Before they were Generals By Sailor Serenity

Chapter 1: The Mission
"General Zoycite!" Prince Endymion called. Zoycite stepped forward and bowed to Endymion.
"Yes, Your Royal Highness?" she asked.
"As you know, Generals Jedite and Nephlite have been captured by the Negaverse. Your mission is to rescue them. It is a dangerous mission, so I am sending General Malachite with you. I trust you will do your best to recover our lost generals."
"Yes Your Royal Highness," Malachite and Zoycite bowed to Endymion.
"You are dismissed. Good luck, Generals."
Zoycite and Malachite stood and left the throne room. Once outside, Malachite turned to Zoycite. "Think we can do it?" he asked. Zoycite was nervous about being given such a dangerous mission, but she confidently smiled at Malachite and nodded.
"Let's go," Zoycite said. They stood together and teleported to the North Pole.
"We can't teleport directly into the Negaverse. They'll sense our energy and know we're coming," Malachite explained. Zoycite nodded. She looked around.
"Where's the entrance?" she asked.
"According to the locater, it should be somewhere--" he paused to read the locating device, "Somewhere over there." He pointed to an area a few yards in front of them. "Come on!" he called out to Zoycite, who froze in place. She took a deep breath and ran forward after Malachite. The portal loomed in front of them and the ran straight in. The portal would transport them into a demension known to them as the Negaverse.

Chapter 2: We've Got To Fight It
"This place really gives me the creeps," Zoycite whispered. Malachite didn't answer.He looked around. The Negaverse was a creepy place. It was mostly dark, shades of purple, navy blue, and black. It was dimly lit and not very warm.
Out of nowhere, a giant thorn shot out at them. Malachite heard a sound and turned, noticing it in time to warn Zoycite. "Duck!" he shouted. He jumpd down and pulled Zoycite with him. The thorn stuck in the stone wall behind them. "That was close," he whsipered.
"Well, well, well. What have we here?" one voice asked.
"It looks to me like we have a couple of spies from the Earth Kingdom," another voice answered. Malachite and Zoycite looked around for the source of the voices.
"Show your faces, you cowards!" Zoycite shouted. Three figures appeared out of the shadows.
"The great Generals. Zoycite and Malachite," the third one teased. "Come to save your little friends?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Zoycite said, growing more angry by the minute.
"Too late, losers!" the three sisters said together, just as two more figures teleported in. Zoycite and Malachite recognized them as Generals Jedite and Nephlite.
"General Jedite! General Nephlite! We've been looking for you," General Zoycite said. "Help us fight them so we can get out of here."
"I ask for power from the stars," Nephlite shot energy at Zoycite. Zoycite jumped out of the way and Nephlite missed.
"Nephlite! Don't do this! Don't you remeber us? We're your friends, Zoycite and Malachite." But Jedite and Nephlite ignored Zoycite.
"Feel all the power of the stars!" Nephlite attacked. Malachite and Zoycite backed up into Jedite's trap. Jedite and Nephlite took Endymion's remaining generals captive. They were taken to Beryl's throne room.
"We caught these two snooping around," Jedite reported.
"Perfect!" Queen Beryl replied. "They will be ours now. But our energy reserves are low. Before we can brainwash them, we'll need more energy. Jedite, I am giving you this job. You will be collecting energy in Tokyo, Japan. I trust you will succeed."
"Yes my Queen," Jedite bowed and teleported away.
"Nephlite, take our guests to the dungeon. They will remain there until Jedite returns. Tell the Doom and Gloom girls to guard it."
"Yes Majesty." Nephlite turned to the imprisoned generals. "You heard the orders. Let's go. And I suggest you listen, and listen well."
Reluctantly, Zoycite and Malachite followed Nephlite to the dungeon. The dungeon was dark and spookier than the rest of the Negaverse.
"You are to stay here until Jedite returns." Nephlite left, locking the door behind him.
"We can teleport out can't we?" Zoycite asked hopefully.
Malachite shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Our powers are useless to us here."
"We can't let them win. We have to get out of here. And now, Nephlite and Jedite work for Beryl. What if--"
"Zoycite, we'll get out of here. With Jedite and Nephlite. We can't let them brainwash us. We'll fight it."
"We're Endymion's last hope. If we don't get out, what's going to happen?"
Malachite didn't answer. Zoycite looked at him and knew he was worried too. As much as the tried, the found no way out.

Chapter 3: Spoken Promise
It seemed like hours had gone by. Zoycite sat, slouched against the cold hard stone wall of the dungeon.
"We can't just sit here and let that witch turn us into evil minions. We have to fight it!" Zoycite declared.
"I know, Zoycite," Malachite replied.
"If they turn me into an evil minion, will you promise me you'll try to get out of here and get Prince Endymion to help save us?"
"Of course, Zoey-chan," Malachite answered. Zoey was his nickname for her. Adding "-chan" to the end of someone's name is like saying they are your friend.
"I promise the same for you, Malachite," Zoycite answered his question before he even asked. "I just hope we can get out of here."
Malachite sat next to her. He stared up at the ceiling, hoping an idea would come to mind. The only light in the room, he noticed, was a dim purple ceiling light. It was
glowing, and it cast an eerie looking shadow over everything. Zoycite looked up, the light illuminating her face. She closed her eyes in concentration, trying to come up with a plan. Even in the dark shadows of the dungeon, Malachite thought she looked beautiful, illuminated in purple glowing light.
Beryl could probably accomplish taking over the universe, Zoycite thought. She'll have more soldiers when Jedite returns. She'll have a lot more power. We were Endymion's last hope and we've failed. Tears of frustration and anger filled her eyes. She tried to fight them back, not wanting Malachite to see her crying. She couldn't fight them any longer, and finally turned her head away and cried silently. Malachite knew she was upset. He promised himself he would try as hard as he could to get all four generals safely back to the Earth Kingdom.
"I'm getting worried. Generals Zoycite and Malachite should have at least contacted Headquarters by now," Prince Endymion stood on the balcony of the Moon Palace with Princess Serenity. Princess Serenity was the Crown Princess of the Moon and daughter of Queen Serenity. Endymion had come to the palace for the party being held that night.
"Don't worry so much, Endymion," Serenity told him. "They'll be back, I'm sure of it. Give them a little more time."
"What if the Negaverse got them, too?"
Serenity didn't answer. She looked up at the deep blue night sky, just as a shooting star shot by, glittlering brightly. She quickly made a wish.
"I wish, I wish, oh Shooting Star. Please bring Endymion's four generals home safely."

Chapter 4: Generals In Danger
"What time do you think it is?" Zoycite aasked. She now stood by the small window, looking out for the moon. She couldn't see one, and figured there probably was no moon in the Negaverse.
"I don't know. Negatime is probably different and my watch stopped working," Malachite answered. He stood and joined Zoycie by the window.
"I'm worried," Zoycite confessed. She didn't turn away from the window.
"I know, Zoey. But we're going to get out of here. We can't give up," Malachite answered.
"But what if we don't get out of here?" Zoycite faced Malachite. " What if Beryl turns us evil too? We were Endymion's last hope. His last hope, Malachite. And now were trapped here. We've failed him."
"Zoycite, we must think positively. I know how you feel, because I feel the same way." Malachite replied.
The shorter general turned back to the window. "What if we don't get out of here?"
"I don't think I have an answer to that question, Zoey. All I know is that we need a good plan."
Zoycite thought for a minute.
~~~~~~~~~~
Endymion arrived at the Moon Palace. It had been two days since he'd sent his remaining generals on their mission. Queen Serenity had called him to the Moon Palace to discuss a new plan. He went to Queen Serenity's throne room and bowed to her. "Your Majesty, you wanted to see me?"
"Yes, Endymion. I understand Generals Zoycite and Malachite have not yet returned from the mission you have given them," Queen Serenity began.
"Yes Majesty. Generals Jedite and Nephlite have already been captured by the Negaverse."
"Your Majesty, Crown Princess Rei of Mars has something to tell you. She says it's very urgent," the servant interrupted the meeting. He led Princess Rei into the throne room. She bowed to the Queen.
"Your Majesty, Generals Malachite and Zoycite are in danger! The fire told me Queen Beryl has them. She's captured them!"

Chapter 5: I Can't Let Her Win
"Jedite, you have done well at collecting enough energy," Queen Beryl said. Jedite had returned from his mission. "Nephlite! Go get our prisoners from the dungeon."
"Yes my Queen." Nephlite bowed and left for the dungeon. Needless to say, Malachite and Zoycite were not pleased to see him.
"Her Majesty Queen Beryl requests your presence in the throne room. Jedite has returned with the energy." Zoycite thought Nephlite sounded fake, like he was reading from a script.
Without a word, Zoycite and Malachite followed Nephlite to Queen Beryl's throne room. Zoycite considered tripping Nephlite for allowing himself to be brainwashed.
"Well, General Zoycite, General Malachite," Queen Beryl said, an evil smile on her face. Zoycite hated the way Beryl said her name. Both generals frowned.
"Lucky you. You get to join the Negaverse. Surrender to me now!"
"Never! We will never surrender to you!" Malachite shouted. Beryl ignored his comment and turned to Zoycite.
"Zoycite, you get to be first."
"No way. I will never work for you!"
"Zoey, we don't have to hate eachother. We can be on the same side."
"Do not call me Zoey. Only Malachite is allowed to call me that." Zoycite know she would need more time. She turned to Malachite for help but Jedite and Nephlite were blocking him from her. She would have to fight alone. Suddenly, Queen Beryl attacked her from behind.
"Look out!" Malachite shouted. Zoycite couldn't dodge the attack in time and got hit with a strong force of energy. Helpless to do anything for Zoycite, Malachite could only watch in horror as Zoycite collapsed to the ground.
"You have no choice but to surrender to me. Join me now!"
She's not fighting fair, Zoycite thought to herself. I can't let her win, I have to be strong. Got to fight her. I won't give in to her power.
Zoycite struggled to get to her feet. Suddenly, she felt empowered. Queen Serenity had used her Silver Imperium Crystal to give Zoycite power. Zoycite stood before Queen Beryl, illuminated in glowing green light. She closed her eyes, concentrating her powers.
Beryl attacked again, but Zoycite was able to dodge it this time. She concentrated her cherry blossom attack, sending a flurry of sakura at Queen Beryl.
Long, energy draining vines lashed out at Zoycite. They caught her wrists.
"No!" Malachite tried to escape and save Zoycite but Jedite stopped him.
The vines drained Zoycite's energy. She tugged on them, trying to break free.
"Your precious little Zoey will soon be in my power! And you will be too!" Queen Beryl said to Malachite.
Losing energy, Zoycite sank to her knees. "I can't give up, got to fight her," Zoycite said to herself, her voice barely audible. She lifted her head weakly to look at Malachite.
"I love you, Zoey-chan," he mouthed to her. She smiled her reply, even though she was weaker and it took more energy than she thought. She was too weak from energy loss to say anything. She closed her eyes, trying to gather her energy, but was too tired to try to fight Beryl's power anymore.
Malachite pushed past Jedite and Nephlite, running to Zoycite's side. He created a sharp ice crystal, and tried to use it to cut the vines, but when he touched them, they zapped his energy too. Beryl had succeeded in forcing them to give in.
"Perfect!" Queen Beryl laughed wickedly. "Now they will be ours!"

Chapter 6: The Meeting In The Throne Room
Malachite sat on a stone bench outside the castle where he and Zoycite lived. Beryl may have brainwashed them, but her powers could not erase their memories of each other. They did not remember that they used to be Endymion's generals, or that they used to live in the Earth Kingdom.
"Queen Beryl said we attack Earth tomorrow. Then the Moon Kingdom," Zoycite reported. Malachite nodded in reply. "And all generals are to report to the throne room at once." Malachite stood and teleported them to the throne room.
"There is a lot we have to get done before we attack," Queen Beryl began. "I have a few jobs for you." The generals nodded. "But first you each must complete a special battle training, which is just so I can see just how good you are in battle. We will start that tomorrow morning. We attack the Kingdoms tomorrow at midnight. You are dismissed."

Chapter 7: Battle Practice
The generals were working hard to prepare for battle training. Well, most of them, anyway.
"I cannot stand Nephlite!" Zoycite said angrily to Malachite.
"Don't let him get to you, Zoey."
"I can't help it. He makes me so angry, I could ruin him!"
"Don't get in over your head, Zoey-chan," Malachite advised.
"I won't. Now, what can we do for revenge?" Zoycite replied. She sat inside the castle with Malachite, biting her nails. Malachite stood and turned to Zoycite.
"We should be practicing for battle. Come on." Zoycite stood and teleported with Malachite to the top floor of the castle. It was big, with lots of space.
"We can practice for battle in here." For hours, they practiced various attacks. Finally, Zoycite asked if she could take a break. She teleported to Nephlite's mansion.
"Hello, Nephlite. Practicing to lose?" she asked. She smiled wickedly, knowing she'd made him angry just by being there.
"No!" Nephlite shouted angrily. "Unlike some people, I'm preparing for battle."
"I was practicing." Zoycite said. She examined her fingernails. "I figured I'd take a little break and come check up on you." She laughed wickedly.
"When you go back to practicing, maybe you should ask Malachite to teach you to stay out of my business. You know, I feel sorry for him. He has to live with you."Zoycite frowned. "What goes around comes around. Insult me and you will pay."
"Yeah? What are you gonna do? Go run to Malachite and ask him to save his precious Sakura?" Nephlite teased.
"You're foolish to make me angry!" Zoycite vanished in a swirl of cherry blossoms.
"I cannot stand that little weasel," Nephlite growled. Why does she always have to come annoy me?"
Back in Malachite's castle, Zoycite returned and sat at the table. Malachite sat across from her. He had made some tea, but Zoycite just sat without doing anything.
"I've been thinking. I could train you, you know, help you improve your attacks," Malachite suggested.
"What's wrong with my attacks?" Zoycite asked.
"Nothing. But it's always good to be your best. Especially for battle."
"Well," Zoycite considered his offer. "Okay, sure."

Chapter 8: You're Going Down!
The four generals stood before Queen Beryl, awaiting instructions.
"Each of you will go up aagainst a Negamonster. The last one standing wins. Lose, and you will be punished." Beryl explained. "Jedite, you are first."Jedite stepped forward. He would be fighting one of Beryl's most prized monsters. He used an illusion to trick the monster, came up behind it and attacked it, taking it down easily.
"Good job, Jedite. Nephlite, you are next."
"Prepared to lose?" Zoycte remarked sarcastically.
"I don't know what you are laughing about, Zoycite, because you are next!" Beryl yelled angrily. Nephlite stepped forward. He easliy won his battle, using the power of the stars.
"Your turn, Zoycite." Queen Beryl said. Nephlite stepped aside and Zoycite stepped forward.
"Good luck," Malachite whispered to her.
Zoycite would be fighting Yasha, on of the most powerful creatures of the Negaverse. They circled, each waiting for the other to make the first attack. Zoycite thought Yasha looked fierce and fearless, like a viscious and scary monster about to go in after it's victim. Unfortunately, the victim was Zoycite.
Yasha charged at Zoycite. Zoycite backed up at first, then jumped up attempting a kick at Yasha. Yasha knocked Zoycite down, attacking her with a strong force of power. Malachite held his breath, trying to refrain from jumping into the fight to save Zoycite.
"Down on the first attack," Jedite said sarcastically, shaking his head. Malachite wanted to knock the living daylights out of him for that remark.
Zoycite got to her feet, forming an ice crystal behind her back, like Malachite showed her. Yasha tried to attack again, but Zoycite acted quickly, sending the ice crystal at Yasha with great force. Yasha stepped aside, letting the ice crystal hit the wall. It fell to the ground. When Yasha tried to use it, it melted in her hand.
"You are going down!" Yasha shouted. She attacked Zoycite again. Zoycite couldn't dodge the attack and fell to the ground. She vanished in a swirl of cherry
blossoms, then reappeared in the air, ice sword in hand. She jumped down from her position. Yasha had her own sword, also made of ice. They fought until Zoycite knocked Yasha's sword away. It disappeared. Zoycite's disappeared too. Zoycite reattempted her kick at Yasha, this time nailing it perfectly. The battle was over, with Zoycite as the winner.
Malachite had no problem winning his battle. He used his dark energy attack and won easily.

Chapter 9: Zoycite...
Back in the living quarters, Zoycite sat at the table in the dining room. Malachite sat across from her. She was still recovering from battle.
"That was hard. I didn't think I'd make it."
"You did fine. I told you, it's always good to be your best. Especially--"
"In battle. Yeah." Zoycite finished. " I thought I'd fail for sure when Yasha knocked me down."
Before Malachite could answer, an illusion of Queen Beryl appeared. "Our attack on the Kingdoms has been delayed. We attack two days from now."
"Yes Majesty," Zoycite and Malachite bowed. Queen Beryl disappeared.
"Well, it gives us more time to practice for real battle," Zoycite said.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoycite sat in her room at her desk, writing in a small book when Malachite knocked at her door.
"Come in," Zoycite shouted. The door opened and Malachite came in. He sat in another chair.
"What are you writing?" he asked, looking at the book.
"Just...nothing," Zoycite quickly shut the book and stashed it in a desk drawer. "So, what's going on?"
"I just wanted to know if you want to go to the Negaplex and see a movie?" Malachite asked.
"Hmm.. that depends. What movie?"
"Metallia's Revenge," Malachite answered.
"You're just lucky I've been wanting to see that movie. Okay." Zoycite stood and they teleported to the Negaplex.
~~~~~~~~~~~
After they got back, it was late. The phone rang and Zoycite picked it up. Malachite couldn't hear the whole conversation, but he could tell by the look on her face that Zoycite was angry.
"Zoycite, where are you going? It's late," Malachite asked when Zoycite opened the front door.
"I'm just going for a walk. I'll be back later."
"Is something wrong? Do you want me to come with you?"
"No, that's okay. I'll be fine." Zoycite walked out the front door and into the dark cold night.
"Zoycite, I know something's wrong," Malachite said, following her out the door. "Please tell me," he pleaded. Even in the darkness, Zoycite could see the worried look in his eyes.
"Don't worry about me. Everything's fine. Really."
Malachite could do nothing but watch Zoycite continue down the dark road.
I should follow her, he thought. I can't let her go out there alone. He stood by the door until he couldn't see her anymore. Nothing but darkness was in his view.It was now nearing the hour of midnight. Malachite sat up waiting for Zoycite to return.
"How foolish I am," he said aloud to no one in particular. "I have to go find her."
In an instant, he was out the door and following the path Zoycite had taken. A long distance down the path, something caught his eye. He picked it up, knowing instantly what it was. His breath caught in his throat and his thoughts began to race as he examined the familar object, which was a pale blue ponytail holder. He was only able to whisper one word.
"Zoycite..."

Chapter 10: I Will Get Revenge On Nephlite
Malachite continued down the dark road. He noticed footprints in the dirt. He followed them until they came to a dead end. There were more footprints around, and it looked as if there had been a fight there. Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence of the night. A scream he knew all too well.
He followed the sound and got to its source just in time to see a shadowed figure shove Zoycite down. He tried to call out to her, but he seemed to have lost his voice.
Malachite ran to Zoycite. No one else was visible, no one else seemed to be around.
"No....." He was barely able to whisper. Zoycite was now weak and defeated, but hadn't been completely defenseless in what appeared to be a midnight battle.
Malachite was now on his knees at her side. She looked up at him weakly.
"I'm fine, really. I'm okay," she insisted, not wanting him to worry about her.
"No, you're not okay, you're hurt," Malachite said. He picked her up to teleport back to their castle.
"I can walk," Zoycite protested. Her voice sounded small and weak. "I might be a battle victim, but I'm not helpless."
Malachite put her down and she tried to walk. She wasn't strong enough and Malachite had to catch her before she fell. She didn't protest when Malachite tried to help her a second time. They teleported directly to Zoycite's room. Malachite put her down on her bed. She laid down and closed her eyes. Malachite sat in the desk chair, watching her, glad she was safe.
"Zoey-chan?" he whispered after a while, thinking she was asleep. She opened her eyes.
"Yeah?" she answered.
"Who was in the battle?"
"It was Nephlite. He was the one who called. I didn't know it was him until I got there. He said to meet him in the Dark Field." Her voice faded, and Malachite knew she was tired. He didn't ask anymore questions.
Malachite sat, wathcing Zoycite fall asleep. When she was asleep, he put the ponytail holder on the desk, stood and went to the side of her bed. He kissed her cheek and left the room.
"I will get revenge on Nephlite if it's the last thing I do," Malachite said angrily once he stood outside Zoycite's door.

Chapter 11: Stars Know Everything, Or Do They?
"I almost got rid of that little rat until her Prince Not-So-Charming showed up," Nephlite growled.
"Anyway, I must clear my mind. Everything is ruled by the stars. The stars will give me the answer to my problem." Nephlite concentrated on his problem, then consulted the stars for help. Little did he know, the intruder alert he had Yasha install hadn't worked. A spy was lurking in the shadows.
The stars showed an image of Zoycite. They sent him the answer to his question telepathically. Then, Queen Beryl asked him to meet her in the throne room at once.
He left.
~~~~~~~~~
Zoycite ran through the Dark Field, knowing someone was chasing her. She didn't dare to look over her shoulder. She was afraid. Afraid of the person chasing her.
Afraid of what might happen. She tripped on the twisted roots of a lifeless looking tree, landing hard hands and knees. A shadowed figured came up behind her. It was Nephlite, with his star sword in hand. He raised it into the air and Zoycite fought him with her own ice sword. Until he knocked it out of her hand. He stomped on it, shattering it to a million pieces. He raised his sword to her again, preparing to attack.......
"No!" Zoycite cried out in the night. She looked around and realized she was in her own room. "A nightmare," she whispered to herself. "Just a nightmare."
"Oh, really?" a voice asked. Someone stepped out of the shadows.
"Nephlite!" Zoycite gasped. She suddenly felt as if she couldn't move. Nephlite aimed his star sword at her. He stepped closer, star sword ready to attack.
Zoycite tried to move, but couldn't.
"Zoycite... Zoycite... Zoycite..."
Zoycite's name was being repeated. It sounded like a broken record. She tried to answer, but couldn't.
Stuck. She was stuck. Why couldn't she escape?
"Zoycite... Zoycite..."

Chapter 12: Grasshopper
Zoycite woke up. She sat up in her bed, realizing Malachite was calling her name. She breathed a sigh of relief, hoping she really was awake. Malachite was kneeling by her bed.
"Are you okay, Zoey-chan?" he asked.
"I think I'm fine--now." she answered.
"What was wrong?"
"Just...just a nightmare. I'm really awake now, right?"
Malachite nodded. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"I don't know. It was really bad. Nephlite..." She let her sentence trail. "Nephlite was chasing me. I tripped. He tried to attack me." She shook her head. The memory was still vivid in her mind. She couldn't clear it.
Malachite wondered if it was Zoycite's fear that caused her nightmare, or if it was Nephlite intentionally haunting her with nightmares.
"I think I'll be okay now," Zoycite said. Malachite knew she was still shaken from the nightmare.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
Malachite said goodnight to her, then left the room. She tried to fall asleep again, but couldn't. Instead, she got up, went to her desk and opened the drawer where she kept her journal. She pulled it out and sat at the desk. She began to write, still shaking with fear.
3:45 AM
I know it's late, really late, but I can't sleep. I just had the worst nightmare. Nephlite was chasing me, and I couldn't get away. He had his star sword, and I had my ice sword and we fought for awhile, then he destroyed my sword. I had nothing left to defend myself with. Then, I thought I woke up, but I really didn't. Nephlite tried to attack me with the sword. Malachite heard him talking to the stars. Nephlite wants to destroy me. He hates me with a passion. And you know what? I can't stand him either.
Zoycite shut the book and put it back in the drawer. She noticed her ponytail holder sitting on the desk where Malachite had left it. He must have found it, she thought. Picking it up, she took the hairbrush off the table by her bed. She fixed her hair back into a ponytail. Then, she went to her closet and took out a new uniform, identical to the one she was wearing. The sleeve of the jacket she was wearing had been slashed by Nephlite's star sword. When she was ready, she checked her reflection in the mirror. Perfect.
She teleported to the top floor of the castle, where she and Malachite practiced for battle. She jumped up, practicing her kick, not knowing Malachite was watching her until she messed up.
"You should act quickly, and always stay alert in battle. Otherwise, anyone could sneak up on you."
Zoycite turned around, surprised. "I - I thought I was alone," she said.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Be my guest. Maybe you could teach me how to stay alert, Master." Zoycite bowed to Malachite. He smiled at her joke. Zoycite attempted to sneak up on him, but he caught her wrist before she could do anything.
"Like that," he said. Zoycite pretended Malachite had a hold on her attack, then surprised him by escaping perfectly.
"Like that?"
"Yes, Grasshopper," Malachite finished Zoycite's joke. Zoycite laughed. Suddenly, she put her hand to her head.
"Oh...I...ow..." Zoycite sank to the floor.
"Zoycite! What's wrong? Are you sick?" Malachite asked, looking alarmed.
"I...I think I'm okay... I ...oh..."
Malachite took her hand and helped her to her feet. She felt dizzy and couldn't stand. She leaned on Malachite's shoulder for support. He put his arm around her shoulders to help her stand.
"Zoycite, what's wrong?" Malachite asked.
"I... don't... know...Everything's...I'm... dizzy....Oh...oww..."
Malachite caught her as she fainted. He could tell she was losing energy. He touched her forehead to give her energy. He carried her to her room, since teleporting would take too much of her energy. He stayed by her side, sitting in her desk chair while she was lying on her bed.
"Zoycite... please wake up. Please be okay."
Zoycite could hear Malachite's voice. She tried to answer, but couldn't. Her head hurt and she felt as if she hit a brick wall, hard. She gathered her strength, or what was left of it, and forced herself to wake up.
As if in response to his plea, Zoycite opened her eyes. She looked tired, and tried to speak but it too too much effort.

Chapter 12: The Truth About Nephlite's Plan
In Beryl's throne room, Nephlite bowed.
"You got her energy, didn't you?" Beryl asked.
"Yes, my Queen," Nephlite answered. He carried a small crystal object on a chain to Beryl. She held it over her crystal ball. The crystal ball absorbed the energy.
"Zoycite, what happened?" Malachite asked, still worried.
"I...I don't know. I'm really tired, though." Zoycite's voice sounded faint. Malachite smoothed the loose strands of hair from Zoycite's face.
"You can rest. Battle training will have to wait."
Zoycite was too weak to protest. She knew better than to argue with Malachite when he was serious about something. Instead, she nodded and closed her eyes.
"Nephlite, we have today and tomorrow to carry out the plan. If I delay our attack on the Kingdoms any longer, we might get caught," Queen Beryl was angry with
Nephlite for not having a good plan yet.
"I apologize, my Queen."
~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoycite sat on the couch in the living room, writing in her journal. She didn't hear Malachite come in .
"I'm curious. What do you write?" Malachite asked.
"You really have to stop sneaking up on me like that." Zoycite didn't look up from her writing.
"Sorry." Malachite sat next to her. "Are you okay now?" He thought she still seemed shaky.
"Yeah, fine." she lied. She closed the book and sat it on the coffee table. She still felt weak. Malachite could tell. Zoycite closed her eyes and let out a shaky breath. Malachite stood and crossed the room. He entered a code on a keypad, causing the wall to reveal a complex computer system. He entered his password to log in to the NegaLink System.
"You have one new message," the computer said. Malachite clicked the message icon. The message read:
To: General Malachite
From: Unknown
Subject: Danger
General Malachite--
General Zoycite is in danger. Thought you should know.
The message was not signed.
Malachite turned and looked at Zoycite. Nephlite, he thought. Nephlite is behind all of this.
Malachite shut down the system and went to the door.
"Where are you going?" Zoycite asked. Malachite did not answer.
"Stay here. Do not leave our castle, Zoycite."
Zoycite pulled the pale blue ponytail holder from her long, copper-blond hair. "If Nephlite attacks you, drop it on the ground so I know what happened if I come looking for you."
"Don't leave our castle, Zoey-chan," Malachite repeated. His expression was serious but he took trhe ponytail holder anyway. He put it in his pocket. He held up the communicator.
"We'll be in touch," he said.
Zoycite got up and went to the computer system. She sat in the desk chair and logged in to her database.
"I will be back, Zoey." Malachite went out the door. Once outside, he said, "Nephlite will pay for hurting my little Sakura." With that, he teleported to Nephlite's mansion.
Nephlite was not there.

Chapter 13: You Won't Get Away With This!
Zoycite fell asleep by the computer system, waiting up for Malachite.
Meanwhile, Malachite was searching Nephlite's mansion. Nephlite was standing outside Malachite and Zoycite's castle.
When Malachite teleported back to his castle, he saw Zoycite asleep at the computer desk. She can't possibly be comfortable, he thought. He went to the desk and looked down at the smaller general. He didn't want to wake her, but he couldn't just leave her there. He touched her arm to wake her up. Zoycite opened her eyes.
"Malachite?"
"Zoey-chan, what are you doing still out here? It's late."
"I was waiting up for you." Zoycite closed the database and got up from the desk. "I think I'm going to go outside for a few minutes."
"I'll come with you."
Malachite went outside and sat on the stone bench. Zoycite stood by the sakura tree that grew near by.
Suddenly, Nephlite stepped out of the shadows, pulling Zoycite into his force field and teleported away before Malachite could stop him.
"Let go of me!" Zoycite struggeled against Nephlite's strength. Nephlite's grip tightened around Zoycite's wrist.
"I said let go of me!" Zoycite tried hard to pull away from Nephlite, but he was stronger.
"You are nothing but a little rat," Nephlite said angrily. "You are useless in battle, and we have no use for you."
"You won't get away with this!" Zoycite declared.
"Just watch me!" Nephlite led Zoycite to the lower floor of his mansion. "You will stay here until I figure out a way to get rid of you." He tied her wrists so she couldn't escape. He held out the crystal energy orb and it drained Zoycite's energy. He closed closed the crystal once he had her energy.
Zoycite was weak and she fell unconscious. Nephlite tried to leave but Malachite stopped him.
"Give me that energy orb!" Malachite demanded.
"You again!" Nephlite growled angrily. "You won't stop me this time."
"Give me that energy orb and release Zoycite now!"
"I'm warning you! Back off, this is my business." Nephlite was getting angry and Zoycite was getting weaker.
Malachite pushed past Nephlite causing Nephlite to drop the energy orb. If it broke, Zoycite's energy would be lost.
Malachite caught it before it hit the floor. He took it to Zoycite and pressed it to her hand. Her energy returned.
Nephlite crept up behind Malachite to try and attack him. Zoycite was now awake and she warned Malachite. Just then, Queen Beryl appeared summoning them to the throne room.

Chapter 14: Protect Zoey-chan Forever
"Zoycite! Please come forward."
Zoycite stepped forward and bowed. She was now on her knees in front of Beryl, her head bowed.
Suddenly, Malachite knew what Beryl was going to do.
"Permission to speak on Zoycite's behalf, Your Majesty?"
Queen Beryl looked annoyed. "Permission granted, General Malachite."
"Your Majesty, I could train Zoycite. I could teach her to be a better general and warrior. She has great potential."
Queen Beryl pondered the suggestion. "Very well. I trust you will do a good job."
"Yes My Queen." That was almost too easy, Malachite thought to himself.
"Nephlite, stand down." Queen Beryl ordered.
"Yes, Majesty."
Outside Beryl's throne room, Zoycite turned to Malachite.
"Thank you for standing up for me." Zoycite smiled gratefully.
Malachite turned to face her. He pressed the palms of his gloved hands to her cheeks and looked into her green eyes.
"I wouldn't let anyone hurt you, Zoey-chan. Anything that hurts you hurts me too. I care about you, Zoey. A lot."
His words touched her. Malachite wrapped his arms around the smaller general and pulled her closer to him. She stood in his embrace, afraid to say anything for fear that Malachite would hear the trembling in her voice. She closed her eyes and rested her head against Malachite's shoulder.
"I love you, Zoey-chan. And I promise to protect you forever." Malachite wispered softly to Zoycite.

End of Part One

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