During the chaos with Hotaru's daughter, Makoto sits in a park containing pink flowers with her husband, Kent. Her first daughter, Jade, age 3, is playing some game of make-believe with other young children. Kent is not Jade's father. Her father left Makoto before she was born, and Makoto decided to keep Jade a bit longer before sending her to Kent's family.
Being surrounded by the color pink, flowers, and one of her elements: Nature helped Makoto enjoy herself, but she still had an issue on her mind. Artemis had informed Makoto, Jade did not have the mark of Sailor Jupiter when she was born, and Jade's likes are the color dark green, singing, acting, her mother, Gothic clothing, and fighting evil however she can.
Not necessarily bad qualities, just not fitting Jupiter. So, that is not the issue. However, Makoto and Kent were expecting a baby too and, since Makoto was sure Kent is her soulmate, she assured him this would be her final child. That's the issue. No one else knew Makoto is pregnant again! Could this child be the next Sailor Jupiter?
"How are you feeling now, Makoto?" Kent asked.
"Much better...Thank you." Makoto sighed in relief as the baby had been kicking her a lot lately.
"Seems like our little one is going to like martial arts as much as you do." Kent laughed.
"I hope she/he doesn't let it get the better of them as it did to me. I'm still wondering how to explain this to the others." Makoto laid back to relax and think.
"Tell them. They're your friends. They'll understand." Kent explained.
"I know, but it doesn't feel that simple. I'll think about it." Makoto conceded after days of going through ideas on how to reveal this news.
Jade had been unexpected, and Makoto's stress nearly killed her, but she had told Neo-Queen Serenity as soon as she found out everything she could about the child. Queen of the Moon and Sailor Guardians, both Inner and Outer, had been there for her.
Makoto had been so broken at that time. She stopped caring who knew and let her friend's caring words comfort her. Regardless, Jade is excited to be having a little sister or brother. Makoto decided to tell Neo-Queen Serenity first again!
"My Queen, I need to inform you of something." Makoto, as Sailor Jupiter, strode into the Throne Room.
"Yes?" Neo-Queen Serenity smiled sweetly, giving Jupiter the confidence she needed.
"I'm pregnant again, but I've kept up with doctors and everything, just as I did with Jade." The Queen of Jupiter was relieved to see her fellow queen's smile did not falter.
"I'm pleased to hear you and Kent are going to have a child with each other. How is Jade taking it?" Neo-Queen Serenity questioned.
"As well as any 3-year-old would. I don't know how to tell the others, but I thought I should let you know first." Jupiter admitted.
"If you wish, I can divulge this to the others." Neo-Queen Serenity replied serenely.
"Thank you. That would take a load off my mind." Jupiter bowed, and she and Neo-Queen Serenity shared a hug
As promised, over dinner that night, Neo-Queen Serenity informed the Sailor Senshi, their husbands, and new Sailor Senshi of Makoto's pregnancy, and the table exploded with cries of "Congrats!" and questions.
"Do you know the gender?" Minako asked.
"No, but Kent and I are hoping it's a girl," Makoto replied.
"Would it be strange if a boy is a Sailor Senshi?" Rei asked.
"He wouldn't be called a Sailor Senshi, just "Prince" of whatever planet he is from like; I am from Earth, yet still use his powers to help." King Endymion explained.
"That would be pretty cool." Yuichiro, Rei's husband, added.
"Though I hope Makoto and Kent get their wish, I think a boy would be interesting too." Ami put her two cents in.
"I'm sure everything will turn out fine." Urawa, Ami's husband, said.
"Boy or girl, whichever it is, is going to be important regardless." Haruka and Michiru, who is married now too, reclined in her chair, and Michiru nodded in agreement with Holly following suit.
"I hope your child turns out to be a girl, just like you want." Hotaru chirped, who seemed to be in higher spirits than she had been.
Setsuna and Trisha nodded in agreement.
"Thanks, everyone." Makoto is grateful to have such good friends.
"Are you going to have this child at Io Castle as you did with Jade?" Alan questioned.
Io Castle is the palace of Sailor Jupiter, given to her by Queen Serenity when she was born and housed part of the Holy Grail's power. However, Io Castle not on any of Jupiter's moons but orbits around the planet itself.
"Yeah. Though it is very stormy there, it would be the best choice. I need to send Jade to live with her grandparents before I go..." Makoto told all her friends her plans.
Makoto planned to take Kent with her to Io Castle, where her servants, wrapped in all different shares of green or pink, would tend to him. Kent would be referred to and treated as "King Kent." Jade had been referred to as "Lady Jade," which confused her. Why was she not called Princess? Makoto had tried to explain the next wielder of Jupiter's powers needs to be Prince or Princess, but Jade is still a princess in Makoto's heart. Of course, Jade still did not understand but accepted it before she was sent to Earth.
At Io Castle, Makoto spent most of her time admiring storms from the palace balconies; it calmed her, though she considered others' advice too. Kent tended to Makoto as much as he could for the 9 months, but her pregnancy was rather smooth. However, as time drew nearer, Makoto began feeling extremely weak, and she hated it! Contacting Luna and Artemis in a command center of her own, Makoto explained her sudden, strange ailment. Of course, they had the answer!
"Sounds like your power or part of it, at least, is transferring to the new Sailor or Prince of Jupiter!" Luna explained excitedly.
"Don't worry. The power needs to take root in its descendant. Once the baby is born, you'll get your strength back." Artemis assured.
"OK. Thanks." Solemnly, Makoto hung up.
A couple of months ago, this news would not have bothered Makoto, but a new worry had formed in her mind: Of course, she knew one of her children would have to take up the mantle of Sailor Jupiter, but what hardships would that include? Makoto did not want her child to endure what she had. While her child would have a Princess, she admired and served (Rini), guides (Luna and Artemis's kittens), friends, and a great destiny, all that did not mean the evils he'd/she'd face would be any less dangerous. Sadly, right on time, Makoto's baby arrived on March 20th, right at the beginning of spring! Makoto was so euphoric she had forgotten when, as expected, the symbol for Jupiter shined proudly on the baby's forehead in green!
"She's so beautiful. What should we name her?" Kent asked.
Makoto looked around the room and saw a mermaid sticker on one of the walls, and a name she remembered from a mermaid movie struck her, "How about...Ariel?"
"Perfect." Kent smiled lovingly at his daughter.
Makoto gazed at the baby's mark for Jupiter, she remembered why she had been worried, but the baby was delivered safely, happy and healthy. So...come what may, right? Well, come what may, came too soon. One day, Ariel wandered away from the servants, who were supposed to be watching her as Makoto rested. Ariel crawled outside in the middle of a storm, where a lightning bolt streaked toward her!
A loud crack and crying attracted Makoto and Kent! Amazingly, Ariel was unharmed, not even paralyzed, as she had actually pulled off a "Jupiter Thunderclap Zap" to redirect the bolt away from her, of course, without knowing she did! As Kent cuddled the frightened baby to calm her, Makoto scolded her careless servants but admitted to herself, "Looks like I don't have to worry about Ariel as much as I thought..."