For this fanfic, I created an original character named Lady Nala, kind of like a foster mother to the generals. ( Anyway, hope you like the story, it was actually based on a fanart by Kaze that I happened to browse at in Anipike - Generals Love, I think, under the Sailor Moon category. Now, on with the story. PROLOGUE The beautiful woman stood with her delicate head held high as she looked down on the kneeling men before her in their crisp and impressive uniforms, heads held low as they prostrate before her. All were silent, except that is, the young lad with short blond hair who was muttering grumpily about being called at such an ungodly hour, just as he was about to turn to his cozy bed for a night of blissful sleep. The woman smirked at the young man, and chuckled silently. For indeed the fiery young man is not one to mess with when it comes to his sleep. The woman sighed. Her face suddenly became serious as the tallest of the men, who seemed to be the head of the group, slowly lifted his silver-platinum head and with such grave manners addressed the lady respectfully before him. "My lady..." "Oh, do drop the formalities, Kunzite. You and I very well know that you would rather throw profanities at my face at this very moment...not that it hasn't been done yet, mind you..." The woman gazed back at the young blond who was cursing a while ago and saw him looking at her, not even bothering to hide a naughty grin and giving her an affectionate wink. But he suddenly straightened up when the brunette beside him elbowed him and gave a grunt of disapproval. An amused cough came from another form beside the brunette, another blond with longer hair tied up in a long ponytail. He gave the woman an apologetic nod, but also was having a hard time hiding a smirk on his handsome face. The woman, who was very well known for her wisdom, shook her head in amusement, and with a tinge of regret... She stepped down from her throne, and approached the 4 young men who now stood up in front of her, all sporting curious glances and traces of affectionate concern as well. For indeed the woman was beautiful, but old as well. For years, the woman was not only their mentor, she was also their foster mother. And the young men, despite their mischief and immaturity at times, would suddenly become the most noble and courageous of men when it came down to the safety and welfare of their "Nala". The woman, Lady Nala, stopped in front of her "boys" and gave each one a long look. "Nala, is there something wrong?" asked the brunette with the intelligent eyes and a slight frown on his pleasing face. Usually, after the initial formalities, the woman would either start "babying" the men by scolding them of their crazy antics during the day and pinching their 'cheeks' (located in the more nether region), which often result to the men squirming in their seats once in awhile; or just giving them motherly hugs, after which, certain businesses are to be discussed. Now however, the expression on her face suddenly triggered an alarming bell in the men's minds, telling them that something is definitely...not right. Nala replied, "No my son, in fact, the time has come when everything should be put to right..." and with that, she raised her arms and started whispering words of incantation in a language foreign to the young men's ears. The room suddenly glowed with strange lights and the men felt warm inside. "Nala?" "Lady Nala, what are you doing? What is going on..." "STOP IT, Nala!" shouted Kunzite as he saw the woman suddenly having breathing problems as she continued with her muttering. He was approaching the woman when a sudden strong force pushed him back. Stunned, Kunzite staggered back, the sound of the impact echoing throughout the hall of the palace. "W-What the...?" "WHAT THE BLOODY HELL'S GOING ON?!" Sharp sounds of cracking can be heard as the beautiful stained glass windows lining up the sides of the palace are beginning to break apart from their sills. The men are using their cloaks to protect themselves from the shattered glasses flying all over the place as a seemingly strong blast of force completely obliterated the windows. As much as the men wanted to shelter the woman, an invisible field surrounding her seemed to act as her shield. Nala just looked at the young men and said in a very solemn voice, " I love you my sons...you have been my life and my world since you came to me years ago...and I am ever grateful of the circumstances that brought you to me however tragic they were..." Lady Nala then took a long breath and whispered in a sad but firm voice, "However, it's time you find your life in a world that would truly make you happy..." "Lady Nala! What do you mean?" The young brunette asked helplessly. Nala gave him a tender smile as tears blurred her eyes, "Dear Nephrite, you and your brothers were not what you thought you were...you were not responsible for the sins you thought you have committed a long, long time ago...let go of the past..." The blond with the long hair spoke, "We know Nala, we realized that a long time ago, YOU made us realize that...but I don't see how it has something to do with this...what's going to happen?" "My dear Zoicite,...you'll understand soon why I must do this..." "Do what Nala? STOP! What is it that you want to happen? Nala, ..." the short-haired blond tried to reach out to the woman, stretching his strong arms out, willing to reach the woman despite the seemingly powerful force pushing him back. <.I love you, my sons...> "NALA!" A sudden huge explosion of light enveloped the whole room and a strong gust of wind swept shattered glasses on the floor to the end of the hall as the final words of incantation left the woman's lips. After what seemed like a very long time.the winds calmed down, and still silence followed. The hall was enveloped in darkness, the soft radiance from the full moon shining outside the windows - the only source of light. Lady Nala, head bowed down, sweat coming down the sides of her face mixed with salty tears, tried calming down her ragged breathing and the furious beating in her chest. She then looked up, keeping her lips in a firm straight line to keep the sobs from escaping. Gone were the tall dashing young forms of moments ago. In their place... Nala walked unsteadily a few steps more and kneeled down with tears in her loving eyes as she looked down at the seemingly-lifeless forms of her "sons". They were no longer tall, nor moving. They were still, yet Nala knew while looking in their eyes, that they were very much alive.and confused.and even frightened. She reached out a hand and smoothen silky blond strands.