~the ceremony was over and it was time to go home. Athena fell asleep as Adeona glowed in her hand~

~after a long helicopter ride home, Athena walked through Japan. As she walked, she finds a house that looked quite familiar, it was Wakiyas house~

Athena: Maybe Wakiya can train with me.

~she dashes inside and was in awe at the sight of the houses interior, she searches for Wakiya~

Athena: Oh Wakiya.. Come out come out wherever you are.

~she heads into Wakiyas training and she finds him there~

Athena: Wakiya Komurasaki!!!

Wakiya: Huh? Athena?

Athena: *absolutely shook* YOU KNOW MY NAME?!?

Wakiya: Yeah, we were both at the ceremony so of course I know your name. But anyway what are you doing here?

Athena: I came looking for a training partner.

Wakiya: Training partner eh, well you're in luck because I am also looking for a training partner.

Athena: Shall we get started? This is Guide Adeona!

Wakiya: Adeona huh? Thats cool and all but I think my bey is a lot better! This is Pulse Wyvern!

Athena: *thinks and goes analytical mode* so thats Wyvern! Its Pulse Ring and 3D Chassis have Free-Rotating pieces which makes it hard to land a solid attack and its Driver is made of metal, reducing friction... I can already tell this coconut isnt gonna be easy to break..

Athena: Ready when you are!

3 2 1 GO SHOOT!!!

*Wyvern gracefully took the center*

Wakiya: Now come!

Athena: Now go! Guiding Shoot!

*Adeona attacked and just as Athena predicted, Wyvern deflected the attack with its ring*

Wakiya: An Attack like that wont work on Wyvern..

Athena:  Kinda what I figured...

*Adeona throws all kinds of attacks at Wyvern but were all deflected*

Wakiya: Its over! Pulse Shield!

Athena: Guide Upper!!

*Adeona and Wyvern clash as gusty winds rip throughout the training room. One gust blows her dress skirt up. Blushing madly, Athena yelps and pushes it back down quickly*

Athena: Burst it Adeona!!!

*Adeona goes in at full power*

Athena: Adeona!!

Athena: Now burn! Flare!!

*Adeonas flare shined at maximum power, catching Wakiya off guard*

Wakiya: End this! Wyvern!

Wakiya: Do it!

*Wyvern deflects the attack, Adeona goes flying into the wall causing it to burst*

Athena: N-no...

Wakiya: *avatar appears behind him* is that all you got?

~meanwhile Lane still remained in America as he walked inside a massive temple, he walks on to an elevator and heads to the very bottom floor. When he reaches the bottom floor, he sees a tall man standing in front of a massive capsule~

???: Welcome Lane Valhalla.. Ive been expecting you.

Lane: Who are you?

Ashtem: My name is Ashtem and this is the snake pit..

Lane: What is all this? I thought the Snake Pit was done for.

Ashtem: Our minor setback with Shu Kurenai in the past was only the beginning.. Now the Snake Pit is reborn!! In front of you is what we call Project: Shadow! After our experiment on Shu, i became fascinated by the dark power, therefore we ditched the Requiem Project and started Project: Shadow!

Lane: And what does that have to do with me? What do i gain from this?!

Ashtem: If you undergo this project then I guarantee you'll never lose again.

~Lane thought for a moment, thinking about Athena, he looks at the capsule and stepped forward~

Lane: I'll do it. I'll undergo the project!

Ashtem: Very good. Just get inside the capsule and one of my employees will get you set up.

~Lane steps inside as a worker comes up and places straps which were connected by wires on his arms, torso and legs. The worker then closed the capsule doors~

Ashtem: There will be discomfort..

Lane: I don't care! Get this thing started!!

~Lane closed his eyes as Project: Shadow began to power up! Ashtem smiled wickedly~

~Meanwhile in Japan, Athena headed to Shu's apartment. Her stomach was growling~

Athena: *tired* hungry... Hungry.... 

~she reached Shu's apartment and walked on in~

Athena: Shu... Im hungry...

Shu: Well you're in luck, im making us something right now.

~Athena looked over and Shu was making Spaghetti Carbonara~

Shu: Its almost done.

~Shu places a plate of spaghetti in front of her~

Athena: *eyes sparkling* Thanks for the food!!

*she starts scarfing down the spaghetti*

Shu: Heh.. I guess you really were hungry.

Athena: Hehe yeah..

~Athena finished eating and wiped her mouth, she looked up at Shu~

Athena: Aren't you gonna eat?

Shu: Hehe, i'll eat later.

Athena: Shu?..

Shu: Hm?

Athena: Do you think ive grown? Like at all?

Shu: Well you definitely look like you've grown a few inches-

Athena: No thats not what I meant. I meant in terms of skills and strength..

Shu: Of course you've grown, you've come a long way since you first came to Japan. Where is this coming from anyway?

Athena: I lost to Gwyn and Wakiya in the worst ways possible, because of that i just feel so down.. I broke Lucifer and I just feel so bad about it..

Shu: The best you can do is get stronger Athena.. I once saw the eyes of a girl who was afraid, now I see the eyes of a girl who wants to change the one she loves most.. I believe in you and I know you can do it.

~Athena jumps up and hugged Shu tightly, tears streamed from her eyes~

Athena: *whispering* thank you...

[TO BE CONTINUED]

Next Chapter: Sword Of A Legend! Zone Xcalibur!