DISCLAIMER: I do not own Magic Knights Rayearth nor do I claim to. I just like the show and wanted to write a little something for it.
Sestercentennial - Means 250 years
Squall - Is another term for a storm.
_[ STORY ]_
Ominous clouds gathered above Japan as three figures made their way to a large Eiffel tower-like structure in the metropolitan city of Tokyo, draped in ponchos and armed with umbrellas the three met outside a small café next to the elevators.
"Fuu, Umi," Hikaru said hugging each in turn.
"Good morning, Hikaru," Fuu greeted as she shook the water from her umbrella well Hikaru hugged Umi.
"Hey, Hikaru," Umi said releasing the little redhead.
"Is everyone ready?" Hikaru asked.
A casual observer would merely see three young ladies gathering for some meaningless outing, but never would they guess they are in fact the three savers of a world called Cephiro a land where ones will become power, strange beast from the depth of your imagination roam free, and magic practice is a norm.
"Of course, I have the present," Fuu said holding up a small box wrapped in a plastic bag keeping the delicate gift from the dampening rain.
"Yep, I got the cake, its marble with strawberry frosting," Umi said patting the bag at her side.
"Yum, I've got the card, and I've already signed it, so it's your turns," Hikaru said handing Umi the card and a pen.
"Let's head inside real fast I need a table," Umi said pointing the pen towards the café's double doors, "you know Hikaru this is your best ideal yet," she added handing the pen to Fuu.
"I must agree, but I still feel terrible for not inquiring or even thinking about Mr. Clef's birthday before now," Fuu said placing the card in its envelope, handing it back to Hikaru.
"Me too, but this is to make up for the three we've missed as well as opening up the subject to ask him because you know he'll never outright tell us." Hikaru said slipping the card into her backpack, "alright let's go," she added heading back outside towards the elevators.
Moments later they were on the observation deck overlooking the city as it sparkled from the rain, but the three magic knights had no time for sightseeing as they headed for a secluded corner of the platform.
Joining hands they closed their eyes as they gathered their will, and soon the midnight blue skies of Cephiro were all around them. As they hurtled towards the ground, none of them even flinched when Fyula, Clefs flying fish came from below and caught them as she made her way to the Quartz Castle as the girls had dubbed it.
"Look it's the guys," Umi said pointing to the landing balcony.
"Is that…Eagle, its Eagle, he's up," Hikaru shouted as she jumped from Fyula, running right for the Autozam commander not noticing the crutches keeping him up.
"Yes, I am and would like to stay that way if you will," Eagle said trying to remain upright as Hikaru continued her bear hug, "besides," he added, "I think someone's a little jealous you didn't greet them first."
"Oops," Hikaru said letting go of Eagle noticing the crutches for the first time, "sorry," she said heading for Lantis, who draped his long cloak around her in a display of possession casing those gathered to chuckle.
"Alright enough mushy stuff, we have a party to prepare," Umi stated from Ascot's said well he attempted to remove Chap Stick residue from his cheek.
"That's right you were going to show us what a 'birth cake' is," Ferio said as Fuu stifled a giggle.
"I believe it is called a 'birthday cake,' my prince," said Lafarga as he emerged from the hall behind the magic knights and company.
"What's the difference?" The prince asked looking at Fuu.
"It's just the way it is," Umi answered for her, "now come one," she added pushing them inside the others following.
Lafarga stared a moment longer looking to the darkening skies 'something doesn't feel right' he thought to himself.
He was pulled from his thought by Hikaru as she ran back from the hallway, "come on Lafarga, I'll get Caldina if…" she never finished as a flash of lightning streaked across the sky followed by a clash of thunder.
Hikaru saw nothing, but white as she found herself being pushed back into the hallway away from the very spot a bolt of lightning hit scorching the balconies stonework.
"Hikaru, Lafarga, are you both okay," Ascot asked as he and the others ran back to the dazed magic knight and swordsmen.
"Hikaru…"
"I'm fine Lantis," she said to the Kailu as he helped her up.
Ferio was helping Lafarga up when another clash of thunder rumbled outside before a wall of rain poured down from the heavens.
"Well, looks like the gardens are out of the question," Umi plainly said heading deeper into the castle.
"There are many other locations to choose from, over the years we have learned to be prepared to move if the weather changes," Lafarga said.
Hikaru's face fell at his words; Lantis was the only one to notice wrapping her once more in his cloak he pulled her close as they headed to a large dining room, just before they entered a voice called out.
"Eagle, there ya are I've been looking all over, ya shouldn't be out of bed hun, Clef's been looking for ya too," Caldina called out to the Autozam commander.
"You I can understand, but him?" Eagle asked confused.
Caldina smiled as she shook her head, "you've been awake less than two days, he wants to make sure you're a-okay," she said with a wink.
"Got that right, you should go see him right away," Hikaru said concern crossing her face.
"Come on sug I'll take ya to your room," Caldina told him, grabbing his arm and leading him back the way she had come before he could protest.
"I hope everything is alright," Hikaru said as she entered the dining room.
"Don't fret he'll be fine," Umi said chuckling, "it would be funny to be there though when those two stubborn men butt heads," she continued removing her poncho placing it and her umbrella against the wall next to Fuu's.
"Why are you wondering around you should be in bed', Clef will say," Umi said.
"I'm fine I don't need to be in bed'," Ferio mimicked.
The mock conversation had even Lantis chuckling meaning none noticed the shadow that appeared in the doorway.
"It seems I've missed something humorous," a calm voice stated from behind the group.
"Clef," Umi shouted jumping in front of the cake and gift she had been setting up, pulling the closest body with her which just happened to be Lantis.
The look of surprise on the Kailu usually stoic face had everyone laughing once more even the master mage cracked a smile, once the giggle fit subsided Fuu turned to the mage.
"Looking for Eagle, Mr. Clef," she stated more than asked.
"Yes, I am."
"Caldina dragged him off a little bit ago," Umi told him as she pulled Presea over, using her and Lantis to hide behind as she continued to out the party stuff.
"She must have taken him back to his room," he mused, "thank you I'll…"
"Wait, you can't leave yet," Hikaru interrupted grabbing Clef's arm pulling him towards the table, "you ready Umi?"
"What, no…"
"Please!"
"Fine, Fuu come over here," Umi called taking her place back from Presea as Fuu took Lantis's.
Hikaru moved Clef closer as Fuu and Umi stepped aside revealing a small box wrapped in bright silver paper, a green envelope leaning against it as well as a pink frosted cake with three candles, "SURPRISE!" the three magic knights yelled smiling at the stunned mage.
"What's all this?" Clef asked genuinely surprised.
"Go finish with Eagle then we'll explain, come back here when you're done unless the rain stops than head…" Umi was saying when another massive bolt of lightning flashed in the large windows followed by an equally enormous clap of thunder making the lights dim.
They were still reeling from the sudden shock when Hikaru's voice drew their attention to her and the retreating form of the master mage as he staggered towards the door, his staff lay abandoned, tendrils of blue electricity dancing around his frame.
"Clef, what's wrong?" Hikaru asked after the lavender-haired man as she caught up with him, but received no answer as he promptly collapsed, "CLEF!" Hikaru shouted at the crumpled form kneeling beside him.
Clef curled deeper into himself as the magic knights, and there Cephiro allies faded from his world, being replaced by one of pain and darkness a whispered version of his voice echoed in the back of his skull tempting him to oblivion.
Moments after the pain started it subsided and settled into a dull throbbing in his chest; he hesitated to open his eye's knowing he would be bombarded with questions and be fussed over. After some time though he felt it was best to get it done with when he cracked them open instead of the worried face, Clef expected the darkened light fixture of his bed chambers was what meet his eyes.
Clef laid there a moment confused 'wasn't I just in the dining hall' he thought to himself, a flicker of movement to his right drew his attention to the tall form of the Captain of the Guard. As he fiddled with something on the nightstand, a single candle burned beside him casting an eerie glow over the familiar face.
Lafarga was preparing to replace the cooling cloth when he caught Clef attempting to raise a blank and confused look clear on the ashen face.
"Easy Guru, lie back," he said pressing lightly against Clef's shoulder forcing him back down.
Clef wanted to protest, but the throbbing in his chest flared in intensity knocking the breath from his lungs, and ripping a scream from his lips as he clasped at the fabric over his heart.
Lafarga was caught off guard for a moment but was then by the mage's side not be a magician himself, all he could do was offer a supportive word and keep a cold compress fixed to the smaller man's fevered forehead as the attack ran its course.
It was near sunrise when Clef fell into a somewhat peaceful rest and just after lunch when he awoke again this time to Presea's solemn face when her golden brown eyes meet his crystal blue ones he couldn't help but give her a weak smile, one she gladly returned.
_[ TO BE CONTINUED ]_