Hey y'all! It's Chapter 2! Yay! It's been a while and I'm not really sure it's refined well enough yet. Sorry folks for the egregious errors.

Disclaimer

I do not own PSO whatsoever. Sega, Nintendo, and all those good stuff does! Keep it straight! Anyway, the only thing I own is the game I bought from Target and the character I made, Draco!

So, hah! You can't hold anything against meh! Well, maybe a foot-long knife. Heh heh... Don't kill me just yet! I have a story to write! And to my FIRST reviewer ever, thank you, Lilikoifish. Keep tuning in, good buddy. Anyway, on to Chapter 2!

Day 2: Embrace

"Now you be good to your aunt now, okay boys?"

"Okay, Mama."

"And Roland?"

"Yes, Ma?"

"Keep those two out of trouble."

"'Kay."

"Time to go, Hon!"

"Do we have everything?"

"I think so. Oh my! Look at the time Mei!"

"Wow! We're late! We better hurry, Xander!"

Who are they?

"Rise and shine my newest creation!"

I started up with a jolt. Is Doc always this excited in the morning?

"Don't do that again!"

"Ooh! Sorry to startle you," he grinned, "So Draco, are you ready?"

"Ready for what?" I groaned as I unplugged myself.

"Your tests, of course."

"Oh! I guess I am. What are they like?"

"You'll see."

We walked down the long corridor and I wondered what are behind all the doors. To heighten my curiosity, I also wondered what those visions meant. Could they be visions of the future? Or could it be a vision meant for someone else? Who knows?

Dr. Montague interrupted my thoughts, "Here we are!" On the door is a sign that read Simulation Terminal.

"Where is Elenor?" I asked and wondered if she is still okay from last night. She seemed cheerful enough before I switched to sleep mode last night.

"She's inside, training," still wearing the odd, ear-to-ear smile.

"Training?" I asked. I was a little skeptical about Elenor needing training. Shouldn't they be able to download the data and use the new skills from there?

"Oh, yes. Although she's a robot, she still needs to refine her skills. As for you, I'm assuming you haven't done any training in the combat department, have you?"

"N—no I haven't." The idea of fighting scares me.

"Of course not," he said as he opened the door. "Anyway, come in and don't worry about a thing. Elenor and I will set you up with the basics, then you should be able to execute them automatically on your own."

I wobbled in through the door. My motor skills aren't that great yet. How am I going to do these tests in this condition?

"I know what you're thinking," he said as I staggered towards them, "How on Pioneer 2 are we going to test you in your condition and why shouldn't we just download the combat data off the computer?"

"Exactly! But, how'd you know?"

"One, you can barely move since you got off the operating table. Knowing me, I'd be thinking about the same thing. Also, I noticed you froze for a while as if deep in thought when I mentioned that Elenor was training here." This guy is very observant.

"So, why not download the data?"

"There are just some things that computers can't teach androids. Sure, computers have the 'ultimate' programs and functions, which make it seem 'perfect,' but you won't know how to use it in a real life situation effectively. I feel sorry for androids who have poor owners who don't see that. Experiencing the situations yourself allows you to learn how, where, and when to move based on your judgment and not just your program. That, I think, is the ultimate program and that's what brought up the idea of making this room. Few people come to me to make them a room like this one. Why only a few? I don't know. Maybe I should lower the price or something. Anyway, I think more people should get rooms like this. It's good for everyone. Now, what we'll do first is download the data you need so you can move better, then we'll put you through the tests." We entered when Elenor finished her training. "Oh! Done, I see."

"Yes, Doctor. The statistics are left in the computer if you want to see my progress. Draco." Elenor said, sounding unscathed from last night's incident, "Over here please. Now, sit down here while I plug you in." I casually sat down on a chair to my left. "You will feel a sharp, excruciating pain, but that will last for only two hours after I'm done." I thought I heard someone snort.

"WHAT?" I shouted. I began to cry out absurdities when Elenor stuck the jack in my back and I blacked out for a moment.

I awoke in an odd place. I looked down and apparently I'm floating. Where am I? All I see are zeros and ones floating around and interchanging from one number to another. I might be jacked into the computer and all these zeros and ones are informational codes. I floated around for a few minutes when I realized that I'm not in pain. Did she just trick me?

"There we go," she said with a giggle when I regained consciousness.

"Damn it! Don't do that to me!"

"I had to get you back from last night."

"I hate being played with here!" Both Dr. Montague and Elenor started to laugh. "Damn it! I'm serious!"

"I'm sorry. It's not everyday I get to laugh like this," Doc said with a chuckle as he unplugged me, "Anyway, back to business. Draco, please enter the warp pad you see before you." He pointed to the door, which had a sign on it that said Simulation Deck and through it is a warp pad. To the left, a big computer with a bunch of buttons and knobs is set up in front of a huge monitor. Above them are a few more smaller ones. "Go through there and it'll transport you to the second floor."

"There's a second floor?"

"Yeah. I modified this house so that the whole second floor is made for the simulation deck."

Wow. I can imagine how big this house is, but a second floor made for simulation purposes only? I wonder how big this room is.

I rose from the seat, began to walk towards the pad, and paused in astonishment. I noticed that my movements have gotten better.

"What's wrong?" he asked with concern, "You should be better now that we downloaded the data."

"Don't worry. I'm fine."

I started to walk towards the pad again, relieved at how smooth I move now. I transported onto the simulation deck. The walls and ceilings have glowing gridlines of all sizes all over it, which never stayed in one place, and I stood in the middle of it. The warp pad going back is bigger than it's supposed to be. I wonder why? I tried to make out what color the gridlines are, but couldn't. It had an odd glow. It seems white from afar, but if you get a closer look, it's not. Amazing!

"Okay, Draco! Are you still on the warp pad?" Doc asked through the intercom.

"Yes I am," I replied while still in awe at how big this room, floor, or whatever this place is, "but, why is it so big? Uh… the warp pad, I mean."

"The warp pad is that size in case things get out of hand, so it's easier to spot. Come back there if you think you can't handle what I throw at you. The gridlines are actually obstacle creators. These are the landscapes, the people, and etcetera. They can also make even the smallest thing you can think of. In other words, cells."

"Wow!"

"I know! So, are you ready?"

"I guess."

"So, ready or not, here I come."

I stood on the pad, surrounded by the eerie gridlines for a while and then the whole room disappears for an instant. Floors began to form, followed by walls, and then a ceiling. The floor has a white and squishy sparring mat with a decent-sized fighting circle that had two black starting marks on it. I was behind one mark. I'm going to fight? Here? Now? And who? I felt uneasy at the thought. I looked around some more; there are pillars that hold up the ceiling, which has a window on it, revealing the fake, sunny sky.

"Okay, Draco!" Dr. Montague called out on the intercom, "In the simulation room, anything can happen, but don't worry! I won't throw anything harsh at you just yet." Yet? "First, we'll have a rundown on the basics." After that announcement, a male human figure materialized in front of me and wore what looked like the attire that people in those martial arts movies.

"I don't suppose you'll download the data in me so I don't have to go through this," I pleaded dully.

"Don't worry. Anyhow, you'll need to learn to defend yourself one way or another. We want you to come with us to our missions on Ragol."

"What is a Ragol?"

"It's the planet we're planning to land on. Unfortunately, a horrible accident occurred on the face of the planet and it's up to us to scale it and report back. Currently, we're orbiting the planet. But first, we do this. Just copy his movements. Then, I'll decide what to do from there." Please no fighting! Please no fighting!

The figure motioned me to stand next to him. I hesitated to approach him, but then he just decided to stand by me instead. I flinched as he walked forward and around to my right. Then, the figure stood at a stance with the left foot forward and signaled me to do the same. I mimicked him and he told me to stay there with the same, wordless hand signs. After that, the figure came over and stood behind me and held my arms. We did a few punches and blocks, and then moved on to the feet movements. He showed me a few kicks by grabbing my legs, uncomfortably by the way, and moving them the way they supposed to. Then we repeated the same with the other foot forward. Afterwards, he walked in front with his back facing me. He told me to copy him again. I emulated him doing spin kicks, leg sweeps, and other kinds of self-defense exercises. I'm just surprised that I executed these moves perfectly, so to speak. For hours, we worked on defending and attacking. Just as I was getting into the moves passionately, the figure began to really attack me. I could tell because he finally landed a hard punch to my chest. I'd continue to do my thing and it would hit me every time. Gradually, the attacks grew aggressive and now I have to move quickly to evade his assault. I began to panic slightly, but I still continued parrying and blocking.

"What the heck is going on here, Doc?" I demanded while I continued to evade the so-called friendly figure.

"Sorry! I just want to know how you react. To tell you the truth, you're really good for a pers—uh… android who doesn't know how to fight. I'm truly amazed."

"It can't take all the credit," I said as I continually dodged and blocked every attack. Despite all this, I'm enjoying this.

"Oh, I don't think so. All we downloaded into you was the motor skills program. The real test is how you'd react to your new body. Shoot! I shouldn't have said that."

"Huh? What's that?" I asked, still immersed in the fray.

"Oh! Uh… um… I said don't keep trying to dodge his attacks. At least try to land a few blows."

"Okay!" I ducked the next attack and retaliated with a leg sweep, tripping him. I sprung up with another attempt to strike before he hit the ground, but he quickly shifted his weight aside and managed to spin around, chopping me in the back of my neck. Instead of cowering in fear, I began to feel exhilarated and pounced at him again. I'm enjoying this so much! He made an effort to work my midsection, but failed. I blocked a few of his attacks and rolled aside and swept him once more. Again, it succeeded and I suspected that he'd shift his weight again, so I kicked him up from the predicted direction and managed to send him airborne. I jumped with him and slammed him back down with my leg with a crash. The figure let out an inaudible cry of pain.

"Good," Dr. Montague said as he turned off the simulation system. All that remained was the figure. He struggled to get up and bowed to me. I did likewise and he disappeared leaving behind the eerie gridlines. "Very good! I'm proud to be your creator. I am tremendously impressed with your progress. To tell you the truth, I expected you to lose."

"Uh… thanks. I guess."

"Draco!" Elenor warped to me excitedly and gave me a hug, "Congratulations! You are spectacular. However, you could build up a little strategy when you fought the simulant. Then you could be one of the best hand-in-hand fighters out there."

"Oh, come on!" I retorted, "I still K.O.'ed the guy."

"Yes, you did! Then again, charging into combat without a strategy is not the best idea. You were lucky that we were going a bit soft on you."

"How soft are we talking about exactly?" I asked irritated.

"On a scale from one to ten, ten being the highest, an eight." Wow! I'm that good? Then again… I'm an android. What can I say? I make us look good. Hee hee…

"Oh, wow! I can't wait to take on a full ten fighter," I said eagerly. "I'm unstoppable! Yah ha ha!"

"Oh really?" she challenged, "Right here, right now."

"What?"

"You heard me. Fight me right here, right now."

"You can't be serious! There's no way I can hurt you. I made a promise! Of all people… why pull off a stunt like this? Okay, I get the point. Never hurt you."

"Not exactly. I'm trying to prove a point."

"What? That I shouldn't mess with you?"

"No. It is to show you that there will be times when you cannot fight someone because of a certain factor. There might be a time when a person you really care about could hurt you. Or even worse! So, what will you do, then? Let that person kill you?"

I paused for a moment then said close to a whisper, "I—I'd… fight back."

"Exactly! That is… how it works as a hunter." That's happened to her? She says it so vividly. I can't imagine it happening to her. "So now, get ready and I am not going to hold back!" she said as she put herself in the ready position.

"Fine! Show me what you got. How 'bout we make it a little exciting and put a wager here?" I said as I got into my fighting stance.

"Okay! The loser cleans the whole house for a month."

"What? You can't be serious! Do you know how big this place is?"

"Of course I do. I clean this place all the time. Remember?"

"Oh… yeah… right. Best three out of five."

She giggles and says, "Okay. Let us begin."

This can't be happening! This is not what I meant by "getting to know her". I noticed that Dr. Montague hasn't talked through the intercom the whole time this was going on. He must have left the room to leave us alone. At least, I hope he did. Before we began our fight, I put my hand on my chest again. What are these unintentional movements trying to tell me?

We fought the night away.

SUPAH SPICY! Well, no... not really. Ha ha ha! Lately, it's hard to type freely when I have things like work and school in the way. Then, I lose the inspiration and I have to wait another few months to gain that inspiration again. Gah... Oh well... Anyway, catch y'all on the flip side! On to chapter 3! If I'll ever get to it...