Three Worlds, One Sakura Feather…
The sequel to Secrets: A New Hope (Tsubasa Chronicles/Cardcaptors)
Yuuko's Command
Meanwhile… In Federal Japan, 15th century AD.
Princess Madison stirred her Jasmine tea as she gazed at the thriving city below her. Her hair was like silken dark ebony-blue threads as it was delicately positioned into two loops. She was wearing a smooth kimono made out of the finest purple silk that medieval Japan could afford. It was only reserved for imperial people and she was treated with respect whenever she went. People scattered peony blossoms underneath her small feet as they praised her virtuous wisdom and budding beauty. Her pale face was as white as ivory, her deeply-set lilac eyes were wise and radiated knowledge. But despite all the admiration they gave her, she felt lonely.
Her royal father, Yuhino Talyor, often said that he was proud of his little jewel and that since the war with Shoraen people ended, which he had commanded with uttermost authority, he would pass a law that would make Madison's law legal (which was 'Do not kill people needlessly'). Sure, she had protested against the war. But to her tough father, war was war and he must help the Clow people to reunite against the savage Shoraen. So he went off with a kind kiss, saying goodbye to his only daughter (who was then 8), into the portal of Clow land. Seven long endless years passed and he returned, a battered but proud general of the Federals. He was claimed a hero among her people and because the last King had deceased, (and he was the next in line after his old brother died) he was promoted to royalty.
As she was thinking, she wondered whether Kurogane had learnt anything from his exile from the Japan he knew and if his journey was getting more challenging. She hoped that the dark ninja learnt that killing was not the only way of life, there was more to life than murder. There was also the nurturing nature and admiring the walks in the parks, laughter and friendship. If this quest didn't teach him anything, then nothing would. Princess Madison thought silently as she remembered how Kurogane reacted when she put the spell on him. Unknown to her, Kurogane was traveling to Japan right this minute, along with a few others…
Unexpectedly, a hand clamped upon her mouth as she stared at her captor. Princess Madison tried to scream in shock, but she couldn't as she realized that it was hopeless, seeing as no one could hear her cries for help way up in her bedroom. No one was allowed in, except for the servants who attended to her needs when she asked them. Even so, most of the servants were downstairs and were cooking food in the kitchen. The Japanese Princess tried to call out "Father!" but it was no use the grip was too strong for the fragile lady.
"Quiet," said Sekka as she stared at the Princess in glee. "Do you want the entire palace to hear? Furai, cast a trance on this girl!" Furai also laughed a deep chuckle of delight as he cast a spell on the princess to keep her alive, but in a sleeping state.
"Trance of Eternity! Muhahaha!" cackled Furai evilly as the Princess dropped to the ground in a trance as the yellow magic swirled around her body. "It is done Mistress Madeline, now we will get Sakura's feather from the girl!"
"Oh, poor Princess!" laughed Madeline mockingly in perfect tune with Furai's fanatical laughing as she stared at her Federal double on the floor.
"Er… But what about her? The princess I mean." asked Kyro in faint doubt, Sekka sighed as she explained the facts to the white-haired ninja with green eyes.
"Well, you see… We will find the last feather and after that, we will hide the Princess in a compartment of the palace no one knows about. Then, Madeline will be masquerading as the Princess. She will elect us as the bodyguards and therefore, we will fulfill the first part of Sakura's Feather prophecy that says that the first person to find Sakura's last feather will become the ruler of that world." Kyro looked confused as he tried to diagnose the circumstances in its entire outline.
"Er- come again?" managed the stupid ninja. Oh no, not again! Do I have to explain EVERY SINGLE thing to that dimwitted, slow-minded Kyro again! thought Sekka in annoyance as with Kyro's inability to comprehend her.
Yuuko Ichino (pronounced Yuu-ko) watched everything. The dark lady's eyes were like slits of light as she decided that now was the time to act. There was no time to lose, seeing as the Black Rose's latest plot could twist time and space out of dimension and could even start a war if the Federals found out their plans and rebelled. And the Federal Princess's own life depended on how things worked out, she realized with an unemotional air. The dimensional figure started to summon the Cardcaptors from another galaxy away…
In the Cardcaptor's world, half a billion light years away…
"WAKE UP! RISE AND SHINE!" yelled a cute voice. Sakura blearily opened her eyes as Kero (Clow Reed's yellow cute Sun Guardian) pushed his furry face into Sakura's own face. The 16 and a ½ year old auburn haired girl groaned as she tried to swat Kero away like a fly.
"Kero, can't you see I'm trying to sleep!" said Sakura as she wiped her eyes and set off her three alarm clocks (that she borrowed from her brother Tori and Aida).
"I know, but you need to go to school again so I can check out my Sumarai game!" said Kero cheerfully.
"AGAIN? How many times did you play it already, a hundred times?" asked Sakura, Kero grinned a mousey grin as he flew above the bed that Sakura sat on.
"Not exactly, more like 193, 557 times!" stated Kero. Sakura was sweat-dropping.
"Forget I ever asked…" said Sakura in embarrassment.
Without warning, an image hovered about the bed. It was of a female face with dark hair and it had slits for eyes. Sakura screamed as she didn't expect the image.
"Come," said the ethereal voice that seemed to come from another world, "Yuuko Ichino needs to tell you and your friends something…"
At once, Sakura felt like she was getting sucked into oblivion as she tumbled into black nothingness. She tried to yell, but she trusted the feeling that the person would guide her safely. A few seconds later, she felt herself landing on her feet and to her surprise; Li, Madison, Kero, Meilin and Mei were in the same place! Yuuko's dark beauty stared at them and her eyes were serpentine. Sakura felt a shiver run down her spine as she stared at the dimensional person.
"Why are we here?" said Sakura in confusion. The others also were puzzled.
"Let me explain… Remember the Black Rose who were exiled from your world? They are planning to hold the Princess of Federal Japan captive and to fulfill the Prophecy of the last Sakura's feather, where three worlds become one entity. Not only that, Madeline Talern is disguised as the Princess and is planning to start something that she knows will destroy all the worlds. Unless I did something to stop them, that's why I called you as a group. For you are the only ones to halt them."
"Who is the Princess of Federal Japan?" asked Madison Taylor curiously.
"She is Princess Madison, the revered ruler of Japan." Madison's eyes widened.
"WHAT! First there was the Black Rose and now this?" called Kero in shocked horror; he didn't expect this at all!
"That is so awesome! You mean that there are other selves of us, other than the Black Rose!" yelled Sakura excitedly, she was so stroked by this revelation. Yuuko laughed, amused by Sakura's enthusiasm, clearly she liked this teen girl.
"Yes, they are all part of you and they occupy infinite worlds, each of them living a different life for each individual."
"So who am I?" asked Sakura determinedly, Yuuko paused. Should she tell Sakura or not about her other self?
"Sakura… You're the Princess of a land called Clow, but you are in a coma caused by Li Avalon and he has to collect your memories (as feathers)" As predicted, Sakura burst into tears (much to the embarrassment of Li and the others)
"That is SO TRAGIC! What happened to me after that?"
"I can't say, as far as I know, you are STILL in a coma." finished Yuuko.
"Now to go to the other world, you need to sacrifice a few items and abilities. Normally, I will not give them back, but because I like Sakura, you can have them back later!"
"I will sacrifice my Lasin Board," said Li.
"I will sacrifice my Clow Cards and the other cards," decided Sakura briefly.
"We will sacrifice our magical powers," chorused Mei Rei, Meilin and Madison.
"I will NOT sacrifice anything!" yelled Kero at Yuuko. "You're not getting any of my powers!" But he spoke too soon as Yuuko disabled his true form (Keroberos).
"One more thing… The ways of the worlds are perilous and you need to dress in the time and clothes of that particular world you are going to visit." At once, all of their clothes went up in smoke and were replaced with new clothing of that world. Meilin was dressed as a red-clothed Japanese ninja with a kendo stick, Sakura looked like an ordinary Elvin girl, Mei was dressed as a magician with a furry purple cloak, Madison looked like an affluent girl who had a fantasy-styled gown, and Li was a handsome warrior who had a royal look… Kero was… A HUMAN!
"HEY! WHAT'S THE BIG IDEA! Why am I a human? The only time I was ever human was when I swapped places with Li!" shouted Kero the human at Yuuko. Everybody looked at him and they started laughing at him, he looked so ridiculous! He now looked like a short, cute teenager who had blonde hair and Kero's long tail, mousy ears and small white wings from his shoulder-blades. She shrugged. "It suits you I guess… You can turn back into your other Kero form, but you can only stay as a human for 2 or 3 hours. Overstay that limit and you're stuck as a human/
"Just great." muttered Kero. "So I can change into a human and my false form?"
"Yes, you can change back to your false form anytime, Kero-chan!"
"I have a complaint!" yelled Meilin, "I am a Chinese fighter, not a Japanese ninja!"
"Sorry, but the world you are going to enter soon is Federal Japan and people will think that you are a foreigner from another land, which will make you look very odd if you appear in Chinese clothes. You'll have knowledge of the Japanese custom and arts, whenever you wear these clothes. The same applies to everyone."
"Wow! That is so COOL! So I know the Elvin customs when I wear these?"
"Yes, the world you are going to enter is the land of Clow and Federal Japan. I wish you farewell," said Yuuko, "Remember to stop the Black Rose and you are going to meet your alter egos in that particular world."
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