"Wait a second, I know that at any moment good old Fylua is going to show up and save us," she smiled.
"I hate to say it," stammered Fuu. "But the ground is approaching at a rather rapid rate…"
The three girls continued to fall towards the ground when they saw a giant flying fish appear below them.
"Oh thank you God!" exclaimed Umi as they landed safely on his back.
"I do believe that this is Mr. Clef’s giant flying fish," noted Fuu.
"Didn’t I already say that earlier," Umi sighed.
The fish slowly glidded through the air towards the castle of Cephiro. The girls were able to look around as they flew. Umi looked down at the crystal blue ocean where she had found the water shrine and Selece, her Manshin. Fuu looked over at the floating mountain where she had found Windam within the wind shrine. Hikaru noticed the volcano where the fire shine had been and where Rayearth had rested. There were so many memories in this land and they had fought hard to protect them. It was now that Hikaru noticed the castle of Cephiro.
"That’s the same castle as the one that was here when we were last summoned to Cephiro," she whispered.
Fylua landed in the garden of the castle and then disappeared. The girls began to walked towards the entrance, with Mokona hopping along side, when Clef appeared in the doorway. He looked very different from the last time that they had been in Cephiro. He was much taller and did not look like the child that he once had been. Now he looked more like a young adult and he had grown more handsome.
"Clef!" smiled Umi.
The girls ran over to him with Mokona still bouncing behind them.
"Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, I am so pleased to see you all again," he said in a much deeper and mature sounding voice. "But, how did you arrive here?"
"Um…I guess that our wills must have brought us here!" Hikaru smiled.
"I am not sure," Clef replied with a worried look on his face. "But we need not worry about that for the moment. I am sure that everyone will want to see you. We can discuss the details later."
The girls nodded and followed Clef into the castle. Once inside, the girls asked where various people were and Clef pointed each of them in the proper direction. The girls went their separate ways and agreed to meet later that evening with Clef. He watched them as they parted.
"Young girls from another world, this time I fear that there may be nothing you can do to save Cephiro," he sighed.
*****
Fuu walked down a long corridoor to the throne room. She knocked on the door but when no one answered she let herself in. Sitting on the throne was Ferio fast asleep. She walked over and gently brushed away some of Ferio’s green hair from his face. He slowly opened his eyes.
"Wake up sleepy head," Fuu giggled holding out the ring.
Ferio jumped to his feet and slowly reaching for Fuu. He looked at Fuu and softly strocked her cheek. Fuu reached her hand up and held his hand. Ferio wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him and held her tightly in his arms. Fuu closed her eyes and hoped that the moment would last forever.
"It is so peaceful here," she whispered breaking the silence.
"Yes, because of you three. You have all brought so much joy to this world," smiled Ferio.
"Just goes to show you that happiness isn’t made by just one person," she smiled up at him.
"You’re right," Ferio replied as he took one of his earrings off and placed it on Fuu’s finger. "But you always bring my happiness."
Fuu blushed as Ferio gently kissed her hand.
*****
"Ascot! Hey Ascot! Why the sad eyes honey? You’ve been so depressed ever since you saw Umi when all that like really weird disappearing and reappearing stuff was happening."
"Caldina, have you ever been in love with someone?"
"Well…"Caldina smiled ready to brag about her relationship with Lafarga.
"Oh never mind, you wouldn’t understand."
"Well, excuse me! I happen to know what it is like to be in love!"
"Yeah, but Lafarga loves you back! Umi doesn’t have those feelings towards me no matter how much I love her. She probably will never feel that way about me anyway…"
"You really think so Ascot," giggled Caldina pointing behind Ascot. "How about you ask her yourself?"
Ascot went rigid as he slowly turned around. Umi smiled and walked over to Ascot and put her hands on his shoulders. Going on her tip toes, Umi pushed herself up and kissed Ascot on the cheek. Ascot turned bright red and looked down at Umi who smiled up at him.
"I’ll leave you two a-l-o-n-e for awhile," Caldina giggled dimming the lights before leaving.
"Um…Umi…I…" Ascot stammered.
"It’s okay Ascot, I know. I’ve known since the last time we were in Cephiro. It’s been several years and I’ve been thinking about you. I can’t believe it too me so long to realize all that you’ve done for Hikaru, Fuu, and me. You really are amazing. So…I’ll put in a good word for you with Hikaru, although I think she has it for Lantis…"
Ascot face planted. She still didn’t realize how he felt about her.
"It’s only because of you that I am where I am. You taught me to believe in myself and to stand up for my friends. But Umi I have a question…um…ah…er…"
"Spit it out Ascot," Umi laughed.
"DO YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!?" he shouted taking Umi of guard.
"No, no I don’t," Umi laughed.
"Then do you have someone in mind?"
Umi laughed and hugged Ascot.
*****
Hikaru walked through the magical garden that was at the center of Cephiro’s castle. It was here that Lantis had given her the pendant that she was wearing around her neck. It was right next to the fountain with the water as blue as Lantis’ eyes. Hikaru walked around the fountain trailing her fingers along the marble. She saw Primera looking at her reflection in the water. She looked up at saw Hikaru.
"Well, look who it is!" she groaned. "Little miss red braid. You know, I don’t get it, I just don’t get it. What does Lantis see in you? What makes you so special?"
"Primera, I don’t want you to be mad at me," Hikaru smiled holding her hand out. "I want us to be friends."
"That’s what makes you special," said a deep voice from the branches of the tree. "You are so kind to everyone, even those who don’t deserve it."
Hikaru looked up to see Lantis sitting in the branches of the same tree that had appeared in her garden that morning.
"Lantis!" she exclaimed. "Hold on a second and I’ll climb up and sit with you."
Lantis smiled at Hikaru’s energy as she quickly climbed up the tree. He lent her a hand as she stumbled to sit down on the branch. She slipped and ended up in a pile on Lantis’ lap. He laughed as she tried to sit up. Finally sitting Hikaru looked up at Lantis who wrapped his arms around Hikaru.
"I’ve missed you," he whispered in her ear.
"I’ve missed you too," Hikaru smiled. "It seems like forever since I was last here. Umi, Fuu, and I are going to be off to college soon. Everything is going to be so different."
"You’ve grown up," Lantis smiled.
Hikaru looked into Lantis’ intense blue eyes, the color of Cephiro’s skies. He looked into hers, the color of glistening rubies. They both closed their eyes and leaned in to kiss each other when a voice interrupted them.
"Sorry to interrupt, but Clef wants to gather everyone together."
Hikaru looked down and saw Siera, Presea’s twin sister standing at the foot of the tree. She hadn’t told the girls that she wasn’t really Presea, but she felt that it was better for them not to know.
"Presea!" Hikaru smiled jumping down from the branch.
"It is good to see you too, Hikaru," she smiled. "You’d better go to the throne room. The others are waiting."
"Okay!" Hikaru said as she ran off.
Lantis climbed down the tree and began to follow Hikaru. Presea gently grabbed his arm and smiled.
"Protect her, Lantis. I fear that this battle is going to be the hardest one yet."
Lantis nodded and then the two walked to the throne room where Clef stood in front everyone, his staff in hand.
"I wish that we could spend more time talking with you, Legendary Magic Knights, but Cephiro is in times of terrible trouble once again," Clef said.
"Like…can you explain what is going on Clef?" asked Caldina.
"I can only state the obvious I’m afraid. Your world, Magic Knights, is colliding with our world, Cephiro."
"Really? I didn’t notice," joked Umi.
"Umi! This isn’t something that we should joke about!" scolded Hikaru.
"The question is, why is this happening?" said Ferio
"Furthermore, what can we do about it?" added Fuu.
Clef shook his head. "I don’t know, but if this continues, I fear that one of our worlds may vanish. Or…both of them may vanish…"
Suddenly the door swung opened and a tall silver haired man walked in. Her wore armor very similar to what Lantis wore except his was black and red. His eyes were a piercing green. He quickly walked in and stood next to Hikaru, towering over her. Lafarga and Lantis both glarred at him.
"I am so sorry Clef," he bowed. "I lost track of time searching the Shadow Lands."
"It is all right Noon," Clef replied nodding at the man.
"Um…not to be rude or anything…who are you?" Umi asked.
"My name is Kurohoshi Noon," Noon replied bowing towards Umi. "I am a new member of the imperial guard here at the palace. I specialize in the dark arts of magic."
"Which is why I sent him to inspect the Shadow Lands," Clef finished.
"And who might you ladies be?" he asked eyeing Hikaru out of the corner of his eye.
"My name is Hououji Fuu."
"I’m Ryuuzaki Umi."
"And I’m Hikaru!" she smiled offering her hand to Noon. "We’re the Legendary Magic Knights."
"So, you are the girls from another world that I have heard so much about," he smiled taking Hikaru’s hand and gently kissing it. "You must be Shidou Hikaru, the last pillar in Cephiro. I have heard much about you…"
Fuu looked over at Umi with a suspicious look on her fact. She leaned over and whispered into Umi’s ear.
"Miss Umi, don’t you find it a little odd that Mr. Noon shows up and happens to be an expert on Cephiro’s situation?"
"I agree Fuu," Umi replied eyeing Noon. "I smell a rat."
"Clef, what are the Shadow Lands?" question Hikaru ignoring Umi and Fuu’s conversation.
""The Shadow Lands are the only patch of land in Cephiro that is not lush and green. That area was created by the fears and doubts that the people of Cephiro had after the pillar system was abolished. People doubted their own abilities to create a peaceful world without a pillar system," Clef explained.
"But hasn’t everyone realized that they can do it?" asked Hikaru wondering if she had made the right decision by abolishing the pillar system.
"Perhaps, but people cannot just simply will things away. Just as Nova will always be a part of you, Hikaru, the Shadow Lands will always be a part of Cephiro."
Everyone stood silently looking around the room. Hikaru looked down at the floor and tried to hide the tears that were coming from her eyes. Lantis noticed and reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. Hikaru turned and ran out of the room. Umi and Fuu called after her. Lantis looked over at Clef who nodded.
"If you will all excuse me," Lantis said chasing after Hikaru.
*****
"So, the Legendary Magic Knights have returned," cackled a female voice in the darkness.
"Yes," replied Noon bowing. "They are much older than they were when they first appeared here in Cephiro."
"Well, not to worry," the voice laughed. "I already have them taken care out. Out of their fear and doubts of the success of the future battle, the dark corners of their hearts are calling out to me. What I need you to do, is make sure that this confusion continues."
"I am at your service, Lady Debonair," Noon smiled.
"I call upon my own Black Magic Knights!"
There was a sudden bolt of lightening which was followed by a round of thunder. Out of the shadows emerged three female figures. One had dark blue hair and she wore a black skin-tight body suit. She carried a long and sharp rapier in one hand. Another had blond hair and wore the same thing only she carried a bow and arrow. The final stood in front of the others. She held two weapons that looked like huge "X’s" made of light. She walked up to Noon and glarred at him.
"Hi…Hikaru…" he stammered.
"Close," the girl laughed. "I am a shadow in Hikaru’s heart. My name is Nova."
Noon watched as the girl approached Lady Debonair and got down on one knee. She was followed by the other two girls, who looked a lot like Umi and Fuu.
"It begins," Debonair laughed. "What do you girls want?"
"To see the blood of the Magic Knights flow," they said in unison.