The Funhouse
Chapter 10: Psycho's True Form
Sakura and the others watched as Psycho approached them. To be more accurate, he hovered toward them. His upper body rested on a pod with four spikes shooting out of its sides. A skull wearing a fool's cap was on the pod's front. His torso resembled a skull. His shoulder guards were skulls. The gloved hands were replaced by long, sharp claws attached to thin arms. The head was the only body part that resembled the false form he used. The red clown nose, whiteface, makeup, large toothy grin, and fool's cap were present. The exceptions were his eyes. The pupils shone a bright red within black, narrow triangular slits.
"A robot?" Sakura said, astonished. Although shocked, Tomoyo kept filming.
"Well, yes and no," Psycho answered cryptically.
"Gee, this is a big surprise," Kerberos growled. "After all those metal goons he sent after us, he had to be a robot too."
Psycho narrowed his gaze at the Cardmistress. "You know, this was supposed to be a simple job. Capture your Moon Guardian, get you to come here with the Sakura Cards and Star Key, take them from you and scan them, and kill you." He floated higher. "But no-oh! Your friends had to complicate things!"
Yue glared at the robot clown. "It's over, Psycho."
"I've got two words for you, Moon Guardian." A ball of dark energy formed in Psycho's hands. "Nightmare Illusion!" he shouted, firing.
The energy formed into a demonic bird and flew straight at Yue and the others. Kerberos torched the bird immediately. "Was that your best shot?" the Sun Guardian said, mocking the evil clown as the Nightmare Illusion was vaporized.
"Not really." A ball of energy formed in Psycho's hand and grew larger. "Psycho Bomb!" he shouted, throwing it.
The Psycho Bomb came too quickly for Kerberos, knocking him into the wall behind him. Yue fired arrows at Psycho, but he vanished before they could hit him. "Where did he go?" Yue asked, scanning the room.
He felt a metal claw rest on his shoulder. "Joy Buzzer!" Psycho shouted before Yue could react, sending electricity through his body.
"Yue-san!" Sakura shouted.
Kerberos shook off the hit he took and flew at Psycho. He knocked him off Yue, sending him flying. The robot clown stopped himself and fired at Kerberos. The Sun Guardian dodged the electric bolt and returned fire with a powerful blast. It drove Psycho off Yue and into the wall. Kerberos lunged at the clown, but ended up kissing wall.
Psycho appeared behind Sakura and Tomoyo. He grabbed Sakura and lifted her in the air. "Hmmmmmm, have you been putting on weight?" he said with a grin.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried.
"Let me go!" Sakura demanded, struggling to break out of the evil robot's grip.
Kerberos got up and saw his friend in danger. "Sakura!"
"Sakura!" Yue shouted.
Both Guardians approached Psycho. The clown pointed at Sakura's head, the finger starting to spark. "Take another step and the Cardmistress gets it!" he warned.
Kerberos and Yue stopped. Kerberos growled at the robot. Yue glared at him.
"Good Guardians." The spark on Psycho's finger got larger. "Now watch your mistress die!" he shouted, laughing as he prepared to blast Sakura's head with a Joy Buzzer.
Touya tackled Psycho from behind, forcing him to let go of Sakura. Yue ran forward and caught his mistress before she hit the ground. "Daijobu?" he asked.
"I'm okay," Sakura answered. "Oniichan!" she exclaimed as Touya tried to pull Psycho down with his weight. His arms were wrapped around the villain's torso.
"Get off of me!" Psycho shouted. He grabbed Touya's arm, then gave him an electric shock. Touya screamed as he felt the electricity being pumped through him. Psycho then threw him against the wall. Touya slid down, groaned, then lost consciousness.
"Oniichan!" Sakura cried, running to her brother. She looked at him and shook him. "Oniichan, please say something! Oniichan!"
"Psycho!" Yue shouted, angered at his evil act. He fired a powerful wind at the robot clown. Before he could react, he was caught in it.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Psycho screamed as he was blasted upward at a tremendous speed and through the ceiling, leaving a large hole.
"That'll take care of him," Kerberos remarked, then he went to Sakura and Touya. Yue and Tomoyo joined them.
"Oniichan, please don't die," Sakura pleaded, crying. "Don't leave me..." Her tears fell on her brother's face. Relief came to her when she hear him moan a little. "Oniichan?"
Touya opened his eyes a little. "H-h-hey, can you keep it down, you noisy kaiiju?" he said with a little smile.
Sakura hugged her brother, and he hugged her back. She gave him some room so he could get up. Yue held out his hand. "It is good you are still alive. Yukito would have been sad."
"Hey, I'm a tough guy," Touya said, grabbing Yue's hand and letting himself be raised. "It's going to take more than some stupid evil clown to stop me."
"Something's wrong," Tomoyo stated, looking around.
"What do you mean?" Kerberos wondered. "Psycho's gone."
"That's what's wrong," Tomoyo said. "He should've been back to finish us off, right?"
"Maybe Yue-san's attack blew him far away," Sakura said.
That hope was dashed when she heard insane laughter from outside. "Boy, what a rush!" the robot clown called from above.
"Psycho," Yue said coldly.
"And the Winged Wonder gets it right!" Psycho shouted, laughing. "Say, Cardmistress. Is your daddy home? I plan to stop by there before I come back. If he isn't home, I'll check out the university and say 'hi.' After all, I've got an electric personality."
"No, not otousan!" Sakura pleaded.
Psycho laughed cruelly. "Hey, I need to kill a Kinomoto. Might as well go for him. Toodles!" Then there was silence.
Kerberos growled. "Let's get him," he said to Yue. Yue nodded silently in agreement.
"Chotto matte!" Tomoyo cried. "We have to get the Cards and Key back," she said, pointing to the platform.
Sakura looked at the platform. "I'll get them. Just stop Psycho from hurting otousan and please take care of Tomoyo-chan and oniichan," she told her Guardians.
"We will, Mistress," Yue said.
Touya mounted Kerberos. Tomoyo was about to do the same, but she remembered the battle costume. She took it out and handed it to Sakura. "You never know," she said, smiling. "I'll probably still be able to tape you in all your glory."
Sakura sighed and tucked the costume under her arm. Tomoyo mounted Kerberos, and he and Yue flew through the hole to go after Psycho.
Seeing she was alone, Sakura walked to the platform to regain her Cards and Key. She was almost to the platform when she saw two blurs before her. She gasped as two robots appeared before her.
"Hoe?" she exclaimed.
* * * * *
Kerberos and Yue emerged from the Funhouse. Kerberos was about to fly off when Yue landed suddenly. "Why aren't you leaving?" Kerberos asked, landing besides Yue.
Yue folded his arms over his chest and looked around Tomoeda Yuuen. "Psycho's still here," he said.
"What? How do you know that?" Kerberos asked.
"I just do," Yue said.
Everyone heard evil laughter from the sky. "Boy, you're good, Moon Guardian!" Psycho appeared above them.
"I thought you were going after Sakura's dad," Kerberos said, growling at the robot clown.
Psycho giggled. "Why should I leave when the fun's right here?" He glared at the Guardians. "Let's play!"
"Guess we won't be going anywhere," Kerberos said. "Better get off, guys," he told his passengers.
Tomoyo and Touya got off Kerberos. Touya started to waver, but Tomoyo helped keep him up. She helped him to a nearby bench, then took out her camera and started recording. Touya groaned and tried to sit up.
Kerberos and Yue faced Psycho. The evil robot fired Joy Buzzers from both hands. Kerberos and Yue flew away just as the blasts hit the ground. Kerberos unleashed a barrage of fireballs while Yue fired arrows rapidly.
"Psycho Trick!" the evil robot said, holding up his hands. When the projectiles closed in on him, they evaporated.
"Nani?" Tomoyo exclaimed.
"Come on!" Psycho mocked, daring the Guardians to attack.
Kerberos and Yue hovered in the air. "I think we need a plan," Yue said.
* * * * *
Sakura looked at the two robots guarding the platform. One had a cannon for a nose and vulcan guns for arms. With a Gatling gun on its chest, its torso sat upon a tank bottom. The other was tall and gaunt with a drill nose and long claws.
"Well, Backspace, looks like the Master was right in keeping us on standby," the robot with the drill nose said.
"Guess so, Enter," the tank robot replied. "We get a chance to kill the Cardmistress."
Sakura gulped. *They're blocking my way to the Cards and Key!*
"Well, let's get this over with," Backspace said, aiming his arms at Sakura.
Getting the hint, Sakura ran. Backspace fired at her, his shots getting closer with each volley. Enter dove into the ground. Sakura ran to the door, but found it was gone. "Hoe!" she wailed.
Suddenly, Enter shot out of the ground before her. "Nowhere to run, my dear." Fire shot out of the drill nose. Sakura moved in time to avoid becoming barbecue. Backspace moved towards her and fired his nose and chest cannons. She ran to the right side of the room. Enter dove into the ground and tunneled after her. Backspace turned and followed her. "Surrender! You can't do anything without your precious Cards!" he called out after her.
Sakura found herself heading toward a corner. Enter tunneled out and surprised her. She turned around, but Backspace was behind her. He aimed all his guns at her. "You're trapped," he declared.
Enter showed her his claws. "I believe you're dead."
* * * * *
The Guardians and Psycho eyed each other in the air. "Well?" the clown asked.
Kerberos and Yue looked at each other, then charged the robot villain.
"Okay, your funeral!" Psycho waved his hands and fired knives at them.
Both Guardians dodged the rain of knives. Kerberos ignited and flew at Psycho. Just as he was closing in, he veered left and missed his target. "Ha!" Psycho laughed as he watched the winged lion fly past him.
"Laugh this off, clown!" Yue shouted.
Before Psycho could react, Yue hit him with a powerful crystal shot. The clown staggered, then laughed. "What was that, a love tap?" Before Psycho could attack, Kerberos hit him from behind at full speed and sent the evil robot spinning.
Kerberos joined Yue. "Now?" he asked.
"Now!" Yue shouted, firing a powerful wind blast at the helpless robot. Kerberos joined in with a fire blast. Both attacks combined and flew at Psycho.
Psycho grinned and held out his hands. The combined beam reflected at the Guardians, who barely dodged the blast. "Nice effort. I give it a 9.5. Joy Buzzer!"
Kerberos and Yue dodged Psycho's Joy Buzzer shots. They looked for an opening to attack. "Any other ideas?" Kerberos asked Yue after being singed on the side by a Joy Buzzer.
"Psycho Trick!" A number of spike-lined tops appeared in Psycho's airspace. "Guardians, please fasten your seat belts! You're about to experience some turbulence!"
The tops flew at the Guardians. One hit Kerberos and exploded loudly, sending the Sun Guardian crashing to the ground. Yue dodged the tops, blowing them away with wind bursts. They made contact with the others, causing an explosive chain reaction. Yue covered his eyes. When the flashes of light and noises subsided, Psycho was gone.
"Where did he go?" Yue wondered, scanning the sky.
He got an answer when he felt something grab his long hair. "One word, Moon Guardian: Haircut." Giggling, Psycho threw Yue to the ground. He managed to regain control and flew away just before crashing.
"Joy Buzzer!" Psycho shouted, firing at Yue, who dodged most of the shots. He fired arrows, which Psycho avoided.
Shaking off his injuries, Kerberos went after Psycho. Too occupied with Yue, the evil robot failed to notice Kerberos igniting and charging towards him. "Yaaaaaaaaa!" Kerberos cried as he plowed into Psycho, knocking him off balance. Yue took the opportunity to fire a stronger crystal blast at his enemy.
"Aaaaaaaaaaa!" the clown shouted as he plummeted to the ground at an amazing speed. Everyone watched as he crashed hard.
"Yatta!" Tomoyo cried, raising her hand in victory.
Kerberos and Yue flew down to see if Psycho was beaten for good. They landed before the clown, who looked dazed. His eyes rolled in their sockets.
"Well, looks like you've got me," Psycho said, groaning.
Tomoyo ran up to the Guardians. "Do you think he's harmless?" she asked.
"Let's find out," Kerberos answered.
All three stepped closer for a better look. When they got it, Yue glared at his former captor. "You have lost. Admit defeat," he told the clown coldly.
"Okay, I will." Psycho grinned. "Not! Psycho Trick!" He waved his arm and knocked down Tomoyo and both Guardians with a gust of wind. He laughed as he rose into the sky.
"He was playin' with us!" Kerberos growled.
Psycho laughed evilly. "Okay, time for me to play hardball! Reformat!" His eyes started to glow, then his whole body was enveloped in light.
"Reformat?" Tomoyo wondered as she focused her camera on Psycho.
Regaining some strength, Touya got up from the bench and joined the others. "What's going on?"
Kerberos and Yue fired at the glowing robot, but their shots were absorbed and the light intensified. "Ooooooo, snackies!" Psycho shouted, giggling.
"Don't fire anymore!" Tomoyo shouted. "You're just feeding him."
The Guardians stopped firing. They watched as Psycho changed form. His pod vanished, and two legs shot out. His arms and torso grew larger. The glow soon vanished.
"Nani?" Yue exclaimed upon seeing Psycho.
Pantaloon-like legs with curved, pointed toes replaced the pod. Skulls decorated his belt and knees. Large glove-like hands replaced the sharp claws. The red nose was gone. The eyes were pure red. The grin was permanent.
"He's bigger," Tomoyo gasped, awestruck.
"Well, you know what they say about the bigger they are," Kerberos said, getting ready to attack.
The new Psycho glared at the Guardians. "Now let's play!" he declared, laughing insanely.
Chapter 11: It's Playtime!
"Okay, who wants to be the first to tangle with the new and improved Psycho?" Psycho asked, looking down at the Guardians.
Kerberos flamed up. "I'm gonna shut you up for good!"
"Wait!" Yue warned, but it was too late. Kerberos growled and flew at Psycho.
Psycho hovered out of the way just as Kerberos was closing in. He reached out and grabbed his tail. The Sun Guardian came to a sudden stop, then found himself being spun around above the villain's head. "Wheeeeeee! Helicopter!" Psycho shouted gleefully.
"Let him go!" Yue demanded.
"If you insist!" Psycho flung Kerberos at Yue hard. The Moon Guardian did not have time to move and fell to the ground with the Sun Guardian pinning him.
Touya ran up to the fallen Guardians. "Are you...?" he started to ask Yue.
"I'll live," Yue replied.
Kerberos shook the dizziness out of him and got off Yue. He glared at Psycho. "Is that the best you can do, clown?" he asked angrily before taking off.
"You know, I am a clown," Psycho said thoughtfully. "I guess I should start acting like one. Psycho Trick!" He fired a hoop of fire at Kerberos. Kerberos flew halfway through it, then it solidified and closed on him, pinning him in the air.
"Awwwwwww, you didn't make it through the hoop." A whip appeared in Psycho's hand and he lashed him with it. "Bad lion! No soup for you!" he shouted, laughing as each lash struck the Sun Guardian. Kerberos winced with each hit.
Tomoyo captured everything on tape. "Kerberos!" she gasped.
Yue bristled at this act and flew up at Psycho. He knocked the whip out of his hand, then threw a punch. Psycho caught his hand, then spun him around and grabbed his hair. "Now what did I say about your hair, young man?" Laughing, he threw him towards Kerberos. "Psycho Bomb!" he shouted, firing three energy balls at them. Just as Yue contacted with Kerberos, the Psycho Bombs exploded on them. The two Guardians crashed in front of Tomoyo and Touya. They groaned as they tried to get up.
"Ganbatte!" Tomoyo shouted. "You're the heroes of this video!"
"Keep fighting!" Touya shouted encouragingly. "He's just a robot!"
Psycho heard everything. "So I'm just a robot, huh?" He started to wave his hands. "Can a robot do this? Psycho Trick!" Thin threads shot out of his fingers and headed for the fallen Guardians.
To Tomoyo's and Touya's amazement, Kerberos and Yue stood up. They were further shocked as the two Guardians started to fight each other. Kerberos lunged at Yue, who countered with punches and kicks.
"What are you doing?" Touya asked loudly.
"It's not us!" Kerberos cried.
Tomoyo focused on Psycho. "He's right! Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to the clown. Touya saw him waving his fingers. He also glimpsed the attached strings.
"I just love my new puppets!" Psycho declared gleefully. "They're so life-like!"
Tomoyo and Touya watched as Yue ceased his attack, then started punching himself in the face. The Moon Guardian tried his best not to express any pain.
"Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!" Psycho said, laughing.
"Break loose!" Touya shouted.
Kerberos tugged on his strings. "I can't! They're too strong!"
"I must concur," Yue said, pulling on his strings.
"Try shooting them off!" Tomoyo suggested urgently.
Kerberos readied a fireball while Yue prepared to fire some crystals. When they were about to fire at the strings, Kerberos's head was moved so it pointed at Yue, and Yue's hand was aimed at Kerberos. They fired, knocking each other down. They felt their strings come off.
From above, Psycho laughed. "Puppets these days. They just don't last long."
On the ground, Kerberos and Yue groaned. Still recording, Tomoyo whispered, "Sakura-chan, where are you?"
* * * * *
"Any last words before we kill you, Cardmistress?" Enter asked.
Sakura looked at him, then at Backspace. *I can't give up, no matter what. There must be something I can do...*
"We're sure to get a promotion after we get rid of her, Enter!" Backspace said happily. "Think about it. Programmers Backspace and Enter!"
"An intriguing thought," Enter said, scratching his chin with his claw. Thoughts of a higher rank flew through his mind.
An idea came to Sakura. *I hope this works...* She faced Enter. "Um, sirs?"
Enter snapped back to reality. "What is it? Do you have any last words?"
"Actually, I was wondering why being a Programmer is so great," Sakura answered.
"It's better than being a Formatter," Backspace said, having heard Sakura. "It's a step up."
Sakura kept facing Enter. She leaned forward and whispered, "Anyway, your friend here said 'Programmers Backspace and Enter.' You look like the smart one, so shouldn't you be mentioned first?"
Enter scratched his chin. "Hmmmmmm..." He looked at Backspace. "She does have a point."
"Huh?" Backspace said, baffled.
"Why should your name come first? I am the smarter of us, so it should be 'Programmers Enter and Backspace,'" Enter said.
"What are you talking about?" Backspace asked.
"When we are promoted, my name should come first," Enter said. "After all, I am the superior model."
"What?" Backspace almost exploded. "We're both Kilos, so we're equals!"
"Ah, but I have more maneuverability than you, you tank," Enter said haughtily. "I have actual legs."
"You're an overgrown mole!" Backspace bellowed, raising his head to glare at Enter.
Enter met his gaze and stepped forward. "You know, maybe I should get rid of you and get the promotion myself!"
"Hey, genius. We have to kill the kid before we get promoted!" Backspace shouted.
"Good point. Let's take care of that first," Enter said.
"Yeah," Backspace said in agreement.
Both faced their target. Unfortunately for them, Sakura was gone.
"Idiot! You let her get past us!" Enter shouted.
"Me? You're the one who got an ego enlargement!" Backspace fired back.
"I can't believe you let your eyes off her!" Enter shouted.
"You started it!" Backspace shouted.
Enter was about to shout back when he spotted Sakura at the platform. "She's getting the Cards and Key!"
Backspace raced over to the platform while Enter burrowed. Sakura grabbed her Cards and Key. She held the Star Key before her eyes. "The key that hides the power of the stars! Show your true identity! I, Sakura, command you under the covenant! Release the seal!"
The Star Key grew into the Star Wand. The timing was good. Enter emerged before Sakura. "Got you!" he declared.
With no time to think, Sakura took the first Sakura Card in the deck and looked at it. She sweatdropped a little. *I might as well...*
Backspace caught up to Enter and aimed all his guns at Sakura. "End of the road, kid!"
Sakura tossed the Card before her. "Release! Flower!" she shouted as she hit it with her Wand.
Flowers started raining on the two robots. "Hey, what's going on?" Backspace asked.
Enter tried to move, but the amount of flowers weighed him down. "I can't move!"
Backspace found himself in the same predicament. Soon, both robots were immobilized by the flowers.
"Fire!" Enter shouted.
"I can't!" Backspace cried. "My guns are clogged with flowers!"
Now with time on her side, Sakura took out another Card. "Release! Power!"
Enter aimed his drill nose at himself and started to burn the flowers. Feeling super strong, Sakura hurried to Backspace. She bent down and lifted the tank robot over her head.
"Hey, put me down!" Backspace demanded.
"If you say so!" Sakura hurled Backspace at Enter, and the two killer robots fell hard. Unfortunately for them, Enter's nose flamethrower was still on. The lit weapon ignited the flowers, engulfing both robots in flames. Sakura watched as Enter and Backspace screeched, then disintegrated with a loud noise.
"Robots aren't supposed to do that," Sakura muttered. She remembered the battle costume Tomoyo gave her. It was tucked under her arm. She took it out and looked at it.
Sakura sweatdropped and sighed. "Only for you, Tomoyo-chan."
* * * * *
Psycho lowered himself down just as Kerberos and Yue picked themselves up. "Had enough yet?" the clown asked tauntingly.
Yue glared at Psycho. "We will defeat you."
Psycho laughed. "You're way out of your league, Moon Guardian."
"Big talk coming from a robot," Kerberos said, snarling.
"Oooooooo, tough talk from the stuffed animal," Psycho said mockingly, wiggling his fingers. "I'm so scared."
Kerberos growled and charged the robot clown. Psycho jumped over him, did a flip, and stomped on his back. Kerberos went down with a thud. Yue lunged at the clown, but Psycho did a flip kick on him. While Yue was recovering, Psycho caught him with a punch to the face.
Staggering, Yue fired a crystal blast. "Psycho Bomb!" Psycho shouted, hurling three at Yue. Yue's shot destroyed one, but the others hit him hard.
"No!" Touya shouted as the Moon Guardian fell.
Psycho laughed, then grabbed Kerberos by the tail. "Hey, why break up a set?" he said before tossing the Sun Guardian on Yue.
Kerberos and Yue groaned. "Ganbatte!" Tomoyo yelled.
"Now for the finishing touches!" Psycho declared. "Joy Buzzer!"
The Guardians found themselves being electrocuted. Psycho stopped the Joy Buzzer attack. "Psycho Bomb!" The resulting three Psycho Bombs exploded on the fallen Guardians.
To the shock of Tomoyo and Touya, the Guardians were back in their false forms. Kero-chan was lying unconscious on top of Yukito's chest. Both were not in the best of shape.
"Yuki!" Touya cried, running to Yukito. After putting her camera on "pause," Tomoyo was behind him.
Touya was at Yukito's side. "Yuki, daijobu?" he asked, concerned.
"Kero-chan!" Tomoyo cried, kneeling near Yukito and taking the tiny Guardian into her hands. His eyes were swirly.
Yukito groaned, then looked into Touya's face. "What's going on?" he said with a weak smile.
"Oh, nothing. The evil clown just kicked your true form's butt," Touya answered.
"Is that it?" Yukito said with a little laugh. "No wonder I hurt all over."
Kero-chan regained consciousness. "Anyone got the number of that truck that hit me?" he asked, still woozy.
"Thank goodness you're both still alive," Tomoyo said.
"Too bad you can't say the same for your mistress," Psycho said.
Kero-chan glared at the robot. "What are you talkin' about?" he demanded, attempting to fly.
"You know, you Guardians are terrible at your job," Psycho commented cruelly.
"What is he talking about, Toya?" Yukito asked.
"I don't know, Yuki," Touya answered.
Psycho giggled. "Do you think it was a good idea to leave little Sakura alone in my Funhouse?" he asked, grinning.
Kero-chan flew out of Tomoyo's hands and headed for the evil clown. "What did you do to her?"
Amused at the tiny animal before him, Psycho swatted him hard. "While you and Birdboy were fighting me, two of my flunkies were getting rid of her," he explained as Kero-chan fell to the ground. "I'm sure they finished her off by now. Looks like you two are out of a job."
"Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo whispered.
"Sakura-chan is dead?" Yukito tried to take everything in. "If Yue hadn't left..."
"No! I don't believe you!" Touya shouted.
Psycho laughed. "Believe what you like. Enter and Backspace killed her while you two were trying to defeat me. What a joke! You Guardians are no match for me!"
Kero-chan flew up from the ground and got into Psycho's face. "Oh yeah! How about I transform into my real form again and we'll have a little rematch?"
"Try it, both of you," Psycho taunted, daring the Guardians to change.
Kero-chan tried to change, but nothing happened. "What the...?" he wondered, looking at himself.
Yukito tried to change into Yue. "Nothing's happening," he said.
"What's going on?" Touya asked.
Zapping Kero-chan back, Psycho laughed. "They used too much energy fighting me! It'll take them a while to assume their real forms."
Kero-chan stopped himself from falling to the ground and flew back to the others. "Ya know, I do feel weak," he admitted.
"I just realized something. With your mistress dead, who'll give you guys magical energy to survive?" Psycho asked. "Okay, the Sun Guardian may be able to live on, but the Moon Guardian..."
Touya looked at the weakened Yukito. "No, not again..."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure you don't have to suffer through all that angst again." Psycho's hands started glowing with electricity. "I'll just kill both of you now!"
Without a second thought, Touya rushed Psycho. "Toya, no!" Yukito cried.
"Joy Buzzer!" Psycho fired, knocking Touya to the ground.
Yukito tried to get up. "Toya..."
Kero-chan flew to Touya. He saw him still breathing. "He's still alive," he reported.
Psycho zapped Kero-chan to the ground. "Not for long," he said as the little lion landed next to Touya. "Fine, I'll kill the Guardians and the older brother." He gazed at Tomoyo. "You, I'll keep alive. You've been getting my good side all night."
Touya winced and rose. "You won't get away with this."
"Guess what? I already have!" Psycho prepared another Joy Buzzer, a more powerful one capable of incinerating Touya, Yukito, and Kero-chan. He looked at Tomoyo. "Get your camcorder ready! You don't want to miss me frying your friends!" He pointed at the three, ready to fire.
"Matte!"
Psycho looked for the speaker of that. He saw someone emerge from the Funhouse. "What?" he exclaimed.
Tomoyo turned around. Touya, Yukito, and Kero-chan followed suit. What they saw was a welcome sight.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried, relieved. She aimed her camera at her and resumed recording.
"Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted.
"Kaiiju," Touya said with a smile.
Sakura walked up to her brother and friends. She was wearing the battle costume, which made her look like a clown. A cone hat adorned her head. Her legs were covered by baggy pantaloons. Luckily, Tomoyo had not decided to include overgrown clown shoes.
If Psycho's facial features could move, his mouth would have been open in shock. "So, you managed to defeat Enter and Backspace. They were Kilo Class Cybers, so I'm impressed you got past them."
*Kilo Cybers?* Tomoyo thought.
Sakura fixed her eyes on Psycho. "I won't let you hurt anyone else."
"My, someone got a confidence boost," Psycho said. "Nice outfit. A rather unique burial shroud, to say the least."
Sakura stepped forward. "Go get him, Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted enthusiastically. "Kick that clown's butt!"
Psycho laughed. "You little fool! Your Guardians couldn't beat me! What makes you think you can?"
"Because I'm Sakura. Everything will be all right," Sakura said without fear.
"We'll see about that. Psycho Trick!" Psycho shouted, waving his hand and throwing a long ribbon at the Cardmistress.
Before she could act, Sakura found herself being wrapped in the ribbon. Bound tightly, she fell to the ground. She struggled to break free, but to no avail.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo shouted. The camera was still on.
"I have some old friends who want to renew their acquaintance with you. Here!" Psycho declared. With a wave of his hand, Time Bombs appeared and surrounded the Card Mistress.
"I don't like this..." Kero-chan said, worried.
Touya forced himself up, then ran towards his sister. Once there, he started throwing Time Bombs away. Yukito got up and joined Touya. "Hang in there, Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted, flying towards the others to help.
"Sorry, but it won't be that easy." Psycho waved his hand, and the three would-be rescuers were flung away. They landed before Tomoyo in a heap. Touya landed on Yukito, and Kero-chan landed on Touya. With another wave of his hand, Psycho made an energy dome appear over Sakura and the Time Bombs. "I want to make sure all her body parts are there," he said, giggling.
The others watched helplessly as Sakura continued to struggle within the ribbon. The Time Bombs flung themselves on her and held her tightly. Their timers were set for one second.
"Bye, bye." Psycho waved his hand again and started the timers.
Their timers reaching zero, the Time Bombs exploded, taking Sakura with them. Tomoyo's camera captured the moment.
Chapter 10: Psycho's True Form
Sakura and the others watched as Psycho approached them. To be more accurate, he hovered toward them. His upper body rested on a pod with four spikes shooting out of its sides. A skull wearing a fool's cap was on the pod's front. His torso resembled a skull. His shoulder guards were skulls. The gloved hands were replaced by long, sharp claws attached to thin arms. The head was the only body part that resembled the false form he used. The red clown nose, whiteface, makeup, large toothy grin, and fool's cap were present. The exceptions were his eyes. The pupils shone a bright red within black, narrow triangular slits.
"A robot?" Sakura said, astonished. Although shocked, Tomoyo kept filming.
"Well, yes and no," Psycho answered cryptically.
"Gee, this is a big surprise," Kerberos growled. "After all those metal goons he sent after us, he had to be a robot too."
Psycho narrowed his gaze at the Cardmistress. "You know, this was supposed to be a simple job. Capture your Moon Guardian, get you to come here with the Sakura Cards and Star Key, take them from you and scan them, and kill you." He floated higher. "But no-oh! Your friends had to complicate things!"
Yue glared at the robot clown. "It's over, Psycho."
"I've got two words for you, Moon Guardian." A ball of dark energy formed in Psycho's hands. "Nightmare Illusion!" he shouted, firing.
The energy formed into a demonic bird and flew straight at Yue and the others. Kerberos torched the bird immediately. "Was that your best shot?" the Sun Guardian said, mocking the evil clown as the Nightmare Illusion was vaporized.
"Not really." A ball of energy formed in Psycho's hand and grew larger. "Psycho Bomb!" he shouted, throwing it.
The Psycho Bomb came too quickly for Kerberos, knocking him into the wall behind him. Yue fired arrows at Psycho, but he vanished before they could hit him. "Where did he go?" Yue asked, scanning the room.
He felt a metal claw rest on his shoulder. "Joy Buzzer!" Psycho shouted before Yue could react, sending electricity through his body.
"Yue-san!" Sakura shouted.
Kerberos shook off the hit he took and flew at Psycho. He knocked him off Yue, sending him flying. The robot clown stopped himself and fired at Kerberos. The Sun Guardian dodged the electric bolt and returned fire with a powerful blast. It drove Psycho off Yue and into the wall. Kerberos lunged at the clown, but ended up kissing wall.
Psycho appeared behind Sakura and Tomoyo. He grabbed Sakura and lifted her in the air. "Hmmmmmm, have you been putting on weight?" he said with a grin.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried.
"Let me go!" Sakura demanded, struggling to break out of the evil robot's grip.
Kerberos got up and saw his friend in danger. "Sakura!"
"Sakura!" Yue shouted.
Both Guardians approached Psycho. The clown pointed at Sakura's head, the finger starting to spark. "Take another step and the Cardmistress gets it!" he warned.
Kerberos and Yue stopped. Kerberos growled at the robot. Yue glared at him.
"Good Guardians." The spark on Psycho's finger got larger. "Now watch your mistress die!" he shouted, laughing as he prepared to blast Sakura's head with a Joy Buzzer.
Touya tackled Psycho from behind, forcing him to let go of Sakura. Yue ran forward and caught his mistress before she hit the ground. "Daijobu?" he asked.
"I'm okay," Sakura answered. "Oniichan!" she exclaimed as Touya tried to pull Psycho down with his weight. His arms were wrapped around the villain's torso.
"Get off of me!" Psycho shouted. He grabbed Touya's arm, then gave him an electric shock. Touya screamed as he felt the electricity being pumped through him. Psycho then threw him against the wall. Touya slid down, groaned, then lost consciousness.
"Oniichan!" Sakura cried, running to her brother. She looked at him and shook him. "Oniichan, please say something! Oniichan!"
"Psycho!" Yue shouted, angered at his evil act. He fired a powerful wind at the robot clown. Before he could react, he was caught in it.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" Psycho screamed as he was blasted upward at a tremendous speed and through the ceiling, leaving a large hole.
"That'll take care of him," Kerberos remarked, then he went to Sakura and Touya. Yue and Tomoyo joined them.
"Oniichan, please don't die," Sakura pleaded, crying. "Don't leave me..." Her tears fell on her brother's face. Relief came to her when she hear him moan a little. "Oniichan?"
Touya opened his eyes a little. "H-h-hey, can you keep it down, you noisy kaiiju?" he said with a little smile.
Sakura hugged her brother, and he hugged her back. She gave him some room so he could get up. Yue held out his hand. "It is good you are still alive. Yukito would have been sad."
"Hey, I'm a tough guy," Touya said, grabbing Yue's hand and letting himself be raised. "It's going to take more than some stupid evil clown to stop me."
"Something's wrong," Tomoyo stated, looking around.
"What do you mean?" Kerberos wondered. "Psycho's gone."
"That's what's wrong," Tomoyo said. "He should've been back to finish us off, right?"
"Maybe Yue-san's attack blew him far away," Sakura said.
That hope was dashed when she heard insane laughter from outside. "Boy, what a rush!" the robot clown called from above.
"Psycho," Yue said coldly.
"And the Winged Wonder gets it right!" Psycho shouted, laughing. "Say, Cardmistress. Is your daddy home? I plan to stop by there before I come back. If he isn't home, I'll check out the university and say 'hi.' After all, I've got an electric personality."
"No, not otousan!" Sakura pleaded.
Psycho laughed cruelly. "Hey, I need to kill a Kinomoto. Might as well go for him. Toodles!" Then there was silence.
Kerberos growled. "Let's get him," he said to Yue. Yue nodded silently in agreement.
"Chotto matte!" Tomoyo cried. "We have to get the Cards and Key back," she said, pointing to the platform.
Sakura looked at the platform. "I'll get them. Just stop Psycho from hurting otousan and please take care of Tomoyo-chan and oniichan," she told her Guardians.
"We will, Mistress," Yue said.
Touya mounted Kerberos. Tomoyo was about to do the same, but she remembered the battle costume. She took it out and handed it to Sakura. "You never know," she said, smiling. "I'll probably still be able to tape you in all your glory."
Sakura sighed and tucked the costume under her arm. Tomoyo mounted Kerberos, and he and Yue flew through the hole to go after Psycho.
Seeing she was alone, Sakura walked to the platform to regain her Cards and Key. She was almost to the platform when she saw two blurs before her. She gasped as two robots appeared before her.
"Hoe?" she exclaimed.
* * * * *
Kerberos and Yue emerged from the Funhouse. Kerberos was about to fly off when Yue landed suddenly. "Why aren't you leaving?" Kerberos asked, landing besides Yue.
Yue folded his arms over his chest and looked around Tomoeda Yuuen. "Psycho's still here," he said.
"What? How do you know that?" Kerberos asked.
"I just do," Yue said.
Everyone heard evil laughter from the sky. "Boy, you're good, Moon Guardian!" Psycho appeared above them.
"I thought you were going after Sakura's dad," Kerberos said, growling at the robot clown.
Psycho giggled. "Why should I leave when the fun's right here?" He glared at the Guardians. "Let's play!"
"Guess we won't be going anywhere," Kerberos said. "Better get off, guys," he told his passengers.
Tomoyo and Touya got off Kerberos. Touya started to waver, but Tomoyo helped keep him up. She helped him to a nearby bench, then took out her camera and started recording. Touya groaned and tried to sit up.
Kerberos and Yue faced Psycho. The evil robot fired Joy Buzzers from both hands. Kerberos and Yue flew away just as the blasts hit the ground. Kerberos unleashed a barrage of fireballs while Yue fired arrows rapidly.
"Psycho Trick!" the evil robot said, holding up his hands. When the projectiles closed in on him, they evaporated.
"Nani?" Tomoyo exclaimed.
"Come on!" Psycho mocked, daring the Guardians to attack.
Kerberos and Yue hovered in the air. "I think we need a plan," Yue said.
* * * * *
Sakura looked at the two robots guarding the platform. One had a cannon for a nose and vulcan guns for arms. With a Gatling gun on its chest, its torso sat upon a tank bottom. The other was tall and gaunt with a drill nose and long claws.
"Well, Backspace, looks like the Master was right in keeping us on standby," the robot with the drill nose said.
"Guess so, Enter," the tank robot replied. "We get a chance to kill the Cardmistress."
Sakura gulped. *They're blocking my way to the Cards and Key!*
"Well, let's get this over with," Backspace said, aiming his arms at Sakura.
Getting the hint, Sakura ran. Backspace fired at her, his shots getting closer with each volley. Enter dove into the ground. Sakura ran to the door, but found it was gone. "Hoe!" she wailed.
Suddenly, Enter shot out of the ground before her. "Nowhere to run, my dear." Fire shot out of the drill nose. Sakura moved in time to avoid becoming barbecue. Backspace moved towards her and fired his nose and chest cannons. She ran to the right side of the room. Enter dove into the ground and tunneled after her. Backspace turned and followed her. "Surrender! You can't do anything without your precious Cards!" he called out after her.
Sakura found herself heading toward a corner. Enter tunneled out and surprised her. She turned around, but Backspace was behind her. He aimed all his guns at her. "You're trapped," he declared.
Enter showed her his claws. "I believe you're dead."
* * * * *
The Guardians and Psycho eyed each other in the air. "Well?" the clown asked.
Kerberos and Yue looked at each other, then charged the robot villain.
"Okay, your funeral!" Psycho waved his hands and fired knives at them.
Both Guardians dodged the rain of knives. Kerberos ignited and flew at Psycho. Just as he was closing in, he veered left and missed his target. "Ha!" Psycho laughed as he watched the winged lion fly past him.
"Laugh this off, clown!" Yue shouted.
Before Psycho could react, Yue hit him with a powerful crystal shot. The clown staggered, then laughed. "What was that, a love tap?" Before Psycho could attack, Kerberos hit him from behind at full speed and sent the evil robot spinning.
Kerberos joined Yue. "Now?" he asked.
"Now!" Yue shouted, firing a powerful wind blast at the helpless robot. Kerberos joined in with a fire blast. Both attacks combined and flew at Psycho.
Psycho grinned and held out his hands. The combined beam reflected at the Guardians, who barely dodged the blast. "Nice effort. I give it a 9.5. Joy Buzzer!"
Kerberos and Yue dodged Psycho's Joy Buzzer shots. They looked for an opening to attack. "Any other ideas?" Kerberos asked Yue after being singed on the side by a Joy Buzzer.
"Psycho Trick!" A number of spike-lined tops appeared in Psycho's airspace. "Guardians, please fasten your seat belts! You're about to experience some turbulence!"
The tops flew at the Guardians. One hit Kerberos and exploded loudly, sending the Sun Guardian crashing to the ground. Yue dodged the tops, blowing them away with wind bursts. They made contact with the others, causing an explosive chain reaction. Yue covered his eyes. When the flashes of light and noises subsided, Psycho was gone.
"Where did he go?" Yue wondered, scanning the sky.
He got an answer when he felt something grab his long hair. "One word, Moon Guardian: Haircut." Giggling, Psycho threw Yue to the ground. He managed to regain control and flew away just before crashing.
"Joy Buzzer!" Psycho shouted, firing at Yue, who dodged most of the shots. He fired arrows, which Psycho avoided.
Shaking off his injuries, Kerberos went after Psycho. Too occupied with Yue, the evil robot failed to notice Kerberos igniting and charging towards him. "Yaaaaaaaaa!" Kerberos cried as he plowed into Psycho, knocking him off balance. Yue took the opportunity to fire a stronger crystal blast at his enemy.
"Aaaaaaaaaaa!" the clown shouted as he plummeted to the ground at an amazing speed. Everyone watched as he crashed hard.
"Yatta!" Tomoyo cried, raising her hand in victory.
Kerberos and Yue flew down to see if Psycho was beaten for good. They landed before the clown, who looked dazed. His eyes rolled in their sockets.
"Well, looks like you've got me," Psycho said, groaning.
Tomoyo ran up to the Guardians. "Do you think he's harmless?" she asked.
"Let's find out," Kerberos answered.
All three stepped closer for a better look. When they got it, Yue glared at his former captor. "You have lost. Admit defeat," he told the clown coldly.
"Okay, I will." Psycho grinned. "Not! Psycho Trick!" He waved his arm and knocked down Tomoyo and both Guardians with a gust of wind. He laughed as he rose into the sky.
"He was playin' with us!" Kerberos growled.
Psycho laughed evilly. "Okay, time for me to play hardball! Reformat!" His eyes started to glow, then his whole body was enveloped in light.
"Reformat?" Tomoyo wondered as she focused her camera on Psycho.
Regaining some strength, Touya got up from the bench and joined the others. "What's going on?"
Kerberos and Yue fired at the glowing robot, but their shots were absorbed and the light intensified. "Ooooooo, snackies!" Psycho shouted, giggling.
"Don't fire anymore!" Tomoyo shouted. "You're just feeding him."
The Guardians stopped firing. They watched as Psycho changed form. His pod vanished, and two legs shot out. His arms and torso grew larger. The glow soon vanished.
"Nani?" Yue exclaimed upon seeing Psycho.
Pantaloon-like legs with curved, pointed toes replaced the pod. Skulls decorated his belt and knees. Large glove-like hands replaced the sharp claws. The red nose was gone. The eyes were pure red. The grin was permanent.
"He's bigger," Tomoyo gasped, awestruck.
"Well, you know what they say about the bigger they are," Kerberos said, getting ready to attack.
The new Psycho glared at the Guardians. "Now let's play!" he declared, laughing insanely.
Chapter 11: It's Playtime!
"Okay, who wants to be the first to tangle with the new and improved Psycho?" Psycho asked, looking down at the Guardians.
Kerberos flamed up. "I'm gonna shut you up for good!"
"Wait!" Yue warned, but it was too late. Kerberos growled and flew at Psycho.
Psycho hovered out of the way just as Kerberos was closing in. He reached out and grabbed his tail. The Sun Guardian came to a sudden stop, then found himself being spun around above the villain's head. "Wheeeeeee! Helicopter!" Psycho shouted gleefully.
"Let him go!" Yue demanded.
"If you insist!" Psycho flung Kerberos at Yue hard. The Moon Guardian did not have time to move and fell to the ground with the Sun Guardian pinning him.
Touya ran up to the fallen Guardians. "Are you...?" he started to ask Yue.
"I'll live," Yue replied.
Kerberos shook the dizziness out of him and got off Yue. He glared at Psycho. "Is that the best you can do, clown?" he asked angrily before taking off.
"You know, I am a clown," Psycho said thoughtfully. "I guess I should start acting like one. Psycho Trick!" He fired a hoop of fire at Kerberos. Kerberos flew halfway through it, then it solidified and closed on him, pinning him in the air.
"Awwwwwww, you didn't make it through the hoop." A whip appeared in Psycho's hand and he lashed him with it. "Bad lion! No soup for you!" he shouted, laughing as each lash struck the Sun Guardian. Kerberos winced with each hit.
Tomoyo captured everything on tape. "Kerberos!" she gasped.
Yue bristled at this act and flew up at Psycho. He knocked the whip out of his hand, then threw a punch. Psycho caught his hand, then spun him around and grabbed his hair. "Now what did I say about your hair, young man?" Laughing, he threw him towards Kerberos. "Psycho Bomb!" he shouted, firing three energy balls at them. Just as Yue contacted with Kerberos, the Psycho Bombs exploded on them. The two Guardians crashed in front of Tomoyo and Touya. They groaned as they tried to get up.
"Ganbatte!" Tomoyo shouted. "You're the heroes of this video!"
"Keep fighting!" Touya shouted encouragingly. "He's just a robot!"
Psycho heard everything. "So I'm just a robot, huh?" He started to wave his hands. "Can a robot do this? Psycho Trick!" Thin threads shot out of his fingers and headed for the fallen Guardians.
To Tomoyo's and Touya's amazement, Kerberos and Yue stood up. They were further shocked as the two Guardians started to fight each other. Kerberos lunged at Yue, who countered with punches and kicks.
"What are you doing?" Touya asked loudly.
"It's not us!" Kerberos cried.
Tomoyo focused on Psycho. "He's right! Look!" she exclaimed, pointing to the clown. Touya saw him waving his fingers. He also glimpsed the attached strings.
"I just love my new puppets!" Psycho declared gleefully. "They're so life-like!"
Tomoyo and Touya watched as Yue ceased his attack, then started punching himself in the face. The Moon Guardian tried his best not to express any pain.
"Stop hitting yourself! Stop hitting yourself!" Psycho said, laughing.
"Break loose!" Touya shouted.
Kerberos tugged on his strings. "I can't! They're too strong!"
"I must concur," Yue said, pulling on his strings.
"Try shooting them off!" Tomoyo suggested urgently.
Kerberos readied a fireball while Yue prepared to fire some crystals. When they were about to fire at the strings, Kerberos's head was moved so it pointed at Yue, and Yue's hand was aimed at Kerberos. They fired, knocking each other down. They felt their strings come off.
From above, Psycho laughed. "Puppets these days. They just don't last long."
On the ground, Kerberos and Yue groaned. Still recording, Tomoyo whispered, "Sakura-chan, where are you?"
* * * * *
"Any last words before we kill you, Cardmistress?" Enter asked.
Sakura looked at him, then at Backspace. *I can't give up, no matter what. There must be something I can do...*
"We're sure to get a promotion after we get rid of her, Enter!" Backspace said happily. "Think about it. Programmers Backspace and Enter!"
"An intriguing thought," Enter said, scratching his chin with his claw. Thoughts of a higher rank flew through his mind.
An idea came to Sakura. *I hope this works...* She faced Enter. "Um, sirs?"
Enter snapped back to reality. "What is it? Do you have any last words?"
"Actually, I was wondering why being a Programmer is so great," Sakura answered.
"It's better than being a Formatter," Backspace said, having heard Sakura. "It's a step up."
Sakura kept facing Enter. She leaned forward and whispered, "Anyway, your friend here said 'Programmers Backspace and Enter.' You look like the smart one, so shouldn't you be mentioned first?"
Enter scratched his chin. "Hmmmmmm..." He looked at Backspace. "She does have a point."
"Huh?" Backspace said, baffled.
"Why should your name come first? I am the smarter of us, so it should be 'Programmers Enter and Backspace,'" Enter said.
"What are you talking about?" Backspace asked.
"When we are promoted, my name should come first," Enter said. "After all, I am the superior model."
"What?" Backspace almost exploded. "We're both Kilos, so we're equals!"
"Ah, but I have more maneuverability than you, you tank," Enter said haughtily. "I have actual legs."
"You're an overgrown mole!" Backspace bellowed, raising his head to glare at Enter.
Enter met his gaze and stepped forward. "You know, maybe I should get rid of you and get the promotion myself!"
"Hey, genius. We have to kill the kid before we get promoted!" Backspace shouted.
"Good point. Let's take care of that first," Enter said.
"Yeah," Backspace said in agreement.
Both faced their target. Unfortunately for them, Sakura was gone.
"Idiot! You let her get past us!" Enter shouted.
"Me? You're the one who got an ego enlargement!" Backspace fired back.
"I can't believe you let your eyes off her!" Enter shouted.
"You started it!" Backspace shouted.
Enter was about to shout back when he spotted Sakura at the platform. "She's getting the Cards and Key!"
Backspace raced over to the platform while Enter burrowed. Sakura grabbed her Cards and Key. She held the Star Key before her eyes. "The key that hides the power of the stars! Show your true identity! I, Sakura, command you under the covenant! Release the seal!"
The Star Key grew into the Star Wand. The timing was good. Enter emerged before Sakura. "Got you!" he declared.
With no time to think, Sakura took the first Sakura Card in the deck and looked at it. She sweatdropped a little. *I might as well...*
Backspace caught up to Enter and aimed all his guns at Sakura. "End of the road, kid!"
Sakura tossed the Card before her. "Release! Flower!" she shouted as she hit it with her Wand.
Flowers started raining on the two robots. "Hey, what's going on?" Backspace asked.
Enter tried to move, but the amount of flowers weighed him down. "I can't move!"
Backspace found himself in the same predicament. Soon, both robots were immobilized by the flowers.
"Fire!" Enter shouted.
"I can't!" Backspace cried. "My guns are clogged with flowers!"
Now with time on her side, Sakura took out another Card. "Release! Power!"
Enter aimed his drill nose at himself and started to burn the flowers. Feeling super strong, Sakura hurried to Backspace. She bent down and lifted the tank robot over her head.
"Hey, put me down!" Backspace demanded.
"If you say so!" Sakura hurled Backspace at Enter, and the two killer robots fell hard. Unfortunately for them, Enter's nose flamethrower was still on. The lit weapon ignited the flowers, engulfing both robots in flames. Sakura watched as Enter and Backspace screeched, then disintegrated with a loud noise.
"Robots aren't supposed to do that," Sakura muttered. She remembered the battle costume Tomoyo gave her. It was tucked under her arm. She took it out and looked at it.
Sakura sweatdropped and sighed. "Only for you, Tomoyo-chan."
* * * * *
Psycho lowered himself down just as Kerberos and Yue picked themselves up. "Had enough yet?" the clown asked tauntingly.
Yue glared at Psycho. "We will defeat you."
Psycho laughed. "You're way out of your league, Moon Guardian."
"Big talk coming from a robot," Kerberos said, snarling.
"Oooooooo, tough talk from the stuffed animal," Psycho said mockingly, wiggling his fingers. "I'm so scared."
Kerberos growled and charged the robot clown. Psycho jumped over him, did a flip, and stomped on his back. Kerberos went down with a thud. Yue lunged at the clown, but Psycho did a flip kick on him. While Yue was recovering, Psycho caught him with a punch to the face.
Staggering, Yue fired a crystal blast. "Psycho Bomb!" Psycho shouted, hurling three at Yue. Yue's shot destroyed one, but the others hit him hard.
"No!" Touya shouted as the Moon Guardian fell.
Psycho laughed, then grabbed Kerberos by the tail. "Hey, why break up a set?" he said before tossing the Sun Guardian on Yue.
Kerberos and Yue groaned. "Ganbatte!" Tomoyo yelled.
"Now for the finishing touches!" Psycho declared. "Joy Buzzer!"
The Guardians found themselves being electrocuted. Psycho stopped the Joy Buzzer attack. "Psycho Bomb!" The resulting three Psycho Bombs exploded on the fallen Guardians.
To the shock of Tomoyo and Touya, the Guardians were back in their false forms. Kero-chan was lying unconscious on top of Yukito's chest. Both were not in the best of shape.
"Yuki!" Touya cried, running to Yukito. After putting her camera on "pause," Tomoyo was behind him.
Touya was at Yukito's side. "Yuki, daijobu?" he asked, concerned.
"Kero-chan!" Tomoyo cried, kneeling near Yukito and taking the tiny Guardian into her hands. His eyes were swirly.
Yukito groaned, then looked into Touya's face. "What's going on?" he said with a weak smile.
"Oh, nothing. The evil clown just kicked your true form's butt," Touya answered.
"Is that it?" Yukito said with a little laugh. "No wonder I hurt all over."
Kero-chan regained consciousness. "Anyone got the number of that truck that hit me?" he asked, still woozy.
"Thank goodness you're both still alive," Tomoyo said.
"Too bad you can't say the same for your mistress," Psycho said.
Kero-chan glared at the robot. "What are you talkin' about?" he demanded, attempting to fly.
"You know, you Guardians are terrible at your job," Psycho commented cruelly.
"What is he talking about, Toya?" Yukito asked.
"I don't know, Yuki," Touya answered.
Psycho giggled. "Do you think it was a good idea to leave little Sakura alone in my Funhouse?" he asked, grinning.
Kero-chan flew out of Tomoyo's hands and headed for the evil clown. "What did you do to her?"
Amused at the tiny animal before him, Psycho swatted him hard. "While you and Birdboy were fighting me, two of my flunkies were getting rid of her," he explained as Kero-chan fell to the ground. "I'm sure they finished her off by now. Looks like you two are out of a job."
"Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo whispered.
"Sakura-chan is dead?" Yukito tried to take everything in. "If Yue hadn't left..."
"No! I don't believe you!" Touya shouted.
Psycho laughed. "Believe what you like. Enter and Backspace killed her while you two were trying to defeat me. What a joke! You Guardians are no match for me!"
Kero-chan flew up from the ground and got into Psycho's face. "Oh yeah! How about I transform into my real form again and we'll have a little rematch?"
"Try it, both of you," Psycho taunted, daring the Guardians to change.
Kero-chan tried to change, but nothing happened. "What the...?" he wondered, looking at himself.
Yukito tried to change into Yue. "Nothing's happening," he said.
"What's going on?" Touya asked.
Zapping Kero-chan back, Psycho laughed. "They used too much energy fighting me! It'll take them a while to assume their real forms."
Kero-chan stopped himself from falling to the ground and flew back to the others. "Ya know, I do feel weak," he admitted.
"I just realized something. With your mistress dead, who'll give you guys magical energy to survive?" Psycho asked. "Okay, the Sun Guardian may be able to live on, but the Moon Guardian..."
Touya looked at the weakened Yukito. "No, not again..."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll make sure you don't have to suffer through all that angst again." Psycho's hands started glowing with electricity. "I'll just kill both of you now!"
Without a second thought, Touya rushed Psycho. "Toya, no!" Yukito cried.
"Joy Buzzer!" Psycho fired, knocking Touya to the ground.
Yukito tried to get up. "Toya..."
Kero-chan flew to Touya. He saw him still breathing. "He's still alive," he reported.
Psycho zapped Kero-chan to the ground. "Not for long," he said as the little lion landed next to Touya. "Fine, I'll kill the Guardians and the older brother." He gazed at Tomoyo. "You, I'll keep alive. You've been getting my good side all night."
Touya winced and rose. "You won't get away with this."
"Guess what? I already have!" Psycho prepared another Joy Buzzer, a more powerful one capable of incinerating Touya, Yukito, and Kero-chan. He looked at Tomoyo. "Get your camcorder ready! You don't want to miss me frying your friends!" He pointed at the three, ready to fire.
"Matte!"
Psycho looked for the speaker of that. He saw someone emerge from the Funhouse. "What?" he exclaimed.
Tomoyo turned around. Touya, Yukito, and Kero-chan followed suit. What they saw was a welcome sight.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo cried, relieved. She aimed her camera at her and resumed recording.
"Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted.
"Kaiiju," Touya said with a smile.
Sakura walked up to her brother and friends. She was wearing the battle costume, which made her look like a clown. A cone hat adorned her head. Her legs were covered by baggy pantaloons. Luckily, Tomoyo had not decided to include overgrown clown shoes.
If Psycho's facial features could move, his mouth would have been open in shock. "So, you managed to defeat Enter and Backspace. They were Kilo Class Cybers, so I'm impressed you got past them."
*Kilo Cybers?* Tomoyo thought.
Sakura fixed her eyes on Psycho. "I won't let you hurt anyone else."
"My, someone got a confidence boost," Psycho said. "Nice outfit. A rather unique burial shroud, to say the least."
Sakura stepped forward. "Go get him, Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted enthusiastically. "Kick that clown's butt!"
Psycho laughed. "You little fool! Your Guardians couldn't beat me! What makes you think you can?"
"Because I'm Sakura. Everything will be all right," Sakura said without fear.
"We'll see about that. Psycho Trick!" Psycho shouted, waving his hand and throwing a long ribbon at the Cardmistress.
Before she could act, Sakura found herself being wrapped in the ribbon. Bound tightly, she fell to the ground. She struggled to break free, but to no avail.
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo shouted. The camera was still on.
"I have some old friends who want to renew their acquaintance with you. Here!" Psycho declared. With a wave of his hand, Time Bombs appeared and surrounded the Card Mistress.
"I don't like this..." Kero-chan said, worried.
Touya forced himself up, then ran towards his sister. Once there, he started throwing Time Bombs away. Yukito got up and joined Touya. "Hang in there, Sakura!" Kero-chan shouted, flying towards the others to help.
"Sorry, but it won't be that easy." Psycho waved his hand, and the three would-be rescuers were flung away. They landed before Tomoyo in a heap. Touya landed on Yukito, and Kero-chan landed on Touya. With another wave of his hand, Psycho made an energy dome appear over Sakura and the Time Bombs. "I want to make sure all her body parts are there," he said, giggling.
The others watched helplessly as Sakura continued to struggle within the ribbon. The Time Bombs flung themselves on her and held her tightly. Their timers were set for one second.
"Bye, bye." Psycho waved his hand again and started the timers.
Their timers reaching zero, the Time Bombs exploded, taking Sakura with them. Tomoyo's camera captured the moment.