The Sealed Pendant
Episode Eight - Kokkei's Final Judgment
When they came back together, Kokkei was sitting on Rukki's back, attaching the Bow across her chest. Li and Sakura were wearing their matching outfits; the green and pink ones. Eriol was wearing his outfit and Madison had made a matching one, for herself. Ceaira was there also, with Aquilia, Hannya, and someone else. Yue was there, wearing his regular outfit. Julian was there, too. Kokkei bounced over to Ceaira, who wore her blue outfit, and tackle-hugged Hannya. "Where have you been?! I haven't seen you since Ceaira got here!" Hannya laughed and sat up as Kokkei kneeled back. "Well, I go to a private school, and I didn't really have much time to do anything. But I promise to make more time now." Kokkei hugged her again and stood, helping her up. "We're age buddies, too." Hannya laughed again and nodded. Kokkei looked at her outfit, and made a comment Madison might have used before, "The outfit's very stylish." Hannya looked at herself, then showed it off, her golden colored eyes sparkling. "You like?"
In her hair was a red headband, and around her neck, a choker necklace with moon jewel. The outfit was a gray vest guard with moon and star design. She wore gloves that stop between her elbows and shoulders that are mostly red with a blue lining, and a yellow and blue wristband attached. She had a gray belt with a yellow buckle, and gray shorts. On her knees were blue knee pads, and she had low heeled boots that were red and blue with a yellow lining. Under it all is a protective, and she had a whip hooked onto the side of the belt. "Of course I like it. But mine's cute, too, ne?" Hannya nodded and the two stood there giggling. Kokkei then looked at the new person. She had green hair, with eyes to match, and her dragon wings were folded behind her. "Who's that?" she asked, pointing. "Don't point." Ceaira said, making Kokkei drop her finger.
"Sabaki." she laughed, "My judge." "And my guardian." Hannya added. Sabaki's shoulder length green hair curled out slightly to the sides, with two thin strands hanging out from the front of her ears, and she wore red lipstick. Her costume is mainly green, with two shoulder pieces shaped like stars, with a body suit curling at the ends with another suit underneath, and a skirt with a slit down the front, with green knee length shorts and high heeled ankle boots. Her skirt had two stars on each side, with a yellow lining. Her boots had a yellow lining, too. She wore gloves similar to Hannya's, only hers were green. The trident she owned wasn't visible at the moment. Kokkei got up close and peered into Sabaki's face. The female judge raised an eyebrow and leaned back, then looked over Kokkei's head. "Onii-chan. Why are you all the way over there?" "Nanda!?" Kokkei facevaulted and everyone fell silent. You could see the slightest movement, coming from Yue, who had his back turned. His wing twitching ever so lightly.
Kokkei raised a hand and pointed. "That's your... Yue has a... Oh, dear Lord." They had somehow made their way to the roof of the building during the whole get together. "Yes. I have a sister." Yue turned around and looked at his sister. "Sabaki. Hi. How are you?" "Fine, brother. And you?" "I guess I'm the same." he sighed, moving to her other side, since Ceaira took up the other. "I see you've been separated from your earthly form." They both looked at Julian. "Yeah, you could say that." Kokkei was playing with Aquilia when she looked up and noticed that everyone was set up the same way in her dream. Only difference was that Madison, Julian, Eriol, Hannya, and Rukki were there also, and stood to the back, watching closely. She moved away from the bird and to the center of the building, Antonio at the other end. By this time, most everyone had figured out it was him. She pulled the Wand out and let it dangle at her side. "Ready?" he asked, crossing his arms. Kokkei closed her eyes as she saw the light flash over the roof. "Mizuiro!" Sabaki sighed. Kokkei opened back up her eyes and saw the person who she knew was the one from her dreams.
Mizuiro smiled at Sabaki then turned back to Kokkei, his light green hair flowing behind him, and his silver eyes sparkling. Kokkei sneezed one time. "Aw. Come now. Still allergic?" he chuckled. He stared straight at her, and held out his hand, making her eyes flash green and she floated forward. Yue's fists were clenched at his side, but he made no attempt to intercede. She dropped to her knees, her eyes returning to normal, in front of Mizuiro. He leaned down to look at her. She slowly looked up. "Candidate to be the master of the Pendants, chosen by Clow Kayo." He moved back as she stood up. "Let the Final Judgment begin. But over here is a little too crowded. Come." Mizuiro floated to the second building, his green wings out a little, and moving the force field to the edge of the building. The wings of Jump appeared on her feet and she leaped over there. Sabaki pressed her face against the shield. "You think he'll win?" Hearing nothing, she looked around to see everyone staring at her. "Ok. I'll stay quiet."
Kokkei stood for a second time, staring at Mizuiro. "Can't we just work this out? Person to person?" His eyes narrowed. "I am far less sentimental than Yue and others. Kayo was always a little tougher than Reed. So, let's begin." She straightened up. "I know the drill. 'I can use what I have... blah blah... defeat you... I can lose what I've captured also.' Just, go easy. Wait, that's an understatement." Mizuiro raised his hand and formed a rippling ball. "You talk too much." was all Kokkei heard him say before being blown backwards, a wet feeling washing over her. She pulled the Bow from across her chest, and the Wand worked as her arrow. She aimed and several arrows flew from the Wand. They seemed to disappear into Mizuiro on contact though. "I like arrows, too." he said, forming a wavering bow. He pointed a watery arrow at her and fired. "Shield!" The first two arrows never got past, but the last two did, and streams of water wrapped around her. She wiggled until her arm was free. He fired two more and her arms were once against pinned at her side, even tighter.
"Come on. Where's the Kayo spirit?" The bands grew tighter. Kokkei groaned. "I left it... back home." She thought back to Heal's appearance and smiled. The water melted away around her and she held up the Wand. "Ice!.. Unlock!" Spears made of thick, solid ice flew towards Mizuiro. He smirked and held up his hand, making them turn back on her. She screamed as she flew backwards. "I wish I could help." Yue groaned. "You're a judge. You can't do anything but wish for the best for her right now." Ceaira sighed. Sabaki yawned, "Why do you care so much, big brother?" Yue glanced at her then back at the fight, that was still going on, Kokkei holding up on her own a little. "It's just like you and Mizuiro." "You... you..." she laughed, "You and a captor." For the first time, Yue fully sweatdropped.
As Kokkei stood up again, from one of her many falls, Mizuiro came at her again, knocking her into the fence going around the roof. She fell forward and before touching the ground, she was propelled across the roof, where she slid to a halt. She slowly got to her knees, not trying to stand. "F... Fiery!.. Unlock!" Fiery opened her eyes and looked at Kokkei, who was leaning against her Wand, and then at Mizuiro, scowling. She crossed her arms in front her chest and rocked from the force as two balls of fire emerged from her crossed arms. He disappeared between the flames, but when they cleared, Mizuiro just uncrossed his arms from in front of his face. "Try again, Fiery." Kokkei encouraged, "Don't give up." The elemental spirit nodded and sent a flaming tornado straight for him. "I wouldn't count on it!" he shouted, forming a large wavering ball over his head. "Lightning!" The electricity surged from the Wand and headed straight for the judge. He gasped then yelled as the energy surged through him, and he was once again engulfed in Fiery's flames. Kokkei slumped to the floor of the roof, letting her legs point out to the side.
"Yue, can I give her a joy buzzer effect when she comes back over?" Sabaki asked. "No." "You're no fun." Hannya smiled and leaned against the shield. "If I were you, I'd get off of that. The judgment looks as if it is almost over." Hannya got up quickly and Ceaira laughed a little.
Kokkei hadn't moved from her spot, not even after Mizuiro had shown up again. Though burnt, he still had quite an amount of strength left. "Don't you give up?" she sighed, leaning against the Wand. "Why should I?" "Because I said so... Vine!" Mizuiro smirked and his eyes glowed, turning the vines back towards Kokkei. She winced as the wrapped around her and started digging into her flesh. "Argh! These never... had thorns." "It's amazing what you can grow with a little water." he chuckled. "He's killing her!" Sakura yelled, pounding against the force field, "We gotta do something!" "You know we can't, Sakura." Madison sighed. "And I can't either." Eriol said, "It's not longer within my power." Sakura clenched her fists and looked at the ground.
"Seeing as this is going nowhere, I declare the Judgment... over." Kokkei looked up. "It's not over. Not now, not this way." Mizuiro snapped his fingers and she found herself incased in ice. Kokkei's head was lowered as she thought to herself. 'The Judgment is over. I lost. I'll never be able to see Yue or the others again.' "Don't be like that, or you'll never win." 'Heal? But I've already lost.' "I'm still here, and so is Mirror, and Windy. And all the others. Fiery's more determined than ever." "Believe in yourself..." she heard a voice, possibly Fiery's, say, "Believe in us!"
Kokkei's eyes snapped open and a rainbow of colors swirled around her. Mizuiro pulled back. "Ma... Masaka!" The ice shattered, along with all the vines, and Kokkei stood before him, her Wand on her shoulder like a baseball bat. "Strike three for you." She smirked. "You're out." She pulled out two pendants. "Fiery... Lightning!.. Unlock!" She pulled out a star pendant. "Dragon... lend me your powers! Unlock!" Her Wand glowed brightly and a long beam of energy emitted from it, pushing her back a little, as it shot forward. It passed through the cloud Fiery and Lightning had formed around Mizuiro, and struck him dead on. He screamed and fell to his knees, breathing deeply. Kokkei walked over to him slowly and he looked up at her, then bowed his head. "An opponent worthy of being appointed my master." He stood up and his wings spread to their fullest length. "The Final Judgment... is over. I, Mizuiro recognize Kokkei, as the new Master."
Kokkei closed her eyes as she glowed for a few minutes, then opened them. "Kokkei!" She looked around and found that she was on the ground, in front of the school. Sakura and the others were running towards her. "Kokkei!" She turned and faced them, then jumped, fisting the air. "I did it!" she cheered. They surrounded her, laughing excitedly. "You sure did." Ceaira said, hugging her. "I can't lose. I'm the unstoppable Kokkei." Everyone sweatdropped and laughed. Off to the side, the Guardians were discussing matters. "Kayo chose well." Mizuiro said, glancing at Kokkei and smiling. "Indeed he did." Rukki added. "Big brother thinks so, too." Yue smiled. "Quit hassling your brother, Sabaki." Aquilia laughed. "So, basically, this is it?" Keroberos asked. "There's nothing about the Pendants that have to be converted, I believe. There were made so the captor's strength and courage were proven at first capture." Mizuiro explained, "There shouldn't be anymore pendants." "Good." Yue and Sabaki sighed. Sabaki hugged Mizuiro. "Now I get to be with you." The others sweatdropped.
Kokkei ran over and jumped on Yue's back. He stumbled forward then stabilized a bit and looked at her. "We're going out for pizza. Anyone wanna come?" The captors and friends walked up also, standing next to their respective partners and guardians. "We can invite Tori and Meilin, also." Sakura said. "Sounds great." Rukki said. "Hmm. No pets allowed." Kokkei said with an evil grin. "What?! I'm no pet!" She fell from Yue. "Ahh... Rukki, remember. You're not tiny anymore. Your voice carries." "Sorry." He returned to his Earthly form, along with all the other guardian beasts. Mizuiro, Sabaki, and Yue just made their wings disappear. "Alright! Let's go." Kokkei said, jumping up. "Like this?" Li asked, indicating to everyone. "Just like this." Madison laughed, "One thing I've learned is that Kokkei means everything she says." "I can agree with that." Hannya and Ceaira said. "When we call Meilin, we can tell her to wear her outfit." Madison suggested, taking out her cell phone. "And I'll call Tori." Sakura said, taking out hers.
In a few minutes, and explanations, the large group of oddly dressed people and animals, headed for the nearest pizza joint. Upon entering, the whole place fell silent, and all eyes were on them. Kokkei cleared her throat and looked over the menu. "What do you guys want?" She heard so many different calls, her head started spinning. "Err... can I have two of every pizza please." "Yes, ma'am." the young clerk stammered. After putting it in the register, he looked back at them. "That be... $150.50." Kokkei facevaulted. "D-ohh!" "Um..." Everyone looked at Tori and Julian. "We'll pay you back!" they all said together. The two boys sweatdropped and paid, half and half. They all then turned to look for somewhere to sit. "Huh." Tori said, "No where." "We can fix that." Madison, Eriol, Li, Sakura, Meilin, Ceaira, and Hannya rushed forward and started moving around tables. When they were done, they had three tables lined up together, four chairs to each. "There's thirteen people here, but we only have twelve chairs." Yue pointed out. "No. There's enough." Kokkei chimed. Most everyone laughed or at least smiled as they announced half of the sets of pizzas were finished.
The younger of the group went to collect them. "You guys are scarin' 'em." Madison whispered as they walked back to the table. "Who?" Ceaira asked, looking around. "You, Hannya, Li, and Kokkei. Your items and weapons." The four looked at each other then at themselves. Li's sword was strapped to his back, Ceaira and Kokkei's bows were strapped across their chests, and Hannya's whip, to her side. They gave mushroom sighs and took them off, placing them on the side as they sat. Kokkei leaned against the wall, her head lowered slightly, and her eyes closed, with her arms crossed. "Portraying the Heero Yuy* pose, eh?" Ceaira said. Kokkei facevaulted, twitching. "Falling seems common with her, too." Hannya added. "Last set of pizzas!" they called out. Kokkei jumped up, along with her first set of helpers, and collected the pizzas, smiling at the employees. They placed them down and sat down, Kokkei taking her spot in Yue's lap, sitting sideways. "To a nice and wonderful ending. May it always go on." Eriol said, holding up a piece of pizza. "Here, here." "I agree." "Absolutely." Everyone contributed something to say as they hit their pizzas together. They laughed as they pulled them away. The cheese had gotten stuck together and was now stretched out across the tables. Pieces were occasionally passed to Rukki, Aquilia, and Kero.
Kokkei leaned into Yue, sighing contentedly. He kissed the top of her head, then the side of her face, her nose, then finally, for a change from the regular ones Kokkei gave, he kissed her. She trailed her fingers down his cheek and they pulled apart. Kokkei giggled, a happy blush settling across the bridge of her nose. She took cheese and smeared it across his nose. He blinked and looked at her. Everyone smiled at the happy couple. "I feel out of place here." Hannya said, biting into a slice of cheese pizza. "Let me help." She turned to look at Julian as he smashed a piece of pizza in her face. She gave a startled gasp and bolted upright, cheese, sauce, and pepperoni sliding off her face. Ceaira and the younger ones smothered their laughter to giggles, but Julian, Mizuiro, Sabaki, and Tori were laughing whole-heartedly. As Julian laughed, Hannya casually picked up a slice. She turned and smothered it in his face, purposely swirling it around. Kokkei, Li, Sakura, Madison, Meilin, and Eriol picked up pizzas and announced excitedly, "Food fight!" Pizza and others foods started flying everywhere. Kero, Rukki, and Aquilia had taken shelter under the tables, with a pizza of their own.
Within fifteen minutes, they had been kicked out of the pizza parlor. They were still pulling globs out of their hair as they walked down the street. They had saved several pizzas, one for each household. "This is all... Julian's fault." Sabaki said, running her fingers through her hair. "It's no one's fault. What was done, was meant to be done." He indicated to the giggling kids. Tori smiled. "Yeah. I guess you're right." He turned back to Ceaira. "How long are you staying this time?" She shrugged. "I'll get back to you on that. But, are you going to stay with your father now, or...?" Tori stuck his hands behind his head. "I guess with my dad for now. It's a little late to go back." She nodded and leaned up to kiss him on the cheek, laughing as she tasted cheese. "Sakura." he called over his shoulder. Sakura was walking with Li. Meilin yawned and leaned against Li. "I'm tired..." He looked at her, then over at Sakura. She smiled. Li turned back to Meilin and held her shoulder as they walked along. "Sakura." Tori called again. "Ah. Tori's calling. I'll see you guys later." Sakura hugged Li from the side and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "Sakura, before you leave..." Sakura turned and looked at Madison. "Call my mom, and tell her I'm staying over..." She yawned, "... at Eriol's." Sakura blinked. "You sure?" Madison slowly nodded, feeling drowsier by the minute. "Ok." She ran up to Tori and Ceaira. "Call for me, Tori." "Why should I, squirt?" "Forget it. Sonomi likes me better." Tori sighed and looked down at Ceaira. "See what I had to go through." She nodded and smiled.
Sabaki looked up from holding onto Mizuiro's arm. "Where's Ceaira going?" "With Tori, I believe. But it's like we're all going in the same direction." "Ok." She went back to leaning on his shoulder. Hannya walked quietly alongside Julian, wringing her hands together behind her back. Ceaira looked at them, then made Tori look, both of them smiling. She scooted him over and he bumped into Julian, who in turn, bumped into Hannya. She looked up at him and he smiled down at her. "Sorry." "It's ok." she said quickly. "Sorry about starting the whole food fight." She smiled. "No. It was a good thing you did. I've never had so much fun." Ceaira gave a peace sign. "Just call me cupid." she said as the two talked. Tori sighed and shook his head. When it came time for them to leave, Ceaira had to drag her sister away, since Julian was going home. Hannya walked backwards, Ceaira still holding her arm. "I guess... I'll see you another time." she said. He smiled. "I'd love that." "Ok. See ya." Ceaira pulled her sister along, the two of them talking and giggling together, while Tori, and Sabaki next to him, walked in front of them. Sakura waved to the others as they disappeared around a corner. Julian also separated from the few remaining, saying goodnight.
Mizuiro had stayed behind and he turned to look at Yue. The food stains stuck out on his appearance. He fell in step beside him and looked at Kokkei, who was on his back. Her arms were draped over his shoulder and he held her legs to keep her from sliding off. "Is she asleep yet?" Yue looked at Mizuiro then at Kokkei. "I guess she is." "Well, when she wakes up, tell her I said take care." "You too..." Both judges looked at Kokkei. She had raised her head slightly and was staring at them through half-lidded eyes. Mizuiro smiled and kissed the top of her head before walking off. "Take care, you guys." Li had picked up Meilin in his arms, and Eriol had done the same with Madison. "You'd think since they have so much energy, they'd be able to stay awake." Eriol sighed, looking at Madison. Li smiled and nodded. "Who says we're full of energy?" Kokkei said. "You show off yourselves in that way." Eriol said. Kokkei laughed a little, then silence slowly fell, until Eriol turned to go his way, then they exchanged good-byes, and the last remaining four turned in for the remainder of the night.
Notes: Hanyaaaaaan! ^-^ *Mixing two animes. I really couldn't
help it, no da. The little Heero Yuy pose thing.
