I found this chapter in some old folders of mine. It isn't finished; however, If you like what you read, give it a review and I will finish the chapter and write the next one. Sorry for such a massive delay. College keeps me busy sometimes.

Chapter 4: Fear and Bravery

(Note: For any and all who read my previous chapters and found the constant spelling errors to hinder their reading ability or enjoyment, Please go back and check out my many improvements. I also speckled additional information within it to make it worth the read either way!)

Characters:Maka, Soul, Stein, Excalibur,

Death the Kid, Black Star.

The story last ended with Makas introduction to Stein, This chapter picks up with the final hours on the train before our Heroes finally arrive at the capitol, and must prepare for the long ride to their living quarters!

Maka sat in the dining hall train car, despite most of the other chosen contestants having retired to their clock struck one and of the few who did remain, Stein was among them. He sat in his chair backwards slouching a little. However not fully sober he seemed ready to talk business. She looked at him expectantly, but he didn't meet her gaze. Maka decided to make the first move, Opening her mouth to speak but halted as Stein beat her to it.

"Are you afraid of what's to come?" He inquired in a hushed tone. There was almost a smirk on his face, and silence followed. Maka wondered if he was talking about the kishin, or the T.V show she'd been abducted into. So much had happened in such a short time that it all seemed to mix together. After a moment's hesitation she realized the answer to his question was the same either way, and laughed to herself as she spoke.

"I can't afford to be afraid." This made Stein chuckle a little as well, and he poured them both a glass of whatever concoction he had been drinking, from his bizarre bottle.

"Fear is the minds instinct to survive" Stein continued, as he filled the glasses" You can't afford to be without it." Maka didn't know how to reply. Bravery was the only thing that kept her alive in her last fight with the kishin. Yet somehow he made it seem so weak and baron. Why would he suddenly be teaching in favor of fear? Her thoughts returned to the glass that now rest before her.

"Ummm Professor Stein, am I old enough to drink this?" Maka asked confused by his offer. Stein brought his eyes to hers for the first time since their conversation started.

"Thank you, a perfect example Maka!" She looked at him puzzled obviously not following what Stein meant.

"Hesitation is a close relative to fear." He paused raising his own glass in a toasting gesture. "If you had no fear, you would have simply drank the cup I placed in front of you."

His words stung at her pride,Was she really letting fear control her actions? Infuriated, Maka grabbed the glass, raised it to her lips, and drained its contents. It burned as it ran down her throat and her eyes watered slightly.

Stein's back straightened and he grabbed the empty glass from her, obviously annoyed.

"Somehow you missed the point!" Stein yelled over Maka's consistent coughing. "Your hesitation stopped you from drinking a 200 proof alcohol that could easily put down a horse and yet just when you were safe and in the clear, you denied your fear and let your bravery literally intoxicate you!"

"I… What?" Maka asked. Her stomach was heating up and she wondered if it was from anger.

Stein sighed and continued more calmly.

"You're not going to be any good till morning now unfortunately, The goal was to help you avoid making a mistake like this not cause it… I hope you will at least learn something from this."

Maka was confused, "I'm fine it was just a small glass" She said, raising out of her chair. The world suddenly started rising all around her and gravity became twice as strong! One of her legs faltered and her face headed for the floor.

She felt someone catch her, and she saw a glimpse of his yellow jacket before passing out.

Chapter 4 Part 2: Tales of the Legendary Sword

The Train had finally come to a halt, smoke exhaled from its many pipes as the trip ended in front of twelve small stations that looked like something from a hair salon. The trip had been so long that it seemed almost odd to Black Star that the windows now shown a still city, instead of flashing of trees. He sat and watched as other contestants exited the cars. His enemy Death the Kid was first to exit along with his district's female contestant. He hadn't seen her the entire train ride yet she looked very familiar to him. Her long black hair was tied up into a ponytail and hung low on her skinny pale figure. She seemed strong, but concerned about something. He gazed at her as others less familiar left the cars, his attention only faltering from her as Maka, Black Stars biggest fan, Exited the vehicle on a boy's back. Black Star cursed himself, knowing that any good assassin would have gathered information by now, yet here there was another contestant he had failed to make the acquaintance of prior to their arrival. The boy carrying Maka, was short, and his hair was an unnatural shade of white.

"Are you coming Black Star?" said a small voice from behind him.

Black Star turned to see Rue standing at the room door. She had always been like a sister to him, and it pained him to see her caught up in this disturbing game.

"Is something wrong?" She asked. He immediately stopped thinking negatively realizing she needs reassurance.

"Hahahaha, I'm fine! This place is just too dull for a big star like me!" Black Star opened the window in his room and jumped through it and over to the top of the train The crowd continued to disperse to their designated locations as he began to rant.

"Thats right quake in fear, Because Black Stars here to win, You all have no chance against a big star like me!" Rue climbed up the train and jumped on his shoulders as he spoke, laughing uncontrollably.

"FOOL!" The sudden shout made Black Star lose his balance, and They toppled into a pile on the stations floor. They looked up to see a small white… thing, had made the remark. He had a large top hat and he stood pointing his cane in disapproval.

"My Legacy dates back twelve centuries!" The man stood no higher than three feet and looked more like a mouse than a human.