Eriol was dumbfounded,
A thing that usually didn't happen...
...
But now it did...
...
Because what he just heard,
What Yuuko told him happened when he was dying...
...
It made him momently lose all his wits...
-...So, let me get this straight...-Eriol slowly said, as he finally found his voice. -...Before Yuuko could even say what the price should be, Sakura-san was ready to either: give away part of her magic, with only the necessary part remaining to maintain Yue, Cerberus and the cards. Or give it all away after appointing a new master, even though she worked so hard to become the mistress of the cards and is friends with them all and their' guardians...-He continued, while looking at the currently deep asleep Sakura. -...Then, after Yuuko told you all that the price of the wish is equivalent to "a life" or "years of life", it all went into chaos, as you all started arguing about who should and shouldn't be the one to pay the price...-This time he looked between those around him one by one. -...And in the end it was decided that the guardians are to give away their semi immortality, meaning that they can no longer live beyond their master's/mistress's death...-He then sighed deeply, before looking right at Yuuko with an unreadable expression on his face. -...Did I get all of this right...?
-Yes, this is how things went. -Yuuko replied in a serious voice, as she looked him right in the eyes. -...Truthfully, the way they reacted went beyond my expectations.
What followed was an uncomfortable silence,
As Eriol still had trouble believing what he just heard...
...
He hurt them...
...
And yet...
...
For him,
They...
...
...
It was just too much...!
-...Y-you all...-Eriol suddenly said in a weary voice, as he put his hands on his face, again. -...What is wrong with you people...?!
-...That's actually a very good question...-Clow quietly mumbled, in a thoughtful and shocked voice. -...T-to go this far for either of us, after everything, is just...!
-"WHAT'S WRONG WITH US"?! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?! YOU CRAZY SUICIDAL MANIAC! -Syoran suddenly yelled, feeling more and more mad by the second. -DO YOU HAVE NO REGARD FOR YOUR OWN DAMN LIFE?! -He didn't even stop when Eriol moved his hands away and looked in shock at his outburst. -DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW SAD AND DEPRESSED YOU MADE SAKURA AND EVERYONE ELSE FEEL?! DO YOU?! TELL ME RIGHT NOW, YOU ASS...?!
-WELL, I AM A LOT OLDER THAN YOUR OWN GRANDPA! I HAVE ALREADY LIVED AND SEEN ENOUGH OF THE WORLD! -Eriol interrupted him, in a defensive and annoyed voice. He knew that he was getting shocked looks from those around him, but choose to ignore them for now...-...SO, SORRY THAT I DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT MY OWN WELLBEING AND ONLY CARE ABOUT HOW YOU ALL WOULD TAKE IT IF I WAS HURT OR DEAD! -He continued, still ignoring the now sad looks he was getting, before sighing deeply. Shouting was going to accomplish nothing. He had to calm down and explain the situation. Even thought, he didn't really want to...Things were complicated enough, already...-...I may have constantly said that I am now Clow anymore. That I am a reincarnation by the name of "Hiiragizawa Eriol"…And tried to stand by this decision for a very long time. But the truth is...-He paused before sighing heavily again. He had to say it, hadn't he...? -...The truth is that Clow Reed actually split. "We" split: magic, body and soul! -Though, the realization of it came a lot later...So, for the longest time, he really though that he was "Clow Reed's reincarnation". When in truth, he was a "reincarnation" only in name. It turned out quite ironic, didn't it...?-...It shouldn't have been possible, since usually dividing like this is very dangerous and could lead to the soul getting destroyed, completely disappearing from existence itself. But, it succeeded anyway...-Miraculously, it did...Or neither of them will be alive right now. -...It succeeded because the multiverse was broken...And we were the ones who broke it to begin with!
By now almost everyone looked at Eriol in shock...
-...It's true...-Clow admitted, in an eerily quiet voice. -...Why else do you think we are so similar and share the same memories between us? -He asked in slight amusement, before pausing in though. -...Thought, the memory sharing happened only after we started coming to terms with the situation...Which took a while...
The shock just kept rising...
-...If what you say is true...-Touya said in a thoughtful voice, as he glanced at Eriol up and down. -...Then all this time you were actually...?
-Just keep calling me "Hiiragizawa Eriol", like you did up until now...-"Eriol" interrupted him, before sighing heavily. -...It would be really confusing otherwise...
That won't stop Yue, though...
-...Yue would just keep calling you "Clow", no matter how much you ask him not to...-Clow thoughtfully noted, seemingly reading his mind, which he may or may not have been able to do by now. -...You remember how much time it took to make him call us by name instead of "Master"...?
Eriol sighed at the memory...
-...Yue is really stubborn when he wants to be...-He quietly said, in a sentimental and sad voice. -...Way too loyal as well...
But "he" was the one who created him like that,
Using the very essence of the moon magic...
...
...
So it was his fault as well...
...
*Thought if it was fully or half,
He wasn't sure at all...
...
-Now that everyone finally knows the truth, how about we go to my shop for a little chat? -Yuuko suddenly said, as she looked at Eriol, seemingly unaffected by what she just heard. -There are some things that would be best discussed in secret. -She noted, in a slightly serious tone. -Of course, I am okay talking with only one of you instead of both...
She reassuringly added,
Which made some people pause...
...
Thought, it didn't last long...
-...We can do the soul exchanging spell! -Clow thought aloud, sounding glad. -That way I can talk to Yuuko about different topics(And also "catch up") and you can sleep in peace and replenish your magic.
-...And since it's a magical country, my magic will be able to replenish faster...-Eriol thoughtfully added, looking glad. -...That way I could be back in time to celebrate New Year with everyone...! -He started looking slightly sad. -...After everything that just happened, it would be really nice...
He quietly added,
So quiet that only Ruby heard him...
…
Others gave him surprised looks,
While Yelan, Kaho, Yuna and Syoran looked grim...
-...Are you sure it's going to be alright...? -Syoran wondered in concern, as he looked between Eriol and Yuuko. -Isn't exchanging souls, with such a long distance between them at that, extremely dangerous...?
-Usually it is. -Yuuko told him in a nonchalant voice, as if she was talking about the weather. -But, since both of them have a half of the same soul, it's going to be just fine.
At that Syoran slapped himself on the face...
-..."Sharing half of the same soul", of course. How could I ever forget that? -He deadpanned, before sighing heavily. -...Now we are going to accept it like it's completely normal...! -He saw Eriol look at him in rising confusion. -...Of course, for some people the definition of "normal" is entirely different from how everyone else perceives it. Which just proves that "normal" and "abnormal" can be both different and similar at the exact same time. How interesting, the new things you learn every day! What a joy to be living in this crazy world with equally insane people surrounding you. You couldn't have a happier life, am I right?
He deadpanned again,
Trying very hard not to think about it anymore...
...
*He didn't want to become insane too...
-...Not that I look at them better, your new guardians look quite charming. -Yuuko suddenly told Eriol, as she seemingly completely ignored Syoran's "speech". -A different kind of charming than your old guardians, but charming nonetless. -She added in an amused voice, before a small smile appeared on her face. -I especially like their unique style and find the black butterfly wings a very nice touch.
In reply Eriol gave her a small nod,
As he was being helped up by the eerily quiet Ruby Moon...
-...How is that nice...? -Syoran asked in confusion (He found himself questioning a lot of things recently), wondering where the random sentence came from, a thought that was shared by others around them. -...What does she mean...?
-Yuuko's symbol is a butterfly...-Eriol told him in amusement, looking between her, Spinel and Ruby. -So, she is thankful that I didn't actually forget about her...-He explained, sounding slightly sad now. He did partly forget her, for a while...-...By creating Ruby Moon and Spinel Sun with BUTTERFLY wings...
He explained in a slightly sentimental voice,
Just as a magical circle appeared under him...
…
The circle was golden again,
With the sun on one side,
And the moon on another...
...
Right in the middle of it,
Which made everyone pause...
...
The "希" symbol was located...
-...The Hope card...-Kereberos said in shock, as he couldn't move his eyes from the symbol. -...All of us thought that she was gone...And yet...
"Hope never dies"
-We have to tell Sakura about this when she wakes up! -Syoran happily said, as he looked at the sleeping face of his girlfriend. -She would be so delighted!
-...So that's how I survived, even when everyone thought that I was already dead...-Eriol said in a thankful voice, as he looked at the symbol with a warm smile on his face. -...This explanation is better than being revived by Yue's magical tears...-He suddenly said, sounding slightly amused now. -...Like he is some kind of a Pokemon...
-...If Yue was a Pokemon…-Clow thoughtfully said.-...He would have been a dual-type Ice/Fairy...-He amusingly added. -...Having the move "Return" from lv 1...
-...Yeah, that sounds just like Yue...-Eriol sleepily admitted, sounding grateful and slightly guilty. -...He is already like a Gardevoir...Or an Espeon…Or a Lucario...? -He paused a second in though. -...Or Drampa...Maybe...-He added in slight concern. Yue wasn't going to get extreme on them all, right...? He didn't unintentionally turn him into a Yandere, right...? -...I really hope not...A Yandere Yue will be a real pain...! I don't want to be tailed everywhere...Like a small child who would always get himself in danger otherwise...!
...
He could already picture the possibility,
One that was a lot scarier than the one he just said aloud...
...
They were at Yukito's house,
Which was gloomy looking and completely boarded up,
And surrounded by a powerful moon shield that was hard to break without their wand/staff...
...
*Which they had no time to get as they were being kidnapped...
...
-I have already told you before this, Mistress. You have to stay inside the house. The outside world is too dangerous for you! -Yue said in an eerily quiet voice, as he looked at her with an unreadable expression. -This house has all you may ever need and I won't let you get yourself hurt!
-...B-but Yue-san...! M-my family and friends! -Sakura was sadly saying for the hundredth time, still hoping that he would listen to her, at least a little. -They must be really worried because of my sudden disappearance...! T-they may even think that I am...! -She looked like she was about to cry. -I can't stay here with you, Yue-san! Neither can Eriol-kun! -She cried out. -Do you know how much Ruby-san, Spinel-san and Kaho-san must be worried for him? -She said while glancing at Eriol, who looked at the commotion with sadness and regret. He felt very guilty about this whole situation. If only he...-We can't stay here, Yue-san! We have to...!
-YOU TWO AREN'T GOING ANYWHERE! -Yue interrupted her as he glared between them both, sounding mad and looking no better. -I HAD ENOUGH OF YOU RUNNING STRAIGHT INTO DANGER! -That made Sakura pause in shock and Eriol to look even guiltier. -I WON'T LOSE ANOTHER MASTER! NEVER AGAIN!
He determinedly and madly said,
As he strengthened the shield and flew out of the house...
...
-...Yue-san...-Sakura was sadly watching his retreat, before sighing weakly and turning around to Eriol. -...Eriol-kun...W-what should we do...? -She sadly asked, looking like she was on the verge of tears. -...Y-Yue-san is...H-he doesn't listen...! A-and he looks so sad...! A-and my family...! T-tou-san! T-Touya-niisan! A-and my friends...! T-Tomoyo-san...! S-Syoran-kun…! A-and I...! -She said while becoming sadder and sadder with each world. -I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE!
She yelled in despair,
Before starting to cry...
...
Eriol didn't know what to tell her...
...
He and Sakura-san could probably run away,
But then Yue would persistently follow them...
...
*He won't stop until he cages them again...
...
Everyone else would be drawn into it,
And a fight to the death may happen...
...
He didn't want anyone to die because of his mistake...
...
*He was the reason Yue was like this now...
...
He didn't want Sakura-san to be punished together with him...
...
*All she did was being Yue's mistress like he once has been...
...
He couldn't stop Yue either...
...
*Yue wouldn't listen anyway...
...
And if either he or Sakura-san were to die...
...
*He didn't even want to imagine what Yue would do in his anguish and rage...
...
...
Of course,
Everything could be resolved if he just killed Yue...
...
*But, there was no way that he could ever do that!
Especially not after everything...
...
...
For the first time in "his" life,
Eriol had to shamelessly admit...
...
That he had no idea what to do...
...
-...I am sorry, Sakura-san. Because I nearly died...-He finally said, sounding very guilty. -...Again...-He added in sadness. -...Yue won't let us go, no matter what...Even on the threat of death. Even if anyone else gets involved and gets hurt or dies because of this. -He didn't want to crush her last hope, but he had no other choice but to be truthful with her. -...I am sorry, Sakura-san...-He sadly told her, the regret in his voice rising even further. Why was he always so unintentionally cruel...? -...There is nothing that we can do, to return things back to the way they were before. This is our reality now, Sakura-san.
...
The anguished look she gave him...
...
He would remember it until his death...
...
...
By now almost everyone looked in his direction,
Wondering if he and Clow were insane/even more insane...
-...Are you sure that you are feeling okay...? -Syoran slowly asked Eriol (Though the question was also directed at Clow), sounding a little scared. -You were just talking about some very strange things, after all...-He then saw his expression. -...A-and you look like something horrible just happened...!
There was slight pause,
As Eriol shuddered slightly...
...
*He didn't hear Syoran at all...
…
-N-nevermind that! -Clow suddenly yelled, in a slightly panicky voice. He actually saw that too...-Let's just continue with the soul exchanging spell!
Before anyone could get any more worried,
A sudden dark purple light surrounded Eriol…
...
It was becoming brighter and brighter,
Until it enveloped the whole area...
...
*If it wasn't so bright you could see a strange shining half sphere flowing from Eriol's body,
And disappearing in the sky just as an identical one appeared there and flew inside of Eriol's body...
...
Then the light suddenly faded,
And the magical circle disappeared...
...
The whole process taking under a minute...
...
-...Is it over now...? -Akiho asked in worry, as she was watching everything from Tomoyo's left. -...The spell worked, right...?
...
She got no reply...
...
The spell should have worked,
But almost everyone were concerned...
...
Eriol...
Or was it actually Clow…?
...
Was unusually quiet,
As he stared at Yuuko in concentration...
...
-...Well, this sure is interesting...-A voice, who everyone hoped was Clow(Which would mean that there was nothing wrong with the spell), was heard from Eriol's lips after what felt like ages. -...I never really thought about it before...-The voice sounded so serious. -...But we are actually really tall, aren't we...?
...
The completely random comment,
Made almost everyone pause in shock...
...
They thought that something went wrong with the spell,
Instead Clow(?)/Eriol(?) was wondering about himself and Yuuko being tall...
...
-...I think...You made...Them confused...-Eriol's sleepy voice was suddenly heard, seemingly out of nowhere, reassuring everyone that the spell actually worked. He had to admit, though, a life of a magical model/ballet dancer sounded interesting...Still, now was not the time for random thoughts...-...I think...They were...Concerned that...The spell...Failed...? -He wondered aloud, not sure if what he thought was right. -...Thought I...Am not sure...Why they...Would think that...
...
Syoran was about to facepalm himself, again...
...
-Intriguing, isn't it? -Yuuko said in an amused voice, as she walked up to Clow(In Eriol's body). -We should depart now...-She informed him, looking very serious. -...I have already broken many rules by leaving my shop, in order for me to come here. -She explained, answering the unasked question. She shouldn't have been able to leave the shop at all. But, she miraculously did. Probably thanks to the strange power that was aiding her. -...Therefore, as to not break reality any further, I have to return to my shop as soon as possible.
...
-Yes, we should go as soon as possible. -Clow agreed, before looking at those around him. -And if anyone wants to come together with us, they have to tell us of this now.
...
By now some people were looking questionably in his direction...
...
-...I will...Know...-Eriol sleepily reassured, already suspecting what they would ask. -...Memory sharing...Remember...? -He reminded, in a slightly bored voice. -...Now...If you...Would let...Me...Sleep...
He weakly said before becoming quiet,
And almost everyone were sure he fell asleep...
...
*Yukito was visibly worried and twitching,
But a reassuring glance from Clow made him calm down...
...
Which was a big relief,
Since it meant that Yue wasn't completely gone...
...
-I am coming together with you! -Ruby suddenly announced, sounding serious and determined. She was Eriol's moon guardian! -And I am not going to accept "no" for an answer!
She stubbornly added,
And before anyone could react...
-As am I. -Yuna suddenly said, looking very serious and determined. -There is a wish I will give anything to have granted.
He added while glancing in Akiho's direction...
...
It was for her,
After all...
...
Still, leaving her behind...
...
No...
...
Akiho should be fine without him here for a few hours,
The Li clan lead promised him that she would watch over her, after all...
-I am going to join you, too. -Yukito suddenly said, sounding very serious. -...Give me a minute first, thought, Yue has something to tell Cerberus...-He continued in an eerily quiet voice, as he walked to the confused and slightly frightened sun guardian. -A very important request, which he hopes his brother will fulfil no matter what~
He added while smiling devilishly,
Which made Kereberos scared for his wellbeing...
...
At the same time Clow was scared as well,
Even thought you couldn't really see it behind his currently forced smile...
...
...
One of the topics they would surely be talking about...
...
*And the reason why Eriol was considered "the reincarnation" between the two of them...
...
...
It wasn't something Yue should be hearing...
...
At all...!
...
Especially now!
...
...
If Yue did...
…
He might just...
...
-...I am not sure that it's a good idea for you to join us, Yukito-san...-Clow said in a slightly awkward voice, just as Yukito was walking away from the now deadly pale Kereberos. -...The topic we are going to talk about would be quite...-He had to find a more light sounding word. Which was a little hard to do, actually...-...Sensitive to Yue...-Which was a big understatement. "Sensitive" wouldn't cover even a half of it...! -...And since he is already...-He sighed heavily. -...Quite broken...
-It's going to be just fine. Because I am coming together with him! -Touya suddenly interrupted in a serious and reassuring voice, as he moved Sakura and deposited her in Syoran's "arms". -Chinese brat, take good care of my sister! You hear me? - He added in a serious and barely noticeable trusting voice, before walking to Yukito's side. -So, are we going or not?
-...Can I come with you, too...? -Matthew suddenly asked, with a determined expression on his face. -...Now that I remember who (And what) I actually am, there is a wish I want fulfilled...
-...Is that so...? -Yuuko ambiguously said, with a slightly amused and knowing smile. To think that, she would meet someone who was so like a human and at the same time wasn't. -You wish to go back to your own reality, right? -The other's look of surprise made her feel even more amused. -Yes, I know of a way to bring you back. -She admitted, to which Matthew walked up to her. -Let's go now, shall we?
Suddenly a magical circle appeared under her,
Rapidly expanding more and more...
...
*So that Clow, Ruby, Yue, Touya, Yuna and Matthew were inside of it, as well...
...
It was bright purple with many symbols,
Symbolizing her power and different aspects of her unique abilities...
...
...
But, there was no time to describe all those symbols,
Since Yuuko was rushing to get back to her shop...
...
*And it was a small price to pay for keeping reality together...
...
So in the matter of seconds the circle shone in a bright light,
Swiftly teleporting those inside of it away...
...
Moments later the light died down,
And the circle was nowhere to be seen...
...
Leaving everyone to look at the spot in surprise...
...
-...Let us all get inside. -Yelan suggested, unaffected by the strangeness of it all. -Now that the crisis is over, we have much to do and talk about.