*Sorry about this! I just made a mistake the last time I uploaded this chapter. Just wanted to correct it*

Author's Note: Chapter 10 of Episode 2 at last! I am so sorry it's taken me months to get to it. I wasn't really sure how to proceed with this chapter at first. But I think it's all right. A little chatty, but certainly tons of action. Just as a warning, this chapter does have a lot of violence (although there isn't any blood and gore). Anyway, please, review and tell me what you think. Also! I have something I want to recommend for you. There's a manga called Mushi-shi by Yuki Urushibara. It's also been made into an anime. Basically it is about the adventures of Ginko, a mushi-shi ("Bug-master"). His occupation is actually more exciting than the translation sounds. The story can be a little slow at times, but it is really good. The anime is especially great with the landscape and music. But enough of me rambling. Onto the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. It is owned by CLAMP.

They were trapped.

Galdric chuckled, his hand starting to glow a blinding white as energy gathered into it. "So," he said softly, "how does it feel to be a couple of cornered dogs?"

He had barely finished the sentence when a table flew through the air and straight towards him. Startled, Galdric had just enough time to raise his glowing hand to the large projectile, causing the table to break into two large splintered halves. As the remnants of the table crashed onto the ground, the vampire narrowed his eyes venomously at his two captives. In response, the girl glared back defiantly, her own hand raised at the ready. The blonde just grinned like a fool and began clapping.

"You forget," Joannie growled, prepared to cast a spell at any moment, "that cornered dogs can still bite."

Beside her, Fai clapped loudly and gave a big whoop. "Wooo! You tell him, Joannie!"

She did not have time to retort back at him, because within an instant, Wrynn dove at them, his glowing hand poised to strike.

"Look out!" Joannie shouted. Grabbing Fai by the shirt, she jumped to the side with the blonde in tow, just as Wrynn punched forward, his fist meeting the door. Light exploded in the attic, blinding the occupants temporarily, and a sudden surge of energy pushed out, almost causing Joannie to lose her footing. As the light began to die down, she blinked to regain her vision—and froze at what she saw.

The door, which was now hanging lopsidedly from its hinges, had been hit hard; nearly half of it had been torn away entirely. Several of the crates and discarded furniture that had cluttered around the doorway were now turned over and broken, as chairs and stools had been ripped apart and vases and lamps had been shattered. The smell of smoldering wood haunted the air. Joannie shuddered to think what would have happened if she and Fai had not moved out of the way in time.

Wrynn faced them, his eyes regarding them coldly. "Very quick on your feet, I see." As he hand started to glow once more, he growled, "I wonder how long that will last."

He began to charge at them once more. But this time, Joannie was not about to let him gain any momentum. Hands rapidly swiping through the air, she lifted tables, cabinets, suitcases, Christmas trees, whatever was around her off the ground, and had it all flying towards Wrynn, one right after the other. Like before, Wrynn smashed his hand through the first couple of speeding objects. But just as he threw a beach chair out of the way, he was caught head-on by a bookshelf, forcing him back. He did not have time to get it off him, as the abandoned stage props and classroom furnishings were still being relentlessly thrown at him. Joannie did not stop until Galdric Wrynn had completely disappeared under the pile of moldy junk, and even then, she did not drop her guard, as she stared suspiciously at where their assailant had stood.

Finally, after a few seconds, she eased herself a bit, letting out a long sigh. "I think he's down." She whispered.

Beside her, Fai commented, "Hyuu! Then I suppose I won't have to use these."

Frowning, Joannie turned towards her blonde companion, who she saw in the slitted moonlight holding up three feather-tailed needles which were unmistakably…

"Darts?" She looked at him incredulously. "You were going to use darts?"

Even in the little light that made its way into the attic, Joannie could see Fai grinning from ear-to-ear. "Darts are very handy."

The teenage girl was a little more than irritated at her friend's childishness. Feeling a vein throbbing in her forehead, she said through gritted teeth, "So, instead of using your magic to help me out, you decide to use playthings."

"That's right!"

She was about to yell at him about his idiocy, when suddenly an explosion occurred from Joannie's makeshift pile. The blast startled both teenagers, as they stared wide-eyed at the source. Out of the now splintered wreckage, Galdric Wrynn stood up (1); the hatred in his eyes seemed to burn even more furiously than before. "I'm not defeated that easily." He growled. In one swift motion, he aimed his palm at them. A glowing white orb formed in his hand for a second, then, like a bullet, it shot forward. Joannie jumped out of the way, but Fai was a bit slower. The orb hit the upright piano mere feet away from him. As soon as it made contact with the instrument, the glowing orb exploded, ringed by the cacophony of broken keys, and slamming Fai against the wall. Joannie stared in horror as she saw him crumple to the ground.

"Fai!"

"Don't worry." Wrynn hissed. "I shouldn't think he's dead…yet."

Joannie clenched her fists as she felt herself boil with rage. Without another thought, she tore her chain necklace from her neck before snarling, "Awaken!"

At that same moment, she threw the necklace at Wrynn. With life now rushing through its sinuous body, the necklace aimed its hook towards the vampire, who threw his hand up in defense. That proved to be a mistake. Wrapping itself around Wrynn's arm, the hook end transformed itself into a small set of silver teeth before biting down on his thumb. Wrynn howled in agony. He began swinging his arm about, trying to shake the necklace off him. But the necklace was a wily thing. It slithered into Wrynn's sleeve, causing the man to scream even louder as he began grabbing at his arm.

Joannie, in the meantime, ran over to her fallen friend and crouched down at his side. "Fai?" She called out. "Fai! Wake up!"

The blonde groaned, before slowly sitting himself up. Joannie grabbed his arm, ready to carry him, when she heard another small blast, only this sounded muffled.

Looking up, she saw Wrynn clutching something in his closed fist. Slowly, he opened his hand, allowing small pieces of…something drop to the floor with a tiny metallic sounds. They were the remains of Joannie's silver necklace. Looking her in the eye, Wrynn said only one thing, "No more games."

Joannie wasted no time in sending a coat rack towards him. But Wrynn, without taking his eyes off her, threw it out of his way, as he began to striding towards the teenage girl. Letting go of Fai, Joannie stumbled away from their attacker, all the while throwing surrounding objects at him. But the man kept coming towards her, knocking the large projectiles out of the way. Panting, Joannie glanced back towards Fai, who, although was starting to stand up, still looked very dazed. At least Wrynn's attention is not on him, she thought, as she looked about the attic, but what now?

It was then that she saw the vampire's hand glowing again. An idea forming in her head, Joannie's silver-grey eyes began to glow themselves, as she positioned her cupped hands. At that moment, Wrynn threw another glowing orb at her, but Joannie was ready. Aiming her hand at it, the ball of light halted in midair just inches away from her. With Wrynn's own weapon in her grasp, Joannie swung her arm, released the orb (which seemed to prick her hand with small shocks of electricity), and it flew to the ceiling right above Wrynn. He had just enough to time to move out of the way of falling beams and shingles.

Snarling, he turned towards Joannie, who had lifted herself off the ground and was now feet away from the new gaping hole in the ceiling. "You want me?" She said coldly. "Then come and get me."

And with that, she flew through the hole and onto the roof. Joannie shivered as she was now exposed to the cold October wind. Nevertheless, she lightly landed on top the shingled roof, narrowing her eyes from she had came, before looking all around her. Space…a lot more space in which to maneuver than in the attic, she calculated, Gives me the opportunity to escape if worse comes to worse. But I also have to make sure to keep his attention on me and away from Fai…

Her thoughts were interrupted when a loud explosion sounded not too far away from her. Almost jumping off the roof, Joannie stared at the smoke emerging a few feet away her hole. Seconds later, Wrynn leaped out of his own newly made entrance and landed briskly on the roof.

"Check." Joannie muttered grimly.

Wrynn smirked as he stepped towards her. "I see your Focus is levitation (2)." He remarked. "And now we've moved to an area in which you are at an advantage."

As he said that, the wind rapidly increased, nearly knocking him off his feet. He glared at Joannie whose eyes were glowing threateningly. "For someone who's at a disadvantage," She snapped, "you certainly talk an awful lot."

To her surprise, Wrynn let out a dark chuckle. It was then that she heard something screech and groan behind her. Turning around, Joannie saw the vinyl sidings on the clock tower shudder. Then, all of sudden, they ripped apart from the wall. Before she knew it, the sidings had wrapped themselves around her from ankles to shoulders. Joannie struggled against her binds, but her attempts only seemed to give her a sense of imbalance. As she did everything she could to remain on her feet, Galdric Wrynn slowly walked up to her, with a smug look on his face.

"When you are faced with an opponent who has the upper hand," He said, as if reciting from a textbook, "if possible, make sure they do not get the opportunity to attack you. You, young lady, are now helpless. You can not use your levitation to throw anything at me. Nor are you able to fend off my attacks."

Not wanting to stand around any longer, Joannie gritted her teeth and began to lift herself, bound and all, off the roof. I can still fly, though, she thought defiantly. She had barely gone three feet, when she felt a strong force grab her and then Wham! It had slammed her against the wall of the clock tower. Joannie's feet did mini kicks in the air as she fought to get out of the hold of the invisible force. She glared at Wrynn whose open palm was aimed at her.

He strode towards her, his palm still facing her. "I don't let my prey get away that easily." Wrynn stated. "And now," he said, his voice starting to take on a more viscous tone, "perhaps now you'll see how we vampires feel, helpless, hopeless, constantly under the heel of you despicable wizards, our lives always at your mercy!"

"Look, I'm sorry about how you're treated," Joannie cried out, "but do you seriously think killing me is going to change anything?"

At that, Wrynn gave a savage grin. "One less mage in the world."

He raised his other hand up, but just as it began to glow an eerie light, Wrynn let out an agonized scream, his hands falling to his side. With her captor's attention elsewhere, Joannie now fell on her feet back onto the roof. The sidings were now loose and fell off of her. Looking back at Wrynn, Joannie saw his hands hover from his backside in which she was stunned to see a protruding dart.

"See, Joannie?" Joannie glanced past Wrynn to the source of the voice and stared wide-eyed as she saw Fai, standing tall with a smile and holding more darts in his hand. "Darts are very handy."

Wrynn snarled angrily, before grabbing hold of the offending needle and pulling it out. As he threw it aside, he faced the blonde, looking ready to pounce. Not about to let that happen, Joannie swung her arms widely and just like that, all the vinyl sidings that had bound her moments ago now turned on their previous master.

Wrynn did not have time to turn around as the sidings now bound his arms together. Falling on his knees, he cursed as he struggled to get out of the bindings. With Wrynn taken cared of, Joannie flew over the vampire and over to her friend.

"Fai!" She landed right next to him. "You okay?"

"Hm?" The blonde cocked his head at her. "Oh, don't worry! A little bump like that can't hurt me."

Joannie didn't think he was being entirely honest, but before she could say anything, she heard a small muffled blast from behind her. Spinning around she saw to her horror, the vinyl sidings fall from Wrynn as he stood up. There was smoke coming from his hand (3).

"Oh, crap." Joannie whispered, as she and Fai took a step back. It was at that moment, that she became aware of a whirring noise that was steadily growing louder and louder and… A strong light was suddenly shone on Wrynn, who even when he stared right at the source, did not cringe. Joannie and Fai also looked up to see a helicopter hovering above them.

"Galdric Wrynn," Someone on a speaker said, "Put your hands up in the air. You are under arrest. Please, do not try to escape. We have you completely surrounded. If you resist in any way, we will not hesitate to shoot."

At that, Wrynn scoffed. "Are you sure you want to do that? Especially since I have hostages here?" He pointed his head towards the two teenagers.

"Galdric Wrynn, this is your last warning."

The vampire let out a soft "tch". A second later, his entire body was glowing white.

Startled, Joannie and Fai stumbled back, staring in disbelief at him.

"What's he doing?" Joannie exclaimed.

The glowing white figure chuckled, before shouting out to the helicopter, "You all know what this is, don't you? I have just made myself into a human bomb! I blow up and this whole building goes boom, taking you down with it!"

"Are you insane?" Joannie yelled at him. "You do that, and you'll die as well!"

Through the light emanating from the figure, the teenage girl could make out a line curling up on the head. "After living in hellhole after hellhole," Wrynn stated, "I think I'll find death to be a relief."

And with that, the glowing white figure began to grow brighter and brighter and then...

Bang!

A gunshot sounded and almost immediately afterwards, the light died down. Joannie blinked as she watched Wrynn's body slide down the roof before collapsing onto the ground below. Second passed, and she was still looking at the ledge from which Wrynn had disappeared.

"Joannie," She heard Fai whisper as his hand went on her shoulder, "Joannie, it's all right."

She turned towards him and was surprised to see that she had been shaking. Joannie gave him a nod as she held herself.

"Joannie?" A familiar voice called out. The teenage mages looked at each other before looking out onto the parking lot before them. There, in the midst of flashing lights, Joannie and Fai could make out a plump figure waving her arms at them. "Joannie! Fai! Are you all right? Answer me!"

"Amelia…" Joannie breathed. "Amelia!" She called out as she and Fai waved at her. "We're okay."

From where they stood, they could see their guardian clutch at her open mouth before waving back them.

"Kids." The speaker on the helicopter called out. "Stay right where you are. We'll send a ladder down to you."

Shaking her head, Joannie replied, "It's okay. There's no need."

Facing back at Fai, she whispered, "Take my hand."

"Eh?"

"Just do it."

Fai blinked at her, before smiling and obeying her wish. As soon as his hand clasped onto hers, Joannie lifted them off the roof and gently down onto the parking lot. She could not help but smile herself as she heard Fai let out a loud, "Wheee!" Even with this short descent, Joannie felt exhilaration in the flight.

The two had barely touched the pavement when Amelia rushed over to them and wrapped her arms around them in an embrace.

"Oh, thank God!" She moaned. "I was so worried about you! Are you two all right? Did he hurt you?"

"We're fine!" Joannie replied, as she tried to break from her guardian's hug. "Amelia, we're okay!"

"Madame Sage!" Fai exclaimed. "There is no need to worry! Joannie and I are perfectly fi — ow!"

Amelia stood back a bit and frowned at Fai as did Joannie. The blonde was wincing painfully, as he clutched the back of his head where Amelia's hand had patted.

"Well, so much for being fine." Joannie muttered.

As paramedics tended to Fai and Joannie, as well (she had been cut by some of the nails that had clung onto the vinyl sidings), the she-mage learned that as soon as she had led Wrynn onto the roof, Fai had called Amelia and told her about the situation. In turn, Amelia had called the Magical Defense Department, who, as everyone could see, had quickly made it to the middle school with choppers and all.

As she got herself off the stretcher, Joannie commented, "That was some swift thinking on your part, Fai."

The blonde gave her a dramatic bow, which he seemed to soon regret as his face made a painful expression

Turning towards Amelia, Joannie asked, "So, is Wrynn dead?"

"Unfortunately, no." The iciness in her guardian's voice surprised Joannie. She had never seen Amelia this angry before. "From what the police told me, a sniper just hit him with a tranquilizer, before he fell and landed on some bushes."

"Wow." Was all Joannie could say. "At the very least, I had thought that if a bullet hadn't killed him, the fall would have."

"I had thought so, too." Amelia remarked. Huffing, she muttered, "That man is very lucky that I thought he was dead otherwise..." Shaking her head, she let out long sigh. "Anyway, I'm just glad you two are all right."

"Us, too, Amelia." Joannie sighed herself, before giving a relieved smile. "Us, too."

Author's Note: Again, please review!

(1) You thought that Galdric Wrynn had already been beaten, didn't you? *smirk*

(2) The word "Focus" is probably self-explanatory, but in case you were wondering, a Focus is an area in which a mage is most skilled, almost naturally. However, a mage can still do other things that are outside his/her Focus.

(3) Needless to say, Galdric Wrynn's Focus is detonation.