Yes, I update quickly I know. But who cares? It's good to know you all kinda liked the depressing Chapter Seven. Yes, you all know what's next…

Irish Rage And Love: Thank you very much! I know it was very short, but like you say, it does tell us some things. Which is good. Yes, Asculin's father's death is partly to do with is bad attitude in Book 54, but more is still to come. Please read on.

Elwing: I hope this chapter didn't get you too depressed, don't worry it is most defiantly not the end of the fic. Thanks for the review.

Kharina: Thank you! I'm pleased that everyone thought it was sad, it was meant to be! LOL. Yes, I just keep updating.

The REAL Cheese Monkey: You're the first one to actually mention the ritual itself. I was worried about that, good to know you liked it. Hmmmm, I'll try to incorporate the Terran thing, let's see how it goes.

Now, here we go. This one will be happier I promise.

Chapter Eight

Games

The rest of my stay on the Homeworld was dull. We, Seerow and I, spent the rest of our time studying. Since we had left the Nexus we had to do mainly tests and other such things instead of actually proving ourselves in front of the captain.

Today was the day of our final 'exam'. We had to complete a 'war game' using holographic simulations; the aristh would have to complete the 'game' in as few moves and casualties as possible.

There was only one problem. None had ever won the 'game'. But I would, I had to make my fathers' memory proud. I. Had. To.

Late the night before I reached the only possible solution. Cheat. An old saying came to mind, 'the single means to succeed is to deceive'. Well, that is what I had to do. So what if it wasn't approved? There was actually no law saying that I couldn't cheat. Once I came to that conclusion the next question was how?

That is why, hiding in the shadows of the Academy, I snuck into the testing facility. I smiled to myself, what would Alloran think?

(Computer? Give me access to the Advanced Strategic Exercise Trial.) I said.

(Password?) the computer asked in its unemotional tone.

Quickly I disabled the access codes.

(Password correct.) Stupid computer.

Quickly I worked my way into the main systems for the tests, both stalks scanning the room. I wanted to be able to leave the moment I saw anybody. (Computer. Rewrite the ASET to my commands, well, now here's what we'll do…)

That morning Seerow and I stood facing Prince Eoptis, he had an amused look on his face as he entered to room. (Well, which of you two arisths will be going first?)

Before Seerow had a chance to answer I stepped forward. (I will, sir.)

The prince cocked his head and smiled. (Well, in you go then. Tell us when you've lost and we'll see how well you've done.)

Lose? I wasn't going to lose.

I entered the small, cramped holo-room. Blue light lit up around me. A control panel appeared, I placed both my seven figured hands down, and almost instantaneously I was transported to a different world. I flew above a fleet of Andalite ships, a different fleet of enemy ships began to emerge from Z-space.

Zero-space is a state of non-existence in a different but accessible plane from our own. Z-Space, as it is commonly referred to, is not relative to real space, though it is navigational and is used for extensive space travel.

Special Z-space engines are needed on a ship for it to travel through it, though one could enter it via a black hole – if one survived.

(Let's see what I can do,) I said to myself. I moved my fleet away from the advancing enemy, knowing full well that the prince and Seerow were watching from outside.

(Come to me,) I sneered as I saw the Enemy in close pursuit. (NOW!)

Half my fleet vanished into Z-space. That would shock the spectators outside; Z-space was not permitted in the normal parameters of the 'game'. The Enemy sped up, closing in on the other half of my fleet. Fifty thousand metres. Forty thousand. Twenty…

(YES!) My Z-space half of the fleet came out from their hide-away. The Enemy was now pincered between the fleet.

(Bye-bye,) I crowed.

The 'game' ended. I stepped out to see Prince Eoptis's blank face. I looked for Seerow, then, I realised he appeared to have had trouble controlling his shock and collapsed out of manly disbelief.

(How….how….?) the prince stammered. He then caught himself, (You changed the 'game' parameters didn't you?)

I did something that surprised even me. I grinned and looked the prince right in the eyes, (Yes, sir. I did. There are no rules saying that I could not.)

I tensed up, waiting for the prince's tail. Strangely he merely smiled (You are the first aristh in fifty years to have ever finished the 'game'. I've been waiting for someone with at least half a brain to figure that out.)

(You have?) I asked.

(Yes,) was his answer. (You can't spend your entire life following the herd. Sometimes you have to…think free.)

We both looked at Seerow slumped unconscious on the ground. (Young Seerow will have the test tomorrow.) He looked at me, his blade reached forwards to touch mine. (Congratulations, Warrior Asculan.)

Yeah I know this is REALLY short but…hell I liked it. Please REVIEW!