Chapter Nine: Date with Destiny

Sera and a few others watched as Eagle got his gear back on. He was preparing to go back to his battleship and call off his part of the invasion.

"Don't worry. I should be able to convince them to stop their advance. Hikaru, don't worry about Lantis, he's strong. He won't die." Eagle said, comfortingly. Then he turned to Sera.

"Sera, thank you for what you've done for me. Think of me when I am gone, will you?" Eagle asked.

"You make it sound like you're about to die, Eagle." Sera said, softly. Eagle gave her a bittersweet smile and gently kissed her.

"I also wish that this wasn't goodbye, Eagle-kun." Yukito said, knowing what he, Eagle and Hikaru had gone through a short time ago, when the crown room had let all three of them enter and leave safely.

"I'm sure we'll meet again, Yukito." Eagle said, even though, in his heart, he doubted that.

"Eagle, don't go." Sera begged.

"I've got to. It's the only way I can stop this war." Eagle murmured.

"Eagle I………………..I love you………….." Sera said, as she tearfully looked up at the Autozamian commander.

"I know. I love you too, Sera." Eagle said, as he planted a kiss on her forehead and got back into his mecha. Within moments, he was gone.

"Sera-san?" Fuu asked.

"It's funny………….I suddenly have tears in my eyes!" Sera said, as she wiped her eyes with her shirtsleeve.

"Don't worry, Sera-san. Cephiro is still the land of the will. If you wish hard enough, he will return to you someday." Yukito said, gently.

"I know. But it's just that……………I almost feel that that is the last time I will ever see him." Sera said, as she turned to Hikaru and the other female Knights for a shoulder to cry on. Moments later, Hikaru and the other Knights heard the Mashin's voices.

"Hikaru." Rayearth called.

"Umi." Selece said, urgently.

"Fuu." Windam said.

"Yukito." Yue said, murmured.

"What is it?" Hikaru asked.

"Look outside." Rayearth said. The Knights did as they were told and looked out at the dismal landscape. There, waiting in front of the castle stood Regalia, Nova's dark Mashin, waiting for them.

"Minna…….." Hikaru said, looking to her comrades for an agreement to go. She got it.

"Selece!"

"Windam!"

"Yue!"

"Rayearth!"

Sera watched in awe as the four Magic Knights were drawn into the Mashin, and watched them head for the field of battle.

Zazu perked up when he saw the FTO approaching.

"Hey! Geo! It's the FTO! Eagle's coming back!" Zazu shouted, overjoyed by the fact that his commander was returning. Geo was gone in a whirlwind of green and tan. Within microseconds he was at the docking bay, watching as the FTO docked. As soon as the cockpit had opened, Geo was in Eagle's face. Eagle chuckled at Geo's expression.

"I have just returned from the castle." Eagle said, matter-of-factly.

"What the hell did you think you were doing, pulling a stunt like that?!" Geo asked, fuming.

"I had to get in and see where the Proof was." Eagle replied.

"Well? Where is it? Didn't you get it?" Geo asked. Eagle shook his head.

"No I didn't. In fact, I came back specifically to stop this invasion." Eagle replied, seriously.

"SAY WHAT?! DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR FATHER IS GOING TO DO TO US IF WE DON'T RETURN WITH THE PILLAR SYSTEM?!?!" Geo screeched.

"I know. And I am ready to accept any punishment……….." Eagle was interrupted by Zazu's yelp of surprise.

"Geo! Eagle! Get a look at what's goin' on outside!" Zazu shouted. Immediately, Eagle turned his visor on and took a look. A battle was raging outside of Cephiro Castle and the Magic Knights were losing badly.

"I'm going!" Eagle declared, as fury filled his soul.

"Wait! You just got back!" Geo shouted.

"I know. Attention everyone, in case something happens to me, Geo, the Sub-commander, will assume full control of the Autozam fleet!" Eagle announced, as his voice echoed through the ship's loudspeaker.

"Wait!" Geo shouted.

"Zazu, open the launch door." Eagle commanded.

"But…….." Zazu stuttered.

"OPEN IT!" Eagle shouted, getting Zazu scrambling to obey the order. As the cockpit closed, Eagle sighed, resigned to whatever fate befell him.

"Please forgive me, Geo, for being selfish, one last time." Eagle murmured, as the launch door opened.

"FTO, Go." Eagle said, as his mecha lurched to life.

"I hope I make it in time!" Eagle thought, as he flew towards the battle.

Yukito cried out as he was thrown to the ground by Nova's attack. Pain lanced through his shoulder, signifying a broken shoulder blade.

"Yukito-chan, daijobu?!" Hikaru asked, as Yukito struggled to get to his feet.

"I'm fine! Don't worry about me! Keep your attention on Nova!" Yukito shouted, before Nova attacked again, this time using Lantis' magic.

"Irazuma Shuurai!" Nova shouted, laughing when outcries of pain were heard from the Magic Knights. Her attention was diverted, however, by a familiar white mecha.

"Hello again, Magic Knights. Care if I join you?" Eagle asked.

"We don't mind at all, Eagle-kun! The more help, the better!" Yukito said, happy that a friend had decided to join them on the field.

"So, all of the people Hikaru loves are gathered here! Let's go somewhere where we won't be disturbed!" Nova said, as she dragged the now five warriors into another dimension.

Geo watched in dismay as the four Magic Knights and Eagle disappeared without a trace.

"Eagle…………." Geo murmured, as he stared at the empty place where the five had stood together only moments before.

"Eagle…………….." Sera murmured, at the same time, as she watched the five disappear, fearing that the worst was yet to come.