*****

"I've got the latest prophecy here and once again we will have to do some research. Does anyone know where Xander is?" Giles asked his eager audience as he examined the prophecy.

"He said that he had to go to see someone in New York and that he didn't know when he would be back." Willow replied to the question, her voice was distracted, as if she wasn't really concerned about the boy, Giles felt. Not that he thought it was too surprising, he himself had been guilty of ignoring the boy.

Coughing loudly to signal everyone to be quiet, Giles recited the prophecy.

"When Mischief and Mayhem are united,
The Great Gods will return,
The World will see the power of the true gods,
The Chosen Pair will bring together the Sacred Six,
The Six Gods lost through time,
Fire and Ice Unite,
The Seeing and the Injured,
The Rogue and the Dark Mage."

"The Great Gods would be the Ancient Greek Gods. My main problem is that we do not know anything about any of the Sacred Six," Giles continued.

"If that's true who is Mayhem, because that is one God that I've never heard of?" Willow wondered aloud as she considered the prophecy.

"Who are the Sacred Six? The Seeing is probably someone who has visions, like Cordelia but anyone could be the injured." Buffy said, for once actually taking time to think, rather than leaving that part to the rest of the Scooby Gang.

"That's right Cordelia has visions, I had forgotten about her. We should call Angel. It's possible that she is one of the Six. Maybe we should ask Spike for his help." Giles said.

"I agree with calling Angel but why would we want to ask Fangless? Its not like he would actually help us." Buffy stated, her voice stern.

The ringing phone interrupted their talks. Giles quickly answered, and placed the phone on speaker mode.

"Hi Giles this is Angel. I've got some information for you. The PTB have told me that the Prophecy of the Six will happen soon and that Xander is involved. Is he there?"

"I'm afraid that Xander is out of town. I'll have to get back to you when we find him. We have reason to believe that Cordelia could be involved so keep an eye on her. Bye Angel." Giles quickly replied and ended the call.

Meanwhile Xander was sitting in Sunnydale Park looking at the stars. He knew that it was dangerous to be out at night without any stakes but he didn't really care. He wondered if the Scooby Gang had picked up on the fact that he had lied to them and that he was really just avoiding them.

As Xander distractedly played with a knife, which had been a present from Anya shortly before she dumped him he wondered just why he was sitting in the middle of the park alone. But he knew the answer he wanted to see if there was a chance that he would be able to get himself killed.

His father, in a display of restraint had only dislocated his shoulder and cut the back of his legs the night before but Xander knew that if he went home It would happen. He would rather get attacked by a demon that let It happen again but so far he had no luck.

For once he Xander Harris was not pulling in the Demons but he knew that someone was watching him, through the corner of his eye he could make out a pale man dressed in black with an awful lot of zippers.

"Hi. Are you going to watch me all night because I've gotta tell ya that its quite a boring activity." Xander said looking the stranger directly in the eye.

"Ya see me?" The man asked apparently amazed.

Just my luck, Xander thought, the one person I find is insane but maybe he could get this stranger to kill him. Judging by the clothes the guy was at least preoccupied with death.

"No you're invisible. Of course I see you. I don't suppose you'd kill me?" Xander replied, apparently confusing the guy once again who looked at him in a mix of shock and amazement.

"Why would I kill ya? It seems that yah the only person out tonight. The name is Strife." The guy said, apparently waiting for a reply.

"I'm Xan. What do you say we have some fun?" Xander replied, wondering why the guys' parents called him Strife. He didn't normally show his sadistic side but something about Strife seemed to call to his more cruel tendencies.

"Sure, what d'ya do for fun?" Strife replied a smirk appearing on his face at the thought of having some fun.

"Well, normally I help my friends fight demons but there's a demon bar nearby and I feel like doing a little fighting and maybe spreading some rumours." Xan replied as he led the way to Willy's. At 2am it would probably be pretty full and if not there was always vamp nests nearby.

As the doorway came in view Strife pulled out a long sword and passed it to Xander who looked surprised. He hadn't even thought about weapons. Looking at the man beside him Xander saw that Strife was armed to the teeth with knives.

The pair walked inside Willy's and silence immediately descended. The pair were dressed entirely in black and both wore a cruel grin that caused shivers to go down Willy's spine as they walked towards the bar.

"Two Jack Daniels." Xander said delighting in the look of fear that he saw in Willy's eyes. It seemed that Willy had realised that he was more than Xander Harris the Slayers White Knight. He was more than capable of causing death and enjoyed the hunt as well as the fear.

Without speaking Willy placed the drinks on the bar before moving to a sheltered part of the bar. He could tell that a fight was going to break out and he didn't want to get involved if he could help it.

As Xander and Strife drank their drinks in silence a group of green demons apparently decided to play hero. As one Strife and Xander moved with a deadly grace to the centre of the room.

Xander could feel the adrenalin surging in his veins and the overwhelming desire to see the blood of the demons on the floor. He circled the demon, looking for an opening with his sword. Finding one he lunged forward before somersaulting to avoid the tail of another demon that decided to get involved. All at once everything slowed down all that was left was the demons and his sword. He moved quickly live water flowing and shaking off the blows he received. Finally bored of the game he moved his sword up an arch and took the head off the demons.

Looking over at Strife Xander saw that the other man was as aroused by the battle as he had been. Forgetting their audience Xander pulled the pale man into his arms and gave him a bruising kiss that was hungry, desperate and spoke of promise. Releasing Strife he turned to the cowering bartender and looked him in the eyes. Telling Willy just what would happen if he said anything.

Xander reached for Strife's hand before the pair walked out into the night. Without speaking he dragged the other man down an alley, and pushing him up against the wall. Their tongues met as if on cue, making each one moan. Xander thrust his tongue into Strife's mouth tasting the very essence that was Strife. Strife responded by arching his body so that their clothed bodies rubbed against each other.

The sound of voiced nearby brought the pair out of their passion filled haze. Xander leaned against Strife breathing hard as the people walked right past them. He closed his eyes, feeling safe in the arms of the man that he had only met that night.

"Xander I'm just gonna get ya in bed. All the fighting earlier kinda made me tired. Just go asleep and I'll be here when you wake." Xander heard a low voice say as he felt someone lay him down.

At the same time in Sunnydale Buffy was looking at the rest of the Scoobies in shock as Spike described just what had happened in Willy's bar earlier that night. Her first thought was that it was just Spike causing more problems but if there was a possibility that some new force was in Sunnydale she had to know about it.

Buffy walked into Willy's bar surprised to see the lack of occupants. Normally the bar would be full at 5am as the demons stopped by after a busy night terrorising the town. The few customers that were there walked out in a hurry after seeing the look of fury on the Slayers' face.

"What happened in here earlier Willy? It looks like your bar got trashed again." Buffy said, her voice deceptively calm and polite.

"Nothing just your average bar brawl." Willy replied shaking as he remembered the look Xander had shot him before he left.

Buffy looked around and spotted a video camera, pushing past Willy she walked into the back room and ejected a tape out of the video that showed the camera footage from that night. On seeing this Willy started to shake as he realised that he was now dead unless by some amazing feat of luck Xander didn't find out.

Buffy walked out of the bar, videotape in hand as she decided to go to Giles' and prove to the rest of the gang that Spike was lying. It wasn't like Xander would ever be able to cope in a fight anyway she thought to herself, laughing quietly.

Meanwhile Xander was awaking to the feeling of someone's arms around him and for once feeling completely safe. A feeling he had never experienced before. With a groan he opened his eyes and turned to the figure on the bed next to him.

Strife was holding him tightly as if he expected Xander to suddenly disappear, not that he minded; it was nice just being held. As he was thinking this Xander could feel that he was still aroused and judging by what he could feel Strife was as well.

Deciding to wake his lover up in one of the best ways, Xander slowly moved the covers back and lay his body over Strife's so that their bodies were touching. He began to move slowly so that their cocks were rubbing against each other. Searching blindly through a haze of lust Xander locked his mouth on Strife's nipples feeling the body under him shudder. Strife retaliated by biting Xander's neck. Within minutes the pair both came with a moan, shouting the others name.

"That's the way to wake up. I guess you're not regretting last night?" Strife asked Xander as he slowly stroked Xander's hair. Xander unconsciously leaned into the touch as he thought the question over.

"I'm not regretting what we did if that's what you mean. I'm just wondering how fast Buffy will find out about what happened. I'm not looking forward to going home either."

"From the marks on ya. I'd say that someone is hurtin' ya and it looks like ya friends ain't seen it so I'll take care of t'problem. No one hurts anything I love." Strife said then closing his mouth with a start as he realised just what he had said.

"Good to know that the feeling's mutual. The problem as you so eloquently put it is my father. He seems to get his kicks out of using me for his punch bag. Sometimes he goes further and�rapes me. Its been happening on and off since I was thirteen." Xander replied before putting small kisses on Strife's throat but before he could continue his planned seduction Strife reached out a hand to stop him.

"I've gotta tell ya something. It might make ya hate me but I've gotta tell ya�I'm a God. The Greek God of Mischief to be exact. I'm the last of the Olympian Gods to survive. I was placed in what I guess is a coma during the Final Battle between Gods and Mortals. I woke up about a year ago. Since then I've been watching you."

"Ok you're a God. That's ok at least you can handle Buffy. It's kind of nice that you've been watching me in a weird dangerous kind of way. Can I ask why you've been watching like I said, I'm not the most exciting of people to watch?"

"At first it was because you were the one person who seemed to be able to cause mayhem wherever you meant. That was a quality I could admire but somewhere it changed and it became about protecting you and I fell in love with you. Ya don't hate me do ya?"

"No I don't hate you. How could I hate you? I love for the Gods sake. " Xander replied before taking his love in his arms and kissing him soundly. Stopping all further conversation.

Buffy walked straight into Giles and wasn't surprised to find everyone waiting for her. The possibility that their friend could be in danger had made the Scooby Gang wide-awake. Not speaking Buffy placed the videotape in the VCR and pressed play.

Everyone's attention was drawn immediately to the television screen as the interior of Willy's bar became clear. Looking at the time index Buffy saw that the footage was taken at midnight a good two hours before Xander had supposedly wrecked Willy's bar. She felt around for the remote and pressed fast forward until the time index said 2 am.

The tape played to show two figures coming into the bar at 2:10 am. One very pale and the other tanned. Buffy let out a sigh of anger as the faces of the two men were obscured by what appeared to be a green demon with about four tentacles. She turned her attention back to the screen to see chaos erupting as the two black robed figures moved together with a sensual grace into the middle of a group of demons.

The figure with the sword circled the demon, apparently looking for an opening with his sword. Finding one he lunged forward before somersaulting to avoid the tail of another demon that decided to get involved. It seemed to Buffy that the person was very skilled and was just playing. He moved quickly flowing and shaking off the blows he received. Finally bored of the game he moved his sword up an arch and took the head off the demons.

Buffy gave a scream of rage as Xander's face became clear on the screen as the man, Xander looked over at his fellow fighter who had just finished fighting with a group of horned black demons with what appeared to be knives. She stared in amazement as Xander reached over to grab the other man in a passionate kiss before giving Willy a glare that spoke of death. Xander then took the strange man's hand and walked out into the night.

Willow was the only one who moved as she stopped the tape. The rest of the Scooby Gang stared at the blank screen apparently in shock. Willow couldn't believe that ruthless killer she had just seen was her best friend Xander. The boy who was harmless and eager for attention. Xander simply didn't have the abilities to kill all those demons in around ten minutes not even Buffy could do that. Willow remembered the two previous possessions her friend had experienced and decided that he must be possessed.

Buffy was amazed that Xander was apparently gay and a better fighter than her. Which just wasn't right her mind insisted. Xander was the boy hopelessly in love with her who needed protecting. Xander couldn't even fight his way out of a paper bag.

Giles was probably the least shocked out of the Scooby gang for he knew that Xander was much more than he pretended to be and the fact that Xander was gay wasn't all that amazing, he had expected as much for a couple of years. What did surprise him was the ease at which Xander had killed the demons. His skills were probably equivalent to the skills of the master swordsmen he had known in England.

As one Buffy and Willow spoke, both shouting, "Xander's possessed again." The two girls apparently seemed convinced but Giles knew that the boy wasn't possessed if the boy seemed to be reckless most of all but not possessed.

"I don't think he is Buffy. Willow wouldn't you have been able to see if he was possessed? I think that Xander's abilities are perfectly natural and that he is just being himself." Giles replied and was relieved to see the girls apparently believing him.

"I guess you're right Giles. I would have been able to tell he was possessed." Willow replied. At the same time she was hatching a plan to find Xander and make him back to normal.

"If you say he isn't possessed I believe you." Buffy replied, her voice showing just enough emotion to make Giles believe her. In reality Buffy was thinking up a plan to find Xander and make him into the Zeppo who was in love with her.

*****
Part 2:

Xander faintly felt the bed move as Strife quickly moved out of bed and disappeared in a flash of light. Xander knew that he should probably be worried that his lover was disappearing but right now he was trying to gather his thoughts after another mind-blowing orgasm due to Strife's wonderful mouth.

As his mind returned Xander remembered their earlier conversation with a scowl. The idea of Strife going after his father without him was more than a little annoying, Xander wanted to be the one to make his father scream out and beg for mercy.

"Maybe I should invest in a couple of chains to teach Strife a thing or two about going off without explaining his plans. The chains would definitely be fun. I'll have to remember to ask Spike about where I would get chains strong enough to hold a God. I anyone can find them it'd be Spike." Xander murmured to himself as he contemplated getting out of bed.

With a groan Xander got out of bed and searched for his clothes, which were strewn around the room as if they'd been thrown there. Obviously Strife had been eager to get them into bed last night. Once he was dressed Xander looked around for any sign of a phone and wasn't surprised when his search came up empty.

"Strife, would you like to come back, babe. I'm going to leave now and I'd kinda like you to come with me." Xander said thinking of taking Strife to visit his parents, maybe they could start the torture early and make it last.

"Don't go, Xan. I want to come with ya. Why don't we go and see ya friends? I'd like to teach them a thing or two about what happens to someone when they hurt my love." At the stern look in Xander's eyes, Strife changed his voice to a whine and pouted as he continued, "I promise I want hurt them permanently."

Xander considered the wisdom of going to see his friends, he wanted to tell them about his love but knowing his friends he didn't think it would go across to well. But seeing Strife pout and looking at him so sadly Xander couldn't help but give in. He nodded his head and reached for his sword.

"Sure we can see them but let's not take too long. I want to have a little talk with my father soon and I need to see Spike."

"That's great but as long as I can help teach ya dad a lesson. After that I want to take you somewhere." Strife replied his voice serious.

Sensing that it was important to him, Xander smiled and hugged Strife, trying to show the other man how much he love him through touch. Their surroundings soon changed so that Xander found himself in the middle of Giles' while he was still in Strife's arms.

"Hi guys. This is my love, Strife. It's not that amazing, come on, say something, please." Xander said to the silent Scooby Gang who looked angry (Buffy), betrayed (Willow) and awed (Giles).

"Get away from him, Xander. I promise nothing will happen we just need to get what ever has possessed you out." Willow said as she searched around for a spell book.

As if on cue Buffy approached Strife from behind, directing a roundhouse kick at the God who turned just in time to be caught in the mouth. Seeing what was happening to Strife, Xander felt rage and anger building up inside him. How dare Buffy attack what was his.

Pulling the sword free, Xander moved to face Buffy, at the same time murmuring to Strife, "Can you deal with Wilow?" Strife only nodded his assent as he moved to deal with the na�ve, foolish witch. As if she could possibly hope to beat him, a God.

"So you want to hurt my man do you, Buff? I'm afraid I can't allow that." Xander said as he circled Buffy, who looked as if she wasn't really seeing him.

As Xander expected she kept lunging forward, trying to make him attack. He simply deflected the blows, his mind not registering the hits. All he could think off was that he had to protect Strife. Strife was his mate and partner; he could not let Strife be hurt.

Giles watched Xander and Buffy circle each other. He recognised Xander's behaviour for what it was the desire to protect the man he was in love with, he would have done the same when he was younger to anyone that hurt Ethan.

Seeing that Willow was in midst of a spell Strife did the only thing possible-he directed a blast of energy at her knocking her into the opposite wall. He would have to decide what was a fitting punishment for the little traitor, she had seen everything that happened to Xander and ignored it. Maybe that was it, Strife thought to himself as he considered his plan. Flexing his powers he delved into the unconscious Willow's memories. All it would take was a little tuning and then she would have to live with the knowledge that she allowed her best friend to be raped and beaten for years. The punishment would be long and painful, perfect seeing how Strife didn't want to kill the idiot. He wanted her to feel pain for the rest of her long life.

Xander looked over to see Strife bended over the prone figure of his best friend; he was surprised to find that he wasn't worried about Willow at all. But she hadn't done anything to help him and had ignored him since starting college. Turning his attention back to Buffy he decided that enough was enough. The stupid bitch hadn't even figured out that he was the better fighter. Judging by her moves she wasn't fighting at nearly full strength. A fact he could take advantage off. Xander quickly kicked her in the head, having something more in mind for the Slayer.

"Hey, Strife take me over to Spike's I want to ask him something. While I'm there why don't you have a talk with my father..I'm sure he wouldn't mind. Just make sure to leave some for me." Xander said, lifting the Slayer over his shoulder.

"Alright, Xan. I promise I'll leave some of the bastard for you, maybe I'll just show him a few things about pain first." Strife replied as he used his powers to put Xander in Spike's crypt, while he transported to the Harris household."How did you do that, whelp." Spike asked as Xander appeared, seemingly out of nowhere with the Buffy lying unconscious over his shoulder.

Dropping Buffy on the floor with a thud, Xander sat down and faced Spike.

"Oh my lover's a God. Anyway I have something to ask you. Would you get hold of some chains strong enough to hold a God for me? As a show of good faith I'll give you the Slayer here to do with as you want. I recommend you kill her, but then I hate the bitch." Xander said in a bored tone of voice.

"Okay mate, I accept that your lover's a God, not that amazing but why are you giving me the Slayer? Isn't that kind of against the whole good guy image?" Spike asked, suspicion in his voice, as he wondered just what Xander was setting him up for.

"Look I don't like Buffy, she's treated me like dirt and now I've got the chance to get rid of her I'm taking advantage of it." Xander replied as he stood and walked towards the door, eager to join Strife and his father.

While Xander was busy with Spike Strife decided to make good on his plan. Making himself invisible he walked inside the Harris house not surprised to find Xander's mother passed out on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles of beer. Xander's father was apparently watching a football game, judging by all the yelling.

Making himself visible, Strife walked inside the main room and looked at the man sitting in the chair. This man had caused his beloved Xander years of pain and shame, there was no way Strife would let the man live. Before the mortal could utter a word, Strife had him chained to the wall with nails through his hands, an idea he had picked up from the Romans, during the old days.

Just as Strife reached for his ever present knife, Xander walked inside, a glint of excitement appearing in his eyes at the sight of his father hanging from the wall by his hands.

"Now, my name is Strife and I'm in love with Xan. But I know what you've done to him so we've decided to make you pay. Eventually we'll kill ya but first we're going to have some fun." Strife whispered before turning to look at Xander.

"Don't let me stop you, babe." Xander said, sitting down to watch the show.

As Strife moved the knife in a cross pattern on the man's back, delighting in the blood that started to fall from the shallow cuts. With each cut the man screamed in pain, causing Strife and Xander to smile in satisfaction.

"Now these cuts won't kill ya, but they'll hurt like hell. Now the next thing I'm going to do is break the bones in your hands, feet and ribs, which will probably hurt but don't worry we won't let you go unconscious. We wouldn't want you to miss the rest of the show." Strife said as he cracked his knuckles and wondered just where to start.

A shrill scream was heard as Strife slowly broke Xander's father's hands, and feet. The screams soon changed to panting moans as Strife pressed down on man's ribs, a cruel grin on his face at the sound of each one breaking.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry�.please let me go Xander." Xander's father said, taking deep breaths to speak. The man's face changed to a smile as Xander stood.

"Don't worry father, dear." Xander said, as he reached for the red-hot poker from the fire. "We'll let you go but first I'm gonna teach you a lesson." He continued as he pulled his father's pants off and placed the poker into his father's ass.

As the smell of burning flesh rose from the man Strife used a small amount of his energy to make sure that the man would remain conscious. With his knife Strife quickly cut the man's cock off before passing the knife to Xander. Xander stared at the knife and plunged it into his father's heart.

As one Strife and Xander stood, their hands moving together on instinct as the pair quickly teleported back to Strife's apartment to celebrate together.

With a thought Strife removed all of their clothes as he materialised them on the bed. Reaching blindly he found Xander's nipples and fastened his mouth on them. He loved the taste of Xander's nipples and the way Xander let out a low moan when he touched them. Xander, wanting to taste and feel Strife pulled him into a kiss as he reached for something to use as lube.

"Massage oil, I guess that'll do, love." Xander said as he took the bottle and coated his cock with it before moving down to pour some on Strife's opening, before moving his finger's inside, scissoring to stretch his love so that he didn't hurt Strife when he entered him.

"Now dammit Xan, more, please." Strife managed to say through moans at the feeling of Xander's fingers inside him.

Crawling up his love's body, Strife moved to take Xander's cock inside him, he wanted to be able to see Xander as they made love. Strife started to move his body on Xander's cock, moving up as Xander thrust upwards into Strife's body.

"You're mine Strife just as I'm yours. I belong to you forever just as you belong to me. I love you, babe." Xander chanted with harder and harder thrusts.

As he thrust up Xander reached for Strife's hard, weeping cock, wrapping his hands around it and stroking in counterpoint to his thrusts.

Strife wanted it to last forever, wanted to feel Xander moving inside him forever. But even as he thought this he felt his organism approaching. He arched up as he came, shouting "Xander!!!" The clenching of his muscles caused Xander to orgasm, as Xander came he thrust up into Strife one last tome before shouting, "Strife!!!", and laying his head on the pillow with a shout.

As Xander fell back on the bed, Xander lay down, nuzzling into Xander's chest as he covered them both up with the cover's which had been thrown onto the floor, during their earlier activities. Xander tightened his arms around Strife as the pair fell into an exhausted, content sleep.

*****
Part 3:

In a deserted part of Greece a rumbled of the earth moving was felt as the ground parted in two as the Gods returned to their rightful destiny. The circle was almost complete.

Strife sat up in shock as he felt it, the tug on the back of his mind that spoke of the presence of another God. But that was impossible, wasn't it, he thought to himself as he woke Xander up and dressed him.

"There better be a good reason why you've woken me up, like maybe you're ready for round two." Xander said as his rubbed his hard, dressed cock against Strife.

"Yeah, I am but I think we're in trouble." Strife said, as he gripped his lover's cock.

"Oh what a surprise. Why can't we have one day without trouble. Let me guess the world's going to end? Well fuck it, or better get fuck me." Xander replied tugging at Strife's leather pants.

Before they could get any further an echoing voice sounded inside the room, starling the pair out of their lust.

"Strife, Alexander. We request your presence right now. It can't wait, I'm afraid." The woman's voice said as the pair disappeared from the room, their hands automatically together at the chance of danger.

The pair materialised in a large, but unfurnished room that was full of people. Strife broke into a smile at the sight of his fathers, ignoring the other Gods and Goddesses; he pulled Xander over to meet his family.

"I'm guessing by the happy smile on your face that we're not going to be killed just yet." Xander said, with a laugh as Strife pushed through the crowd so that they were standing in front of two dark haired men.

"Hey, Pops, Dad. This is Xan and he's mine. These are my fathers, Ares the God of War and Joxer the God of Trouble." Strife said as he hugged each man.

"Oh, that's nice. So you're the guys responsible for my man, huh? I don't suppose you'd let me in on some good blackmail material would ya?" Xander said, with a smile as he hoped that they would think he was worthy of Strife.

"Pops, Dad please don't.." Strife said pouting, hating the thought if all the embarrassing tales his fathers had about him.

"Maybe later, right now Hera wants to see you two." Joxer said, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

"Oh great, any idea what she wants with us? We haven't done anything too bad." Strife said, nervous about just what his grandmother wanted him for.

"I just want to performing your marriage ceremony, Strife. It seems that you have found the man who is your mate." A graceful, woman said as she moved over to the small group.

"Its good to meet you, I'm guessing that you're Hera, right?" Xander said, looking forward to being married to Strife for eternity. It just seemed right, as if it was meant to be Xander thought.

"Well of course it was meant to be. We should know this, we are the fates." A group of barely dressed women in red clothes said, overhearing his thoughts.

"How come all of you are here now, I thought that all the Gods had been killed?" Xander asked, remembering what Strife had told him about the Final Battle.

"Some of us were killed and others were simply put in a long sleep until they would be able to return to the world again." Hera said, before silence descended.

As if a signal had been given, the room changed so that it was decorated in black and red with two large red pillars at the end of a red carpet. Hera moved so that she was standing at the opposite end of the room from Strife and Xander. She quickly materialised a gold cord to tie around the pair to symbolise their bond.

Strife was led down the path with Ares, who was smiling proudly and wearing his finest battle clothes. After they had reached the end of the aisle Xander followed them, with Joxer by his side. When they had reached Strife and Ares, Xander grabbed Strife's hand and as one they turned to face Hera.

"We are here to join this pair for eternity. This gold cord symbolises the fact that you will be joined forever." Hera said, as she tied the cord around their waists.

"Who here gives Strife for marriage to this man?" Hera asked, her voice loud and clear.

"I Ares the God of War." Ares said, his voice proud and sure.

"Who gives this mortal Alexander for marriage to this God?" Hera asked.

"I Joxer the God of Trouble." Joxer answered with a smile.

"Strife, God of Mischief do you take Alexander God of Mayhem as your husband for eternity?" Hera asked, astonishing the pair who didn't know that Xander was going to be granted Godhood.

"Yes, of course I do!!" Strife said, annoyed at the question, like he'd be getting married otherwise.

"Do you Alexander God of Mayhem take Strife God of Mischief as your husband for eternity?" Hera asked, her eyes looking at Xander kindly.

"Yes I do." Xander simply said, still amazed at the fat that he was going to be a God.

As this was announced Xander felt a burst of energy inside his, it moved to ever part of his body. The knowledge of life as a God flowed into his brain from Strife. He felt full of life and energy, so strong that he felt his legs go weak.

"As the Goddess of Marriage, I declare you to be joined for eternity." Hera said, causing a round of applause to echo in the large room.

At this the connection between Strife and Xander flared with power as they were inside each other's minds in a instant they knew everything about the other's life so far.

Strife and Xander didn't hear the noise as their mouths met in a kiss that lasted so long that the guests walked around the room, talking amongst themselves, waiting for them to separate.

As they parted Xander felt an arm on his shoulders. Turning Xander found himself looking into the eyes of Joxer, the man who was now one of his fathers. The thought filled Xander with joy, he now had a family that would love him.

"Welcome to the family. Unfortunately you'll have to suspend the honeymoon. You two are now part of a prophecy." Joxer said, his eyes shining with unspent tears.

"What a surprise another prophecy, what is it with those things?" Xander moaned, as thoughts of himself and Strife locked together in a room with a massive bed disappeared.

"What's our role in the prophecy, then?" Strife asked, annoyance clearly in his voice at the fact that they had to go to work so soon after being married.

"Well, first we've got to let the mortals know that we Gods have returned. Then you've got to get together six people." Ares said walking over, seeing how angry his son was.

"What's so special about these people?" Xander asked, wanting to know what was so important about the people that he had to round up.

"Well they are apparently going to be Gods. They each contain the essence of a God but it won't come to the surface until the six are together." Joxer replied to the question.

"We're going to let everyone see that the Gods have returned by appearing to all the leaders in the world. Every other God will be doing that as you go and round up the six. Here's a list of the Six, I don't mind how you get them here, just get them." Ares said, handing Strife a small piece of black paper, with the names written on in red.

"I guess it's time to go." Xander said, taking Strife's hand in his. "See ya Pops, Dad." The pair said as they disappeared in a flash of blue sparks.

*****