Star Ocean: Into The Vast Darkness

By, Jacob Beurmann

Disclaimer: Star Ocean and all of its characters are the sole property of ENIX, and I do not claim to own any of the copyrighted elements in this story. This story is for entertainment purposes only, and once again ENIX owns all of the characters mentioned.

Introduction:

Though not a very popular RPG, Star Ocean II was one of the best video games ever made, so I decided to write a Star Ocean Fanfic. In the beginning the events that happen will sound very similar to what actually happened in the game, and well... that's because they are, but worry not, the story gets a whole lot better, with all kinds of fighting and romance and stuff. No, seriously, it gets better. Aw... you went and hit X close, didn't you? Well, if you are still reading it, I hope y'all like it. Enjoy.

Chapter one: Yet another planet.

Claude Kenni was sitting in his quarters on The Calnus, a Federation ship from Earth, bored out his mind. Claude was a bright, young man, only nineteen years old and already an ensign on an Earth vessel assigned to space exploration. The fact that his father, Ronoxis, was commodore of the Calnus had a lot to do with his assignment as ensign... but no one was supposed to talk about that.

Claude was about five feet, nine inches tall with thick, full blonde hair that covered the top of his ear. He wore a red bandana on his forehead, a long, black shirt covered by his "Custom" uniform, white pants and tan gloves. Though crewmembers of the Federation were not allowed to deface their uniforms, the commodore's son received no trouble about his "Modifications". The rest of the crew felt that Claude got special treatment because of his bloodline and most envied him, but the truth was he hated it. He hated not going on dangerous away missions, he hated everyone's uneasiness around him, and he hated his father. Claude loathed his father.

The great Ronixis Kenni had saved the galaxy time and time again, winning victory after victory for the Federation. Meanwhile, his son felt neglected. The only person Claude had was his mother, but now he couldn't stay with her because his great dad brought him aboard his ship so they could bond... He was so mad at his father for taking him away from his mother, whom he loved with all of his heart... Some damn hero! thought Claude as he threw the magazine he was reading across the room.

Just as he shoved his head in the pillow, preparing to drift into a bored and dreamless sleep as he always did, a voice came over his communicator.

"Ensign Kenni, report to the bridge immediately. You are to be a part of the away team to the planet Milocinia. Orders will be given to the entire away team at your arrival. I will see you soon son, Commodore Kenni, out."

An away mission!? This is fantastic! For the first time in a while, Claude had actually been glad to hear his father's voice. He fumbled with his communicator in the excitement. "Ensign Kenni reporting to the bridge, Commodore!" Claude nearly squealed with joy. This is gonna be fun...

-

"I'll be going now!" shouted Rena Lanford merrily to her mother, Westa, as she skipped out the door of her house in the small town of Arlia. "Wait!" replied Westa, loudly.

"You go to that forest every day... I am starting to think you have some sort of problem. And furthermore, everything is strange since the Sorcery Globe landed. Just last night we had another earthquake, and they say the monsters have been acting violently, so please, don't go to Shingo Forest today."

"I'll be going now!"

Rena skipped up the road towards the town's small general store. Too dangerous, too dangerous. My mom worries way too much. She was a young, beautiful girl, who had just turned 17 years old. She stood five feet and three inches tall and had short, blue hair, in which she wore a pendant. She had the pendant since she was a baby, and it was in the shape of a crescent moon. She dressed in a white shirt, covered by a blouse and wore a blue skirt. She was friends with just about everyone in Arlia, and even some people from a neighboring town of Salva, and the great capital city of Cross.

Rena was a sweet girl with a very friendly and outgoing personality. She had never had a boyfriend, though her friend Alen seemed to like her a lot. But her "Big Brother", Dias, didn't seem to like him that much, and she didn't think he was too good looking either. Dias Flac, an incredibly strong and handsome young man, was much older than Rena, and looked out for her and protected her as if she were his little sister, but he moved away after the incident. The same incident that Rena didn't like to think about...

"I'm goin' to Shingo Forest, I'm goin' to Shingo Forest..." Rena hummed happily as she made her way to her most favorite spot. She took a moment to look around the town of Arlia, the town that she had grown to love so much. A small River ran through the center of town, with a bridge going across it next to the mayor, Regis', house. Regis and Westa were good friends, but Rena didn't really like him too much. He always talked her ears off...

She made her way across the bridge, passing the temple at which all the citizens of Arlia prayed, and headed out of town. Rena began to follow her favorite path, into her favorite spot, of her favorite forest. That mother of mine is such a worrywart, there is nothing wrong with the forest. I think I just might go a little bit deeper today... She thought to herself, skipping towards a big clearing, where the vast green trees parted and the sun shown.

-

Oh my God...Thought Claude as the lights from the transporter faded away. This is so...so... Stupid! He expected to fight alien monsters, defeat bad guys, and do something really cool. This was not cool. The planet of Milocinia was nothing but a barren wasteland with rain and lightning mocking him from above. Ronixis and a few of his science officers were on the away team with Claude, talking about scanning the planet and other boring stuff like that. Ronixis approached his son. "Well, Claude it looks like you have made it to ensign, and I am very proud of you."

"Umm... Thanks dad, it's just that..." Claude managed to mutter before once again being interrupted.

"Here, take this phase gun. If a battle were to start, press this little button right here and it will shoot out a beam of light." Said Claude's father as he handed him the gun.

Oh yeah, like I am really gonna get into a battle. "No, Dad, what I was trying to say was..."

"Are you afraid? Son, if you want to be an ensign you have to be bolder than that!"

"That's not it... It's just I wanted to tha..."

One of the science officers called to the Commodore. He turned and walked away, not hearing a word his son said. That bastard! He won't even listen long enough for me to thank him for bringing me on a mission! I hate him... Claude followed the others, trying not to let them see that he was mad. It was bad enough being the commodore's son; he didn't want to pout in front of the men, too.

The group walked down a long cavern with high stone on both sides until they came to what looked like a door. "Who would put this here and why?" thought Ronixis out loud... "Spread out and try to find a way to open it." The men searched for a few minutes when Claude noticed something shiny on a small pedestal of black rock. "Umm... Dad... I mean Commodore, I think I have found something!" The men approached the pedestal and checked it over. "Good work, Claude, I think you have found a way in!" praised his father loudly. Claude could hear remarks from some of the science officers...

One of the officers analyzed the shiny thing for a while, Claude couldn't see it up close because his dad's big butt was in the way... All of a sudden the monumental door flew open with a loud CRASH! "Ok, men, stay on guard. We have to go in and explore the area."

Despite orders given in the briefing, Claude walked around ahead of everyone else, passing up rocks and rocks... and more rocks... So far he thought this was one boring mission. Then he came upon something astounding... Partially buried in the dirt was what looked like some sort of metal coffin. He started to move towards it. "Claude, you stay away from there until we find out what it is!" ordered his father. "Pfft... what could happen, da- what the hell?"

A bright light seemed to appear out of nowhere and Claude felt a powerful force pulling him in. He tried to fight but it was no use, he could not get away. He felt dizzy and confused, and with a great burst of energy he disappeared. "Claude! Claude!!" his father shouted in vain.

When Claude came to he was in a clearing in the middle of a forest. It was so beautiful and pollution free... That thing must have taken me to an underdeveloped planet... Wow...Hmm... I think I should try my communicator... then I can go explore! Claude pulled out his communicator and attempted to call the commodore, but it was no use. There was no signal. What am I going to do now? A beautiful girl with short blue hair skipped into view, singing a song with her lovely voice, tearing him from his thoughts. My God... She is so beautiful... Claude saw something rustle in the trees behind her. A giant ape-like creature jumped out and dashed towards the girl with tremendous speed. "Hey! Look out behind you!" he shouted. Because of the Federation devices Claude had equipped, he could speak and understand any language.

The girl turned around and then backed away from the ape in fear. Claude had to do something. He threw himself in front of the girl and shot forward with his phase gun. The blast simply destroyed the ape, completely vaporizing it and wiping it from existence. The girl was no longer in any danger.

Oh, no! Claude thought. I just violated the UP3. Oh, man, I am in so much trouble. The UP3, or underdeveloped planet protection pact, was a treaty established by the Federation to prevent alien races from entering planets and disturbing the evolution rate of that world. The use of phase guns on an underdeveloped planet was strictly forbidden. But Claude did what he had to. At least the girl was still safe.

-

It's the warrior of light! Thought Rena as this strange man saved her from a violent ape. He appeared out of nowhere and defended me with the sword of light! Just like in the prophecy! "Are you alright?" asked the man. Rena backed away surprised. "I said are you alright?" He asked once more. Rena turned and ran away, heading back towards Arlia as the man shouted for her to wait. She stopped. I should not have run like that. He did save my life after all. He just shocked me... I hope he is not upset.

The man approached Rena slowly. "There you are... I am glad you waited for me."

"I am sorry about running off like that," replied Rena, slowly "I was just surprised; it all happened so fast."

"It's ok"

"Gosh, I am forgetting my manners. My name is Rena... Rena Lanford."

"Me, I'm Claude, Claude Kenni, pleased to meet you."

"Hee-hee. The pleasure is all mine. Umm... Mr. Claude, you were going to say something back then?"

"Oh, that's right. It's nothing, really, but... Where are we?"

So, that was the first chapter of the first Fanfic I have ever written. I hope you all enjoyed it so far. There will be much, much more to come in later days. I will be writing more whenever I have some free time.