DISCLAIMER: I do not own Magic Knights Rayearth nor do I claim to. I just like the show and wanted to write a little something for it.

Sestercentennial - Means 250 years

Squall - Is another term for a storm.

_[ STORY ]_

The sky above Tokyo was clear and bright, but one red-haired high school student hardly noticed the early spring weather instead she sat on the porch of her family's' dojo an uneaten bowl of ramen in her lap. Her eldest brother Satoru stood in the doorway behind her, Masaru and Kakeru the second and third born hovered behind him.

"May I join you, Imouto?" Satoru asked walking up beside her, leaving his Otouto to worry in his place.

"Of course, Onii-san," she said placing her ramen to the side as he sat down.

"Does this mood you've been in lately, have anything to do with Cephiro?"

"Ya, it's Clef."

"Is he the knight or the prince?" he asked earning a smile from the redhead.

"He's the mage, goofball."

"Ah, so…"

"Something happened the other day, and everyone is anxious no one has a clue what's going on."

"Will you, and your friends be heading back soon?"

"We're meeting up tomorrow morning to check in real fast before school so that I can help you with kendo class that afternoon."

"Don't worry about that I'll have Masaru help me, I don't think your principal would believe me if I had to explain why you were late," he said pulling her into a hug, "I hope everything turns out alright."

"Thank you Onii-san," she said hugging back then she jumped up, "I better call Umi and Fuu," she said running inside.

Fuu loved school, learning something new every day invigorated her as nothing else could, but this particular school day couldn't end fast enough for the magic knight of wind. When Hikaru had called yesterday afternoon letting her know what her elder brother had said she was relieved that there would be no need to rush the next morning, she knows the others are just as worried, but in situations like this Fuu wished she still had her winds of healing.

Her mind wandered to and fro as she stared out the window of her classroom her teacher's lesson not even registering. She barely heard the bell signaling the end of the day, but when she did Fuu grabbed up her bag and bolted for the door saying hurried good-byes to her classmates, and teacher many were surprised, but none had time to question her before she was gone.

Fuu ran from the school grounds to her house dropped her bag at the door and headed right for Tokyo tower not even bothering to change from her uniform. When she arrived, Umi and Hikaru seemed to have had similar ideas as they too were still in their uniforms, Umi even had her bag.

Pleasantries exchanged they headed for the observation deck, this time as they hurtled through the still dark skies, it was Ascot and one of his monster friends that caught them. As they head for the palace, he relayed to them that Clef had woken up a few times since last they were there and that earlier that morning was even strong enough to leave his bed.

When they arrived Lafarga was there to greet them, he led the three girls to the same dining room Clef had collapsed in, said mage was seated at the tables end. He was void of the elaborate robes and headdress of his standard attire instead a shale was wrapped around his shoulders, and a blanket draped across his lap.

Presea was hovering next to him, and from the scowl on his face she was doing some mother-henning, the look was quickly replaced with a smile when he spotted the magic knight.

"Hello, girls from another world," the master mage greeted them in his usual way.

Umi, Fuu, and Hikaru all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"How are you feeling," Umi asked stuffing her bag under one of the chairs.

"As well as can be expected, especially with her insistent smothering," he said glaring at Presea.

"Don't you dare start," Presea chided as she places another blanket around him.

"I don't need another wrap Presea I'm no longer chilled," he protested making to remove it.

"And you'll stay that way if you keep these on," she said taking his hand gently from the fabric and replacing it over his back with the shale.

"She's right Mr. Clef it's important to stay warm when you're ill," Fuu said sitting two seats from him leaving the chair on Clefs left open for Presea.

He just sighed in defeat which leads to coughing, making everyone tense.

"Here have some water," Hikaru said pouring a glass from the pitcher in the middle of the table.

"Thank you," he said taking a sip, then added, "now that you three are here it's time for me to explain what transpired the other day, please take a seat."

He waited for everyone to choose their places; Presea took the chair Fuu left open well Lantis sat opposite her with Hikaru and Umi beside him, Lafarga took the seat opposite Clef well Ascot and Eagle sat to his left next to Umi well Ferio, and Caldina was to his right. Once everyone was settled, he began.

"It took some contemplation, but this storm that's been building the last few days is why I collapsed…well more precisely the connection between my magic and this system and not just my magic I mean, but the magic I possess as the master mage. It just happens that I'm a lightning mage as well, making matters worse," he paused taking another sip of water then continued, "every two and half centuries this tempest plagues Cephiro, how or why it spastically effects the supreme sorcerer is unclear. The Pillar was unable to stop it so they would will the storm to an uninhabited area of the country this was for the safety of the citizen they were unaware of the impact it had on my predecessor or me. Of course, that could be that the information was never passed on to them," he paused again closing his eyes, exhaustion washing over him.

"Master, you've been up since early this morning perhaps it would be wise to take a rest," Lantis said concern evident in his voice.

"I'm…I'm fine," Clef mumbled, "I just need a moment."

Those words were barely from his mouth before he found a pair of arms enveloping him; his eyes flashed open to a fiery red mane of hair as the magic knight buried her face into his shoulder.

"Hikaru?" he questioned

"You looked as if you could use a hug," she said releasing him turning away as tears threatened to spill from her eyes, before heading back to her seat.

When she was seated once more, Clef continued, "when the Pillar transplanted the storm it was in a different location, yes, but always away from the highest population of people which happened to be far away from themselves and any sorcerer within the palace respectively. Regardless of the distance though it had the same impact upon the master mage, or so it was believed. I was already holding the position the last time it came through, and I can say for sure that as this storm gathers strength, mine will diminish. The difference between this time and last is not only was it late as it was supposed to transpire two years ago. It's proximity I hadn't realized how importing it was I honestly don't think any of my predecessors realized it either," he trailed off seemingly deep in thought, looking like he wanted to say more.

The others were growing worried, and just as they were about to voice their concerns, he sighed slumping in his chair.

"I've delayed long enough," he said in a defeated tone, "the long build-up and closer distance played a larger role in this situation than imagined. Meaning that when this storm dissipates I…" he sighed again gathering himself, "when this storm ends so will my life."

_[ TO BE CONTINUED]_