Beginning of the End

Eleven

Nine monthsta the Day after learning of her parents' Deaths, quite a few things'd Changed for the new Moon Queen. The joint Coronation of herself and her husband–who'd been Crowned King Consort–had gone smoothly, and their subjects'd accepted them as the new rulers of the Moon Queendom.

        Serenity's pregnancy'd gone just as smoothly as their joint Coronation, their unborn daughter already seeming like the perfect Balance between them. At Times, the baby girl seemed as Serene and sedate as her mother, but at others, she seemed as Wild and Spirited as her father. If she could maintain that Balance throughout her Life, she'd eventually make the perfect Queen of the Moon, just like her mother and grandmother before her. But that was something only Time'd truly tell, 'cuz she obviously had to be born and grow up first.

        Giving Birth certainly wasn't the easiest thing she'd ever done–especially since she knew her own mother wouldn't be there to support her–but it also wasn't the hardest thing for the new Moon Queen. She'd actually been surprised when her labor and delivery'd gone more or less as smoothly as the entire pregnancy prior to then. But she was elated when her daughter was finally born and cradled in her arms, the smile she bestowed upon her Serene.

        Unfortunately, mere Days after the Birth of the baby they named Serena, Apollo was summoned to the Sun Palace. He'd tried to get outta going till after the celebration they Intended to commemorate their newborn daughter, but it just hadn't happened. Left with no other choices, he'd bid said daughter and his wife a tearful goodbye, then opened a Portal to his home Palace. Both'd waved to each other sadly, even as it'd closed to seal him on the other side for the Time being, but they knew it was only temporary. With any Luck, it wouldn't be long till he was able to Return to them, and hopefully wouldn't have to leave again for a good, long while so he'd actually get to spend Time with the baby girl.

        In the meantime, Serenity'd no choice but to continue with their commemoration for their daughter. She was glad that the worst of the planning'd long since been wrapped up, considering they'd started on said plans immediately after their joint Coronation. All that really needed to be done now was the announcement that it was officially underway made and everybody who'd been invited actually show up. If that were to go according to even the slightest plan, she'd be a seriously happy new mama and free to rule her Queendom as peacefully as her own parents'd ruled it.

        "Congratulations, my Queen!"

        Still looking as Serene as she ever did, the Moon Queen smiled down at the four young girls who ran up to her as she stepped into the courtyard of the Moon Palace with Serena in her arms. "Welcome, all of you."

        The girls grinned up at her as they each dropped to their knee.

        "Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus–Princess Serena's four Guardian Deities!" she announced, the girls fisting their right hands over their hearts.

        "We've been looking forward to this Day!" the lil girl she'd referred to as Venus said. "We'll risk our Livesta protect her, the precious one who'll eventually become Queen!"

        "She'll grow up, and catch up to you all soon," Serenity told them, letting even her commoners get a good look at her newborn daughter.

        Everybody chattered excitedly and congratulated her once again, some even extending presentsta her for the newborn Princess.

        "I'd like to celebrate, too."

        Turning to look behind her, the Moon Queen saw a feminine figure actually step outta the mirror that generally hung within her chambers.

        "How could you not invite me to the Moon's greatest celebration?" she queried, her smirk downright evil.

        "One who stains this sacred place, name yourself!" the lil girl who'd been referred to as Mars demanded, she and her comrades taking up a defensive stance in front of the Queen and Princess.