The Magitech War: Chapter 7

The Magitech War

A CCS Fanfic

by SyaoranSword

Notes: Wow, I haven't updated in a long time. Sorry for the delay, but work has been keeping me from getting this chapter written. Thank God for the Fourth of July! Wrote most of it on the 4th, didn't post until now because I needed to proofread it. Hope this is worth the wait for all of you. Here is chapter 7!

WARNING What happens when you keep two lovers apart from each other for nearly a week, and then bring them back together again? If you guessed 'mush', you'd be right! S+S ahead!

~~~ (place) ~~~ = scene change

" " = dialogue

[ ] = thoughts

= flashbacks

( ) = commentary

Chapter 7: The Night Before…

~~~ Hylan ~~~

The city of Hylan sits in the exact geographic center between the three kingdoms. This was the place where the Magitech Alliance was born, hence it is known as the 'cradle of the Alliance'. Ever since that day, the rulers of Midos agreed that Hylan would be an independent city, not owned by Adelphi, Hurdonia, or Kazu. Because of this, it is also known as the capital of Midos. Hylan Palace is where the biannual summit meetings of the Alliance are held. The construction of the palace itself is very unique. Seen from above, the palace looks triangular in shape. There is a tower at each of the corners of the triangle. In front of each tower, a statue stands honoring the original leaders of the Alliance: Queen Adelphi, King Hurdonia, and King Kazu. Each figure faces in the direction of their respective kingdoms. A fourth tower, rising higher than the rest of the palace, is at the center of the courtyard within the palace walls. The central tower stands where the original treaty was signed, 500 years ago.

Inside Hylan Palace, the celebration was already underway. The main ballroom was filled with people from all over Midos. The room itself was very large and rectangular in shape. Four doorways, two in each of the shorter walls were located near the four corners of the room. Each entrance was at the top of a set of stairs, which met and fed into another set of stairs leading down to the floor. A herald was posted at each pair of doorways to announce arrivals. A fifth doorway that led out into the central courtyard was placed on one of the longer walls. Across from this door, there was a stage where the orchestra was playing.

Just outside the palace, Syaoran and Westley had arrived in a jet.

"This is it, Syaoran. We've landed in Hylan. All you have to do is survive tonight and all day tomorrow. If everything goes without a hitch, then we will have nothing to worry about."

Syaoran took a deep breath. [If I can battle Clow Cards, then I should be able to handle this.] He started to follow Westley, but something made him stop. He felt it, a very familiar pink aura. "Sakura?"

Westley turned around. "Did you say something, my prince?"

"What? Oh, nothing. Go on ahead, I'll be there soon." Westley nodded as he left Syaoran alone. [She's here!] He focused his energy to try and find her.

On another side of the palace, Sakura and Magus had also just arrived.

"Remember what you have learned, Sakura. Adelphi and Midos are depending on you."

"I will, Magus." She suddenly felt a surging energy. It made her feel a warmth and happiness she hadn't experienced for almost a week. [I know this feeling. Whenever I'm with Syaoran, I feel this way.] Sakura then realized what that meant. [Syaoran! He must be close by.]

"Are you alright, princess?" Magus said as he looked at Sakura, who was in a dreamlike state.

With her thoughts interrupted, Sakura smiled at Magus and said, "You go in first, Magus. I want to stay out here a little longer." Magus bowed and left her.

Sakura pooled her magic to the point where she was glowing pink. [Syaoran, where are you? I know you're close, but… I… can't… find you.] She couldn't hold her focus any longer, and the pink glow faded around her. [I'm sorry, Syaoran. I'm just not strong enough.] Sakura felt the tears welling up. She wiped them away as she tried to cheer herself up. [If you're here, Syaoran, then maybe I'll see you inside the palace.]

Syaoran's senses were almost overwhelmed by what he felt in response to his own 'signal'. [Whoa! I've never felt this much force coming from her before.] He then tried to feel where it was coming from, but the rush was gone. [She couldn't hold it.] Syaoran sighed. "Sakura, I promised I would find you, and I will."

~~~ Inside Hylan Palace ~~~

General Haddock stood by one of the tables where a large variety of foods were laid out. He sipped a glass of red wine as he looked out to where the couples were dancing. [Go ahead and dance the night away. You have no idea of what will happen in the coming days.] Haddock chuckled to himself. [I hate politicking, but it has bought me enough time to plan my victory. With the royal families gone, those two incompetent fools were easy to manipulate.] He took another sip. [Soon, the war will start again, and I will be the one who will rise and take control.] Haddock glanced at his watch. [It doesn't matter if they're late. It will all be over shortly after tomorrow.] He looked up at the staircase at the far side of the room to see Magus. [And here's the blue-haired one himself.]

"Announcing the Great Magus, leader of Adelphi," a herald shouted.

Magus pulled the herald aside and said to him, whispering, "Actually, you are mistaken. I am not the leader of Adelphi."

The herald looked at him puzzled. "You're not?"

"No, I am not. Allow me to introduce her when she arrives, all right?"

"As you wish." Magus walked down to the floor.

On the other side of the room, the herald shouted, "Announcing Prime Minister Westley, ruler of Kazu."

Westley also pulled the young man aside. "Sorry this is very short notice, but I'm not Kazu's ruler. He will be here shortly though. Is it alright with you if I introduce him myself?"

"Certainly, my lord."

[What great timing. Now that those two are here, I can continue with my little charade.] Haddock wandered over to the middle of the room, where Magus and Westley were heading down the stairs towards. "Magus! Westley! So good to see you again!"

"General Haddock." Westley greeted him with a handshake.

"How have you been, General?" Magus also shook his hand.

"I've been absolutely magnificent. And you two?"

"The same."

"I've been fine." Westley held out his hand to Magus. "Magus, it's been a long time."

Magus looked down at the hand distastefully. He then glared at Westley. "Obviously not long enough."

Westley withdrew his hand, crossed his arms, and returned the glare. "Oh don't start that again with me, Magus. Tonight is not the time. We're supposed to be celebrating 500 years of peace!"

"If it hadn't been for you, we almost wouldn't be here tonight!"

"What?! That's absurd! You know you were the one who almost escalated the war to the breaking point!!"

"Only because you threatened the safety of Adelphi!"

"After you sent the Black Robes to siege Kazu!"

"Liar!" The two growled at each other. Sparks flew between their murderous glares.

"Gentlemen! That's enough!" Haddock sternly said. "What's past is past. Tonight is a time for the celebration of 500 years of peace. Let's keep it that way, shall we?"

The two reluctantly shook each other's hand. Haddock smiled. [Hatred will keep those two apart. Adelphi and Kazu will be easy to conquer when separate.]

Magus quickly removed his hand from Westley's. He turned to Haddock and said, "Tonight, we're going to be celebrating much more than that though."

"What have you planned, Magus?" Westley probed questioningly.

"It's a surprise." Magus smiled.

Westley also smiled. "You're not the only one with surprises. I also have something up my sleeve."

"I bet it's not going to be as good as mine."

"Care to make a wager?"

"Alright. The loser has to serve the winner breakfast to him at the meeting tomorrow."

Westley turned to Haddock. "And the general here will be the judge."

"Deal." They shook hands to seal their bet. Magus left the room to find Sakura. "There you are. It's time for you to make your grand entrance, princess."

"Excuse me for a moment, Haddock." Westley went to get Syaoran. "Come, my lord. Your presence is needed in the ballroom."

They returned to where Haddock still stood. "If you don't mind, Westley, I'll go first."

Westley mock bowed to him. "By all means."

Magus cleared his throat. "May I have your attention please! Ladies and gentlemen!" The music and the dancing stopped leaving an uncanny silence. Knowing he had everyone's full attention, Magus continued, "Thank you. Tonight, not only are we commemorating the 500th anniversary of the formation of the Alliance…" Clapping and cheering resounded through the room. Magus put his hands up, signaling for silence, and the noise subsided. "…but… we shall also celebrate the return of the rightful monarch of Adelphi." Murmurs and gasps could be heard around the room. "I give you… Princess Silvercloud!" Magus pointed upward toward Sakura, who was standing at the top of the stairs leading toward the floor.

[It's just like in my dream, except there's no one across from me.] Sakura curtsied. [Wow, there sure are a lot of people here.]

There were many different reactions. Some gasped, some bowed, some kneeled, and some… gossiped.

Westley turned pale while Haddock dropped his wineglass. Both of them quickly fell to one knee. [Princess Silvercloud?! I thought she disappeared!] Haddock thought.

They rose. Magus grinned evilly at Westley. "I'll be having eggs benedict, Westley."

A smile appeared on Westley's face, not the reaction he was expecting. "Not so fast, Magus. Now it's my turn." Westley also got the attention of the crowd. "Why stop at the restoration of only one member of royalty? I am honored to present my lord… Prince Stormwind, ruler of Kazu."

Now Magus was the one blanching and kneeling. Haddock was too shocked to do anything, except kneel again. [No! This can not be! Prince Stormwind?!? Princess Silvercloud??? They could ruin everything!] He tried to calm his thoughts as he stood up. [Wait a second! What am I afraid of? They're just kids!] He laughed to himself. [They won't be able to do anything to stop my plans.] "It's a draw. Both of you shocked me quite well." He faked a yawn. "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll turn in early tonight. Good night, gentlemen." The general left the room.

Syaoran descended to the top of the steps across from Sakura. They were too far away to actually recognize each other though. [There's that person from my dream.] Sakura thought. Both of them walked down to the floor. As they approached each other, something clicked in both of their minds as they finally realized who the other person really was.

"Sakura?"

Her eyes widened. "Syaoran?"

He smiled and nodded. Sakura started to run to the figure across the room. "Syaoran!"

Syaoran held his arms out. "Sakura!"

She practically leaped into his open arms. Syaoran caught her and spun her around to dissipate her momentum or else both of them would have fallen to the floor. He set her down to the ground. They looked at each other. Sakura then hugged him tightly around the waist and buried her face into his chest. "Syaoran, I missed you… so much."

He gently placed his arms around her. "Sakura, I knew I would find you." They held each other's embrace, never wanting to let go for fear of losing the other again. Not a word was said between them for the next few minutes. In fact, not a word was said by anyone else either. Everyone was watching the reunited couple. Syaoran noticed the silence. He slowly opened his eyes. Seeing everyone looking at them, he blushed furiously. He whispered into her ear, "Sakura, everyone's… staring at us."

Her eyes snapped open. She raised her head to look around. Her face turned bright red as she saw hundreds of pairs of eyes looking directly at her. [HOOOEEEEE!!!!! I just shared a romantic moment with Syaoran… in front of all these people!!!] She pulled away from Syaoran and put her hands to her cheeks, wishing the redness to go away.

Syaoran also had trouble thinking of what to do now. He tried to speak, "Um… We… I…" He was not too successful.

Westley sensed he needed to do something. He shouted, "Maestro! A waltz, if you please!"

Almost as if on cue, the music began, and the tension in the air had lifted. Everyone resumed dancing, talking, and eating. Sakura and Syaoran both breathed deep sighs of relief as they stood apart from each other. "That was close."

"Yeah." They looked at each other again. Remembering what he had gone through the past week, Syaoran bowed and held out his hand to her. "May I have the honor of this dance, fair princess?"

Sakura blushed at his gesture, but she didn't hesitate to put her hand into his. "You may." They walked over to an open space on the floor. Syaoran placed his free hand on her side and Sakura's fell on his shoulder. Memories of their last dance together, in the summer play, came flooding back. "This is so déjà vu."

They started to dance, but Syaoran stopped for a moment. He removed his sheath with his sword still in it. "Westley, would you take care of this for me please?"

Westley hesitated before he said, "Of course, my prince."

Syaoran walked back to a waiting Sakura. They resumed their position. "I had to take that off. It was weighing me down on this side." Sakura giggled as they started dancing again. They never removed their gazes from each other as they glided across the floor. Both heard the gossip and the murmuring going on about them. (These are just random comments thrown out there by different people.)

"I never really thought of those two being together."

"They make the cutest couple! Don't you agree, dear?"

"It's just a crush. They'll get over it."

"So young, and yet they look so perfect for each other."

"A lot can change in two years."

Syaoran decided that he had heard enough. "Sakura, let's go out to the courtyard, so we don't have to talk over all this noise."

"Ok, Syaoran."

They sat together on a bench to rest themselves from the dancing. Syaoran couldn't help but notice how beautiful Sakura looked in the faint light coming from the moon. "You look very… nice tonight, Sakura." [Baka! That was a pathetic line to start the conversation!]

Sakura smiled as she blushed. "Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself right now, Syaoran."

He blushed lightly. Syaoran then thought of something, "Thank you, Sakura. But if I'm handsome right now, what was I before?"

Sakura's eyes widened in surprise at his question. Her blush deepened as she answered, "Before, Syaoran? Before, you were…" she hesitated, "… cute."

Somehow Syaoran managed to hold back a blush as he probed even further. "So… what would you rather want me to be? Cute or handsome?"

"Syaoran!!! I don't have to answer that, do I?" The temperature in Sakura's cheeks rose drastically.

He simply said, "Yes." Syaoran shot her his dangerously handsome smile.

Sakura turned away from his gaze, wanting to think of an answer and trying to stop her heart from beating so fast. She faced Syaoran again, her cheeks still slightly pink. Sakura smiled sweetly at him and answered, "Doesn't matter." She placed her arms around his neck. The blush he had restrained suddenly showed itself in full force. "I love you Syaoran." She hugged him as he responded by wrapping his arms around her waist.

He laughed softly. "Good answer. I love you too Sakura."

"After tomorrow, we'll find a way home and- HOOOEEEEEE!!!!!!"

Sakura's screaming made Syaoran fall off the bench. "Sakura?! What's wrong?"

She covered her mouth with her hands. "We're forgetting about Tomoyo!"

Syaoran eyes widened in realization. "That's what I forgot! I was supposed to tell Westley about you and Tomoyo so that we could find a way to get home." He brushed away the tears that were forming in Sakura's eyes. "Don't worry, Sakura." Syaoran rubbed her back to calm her. "We'll find Tomoyo… together."

Sakura clutched onto Syaoran as she sobbed into his shoulder. "Yes… we will find Tomoyo… together."

They went back into the palace, where they danced for a little while longer. Soon, the ball was over. Syaoran went to the royal suite in Kazu tower, where he found his sword on the bed. He was about to change and go to sleep, but an unusual idea entered his head. [Am I ever going to get a chance like this again?] one side of him said. [You're going to embarrass yourself!] the other side debated. He fought with himself until he finally said, "I'll do it!"

Sakura had already changed and was lying peacefully in her bed. Her thoughts drifted to the time she spent with Syaoran that night. "Syaoran…" she sighed with bliss. Sakura then heard something coming from her balcony. She sat up in bed. [Someone's… singing!] Sakura got out and walked over to the balcony. [Who could be singing at this time of night?] she sleepily thought. She listened to the words of the melody carried by the gentle night breeze.

"And I will take… you in my arms. I'll hold you right where you belong. Till the day my life is through, this I promise you." (Taken from an actual song, which I have forgotten the artist and the title of. If you can give me the info, I'll give you credit in the next chapter. E-mail me at: sniper42g@yahoo.com)

Sakura looked around to see where the song was coming from. She blushed a million shades of red when she saw Syaoran standing on a tree branch, a little under her balcony. "Syaoran?!"

He looked up at the sound of his name and smiled to her. "Sakura. You must think I'm crazy. This will probably be the only chance I'll get to serenade you from a balcony."

Sakura didn't know whether to climb down and kiss him or to throw something at him. "Syaoran, do you know what time it is? It's late! I want to go to sleep!!"

[I knew something like this would happen.] "I'm… sorry… Sakura," Syaoran said, sadness and disappointment evident in his voice. "Good night." He jumped down and started to slowly drag himself back to his room. [I'm such a baka.]

[Why did I just say that?! I didn't mean to hurt him!] Sakura knew she had to go after him. "Jump card!" She took a running leap toward the direction Syaoran was headed. Underestimating her own power, she landed a good ten feet in front of a very stunned Syaoran. Sakura turned around and wandered over to him. With the sweetest smile Syaoran thought he had ever seen, she said, "I didn't mean to hurt you like that, Syaoran." She moved even closer to him and whispered into his ear, "Can I take a rain check? I never knew you could sing that beautifully."

He blushed as he said, "Yes, of course you can, Sakura."

Sakura leaned forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you, for not being mad at me."

[She really thought I would be mad at her?] he thought as he felt his cheeks flare from the kiss.

Sakura jumped back up to her room. She smiled as she called out to him, "Good night… my sweet prince."

Syaoran smiled back at her. "Good night… my lovely princess."

To be continued…

Please read and review! Tell me what you think about the mush. There will be more of it, so you have to let me know if this was good. If it wasn't, then I know I need to improve on it. I kind of thought the serenade thing may be overdoing it, but that was the best way I thought of to end this! Thanks for waiting! I'll see you in the next chapter!