Hidden Within:
Chapter Three
Li and Sakura woke up about the same thing the next morning. Li wanted a better explaination for what occured last night, but so far Sakura had been unable to satisfy him.
"What's at the temple?" He asked.
"Izeah." She replied.
"Who?"
"He's the entity that went inside you when you saved me in the cave. Harmony is inside of me. With thier help, we can beat Shaulin once and for all." Sahe replied.
"That's better. Now what will it do to us if we let them take over?" He asked.
Sakura sighed. "I don't really know. It makes you a little tired...."
"A little tired!? Sakura you feinted yesturday..."
"After saving our hides!" That ending anymore arguement.
Li was mad, because Sakura didn't seem to care what this was doing to her. She only cared about taking out Shaulin. Shaulin was after both of them, and yet Sakura again wasn't worried about her own safety. That was all Li was worried about.
They had been walking through the forests for hours trying to find that tree that Harmony had instructed them to find. But in a forest? It was trying to find a needle in a haystack. There were dozens of trees.
"Which one!" Li said frustrated.
"It's more over here." Sakura replied pointing straight ahead.
We're almost there The entity told Sakura.
'Good, I don't know how much longer he will last.' Sakura thought.
They came upon a tree which at first looked like every other tree. But when Sakura looked carfully, she could see an aura of magic around it.
'Is this it?' She asked in her mind.
Yes, now you have to use your staff to open it. It will only open for the card mistress.
'Okay'
Sakura turned to Li. "We're here."
Li looked at the tree. "This is it?" He asked skeptically.
Sakura nodded. "Look carefully."
Li looked at the tree for a while, then Sakura heard him gasp. "Wow..." He said.
Sakura nodded. "No stand back." For once Li did as told.
Sakura took out her key. "Key of Clow. Power of Magic. Power of Light. Surrender the Lon. The force ignite. Release!!!" Her key spun and turned into the staff.
Sakura grabbed it and raised it above her head. "Open!!" She pulled it down and it hit the tree. A door appeared on the tree and Sakura walked in. Li right behind her.
They went down a wooden stairway until they came to an opening. When they came out, they weren't in the same forest. This place was beautiful. It had birds and creatures. It was humid which made Li suspect it was a tropical forest.
Off in the distance, they could see the temple. It stood over the trees and looked majestic in the setting.
Sakura smiled. "Let's go!" She said. She grabbed Li's hand and started walking. They'd be there in no time.
Shaulin watched all this from far away. But it was of no consequence to him. He had finally found his power. It was waiting for him. He left the screen and went to get it.
Shaulin found it and looked at it with wonder. It had no shape or form, it was just a swirling mass of black energy. Shaulin walked forward and stuck his hands out. The energy lashed out and absorbed into his skin. Shaulin cried out in pain, then was silent. When he opened his eyes, they were glowing red. He started laughing. He could feel the power in him. He looked at his hands and then at the wall. He smiled and punched the wall. Not only did he hit it, which meant he was flesh now, but he made a hole in it.
"Those brats don't stand a chance now!!" He said. He left and started towards the temple. Those brats were about to meet the new and improved Shaulin. And it would be the last thing they see.
Li and Sakura were walking when they got to a clearing. They pulled back the last part of brush and found the temple just a couple kilometers away. It was huge.
Sakura stood in awe. "We're almost there!" She exclaimed. Li just nodded. Like Kero before, Li had just heard stories about it, but to see it real life... that was something else.
"Come on we have to hurry." Sakura said all of a sudden.
Li looked over at her. "Why?"
"Because...." She started.
"Because, I'm here." A voice said. The two kids whipped thier heads around to see Shaulin behind them. Li instictively went in front of Sakura. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not here to get your girlfriend. You see. I don't need her." Shaulin said. "I already have what I need." To prove his point he put his arm atraight out and slashed through the trunk of a tree.
Li saw the trunk get cut in half. He mouth dropped to the floor. "He has a body now!!!" He exclaimed.
"That's right you little brat. And now I am going to take you and your girlfriend down." He yelled.
"I don't think so!" Li said. He took out his sword and prepared to fight Shaulin.
'He doesn't have enough strength'
You're right. We have to by him time to get Izeah out of the temple.
'I'm going to fight.'
Sakura called out her wand.
I will help you. Just relax.
'Okay'
Sakura closed her eyes and gave into the entity. She felt pain coming from her stomach and cried out. She fell to her knees.
"Sakura!" Li said. He ran to her side.
"It's okay. You have to get to the temple!" She said holding her stomach.
"But what about you..."
"Just go!" She said. But her voice was half hers, half the entity's.
Sakura was being taken over. "NO! Sakura! You can't do this!"
"Yes I can." She said. Now she wasn't Sakura anymore. She was Harmony. "Now go! I'll hold him off."
Li nodded reluctantly and took off for the temple.
Harmony used her power and attacked Shaulin. All Li could hear when he entered the temple was Shaulin's meniacle laughing. Li tried not to cry, but if anything happened to Sakura, Shaulin would loose blood. 'This I pormise you'
When Li got into the temple, he saw a door that was bolted, chained, and locked tight. He looked around for another entrance into the inside, there was none, so he smiled. 'I'll just make my own.' He thought.
Li took his sword out of it's sheath and closed his eyes. "Force know my blight. Release the light! Lightning!!!" He said and struck at the door. The door exploded to reveal another room.
Li went throught and looked around. What was this? Some kind of play house? He saw a door in the distance and started runnning to it. It seemed like forever before he got there. When he did he saw a figure standing in front of it.
"None shall pass." It said as Li approached.
"But I have to get through!" He held up his sword.
"Only one with the true virtues may enter. How do I know you won't take the power and become evil?" It asked.
"I only want it to save my friend! No, not my friend, my love! She's in danger and I must save her!" Li replied.
"You must prove you are worthy. Prove you will not turn towrds the evil ways with this powerful magic."
Li thought for a moment. He really didn't know for a fact that he wouldn't turn to evil. He thought he never would hurt Sakura, but that's just what he did in the cave. Li looked up at the figure.
"I don't know what I'll become. I only know what I am now." He replied.
The figure smiled. "You have proven yourself worthy." He stepped away from the door. "You may proceed."
Li smiled and went through the door.
Outside, Sakura/Harmony dodged another attack from Shaulin. She raised her staff, "Firery! Release and Dispell!"
Firery came out and attacked Shaulin. He put his hands up and deflected the bolt. Sakura/Harmony gasped. The cards weren't strong enough. She'd have to cast a spell.
She put her hands out straight to her sides.
"Heaven's above
Hear my plee
Give me the power
Set it all free!!!"
The gods heard her incantation and helped her. She began to glow and felt the power of good flow through her. She opened her eyes and smiled. Shaulin cringed back by the brightness. Shaulin thrust a hand forward and a black ray came forth towards Sakura/Harmony. She dodged it and raised her hand for her own attack. White energy erupted from her hand and struck Shaulin in the chest.
He flew back and laughed. "Could it actually be that I have found an adversary worth fighting?"
Sakura/Harmony raised her staff in defiance. "No matter what happends to me, I'm going to make sure you don't hurt anyone else!" They started charging each other straight on.
Li pushed open the door, to find another room. Thsi was getting really annoying. Li looked around and was surprised to find the room looked familiar. Li gasped. It was the room of the Clan Elders. The same ones that had sent him on his mission to get the Clow Cards.
"Li Showrun!" The head elder said.
Li swallowed hard and stepped forward and bowed.
"You are a failiar and a disgrace to the Li clan!" Another said.
"But the Clow Mistres is...."
"Silence! We sent you on a mission and you did not complete it. It doesn't matter if the cards were not for you! You were to bring them back!"
"But that's not right!" He said. Li couldn't believe what he just said. Ever since he had started helping Sakura get the cards, he always feared the day he would have to face the clan elders and explain why he had not returned with the cards.
But then he remembered that Sakura was outside and needed his help and he would not fail her. He would get through this even if it meant dishonor. Which it did.
"You were commanded and you disobeyed that order!" Another clan elder said.
Li shook his head at the elders. "I will not dishonor myself by fighting a match that can be avoided. The important thing is that the cards were returned, and can do no more harm to others. Just because you didn't get the cards doesn't mean I failed." He smiled. "I think I succeeded."
"You leave us no choice. We disown you from the clan. You are no longer part of the Li clan." The head elder said.
Li opened his mouth and was speechless. He closed it and looked defiantly at the leaders. "If that's what it takes! I will not back down from my morals and beliefs." He crossed his arms.
The leaders looked at each other and turned back towards Li. "We will give you a chance to wipe the slat clean. Take the cards now from the mistress and return them to us."
Li shook his head. "I will not."
The leader looked shocked. He turned towards the others and they nodded to him. He turned back to Li and....smiled?
Li frowned. What was going on?
"You have past the last test." The leader said. The room faltered and disappeared, along with all the elders.
"Who is there!" He called out to the air. "What is going on here!!"
"We had to make sure you were the one. You had to pass the Three Tests of Virtue. Power, Wisdom, and Courage." A voice replied. Li looked around for it's source but found it came from all directions. "You showed power by opening the first door. You showed wisdom by passing the second door. And facing your worst fear showed you had courage. Now came and claim your destiny."
A ball of energy appeared in the distance. Li walked towards it. "Izeah?" He called out cautiously.
I am here. You have passed the three tests. Now place your hand here and let me guide you
"Oh, no you don't. You want to take me over like Harmony has taken over Sakura. But that will drain all my energy."
You have little choice. The battle raging outside is not fairing well for our side. Sakura and Harmony need our help!
Li sighed. "Okay." He closed his eyes and concentrated. He stuck his hand out into the energy. It lashed out and went into him. Li fought back the pain and opened his eyes.
'Are you there?' He asked.
Yes, now let's go!
'Right!'
Li turned to see the first door he had come through just behind him.
'This is one crazy temple' He thought.
When Li got outside, he saw Sakura in the air battling Shaulin. He struck with a black ray and she was hit. She cried out.
"Sakura!!" Li yelled. He ran to where she was falling. He caught her before she hit the ground.
He went down on one knee and place her head in his lap. She had several injuries and was unconcious.
"Sakura!" He whispered on the verge of tears. She moaned and opened her eyes. She saw Li and smiled. "Why?" He asked.
"Shaulin...can't be allowed....to...go on...I don't care about....me." She managed.
"But I do! Don't you understand! I can't live without you. I love you!" He said.
She smiled and closed her eyes.
"No! Stay awake. You have to. Please!" Li started crying now.
'She can't leave me'
She won't if you don't want her to.
'What? Are you saying I can save her?'
Yes, just relax.
Li closed his eyes and felt his stomach hurt and knew Izeah was taking himover now. But he didn't care. If it would save Sakura...
Li opened his eyes and looked down on Sakura. He layed her down on the ground and placed his hands over her. He started to glow and the glow transferred to Sakura.
"I know our love
Is meant to be
I now use my power
Please come back to me"
Sakura opened her eyes and the glow deminished. She smiled and sat up. Li/Izeah looked down at her and smiled. "Are you ready for some teamwork?" He asked.
She nodded. "Let's give him some payback."
Li took her hand in his and they started to glow. Wings grew out of their backs and they smiled at each other. Then they turned their heads towards the sky and took to the air.
"Shaulin, this is your last day!" Sakura/Harmony said.
"Prepare to be destroyed!!!" Li/Izeah added.
Shaulin shyed back a bit. One power he could deal with, but two? This wouldn't just be another fight. This one's for keeps and all bets are off.
To Be Continued..........
Chapter Three
Li and Sakura woke up about the same thing the next morning. Li wanted a better explaination for what occured last night, but so far Sakura had been unable to satisfy him.
"What's at the temple?" He asked.
"Izeah." She replied.
"Who?"
"He's the entity that went inside you when you saved me in the cave. Harmony is inside of me. With thier help, we can beat Shaulin once and for all." Sahe replied.
"That's better. Now what will it do to us if we let them take over?" He asked.
Sakura sighed. "I don't really know. It makes you a little tired...."
"A little tired!? Sakura you feinted yesturday..."
"After saving our hides!" That ending anymore arguement.
Li was mad, because Sakura didn't seem to care what this was doing to her. She only cared about taking out Shaulin. Shaulin was after both of them, and yet Sakura again wasn't worried about her own safety. That was all Li was worried about.
They had been walking through the forests for hours trying to find that tree that Harmony had instructed them to find. But in a forest? It was trying to find a needle in a haystack. There were dozens of trees.
"Which one!" Li said frustrated.
"It's more over here." Sakura replied pointing straight ahead.
We're almost there The entity told Sakura.
'Good, I don't know how much longer he will last.' Sakura thought.
They came upon a tree which at first looked like every other tree. But when Sakura looked carfully, she could see an aura of magic around it.
'Is this it?' She asked in her mind.
Yes, now you have to use your staff to open it. It will only open for the card mistress.
'Okay'
Sakura turned to Li. "We're here."
Li looked at the tree. "This is it?" He asked skeptically.
Sakura nodded. "Look carefully."
Li looked at the tree for a while, then Sakura heard him gasp. "Wow..." He said.
Sakura nodded. "No stand back." For once Li did as told.
Sakura took out her key. "Key of Clow. Power of Magic. Power of Light. Surrender the Lon. The force ignite. Release!!!" Her key spun and turned into the staff.
Sakura grabbed it and raised it above her head. "Open!!" She pulled it down and it hit the tree. A door appeared on the tree and Sakura walked in. Li right behind her.
They went down a wooden stairway until they came to an opening. When they came out, they weren't in the same forest. This place was beautiful. It had birds and creatures. It was humid which made Li suspect it was a tropical forest.
Off in the distance, they could see the temple. It stood over the trees and looked majestic in the setting.
Sakura smiled. "Let's go!" She said. She grabbed Li's hand and started walking. They'd be there in no time.
Shaulin watched all this from far away. But it was of no consequence to him. He had finally found his power. It was waiting for him. He left the screen and went to get it.
Shaulin found it and looked at it with wonder. It had no shape or form, it was just a swirling mass of black energy. Shaulin walked forward and stuck his hands out. The energy lashed out and absorbed into his skin. Shaulin cried out in pain, then was silent. When he opened his eyes, they were glowing red. He started laughing. He could feel the power in him. He looked at his hands and then at the wall. He smiled and punched the wall. Not only did he hit it, which meant he was flesh now, but he made a hole in it.
"Those brats don't stand a chance now!!" He said. He left and started towards the temple. Those brats were about to meet the new and improved Shaulin. And it would be the last thing they see.
Li and Sakura were walking when they got to a clearing. They pulled back the last part of brush and found the temple just a couple kilometers away. It was huge.
Sakura stood in awe. "We're almost there!" She exclaimed. Li just nodded. Like Kero before, Li had just heard stories about it, but to see it real life... that was something else.
"Come on we have to hurry." Sakura said all of a sudden.
Li looked over at her. "Why?"
"Because...." She started.
"Because, I'm here." A voice said. The two kids whipped thier heads around to see Shaulin behind them. Li instictively went in front of Sakura. "Oh, don't worry. I'm not here to get your girlfriend. You see. I don't need her." Shaulin said. "I already have what I need." To prove his point he put his arm atraight out and slashed through the trunk of a tree.
Li saw the trunk get cut in half. He mouth dropped to the floor. "He has a body now!!!" He exclaimed.
"That's right you little brat. And now I am going to take you and your girlfriend down." He yelled.
"I don't think so!" Li said. He took out his sword and prepared to fight Shaulin.
'He doesn't have enough strength'
You're right. We have to by him time to get Izeah out of the temple.
'I'm going to fight.'
Sakura called out her wand.
I will help you. Just relax.
'Okay'
Sakura closed her eyes and gave into the entity. She felt pain coming from her stomach and cried out. She fell to her knees.
"Sakura!" Li said. He ran to her side.
"It's okay. You have to get to the temple!" She said holding her stomach.
"But what about you..."
"Just go!" She said. But her voice was half hers, half the entity's.
Sakura was being taken over. "NO! Sakura! You can't do this!"
"Yes I can." She said. Now she wasn't Sakura anymore. She was Harmony. "Now go! I'll hold him off."
Li nodded reluctantly and took off for the temple.
Harmony used her power and attacked Shaulin. All Li could hear when he entered the temple was Shaulin's meniacle laughing. Li tried not to cry, but if anything happened to Sakura, Shaulin would loose blood. 'This I pormise you'
When Li got into the temple, he saw a door that was bolted, chained, and locked tight. He looked around for another entrance into the inside, there was none, so he smiled. 'I'll just make my own.' He thought.
Li took his sword out of it's sheath and closed his eyes. "Force know my blight. Release the light! Lightning!!!" He said and struck at the door. The door exploded to reveal another room.
Li went throught and looked around. What was this? Some kind of play house? He saw a door in the distance and started runnning to it. It seemed like forever before he got there. When he did he saw a figure standing in front of it.
"None shall pass." It said as Li approached.
"But I have to get through!" He held up his sword.
"Only one with the true virtues may enter. How do I know you won't take the power and become evil?" It asked.
"I only want it to save my friend! No, not my friend, my love! She's in danger and I must save her!" Li replied.
"You must prove you are worthy. Prove you will not turn towrds the evil ways with this powerful magic."
Li thought for a moment. He really didn't know for a fact that he wouldn't turn to evil. He thought he never would hurt Sakura, but that's just what he did in the cave. Li looked up at the figure.
"I don't know what I'll become. I only know what I am now." He replied.
The figure smiled. "You have proven yourself worthy." He stepped away from the door. "You may proceed."
Li smiled and went through the door.
Outside, Sakura/Harmony dodged another attack from Shaulin. She raised her staff, "Firery! Release and Dispell!"
Firery came out and attacked Shaulin. He put his hands up and deflected the bolt. Sakura/Harmony gasped. The cards weren't strong enough. She'd have to cast a spell.
She put her hands out straight to her sides.
"Heaven's above
Hear my plee
Give me the power
Set it all free!!!"
The gods heard her incantation and helped her. She began to glow and felt the power of good flow through her. She opened her eyes and smiled. Shaulin cringed back by the brightness. Shaulin thrust a hand forward and a black ray came forth towards Sakura/Harmony. She dodged it and raised her hand for her own attack. White energy erupted from her hand and struck Shaulin in the chest.
He flew back and laughed. "Could it actually be that I have found an adversary worth fighting?"
Sakura/Harmony raised her staff in defiance. "No matter what happends to me, I'm going to make sure you don't hurt anyone else!" They started charging each other straight on.
Li pushed open the door, to find another room. Thsi was getting really annoying. Li looked around and was surprised to find the room looked familiar. Li gasped. It was the room of the Clan Elders. The same ones that had sent him on his mission to get the Clow Cards.
"Li Showrun!" The head elder said.
Li swallowed hard and stepped forward and bowed.
"You are a failiar and a disgrace to the Li clan!" Another said.
"But the Clow Mistres is...."
"Silence! We sent you on a mission and you did not complete it. It doesn't matter if the cards were not for you! You were to bring them back!"
"But that's not right!" He said. Li couldn't believe what he just said. Ever since he had started helping Sakura get the cards, he always feared the day he would have to face the clan elders and explain why he had not returned with the cards.
But then he remembered that Sakura was outside and needed his help and he would not fail her. He would get through this even if it meant dishonor. Which it did.
"You were commanded and you disobeyed that order!" Another clan elder said.
Li shook his head at the elders. "I will not dishonor myself by fighting a match that can be avoided. The important thing is that the cards were returned, and can do no more harm to others. Just because you didn't get the cards doesn't mean I failed." He smiled. "I think I succeeded."
"You leave us no choice. We disown you from the clan. You are no longer part of the Li clan." The head elder said.
Li opened his mouth and was speechless. He closed it and looked defiantly at the leaders. "If that's what it takes! I will not back down from my morals and beliefs." He crossed his arms.
The leaders looked at each other and turned back towards Li. "We will give you a chance to wipe the slat clean. Take the cards now from the mistress and return them to us."
Li shook his head. "I will not."
The leader looked shocked. He turned towards the others and they nodded to him. He turned back to Li and....smiled?
Li frowned. What was going on?
"You have past the last test." The leader said. The room faltered and disappeared, along with all the elders.
"Who is there!" He called out to the air. "What is going on here!!"
"We had to make sure you were the one. You had to pass the Three Tests of Virtue. Power, Wisdom, and Courage." A voice replied. Li looked around for it's source but found it came from all directions. "You showed power by opening the first door. You showed wisdom by passing the second door. And facing your worst fear showed you had courage. Now came and claim your destiny."
A ball of energy appeared in the distance. Li walked towards it. "Izeah?" He called out cautiously.
I am here. You have passed the three tests. Now place your hand here and let me guide you
"Oh, no you don't. You want to take me over like Harmony has taken over Sakura. But that will drain all my energy."
You have little choice. The battle raging outside is not fairing well for our side. Sakura and Harmony need our help!
Li sighed. "Okay." He closed his eyes and concentrated. He stuck his hand out into the energy. It lashed out and went into him. Li fought back the pain and opened his eyes.
'Are you there?' He asked.
Yes, now let's go!
'Right!'
Li turned to see the first door he had come through just behind him.
'This is one crazy temple' He thought.
When Li got outside, he saw Sakura in the air battling Shaulin. He struck with a black ray and she was hit. She cried out.
"Sakura!!" Li yelled. He ran to where she was falling. He caught her before she hit the ground.
He went down on one knee and place her head in his lap. She had several injuries and was unconcious.
"Sakura!" He whispered on the verge of tears. She moaned and opened her eyes. She saw Li and smiled. "Why?" He asked.
"Shaulin...can't be allowed....to...go on...I don't care about....me." She managed.
"But I do! Don't you understand! I can't live without you. I love you!" He said.
She smiled and closed her eyes.
"No! Stay awake. You have to. Please!" Li started crying now.
'She can't leave me'
She won't if you don't want her to.
'What? Are you saying I can save her?'
Yes, just relax.
Li closed his eyes and felt his stomach hurt and knew Izeah was taking himover now. But he didn't care. If it would save Sakura...
Li opened his eyes and looked down on Sakura. He layed her down on the ground and placed his hands over her. He started to glow and the glow transferred to Sakura.
"I know our love
Is meant to be
I now use my power
Please come back to me"
Sakura opened her eyes and the glow deminished. She smiled and sat up. Li/Izeah looked down at her and smiled. "Are you ready for some teamwork?" He asked.
She nodded. "Let's give him some payback."
Li took her hand in his and they started to glow. Wings grew out of their backs and they smiled at each other. Then they turned their heads towards the sky and took to the air.
"Shaulin, this is your last day!" Sakura/Harmony said.
"Prepare to be destroyed!!!" Li/Izeah added.
Shaulin shyed back a bit. One power he could deal with, but two? This wouldn't just be another fight. This one's for keeps and all bets are off.
To Be Continued..........