End of the Millennium A Xian Shade Production Author's Notes: So now Ares must observe Earth directly in order to confirm what he's been told. What could such an omen of not being able to forsee the battles mean? 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 23: The time passed, as it always did, and once more, Earth threatened another uprising. It was then that Ares knew something was truly wrong, because he could not feel it, even as he sat there, watching its battle. They were getting into the alliance now, wasn't that enough for them? It irritated him quite a bit. It was time he acted like he was a member of the alliance. '-Queen Serenity, can you hear me?-' Ares sent his thoughts out to the queen of Earth's moon. Perhaps she had some insight. 'I hear you. Who calls to me using their mind? Such use of your abilities had better be well-worth it.' '-It is Ares, master of war on Mars. You needn't try to govern me on my own mental capacities, your majesty.-' he smirked to himself, looking at the blue planet's single moon. 'Ahh, Ares. Good evening to you. Am I correct in assuming this is an emergency? Hardly have I heard directly from you.' '-Indeed, milady. We need to set up a meeting with the royalty of all the worlds, except for Earth, as soon as possible. We may have a dire problem.-' ------------------------------------------------------------ "War may be brewing under our noses." Soft murmurs came from the present party of royalty at the words from Ares. "What bothers me most of this meeting is not the dire nature of this war, but the lack of attendance." he said, looking at the empty chair of the kingdom of Pluto. Neither princess Setsuna nor Chronos had come. Lord Sotanaht had taken it upon himself to be seated in Saturn's almost-always empty chair. "Neither Thanatos nor I have heard from our brother Chronos, nor the royal family of Pluto, for several weeks. We believed this would rouse their attention... But I digress... for the past decade, the people of Earth have been warring amongst themselves and others, fighting for what they wish. My ability as master of war allows me to see what each reason for any battle is, and how best to resolve it. However, within the last three years, most of the battles on Earth have not spoken to me. Indeed, I became unaware they were even occurring. I had thought little of it until now." "I suppose that is a bit troubling, Ares... but what does it have to do with your belief of a coming war? Such a thing sounds more like paranoia. The calm before a storm doesn't always apply." Queen Sari of Jupiter pointed out. There was no finer hand-to-hand warrior than herself, even on Mars, save for Ares himself. "Perhaps it does sound that way... but within the last few months, I've also learned that the royal generals of Earth have been attempting to worm their way into the alliance through courtship of your princesses." Lord Sotanaht stood, facing the rest of the royalty. "Indeed." Queen Laya spoke. "I had rejected General Kunzite outright because he most certainly wasn't my daughter's match, atop the fact that her time of choosing is still a year away. I knew the same was true of Nephrite with Jupiter's princess, so I informed Queen Sari as well, though I believe he was stopped by Jupiter's 'normal' choosing method anyway." Queen Laya was generally the royal matchmaker of the solar system, having divine foresight when reading possible matches. She usually had the final say in the matter, but Jupiter and Mars were the exception, in that their royalty had the last say no matter what. Needless to say, Nephrite was sumarily trounced. The two generals were complete opposites in personality of the ones they wished to court. "Each of these four have failed in turn, and the outer four worlds were not chosen because of not only their royalty's availability, but also because of their lack of connection to the overall alliance. One of the generals even managed to remove my hand when he learned I was chosen instead of himself." he said, his metallic fist clenching beneath the glove he now wore, the grinding crunch of leather erupting from the action. "The most recent was the courtship of Earth's prince himself to my daughter, princess Serenity. However, I can sense that he radiates a very positive energy. His love is genuine, is it not, Laya?" Queen Serenity asked. "Indeed it is, your majesty. But I still fail to see why you think war is coming." Queen Laya of Venus interjected. Even after almost two decades on her world, her age still refused to show due to the effects of the cryogenic chamber that was aboard the Alisa III star-vessel. Perhaps it never would. "Regardless of the prince's intentions, the alliance would allow anyone influenced on Earth by the darkness to be allowed into it as well. You see, the only time I am not fully aware of a battle or a war, is when it is generated by our creators. With Chronos' absence, it's possible that creatures of darkness have crept into the solar system and corrupted the people of Earth. I also know that a war will come one day, because a tremendous source of darkness waits outside our system. Our fourth brother was present when the darkness surged forth into our universe." Princess Serenity breathed relief to know her future husband was under his own control. She didn't know if she could take it if his love wasn't real. "So it's just sitting outside our solar system?" Her mother asked, puzzled. "I'm not entirely sure what it is up to. Maybe waiting for a sign from its contacts, or for a sign of weakness, even. Perhaps reinforcements. Regardless, if this dark force has armies backing it up, it may very well be great enough to defeat the armies of this system. We must prepare." "The people of Jupiter are with you, Lord Ares. What do you have in mind?" Queen Sari stood, her right fist crushed against her metal breastplate in a pledge of loyalty. "Firstly, we must close the borders of the planets to all people until future notice." "Such a thing just isn't done, Ares. We do not simply 'close our borders'." King Marcus explained. "Then instigate a quarantine or some other such nonsense between the worlds. Earthlings on any other world should be monitored more closely than usual. I believe we should start this after the prince of Earth next visits the moon. At least that way, it won't appear that we're trying to delay the alliance, and provoke a pre-emptive strike. Plus, I believe it's in your best interest to protect your future husband." he indicated towards the moon princess. Both the Queen and Princess of the Moon nodded in agreement. "What else can be done?" "If you're truly with us, then the troops of Mars and Jupiter will investigate and station themselves upon Pluto, to see if there's anything to worry about. Aljus?" he looked to Mercury's brightest technician, whom Ares asked specifically to come. "Yes, sir?" "We're going to require those communication devices we discussed. Several hundred... perhaps even a couple thousand. Not only should my troops keep in contact with each other, but also with us, when and if a problem occurs. Also, I will need project Destiny to be sped up." "I will have our scientists working on them right away. The War-Wren Unit's programming is almost complete." "Good. Princesses of Uranus and Neptune, your worlds will be the outermost defense, should our troops fail. Have your people aid them if you believe you can help, or hold the front until reinforcements arrive. May the swiftness of wind and the calm strength of water aid you and your people in your time of need." Both princesses nodded, then looked to each other, engaging in their own mental conversation. "Queen Laya, Venus' armies will be held where they are to defend the moon kingdom, and we'll need proper weapons to do battle with the darkness. Have Venus' finest metalsmiths craft weapons for this battle. Mercury's technology and people will back up the moon kingdom's defenses." "What of Saturn?" Reianna asked, being the only member of Mars' line, save for Ares. While they weren't officially engaged, it was quite well-known that the two were an item, and were courting. Perhaps their day would come soon. "That depends..." Lord Sotanaht decided to answer. "If the battle comes before the alliance to Saturn comes to fruition, then I will have to train the young princess in the use of my abilities. If nothing else, we can use her sacrifice as a last resort between the worlds. If however, it comes to pass, then the people of Saturn can provide proper medical care. I will see if they can aid us regardless... perhaps this unification will be what is necessary to end the hatred." "So what's the holdup between you and Princess Amilia, then?" Ares asked with a chuckle. Amilia turned beet red at the mention of it. It was very improper at a meeting of this nature, but it certainly held the attention of the other princesses. Ares got a punch on the shoulder from Reianna for his trouble. "I could ask the same of you and Princess Reianna, Ares. You two already act like you're bonded, and you've been courting her longer than I have Amilia. But that isn't the point, and it's none of your business." he retorted. The other girls giggled, and both Reianna and Ares shot glares at Lord Sotanaht that promised pain. It only made the giggles intensify. "I don't think we'll have a problem until after the ball to unite Earth in the alliance. Once it has been established, then will be their time to strike." Lord Sotanaht explained, and looked to Ares for confirmation. His own insight into war was limited and weak, but he had basic ideas of how they worked, since each brother had some glimmer of power of the others. Ares nodded in affirmation. "But that doesn't mean we should be off-guard beforehand." "And if they make it to the Moon?" the queen asked. She wasn't entirely sure of the threat they faced in their enemy, and she wanted to be prepared. "If they make it to the moon, anyone left will make a stand there. If their force is still too great, and all will be lost, then use this to wipe out the darkness." Lord Sotanaht revealed a small crescent-shaped wand, and handed it to the queen of the moon. "I had it made on Mercury after some... proper persuasion. It's designed to focus and amplify your energies through our father's crystal, the one you own. Place your crystal in the wand when the time comes. You will know what to do." he said, the wand leaving his hands to be accepted into her own. "But be warned, you may not survive the use of the crystal, as it will quite probably drain far too much of your energy. I must leave now. It's time I began the training of Saturn's princess. I only pray she doesn't end it all prematurely." He said, glancing to Amilia as he pulled himself into his cloak and disappeared. "Let's just hope you don't have to use that, your highness." Ares said with a reassuring tone after Thanatos left. "I will prepare Mars' troops, and begin transport along with the warriors of Jupiter. Aljus, I expect those communicators to be done, and soon. This meeting is adjourned." he bowed, and Reianna took his arm, as they both burst into flame and disappeared just as quickly. The others had to move on their way, because there was plenty of work to be done. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Lots happening here. Plans for battle coming forth, defenses being set, and the focus of battle upon their minds. Since pluto's presence was absent at the meeting, could the words from the dark kingdom ring true? Is planet pluto's life actually 'gone'? Will Thanatos be able to convince Saturn's princess without setting off her power prematurely? What is project: Destiny?