Title: Zoycite's Story Part: Fifteen Rating: PG/PG-13 ====================================================================== Hello, I'm back with part fifteen of this ongoing saga. I hope you've been enjoying it. I have no way of knowing, since i haven't gotten a lot of e-mails. This is my way of saying..."E-mail me! With comments, flames, etc." Also check out my story I'm co-writing with Julie-chan called Mishaps in Time. I want to take this oppertunity to thank all you guys for reading and e-mailing me. It makes this worth while. My address is the same, Zoycite111@hotmail.com. Enjoy part eleven! ^_^ ====================================================================== Disclaimer: I do not own Zoycite or any other character in Sailor Moon. This story is from my own imagination and is my own work. However, I would like to own Malachite...or Prince Diamond...(life's so unfair!^_~) (Actucally, I don't want to own Prince Diamond. I just know someone who does! ^_~ You know who you are ^_~) ====================================================================== Malachite spent the day wandering around Tokyo. He passed hundreds of gift shops, but none of them seemed right for Zoycite. No matter where he went, the perfect gift still eluded him. Malachite was about to open a doorway back to the Dark Kingdom, when he saw a man sneak into a store. Moving closer to the store, Malachite discovered it was a jewelry store. ~Malachite: Why would someone sneak into a jewelry store?~ Curious, Malachite decided to follow the man into the store. He watched the goings on from a distance. "Back again Darrien?" The clerk said with a laugh. "Yes I am." sighed Darrien. "Well, I've finally decided to go for it." "You're going to buy the engagement ring you said you wouldn't be buying for a long time?" the clerk asked skeptically. "Yup." Darrien replied sheepishly. "We are meant to be, but I wanted to make it official." "Good for you Darrien. Here's the ring." the clerk said handing Darrien a small black box. "I'm sure Serena will love it." "Thanks" Darien answered, taking the box. Darrien left the store just as he came. He cautiously snuck out of the store and slipped around a corner. In a few seconds, he was out of sight. Malachite remained puzzled for a long while after Darrien left the store. ~Malachite: What is this "engagement ring" Darrien was talking about. Could that be a good gift for Zoey?~ "Ma'am?" Malachite called out. "Can I help you?" the clerk answered. "Maybe. This may sound odd, but what is an engagement ring?" asked Malachite. The clerk began to chuckle as she responded to Malachite's question. "Are you from another planet or something?" Malachite had visions of murder. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. An engagement ring is what you give a person you love a lot. The ring symbolizes your marriage intentions." explained the clerk. ~Malachite: This is the perfect gift for Zoycite. It will show her that I really do love her, even if I don't always show it. Hopefully it will show her that I will always stand by her, no matter what. I'm sure she knows the significance of an engagement ring. I've found the perfect gift for her.~ "I'll take that one." Malachite said, pointing to a medium sized rock. "Sir, that one is $2000." the clerk said slowly, seeing if Malachite would change his mind. "Fine. Could you put it in a box for me?" Malachite asked. "Sure." When the clerk turned her back, Malachite quickly conjured the money he needed. When the clerk turned back around, her jaw dropped when she saw $2000 in cash. "What's wrong?" Malachite asked. "Do you not take cash?" "Yes we do." the clerk said, gulping down air. "It's just that very few people pay in cash." "Oh, ok." Malachite said. Malachite handed the money to the clerk and she quickly counted it. Once she was sure that all the money was there, she handed Malachite the box. "Thanks." Malachite said as he left the store. He didn't have to worry about anyone spotting him, since Zoycite had no idea where he was. And, the odds Nephrite was in this area were slim to none. "Good luck." the clerk said as Malachite left the store. ~Clerk: You'll need it. What an odd guy. His girlfriend must be pretty strange to go with a guy dressed like that. I could have sworn he bleached his hair. Oh well, to each his own.~ Malachite walked around a corner and quickly looked around. He didn't care if anyone saw him in the jewelry store, but this was one thing he didn't want anyone to see. Malachite found the area was deserted, so he quickly opened a doorway to the Dark Kingdom. ~Malachite: I can't wait to see the look on Zoey's face when she sees this.~ After smiling at the thought of pleasing Zoycite, Malachite jumped through the doorway and returned to the Dark Kingdom. * * * Zoycite had returned to her quarters after about an hour of target practice. She was worn out, but not from the practicing. She had to keep avoiding stray attacks from booths twenty feet away from her. Couldn't those youma learn to control their attacks? By the time Zoycite left, she had had about 100 attempts on her life. After a while, Zoycite began to float about fifteen feet off the ground. At this height, she wasn't in as much danger of being hit by a stray attack. Tired and sweaty from her workout, Zoycite decided to shower and curl up with a good book. Besides, she had nothing else to do since Malachite was off running "errands". Even after she showered and changed into a fresh uniform, Zoycite hadn't heard from Malachite. So, she decided to conjure a Poe book to read while waiting for him to make an appearance. Zoycite had just finished "The Cask of Ammontiado" when Malachite appeared with a sly smile on his face. "And what have you been up to today?" Zoycite asked curiously. "Shopping for a gift for you." answered Malachite. "WHAT!?!?" exclaimed Zoycite. "Why??" "Just because." answered Malachite as he produced the little black box. "You didn't have to." Zoycite replied as she opened the box. "It's unn-" Zoycite stopped when she saw what was inside. "Is this what I think it is????" Malachite nodded in reply. "But, if you don't remember anything about life on Earth, how did you know what this signifies?" Zoycite asked. "Well...I asked the clerk." Malachite replied sheepishly. "I just wanted it to be official." "Mal...you didn't have to. I know." Zoycite said as Malachite put the ring on her hand. Zoycite looked down at her hand, almost in shock. "It's beautiful. But I can't wear it. Beryl will see it immediately, and then..." "I have an idea." Malachite said, conjuring a gold chain. "Put the ring on this and wear it around your neck. Beryl will never know it's there." "That's a great idea. Would you put it on me?" Zoycite asked as she handed the necklace over to Malachite. "Of course." Once the chain was fastened, Zoycite slipped the chain under her shirt. There was a slight bulge at where the 2.0 karat diamond sat, but it would be unnoticeable, since no one knew it was there. "Thank you." Zoycite said as she gave him a kiss. Of course, Queen Beryl had to ruin the moment. "GENERALS!!!! REPORT, NOW!!!!" thundered Queen Beryl. "Why?" Malachite said under his breath. He was enjoying the kiss and didn't want it to end that way. "Let's go see what the witch wants this time." Zoycite said. Malachite nodded in agreement and the two left for Beryl's audience chamber. * * * "You answered promptly." Queen Beryl said once the Zoycite and Malachite appeared. "Malachite, I understand Zoycite was at the practice range to day. Please report on her progress." Malachite froze at the question. Obviously, he wasn't with her at the range and had no idea how she did. ~Malachite: Does Beryl know that I wasn't with Zoycite? Is she trying to trap me somehow? Well, knowing Zoycite, and how well she generally was at her target practice, I would say she hit every one.~ "I am happy to report that Zoycite did very well at her target practice, m'queen. She hit every target." Malachite responded praying he was correct. The slight nod from Zoycite told him he was. "Zoycite, that is very admirable. I am very impressed with your skills. I do believe that you may challenge Malachite soon for the title of the most powerful general." raved Queen Beryl. "Thank you, my queen." Zoycite said, bowing in the usual fashion. However, Zoycite's necklace wasn't tucked down far enough, and it popped out as she bent down. Unfortunately, Queen Beryl saw it before Zoycite could replace it back under her uniform. Zoycite could feel her end coming as she stared at the tips of her boots. "Zoycite, what is that?" thundered Queen Beryl. "Uh...It's my grandmother's ring." lied Zoycite. "It has always brought me good luck, so that's why I wear it." "I see." replied Queen Beryl. Queen Beryl sat in silence for about five minutes. Every second of it was agony for both Zoycite and Malachite. Zoycite was waiting for Beryl to explode and kill her for wearing the ring. Finally, Beryl spoke. "Well, I generally don't allow anyone to wear any jewelry, but in your case, I am willing to make an exception. Know this, that the only reason I am allowing you to wear this ring, is because you have pleased me thus far." said Queen Beryl. "In fact, if you prefer to wear the ring correctly, that is on your finger and not a chain, I will allow you to do so. I will leave the decision up to you." "Thank you, m'queen." answered Zoycite as she breathed a silent sigh of relief. ~Zoycite: Did what I think just happen here? Is Beryl actually being nice to me?~ "Also, Zoycite, your task of finding the seven rainbow crystals will begin shortly. I am waiting for Nephrite to collect enough energy. Once he has accomplished this, I will explain why we need to obtain these crystals." explained Queen Beryl. "And Malachite, I expect that you will assist Zoycite in the beginning of her quest." "Yes, m'queen." Zoycite and Malachite answered automatically. "You are dismissed." Well, Malachite and Zoycite didn't have to be told twice. They left the audience chamber as soon as Queen Beryl said those magic words. ====================================================================== Well, that's it for the fifteenth installment of Zoycite's Story. I hope you enjoyed it. Please send me your comments (or flames) on the story! You know the address: zoycite111@hotmail.com. I should have the next part out next week! ^_~ If you want to see a cool site devoted to Zoycite and Malachite, go to www.geocities.com/Area51/Neptune/4566. That's my web site. Anyhoo, Peace out! Zoycite_gal. ^_^ ======================================================================