Disclaimer: The only thing I do own is the idea for this story, which is not intended for profit.
Notes: Konnichiwa! ^.^ I usually don't split my fics into chapters, but decided to for this one for now. Though it may seem like it, I did not make up a new Clow Card or "bad guy" for this story. Fall Out of Darkness takes place around the beginning-middle of the third series when Eriol arrived. I'm trying my best to keep everyone in character, but it is hard since I have never actually watched the original anime, so please forgive any mistakes. It wasn't originally going to be S+S, but how could I resist? I will hopefully finish and put up the other parts soon, but I am busy with schoolwork, etc.
I'm not sure when I will be finished, but there is only a few parts left. The ending of this and preview are kind of big cliff-hangers, I'll try to hurry and write the next chapter.
*************************************************************
Fall Out of Darkness – Chapter Three
Panting, Sakura burst into the small clearing of the woods. It was very close. She looked around, squinting to see in the bad light of the evening dusk. Something rustled from behind the trees. Sakura felt her fear rise as her sense grew stronger. She jumped and gave a small shriek as a hand touched her shoulders.
"Calm down, it's me."
"Syaoran-kun, you scared me half to death! Thank goodness it's you."
She shivered as he remained silent, looking at her intensely like he had this morning at school. "I… I think it's coming from over there," she pointed to a spot in the woods.
He nodded and drew out his sword. "Sakura-chan… you stay here."
"Hoe? Why?"
"Just because."
She grabbed his arm as he began to walk away from her. "Why should I stay here?"
He looked a little frustrated, "Because I'm afraid something is going to happen to you!"
Sakura's tone was firm, "I'm coming with you anyway."
"You need to be safe."
"I will be safe with you Syaoran, I know you will protect me."
He stood there for a moment, then gave in. "Stay close."
Sakura didn't have time to reply, as suddenly a small tree attacked from behind her. Syaoran quickly jumped in front of her, receiving the harsh end of the impact. They both fell to the ground, his sword slipping from his grasp.
Other trees began to move with loud snapping sounds as they broke free of their roots. They surrounded Sakura and the injured Syaoran, looking tall and powerful. It was obvious that the trees were under someone's strong magic control, just like all the other inanimate things brought to life Sakura had been forced to fight before. She looked at Syaoran worriedly, "Are you alright?"
He winced as he tried to get up, "Don't worry about me, use the cards!"
Sakura looked at him and uncertainly got to her feet. "O Key which hides the powers of the stars, reveal thy true form before me. I, Sakura, command thee under contract. Release!" Her key transformed into her staff, she gripped it tightly and faced the advancing trees.
She began to call forth the Firey Card when Syaoran stopped her. "No, wait, you don't want to set the whole forest on fire!"
Sakura stopped, "Then what should I do?"
A tree branch swung from her beside her and hit Sakura in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her. She stumbled, but stayed on her feet, doubled over in pain. Syaoran furiously pulled himself off of the ground and picked up his sword. "Sakura, use the Sword Card, we can team up."
Her breathing returned to normal, Sakura grabbed the card. "Ready when you are."
******************************************************************
"Where are they?!" Touya frantically went in a circle trying to find his sister.
Yukito tried to calm him, but suddenly cried out and clutched his head.
"Yuki, are you alright? Do you need to rest?"
He could not answer him as he was lifted into the air glowing. Touya watched in amazement and fear as large wings burst from Yukito's back, folding over to cover his body. In a matter of seconds, he had transformed into something that was no longer Yukito. A winged man with long flowing white hair and cold blue eyes appeared in front of him. "W-who are you?"
Yue looked at Touya with little interest. "That is of no importance to you."
"What do you want?"
He ignored the question and put a hand on Touya's face as if it were an embrace. His eyes and hand began to glow; Touya slumped to the ground unconscious before he could protest. Yue looked at him for a second then dismissed his second thoughts. Yukito's true identity could not be revealed to him yet.
Yue turned away and spread his wings. He must hurry; his mistress was in trouble.
****************************************************************
Kero emerged into the clearing with Tomoyo close behind. He saw Sakura and Syaoran fighting together against the possessed trees, but they were tiring and were vastly outnumbered.
"Sakura!"
She looked up in relief at the sight of her two friends. "It's not working Kero, what should we do?"
Kero didn't have the answer to that; they didn't want to endanger the forest, park or people around it. "Pay attention!" he yelled as another branch took a swipe at her. Sakura jumped, barely dodging it in time.
"Oh Sakura-chan, Li-kun, be careful!" Tomoyo called, wishing there were some way she could help them.
Syaoran was hit again, unable to withstand any more; he collapsed to the ground. Sakura caught him in her arms, "You're hurt and I can't stop them without you," she whispered sadly.
He smiled weakly, "Yes you can Sakura-chan, just look inside for an answer, I know you can do it."
She closed her eyes, trying to think of a solution. A sudden idea came to her; "I've got it!"
Sakura raised her staff, concentrating all her power to the card she held in her hand, The Erase. It flashed as she converted it to a Sakura Card. "Erase Card, I command thee to erase all the evil trees!" The card rose into its visible form and did as she asked.
Sakura smiled happily as the card returned to her hand. "It worked! Now I should use The Create to grow back all the trees that are now missing."
Tomoyo's smile suddenly turned to fear as she saw something behind Sakura. A tree still under magical power had managed to escape and was ready to attack her. "Sakura, watch out!"
Sakura turned in time to see a large branch swinging hard and fast in her direction. It struck the side of her head, throwing her off her feet and into the air. Everyone watched in horror, she was headed straight over the edge of a cliff; the same one Touya had broke his arm falling down many months ago.
"SAKURA!" Syaoran ran to her, pushing his body to the limit and biting his lip to keep from crying out or falling over in pain. His hand grasped hers; he desperately tried to hold on. Using all his strength he tried to pull her up, but a searing pain flashed through his arm. Unable to keep his hold, her fingers slipped through his own.
Sakura felt herself falling through the air. It was so hard to think, so hard to breathe. Her head pounded with hurt, her body felt limp. In the split second before she hit the ground, Sakura realised too late what the meaning of her dream had been. Everyone else wasn't going to disappear from her; it was her who was going to cease to exist.
The last thing Sakura heard before she fell into the swirling darkness was voices that sounded so far away screaming her name. Then all she felt was an exploding pain in her head and body as she lost focus and everything became silent and black.
****************************************************************
Preview for Chapter Four:
Tomoyo held Sakura's lifeless hand, not wanting to believe what she saw. She could barely hear the loud piercing machine as it continued to show a flat line. Doctors rushed in, a nurse gently pulled Tomoyo away who was too numb with shock to resist. She was brought outside into the waiting room where she collapsed onto Syaoran, tears streaming down her face. He hugged her fiercely, unable to stop his own tears from falling.
"Oh god."
*****************************************************************