Cinder Zoisite or, The Crystal Rose Long ago, before Beryl's reign, the Negaverse was a beautiful crystal place ruled by a kind monarch named Lord Azurite. His wife had passed away several years after their marriage, leaving him with a single daughter. Her name was Zoisite. She was a beautiful girl with long, wavy copper hair and sparkling green eyes. Zoisite was kind and good, just like her father, Azurite. Zoisite and her father lived peacefully together in the Crystal Kingdom. Azurite gave her lots of his love and attention and the young princess was happy, despite the loss of her mother. But one day, the peaceful kingdom was attacked by an evil woman - a woman who had embraced the darkness and sold herself to an evil entity. Lord Azurite fought her, but Beryl and her dark Negaforce overpowered him and took control of his realm. Azurite died protecting his only daughter. Beryl destroyed Zoisite's father but left the little girl alive. "Perhaps the little brat can be of some use to me, as she grows older," thought Beryl. So Zoisite was raised by the evil queen, under whose rule the land became dark and eerie. She had two young sons named Jedite and Neflite. They teased poor Zoisite constantly and Beryl made her do all the hard work that was usually reserved for the lower servants, such as scrubbing the marble floor on her hands and knees. Her clothes and possessions were taken away from her by Beryl, who left her just dull servant's clothes to wear. While Jedite and Neflite played their games and roamed free, Zoisite stayed inside the dark halls of Beryl's castle and worked, while Beryl ordered her around. Poor Zoisite worked all day, with hardly a moment's rest. She was usually dirty from the fireplaces, so they began to call her "Cinder Zoisite." But even covered with ashes and dust, Zoisite was a beauty. Anyone could see that. She grew more and more beautiful each day, it seemed, no matter what vile tasks the evil queen thrust upon her. Beryl was irritated by the prettiness of the young girl and vowed to keep her a slave for her whole life. Zoisite knew that Beryl had nothing but servitude planned for her, but she remembered the words of her father - "Be a good girl, Zoisite and the angels will watch over you, as will I." Zoisite loved her father and she tried to be as good as he was. She often cried over the loss of such a wonderful man. Azurite had always been good to her, and never treated her in a harsh way. Nothing Zoisite did made the queen look kindly upon her. She never received a kind word from her "stepmother." But although Beryl could punish Zoisite cruelly, the queen could never take away her dreams. Zoisite's dreams were a part of her that would always be there. She dreamed that someday her dreams of happiness would come true... * * * The dark hall buzzed with the voices of youma as they stood before their queen. Beryl was holding an audience in her chamber. In a shadowy cave somewhere nearby, the Negaforce rumbled her discontent. Elsewhere, in a hallway outside the chamber, a young girl was singing sweetly with the voice of an angel as she polished the marble floor... "A dream is a wish your heart makes When you're fast asleep In dreams you will lose your heartaches Whatever you wish for, you keep Have faith in your dreams and someday Your rainbow will come smiling through No matter how your heart is grieving If you keep on believing The dream that you wish will come t - Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" The laughter of the young blonde warrior filled the hallway. Zoisite looked up through her soggy bangs to see Jedite holding an empty bucket of water. "Just thought I'd help you clean the floor, Cinder Zoisite." He laughed and walked off, tossing the pail behind him. Zoisite shivered. That water had been cold. And now her pretty hair fell in limp stringy locks around her face. Farina: Why does this author have to keep going on and on and ON about how pretty Zoisite is?! As Zoisite wrung out her wet coppery locks, boots came tromping into the hall. Muddy boots. Zoisite sighed as she saw Neflite walking all over the floor with his dirty shoes. "Rainy out," he said, to explain the mud. Of course, he didn't care how many times Zoisite had to polish the floor. Neflite looked at Zoisite and grinned. "Why, Cinder Zoisite, did you get caught in the rain?" Zoisite said nothing, but wished that someone would take away these obnoxious brothers. They did nothing but plague her with torment. "Remember, Cinder Zoisite, Beryl wants to see her reflection in that floor when you're done. Better clean it up." Zoisite wished she could wipe up the floor with Neflite's jacket. *** When Jedite and Neflite became full - fledged warriors, Beryl decided to hold a ball in their honor and invited all the prettiest girls in the Negaverse, as well as the best male warriors of her royal army. Of course, Zoisite wanted to attend this ball too, and she asked Beryl if she might. "Of course, my dear, you will be there," said Beryl. "Will I?" asked Zoisite. "Yes, child. As a serving girl." She laughed wickedly. Zoisite tried not to cry. She should have known the cruel woman would never let her be anything but a servant, not even for one night. *** The night of the ball arrived and guests flocked to Beryl's great hall. Jedite and Neflite were decked out in their best uniforms, and sneered at Zoisite who was playing scullery maid for the night's affair. "Such a fine lady! And what a beautiful gown she has!" said Jedite, laughing at Zoisite in her scullery dress. "May I have this dance?" asked Neflite, bowing mockingly. Zoisite wished they would leave her alone. Soon enough, some pretty girls caught their eye and they abandoned their teasing of Zoisite. No one paid much attention to the dirty little copper haired girl. Everyone was busy socializing, eating the buffet she had set up or dancing. Zoisite grew weary of her chores and peeked out at the dancers from behind a curtain. She was wearing a straight, plain, dark grey dress which did little to enhance her figure or her beauty. Zoisite looked at all the colored dresses of the other girls, and wished she could be dancing out there with them in a dress just as pretty. Suddenly, one of the figures caught Zoisite's attention. A young man with long white hair and a cape. Zoisite felt her heart pound as she stared at him. He turned to face her direction and Zoisite quickly ducked behind the curtain, not wanting to be seen in her dirty, ugly dress. Zoisite sighed behind the drapery and wandered away to a deserted hall where she could be alone. She wished that her father were still alive. Zoisite sank down against the wall and began to cry. Into the dimly lit hall appeared a young fairy girl, with blue eyes and soft blue hair. She reached out a hand and touched Zoisite gently on her shoulder. Zoisite looked up, afraid that it was one of her "brothers" or worse, Beryl. But it was just a girl, a little younger than herself. "Who are you?" asked Zoisite. "I am your fairy guardian," she replied. "You need me now, so I have come to help you. Dry those tears, you are going to the ball." Zoisite wiped the tears from her cheeks and stood up. "But how?" she asked. "Beryl has forbidden me to go." The girl smiled. "When I finish, Beryl won't even recognize you." The fairy waved her wand and a cloud of blue sparkles burst forth, surrounding Zoisite. Zoisite gasped as her ugly grey dress was transformed into a shimmering gown of icy blue, with delicate silver slippers. Her hair was done up with a crystal tiara, and several loose strands were left to curl around her pretty face, which now wore pale makeup. Zoisite looked like a princess. "Oh, it's beautiful!" exclaimed Zoisite as she admired her reflection in a mirror. "How can I ever thank you?" "Don't worry about it. Just remember that you must leave the ball before midnight. When the clock strikes twelve, you will be wearing your servant's clothes again." "Yes, I promise!" said Zoisite. "Come, we will announce you," said the fairy girl, whose name was Amy. Zoisite took hold of her hand and she was transported to the entrance of the great ball. "Announce the Crystal Princess," said Amy to the guard. "Have a good time," she said to Zoisite. "And remember what I said." "Yes," said Zoisite, and turned to see that her fairy guardian had gone. Zoisite entered the room, a little nervously, hoping that Beryl wouldn't find out her secret. Girls stared jealously at the beautiful copper haired girl, and men admired her. The white haired man excused himself from his current dancing partner and walked closer to get a better look at the girl. "Wow, look at her!" said Jedite. "Step, aside, she's mine," said Neflite. "Hey!" Neflite made his way over to Zoisite and asked her to dance. Zoisite was going to refuse, and tried to, but Neflite was quite insistent. As they danced she tried not to look at him, but he tilted her face to his. "You are very lovely," he told her. "He doesn't seem to realize who I am," Zoisite thought, laughing inside. "And he thinks I am pretty, too!" Zoisite smiled a little. She was used to all sorts of rude comments from her stepbrother, but never compliments. Jedite came up and tapped Neflite on the shoulder. He wanted to dance with the beautiful mysterious girl, too. Neflite reluctantly turned her over, not wanting to make a scene. "I'll be back," he said. Zoisite sighed. Couldn't she dance with anyone else besides her stepbrothers? After being whirled around by Jedite a few times, Zoisite heard a rich, handsome voice next to her ear. "Excuse me, may I have the honor?" Zoisite turned and saw that it was none other than the handsome white haired man with the cape. Jedite frowned. It was Malachite! There was no way he was going to argue with him. Lord Malachite was the most powerful sorcerer in the Negaverse. There was no one stronger than he, save the queen. Even Beryl could not command him as fully as she wanted to. Malachite did as he pleased, and lived in his own castle, just outside the dark forest. Jedite sighed, then bowed out gracefully and went in search of another pretty girl. Zoisite began to dance with the handsome stranger. Now this was much more like it! "What is your name, pretty one?" asked her partner. "My name..." Zoisite hesitated. Maybe it was not wise to tell him, in case someone else found out. "I'm sorry I can't tell you my name," she said sadly. "It is a secret." Malachite wondered at this, but he kept his suspicions to himself. He knew that there was a "lost" princess, the daughter of the late majesty, Lord Azurite, and this young girl looked very much like her. But princess or not, she was certainly the prettiest girl there. All evening Malachite stayed at Zoisite's side. Zoisite felt as if she were floating. It was a dream come true, dancing with Malachite. But she felt just a teensy bit sad inside, knowing that soon the "dream" would end, and she would be back to a servant girl. Beryl had noticed the stir over Zoisite and tried to get a closer look at the girl. "Who is she? That girl looks familiar somehow..." Zoisite saw Beryl approaching and began to quiver. Malachite noticed her trembling. "What's wrong?" he asked. "That woman...I...she..." Zoisite did not know how to explain. Malachite pulled Zoisite further away and discreetly threw a barrier spell towards the approaching red haired woman. Beryl scowled as she noticed she could not get close enough. Malachite whisked Zoisite behind a column. "I have something to give you," he said to her. He held up his hand and conjured a pale blue crystalline rose, small enough to fit inside Zoisite's delicate hand. As Zoisite admired the gift, the clock began to strike midnight. "Oh no!" she cried, remembering what her fairy guardian had said to her. "I must go now!" She turned and ran down the dark hallway, disappearing into the blackness. "Wait!" Malachite called and went after her, but the beautiful girl was nowhere to be seen. Malachite sighed and returned to the ball. Perhaps someone knew who the mysterious girl was... Zoisite felt bad about leaving, but she had no choice. Her guardian's enchantment was at an end. Now, she was in her grey dress again with her messy hair and ash streaked face. But the crystal rose was still in her hand. Since it was Malachite's magic and not part of the fairy's spell, it had remained. No one at the ball knew who the beautiful mysterious girl was or where she had run off to. But Malachite wanted to find this girl, who had enchanted him with her beauty. He sent out messages that he was looking for a girl who possessed a blue crystal rose. This girl he would marry. Many girls claimed to have the crystal rose, but only Zoisite possessed the real one, unknown to Beryl or her stepbrothers, who wondered at the strange princess, who had not even been invited. "That girl was gorgeous," said Neflite. "I wish I knew who she was." "I think she liked me," said Jedite. "But then that Lord Malachite had to come along and spoil everything." *** After the ball, Zoisite continued to work as usual, keeping the crystal rose in a secret hiding place known only to her. Zoisite knew every inch of Beryl's dwelling from polishing, dusting and cleaning it. One day, as she toiled away at her tasks, she found herself longing for the magic of that night of the ball. Zoisite dared to take a little break and went to her hiding place - a recessed section of the wall in a remote hallway. Zoisite pulled her treasure from the stone hollow and held it in her hands, remembering. Looking at it she knew that at least one person cared for her. She wondered if she dared to go in search of Malachite. She had heard rumors that he wanted to marry the girl he had met at the ball. If that were true, how wonderful it would be for her! In the shadows, a figure lurked, watching the girl. A sinister smirk curled his lips. Oh, did he have news for the queen... *** "It cannot be, Neflite," said Beryl. "Zoisite is a dirty little tramp. She can't be that princess..." "I assure you, I saw Cinder Zoisite with the crystal rose." "Hmmm....Either this is pretense, or she really is that mystery girl ..." Beryl frowned, remembering that the strange girl did look familiar. "If she has tricked us, she will pay for it." Neflite smirked, pleased with himself. Zoisite would be punished for deceiving him. *** Beryl silently crept up behind Zoisite. Indeed, a pale blue crystal rose was in the girl's possession. "So, Zoisite, you have been keeping something from me." Zoisite gasped. "No - I..." But before Zoisite could think of an explanation, Beryl seized the crystal flower from her. She could feel the same energy that she felt when Malachite cast the barrier spell on her. It was, without question, the crystal rose that was the talk of the Negaverse girls. Beryl smashed it into bits. Fragments of crystal lay scattered around Zoisite on the cold floor. Zoisite began to cry. Now her only token of love was destroyed and she had no hope of ever seeing Malachite again. He would never know her without the gift he had given her. "You ungrateful little brat! You disobeyed me and you would have gone off with Malachite, no doubt. Well, now you will never be able to claim him." Beryl smiled with satisfaction. "Now, clean up this mess," she ordered. "I will let Neflite and Jedite decide what to do with you, since you have played a game of deception with their hearts." "What hearts?" thought Zoisite. Her stepbrothers didn't know anything about real love or kindness. They thought that prettiness and wealth were everything. Zoisite gathered the pieces up into her apron and carried them to her little room. She placed them under her pillow. She was filled with sorrow, not only because some dreadful punishment awaited her, but because once again, she had lost something dear to her. *** Malachite was still making inquiries about the young lady who had his crystal flower. So far, he had seen many girls who presented him with false roses, claiming to be the Crystal Princess from the ball. Some of them were really quite awful, while a few perhaps could have actually convinced him, had the princess's image not been burned into his brain. Malachite could never forget her face or her beautiful copper hair, unlike any other girl in the Negaverse. Malachite laughed dryly at the imitation flower he held in his hand. He could tell the fake roses by their lack of magical energy belonging to him alone. "A sorcerer's own special signature is present in his creations," thought Malachite. "Don't these silly girls realize that? Perhaps they think I am witless enough to be fooled." He sighed and stared out his castle window at the dark hued Negaverse landscape. Somewhere out there, there was a pretty girl that possessed his token of love... *** "Beat her in front of the youma!" suggested Jedite to the queen, who was amusedly listening to ideas for Zoisite's punishment. "Send her out into the wilderness to spend the night," said Neflite. "She'll be terrified out there alone in the darkness." He chuckled sardonically. "I like that idea, Neflite," said Beryl. "Yes, that's what her punishment shall be. She'll be so frightened, she'll never disobey me again. We must tell her." Zoisite was informed of her punishment and when night fell, she was sent out into the wood. Zoisite wrapped the fragments of the rose in a cloth and brought it with her for comfort and good luck. She would need it. The Negaverse wilderness was a scary place to be at night. Zoisite wandered around in the dark, searching for a safe place to spend the night. Every little sound and shadow seemed threatening and ominous. She brushed into a web and let out a scream of disgust. Zoisite liked spiders about as much as she liked her "family." Brushing herself off, she stumbled on. A light up ahead caught Zoisite's attention. She headed towards the brightness and saw that it came from a window in a tall castle with pointed spires reaching toward the starry sky. Maybe she could ask for shelter for the night. As Zoisite approached the tall doors of the castle, she began to have doubts. It looked rather forbidding and cold. Maybe she shouldn't bother whoever lived there. But the terror of spending the night outside forced her to knock at the door. Malachite was in his bedchamber when he heard the sound. No one else seemed to be answering it, so he went to investigate. "Probably some phony princess," he grumbled as he made his way to the door. He opened it and to his surprise, saw a dirty, shivering girl with a little bundle tucked under her arm. She looked oddly familiar. He wondered who she could be. Most Negaverse girls, even servants, did not look as forlorn as she. "May I help you, miss?" he asked. Zoisite was equally surprised to see Malachite. "I can't believe it," she thought. Of all the persons to encounter! Zoisite wondered if he would know who she was. "But I look so terrible, he probably won't know who I am." If only her rose had not shattered! "Please, may I have some shelter for the night?" she asked. Now, Lord Malachite was usually rather reclusive and did not readily socialize with strangers. But there was something about the girl that touched his heart, so he decided he would let her stay. "Yes, come in," he said and motioned for her to follow him. "Thank you," said Zoisite. She tried to think of a way to tell him the truth about her life. Maybe he would understand. And perhaps he wouldn't believe her at all. She sighed. "Would you like something to eat, or perhaps a bath?" asked Malachite. The poor girl looked like she could use both. "Yes, that would be wonderful," answered Zoisite. "Tell me, why are you wandering about alone?" "My stepmother has kicked me out," she replied. "Why is this?" asked Malachite. "She...she does not love me very much." "I am sorry to hear that." Malachite looked sadly at the girl. She really could be a beauty, if she were cleaned up properly. "What do you carry?" "Hmmm?" Zoisite realized he referred to her little bundle of crystal shards. "Oh, um, well, it used to be a..." "Yes?" prompted Malachite. "Nothing," she said. Maybe Malachite would not like her if she knew she was a dirty little servant, and not the Crystal Princess anymore. He was so intimidatingly handsome, she was afraid to tell him. Malachite was curious, but did not press her. "Come, I will draw a bath for you and afterwards, we will get you something to eat." Zoisite was so glad to have a good bath! She felt warm and safe in Malachite's castle. But she did not know if she felt comfortable enough to tell him who she really was. She pondered this as she dried herself off and put on the nightgown and robe he had conjured and left for her to wear. Malachite had food all ready for her - hot soup and biscuits. Zoisite ate them hungrily. Beryl never fed her enough, and she was glad to have a nice meal. Malachite stared at Zoisite, fascinated. Cleaned up, she looked like the princess he had met at the ball. How could he find out? Maybe with a little clever conversation... "You are a most unexpected guest. I am surprised that you were not here in answer to my message," Malachite sighed. "I have been bothered by girls all day," he said, "trying to convince me that they are the mystery princess I lost." Then it was true. "You are looking for a princess?" asked Zoisite. "Who is she?" Malachite smiled faintly. "She is a mysterious girl whom I have fallen in love with. She ran off without even telling me her name." Zoisite wished she could tell Malachite the truth, but she hesitated. "She is very rich and elegant, I suppose." "Perhaps, but I liked her for her sweet self," said Malachite. "Really?" asked Zoisite. "What if your princess turned out to be a...a scullery maid?" Malachite smiled. "I would love her nonetheless." Zoisite took a deep breath and pulled out her handkerchief. Without saying a word, she opened it and placed it before Malachite. Malachite examined the curious package. Sparkling pieces of his crystal lay on the table. His suspicions were proved true. The crystal contained his own energy. "Where did you get this?" he asked, although he knew the answer. "You gave it to me." "Then you are the one...the one I have been searching for," said Malachite. "But how do you come to be here, like this, with the rose broken..." "My stepmother broke it when she found out I disobeyed her. I was not supposed to go to the ball." "Who is your stepmother?" "Beryl, queen of the Negaverse. My real mother was Zoey, Azurite's queen. And my name is Zoisite." "Then you are rightfully a princess," said Malachite. "Yes, but not anymore," sighed Zoisite. "Beryl rules now and she does not want me to be princess." "I will marry you and you will be my princess,' said Malachite. "You will never go back to her again." Malachite leaned forward to kiss Zoisite. The instant he did, she was transformed once again into the Crystal Princess and the rose was restored. Zoisite's fairy guardian appeared. "Beryl must be punished for her wickedness," said Amy. "You, Malachite will be the new king and Zoisite will rule at your side as queen." Accompanied by the fairy girl, Malachite returned to Beryl's domain with Zoisite. "What is the meaning of this?" cried Beryl. "Your rule is over," said Amy. She told Malachite to break the crystal ball in front of the evil queen. Malachite threw a well - aimed boomerang and cut the crystal ball neatly in two. Beryl screamed outrage as her powers faded away. The Negaforce and Beryl were sucked into darkness and were gone. The darkness of the Negaverse became a bright land as it had been long ago. And so, Malachite and Zoisite ruled the Neo - Crystalverse. Jedite and Neflite asked the new queen for her forgiveness, and Zoisite forgave them. They could stay - to serve herself and Malachite by being in the royal guard. And never again was she called Cinder Zoisite.