A week had passed since the two grand stage productions Bondrewd had launched simultaneously on Carnival Island and Ruluka Island had ended.
A streak of blue-white lightning cut across the sky above Egghead.
Around the island's perimeter lay sandy beaches dotted with coconut palms, presenting the perfectly ordinary image of a summer island.
Most of the interior, however, was a futuristic city straight out of a sci-fi adventure for young people.
There were rocket-shaped houses, flying-saucer apartments, towers crowned with mechanical rings, homes enclosed in enormous transparent bubbles, and more.
Above the streets, streamlined hover cars silently sped through a crisscrossing network of transparent tubes.
Holographic projections were almost impossible to distinguish from physical objects.
Atlas was having the time of her life, unleashing her Super Bomb-Bomb on a projected monster.
...It didn't look like a good time to say hello.
High above the island's center, a vast expanse of island cloud supported an enormous research institute.
A pale pink mechanical shell covered the institute from above, resembling a gigantic planetary model with only the upper half of its crust. A broken ring of blue machinery encircled it like a satellite ring.
Shining flew toward that "eggshell" with practiced ease.
Inside the institute's Main Building, researchers in white lab coats hurried through the mechanical corridors.
"Good afternoon, Consultant Shining."
"Lord Shining! Welcome back!"
They greeted Shining warmly when they saw him.
"Hey, everyone! Once I'm done dealing with Old Vegapunk, barbecue's on me."
Shining's announcement drew cheers.
It wasn't that they needed the treat. They just enjoyed a lively gathering.
Ever since the main research involving the Rumble-Rumble Fruit had concluded, Shining only dropped by occasionally.
...A few minutes later.
Shining arrived at the Reception Room where they had agreed to meet.
Old Vegapunk, Shaka, and Lilith were already waiting.