Author's notes: For those who haven't seen it yet, I made a small change to Chapter 6, specifically to when Luna lied about when she picked up the Visualizer. I just thought that I didn't really handle that very well when I reread it. Also, I've decided to use the horizontal line in the document editor to separate e-mails and flashbacks instead of making them italic, so I went back and changed Chapters 4 and 7 for that (I also made a small, but important change near the end of Chapter 7 as I was finishing up this chapter, so I highly recommend you re-read that chapter before reading this one).

Edit: A bit after uploading Chapter 10 (now Chapter 9), I decided to merge this chapter with what was originally Chapter 9, as the next chapter was actually longer than both of them combined. Plus, I didn't really have a good name for the original Chapter 9 (I simply named "Bull Taming, Part 2" 'cause I couldn't really come up with a good name for it).

Author's notes (Originally from "Bull Taming, Part 2"): I found some small errors in previous chapters when I was re-reading them. I really should look them over more carefully before I upload them, but... well, if anyone notices any errors, please send me a PM.

Star Force Ark, Chapter 8: Bull Taming

As Luna entered the truck's Comp Space, she noticed that it was different from the other Comp Spaces she had been to. Even the warphole she appeared on looked different, taking the appearance of a car tire. "This is the truck's Comp Space...?", she asked herself.

"This vibe...", Omega-Xis began, "There's one FM-ian back there. I can smell his awful stench. This Comp Space is different from the rest, so be careful."

"R-Right.", Luna replied. Moving forward, she noticed that two of the three paths were blocked off by security barriers. Following the only path that wasn't closed off, she found what looked like a red mechanical bull. As it was the only way to move forward, she began to approach it before the nearby Mr. Hertz spoke up.

"Beep If you're going to use that Bull Program, you need to be careful.", the Mr. Hertz said, "They're normally calm, but they've been going wild because of the recent system glitch. If you lose your balance, there's a chance you'll be thrown off."

"Th-Thrown off?!", Luna asked in surprise, "Wh-What'll happen to me if that happens?!"

"If it happens, I can get you back up.", Omega-Xis said, "But it'll cause a bit of strain and use up some of your durability, so try not to let that happen."

"R-Right, thanks.", Luna replied. Hesitantly, she climbed up onto the Bull Program and gripped the handle as tight as she could as it started moving. Just as it was about to reach the platform on the other side of the path, the Bull Program began to rampage, catching Luna off guard and almost causing her to lose her grip.

After a few seconds, it stopped rampaging and reached the end, and Luna quickly got off of it before catching her breath. "Th-That was way too close...", she said, "It's a miracle I managed to hang on."

"Well, you're gonna have to perform that miracle a few more times.", Omega-Xis said, "I can see a few more of those Bull Programs on the other paths." Giving a groan, Luna continued down the path, reaching the control panel, and after a few seconds, she managed to get it to stop going haywire. Giving a sigh of relief, Luna noticed a red key coming out of the hatch and grabbed it, figuring it would help her out.

Seeing that she was at the end of the path, she anxiously made her way back to the Bull Program. When she reached it, she noticed that the panel it was standing on had changed from red to blue, but wanting to be cautious, she gripped its handle tightly as she climbed back on it.

To her surprise, though, it moved faster and more smoothly than last time, reaching the other side without any issues. Climbing down from it, Luna looked back at it. "I guess it only goes wild when the panel is red...", she said before taking out the red key, "Anyway, I wonder if this key will let us get past those security barriers."

"Probably.", Omega-Xis replied, "Either way, we should get going."

"R-Right.", Luna replied. Putting the key away, Luna began to make her way back to the intersection.

After a few minutes and some more close calls with the Bull Programs, Luna eventually managed to restore the other two control panels in that section of the Comp Space, receiving the blue and yellow keys respectively. Using the yellow key, Luna unlocked the security barrier blocking off the next section of the Comp Space. But at the same time, someone else appeared at the Comp Space's warphole.

Confused, Geo looked around as he slowly walked forward. "What... what is this place?", he asked. Looking forward, he noticed a figure off in the distance, but they were too far away to recognize. In that moment, the figure began rushing off. "Who... was that?"

As Luna ran into the newly opened section of the Comp Space, she looked around before spotting two figures in the distance. Focusing on them, she realized that one of them was Zack, and that he was with a large bull monster with flames coming out of its arms. "That must be Bud.", she said as she watched them, though she found that they were too far away for her to hear them.

"B-Bud, what is this place?!", Zack asked, "Why did you bring me here?!" The monster, Bud, growled in response.

"I'm gonna crush that punk, Geo!", he replied, "I'll show not just him, but the Prez as well! I'll show both of them how strong I am! Now where is he hiding?!"

"A-Are you crazy, Bud?!", Zack asked, "This is going way too far just for him knocking you out!" In that moment, another, smaller bull monster appeared, causing Zack to yelp, before giving a growl. This one appeared to be made entirely of fire with the exception of a red helmet and red shoulder guards. Noting the similarities between its appearance and Omega-Xis', Luna realized that it must have been an FM-ian.

"Don't waste your breath.", the FM-ian said, "Right now, he's completely under my control!"

"Wh-What... What are you?!", Zack asked as he started to back up, "A-Are you the one who t-turned Bud into that m-monster?!" Hearing this, the FM-ian growled once again.

"Now, now.", the FM-ian began, "Let me set a few facts straight for you. While I did, in fact, give him powers, it's your Prez who's responsible for his misery."

"H-Huh? The Prez...?", Zack asked in response before he realized something, "Y-You mean when she..."

"That's enough out of you.", the FM-ian said, "I don't care to hear any more of your screams, so it's naptime for you!" Giving a loud growl, he knocked Zack unconscious.

"Zack!", Luna called out as he fell unconscious, "I have to help him... but why is he here in the Comp Space?"

"FM-ians can change humans into waves.", Omega-Xis replied, "He was too close to the FM-ian, so he was dragged along for the ride. They got picked up by a real nasty one, too."

"A nasty one?", Luna asked.

"That's Taurus.", Omega-Xis said, "He's one brutal guy who charges at things like the bull-headed cow he is."

"And I have to fight him..." Luna nervously said, but after a moment, she clenched her fist, "If I don't, things will just keep getting worse."

"That's right.", Omega-Xis replied, "Taurus may be strong, but he moves in straight lines. If you keep your cool, he's a pushover!"

Giving a nod, she took a look at the path leading to Taurus and noticed that it was blocked by a security barrier. Looking ahead at the only available path, she noticed that there were a bunch of bull programs along it and gave a sigh. "Great, looks like I'll have to do some more bull riding. Might as well get this over with."

A few minutes later, Luna managed to restore the last of the malfunctioning control panels to normal and obtain the Tetrakeys from them, but not without a few extremely close calls with the bull programs. At the end of the path, she found a warphole that brought her back to the intersection. At the same time, Geo, after getting lost a bit, finally made it to the Comp Space's section section.

Failing to noticing him, Luna dashed right past him, running down the ramp leading to the security barrier. "A girl...?", he asked himself as he watched her unlock the barrier before noticing as she ran off, "H-Hey, wait!" Desperate for answers, Geo ran off after her.

*To Be Continued*

Author's notes (Originally from "Bull Taming, Part 2"): To be honest, I wanted to include the Taurus fight in this chapter, but holy heck was it getting long. Unfortunately, that's gonna have to wait until next time.