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Like every Merc and Inner Sanctum senshi, there were nights when Super Sailor Ares served as the Patrol Captain for the Blood Moon Court. It was a position meant to protect the members of the faction. If someone didn't check in, then it was the Senshi of Smoke's job to track them down. It was true that most of those missed check-ins were just from lazy cadets who wanted to sleep -- but it was still an important safety net in case of emergency.

Ares was sitting in the assigned spot whittling a piece of wood into an undecided shape when Maia approached. She didn't notice anything strange about the girl, didn't sense the crystal. She simply smiled and said, "Cadet Maia, I'm glad to see you back in one piece." One hand brushed wood chips from her skirt. "Any Nega or youma kills to report?"

Chaonis. Ares knew the senshi. She had battled with him on a subway car. It had been an especially painful experience for her as she had not been anticipating the full might of his attack. Still, there was a part of her that liked him. She could appreciate a senshi with a nice, aggressive attack.

However, what was more interesting to her was the crystal that Sailor Maia extended to her.

Fingers shaking, Ares extended a hand toward the glimmering mint gem. She nearly snatched it from the girl and took off, but instead, she fought to control herself. Ares wanted her entire faction to be powerful. Stealing their crystals for herself would not do that. She needed everyone to seek a crystal. In her dreams, she imagined the entire faction as royalty, killing all who crossed them.

"Maia," Ares said, swallowing hard, "I believe you are in possession of a Rainbow Crystal."

For a moment, Ares contemplated asking Maia for the crystal. It was no secret that she lusted over the power, that she dreamed about it. Working so closely with Princess Selene had taught her the value of those little gems. To have a piece of it for herself would be the next step in achieving greater power. Still, her hand remained at her side. A part of Ares was afraid that she would not be able to give it back if the Senshi of Song let her hold it at all.

A smile flickered across her lips in tight lines. "You are very lucky," she said. "I hope all of our Blood Moon senshi might be so lucky." Her own jealousy aside, Ares understood how crucial it was for the entire faction to be possible. It was her hope that every single member might somehow stumble upon a crystal soon.

Maia was the first; Ares hoped she would not be the last.

"Have you figured out how to unlock its powers? I've been told it takes some getting used to, just like when we first learn to use our powers." That tidbit had come from Selene centuries ago.

Maybe you will be the next to find a crystal.

A smile flickered across her lips, distant and false. Ares was trying to be happy, but it was difficult. In her mind, she had always seen herself getting the first crystal and then all of the other Blood Moon senshi following after in her example. But the Cosmos had given the prize to a cadet -- granted, a cadet that Ares had high hopes for -- but a cadet.

"Maybe," Ares said, lines of tension forming around her mouth. She worked to soothe them away, letting the shock sink in. It was easier to do it when Maia asked for factual information from her. "I only know as much about the Rainbow Crystals as you do. They are an accoutrement of the White Moon, so..."

Her eyes never left the mint crystal, not for a second. She was clearly caught off guard by this and not handling it well. "Maia, you have received a great power, and I trust that you will learn how to wield it with all the might of a Princess in her own right." Then, after a breath, Ares flipped a switch and returned to her process-hungry ways. "Obviously, we should start some individual training sessions with you. Through practice, I'm sure we can learn how to unlock the magic within it. I would ask that you dedicate two hours a night to wielding it. I don't know much of crystals... but I have been told they have a habit of attuning to a person."

Ares took a step to the side. "So let it attune." Again, she smiled, this time it appeared genuine.

Ares stopped and stared blankly at Maia. "Yes, individual training sessions," she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the entire universe. The Blood Moon Court had running training sessions on what to do when surrounded by fire on an island with no power left for magic and one arm cut off. There would be an expectation of Maia from now on to wield to crystal effectively. That only came with proper training.

The senshi paused and considered the best way to phrase what she wanted to say. "Maia," she said, softening her voice in the way that others in the ISS had taught her. "Think of this as a new weapon. Or, I don't know, a new song. You can just look at the notes once and then sing it perfectly. Now imagine that your life depends on how well you sing that song." Ares paused, offered Maia a small smile. She was trying, really trying not to overwhelm the girl.

Sometimes she found it hard. Ares had seen all of this happen before. She had been on the losing side of two wars now: first, when Nehelenia lost to Queen Serenity and, second, with Wiseman. Sure, the crystals of the Black Kingdom were returned, but with the heavy manpower losses, Ares had no choice but to call it a failed campaign. Considering it a 'draw' was too much of an insult to her fallen comrades.

Ares was intense all of the time because it was the only way she knew how to be. Sometimes she struggled to understand why everyone else didn't see the world precisely as she did. But right now, she needed to make Maia understand. "Your new crystal is the Blood Moon Court's ace in the hole, or it can be." She straightened up. "If you learn to use it properly."

She was still holding the piece of partially-whittled wood and a knife. "Come on, Cadet Maia. Let's turn in. Get your rest tonight because, tomorrow, your new training will begin." Ares smiled from ear to ear. "It will be fun!"

...for Ares, maybe.