What are disclaimers for? I do no own Phantasy Star Portable 2 nor its characters except for Aria

Author's Note: Arcs are basically free missions done before the start of another story missions. I use these to explain more on Aria's Story and interacting with the members of Little Wing.

Clad 6

Emilia's POV

I headed back to Aria's room after teleporting down the ship. I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

There wasn't any rest for me unfortunately. Shortly after I closed her eyes, the beeping sound of the phone woke me up.

"Hello?"

"It's Kraz; can you get your partner to the office with you?"

"Uh… Why can't you contact her directly?" Kraz snorted at my reply

"Paperwork, I got a mission for both of you. Now get your ass down here along with hers!" Kraz was getting mad quick.

I jumped off the bed and headed to the portal. I tapped my foot twice and waited for the all-too-familiar blue light from the portal.

Nothing came; I tapped my left foot twice more.

As the time passed, I got more frustrated. If nothing happens after you tried twice, either you were removed from the mercenaries or your partner left without you. Since I was assigned a partner recently, I doubt it was the former. That only means…

I shouted out in frustration, first day with a new partner and she went missing on me…

Seabed relic site

Aria's POV

Many questions filled my mind as I hacked and slashed my way through another pair of Evil Sharks. Mika told me that I died, how can I die when I am here, fighting through the place where she said I died at? I came here with two reasons only: To find out whether I did die and to find and eliminate the Svaltia causing terror among the merchants according to the mission.

I searched through the remains of the Evil Shark, finding a Shark Puppet along with another saber. I wished I could just ask Mika to prove that I did die, but she can't if Emilia's awake. Hence I decide to head down to the relic site again to find any trails.

My search did prove useful; I found a puddle of blood before those Evil Sharks appeared. Analyzing it showed that it was a few weeks old. Either it could be my blood or the site went live another time ending like us again. I took a snapshot with my cell phone and collected a vial of it. Also, I found what looks to be charred remains of another Svaltia.

You're probably wondering why I keep such an outdated technology. I only keep it because it can take photos of things suspicious or interesting. I don't think it is possible to install a camera to the Car-Weave or the wireless phone. Bringing a camera is bulky and takes a long time to operate. So the cell phone is used only to take photos, it's quick, easy and accurate. No need to look for quality when you're not a photographer.

After the encounter with the two Evil Sharks, I found a couple of boxes. One contained another Car-Weave while the other had a monomate. There wasn't space for another monomate so I took that pill before entering the other door.

The next room was rather spacious. I looked around the room. It was supported by four visible pillars, all pretty far apart. I wondered why there wasn't another pillar in the middle.

Sounds made from machines notified me of a Svaltia. I turned around to see a charging Svaltia heading my direction. I nimbly rolled out of the way and swung my saber when possible, resulting in a nasty cut on its back. It 'roared' in pain and swung its axe around, allowing me to dash in from its blind spot and delivered several more cuts. The back must be a weak spot, I thought to myself. I tried to approach it's blindside again but it stopped moving. I thought it was going to drop soon and let my guard down.

A shockwave rippled through my being, stunning me for a while, since when could machine cast Technic? Maybe it wasn't really a Technic but still, shockwaves? My vision was blurred and I did anticipate the Svaltia running towards me. The blow did alert me of the Svaltia again and I circled it, waiting for an opportunity. I darted between its blows, damaging it bit by bit. The Svaltia slowed down more and more until it couldn't catch up to me anymore.

I went in full out, switching to another saber, I rammed it into the cut on its back and retreated quickly. Switching to another saber, I waved through the furious machine's onslaught and jammed it into the neck. Finally I brought up my Exam and swung down, cutting through it like knife through butter. It didn't fall quietly or quickly, and somehow angled its body so that it'll collapse on me. I didn't manage to dodge it, but I managed to prevent myself from getting crushed. I had to consume a dimate this time. Searching through its body didn't prove anything useful, but I'll get richer after this.

On the trip home, I ran through my finds, the spare sabers that I used on the Svaltia was used to remove the head of Svaltia. It never be rising up anymore or it'll destroy itself quickly with the damage done. I flipped my cell phone and scanned the two pictures I took inside the ruins, trying to playback the memory of what exactly happened. I recalled getting stabbed by a Svaltia, but why are there charred remains of Svaltia? Even the Rafoie couldn't burn a Svaltia that badly. I guess it might be a Laser Cannon or a Grenade, but this is the only time where I could actually see something like this.

In my thoughts, I didn't notice Emilia had teleported up to me, murderous intent filled her eyes. When I did… let's just say she beat me up good. Thank god the ship is sound proof and all, or else I think the whole universe could hear us yelling.

When Emilia was done with me, I was in pain all over. She even brought up her saber while attacking me. Emilia had gone from the raging girl to the sweet, little, innocent girl attitude and was healing me bit by bit. She still looked angry with me.

"Kraz was yelling at me for being unable to find you, how do you think I felt?"

My guess was frustrated, but I kept my mouth shut, else she just rampage on me again.

"Where did you go? I mean, even if your partner isn't available, you have to bring your Synth along to report what you are doing."

She finished healing me and got me back on my feet. I tested my limbs for any damages she didn't heal.

"You are a good healer."

"Yeah, yeah. Whatever, now let's go to Kraz before he gets anymore mad at us."

I merely nodded. Just before we teleported down, Emilia's phone rang. She looked at the caller's ID for a moment before sighing

"This isn't going to be good news. Aria, I need to answer this call. Go on first"

I wonder what's going on for a moment, she had another boss? I listened in for a while

"He told me that he paid his tab this month… That might be true, but still…"

That told me pretty much what I wanted to know. I left the ship and strolled towards the offices.

"Well, well, looks like you've been stuck with quite the cleanup detail."

I stared at him for a moment, trying to make sense of what he just said. He noticed my confused expression and continued.

"I mean your partner, Emilia. How you plan on dealing with her?" I catch on quickly and told him my answer.

"She lacks motivation based on the relic site, so I should find a way to motivate her."

"How are you planning to do that?"

"I don't know…" I shrugged, "Anything that can motivate her right? Just find an objective for her." He nods in approval.

"Good luck with that."

I just nod my head and watched Vasque take his leave.

"So… you're Emilia's bodyguard eh?"

I jumped and turned around; Kunoh was standing very close to me, an amused smile on her face.

"From where I'm sitting, looks like you drew the short straw."

"You mean she's not mercenary material?"

"Not that Emilia's a lost cause. She'll do fine with the proper guiding hand. Meaning…" She doesn't need to elaborate.

It's all in my hands now…

"What's the first thing to do about her?" I asked her

"The gal negative inertia, you know what I'm saying?"

She wants me to change Emilia's negative attitude? I was thinking something else, wonder why she brings that up first.

"You wonder why I am so wise in the ways of the E-m-i-l-i-a. It's because they asked me to train her before."

This lady was Emilia's teacher? I doubt she could survive something like that. Kunoh seems to be a very strict person.

"How it go?" I hesitantly asked

"How it go? Great… For, like, three hours. She gave up on the first day. And I was going easy on her, honest."

I wonder how the trainees are like when you're serious then… She sighs and continues

"I'm not trainer material. People don't like me; I'm too strict and domineering. Not like you, seeing you being dragged by Emilia. I think you're worse than me."

What a great first impression… I slumped and brought my hand to my head.

"She practically attacked me…"

"It's a good thing you didn't fight back then. She was my student once. So I'll take it personally if you attacked back, got it?"

I was about to give a sarcastic comment but Emilia teleported down.

"Aria! You should be at the office!"

"Sorry, I better go now."

"Right... If you still want to join us in a mission just call us!"

I waved back as I tailed Emilia.

"Who was that call for? I thought you didn't have that many friends?"

"The boss, his calls are forwarded to me if he doesn't answer."

"My guess was that it was from a bar, am I right?"

"Is there anyone who doesn't know? Half the calls we get are from bars trying to get him to pay up. It gets old fast. He says I don't work enough, but most days he's off in some bar by noon."

Talk about pot calling the kettle black.

"I'm not saying he has to work dawn to dusk, but he could put in an honest day's work every now and then. Some guardian, eh? I better give the message…"

We walked in silence for a while before I asked a question

"What kind of work can you do other that mercenary request?"

She didn't hear me properly and asked me to repeat.

"I can work… I mean, I haven't held one job for very long, but that doesn't mean—"

"That does mean…" She sighed and continued in a dejected manner

"Look… I'm sure the perfect job for me is out there, somewhere. I just have to be patient, so cut me some slack, okay?"

"Let rephrase that sentence; what do you really want to do?"

"What indeed…" She wondered to herself before realizing what we just conversed about

"You know, I don't I've ever even wondered about it. People always told me what to do.…"

"What about your room? Don't you clean your own room?"

"I wish I had my own room." She replied.

Adopting a daughter and then not take care of her? What are you, Kraz? Some kind of demon?

"I'm sure it's tough looking out for yourself all the time, but I'm stuck with the boss of all people!" She whined, "He doesn't cook, do laundry or clean… Ever! I have to do everything! Heh…At least now I have a place to hide when things get bad." Her attitude perked up at the last sentence.

"Where are you suggesting?" I acted dumb

"Your room, of course!" She squealed, but I shook my head.

"C'mon, we're partners now. Try having a little partnership!"

"We had to have a partner in GUARDIAN." I muttered, thinking about where Vivienne might be...

"What?"

"It's nothing." I replied, realizing my mistake. She, though, caught a little of what I said.

"I'm pretty sure you said something. You wouldn't reply so quickly if you weren't hiding something. I heard something about GUARDIAN, were you a part of them?" She glared at me, like as if she was trying to melt me with her eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I tried to cover my slip up.

"No, don't try to slip out of this one—"

"Weren't we summoned by Kraz?"

"Oh! You're right… but you and I are going to have a long talk after that." Emilia stared at me, a wry smile on her face… I can't think of what she might be thinking.

Chapter 1 Complete