End of the Millennium
A Xian Shade Production

Author's Notes: This will be the final chapter which holds focus upon
the planet Mars and Ares for a while. How well will Jadeite fare? What
is Ares up to in treating him so well? Why do you continue to read
this crap? :P

Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of Sailor Moon or Phantasy Star.
If I did, this would be an anime, or manga, or both. Thanatos, Ares,
Chronos, Aljus, King Marcus, and the worthless one are © Xian Shade
and may not be used without my permission. People failing to follow
this rule have broken Xian's Law #849, paragraph 3, line 2: Don't fuck
with my shit.


The Path of Finding Destiny, Chapter 11:

"Well, are you ready to begin?" Ares asked after finishing the heart
of the giant bird they shared. Not whole, but prepared separately,
roasted, and diced. Jadeite had actually shared this as well, and it
was surprisingly good. Learning foreign customs and foods was
important, especially if joining an alliance with a specific world.

"I do believe I am." Jadeite replied, cleaning his hands in the finger
bowls offered by the servants that had finally returned, most of which
came to take away the flatware and uneaten food. Replacing his gloves
upon his hands, he stood. "But I have a question for you. Did all the
men and women who attempted to court the princess receive the same
treatement?"

Ares waved his hands dismissively. "Of course not. None of THEM
dragged half a squad of guards into the throneroom, and none were
higher-ups of foreign worlds, either. Also, I had wanted to speak to
you about your people. Apparently you are as confused by their
warmongering as I."

"Why do you say that?"

"You never gave me a specific reason other than their nature. I know
for a fact that they're disagreeable. Our creator made them that way."

Jadeite sighed. "They want an overall peace where everyone is happy,
but they are constantly denied that because nobody has the same ideals
or beliefs. Some don't believe the people of other worlds exist...
heck, some don't even believe there is anything BUT their world."

"An awful waste of space the universe would be if they were the only
ones, wouldn't you say?" Ares asked, motioning for the door back to
the throne room.

"I suppose... are we not going to battle in a specific area? Is the
throne room the place for such a thing?"

"Of course. The princess will want to see her possible suitor in
action. I trained her in that very room myself, in front of her
father, King Myhr." Coming through the main doors, the throne room now
only held one piece of furniture other than the two thrones: a single
table with swords spread over them. "Since part of the fairness is
that I may not use my sword of war, you and I may choose from the
weapons upon this table."

"Why not use your sword?"

"It is a dangerous weapon to cross. It has never met its equal."

"Apparently neither have you. Allow me to test you with it." Jadeite
insisted.

Ares meant to laugh loudly at the bold statement, but stopped when he
saw the determination in the young man's eyes. "As foolish as this
choice is that you make, it is not my decision." he turned about to
the princess. "What say you, lady Reianna? He wishes to test my mettle
while I use my red sword."

She had remained silent since they entered, wondering where this was
going. Was this man a fool? No being could hope to match Ares when he
held the weapon that could drive down armies! "Let him try. He was
fool enough to act the way he did coming in, he might as well be
foolish in ending his chances and leaving."

Ares nodded and drew forth his weapon. "Your chances of winning have
dropped considerably, Lord Jadeite. Be warned that you may not last
long at all. Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

"I will not, but I understand your reasoning. I choose the weapon I
have brought, my own sword of war. It may not be mythical or powerful,
but it has never failed my service in battle." Jadeite bowed
respectfully before the princess, then turned to Ares and drew his
sword. Both his sword and Ares' were long sharpened weapons, capable
of striking an enemy from a distance. But Ares' red sword was
different. It wasn't simply red as he stated; it glowed red, as though
the metal never cooled from its forging.

"Not that it would help defend you, but would you prefer armor? Some
feel safer wearing it."

"No. I'm comfortabe as I am. In fact, I'm sure it would only slow me
down."

"Wise choice.  Shall we begin?" Ares asked.

Jadeite smirked and began with a swing to Ares' midsection. The red
sword quickly countered, hissing and sparks coming as the two blades
met. Ares swiped the strike aside after a moment and brought his arm
about slicing downward, and Jadeite barely managed to hold his sword
in defense against Ares' strength when the weapon came down, the
blades still hissing from the heat.

"Well, that's interesting. It's still in one piece." Ares commented at
Jadeite's sword.

Jadeite managed a smirk.  "As I said, it has never... failed my
service!" he pulled out from under the strike and swirled aside,
slicing down upon the blade near the hilt, hoping to make the weapon
fall from his opponent's hands as it hit the ground, the force would
be enough to weaken the giant's grip.

No such luck.

The red blade continued its destructive path as it sliced through the
stone floor instead of rebounding off it, and Jadeite's strike only
seemed to drive it down further. Ares grinned and pulled the sword
free from the stone. "Neither has my sword failed my own service."

Soon the battle became one of survival for Jadeite, often parrying and
outright avoiding the red sword, dodging nimbly out of the way. 'Lord,
but this guardian is fast! I had hoped that perhaps I could outlast
him by letting him exert all his strength, but that doesn't appear to
be happening, either. I have to turn this to my advantage, somehow.
Perhaps...' Jadeite thought, coming up with a plan as he jumped a
strike at his feet.

Suddenly a downward strike came upon Jadeite's unguarded side, and he
feared his end. Out of instinct, he reacted.

"DEBAN!"

Ares didn't comprehend the word until Jadeite's arm came about, a
transparent shield reflecting the red sword. In his confusion, he also
didn't see the hilt of Jadeite's sword strike his jaw, then try once
again to knock the blade from his opponent's hand, only this time by
slapping the flat of his blade against Ares' wrist. Ares was so
surprised from the actions that he nearly lost his grip upon his red
sword, the nerves in his arm twitching and weakened. Finding it loose,
he tightened his grip with both hands and wrenched the attacking sword
back and around, the weapon flying from Jadeite's hand and clattering
noisily against the wall.

Jadeite held his wrist painfully, kneeling before Ares. The red sword
was held at Jadeite's throat, then vanished as Ares sheathed it. "I
fear you have lost your challenge. While you lasted the longest, and
while you DID come the closest in trying to disarm me, and though you
seem to be the first mortal to ever strike me, I'm afraid the rules
are the same. You have been disarmed first, and so you have lost."

Holding his wrist, Jadeite bowed his head, still kneeling. "Though
unnecessary, I respectfully concede my defeat."

Ares helped him to his feet carefully after calling two servants to
bring bandages and healing balms for Jadeite's strained arm. "You
fought well, lord Jadeite. I didn't believe any magics could reflect
the power of the red sword."

"Ngh... it's a technique that has been around for the past decade or
so. It's not as effective against magical weapons, but it's still
enough when in desperate times."

"Regardless, your efforts are to be commended." Princess Reianna
spoke. "Phobos, Deimos, please escort General Jadeite to a room so he
may rest and heal." she commanded the twin servant girls that had
begun bandaging his arm. Bowing, they helped Jadeite out of the
throneroom carefully.

"Well, that was most invigorating, my lady. Wouldn't you say? He shows
promise, if nothing else. Untrained by me, and yet still able to find
a weakness in a master warrior."

'Indeed it was.' came a reverberating voice. Both Ares and Reianna
looked in wonder at a female being that stood upon the throneroom's
floor, cast aflame.

"You're late for her birthday, spirit."

The flames died down, and a woman very similar to the princess in
appearance stood there. Her eyes opened, a fiery red glare coming
forth that would probably kill any normal man.

Ares was hardly that.

'Ares... have you thought perhaps you might ease up upon your
opponents? You tend to injure almost every challenger.' she finally
spoke, approaching him.

"You've been watching the whole time?"

'Of course.  I must keep an eye on my daughter, after all.'

"To answer your question, will a warrior ease up upon his nemesis?"

'That's just it. Ares, you realize that you're much stronger than any
opponent, and much more skilled, correct?'

"Of course, why would you ask such a..."

'Then you are the most likely to win almost any battle?'

"Yes, but..."

'Then you agree that you are the best candidate for my daughter as
courtier?'

Ares blinked. Did she just ask that? "My lady, as much as I would wish
to agree, I am immortal, and..."

'As am I. Nowhere in our law does it state we cannot. That, and while
family would determine the courtier's eligability, you are not family
by blood. I am, and you have defeated every man that has tried. I am
not biased by my daughter's emotions or your looks. You are the most
qualified to court my daughter.'

Ares couldn't think of a way to fight her words. She was right.
Certainly, he had wanted such a thing to happen, but those ideas were
dashed when Reianna chose him to be her guardian.

'Do you not wish it, Ares? If so, be prepared to kill yourself,
because you stated you would kill any man that said he did not wish
it.'

Bound by his own words! Ares could only nod in agreement to her terms.
He would have offered if the suitors HAD run out. "I do wish it, my
lady. But be warned, I am no easy male to deal with. I doubt either
you or your daughter will be able to tolerate me."

'We have dealt with you the past ten years of her life. I doubt there
is anything we cannot handle from you.' The queen of flames stated
arrogantly. Reianna grinned. The choice was made by her family after
all! Her mother had been watching the whole time! 'Happy birthday, my
daughter. I am sorry I could not be there for you these long years of
your life, but the spirit of flame cannot exist physically for long
without a body. You are that very body given form. You are me, given
proper shape. I now complete you, my daughter... accept the spirit
flame of Mars.' She explained, not even giving her daughter time to
respond before she took on her appearance of flame, and shifted into
the princess' body.

'Take care of my daughter... of us, Lord Ares.' the motherly voice
faded, and Reianna opened her eyes, tears rolling down. She never met
her mother, and only got to meet her for a few brief minutes, no words
even passing between them before they became one.

-------------------------------------------------------------

And so the suitor for Mars has been chosen!  Ares will have his hands
full with the way men are treated on Mars, especially from their
queen! Let's hope he's up to the task. Next up? More Thanatos and
Amilia stuff! These two were great fun to write about, and I find the
comparison and contrast of the characters somewhat refreshing compared
to other things I've written (which isn't saying a lot, considering
this is the only one I've ever decided to post.)