SMST: The Mythic Age – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon", "Ranma ½", "Star Trek" and other properties belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 3: "Age of Silver" (Omega)


It can be said that change can come about by two means: by way of fire, or by darkness. In most cases, violence tends to occur, rather than by way of the natural decline of one's position or civilization. This was no different from when the Titan "Cronus", on behalf of his mother "Gaea" (or simply "Mother Earth", as she is known in the Modern Age), slew his father "Ouranus" (the "Sky Father") over the crime of rape. Cronus, whose mighty sickle was made from the essence of Time and Entropy (one cannot destroy a living embodiment of the Universe without induce universal decay), believed that the crime had taken place. In truth, however, Ouranus' "crime" was nothing more than a lie brought on by his jealous wife Gaea, thanks to the fact that Ouranus had seduced Iusset (Usagi) while in the guise of "Ra", which is why the mythologies of both the Olympians and the Heliospolitans would become intermingled in the eons ahead, such as Hermes ("The Messenger") being both Thoth ("God of Wisdom") and Mercury ("God of Magic")…while having an avatar named Hermes Trismigestus ("Thrice Great"), a potent "enlightened philosopher". Cronus never forgave his mother for what she done, but he would forever direct his ire on the females that were at the center of his father's death. The irony was that Usagi was oblivious of the matter. Still, it did not matter to Cronus, other than he had felt that she and her friends would pay dearly for besmirching his family's honor…

Very few knew the truth by the origins of the Sky Father and the Earth Mother. Both Ouranus and Gaea were the "Old Gods" of Earth, born at the same time that the crew of the Icarus were exposed to the cosmic energy wave that spread all over the Universe. And where there was life, gods were born. Later, it would be learned that the energy wave—called "The God Wave"—would reach the edges of the Universe, and wash-over these same planets. And because the wave would lose its intensity, so-called "New Gods"—a term given to those representing the likes of the denizens of sacred "New Genesis" and dreaded "Apokolips"; everywhere else, sentient beings would be able to develop metaphysical abilities, such as super power, psionics and magic. To be sure, beings that could be classified as supernatural intelligences (like the Cthulu), gods (The Presence, the Chouson of Jurai, etc.) and cosmic entities (like Galactus) have existed before the advent of the God Wave Effect (which is why they are called "The First Ones"). However, the proliferation of such beings did not come about until the destruction "Urgund", the central hub of the First Ones. Many had wondered what led to that world's destruction, and resulted in the dichotomy that would form the "Material" (the Universe) and the "Immaterial" (the Umbra) planes, but the effect of Urgund's destruction was undeniable.

On Cronus' part, the death of Ouranus allowed him the remove the presence of the Atlanteans from his "domain sphere", since it was under Ouranus' patronage that the Altairans and Atlan, along with his followers, came together to form the first great human civilization. Unfortunately, while Ouranus was congenial, Cronus demanded that the Atlanteans worship him. And when they refused, Cronus destroyed Atlantis, by sinking it into the sea, forcing the Altairans to move the capital city into the Pegasus Galaxy. Ironically, it is this cruel act by Cronus that would sew the seeds of disharmony amongst the Altairans, with some feeling that they lost "face" in the process of feeling Cronus' wrath. Later, a civil war over doctrine would occur that would create "The Ancients" and "The Ori".

And even that act of retribution would not satisfy the Lord of the Titans, since there was one other variable to contend for: the crew of the Icarus, since Usagi was amongst their number.

Unknown to the Great Titan, it was prophesied that like Cronus to his father, one of his offspring would supplant HIM as ruler of Olympus, however the reason. So blind to his rage against his father's lover, that he was willing to turn to outside help to deal with Usagi's friends, before being turned over to Cronus for proper judgment. Using Lord Sauron for his aims was a risky proposition, especially when dealing with one who is as ambitious as he was. However, his obsession with the Moon Princess would become his undoing, as Zeus, the scion of Cronus and Rhea makes his move…


Cronus, Lord of the Titans, sits on his throne. He his impatience seemed to bend the very fabric of Time itself.

"Curses!" Cronus says aloud. "Why have not the Heaven deny me my peace? Have I not earned the right to rule all that I survey?"

Rhea, Cronus' wife and sister, looks at her husband nervously. She knew that her son Zeus was preparing to launch an attack on Mt. Olympus soon, but she was concerned about her friends' welfare.

"My husband, I am sure that you are worrying needlessly."

Cronus looks at his sister-wife.

"I do not need your concern, my wife."

"Of…of course."

Rhea turns away a bit. Hopefully, her son's allies will survive the trap that Lord Sauron has in store for them…

Sometime later...

The Izanagi sat on his steed, dressed in the armor of the people of Gondor while on the blackened plains of Mordor. With Lord Sauron's corruption exposed, the Dark Lord has no choice but to launch his attack on the peoples of "Middle Earth".

"Lord Izanagi," says a voice from behind.

Ranma turns to face the young Lord Elrond, the elfin defender of Rivendall, as he gallops to his side.

"Yes, my good friend?"

"We are ready to launch the attack on Sauron's forces, though I wish you could be by my side, my Lord."

Ranma turns to his new friend.

"As much as I wish to face the bastard in open combat, I have to free Lady Iusasset from Sauron's lair-"

"While we will provide the distraction, forcing Sauron out into the open," Elrond says. "I do hope that the King of Gondor and his son are up to the task."

"I'm sure Elendil and his sons are up to the task."

"Blast it, I wish we had engaged Sauron's forces earlier," Elrond says.

"If that had happened, ALL of Middle Earth would have fell," says a voice.

Elrond and Izanagi turn to see Danu the Great, Lady Galadriel and Lady Izanami riding up to Izanagi and Elrond's position.

"What do you mean by that, Mother-of-Us-All?" Elrond asks.

"Had we taken on Sauron's forces earlier, only we and our kind would have engaged his minions," T'Pol says. "And alliance between Elves and Men is necessary."

T'Pol looks over to Mt. Doom.

"Besides, my place is by Lord Izanagi's side."

"But mother-" Galadriel begins to say.

"I know. But you know what is going to take place, as the Seers of Cronus has foretold."

T'Pol places a hand on Galadriel's face, who appeared to be comforted by it.

"And where my husband goes, I shall follow," Izanami says defiantly.

Ranma sighs. He had hoped to rescue Usagi and Makoto himself without endangering the others, but with them being so stubborn…

"Then that's that," Elrond says. "But know this: I swear on my life that our family's will forever more be linked."

"Thank you, my good friend," Ranma says, as he places a hand on Elrond's shoulder. For some strange reason, he felt…connected to the young lord…

Elrond nods his head, and begins to pull away. Galadriel lingers a bit before doing the same. And when the two High Elves finally left the scene, Ranma turns to his friends.

"What's the situation, T'Pol?" Ranma says.

"Lord Sauron had employed a pair of balrog to guard his domain, while he deals with the Alliance," T'Pol replies.

"Okay, so…?"

"They are demons that giant, fiery and can fly," Hoshi says flatly.

"Huh. And this is a problem how…?"

"Ranma!" Hoshi says, as she taps Ranma's helmet. "Don't you know what this MEANS?"

"Of course I do. Two demons, right. They can't be any worse than Majin Buu…"

During their extensive stay in Middle Earth, Ranma and all the available warrior gods in the Universe were summoned the New Genesis—located in the Promethean Galaxy, along with its sister planet Apokolips—to deal with the twin threat of the wizard Bibidi and his creation Majin Buu. Both were originally from Apokolips, and wanted to take advantage of the power vacuum left when Apokolips' former ruler, Yuga Khan, became a part of the Wall that separated Reality (the Universe and the Umbra) from the Source-of-All-Creation. Many were killed trying to battle Bibidi and his creation, but were forced to settle eliminating the wizard while sealing Majin Buu on "Earth" (a duplicate of the original planet, but later named "Chikyuu"). The irony is that Ranma would be forced to deal with this menace again—when Bibidi's son Babidi unseals Buu—but this time alongside his adopted child Son Goku as a member of his "Z Warriors"…

"Point, taken," Hoshi says. She then looks at Mt. Doom. "I hope Usagi and Makoto are okay…"

Hours time later…

"It's okay, Usagi," Makoto says, as she comforted a wounded friend. Sauron had managed to steal her "Starseed" in order to power his "One Ring".

"Makoto…"

And then suddenly-

"SKREEEEE-!" cried a demon.

BOOM!

The force of the blast rocked Sauron's inner sanctum within Mt. Doom. And then something came crashing in and onto the far wall.

THUNK!

A rather large, demon head plunks unto the floor of the far wall. Apparently, it was still smoking.

"Makoto, Usagi!" says a voice.

"Sempai?" Makoto says. "Is that YOU?"

"It is US," T'Pol says flatly, as she, Hoshi and a bloodied Ranma enters the sanctum.

"Is Usagi okay?" Hoshi asks.

"She's…weak, but alive," Makoto says.

"Good," Ranma says, as was about to head out the door.

"Where are you going?" Hoshi ask.

"I got to deal with that other balrog before gets away."

"FORGET about it, Ranma," T'Pol says. "We have to-"

Suddenly, the ground and area shakes…

TING!

"Look!" Hoshi says, as a sealed chalice appears in front of Usagi.

"Elrond and his allies must have defeated Sauron," Ranma says.

The four look on, as Usagi reabsorbs the chalice of the House of Serenity.

"We better hurry out of here," Hoshi says. "Unfortunately, this place is falling apart."

"Maybe…we can do a 'Sailor Teleport'," Makoto suggested.

"It will be tricky thing to pull off, since Sauron's dark magic is skewing our powers," T'Pol says.

"Well, we have to try," Ranma says. "We certainly can't stay here."

Everyone nod in agreement.

Outside, on the fields of Mordor, a dying Sauron senses his foes' actions.

"Oh, no…you will not escape my revenge," Sauron says to himself. "With my last breath, I will send you to the lands of Oblivion-!"

Sometime later…

"I'm going out to practice my sword work, Mother," says Yosho, as he takes his practice sword out of the weapons case.

"Well, you be careful then," Funaho says, as she gently hugged her only son.

"Mother, I'm just going out to practice."

"I know, I know. But…you are my only son. If something happens to YOU-"

"Yes, I KNOW. Someone else will become the head of the House of Masaki."

"I am glad that you realize this."

Yosho, Crown Prince of Jurai, sighed. He hated being dotted over by his father's first wife, which is why he had enrolled himself at the Royal Academy on a sports scholarship in "Juraian Kendo", along with his best friend Kagato. Sure, he didn't NEED to go through the usual hoops, but Yosho wanted to attend on his own merits. Still, for once, the Prince of Jurai wanted SOME excitement in his life-

CHOOM!

Suddenly, a potent force threw Yosho backwards. He did manage to recover from the shock rather quickly.

Yosho uses his senses to scan the area.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

From the fog, a man stepped forth, crackling with power.

"I don't know who you are, but if you are one of Sauron's allies, you'll pay!" the Izanagi roared.

Although Ranma and his companions did make the jump, they ended up in the Dark Realms of the Umbra, where they spent months fighting there way out. Sauron had suspected that Ranma and the others would try to rescue the Moon Princess, so he made sure that if they managed to escape Mt. Doom, they would end up in Dark Realms instead. Now, after all that time, the crew of the Icarus are freed, but traumatized by that side trip through those hellish realms.

Yosho, with sword in hand, merely sweat drops. Maybe his mother was right about taking life easy after all…

Next Time: "The Age of Bronze".