Magic Knight Rayearth R

[Author’s note: this takes place two years after the end of the MKR2 anime. The girls are now sixteen and in their first year of high school ]

In one of the many forests of Cephiro, a portal opened. All the animals scattered, running from the power source emanating from the portal. But rather than a giant monster or a dangerous being, a young boy stepped through.

The boy looked around, staring at his surroundings. “Is this, Cephiro?” he asked himself quietly.

Behind him the portal closed, leaving behind what looked like a very fluffy bunny-ish creature.

“Pu pu puuuu!” it said, jumping into the boy’s arms.

He smiled at the creature, and said, “Mokona, is this Cephiro? The one I was supposed to get to?”

“Pu pu!” it said, nodding firmly.

The boy frowned in determination. “Then I have to get to the castle, and find the Magic Knights. I have to find them!”

“Pu!” Mokona agreed. It jumped from his arms and bounced ahead, leading him to the castle.

But the boy stood still, the forest surrounding him, the wind blowing through his hair gently. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes. The wind always reminded him of her, the forest of him. His green eyes glittered with unshed tears, which he wiped away defiantly.

“Papa. . . . . Mama. . . . .I will find a way to save you!” he vowed. He then started to run, following Mokona. He had to find the Magic Knights. They were the only ones who could help his parents.

***

Fuu looked out at the city skyline from inside Tokyo Tower. She always felt different when she came to the Tower, but today felt especially different. Something was in the wind, something that told her something was going to happen.

“Fuu-chan!” cried Hikaru as she embraced her friend from behind. “You came, I’m so glad!”

Fuu smiled. “Of course I came, Hikaru-san. You and Umi-san are my best friends.”

“We had better be!” said Umi and she walked up behind them. “After all we’ve been through and all!”

“Konichiwa, Umi-san. How are you doing?” asked Fuu, still smiling gently.

“I’m fine. But how are you doing, Fuu? You look somewhat concerned,” said Umi. “Is something wrong?”

“What is wrong, Fuu-chan? You’re not sad, are you?” asked Hikaru worriedly.

Fuu smiled. “No, Hikaru-san. I was just thinking about Cephiro.”

Hikaru’s smile vanished and Umi frowned. “You were thinking about it too?” asked Umi.

“Yes. Tokyo Tower always does this to me,” Fuu confessed, looking down.

“Same here. I can’t help but think of Cephiro here,” said Umi.

“I think of Cephiro too!” exclaimed Hikaru. “I want to know how it’s doing. What’s happening. If it’s alert!”

Umi smiled. “You eradicated the Pillar system, Hikaru. There is no need to worry, now that the tragedy cannot be done again.”

“But I have to know if they’re adjusting okay! I want to know if all our friends are alert!” said Hikaru firmly.

Fuu stared out the window again. “I’m a bit worried about Cephiro too.”

“I guess I’m worried too,” said Umi, closing her eyes.

“I want to return to Cephiro!” cried Hikaru.

Fuu and Umi nodded. “Me too” they said simultaneously.

Suddenly a bright light emitted outside the tower. The girls covered their eyes. “This is-”Hikaru cried. She didn’t have a chance to finish. Suddenly they were transported to Cephiro, in the sky.

“NOT AGAIN!” screamed Umi as the fell towards the ground. “WHY DO WE ALWAYS HAVE TO APPEAR IN THE SKY?!”

As if in response, the girls hit a flying creature. Fuu looked up and exclaimed, “You are Fyula! Clef-san’s creature.”

Fyula squeaked it’s agreement. It started to fly over the land, towards some unseen destination.

“We were summoned” Fuu said. “I wonder why?”

“But Cephiro is alert!” cried Hikaru. “Look! The forests and ocean, and the floating mountain! They’re all here!”

Fuu craned her neck. Hikaru was right, everything looked like the first time they were summoned. “I suppose everything is alert.”

“It has to be! But. . . why were we summoned then?” asked Umi, looking over the landscape.

“I do not know. Perhaps it has something to do with our wish!” Hikaru said joyfully.

“Or perhaps there is a new danger to Cephiro,” said Fuu quietly.

Fyula flew them towards a castle set on a mountain. “Look, a castle!” exclaimed Hikaru.

“It’s different from the previous castles,” remarked Umi. “I wonder if it means something.”

Fuu remained silent. Cephiro seemed to be alert, but she was still worried. “Ferio. Are you alert? I hope you’re alert,” she thought.

Fyula deposited them at the castle entrance. The large double doors seemed foreboding, yet welcoming as well. “Thank you!” cried Hikaru. Fyula squeaked and left.

The three girls stood in front of the doors, not sure what to do. Then Hikaru walked up and placed her hand on the door, and it opened slowly.

“It would appear we are welcome,” said Fuu, smiling.

The three walked in, only to find an empty hall. They continued to walk through the halls, not sure where to go. “Where is everybody?” asked Umi. “I’ll be angry if there’s no one here to greet us!”

“I wonder if this castle is deserted,” pondered Fuu. “But then why would Fyula take us here?”

“Hey!” a voice yelled.

The three whipped around, to find themselves staring at a young boy. “Why are you here? Don’t you know you’re trespassing?” the boy said, hands on hips.

“That stance, reminds me of someone,” said Fuu, pushing her glasses up.

As if to answer her question, a woman came running up. “ Hey! What ya doing, yelling at people?”

“But these people are trespassing, Mama!” said the boy, pointing at them.

“Caldina!” cried Hikaru. “You’re here, and you’re okay!”

“Hikaru! Umi! Fuu! You’ve come back!” yelled the woman. She ran forward and gave them all a hug. “I see you’ve met my son, Skylark. Skylark, say hello to them. They’re the legendary Magic Knights!”

Skylark merely folded his arms, glaring at them. “They should have been invited in.” His blue eyes were reproachful.

[ Author’s Note: Ha! Fooled you didn’t I? No, Skylark isn’t the boy in the beginning. The Skylark is a car made in the early 90s by Oldsmobile ]

“YOUR SON?!” Umi yelled. “No way!”

Caldina smiled. “Yes way. Skylark is my one and only son.”

“WHAT?!” yelled Umi. “When did this happen?!”

“When you were away, silly. When else could it have happened?” Caldina said, still smiling.

“Then, who is the father?” asked Fuu, still a bit surprised.

Caldina looked shocked. “Why, Lafarga of course. Who else?”

“LAFARGA?!” the girls shouted.

Caldina winced. “Please stop shouting, missies. It hurts my ears.”

“Lafarga is my dad,” said Skylark, arms folded and glaring. “He’s the head of the guard, in case you didn’t know.”

“We know your dad, Skylark,” said Fuu. “We were just surprised that he and Caldina had a child. We didn’t know they cared for each other that way.”

“Well, they do. What were you doing here anyway, coming in without permission?” asked Skylark.

Caldina clapped a hand over his mouth and grinned. “Please forgive my son, I think Lafarga is rubbing off on him. Skylark, these girls can enter anytime they wish. They are the Magic Knights.”

Skylark squirmed away from his mother and said, “Whatever.”

“Caldina, where is everyone else? This castle seems deserted,” said Hikaru.

Caldina shook her finger at them. “You just haven’t been looking in the right places. C’mon, I’ll bring you to Clef.”

Caldina (with a somewhat sullen Skylark) led the girls through the various halls, finally stopping at another set of large double doors. She knocked twice and shouted, “Guru Clef! The Magic Knights have returned!”

The doors opened slowly, revealing a large room with a raised platform in the center. In the center of the platform was Clef, looking up at the ceiling mirror, which showed Cephiro’s landscape. He turned slowly and his gaze fell upon the girls. His eyebrows raised in surprise.

“Hikaru, Umi, Fuu, what are you doing here?” he asked. “Were you summoned?”

“It would appear so, Clef-san. We do not know why, but we were summoned from Tokyo Tower just like the last two times,” said Fuu.

“Clef! Is Cephiro alert? Nothing is wrong?” asked Hikaru.

“Nothing appears to be wrong. At the moment,” replied Clef.

“At the moment?” asked Fuu. “Do you think something will happen then? What is it?”

Clef looked up at the ceiling again and said, “I am not sure. But I feel something. Something is wrong, or will be wrong, with Cephiro. But it is as if it is not this Cephiro.”

“This Cephiro?” asked Umi. “What do you mean?”

“I am not sure. But let us forget about it for now,” he said, smiling. “You have returned. And this time we can show you the true Cephiro.”

“Yes! Is everything okay? Taking away the Pillar system didn’t hurt it?” asked Hikaru. “I was worried. . .”

“Everything is fine. We are adjusting well. You did the right thing, and the best thing for Cephiro,” said Clef. “Now, you must be reunited with everyone. Come, we will find them. They are all in this castle.”

The girls smiled at each other and followed him, Caldina, and Skylark. But Fuu was really only looking forward to one person, Ferio.

***

It had turned to night in Cephiro. Clef had given them back their magic, Presea their weapons. They had met everyone and thrown a party in the honor of their return. Hikaru had been reunited with Lantis, Umi with Ascot, but Fuu had not seen Ferio.

“Ferio. . . .”she said softly, feeling tears welling up. “Where are you?” She was alone in the garden outside the palace, sitting on a bench. She had slipped away when no one was looking, because she couldn’t have a good time without knowing about Ferio.

“Fuu!” a voice cried.

Startled she slowly turned around. “That voice. . .”she said. When she turned around, she saw Ferio, standing behind her. “Ferio!” she exclaimed.

“Fuu. . .”he said, smiling. “You came back.”

Now she did start to cry, but this time in happiness. “You’re alert.” she said, tears flowing.

He grinned. “Of course! But I thought you promised you wouldn’t cry anymore.” He walked up to her and put his hand on her shoulder. “I’ve missed you.” he said, softly.

Fuu smiled as well. “Same here. I’ve missed you ever since I’d gone back to Tokyo.”

He grinned again. “And why did you do a thing like that?” he cocked his head at her, grinning all the while.

Fuu smiled. He hadn’t changed. He seemed to have gotten older, but then, so had she. He still wore the prince’s outfit that he had last time. “I see you are still a prince,” she said.

He grimaced. “Don’t remind me of that. I’ve found being a prince is quite tedious. Ruling a country and all. I sometimes wish I wasn’t a prince.”

“But you are doing a fine job? The people aren’t displeased with you?” she asked.

“Apparently no, but it’s a harder job than it looks. But I certainly like the perks of the job!” he said, and resumed his grin.

Fuu smiled. “I’m glad.” She felt her tears start again, and tried to wipe them away.

Ferio smiled, and embraced her. “I’ve missed you,” he murmured.

Fuu blinked. “Ferio. . . .” He parted slightly, then tilted her head up. They both smiled, and began to lean in. . .

“Pu PU!” Mokona cried as it crashed down on the two before their lips could actually meet. It bounced off their heads, knocking them down, and hopped towards the castle.

Ferio pushed himself up on his knees, rubbing his head. “Ack! What the heck-”

“Mokona! Wait up!” a voice cried from the depths of the garden. A small figure ran after the creature at top speed, which caused him to crash and fall on top of Fuu.

Ferio, who was still glaring after Mokona, didn’t notice the boy until Fuu said, “Oh my! Where did you come from?”

He whirled around and saw a little boy sitting on top of Fuu’s legs, staring at her. Fuu was staring back, looking somewhat shocked. “Hey! Get off her!” he yelled.

The boy slowly turned his head and glared at him. Ferio gasped. The boy looked like him, when he was younger. He had the same green hair, and the same expression of distrust. The only thing different about him was two small streaks of gold in his hair and green eyes, which narrowed at the sight of him. “Who are you?” he asked, eyes still narrowed.

“I’m Prince Ferio!” he said, overly annoyed with this kid. “And you’re sitting on Fuu, my girlfriend!”

Fuu blushed at the words, but gently pushed the boy off her lap. “Yes. I am Hououji Fuu. And who are you?”

The boy stood up and brushed the dirt off his clothes. Then he glared at Ferio again and said, “I’m Ferrar!”

[Author’s Note: Ferrar should be pronounced “Feh-rar” like “Feh-rio”. He is named after “Ferrari” but that just sounded weird, so I modified it.]

“Well, Ferrar! What are you doing, jumping on top of people?” snapped Ferio. This interruption had ruined his moment with Fuu.

“I was following Mokona,” he said bluntly. “Mokona jumped on top of you first. He was leading me to the castle.”

“And why were you going to the castle?” asked Ferio. The more time he spent with this kid the less he liked him. Yet, he was almost familiar, and not just in the way he looked like him.

“To find the Magic Knights,” he said, glaring at him.

“The Magic Knights?” exclaimed Ferio.

Fuu, who had kept quiet during the argument, stepped forward. “I am one of those Magic Knights. I am the Magic Knight of Wind.”

Ferrar turned towards her, the same disdain in his eyes. “You are?” he asked.

She nodded. “Do you need something? Why are you looking for the Magic Knights?”

Ferrar frowned. “If you are a Magic Knight, then you have to give me the mashin Windam!”

“What? Hold on!” cried Ferio. “Why should she give you the mashin?”

Ferrar ignored him. “Come on! What are you waiting for?” he asked Fuu. He grabbed her wrist and started to tug at it. “Come on! Give me the mashin! Now!”

Fuu stared at him in surprise. “What is wrong? Why do you need the mashin? And what about the other knights?”

Before Ferrar could reply, Ferio picked him up clear off the ground. His eyes narrowed in anger, he said, “Before we get to the mashin, you’d better do some explaining!”

“Ferio!” Fuu exclaimed. She couldn’t believe he was being this rough.

Ferrar squirmed and glared at him, but he didn’t say anything.

“Ferio! Put him down!” cried Fuu. “You’ll hurt him!”

Ferio frowned, but he deposited him on the ground. “Now talk!”

Ferrar frowned at him again, but gave Fuu a softer look. Before anyone could say anything, he ran off into the woods again.

“Hey! Come back here!” Ferio demanded. “That little brat. . .”

“Ferio. Don’t be harsh with him. He’s just a little kid,” said Fuu, placing her hand on his arm.

“No, he’s a little brat,” spat Ferio. “Jumping on top of people, demanding the mashin. Who does he think he is?”

“I don’t know why he wanted the mashin, but he seems harmless enough,” said Fuu, looking into the forest. “The important thing now is that we find him.”

“Why? He’ll just demand the mashin again and be rude!” said Ferio. He trust the kid, but for some reason he found himself slowly agreeing with Fuu.

“He is just a small child. He seemed to be alone. It’s dangerous to be alone in the forest with no one to look after you! He might get in trouble or get hurt,” said Fuu, grabbing his arm. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt a certain need to protect Ferrar.

Ferio sighed. “All right then. Let’s go after him before he runs too far away.”

***

Unbeknownst to the citizens of Cephiro, a large crystal monument appeared in the sky, hidden by the clouds. Inside it a man gazed long into a bubble projection of Cephiro. It switched to show the castle, and the man smiled.

“So this is the Cephiro of the past. Doesn’t look much different from what we’re used to, does it?”

“The castle is smaller, and there isn’t any type of magic barrier around it,” said a woman next to him.

“That makes it easier for us to find that brat,” said another figure to his left.

“And the quicker we find the brat, the sooner we can go back and claim victory,” said yet another person in the shadows.

The man smiled. “All true. We must capture the brat in honor of the Shadow Empire and for the glory of Dynasty.”

As he said these words, the bubble vanished, and was replaced with the image of a tall, cloaked figure. At his appearance the four people stiffened. His appearance was like that of the Grim Reaper, but he held no scythe. His hands were folded into his immense sleeves. Yet he retained a great aura of power, and evil. He was not a force to be reckoned with.

“You know what you are to do?” he asked. “The brat is here somewhere, you must find him. He is the key to conquering our enemies, and to getting what we want. Victory cannot be claimed without him.” At these words his head rose ever so slightly, revealing two glowing eyes.

The man stepped back in surprise. “We are at your command, Dynasty. All you need do is tell us how to find him. Even without the magic barrier, it is difficult to find such an evasive brat.”

The eyes glowed more brightly. “That is ever so simple. The boy has great power, as underdeveloped as it is. His magic potential is astounding. At the moment, he is unable to control it. It is triggered to his emotions and environment. All you need do is create a disturbance, and the boy will let himself be known,” he said, lowering his head. At this, he disappeared, leaving behind four very shaken people.

The man turned to the figure in the shadows. “You heard our master. Go and create a disturbance. Send a youma to do it, and provide over it. Do you understand, Sentra?”

The figure stepped forward, revealing itself to be a woman with shortly cropped purple hair and black eyes. “It is done, Viper.”

[Author’s Note: The Sentra is a car made by Nissan, and the Viper is made by Chrysler-Plymoth]