Umi walked along the sandy shore of a beach just outside the castle's walls. Every now and then she would go closer to the waves as they washed up on the shore and feel the cool water wash across her bare feet. A soft breeze caused her blue hair to fly in her face. She reached into the pocket of her skirt and pulled out a small white hair-tie and quickly tied back her hair so that it wouldn't fly in her face as she walked. Looking out into the sea, Umi remembered the events of years ago when she had revived her Celes, her manshin of water. She threw her boots onto the sand and waded out into the water so that she was now waist deep. She felt the current of the water as it moved towards the shore and decided to try something. She closed her eyes and focussed on her armor. It began to glow softly and then melted away exposing Umi's white blouse to the afternoon sunlight. Now only in her school uniform, she dove under the water, the chilling water easing her tormented spirit. After a few moments, she came up for air and looked back at the shore to see Clef sitting down beside where she had thrown her boots.
"Clef!" she waved bobbing in the sea. "Hold on a second and I'll come back in."
Clef smiled to himself as Umi began to swim back to shore. She slowly walked out of the water, her uniform damp and clinging tightly to her body.
"You should have brought a towel if you were thinking of going swimming," he laughed as he cast a spell to dry her.
"Well, it was sort of a last minute decision," she smiled in response taking out her hair tie.
The two stood in silence for a few moments just looking out at the sparkling sea.
"Clef," Umi whispered. "I have been wondering something."
"What is it?"
"I was thinking about a conversation that I was having with Fuu, Ferio, and Lantis last night. We were talking about what had just happened with Noon when Fuu came up with a couple of very interesting questions. She was asking why we are called Magic Knights, English words in our world, where as the rest of you have words from Cephiro. Did someone who was summoned from our world name us that?"
"No, the term Magic Knights originated in this world," Clef replied. "I do not know by who. I was with Princess Emeraude when she summoned you three to this world, she gave Mokona to me. I had never seen the creature before that point in time and I still do not understand his purpose other than I was able to use him to communicate with you while I was turned to stone."
"If you ask me, that thing doesn't have a purpose," Umi laughed. "He always ran away before a battle and cause us more problems than we needed. Not to mention that he always looks so carefree and whatever. He is just like so overgrown stuffed animal."
"I can't help but wonder something about Mokona," Clef continued looking at Umi. "Mokona has always been drawn to Hikaru. For a time it was as though those two were attached at the hip. And, as things turned out, Hikaru was the next pillar."
"Hikaru was the only one who could understand Mokona, that's why he liked her. Hikaru is really good with animals, her and her dog Hikari seem to understand each other, like some sort of animal telepathy."
"While that is true, what I saw last night makes me believe that there is more to Mokona than that."
"What happened?" Umi questioned sitting down in the warm sand while Clef remained standing.
"After I had made sure that you were alright, I was on my way to the throne room when I saw Mokona bouncing down the hallway. I decided to see what the little fellow was up to. He stopped at the end of the hallway where all three seals of the Manshins are and just suddenly vanished."
"Vanished? How can Mokona have just vanished?"
"I don't know," Clef responded leaning on his staff. "But I have a bad feeling about everything. There is a growing shadow throughout Cephiro and soon it is going to overtake everything. Tokyo and Cephiro are still melting together and there is nothing my powers can do to stop it."
*******
"Have you seen Hikaru?" Satoru asked his two brothers as they all sat down to the table for dinner. "I haven't seen her since this morning. It is very unlike her to miss a meal like this."
"I know what you mean," Masaru replied stuffing some ramen noodles in his mouth.
"Maybe she is out with Umi and Fuu?" Kakeru suggested.
"No, I just saw Mrs. Ryuuzaki at the store. She hasn't seen Umi either. She had spoken to Fuu's parents and they have not seen her either. With these sudden appearances of whatever that foreign land is, I am really starting to worry about Hikaru."
"Do you think those three wandered into the land during one of the appearances?" Masaru asked.
"I don't know."
The three sat in silence looking cautiously around the table when there came a loud explosion from outside. The three dropped their bowls and chopsticks and ran outside to see what was going on. In the middle of the street Ascot was scolding one of his giant beasts for setting Caldina's perfume collection on fire, while Caldina was running around the room trying to put all the flames out. She stopped when she noticed the crowded street in front of Hikaru's house.
"WAI?!" she shrieked. "Like, what in Cephiro is that thing?"
Ascot turned around and saw the faces of everyone on Hikaru's street looking at them. Hikaru's brother made it to the front of the crowd and stood awestruck at the scene. There came a soft knocking at Caldina's door and she quickly ran to open it.
"Oh Hikaru!" she smiled hugging the girl. "Oh, and Lantis too. I am so glad that you guys showed up."
Caldina pointed to the portal to Hikaru's world. Hikaru's eyes widened when she saw her brothers standing in the doorway about to walk into Caldina's room.
"Lantis," she said turning and facing him. "Do you know any barrier spells?"
"Clef was able to teach me one," he replied. "What do you want me to do with it?"
"I need you to cast a spell on that portal. No one from Tokyo should enter Cephiro. They don't understand what's going on and will just make everything worse!"
Lantis nodded in agreement and closed his eyes. Concentrating very hard, he reached his hands out towards the portal and a spark of blue light flew out of his hands. It made a metallic blue shield around the gateway and prevented Hikaru's brothers from entering.
"Wait one darn tootin minute," Caldina huffed. "Isn't that supposed to likevanish after a few seconds?"
"Oh my God," Hikaru exclaimed. "It's getting worse"
Hikaru was about to leave the room when her brothers finally caught site of their sister.
"Hikaru?" Kakeru yelled peering through the magical barrier. "Is that you?"
"Yes," she smiled. "Don't worry about me, I'm fine. You make sure that no one enters these portals. It is too dangerous for people to enter this world."
"Hikaru, what is going on?" Masaru replied looking at his sister. "Where have you been? And who is that really hot babe you're with?"
"I'm takin," Caldina winked.
"It's doesn't matter," Hikaru continued as she began to run out of the room. "Lantis, we have to find Clef."
Masaru, Kakeru, and Satoru watched their sister run out of the room with Lantis at her heals. Ascot un-summoned his monster and looked sheepishly around the room. Caldina took the opportunity to show off her dance moves to her new audience.
"Um, Caldina," Ascot whispered. "I really don't think that this is the time for that"
"Don't sweat it," she giggled. "I'm just try to distract these people while Clef comes up with a plan.
*******
"Everything is almost set," Noon bowed before Lady Debonair. "The melting of Cephiro and Tokyo is at its peak."
"Yes, I can feel everyone's fears," she laughed. "Soon, very soon the end will come and Cephiro will be no more."
"Do we get our chance at them now?" Nova shrieked from behind Noon.
"I am growing tired of waiting," Astral snapped toying with an arrow.
"Please Lady Debonair, let us go and have our fun," Stellar giggled running her fingers through her blue hair.
"I commend you three for your patience," Debonair's voice echoed through the darkness. "You will be allowed to go and have your fun very shortly. But there are certain matters that I must attend to first. I can feel the fears of the people of Cephiro, but I can also fear countless other voices that I have not yet heard from"
"Those are the voices of the people of Earth," Noon explained creating an image of Cephiro with his magic. "Part of the Shadow Lands has merged with Tokyo. What you are feeling is the fears of both Cephiro and Tokyo."
"How very interesting," she continued to laugh. "Then the end is coming sooner than expectedNova, Astral, Stellar, I've changed my mind. You are free to go, now."
The three girls bowed. Nova looked up at the dark shadow of Debonair with an evil glimmer in her blood-red eyes.
"This will be fun," she giggled as the three vanished into the darkness.
*******
"Clef! Clef!" Hikaru screamed down the hallways with Lantis running right behind her. "Where is he?"
She stopped in the middle of the hallway and pounded her right fist against the wall, causing a small dent. Lantis came up behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder. He could feel her trembling under his touch.
"I, I just can't stand this!" Hikaru cried looking down at the ground. "Cephiro is fading and there is nothing I can do about it! Ifif I had remained the pillar, maybe none of this would have happened."
"Don't say that," Lantis replied turning her around. "You made the right decision. If you had stayed the pillar, the same thing that happened to Zagato and Emeraude would have happened to us. There was no way that you could have known all this would happen. You've done everything in your power to protect this land, Hikaru."
"I hope you're right," she said trying to smile. "It's just, I've never felt so scare."
"Everything will be alright," Lantis replied kneeling down so that he was eye level with Hikaru. "You Magic Knights are the best thing that has happened to Cephiro and you are going to save it, I am sure of that."
"Thank you," she smiled wiping away her tears.
"Now, why don't we go find Clef," he smiled.
Hikaru nodded in agreement and the two continued to walk down the hallway until they reached the throne room. Lafarga stood outside along with Presea. He looked over at Hikaru and then to Lantis.
"Everyone else is already inside," he said motioning towards the door.
Hikaru and Lantis walked in and saw Umi and Fuu standing before a projection of Cephiro. There were even more locations where Tokyo has appeared and a small portion of the Shadow Lands had vanished. Clef sat on the throne with his eyes closed and his staff held tightly in his right hand. A small white light was glowing from the tip of his staff.
"What is he doing?" Hikaru whispered to Fuu.
"Mister Clef is attempting to create barriers around all the portals to Tokyo so that no one from our world enters here and no one from Cephiro goes there," she explained.
"Things are getting worse," Umi sighed pointing to the Shadow Lands.
"What can we do?" Hikaru questioned.
"Nothing," Ascot replied entering the room. "There isn't anything that we can do."
Ferio moved from his position beside Clef and walked over to Fuu and grabbed her hand. He gave it a gentle squeeze and looked into her eyes trying to comfort her.
"How can we hope to defeat Debonair?" Fuu wondered. "Her power continues to grow and now she not only can feel the fears from Cephiro, but also from Tokyo."
"The only thing I can think of, is this," Lafarga replied looking over at Clef. "Since Debonair is a part of and a creation of Cephiro, the only way that we can destroy her, is to destroy Cephiro itself."
"No, there has to be another way!" Hikaru protested running beside Lafarga and grabbing hold of his cape.
"We can't let this land that we've protected and grown to love disappear!" Umi continued.
"I too agree," Fuu replied squeezing Ferio's hand. "That is a loss that I don't think we will be able to accept."
"Maybe, maybe if we destroy Debonair again, it will end it all," Hikaru replied already knowing the answer.
"No, Hikaru," Lantis replied solemnly. "Debonair will only be reborn again."
"Umyou guys, you may want to take a look at this," Ferio interrupted pointing at the diagram.
Everyone turned around to look where Ferio had pointed. Cephiro was no longer lush and green but had turned dark. Where the Shadow Lands had been stood one of the greatest landmarks of Tokyo.
"What is that?" Presea whispered.
"The Tokyo Tower!" Umi, Fuu, and Hikaru exclaimed in unison.
"This is bad," Presea whispered looking over at Clef who was still forming barriers. "Really bad"
"Now, Debonair can destroy two worlds at once," Lantis replied.
"Killing two birds with one stone," Umi stated looking at her two best friends.
"But, we can't let that happen!" Hikaru shouted. "Umilet's go. We have to stop Debonair! We have to summon the manshin and fight."
"Hikaru, I can't let you go out there," Lantis replied grabbing Hikaru's shoulders. "It's too dangerous. You three need to stay in the castle until Clef finishes making the barriers. Then he will be able to tell you what to do."
"Lantis, this can't wait much longer," she smiled. "This land is my, I mean our second home. There are so many memories that only the three of us share. We fought for this land to protect it and we are going to do it one more time. If we don't fight, Cephiro and all the people we love will suffer. You told me earlier that you believed in me and told me that the Magic Knights are the only ones who can do this. I have to go."
"You three are the bravest people I know," he laughed brushing her fiery-red bangs from her face. "Just make sure that you come back safely."
Hikaru nodded and gently kissed Lantis' cheek. Fuu did the same to Ferio and then ran beside Hikaru. Umi looked over at Clef who was still concentrating very hard on casting his spell. She bowed to him and then joined her friends. They looked at one another and held each other's hand to form a circle with only the three of them.
"RAYEARTH," Hikaru whispered as she began to glow red.
"CELES," Umi murmured.
"WINDAM," said Fuu just as the three began to vanish.
Just before they completely faded, Mokona came bouncing into the room and stood in the middle of the girls' circle. Hikaru slowly opened her eyes and looked down at him.
"Pu pu pu pu pu pu!"
"Don't worry Mokona, everything will be alright," Hikaru promised giving him a wink.
Hikaru looked at Mokona and was surprised to see that his jewel was not red, but had turned gold again. Hikaru blinked her eyes and the jewel was red again. She was about to say something but the three Magic Knights had completely vanished.
"Good luck, Magic Knight," Presea whispered.
*******
The Magic Knights flew through the dark and stormy skies of Cephiro towards the Tokyo Tower, where they knew they would find Debonair. It had been ages since they had donned their powerful manshins, but being inside them brought forth a new confidence to the girls. Hikaru made Rayearth's gigantic head turn to look around at the wasteland that Cephiro has become. The three girls stopped their flight and landed softly on the ground. The three emerged from their manshins and came together on the ground.
"I don't understand how Cephiro could have become like this in such a short period of time," Fuu stated looking around. "Only a few hours ago the only abnormality was that parts of Tokyo were appearing here, and now this"
"I know what you mean Fuu," Umi replied. "Is this really what we are trying to save?"
"No matter how much it changes, it is still Cephiro," Hikaru snapped taking a step forward. "I am going to do whatever it takes to save it."
"Oh how cute," cackled a voice from behind the girls. "The little Magic Knights are going to try and save Cephiro from destruction."
"Nova?" gasped Hikaru.
"Why so shocked to see me? You have been seeing me in your dreams ever since you arrived here," Nova laughed. "Allow me to introduce my friends."
"There is no need for that," Stellar said emerging from the shadows. "Umi should know me."
"Who are you?" Umi demanded drawing her sword.
"Ouch, I'm hurt," Stellar laughed. "I'm you, Ryuuzaki Umi."
"And I'm you, Hououji Fuu," Astral laughed standing beside her two companions.
The girls glared at one another, no one speaking or blinking. Slowly the black Magic Knight began to circle their counterparts licking their lips and the prospect of tasting their blood. Suddenly, Debonair appeared in front of the girls, looming over a region that was Tokyo. With a swift hand movement, she ran her long nails through several buildings and sent them crumbling to the ground. Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu could her the screams of their people as they fell to their deaths beneath a pile of rubble.
"STOP THAT!" shrieked Hikaru pointing her sword at Debonair.
"Oh my, this must mean that Mister Clef's barriers are failing," Fuu whispered to her friends. "They were supposed to prevent anyone from either world from interacting with the other."
"Either that, or Debonair is just too strong," Umi responded glaring up at the evil enchantress.
"Pitiful Magic Knights, I have grown in power since the last time we meet. I have become a goddess of destruction and there is nothing that you can do to stop me!"
Nova, Stellar, and Astral ran at the Magic Knights and cut them down with their weapons. Hikaru rolled to the side holding her shoulder. Umi collapsed on the ground holding her left side, her sword on the ground beside her. Fuu gasped for air while clutching her right arm.
"FIRE ARROW!"
"SAPPHIRE WHIRLWIND!"
"EMERALD TYPHOON!"
The three attacks hit their attackers head on. A huge explosion erupted and the three girls began to celebrate, thinking that they had defeated Debonair and her dark nights. When the smoke cleared, Nova stood laughed along side Stellar, Astral, and Debonair. None of them had a single scratch on them.
"It didn't do anything!" Hikaru gasped.
"How is that possible?" Umi stammered.
"Oh my" was all Fuu could manage to say.
"Nice try Magic Knights," Debonair mocked. "Now, take this, NIGHTSHADE!"
Debonair's attack completely blew the girls away. They went crashing to the ground and remained their motionless.
******
"FUU!" Ferio screamed as everyone watched the scene from the throne room inside the castle.
"Hikaru," shouted Lantis. "Come on Hikaru, come oncome on! You're stronger than this! You've got to get up!"
Tears were flowing from everyone's eyes. Clef's eyes fluttered open. He looked around at everyone and then walked over to the water mirror where everyone watching the still motionless Magic Knights.
"What is going on?" Clef asked leaning on his staff.
"Clef!" Presea gasped helping him stand. "The barriers"
"I know, my magic just isn't strong enough," he sighed. "I have let those three down."
Mokona jumped up onto the table with the jewel on his forehead a strange golden glow. Clef looked at Mokona and began to feel warm and something running down his face. He felt his forehead with his free hand and felt a warm metallic liquid running down his face. The silvery metallic substance fell to the floor and crept its way towards Mokona who sat on the table without his usually cheerful look.
"My headpiece," Clef exclaimed touching his bare forehead. "It's meltedbut that could only mean"
Mokona began to glow. Everyone looked back and forth between Mokona and the Magic Knights, both of who were glowing. Mokona faded away as did the girls. They reappeared in the air in the throne room while Mokona appeared outside where they had been. Rayearth, Celes, and Windam bowed before Mokona. The girls landed softly on the ground and their wounds began to heal. Lantis ran over to Hikaru and helped her sit up.
"What's going on?" she whispered holding her head.
"Mokona and you three traded places," he explained.
"Yeah, and now the manshins are bowing before the little guy!" exclaimed Ferio.
"What?" shrieked Hikaru jumping to her feet.
"Mokona switched places with you three to save your lives. That thing must be smarter than he looks," Lafarga smiled.
Everyone looked on as the manshins stood from their bowing positions and remained behind Mokona. Suddenly the people of Fahren, Chizeta, and Autozam ran into the throne room.
"What's going on?" Hawk asked. "We heard explosions and came running."
"It's Mokona!" Hikaru explained with very concerned eyes. "He went outside to face Debonair in out place!"
"Zazu, get the NSX ready for launch," he ordered turning to his chief mechanic.
"What are you doing?" Umi shouted. "You aren't honestly going out there!"
"If Autozam is launching, we should as well," replied Tatra to he sister who nodded in agreement.
"Fahren will also help!" Asuka declared grabbing Sanyun and running out of the room along with Tatra and Tarta.
"Hawk," Hikaru whispered grabbing his arm. "Pleasedon't do this"
"Hikaru," he smiled kissing her forehead. "Eagle had told me about Cephiro and how he found people worth dying for. I did not understand that until now. I have to do this, in memory of my brother."
With that, Hawk left the room. Hikaru ran back to the others and looked into the water mirror to see Mokona hopping towards Debonair. She could hear the engines of the other countries' ships as they took off from the landing pad as they flew towards the battle. Debonair looked down at Mokona and laughed as she threw an energy ball at him. The attack hit Mokona and left only a small crater where Mokona had been standing.
"MOKONA!" Hikaru screamed.
"What was that stupid thing thinking!" Umi shrieked.
"Sir Mokona is"stammered Fuu.
*******
"Hawk, we can't get any closer to Debonair!" Zazu reported from his station. "There is some sort of barrier up that is preventing anything large to enter."
Hawk stood on the bridge in silence.
"What are your orders sir?" Geo asked already knowing what he was going to request.
"I think you know what I am going to ask you," Hawk smiled. "I am just like my brother after all."
"Yes sir, preparing the FTO for launch."
*******
"No way! That little fluff-ball is still there1" Caldina exclaimed pointing at the water mirror. "On top of that, the little guy has wings!"
Mokona flapped his great white wings and flew into the air with the three mashins still behind him. They drew their swords and stood ready. Nova, Stellar, and Astral moved to attack but Mokona just looked at them and then vanished and appeared as transparent shadows beside the Magic Knights. They were not the only ones transported to the throne room for Noon had also been brought there.
"You four must work out the troubles in your hearts," a deep voice echoed through everyone's head.
"What was that?" Lafarga asked putting his hand on his sword.
"Oh my gosh!" Caldina gasped. "The girls and Clef just collapsed!"
Everyone turned to see the four lying on the ground locked in a deep sleep. Nova, Stellar, Astral, and Noon where no where to be seen.
"Do not worry," the voice continued. "They are in an alternate universe reconciling with themselves."
"Who are you?" Lantis demanded looking at the water mirror.
"I am the creature that you see before you," it replied.
"You mean, Mokona?" Presea gasped.
"Yes, andI am the creator of this world. This worldits orderall are my creation."