Chapter 26

Four Hours and Fifty Minutes Later . . .

Kenneth turned to look at Rodney and smiled, nervously. This coronation ceremony was not only for Reenie and Rodney, but it was also for Kenneth. He was to be crowned King Kenneth, King of the Sun that evening.

The two of them were standing beside each other, awaiting Reenie's and the other Scouts' arrivals. "Are you nervous?" he asked Rodney. For that evening, he had chosen to wear an outfit that was similar to the one that his father always wore for special ceremonies. Unlike his father's, which was a yellow suit with a sword at the side, Kenneth was wearing a dark blue suit with a sword at the side.

Rodney nodded in reply to Kenneth's question. "Yeah," he replied, truthfully. Rodney was wearing a suit that was almost identical to Kenneth's, but his was a dark, rich green. He also wore a sword at his side.
"Just relax," Kenneth said. "And don't worry about what anyone thinks. Trust me, it's not worth getting nervous over this."
"But you're used to this," Rodney said to Kenneth. "I mean, you were raised in this lifestyle. You've been expecting this moment to come your entire life. I only learned about this a few hours ago."

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret, Rodney," Kenneth whispered. "It doesn't matter whether you're raised in this lifestyle or not. You still don't get used to it. Believe me when I tell you that you still get nervous when you're about to be crowned or have to do anything like this."

Rodney opened his mouth to say something, but was stopped when Jordan spoke.
"Guys," he began, "Look."

Both Rodney and Kenneth turned their heads to look down the other hall where they could see the Sailor Scouts walking towards them. They knew that Reenie and Kara were behind the Scouts. The older Sailors were in the front,the younger Sailors following them. Beside both generations of the Sailor Scouts, were Serena, Darien, Terence, Jordan, Raye, Mina, Lita, and Amy.

Seeing Rodney, Reenie quickly jogged past everyone else, towards him. "Hey," she said, going up to him and giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Hey," he said, looknig at her.

Reenie wore a dark, crystal blue gown that clung tightly to her upper body, but flowed out in a skirt. "So," Reenie began nervously, looking at everyone surrounding her, "I guess it's time?"
Pluto smiled. "Not just yet," she said, "The older Scouts will go down first and get everything ready. Until then, we will wait upstairs. Only when the trumpets blare will we descend." Pluto turned to look at the older Scouts and nodded. "Okay guys," she said, "It's your turn. We'll see you in a few."

The older Lita nodded then wearing her emerald green dress, she nodded to one of the guards by the doors and the guards opened them. Turning to look at the others, Lita smiled and took the first step forward towards the open doors that led to the staircase. Amy's future self, wearing a navy blue gown, followed Lita as she walked down the stairs. Mina, wearing a gown that looked as though it could have been made from pure gold, followed Amy. Knowing what she was supposed to do, Raye was about to follow Mina when she suddenly felt Reenie grab her arm.

"Uranus, Neptune," Reenie began, looking at the older Scouts, "Do the two of you mind going ahead? I need to talk to Raye for a second."

Sailor Uranus and Sailor Neptune nodded. Sailor Uranus took a step forward and wearing a dress that was a rich yellow, began to walk down the stairs. Neptune waited until Uranus was several feet down the staircase before she, who was wearing a turquoise dress, followed her.
Meanwhile, Reenie took Raye off to the side.

Raye still avoided looking Reenie in the eye.
"Raye," Reenie began, "Look, I know that you feel guilty about my mother's death."
"But I don't," Raye said, still not looking Reenie the face, "At least, not anymore."

Reenie smiled. "That's good," she said, "But, then, why won't you look me in the eye?"

Raye sighed. "Reenie," she began, lifting her head up slightly so that she was eye-to-eye with Reenie but still avoiding eye contact, "The reason why I don't feel guilty about your mother's death is because she came to me in a vision. But just because I don't feel guilty about Serenity's death doesn't mean that I don't feel that it's not my fault somehow that you no longer have a mother; do you understand?"

Reenie sighed, and lightly took hold of Raye's chin, forcing her to look her in the eye. "Raye," Reenie began, "You were one of my mother's most trusted confidants and I know what you thought of her. I'm glad that you no longer feel guilty about her death, but I'm asking you to please, not feel guilty because I no longer have a mother. Just like it wasn't your fault that she died, it's not your fault that I no longer have a mother. Do you understand that?"

Raye sighed and nodded, but just because she understood what Reenie was telling her didn't really change how she felt.

Reenie let go of Raye's chin.
"Your Majesty," Raye began, now looking Reenie in the eye on her own. "I know what you're saying to me. And I will try. Now, as we can see, it is my turn to descend the staircase."

Reenie looked to the staircase and saw that Neptune was just taking her fifth step down and sighed.
"I'll see you later," she said and went back to her place beside Rodney.

Raye smiled, then, wearing a dress that was dark red, she descended the large staircase.

Almost immediately, Sailor Pluto motioned to the guards to shut the doors. Then turning to look at the younger Scouts and the others, she said, "Okay. You guys have ten minutes to say good-bye before I have to send everyone back to the past."
The past selves of the older Scouts nodded and quickly took their daughters off to the side. Jordan and Terence took Jordan and Kenneth off to the side.

"Lillian," Lita began knowing that this was probably going to be the last time that she saw her daughter until Serena became queen of Crystal Tokyo and trying to hold back tears, "I just want you to know that I'm extremely proud of you. I know that you'll be a success. Just remember, don't be afraid to cry and don't be afraid to admit it when you are, okay?"

Trying to hold back tears of her own, Lillian nodded. She knew that she still had her mom here, but for some reason that she didn't know, her mother's past self was more open with her than her mom was. "Okay, Lita," Lillian said, and wrapped her arms around Lita.

Lita smiled sadly and hugged her future daughter back.

"Meg," Amy began, looking at her future daughter, "Take care, okay? No matter what you do in your life, remember one thing: I'll always be there for you if you need me. I know that my future self is here, but I also know that you and I are closer than you are with her. So, if you ever need someone to open up to, and you don't feel like confiding in my future self or your friends, just come and contact me, 'kay? You don't have to worry about my future self knowing about it. A thousand years of being frozen in time tends to wipe out some memories."
"Sure, Ames," Megan said, trying not to cry because she knew that her make-up would get smudged. Without another word, mother and future daughter embraced.

"Ken," Terence began, taking a few steps back and looking at his future son, "I want you to know that I'm proud of you. More then I think you know."
"I know, dad," Kenneth said, trying to hold back his tears. This was the only time he was ever going to see his father again. After all, like Jordan and his cousins, he no longer had any parents.
"Take care, son," Terence said, wrapping his arms around Kenneth. "Remember, you can always come and talk to me.

You can come see when you want. I'll be thinking of you."
"I'll see ya," Kenneth said, letting a single tear fall down his cheek.

Terence nodded, but didn't let go of his future son. He didn't want to go back to the past and leave his son alone in the future.

Jordan sighed and looked at his son. He had no idea what words of advice he could possibly give his son that he hadn't already told him.
"Have a good trip, dad."

"Son," he began, "I don't really know what to say. That's because I know that there's no words of advice that I can give you that you don't already know or haven't heard. The only thing I can say is that I love you and I'm proud of you. Also, I know that when it comes down to it, you'll do the right thing."
"Thanks," Jordan's son said. Then, not bothering to say anything else, the two of them hugged and Jordan bit back a tear.

Then, knowing what he hadn't told his son already, he whispered, "You can come see me anytime."

Jordan's son nodded and bit back his own tears, not wanting to let go of the father that he no longer had.

"Chantal," Mina began, for once not knowing what to say, "Good luck, okay honey? And please, don't do anything too stupid."
"Don't worry, Mina," she said, grinning; she knew that her mom's future self wasn't really sure what to say. "I won't. I thought you would've known that you'd taught me that already."

Mina smiled, then hugged her daughter for the final time.

Chantal smiled and hugged her mom's future self back.

"Well," Raye began, looking at her future daughter.
"Well," Kirstein began, looking at her mom's past self.
"Kirstein, I know that I don't have to tell you that you did the right thing when you helped the Healers help Reenie. I know that you know that. I also know that I don't have to tell you what your job as a Sailor Scout is because I know that you already know that. What you did for Reenie proves that you know that."
Kirstein nodded, and Raye continued. "I also know why you did what you did for Reenie. While I want to tell you that I am very proud of you, I also want you to know that I'll be very worried about you. Not because I don't think that you'll do the wrong thing, but because I know that you'll do the right thing and that means that I know that you'll risk your life for Reenie time and time again, without a second thought."

Kirstein smiled and looked at her feet, not sure what she should say in reply to that.

"I would wish you good-luck, Kirstein," Raye said, smiling. "But I know that you don't need any." With those final words, Raye wrapped her arms around her future daughter.
"Thanks, mom," Kirstein replied, hugging her future mom back.

Hearing those words, Raye smiled and no longer tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

Serena and Darien looked to their two daughters; both of them couldn't believe how much their two daughters had changed in the years that they had stayed with them in the past.

"Reenie, Kara," Serena began, her voice breaking, "I wish the two of you guys the best of luck." Then, looking to Reenie, she said, "Reenie, I know that you'll do an excellent job as queen. The judgment that you gave to Neflyte and the others in the past have already proven your sense of good judgement." Then, facing her other daughter, she told her, "Kara, I know that you still have a long way to go before you become an adult, and I also know that you no longer have a mother or father to guide you, but I'm telling you that you should listen to Reenie when it comes to dealing with those things. Trust me when I tell you that she knows what's best for you. And for the both of you, don't even think twice if the two of you ever want to come to the past to visit me or Darien. We'll be there for the two of you, no matter what."
"Serena's right," Darien said, not quite sure what else he could say that Serena already hadn't. "The two of you can come visit us any time. We're also very proud of what the two of you have accomplished already, and can't wait to see what the two of you will be doing in the future. And just to let you know, we'll be checking up on the two of you."
"Thanks," Reenie said, feeling proud of what her mother and father had said.

Kara stayed silent, not quite sure what she should say to the two of people who had raised her for the last four years.
"Good-luck, you two," Serena said, then hugged Reenie while Darien bent down and hugged Kara. They stayed like that for several minutes, then they switched; Serena bent down and hugged Kara, while Darien stood and hugged Reenie.
"Now," Darien began, letting go of his older future daughter, "I have a few words that I have to tell Rodney."
"Dad," Reenie began in a warning tone.

Darien smiled and looking at his daughter, he said, "Don't worry. I won't say anything too embarrassing." Then he headed over to talk to Rodney, who was standing silently by himself near the doors.

"Excuse me, Rodney," a voice that was unfamiliar said.

Surprised by this unexpected voice, Rodney turned and looked right up at Darien.
"Oh," he said, obviously surprised and knowing that this was Reenie's father's past self, "Hell. . . hello, sir."

Darien smiled. "Don't worry," he said. "I just wanted to tell you that I expect you to be good to Reenie, understand?"

Rodney nodded. "Yes, sir."
"Good," he said. Then, "Because you know that I won't think twice about coming back here and kicking your butt if I find out you're mistreating her, right?"

Seeing the fear in Rodney's eyes, Darien smiled and had to hide his laughter. "I'm just joking."

Rodney sighed in relief, then Darien quickly said, "But I am serious about you treating her right, you know? I don't really think that I have to worry about that. I know if you're not treating her right the Scouts will set you straight. Besides, you look like a good man. I want you to know that I wish you the best of luck."
"Thank you, sir," Rodney said, still a little frightened of him.

Darien nodded. "And before we head back to the past, I want you to know that Serena and I hold nothing against you for what happened when you were under Nemesis' control. I also want you to stop feeling guilty about it."

Rodney was about to open his mouth to contradict what Darien was saying, but Darien stopped him. "You don't have to say anything about it. Trust me when I say that I know what you're feeling. While I may not have been under Nemesis's control, I was under Queen Beryl's. It's the same thing, and you have to stop beating yourself up over it. Reenie has, so you should, too."

Rodney nodded and Darien smiled. "Good," Reenie's future father said. "Then, I guess that's all I have to say."

With that, Darien extended his hand forward to shake Rodney's hand. It was obvious by the look on his face that this was not a gesture that Rodney had been expecting.

It took him a minute or two, but Rodney quickly took Darien's hand and shook it.

"Okay guys," Sailor Pluto said to the people who were saying good-bye. "Your ten minutes are up. I'm sorry if you guys want more time but I have to get you guys back to the past."

Serena nodded and giving her future daughters one last hug, she stepped away from them and away from the doors that led to the staircase. Giving Rodney one last look, Darien walked to Serena and wrapped his arm around her waist. The others gave their future daughters/sons one last hug and then walked over to Serena and Darien.
"Are we ready?" Serena asked, turning to look at her friends and brother. They nodded and Serena turned to face Sailor Pluto. "We're ready," she replied for the group.
"Good," Sailor Pluto said, smiling. Then turning to look at Reenie and the other Scouts, she said, "Okay, you guys have to take a few steps back before I do this."

Reenie nodded, and took a few steps back, closer towards the doors. The others followed her lead.

Then smiling, Pluto took her staff and quickly drew a circle in the air. Seconds later, a portal appeared where she had drawn the circle. "Who wants to go first?" Pluto asked, turning to face Serena and her friends. Serena turned to face her friends; she wanted to prolong her trip home as long as she could.

Jordan sighed and stepped towards the portal. "I'll go," he volunteered. Then with one final look at his future son, Jordan stepped into the portal that led into the past.

Terence, Amy, and Mina followed him; and Raye and Lita follwed them. Finally, Serena and Darien were the only two left. She sighed and looked at Reenie and Kara; she didn't really want to leave them by themselves.
"Bye, guys," she said, "Don't forget what I told you."

Then with those final words, she and Darien stepped into the portal and into the past.

On the other side of the doors the trumpets blared loudly and Reenie looked at Pluto. The Guardian of Space and Time nodded to confirm what Reenie suspected: it was time for them to go. Quickly, the Scouts got into place.
When they were in their respective places, Pluto nodded to the guards and they opened the doors. Jordan took a deep breath and wearing his black suit, descended the staircase.

Lillian waited until Jordan was the traditional five steps ahead before she got herself ready. Then taking a deep breath, Lillian smiled and wearing a dress that was the same shade as her mother's yet the same style as Reenie's, stepped out on the staircase.

Megan sighed nervously, and when she saw that Lillian was five steps down the staircase she stepped forwards.

Chantal followed Megan, and when Chantal had gone down the five steps, Kirstein smiled and stepped down. Kirstein was just taking her fifth step when Kenneth turned to look at Pluto, a questioning look in his eyes; was it his turn next?

Seeing the questioning look in Kenneth's eyes, Pluto smiled and nodded in reply. Kenneth sighed and followed Kirstein down the large staircase.

Kara was next in her dress of gold, then it was Reenie and Rodney's turn.
"Ready?" Reenie asked Rodney, holding his hand.

Rodney smiled nervously at Reenie and Reenie had to hold back a laugh. "You'll do fine," she whispered in his ear, then, "Come on. It's our turn."

Turning his head so that he was looking at the staircase Rodney bit his lip nervously as he saw that Reenie was right; Kara had already taken the traditional five steps ahead of them and it was their turn now.

Hand-in-hand, Queen Serena and soon-to-be King Rodney followed King Kenneth down the large staircase.

Pluto stood in the background watching as the younger Scouts reached the bottom of the staircase. In a half hour, Reenie and Rodney would be crowned the Queen and King of Crystal Tokyo and Kenneth would be crowned King of the Sun. Smiling, Pluto motioned to the guards to shut the doors that opened to the staircase shut. They had taken their steps that would lead them into whatever destiny had planned for them; there was no turning back now.

Quietly, Pluto took another staircase down to the ballroom. Watching the younger generation of Scouts as they mingled with their guests, Pluto grinned. She knew that they could face whatever came their way.

THE END