Hey Guys! Another new chapter! Well, no one guessed last time so no one won, but there is another chance in this chapter as the story will mention that character. Guess correctly and earn a special prize! So this time, things get a little intense. Also, I am doing something special so look for it on the author's note on the bottom. Hope you all enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don not own CCS or Magi.

Enjoy!

No One's POV: Syaoran

As they arrived in the throne room, Syaoran could feel hostility in the air. Looking around, he could see some of the court nobles starring at them and started whispering to one another, no doubt saying discriminating things about them. As the brown haired boy passed them, he overheard snippets of their conversations.

"The Empress favors...though I don't know why...just a mere child. What good will he do?...pity for the girl." Syaoran had a horrible nagging feeling about this, especially about Tomoyo who had walked behind him. Her rather pale skin had somehow turned a shade whiter as she walked along, beads of sweat dripping down her forehead. As she bit her lips in fear, Syaoran could feel her tremble as she gripped the chains. Slowing down slightly, he grabbed Tomoyo's shaking hand and squeezed in reassurance. As they neared the throne, Syaoran noticed a few peculiar people. Most were men who covered their faces with a white turban and a white cloth, with a crown of black thorns around their heads. Suddenly, Syaoran felt like throwing up. Clutching his chest, he saw a swarm of black birds surrounding the men near the throne.

"W..What are they? I've never seen those things before!" Syaoran thought to himself. Although, that wasn't particularly true. The boy had seen a swarm of white birds fluttering around people in his days as a slave. But never as dark and horrid as this. Syaoran felt the wave of despair, anger, all the negative emotions man could have in their imperfect hearts as humans. Just then, the boy could feel Tomoyo's body shake even harder now. As Syaoran tried to calm her down, he heard her begin to whisper.

"No...No...It's all my fault...why didn't I stop it...? Yes,why didn't you? You were so obsessed...I don't trust you..." Although it was very odd for Tomoyo to be acting like this, Syaoran was more worried about their eventual fate. Suddenly, they were stopped as the emperor, a man with traditional royal clothing and a long beard, stood up, along with a very familiar woman who Syaoran recognized as the very same person they first met upon arriving here.

"So...she's empress..." The boy thought. The empress giggled quietly at the sight of Syaoran, but soon stopped as the Emperor started to speak.

"Now, before we proceed with the punishment, there is a certain test I wish to conduct..." With a wave of his hand, a servant carrying Syaoran's sword appeared. The servant laid in front of Syaoran who took it reluctantly. "Now, boy. FIGHT!" Immediately as he said that, all the people ran away and the guards took Tomoyo away as soldiers srtaed to fill in. Gripping the handle of his sword tightly, Syaoran tried to find an escape point. Unfortunately, the soldiers had all but blocked it off.

"Damn...guess I have to fight..." Syaoran pulled out his sword. The fire-colored blade sparkled, and the ice blue blade illuminated. A glowing symbol of a cherry blossom was on the handle that seems to resonate to his touch. Suddenly, his bracelet with the eight pointed started to glow, and Syaoran heard a feminine voice in his head.

"You...don't wish to hurt them, right?" Syaoran was shocked as to how the voice knew what he wanted. The voice giggled. "I know you much better than you think...but, I will gladly grant your wish. All you need to do, is slash at them." Although very reluctant, Syaoran felt as though he could somehow trust the voice. Doing as she said, Syaoran slashed at the approaching soldiers. Immediately as he did so, a long line of fire appeared where he sliced the air. Then, the flames gathered up and form a soaring phoenix which swept around the soldiers, halting their approach. With a screech, the pheonix briefly formed into a smirking woman before harmlessly slamming back enemies, but not gently. They laid on the ground, unconscious. Syaoran panted, sweat dripping down his face. The flaming pheonix briefly floated before disappearing into white butterflies. But, as Syaoran noticed, these were tinted slightly pink. Fluttering away into nothing, Syaoran noticed the emperor stroke his beard thoughtfully and the empress slyly smirking behind her sleeve. After what seems like ages, the emperor finally spoke up.

"Hmm...you were right my dear. He is quite talented. Our army can benefit from his skills." The empress beamed at the ruler.

"My lord, there was never any doubt. Now, I believe that all we have to deal with is that girl..." He nodded in assent.

"Very well. Guards! Take the girl to the gallows!" The soldiers next to Tomoyo grabbed her and lead the girl outside. Syaoran quickly stepped in front of them in an attempt to stop the impending execution.

"Wait! Please! Give her a chance!" Syaoran reasoned. "After all, was I not given one? Why should she be left out?!" The emperor scowled.

"You were only given a chance on the my wife's behalf. Now, if you don't get out of the way, I will personally see that you be beheaded as well!" Suddenly, Tomoyo spoke out.

"Your Majesty..." Everyone turned to her in surprise. Tomoyo eyes were covered by her bangs. "My lord, if you kill me now, you will make grave mistake." The Emperor raised an eyebrow in surprise while the Empress growled silently at Tomoyo.

"Grave mistake? Oh do go on! What can you offer?" the Emperor stated with an indignant tone. Tomoyo smiled slightly.

"Well, I offer everything that you and your empire needs to thrive. That means, financial and military guidance." As she looked up to look at the king, Syaoran bit his lip to hold back a gasp of surprise. Tomoyo's eyes, no longer grey, were now in two colors-the left eye brown and the right eye magenta pink.

"W...What happened to her? It's like she's a totally different person! And her eyes...wait, this feeling, it can't be!" Looking closely, Syaoran saw the familiar dark aura that had surrounded Tomoyo during their time in the dungeon, but this time, a layer of white seemed to be suppressing it. Confused, the boy could only spectate as he stood along the sidelines. Meanwhile, Tomoyo was now smirking at the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, your empire is quite lovely. Befitting of its name. However, you can not deny that there has been...less than desirable results, yes? In both the poor results of your archers and the short amount of funds that has been going around. Now, I know what you're thinking. You're the Emperor! You can do anything! But, to do that, you have to sacrifice so much...soldiers, time, and even more money! But what if I told you I could solve all of that?...and only with a little time spent." The Emrperor stared at Tomoyo as he began to stroke his beard again.

"...Go on." The Empress began to protest, but the Emperor cut her off, and Syaoran saw a malignant smile appear on her face before turning into a frown of confusion and sadness.

"N...No. Don't...fall like...me..." Tomoyo whispered to herself. Suddenly, the Emperor spoke up again.

"Hmph. Guidance in our empire's financial business will have to wait. Tell me, when you say that you can improve my archers, are you one yourself?" Tomoyo nodded.

"...Yes. If I had my bow and arrows, I can shoot any target you place around the palace." With that, the Emperor snapped his fingers, and several servants started to hurry around.

"You have one chance woman. Make it count." Tomoyo smirked at him.

"Of course, My Lord." As the servants prepared the targets, Syaoran finally had some time alone with Tomoyo.

"Tomoyo, what happened to you? This is like what happened in that dungeon! But, I suppose its better, in a sense..." Tomoyo glared her mismatched at Syaoran.

"...You know, it's impolite to ask a lady a question she doesn't want to answer." Syaoran stared at her.

"...Maybe. But's because I care about you. Tomoyo, your a dear friend to me, just like Sakura and even that annoying Kero. I couldn't stand it if something happened to you." Tomoyo widened her eyes as they became grey again.

"Syaoran...I..." Suddenly, her eyes changed into a magenta pink. Grabbing his shirt, Tomoyo pulled him into a kiss, shocking Syaoran.

"Mrmph!" When their lips parted, Tomoyo looked at him sorrow.

"Don't worry...I won't get myself killed. I promised." With that, her left eye became brown again, and walked away to meet the servant that had her weapon. Touching his lip with his finger, Syaoran was in such a state of shock that he didn't see the Empress give Tomoyo a horrifying glare.

"How dare you..." She whispered out snarling. "What makes you think you have the right to do that, when you killed him! My precious baby...my Makhi..." Suddenly, she spun her around, as if sensing something. Seeing nothing, she turned attention back to the event, not noticing the ends of a cloak with purple eyes and golden trimmings decorated in it past by, along with someone's white shoulder length hair.

The wheels of Fate have continued turning... A hidden personality has risen in Tomoyo. Will it cause her more harm than good? What does the Empress have to with Syaoran and Tomoyo? Again, the name Makhi has appeared. What is the significance of this? And who was that mysterious person? Until Next Time...

Hey guys! Before I answer questions, I have something I need to announce. I will be doing a special Q&A character Section. Basically, you get to ask a character from the story a question, then they will "answer" it for you. Of course, they won't be answering spoilers at all! (You'll have to figure that out yourselves!) So, just add the question to your review and it will most likely be on the next update!

12345678910: Yes, Sakura will be using her staff and cards eventually. How and when that's going to happen, I won't say.

Guest: Yep. I felt like that would be her most natural reaction. I read that Sakura has a nasty temper when provoked, so I decided to add that in there!

tomoyo0000001: Yep, that happened. Yes, Sharkkan can't keep a secret for his life and you'll see that as the story goes on. Also, because of the confusing translation, do you mean what Sharkkan did was nonsense or the story was?... I'm glad it made you laugh though!

Until Next Time! R&R and write some questions!