Olympus 18- Son of Ares, Titan Red

Gou's day starts as it normally does. Getting up, brushing his teeth, eating breakfast, says goodbye to his family and runs to school with Shun near him every step of the way. "I can't wait for whats going to happen at school today." "Whatever happens, make the best out of it." "Bye Shun." As Gou runs to school happy, Shun walks back home where Hikari is leaving the house in a rush, Miyuki not far behind. "Thank you Shun, I have an important meeting today so you'll have to cook dinner, is that ok?" "Yeah, sure." "Thanks, you're a lifesaver." Back at Olympy, Dave wakes up and Hera is up with him, having cleaned up the place for him. "You didn't need to do that Hera." "But I wanted to. You didn't need to do that yesterday but you did. It's time we all pitched in and help keep this place spotless." "Well, that's very nice of you. I'm going out." "You forgot your soccer ball." "Not where I'm going. I'll see you later." "Bye." Hera thinks to herself "He seems unreasonably happy for a guy who just lost someone so dear to him. I just hope that he's expressing his emotions in a healthy way. Repression is never a good thing." Kai wakes up early by falling out of bed. "Perfect, your up. Take out the trash." "Why me? And where is Dave?" "Dave is out right now." "What, kicking a stupid ball around the-" Hera glare at him a bit. "Ok, it's not stupid, but why is he out this early in the day?" "Beats the hell out of me." Hera has an idea. "Like I said, go take out the trash and I'll go check something out." "Umm, ok." Kai begrudgingly takes out the trash as Hera uses the computer to track Dave. "So that's what he's doing." "Whats up?" "He's going to the flower shop." "Makes sense, being the pretty boy that he is." "KAI!" "What? It's true. He's not a very manly man." "Shh." Hera notices Dave looking much sadder than he was when he got up. "That's not good." "What? So he's sad. He has every right to be." "It's not that. He woke up with a smile and a yawn this morning. Now he's sad and he's buying flowers. He's probably going to the cemetery." "You're saying this like it's a problem. Plenty of people visit cemeteries when they have a dead loved one." "Did you?" "I didn't have a loved one that died." "Jamarah seemed pretty close to one." "We're just close friends." "Like brothers." "Yeah, but not quite." "I just hope Dave doesn't get swallowed up in grief." "Poor guy's had it rough. Not only loses his boyfriend but now had to kill his new girlfriend? I feel for him man." "That's very big coming from you Kai. Who knew you'd be able to show sympathy?" "It's not sympathy. I've had it much harder than he has." "I don't know." Hera gives him a suggestive grin as Kai goes to take a nap. "I want you to talk to Dave. He might need it. It would probably mean a lot to him if it came from you." "If I do this?" "I'll take out the trash for the month." "Fine, I'll go talk to him." Hera had her fingers crossed during the deal. "Like a girl like would take out the trash."

Dave walks towards the cemetery as Tetsu plans his next all out assault. "Asteria, do you have it?" "Of course. Hydra, arise!" A green five headed dragon with no arms and 5 long necks emerges. The Hydra then splits into 5 serpentine warriors with arms and basic scimitars. "Having strength in numbers has been the Joutengers special advantage. Even when we've split them up they've managed to produce a numbers advantage against us. Now with the Hydra we'll balance the scales." "Don't forget, whenever one of its heads gets cut off, another grows in its place." "This plan will go off without a hitch. I know it will. It has to. This is my final stand." "I wish you luck Lord Tetsu." "Lord?" "Yes. You are my superior after all." Tetsu is a bit weirded out by this but pays no mind to it." "Don't worry Tetsu, you'll be fine no matter what happens." Asteria winks at him as she crosses her fingers. Typhon walks in as Tetsu walks out. "Excuse me." "Of course Lord Tetsu. My apologizes." Tetsu gets even more weirded out. "No, let it go, I need to stay focused to defeat the Joutengers. I need my biggest gambit to pull this off." As the Hydra is about to follow Tetsu, Typhon pats him on the back. "Remember the plan." The Hydra nods and catches up to Tetsu. Chronos emerges from his slumber and has an amused look on his face. "The day of reckoning has come. Time to see if he was truly worthy of being my heir." Asteria says "He's so much more determined today Lord Chronos. There is a good chance he could be successful." "I hope so, for his sake." Tetsu, once he reaches Japan via red wing, orders his army to stand down at the shore while he takes care of some business. "I'll be back soon, when I give the signal, you all come with." The Quadriga spirit appears in his head. "I hope you know what you're doing." "I know very well what I'm doing." "There's certain depths that even I wouldn't sink, I hope you understand that." "What we're going to do is very simple. Just let me handle this." "For a man who looks so self assured, there appears to be a sliver of remorse in your soul." "A soldier has no remorse. I will accomplish my goals. It's the only way to true happiness." "If you say so." Quadriga leaves his mind as Tetsu continues walking towards the cemetery.

Dave sits at the cemetery as Jamie and Sara's tombstones both lay next to each other. "I know I said I'd be strong but-" he starts breaking down. "I-I need to do a-all of my c-crying here. I-I can't be a b-burden on my teammates. I need to be strong. I-I especially don't need to make D-Demi worry about me." Kai silently walks into the Cemetery, listening as he leans on a tree. Dave continues crying as Tetsu walks in, bundle of flowers in his hand and walking towards his mother's tombstone on the other side of the cemetery. Kai goes to approach Dave. "Umm, how are you holding up there?" "O-oh, hi Kai, what brings you here?" "Being ruler of the dead, place seems like my natural habitat. I can't believe that was the same tree I was leaning on when we met you." "Yeah, I guess it does bring old memories. Hell, that's the same guy from last time. I remember you couldn't stop being a mope." "Yeah, you and Demi helped me get out of it though." "It wasn't really me. It was all Demi. Girl has been crazy about you since you two met." "Yes. I find Demi to be a dear friend indeed." Kai simply nods looking uninterested. "But you're also one of my dear friends." "That's ridiculous. I've done nothing but hit you and call you names. I'm not your good friend." "That's what you say, but your actions speak much louder than words. Kai, if it wasn't for you forcing me out of my stupor, odds are I would have rejected the call. If it wasn't for your resilience against that first major fight against the Titans, I could have ended up with much worse than a broken arm. If it wasn't for you training me, I'd still be the same hopeless fighter I was at the start. I heard about what you did to those goons that attacked us. If you weren't my friend, would you have done all that?" "No. I don't deserve a friend like you though. You've done much more for me. You saved us all from Chronos, you did everything you could to protect me and nurture me when I was going through my horrific episode, even took a beating from those thugs just to keep me safe. I've been the selfish one, you'd gladly die for any of us." "I'm sure you'd do the same Kai. You're a nice guy, you just like the mask of cool that keeps other people from knowing you." "You're just being nice." "It's fine if you think that way." "I'm sorry if I ever called you a princess or something of the like." "I don't really mind that anymore. It's just a sign of affection from you is all."

"So, do you miss Jamarah?" "That's a stupid question. Of course I do." "I take it you never really got to mourn him." "Didn't even have a funeral for him. I would have been his only guest." "That's sad. I know how you two were alone on the streets with only each other. I could only imagine how much you must have felt alone and scared." "Alone yes but I learned to conquer my fears. After all, I am the toughest guy in Tokyo." "That you are." "Not as tough as you though. With all you've been through, you're the real trooper." Demi walks into the cemetery. "Dave, umm, how's it going?" "It's going great, thank you for asking Demi." "I heard you were crying. I came over to see if you were ok." "It's fine, me and Kai helped talk it through." "Kai had a conversation with you? No offense." Kai just shrugs his shoulders. Dave still looks a bit saddened but tries to smile. "Relax. What is it you wanted Demi?" "I wanted to visit my father again. Class was cancelled by the building owner for renovations. Miki and Amy had their classes cancelled for today. I was hoping we could all visit him." Dave says "It would be an honor Demi." "Sure, I'll meet the old geezer." "Great. Shun should be coming this way soon." As they proceed to walk to the hospital, Demi grabs Dave's arm. "You know if your hurting, you can talk to me right? I'll be right here for you Dave." Dave gets nervous. "Well, umm, thanks Demi. You really are too kind." Miki and Amy are waiting for Demi, Dave and Kai as Shun surprises them. "Hey guys, how's it been?" Miki says "Not much. How are things with Gou?" "Everything's been normal for him." "That's good." The three arrive as the six enter the hospital. "Hello, I'm looking for a Mr. Hiza please." "Certainly ma'am." He let's them in as Mr. Hiza is saying goodbye to his roommate. "Be sure to stay in touch with your son, and please remember that love is always the answer." The six enter the room. "Hello Dad." Demi and her father hug as the others watch on. "Let me guess. You're Miki, the strong willed, determined one." "Yes, that is me." "That's Shun, the life of the party." "Guilty as charged." "You're Kai, the the kid a bit rough around the edges." "Can't deny it." "You're Amy, the genius." "Mhm." "And you must be Dave. Demi has said nothing but good things about you." "Oh she did." "Well Demi, you sure have yourself a fine group of friends. What troubles you child?" "It's not much." "Oh Dave. You want to talk about it?" Demi looks at him with her innocent looking eyes. "Oh, umm, sure." They walk outside as Demi's father comments. "Ah Demi, always a kind soul." Miki says "Oh you don't know everything about Demi." "What?" "Yeah. Girl's tough and tenacious. She also doesn't take anyones crap. She's definitely got an iron will. Especially with that super strength." "I see. It's so weird to hear Demi being so independent. She was always with either me or Gota when she was younger. I guess it is a good thing though." Shun jokes. "Yeah Mr. H, you sure made one hell of a fine girl there." Kai just pinches his nose in irritation.

Demi is consoling Dave outside the room. "I know you're still getting over Sara, and I want to help you." "I'm doing fine Demi." "No you aren't. Nobody get's over a death like that that quickly." "Remember Jamie though?" "That was an exception because we needed you. Now that we've settled down, you need to be more honest with your feelings. You can talk to me about them." "I am honest with my feelings. I cried for an hour in the cemetery today. I needed to get it out of my system." "You could always visit me and cry it out. I hope you understand that-" "I do Demi, really I do. I just don't want to be letting my emotions out at a worse time. That's why I mourn in front of the tombstone every morning." Demi simply remains quiet and hugs him.

While at the cemetery, Tetsu pays his respects to his mother. "Don't worry mom. Soon, you'll be back with me, or I'll be with you. I've been waiting for this opportunity for years. It's why I traveled the globe, it's why I did all the things that I have done. I've done-" Tetsu starts slightly breaking up but tries to get his composure. "I've done things that I wouldn't normally do, but when you come back and we have our solitude, it will all be worthwhile." Quadriga appears in his head. "It's obvious you care about her a great deal." "She's the entire world to me. If I can't get her back, there's no reason to keep going on." "Your sense of worth is that low I see." "Is it wrong to want to be loved?" "Of course not, you human's need that stuff I guess. It's just it's amazing what lengths people will go to for such a cheap emotion." "You'd never understand." "I suppose. Isn't it time to start your plan?" "Yes." Tetsu morphs and starts planning the attack in the city square. He sends Kokolos into a huge office building as he waits outside for the Joutengers, the Hydra monster splitting into five different warriors. Back at the hospital, Hera picks up the signal of a Titan attack. "Joutengers, you must go quickly to the city square. Titan Red is there." Miki responds "TITAN RED!? We got to go. It was nice meeting you Mr. Hiza." "Be careful dad." "I will, thank you sweetie." The five run onto the scene as the Kokolos reach the top floor, with Hikari sitting board at the business meeting. The Kokolos use their arm blades to trash the place and corner the businessmen, Kari noticing the Joutengers arriving onto the scene, the other businessmen noticing soon after. "Yeah, go get them." "You guy's are gonna be sorry." The Kokolos just growl intimidatingly. The five Joutengers morph, the business people too high up to make out their faces. "1-2-5, GODCHANGE!" "Daughter of Zeus, JoutenYellow!" "Son of Poseidon, JoutenBlue!" "Son of Hades, JoutenBlack!" "Daughter of Demeter, JoutenGreen!" "Son of Aphrodite, JoutenPink!" "United, we win. OLYMPUS SENTAI JOUTENGERS!" Kari thinks to herself "I just hope Shun can save us." Tetsu however is not impressed. "You think you'll escape with your lives?" Shun responds "Isn't you who usually leaves with his tail between his legs?" "Not this time. This time, we do it to the end." Miki replies. "Fine by me. Let's go guys." "Hydra, go get them!" The five hydranoids attack each of the Joutengers one on one. The Joutengers use their fighting prowess and weapons to fight them back, but then chains with locks arise up from the ground where the Joutengers are standing, pulling them to the ground on their knees. "Now you're under my terms. Don't even try to get out." "Why not?" "Because then my minions will throw those people out of the top floor. All at once. Can you live with that on your conscience?" The Joutengers are taken aback. "If you give no resistance, I'll let them go about their business, as long as you die as soon as possible." Shun is angered and yells "What you're doing is unforgivable. Are you even human!?" "I'm Titan Red. Nothing more nothing less. I'm the strongest soldier the world has ever seen, and I'll prove it here by slaughtering you all." "That isn't the guy I met at Mt. Olympus. You're nothing but a heartless demon." "Fine, since you're so vocal all the time, and because you annoy me the most, I'll start with you blue. Hydra, you can have your fun with the rest." Tetsu pulls out his lance. "You Joutengers have forced me to do something I don't want to do. At least now the odds are in my favor. I'll try to make it as fast as I can." Tetsu starts slashing Shun near the throat as the Hydras just start attacking the others, Hera watching from the base as Amy runs in. "Hera, the Joutengers are in danger, there has to be something we can do." "There may be something I can do. I'm going in." "Hera, don't! There are hostages in that building, if you go in to fight Tetsu, they'll get killed in there. Or worse, they'll kill you." "I know that child. Scan the building for any entrance we could use, perhaps a back entrance. Something that won't cause a sound." "Ok. Checking now!"

The Hydranoids keep slashing the four Joutengers, two of the five slashing away at Dave, who is trying to withstand the attacks. Demi yells "Get off of him, hack at me-" "Demi, please, don't sacrifice yourself for me." Dave gets a hard slash to the back as Demi gets slashed hard in the chest repeatedly. Kai gets repeatedly punched in the face by his Hydranoid, which is just toying with him. Miki's Hydranoid starts kicking her in the helmet, Miki kneeling defiantly. "You know you aren't getting away with this, right?" "Think what you will." Tetsu makes a huge slash to Shun's stomach, knocking the wind out of him as he kneels over. Miki yells "Shun, are you ok?" Shun doesn't answer. "Hey tough guy, why don't you come over here and kill me yourself. Let's keep the lizards out of this." "If that's really what you want. Hydra, stand back! The rest are mine." Miki, a bit shaken up by the blows to the head, taunts Tetsu. "The moment we break free is the day you wish you were never born." "Well you're not breaking free, not with the lives of innocent people at stake." He starts slashing at Miki in the chest. Meanwhile Dave is tapping into his new powers from Apollo. "Come on. There we go!" Dave uses his newfound telepathy to communicate with the others. "Guy's, don't be alarmed. I'm using the telepathy and telekinesis powers I gained from Apollo to loosen our locks. We'll be able to attack on a moment's notice." Miki asks "Yeah, but we still have to worry about Titan Red killing those civilians." "Yeah Dave, just relax, there is nothing we can do." "You're right Demi."

Hera slowly approaches the back of the building, finding a random hole with heat radiating from it. "I don't understand it, but who cares." Hera infiltrates the building as the Businessmen are paralyzed with fear, Kari horrified at the sight of Shun possibly getting executed. She however stands tall. "What are we doing, sitting here scared while the Joutengers are down their sacrificing themselves for us. We're strong people. We're adults. Who know's if they'll even spare us. I don't want to sit here at the mercy of monsters wondering if my kids will have a mother to come home to. I say we take the fight to them so that we at least die trying. Who's with me?" Half the businessmen stand up as the other half, the older ones, are a bit more scared. Kari leads a charge, the businessmen using their briefcases to start overwhelming the simple minded Kokolos, who draw their blades. Using their desks and room effectively, the Kokolos themselves are cornered and thrown out of the building to the ground below. Hera reaches the top floor as the Businessmen finish their little brawl, all the Kokolos in the room dead. Kari asks "Who are you?" "I'm Hera, the last living God. I see you've taken good care of yourselves?" "Someone had to." "I thought you were in danger." "See what happens when we humans put our minds to it?" "I'm impressed. Anyway, let's get out of here." Hera and the businessmen run down the stairs as fast as they can, knocking down Kokolos that stand in their way. "Hang on Joutengers, you'll be fine."

As the hostages make their escape, Tetsu is cutting down Miki, Miki standing as high as she can. "You're so despicable I wouldn't even spit at you." Tetsu ignores her and simply keeps slashing away at her, getting frustrated. "Why can't you make this easy for both of us and DIE-" Just as he's about to land stab through her chest, the Hydranoids all slash Tetsu in the back simultaneously as the Hostages emerge from the building. Tetsu gets up from the attack as the Hydranoids combine and retreat with the red wing, Tetsu cursing them. "Damnit. That wasn't part of the plan." The Joutengers, with Dave's telekinesis powers, free themselves from their chains. Miki proudly says "You pushed the wrong buttons today Red." "You think I didn't have a backup plan!? QUADRIGA, ARISE!" The Quadriga emerges from the sky as the Joutengers match it. "Godbeasts, arise!" The eagle also emerges from the sky, the dolphin emerges from the ocean, the cerberus emerges from underground, the swan emerges from the nearby lake, and the boar emerges from the nearby plains. "Jouten Gattai! Olympic King!" "Kyoken Gattai! Spartan King!" The two mech's form and start their rumble, Spartan King getting a quick stab at the Olympic King, knocking it down. Spartan King tries slashing the Olympic King with its lance while it's down but the Olympic King's lance blocks the attack and it regains its footing. Quadriga comments "You've definitely improved since last time, however-" The Spartan King trips up the Olympic King with its lance, knocking it down. Tetsu says "Goodbye Joutengers!" Spartan King suddenly gets blasted by a beam of light. Dave says "Woah, it's the Cobra Godbeast." "What is the meaning of this?"

The other godbeasts, including Amy in the Owl Godbeast, show up. "Thought you guys could use a little help." "It doesn't matter, I'll just destroy you all." Spartan King deploys its shield and prepares to fight all seven combatants. "This is going to be good." "Olympic King, Hephaestus Formation!" The crab attaches to the Olympic King as the two mech's rumble. Olympic King holds its ground better than it did before, but Tetsu starts slashing away at its vulnerable legs, knocking them down. As Tetsu prepares to strike them down, the panther and hind charge at him, the panther forming a ball of sorts to tackle it as the hind charges with its horns, knocking him back a bit. "This is absurd." He doesn't notice the turtle as he tries to walk towards the Olympic King and it trips the Spartan King. "I will not be made a fool of, especially not this day." Tetsu gets really mad and starts attacking the other Godbeasts, knocking out the panther and the hind, with the turtle getting stepped on and kicked aside. The Cobra gets slashed back hard for its troubles. Amy meanwhile divebombs Spartan King from the back and they reconfigure the Olympic King. "Olympic King! Base Formation!" The Olympic King ditches it's armor and it's lance reforms. "Phalanx Charge!" "Divine Charging Lance!" The two finishers clash, Olympic King gettings knocked down as Spartan King, visibly weakened, still stands tall. "Pathetic. Even with your superior arsenal you still can't beat me Joutengers. I think it's time I let out my frustrations." Shun sarcastically remarks "I thought you were happy the whole time." "SHUT UP! GODDAMNIT! ARE YOU ALWAYS THIS PETULANT!" "Hey, I'm not the one raising my voice." "THAT IS IT!" Tetsu looks at Gou's school. "Just for that." Shun immediately gets alarmed. "Wait, don't go-" "You humiliate me, you make a fool out of me, and now you pay the price. So much for protecting your beloved city."

As Tetsu prepares to strike the school with the Spartan King's lance, the Spartan King drops the lance and Tetsu starts getting worried. "Hey, what the hell is this?" Spartan King separates and throws Tetsu to the city outskirts, Tetsu falling rather hard. "What the hell was that for, we had them on the ropes." "Yes, and you lost focus and listened to your anger. I refuse to kill innocent people, fight the Joutengers on your own." The Quadriga retreats quickly as the Joutengers rush to the outskirts of the city. "Quadriga, come back! I promise I won't do it again, please just come back!" Tetsu vents a cry of frustration as the Joutengers show up with their primary weapons. "You, you did this. You drove me to this. Well now, this is where it ends, I will- Huh?" He stares at the others and asks "Where's black?" All of a sudden he gets tied up in invisible chains as Kai used his super speed and invisibility to take Tetsu by surprise. Miki says "Let's show him what we're made of!" Dave starts off with an attack of wind from his fans. Demi uses her axe to push him back hard into Kai's kick, which goes into a slash from Shun's trident, which pushes him into Miki's sword, whom after she slashes, says "Switch!" She then uses her hammer to smash him into Shun's pistols, whose shots knock him into Kai's stygian rock punch, with leaves him open to Demi's bow and arrow attack. Dave finishes off with a loud rock tune that throws Tetsu off balance as Tetsu screams in pain.

All of a sudden the secondary weapons of the Joutengers glow and form together, the bow going on top of the hammer and lyre, with the Caduceus and pistols combining underneath to form handles for the crossbow. "Crossbow of Anubis! Judgment Shot!" A huge arrow of light strikes a weakened Tetsu as he explodes. "Yeah, we did it. I can't believe I finally avenged-" Miki is interrupted as Tetsu rises up from the debris, clearly weakened and wobbly. "You thought it would be that easy this time? That I would just run away. Well not now, I'm here to the end. I won't rest until all of you are dead!" Tetsu tries to charge at them. "Well then, time to bring back the old classics. Blade of Olympus!" The primary weapons substitute the secondary weapons as the Blade of Olympus is formed. "Judgment Slash!" The slash knocks Tetsu down and he explodes again. "Phew, that's done and over with. I finally got revenge for-" As the Joutengers turn their backs, Tetsu emerges from the debris once again, badly burned and bruised everywhere. "Why won't you stay down you disgusting creature?" "I have one last chance at a goal, I need to win here! I don't care if my dead corpse has to kill you, to get what I truly want, I will do what I must, even if I'm down to a head, I will bite you to death." Tetsu puts on this brave front but he could hardly stand. Regardless, he goes to charge at the Joutengers, very slow and wobbly, but Miki turns to punch his lights out as he gets close to her, finally knocking him out. She prepares to stab him to death as her teammates, except Kai, hold her back. "What are you doing, we have him right where we want him. He's done unspeakable horrors to us and our loved ones, the only thing he deserves is death!" Dave says "I understand what you're saying, but this is not the way to do it. Killing for revenge makes you just as bad as him!" Miki, being very angered by this "insubordination" punches Dave with all her anger and demorphs him, Demi demorphing as well to comfort him, giving her a death glare. "And you wonder why you're the weakest-" Miki goes to hit him again as Shun knocks her out with the vulcan neck pinch. "Didn't know it actually worked. You ok man?" Dave, getting a black eye from the hit, says "It's a scratch, but I'll be fine." "I'll make sure it's fine. Let's go." Kai looks concerned but just walks away, helping Shun carry Miki back to base.

Tetsu wakes up, seeing them walking away in the distance, not even able to stand up, tries feebly to end his suffering. "Get back here Joutengers. You're making a huge mistake, I'm still alive, and you'll be sorry. Kill me now. Please." He simply rolls onto his back and starts thinking to himself. "I've just got nothing to live for anymore. Now I'll never get my mother back. All my life, I've been searching for any which way to bring her back. Is it really so much to ask? When I was a young child, I was born into a military family. My mother was a five star general for the Japanese Special Task Force. I can almost see my life flashing before my eyes. Is this really how I was destined to die? All alone in a pool of my own blood? It is for sure a fitting death of a soldier but, what happens when you're ashamed of what you've done. Where is the honor in that? A soldier is supposed to have no regrets, yet I can't help but feel horrible for every bad thing I've done. Even my own GodBeast rejected me. I know why too. I let my emotions get the best of me when a soldier is only strong when he rejects them. I was at my weakest when my emotions got the best of me. If I had maintained a cool head, I wouldn't be in this predicament. What does it mean now though? I have no one to help me now. This must be the feeling of true loneliness. I swore to never feel this way again, but here I am now, knowing that you'll be forgotten by everyone who knows you after you're dead. My adversaries don't even know my name."

A flashback occurs where we see Tetsu's mother, Haruko, giving birth to him. The doctor says "It's a boy Ms. Nomura." Another doctor however reports some bad news. "Ms Nomura, your son appears to have a huge amount of mucous stuck in his nostrils and throat. Treatment may be dangerous, but if we don't do it, the boy, in his frail state, well-" "Do whatever you can doctor." Haruko tries to keep a strong face for her closest confidants watching but they start crying, soon Haruko starts too. "You boys are a bunch of- c-cry-b-babies. OH MY BOY! MY CUTE LITTLE BOY!" The following morning Tetsu returns with a small cut, crying loudly as he's put into his mother's arms. Her lieutenant comments "He's such a tough little guy." Her Sergeant asks "What's the boy's name going to be?" "Tetsu. It's a fine name for a boy like him." He starts yawning and smiling as time transitions. At the age of four, Tetsu is accompanied by his mother as he is under another fever. The same doctor that gave birth to him, Dr. Ichiban, gives him some strong medicine. His mother comments "Don't worry Tetsu, you'll be just fine. He will be fine, right doctor?" "Yes General, he will be. Tetsu's had over three dozen fevers in his first four years. It seem's his immune system is weak and his body is frail. I just hope this doesn't hinder him in his later years." Tetsu starts saying "Don't worry mom, I'll be just fine. It's like you say-" "You're my tough little soldier." "One day Mom, I'm gonna be the best soldier ever-" he starts coughing as the doctor feels his chest for wheezing. "It seems more like he has a mild form of asthma. His weezing keeps getting worse. I think it would be best if we give him an inhaler and a respirator." "Yes doctor." "Mom, I'm going to be joining the academy soon, isn't that great?" Haruko just looks worried as her Lieutenant Jiraiya and her Sergeant Watanabe stand outside Tetsu's room waiting to give her the news. Jiraiya says "You go tell her." "No you. You're better with the kid anyways." "Yeah, but you're better at delivering news." Haruko walks out of the room as the two stand at attention. "At ease!" They stand normally as the Lieutenant gives Haruko the good news. "We've managed to win the war against the rebels in Hokkaido. They agreed to a ceasefire." "Yeah, that's really good." "General, are you alright? Is it about your son?" She doesn't answer him and retreats to her office, which features pictures of her and the Prime Minister, a photo with the emperor, a US Ambassador, and some of Tetsu's baby pictures. Her war advisor, Shinsuke, wants to come in. "Alrighty, I know things haven't been going well for Tetsu, so I went and got him this." He hands her a small uniform for his slightly smaller than average stature and she breaks down in tears. "What's the matter?" "Please, I just want to be alone." "But General-" "THAT'S AN ORDER!" "Yes General. Hope he gets better." Haruko thinks to herself. "The threat of asthma, his bad health, worst of all his eagerness, I can't let him be a part of this godforsaken military. The demands of the job will break him. He has the will and heart of a soldier, but perhaps too much heart. He's much too kindhearted for being on the frontlines taking lives. But to keep him from trying would be to deny him his dream. I wish this were easy. He wants to be a soldier so badly and I want him to be happy, but urgh." Haruko just throws stuff around the room in frustration, her subordinate officers hearing the ruckus from her office and paralyzed with fear.

Two years later and Tetsu take's his physical for the military academy, taken by Doctor Ichiban. "Now just breathe normally while I check your lungs." He does so. "I see you've been taking your medicine and treatments like you're supposed to. Keep going like that and you'll be beating Asthma in no time." "Yeah! I can't wait to go to school." Both Ichiban and Haruko look at each other in sadness, Tetsu confused. "Mom, the first day at the academy is next week, I'm super excited." "I know you are Tetsu, but with your asthma hindering you, I don't know if you're ready to start training to be a soldier." "But it's my dream mom. I want to be the best soldier I can be so that you could be proud of me!" "Tetsu, you know I love you very much. The training at the academy is very harsh and strict. You'll be pushed hard by your teachers. You'll be forced to do physically tasking stuff, things that could get you triggered or worse. Maybe we should wait a few-" Tetsu starts crying and runs away, Dr. Ichiban approaching Haruko. "General, I know that you must feel terrible, but I know you're looking out for the boy's safety." "I have to, I'm his mother. I've also got a military to run. I can't be worrying about him 24/7." "That seems very harsh of you to say." "I love my son with all my heart, I'd do anything for him. I'd give up everything I have just to cure him of his ailments. He'd make a great soldier. But I feel like this life isn't for him. He's a nice boy with wide eyed idealism. I just don't want his feelings to get crushed if he can't pass the entrance exam." "I understand. I know the boy as well. He wants his chance though. Let him do what he dreams of doing and he can accomplish anything." "Doctor, did you read that on a fortune cookie?" "Guilty as charged." "You have a point though. Urgh, this is so hard. I want him to be happy but-" "Let him try. If he doesn't try, how can he show his worth?" "Hmm." Haruko goes to the boys room where Tetsu is crying. "Please don't cry Tetsu. I'm going to let you join the academy." Tetsu starts calming down. "R-really mom?" "Yes. You always were my brave little soldier. Show them what you're made of." "Mhm. I'll show them!" The two hug as time skip's again.

At the age of nine, Tetsu finally starts his first day at the academy after two years of homeschooling. The instructor for the class, Jun, introduces him. "Everyone, this is Tetsu Nomura. He's our newest cadet and I expect you to treat him as your equal." "It's a pleasure to meet all of you." Some of the students smile at him, a few others, mostly in the back, scoff at this new kid. "He's the general's son? What a joke." "Yeah, what's he doing here in the academy." "Boy's lets wait till combat practice. Then we'll see what he's made of." Tetsu gets to his desk and breathes into his inhaler, which catches the attention of the boys in the back of the class. "Anyway class, its time to turn our books to page 80, Sun Tzu. Can anyone tell me the name of his famous book? Tetsu, we'll start off with you." "Umm, lets see. Would it happen to be The Art of War?" "That is correct. Sun Tzu was a general in what part of Asia?" Nobody raises their hand but Tetsu. "China." "Very good." The boys in the back of the class are dumbfounded. "How does a brat like that know that much?" "He just got lucky. There's no way a know it all brat like that is better than us." After class, Tetsu starts reading his book on the way to his next class as the leader of the jerks, Kenta, trips him and steals his book. "Give that back." "You don't need this thing. Don't you know everything." "Give it back, please!" "What are you gonna do about it?" One of Kentas lackeys trips Tetsu again and they walk away, Kenta throwing Tetsu's book at him. "Study up dork." As Tetsu tries to center himself, a shy girl in class, Mari, helps him up. "Those guy's are nothing but bad news. Are you alright?" "Yeah, I think so. I've never been hit before, it just feels so, bad." Tetsu looks at her with innocent eyes as she blushes. "My name's Mari, Tetsu was it?" "Yeah." "Well Tetsu, if you want to hangout later, my quarters are close to the school." "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it." "If those boys give you any trouble, just let me know." "Oh, ok." A strange man watches in the distance, recording things as the bell rings for the next class.

At lunch, Tetsu tries to find a place to sit but nobody lets him sit near them. "Watch this boys. Hey Tetsu! We got a seat for you right here!" "Awesome. Thank's man." As Tetsu sits down they take his head and shove it into his lunch. "How do you like the food here?" Tetsu just mumbles as they hold his head in the lunch. "I thought you'd be tougher, you're the son of a general, looks like her legacy is a big doofus. Hehe." Mari sees this and shoves Kenta's head into his lunch, pulling Tetsu away and giving Kenta's friends death stares. "Lay off him, it's his first day." Kenta responds "Says who?" "Me." "Umm, I'm fine Mari." "You sure?" "Yeah. Thank you though." "Come with me." The two sit alone at a nearby lunch table. "Don't let them push you around. Why did you sit with them?" "I thought they were sorry for-" "Ok, now I get it. This is your first time in a place like this, right?" "Umm, yeah." "That explains a lot. Don't believe people just because they smile at you. You need to be strong in the face of adversity." "Thanks Mari, it really helps." "Stop thanking me. You're a good guy, and nobody deserves to be treated that way. I see you have a lot of books." "Yeah, I really like to read about military history." "So you want to follow in your mother's footsteps?" "Yes. I want to be a great general like Caesar and Napoleon." "It will be very hard to follow in their footsteps, are you sure you can handle it?" "I know I can. Nothings going to stop me." Mari just stares at the fire in his eyes as he finishes his lunch and continues reading. Later that night, Haruko gets reports of what happened in school that day from the mysterious man. "That's terrible, I knew letting him enroll was a mistake." "If I may General, there was a bright light this day." "What is it?" "He's made good friends with a pretty young girl." "Oh really. A charmer I see."

A few years pass and he is now 12, more calm and collected and reading. He shows up for his third year at the academy, meeting Mari again. "Oh, hello Mari." "Hi Tetsu, you sure got taller over the summer." "Yeah, I also found out I have no asthma. I feel really good." "That's great to hear." Kenta shows up to them. "How's it going dorko? I see you're girl over here got real fine over break." "Shut up." "What, its a compliment." "Just get out of here you creep." "Woah, you're going to let your girl talk like that to me?" "She's not my girl, she's allowed to do what she wants." Tetsu goes to walk around Kenta who tries to trip him but Tetsu anticipates the move and trips him to the ground. "That trick is so three years ago." Mari laughs a bit as Kenta gets back up. "Screw you, you used to be fun." "Whatever." "So, you want to do something later?" "Sure, just name the time and the place." "My quarters, six tonight, don't be late." Time cuts to Tetsu's mother coing to visit him in class as the teacher salutes her on her entry, "What is it mom?" "I have to go fight on the front lines, it's a major emergency. I just wanted to say I love you in case things go south." "Ok, bye mom. Kick their butts." "Oh I plan to. At ease." Haruko leaves as time cuts yet again to about a month later.

After many dates of movies, studying and even the occasional flirting, Mari delivers some bad news to Tetsu. "What is it?" "There's no easy way to say this." "What is it? You could tell me." "I have to transfer to another academy." "Transfer to another academy? But why?" "My parents think I'm too distracted by you to do well here. I did my best to convince them but-" Tetsu gives her the biggest hug he could muster, trying his hardest not to cry. "I just wanted to tell you, ever since the day we met, I've always liked you, as more than just a friend." "Same here. I feel like I'm losing my best friend in the whole world. There has to be someway we could keep in contact." "Perhaps when we get older, we could be part of the same platoon." They both continue watching the movie as time skip's again. The next morning, after Mari says her goodbyes, Kenta tries to pick on the distraught Tetsu. "Looks like your little bodyguards gone." Tetsu ignores him. "I mean, it must have helped. You're so weak and helpless without her, you're still the same big dork you were on day one." Kenta punches him in the back of the head. "Just think, now you're no longer a burden on her. I'm sure that deep down inside, she hated you!" Tetsu turns around and punches Tetsu's lights out, knocking out a tooth and the class sits shocked and frightened. A messenger comes into the classroom. "Tetsu, come with us, something's happened to your mother." Tetsu, worried but still mad about what Kenta said, follows him.

Tetsu walks into the room to see his mother, heavily wounded and fighting to stay alive. Tetsu is horrified. "MOM! MOM! C'mon, you can't die. Mom!" "I-it w-was a c-close battle. I t-thought I could lead m-more effectively from t-the front lines." "Doctor Ichiban, how bad are these wounds?" The doctor looks like he's about to cry. "Tetsu, your mother has wounds too deep for surgery. She can't walk and with all her blood loss, it's only a matter of time before she passes on." "No doctor, there has to be a way. There has to!" "I'm so sorry Tetsu. You know if there was a way, I'd use it." Tetsu, angry at everything that's happening, grabs Ichiban by the collar. "WHAT THE HELL! YOU'RE A DOCTOR! THAT'S YOUR BIGGEST PATIENT! I SAY FIND A WAY OR-" "TETSU, put him down." "Yes mom." Tetsu calms down as he sits next to his mother, about to cry. "Tetsu, your father has forsaken us." "My father?" "Yes. Your father is Ares, god of War. You ever wonder why you were so keen on joining the army. Your ability to learn military history so effortlessly? That's your father's blood coursing through your veins." "I'm a demi god?" "Yes." As Haruko's heart rate starts slowing, she tells him with her dying breath. "I know that he abandoned us, but Tetsu, please, do what you want in life. Don't be tethered to the military. You're kind and courteous. Please-" As Tetsu grabs her hand, tears in his eyes, the heart meter flat lines and Tetsu drops to his knees in pure despair. "MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!" He punches the floor and sobs uncontrollably. The next day at school, Tetsu is basically a zombie. Kenta tries, with a broken nose and a missing tooth, to provoke Tetsu, this time in public view. "I heard what happened to your mother. Damn, must suck to be the only good soldier in the family." Tetsu punches him dead in the face and keeps punching him furiously, breaking his face as Mr. Jun breaks it up. "Tetsu, whats gotten into you?" Tetsu, uncharacteristically, runs off, both angry and crying. The following day, the head of the academy, Director Kurosaki, expels him for his newfound behavior. "I understand your pain, but until you control your anger, you are hereby dismissed." Tetsu salutes his commanding officer and leaves. Tetsu, packing his things, swears revenge on his father. "I will find you father, and when I do, I'll make you hurt! I'll make you pay!" Tetsu takes his bags and leaves the Academy, crafting a boat to take him overseas.

"I'll just be remembered as Tetsu Ares Nomura, the boy who was picked on in military school for reading books on generals all the time. Tetsu Nomura, the boy who sacrificed his social life to become a perfect soldier. Tetsu Nomura, the boy who was by his mother's bedside when she died of wounds from the battlefield. She gave comfort to him, treated him as a human being and not as a prodigy. Tetsu Nomura, the boy who traveled the globe from the age of 12 on foot to find any means to get his dying mother back. Tetsu Nomura, the boy who made a foolish deal with the devil in order to get what he wanted. I can't believe I just sacrificed all of humanity for my selfish wants and needs. What I did was truly worthy of a death sentence. Well, at the very least, hopefully, me and my mother can be reunited at last in the afterlife. I just wish death would come sooner."