By the way, Richard Angel is the same person as Richard Conner.
The Angelic Cards
Chapter 2
Carol was riding her bike to school when she nearly ran into Richard again.
"Ah!"
The two nearly crashed but Richard swerved out of the way.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Hoe. Yeah. Sorry about that. That seems to happen every time."
"Think nothing of it. By the way, when's your birthday?"
"Next week. Why? You already know that."
"Just checking."
Carol's eyes grew narrow.
"All right Richard. What are you planning?"
"You'll see."
"I'll see now!"
She jumped off of her bike and nearly landed on Richard. He just laughed and sped away. Carol growled and got back on her bike. A few blocks later she met up with Rebecca.
"Hey."
"Hey Carol. Did Richard act weird or anything?"
"Yeah. I think he's planning some sort of surprise for my birthday."
"Jack just said something about this thing he was planning. I wonder what it is?"
"They're probably planning something together for us."
"You think so?"
"Well, Jack already has your heart but Richard is still trying to win mine. Of course Jack's probably trying to do something to make you happy and Richard is trying to do something to win mine."
"It must be pretty big," said Rebecca, "with all this fuss."
"They just want to get us excited and unable to concentrate on anything else."
"I think it's working. I don't think I'll be able to concentrate for the rest of the week."
"Today is a Friday," said Carol, "How much can go wrong in one day?"
"The algebra quiz is today."
"Hoe! I forgot!"
"Carol, you'll never change."
"Shut up! It's not like I can do anything about my behavior!"
"Yeah sure. Come on. Let's go."
The two raced to class and burst in. A few seconds later the bell ran. Richard was already in class and looking calmly at the board. He glanced at Carol as she took her seat once and went back to his work. Carol saw him and immediately the surprise popped into her head. She tried to shake it out but just couldn't. When the quiz came Carol felt like she was going to die. Ten minutes after everyone else had finished she finally turned in her quiz. Her head was spinning after thinking so much about math. By the time the lunch bell rang she was half dead.
"This is all your fault!" Carol screamed at Richard.
"Me? What did I do?"
"You hinting about this surprise! I can't think about anything else!"
"Well Rebecca certainly is taking the hints better than you are."
Carol looked over just in time to see Rebecca choking Jack and demanding to know what the surprise was.
"Grr! I'm going to get you for this!"
A man in a black cloak walked into a dark chamber. He took his seat at the round table and pressed a key. A holographic image of Sakura appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen. As you know, this is the Card Mistress. We've also known for some time that her powers are growing far too rapidly and erratically."
"We could cut her off from her magic," suggested one woman, "Perhaps that would keep her from destroying the world."
"She is not the one we need to worry about," said another man. His face was hidden in the dark and his features were unreadable. "Her powers can be contained and controlled by her, but it is her daughter that will prove to be the greater problem."
"A more permanent solution should be considered," said a third man.
"No," the second one immediately said, "This council will not resort to such drastic measures. Her mother contained her powers by channeling them into the Sakura Cards. I believe we can find a similar solution."
"I agree."
The heads all turned to look at the speaker. He leaned forward and the light reflected off his glasses.
"Well Clow, where do you suggest we get another set of cards?" asked a woman.
Clow Reed, the creator of the Clow Cards, sighed.
"That will be a difficult task, but I believe there is a third set that we may utilize."
All waited for him to continue speaking. Clow took another deep breath.
"I am sure you remember these cards. They are powerful beyond belief, greater than the Clow Cards or Sakura Cards, and without a proper master or mistress one of them could destroy the world."
"We sealed those cards away," said another woman, "It would be blasphemy to release them upon the world again. Do you realize what would happen of Carol failed to capture them?"
"I am sure she is capable of doing so," said the first man, "Besides, we have no other choice short of death. We might as well try it."
"We have much to lose," said the woman.
"And we have much to gain," said Clow Reed, "It is time we acted."
The man that had walked in last leaned forward as well.
"Then I, Jake Blade, Master Sorcerer of Amerika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
All of them stood and the table and chairs disappeared.
"I, Blake Winters, Master Sorcerer of Europa, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Sarah Angel, Mistress Sorceress of Europa, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Caroline Blade, Mistress Sorceress of Amerika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Madoushi Reed, Mistress Sorceress of Asia, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Clow Reed, Master Sorcerer of Asia, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Rachel Angel, Mistress Sorceress of Afrika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Julie Ross, Mistress Sorceress of Afrika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
A large red circled appeared beneath their feet. More than a dozen red spots rose up and raced off. When they were all gone the circle disappeared.
"I hope we did the right thing," said Clow.
"It was that or allow the murder of an innocent to ensure the survival of the world," said Jake.
Richard jumped back and attacked the hologram. The hologram blocked his attack and countered his next few moves. He quickly rebounded and slashed through the image. The phone rang and he waved his hand. The receiver flew into his hand.
"Hello?"
"The Angelic Cards have been freed."
Richard gulped.
"I assume you want the Card Mistress to capture them," he replied.
"No," said Blake, "A new cardcaptor has been chosen."
"Very well Father."
"You will help her in her task."
"Her?"
"You are acquainted with her."
"Will I be able to use your deck?"
"No. I'm afraid that this is a battle that the two of you must fight without our help. However, there are others that can help you."
"The Blade family."
"Correct. I have full confidence that you will not fail."
Richard's father hung up and left him standing there.
"Carol. What the hell did you do to get yourself into this mess."
Kero was eating his usual afternoon snack when he suddenly felt a great power arising. He tried to find its location but found that his probe was being blocked.
"Sakura!"
Sakura stuck her head out of the bathroom.
"What is it Kero?"
"Something big is coming!"
Sakura quickly put her clothes back on and ran out. Li had also sensed it and was already in the living room with Carol.
"What is it?" asked Sakura.
"I don't know," said Li, "Something's blocking us."
Sakura put on her necklace with the Star Key and got the phone.
"Eriol? Yeah, we sensed it to. What is it?"
Somebody started ringing the doorbell and Carol ran to open it. Richard was standing outside looking even more serious than usual.
"Richard. What is it?"
"We need to get out of here," he said, "We should get to Eriol's house."
For some reason his voice sounded deeper and more mature and Carol felt compelled to obey.
"Okay. I'll get my parents."
Sakura listened to his daughter and told Eriol she was coming over. When they were out the door preparing to go into the garage Richard stopped them. He mumbled a few words and they were suddenly in front of Eriol's house. Eriol opened the door and let them in.
"Carol!"
Rebecca was sitting in the living room next to Jack.
"I assume this has something to do with the council's decision," said Jack.
Richard nodded. "They must really be desperate."
"What is this council?" asked Sakura.
Everyone standing sat down and waited for an answer.
"The Council of Mages," said Eriol, "The world is divided into four zones, each with its own representative in the Council of Mages. Clow Reed was and still is the representative of Asia."
"But isn't Clow Reed dead?" said Li, "How can he still be the representative?"
"His spirit still exists," said Richard, "as long as the Earth exists so will his spirit."
"Who are the other representatives?" asked Li.
"My parents are also members of the council," said Richard, "as is my mom's sister and Jack's parents."
Li whistled. "That has got to be the greatest concentration of powerful mages in the world."
"Each one has the power to destroy a world if they wanted to," said Jack, "They've been considering the possibility in replacing some of the dead council members with still alive ones."
"So who will they choose?" asked Li.
Both Richard and Jack avoided their gazes.
"I'm afraid that's classified," said Jack, "If we told you we'd both get our hides striped, if they aren't too mad."
"Great," said Li, "So could you at least tell me what that huge power surge we sensed earlier was?"
"Actually, that is one of the few things I can tell you," said Jack, "As you know, there are several decks of cards. The Cards of Light, the Cards of the Night, the Sakura Cards, and the Cards of the Eve. Currently, the Cards of Light and the Night are in the possession of Richard's family. The Cards of the Eve my mother here has."
Tomoyo smiled at the comment. Jack treated her as if she was his mother and loved her too.
"However, there is a final deck," Jack continued, "This deck was created by the most powerful evil in the known worlds. Ironically enough they are known as the Angelic Cards. There was a time when one mage was as powerful as all of the council members put together. This evil destroyed the six hundred sixty-six most powerful of those mages and used their magic to create thirty cards."
Everyone but Richard was looking at him in horror.
"In theory, these cards can be controlled," said Richard, "but the problem has always been that there was never a mage strong enough to do so. Not until now."
Both Richard's and Jack's gaze shifted to Carol, with everyone else following.
"Hoe! You mean I have to be the one who faces these cards!"
"That is correct," said Jack, "You must understand, the council is desperate. Carol, you don't seem to understand how great your powers are. If you lose control, you could destroy the world."
"What!"
"Hold it," said Li, "I know my daughter is powerful, but I seriously don't think she could destroy the world."
"Your wife can already do it," said Jack, "However, because her powers are being channeled into the Sakura Cards, they are contained. It is Carol whose powers are running wild. The only way the council saw of her controlling her powers is if she could channel her powers into a deck of cards of equal powers."
"You're hiding something," said Eriol.
Jack and Richard remained silent.
"Jack, please tell us what it is," Tomoyo said, speaking for the first time.
Jack and Richard exchanged looks and he finally sighed.
"Carol won't be able to control all that power," said Richard, "It would burn her out if she tried."
"So what's the point of her even trying?" Li demanded, "I'm not about to let my daughter die!"
"There are supposed to be a total of four cardcaptors this time."
That caught basically everyone else off guard.
"Four!" screamed Kero, "But that's impossible!"
"And even if that was, who are these other three?"
"You're looking at them," said Richard.
End of Chapter 2
I cannot believe how long it took me to write this up.
Z98
The Angelic Cards
Chapter 2
Carol was riding her bike to school when she nearly ran into Richard again.
"Ah!"
The two nearly crashed but Richard swerved out of the way.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Hoe. Yeah. Sorry about that. That seems to happen every time."
"Think nothing of it. By the way, when's your birthday?"
"Next week. Why? You already know that."
"Just checking."
Carol's eyes grew narrow.
"All right Richard. What are you planning?"
"You'll see."
"I'll see now!"
She jumped off of her bike and nearly landed on Richard. He just laughed and sped away. Carol growled and got back on her bike. A few blocks later she met up with Rebecca.
"Hey."
"Hey Carol. Did Richard act weird or anything?"
"Yeah. I think he's planning some sort of surprise for my birthday."
"Jack just said something about this thing he was planning. I wonder what it is?"
"They're probably planning something together for us."
"You think so?"
"Well, Jack already has your heart but Richard is still trying to win mine. Of course Jack's probably trying to do something to make you happy and Richard is trying to do something to win mine."
"It must be pretty big," said Rebecca, "with all this fuss."
"They just want to get us excited and unable to concentrate on anything else."
"I think it's working. I don't think I'll be able to concentrate for the rest of the week."
"Today is a Friday," said Carol, "How much can go wrong in one day?"
"The algebra quiz is today."
"Hoe! I forgot!"
"Carol, you'll never change."
"Shut up! It's not like I can do anything about my behavior!"
"Yeah sure. Come on. Let's go."
The two raced to class and burst in. A few seconds later the bell ran. Richard was already in class and looking calmly at the board. He glanced at Carol as she took her seat once and went back to his work. Carol saw him and immediately the surprise popped into her head. She tried to shake it out but just couldn't. When the quiz came Carol felt like she was going to die. Ten minutes after everyone else had finished she finally turned in her quiz. Her head was spinning after thinking so much about math. By the time the lunch bell rang she was half dead.
"This is all your fault!" Carol screamed at Richard.
"Me? What did I do?"
"You hinting about this surprise! I can't think about anything else!"
"Well Rebecca certainly is taking the hints better than you are."
Carol looked over just in time to see Rebecca choking Jack and demanding to know what the surprise was.
"Grr! I'm going to get you for this!"
A man in a black cloak walked into a dark chamber. He took his seat at the round table and pressed a key. A holographic image of Sakura appeared.
"Ladies and gentlemen. As you know, this is the Card Mistress. We've also known for some time that her powers are growing far too rapidly and erratically."
"We could cut her off from her magic," suggested one woman, "Perhaps that would keep her from destroying the world."
"She is not the one we need to worry about," said another man. His face was hidden in the dark and his features were unreadable. "Her powers can be contained and controlled by her, but it is her daughter that will prove to be the greater problem."
"A more permanent solution should be considered," said a third man.
"No," the second one immediately said, "This council will not resort to such drastic measures. Her mother contained her powers by channeling them into the Sakura Cards. I believe we can find a similar solution."
"I agree."
The heads all turned to look at the speaker. He leaned forward and the light reflected off his glasses.
"Well Clow, where do you suggest we get another set of cards?" asked a woman.
Clow Reed, the creator of the Clow Cards, sighed.
"That will be a difficult task, but I believe there is a third set that we may utilize."
All waited for him to continue speaking. Clow took another deep breath.
"I am sure you remember these cards. They are powerful beyond belief, greater than the Clow Cards or Sakura Cards, and without a proper master or mistress one of them could destroy the world."
"We sealed those cards away," said another woman, "It would be blasphemy to release them upon the world again. Do you realize what would happen of Carol failed to capture them?"
"I am sure she is capable of doing so," said the first man, "Besides, we have no other choice short of death. We might as well try it."
"We have much to lose," said the woman.
"And we have much to gain," said Clow Reed, "It is time we acted."
The man that had walked in last leaned forward as well.
"Then I, Jake Blade, Master Sorcerer of Amerika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
All of them stood and the table and chairs disappeared.
"I, Blake Winters, Master Sorcerer of Europa, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Sarah Angel, Mistress Sorceress of Europa, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Caroline Blade, Mistress Sorceress of Amerika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Madoushi Reed, Mistress Sorceress of Asia, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Clow Reed, Master Sorcerer of Asia, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Rachel Angel, Mistress Sorceress of Afrika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
"I, Julie Ross, Mistress Sorceress of Afrika, decree that the Angelic Cards be released."
A large red circled appeared beneath their feet. More than a dozen red spots rose up and raced off. When they were all gone the circle disappeared.
"I hope we did the right thing," said Clow.
"It was that or allow the murder of an innocent to ensure the survival of the world," said Jake.
Richard jumped back and attacked the hologram. The hologram blocked his attack and countered his next few moves. He quickly rebounded and slashed through the image. The phone rang and he waved his hand. The receiver flew into his hand.
"Hello?"
"The Angelic Cards have been freed."
Richard gulped.
"I assume you want the Card Mistress to capture them," he replied.
"No," said Blake, "A new cardcaptor has been chosen."
"Very well Father."
"You will help her in her task."
"Her?"
"You are acquainted with her."
"Will I be able to use your deck?"
"No. I'm afraid that this is a battle that the two of you must fight without our help. However, there are others that can help you."
"The Blade family."
"Correct. I have full confidence that you will not fail."
Richard's father hung up and left him standing there.
"Carol. What the hell did you do to get yourself into this mess."
Kero was eating his usual afternoon snack when he suddenly felt a great power arising. He tried to find its location but found that his probe was being blocked.
"Sakura!"
Sakura stuck her head out of the bathroom.
"What is it Kero?"
"Something big is coming!"
Sakura quickly put her clothes back on and ran out. Li had also sensed it and was already in the living room with Carol.
"What is it?" asked Sakura.
"I don't know," said Li, "Something's blocking us."
Sakura put on her necklace with the Star Key and got the phone.
"Eriol? Yeah, we sensed it to. What is it?"
Somebody started ringing the doorbell and Carol ran to open it. Richard was standing outside looking even more serious than usual.
"Richard. What is it?"
"We need to get out of here," he said, "We should get to Eriol's house."
For some reason his voice sounded deeper and more mature and Carol felt compelled to obey.
"Okay. I'll get my parents."
Sakura listened to his daughter and told Eriol she was coming over. When they were out the door preparing to go into the garage Richard stopped them. He mumbled a few words and they were suddenly in front of Eriol's house. Eriol opened the door and let them in.
"Carol!"
Rebecca was sitting in the living room next to Jack.
"I assume this has something to do with the council's decision," said Jack.
Richard nodded. "They must really be desperate."
"What is this council?" asked Sakura.
Everyone standing sat down and waited for an answer.
"The Council of Mages," said Eriol, "The world is divided into four zones, each with its own representative in the Council of Mages. Clow Reed was and still is the representative of Asia."
"But isn't Clow Reed dead?" said Li, "How can he still be the representative?"
"His spirit still exists," said Richard, "as long as the Earth exists so will his spirit."
"Who are the other representatives?" asked Li.
"My parents are also members of the council," said Richard, "as is my mom's sister and Jack's parents."
Li whistled. "That has got to be the greatest concentration of powerful mages in the world."
"Each one has the power to destroy a world if they wanted to," said Jack, "They've been considering the possibility in replacing some of the dead council members with still alive ones."
"So who will they choose?" asked Li.
Both Richard and Jack avoided their gazes.
"I'm afraid that's classified," said Jack, "If we told you we'd both get our hides striped, if they aren't too mad."
"Great," said Li, "So could you at least tell me what that huge power surge we sensed earlier was?"
"Actually, that is one of the few things I can tell you," said Jack, "As you know, there are several decks of cards. The Cards of Light, the Cards of the Night, the Sakura Cards, and the Cards of the Eve. Currently, the Cards of Light and the Night are in the possession of Richard's family. The Cards of the Eve my mother here has."
Tomoyo smiled at the comment. Jack treated her as if she was his mother and loved her too.
"However, there is a final deck," Jack continued, "This deck was created by the most powerful evil in the known worlds. Ironically enough they are known as the Angelic Cards. There was a time when one mage was as powerful as all of the council members put together. This evil destroyed the six hundred sixty-six most powerful of those mages and used their magic to create thirty cards."
Everyone but Richard was looking at him in horror.
"In theory, these cards can be controlled," said Richard, "but the problem has always been that there was never a mage strong enough to do so. Not until now."
Both Richard's and Jack's gaze shifted to Carol, with everyone else following.
"Hoe! You mean I have to be the one who faces these cards!"
"That is correct," said Jack, "You must understand, the council is desperate. Carol, you don't seem to understand how great your powers are. If you lose control, you could destroy the world."
"What!"
"Hold it," said Li, "I know my daughter is powerful, but I seriously don't think she could destroy the world."
"Your wife can already do it," said Jack, "However, because her powers are being channeled into the Sakura Cards, they are contained. It is Carol whose powers are running wild. The only way the council saw of her controlling her powers is if she could channel her powers into a deck of cards of equal powers."
"You're hiding something," said Eriol.
Jack and Richard remained silent.
"Jack, please tell us what it is," Tomoyo said, speaking for the first time.
Jack and Richard exchanged looks and he finally sighed.
"Carol won't be able to control all that power," said Richard, "It would burn her out if she tried."
"So what's the point of her even trying?" Li demanded, "I'm not about to let my daughter die!"
"There are supposed to be a total of four cardcaptors this time."
That caught basically everyone else off guard.
"Four!" screamed Kero, "But that's impossible!"
"And even if that was, who are these other three?"
"You're looking at them," said Richard.
End of Chapter 2
I cannot believe how long it took me to write this up.
Z98