The queen was silent for a few moments. She was not sure if Pluto understood what she had been trying to say, but she didn't know how to say it any other way. She simply remained quiet, thinking about the words of wisdom Pluto had given her. The Guardian of Time was right - it certainly wasn't selfish to wish for companionship. Serenity had done so herself when she requested Pluto's friendship that day at the Gates.

"You are correct," Serenity said, gazing at Earth's distant shape in the sky. "However, it would be selfish of me to wish for love and companionship when it is already mine."

Some time had passed since her last conversation with Serenity. Since then, Pluto had directed her to where exactly she could find the Galaxy Cauldron and find out the truth of what she had been told for herself. The guardian there, Guardian Cosmos, would certainly be able to tell Serenity that she could indeed grant her request for a new star seed. Pluto thought about a baby—a child—a princess. The sound of laughter that would fill the cold palace. The warmth a new life would exude and how it would make both of them happy—provide them with yet another companion.

She wondered if Serenity had gone there. If she had even come back with the new star seed. She supposed she could find out if she wanted to—she had the powers to see all, after all, but she didn’t want to intrude on Serenity’s privacy. She would rather be told about it like a normal friend would be, even if neither of them was particularly normal. Still, it was nice to keep up the illusion the best she could.

As she stood at the Gates of Time, Pluto realized she was anxious for the first time in her long career. The second realization was that she missed her queen, whose presence had become a regular fixture in her life now.

Thanks to Pluto's help and advice, Queen Serenity found the Galaxy Cauldron and went there in hopes of finding out whether or not she could get the child she had always wanted. The guardian at the cauldron, Guardian Cosmos, told her that she would be more than happy to gift the queen with a star seed, but it was that moment when Serenity had doubts. Was she really proper mother material? Could she raise a child on her own? What if the child was neglected? What if it didn't like her? What if...she failed?

The possibilities were endless, and the queen found herself leaving the cauldron before Cosmos could give her the star seed. She needed advice and consolation. So she went to the one person who she knew would always be there to help.

Arriving at the Gates of Time, Queen Serenity approached Sailor Pluto with worry in her eyes. "I...went to the cauldron as you suggested..." she said quietly. "And...I could not bring myself to get the star seed. What if I am not ready to be a mother? I do not know a single thing about being a parent. It would be wrong of me to have a child that I am not even capable of taking care of."

Pluto sensed Serenity’s presence before she saw her. By now, she was already used to it and could easily recognize her even from beyond the mist that constantly permeated this area, no longer tensing up at the feeling of a potential approaching threat. Her heart lifted as she saw her friend, though she immediately felt worried upon seeing Serenity’s expression. Had something gone wrong at the Galaxy Cauldron?

Pluto listened as Serenity explained that she could not receive the star seed. That she was worried she would not be a good mother. Pluto smiled and grasped Serenity’s hand gently. “My queen, you forget that you have a friend who’s very knowledgeable in all things,” she said teasingly. It spoke volumes about how far their relationship had progressed that she was able to speak like this to her queen.

“I think that nobody ever really knows about how to be a parent until they have their first child. And for us, it’s even more difficult because we weren’t raised the conventional way. But your child will be special, just like you. I believe you have the capacity to be a loving parent just as much as everyone else, if not more. You have a good heart, my queen. A heart that’s made to love someone else. Your child will be very lucky to have you as a mother, just as I am very lucky to have you as a friend. And I will help you,” she assured Serenity, her own heart yearning for this new life.

“We can raise this child together, you and me. Between the both of us, they will get all the love they ever need.”

Tears prickled at the corner of Queen Serenity's eyes as she listened to Pluto's words. Before she even realized what she was doing, Serenity had stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Pluto's waist, hugging her gently. Despite being in a place of coldness and loneliness, the Guardian of Time was warm and comforting.

"Thank you, Pluto. I do not know what I would do without you," the queen said, smiling up at her friend. She pulled away slightly, holding Pluto's hands in hers. "It is settled. We will raise this child together. But that means you must come with me to the Cauldron. Will you, please?"

The hug was completely unexpected and very surprising. But Pluto found herself melting easily into the warm embrace, relishing the rare human contact—especially such an intimate one—that she hadn’t had in possibly hundreds of years. She hadn’t realized how much she needed it until then.

Pluto let out a small laugh at Serenity’s words. The all-powerful queen of the moon, not knowing what she’d do without her? That was certainly a flattering thought. Her heart swelled as Serenity said they would raise this child together. She never dreamed of having a family of her own since she knew her duty would make it impossible, but now… Now maybe she could get that bit of happiness too.

She smiled at Serenity’s request. “Of course, my queen. I would go with you anywhere, even to the end of the universe.”

Serenity felt her heart swell at Pluto's words, glad to know she had such a strong relationship with this woman. Smiling, Serenity held onto Pluto's hand and transported them both back to the Galaxy Cauldron, where Sailor Cosmos awaited them. 

"I knew you would return. The child is yours, your majesty," Cosmos said, sending a silver star seed floating in the queen's direction. Glancing at Pluto, the queen felt a rush of confidence and accepted the star seed graciously. 

"Thank you. I will always remember this gift," Serenity said, bowing slightly to Cosmos. The star seed that floated above Serenity's palms began to shimmer until it burst in a cloud of silver sparkles. The queen felt a sudden weight in her arms, and she knew immediately that it was her child. The small infant was without clothing, but her creamy skin felt soft in the queen's arms. Her tiny head was covered in a thin layer of smooth blonde hair, and the child seemed to be smiling in her sleep. 

Queen Serenity was surprised to find tears falling from her eyes. Finally, after centuries of wanting her own family, she had a daughter and a companion whom she loved very much. "Let's go home," Serenity said, smiling up at Sailor Pluto. In a flash, the three girls were transported to Queen Serenity's throne room on the moon. She still held the child in her arms, rocking her gently. Still smiling, Serenity stepped closer to Pluto.

"Would you like to hold her?"

Pluto had only seen the Galaxy Cauldron in her visions and the way she just knew certain things, so this visit would be her first time being physically there. She felt awe and wonder being there; at the literal start and end of the universe, where all lives were created and eventually returned. She watched as Serenity received the star seed, her heart full of joy at the idea of a family for both of them. She never imagined she would have a companion, let alone family.

The star seed glowed silver and in another moment it had become the life it was meant to be. Tears clouded Pluto’s vision as she took in the baby girl, looking so peaceful and at home already in her new mother’s arms. She felt enveloped by a feeling she had not felt before. The desire to protect, to love, and to hold this little infant. Was this what was called the motherly instinct?

When they were back at the moon castle, Pluto was surprised when Serenity offered the baby to her. “I…” she choked on her tears, almost too overcome by emotions to say something. “Yes. Of course. But are you sure…?”

She had never held a baby in her arms, after all, and the last thing she wanted was to drop Serenity’s new daughter.

The queen smiled, looking down at their beautiful, fragile baby girl. No child had ever looked this pure or this beautiful. It was almost as if the child had been born from the moon itself. And Serenity could not have asked for anything more perfect.

"Of course I am sure. You are just as important to her as I am," Queen Serenity said, slowly moving to place the baby girl into Pluto's arms. The baby was as light as a feather, and seemed to fit perfectly in the shape of the queen's arms. Meeting Pluto's eyes to make sure she was okay with holding the baby, Queen Serenity gently placed the baby in her arms.

"What should we name her?"

Pluto accepted the baby carefully, feeling her warmth as the bundle of new life settled in her arms comfortably. The feeling of holding such a tiny creature whose life had only just begun was amazing, and she could feel tears pricking her eyes. Never in a million years did she ever imagine she would have a family, or a child of her own. But if Queen Serenity wanted to raise this child with her, then this baby would be her daughter, too. Pluto would love her like her own.

She felt like she already did, anyway. Because who could not love something so innocent and pure?

At Serenity’s question, Pluto stared at the baby, already knowing that she would be the spitting image of her mother.

“Princess Serenity…” she whispered, the name seeming right the moment she said it. Even the baby seemed to smile a little bit in her sleep. “I think you should name her after you. I can already see the beginnings of your future and hers, and she is going to end up a lot like you in many ways. She is meant to carry your legacy.”

A tear fell from Queen Serenity's eyes at Pluto's words. The thought of naming the child after herself never crossed Serenity's mind, but at the same time...it sounded right. Not just because the child would grow to carry on the queen's legacy, but also because of what the name 'Serenity' meant.

Smiling, the queen placed her hand on the baby's head. "May you always leave in peace, Serenity," she said, looking at the child in a loving manner. Her gaze then lifted to Sailor Pluto, who looked so beautiful and happy in this moment, just as she did ever since the two had officially become friends.

At this moment, Queen Serenity could have sworn on her life that the loneliness in Pluto's eyes was gone.

The little princess was the best thing that had ever happened to both Queen Serenity and Pluto. Pluto could see the happiness in Serenity’s eyes that she had never seen before, and it made her happy in turn. The two of them took care of the baby together during the first few months, as promised.

Pluto had come to think of the princess as her own daughter, as well. When that baby held its little fingers around Pluto’s, her heart felt as if it might burst from love.

How was it possible to love someone else this much?

The queen was clearly feeling the same way. The princess occupied both of their worlds, and for a little while, everything was beautiful and full of joy. They spent many days together—the three of them—like a family.

Family. A word that had been foreign to Pluto all this time, and yet somehow was a reality now.

As the months went by, though, the queen’s visits to her gate grew gradually scarcer and scarcer. Usually she would bring the princess by every once in a while so they all could play together without Pluto having to abandon her post. And sometimes Pluto would spend her time in the castle, too, away from the Gates, if the queen invited her to.

But Serenity had not been by in a while, and neither had she issued any invitation for Pluto to come.

Had something happened?

No, her ability to see things told her everything was well. The princess was healthy and happy, and so was the queen.

But Pluto was beginning to feel lonely again.

After another long stretch of no contact, Pluto finally dared to do the one thing she had never done up until that point; leave her post and visit the Moon Castle without an invitation.

She could not help it anymore; she missed the queen and the princess too much it had become an ache in her heart.

That afternoon, she followed the sounds of laughter into the palace.

Queen Serenity had never been happier.

With her new daughter in the palace, she felt as if the whole kingdom had been full of joy. The little angel that filled her life was filling every part of the Moon, and the queen couldn't have been more grateful. She finally had a child to call her own, someone who would never leave her side and would always be her little girl. She finally had a family, after all this time of being lonely and empty.

Every day revolved around the little princess, and the queen wouldn't have had it any other way. Yes, she had her duties as queen to attend to, but most, if not all, involved the little princess's presence. Queen Serenity just couldn't bear to leave her behind, not after centuries of having no one.

Today was a day of private time for the two royals, and the palace staff had been instructed to leave the two of them alone for the entire afternoon. The queen laid on the floor of the princess's room, holding the child above her, moving her up and down to elicit laughter from her tiny mouth. Both of their laughter filled the quiet palace, drowning out all other sound.

The queen paused, feeling someone else's presence. She sat up, cradling Princess Serenity in her arms, and looked towards the door. In the doorway stood someone she hadn't seen, or really even thought about, for quite some time.

"P....Pluto! What...are you doing here? It is so lovely to see you. Do you have news for me?"

It felt weird to be coming into the princess’ room uninvited. Yet the sounds of their laughter had drew Pluto in, and before she knew it she was standing on the threshold. She watched with longing as Serenity raised her daughter, their joyous laughs filling the air with warmth previously nonexistent within these cold walls.

When Serenity noticed her presence, Pluto realized what she’d done and blanched. She stepped back, feeling like she had intruded on a private moment. It was the first time since the baby had joined them that she felt like an outsider, firmly outside the circle of this family.

“M-my queen, I apologize. This was incredibly… inappropriate for me. To leave my post and come here uninvited… I’m sorry. I did not come here on business. I simply… missed you and the princess.”

Her excuse felt weak and pathetic, and she turned, preparing to go. Surely she did not belong here, for she was not a member of the Moon Kingdom family.