Last Time: Eriol and Tori lamented in the hospital, waiting for Madison to wake up. Finally, she did…but with amnesia. She doesn't even remember who Eriol or Tori are, much less that she even loved them. So what happens now? Maybe another friend can help…
Making A Choice: Part 9
"Does any of this ring a bell, Madison?"
Sakura and Li spent the whole day trying to jog Madison's memory by showing her some of the old tapes she made. That didn't work.
"Are all these tapes of you?" Madison asked. "I must be obsessed with taping you."
Sakura sweatdropped. "I've…often thought that, too. But doesn't that help, Madison? Don't you remember anything?"
Madison moaned. "All I can remember is that car crash. Nothing else seems to come into my head."
It was a horrible accident and it seemed to overcome everything in Madison's head. The doctor said the amnesia could last for a very long time…if not permanently. That upset Sakura more than anybody. She knew that Eriol and Tori were torn up over this, too, but this seemed to hit Sakura harder than anybody. She desperately wanted her best friend to remember.
Just then, a friendly figure emerged from Sakura's pocket. "Madison? Do you remember me?"
That didn't help at all. Madison almost fainted. "D-D-Did that stuffed animal just talk?"
"Kero!" Sakura wailed. "DON'T come out NOW!"
"Sorry," Kero said sheepishly. "I thought I could help jog her memory."
Li shook his head. "You're not helping, stuffed animal."
"Who asked you?" Kero snapped. "I don't see you doing any better!"
Sakura threw her hands up in frustration. "I don't know what else to do. I've tried the old tapes, I've tried the scrapbook, and I've tried the old costumes."
"Those costumes were sure weird," Madison thought. "Do I always make weird stuff like that?"
"You do it for me," Sakura said pleadingly. "Doesn't that help you remember anything?"
Madison shook her head. "It's all one big blank. I…can't remember anything about what's happened…or about my old life."
Sakura hung her head down. All she wanted was an idea. It was all she asked. Instead, she got a voice calling from outside the window.
"Madison!"
Sakura looked out the window to see Eriol hanging on a tree branch. "Eriol? How'd you get past the guards?"
Eriol shook his head. "It's…a secret. Any luck, Sakura?"
"No. She still can't remember."
Madison suddenly came up to the window. "Hey, I remember you! You were the boy holding my hand back at the hospital."
"Uh…yeah," Eriol stammered. "Maybe…I can be more than that to you. Maybe I can help you get your memory back. Madison…would you like to take a walk with me?"
Madison smiled. "Sure! I...guess so." She turned around and started to walk out.
Sakura had a bad feeling about this. And she glared at Eriol. "Eriol…you're not going to take advantage of Madison in this state, are you?"
"I'm just going to try and help her remember," Eriol replied. "Can't I do that much?"
"I guess so," Sakura sighed. "It's pretty much all we can do. Go ahead, Eriol. Maybe I'll think of something while you're gone."
Eriol sighed and climbed down from the tree, going off to meet Madison at her front door. All Sakura wanted was something that could help her best friend. Hopefully, Eriol could help her.
If not, then Sakura swore to do whatever was necessary.
~--------------------~
"So…where are we going?"
Eriol held Madison's hand as he led her towards the front gate. "Maybe if we take a walk in the park…you might start to remember. At least that's what I hope."
Eriol thought about what Sakura said. He could easily take advantage of this latest condition and manipulate Madison into making him the only one in her life. And maybe if he was younger…he might have done that. But Eriol didn't want that. He knew this would eventually be a choice Madison would have to make on her own…otherwise it would be like a lie. So Eriol was just going to help her by taking around the ever-familiar Penguin Park.
But when Eriol reached the front gate, there was someone else just approaching. It was Tori. Eriol scowled at first, but then he realized that Tori was concerned, too. The fight for Madison's affections could wait. For now…they had to fight for Madison's memory.
"We've been thinking a lot alike lately," Tori said.
"It's kinda strange," Eriol responded. "It's like we know what the other's thinking. So were you thinking what I was thinking?"
Tori had the same idea. "Taking Madison to Penguin Park?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Eriol grinned.
"You know something?" Madison cut in. "While I might not remember much…it seems to me that you two must be good friends. Am I right?"
Eriol and Tori were taken aback by that. It was true. They were being a lot friendlier around each other than before. Just a few days ago, Eriol and Tori were practically throttling each other on a karaoke stage. Now they had united under one cause. Of course…neither one wanted to show it.
"Um…something like that," Tori said casually.
"Yeah…" Eriol added. "No big deal. So let's go."
Eriol took one of Madison's hands and Tori took the other one. Hand in hand, they all took a walk.
~--------------------~
Sakura started to think it was all hopeless. "I've tried everything, Li! Besides showing Madison her old tapes, my scrapbook, and the old costumes, I don't know what else I can do! I just don't know!!"
Sakura didn't realize it at first, but her head had fallen on Li's shoulder. She noticed as soon as Li patted her back. Sakura was also crying. She had run out of ideas and she didn't know what to do anymore.
"She'll get her memory back, Sakura," Li said comfortingly. "She can't stay like this forever."
"I just want her to remember!" Sakura wailed away. "I just wish there was something I can do!"
It all seemed so hopeless. Madison's choice between Eriol and Tori had become an afterthought. If she couldn't remember anything, then it wouldn't matter. But that's when another voice called out…
"Maybe there is."
Sakura raised her head and looked at Madison's bed. "What do you mean? Kero…are you saying there IS something I can do?"
Kero nodded sagely. "If there's no natural way to bring Madison's memory back. Then maybe we'll have to use some not-so-natural methods. I think we might have to resort to using magic."
"You mean magic can help Madison remember?" Sakura asked.
"Think about it, Sakura," Kero replied. "Out of the 52 Sakura Cards in the book, which is the ONE that can help the most in a situation like this?"
It didn't come to Sakura right away. Out of the 52 Sakura Cards, the only ones that popped into her head were attack cards. And attack cards wouldn't do any good in this delicate situation. But Kero was right. There had to be one Sakura Card that could do the trick. But which one?
"Concentrate, Sakura," Li said softly.
Sakura heeded those words and closed her eyes. She could picture the Sakura Cards coming out one by one. Then she abruptly opened her eyes.
"I GOT IT!!"
~--------------------~
It was practically empty in Penguin Park. That would have made the night extra special for Eriol. But this was far from special. He hated that he had to bring Madison here to jog her memory. He hated that she had amnesia. Why did that cab have to crash?
"So Sakura's my best friend?" Madison thought. "That makes so much sense to me. I feel something around her. A feeling that we've been through everything together. In fact…when I first saw her in the hospital…I could have sworn she was my sister."
"Yeah, it's true," Tori sighed. "You and my sister have been together since the very beginning. You were practically inseparable."
"Best friends until the end," Eriol added.
"And…that's pretty much everything about my life…right?" Madison asked.
Eriol knew that there was more. But with Tori around, he couldn't tell Madison…everything. "Um…maybe there are one or two…minor details I might have left out. But that's your life."
"It all seems so weird to me," Madison whispered. "Why can't I remember?"
Eriol couldn't stand to see Madison like this. He wanted to see that beautiful, innocent smile that always graced her wherever she went. But it wasn't there. And it wouldn't be until she remembered.
But just then…
"Eriol!"
Eriol looked over towards a bush and found Li. He must have wanted to see Eriol…privately. So Eriol looked around and when no one was looking, walked over towards the bush. As soon as he approached the bush, Li pulled him in. Eriol first noticed Sakura was there as well…and she had…
"The book!"
Eriol was surprised to see Sakura holding the Sakura Cards in her hand. This could only mean one thing. The two Cardcaptors had something in mind.
"We need you and Tori to leave Madison alone for a few minutes," Li explained. "Sakura thought of something that might bring Madison's memory back. But we need them alone."
Eriol didn't know what to think. "You want to fill me in on it?"
"I'll explain everything later," Sakura answered. "For now…you and Li get Tori out of there."
Eriol would have liked to know what was going to happen, but he reluctantly conceded. "Fine. Let's go."
Eriol brought Li and Sakura out and walked up to Tori and Madison. They were surprised to see them.
"When did you two get here?" Tori asked.
"Um…I got a call from Dad," Sakura said, lying through her teeth. "He said you got a phone call…something about a new job…"
Tori shook his head. He couldn't refuse that. "Then I guess I'd better go." He looked at Madison. "Will you be ok?"
"I'll be just fine," Madison said calmly. "Just…go find out about that new job. Good luck."
Tori reluctantly left the scene. When he was gone, Sakura eyed Li and Eriol and hoped they'd take a hint. They did. Li and Eriol walked away momentarily while Sakura led Madison to an isolated part of the park. Eriol could only wonder what Sakura was going to do.
~--------------------~
Before doing anything, Sakura pulled out the book of the Sakura Cards.
"Madison? Do you recognize this?"
Madison examined the book. "I…I…can't remember. I know it…looks…kinda familiar."
Sakura sighed. It was a start. But now it was time to take out her one ace in the hole. This was sure to work…hopefully. Sakura reached for her old Clow Key.
"Key of Clow! Power of magic! Power of light! Surrender the wand! The force, ignite! Release!"
Sakura took her wand in her hand. It was a long time since she had seen it. But with her wand now in hand, Sakura was ready. But before anything, Sakura held her wand out.
"Madison? Do you recognize this?"
"I-I'm sorry. I can't remember."
Sakura sighed again. That didn't work, but this sure would. Sakura reached into the Sakura Card book and opened it up. She dug through the immense pile of cards and pulled the warm-up card that would start it all.
"Sleep Card! Release and dispel!"
Madison clearly didn't know what was happening. She only watched as the blue dust began to sprinkle over her head.
"S-Sakura…what are you…oh…ohh…"
Madison couldn't even finish her sentence. She fell over and fell into a deep sleep. This was exactly what Sakura needed. So the Card Mistress pulled out the other card that would bring Madison's memory back.
"Dream Card! Help Madison see into her past! Dream Card! Release and dispel!"
The small butterfly that was the Dream Card came out and landed right on Madison's temple. Madison started to moan softly as the Dream Card began to take effect. Sakura didn't know what her best friend was seeing, but she imagined that she was seeing memories forgotten as a result of that awful car crash.
Twenty minutes passed and Madison's moans gradually became louder. Sakura wanted to help her, but from her pocket, Kero warned otherwise. So Sakura just let Madison see into her past…
…and began to wonder what she was seeing.
~--------------------~
Madison was starting to remember everything. She was Madison Taylor…17 years old, going on 18…future college student…living in the rich area of Reedington. She started to remember everything from her past. She remembered all the memories she shared with her best friend, Sakura Avalon, Mistress of the Sakura Cards. And she also remembered the battle costumes and how beautiful Sakura looked in each one.
It wasn't until the middle of all this that Madison began to realize this was a dream. A dream she seemingly couldn't wake up from. Madison then looked around her. She was on the roof of a very familiar house. It was Sakura's house.
"So do you remember?"
Madison turned around and saw…Sakura. "Sakura? W-What's happening? What is this?"
"This is a dream," Sakura explained. "A dream that's hopefully brought back all of your past memories. Do you remember, Madison?"
Madison nodded. "Y-Yes. I remember everything now. But…if I remember…then why am I still dreaming?"
"That's…probably what the real Sakura's wondering," Sakura said. "You know…the Sakura in the real world, I mean. But I can explain what you're still doing here. You see…I'm not the actual Sakura. I'm just a vision created by your subconscious and the Dream Card. And being part of the Dream Card, I can tell that you want a little more than to remember."
"What do you mean?" Madison asked curiously.
"I can't let you go back to the real world just yet," Sakura continued. "Because what good would that do you? You would still have a decision to make, am I right?"
Madison stood there in a somber silence. Sakura was right. There was still a decision to be made…regarding that one special person that Madison truly loved. She still had to choose between Eriol and Tori. And undoubtedly, upon her return, they would pressure her to choose. And she couldn't take that.
Sakura went on. "You keep wondering who you should choose. But from wandering your mind, I think it's pretty obvious who you want, Madison Taylor."
"Y-You do? Who? Tell me! Please!"
Sakura shook her head. "This is something you have to see for yourself. But this isn't like some long arduous quest that takes a really long time. You can find out. All you have to do is just close your eyes. Close your eyes and search your heart. Keep searching…until I tell you to open your eyes."
Madison did as Sakura instructed. She closed her eyes and began to think about the two special guys in her life.
She thought of Eriol. She thought of that mischievous, but sweet British boy she grew up with while Sakura went through the whole Sakura Card quest. She thought of his playful nature and his loving character…though he didn't always show it.
She thought of when she went to England to search for Eriol herself. Madison searched all of London, practically going every night sleeping on the street…just so she could find Eriol. And she thought of what happened the night she DID find him. She thought of the special night they shared together…and the emotional goodbye where Eriol promised to come back.
Then she thought of Tori. She thought of that tough big brother exterior, yet soft on the inside. She thought of the guy she knew since she was a little girl…never seeing him in a romantic light until just recently. Never knowing what a wonderful man he was…until just recently.
She thought of the night that Aiden Avalon and Ms. Mackenzie had their first date. Madison remembered Tori pouring his heart out to her. She remembered how she realized how truly sensitive and caring he was. Then she remembered…that kiss. And she remembered the wonderful six weeks she spent with him since then.
Madison thought of Eriol…then Tori. She thought of Tori…then Eriol. It didn't seem like she could choose. But just then…
"Ok, Madison. Open your eyes."
Madison opened her eyes and saw that there was only one who remained. There was one man standing in front of her. That one special guy who would be with her always. And when Madison saw him…she suddenly felt so much joy in her heart.
"My work is done," Sakura said proudly. "I think it's time for you to wake up."
So she did.
~--------------------~
After hearing what seemed to be moans of pain, Sakura finally saw Madison wake up. She was breathing heavily, as though she had been through something intense. It was at that moment…that Sakura decided to ask that burning question.
But Madison beat her to the answer. "S-Sakura? I-I remember!"
At those words, Sakura hugged her best friend. She remembered and that made Sakura happier than anyone. Madison wasn't smiling, yet though. But when Sakura released the hug, a smile slowly formed on Madison's face.
"Sakura…I…I…know."
That made Sakura curious. "Know? Know what?"
"I…I finally know!" Madison said ecstatically. "I know who I love!"
"That's great! Who is it?"
Madison looked around. "He's…not here." Then she frowned. "But…this isn't going to be easy. Because I'm going to have to hurt somebody else I care about."
"It's ok, Madison," Sakura said comfortingly. "I'm sure he'll understand. But tell me! Who do you love?"
Madison sighed deeply. She was about to reveal who that one special guy was.
"I love…"
Author's Note: Now it would be just CRUEL to cut it off right here. Well…sorry.
Next Time: One gets picked, one gets dumped. Who is it? The end comes tomorrow! So what happens? I can't specify any further, so come on back and read the ending of this story! You won't be sorry!
Any comments? I'm sorry that I am so EEEEEEEEEEEVIL that I can't just tell you all the ending now, but that's just the way it is. So tell me what you think by reviewing below!