Visions of Yesterdays: The Birth of a Princess A FanFic By Andrea Readwolf (readwolf@ufl.edu) February 2000 Rating: YA She was in the solar-- a mountain of paperwork looming before her. A door opened... and there stood the Goddess Gaia-- Mother of Earth-- Mother of All... "My son... my son... my son..." Her hands pressed to her ears, trying to deafen the words of the Goddess. Her eyes shut tight, trying to block out the sight of the Mother... And then she was in the Solar Council-- sitting at her appointed seat around the silver table, surrounded by her friends and families, the other goddesses and gods of this solar system. But one seat was suspiciously empty. Shouting. They were all shouting. Words flying back and forth in heated rage and fury and hurt and pain… "How dare she!" "We won't allow it!" "If she wants a male heir she should have come to me!" "You already have a planet, dear. Don't be greedy." "What none sense this is!" "It won't be allowed, I tell you!" Don't you *dare* tell me what won't be allowed!" "Can she even do that?" "It is against all the rules!" "No! I tell you! She won't be--" "But what if--" "There are no--" "Can she--" "Is it--" "Serenity?" And then there was silence. A terrible silence that threatened to freeze her very soul if she let it sit too long. Silence… and eyes… Eyes. All these eyes. Staring at her… watching her. Intense. Unforgiving. Demanding. Eyes. Eyes. Boring into her. Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes She was sure she screamed-- could feel the scream tearing at her throat-- raw and aching-- Standing alone-- alone before the Galactic Council. "Earth and the Golden Crystal are lost to us?" "Impossible!" "We won't allow it!" "We need the Golden Crystal--" "Without the Golden Crystal--" "Peace! What about the Peace?" "How do you intend to maintain the Peace!" "The Golden Crystal--" "The Peace--" "Earth--" Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes Ey-- running. Her feet flew over the smooth stone slabs-- cold. Chilling. Beating into her chest. Forcing her breasts to heave. Forcing her eyes-- Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes --to tear… Must run-- must get away-- must-- SNAG. SCRAPE. A drop of blood. She stopped, staring down at her small wrists, now s cared with scratches, staining scarlet, and her eyes-- Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes --rose slowly to star-- Eyes Eyes Eyes Eyes --at the cause of her pain. The rose gardens. Every beautiful rose from Earth had been brought here. Beautiful. She reached out to touch the bloom-- a beautiful golden yellow one-- Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful "I wouldn't." Her hand snapped back, her head and body swirling around in a cloud of mists to face to voice. "Gaia!" she cried. "Mother" she sobbed, falling into the Mother Goddess's arms. "There, there," she soothed, patting her head. "Why?' she asked. "Why have you forsaken me? Forsaken your children? Turned you back on your solar system? Your Galaxy?" "Times are changing, my child, and we must change with them…" Serenity burst through to consciousness with a gasp, her sweat-coated body coming nearly completely off the satin sheets of the Royal bed. And then she fell back into the sheets, breathing heavily. Wiping mixed tears and sleep from her eyes, she pushed sweat-drenched silver bangs away from her forehead and rested, still recovering from the aftermath of her dream. "Another dream," she whispered hoarsely. "But what does it mean?" "It means no more than what was said," an amused voice answered from the shadows of the large, dark room. Serenity gasped, her large lavender eyes growing wide as she searched for the voice in dark shadows. She immediately sat up in bed, the smooth satin sheets pooling at her waist. A breeze flittered through one of the large balconies, cool, chilling, and foreboding, causing shivers to run up her spine. With a small yelp of realization, she quickly yanked the sheets back up around her, a shield against her unknown visitor's eyes. Her actions produced a chuckle-- deep, throaty, yet soft-- and her eyes flew to the far corner where she was sure-- She narrowed her violet-hued eyes, searching for the tell- tale lines of a shadow… "'Twould be nothing I have not seen before," an obviously male voice said lowly, separating from the shadows and approaching the bed. Her frown softened, but still remained as the form of her late night visitor defined itself. No longer afraid, but still annoyed, she retaliated for the intrusion upon her privacy with the only weapon handy: words. "I was of the impression your preferences ran towards children these days," she said with an air of nonchalance, wrapping the satin sheet around her back several times before tucking the loose ends in. She leaned back against her many pillows of different shapes, sizes, colors and textures. He smiled-- a flash of white in the otherwise dark room. "True," he answered, throwing back the hood of his cloak and leaning into the bed. "I have my mistress now. I seek no other." She gave a little huff, shifting in her makeshift thrown. "Then why are you here? Why now?" she asked with an uplifted eyebrow, taunting him. "And at this time of night? In my bedchambers, no less? Really, Chronos, could you not have chosen a more appropriate time or place for this exchange?" He continued to smile, an action making her even more uncomfortable. The stark white of his teeth complimented the snowy-white of his wavy, shoulder- length hair-- weighing more heavily into the thick bedding. "Time holds no boundaries for me, Serenity. You, of all people should know this fact… And you would have been up for hours after your dream, so why continue to argue?" She had opened her mouth to retort, but the words died on her lips with his last sentence. The friendly banter they had shared for so many years was now at an end-- brought to an early death by a sobering memory. "What does it mean?" she asked softly, staring out the balcony window at the star-studded, night sky. Sighing, she turned back to her late night visitor, her demeanor greatly changed from the carefree, witty woman of a few moments before. Here now was a Queen; a Queen with the responsibility of an entire galaxy weighing upon her shoulders. Flipping a long strand of loose silver hair over her shoulder, she spoke, trying to regain some of the lost triviality. "What brings you to my kingdom, Chronos?" A small smile played at her coral lips. "Does Persephone's stolen daughter not keep you company?" He laughed, trying also to recapture the easiness of moments ago… but the laughter died, leaving only a small, sad smile… "The child fares well. She is intelligent and learns quickly. She will be a good and noble warrior." Serenity's head snapped up, fear flooding her crystal- line eyes. But still, she tried desperately to hold onto the joviality of two good friends. "Does the Great Master of Time fear for his position?" she asked, swallowing nervously. The man laughed again-- but this time the laughter was forced and sounded false, even to his own ears. "No. I have no fear of that." He swallowed, deliberating the choice of his next words, knowing their utterance would destroy any hope of a normal conversation betwixt friends. In the end, he said them anyway. "Nor does Thanotos." She shook her head, eyes watering with fear and denial. The wavering of her soft voice betrayed her emotions, even if the words themselves did not. "Thanotos? Why do you mention Death?" the innocence of those words, coupled with the quickening of her rising and falling chest, the pounding of her heart, that he could sense, even from the three foot distance between them; and it pained him. But no less then the words he knew he must tell her-- the true reason for this late-night visit. He smiled again-- it was hard not to smile when one looked on at the beautiful goddess who ruled the small Earthen moon… and the galaxy for that matter-- a sad, bitter-sweet smile, filled with regret, silently begging forgiveness… "Always the demander," he said, swiping a strand of silver, silken hair back from her pale face, caressing her face all the while. And then he sighed, knowing it was too late to refrain now. "Death too has chosen his mistress--" She gasped-- more of a cry really, pulling back away from his hand that softly caressed her cheek, her crystalline eyes trembling with unshed tears. Denial tried to take hold, but he quickly, quietly brushed it aside-- along with another strand of hair. "Have you been so busy, Serenity, that you have not noticed?" he was silent, staring at her, his own dark blue eyes holding fast with hers. But he saw the answer clearly, there upon her shocked angelic face. He backed away, pushing his large frame from the bedding, moving to go stand against the balcony. "Come," he said, looking back at her-- like a child in its parent's bed, engulfed by the multitudes of pillows and blankets, a beautiful vision that not many were privileged to see-- holding out a hand for hers. "Walk with me?" It was more of a demand than a request, but Serenity still rose, trembling, from the silken sheets-- blessedly naked and unfazed. He shot her a look-- a mixture of nervousness, amazement, and adoration-- but it slowly dissolved as her gown materialized around her slender form just as she slipped her hand into his and stepped out onto the balcony. They followed the stone steps leading down into the gardens. He made to begin several times-- but found his throat still too tight to do so. As the garden walls closed in around them, he pulled her gently closer. "They say that in the very beginning there was nothing but Chaos," he managed finally, though the words were little but a whisper. He looked down at her, walking quietly at his side, to see if she was listening. "And they say that in the end, we will all revert back to that Chaos-- when all of Eros's children breathe their last." She stopped-- near the golden rosebush from her dream-- and turned to him, a vacant look clouding her beautiful face. "Then this is the end," she said in a voice void of any emotion, dead. "Don't think that, Serenity," he rushed, taking her shoulders roughly. "Death has chosen his mistress--" "But with Death comes Rebirth. Life," he encouraged. And then-- as he knew it would-- the dams gave way. "Damn you, Chronos! Could you not have warned me sooner? Why--" "The Time was never right," he answered softly, patiently. "Don't you tell me that! Don't you dare--" "When Serenity?" he asked, still softly, still cajolingly. "When would you have had me tell you?" he asked, his hands gently squeezing her upper arms through the material of her dress. "While you were busy salvaging this system from the ravages of the Chaos the gods had given free reign to? While the other goddesses united and brought peace and order back to our worlds? Or, perhaps when you joined forces with Gaia and the Golden Crystal; and together you brought peace back to this entire Galaxy?" He was quiet for a moment, letting those words sink in, reach through her pain. His hands began a soothing patting of her arms, a gentle caress. She was silent-- not looking at him-- ashamed of the tears that fell all too easily from her eyes. Her breathing was heavy, weighted by his words. And her eyes stared-- unseeingly-- at the bright, large golden bloom growing behind him. "The cauldron has been stirred, Serenity," he continued after another moment. "The seeds have been planted across the galaxy once more." She shook her head, her silver hair flying every which way in violent abandonment, her face crumbling into a million broken hearts. But still he pressed on, knowing what must be said. "The seeds have been awakened, Serenity," he said softly. "The child, Small Lady, holds one in her tiny breast… as do the babes of the outer realms." She looked up at him, shocked, defenseless, and vulnerable. "No…" she began. "Thanotos has touched the child Rhea carries," he confessed. Serenity cried out, near crumbling to the grounds had he not caught her and held her up. "Serenity, you must listen! You must be strong!" "What was the point?" she wept, not listening. "What was the point of any of it? Of all the struggle? Of all the hardship? If Chaos will only return?" "Serenity!" he said harshly, giving her a gentle shake. "Serenity, you must be strong. You have always been strong in the past. Now is not the time to give up that strength!" "But--" He shook his head, pulling her up onto her own two feet. "The future is never set in stone." She looked up at him, sniffled, but then finally nodded, understanding. "'The important thing is to live your lives,'" she quoted, causing him to smile. "That is correct," he said, pinching her nose affectionately. She swallowed, desperately trying to regain her senses. "Was there-- *is* there, anything else you wanted to say to me?" she asked, her voice still slightly shaking. He smiled, encouraging. "Try to be happy, Serenity. Don't live in the shadow of Chaos. That is not my reason for coming here tonight." "It wasn't?" she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm. He just smiled at her tone. "I came here also to tell you about the two new ambassadors from Mau." He turned with her on his arm, back towards the large lunar castle. "That, and also to congratulate you." "Congratulate me?" she asked, clearly puzzled. "For what?" He smiled, releasing her at the top of the steps and turning towards a portal that opened to his silent command. "For the beautiful little girl you will give birth to," he answered before stepping into the portal. She gasped, her hands flying to her flat waist. Her pale face looked up at the last place the white-haired Guardian of Time had stood. It cracked, crumbling into a bemused smile and as the sun's rays cracked against the edge of the beautiful blue planet in the sky; and the Queen of the Silver Millennium laughed out joyously. ********* She sat curled upon the settee in the West Salon, her long slender legs tucked up beneath her, and her bare feet snuggled warmly against the soft fabric. Her arms lay placidly in her lap; the book she had been reading lie forgotten on the floor. Serene and calm, she stared thoughtfully out the large windows, separated by a long row of columns. Her crystalline eyes drunk in the glorious sunshine. It was a glorious day; the sun's rays shining brightly. Both the trees and grass seemed to reflect a brighter green than usual. The birds, bees, and butterflies were all in a mellow mood as they flittered from one flower to another, as when everything was new and fresh, knowing the goddess were here once more… She smiled at the thought, wondering if anyone or anything really cared that all the goddess were together once more… A sharp tug on one of her long silver ponytails turned her attention down to a tiny bundle of mischievous energy grinning up at her, now tugging even harder on the fistful of silver hair. Smiling navy eyes stared out from under of mop of messy, cropped, blond curls. "Ouch, you!" she teased, and then smiled. Leaning over, she pulled the babe into her arms. "It's not nice to pull other people's hair you know," she said in amused tone. The babe cooed holding out her tiny hands to clutch at the silver locks again. "Oh no you don't," Serenity laughed, quickly moving her silken hair out of harm's way. "That's enough of that." The babe soon relaxed, chubby little arms falling to her side, and a pout plastered on her cherub face. Serenity stared into those large, dark blue eyes… And felt warmth and power as her presence brushed with that of a star seed. She smiled… and then pressed deeper… She could feel it… All the magick of a living being… A pure heart crystal… A shining mirror of dreams… And… love… With a rush of dizziness, Serenity pulled away from the search. Breathing deeply, Serenity smiled down at the babe, who in return, smiled up at her, trustingly, lovingly. "You shall be a strong and brave soldier," Serenity whispered, "Sailor Uranus." The babe cooed and laughed, clapping her tiny hands, obviously very-well pleased with the predication. Serenity laughed, also. "Is she bothering you, Sere?" a gentile voice called, gaining Serenity's attention, and returning her mind and thoughts back to the West Solar. The West Solar… that was its proper name… but most everyone referred to it as the 'Family Room', and with good reason, for it was here that most all of the gods and goddesses retired to when not in meetings nor in councils. It was here, today, that all the goddesses had assembled to talk of old times and to share recent events occurring upon their worlds. It was a rather large room, but the present company made it seem small. In sooth all the goddesses of their solar system were here today… That is… all save one. And that one's absence was felt by all… "Sere?" The voice asked again. "Is everything all right? She's not bothering you, is she? Here, I'll take her, if you want." Serenity looked up into a shining radiant face. Chthon, Queen of the Planet Uranus, was smiling; her deep grey eyes lighting up with the intensity of storm clouds clashing, melting, and blending with the soft, wispy gray of hair that fell just below her shoulders. "Sere?" Chthon repeated, a worried frown marring her features. "Is everything all right?" she asked, moving to sit down beside the Moon Goddess on the settee. Those words, although hushed and whispered, were enough to silence all chatter in the large room, and the West Salon was engulfed into a death embrace. Not a sound. Not a single sound. Not a wisp of breath, not a sway of hair, not a rustle of silk was heard. Serenity smiled. "I'm fine," she said, adding a special lift to her voice. "Why should there be something wrong?" "I don't know," Amphitrite said, coming up beside Chthon. "You seemed sad… wistful all of a sudden." Serenity looked up into the blue-grey eyes, the color of the ocean, she thought whimsically; how appropriate for the Neptunian Queen. Again she smiled. "Perhaps, a little," she finally admitted. Shifting the aquatic-haired babe in her arms, Amphitrite took up position on Serenity's other side. "What ever for?" she asked. "Really, Serenity," Teleia smiled, tossing her long chestnut tress over her shoulder, her emerald eyes shining with amusement. "You have a beautiful palace filled with beautiful flowers. You've brought peace, almost single handily, to this entire universe. And now you have the chance to rest and relax in the lap of luxury. Whatever do you have to be sad about?" Serenity stared at the increasing waistline of the Juptarian Queen, and then looked up into her face. "What of love?" she asked softly. An up-cry arose from the attentive, listening women. "Seren--" A smile cut the golden-haired Venusian queen off. "A child? A family?" she asked just as softly, her sad eyes turning back to glance out the panes of glass. "Why?" asked an embittered voice, full of pain… hurt… "So they can be taken from you?" There was a collective gasp as all eyes flew to the small woman, sitting alone on a sofa. Ivy-green hair fell limply around a hollowed face where vacant blues eyes stared listlessly at the queen of the moon. "Persephone," someone said in a hushed voice. The young goddess closed her eyes, not wanting to see the pitiful looks of the other women. "No," she said hoarsely. "It is better not to have, than to have and lose…" She breathed deeply, struggling against the tears that were never far these days… until she felt a tender hand on her wrist. Violet eyes touched blue… a warm, caring smile… and the tears she knew she couldn't hide. "She is well and safe, my child," Serenity said softly, leaning closer to the unstable goddess. "The Soldier of Time trains well and will soon be able to join us once more." Persephone's eyes widened in shock, as did the other goddesses' when Serenity's words filtered in through their disbelieving ears. "'The Soldier of Time'," someone, Rhea, Queen of Saturn, it sounded like, whispered. "But Serenity, what does it mean?" the golden haired goddess of love asked, biting one perfect nail gently. "What do you think it means?" snapped the dark-haired Dione, her violet eyes flashing with unmasked anger. "It's impossible," the chestnut-haired Teleia cried, her large emerald eyes watering. "Surely you must be mistaken, Serenity," the soft gray goddess asked, now standing. "We have not seen a Sailor Soldier in this solar system for quite some time." "Yes," the aquatic-haired goddess whispered, standing also. "Perhaps--" "I had a visit from Chronos the other night," Serenity said softly, turning to look back out the windows, unable to meet the wide, dis- believing eyes of her friends, her family. She began to tell them of her dreams and the visit of Chronos in her bedchambers. They were silent, listing attentively, some too shocked to do more. When the Moon Queen was finished, her words died into silence. And the queens, the goddess, sat there deep in thought, allowing her words to sink in. "So that is it?" Charon asked, one tender hand holding the Plutonian Queen's hand. "If you were troubled but such nightmares, you should have come to me," Larissa said softly, looking up from her seat on the foot of Amphitrite. "Is there nothing we can do, then?" Umbriel asked, breathing heavily with a tightly-controlled rage. A hand on her shoulder caused her to look up into the understanding gray eyes of Chthon. Calypso also stood, quivering on unsteady feet. "And what of our own children?" she asked, swallowing deeply, tears beginning to trail down her rosy cheeks. "Our daughters and sons, daughters and sons of the moons? What will happen to them?" Serenity smiled sadly up at the trembling woman, and then scanned the room, meeting eyes with everyone, seeing the question repeated in every- one's face. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and then told them the only thing she could - the truth. "They too will bear the weight of a soldiers fight," she said softly, trying to block out the gasps and cries of her loved ones, tears springing to her eyes. And then there was a rush of movement, a flurry of activity, cries, shouts, and pleas. Serenity looked up and gasped. Rhea - her long dark hair was streaming wildly around her lithe body, her eyes wide, wild, mad. "No! No! I won't allow it! No!" she cried, breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling wildly. She backed away from them, stumbled into a chair, her arms waving. "I won't allow it! No! I'd rather die than subject my child to that life!" The other goddesses cried out, some in surprise, with fear, or with pity as the goddess stepped over them. "I would rather die!" she cried. "Do you hear me!" "Do you truly believe Thanatos would allow that?" Serenity asked softly, standing up and gliding over to the crazed goddess. One delicate hand embraced the goddess's shoulder; the other her face, and pained purple eyes were brought to sympathetic lavender. "It is her destiny," she whispered. "And that you cannot change." Rhea crumbled, sobbing into Serenity's embrace. Serenity smiled, holding the weeping goddess closer, ignoring her own tears that fell unhindered into the Queen of Saturn's dark hair. ********* Serenity sighed softly, as she leaned against one of the smooth white pillars of a grand colonnade crowning a second story balcony, overlooking the lunar gardens. Tilting her head back, she gazed wondrously up at the stars. So many of them. . . and so beautiful. A low, gentle voice interrupted her silent reverie. "It is hard to believe it will all revert to chaos once more." Serenity whipped around, surprised, and she saw the night goddess standing before her. Dark, rich, lustrous, black waves caressed her face and fell gently down her back with a shock of white, matching Serenity's own coloring. The newcomer smiled warmly. "Isn't it?" she asked, joining the young moon goddess on the balcony. "Yes. It is," Serenity answered softly, turning back to the night sky. On this side of the palace it was difficult to see the large blue- white planet that dominated so much of the lunarian skies. Serenity felt somewhat bereft, as though that one last small connection to Earth was now completely and perhaps forever severed. Hekate sighed-- in unison with Serenity and the two moon goddesses looked at each other and laughed heartily, their ringing echoes trinkling down into the vacant gardens below. "Come," Hekate beckoned, taking Serenity's hand in her own. "Walk with me." "I used to run up and down these passages when I was a child," the Night goddess said wistfully as they entered the gardens. Lilies and hyacinths bowed before them. Narcissus and Gardenias curtsied. Hekate stopped suddenly, staring sadly before her, and Serenity realized they were at the entrance to the rose gardens. "You don't remember the last time the Senshi Wars ravaged our homes," Hekate whispered, distantly, her eyes glazed over with a far away look. She awoke from her thoughts just as suddenly as her mind had carried her there. She laughed lightly, as though she hadn't a care in the world. "No, no, no, you were too young, or--" she frowned, lifting a hand to her forehead. "Or were you even born then? Tit, tit, tit. Shameful! I’m losing my mind in my old age. Terrible, terrible, terrible." Serenity smiled fondly at the woman who-- although was older then most of the gods and goddesses - almost as old as Gaia herself, looked no older than thirty Earth years. "But that is beside the point!" Hekate said, pulling Serenity's attention back to the garden. "My point," Hekate said, turning to look at Serenity, her face a mask of seriousness, "Is that the Senshi Wars are returning." Serenity sighed, feeling weak and defeated. She looked off, over Hekate's shoulder, unable to look the older goddess in the face. A white rose bloomed there, large, full, and beautiful… It seemed to bloom alone in a world of darkness… "Yet. . . there shall be a light of hope," Hekate whispered in her ear. "For the entire galaxy." Serenity gasped, breaking free of her trance with a small shake of her head. She turned to Hekate and blinked. "I-- I--" "You must raise her aright, with a heart full of love and understanding for all," Although Hecate spoke quietly, her words burned into Serenity's heart. As she spoke, the beautiful blue planet peaked to its height above the top of the palace. Lifting her eyes, Hecate whispered, "Even those she is told to hate." "But, Hecate--" The Night Goddess was gone, leaving Serenity alone in the gardens amidst the flowers and the silence. ********* The Moon Queen was unusually quiet, or so those of the other kingdoms thought. Indeed, Rumour's whispers reached from one end of the Solar System to the other - even penetrating into the bowels of the Plutonium Kingdom. But those dread whispers hit much closer then the moon queen would have preferred. It was another afternoon spent in the Solar, when the full weight of those whispers came bearing down with lightning speed. "Rumour's whispers tell tales to listening ears," a cold voice called out across the large room. Serenity looked up, her eyes searching and finding the loveseat upon which her visitor sat. "Those ears would do well to stay deaf to Rumour's whispers," the moon queen replied, looking back out the window. "Ah, but she tells such tales that are hard to resist!" the beautiful woman insisted, smiling. Serenity rolled her violet eyes and hoped, perhaps, if she ignored the woman, she would go away. But then, mothers were hard to get rid of. "Do you know what you are going to do?" Selene asked curtly, standing up and smoothing her gown. Serenity remained silent, so she went on. "Chronos tells me you have quite the future ahead of you." Serenity cringed slightly, not quite prepared to address such a touchy subject. She hid her uncertainty well, casting her mother an indifferent, icy smile. "So you have been keeping time with the Time Keeper again," she said. The moon goddess smiled - a sickeningly sweet smile; one could almost call it sinister. "My time is my own," the woman replied, studying her nails. "How I choose to spend it and with whom is none of your concern. My time is my own." "Ah, but I suppose mine is yours whenever you please it?" Serenity answered, her voice laden with sarcasm. The goddess flew across the room in a flash, the moon queen's chin grasped tightly between two fingers. Her startled face was forced to stare into the mad gaze of her mother. "Always," the moon goddess hissed. "And don't you ever forget it!" Then as fast as her rage appeared, it dissipated and she relaxed, letting go of the queen's chin and turning away as if nothing had happened. "When you bare your child, you shall understand. You will find you will be exactly like me." "I will never be like you," Serenity replied, burning tears stinging her eyes. "We shall soon see," Selene returned, smiling benevolently. Serenity was silent, her lavender eyes narrowed with barely contained hatred. She looked away, ashamed at the feelings this woman created in her. "Have you thought about him, Serenity?" Selene asked sweetly--a little *too* sweetly. "About this man who will share your bed? Who will--" "Shut up, Mother!" Serenity cried, covering her ears desperately, trying to drown out the mad words the woman spoke. 'She is not well,' Chronos had told her once. 'Ever since the mortal, Endymion died, she has been a tormented soul. Driven mad by loss.' 'But, why?' asked a very young and very much confused Serenity, staring up at the white-haired man with her large and innocent lavender eyes. 'Because,' he answered, his voice laced with a sadness she was too young to understand. 'Love can do that to you. Drive you so crazy, that you have no chose but to loose your mind when you loose your love.' The child frowned, her rosy lips puckering into a pout. 'I don't ever want to fall in love,' she stated with a nod of her head. 'Not ever?' the man asked, sounding very amused. "Not ever," she said, cracking an eye to look around her. Selene still stood there, before her, but she was silent. A smug smile stretching her lips, a wild look still caught in her eyes. "You realize this child will bring about the destruction of every- hing you care about, everything you have worked so hard to create," she said with mock sympathy. She leaned forward, her lips brushing against the queen's ear. "She will destroy you, and me, and all the other goddesses and gods. She will destroy all the planets and all the solar systems you worked so hard to save. And all just by being born," she hissed. Serenity closed her eyes again, swallowing deep, calming breaths. "You are not well, Mother," she said, praying that the woman would have a moment of sanity… that she could share a moment with the woman who had given her life, and not feel the torment of a lunatic's love for a dead mortal. The Moon Goddess laughed--her laughter laced with insanity. "I am not well, she says," crying out to the room. "I am not well! Ha ha!" Her mad laughter stopped as quickly as it had begun. The moon goddess whirled, facing her daughter. "Another Endymion lives," she hissed. "Another Endymion lives!" Serenity held her tongue, praying… just praying… "But this one, this prince will bring the ruin of the MOON!" the mad woman screamed, pointing her finger at the moon queen, tears streaming down her face. "He will destroy everything you have worked so hard to create! He will bring the ruin of the MOON!!! A curse on you and your daughter! A curse on us all!" The woman disappeared in a beam of starlight, leaving the room hauntingly empty. Serenity shook, hot tears now falling freely from her lavender eyes. Serenity sobbed, not knowing what else to do, and feeling completely helpless. There was a small rap at the door and before she could call, it cracked open. "My Queen?" a young male voice called out. "The ambassadors from Mau have arrived." "Thank you, Euclase," Serenity said, standing and wiping the tear stains from her cheeks. "My Queen? Is everything alright?" the young boy, no older than six or seven, asked, stepping into the room, concern written over his face. She smiled at the boy, placing a gentle hand of affection on his shoulder. "I am fine, thank you," she said, her voice sweet and loving once again. "Good," the boy said, smiling as though with a secret. "'Cause wait till you see the ambassadors!" the boy added, and then, in an excited whisper, "**They have tails!**" ********* "This is all your fault," the small dark haired woman snapped, crossing her arms. "My fault?" the pacing, white haired man returned, whipping to face her fury. "How is this *my* fault?" he asked incredulously, crossing his arms and staring at her. "You're the one who went and volunteered--" "Oh, don't start that with me!" He countered. "Well, you should've--" "Well, you could've--" "Oh! That's just perfect! Try and push this off on me!" She turned her head, looking away from him, her nose in the air. "It's not going to work, Artemis." "Oh, don't you dare give me that, Luna!" he stormed, crossing the room to stand right in front of her. "You could have just as easily refused!" "Hmphf!" the woman, Luna snuffed. "Had I left it to you, we would be serving the ice-satellite of Pluto rather than the Moon! Really! Without me around, Artemis, you would have been dead long ago." "Admit it! You're just as curious about the Moon Kingdom as I am, Luna, so don't even try that excuse," he, Artemis, countered, looking away from her and meeting the clearest shade of violet… He blushed, the red stain climbing high into his cheeks. "Ah, Luna?" he choked, picking on her sleeve. "What?" she snapped, turning… and freezing. With twinkling eyes, Serenity continued to watch the woman's coloring fade. She tried not to laugh at the amusing sight of the two Mau Ambassadors… but it wasn't easy. The two stood before her, literally quivering. The woman climbed to her feet, grasping her companion's hand. Behind them, two nervous tails twitched. Two sets of wide, worried eyes stared out at her. "Luna, Artemis, the Mau Ambassadors, I presume," Serenity pronounced regally, secretly proud that the laughter remained absent in her voice. The woman licked her lips; a quick glance darted to her companion, and then looked courageously back at the moon queen. "You majesty," she said tentatively. "I am Luna, and--" "Are you uncomfortable?" Serenity asked, cutting the young woman off. The woman was taken back, and Serenity smiled. "In this form. I know this is not the traditional figure of your ancestors. Please, you needn't keep this one on my account. Do have a seat." She gestured toward two large chairs. She walked past the two shocked ambassadors and seated herself at her large desk. "I have been expecting you," she told the two human-looking people, as they sat down nervously. "You have?" Artemis asked, somewhat surprised. "Yes. Chronos said you would be coming, and now, here you are," she said, sitting back in the chair. "I know Mau is new to the silver Millennium and you must have many questions. Here," she leaned over and handed them two pendants. Crescent moons. One was a double moon: a large silver crescent, horns up with a smaller golden crescent moon--also horns up--resting on top. The second pendant was a large golden crescent moon with a silver star at one horn. "These are your access and authority clearance codes," she told them. "Wear them at all times while on the Moon and you will not be bothered. I will expect you to be familiar with the Moon and her customs. Are there any questions?" The man looked at the woman and she at him, clearly somewhat overwhelmed. "Your majesty," Luna began, turning back to the queen. "As you said your- self, this is not our usual form…" Serenity smiled. "No it is not, this is true." She stood up, walking around the desk and standing before the two ambassadors. She reached out a hand and touched their foreheads. There was a flash of light. The two people cried out, startled. When the light died, two shining crescent moons--horns up-- illuminated from their forehead. ********* "Shield you eyes sister for I seek your council." The dark haired goddess with the bold white streak passing naturally through its waves smiled and closed her vibrant eyes--and non-too-soon, for the darkened room she was in burst to life with fire and light. "Ah, brother, god dearest to my heart, what brings you to my world of night?" She asked, feeling warm arms--warm to the point of near burning- -wrap around her slim waist and pull her close to the source of heat. "Sister, goddess dearest to my heart, I come asking a favor," he whispered in her ear, his tongue coated with sugary sweetness. She laughed, leaning back upon his warm chest. "A favor tis it? Come Apollon! Out with it! What is it the jealous sun would ask of thy pale moon?" "A night of dreams," he answered feverently. "Ah! A night I might well arrange for thee, but dreams are beyond my ability." "Nay, sister moon, hear me out, for that which I ask is easily within thy deliverance!" "Is it?" she asked, amused. "What is it then that you ask of me that I might easily appease thee to thy content?" "For long has the sun and the moon held relevance and love for once another…" "Well this I know, upon my sun's son's head." "Then understand you the love that burns within my breast? Brighter than that of thy sun's own flames!" "Understand, I do believe--" "Then help me feed and state this fire." "Upon who?" she asked frowning. "The sister of your own love, sister dearest," he whispered. She pulled away, pushing away from him. Her eyes flew open and nearly blinded in the bright light. "Are you mad, Apollon?" she asked, staring at him boldly. "Surely you jest!" "Sister, hear me out?" the golden haired man begged, his brilliant blue eyes pleading with her. "NO. What you ask is unspeakable, and yet you speak of this to me," she said, shaking her head and turning away from him. "Surely you are crazed!" "I am," he assured her. "I am crazed. Crazed with love for the moon!" He grabbed her arm, turning her back to face him. "Hekate, please. As I once helped thee, I beg that thee now help me." "But at what cost, Apollon?" She returned, torn between love for a brother, and love of a woman who was like a daughter. "Helios is happy in his love of the Moon, and I in my love of the Sun. But… Serenity seeks no lover--she holds keep with Artemis." "You have but to say kindly words to her, sister. Whisper within her ear…" he looked at her. Shaking her head, she continued her protest. "Apollon, you know tis impossible. Why for a child of the full moon to even see, let alone touch you would…" Suddenly, her own words of a few months ago, began to ring in her mind and she slowly turned to stare at him… '…there shall be a light of hope…for the entire galaxy… raise her right… a heart full of love and understanding for all…' She gulped down the lump forming in her throat. "Even if… by some act of chance, what if there should be a child, Apollon, what then?" He looked taken back and faltered. "Even if Serenity could look upon you as I can, touch you as I can, the child would never… she would never be able to look into her father's face… never be able to be held in his arms…" Apollon looked away, unsure of what to say. Hekate gently turned his head back and stared up at him. "Could you live with that, my dearest brother? Being able to look upon your daughter, but not to hold or touch her or stand before her and claim her as your own?" "There-- there is no certainty that Serenity would bare a child," he said weakly, refusing to meet her gaze. She hugged him tight. "I love her, Hekate," he whispered after a moment, holding on to her as tightly as she held to him, as though she could find a way to make everything right. To make everything work. "I love her…" "And the child?" she asked softly. She could feel him stiffen and in her mind's eye she could see him squeezing his crystalline eyes shut tight and pressing his lips together until their rosy-ness was drained to a white pallor. "And the child shall be her mother's daughter… and no one else," he whispered, a tear squeezing free and trailing down one cheek. ********* Serenity was curled up in the lavish bed covers, staring hopelessly at the last words on the letter she held in trembling hands. I want to see you, to hold you in my arms, to be with you… with all my heart. 'But how?' she thought, rereading the words she had read nearly a thousand times in the past three days. "It would be impossible," she whispered hoarsely before submitting to the tears that had been her companion since this love affair had begun just a few months ago. ********* "…Oh my love, how wonderful it would be if we could, if only I could truly see you, really hold you in my arms, to be with you… what a wonderful dream. But I'm afraid that is all it will ever be - an impossible dream. Please do not mention it farther; do not tear at my heart so with such fanciful visions…" He looked up from the letter, his crystalline eyes burning brightly. "Is everything arranged?" he asked without any hint of emotion. "Yes, but Apollon--" Hekate took a step towards her brother, and then hesitated. "Please, reconsider. Are you sure this is what you want?" The sun god turned and faced his sister--the bright light of his being escaping the cover of the night cloak--the one she had made for him so he might visit her here in the Kingdom of the New Moon. She shielded her eyes with a frightened cry as he quickly readjusted the cloak. "Sister," he said, touching her face, his voice now surging with emotions. "I have never been more sure of anything else in my entire life. I want--" he broke off, emotions swelling. "These past few months," he continued. "All these letters exchanged… they are not enough for me, sister. And now, if I do not act, I will lose her. Please understand." He turned away again. "I want to touch her. To look upon her face…" "But what of the price!" she cried, tears already brimming her eyes. "The consequences are so high!" "I know," he sighed, his shoulders slumping. "But," he turned back to her, "Hekate, have you never felt something so strong as that which fills my heart? I would gladly give my life to be with her even only for one little second!" "Hopefully you'll have more time than that," she grumbled, hugging herself. "Time? Hmphf!" Apollon turned away, crossing to the one window in the room. From here he could almost see his own kingdom--the Sun Kingdom- -buried deep within the heart of the sun. "He wouldn't life a finger to help me, curse and rot the old goat!" A gentle hand rested against his shoulder, but he didn't look at her. "He loves her too," Hekate whispered. "Try to understand the pain he must endure--" "The pain?" Apollon whipped around tearing away from her touch. "The pain? He can touch her! He can see her any time he chooses! While I must endure nothing more than these small correspondences!" He riled, a fistful of letters clutched tightly and shaking in the air. "Please, Hekate, sister, please do it." "Think of your kingdom!" She argued in vain. "What will happen to it if you--" "The Sun Kingdom will continue," He told her gently. "There are others who can and will take my place. Do not worry, sister. This is what I =want." "But, Apollon! For one night? Is the life of a god worth so little?" "It is worth even less if I could never touch her. What is life, with- out having experienced the fruits of love - even if it is only for one night?" His blue eyes pleaded with her even as his words tore at her heart. "We are not immortal, sister. All things do and will come to an end. Please. Do it. Do it now before you can think not to." Tears gathered anew as she began to access the magick that would allow her to grant his request. She prayed that she would not live to regret it; that she was doing the right thing… but she would never be sure. ********* "May I, have this dance?" another voice asked--this one soft, some-what husky, smiling as though it was teasing her--as she started off the dance floor. "Actually, I was just--" she began before a hand slid around hers, pulling her back. "Just one dance," the voice pressed, turning her towards the dance floor. She sighed--highly annoyed. Her feet were sore and her voice was nearly hoarse. How she detested diplomatic functions! Finally agreeing to this one last dance, she peered up at the man who held her hand, then frowned. She had never seen him before, and was sure she had danced with every male present at the ball tonight. Yet something was decided different about this one. Tall, she thought. He was tall--much taller than she by well over a head-length. And his hair… where had she seen hair that color before? But it was his eyes that held her transfixed as they began to move across the dance floor. A brilliant blue--as though they shined with some inner light. He pulled her closer and she gasped. Tiny shock waves began tingling through out her body. 'What is this feeling?' She thought dazedly, whirling in his arms. She felt lightheaded. Her entire body was tingling. Her heart was racing wildly, her blood rushing past her ears. "Do you have these parties every night?" He asked, his eyes never leaving hers. She nodded, licking her lips as she did so and swallowing. "How extraordinary," he said just above a whisper, his eyes never leaving her own. "This--this is your first time here?" She asked, wondering for the ten thousandth time just who this man she'd never met could be. It was his turn to nod. "Tonight is a night of many firsts," he told her, whirling her around and around until they found themselves outside on one of the many balconies. "A first to see your lovely face. A first to touch you." A hand brushed against her cheek. "A first to hold you in my arms," he whispered. She felt like her heart was trying to escape her chest, and her lavender eyes watered with the pain of it all. He pulled her closer, until their bodies were flush against the other. "A first to hear you voice, like sweet music. Serenity." The name was a caress, his warm breath racing over her face, before his lips brushed over her cheek--the briefest of touches. "Apollon?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. A hazy, dizzy feeling overtook her and she pulled away--just barely--fear, confusion, pain, longing…all written there upon her sweet face. Her eyes devoured him, drinking in his presence. He stood there, smiling at her. He had watched her, all night, just watching. Watched as she danced with each person who approached her, polite, but uninvolved. He had watched as her glorious silver hair floated around her, as her lavender eyes stared out into a sea of nothingness, as her mind floated freely. He had studied the flimsy material that clung to her youthful body. He had watched and watched and watched until he could watch no more. "I told you I wanted to be with you," he whispered as her eyes returned to his. "But… how? What? I do not understand." She said, trembling all the while. "How is this possible? Why hadn't you come before now--" A gentle finger pressed against her lips, silencing the stream of questions that would pour through. He did not have time for technical explanations. "Don't ask," he urged her. The pad of his thumb replaced the finger, and it smoothed over her lower lip. Her eyes fluttered shut. "Know only that I am here, tonight, and this is the only time we have together." "Tonight? But I--" "Shh, Serenity," he smiled, pulling her closer. "Do not talk, only feel." He leaned closer, his lips replacing his thumb. Her arms reached up, wrapping around his neck, holding him to her. ********* He was wide-awake. He was too aware of the fates' call for his life to be able to sleep. So, instead, he watched her, his sleeping love. She was so beautiful… Her silver hair was spilled out across the pillows like the silver sea, his own Mare de Serenity. Her angelic face, so peaceful in her sleep… she looked so happy and content. His hand gently traced the curve of her back, the feel and contour burning into his memory. He wanted to wake her up again, to make love to her again… and again… and again… But he knew his time was short. Gently he leaned over and brushed his lips over hers. "I will always love you, Serenity," he whispered, tears staining his cheeks as he pressed his face to hers. "Please, remember. What I did - I would do again, a hundred times over, just to be with you." She sighed, shifting in her sleep, snuggling against him. He smiled--bitter sweet-- and then winced. He got out of the bed, careful not to wake the sleeping goddess. Breathing heavily, grasping his chest, he stumbled onto the balcony. "Sister," he whispered faintly. "Apollon!" Hekate cried, there, by his side, catching him as he fell, falling with him to the ground. "It was my choice," he rasped as his body began to fade before her very eyes, a bright fiery light burning at his chest. "Remember that." "What have I done?" she cried, not even aware of the tears that streamed down her face. "Sister, Hekate," his breathed a transparent hand holding hers. "Promise me, promise me--" "Oh, gods! This is all my fault," she said brokenly. "Anything, brother, anything. "Watch over her… over them both, please." "Of course," she whispered back to the now empty air she held in her arms. "Of course, brother." She licked her dry lips, pressing them together tightly against a new threatening wave of tears. "Anything." ********* Serenity smiled, purring contentedly in the back of her throat, stretching her long arms out wide against the cool silky sheets. She rolled over and reached to her side only to grasp and empty pillow. She gasped, sitting up in the large bed, completely alone. Empty. The bed. The room. Empty. She was alone. "Was it a dream, then?" She cried out into the air. She fell back into the sheets with a tiny cry. "A wonderful, but impossible dream! Oh, my Love! How in vain it is!" She cried herself back to sleep. ********* They were gathered once more, all the Queens, all the Goddesses, in the large family room. Serenity watched them all from her favorite suttee. 'They all look so happy,' she thought. 'Why can't I share their happiness?' Off on one sofa sat Rhea and Teleia, the Queens of Saturn and Jupiter, respectively, smiling and laughing as the proud goddess delighted in her new daughter and the mother to be gently rubbed her own swelling belly. At another side of the room, Chthon, Queen of Uranus, and Tritania, Queen of Mercury sat at a tiny table, a checkered board with ivory and ebony pieces between them. Amphitrite, Queen of Neptune was playing something sweet and delicate on one of her many stringed instruments, her soft voice accompanying the melody. Dione and Persephone, Queens of Mars and Pluto, were playing with some cards at another table. These were not the only people in the room. No indeed, the room was filled with all the goddesses from this solar system. And… and where was Cytherea? Serenity wondered, looking around for the Goddess of Love, one of her closest friends, the Queen of Venus. "Ouch! What? Oh," smiling, Serenity scooped up the blond child who had seized one of her long silver streamers of hair. "Hello again, Small Lady Uranus," she cooed, settling the little girl in her lap. The blond child smiled happily up at her, a twinkle in those dark grey-blue eyes. A tiny hand reached up and grasped a silver ponytail. "Dumpling!" she cooed happily. Serenity laughed, delighted in the child's attention. "They're non but balls of hair, little one. And certainly not as sweet as odango." "Dumpling!" the child repeated before laughing. Serenity looked down at her feet, surprised. She smiled and laughed again. "Well, hello to you too, Small Lady Neptune," she said to the tiny aqua-haired girl who sat at her feet, tugging on one of Serenity's ponytails. The newcomer lifted her arms up to the moon queen and looked up at her with large teal eyes. "You want up, too, hmm?" Serenity asked, grinning as she leaned over and pulled the child Neptune onto her lap. The child grinned at her and smacked a kiss on the queen's cheek. "You're very welcome," the queen said, still smiling. "Dumpling!" the blond child cried happily, beaming at the newcomer. The aqua-haired child slapped the blonde's hand, reprimandingly, shooting the child a very unpleased smile. "Nice," she told the blond, to which the child returned with silence, sticking her lower lip out in a pout. Neptune seemed not to notice as she snuggled up closer to the queen, her silken aqua waves brushing against serenity's arm and breast as the child closed her eyes and promptly fell asleep. Uranus looked on sulkingly for another minute before relenting, and then she too curl up in Serenity's lap, her silky blond shag resting on Neptune's lap, one tiny thumb finding it's way to her mouth as she, too, drifted off into sleep. Serenity couldn't help but feel the pangs of motherhood. 'They are so sweet, so innocent,' she thought, stroking the two silky heads, her fingers playing in the curls. Without anyone noticing, Serenity activated the Silver Crystal, using it's power to *feel* the two pulsating pure heart crystals that rested within their chests. Sighing, she noticed the two crystals beat as one. 'how special,' she thought. "So much power," she said softly to the two sleeping bodies. "So much power. I fear for your future, little ones. I fear I will fail your trust in me." The two children whimpered in their sleep, as though they were listening to her, and snuggled closer. "Serenity!" A cheerful voice called out excitedly before the wispy orange and golden ribbons and star twinkles that signified the Goddess of Love began to materialize. "Serenity!" Cytherea cried, falling into the empty seat besides the moon queen. "I have just heard the most extraordinary thing! You won't believe it!" She cried, her golden yellow hair--like sunshine, Serenity thought with a pang--cascaded around her youthful, smiling face. Cytherea was cooing over the two sleeping babes in Serenity's arms before she could say anything more. "Cyth!" Serenity cried. "What? What were you going to tell me?" "What?" Cytherea asked looking up puzzled, and then a light dawned. "Oh! Of course, I forget myself!" She giggled. "It's the most unbelievable thing!" She practically squealed with excitement. "I just came from visiting Helia-- you know she can't leave the Sun Kingdom right now. Not when she's so close to having her baby any day now--and you wouldn't *believe* what she told me!" "What?" Serenity asked, somewhat annoyed. "What did she tell you?" "Apollon's missing!" The goddess said, revealing her juicy piece of news. Serenity's face drained of color; her heart jumped to her throat, and then plummeted to her stomach. "Missing?" she repeated, feeling faint. "Yes!" the goddess replied enthused. "And no one knows where he's gone! Not even Helios!" "Oh my…" "Helia said she thinks he went to visit a lover, but she doesn't know who it could be," she continued. "Everyone knows that Apollon can't touch anyone and no one can look upon him. They'd go blind if they did!" "That's what's been said," Serenity agreed, still in shock. "But Serenity, I also bring joyful tidings!" Cytherea squealed, practically jumping out of her seat. "I'm pregnant!" "You too?" Serenity asked, somewhat surprised. The goddess nodded, completely excited. "That means all the kingdoms…" A hand pressed against hers. Serenity looked down at it, and then up at the woman who sat beside her. "Don't worry, Serenity," the Goddess of Love said hoarsely. "I'm sure love will find you soon." ********* "Show yourself, witch," Serenity hissed, holding back tears she knew could fall at any moment. A mist from an unseen source floated into the gardens-- like a cloud over the full moon. The mist dispersed as quickly as it had appeared, revealing the Night Goddess in its wake. "That was rather rude," Hekate said, her voice void of any emotion. "You know the truth, Hekate," Serenity whirled, turning on the Night Goddess. "Tell me, now. What really happened?" "You already know all that transpired," the goddess replied quietly. "There is no more of which I wish to speak." "Then… then he *did* come here," Serenity asked, her heart beating ruthlessly in her chest. "Apollon was here, on the moon, with me?" Hekate nodded, her throat too tight to allow the passage of words. "Then where is he?" The moon goddess demanded, practically screaming, the tears beginning to escape, and her breathing quickened into tiny gasps. Hekate stared into Serenity's eyes, the pain there was enough to release the tears of both women. "No," Serenity whispered. "No, no, no… where is he, Hekate? What has happened? Hekate, answer me!" Two fist beat down upon the shoulders of the Night Goddess, but she did not flinch. No, indeed, she welcomed the pain. "My brother," she answered, her voice barely upon a whisper, "Is no more." Like an endangered animal, Serenity cried out, backing away from the Night Goddess. "But… why?" she asked. Hekate turned away, no longer able to take in the sight of the heartbroken moon goddess. "It was the only way," she whispered. "It was the only way." "The only way for what?" Cried out the hurting goddess. "For him to fulfill his destiny," a new voice answered her. The two women whirled, their dresses flying out in the air around them. "You!" Hekate hissed, hatred in her level gaze. Chronos smiled--sadly--and presented her with a small bow. "I wish I could say this was a pleasure." "Chronos," Serenity sobbed, embracing Time. "Shh, my child, hush now, everything will be all right," he comforted her, patting her head gently. "But I do not understand!" she cried. "Why did he have to--" she broke off with another sob. "It was his choice," Hekate answered, still glaring out Chronos. "But didn't he--?" "He knew exactly what he was doing," the Night Goddess replied before the question could be finished. Serenity looked at her then, and the two women stood there, staring at one another. "How?" The question hung in the air between them. "It was his choice," Hekate repeated, finally. "But that doesn't--" "That is enough," Chronos cut her off. She turned on him. "How dare you--" "Serenity, listen to me!" He urged her, holding her by the shoulders. "He is dead. He is gone. And he's not coming back. He is beyond your reach, Serenity. Let him go!" "No!" she cried out, crumbling--to the floor if he hadn't have caught her. "No, I won't believe it. I won't believe it." "Believe it or not, my brother is gone," Hekate said, crossing her arms, hugging herself. "What remains will depend on you." "W-wha-" "Serenity, you must remain strong," Chronos whispered urgently. "The times ahead are the ones that will determine our future. We need you to look ahead. You must remain strong!" "But-" "There is a child," Hekate said softly, watching the shock wash over the moon goddess's face. "You must raise her right, with a heart full of love and understanding," she whispered, her words searing into Serenity. "But-- I can't!" "You must," Chronos said hoarsely. "How can I?" serenity cried. "Not alone!" "You are not alone, my Queen," a small but wise voice said. "We will be here for you, if and when you need us," replied another. Two cats--one white, one black--with shining crescent moons--horns up--stepped forward, revealing themselves. "As will we," another voice added. The Planet Mistresses--Queens, Goddesses, Friends--stood in a semi-circle, sad smiles only adding to their beauty. "We stand beside you, Serenity," Cytherea, Queen of Venus, Goddess of Love, continued. "As always." "We will help you," Dione, Queen of Mars, Goddess of Passion, added. "As will our children," Chthon, Queen of Uranus, the Grey Goddess, said. "Yes," Teleia, Queen of Jupiter, Goddess of Marriage, agreed. "Our children will protect your child." "And the Silver Millennium," Amphitrite, Queen of Neptune, Goddess of Oceans, joined. "To Death," Rhea, Queen of Saturn, Goddess of Healing, said with a wry smile, "If need be." "As will the other Goddesses," Tritania, Queen of Mercury, Goddess of Wisdom, said. "If they know what is wise for them." "Then it is agreed upon," Cytherea said. "We are with you, Serenity, we are here for you, as you have always been there for us." Serenity stood, still shaking and supported mostly by Chronos, smiling at them, tears still running down her cheeks. "Thank you," was all she could say. ********* "It's a girl!" Serenity whispered, staring down at the tiny face. "It's a girl," she repeated, as she gazed lovingly at her tiny, new daughter. Eyes - she had his eyes; they were a bright blistering blue. Hair - as gold and radiant as the Sun itself. Serenity kissed her forehead. 'I will not fail you, my precious one.' "A girl," Hekate repeated, smiling affectionately at the new mother. "Yes, that we knew." "Well then. There shall be no betrothals in this solar system!" Cytherea said shifting her own new born daughter in her arms. "What will you name her?" Tritania asked, leaning over, trying to maintain her own balance with the growing babe in her own womb. "Yes, tell us, O' Mighty Queen Serenity?" Chthon the Grey Goddess asked, smiling. "I think I shall name her Serenity," the queen grinned as she held the tiny hand in her own. "Such a big name for such a little person. Why, you're no bigger than a baby bunny…" The newborn blinked her eyes open just then and suddenly a flash of twirling silver and golden lights filled the room. The women started, but before they could utter more than expressions of surprise, the light receded into the brightly shining crescent moon that appeared upon the babe's forehead. The women looked at one another questioningly. "Look," Dione whispered. "They--" "They're--" "But what does it mean?" Rhea's voice--quiet though it was--was the last to ring upon their ears before they fell to silence. "It means," another voice interrupted the women. "That a new court has been born." The women parted to reveal Chronos there in the bedchambers of the new mother, Queen Serenity. And at his side was the child, Small Lady of Pluto, the sigil of Pluto glowing brightly on her forehead. Two children waddled over to join the newcomer--one blond, one aqua- haired--their foreheads also alight with the sigils of Uranus and Neptune. A fourth child crawled over to the three children and, with the help of both Small Lady Pluto and Small Lady Neptune, stood and looked up, revealing the burning sigil of Saturn. In their mother's arms, the baby princesses of Venus, Mars, and Jupiter also displayed the sigils of their planets. Tritania massaged her swelling belly. "Soon, little one," she whispered to it. "Soon you will be with your sisters." "I fear for their futures," Serenity said, looking first at the four standing children, then the babes, before looking down at her own child. "Don't," Chronos said gently. "You must live your life," Small Lady Pluto said, her voice, though soft, filling the entire room. "That is the important thing. And we,"--she looked down at the three toddlers beside her before looking back at the queen-- "Shall live ours." ********* hi hi! Here are some notes for you all! First off, I know it must be pretty confusing with all these gods and goddesses and what-not, so, I thought I'd give you some notes to help you off (I use them too! So don't feel bad, okay?) ~ All goddesses look like their daughters (that should be easy enough to remember) with the slight exception of Uranus and Pluto, who take more after their fathers. ~ All moon goddesses and gods are named after their moons because I got lazy, bored, and too caught up watching SM Stars to find names for them all. ~ Mercury ~ Tritania(water sprite) + Hermes ~ Venus ~ Cytherea (Aphrodite) + Hephaistos(Vulcan) ~ Mars ~ Dione(Saturn's moon/another Venus) + Aries ~ Jupiter ~ Teleia(Hera) + Gamelios(Zeus) ~ Saturn ~ Rhea + Kronos ~ Uranus ~ Ouranas + Chthon (the grey goddess) ~ Neptune ~ Amphitrite + Posidion ~ Pluto ~ Persephone + Hades Planets + Moons: ~ Mercury ~ Venus ~ Earth : Moon ~ Mars : Phobos , Deimos ~ Jupiter: Metis, Adrastea, Amalthea, Thebe, Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto, Leda, Himalia, Lysithea, Elara, Ananke, Carme, Pasiphae and Sinope ~ Saturn: Pan and Atlas, Prometheus and Pandora, Epimetheus, Janus, Mimas, Enceladus, Tethys, Telesto and Calypso(mother of Tellurium), Dione and Helene, Rhea, Titan, Hyperion, Iapetus, Phoebe ~ Uranus : Cordelia, Ophelia, Bianca, Cressida, Desdemona, Juliet, Portia, Rosalind, Belinda and Puck, Miranda, Ariel, Umbriel(mother of Sardonyx), Titania, Oberon, Caliban, Sycorax, Uranus XVIII, XIX, and XX ~ Neptune : Naiad, Thalassa, Despina and Galatea, Larissa (mother of Meliphane), Proteus, Triton, Nereid ~ Pluto : Charon (mother of Euclase) ~ some bit of relations for you: Theia + hyperion are the parents of Helios (sun), Selene (moon), and Eos (dawn). Phoebe + Koios are the parents of Leto, Artemis, Hekate, and Apollon. Rhea + Kronos (and if you don't know this you better not have passed eighth grade!) are the parents of ::deep-breath:: Hades, Poseidon, Zeus, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. ~ Also, for those of you who have not had the opportunity to see beyond Sailor Moon R, some of the things in this story might have confused you. I apologize. For those of you who have had the opportunity to see up to Stars, you may have caught a little bit of foreshadowing belonging to S, Super S, and Stars. ::smiles:: I couldn't resist. ~ Chronos--not to be confused with Kronos--is the god of time. ~ Thanotos is the god of Death. ~ Hekate/Hecate are the same character. She is goddess of the new moon (dark moon), guardian of Witches, crossroads, and once upon a time, the sun and the moon, which is why she can look upon her Brother Apollon. ~ A Light of Hope is something from Stars. I'm not going to give away spoilers… if I can help it. ~ Selene, Serenity's Mother is definitely a lunatic. Completely insane. Like Chronos said, her love for her mortal Endymion drove her mad upon his death. But that was way back when Serenity was a little girl, before Chaos had been driven back. ~ Apollon is the Greek derivative of 'Apollo', the Sun god. Same guy, just with an 'n' on the end.