"What trickery is this???!!!" Domnuius shrieked. "Two Silver Imperium Crystals???!!! That can't be!!! Impossible!!!"
His face a picture of disbelief and astonishment, Ramus stared blankly at the Silver Imperium Crystal that his hands were automatically cupping.
He could not believe it.
It cannot be true.
It was too unbelievable to be true.
But it was true.
As true as can be.
Lesson of the day: never underestimate the power of a tear.
As he gazed upon the brilliantly shining holy treasure that had been in his family for generations, Ramus' astonishment and wonder began to fade. A change suddenly came over him – an understanding of what made the Silver Crystal so powerful – an understanding of how the Silver Crystal was able to even all odds – an understanding, now clearer and clearer, that the Silver Crystal was, by itself, only a magical artifact: its truest power comes from he or she who wields it.
And Ramus, for the first time in years, understood and knew peace; the kind of peace that makes one wish for nothing more than to remain in the state that he or she is currently in forever. The kind of peace that many believed can only be achieved when the time had come for them to depart to the afterlife, a kingdom where there was no pain, no fear, no doubt, no tears, no cold, no betrayal, no lies. He finally knew that he had been wrong about himself. He had thought that, to the end of his days, he will forever be as different as day and night from his older sister; he being a harbinger of death and damnation while she was a messenger of life and salvation. He had thought himself too unworthy, too scarred, too bitter, too dark, and too full of fear to be able to embrace the powers of bringing wonderful dreams to life and heal the heart, the soul, and the mind. He knew now he was wrong: the Silver Crystal in his hands was solid, indisputable evidence.
Only a soul of life, light, and healing, with an enormous capacity for pure, selfless love and the courage to stand against even insurmountable odds for the future it seeks is worthy of wielding the Silver Crystal. The Silver Crystal is alive in a way. It grows and evolves with the flow of time, just like any other creature. And as it grows, it develops the consciousness of its own. It has the ability to choose its master, or mistress, and it does not answer and obey only to one. My child, I know that you think that your sister is its true, rightful, one and only mistress. I know you firmly believe that you will never be able to wield it, and that you are utterly unworthy of it anyway. But it is not true. None of what you think and believe is. You may think and believe you have a scarred soul, a dead heart, a lost innocence, and dried tears, and your powers consist of nothing but pure darkness and eternal damnation. But let me assure you, you're not what you think you are. You just need to have a little faith, a little trust; it is that simple. A seed planted in the parched earth doesn't stand a chance. But with a few sunny days, some water…some love…anything is possible. To blossom is to live and believe, my child. One day you will understand…
Selene was right. Ramus thought to himself. Anyone can be a messenger of life and salvation. A simple act of kindness can led to one living in the darkest of despair knowing that there will always be someone who cares. Faith, belief, and hope are the truest arts of magic in this world.
As Ramus' heart warmed and ached with glorious emotions, the crescent moon on his marble forehead started to glow like a miniature sun, blinding everyone with its purity – exactly like his older sister when she transformed into Princess Serenity Eveningstar.
Despite having to shield their eyes again, the Sailor Senshi and Generals smiled victoriously.
Domnuius gave another razor-sharp cry of pain and fear.
A stunned Endymion lowered his head to stare down at his Princess, who simply smiled her exquisite smile of warmth and tenderness back at him. It was something of a miracle that they were able to notice this wholly unexpected…turn of events…and keep up the fight simultaneously.
"Every member of the royal family of the Silver Millennium has a Silver Imperium Crystal hidden deep within his or her heart. It serves as their inner light. Their deepest secret. Their greatest strength. All that was needed to find it and manifest it into corporeal form was simply a little faith, a little trust, and a little hope. It is that simple, really. My little brother has finally found it; he had thought…believed…that he never will, but he has. It has been there all along: in his heart of hearts."
Endymion nodded, understanding completely. He pressed a gentle kiss on his beloved's forehead. "Just like yours, Usako. Just like yours."
A tempest of silvery swan feathers and fairy sparkles covered the boyish, yet handsome body of Ramus. A warm, glorious, golden light – a sharp contrast to his older sister's silver-white – streamed from him.
"Such a warm and gentle light, Usako. So much like yours. To think it had been hidden from us…from Ramus…all this time…"
"It was in Ramus all along, Mamo-chan, it was in him: his heart, his soul. It was just that he never knew it, or rather, refused to believe it."
Domnuius hissed. The seed of…fear…and…doubt had sprouted in his heart, and was fast on its way to becoming a strong, sturdy plant capable of withstanding the elements. He had never been in a situation like this before.
When the light dimmed, everyone's eyes were greeted by Prince Pantaleon Orion Eveningstar of the Silver Millennium, in all his otherworldly beauty and ethereal majesty.
He was dressed in strange and wonderful robes of dark black and snow white, made of the same exquisite, floaty, sheer materials as his older sister's gown was, cunningly embroidered and positively royal; it would make any Prince pea-green with envy. His rich, dark copper hair and smooth, rounded face were immaculate. His clear, dark blue eyes burned with a wisdom and maturity far beyond his years, sharply contrasting with those of his older sister, which shone with endless compassion and pure selfless love. His high marble brow was unadorned, but at his throat rested a strand of round-cut diamonds with an exquisite ruby pendant in the form of an "E" for Eveningstar, the surname of the royal family of the Silver Millennium. Embroidered goatskin boots that simply screamed "outrageously fancy" shod his feet, emphasising how dainty and well-sculpted his feet were – a trait that should have made a boy seem girlish, but instead served to enhance the impression he gave: the impression of a fairy boy of dark heartbreaking beauty and breathtaking gazelle grace. The skin that covered his body was moon-white and radiated light, and had neither spot nor blemish, just like his older sister. There was also an aura of sophistication and mystery about him, an aura not unlike that of his older sister's, only stronger, more beguiling, and more wonderful. As the Sailor Senshi and Generals gazed upon him, they could have sworn they heard a low haunting song coming from somewhere in the distance. Their nostrils caught a whiff of freshly-bloomed apple blossoms, caramel, and cinnamon. In his hands, the Silver Imperium Crystal, now in the form of a marvelously-sculpted apple blossom (his favourite flower), shone more brilliantly than ever.
One Eveningstar brat is bad enough. Domnuius mused to himself, giving Pantaleon the once-over (with grudging, I-would-rather-die-than-admit wonder), noting the dark copper hair, the aristocratic nose, the perfect bone structure, the exotic dark-blue eyes, and the alluring, yet enigmatic, smile. Two are sure to bring untold, irreversible disaster…those eyes and those smiles are getting on my nerves…forget mercy! I shall make sure that each and everyone of these foolish, death-courting pests are utterly destroyed!!!
Prince Pantaleon locked eyes with his older sister, who smiled gently back at him.
It seems that you have finally found the power that has been hidden deep within your heart, Little Brother, the power that has always been there. Thank Selene for it.
Yes, thank Selene for it, but Sister, what should I do next? What am I supposed to do now? I have never done this before. I do not know what to do.
Yes you do. Just trust and believe in yourself, in the Silver Crystal. Believe that you can do it, trust yourself…have faith in yourself. Put belief, trust, and faith into the Silver Crystal. You were the one who always said that faith, trust, and belief are the keys to making even the most impossible of dreams come true. This situation is no different. It is in your blood, just like mine; the power of wonderful dreams and incredible destinies runs in your veins, with compassion and love.
But Sister, I…I…
Do not worry. Do not be afraid. I know what it is like. I still remember the very first time I used the Silver Crystal…I was as nervous and frightened as you are now. It is natural. But it also wrong. Just put your heart, your soul, your mind…your hands…into those of the Silver Crystal and do not let longer. Remember: you are not alone. I am with you always. So is Mamo-chan. And so are our friends, our family.
……
You are not alone, Little Brother, and you never will be. Fear and faith cannot exist in the same place at the same time. Choose one.
Pantaleon choose faith.
His mind focused, his will strong, Pantaleon summoned all his strength and faith, and even his own life force, into the Silver Crystal his hands cupped and shouted the three words he thought he would never need, or rather, never have the privilege to shout.
"Moon Crystal Power!"
New fresh courage warmed Serenity's and Endymion's hearts as they felt Pantaleon's power enhancing their attack, enveloping and settling into them, soothing their pain and exhaustion. They poured more energy into their attack.
The evil face in the tornado hissed from increased pain and fear. The pure, resplendent, ethereal, silver-gold light was now more powerful than ever. Domnuius felt his strength and resistance ebbing. For the first time in untold millenniums, he fancied he saw Death smiling at him with the eagerness of one who has won the bet of a lifetime, and who has patiently waited for eternities to collect his dues.
"The tide has turned." Kunzite said victoriously.
"Let's help them!" Venus ordered. She could not wait for it to be over.
Insignias of their respective planets and gems blazing on their foreheads, the Sailor Senshi and Generals willed their power to Endymion, Serenity, and Pantaleon. Rainbow butterflies fluttered around the silver-gold glow, joining one by one. The light grew stronger and brighter from each merging.
Serenity suddenly felt light-headed…her vision was becoming increasingly blurred…she could only hear Domnuius' terrible shrieks and other voices, maybe in her own head, crying, "Usako! Usako! Sister! Sister! Usagi! Usagi!"
She heard an indescribable, unbearable demonic cry of agony…fear…hatred… despair…death…and finality, knew that it was over, and fell into blackness, down…down…down…
Note: Again, this is as far as I can go…for now. Please Continue To Review! Remember That It Keeps The Story Going! A Million Thanks! Until next time…