DISCLAIMER: WHO OWNS CCS? NOT ME!
f-teardrops: Hello hello hello! Chapter 2 is up and running and ready to read!
Jamie: Yessssssssssss! *waves her pompoms into the air*
Lydia: Could you stop that? It's freaking me out.
f-teardrops: Me too. I thought you were the levelheaded one of the group.
Jamie: Nooooooo! I'm getting tired of being always so prudent and reserved! I need to express myself! I need to find my inner soul! I need to find freedom! The only way I can do that is through cheerleading! Yes! 1 and a 2 and a 3! And a 1 and a 2 and a 3!
Lydia: I think the suspense has drove her a little insane.
f-teardrops: I think so too. We'd better hurry and get on with the story!
Lydia: Right!
~IN THE HALLWAY~
As Sakura was about to push open the door, a strong gust of wind slammed it shut and made it impossible to budge. "Wha---?" Sakura cried, but suddenly she was interrupted by Syaoran.
"The Cards!" he cried, pointing to the stairwell. Climbing up was Sweet, followed by a flying Sleep. The two looked serious and grim as they approached their Card Mistress.
"Sleep? Sweet? What's wrong?" Sakura asked, confusion evident on her features.
The two Cards just glared at their Mistress and said nothing, whispering to each other again. Sakura noticed that both seemed to have a black aura to them. And then she saw it---at the same time Syaoran did. A streak of purple light zoomed up the stairwell and towards them at breakneck speed. Before Sakura or Syaoran could react, it rushed into Sakura's room, and Sweet and Sleep followed it in obediently. The door locked shut behind them instantly, and stood solid and still. "It's that purple streak again!" Syaoran growled.
"You mean you've seen it too?" Sakura cried in surprise.
"I've been catching glances of it all day," Syaoran said seriously. "But I thought I was imagining things, until now. You saw it?"
"Yes, after school today. So did Tomoyo," Sakura said quickly. "What is it? And why did it go into my room?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know, but it feels pretty powerful." Syaoran muttered. He concentrated hard on the door. "Do you sense it?" he asked softly.
Sakura concentrated, and could feel two distinctly powerful auras---one purple, one blue. "Yes." She said softly. "What does this all mean? I don't understand it."
"I don't, either," Syaoran growled. "But I aim to find out. We have to get inside your room, Sakura." He turned the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. Syaoran then tried kicking so he could knock the door down, but that didn't help, either. "This doorway's sealed with magic," he confirmed. "Sakura, can you use a Card?"
"Well." Sakura hesitated, remembering how Sweet and Sleep had glared at her. "I guess so." She took out the Sakura Cards from one of her pockets--- Sakura made sure to keep the cards with her at all times, just in case--- and picked one. Using her star-tipped staff, she tapped the card. "Through Card! Release and dispel!" Sakura cried. Gracefully the card spirit emerged from the card and stood before her Mistress expectantly. "Through Card, I want you to create a portal through my door," Sakura explained.
The Through Card bowed in acknowledgement and went over to the door. She easily penetrated the magical force field that had been put there and made a hole that clearly showed Sakura's room on the other side. "Great!" Syaoran nodded. "Let's go in!"
"Right," Sakura replied and climbed through the portal, Syaoran close behind and the Through Card last. They emerged in Sakura's room and stood still, shocked.
"What in the world?" Syaoran breathed.
The room looked normal enough, but it was its occupants that were abnormal- looking. Two were the Sweet and Sleep Cards, standing submissively in a corner with the same black aura around them. The other was Keroberos, who stood growling at what seemed to be another Keroberos, only blue in color with silver eyes. Next to the Keroberos-lookalike stood a tall, purple- colored figure, resembling Yue, but for a few startling differences. This Yue had red eyes instead of the pale, white orbs that Sakura knew so well, and his hair was black instead of silver.
"Yue? Keroberos?" Sakura gasped. "I don't understand."
"Sakura!" cried the golden Keroberos. "You must get away from this place!"
"But Keroberos! Who are these other two?" Sakura cried.
"I don't know!" Keroberos growled. "Just get out of this house, NOW! And whatever you do, DON"T use any of the cards!"
"Wha--? Why?" Sakura asked, completely and utterly confused.
At that moment, the purple-robed Yue-lookalike glided up to her. "It would be wise if you were to follow your Guardian's instructions," he hissed softly. "Unless you are nothing more than an idiot."
"Yue?" Sakura gasped. "What happened to you?"
"My name is not Yue," the figure hissed. "Now leave, little girl."
"Come ON, Sakura," Syaoran whispered urgently, pulling Sakura with him. "We've got to go, like Keroberos said. I don't want to risk your safety."
The Yue-lookalike chuckled. "Sakura Kinomoto will not be harmed here," he said softly, "Unless he comes, that is,"
"Who?" Sakura asked in barely a whisper.
"That is none of your business, brat," the blue Keroberos snarled, turning to face Sakura. "Now get out, before I make you!"
"You'll have to get past me first!" Sakura's Keroberos growled, blocking the blue one's way. "And I won't let you pass as long as I live!"
"Pompous nincompoop," the blue Keroberos growled, and slashed Keroberos across his nose, causing him to roar with pain.
"Keroberos!" Sakura cried, rushing towards her Guardian. She prepared to summon sword, but was stopped abruptly by Syaoran.
"Sakura, no! Keroberos said not to use the Cards!" he cried, grabbing her. "It's too dangerous here! Through Card, where are you?"
"She's with us now." Sweet said simply through a telepathic link. Sakura and Syaoran looked up and saw the Card standing before them, with Sleep standing beside her and Through lounging behind. All of them had a black auras shining brilliantly around them, and were sneering at Sakura.
"What do you mean?" Sakura choked out, confused and hurt.
"What they mean," said the exasperated Yue-lookalike, "Is that they don't belong to you anymore. The Clow Cards have a new Master, and it's not you, little girl."
"What have you done to them?" Syaoran demanded, staring at "Yue", his face livid with rage that he was affecting Sakura like this.
"Simple. I showed them who their true Master should have been." The purple figure said emotionlessly. "That purple streak you saw lingering around you two all day? It was I. I had to get close to the so-called 'Card Mistress' in order to work my Master's magic into the cards."
"Who is your Master?" Sakura asked, still in that soft and serious tone of voice.
"That's not for you to know," the Yue-lookalike grinned evilly. "Sleep! Attack them!" he commanded.
"No Sleep! Don't listen to him!" Sakura cried, but the card ignored her.
"Sakura, you've got to get out of your room!" Syaoran cried as he pulled Sakura away from Sleep's attack. "Use fly!"
Reluctantly, Sakura agreed. "Fly! Release and dispel!" Sakura and Syaoran sprouted wings and flew out through the open window. As they escaped, Keroberos followed, close behind. He swooped around and finally landed on the ground, where Sakura stood with Syaoran, dazed. "I don't understand." she whispered, as tears slid down her face. "Why didn't the Cards listen to me?"
"There's some evil magic at work here," Keroberos growled. "I can feel it."
"Don't cry, Sakura," Syaoran said gently as he wiped away a tear. "We'll get to the bottom of this, together."
"Syaoran." Sakura muttered, and buried her face into Syaoran's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're here with me." Keroberos politely looked away and coughed. The couple instantly drew apart, faces red.
"Mistress Sakura, we still have a problem," he said matter-of-factly. "Those two are still up in your room, and will be coming after you next. I suggest we leave immediately before their 'Master' comes to try to harm you,"
Sakura nodded in agreement, but then her eyes widened. "We can't leave now! Tomoyo and Meiling are still inside, and Touya too! What if those two try to capture them?"
"I'll find the girls. You two get Touya out," Syaoran said, and without another word he rushed inside the house.
"Be careful, Syaoran!" Sakura called. She made a move to leave for the house, but a pair of wings stopped her.
"It's too dangerous in there, Sakura," Keroberos growled. "I'll go in myself."
"But Keroberos!" Sakura pleaded.
"No buts!" Keroberos said firmly. He couldn't resist using the exact same phrase Sakura had used on him earlier, though he knew this was not exactly the perfect time to be putting it into use. "I'm going to go in and come out. It'll be as easy as cak---no, pie. I contacted Yue telepathically---he should be here shortly. Until then, WaIt HeRe. Those two look-alikes are very powerful. I fear for what evil they may be trying to bake---cook up." He emphasized the last two words, and left for the house.
Sakura wanted to go with Keroberos, but decided to listen to him. After all, she owed him something after the cake argument. Which he was kind enough to mention in his conversation with her. Stamping her feet with sheer impatience and nerves, Sakura resigned herself to waiting for her friends.
~IN THE BASEMENT LIBRARY~
Tomoyo had steadily steered Meiling away from Sakura, Syaoran, and the cake until they had finally reached the library. "I didn't know Sakura had a library," Meiling said, feigning interest.
"It's actually her father's," Tomoyo explained. "This is where Sakura first found the Clow Book."
"Really?" Meiling scanned the shelves with awakened enthusiasm. "You think there might be a few more around here?"
Tomoyo giggled. "Something tells me I don't think so, Meiling," she answered seriously.
~SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE~
[Come on, come on,] Syaoran thought to himself as he opened countless doors of the Kinomoto residence. [Where are you, Meiling and Tomoyo? You need to get out of this house!] Faintly, Syaoran thought he heard two chattering voices. [Bingo.] he turned towards the direction of the sound and ran as fast as he could.
~THE LIVING ROOM~
"Come. . .on!" Keroberos growled as he attempted to pull Touya onto his back. "We've. . .got. . .to. . .get. . .moving!" After a few more failed tries, Keroberos gave up. "Fine then. Guess we'll have to do this the hard way." Opening his jaws, Keroberos closed them around Touya's waist, and flew up into the air, with Sakura's unconscious brother between his teeth. He flapped his powerful wings and flew out the door to the front yard.
~OUTSIDE~
"Is he alright?" Sakura asked worriedly as she looked over her bother.
"He's fine. Just asleep," Keroberos replied confidently.
"Are you sure?" Sakura asked. "He looks a little pale."
"Don't worry," Keroberos said reassuringly. "I felt his life force while I was carrying him out. He's perfectly fine."
"I wished you didn't try to eat him, Keroberos," Sakura scolded him.
"What? Eat him?" Keroberos gaped at Sakura.
"Well, how do you describe clamping someone between your jaws?" Sakura folded her arms.
"Carrying." Keroberos said simply.
"....." Sakura said nothing. At that moment, Yue----the real Yue---- appeared from the sky, and landed by Sakura's side.
"You called, Keroberos. What is wrong?" he asked. "Are you alright, Mistress Sakura?"
"Yes," Sakura said, brightening a bit. "I'm glad you came, Yue."
"And I too," Keroberos growled. "Strange things have been going on."
"Oh?" Yue said softly.
"Yes. Let me fill you in on what happened," Keroberos began to speak. "I went upstairs to Sakura's room, only to find an exact copy of my true form-- -in blue---looking around for something, it seemed. When I confronted him, he demanded to know where Sakura was, and when I refused to tell him, he promised that Sakura would pay."
"For what?" Yue asked emotionlessly.
"That I did not know," Keroberos admitted, "As the copycat attacked me. I changed into my true form and we were about to fight when a streak of purple light appeared, materializing him into a copy of you, Yue. With him with Sweet and Sleep, who seemed to be radiating an unfamiliar black aura, not Sakura's, and very powerful, the same type of aura from the two phonies." Kerobero's eyes narrowed. "As soon as I felt that, I knew something was wrong, as the Cards obeyed no one but Sakura and it seemed that the shams had gotten control of them somehow. That's when I contacted you. And then, Sakura entered." Keroberos proceeded to explain all that went on.
When he was finished, Sakura looked shocked. "You mean. . ." she said slowly. "Those two are trying to steal the Cards from me?"
Keroberos nodded.
"But why?" Sakura asked. "Who is this Master they're talking about? And how did they know I had the Cards?"
"The Clow Cards---or Sakura Cards, have very powerful magical auras. Anyone with magical capabilities would have been able to sense them," Keroberos explained. "As for their Master, I am at a loss as to who he could be."
Sakura shook her head in frustration. "Hoeee. . .this is so confusing!" she wailed.
~SAKURA'S ROOM~
The two Yue and Keroberos copies stood silently on opposite ends of the room, contemplating over the recent turn of events. "It looks like my counterpart is here," purple Yue said with interest. "And it seems he is in the middle of a deep discussion with your other self, Kezobelos."
"Hmph." The cat-like creature stretched, and glanced at the three Sakura Cards under their control. "How long before Master wakes, Yui?" he inquired.
"Not long now," 'Yui' replied. "Those bratty fools have no idea what's coming. Master will destroy them all."
"I hope," Kezobelos growled. "They seem nothing more to me than a weak and useless bunch of kids."
"I agree." Yui nodded. "How in the world could something as powerful as the Clow Cards have been captured by a little girl? It's pathetic, and a disgrace to the Clow family's name!"
Kezobelos merely nodded, and the two stared out at the four figures below. "I wonder where that boy brat went," he remarked, almost lazily.
"He went in to rescue the others, so I've heard," Yui sneered. "Friends of that girl."
"Shouldn't we stop him?" Kezobelos looked alarmed.
Yui chuckled. "No. Master wouldn't have wanted us to. He always wanted to play with them before he knocked them down."
"I see." Kezobelos nodded. The two Guardians stood in Sakura's room, waiting and watching.
"Let them do as they wish," Yui sneered. "Soon, there'll be none of them left." He turned to face Kezoberos. "Have you found it yet?" he demanded.
Kezoberos shook his head. "I've looked all around this girl's room. Nothing. She must have been pretty clever to have hidden it away so effectively."
"Perhaps," Yui growled. "But it won't stay hidden for long."
~IN THE BASEMENT LIBRARY~
In the library, Tomoyo and Meiling were browsing through the shelves and glancing at the books on them. Most were strictly focused on science or archaeology, but there were a few that the two girls found amusing. "Hello, what's this?" Meiling grinned as she pulled down a bright yellow book. "Hmm...//1001 Ways to Toast a Tarun Without Him Eating You First//?! That's a weird one." She quickly put it back and pulled out another volume. "//Sir Teabag's Guide to Hot Air Balloons//.hmm, nah. Let's take a look at this one: //Louis Destoryer's Guide to Mass Destruction, Self Destruction, and Total Annihilation//. Sakura's father sure has some strange books."
"I agree," Tomoyo called from the other side of the library. "I found an especially weird one. It's called //The Journal of falling-teardrops//. You won't believe some of the things she wrote in here. There's a mention about a worldwide conspiracy, and someone named 'Louis Destroyer', 'Lydia', 'Jamie' and something about balloons, bagels, and a petition against the existence of math.well, it's just very hard to understand." (. .*ahem*..) With one last confused glance, Tomoyo decided to put the journal back onto the shelf. As she did so, she accidentally hit another book, which fell to the floor. Tomoyo leaned down to pick the fallen book up. It was made of black leather and looked very thick and dusty. Tomoyo blew away a layer of dust and wiped away the rest on the cover. "What's this?" she mumbled as she read the title. "The Journal of. . .some word starting with E . . .notes. . .out. . .the years. . .something. . .and one last word that ends in 'ic'" Tomoyo looked utterly perplexed. "Well, this is the most interesting book I've come up with yet!" She peered closer, and was surprised to see that it was shut tight with a tiny silver lock. "A lock? This gets more and more intriguing." As she was about to investigate the volume further, the basement door slammed open, causing Meiling and Tomoyo to jump.
"There you are!" Syaoran cried, gasping. "We have to get out of Sakura's house. Now."
"What's wrong, Syaoran?" Meiling asked, immediately concerned.
"I'll explain this to you later. We've got to get out---and away---from here." Syaoran said urgently. "Let's go!" he turned towards the exit door of the basement, closely followed by Meiling and Tomoyo, who had in her hands the black book. They quickly half ran, half trotted through Sakura's house and finally ended up outside. There, Sakura embraced Meiling and Tomoyo in relief.
"I'm so glad you two are okay!" Sakura cried.
"What's wrong, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked, immediately alarmed by her friend's tone of voice.
"Well.." Sakura hesitated.
~SAKURA'S ROOM~
Yui and Kezobelos suddenly looked up. "Is it time?" Kezobelos whispered.
"Yes," Yui replied slowly.
"Excellent." Kezobelos licked his lips. "And then?"
"We shall see." Yui said slowly, and fell silent.
Behind them, Sleep, Sweet, and Through stared out the window wordlessly.
Master had awakened.
~OUTSIDE~
"That's terrible!" Tomoyo gasped, and grasped Sakura's hand. "Why would anyone want to steal from you, Sakura?"
"I don't know," Sakura mumbled. "But I'm guessing they're trying to use the Cards for some evil intention. That's why I have to stop them." She gripped her staff tightly.
"But how are you going to do that Kinomoto, if you can't use the Cards?" Meiling demanded. "Every time you let them out, it seems to fall under those two's power."
"Maybe," Sakura said, "Fly wasn't taken, so there must be a way."
"How can we find out?" Keroberos groaned. "Before they come after us, I mean," he added, glowering at Sakura's window.
"We'll have to think hard," Yue mused. "Could it be that Fly was only out for a short time, and so it was unable to be captured?"
"So was Through," Sakura added. "But they caught her easily."
Syaoran, who was thinking hard, suddenly blinked. "Sakura! Remember your face-off with Eriol?"
"Yes," Sakura nodded. "What about it?"
"Remember when he said something about the Dark and Light Cards unable to change Masters easily because of their loyalty?" Syaoran added quickly. "And the cards you caught first were also the most loyal?"
"Uh-huh," Sakura nodded slowly.
"I get it!" Tomoyo cried, brightening. "Dark and Light are the most loyal of the Cards, as well as all the Cards Sakura captured first! They must be more resistant against the Yue and Kerobero look-alikes!" She clapped her hands happily.
"Really?" Sakura's face displayed hope.
"In that case," Keroberos remarked. "The most loyal Cards in Sakura's deck would be the first ten Cards: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Sword, and the last two: Dark and Light. Anything after that would be less resistant."
"Very smart of you to figure that out," a voice behind them sneered. "But they'll all come over to our side eventually."
Instantly Keroberos and Yue had turned around, only to face Yui and Kezoberos. "What are you two phonies doing here?" Keroberos growled.
"I think you've made a mistake," Kezoberos growled, and pressed his face close to Kerobero's. "We are the true Guardians of the House of Clow. You two are the copies."
"What?" Keroberos backed away. "But.that's impossible! Clow Reed created us- --"
"Clow Reed," Yui interrupted. "Was nothing more than a fool. A weak fool."
"How dare you insult our former Master!" Yue growled, stepping forward. "Clow Reed was one of the greatest magic-wielders of all time!"
"Really?" Yui asked, eyes flashing.
"Of course!" Syaoran said as he too, stepped forward. "Look, we have no idea who you two are, or what you're doing here, but I suggest you get away from Sakura. Now. And give back the Cards."
"Oh?" Yui's face twisted into a cold smile. "And how are you going to make me?" It was then that Syaoran realized he had no weapons whatsoever that he could defend himself with. Silently cursing himself, he glared at the two figures.
Kezoberos noticed and chuckled, then turned to face Sakura. "Give us the cards, and we'll let you and your friends off easy." he growled. "Or face the consequences."
"Never." Sakura said, staring defiantly back, though she was shaking.
"Sakura. ." Tomoyo whispered softly, placing a hand on Sakura's shaking shoulders.
There was a tense moment. Syaoran, Yue, and Keroberos were all glaring at Yui and Kezoberos, who were staring back at them with expressions of utmost disgust. Sakura was trying her best to look brave, while Tomoyo was trying her best to comfort her friend. Meiling stood back, feeling a little bit useless. Finally, she broke the silence by speaking out.
"Leave us alone!" she growled menacingly. "We don't even know you frauds!"
"My, my," Kezoberos hissed. "Six against two isn't very fair, is it?" he growled. "But it's a good thing that Master's awakened." As he spoke, Sweet, Sleep, and Through appeared behind him, their eyes listless and still staring at the sky, as they had done in Sakura's room.
"Master?" Sakura whispered.
"Look." Yui stated, pointing to the heavens, an expression of smugness on his features.
As he spoke, a great darkness suddenly enveloped the skies. At that moment, Touya stirred, and woke up. "What the---?" he blinked in confusion. "Sakura? What did you do?" Nobody answered him, as they were all concentrating on the sky. Touya also looked up, and saw that a huge black cloud had blocked all of the sunshine and was rapidly swirling in a counterclockwise direction towards a glowing blue hole that had suddenly appeared from the sky. Slowly but surely, a figure began to emerge from its depths, clutching a staff in a hand swallowed by large, airy, sleeves. With a sudden explosion of light, the figure escaped the hole, which instantly vanished. However, the menacing cloud remained.
"Master is here." Yui said simply, and flew up, followed by Kezoberos. The mysterious figure nodded slightly at the two as a sign of recognition. He was dressed in a Sorcerer's robes, with a giant round hat. In fact, as Sakura stared at him, her eyes suddenly widened.
"Is that. . .?" she did not dare to breathe the name.
~THE END~
f-teardrops: *cackles evilly* Excellent, excellent!
Lydia: Another cliffhanger?
f-teardrops: Yes! Oh, the smell of suspense is so sweet! *cackles evilly some more*
Lydia: .......
Jamie: This was a long chapter. But there are some interesting developments. So who's the figure?
f-teardrops: Oh, that? It's Yui and Kezoberos' Master, none other than ******** I like that new twist on Yue and Keroberos' names! Yui! Kezoberos! Yay!
Jamie: *sweatdrops* Um, who did you say the person was again? ?_?
f-teardrops: I can't tell you! :b
Jamie: Darn.
Lydia: *recovers* Hey Jamie, you're not acting like a cheerleader anymore!
Jamie: Oh, I got tired of that. Instead, I will video-tape everything I see, just like Tomoyo! *whips out a camera* Say cheese!
Lydia: WHAT?!
f-teardrops: Actually, Tomoyo's only subject of video-taping is Sakura.
Jamie: *whips camera over to face f-teardrops* True, but I'm not Tomoyo, I'm Video Captor Jamie! Smile!
f-teardrops: NOOO! KEEP THAT CAMERA AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR VIDEO!
Jamie: Too late! Gotcha!
f-teardrops: You are so evil! Give me that camera!
Jamie: Never! *runs away*
f-teardrops: Oh yeah? Come back here! *chases after Jamie*
Lydia: I think we have too many scenes of people chasing people around here. . .can't we think of something else?
f-teardrops: *from far away* I HEARD THAT!
Lydia: Oops. Can't upset the authoress. ^o^;;;
Jamie: *out of breath* Here, Lydia! Take my camera and guard it! *runs away*
Lydia: Wha----? *gulps* Hey, wait!
f-teardrops: *very angry and waving around a kitchen knife* GIVE ME THAT CAMERA!
Lydia: Hehe. Here you go. *tosses camera to f-teardrops and cautiously sneaks out*
f-teardrops: Whew! Finally. Now, all I have to do is----WHAT THE???? THIS ISN'T A REAL CAMERA! IT'S JUST A TOY! JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Jamie: *hiding somewhere, clutching the real camera* Muahahahahaha.... _
~TO BE CONTINUED~
f-teardrops: Hello hello hello! Chapter 2 is up and running and ready to read!
Jamie: Yessssssssssss! *waves her pompoms into the air*
Lydia: Could you stop that? It's freaking me out.
f-teardrops: Me too. I thought you were the levelheaded one of the group.
Jamie: Nooooooo! I'm getting tired of being always so prudent and reserved! I need to express myself! I need to find my inner soul! I need to find freedom! The only way I can do that is through cheerleading! Yes! 1 and a 2 and a 3! And a 1 and a 2 and a 3!
Lydia: I think the suspense has drove her a little insane.
f-teardrops: I think so too. We'd better hurry and get on with the story!
Lydia: Right!
~IN THE HALLWAY~
As Sakura was about to push open the door, a strong gust of wind slammed it shut and made it impossible to budge. "Wha---?" Sakura cried, but suddenly she was interrupted by Syaoran.
"The Cards!" he cried, pointing to the stairwell. Climbing up was Sweet, followed by a flying Sleep. The two looked serious and grim as they approached their Card Mistress.
"Sleep? Sweet? What's wrong?" Sakura asked, confusion evident on her features.
The two Cards just glared at their Mistress and said nothing, whispering to each other again. Sakura noticed that both seemed to have a black aura to them. And then she saw it---at the same time Syaoran did. A streak of purple light zoomed up the stairwell and towards them at breakneck speed. Before Sakura or Syaoran could react, it rushed into Sakura's room, and Sweet and Sleep followed it in obediently. The door locked shut behind them instantly, and stood solid and still. "It's that purple streak again!" Syaoran growled.
"You mean you've seen it too?" Sakura cried in surprise.
"I've been catching glances of it all day," Syaoran said seriously. "But I thought I was imagining things, until now. You saw it?"
"Yes, after school today. So did Tomoyo," Sakura said quickly. "What is it? And why did it go into my room?" Sakura asked.
"I don't know, but it feels pretty powerful." Syaoran muttered. He concentrated hard on the door. "Do you sense it?" he asked softly.
Sakura concentrated, and could feel two distinctly powerful auras---one purple, one blue. "Yes." She said softly. "What does this all mean? I don't understand it."
"I don't, either," Syaoran growled. "But I aim to find out. We have to get inside your room, Sakura." He turned the doorknob, but it wouldn't budge. Syaoran then tried kicking so he could knock the door down, but that didn't help, either. "This doorway's sealed with magic," he confirmed. "Sakura, can you use a Card?"
"Well." Sakura hesitated, remembering how Sweet and Sleep had glared at her. "I guess so." She took out the Sakura Cards from one of her pockets--- Sakura made sure to keep the cards with her at all times, just in case--- and picked one. Using her star-tipped staff, she tapped the card. "Through Card! Release and dispel!" Sakura cried. Gracefully the card spirit emerged from the card and stood before her Mistress expectantly. "Through Card, I want you to create a portal through my door," Sakura explained.
The Through Card bowed in acknowledgement and went over to the door. She easily penetrated the magical force field that had been put there and made a hole that clearly showed Sakura's room on the other side. "Great!" Syaoran nodded. "Let's go in!"
"Right," Sakura replied and climbed through the portal, Syaoran close behind and the Through Card last. They emerged in Sakura's room and stood still, shocked.
"What in the world?" Syaoran breathed.
The room looked normal enough, but it was its occupants that were abnormal- looking. Two were the Sweet and Sleep Cards, standing submissively in a corner with the same black aura around them. The other was Keroberos, who stood growling at what seemed to be another Keroberos, only blue in color with silver eyes. Next to the Keroberos-lookalike stood a tall, purple- colored figure, resembling Yue, but for a few startling differences. This Yue had red eyes instead of the pale, white orbs that Sakura knew so well, and his hair was black instead of silver.
"Yue? Keroberos?" Sakura gasped. "I don't understand."
"Sakura!" cried the golden Keroberos. "You must get away from this place!"
"But Keroberos! Who are these other two?" Sakura cried.
"I don't know!" Keroberos growled. "Just get out of this house, NOW! And whatever you do, DON"T use any of the cards!"
"Wha--? Why?" Sakura asked, completely and utterly confused.
At that moment, the purple-robed Yue-lookalike glided up to her. "It would be wise if you were to follow your Guardian's instructions," he hissed softly. "Unless you are nothing more than an idiot."
"Yue?" Sakura gasped. "What happened to you?"
"My name is not Yue," the figure hissed. "Now leave, little girl."
"Come ON, Sakura," Syaoran whispered urgently, pulling Sakura with him. "We've got to go, like Keroberos said. I don't want to risk your safety."
The Yue-lookalike chuckled. "Sakura Kinomoto will not be harmed here," he said softly, "Unless he comes, that is,"
"Who?" Sakura asked in barely a whisper.
"That is none of your business, brat," the blue Keroberos snarled, turning to face Sakura. "Now get out, before I make you!"
"You'll have to get past me first!" Sakura's Keroberos growled, blocking the blue one's way. "And I won't let you pass as long as I live!"
"Pompous nincompoop," the blue Keroberos growled, and slashed Keroberos across his nose, causing him to roar with pain.
"Keroberos!" Sakura cried, rushing towards her Guardian. She prepared to summon sword, but was stopped abruptly by Syaoran.
"Sakura, no! Keroberos said not to use the Cards!" he cried, grabbing her. "It's too dangerous here! Through Card, where are you?"
"She's with us now." Sweet said simply through a telepathic link. Sakura and Syaoran looked up and saw the Card standing before them, with Sleep standing beside her and Through lounging behind. All of them had a black auras shining brilliantly around them, and were sneering at Sakura.
"What do you mean?" Sakura choked out, confused and hurt.
"What they mean," said the exasperated Yue-lookalike, "Is that they don't belong to you anymore. The Clow Cards have a new Master, and it's not you, little girl."
"What have you done to them?" Syaoran demanded, staring at "Yue", his face livid with rage that he was affecting Sakura like this.
"Simple. I showed them who their true Master should have been." The purple figure said emotionlessly. "That purple streak you saw lingering around you two all day? It was I. I had to get close to the so-called 'Card Mistress' in order to work my Master's magic into the cards."
"Who is your Master?" Sakura asked, still in that soft and serious tone of voice.
"That's not for you to know," the Yue-lookalike grinned evilly. "Sleep! Attack them!" he commanded.
"No Sleep! Don't listen to him!" Sakura cried, but the card ignored her.
"Sakura, you've got to get out of your room!" Syaoran cried as he pulled Sakura away from Sleep's attack. "Use fly!"
Reluctantly, Sakura agreed. "Fly! Release and dispel!" Sakura and Syaoran sprouted wings and flew out through the open window. As they escaped, Keroberos followed, close behind. He swooped around and finally landed on the ground, where Sakura stood with Syaoran, dazed. "I don't understand." she whispered, as tears slid down her face. "Why didn't the Cards listen to me?"
"There's some evil magic at work here," Keroberos growled. "I can feel it."
"Don't cry, Sakura," Syaoran said gently as he wiped away a tear. "We'll get to the bottom of this, together."
"Syaoran." Sakura muttered, and buried her face into Syaoran's shoulder. "I'm so glad you're here with me." Keroberos politely looked away and coughed. The couple instantly drew apart, faces red.
"Mistress Sakura, we still have a problem," he said matter-of-factly. "Those two are still up in your room, and will be coming after you next. I suggest we leave immediately before their 'Master' comes to try to harm you,"
Sakura nodded in agreement, but then her eyes widened. "We can't leave now! Tomoyo and Meiling are still inside, and Touya too! What if those two try to capture them?"
"I'll find the girls. You two get Touya out," Syaoran said, and without another word he rushed inside the house.
"Be careful, Syaoran!" Sakura called. She made a move to leave for the house, but a pair of wings stopped her.
"It's too dangerous in there, Sakura," Keroberos growled. "I'll go in myself."
"But Keroberos!" Sakura pleaded.
"No buts!" Keroberos said firmly. He couldn't resist using the exact same phrase Sakura had used on him earlier, though he knew this was not exactly the perfect time to be putting it into use. "I'm going to go in and come out. It'll be as easy as cak---no, pie. I contacted Yue telepathically---he should be here shortly. Until then, WaIt HeRe. Those two look-alikes are very powerful. I fear for what evil they may be trying to bake---cook up." He emphasized the last two words, and left for the house.
Sakura wanted to go with Keroberos, but decided to listen to him. After all, she owed him something after the cake argument. Which he was kind enough to mention in his conversation with her. Stamping her feet with sheer impatience and nerves, Sakura resigned herself to waiting for her friends.
~IN THE BASEMENT LIBRARY~
Tomoyo had steadily steered Meiling away from Sakura, Syaoran, and the cake until they had finally reached the library. "I didn't know Sakura had a library," Meiling said, feigning interest.
"It's actually her father's," Tomoyo explained. "This is where Sakura first found the Clow Book."
"Really?" Meiling scanned the shelves with awakened enthusiasm. "You think there might be a few more around here?"
Tomoyo giggled. "Something tells me I don't think so, Meiling," she answered seriously.
~SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE~
[Come on, come on,] Syaoran thought to himself as he opened countless doors of the Kinomoto residence. [Where are you, Meiling and Tomoyo? You need to get out of this house!] Faintly, Syaoran thought he heard two chattering voices. [Bingo.] he turned towards the direction of the sound and ran as fast as he could.
~THE LIVING ROOM~
"Come. . .on!" Keroberos growled as he attempted to pull Touya onto his back. "We've. . .got. . .to. . .get. . .moving!" After a few more failed tries, Keroberos gave up. "Fine then. Guess we'll have to do this the hard way." Opening his jaws, Keroberos closed them around Touya's waist, and flew up into the air, with Sakura's unconscious brother between his teeth. He flapped his powerful wings and flew out the door to the front yard.
~OUTSIDE~
"Is he alright?" Sakura asked worriedly as she looked over her bother.
"He's fine. Just asleep," Keroberos replied confidently.
"Are you sure?" Sakura asked. "He looks a little pale."
"Don't worry," Keroberos said reassuringly. "I felt his life force while I was carrying him out. He's perfectly fine."
"I wished you didn't try to eat him, Keroberos," Sakura scolded him.
"What? Eat him?" Keroberos gaped at Sakura.
"Well, how do you describe clamping someone between your jaws?" Sakura folded her arms.
"Carrying." Keroberos said simply.
"....." Sakura said nothing. At that moment, Yue----the real Yue---- appeared from the sky, and landed by Sakura's side.
"You called, Keroberos. What is wrong?" he asked. "Are you alright, Mistress Sakura?"
"Yes," Sakura said, brightening a bit. "I'm glad you came, Yue."
"And I too," Keroberos growled. "Strange things have been going on."
"Oh?" Yue said softly.
"Yes. Let me fill you in on what happened," Keroberos began to speak. "I went upstairs to Sakura's room, only to find an exact copy of my true form-- -in blue---looking around for something, it seemed. When I confronted him, he demanded to know where Sakura was, and when I refused to tell him, he promised that Sakura would pay."
"For what?" Yue asked emotionlessly.
"That I did not know," Keroberos admitted, "As the copycat attacked me. I changed into my true form and we were about to fight when a streak of purple light appeared, materializing him into a copy of you, Yue. With him with Sweet and Sleep, who seemed to be radiating an unfamiliar black aura, not Sakura's, and very powerful, the same type of aura from the two phonies." Kerobero's eyes narrowed. "As soon as I felt that, I knew something was wrong, as the Cards obeyed no one but Sakura and it seemed that the shams had gotten control of them somehow. That's when I contacted you. And then, Sakura entered." Keroberos proceeded to explain all that went on.
When he was finished, Sakura looked shocked. "You mean. . ." she said slowly. "Those two are trying to steal the Cards from me?"
Keroberos nodded.
"But why?" Sakura asked. "Who is this Master they're talking about? And how did they know I had the Cards?"
"The Clow Cards---or Sakura Cards, have very powerful magical auras. Anyone with magical capabilities would have been able to sense them," Keroberos explained. "As for their Master, I am at a loss as to who he could be."
Sakura shook her head in frustration. "Hoeee. . .this is so confusing!" she wailed.
~SAKURA'S ROOM~
The two Yue and Keroberos copies stood silently on opposite ends of the room, contemplating over the recent turn of events. "It looks like my counterpart is here," purple Yue said with interest. "And it seems he is in the middle of a deep discussion with your other self, Kezobelos."
"Hmph." The cat-like creature stretched, and glanced at the three Sakura Cards under their control. "How long before Master wakes, Yui?" he inquired.
"Not long now," 'Yui' replied. "Those bratty fools have no idea what's coming. Master will destroy them all."
"I hope," Kezobelos growled. "They seem nothing more to me than a weak and useless bunch of kids."
"I agree." Yui nodded. "How in the world could something as powerful as the Clow Cards have been captured by a little girl? It's pathetic, and a disgrace to the Clow family's name!"
Kezobelos merely nodded, and the two stared out at the four figures below. "I wonder where that boy brat went," he remarked, almost lazily.
"He went in to rescue the others, so I've heard," Yui sneered. "Friends of that girl."
"Shouldn't we stop him?" Kezobelos looked alarmed.
Yui chuckled. "No. Master wouldn't have wanted us to. He always wanted to play with them before he knocked them down."
"I see." Kezobelos nodded. The two Guardians stood in Sakura's room, waiting and watching.
"Let them do as they wish," Yui sneered. "Soon, there'll be none of them left." He turned to face Kezoberos. "Have you found it yet?" he demanded.
Kezoberos shook his head. "I've looked all around this girl's room. Nothing. She must have been pretty clever to have hidden it away so effectively."
"Perhaps," Yui growled. "But it won't stay hidden for long."
~IN THE BASEMENT LIBRARY~
In the library, Tomoyo and Meiling were browsing through the shelves and glancing at the books on them. Most were strictly focused on science or archaeology, but there were a few that the two girls found amusing. "Hello, what's this?" Meiling grinned as she pulled down a bright yellow book. "Hmm...//1001 Ways to Toast a Tarun Without Him Eating You First//?! That's a weird one." She quickly put it back and pulled out another volume. "//Sir Teabag's Guide to Hot Air Balloons//.hmm, nah. Let's take a look at this one: //Louis Destoryer's Guide to Mass Destruction, Self Destruction, and Total Annihilation//. Sakura's father sure has some strange books."
"I agree," Tomoyo called from the other side of the library. "I found an especially weird one. It's called //The Journal of falling-teardrops//. You won't believe some of the things she wrote in here. There's a mention about a worldwide conspiracy, and someone named 'Louis Destroyer', 'Lydia', 'Jamie' and something about balloons, bagels, and a petition against the existence of math.well, it's just very hard to understand." (. .*ahem*..) With one last confused glance, Tomoyo decided to put the journal back onto the shelf. As she did so, she accidentally hit another book, which fell to the floor. Tomoyo leaned down to pick the fallen book up. It was made of black leather and looked very thick and dusty. Tomoyo blew away a layer of dust and wiped away the rest on the cover. "What's this?" she mumbled as she read the title. "The Journal of. . .some word starting with E . . .notes. . .out. . .the years. . .something. . .and one last word that ends in 'ic'" Tomoyo looked utterly perplexed. "Well, this is the most interesting book I've come up with yet!" She peered closer, and was surprised to see that it was shut tight with a tiny silver lock. "A lock? This gets more and more intriguing." As she was about to investigate the volume further, the basement door slammed open, causing Meiling and Tomoyo to jump.
"There you are!" Syaoran cried, gasping. "We have to get out of Sakura's house. Now."
"What's wrong, Syaoran?" Meiling asked, immediately concerned.
"I'll explain this to you later. We've got to get out---and away---from here." Syaoran said urgently. "Let's go!" he turned towards the exit door of the basement, closely followed by Meiling and Tomoyo, who had in her hands the black book. They quickly half ran, half trotted through Sakura's house and finally ended up outside. There, Sakura embraced Meiling and Tomoyo in relief.
"I'm so glad you two are okay!" Sakura cried.
"What's wrong, Sakura?" Tomoyo asked, immediately alarmed by her friend's tone of voice.
"Well.." Sakura hesitated.
~SAKURA'S ROOM~
Yui and Kezobelos suddenly looked up. "Is it time?" Kezobelos whispered.
"Yes," Yui replied slowly.
"Excellent." Kezobelos licked his lips. "And then?"
"We shall see." Yui said slowly, and fell silent.
Behind them, Sleep, Sweet, and Through stared out the window wordlessly.
Master had awakened.
~OUTSIDE~
"That's terrible!" Tomoyo gasped, and grasped Sakura's hand. "Why would anyone want to steal from you, Sakura?"
"I don't know," Sakura mumbled. "But I'm guessing they're trying to use the Cards for some evil intention. That's why I have to stop them." She gripped her staff tightly.
"But how are you going to do that Kinomoto, if you can't use the Cards?" Meiling demanded. "Every time you let them out, it seems to fall under those two's power."
"Maybe," Sakura said, "Fly wasn't taken, so there must be a way."
"How can we find out?" Keroberos groaned. "Before they come after us, I mean," he added, glowering at Sakura's window.
"We'll have to think hard," Yue mused. "Could it be that Fly was only out for a short time, and so it was unable to be captured?"
"So was Through," Sakura added. "But they caught her easily."
Syaoran, who was thinking hard, suddenly blinked. "Sakura! Remember your face-off with Eriol?"
"Yes," Sakura nodded. "What about it?"
"Remember when he said something about the Dark and Light Cards unable to change Masters easily because of their loyalty?" Syaoran added quickly. "And the cards you caught first were also the most loyal?"
"Uh-huh," Sakura nodded slowly.
"I get it!" Tomoyo cried, brightening. "Dark and Light are the most loyal of the Cards, as well as all the Cards Sakura captured first! They must be more resistant against the Yue and Kerobero look-alikes!" She clapped her hands happily.
"Really?" Sakura's face displayed hope.
"In that case," Keroberos remarked. "The most loyal Cards in Sakura's deck would be the first ten Cards: Windy, Fly, Shadow, Watery, Rain, Wood, Jump, Illusion, Silence, Sword, and the last two: Dark and Light. Anything after that would be less resistant."
"Very smart of you to figure that out," a voice behind them sneered. "But they'll all come over to our side eventually."
Instantly Keroberos and Yue had turned around, only to face Yui and Kezoberos. "What are you two phonies doing here?" Keroberos growled.
"I think you've made a mistake," Kezoberos growled, and pressed his face close to Kerobero's. "We are the true Guardians of the House of Clow. You two are the copies."
"What?" Keroberos backed away. "But.that's impossible! Clow Reed created us- --"
"Clow Reed," Yui interrupted. "Was nothing more than a fool. A weak fool."
"How dare you insult our former Master!" Yue growled, stepping forward. "Clow Reed was one of the greatest magic-wielders of all time!"
"Really?" Yui asked, eyes flashing.
"Of course!" Syaoran said as he too, stepped forward. "Look, we have no idea who you two are, or what you're doing here, but I suggest you get away from Sakura. Now. And give back the Cards."
"Oh?" Yui's face twisted into a cold smile. "And how are you going to make me?" It was then that Syaoran realized he had no weapons whatsoever that he could defend himself with. Silently cursing himself, he glared at the two figures.
Kezoberos noticed and chuckled, then turned to face Sakura. "Give us the cards, and we'll let you and your friends off easy." he growled. "Or face the consequences."
"Never." Sakura said, staring defiantly back, though she was shaking.
"Sakura. ." Tomoyo whispered softly, placing a hand on Sakura's shaking shoulders.
There was a tense moment. Syaoran, Yue, and Keroberos were all glaring at Yui and Kezoberos, who were staring back at them with expressions of utmost disgust. Sakura was trying her best to look brave, while Tomoyo was trying her best to comfort her friend. Meiling stood back, feeling a little bit useless. Finally, she broke the silence by speaking out.
"Leave us alone!" she growled menacingly. "We don't even know you frauds!"
"My, my," Kezoberos hissed. "Six against two isn't very fair, is it?" he growled. "But it's a good thing that Master's awakened." As he spoke, Sweet, Sleep, and Through appeared behind him, their eyes listless and still staring at the sky, as they had done in Sakura's room.
"Master?" Sakura whispered.
"Look." Yui stated, pointing to the heavens, an expression of smugness on his features.
As he spoke, a great darkness suddenly enveloped the skies. At that moment, Touya stirred, and woke up. "What the---?" he blinked in confusion. "Sakura? What did you do?" Nobody answered him, as they were all concentrating on the sky. Touya also looked up, and saw that a huge black cloud had blocked all of the sunshine and was rapidly swirling in a counterclockwise direction towards a glowing blue hole that had suddenly appeared from the sky. Slowly but surely, a figure began to emerge from its depths, clutching a staff in a hand swallowed by large, airy, sleeves. With a sudden explosion of light, the figure escaped the hole, which instantly vanished. However, the menacing cloud remained.
"Master is here." Yui said simply, and flew up, followed by Kezoberos. The mysterious figure nodded slightly at the two as a sign of recognition. He was dressed in a Sorcerer's robes, with a giant round hat. In fact, as Sakura stared at him, her eyes suddenly widened.
"Is that. . .?" she did not dare to breathe the name.
~THE END~
f-teardrops: *cackles evilly* Excellent, excellent!
Lydia: Another cliffhanger?
f-teardrops: Yes! Oh, the smell of suspense is so sweet! *cackles evilly some more*
Lydia: .......
Jamie: This was a long chapter. But there are some interesting developments. So who's the figure?
f-teardrops: Oh, that? It's Yui and Kezoberos' Master, none other than ******** I like that new twist on Yue and Keroberos' names! Yui! Kezoberos! Yay!
Jamie: *sweatdrops* Um, who did you say the person was again? ?_?
f-teardrops: I can't tell you! :b
Jamie: Darn.
Lydia: *recovers* Hey Jamie, you're not acting like a cheerleader anymore!
Jamie: Oh, I got tired of that. Instead, I will video-tape everything I see, just like Tomoyo! *whips out a camera* Say cheese!
Lydia: WHAT?!
f-teardrops: Actually, Tomoyo's only subject of video-taping is Sakura.
Jamie: *whips camera over to face f-teardrops* True, but I'm not Tomoyo, I'm Video Captor Jamie! Smile!
f-teardrops: NOOO! KEEP THAT CAMERA AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T WANT TO BE IN YOUR VIDEO!
Jamie: Too late! Gotcha!
f-teardrops: You are so evil! Give me that camera!
Jamie: Never! *runs away*
f-teardrops: Oh yeah? Come back here! *chases after Jamie*
Lydia: I think we have too many scenes of people chasing people around here. . .can't we think of something else?
f-teardrops: *from far away* I HEARD THAT!
Lydia: Oops. Can't upset the authoress. ^o^;;;
Jamie: *out of breath* Here, Lydia! Take my camera and guard it! *runs away*
Lydia: Wha----? *gulps* Hey, wait!
f-teardrops: *very angry and waving around a kitchen knife* GIVE ME THAT CAMERA!
Lydia: Hehe. Here you go. *tosses camera to f-teardrops and cautiously sneaks out*
f-teardrops: Whew! Finally. Now, all I have to do is----WHAT THE???? THIS ISN'T A REAL CAMERA! IT'S JUST A TOY! JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Jamie: *hiding somewhere, clutching the real camera* Muahahahahaha.... _
~TO BE CONTINUED~