Location: Verdant Ridge

  Time of Day: Morning

  Day 5 Week 3

  Two pairs faced each other in silence. Hikari stood with her hands in her coat pockets and Captain beside her with his rifle aimed. Across from them, Lumina's hand hovered near her katana, eyes focused. Slayer struck his sword against his shield with a loud CLANG, the sound echoing across the plateau. The rematch was about to begin.

  Lumina's eyes narrowed. "I hope you two took the liberty of planning your strategy last night," she said coolly. "Because today, we'll be testing your skills at full capacity."

  Hikari tilted her head, a playful smirk curling at her lips. "Ohhh... Lumina, you really shouldn't be worrying about us," she teased. "What you should be worrying about is that weapon betraying you."

  Lumina raised an eyebrow. "Hm?"

  Captain leaned in slightly, whispering without lowering his rifle. "Hikari- shh! Stop giving them hints. Are you trying to make us lose here??"

  Hikari scratched her cheek with one finger, sheepish. "Hehe... sorry. I got too excited there."

  Captain muttered, "Well, turn off your brain and-" Across the field, Slayer glanced at Lumina, then back at the two mumbling from afar.

  "Looks like we won't need to fight them after all." Slayer sighed.

  Lumina nodded, deadpan. "Because they're already fighting each other. Hmph... how comforting."

  After a few seconds passed of Hikari and Captain arguing about their 'great plan'. Lumina's voice cut through the plateau. "We'll now be commencing the test on the count of three. You guys ready?"

  Hikari gave a half-hearted shrug, her tone playful. "Not really, but sure... as long as I come out alive."

  Captain activated Aura Reload, his energy surging into the rifle as glowing rounds filled the chamber. CHK-CHK! "Start the countdown."

  Lumina's voice sharpened. "Start in, three... two... one..." She raised her hand then sliced it down. "Hajime!" The battle began. In an instant FWOOOSH! all four flared into their Emanation States. Green and blue clashed against pink and red, auras surging across the plateau. Captain and Hikari were the first to act.

  "Hikari!" Captain barked. "Boost me!"

  "Got it!" Hikari thrust her hand forward. A pulse of pink aura burst from her palm, wrapping around Captain. His red aura flared brighter, now streaked with pink, his power surging.

  He didn't waste a second. CHNK! His rifle shifted into shotgun form. "Let's see how you handle this!" Captain sprinted straight at Slayer. BOOM! The first blast echoed across the ridge. BOOM! Another, heavier. BOOM! A third rattled the stone beneath their feet. Slayer braced his shield, each impact driving him back a step, his arm shuddering with the force.

  "Tch!" Slayer growled, teeth clenched behind his visor. "It'll take more than a few shots to break me."

  But Captain wasn't done. Mid-run SHRR-CLACK! his shotgun stretched into sniper form. He raised it in one fluid motion. BOOM! A boosted precise shot slammed into the center of Slayer's shield, the sheer force blasting him across the ridge. CRASH! He smashed into a mossy stone pillar, dust and rubble scattering.

  Lumina's eyes flicked toward him, still calm. "Hmph. Well done," she said, meeting Captain's eyes now. "Even though he blocked every shot, you kept up the pressure, forcing him to underestimate your enhancements." Her tone dropped slightly, expression sharpening. "But now it's my turn." FWIP! She vanished in a blink.

  Captain's instincts screamed. "Hikari! She's dashing, now's the time!"

  "Right! Activating Aura Tech Link! Drones out!" Pink aura erupted around Hikari as three drones shot forth, spiraling into formation. BZZZT! Orbiting her like stars answering their queen. "Now, Captain!"

  He gave a sharp nod. "Time for close combat."

  Without hesitation, Captain tossed his rifle aside. FWUNK! A combat knife slipped into his hand from the strap at his leg. His stance dropped low, grip firm. SHHHNK! Lumina appeared mid-air, katana flashing green as she slashed down. CLANG! Sparks flew as Captain's knife met her blade, the impact rattling the plateau. For an instant, they locked eyes through the clash of steel, but then Lumina flipped gracefully back, landing with a soft thud, her hair fanning out behind her.

  "A combat knife, huh?" Lumina's tone carried a flicker of amusement. "Was that suppose to be your great plan? Hmph. Hate to break it to you, but that tiny blade won't be enough to match my katana." She lifted her sword, pointing the tip squarely at him. "Still... you're welcome to try it though."

  Captain's eyes narrowed, a smirk tugging at his lip. "You'll regret underestimating my 'tiny blade'!" FWIP! He lunged, his aura still infused with pink. CLANG! Their blades collided once then again CLANG! CLANG! Sparks burst with each strike as the two moved in a flurry. Lumina's speed was ruthless, each swing sharp and precise, but Captain kept pace, adapting with every blow.

  Above them, Hikari's drones whirred into position. HUUMMM! The first shot BOOM! seared toward Lumina. She saw it coming and knocked it aside in a clean arc, but the second and third followed instantly. BOOM! BOOM! She twisted mid-air, deflecting both, but her eyes widened. The knockback from each impact pressed harder than she expected, forcing her feet to skid against the stone.

  "These... aren't normal pulse shots, are they?" Lumina muttered, her stance tightening.

  From behind, Hikari's voice rang out. "I'm glad you noticed it. That's because I used Aura Tech Link on Captain's rifle into my drone system. Now letting my drones fire .50 caliber BMG, sniper-class ammunition!" Captain's abandoned rifle, still set to sniper mode, flowed with pink aura, feeding power directly into Hikari's drones.

  Lumina's eyes narrowed. "Tch... not bad."

  "Enhancing output, maximum capacity!" Hikari shouted. FWOOOSH! A pink pulse shot from her hand, surging into the drones. ZZZZZT! They flared into overdrive, glow intensifying and hum rising. Captain pressed forward, parrying Lumina's strikes blow for blow, keeping her locked down and forcing her to deflect. Then BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! The drones fired in unison. Lumina spun, deflecting the first blast. CLANG! The force still shoved her back, heels skidding across stone. Captain pressed forward harder, then the second shot slammed into her guard. KRASH! her katana ripped from her grip, clattering across the plateau. She dropped to one knee, now wide open.

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  Captain sidestepped, his voice sharp. "Finish it now, Hikari!"

  Hikari thrust out a hand, aura flaring. "It's over!" BOOM! Her drone's third round screamed toward Lumina, too fast for even her to dodge. Lumina's eyes widened, breath catching as the blast closed in.

  FWOOOSH! CLANG! Slayer then appeared, shield and sword raised, intercepting the blast. The deflection hurled the shot into a nearby pillar. KA-DOOOM! Stone shattered and fragments rained across the ridge. The shockwave rattled up his arm, but he held firm, visor blazing blue. Lumina looked up at him, surprise breaking through her calm exterior, her hair covered in dust particles. She let out a strained breath, coughing lightly. "Oh, hey Slayer... cough... thanks for the save. ...Hm, looks like they really outplayed me there," she admitted with a weak laugh.

  Slayer offered his hand and pulled her up. "Yeah," he nodded. "They're finally working as a team. I'm impressed. So... what do you say we get some payback?" Lumina nodded firmly, then blinked when Slayer tilted his head. "Uhh... Lumina? Where's your katana?"

  Her eyes darted around. "It should be right over- huh?!"

  Across the plateau, Hikari stood smirking. She held Lumina's katana in one hand and gave a cheeky little wave. "Yoo-hoo~" Hikari sang. "Looking for this?"

  Lumina's eyes widened. "Hey! Give that back! Only warriors worthy of wielding it are allowed to touch it!"

  "Teehee~ yeah, sorry, not happening," Hikari teased, spinning it once in her grip. "Told ya it'd betray you. But of course, if you really want it back that badly... then you'll just have to come and get it."

  Lumina clenched her fists, jaw tight, but Slayer put a calming hand on her shoulder. "Relax we'll get it back. At least you still have your hands, don't you?"

  With an annoyed pout, Lumina gave a short nod. "Tch, guess so."

  But before they could move, Hikari's aura flared bright pink. FWOOOSH! The katana glowed as her Aura Tech Link synced with it. In an instant, her drones snatched the blade from her hand, spinning it midair with perfect synchronization. "Let's see how you handle your own blade," Hikari murmured, her playful smile sharpening.

  The drones darted around Lumina, katana slashing in elegant arcs. Lumina's eyes widened as she ducked narrowly beneath a strike. "What the-?! She's using MY KATANA against me?!"

  Hikari pumped her fists, grinning. "Go go, Drones! Strike with the power of friendship... and stolen swords!"

  Across the field, Captain grabbed his rifle, his red aura flaring back to life. CHNK! It shifted into SMG burst mode. BRTT! BRTT! A storm of bullets tore toward Slayer. He braced, shield raised, the impacts rattling. Step by step, he was forced onto the defensive.

  Hikari grinned. "Let me join in on the fun too, Captain!" Her pink aura blazed as she dashed in beside him.

  "Careful," Captain warned, eyes narrowing. "Don't lose sight of Lumina now."

  "Yeah, yeah, I hear you." She flicked a glance at the drones still hammering Lumina. "They've got her busy enough." Her eyes lit with excitement. "Now watch how much my kicks have leveled up!" She closed in FWOOSH! spinning low as her heel lashed out against Slayer's shield. CLANG! The strike rang across the ridge... but Slayer barely budged.

  "Haha, sorry," Slayer chuckled, steady. "But those tiny kicks have nothing against my shield."

  "Then I'll just have to keep trying until my 'tiny' legs give out!" Hikari grit her teeth, flipping into another strike. WHAM! WHAM! Her heel slammed harder, sparks scattering with each impact. But Slayer didn't budge.

  "Like I said, won't work," Slayer said calmly, holding firm and aura flaring.

  "Don't underestimate... my Legs of Justice!" Hikari shot back, her strike surging with aura. Suddenly, from within her coat pocket PULSE! The artifact faintly glowed. The timing synced perfectly with her next kick. BOOOOM! Her heel smashed into Slayer's shield with explosive force, sending him skidding back across the stone.

  Slayer's visor flared. "What the-? That force..."

  Hikari grinned, catching her breath. "Ha, told you not to underestimate my kicks!"

  Captain steadied his rifle, eyes narrowing. "Well done, Hikari... but it's still not over. I'll keep applying the pressure on Slayer while you keep Lumina busy. That way we keep them split."

  Hikari gave him a firm nod. "Right. Let's finish it." She then regrouped with her drones, aura still flowing bright.

  Captain raised his voice across the field. "C'mon, Slayer. Don't tell me a little kick was enough to bring you down."

  Slayer chuckled, planting his shield. "Heh. I admit that kick was powerful. But still not enough to break my will to fight!" FWOOOSH! He surged forward, shield raised, forcing Captain to open fire again. BRRT! BRRT! Each burst rattled against Slayer's guard, driving him back step by step.

  Meanwhile, Hikari's drones pressed the assault against Lumina, katana slashing in relentless arcs. Each katana swing grew faster, sharper, perfectly in sync. Lumina dodged narrowly, sweat beading at her temple. ("Tch... I can't keep this up forever. At this rate, my stamina will burn out before hers does. And with how small they are... I can't seem to find an opening.")

  Hikari pumped a fist. "Yes. Looks like my drones are giving you a good time, huh? But what do you say we crank it up to maximum capacity?!" She thrust her hand forward, pink aura surging. "Enhancing! Overdrive mode, engage!" ZZZZZT! The drones' glow intensified, movements accelerating to inhuman speed.

  A flurry of arcs lashed out at Lumina. Her green aura flared faintly as she moved. "Tch... not good." She ducked the first slash, twisted past the second, slipped under the third SHING! but the fourth grazed across her side. "Augh!" she cried out, staggering.

  Slayer turned instinctively toward her voice. "Lumina!" His back was wide open.

  Captain didn't hesitate. "Now's my chance." His rifle flared as ammo regenerated through Aura Reload. SHRR-CLACK! In one motion, it shifted into sniper mode.

  Hikari, reading him, raised her hand. "Boost incoming!" Her pink aura surged into him, intertwining with his red. His power spiked violently, energy rippling off his frame.

  Captain crouched low, steady breath drawn. "Rule number one... never turn your back in a fight." His rifle glowed BOOM! The sniper shot cracked across the plateau, striking both Slayer and Lumina head-on. The sniper shot cracked across the plateau, striking both Slayer and Lumina head-on. The blast swallowed them in dust and aura. When the haze cleared, the two lay side by side, winded and disarmed. Hovering above, Hikari's drones leveled the katana, its blade gleaming inches from their chests. Across the ridge, Captain crouched with his rifle still aimed, aura burning bright. Lumina and Slayer looked up, pinned, exposed, and with no options left.

  Together, Hikari and Captain's voices cut through the silence in perfect unison- "Checkmate."

  Lumina exhaled slowly, lowering her guard. "Well done, Hikari and Captain. We were outplayed."

  Slayer gave a nod. "And you did it together this time."

  One by one, their auras faded. Hikari's drones flickered out, and the katana dropped to the ground with a soft clang. Lumina stepped forward, picking it up carefully before sheathing it. Slayer came to stand at her side.

  "You proved yourselves today," Lumina said firmly. "You adapted quickly and executed with precision."

  Slayer grinned. "And the planning? Ooo~ spicy. Enhanced rounds, synced drones, tiny kicks, and hijacking Lumina's own katana? Haha, those were some nice tricks, and you pulled them off clean. You have my respects."

  Captain smirked faintly. "Hmph. I'm flattered. A compliment from the great 'tin can' himself."

  Hikari burst out laughing. "Ahaha~ Didn't expect that one~"

  Slayer sighed theatrically. "Ah wonderful. He's learning Hikari's language now. How heartwarming."

  Lumina shook her head with the faintest smile. A silence. "You guys are no longer students... but warriors of Xevia. And you have now earned our complete trust."

  Hikari planted her hands on her hips, eyes gleaming. "Well, we can't take all the credit. It's because we had excellent mentors that we were able to get this far. Thank you, Lumina... Slayer. Truly."

  Captain nodded. "Yeah, I agree. You taught us more than combat and for that... I'm grateful."

  Lumina and Slayer exchanged a glance, then lifted their hands in unison. "As your mentors," they declared together, "we officially declare this training complete!"

  The wind swept across Verdant Ridge as the sun climbed higher. Hikari and Captain stood side by side, victorious. With that, the fifth day of the third week came to an end. But this was not the end of their story, it was only the beginning. In three days, they would finally return to their world. Now, the Training Arc is over... and their true journey will soon begin.