"Speaking"
-thinking-/dreaming
scene change
(Author's Note)

Disclaimer:

The Goddess of Light & The God of Earth
Chapter 32:
Punishment of Death
By: Azure Rosas


_________



She sat on the ground, leaning her back on the stone cold walls of her dungeon. No light flooded the small, dark cell. No light was there to keep her company. No one was there. They were all seperated...once again. Each one of them had their own seperate dungeon, far apart from any one of them. It was obvious that a magical shield was placed around them, because no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't locate any one of their presence. Leaning her head back, she stared dully at the ceiling, feeling bored out of her mind. A sigh escaped her lips and she bowed her head, closing her eyes as she simply listened to her own soft breathing.

"I hope you and Master Xiaolang know what you're doing..." Gem had whispered to her before they were carried off to their cells by shadow demons.

"Don't worry, everything will be fine. We know what we're doing," she remembered replying, giving her a reassuring grin.

She lifted her head up and parted her eye lids. A smile fluttered across her face at the thought of all of this being over; at the thought of being able to see the sun, the moon, and the stars once more. Her smile faltered and turned into a frown, loosing herself in her own thoughts. When it all does finally end, what then? She has no more friends or family here in Japan, considering that Zero destroyed it all. Syaoran and the others would most likely be going back to their home, leaving her alone to wander the barren lands. But she doubted that. She knew they wouldn't abandon her in the end, and that thought brought comfort to her.

She would've seeked more comfort from her Star Key, or her Sakura Cards, but they were taken away, along with the Three Elemental Stones that they managed to gather. Speaking of Elemental Stones, her mind wandered to the Earth Stone. When will it appear? Nadeshiko did say that it would come to them at the right time, and now was as good a time as any. But she trusted her mother's words and knew she would have to wait until it showed itself. But when will that be? When?

Pushing all of her thoughts and worries to the side, she leaned her shoulder against the right wall. Her eye lids started to droop, suddenly feeling heavy. The last sleep she got wasn't that much of a pleasent one because she was knocked unconscious and woke up feeling cramped all over. Allowing her weariness to finally take over, she fell into a dreamworld.

Sakura's Dream

Smelling the scent of fresh pollen and a combination of all sorts of flowers, she parted her eye lids only to find herself lying in a field filled with nothing but grass and flowers, the grass looking taller than her from where she lied. Stifling a yawn, she sat up and gazed around. The woods could be seen behind her, looking welcoming. Not far ahead was a sandy land, obviously a beach where the ocean could be seen, calm waves crashing at the surface. High above her was yet another welcoming sight: the sun. Its rays reach out on all sides, beating down at her as warmth gripped her body. Closing her eyes, a faint smile crossed her lips as she enjoyed the serene and content feeling that the sun and land gave her. It's been a while since she's seen any of this and wanted to stay there forever.

"Sakura-sama...!"

She could feel a heavenly aura right in front of her as she slowly opened her eyes, only to be met by a pair of twinkling, ocean, bluish-green eyes. She studied the young girl's smiling face before grinning in return. "Hope-san!" They embraced each other in a warm, friendly hug, Sakura being careful because of her wings. "It's so good to see you again!"

They withdrew from the embrace, Hope smiling brightly from ear to ear. "It's good to see you too, Sakura-sama."

Waving a hand to indicate their surroundings, Sakura gave the angel a questioning glance. "Ano...do you know where we are?"

"Of course!" Hope replied, still grinning. "I was the one that brought you here. We're in your dream at the moment." Her smile turned upside down and into a frown as she looked at Sakura seriously. "I needed to ask you something."

"Nani?"

"Why...Why did you allow Hades and Zero to take you guys?" Hope questioned. "Even if all of Canada was at risk...Why?"

Sakura grinned knowingly as she shook her head. "Syaoran and I made the decision together. We wanted Hades and Zero to think they've won. But they didn't. Now, Hope-san, onegai, trust us. You all have to trust us."

"We do," she whispered, smiling now that she knew the answer to her question. "We all do. We were just worried that..."

" - we gave up?" Sakura finished for her. "You don't have to worry about us. Me and Syaoran know what we're doing."

"I know," Hope replied as she pushed herself onto her feet. "I must be going now. Good luck, Sakura-sama, and may good fortune go with you."


End of Dream

Furrowing her eye brows, she stirred lightly in her sleep when being roused by the sound of a key being loudly inserted into the lock as it turned and gave a click. The thick, metalic dungeon door was pushed open, a male grunt reaching her ears as two pairs of boots stalked into her prison. Opening her eyes, she saw three robed figures. One of them held the door open, while the other two approached her. All of them had swords seathed at their sides and all she could make out were the outlines of their jaws and lips. The hood completely hid the top half of their heads. The two that approached her grabbed either of her arms, roughly hauling her up to her feet as they started to drag her out of the dungeon. She struggled to get away, feeling that she'd rather be in prison then go anywhere with these unknown figures.

"Hey! Where are you taking me!?" Sakura demanded to know, the person by the door closing it with a loud booming noise. None of them made a reply as they led her down the hall way, plenty of other dungeons aligned on either side of them. Sakura glanced at them, hoping to see one of her friends pop their heads up and peer through the bars. But that thought went down the drain when seeing no signs of them what-so-ever. Sighing in a disappointed way, she bowed her head and ceased her struggling, simply allowing them to take her away to wherever they were taking her.

She paid no heed to the corridors and winding stairs they seemed to be going through. Throughout the whole time, she kept her gaze on her own feet. Fifteen minutes passed by when they came upon a door. The third robed figure opened it as the other two that held her, shoved her in. Stumbling forward, she maintained her balance as she glared at them from over her shoulder. "You didn't have to push me you know!"

Her words went unheard to their ears. She fumed and watched them close the door and the next thing she knew, she was alone in a room. The door behind her clicked, and she knew instantly that it was locked from the other side. She let out a sigh and observed the room she was in. It looked exactly like the dungeon she was last in, except this room was 10x bigger than the cell. Her gaze trailed along the walls and noticed chains dangling from the one across from her. Walking to the center of the room, she eyed them in confusion, failing to notice two shadow demons stealthily and silently appear out of the shadows and creep up behind her. She felt a cold chill run up and down her spine. She whipped around and her eyes went wide in fear when seeing the creatures right in front of her. They grabbed a hold of either of her arms, lifting her off her feet and rapidly flying her towards the chains.

She was slammed harshly against the wall as a few clicks reached her ears. She could feel the metal chains on her wrist and ankles keeping her off the ground and against the wall. Struggling to get away and back on the ground, Sakura glared coldly at the shadow demons as they flew back wards and through the locked door. Sighing for the fifth time that day, it was then that she knew she was alone because her senses could not pick up any other presence in the room.

Syaoran

He was roused from his sleep by the sound of a dungeon door being slammed. But he didn't bother to open his eyes or get up.

"Hey! Where are you taking me!?" a voice demanded to know.

Amber eyes snapping wide open, he was up on his feet in an instant. Peering through the metal bars that were attached to a small window on the door, he saw two robed figures dragging Sakura away, another trailing behind. Pounding on the door with his fist, he began to shout. "Sakura! Over here!" But she didn't hear him. He let out an air of defeat, leaning his back on the door and slidding to the ground. "Of course she can't hear me....OR see me..." he muttured aloud, tightly clenching his fists. "That damn shield makes me invisible and deaf to people's ears and eyes."

Rubbing his eye lids, all thought of sleep abandoned him as he found that he couldn't go back to sleep because he was now wide awake. He was worried at the moment, really worried about all of this. All he could do was hope that him and Sakura's decision about 'obliging to Hades and Zero' wouldn't go at waste. Back when they were in Hades' room (you know, where that mirror is?), when him and Sakura were having a 'silent conversation,' he remembered seeing love in her eyes. Love that he knew was only for him. He remembered at that exact moment, new power surged throughout his body, and he knew Sakura was feeling the same sensation by the wonder and awe in her eyes. No one else were able to feel it, for they concealed it deep in them way before they could.

When he felt new power, realization hit him like a ton of raining bricks. It was now clear to him why he couldn't easily channel his Godly powers when he already knew he loved Sakura. If one didn't realize their love for the other, than they wouldn't be able to control their power, but if both knew how they felt, then they would easily unleash their powers. To put it simply: one is nothing without the other. But what he still couldn't figure out was....how come him and Sakura were the chosen ones? Pushing that question to the back of his mind, he knew Gem and the others would tell them in due time.

Hearing foot steps stalking down the hall, he knew they were coming to retrieve him almost instantly. Taking a seat in the corner of the room, the shadows covered him from head to waist. Glancing at his hand, he eyed it with his magical vision as he watched silver completely take over his green aura. Smirking after seeing this, he bowed his head so his bangs covered his eyes. A key was inserted into the lock and a click reached his ears. He heard a male grunt as the dungeon door was pushed open. Two pairs of feet stepped into the room, but came to an abrupt halt when seeing the God's silver aura flare around him like the rays from the sun. The other robed figure that opened the door, took a step by the other two's side, just in case they would be needing his help.

Gradually standing up, he kept his head bowed, allowing his powers to rise drastically, surprising the three figures. All four of them were still in the magical force shield, so no one, not even Zero and Hades, would be able to know or feel his power. Smirking grimly, he lifted his head up and eyed them with gleaming silver eyes that twinkled in amusement. They were taken aback by his sudden, menicing appearance and took a step back, ready to turn around and run out. But that plan soon went down the drain as Syaoran knocked them out with either one punch, a kick, or a blow to the back of their neck.

Dusting his hands off, he took a step out of his prison and hid his powers completely as amber returned to his eyes and green covered the silver. Closing the dungeon door, he locked it with the key that they left in the key hole. He pulled it out and fitted it into another lock. When he heard a click, he opened the door but it was empty. Satisfied that the key would be able to open any other lock, he went around and started to unlock dungeon doors one by one in hopes to find Gem, Crystallight and Rage. He had to at least open seven doors already! When he came to his eighth, he opened it and was met by Gem's wide, surprised eyes.

"How - " she began as he hauled her up onto her feet and propelled her out of her prison.

"No time for explanations..." he replied, starting to unlock other doors. "We have to find Rage and Crystallight and then we have to find where they brought Sakura to."

She nodded and followed after him.

Sakura

She continued to struggle desperately to rid herself of the chains, her wrists hurting terribly. Taking desperate measures, she began to gnaw at them but immediately stopped from the bitter taste and the pain that shot in her teeth. "That...hurt," she mumbled, rubbing at her teeth with her tongue. "I'm never doing that again."

A chuckle echoed throughout the room and Sakura looked down to see Zero, looking up at her in amusement. Glaring at him hatefully, she gritted her teeth and balled her hands into fists.

"What do you want?" Sakura hissed.

He approached her and started to hover in the air, right in front of her. Cupping her chin in his hand, he looked intently into her emerald orbs, a serious and dark look on Zero's face. "I'm here to make you mines...of course. And, on an end note, if you dare to resist against me, then North America, as you know it, will end up looking like Japan as it does today."

Eyes widening in horror, her mouth went agape. "You...You w-wouldn't....You can't destroy a WHOLE CONTINENT!"

"Oh but I can," he growled, a sinister smirk crossing his face. "And I will if you chose not to oblige."

She didn't make no reply as he released his hold on her chin.

"Can you get this over with?" Hades' impatient voice said, looking up at his son. "The others will be arriving shortly. And I want it to be the Card Mistress who kills off her friends and takes the Li boy's powers for me."

"Fine, fine," Zero replied, lowering himself so he stood on the ground. Taking a few steps back so he stood to the front right of Hades, he spread his arms out to either side of him, a grim look of triumph making its way across his face. "You're mine now...Cherry Blossom." Lifting her head up, she stared at him blankly through the gaps between her bangs. A soft, blood red glow started to bounce around between Zero's out stretched arms. "All of your memories as you know it now, will be destroyed. Everyone that you once knew, will no longer exist in your mind. From now on, the only things that you shall know is evil; to destroy all good and innocent in this world; and to be my bride." The crimson glow bounced off of his right palm and shot straight towards Sakura, disappearing into her chest. Her body went completely rigid as her head bowed and her eye lids drooped over her orbs.

The door behind Hades and Zero crashed to the ground. They both turned around sharply to find Syaoran, Crystallight, Gem and Rage, Gem standing in front of them with her palms aiming at the door that once stood in the way. The God of Earth took a step before the rest, glaring angrily at their enemies after seeing an unconscious Sakura chained to the wall.

"Release Sakura at once!" he commanded, his eyes and aura changing a silver color.

"It's already to late, Little Wolf," Zero snarled tauntingly, smirking widely. "She is MINE now. Her mind is filled with evil thoughts and nothing more."

A female chuckle echoed around the room, bouncing off the walls and ringing in their ears. Everyone's attention turned to Sakura, a confused and shocked look on all their faces. A golden aura surrounded her body as the read glow that entered her, left. She lifted her head up, and glared crazily at Zero with gold orbs. "You fool! Did you really think that I would oblige to YOU? HA! Guess again! You should never underestimate a chosen one!"

Syaoran smirked when seeing the outraged look on Zero's face at the moment. "She's right...Now that we can channel our true powers at any time we wish, we're a lot more stronger than we ever were."

"But...how!?" Zero cried out.

"Baka ne," Sakura mocked both of them. "Instead of trying to capture us, you should've been doing something completely different! You should've tried to stop us from falling for each other. You should've been focusing on destroying our LOVE!"

Gem smiled, her, Rage and Crystallight now positive that they finally realized the answer to controlling their powers.

"But now it's too late for that," Syaoran added in. "No God can stop us anymore. Not even a LORD."

"We'll see about that," Hades growled. "No one is stronger than I or Zero."

"You wanna bet?" Sakura asked, the chains that held her to the wall snapping and slowly breaking to pieces by an invisible force. She floated slowly down to her feet.

Syaoran turned and faced the others. "Get out of here."

"Xiaolang - " Rage began.

" - Let us help you!" Crystallight finished for him.

"Yeah!" Gem added in. "Onegai!?"

He shook his head in reply, not being able to contain a chuckle. "Gomen nasai, but...no. Sakura and I can handle this on our own. And remember when we first met you three? Crystallight said that you were simply here to aid us on our journey, not the final battle against Hades and Zero."

"Of course...how can I forget?" Crystallight mumbled, a flashback running through her mind. It felt like years and years ago when her, Rage, and Gem came into Syaoran's and Sakura's lives.

Sakura brushed past Hades and Zero, smiling gratefully and sincerely at the Three Elemental Gods that helped her and Syaoran in so many ways in the past. "We're grateful for all of your help, but this is something that we must do on our own. Trust us, won't you?"

They glanced at each other and Gem let out a sigh of defeat. "Alright. We'll leave this to the two of you..." She gnawed at her bottom lip as she pulled Sakura into a tight embrace. "Just...be careful, onegai?"

Withdrawing from the hug, Sakura gave her a determined grin. "We'll be careful. Now go. All of you. Go!"

Looking at the chosen ones, Gem, Crystallight, and Rage ran out of the room, knowing that they didn't need their help anymore in this adventure. The rest was up to Sakura and Syaoran. Once they took their leave, Sakura and Syaoran turned around and faced Hades and Zero with determined and grim faces.

"Let me handle them," Zero spoke to Hades, a smirk of excitement tugging at his lips.

"Fine," Hades replied, taking a step to the edge of the room. "Just don't let them win."

"Don't worry, I won't," he grumbled underneath his breath, unsheathing his sword. He eyed the two with taunting looks. "How are you both going to defend yourselves without any weapons, eh?"

Snickering, Sakura held both her hands out, the Star Key appearing in one and the Sakura Book appearing in the other. "Our weapons are ours alone. No one can keep them away from their rightful owners."

Syaoran's sword was instantly in his grasp. "Didn't your father ever teach you that?"

Zero growled at them in annoyance and anger. "Whatever."

Changing her key into her Staff, the Sakura Book disappeared, only to be replaced by the Sword Card. Calling on it, her staff took form of the golden sword, looking brighter than before, perfectly matching her eyes and aura. She glanced at Syaoran. "Can I...?"

"Go ahead," Syaoran replied, waving a hand to show that he didn't care.

Smiling grimly, Sakura crouched down in an offense position, revenge burning wildly in her eyes. "It's time to have my revenge!" She charged at Zero, who was now in a defensive pose, waiting for her to make the first move. Raising her sword above her head, she brought it down with a mighty blow.

CLANG

They both went at it with all they got. Sakura's thought of revenge giving her more strength and the advantage over Zero. She swung her sword at his head. He ducked it, the blade narrowly missing the tip of his head. Swinging his weapon at her legs, Sakura jumped and brought her sword down. He raised his own to block it in time and the two fighters began to send a series of swipes and hacks with their weapons. Sakura easily blocked Zero's attacks, but he found it hard to keep a firm grasp on the hilt of his sword as it vibrated violently with each blow.

"Face it, Zero!" Sakura shouted over the loud sound of metal colliding into metal. She plunged her sword towards his heart, Zero managing to block it in time. "Your reign of terror is over!"

"Not yet!" he shouted back, raising his blade and bringing it down horizantally. "It's not over just yet, Card Mistress!"

She brought her sword up and blocked his assault. They applied more pressure and weight onto the blades as they tried to push the other back. Mostly from the pressure, they lost their grip on the hilts as their swords slid across the ground. Ignoring that, Sakura punched him square in the chest, making him stumble back. While he was temporarily distracted, she ran to her weapon and called back Sword. Another card appeared in her hand and she flipped it out infront of her, bringing her staff down upon it. "FIGHT CARD!" Her golden aura blazed out more strongly now, looking like a fire that just had another log thrown into it.

Zero charged at her and brought a fist towards her face. Catching his fist in one of her palms, she slammed her knee harshly into his stomach, making him double over. She raised an elbow and rammed it on his back. He gasped out in pain but had no time to recover because Sakura was giving him the beating of his life. Gripping the back of his coat collar, she pulled him back so he stood straight. She punched him in the jaw and released her hold before jumping into the air, twirling around, and slamming her heel against the side of his head. He stumbled to the side from the blow and barely managed to stand on his own two feet. Letting out a battle cry, Sakura jabbed with her left fist, her right, then with her left again. She kicked him against the chest, knocking the air out of him. Grabbing his coat collar, she flipped him over her shoulders and harshly brought his back colliding into the ground.

Zero could barely breath as he lied there, a strained and agonizing look on his face. Sakura stood over him, panting lightly as she glared down at him. She showed neither pity or sympathy for the state he was in at the moment. He deserved what he's getting and what's coming for destroying all of those innocent lives, and for hurting Syaoran. Picking up her staff once again, she called on Sword and it immediately changed form. Pointing the tip down at him, it barely touched his neck.

"How does it feel, Zero....?" Sakura began in a snarling voice. "How does it feel to finally feel fear?"

He couldn't reply. He was too weak and could barely gasp in for air. When he finally did regain his breathing and his voice to talk, he glared at her. "If you think you can kill me...then you're wrong! I'm immortal you fool!"

She chuckled darkly. "Oh really? Well, did you know that there's a way to take that immortality?"

His eyes went wide. "You...You're bluffing! You don't know how! You don't even have all four Elemental Stones!"

"You're correct about the part where we don't have the stones, but I know how to take away ones immortality. I don't need to learn it to know it. Things just come to Syaoran and I when we wish to know something. We're Gods you idiot, if you've forgotten!"

Syaoran had his arms crossed, watching all of this in amusement. He didn't have any pity for Zero either. He didn't care what happened to him. What he was getting, is exactly what he deserved.

"I had about enough of this!" Hades' voice boomed out throughout the room. Everyone turned his attention towards him to find him with a black energy ball hovering a few centimeters above the palm of his right hand. "If the son of a Lord can't destroy a simple Goddess, then I'll just have to do it myself!" He released it and it flew straight towards Sakura.

Deciding that it was his time to step in, Syaoran ran in front of her. Raising his sword, he brought it down diagonally, slicing the energy ball in half. Both halves flew in different directions, crashing into either walls as they made a huge opening in them. Syaoran narrowed his silver eyes at an enraged Hades.

"This isn't your fight!" Syaoran hissed.

"And it isn't yours to intervene in either, Xiaolang," Hades snapped.

"I had to, considering that you did first," he replied cooly.

"Why don't we settle this the old fashion way?" Hades suggested, unsheathing his sword.

"Alright then," Syaoran agreed, smirking.

They charged at each other, and the next thing Syaoran knew, he was locked in a sword battle with the Lord of the Underworld. Sakura watched them silently, completely forgetting Zero. She watched as Syaoran seemed to be having the upper hand at first, sending slice after slice with his deadly blade. Hades seemed to be having a hard time blocking his attacks and keeping up with the younger lad, but Sakura couldn't help but think he was faking it all. Her eyes went wide in worry when seeing Hades fire an unsuspecting ball of energy at Syaoran's stomach, sending him flying across the room and into a wall. He slid to the ground, debris and rubbles from the wall crashing down on him, completely blocking him from view.

"Syaoran!" Sakura exclaimed in concern. She was about to run towards him but an arm wrapped tightly around her neck and waist. She struggled to get away, and she struggled to gasp in for air.

"How does it feel, Sakura...?" Zero whispered dangerously into her ear. "How does it feel to feel fear?"

"Let me go!" she gasped out.

"It's time for you..." he began, bringing his sword up close to her neck, "...to feel the pain you made me go through!" He brought the side of the blade against her shoulder. He then ran it along her shoulder, giving her a deep gash as she struggled more violently from the pain. Blood started to run down her arm from the open wound. Releasing his hold on her neck, he gripped her hair and slammed her face into a near by wall. She let out a cry of pain as he brought her down by the hair, ramming his knee harshly against her back. She coughed heavily, blood splattering from her mouth. Stirring, she rolled onto her stomach and forced herself onto all fours.

Meanwhile, Syaoran managed to rid himself of the debris. He stood up, and glared daggers at Hades. More anger flared in his eyes when seeing Zero hurting Sakura. Pulling out an ofuda, he slammed the flat of his blade against it. "ELEMENT, WIND!" A sudden gust of wind flew towards Zero, knocking against him and sending him crashing into a wall. Syaoran dashed towards Sakura's side and knelt next to her. "You alright?"

She could only nod in response. He brought one of her arms over his shoulder while wrapping an arm around her waist as he helped her onto her feet and supported her. Zero removed himself from the wall, standing next to his father while glaring at Sakura and Syaoran. Hades simply smirked, finding all of this fun and amusing. Zero lifted up his sword and pointed it at them, breathing heavily.

"Both...*pant* of you are going to...*pant* pay!" he threatened.

"What can you do!?" Syaoran questioned coldly. "You can't kill us. We're immortals like the both of you."

"I'll make you and her live an eternity of suffering!" he exclaimed crazily, a pillar of red energy shooting from the tip of his sword.

Syaoran held out the palm of his hand, summoning his energy to make an invisible shield around him and Sakura. The attack collided against the shield, but caused no damage what-so-ever to either of them. Finally finding her strength to stand, the Goddess of Light removed herself from Syaoran's support as she eyed both Zero and Hades steadily. Her Star Staff was in her hand, a golden glow surrounding it as it took a different form. It grew taller, reaching above her head. Her staff changed colors: the shaft turning white, the wings growing longer, and the star turning a bright gold. Syaoran's sword changed also. The hilt turning silver and the blade turning a snow white.

"It's time to end this!" Sakura and Syaoran shouted in unison.

Syaoran held out his free hand, his fingers outstretched as his palm pointed up at the ceiling. The Wind, Fire, and Water Stone appeared before them all, floating in circles above Syaoran's palm. Sakura placed her own free hand over his and a soft, green glow formed in the center of the Three Stones. It started to take shape of a small, circular orb, the insides swirling around. The Earth Stone then took a place between the Fire and Water Stone as the stones started to circle closer to one another. They both started to speak rapidly in a language unknown to Human Kind. All four stones collided and a bright light filled the room.

Once the light finally died down, instead of the Four Elemental Stones hovering above Sakura's and Syaoran's hand, a single orb replaced them. If you look inside, you could see a black void circling in there, along with a mixture of white. Zero and Hades had a shocked look, neither one of them actually expecting those two to be able to unleash the Stone of Life or Death.

Sakura smirked when seeing their surprised looks. "You two picked the wrong people to mess with...and now both of you shall recieve your punishment of doom: your immortality and your lives!" She reached up and plucked the Stone from the air and held it at the center of her palm. It felt warm to the skin, a tingly feeling running up and down her spine. Extending her arm out, she tossed it back into the air, where it floated feets above her head. Lifting her staff up so the tip pointed at the stone, Sakura chanted in a clear voice:

"With this Stone of Life or Death
I grant the two before me
The punishment for their crimes.
May they have mortal lives
And learn how it feels...
To die!
I, The Goddess of Light:
Command you!"


The color in the orb turned completely black, as a black fog started to creep out of it. It started to circle around Hades and Zero, both of them trying to escape it. They seemed to weaken, their faces paling. Hades true age started to show as his back bent and lines of old age appeared on his face. Zero glared at them as he withered with a strained look on his face. He snapped his fingers and the ceilings and walls started to crumble as the whole castle shook.

"If we're going to die..." he breathed out through the pain. "We're bringing the both of you down with us!!!" His, along with Hades', bodies started to disintegrate away to ashes. "SEE THE BOTH OF YOU IN HELL!" Two dark shadows sprouted from the pile of ashes, let out a shrilled shriek and dove into the ground. And that...was the last they ever saw of Hades and Zero.

Sakura lowered her Staff and caught the Stone of Life or Death as it plummeted towards the ground. Syaoran smiled at her, and she couldn't help but smile in return.

"What do you say we get out of here?"

Sakura nodded, whipping out a Sakura Card from no where. Flinging it out before her, she tapped the tip of her Staff against it. "Through Card! Make a passage that'll bring Syaoran and I out of this castle! Through!"

Meanwhile

Gem, Crystallight, and Rage waited impatiently as they watched Hades' castle slowly sinking into the Earth while shaking and crumbling. So far, they saw no signs of Sakura OR Syaoran. They could only pray that both of them were alright.

Gem let out a huff, feeling frustrated and at the point of hysterics. "Where are they!?!"

The castle was completely lost from view by then, ground and dirt covering the area of land where it once stood. All three of them had blank looks on their faces. The castle was gone. And still...no signs of Sakura and Syaoran.

"They...couldn't have been in there...could they?" Rage asked aloud, doubt evident in his voice.

Crystallight's shoulders slumped lowly. "Where else could they be? They're gone now."

Gem bit her bottom lip in hopes to control her tears, but failed poorly. Hot liquid leaked down her cheeks. "No...This can't be...Sakura...Xiaolang...No..."

"Hm? Why's everyone so sad?"

All three of them whipped around to see Sakura and Syaoran supporting the other, their weapons and appearance back to their normal state. Gem's tears turned into ones of joy as she dashed towards them and practically threw herself on them, making them fall backwards. "YOU'RE ALRIGHT! BOTH OF YOU ARE ALIVE!!!!"

Sakura giggled. "Of course we're alive! What? Did you think that Syaoran and I were stuck in the castle when it sunk?"

Gem looked up at them in a sheepish way. "Sorta..."

"Sorta?" Rage repeated. "You didn't sorta think that!"

Gem got off of Sakura and Syaoran as she eyed him and placed her hands on her hips. "Oh whatever Rage! You know you thought they did also!"

He crossed his arms and looked away haughtily. "I never thought such a thing! I knew all along that they were alright."

While the two continued on with their bickering, Crystallight placed a hand on either of Sakura's and Syaoran's shoulder. They looked up at her, only to find her smiling at them.

"I'm glad that the both of you are alright, and I'm glad that you two defeated Hades and Zero. Now that they're gone, may the Gods have no more problems and may the Earth be at peace."

They grinned in return, Sakura speaking both her's and Syaoran's thought. "We're just glad it's over."


End of CHAPTER...not of story


Azure Rosas: *munching on a hershy's bar* Whew, I'm glad that's over also! And, thanks Keetra for the hershy's bar! ^-~ Here's a chocolate cake! *hands Keetra a chocolate cake* Anyway, if ya'll think this chapter is the last one...welp...it's not! ^.^ There's still at least either two or three more chapters to go and then it's finished! I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing but *shrugs* oh well. While I'm babbling on, lemme thank these wonderful reviewers for reviewing:

Katsu-chan
Feline Angel Sakura
Animefreak242
HeavenlyAnimeAngel
Keetra
Litwolf689
KawaiiSakuraAngel
Kawaii-CherryWolf
Isa-chan
Syvonair


Arigatou minna-san! I hope this chapter made up for that last cliffhanger ^^;; Well, I'm too hungry to be talking right now so imma go now! *wavez* Ja ne! Also, if you're wondering where Niko got to...let's just say he's temporarily disposed *innocent grin* Please leave a review! =P