A/N: Since my last update, this story has taken a life of its own inside my head and I think I know where it's going now. Just for clarification purposes, I am a big fan of the HP series and also the PJO and the HoO Series and the Kane Chronicles. Some of the creatures I used are present in these series but neither JK Rowling nor Rick Riordan invented these creatures. A hippogriff for example, was first written about in the 16th century in a poem by Ludovico Ariosto. It was written into the series because I wanted each couple to have at least one means of airborne transportation between them. Fotia while reminding me of Fawkes as I was writing her was an obvious choice for J/R as both are associated with fire and so does a phoenix. Winged horses for Serenity and Minnette because I think these are romantic and S/E and M/K just reeks with romance to me! A griffin for L/N is also obvious because they (master/pet) represent powerful strength that would mirror one another. I couldn't come up with any flying water creatures for A/Z so I came up with a water crazy hippogriff aptly name Nero which is Greek for 'water'. Hope that gives you a clearer insight into my thought process! ;)

Note Also: The Prologue and Character Index chapter was edited slightly to fix some mistakes.

Before we move on to the story, I'd like to thank everyone who favourited/followed this story. Special thanks for the reviews. Thank you:

Miss C. Royal: Thank you! I understand. There wasn't much story in the prologue. But I'm excited to explore this story and hope you'll stay with me for the journey. I'll try my best to keep it interesting! ;) AriellaSerenity: LOL. Yes, you may! Though I'm not sure I deserve it. :) Most times, I just fumble my way through and wrote whatever came to mind. I'm glad you liked it though. It means a lot! ;) Petites sorcieres: LOL. Ca va. Je comprends Français. So you can leave your review in French if you want, as long as it's okay for me to respond in English. ;) My French spelling and grammar are atrocious! Anyway, thanks for your review. It's wonderful! ;) Moonprincess998: Thank you! LOL. I wish I had thought of it but Diamond and the Black Moon Clan did not exist in the Silver Millennium in the TOBITF world. But I guess it's easy enough to pretend that this is indeed the prequel to TOBITF. ;) I hope the meeting and betrothal scenes meet with your approval ;) trish1573: LOL. Didn't you once said that multitasking is a gift I have? ;) Or it could just be the insomnia! ;p And to answer your question, TOBITF's Epilogue was the first ever chapter that I wrote! Wouldn't you like to know if R/J will end up with five blond blue-eyed little boys, huh? *evil laugh* AngelEye: I'm really glad and humbled that you liked my stories and see them the way that you do. I love Aladdin and your mention of it reminded me of Abu ;) Maybe one of the boys should have a pet monkey? What do you think? Nickybluejess: I'm glad you thought so! Here's next! Hope you like. ;) LaNaHwAnNA: LOL. Jed is a boy and him and S as siblings is a concept I had explored in my other fiction TOBITF. I loved writing them so much that it sort of got carried into this world as well ;) As for the hippogriff, as much as I love the HP Series, the idea was actually triggered by Percy Jackson's Greek Gods where Percy was introducing the origins of hippogriffs in the Greek Mythology. PJ is honestly one of my favourite characters ever! Serenity Shields: LOL. Funny you should mention it, I did use TOBITF's character index as template to create this one! I'm glad you liked the setting of Ever After and thank you for following my stories and thinking highly of them and my writing. Leslie wjack: Thanks! And thank you also for the review on CBTM. I'm really grateful! :) Princess Eternal: I'm glad you liked them and thank you ever so much for the understanding and patience! :) Emily: LOL. How do I answer you without sounding conceited or false? Hmm...Maybe it takes one to know one? ;) The way you describe my writing is wonderful and I'm awed and humbled you see them the way you do. CherrySerenity-sama: You never fail to come up with something kind/sweet/encouraging to say and right from the start, yours is a review I looked forward to eagerly! ;) The boys will give Luna nightmares but most importantly, the girls will give the boys a run for their money! ;)

Telepathic communications / thoughts are in Italics.

(Standard disclaimer: I do not own any of the Sailor Moon characters. All characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.)


Chapter 2: Progenies & Betrothed

Crystal Palace, Moon Kingdom

As the Kings and Queens of both the Silver and Gold Alliance Kingdoms took their turns to visit with the newborn future ruler of the Silver Alliance and used the opportunity to strengthen respective political standings, negotiate new trade laws, collaborate new dealings, survey rivalling kingdoms by gathering intelligence and current information, some of their progenies stood together, having their very own discussions.

"I don't understand what the big deal is. She's just a fat little baby," a red haired princess declared haughtily.

She was nine years old Princess Beryl, the Crown Princess of the Western Kingdom of the Earth. Jadeite had met her before but she was not exactly a friend and it was no wonder too!

"You want to be careful, Princess. That is my baby sister you were talking about," he said in a rare display of irritation. The young prince, despite his carefree nature, took his responsibility as an older brother seriously. After all, his father King Solarius of the Sun had made it clear that it was his duty to safeguard his sister.

"I think she's beautiful," Eight year old Prince Diamond, Crown Prince of the Southern Kingdom of Earth breathed out almost reverently. "Her eyes are so bright like the sky on a sunny day and her hair is like moonbeam and sunlight mixed together."

"You don't think she's more beautiful than I am, do you Diamond?" Six year old Princess Emerald with long wavy green hair asked her eldest brother with a pout on her face, a sure sign of the beginning of a tantrum.

"Of course he doesn't, Emerald," her blue haired twin brother soothed. Six year old Prince Sapphire was used to playing mediator between his siblings.

Amidst the chatter, a stern voice was heard, "Come back here, Princess Minnette!" as the crowd randomly parted to give way to the little Princess of Venus who was scrambling towards the group of older royals on short, but surprisingly quick legs.

Spotting her prey, the little princess's angelic face broke into a delighted grin. Tossing her chubby arms up, she demanded, "Kunz. Up."

With an expert swipe, the ten year old prince scooped his betrothed up in one arm. "You really are a little hellion, aren't you?" he murmured, though more to himself.

The little girl grinned. Her electric blue eyes dancing bright with laughter as she placed both hands on his cheeks. "Kiss," she commanded.

Hiding his smile, he obliged and kissed her forehead lightly while aiming a cool glare at the laughing Nephrite who had dared to comment, "Demanding little thing isn't she? She'll keep you on your toes, Kunz."

The brown haired prince however, was interrupted from further teasing by a thump on his leg.

Averting his gaze from Kunzite, he looked down into familiar emerald eyes. "I got you good, Neph! Me warrior! Like Mama!" three year old little Princess Lilita proudly announced.

Laughing, Nephrite picked the brunette toddler up and held her at arm's length, feet dangling in the air. "Lilita, you'll have to kick harder than that," he mocked laughingly at the three year old who were now earnestly trying to at least touch her foot to his chest, a very determined expression on her face.

"I'm not sure it's at all proper for us to be holding our ladies this way," Kunzite solemnly addressed the two harassed looking ladies who just managed to catch up to their charges.

The two young princes handed over their betrothed to their respective nursemaids, both having horrified expressions on their faces as they muttered their repentance.

Over at the Royal Nursery, two Queens were finally able to take a quick reprieve from all the visiting company to prepare for the event of the evening.

Two beautiful princesses, an angrily crying and trashing raven haired and a smaller baby with tufts of silver and gold hair gurgling with laughter and talking in her gibberish baby language, sat and lay in two separate masterfully crafted wooden cribs.

Picking up her angry five months old princess, Queen Aletheia sighed almost wistfully as she rubbed her daughter's back soothingly, "She takes after Damien, doesn't she? All this temperament?"

Queen Selenity chuckled at her former guardian's blatant self-denial, "Really Theia, you maybe the Queen of the Middle Kingdom of Earth but you were also the Princess of Mars, filled with spirit, passion and the worst temper there is."

"So? Your husband is the King of the Sun Kingdom. One could argue his temper could be as vivid as mine."

"One could argue that. But one could also say that his disposition is just as bright and jovial as the sun itself."

Then on a sigh of contentment, she added, "I really am very fortunate. Both my children are sweet tempered, with happy dispositions." And then she added as an afterthought, "Most of the time."

Queen Aletheia raised an elegant dark brow, "Most of the time?"

"Well, it's very rare for Jed to lose his temper. I've only seen it a handful of times, but as you've mentioned, he is of the Sun. So, yes, his temper can be...borrowing your word...vivid."

"Do you think it right, what we are about to do?" Queen Aletheia asked in a sudden change of topic, "We're not even giving them a choice. What if they are not destined?" she worried.

"It will be alright Theia. If they are indeed not destined, which I highly doubt, what is done could still be undone. Yours and Damien's respectively is prove enough of that," Queen Selenity calmly assured her friend referring to the broken betrothals of over a decade ago when the former Crown Prince Damien of the Middle Kingdom who was then betrothed to Princess Metalia had fallen hard for the then Princess Aletheia of Mars who was promised to the then Crown Prince of the Helix Nebula Kingdom.

"But at what cost, Sele? Our broken betrothals almost broke the Golden Alliance and cost the Silver Alliance the allegiance of not just the Helix Nebula but also the Carina Nebula, the Rosette Nebula and almost all the other Nebula Kingdoms."

"We're at peace with all the Nebula Kingdoms."

"But they owe you no allegiance or loyalty and Metalia's grudge against me is putting strain on our relations with the Southern Kingdom of Earth and Gaia is loyal to her older sister which also puts our alliance with the Western Kingdom of Earth at risk."

"We'll just have to be careful with Metalia and Gaia. Besides, do you really think that a broken betrothal or even two, between our children, will come between us and our friendship, Theia?" Queen Selenity asked as she fussed with her little princess and then patting the empty spot next to little Serenity, "Here put Reinelle here, next to Serenity."

Queen Aletheia looked doubtful as she hesitated, "Do you think it wise? My Reinelle could hurt your little Serenity. She does have quite a temper."

"Like her mother. But no, she won't hurt Serenity. Like you were once destined to be my guardian, Reinelle is destined to protect Serenity. Put her down, Theia. Serenity will calm her down." The Queen of the Moon said with complete confidence.

True to her prediction, the angry cries of the Princess Reinelle quickly subsided as she was put next to three month old baby Serenity.

Queen Aletheia sighed in awe at the sight. "I can just see your Serenity as a young lady. Imagine, Jadeite's spirit on her."

Queen Selenity chuckled at the image the words provoked in her mind. "At least your Endymion will keep her out of trouble. The same way he's been keeping my Jed in line and grounded. Too carefree my Jed is. But your Endy, he's a sensible boy."

"That he is. Too sensible. Your Serenity will teach my Endy laughter much the same way your Jed is doing right now. They're good for each other, our children. Endy laughed more when he's around Jed. Less solemn and more like the child he's supposed to be."

"They will complement each other very nicely," Queen Athena joined the conversation as she gestured for her daughter's nursemaid to push Princess Amelia's bassinet next to Princess Serenity's.

"Oh Athena, she's beautiful. So observant already," Queen Aletheia said as she went to the seven months old bluenette princess whose eyes were wide open, quietly observing her surroundings, "You should have waited and we could have had a triple betrothal ceremony this evening," she added referring to Princess Amelia and Prince Zoicite's bethrothal that took place two months earlier.

"That wouldn't be wise, Theia. Earth's Southern and Western Kingdoms does not need more reason to antagonise the Silver Alliance or your close relations with us. Joining a Mercurian Princess destined as guardian to the heir of the Silver Alliance to a prince of yet another kingdom of the Golden Alliance at the same time as a double betrothal of both Sele's children to both your children would be like rubbing salt to their injury or waving a red flag in front of an angry bull. Their insecurity to the increasing strength of your kingdom is increasing as is, without the need for further provocation." The Queen of the Planet Mercury said wisely, "By the way, have either of you spoken to Prince Zoicite? Quite the clever boy he is. Well matched for my Amelia. They'll give me intelligent grandchildren," she declared proudly.

Queen Aletheia was almost speechless. Almost, but not quite, as she chided her friend, "Really Athena, your Amelia is but a baby yet!"

"She's my progeny. She will be intelligent. Thinking ahead is always wise, Theia."

"Lucky she seems to inherit Pontus's reticence instead of your arrogance."

"Confidence and arrogance are not one and the same."

Queen Selenity smiled at the banter between her two former guardians, rightful rulers of their own kingdoms now. Something Athena said niggled at the back of her mind but she chose to keep it there, for now. "They are destined. My instinct is strong on this," she said quietly of her only son and Aletheia's only daughter and her future heir and the Earth's Middle Kingdom's Crown Prince. "They will unite the Silver and Golden Alliance and bring peace and prosperity to our universe."

A few hours later, the Great Hall of the Crystal Palace once again filled with Kings and Queens, dignitaries and nobles. It was especially grand that evening, suited for the special occasion about to take place, to be witnessed by all who gathered.

Seven years old they may be but Prince Jadeite looked stately in the red and gold formal royal attire of the Sun Kingdom and next to him in black and silver royal garb of Earth's Middle Kingdom, Endymion looked just as regal. The two as always, were accompanied by Prince Nephrite of Earth's Eastern Kingdom and Prince Kunzite and Prince Zoicite of Earth's Northern Kingdom. Artemis and Luna walked discreetly a step behind them as they entered the Great Hall.

"You both remember what to say, don't you?" Nephrite asked with a note of teasing in his question.

Endymion nodded solemnly while Jadeite rolled his eyes, "All three of you will be there to prompt us if we forget," he claimed easily and turned to Endymion excitedly, "We are going to become brothers, Endy."

"You are already my brother. There is more to this, Jed. We'll have to marry when we are old enough." Endymion was more contained than his best friend.

"So? It is our duty is it not? And look at our parents. They are happy. We will be too. Serenity is the sweetest child, Endy. Wait till you see her."

"Reinelle has a temper. Be sure to keep away from her legs. Her kicks are very strong."

"She won't kick me."

"Yes, she will."

"Well, I'll just have to charm her, won't I? And Endy, promise you won't scowl or growl at Serenity, alright? She's still very little. I don't want you to scare her. And as her betrothed, it will be your duty to help me protect her." Jadeite said earnestly. He loved his little sister very much and the instinct to protect had flared to life the first moment he laid eyes on her when his father had told him that he was a big brother.

Endymion nodded, giving his promise and tried to stop the smile that he felt was forming on his face at his best friend's uncharacteristic graveness. Though it wasn't on display, he shared Jadeite's sentiment.

Luna stepped closer to the two princes as they approached the bassinets at the center of the Great Hall, "Alright Your Highnesses, you can meet your future betrothed for a few minutes until your parents make their appearances and the ceremony will begin. The nursemaids are there but try not to cause...too much... commotion," she forewarned, giving Jadeite a warning glance to which he returned with his trademark sly grin that both infuriated and endeared him to her.

Stepping to the bassinet, Kunzite, and Nephrite stayed slightly behind to give room to Jadeite and Endymion while Zoicite moved just a little closer to his friends.

Endymion's eyes were slightly alarmed when he took a peek inside Serenity's bassinet. "She's all pale and pink and... almost bald," he commented thinking back to Prince Diamond's earlier claim that Serenity's hair was like moonbeam and sunlight mixed together, "Diamond must be half blind," he solemnly declared.

Jadeite laughed, genially unaffected by his friend's comment, "She's a baby still, Endy. Reinelle didn't have as much hair before, did she? I think Diamond's quite right. Sere's hair will grow to become like moonbeam and sunlight mixed together, like Mama's and Papa's hair combined," he said emphatically as he looked into Reinelle's bassinet and pushed a raven bang away from her face, entranced by the sight of the sleeping princess.

Endymion's breath caught in his throat when Serenity suddenly opened her eyes. So blue, he thought, completely spellbound. When she smiled, he literally felt his chest tightened as warm, unknown feelings filled him. His hand started towards the baby but he hesitated before any contact was made, looking up at the adult standing next to Serenity's bassinet enquiringly.

"Go ahead, Your Highness," Serenity's nursemaid encouraged.

Endymion hesitantly ran a finger over the baby's chubby cheek. "It's soft," he said thoughtfully, "...like boiled eggs."

Jadeite burst into laughter at his best friend's description. "Boiled eggs, Endy? Really!"

"You think you could do better? How would you describe it then?"

Jadeite ran his own finger over baby Reinelle's cheek. "Hmm...It's warm," he thought for a second before adding with a decisive nod, "...like the warm toasts I love to eat every morning."

Both boys turned to scowl at Zoicite who almost choke in trying to hide his laughter as he peered over his best friends' shoulders to get a better look at the babies. His attempt at discretion proved completely futile. When both his friends crossed their arms over their chests with an eyebrow raised, he cleared his throat, hesitantly skimmed a fingertip over each baby's cheek and declared, "They are smooth like pages of a book."

And it was his friends' turn to laugh at him, "Only you would equal a baby's skin to a book!"

"It's better than eggs or toasts!" Zoicite insisted.

"Boiled eggs!" Endymion corrected defensively.

"Warm toasts!" Jadeite justified at the same time.

Luna and Artemis both cleared their throats as Kunzite and Nephrite smiled in amusement.

The hall was suddenly silent as King Solarius and King Damien entered, Queen Selenity and Queen Aletheia at their sides, hand at their respective husband's arm. Everyone stood in attention and the ceremony began.

In voices clear and resolute, Endymion, Crown Prince of the Middle Kingdom of Earth and Jadeite, Crown Prince of the Sun stated their oaths for all to hear.

"I take thee, Reinelle of Mars and Earth's Middle Kingdom as my betrothed and pledged thee, my allegiance, protection and my hand in marriage." Jadeite recited his pledge first.

"I take thee, Serenity of the Sun and Moon Kingdom, heir to the Silver Alliance as my betrothed and pledged thee, my allegiance, protection and my hand in marriage." Endymion's vow followed Jadeite's.

Both princes bent down to bestow a kiss on the forehead of the princesses held in their mother's hands to seal their pledge.

As Endymion's lips touched Serenity's forehead and Jadeite's lips touched Reinelle's forehead, bright lights simultaneously shone from the foreheads of ten young princes and princesses.

The symbol of the Light shone in orange on Kunzite's forehead, one symbolising the Nature shone in green on Nephrite's and intense blue light glowed from the Water symbol on Zoicite's forehead and the Mercury symbol on baby Amelia's in her separate bassinet down in the Royal Nursery causing her nursemaid to gasped in wonder.

Across the room, the orange symbol of Venus sparkled from little Minnete's forehead and the green symbol of Jupiter glowed from Lilita's. Red lights shone from the Sun symbol on Jadeite's forehead and the Mars and Fire symbols which flickered from one to the other and back again on Reinelle's forehead. The intensity and the red tone of the lights on the symbols on Jadeite's and Reinelle's foreheads, matched perfectly.

But the brightest light of all, ones that shone over to the high ceiling of the Great Hall, came from Endymion and Serenity and like Reinelle's, there were two symbols on each forehead. Bright blue and green symbol of the Earth flickered to golden symbol of the Heart and back again to the Earth symbol on Endymion's forehead and the silver light of the Moon symbol interchanged with the identical golden symbol of the Heart that glowed on Endymion's forehead, glowed on Serenity's forehead.

And then, as suddenly as they came, the lights disappeared, as if they were never there in the first place. Each child remained unaffected.

The Great Hall was filled with complete silence before gasps and chatters rose from every direction. Some were excited, some were curious, many were baffled and others were agitated and pensive.

"They are destined." Queen Serenity and Queen Aletheia breathed out separately, relief and apprehension filling both hearts at the implication of the occurrence they both had just witnessed.

At one corner of the Great Hall, two Queens, sisters, looked on with hatred and resentment. The Middle Kingdom was already the strongest and at the centre of the Golden Alliance but the dominance was not so prominent that it could not be overcome with proper, strategic planning. Now however, the balance of power had just shifted and without intervention, the Middle Kingdom would become more powerful and invulnerable. Neither the Southern Kingdom nor the Western Kingdom would ever come to power. In that moment, hatred and resentment became fuelled with ambition, greed and resolve.

And so it began...


Posted on fanfiction: 14 October 2014

A/N: The next chapter is tentatively titled Misfits & Mishaps dealing with three year old Serenity and the others. I plan for the next 2-4 chapters to cover the childhood and growing up years of our characters. Anyway, hope you like this chapter. I'm still figuring out my way around this (writing in the medieval setting) but I promise to try and get better at it. I hope this isn't too bad ;)