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"Wake up! Time for training!" Washu's cheerful voice rang in Ariac's ear.

Ariac opened one eye.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"Four o' clock in the mornin'."

"'S too early." She groaned and turned over.

Washu poked her again. "When I say get up, I mean get up. Don't make me have to drag you in there."

"No, no, no, no!"

"Yes, yes, yes, yes!" Washu yanked the covers off of the bed and trotted off for the lab.

Ariac sighed, defeated, and got dressed. She walked into the lab, but Washu must have changed the portal destination, for she was in a large, gray, bare room. Washu was behind a glass window in the front, or what Ariac assumed was the front, of the room. Other than the one she had entered and one next to the window, there were no doors.

Washu's voice came in through what appeared to be an intercom. "This is your beginning station. Soon I'll have to move you from here, but this allows you to at first master merely summoning your energy. It's a lot easier than you think, but at the same time a bit complicated. I'll have to give it a little... stimulant."

Ariac didn't like the way Washu had said "stimulant". Nevertheless, she stood in the very center of the room, waiting. The speakers turned off with a static-like sound, and she could see Washu typing at something through the glass. She the looked up and waited. Stood there. Nothing happened. Washu made a gesture suggesting that Ariac should turn around. Ariac looked behind her, and shrieked. A Drayke, smaller than the one that had previously attacked but still big enough to completely demolish her, glared at Ariac fiercely through one copper eye. Ariac leapt back, and the Drayke cried out. It swung its tail at her, but its movements were sluggish and slow, and Ariac easily dodged. It lunged with its beak, but again Ariac moved to the side.

Washu frowned. So far Ariac could just dodge. She was acting on fear, not entirely instinct. She ordered the hologram Drayke to back Ariac into a corner. Perhaps then her true instincts would kick in. Ariac noticed the Drayke was speeding up. She had to literally run from one place to another to avoid its attacks. Finally it stopped, spreading its great, feathered wins and opening its mouth. It lashed its tail back and forth, obstructing any escape from the front or the sides. Slowly Ariac backed up, but then bumped into the wall. She was cornered!

Washu watched on intently.

An indescribable feeling swept through Ariac's veins. It felt white-hot, but it didn't burn. It felt Ice cold, but didn't freeze. She felt anger, happiness, sadness, and wonderment all rolled into one feeling that dominated her senses. She held one hand in front of her, and her eyes narrowed and glowed red. The Drayke charged. It seemed there was an invisible barrier between the two, for the Drayke was thrown back in a swirl of dusty-colored smoke. The isomorphic image distorted, then vanished. Ariac stared, wide-eyed, at where it had been a few moments before. She was at a loss of words.

"Holy Wars!"

Well, at an almost loss of words. An object clattered to the floor. Ariac looked down. It was solid black in color, and it was a simple rod-shape with a crosstree hilt. On either bar, two emerald green orbs were mounted. A Lightsword handle. Washu jumped up behind the glass and squinted down at it. Ariac picked it up. Immediately she felt as if she had filled in some missing piece of her mind had returned. She gazed at it in wonder. It was wide, obviously the Lightsword would be flat and broad. She didn't even notice Washu until she was right next to her.

"Interesting. A sword hilt." She simply said. "I will examine this later. For now... hold a second, Ariac."

Washu retreated to her little room, and Ariac walked out into the middle of the floor.

"Do you remember charging up?"

"Yes."

"Do you think you could do it on your own?

"I... guess so.."

"Try it."

Ariac focused. She concentrated on that feeling, trying to remember the sensation. Time passed. She tried to recall the burning... trying to remember the Drayke... Instantly she felt the white-hotness spreading again. The sword hilt shuddered for a second, then a green Lightblade shot out. Ariac could feel additional armor grow on her body, and the great weight of it forced her to the floor. Washu's eyes grew wide. That was quick for a beginner. But the most shocking thing was Ariac's appearance. Her hair had changed, it looked similar to Kagato's style. Not exactly, but similar. Her armor, too, reminded Washu of the criminal. The top piece consisted of flexible, lightweight metallic tendrils that curled around her form. Between these tendrils a dark, red cloth was stretched. A ruff of white cloth was situated about her neck. Two long extensions came from her shoulders, and a cape of gray was hung on it.

She was wearing some baggy pants of a tough, thick material. The belt had another ruff of cloth around it. It was eerie how mush she resembled Kagato in her armor.

"Holy..Cow.." a shudder passed through the little scientist.

Ariac was bent on one knee. This was some heavy armor!

"It's... very... heavy...."

Washu sighed. This was going to be a loooong day.

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Note: Very short this time. Not crossover yet... I need feedback. I live off of it. FEEDBACK!

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