Chapter Two: Ferio, the Forest, and the Fountain
The Forest of Silence was just as its name implied; silent. They had been walking for almost an hour, heading farther away from their point of origin.
"It's so quiet. I wonder if what Presea had said last night was true?" Fuu said, as she walked carefully through the undergrowth.
"Dangerous places usually only look peaceful and quiet at first, but they reveal their true faces later on." Yukito said, knowing that danger could turn up at any moment.
"Wow, you sure know a lot. Does that come from being a few grades above us?" Umi asked, getting a blush from Yukito in the process.
"Umi-chan! Stop embarrassing him! He won't be able to fight if he's embarrassed!" Hikaru said, getting laughter from her companions. The laughter was short lived when a monster rose from the undergrowth……….right next to Hikaru.
"Hikaru! Move it!" Yukito shouted, whipping his sword out of his glove gem and attacking the hideous beast. Umi, Fuu and Hikaru were quick to follow his example. With a roar, the monster opened its mouth and fired a blast of energy at them. Yukito gracefully backflipped and drove his sword into the beast's neck, while Hikaru attacked from the front. With a yell, they both slashed downwards, killing the monster with good swipes of their swords.
"You two were awesome!" Umi shouted, having gotten a little bit of the monster as well.
"Thanks. I help out wherever I can at school. Since I am not a member of any of the clubs, I help out when they need an extra man." Yukito said, his warm eyes showing that he took great strides to be helpful. As he watched the girls regroup, Yukito turned and looked at where the monster had been. It had come out of nowhere……..
"I wonder where that thing had come from? We didn't hear it coming." Yukito said, as he looked around for tracks leading up to the spot where the monster had been, but couldn't find any.
"Yeah, that thing was huge! You'd think we would have been able to have heard it coming towards us!" Umi said, agreeing with Yukito in that.
"Puu puu!" Mokona shouted, bouncing away from them and into another copse.
"Here we go. Let's follow it before we get lost." Yukito said, as he started after the creature. The three girls nodded and followed Yukito. It wasn't too long before they encountered another monster.
"Look out!" Hikaru shouted, as they all armed themselves, prepared to fight. But, before they could even move, the monster was sliced in half right before their eyes.
"What the….?!" Umi asked, before Yukito took up a defensive position in front of them.
"Who the heck are ya'll?!" a man's voice asked, from above. Four pairs of eyes looked up and saw a young man standing in a tree nearby. He was a ragtag looking fellow with scars on his face, flashing golden eyes and wild green hair. He was leaned casually against the trunk of the tree, giving them all a look that couldn't be easily read. Next to him was a sword that was almost as tall as he was.
"Another enemy?" Umi whispered.
"He looks human, but we must remember that woman on horseback that attacked us earlier." Yukito said, as he looked up at the young man. For a few tense seconds, they stared at the young man and the man stared at them. Then Mokona made the first move; it bounded over to the stranger and bounced up to where he was, landing squarely on top of his head.
"What is this thing?!" the young man asked, looking somewhat freaked out, while Yukito chuckled at the expression that was now on his face. With resolution on her face, Hikaru allowed her sword to go back into her glove gem. Then Hikaru took a step forward, willing to make the same motion as Mokona.
"Hikaru!" Umi shouted, as anxiety flashed across Yukito's features.
"It's okay! Look at how much Mokona likes him!" Hikaru said, pointing at Mokona, who now snuggled into the young man's green hair.
"Well, I guess it's all right." Yukito said, as he also put his sword away.
"Hey! Thanks for helping us!" Hikaru shouted.
"Who are you? What're you doin' in the Forest of Silence?" the young man asked, from his tree branch.
"My name's Hikaru! I'm from Tokyo!" Hikaru replied, cupping her hands to her mouth so he could hear her.
"Toe-key-yo? Never heard of that……Is that a foreign country?" the man asked, looking completely confused.
"We were summoned by Princess Emera……….!" Hikaru said, then was stopped by Umi clapping her hands over her mouth.
"Hikaru!" Umi whispered, releasing the shorter girl after a minute.
"Umi, why'd you do that?" Hikaru asked, confused.
"Hikaru-san, we still know nothing about this man. He could be working for Zagato." Fuu whispered.
"I'm Yukito Tsukishiro and these are my traveling companions, Houoji Fuu and Ryuuzaki Umi. You have already met Hikaru-san. Would you mind telling us what your name is?" Yukito asked, taking control of the situation and approaching the stranger.
"The name's Ferio. What're ya'll doing here, wandering around in the Forest of Silence?" the man asked.
"Just passing through. We've encountered two monsters thus far, and, from what we've heard, this forest is full of them." Yukito said, as the girls watched him speak to the mysterious Ferio.
"Oh yeah. There's lots of monsters in this forest." Ferio replied, casually.
"Is that because of the Princess' disappearance?" Fuu asked, being careful with what she said to this fellow.
"Nah. This forest's been filled with monsters since the beginning of time. No one can figure out why, though." Ferio said, as he looked at each traveler casually.
"So, why are you here?" Umi asked.
"Me? I'm on my way to Eterna." Ferio replied, looking at Umi directly. The four Magic Knights stood frozen to the spot. Eterna?! Wasn't that their destination?!
"W-why are you going to Eterna?!" Umi stuttered, as the young man smiled at them.
"To get the legendary mineral, Escudo, of course." Ferio replied, with a cocksure look on his face.
"What?!?" the three girls screamed, in unison.
"He's got to be kidding……." Yukito said, keeping his voice (and disbelief) at a minimum.
"Hey, isn't that the stuff Presea told us to get to make weapons?" Umi whispered.
"Yeah." Hikaru replied, with a nod.
"Does that mean we have to beat Ferio?!" Umi asked, still whispering (surprisingly).
"No way!" Hikaru said, as Yukito's expression darkened somewhat. Silently, Fuu was thinking of a way to find out from Ferio what he really wanted. Meanwhile, Umi and Hikaru continued to worry.
"Is there enough Escudo? He won't take ours will he?" Umi said, worrying openly, now. Curious as to what the girls were discussing, Ferio came down from his tree.
"You've got some strange clothes, but I suppose it's okay, since you've got armor." Ferio said, as he approached the group. He took notice of Yukito, who was watching every move he made like a hawk. Then Fuu spoke up.
"It's Ferio, isn't it?" Fuu asked.
"Yes ma'am." Ferio replied, politely.
"And you are going to Eterna?" Fuu asked. Ferio suddenly looked uneasy.
"Yes………" Ferio replied, tensely.
"Then you know the way to Eterna?" Fuu asked, with a smile. Ferio paused; he looked really uneasy now. From behind Ferio, Yukito grinned and winked at Hikaru and Umi, reassuring them with that.
"You can't use magic here, and that includes magic compasses. Everyone knows that you've gotta go through the Forest of Silence to get to Eterna, but you have to find the way out on your own. So don't look at me for help." Ferio said, with an almost arrogant air.
"We know the way out." Fuu said, confidently.
"What?!" Ferio shouted, in disbelief. Umi and Hikaru stared at Fuu in disbelief; Yukito just stood where he was and snickered, getting a dirty look from Ferio in the process.
"You know the way out? You've got to be dreamin'!" Ferio said, trying to pull himself back together.
"What makes you think I'm asleep?" Fuu asked, getting a soft, 'Good point' from Yukito for an agreement. Ferio looked surprised.
"Do you really know the way out?" Ferio asked, having lost the arrogance he'd had just moments before.
"Yes, but if you don't believe me…….." Fuu trailed off, leaving the end of the sentence hanging in the air.
"Where is it?" Ferio asked, sounding almost desperate. Then Yukito noticed it; the young man was about his age, but had a haggard look hidden in his eyes. He looked tired and hungry, but he wasn't about to show that to the females.
"He's lost. He's probably been here for quite some time. There can't be much to live on in this forest and monsters would come and finish you off if you were to remain in one place too long. Why not let him accompany us?" Yukito thought, as Fuu revealed her intentions, getting some very interesting reactions from Hikaru and Umi.
"With so many monsters in this forest, it would be quite a struggle to get through it on our own. Therefore, if you escort us through the Forest of Silence, we will take you to the exit." Fuu said, casually.
"If I say no….?" Ferio asked, looking for a way out of this, even though the tired look remained hidden in his eyes.
"Then you needn't follow us. Yukito-san, Umi-san, Hikaru-san, are you ready to move on?" Fuu asked, turning away from Ferio and walking down the path. Ferio watched in stunned silence as they went, but caught the gaze of Yukito, who gave him a look of male camaraderie before going after the girls. As they moved through the forest, they could hear Ferio following them, his steps easily heard because of the dry leaves on the ground.
"He's still following us." Umi said, after an hour.
"Then let's lose him!" Fuu said, as she and the other two girls started running.
"Wait! Don't get too far ahead, lest you lose yourselves!" Yukito shouted, as he ran after them, trying to keep up. Eventually he stopped and stood panting beside a tree. He watched as Ferio chased after the three female Magic Knights.
"What is this?! A game of hide and seek?!?" Ferio asked, in exasperation, after a pile up on the forest floor.
"I hope not. That hurt!" Hikaru said, rubbing a sore spot on her head as she and the others got up and started looking around. It was Umi who spotted Yukito standing next to a tree, watching the spectacle with amusement. As evening shadows fell, they became concerned with where they were going to sleep for the night.
"Puu!" Mokona shouted, as it came to a stop and emitted a light from it's forehead gem, bringing into existence an egg-shaped structure.
"Wow!" Hikaru said, as she opened the door and peeked inside. The inside was luxuriously decorated and four beds waited, each with a pair of pajamas on it.
"This is obviously only meant for ladies. I'll sleep outside, if you don't mind." Yukito said, retreating outside when he saw that the main color theme was pink, even though the bed meant for him had blue sheets and pajamas.
"Yukito-chan! It's dangerous outside!" Hikaru objected.
"If Ferio-kun can handle being outside, so can I." Yukito said, bravely. Umi was impressed. Yukito, thus far, had proven to be a gentleman.
"At least come inside long enough to get your bandages changed." Umi said, as she gently touched his right arm. Yukito flinched. His arm. He'd completely forgotten about hurting it.
"Okay." Yukito said, with resignation in his voice. Ferio could hear the four talking as they tended Yukito's wound, wincing when he heard Yukito cry out as old bandages were removed from his wound.
"Ouch. I'll bet that hurt. Heh, he's the only guy with them and they still need a bodyguard? These foreigners are weird!" Ferio thought, looking up when he heard Yukito come out of the 'egg', with two sleeping bags and two pillows under his arms.
"Better to camp in comfort than not to, ne?" Yukito asked, as he tossed a pillow and sleeping bag to Ferio.
"Yeah. Thanks. I can't believe how you can stand being around those girls 24/7! Don't you feel outnumbered?" Ferio asked, jokingly.
"No, not really. It's easier than you think, especially since we all came from the same place. We all have families back home that we miss." Yukito said, as he sat against a tree, facing Ferio. Ferio's expression sobered and he nodded.
"Ya'll are lucky. I don't have anybody at all. I'm a loner; been that way since I was little." Ferio said, with a wistful look on his scarred face.
"I'll bet it gets lonely……" Yukito said, looking a little lonely, himself.
"Puu?" Mokona said, as it hopped over to them.
"Mokona, you wouldn't happen to have some food on you, would you?" Yukito asked.
"Puu!" Mokona replied, and conjured up a neat basket of fruit.
"Thank you, Mokona." Yukito said, taking an apple for himself and tossed another to Ferio, who simply stared at him in shock.
"Why………………? How'd you know?!" Ferio asked, watching as Yukito bit into an apple, chewed, and swallowed. Yukito shrugged.
"Just sharing some loneliness." Yukito said, with a wry grin, then added, "I could tell that you've been lost in these woods since before we came here."
Ferio stared at Yukito in amazement. He could see that Yukito was offering a gesture of friendship, but it wasn't something he was used to.
"Yeah. I took a stupid dare to come and find the Escudo and I have been lost ever since. Pretty stupid, ne?" Ferio asked, with bitterness in his voice.
"Foolhardy, yes; stupid, not really. We're young, Ferio-kun, so we can be expected to do some crazy stuff. Looking for adventure may seem stupid to some, but not to the one who thinks he has something to prove." Yukito replied, as he watched the lights go out in the 'egg'.
"Goodnight, Yukito-chan!" Hikaru shouted, from the doorway.
"Goodnight, Hikaru-san." Yukito replied, with a smile. Ferio listened to the exchange with mixed emotions. In some ways, he was jealous of the close relationship these four had, but also hoped that he would get to know them better. The next morning, they set off again for Eterna. The walk was long and arduous, but their minds were kept busy by the constant threat of monster attacks. Finally, they stopped at a small incline and took in an unusual scene. Monsters were everywhere!
"Look at all those monsters! Mokona, do you mean to tell us that we're supposed to go through them to get to Eterna?!" Umi shouted, as the small creature smiled and nodded. Yukito and the rest sighed as Umi went on another rampage.
"Look at that!" Hikaru said, pointing a strange, black stone that stood in the center of the ring of monsters.
"I wonder what that is?" Fuu murmured, as she gazed at it, too.
"It looks almost like the remains of a meteor, but it seems that it is the thing that is creating all of the monsters." Yukito said, looking tense and ready for a fight.
"It looks like if we can destroy that rock, the monsters will disappear." Ferio said, contributing to the conversation for the first time that morning.
"You think so, Ferio?" Umi asked, now paying close attention to what he was saying.
"It won't be easy, but we could give it a try. Hikaru, Umi, Yukito, you three try to distract the monsters. Fuu, you come with me." Ferio said, as he moved a little distance away and took up a position.
"Let's get down there!" Hikaru said, ready to charge into battle. Yukito nodded in agreement, understanding what Ferio had in mind. With that decided, Hikaru and Yukito charged into battle, with Umi complaining all the way down, behind them.
"This feels more like a scene from Lord of the Rings!" Yukito commented, as he sliced one monster in half.
"How so?" Umi asked, as she dodged an attack and stabbed another monster.
"The conflict between the Fellowship and the Orcs." Yukito replied, gracefully turning and taking a monster out.
"I see what you mean." Umi said, now back to back with Yukito. Meanwhile, Fuu and Ferio were waiting for a good moment when the path to the rock was clear. Ferio then saw his moment and seized it.
"Now!" Ferio shouted, running in ahead of Fuu. With the signal given, Fuu followed closely after Ferio, stopping when Ferio fell to his knees, grimacing with pain.
"Ferio!" Fuu yelped, about to come to his aid, but was stopped by him.
"Don't come any closer! It seems……….that this rock not only makes monsters……but it turns things into monsters!" Ferio shouted, as he drove his sword into the ground, trying to keep from being drawn into the rock.
"What can I do?" Fuu asked, wanting to help, but not all too certain as to how she could help.
"Fire one of your arrows!" Ferio cried, screaming as his legs started turning into stone.
"I can't! That rock has got to be at least twenty yards away! The arrow would never make it!" Fuu said, her eyes widening as the distance between Ferio and the rock closed.
"In Cephiro………the power of one's will is the greatest of all! If you will it to be so the arrow will hit it and the rock will break!" Ferio screamed, as more of his body turned to stone.
"But I……………" Fuu trailed off.
"You've got to believe in yourself!!!!!" Ferio shouted. With a nod, Fuu strung an arrow and drew it back.
"If I believe!" Fuu thought, as she pulled the arrow back and released it. To her astonishment, it made it; hitting the rock and sinking into it. Abruptly, the power pulling at Ferio's body faded away, letting him fall to the ground with a thud. At the same time, Yukito, Hikaru, and Umi were completely surrounded by monsters. Then, without warning, the monsters started changing into normal forest animals.
"It looks like Ferio-kun was right." Yukito said, as he took a moment to catch his breath.
"By the way, where is Ferio?" Umi asked, then noticed that Fuu was worriedly hovering over the young man's still form.
"Ferio!" Hikaru yelped, as she, Umi and Yukito rushed over to see if he was all right.
"What happened?" Yukito asked, as he felt for a pulse.
"He started getting drawn in towards the rock. The rock was turning him into stone! Yukito-san, is he all right?" Fuu asked, anxiously.
"I think so. He's unconscious, but alive. Probably passed out from the pain. Let's get to some shade and wait till he comes around. Then we'll continue on our way." Yukito said, satisfied with finding a strong, steady heartbeat. With some effort, they moved Ferio away from the rock and into the cool shade of the forest.
"You know, this forest seems more inviting, now that the monsters are gone." Hikaru said, as she watched a deer and a rabbit play near a forest pool. There was a nod of agreement and they all relaxed. When lunch-time rolled around, Mokona conjured up a well deserved, home cooked meal.
"It looks delicious, Mokona!" Hikaru said, as she took a plate of food from the creature and another one appeared for Fuu.
"And it smells delicious too." Came a murmured agreement from Ferio, as he roused up.
"Gave us quite a scare, Ferio. We thought you'd decided to die on us!" Umi said, looking as relieved as she sounded. Ferio grinned.
"Nah. I'm not ready to die yet. I've still got people to annoy." Ferio said, getting a laugh from the Magic Knights.
"Puu!" Mokona said, as it bounced over and gave Ferio a plate of food.
"Thanks……." Ferio said, not quite sure how to react to being served by a bouncing, smiling, marshmallow. After they had eaten their fill, they continued on their journey. Finally, they reached the exit of the Forest of Silence.
"I guess this is where we'll say goodbye." Ferio said, almost sounding reluctant to leave.
"You'll be missed, Ferio-kun, but we can't force you to stay." Yukito said, as he shook Ferio's hand.
"Thanks, Yukito." Ferio said, fully appreciating the male Magic Knight's friendship. Without a word, Ferio reached into his pocket and pulled a jeweled orb out. He then walked over to Fuu and handed it to her.
"What's this?" Fuu asked.
"It's a special wishing orb. Speak a wish into it and it will be granted. A little something to remember me by." Ferio said, before kneeling and gently kissing her hand. Then he stood and walked away. All gazes turned to Fuu, who now glowed like a red Christmas tree light.
"What's the matter, Fuu? You're all red!" Umi teased, making Fuu blush even deeper. Yukito chuckled as Fuu tried to regain her composure, then turned his thoughts to what lay ahead of them. They still had to go to Eterna and get the Escudo.
"Minna, let's go. We still have to get the Escudo for Presea-san." Yukito said, calling for attention.
"Right. Let's go." Hikaru said, seriously. Before they had taken about ten paces from the forest's edge, the unexpected occurred.
"Allayah! Ice Attack!" a woman's voice shouted, catching both Umi and Yukito in the thick of it. Hikaru and Fuu both watched in horror as their two comrades were struck down.
"Umi-chan! Yukito-chan!" Hikaru screamed, as she watched the two fall to the ground, blood spurting from wounds as they hit the ground. Hikaru and Fuu rushed over to them, fear and worry on their faces as they went.
"That woman………..from before………….." Yukito moaned, as blood flowed freely down his face.
"Shh. Don't try to speak, Yukito-san, you've been badly hurt." Fuu said, gently.
"What about Umi? Is she all right?" Yukito asked.
"She's also been hurt." Fuu said, gasping when Yukito sat up, his expression angry.
"Damn witch…………I'll get her. Stay here with Umi." Yukito said, his voice taut with emotion and pain.
"Well, you have kept me waiting, little Magic Knights from another world!" Alcione sneered, as she looked down on them from atop a pedestal of rock. Hikaru turned when she heard footsteps and gasped when she saw Yukito. Even though he was covered in blood from his wounds, his anger and desire to protect his comrades overruled any pain he felt at that moment. It was at that moment Ferio returned, having heard the screams and becoming concerned when he heard them.
"Fuu! What happened?!" Ferio asked, his golden eyes wide with disbelief.
"That witch attacked Umi-san and Yukito-san!" Fuu replied, motioning to Alcione and then looking down at Umi, who lay unconscious and bleeding on the ground.
"Fuu-chan! Take care of Umi-chan!" Hikaru said, as she and Yukito prepared to fight. Hikaru then turned her angry gaze to Alcione.
"How dare you hurt Umi!" Hikaru shouted, ruby eyes flashing when Alcione smiled scornfully down at her.
"So you're the one who knows magic, eh? But I'm Madoushi Clef's student and a sorceress of Princess Emeraude. You won't beat me again!" Alcione said, smiling wickedly when she saw that she'd made an impression.
"Princess Emeraude's sorceress?!" Hikaru yelped.
"Madoushi Clef's student?!" Fuu asked, in shock.
"If that's true, then why are you fighting us?! Didn't Clef tell you?! Cephiro's in danger!" Hikaru shouted, while Yukito stood where he was, silent. His thoughts turned inward. He wanted to protect the girls, even though he didn't know any magic yet.
"Yukito." A voice murmured, in his mind.
"Madoushi Clef?" Yukito asked, surprised that he could hear the mage in his mind.
"Yes, Yukito. I am speaking directly to your heart." Clef replied, his voice soft.
"Please, help me protect the girls! They need all the help they can get!" Yukito pleaded, desperate to aid the female Magic Knights.
"Your desire to protect them has earned you your magic, Yukito. Can you feel it? Deep inside your heart? Can you feel the power inside of you?" Clef asked.
"Yes. I can feel it. It's like a fire burning deep within me. Words can't describe this feeling." Yukito said, as warmth filled him, just like the time when Clef had given them their magical specialties.
"That is your magic, Yukito. Now use it and protect your comrades!" Clef said, before his voice faded away. With a gasp, Yukito came to himself just as a barrage of ice blades came his way.
"Yukito!!!" Ferio, Fuu, and Hikaru all shouted in unison. With a move that belied his injuries, Yukito leaped out of the way and faced Alcione with fury in his eyes. Then he stretched out his hands to hold an invisible bow and an arrow of pure light formed in his right hand.
"Moon Arrow!" Yukito shouted, letting the spell fly. With a scream, Alcione moved to avoid the attack, but couldn't move fast enough to avoid the energy arrow from going through her right leg.
"Yukito-san just used his magic!" Fuu murmured, as she watched Hikaru and Yukito fight back against Alcione.
"I'll cut you to ribbons!" Alcione screamed, enraged that two Magic Knights knew magic, now.
"Like to see you try, witch!" Yukito shouted, seemingly unfazed by having just used his magic for the first time. Hikaru could see that, even though Yukito was enduring his wounds and fighting back, he was still bleeding heavily.
"He's running on just adrenaline! The moment he stops fighting he'll…………!" Hikaru thought, then shook that thought from her head. Yukito was strong; he would not let go of life easily.
"Yukito-chan, Fuu-chan and Umi-chan are my best friends! Together we're fighting for Cephiro!" Hikaru shouted, as power pulsated around her, in response to her anger.
"Flame Arrow!" Hikaru shouted.
"Moon Arrow!" Yukito cried, joining his attack with hers, blowing Alcione off of her pedestal.
"Shield!" Alcione screamed, trying her best to fend off the brunt of the attack, but having some of it break through, leaving bloody wounds on her face and hip.
"Her magic's stronger than before……" Alcione muttered, then glared balefully at Yukito.
"And his has just awakened!" Alcione thought, as Yukito sneered at her, daring her to try again with his eyes.
"Your skills have honed so quickly………..you are indeed true Magic Knights………but I won't be defeated that easily." Alcione said, as she powered up for her next attack.
"Ice Blade!!!!" Alcione screamed, sending another blast at Yukito and Hikaru. Fuu and Ferio watched tensely, as the two Magic Knights fought desperately in what was quickly becoming a losing battle; Yukito was getting weaker, while Hikaru was getting winded by having to dodge attacks.
"Ugh………." Umi moaned, as she came to.
"Umi-san! Are you all right?!" Fuu asked, as she gently levered Umi into a sitting position.
"Where's Hikaru?" Umi asked, when she didn't see the redhead.
"She and Yukito-san are fighting that crazy witch." Fuu replied, as the sounds of battle became more clear to Umi's pain-clouded brain.
"They can't fight alone!" Umi shouted, "Yukito's been hurt too!"
"You mustn't move! Your wounds……….!" Fuu said, but she could not stop the stubborn girl from getting up.
"I have to help them!" Umi shouted, desperately.
"Puu!" Mokona said, as it looked worriedly up at Umi.
"Are you worried too, Mokona?" Umi asked, her voice softer now.
"Puu puu!" Mokona said, nodding wholeheartedly.
"I should have listened……back when Madoushi Clef was teaching magic. Then I would be able to help Hikaru and Yukito." Umi said, sadly. Mokona looked up at her, it's face showing worry.
"I need magic…………magic to help Hikaru and Yukito…………I need magic!" Umi said, with sadness and urgency in her voice. Then Mokona's head jewel changed color and shown on Umi's forehead.
"The jewel on Mokona's forehead………!" Fuu shouted, in amazement.
"It's changed from red to blue!" Ferio finished, as they both watched the spectacle with amazement.
"Umi…………..Can you hear me?" a voice spoke from the depths of her mind.
"Clef…………?" Umi asked, not certain whether she was imagining it or not.
"Yes. I am using Mokona to speak directly to your heart. Can you hear me?" Clef asked, his voice echoing slightly.
"Yes, I can………" Umi murmured.
"You wish to help Yukito and Hikaru……………You desire magic to help them…….." Clef said, matter-of-factly.
"Yes! I want magic to help them!" Umi exclaimed, with desperation in her voice.
"Can you feel it? The power inside you. A power different from anything you've felt before……………?" Clef asked.
"I can feel it………I'm warm inside…….Words……….I can feel words coming……" Umi said, softly.
"That is your magic." Clef said, before his voice disappeared. Umi looked up just as Hikaru and Yukito were thrown to the ground by another blast. Angered by that, Umi summoned all of her remaining strength and prepared to use her magic.
"Water Dragon!" Umi shouted, sending a dragon shaped waterspout to attack Alcione. Alcione screamed as the dragon flew at her, its watery mouth open wide.
"No!!!!!!!!" Alcione screamed, before the dragon swallowed her. With a smile, Umi collapsed into Fuu, and Yukito collapsed where he was standing when the final blow had been dealt.
"Umi-chan! Yukito-chan!" Hikaru shouted, as she ran over to Umi and watched as Ferio carefully carried Yukito back over to the group, his golden eyes filled with concern.
"Hikaru……..are you all right?" Umi asked, her voice soft.
"Yeah, because of you! You saved mine and Yukito's lives!" Hikaru said, as tears came to her eyes.
"That's good……I have to take care of my cute little sister…..So full of energy……" Umi said, as she looked at Yukito, who was barely conscious.
"You're not hurt…….are you,……Fuu-san?" Yukito asked, his voice sounding weaker than Umi's.
"No. Umi-san's magic beat that witch, Yukito-san." Fuu replied.
"I'm glad. I don't know what's happening to us…….but, we were called here to Cephiro together………" Umi murmured, before she and Yukito both closed their eyes and grew still.
"Umi-chan! Yukito-chan!" Hikaru screamed, afraid that they were dying.
"Umi saved our lives…….she used her magic to save us…….Now it's my turn. A light shone from Mokona's forehead. It gave Umi her new magic. Mokona, please give me new magic. I've got to help Umi-san and Yukito-san! I need magic to help them!" Fuu said, before Mokona's jewel changed color and again a beam of light shot from its forehead.
"Fuu…….." Clef's voice whispered.
"You're Clef…………?" Fuu asked.
"Yes." Clef replied.
"Please teach me magic………." Fuu pleaded, her desperation in her voice.
"Your magic is already within you." Clef said, gently.
"I feel words in my heart…………" Fuu whispered.
"Yes, that is your magic. You've gained your magic through your compassion. Don't forget. The power of your will is everything. Belief is power in Cephiro." Clef said, before his presence left her mind.
"Healing Wind!" Fuu shouted, summoning healing winds to come and heal her two friends. Within moments, Umi and Yukito were as whole as the day they'd left Tokyo.
"Umi-chan! Yukito-chan!" Hikaru shouted, joyfully hugging her two friends, who looked about as befuddled as they could get.
"You two had me worried, there, when you both passed out like that!" Ferio said, looking relieved that the two Magic Knights were all right. Yukito smiled, good-naturedly.
"Now we're even." Yukito said, as he again shook hands with Ferio.
"Yeah, it looks like we are." Ferio agreed.
"Ferio-kun, is there a town nearby? I think we'll need to ask for some directions." Yukito asked, as the other three Magic Knights regrouped.
"As a matter of fact, there is. You might want to be careful around there, though. The people are a little leery of strangers." Ferio said, as he hefted his sword onto his shoulder and started walking.
"Thanks, Ferio." Hikaru said, as she waved at the swordsman.
"You're welcome. Be seein' ya!" Ferio called back, as he walked away from them.
"Let's go. We don't have any time to lose." Yukito said, getting an agreement from his female comrades. Just as Ferio had said, there was a town nearby, but when they came to it, it looked completely deserted!
"Looks almost like a ghost town." Fuu commented, starting to take a step forward but was prevented from doing so by Yukito.
"What's the matter?" Umi asked, as Yukito pointed out something that stood in the town's center.
"What is that?" Hikaru asked, since they were too far away to get a good look.
"Some kind of place of punishment. It's where they put the town's most recent criminals. Old towns in Europe and America had what were called pillories where they would put criminals so it would be an example to other citizens. It looks like there's someone tied to this one now." Yukito said, keeping his voice low, in case there were people around.
"Let's go see who it is." Hikaru whispered, as they started heading towards the town center. As they got closer, they could see that there was something familiar about the man who was tied there. The man on the 'pillory' remained silent as the four teens approached the place.
"He's been beaten! Look at his back!" Umi said, raising her voice a little in horror.
"And he's still bleeding, by the looks of things." Fuu stated, as she crept onto the 'stage' and got a closer look. Umi, Hikaru, and Yukito jumped when they heard her gasp.
"What is it, Fuu?!" Umi asked, as she looked up at her pale-faced friend.
"It's……………It's Madoushi Clef!" Fuu said, horror showing plainly in her green eyes.
"Clef!" Umi shouted, as she and the other two Magic Knights clamored onto the stage and looked at him.
"Hikaru-san, Umi-san, get on either side and have your swords ready! When I give the signal, cut the ropes!" Yukito said, positioning himself in front of the wounded man so he could catch him when he fell.
"What can I do, Yukito-san?" Fuu asked, wanting to help.
"Keep an eye out for anything. If you should see anyone come out of those houses, give us an early enough warning so we can move quickly." Yukito said, then turned his attention back to Hikaru and Umi.
"Now!" Yukito shouted, as both girls swung their swords hard, cutting the ropes easily with the sharp blades. With little more than a sigh, Clef fell free of the bonds and into Yukito's arms. It was then that people started coming out of their homes, all of them brandishing weapons.
"Yukito-san!" Fuu shouted, as the people started coming towards them.
"Let's get out of here!" Yukito shouted, as he hoisted Clef onto his shoulders and started running. The villagers started chasing them. Desperately, the four Magic Knights looked for a place to hide, finally finding it when they ducked into a hidden cave.
"Whew………..now that was too close! They almost had us!" Hikaru muttered, as she wiped sweat from her brow.
"I know. But there was something odd about them, though." Fuu murmured, as Umi started using the cave's natural spring and a strip of cloth from her school skirt to clean Clef's wounds.
"I think we should consider settling down for the night. It's too dangerous to continue on to Eterna right now. We'll make a fresh start in the morning." Yukito said, as Mokona rejoined them.
"Mokona!" Hikaru said, happy to see the bouncing ball of fluff again.
"Mokona-san, we need the shelter now, if you don't mind." Fuu said, polite as always, even though there was a grim task at hand.
"Puu!" Mokona replied, as it once again conjured up the 'egg'.
"Are you coming inside tonight, Yukito-chan?" Hikaru asked, as Yukito brought Clef in with him.
"Hai. It's too dangerous to sleep outside tonight. Clef will have to sleep in my bed, since he's been so badly hurt." Yukito said, as he went about getting the first aid kit out.
"Fuu! Your magic! Use it!" Umi said, anxiously.
"Oh, right! Healing Wind!" Fuu shouted, as green wind surrounded Clef's body, healing the deep cuts and abrasions as they went. Even though Clef didn't open his eyes, it was evident that Fuu's magic had worked; his breathing deepened and he lapsed into normal sleep.
"I wonder how he got here. The last time we saw him, he was trying to fend off that witch." Umi murmured, as she watched Clef sleep.
"He'll probably tell us when he wakes up. It's time to get some sleep. I'll step outside while you three get dressed." Yukito said, as he politely stepped out, respecting the girls' privacy.
"You know, Yukito is really a gentleman! He's been nothing but civil to us since the first day!" Umi said, as she changed into her nightgown.
"I agree. It's almost like he's our elder brother, always looking after our best interests." Fuu said, as she turned the sheets down on her bed.
"Yeah! And you guys saw the way he fought the witch, even when he was hurt!" Hikaru added.
"And the way he flipped out when Clef was looking at your skirt!" Umi said, and they all started giggling.
"Are you three decent, yet?" Yukito asked.
"Hai!" the three girls said, in unison.
"Good. I'm coming back in now." Yukito said, as he entered the 'egg', carefully closing the door behind him.
"We'll need to get an early start tomorrow so Presea-san won't worry about us." Fuu said, as she took off her glasses and settled down.
"Hai. It'll be rough going, but we should be able to elude our pursuers in the early morning hours." Yukito said, as he settled down on the couch. Within moments, all was quiet. Restless, even though he was tired, Yukito sat up after trying to get some sleep and decided to sit up for a while. He was worried about his grandparents. He remembered all the times when he was sad and lonely, his grandmother would come in and talk to him till he fell asleep. With a sigh, he tried to remember the well loved voice and gentle eyes of his grandmother, in the hopes that it would help him sleep. As he closed his eyes, he saw his room and heard his grandmother's voice.
"Don't worry, Grandmother, I'll come home, I promise." Yukito thought, as sleep finally came, bringing dreams of home and the memories he had of it. Clef awoke to the sounds of breakfast being made and girls chatting amongst themselves.
"Magic Knights?" Clef murmured, as the voices became clearer.
"Good morning, Madoushi. How do you feel?" Yukito asked, from the couch.
"A little weak, but much better than before. Have you been to see Presea yet?" Clef asked, as he sat up and glanced at his surroundings.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, we were on our way to the Legendary spring of Eterna yesterday, but we saw that you were in trouble and stopped to help you." Fuu replied, calmly, as she started eating her breakfast.
"Good. And you have already learned your magic from me. It should be safe enough for you four to continue your journey to Eterna." Clef said, making a commanding gesture with his right hand and having the staff appear in it.
"You sound like you're not going with us, Clef." Hikaru said, almost sounding disappointed.
"You're right. I need to contact some mages that live close by that will help me conceal your presences from Zagato and his minions………..at least until you are safely away from the town." Clef said, knowing that Hikaru didn't like the thought of leaving him behind again.
"Madoushi, what happened between the time we last saw you and the time we rescued you from the town's center? How did you come to be there, as badly hurt as you were?" Yukito asked. Clef took a deep breath and looked away.
"Shortly after I sent you away on the back of the griffin, Alcione arrived. We fought for a few minutes, then she left, leaving a monster behind for me to fight. The battle with it was brief, but it had painful results. No sooner did I use my lightning spell, it exploded, sending me flying off what remained of the cliff. I fell a good distance before something caught me and flew to the town. The villagers tended to my wounds, at first, but when Alcione arrived there to set her trap, she decided to use me as bait. And that leads to how you found me; beaten, bloody, and with my dignity stripped away." Clef said, bitterly, as he waved the staff gently, summoning some new clothes for himself and standing up, ready to go.
"We might as well go ahead and get going. Come on." Umi said, as they all exited the 'egg'.
"Be careful, Clef." Hikaru said, as they paused at the mouth of the cave.
"I will. Go to Eterna, Presea's waiting for you." Clef said, as he went into a wooded area and disappeared.
"Let's go." Yukito said, as they started walking in the direction Mokona indicated. After a long walk, they arrived at a lake.
"Wow!" Hikaru murmured, as she stared at the scene before her.
"It's so pretty!" Umi said, as she looked out at the sparkling water.
"Almost like looking at a painting." Fuu said, then glanced at Yukito, who had been silent for some time.
"Something's not right." Yukito said, finally, as he approached the water's edge and looked down into it.
"Nonsense! This has got to be the legendary spring of Eterna!" Umi shouted, gleefully.
"Yeah!" Hikaru agreed, happily. Mokona and Yukito disagreed.
"It can't be. It was too easy getting here." Yukito said, quietly.
"What're you talking about?! This has got to be it!" Umi shouted, now on the verge of spazzing out.
"Hey! There's a boat! Let's see if we can find anything on the other side!" Hikaru said, not wanting a fight to break out amongst them.
"Okay!" Umi said, as she and her fellow Magic Knights climbed aboard. When they had paddled out to the middle, they were disappointed that nothing was there.
"There's nothing here, either." Fuu stated, as she looked around.
"Okay, maybe this ISN'T the legendary spring……….." Umi said, frustrated at being proven wrong. Yukito looked away from the girls when he saw a flicker of movement across the surface of the water. It suddenly dawned on him that they were in the middle of a trap! Before he could say anything, however, an enormous tidal wave washed them ashore, thoroughly drenching them.
"What the………?!" Umi asked, as they got their weapons out. With a yell, Hikaru tried cutting the now emerged water monster in half, only to get wet and have the monster resume its shape.
"That's it! I've had it! Water Dragon!" Umi shouted, sending her magical water flying at the beast.
"Good job." Yukito said, as the remains of the water monster rained down on them, leaving an eerie glow.
"Look! We're glowing!" Hikaru said, noticing the glow immediately.
"It'll probably fade after we're dried off. Come on, Eterna awaits!" Umi said, as they moved across the empty ground where the lake had been. Unbeknownst to them, they were being watched by an unwanted pair of eyes!
"Puu, puu!" Mokona shouted, as it bounced on ahead of them.
"Mokona says it's just ahead of us!" Hikaru shouted, leading the way to………..an open grassy field?!
"Nani……………………..???" Yukito asked, looking completely confused.
"Where's the spring?" Umi asked, as she looked around.
"There's no water anywhere……….." Fuu trailed off.
"All there is is that floating pedestal thingee!" Umi said, before going on a tirade. Hikaru looked at the pedestal and a question mark basically formed over her head.
"What's wrong, Hikaru-san?" Fuu asked, noticing Hikaru's expression.
"What's that line?" Hikaru asked, as she pointed it out.
"Line?" Umi and Yukito asked, at the same time. Fuu went in for a closer look and there was, indeed, a line there.
"It……….IS a line." Fuu said, not believing what she was seeing.
"I don't believe this…………" Yukito muttered, looking about as exasperated as Umi was frustrated.
"What IS this?!" Umi asked, in frustration.
"I don't know…………it's just there." Fuu said, as Yukito poked a finger at the line. Hikaru turned around when Mokona abruptly scampered off.
"Mokona!" Hikaru shouted, as she followed the creature. When she got to the top of one of the rock pillars, she let out a yelp of surprise.
"What's wrong, Hikaru?!" Umi shouted, concerned that her friend had cried out.
"Umi-chan, Fuu-chan, Yukito-chan! Come see!" Hikaru shouted, urgently. As carefully as they could, the other three Magic Knights climbed onto the rock and looked down.
"What the heck?!?" Yukito yelped.
"Whoa!" Fuu said, in amazement. Below them was a pool of water; a pool of water that had not been there moments before!
"Is this the Spring of Eterna?!" Umi asked, astonished by the sudden appearance of the water.
"It wasn't there a second ago, though." Yukito said, thoughtfully, as Hikaru jumped down and took another look at the line.
"It's the line!" Hikaru shouted, getting the attention of her comrades.
"Huh?" the other three said.
"If you look at it from the side, it just looks like a line!" Hikaru said, as she told them what she'd figured out.
"A two-dimensional spring…….." Fuu murmured.
"Bizarre………….but that might just be normal for Cephiro." Yukito said, as Hikaru climbed back onto the rock pillar and looked down into the water.
"I wonder where the Escudo is? I don't see anything around here that resembles a mineral." Umi said, as she glanced around.
"Maybe it's at the bottom of the spring." Yukito suggested.
"WHAT?!" Umi shrieked, just a second before Mokona jumped into the water below.
"Mokona?!" Hikaru shouted, as the creature disappeared below the surface.
"I guess this means we go in." Yukito said, as he looked down at the water.
"But how will we breathe down there?! We have no idea how deep it is!" Umi shouted, furiously.
"We won't know until we try." Fuu said, as she also stood and looked down.
"I've decided to become a Magic Knight. So I have to get down there and get some Escudo." Hikaru said, seriously.
"I have also decided to become a Magic Knight. We can't stand here all day while a world crumbles away from beneath us. Let's get down there." Yukito said, ready to take the plunge.
"Okay!" Umi said, encouraged by her two friends' commitment.
"Let's go! It's no use standing around here." Fuu agreed.
"I don't know what's going to happen, but if we're together, we can handle it!" Hikaru said, smiling as they agreed on it.
"Let's do it." Yukito said, as they faced the pool and jumped in. Almost immediately after the water had closed over their heads, tremendous pressure assailed their bodies. Hikaru watched as Fuu, Umi, and Yukito were swept away by three separate currents.
"C-can't breathe………..Umi-chan………..Fuu-chan………Yukito-chan……….." Hikaru thought, before blackness surrounded her. When she next awoke, she was alone.
"Umi-chan! Fuu-chan! Yukito-chan!" Hikaru shouted, but received no response. Only silence. Then a slight whimpering came to her ears. Whipping her sword out, Hikaru whirled around to face whatever it was that was coming her way. She watched tensely as the shape emerged from the shadows and her heart stopped when she saw what it was.
"Hikari……………….?" Hikaru murmured, in confusion.
Umi awoke to find a similar situation. She was alone and her friends were nowhere to be seen.
"Fuu? Hikaru? Yukito? Where are you?" Umi asked, as she looked all around her. She was met by silence.
"We've gotten split up……." Umi murmured, then straightened when she heard footsteps approaching. With a deft move, she armed herself and stood ready. But she wasn't ready for the people who stepped out of the shadows…….
"Oto-san? Oka-san? What're you doing here?!" Umi asked.
Fuu looked around the place where she'd ended up. It was silent and dark.
"Is this the inside of the spring?" Fuu asked, standing up when she heard footsteps coming towards her. With a swift movement, she whipped her bow and arrows out and stood poised and ready to fight. She wasn't expecting what came out of the shadows to face her.
"Myself?!" Fuu asked, in stunned amazement.
Yukito groaned as he came to. He was someplace dark and silent.
"Where am I? Hikaru-san? Umi-san? Fuu-san? Where are you?" Yukito asked, getting only silence for response. Then footsteps came from behind him. Immediately he was armed and ready for battle. He stood in stunned silence as three figures emerged from the darkness.
"Grandfather?! Grandmother?! Sakura-chan?! How did you get here??!" Yukito asked, dropping his guard when he saw who was standing there.
"You're Hikari, aren't you? What are you doing here?" Hikaru asked, leaping back when the dog suddenly growled and leaped at her, fangs bared and ready for blood.
"Hikari?! What's wrong, Hikari?!" Hikaru asked, horrified that her beloved dog had attacked her. Hikari snarled and leaped again, this time knocking Hikaru off her feet. Hikaru screamed when Hikari bit her arm, but was desperate that the dog recognize her.
"Hikari, it's me! Can't you hear me?!" Hikaru asked, tearfully, as the dog backed off, preparing itself for another attack.
"Hikari…………" Hikaru whispered, as she stared at the snarling dog.
"Oto-san, Oka-san………what're you doing here?! Is this a dream?!" Umi asked, as she approached her parents. Without warning a blast originated from over the shoulder of her father and knocked her away. With a scream, Umi fell back, gripping her left arm when a wound was opened there.
"This pain…..is no dream………" Umi gasped, as she stood away from her parents.
Fuu stood facing her mirror image with an arrow pulled back in her bow. Her mirror image was in the same position.
"It's not a mirror…………." Fuu thought, before her twin smiled evilly and fired an arrow at her. She winced when the arrow found it's mark in her left arm. With a desperate move, Fuu leaped to avoid a volley of arrows, then fired an arrow of her own, hitting her twin in the shoulder. She winced when a wound identical to the one she'd inflicted in her twin opened in her own shoulder.
"But she was the one hit……….Why……….?" Fuu asked, before another volley was fired, one arrow screaming past and opening a wound on her cheek.
"When I get hurt, she gets hurt………….when she gets hurt, I get hurt that could only mean……………." Fuu thought, as her twin smiled wickedly at her.
"Grandmother! Grandfather! Sakura-chan! Are you really here? Is it true that you're here?" Yukito asked, overjoyed to see his loved ones. Then a blast of energy hit him from behind and another knocked him back, opening wounds as they went. Yukito looked up at his loved ones.
"Why are you attacking me? Don't you remember me? Grandmother, Grandfather! I'm your grandson, Yukito! Sakura-chan, please, recognize me!" Yukito shouted, before another blast hit him, knocking him into a wall.
"Why don't they recognize me? Why?" Yukito wondered, as he fought tears and painfully faced his loved ones.
"Stop it, Hikari! Why………?! We've been together since I was little! When I've been happy, when I've been sad, you've always been there for me………I've always told you that I love you……..so why?!" Hikaru shouted, tears mingling with the blood on her face. Still snarling, Hikari again attacked Hikaru. With a desperate swipe, Hikaru slashed the dog's neck.
"Hikari!!" Hikaru screamed, rushing to the dog's side. This was a mistake. Immediately Hikari lunged at Hikaru, grabbing her by the throat.
"Hikari…….why? Do you………….hate me now……….?" Hikaru whispered, tears cascading down her face.
Oto-san! Oka-san! Stop it!" Umi screamed, as another blast tore into her. With her eyes filled with desperation, she used her magic.
"Water Dragon!" Umi shouted, watching in horror as her parents were blasted by the magic.
"Oto-san!! Oka-san!!" Umi screamed, rushing over to her parents. She was caught in mid-stride by another blast.
"It's no good………I can't fight……….Oka-san and Oto-san!!" Umi thought, before falling to the ground with a thud.
"I'm fighting myself…….when I attack, I take the damage myself……..What should I do? What's more……..she's still ready to fight………" Fuu thought, as she continued to dodge arrows.
"Magic Knights!
" a voice shouted, through the melee."What?!" Hikaru asked, looking up from her battle.
"Who?!" Umi asked, looking away from her parents long enough to try and figure out where the voice had come from.
"Who said that?!" Fuu and Yukito asked, at the same time.
"Children from another world!" the voice shouted again, clearer this time.
"I know that voice………" Hikaru murmured.
"It's from Tokyo Tower…………" Yukito said, not knowing that he'd just finished Hikaru's thought.
"Did you summon us to Cephiro?" Umi asked.
"Are you Princess Emeraude?" Fuu asked. The voice's owner showed herself and nodded.
"I am Emeraude of Cephiro. Magic Knights, you must not let your hearts be ruled by sorrow." The girl said, with great sadness in her own eyes as she said that.
"Princess Emeraude! Where are you?!" Hikaru asked, stunned that she was meeting the one they were supposed to be rescuing.
"Children from another world, gather your courage and think. Are those who stand before you your own beloved ones?" Emeraude asked, ignoring Hikaru's question, completely.
"Hikari's my best friend! When I'm upset he won't leave my side. When I fall he licks my wounds! He can't speak with words, but we understand one another in our hearts!" Hikaru replied.
"They're my parents! Oka-san and Oto-san have sacrificed so much to raise me! When I get out in the world, I'm going to do my best to give it all back to them! A child is priceless to a loving parent! I can't fight them when I haven't even begun to pay them back!" Umi shouted.
"I care for myself. If anything ever happened to me, my father, my mother, my sister…………everyone who loves me will grieve. I'm still young yet, and I haven't begun to give anything back to them. At the very least, I have to make sure that I am safe and healthy. So I care for myself!" Fuu replied, as calmly as she could.
"These are my grandparents! They have taken care of me since I lost my parents! They have sheltered me with their love since I was small! I have yet to pay them back, but I intend to pay it all in full! Sakura-chan is the one I wish to live my life for! I have not yet had the chance to tell her my feelings, but, when I get back I will tell her! I can't hurt them without letting them know how I feel!" Yukito shouted, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth with his coat sleeve.
"Then think……..Would your loved ones attempt to hurt you like this? Your beloved ones………..would they wish you pain? Or make you suffer? Think about it, then take the Legendary Mineral Escudo……………." Emeraude said, before disappearing from sight.
"She's gone….." Umi murmured.
"No! Hikari would never do this! He's kind and gentle! He always protects me! You're not Hikari!" Hikaru shouted, furiously, as she got her sword back out.
"Oka-san and Oto-san would never attack me!" Umi shouted, as she attacked the false parents.
"I'll heal these wounds later with my magic….." Fuu muttered, as she attacked her twin with arrows.
"Stop using my loved ones' forms against me!" Yukito shouted, angrily, slashing at the false grandparents and fourteen-year old girl.
"How dare you attack me in Hikari's form!" Hikaru shouted.
"Don't destroy my happy home!" Umi screamed.
"For the sake of my family, leave me alone!" Fuu shouted.
"Ruby Lightning!" Hikaru screamed, sending magic roaring at her enemy.
"Sapphire Whirlwind!" Umi shouted, doing the same.
"Emerald Typhoon!" Fuu cried, blowing her enemy away.
"White Avalanche!" Yukito shouted, releasing all of his anger into his magic. With united roars of power, the shadows faded away revealing…………….
"Could this be…………..?" Umi murmured.
"Escudo……….?" Yukito asked, as he looked up as the crystal that stood in front of him. He then became aware that he wasn't alone. He was relieved to see his fellow Magic Knights.
"Hikaru-san! Umi-san! Fuu-san!" Yukito greeted, as they looked from their Escudo crystals and to him, then looked at each other.
"We were with one another all along?!" Umi asked.
"We did it. We've found the legendary mineral, Escudo." Fuu said, getting a cheerful whoop from Hikaru for that statement. Then eerie laughter filled the cavern.
"No……….it can't be…………" Yukito muttered, as he looked all around him.
"I've been waiting for you, Magic Knights!" Alcione cackled, as she emerged from the darkness.
"You again?!" Hikaru asked, ready for a fight. Alcione smiled wickedly at them.
"I see that you have found the legendary ore." Alcione said, with false cheerfulness.
"What's it to you?" Yukito asked, glaring balefully at Alcione.
"You're not going to take it are you?" Hikaru asked, suddenly afraid for the mineral.
"Why not kill two birds with one stone? I get some Escudo and say goodbye to the Magic Knights for good!" Alcione said, with a sneer.
"What do you mean by…………….?!" Hikaru asked, then suddenly sank to her knees with a groan. Yukito, Fuu and Umi did the same.
"It seems the poison I used is finally taking effect." Alcione purred, her voice making Yukito's stomach turn.
"W-what did you say?! Poison?!" Hikaru asked, looking up at Alcione and glaring at her. Alcione laughed.
"It was a poison that didn't show immediate results. I timed it so you would start feeling the full effects after you found the legendary ore. Now, say goodbye, Magic Knights! Frozen Finale!" Alcione shouted, with evil glee, as icy wind whirled in from nowhere and started coating the Magic Knights in ice.
"We can't give up! We can't lose to her! Everyone in Cephiro is counting on us!" Hikaru said, from between gritted teeth, as she struggled to her feet.
"She's right! We can't let this witch beat us!" Umi agreed, following Hikaru's example.
"Clef-san told us to become the Magic Knights!" Fuu said, as she also stood.
"And become Magic Knights, we shall!" Yukito said, as he shakily got to his feet, not willing to give up and die. Then, suddenly, a brilliant light lit up the caverns and the Escudo went into the gems on the Magic Knights' gloves.
"What's this?!" Alcione asked, watching in amazement as the Magic Knights' armor changed.
"Let's get her!" Hikaru shouted.
"Right!" Umi, Yukito, and Fuu agreed, and prepared to send their newest spells at Alcione.
"Ruby Lightning!" Hikaru shouted, sending the red electricity at Alcione.
"Sapphire Whirlwind!" Umi screamed.
"Emerald Typhoon!" Fuu shouted.
"White Avalanche!" Yukito shouted, sending in his attack to finish Alcione off.
"No!!!!!!!!!!!" Alcione screamed, as she was sent flying away.
"All right!" Hikaru shouted, joyfully.
"Minna, our armor's changed!" Yukito said, finally noticing the changes in the armor.
"Yeah, it looks better than it did before!" Umi remarked, as she admired the armor. Within the blink of an eye, they were whisked back to the surface of Eterna, having completed their task there. With a flash, they arrived at the surface and floated just above the water, the girls being shoulder to shoulder and almost back to back and Yukito standing behind them, his arms outstretched. All of them had their eyes closed, at least until Mokona started making noise.
"Puu!" Mokona greeted, happy to see them.
"Mokona!" Hikaru said, then looked down.
"Eep!" Umi said, then they all started panicking, even Yukito was doing his fair share of scrambling. Then they all descended and looked around.
"The Escudo's in our gloves!" Hikaru said, in awe.
"Makes for easier carrying, wouldn't you say?" Yukito asked, with a grin, then suddenly hugged the three girls.
"Huh?" they all asked, then felt that Yukito was trembling.
"I don't know why the spring didn't show me images of you three but I am thankful it didn't. I don't think I would have passed that test if it had. You three have become very important to me, even though I have only known you for a few days………." Yukito said, his voice thick with emotion. The three girls looked at one another, smiled gently, and completed the group hug.
"We think you're important too, Yukito-chan." Hikaru said, gently.
"Yeah! You're almost like a big brother! Always looking out for our best interests!" Umi agreed.
"I agree with Hikaru-san and Umi-san. You have been trying to protect us since before we knew each others' names. I think, in a sense, you are our elder brother!" Fuu said, as they all separated and looked at one another.
"Yeah! From now on, you're our honorary big brother!" Hikaru said, cheerfully, getting a light laugh from Yukito.
"Arigato, minna-san." Yukito said, with a smile.
Alcione whimpered as she crawled across the floor to where Zagato now stood.
"Zagato-sama……………Zagato-sama………..I didn't realize the Magic Knights were so strong………I just let my guard down…………Next time………Zagato-sama……my beloved Zagato-sama…………" Alcione sobbed, as she pulled herself to a stand and hugged the unmoving figure of Zagato.
"Enough." Zagato said, with icy calm. Alcione's eyes opened wide as he started blowing her back with his magic.
"No!!!!! Spare me, Zagato-sama! Please!!!!!" Alcione screamed, as she was blown back into the waterfall.
"What a wuss." The second voice from earlier sneered.
"Losing to those children." the boy's voice said, also leering at Alcione's failure.
"So, the Magic Knights are fighting for Cephiro, just like the legend says……" a third voice murmured, in a monotone voice.
"Ne, Zagato-sama!" the boy's voice shouts, sounding eager to go out. Zagato turns to the speaker, with an almost curious look.
"Let me go! I want to play with them!" the boy shouts, as he starts to emerge from behind the waterfall. The High Priest of Cephiro smiles.
"Very well, Ascot." Zagato said, before turning and walking away.