Bomberman: Otherworld

Written by: AxisLyonheart516

Note: Let me give a quick history on how this story came about. One night, a friend of mine and I were playing Bomberman Act: Zero, and he gave me the idea on how to implement the story of it into the normal Bomberman universe, because he hated this game A LOT. Also, I should probably mention I had a hard time figuring out this transition would come to be, so I just used some... inspiration from a classic movie. Try to guess which one! As with my other Bomberman 'fic, I've written the characters based on how I imagine them to act, and they are based upon their videogame appearances; yeah, that chibi look we all luv. But imagine them any way you want.

Legal Stuff: I don't own any part of the Bomberman franchise (which sucks), but I do own this story, the characters I've created specifically for it, and its universe. It's gonna get dark people, I'm warning you.

-- -- -- -- --

"The whole course of human history may depend

on a change of heart in one solitary and even

humble individual – for it is in the solitary mind

and soul of the individual that the battle between

good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost."

M. Scott Peck

-- -- -- --

Chapter One: The Beginning

"So, refresh my memory… why are we here again?" Rukifellth folded his arms impatiently.

"Because Professor Ein told me to search for an artifact here that was lost long ago," Bomberman answered, hopping out of his small cruiser. "And seein' how you two are the treasure hunters, I figured you'd like to come along."

Rukifellth sighed. He was grateful for all that Bomberman had done for him, but he still wished he didn't have to cancel vacation reservations for this. After all, it had been Lilith's idea to come along, practically inviting herself. He watched as a small, long-eared ball of fluff emerged from Bomberman's small cruiser, almost falling back as he landed on the ground: it was Pommy, Bomberman's best friend and companion.

"Myu!" Pommy stretched his small arms and legs. "That was a long ride… Remind Pommy to bring something to read next time Bomberman and Pommy go on a trip like that, okay Bomberman?"

Bomberman shrugged; he had told Pommy to bring something to do. But he knew better than to argue with him.

"So, where's Lilith?" Bomberman asked, seeing no sign of her as of yet.

Rukifellth shrugged. "Probably still getting dressed. You know how she is…"

Bomberman peered over at their gargantuan ship, the Warship Noah; it was fortunate that the clearing they hand landed in was large enough to hold a ship of that size. He sighed, breathing in the life around him; Planet Bomber was beautiful this time of year. The trees were full of life and swaying to and fro, gardens of flowers danced in the wind, soaking the sun in their magnificent petals, and the lush, green grass was damp from the light touch of morning dew. The sun cast a beautiful light down upon the earth, bathing the world in its beautiful rays. Bomberman smiled, remembering why he loved this place so much. He would have to come back here when he wasn't on duty just to check out the small lake here.

Green Garden originally wasn't even part of the planet; it and several other sections that made up the evil Altair's Warship Defense Field had fallen to the planet after his defeat so many years ago, and since then, the citizens of Planet Bomber worked hard to make each new land a permanent part of the earth. It was amazing to think that the people here welcomed the outsiders of these places with open arms, even offering to rebuild their homes out of the kindness of their own hearts.

"You guys ready to go?" a voice called from the direction of Noah.

The three looked over and saw a young, beautiful woman emerge from the ship's landing exit, her red hair flowing gently with the breeze.

"About time," Rukifellth sighed. "It's been what, like twenty minutes? What the hell were you doing in there?"

She stuck her tongue out at him.

"Why can't you ever be patient? I don't hear Bomberman and Pommy complaining."

"I'm sure they were. Right, fellas?"

"Hey, don't get me involved!" Bomberman laughed.

Bomberman started down a small dirt trail in front of them, Pommy at his heels. Lilith took Rukifellth by hand and began to follow.

"I hope we find some diamonds," she said, gazing up at the beautiful blue sky. "It'd be nice to find a ruby, and maybe some tigers-eye. Actually, amethyst or garnet would be perfect. Maybe we'll find an emerald? I'd kill for an emerald…"

"What about that aquamarine necklace I got you last year?" Rukifellth looked at her, looking somewhat agitated. "What the hell happened to that?"

"That was nice, too, but… I'd kill for some malachite. And a ruby. And an emerald. Come to think of it, red beryl would be perfect…"

She trailed off, talking quietly to herself.

"Lilith can be kinda scary sometimes," Bomberman whispered to Rukifellth, who seemed to be trying to avoid her stare.

"Tell me about it," he replied quietly. "And I have to live with her. You should see her at Faye's Jewelry in Epikyur. She goes insane."

Bomberman laughed. "I'll pass, thanks."

They continued down the small trail, taking in the beautiful surroundings around them.

"Myu!" Pommy jumped. "There it is!"

They looked ahead and saw the remains of what had once been a magnificent structure hundreds of years ago on whatever planet it had originally come from. It looked to be like a small, castle, towers built high above it, casting shadows down on the ground below. Bomberman had been down here once before, but only to chase down some random thief; he had never actually been inside the place. Most of the entrance had been caved in with debris and rock, but a small passageway was visible in the center of it all.

Beep.

Bomberman flipped open his communicator and saw the image of Professor Ein looking back at him.

"Bomberman, do you read me?"

"Loud and clear, professor." he answered. "What is it?"

"I want you to remember that you are not to interfere with the structure. That means no bombs, no explosions. Nothing. We can't allow any physical changes on this place to occur. You may, however, move whatever you might need to once inside. And only inside."

His thick, white moustache moved as he talked, his rather thick glasses struggling to stay on his head.

"Understood." Bomberman nodded.

"Once inside, you know what to do," he continued. "Search for the missing artifact displayed in your communicator's files, and find the object that it complements to."

Bomberman nodded again.

"Yes."

"And one more thing… are you alone?"

Bomberman looked over his shoulder at the three waiting on him.

"No." he answered. "Pommy's with me. And Rukifellth and Lilith are here, as well."

"Well, I'm sorry to say that they are not permitted to join you. You, and only yourself, may journey inside. They are to stay behind."

"…Understood." he paused. "Bomberman, out."

"Wait… Bomberman, before you go," Ein sighed. "I want you to remember something: even in the darkest of all times, we must remain strong and always remember that there is a light, even if we can't see it. Wherever there is shadow, there is light. Never lose sight of who you are and what you fight for, no matter what happens."

Bomberman's eyebrow arched as he stared back at the professor, concerned about what he was saying.

"Remember that, Bomberman… never give up. No matter the circumstances."

"I won't forget…" he said. "Bomberman, out."

"Good luck, Bomberman."

Ein's communication closed.

"What was that all about?" Rukifellth asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"That didn't sound like the professor…" Pommy frowned. "Pommy wonders if there's something wrong with him?"

"I don't know," Bomberman shrugged, turning back to his friends. "I'm really sorry, guys, but the professor said only for me to enter, so…"

"Pommy's coming no matter what!" Pommy jumped ahead. "The professor should know better that when adventure calls, Pommy is the first to answer!"

"We're your friends, Bomb," Lilith smiled. "Whatever happens to be in there, we'll be right there by your side. Isn't that right, Ruki?"

She subtly elbowed him in the ribs.

"Ow!" he groaned. "I mean, yeah… we'll be there with you. Whatever you can take, we'll be even better as a team, right? Besides, we still owe you one, anyway."

Lilith stepped forward.

"Come on, let's go find that treasure then!" she started for the small opening in the rubble.

Rukifellth followed, carefully maneuvering his hat so it wouldn't tear on the jagged rock that lined the walls.

"Nice ass, babe." he smirked.

As he reached the other side--

Whack!

Lilith smacked him across the face.

"What the hell was that for?!" he rubbed his red cheek. "I was complementing you!"

"Just like the way you complemented that waitress on Starlight?" she frowned. "Or that hostess in that hotel on Horizon? You need to pick your words more carefully, dearest Rukifellth."

Pommy started through with ease, with Bomberman right behind him. The rock formed a close but rocky passage, but before long, he had made it to the other side, Lilith and Rukifellth already gazing at their surroundings. Thin lines of sunlight peeked through the cracks in the crumbling walls beside the patches of moss that covered most of the interior. Piles of broken concrete were scattered here and there, both big and small, while thick vines hung from the ceiling, reaching down for the floor; it had an odd charm to it. He wasn't exactly an archaeologist, but Bomberman admired its beauty.

"Alright, the professor said not to mess with anything major," he said. "So try not to, alright?"

"Gotcha," Lilith replied, grabbing Rukifellth by the arm. "We'll search over here, first."

"We will?" Rukifellth smirked.

"Alright. Pommy and I will take the opposite. Call us if you find anything that looks unusual." he smiled. "And feel free to take any jewels you might happen to find."

"Don't need to tell her twice…" Rukifellth said.

Smack!

After hitting him across the head, Lilith dragged Rukifellth down the corridor as Bomberman and Pommy started down the hall to their right. The sunlight continued to creep through the nooks of the ruin as they walked on down, turning for a small room hidden off to the left. Another pile of debris filled most of the small room, while only a portrait hung on the wall opposite. It was too dirty to tell what it was, but they turned and left, continuing down the hall.

"Say, Bomberman," Pommy said. "What exactly is Pommy supposed to be looking for?"

Bomberman flipped open his communicator and began searching through its files. Eventually, a hologram appeared, displaying a small, round object. It looked to be slightly larger than an average baseball, covered completely in a tanned gold. Strange calligraphic symbols wrapped themselves around it to show some sort of mark. After a few moments, he closed it.

"Not sure what it is, exactly," he said, continuing down the hall again. "But if the professor thinks it's important, than it must be."

Pommy nodded in agreement.

"It's supposed to do something, but we don't know what. Apparently, it works with another object that's supposed to be here. Hopefully Lilith and Ruk will find something."

A few entryways on either side of them soon came into view, but were all completely filled with destroyed concrete, though at the end of the hall was a small stairway that spiraled its way up. They ascended the flight and were soon led into a much larger hall that opened to a very large, open room. Many large, gaping holes in the ceiling revealed the blue sky above, while even larger piles of concrete sat beneath them. A few entry arches were ahead, and open rooms on either side of the area. Bomberman and Pommy split up and began searching each area on their side.

"Where could this thing be?" Bomberman asked himself upon entering the small area.

What looked to be a small engraving on the wall was covered by a giant rock. He shrugged and exited, heading for the room next door. The wall ahead was completely destroyed, and he peered down over it to see the woods beneath him, watching as a stream of water gently made its way down the bank.

"Bomberman!" Pommy's voice echoed throughout the floor. "Pommy's found something!"

Bomberman quickly turned and made his way to Pommy, who was standing outside his post.

"C'mon!"

Pommy led the way, hopping slightly in his walk.

The area was rather small and dark, with the only light coming from the open area outside. Pommy quickly pointed to a large, egg-shaped stone that sat in the corner.

"Pommy can't open it," Pommy frowned. "It looks like it can open, doesn't it Bomberman?"

"We're about to find out, huh?" he said, moving towards it.

The upper half of the stone budged as he tried to move it.

"Man, this thing's heavy!" he groaned.

He threw all of his weight into his arms, and pushed.

Rumble…

The heavy tablet fell and hit the ground behind it. Inside laid a small wooden chest, decorated with red and gold patterns. He flipped open the top and found the artifact sitting inside.

"Way to go, Pom!" he smiled.

"Myu!" Pommy jumped. "Bomberman got it! Bomberman and Pommy should go find Ruk and Lily, now."

Bomberman nodded. "Let's go."

He dropped the small chest back into the stone, and the two hurried back down the hall, down the stairway, and back down the first hall.

"Lilith! Ruk!" he called out.

"Bomb!" a voice called from down the corridor ahead.

Bomberman took off in a sprint, grasping the artifact tightly in his hands, with Pommy right behind him. They turned at the slanting wall, and found Lilith peeking out in front of them behind an arch.

"In here, guys!" she called, disappearing behind it.

A small device sat in the middle of the room, made entirely of metal. It looked somewhat like the interior of a small car, with small pads placed on it as seat cushions.

"What do you think it is?" Rukifellth asked, hands in his black coat.

"No idea," Bomberman shook his head.

He noticed the metal was painted the exact same color as the artifact, and had a bunch of the same symbols strewn across it.

"This must be what we're supposed to be looking for," he said, flipping open his communicator. "Professor?"

No answer.

"Professor?"

He closed the transmission.

"No signal here…" he finally said. "Well, then…"

He took a seat in the front row as Pommy climbed in next to him; Lilith jumped into the back, and pulled Rukifellth beside her.

It didn't even budge.

"Nothing," Lilith said. "What're supposed to do?"

"I wonder…" Bomberman held the small artifact out in front of him.

CRING!

The exterior of the object jetted open and became a small ring, spiraling around a small blue ball of light. A small compartment opened on the 'dashboard' in front of him, and the entire room went dark. The small ball of light slowly traveled into the small compartment, and shut itself inside. Huge beams of blue light began to shoot out of the wall in front of them, and the small ring floated to the ceiling. Instantly, it grew to the size of the wall and began spinning uncontrollably.

"What's going on here?" Rukifellth looked around.

"I have no idea." Bomberman stared ahead. "This thing's—"

Handlebars shot out to their torsos, locking them in tightly, and the vehicle began to shake violently.

"What's happening?!" Lilith grasped the handle in front of her.

"Pommy's scared!" Pommy shut his eyes.

A water-looking substance quickly filled the giant ring ahead, and the vehicle jerked forward.

Vroom...

"Everyone!" Bomberman shouted, clinging onto the rail in his hands. "Hang on! Tight!"

The vehicle began moving slowly towards the ring, and—

WHAM!

The vehicle shot forward into the ring at an alarming speed. Bomberman held onto the rail tightly, the velocity of the vehicle shooting him backwards.

VR-ROOM!!

Their surroundings went dark as they flew forward, streams of bright light shooting past them. The vehicle jerked forward again, now traveling even faster than before.

"Son of a—" Rukifellth slammed into the rail in front of him. "This is the last time I ever let you talk me into going anywhere!!"

Suddenly, a bright light appeared off in the distance, growing in size as they got closer.

CL-LANK!!

The vehicle broke apart, and the four were thrown forward.

"Everyone!" Bomberman shouted. "Take my hand!"

Bomberman grabbed Pommy by his ears and quickly reached back for Lilith, who held Rukifellth in hers.

"I-I can't reach!" she screamed.

"Myu!" Pommy squealed. "Bomberman, look!!"

Bomberman turned his head, and saw that the light was getting huge.

"Lilith!" he turned back to her. "Stay together, and don't split—"

And everything went white.

-- -- -- -- --

CRASH!!

Bomberman slammed into something solid. He slowly looked up, and saw that he was back on solid ground again.

"Myu…" Pommy groaned.

He looked over and saw Pommy lying right next to him.

"You alright, Pom?" he asked rather weakly.

"Pommy thinks so…" Pommy answered, slowly getting to his feet. "Um… where are Bomberman and Pommy?"

Bomberman stood up, his whole body aching.

"What…?"

They were standing in the middle of a dark, grimy street, with ugly, rundown buildings surrounding them. A depressing red sky hung above them, black clouds blanketing themselves across it.

"Get off the road, dumbass!!"

"Move, or I'll move ya myself!!"

"MOVE!!"

Bomberman grabbed Pommy and jumped to the sidewalk. Traffic started to move where they had been standing, both land and hover vehicles moving along. Beggars lined the streets, relying on garbage cans for nutrition, fires from dumpsters being used as a heat source. Everything seemed lifeless all around them.

"There he is! The assassin!"

A group of soldiers in bulky black body armor appeared off in the distance, heading for them, rifles mounted in each of their hands. Their helmets looked like military gas-masks, and their jet-black armor was broad across their chests. They quickly surrounded him and Pommy, and one of them stepped forward. The leader, Bomberman assumed.

"Got him." he aimed his rifle directly at Bomberman's forehead, talking into a headset of some sort. "Tell Emperor Dnoces that we located the assassin. We will begin transport as soon as possible."

"Understood." a voice from inside the headset replied. "Carrier will be on your location soon."

Bomberman shook his head.

"Assassin? Look, you've got the wrong guy here. I just barely got here with my friend—"

"SILENCE!" the soldier bellowed. "We know all about you… your assassination attempt has been stopped. You've been—"

"But you've got the wrong guy!" Bomberman shouted.

"SILENCE!! Or I'll kill you where you stand!"

"Wolf Squad?" the transmission sounded.

"We read you, commander." the soldier answered.

"The carrier ship has arrived at your position. Commence transportation of the assassin."

"Affirmative, commander." the soldier turned back to Bomberman. "You're coming with us, rat."

He turned his rifle, and slammed the stock into Bomberman's forehead.

WHAM!!

Bomberman fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Myu!" Pommy screamed.

Quickly, he dashed underneath the guard and ran.

"Don't worry, Bomb!" he shouted. "Pommy will find the others, and we'll save you!"

Pommy disappeared around a corner.

"Forget it," one of the soldiers said. "The emperor only wants this one."

A black cargo ship soon appeared behind the group, with the words "ANDROMEDA FORCE" written across it in crimson red lettering. They picked up Bomberman's unconscious body, and hoisted him into the back of the ship, slamming the doors shut behind him.

Bomberman didn't wake.