Well, I've finally done it…here it is, the moment you've all been waiting for…the Kiande Amedha trial begins! But even with his new ally Dachande, and with Deadstreak to complicate things, can Drake survive against the foulest beings in the galaxy?

However, if you're enjoying the story, I've got bad news. See, tomorrow afternoon I'm heading down to my Grandmother's. She doesn't have any Internet access, so therefore I won't be able to post anything while I'm down there. Also I don't get back until Thursday. I'll try and at least get some stuff written, though.

Yautja, Predator and all related characters and trademarks are © 20th Century Fox.

THE TRIAL BEGINS

Drake stayed awake long into the night. Every time he closed his eyes, he was confronted with images of those foul, snarling beasts, drenching him in Acid Blood…

He didn't know what time it was that he finally fell asleep. Eventually, the night passed and the planet's twin, red suns rose steadily into the air.

The sudden sound of a loud, Yautja horn caused Drake's eyes to shoot open. He sat straight up as the realization of what was about to happen smacked him upside the head. He hurriedly got dressed, attached his mask and armour, and gathered his weapons. Finally, he placed the massive Plasmacaster on his shoulder and stepped outside.

Before long, he stood amongst the other five trainees- with Deadstreak next to him.

"So you didn't chicken out," Deadstreak taunted, "Let's see how long you actually last out there."

"Bet it'll be longer than you," Drake answered.

"Oh, please. Face it, you don't belong here."

Drake turned away, irritated beyond words by his new rival.

Finally, a clan Elder stepped out in front of them.

"On this day," He said, "The day that you have all spent your life training for has arrived. But be warned: This trial is not to be taken lightly. The Xenomorphs are quite possibly the foulest and most terrible creatures in the Universe. Therefore, for this trial, you will be in three teams of two."

"Three?" Drake whispered, "There's only five of us."

"Look around," Dachande answered, "Another Yautja got here last night."

"The teams will be," The Elder continued, "Dacande and Tu'thaka…" Those two took their places.

"…Lua'Kia and Hura'Ki…"

Another two Yautja took their places.

Oh, no… Drake realised, that means…

"And finally, Drake and Deadstreak."

Damn it!

"You have 15 minutes left to prepare yourselves. Use them wisely."

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The next 15 minutes were a blur, filled with constant insults between Drake and Deadstreak. Eventually, a few minutes before the trial was to begin, they wound up staring each other down ready to fight. Deadstreak was about to throw the first punch, when the Elder suddenly appeared between them.

"Enough," He growled, "You are here to hunt and kill Xenomorphs, not each other! Now, go and stand with the other four."

Drake and Deadstreak complied, glaring daggers at each other, until they lined up.

The Elder stood there silently as the six young Yautja prepared to enter the caves.

"In those caves," The Elder explained, "Is a hive of roughly 30 Xenomorphs. To pass the trial, each of you must slay at least one. There are three passages leading to the hive. Each pair will take a different path."

Finally, he raised his spear into the air, the sun glinting brightly off the polished metal.

"Let the trial Begin!"

All three teams ran straight into the caves.

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It had now been about 10 minutes since the Unblooded Yautja had entered the caves.

"I can't believe I got stuck with the human," Deadstreak complained, "I'm probably going to get blamed because my partner's the first one those things rip to pieces!"

"What the hell is your problem," Drake asked, before suddenly stopping. "Wait…what's that?"

The sounds would have been near silent to an ordinary human…but Drake was no ordinary human.

There were sounds of explosions…roaring…followed by savage, inhuman screeches and the sound of tearing metal…followed by screams of pain and the sickening sounds of tearing flesh and breaking bones. Finally, the screeches and sounds of battle stopped, replaced by a Yautja's victorious roar.

"The hive's awake," Deadstreak, commented, "So now what, Mr. 'look-at-me-I'm-an-ape-and-I-actually-dressed-myself-this-morning'?"

"Will you shut it?" Drake snapped. "I'm not happy about being stuck with you either!"

"Me?" Deadstreak remarked, insulted.

"Yes. You. Since I set foot on this planet you haven't stopped acting like a complete and total jackass!"

"At least I actually belong here!"

"And I don't?"

"Damn right. Humans don't belong with the Yautja. Just face it, monkey-boy, you're not one of us. And you never will be!"

That was it. The last several weeks had been bad enough, now they were underground, about to face hordes of murderous monsters…and what Deadstreak just said had finally pushed him too far.

Drake struck out, punching Deadstreak right in the face and sending him staggering back.

"Bastard!" Deadstreak yelled, clenching his fists.

Suddenly, something behind Deadstreak caught Drake's attention…his eyes were drawn to a large crack in the rock behind him…and something…something inside the crack…something moving…Something with jet-black, slimy skin, long, think, bony arms. The back of a cylindrical head leaned back as a pair of snarling teeth parted with a long, sinuous tail ending in a large spike lifting up…

"Get Down!" Drake yelled, whipping out the Speargun.

Deadstreak immediately ducked, as Drake fired, just as the Xenomorph leapt out.

The spear cut through the monster's arm, sending Acid Blood flying onto the wall of the cave.

Before Drake could react, the Xenomorph slammed into him, forcing him to the ground. He tried to move, but his arms and legs were pinned down. He could only look up, in shock and horror, at the snarling beast on top of him.

The savage, dirty teeth parted as the second, inner mouth reared back, about to deliver the killer blow…

CLIFFHANGER! And, just to be totally evil, the next chapter won't be for nearly a week! Yeah, I'm evil. I know. But hopefully, after a week, you'll be nicely ready for the fight…and I'm aware that this chapter was mostly the set-up for the trial.

However, in a little under a week, I can promise you a whole chapter of all-out space-monster action!

Finally, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy Easter!