Eriol good or bad (con't)
Keetra:: konnichiwa! And merry christmass! Well, I hoping to get this out by christmass at least. ^^;;;;;;;;;;;;; well, I just have to say a veeeeeeeery big thank you to Azure-chan in this chapter. I dedicating it to her. First because she has been begging me for an action chapter for way too long (:P) and second cuz this chapter mayy not have been written if it weren't for her huge help in giving me some inspiration. So, arigatou gozaimasu, Azure-chan!
Kero:: what would you have done if she not helped you?
Keetra:: probably have either quit the fic, wrote a very sucky chapter or put it off and finish Book Cover Judge.
Kero:: NANI?!?!!? You woulda just quit this chapter two chapters form the end?
Keetra:: I said it was a possibility. Not a certainty.
Keelah:: hey Keetra, can I do the thank yous in this chapter for ya?
Keetra:: -slyly- you just want to see the review I will not let you see.
Keelah:: whatever gave you that idea?
Keetra:: hmmmmmmmmm. Maybe that there's an interesting review left by Angel- san?
Kero:: she left one? Uh oh. -runs and hides-
Keetra:: -smirks seing how kero has hidden- ok, keelah, go ahead.
Keelah:: YES! Ok, arigatous to.. -looks up keetra's reviews-
Azure-chan:: someone please explain how caffeine in humans can cause such unpredictable behavior? Or is it just you personality? Well, anyway. I am not sure that is what the Libra card does. From what I have heard, it was an extra card thrown in to give them 52. Why they needed 52 is beyond my comprehension. As for you being sane again... I truly hope this chapter calms your murderous impulses. -looks at figure beating a plush toy- if even only in the slightest.
Mitski::: hehehehehe. Now I get to have some fun. -takes out chains and locks Angel to the ground- and you think one of your puny plans can stop my madness? -takes out one of those hammers that squeaks when it hits someone- take this and this and this! Nyahahahahahahaha! Throws hammer to the side.- oh, to set the record straight, keetra askes for help. Noe me. I would never ask for this little human's help. I would never ask for any human's help! Gimme a break. You humans are too weak to help anybody. -points to the figure still on the floor- you can't even help yourselves. Nyahahahahaha! And keelah rules over all! -back to sanity (if there is such a thing)- oh, spell check still not working. Not know why but I guess it giving me lessons on spelling. I didn't check this one for mistakes so I aplologize ahead of time for any mistakes my kinta may have made. -slaps self- y r u aplologizing to humans? Ugh! Keetra:: -shakes head sadly, almost regreting decision to let keelah to the responses-
Ice Fire:: it would be confusing then, wouldn't it? I highly suggest reading the first one. Though, the rest is easy enough to understand without reading it. But you may get to know the plot a little better. It makes things a lot less confusing.
Alexandra-chan:: Was it that hard to belive that it was Stimp? I knew it all along. (kero:: cuz Keetra told u!) ^^;;; well, little human, if you liked last chapter, then I asure you that this one is much better. Well, enjoy, human.
Karisa:: yes u did beat her. And in the last chapter as well. She getting a little slow aint she? -evil grin- well, read and enjoy. While you still can. Nyahahahahahaha! (Kero:: I allways knew Keelah was a world dominater on the inside.)
Keetra:: well, that was interesting. Ok, just a few last words. Please read my new fic Book Cover Judge. It not have any anime characters in it. Just my own ones. But I need more reveiws on it. Thanks!
Disclaimer:: I not own it. I not wanna own it. -holds up the copyright laws- who wants to burn them? -holds up blowtorches- I brought the flames, so no leaving them in a review!
~*~*~*~ Chapter 12: Battle of the Past (part two) ~*~*~*~
Sakura throws a card onto the air and strikes it with her staff.
"Become the chain that binds, Windy!" she calls, activating the card.
The elemental spirit exists the card and flies towards Stimp. The blonde boy just smirks and takes a step back. He is instantly hidden by the shadows. Windy flies around, trying to find him, but to no avail. Stimp has succesfully hidden himself from the binding element's attack. Unable to attack, Windy reverts to its card form and returns to its master.
"Nice try little flower. But now it is my turn." His voice calls from the shadows.
'I may not be able to see his attack, but I can still defend myself against it.' She thinks to herself, whipping out a card.
"Sheild!"
A protective blue sheild surrounds her. From seemingly nowhere, a beam of energy stikes the sheild. Instead of blocking the attack, the sheild shatters into a thousand pieces. The beam hits Sakura at full force.
"Aiie!!" Sakura screams as she is thrown back.
Her screams just get louder as five more beams appear and strike her now unprotected body, creating long tears in her clothes and cuts in her skin.
"Sakura!" Syaoran calls out, trying yet again to break free of the manacles binding him to the wall. But it proves to be no more fruitfull than any of his other attempts. Sakura gets painfully to her feet as the attacks seem to subside. Just as she fully gets to her feet, Stimp sends another beam to knock her down.
'He's toying with me. He enjoys this. I can't attack him. I'm a sitting target for him.' Sakura's eyes open as an idea comes to her. 'What if he had more than one of me to worry about?' she wonders. Taking out two cards, she activates them with her wand.
"Mirror! Twin!"
Mirror makes a copy of Sakura, wand cuts and all, then Twin makes multiple doubles of Mirror's image. There are now about a couple hundred similar looking Sakuras in the area now.
'Alright! Well done, Ying Fa.' Syaoran congratulates her in his mind. Looking through the crowd, he sees the real Sakura kneeling down, trying to recover from the blows Simp had given her. He can only hope that she is hidden better from Stimp than she is from him. Syaoran's fears are alieved when Stimp lets out an angry growl of frustration.
"Frustrated, Stimp-san?" all of the Sakuras, including the real one, say as one. "You only had one target before and now there are hundreds. Only one of us is the real Sakura. Which one of us do you think it is?"
From the safety of the shadows, Stimp looks at the mass of humans of the same girl before him. He can't tell which of them is the real human. He can attack them one by one, but what good will that do for him? It will take forever to destroy them all. The two rivals seem to be at a stand-off.
Taking advantage of the pause, Sakura thinks over what to do next. (:: and so do i. ^^;;; -sigh- well, I gonna let Sakura think this one out and hope something comes to me::)
'I need a card that I can attack him with. But, I still don't know where he is! Ugh! Is there still a card I can use? Or do I have to surrender?' Sakura shakes her head hard. 'No, I'm not gona give up. Not this soon. I just need to thik of each of my cards' strengths. Windy didn't work last time. Firey? Maybe. No. None of the elements will work. Sword? Shot? Dash? Fly? Freeze? Thunder?! None of them will work!' Starting to feel a little tired because she is using so much magic with only two cards, she rubs her eyelids drowsily. 'WAIT!' Sakura's eyes snap wide open. 'That's it!' Sakura takes out the inspired card and looks at the fairy on its surface.
'It just might work. If I can get all of the other Sakruas to release fake Sleep cards as well, then Stimp still will not know where I am. Sleep can cover the area with sleep powder amd he'll fall asleep. In fact, I could put Arcanemon to sleep as well! Then we can get out of here!'
Upon finishing her thought, she looks around to see that all the other Sakuras have brought out fake Sleep cards, just as she had hoped. As one, thay all toss the card and activate it.
"Sleep!" they all call.
Hundred of fake sleep fairies burst from their cards and spread sleep powder over the area. Even the real Sakura has a hard time telling them apart. Looking to the side, she sees that Dolphane has risen a shield against the powder. Sadly, Arcanemon has raised one as well. Looking behind her, she sees that Stimp's sheild is protecting Syaoran, to her relief. Keetra, however, is not so lucky and falls into a deep sleep.
'What about Stimp-san?' Sakura thinks, looking around.
A beam shoots out and destroys one of the fakes.
'That answers my question. Kuso, it didn't work."
"Your attacks are useless against me, human! Your sleep minions are no threat to my power."
'He's right.' Sakura thinks to herself as another twin is destroyed. 'I can't use amy of my attack cards. How can you attack what you cannot see.' Another twin is struck by a beam. Sakura closes her eyes in defeat. 'Damned darkness.' Her eyes flash open in surprise at this random thought. 'Darkness. Eriol-kun once put the whole world into darkness. I had to transform the Light card to dispell it.' She brings out the card form her pocket. 'Light has the power to brighten the dark. If it works, Stimp-san will not be able to hide and all of my attack cards will work.' Kneeling down so as to not be seen, she taps the tip of her staff to the card.
"Light." She whispers.
A bursting light comes from the card and spreads over the entire area.
Stimp curses beneath his breath as he shields his eyes from the blinding light.
'Damn you, Card Mistress.'
The blinding light dies down. Allowinf everyone to see.
Stimp was not the only one blinded by the flash. The sudden light causes both Dolphane and Arcanemon to cringe away from each other in startlment. When the light dies down, both creatures shake their heads hard trying to be rid of the dots that flash in their vision. Dolphane recovers first and looks over at Arcanemon, who is still trying to clear his vision. Though she doesn't like it, Keelah knows she cannot let go of this unexpected oportunity. Dolphane opens its mouth, a blue orb appearing at the tip.
'I'm sory Arcanemon. I know you would understand why. Please forgive me.'
A blue jet of water erupts from the center of the orb and surrounds the white winged beast.
"*Arcanemon!*" Keelah calss to her friend's other form. "*Stop this! You must fight him. He is your enemy, not I!*"
"*I must obey master.*" a deep voice pierces within her mind.
Dolphane jerks its head in surprise. Noone had ever heard Arcanemon speak. It was thought he never posessed the ability to do so.
'That human must've done something.' Keelah thinks to herself.
"*Must kill Dolphane.*" Arcanemon thought-speaks. "*Order of master.*"
Arcanemon throws himself at Dolphane, but the water barrier holds strong. Despite this, he keeps pushing against it.
Stimp, hearing Arcanemon's growls of annoyance, look from the Sakuras to the two creatures. Seeing his servant's dilema gives him an evil idea. Raising his left hand he calls to the crowd of the same girl.
"So, Card Mistress, you have exposed me from the darkness. However, you are far from winning this match." Forming a ball of dark energy within his hand, he faces his palm at the unsuspecting dolphin. "Surrender, human, or your friend will die."
Sakura's face visibly pales.
"No! stop! You can't!" Sakura yells, not caring anymore if she is found.
"You underestimate me, pathetic human. Never do that."
He fires the dark ball straight at Dolphane. Time seems to slow as Sakura watches the ball fly.
'Iie, I have to help her. Demo, Sheild can't deflect his attacks. I need to find a way to erase his attack altogether. Huh? That's it!'
Sakura quickly pulls out a card and activates it.
"Erase!"
The juggler lloking form of the card appears and flaps its erasing blanket hard. Magical strings sprout from it and race towards Stimp's attack. They catch it a mere few inches from Dolphane's side and erase it from existance.
Angered by the fact his attack was erased, he turns back to his foe to only see one Sakura, standing alone with fire burning in her eyes.
"I'm not the only one guilty of underestimating my foe, Stimp-san." Sakura pulls a card from her pocket, carefull to conceal its identity, "Stimp-san, you lie and you cheat to get what you want. Both you and your master have claimed enough lives."
She fings the card on front of her and stikes it in one fluid, practiced motion.
"Firey!"
The enraged card bursts from its seal in a blaze of angry fire. With a flick of its wrist, Firey sends an eye-blinding jet of flame at Stimp, creating a cyclone around him. After a small amount of time, it gets smaller and thinner. Through the flames, Stimp is seen, gathering the flame surrounding him between his hands. He shoots the gathered flames back at the card, striking her hard in the head. The card is forced back to its card form, all the flames disappearing as she does so.
With a flick of his own wrist, Stimp sends Sakura flying back into the sheild surrounding Syaoran. The high electricity bounces her off it and she lands about five feet away.
"Now it is finished, little flower. Even with your magic enraged, and using your strongest attack card, you could not defeat me. It is time to end this game! Prepare to die, Kinomoto Sakura of Japan!"
He holds his left hand out, gathering dark energy within it one last time, and points his palm at the girl's weakened body.
Turning to get up, Sakura lets out a gasp of pain as something sharp cuts into her hip. Looking down to see what is hurting her, her eyes widen in recognition. It is Syaoran's sword, which he had earlier dropped. It has just been lying here all of this time. As she picks it up between her hands, a flashback enters her mind.
Since she changed all of the cards, she had often used Return to visit Clow Reed. He had taught her many lessons about different ways to use the cards and some things that can be done using her magic alone. She remembers one of these lessons.
~*~*~*~ Flashback! ~*~*~*~
They were in Clow Reed's garden. Skaura loved coming here the most. The flowers were so beautiful and they bloomed fuller than any other she had ever seen. She had had a stond suspicion that Clow used magic, though she never asked. At the time of the flashback, they were both sitting in the grass. Clow had found an old paper in his study and had showed it to her.
"What is this, Clow-san?" she had asked.
"It's a spell, Sakura-san."
"A spell? What does it do?" she had asked curiously.
"It brings things that have lost their life, their life back."
"Honto? (really?) Then, why don't you use it?"
Instead of answering her, Clow stands and walks to another section of the garden. Curious, Sakura follows. They stop next to a bunch of blue bonnet flowers. Clow kneels and holds his hand to a certain one.
"Sakura-san, look at this flower."
Sakura kneels beside him. The flower he is pointing to is dead.
"Sakura-san, use the spell on this flower.:
"Okay."
Sakura brings the paper up so she can read the words.
"Life spirit from this shell.
The speaker of spells commands.
Use the magic within me.
Grant rebirth.
Rebirth to land!"
Finished, she looks down at the flower, expecting to see it lively and healthy. But it is still dead.
"Demo, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Huh? Nani?" Sakura looks at him, confused.
"Sakura-san, sometimes, to do what needs to be done, you have to bond your magic with another. The combined magic is stronger and capable of doing higher levels of magic."
~*~*~*~ End Flashback ~*~*~*~
'Higher levels of magic.' Sakura looks back at Syaoran, her grip on his sword tightening. 'If I can combine my magic with Syaoran-kun's then I could defeat Stimp-san easily. Demo, Syaoran-kun could get hurt.'
Syaoran looks up and meets her eyes. He reads a message there, as though she is asking his permission for something through her eyes. Not knowing what, he subcconsciously nods his agreement anyway. Anything she needed to do, he would be right behind her.
Seeing Syaoran nod renews her confidence. Picking up the star wand from where she had placed it on the ground, she holds Syaoran's sword against it. The point of the sword is in perfect alignment with the top point of the center star, as if they were made to fit each other. Closing her eyes, the words come to her and she speaks them willfully.
"Two magics of earth and star.
Combine you mights.
Vanquish the dark.
Release!"
Magical circles appear beneath both her and Syaoran. Pink and green magic threads surround the two magical weapons. The threads disperse, revealing the beautiful left behind.
The long, thin blade is shiny metal. Carved in a winding pattern from tip to crosshilt are cherry blossoms petals, giving the appearance of a windy day. The hilt is a darker shade of metal. The pomel stone is a ying yang, ying being green and yang being pink. The crosshilt is metal wings like the ones on the star staff. The grip is perfectly made to fit her hand, three sets of wolf tracks leading to the end of the hilt, where there is a beautiful howling wolf. Every hair is defined. Its eyes are gleaming emeralds. Sakura points the sword straight up. Stimp fires the dark ball but it is easily deflected by a sheild Sakura creates around herself.
The 54 Sakura cards (52 original+Hope+Dimension, remember?) circle around the tip of the lifted sword.
"You're right Stimp." Sakura and Syaoran speak as one voice, one mind, one magic. "It is over. But the end is not as you envisioned."
Sakura raises the weapon high as they both chant.
"Cards of mistress power,
Hear our words and obey.
Lend your might to the new source.
Combine!"
All the cards turn into a magic vapor and form a point stone of golden mist.
Stimp's eyes widen in panic as he senses her new magical stregnth.
"You're a foll. Both of you! You could die using that strong of magic!"
"No matter what, it will be alright in the end. If it means that we must die to rid you of killing others, than we shall do so willingly." S+S respond, bringing the sword into striking position.
Quick as lightning, as though Dash was in her feet, Sakura runs forward and slashes Stimp through the middle. Stimp's eyes widen in surprise, then mist over in death as he falls to the ground, not moving a muscle.
Arcanemon, who was thrashing at the sheild, suddenly stops. Dolphane remains skeptical and keeps up the field in caes of a trick.
"*Arcanemon?*" Keelah calls tentatively. "*Is that you?*"
Arcanemon turns to her and nods. Dolphane lowers the sheild, flies to the ground exausted and changes back into Keelah so that it moght rest.
The manacles holding Syaoran to the wall disappear unexpectedly and Syaoran lands on the ground hard on his bottom. (::tee hee. I couldn't resist.::)
"Itai. (ow.)" he mutters.
Carefully looking, he sees that the shield is gona as well and runs over to Sakura. She is kneeling on the ground. Syaoran's sword, her staff and her cards abondoned on the floor in front of her. He drops to the ground beside her, worried.
"Daijobou-ka, Sakura?"
"Iie." She replies, sobbing now. "I killed him, Syaoran-kun. I killed him with my own hands."
Syaoran, unsure of how to respond, wraps his arms around her head and lets her sob into his chest.
~*~*~*~ End chapter 12 ~*~*~*~
Keetra:: -wipes tear- I had to leave it at a sad note, didn't I? -brightens- well, at least I finally finished the longest chapter in the whole fic! 7 pages long. Wow. I never knew I could make on that long. Well, I hope you guys/ gals, excuse me, will forgive me for not getting this out at my hoped for goal of christmass.
Kero:: one more chapter to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Keelah:: -covers ears- there's one who is a little too excited about this.
Kero:: -grins sheepishly- considering I know what Keetra is gonna do to totally embarrass you in the next chapter, I would be happy too.
Keelah:: or could it be the fact that after she finishes this fic, she is going to keep writing Book Cover Judge and you won't be in it?
Kero:: little of both. ^^;;;;;
Keelah:: mhm. I'm sure.
Keetra:: well, as kero said, one more chapter. Man, I can't believe how short I made this fic. Why can't I write a long one? I had hoped thid fic would be 20 chapters at the least. -sigh- I hope I have better luck with Book Cover Judge. But with what I have so far for it, it seems doubtful. Well, plese review this chapter. Oh, and here. -hands out christmass packages to all- Inside you shall find what is the true meaning of christmass, whatever that may be to you.
Keelah:: how sentimetal. You and your love for human holidays.
Keetra:: oh, lighten up, kinta. No need to be a party pooper. -looks at kero-
Kero and Keetra:: -burst out in hard laughter-
Keelah:: -looks on in confusion- I may never understand those two.
Kero and Keetra:: -between laughters- R+R!
Keetra:: please R+R Book Cover Judge too if you haven't already. Arigatou! Ja ne!
Keetra:: konnichiwa! And merry christmass! Well, I hoping to get this out by christmass at least. ^^;;;;;;;;;;;;; well, I just have to say a veeeeeeeery big thank you to Azure-chan in this chapter. I dedicating it to her. First because she has been begging me for an action chapter for way too long (:P) and second cuz this chapter mayy not have been written if it weren't for her huge help in giving me some inspiration. So, arigatou gozaimasu, Azure-chan!
Kero:: what would you have done if she not helped you?
Keetra:: probably have either quit the fic, wrote a very sucky chapter or put it off and finish Book Cover Judge.
Kero:: NANI?!?!!? You woulda just quit this chapter two chapters form the end?
Keetra:: I said it was a possibility. Not a certainty.
Keelah:: hey Keetra, can I do the thank yous in this chapter for ya?
Keetra:: -slyly- you just want to see the review I will not let you see.
Keelah:: whatever gave you that idea?
Keetra:: hmmmmmmmmm. Maybe that there's an interesting review left by Angel- san?
Kero:: she left one? Uh oh. -runs and hides-
Keetra:: -smirks seing how kero has hidden- ok, keelah, go ahead.
Keelah:: YES! Ok, arigatous to.. -looks up keetra's reviews-
Azure-chan:: someone please explain how caffeine in humans can cause such unpredictable behavior? Or is it just you personality? Well, anyway. I am not sure that is what the Libra card does. From what I have heard, it was an extra card thrown in to give them 52. Why they needed 52 is beyond my comprehension. As for you being sane again... I truly hope this chapter calms your murderous impulses. -looks at figure beating a plush toy- if even only in the slightest.
Mitski::: hehehehehe. Now I get to have some fun. -takes out chains and locks Angel to the ground- and you think one of your puny plans can stop my madness? -takes out one of those hammers that squeaks when it hits someone- take this and this and this! Nyahahahahahahaha! Throws hammer to the side.- oh, to set the record straight, keetra askes for help. Noe me. I would never ask for this little human's help. I would never ask for any human's help! Gimme a break. You humans are too weak to help anybody. -points to the figure still on the floor- you can't even help yourselves. Nyahahahahaha! And keelah rules over all! -back to sanity (if there is such a thing)- oh, spell check still not working. Not know why but I guess it giving me lessons on spelling. I didn't check this one for mistakes so I aplologize ahead of time for any mistakes my kinta may have made. -slaps self- y r u aplologizing to humans? Ugh! Keetra:: -shakes head sadly, almost regreting decision to let keelah to the responses-
Ice Fire:: it would be confusing then, wouldn't it? I highly suggest reading the first one. Though, the rest is easy enough to understand without reading it. But you may get to know the plot a little better. It makes things a lot less confusing.
Alexandra-chan:: Was it that hard to belive that it was Stimp? I knew it all along. (kero:: cuz Keetra told u!) ^^;;; well, little human, if you liked last chapter, then I asure you that this one is much better. Well, enjoy, human.
Karisa:: yes u did beat her. And in the last chapter as well. She getting a little slow aint she? -evil grin- well, read and enjoy. While you still can. Nyahahahahahaha! (Kero:: I allways knew Keelah was a world dominater on the inside.)
Keetra:: well, that was interesting. Ok, just a few last words. Please read my new fic Book Cover Judge. It not have any anime characters in it. Just my own ones. But I need more reveiws on it. Thanks!
Disclaimer:: I not own it. I not wanna own it. -holds up the copyright laws- who wants to burn them? -holds up blowtorches- I brought the flames, so no leaving them in a review!
~*~*~*~ Chapter 12: Battle of the Past (part two) ~*~*~*~
Sakura throws a card onto the air and strikes it with her staff.
"Become the chain that binds, Windy!" she calls, activating the card.
The elemental spirit exists the card and flies towards Stimp. The blonde boy just smirks and takes a step back. He is instantly hidden by the shadows. Windy flies around, trying to find him, but to no avail. Stimp has succesfully hidden himself from the binding element's attack. Unable to attack, Windy reverts to its card form and returns to its master.
"Nice try little flower. But now it is my turn." His voice calls from the shadows.
'I may not be able to see his attack, but I can still defend myself against it.' She thinks to herself, whipping out a card.
"Sheild!"
A protective blue sheild surrounds her. From seemingly nowhere, a beam of energy stikes the sheild. Instead of blocking the attack, the sheild shatters into a thousand pieces. The beam hits Sakura at full force.
"Aiie!!" Sakura screams as she is thrown back.
Her screams just get louder as five more beams appear and strike her now unprotected body, creating long tears in her clothes and cuts in her skin.
"Sakura!" Syaoran calls out, trying yet again to break free of the manacles binding him to the wall. But it proves to be no more fruitfull than any of his other attempts. Sakura gets painfully to her feet as the attacks seem to subside. Just as she fully gets to her feet, Stimp sends another beam to knock her down.
'He's toying with me. He enjoys this. I can't attack him. I'm a sitting target for him.' Sakura's eyes open as an idea comes to her. 'What if he had more than one of me to worry about?' she wonders. Taking out two cards, she activates them with her wand.
"Mirror! Twin!"
Mirror makes a copy of Sakura, wand cuts and all, then Twin makes multiple doubles of Mirror's image. There are now about a couple hundred similar looking Sakuras in the area now.
'Alright! Well done, Ying Fa.' Syaoran congratulates her in his mind. Looking through the crowd, he sees the real Sakura kneeling down, trying to recover from the blows Simp had given her. He can only hope that she is hidden better from Stimp than she is from him. Syaoran's fears are alieved when Stimp lets out an angry growl of frustration.
"Frustrated, Stimp-san?" all of the Sakuras, including the real one, say as one. "You only had one target before and now there are hundreds. Only one of us is the real Sakura. Which one of us do you think it is?"
From the safety of the shadows, Stimp looks at the mass of humans of the same girl before him. He can't tell which of them is the real human. He can attack them one by one, but what good will that do for him? It will take forever to destroy them all. The two rivals seem to be at a stand-off.
Taking advantage of the pause, Sakura thinks over what to do next. (:: and so do i. ^^;;; -sigh- well, I gonna let Sakura think this one out and hope something comes to me::)
'I need a card that I can attack him with. But, I still don't know where he is! Ugh! Is there still a card I can use? Or do I have to surrender?' Sakura shakes her head hard. 'No, I'm not gona give up. Not this soon. I just need to thik of each of my cards' strengths. Windy didn't work last time. Firey? Maybe. No. None of the elements will work. Sword? Shot? Dash? Fly? Freeze? Thunder?! None of them will work!' Starting to feel a little tired because she is using so much magic with only two cards, she rubs her eyelids drowsily. 'WAIT!' Sakura's eyes snap wide open. 'That's it!' Sakura takes out the inspired card and looks at the fairy on its surface.
'It just might work. If I can get all of the other Sakruas to release fake Sleep cards as well, then Stimp still will not know where I am. Sleep can cover the area with sleep powder amd he'll fall asleep. In fact, I could put Arcanemon to sleep as well! Then we can get out of here!'
Upon finishing her thought, she looks around to see that all the other Sakuras have brought out fake Sleep cards, just as she had hoped. As one, thay all toss the card and activate it.
"Sleep!" they all call.
Hundred of fake sleep fairies burst from their cards and spread sleep powder over the area. Even the real Sakura has a hard time telling them apart. Looking to the side, she sees that Dolphane has risen a shield against the powder. Sadly, Arcanemon has raised one as well. Looking behind her, she sees that Stimp's sheild is protecting Syaoran, to her relief. Keetra, however, is not so lucky and falls into a deep sleep.
'What about Stimp-san?' Sakura thinks, looking around.
A beam shoots out and destroys one of the fakes.
'That answers my question. Kuso, it didn't work."
"Your attacks are useless against me, human! Your sleep minions are no threat to my power."
'He's right.' Sakura thinks to herself as another twin is destroyed. 'I can't use amy of my attack cards. How can you attack what you cannot see.' Another twin is struck by a beam. Sakura closes her eyes in defeat. 'Damned darkness.' Her eyes flash open in surprise at this random thought. 'Darkness. Eriol-kun once put the whole world into darkness. I had to transform the Light card to dispell it.' She brings out the card form her pocket. 'Light has the power to brighten the dark. If it works, Stimp-san will not be able to hide and all of my attack cards will work.' Kneeling down so as to not be seen, she taps the tip of her staff to the card.
"Light." She whispers.
A bursting light comes from the card and spreads over the entire area.
Stimp curses beneath his breath as he shields his eyes from the blinding light.
'Damn you, Card Mistress.'
The blinding light dies down. Allowinf everyone to see.
Stimp was not the only one blinded by the flash. The sudden light causes both Dolphane and Arcanemon to cringe away from each other in startlment. When the light dies down, both creatures shake their heads hard trying to be rid of the dots that flash in their vision. Dolphane recovers first and looks over at Arcanemon, who is still trying to clear his vision. Though she doesn't like it, Keelah knows she cannot let go of this unexpected oportunity. Dolphane opens its mouth, a blue orb appearing at the tip.
'I'm sory Arcanemon. I know you would understand why. Please forgive me.'
A blue jet of water erupts from the center of the orb and surrounds the white winged beast.
"*Arcanemon!*" Keelah calss to her friend's other form. "*Stop this! You must fight him. He is your enemy, not I!*"
"*I must obey master.*" a deep voice pierces within her mind.
Dolphane jerks its head in surprise. Noone had ever heard Arcanemon speak. It was thought he never posessed the ability to do so.
'That human must've done something.' Keelah thinks to herself.
"*Must kill Dolphane.*" Arcanemon thought-speaks. "*Order of master.*"
Arcanemon throws himself at Dolphane, but the water barrier holds strong. Despite this, he keeps pushing against it.
Stimp, hearing Arcanemon's growls of annoyance, look from the Sakuras to the two creatures. Seeing his servant's dilema gives him an evil idea. Raising his left hand he calls to the crowd of the same girl.
"So, Card Mistress, you have exposed me from the darkness. However, you are far from winning this match." Forming a ball of dark energy within his hand, he faces his palm at the unsuspecting dolphin. "Surrender, human, or your friend will die."
Sakura's face visibly pales.
"No! stop! You can't!" Sakura yells, not caring anymore if she is found.
"You underestimate me, pathetic human. Never do that."
He fires the dark ball straight at Dolphane. Time seems to slow as Sakura watches the ball fly.
'Iie, I have to help her. Demo, Sheild can't deflect his attacks. I need to find a way to erase his attack altogether. Huh? That's it!'
Sakura quickly pulls out a card and activates it.
"Erase!"
The juggler lloking form of the card appears and flaps its erasing blanket hard. Magical strings sprout from it and race towards Stimp's attack. They catch it a mere few inches from Dolphane's side and erase it from existance.
Angered by the fact his attack was erased, he turns back to his foe to only see one Sakura, standing alone with fire burning in her eyes.
"I'm not the only one guilty of underestimating my foe, Stimp-san." Sakura pulls a card from her pocket, carefull to conceal its identity, "Stimp-san, you lie and you cheat to get what you want. Both you and your master have claimed enough lives."
She fings the card on front of her and stikes it in one fluid, practiced motion.
"Firey!"
The enraged card bursts from its seal in a blaze of angry fire. With a flick of its wrist, Firey sends an eye-blinding jet of flame at Stimp, creating a cyclone around him. After a small amount of time, it gets smaller and thinner. Through the flames, Stimp is seen, gathering the flame surrounding him between his hands. He shoots the gathered flames back at the card, striking her hard in the head. The card is forced back to its card form, all the flames disappearing as she does so.
With a flick of his own wrist, Stimp sends Sakura flying back into the sheild surrounding Syaoran. The high electricity bounces her off it and she lands about five feet away.
"Now it is finished, little flower. Even with your magic enraged, and using your strongest attack card, you could not defeat me. It is time to end this game! Prepare to die, Kinomoto Sakura of Japan!"
He holds his left hand out, gathering dark energy within it one last time, and points his palm at the girl's weakened body.
Turning to get up, Sakura lets out a gasp of pain as something sharp cuts into her hip. Looking down to see what is hurting her, her eyes widen in recognition. It is Syaoran's sword, which he had earlier dropped. It has just been lying here all of this time. As she picks it up between her hands, a flashback enters her mind.
Since she changed all of the cards, she had often used Return to visit Clow Reed. He had taught her many lessons about different ways to use the cards and some things that can be done using her magic alone. She remembers one of these lessons.
~*~*~*~ Flashback! ~*~*~*~
They were in Clow Reed's garden. Skaura loved coming here the most. The flowers were so beautiful and they bloomed fuller than any other she had ever seen. She had had a stond suspicion that Clow used magic, though she never asked. At the time of the flashback, they were both sitting in the grass. Clow had found an old paper in his study and had showed it to her.
"What is this, Clow-san?" she had asked.
"It's a spell, Sakura-san."
"A spell? What does it do?" she had asked curiously.
"It brings things that have lost their life, their life back."
"Honto? (really?) Then, why don't you use it?"
Instead of answering her, Clow stands and walks to another section of the garden. Curious, Sakura follows. They stop next to a bunch of blue bonnet flowers. Clow kneels and holds his hand to a certain one.
"Sakura-san, look at this flower."
Sakura kneels beside him. The flower he is pointing to is dead.
"Sakura-san, use the spell on this flower.:
"Okay."
Sakura brings the paper up so she can read the words.
"Life spirit from this shell.
The speaker of spells commands.
Use the magic within me.
Grant rebirth.
Rebirth to land!"
Finished, she looks down at the flower, expecting to see it lively and healthy. But it is still dead.
"Demo, what did I do wrong?"
"Nothing."
"Huh? Nani?" Sakura looks at him, confused.
"Sakura-san, sometimes, to do what needs to be done, you have to bond your magic with another. The combined magic is stronger and capable of doing higher levels of magic."
~*~*~*~ End Flashback ~*~*~*~
'Higher levels of magic.' Sakura looks back at Syaoran, her grip on his sword tightening. 'If I can combine my magic with Syaoran-kun's then I could defeat Stimp-san easily. Demo, Syaoran-kun could get hurt.'
Syaoran looks up and meets her eyes. He reads a message there, as though she is asking his permission for something through her eyes. Not knowing what, he subcconsciously nods his agreement anyway. Anything she needed to do, he would be right behind her.
Seeing Syaoran nod renews her confidence. Picking up the star wand from where she had placed it on the ground, she holds Syaoran's sword against it. The point of the sword is in perfect alignment with the top point of the center star, as if they were made to fit each other. Closing her eyes, the words come to her and she speaks them willfully.
"Two magics of earth and star.
Combine you mights.
Vanquish the dark.
Release!"
Magical circles appear beneath both her and Syaoran. Pink and green magic threads surround the two magical weapons. The threads disperse, revealing the beautiful left behind.
The long, thin blade is shiny metal. Carved in a winding pattern from tip to crosshilt are cherry blossoms petals, giving the appearance of a windy day. The hilt is a darker shade of metal. The pomel stone is a ying yang, ying being green and yang being pink. The crosshilt is metal wings like the ones on the star staff. The grip is perfectly made to fit her hand, three sets of wolf tracks leading to the end of the hilt, where there is a beautiful howling wolf. Every hair is defined. Its eyes are gleaming emeralds. Sakura points the sword straight up. Stimp fires the dark ball but it is easily deflected by a sheild Sakura creates around herself.
The 54 Sakura cards (52 original+Hope+Dimension, remember?) circle around the tip of the lifted sword.
"You're right Stimp." Sakura and Syaoran speak as one voice, one mind, one magic. "It is over. But the end is not as you envisioned."
Sakura raises the weapon high as they both chant.
"Cards of mistress power,
Hear our words and obey.
Lend your might to the new source.
Combine!"
All the cards turn into a magic vapor and form a point stone of golden mist.
Stimp's eyes widen in panic as he senses her new magical stregnth.
"You're a foll. Both of you! You could die using that strong of magic!"
"No matter what, it will be alright in the end. If it means that we must die to rid you of killing others, than we shall do so willingly." S+S respond, bringing the sword into striking position.
Quick as lightning, as though Dash was in her feet, Sakura runs forward and slashes Stimp through the middle. Stimp's eyes widen in surprise, then mist over in death as he falls to the ground, not moving a muscle.
Arcanemon, who was thrashing at the sheild, suddenly stops. Dolphane remains skeptical and keeps up the field in caes of a trick.
"*Arcanemon?*" Keelah calls tentatively. "*Is that you?*"
Arcanemon turns to her and nods. Dolphane lowers the sheild, flies to the ground exausted and changes back into Keelah so that it moght rest.
The manacles holding Syaoran to the wall disappear unexpectedly and Syaoran lands on the ground hard on his bottom. (::tee hee. I couldn't resist.::)
"Itai. (ow.)" he mutters.
Carefully looking, he sees that the shield is gona as well and runs over to Sakura. She is kneeling on the ground. Syaoran's sword, her staff and her cards abondoned on the floor in front of her. He drops to the ground beside her, worried.
"Daijobou-ka, Sakura?"
"Iie." She replies, sobbing now. "I killed him, Syaoran-kun. I killed him with my own hands."
Syaoran, unsure of how to respond, wraps his arms around her head and lets her sob into his chest.
~*~*~*~ End chapter 12 ~*~*~*~
Keetra:: -wipes tear- I had to leave it at a sad note, didn't I? -brightens- well, at least I finally finished the longest chapter in the whole fic! 7 pages long. Wow. I never knew I could make on that long. Well, I hope you guys/ gals, excuse me, will forgive me for not getting this out at my hoped for goal of christmass.
Kero:: one more chapter to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Keelah:: -covers ears- there's one who is a little too excited about this.
Kero:: -grins sheepishly- considering I know what Keetra is gonna do to totally embarrass you in the next chapter, I would be happy too.
Keelah:: or could it be the fact that after she finishes this fic, she is going to keep writing Book Cover Judge and you won't be in it?
Kero:: little of both. ^^;;;;;
Keelah:: mhm. I'm sure.
Keetra:: well, as kero said, one more chapter. Man, I can't believe how short I made this fic. Why can't I write a long one? I had hoped thid fic would be 20 chapters at the least. -sigh- I hope I have better luck with Book Cover Judge. But with what I have so far for it, it seems doubtful. Well, plese review this chapter. Oh, and here. -hands out christmass packages to all- Inside you shall find what is the true meaning of christmass, whatever that may be to you.
Keelah:: how sentimetal. You and your love for human holidays.
Keetra:: oh, lighten up, kinta. No need to be a party pooper. -looks at kero-
Kero and Keetra:: -burst out in hard laughter-
Keelah:: -looks on in confusion- I may never understand those two.
Kero and Keetra:: -between laughters- R+R!
Keetra:: please R+R Book Cover Judge too if you haven't already. Arigatou! Ja ne!