Revealed

By magic of the moon

Chapter 12

The Ultimate Challenge

Disclaimer: I do not own CCS. I do, however, own Hikaru Kobayashi, Hei-lei, his creature followers, and Fei Wong Reed. For those of you who read TRC, the naming of Fei Wong Reed was just a coincidence as I have just recently been informed of this. If you are interested in using any of them, just ask, okay?

[A/N: First off, a thank you to Guest and Celestial Moon Warrior—finally someone who left a review! CMW- Oops! I didn't realize! ^_^;; Gomen nasai! Guest-Don't worry; it won't be as bad as you think. (Most likely it'll be Ruby Moon)

Ruby: Oi! Why me!?

M of the M: {crossvein} a) Because you keep breaking into my A/N's, and b) since you almost caused poor Yue-san to disappear!

Ruby: But it was under Hiiragizawa-sama's orders!

M of the M: But he made up for it by creating Spinel!

Ruby: What's Suppi got that I don't?

M of the M: Well, he doesn't barge in on my Author—

Ruby: Besides that.

M of the M: He's soooooo kawaii! Not to mention how funny he is when he's drunk.

Ruby: And I'm not?

M of the M: You're the only one who thinks you're cute.

Ruby: {rainbow of tears} But Eriol-sama said…

M of the M: {shifts over to cover bawling Ruby Moon} Anyways, please review! I'll always remember to thank you! Arigato!]

~IN THE NOW~

"Huh. I don't remember ever meeting you," Kero commented.

"We were the human equivalent of five-year-olds, Keroberos. That visit would have been of no interest, and would've escaped a child's mind easily." Yue reminded his counterpart.

"Then how come I don't remember?" Eriol questioned. "I have all of Clow's other memories."

"How should I know? I didn't even know Clow had himself reincarnated, until you revealed yourself." Yue replied, his shoulders elegantly rising and falling in a shrug.

"I always wondered when we started that game," Kero mumbled amusedly to himself.

"Yes. Well." Hei-lei interrupted.

"Hei-lei-san," Sakura said. "I'm very sorry for what happened to you. But that doesn't mean all humans are bad! You knew Clow-san wasn't, right?"

Hei-lei scowled. "No human is innocent. If they haven't hurt something or someone yet, they will in the future."

"Nobody's perfect!" Syaoran objected. "You aren't, yourself, so you've got no right to say that about humans!"

For the second time that day, the little wolf was cursing himself for that outburst as Hei-lei was in his face in a flash. "I'm in charge here, little boy. If you don't want to die first, I suggest you keep your mouth shut." Hei-lei warned, his voice at a dangerously low tone.

Baka, baka, baka! Syaoran scolded himself. Why'd I do that!? Baka!

"That doesn't explain why you are capturing and killing people." Eriol cut in, turning Hei-lei's attention on him, thankfully for Syaoran.

"Humans," Hei-lei muttered. "Are they all so slow?"

"Not all," Yue answered, even though it wasn't really a question. Hei-lei shot the Judgment Angel a pointed look, and moved on to answer the reincarnation's question.

"I'm not the only creation suffering abuse. There are multiple more out there, and I intend to free my kind from the cruel clutches of humans. If we all band together and join forces, we will be able to destroy the human race and rule the world as our own."

"Nani!? You can't do that!" Ruby yelled.

"Can't I?" sneered Hei-lei.

"You'll have to deal with me first!"

"So be it."

Hei-lei snapped his fingers, and Ruby's threads dissipated. "If you can defeat me in a battle of magic, I will let your human friends go. If not, you die."

"Done," Ruby agreed, and stepped forward. "Bring it on."

"Of course."

Everyone watched in complete shock and disbelief as the battle started. But among those looks, Eriol's was the most troubled.

Hei-lei was the first to attack. The guardian shot several fireballs at his opponent. Ruby dodged them, escaping into the sky. Hei-lei spread his wings and followed. Ruby attacked with her ruby shards. Hei-lei sent a tornado at them, swiveling them back at her. Ruby yelped and quickly deflected them, just in time. Hei-lei formed an orb of water in his hand, and hurled it at Ruby Moon. As it headed towards it target, it grew in size, until it was large enough to contain her in. Ruby tried to avoid the bubble, but its speed was too great for her wings to compare with. She was trapped inside the sphere, and had lost.

"One last chance," Hei-lei said. "Join me, and I'll let you go."

"No," Ruby snarled. "If I am to die, I would rather die for a good cause rather than live for the wrong cause. I'll never join you."

"Fine. Any last words?" Hei-lei asked.

Ruby glanced below her, and saw the frightened and horrified faces of her friends and master. Eriol had tears sparkling in his eyes, as did Sakura and Spinel. Ruby couldn't bear to look at them. She had failed the challenge, and this was her consequence.

"Gomen, minna-san. I will never forget all of you." she softly bid them farewell. And even as she felt the orb of water rush into the fire and the flames began licking at her body, she remained calm and tried to be brave. I will never forget all of you, no matter what happens. Sayonara, friends, once and for all.

Three magicians, four guardians, and three schoolchildren watched as the fire burned up Ruby Moon's figure, until finally, she was no more.

"That was fast," remarked Kero. "She only had time to launch one attack."

Spinel cast his fellow sun guardian a wary glance. He was still reeling from what just happened a few seconds ago. Had his sister really…? But only a master would be able to put down a guardian. The only other ways for a guardian to die was wither to run out of magic, or if the guardian died of his or her own free will.

She did die of her own free will, Eriol's thought wave cut into his remaining creation's thoughts. When she made the deal with Hei-lei, she agreed to give up her life if she lost.

Spinel glanced at his master. Eriol was hanging his head, but even in the shade of his dark bangs, Spinel could see a thin streak of tears trailing down the reincarnation's face. He must be taking it hard, Spinel thought. Seeing his own creation die, right in front of him, and not being able to do anything about it.

Everyone around the bonfire was silent. Yue's face was heavily guarded, Kero's expression was pained, Spinel's was dumbfounded, and the humans were all either crying or gazing off into the distance. Hei-lei was the only one smiling. One down, eight to go.