Hours after dinner, the Guardians were later shown where they would be sleeping; finding that some would be sharing rooms.

Mostly it was Pitch and Sandy sharing one, so that the taller male wouldn't accidentally cause nightmares for the others. The nightmare bringer was a bit upset about it, but was comforted by the redhead that it's merely a safety precaution. If they were still in their world, it wouldn't be necessary, but being they're traveling now, who knows what could happen regarding any of their powers. It was safer this way not just for him, but for everyone onboard.

As for the others, Jack and Bunny found themselves sharing a room with Naota, learning the boy had one of the larger rooms since his powers sometimes leaked. Thankfully that had since stopped thanks to Atomsk's training.

Tooth and Caitlin were going to share a room together; however the redhead found herself more in the med bay to treat the man, K'nuckles. This had gone on for several weeks, seeing her looking tired, but smiling, showing that he was going to pull through.

As for North, he was given his own room due to his larger size and apparently loud snoring waking some up.

From there, things were relatively quiet, Caitlin answering any questions sent her way when she could, if not the others would in her place.

They learned more about who Darkness is, albeit understood better why so few spoke of her, learning the things she and those associated with her personally have done.

They also learned more about how exactly Nanemei became acquainted with her, becoming her ally to the point they would be loyal strictly to her.

Wandering the ship, Jack spotted the girl, Mamimi, standing near the bow of the ship, smoke escaping her lips.

"You know those can kill you?" he blurted before he realized it.

Shrugging her shoulders, she turned her head to face him, "So could eating, yet we still do, right?"

"True, sorry about that," he apologized as he joined her, leaning against the railing as she was doing. "So how did you learn English so quickly? It's really impressive."

"Sort of a requirement when we were in school, but it wasn't perfect, at least not until Nanemei-san showed up."

"She taught you guys then?"

"Just to clear it up and make it easier for us when we joined her crew."

"How did that happen?"

"Started with Haruko-san," she answered with a puff of smoke. "Normally Nanemei-san wouldn't ask a group of kids to join us, but because of Haruko-san, she had no choice."

"What did Haruko do? Far as I was told, she ran over Naota with her bike."

"That's the start of it. At the time, she had amnesia, so all of her actions; you couldn't entirely put blame on. She was hunting Atomsk down, but to draw him out, she needed someone who could use the N.O. Power at the same level as him. She went planet to planet, person to person, attacking and staying near, trying to draw that power out."

"Was she in love with him or something?"

"No, she thought she just wanted him for his power, to steal it for herself. You can only imagine the look on her face when she recalled, Nanemei-san reminding her of how close they were, not as lovers, but as a family."

"That probably upset her; realizing what she almost did if she had been successful."

"Hai…"

"But how does it relate though to you guys getting involved?"

"Haruko-san managed to draw the kind of power out of Naota-kun as well as Eri-chan unintentionally. Because of it, they would have been targets to Darkness, so requested for them to join her, to help them gain control and know how to use that kind of power."

"How does it work?"

"Normally they can draw that power out through their heads literally, but there were other means, less painful when Naota-kun started. More so when he began to practice more on his guitar along with Eri-chan practicing on hers."

"I thought they were just a stress reliever?"

"No, they're also weapons; you could say that they're this ship's symbol without plastering it on a flag."

"Wow, but what about you?"

"I was going to become a photo journalist, and in some ways, I still do…but I felt like I had to come and help take care of Naota-kun."

"Really?"

"His father and grandfather couldn't come, they were to scared, but didn't hesitate letting him go. His brother, Tasuku-kun…he's off in America to become a professional baseball player, forgetting all of us…"

"You cared about him? This Tasuku guy?"

The girl stiffened her shoulders, tears starting to form, making the other's heart ache at the sight in front of him, wishing he said nothing.

"We…we dated for a little bit…but he…when he left, I tried to make Naota-kun fill in his place, to fill my own selfish needs… I was so stupid… I guess you could say now I'm just really guilty and I want to make up for my mistakes with Naota-kun."

"Mistakes happen, I made plenty when I was just trying to get people to notice me."

"I doubt it's as bad as what I did. I think I really fucked him up mentally. He was only a kid and I'd treat him as if he were my property, that he was just more a substitute. I really don't know. But…but I do know that for a while, Naota-kun liked me and Haruko-san for a while, but I think he's starting to like Eri-chan too. I really hope he ends up picking Eri-chan. They're the same age and both mature for their age, they seem to just fit."

Placing a hesitant hand on her shoulder, he waited for her to look up before giving a reassuring smile.

"I think the fact he has you here shows he has one more person to protect and remind him of the many others he wishes to protect back in your world."

"Arigatō," she responded, hugging the Guardian, gasping a little. "You're cold."

"Sorry about that, kinda…" he started before she interrupted him.

"But warm at the same time…it feels nice…thank you for talking with me."

Unsure how to respond, the white haired teen returned the hug before they pulled apart, deciding to switch to a different topic. They both started to talk more about their lives, before ending up where they are now.

She was an interesting girl, he will admit that much, and he hopes that she'll find someone to love her and won't break her heart. She deserves that much for all she's gone through and has sacrificed…

"Hey mate," Bunny greeted, giving a wave to Atomsk, spotting him and Nanemei by the hull, the area completely open and exposed. "This is one impressive ship."

"Arigatō, we take high pride keeping her safe, making sure everything is up to code, protocols practiced for emergencies during attacks or storms," the phoenix explained with a wide grin, his captain smiling softly.

"You get storms in space?"

"It can happen, but they're relatively rare. Normally the most we deal with are the occasional comet or a sudden meteor shower, but with S.A.S.S. watching out, we can maneuver even the roughest of them," Nanemei stated calmly.

"What now?"

"Space and Security System," she replied, "a unique system Atomsk and Haruko designed to help maintain the ship than stressing ourselves over every little detail. If you were to look over the sides of the ship when we eventually disembark, you would find a set of circular, pearl like discs. Without those, space travel would be impossible on a ship of this design less the species running it could survive with zero oxygen."

"A set of pearls are making the oxygen?" the rabbit asked in near disbelief.

"As well as a shield, keeping the oxygen inside," Atomsk added. "S.A.S.S. monitors them every second that we're airborne. Of course, we don't put total reliance in her, we'll monitor them too every couple hours. Haruko has even been instructing Eri and Naota how to work and maintain them when we're sailing to avoid screw ups."

"Interesting," the spirit chuckled as he watched with clear interest. "So this program, does the little Sheila also perform other duties than looking for weather anomalies and these pearls?"

"Of course, we have a set of engines that feed off our spiritual energy to avoid causing unnecessary pollution, but they too need monitoring so we don't find ourselves stranded if they malfunctioned or stopped having the energy being pumped in. Before, it would take us years to turn a small portion of our reiatsu into a concentrated and pure enough form before pouring it into the engines. It was only through the help from one of Caitlin's adopted sons, and we were able to perfect it."

"Without Jin-kun's ingenious idea in creating these bitto, we would still be moving at a sluggish rate."

"Bitto?"

"Mosquito like dolls. It was difficult as the originals Jin made were very violent and would nearly drain if not drain the entire soul from a human or another life form. However, once he got his memories back and knew his creation would benefit us, gave us every one of his plans and prototypes. Once in our possession, we tinkered and made our own, going to the engine room where they're stored."

"Damn…"

"It's not as bad as it sounds," the phoenix reassured, "if you like, I could show you the engine room and where we keep the bitto."

"I'll take your word for it."

Deciding to change topics, Nanemei rolled her shoulders before turning to Bunny, "Being you and the others have fought, you must be getting bored, sitting around and doing nothing."

Within moments, she punched in a few things on a keypad, allowing her to let go of the wheel, letting herself relax in a chair.

Afterwards, she pulled what looked like an age old book, the language unknown on the cover, already flipping through to a marked page.

"I normally occupy my time painting eggs for kids or coming up with new chocolate recipes for 'em too. But I'll spar a round or two with North or Sandy if I get bored and I got enough free time to muck around."

Seeing a smile grace the woman's features, he raised a brow, curious of what was churning in her thoughts. That was the thing that annoyed him, he can't read minds! Pitch, while he can't necessarily do so either, can use fears and other emotions to figure out what one is thinking, Sandy doing the same. So it wasn't hard for them to communicate if someone was bothered or if they were trying to hold a silly secret.

"Atomsk, I'm fine here, why not gather Caitlin-sama's friends and show them the training area? It'll be a while before we plan on disembarking less she regains enough of her strength to transport us out and finishes fixing K'nuckles up."

"Sure thing."

"Training area?"

"You really think we'd waste all this space with crap?" the phoenix teased as he showed the rabbit down, pausing briefly, as if thinking. "You know your friends best, where do you think they may be?"

"Hell if I know, but wouldn't be surprised if they're all off and exploring."

"Doesn't sound as if you don't get along."

"I get along with 'em, except for Pitch…still getting used to the bloke."

"What'd he do to make you not trust him? He doesn't seem that bad."

"I'd rather not kick up old memories, might make me wanna smack him a new one."

"Ah, sounds a little like Haruko and I to some extent. The two of us only get along for the sole purpose of protecting those dear to us, but she still won't hesitate to smack me around with her guitar or boss me around. I will admit, she's stronger than I am, so fighting her off is impossible unless I really wanna stir trouble up and get myself in as much trouble with Lord Nanemei as she would."

After a bit, the two talked, eventually wandering about, locating Jack who had since parted from Mamimi's side.

Apparently she had gotten hungry and he got plain bored and was exploring, just as the rabbit predicted. Talking with him for a bit, they convinced him to tag along with the idea of possible training.

"So who'll train us?" the teen asked, arms tossed behind his head along with his staff.

"We have simulators set up if you wanna test in fighting against basic combat and learn how to dodge attacks or block them," the older man explained as they continued down the lengthy hallways, doors scattered about.

Some led to guest rooms, others being storage rooms, weaponry, extra medicine, and plenty more guestrooms.

"I can set some up where it'll feel like getting hit without causing damage, just paralyzed for a few moments, longer based on which simulator attacks you."

"Simulators?" a cool voice asked, Pitch showing himself from the shadows, looking intrigued, an apple in possession.

"Didn't think you needed to actually to eat," the rabbit snorted, the other flaring a little.

"Oh go suck an egg, rabbit."

"They always bicker like children?" Atomsk questioned to the white haired teen when the two began arguing further.

Snickering softly, the teen leaned over, whispering what the nightmare king had done quite a few years ago, when he had been their enemy at the time.

"Ah, that makes sense."

"So, these simulators, what are they going to be used for?" the nightmare maker asked, ignoring the furry guardian.

"Lord Nanemei suggested I'd show our training room and I recommended the usage of simulators to help all of you gain experience fighting certain opponents."

"Sounds interesting."

"Now we just need to find those other three to show them."

"I saw North down the hallway, looked as if he just woke up, so he might be heading to the galley to eat."

"I'll give a call through the intercom, much faster than trying to find them the hard way."

Agreeing, they followed the human looking phoenix, their walk eventually ending when coming across a set of steel doors.

Pushing them open, he guided them into a surprisingly large open space, walls high, almost reaching to the floor of the very deck they walk on. Every inch of the enormous room not only stretched far but held a dull yet shimmering gleam.

Before Pitch was allowed in, he had been shown where to toss the core, having him do so than making a mess in the surprisingly pristine room.

"What materials are these made from?" Jack wondered, having thought back to when he and Mamimi were talking.

He recalled how he asked more about what those guitars do, learning how strong they are and what few materials they're unable to bust apart.

"Adoron," the phoenix answered flatly, his voice though kind and friendly.

"Mamimi told me that it was the strongest type of metal, that not even those guitars you guys use can pierce it!"

"Exactly, it makes the perfect armor for the ship's interior whenever we decide to train."

"But…but how could you even mold it to look like that without breaking it?"

"Easy to answer, alchemy."

"Alchemy?"

"To be precise, certain alchemy."

"Similar to the kind Caitlin has used?" Pitch chimed in, seeing the man light up that he knew what he was talking about.

"Correct, but to do it right, we had to hire someone who specialized in this sort of thing, someone trustworthy who won't rip us off or backstab us."

"That makes sense."

Chuckling, Atomsk walked over to what appeared as an intercom, clicking it on.

"Alright, if you happen to see Tooth Fairy, North Pole, and Sandy, bring them up to the training room. Caitlin-sama, if you are free, it'd be nice for you to be here to help guide them."

After a few minutes, those called appeared, walking through the same doorway, although on the redhead's back slept Sandy.

The others could barely keep themselves contained seeing the sight, watching how she carried him as if he were a child. They could only assume he must've been out star gazing or simply didn't feel like keeping his eyes open.

"Alright, wake up," she teased, using her arms to lightly bounce the man awake similar to how a mother gets their child to stir without dropping them on their heads.

The sandman stretched his small arms, a silent yawn, attempting to go back to sleep before feeling the woman already getting to her knees to allow him to slide off.

Seeing he had no choice but to wake up, he got off, hovering only by a couple of inches off the ground, a sheepish grin on his face.

"Glad to see everyone was able to get here," Atomsk stated before teasing his old friend with a smirk. "Since you're familiar with how the simulators work, so feel free to space out, I'll pinch your face or have one of your buddies do so once we're ready."

"Not necessary, I remember the last time I did," she half scowled as she recalled the distant memory. "You went and used new simulators. Took me weeks to stitch up my clothes."

"Don't worry, I'm not going to pull anything new on you," the other laughed with a defensive wave.

"So what are we doing here?" Tooth asked, confusion lacing her sweet voice.

"I'm going to pull a few simple simulations, blank ones, no shape or form. They'll attack with a mix of lasers and tackles. Maybe even attempt to strike with a whip or two depending on how well all of you appear to be in the first go-round."

"What will that do?" Pitch questioned, crossing his arms, noticing the question mark appearing above Sandy's head.

"To see just how you fight. I want you to go about your own pace. This particular simulation is more on endurance than power. But more importantly, to see how well you work together as a team."

"How long will training last?" North asked, already intrigued, excited over the fact they can really show off how they fight and in front of Caitlin no less.

He may not be able to sense emotions as well as Sandy and Pitch can, but he knows enough to tell that the woman is still doubtful with letting them follow her.

If they can prove themselves, show they can handle fighting fully, show their true powers and strength, she might start trusting them more and her doubt would cease nagging her.

"Until one of you collapses completely. You're welcome to try and take a break, but don't think the simulators will allow you to do so. This is where I want to see teamwork. I want to know how well you each work together; whether it is someone you are comfortable with or not so comfortable with."

With that, Caitlin interrupted, "This is in a sense more of a test to us as well as to yourselves to know just how serious you're willing to take it. I know you want to help me, but if you allow past grudges to slip through this training exercise, I can only fear how badly it could become if you, even if by accident, slipped up in actual combat. If you see someone close by on their last legs, where they need a moment to catch their breath or they get knocked off balance and start to fall, catch them, shield them from blows so they can do the same for you once they regain even just a little bit of their strength back to continue on."

"Sounds easy enough," Jack laughed happily, seriousness showing, but still wore that same smile, showing he was content with the rules.

"We'll see, just don't over exert yourselves. Use this more to make your strength last and watch each other's backs," Caitlin added, her voice laced with concern.

"Of course."

"Then let's begin, shall we?" the phoenix stated as he went to a small encased box, punching in some dials before the floor literally swallowed the controls into it.

Before any of them knew it, blasts fired into the ground, watching the terrain change to more of a rocky desert, the room increasing to a warmer temperature.

The six without warning scattered, trying to find places to take cover as more blasts were shot at them, kicking up dust, the sound piercing through their skulls.

Sandy was the first to glance up from behind a rock, looking for any of his friends, finding giant flesh toned blobs floating around, an eyeball showing briefly before morphing back into miscellanea of disturbing shapes.

He couldn't tell what it would do, nor did he notice one showing up behind him, a silent cry escaping when feeling something punch him hard from behind.

Tumbling into the open field, he readied a blast, shock and pain overloading his senses, recalling brief nightmares old soldiers would have.

Finding no blow came, he was shocked to find Tooth slamming her lithe body into the blob, taking a punch in the stomach.

She barely caught herself, the sandman whipping out his sand, enveloping the blobs, creating a net, using it to swing it around before sending it sky high, crashing into another two that got in the way.

A few explosions were heard, leaving them to turn frantically, spotting Bunny darting this way and that to avoid lasers.

"They fucking hurt!" the rabbit cursed, signs of fur having been singed.

"How else would I be sure you'll take it seriously?" the pirate stated bluntly, as if he was asked a stupid question.

"None of you will die," Caitlin shouted over the blasts. "I may not have been here in a while, but I know Nanemei-san and her crew well enough. They wouldn't do anything to endanger lives. Get bumps and bruises, broken bones even, but nothing fatal."

Whether they could tell or not, she was happy to see how well some of them were working together, particularly Tooth and Sandy.

Both not only supported one another, covering their weaknesses, but went over to back Bunny up so he could regain some ground. Afterwards, the pair rushed over towards Pitch, finding he had been completely surrounded.

Yet despite it, he fought well, using what sand he could manipulate or any shadows to pull around him as a shield and weapons.

Part of her felt bad that it happened so sudden, but knew it was the best way to teach them, to understand how chaotic a war can be.

There will be times they'll have a sneak attack thrown at them, forced to think on their feet in order to survive.

She had to keep herself though from jumping in right away to help or ordering the training to stop whenever one of them let out a particularly loud cry.

But out of everyone, she noticed, Tooth, Sandy, and Pitch fought best, fluently supporting each other or covering one of the others. She could only assume they may have dealt with memories of people who fought in wars or any form of combat.

Hopefully the others will pick it up and improve so they didn't have to rely on the three so much, begin supporting each other more equally.

As the months passed by, the Guardians began to figure things out, starting to find small patterns with certain simulators. With that, they told the others, creating plans to fight back against them during the next training session.

However, just as they began to find such a thing, the room would change, temperatures rising more or taking a serious drop.

Even the terrain would change, going from desert to forests, sea, flames bursting about, gravity removed or increased.

The simulators began to change, starting to take on more define shapes, ranging between human to some other creature. As for what they did, it would change as well, either using some form of artillery, swords, daggers, or blasts of energy.

But having begun to understand how they worked, they were moving better, becoming more aware, listening to certain sounds or following certain actions.

No matter how well designed they were; only so many programs could be used at once without overloading them. Especially with the kind of beating they take on a daily basis.

Whenever Caitlin was able to sit in and watch, not busy tending to her patient, she would watch and study them, sharp eyes on them.

Eventually she felt that the simulations weren't enough, having called them up, Atomsk not setting the room up to something new.

"Visualize me as the enemy. I don't care how," she stated, her arms crossed as she stared at each one.

The six were unsure before she told them that if they are going to fight, they have to do focus on why they are doing this.

If they cannot handle fighting at full strength against a friend, knowing she would be perfectly fine…

"Why? At least give us a reason," Jack asked, his grip on his staff tightening.

"See if you can beat it out of me," she growled lightly, her eyes hardening to that of an aged soldier.

She bore no weaponry, her coat gone, giving them no edge in surprising her by grabbing it to swing her or flip over her head to block her vision. The closest would be her tail or hair, but that was playing with fire, even the coat if she were to wear it.

Before any could think or say anything, she spoke in a threatening tone, making them stare in mixed horror.

"If so much as one of you holds back, I'm sending you all back home. I don't care if five of you are capable of fighting alongside me, I will drag you each back home, kicking and screaming like ill-tempered children. Do you understand?"

Pitch tried peering into her emotions as was Sandy, neither capable of finding any lies, causing great concern.

"She's serious," both thought in near whimpers, their eyes wide in terror and hurt.

If any of them holds back against her by even a little, she'll end it like that. No second chances, no one able to stay and to fight. She would force them back home, sealing their world off from anyone coming and going through.

"What about Man in the Moon? And Baby Tooth?"

"He will be treated the same if any of you hold back. Baby Tooth I can already tell, even if she wanted to fight, she isn't strong enough physically to do much harm. But her speed is good, so if you all prove your worth, she could train as a messenger and scout if she wishes. Her role would be much like the Man in the Moon."

She could see them already shaking, not with fear, but with their own inner turmoil, unsure what to do.

They were attached to her to such an extreme, finding, seeing her as a member of their little family. The very thought of attacking the person they loved so much, their friend, practically their sister and mother. It was unbearable to even comprehend. And it didn't help that she wouldn't give a reason less they managed to beat her.

How could she act like this? She was so kind and caring days ago when they would see her around the ship or watching them in the training room.

How could she suddenly turn so hostile and rough with them?

"I won't hold back either, so expect to find yourselves with broken bones."

She could feel their minds twisting in discomfort, feeling Pitch and Sandy desperately using their powers to paw and claw at her mind, trying to find any lies in her words.

She lashed back fiercely, the two jumping, flinching as if they had their hands slapped like a naughty child grabbing something they shouldn't.

It was rough for them, but she needs to know if they are going to be ready, not just physically, but emotionally as well.


Please read and review