Hey y'all! Chapter 1 of The Origin of Draco is here! I guess this is a good time to make my disclaimer, huh? Well...

Disclaimer:

I wrote this the way I picture Phantasy Star Online to be like if it were real (from my point of view that is). Then again, I kinda bent a few rules so sorry 'bout that.

Anyway, enough chat. Read on!

Day 1: Awaken

I look around and I see many people. Apparently, they know who I am because they're congratulating me, extending their hands of gratitude.Who are these people? Where am I? The scene changes and all I see now is pitch black. I'm screaming for help and trying with all my might to get out. I'm in a crate. I cry for help and still no answer. Then, as quick as I was engulfed in the shadows, all I see is a bright white light.

Suddenly, I'm awake. I'm looking around and I see a pink female android and a male newman. The room we're in has tools that you see when you're fixing androids. My vision is distorted a little, but it gradually got better while I looked around.

"He is operational, Doctor," says the pink android. Her outer shell is stained dead crimson.

"Ha ha! Success!" says the excited newman. He's wearing goggles and a baggy hat that amazingly stays on. He also is stained red. I guess he's overjoyed because he's smiling so broadly.

"That is how it appears. Do you want to run the tests now, Doctor?"

"Nah. It's late. I want to get some sleep before the excitement. For now, we'll see if everything is set for tomorrow." I sat up and I felt a slight pain everywhere. "Oh! Not so fast. You'll strain yourself. Your motor skills aren't refined yet so I suggest you slow it down a bit until we reprogram you. Anyway, allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Jean Carlo Montague." He held out his hand for a handshake then pulled it back before I shook it. I looked at him in confusion. "What? Don't look at me like that. I'm not being rude, just cautious. You probably don't know your own strength just yet. It'll take you a while to get used to that body. Anyway, my lovely assistant here is Elenor Camuel." She stood her ground and waved shyly. "Oh, come here. Don't be shy! You've been with him for five years after all, so why are you shy now?" She reluctantly obeyed and drew closer very slowly. "There we go. Say hi!"

"Hello. I am Elenor Camuel." She says while giving me a slight bow and a nervous smile. I bow back.

The sight of her made me forget about my condition and I almost immediately jumped off the operating table I sat on to introduce myself. But, I don't even know my name. I stayed seated and tried to introduce myself. Despite all the red on her shell, she looks really pretty. The plating design on her head makes it look like pink hair, her "skin" is as white as snow, and her waist plating resembles a pink skirt. Her size isn't big, but nonetheless cute.

"Hello, Elenor. I'm… uh… who am I?"

Then the doctor says, "We decided that if you didn't remember your name when we activated you, we'll call you Draco. I'm sorry we couldn't come up with a better name, but if you ask me, it suits you quite well. However, you don't have to keep the name when you find your real name." What does he mean by "real name"? "And again, I'm sorry for not finding you a better name."

"No, it's okay. I like it. By the way, where am I?"

"You are in my personal lab, AKA my humble home. As you should know, we're aboard an interstellar transport ship called Pioneer 2. So, do you want to see your new body, Draco?" What does he mean by "new body"? Anyway, I agreed to look at my body and he pointed out a mirror that stood at the other side of the room.

I slowly got off the operating table and stumbled. Someone got a hold on my right arm and supported me. I looked to my right and saw Elenor. She gave me a cute smile and helped me across the room to the mirror. I have an extremely dark bluish-purple hue to my plating and glowing and yellow eyes that make me look very intimidating.

I looked at it and somehow I knew that something happened to my other body.

"What did you mean by 'new body', Doc?" I asked.

He just yawned and said, "I'll tell you when you're ready. Elenor, please show Draco how to maintain his energy. Oh! And, take care of the mess. I'm going to sleep."

"Y—yes, Doctor. Sleep well."

I didn't like his hasty retreat. I demand to know what happened to me.

I'm now alone with Elenor and I think she's still shy. When we made eye contact, she abruptly let go of me, nearly throwing me off balance, and turned away to clean the operating room. After a long, uncomfortable silence, I finally asked her how to maintain my energy. Basically, I maintain it just by being in the open air. However, if I do extensive movements, I use more energy and I will grow tired. If I ever get into the situation where I exhaust most of my energy, I can pull out a cord that's installed in my chest and plug it into a power outlet in a wall. The approximate charge time to maximum capacity is six hours if I'm in sleep mode. It'll take longer if I don't switch. Also, the outer shell doubles as solar panels and it charges for twelve hours in the brightest of days. Again, I have to switch to sleep mode otherwise it will take longer and I have to make sure that it's not cloudy or dark. Basically, it's unlikely I'll run out, unless I'm in a cave or underwater.

I scanned my energy and it says I'm running low. I asked Elenor where I could charge up. She said in her room, which is to the right and it's the room furthest away on the left. I thought it's not too far so I wobbled out of there and left to her room. What stopped me is how long the hallway was and how many doors I see. I was about to turn to ask Elenor if she is serious, but she already told me with a laugh before I did. Continuing forward, I glanced over my shoulder. She looks so lonely and I wondered if she does this everyday. I can help her, but she's still shy with me. Maybe when we're a little more acquainted. I thought to myself, "But this is the perfect time to get to know her."

"Is there something wrong?" She caught me pausing by the door.

"Uh… no. It's okay." I want to help her clean the room, but something inside me is telling me otherwise. Why can't I—

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Apparently, I still haven't moved, but this time I absentmindedly stared at her.

"Umm… actually, I should be asking you that," I said as I turned. "Need help?"

"No, it is okay, I am fine. I—I appreciate the offer, Draco, but really, I am fine by myself."

I'm not about to give up and kept insisting that I help and she finally gave in.

"Since I'm staying here for a while, I might as well pitch in with the housework. I'm sure you'd like some company." I wobbled towards some equipment that are lying on a counter.

"Yes, but it is a bit awkward. I am usually alone when I clean," she says while restraining herself from laughing at me.

So androids can feel emotions. I wonder if they can cry. Then again, why am I wondering about this? I'm an android too, aren't I? Then, it all comes down to what Doc is trying to dodge. Is there something behind my past that's so disturbing? Whatever it is, I have to know, but right now, I want to talk to Elenor. I think she needs it.

"Does, Doc ever help you?" I asked as I wobbled to a drawer that seems to fit the same descriptions of the tools I carried.

"Sometimes." She's beginning to loosen up a little. "He constantly works so he does not have enough time to help me, but lately, we have been going together in quests."

"What does Doc do?"

"He is a genius scientist. He is one of the people who found the designs to make us and is involved in the MOTHER project." I've heard of that project, but I can't remember the details exactly. I'll come back to that later. "It is why he is so rich and famous. Most people like him because he is so nice. But, there are jealous people who try to kill him. Fortunately, they fail. No one can match up to his intellect. Anyway, he gets extremely exhausted when he finishes whatever he is doing. Sometimes, he develops an insomnia and goes on without sleep."

"Wow! Really?"

"Yes, and when he falls asleep, I carry him to bed, but he always comes back after I bring him there. He has gotten the least sleep when working on you. So far, it is his record."

"Wow… I am impressed. I like how he's dedicated to his work."

"Oh, no. He would not call this work. It is more like a hobby to him."

"WHAT?"

Then she laughs. "I know! Although I have worked with him for so long, I am still surprised about the things he does. The length of his insomnia depends on how passionate he is with his project. He must be very proud of you."

"Then if that's the case, I should live up to his dream."

Something bothered me again. "He must be very proud of you." It's not like it's the first time he's made an android. So, what is he proud of?

"Elenor, something doesn't feel right."

"Of course! It is your first few moments of life. You should not be feeling right."

"No, it's not that. There are things that don't sound right."

"Like what, Draco? I do not understand."

"Why is he proud of me?"

"Because you are his best project."

"I know that, but why?"

"I do not understand."

"He's been creating androids for a long time and why should he be proud of me? I know I'm something different, Elenor. So, what's the truth?"

"I cannot say. It is up to Doctor." She's beginning to clean faster. I think she's trying to evade the question too!

"Tell me what happened to me, now! I don't have the patience for this game!"

"I cannot say, Draco! Please understand." Then, I cornered her. She looked into my eyes and she looks like she is going to cry. "P—please understand, Draco! I—I cannot t—tell you about your past. It is for Doctor to decide."

Something came out of her eyes. Tears? So, androids can cry. I'm still skeptical about the emotions though. Are they based on pure inner feelings, or are they based on program? Who knows? If that's the case, can they feel love?

I was about to apologize when Elenor stormed out of the room. I just stood there stupefied. At least I had the chance to talk to her, but that was short lived. I feel bad for treating her this way and I have to apologize to her. One reason is to get her comfortable with me if we are going to work together, whatever these two are involved in. Another is how am I going to get in her room to charge? It's extremely late to catch some sunlight and I'm very vulnerable in my state. I got to do something, because I can already feel my energy leaving me.

I staggered after her and used the walls to support me. I pushed the open button on one of the doors. In my bad state, I fell in one of the rooms. I struggled to stand up and I quickly, but carefully, left the room. I closed the door behind me and staggered away. I barely made it to Elenor's room. I knocked on her door weakly.

"Elenor!" No reply. I tried again with all my might, but still no answer, "Look, Elenor. I'm so sorry for acting this way. Please! I'm seriously sorry." Still no answer, but kept trying, "If you come out, I promise I'll never ask the question until Doc says I'm ready. Please, Elenor. Trust me! I never want to see you hurt this way! Please! I'm sorry." I kept trying to talk her into opening the door. "When you feel hurt, I feel hurt. C'mon! Please…. I'm sorry, Elenor." I was getting ready to give up when she finally opened the door.

"I know you are sorry." She sounds very sincere. "If I were in your situation I would act the same way too. I may be too sensitive."

"No, you're not. It's my fault for making you feel uncomfortable. Please forgive me."

After a slight pause she said closely to a whisper, "I forgive you."

All is well again, supposedly. She looks so cute when she's sad, however, the pain when I see her that way feels like a blade piercing my heart.

"Uh… could I come in?"

"Oh! I am terribly sorry. You must be almost drained by now, you poor thing."

She sounded happy. At that, I feel a certain relief.

Before I switched to sleep mode, I put my hand on my chest. I don't know why. Something there is missing.

Okay folks! I forgot one more thing. I know Elenor doesn't actually talk like that in the game, but I want to give her the androidish "accent". (Apparently I didn't know how to put it. Nyah...) So she doesn't say didn't or you're. She says did not, you are, and whatnot. Yeah... Anyway, catch y'all on the flip side. On to chapter 2!Coming to a 'puter near you.