Cards, Love, war, and rebellion
Chapter 14
Long Chang was the first to the battle as he shot a beam of demonic energy towards the couple. They were quick enough to dodge, Sakura pulled a card while Syaoran took out an ofuda and each prepare their spells
"Firey!" Sakura shouted as she used her card.
"Raitei shourai!" Syaoran shouted as he released his spell. Each spell hit Long Chang with deadly accuracy. Once the spells hit they went off in a firery and electric blaze. As the inferno died down Long Chang to a good brunt of the spell. He looked fine but he noticed a small ligh burn on his hand.
"Very good brats, it seems that I've underestimated you." Long chang commented the the couple. Syaoran was quick to take the initiative and thrust his sword to his foe. Long chang was quick to anticipate. Long chang wasn't just a tallented mage but a decent martial artist. As the two fought he notices the styles and forms mixed in with Syaoran.
"Wing chun, hung kuen, and Ni-hon-kaido jujitsu. Interesting combinations there Li." Long Chang amdired.
"hung gar and wudan fist huh? Powerful but you use old school techniques." Syaoran retorted back
"Fighting! HAAAAAH!" Sakura shouted as she activated her fighting card as she made a flying kick on Long Chang. After being staggered for a bit Long Chang was surprised and amazed by this.
"So you've managed to master the cards huh? Well this should be interesting." Long chang commented and the fight continued in hand to hand for a good while. Sakura wasn't the best when it comes to martial arts but the fighting card helped out really well. As the three continued on they realized that Long Chang was on another level.
"You must have fought numerous enemies in the past have you?" Sakura asked.
"You're a sharp one." Long Chang comented.
"She is." Syaoran added. and the three broke apart with a good distance. Long Chang was very surprised with the future generation these days. He had always thought that they were a lazy bunch but diamonds in the rough was another thing, and these two were more than just diamonds. They were true jewels. Long Chang felt a bit shamefull if he were to kill them but to get what he wanted, there was no other way than to kill them.
"Looks like I've underestimated you brats, now I will get serious!" with a wave of his hand Long Chang summoned a dozen demons. The duo took care of them with ease.
"not bad you two but I still have a few tricks of my own!" true to his words Long chang raised his hand and shoots out large streams of lightning coming from his hand.
"Sakura!" Syaoran yelled as he pushed Sakura out of the way. Luckily both of them didn't get hit by the stream. However Long chang send in wave after wave of stream that Sakura have to call up her shield card to protect both of the them.
"You have no idea how happy I am when I've heard that the cards not only survived but also have a user. I'm going to enjoy taking your lives!" said Long Chang amused. as he stopped firing his streams Syaoran charged forward but was soon stopped as Long Chang send a magic stream throwing Syaoran to a wall screaming in pain.
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH"
"SYAORAN KUN!" Sakura shouted, but she was held back by Long Changs magic attacks.
"I am not going to let you go off easily little girl. Not till I have what's right fully mine!" Long chang shouted.
"You can't just take the easy way out! I'm sure that Clow wanted to see you work hard for it!" Sakura yelled.
"Sifu held me back! I wanted to become a worthy heir and he betrayed me!" Long chang yelled in anger.
"You say that but magic takes time to learn your strengths and accepting your weaknesses." Sakura countered as she activated her windy card. Which send Long chang flying however he managed to get land on his feet.
"You say that but I bet you have never known hardships young lady. From what I've heard the daidoji kingdom is considered a pacifistic country with no hardships at all." Long Chang said.
"I have been through hardships myself, and I have overcome them!" Sakura countered as she activated her arrow card. As the Arrow spirit came into being it shot straight at Long Chang. He tried to shield himself with his magic but the force was strong enough to make him tumble. Long Chang stood up rather quickly and send a hug fire blast to Sakura shouting.
"YOU KNOW NOTHING OF CLOW!" Long Chang shouted. The blast caught Sakura by surprise and she screamed as she was thrown back from the blast stunning her. Long Chang drew his sword and walked up to the now down Sakura.
"You fought well little girl you learn quite well but not well enough." Long Chang goaded. As he stopped by Sakura Lying on the floor. Syaoran regained his strenght as he saw his girl about to be slaughtered by this demonic maniac of a man. He stood up as best as he can as he urged forward.
"You should have given me the cards while you're still alive. Now you will die." Long Chang savored at the moment. Finally after hundreds of years, the cards are finally his. But first he must kill their current master and he will use them for his goals of the future. He would rule the world and build it under his image. A world where everyone would fear him. He would start with the empire. Then the archipelago, and then he would go south and north, then move west and engulf the world in the flames of his conquest. As he raised his sword for the kill he went down to cut off the head of the girl who took his chance for the cards. As soon as he slashed down, his blade was stopped by another blade. Long Chang looked to see Syaoran there standing with his sword protecting Sakura from getting killed.
"My you're a stubborn one Li. I thought I had told you specifically to stay down." long Chang said in surprise.
"I may be hard headed by I've learned to let go of my pride and protect what I love." Retorted Syaoran as he spun Long Changs blade away.
"Surely you can do better!" Long Chang taunted.
"I know I can!"Syaoran agreed, but his point of view differs from Long Changs. As the two blades clear Syaoran immediately went on the offensive. Long Chang has fought many enemies in his heyday but he had never fought someone with a serious conviction as Syaoran. Syaoran has allot he wants to protect, his love for Sakura as well as his future with her. Long Chang felt excitement in his duel with Syaoran, he is young, strong, fast, and agile which makes him a strong opponent. Syaoran had Long Chang on the defense and he had never fought someone Like Long Chang before. Long Chang used old school techniques but they were easy to predict for Syaoran but even he was impressed by his skill. As the two fought Long Chang noticed that Syaoran is not going for the kill, this caused a little bit of confusion for him. The moment he realized what Syaoran was doing it was already too late. A bright pink glow came from where Sakura was standing, and there she was, covered in a bright pink aura that glowed as bright as the sun and moon themselves. Not only that a red mark in the shape of a sakura flower begins to form up on her forhead.
"You were stalling me huh Li brat?" Long Chang accused.
"You got that right, I want to make sure that you would keep your eyes of her so that Sakura would gather as much magic as possible to end you!" Syaoran yelled
"You thoguht that you could just take the cards for yourself but you're forgetting one thing." Sakura yelled.
"you're supposed to be tested by the guardians of the cards first before you become its master. And I have failed that test whereas Sakura passed it!" Syaoran shouted as he pushed Long Chang off. Then he went for the lower tendons and rendered Long Chang immobile. With that he jumped back out of the wat for Sakura to use her spells.
"Watery!" Sakura called as she summoned her water card. As the watery spirit came in to view she created a torrent of water that captured Long chang. Syaoran pulled an ofuda
"Hyouka shourai!" Syaoran call as the water prison freezes Long Chang in place. As the prison froze to solid ice Sakura pulled two more cards.
"nullify the evil within him, and make him repent for his sins. Hold back his magic and let him see the light of truth. Make him see the light and nulify the darkness within. LIGHT AND DARK!" Sakura called as she summoned two of her strongest cards. As the light and dark spirits appeared they flew directly toward the frozen long Chang and enveloped him in a huge stream of light. Sakura held firm and syaoran went behind Sakura as he helped her with the magic energy. It took a good while but as soon as the magic dissipates it was done. The Ice had melt from the intensity of the magic and long chang now layed flat on the ground pale and gray compared to his usually complexion. As he struggled to get up the couple could see the regret, guilt, pity and sadness in his now blue eyes.
"Sifu." Long chang whispered as he had come to his senses.
"Is he?" Sakura wondered.
"Sifu! What have I done?" Long chang said in a lounder tone.
"SIFU1! I'M SORRY1!" Long chang wailed as he cried.
"I WAS WRONG! . . . I WAS WRONG THIS ENTIRE TIME! I SHOULD HAVE WAITED, I SHOULD HAVE BEEN PATIENT1 BUT YOU WERE RIGHT! I WAS TO AMBITIOUS FOR MY OWN GOOD!" Sakura and Syaoran couldn't believe what they are seeing. Long Chang is now a broken man regretting his action. As Long chang went up to his knees he clapsed his hand together in prayer.
"Card mistress. Sifus descendant. Please forgive me. Though I deserved none." Sakura and Syaoran couldn't help but wonder what would have happened if Long Chang didn't went on the path he took. It didn't took long for them to realize that he is starting to dissipate right in front their eyes as his form was shedding away.
"I'm sorry you two, for everything. I'm sorry sifu, for my impatience and ambition. I'm sorry father, for failing you! I'm sorry!" with that Long chang was gone, his body has left the world along with his soul to repent for his sins. It's over, the battle is over as well as the war. From all around the battlefield the demons dissipate from the world back to where they belong. The Long clan soldier that survived surrendered immediately now that their leaders are beaten. It was an overwhelming victory for the guards, imperial family as well as the Li clan. As Sakura and Syaoran smiled at each other since the war is now over, the two collapsed and passed out from exhaustion. Romoyo, Meiling, and Ryouma rushed into the building hoping to help their two friends who are now lying on the floor passed out from the battle they had won.
"Sakura chan daijobu!" Tomoyo shouted as she ran over to her best friend.
"Xiao Lang please don't die!" Meiling called as she knelt over her cousin.
"They're alright, just passed out." Ryouma assured
"Long Chang Bo-an san doesn't seem to be here." Meiling Observed.
"I hope that they have taken care of him." Tomoyo hoped. with that the trio carried the couple out of the building and start to run out of the now burning compound. Due to Liu chen recklessly threw a torch in a building making it catch fire, now the entire compound up in flames. As the 5 friends leave the compound many of the long clan warriors are kneeling on the ground knowing that their leaders are defeated. Now they must all face the consequences for conspiracy to commit treason, especially the ones who are in the loop. Those who weren't aware of it were deeply surprised and begged for forgiveness and that they weren't even aware of it. Most of the high ranking members of the clan including the elders were huge amount of trouble as their lives hung in the balance. It is unknown what will come of them but they all knew that their lives are over. With the battle and war won every one went their ways. The prisoners will be interrogated and sentenced according to law. As the compound continues to burn many wondered if there were still others in those building? But it's too late to save any poor souls from the firey blaze. As the task force went back to the city the emperor congratulated the heroes who returned with the prisoners in tow. They will all be tried and judged according to law, for many of the leaders and the elders it would mean the end of their lives since they held the brunt of the guilt. For those that weren't even aware of this treason begged for mercy and will be sentenced to a lighter punishment, but they will still be held accounted for. The emperor even promised to give rewards for the heroes who have returned as well as compensation for the family of those who have fallen. The gang however weren't there at the emperor, they however went back to the Li compound to rest up for a bit especially for Sakura and Syaoran.
A day has passed since that fateful day, as the morning sun rises through the windows of the bed room Syaoran was sleeping in. As the sun ray hit his eyes he was stirred awake from the bright light. The birds sang in the morning air as he yawned. To his surprise he felt something heavy ontop of him and was squeezing him hard as if trying keep him in place. He looked down to see a sleeping Sakura snuggling on his chest. He smile at his lovers face as she snuggled up to him. Then it struck him, he realized he isn't in the Long clans compound anymore. They are in his room in their sleep wear, he realized that the servants must have changed their clothing. Then he noticed the red mark on Sakuras forehead. He realized that her power grew so much that it created a mark on her forehead. He knew that some celestial beings would gain a mark like that when they reached a certain level of power but to see a flower fairy like Sakura gain on is really something else. As he looked closer her realized that it enhances her beauty by quite a lot. It made her look more divine with her wings. Then she started to stir up.
"Ohaiyo Sakura." Syaoran whispered.
"Huh. Syaoran kun, ohaiyo." Sakura muttered sleepily. As she looked at syaoran with her sleepy eyes she started gain awareness of her surroundings as she looked around. As she looked back at her own cloths and back at syaoran for her face to go red with embarrassment and quickly threw the blanket over her head.
"Calm down it's only the two of us." Syaoran comforted.
"That's not what I'm embarrassed about Syaoran kun, your servant don't have some form of delicacy to change a sleeping girls cloths!" Sakura cried in embarrassment.
"Hey I'm embarrassed to sakura. But seeing you like this makes you look cuter than you realize." Syaoran said as he pulled the blanket from her. Sakura still held that cute embarrassed face as he stroke her blushing cheeks, her wing fluttered with nerves from the emotion. Syaoran though it be best to help her calm down from all of it. He continued to comfort her till a loud clang was heard. The couple turned at the direction of the sound to see a very surprised yet happy Tomoyo who had just dropped a bowl of water that lays splattered on the floor. Tomoyo just stood there for a good minute till she start to run out of the room.
"MIN'NA THEY'RE AWAKE! SAKURA CHAN AND LI KUN ARE AWAKE!" Tomoyo shouted as she ran out till she returned with the gang and many others. Keroberos was the first to arive hugging his master with tears in his eyes worried is she will ever wake up. Meiling cried at the sight of her now awake cousin as she was glad to see him well. Syaorans sisters were the most emotional of the group as they hugged and squeezed the couple while bawling their eyes out. Bao, Shi, and Shanyuan were glad that their master had awakened. Yelan was just as calm and composed as ever but she is happy to see her son and future daughter in law awake. Eirol however stood there at the entrance of the room watching the group fill with joy and happiness.
"My work here is done. You take care of yourself Sakura." Eriol mutter. He then left the room leaving everyone to get around what happened. They all told the couple about what happened after the fall out of the long compound and of how many people that are missing from the compound. Servants, women and children weren't present at the time. it came as a surprise to the others to know how strong Long Chang was and how much of a talented individual he was, not to mention that before his demise he regretted his sins which shocked many of the group.
"Now is not the time to moan about everyone, the emperor asked specifically for you two to come and see him as soon as you are able to walk." Yelan reminded everyone hopped up and help Sakura and Syaoran prepare to meet the emperor. They were a bit wobbly in their balance since they were exhausted from the fight they just had. Sakuras wings fluttered in order to keep her stable in her balance. It to a while but soon the couple found their footing. As soon as they got dressed and ready they went to the governors building where the Emperors is at right now. As they entered the court hall the couple immediately bowed to the emperor and told them the entire story of their battle.
"And that is all your majesty, Long Chang is defeated and dissipated right now." Sakura told the Emperor finishing the story.
"You have done this country a good service lady Kinomoto and lord Li. You two didn't have to bow to me, it is I who should bow to you." The emperor told the couple as he bowed to them.
"You two have prevented a great calamity that would have swallowed up the world. And for that I thank you." With that the emperor took his seet and singled to a eunuch who is holding a scroll. As he opened the scroll he read the contents.
"His majesties decree! Lady Kinomoto though not a citizen of the empire shall be granted citizenship with all the rights and privileges of a Han-cho noble. Also she will be allowed to live where ever she pleased even if she decides to return home to her home island. She will also get 10 gold yuanbaos from the imperial treasury as payment for her services. To young lord Li, he will be granted the nobility rank of Zi, he will aslo be granted a lavish engament party at the imperial guest palace here in hong-kong. Decree end." Announced the eunuch.
"Thank you your majesty." Said the couple in unison.
"you two can leave now, you need your rest." Advised the emperor. With that they departed go and rest on their laurels. The Gang along with Ryouma and Huan Liu went to celebrate their victory. They decided to have a feast at a local restaurant. Huan Liu decided to pay for all the food as he was merely on the sidelines and has no skill and experience in martial arts. They were all happy to at least have something lavish to eat at least once. As the emperor sees his youngest son going out with many people close to his age he was both happy and proud for his son. He raised his children to be accepting of others and wishes for all of them to get along. The only problem was that they all went along really well that they weren't fighting for the throne and would rather not take it to anger the others. They did argue and fight every once in a while but they make up for it in the end.
"You majesty your children are blessed to have friends and go great with others." Said one minister.
"However don't you think it should be wise to let them know that they are heavens children?" a eunuch asked.
"I want my children to understand that while we may be chosen by heaven to rule till we lost the mandate, we are all still mortal after all. I want them to learn that we are all equally human." Answered the emperor.
"Your majesty is wise" praised the ministers and eunuchs.
"Speaking of children, the long clans young are still out there. I want to investigate where they are and what they are doing. If you see them don't arrest them. Let me know if they are found. I want to know what they are planning for the future." The emperor demanded
"by your will your majesty!" answered all the eunuchs and ministers. The emperor has a right to worry about the younger generation of the Long clan who have fled the clans decimation. But the emperor has nothing to worry about the younger members of the clan. Lei fang has decided that it was best to exile themselves from the city. They decided to become nomadic traders and journeyed to the main trading route that connects east to west. Their lives will be full of hardships and may live a life of poverty be they don't regret any of it. Many mistakes were made and many lessons were learned from their time on the route. Lei fang soon found not one but 3 girls who are triplet sisters, they fell in love with each other and decided to take on the family name of the girls. He had completely separated himself from his clan. When they were found by the imperial officials they were on intense watch to see where their life would head for. It would take 5 generations for them to end the watch as the remnants of the long clan lowered themselves to nothing more than roaming nomads.
Authors note: sorry it took so long. Complications with work and family but now I have allot of free time. I will make one more chapter to end all of this. Please wait for the next one to come. I know that this is a short chapter but I assure you the ending will be pleasant. I may do an epilogue but that's for me to decide. If ya'll want to see and epilogue than let me know in the reviews. And as always see yall in the final chapter.