CHAPTER 2: FIRST CONTACT
Zill Dreadnought Adjudicator
"Admiral Rahksha, sir?"
The Admiral, who had been engrossed in the holo-screen of reports from his fleet commanders, brushed it aside to face the soldier in front of him. Like all Zill, they were both dressed in full armored bodysuits and helmets with glowing yellow visors. However, the Admiral's was adorned in a more regal manner, befitting his rank: a red and yellow sash across the chest plate, a large wolf's head pauldron on his right shoulder, golden trim on the plates and helmet, and sharp claws on his gauntlets.
"What is it, Ensign Rico?" he asked, the helmet distorting his voice into a synthesized growl.
"Orders from the Golgotha, sir," replied the soldier, tapping a button on his glove. A small holo-screen appeared over his wrist, covered in alien script. "Once we reach the outskirts, we are to dispatch a recon squadron to gather intel on the target. We are to personally oversee this activity to ascertain the threat level."
Rahksha took a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. "So the Emperor has personally entrusted me to make the first move," he said, drumming his clawed fingers on the armrests. "Well, we shouldn't disappoint him, should we?"
"No, sir, no we shouldn't," replied Ensign Rico, standing at attention.
"Instruct the helm to bring the fleet to the outskirts of Cephiro at once," said the Admiral. "Once we've arrived, I'll give the order to dispatch the scout ships."
"Sir!" The Ensign clicked his heels, saluted, and left.
Admiral Rahksha let out a slow breath, grinning behind his helmet. At last, he would taste the thrill of battle once again.
Cephiro, the Castle Guest Quarters
Hikaru was lying on her back in her room at the castle, trying to focus on the softness of the mattress to relax. Unfortunately, her head was still spinning due to the events of the day. It had all started off as just another visit. A trip for Umi, Fuu, and herself to see all their old friends again. Now, there was another threat facing Cephiro, and this time they were ill-equipped to deal with it. For the moment, anyway. Without Mokona or the Rune-Gods, what could they do against an invading army? They had their armor, their magic, and their weapons of course, but that only went so far.
"She closed her eyes and rolled over on her side. "Mokona...I wish you were here right now," she said softly to herself. After a few seconds, she started to get the strange feeling that she was being watched. Slowly she opened her eyes and...
"Pu pu!"
She was so surprised that she let out a tiny shriek and fell off the bed with a loud thud. She quickly popped back up, however, realizing who it was. "Mokona, it's you!" she cried out, holding her arms open.
Mokona wasted no time, bounding across the bed and right into her arms for a hug. "Pu pu, pu!"
"I knew you'd come back to us, I just knew you would!" Hikaru exclaimed happily, hugging him close. "You must have known we needed you right now, didn't you?"
"Pu, pu," he replied, nodding his head, and wiggling his long ears.
"We don't know who these Zill guys are, but they don't seem interested in being friends," she went on, still holding him. "But whatever they want, whatever they do, we're going to keep Cephiro and its people safe."
"Pu, pu!"
The door opened and in rushed Umi and Fuu, drawn by the commotion.
"Hey, is everything okay in here?" asked Umi, looking around. "We heard you scream!"
"I'm okay, guys, really I am," said Hikaru. "Look who came back, just like I said!"
"Oh, Sir Mokona, it's you," said Fuu joyfully. Mokona jumped out of Hikaru's arms and bounded across the room to Fuu for hugs.
"Hey, don't forget about me now," said Umi. Mokona jumped from Fuu to her, and she laughed. "Yeah, I missed you too, little buddy."
Hikaru was so busy enjoying the reunion she almost didn't notice the nagging feeling at the back of her mind. She slowly turned her head to the bedroom window, and saw something in the sky far away. "Hey, what is that?" she wondered aloud, going closer to the window.
"What's what, Hikaru?" asked Umi, going to join her.
"Is something the matter?" inquired Fuu, following.
That was when they saw it: three small ships like the ones they had seen in the observatory, flying through the clouds over the countryside.
"Zill ships, here?" Hikaru almost couldn't believe her eyes. The Zill were already in Cephiro!
"They must be scouts sent to evaluate the situation," said Fuu, her hands shaking.
"Mokona, we need the Rune-Gods, fast!" exclaimed Umi, looking at the small creature.
His usual cheery face now serious, Mokona's forehead jewel glowed brightly and the girls found themselves transported to the realm where the Rune-Gods rested.
"Young women from another world, you have been called upon yet again in an hour of need," said Selece, his blue armor glistening.
"You have shown to us the strength of thine hearts, and proven yourselves worthy to weild us," added Windom, his eyes glowing brightly.
"Will you don us now, and protect this land?" asked Rayearth, his voice booming.
"Yes, we will!" replied Hikaru, her voice full of conviction. "We are the legendary Magic Knights! And we will save Cephiro, no matter how many times it is threatened! For now and forever!"
"Then don us once again, and face this threat!" said the three Rune-Gods in unison, drawing the girls into them. Once the girls were aboard, the three majestic beings took flight, soaring through the skies of Cephiro.
"Now let's see, where are they?" wondered Umi, looking around.
"I see them! There's three of them, just passing over the ocean," said Fuu.
"Then let's get there fast," said Hikaru. "I want to know exactly what they're up to and why they're here."
The three of them flew quickly over the ocean, intercepting the scout ships over the pristine blue waters. The ships stopped moving and began to hover; perhaps the crew were confused by what they were looking at.
"Listen, you in those ships! I am Hikaru Shidou, legendary Magic Knight and protector of Cephiro! Why are you here?" shouted Hikaru, staring down the three vessels.
There was no reply from the scout ships. They just continued to hover in the air like sleek black clouds.
"Why did you come here?" Hikaru repeated, her voice louder. "What do you want with this world?"
Finally a response came from the scout ships. It wasn't a verbal hail or a signal of any kind. The ships simply opened fire with their main guns.
Thinking quickly, Fuu shouted "Winds of Protection!" A powerful barrier of magic wind formed around the three, deflecting the gun fire which kept coming. "Looks like they're not interested in talking!"
"So be it," said Hikaru, drawing her sword. With a loud cry she charged forward, slicing one of the scout ships clean in half.
The other two ships broke formation and went in separate directions, but one wasn't so fortunate.
"Water Dragon!" shouted Umi, firing the powerful spell at one of the remaining ships, destroying it with a single hit.
The third ship fired its rear guns to cover its retreat, flying away.
"Ha, so much for a dangerous invading army," said Umi. "They barely put up a fight."
"I don't think we should celebrate too soon," said Fuu. "Like I said, those were just scouts. They weren't meant to be fighting, they're only supposed to gather information. And now that they've seen what our Rune-Gods can do, they have that information."
Hikaru returned her sword to her jewel, staring at the retreating vessel. "I agree with Fuu, this was way too easy," she said. "Something tells me it's only going to get worse from here."
Zill Dreadnought Adjudicator
Admiral Rahksha stared at the holo-screen, watching the footage brought back by the scout ship that had narrowly escaped destruction. He kept replaying the scenes where the Rune-Gods had destroyed the other two ships with a mix of swordplay and magic.
"So these 'Magic Knights' possess mechanized battle suits, much like us," he said, drumming his fingers together. "What's more, they appear to be quite advanced and substantially powerful. I think next time we'll give them something a little more substantial to play with. Then we'll see just how strong they really are." He tapped a button on his armrest and said, "Get me the War Wolves."