The Magitech War
A CCS Fanfic
by SyaoranSword
Notes: Do I have anything to say here? Not really… (checks e-mail) Oh my gosh! People are actually reading my fic??? (Bows to everyone who sent reviews) Wow, I just hope I can live up to the expectations!
~~~ (place) ~~~ = scene change
" " = dialogue
= flashback
[ ] = thoughts
( ) = commentary by me
Chapter 4: Royal Confusion
~~~ On the road to Adelphi ~~~
"This is taking forever!" Sakura whined. She had been walking for the past hour and she was still very far from the castle that the mysterious boy had shown her earlier. Sakura looked around to make sure no one was watching and took out her key.
"Key that hides the powers of the stars, reveal your true form to me. I, Sakura Kinomoto, command you under the contract. Release!"
The key transformed into her star staff.
"Dash! Grant me your speed!"
Sakura glowed with a light blue aura and soon was running at an unbelievable pace. [I'll be there in no time at all!] she thought happily. In just a couple of minutes, Sakura was at the front gates.
"Dash, return!" The blue aura flew off her body and turned back into a Sakura Card. Unfortunately, Sakura forgot about the drawback of the Dash Card. Not only did it speed a person up, but it also speeds that person's metabolism. Sakura felt her stomach growling.
"Oh man, now I'm starving!"
She looked up at the sign over the open gate. It read: 'Welcome to Adelphi Castle Town'. "Maybe there's someplace to eat in here." She walked through and saw an incredible sight. The place was a crowded market. People were buying and selling all sorts of goods. A familiar scent caught Sakura's attention.
"Are those… (sniffing) pork buns?!?"
Hard to believe, but one of the tents set up in the street was selling roast pork buns. Sakura felt her stomach growl again. "I need one of those, before I pass out." She walked over to the tent.
"I'll have a dozen pork buns please."
The man making the buns said, "That'll be 10 Adelphi dollars." He took a tray of buns and slid them all into a large bag.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any Adelphi dollars."
"You must not be from around here."
"You could say that." Sakura sweatdropped.
"I'll cut you a break, I'll accept any Hurdonia or Kazu money you have."
"I don't have any of those either."
The man gave her a scowl. "You mean you don't have any money at all?"
"This is all I have." Sakura handed the bun maker some coins.
"What is this?"
"It's yen."
"Yen? What in the world are you talking about? This is junk!" He threw the coins out into the street. "Now listen here. Either you pay for these buns right now, or I'll make you pay, one way or another."
"HOOOEEEEE!!!"
Sakura's scream was heard by two passing guards who immediately ran into the tent. The guards wore blue tunics, pants, cloaks, and wielded wooden staves (FYI, staves is the plural of staff). They also wore silver-colored helmets that only covered the top of their heads.
"What's all the commo-" The guard didn't get to finish his statement. His partner had tapped him on the shoulder and pointed a quivering finger directly at Sakura. His eyes looked like they were going to pop out of his head. "No way…, it can't be!"
The storeowner had several veins popped, while question marks appeared over Sakura's head. The guards were whispering to each other.
"Is that really her?"
"It can't be. We both know that."
"But she has the necklace and-"
"Yes, I know. We must bring her to Lord Magus at once. He will know what to do."
"What should we do now?"
"We have to get her out of here."
The storeowner couldn't take it anymore. "Are you guys just going to stand there gossiping or are you going to arrest this girl for trying to steal my buns?"
"Quiet, merchant!" One of the guards scolded. Both guards fell to one knee and bowed. "Have you no respect for the princess of Adelphi?"
The storeowner's face turned pale. "Princess? The princess?"
Sakura was surprised as well. "Who me? I think you have the wrong person."
The two guards stood up. "There is no mistaking you, your highness. We must take you back to the castle."
They led Sakura out into the street. The storeowner ran out of the tent and said with his face completely red from embarrassment. "Please forgive me, princess! I had no idea!" He handed Sakura the bag full of buns. "Please take this as a token of my apology." He awkwardly bowed to her and ran back into his tent.
Sakura had a big sweatdrop and said, "Thanks…, I guess."
"Wings appear!" said the guards. Wings like those of eagles sprouted from their backs. They each grabbed one of Sakura's hands and were about to take off.
"Wait!" The guards let go of her, and Sakura called out the Fly Card. White wings appeared on Sakura's back. "I can fly too!"
The guards hesitated for a second before one of them said, "Then let us be on our way."
All of them took off with Sakura following closely behind the guards. A short while later, Sakura's stomach growled again really loudly. Her two escorts looked back and sweatdropped. "Now we know why you wanted those buns."
"I was hungry!" protested Sakura. She took a bun from the bag she received. "Would you like one?" she said while holding the bun out in front of her.
"Thank you princess, but it's getting really close to dinner."
Sakura smiled as she took a big bite out of the bun in her hand.
~~~ Kazu Castle Town ~~~
It had been quite a day for Syaoran. He mentally recalled everything that happened. First, he had the same bizarre dream that he had yesterday. He then woke up, practiced his skills, wrapped Sakura's present, went through another boring day of school, and almost didn't have the courage to give Sakura the present he and Tomoyo bought for his love. He blushed when he thought about the hug and what she had said.
I know I've said this already, but… I love you Syaoran.
He could never get tired of hearing her say those words. But that was just the beginning of his day. How could he have known that the necklace he gave Sakura was the key to another dimension? And how could he have known that the key would activate because of their hugging? Syaoran blushed even more at that thought. After getting transported to Midos, he almost drained himself trying to locate Sakura, and he fought an exhausting duel with a very skilled opponent. After sprinting to reach the town before the gates closed for the night watch, Syaoran just wanted to collapse on a soft bed. With almost no strength left, he fell to his knees, dug his fists into the ground, and gasped for breath. A guard came out of the nearby barracks to close the gate when he saw Syaoran in his spent condition.
"Hey kid! What have you been doing?" The guard wore typical medieval-style armor (think knight armor), but he was not wearing his helmet. He was also holding a spear. Even though he was completely exhausted, Syaoran managed to turn his head and glare at the person addressing him. He resented being called a kid.
The guard didn't get a good look at Syaoran's face until now. When he did, his eyes widened.
"Captain!" the guard yelled, "You might want to take a look out here!" A wide grin appeared on the guard's face.
A deep voice boomed from the barracks. "Did you break the gate controls AGAIN Ray?" Roaring laughter could be heard coming from the barracks.
Syaoran stifled a laugh, while the guard snorted. "Shut up Rob! That was an accident! Where's the Captain?"
"He's having dinner, and I don't think he wants to be disturbed."
"Tell him there's a very important person out here that he needs to see with his own eyes!"
[Who's he talking about?] thought Syaoran.
"You know how the captain is if he is interrupted during a meal."
"Trust me. He'll thank me later."
"Whatever you say, Ray."
A man of medium build wearing the same kind of armor as Ray but gold in color, and wiping a pair of glasses came out of the barracks muttering something. His hair was black, short, and spiky. "This had better be important. I left a piping hot T-bone in there. If you're pulling a prank on me Ray, you'll be pulling bathroom duty for a month!"
"Captain!" Ray raised his hand to salute his commander. "Put those glasses on and take a good look at this boy right here."
The man calmly put on his glasses and with his dark brown eyes looked at the still glaring Syaoran. He took a few steps closer while squinting his eyes. The captain suddenly took several steps backwards, almost falling down. After several seconds, the captain turned to Ray, smiled and said, "This makes up for the gate incident. I guess dinner will have to wait." He turned to face Syaoran. "We knew this day would come." He quickly turned to the barracks and shouted, "Everyone, get your lazy butts out here, and assemble in formation!"
Several armor-clad people started filing out of the barracks. When all of them had assumed their positions, Ray joined the group behind the captain. "Ray, where's your helmet? Go back and get it."
"Yes captain." Ray ran into the barracks.
"And get my helmet while you're at it!"
He came out seconds later with his helmet on and a gold helmet under his arm. Ray handed his captain the helmet. The captain turned to face the group and put his helmet on as well. "I am sure you all recognize who this is. Salute!" he shouted. Everyone did as they were told. He turned back to Syaoran. "We've been waiting for two years…, and now you're finally back in Kazu." The captain knelt on one knee and said, "Welcome home, my prince." Syaoran then fainted from a combination of sheer exhaustion and utter shock.
~~~ An office ~~~
"Captain, report." commanded a voice from behind a large chair. The chair faced a large window, where the only light in the room streamed in from the setting sun. A man wearing the same outfit as Sakura's attackers stood in front of the desk. His visor was silver in color instead of black to denote his rank.
"Sir, three of our soldiers were found unconscious within Adelphi's borders."
"And they have no recollection as to why they were there?"
"That is correct, sir."
"Most likely it's that blasted Green Phantom. He has been a thorn in my side ever since I assumed command. One of these days, that criminal will be brought to justice. Anything else to report, Captain?"
"Yes, a patrol found a strange young girl in the middle of a field near here. They found her unconscious, but she appears unhurt. All other patrols report no incidents."
"Is there any identification on her person."
"No, sir."
"Does she have any reaction to hurdonium?"
"There was no detectable reaction, sir."
"Alright. Inform me as soon as she is awake. I will debrief her personally. You are dismissed, Captain."
"Thank you, sir." The officer left the room and closed the large doors behind him.
"This girl… She will be a perfect test subject." The figure stood, folded his hands behind his back, and looked out the window. "How long has it been since I last saw you, father? Too long, far too long. I will make your dream a reality." The figure clenched his hands into fists. "I will show them all! I will rule ALL of Midos!"
To be continued…
What do you think? This is probably not one of my better works. I'll try to make the next chapter better. Please, I need to have feedback to see if what I'm doing is great or just plain sucks.
