Mark and Ares.

Once they had gotten the truth from Hades himself, Sirzechs took them all back to the Devil Territory. They arrived in the dining room which had already been cleared as it was perfect for teleporting big groups.

Though they now had to decide what they would do. First, Sirzechs turned to Grayfia who was holding the sleeping Annabeth.

"Grayfia, take her to her room, please. She will need time to grieve."

"At once my lord."

The white-haired Devil carried off Annabeth while Sirzechs turned to Percy and Grover.

"It seems that the cause of this mess has been found. What do you intend to do?"

Percy instantly answered.

"I plan to question Luke and bring him to Zeus while returning the Masterbolt and the Helm."

Mark slapped him on the head causing him to hold his head.

"OWW! What was that for?"

"Too bad, I am getting paid to catch Luke and I will do just that. So, say goodbye to him. Sirzechs, I have to thank you for your help. That would have gone way worse if you had not been there."

Sirzechs patted Mark on the shoulder with a smile.

"Mark, just think of me as your big brother. For now, I think I will spend this rare free time catching up with my family. I wish to know more about my ancestor."

Mark nodded.

"Yes, for the moment I will be off."

Mark looked at Percy and Grover and thought of something.

"You two stay here. Learn something while I deal with the threat."

Mark's Dragon Heart hummed once before space warped and ripped around him. Mark and Grimnar vanished in a flash of Silver which left Grover and Percy starring. Sirzechs turned to the two young boys with a polite smile.

"He is right, come. You two will benefit from a little cultural exchange."

They both followed him while Mark and his pet appeared inside Camp Half-Blood. They appeared especially in the big house where Chiron often stayed with Dyonisus. Mark looked at the table where the two would play card games and saw Chiron alone.

The centaur had his bow which was drawn and aimed right at Mark. When he saw who it was he sighed in relief.

"My goodness, it's just you. Mark, what has happened?"

When Mark sat down he picked up his pet dog and carried him like a baby. Grimnar laid back like a big puppy as Mark scratched his belly.

"I called a favor to Sirzechs for aid. Don't ask how, but I and the Gremory family are close as family. We went with him to speak to Hades and I found something. The Hellhound in my hands was summoned by Luke. He paid Pluto to do it and he was the one who stole not just the Lightning of Zeus, but also Hades' Helm of Darkness."

Chiron already had Luke on close observation and this matched their suspicions.

"He was on a trip to Olympus during the Winter Solstice. He also knew about the quest which he should not have. And he acts as Percy's friend meaning he fits as the traitor. My goodness, why him?"

Mark stood up with his dog in hand and walked out of the house.

"I will take it from here, Hades has given me a job to bring him Luke. And I shall deliver."

Chiron paused for a moment.

"What about his father? Hermes will not be, never mind. Go."

Mark set down Grimnar who leaned forward like a cat. A rumble-like growl came from him as he could feel his master's next order.

"Hunt and bring me him."

As a former Hellhound, Grimnar still had all his abilities as one, just better. With a loud howl, he turned into his true Hellhound Dragon form before he slipped into the shadows. Mark saw panic occur among the Demigods, but with a masterful wave of his hand, he calmed their panic for that moment.

Inside the Hermes Cabin, Luke reached out to grab his sword. A half bronze and steel sword. However, the shadows surged toward him filled with Dragon Mana. The shadows were pitch black but burning hot. They wrapped tight around Luke causing his flesh to sizzle leaving marks across his body.

He screamed as he was dragged into the shadows. Grimnar in his massive true form ripped Luke out of the shadows before throwing him at Mark's feet. The shadow restraints still marked his flesh with burns.

When Chiron saw the torture Luke was undergoing he closed his eyes and looked away. A normal Hellhound could torture a victim's mind with just their shadows, what could a Hellhound Dragon do?

Mark looked down at Luke with a grin.

"The snake is caught. You know, the first time I saw you I could smell the snake on you. You stole the lightning and the Helm right?"

Luke glared right at Mark.

"No."

Grimnar increased the heat and the pain which would have made Luke's screams echo is Mark did not silence them with a small bounded field.

"It does not matter, tell me where they are. It is better if you speak as Hades will have the furies torture you while you only have Grimnar to face."

Luke did not speak so Mark looked at Grimnar. Chiron and Mark watched as the shadows slid into Luke's ears, his nose, his mouth, and even through his pores. Luke's screams echoed with pain as he could not even yell.

Grimnar caused all of Luke's nerves to shoot awake and burn. Halfway, Mark raised his hand to Grimnar for him to stop. When he got the chance Luke yelled the truth.

"ARES HAS THEM!"

Hearing that made Mark and Chiron pause. Mark grinned as he looked at Luke.

"Better no? Though your torment stops now, I swear that Hades will make what I did to you look like heaven."

Mark walked toward Luke and picked him up. The demigod was still wrapped in shadows before he ripped space open once more. Mark threw Luke inside before closing the portal behind him.

He sent Luke into the future hoard room in his blazing castle. No one could enter that place at all, not even a god as Runeas had worked on it hard. Once Luke was safe for transport, Mark closed his eyes.

'Ares.'

Mark got a response back.

'Mark.'

The two-way connection was silent before Ares spoke up.

'Come, let's talk.'

Mark cut the connection as he warped away to meet Ares. Space ripped apart as he appeared on a beach. Mark looked out to the big sea for a moment before he turned over to see Ares doing the same.

When the two of them looked at each other they took a second to look at the other. They were dressed nearly the same except that Mark was taller, but Ares was bulkier and older.

They walked toward each other before they stood in front of each other. The air grew still for a moment as they looked into each other's eyes. Ares had eyes that were nothing, but burning pits of explosions. Mark's black slit eyes radiated the silent power of a dragon which caused the air to grow heavy as their stare-off continued.

Though if someone looked at this they would see it as a son and his father having a stare-off. They both wore sunglasses. looked and dressed like each other it matched.

The silence was broken when Mark laughed.

"Ares, glad to finally meet you. Or should I say, dad?"

Ares laughed as he patted Mark's shoulder.

"I would accept you any day as my son. But let's get to business, you know everything don't you?"

Mark nodded.

"Yeah, you got the stuff right?"

"I do."

From his pocket, he took out a ski cap and placed it in his palm. Immediately, the cap transformed into an elaborate bronze war helmet. When Mark looked at the Helm he felt its praise was deserved.

"Nice, so, you going to use both to become the next King of the Greeks. I wish you would, your father and uncle suck."

Ares laughed

"They do don't they? And that is not a bad idea, three symbols of power for little old me does not sound back. God of War, Underworld, and Sky. Nah, not a good ring to it. So, what will you do?"

Mark shrugged

"Well, I am on missions from Poseidon and Hades to return their stuff. Zeus will also owe me so I will need those back."

Ares grinned.

"I like the sound of that."

He reached behind him to a backpack and put the Helm of Darkness in it. He created a sword from the sand on their feet and hung the backpack on it. Once this was done, he looked toward Mark. Both of them stared at the other with grins on their faces.

"Why don't we have a bit of fun? Ever since I saw you, I have been itching to fight. I can feel it, you do too."

Mark reached for his sunglasses and removed them.

"Yes, let's. What does the winner get?"

Ares thought about it and had an idea.

"You win, you take the Helm, bolt, and my blessing. No strings attached, I win well, you become my real son. And my apostle, but that is something different."

"Guess I can't let myself lose them."

Ares swung the baseball bat off his shoulder. The Boosted Gear covered Mark's left hand as his Dragon heart began to beat with power.

[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker.]

In a blast of crimson energy, Mark's Balance Breaker covered him. The armor was beginning to change shape by the day as Ddraig had been hard at work. He had broke several limiters to the power of Boosted Gear and it showed.

[Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!]

[Be ready for anything Mark. He is still a god and a powerful one. The longer the fight goes on the stronger he gets.]

'I got it.

Ares' baseball bat changed into a huge, two-handed sword. The hilt was a large silver skull with a ruby in its mouth. He slammed the blade into the ground opening a separate space where the two of them could fight without limits.

Ares came forward, his black leather duster trailing behind him, his sword igniting into blood-red flames. As for Mark, the jewels on his armor were glowing over and over as his power continued to rise exponentially.

His Dragon Heart pumped him full of Dragon Mana which made his power rise to new levels. Ares and Mark spoke at once.

"May the winner take all."

From the back of Mark's armor red jets of flames along with his powerful dragon wings blasted off the ground. He warped next to Ares in less than a second. He brought his burning fist down onto Ares' face or tried.

Ares raised his free hand to catch his punch, but the god felt bones in his wrist crack. He winced at the feeling before Mark brought his free arm to punch Ares in the ribs. The gathered power of Mark and Penetrate smashed a few of Ares' ribs.

However, Ares raised his knee and struck Mark in the gut cracking his armor and a couple of his ribs. When they separated from their first exchange, Ares held his left side with a sigh. Like he had just taken a hit of something.

"Pain, such an old friend."

The god leaned back as his ribs all popped back into place good as new. His leather jacket and black pants changed into a set of bronze Greek Armor. As for Mark, Dragon Mana repaired the armor much faster and his ribs all also moved back into place. '

They were both once at a hundred percent, but they began to bring more to the fight. Under his armor, Mark's muscles bulged, scales covered his body, and a long dragon tail moved from side to side behind him. His horns pushed out the sides of his helmet while he grew larger.

His heart beat faster, while Ares changed the shape of his sword. Into two large metal gloves that covered his hands up to his elbows.

"Let's make this fun, hand to hand."

Mark nodded.

"A god of war must be good at all forms of combat. Even the strange ones."

Mark took a loose stance as he began to Boost once more. This time it was not stopping before both of them charged at the other. Mark leaned down and uppercut Ares who felt his brain rattle. Though he punched Mark full force in the gut. They did not stop though as Mark and Ares continued to exchange bloody blows.

Mark lowered himself and rushed Ares. He wrapped his arms behind Ares' back which he used to lift the god over his head. He went for a German suplex, but Ares landed on his palms and wrapped his legs around Mark's head.

In that same movement, he sent Mark flying, but they both righted themselves off the ground. Ares already felt this was the most fun he had in ages. The old rust was coming off ever since the peace began.

"Not bad kid, how old were you again?"

"This body is 15, but I am 58."

Ares laughed.

"Well, you have made big strides in such a short amount of time."

Mark nodded.

"Seems I got to step it up."

Mark placed his hand over his chest as his Dragon Heart powered up to max capacity. His heart beat so loud it was like the rumble of an engine, pure Dragon Mana flowed through his body and blood.

Mark's bloodline was stimulated as power surged from it. Ares drew on the power of war to grow stronger to keep up with Mark's rising battle lust. Both of them vanished once again, but Mark brought all he could to the table.

'Ddraig, how are we doing?'

[Keep it up, your body is not weak like a human. Any damage is healed before it matters, your stamina will not drain like a human, you are a dragon. You fight like one.]

Mark grinned he waved his hands. Time around him sped up, space churned and powerful flames surged from him. Mark Boosted his might to new heights as sped up his time. He slowed time all around him while he warped through space to arrive at Ares.

Ares in that instant was left still as a statue that Mark used. Mark placed his left hand on the ground before he used it to pivot to kick Ares straight across the face. He sent Ares flying while purple and red flames covered Ares from head to toe. Mark did not stop as he rushed right in with both fists covered in purple flames.

He launched hundreds of blows at Ares which Ares returned. Their fists began to smash into each other without end. Their armor cracked and broke with each blow, bone splintered and flames fought. Flames of a god and dragon fought in the space created for their battle.

Time was warped as Mark used it to move faster and slow Ares down. As for Ares, he grew stronger the longer the battle went on, but so had Mark. Mark and Ares's eyes were both glowing not wanting to be the one to lose the exchange.

Mark had an idea, a dumb, but good idea.

"I who shall Awaken, I am the Heavenly Dragon that stole the Principle of Domination from God. I mock the infinite and fret over the dream, I shall become the Red Dragon of Domination. I shall drown you in the depths of Crimson Purgatory, Juggernaut Drive."

In a crimson tide, Mark changed form into a giant dragon which imitated Ddraig's original body. From deep within the Boosted Gear the Principle of Domination stirred and gave Mark its power. Seeing this made Ares grin, his body glowed like gold before he turned into his Divine Form. To Mark, it looked like Ares became every type of warrior to exist and will exist.

He wore all armor types and used each weapon, but he was still unarmed in reality. The god took to the sky as Ddraig blasted into the sky.

[BOOST!][BOOST!] [BOOST!] [BOOST!][BOOST!] [BOOST!] [BOOST!] [BOOST!] [BOOST!]

Each gem in his large wings Boosted his power hundreds of times over in this form. Here he had a full range of power. Though deep within the Boosted Gear his predecessors began to chant once more to destroy his foe.

Mark pushed their useless thoughts away and took full control. There was no room for them only him and Ddraig. Mark filled with negative emotions knew he only had one minute. One minute to make this form count. A crimson tide erupted from his body as he and Ares vanished into the sky.

Like two beings of battle, they punched out toward the other. Ares' Divine fist and armament smashed into Mark's fist while Mark's dragon-infused fist did the same for Ares. Mark roared as Ares laughed into the battle.

"THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR! A FIGHT! COME MARK, FIGHT ME! SHOW ME WHAT YOU CAN DO!"

Mark squinted his eyes under his helmet. Ddraig began the countdown for him as he pushed through.

[60.]

Mark flew toward Ares who surged toward him while divine flames surged from his form. Ares moved his hands in a way that made them seem like spears. His palm moved toward Mark's head which he caught in his teeth.

His fangs pierced Ares' flesh, but the god did not care. Ares grinned as he kickjed Mark over and over on the head. Each blow was like a million warriors all as one attacked him. His armor cracked this showed the power of the god of war. Mark smashed Ares to the ground as a crimson tide began to crack the separate space.

[40.]

Mark's tail smashed into the ground as he and Ares began to move once more. Each of them had long since reached new levels of power as the longer they fought the stronger Ares got. And as long as Mark's body could contain it he could Boost forever.

Mark's tail slammed Ares into the ground which the god caught. He used it to lift Mark off the ground before he used it to fling Mark to the wall of the space. He charged toward Mark and landed 40 blows on his chest armor cracking it.

Though Mark blindsided him with a twin axe blow burying him in the ground. Penetrate smashed through Ares' defenses breaking his armor, breaking bones, and the Dragon and Space flames singed his flesh.

Mark was no different as Ares' blows seemed to go through his armor. The organs in his chest were rattled, his rib cage broken and blood pooled in his mouth. He pushed past this as his healing began to repair the damage.

[20.]

Mark and Ares stared at the other before they vanished and pushed back into the fight. This time Ares brought out his sword while wrist blades sprouted from Mark's wrists. They swung their blades against the other tearing huge gouges in their flesh and armor.

As they were fighting the space began to shimmer as it was about to blow. Seeing that made Mark charge toward Ares once more.

[Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!][Boost!]

This time his chest armor opened up to reveal a large cannon. He did all this while still on the move. Seeing it made Ares pause for a millisecond.

'Shit.'

[Longinous Smaher.]

A bright green blast hit Ares and pushed him through the wall of the separate space causing it to blow up with them in it. The explosion caused both Ares and Mark to be blasted back toward where they landed side by side on the beach.

They were both back in their regular forms with Ddraig deactivating the Juggernaut Drive and Ares being forced out of his divine form. Their leather clothes were melted, their bodies were covered in cuts, and burns, they had chunks missing, tendons were sliced and nerves burned.

Mark and Ares stayed still like corpses before Mark began to laugh. Ares began to do the same and before long the two of them were stuck in full blow fit of howling laughter. Grimnar who had stayed out of the separate space walked toward the sword and grabbed the backpack.

He walked over to his master and placed the backpack on his chest. Seeing this made Ares raise himself off the sand.

"You win."

He extended his hand to Mark who grabbed it. Ares helped Mark off the ground as the two of them repaired their clothes. Mark opened the backpack and saw not only the Helm of Darkness but the Masterbolt.

"They are yours, and so is this."

Ares snapped his fingers and Mark felt a burning sensation on his right wrist. He watched as a symbol of Sparta appeared like a burning tattoo. Looking at the symbol made Ares smile with nostalgia. Pure nostalgia.

"My Spartans were the best. So, when I give my blessing I honor them like this. Make this power your own, rely on no one but yourself. My friend."

Mark grinned as he and Ares locked hands and hugged in a bro hug. Once this was done, Ares nodded as he vanished in a flash of fire. When Ares was gone, Mark looked at the blessing on his right arm and felt his power increase.

Ares' blessing made the user gain power through battle, rage, and the violent side of war. All things which would match well with a dragon.

[You two are similar.]

"We are, aren't we?"

Mark looked at Grimnar who was wagging his tail waiting for praise. Mark ran his hand down his back with a smile.

"You did good buddy, now let's return Hades his Helm and toy."

Both of them warped away in a flash of silver to his flamming castle. The first delivery of he day would be Luke.