End of the Millennium
A Xian Shade Production

Author's Notes: Yeah, I know the first chapter doesn't explain a
whole lot. That's why this is a prequel, and not the first story I
posted.  The Path of Finding Destiny was going to be a standalone
story before I decided to splice this to Phantasy Star.

For the first time since they discuss him in the Sailor Moon Universe,
Chapter 2 bears exposure to Chronos, lord of the Time Gates, creator
of the time keys, and governor of time itself!

Have you ever wondered why Setsuna's talisman was freed in the anime?
Time you learned.  *gets hit for the bad pun* Haha okay, okay! Story
time!

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 2:


"You see, Setsuna?  It's not that difficult once you can feel all that
is there."

The green-haired young woman struggled against the barrier she held
up, protecting her from the onslaught of time and the power it pressed
against her. "It IS difficult, Chronos. I'm simply getting better at
it."

The others in the room didn't appear to move, unless you were watching
them closely. He began to notice her physical and mental exertion was
being taxed, as her eyes were squinted shut and she was beginning to
sweat. "Why do you struggle so?"

"...because... you once warned me not to halt time altogether, and to
never attempt to reverse it.  If I put out any more power, one or
either could happen. I'm trying to keep my power where it is, but it's
like flexing a muscle... I can't hold it forever!"

"Then release your exertion slowly. We need to bring you out of this
state."

The strain on the princess of Pluto eased significantly, and the
timeflow warped slowly back to normal. She breathed heavily, and the
others in the room approached to care for her.

"We're going to need to focus your abilities better in order to
maintain their growth.  It appears mortals will have more difficulty
with my ability than I thought."

"I'm sorry, Chronos... I want to be able to handle your power, I'll
help at any cost."

"Any cost..." he echoed, considering the implications.  He knew the
four protectors of the outer solar system held weapons of power within
their hearts. He cared for this young woman as both daughter and mate,
and he could feel the obvious affection for him from her, yet the
power of her heart did not release the weapon. He looked up to the
attendants with focused teal eyes. "...leave us. I must do something,
and I do not wish to be disturbed."

The others left without question. Though he was not their king, he had
just as much stature, if not more. He commanded the very power they
represented, and was rumored to be tied to Earth's holy land of
Elysion and its kingdom. He alone was mediator between worlds.
"Setsuna, within you lies the connected power... the power of my
father mixed with my own skills. Since each of my brothers borrow a
bit of power from each other, you have access to it as well since you
are my pupil. Yet, it seems to be lying dormant, and despite my best
efforts, I have not been able to awaken it. I can try one last thing,
but it may be considerably painful."

Setsuna nodded. She'd learned what men would do when she became old
enough, and she loved Chronos. It seemed right, and she still held a
little fear, yet he reached out and touched her heart, and it confused
her.

-"Father, grant me the power I need to awaken our strength in this
girl. Grant her the ability to unlock the greatest strength within
herself."- he spoke in his family's tongue, one that few had ever heard.

Energy collected in his palm, which had settled between her developing
breasts, and suddenly a shrill scream pierced the halls of the castle,
several people becoming aware of their princess' pain. The screams
stopped as suddenly as they started, and Chronos smiled as he lifted
the heart-shaped talisman with the garnet core. It would grant her
abilities she needed badly. But his smile gave way to horror as he saw
the pale look on her face.

She was barely breathing!

It occurred to him this sort of thing might happen. The physical
manifestation of her heart crystal would drain a great deal of her
life energy. But when he attempted to restore that energy, it
disturbed him to see it leaving her again quickly. He delved into the
heart-shaped item's depths, trying to find why it was happening. Then
he saw it. Her heart crystal was still within the talisman! 'No
wonder... it did not separate because I forcibly removed it.' He
thought, gently dividing the heart crystal from the talisman, as
improper division of energy with such magnitude could wipe a planet
clean of life. He relaxed as the single power became two, and he
restored her crystal back to her body. She moaned and sat up, running
her hand through her dark green locks, which had looked scattered
about from the previous exertion and her movements from when he
removed the crystal.

"D-did it work?"

Chronos held the talisman before her with a smile. "Indeed it did. We
must convert it properly though, as a weapon by itself it is virtually
useless."

She took the floating item from his grasp, and it hovered in her own.
"It's very pretty... so... am I a woman now?"

Chronos looked at her blankly, then laughed at the comment. "You
thought I was...? Oh... I'm sorry, Setsuna. Men should never do such
things outright. No, we didn't do anything like that. You are still as
pure as the day I met you."

Setsuna looked a little disappointed, but smiled all the same. Having
time to think of it, she realized she wasn't entirely sure that she
was ready for that sort of thing anyhow, despite the love she held for
her mentor and God.

Suddenly, guards burst through the door and held pikes to Chronos'
throat. Fear was evident however, despite their position. They were
holding weapons to the throat of the only man who held more power than
their king! Setsuna turned about to the guards in surprise.

"What do you think you're doing?!"

"He was harming you, princess. I don't care if he has superiority over
us, nobody has that right!" one guard said, the tip of his pike poking
the underside of Chronos' chin.

"He wasn't hurting me intentionally! He was unlocking my abilities!
Look!" She tried to show the talisman, but they didn't bother to see.

"We'll determine that in front of the King!  Let's gghhhh..." the
second began, before collapsing, followed by the rest of the guards in
the room.

Setsuna looked over to Chronos, who only sighed and checked his chin
to see if it was bleeding. He WOULD pick that time to not wear his
hood. Unless he was completely shielded by his robes and cloak, he was
exposed to the world outside. Mortal. "What did you do to them,
Chronos?"

Pulling his hood up, he sighed and looked in her direction. "I slowed
time in their veins. With a decreased heartrate, combined with the
flow of iron to their brains being slowed, they passed out. They
should become conscious in a few hours. Meanwhile, though, I think we
should go see your Father."

"Why do we need to see the King?"

"It's time I made my full intentions known, so we don't have
interruptions like that again."

Not long after, they made their way to the throne room and knelt, eyes
cast downward until the king spoke. It was law amongst the planets
never to meet the gaze of royalty unless you held equal standing as
them, until they had spoken. Chronos followed the rule out of respect,
even if the king didn't like him.

"You have some explaining to do, Chronos."

"Indeed I do, your majesty." Chronos replied, biting back the bitter
resentment he held this lord. "I have not done any permanent harm to
your daughter, but her training has gone exceptionally well. She now
has abilities near my own level. However, the extraction of the latest
boost to her power was going to be painful, and I rightly told her
such."

"Your point, Chronos."

What a cold bastard! Did he care nothing for his own daughter? "Do you
know why I have been training your daughter?"

"The rumors say that even the master of time cannot escape its effects
forever. You plan to steal my daughter away and make her your
replacement. I've only allowed it because I know there is little I can
do to stop you."

"You are half correct, your majesty.  Time marks me not." He narrowed
his eyes at the ageing king. "I gave you the very same abilities and
chance years ago, but you refuse to train with them, and use them, to
practice them. As king you have an obligation to serve your world. In
serving this world, you also serve me. We work together to protect it.
Yet now you do nothing but stall my every move. I will one day claim
your daughter for her assistance, but not today."

The king's eyes widened, but he hung his head, defeated. "There is a
meeting amongst the planetary leaders on Earth's moon. Since you are
now more of a father to my daughter than myself, and you seem to have
taken it upon yourself to rule this world, then I request that you go
in my stead. Your abilities have done nothing but rob me of my youth."

Chronos bared his teeth, still biting back his anger. "Your refusal to
use your power was the reason you have decayed such. But very well. We
shall go in your stead. Just know, that if you continue to state that
I am this planet's ruler, I will eventually take you up for the offer.

With that, he stood and spun about, his cape flapping behind him as he
made for the exit. Setsuna flailed in misunderstanding, not sure
whether to go with Chronos or stay with her father. Looking back to
her father one last time, she made her decision and ran off to follow
Chronos.

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And chapter two is done! This will be more than the simple pairing of
senshi and guardians. Enjoy, and maybe you can find time in your
hearts to review!