At that very moment, Max and the others had something of a "flip take."

Max: Oh c'mooooooon. I thought you were gonna say something cool like....

Ken: Like what?!

Max: I dunno... like... the processing thingy or... the software.... or I dunno....

The boy by the name of Maximillian Hunter... is not very good with computers.

Ken: Hmmmm.....

As for Max's mother, she was still staring at him in honest anticipation. Like a child waiting for a piece of candy.

Ken: Well... for one thing.... I have to say that protonite tech meshes surprisingly well with my bionics.

Julianne: Really now...

Ken: Yes. However....

He turned back to the computer.

Ken: If I was to compare it to human technology, I would say that protonite tech is especially straightforward.

Max: Huh!?

Rose: Straight... forward?!

Ken: Yes. For example... this computer and this computer alone, while being incredibly complex all on its own, only handles a few specific commands at any given time.

Max: Oh yeah....

Max was well familiar with the way both of them worked.

Julianne: Uh huh. That is the protonite way.

Tiffany: What does that mean?

Ken: Simply put, each computer in this room serves a single purpose. One so specific that it, in and of itself, is especially complex, having many alterations within itself.

Rose: I.... I still don't get it.

Ken: Its like having an incredibly complex computer and comparing it to an incredibly complex camera. Both have cameras, however, one takes far better photos.

Rose: Oh... Ohhhhhhhhh So that means,

Ken: Yes. Every single computer in this room has one singular purpose. Quite interesting, I would say.

Julianne: Oh... you.

Ken: And also, the mere fact that my bionics were able to so easily intergrate with it....

Julianne: Oh, that. Well I did take the passwords down for you.

Ken: I see. (thinking: I decided to leave her personal information alone. (sighs) The things you have us do, Tiffany. Honestly.) However, I would still say that your technology quite different from ours, although, in a weird sense, not that different from it.

Julianne: I completely agree.

Ken: Hmmm?

Julianne: It was the first thing I'd noticed while here on Earth. Getting accustomed to everything here... it was strange. Everything was so different, yet at the same time, the same.

Ken: Yes, I think that is an accurate analysis.

Julianne started giggling.

He found himself smiling at her, a gesture which he almost immediately shook off. Smiling...? at her.....? How could he?

Tiffany: Alright then. Now that that's set and done.... let's get a move on.

Ken: Oh, thats right...

Rose: Hmph.

The two teen girls looked each other in the eye.

Tiffany: Our match is next.

Rose: Yeah....

Rose couldn't help but feel a bit nervous. There she was. Tiffany Chang. The very girl she wanted to impress.

Max: Alright! I can't wait to see that match.

And there he was. The boy she wanted to impress.

She failed to turn to look at him, stopping herself halfway, as she couldn't allow herself to do that. This gesture was noticed by basically everyone in the room, including Max, who was the only one who failed to understand why.

Tiffany: Let's get to the middle of the room.

Rose: Hmph!

As the pair walked towards their battle stage, treading carefully because of all the stones, ....

Max: (to Ken, somewhat discretely) Hey, is something wrong with Rose?

At that point, Ken fought desperately to withhold his laughter.

Luke simply smirked, and his mother discretely closed her mouth as she followed the girls to the stage.

Ken: Nothing that I'm aware of.

Max: Huh.....

He'd never known Rose to seem even a little standoffish.

As the two teen girls were about to reach their places....

Julianne: Just a moment, ladies.

Tiffany and Rose: Hmm?

Julianne: I could always reset the battlefield. I mean... if you'd like me to.

Both girls looked at each other for only a moment before...

Tiffany: Thank you, but it's fine, Mrs Hunter.

Rose: Yeah. We'll be fine.

Julianne: Ok then...

The pair then stood, several feet away from each other, in a field of small pebbles.

Tiffany: Are you ready.... Rose?

Rose: Yes, Tiff. I'm absolutely ready!

Julianne returned to the others, and Ken held his hand in the air, as he was the one officiating the match.

Ken: Ok then.....

Max: (to Ken) So... whod you thinks gonna win?

Ken: Hm.... No idea.

Max: Mmmmmm.... Well... I think Rose is gonna win.

Ken: Hmm?

Max: Yeah, she can just grab her with her psychic powers, right?

Ken sighed.

Max: Hmm?

Ken: I thought you'd known by now.

Max: Known what?

Ken: Fighting Tiffany Chang.... is almost never as simple as it looks.