Chapter Four: Raye Aries Chiba

8 Weeks Later

"Congratulations Mrs. Chiba you're pregnant!"
Serena stared at the doctor in disbelief, she had not expected to hear those words once again, and she had come in for a follow up of her last physical and found out the reason why she had been so sick. A small smile appeared on her face as she thought about the possibility that it was indeed time for Raye to be reborn. When she found her voice, again she asked. "Are you sure?"
The doctor nodded a smile playing upon her lips. "Your tests results weren't wrong," she said, checking over Serena's medical file again. "If you don't think you want to continue with the pregnancy we have other options for you to consi--"
"No," Serena said. "I'm just getting over the surprise that's all, I am really excited to have another child. My family will be thrilled."
"Alright, I'll leave your file with the receptionist in the front," The doctor said. "Please schedule your appointment and I'll see you next month."
As the door to the office closed Serena smiled softly and began getting dressed, in her mind she began thinking about how she would tell the others. Smiling she placed a hand over her still flat stomach and said softly. "Looks like Raye is going to make her appearance soon."
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When Serena got home from the doctor's office later that day, she opened the door to the apartment while stopping in the entry hallway taking off her shoes. She paused at the sound of a crash and Amy giggling. Walking into the living room, she saw Darien was chasing Amy who was running around at top running speed while waving around a pocket watch.
"Amy give that back to daddy," Darien said chasing Amy he tried getting the watch from the little girl's hands but had failed miserably.
Amy let out a mischievous giggle tossing the watch into her pile of stuffed animals that were in the corner of the living room.  She giggled more as the sound of it clattering to the floor was heard.
Darien dove after the watch as he began searching through the pile of stuffed dolls trying to find it. He could not believe that Amy had thrown his watch but it was his own fault for leaving it within a persistent toddler's reach.
"I'm home," Serena, said with a small smile, she bent down picking up Amy who had toddled over to her and hugged her leg. "Hello, my little Amy mommy missed you so much!"
Amy giggled laying her head on her mother's shoulder letting out a soft sigh of content.
Serena smiled brushing Amy's blue hair from her face and looked at Darien in interest. "Looking for something?"
"Got it," Darien said triumphantly holding the watch in his hand; he looked behind him and saw Serena watching him in interest. "Serena, when did you get here?"
"A few minutes ago," Serena said giggling she raised an eyebrow and said. "Had an interesting day?"
Darien nodded standing up and then taking a seat on the couch. "Yes, the girls have been quiet all day and I had to chase Amy whenever she got her hands on something she shouldn't."
Serena smiled. "Poor muffin," she sat Amy down on the floor as the toddler immediately took off towards the pile of dolls at top running speed. Serena began to massage Darien's shoulders. "You are tense but I know it'll go away once you hear the news I have for you."
"What kind of news?" Darien asked enjoying the massage.
Serena giggled. "Well I went to the doctor today and I found out something very interesting." She paused for a moment before continuing. "I'm pregnant."
"You're pregnant again?" Darien questioned. "I thought we had at least another year before Raye would be reborn."
"We do," Serena said. "Raye will be born next year I did the calculations and she'll be a year younger than Amy, I think all of the girls will be at least a year younger than one another."
"Do you want me to round up the girls so you and I can tell them?" Darien asked.
"No I'll tell them on my own," Serena smiled. "I am sure they are used to having Amy around so another baby will be no problem."
***************************************
"Another baby?!"
Michelle began wailing loudly causing Amy to begin wailing as well. She was ok with having Amy around considering she loved acting like an older sister but with another baby on the way that only meant she'd be forgotten.
"Oh don't worry Michelle." Serena picked up Amy and began to soothe the child as she ran her hand through one of Michelle's pigtails.
"It's not fair! I don't want to share you with anyone else Aunty Serena!" Michelle sniffled and wiped her eyes. "You are going to forget about me and Amy!"
"That won't happen Michi," Serena reasoned. "You know that from when Amy was born. I didn't forget you at all."
Michelle sniffled and nodded. "Ok Aunty Serena…" she wiped her tears and laid her head on Serena's lap.
"Are you two ok with the idea?" Serena questioned in Alex and Michelle's directions.
"Of course Aunty Serena," Alex said. "I hope that this time it will be a boy, I don't like having so many giggly girls around to play with."
Susan nodded in agreement. "We'll help you in any way we can Aunt Serenity."
"Thank you Susan," Serena smiled in happiness knowing that at least two of the girls were ok with the idea. She knew that Michelle would continue to be upset each time until she was old enough to understand that no matter what happened she would always be an important part of the family.  
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"I can't find anything on this crystal,"
Luna began pressing buttons on the computer consol while looking over at the crystal which was encased inside of a Petri dish, she had spent a lot of time trying to analyze the crystal's structure to know the truth of it's origin.
"This crystal might have joined itself with organic material which in turn transformed into a youma," Artemis said, he looked over at Luna then back to the screen. He focused on the results of the crystal's structure displayed on the screen.
The crystal began glowing brightly as the computer's alarm began going off, alerting the two cats immediately.
"What in the world!" Luna gasped looking at the crystal gaining more intensity as the Petri dish began to crack.
"Luna look out!" Artemis shouted as he knocked Luna away from the petri dish as the crystal released from its prison and floated in the air in front of them. "What is that?"
"This is just a warning members of the White Moon, my revenge won't be light."
The crystal floated in the air before it cracked and burst into sparkling dust that disappeared as it hit the ground.
"The crystal was some kind of warning," Luna turned to Artemis and said. "Call the senshi; we need to have a meeting."
Artemis nodded taking off out of the room, he looked back and saw Luna was doing more analysis based on the information left by the crystal.
***************************************************
Serena smiled softly as she rocked Amy to sleep, she stood up and went to put her down in the crib and placed the blanket over her. "Good night Amy," She said softly placing a kiss on her forehead.
"Serena," Artemis said entering the room from the window.
"Shh, Artemis what is it?" Serena asked she picked him up and walked out the room into the living room.
"We need to have a meeting now," Artemis said. "The crystal that Luna and I was analyzing emitted a warning."
"A warning, alright I'll be there." Serena said. "I'll go wake Darien and tell him to watch after the girls for me."
Artemis nodded. "I'll meet you at the arcade; I need to alert Keisha and the Starlights."
"Ok."
As he left Serena let out a sigh cursing the fact that not only had she have to deal with fighting but she'd be on the sidelines once again when she told everyone she was pregnant again.
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"Are you sure that it was a warning Luna?"
Serena looked at her guardian as she held her in her arms; she didn't want to think of a new enemy showing up right when they were without other senshi. She really had a thought on her mind, which she was not sure if she would go through with it.
"We can't take that warning lightly," Luna said. "We have to remain on guard especially if they're planning to attack innocent civilians in hopes of luring all of you out."
"Which is why we'll handle it," Keisha said from her place on the consol, she stood up and punched a fist into her palm. "They'll learn not to mess with Earth."
"The only problem with your idea pixie is that your powers aren't strong enough to defeat them," Seiya pointed out. "If I remember correctly your weapon was destroyed during the last battle."
"We can still handle it," Keisha snapped glaring at him. "But you are right…"
"What was that pixie?" Seiya asked in surprise. "Did you say that I was right?"
"Yes, don't make a federal case of it," Keisha mumbled. "But how is it possible to have more power, I thought after becoming a super senshi that our power was at its peak."
"The power of a sailor senshi is always changing and gaining more power," Luna pointed out. "All of your powers are connected to your sailor crystals, so the stronger you are the stronger your powers are."
"Then we'll need to be prepared for a hard battle," Serena said softly, she looked up at her friends and said. "I'll help you."
"We can't allow that Rena," Seiya said. "We know we'll need your help with battles but for the next few months we rather you stay on the sidelines."
"I agree with Seiya, with you as the mother to the other senshi we can't allow anything to happen to you." Taiki added. "That's why you can count on us to help."
Serena went silent and nodded knowing that they were right, part of her was glad her friends would protect her but another part of her wanted nothing more than to help them defeat the new threat.
"Leave it to us," Keisha said with a wink. "We'll handle anything the enemy throws at us."
********4 months later***************
Serena made a face as she felt Raye began to move around once again, she placed a hand over her stomach to calm the energetic child down.
"Raye I need to sleep and you're not helping," she got out of bed and headed into the kitchen. "You can't be stubborn and stay awake all night."
It was the seventh time this week and she had to wait until Raye settled down on her own terms and go to sleep so she could. She picked up the phone and began dialing some numbers.
"Come on pick up I know that you aren't sleeping at this time of night." Serena mumbled as the phone rung and rung she heard the phone click followed by voices on the other end.
"Hello?" said a tired voice.
"Keisha! Did I wake you?" Serena asked in surprise. "I thought you'd at least be awake."
Keisha giggled. "Oh I decided to go to bed early since I have a full day tomorrow with working at the arcade again with Andy."
"Keisha who's that on the phone?" asked a familiar male voice from Keisha's end of the phone.
"You didn't…" Serena squealed out. "You had Andrew spend the night with you!"
"No no it's not like that!" Keisha squeaked. "He and I were doing the finances of the café and arcade together."
"Sure that's what you are both doing." Serena teased.
"It…it…it's true," Keisha stammered.
"Keisha have you seen my shirt?" Andrew asked from Keisha's end of the phone in the background.
"It's on the dresser!" Keisha called out, she could hear Serena's gasp of surprise. "What?"
Serena stifled a giggle. "Working on finances huh?"
"Oh be quiet…" Keisha made an annoyed sound. "So what are you doing up so late?"
"Raye wouldn't let me sleep again," Serena blew out a breath. "I really think she is enjoying keeping me up all night."
"Well Raye gave you a hard time," Keisha began giggling but squeaked out. "Andrew knock it off! Listen Sere I gotta go Andrew needs my help with…uh something."
Serena giggled. "Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do!"
"Oh very funny…" Keisha said in annoyance. "See you tomorrow."
"Bye." Serena hung up the phone and shook her head; she sighed and looked down at her stomach. "Are you calm yet Raye?"
The small movement indicated that Raye had calmed down and was now sleeping. Serena stood up and headed back to her and Darien's bedroom to sleep. She prayed that Raye would not keep her awake.
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The next morning was in chaos in the Chiba home as the Three Outers were running around trying to get ready for school.
"Has anyone seen my shoe?" cried Michelle looking around for her other Mary-Jane. She began to sniffle. "I can't go to school with just one shoe!"
"It's in the living room," Serena called from the kitchen; she continued to prepare the girls lunches. "Let's see extra cookies for Michelle…sandwiches with the crusts cut off for Susan and Alex wanted extra tomatoes in her salad."
"Aunt Serena can you sign my permission slip for the field trip tomorrow?" Michelle asked holding it up.
"Sure Michi." Serena signed the permission slip not noticing she had signed the line for the chaperones as well. "There you are."
Michelle looked at the permission slip and giggled taking off back into the living room to find her backpack.
"Aunt Serena! My ribbon is caught in my hair!" Susan whined trying to untangle her hair from the ribbon.
"Hold still Michi," Serena untangled the ribbon from Susan's hair. "There you are." She said.
"Aunty Serena can I stay after school and play baseball?" Alex asked.
"Yes," Serena said finishing making their lunches. "Alright girls here are your lunches and please be on your best behavior today."
"We will." The three girls took off out the apartment on their way to school.
Serena collapsed in the chair sitting in the kitchen and sighed. "I wonder how mom did this every day."
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"I am very happy with you class , all of you turned in your permission slips for the field trip to the Jindai Botanical Gardens."
The first graders all began talking in excitement about their field trip, It was the one time when they'd get to go on an outing for art class.
"Ah and we have a nice number of chaperones too," The teacher looked at each permission slip. "We have Yui and Mimi's mother coming, and oh! Michelle your aunt is coming along too?
Michelle nodded. "Yes!" she said proudly. "My aunty Serena is very nice and really fun to be with!"
The teacher nodded while going around the classroom making sure that the other student's chaperones were coming too.
"Your aunt isn't nice," Yui said from beside Michelle with a laugh. "I bet that your aunt is bratty like you are."
"She is not!" Michelle cried in anger. "My Aunty is the nicest person in the world unlike your mother!"
"Take that back brat!" Yui pushed Michelle out of her chair and onto the floor. "She's a wimp and so are you!"
Michelle began to cry loudly while Yui laughed at the sight.
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"When I get my hands on her I will make her pay!"
Alex punched her fist into the palm of her hand in determination to make Yui pay for making Michelle cry.
"It's ok Alex," Michelle sniffled and wiped her eyes.
Susan placed her arm around her sister's shoulders and smiled. "Well don't worry everything will be ok."
They arrived on the floor of their apartment and opened the door; they could smell the scent of a freshly baked apple pie.
"Ooh Aunty Serena baked an apple pie!" Alex rushed into the kitchen and saw a apple pie sitting on the counter.
Serena smiled. "Welcome home girls," She said. "Did you have a good day a school?"
Alex nodded. "I didn't get into trouble today." She said. "I also creamed the boys in baseball!"
"I got an A+ on my book report." Susan said shyly.
Serena nodded; she looked and saw Michelle sitting on the couch coloring quietly. She walked over to her and smiled. "Michelle, are you ok?"
Michelle sniffled. "Some mean kids today in my class were being mean to me." she sniffled.
"You shouldn't let those kids get to you." Serena said softly. "They're just picking on you because they are insecure."
Michelle nodded. "I understand now." She said looking up at Serena. "Oh! Tomorrow is my school's fieldtrip."
Serena nodded. "I know and I am going to be a Chaperone." She said. "And I am going to make lunch for us."
Michelle giggled happily. "Ok!" she said.
*****************************
Serena and Michelle stood in the kitchen working on the boxed lunch they'd take on the trip with them.
"Do we have everything ready?" Serena asked looking at Michelle.
Michelle nodded. "Yes we do Aunty Serena," She giggled. "I can't wait for the field trip!"
Serena walked out into the living room and smiled at Darien who was holding Amy. "Are you sure you'll be ok looking after Amy?"
Darien nodded. "Yes, there is nothing to worry about," he said. "Have a good time with Michelle."
"I will." Serena kissed Darien and then kissed Amy on the forehead. "I'll see you both later."
With that, they left out the apartment on their way to the school.
*************************
The Jindai Botanical Gardens were full of people walking around and admiring the flowers and other parts of the gardens. Class 4-A from Juuban Municipal Primary School were running around looking at the flowers and other sights.
Michelle and some of her friends ran over to a field of flowers and began to gather a bunch in her hands. "These are so pretty!"
Serena smiled as she walked over to join her niece and the kids she was in charge of.  She began to imagine herself visiting the gardens again with her children and picking flowers as well.
"Look Aunty Serena!" Michelle held up a chain of flowers she had made. "I made a flower necklace for you!"
Serena giggled and began making smaller necklaces for Michelle and the other children.  None of them noticed Beryl and her children watching them and seething in anger and jealousy.
"Take note of those commoners children," Beryl said. "They enjoy simple things in life such as insect infested flowers."
The children who were friends with Yui and Mimi began laughing and agreeing with everything Beryl mentioned.
"I am going to get more flowers!" Michelle took off to the other side of the park as she grabbed a handful of flowers in her hands to bring them back over to where her group was.
"Where are you going Tenou?" Yui questioned stepping in front of Michelle.
"Excuse me," Michelle said trying to walk past them.
"What's the rush Tenou?" Mimi said from behind Michelle. "You know we just want to be friends with you."
"R…really," Michelle asked. "I thought you both hated me."
"No we don't and just to show you how we want to be friends we'll tell you where to get really pretty flowers from." Yui said.
"Ok!" Michelle said.
Mimi pointed to the area where it was fenced in. "That is where they have such pretty flowers." She said. "They're free to pick too!"
Michelle giggled and walked into the garden. She began picking the flowers while getting more so she could make necklaces for her new friends.
"What do you think you are doing little girl?" Questioned a man wearing a gardening uniform.
Michelle turned and smiled. "I am picking these pretty flowers for my friends." She said.
"This area is off limits," The gardener said darkly. "You aren't authorized in this area and you are in a lot of trouble!"
Michelle teared up. "I…I'll put them back." She said holding up the flowers. "I'll replant them I promise."
"Michelle? Oh there you are, I've been looking everywhere for you."  Serena saw the gardener and smiled. "Is there a problem sir?"
"Is this your child?" the gardener asked.
"Yes she's my niece," Serena said.
The gardener glared at Serena. "Your niece has snuck into a restricted area and she also picked the flowers which were off limits." He said. "What do you propose we do about this?"
"I am sorry but maybe she can replant them," Serena suggested.  "She didn't know that it was off limits did you Michelle?"
Michelle sniffled and shook her head.  "No Aunty Serena…"
The Gardener blew out a breath. "I'll let you go this time since you obviously didn't know but next time I won't let you off easily."
Michelle nodded as she followed Serena back to the area where her class was sitting down for lunch.
Serena smiled. "Do not worry Michi everything is ok." She smiled at her softly. "Now how about we eat our lunch and then we'll go look at more flowers?"
Michelle forced a smile. "Ok Aunty Serena."
Satisfied with Michelle now smiling Serena took a seat on the nearby bench and pulled out two bentou boxes from her tote bag. "Alright I made a special lunch of sandwiches and fruit."
Michelle smiled. "Hooray!" she said happily while opening her bentou, she looked over and saw Yui and Mimi sitting together eating. "Aunty Serena…those two told me that I could go pick the pretty flowers."
Serena glanced in the direction that Michelle was pointing. "They did…" She sat down her bentou and walked over to them. She smiled sweetly. "Excuse me girls but did you tell Michelle to go in a restricted area?"
Yui turned ice-cold blue eyes towards Serena. "So what if we did?" she asked. "We can do as we want! Our mom happens to own some of the land here!"
"And that dummy should've read the warnings." Mimi added flipping her short reddish blonde hair over her shoulder.
"Well it is not nice to be so mean to anyone," Serena said in a calm voice. "Now how about you apologize to her?"
"Are you accusing my children of the mistake your brat of a niece made?"
Serena recognized the dark voice as she turned and came face to face with that Beryl woman earlier. "It's you again…why am I not surprised that these are your children?"
"You should learn to be a better parent to your brats," Beryl said.
Serena narrowed her eyes. "At least mine aren't spoiled rotten and majorly bratty!" she said. "You should learn to be a better parent and teach yours that they can't bully others!"
Beryl glared at Serena as she then turned to Yui and Mimi. "Come on girls we will not associate ourselves with riff-raff like this."
Serena narrowed her eyes as they walked away. "The nerve of that woman!" she said walking back to where Michelle sat and began to eat her lunch once again. 'How dare she call me a bad parent!'
**********************
Serena and Michelle arrived home after the field trip, the two of them were tired and worn out from a day filled with fun.  
"Were home," Serena called out.
Amy ran out of the nursery and immediately hugged Serena's leg in happiness at the return of her mother.
Serena picked up Amy and smiled. "Oh I missed you too my Amy." She said. "Did you have a good day with daddy?"
Amy rested her head on Serena's shoulder and giggled in reply.
Darien walked out of the nursery. "Welcome home Serena," he said kissing her. "Did you and Michelle have a good day?"
Serena nodded. "Yes, it turned out fine after I dealt with that witch Beryl again…"
"Well don't worry about her," Darien smiled. "At least you had fun spending the day with Michelle."
Serena walked over to the couch and saw that Michelle had fallen asleep. She smiled and kissed the child on the forehead. "Yes we did." She said. "Good night Michelle."
Michelle sighed softly and continued to sleep happy that her whole field trip was fun.
************5 months later********************
Serena sat in the café stirring her straw in her glass of fruit punch as she looked out the window. It had been two days and Raye had yet made her appearance. She knew that Raye was only being stubborn which was in her nature.
"Hey Serena how are you doing," Keisha greeted walking out from the backroom of the arcade while tying her apron.
Serena forced a smile. "Hey Keisha," She let out a soft sigh. "I am fine but I can't take it anymore! Raye is being so stubborn!"
Keisha suppressed a giggle. "I think it may not be time for her to arrive yet." She said.
Serena smiled. "You're right," she said. "Besides if I know Raye she will want to arrive when I least expect it."
"So relax and don't worry." Keisha said walking off to get to work.
Serena relaxed and began sipping her fruit punch once again, glancing out the window she began thinking how strangely peaceful it had been in the past few months. She was happy with the silence and down time.  Looking out the window down at the busy street she caught sight of a few people walking sluggishly, her eyes widened and she stood up walking outside, she decided against telling the others.  She stopped on the sidewalk and looked around seeing that people were coming out of a mysterious shop that had not been there before.  Narrowing her eyes, she headed in the direction while clutching the Eternal Moon Article in her hand.
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"This is the place where they were coming out of," Serena looked from behind the place she was hiding and noticed that many people in the store were admiring the gems in the cases. This seemed to be very familiar to her, when she first fought as Sailor Moon; the jewelry had been emitting a negative effect.  She felt Raye move around and placed her hand over her stomach. "Don't worry Raye; I'll make sure that you'll be born into a world without danger."
"Well, what do we have here?"
A voice rang out as a spotlight appeared and focused solely on Serena. "My goodness, I didn't know we had a guest who is a little spy."
"Uh…I'm not a spy…" Serena lied as she backed up towards the door. "I was just leaving."
"You're not going anywhere my dear,"
The people in the store began dropping to the floor as their bodies started disappearing one by one leaving the gems they had been holding in their place.  
A woman with long dark hair appeared from the shadows. She smiled evilly and walked over to Serena. "Oh dear, why would a gravid little thing endanger yourself and the life of your child, how stupid can you be?"
"I won't let you get away with this," Serena said glaring at the woman in front of her, she looked around for a way to distract the woman long enough to find a safe place to transform.  
"I'm sorry my dear but I am sure you'll feel right at home inside of one of my lovely little gems," Inching closer the woman extended a hand out a crackle of dark power began circulating through her finger tips. "I hope you and your child like being preserved in gemstone!"
"Star Serious Laser!"
A beam of light knocked the woman away from Serena just as Sailors Star Maker and Star Healer grabbed her by the hand leading her away.
"Well what do you know, I've been waiting for you insolent Sailor brats," the woman placed a hand on her hip smiling. "Where is that coward Sailor Moon? Where are you hiding her?"
"Like I'd ever tell you," Star Fighter growled, she held her Sailor Star Yell tightly in her left hand. "She's somewhere that you'll never find her."
"Tell me!" the woman shouted rushing forward and attacking, she fired blasts at the senshi. "Where is she?"
Dodging the attack Sailor Star Fighter prayed that the others had gotten Serena to a safe place. She was not going to fight as long as she was around. They had to protect her and Mars at all costs.
"Where is she!" the woman demanded she sunk into the floor.
"What…how did she…" Sailor Star Fighter gasped in surprise. Looking around she began wondering where the woman could have gone. The sound of her haunting laughter radiated through the air.
"Where is she….where is she?" the voice echoed through the air. "Tell me where she is…" the voice got closer as a large blast sent Sailor Star Fighting flying into the wall.
"What in the hell," Sailor Star Fighter tried rushing forward only to discover her arms and legs were encased in a crystallized substance.
"Where is Sailor Moon?" The woman demanded sending a blast through the crystal. She laughed watching Star Fighter scream out in pain. "Scream all you want, I'm not quitting until you tell me where Sailor Moon is.
"N…never…"
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"Come on you can get out through here,"
Star Healer held Serena's hand as she led her through the back of the store to the emergency exit.  They hadn't run into any problems or traps set by the woman who attacked earlier which was good. However, what was keeping them from going was how Serena had hesitated to leave.
"I can't leave you guys to fight," Serena said. "I am a senshi and we need to fight, I know that I can do it."
"We can't allow you to fight," Star Maker said. "You are carrying Mars and we can't allow you to die before her rebirth."
"Taiki…Yaten…please we have to help Seiya," Serena begged. "I'll be careful and if anything he needs our help more than anything right now."
"I'm sorry but Seiya would kill us," Star Healer said stubbornly. We have to get you out of here now."
Serena continued trying to pull her arm away from Star Healer's iron grasp. She needed to go help her friend and save all of the people who had been turned into gemstones. It was not fair that she had to run away and hide because of her destiny. She knew Raye would understand if she chose to fight over running away. "Let go!" she said getting free. She took off towards the door to the front of the store to go help Seiya.
"Serena!" Star Maker and Healer shouted in unison chasing after her.
Stopping short of the exit, Serena gasped in horror at the sight of Sailor Star Fighter being electrocuted. The woman standing in front of her was cackling evilly demanding the whereabouts of Sailor Moon. "Seiya's suffering to protect me…" She whispered softly, pulling out the Eternal Moon Article from her skirt pocket she held it p calling out. "Moon Eternal Make-Up!"
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"Where is she!?"
Emitting more power from her hands, the woman threw a blast into Sailor Star Fighter's chest. She smiled and stopped the power watching as the senshi's head fell to her chest.
"Never…" Star Fighter managed to say before another blast of power began circulating through her body.
"Keep hiding her whereabouts and I'll destroy you!" the woman said laughing, she lifted her hands in the air as a wave of power began gathering in the palm of her hands. "Where is Sailor Moon!?"
"Hold it right there!"
The woman turned looking over her shoulder catching sight of a silhouetted figure standing behind her. "Who's there?"
"The beauty of gemstones are a sacred item which people often gives to those who they care the most about, I can't let you taint their beauty for your evil purposes!" Sailor Moon called out. "I am Sailor Moon, the Champion of Justice and in the Name of The Moon I shall right wrongs and triumph over evil…and that means you!"
"You've finally shown your face you coward," The woman said smiling. "I was wondering if I had to destroy your little friend to lure you out."
"Who are you and why are you looking for me?" Sailor Moon asked staring at the woman; she grasped the Eternal Moon Tiare in her hand prepared to attack. "What are your intentions?"
"You don't seem to remember me do you Sailor Moon?" the woman questioned, she gave a twisted smile. "I expected just as much considering that we've met before."
"Who are…" Sailor Moon began staring at the woman for a long moment.
"For now you shall address me as Queen…" The woman said smiling evilly, she held up a hand ready to throw another blast. "I am the rightful queen of this pathetic planet."
"You'll never become queen of this planet!" Sailor Moon shouted she held up the Eternal Tiare. "Starlight Honey Moon Therapy…"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the woman said smiling and skipping over to a curtain. "If you don't want to risk hurting those precious to you," Snapping her fingers the curtain fell to reveal Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Sun both trapped inside of gemstones. Walking over to the gem statues, she smiled. "If you want them back then drop your weapon."
She had no choice, she had to give up for the safety of her friends, and glancing over her shoulder, she saw that there were no sign of Taiki or Yaten. Had they run away and left her to fight on her own?  Dropping the eternal moon tiare onto the ground, she whispered. "You win…let my friends go."
"Sailor Moon, you were always a sentimental fool!" The woman laughed as she floated up into the air and held up her hands as power gathered in the center of her palms. "Die Sailor Moon!"
"Star Gentle Uterus!"
"Sailor Sensitive Inferno!"
A blast from both sides of the room flew towards the woman knocking her out of the air. She gasped in surprise and turned catching sight of Sailor Star Healer and Sailor Star Maker.
"Sailor Moon don't be an idiot, fight her!" Sailor Star Healer ordered.
"Uh right…" Sailor Moon picked up the Eternal Moon Tiare and called out. "Starlight Honey Moon Therapy Kiss!"
The attack connected with the woman's body and when the dust cleared, it revealed she was unharmed.
"Typical of you to use something so weak," she smiled evilly walking forward calling forth youma. "My lovely pets will take care of you, I'd love to stay and chat but I need to dominate the planet bye!"
"Come back here!" Sailor Moon shouted, she turned around coming face to face with the youma. She held the eternal moon tiare in her hands and wasn't sure what she should do.
"They're too strong…if we throw anything at them they'll throw it back tenfold," Star Maker said. "We have to do something."
"I…I don't know…" Sailor Moon said she backed up against a wall, looking beside her she saw the crystallized statues of her love and her friend staring at her. The looks of horror were evident on their faces. She teared up and closed her eyes whispering. "Darien…Keke…I'm sorry…" She whispered. "You both tried to protect Earth and…you…"
"Serena…you mustn't give up…" a voice whispered.
"Huh who…" Serena gasped in surprise as she saw the spirit of her past self appear in front of her. "You're me."
The spirit smiled softly. "We have to protect everyone…even if it means that others will be harmed in the process…" she said holding out her hand. "Please allow me to help you."
In a bright light, Serena felt the warmth of her pastself merge with her entire being. Closing her eyes, the power changed her completely. When the light cleared she opened her eyes glaring at the youma.
"Sailor Moon?"
"What is that form?"
Holding out her hand Sailor Moon called out. "Moon Princess Harp!"  A heart shaped harp appeared in her hands as she began playing it. A haunting melody radiated through the area as the melody caused the crystallized forms of all those who had been captured by the woman.
The youma let out a loud scream of pain as it froze and burst into shards of  crystal that turned to dust.
"Sailor Moon you…" Sailor Star Healer said in surprise.
Sailor Moon looked at them as she turned and used her harp on the crystal statues of Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Sun.
"Huh what happened?" Sailor Sun gasped in surprise and stared at Sailor Moon. "Sailor Moon you…"
"Serena…" Tuxedo Mask said stepping forward.
"I'm so happy you're safe," Sailor Moon said smiling, softly. Her smile faded however when she sunk to the floor in pain and transformed back to normal. "Ouch…that can't be good."

"Are you ok Serena?" Sailor Sun cried out.
"No…" Serena winced in pain. "I think Raye decided to stop being stubborn and she wants to be born now!"
"WHAT?!"
********************************
"Stay calm and breathe Serena,"
Serena narrowed her eyes and glared at Darien. "It's not helping…" she said in anger. "Why don't you do me a favor and find the doctor?"
They had been at the hospital for three hours and there was no sign of Raye at all. Serena was annoyed when the doctor said they would be there for at least another six hours.
"I want drugs!" Serena wailed out in anger. "This pain is too much!"
"Serena stay calm." Darien said as the door opened and the doctor walked into the room.
"Well Serena you appear to be doing fine," The doctor smiled at her and checked on her progress. "In another few hours your child should be ready to make her appearance."
"Another few hours?!" Serena screamed. "I want to give birth now!"
"Serena relax," Darien kissed her on the forehead. "Just think that you're going through this for the sake of the future."
Serena narrowed her eyes. "Darien do me a favor…"
"Anything my love," Darien kissed her hand gently wiling to do anything for her.
"Shut up." Serena said in annoyance.
**************
Keisha and the Starlights were outside in the waiting room with the children as they waited for news about whether or not Raye had finally been born.
"This is how you spell your name Amy." Michelle arranged the building blocks in front of Amy.
Amy giggled and began to put the blocks together in no particular order while she made a tower.
"Oh wow that is so nice Amy!" Michelle said.
Amy stood up and kicked the blocks down as she began to build them back up again.
"Do you think Aunt Serenity is ok?" Susan asked tugging on Keisha's sleeve.
Keisha turned and her gaze softened as she nodded. "Of course," she said. "She's doing fine and soon you'll have a new cousin to play with."
Susan nodded and went back to reading her book.
**********hours later**********
"That's it…Raye doesn't want to be born…"
Serena laid back on the pillows in defeat as she teared up at the thought of Raye not wanting to be born.
"Give it time Serena," Darien kissed her gently. "Raye will decide on when she wants to make her appearance."
Serena nodded as she felt another pain; she gasped out and grabbed Darien's hand.  "That contraction was more intense than the others..."
The door opened as the doctor walked in. "Let's see how we are doing Serena," she walked over and checked. "It looks like you are ready now; I will need you to push on this next contraction."
Serena nodded as she did as the doctor instructed her to do each time. She thought she would be used to this kind of pain after her last birth but she was wrong. After a few more pushes the room filled with loud wailing.
"It's a girl!" the doctor said with a smile. "She's a loud one."
Serena collapsed back on the pillows with a soft smile on her face as the nurse cleaned the wailing child up and brought her over. She smiled and took Raye into her arms. "It's ok Raye," she said trying to calm the wailing child down.
Raye stopped crying for a moment as she waved her little fists in the air and she began wailing once again.
Serena sighed. "Looks like I Am going to have a tough time with you." She knew that Raye would be a stubborn child and a handful. She prayed that she would be able to handle it.

End Chapter

Next Chapter: Finding the Jupiter Crystal