Summary
Into a world of danger and dark enchantment comes a warrior princess destined to become a legend…
As the marauding Li army storm her island kingdom, the last princess of the legendary Avalon defies the invaders--and becomes the last hope for her people.
Sakura makes a formidable opponent for the infamous Li conqueror, General Syaoran. Trained in the ancient arts of war and diplomacy, she has inherited the magical powers of a CardCaptor. There hasn't been a real CardCaptor for more than three centuries. Together with her natural Avalon abilities, she could be very powerful…if she knew how to use them.
To win back her kingdom, Sakura must learn to harness her mysterious gifts AND win the General's trust. But first she must convince him, that an Avalon princess is more useful to him alive than dead.
Just as she gains his trust though, Yukito, leader of the rebel forces and once Sakura's betrothed returns and forces her to make a terrible choice. Pure Avalon, Yukito has learnt to exploit his powers fully. With the last Avalon princess at his side, he would be unbeatable.
To save her people, Sakura must choose between the future and the past…
The Last Avalon
By Angelic Princess
Disclaimer: Okay, this book is based on a book by Cory Daniells (and I don't own it, though I own the story) so if you've read it, don't spoil it for everyone!! I also don't own CardCaptor Sakura, (what do I own???) and please don't copy. Please R+R, 'cause I loooovvveeeeee getting reviews! It really makes my day, I can even take a little 'constructive criticism' but no flames please! If you don't like it, don't read it. That's about it J Oh yeah, sorry to all you Yukito fans out there, but in this story he is bbbbaaaaaddddddddd with a capital B and VERY OOC.
Chapter 1: Capture
GENERAL Li strode the halls of the Palace, triumphant. But even though the last of the Avalon royal family had surrendered, he did not feel victorious. His father, the Li King, was dead.
He heard glass shattering, scuffling noises and a man's yelp of pain. According to the terms of surrender, there was to be no wanton destruction. Heart pounding, he raced off to where the noise came from. Besides, he wanted to study the renowned Avalon culture, and to do that, he needed to preserve everything possible.
He cursed in three languages. There was to be no looting, no women. It had been a lot to ask of his men, who had followed him so faithfully in so many battles. They expected--no, they deserved the 'spoils of war'.
Trying to suppress his annoyance, he strode towards a set of ornate double doors. He heard some shouts, a thud and more curses. Throwing the doors open, he surveyed the wreckage--pots and scrolls lay smashed and damaged everywhere, books fallen astray, and the unmistakable stench of liquid preserver.
Two men had their backs to him, restraining a woman. The other three circled the captive, injured. An old man lay in the corner. Syaoran immediately dismissed him as the one that had caused this chaos. It must have been the woman they were trying to subdue. He cursed silently. It wasn't like his Elite Guard to disobey an order like this.
"Halt! What is this?"
The guards turned around, looking almost sheepish. Amusement pierced his irritation, but he didn't show it. He signaled his men to turn her around, and prepared to be lenient. He could afford to, his army was victorious.
But this was no ordinary captive. His eyes widened as he saw her. This was one of the legendary Avalon. In his culture, a creature with mysterious powers and who looked nothing like them. Riveted by the sight of her, Syaoran felt his body respond. Disheveled, but defiant, she glared at him with big, emerald eyes. Her long auburn tresses hung down over her perfect, creamy skin. Absently, he wondered what it would feel like to stroke it. His fingers tingled with anticipation.
Shocked, he licked dry lips. He should be repelled by her. According to the Li priests, women possessed weak, inferior souls, especially the Avalon. They were no more than beasts. If so, then why did he read intelligence in those astonishing eyes?
Suddenly, he shuddered, aware of a strange scent. It was coming from her, he realized. Why didn't she fear for her life? Then he remembered an important fact: Pure Avalon possessed magic that was rumored to be great. He saw her light pink aura flare, it was strong, very strong.
"Stop that!" he commanded. She blinked innocently.
"Stop what?"
Syaoran cursed under his breath. How could he explain it without looking the fool? Who would believe him anyway? And just what could the girl do? All these questions raced through his mind. The legends said that these pure Avalon possessed incredible powers, if they knew how to use it.
Stifling his disquiet, he turned on his men and said,
"So it takes five of you to subdue a mere female!" They wilted under the attack, resentfully eyeing the ground. The Avalon smiled, and he caught a glimpse of her sharp, white teeth. She was enjoying the guards' discomfort, the hellcat!
He itched to wipe that sly smile from her face, to subdue those defiant eyes and see that proud chin fall.
Syaoran assessed his captive. She was very young. Too young to go to battle probably, that was why she hadn't been killed with the others. Syaoran grimaced--how barbaric of these people, sending their women off to be slaughtered.
The Elite Guard watched with bated breath as the conquering Li General faced the last of the Avalon royal family.
Sakura met his eyes, determined not to show how much he unnerved her. She'd heard of the intimidating, dangerously handsome General. But seeing him in the flesh was startling. His presence dominated the room. She even had to look up to him! Being pure Avalon, only the tallest people could look her in straight in the eye. She hadn't noticed until now how much she enjoyed looking down on people.
But it was more than that. This Li General was utterly alien with his flamboyant war finery. Having removed his helmet, she could see his messy, coppery hair. With those intense amber eyes, he was the opposite of her kind, unknown and unknowable. His aura was strong, a dark green hue.
But what unnerved her most was the sharp intelligence she perceived in his calculating eyes and the cynical twist to his mouth. Here was a man who believed in nothing, would stop at nothing. As she held his eyes, she realized that he was assessing her. Fear prickled her skin. There was nothing she could do, because two of these barbarians were holding her arms, and she could not reach her key. Trying to reach magic without it was near pointless. In addition, this man also seemed sensitive to magic. That meant that Sakura would have to tread very carefully.
This Li was too clever for her liking. She feared perceptive intelligence in an invader more than brutality. Worse, she was his captive! To face her captor like this. But she would not grovel. If only she had listened to her grandmother's advice! Not so long ago, she had been unwilling to face this surrender. If only she could go back and retrace those impetuous steps that had led her to this!
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Well, how did u guys lyke it? Please, please review! I totally love them!!! And give me ideas, improvements, criticm, nything! Especially praise! I love praise! Hehehe