Chapter 8: The Tragedy
Cephiro Castle
"Magic Knights, friends, I finally have some good news," said Clef. "Both Autozam and Farham have agreed to send us aid against the Zill."
"Well, that's the kind of news we needed," said Lafarga. "Maybe now we'll actually stand a chance."
"What about Chizeta?" asked Caldena. "Aren't they going to send help?"
"Unfortunately they're dealing with a major problem of their own and can't send any kind of military aid," said Clef. "However, they have pledged to send us any other aid they can spare."
"Well I guess that's better than nothing," said Caldena. "At least we're getting some badly needed help."
"How long until they arrive, Clef?" asked Fuu, adjusting her glasses.
"At least two more days," he replied. "We just have to hope that the Zill don't make a major move until then."
"Speaking of the Zill, it seems we managed to make them angry somehow," Hikaru spoke up. "They've apparently called in some kind of battlemage to deal with us. Someone calling himself the Black Dragon."
Clef's eyes shot wide open. "The Black Dragon? Are you certain of this?"
"Hikaru, how did you figure that out?" asked Umi, raising an eyebrow.
Seeing all eyes on her, Hikaru suddenly felt a little nervous. "I... I ran into Kefka last night. He told me."
"What? How did you just happen to run into him?" demanded Umi, going into big sister mode. "What's going on here?"
"I saw him flying outside the castle and I went to see him," said Hikaru. "We...well, we sparred for a bit and then he warned me about the Black Dragon. Then he went back."
"And you actually believed him? He's one of them, Hikaru! He was probably lying to you!" Umi shouted.
"I don't believe he was, Umi," Hikaru said. "Just because he's a Zill doesn't mean he's like the others. There's a side to him that the rest of you haven't seen yet."
"Listen to you! You're talking about him like he's your new best friend!" Umi was practically flailing her arms at this point.
"Mister Clef, who exactly is this Black Dragon?" asked Fuu, thankfully breaking up the conversation.
"A very powerful sorcerer from another world," said Clef. "I've only met him once, a long time ago. Rarely have I seen that kind of magical strength in anyone, man, or beast. He travels from world to world, trading his magical powers for the highest pay. It's a pity...he could be capable of so much more if he wasn't blinded by his greed and lack of purpose."
"His lack of purpose? What do you mean?" asked Ascot.
"I don't know what happened to him," said Clef, "but when I looked into those eyes, I saw a shell. Someone who had everything, his soul, his emotions, his very sense of self sucked out of him. All that remains to keep him going is the price on someone's head. Truth be told, I pity him."
"Well, whether that's true or not, he's apparently coming after the Magic Knights," said Presea. "What chance do they have against him?"
"He's immensely powerful, perhaps even greater than High Priest Zagato ever was," said Clef. "If what this Kefka has said is true, then you'll be in for the fight of your lives against him."
"Jeez, what else could happen?" groaned Umi, falling into a chair.
Zill Dreadnought Adjudicator
"Welcome to the Adjudicator, esteemed guest," said Rahksha.
The Black Dragon stood before him silently. He was dressed head to toe in black and violet armor, a short shoulder cape, and a hood. A metal mask of black and silver hid his face. Breath hissed through the mask, just like a famous Star Wars villain.
"I have a job that needs to be done, and I think you're the best man for the job," he went on. "You'll be doing a great service for the Emperor-"
"Save it," said the Black Dragon, raising a hand. "My loyalty is to the contract, nothing more. The enemy of my employer is my enemy, after all."
"You're a man who knows what he wants, I can respect that," said Rahksha. "I want you to bring down the Magic Knights who protect Cephiro. Alive or dead, whichever you prefer." He tapped his gauntlet to bring up the holo-screen. "I trust this will be more than enough for your services."
He looked at it for a few moments before he said, "Yes, that will do nicely. I'll be back when the job is done." He turned and left the chamber.
Rahksha nodded his head and tapped his armrest as he sat back down in his chair. "If you want a job done right, you bring in the right tool for the job."
Cephiro
The girls were flying in their Rune-Gods, looking for more signs of Zill activity. So far they had encountered a few fighters and two light cruisers, but nothing major.
"It appears that the Zill are becoming more active," said Fuu. "I hope that Autozam and Fahran arrive in time before they make a major move."
"Yeah, I'm getting worried too," said Umi. "Not just about the Zill, but about Hikaru."
"Yes, I too am concerned," said Fuu. "She has been getting close to this Commander Kefka. Do you think we can trust him, Miss Umi?"
"I sure wouldn't," said Umi. "Not without him proving he can be trusted."
"You know I can hear you two, right?" Hikaru piped up. "Guys, you don't need to worry about me. I know enough about Kefka to know I can trust him. And if I have to prove it, I will."
"Hikaru..." Umi started to say until she saw something. "Wait, is that him there?"
Hikaru looked ahead, part of her hoping to see that familiar mech. Instead, she saw something else coming towards them. It didn't even look like Zill design. It looked more like...a Rune-God? "That's definitely not him!" she said, drawing her sword.
"Whatever or whoever it is definitely isn't friendly!" said Umi, drawing her own.
"We must prepare ourselves!" said Fuu, also drawing her sword.
It finally came into full view and stopped, hovering in the sky. It definitely looked like a Rune-God. It almost reminded them of the one used by High Priest Zagato all those years ago. The only difference was this one had a more draconic look to it, similar to Selece.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," said Umi.
"Still think that Kefka was lying to me?" asked Hikaru, eyes locked on the dark Rune-God. "Who are you? Are you the Black Dragon?"
He responded with, "Crystal Rain!" Shards of sharpened crystal begain to rain down upon the Magic Knights, some punching through the armor, causing the girls to cry out in agony.
"I'd say that's a yes!" said Umi, getting her bearings. "Water Dragon!"
Before the spell could even reach him, the Black Dragon threw up a shield, blocking Umi's spell. "Is that the best you can do?" he asked.
"Emerald Typhoon!" cried Fuu, unleashing the twin gales.
He simply raised a hand and swung it, unleashing a wave of magic that disrupted Fuu's spell, causing it to dissipate. "I guess it is...what a shame. Shadow Dragon Burst!" He fired a dragon of dark magic from his hand that split into a cluster of smaller dragons, all speeding towards the girls like homing missiles.
"Guys, look out!" shouted Hikaru, trying to evade the attack. As she flew, she heard a familiar scream behind her. She turned just in time to see Umi mercilessly pummeled by the spell, her screams drowned out by the explosion.
"Miss Umi!" Fuu tried to rush to her aid, only to be hit by more of the magical projectiles, shrieking in pain.
"Umi, Fuu! Leave them alone!" Hikaru screamed, charging at the Black Dragon with her sword raised, the blade in flames.
The Black Dragon conjured a blade of his own and began to battle her, blades sparking against each other. He didn't even say anything as they fought, just watching Hikaru slash at him again and again, her rage mounting.
"How dare you! How dare you hurt Umi and Fuu like that! I'll make you pay for that!" she screamed, her blade clashing against his over and over, sparks flying.
"If I were you, I'd consider putting that sword down," he finally said. "Take a look behind you."
On reflex Hikaru turned around and felt her heart stop. Two Zill mobile armors were there, and in their hands Hikaru could see Umi and Fuu, battered and unconscious. All it would take is one twitch, and they'd both be crushed to death. She could feel her hands shaking, unsure of what she should do. Unfortunately, she never got the chance to decide.
"Shouldn't have done that," said the Black Dragon as he shoved his sword through Rayearth's midsection from behind.
Rayearth faded, retreating to his home dimension like the other Rune-Gods, while the unconscious Hikaru collapsed into the Black Dragon's open hand.
"All too easy," he said. "Perhaps you are not as strong as the Zill thought." Without another word, he and the mobile armors flew back to the fleet with their prisoners.