"Power of Friendship"– Part 2

"What happened?"  Li panted, running up the stairs to the back museum.  He passed an uprooted tree that was removed to put a pathway in the night before.  There was no longer a shaded area on that part of the sidewalk.  Mark was waiting for him at the top, guarding the doorway.

"Geez, you look like you got run over."  Mark commented.  His short blond hair was messed up, not combed back as it usually was.  His blue eyes looked as if they were held open by coffee, red surrounding his eyelids.  His forehead was plain, not silted with a thin dust from a site and his cheeks were white, as if someone had waken him up too early.

"I did, by the amount of reporters out there.  You'd think there was better news to report on."  Li said, catching his breath.  "Well, did you find it this way?"  Li asked.

"Well, no.  Kim came in here first, I followed her."  Mark informed.  He always talked with a slight stutter, so that was usual.  "We were going to finish categorizing the findings and found them missing.  Of all the expensive Egyptian and Greek artifacts, they choose the things we haven't even valued yet."  Li walked out to the door, examining the handle and lock.  He sensed the break in had magic involved.  "There's nothing on the camera.  You can look at if you wish.  We didn't see anything."  Mark handed the video tape to Li.

"I don't want this reported to the police."  Li instructed Mark after taking the tape.  Li thought that if magic was involved, he didn't the police involved as well.

"You cannot do that!"  Mark told Li.  "There'll be scandal ringing in the papers, not to mention the Circle of Archeology will be on your tail……"  Li just watched Mark go on about what might happen.

"Just how did the press get word of this?"  Li interrupted.

"Well, Kim was radioing for a guard."  Mark told Li.  "Apparently, a press helicopter was passing by and it must have overheard us on one of the close frequencies."  Li nodded.  "There's nothing else that was here missing."

"Where is Kim?"  Li asked, not seeing her around.

"She went to the museum officials to make sure there are not any legal problems we wouldn't be able to solve."

"Well, minus one dig."  Li sighed.  He stood on the path outside the door, staring out on the fallen tree and the grass as the sky just began to loose redness from the sun.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Thanks, come again."  Sakura said gently, giving the customer at the counter her change.  With no one else waiting for her, Sakura went into the fish pond to change the filter.  Flowers hung from the columns and greenhouse windows in the ceiling added to the dreamy feeling of "Kero's Hut".  The orange and white fish floated in the pond.  The clear water's surface was half filled with lilies, their fragile-looking roots dangling into the water, and on the bottom was a sea of white pebbles.  Touching the water's surface with her soft hand, tiny ripples shimmered across the calm plane, when Sakura felt a force.  A vision came to her, a lady with long red hair and pale skin.  "She's back."  Sakura told herself, as in a trance.  The golden colored bells on the door chimed, alerting on an entering person.

"Mistress of The Clow?"  A boy's voice called.  Sakura looked up, breaking from distraction.

"Excuse me?"  Sakura responded.  She saw a boy, about sixth grade age, with black hair and brown eyes.  He was wearing blue robes with yellow star patterns.  He held a blue trident, the one the Dream Card had allowed her to see.

"You are her, there's no doubt."  The boy assumed.  "The stories I've heard of you don't do your beauty justice, but your radiant aura matches."  The boy felt her atmosphere with his outstretched hand.

"Well, thanks, I guess." Sakura slowly spoke.  "What is it that you want?"

The boy placed his arm back near his side.  "I'm so sorry for having to do this.  I mean, we aren't even properly introduced.  But events are occurring.  I must remove you from this picture."  He spoke confidently, knowing what he was talking about.

"No way!  You cannot expect me just to leave based on your sudden arrival."  Sakura argued.

"You're right, I don't expect you to.  I am authorized to use force."  He raised the trident, bring blue lightning to spark from the three points, aiming it at Sakura.  Slipping to her right side, the beams of blue shimmering light with dark intent missed, almost skimming her, striking the pond instead.  Water flooded out of the structure, taking the lilies and the fish with it.  Sakura slipped on her feet, falling to the wet floor.  A pain was on her right arm, that she fell on.  "You see now, you've turned this into such a messy job.  It could have been very simple."  The boy pointed the trident at Sakura.  Ready to fire when a brilliant light blinded him.  Shielding his eyes made no difference and his pupils were unable to adjust.  The bright spirit of the Light Card, made itself shown, allowing the boy to regain his vision.  "This is exactly what I am talking about!"  The boy yelled.  "This was not supposed to happen.  You were careless with the book and it's contents, and now they've been released."  The new boy told her.  Sakura stood up.

"You are wrong!"  Sakura responded.  "I loved the spirits and now they defend me!  I am their friend and mistress."

"The power of Clow cannot stop me!"  The boy warned.  He took a dark cube of block size from a pocket on the right inside of the robe.  He attached it to a hollow area of the trident, where his hand held the trident.  "I call on the power of light-piercing darkness!"  He called out.  A dark shroud began engulfing the luminous light of the Light Card.

"Light Card!"  Sakura ordered.  "Advance and dispel!"  The spirit of the Light Card approached the darkness that was gaining in area.  She touched the negative energy, attempting to bring it to light.  Zapping the Light card's power, the boy's spell was reversed, light surrounding him yet again, taking him down onto his knees.  "You forget.  This is my power.  Not from Clow, but from my own star."

"Very good Sakura."  The boy muttered.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Alright Natasha! Don't be scared!"  Sarah yelled out into the rain.

"Easy for you to say."  Natasha said to herself, her legs shaking from the rain decreasing the air temperature.  The Thunder Card raced down from the grey colored clouds, making a bold approach.  Natasha tried the summon again, holding the key in front of her.  But this time it glowed, shielded from the rain.  "Key of the stars, With powers burning bright, Reveal the staff, And shine your light! Release!"  The Key expanded into the staff.  A yellow star at the end of it, just like before.

"She did it!"  Sarah applauded, jumping up and down.  Wind blew the rain onto the roofed area she and Kero were standing under.  Sarah trembled, pulling her raincoat together around her.

"Shield!"  Natasha called, throwing the Shield Card into the air, them meeting it with the star staff.  The transparent pink protective bubble formed around her.  The Thunder card crashed into the Shield Card, but the shield held.  Backing up, the Thunder Card roared.  From the sky, the Water Card took form.

"Yup, no way this is good."  Kero commented.  "Remember Natasha, these cards are working together, be careful which cards you choose to battle with!"  Natasha nodded.  From what Kero raced through telling her, Natasha remembered Kero mentioning the Water Card was an elemental.  A very strong card would be needed to defeat it.  Looking through the limited selection, Natasha chose one.  Recalling the Shield Card, Natasha made her next choice.

"Wood Card!  Release and Dispel!"  The lush branches extended outward.  The Thunder Card released a bolt of lightning, which was easily absorbed by the wood and leaves.  The Water Card charged thoughtlessly at the Wood Card, liquefying after the attack's failure, and it's moisture absorbed.  The Wood Card was able to gain power and resist the rest of the attacks attempted by the Thunder card.

"Now!  Capture it!"  Kero cheered.

"Water Card!  Return to your power confined!"  Natasha ordered, holding the staff out.  Energy formed a blank card and the spirit of the Water being flowed into it, sealed.  Natasha eyed the image of the mermaid looking creature, labeled "The Watery".  Natasha nodded her head, thinking that that made sense.

"Alright!"  Sarah cheered with Kero.  "I wish I had a camcorder for this moment!"  Sarah told Kero.  Kero smiled.

"Alright! Wood Card!  Wrap up the Thunder!"  Natasha ordered confidently.  Growing in size, the Wood Card extended it's vines, attempting to entangle the Thunder Card.  The Thunder Card fought back, releasing shock bolts of enormous volts and broke free from The Wood.  Turning back into it's card from, Wood traveled back into Natasha's hand.  "What happened?  Natasha questioned, turning to Kero.

"The Wood Card is the friendliest of all the cards.  It won't be able to struggle as much as Thunder was willing.  But now, Thunder is weak.  One more card should reduce its power enough to capture it!"  Kero advised.  "The personalities of the cards also play a big role in the result of a battle, not just the power they hold."  Natasha nodded.

"Windy! Release and dispel!"  Natasha ordered.

"No!  Not that card!"  Kero yelled, trying to stop her.  The Windy spirit flowed around, blowing the rain in scattered directions.  It encircled the Thunder Beast, which seemed not worried.  Releasing another bolt of lightning, a chain reaction affected Windy's spirit, disabling it.  The shock traveled back to Natasha, zapping her as well.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The battle was won, in Sakura's favor.  "Now tell me who you are!"  Sakura ordered.

"Alright.  I was sent here by……."  The boy paused.  "Did you feel that Sakura?"  The boy asked.  She had felt something, weaker.  "It appears someone is also using the magic of your star, except there is an energy drain."  The boy smiled, getting back up on his feet.  Sakura gasped.  The boy raised the trident into the air again, "Now, light-piercing darkness attack!"  The attack's form came as a dark sparkling orb, launched at Sakura.

"Light card!  Deflect the attack!"  Sakura alerted.  The Light spirit moved into position and absorbed the blast, but was heavily weakened.  Its image became faded.  It would soon be unable to keep its spirit form. 

"Thought you had me beaten, didn't you?"  The boy said, smiling.  "Without any other cards in your possession, you'll be unable to defend yourself after I eliminate the Light Card."  Sakura would be helpless.  She had no other options than to stick by the Light Card.  There was nothing Sakura could do for it or herself.  "I choose to use the power of light-piercing darkness again!"  The boy directed, aiming the trident at the Light Card.  "Good try spirit, but not good enough!"  The boy fired another dark energy orb at the Light Card.  The Light spirit stood firm, confident in the protection of Sakura.  Zipping through the air, the orb suddenly came to a halt, before harming the Light spirit.  Sakura and the mysterious boy watched at the unexpected.  A dark shadow appeared to have caught the attack.  Coming into her spirit form, the Dark Card revealed herself.

"That's right, I should have known."  Sakura said.  "The Light Card, while powerful by itself, was not able to fight a battle on its own.  It always teamed with it's counter part, the Dark Card.  Even when caught, they were caught together.  I was never helpless in this battle."  With that, the Dark Card threw the dark orb back at the boy.  Using the trident to block the attack, the boy was unharmed.

"Sakura, you know I just cannot let you win."  The boy sighed.  He took another cube, this one brown.  "I'll try not to hurt you too badly.  It would be a shame if you were scared by this."  The boy told her.  Sakura found his empathy a bit backwards.  Putting the cube into the hold, he aimed the trident at the floor, "Terra-rupture!" he announced.  Blue lightning thundered into the floor, crakes shattering the concrete.  A shaking of the foundation followed.  Sakura looked around, waiting for the attack to emerge.

"Dark Card, prepare to defend!"  Sakura requested.  The Dark Card scanned the area.

"I take my leave now.  I shall visit you, later."  The boy said calmly as he turned and headed for the door.

"Wait!"  Sakura shouted and took a step ahead of her.  Crakes made a circle around her on the floor.  Sakura was fearful to make another move.  The floor beneath her fell though, a sinkhole.  Sakura fell onto the dirt and rubble, debris from the crumpled floor was deflected as it fell, by the Dark Card, keeping Sakura from anymore harm.  "At least…"  Sakura began.  "Help the fish."  The Light Card looked at the fish on the floor.  Using the rest of her power, the Light Card gathered the water together, fish, lilies, and pebbles, and restored them.  Reconstructing the pond, she placed all of the occupants back into their place.  Both cards shifted into their card form, landing by Sakura's hand, beside her.  Sakura rolled her head around until gravity settled it in a groove in the dirt.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"What happened?" Sarah questioned.  "I thought the Windy Card was powerful."

"It is."  Kero insisted.  "But you have to think about it.  Windy creates paths and channels of connection.  It was these paths that the Thunder's energy ran through and paralyzed Windy."

"Ouch!"  Natasha cried.  "That was not fun."

"That was just one of those mistakes.  After I have time to properly train her, this'll be like playing checkers to her."  Kero boasted.  Natasha stood up.

"Hope I don't do that again."  Natasha said to herself and took another card.  "Shadow!  Release and dispel!"  The Shadow took it's form, a dark figure with a shaded cloak.  The Thunder Card bolted in the opposite direction, not wanting to be caught.  Shadow chased it, gaining assistance from rounding up the shadows of the sidewalks and buildings.  The Thunder released a lightning bolt to dissipate the shadows, but Shadow was too powerful and Thunder was too energy depleted.  Wrapping around the Thunder Card, it engulfed the struggling spirit.  Up in the clouds, another spirit saw their plan was doomed.  The rain ceased as the card left the scene.  Kero and Sarah looked around, seeing it was about to end.  Natasha walked up to the black sphere the Thunder Card was trapped in and placed her staff on it.  "Return to your power confined!  Thunder!"  Shadow shrunk, needing less area to keep the diminishing Thunder Card, until they both fully returned to their card forms.

"Alright!"  Kero raced up to Natasha.  "See, I knew you could do it!"

"I cannot believe I let you talk me into this!"  Natasha wined.

"That was great!" Sarah jumped up on Natasha.  "I see so many video editing and movie production possibilities!"

"No way."  Natasha smiled.  "Wait a minute; weren't we supposed to see the pool?"

"Oh no!  The pool!  What if my mom comes looking for us?"  Sarah panicked, racing back into the building, Natasha and Kero trailing her.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"I'm sorry I cannot heal you, Sakura."  Li said to Sakura, by her hospital bedside.  He was able to arrange it so she had a garden view, her room on the second floor.  A vase of flowers sat in the middle of a circular table, over by the window, the wallpaper color a baby blue.  "We'll just have to wait."  Li told her, stroking his hand against her lightly colored cheek.  Sakura slept, the beeping of the heart monitor was at a constant rhythm.  He looked around.  "These were found with you.  The paramedics gave them to me and now they wish to be loaned to you."  Li told her.  Li took the Light and Dark Cards and placed them under Sakura's white covers.  Sakura smiled.  She felt their presence.  "The person who did this to you will pay."  Li promised.  He brushed back his brown hair and turned to stare through the window.  White, faint clouds hovered in the blue sky. 

Author's Notes:  Well, that turned out a whole lot better than I thought it would.  More action in this one (duh!).  Input about what you guys would like to read in this story, besides romance since that naturally comes with this story (plus I'm not strong with that), might help so I know I'm not disappointing some people.  Well, if anyone noticed, the character profiles came late as Mark and Kim were introduced in chapter 1.  I have an obsession with creating characters that are one time only.  I realize that can become confusing.  Originally, I had planned not to mention them again, but that changed obviously.  You'll see Kim's in the next chapter as she wasn't actually in this one.  HTML Tags? (referring to a review).  An HTML tag is a web code that tells the page where and how to place texts and pictures, usually involving centers and colors.  I think I'm going to change my pen name to most likely something referring to a Clow Card.  I hope the computer changes it for the other chapters.