Disclaimer: Sailor Moon isn't mine, and neither are those Godiva chocolates I love so much.

"Is it too much to ask?" Queen Selenity looked beseechingly down at her daughter, who was pouting cutely. The girl's father, Apollo Sun God, was leaning against the wall and smiling at his daughter's antics.

"But Mama, I don't want guardians! Luna is enough!"

Selenity rubbed at her temple. "Once again, Serenity, Luna and Artemis will be guardians over all of you. The other girls will be extra precautions, and you'll get along famously with them, I'm sure!"

Serenity crossed her arms. "No! Mama, I had to wait while Venus and Mars did all that stupid curtsying stuff, and I hate it! I don't want to have more people telling me how to do it!"

Selenity frowned at the child's logic.

"The Ladies Mars and Venus, Serenity, and no one will be telling you how to curtsy! Did you not take extra lessons? Besides, it seems like you made friends with the Lady Mars rather quickly!"

Serenity looked down at her feet. "Did not. She and Venus are friends, and they just pick on me."

"The Lady Venus. And I thought you two were thick as thieves? Come now, one more addition to your group won't make a huge difference! The more the merrier!"

"I don't want to be merry!" Serenity protested. "I want for everyone to go away so that me and Venus can play together like we always did."

Selenity tried another tactic. "Well, Luna seems to like Lady Mars, as does Artemis. Maybe they'll like the other girls as well?"

To her dismay, Serenity stamped a tiny foot and raised her chin defiantly. "They only like her cause she's a goody two shoes! And if the others are anything like her, then I don't want them!"

"But Serenity, the other kingdoms are already on their way!" Selenity cried, frustrated. But her daughter seemed indifferent.

"Then send them back. I don't want anyone anymore! I don't need anymore people to go and show me how awful I am at everything!" The last words were shouted, and when she was finished, Serenity stood with her chest heaving and tears gathering at the corner of her eyes.

Apollo was immediately there to scoop her up in his arms and tickle her until she giggled.

"Listen, my beauty, you are not awful at anything! You're perfect! From your perfect hair to your perfect toes!" Serenity shook her head.

"But Mars and Venus can curtsy perfect and they can walk in high heels already. I'm afraid to have more people here, cause I don't want anyone to think I'm stupid."

Selenity managed a smile. "You aren't stupid, Serenity. You're very smart for your age, I must say, and of course you can't curtsy, you're only five! The Martians highly value etiquette as well as skills as a fierce warrior and sixth senses. The Venusians are a race devoted to grace and beauty, thus your cousin's actions. Doubtless the Mercurians, so intent on doing most things perfectly, and the Neptunians, the embodiment of elegance itself, will know the same thing. But you, my dear, have no reason to learn such things at such a young age, unless you would like too."

Although she had understood only about half of her mother's speech, Serenity beamed anyway. "Thanks Mama!"

Apollo kissed her head. "So you will consider it?"

Serenity put on her most solemn face, which was ruined by a bout of giggles. "I will have them. But they have to be nice!"

Selenity nodded. "Of course. Now go find the Ladies Mars and Venus. They are surely looking for you now." Serenity eagerly jumped from her father's arms and ran out of the room, forgetting once more to curtsy.

Selenity collapsed in the chair and sighed. "Thank Selene you were here, Apollo. I don't know what I would have done, had she started crying. I long to give into her every wish, and yet I know it's for her only good…"

Apollo grinned and moved over to her, gently massaging her shoulders. "My dear, it's all in how you look at it. My sisters and brothers have detected an awful end, as well as a horrifying prophecy. We cannot stop it, but the least we can do is plan ahead, no?"

Selenity agreed. "Of course. I love her to death, Apollo. I wish she hadn't to face this nightmare, and those poor girls too."

Apollo held out a hand, and she took it. The two stood and walked out, heading towards the Main Hall, where they would greet their guests.

"She will live through it, and she will be joyous in the future."

Selenity looked curiously at her husband. "I hope so. But could you elaborate?" The God chuckled.

"I think not, Selenity. Some things are better left unsaid."

"But it's not a bad thing!"

"You sound like Serenity now." He teased her. "With your whining." She blushed, much to his amusement.

"What do you expect, when you're being so cruel." She stressed the last word, and he chuckled as servants bowed and opened the door.

"Aphrodite!" Apollo called, and when the golden woman turned, he smiled. "Come greet your older brother!" She hurried to him and gave him an affectionate kiss, but not without a soft slap on the shoulder.

"Must you remind me every second? You're only older by what, a few months?"

"Four." Apollo smiled happily. "And I love it!" Aphrodite ignored the answer.

"So how is Selene, that twin of yours? She, thank goddess, is older than you. Is she still hunting? What a vile sport…"

Apollo frowned. "Selene? Did you know on Earth, they refer to her as Artemis? She hates it, but says nothing. I have not heard from her in a while. I think she is currently residing somewhere in one of the other galaxies. She enjoys visiting."

Aphrodite grinned. "Why is that so bad? It is wonderful to hear she has left stuffy Olympus. I did it, and look at me!"

Apollo didn't say anything, and Aphrodite's smile faded. "Come, brother, tell me what it is. You cannot lie, remember, God of Truth?"

He cocked his head to the side, something that he had passed on to Aphrodite, who had in turn passed it on to Venus. "I hate it when you do that. Father wasn't quite happy that I couldn't lie. He claims it's what makes a God out of a man. Selene didn't cause Mother any pain during birth, and he calls that a gift! She could only use it once!"

Aphrodite patted him on the shoulder. "Stop changing the subject and accept that father thinks that besides being in charge of the Sun and marrying a beautiful woman, you are without use. You are one of the best men I have ever known, but remember, these are only earthen bodies. When our time comes, we will die, and return to Olympus. You cannot protect your daughter forever, Apollo. Now come, what is wrong?"

Apollo fidgeted nervously under his sister's steely gaze. "If Selene is not here," he said finally, "How is she supposed to protect her patron planet?"

Aphrodite winked at him. "She has a way of working things out. And besides, she isn't Father's favorite. You know Athena is! So stop pitying yourself and get on with your life. Listen to this; Alder and I have accepted your invitation. Our daughter will train with the other girls so that they may live happily."

Apollo smiled. "This is good news indeed. Come, I think your husband has been chatting with my wife long enough." Aphrodite giggled.

"Then let us celebrate, brother! Are the other planets not coming tonight? Then tomorrow, we shall feast!"

Apollo smirked. "But the Terrans are to come tommorow. I don't think Alder is happy with the way the gawk at you."

Aphrodite flicked a long blonde tress in his direction. "Oh, come off it. Alder doesn't like anyone but him to look at me that way. Besides, weren't you trying to get that young man, what's-his-face, the Prince of Terra, to know your daughter and her new friends? They are to be good allies…"

The God nodded. "Yes, they will. But as for the meeting of my daughter…I hope to postpone that…"

"The ever protective father figure!" Aphrodite laughed, a sound that made several courtiers in the near vicinity swoon. "It is astonishing, Apollo, that we have come from drinking wine every night to cradling our children. I pity those who are still on Olympus though, for they will never know the goodness here."

"But there is also treachery." Apollo set his mouth in a grim line as his wife and Alder approached him. "And that we must keep from those we love. Alder, how nice to see you!"

The God and Goddess resumed their radiance, never letting their spouses know for a moment they had been contemplating their deaths.

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