Disclaimer:sigh As always, I do not own AC but I own the characters. This is my first fanfic so reviews would be nice.

Chapter 1: The New Crop

"The test is about to begin. Be aware that this test will determine your future as a Raven," A low voice on the intercom instructed. "Try to relax Sara, getting nervous will only make things worse. You do not need to feel any pressure got that?"

"Ummmm...O-Okay." a nervous female voice replied. Sara Landfield, Age 20. She had long jet-black hair that reached to her shoulders paired with light-blue eyes. At most times she would feel very confident, in fact she would be very self-centered, but at the moment she was feeling very nervous. She piloted a red AC whom she called Crimson Tear. Sara had saved up a great deal of money to buy her AC, She wasn't about to put it to waste now. The exam that would determine her future was here and now. Well, at least the examiner is nice.

"Should you succeed, you will be registered as a Raven in the Ravens Ark. If you fail you will die. I will be accompanying you as an observer, but only in that capacity. Keep this in mind," the examiner said with a more serious tone than before.

Right, I don't need to feel any pressure at all. Sara felt uncomfortable at the examiner's last words.

"Now let's begin. The objective is simple, all you have to do is destroy all MTs that you find running amok in the city."

A loud beep signaled for the starting of the examination. "Go straight ahead and destroy all MTs that you find. The alternate pathways have been blocked off to prevent them from escaping anywhere else."

Crimson Tear boosted forward and turned to the right. The glass of the tunnel seemed to refract amazing light from the sun. After a while two MTs where sighted. Crimson Tear strafe boosted to the right and used it's sniper rifle to clear the two MTs. This isn't so tough, Sara thought to herself. After a whole five minutes of cleaning up the MTs the exam was over.

"That was quite exceptional piloting for someone who just started to pilot an AC. You just might live up to something someday. Congragulations! You have become, a Raven," the examiner said in a stern voice.

As soon as the screen flickered off Sara sat in the cockpit, wide eyed and surprised. Her arms flung into the air "Yes! Yes! Yes! I'm the greatest! Yes!" She yelled with excitement. After the exam, Sara docked in Cascove City. It was a large city that had tunnels connecting to each building surrounded by a lush green environment. A city that was quite active even at night. Meanwhile, Sara was trying to find her quarters. "Let's see...A-21, A-21...Ah! Here it is!" Sara slid the keycard through the card slot and the quarter door slid open. "Oh my god! Wow...it's like a five star hotel, and I'm right beside the best view. This is so awesome!" Sara immediately jumped on the large queen sized bed waiting for her. She sighed at the luxurious surrounding and comfortable bed. But as soon as she settled down a distinct beeping could be heard. Sara set her sights on a small computer imbedded into the wall. "Oh! This must be the computer that we have to use for arena battles and mission contracts that my friends were talking about. Hmmmm...I wonder!" Bolting upright she went to the miniature computer and pressed the green button that seemed to be flashing. That seemed to trigger and open a new mail. The mail read:

Welcome Raven,

We are quite aware that you have been newly inducted into the group and would like to go over the rules of the Ravens Ark first before you recieve any missions.
First of all, we here at Ravens Ark will supply Ravens with a mission according to their skill level. However we are not allowed to interfere with the contract or the Ravens situation no matter how problematic it may be.
You should also be aware that in certain missions Ravens will be forced to be pitted against eachother. As long as the contract pays we have no qualms whatsoever against the contract.
Another thing is that you should know is the way we pick Arena opponents. There is no particular thing we do, we only randomly select one against eachother. This poses as a problem for those who have just started as they cannot compete with the upper tiers. But in the past we have had many problems so we have decided on this system as the best.
By the way, my name is Karen, I will be your operator on the field of battle. Good luck!

That was the end of the message. Sara noticed another mail appear and clicked the green button again. The title read Arena Match:

Hello Again Raven! I'm just here to tell you that your first Arena match is all set. Please click on the small icon in the bottom left, it should be blinking. Good luck!

Karen

"Oh! Wow that was fast...let's see...my next match is...ahhhhh! Windbreaker! Haha! That's a cocky name, I bet it's a pushover hehehe...well...it wouldn't hurt to do some research on my opponent." On the top right hand corner of the screen there was a icon with paper and files on it with the words Ranking under it. Clicking on the icon and typing in the name the following popped up:

Windbreaker Rank: 2 AC: Omen

After joining two months in the Ark he rose in rank and surpassed all odds. Has a mission success rate and arena record of a hundred percent. He is well respected and very skilled in combat. Uses multiple strategies according to the situation making him unreadable. He has earned the second place title through sheer determination and perserverance. Many who wish to go against the Nine Breaker must face him...only a handful have come close.
The profile seemed to end by itself and Sara was left speechless, "I...I have to face the second ranked in my first match...ahhhhhhh! This isn't fair! How am I supposed beat someone whoes beaten everything!" Sara seemed to be even nervous than she was when she was doing the exam. Through all the thoughts that were going through Sara's head she didn't notice the green light flashing on the monitor that indicated a mail. It was only when the beeping started that she noticed the mail. She pressed the green button and the mail opened:

To my opponent

I see that you are my next opponent. You seem to be newly inducted as I have seen so I'll give you some tips on how the Ark REALLY works. They only say that the Arena opponents are randomly picked but the truth is they just don't want you to file a complaint against the Ark just because your opponent is ranked much higher than you. They actually pick the opponents personally and match them up according to their skill level. Which means they see the potential in you to defeat me. This should be entertaining...I look forward to our battle.