Chapter 1
Portal to Nowhere
Domino stood in the plains just outside of the city of Treno, her black hair and purple highlights shone in the warm, summer sun. The young Genome was busy contemplating strategies to overcome her latest obstacle. Facing back at her was the furry form of a Bandersnatch, one of many types of monsters created from a layer of mist that covered the planet Gaia, mainly on the aptly named ‘Mist Continent’. The large dog-like creature grinned crazily at Domino, its long pink tongue lolling out of its mouth in anticipation as it prepared its next attack. It was a standoff. Dammit thought Domino, isn’t it enough that two Magic Vices, a Fang and about twenty Mus have challenged me already? This just ain’t my day! Why didn’t I just take Sam’s advice and take an airship? There was absolutely no doubt that Domino’s life had become a great deal more interesting since she had met Sam and had become a member of ‘Thieves Guild’, a group of thieves of which Sam was leader. During her time with the Guild, she’d become Sam’s second in command and leader of an elite group constructed within the Guild, known as ‘The Bandits’. These were the guys who usually carried out the important jobs, such as robberies in high security places. Right now Domino was on her way to Treno to meet Sam. He had ordered a meeting of The Bandits to discuss the important job he had lined up for them this time. Domino had been in Alexandria when she had received the message and had to journey to Treno by foot. She would gladly have stowed away on an airship but, unfortunately, none were going that way and they were all too fully manned for her to have hijacked safely by herself. So that’s why she was here now, facing a battle to the death with an overgrown puppy-dog with large teeth, an endless supply of drool and a mouth odor problem.
The Bandersnatch charged at Domino, attempting to bite down on its target, but she jumped clear just in time and the monster’s jaws closed just inches from her tail. Now behind the Bandersnatch, Domino had a perfect, free shot at it. She cast a strong, icy, black magic spell known as Blizzaga and aimed directly at the dog. The monstrous canine let out a pathetic yelp, then collapsed and disappeared. It has been said that defeated monsters turn back into the mist they were created from in order to spawn yet more monsters! Domino stood looking at the spot where the Bandersnatch had just been and pushed the hair out of her eyes.
“That enough monsters for one day, I think!” She said, and hastily ran to enter Treno before being attacked by anything else.
On some other planet somewhere many light years from Gaia, Ash Ketchum, a Pokemon Trainer from Pallet Town, was traveling around the Johto region with his companions, Misty, Brock and his Pokemon, Pikachu. They were currently lost in the middle of a deep forest. Getting lost had become a common occurrence since Ash had received his first Pokemon, Pikachu, from Professor Oak back in Pallet Town and had begun his Pokemon journey when he had turned ten years old. Nevertheless, their failed attempt at navigating through the forest hadn’t been an unpleasant experience; The trees were full of singing Pidgey and the Butterfree were showing off dance displays and trying to attract mates. Here in the Johto region, it was spring.
“Guys, can we eat now?” asked Ash.
“Oh Ash” said Misty “we’re lost and all you can think of is when you’re next gonna eat?”
“Maybe we should stop for a while,” said Brock, attempting to break it up before it turned into a full out argument “ we can let our Pokemon out for some air as well”. So, with a few excited squeaks from Pikachu, all agreed that it was a good idea and they found a nearby lake to settle down next to, and released their Pokemon. Whilst they were eating, Misty’s baby Pokemon, Togepi decided to explore, as it did on a regular basis what with it only being young, and began to climb a large rocky pile, adjacent to the lake. Watching over Togepi like its personal babysitter, Pikachu immediately noticed that Togepi had wandered off. With a startled “Pika, pika”, Pikachu shot off after it. Unfortunately, one of Brock’s Pokemon, a fire-type by the name of Vulpix, had the same idea. In their haste to reach the baby Pokemon before it got hurt, the little, yellow, electric mouse Pokemon collided with the six-tailed fox Pokemon and both went head first straight into the rocky pile. The rocks toppled over and Togepi fell off, only to land right on top of Pikachu. Totally oblivious to the fact that it had just winded the poor little electric mouse, Togepi got straight up and waddled, in its own cute little way, over to Misty who had just come running over with Ash and Brock to find out what had happened.
“Are you okay, Togepi?” asked Misty as she checked the little Pokemon over for any cuts or bruises.
“Togi, togi, prii” chirped Togepi, completely untroubled by what had just happened. Ash and Brock also checked their own Pokemon, who, fortunately, were both okay apart from being slightly disillusioned. Ash turned his attention to the rocks.
“Hey, what’s this?” he asked, pulling down more of the rocks to get a better look. His efforts revealed two stone pillars, about two-point-six feet tall and positioned about three feet apart from each other. Directly in between them was a small, stone-rimmed hole.
“Wow” said Brock “I’ve never seen anything like it before”
“It looks really old!” stated Ash. Bits of the stone had worn down in places, but two things remained completely intact and new looking: two spheres, one astride each pillar, and some strange looking writing carved into the stone. Both spheres were a bright blue colour and appeared to be made from a substance that looked, very much, to be glass. The writing appeared to be quite ancient and no one present had any idea what it might mean. As they were pondering, the heavens opened and it tipped down with rain. Quickly recalling their Pokemon, Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu made a dash for the cover of the trees.
Treno, often referred to as ‘The City of’ even though technically it’s a town, is very well known for having a split personality. This is because the open areas of Treno are inhabited by rich nobles, who live in constant fear of being pick-pocketed by the inhabitants of the more secluded areas, who are generally, more or less, all thieves. Despite this, Treno is always well worth the grueling journey by foot through the monster-filled plains to visit. Just be careful where you go and who you talk to!
There is only one inn in Treno, and it’s located in the back areas of the poorer side of town. This was were he Bandits had scheduled to meet Sam, and it was perfect because its location meant that no one of major importance would be there to blow the whistle on them should they overhear the conversation. Domino made her way through the back streets of Treno, trying to avoid as many people as possible so as to limit the risk that someone might recognize her. Finally she found the inn, a secluded little dump that looked as though it could collapse at any time. But that was just the outside appearance. Inside was real cozy and Domino knew very well that it had been standing well before all the posh Nobles’ homes had been built, and would probably remain standing when those homes became victims to structural collapse. Domino put her hand on the door handle and opened the door. She had barely entered the inn, when a young girl, about twelve years of age, wearing a red t-shirt, black, baggy trousers and a back-to-front cap had run over to her and given her a great big hug! Looking over the kid’s head, she noticed the other six Bandits all sitting around a table.
“Hi Dom, you’re late, where were you? What took you SO long?” the girl cried out excitedly, all in one sentence, without even pausing to breathe.
“Hey take it easy Charlie. No need to bust a gut!” Domino said as she attempted to untangle herself from Charlie. This kid had been obsessed with Domino ever since the Genome had rescued her from a rampaging Zaghnol.
“Yeah! Where were you?” asked Bradley, a fifteen-year-old boy bandit member “you’re usually the first one here!”
“Got attacked by monsters again!” said Domino “I swear the monster population is on the rise! I’m even thinking of catching a Chocobo!” A Chocobo is a type of large bird found on Gaia that, when caught and tamed, provide their master with monster-free transport.
“Sam said he was going to be a little late”, said Bradley “he said he had something to do in Treno first”.
He probably went to challenge the King family’s Behemoth” added another boy Bandit, Chris “again!”
“He’s really determined to beat it isn’t he?” said Charlie
“You bet. Every time he goes in there, the beast keeper gets out the cage keys!” said Chelsea, one of the previously quiet Bandits sitting at the table “even if all he went in for was to replenish the potion supply” she added with a giggle. This thought got all the whole group giggling. Just them Sam came in through the door and Domino, unable to contain it any longer, collapsed in fits of laughter!
“Okay Dom. What’s so funny this time?” said Sam, giving her the same look that he gave her quite frequently, the look that said ‘Hey, how about a free one-way trip to the insanity unit?’ “Then again, I don’t really want to know”, he added, “who knows what goes on in your mind, Monkey Girl?” This was a nickname Sam quite commonly used on Domino, due to her tail.
“Right, Boss”, said Domino “you’re better off staying outta there if ya know what’s good for ya!” The main tradition of both the Bandits and the rest of Thieves Guild was to always refer to Sam as ‘Boss’ whenever he was in their vicinity. This wasn’t something that Sam himself had decided upon, but more of something the members had all thought up to show respect. Sam didn’t really care what they called him as long as they respected his orders. With Domino, though, it was a different thing all together. She utterly despised being called Boss, and had run this over with the Bandits when she had first become their leader, so, mostly, they just called her Dom, or Monkey Girl. There were also a few names she had been called which simply could NOT be repeated in this story!
“So, what’s the word boss?” asked Bradley
“Yeah, didn’t you say you had a really important job for us?” asked Sarah, a sixteen year old girl with an attitude problem. Domino and Sarah really clashed badly. It was said that this was because Sarah didn’t approve of having a Genome for a leader. It was obvious she didn’t like Domino due to the large amount of breaking of rules that Domino had set down for the Bandits’ own safety, e.g. do NOT wear bright clothing on a raid! Domino had risked getting herself caught in order to let Sarah escape after she’d been ‘noticed’.
Sam looked round for a minute then sat down and explained what he wanted them to do.
“Right, as you may or may not know, tomorrow a shipment of jewels will be passing Treno on its way to Alexandria castle.”
“Why’s that?” Charlie butted in, ever curious to know stuff.
“Sheesh, don’t you know anything twerp?” snapped Sarah
“Hey leave Charlie alone” Domino snapped back “it supposed to be a complete secret. Those who do know aren’t meant to!” This shut Sarah up immediately. Normally she would of just shouted back and it would’ve turned into another full-scale argument, but Sam was present
“I’ll explain for those who don’t know” sighed Sam “the jewels are being sent by the city of Linblum to the city of Alexandria as way of strengthening ties between the two cities. As it stands, a very important treasure is being transported as well; a treasure that should never had gotten into the hands of the regent of Linblum in the first place! It’s known simply as the Mystery Crystal because no one knows where it came from, who made it, or for what purpose it was made. To come straight to the point, that’s what you’re after tomorrow!”
“Whoa there, wait just a second boss!” said Domino “Tomorrow?”
“Yes, Monkey Girl, tomorrow” confirmed Sam “I know it ain’t a lot of time, but if anyone can do it you can”
“Yeah, but Boss… Tomorrow is, like, the day after today!” said Domino
“I have great trust in you,” said Sam
“Yay, such optimism you have” Domino thought for a minute “okay, we’ll do it, but if any of us get caught, I’m coming back to you with a great big ‘I told you so’ ready!”