Chapter 4: "VS The Windy"
Kinomoto Castle
Touya picked up the unconscious Keroberos by the leg and examined him.
"He's out cold."
"Well he has been asleep for a few hundred years." Kaho stated as a matter-of-factly.
Touya gave her the look.
"How the heck did you find this?"
Kaho was about to answer when there was a loud thud on the castle door.
It was the wind!
It kept hitting the door continuously with incredible force. The huge wooden door seemed like it could break open any moment.
"What's happening?" Fujitaka exclaimed worriedly.
Kaho seemed like she understood.
Oh no.
"It's one of the Clow Cards!" Keroberos suddenly spoke up, regaining his consciousness.
Touya was so astonished that he dropped the Guardian Beast.
Keroberos floated back up midair. He began looking around for something. When he noticed the red metallic box in front of Sakura, he dived towards it.
"WHERE ARE THE CARDS?!" The creature became extremely agitated.
He looked around, and then pointed an accusatory finger at Sakura.
"You..." His tone dripped with disappointment.
Sakura straightened up in her position.
"This is all your fault!"
"HER FAULT?! She was the one who let your sorry ass out of that god damned cage!" Touya retorted.
"Language, Touya." Fujitaka scolded, even though he knew that this wasn't the right time.
Keroberos looked back at the empty box hopelessly.
"You foolish mortals… Do you have any idea what you've done?!"
Hiragizawa Castle
The blue-haired boy laughed loudly, holding on to his stomach. He wasn't getting enough of this.
He wiped a tear off from behind his glasses.
"Oh Keroberos… You haven't changed a bit!"
Spinel Sun looked up at his master with concern.
The boy bent down towards the sphere. His expression turning very serious.
"Keroberos… That's the last thing you should be worried about right now."
A large thud came out from the orb.
His eyes widened.
"Heads up…"
Kinomoto Castle
BOOM!
The castle doors burst open.
Everyone was blown back a good few feet.
Touya once again held onto his father.
Kaho fell down on the floor.
Keroberos was blown down to Sakura's lap. She caught him and held on to him.
"We need to get out! It wants us to get out!" Keroberos regained his composure.
"What is 'It'!?" The suspense was killing Sakura.
Keroberos' expression darkened.
"It's the Windy…" he muttered.
"The what?!"
Keroberos got up and took her arm.
"Listen, we need to get up and fight that thing! (I hate to say this) But you're our only hope against it!" Keroberos told her with a solemn expression.
Sakura had a hopeless look in her beautiful emerald eyes.
Keroberos pulled her up. The wind was blowing mercilessly.
I need to work with whatever I have here... Clow Reed, I have no idea what you were thinking when you decided on this…
"C'mon!"
Sakura slowly walked forward with the creature. He had more strength than he appeared to have.
I have no idea what's going on… This is absolutely insane!
On the Way To The Castle
Syaoran looked up at the castle. Which was just a few feet away. Rin was on his shoulder unconscious.
Hold on, kid... Just a little more...
He noticed a grey haired man with spectacles standing right in front of the castle door.
Why isn't he going inside? Oh wait! He's one of the Royal Knights! I remember… I'll just give her to him. Then he'll know what to do…
Syaoran stopped right on his tracks when he saw Princess Kinomoto come out through the castle entrance. She was struggling to maintain her footing and forced her through the strong wind.
Why would she want to come out of the castle when the weather's like this? And… is that a stuffed animal she's holding up? No… it looks more like… the stuffed animals pulling her out… But that doesn't even make sense…
The Syaoran eased up when the wind around him stopped rushing. He looked around, relieved.
Castle Entrance
As soon as she came outside, the wind stopped. She looked at Keroberos, who was looking around carefully. He slowly turned towards Sakura, and made a pink key chain appear right in front of her face.
"Grab it." He instructed.
Sakura cupped both of her hands up, her eyes widened. The object dropped. An electric surge went through her whole body. She shivered.
"That felt really weird!"
"For real?" This just might work. He hoped.
Sakura nodded.
"Okay, now hold it up… with both your hands. And listen carefully… you have to repeat exactly what I say."
Sakura nodded again.
"Key of Clow, power of magic…" Keroberos began chanting.
"Key of Clow… power of…" Sakura repeated weakly and unsurely.
"You'll have to be faster! PLEASE! You need to understand that our safety is in your hands!"
Sakura gulped and nodded.
"Sorry… I'll try again…"
Keroberos looked back up towards the sky. The wind had stopped. But he could feel an evil magic manifesting… He shuddered.
He looked back at Sakura. He knew that she was feeling it too. Her whole body was shaking violently and she was struggling to keep standing.
He started to feel sorry for her.
It's not her fault... She's a victim in this situation as much as I am...
Keroberos sighed.
Maybe I can go a bit easier on her...
"You ready?"
"Yes!" There was determination in Sakura's voice this time. She wanted to prove herself to the Guardian Beast more than anything now.
Here goes.
"Key of Clow, power of magic…" Keroberos chanted slowlier this time. Sakura listened carefully. "Power of light… surrender the wand…the force ignite."
Sakura took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
Touya, Fujitaka and Kaho appeared behind Sakura. Touya looked as though he was hit by a band wagon. Yukito came running forward as well since he was close by. He gave everyone a questioning expression. Touya gave him a 'long story-explain later' look.
Syaoran and Rin
Syaoran spotted the King, being supported by the prince, come out of the entrance of the castle.
He rushed to the scene. He had a really bad feeling in his gut. Something bad was going to happen. And a question rose to his mind.
Where are the guards and other people? This is absurd…
Rin was sleeping peacefully on his shoulder.
Sakura and Keroberos
"Key of Clow, power of magic, power of light. Surrender the wand. The force ignite!"
The pink key ring in her cupped palms started to spin in the air.
"Release!"
"RELEASE!"
To Sakura's, and everyone else's, surprise the key ring enlarged itself to become a pink staff with a golden star on its tip.
Whoa
The blinding light was there again. Yukito covered his eyes with his arm, and so did everyone else.
A pair of angel wings appeared on Sakura's back and she was now levitating midair with a pink staff in her hand.
Syaoran stopped on his tracks. He looked up at her with awe. Her body was glowing and it felt like he was looking at the sun. His mouth literally dropped open.
Touya spotted the new comer. Rin was unconscious on his shoulder… and he also noticed the fact that that her dress was torn and her knee was scraped.
Touya examined the boy carefully.
He's a peasant...
He boiled up with anger.
Keroberos gaped at Sakura.
"It's the Fly card! But I thought all the cards were gone!"
Hiragizawa Castle
"Why did you have to have do that?" Ruby Moon booed.
The blue-haired boy shrugged his shoulders.
Spinel Sun looked up at his master from beside his chair, with a concerned look.
Master… What exactly are you planning?
Kinomoto Castle
The wind started blowing again. This time in the shape of a tornado. But it slowly shrank down to the form of a woman. It stood there face to face with Sakura. Sakura gripped her wand tighter.
"You must hit Windy with the wand. That'll seal her back into her card."
Sakura took her stance, ready to charge at her foe.
"Alright."
"Sakura please be careful!" Fujitaka warned, concerned.
Sakura dashed towards Windy. The Fly made her very agile. But as soon as she made contact, the creature dissolved into the air around it.
"Huh?!"
It shaped itself again behind Sakura.
It hit Sakura with a blast of wind that came out from its hand.
Sakura wasn't able turn around fast enough to see the attack coming. Her eyes widened.
"Ahhh!" The blast hit her square on the wings
She landed on Yukito with a loud thud. Luckily he caught her and broke her fall.
"Oh no…" Keroberos rushed to her aid.
"Sakura!" Touya did the same.
Syaoran snarled at the scene.
Dammit…
He set Rin down on the ground. He looked up at the mystical creature in the air.
Windy took this chance and turned to the remaining audience, Kaho and Fujitaka. It brought its arm backwards, as though it was preparing to throw a punch.
Syaoran's eyes widened. He looked at Fujitaka and Kaho, who were as good as sitting ducks. He put his hand on his sword and focused on Windy.
Quick Syaoran… Think!
Windy let out her second powerful gale blast.
His senses snapped and Syaoran charged forward.
Touya turned around a bit too late because he was tending to his sister.
"FATHER!"
Fujitaka's eyes widened, a blast of visible wind heading straight toward his face. But all of a sudden he felt a large force on his shoulder. A boy, that he didn't even notice was there, had pushed him down.
"Argh!" The blast of wind hit Syaoran's left shoulder.
Kaho gasped.
But Syaoran didn't waste any time. He got up as fast as he could, all eyes on him now… He drew out his sword with his good right hand threw it like a spear at the otherworldly creature.
The Windy didn't see it coming. Syaoran's sword pierced through its vapor-like body and it passed through.
That's not gonna work on Windy! Keroberos thought…
Or SO he thought…
Electric currents rushed through Windy's body. It screamed in agony.
Keroberos was star struck. So was Kaho.
But…how?
Hiragizawa Castle
He grabbed the armrests of his chair tightly.
"What!?"
Spinel Sun and Ruby Moon jerked up. He never lost his composure before. At least not in front of them.
Syaoran's face appeared on his sphere. The blue-haired boy examined the former's amber orbs, his fists tightened into balls.
He got from his chair and bent down, his face almost touching the orb's smooth surface.
"You…you look familiar… very familiar..."
Spinel Sun and Ruby Moon tried to get a closer look at the subject. They didn't understand what he was talking about though. They looked back at their master, worriedly.
He slammed his fist on the table. They shuddered.
"WHO ARE YOU?!"
The blue-haired boy turned around and walked toward the two, a deadly expression on his face. He snapped his fingers and the crystal sphere table and chair disappeared.
"Get ready…"
Kinomoto Castle
How about that?
Syaoran suddenly remembered his injured shoulder. It stung really badly all of a sudden. And the pain was unbearable. He grabbed his shoulder and fell on his knees. His eyes scrunched up in pain.
He screamed out in agony.
Sakura looked at him.
That hair… I know him. I saw him at the Colosseum. He fought Yamazaki...
She examined those amber eyes curiously. She found them quite… intriguing for some reason.
He was still cringing and she looked at him with concern.
You saved my father… thank you…
Kaho rushed towards Syaoran. She took a napkin out.
"Please…that wouldn't be necessary. Thank you…"
He got up slowly. His hand still on his left shoulder, he looked up at Windy. Unfortunately, it had recovered faster than he did. He glared at the creature. Looking around for his blade, he found that it was a good few feet away, towards the end where Sakura lay with Touya, Yukito and Keroberos. He slowly backed up, towards the castle entrance, eyeing his opponent carefully.
The Windy as about to move toward him when…
"Hey!" It turned around to see Sakura. Her wings were back up and she held up her staff. She had a steely look on her face.
It's time to get serious.
Touya and Yukito stood behind her, looking up towards Windy.
Keroberos watched closely.
That's it girl... Go for it. You can do it!
Sakura whipped up her wings and dashed for the Windy for the second time. The Windy turned completely and vaporized as soon as Sakura was an inch away.
Sakura turned around quickly this time.
"I'm not gonna fall for the same trick twice!"
The Windy materialized itself and the two were facing off once again.
Sakura eyed Windy carefully- it seemed very emotionless. She found it quite disturbing.
She took a small glance at Keroberos from behind Windy.
He gave her a questioning look- Sakura was trying tell him something...
Sakura winced when Windy jabbed at her. She dodged it, but it was a close call… She attempted to hit it a second time with her wand, but it vanished into thin air once again.
Sakura looked up. It materialized above her this time… Windy made a dive towards her. But Sakura managed to shield herself with the wand just in time. The impact caused both of them to fly in the other direction. Sakura took this chance to look back at Keroberos. She signaled at the sword that was on the ground.
Keroberos gave an affirmative nod.
Good idea… it's our best bet!
Touya and Yukito watched as the winged-teddy bear lunged towards the sword. He picked it up by the thread that was attached to the hilt and then looked at Syaoran.
Syaoran was too busy watching the battle to notice the exchange.
He felt sorry because he wasn't of any help…yet.
"Head's up kid!"
Syaoran looked down at Keroberos.
Did the stuffed animal just call out to me?
Nevertheless, he managed to catch his sword.
Good!
"Thank you!" Syaoran smirked.
He held it up with his right-hand, like a spear, once again. He closed his left eye and looked at the sky, trying to secure the shot.
Sakura smiled at Syaoran. She was relieved. Luckily, she looked back at Windy just fast enough to dodge another blast of wind… The wings from the Fly made her fast, but it was draining her off her life force. She could feel it. It won't be possible to continue this for much longer.
I need to finish this fast!
"GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
She moved just in time to dodge the sword Syaoran threw at Windy. Windy tried to catch the sword but it went through her arm.
Keroberos was impressed.
How's this happening? That's so not supposed to happen… I shouldn't complain though…
The electric current flowed across its arm and travelled throughout its body. The creature shrieked.
Now's my chance!
Sakura hit Windy successfully with her wand, as it couldn't dematerialize this time.
The creature turned into a bright light which looked as though it was being sucked into the star on the tip of the wand.
Everyone looked up at the scene with awe.
The light took the form of a card in front the tip of the wand.
"Hurry up! Repeat after me!"
Sakura looked down at Keroberos. She was almost out of breath.
"Windy, I command you to return to your power confine!"
Sakura gulped.
"I command you to return to your power confine… Windy card!"
The light dispersed from the card and it turned into the golden-bordered pink card that said 'THE WINDY'.
Sakura caught the card before drifting down. She was slowly losing her consciousness.
Yukito rushed out before Touya to catch Sakura.
"Here, I got this!"
The wings from her back turned into light and then dispersed immediately. So now there were two cards in her hand- along with 'THE FLY'. This one had the picture of wings on it.
Keroberos floated to her to see if she was alright.
"You did well." He smirked.
Touya looked at his sister from afar and then at the person of interest.
Syaoran fell on his knees again. His shoulder still hurt. He was surprised when felt someone pull him up by the collar of his shirt.
He looked up…
It was the prince.
"What did you do with my daughter?" Touya's voice was low and deadly.
Syaoran eye's widened and he was absolutely speechless. The astonishment had overcome him.
"Tell me, you son of a…"
"Touya! Let him down! He saved her life!" Kaho defended. Her hands on Touya's.
"What are you saying, woman?!"
"I'm telling the truth!"
Touya looked Syaoran in the eye. Syaoran didn't know what to feel. He was extremely overwhelmed and he chose to remain silent.
"Leave him alone, Touya..."
He looked back to see Sakura walking up to him, supported by Yukito.
"Why would you trust…?"
She cut him off. "Because he just saved our father's life! If only you wouldn't have been so hot-headed, you would've noticed!"
Touya grinded his teeth and let go.
Syaoran fell on his knees again with a thud. He was breathing heavily. Kaho bent down and rubbed his back.
Touya walked towards Rin and picked her up.
She's sleeping peacefully…
He turned around to take one last look at the peasant before going inside the castle.
He could've sworn he saw Syaoran glare at him.