Kudan Chaos!

"Mmmmm! Yum, ummm…" munched Kero-Chan as he dove into the delicacies on the table. Li Avalon sweat dropped as Kero-Chan's arms went like a whirlwind scooping the meal into his mouth with his hands. "Oooh, strawberry cake, my favourite! And miso soup! I'm in heaven!" said the teen as he tasted every dish.

"Is he always like this?" Fye (the Ceresian magician) asked Sakura, the Elvin girl seemed quite embarrassed by the display of gluttony that Kero-Chan displayed.

"Hey, STOP eating all of our food!" yelled Kurogane as he tried to whisk his plates away from the blonde eating-machine.

"Yes- sort of. He loves eating, but I've never seen him eat this much before when he was in his other form." She gestured to the empty platters and dishes (that Kero-Chan already ate out of) that were already piling up. The others stared at Kero-Chan and he noticed the attention. "WHA-AT?" he yelled, "Can't I eat in peace?"

"Kero-Chan, you already ate ALMOST ALL of our breakfast!" pointed out Meilin as she glared at Kero-Chan who was looking guiltily at the table.

"And we haven't even started eating!" noted Li Showron as he looked furiously.

"Yes, and what about us!" yelled the others (Mei, Fye and Li Avalon). Yells and protests were imminent as the hungry humans were ravenous.

"It's not my fault I'm a human! I don't have as many taste buds when I was in my original form!" yelled Kero-Chan, which was true…

"Mokona thinks Kero-Chan's selfish!" squealed the pink Mokona.

"I am NOT!" Kero-Chan turned back to his original form in a flash as he chased Mokona around the room in a fury with his wings.

The commotion woke up a certain individual as she rubbed her eyes sleepily. She rolled the futon (Japanese bed) as she entered the room. What was that noise!

Silence prevailed as the Cardcaptor group stared at an older adolescent Sakura… Dressed in her pajamas and sandals, the other Sakura was standing in the middle.

"Sakura Avalon, meet Princess Sakura Reed, future Princess of Clow land!" introduced Fye with a smile. Sakura Avalon didn't know what to say, she was so shocked by the outcome of meeting her other imperial self! It was like looking into the Mirror Card, only the other 'reflection' was alive and wearing different clothes.

"How-?" stammered Sakura Avalon, her mouth was open and she knew that she would have looked idiotic in front of Princess Sakura Reed, but the other older Sakura seemed a bit dazed anyway. "Nice to meet you Princess Sakura," she added as she bowed to the Princess.

"Who… are you?" said Princess Sakura Reed. "Who is… this girl?" she asked Fye in a puzzled air. Fye tried to think of what to say to the regal auburn haired girl.

"Oh… She's Sakura Avalon; she's a friend of ours." Fye intervened.

"Another… Sakura?" At this point, everybody looked very embarrassed.

"Yes, but she's very small compared to your Highness," joked Fye. The consequence was a kick in the legs as Sakura Avalon didn't appreciate the joke.

Li Avalon filled the others on why Princess Sakura Reed seemed so confused and slow. According to Li Avalon, Princess Sakura was unconscious for a long time and it seemed that she could even die, if it wasn't for Yuuko Ichino. Yuuko sent Li Avalon and the others (Kurogane, Fye and Mokona) on a quest to search for fragments of Princess Sakura's broken memories (in feathers), but even then, not all of them were found. There were still bits and pieces left over that would never recover no matter if they found all of the feathers. They had to visit countless worlds, battle monsters and even spirits! They had also gained special abilities.

"You mean, you went through all this just to find Princess Sakura's memories! That is the most beep thing I've ever heard!" commented Meilin hotly.

"Meilin!" yelled Mei; the former Black Rose member (who was now changed for good) was shocked at Meilin's rough language. "Don't use that language."

"So!" yelled Meilin, "I went through a lot of things lately, so don't scold me OK?" The Chinese Ninja stormed off to sulk as Mei looked very insulted…

"It looks like she might have inherited Kurogane's temper…" Li Avalon suggested as he clenched his ebony glove-covered fist calmly. The adolescent seemed like he was distant, a forest-green cloak sweeping his body as he listened for something.

"Yeah, I was starting to think that, after all Blackie's done…" Fye winked. The metallic clad warrior interrupted him as Kurogane started to yell at the magician.

"Hey, why don't we explore the new world?" suggested the warrior Li Showron, as he adjusted his silver metal helmet and his sheath (as if he wanted to prevent further arguing). "There might be something going on, over at the marketplace."

"YAY!" squeaked Mokona in joy. "Let's goooo!"

"The marketplace?" prompted Madison.

The marketplace was full of noise and was busy with the sounds of people yelling out prices. Japanese people in kimonos and sandals were scuttling from place to place as bright silk fabrics lured the purchasers… Simmering foods satiated appetites and Kero-Chan was attracted by the aromas. Sakura Avalon however was much happier looking at the authentic ancient artifacts. Madison was talking to Kurogane about something as Warrior Li was prowling around, on the lookout for guards. Meilin stood stonily as she glanced at Li Showron and Sakura talking together. Ever since Li broke up with her, she had never felt the same towards him. Mei seemed very happy talking to Fye though (since they had a lot in common).

Mokona attracted many refined ladies like a magnet, since he was so cute! But Li Avalon was very alert and he kept near to the Princess of Clow, protective of the fragile, beautiful (yet amnesiac) teenager.

At once, there was a declaration of a challenge from one of the crowds and they fell silent as a slender strident, youth came into view. He was dressed as a traditional samurai, but there were differences between this fellow and normal samurais… He had a sharp kendo stick that was curved like a serpent's tail, amour that looked like sharp jagged roof tiles and he had a cream-coloured cloth with decorations that was tied to his head to keep the wind from blowing his fawn hair. Slashes of red showed that he was in many battles and he looked weathered beyond his years. His rusty ochre eyes seemed to rage as he spoke, a thunderous rash voice among the people.

"I issue a challenge for anyone brave enough to face against Yashii Omae! Whoever does so and defeats me single-handedly will be honored at the Princess of Federal Japan's court!" Many people seemed to be terrified at the prospect of the challenge and they murmured among themselves, worried. Warrior Li Showron was about to speak up, but he was interrupted by a slightly voice.

"I will go…" spoke up Meilin, the Chinese ninja seemed confident about her winning against Yashii; she gripped her kendo stick with willingness. The others were naturally alarmed… A Chinese girl was going against an experienced solider!

"Meilin! You can't go against that samurai, he's too powerful for you!" protested Sakura, but Meilin shushed her. Mei Rei, her other self, seemed also very concerned, since she was also a part of Meilin.

"I won't be stopped…" Was all Meilin said, she seemed determined to fight to the death if she needed to… All she wanted to do was to get to the impostor Princess before it was too late for all of them. No matter if it cost them their lives or other peoples'…

"ARE YOU INSANE, MEILIN! NO WAY YOU CAN DEFEAT THAT GUY!" yelled Kero-Chan, "And the death of you means the death of Mei also!"

"No matter, I am ready." replied Meilin fiercely as she prepared to fight the samurai (she had a secret weapon). Yashii grinned viciously; at last he had found a worthy opponent! The crowd began to separate, forming an empty circle in which the two rivals would fight… To the death (Provided that one of them falls).

With an inhuman roar, Yashii leapt upon Meilin, but her instincts and ninja knowledge told her to dodge him. So the red Chinese ninja used her reflexes. Using her stealth, she immediately jumped backward and she used her kung-fu on him, the poor samurai didn't know what struck him, it caught him by absolute surprise.

"WHAT! What are you doing!" yelled the infuriated samurai as he tried to defend himself by using his snake-shaped staff. Metal clashed against solid wood as the cries rang out against them. Immediately, Yashii aimed a kick at Meilin, but it was deflected as Meilin used her blocking skills… This made Yashii angry, how dare a common girl try to defeat the master of the Sumarai?

"You won't get away with this, I will KILL YOU!" threatened Yashii as he aimed a sword towards his target. He dove in for the kill, but suddenly… Meilin threw medium sized, sharp metallic stars at him. They twirled in the air before they hit Yashii. He yelled in pain as he sported two new scars on his face, blinding him for a moment. He staggered underneath the injury. It was then that Meilin dealt the final blow… As she hit him over the head with her heavy staff!

"I won't be beaten… By that girl…" groaned Yashii as he fell backwards…

Meilin stood, unexpected victor of the fight. There was a stunned silence that prevailed for a few seconds; no one expected a ninja to win against the most experienced of samurais, especially a native one… It was incredible.

"Meilin… Won!" gasped Kero-Chan, "I shouldn't underestimate her then…"

"That… was amazing!" agreed Sakura Avalon.

"Totally cool, I forgot to bring my camera…" blushed Madison.

"Woah, she takes after me then…" said an awed Kurogane…

"No she doesn't, for starters you're a grown man and she isn't, also she's younger than you by a good few years… Yet, she has the strength of two men." commented Li Avalon as he chuckled. Mokona also giggled. Kurogane didn't appreciate them.

"By the order of Federal Japan, that Chinese ninja is the champion! She shall be escorted as well as her friends to the Princess's court straightaway!" yelled an announcer.

Suddenly the ground trembled and something appeared like a mist from Yashii's body. It formed into a long serpentine Eastern dragon that roared as its icy body shook with icicles. Warrior Li looked afraid as everybody else ran from it…

"What is that dragon doing HERE!" he shouted. Li Avalon recognized it at the same time as Mei did, a feared expression appearing on both of their faces.

"It's a Kudan! I'll recognize it anywhere!" yelled Li Avalon and Mei.

"WHAT ON EARTH IS A KUDAN!" yelled Sakura, Madison and Kero-Chan.

"A Kudan comes from the person's emotions and it can take the form of any beast or element (fire, earth, water or air). It is very powerful, destructive and violent and can be controlled with the person's mind! The person controlling it is Yashii." explained Mei as the Kudan howled with anger. Its transparent eyes glared.

"Well, how do we MAKE it vanish!" screamed Princess Sakura as she ran with Mokona, Kurogane and Fye following behind. The dragon also chased them.

"We have to weaken it and fight it, we have no choice…" said Li Avalon. "Kudan of Fire, come to my aid!" At once, a wolf-like beast of fire burst from Li's chest and it stood, a magnificent creature that was like a blaze in the night. Li's fire Kudan began to burn up like a flame as it assaulted the icy Kudan with its red hot ember breath. The dragon showed no sign of melting or any surrender though. Kurogane prepared his katana as he swiped at the ice dragon and soon the beast sported a scar. Fye then used his eagle Kudan as it darted to and fro in the air.

"Sword, know my plight!" called Warrior Li Showron as he summoned his sword. At once, the magical sword that Clow Reed made was activated. He charged at the dragon as Sakura began her Rain Cloud Staff spell…

"Rain Cloud Staff!" commanded Sakura Avalon as the rare magical staff appeared in her hands. "Rudimentary relics!" Suddenly, a burst of light blazed from her staff and hit the dragon as largish bits of ice broke off it. It roared with aggravated pain.

"Pure Leodrachen!" At once, Madison transformed into a gold dragon-like beast with the stripes, body and head of a pure white tiger. The Leodrachen used its supersonic speed to run at the dragon and slash its harsh freezing exterior of scales.

"WHAT!" gasped Fye in astonishment, "When does Madison ever use powers!"

"It's a secret!" winked Sakura. (P.S. Read Secrets, a New Hope in the Cardcaptors section if you want to get the full story!) At last, after many, many attempts on the Kudan, the icy dragon was finally weakened and it returned.

"Whew, that took a lot out of us!" sighed Sakura Avalon in relief. Fye agreed,

"Yeah, good thing we worked together, right guys?" smiled the friendly magician.

"Good job!" smiled Li Avalon, "Hey, Sakura Avalon? I think you were great back there!" Sakura blushed apparently, she wasn't used to praise from the older Li.

"I can't believe that it took so long to defeat Yashii's Kudan, why was it so?" asked Madison as she transformed back to being her beautiful self.

"Oh, I can explain… There are 4 levels of Kudans and all of them are different, depending on the person. The highest one is the special class and I'm in that category, so…" commented Li Avalon.

"WHAT!" exclaimed Kero-Chan. "You mean that maybe Yashii has one of the special class Kudans! WOW! Can I get one too!"

"Maybe," replied Mei, her eyes were wide and pensive at the same time, giving her a wise expression. She seemed calm and watchful, as though she was waiting for something to happen or observing something yet unknown to them…

"Mokona feels something!" squealed Mokona the pink rabbit-creature as his eyes became like pink cat's eyes.

"WAAH!" said Kurogane, who was startled by Mokona's big eyes. "Don't do that! You're freaking me out!"

"Hey, I think that means that Mokona found some magical source!" exclaimed Fye.

Suddenly, Yashii woke up and he wasn't in a good mood…! His eyes flashed angrily, and he looked so scary to the other Japanese people.

"WHAT! THAT FOREIGN GIRL BEAT ME!" he screeched, which was somewhat immature for a person his age. ("Woah," commented Kero-Chan, "He sounds like Meilin on a bad-hair day!") "I'LL SHOW YOOUUUU-!"

A young boy who looked a lot like Yashii, except for the short black hair with a metallic sheen, no scars, a colourful kimono and silvery austere eyes dashed out, he was carrying a basket full of food. He pleaded with Yashii.

"Stop, brother!" He cried out, his voice full of sadness. "Can't you stop fighting for once?"
"Nekino! How many times do I have to tell you not to interrupt me?" yelled the older Yashii. "You are a disgrace to Sumarai traditions!"

"But-!" whimpered poor Nekino, already his eyes were welling up with tears.

"No buts!" yelled the Sumarai. Disturbingly, Nekino's eyes turned teal, which shocked our heroes and heroines.

"Nekino. So… Does it mean that he has the magical power!" whispered Sakura…

8