it. He finishes it after some time.

Dickson: "There ya go!"

Shulk: "Wow... I did it! I made my first weapon!!"

Dickson: "That you did. It's a bit flimsy in a few areas, but overall, for a first time, it's not bad in the slightest. It can work as a reserve. I'll stash it away alongside--"

Shulk: "Wait, Dickson... erm..."

Dickson: "Mm?"

Shulk: "I want to... give that shield to someone."

Dickson: "Huh? But we develop weapons here for the Defense Force to use... We can't go around handing them out."

Shulk: "I... I know... but..."

Dickson: "Wait... let me guess. You want to give this shield to the boy you went into Tephra Cave with, don't you?"

Shulk: "Well... y-yes... I wouldn't have been able to make the shield without his help... and he wanted to help me getting more parts inside the cave... so..."

Dickson: "So that's why ya made it so small... Alright, alright, I'll let you give this to the kid. But just this once! I can't be developing weapons for random civillians. Oh boy, this better not get me in trouble..."

Shulk: "Thank you, Dickson! I'll go there right away and--"

Dickson: "Oh no you won't. Don't you know how late it is?"

Shulk: "Oh... but... I won't take long... I'll just... *yaaaaaaaaawn*..."

Dickson: "The only thing you'll be doing right now is head home and right to bed. I'll keep the Scrap Driver here and you can give it to Reyn tomorrow morning. Sound good?"

Shulk: "Y-Yeah... Alright."

Dickson: "Righty then. I'll hang around the lab for a little longer. You head home to bed. Have a good one."

Shulk: "Good night, Dickson..."

Shulk leaves the lab and heads home. Dickson is left to ponder.

Dickson: (Would ya look at that... He actually has somebody to talk to. He made a friend. I'm not sure if this is the right course of action, but it shouldn't hinder the awakening of Lord Zanza. Giving the kid his best life will ensure his return happens seamlessly. Although... I have to say... seeing the vessel's eyes light up when he finally opens up and acts normally... What is this... thing I'm feeling...?)