She would not scream.

She sat among pillows in a large chamber overlooking the vast kingdom. Even with the small slip she wore and her long hair down, she sweated profusely in the cool air. The need to express her discomfort as well as the ripping pain of her womanhood was great, but she would not dare let the baby's first sound be the shrieking of her mother in pain.

The labor had lasted for almost a full rotation of the Earth. Between contractions the Queen drowsily glance out the window at the onyx Heavens, where the Nine Planets revolved around the Sun.

The birth of this child was the mark of a new era. The Nine Planets had become allies for the first time in millenia. It was agreed that the Planets would live more prosperously in unity than hostility. Queen Serenity's child, conceived by an unknown force when the pact was made, would represent their newfound fellowship, and lead a new generation towards a greater peace.

Another contraction quickly shocked her into reality. It was time to push. Within her was the future of the Moon Kingdom. Her little princess would grow to be the greatest queen in the Moon's history. It would be her baby that would unite the planets of the solar system, her baby that would guide the Universe towards eternal peace.

She held on tightly to someone's hand, not sure whose it was. She willed the baby out with all her strength. As she felt the tearing between her legs, she heard the baby cry out, unpleasantly surprised at the coolness in the air.

"Give me my baby," she said. "Give me my daughter."

A nurse clothed in brilliant white handed her the child wrapped in a bundle.

"Here's your bit of serenity, my queen," said the nurse, referring to the end of the maddening labor.

"Yes. My bit of serenity indeed. Princess Serenity."

The baby looked upon her mother's face, her eyes glittering with tears of joy. The baby's gaze then shifted to the sparkling jewel hung loosely around her mother's neck.
She felt the stone's incredible power. Though too young to do any complex thinking, she would later realize the true nature of the Silver Crystal. It is the will of its bearer that determines its potency.

This next one of the royal blood of the moon will exceed the expectations of her mother, as well as her own....