Post by cranberry on Jun 11, 2006 19:27:25 GMT -5
Authors Note: This story is a sequal to "The Ringed Land" It will make more sense if you read "The Ringed Land" first.
A PSO Fan Fiction written by Cranberry[/center]
Prologue:
Several months have passed since the Ring Generals attacked Pioneer 2. Although not fully recovered from their ordeal, Cranberry and Dark Force have spent much of their time on Ragol searching for something important to them. Striker and Black Raiden, the newly wed couple has left Pioneer 2 and gone to Ragol where they have built a home and begun a new life. Life seems to be getting back to normal, and new plans for colonizing Ragol have been formed. But far away, a new threat has slowly begun to emerge, setting its sights on the distant world of Ragol…
A fierce wind blew through Mortis Fons, sending waves of water careening into the surrounding vegetation. Branches snapped and flew through the air, smashing into trees and rocks as they descended toward the wet ground below. Bushes and shrubs were uprooted and hurled into the horizon, causing the local wildlife to flee for sheltered ground.
Standing against the storm lies a single small cottage, and at its door stands a black HUcaseal, staring into the wind with her glowing white eyes. The ponytail in her long black hair spikes behind her head in the gale force winds. She lifts her left hand to her face, a large Purple Ring rests on her wrist, which she uses to deflect a large piece of wood carried by the raging wind away from her.
A large red hand is placed on her shoulder; she turns to look at the powerful red RAcast standing behind her, the RAcast that is her husband. The RAcast smiles softly at her, lifting his left hand to gently rub her face. On his wrist also sits a Purple Ring, identical to the one worn by the HUcaseal. He gazes into her eyes as he speaks to her. “What are you doing out here Black Raiden? The weather is not the best for sitting outside.”
Black Raiden turned and gazed back out toward the surrounding landscape, watching a flurry of leaves and branches fly across the yard and crash into some nearby trees. “It’s a powerful thing isn’t it Striker? The force of nature; you can’t help but respect it.”
Striker looked out at the blowing debris, and listened to the howl of the wind. “Yes, it is powerful. But it pales in comparison to both the strength and beauty of my wonderful wife.” He answered as he pulled Raiden into an embrace.
Raiden smiled as she leaned against the RAcast. “I’ve never seen Mortis Fons like this before. It is usually so calm and peaceful. This storm, there is just something odd about it. It just feels unnatural.”
Striker looked out at the surrounding landscape. Trees swayed heavily to one side as natures force ripped the leaves from their branches and sent them hurling into the distance. “We should inside and wait this out in comfort.”
Raiden turned to look at Striker, a gleam of concern in her eyes. “Our home here is incomplete. Do you think it can stand up to such punishment?”
“We built this with our own two hands. It may not be complete, but the foundation is solid. It’ll hold.” Striker answered confidently, extending an arm to escort Raiden inside.
Raiden started toward the door, but quickly spun around and looked back toward the yard. “Wait, what was that?”
“What is it?” Striker asked, turning to toward the yard.
“Something out there, I heard it. Movement in the bushes.” Raiden answered, shielding her face from a cloud of leaves and twigs that the wind carried into her.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s go inside.” Striker insisted, plucking some leaves from his faceplate.
Raiden nodded and together they stepped through the door and into their home. A creaking sound echoed through the land as the house stood against the wind using all its strength to shield its creators from the storm.
The nearby bush rustled as 2 green eyes peered toward the cottage.
High above in Ragol’s horizon a large spacecraft orbits the planet. Pioneer 2, the ship that had carried thousands of people from their home world of Coral, with dreams of starting a new life on Ragol, dreams that were placed on hold after the terrible tragedy that befell the ship before them. Pioneer 1 – the ship that originally colonized Ragol, when all people were seemingly lost as an explosion engulfed the colony upon Pioneer 2’s arrival, the explosion that changed Ragol forever.
Since that day, Pioneer 2 has become home for near everyone that departed from Coral. Not so long ago, the attack of the Ring Generals nearly destroyed Pioneer 2. Two FOnewearls embarked on a dangerous and emotional journey throughout Ragol and beyond to fight back against the generals and ultimately stop their plan. Cranberry and Dark Force, the two FOnewearls that through teamwork, friendship, and determination overcame seemingly impossible odds and saved Pioneer 2 from destruction. Since their victory, Cranberry and Dark Force have again gone to Ragol, this time for a different purpose. To search for something that is lost, something that is very near and dear to Dark Force’s heart. After they departed Pioneer 2, little has been heard from them. But life continues for those still aboard Pioneer 2, there is still much work to be done. Especially for Sage, who is now a supervisor for the Pioneer 2 Lab.
Sage looked over the dual screens of his computer, shifting his eyes left to right to examine each one in turn through the glasses on his face. A sigh comes from the FOmar’s lips as he leans back in his chair, kicking his feet up onto the desk. His long brown wizards robe flowed down his body, contrasting nicely with his strawberry blonde hair.
“Got nothing to do Sage?” A HUmar asked as he entered the Lab and walked toward Sage’s desk. The HUmar ran a finger through his spiky brown hair before placing his hand on the desk, smoothing some of the wrinkles out of his white battle suite.
“Hey Colt.” Sage answered, straightening himself up in his chair. “I tell you things are nuts down there today.”
“What do you mean?” Colt asked.
“Mortis Fons is being pummeled by some fierce winds. We had some hunters down there conducting water samples, but they were forced to pull back. I’m not sure what is causing it.” Sage answered.
“I believe its called Mother Nature.” Colt stated, grinning at Sage slyly.
Sage leaned forward and gave Colt a serious look. “All joking aside, something does seem off. I can’t explain it Colt, but my gut feeling is telling me that something is up. I want to keep all of our hunters away from there for a while. Just to be safe.”
Colt sighed a bit, he had been hoping to go to Mortis Fons and do some hunting. Rumor had it that some newly discovered creatures in the area carried some powerful blades, and he had hoped for a chance to investigate these claims. “I hope this doesn’t last long.” He said with a sigh.
“In the mean time we might be able to hire some hunters to help with the repairs to Pioneer 2. There is still a fair amount of damage to repair from the attack. And there is that burned out engine from when we were caught in the tractor beam.” Sage continued. “We are fortunate that the damage wasn’t a lot worse.”
“Yeah it sounds like quite an attack. Sorry I missed it.” Colt said. "By the way, what happened to Cranberry? I haven't seen her for a while."
“I’m not sure.” Sage admitted. “She went back to Ragol with Dark Force a few weeks after she back. She hasn't really recovered from her injuries yet, but they were insistent on leaving again. Dark Force said it was a personal matter. I hope they aren’t caught in that storm. But more than them, I’m concerned about Striker. Raiden and him live in that area now, they just moved there not that long ago.”
“They have started letting people live on Ragol?” Colt asked, looking to Sage with interest.
Sage shook his head. “Not officially, with all the monsters and stuff there, but he is part of a colonization experiment so to say. We have to start somewhere, and Striker was granted a special exception and allowed to build on Ragol.”
“A little storm won’t bother him. They’ll be just fine down there.” Colt answered. “I’ve seen him in action, I know how tough he is. And I’m betting Raiden is the same way.”
A red light lit up on Sage’s keyboard, causing him to snap his attention back to the monitors. “Not good.” Sage said, quickly pulling up a menu on his screen.
“What happened?” Colt asked, looking over Sage’s shoulder at the screens. “What’s with the 2 screens anyways?”
“Because 1 screen just isn’t enough.” Sage snapped. “One of our satellites has… wait what is this? It’s gone!”
“You mean it died on us?” Colt asked.
“No, it’s gone. I mean as in not their anymore.” Sage answered.
“Someone destroyed it?” Colt asked, glaring at the screen.
“No, I mean completely gone. Its not sitting out there in pieces, it simply vanished.” Sage insisted. “I’m confirming it with scans from another satellite. It just suddenly vanished.”
“How is that possible?” Colt asked.
“It’s not. Wait… Colt look. The location it is supposed to be. That is… it is directly over Mortis Fons!” Sage answered, a look of concern growing on his face.
“Maybe you are right, maybe this storm down there isn’t the work of nature…” Colt answered.
Back down on Mortis Fons, Striker and Raiden sit in the living room of their modest home. 5 candles are arranged around the perimeter of the walls, providing light for the two androids. They each gaze into the others eyes as they patiently wait for the storm to pass.
A loud whining sound is heard, causing both of them to look up curiously. Striker stands and walks to the window to peer outside.
“What was that? Do you see anything?” Raiden asked.
“I, I don’t believe it!” Striker answered.
“What? Strik… EEEEEEEEEEEE!” Raiden began, only to be cut off as a piercing white light emerged through the window. Raiden covered her eyes and turned away, shielding herself from the brilliant light. A deafening howling sound was heard as a cold wind chill filled the room. The 5 candles fell to the floor, the wind extinguishing their flames as they rolled harmlessly into a corner.
After a few moments, the sounds ceased, and the brilliant light vanished. Raiden opened her eyes, and realized that despite it being the middle of the day she was sitting in complete and total darkness. Not one spec of sunlight shinned through her window. She quickly stood up and called out for her husband.
“Striker! Striker are you alright? What was that?” Raiden called. As she listened, she received no reply. “Striker this isn’t funny! Where are you?”
Raiden rushed over to where the window was, but Striker was no longer standing there. She quickly felt around the room, trying to locate him, but to no avail. “Striker! Please answer me! Striker what happened? Where are you? Striker!”
Raiden’s metal body tensed, and she quickly pulled her Double Cannon from its holding place fearing that this may be an attack and there may be someone else in the room. “Show yourself! Release Striker or I swear you are going to be sliced into 30 million pieces!”
Raiden received no reply to her threat, and she could find no trace of anyone else inside. She quickly raced to the front door and threw it open, staring into the darkness outside. “Striker! Where are you!?”
The wind began to die, causing a symphony of leaves to dance in the breeze as they descended toward the ground. The darkness slowly began to lift, and traces of sunlight again began to poke through.
“Striker…” Raiden said, her body quickly filling with confusion and worry.
Back up on Pioneer 2, a chorus of red lights and alarms began to sound all over Sages desk.
“That’s not good either, is it?” Colt asked.
Sage shook his head slowly. “As a matter of fact, it isn’t.”
End of Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 teaser:
Androids and Humans and Newmans. Oh my! The weather outside is frightful, but elsewhere it’s a little more delightful. As Ragol begins to become more unruly, a familiar pair works to unlock more of its mysteries. Stay tuned for chapter 2 and rejoin some old friends as they search for answers.
The Ringed Land 2: Shadows of Coral
A PSO Fan Fiction written by Cranberry[/center]
Prologue:
Several months have passed since the Ring Generals attacked Pioneer 2. Although not fully recovered from their ordeal, Cranberry and Dark Force have spent much of their time on Ragol searching for something important to them. Striker and Black Raiden, the newly wed couple has left Pioneer 2 and gone to Ragol where they have built a home and begun a new life. Life seems to be getting back to normal, and new plans for colonizing Ragol have been formed. But far away, a new threat has slowly begun to emerge, setting its sights on the distant world of Ragol…
Chapter 1 – New Beginnings
[/i]A fierce wind blew through Mortis Fons, sending waves of water careening into the surrounding vegetation. Branches snapped and flew through the air, smashing into trees and rocks as they descended toward the wet ground below. Bushes and shrubs were uprooted and hurled into the horizon, causing the local wildlife to flee for sheltered ground.
Standing against the storm lies a single small cottage, and at its door stands a black HUcaseal, staring into the wind with her glowing white eyes. The ponytail in her long black hair spikes behind her head in the gale force winds. She lifts her left hand to her face, a large Purple Ring rests on her wrist, which she uses to deflect a large piece of wood carried by the raging wind away from her.
A large red hand is placed on her shoulder; she turns to look at the powerful red RAcast standing behind her, the RAcast that is her husband. The RAcast smiles softly at her, lifting his left hand to gently rub her face. On his wrist also sits a Purple Ring, identical to the one worn by the HUcaseal. He gazes into her eyes as he speaks to her. “What are you doing out here Black Raiden? The weather is not the best for sitting outside.”
Black Raiden turned and gazed back out toward the surrounding landscape, watching a flurry of leaves and branches fly across the yard and crash into some nearby trees. “It’s a powerful thing isn’t it Striker? The force of nature; you can’t help but respect it.”
Striker looked out at the blowing debris, and listened to the howl of the wind. “Yes, it is powerful. But it pales in comparison to both the strength and beauty of my wonderful wife.” He answered as he pulled Raiden into an embrace.
Raiden smiled as she leaned against the RAcast. “I’ve never seen Mortis Fons like this before. It is usually so calm and peaceful. This storm, there is just something odd about it. It just feels unnatural.”
Striker looked out at the surrounding landscape. Trees swayed heavily to one side as natures force ripped the leaves from their branches and sent them hurling into the distance. “We should inside and wait this out in comfort.”
Raiden turned to look at Striker, a gleam of concern in her eyes. “Our home here is incomplete. Do you think it can stand up to such punishment?”
“We built this with our own two hands. It may not be complete, but the foundation is solid. It’ll hold.” Striker answered confidently, extending an arm to escort Raiden inside.
Raiden started toward the door, but quickly spun around and looked back toward the yard. “Wait, what was that?”
“What is it?” Striker asked, turning to toward the yard.
“Something out there, I heard it. Movement in the bushes.” Raiden answered, shielding her face from a cloud of leaves and twigs that the wind carried into her.
“Don’t worry about it, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s go inside.” Striker insisted, plucking some leaves from his faceplate.
Raiden nodded and together they stepped through the door and into their home. A creaking sound echoed through the land as the house stood against the wind using all its strength to shield its creators from the storm.
The nearby bush rustled as 2 green eyes peered toward the cottage.
High above in Ragol’s horizon a large spacecraft orbits the planet. Pioneer 2, the ship that had carried thousands of people from their home world of Coral, with dreams of starting a new life on Ragol, dreams that were placed on hold after the terrible tragedy that befell the ship before them. Pioneer 1 – the ship that originally colonized Ragol, when all people were seemingly lost as an explosion engulfed the colony upon Pioneer 2’s arrival, the explosion that changed Ragol forever.
Since that day, Pioneer 2 has become home for near everyone that departed from Coral. Not so long ago, the attack of the Ring Generals nearly destroyed Pioneer 2. Two FOnewearls embarked on a dangerous and emotional journey throughout Ragol and beyond to fight back against the generals and ultimately stop their plan. Cranberry and Dark Force, the two FOnewearls that through teamwork, friendship, and determination overcame seemingly impossible odds and saved Pioneer 2 from destruction. Since their victory, Cranberry and Dark Force have again gone to Ragol, this time for a different purpose. To search for something that is lost, something that is very near and dear to Dark Force’s heart. After they departed Pioneer 2, little has been heard from them. But life continues for those still aboard Pioneer 2, there is still much work to be done. Especially for Sage, who is now a supervisor for the Pioneer 2 Lab.
Sage looked over the dual screens of his computer, shifting his eyes left to right to examine each one in turn through the glasses on his face. A sigh comes from the FOmar’s lips as he leans back in his chair, kicking his feet up onto the desk. His long brown wizards robe flowed down his body, contrasting nicely with his strawberry blonde hair.
“Got nothing to do Sage?” A HUmar asked as he entered the Lab and walked toward Sage’s desk. The HUmar ran a finger through his spiky brown hair before placing his hand on the desk, smoothing some of the wrinkles out of his white battle suite.
“Hey Colt.” Sage answered, straightening himself up in his chair. “I tell you things are nuts down there today.”
“What do you mean?” Colt asked.
“Mortis Fons is being pummeled by some fierce winds. We had some hunters down there conducting water samples, but they were forced to pull back. I’m not sure what is causing it.” Sage answered.
“I believe its called Mother Nature.” Colt stated, grinning at Sage slyly.
Sage leaned forward and gave Colt a serious look. “All joking aside, something does seem off. I can’t explain it Colt, but my gut feeling is telling me that something is up. I want to keep all of our hunters away from there for a while. Just to be safe.”
Colt sighed a bit, he had been hoping to go to Mortis Fons and do some hunting. Rumor had it that some newly discovered creatures in the area carried some powerful blades, and he had hoped for a chance to investigate these claims. “I hope this doesn’t last long.” He said with a sigh.
“In the mean time we might be able to hire some hunters to help with the repairs to Pioneer 2. There is still a fair amount of damage to repair from the attack. And there is that burned out engine from when we were caught in the tractor beam.” Sage continued. “We are fortunate that the damage wasn’t a lot worse.”
“Yeah it sounds like quite an attack. Sorry I missed it.” Colt said. "By the way, what happened to Cranberry? I haven't seen her for a while."
“I’m not sure.” Sage admitted. “She went back to Ragol with Dark Force a few weeks after she back. She hasn't really recovered from her injuries yet, but they were insistent on leaving again. Dark Force said it was a personal matter. I hope they aren’t caught in that storm. But more than them, I’m concerned about Striker. Raiden and him live in that area now, they just moved there not that long ago.”
“They have started letting people live on Ragol?” Colt asked, looking to Sage with interest.
Sage shook his head. “Not officially, with all the monsters and stuff there, but he is part of a colonization experiment so to say. We have to start somewhere, and Striker was granted a special exception and allowed to build on Ragol.”
“A little storm won’t bother him. They’ll be just fine down there.” Colt answered. “I’ve seen him in action, I know how tough he is. And I’m betting Raiden is the same way.”
A red light lit up on Sage’s keyboard, causing him to snap his attention back to the monitors. “Not good.” Sage said, quickly pulling up a menu on his screen.
“What happened?” Colt asked, looking over Sage’s shoulder at the screens. “What’s with the 2 screens anyways?”
“Because 1 screen just isn’t enough.” Sage snapped. “One of our satellites has… wait what is this? It’s gone!”
“You mean it died on us?” Colt asked.
“No, it’s gone. I mean as in not their anymore.” Sage answered.
“Someone destroyed it?” Colt asked, glaring at the screen.
“No, I mean completely gone. Its not sitting out there in pieces, it simply vanished.” Sage insisted. “I’m confirming it with scans from another satellite. It just suddenly vanished.”
“How is that possible?” Colt asked.
“It’s not. Wait… Colt look. The location it is supposed to be. That is… it is directly over Mortis Fons!” Sage answered, a look of concern growing on his face.
“Maybe you are right, maybe this storm down there isn’t the work of nature…” Colt answered.
Back down on Mortis Fons, Striker and Raiden sit in the living room of their modest home. 5 candles are arranged around the perimeter of the walls, providing light for the two androids. They each gaze into the others eyes as they patiently wait for the storm to pass.
A loud whining sound is heard, causing both of them to look up curiously. Striker stands and walks to the window to peer outside.
“What was that? Do you see anything?” Raiden asked.
“I, I don’t believe it!” Striker answered.
“What? Strik… EEEEEEEEEEEE!” Raiden began, only to be cut off as a piercing white light emerged through the window. Raiden covered her eyes and turned away, shielding herself from the brilliant light. A deafening howling sound was heard as a cold wind chill filled the room. The 5 candles fell to the floor, the wind extinguishing their flames as they rolled harmlessly into a corner.
After a few moments, the sounds ceased, and the brilliant light vanished. Raiden opened her eyes, and realized that despite it being the middle of the day she was sitting in complete and total darkness. Not one spec of sunlight shinned through her window. She quickly stood up and called out for her husband.
“Striker! Striker are you alright? What was that?” Raiden called. As she listened, she received no reply. “Striker this isn’t funny! Where are you?”
Raiden rushed over to where the window was, but Striker was no longer standing there. She quickly felt around the room, trying to locate him, but to no avail. “Striker! Please answer me! Striker what happened? Where are you? Striker!”
Raiden’s metal body tensed, and she quickly pulled her Double Cannon from its holding place fearing that this may be an attack and there may be someone else in the room. “Show yourself! Release Striker or I swear you are going to be sliced into 30 million pieces!”
Raiden received no reply to her threat, and she could find no trace of anyone else inside. She quickly raced to the front door and threw it open, staring into the darkness outside. “Striker! Where are you!?”
The wind began to die, causing a symphony of leaves to dance in the breeze as they descended toward the ground. The darkness slowly began to lift, and traces of sunlight again began to poke through.
“Striker…” Raiden said, her body quickly filling with confusion and worry.
Back up on Pioneer 2, a chorus of red lights and alarms began to sound all over Sages desk.
“That’s not good either, is it?” Colt asked.
Sage shook his head slowly. “As a matter of fact, it isn’t.”
End of Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 teaser:
Androids and Humans and Newmans. Oh my! The weather outside is frightful, but elsewhere it’s a little more delightful. As Ragol begins to become more unruly, a familiar pair works to unlock more of its mysteries. Stay tuned for chapter 2 and rejoin some old friends as they search for answers.