AN/ Hi! I'm back! I didn't really wanna update yet but... *sighs* this is for all my friends at Scribbles especially Semm. Merry Christmas minna-san! Oh, just a little note, Riyo is a girl's name even if it sounds like a boy's name. In addition, I'm very sorry that this will be a short chapter only because I was in a bit of a hurry when writing this and I wanted to post it as soon as possible. I promise that my next chapter will be longer.
Thanks to all the wonderful people that reviewed my last chappie!
F@ntasy K@t, Ekimozo, Semmerie, Fire Temptress, sweet^sakura^star, darkdemoncat, Avelyn Lauren
Replies to your reviews:
To Semmerie: lolz! It's so cute Syaoran worried about Sakura!!! Must tease Syaoran-kun! Lolz!
To Ekimozo: Lolz! Good luck on our math!
To darkdemoncat: ...That wasn't really a humor story. Makes me wonder why you're laughing.
To F@ntasy K@t: more kawaii S+S moments here!
Disclaimer: I don't own CCS (no matter how many times I'll try) but I do own my original characters so don't copy them please! (Especially my new guardian!!!)
~Recap~
~Somewhere far away~
"So she is now the most powerful sorceress eh? Looks like she will be my queen this time..." The dark figure in a black cloak took an orange sphere and muttered a spell under his breath. He could now see the image of a smiling auburn-haired girl in the sphere. "This will be fun..."
~End Recap~
Chapter 4: The Fifth Winged Guardian
~At the Kinomoto household~
"Ne Syaoran-kun, gomen (sorry) I didn't get you anything for your birthday." Sakura said regretfully, sitting down on the couch. Syaoran sat down beside her.
"Daijoubu (it's alright), you didn't know that I was coming back." he reassured her.
"I still need to give you something for your birthday. It's not right that you gave me something but I didn't give you anything." Sakura argued.
"It's really alright Sakura, I don't mind, being here with you makes me happy enough."
"But it's your-" Syaoran cut her off.
"I don't mind Sakura, it's alright."
"But still-" Syaoran silenced her with a soft and gentle kiss. Sakura was shocked at first, but then she relaxed and kissed him back. After a few seconds, they parted.
"There, I got my present." He said hugging her tightly and blushing at the same time. Sakura kept on blushing madly.
"You know what, I'm glad Tomoyo-chan and Eriol-kun aren't here, especially Tomoyo-chan. Had she been here, we would've heard by now a-"
"KAWAII!!!" Syaoran and Sakura immediately stood up and faced the window. 'Oh no,' they both thought. 'That sounded a bit too much like...' "I got it on tape! I got it on tape! I Daidouji Tomoyo got Sakura-chan's first kiss on tape!!! I'm gonna call it 'Sakura-chan's first kiss with Li-kun'!"
"Tomoyo-chan!" Sakura exclaimed blushing fiercely. Syaoran was also very red. Tomoyo was dancing victoriously by the window.
"And then I'll watch it over and over again..."
"Daidouji!" Syaoran gasped.
"And then maybe I'll go and sell it at school to get money to buy more material for Sakura-chan's beautiful costumes..."
"TOMOYO DAIDOUJI, DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT!!! Sakura and Syaoran yelled making her shut her mouth.
"Ohohohohoho... Hai Sakura-chan and Li-kun..." Tomoyo said, finally stopping her victory dance. 'I'll just use the footage from the party for profit instead-with a little editing of course... Ohohohohoho...'
"Tomoyo-chan," Sakura said helping her get through the window. "What are you doing here anyway?" she suddenly sensed another aura. "And with Eriol-kun too?"
Syaoran paled. "Hiiragizawa saw that?!?"
"Very nice move my little descendant. I would've made the kiss a little longer though..." Eriol said appearing behind him. "Or maybe you could do it again?"
"Hiiragizawa, you are gonna pay for that remark!" he said raising his fist threateningly at Eriol.
"Yen or dollars?"
"Hiiragizawa!"
"Tsk, tsk untrained one. Violence never solves anything you know."
"Oh yeah, says who?"
"I could whoop your butt-"
"You can't even-"
"-Any day of the week-"
"-Walk without-"
"-just you name it!"
"-bonking yourself!"
"Let's leave this for later you two." Sakura said stepping in between them.
"Haha, you got bus-"
"Eriol-kun!"
"But-"
"Syaoran-kun!"
"Fine, whatever." Syaoran said stepping aside but continued glaring at Eriol. "What are you two doing here anyway?"
"Eriol found a clue in his mansion about Mifisto around 20 seconds after he arrived there. He immediately picked me up at my place and we hurried here." Tomoyo explained.
"Oh yeah? What's this clue you're talking about Hiiragizawa?"
"Eriol's just fine." Eriol said. He looked around to check if anyone was listening. "Sakura-san, where are Touya-san and Kinomoto-san?"
"Onii-chan's at another part-time job and Otou-san's staying overnight at a dig in the next town."
"Good. You found the Clow Book in your basement, right?" she nodded quietly, obviously confused.
"Hai Eriol-kun."
"Let's go down there; it'll be easier to explain there."
~A black castle in the Mages' domain~
"Gilgamesh!!!" Mifisto thundered as he swept through the dark and dusty throne room. "Where are you?!?" a small skittish hump-backed man with an abnormal eye scurried to his feet.
"Great Master, you have returned!" he said kissing Mifisto's feet.
"Stop that." He said, kicking Gilgamesh off and glaring at him.
"I'm so sorry master... I simply lost myself." He said cowering. "Please forgive me merciful one!"
"Mifisto does not give forgiveness easily. However..." he looked at Gilgamesh's pitiful figure. "I will allow you to begin repaying your debt."
"Th-thank you master, you are truly kind." He bowed low until his forehead reached the floor. Mifisto ignored him and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a gold encrusted throne with glowing orange orbs in them appeared. (AN/ the same one in the last chapter in the dimension thingy the foursome were sucked into.) He sat down on the throne and scrutinized the room. 'Seems awfully dark. I may be evil, but I am not a dirty person!'
"Haven't you been cleaning Gilgamesh?"
"I'm sorry master, I was only awoken from the sleep you put me in the moment you walked in."
"Hmph; I see... Remind me not to use that spell again." He said, mentally taking note. He looked around and saw the small brass pedestal near him. "Bring me that book on that pedestal Gilgamesh." He commanded. Gilgamesh quickly retrieved the book and held it out to Mifisto.
"Here you go master, as you commanded."
"Yes..." he murmured flipping through the pages of the gray leather bound book. "This is the one..."
~Kinomoto Basement~
"Ne Eriol-kun," Sakura began as they reached the basement. "Why do we have to go down here? It's so dark and scary here..." she said looking around cautiously.
"It's here somewhere..." Eriol murmured as he felt the walls around him. Everyone else watched him with interest.
"What are you talking about Hiiragizawa?" Syaoran asked as he instinctively stepped in front of Sakura.
"Just call me Eriol."
"Fine! Eriol, what are you talking about?" Eriol just ignored the other three and kept tapping the bricks near the wall. Tomoyo was watching Eriol through her camera. Her face was placed in a worried frown.
"Sakura-san, can you please show me exactly where you found the Clow Book?" he asked without looking at her.
"Just ignore me won't ya?" Syaoran said irritably.
"Here's my key." She said, leading him to the place where she first found the Clow Book.
"Ah..." He tapped on a few of the bricks using his sun key thrice each and suddenly the bricks parted revealing a stone corridor. The other three friends watched in amazement as torches inside the corridor lit themselves up with an eerie blue-green light. "I found it."
"What is this place Eriol-kun?" Sakura said as she warily stepped into the corridor.
"You will see soon enough." He said mysteriously. He made his way in front of Sakura. "Follow me."
The four friends began going through the corridor. Sakura suddenly realized as they continues their trip was that the path they had been walking on had been sloping down into the earth. After what seemed like hours, they finally reached the end of the sloping corridor. When they reached the end, the four friends found themselves facing a large intricately decorated door made of ivory. The two girls gasped in surprise and Syaoran was taken aback at this sight. Eriol was the only one who didn't show any sign of surprise.
"Hiiragizawa, what's the meaning of bringing us here?!" Syaoran asked in surprise.
"I said call me Eriol."
"Sorry, habit."
"Syaoran-kun, do you know where we are or what this place is?" Sakura cocked her head looking very confused.
"Sakura, this is-"
"She will find out soon enough. We must do it inside of the chamber so that he will not hear us." Eriol said cutting Syaoran off. "Your key please Sakura." Sakura took out her star key and handed it to Eriol who inserted it in a small golden keyhole. They key glowed a bright pink as he turned it in the hole and slowly, the ivory door opened revealing a small beautifully decorated circular room. Sakura retrieved her key from the keyhole and they all walked inside.
The room was ill-lit by the same blue flame torches as the ones in the corridor only the flames grew as they went deeper into the dark blue chamber. There in the center of the whole room were two large ivory stands with golden bowls on top of them which had blazing blue flames in them.
In between them was the most amazing thing of all: a life-size ivory statue of a young winged girl sitting down on a stool made of ivory holding a small red gold-encrusted chest with a large topaz on the top. Everyone admired the statue of the girl. She had curly hair which fell up to a few inches below her waist and her eyes were closed modestly. Her slim figure was clothed in exquisite Chinese traditional robes and a golden belt around her waist. Her hair was adorned with a golden headband and her wings had been lined with gold as well.
"Wow..." Sakura murmured admiring the statue of the girl. "This is so beautiful; it seems as if it was a real live girl!"
"It is a real live girl, made into a statue." Eriol said bringing out his staff.
"What?!"
"Yes Sakura-san, this is a real live girl with wings who was made into a statue."
"But how Eriol?" Tomoyo asked him. "More importantly, why was she turned into an ivory statue?"
"She was the Chosen One." Syaoran suddenly said completely surprising everyone. "She was the protector of the four powers of Armageddon."
"I see you've studied your lessons well." Syaoran nodded in reply.
"I've studied the entire Li clan history, of course I know this."
"Syaoran-kun, what are you talking about?"
"What are the four powers of Armageddon?" Tomoyo inquired.
"Bring out your staff Sakura-san, release your full power." Eriol said. "I need your powers for you to understand this better."
"Hai Eriol-kun."
"O key that hides
The power of the stars
Shining so bright,
Release thy power
And shine thy ultimate light!
Release!"
Sakura changed the incantation a little bit so that her staff would grow to its fullest length: a whopping 7 ½ feet tall. The star had grown larger and the pink band around the star was gone and the wings of the staff were bigger too. Syaoran watched this in amazement. He had not realized how powerful she was until now. Eriol nodded his approval and Tomoyo was taping everything with rapt attention.
"Do as I say." He said motioning for her to come nearer to the statue and she obliged. Standing around 2 feet away from the statue, Eriol began muttering things under his breath. "Sakura-san, wave your staff above the statue as I do and then step back until you reach Tomoyo and Li-kun." He instructed. Sakura waved her staff above the statue in the same way Eriol did and it slowly began to emit a pale blue color. Eriol suddenly retreated to where Tomoyo was; still facing the statue and Sakura followed suit.
~Mifisto's castle~
Mifisto thumbed through the book. He suddenly stopped on a page, finding what he was looking for. His face alighted as he read the text. 'This is what I was looking for!' he thought as he continued to read the following pages. Suddenly, he felt a presence being reborn. 'It's happening now, this is the chance! I must hurry!' Mifisto then disappeared with a small 'pop'.
~chamber under the Kinomoto basement~
The statue (without the seat) levitated a few inches off the floor as color began to engulf it. Soon her features began to become apparent. She had slightly tanned skin and black hair with tints of dark brown in it. She was coming alive!
"What's happening to her?" Tomoyo asked uncertain of what was happening but they merely ignored her, too wrapped up in the girl to answer.
The girl's angel-like wings suddenly flew out and pearly white feathers fell to the ground as she started to move her head and her legs stretched. With elegance and grace, she slowly lowered herself back onto the floor. She finally opened her dark brown eyes and they discovered that she was Chinese. She touched back down on the floor and the pale blue glow diminished. She looked at the four friends who were too stunned to speak with a bit of superiority. Syaoran dropped to the ground and bowed down to her and the others exempting Eriol followed him. She placed the chest on top of the stool and then smiled at all of them with a kind look in her eyes. "Thank you for freeing me." She said in a soft soprano voice, barely reaching the ears of the friends. Eriol stepped forward, his staff already in key form and he bowed down to her. The girl walked towards him and lifted his chin. "You are the reincarnation of Clow Reed, am I right?"
"Yes guardian of the four powers." He said. "My name is Hiiragizawa Eriol." The girl laughed quietly yet pleasantly.
"No need to call me by that." She walked over to Tomoyo. "Arise young one; let me have a look at you." Tomoyo stood up, her head still bent.
"I am Daidouji Tomoyo ma'am." She said courteously. The girl peered carefully into her eyes.
"You are very pretty Ms. Daidouji." She said with a twinkle in her eyes. Tomoyo blushed at the compliment.
"Not really ma'am but thank you for the compliment."
"I can only speak the truth Ms. Daidouji, lies and false flattery go against what I have learned for a long time." She said with a kind smile on her face. Her eyes then went to Sakura. "Are you the mistress of the cards?"
"Yes ma'am. I'm Kinomoto Sakura." Sakura said, still down on the floor. The girl took Sakura's hand in hers and made her stand up.
"Mistress, you must be very powerful now. I am greatly impressed." She smiled kindly at her as well and Sakura looked at her. "You are also very pretty like Ms. Daidouji Mistress." Sakura blushed like Tomoyo.
"Th-thank you ma'am." The girl's attention then moved to Syaoran. Taking his hand in hers like she did with Sakura, she made him stand up. He slowly looked at the girl in front of him.
"You recognize me; do you not present Chosen One of the Li clan, soon-to-be leader? Do not be surprised that I know who you are."
"Yes Li-sama." He said with great respect in his voice. Sakura and Tomoyo were surprised with the fact that the girl was a Li. Syaoran looked at her with respect. "I have studied long about your accomplishments."
"What do they call you?"
"I am known as Li Xiao-Lang in Chinese and Li Syaoran in Japanese Li-sama." The girl laughed pleasantly again and shook her head lightly, her elegant curls swaying with the movement of her head.
"No need for such formalities young ones, I need not be called that way."
"But then what do we call you ma'am?" Tomoyo asked her politely.
"I am the fifth winged guardian. My full name is Li Riyo; you may all call me simply Riyo."
"Hai Riyo-sama." Syaoran said bowing his head but Riyo frowned in distaste.
"I am the guardian of these powers, not an immortal or a god. I am no longer the Chosen One or a leader either so do not address me with 'sama', simply Riyo is perfectly fine." She placed her forefinger on her lip thoughtfully. "Actually, considering that you are all probably much more powerful than I am I should be the one addressing you with 'sama' do you not think so?"
"Hoe?!" Sakura exclaimed. "No way, I cannot let you do that! You can just call me Sakura!" Riyo laughed again.
"Very well then, I shall call you by your first name and you will do the same as well."
"Hai, demo (but)..." Tomoyo began.
"What is it Tomoyo?"
"Why did you become a statue in the first place Riyo?" Riyo picked up the chest, laid it on her lap and sat back down on the stool.
"Eriol, please make seats for yourselves." She said and Eriol obeyed, making them four wooden stools, similar to the one Riyo was sitting on. "Thank you." She then looked back at them.
"Many centuries ago, back in the time of Clow Reed, chaos reigned. Thankfully, Clow was powerful enough to confine the evil as long as he could. He then confined four of his most powerful powers in four stones and locked them in a chest, only to be opened by the future card mistress. However, many people bearing magical abilities discovered this and tried to steal the stones from him. Fearing the worst would come to pass; he created a chamber which could only be opened by his reincarnation and the future card mistress.
"The only downside was that in creating this very chamber, he was sapped greatly of his magic and he didn't have enough to make another guardian in addition to the two original Clow card guardians and the ones he would need in the future. He then sought help from the elders of the Li clan who in turn offered to have one of the clan members serve as a guardian who would only awaken when danger is near or when awakened by the reincarnation and the cards mistress. No one wanted to go because we knew that we wouldn't wake up until after many centuries.
"I then offered my self as a guardian because I was the Chosen One and I was expected to do the honorable thing. In addition, I had similar powers to those of Clow Reed only of a lower level, therefore my aura being a pale blue so I was the easiest to convert into a guardian. Clow Reed took me to this chamber and gave me the basic guardian powers like those of Keroberos and Yue with some additional powers to use for the powers' protection. He made white angel-like wings grow on my back and he cast a sleeping spell on me. Placing the chest which contained the stones in my hands, he turned me into ivory so as not to pain me so much and so that I would look exactly the same as I did when I fell asleep. For many years I sat here sleeping... until you came to awaken me." She directed her next words at Syaoran.
"You of course have heard this all before. Unless of course I am mistaken?"
"I have heard all this before except the part about why Clow chose this place for the chamber and that you were turned to ivory. Why did he choose this place anyway?"
"This place was guarded with ancient magic already because it was the home of the 'would be' Cards Mistress." Eriol said. "It would be protected more in this place rather than any other area."
"But..." Sakura began. "Does that mean that Clow Reed-san already knew that I would be able to pass the Final Judgment?"
"Of course, we both had great faith in you Sakura-san."
"I as well." Riyo said agreeing with Eriol. She looked at him. "Eriol, should I bring them out?"
"Yes Riyo. I would like to see them for myself as well." He said nodding. Riyo placed her hand over the chest and it began to glow a pale blue color. Little by little, the chest opened itself; a pale blue glow around the chest as well.
Four stones levitated themselves into the air from the chest; each with a corresponding aura around it. One had a cobalt blue aura around it, a lemon yellow around another one, another had a burnt red aura and the last had a light brown aura. All of them watched the four stones with rapt attention. Without warning, each of the stones transformed into rings and floated over to each of the friends' lap. Tomoyo received the brown one, Eriol got the blue one, Syaoran got the red one and Sakura got the yellow one.
"What's this for?" Sakura said picking up the yellow ring.
"You four," Riyo said sincerely. "Are the warriors of the Armageddon." Eriol was surprised at this.
"We are the-?" but what he wanted to ask remained unknown when without any warning, four darker versions of the rings which were previously stones and an additional pure black one shot up into the air from the chest and flew to the dark side of the room. Everyone was surprised as a cloaked figure emerged from the darkness. Syaoran and Eriol instantly stood up in front of the girls, ready to attack. Riyo also flew up beside them and placed herself in attacking position. Their eyes were set in a fierce glare. Syaoran spat out one word distastefully, his sword poised ready to kill.
"Mifisto."
-To be Continued-
AN/ how'd you like it? I'm really, really sorry that it's such a short chapter. I'm suffering from a block right now, any ideas are greatly appreciated. I'll probably able to update this in January already. Merry Christmas and / or Happy Hanukkah! R+R!
~mycherrywolf~