Another year later, Minako Aino, a.k.a Sailor Venus, is on a dinner outing with her now-husband, who she met when she lived in London, Alan. "Every day, Crystal Tokyo seems more and more breathtaking!" Even after living on the moon for years, Alan loved everything about Crystal Tokyo. "It is the happiest place in the galaxy. Neo-Queen Serenity has done a wonderful job of continuing and maintaining the peace her mother created before her." Minako agreed as they sat down outside to enjoy the weather.
"You always used to tell me how much of a kind ruler Neo-Queen Serenity is, but she is an even better friend. I was surprised to learn she used to be Sailor Moon AND Serena Tsukino." Alan laughed a little, almost unable to imagine Serena, the poor, lazy student, and crybaby, as many knew her, is now the regal Queen of Crystal Tokyo.
When a waiter came over to take their order, he knew Minako wanted curry, as that is her favorite, and Alan ordered grilled fish and a steamed vegetable side dish. Then, Minako picked up the conversation where they left off. "Serena is always a great friend. I was surprised when I first learned she is Sailor Moon too. I'm so glad Katrina came to the wedding. It would have been a shame if I were to lose her as a friend." Minako commented as the couple waited for their food.
Alan divorced his first wife, Katrina, when he realized Minako is still alive and is Sailor V or Venus, who took an explosion for him in battle because she loved him when they last met, and she is good friends with Katrina. Thankfully, Katrina wasn't mad, of course, upset for a bit, but still maintains a good friendship with both people and had even attended their wedding!
Minako knew if she wanted to continue her duty as a Sailor Senshi, she and Alan would have to take their relationship one step further. "Minako..." Alan's voice turned serious, but he spoke softly and quietly to her. "I know your duty as a Sailor Senshi means a great deal to you, and it's an immense experience than I could ever grasp, but I want to help keep such a wonderful legacy alive, yet I don't want to do anything you aren't ready for.
So, tell me: Are you ready to take our relationship to the next step?" Minako took a moment to compose herself and took a deep breath, then replied, "I thought you'd never ask." Making love to Minako was how Alan imagined making love to the goddess of Greek mythology, Venus would feel. It was magical, beautiful, and loving! Everything Venus stood for went into it, and Alan tried to match it but felt inferior to the charms of the Soldier of Love and Beauty!
For her part, Minako could not explain the out-of-body experience she had been feeling, making her light-headed now. Sure, she just felt the purest and honest act with her true love, but she felt there was something...bigger at work. Lucky for Minako, Artemis, her snow-white moon cat with blue eyes, knew what had happened and intended to warn her! "Are you feeling alright, Minako?" Artemis chuckled as he noticed the glazed-over look in his companion's eyes.
"You know what happened, Artemis. I'm just feeling a little out of it." Minako admitted. "Sit down, then. We need to talk."Artemis patted a silver, waiting for the chair's armrest with his paw. When Minako settled in, Artemis jumped and curled up in her lap. "What do you want to talk to me about?" Minako sighed, half in content, half is knowing this could be a boring lecture on politics.
"I do know what you and Alan did, but do you realize why you feel so weak now?" Artemis asked. "You know?" Due to the cold tone in the cat's voice, Minako clutched the chair's arms in fear. "Your child might be the next Sailor V." Artemis knew there was no easy way to break this news to Minako and took her moment of stunned silence to explain further.
"Your powers are getting ready to transfer to your child. While this happens, you must not use your abilities, or you might hurt the..." "No! I won't let my child go through what I had to as Sailor V or Sailor Venus! He or she can be the heir to my throne, but I don't want them being a Sailor Senshi!" Minako cried out as tears built up in her eyes. "Minako, every Senshi is going to go through this sooner or later, even the queen." Artemis tried to comfort the woman. "That's their choice. This is mine! It's not even born yet, Artemis, and your forcing what my destiny is on it?!" Tears began to roll down Minako's cheeks.
"Their life won't be as difficult as yours was. They'll have myself, Luna, our kittens, their Princess, and teammates all figured out already, but this isn't your choice, Minako. It has to happen to continue the legacy of the Sailor Senshi. A vow, an oath you took." Artemis reminded her, but this did not help make matters any better. "I don't want this..." Minako sobbed. Finally, Alan recovered and came to see what all the commotion was about. Artemis scampered off Minako's lap so that Alan could soothe her.
Despite everything seemed to be worked out for the child, which was a load off their minds, Alan knew why Minako was really upset: What if Dooms Day happened to Crystal Tokyo and, just like last time, what if everyone needed to be reincarnated again? Just like Queen Serenity could not go with her daughter to Earth, Sailor Moon's Senshi could not go with their children, and what if it happened while the children were still too young to fight or away at school, then what?
Quickly, Alan and Minako's perfect dream was turning into a horrid nightmare! Despite their better judgment, they decided to do whatever they could to give their child the best fighting chance they could. Minako planned for her, Alan, and Artemis to return to the lovely and beautiful yellow planet, and Minako will have her baby there for starters.
Minako was still slightly pissed off at Artemis, but he was only doing his job: Making sure Minako is safe. Plus, Minako hoped Artemis would feel the same stress when Luna is carrying his kittens! At Magella Castle, Venus's golden, crystal-shaped palace, Minako's servants adjusted their Queen's room to be comfortable for the pregnant woman, dressed her comfortably, and prepared all the right meals for her.
Alan and Artemis did all they could for the 9 months, and Minako tried not to be too unbearable. On Feb. 14, Valentine's day, all Minako felt is love, relief, harmony, and a bond beginning as she gave birth. She heard music, though she did not know where it could be coming from, and no one else seemed to have heard it, so she reasoned it was just in her head. Soon, Minako heard the cries of new life ringing through the place, and she could not help but cry in happiness. Artemis could not wait to see the new Prince or Princess! "It's a girl!" One of the midwives announced, and the other servants cheered.
Once the baby was wrapped in a blanket, Minako could hold her. The baby is bald for now, has eyes that keep changing color, and is bathed in a mysterious, golden glow with the symbol of Venus on her forehead, but is a stunningly beautiful baby. At 15 weeks of age, the baby, named Gracie, starts sprouting scarlet red hair! At two and a half years old, Gracie's eyes would change to their permanent color, whatever that would be, and Minako feels it's time to return to the Crystal Palace!
With Trisha, Holly, and Gracie, the palace was certainly going to be busy, but the other inhabitants would help all the children. Also, somewhere between the time Trisha must have been born and Holly came along, Leta had an unexpected child, Jade, now 3 years old, and Hotaru with Erika, now 2 years old. However, neither child was revealed to be a Sailor Senshi.
To protect them, the girls agreed to send them to Earth to their parents once they could live without their mothers. In a sad but understanding way, Magella Palace inhabitants bid Minako, Alan, and Gracie farewell as they returned to the Moon Kingdom! The other Sailor Senshi and their partners gushed over the new toddler, but Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion could sense the couple is troubled.
One night, Neo-Queen Serenity visited the couple, "Minako, Alan, what is troubling you both? And don't lie to me; I can sense it."
Minako began to tear up, "I can't bear the thought of my daughter dealing with the hardships we did as Sailor Senshi! I know they won't face the same ones, but there will still be some!"
Alan rocked Gracie to calm her as she began to cry too. Neo-Queen Serenity sat down on Minako's other side and hugged her.
"Minako...I know how heart-wrenching the thought of your daughter being in danger is, but consider this: No matter what, you will always be proud of your title as Sailor V. Don't you think your daughter will want something as important to be proud of as well?" Neo-Queen Serenity asked, a knowing smile on her face.
Even though she was sick at heart, Minako knew her friend was right, and, feeling unable to speak, she nodded. Neo-Queen Serenity hugged her again and promised her Gracie would become as pure and caring as Minako is, and those traits will protect her and her teammates.
Of course, Minako hoped Gracie was better at academics and taking care of others than she had been! Feeling slightly better, Minako and Alan thanked the queen for her kind words and insight, and the regal, goddess-like queen smiled and nodded before standing up, smoothing out her dress and exiting. Obviously, Minako did not know how Gracie would take to Trisha and Holly.
Thankfully, Trisha (7 1/2 years old) adored Gracie, and Holly (2 1/2 years old), who was not much like Haruka yet, made quick friends with Gracie. As Minako watched the three play together, she figured, "If these girls are going to be the next generation of Sailor Senshi, at least, they'll be together..."