Author's Note:
This is a re-written version of Battle of the Two ArchRivals. The general story will be mostly the same, but there will be quite a few changes, as I finally got tired of the plotless, fluffy crap I was writing. --
Hopefully, this will be better and a bit more interesting.
Disclaimers: Winged Guardian: As always, Card Captor Sakura does not belong to me. cries
Semmerie: O.o pats back gives WG a cookie
Winged Guardian: Ooo, thankies.
Note
"..." stands for speech
Italics stand for thoughts
{...} stands for author's comments {WG: I'll try to cut down on them. ;;}
By Winged Guardian
PrologueCerberus, all four feet apart and poised to launch into a run any time, watched the fallen man with silted eyes that mirrored the glare of the midday sun. His muscles were tensed and though his face held no expression, waves of anger and contempt were directed at the man. The hard glitter in his gold-filled irises was not only the reflection of sunlight.
They were situated in a quiet courtyard, rarely used by the common palace staff. The large space was hidden by a screen of trees that whispered amongst themselves. All of the animals who lived in or near the palace knew to keep clear of this place – for far too frequently, the earth shifted beneath their feet, water appeared where none was before, lightning set the grass ablaze, icicles shot up from the ground and bolts of raw magic struck an unfortunate tree or an errant flower. This was a place of danger, and a place of magic. Far too often were the two connected, for the most perilous of danger involved magic, as surely as magic brought danger.
Pushing himself up from the gravel littered ground, the man barked a harsh laugh as he cast the small figure pressed beside Cerberus a withering look. Cerberus would have sprung there and then, had the little girl not placed her hand on his fur before his wings. It was a small gesture, and it could have meant nothing; but Cerberus knew better. His tail lashed his frustration at the restriction that came with that touch. He obeyed his mistress's unspoken command. But it was only out of love and respect – for all his guardian instincts screamed at him to strike, to strike before the magician would do any more harm with his spite, now doubled with the bitterness of defeat.
The girl waited, as the man stood up, then spoke in a formal tone, "The Battle has now been concluded. I, Sakura Kinomoto, Mistress of the Cards, ask if you have been Answered."
The man made as if to say something, but glanced at Cerberus, then said the customary lines cynically, "I, Gelprin La Aries, Of the Fourth Order of Enchanters, have been Answered and concede defeat."
Sakura bowed and Gelprin did the same, and if he was a little slow in returning her bow, none of them mentioned it. As Sakura made to leave, he spoke up, as if he could not control himself, "That Card is useless, you know. It'll never be able to achieve anything great or remotely useful."
Sakura came to an abrupt stop, and he continued, "I don't see why you were so upset, and I would not have wanted it, had I known that it possessed so worthless a magic."
She spun around, and her magic lashed out at him. For the first time it was without any restraints, and it blazed up like a wildfire in a drought. Invisible in the folds of her outer robe, her fists clenched tightly and her fingernails bit into her skin. Rage filled her green eyes and something else once alien to her burned through her entire self. Sakura recognized it. It was a desire to hurt, to inflict as much pain as she could, on this man who called himself an enchanter.
Gelprin must have seen it too, for he took a step back fearfully, and just in time he did, for Cerberus had finally leapt, and he now stood in front of Gelprin, his teeth bared and his eyes liquid fire.
Sakura did not see her guardian bar Gelprin's way, for she was conscious of nothing but shock at herself, and the chill of her shock had washed away the fire of her anger, which was now replaced by bone-deep weariness and sorrow. To her horror, she felt tears welling up in her eyes. Sakura did not know why it was wrong to cry, but she had stopped a year ago and now she ran away, her tears flying to mix with her hair streaming back in the cool wind. She ran past bushes, a fountain, the spice gardens, trees, across a little stream and into a valley where she threw herself, sobbing, onto the grass. She did not know how long she cried, and she was aware of nothing but the ache in her heart, but slowly, her pride made itself known again and gently pushed the ache back, and her tears subsided little by little, till they ceased altogether.
Her cheek pressed against the soft grass, Sakura lay there for some time and her eyes were troubled and lost in thought. A stray blade or two tickled her. Brushing them aside impatiently, Sakura pushed herself up and this time, when she raised her head, all doubt had disappeared and her features were set in an expression of fierce determination. A Card floated up from her pocket and a nimbus of pink light surrounded it. Sakura studied the gold back and the magic circle she knew so well. Forgive me, Reed-sama. Sakura sent a thought to the heavens and closed her eyes, her hands cupped as if she could hold the ball of light. The Card pulsed silently as if in response to her prayer and it flipped over to reveal the image of the flower sprite, named Flower among the deck of magical cards created by Clow Reed. It shimmered pink and gold as Sakura focused her magic in changing the Card to one of the Star element, and more. The change was slow, much slower than the usual time it took a Transformation. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Pink flowed to the last inch of the Card and it suddenly exploded with blinding white light. Sakura stood stock still, her face calm and her lips curved up in a slight smile. The Card was completely white, as white as snow, aside for the faint golden lines that outlined Flower's features, and then they too faded and changed into pure silver. The air around it quivered, then there was a soundless explosion. Thin cracks appeared on the Card and it shattered like glass. The shards vanished into dust. A wind whistled through the valley and the silver dust swirled around and formed a humanoid figure. The figure glowed brightly for an instant and the light faded to show Flower, no longer a being of mere light, but now of flesh and blood.
Sakura opened her eyes and her smile was shy and a little uncertain. Stepping back, Sakura made to bow, but Flower stopped her. Surprised, she looked up to see the happy and grateful smile Flower offered her in return. "No, it is I who should be bowing, Mistress. I never thought… I dared not dream…" whispered Flower, her silvery voice filled with emotion.
"I'm sorry, Flower. I did not know that it was possible for your spirit to be separated from your magic, or I would have gotten you back sooner, and you would not have had to go through all that with Gelprin," Sakura smiled sadly, "Clow Reed did not make his Cards to live in the human world or to be prepared for pain or love. I'm still not sure if this is wise, or right, but if this is what you want… so be it. And as I am no longer your mistress, call me Sakura."
"I thank you, Sakura, and this is what I want," said Flower, and such was the absolute conviction in her voice that Sakura looked at her, her expression a mixture of amazement and respect.
Flower smiled at her again, and a burst of white light appeared briefly, then Flower held out a five-petal blossom aglow in silver. However, Sakura shook her head and said, "No, Flower. That is now your magic." She smiled, "Keep it."
Flower considered it for a moment, and the silver blossom disappeared to be replaced by a small flower. "I want you to take this," said Flower.
Carefully, Sakura held out her hands, palms up, and the small flower drifted into them. It was a cherry blossom, a sakura. "Thank you," said Sakura softly, and her hands closed around it gently, "I wish you happiness and best of luck, Flower."
"Halunna," Flower grinned, "That is my name now. It means happy. Goodbye Sakura. May we meet again."
The sky was bathed in hues of red, orange and gold as Halunna walked towards the horizon and the city. The sun gave off a warm golden glow and Sakura heard footsteps behind her.
"Sakura?" a deep rumbling voice asked.
"I still don't know if I did right, Kero," Sakura answered honestly, "But this is what she wanted and she would not have been happy with us, for she was no longer a Card, not in spirit."
Then, Halunna turned for a last farewell. Her smile was full of mischief when she grinned at Cerberus, and she winked at Sakura. Then she walked through the gates and into the city. Her eyes were green, the exact same shade as Sakura's.
Smiling, Sakura turned beside her and hugged Cerberus, "It is done now. Let's go home, Kero."