"Not another one! Where do these things keep coming from?"
"Get away from him you monster!"
The youma turned and glared at them with intense hatred as the two generals approached it. Snarling, the creature spread it's wings and crouched low, determined to protect it's kill. Nephlyte glanced over at his comrad and nodded. Both generals slowly began to separate and walk in different directions. The creature hissed as it tried desperately to keep both generals in sight.
With a deep growl, Nephlyte created a spark of light to distract the creature. With brains to match it's looks, the creature immediately turned towards him and hopped twice before taking to air and chasing after it's new prey. "Come on, you ugly thing. Let's see if you can keep up with me." Nephlyte snarled and turned to lead the youma on a wild goose chase designed to give his superior enough time to get the younger man to safety.
Malachite silently cursed himself as he watched the monster prance about on Zoisite's back. He could see a stain of blood smeared on the young man's face and the usually impeccable hair now lay in a tattered mass. The creature responded to Nephlyte's distraction and took to the air, allowing him a chance to get closer to the still form.
He gently reached out and pushed the golden nest out of his way and winced at the amount of blood spreading from wound on Zoisite's temple. Glancing up, he watched as Nephlyte took a few more feathers off the escaping youma, before touching the young man's shoulder and disappearing to a place where he could help his ailing student.
*****************************************************
"Hold still."
"I'm fine."
"You'll be fine when I say you're fine, now stop squirming."
"I hate doctors." Nephlyte muttered as the healer dabbed at his arm.
"Don't worry, we hate you generals too. Always going out and getting into trouble, and of course you can't go alone, oh no. You have to get an army of fresh young men just eager to have the pulp pounded out of them and drag them along with you."
"Hey, do we try to tell you how to do your job?" Nephlyte snapped back.
The healer didn't even miss a beat. "Yes you do, now that I think about it. Just out of curiosity, what the hell were you two doing while that teenager over there was getting attacked by that youma?" The woman asked as she turned her attention back to wrapping his arm.
Malachite sighed and glanced over at her. "We were looking for someone." He replied.
"Yeah? Well, the way it sounds he was the one looking for someone and you were busy analyzing the situation." She snapped.
Nephlyte shook his head. "If Zoisite had done a little more analyzing he would have sensed the youma and been ready for it."
"If you had been paying attention to the poor thing he wouldn't be taking up space in my room and bleeding on my sheets! Now get out, you're finished."
Nephlyte dodged the roll of gauze that came sailing his way and slipped out of the older woman's range. "So, can we expect a full recovery or what?"
The woman snorted and glared at him. "If either one of you tries to yank him out of here before I say he can go, I'll hire some body guards I know to break your legs and then I'll have a perfectly good reason for sedating both of you until that poor thing fully heals, you hear me?"
"Of course, your astuteness. We'll just be leaving now. . ."
A yowl of surprise was the last thing the healer heard as she shoved both of the overbearing men out of her office and locked the door behind them.
*****************************************
"Well?" The woman asked as she leaned down over the cowering youma.
"I was this close to having him. . ."
"Then where is he?" She hissed.
"Ah, he got away?"
"You imbecile!" A hand rose to rest over the glowing ball.
The youma tried to rise but some invisible power held it down. "Wait! I may not have been able to bring him back but I did do the other thing you asked!"
The woman paused at this bit of news. "Perhaps you aren't a total failure, but now I have to waste precious energy to get that boy back!"
Val winced as an explosion took place in the center of the throne room and feathers erupted everywhere. The woman glared about at her court for a moment before leaning back and smoothing her dress. She gingerly touched the crystal ball before her and stared deeply into it. Her lips moved and Val got the impression that she was busy holding a conversation with the inanimate object. Suddenly she sat up straight and a smile crossed her features. Her yellowed gaze fell on him and the youngest of the generals gasped as he felt the power behind the gaze.
"Perfect."
*****************************************
Jedite watched as the three men worked their way around the room, each pacing in different directions. If his calculations were right, and they usually were, Nephlyte and Endymion were scheduled to cross the same path at the same time in exactly two minutes. That should break the silence very nicely. He leaned back in his chair with a sly smile and watched as his impeding doom slowly ticked closer.
A servant entered into the fray and he frowned as it disrupted the pattern that he had based everything on. Damn. He hated it when the unexpected entered an equation. The servant approached him and whispered something about a woman wanting to meet him immediately. Then he turned and disappeared through one of the numerous doors that lined the room.
Sighing, he stood and excused himself. He would have been sorely surprised if his friends even noticed his departure. Now, where did that servant say the person was waiting? He was half way to his intended destination when a flurry of red and white bounded into his way and wait for him to acknowledge her.
"Hello, Naru." He said trying to get around her.
The clever little thing managed to place herself right back into his path by shifting her weight. "Hello, Jedeite."
"Is there something I can do for you?" He asked.
Her smile practically blinded him as she clutched his arm. "So glad you asked. . ."
*******************************************
"So how is Zoisite doing?" Jedite asked as he carefully balanced the pots of dirt.
"Oh, very well. Thank you so much for helping me out with this. I would never have been able to do it on my own you know."She skipped ahead a few steps and glanced back.
One of the ferns he was caring caught a branch and he cursed as he stopped and tried to free the tangled plant. Unfortunately, shaking it did little more then make matters worse. "Naru, can you come here for a second and hold this?"
A shadow descended upon his form as he held out a pot. Something cold and sharp grabbed his wrist and he cried out in surprise.
"What the. . ."
Something piercing the back of his neck was the last thing he felt as he fell into unconsciousness.
***********************************
"Are they securely integrated?" The woman asked of one of her youma.
"Yes, my queen. Already three have been infected, and they are all very close to the prince."
"Wonderful." She turned and grabbed the silent boy. "I haven't really done this before so you'll just have to bear with me, okay?"
Val cried out as the woman's claws dug deeper and deeper into his chest. Breathing was becoming a quest that he was failing at and he could no longer see past the brilliant light of the medallion he wore. Something was whispering in his mind and he tried with all his might to push it away. He didn't like what it was telling him, but he was quickly running out of options.
And he was running out of time.
******************************************
"Be careful out there."
"I will." The aging healer said as she smiled at the departing assistant.
She began to collect the papers on her desk and was filing them when a horrific scream shattered the night. She jumped in surprise and stared at the darkened room just down the hall. Grabbing her bag she tossed the papers to the ground and ran the length of the building to the room. Flipping on the light she stared at the shaking figure huddled in the corner.
"Come on, boy. How did you get up?" She whispered soothingly as she inched closer to the form.
Wide green eyes stared up at her and she gasped at the unnatural light in them. The frail boy pushed himself up and past her.
Her training kicked back in and she grabbed for the retreating figure. "You're in no condition to go anywhere, boy. I told your friends that too. Now back to bed."
A harsh laugh reached her ears. "It won't matter. It won't matter at all very soon."
With that Zoisite collapsed into her arms. The healer snorted and dragged him back to the bed. "Generals. Not a sane one among
the bunch. I knew letting that girl see you would be a mistake. I just knew it."
**************************************
Beryl lifted up the glowing ball and stared at it. There was one more thing she had to do before she could count this as a success. She called a great amount of energy, and winced. Energy was so precious, to use this much worried her. But if everything went as she had planned, it would be worth it. She closed her eyes and concentrated on one of her newly formed bonds that had allowed her access to the Earthen palace. The ball flickered then disappeared.
"Yes!"
The woman stood over the cooling body of the human. She watched as his blood flowed from his wounds and disappeared into the cracks of the floor. He was young. She had hoped to be able to use him, but the medallion had been with him too long. She hadn't been able to turn him as she had hoped. And she didn't have enough energy to force him to serve her. Not if she wanted to turn the other three. She hadn't even had enough energy to pull his spirit as she had. That energy she had taken from his death.
"Go home now. Time to find a new playmate, preferably the one that I have chosen for you." She whispered and reached down to take the medallion. As soon as her fingers rested on the metal the medallion dissolved into mist and faded away.
A nearby youma screeched out in horror and she turned and glared at it. "What?"
"It. . . it disappeared!"
"So?" She snapped.
"But. . . but didn't you want it?"
The woman sighed in disgust. "I can't do anything with the medallion itself. What I need is the person it chooses," she smiled, "and I intend to find that person."
***************************************
"Good morning!"
"Hmmm?"
"Time to wake up, Jedite. What is it you're always telling me, there's a whole world out there for the taking?"
The blond haired man swatted at the general who was yelling in his ear and rolled over to go back to sleep. Anything to stop the whispering in his head.
"Oh no you don't. A general's gotta be up at the crack of dawn for training." Nephlyte said as he yanked the covers away from his sleeping companion.
Jedite cursed profusely. "Then go and train. But leave us poor scholarly types alone."
"You have to train to, you know."
"What are you blabbering about?"
Blue eyes caught and held his. "You don't remember?"
"Remember what?"
"Getting that." Nephlyte said pointing to something around his neck.
"I have no idea what you're . . ." Jedite muttered as he glanced down at his naked chest. A golden medallion flashed in the morning light and he jumped back as though it had burned him, "how did that get there?"
"We found you wandering around the tower with the medallion around your neck shortly after we felt Val die."
A feeling of nausea coarsed through him and before he knew what he was doing he yanked the medallion from his neck and tossed it into the air. With astonishing quickness a hand snatched the golden arrow and held it back out to him. The blond gulped as Malachite leaned down and stared deeply at him.
"Are you ready to start training?"
"No." Was the meek reply.
"Too bad."
******************************************
Something was burning into his chest, but there wasn't anything he could do about it. He clawed at the shinning piece of metal but could not dislodge it. It hurt so bad. Then there was that whispering in his head. At first it had seemed irritating, but compared to the burning on his chest it was now very soothing.
Who are you?
I'm anything you want me to be.
The whispering was calming and he felt himself drifting off into a sort of dream-like land. The pain in his chest seemed far away, though it did not stop.
Does that feel better?
Yes. How did you do that?
There was a strange laugh that sent chills up his spine. I can do many things. I have healed your wounds, although you will still be weak for a time. I can also make your wishes come true.
Something about that sounded wrong, but his mind was too fuzzy for him to figure out exactly what bothered him. He was so tired.
Tell me, what is it that you wish?
He almost answered but paused. What's the catch?
What makes you think there is a catch? The voice was carefully guarded.
There's always a catch.
Smart boy. I can't make your wish come true by myself. All you have to do is just do what I tell you. Will you do that?
I don't . . .
Just ask yourself this, Zoisite. What is your greatest wish worth?
What indeed.
******************************************************
"Ahhhh! Watch it will you! I don't need to be force fed any of that star force crap you keep throwing at me!" Jedite yelped as a blast of energy flared over his head.
"Keep moving, and you won't be eating it." Malachite snapped as he watched the two dancing about below him.
A snicker caught his attention and he glared down at the lounging figure. "You think that's funny? Just wait until it's your turn."
Zoisite glared up at him and stuck out his tongue. "Sorry, no strenuous activity. Doctor's orders." He replied flippantly, fluttering a note under the older general's nose.
"I'll give you strenuous activity you little no good. . ." Malachite muttered.
"Ha! I'd run you around the barn any day!"
"Or night. Actually he could probably give you one hell of a romp through the hay while he's at it."
Zoisite blushed a deep crimson and glared out at the two out on the floor. "Nephlyte! I'm going to knock you so hard. . ."
"You most defiantly will not! No running or knocking for you mister." The healer huffed as she glared at the trio.
"Poor Zoisite, now what ever will he do?"
"Don't you start to, Jedite. Or I will personally come over there and. . ."
"And knock me around, I know."
"Knock you up more like it." Nephlyte chuckled through clenched teeth.
"That's it! You are so dead!" Zoisite shrieked as he struggled to his feet. He managed to bound his way down three sets of steps before tripping and tumbling into Malachite's arms. "Ahh, opps?"
Malachite could hear the other two generals snickering at some joke and he immediatly realized what a compromising scene he made with Zoisite piled on top of him. "Get off me, right now." He hissed.
The younger man yelped and disappeared in a burst of blossoms and Malachite was left trying to keep from killing the last two of his comrades. Gods, this was getting tiring.
***************************************
"What's up with him?" Zoisite asked as he floated down to Nephlyte's level.
"Who?"
"The ice king over there. What is his problem?"
Nephlyte shrugged as he reached for a towel. "He gets like that every now and again. With Rowan gone he's in charge, and he's got big shoes to fill."
"Oh."
Glancing up into the mirror Nephlyte watched as the younger man considered his words. Actually, now that he thought about it, it look like Zoisite was pondering more then just his words. "Hey. Zoi. Zoi?"
"Humph?"
"You coming back down to associate with us mere mortals again, or are you just going to keep on floating on whatever cloud you're on?"
Green eyes turned on his suddenly and he gasped at the hatred he saw there. "Why don't you just go back and find some giggling thing to play with, and mind your own business!"
Nephlyte yelped and stumbled back against a low table as Zoisite slowly crept towards him. He could feel breezes of power coming from the younger man and it was becoming hard to breath. "Zoisite, stop that!" He ordered.
A cackling laugh was all the reply he got before the smaller man grasped the front of his jacket and lifted him up. "What's wrong? Can't take a little bit power? Poor baby." The words were deceptively soft and they sent shivers down his spine.
Unable to do anything more, Nephlyte placed both hands on the smaller man's chest and pushed. His power easily overrode whatever was feeding Zoisite and the weaker general collapsed to the ground. He quickly knelt and checked to make sure he hadn't over extended his own powers and harmed the young man.
"And just what are you doing to my patient now?"
Now seemed a perfect time to curse.
***************************************
The healer shook her head. "That isn't possible."
"From what you've been telling us, he shouldn't have been able to disappear in the first place." Nephlyte pointed out.
"True. There was the slight possibility he could have managed it, but to be able to both float and attack you at the same time? Never." She leaned over and checked one of the many charts adorning her walls.
"Could he perhaps have borrowed the power from somewhere? The medallion maybe?" Jadeite mused as he watched the two people dance around each other in the small office.
Malachite shook his head as he leaned in the door way. "No. The medallion should have actually taken power from him because he was using it against another general who wasn't attacking him . Did you recognize it?" He asked suddenly.
"No. It wasn't something either he or Rowan ever used, so it didn't come from the medallion. Whatever it was, I've never been that close to it before." Nephlyte said shrugging helplessly.
"Alright, let's try to figure this thing out. Tyers dies about a year ago, killed by a youma. Up until four months ago, her medallion lay dormant."
"Then Val dies, and we still aren't sure how or where and I get it, and I don't remember anything after helping Naru out with the plants." Jedite put in.
"She said you felt ill and decided to go back to the palace to lie down while she got someone else to take the plants back to Zoisite. . ." Nephlyte added but was suddenly interrupted.
"What plants?" The healer asked glancing up.
"She said Zoisite wanted a few plants for his room here." He explained.
"No he didn't. They spoke a little, about you I think," she said pointing to Jedite, "then the woman left."
"Are you sure?" The silver haired man asked as he stood up straight.
"Oh yes. I remember because shortly after that he became hysterical and started rambling about nothing ever mattering." She shrugged. "I figured it was the pain killers I gave him."
"But he didn't have any today, did he?"
"No. I was amazed at how much he had improved overnight."
"Then why did he flip out again?"
"And why would Naru ask me to bring flowers for him, if he didn't ask for any?" Jedite said suspiciously.
"Maybe she wanted it to be a surprise?" Nephlyte replied coming to her defense.
"No," the blond shook his head, "I specifically remember her telling me that Zoisite had asked her to bring a few plants to him while we were in his room."
"I think you three have some investigating to do. So why don't you do it and let me get on with my job?" The healer asked, most of the venom that usually permeated her voice was gone.
"You will tell us when he awakens?" Malachite asked.
"Do you want him to awaken?"
"Yes, but give us a little time, alright?"
"Fine. But I won't keep him under for more then two days." She warned.
"Hopefully, that will be enough time for us to figure out what the hell is going on here."