The Testing of Li Peony
A CCS Fanfic
by SyaoranSword
Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Card Captor Sakura. CLAMP and other companies I may not know of own it all. This is a fanfic and not part of the "official" storyline. The story is only meant for the enjoyment of the author and any would-be readers.
Notes: Two weeks… at least it's better than three months. As always, a "thank you" to the reviewers. Important note: my e-mail has changed! You'll see it in my author's profile, but here it is anyway: I am now syaoransword42@yahoo.com. This chapter contains the awaited match between Peony and Eriol, as well as a few other surprises. Let the evilness begin…
~~~ (place) ~~~ = scene change
" " = dialogue
[ ] = thoughts
( ) = commentary
Chapter 8: No Stuffed Animals for You!
Midnight is usually a good time for people to be asleep… except for graveyard-shift workers, late night Hong Kong clubbers, and a certain reincarnation of a powerful wizard, when he feels like it. This night, however, was not one of those nights, thanks to his dear wife. Instead, there was another group of people who were literally burning the midnight oil.
"I call this meeting of the Li Clan Elders to order. Our meeting tonight concerns the testing of Li Peony. What are the views as to how this procedure is being handled?"
One of the relatively young members stood up. "Besides the previous trial, I believe the girl's skills are being strengthened, but it is still not enough. She needs to be pushed harder."
Yelan responded, "She will. The last three will see to that."
"I, for one, find it difficult to believe that she is the chosen one to lead after her father," said another.
"We have examined the star charts countless times. There is no other explanation for what they tell us."
"Actually…" Yelan began, "… I would like for us to view the charts again."
"For what reason, Yelan? Do you think there is something we have overlooked or misinterpreted?"
"It is certainly possible."
"You may be the honored mother of our Xiao Lang and also one of the Elders, but accusing us of not being able to properly read a star chart is intolerable!"
"Enough," the head Elder said in a voice that echoed through the chamber. "Yelan had already spoken about this matter to me beforehand. Between the days is the most favorable time to read the stars, and that is what we shall do."
The scrolls were unrolled, and many Elders expressed surprise at what they saw. "The charts… they've changed!"
"Even the stars aren't immutable. Why do you think the future is any different?" Yelan asked rhetorically.
"But what the charts say now… it's impossible!"
She smiled as she read the signs. "We shall see."
~~~~~~
"Your wish shall be granted, and everything will surely be alright."
"Who are you? What wish?"
"The wish that has been hidden in your heart for a long time."
"Hidden in my heart? What does that mean?"
"Peony…" the figure said as it faded.
"No, not again!"
"Peony…"
"Come back!"
"Peony… wake up!"
"Hoe…" the young girl groggily said as she realized her mysterious dream had ended. "Who-"
"OHAYO!!!" shouted Kero-chan as he flew right in front of Peony's face.
"HOEEEEE!!" she screamed while flailing her arms, sending the small guardian straight into the wall. "Kero-chan!"
~~~~~~
"Are you sure you can handle being home alone?" Syaoran asked his daughter.
"I won't be alone, Otou-san. I have Bruce-kun and Jin-kun to keep me company."
Sakura grabbed Syaoran's wrist. "Come on, koibito. They'll be fine. You promised to come shopping with me today."
"But do they have to come along as well?" he motioned towards the group.
"We're not always going to be together like this, Li-kun," said Tomoyo. "We might as well make the most of the time. Besides, how can I pass up an opportunity to go shopping with Sakura?"
Syaoran just sighed. "We'll be back soon. You know what to do. Just stay within the mansion grounds."
The three kids watched everyone leave. Peony then turned to the two boys. "So what do you want to do?"
Jin was about to suggest something, but Bruce stepped in. "Sparring?"
"Sounds good to me," Peony cheerfully said as she headed for the training room.
Jin glared at Bruce. "What was that for? You know I can't spar worth anything!"
"What are you so worried about? Are you afraid of what Peony-san might do to you?"
Jin looked away as he blushed. "No."
"When are you going to tell her?"
The boy looked at Bruce questioningly. "Tell her what?"
"Bruce-kun, Jin-kun, what's taking so long?" Peony called to them from down the hall.
"We're coming. We're just discussing something," Bruce answered. Peony shrugged as she went back to the room. He turned back to Jin. "You'd better tell her soon."
A very confused Jin followed Bruce into the training room.
~~~~~~
"Good evening, my cuter little descendent and my dear half-granddaughter." Chuckling to himself, Eriol asked, "Shall we start your test?"
Peony stood with her star and moon staff while in a fighting stance, glaring at her opponent across the arena. "I'm ready!"
Magical energy flowed around the sorcerer as he raised his staff. "Rain of terror!"
The girl didn't stand a chance. She was almost instantly buried in a pile of stuffed Pikachus. (disclaimer The electric rat is owned by Nintendo. /disclaimer)
"Eriol, quit fooling around!" Tomoyo yelled from the stands. "Do the test like you're supposed to do!"
"As you wish, my lovely Tomoyo-chan." The dirty rodents disappeared, leaving a very mad Peony. "Well, my cuter little descendent, all you have to do is defeat me. Sounds simple, doesn't it? There's just one little detail that will make this difficult. The attack cards are ineffective against me. Your mother knows that from experience."
Peony sweatdropped. [Oh, great. I won't be able to use the cards at all.] "That's fine with me. I'll still beat you, even if I don't have any weapons."
"Well, not quite." Eriol held his hands out, and three lights began to form in front of him. When they dimmed, three baseball-sized glass orbs, each with a different colored flame appeared. The flames were red, green, and blue. "You may use these against me." The spheres floated over to Peony.
"What do they do?" she asked as she tucked them into her robes.
"That's for you to find out." Eriol tapped his staff against the ground, and his form began to shift. "Well, let's begin." Instead of one Eriol, there were suddenly many Eriols forming a circle around the surprised Peony. "Which one is the real me? You had better find out soon."
The girl rolled away from a blast of energy that narrowly missed her. She quickly fished the blue sphere out, and threw it at one of the images. Peony watched as it went clear through the body and exploded in a flash of blue fire. She suddenly felt cold in her left leg. Looking down, she found her leg had turned blue! "I can't move my leg!"
"That's what happens when you miss. Try not to, okay?"
Gritting her teeth, Peony hopped to avoid incoming attacks. She took out the red sphere and threw it. This one missed as well. The same coldness gripped Peony's right leg, which had turned red. Being unable to move her legs, the girl was pretty much helpless.
"One last chance. You had better use it before I decide to finish it."
[Focus, Peony. Find his aura.] She closed her eyes, and sensed a rapidly moving energy. [Alright, he's moving very fast. How am I going to hit him?] Peony brought out the green sphere, and studied it. She suddenly got a crazy idea. [I have to time this.] Holding the sphere in front of her, she threw it straight up into the air. When it came back down, she swung at it with her staff. The orb was sent flying and exploded upon impact. The light from the explosion caused everyone to be momentarily blinded.
When they opened their eyes, the arena contained one Peony breathing heavily on her knees, and one Eriol, who was completely encased in green ice. Syaoran had to laugh when he saw the frozen magician.
To be continued…
I'll be going to Freeport for one week starting 6/3/02. Lucky me! So don't expect a response or an update for a while…
We are getting down towards the end! Peony only has two more tests to go. If you thought this one was hard, you haven't seen anything yet. Next up is Syaoran! Let's see how the daughter versus father battle goes. Read and review please!