A/N: Technically this is a crossover with the movie Treasure Planet, I suppose. But I didn't feel like posting it under one, because I'm using hardly any actual characters from the film, if any. So yea, awesome movie, and I thought, "Hey! This is pretty Thiefshippy!", and here we are. (Yes, I know there's no relationship in the actual movie, but I am doing it for this.) The prologue is mostly backround, character development, etc. In the film, Jim is 3, not 4, but I thought it was better to make Marik a bit older. And yea, Marik's father will be a bigger part of this fic than Jim's dad is. I'm seeing this fic to be least 15 chapters, if not more.

Rattle the Stars

Prologue

On the clearest of nights, when the winds of the Aetherium were calm and peaceful, the great merchant ships, with their cargos of Octurian solar crystals, felt safe and secure. Little did they suspect that they were pursued- by pirates. And the most feared among all these pirates was the notorious Thief King…

The words of this oration were spoken by a deep voice that seemed to resonate through the room. Over the top of the pocket-size holograms, a small eager face peered wide-eyed at the miniature battle taking place at his fingertips.

Laying stomach first on top of the covers of his bed, a small boy, about four years old, kicked his sock-clad feet happily as he watched his holo-book weave a tale of daring adventure and exploration in a world far from his own. The fast-moving pictures cast a flickering light upon his tanned skin and flaxen hair which hung just past his shoulders.

Like a Candarian Zapwing overtaking its prey-

"Marik Sebastian Ishtar!"

The door to his room swung open, and a bright light poured in and bathed the boy in its harsh glow. With a stifled gasp, Marik snapped the book shut and threw it down, attempting, unsuccessfully, to look like the picture of innocence.

His big sister Ishizu Ishtar stood in the doorway in her pink nightgown, arms on hips, and a disapproving frown on her face.

"Little brother, I thought you were in bed an hour ago!" Ishizu scolded. Marik sat up and scowled. Ishizu unwillingly felt a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth. The scowl was hardly threatening. Instead it just made the small boy more adorable than he already was, his lavender eyes squinting fiercely, and his nose crinkling up. Marik saw her eyes soften a little and decided to use it.

"Aw, but sister, I was just getting to the best part!" he pleaded, beaming a winning gap-toothed smile at Ishizu, and flashing her his best puppy-dog eyes. He clutched the book tightly to his chest and bounced slightly on the mattress.

"Oh, Marik, you know that doesn't work on me," Ishizu looked away from the boy quickly, determined not to let him get away with this one. "You know you shouldn't be up this late, and…" Shoot. She had caught sight of his face. "And…" She suddenly found herself lost for words.

"Pleeeeease Ishizu! I promise I'll go straight to sleep afterwards. Really," He crossed his fingers behind his back and smiled even wider.

"Oh! Could those eyes get any bigger? … Scooch over Marik," she relented, moving onto the bed behind the boy, and taking him onto her lap. Suddenly, a loud crash echoed downstairs, followed by an angry curse. Marik tensed up against his sister.

"Ishizu? I-is Father home?" Marik looked anxiously up at Ishizu's face. Her face stiff, she nodded slightly.

"It would appear so."

"Um, do you think… he'd want… to say Good Night to me?... I mean…" His quiet voice trailed off into a mumble. More crashes were heard, along with a "FUCKING LITTLE-!" Marik cringed visibly. Ishizu sighed, and stroked the boy's soft hair.

"Maybe another night Marik… You know how Father gets sometimes," she replied delicately, avoiding the words that pushed themselves on her tongue. Yes, how Father gets. How Father gets when he's drunk… She shook herself. "But let's finish that book, okay, little brother?" She smiled at him, a little of the sadness she felt still present on her lips.

"Okay!" Marik grinned ecstatically, all previous tension forgotten. Almost reverently, he opened the book back up, and the holograms burst back to life.

Like a Candarian Zapwing overtaking its prey, the Thief King and his band of renegades swooped in, out of nowhere. A tall and muscular man, wearing a blood-red cloak and a fair amount of his stolen loot on his fingers and around his neck, stood proudly at the helm of his ship, shouting orders to his bloodthirsty crew, and pointing dramatically to a huge merchant ship floating not far up ahead. The men, rage and pleasure all too evident in their eyes, steered their ship up to the side of the other, and quickly boarded it, tearing the opposing crew apart with merciless slashes and stabs. The infamous Thief King made his way across the ship, stepping around the disfigured corpses and screaming bodies with a slight smirk on his face. Stopping before the ship's treasure chest, he took his sword and effortlessly smashed the lock on it, before tipping the entire chest over onto the floor. The thief chortled smugly as he unhurriedly took a handful of the priceless gold and gems and let them drip through his bronzed fingers. And then, gathering up their spoils… vanished, without a trace.

"Oooooooooooh…" Marik and Ishizu whispered to each other theatrically, grinning as Marik turned the page.

The Thief King's trove was never found, but stories have persisted that it remains hidden, somewhere at the farthest reaches of the galaxy, stowed with riches beyond imagination. The loot of a thousand worlds…

"Treasure Planet," Marik finished with the narrator, eyes shining brightly. That was his favorite part. He closed the book, fingers caressing the binding lovingly.

"Okay Marik, it is definitely your bedtime now. Don't make me tickle you!" Ishizu teased, running her fingers over his side lightly, making the small boy giggle. Seeing this, she chuckled and moved her fingers over to start on his stomach. Marik, choked with laughter, hugged himself tightly, rolling onto his side to try and prevent his sister from getting at his sensitive skin. She pulled his arms away with one hand and continued her tickle-torture with the other hand.

"Oh don't sister! Please Ishizu, nooooo…! Oh oh oh oh…" Marik gasped out breathless.

"Say the magic word!" Ishizu cried out, oblivious now to how loud they were being.

"Ah… Father!" Marik's voice suddenly turned fearful. Ishizu's head snapped up, and turned hastily towards the doorway. Their father stood there leaning against the doorframe, silently watching the two siblings. She stood up quickly.

"Father! I-I-I…" Ishizu stuttered uneasily, staring at her feet, but shooting furtive glances up at the man's face.

"Ishizu," their father spoke slowly, every word rolling off his tongue like a dagger. "Tell me why, in Ra's name, is Marik still awake?" He waited for her answer, eyes narrowed dangerously. Ishizu shifted uncomfortably under his scrutinizing gaze, smelling the alcohol coming off him in waves. Marik whimpered on the bed behind her, and she moved inconspicuously to stand in front of his small form.

"I was just putting Marik to bed, Father," she whispered. The man grunted unintelligibly and shifted his weight off the doorframe. He walked over to them, staggering slightly as he went. Stopping before Ishizu, he frowned at her protective stance.

"Move," their father said, his voice a mask of deadly calm. Ishizu hesitated before moving out of his way. He stood beside the bed and regarded the small boy who sat there, hardly breathing. Unhurriedly, he bent down and reached his hand out, delicately caressing the boy's face, the latter quivering slightly under his touch. After a minute or so, he stood back up and gave a small laugh before roughly patting Marik on the head and turning away back towards the door. "Make sure he's asleep the next time I come up, Ishizu." The second he had left the room, she sat back down and pulled Marik into comforting hug. Slowly, the boy's breathing returned to normal, and he gently tugged on his sister's long black hair to let her know he was okay. She let go, and Marik slid off her and picked up his book again.

"How do you think the Thief King did it, Ishizu? How did he swoop in out of nowhere, and vanish without a trace?" Ishizu smiled. He was still thinking about the book.

"I haveno idea!" She poked him in the stomach, making him squeak in protest. "Now, I think it's time for this little spacer to go to sleep." Marik reluctantly allowed her to tuck him back under the covers.

"D'ya think someone will ever find Treasure Planet?" He looked at her, his naïveness plain on his face.

"Marik… I think it's more… like a legend!" she said quickly, not wanting to completely crush her brother's dreams. He frowned.

"I know it's real," he declared, no hesitation in his voice. She smiled at him.

"You win. It's… real," she whispered, bringing her face close to his.

"Nighty-night, sister," Marik said, hugging her tightly.

"Nighty-night, brother," Ishizu replied, before heading to the door. "I love you,"

"I love you too," he whispered contentedly back, snuggling deeper into his bed.

Softly, she closed the door behind her, and the room was completely dark for a moment. Then the sound of shifting was heard, and from beneath the blankets, a silhouette could be seen on his stomach, holding a glowing book in his hands.

There are nights, when the winds of the Aetherium, so inviting in their promise of flight and freedom, made one's spirit soar.

What? Fluff? What the hell are you talking about?

You: *points* Tickle torture? Seriously?

Hey! That's important character development! *pouts* Lolz. Well, don't worry, Bakura (Silver), and Thiefshipping will be coming up soon, I'm thinking in about 3 or 4 chapters. Marik is older next chapter, about 16.

Yes, this story takes place in space. (And no, there will not be any card games in said space.) It's not so evident here, but once Marik gets on... the spaceship, it should be pretty obvious.

Mmk, well please Review! Click the little yellow button! It will give you free ice cream, I promise. *crosses fingers* Hasta la pasta! ^^