A/N: All right, folks. I'm back for another go at this whole writing thing. Those of you who are familiar with my work, thanks for coming back. Those of you who are new, welcome and be prepared to cry. For what reason, I don't know. Please note this is the continuation and perhaps the finale of the "Next Crusade", "Tokyo Knights" and "Nemesis" storylines, so it might help to read them from the beginning. Or not. It's all good. This is the biggest CCS story I've ever come up with so be prepared for a few surprises and stuff you wouldn't normally find in a CCS fic. And with all that said, let's move on!

ALSO: To keep up with the spirit of "The Next Crusade" this story will also become a songfic later on. And as always, more movie references/quotes/parodies or whatever the hell you wanna call them.

DISCLAIMER: CCS belongs to blah, blah, blah. Let's just get it over with…

PROLOGUE:

According to legend, the earth was created in six days. All the basics of life were covered. Land, sea, air, day, night and the existence of man. But somewhere within that story lies a secret or perhaps a theory that no one has yet to solve. The barriers of time and space have always been studied and researched but never before have they been breached thoroughly to the point of actually crossing them over.

In other words, time travel and dimension crossing have been spoken about and revered for many years but have always been proclaimed as impossible feats to achieve. Impossible for a mere human, perhaps. But not for one special young girl. For her, the art of time travel is well-known to her, having gone back into the past several times before. But the idea of dimension crossing is one that she will soon discover.

Imagine an entity from another planet or, rather, another star system. A being of pure omnipotence that it has the means to travel through time, either forward or back, and can even cross dimensions and play out several scenarios with shifted realities. Now imagine that same being but with the intention to use these abilities not for the benefit of mankind. But for its destruction.

A turning point is about to be made for one young girl. Old enemies will unite. Realities will shift. And dimensions will cross. The laws of time and space will be put to the test as well as her strength, will and determination. But hey. It's all in a day's work, huh?

Card Captor Sakura

Z E R 0 - H Ø U R

On a far off planet, away from our own solar system, it approached slowly. With a dark funnel of pure energy, the entity let off a thunderous--

BOOM!

… On another planet, still away from our own solar system, a powerful entity enwrapped itself around the--

BOOM!

…Okay… Further away from the last two planets that were recently destroyed, an omnipotent presence of pure evil and malice arrived on a planet that--

BOOM!

…God damn it! Screw it. You get the idea. Let's go to Earth.

Earth

Yes, that's more like it. Anyway…

Above the planet's atmosphere, a small yet noticeable explosion occurred. And from the occurrence, several meteor-encrusted orbs flew out and rained down on various parts of the planet.

Some landed safely in deserts, others in remote jungles from civilization and most in bodies of water. Wherever they landed, it was clear that nobody would become aware of their presence. At least not now, anyway.

Somewhere in Africa

Within a small village, a modestly built hut stands in the center as residents walk on by. Onlookers poke their heads in from an opening but stay absolutely quiet. They watch as a lightly scented trail of smoke lingers out of the room and blows into their faces.

A middle aged man in a white dashiki and matching kufi hat kneeled before a shrine, where he waved an incense stick and prayed aloud. His eyes were closed and his movements were sporadic, leaving some of the onlookers confused.

After a moment, Imamu "Pops" Amadi, opened his eyes and sensed something that was highly irregular. With a gasp, he turned to one of his small sculptures then eyeballed the wall of pictures in front of him. Confused, the old man stood up on his feet and removed his hat to wipe the sweat off his shiny bald head.

"This isn't good." He shook his head. "Not good at all."

"Grandfather?" A young girl walked in. "Are you all right?"

"Yes, Akinyi… everything's fine."

"You were breathing heavily. Are you sure?"

"Of course. I… I have to go back to England soon." He put his hat back on and approached his granddaughter with a smile. "You stay here with your family. When your parents return from the city, I will have already informed them."

The young girl wrapped her arms around the old man. "You're going to get into more trouble, aren't you?"

"No, of course not. I just have to take care of some business. That's all."

"Magic business?"

"…Yes." The old man nodded as he left the room, aware of the dangers that lied ahead.

London, England

Within a great hall of an unidentified building, a group of men in black coats wandered around with their eyes alert for anything suspicious. The floors were wet and along the path they walked on, statues of nameless figures stood proudly by as the group of wizards continued to keep a sharp watch. The group's leader, an old man with gray hair and matching goatee and black fedora stuck his wand out as his followers watched.

"Illuminate." He calmly said as a bright flash lit up the room, causing several cloaked beings to scatter about.

"There they are!" One of the wizards exclaimed.

"After them." The old man said. "They can't escape."

The men in coats quickly ran down the halls of the building and sent forth a barrage of magic attacks in an attempt to bring down the cloaked figures. After several misses, the air was beginning to fill with smoke from the magic's after effects.

"I got one!" One of the coats said as he pulled one of the dark creature's away.

The man in the cloak snarled at his captor, revealing a set of razor sharp teeth and deathly pale eyes. He grabbed the wizard by the face and ripped it to shreds with a single pull. Then, using the man's wand, the evil being pointed it at his opponent's head and shot him dead with a fatal hex.

"No!" The old man shouted as he unleashed a magic attack of his own. "Destrua!"

The figure in the cloak managed to evade the old wizard's energy blasts and vanish from sight within a cloud of black smoke. The wizards then rushed over to their fallen comrade but it was too late.

James Elliot Graham, former accountant and full-time wizard, sighed heavily and removed his hat. "Damn. There's no stopping them now."

"Sir?" One of the men looked confused. "You don't think--"

"I do." Graham interrupted. "And there's only one place we can go to now. Let's just pray we'll make it in time."

With all of that said, Graham and his fellow wizards slowly carried the body out of the old museum and disappeared within a flash of light.

Tomoeda

Inside a heavily guarded prison facility, a grizzly Hiroshi Kanaye stood at a desk where he filled out a few release forms. After signing his name, his belongings were returned in a small box that appeared to be battered and weather damaged.

"What happened to my belongings?" He asked the prison clerk.

"Huh?" He looked up and noticed the tattered box. "Oh. Storm must have caused a leak."

"What?"

"Hey, you're lucky to be left with that. After all the bullshit you pulled, I'm surprised you're not checking in to the nearest shelter."

"Thank you." Kanaye grumbled under his breath as he left the building.

Outside the gates of the prison, Kanaye stood along the grass and waited on the curb as several guards remained at their post. After a few minutes, a red sports car pulled up and out popped young Tochigi's face.

"Hello, Mr. Kanaye." The young man greeted.

"Tochigi." Kanaye grinned as he entered the vehicle.

After a few minutes of driving through the downtown district, Tochigi noticed his former boss looking out the windows in awe.

"Nothing's changed." Kanaye simply said. "Six years and… nothing."

"Well nothing, much." Tochigi smiled. "A few buildings and other small family owned businesses."

"What about… You know."

"Earl Culver is the sole owner of Kanaye Industries and all affiliates associated with it. He bought your company and merged it with Varicorp. I'm sorry, sir."

"No…" Kanaye shook his head calmly. "That's all right. And what about you?"

"Mr. Culver was kind enough to let us all keep our jobs. He said it would be like nothing ever happened. Just under new management, you know?"

"Yes. I'm glad to hear that."

Later in the afternoon, Kanaye returned to his old penthouse after Tochigi had dropped him off outside the building and explored his living room. With a low sigh, Kanaye dropped himself on the couch and placed his hands over his face.

"Defeated…" He mumbled. "Disgraced… Dead inside."

Several thoughts ran through his mind. The time he had spent in jail could have been longer. After six years of good behavior, the system decided to let him go without realizing the evil intentions he still had.

"Sakura." Kanaye frowned.

The former businessman got back up on his feet and went around the hallway. Descending down a small fleet of stairs, the man revealed a hidden door behind his grandfather clock and entered a brief five digit code. After a few beeps the door slid open and led the man into a secret laboratory, small yet effective.

"Right where I left her." Kanaye grinned as his eyes wandered around the silver room.

On top of a table, a case full of blue test tubes sat still while a disassembled jetpack remained scattered next to a pair of metallic gloves. Beside the gloves, three stands held onto three high-tech masks with different design patterns. Standing alone on the corner was a display case that held a familiar looking black suit and gray cloak. The cabinet next to it held an arsenal of various blades, guns, ammunition and flamethrowers.

Kanaye picked up one of the masks and triggered its infrared lenses. "It's time we settled the score."


"Why did we agree to this again?" A pilot asked as he steered his jet smoothly along the sky.

The pilot in the jet behind him spiraled along the clouds and responded through his radio. "Because. We got tired of doing nothing. Remember?"

"I wouldn't exactly say 'nothing'. Just that--"

"Oh, don't. You knew this is what you wanted right from the start so don't even weasel your way out of it now."

"I still can't believe they let us in."

"Me neither."

"It's because of your sister, isn't it?"

"No. We graduated from the top of our class, that's all."

"And because of your sister."

"…Yeah."

As the two jetfighters finished patrolling above the ocean, a burst of light exploded within a nearby cloud and caught their attention.

"Jesus." Said the first pilot. "Did you see that?"

"It wasn't near the city." Replied the other. "So we can rule out any wrongdoing."

"Still. I don't like the looks of that."

"Wait a minute. I'm getting something on my screen."

"Yeah, I see it too."

Just then, several clumps of rock shot forward and tapped the windshields of the two jets as they slowly approached the cloud. After a few moments, the light faded away and the remainder of the clumps fell to the water.

"What the hell was that?" The first pilot radioed.

"I don't know." The 2nd turned his head. "We'd better go back."

The two planes looped and immediately headed in the opposite direction towards the air base. A few miles later, the two pilots landed their aircrafts safely in the airfield where members of the Japanese air force scrambled around.

Both pilots then climbed out of their cockpits and descended from the ladders as the maintenance crews took care of the planes. The two then removed their helmets and exchanged glances.

"Do you think they picked it up too?" Touya asked.

"I wouldn't doubt it." Yukito replied as he noticed their superiors approaching them. "Uh-oh. Here they come."

"Kinomoto. Tsukishiro." An American Major nodded at the two. "We picked up an aerial disturbance near the sector you were flying around."

"Yes, sir." Touya confirmed. "We saw it."

"And?"

"Permission to speak freely, sir?"

"Go ahead."

"That was the weirdest and most random shit I'd ever seen in my life… sir."

"Given all you've seen considering who your sister is?"

"Oh yeah."

"I'll take your word for it."

"Should we worry about it?" Yukito asked.

"I wouldn't, Lieutenant." Japanese Colonel Haru Kenshin said. "Major Dawkins and I have already gone over the satellite images. Nothing to go crazy over."

"But clumps of rock in midair?" Touya shook his head. "Explosions of light? I don't get it."

"Look at this way." Major Dawkins suggested. "If it turns out to be something bad, we've always got your sister to back us up."

"Thanks… I think."

"How is Sakura, anyway?"

"Engaged!" Yukito exclaimed much to Touya's disgust.


"Sakura, they're breaking through!" Li yelled as he, Tomoyo and Takashi barricaded a nearby door that was pounding rhythmically.

"What do we do!?" Tomoyo strained. "They're not backing down!"

"This is it, man!" Takashi wailed. "We're done for! There's no use trying to prevent the inevitable!"

"Eriol, do something!"

The blue-eyed boy poked his head from underneath a desk and held his hand out. "I'm gonna try to seal it off magically. Stay still."

"We already tried that, it didn't work!" Li griped. "Your spells suck, Hiiragizawa!"

"Do you have a better idea!?"

"Sakura!" Naoko called out as she, Rika and Chiharu hid behind a set of blinds. "They're breaking through!"

"I just said that not too long ago!" Li complained.

"Where is that girl!?" Chiharu banged her fist against the wall.

"Wait, why are we hiding?" Rika thought aloud, expecting no answer.

"Sakura!" Li cried as a fist broke through the wood of the door. "Oh, shit! Sakura, a little help! Please!?"

Just then, Sakura entered the classroom with a very somber look on her face. Waving her hand, she mentally opened the door and faced the terror that awaited her. Soon, flashes of light burst onto her body as her friends watched in horror. Ever since Sakura's "resurrection" six years ago, the 18 year old noticed a rapid increase in her own personal paparazzi. The mystery of how she died and suddenly came back to life after six months puzzled everyone but Sakura couldn't let the public know she was brainwashed as the Shadow Reaper. It was a secret that had to be kept. But on the plus side, she's getting married to Li!

"Sakura, look this way!" A photographer called out.

"Sakura, over here!" Yelled another.

"Just smile and wave… smile and wave…" Sakura nervously grinned.

"You know…" Tomoyo started to think. "She doesn't really have to put up with all of this."

"Yeah." Li nodded. "But she says its better than hurting their feelings or something dorky like that." He then sighed dreamily. "… God, I love that about her."

Later that day, after all the calamity, Sakura and Li rested in each other's arms underneath their cherry tree. Y'know… the one from "Nemesis"? The… the dream? Uhh… on the hill? M-remember? 'Member? Yes, no? Whatever. Cherry tree. Both of them. Hugging. Cutesy stuff. And… scene!

"Can't we ever go just one school day without those creeps following me?" Sakura buried her face in her fiancé's chest.

Li kissed her on the forehead and thought for a moment. "Sakura?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering."

"About what?"

"Well… there might be a way to get away from it all."

"How?"

A grin spread across his face. "We leave it all behind."

"All of it?" Sakura's eyes widened.

"All of it. When we get married, we can move wherever you want and won't have to worry about a thing. Our children will be safe and as far away from prying eyes and nosy photographers as possible."

"But, Li… I have a responsibility. The cards. Kero and Yue--"

"Will no longer have to be your responsibility. You could leave them for someone else to take over. It's bound to happen one day, anyway. Why hold it off any longer?"

"But the city. They need us."

"Do they?" Li put his forehead against hers. "Sakura, there hasn't been a supernatural or major threat in over five years. The police have done their job and so have we. Face it. We've practically retired."

Sakura then giggled. "Stop. You're making me feel old."

"You're not old. But in a few weeks, you'll be my old lady!" He joked.

"Your ball and chain?"

"Sure, why not?"

Playfully, Sakura jabbed Li in the arm which caused him to roll her over along the grass. As they laughed and played, they finally came face to face with each other as Sakura laid on top of him. After a long and passionate kiss, Sakura whispered into her beloved's ear.

"No one's at home, you know." She winked. "Dad's on a business trip and Kero's spending time at Eriol's."

Li suddenly got red in the face. "Wait a minute… do you mean… you've got the house all to yourself?"

Sakura nodded coyly. "Yup."

"Sakura, I don't think… I mean… are you even ready for this?"

"I've been ready, Li. For a long time, we both have."

"Yeah but… shouldn't we wait?"

"For what?"

Another kiss and Li was already onboard. "Okay…"


"Okay!" Li continued as he sat next to Sakura in her brother's car. "So you've checked your mirrors, adjusted your seat and now…"

"I… adjust the steering wheel!" Sakura exclaimed as she did just that. "Oh, God. I hope I pass the test this time."

"Just focus and I'm sure you'll do fine. Now go ahead and turn the engine on."

"Right." Sakura turned the key and breathed heavily. "Okay, I can do this… I can do this…"

"Back away slowly… There you go…"

The vehicle slowly backed out of the driveway until it reached the curb. Sakura, checking her mirrors, watched out for any oncoming cars and proceeded to turn the vehicle over to the road.

"You're doing good." Li encouraged her. "Now go ahead and drive around the block."

"Around the block. Right." Sakura nodded.

"Wait, you're still in--!"

"Oh, shit!" Sakura cried as she backed the car into the garage.

As the brakes kicked in, the two banged their heads against the dashboard and immediately groaned in pain. Then a few seconds late, the airbags finally broke out.

"I was gonna say…" Li mumbled as he fought through the cushiony white puff. "…You're still in reverse."

"I'm sorry." Sakura sobbed.

"It's okay, Sakura. We've just got to work on it."

"I'm never gonna pass that test!" She finally wailed.

"Sakura, come on. You're just a little… slower at learning things than others, that's all."

"I failed the test two times already, Li! I don't want to make it three!"

"You won't!"

"I will!" Sakura lied her head against the steering wheel, causing the horn to honk for a long period of time.

Later that night, Sakura patrolled the city as she gently flew along the skies. The wind was cool and refreshing as it blew against her face and there seemed to be no sign of any immediate danger. As she flew, Sakura had time to reflect on her thoughts.

Sakura POV:

Li's right. Maybe we should move away once we're married. Give our kids a chance to live normal lives away from the magic. Away from all this God-awful publicity. I'm sure Tomoyo, Eriol and the others will understand. I'll miss them, though. Retirement? At only 18? That's funny. But it sure makes a lot of sense for some reason.

Sakura's thoughts immediately changed as she was suddenly snatched in midair by a mysterious flying figure. She then found herself flinging across the sky at a rapid speed as her assailant rushed to the other side and met her with a massive punch across the face.

"Crap!" Sakura cried as she slammed into a brick wall ten stories high. "Power… card?" Sakura merged with her card in a daze.

As Sakura's body regenerated and gained its superhuman strength, she looked up to see a familiar looking cloaked figure wearing an upgraded facemask with visor and metallic shielding while hovering in midair.

Sakura suddenly panicked. "Wait a minute… who--"

"Hello, Sakura." Hiroshi Kanaye said as the visor retracted to reveal his face. "You broke my heart. Time to run a knife through yours."

"Oh wow…" Sakura mocked. "Like that's supposed to scare me or something?"

Kanaye extended his hand and launched a lengthy stiletto blade, barely missing Sakura's face by a few centimeters.

"Okay, that'll do it!" Sakura gasped as she took to the air again.

"You're not getting away." Kanaye growled as he snuck up behind Sakura and placed his hands around her neck.

Soon the two were flying around town in a wayward spiral until Sakura fused with one of her cards and raised a pillar of rock from the ground. Kanaye immediately broke his grasp on Sakura and flew around the pillar, trying to keep up with the young woman.

"How the hell are you flying!? You don't have any magic!" Sakura called back as she flew under a bridge.

"I'm an inventor, remember!?" He shouted. "Half the things I'm wearing, you once wore yourself! Or don't you remember that, either!?"

"Screw you!"

"Bite me!"

"Freeze!" Sakura called as she unleashed a spiraling ice beam.

Using the flamethrower components in his gauntlets, Kanaye broke through the ice beam and activated a set of razor sharp blades that ran along his sleeves.

"Well that's new!" Sakura ducked from an oncoming blow.

With an uppercut to the face, Kanaye was immediately sidetracked and rolled along the sides of another building. Turning around, Sakura fused with the Fire and smothered her opponent in a blaze of heat.

Kanaye laughed as he punched his way through the flames and grabbed Sakura by the neck. "Fireproof armor, remember!? Oh, wait! You don't!"

Sakura then grabbed hold of the man's arm and twisted it back, remembering how she broke it several years ago. Kanaye wailed in pain as he let go of Sakura and held his arm firmly.

Next, Sakura seized the moment and kicked Kanaye in the back, sending him flying down to the surface. Crashing into a nearby dumpster between an alleyway, Kanaye groaned and stuck his head out as Sakura landed on the ground.

"Aw, did I hurt you?" Sakura teased. "Face it, Kanaye. I beat you six years ago, I can do it again. Why don't you forget about this revenge crap and get on with your life while you still have one?"

"This isn't over, Sakura." Kanaye wheezed.

"It's been over."

"You ruined my life."

"You ruined mine first." And with that, Sakura slammed the top on the dumpster and took off flying.

After wiping the filth from his sleeves, Kanaye simply grumbled under his breath. "Bitch."

A/N: Trust me. This is just the beginning. You think you're lost now? Wait until I start scratching the surface! But don't worry! All of it will be explained! Just hang in there and keep your cool. Hate mail will be frowned upon, so those of you who have been harassing me can stop it. You know who you are! Yeah, I'm talking to you, Mom! I'll be back next week.