It Begins Differently...

    At Tokyo Tower's observation deck, numerous classes from various schools were gathered to look over Tokyo.  One teenage girl was practically bouncing at the sight.  Her name was Hikaru, she was sixteen and she loved heights.  If she were a puppy, her tail would've been going at two hundred and forty wags a minute.  Her long red hair was tied back into a ponytail, which was wagging in place of a tail, though few people wanted to admit it.  People would have noticed that her red eyes and ponytail were always facing in opposite directions, whether by accident or design.
    She was determined to see all of Tokyo via the tower's view.  She ran around from window to window.  However, she bumped into two people at once.  Yelping, the trio fell.
    "Watch where you're going, stupid!" one of the two people growled.
    "Sorry..." Hikaru apologized.
    "Hey, lay off, she's just excited." the other retorted.
    Blue eyes met blue eyes as the two people Hikaru had bumped into glared at each other.  The brown haired boy and the blue-haired girl got up and tugged Hikaru to her feet.
    "THANKS!" Hikaru thanked them loudly.
    "For that," the blue-haired girl growled, "you can beg for mercy."
    "Hey, shut up.  She's obviously sorry she ran into us, so back off." the brown-haired boy retorted.
    "I'll do what I want!" the blue-haired girl barked.
    "I don't mean to intrude, but I believe the gentleman is quite correct." a blonde girl interupted.
    The trio turned to notice a girl with short blonde hair and a silver-haired boy behind her.
    "Quite correct, Fuu, the girl did no harm and did apologize." the silver-haired boy agreed with the blonde.
    "Hey, do I know you all?" Hikaru asked.
    "Hey, yeah.  I..." the brown-haired boy agreed.
    "Magic Knights... people from another world... please save Cephiro..."
    "What was that?!" the silver-haired boy demanded.
    Without a sound, the quintet vanished from Tokyo Tower.

    Hikaru woke up with a pain in her head.  It was like that time she tripped and fell off the porch.  Her head was pounding as she sat up.  She was in a clearing in the middle of a forest.
    "Finally awake?"
    Hikaru looked over to see the brown-haired boy and the blond girl sitting against a tree.  Nearby, the silver-haired boy and the blue-haired girl were laying face down.
    "How long was I out?" Hikaru inquired.
    "Not long.  Well, near as I can tell.  I woke up after blondie." the brown-haired boy said, motioning to the blond.
    "My name is Fuu." she retorted.
    "In any case, we're waiting for silver boy and blue girl to wake up." he noted.
    "My name is Umi." the blue-haired girl snapped, pushing herself up.
    "And my name is Shiro, but everyone calls me Hikage." the silver-haired boy added, forcing himself on his knees.
    "Yeah, blondie's name is Fuu and I'm Tochi." the brown-haired boy responded.
    "I'm Hikaru!" Hikaru helpfully supplied.
    Tochi stood up and dusted himself off.
    "Now that we're all introduced, let's find out where we are." Tochi declared, as everyone else got up.
    "Shouldn't we try and figure out what brought us here?" Fuu inquired.
    "No, because it's all hypothetical.  Magic, a wormhole, alien invaders, strange side effect of a piece of technology, it could've been anything." Hikage reasoned.
    "The point is that it's happened, we don't know if it'll happen again, so we should try and find a town, so we'll be able to find out where we are." Tochi responded.
    "I agree.  The sooner we find a town, the sooner we can get back to Tokyo!  I can't miss my fencing tournament!" Umi agreed.
    "But, which direction?" Hikaru asked, looking around.  She usually had a good sense of direction, but the fall had messed up her bearings and the sun was at it's noon position, meaning no help for a while.
    "No need, I can show you the next town." came a pleasant voice.
    The group turned and saw a young boy in thick white robes.  He had a staff in one hand and a strange golden headband that had a massive jewel in the first.
    "You all were called here for an important reason.  I am Master Mage Clef.  I am here on behalf of Princess Emeraude, who beckons you all to come to the castle." the boy informed them.
    "You mean this Princess just called us here from Tokyo Tower?" Fuu inquired.
    "Yes, she needs your help desperately." Clef answered.
    "So, where are we?  North America?  Asia?  Africa?" Hikage inquired.
    "We are not on your world, I'm afraid.  We shall explain more at the castle." Clef responded, waving his hand.
    A large chariot and a team of pegasi appeared next to them.
    "Whoa.  David Copperfield would eat his own arm to learn that trick." Hikage noted.
    "David Copperfield probably HAS eaten his own arm." Umi replied.
    Tochi was already in the chariot with Hikaru and Clef.  Hurrying, the remaining trio hopped on just as Clef clicked his tongue.
    "Hold on." Clef warned, gripping the front of the chariot.
    The five otherworlders grabbed the side of the chariot with a fierce grip.

    The castle, as it turned out, wasn't in too good of shape.  There were burn marks and holes all over the place.  Numerous construction crews were already working hard to fix the damage.  Despite the damage, it still looked fairly spectacular.  The entire structure took up the size of ten district schools and was easily three times as tall.
    The chariot landed in the courtyard and the six stepped off.  Clef sent the pegasi and the chariot to the stables before he motioned the quintet to enter.  Inside, where the signs of damage were nonexistant, the walls seemed to sparkle with rubies and gold.  The pillars were marble as was the floor.  The ceiling was covered in a beautiful murial depicting two girls hugging.  Their positions made it difficult to decipher if they were lovers or affectionate relatives.
    Then, they met Princess Emeraude.  Her reception room wasn't as awesome as the entrance, but the soft silk and numerous pillows were lovely to view.  Princess Emeraude herself was a golden haired girl with soft blue eyes.  She wore a simple white cotton robe that seemed a little of out of place with all the silk.
    "Please sit.  Master Mage Clef and I will explain what has happened to you." Princess Emeraude offered, motioning to the pillows.
    The group sat.  Tochi and Umi wore stern expressions, while Fuu and Hikage were curious as to the manner in which they had arrived.  Hikaru sipped some tea that had been offered and smiled.
    "You see, we would have never called you here if it was not of the utmost urgency.  Our world is not like yours.  You may think that magic and technology are the only differences, but there is another difference." Clef began, "Our world has been free of evil magic and evil monsters for many millenia.  Magic has been protecting us from their presense.  And one woman does it."
    "My mother is the one keeping us free from the evil.  She is the pillar of our world.  And soon, it will be my turn to replace her." Princess Emeraude continued.
    "However, a man named Zagato had ursurped control and has sealed Queen Emeraude away.  As she slowly passes away, the world around us will crumble and eventually collapse." Clef finished.
    "What do you expect us to do?" Tochi inquired.
    "You see, the magic of Cephiro is based on willpower.  Unfortunately, as strong as the people here can get, we can't match Zagato and his partner, Inova.  They have gained control of two of the seven legenday Rune Gods, which devote their power to Queen Emeraude.  Unfortunately, the Rune Gods only answer to Magic Knights, which Zagato and Inova still are, despite their evil acts.  Our own Magic Knights would have stopped them..." Clef trailed off.
    "But they're dead, aren't they?" Hikage asked.
    "Zagato and Inova killed them first, then sealed Queen Emeraude away." Clef confirmed.
    "However, the Magic Knights from another world can still defeat them.  If you can find the five remaining Rune Gods and defeat Zagato and Inova, we will forever be grateful..." Princess Emeraude pleaded.
    "That's nice, but we aren't magic anything.  We don't use magic in our world." Umi responded.
    "Come on, Umi, they wouldn't have brought us here if we didn't have the potential to BECOME Magic Knights.  It's simple reasoning." Fuu scolded.
    "That's right.  However, even with the Rune Gods, you will need more power. So, we will grant you a rare magical substance called Escudo to increase your magic." Princess Emeraude explained.
    "I get it, you wanna super charge the Rune Gods so that you can make sure of our victory." Hikage reasoned.
    "It's not just that.  Zagato and Inova are both veterans with magic and with their Rune Gods.  Even a Master Mage like myself can only hold them off for scarce minutes when they use their full power.  Your own magic limits will be the equivalent limits for the Rune Gods.  So, if you can only handle a little magic..." Clef told them.
    "The Rune God would be at it's weakest.  I get it.  But, the Escudo would let us bypass the normal requirements of training in order to gain more magic." Fuu replied.
    "Exactly.  But, you will still need a lot of training with your magic.  Which is why we will not be able to provide you with safe passage." Clef answered.
    "WHAT?!" Umi demanded.
    "To build up our endurance.  If we don't fight, we don't get any stronger." Tochi lamented.
    "Not really.  Escudo grows more powerful as you grow more confident.  The more powerful you grow, the more powerful it grows." Princess Emeraude informed them.
    "And thus, the Rune Gods would get stronger when it's time to use them." Hikaru cheerfully declared.
    "Unfortunately, in order to get weapons that will serve you in your quest, you'll need to see the Weapon Maker, Presea.  She lived in the Forest of Silence to the west.  Because of a powerful magical stone in the forest, almost all magic will be negated.  Once you've entered, you will not be able to use your magic." Clef explained.
    "Almost all magic?  Let me guess, only magic that's not directly offensive or defensive will work?" Fuu inquired.
    Clef nodded.
    "Huh?" Umi asked.
    "She means spells that summon creatures, teleportation and stuff like that. Anything that won't hurt, protect or heal anything." Hikage informed her.
    "So, other than this Escudo stuff and some magic, we get no help?" Tochi demanded angrily.
    "We will give you money as well as assistance in the form of magical potions.  Other than that, I'm afraid that you will have to be on your own." Princess Emeraude responded.
    "Wow!  This is kind of like a role-playing game!" Fuu noted.
    "Only we don't get to roll up new characters or press 'Reset' if we lose, Fuu-san." Hikage answered.
    "That's true." Fuu responded, sweatdropping.
    "Well, at least give us weapons now.  If there are so many monsters, I don't think our fists will be enough." Tochi reasoned.
    "Don't worry, we'll provide you with weapons, but they won't be nearly as good as the ones you're receive from Presea." Clef answered.
    "Now I shall grant you the Escudo armor.  It will not seem very good right now, but please keep in mind that it needs to grow." Princess Emeraude told them.
    The princess closed her eyes and prayed.  Five pieces of ore floated down from the ceiling and wrapped themselves around the five warriors.  The ore formed into special bracers, a chest and backplate with a single shoulder guard, and calf bracers.  For the two guys, who were wearing school pants, the bracers appeared underneath their pants.  The bracers extended up to engulf one hand.
    "We'll prepare a feast now.  It may not be as lavish as you expect, but it will be delicious, I assure you." Clef told them, watching the princess carefully as she remained in her praying position.
    Clef escorted them out.
    "What about the princess?" Hikaru asked, glancing back to see that Princess Emeraude was not with them.
    "She spent a lot of energy making that armor for you five.  She will need to rest for a while." Clef replied.

    The meal was delicious and uneventful, but the selection of weaponry was not.
    "Look, I don't care what you say, it'll slow you down and we need to be fast." Hikage scolded Umi.
    Umi huffed indignantly before tipping over and scattering the numerous spears and lances she had stuffed into a backpack all over the floor.  Fuu looked over the crossbows and shook her head, she was an archer, and needed a bow.  Hikaru hefted a long sword and swung it a few times before smiling in approval.
    Ben tested the weight of the thick sword in his hand, before testing the balance of a glaive.  He looked at Clef, "Can we take two weapons?  I like this sword, but I also need a weapon for longer distance."
    "Yes, you may, but I doubt you'll need more than one.  I know the path you'll be traveling to Presea's place and there will not be many obstructions or enclosed spaces." Clef responded.
    Ben looked between the two weapons and choose the glaive.  Hikage nabbed a battle axe while Umi took up a rapier.
    "Do you have any bows?" Fuu asked.
    Clef examined the room, frowning in confusion.
    "Try behind the rack." Clef noted, gesturing to a spear rack that was off balance.
    Fuu looked behind it and took out a short bow and a massive quiver of about a hundred arrows.  Fuu nodded in appeasement.
    "The gems on your hands can contain these weapons and the weapons you will get from Presea.  In addition, they can hold either healing potions or food reliably." Clef informed them.
    "Let me guess, we have to will them away or into our hands, right?" Tochi asked.
    Clef nodded and smiled, "You catch on quick."
    "So, when's our first magic lesson?" Fuu inquired.
    "Right now," Clef began, "close your eyes and concentrate.  You've no doubt felt a strange feeling in your heart ever since waking up.  There are words that want to come out, but you can't quite vocalize them.  Don't say them right now, but they'll form into words.  That is your magic.  When you have your very first spell, open your eyes.  I'll assist anyone who is having trouble."
    Hikaru opened her eyes first, followed by Fuu, Hikage and Umi.  Tochi spent a minute with his eyes closed.  Clef was about to approach him when he finally opened his eyes as well.
    "Okay, we have the magic, we have the weapons, we've got the armor.  All we need are the supplies and we'll be on our way." Hikaru declared cheerfully.
    Picking supplies, as it turned out, was even more insane than the weaponry debacle.
    "I don't think your storage crystals are THAT good." Clef sweatdropped as he saw the miniature mountain of food.
    "Aaaawwww..." Hikaru and Tochi complained.
    Finally, the group set out to the west with a magical map of Cephiro, generously provided by Clef.
    "The prophecy will come true." Princess Emeraude whispered as she watched them leave.
    "It is a sad fate.  Zagato and Inova can never be forgiven for starting them down this cruel path." Clef declared.
    Princess Emeraude looked at the paper in her hands, which foretold the prophecy of the Magic Knights.
    "Destiny can be so cruel." Princess Emeraude said as she cried softly.
    Clef was quiet.  He knew that if he had chosen a different path, things would be different, vastly different.  But, his desire for the princess to live in peace would never allow him to accept that other path.
    "Clef... if they..," Princess Emeraude began before restarting, "...when they find all five Rune Gods, please tell them of their fate.  I can't bare for them to be so unknowing of the suffering they will need to endure."
    Clef nodded.

    "Alcione."
    The elven black-haired beauty appeared.
    "The Princess has summoned her new Knights.  Kill them."
    "Is this a command from Lord Zagato?" Alcione inquired of the white haired elf in front of her.
    "Yes."
    "Very well, Inova." Alcione replied.
    Inova watched her leave and snorted.  Only he was fit to love Lord Zagato, who slept, awaiting for the final battle, not Alcione.  What better way to get an idea of what they were capable of?  And if Alcione died, it was her own miserable luck.

Hikage = Shadow (from sunlight)
Tochi = Earth (Tsuchi also means earth)

===========

    The Forest of Silence

    The Forest of Silence was quiet.  It was only when one was within twenty feet of a sound that one could actually hear it, thus the reason the forest was quiet and why it was called the Forest of Silence.
    There were only two actual things in the Forest of Silence that could be used to give one a sense of where they were in the forest.  The first was a massive magical stone that was surrounded by swarming monsters.  The second was Presea's house.  If one were to look on a map, the two would be at opposite of each other in the forest.  If one could find North when locating one, one could make a beeline for the other.
    "I'm glad that the forest is naturally that shape." Hikage noted, looking at the map over Fuu's shoulder.
    "Why's that?" Fuu inquired.
    "Because someone would have to be hit for being a pervert." Umi declared.
    "Huh?" Hikaru and Fuu asked.
    "The forest is shaped like a pair of breasts with Presea's house and the stone being nipples." Tochi stated.
    "........................." was the general sentiment.
    Tochi felt someone hit him in the back of the head.  He glared back at Hikage as he clutched the lump.
    "You don't say that sort of thing in front of ladies." Hikage scolded.
    "And you don't hit a comrade on the back of the head." Tochi responded, pulling out his glaive and hitting Hikage with the blunt end.
    Tochi sent his glaive back into his gem as Hikage glared at him.

    Presea's house was easy to get to.  Save for a single monster, a mere slime that Hikaru sliced in twain, they got to it without a single problem.  Entering it became the problem.  The wall surrounding the place was without a gateway or portal.  Fuu and Hikage had even checked for hidden switches.
    "Stupid wall, get out of our way." Umi growled, kicking the wall.
    Instead of doing nothing, or exploding as Umi had hoped for, a doorway appeared.  The group exchanged glances, then entered.
    "Should we really?" Fuu inquired hesistantly.
    "Hey, we need to talk to her.  If we have to barge in, so be it." Tochi answered.
    Inside was a fairly simple layout.  A single hallway, which arched and curved, connected to most of the rooms.  However, the place seemed devoid of life, as the group entered the final room, a library, and found no one.
    "Now what?" Hikaru asked.
    "Maybe there's a basement or secret room that we missed." Fuu reasoned.
    "Or maybe... you forgot to look behind you." came an unfamiliar voice.
    The group spun to see a tall brown-haired woman with a long ponytail.
    "Doctor Presea, I presume?" Hikage joked.
    "I'm not a doctor, but yes, I'm Presea." she responded.
    "We were sent by Master Mage Clef and Princess Emeraude.  We apologize for barging in, but we couldn't find any other way of alerting you to our presense without running the possibility of breaking something." Fuu apologized.
    "While we haven't quite seen the need for our current weapons, we would appreciate if you could give us better weapons." Umi stated.
    "Oh, you need better weapons?  Well, there are a few weapons that I have that are better than the ones you've got, but I think you'll find that cannons are a bit difficult to carry." Presea noted, "However, I can make very special weapons for each of you.  Unfortunately, it requires getting a rare ore from a special spring."
    "What kind of ore?  Adamantium?  Mythril?" Fuu inquired.
    "You should know what it is by now.  You're wearing armor made from it." Presea noted, motioning to their armor.
    "You mean... Escudo?" Hikaru inquired.
    "Escudo isn't very strong at first, but it eventually grows as strong as the user's will, which means that it can become seven times stronger than any other metal.  Once it's at that level, even obsidian and diamond can be cut with it." Presea declared.
    "So that's why the Princess sent us here.  If we get both armor AND weapons made of Escudo, our magic potential will be on par with even the more veteran Magic Knights of this world." Hikage stated.
    Presea's eyes narrowed a bit and she sighed.
    "What's wrong?" Hikaru asked.
    "It's... I have to tell you all something important so that you can be ready.  You see, Zagato and Inova, the two magic knights that turned traitor?  Long ago, I made them Escudo armor and weapons." Presea began.
    "WHAT?!" the group demanded.
    Presea nodded, "However, the instant you betray your own heart, Escudo stops growing.  Betray it too long and Escudo starts reverting to it's ore stage.  You should remember that."
    The group looked at their own armor and nodded.
    "I'm afraid that you must go to the Spring of Eterna.  In this forest, your map will only serve to get you lost unless you have a specific destination in mind.  I'll lend you a helper to lead you to your destination, but I've got to warn you, he's a little rambunctious." Presea told them.
    "Rambunctious, delicious, I don't care.  Let's get your helper and get to the spring." Tochi declared.
    Presea exited the room and returned with a small white animal that fit in her hand.  It looked like a mix between a marshmallow and a rabbit with a red jewel in his forehead.  It was the size of an average Idaho potato.
    "Pu!" the creature declared.
    "This is Mokona.  He's from a special race of creatures that act as messengers around here.  He'll be able to guide you to the Spring of Eterna. Unfortunately, he'll probably lead you into plenty of monsters as well.  He takes the most direct route." Presea informed them.
    The creature let loose with a series of 'Pu's.
    "Yes, yes, in this forest, it's safer to take the direct route, but you still lead people into a lot of monsters." Presea responded.
    Mokona pupu'ed and leapt down.  Presea glared at it and took out a cloth, wiping the pu off her hand.
    "Uh, do we want to take a non-potty trained animal with us?" Tochi inquired.
    "Yeah, can we get a potty trained one?" Umi asked.
    "I'm afraid not." Presea responded.
    "Well, we can't get to the Spring otherwise." Hikaru responded as Mokona hopped onto her shoulder.
    "He's got a storage/communication jewel in his forehead.  Clef, Emeraude or I can contact you with information on your journey.  In the storage space are two large magically protected cabins and an almost infinite supply of fruits.  Unfortunately, he won't produce anything else." Presea declared.
    It was then that a tremor shook the ground slightly.
    "What was that?  An impact tremor?" Hikage asked.
    "No, earthquake." Tochi answered.
    "Hmmm, it's still early out.  Maybe you should hurry on your way." Presea told them.
    "Right." the group agreed.

    The stone pulsed and glowed.  The test was finally going to occur.  Time to see what the new Magic Knights could do.

    Tochi slashed the slime in half, destroying it's core in the process.  The cores, as it turned out, were the only thing holding the slime together.  Unfortunately, it was only an inch in diameter and the slime was usually three feet wide and two feet tall.  Hitting it with a glaive was difficult, as glaives weren't originally designed to battle jelly creatures.  Huffing, he turned to see Fuu launching another arrow through a slime, this time hitting the core perfectly.
    "It's getting harder and harder to deal with all these monster." Tochi noted.
    Umi and Hikage were having the easiest time, as their weapons could be used much more quickly and could peel through a slime's outer layers in seconds and destroy it's core faster than anyone else could.  The slimes couldn't move their cores fast enough to dodge.
    "I LOVE this thing!" Hikage laughed as he held up his axe.
    "Yeah, but all we've been facing are slimes.  You'd think a forest might have more variety." Fuu noted, wiping the sweat from her brow.
    "Don't say that, we might-" Umi began.
    "Hello, would you all like to play?" came an inquiry from a nearby tree branch.
    Tochi and Hikage turned, ready to battle the new foe and nearly collapsed with nosebleeds.  On the tree branch was a woman with the legs of a bird, her arms were wings, and a fan of feathers covered her butt.  Other than that, she was basically a butt-naked chick.
    "HAVE YOU NO MODESTY?!" Umi growled.
    "BEAH!  NOH MOBETHY!" Hikage agreed, pinching his nose to stop the blood flowing from his nostrils.
    She laughed and spread her legs.  Hikage fell, out like a light.  Tochi began drooling and walking towards the naked woman, who was caressing her inner thighs with her feathers and cooing.
    "TOCHI!" Hikaru growled, bonking him on the head.
    "Huh?  What?  Where am I?" Tochi asked, rubbing his head.
    "You were looking at that naked woman!" Hikaru growled, pointing at the moaning bird woman.
    "What naked- AAAAACK!" Tochi yelped.
    Then, both Tochi and Hikaru noticed Fuu and Umi walking towards the bird woman.  Tochi and Hikaru bopped them both on the head.
    "What kind of perverts are you?" Tochi asked.
    "Huh?  Did we leave Presea's?" Fuu inquired.
    Hikaru's eyes narrowed, "I see...  Fuu, before you become entranced, fire an arrow at the bird woman."
    Noticing the naked, and now masturbating, bird woman, Fuu blushed and fired an arrow at her.  It struck the bird woman in the left arm.  The arm crumbled away to dust.  The bird woman didn't seem to notice.
    "What the hell?!" Umi demanded, seeing the arm dissolve.
    Fuu fired another arrow and struck the bird woman in the forehead.  The woman dissolved, leaving only a red orb behind.
    "Like the slimes." Tochi noted, kicking Hikage awake.
    "We shouldn't trust our eyes in this forest." Fuu declared.
    "What are you people doing in here?  Don't you know this forest is dangerous?" came a masculine voice.
    The group turned to see two people, both dressed, standing to the group's left.  The first was a green-haired young man with a wicked scimitar.  The other was a blonde-haired young woman with black wings sprouting from her back.  Both had fairly short hair.
    "Is she like this bird woman?" Umi demanded, holding up the speared orb that had once been the bird woman.
    "How dare you compare me to that thing!  I happen to be the finest warrior in all of Aethyr, not some bimbo harpy." the blonde-haired woman huffed.
    "How do we know?  I mean, this place has some... interesting effects on the wildlife." Fuu declared, shivering as she recalled her entrancement.
    "Besides, we're not wimps.  Easily enchanted doesn't equal completely helpless." Tochi rumbled.
    "Hold it, I think we all got off on the wrong foot." Hikaru interupted, "We're the five warriors who are destined to become the Magic Knights.  And you are?"
    The newcomers were taken aback at Hikaru's announcement.
    "I'm Ferio and this is Nina.  We were asked to find the crystal that's been making this area dangerous and break it, but Nina can't fly above the trees for some reason and we've been getting dizzy a lot.  We were wondering if you had any food to spare." the young boy said.
    "I apologize for my rudeness." Nina declared, bowing.
    "And we apologize for ours." Hikaru responded.

    As it turned out, Nina was from a tribe of people who all had wings, but were not like the harpies of the Forest of Silence.  They lived near the Temple of Windam, the legendary wind god, which they guessed was the source of their ability to fly.  Ferio was a warrior from a nearby village, reknown for his prowess with his sword.  After they were all introduced, Mokona provided the hungry travelers with a snack.
    "Tell us about this stone that's in here." Hikage requested.
    "It's known as the Kuchimasu stone.  The power from it is said to turn normal animals into monsters, which is how there came to be so many slimes, harpies and other beasts in this forest." Nina responded.
    "It's known that the stone has been corrupting this place for only a decade.  It creates the unnatural silence that permeates the forest, the disorienting effect that sends unwary travelers astray, the nullification power that stops anything but instantaneous magic, and keeps Nina from flying too high.  It's said that the closer something comes to it, the more corrupting the stone's powers become." Ferio declared.
    "If it's been here for a decade, why hasn't anyone done something about it before?" Fuu inquired.
    "They tried.  A young and powerful summoner entered the forest about six years ago, before the monsters started appearing, and never returned.  Three years ago, before the disorientation effect started, they hired a sorceress to find him, but she never came out either.  Now they're sending us.  And we're lost." Ferio sighed.
    "Well, if we destroy the stone, all this should stop happening, right?  It should be pretty simple." Hikaru reasoned.
    "Not so fast." Fuu interupted.
    "What is it?" Ferio inquired.
    "How do you intend to break this stone?  Your sword looks sharp, but I kinda doubt it's good enough to break a stone.  And no magic can destroy it because all but instantaneous magic is cancelled." Fuu retorted.
    "This stone probably isn't as tough as we think.  It may have all this power, but I'm somehow doubting that it'll be that difficult to break, Fuu." Tochi responded.
    "That's just it.  What if it IS that difficult to break?  We should at least consider that aspect." Fuu retorted.
    Umi interjected, "Okay, let's consider it.  Hmmmm, no point in worrying about it.  Let's just leave that for when we come to it, okay?  For now, party time's over."
    "I like her." Tochi noted.
    "Well, I guess we'll be on our way." Nina declared.
    "No need, Mokona can probably lead us to the stone." Hikage responded.
    "You've got that wrong.  Mokona probably WILL lead us to the stone." Tochi told him.
    "In any case, the more, the merrier, right?" Hikaru joined in.
    Umi, Fuu, Hikage and Tochi nodded.  Anything to cut down on the number of monsters they each had to fight.

    It was midday when they finally reached the edge of the stone's clearing.  The stone was pretty much a giant crystal sticking out of the ground.  The monsters that surrounded it were a far bit larger than even the harpies.
    "Geez, look at all those monsters." Umi whimpered.
    Fuu was busy counting the number of monsters that were visible.
    "I'd estimate between two to eight hundred." Fuu noted.
    "Oh yeah, this'll be fun.  How do we keep enough strength to deal with the stone if the monsters are in the way?" Tochi inquired.
    "Hmmm, I've got an idea.  Hikage, Umi, Nina, Tochi and Hikaru, you all go distract the monsters away from the stone.  I'll defend Fuu." Ferio suggested.
    "What am I going to do?" Fuu inquired.
    "I figure that this stone is pretty tough, but even a normal weapon wielded by a Magic Knight should break it.  Fuu's got the longest range of all of us, so she can hit it without being in it's range of effect." Ferio replied.
    "If that's true, then this is the best plan we'll have. Well, let's go." Hikage agreed.
    The five warriors leapt from the bushes and charged, slashing and bashing their way through the thick of the monsters before retreating to the left.  Once the vast majority were chasing after the warriors or dead, Ferio charged the stone with Fuu trailing a good distance behind.  A few monsters had lingered, but Ferio's sword cut them in half.
    Meanwhile, the others were battling fiercely.  Tochi glanced over at Hikaru as she sliced through another monster.  She smiled with grim determination.  Tochi barely had time to block another monster's attack as he felt a blush covering his face.  Why was he turned on by the sight of Hikaru like that?, he wondered.
    "Fuu, you've got a clear shot!" Ferio called.
    Fuu notched an arrow, ready to shoot the stone when a massive wolf leapt at her from behind.
    "FUU!  A WOLF MONSTER IS BEHIND YOU!" Ferio yelled.
    Fuu didn't turn.  Instead, she fired her arrow, then leapt forward, barely dodging the wolf's teeth.  Her arrow struck the crystal and cracked it slightly, but didn't break it.  She scrambled to her feet and looked for her attacker.
    "Ferio, I don't see anything." Fuu replied, not seeing the wolf monster which SHOULD have been there, but was no longer present.
    The wolf monster was actually behind Ferio, who screamed in agony as the wolf embedded its teeth into his arm.  It lifted the boy up and and was about to shake him like a rag doll when an arrow pierced its forehead.  The wolf collapsed.  Fuu hurried over to Ferio and forced the wolf's teeth open so he could extract his mangled arm.
    "One second." Fuu told Ferio, pulling out her bow again.
    Fuu fired two more shots into the crystal, striking it in the exact same place and causing a massive crack to form.  Another shot broke the crystal.  The group stopped and sighed in relief as every monster changed into a harmless forest creature.  And best of all, for Fuu's conscience, even the wolf returned to life, at a diminished size and without the arrow in the forehead.  As the crystal melted, two unconscious forms fell from it to hit the ground.
    "Those must be the two magic-users who tried to stop the stone before." Nina noted as Fuu used her magic to heal Ferio.
    "Well, with this done, let's get to the Spring of Eterna." Tochi declared.
    "You wanna go on?" Umi demanded angrily, as she wiped her brow.
    "Yes, because we all stink like hell.  There's bound to be water at a 'spring' and we could use a bath." Tochi noted, wiping sweat off his own forehead.
    "Yeah, except for Fuu and Ferio, we're all sweaty and stinky." Hikage agreed.
    "I'll find some water we can bathe in." Nina suggested, flying up into the air.
    A few seconds later, she swooped down and landed.  Both she and Mokona pointed in the same direction.
    "That way!" Nina declared.
    "Pu pu!" Mokona declared simultaneously.
    "What about them?" Hikaru asked, motioning to the two magic-users.
    Fuu checked them.
    "They're just asleep." Fuu responded.
    "Oh, okay, let's get going.  I don't like being stinky." Hikaru declared.
    "TO THE DEATH OF STINKINESS!" Tochi cheered.

    The group hurried through the forest.  With no more monsters interfering, the group was making excellent time.
    "How much further?!" Hikaru asked, maintaining her speed as they dashed along.
    "It wasn't far from the edge of the forest!" Nina replied.
    It wasn't long before the group emerged from the forest.  Each felt the gloom of the forest sweep away as they entered a dusty plain.  It was a tad desolate, but a lot better than the forest.  For Ferio and Nina, who had been lost for weeks, it was an incredible rush to finally get out of the forest.
    "Ice Arrow."
    Tochi jerked as ten tiny spears of ice lodged into his back, sending him crashing to the ground.  The rest of the group stopped and hurried over to the fallen boy.
    "TOCHI!" Hikaru cried.
    The group looked up to see a buxom woman with long black hair hovering in the air.  She was clad in an almost scandalous black bikini that had red sleeves attached.  At the waistband, two huge flanges of extranneous clothes stuck out like tailfeathers on a bird or petals on a flower.   She also wore a necklace that had three gems strung in it that rested in her EE-cup chest.
    "Why are you attacking us?  What did we ever do to you?" Hikage demanded.
    "My name is Alcione.  I am one of Lord Zagato's faithful minions.  You all have reached the end of your road." the woman declared, "I'll kill you and then Lord Zagato and I will live happily ever after.  AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!"
    "Looks like her breast size is double her IQ." Nina haughtily noted, covering her ears.
    Fuu knelt down next to Tochi.
    "Fuu, can you heal him?" Hikaru asked without taking her eyes off Alcione.
    "I'll need to remove the ice, but I'm sure I can." Fuu replied.
    "Good, take care of him," Hikaru told her before turning to the others, "Umi, Hikage, you come with me."
    "What about us?" Ferio asked.
    "We've already asked too much of you.  We'll take it from here." Hikage responded.
    "You remember your spells?" Hikaru asked.
    Both Umi and Hikage nodded.
    "Good.  Let's take the bitch down." Hikaru snarled.
    "Shadow Fog!" Hikage yelled, extending a hand towards Alcione.
    Alcione's shadow reached up and engulfed her.  She struggled to get out of the shadow, but it was impossible.  The shadow gripped her tightly to prevent her from casting any more spells.
    "Water Dragon!" Umi cried, unleashing a torrent of water to send Alcione crashing to the ground.
    "Red Lightning." Hikaru seethed unrelentingly, sending a bolt of lightning at Alcione, who screamed in agony.
    Alcione looked weakly at the red-haired girl.  Both of them knew another attack would kill her.  There was no way the weakened sorceress could summon a barrier.  Umi and Hikage watched the scene, wondering what their friend would do.
    "Flame Arrow!" Hikaru added, sending a barrage of magical arrows at Alcione.
    "LORD ZAGATO!" Alcione screamed as the barrage engulfed her.
    There was a long silence as Alcione and the blast faded.
    "She dead?" Tochi asked, forcing himself upright.
    "I think so." Hikaru replied.
    "......" was the general response from the group.
    "Let's get to that pond.  I don't think my clothes are going to clean themselves." Tochi joked, wincing a bit as his back twinged.
    "Tochi?  Can I talk with you?" Hikaru asked.
    "Sure." Tochi replied.
    Hikaru hugged Tochi.
    "Hey, Hikaru, I'm okay..." Tochi began.
    "I... I killed her." Hikaru hicupped out through her sobs.
    Tochi was silent.  [She was able to kill monsters with no qualms, so why does killing someone else bother her so much?] he wondered.
    "Hikaru, if you didn't want to kill her, then why did you agree to come with us?" Tochi inquired.
    Hikaru pulled away suddenly and looked at him in the eyes.
    "You knew that Zagato and Inova are evil and you know evil people don't just give up.  They knew what they were doing, because they killed their friends first.  We'll have to kill them as well." Tochi replied.
    "Why?" Hikaru asked.
    "Because otherwise they won't stop hurting and killing people.  I know blood doesn't wash away blood, but sometimes you have to make do with what we have.  If we had a few years and the ability to talk to them, we might be able to change their ways, but we've got lives too and they don't seem to want to talk.  So, the path is chosen." Tochi told her.
    Tochi stepped away from her and formed his glaive.  He drew a line in the dirt.  Tochi pointed to the line, "That line represents our struggle.  You must make your decision.  You can go back to Emeraude and wait for us to either win or lose.  Or you can join us and help us repay Zagato and Inova for all the horrible things they and their minions have done to the people of Cephiro.  But if you cross it, you have to give it your very best.  Nothing less will do."
    Fuu bit her lip in worry.  They didn't know each other well enough for her to make an educated guess about how Hikaru would respond to Tochi's declaration.  On the other hand, the tactic would allow them to come together as a group, which was what they needed if they were to defeat Zagato.
    "Isn't this a little too mean?" Umi asked.
    "If she can't decide now, her heart and mind aren't focused.  How is she supposed to handle it if we have to kill someone else?" Tochi demanded.
    Hikaru stepped across the line, causing Umi to forget her retort.
    "I don't want any more innocent people to get hurt." Hikaru declared.
    "I know it's hard, Hikaru, but I'm glad you made this decision." Tochi told her.
    Hikaru nodded.

==============

    Hot Nights At Camp And Cold Springs Of Eterna

    Tochi relaxed in the water.  Ferio and Hikage were relaxing as well, but Tochi needed it more.  His back had been bothering him the entire way, but now he could just relax and let the muscles continue their healing.
    Since it was dark and the pond was fairly large, the group had decided to split into two in order to enjoy it without waiting.  So, Ferio, Hikage and Tochi's cabin was set up on the opposite side of the pond from the girl's cabin.
    "Hey, you know, the girls are over there bathing and it's pretty dark.  We could probably peep on them without worrying." Ferio noted.
    Tochi's nose began to itch.
    "Hey yeah.  It'd be so cool to see 'em scrub each other's backs.  Maybe see them feel each other up..." Hikage grinned.
    "Feh.  Scrubbing backs is nothing and the possibility of them feeling each other up is almost nil, if that." Tochi gruffed.
    "Well, you know, we could trip one of them without really worrying.  Maybe see them kiss." Ferio noted.
    "Are you two idiots?  First of all, while tripping them SOUNDS nice, it's more likely they'll notice us if we have to get that close.  Secondly, if they notice us, they'll kill us.  And thirdly, I'm not in a rush to die.  Especially not after this afternoon." Tochi told them.
    "Dude, you're spineless.  Listen, at the very least, we'll see them naked.  And that's something no straight man would give up, especially when there aren't any barriers.  You do have balls, don't you?" Hikage teased.
    "Like cantaloupes!" Tochi replied.
    "And you wanna see Hikaru naked, right?" Hikage prodded.
    A powerful blush covered Tochi's entire body.
    "You aren't backing out, then." Ferio declared.
    Tochi muttered some curses as thoughts of Hikaru plagued his mind.
    "I'm blaming you two if we get caught." Tochi growled.
    "It's so nice to be wanted." Hikage cooed.
    "Shut up Hikage!" Ferio and Tochi yelled in unison, bapping him.

    "It's so nice to be clean." Nina declared, relaxing in the cool water.
    "Yeah, but the guys'll probably peep." Umi giggled as she settled down next to Nina about two feet from shore.  Fuu and Hikaru joined them shortly after removing their clothes.
    "How do you know that?  I _know_ Hikage will try, but Ferio and Tochi seem upstanding enough." Fuu responded.
    "Oh, come on.  We're not in Tokyo, we're miles away from any law enforcement and there's no obstacles.  If they don't peep, they're eunuchs." Umi snorted.
    "Hey, I've met some nice boys that wouldn't peep." Fuu replied.
    "Maybe you're right, but I'll be very surprised if they haven't at least tried once or twice." Umi retorted.
    "Why do you want them to peep?" Hikaru asked, hoping the guys weren't watching.  She'd die of embarrassment if they were.
    "Oh, come on.  We're all sixteen.  Their hormones are raging, we're all naked and I enjoy the idea of them looking." Umi declared.
    "Aaah-aaaah-AAH-AHExhibitionist." Fuu sneezed out.
    Umi glared at Fuu, who looked away nonchalantly.
    "Besides, Hikaru, you've got a beautiful body.  You shouldn't be ashamed that someone is willing to look at it.  Now, if they try and pinch or grope without permission, then you pound them, but otherwise-" Umi began.
    Three forms burst out the water.  The middle one, Tochi, was wheezing for air.  Hikage and Ferio were also short on breath, but it was obvious Tochi had forced the group to the surface.  As they recovered the precious air they needed to live, they noticed that they were in an extreme proximity to the girls, about two and a half feet away actually.
    "YOU JERKS!  YOU SAID WE WOULDN'T BE GOING NEAR THE GIRLS!" Tochi roared, grabbing Ferio and Hikage and hurling them back towards their own side.
    Tochi dove below the water and swam away as fast as he possibly could.
    "Well, I'd say they're healthy." Umi declared, grinning.
    "Ferio, you dork." Nina huffed.
    "....." Hikaru moaned, unsure of how she should react.
    Fuu growled after the boys.

    The trio of males walked up the shoreline to their cabin.
    "By the Pillar, man!  That was close!" Ferio wheezed.
    "No crap!  Good thinking, Tochi." Hikage complimented.
    "If you two morons do that again, I'll personally kick you both in the head." Tochi growled.
    "Still, that was a pretty awesome view." Hikage noted.
    The trio paused, then hurried to get dressed.

    Morning came.  After all three males got a mild pounding from Hikaru, Nina and Fuu; Nina and Ferio left for town so they could get their reward.  As Mokona lead the group towards the Spring of Eterna, Tochi and Hikage adjusted their grips on the bags of ice Umi had provided.
    "I can't believe you two.  Doing something that perverted after all that happened yesterday." Fuu scolded.
    "Oh, come on.  I mean, if we hadn't peeped on you, you probably would've tried peeping on us." Hikage replied.
    "I tried to talk them out of it..." Tochi grumbled, considering it unfair that he had been beaten up as well.
    "Yes, I mean, it's not like they tried to have sex with us." Umi agreed.
    "......" Hikaru stated.
    "Hikaru, you okay?  You've been acting weird all day." Tochi noted.
    "Why did you look?" Hikaru asked.
    "......" was Tochi's original reply.
    "You were so serious about doing things seriously, then you went and peeped." Hikaru continued.
    "......" was Tochi's second reply.
    "You pervert." Hikaru hissed.
    Something in Tochi snapped, "Okay, that's it.  Hikaru, I... kinda wanted to look because... it felt like I could get close to you without actually doing anything.  I kinda like you... and I wasn't really thinking."
    Shame covered Tochi's face, Guilt stood on his shoulders, and Depression got some excellent sucker punches in.
    Tochi tried to explain, "Yesterday, during the battle near the stone, you seemed so full of energy and strength even though we were mowing through monsters, blood was caking on our hands and we were growing exhuasted in the fight.  I felt something warm inside my heart.  It was like my heart was actually forming in my chest for the very first time."
    Hikaru was silent as Tochi continued, "Then, later, you were crying and I... I should have felt sorry or understanding, but I was angry.  It was as if you had suddenly become something else, something I didn't like at all.  When you crossed the line, I was so happy that you were still the person from before."
    "Last night, the idea of seeing you seemed more romantic than perverse.  It felt like... like something that I had to do if I really liked you." Tochi finished.
    "Really?" Hikaru asked, surprised.
    Tochi nodded.  Hikaru hugged his right arm.
    "I'm sorry I hurt you." Hikaru apologized.
    "I'm sorry I embarrassed you." Tochi responded.
    "Let's find that spring." Hikaru said, tugging Tochi along.

    The Spring of Eterna looked like a dried up fountain... with a line above it.
    "Uh, what the..." Fuu began.
    "This line has to do with the Spring.  Wonder what it is?" Hikage began, pointing at the line.
    "Well, it runs all around the spring, so maybe it's a really flat disk." Tochi noted, poking it with his glaive.
    Water ran down the tip from where the glaive touched the disk.
    "Water?  I was expecting stone or something." Tochi declared.
    "Someone must have rendered the Spring flat so that it would avoid detection from people seeking it." Fuu declared.
    "So how do we get the Escudo?  It's in the Spring." Tochi noted.
    "From up here!" Hikaru called.
    The group looked up to see Hikaru looking down at them from a ledge.  Everyone followed Mokona up to where Hikaru was and looked down to see a pool of water.  Mokona, however, didn't stop and leapt into the water.  The rest of the group, save Tochi, eagerly followed.  Tochi mentally hardened himself, shaking off his fear of heights.
    "Well, here goes everything." Tochi gulped, charging off the ledge and into the water below.

    Hikaru screamed in horror at the sight.  Tochi stood over her beloved dog, Hikari.  Hikari had been completely gutted, and from it's weak whimpers, was still alive.  A thrust of Tochi's glaive into it's skull silenced it.
    "Sorry, Hikaru, but it was in your heart." Tochi apologized lamely.
    "What?" Hikaru asked, terror and horror filling her to the point that she was going to be sick.
    "No one else can be in your heart if you love me.  I will kill everyone else until you and I are the only ones." Tochi smirked.
    "Don't listen to him!" Fuu pleaded, stepping in front of Tochi.
    "Fuu..." Hikaru whimpered, shaking her head, knowing what was going to happen.
    Tochi's glaive severed her head.
    "He's evil!" Hikage cried, charging with his axe ready.
    Tochi sliced him in half before the silver-haired boy could ever begin to attack.  Hikaru began to shake.  Umi stepped in front of Hikaru.
    "Umi..." Hikaru pleaded.
    "You've got to listen to me, don't let him-" Umi began.
    "STUPID BITCH!" Tochi roared, slashing her across the back, causing a spray of blood to coat him.
    As Umi fell to the ground, Hikaru stared at Tochi, who smiled gently.
    "Hikaru... I love you." Tochi told her.
    Hikaru swallowed uncertainly.  Tochi's voice spoke of sincerity and she wanted to embrace him, despite the blood on his hands.
    "Come on, let's go!" Tochi suddenly snapped, grabbing Hikaru roughly.
    Instantly, Hikaru's eyes hardened and Tochi found Hikaru's sword through his chest.
    "How did you-" Tochi began to ask.
    "Tochi may say or do bad things, but I know he would always be gentle with me." Hikaru replied.
    'Tochi' melted into a red crystal.
    "You were pure of mind and heart enough to defeat my illusions.  Knight of Earth, I grant you Escudo, the Ore of Humans.  Return to your destiny."
    The crystal entered Hikaru's storage jewel and in the blink of an eye, Hikaru was outside of the Spring of Eterna.

    Hikage laid in a curled ball on the ground.  Around him, spiders were making their webs.  Emeraude was dead because of the spiders.  Everyone was dead.  Spiders did it.  Hikage shivered and curled tighter.  Fear had gripped his heart and he was no longer able to move, barely capable of thinking coherently.
    "We should never have come here." Hikage whimpered.
    "Oh?" came Hikaru's voice.
    Hikage snapped up and looked Hikaru and Umi, who were in the nearest web, both already drained of blood.  Dead bodies didn't frighten him, but spiders did.  He knew his fear was irrational, but it was too strong for him to overwhelm.  He hesistantly looked around and saw no spiders.  His fear was beginning to ebb.
    "Hikage, we're dead because of you!  Because of your fear!" Umi's accusitory voice called out.
    "I know!  I'm sorry!" Hikage whimpered.
    "Hikage..."
    "No, no, you can't be dead!" Hikage pleaded as he looked up to see her.
    Nina wasn't dead.  Her skin was pale and clammy, blood was caked all over her arms and legs, her eyes were unfocused.
    "Hikage, I wanted to see you...." Nina whispered before collapsing, scarce feet from Hikage.
    Hikage reached for her, but seven spiders appeared and began to coat her in their webbing.  Hikage shuddered and backed away, too terrified to move closer.  An arrow pierced one of the spiders and it was thrown off Nina's body.  Hikage looked over to see Fuu, shakily standing and trying to aim for another spider.
    "Hikage, we all have fears.  Only the dead don't have fear." Fuu told him before collapsing.
    Two more spiders were cleared away from Nina, one by a scimitar and the other by a thrown glaive.  Tochi, who was beyond Nina, was already dying as more and more spiders injected their deadly poisons and drank his blood.
    "Do you know why we're fighting?" Ferio demanded stepping between Nina and Hikage.
    Hikage shook his head.
    "We don't like dealing with spiders anymore than you do.  Everyone in the world has a fear.  Hell, I'd rather fight bears than spiders this big.  But, I-" Ferio's speech was cut off as three of the spiders who had been coating Nina jumped him and bit his throat, left arm and right leg.  Crying out in pain shortly, Ferio fell.  Hikage cried in despair.  He wanted to help but his fear was too much.  Even as the woman he loved was coated in the spiders' disgusting webbing.
    "Hikage..." came Tochi's voice.
    Hikage looked up to see the boy had raisen to his feet, despite his injuries.
    "Hikage, you don't need to conquer your fear.  Your fear can be your strength.  Let it in.  Fighting it will do you no good.  Accept your fear as a part of you.  Fear is in everyone's life.  We all can get scared of something, but you use your fear to carry you forward.  You turn your fear into determination and do what you need to every day." Tochi coughed out.
    Hikage looked at the spiders.
    "Turn your fear into anger!  THEY'VE TAKEN AND TAKEN!  MAKE THEM STOP!" Ferio joined in.
    Hikage drew his axe, but stopped.
    "Hikage, you can do it." Hikaru and Fuu soothed.
    "Hikage, if you have done it once, you can do everytime." Umi finished.
    Hikage lashed out, swiping the spiders from Ferio's body, before slashing the ones on Nina's body.  The spiders exploded, spraying green blood everywhere.
    Hikage fell to his knees.  His fear was controllable... soon, he'd be able to face it with ease.  A rage engulfed him as he charged, sweeping the spiders from his friends.  The final spider turned into a silverish gray crystal which instantly stored itself in his storage gem.  Hikage stared at his gem in confusion.
    "Well done, Knight of Earth.  You have earned the Escudo.  Return to your destiny."
    Hikage blinked and he was outside with Hikaru.
    "Where is everyone?" Hikage asked.
    "I think they're still being tested." Hikaru answered.
    "I hope they can pass." Hikage shuddered.
    Hikaru nodded in agreement.

    For Umi, it was always the same.
    "Look what I found in Umi's room today." her mother declared, presenting the magazine.
    Her father was furious.
    "_WHAT_," he barked sharply, startling Umi, who was doing her best to become one with the chair she was in, "was _this_ trash doing in your room?"
    "A guy gave it to me on the way home with a bunch of other magazines, I didn't know it was there." Umi tried to plead.
    "What other magazines?  I already checked for other magazines." her mother scolded.
    "I gave them back..." Umi tried to reason.
    "Young lady, reading this sort of filth will only ruin our good name!  If you bring this sort of tripe home, I will disown you!" her father snapped.
    Hell.  She was in hell.  Her mother didn't give her any privacy and her father was always talking about the family honor.  What honor was there?  He was just a high paid manager in a massive corporation and she was a clerk at a convenience store.  Neither one of them were spectacular at their jobs and neither of them had done anything to improve their way of life.  Umi was the only exceptional athlete to appear in either family line in over three generations.  Plus, the only way their name would be damaged would be if they went out and told everyone what their daughter had done, which they would anyway.
    So what if Umi liked to look at dirty magazines?  So what if she wanted to kiss women AND men?  It wasn't like the idea of bisexuals was completely foreign to the universe.  Americans were said to have wild sex with anyone who offered themselves willingly.  And there were plenty of stories about foursomes and orgies at colleges.
    Why then was she forced to sit and take this garbage?  This back-sliding talk that would result in women being unable to have jobs or vote or do much of anything without their husbands?
    "SO WHAT?!" Umi demanded, standing up and staring at them.
    "You are the top student and top fencer in your grade.  You have the potential for so much and we don't want you to waste it with filthy magazines like this!" her father told her.
    "I've been a top student and fencer since I started READING this 'trash'.  I wouldn't have made it otherwise.  Did you ever stop and consider that I'm going to have a life BESIDES school and fencing?!  If you hadn't noticed, unless I become a professional fencer, I'm not going to be making much money!" Umi yelled.
    Her mother was taken aback.  Her father looked at her with a harsh gaze and she met it with an equally determined one.  Finally, her father's face softened.
    "All right, you can do what you like...," he began, before adding, "however, your grades will come first.  If they slip a full letter grade, I _WILL_ confiscate all of these... magazines... and throw them out."
    "Honey!" her mother began.
    "What she said is true.  Her grades were only average before this year.  If these magazines help her focus, then we'll keep quiet about them.  She will be responsible for explaining them if anyone else finds them and she may only spend her own money on them." her father retorted.
    "Dad, thanks..." Umi said, hugging him.
    Her father and mother vanished to show a blue crystal, which entered her storage crystal.
    "Knight of Earth, you have shown your inner strength.  You may have the Escudo.  Now, you must return to your Destiny."
    Umi found herself outside with Hikaru and Hikage.

    Tochi fell to his knees, exhuasted.  His master always trained him until he felt like collapsing.  He looked up and instead of his master's dojo, a wasteland was around him.  He tried to force himself upright, but his arms and legs were too tired.  He'd have to wait and regain his strength.
    Hikage and two men Tochi didn't recognize were fighting Umi, Fuu and Hikaru.  Instinctively, Tochi knew the two men were Inova and Zagato.  Hikage was probably under a mind control spell or they were black-mailing him with Nina's life.  That was the only way they could ever get Hikage to fight against Hikaru and the others.
    Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, Fuu's bow broke, leaving her defenseless as Hikage tackled her.  Tochi began to pump his arms and legs trying to regain feeling in them.  Then, Umi fell and Inova pinned her.  Tochi growled at his body, as it refused to recover quickly enough.  Hikaru was finally disarmed.  Tochi prayed nothing happened before he could recover.
    "Take them." Zagato ordered, gripping Hikaru's shirt and armor.
    Tochi stared in horror as the three men tore off the clothes and armor of the girls.
    "No.... NO... NO!!" Tochi roared, forcing his body to stand as unimaginable rage filled him.
    He charged, but only made it a few feet as a monstrous white machine slammed down in front of him and swatted him into the ground.  He could only watch in horror as the trio of men stripped and prepared to force themselves on the girls.
    Flaring with defiant rage, Tochi forced his right arm free and hurled his glaive, spearing Zagato through the throat.  Horror filled him as Zagato gripped the glaive, pulled it out of his neck and tossed it away, the wound healing quickly.
    Power flowed into Tochi, power that he wanted, power that he needed, the power to kill Zagato and Inova for what they were going to do, the power to knock sense into Hikage, the power to save Umi and Fuu.  The power to rescue Hikaru.
    The white machine's arm shattered as Tochi forced himself upright and summoned his magic.  The ground shaped itself into a large stone hand that swatted Zagato and Inova away from Umi and Hikaru.  With a charging backhand, he sent Hikage flying.
    Still seething, he barely remained standing.  The illusion vanished to reveal a black crystal, which seemed to pour into his storage crystal.
    "You have shown me the strength that lies within you and earned the Escudo. Return to your destiny, Knight of Earth."
    Tochi found himself outside of the Spring of Eterna, where he promptly collapsed.  He vaguely heard Hikage, Umi and Hikaru running over to him.  He cursed his luck at fainting yet again before entering the world of dreams.

    Fuu blushed intensely and covered herself.  She was in the middle of Princess Emeraude's court with the other Magic Knights, but all of them were butt-naked.  However, save for herself, no one seemed bothered by the fact.
    "Fuu, what's up?" Hikage asked, his manhood pointing straight at her forehead as he passed her a cup of juice.
    "Uh, where are our clothes?" Fuu inquired.
    "Didn't you know?  You have to be naked in order to find Escudo.  Well, there's that and the wild sex." Tochi noted.
    "Wild sex?!" Fuu demanded, her face lighting up like a red light in a darkroom.
    "Yeah, wild sex.  Don't worry, Ferio's here, so you and him can be first.  But I'll be your second." Umi replied, grinning evilly as she snuggled up to Fuu's arm.
    "But why naked and wild sex?" Fuu asked, trying to ignore Umi's breasts against her arm.
    "Have you been paying attention?  This is _obviously_ a test of our inner selves.  You're such a prude.  You'll never get around to having a relationship without jumping in." Hikaru said, easing herself onto Tochi's firm cock and cooing with delight.
    Fuu watched for a few moments as Hikaru and Tochi ground their bodies together, a blush on her face.
    "Doesn't it look like fun?" one of Fuu's classmates, Shiina, asked.
    Fuu blinked.  She wasn't naked, but she was watching a video one of their friends had lent her.  She and Shiina had decided to watch it together.  Two people who looked remarkably like Hikaru and Tochi had been going at it for a few minutes already.  Fuu's face was almost solidly red as she watched the duo trade saliva in their passion.  Finally, the guy pulled out for, as Shiina called it, the money shot on the girl's stomach.
    "Whoa.  Intense." Shiina noted.
    Fuu could only nod.  Then, something struck her as odd.  What had she been doing before?  She became distracted as the next scene started with a girl who looked exactly like Umi, a guy who _had_ to be Ferio and Fuu herself.
    "Hey, your big scene." Shiina told her.
    "What big scene?" Fuu asked, embarrassment evident on her face as video Fuu was gently pushed to the ground by the Ferio and Umi clones.
    "Don't be modest.  There's not another blonde in fifty miles with your hair style.  Excuse me, but I think trying to lie your way out this would be pathetic." Shiina responded.
    Excuse.  That word stuck in Fuu's mind.  Tochi and Hikaru had both said this was a test in Emeraude's court.
    "Escude.. Escudo?  That's right!  I should be trying to find the Escudo, not looking at pornography!" Fuu declared, before facing Shiina, "and you're probably the person trapping me here."
    "So, you figured me out.  I tried to distract you, but nooo, you all want the Escudo." Shiina sighed.
    "Why all this?" Fuu asked.
    "What's so important about Escudo?  I mean, is it going to save the world?  Is it going to make a difference?" Shiina asked.
    Fuu paused.
    "Besides, you've already got SOME, right?  And five against two is pretty good odds once you get the Rune Gods." Shiina retorted.
    ".... maybe it's not too important, but..." Fuu began, "if I do get it, it'll be one less thing I can worry about.  If I go on without it, then I will always doubt myself.  I will worry about whether or not I should have tried harder.  Being unable to decide will cause a strain on everyone, and we may even lose because of it."
    "So, getting Escudo would be another way of gaining confidence.  Why put confidence in something that won't even return with you to your world?" Shiina inquired.
    "Why won't it come with me?" Fuu asked.
    "Because would you need it?  Do you have thousands of monsters attacking you and your cities?" Shiina asked.
    "No." Fuu answered.
    "See?  No need to get it." Shiina reasoned.
    "Shiina or whoever you are, I don't know what you're trying to test me on.  Are you trying to ask me to give up on Escudo?  Are you trying to see if I'm determined enough to own Escudo?" Fuu inquired.
    "Why should I tell you?  If you knew what the test was, I could never be satisfied with whatever it is that you chose to do.  You'd know what was needed and you'd do it, even if it killed you.  So your test is to figure out what the test is and answer it." Shiina demanded.
    "All right." Fuu replied.
    Fuu considered her options.  They wouldn't have even been considered if they didn't already have the traits needed, meaning that she was probably a lot like one of the Magic Knights of Cephiro.
    Fuu thought.  Shiina hadn't even suggested anything to do with strength, speed, stamina, so it had to be a mental discipline.  The test could be about determination.  If that was so, then demanding that 'Shiina' give it to her would be the best answer.  Yet, if it was about courage or bravery, it would be best to answer the opposite, walk away and try to accomplish the mission as best as possible.  If it were about intelligence or wisdom, then she should come up with a reason.  But she had already tried that.  Maybe it was a compilation... or maybe it was easier than she thought.
    Fuu opened her eyes.
    "I ask you, please, give me the Escudo." Fuu requested.
    "Why?" Shiina demanded.
    Fuu smiled softly as she looked into Shiina's eyes.
    "So I can follow my heart to the best of my abilities." Fuu responded.
    Shiina stared deep into Fuu's eyes, glaring harshly, then sighed in defeat.
    "All right, you pass.  But barely!" Shiina huffed.
    "Thank you." Fuu replied, kissing Shiina on the cheek.
    Shiina blushed and the illusion world faded, Shiina along with it.  A green crystal appeared and entered Fuu's storage crystal.
    "Well played, Knight of Earth.  The Escudo is yours.  Now, return to your destiny."
    Fuu found herself standing in front of the others.
    "You get yours?" Hikage inquired.
    Fuu nodded.
    "Back to Presia's we go." Fuu declared.
    "Yeah, but not until we decide if we wanna wait for Tochi to heal or just carry him." Umi noted, gesturing the unconscious boy.
    "What happened to him?" Fuu inquired.
    "Worked himself into utter exhuast getting through his test." Umi responded.
    "Healing winds..." Fuu whispered, green energy flowing from her to engulf everyone.
    Tochi woke up.
    "You okay?" Hikaru asked.
    "Yeah.  Just wish I'd stop passing out." Tochi stated as Hikaru helped him to his feet.

===========

 Okay, time for my rant.



 Um, don't have one.

 Tell me what you think so far.

 Ben McCrillis <aka. A-kun>
 reply at akun15@hotmail.com
 visit my online comic at: http://chaosrpg.keenspace.com/
 visit my homepage at: http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/3968/index.html

 "This world is made of... LOVE AND PEACE!" - Vash the Stampede
 "That's crazy, this world is made of two kinds of people.  One that says that 'this world is made of two kinds of people' and the rest of you sh*theads." - TharzZzDunN the Magnificient
 "You dipsh*t." - A-kun the Satirically Challenged
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