Kyaa Kyaff here!

Disclaimer: MKR doesn't belong to me.

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'…' Fuu thoughts

… Hikaru thoughts

*…* Umi thoughts

------- indicates flashback/dream etc.

Fighting Fate

Chapter 5: First Confrontation

Umi let out a frustrated sigh as she knocked one more time on Fuu's door. Still getting no reply after her third time of knocking she gave up. Turning on her heel, she faced Clef and Presea.

"I guess she's not home."

Clef's expression became troubled.

"What should we do?" Presea asked looking at Clef.

"Do you have any idea where else she might be?"

"No," Umi rolled her eyes. "I barely know the girl. She just goes to the same college, and I needed a tutor."

Clef brought a hand to his forehead trying to think of what they should do next.

"On second thought, ah'll have ah little match wit ya."

All three whirled around to see Caldina with another man Umi had never seen before. She quickly looked around for Ascot, but he was nowhere in sight. Clef moved in front of Umi.

"Leave here now," Clef said threateningly. "You'll cause a scene."

"It won't matter once we retrieve the priestess. Zagato will take care of any problems," the man next to Caldina said.

"Who's that?" Umi asked eyes wide.

"Innouva, another one of Zagato's people," Presea replied.

Caldina raised her hands up. "Ah'll get the girl."

Innouva rushed forward. Clef's summoned his staff in his hand, whirling it around. Innouva dodged the bolt of lightning that raced toward him. The crowd of people that had gathered screamed in fear as Innouva let out a burst of energy, missing and almost hitting other people. Even so there were some who stayed watching in amazement at what was happening in front of them.

"Get her out of here, Presea."

Presea nodded grabbing Umi's arm and pulling her back away from Clef.

"Not so quick," Caldina said appearing out of nowhere, startling Presea and Umi. "Here you are darlin."

Umi looked up and felt her breath catch in her throat. Before she could move, Caldina pressed two fingers to Umi's forehead.

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Everything went blank for a few seconds before the crush of bodies around her and a multitude of voices made her open her eyes.

"You did it Umi-san! How amazing!"

"Number one! Oh I knew you could do it!"

"What…?" Umi looked around before realizing she was wearing her fencing equipment.

Friends surrounded her praising her. It took her a second to remember. She had just beaten the defending champion. Umi broke out into a grin.

"Did you ever doubt?" Umi asked laughing.

As she was hugged and congratulated she swept her gaze over the head of the crowd. The feeling of elation deflated, and her grin started to fade replaced with a frown.

*Where's Ascot? He said he'd be here.*

The jerk, he better not have forgotten. What a great boyfriend he was! She knew he couldn't possibly be here, because he was at least a foot taller than most of the people surrounding her. He should have been the first one out there congratulating her.

"What's with the face, Umi?"

Umi turned to one of her friends. "I don't see Ascot anywhere."

"That's not like him," her friend said frowning. "I'm sure he's around here somewhere.

"I'll be right back," Umi said moving around her.

"Umi! Umi! Stop. Come back."

Umi looked over her shoulder as one of her other friends, Presea, grabbed her arm.

"What's wrong?"

"Umi, snap out of it!"

"What's your problem?" Umi asked.

Umi pulled her arm free. The friend she had just been talking to came over, grabbing onto Presea and pulling her back.

"You go find Ascot!"

Umi nodded weaving through the people that were praising her. She didn't care about her victory though if Ascot wasn't there to see it. She wanted to see the admiration in his eyes. She wanted to know he was proud of her. He had promised to come. Umi turned a corner and was suddenly enveloped by a pair of arms.

"I knew you could do it."

"Ascot!" Umi brightened hearing his voice. "You dummy. I almost thought you didn't come."

She turned in his arms with a frown on her face. Scratching the side of his face with a light blush he spoke.

"I wanted to surprise you," Ascot said sheepishly.

He released her turning around to pick something up. Facing her again he held out a bouquet of a dozen roses. Umi let out a squeal of delight as she inhaled the scent of roses. Wrapping her arms around him, she pressed her face to his chest.

"Come on, Umi. Everyone's waiting."

Taking her hand in his he led her back outside.

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Clef tried to fight off Innouva. His eyes fell on Umi as she smiled. Caldina extended a hand to her. Umi took it, her cheeks flushing a pretty pink color. Innouva had also cast a glance over there, and seeing Caldina ready, he jumped over to the two. Before Clef could do anything, Innouva brought his cloak up, when it dropped; all three including the cloak disappeared from sight. Clef staggered around before moving over to Presea, who had been injured by Caldina while Umi was under the woman's spell.

"Presea. Presea!"

Slowly she opened her eyes. "I'm okay. We have to find them."

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Hikaru fidgeted in her seat. Something didn't feel right. She felt like something was wrong, out of place. She looked to Fuu then Lantis, but didn't seen any signs that they felt the same way, so she bit her lip and stayed quiet, willing the feeling to pass. Ferio suddenly stood.

"I'm going out."

With that he walked towards the door.

"He's just upset cause I won't let him flirt with you, Fuu-chan," Emeraude said with a smile as Ferio opened the door. "He…"

"Zagato…? What are you doing here?"

Everyone looked over to see Ferio back up and let the man he had just addressed come inside. "I came to see Emeraude of course."

"Zagato!" Emeraude jumped up with a huge smile on her face.

Hikaru felt the dread she had been feeling build, her heart beating faster. As her eyes trailed to the face of Zagato, her breath froze. She was on her feet in a second.

"High Priest Zagato!"

His dark eyes landed on her in an instant. Hikaru didn't even know what she had said or why, but now that she had Lantis was on his feet as well.

"Brother," Lantis whispered out his eyes widening.

Emeraude and Ferio suddenly slumped over. Zagato caught Emeraude lifting her into his arms. Innouva appeared next to Zagato, holding a blue-haired girl that Hikaru recognized as Umi.

"Umi-san!" Fuu said startled. "Zagato-san…that man…"

"Innouva. He works for me," Zagato interrupted. "Come Lantis. Let us leave here."

Lantis' eyes narrowed. "I can't do that."

His eyes fell on Hikaru.

"I won't."

Hikaru felt her heart flutter at his words, her eyes meeting his. Zagato inclined his head.

"Then stay," Zagato turned holding Emeraude firmly. "I will be back. Take care of them. Be sure not to hurt Ferio. It would upset Emeraude greatly."

Innouva bowed at his words. Leaving the door open, another woman came inside. Her eyes were narrowed for a moment, staring at the retreating figure of Zagato. Her eyes then landed on Innouva.

"I want to take care of this one," she said looking at Lantis.

"Do what you want Alcyone," Innouva replied dumping Umi onto the ground none to gently.

Lantis moved in front of Hikaru. "Take Fuu-san and try to get out the back."

"I can't leave you here," Hikaru immediately replied.

"I'll be right behind you."

"We can't leave without, Umi-san," Fuu said.

Lantis shook his head. "They cannot harm her without you two here."

"What…I don't understand…" Fuu started.

"A safety measure. I will explain later."

Hikaru took Fuu's hand. "Let's go."

Fuu cast one more glance toward Umi before nodding. Innouva only smiled smugly. Alcyone stepped forward with a wide grin on her face. They took off for the backdoor. Reaching it Hikaru flung it open and stopped short. A tall blond-haired man blocked their path. His eyes were oddly blank, and blue shapes decorated his face. Before she could react he was raising his sword and swinging at her. A stinging pain lanced through her shoulder as he grazed it with the tip of his blade, Hikaru having shoved Fuu out of the way, jumping back herself to avoid being skewered.

"Hikaru-san!" Fuu gasped out.

Hikaru's eyes widened as Innouva suddenly appeared behind them knocking Fuu off her feet. "Take care of this one Lafarga."

The man known as Lafarga focused his gaze directly on Hikaru. Lantis was desperately fighting Alcyone his eyes going to Hikaru wanting desperately to help her. Hikaru jumped back as Lafarga went to attack again. Mind frantically racing she just barely dodged another swing of the sword. She would summon her fire except for the fact that she didn't know how she created it in the first place, and there was no fire around to manipulate.

"Ascot! Ascot! Calm down, darlin."

"You lied. You said she wouldn't be hurt."

Hikaru spared a glance in the direction of the front door, where a very tall man, obviously Ascot, was angrily pulling away from a pink-haired woman. Tripping over a chair, Hikaru fell backwards, trying to scramble to her feet. Lafarga approached with that same blank and calm look. It was too late. There was no way she would be able to dodge now. Hikaru's hands raised as Lafarga's sword came crashing down on her.

"Akai Inazuma!" Hikaru screamed out knowing the words without knowing them.

Lightning the color of fire shot from her hands, halting the attack. His sword dropped from his hands almost landing on Hikaru, who had scooted back just in time to have the sword fall to the floor between her feet. Eyes wide she looked up to see the lightning race along his body before dissipating.

"Lafarga!"

The pink-haired woman raced past Hikaru, who was trying to stand. She caught Lafarga, as he was about to fall. Gently she lowered him to the floor.

"Lafarga! Lafarga…"

Hikaru felt speechless. She hadn't meant to hurt him. She didn't want to.

"I…I…"

The woman looked up at her. "Get out of here while you can, priestess of fire."

Leaning over the dark-skinned woman hugged Lafarga, trying to wake him. Hikaru's eyes frantically scanned the room. Ascot was leaning over Umi, picking her up carefully. Fuu was trying to ward off Innouva, and Lantis was doing his best to defeat Alcyone.

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Fuu did her best to manipulate the swirling wind, not able to do what she had done before.

"You really are pathetic," Innouva declared.

Fuu didn't let his words bother her. He was trying to anger her, which would cause her to act irrationally. She threw a glance over to where Hikaru was running over to help Lantis. Fuu did a double take, when she saw a classmate she recognized, Ascot. He was holding Umi securely, while another woman was holding the man that had been attacking Hikaru.

"I am over here!"

Fuu was thrown off her feet and into the wall behind her. The air was knocked from her lungs and for a few gasping seconds she could not breathe. She forced herself to stand, her eyes widening when she saw Innouva ball his fist up, black energy shooting toward her. She closed her eyes in panic.

"Ahhhh!"

Fuu opened her eyes startled. Ferio was standing in front of her, hands placed to either side of her head, the energy slamming into his back.

"Ferio!"

"Hey beautiful," he murmured before collapsing to his knees.

"Ferio…Ferio!" Fuu dropped down beside him.

"What the hell is happening?" Ferio asked grimacing. "And where's my sister?"

Fuu opened her mouth to reply, when Innouva sent another blast in their direction. Before Fuu could even think, Ferio had wrapped his arms around Fuu protectively, taking the full brunt of the attack again.

"Stop getting in the way. Zagato said not to harm you, but accidents happen!" Innouva shouted angrily.

Ferio fell forward his grip loosening on her. "Who…are these…people?"

"Ferio!"

He was again unconscious. She felt her anger begin to rise, as she stood up, moving in front of Ferio. The wind swirled around her ready for her command.

"Finally going to stand and face me?" Innouva asked.

Fuu felt her resolve strengthen as she heard Hikaru cry out in pain, followed by Alcyone's laughter. Innouva pointed his hand at her again.

"Are you ready to die, priestess?"

Time seemed to freeze in that moment, a voice shouting above the noise of the fight. A light suddenly burst forth from the entire area. Fuu closed her eyes against the brilliance of it. She felt extremely light before everything faded to black.

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Zagato held Emeraude waiting for her to awake. A frown marred his features. Not only had the three priestesses gotten away, but they now had Lafarga, Caldina, and Ascot. Lafarga would return. The spell he had cast on him still was strongly in place, and the promise for Lafarga's freedom after everything was taken care of was enough to have Caldina return with him. The master mage had achieved nothing, only prolonging Zagato's plans.

Feeling something drop on his hand he saw a tear. Emeraude's hand came to cover his.

"Zagato…"

"You remember," Zagato interrupted seeing more tears fall from Emeraude's now open eyes. "…everything."

"You didn't hurt them, did you?"

"The Mage interfered."

"I cannot stay here," Emeraude said softly. "Please understand."

"No, Emeraude. I won't allow it. We are here. We can be together."

"Not like this," Emeraude shook her head. "Please…Zagato."

Zagato gently disentangled from her, moving away from the couch. "We are happy here."

"My duty is to…"

"Yourself. Your freedom," Zagato looked quietly over at her. "I won't lose you."

More tears fell from Emeraude's eyes. "Cephiro needs me. I can feel its call. I was unable to recognize it until now."

Zagato came in front of her, taking both of her shoulders in his hands. "I need you."

"You are able to go on without me," Emeraude brought her hand up to his cheek, her voice mournful. "Please understand, Zagato."

He pulled away.

"I have to go. You won't be able to leave here. Once I take care of those girls there will be nothing to worry about. You can be completely free of Cephiro. Once you are, you can choose whatever path you wish."

Pulling on a jacket, he ignored Emeraude pleadings, walking out into the cold night.

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Hiya! See, I took less than a month to get this chap out. I already have almost all of the next chap written, so expect it next week, or even a little earlier than that.

And remember this is au, so what I say goes. I haven't seen all eps for MKR, and I'm taking liberties with how the MKR characters use their powers, so it will fit my story better. Well I hope you enjoyed the chap.

Thanks goes out to Willow, Iarly, and Amber! Love hearing from you, and I'm glad you're enjoying it. Oh and if you want me to email you about an update, I'll be glad to.

Til next time!

Kyaa ^o^