A/N: First lemme say thank you to the people that reviewed the last chapter!! ::hugs the reviewers:: THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!

*Disclaimer* I do not own CCS. I repeat, I DO NOT own CCS! It belongs to CLAMP!

Well onto the chapter!! ^-^



Chapter 16: Dameon's Downfall




Dameon smirked evilly down at the stunned trio. Gem gulped as she tried to keep a stable look of determination, but fear was clearly written in her eyes. Sakura's body trembled when feeling the powerful force this once tiny demon let out. Syaoran glared, not believing that such a creature could hold such evil power.
-How are we gonna defeat that. . . that thing?- Sakura questioned in her mind. -He's to powerful. . . I can feel his strength. . . It's way surpassed our limit of power.-
Gem reached up for her pendent. Clasping it tightly, she gritted her teeth. -Sakura-sama and Master Xiaolang won't be able to defeat Dameon. He's just to strong!! Even if I did try to help them, we'd all just loose.- Her eyes darted to the stunned chosen ones who continued to gape at Dameon. -Demo, maybe if they could somehow unleash their true powers, there might be a chance after all. But the chances are slim. . . It's not like it comes to them easily. Still. . . I gotta have hope in the. They're two unlikely people that'll do anything for eachother.- She sighed. -It's just a shame they're to hot headed to even except their feelings.-
Smirk widening, Dameon pointed a finger at Gem, an evil glint in his eyes. "For the mistake you have caused, I will make sure you be the first to perish!"
Growling up at him, she stared back with determined and fearless eyes. "Whatever Dameon. I'd like to see you try and destroy me! Even when I die I will still live on! A God never truly dies. Or did you forget that little detail?"
Dameon did the unexpected: he chuckled. "I could never forget such a thing like that. I'll kill you in my own way. . . by taking your soul and forever trapping it into the lands of the Underworld: Hell. And once I'm through with you, I'll take your other friends' spirits as well," he said, indicating the still unconscious Crystallight and Rage.
"You leave them out of this!" Gem snapped back, her eyes wide. "They can't defend themselves!!"
He laughed, a cold snarling laugh. "Does it look like I care?"
She glared daggers up at him as her pendent changed to a sword. "Well come and fight me then! We'll see who becomes the victor!!"
"Gem! Let us handle him!" Sakura said.
"Yeah! We'll take care of him!" Syaoran added.
"But. . " Gem hesitated. She didn't want to see either of them hurt or captured. They were the last hope for the World. But inside she knew that even if she did try to fight Dameon, she knew he would win. She let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine. Please just don't get yourselves captured, onegai!"
Smiling reassuringly, Sakura put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry Gem, we won't." Bringing her hand back down to her side, she gripped her wand in determination as she joined Syaoran by his side. Looking at him from the corner of her eyes, she smirked. "You ready?"
Smirking in return, he held his sword tighter. "Hai. Are YOU ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be," she replied. "Let's just get this over with as quickly as possible."
Fiery flew infront of Sakura and Syaoran whipped out an ofuda. Dameon watched them two with amusement clearly in his eyes as he crossed his arms and waited for them to attack. Bringing the flat of his sword clashing agains the yellow paper, Syaoran shouted:
"ELEMENT, FIRE!"
Fiery sent a pillar of fire towards Dameon as a flaming inferno erupted from the ofuda. Both Syaoran's and Fiery's attack entertwined with eachother and it came flying like a thunder bolt towards the demon. Holding out a hand, the fire hit the palm and flew in different directions. Sakura immediately pulled out a card and brought her staff down on it.
"WINDY!"
The wind spirit flew out of its card form and dashed towards Dameon. With great force, Windy collided into the once little demon, sending him flying backwards. Spreading his wings to stop himself, Dameon growled menicingly at Windy. Opening his mouth, you could see his sharp knife-like fangs gleaming brightly from the eclipse's glare. A dark light could be seen from inside his throat and then a dark energy ball was fired from his mouth and it went straight for Windy. Not being quick enough to dodge, the energy ball hit Windy, sending her plummeting to the ground.
"Windy! Fiery! Return!"
A pink light evoloped the wind spirit and the fire creature as they turned back to their card form which floated to Sakura's outstretched hand. Pocketing them, she pulled out two other Sakura Cards. Throwing them out infront of her, she brought her staff down.
"Fly! Sword!"
White wings sprouted from her back as pink ribbons wrapped around the wand, changing it to a golden sword. Flapping her wings, she flew straight at Dameon, determination clearly written on her face.
"Sakura! Matte!" Syaoran exclaimed. But she paid no heed to him as she raised her sword and brought it down with a mighty war cry.
Dameon caught the blade between his two palms while smirking devilishly down at Sakura. She glared up at him and grinded her teeth.
"Fiesty one aren't you?" Dameon commented. "I guess I can see why Lord Zero is so interested in you." He held the blade with one hand as he snaked the other hand to her throat and gripped it.
Sakura gasped for air as she let go of the hilt and held onto Dameon's wrist. She struggled in his grip while he threw her sword down to the ground. Gritting her teeth, the Goddess of Light tightly shut her eyes as she choked out, "Let. Me. Go!"
"Sakura!" Syaoran called out in worry. -I have to save her. . .but how!?-
The demon then lifted Sakura up higher, still holding her neck with one hand.
"Lord Zero said to bring you and the Little Wolf back alive," Dameon said, "but he never said I couldn't hurt you."
He then slammed his fist into her stomach while still gripping her throat with his other hand. Sakura's eyes went wide as a pained gasp escaped her throat. Then he flung her over his shoulders and down towards the earth at a fast speed. The Card Mistress managed to slow her fall a bit with the wings, but she landed on her two feet a bit hard so that she stumbled over. The wings disappeared and she clutched her stomach, doubling over in her coughing. Syaoran ran over to her.
"Sakura, daijoubu desu ka?" Syaoran asked in concern.
"I-I'm fine," Sakura replied once she stopped coughing.
"Watch out!" Gem shouted.
The two chosen ones looked up to see a charging energy ball. Pushing Sakura to the side, Syaoran dodged to the other side as the attack collided to where they once stood and exploded, sending a cloud of dust rising everywhere. Syaoran couldn't see. He tried squinting through the dust as he covered his mouth to keep from coughing.
"Sakura! Where are you!?" Syaoran called, though it was a bit muffled by his hand.
The next thing he knew, he was kicked in the back, then he felt a knee slam into his stomach as something hit him in the head. He fell face forward to the ground. Using his arms to support him, the Little Wolf rubbed his head and searched around him for Dameon.
"Come out Dameon and show yourself!" Syaoran ordered. He pushed himself up on all fours as he was about to stand up when he felt a blow to his stomach.
Gripping his stomach with one hand, he forced himself onto his feet as he glared all around him. -Cheap shot. . .-
An energy ball was fired from behind him, hitting his back. It stung him and burnt him, burning a while through his shirt showing scorch marks a long with blood where he was hit. Stumbling forward, he gritted his teeth in pain. He noted that the cloud of dust was slowly subsiding. Once it finally materialized away, he saw the back of Sakura. She turned around and gasped upon seeing him. Running to him, she caught him before he fell.
"Syaoran! What happened to you!?" Sakura questioned, worry clearly in her voice and eyes.
"Dameon, he attacked. I couldn't see him," Syaoran replied, forced coughs escaping his mouth. His back and stomach throbbed with horrid pain that he wished would just go away. It was then he noticed a dozen or so tiny orange orbs coming straight at Sakura. His eyes went wide. Quickly thinking, he brought her infront of him so that his back was to the coming attacks. They hit his back one by one like stone rocks. A strained look was on his face as the pain in his back became worse.
-Syaoran. . .- Sakura thought silently as she looked up at him with great concern. -He's getting hurt. . .-
Once the tiny orbs were all gone, Syaoran panted as he fought to keep from shouting because of the stinging pain in his back. He fell forward onto Sakura, eyes tightly shut. She held him and looked at his bloody and bruised back.
"Oh Syaoran. . .Why did you have to go and do that?" Sakura whispered to herself.
She lied him on his stomach as Gem came running.
"Gem, watch Syaoran for me," Sakura said. "I'll take care of Dameon."
"Be careful Sakura-sama," Gem said.
"Don't worry, I will."
Standing up, Sakura walked over to her sword and picked it up. Turning around, she looked for Dameon and once found, she glared at him with hate and anger.
"You will pay for what you did to Syaoran!" Sakura growled as she walked towards him.
"Eh? And prey tell what you are going to do about it," Dameon said in his taunting, snarling voice.
She broke into a run, her grip on the hilt tightening. Swinging her sword out, Dameon slid back to avoid getting cut. Aiming for his head, Sakura grinded her teeth. He easily ducked and moved to the side as the blade came down towards him. Sakura sent a series of swipes and strikes with her blade wherever she could, but each attempt she made was easily dodged by the demon. He stared at her in a mocking way, which only provoked her. She became more angered as her pink aura blazed brightly. Once again she aimed for his head. He ducked. Sakura smirked, this is what she wanted. Now because he ducked, he was down in a crouched position. Bringing her knee up, she slammed it into his stomach. His eyes went wide in suprise as he staggered back. Dameon glared at her, rage burning in his eyes. She then whipped out another card and hit the tip of the blade against it.
"Dash!"
With Dash's speed in her, she ran towards Dameon. He couldn't keep his gaze on her for she was to fast. Once she was infront of him, he raised his hand and brought it down. Moving to the side, she ran behind him and quickly jabbed him with the hilt of her sword as she brought her leg up and kicked him forward. Calling back Dash, she called on another card.
"Watery!"
Watery flew out of its card form and charged towards Dameon. It circled around him, trapping him in a whirlpool. Sakura gripped the hilt tigher, praying that Watery would somehow stop the evil minion. The whirlpool was then pushed away, water flying everywhere in different directions. The water creature hissed at Dameon who just floated there with a calm expression on his face. Charging at Watery, the demon tackled the water element, sending it plummeting to the ground. Calling back Watery, Sakura furrowed her eye brows as she racked through her mind for some kind of solution.
-Which card would be best against him?- she wondered. -I tried 3 of the strongest elements. . .I guess it's time to use Earthy!-
Whipping out Earthy, she summoned it. "Earthy!"
The earth rummbled and then rose. A dragon made of solid rock could be seen. It opened its mouth and let out a hollow roar, glaring dangerously at Dameon. Then Earthy charged as it raised its tail and sent it flying towards Dameon. He flew higher to avoid it, but it came back up and this time, it smacked him in the back. Hitting the ground, the demon rolled to the side to avoid getting hit once again by the rocky tail. Taking flight, he flew straight towards at the rock dragon which came straight towards him. Gathering energy in the palm of his hand, Dameon fired it. The attack hit Earthy in the face, sending it flying backwards into its card form. Sakura caught the card and put it away.
-Now what am I gonna do?-
Dameon panted as he narrowed his eyes down at Sakura. "I had just about enough of this foolish game. It is all over for you Card Mistress! You cannot escape me!"
Black ribbons appeared out of nowhere which wrapped around Sakura. She struggled but found that useless for the ribbons tightened their grip. She let out a cry as they didn't stop tightening. A dark blue light formed in Dameon's palm as he smirked in amusement while watching the Card Mistress in pain. Syaoran forced one eye open as he pushed himself up.
"I have to help Sakura. . ." Syaoran mumbled.
"Wait! Master Xiaolang! What are you doing!?" Gem exclaimed. "You can't go fighting him! You're already injured!"
"But I have to help Sakura. . " he said while pushing himself to his feet.
Gem stood up and balanced him before he fell. She knew she couldn't stop him so she let him go. -I have faith in you Master. I know you can do it.- Picking up his sword, she handed it to him. "You'll be needing this."
Grinning in gratitude, Syaoran said, "Arigatou." Then he walked forward. -Sakura. . .I'm coming. . .I won't let Dameon win. I won't let him. I'll protect you no matter what.-
It was then a silver light surrounded him. White washed over his amber eyes and he continued to walk forward. Dameon felt a new power and he looked down to see Syaoran. A bright light envoloped him and once it dimed away, Syaoran stood strong. He was bare chested, a silver aura surrounding him. The hilt on his sword was now also silver, and the blade was as white as snow. Sakura turned her head and looked at him. His face was that of a calm one with determination in his face. His amber eyes returned and in them she could see wisdom and an unfamiliar emotion. What this emotion was, she did not know. Gem clutched her hands over her heart.
-I knew he could do it! I knew he would be able to transform!- she exclaimed in her mind.
Syaoran stopped in his tracks and then jumped into the air, white wings growing out of his back. He flapped them and flew straight at Dameon.
"Demon, you're time has come to an end!"
"No. . ." Dameon mumbled. "This can't be. . ."
Syaoran let out a mighty battle cry as he bent his sword arm back, then pushed the sword forward. It went through Dameon's side.
"NOOO!!!"
His body turned to black smoke and an ear piercing cry could be heard, ringing around everywhere. The smoke slowly disolved away, and the scream became silenced. The ribbons around Sakura vanished. She stood and stared up at Syaoran as he floated back to Earth. His feet touched the ground and the wings on his back disappeared. Looking up, he met the girl's gaze and grinned at her. The silver was washed by green and his sword turned back to normal, and so did he. He found himself falling forward and Sakura ran to him as she caught him in her arms and fell to her knees. She gazed down at him, his eyes closed showing that he was obviously unconscious. He was worn out from the power drain, and still weak from the wounds he recieved. Crystallight and Rage groaned as they shook their heads and stared around them. Gem walked up to them, relieved that they were alright.
"You two okay?" Gem asked.
"I'm fine," Rage replied.
"So am I. . " Crystallight said. "But what happened?"
__________________________

Sakura removed the cloak Syaoran had loaned her and placed it over Syaoran like a blanket. Gem healed his wounds on the back and now he just slept peacefully. She joined the others by the fire they made a while ago and took a seat next to Gem.
"Now can you please explain what happened?" Crystallight asked in a low voice, careful not to wake the sleeping God.
Sakura and Gem explained in the same low voice as Crystallight. Once they were through, silence envoloped the group. Crystallight then stood up.
"I'm going to check if there's anything up ahead. We wouldn't want any trouble, now would we?"
"But what if you get attacked again?" Gem questioned.
"I don't think I will this time," Crystallight replied. "I'll be more careful. I promise."
She walked to her horse and mounted it. Setting it at a trot, the horse stalked away in quiet steps. After a while, Gem and Rage retired and went to sleep, leaving Sakura. She sat in silence as she stared at the fire that was getting dim. Her eyes fell up at the sky that was a dark bright light because of the eclipse. No stars could be seen and a disappointed look came to her face.
-I wish I could see the stars again. . .- Sakura thought sadly to herself as she bowed her head. -I wonder if I'll ever be able to see them again.-
Getting up, she walked over to the sleeping Syaoran and sat beside him.
-I have to admit, I'm glad Syaoran is here.- Sakura continued to think. -I wouldn't be able to do this with out him.- She then clasped the necklace that he gave her back then when they were just little, a faint smile on her face. -And I guess you can say that I'm glad I get to see him again. . . -
Her eyes fell to the cloak where she saw a small blue light glowing from the other side. She knew that it was the pendent that Hope had given to see if they were near a Stone or not. Digging into one of the pockets, she pulled out the pendent to see one of the gems glowing. The blue gem was glowing dimly and she immediately knew what it was. Her heart felt light and overjoyed.
-We're getting closer to the next Stone. . . - she thought. -We're almost near the Water Stone.-
She heard the soft padding of horse hooves and she looked up to see Crystallight and her horse approaching. Dismounting her horse, Crystallight patted her horse on its nose.
"So did you find anything out there?" Sakura asked in a whisper.
Crystallight shook her head. "Iie." Then she looked down at the pendent in Sakura's grasp. "So we're near another stone?"
"Hai."
"Which one?"
"The Water Stone I believe."
Crystallight then walked away to her resting spot as she said over her shoulder, "Sakura-sama, get some rest. You'll need it."
Nodding her head, Sakura rested her back against Jade as she took one last glace at the sky, wishing she could see the stars. Then she closed her eyes and welcomed sleep with open arms.

-Dream Sequence-

She found herself walking alone across the barren lands of Japan. No one was in sight. She couldn't find any of them. Syaoran. Gem. Crystallight. Rage. All of them were gone. She was alone. Clutching her hands over her heart, she looked around in fear and worry.
"Syaoran?!" she called.
No answer.
"Syaoran! Where are you!?"
Still no answer.
"Gem! Crystallight! Rage! Are any of you out there!?!"
And still she recieved no answer.
"Where are you guys!?"
"They're gone," a familiar voice said in a mocking voice.
She recognized that voice. It belonged to only one person. "Zero! Where are they!?"
"They left you," Zero's voice said. "They left you to be alone."
"Liar!" Sakura snapped.
"It's true," Zero said. "If I'm lying then how come your so called "friends" aren't here with you?"
Sakura's mouth opened, but no sound came out so she snapped her jaws together. Yes. Why weren't they there with her? Could they possibley have left her because they didn't want her anymore? Do they hate her that much?
"They abandoned you Card Mistress. Face it. No one wants you around."
She bowed her head and found the world around her suddenly dark. "Iie. . . How could they?"
"They hate you. . ."
Tears leaked from her eyes.
"They never truly loved you."
She broke into tears as she fell to her knees, blood oozing out of gashes that appeared on her skin.
"They only want you to be in pain."
The tears that leaked from her eyes turned red.
"Forget about them. They don't want you around."
"Iie. . ." Sakura whispered. "NOO!!"

-End of Dream Sequence-
(End of Chapter)


A/N: Welp! Done with yet another chapter! Yatta!Sorry if it's short. Anyways. . . A friend of mines came up with another idea for a goddess/angel: Love. I need YOU, yes YOU, to vote as to which one sounds better:

Goddess of Love or Angel of Love

Which one do you like the best? Please tell me in your review! AND PLEASE DOOO REVIEW!! THANK YOU!!!