The first story in My Shadowy Secrets Trilogy

This fan-fiction is set as though the second movie never happened. Li and Meilin are still in Hong Kong, but all is not well – and with Yelan out of town it's up to them to find out what the magical power Li's sensing is.

Back home in Readington, Sakura dreams an upsetting dream, then receives a disturbing phone call from Meilin. Did her dream come true?

Darkness is never as far away as you think…

Chapter Three; Corrupted Heart

"Morning, Sakura." Madison looked up as Sakura came into the kitchen. Like Meilin, it didn't look like she'd slept well at all. Her face was drawn and pale, cheeks streaked with tears. Instead of making for the huge breakfast table like Kero and Julian had, Sakura just gazed hopefully at Meilin and Madison.

"Morning. Did he…" She broke off as she saw Madison shaking her head. Sighing in despair, she slumped into a nearby chair.

"I was up all night just thinking about him….oh Madison, where is he?"

"If I were you, I'd eat some breakfast while you can. Julian's been down here for an hour, and he's still going strong! He's even beating Kero!" Sakura couldn't stop herself from cracking a smile as she watched the happy teen gulping down his buttered bagel. Julian could eat for hours, and show no sign of slowing down. He was always hungry, probably because of the enormous amount of energy Yue needed.

But before Sakura could get started on the remaining breakfast, the bright morning light outside turned into a dark, sinister black. It was almost like it was night time again.

"What the…" Kero looked up from where he'd been about to sink his teeth into a sticky bun, as the dark shadows fell over him.

"I don't know Kero. I sense something, though…ahhhh!" Sakura slumped towards the floor as a black wall of evil seemed to hit her. This was the strongest dark magic she'd ever had the chance to sense, and it felt terrible.

"Mistress!" Strong, shining hands reached for her, and Sakura realised that Julian must have transformed into Yue. The darkness closed in on her threateningly, overwhelming her senses. She'd never felt anything like it, and one thing was for sure – she did not like it.

"What is it?" she moaned as Yue let her lean against the ready Madison.

"A dark magician, Mistress. But I haven't heard of any for a long time, let alone one this strong." Yue answered. His aura was flickering, and Sakura wondered whether the darkness was interfering with his natural moon powers.

"Kero! What can I do to stop it? It feels horrible!"

"Defeat the evil, Sakura."

"What!" Sakura looked up, wide-eyed, panic showing.

"I only just beat Eli! And that was with you guys, and Li! This sounds dangerous!" Kero smiled comfortingly in return.

"Dangerous, yes. But it's in your job description as a Cardcaptor,"

"One day I'm gonna make you show me that description…" muttered Sakura under her breath. But when she looked up, her emerald eyes were full of fire.

"Fine then. Let's go kick some evil butt."


>Where's Li? He's probably out here already, fighting for what's right, like usual. I hope he's ok.> Sakura's mind was whirling as she ran through the alleys of Hong Kong, following her senses. The others were close behind her, with Keroberos carrying Meilin and Madison on his back. Yue was flying slightly further back, guarding their rear.

Yet something about all this….Sakura had a nagging feeling that this presence was familiar. Suddenly, she was yanked out her thoughts as a young man ran by screaming;

"Heeeelp! There's some freak out there summoning stuff like storms! It's not right! Heeeel…" His voice faded away as he rounded the corner, and they sped up, until they reached a sort of courtyard. There they stopped. From the lightning flashing overhead, they knew that they had arrived.

"Leave." Everyone looked around, puzzled as to where that sinister voice had come from.

"Leave! Or face the consequences of my wrath!" This time a flash of lightning accompanied the words, and they caught a glimpse of a cloaked figure balanced upon a lamppost.

"Who is he, Kero? Yue?" Sakura cried.

"I don't know," answered Kero "but he has an amazing sense of balance!" Sakura turned to the mysterious figure.

"Why are you doing this? Who are you?" Sakura screamed against the howling wind. As the figure made no response, she yanked out a Star Card.

"Wood! Form a cage and trap the magician! Release and dispel!" Wood shot towards the figure, willowy green arms outstretched. But just as she was nearly there, the magician brought a sword around, neatly knocking her back into nothing.

"What?" gasped Sakura as she ran forward to catch the falling card Wood had turned back into. But it wasn't the defence that shocked her. It was the sword. A very familiar sword…with a sick feeling in her stomach, Sakura pulled out another card, her hand shaking.

Voice trembling, she called out,

"Light! Shine upon the figure and illuminate his face! Release!" Light billowed forward, shedding white light on the magician's face to reveal…

"Li." Meilin whispered.