End of the Millennium A Xian Shade Production Author's Notes: Okay, I know this is gonna just look like a simple pairing story. Get over it. This is all part of the long-term plan. This particular book is the longest of the planned series... at least three times as long as book one. Hope you got a snack ready if you're reading the whole thing. Disclaimer: I do not own any aspects of Sailor Moon or Phantasy Star. If I did, this would be an anime, or manga, or both. Thanatos, Ares, Chronos, Aljus, King Marcus, and the worthless one are © Xian Shade and may not be used without my permission. People failing to follow this rule have broken Xian's Law #849, paragraph 3, line 2: Don't fuck with my shit. The Path of Finding Destiny, Chapter 3: Ares smiled as he sipped a goblet of chilled Martian wine, watching the raven-haired princess of Mars hit another bullseye with her bow. His brothers were so strange. Ares was worshipped here on Mars, but Chronos seemed to be an indifferent supreme being, not taking the role of his superiority on Pluto, nor Earth. Noah decided to exist far away, where he could be alone, and sleep forever and a day. Thanatos was laughable; he completely bungled his rulership of Saturn, and was both feared and hated by the people of not only his planet, but every planet in the system. If he actually took his dark side seriously, he would make a great tyrant and a worthy adversary against the red planet he now resided upon. War was fun to him. But instead, Thanatos' light side took precedence, and he found his partner on the iron planet of Mercury. Honestly, was he the only one destined to rule? Sitting upon a podium above the king and queen's throne, he clapped twice, and Reianna rested her bow, putting the arrow back in its quiver. Ares insisted upon holding her training in the main hall, to prove himself to the royalty, even though they would do what he wished without question. As long as he made his skill known, he proved he held the true power without bringing forth war upon the whole planet. "You are proving most skilled, Reianna. That will be enough for today." he gestured and the targets disappeared in flames, as well as the bow and quiver. King Myhr was the only one present aside from Ares and Reianna, as their queen was the very spirit of flame within the planet itself, given female form. She would make herself known if she wished. Had the man who was now king not met with this spirit, Ares would have taken HER as his mate, instead of considering her daughter. Unfortunately, once she had birthed the child, her fiery form returned to the planet, for it needed her. Though Ares had chosen Reianna as his mate in his own mind, never had he let the information pass his lips. It wasn't as though he were afraid... any man who dared to say so would be instantly flogged. It was her choice, not his, as was the rule of royalty amongst the people of Mars. Ares leapt down and stood before the king, beside princess Reianna. "Your highness, what is on the agenda today?" "Well, there appears to be some kind of uproar on the next planet, Earth. We may have to quell their fighting soon." The aging king spoke, struggling with a slight wheeze at the end of his sentence. "Again? Damn Earthers. Always with their destructive nature. Funny how your people started the same way, but they have yet to evolve. I'd swear the ones we should fear in the universe is THEM, not Saturn." Ares tried to insist upon the lack of danger Saturn represented. He wanted to help Thanatos, even if his brother could care less. The alliance was more important. "But still, what else?" "There appears to be a meeting amongst the planetary leaders. Obviously, Reianna must go, and of course, you will have to follow." "But father, aren't you going?" Ares kneeled before her. "Reianna, your father is growing very ill. He must rest and restore his strength if he is to maintain his rule. Besides, someone has to retain control while we're both gone, and I don't believe the lords of this planet can be trusted for long without someone watching them." he smoothed his calloused hand over her head, trailing down through her long, raven hair. "It will be time for you to meet the other future rulers, for you will have to work with them one day... especially if our plans run smoothly. My only problem would be Earth. Though they hold a state of hierarchy like the rest of the planets, they seem to despise the rest of the solar system, and are constantly battling each other as well. I don't see how people who cannot even get along with each other can hope to be allied with an entire solar system." "Agreed. Lord Ares, please accompany my daughter. Reianna, be mindful not to speak about or to Ares while there, for the others should not know of him." "Fine." she mumbled, looking angrily at the ground. She hated the thought of meeting a bunch of pampered giggling children who probably couldn't throw a punch, much less a weapon. Though Ares was her mentor and instructor, he was also like a parent and best friend. To ignore him while she was forced to speak with others seemed very rude indeed. "I'm sure you'll like meeting the young rulers of Venus and Jupiter. The people of Venus are masterful metalcrafters, and are just as proficient with the weapons they make; their princess included. And be wary of the princess of Jupiter. She can be a bit... disagreeable, but only because others might not give her the chance she deserves. She has twice the strength of the average man from Mars, as well. Perhaps while you're there, you can give Earth's prince sound judgement. Maybe a little fear from other worlds will keep him in line if they manage to become part of the alliance." Reianna visibly brightened at hearing of these two, and the chance to encourage a halt to the fighting on Earth. Perhaps testing her skill against one of them would help pass the time. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Yeah, I know this one's a shorty. Most of these WILL be. Tolerate it a little longer, I beg of you! >_<