Chapter twenty-six: Truth revealed.
Suddenly, from the darkness itself, Pericosu appeared. He was huge and dressed in completely black, with huge black wings, which was a sharp contrast to his pail skin, he looked around him hungrily, then focused his purple glowing spots of eyes on Sakura.
Keroberos and Spinal Sun came forwards first in defence of the young mistress of the Sakura cards.
They opened up with their best attacks, but their attacks seemed to bounce off Pericosu rather than inhibit him in any way. He swiped sideward, knocking Spinal Sun onto her side.
"Spinal Sun, no!" Keroberos ran to her and as he did he glowed, the golden winged sun symbol appeared under him a main surrounded his head and his silver armour changed to gold.
He reached Spinal Sun and put his wings over her: they glowed, becoming golden and larger like the armour, these wings sent golden glitter into the air, Pericosu reached out but was repelled by the golden glow. Spinal Sun came round momentarily. "Sun Lion," she uttered and then passed out again. Realising he could now do no harm to Keroberos or the one he was protecting, Pericosu moved deliberately towards Sakura again.
From some were Eriol shouted "Yue its time now change, become the Moon King for now and always protect Sakura-chan now and always just as you promised Touya you would!"
On these words, Yue went a little pail Sakura wondered breafly why, Yue then got in Pericosu's way, opening fire with his bow. Pericosu howled with rage and pain, but he was not deterred by Yues attacks. When Yue realised he wasn't stopping him and that Precious was still heading for Sakura, he flew down out of the sky and landed directly in front of him.
When he got quite close to Yue he suddenly looked very depressed, she suddenly realised that Yue needed to borrow his power, in order to transform into the Moon King, it was just like Keroberos had once said to her before, Yues power like the Moons light is borrowed from another source.
Sakura, realised she wanted to be that sauce, just as her brother had been for him to stay the first time, Sakura realised that was why Yue had gone pail he wasn't shore if she could support him fully formed yet, but Sakura knew in her heart that she could, Sakura was determined to show this to Yue and protect her friends and transforming Yue would hopefully do this. She quickly pulled out the sword card and called out her ritual ending with "Sword card realise."
Which it obediently did waiting patiently in her hand, for its purpose in being called upon. Yue was looking at her confused, she looked back at Yue and spoke to him for once in her life commandingly. "Yue-chan kneel down before me, in the position you were in at the time of the end of the final Judgment."
Yue did so looking even more confused then he had looked before she had spoken, Sakura touched him, with her sword, on both shoulders and spoke. "Rise my Warrior and King of the Moon my eternal Guardian, protect me from harm I pray always and be my friend and companion for the rest of time."
Yue rose and as he did this huge white light suddenly exploded out from him, the symbol of the winged silver moon with the star in the open part of it, appeared under him the light grew so bright that Sakura had to cover her eyes with her hands so as not to be blinded by it.
As soon as she took her hands away from her eyes her mouth fell open, Yue's wings now had silver veins in them, they were also much larger, they spread silver glitter into the air and seemed to glow, with a light all of there own, on his jewel was the same symbol that had transformed him, he was wearing what he had been in the play, crown, sword, cloak and all.
Pericosu seemed to back away from him slightly: Yue drew his sword, which had a blade of light. He attacked Pericosu for some time and it was retreating from his moves. Yue had Pericosu almost beaten, Sakura could sense that, but in a last ditch attempt to win and stay alive, Pericosu threw a sleep spell at Yue.
The spell flew through the air with deadly speed and it hit Yue full on. The spells affect was not instantaneous on the fully powered Knight and Warrior King of the Moon, who managed to look over to Touya and yell out, "Now." As he collapsed towards the ground, Yue glowed white for a moment and then vanished.
Sakura screamed out in horror and desperation, "Yue, no!"
But it was a cry that was no avail; he was gone to a place where he could not hear her calls. Sakura soon realised Pericosu had surrounded her on all sides in a dark ring.
After a moment of checking his possession and the possibility of any other attacks it spoke. "You have no one left to defend you, give me your power and the Clow cards."
Sakura was angry. "You took Yue from me, I will let no one do that to me, you will be defeated, for I am the one who believes that surely everything will be alright, and I am the mistress of the Sakura Cards."
Pericosu flinched at those words, then after looking round him to gain some confidence, he replied with a leer: "Which makes your power all the more worth devouring."
Without warning, Touya exploded with a white glittery flash into his Star Guardian form. Pericosu turned, his mouth opened as he was confronted by what was supposed to be a mere legend, he struck out with one of his hands at Touya but he flew into the air out of his reach.
Touya's eyes became distant, the winged star symbol appeared under him, many collared glitter spread into the air, as Touyas wings grew, his hair curled, the winged star symbol appeared on his silver stone and a sword appeared round his waist: he put his hands to his chest, a star shape grew there, a huge light shot into Pericosu and he exploded into a thousand pieces with a anguished howl.
Touya landed next to his sister. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. What am I saying, of course I'm not."
Sakura put her head on Touya's chest and began to cry her heart out.
Keroberos opened his wings and Spinal Sun, who was now fully conscious, walked out of them looking very awed. Keroberos went over to Sakura; he rubbed his head against her. Sakura looked down at him and sniffed,
"I like your new form."
"Thank you."
He showed her the winged star symbol now carved on his chest jewel, and the winged sun symbol on his head one.
"This means that I'm a fully grown guardian now, and yours forever more."
Sakura bent down and hugged Keroberos "I'm not going to lose you too, am I?"
Eriol walked out into the garden "You haven't lost Yue yet, Sakura-chan."
Sakura looked at Star Guardian. "His heart was never mine to begin with, but we should try to find him for the man, who he loves here."
Star Guardian looked at Sakura, confused. Ruby stalked over to Star Guardian; as she did she turned into Ruby Moon, who looked at him contemptuously. "So you're what all the fuss has been about."
Star Guardian looked at Ruby Moon. He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her very deeply. "I've been watching you for a very long time inside Touya and now I can finally do what I've always wanted to you."
Ruby Moon stood there stunned. He spoke again.
"My wife. After all, we were the ones united by Eriol-kun."
At which point, bowing to everyone assembled, he picked up Ruby Moon and walked into the house, ignoring every last single thing Ruby Moon said or threw at him as an insult.
Eriol and Sakura started to laugh, he then looked at her. "You were saying?"
Keroberos looked at Sakura "Besides which, Yue had the, winged moon symbol with a star in the normal empty open part, caved into his chest stone which means he is just as much yours forever more, as I am."
Sakura looked at Keroberos shocked for a moment before she said. "Well ok, Star Guardian doesn't love him, but that doesn't mean that Yue-chan loves me."
Eriol shook his head in despair. "No, of course not."
He saw something lying on the floor and picked it up.
"Sakura-chan, isn't this the mask of the man you danced with?"
Sakura took it and looked at it.
"Yes, it is, why, Eriol-kun?"
Eriol smiled at her. "Because it was lying on the spot where Yue vanished."
Sakura went pale. "So he was my Prince Charming."
Eriol nodded. "It looks like it."
Sakura grew even paler, so Eriol helped her inside where he bumped into Tomoyo.
"What's the matter with Sakura-chan?"
"She just discovered Yue was her mysterious partner and this means he loves her."
"Oh dear."
She peered into the pail face of Sakura
"I'll get her some soup, it might make her feel better."
Eriol looked at Keroberos and Spinal Sun. "Light a fire would you both please, whilst I sit her down and cover her with a warm blanket."
Keroberos and Spinal Sun nodded. She fetched the kindling, Keroberos got the firewood, and then the two of them lit the fire together. Eriol sat Sakura in his comfy chair and covered her with a blanket. A short while later Tomoyo entered with some soup for her.
"Here, Sakura-chan, drink this, it will make you feel better."
Sakura took the soup silently and drunk it, her eyes far away. Eriol looked at Tomoyo. "I'll go and phone her father and tell him that Sakura-chan is staying here for the night with you, me, Touya-san and Ruby-chan, because she isn't feeling too well. I'll phone Yukito-san's grandparents as well and tell them he is here with us too, to look after Sakura-chan for the night, I know they will understand. Keep an eye on Sakura-chan's condition whilst I'm gone, ok Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo nodded. "That's probably a very good idea and don't worry, I'll take good care of her, I always have and always will."
A short while later, Eriol returned. "He wanted to come and get Sakura-chan but I convinced him it would be better for her in her present state to stay where she is. As for Yukito-kun's grandparents, they were fine about him staying to look after Sakura-chan."
Tomoyo nodded, then Eriol looked at Spinal Sun. "Spinal Sun, would you please fetch me the maps of the local area?"
Spinal Sun nodded and went over to a corner of the study, pulling out the map; she then carried it over to Eriol and deposited it in his open hand. He smiled down at Spinal Sun and then patted her. "Thank you for fetching it."
Spinal Sun smiled at Eriol "It's no problem, Eriol."
She then walked away and sat down next to Keroberos. Eriol looked at Keroberos and felt the Clow Reed part of him want to come forward so he allowed it to do so. "Keroberos."
Keroberos looked at him. "Clow-sama."
"Yes. I see you now have your full power."
Keroberos smiled. "Yes, I do, old master, as does Yue. Who now sleeps enchanted. I think Eriol-kun is going to try and help Sakura-chan find out where he is sleeping."
"Good because knowing that stubborn old moon rabbit, he won't be easy to find."
Then he was gone. Eriol blinked, looking a little dazed for a moment, and then he started to consult his maps of the town. Sakura, meanwhile, had fallen asleep in the chair, so Tomoyo came over to the table to help Eriol if she could. The two whispered quietly together until the late hours of the night when they fell asleep on the table.
Suddenly, from the darkness itself, Pericosu appeared. He was huge and dressed in completely black, with huge black wings, which was a sharp contrast to his pail skin, he looked around him hungrily, then focused his purple glowing spots of eyes on Sakura.
Keroberos and Spinal Sun came forwards first in defence of the young mistress of the Sakura cards.
They opened up with their best attacks, but their attacks seemed to bounce off Pericosu rather than inhibit him in any way. He swiped sideward, knocking Spinal Sun onto her side.
"Spinal Sun, no!" Keroberos ran to her and as he did he glowed, the golden winged sun symbol appeared under him a main surrounded his head and his silver armour changed to gold.
He reached Spinal Sun and put his wings over her: they glowed, becoming golden and larger like the armour, these wings sent golden glitter into the air, Pericosu reached out but was repelled by the golden glow. Spinal Sun came round momentarily. "Sun Lion," she uttered and then passed out again. Realising he could now do no harm to Keroberos or the one he was protecting, Pericosu moved deliberately towards Sakura again.
From some were Eriol shouted "Yue its time now change, become the Moon King for now and always protect Sakura-chan now and always just as you promised Touya you would!"
On these words, Yue went a little pail Sakura wondered breafly why, Yue then got in Pericosu's way, opening fire with his bow. Pericosu howled with rage and pain, but he was not deterred by Yues attacks. When Yue realised he wasn't stopping him and that Precious was still heading for Sakura, he flew down out of the sky and landed directly in front of him.
When he got quite close to Yue he suddenly looked very depressed, she suddenly realised that Yue needed to borrow his power, in order to transform into the Moon King, it was just like Keroberos had once said to her before, Yues power like the Moons light is borrowed from another source.
Sakura, realised she wanted to be that sauce, just as her brother had been for him to stay the first time, Sakura realised that was why Yue had gone pail he wasn't shore if she could support him fully formed yet, but Sakura knew in her heart that she could, Sakura was determined to show this to Yue and protect her friends and transforming Yue would hopefully do this. She quickly pulled out the sword card and called out her ritual ending with "Sword card realise."
Which it obediently did waiting patiently in her hand, for its purpose in being called upon. Yue was looking at her confused, she looked back at Yue and spoke to him for once in her life commandingly. "Yue-chan kneel down before me, in the position you were in at the time of the end of the final Judgment."
Yue did so looking even more confused then he had looked before she had spoken, Sakura touched him, with her sword, on both shoulders and spoke. "Rise my Warrior and King of the Moon my eternal Guardian, protect me from harm I pray always and be my friend and companion for the rest of time."
Yue rose and as he did this huge white light suddenly exploded out from him, the symbol of the winged silver moon with the star in the open part of it, appeared under him the light grew so bright that Sakura had to cover her eyes with her hands so as not to be blinded by it.
As soon as she took her hands away from her eyes her mouth fell open, Yue's wings now had silver veins in them, they were also much larger, they spread silver glitter into the air and seemed to glow, with a light all of there own, on his jewel was the same symbol that had transformed him, he was wearing what he had been in the play, crown, sword, cloak and all.
Pericosu seemed to back away from him slightly: Yue drew his sword, which had a blade of light. He attacked Pericosu for some time and it was retreating from his moves. Yue had Pericosu almost beaten, Sakura could sense that, but in a last ditch attempt to win and stay alive, Pericosu threw a sleep spell at Yue.
The spell flew through the air with deadly speed and it hit Yue full on. The spells affect was not instantaneous on the fully powered Knight and Warrior King of the Moon, who managed to look over to Touya and yell out, "Now." As he collapsed towards the ground, Yue glowed white for a moment and then vanished.
Sakura screamed out in horror and desperation, "Yue, no!"
But it was a cry that was no avail; he was gone to a place where he could not hear her calls. Sakura soon realised Pericosu had surrounded her on all sides in a dark ring.
After a moment of checking his possession and the possibility of any other attacks it spoke. "You have no one left to defend you, give me your power and the Clow cards."
Sakura was angry. "You took Yue from me, I will let no one do that to me, you will be defeated, for I am the one who believes that surely everything will be alright, and I am the mistress of the Sakura Cards."
Pericosu flinched at those words, then after looking round him to gain some confidence, he replied with a leer: "Which makes your power all the more worth devouring."
Without warning, Touya exploded with a white glittery flash into his Star Guardian form. Pericosu turned, his mouth opened as he was confronted by what was supposed to be a mere legend, he struck out with one of his hands at Touya but he flew into the air out of his reach.
Touya's eyes became distant, the winged star symbol appeared under him, many collared glitter spread into the air, as Touyas wings grew, his hair curled, the winged star symbol appeared on his silver stone and a sword appeared round his waist: he put his hands to his chest, a star shape grew there, a huge light shot into Pericosu and he exploded into a thousand pieces with a anguished howl.
Touya landed next to his sister. "Are you alright?"
"Yes. What am I saying, of course I'm not."
Sakura put her head on Touya's chest and began to cry her heart out.
Keroberos opened his wings and Spinal Sun, who was now fully conscious, walked out of them looking very awed. Keroberos went over to Sakura; he rubbed his head against her. Sakura looked down at him and sniffed,
"I like your new form."
"Thank you."
He showed her the winged star symbol now carved on his chest jewel, and the winged sun symbol on his head one.
"This means that I'm a fully grown guardian now, and yours forever more."
Sakura bent down and hugged Keroberos "I'm not going to lose you too, am I?"
Eriol walked out into the garden "You haven't lost Yue yet, Sakura-chan."
Sakura looked at Star Guardian. "His heart was never mine to begin with, but we should try to find him for the man, who he loves here."
Star Guardian looked at Sakura, confused. Ruby stalked over to Star Guardian; as she did she turned into Ruby Moon, who looked at him contemptuously. "So you're what all the fuss has been about."
Star Guardian looked at Ruby Moon. He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her very deeply. "I've been watching you for a very long time inside Touya and now I can finally do what I've always wanted to you."
Ruby Moon stood there stunned. He spoke again.
"My wife. After all, we were the ones united by Eriol-kun."
At which point, bowing to everyone assembled, he picked up Ruby Moon and walked into the house, ignoring every last single thing Ruby Moon said or threw at him as an insult.
Eriol and Sakura started to laugh, he then looked at her. "You were saying?"
Keroberos looked at Sakura "Besides which, Yue had the, winged moon symbol with a star in the normal empty open part, caved into his chest stone which means he is just as much yours forever more, as I am."
Sakura looked at Keroberos shocked for a moment before she said. "Well ok, Star Guardian doesn't love him, but that doesn't mean that Yue-chan loves me."
Eriol shook his head in despair. "No, of course not."
He saw something lying on the floor and picked it up.
"Sakura-chan, isn't this the mask of the man you danced with?"
Sakura took it and looked at it.
"Yes, it is, why, Eriol-kun?"
Eriol smiled at her. "Because it was lying on the spot where Yue vanished."
Sakura went pale. "So he was my Prince Charming."
Eriol nodded. "It looks like it."
Sakura grew even paler, so Eriol helped her inside where he bumped into Tomoyo.
"What's the matter with Sakura-chan?"
"She just discovered Yue was her mysterious partner and this means he loves her."
"Oh dear."
She peered into the pail face of Sakura
"I'll get her some soup, it might make her feel better."
Eriol looked at Keroberos and Spinal Sun. "Light a fire would you both please, whilst I sit her down and cover her with a warm blanket."
Keroberos and Spinal Sun nodded. She fetched the kindling, Keroberos got the firewood, and then the two of them lit the fire together. Eriol sat Sakura in his comfy chair and covered her with a blanket. A short while later Tomoyo entered with some soup for her.
"Here, Sakura-chan, drink this, it will make you feel better."
Sakura took the soup silently and drunk it, her eyes far away. Eriol looked at Tomoyo. "I'll go and phone her father and tell him that Sakura-chan is staying here for the night with you, me, Touya-san and Ruby-chan, because she isn't feeling too well. I'll phone Yukito-san's grandparents as well and tell them he is here with us too, to look after Sakura-chan for the night, I know they will understand. Keep an eye on Sakura-chan's condition whilst I'm gone, ok Tomoyo-chan?"
Tomoyo nodded. "That's probably a very good idea and don't worry, I'll take good care of her, I always have and always will."
A short while later, Eriol returned. "He wanted to come and get Sakura-chan but I convinced him it would be better for her in her present state to stay where she is. As for Yukito-kun's grandparents, they were fine about him staying to look after Sakura-chan."
Tomoyo nodded, then Eriol looked at Spinal Sun. "Spinal Sun, would you please fetch me the maps of the local area?"
Spinal Sun nodded and went over to a corner of the study, pulling out the map; she then carried it over to Eriol and deposited it in his open hand. He smiled down at Spinal Sun and then patted her. "Thank you for fetching it."
Spinal Sun smiled at Eriol "It's no problem, Eriol."
She then walked away and sat down next to Keroberos. Eriol looked at Keroberos and felt the Clow Reed part of him want to come forward so he allowed it to do so. "Keroberos."
Keroberos looked at him. "Clow-sama."
"Yes. I see you now have your full power."
Keroberos smiled. "Yes, I do, old master, as does Yue. Who now sleeps enchanted. I think Eriol-kun is going to try and help Sakura-chan find out where he is sleeping."
"Good because knowing that stubborn old moon rabbit, he won't be easy to find."
Then he was gone. Eriol blinked, looking a little dazed for a moment, and then he started to consult his maps of the town. Sakura, meanwhile, had fallen asleep in the chair, so Tomoyo came over to the table to help Eriol if she could. The two whispered quietly together until the late hours of the night when they fell asleep on the table.