Title: Crystal Power
Author: AriallaZarinth
Chapter Three: Divine Right? (the Sapphire of Ice)

There were some who said the especial longevity and power of the rulers of the Planets was part of their blood. Others said it was simply a gift bestowed on the royals of the time. And, some said both: it was bestowed to the royals, but a certain amount of it was passed through genetics. Rumor had it that some researchers on Mercury were trying to prove one of many theories, even though "Divine Right" of leadership held little to no sway with the intelligents of the Alliance.

However, there was something special about the royals. Setsuna was puzzled by it as well -- the best candidate for the Sapphire of Ice was a royal... but so was the recipient of the Golden Crystal.

Setsuna reached out for the Sapphire, adding its attunement to Ice with her own reach across Time to search for those suited to this Crystal. There, like a beacon, shone the Heir to the throne of Mercury, Ami. But what was this? Before the Alliance - long before the Alliance - there was a figure as phenomenal, perhaps more so, as Ami.

Setsuna focused in, singling out the life force... no, the two life forces?! A set of twins! One male, one female, both tragically crippled. Setsuna could tell as much from the milky colour of their eyes. Of course the two could share the Crystal, their spirits were bonded. But how could they command that much power and be sightless?

The Keeper quickly scrolled through several scenes in their time, pulling the image of a respected teacher from the jumble of the acquaintances of a lifetime. She quickly cloaked herself in this image and stepped through the gate to associate with these two remarkable people.

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She walked up to the two, opening her mouth to greet them:

"Hello Teacher Shela."
"Why, hello, Micheal, Matilda." Setsuna as Teacher Shela smiled. "How are you two today?"
"I'm fine, Teacher." Matilda smiled, "But Micheal here has had hiccups all day, on and off."
"Tilda!" Michael turned his head away from Setsuna, blushing. Matilda leaned closer to Setsuna, and said in a stage whisper:
"He's begun changing this year, you know. Noticed the squeaking in his voice?"
"Matil--" Michael squeaked, cleared his throat and continued, "Matilda! Shut up!"
"Tut tuh, Micheal. Be nice to your sister." Setsuna admonished.
"Yes ma'am." He grumbled.
"Well, I must be going. Goodbye, Matilda, Micheal."
"Goodbye, Teacher Shela." Setsuna walked back through a portal.

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They were intelligent and sensitive but... immature. A certain limiting of potential because of the sharing of everything with one another. Setsuna ground her teeth together; even /she/ was royal! She hated patterns; it would make her appear to play favorites with royals. She hated being even slightly predictable.

"Don't make your stubbornness affect your decisions for the ill, Gatekeeper." Chronos chuckled, appearing behind his daughter.
"Chronos?!" Setsuna gasped in surprise. "Coming to check on me?"
"Just to see how you were coming in the rather slow process of finding Crystal Receivers. Decided on the Sapphire yet?"
"Well, sort of."
"I know your questions, Setsuna," He said softly, "but consider that perhaps they are royal, they are leaders for a reason. Would you give more power to the horse or the wagon?"
"Hmm?" Setsuna's eyes narrowed, "What's that supposed to mean."
"You've seen old Terra." With that he bowed, "Good luck, Gatekeeper." and disappeared.
"Old Terra, hmm..." Setsuna's mind drew up a picture of a rickety wood cart pulled by a plowhorse. "Of course the horse must have more power, or the whole thing wouldn't get anywhere! The horse leads the-- oh." A rare sweatdrop appeared on her brow.

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"Excuse me for intruding," Sailor Pluto bowed apologetically to the King and Queen of Mercury and their daughter, Ami. They were eating lunch in one of the gardens on Mercury. Ami was a little over six years old.
"We're honored, Sailor Pluto." The monarchs replied quickly. "What business is yours?"
"I come to bestow an honor upon your heir, Ami."
"Ami?" The king queried.
"As you probably well know, Ami's soul, your soul," Sailor Pluto changed the object of her speech, turning to the child, "is attuned to Ice, as is a great crystal, the Sapphire of Ice. I come to bestow this Crystal on you, Ami."
"Why do I need a Crystal?" Ami replied flippantly, "I'm already gonna be a Queen like Mommy, what would I want with a crummy ice cube?"
"Ami!" The queen snapped, "you're being rude! Would you like it if someone spurned your gift?! Stop being a little baby!" The lecture was delivered in a tight low voice. Ami lowered her head,
"I'm sorry, Sailor Pluto. Thank you for the Crystal. I'm sure it's wonderful." Pluto knelt in front of the girl.

"You do not understand now, Ami, I know. You'll feel it, soon. And in time, you will understand this boon. Trust me -- this is no little bauble I give you." Pluto summoned the Sapphire, murmuring the few words of bonding, completing the ritual with dropping the Crystal into Ami's hands and saying, by chance, the same words she had said to Endymion: "You are one."

Ami's little hands curled around the brightly glowing gem, her eyes lighting with joy. She cautiously tried to reach to the limit of this power and found she could not. Further study must be conducted, but lunch must be finished first. She did not relinquish the power surge and reached down to her sandwich. At her touch, it transformed into a perfect ice sculpture of a half-eaten sandwich down to the very details of the crip greens poking out the sides and the teeth marks in the bread. Ami dropped the frozen thing in surprise and a small crack ran through the center as it thudded into the ground. She let the Ice power flow back into the Crystal and, like Endymion before her, placed it into a space pocket.

"Goodbye, Royals of Mercury... Crystal Holder." Sailor Pluto had risen; she bowed and disappeared.

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Setsuna sighed softly, back within the lonely mists she called home. A footfall broke the silence, and Setsuna screamed, feeling someone wrap their arms firmly around her shoulders, pinning her arms down.