Hullo all, here's a new one but for those that might be concerned about the Law Keeper don't worry. I'm not gonna drop it. It's all finished and will be posted ASAP. In the meanwhile this is a new one that needed much help from many, many peoples to make it anywhere near readable. Bej, Carla and Raq THANK YOU.
I don't really need to tell you that I don't own Sailor Moon do I? I do? Oh… well I don't, happy?
Synopsis: In the war against Chaos, a leader among Senshi must make the decision between life and death, hope or despair.
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The Decisions We Make
Part one
By Draegyn
A single choice can make all the difference in the universe. Many souls admit this as truth and yet they do no comprehend the magnitude of the truth involved. The decisions they would cite as examples are such world shattering choices as 'should we drop this large bomb on Hiroshima?' or 'to kill Caesar or not to kill Caesar?'
Forgive me if I sound flippant, perhaps I, too, have been affected by modern culture on Earth. The time my Senshi have spent there, mingled amongst humans, exposed each of them to great extent and they, in turn, have passed it to me. Yet if I do no mock such serious issues then surely I shall cry. For, you see, the example I would provide is simply that of a maid deciding to enquire if her mistress required assistance.
Perhaps it is better if I commence from the beginning. I am known by many names and in many roles but to my people I am Serenity. Queen Serenity. I do not believe it presumptuous of me to claim that my rule is a good and prosperous one. It has, after all, come to be known as the Silver Millennium, though my reign has been near twice that. My hand is light and none of mine toil on the borderline of poverty. The Moon Kingdom is a rich one in spite of past troubles.
The ruins of the original palace have long since become indistinguishable from the crater scarred surface of our moon and the subterranean cities have matured into a new splendour. The inhabitants of the palace are quiet and industrious, such are the defining characteristics of my people. Never would these proud people of mine pressure me into an action that I might not wish. In truth that very lack is a greater goad than any they might attempt to employ consciously as with the tale I shall now share.
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The small black cat padded down the marble halls, bemusement plain in her eyes.
"For such a silent race, the Lunarians have remarkable lungs do they not Luna?" her white companion joked.
"The birth of a princess is reason enough to celebrate for any race, let alone a people with as low a birth race as the Lunarians possess," Luna rebuked yet her expression revealed her agreement even if her words did not. She then joined Artemis in wincing as another loud chorus of cheers echoed throughout the palace.
It was with a sigh of relief that both feline advisors slipped into the royal apartments and closed the soundproofed doors behind them. The clamour of joyful exuberance was cut off and replaced by a soft melody. Following the ethereal tune led the pair into a magnificent chamber looking out over the Sea of Serenity. Situated in the centre of the room was an elegant woman hovering over an elaborately carved cradle. From the woman's hands a golden star hung suspended from a delicate golden chain and it was from this that the music originated. A sweet gurgle melded with the music and a small, chubby hand reached from the crib to grab at the dangling star.
"A precocious darling is she not?" The woman asked proudly, startling her visitors. They had believed their queen too engrossed in her child to notice their arrival and the amusement that danced in the monarch's silver eyes showed that she knew this. They shook off their surprise quickly and leapt to the edge of the crib to examine their new charge.
Already it was obvious that she would possess her mother's beauty. The down on her head was already gold. Undoubtedly it would fade to silver much the way the lavender tresses of her mother had done but it was another feature set in the tiny heart shaped face that caught the eye. Two living sapphires watched them sleepily, giving both cats pause. Something in those limpid gems spoke of power and mystery and once more they puzzled at the enigma that surrounded her conception. Blue eyes and green darted to their queen's yet no answers were forthcoming about the child's unknown father.
"You needed to speak to me?" Like in months past Serenity drew their attention away from secrets she had no intention of revealing with a few well-chosen words.
Artemis recalled himself and nodded. With a brief glance at Luna dropped the bombshell that had necessitated their intrusion. "A company of Greater Senshi have arrived."
Silver eyes widened in shock for a split second before the queen recovered her lost composure. Immediately she stood and strode to where a silver bell-pull hung near the door. Bare moments after she pulled it an elderly servant arrived.
"Your Majesty?" The servant did not prostrate herself yet she communicated in no uncertain terms that she would have snatched at the opportunity to do more for the royal family if only the queen would allow her.
Serenity smiled slightly, aware that it was only her expressed desire for privacy that prevented her from being overrun with eager pages and handmaidens. Still they honoured her wishes and only appeared when called. Like Serenity the cats knew this and were amused by it.
"Duty calls Riath," the queen's disciplined tones explained calmly, showing no hint of her thoughts. "Watch over my daughter while I am away."
Instantly the maid's face lit up and only age and iron self-control contained her enthusiasm for the appointed task. The woman adopted a motherly demeanour and began to herd the queen to the door.
"Of course I will. Now off you go Your Majesty and leave Her Highness to me. Shoo! Shoo!"
Artemis and Luna hastened after her and seconds later regarded the closed door behind them ruefully.
"I wonder if you should be jealous my Queen," Artemis mused aloud as he began to lead her through the labyrinth palace.
Serenity laughed. "Of who? My daughter for Riath's affection? Or Riath for her time with my child?"
"I would think the second," Luna inserted, "Riath would mother you equally if given permission."
"True…" The silver haired woman's smile melted away. "Have our guests given any indication of why they have come?"
Equally as quickly the levity faded from the cats. The white shook his head as the black answered.
"I fear not Your Majesty. Their only words were a request for an audience with you. They gave neither reason nor explanation for their presence."
"I doubt it is good though," Artemis interjected, "None of the Greater Senshi have made themselves known to us since the girl who would have been Sailor Sol failed to realise her destiny as one of their number."
Luna's eyes widened. "Perhaps another representative for our Sun has been born and the Greater Senshi have come to welcome their new sister. Naught else in this region of the galaxy would draw their notice aside from the emergence of a new Senshi."
"They did not come when Pluto was sworn in not two years past," Artemis argued.
"Sailor Pluto is powerful, as befits the Guardian of Time, it is true." Luna replied, "Yet she is not of the Greater Kindred, they are the mortal incarnations of stars at the very least. A planet, even one as steeped in magic as Pluto, does not merit one of the Celestial Warriors. You said it yourself Artemis, Pluto was sworn in, she was chosen by mortals and bequeathed the power of a Celestial Soldier. She was not born to it as her Warrior sisters are."
"I am aware of that Luna!" Artemis retorted sharply, stung by the implication that he was less learned than she about the workings of the Senshi. His next words addressed the queen directly. "Is it possible that the original candidate for Sailor Sol has passed from this life and that a new potential was born?"
Through Luna's diatribe Serenity had remained silent but at Artemis' gentle questioning she dismissed the abstraction that had absorbed her and replied softly, "No my friend. She who could have been our Sun's representative still lives. The Greater Kindred have not come to greet Sailor Sol."
Both cats paused in the hallway to regard their monarch but she did not wait for them and they were left to once more hurry in her wake as she entered the room in which the greatest warriors of the universe awaited her pleasure.
At her entry the five Senshi stood and gave, not the genuflection of a visiting Senshi to the regional ruler, but the salute of Senshi to an equal. Such a gesture was only ever bequeathed to their fellow Senshi. Luna and Artemis were shaken by realisation. Their queen ignored their plight and with a thought the door closed behind them. What would be said in that room would be said in private.
The five Senshi straightened and examined the queen critically. Two of the Senshi were garbed in black fighting leathers, the gold stars in their circlets proclaiming them to be Starlight Senshi. One had hair the colour of peaches while the other's was of crimson red and both were pulled back into lengthy ponytails. The next two wore a uniform that would be mistaken as a simple slip by the unknowing. The freedom of movement that the wisps of fabric allowed would be overlooked in favour of their revealing nature, their delicate seeming armbands gave no evidence that they served admirably as guards and the dozens of miniature Suns that were strung in their hair revealed none of the lethality they possessed when wielded like the tiny shirikin that they were. They, like the absent Sailor Sol, were Senshi for stars.
The fifth and final woman was also the youngest but also arguably the most powerful Senshi ever born. To any eye trained in war the blonde's garb, even with a passable attempt at disguise, was undeniably armour. To those trained they would see that the bodice of the short golden dress was a hidden breast plate, that the fabric of the dress itself was constructed from the finest chain mail in existence, that the tall boots included shin guards and the gloves served as wrist bracers. She was Sailor Galaxia, still not long from her training but formidable despite that.
The Starlight with the pastel hair stepped forward and broke the frozen tableau that had formed. With her arms outstretched, she stepped forward and enfolded the queen's pale hands within her own. "Greetings Sister," her voice, though quiet, filled the room. "It has been long and long again since our last meeting."
Luna and Artemis regarded Serenity in awe. Had they possessed any doubt concerning their own suspicions those words would have dispelled them.
Serenity nodded wistfully. "Aye Starseeker… Sister. That it has. And will you introduce your companions to myself and my advisors?"
Hesitation showed for a moment in the Senshi's dark eyes and then it was gone and she nodded as if she had never intended otherwise. One of Starseeker's hands released the queen yet the other maintained a firm grip. To those watching it almost seemed as if the Starlight were afraid that the Moon Queen would vanish had she the chance, a blatantly impossible occurrence given that not even a queen as powerful as Serenity could dare obstruct a Greater Senshi in pursuit of her duties.
The free hand motioned towards the youngest Warrior. "First is Galaxia, whom you have no doubt deduced already." The young blonde nodded silently and Artemis and Luna bowed as deeply as their forms allowed. "These two," The hand waved at the Stellar Senshi. "Would be called Sailors Deneb and Altair by your people. And finally is my partner, Sailor Starteacher." The redhead bowed, acknowledging the cats' bows, but her eyes were on the queen and so she was able to notice the flash of dread that flickered across Serenity's regal features.
"You are all welcome within my realm," the queen murmured graciously but her composure was fragile at best.
"Our thanks for you welcome Serenity," Galaxia stated, "But we cannot tarry overlong."
"Which brings us to the purpose of your visit," Serenity responded and attempted to pull away from Starseeker.
The Starlight frowned in vexation and refused to let go. "Serenity, why? You know very well what has drawn us here and even if you did not you now enough of my powers to be aware of what would summon me. Our presence can only be cause by one thing, why do you deny it? Sister please!"
The queen refused to yield and the Senshi sighed. She released Serenity, drew herself straight and announced grimly, "As you wish Serenity. On behalf of the Greater Kindred we have come to lay claim to one of our own."
Serenity's jaw clenched but she did not say a word.
"Why are you making this so hard Sister?" Deneb burst out.
For a long moment Artemis and Luna thought their queen would respond to this outburst in kind. Never before had they seen her in such a state. Until that day she had always been the image of calm, every inch deserving of her name, and that peace had extended within but now her calm exterior belied the tangle of emotions that seethed under her skin. A thousand tiny gestures, the tiny crease between her eyebrows, the slight narrowing of her lips, the way her silver eyes were overbright, they each revealed her tension to those who knew her.
No explosion came though, only a steady voice that announced, "Your claim is denied."
Starteacher looked outraged. "By what right do you–"
"Teacher! Be silent!" Starseeker snapped with a glare at the admonished Starlight. When the other capitulated she turned back to the woman she had repeatedly named sister. "We await your explanation Your Majesty."
Serenity visibly flinched as her title passed from the Senshi's lips but she did not back down. Meeting Starseeker's eyes squarely, she replied carefully, "Three hundred years ago you came and petitioned my predecessor for exactly the same thing that you now ask of me and, like my predecessor, I find that I am unable to give it."
"Unable or unwilling?" Starteacher commented sarcastically and subsided when all of her fellow Senshi glared at her.
"The same reasons that applied then also stand now," the queen continued.
Starseeker nodded and sighed. "Aye Sister, those reasons were sufficient… then! But this is now and the situation differs greatly." Serenity started to protest but Starseeker forestalled her with a glance. "No, hear me out." She waited for the queen to agree and then launched into her own explanation.
"When I came previously the universe was at peace and there looked to be no change on the horizon. That is not so now. War is brewing. An enemy such has never before been seen has come, and all that stands before it is us, the Greater Senshi. This enemy is more powerful than anyone one of us, including even Galaxia, and maybe not even our combined strengths will be enough to oppose it. We cannot afford to lose a Warrior who, by every indication, promises to be one of the greatest ever born."
Galaxia stepped forward and spoke earnestly, "Even now she calls to me, me! From thousands of light-years distant she called to me and I had no choice but to come. Another might not be missed in the coming battles but such a one as this cannot not be forgotten."
"I am sorry Sister but it is the truth." Starseeker's eyes showed her regret yet her mouth was determined. "Three centuries ago we could afford to lose you to your people and perhaps you have accomplished more on their behalf as queen than you would have as Senshi. The same cannot be said for your daughter. She is needed Serenity, horribly, terribly, desperately needed. She is greater than her mother and will be more than Sailor Sol could ever be. I do not belittle Stellar Senshi when I say that no mere Sailor Sol is she! I can feel it my bones that she, perhaps even more than Galaxia, will be pivotal in the struggle that grows near and we cannot surrender such advantage as your daughter will no doubt prove to be."
"Even you must obey the law Milady Senshi," Luna spoke from her forgotten position. Six women turned to stare at her, each with the power to move Suns, though one denied it, and the black cat quailed. Yet Artemis remained staunchly by her side and so she continued bravely. "The Greater Senshi cannot rule and should a girl be born to both the burden of the crown and the duties of the Greater Senshi then her destiny as Senshi may be put aside in that lifetime if there be no other heirs to bear the crown." She paused significantly before continuing heavily, "To rule the Moon Kingdom a monarch must be able to command the power of the Ginzuishou, the Imperium Silver Crystal. In all our recorded history only those of Queen Serenity's blood have been able to do this and Her Majesty and the princess are the soul scions of that bloodline. There are no other heirs so, if Her Majesty should will it, bonds of blood take precedence over bonds of destiny."
"We are aware of this Lady but that will not stop us from beseeching the queen to decide in out favour," Starseeker acknowledged.
Serenity's face was grim. "The life of a princess is harsh yet nowhere near that of yours. You ask that I condemn my daughter to a life of battles and war? What kind of mother would I be to agree to that?"
"What kind of queen would you be to deny your people their possible salvation?" Starteacher replied harshly.
"Please Sister, we need her."
"I…"
"Think on it. Her naming ceremony is tomorrow, yes?" Starseeker paused only long enough for Artemis to confirm it with a nod. "You can inform us of your decision then. We will trust in your wisdom and abide by your choice."
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Serenity paused with her hand on the door and watched as Riath sang to the infant in the cradle. The older woman started glanced up and blinked at the presence of the queen. Serenity smiled sadly and entered the room.
"Thank you for watching over her Riath. Now go to bed, it is quite late."
The servant nodded and quietly made her way to the door. Serenity turned her attention to her child. She picked up the star shaped locket from where it rested near the infant's head and opened it. Once more it started to play its haunting melody.
After a moment Serenity was startled to realise that she had tears running down her cheeks. The thought of losing this infant was unbearable. Serenity would never again see her lover or know the security of his embrace and this miracle that they had created between them was doubly precious because of it. Yet, for the sake of the sisters she should have been with, she forced herself to consider the matter.
If she agreed then it would be unlikely that she would ever see her daughter again or at least not before she was full-grown. Serenity would not be her mother, merely a queen and a failed Senshi but her daughter would fulfil her vast potential. That potential might still be realised if she was not trained with the Greater Senshi so it was not a deciding argument. Nor was the power she could wield as a Senshi. Even Galaxia would be hard pressed to match the strength of the Imperium Silver Crystal. When all was said and done it came down to whether or not Serenity could let her child go and the answer to that was simple: no.
"Your Majesty?" Serenity's head jerked up and her startled eyes met Riath's. "Are you well Your Majesty?"
"Yes," Serenity assured her quickly, "I was just thinking about tomorrow." The naming ceremony was more than reason enough for a queen to be distracted about in normal circumstances.
Riath nodded and then hesitated. "If you should need anything…"
"I will not hesitate to call."
The woman nodded and departed, closing the door firmly behind her. Serenity watched this with mixed emotions. She had not realised that the other woman had not left and so had seen her unseemly tears. Still it was unheard of for any servant to intrude on their queen's privacy. It must have been extremely hard for Riath to go against custom and speak up as she had. A rush of pride and affection for her subjects filled the queen followed quickly by realisation.
It was a very simple understanding yet at the same time it was also a profound epiphany. She knew what to do. It might not have been what Starseeker considered the right thing but in Serenity's heart she knew there was no real choice, there was only the right thing for her people.
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The Lunarian people came from far and wide to gather at a marble pillar set above the capital as Sun began its steady rise in the sky that day. That the Earth too would watch over them as their queen publicly presented her heir was widely acclaimed to be a good omen. Perhaps, the people whispered, perhaps the schism between the Moon and the Earth would soon be mended.
Yet such considerations were forgotten and a hush fell upon the crowd as the marble substance of the Prayer Pillar began to glow. The shadows that surrounded it and concealed it faded away to reveal a circle of Senshi. This the people of the Moon Kingdom did not expect for, although no less than eight Celestial Soldiers were to be a part of their queen's court only Sailor Pluto was yet old enough to take her place in the circle. No, five of the six Senshi that stood there did not belong and yet none present would gainsay the right of the Greater Kindred to go where she pleased. The five unknown could be no less than the Celestial Warriors that rumour declared had come to claim a boon from the queen.
Shock faded but before voices could be raised in question the pillar's light flared brilliantly and blinded all present. When the glare faded moments later and vision began to return three new figures stood before the Prayer Pillar and the circle of Senshi moved and reformed into a guard three-strong either side of the newcomers. This was closer to what the people had expected. Before them stood Queen Serenity, her royal staff of office in hand with the Imperium Silver Crystal at its tip, with the royal advisors Luna and Artemis in their human form at her sides.
Artemis bore a sword made of the same crystal as the Ginzuishou. The people nodded in approval at the site for that sword would be sworn to the defence of the infant princess and in time the Senshi that the white haired man-cat personally prepared would wield it. It was Luna's burden that drew more interest though for in her arms was the princess herself swaddled in wraps of the softest wool.
The queen drew herself to her full height and sharply tapped the rock at her feet with her staff three times. As the echoes of the third tap faded her voice reached forth to be heard by all present, no matter how distant they were from the pillar itself.
"On this day, the thirty-fourth of the two hundred and ninety-second year of my reign, I present to you my daughter!"
With that Serenity released her staff and the magical rod stood on its own. With quick, graceful movements she retrieved her daughter from Luna's protective embrace. The blankets fell away and her mother held the princess before her people. One gentle hand lifted the small body while the other supported a head upon whose brow burned a crescent mark with a brilliance to rival the rising Sun's. The people forgot decorum and, if Artemis had believed them loud the previous two days, he learned the true meaning of the word in the cheer that sounded. And the princess? Deprived of her warm blankets, exposed to the cool morning air, thrust before thousands of strangers and bombarded with a roar that shook the heavens… The infant princess laughed and her musical gurgle rose above the bedlam to spur the uproar on to new heights.
Nearly all rather for five souls faltered at the display and despaired. The Greater Senshi silently endured disappointment and braced themselves to acknowledge their defeat to Serenity. After provoking such a reaction from her subjects surely Serenity had no intention of relinquishing her child to them. Yet something in the queen's bearing alerted Sailor Starseeker and she preserved a glimmer of hope. She alone of her companions had known Serenity of old and she alone could perceive the silver haired woman's tension. The babe had not yet been named and the queen would not declare her choice until then.
Time passed and finally the clamour began to die away and expectation once more arose. The Sun fully cleared the horizon and all held their breath. Quiet reigned; even a pin drop could have been heard in that absolute silence as the Lunarians waited for their queen to announce her daughter's name.
"I give you…"
At this Starseeker's last hope faded. With those words the queen had promised her daughter's destiny to her subjects.
"Serenity…"
The people once more roared with approval and the queen's next words were almost lost.
"Of the Greater Kindred!"
Almost instantly the cheers faltered and the Greater Senshi themselves were bewildered. Their wish had been granted and yet the child had not been released from her responsibilities to the Lunarians. Celestial Warrior and Queen, Serenity the younger could not be both and every soul present knew it.
Silence once more dominated and the elder Serenity's voice once more reached out. Her tone was cool with underlying steel that extinguished her people's rebellion before it even began. "She will not be queen."
At these words Artemis came forth and proffered the crystal sword to the queen. Like Luna, his face was expressionless and the Senshi knew then that they were aware of what the queen intended. His stood perfectly still and the queen nodded to him before she once more addressed the assemblage.
"This sword was created to be wielded by a Celestial Soldier in my daughter's defence but this can no longer be. Yet the hand that draws it will still be of the Lesser Senshi for on this day the position of Sailor Moon is brought into being and she who will bear the sword will be sworn into office."
Exclamations of shock could be heard and so the quiet gasp that the young Sailor Pluto made as the consequences of the day unfolded to her was overlooked.
"Her duty will be to this Moon, to you my people and to the crystal that guards us. In accordance with that duty I will set one task to the new Senshi: she must find and present to the Ginzuishou its next keeper." Gently Serenity shifted her daughter in her arms until she had one hand free to place the princess' little hand upon the blade. "With a mother's right I bind my daughter to the destiny of Senshi. Henceforth this sword is hers to command. Let all know that Princess Serenity has taken up the duties and responsibilities of Sailor Moon."
A single tear ran down the queen's cheek as she pressed the princess' hand to the sharp edge of the blade. Blood flowed and then dissolved in a shower of sparks. Only Artemis was close enough to see the crescent shaped, silver scar that was left on the infant's hand as he drew the sword away.
Shock paralysed the Greater Senshi as the princess was doubly condemned to the life of a Senshi but the Lunarians accepted it with grim approval. The cheer and joy of the previous days had vanished, gone as if they had never been, but in their place remained pride. Pride in their queen for her ability to provide for them even as she suffered the loss of her daughter but even greater pride for their new princess. How many kingdoms such as theirs boasted a princess that was a Senshi twice over? Still that double destiny would take her from them for the Greater Kindred could not afford to remain in such an isolated region.
As these thoughts occurred to all present Artemis had moved away from the queen. Moving beyond the Senshi he stepped up to the pillar and without a sound drove the sword deeply into the base of the pillar. When he straightened again, over half of the four-foot blade was sheathed in marble. He turned to face his fellows and revealed the embedded sword to all. With a severe face he began to speak.
"Not one of us present does not know what it means that our princess, our hope for the future, is one of the Greater Kindred. She will leave with her sisters to attend to the tasks that the universe has charged her yet she will return and so shall her blade remain here as a promise of that day. It shall be a reminder of that promise and the promise that the princess herself represents. It shall be a monument to the sacrifice that she and her mother have made not only for us but for the universe!
"Let no hand but Sailor Moon's draw it. Let the edge of the blade be death to those who attempt to do so unlawfully.
"Here shall the crystal blade remain until the time for Sailor Moon to walk the realm has come."
"Serenity!"
"SERENITY!"
"SERENITY!"
Once more the crowd roared but this was no ecstatic cheer, it was an exultant proclamation. The visiting Senshi could not determine whether the cry was for princess or queen. One or both it did not matter, what did was that the Moon Kingdom had given them a champion to stand at their sides in the dark days ahead.
As a hundred thousand people chanted her name the queen turned to the Senshi. The five visitors moved forward while Pluto watched them with sharp eyes. Starseeker stepped before the queen and knelt. Pausing only long enough to kiss her child's brow for the last time, Serenity handed the babe to the waiting Senshi.
Luna retrieved the royal staff from where it stood unaided and presented it to the queen. With a gesture the Ginzuishou floated from its place at the tip and into Serenity's waiting palm and she moved so that her people could see both her and the Senshi.
In a voice that cracked with heartbreak but persisted with determination she declared to her subjects, "On this day I free her from the title of Heir and remove her from the succession. Not she but another will follow me yet I do not take her from you. My heir she is not but your princess she will always be…"
The crystal flared and the crescent on the infant's forehead faded to be replaced with another. Once more Starseeker was stunned and her gaze met the queen's incredulously. Silver eyes displayed surprise but no disbelief. None bar the queen, the Starlight and the two advisors could see the new marking that revealed the new Senshi's identity and Starseeker could feel her sisters' impatience behind her. Haltingly she turned to show them what she saw and could barely believe but Pluto did not wait to confirm what her familiarity with the future had already informed her of.
Instead she stepped for and bowed to the queen. "My queen for relinquishing such a treasure to us the Senshi, Greater and Lesser, will eternally be in your debt." The queen acknowledged the young Senshi's words and Pluto turned to face the Lunarians. In a ringing voice she proclaimed, "On behalf of the Senshi I, as Sailor Pluto, hereby announce the emergence of Sailor Cosmos!"
Serenity turned as her people's shock transmuted into a stunned rumble of noise. Her eyes were caught by Starseeker's. 'Did you know?' those dark orbs asked.
'With such a sire as she has I would have been surprised at anything less,' she let her own reply.
Galaxia looked up and followed Starseeker's gaze. She closed her eyes for a moment and when they opened again they swam with tears. "Thank you," she whispered. The existence of Cosmos was a gift of a scale that even Galaxia, maybe especially Galaxia, would never be able to repay.
One by one the other three tore their attention from their new sister and expressed their own gratitude. Then, between one breath and the next, they were gone.
The Lunarians dispersed both awed and saddened. Artemis contemplated the future with concern and Luna worried for the queen. And, deprived of daughter and lover, Serenity returned to her apartments alone.
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Thus a queen who was unable to bear more children gave her only heir to a life hardly conductive towards producing offspring. On that day I virtually doomed the crown of the Moon Kingdom to die barren with myself and I did so because of a single, almost unnoticeable event. When Riath defied custom and convention, risking my ire – though I would never punish a soul for showing concern she was not certain of that – to offer me aid it was not done as a servant.
It was done as mother, as a fellow woman and as a friend. Knowing that, knowing that there were million more with souls as great as Riath's in the universe and knowing the potential my lover had bequeathed my daughter how could I deny my sisters my precious Serenity's aid?
I could not.
Yet I was also queen and I needed to consider my people and my kingdom's needs so I laid upon my daughter a second burden of destiny. I of all people knew of the difficulties of a dual destiny and I still cursed her with such a fate and, unlike myself, she could never put one destiny aside.
I am proud of how she came to cope with the lot I and life gave her. In the millennia since her birth she has shone with a brilliance that will never be surpassed. From Pluto I know that my choice… Riath's choice, or so I believe, saved billions of lives and in fact preserved our own kingdom so why should I regret that day?
I willingly gave my daughter away. Why should I not regret that day?