Star Ocean 4

Take me back to High School

Authors note: This is my first Star Ocean fan fic. So, hope you all enjoy.

CH.1: School has an edge

Edge Maverick was slumped over his desk, his blond hair picking at his closed eyelid as he tried to catch some early Z's. Last night he and his buddy Faize had been going all out on a new computer game, one that enabled voice chat and even a faster speed for complete dominance on the battlefield. Edge was a senior in High School, while his friend was just a junior. Ringing along his head was a rather odd looking alarm clock; its very face blatantly reminded him that it was time to get up. "Five more minutes' mom…then I'll get up."

"Now is that any way to treat an alarm clock?" A shrill nagging voice said. Edge sat bolt upright in his chair and with his arms motioning out for some grasp, he fell onto his back. Sitting up he rubbed his head and noticed his alarm clock was shining. Holding his hand over his eyes he thought he was going blind.

"W-What is it that?" Edge lowered his hand and noticed a rather young looking girl perched on his desk. She had pink hair and glasses pressed against her eyes.

"What is what now? Seriously Edge, I can't just ring all day, I have places to go for pete's sake. Why don't I introduce myself, my name is Welch, and I happen to be a hologram, which means I can change my shape at will, and not have to worry about being caught."

"A hologram..? Then what are you doing in my home? You're like top secret technology…I could get arrested if you're seen here…" Edge panicked as he stood up, his eyes widened as he scooted back only to feel his legs hit the bed.

"Now relax cutie, Auntie Welch won't let anything like that happen to you. I have been assigned to you, for the time being. It seems your starting your senior year at the Star Ocean Academy for offworlders and humans alike. So, to keep you on a reasonable road, consider me like your conscious."

"Who assigned you to me?" Edge sat on the edge of his bed, his hands in his lap as the ringing from the alarm clock still shook his eardrums. At the age of 17 the last thing he wanted was for his parents to find out he had a girl in his room…who could change her shape, probably her body at will.

"I'm not allowed to tell ya," Welch said with a chipper attitude, "you know what they say, secrets revealed, no pleasure, no gain. Besides, you have other things to worry about, like, don't you have a class in 10 minutes?" Welch swung her feet about and looked at her nails. The people she had to look after, his reason for her looking out for him sure were cryptic at times, but, she never questioned her boss.

"Damn it," Edge rushed over to his closet and began to strip his shirt off his head, that was when his cheeks flushed. "Um…would you mind turning into an alarm clock again?"

"Hmmm…what's a matter? You afraid I'm going to see you naked? Please, like I haven't seen the human body and all its glory before." She heard a gasp come from Edge and she giggled. "Alright, just hurry up, any tardy from you mister and I'll have to punish you, tee-hee."

"Wait…punish me?" Edge spun around only to find the pink haired girl blowing a kiss at him. Blinking his eyes he noticed a white light that shimmied into the desk, the rather squat alarm clock remaining still. Heaving a sigh he stripped off his shirt revealing his body, most of which was built from his work outs. His arms often were worked out through the sheer force of swinging a sword, his stomach was close to a six pack, but nothing close to body builder status. Sliding his pants down he looked over his shoulder at his alarm clock. "You know…in all honesty, shouldn't you be elsewhere?"

"Ring ring, you have 5 minutes till class," Welch said in a sing song manner. The last thing she wanted to do was be sent away from here and by some accident allow him to miss school.

"Alright, you can stay, so long as you don't record this." Edge slid his pants down his legs and kicked them off. Standing in his boxers he began to pull up his other pants. Zipping them up he proceeded to slide on the extra needed armor for the school, as most students there tended to carry weapons. Adjusting his collar he thought he heard a whistle.

"Hubba hubba, wow you really looking fine Edge." The alarm clock shook slightly and Edge felt his cheeks burn.

"Hey, just because I said don't record, doesn't mean your allowed to comment freely." Edge was already getting annoyed by this Welch. Though no matter how he looked at the situation, he found that if argument persisted, he'd be super late. Heading to the stairs he closed his door, figuring Welch could leave if she pleased. Waving to his parents he stood outside his house.

Earth had recently opened its doors to extraterrestrial life forms, enabling a school system that was more open to the universe, and the doors that could be opened from it. This was how he met Faize, as he was an Elderian from a far off star system. In fact, Faize's race was far more advanced then the struggling technological Earth, which on times seemed to struggle with simple space warp, as the Elderian had been known to say from time to time. Edge sighed and got into his car. Hitting the gas he sped along the dirt road heading into the fancier neighborhood. The wind blew in his golden hair and his teal colored eyes marveled at the houses he someday wished to live in.

"Reimi sure knows how to live," he remarked as he came to a stop. Putting the car in park he jumped out, seeing how the door was jammed shut and walked up the pathway. Knocking on the door he waited patiently, his boots settled on the porch. When the door opened he brought his hand up in a smart salute. "General sir, is Reimi available for school yet?"

"At ease Edge," the General said coolly. Watching the young friend of his daughter relax, he was reminded of his day as a student at the Earth Academy for the alien and earthlings. "I assume you realize we have a curfew now right?"

"Yes sir, Reimi is to come directly home from school, no exceptions." Edge sighed and realized this rule was stupid. Since Reimi lost her parents, the General, a close friend of her father, decided to take her in, seeing how he and his wife never had any children. The General was a great man, just, a little on the strict side.

"Very well, you may visit her up in her room for 2 minutes. I expect that will give you just about 3 minutes to get to school. If she gets one tardy, I will know why. Dismissed." The General watched the panic flood his young eyes, which often made him feel proud. It paid to make the younger generation look sharp.

"Yes sir, thank you sir. I'm going now sir." Edge fled up the stairs and folded his arms once he was clear of the General. "I can't believe I said so many sirs, I don't even do that with my own parents." Edge began walking forward and thought he heard the sound of water running. Curious as ever, he pushed the cracked door open and realized his curiosity often got him in trouble.

"Mom…could you hand me the towel please?" Edge felt his blood go cold just then. This was awful, not only was Reimi in the shower, but, to impersonate her mom would go beyond friend borders. Inching over to the towel he kept his back to the shower as he saw a dripping hand elongate from the open door. "Do you know how many more minutes I have till Edge gets here? I swear, sometimes he is so lost in his thoughts, and yet, I can't hate him."

"Oh…um…he is down stairs," Edge choked as he tried to do a feminine voice. He might as well have done a cat, but, even then he was lousy at animal voices. Watching her hand disappear he heard the water stop. Oh crap.

"W-What…then that means I'm going to be late!" Reimi wrapped the towel around her chest and waist and rushed head first…into someone. By this time Edge had turned around. Crashing to the floor she felt a mad blush play upon her face as she was positioned rather sexually, lined up with his crotch and her face close to his. "Edge…what the hell?!"

"Um…your looking nice today Reimi," he said with a blush, "did you do something with your hair?" In slow motion he saw her hand lift up and without another word; his cheek was imprinted with her slap.

"Edge, you're such a pervert." Rising up she held her head high as she walked out of there to her room. Letting her towel drop she stood there naked before the mirror. Holding her hips she nodded her head. "Serves him right, thinking he can just impersonate my mother, or at least, my new mom." Getting a white blouse that went before a white skirt she made sure all bra and panties were on.

Edge rose up from the ground and held his cheek. "What…since when have I been a pervert?" Sighing he figured he would never understand girls. Walking out of the bathroom he was about to knock on her door to apologize, but Reimi was already opening it.

"Edge, you weren't just about to hit me were you? You know I only slapped you cause you were trying to see me naked. Now stick that hand back in your pocket and get me to school, pronto."

"Ah, I wasn't, I mean to say…fine." Edge shook his head as he headed to the stairs. "Reimi…you know I wouldn't ever-."

"Oh, and why wouldn't you? Am I not attractive enough to even sneak a peek at? Edge, sometimes I wonder if you're into girls at all." Reimi giggled as she pushed past him and waved at her father. "See you later daddy, Edge will be a perfect gentleman now and take me to school…as planned."

"Alright, take care dear." The General eyed Edge for a moment then continued on with the newspaper he held in his hand.

"Wait…what do you mean? I, er, I like girls plenty, don't get me wrong. Reimi…and who said I liked boys?" Edge walked over to the driver's side and saw her frowning at him. "What?"

"Aren't you going to open my door? I mean really Edge, if you are ever going to have a girlfriend in the future; you have to learn etiquette and procedure."

"But…fine." Edge walked over to the door and smiled nervously. This was great, either she was teasing him, knowing the door was jammed shut, or she didn't know and he would end up making a fool of himself. Placing his hand on the handle he pulled and the door didn't move. Reimi stood still, her eyes looking at her watch. Placing both of his hands on the handle he exerted his strength and felt his face go red.

"Oh c'mon Edge, I thought you were stronger then that," Reimi said with a mocking tone in her voice. "Isn't it your dream to someday cross the Star Ocean? What happens when you can't open the door to the ship?"

"Look Reimi, these things take time. And besides that, the ships are enabled with a automated door that recognizes most life signs." Edge placed his boot upon the door and tugged again. Suddenly he went flying back and fell onto his back on the grass.

"Edge, your pathetic." Reimi giggled and as she walked up to the door, she pulled gently and the door swung open.

"I…I loosened it for you," Edge huffed as he stood up, brushing his pant legs off. From the window the General shook his head and closed the blinds.

"Edge, we have a minute to get to the campus, less chit chat." Reimi dropped her bag into the car and closed her door. Buckling up she smiled as she saw him take the driver's seat. As much as she teased him, deep down she truly cared for him.

"I know, more driving. Hold onto your breakfast, because here we go!" Edge stepped on the pedal and sent their hover car soaring along the street. Usually he would choose normal wheels, but the only way to get to school fast, was this way. Spinning the wheel he skidded between a moving truck and a low roofed vehicle. Speeding into the next lane he could feel the acceleration kick in, now they were kicking.

"Edge…do you know how many rules your breaking?" Reimi closed her eyes as they skirted just before another huge vehicle, this one had massive wheels that were practically chewing at them from behind.

"4, But who is counting." Edge speeded up as he knew precious seconds were counting down. Seeing the school up ahead he spun the wheel and went in for a parallel parking. Letting out a sigh he smiled. "Well…I got you here before-." Just then the bell rang its shrill nagging reminder that once it stopped, they were officially late.

"Edge, if I'm late, your busted." Reimi unbuckled and hurried up the steps. Edge hit his head on the steering wheel and followed in her footsteps. The class they had to attend first was their weapon training class. Edge held onto the door and pushed Reimi in and leaped in himself, and just as the door swung shut…the bell shut up.

"Your late," Arumat said, he stood at the head of the class with his laser Scythe held clasped in his hands. Arumat was much like his friend Faize, just more on the harsh tone. "Explain, and I might be lenient on your punishment."

"Oh, well, you see…" Edge looked over at Reimi and wondered how he would tell this. The slap on his face was still fresh, and gossip was running up and down the length of students.

"Edge here drove too slow," Reimi said. She noticed Edge looking confused, but she chose to ignore him. There little shower run in would not only embarrass him, but her as well. Last thing they needed to know about her, and the fact she might actually like him.

"Mr. Maverick…I suggest you drive faster next time," Arumat said, "other wise don't bother showing up for class at all. Now, since you two are late, I'll assign you partners. Reimi I will pair you…Miss Lesser over there. While Mr. Maverick…you'll be paired with…John Staleman."

"Mr. Arumat, I was hoping to be paired with Faize." Edge pulled out his sword and tested the weight in his hand.

"You want to teach this class? Well you can't, so why don't you shut your yap and get with your partner." Arumat dismissed any further argument and activated the battlefield. "The rules are simple, find your opponent, and take them down. You have the entire class to do so."

"It's alright Edge," Faize said from his side, "perhaps we just might survive long enough to grab some lunch."

"Thanks for the kind words Faize," Edge said shaking his head.

A blue light blinded him and he took a step back. The scenery changed to a green forest, the light pouring through the canopy. "I wonder where John is."

"Well well, look who stumbled into my forest," a dark and booming voice said. Spinning on his heels, Edge barely had time to bring up his blade as a very huge ax came crashing upon him. Feeling his heels dig into the ground he stared at a dark skinned man with a face covered in tattoos. "Edge Maverick…prepare to die."

"Wait…what did you say? This is only a training simulation, to test us on our skills of weaponry and survival; there is nothing in the program about killing-."

"You think your great Edge Maverick," John said, pushing down on his blade, his beady eyes burrowing into his skull. "You think that because you show up late…all will be forgiven. The world ain't perfect…and it is just as flawed as you are. You don't deserve Reimi…she deserves someone who isn't afraid to say what he feels."

"What…you think Reimi and I are..?" Edge held his ground and noticed no unflickering of that gaze. "Reimi and I are childhood friends, it isn't like I'm going to ask her out anytime soon."

"Oh, then do you think she would go out with me?" Pulling his ax back he placed the weight of the weapon on his back. "I've wanted to ask her for so long, but everyone already assumes you two are an item. It feels good to know you won't stand in my way when I ask her out."

"I only want the best for Reimi," Edge said as he felt his eyes drift down, "she has faced so many hardships, and through it all she held her head high. Well…now that we have that settled…let us spar."

"Oh no, I'm still going to kill you." John hefted the ax with one hand and sliced through the middle of a tree. With a loud crash it came down right behind him. "You see, even though you won't stand in my way, Reimi will come to you. When your out of the picture…she'll be vulnerable. It is only then…we can truly be together."

"You sick bastard! Do you think killing me here is the right thing to do? Do you honestly expect me to lay down my life so you can have Reimi? I won't lose to you!" Holding his sword up in a defensive pose he saw the huge dark skinned John let out a guttural like laugh.

"Very well…though…no interference will be warranted on your behalf." John walked over to the tree and sunk his ax blade into it. A spark of electricity ran over the blue sky and a dead silence greeted them. Turning his attention to Edge he pushed forward with his blade. "There is only one way out…and I know of it, only me. Let us see you escape now."

"If it is over your dead body…I hold no grave doubt in my mind. For the safety of Reimi and my friends…I will succeed." Glaring at his foe he raced forward.