Phantasy Star Online

Inner Circle

Part 1 In the beginning…

In a distant universe there exists life similar to our own. It is a universe of magic and monsters, of hunters, rangers, and forces. On the most beautiful planet in that universe, the planet Midori, a strange and frightening power has been detected. Red Ring Rico, the daughter of the most powerful politician in the universe, the Principal and Great Sword Zoke, the most legendary warrior have been sent to investigate this disturbance. In a submarine piloted by Shino, Zoke’s level 75 Rascaseal they have closed in on the source of the disturbance in the deepest depths of the planets ocean. As if appearing out of nowhere, suddenly a gigantic crimson form loomed in the distance towering on the oceans floor.

“We are closing in on the source father,” Rico reported.

“Proceed with extreme caution,” the Principal replied.

“What the…” Zoke said, as he was taken aghast.

“It’s a huge bird,” Shino said.

They had come upon a huge crimson bird that was sound asleep. The bird would stir slightly ever few minutes as if it was not sleeping soundly.

“Dr. Montague, what do you make of it?” The Principal asked his nearby companion who was hunched over a computer. He looked engrossed in thought.

“I have never witness something with such incredible power. I have no idea no knowledge of how to react,” Dr. Montague said greatly perplexed.

“Don’t be perturbed my old friend,” the Principal encouraged. “If anyone can handle this then Rico and Zoke can, for they are the legendary duo.”

A current struck the submarine and Rico fell face first onto the control panel, causing the submarine to accelerate at full throttle and ram into he birds side. The bird opened its eyes and glared at the submarine menacingly.

“This could be bad,” Zoke said with a bit of fear in his voice.

“I’m so sorry Rico said ashamed. “I messed up bad.”

“Who has awakened me from my eternal slumber?” The bird asked without moving its mouth. It projected its thoughts into the minds of the others.

“What is going on?” The Principal asked with great concern. “Rico give me a status report.”

His only response was static.

“You are not the chosen, you are unworthy,” the bird stated. “My only recourse is destruction.”

“No, wait, please can’t we talk this out,” Zoke whined.

The huge red bird spread its wings and began to ascend towards the surface. As it rose the entire planet began to shake with a massive earthquake. In the cities people ran for cover as the skyscrapers began to collapse from the intense force of the tremor.

The bird broke the surface and its body was engulfed in an aura of fire. The bird looked upwards and summoned all its strength then it plunged into the center of the sun.

“I can’t believe what has just happened,” Dr. Montague said in shock. “If I had not just seen it for myself, I would never be convinced.”

“Speak plainly old friend,” the Principal responded patiently.

“The entire universe will be destroyed in a matter of years,” Dr. Montague explained in horror. “The sun is preparing to go super nova.”

Out of this disaster the Pioneer project was born. A distant planet named Ralgo was deemed suitable for colonization. The first of two starships, the Pioneer 1 arrived on Ralgo to set everything up for the main group of colonists on Pioneer 2, which would arrive later.

Several years after the great disaster the Pioneer 2 neared the end of its journey. Nuku Nuku a 17-year-old Huneweral and Luna her 15-year-old little sister were running late for class at Pioneer 2 high school.

“If you didn’t drink so very much we wouldn’t be late everyday,” Nuku Nuku said in her super cute catgirl voice.

“Shut up, big sister!” Luna retorted.

On the way to school they ran into Bebop and Raion.

“Hey Bebop,” Luna said giving him a hug.

“How many times do I have to tell you little sister? Bebop belongs to me!! This is totally unforgivable!! Nuku Nuku punch!! Nuku Nuku kick!!”

Nuku Nuku attacked Luna so hard that she spun around and landed flat on her face.

“I hate this game,” Luna grumbled.

“I belong to myself,” Bebop said.

“Are you late for school too Bebop?” Nuku Nuku asked innocently.

“I am not going to school anymore,” Bebop replied. “Argh I like it not says I. I am going to be a manly mighty pirate says I.”

“I am going to train Bebop in the ways of the Digitaru Arts, for I am a ninja master,” Raion announced.

“What page does it talk about the Digitaru Arts in the Perfect Guide?” Nuku Nuku asked as she flipped through the magazine.

“I made it up,” Raion replied.

“What page does it talk about catgirls on?” Bebop questioned.

“See right here on page 138,” Nuku Nuku said showing Bebop the magazine.

“Argh tis true lass,” Bebop said. “I stand corrected says I.”

“You added that page with notebook paper!” Raion said with mild annoyance.

“Are you insinuating that I hacked the Perfect Guide?” Nuku Nuku asked.

“That’s enough comic relief for now a beautiful whitish silver haired girl said.

“Asylus!” Nuku Nuku said tackling her best friend with a huggle.

Asylus was only 16, but she made the best grades of anyone at Pioneer 2 high school. She also helped tutor other students and taught Nuku Nuku a lot about being a hunter.

“The teacher sent me to find you guys,” Asylus said.

Bebop and Raion ran off only to be confronted by a chibi purplish haired cute force girl.

“Megumi chan!” Nuku Nuku said excitedly.

“You cannot defeat my ultimate weapon,” Megumi said. “Witness the power of the frying pan of CLONG!! CLONG!! CLONG!!”

“Clong, clong, clong?” Raion said confused.

“It’s a combo,” Megumi replied. “Allow me to demonstrate, take this.”

“You can’t use weapons on Pioneer 2 lass, “Bebop said.

“That’s only if you play by the rules,” Megumi replied.

A huge frying pan appeared in Megumi’s hand then Megumi hit Bebop and Raion three times each with the weapon, knocking them both unconscious. Megumi then flashed the peace sign and flexed.

Server Warning: User Megumi if you continue your violation you will be banned from Phantasy Star Online.

“Where is that text coming from?” Nuku Nuku asked.

“I did it,” Megumi said quickly hiding the frying pan.

“Where did you get that weapon?” Luna asked. “I love it.”

“I found the frying pan in my kitchen and I took it to Xavier, who forget it into the ultimate weapon, supple yet smooth,” Megumi explained.

“Xavier is the legendary weapons master,” Asylus explained for the benefit of the readers.

“Indeed, I am,” Xavier said from somewhere.

“We have special guests at school today,” Asylus added. “They are going to show us some powerful weapons.”

“I like powerful weapons,” Nuku Nuku said doing the hyper cute overreacting thing.

“I love everything,” Bebop said.

Megumi had tied Bebop and Raion up so they could not get away.

Finally the group arrived at Pioneer 2 high school.

“Everyday it is the same thing,” the teacher said with annoyance in her voice.

“Nyah, gomennasai sensei,” Nuku Nuku replied.

“Please use basic speak,” the teacher added. “No one can understand Midori dialect.”

“Nyah, watashi wa ko neko,” Nuku Nuku said with a giggle.

“Baka baka,” Megumi said as she observed the situation.

“Come on we will talk about this later, right now we have guest lecturers visiting our class,” the teacher said.

The group walked into class and saw that Jenn Rose and Vash the Stampede had actually managed to make it to class on time.

“How dare you not give me more of a part in this story,” Vash said.

“Indeed!” Xavier yelled from somewhere.

“Okay class our guest lecturers for today are a expert hunter, a expert ranger, and a expert force, Shyne, Sage, and Belldandy,” the teacher said.

“Nuku Nuku is excited!!” Nuku Nuku said energetically.

“Today we will be showing you some weapons that should only be used by masters,” Shyne explained.

Shyne held a rather large bow and arrow-looking gun in her hands.

“This gun is called a Spread Needle,” Shyne said. “It fires five volleys and deals massive damage, basically no one can touch you when you have this gun equipped.”

Megumi has fallen asleep at her desk.

“My name is Raion and I love the needle,” Raion exclaimed.

“Argh it is good booty laddy,” Bebop added.

Shyne looked at the duo as if they were crazy.

“Aye be a mighty pirate captain,” Bebop said.

Shyne smiled a little when he said this, then she regained her composure.

Sage was holding what looked like a video game controller in his hand. Meanwhile Megumi started snoring in her sleep.

“This is the Heaven’s Punisher,” Sage explained. “It rains energy lasers from the sky upon any enemies you encounter and is the most powerful of all ranger weapons,” Sage continued. “The only downside is that this weapon can only be used during even click cycles.

“That weapon sounds unfair to Nuku Nuku!!” Nuku Nuku blurted out.

“This is a Magical Piece,” Belldandy said in her sweet subservient voice. Belldandy held a wand that shot out bursts of hearts when she attacked with it.

“Wai! Wai!” Megumi said with approval.

Suddenly the Principal appeared on the big screen television that took up one of the walls in the room.

“Ladies and Gentlemen of Pioneer 2 we have just begun to orbit the planet Ralgo,” the Principal stated. “As soon as we receive the order to land from the Central Dome we will begin docking sequences.”

“Nuku Nuku is excited to finally see Papa san and Mama san again,” Nuku Nuku said cheerfully.

“This is the Central Dome, welcome to Ralgo people of Pioneer 2,” a voice said. “I know many of you have family that you have not seen in many months, but rest assured you will be reunited as soon as possible…Oh my…what is that!!” the voice sounded panicked now.

“I have awakened from my millennium slumber to destroy mankind,” a voice that was pure evil boomed from the speakers. “I have been defeated four times before, but this time I will emerge victorious.”

There were horrible screams and the sounds of explosions.

“Die you pathetic lowly beings, die!!” the evil voice uttered.

There were more screams followed by more sounds of brutal violence and there was silence.

Megumi had fallen asleep and missed the whole thing.

“What happened?” Luna asked in shock.

“Nuku Nuku doesn’t know,” Nuku Nuku replied.

“Argh this be bad,” said Bebop.

“Yes this is very bad,” Shyne agreed.

The Principal appeared on the television screen again.

“We will be organizing an away team immediately to touch base with the situation on Ralgo,” the Principal said. “As you know my daughter the great legendary hunter Red Ring Rico was part of the group on Pioneer 1 and I know many of you had family already on Ralgo as well.

“I have to be part of that team,” Asylus said.

“Asylus…” Nuku Nuku replied overcome with emotion. “It might be very dangerous.”

“I don’t care,” Asylus replied. “I am one of the few who can handle this mission.”

“You are right,” Nuku Nuku said.

Great Sword Zoke, DB, Asylus, and Jake were selected to be the away team. A week passed and no one had heard anything from the party.

To be continued…

Next: Enter the Dragon