Chapter Eight-

Matthew laid a damp wet cloth on Hotaru’s forehead. He had tried to contact Ami Mizuno, but she was unable to come at the time. Her husband, Ryo, would be coming instead to see to Matthew’s needs. Matthew had just gotten finished with giving Hotaru some water when he heard a knock on the door. Getting up, he went to answer it relieved to see that it was Ryo.

“Hotaru’s fallen ill,” Matthew said solemnly as he showed Ryo the way to their bedroom. Kaemon toddled out of his bedroom and followed his dad and Ryo into the next room. “I don’t understand what’s happened.”

“She’s probably having deep anxiety due to her daughter being away.” Ryo explained. He didn’t look Matthew in the eye. He started right away on trying to determine what could be wrong with Hotaru, considering he didn’t have all of his equipment with him he would just have to give an educated guess and hope that he was right.

Matthew bounced Kaemon on his knee wondering just what Dr. Ryo was going through. Matthew had his mind preoccupied with his son and wife; they were the only one’s keeping him going at this very moment. He wondered how Dr. Ryo was taking to all this, as seeing Skylar and Pallas had been taken. He noticed the faraway look in Dr. Ryo’s eyes, but didn’t say anything.

After a while, Dr. Ryo finally made contact with Matthew’s eyes, but it was only briefly. “She’ll need to be brought to the hospital in order for me to be able to see what’s wrong exactly. She has symptoms for multiple sicknesses. I’m sorry, but make an appointment. Perhaps, my wife will be back in time to be able to take a look at her.”

“Where did Mrs. Mizuno go?” Matthew asked.

“She went to the King and Queen’s last night. I called there and Luna answered. Something about being locked in a closet and that she couldn’t do anything till the Queen and King were awake.” Dr. Ryo shrugged. “I rarely go to the Royal Chambers. I have much to do here and at work.”

“Are you close to the King and Queen?” Matthew asked, finding his answer strange.

Dr. Ryo nodded, “Yes. The King and I often get together with Rei’s husband and we usually hang out on the weekends. Sometimes golf, other times lunch, and our favorite time is combating with swords. The sounds of clashing swords is almost music to my ears. Never thought it would be, but the King puts up a fantastic fight and I’m honored to be in his presence.”

“How did you meet Mrs. Mizuno?” Matthew asked.

“Met her when we were in Junior High and didn’t see her again till our college years. Neo-Queen Serenity and the King were the ones that brought us together. Ami had just gone through a terrible relationship. The man treated her with unkind words. He brought her down, saying she’s make a worthless doctor and that she didn’t have the brains to do so many things at once. In the end, I think it made her stronger.” Dr. Ryo led on. “I had gone through a really bad breakup at the time, as well. The woman, I thought loved only me, told me one day that she had fallen for someone else.” Dr. Ryo patted Matthew on his shoulder. “We’re not all lucky like you. Finding true love in high school. The only one’s that I know this is true for is the King and Queen.”

Dr. Ryo let himself out. Matthew wondered why he had shared a part of his past with him. The two hadn’t spoken much since they arrived. Dr. Ryo had been busy with work the entire time. Sighing, Matthew turned back to his wife.

---

Bats fluttered by causing Keira Hino to stir. She opened her eyes, but only saw the darkness. A bat smacked right into her face and Keira let out a scream. She thrashed and kicked. The rattling of the chains that held her against the wall kept her there. Her heart started to quicken and she struggled against the chains. She tried to remember how she had gotten here and wondered where she was.

Her eyes brightened, “I know! It’s just a bad dream. It must be.” She shut her eyes again and tried to imagine herself waking up in her own bed and things being back the way they were. She and Skylar frolicking through the Palace Gardens and waiting for a much anticipated visit from Hana and her friends.

She heard two voices, none of which sounded like her families. One of them was angered by something and the other one sounded like she was trying to calm her down. Keira’s eyes snapped open into the same darkness. She moved her arms just a little, and she heard the clinking of the chains. Keira’s heart sank. She couldn’t believe it, she didn’t want to believe it. The memories ran through her like ice, as she recalled what had happened when she had been taken.

Keira had gotten caught, and Skylar attempted in saving her. The new girl Hana came along and saved Skylar, but couldn’t get to Keira. Tears fell down Keira’s cheeks and she couldn’t help but give out loud wails. She missed her mom and dad, and even her annoying little brothers.

“Mommy!” Keira wailed. “Mommy!” her voice rose with each scream for her mother.

Hana moved swiftly along the twisted halls. She was beginning to wonder if she’d ever be able to find Keira. She heard her cries, but every time Hana moved toward them they died down and appeared louder in another direction. Anytime she got closer they moved. She was becoming frustrated with this game.

Hana tensed up when she heard other voices amongst the halls. She put her hands to her head, wondering if she was losing her mind. The cat pawed at her leg and she looked down. “I’m hopeless in this dump. I can’t find her!”

“No, it’s not that. Listen. There are other’s in the lighthouse and they don’t sound like a threat.” the cat explained.

Hana stopped and listened. Her face brightened up, “I know that voice from anywhere. It’s Skylar Mizuno!” she took off running in the direction of their voice. She never thought she’d be so relieved to see Skylar.

Pallas put her hand out in front of Skylar stopping her from continuing on. She could hear someone or something coming toward them and was doing everything to protect Skylar. Sailor Vesta stood protectively in front of the two girls.

“Someone’s coming.” she explained. And no sooner could the words escape her mouth someone smacked right into her. Pallas reacted fast and her leg went flying toward the person who stood before them. She unfortunately found her leg caught. She let out a small whimper and then Skylar squealed delightfully.

“Hana!”

Hana let Pallas go just in time to be tackled with a hug. “I never thought I’d be this happy to see you!”

“Same.” Hana replied returning the hug.

“Alright, no offense girl, but next time watch where your running.” Sailor Vesta said as she got back to her feet.

“I’m sorry, that’s the first time I’ve ran into anything.” Hana laughed uneasily. She hadn’t exactly been introduced to the Quartets. She pondered how they had gotten here, but nonetheless she didn’t mind. They needed all the help they could get.

Skylar stepped back, feeling nauseas. Her mind raced back to right before she had left from the team. She knew she had said some ugly things toward the other Outer Children. She let a tear fall down her face, knowing it was too dark for anyone to see. She always had to ruin things right as they were becoming good. Ginny’s words still echoed in her head. Skylar wished she hadn’t been so temperamental, but she didn’t agree with going to look for Maru considering Hana was the one risking her life to save her best friend. She had been frightened that Hana wouldn’t be able to continue to protect herself from enemies. And she was also worried about her best friend. She had noticed she was not here with Hana and that only the cat had shown up a few seconds after Hana collided into Vesta.

“Have you been able to locate Keira yet?” Skylar asked, feeling as though her voice would betray her giving away her silent tears, but she held strong and was able to pull it off.

Hana shook her head sadly, “No, this lighthouse-”

“Which has no light…” Pallas’ voice trailed off.

“Has difficult paths. I heard her earlier, but her voice kept bouncing off the walls. I’d follow where I thought she was and then her voice would appear somewhere else. I think I’m losing my mind.” Hana sighed.

Skylar was quiet for a moment. It stung her deeply that her best friend was still lost, somewhere inside this mess hole. “Alright, well… I suggest we don’t split up.”

Vesta nearly lost her head, “Now, at a time like this you decide we shouldn’t split up? What about back then when we were searching for Maru?”

“Maru?” Hana asked, realizing for the first time that she didn’t know what was going on outside this lighthouse. “She and Hikaru were together when I left. I thought they were heading back to you guys.”

“No.” Skylar said bitterly. “She left Hikaru and let Hikaru be attacked by some of the monsters. We’re lucky that those two young scouts from the strange Palace came and saved her.”

Hana sighed, “I know you’re angry Skylar, but we’re all just kids trying to make it back home. We have to stop the anger that brews inside our hearts. You’re going to have to eventually fight along side Maru. She is destined to be Chibi Pluto no matter which way you look at it.”

“I don’t understand how she inhabited dark power!” Skylar said thrusting her arms down. “It doesn’t make sense for a Chibi Scout to have those sort of powers.”

Pallas tapped Skylar on the shoulder, distracting her for a moment, “If I recall right, Chibiusa and Hotaru both had something evil living inside of them. It wasn’t their faults, so maybe this is like the same thing?”

“You forgot to mention us.” Vesta said.

“Huh?” Skylar asked, alarmed by what Vesta said.

“Well, a long time ago… We were prematurely awaken by the Evil Nehelenia to serve her. At the end we realized we were on the wrong side and-”

“We rocked!” Pallas said. “We brought her down quicker then you could say-” Vesta’s hand went over Pallas’ mouth making the rest of her words mumble like.

“I just think you should let it go Skylar…” Vesta said quietly. She heard a door creak open and froze. She could feel that an evil presence had entered the lighthouse and was near. The other’s had heard it to as they remained still, Pallas grasping onto Vesta’s arm.

“Well, well. Isn’t this interesting? Is it some kind of intervention?” the woman snarled.

“Where’d you disappear to? Not that I missed you or anything,” Hana smarted off.

“I was fighting a much worthier opponent. Your little friend who was destined to be Chibi Neptune. I took care of her, along with the rest of them.” She smirked.

Skylar’s mind boggled over this for a moment before realizing it was all a trick to get the others worked up. “She’s lying.” Skylar hissed.

“What if she’s not?” Pallas wailed loudly, causing the woman to smirk.

She held her hand open and a dark crystal ball appeared showing the destruction of the Chibi Senshi’s. Skylar shut her eyes feeling that this was all a trick. She contemplated in her mind on something. If she were the enemy how would she want her victims to feel? Scared. There was no doubt in that. She’d want the Chibi Scouts to think that all was lost and that their own lives were about to end.

“She’s scheming us.” Skylar said, softly though Hana could only hear her because she was the closets to her and Pallas was still wailing like a baby. “Don’t watch the ball. She’s implanting memories into your mind that aren’t true.”

Hana nodded, peeling her eyes away from the crystal ball she closed them and concentrated on a different memory. She was in the arms of her mother and father, though she knew he was long gone, but something inside her told her she was always with him regardless if he was gone or not. She smiled at the pleasant thought. She reached down for her Henshin wand and pulled it out.

“Chibi Uranus Makeup!” she yelled. The woman, startled, dropped the ball causing Pallas and Vesta to snap out of the trance. She watched as Pallas transformed and Sailor Vesta powered up.

“You were tricking us,” she snapped. “You’ll pay dearly for trying to tear us apart like that.” Vesta shot a great deal of scolding hot energy screaming, “Sacred Fire!”

The woman barely made it out of the way of Sailor Vesta’s powerful attack. Sailor Pallas was quick to follow her sister, “Manic Labyrinth!” The woman didn’t see any sort of attack coming for her, she smiled.

“You lost little girl.” she spoke and began to power up when she felt a wave of nausea sweep over her. She knelt down to the ground, clutching onto her head and her face in a grimace.

Chibi Uranus and Skylar stared completely puzzled by the sudden change of events. “What kind attack was that?” Chibi Uranus asked.

“One that basically sends confusing brainwaves to their noggin and an excruciating headache.” Sailor Pallas spoke grinning from ear to ear. “I have this other amazing attack ‘Marinette’ where I can control the enemy for a short length of time. It’s a lot of fun.” Sailor Pallas failed to mention the danger that it could put her in. The others looked impressed.

The woman’s screams filled the entire lighthouse. Her head was pounding intensely and she couldn’t believe these despicable fools were winning again and they weren’t even an entire team. Fear struck deep inside of her, these new Senshi’s that had somehow appeared were far stronger then the small handful of Senshi’s who had just earned their powers. She stumbled toward a door, and opening it, she fell through.

Sailor Pallas and Sailor Vesta ran toward the door, but they were too late. The door had sealed shut and disappeared. “Unbelievable.” Sailor Vesta said.

“What a coward.” Pallas retorted, crossing her arms.

Chibi Uranus became Hana again. She was still numbed by the words the woman had told her earlier. She tried to shake it off, but she couldn’t help it. She didn’t want to be a murderer. Chibi Uranus knew she didn’t know the circumstances but she never wanted to kill another person even if they were raging on the inside with deep, dark powers. She would rather save them. Her mind quickly swirled back over to Hikaru’s friend, Maru. She wondered what kind of dark powers she harbored. She knew though, she’d never be able to end Maru’s life even if her own depended on it. The sadness that was buried deep inside of Maru was too much like her own. She’d seen it when she had been cruel toward the young girl and that was before she had discovered the little girl’s powers. She sighed. Something else had to be done: no one could die and she definitely would not be the cause of it.

She felt the touch of a hand on her shoulder and she shook a bit. She could tell that it was only Skylar, but she couldn’t help but feel sad for the other little girl. She would need to learn how to not lock in so much anger. Skylar would, of course, have to learn on her own. Hana feared some for the other Senshi’s who had not received their own powers, as well. Skylar’s uncaring attitude toward Maru would more then likely prolong her powers, as will Maru’s if she doesn’t accept the team.

Hana knew she had been in the same place as Skylar, but she had learned quite a bit with being on her own. She smiled to herself, she knew she was becoming a better person in all of this. She didn’t know what would happen when they got home, but she was certain they’d be going back soon enough.

“Can we find Keira?” Skylar asked. “I’ve been worried about her.”

“I know, but the thing is it’s impossible to find her in this place.” Hana explained. “We should go and meet up with the others.”

“What? Are you crazy?” Skylar yelled. “My friend is stuck inside here and you just want me to leave her and go meet up with those other pathetic people? I only care about my friend, Keira!”

Sailor Pallas and Sailor Vesta’s eyes widened in horror. How could such little girls have so much anger built up inside of them? Sailor Pallas had no idea what caused Skylar to be clingy and yet push others away. Within a few moments though, they heard Skylar’s soft sobs and gathered that it was Hana who was comforting her.

“It’s going to be okay.” Hana said stroking Skylar’s short blue hair.

“I know how we can find Keira,” Skylar said still sobbing. “But it’ll take all of us and… Sailor Vesta will have to stand in Keira’s place until she gets here.”

“How do you propose we go about this?” Hana asked, now that the girl was speaking with her senses.

“This lighthouse is altered by that woman’s powers, we’ll have to weaken her in order to break down the façade that holds this place together. In order to do that we’ll all need our powers.” Skylar said gasping in between sobs. She knew what this meant. She’d have to leave this place, even though she knew she was incredibly close to her best friend.

Hana nodded in agreement. She didn’t feel that the woman would be a threat currently, considering she already seemed weakened by Sailor Pallas’ power. As they left, nothing attempted to keep them from staying. Hana wondered if the woman was either careless or weakened. It didn’t matter, they were leaving from the place.

The woman was growling with anger. She couldn’t believe Hana had just walked out of this place when she was meant to save her friend, giving the woman a chance to kill Chibi Uranus for revenge. Her lips turned upward, grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t help but notice the true power of revenge. Killing Hana would not benefit her in anyway. No, it would be better to kill her dear friend. The little girl she had already fought. She couldn’t help but smile, this was the perfect plan.

--

Mirai of Pluto was stunned by the change of events. She had never seen anything like it before. The twins posses incredible powers without even being transformed, she wondered what they would be like when they did transform. Though, it wasn’t permanent. Once they returned home the twins’ powers, for the most part would be dormant until they were old enough to become Chibi Moon and Chibi Knight Moon. It was better for them now to receive their powers then to wait. She knew very well the Neo-Queen Serenity would always remain against this, especially once the twins realized they had seen death. Right now, they didn’t know any better and were too innocent to realize what had happened. They would be plagued by nightmares as they grew older, just as Hana, Hikaru, and Keira would be.

She sighed, feeling as though this was just too much for children. Of course, Chibiusa had endured her share of hardships and so had the Sailor Quartets, whether or not they showed it. Mirai’s thoughts turned to her great-granddaughter. She understood a bit more now, but it concerned her greatly. If the other children were unable to accept Maru for her then they would never be a team and Maru may or may not gain her powers. Friendship was the glue that held a team together.

She had to admit that her own team was weary in the department of friendship and love and because of that it would be the second fall in Senshi History. It ached her heart to know their own fall, not being able to see their granddaughter’s or great-granddaughter’s, but in a way she was happy that they had all made it this far. Neo-Queen Serenity had unbearable love for her team and no matter how far the others went off in separate paths she always brought them back together somehow.

Mirai ran her fingers through her black hair, a tear spilled out on her satin red dress. She couldn’t bear it sometimes. To know the future was a burden in itself. To know what she would miss was almost to unbearable at times. Her knees became weak and she fell to the ground. Mihoko of Venus would have to face another failure in her life, and this time she wouldn’t be able to bear it.

Mirai felt a hand on her shoulder and shuddered. Her mind swarmed with possibilities as to who could’ve found her. She wondered if an enemy had come to the time gates, another one. As she looked up her face became pale, it was Helena of Uranus with Naomi of Neptune. The look in her eyes was filled with concern rather then anger. Helena helped Mirai up to her feet again. Mirai stared into Helena’s deep royal blue eyes, trying to figure out her thoughts when suddenly Helena’s arms flew over Mirai and embraced her.

Mirai blinked several times trying to figure out what had happened and why the sudden change in Helena’s behavior. She had never hugged anyone, not even her own daughter. Helena had pawned her off to the servants and barely looked at the young child. Mirai scarcely returned the hug. Once the hug was broken Helena spoke.

“We want you to come back to the Palace. Your great-granddaughter is going to need you as do the rest of us. And I’ve also spoken with Mihoko of Venus and we’ve given Naomi of Neptune and… Chiyemi of--Saturn back their powers. Though, we are upset about their disobedience they were also brave and courageous to help out the children.” Helena of Uranus spoke.

Mirai stood speechless. She noticed that Helena still had issues with Chiyemi of Saturn, but maybe this meant she wouldn’t destroy her after all? She sighed, it was still hard to say. Could Helena possibly be still scheming them or was she starting to transform into a better human being? It was hard to decide. “I’ll go…” Mirai finally said.

Naomi hadn’t spoke at all. Her little mind was swirling with disbelief in the entire situation. No one could change that quickly. She had been there when Helena spoke to Mihoko about their powers but she was still uncertain to trust the woman. She had treated her unfairly all this time to have a sudden turn around was unreal. Nonetheless, they all returned to the Palace.

Himeko of Mars was the first to welcome them back. She had been uncertain about Helena’s sudden change in behavior. Helena held her hand out to shake Himeko’s hand. With uncertainty Himeko received the handshake, but when she did she received a vision of the future. She and the others were at a Royal Ball dancing and enjoying their time, when someone of royalty fell into labor. With much confusion everyone was rushing around in a panic. Someone’s loud booming voice appeared and silenced everyone, causing them to quiet down. Eventually, things went back to the norm and Himeko and the others were in the waiting room, waiting to see the baby.

The King of the Moon brought out Princess Serenity. Himeko gasped, drawing back her hand. They’d never seen their granddaughter’s. Did this mean somehow the timeline was altering for the better? They’d known of their future for sometime, why all of a sudden would it change?

“Is everything…alright?” Salene asked quietly, coming up behind them.

“I think so,” Himeko replied. She turned around, her eyes meeting briefly with Mirai’s and then she disappeared out of the room. Mirai somehow felt comforted by the calm look in Himeko’s eyes. Though, one could not see it by all the confusion that was plastered over her face. She smiled to herself, turning to Mihoko of Venus who was staring out the window she hoped she could learn to be carefree and fun spirited.

---

The girls walked in silence on their way toward the lighthouse. None of them understood exactly what had happened. Hikaru was drained and her heart was aching. She missed her little brother and sister so much. She wanted to feel her mother’s hand stroking her hair again and even Haruka’s caring arms. She knew she didn’t understand fully everything what had happened, but Ginny had clearly been dead. Her stomach churned at the thought of it. She pondered if the twins understood what had happened. Maybe not.

Ginny was finally glad that she had received her Senshi powers. Now she could be of more help toward the rest of the group. She didn’t comprehend everything that had happened. She remembered feeling this strange sensation of leaving her own body, but then she had been brought back. Had she died? If so, how did she come back? Ginny had a feeling that her powers would not be able to bring anyone back to life after they had passed. It was unlikely that she had brought her own self back.

The small little twins were being carried by the older ones. Mamoru was passed out on Jun’s shoulder, while Hailey was still wide awake being carried by her older sister. Hailey was exhausted, but she was afraid if she fell asleep something bad would happen. She feared the monsters and the possibility of them attacking again.

Chibiusa couldn’t help but wonder everything that had happened during the last battle. That energy could have been none other then that of Moon power, but it didn’t make sense. The twins hadn’t received any kind of Senshi powers and she was certain that they would. They were too young in Chibiusa’s eyes. She’d never want her own daughter to be the twins’ ages and fighting evil. Sure, she knew ChibiChibi had been extremely young to be a Senshi, but these were her own siblings and she didn’t see the fairness in any of it.

Lilac’s head was pounding. She was feeling sick again. The screams she had heard sounded like someone had died. She glanced back at Hikaru who was looking rather pale. She couldn’t help but wonder what she had seen or if she could even bare saying the words. Lilac wished she knew what had gone on.

Maru felt small under everyone’s presences. They had all ran to her aide, but afterwards no one barely spoke. It made her feel uncomfortable. Of course, everyone’s minds were wrapped around what had truly happened and what had been that blinding light. Maru averted her eyes to the ground, though she knew know one was looking at her and that they were worried about the twins, Ginny, and Hikaru.

---

Neo-Queen Serenity’s jaw hung open as she stared at Ami and Rei who had been trapped in her closet from the previous night. The two of them looked sheepishly up at her. Rei went to crawl out, but Neo-Queen Serenity put her foot down on Rei’s hand making her squirm back.

“What is the meaning behind this? You- you- put me to sleep and then go inside my closet? How dare you!” Neo-Queen Serenity said. “I don’t have anything to hide in my closet.”

“Then why does it have a pass code?” Ami inquired.

“Because the twins like to go exploring and-” Neo-Queen Serenity’s eyes filled with tears. “How could you?”

Ami and Rei looked up at their Queen with shame and shock. “Just get out!” Neo-Queen Serenity shouted.

“We didn’t even look at anything. We’ve been trying to get out since Luna locked us in.” Rei said nearly shouting. “What do you have to hide in the first place? We’re your friends so you’re able to tell us things, right?”

Neo-Queen Serenity looked at Rei-Chan with mixed feelings. She was anxious because her children were gone: all three of them. She was angry with herself for not letting her husband take care of her and most of all she was scared.

Neo-Queen Serenity shut her eyes, she couldn’t stand to look her friends in their eyes anymore. Though she was still naïve at times, it wasn’t hard for her to see that they were hiding their own sadness about their children being away. Arms wrapped around her, startled her eyes popped open and saw that it was Ami and Rei. She wanted to hug them back but she was too weak to do so.

“Everything will be alright,” Ami said, as one of her own tears rolled down her face.

Rei said nothing, she couldn’t, as she was crying too. Each one of them missed their children immensely. Rei and Ami were trying hard to not fall apart, but it was becoming harder and harder as each day passed and with no word of where or how they were doing.

--

Haruka had climbed up into a tree and was gazing up at the stars. She didn’t understand the meaning behind taking the children to someplace else to receive their Senshi Powers. It didn’t seem fair to her that her daughters had to be taken away from her and Michiru. She knew Michiru was doing everything in her power to keep the other children’s minds occupied, but Haruka knew it wasn’t enough.

Kaimu was trying to be strong, as Haruka had asked him to be, but she never thought that he’d cry his self to sleep every night. He didn’t understand why his sister wasn’t home. All he knew was he missed her a lot. Lily was too young to know what was going on. Morgan on the other hand, she wouldn’t be strong. She had no desire to be strong in any of this. Haruka had overheard her and Michiru arguing. Haruka was about to step in, but she didn’t.

Morgan had screamed at the top of the lungs that if anything were to happen to her sister that she would for always blame Haruka for not going to look for her. Haruka found tears in her own eyes. She was shocked, as she rarely cried. The last time she remembered crying was when her husband had passed. She sighed, no matter how many times she tried to convince herself it wasn’t her fault of Daichi’s death, it always came back to the same haunting answer- it was. If she had just stayed home that day…

Authors Note: Gah, I’m sorry. It’s been two weeks and then I update a lousy chapter. Nyeh. Sorry for all the slowness of the chapters. I also found out that Minako isn’t even in this story at all. Minus being mentioned. Anyway, I hope that the next chapter will be more eventful and updated quicker.

Oh, before anyone thinks Helena is drastically changing. She’s not. She’s just found a soft spot. I’ll do more on this part soon.