Disclaimer: I own nothing but what I have... don't tell me you're going to sue me for my life now are you?

A/N: Sorry everyone... though I don't think many people cared at all... but no matter... I will not stop until the story is done... I had computer problems so I couldn't post this up until recently... well... on with the story...

Black Eye Of The Tao Abyss

Chapter Three:

The Rivals' game and The Lovers' Stone

"Then allow me to demonstrate..." Tao replied with a maniacal smile that truly did not match his calm demeanor as what seemed like some sort of pixy dust started to fall onto everyone. This made everyone sleepy except for Tao and Sakura. "What's going on?" Sakura asked the man in front of her. Things seemed bad, even though nothing major has started yet.

"You see Sakura... that card of yours belong to a deck known as the Abyss cards. Clow Reed was not the only person to practice magic in the form of card, even though he was one of the first. After the creation of the Clow cards, many other magicians caught up and created their own cards. Many of these magicians were weaker than Clow Reed of course, though that doesn't mean that there weren't stronger sorcerers either."

"Then, competition started. Many claimed as the greatest cardsman (or cardswomen ;) ever to live and thus, rivals were born. Everything was in good sport until the day came when the unthinkable happened. A man died in one of these battles and his blood covered all over his cards. Worse than that, the opponent of the man stole the bloody deck and, using the dead man's blood, created what we now know as the Abyss cards."

"A horrible curse was cast on the cards and every person that used the cards would die right after they are used. However, the cards will choose a soul owner and he or she is the only person able to use the card without death as the price. All was well as the cards were passed from one rightful owner to another. Though as time passed and the cards spread, multiple magicians were able to use the cards at the same time without dying, thus having more than one owner."

"But greed, one of man's greatest downfalls, struck once again and each co-owner tried to take the cards from one another. The head of the magical community, Li Reed, son of Clow Reed, created the Rivals' Games, a tournament for those who want to claim the Abyss cards for their own. Some wanted it to protect the world while others wanted it to make their darkest dreams come true. No matter what, the people needed their own decks of cards in order to compete. The winner of that first tournament was Tao Reed, as you would know by now, is Li's brother and Clow's son. Tao was unrighteous and used the cards for his own pleasure until the day came when Li tried to stop him and died in his efforts."

"With that, Clow Reed took the cards from Tao, banished him from his household, and locked away the cards within his own Clow cards. However, Clow Reed had suffered much through this entire ordeal. Not only did one of his sons kill the other, but also Clow was the one who indirectly caused the incident by first creating magic cards. Before he passed on, he had a last son whom he named after his first, Li. But he didn't want there to be a Reed family in the world anymore, for he want afraid of the pains that he might feel if something similar was to happen again. Therefore, he named his son Reed Li, changing the last name. His pain also caused him to choose a card master/mistress outside of his own bloodline."

"This is where you come in Sakura. When you opened the book, the Abyss cards were released and since then many people have been in search of them. I come here to challenge you to a battle and the winner takes that card of yours."

By now Sakura's head was spinning pretty bad. Everything had happened so quickly. She looked at her watch and realized that it was only half an hour earlier when she was getting to the airport to see Syaoran again. Now, 30 minutes later, all this had happened. Sakura tried to think straight and said what she thought was the best reply at the moment. "And if I refuse?"

"Then your friends are going to have to die... think about it Sakura..." Tao said with a icy calm voice and he leaned over to Sakura's left ear as he whispered, "you would be the cause of their death." After that, Tao seemed pretty happy with himself as he laughed in Sakura's face.

"But Meilin and Syaoran are your relatives!" Sakura exclaimed. How can anyone be so cruel as to threaten his or her own niece and nephew in such a way."

"No more talk! Do you accept or would you have me demonstrate what I mean?" Tao seemed to be getting angry. To be truthful, he never really wanted to do anything to Meilin or Syaoran, but he didn't mind hurting the other two brats, especially that blue haired one. That child reminded him so much of Clow Reed.

"Alright, we fight." Sakura answered, hoping that this was the right thing to do.

"Good, we both start with two cards. Only those two cards will be used and no more are to be drawn without special effects of the cards. Your two friends will take shape into the two cards of which you choose and my niece and nephew will be mine as they take shape into my two cards. We go by turns, a card's effect may take effect once every turn and only the cards may attack or defend. You may choose to attack the opponent directly or one of the two active cards. You win once the opponent looses his or her magic energy and thus, the cards are no longer to draw on the participant's energy. Of course, the person that takes shape into a card will take damage as well if he or she is attacked."

"But that's not fair!" Sakura complained. How can anyone expect her to attack Syaoran or Meilin? They were friends and after all that they have been through-

"Life is not fair Sakura. Now I suggest you pick your cards and we will start."

Sakura didn't know what to do, but she chose the two cards that she thought would help her the most. First, Wind would be there since it has never failed Sakura before and the other she chose Shield, just to be safe. "I'm done." Sakura said as she looked sternly at Tao.

"Very well, so have I, now then... I think it is only fair that you get the first turn"

"Alright... Wind!" Sakura shouted as Tomoyo appeared out of nowhere and appeared to be confused. "Sakura, what's going on?" she asked her but then took a look at herself and realized that she was white all over. "Can't explain now Tomoyo, but let's just say you have the power of the wind and I want you to attack Tao." "Alright Sakura." Tomoyo replied as she charged into Tao, knocking him backwards. "Wow," Tomoyo gasped, "I am strong."

"Don't celebrate yet. It's just like an amateur to just use attack cards. Are you done Sakura?" Tao sneered.

Sakura is getting angry, but she knew that it would be useless to attack with a shield, so there wasn't much for her to do until next turn. "It's your turn Tao" Sakura replied but was inwardly afraid of what's about to come.

"Typical, trying to make me guess what's in that unknown card? Well, time for you to see strategy instead of strength. Thief! Arise and take effect." Tao replied as a black Syaoran emerged and soared straight for Sakura's deck of cards, took one, and put it into Tao's hand. "Very nice choice my dear nephew. Now I will use this card of which you so generously gave me. Mirror!" Tao bellowed as the mirror card sprang to life and copied wind. "Lastly, I will use my last card. Betrayal!" he commended while he laughed at what was happening. Meilin materialized and took Sakura's shield card from her. Then, all that Sakura had on her side was Tomoyo (wind) while Tao has Syaoran (Thief), Eriol (Shield), Meilin (Betrayal), and Another Tomoyo (Mirror/Wind). Things were looking real bad for Sakura. "Why are you guys doing this? Fight him you guys!" Sakura shouted towards her friends.

"They can't hear you my dear Sakura, they can only hear and see me and to them, you just look like a person they never saw before. But I think I will end this now! Everyone... Attack!" Tao ordered and all of his active cards started to charge towards her. Little did she know, the most important turn of the battle was about to take place...

WOO! Finished another chapter... hope you guys liked this one at least. Ugh... maybe 2 reviews and I update? Eh... it's really up to you guys... review if you have any respect for me at all... by now... S-S signing' off...