Shadow: Thanks for the review Favri the Fisherman!


Chapter One: A Wedding Interrupted

The moment Jenna had laid eyes on Mia, she knew what would soon be perfectly obvious: Isaac and Mia were in love. Bitter hatred welled up within her, yet Jenna learned to suppress the green-eyed beast. Instead of doing all that was in her power to tear the lovers apart, she clung to Mia.

During the last leg of their journey to the Mars lighthouse, Mia and Jenna became the best of friends. They would stay up late at night and whisper conversations to one another. Each would watch the other's back during battles. In fact, it was their teamwork that helped to summon the mighty Iris during the final battle with the Doom Dragon. Fire and water; never would anyone imagine them becoming the greatest of friends.

During the building of New Vale, the two friends would drift apart and then find each other again. Perhaps it was because of their difference in personalities, but maybe it was Jenna's resentment rearing its ugly head again. Jenna would help her brother and the men with the construction. Mia would remain indoors and tend to the people who had been wounded in the dawn of the Golden Sun. As a result, Jenna had grown muscular and tan from working in the sun. Freckles were sprinkled across her face like cinnamon which accented her deep amber eyes. Her auburn hair became brighter and more vivid from the long exposure to the sun. Even her personality changed. She became even more of a tomboy, spending almost all her time with Isaac, Garet, and the other boys.

Yet she still found time to spend with Mia. However, it became more apparent at how different the two had become. Mia had grown taller, and more slender. Jenna envied Mia with her cat-like beauty and simple charm. "It amazes me how you two have managed to stay such good friends," Jenna recalled Felix smirking one day. "But I think it's good for you to have someone like Mia as your best friend."

"And why is that?" Jenna snapped. She narrowed her eyes at her brother, who remained unflinching in his opinion.

"You need to hold on to your feminine side, squirt," he explained.

"Oh, so now you want me to be some helpless female? You want me to sit at home to cook and clean and answer to man's every little whim?" she shouted as she stood up.

"Jenna," Felix said. Calling his sister by her real name symbolized seriousness. "Forget what I said. You're a Mars adept. By nature you're going to have a fiery, passionate personality," he continued.

"You can't take something like that back, Felix," she growled as she walked away. Felix watched the retreating form of his sister as she stormed into her house, where Mia was busily cooking away.

"Jenna!" Mia gasped. "You're just the person I wanted to talk to!"

"And I you," Jenna replied less enthusiastically. But she could see the look of anticipation on Mia's face. "What's the big news?"

Mia replied as she thrust her hand towards Jenna. A dazzling diamond ring adorned her fourth finger as it rested on its golden band. "I'm engaged!" she laughed. Jenna felt her stomach drop.

"To who?" She regretted uttering those two senseless words, for she knew she could answer her own question.

"To Isaac!" Mia said, trying to stifle an excited squeal. Jenna wanted to slap Mia across the face at those words. She admitted to the obvious months ago, that Isaac's heart would never be hers. Yet she still didn't want to accept the fact that he had replaced her with someone else. Instead, Jenna did what she never imagined doing.

"I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed as she threw her arms around Mia.

"I knew you would be," Mia smiled. "That's why I want you to be the maid of honor in my wedding!"

"Oh Mia," Jenna smiled. "I'd be happy to."

Now Jenna sat in her bedroom, brushing out her long auburn hair. She stared at herself in the mirror, wondering if this really was a good idea. A light knock was heard at the door, causing Jenna to set her brush down and hurry over to open it. "Sheba," Jenna stammered.

"Mia needs some help with her dress," Sheba explained. Jenna eyed the tiny eighteen year old. She had grown so much since they had first met. A smile grew over Jenna's face as she remembered her fighting bravely atop the Mars lighthouse. Now, before her stood a calm bridesmaid dressed in her burgundy gown.

Jenna followed Sheba into her parent's bedroom where Feizhi and Hama were fixing Mia's hair. "Jenna!" Mia smiled. "You look great!" She glanced herself over and realized the color of the dress did in fact go along with her hair and eye color.

"You're right, Jenna matches," Feizhi giggled.

"I chose the colors because of that," Mia said as she walked over to her friend. "Thank you for being here for me today." Mia drew Jenna into a hug, a hug that made Jenna feel awful inside.

'Mia's so happy to have a friend like me; a friend who curses the ground she walks on,' she thought to herself.

The door was suddenly thrust open as Garet popped his head inside. He quickly pulled his head out and slammed the door. A muffled "sorry" was heard.

"What do you want now?" Jenna laughed as she walked over to the door. She opened it wide enough to thrust her head through.

"Wow, you look different with your hair down," Garet remarked.

"Get to the point," Jenna sighed.

"You guys had better hurry up. It's almost noon! The ceremony's gonna start any minute now! The guests aren't willing to wait much longer!" Garet babbled.

"Well, you are working with women here," she snickered. "And we demand perfection," she continued as she reached out a finger and playfully tapped the best man on the nose. "Give us a few more minutes and we'll be right out." She winked and slammed the door on Garet's face.

"You always flirt with him like that, don't you?" Sheba laughed.

"Oh come on," Jenna moaned. "I've told you once and I'll tell you again," she said.

"He's like the easy-going brother you never had," everyone droned in unison before breaking out in laughter.

"I bet it's going to be you're wedding that we'll be attending soon," Mia laughed.

'Me? Like Garet?' she thought. 'Never in a million years would I have feelings for that pathetic excuse for a Mars adept.'

"OK, let's get moving," Hama instructed as she handed everyone their bouquets. With giggles, they all rushed out the door and headed down the street towards the sanctum.


"I can't take this anymore," Isaac sighed as he paced back and forth.

"What? Are you nervous about the ceremony?" Garet asked.

"No, it's hot today!" Isaac replied as he loosened his shirt collar. "Of course I'm not nervous about the ceremony. It's Mia! I can't help but feel comfortable around her. Why should today be any different?"

Garet grinned as he glanced down the aisle. Guests were seated in the chairs on either side, laughing and conversing amongst each other. Ivan, Felix, and Picard were gathered at the back, waiting for the bridesmaids to arrive.

"What's taking so long?" Isaac asked.

"They're women and they demand perfection," Garet said, quoting Jenna. He thought for a moment (yes, Garet thought) before turning to Isaac. "Can I ask you something?"

"Ask away," Isaac laughed, clapping him on the back.

"Do you think I should start seeing Jenna?" he asked meekly.

"Go for it!" Isaac grinned.

Just then, the crowd grew silent as Ivan and Sheba began down the aisle. "It's starting," Garet stated, admitting the obvious.

Over the past four years, Ivan had a growth spurt. No longer was he the short adorable little boy everyone had grown to love. Now he was taller and had not only matured physically, but emotionally. He gave Isaac an encouraging smile as he and Sheba parted and went to their separate sides of the sanctum.

Felix and Feizhi came down next. Now that all was peaceful again, Felix had opened up to everyone. He was however, reluctant to be in Isaac's wedding. Even though he was more friendly, he still preferred to keep to himself. He shot a teasing smile towards Isaac before walking over to Ivan.

A feeling of tension hung in the air as Picard and Hama walked down the aisle. The two adepts seemed rather uncomfortable arm and arm with each other. Isaac couldn't exactly put his finger on it thought.

A rather embarrassed Jenna came down next. All eyes were on her as she approached Isaac and Garet. 'This is my last chance,' she thought. 'I know people will think I'm insane for doing this on THEIR wedding day, but I have to. I'll never be able to go on with my life if I don't.' Garet held his arm out for her and she reluctantly took it. Her eyes still remained fixed on Isaac.

"Isaac," she quickly blurted. He turned to look at her with a quizzical expression. His sapphire eyes stared at her, waiting for a reply. 'No, I can't.' "Good luck," she found herself saying.

"Thanks Jenna," he quickly replied.

The crowd stood up as Mia began to walk down the aisle. "What was that all about," Garet whispered beside her.

"Nothing, it's nothing," she replied. Garet shrugged his shoulders as they watched Isaac and Mia join hands and approach the Great Healer. (Shadow hands Spark tissue)

"Please declare your intentions before the loved ones gathered before you," the man said. Before they could begin, a man from the crowd cleared his throat, interrupted them.

"If you'll excuse me," he said casually as he stood up and lowered his cloak. The crowd let out a loud gasp as they laid eyes on the man.

"A-Alex?" Mia stammered as she tightened her grip on Isaac's hand. "It can't be; you're supposed to be dead!"

"Ah, I was supposed to be dead," he repeated. "Meaning that it was merely an expectation."

"Sir, if you would please save this for later," the healer growled.

"But I wish to say something to the lovely bride," he sneered.

"Spit it out Alex," Jenna snapped.

"I don't think you would want that my dear," he laughed. "But as I was saying. I am hurt that you have found another so quickly Mia. I thought that it was arranged for us, the last remaining full-blooded members of the Mercury clan, to continue on that legacy."

"No Alex. The days of the Mercury clan have come to an end. I have come to accept that and so must you. So if you'll excuse me," Mia shouted.

"I'm sorry Mia, but I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. You see my friends and I are going to make you an offer you can't refuse." (Yes, I ripped that off the Godfather. Go ahead, cut off my muse's head and stick it in my bed.)

A red sphere was cast into the aisle and it exploded in a fiery blast. Smoke filled the area, clouding everyone's vision. "Isaac!" Mia shrieked. Isaac stumbled around in confusion, looking for her.

"Mia! Where are you?" he shouted. He felt a sharp blow to the head as he fell to the ground unconscious.

"I'll be taking what is rightfully mine now," Alex growled as he stood over Isaac's limp body.

"You ASSHOLE!" Garet shouted as he unsheathed and thrust the Fire Brand into Alex's side. Alex turned calmly to Garet as if he felt no pain at all.

"And you defeated the Doom Dragon? How pathetic," Alex sighed as he raised a hand and repelled Garet with an invisible force. Garet flew back and slammed into a wall. "Fool, I am immortal."

"Alex, we should leave here," a raspy voice suggested. The other cloaked figure stepped out of the smoke, Mia clutched in his withered hands. She struggled to break free of his grasp, but it was to no avail.

"You're right. Finishing things now would be far too boring. Let's play with them a bit, shall we?"

The cloaked man nodded and raised his free hand. "Mystic call! Return to me, Anger ball!" The red sphere returned to its master and disappeared, along with the smoke.

"Not so fast!" Jenna shouted once the smoke was clear. "Dragon Fume!" she screamed at the quickly dissipating figures. By the time the stream of flames reached them, Alex and the cloaked man had teleported away, along with Mia.

'There you go you selfish brat. Mia's gone, and now you got what you wanted,' a voice in the back of her mind taunted. With tear-filled eyes, Jenna surveyed the surroundings. Isaac lay motionless on the ground, blood trickling from his head. Garet lay slumped over against the wall, his fire brand still tightly gripped in his hand. What was supposed to be a joyful day, only thought of in dreams had become a nightmare.

'Are you happy now?'