Author: Eternal Sailor Crystal

Genre: Fantasy, Alternate Universe.

Rating: M.

Chapter: Prologue.

Author's Note: the Magic Knights are sixteen years old in this fiction. Italic script like this indicates the thoughts of one of the characters.

Summary: an alternate version of Magic Knight Rayearth Season Two. After the Magic Knights carried out their destined purpose; to grant Princess Emeraude her first and final selfish wish. Only two were returned to Tokyo Tower. Hikaru was left behind in Cephiro; her bond with the Lord of Fire deepening. Her powers increase as she witnesses with her own eyes the disintegration of Cephiro. On a foray out into the altered wilds of Cephiro, she is taken captive. She is taken to a leisure planet under the control of Autozam.

Meanwhile in the silent depths of space, three worlds are preparing to invade the now beleaguered world of Cephiro. Their aim is to procure the potentialities of the Pillar System for their own gain. One of these worlds is Autozam; a race of conquerors stripping any world to save their own failing planet. The Battleship NSX, under the command of Eagle Vision is returning from a mission, when second in command Geo Metro makes a suggestion to his commanding officer to visit a certain establishment on a conquered world. Once there, a certain redhead catches the young commander's attention. Could this be the end for Autozam's ways of conquest? Eagle/Hikaru pairing.

An Eagle's Possession

Prologue: A Small Suggestion

~O~

Myriad computers bleeped and chimed, the sounds ringing out in the near silence of the command deck. Seated on the right hand side of the command bridge was a tall man, muscular in stature. He was garbed in the white and green uniform of his country's military forces. His short mop of black hair was kept back from his face by a white band of fabric with a blue jewel attached on the right hand side. A small metal thread swept from the side of the crystal, its southern most end affixed to a small box fastened to a belt around his waist.

His expression was one of boredom, his deep brown eyes regarding the lines of green script flickering on the computer screen at his work station. Occasionally muttered bursts of speech from other crew members as they conversed with one another interrupted his reading, but only briefly. Trying to block out the murmuring voices, his perusal of reports concerning shipboard matters was once again disturbed; from a most unlikely source.

A sigh rang out coming from an individual seated in the centre, yet higher up, within the mass of crew and intricate machinery. A young man approximately twenty years in age sat in the command chair, looking rather bored. His tall, lean frame was covered in a cream and green cloak. Underneath this garment, a black jumpsuit could be glimpsed. Black gloves, leaving the tips of his fingers bare covered strong, slender hands. A piece of fabric held his pale blond tresses in check, underneath the hood of his mantle. Silver boots covered his long feet. Amber eyes gazed out upon the velvet, star strewn expanse of space displayed on the main view screen.

'Anything wrong Eagle?' The tall officer swivelled in his chair, until he was facing in the general direction of his commanding officer.

'Just bored Geo.' the younger man replied, sighing again. 'This mission has dragged on.'

Geo chuckled. 'We just received a dispatch from homeworld. Shore leave has been officially granted to the entire crew, including you Commander.'

Eagle sighed again. 'Send the dispatch and any orders we received to my portable console please.'

'Will do Commander.' Was the affable response from his First Officer.

This latest assignment was just one of many his crew and himself had undertaken during the past few months. Upon the orders received from the Autozam High Council his crew serving with him upon the finest battleship, the NSX were searching for viable worlds his people could settle upon. The original home planet of his people was suffering mightily under the ravages of severe pollution caused by the high levels of technology his civilization utilized in their daily lives.

Eagle had been told to investigate every single prospective planet whilst journeying through the unexplored sectors designated to him by orders of the High Council. The scientists after much study reported to the High Council their findings after many years of research. Their birth world after five generations would no longer be able to support any sentient life. Upon learning this, the leaders of his people released orders for multiple expeditions to scour the surrounding planetary systems. Any habitable worlds were to be thoroughly investigated. Any suitable planets deemed to be highly compatible with the race of Autozamian humans would be released for colonization.

The Elder Clans of Autozam were privy to the danger that faced them, the ordinary citizen wasn't. Their home planet would become uninhabitable within one hundred years. The technology utilized by his people corroded not only the world of Autozam, but the minds and bodies of her people. The source of mental energy used to run the highly mechanized society was close to running out. Two options were deemed acceptable to saving their civilization; find another supply of energy or begin again elsewhere. This was the harsh reality faced by the Elder Clans. The rest of the Autozam population were repeatedly told nothing was wrong.

A few of the lesser Houses were becoming suspicious. Due to their lack of influence within the High Council their voices could not be heard. Turning his eyes away from the star scape displayed on the Command Bridge's main screen the young Commander diverted his attention to the small, yet compact data tablet in his lap. Resting the miniscule computer in one hand, his fingers moved swiftly over the keyboard. Vibrant green text flowed across the screen. The data moved swiftly, the young Commander easily keeping pace with the stream of information.

Orders were indeed included in the data burst sent from Autozam High Command. His First Officer was correct in his assumptions. Eagle, as High Commander of the NSX and his crew were instructed to take some much needed shore leave. Eagle smiled upon sight of the mission status from the Autozam High Council. Another part of the dispatch scrolled past. Upon noticing this particular section, the smile faded from his lips. The suggestion he made at the last Council meeting had been considered, even approved. At the bottom of the mission statement were all the signatures of the Elder Clans. One signature he instantly recognized; that of his father.

A sudden thought struck him; once shore leave was over the remit passed to him, to invade Cephiro would commence.

~O~

Hikaru had stood there on the display podium for what seemed like hours, watching with a sense of nervousness building up inside her as men began to walk onto the premises, raking their eyes over her small and slender frame. She was under no illusions as to what this place was. It was only a matter of time before someone approached her with more than just an intention of looking. She had been told to ensure she performed her duties or she would be severely punished. Before they had unceremoniously placed her atop the display podium, a golden collar had been fastened around her slender neck. She hadn't been told why such an item was now adorning her, but she could see other such metallic rings just visible underneath the short tunics the other women were garbed in. But none of them were of the same hue as the one she wore.

First of all a plain silver neck ring had been forced on her. But that soon changed. Especially after wearing the collar for an hour or two, she could guess its purpose. One of the male attendants working in this unwholesome place tried to grab her, her first instinct was to call on her innate fire sorcery. All she managed to summon was a slight crimson flame, but it was enough to burn the clothing of the attendant.

Hikaru shivered at the thought of what had occurred after. She had been unceremoniously hauled into another room, away from the other captive women. Once there, another worker examined her using a variety of machines. Once this was done, her silver collar was cut off, only to be replaced with the one now gracing her neck. After the collar was fully sealed, the connection she felt with her gifts of fire were somewhat dimmed. This scared the young woman immensely. Her powers were the only thing she could use to defend herself. She hadn't tried to access her soul-bond with her Mashin since being held captive. The Fire Knight wasn't even sure if the Lord of Fire would be able to hear or even answer her telepathic requests for assistance. There were no apparent clues as to her location, but the Fire Knight was certain she was very far from Cephiro.

Other women were present in the chamber with her, circulating freely amongst the men, offering their services to those who had been there for some time, also to those who just walked in. The sounds of many booted feet close by snapped Hikaru out of her self-imposed reverie. Her cerise eyes skimmed over the crowd of men. Most of them were walking freely amongst the other women. Hikaru watched as others were selected. She wasn't sure how much time passed, the multitude seemed to thin somewhat. Inwardly she sighed with relief. No one had approached yet. Although she knew this could alter. Closing her eyes she inhaled deeply, then steadily exhaling.

Opening her eyes she caught a glimpse of two men walking through the entrance into the vestibule. They halted briefly, taking two brimming glasses from a tray held by one of the attendants. They were quite different from the rest of the mass currently in the room with her. One was tall, his muscular frame evident beneath the green and white cloak he wore. His brown eyes travelled over the mass of women walking through the room. His eyes lingered on her momentarily. Hikaru froze, fear chilling her to the very core. It seemed a patron showed interest in her. After a few seconds, his eyes shifted elsewhere. Hikaru closed her eyes, in an attempt to calm herself.

Unknown to her the muscular stranger murmured to his companion, indicating in her general direction.

~O~

'Hey Eagle, look over there; standing on the podium.'

Raking his brown eyes over the woman on display, Geo diverted his Commander's attention elsewhere. Geo had considered the young woman for a brief instance or two, but she wasn't to his liking. She was certainly beautiful, but far too young for him. He preferred mature women. But for his Commander she would be perfect. Geo pointed. Eagle turned, his cloak flaring around his tall, lean frame. Sipping from his glass, he regarded the Fire Knight standing on the platform within the middle of the large room.

A hint of barely concealed interest shone within the eyes of the young High Commander. Geo smirked as his friend pushed through the crowds, strolling towards the podium. After watching Eagle grip the chin of the Fire Knight, Geo turned his attention to the other beauties milling throughout the chamber.

~O~

A gentle but firm hand clasped her chin, tilting her head upwards until her eyes met those of the blonde-haired man. She tried to pull away from him. His hold on her chin tightened minutely. The Fire Knight stilled. Fingers traced the curve of her cheek sliding down her neck, pausing at the hollow of her throat. He studied her face intently, taking note of every detail. His fingers shifted from her neck, pushing aside red bangs. Hikaru trembled faintly. He had seen the jewel resting within the centre of her brow. A fingertip brushed across the symbol of Rayearth embedded into the soft flesh of her forehead. The crystal warmed at the stranger's brief caress. Letting his hands fall away he stepped backwards a few paces. Fear once again surged within her mind. Someone had finally shown an interest in her.

Other men who watched the entire scene with suppressed interest took this as a sign to come near her. One sharp look from the tall blond accompanied by a single word halted them.

'No.'

Lifting one hand, a heavy golden ring glistered under the radiance from the light fixtures. From her location on the podium, Hikaru could make out an insignia embossed on the surface of the ring. The other would be patrons also saw the device displayed on the ring. Whispers flowed through the crowd.

'We'll have no chance at her now...'

'He is from the House of Vision, one of the oldest Houses in Autozam...'

'He can certainly afford whatever price is asked of him, might as well let her go...'

Eagle downed the rest of the sparkling alcohol in the glass. Handing the empty wine flute to a waiting attendant, he looked for the manager of this establishment. A hand lightly touched his shoulder. Turning, Eagle saw someone who he believed to be the owner. The young High Commander indicated towards the young woman standing on the plinth.

'She is very beautiful isn't she?'

Satisfied he had staked a claim, Eagle turned back to the owner to make an offer. 'I want her. Shall we discuss a price?'

'Of course Lord Vision; we'll continue this conversation in my office.' The owner stated with a smile, motioning to one of the attendants at the door. The pretty redhead needed to be cleaned up before she could be expected to perform to the young commander's expectations.

Eagle watched as she was led away, it was highly likely she was being prepared for their encounter. It would not have mattered to him in the slightest if she had been presented to him just as she was when he first saw her. But from what Geo told him concerning this place, that wasn't the way business was done here. As he followed the establishment's owner, he wondered where his first officer had gotten too. His deep amber eyes scanned the throng, but to no avail. There was no sign of Geo amongst the crowd of men leisurely circulating through the large chamber.

A slight smile curved his lips. Geo must have found a woman he wanted for the night.

'This way Lord Vision,' the manager murmured quietly, opening the door.

The manager was most eager to complete this transaction. The Vision Clan were the most powerful of Autozam's ancient houses. Therefore this young son of the House of Vision could afford whatever price the manager asked for. Redheads were rare. The right to purchase one night spent in the company of this crimson haired young woman would have been rather fierce, if Eagle Vision hadn't approached her, making his intentions known. As the manager walked behind the young Lord before entering his office, a satisfied smile crossed his lips. Tonight was going to be very profitable for him indeed.

Eagle was very curious about the young woman who until a few moments ago, was up for sale. Upon catching a glimpse of her he sensed a well of power within her. Suppressed no doubt by the collar she wore, still palpable to his highly trained mind. His highly sensitive telepathic gift also sensed a formidable will; as strong as his own. She intrigued him, was a mystery to be solved. Perhaps the manager could shed some light upon her origins. He heard a faint click from behind him. The manager closed the door, indicating to his staff they were not to be disturbed.

Sitting himself down at his desk the manager motioned for Eagle to occupy the empty chair on the other side of his desk. Eagle sat down, a question on the verge of falling from his lips. Deciding to ask it anyway he removed a gleaming metallic card from a hidden pocket in his black uniform, he placed it on the desk's surface.

'I see you have placed a Gift suppressing collar upon her then?' Eagle asked one eyebrow slightly arched in a sign of curiosity.

Smiling, the manager regarded the young noble sitting on the other side of his large desk. 'She left us no choice in the matter. One of my staff attempted to do something rather unwise. She managed to scorch him before events became too serious.'

'What is her Gift?' Eagle pushed the small plate towards the manager, until the sharp edge touched the fingers of the manager.

Apparently picking up on the subtle hint, the card was swept up. 'She is a T1 Pyrokinetic, Lord Vision. The scanners detected this much. There are other indications she possesses other latent Gifts. Whether those will awaken I cannot say.'

A Pyrokinetic? That Gift isvery rare indeed. She must be the daughter of one of the Lesser Houses fallen into decline. I want her for more than one night. Surprised at the sudden train of thought which slipped into his mind, Eagle watched the manager remove a device from a hidden compartment within his desk. After fiddling with it momentarily, the manager showed Eagle what he had just typed up on the miniscule screen.

'Is this offer acceptable, Lord Vision?'

A smile pulled at the corners of Eagle's mouth. The price indicated: twenty five thousand credit notes was indeed enticing. But after learning how Gifted the young woman was, he decided to make a higher counter offer.

'Sixty thousand credit notes I offer you. She could be useful in strengthening bloodlines.'

Eagle silently laughed at the avaricious gleam shining within the manager's eye.

'Lord Vision you have a deal.'

~O~

Author's Note: I hope you enjoyed this. Updates for Fire and Shadow will be coming, I'm doing research for that story, it hasn't been forgotten so don't worry.