Chapter Five: The God of War

It had been two days since we had all received the message from Ares, this so-called god of war, and since then Link, Starfire, Beast Boy, Cyborg, and I had been training intensely to prepare for our soon-to-be encounter with him. Robin was looking up every bit of info he could about Ares, from researching mythology to looking into more recent happenings. Raven was researching too, but she was looking amongst her books, some of which were ancient. Some of the others thought that it was unfair that they had to do all of this preparation while Robin and Raven had the easy job. I thought it a little unfair too; but hey, I like to fight, so to me it was their loss.

Most of the time we spent training was among the obstacle course right outside the tower. It was an impressive layout; it had laser turrets, steel gates, pitfalls, and all sorts of other stuff designed to mess us up. The others had already done this obstacle course hundreds of times, and they were pretty good at it. When I tried, I did trip up a few times, but I always managed to get back on my feet and finish. I didn't break any course records, but everyone said that I had done good.

"I just hope that 'good' is enough to beat this 'Ares' guy." I mentioned. "You think he was bluffing when he said he was the god of war?"

"Who can say? But there's always the chance. I mean, we've faced pretty strong opponents in the past." Link said.

The others nodded in agreement. Plus, Starfire mentioned that Ghirahim and Majora were still out there too, so it was best that we prepare for all three of them. Whoever these guys were, they must've been really dangerous if everyone was this concerned. As it would just so happen, both Robin and Raven came out of the tower, apparently done with their research.

"Well, look who's decided to join us!" I said to both of them. "Did you two bookworms find out anything useful?"

Robin rolled his eyes in response to my statement, although it was hard to tell from under his mask. Well, it was better than him snarling at me; I was glad that Spikey was beginning to warm up to me. Back on the topic at hand, both Robin and Raven had dug up some info on Ares. It wasn't a lot of info, but it was something.

"According to all of the online sources I read, Ares is the Greek God of War, whose only desire is to cause eternal conflict amongst humans." Robin explained. "Apparently, he has also gone toe-to-toe with the Justice League. They've beaten him, but it wasn't easy."

"When are battles ever easy?" Link asked rhetorically.

But that was not all of the info they had. Raven had uncovered a bit more from her books.

"Ares is not just the God of War, he is also partly the God of the Dead. He has the power to raise the dead and make them follow his every command." Raven explained. "He also draws his power from conflict. Any amount of violence, anger, hatred, or bloodshed will make him stronger and can heal any wounds he receives in battle."

That all sounded scary. I was beginning to hope that this guy was just bluffing about being a god, because if he could heal himself simply by being in battle, we'd have a hard time bringing him down.

"That's not all…" Raven continued. "Ares also has the ability to teleport. But worst of all, he has the power to command any weapon; including the weapons of others."

Ares had the power to control any weapon?! Even any of ours?! That would be even worse, considering the fact that my power is making weapons. Although, my weapons are more like weapon constructs rather than actual, physical weapons. Would he be able to use those? Robin looked a little worried; he used a lot of weapons as well. But he was also very skilled at hand-to-hand combat, and so was I. I guess all we really had to worry about was being caught unprepared. Speaking of unprepared, it just so happened that right after the explanation, the alarms on all of our communicators went off. There was some kind of emergency downtown; someone wrecking the city or something. We got ourselves ready and rushed off into the city, prepared to rumble with whatever creep we had to deal with.

Once we had arrived downtown, to our surprise there was no one there! I suggested that it may have been a false alarm, but Robin disagreed. He brought up the fight against Red X that happened the other day; there had been no one around at first in that scenario too. I was about to argue with him, but remembering that situation, and remembering the fact that Spikey was actually beginning to warm up to me, I decided to cork it. There was no one here, but the area had definitely been ravaged; but by what? Spikey ordered us to split up and look around the area for anything suspicious. I decided to stick with him while we searched; y'know, cause I like bugging him.

"So Spikey… who do you think we might be dealing with?" I asked him.

"Probably someone big. It could be Cinderblock, Plasmus, or maybe…" Robin replied.

He cut himself off before he finished though, because at that moment we heard something behind us. At first, I thought it may have just been some leftover rubble falling, but that assumption was sent out the door when I saw two small red eyes pop out of the wall behind us. The eyes were then followed by a head with black markings, and then followed by a large white humanoid body. Whatever this thing, it seemed like it had just phased out of the wall! How was that even possible?! The monster threw a punch at both of us, but we jumped out of the way in time. Robin pulled out his communicator and called the other Titans, telling them to get to where he was; saying that "that thing is back."

"What the heck is this thing?!" I asked hastily.

"We're not entirely sure. But it's been popping up in the city every now and then, and wrecks wherever it appears." Robin answered. "It's been appearing more often since Link came back from his journey, and not only that but since then it's gotten more and more dangerous."

As he told me this, the monster grabbed a piece of concrete and gripped it tightly. The concrete was crushed, but before that the monster's entire body became coated in concrete, like it had absorbed the material. So this thing could phase into stuff, and become stuff?! This fight was gonna be… interesting, to say the least. The monster attacked us again, but we dodged it again and it ended up punching into a nearby wall. It's concrete hand crumbled away; I guess it wasn't using the right stuff. By now the others had arrived and immediately recognized the monster. The monster looked over at us, and particularly noticed Link. It's eyes contracted as if it was scanning him. Then it's eyes began glowing red, and it's body bulked up to twice it's normal size. It's head also changed and looked way more menacing, with a mouth full of sharp teeth to boot.

"Whoa! The mouth is new!" Beast Boy remarked.

I was assuming that it hadn't taken a form like this before, but I was informed that it had changed in the past, not only by absorbing stuff but also by simply 'scanning' certain people; and by certain people, they meant Link. The now much more intimidating monster grabbed a nearby metal pole and absorbed it, turning it's body into metal. It roared a grotesque roar and then charged at us. Cyborg responded by throwing a punch right at the monster's jaw. It stumbled back, but it's skin was apparently really tough, as Cyborg was rubbing his fist afterwards. Once back on it's feet, the monster slammed both fists into the ground, causing a mini-quake that made us lose our balance momentarily. Was this part of it's strategy, or just a show of power? Either way, the monster attacked us again, and this time Starfire came in and pummeled the monster, denting it in several places and knocking it back into the wall with a thud. This caused the glass of a nearby convenience store to shatter, and a lava lamp that was on display fell and cracked open, spilling it's contents onto the ground. The monster noticed this when it got back up, and placed it's hands into the 'lava.' It absorbed it, and it's entire body became just like the 'lava' that was in the lamp, from the glow to the blistering heat. Okay… this was gonna make things more difficult.

Cyborg fired his sonic cannon straight at the monster's chest, but it just went right through the monster's now-molten body. It then swiped it's arm towards us and a ton of molten goo came flying at us. Raven blocked it with a shadow barrier, and then Link ran up to the monster and tried slashing it while his eyes were glowing blue; I guess he was using that weird spirit mode power he's able to use. Unfortunately, it didn't do anything. The monster's body was too hot and molten that Link's sword just went right through. At least it wasn't hot enough to melt his sword. Then again, Link's sword is no ordinary sword. Regardless, the monster lunged at Link, but Starfire swooped in and got him out of the way before the monster's attack could burn his face off. Robin threw one of his freeze discs at it, but it only remained frozen for a second because, well, duh, it was made of lava. The monster jumped towards us and spewed a stream of fire from its mouth in a circle to try and burn all of us. Most of us either got out of the way, or blocked it using various methods, such as Link using his shield or Raven using a barrier.

Beast Boy stood near a broken off fire hydrant and took a big gulp from the water spewing out. That was kinda gross if you ask me, but in a moment I saw what he was doing. He changed into an elephant and spewed the water from his trunk at the monster. While he was trying to put it out, I decided that I'd get in on this action too! I concentrated my powers and formed a hammer, a massive hammer. Since it was a construct though it didn't weigh that much to me. While BB was still concentrating on dousing the monster, I snuck up behind it unseen and readied my hammer right over the ugly thing's head. The monster wasn't lava anymore, as it had absorbed the water that BB sprayed at it and now had a body made of water. It hardly mattered though, because I was about to smash this thing's head in!

"Time to mash this melon!" I shouted.

The monster reacted to this, but it wasn't quick enough. I sent my hammer down onto the monster's head, causing a big splash as the monster's water body came apart. All that was left of the thing was it's head, which had changed back to the way it was when we first encountered it, except that it's eyes were now just straight black. The other Titans came over to inspect, and Link told me that my attack had been 'smashing,' although he got some rather skeptical looks from the others. Seriously, this guy needed to work on his quips. Then again, they questioned what I had said before I smashed the thing too.

"Well, the thing's body was made of water, right? And people use hammers to open watermelons sometimes, right?" I claimed.

I guess it wasn't a very good quip, but it was enough that Link and Starfire laughed. However, we couldn't celebrate just yet, because as it would turn out, the monster wasn't dead. The water surrounding it gathered around it's head, and it rose up slightly, most likely trying to reform it's body. Robin tried stoping it with a freeze disc, but the monster dodged and escaped down a sewage outlet.

We were about to give chase, but we were stopped by a menacing voice from out of nowhere. We turned around to see a tall man dressed in black armor and wearing a greek-style helmet that concealed his face, save for two glowing red eyes. It was the same man who had sent that message to us the other day. It was Ares.

"Greetings, Titans. A pleasure to finally meet you in person. That beast proved quite a challenge, did it not?" Ares said.

"Are you the one responsible for that thing?!" Link demanded.

"No, not me. But it is still quite exhilarating to view such conflict. It gives me just what I need to crush all of you!" Ares claimed.

This guy was even more menacing than he had been on the TV screen. His armor was adorned with skulls in several places, probably the skulls of his victims. His mere presence seemed to fill my mind with thoughts of battle, anger, and… I almost hate to say it, but… bloodlust! To be honest, something about this guy seemed familiar, but I didn't know why.

"Hey! I like a good fight, but we're kinda in the middle of something here!" I told Ares as I gestured my hand towards the sewer that that thing had escaped into.

"You're skirmish with that beast will have to wait. Because now you shall face me!" Ares responded. "I look forward to seeing what you can do! Especially you, girl."

His last remark was directed towards me. I didn't know why this guy was so interested in me, but that really didn't matter right now. Robin started things off by throwing a bird-erang at Ares. Ares simply stood there; he didn't even try to dodge. Turns out, he didn't need too. The bird-erang suddenly stopped right before it hit Ares' face, and then swooped back in the opposite direction towards Robin. He managed to dodge it, then pulled out his bo staff and ran in to try and hit Ares. However, with just a thought, Ares took control of Robin's staff and whacked him with his own weapon! I guess what Raven had said about this guy was true! He really did have command over any weapon!

While Robin was getting beaten up by his own staff, Link was about to draw his sword and step in to help out. However, Starfire suggested against it, claiming that it'd be too risky for him. Link claimed that it would be okay because his sword, the Master Sword, could not be touched by evil. Raven came in and told him that Ares wasn't exactly 'touching' Robin's staff to use it. Master sword or not, they both told Link that until we knew more about this guy, that he should keep his weapons away. Fortunately though, Starfire and Raven didn't need weapons to fight, so Starfire flew in and fired a barrage of Starbolts at Ares. It looked like they'd hit their mark, but Ares simply teleported out of the way before they could hit. He reappeared in midair right behind her and punched her in the back. It didn't phase her for very long though, and she flew back in to pummel Ares. She held her own, but was eventually knocked down to the ground hard enough that it formed a small crater.

Raven used her shadow magic to take a nearby lamppost and swing it at Ares like a baseball bat. Ares simply grabbed onto the post and swung it back. Raven dodged it, but was then hit by a dark energy attack that Ares had fired out, and was knocked to the ground just like Starfire. Beast Boy changed into a pterodactyl and flew up above Ares, then changed into a rhino; trying to drop on top of him like a falling bomb. However, Ares grabbed BB while still below him, and then while still holding him, slammed him into the ground; more specifically, into Cyborg, who had been trying to get a good aim with his sonic cannon.

Seeing all of this, Link wasn't going to take it; sword or not, he was going to fight. He charged towards Ares, and hit him from behind with several melee attacks. But his strikes didn't seem to have much of an effect, and after Link's attempt at hand-to-hand combat, Ares grabbed Link's left arm. To the horror of everyone that could still see, Ares broke Link's arm like it was a twig! After Link screamed in pain and collapsed, Ares stepped back to watch him writhe in pain; and he was no doubt enjoying it. Starfire in particular gasped in horror, and with as much strength as she could, flew over to Link to try and help him up.

"Foolish boy. Did you really think that a sword-wielding whelp like you could best me at hand-to-hand combat?" Ares asked Link rhetorically. "Be thankful that I did not rip your arm out of it's socket!"

Witnessing a casualty like this made me feel bad. I should've been helping, instead of just standing by and watching. Well, even though I was scared, wasn't going to run away! I've never run from a fight and I wasn't gonna start now!

"Hey! Helmet-head!" I shouted to get his attention. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"

My remark had gotten his attention, but honestly I kinda wish that it hadn't. Ares disappeared, and then reappeared right in front of me; standing over me menacingly. He was nearly four times my size, and casting a shadow over me that was so dark that if I didn't know any better, I'd say it was nighttime!

"Uhh… just to clarify, I'm waaaaay smaller than you." I said, partially as a quip.

Whether of not anyone found what I said amusing, I really didn't care. Now it was time for action! I concentrated and formed two glowing red swords in my hands and prepped myself for whatever Ares was going to do. To my surprise, Ares held his right arm out to the side, and dark red markings appeared on his arms; markings that looked remarkably similar to mine! At that moment a giant glowing sword formed in his hand, a zweihander. Despite the fact that it was a two-handed sword, Ares held it in only one hand like it was nothing (which was actually a similar concept to the hammer that I formed earlier)! What Ares had just done… was exactly what I can do!

"Wha?! How… how did you….?!" I started to ask, sounding a little frightened.

"You are not the only one who can summon weapons, little girl." He told me. "But the question is, can your weapons stand up to the power a god?!"

Ares was the first to make a move. Ordinarily this would've given me an advantage, but Ares was on an entirely different level than the all of the other thugs I have faced before, and when I tried to evade the attack Ares swiped his sword to the side; in the same direction I had stepped to evade! The attack hurt, a lot! Not enough to bring me down just like that though, so I charged towards Ares and tried slashing him. He was too fast though, and was able to block every one of my attacks with his giant sword. I decided on a different tactic, one that I used on the other opponent's I've faced; I turned invisible and snuck up behind Ares. It looked like it was working at first, but before I could strike, Ares vanished! I didn't know what to expect now; normally I'm the one who tricks people like this!

While trying to predict where Ares would reappear, I was caught by surprise as I was hit in the back with something. I turned around and saw nothing there! Then I was hit in the back again! What was going on?! Then I heard Ares laugh from out of nowhere.

"Confused? You shouldn't be. This is a tactic you've used many times." He taunted.

So what he meant was… he could turn invisible too?! My own tactic was being used against me; which was kind of ironic if you think about it. Ares must've been hitting me with the flat of his sword, otherwise his attacks would've hurt a lot more. Just then, from out of nowhere, Ares reappeared right in front of me and brought his sword down onto my head. It would've hit, but fortunately I was quick enough and intercepted his attack with my two swords. Our swords were now locked together in a contest of strength, with me trying to force back a god. I know what you're thinking: the odds were not in my favor; and to be honest, I'd agree with you there.

"You wield your abilities well, but you are far from being a match for me!" Ares claimed.

Ares was too strong; I was thrown back in a matter of seconds. When I got back up, Ares was standing over me with his arms crossed, as if he was disappointed with me. I tried to stand back up, to continue fighting, but the last attack had injured me too badly; I could barely move my legs. All I could do was glare back at Ares in spite.

"Did you really think that you'd be good enough to best me? Foolish girl. You don't even know who you are!" Ares gloated.

"Oh, like you do?!" I snapped at him.

"As a matter of fact… I do." He told me.

Wait… what?! Ares knew who I was?! How is that possible?! I mean sure, he's a god, but I wouldn't have taken him to be the all-seeing kind. I was about to ask him how he knew this, but he simply told me that he might tell me in our next battle; if there would be a next battle. He then teleported away to who-knows-where, leaving me lying on the ground, still injured. As I tried to get up, Raven, who had recovered from Ares' attack, came over to me and helped me up.

"We have to get back to the Tower. Several of us have been injured, badly." Raven informed me.

"Yeah. I got my butt handed to me just now. That Ares guy is the real-deal." I replied.

"We'll deal with him later, Scarlette. Right now, we need to get you, Link, and Robin to the infirmary." She told me.

That's right, Robin was beaten up with his own staff, and Link had his arm broken. My injuries were actually pretty tame compared to theirs; almost as if Ares was going easy on me. Buy why? I guess that didn't matter right now. What did matter now was for all of us to get back to the tower to recover. Still, I was wondering how Ares knew who I was; and I don't mean the 'me' as Scarlette, I mean the 'me' before I got amnesia.