If nothing else, Neo-Queen Serenity had to inform Gracie's family and roommate first. However, telling them would cause the others to be suspicious as subtly isn't easy for Senshi. So, Neo-Queen Serenity requested Minako, Alan, Artemis, and Crystal to a private room where no one could eavesdrop on them. Gracie, Alan, and Artemis tried to calm Crystal as she was nervous, as though Neo-Queen Serenity was displeased with her. When Neo-Queen Serenity entered the room, Crystal had to ask, "My queen, did I do something wrong?"
"Of course not, Crystal. You are one of the Neo-Sailor Senshi closest to my daughter. I could not ask for a better gift than your friendship." Neo-Queen Serenity smiled serenely at they worried girl, who brightened up.
"If it's not Crystal you wanted to speak about, then what?" Minako questioned.
"It's about Gracie..." Neo-Queen Serenity stepped aside to reveal the golden-white swan behind her.
"Though beautiful, that's a swan." Alan looked questioningly up at the queen.
Immediately, Artemis wanted to give chase. But Neo-Queen Serenity held Gracie up, out of the cat's reach. Then, fixing him with an icy stare, Artemis quickly scampered back to sit on Minako's shoulder.
"My queen, how can you think that's Gracie?" Minako laughed.
"I know a way to find out." Crystal walked forward and smiled softly at the swan as her symbol for Mercury glowed on her forehead.
Relieved, Gracie did the same back.
"Gracie..." Minako and Alan hugged their daughter carefully.
"How did this happen?" Artemis looked at anyone who might have the answer.
"I'm afraid we're not quite sure what's happening." Neo-Queen Serenity replied.
Crystal could see her queen was getting a bit stressed too, so she piped up, "Don't fret, my queen; I'll take care of everything Gracie needs!"
For the rest of the day, Gracie watched intently as Crystal built a unique set-up for her, near the open window, with a lower basin for water and a warm, upper ledge for land, out of reach of any of the cats in the palace. Also, Crystal bought grains, fruits (mainly grapes), and vegetables, which are much healthier for swans than bread.
After two hours, Crystal is finished! Elated at how much Crystal researched and worked to make this little paradise just for her, Gracie honked loudly in joy. Crystal giggled and just responded with, "You're welcome."
As harmonious as this is, it did not come without another tragedy! Late one night, Gracie noticed Crystal moaning, a bright, blue light lit the room for a second, and a splash sounded! Spotting an odd lump in her water basin, Gracie fluttered down! She did not mind sharing her water, but given the darkness, she could not discern what this was, so she investigated. Surprisingly, it was much larger than expected, taking up much of the basin, solid, and, as she stood on it to look around, she noticed it was heaving...breathing! What Gracie had landed on was a blue, leatherback turtle!
"Where the hell did this behemoth come from?!" Gracie thought, alarmed. "Wait...I didn't know turtles came in blue and...Crystal?"
Suddenly, the blue turtle lifted its head and turned to look at Gracie with eyes she knew among anyone in the world. Of course, Gracie never was an animal expert to the extent Crystal is, but she had enough sense to know this female turtle can only survive in this swan-sized basin for a short time. So, she was able to rouse Holly and Alexis!
"What's this swan doing in here?!" Holly exclaimed.
"Something's not right. What's wrong?" Alexis knelt to the swan, who pulled lightly on Alexis's nightgown and hopped to the doorway. "It wants us to follow it. Come on, Holly!"
"Alexis, wait!" Holly ran after her little sister, who was now following Gracie.
They knew exactly what to do when led to the leatherback turtle in Gracie and Crystal's room! Holly, the stronger of the two, dragged the lower basin into the bathroom as Alexis filled the bathtub with Neptune's water, and they dumped Crystal in!
As Crystal was much more comfortable in here, her power activated, illuminating her birthmark! Holly and Alexis were stunned. However, they knew Crystal might need food, so they bought jellyfish, squid, and crab. Holly and Alexis felt it was their duty to keep Crystal alive, and it was not long before they started caring for Gracie too!
One morning, Alexis walked up to Holly with purpose! Holly could always tell by how Alexis held herself. Roaming eyes, a straight face, a stiff back, relaxed arms, and strong steps are all signs of a more serious Alexis!
"So, have you told mother or mom yet?" Alexis half-shrugged.
"You know, I think THEY are not the right people to go to with this," Holly explained yet again how she feared Haruka and Michiru would think their daughters had gone crazy if they claimed their teammates had turned into animals!
"Who should we tell then?!" Alexis snapped.
"I don't-" Holly began but was interrupted by a mature, strong female voice.
"Morning, girls." Comet walked in.
"Morning, Comet." Both girls replied at the same time.
Then, a thought struck Holly, "Hey, Comet. Say you knew something crazy and had to tell somebody for your benefit, who would you tell first?"
"First and foremost, I'd inform the queen, and anybody else you think should know." Comet smiled. She knew the girls had a crazy secret. However, her mind was on food for her brother, Asteroid, and her baby sister, Diana.
"Thanks, Comet!" Holly and Alexis rushed off.
They could not believe they did not think of this sooner. Of course, Neo-Queen Serenity is the best person to tell! Holly hesitated for the same reasons, but Alexis would no longer let her stall! Understanding, Neo-Queen Serenity left her bedroom with the two girls, so her husband and Luna did not overhear whatever this crazy secret was.
"So, what is this crazy secret you want to tell me?" Neo-Queen Serenity whispered.
"Crystal turned into a leatherback turtle!" Alexis said a little louder than she probably should have.
"Oh, not Crystal too!" Neo-Queen Serenity moaned.
"We've taken care of Crystal the best we know how, but she is rather...heavy and large." Holly tried to think of more appropriate words. Except there were not.
"I'm relieved you girls were there. Yet two Neo-Sailor Senshi have transformed with no explanation! Now I have to convince Ami and Urawa of this," thankfully, Neo-Queen Serenity had Holly and Alexis's support.
Even if Haruka and Michiru would not believe them, Ami and Urawa did when they exited Gracie and Crystal's bathroom after seeing their leatherback turtle daughter. Of course, Ami was sure there was an explanation. Except she did not know what it could be! Minako, Alan, Ami, and Urawa took the burden of caring for their daughters off of Holly and Alexis so the situation would look less suspicious. Right now, all Neo-Queen Serenity could do was hope the rest of the girls were not afflicted with this fate.