Sailor Mars blinked as she stepped into the sunlight that flooded the verandah. After her eyes adjusted, she focused on the mass of Ice Warriors that had gathered outside the Phobos Deimos Castle. She felt a sense of unease. When they had entered, Aarsasho had been accompanied by only forty Ice Warriors.

Since the scouts had entered the castle, the Ice Warrior's numbers had grown to almost two hundred. They stood in ranks, remaining silent as they watched, each one holding a weapon. Ta'Xaddir and the warriors that went to Earth stood off to the side. Mars still wasn't sure about Ice Warrior body language, but Ta'Xaddir seemed uneasy.

As Bre'zen and the other red-armored Ice Warriors, along with the other scouts, stepped onto the Verandah, Aarsasho stepped forward. "I thank you for bringing the traitor to us. It was impossible for us to reach him. Now you are both present, we shall acquire that which we need; your blood."

Bre'zen growled like a large, angry dog as he, and the red-armored Ice Warriors, shoved Mars and the others behind them. "Put down your arms or be annihilated," Bre'zen ordered.

Aarsasho and the Ice Warriors with her refused to back down. "We outnumber you greatly. You cannot be victorious. Give your blood willingly and you will be allowed to survive. Refuse and you will be slain. Make your choice."

"Bre'zen, what is she talking about?" Mars asked. "What does she need us for?"

Aarsasho made a rumbling growling sound that rose and fell. When she spoke, she sounded amused. "Did he not tell you? After the fall, when our atmosphere was destroyed, our nests in ruins and our eggs broken, my ancestors demanded we march on Earth to punish the honorless hoo-mens and to take their world as ours in compensation for their crime. But the traitor tricked them and sealed them in hibernation chambers that can be opened only by the blood of the false queen and the traitor."

Mars clenched her fists as she glared at Ta'Xaddir. "You knew about this. You knew it was a trap! You became our friend and lied to us to bring us here so you can invade Earth!"

Ta'Xaddir seemed genuinely horrified. "I swear by the two moons that I seek not to harm you, your highness! Please, trust in what I say. Had I known of the truth, I would not have brought you here and instead left you in safety on Earth."

"Silence, fool," Aarsasho growled. She looked at Mars. "You are nothing more than a key. You and the traitor will give up your lives to bring forth the new age. Surrender yourself willingly and your allies shall be left unscathed. Resist and you will be destroyed as shall the hoo-mens when we swarm their world."

"You prove your ignorance, hatchling" Bre'zen growled. "A true Ice Warrior does not lie to her followers, especially not to harm the Queen. Have you forgotten already, the old ways? Do you not remember why, in the heart of every nest, there is a Queen's chamber? Have my people fallen so far in my absence that they have become as honorless as the Waro and the Beyrl-witch?"

Aarsasho growled. "We are beyond honor. There is only survival of the strongest."

Bre'zen clenched his fists. "Our honor defines us. Without it, we are nothing."

Aarsasho let out a deep hiss. "You have not heard the cries of the starving hatchlings when our stores ran out, nor seen the desperation of our people as the water parasite spread. How can we have honor when we struggle to survive each day? We may be without your precious honor, but we have now the means to avenge the deaths of our people and a chance to begin anew. We shall take the Earth and begin a new Empire of Mars, one that shall spread to the stars. Never again shall we suffer at the hands of a lesser race."

Sailor Moon's voice rang out and the Ice Warriors all froze as they watched her step past Bre'zen. "It doesn't have to be like this. We can restore your world and people, together. Humans and Ice Warriors can work together. We can make your world back to how it was meant to be. Please." She reached out a hand to Aarsasho. "Let us help you. We can save your world, but you have to believe in us. We can reach out to the stars together in peace and friendship."

The Ice Warriors remained silent and most of them glanced to each other to judge the reactions of their fellows. Aarsasho stepped forward, menacingly and loomed over Sailor Moon. "We will have peace."

Mars felt herself relax and her feeling of relief was reflected by her friends' expression. Even the Ice Warriors with Aarsasho seemed relieved.

"We will have peace," Aarsasho repeated, walking back to her Ice Warriors. "We will have peace when my kin are released. We will have peace when we swarm over Earth and destroy the hoo-mens for their crimes. When every single hoo-men is slain, then we shall have peace!"

Sailor Moon glared defiantly at Aarsasho. "If you want to take over Earth, you have to go through us."

Bre'zen growled roughly and pulled Sailor Moon behind him before she could react. "Remain behind me, Shsurr."

Aarsasho turned to face them again. "So be it. Fire!"

Several of the Ice Warriors around her opened fire immediately. The others hesitated several seconds before joining. Their weapons made a mechanical whoop when fired, and the air seemed to ripple around a sphere that was ejected from the tip. The spheres cracked loudly when they struck the ground and pillars, sending small pieces of shrapnel in every direction. Mars ducked away, but a few pieces of a pillar cut her check.

She reached up to wipe away the blood before something large and heavy slammed into her, pinning her to the ground. She struggled uselessly, thinking a pillar had fallen on her. Then it spoke. "Remain still, Shsurr," Ta'Xaddir ordered. "I shall keep you safe."

Beyond Ta'Xaddir, she could hear the sounds of fighting and Bre'zen bellowing orders above the cacophony. "Get the Queens to safety!"

Mars twisted and squeezed out from under Ta'Xaddir. He growled in frustration as he tried to keep her safe, but she easily eluded his grip. Once free, she bounded to Bre'zen's side, ready to attack.

"Shsurr, get to safety!" Bre'zen bellowed like an angry bear.

"No," Mars replied. "My home is in danger. I'm going to fight."

Bre'zen growled in obvious displeasure, but didn't have time to respond. The other scouts and Tuxedo Mask had escaped from the Ice Warriors that had tried dragging them away from the fight and stood next to Bre'zen as well.

Bolts of electricity danced between Jupiter's hands. "Don't think we'll let you fight without us." She hurled a Sparkling Wide Pressure at one of the enemy Ice Warriors. It howled as its armor was electrocuted. The Ice Warrior collapsed and remained still on the ground.

Eight enemy Ice Warriors grouped together and charged. Venus sent them flying through the air in different directions with a Love and Beauty Shock. Tuxedo Mask attacked the Ice Warriors with his cane or sent them staggering back with bursts of energy, allowing one of the scouts to pick it off. Sailor Moon blasted at the Ice Warriors with Twilight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss, knocking them to the ground. Even Luna and Artemis hissed and threw themselves at the Ice Warriors, scratching at their exposed chins before leaping to the next one.

"Is that all you can do?" Mars teased after sending another Burning Mandella into the Ice Warriors.

Sailor Moon stuck out her tongue. "I'm doing the best I can, but my attacks are more for turning youma back into humans than fighting other things."

"Maybe you should hit them with your scepter," Mars suggested before launching a Flame Sniper at Aarsaasho.

Aarshaso growled and twisted out of the attack's way. She started to stand, only to take Mercury's Aqua Rhapsody full in the face, knocking her over. She roared in fury as she rolled, so her feet were on the ground. She quickly stepped backwards until she was hidden within the ranks of attacking Ice Warriors.

Mars fired off another Flame Sniper, but Aarsasho was already gone. "Char, keep track of her!"

"On it!" Char flew up and over the fight. A few Ice Warriors took shots at her, but she was beyond their range. Mars lost track of her as she turned her attention back to the attacking Ice Warriors.

A lone Ice Warrior charged Mars, howling like a hurricane and looking almost as large. She turned to face it as it, but it was moving too fast for her to get in an attack. She braced herself to get hit when Jupiter stepped out of the fray and into the Ice Warrior's path, bracing herself.

The Ice Warrior slammed into her, pushing her backwards across the verandah. She growled as she struggled to keep the Ice Warrior from pushing her, but made little progress in slowing it down.

She was pushed back several yards before she could match the Ice Warrior's strength, bringing them to a standstill. The two struggled to get the upper hand, but they remained equally matched.

Jupiter reached up, grabbing the gap in armor below the Ice Warrior's chin. Her other hand gripped the belt. She let out a primal scream as she strained to lift the Ice Warrior above her head. It flailed uselessly as it tried to break free, howling like a wounded dog. Jupiter growled before throwing it at a nearby Ice Warrior. The Ice Warriors hit the ground, hard, before Jupiter finished them off with Coconut Cyclone.

Bre'zen laughed, "You have not changed at all, Shsurr Jupiter!" He slammed his fist into the chest of an attacking Ice Warrior, knocking it off its feet. "Ah! I have not felt this young and lively in decades!" A vicious kick finished off another Ice Warrior. "A fine fight! A fine fight indeed!"

Venus knocked an Ice Warrior back with her Love Me Chain. "You're enjoying this a little too much, aren't you?"

"Not at all, Shsurr Venus," Bre'zen smashed his fist into another Ice Warrior who crumpled and remained still. He roared. "We are warriors. This is what we live for!" He grabbed two other Ice Warriors and slammed their heads together so hard their visors cracked.

Jupiter sent off several rounds of Supreme Thunder. "I'm glad you're on our side."

"Aye, it is an honor to fight alongside you," Bre'zen replied. He grabbed Jupiter and hauled her out of the way of an Ice Warrior that tried grabbing her. He delivered a vicious kick to its face and the Ice Warrior fell.

"Throw me," Jupiter ordered.

Bre'zen threw Jupiter through the air like a football. She twisted rapidly, firing of an Oak Evolution. The balls of energy exploded as they tore through the Ice Warrior ranks. As the attack finished its course, Jupiter flipped forward and landed gracefully on her feet.

The Ice Warriors slowly retreated into the underground city as the scouts and red-armored Ice Warriors kept up their attacks. They stopped only when the last of the enemy Ice Warriors were unconscious or had retreated.

Bre'zen slowly moved through the battlefield, nudging some of the unconscious Ice Warriors with his armored boot. "Their armor is old and fragile and most of our foes were reluctant to fight. If all were as devoted to the cause as their leader, and had decent armor, we would be dead." He turned to the scouts. "They will undoubtedly return and when they do, I am sure they will have been encouraged to fight more adamantly. Regardless of the state of their armor, they outnumber us greatly. When again they attack, we will not escape unscathed."

Jupiter crossed her arms. "We need to hit them before they can come after us again."

"That would be unwise, Shsurr," Bre'zen rumbled. "The city is vast and our enemy could easily surround and destroy us."

Artemis leapt up onto Venus' shoulder. "Why not retreat into the castle and get out of here? If they don't have you or Mars, they can't attack Earth."

Bre'zen shook his head. "This location is the only one where the castle can land. We could retreat into orbit, but our enemy need only wait for our supplies to run out."

Mercury frowned. "Doesn't it have escape pods?"

Bre'zne nodded. "It does, but beyond the Queen's Mountain, we would be exposed to the radiation of the sun. We would be killed."

Luna curled her tail in frustration. "We can't attack them, we can't wait for them to attack us and we can't retreat. What do you suggest we do?"

Bre'zen made a series of rapid clicking noises but didn't reply. He seemed uncomfortable.

"Bre'zen?" Mars looked up into his visor. "You have something, don't you?"

Bre'zen looked away from her. "It is not an option."

"If you have something, say it," Tuxedo Mask said evenly. "Now isn't the time to hold any ideas back."

Bre'zen hesitated before speaking slowly. "There is a possible way. But it would risk the life of Shsurr Serenity or Shsurr Mars. I will not allow it."

"Bre'zen, all our lives are going to be in danger," Mars said, holding back her frustration. "If there's something we can do to win this, we have to know."

Bre'zen shook his head. "I will not risk you in this. It has little chance of success and if we fail, you will die."

Mercury finally spoke up. "You say you're sworn to protect Mars? Whatever your idea is, if you don't share it, she will die for certain. If you do, there's a chance she'll survive. If you're sworn to protect her, you have to take the option where there's a chance of survival, no matter how slim."

Bre'zen growled. "I cannot say I am pleased, but it is sensible, Shsurr Mercury. Very well," he turned back to Mars and Sailor Moon. "Ice Warriors put stock in strength and courage and our leaders are expected to have both traits. If you can prove your strength is superior to Aarsasho's, those who follow her reluctantly will turn their allegiance to you. Your positions are such that the two of you are the only ones who may challenge Aarsasho."

Sailor Moon nodded. "What do we have to do?"

Bre'zen paused. "One of you must challenge Aarsasho to a Blood Duel."

Mars frowned. "So, what, we have to fight until someone draws blood?"

Bre'zen rumbled. "You would not know of them as they were rare during the Silver Millenium, but they are a fight of honor, strength and cunning. Blood Duels are not an easy struggle. You risk your lives and you must fight alone. No one can interfere or it is forfeit and you will be executed."

"We can handle some silly rules," Mars grumbled. Tell me what to do and I'll kick Aarsasho's butt."

Bre'zen frowned. "I do not understand that phrase, but a Blood Duel is more complicated than a simple kick. A Blood Duel is a fight to the death."