Accept. Adapt. Act.

Those words continue to echo in my mind as I face off against my opponent. A giant humanoid beast of sorts. The silver collar on its neck glinting as the lights shined on us in the arena. High walls of glass surrounded us and Galran's watched with wide smiles and interest in their beady eyes.

Ignoring it, my eyes went back to my opponent, diving out of its way as it's fist struck where I once was.

When my hands made contact with the floor I flipped over and onto my feet, lunging at the beast. He struck out at me and I went under its arm before coming up behind him. The sword they had given me today in my grasp and I swiped the beast across its back. It let out a loud screech and turned fast on me.

However I predicted his movements and followed, delivering another hit, this time across its lower leg making it crumple to the ground.

Dropping the sword in my hand I jumped atop its back and wrapped my arms tightly around its neck in a chokehold.

The beast thrashed about, but couldn't get me off its back. I tightened my hold more, ignoring the pain whenever his claws scarpe down my back and across my shoulders.

Tighter. Hold on even tighter.

The beast ran to the nearest wall and slammed his back to it, slamming me into it. I grit my teeth, holding in a shout as pain shot up and down my spine Ignoring it I squeezed impossibly tighter. Tighter.

He fell to the ground but I didn't let up. I felt his pulse rapidly beat against my arms as I continued on. After a bit he fell completely to the ground and passed out.

Sighing in relief I released his neck and stood up. The shouts of either excitement or anger of the Galran's roared loudly in my ears.

This is my first time in this ships gladiator arena. It's not uncommon for allies of the Galra to sell their prisoners to them.

I'm no exception.

"On to the next opponent!" I pursed my lips tightly. Usually they'd switch out prisoners, but I'm being punished. So I'm to fight until I lose.

It doesn't matter. I'll just fight. It's to be expected.

Some of the sentries came in and removed the unconscious beast. While they did that, I reached over and picked up the sword they gave me and waited.

What would my next opponent be? This gladiator stadium's champion? Another large beast? An experimented prisoner?

The gate across from mine opened and I tightened my hold on the sword. Whoever it is, all I need to do is beat them but without casualty. I refuse to allow them to turn me into a bloodthirsty warrior. Hence the intense electric shock treatment I've had for years.

Soon someone stumbled out and my eyes widened slightly. He's . . . human.

Just like me.

No that's, that's impossible.

He walked over, his own eyes, which are honey brown are wide. He must be as surprised as I am to see a fellow human.

He's a bit scrawny, but tall. His light brown hair is dishelved and looks a bit shaggy. His skin is pale, obviously he didn't spend a lot of time in the sun. He doesn't look like much of a fighter.

I can tell especially by the way he's holding his sword. It's shaking slightly. He's scared. But he walked over towards me anyway.

As soon as the door he came from closed, it signaled to begin. However the kid didn't move. He seemed stuck.

I tilted my head a bit. He's young. About my age, maybe a little older. "Aren't you going to fight?" I asked. The kid shook his head slightly. Fingers loose on his weapon. I internally sighed and dropped my sword.

It'd be easier if he wanted to fight. If he started the fight. If he enjoys fighting. I don't fight the weak. And I don't fight the innocent.

"Pick up your weapon at once!" The keepers voice boomed over the booing of the crowd. I didn't and stepped back, away from the boy.

The collar beeped once and electricity from it jolted and sparked across my body. I clenched my teeth and groaned but held steady. The first shock's . . . not the worst.

The second shock came and it made my muscles spasm and by back stiffen. I stumbled back and grunted, keeping my teeth clenched so not to bite my tongue off. And because I don't want to give them the satisfaction.

The third shock came and I went down to one knee and my hands hit the ground harshly. "Stop it! Stop!" I could vaguely hear the boy shout at the keeper.

The fourth came and I couldn't help it. I let out a shout of pain and strained to keep myself from falling completely down.

I felt hands touch my shoulders but immediately jerked back due to the electricity sparking across my entire body.

When the fifth shock came I fell completely to the ground, vaguely conscious. The roar of the crowd but a dull sound. I struggled to keep my eyes open and everything seemed to lag and duplicate.

But I could see the kid kneeling down next to me. His hands grabbing my shoulders and urging me to do something. But his words didn't reach my ears. My collar buzzed, warning me it was about to shock me again. Using the remaining of my strength, I shoved him away before my body was enveloped in blue shocks.

This one is filled with more than the last five. Making me black out.

~

"Wake up!" Cold water hit me and I sat up with a gasp, eyes darting around before locking on the enemy. A guard.

My dark gray eyes hardened at the sight of him. He sneered down at me. "Your food." He dropped a tray of slob down on the ground, scattering its contents across the ground.

I recognize this guard. I broke his arm. Looks like he's still angry about it.

I eyed the food on the ground with mild interest. He sure managed to get it everywhere.

I didn't respond to him and he growled lowly. He went to step closer to me when another voice sounded. "Enough. We're not allowed to do anything to this one today. C'mon, we need to get going." I glanced at the open cell door to see another guard waiting.

Across from him is another cell door. A small little window with bars revealed eyes. Worried brown eyes watching the scene. Those eyes are familiar.

Oh, it's the kid from the gladiator arena.

The other guard glared down at me before smirking. "Wait until tomorrow newbie. You'll be facing our champion." Chuckling to himself he left and my cell door closed.

Tch. Figures they'd do this. I wonder what their champion is. A Galra? A large beast. Whatever species they are, it's not going to be easy. But they shouldn't know what I'm capable of. I'm human after all. And a girl. Girls typically aren't champions. But I was at the last gladiator arena.

I'll have that to my advantage. And they'll think because of my size I'm not strong. I can use that as well. "Hey, are you okay?" A soft male voice broke through my train of thought.

I blinked and glanced at the door in front of me. What the? "Are you okay?" He repeated. Is it that kid?

Sounds young, just like him. "I'm fine." I stated, leaning against the wall of my cell. Maybe I should eat some of the food. I'll need my strength for the fight tomorrow. Who'd have thought that there's another match so soon. There's usually some time to pass before a fight. I must've irritated them. So testy.

As expected of an alien race set to destroy the entire universe as we know it.

"Are you sure? You received a lot of shocks." Worry etched in his voice making my face scrunch in distaste. Worry sounds weird to my ears. It's strange. Especially since I've been here for a long, long, time. But everyone should've experienced some.

This base seems to use it less and rely on guards and sentries, but they use it every now and then. Especially since one of the higher ups from my last place is stationed here. But he really likes to use it on me. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I kept quiet. I've never been one for interacting with other prisoners.

Not since Mari and Ray.

"My name's Matt. What's your name?" Being friendly with prisoners is pointless. We'll be forced to fight each other. And some won't make it.

There isn't any point. "You're human, huh? You're the first one I've seen since I've been here."

My temple throbbed in annoyance. I shouldn't have responded earlier. He's just going to keep on talking, isn't he? "Were you also exploring something when they took you? Do you have a crew with you?"

Ignoring him, I reached over and picked up some slob from the floor. Not very sanitary, but better then nothing. I shoved the food in my mouth. Lucky for me, I'm so used to this it doesn't taste awful anymore. Probably killed my taste buds, but what's the point in those anymore anyway.

"I was exploring Kerberos. Along with my dad and another member, Shiro. We were just collecting data and checking it out. That's when we were taken. And my dad, they took him elsewhere because he's weaker. I hope he's okay."

I glanced at the door, realizing something. He's not talking to me only because he wants to know more about me. He's scared and alone. He's talking to keep himself sane.

Silence is probably too much for him.

Wait a minute. Shiro? Why does that name sound so familiar? I closed my eyes and concentrated, but couldn't remember a whole lot past my abduction.

It's not like I've spent most of my life here, Maybe two years, it's just the time I've spent here overrides my memories.

How annoying.

"And Shiro . . . he helped me out a while ago. And I haven't seen him since. I wonder if he's alright." As he continued to talk, the friendliness slowly turned to sorrow.

I sighed softly and leaned my head back against the wall. It's not like I can tell him they're fine.

Maybe his dad if he's just going to be working for them. I don't know for how long considering we're primitive compared to them. But if he was exploring space, he might last longer.

As for this Shiro, it depends how strong he is. If he's clever.

I frowned again as I thought of his friend. Shiro. Where have I heard that name before? I gently shook my head. I was beginning to pity him so I decided to throw him a bone.

"Kira."

It was silent for a second. "You're name's Kira? That's a nice name." Some relief leaked into his voice. I rolled my eyes a bit.

"Listen, if you want to survive, I suggest getting your emotions under control. They'll either enjoy your fear or punish you for it." I told him.

I don't want to have to deal with newbies. Especially young ones like him. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just . . . I'm scared." I winced at how broken his voice sounded.

I made it my life's goal not to interact with prisoners. Don't form any bonds. Don't become dependent and don't let others depend on you. Because chances are, they'll die. Just like everybody else. And if they don't, you will. And you'll leave them all alone.

But he obviously knows nothing of Zarkon. The Galra. What's happening in our universe. Of course not. He's human. Born and raised on Earth as far as I can tell.

I only know so much because I've been here for a while. That and there were others who taught me.

"Aren't you scared?" He asked. The corner of my lip twitched up. Am I scared?

"No." I answered honestly. I was scared. In the beginning. But there's nothing they can do anymore to scare me.

"Sounds like something Shiro would say." That name again. Ugh! Where have I heard it?

Wait a minute. "Shiro? As in Takashi Shirogane?" I asked. I heard him stand up and grab the small rails of his window.

I didn't stand to look at him. I preferred facing the door. "You know Shiro?!" He exclaimed loudly.

I quickly shushed him, listening for any footprints of the guards or sentries. None at the moment, but the sentries should be making their rounds soon. "Not personally. But I went to the junior division of the Garrison Then one year in the Higher division. He's pretty famous."

Not to mention I looked up to him. He was a prodigy. Not that I wanted to be a hero or anything, I didn't know what I wanted to be. I just enrolled. All I really knew was that space fascinated me.

"That's strange. I don't really recognize you. How old are you?" I thought about it. I'm not really sure.

"It's 20XX, March. If that helps." He added after I was silent for a while. Really? "Sixteen." Two and a half years. Thought so. "A little younger then me." There was a smile in his voice.

Irritation bubbled within me. The stale scent of metal and the sounds of footsteps was all I needed. All I needed was the dark and cold cell. I don't need prisoner friends. But it's not in me to leave this kid alone.

Probably because we're both from Earth, and the Garrison no less. Or maybe because he reminds me of me when I first came here. Either way, I can't just leave him and that pisses me off.

I sighed and stood up a bit, looking through the bars to see him. "Look, if you're going to survive, you need to learn how things run around here."

What am I doing? Taking someone else under my wing? Because that worked sooooo well last time.

Well, here goes nothing I guess.