Chapter 12

"Reenie," Lillian begged her queen and friend, "Please come back. We don't want to lose you." The Sailor Scout sat in a chair by Reenie's bedside, holding Reenie's hands as if that could somehow stop her friend from dying. Stop her lifeforce from leaving her body. Tears threatened to spill from Lillian's eyes as she stared at her friend, lying unconscious on the bed. Quickly, she wiped them away. Crying would not help Reenie. "Kara has already lost her mother and father," Lillian said sadly, struggling to hold back tears, "She can't lose you too, Reenie. She just can't."
"You can't guilt her back, Lillian," a familiar voice whispered, a voice filled with sorrow and sadness. "I know because I've tried."

Not expecting anyone else, Lillian turned to see Raye Hino otherwise known as Sailor Mars standing in the doorway.

"Trust me. It didn't work on her mother, and it won't work on Reenie." Raye walked over so that she was standing beside Lillian. Both of them stared down at the unconscious Reenie.
"I know that, Miss Hino," Lillian said, "It's just that. . ."

Raye put her hand on Lillian's shoulder, trying to comfort the child. "I understand," she said, "But, you also need your rest. It is past midnight."

Lillian looked at the clock on the wall and noticed, in shock, that Raye was right. It was almost one in the morning. "But Reenie " Lillian began to ask, but Raye cut her off.
"Will be okay until morning," the older Scout informed her. "She will not be alone. Amy, Mina or I will be here with her."

Raye caught the question that showed in Lillian's eyes, Why hadn't Raye mentioned her mother?

"Your mom is watching for the Healers and Hotaru. We do not know when they are going to arrive. Now go. You need your sleep. You cannot do anything more for Reenie."

Lillian nodded, stood up and walked out of the room.

Raye sighed and took her place in the chair. She couldn't believe that it was happening again.

Not if the Healers get here, Raye reminded herself, It might be able to avoided if the Healers get here in time.

The older Scout took hold of Reenie's hands, not wanting the same fate to happen to her as it had to her mother.

You are not going to die, she told herself, I wasn't able to protect your mother, but I will protect you.

Sailor Pluto stood in the doorway, staff in hand, looking at Raye. She could not help but feel sorry for her. She knew what Raye must be going through. First losing Serena and now, she might be losing Reenie.

I wish I could help you with your pain, Pluto thought, hating to see her friend suffer. I wish I could tell you what was to come, but I can't. You must learn as the others do.

Pluto watched as Raye continued to hold Reenie's hands. She could almost feel Raye's sadness. Quickly, Sailor Pluto turned and quietly walked away. She knew that if Raye saw her, the Sailor Scout would ask Pluto to tell her what was going to happen to Reenie, and while Pluto knew that she could not tell Raye, she also knew that there was no way she'd be able not tell her once she saw the pain in Raye's eyes.

To avoid that confrontation, Pluto walked away from Queen Serena's doorway, fighting against the little voice in her brain that told her to tell Raye what was going to happen.

Amy sat in her room, staring out the window, unable to believe what had happened to Reenie. She looked at the gardens that Queen Serenity had created and shook her head in sadness. She had done everything she could for her friend's daughter, she only hoped it was enough to keep Reenie alive until the Healers could get to her.

If not, I'm so sorry, Serenity, Amy apologized.

She was so caught up in her own thoughts, that she never even noticed when a familiar man stepped into her room. Quietly, he walked towards the woman he loved, glad to finally be with her again after two and a half years. When he was only a few feet away from Amy, he placed his left hand on her shoulder. Not expecting anyone else, Amy jumped.
"Sorry, Amy," he apologized. He hadn't wanted to scare her.

Amy smiled at him sadly and turned back to looking out the window, at the garden. "It's okay, Greg," she said, the sadness she felt showing in her voice. "I was just " she paused for a moment "thinking."

Greg nodded. He didn't need to ask Amy what she was thinking about. He already knew. Greg placed his right hand on her other shoulder, hoping that his gesture might give a little comfort to his wife.

Amy sighed and leaned her head against Greg's broad chest. As she did so, a single tear slid down her cheek. "I miss her, Greg," she whispered, holding back her tears.

Greg nodded. "I know," he whispered to Amy. "I miss her, too."
"And now the same thing might be happening to Reenie," she said, twin tears sliding down her cheeks.
"Not if the Healers get first," Greg reminded the love of his life.
"True," Amy admitted. There was only the sound of the crickets coming from the garden for a few seconds, then she said, "I just can't stand thinking that the same thing that happened to Serena is going to happen to Reenie. I mean, neither of them deserved this."

Greg sighed. "True. But Amy none of you deserved to have your lives turned upside down when you learned that you were Sailor Scouts."

Amy shook her head. "That was different, Greg."
"How was that different? Every time you guys went out and fought against evil, you risked your lives. That was what came with the job. I think Queen Serenity knew and so does Queen Serena. I mean, how many times did you, Raye, Mina, or Lita put your lives at risk for the good of the world without caring what would happen to yourselves? You guys knew what had to be done and you guys did it. Or did you think I would forget about all the battles you've told me about? You told me about your guys' battle against Beryl. You guys all died and, with the magic of the Silver Emperium Crystal, were brought back to life thank goodness."

Amy stayed silent, knowing that what Greg was saying was true. Every time they had gone to fight against Neflyte, Jadeite, Zoisite, or Malachite they had risked their lives. They had died several times along the way, but with the help of the Crystal, they had been brought back to life to defend the world once more against evils that most people could not even imagine.

After a few minutes, Greg said, "You know I'm right, Amy. Serenity fought against Prince Diamond not knowing whether or not she would win. Fortunately, she defeated him. Unfortunately, she could not win against Rodney. But she still fought against him. Even when she knew that she couldn't win, she didn't give up. I think Queen Serena knew that she had the same responsibility. And if I understand correctly, she loved Rodney in the past, didn't she? Before Diamond brain-washed him into thinking that he was his son."

Amy nodded. Reenie had loved Rodney, just as Serena had loved Endymion: with all her heart.

"Queen Serena knew who Rodney really was. She knew that he wasn't really evil and that Diamond had brain-washed him. Queen Serena also knew that she could save him, just as you and Sailor Moon saved me when Zoisite removed the Rainbow Crystal from inside of me, remember?"

Again, Amy nodded. She remembered that day clearly. Back then, Greg had believed that destiny had already been laid out for them and that they could not fight it or change it. But after Sailor Moon had changed him back to his normal human-self he had no longer believed that.

"Sailor Moon used the Crystal on me because she knew that inside I wasn't really that monster. Queen Serena knew that Rodney wasn't really as evil as he seemed. She knew that the evil and hatred that Nemesis had filled his heart with was what made him so evil. She also knew that she could change that. And she did."

Both of them were silent for a while after that.

Amy thought about what Greg had just said. She knew that everything he had said was true. Reenie had risked her life to save Rodney because deep down in her heart, she knew that he wasn't really as evil as he seemed. Amy knew that Reenie had known what she had been doing. She remembered Serena telling Reenie that whenever she used the Emperium Crystal that it would tire her out and that if she used it for too long, that she would die. But Reenie wasn't dying from energy loss. She was dying because something evil was slowly killing her from the inside out. The evil that had lived inside of Rodney, Amy knew. The evil that had possessed him. The good inside of Reenie was too strong for the evil to overtake it, so instead it was slowly killing her.

Amy could no longer hold back the tears that had been threatening to overflow for the past few hours. She turned her gaze away from the garden and, burying her face inside Greg's chest, let the tears fall freely.

Greg wrapped his arms around Amy, wishing he could take her pain away somehow. He sighed and stared down at Amy.

Queen Serena has to be okay, Greg thought. She just has to. I don't know how Amy'll be able to live otherwise.

Kara sat on the couch by her window, staring out into the gardens that her mother had so carefully created so many years ago. As she stared out at the large garden, she couldn't help but think how unfair fate was being to her and her family. She had lost both of her parents two and a half years ago, along with her uncle, Kenneth's father. Now she might be losing her sister. The only connection that she had to her parents. Tears fell from Kara's eyes as she realized this. If Reenie died, then she would have to rule Crystal Tokyo. She knew that she wasn't prepared for that.

Reenie was brought up to be queen, not me, she thought sadly, starring at the hibiscus that grew in the Royal Garden. She can't die! She just can't! I can't lose anyone else! Reenie, please don't die! I don't know what I'd do if you did!

Kenneth laid on his bed, looking at a photograph that had been taken several years before Reenie, Kara, and he had gone to the past. In the picture they all looked so happy. He remembered that it had been taken two years before Prince Diamond had first attacked Crystal Tokyo. Kenneth looked at the picture. Queen Serenity, King Endymion, Reenie, Kara, his father (King Terence), and himself all smiled out at him. Kenneth could remember that day clearly. He and Reenie had just turned seven and Kara had been born only several weeks before. Kenneth bit his lip, hating to think that they would never have another opportunity for a family photo like this one. He still couldn't believe that his father, aunt, and uncle were gone. And now he might be losing one of his cousins. Reenie. One of his last connections to his family.

Kenneth shook his head, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to fall. He hadn't cried in so long. Not even when Reenie had told him that his father had been killed. But now the tears were too strong, his sorrow too great. Kenneth could no longer hold back those tears. Against his own will, the tears flowed and landed on the picture frame, his only memory of a happier time.

Lita stood on the palace balcony, awaiting the arrival of the Healers. She looked at her watch and sighed when she realized that it was almost two in the morning. She and the others had no idea when the Healers were to arrive at the palace, because they had no idea when the Healers had sensed Queen Serena's illness.
"Your Highness!" One of the guards from the Communication Room came running out onto the balcony. "Your Highness!"

Lita turned to face the guard. "What is it?" she asked, wondering what the guard was so excited about.

Smiling, the guard replied, "Six blips of energy appeared on our radar near Pluto."
"The Healers?"

The guard nodded. "We think so."
"How long until they reach Crystal Tokyo?"

The guard shrugged. "We suspect ten hours, maybe ten and a half."
"That soon?" Lita was surprised.

Again, the guard nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. They are coming towards Earth with amazing speed."

Lita nodded. "Thank you," she said to him.
"Are you not going to go inside for some rest, Your Highness?" he asked, when it seemed that she was going to stay outside.

Lita shook her head. "Not now," she told him. "Maybe later."
"Are you sure, Your Highness?"

Lita nodded. "Quite."
"Very well, then," the guard said and walked back inside the palace.
Lita leaned against the balcony railing and sighed in relief. The Healers were ten and a half hours away from Earth and Crystal Tokyo. That meant that they would get here in time to save Queen Serena's life.

We will not fail you this time, Serenity, Lita thought, looking out at the night sky. Queen Serena will make it!

She sighed, then after a minutes or so, turned and headed back inside to inform the Elder Scouts of the good news.

Mina was walking down the hall towards Queen Serena's bedroom. It was her turn to relieve Raye. She yawned and looked at her watch to see the time. Almost two-thirty in the morning, she realized. Mina was about to turn into the queen's room when she noticed a familiar figure walking rapidly down the hall towards her. She stopped and tried to recognize who it was. A few seconds later, she smiled as she was the short pony-tail swish back and forth as the person walked towards her.

Lita, she knew. Then, she wondered, Why is she not waiting on the balcony for the Healers to arrive?
"Mina!" the tall Scout called when she was only several feet away.
"What's up?" Mina asked, wondering why Lita had the smile on her face.
"I have goods. The Healers are supposed to arrive here in about nine and a half to ten hours."

At this, Mina's jaw dropped. "That early?" she asked, astounded.

Lita nodded. "I know," she said, "It surprised me, too. My guess is that Iounda was near their galaxy border. Our galaxy is right next to theirs, after all."

Mina nodded. Considering the speeds at which the Healers were able to fly at, what Lita was saying made sense. "That's fantastic, Lita!"

Lita nodded in agreement. "I thought so, too," she said. "Now I just need to tell Amy and Raye."
"You're not going to tell our daughters or Kara and Kenneth?" Mina asked, surprised.
"I'm going to," Lita informed Mina. "I just want to wait for them to wake up. I think they need some rest."

Mina nodded, understanding Lita's logic, but if she knew the Younger Scouts as well as she thought she did, then she knew that they were probably all up in their room, worrying about Queen Serena.

"Is Raye in there?" the tall Scout asked, motioning inside the room.

Mina nodded. "Yeah. I was just going to relieve her from her shift."

Lita nodded. "Would you mind telling her about the Healers? This way I can go tell Ames the good news."
"No problem. You go tell Amy."

Lita nodded and continued to walk in the direction Mina had just come from while Mina walked inside Queen Serena's room.

Hearing soft footsteps, Raye turned her head to see who had entered. It was Mina. From the expression on Mina's face, Raye could tell that something had changed.
"Mina, what is it?" Raye asked, curious to know what had changed.
"Lita knows when the Healers are supposed to arrive here," Mina told Raye excitedly.
"Really?"

Mina nodded. "Yeah. She thinks that they're going to arrive in about nine and a half to ten hours."
"That soon?"
"I know. I thought the same thing. Lita thinks that Iounda must have been near their galaxy border, and considering the fact that our galaxy is right next to theirs. . ."

Raye nodded her head, understanding what Mina was telling her. "Does Amy know yet?" she asked. "I know how worried she is about Queen Serena."
"Lita went to go tell her," Mina replied.

Raye nodded.

"And I suggest that you get to your room and get some sleep. Even two hours of sleep are better than none."

Raye nodded, patted Reenie's hand, then got out of the chair and walked out of the room.

Immediately, Mina went and sat down in the chair next to Reenie's beside.

Nine and a half hours to wait, Reenie, the newly brunette Scout thought. Can you hold on until then?

Knock! Knock! Surprised by the knocking sound, Greg turned his head to look at the door and Amy lifted her tear-stained face.
"Amy, are you in there?" a familiar voice asked.

Greg looked at his wife, to see what she wanted him to tell Lita.

Amy wiped the tears from her eyes and nodded.
"We're in here, Lita," Greg called.

The door swung open and Lita walked inside. As soon as she saw Amy's face, she felt like she had walked in on something private. She looked at the ground and Greg asked, "What is it, Lita? Is something wrong?"

Lita lifted her head and smiled. "Nothing's wrong, Greg," she replied, "I just thought that Amy and you would be interested to know that the Healers are scheduled to arrive here in about nine and a half hours."

Hearing this, Amy's eyes lit up. "Are you serious, Lita?" she asked, hope in her eyes.

Lita nodded. "I'm completely serious, Ames," the tall Scout reassured her friend, "Julian was monitering the radar. About an hour ago, six blips appeared on the screen near Pluto."

Amy frowned. "Six?" she said, not sure she heard correctly.
"I think they may be bringing Hotaru back home," Lita replied, "That's the only explanation I have."

Amy nodded. "That makes sense," she said, "Hotaru has been gone for a long time."
"For four years," Lita agreed, "She doesn't even know about anything that happened with the new Nemesis."
"Things are definitely going to shock her," Greg said.
"Yeah," Amy said, not really thinking about. Then to Lita, "Who is with Reenie now?"
"Mina," the green Sailor Scout replied, "She and Raye just changed shifts. Mina's telling Raye about the Healers."
"Should we tell the children?" Amy asked.
"I was thinking after they wake up," Lita said.

Amy smiled. "Do you really think any of them are sleeping?" she asked, "I mean, they're all worried about Reenie. I know if I were one of them that I wouldn't be able to sleep."
"You aren't one of them and you still can't sleep, honey," Greg said, lovingly. Amy chose to ignore him.

Lita smiled at them. Andrew had often joked around with her like that. The smile disappeared from her face as she realized that Andrew no longer could joke around with her. Quickly, she changed the subject back to the kids.
"You're right, Amy," Lita agreed, "Maybe we should tell them now."
"I know that Lillian isn't sleeping," Greg told Lita, "I ran into her on my way here to Amy's room. She was just leaving Queen Serena's room. From the look on her face, I think she would have rather stayed by the queen's side."

Lita sighed sadly, knowing how close her daughter was to Reenie. She knew that Lillian would be happy to hear the news about the Healers.
"I'm going to go tell her then," she told Greg and Amy.
"We'll tell the others," Greg said, knowing that it was going to take Lita a while to explain to her daughter.

Lita nodded her thanks and left their room.
"We should go too," Greg suggested.

Amy nodded. "You go ahead, Greg," she told her husband, "I'm going to wash my eyes. I don't want the kids to know that I was crying."

Greg nodded in understanding and quickly left the room.

Amy sighed, got up from where she was sitting and walked over to her private bathroom to clear away any signs that she had been crying.