A/N: I don't intend to do a long fic of this (That might change...), or for that matter have long chapters. But you never know. As for where I am on SO3 I'm at level 85 currently in the urssa lava caves. I've beaten the game so yay for me ;
cough
Back to the purpose of author notes. I played through Azazers meeting one too many times (once for the no damage trophy .And another for the defeat him in one minute.) But what he said about NOT being able to get rid of the executioners if they decided to become their guinea pigs. What if they WERE able to? Would Fayt subject his teammates to a prison in the real world?
How would the team react?
What would be done to them?
This is a loooooong A/N I'm just you know. Really curious about it. Suggestions are welcome o-o; Also, all chapters are going to be in POV. Each will be done by a new character. So how they feel about the situation as it progresses. Please don't flame me too hard ; Also since only a certain amount of characters can be joined I'm using...
Albel Nox
Fayt Leingod
Roger (I don't care if you cant have him at this time )
Cliff
Maria
Sophia
Pairings:
I'll let you vote. Chances are it'll be very very random and I'll toss the characters around with each other. But it can be yaoi or yuri whispers Cliff/Albel! 3 Or...yeah, whatever. I'll just put them together. I dunno XP
Disclaimer: Star ocean 3 is in no way owned by me. This is just a fanfic by a fan that just desperately loves the game WAY to much and spent too much time on it. Not like any of you cant say the same. XP
Sphere Prison
Prologue
FaytWe arrived at the sphere cooperation, I still don't know how we got access there. But before we even arrived I have a sneaking suspicion that it was a trap. It could have been because my Klausian member was muttering the word over and over as we exited Gemity city. Or it could have been the worried look on Sophia's face whenever I glanced at her. Just for that I let my hand brush against the surface of the hilt connected to my blade. A weapon that I had grown accustomed to using. Especially in past battle simulators. But all that, has now become a reality to me. Fighting monsters and enforcers, mysterious beings that should not exist in our galaxy.
But considering what's happened. Is it a reality? Or a game? Or just someone's toy? I couldn't understand much with the knowledge I currently own. I had to learn more. And I wanted to. To understand why it is, the way it is. I wanted to know if what Flad said was true. I wanted evidence...
Not that I didn't believe him right off the bat, but....
I suppose our welcome to the sphere cooperation wasn't to be any warm greeting in any case.
A team of security people, all equipped with the top-notch equipment made us all feel welcome. Guns were directed at us like moths to a flame. All awaiting a simple command. At one point I could almost feel the anxiety written on Albel's face. That gun wound from the disruptor ray was still burned into his mind. And the fear in Sophia's eyes could have easily been mistaken as she thought back to my father's death. Cold fury swelled within me at the simple thought, bringing back every painful memory I could think of.
Now was not the time for it though.
Only have listening to what this man, Azazer, was saying I noted that Maria was effectively being cold. A wry grin crossed my face but it fell just as fast. Out of the corner of my eyes I caught movement from one of the guards, but nothing that would make us act to defend ourselves. I didn't want to spill anymore-innocent blood. Like Dion, and Ameena... My father and the countless other people suffered because of me.
Because of me...
But out of the good of that I did stop a war and saved meaningless bloodshed from that.
Was it worth it...?
My brow furrowed in concentration as I nearly lost my vision for a split second. Maybe Cliff was right, I needed to rest sometime in between. I was pushing myself hard. Every battle fought I could feel the screaming of my muscles just wanting to relax. But, the world, I don't know it it's real or not, but it would be my reality. It could end in a few short hours if we all did nothing and just let things continue the way they are.
"I'll be brief. We won't delete you if you agree to assist us" Azazer spoke in his mocking tone, giving a half curt bow as he said those words. For a fraction of a second I found my grip loosen completely as I considered those words. Would he be able to get rid of the executioners in exchange of our freedom? Would he get rid of them if we did agree?
I shook my head. "Assist you?" Sophia tilted her head, repeating the unanswered question I desperately clung to like a line of hope. A piece of golden string that could save my world, my home. But if I sacrificed myself, my friends would follow. But I can't give up what they cherish. Their freedom, it's not right. Yet it would save millions upon billions of lives. Could I risk just six of us in return for that?
"We find you extremely fascinating." Azazer hurried on like he didn't think it was much of a discussion, and just a waste of his precious time. "Many of our developers over at the research division are deeply interested in studying you" I could hear a cough from someone in the group. Just faintly I could feel their anxiety and nervousness of the situation. It was Maria who stepped up, putting her hands on her hips glaring coldly.
"So were to become you guinea pigs then?"
"Correct"
I bit my lip, my blue hair swayed side to side as I let my defense's down. A wave of guilt flooded through my body as I clenched my fist tightly. Slowly loosening it as I opened my mouth. That same string of hope becoming thinner and thinner as I watched Azazer's reaction. But he was like a mindless puppet. Nothing was readable from just his face. "If we agree to be your test subjects..." I ignored the tensing on either side as my friends looked at me a bit out of place.
I don't blame them. I would too if my fate was in someone else's.
"Will you stop the Executioners that you released into our galaxy?" I looked down watching each of my teammates reactions. Roger was probably the most noticeable with the fear that immediately told me this was not what he wanted. He wanted to be a hero, but some hero's were secret. Yet he didn't complain. My blue sea eyes traveled over to Albel, the man looked back at me with the normal look. His sword already positioned halfway into sliding back into the scabbard.
While Azazer took his time in thinking I quickly scanned the other three companions of mine. Sophia looked hopeful. Even though the future would be rather bleak and unfit for possible survival she seemed to think it was a sacrifice good enough for mankind. That was what made me secretly like her back than. But now, that I've seen reality. I look at her differently. Now knowing just how easily it would be to take advantage of her.
"Maria..." She gave me a questioning look at my soft tone but turned her head away. Cliff, Albel, and Sophia seemed like the only ones willing to go along with this plan. Or...now that I think of it. Would it be more of a surrender, or a simple sacrifice? How would I know if they would keep their word? How can I begin to trust these people in the first place?
My father told me to survive and never give up...
What was I doing now...?
"Well, it's possible but not as easy as I would like." The glasses were pushed up Azazer's nose as they slipped down a tad. My ocean blue eyes blinked once, twice, three times before I excitedly turned to Sophia. Her reaction was genuine joy. If we could get rid of the executioners, everyone else would be spared. "However..." I glanced sharply back, fitting the man with an intense look. Perhaps my face showed too much emotion as he chuckled darkly.
It was a sound that I detested immediately, it may me think back to the Vendeeni. When they killed dad and made me pick between so many choices. If I was only strong enough to defeat all darkness in the universe, than maybe I really could make a difference. "You look too hopeful. You downfall for you and your companions will be you. You are the strong hold of the team, and you don't even know it." I swallowed hard, aware that all eyes were back on me. I felt so small at that moment. I wish I could have switched places with someone else.
"So what about it? Just tell me. Can you or can't you? Don't play these stupid games with me!" Like my sword my tone was as sharp as steel. Feeling a bit of victory as the smile vanished from the sphere cooperation face. A sallow look making him seem just that much older. "Fayt..." Sophia tugged on my arm, pulling me to reality that we were cornered and not in any position to do a thing. Yet. I mean, we have fought worse haven't we?
"Don't worry Sophia. I'll get rid of the Executioners. Remember? I said I would and I will."
"So you'll sacrifice yourselves to get rid of the program of the executioners? Are you aware we could put in another and just call it something else. What than?" Azazer folded his arms, rubbing his chin. Why must we go through all this over and over. Is their something wrong with the simple question? "If you don't accept our offer, we'll go find the creator and stuff his cork!"
All I got was a booming laugh, which furthered my embarrassment. It might have been all talk but we've conquered Reinforcers, Executioners, Dragons, Monsters, Demons, and People. Everything I can possibly think of we've managed to get by. Sure, some injuries but overall nothing life threatening.
"Don't sweat it Fayt, I don't accept a snobbish moron like him to accept such an offer. I mean, they make work for some big company, but it's really sad business" I felt a hand clamp onto my shoulders in a gentle yet reassuring way. Cliff was right too. It was sad. All they had to do was press a few buttons, get rid of a program and they'd have characters as they assumed to own.
I blanched. Characters to own? "Hmph. Snobbish person? You speak highly of yourself don't you? Fine then. I will speak to the owner, if he agrees; than your world will be spared from all interference of us. In return. We own you. Fair enough?" To my personal surprise I found myself nodding like a puppet on strings. My muscles completing the task before I had chance to think about it. Through out the whole entire time, I wondered if this was a mistake.
A big mistake.
"Guys. I'm sorry." I turned away as the security people lowered their weapons, standing aside as the man holding our offering in his head walked away. Taking slow strides in no rush, as I'm sure the building was very big and spacious. "I..." I heaved a sigh, "It's the only thing I could think of that could save our galaxy, I never took into account of what the rest of you thought. And now that its been offered, theirs no returning it." Suddenly I felt very thirsty and extremely cold.
And guilty.
"We don't look at you any different fool. No one owns me or ever will. This is just until I decide to rebel on my own terms. These pack of pushover people are weak, I can't believe you would strike a deal in the first place." Albel said nothing more as he folded his arms across his chest, gaze burning into my being.
"Well...not like we can change and just hope for the better right? Besides, maybe it will be a better place to live in, I mean a nice comfy cell. Cold floors to sleep on, garbage to eat, a bucket to piss in..." Maria roughly kicked Cliff in the shin. It brought a smile to my face as Cliff described our future home. Well, maybe they didn't have cells in this world. Or maybe they would just put us in a high security place or...
"Cliff!" Maria harshly spoke, making sure her heel dug into his foot "That's not proper around children!"
"I'm not a child I'm a real MAN unlike you all!"
"Care to repeat that you little brat?"
"Bring it on you oaf!"
"Hmph. You're all scum that I step on."
"Guys..." Sophia butted in but was over thrown by Maria's fierce temper as the team began to yell at each other. Minus Albel as he just inserted some rude comments and gestures, only enabling them to get more riled up.
I had to cover my mouth with my hand to not laugh at them all barking like a bunch of rabid dogs. They seemed to forget everything around them and just enjoyed each other's company, feeding off their strength, weaknesses, fears, and hopes. Odd how they're all from somewhere else, and in they're own right, all a different specie. Yet can still correspond and work together regardless of skill or knowledge of technology.
"I bet you eat crap for dinner!"
"I eat normalized food unlike you pipsqueak!"
"Yeah. Junk food, So you can get FAT!"
"Have you been listening to Maria's stupid stories again? I eat healthy!"
"Are you saying my stories are garbage?"
"I...I didn't mean it captain..."
"Hmph. Is this all you do? Bicker? Like a pack of wild barbarians?"
"Albel, Shut up! You're not a real man in this conversation!"
"Excuse me?"
Deciding to step in before things got ugly I pushed myself through the middle, waving my hands frantically to separate them all. "Guys, guys, chill out. Don't say stuff you'll regret later" I grinned, unable to hide my smile. Maybe their antics were only done to cheer me up, but my heart felt lighter when the image of them bickering came to mind. Like one big happy family...
"Are you quite finished?"
Spinning around I bumped into Cliff on accident. Muttering my apology I faced Azazer with a confident look, my posture straightening form it's previous slump. Like my heavy heart before. "Yes we are. And your decision?" I looked passed the man to notice several people standing in a line, it reminded me of doctors in a horror flick that you'd see ready to be testing on a lab rat. Or creating something from scrap.
"The owner, as you shall refer to him as master from now on. Since he is your creator. Has decided that he will put the Milky Way Galaxy into a special place to prevent access or interference. All the Executioners will be removed as well as glitches and the OPA- Out of place artifact as you know it. Since it doesn't belong there in the first place, as you all know." Azazer stopped to collect his breath and fix his glasses once more, clearly enjoying some of the looks he was being given.
His body relaxed as he seemed to look at us in a bit more of a superior way, "Furthermore, since he has accepted your offer. He would like to meet with each of you personally. Not only that but you will all be booked in pairs. All except Fayt and Maria. They will be separate, and far enough from your rooms. So..." He gave a wry grin. Humor evident "I'm afraid you won't be pissing in any buckets anytime soon."
"And the Executioners will be deleted...?" I pined onto the end of what I hope would just seal the deal.
"Your master will show you personally and make sure it is put somewhere for safe keeping." Azazer quickly replied as he humored me. I shrugged my shoulders. That was it, no turning back now. But we did achieve our goal, and saved our galaxy. That was all I wanted, I really had no place to go to even if we did defeat the owner, creator, whichever name was preferred for him.
"Than our deal is set" I mumbled, hands dropping away from my weapon.
Deal was set,
As was our fate.
A/N: Um....uh ...Oo... I really don't know what came over me it just HAPPENED X;D I have to replay the game to get their personalities right. So correct me or tell me if it DOES seem out of character for you. Thanks for reading
Completely random maybe Lucifer should rape Albel......no, you did not see that! –erases frantically- o-o; I had too much candy!
Also, if anything is mispelled, not right, unaccurate ect. Do tell me if it really bothers you. i just got the strategy guide (a walk down memory lane XD) So i'm going through the game again (one for Universe mode, and another for FD mode) And...that's about it.
Thanks for reading!