Carter's dire pinch, Sakura's Joyful reunion.
"Oh, pretty ladies! Come, come here! I can tell your fortune for free!" A dark skinned man called to a pair of college age girls who looked to him curiously after being called out so. "The cards know all and see all." The apparent fortune teller waved them over, placing a deck of tarot cards on a wooden table in front of him. "I can tell you of many things. Career success, your possible fortune with money, even your fortune with love."
The two girls were particularly interested in that last one.
"Ooh, maybe he can tell me about my future with Masaru-chan!" The short haired one spoke up with excitement in her voice and stars in her eyes.
"Maybe even…my future with Makunouchi-kun?" The other said shyly, twiddling her fingers hesitantly.
"Come, come! Let the cards reveal!" The fortune teller invited, mysteriously. "You there, young lady, why don't you go first." The darkly dressed man invited the more enthusiastic woman to go first. She smiled excitedly as she sat down on the other end of the table.
"Please shuffle the deck." He asked, gesturing to his cards. The woman complied as she ruffled the deck into a pile and then neatly pulled the cards back together stacked atop each other. "Now then, let us see what your future holds…" The man picked the top card from the deck and smiled knowingly as he held up the card. "This is your fate…" He said finally, tossing the card into the air only for it to fall face up on the table. The two women gasped at the image of a skeleton rider on a pale horse. "DEATH."
"What is this?!" The woman gasped, backing away from the fortune teller as if he were the grim reaper himself. The man stood up, straightening his dark robe as he retrieved his tarot cards back into the folds of his sleeves.
"I am the Arbiter of Death." He proclaimed with a mad gleam in his eyes as his body began to give off purple smog.
"Bakemono!" The two women screamed as they dashed away in an attempt to escape the insectoid monster. The Phantom chuckled as his long, spike tipped tail rose up and whipped forward at high speed as it extended in order to catch the short haired woman in the back, the stinger tip of the tail stabbing into the woman's shoulder blade.
"Kyaah!" The woman squeaked in shock and pain before suddenly collapsing to the ground with a heavy thud.
"Tokiko-san!" The other girl called out in shock as she went back to her fallen friend's side as the stinger pulled free of the wounded woman's back and the tail retracted back to its owner's side. The girl looked over her friend who seemed to be trembling uncontrollably. The wound left by the stinger didn't appear too deep, in fact it barely bled, but what was very frightening was the inky black lines that seemed to be appearing just beneath her friend's skin. Her friend was breaking out into a cold sweat and her skin felt almost icy to the touch. "Tokiko-san!" She called again, but alas her friend's eyes were beginning to glaze over and she became unresponsive.
"Another target to tally off." The Phantom chuckled to himself as he retook human form. "What a wonderful city, there are so many Gates to hunt, I'll have filled my quota in no time."
"Don't go checking off human lives like merchandise freak!" The Phantom suddenly dove aside as a speeding motorcycle practically bee-lined straight for him. The motorcycle came skidding to a halt as its rider got off in order to face down the sneering Phantom.
"I see you're still in high spirits." The assassin snickered as Carter equipped himself with his Sword-Gun.
"You won't be getting away this time!" Carter promised as he leveled his weapon and tugged the trigger tight to send a hail of silver bullets soaring for the sneering Phantom. The assassin dove behind a nearby tree, waiting until the bullets finally stuck in the thick trunk before pulling out three Tarot cards and loosing them at Carter as if they were shuriken. Carter dodged the first two but the last one clipped him on the cheek, forcing him to reel in pain as a trickle of blood flowed from the thin slice across his cheek.
"Getting a bit slow aren't we?" The assassin called knowingly as he retreated into the trees, Carter leveled his gun after the Phantom's retreating back but he soon lost him amongst the trees before he could take a proper shot.
"Dammit!" He cursed, putting away his weapon as he noticed the two victims. The young woman was still calling out to her friendly fruitlessly as Carter came to her side. "Another victim. Call an ambulance!" Carter suggested to the young woman who nodded as Carter used his coat as a pillow for the poisoned woman. 'I should have gotten here sooner!' He cursed to himself, guilty for his slow response. 'Times running out.'
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"Another victim! Quick get a bed prepared, ready an I.V!" Doctors barked orders as nurses rushed to and fro, carting patients and hospital equipment between rooms which had seen an unfortunate rise in occupants. Men, women, elderly and even children slept in every bed, all hooked up to equipment essential for their continued survival, though the high fevers, trembling fits, and calls of agony hardly made it seem like the victims were sleeping soundly.
"Please start again, you say you were attacked by some kind of monster and that your friend was 'stung'?" A police officer investigating the attacks had pulled the young brown haired woman away to get her comment on the attack, a doctor wishing to know the details of the epidemic his hospital was facing listened in as well.
"Dammit, it's the same story every time." The doctor cursed. "Based on the evidence we're obviously dealing with some kind of poison or venom, but all of our anti-toxins have no affect on it, we've even started importing outside cures from more exotic nations who have far deadlier poisons to deal with, but the results aren't looking good."
"This is the twelfth victim this week, that makes almost twenty in total." The police officer grimaced, putting his note pad away. "If we don't get this under control soon, these people may not last much longer."
"Excuse me? But did you see where the man who came with us went?" The young woman asked, looking about the hospital confused.
"That's right I have to get his comment too." The cop started checking around for the foreign man. Unbeknownst to the three of them, Carter had ducked around a corner as the woman was being questioned. He stared mournfully into a bedroom filled with the Phantom's victims, several of them tossed and groaned in their sleep while others breathed shallowly, as if the pain was keeping them from breathing properly.
"Dammit!" Carter beat his hand against the wall in anger at his own failure. He gripped his wounded fist tight and soon pulled his hand up to his forearm. He winced at the dull pain that seemed to shoot up all the way to his shoulder. "Gotta keep fighting, I don't have the leisure of worrying about myself."
"Connect, please!"
Carter stepped through the portal after checking that no one was around, he reemerged within the haven Eriol created for them. Carter quickly planted himself on one of the many couches, staring intently at the crystal ball sitting on coffee table directly in front of him. Waiting for its surface to reveal where his prey would strike next.
"Aroo…"
Carter looked down to find Golem staring back up at him sadly, a bandage held between his thick hands. Carter then remember the cut across his cheek and that it still bled every now again as he moved his face. "Thanks, partner." Carter held his hand out to the purple Pla-Monster, picking the tiny creature up to sit on his shoulder while he set the bandage to his cheek.
"Yu-kun?" Carter heard the call from the haven's entrance and guessed from the sound of multiple footsteps and wing beats that the gang was all here. "I'm here!" He called back and waved as Sakura, Tomoyo, Yukito and Kero rounded the corner to greet him. They all blanched when they saw him though. "What? It's just a scratch." He assured them.
"Yu-kun, you should look at yourself." Tomoyo suggested as she pulled a hand mirror from her bag, handing it to Carter.
"Blimey, my poor mother would have a heart attack." Carter sighed. His hair was a mess, his eyes were baggy and though he rarely grew a beard, a bit of stubble was popping up on his chin.
"Have you been sleeping at all?" Sakura asked concerned.
"Eeeeeeehhhhh…no." Carter responded honestly. "The bastard we're chasing doesn't have the decency to sleep it seems." The magician had spent many a sleepless night watching the crystal ball for Garuda and the other's warning of an attack. Only the fact that he always came just too late kept his mana from running out and thus sustained him, slightly.
Kero sighed and tapped the magician on the head tiredly. "You're just as bad as Sakura was when she was coming into her own as the Clow Mistress, you both just work yourselves to death."
"Kero's right, you need to sleep some, leave monitoring the crystal ball to us." Yukito suggested, taking the glass orb from the table. Carter would have argued had he not seen the beseeching looks of Sakura, Tomoyo and Golem directed right at him.
"Fine!" He threw up his hands in defeat as he leaned back on the couch with his hands behind his head as a pillow and kicked up his feet on the arm of the couch. "Guess I have no choice but to take a power nap, but wake me as soon as things escalate." He demanded.
"We will." Sakura nodded in agreement. Carter returned the nod with a thumbs-up and relaxed back again.
"I suppose it's for the best." He muttered. "Can't be sleepy for tomorrow after all."
"Tommorow?" Tomoyo inquired. Her eyes lit up when she realized. "Oh, classes are starting again." She recalled. The school had finally been cleaned up enough for classes to be held again and all the students had been informed that they should report for class within the week.
"You got it." Carter confirmed, already half asleep. "Been spending many a night thinking up new lesson plans. Gonna make this the most fun/work heavy semester you two will ever have." Carter muttered little by little before he finally drifted off to sleep. Sakura gently draped Carter's jacket over him to use as a blanket and smiled contently to know that her friend was finally getting some rest.
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Location Unknown
"Our assassin friend has been busy it seems." Beelzebub knelt at attention before his mistress's bedside as he gave her his report on Manticore's actions of late. "Though I am curious." She tutted suddenly. "He claims that he is performing beyond our expectations and yet…we have had no new Phantoms born recently nor has the Wizard been dealt with. I am concerned by this mixed information we're getting."
"I am just as confused as you are my lady." Beelzebub nodded in response to her concerns. "I knew little of Manticore's work besides that he relied on Poison, a poison incurable by human medicine as well as fatal with no reported fail rate. I shall voice your concerns to him when we meet him next."
"Why wait? I can explain now." Beelzebub rose to his feet in shock as Manticore suddenly stepped from the shadows, grinning wickedly.
"Fiend! Show proper respect in our lady's presence!" Beelzebub snarled as he took his brown skinned goblinoid form, he rushed to Manticore, sword drawn in an attempt to teach the arrogant Phantom respect. He was met by a whip-like tail swiping to his throat, a needle like stinger stopping inches from his jugular. Manticore grinned arrogantly as he forced the attendant back.
"Enough! Both of you stand down!" Though her voice was soft and feminine it carried a booming force behind it that extended across the dark cavern and instantly forced both Phantoms to break apart.
"My lady." Manticore bowed respectfully, one hand covering his heart as he lowered his head.
"Proceed." She urged him.
"Very well. As your attendant explained I have indeed claimed that I am ahead in my work."
"But none of your reported victims has succumbed to despair and be reborn as a Phantom. By all accounts it doesn't sound like any of them will last before the end of the week." Beelzebub pointed out.
"You're close. The first of my targets shall die by tomorrow." Manticore replied matter of fatctly.
"How does this serve us then?!" Beelzebub argued in outrage. "What purpose do their deaths serve us if they aren't reborn as Phantoms?"
"Because none of the people he's attacked have been Gates." The Mistress answered for him.
"What?!"
"Very intuitive my lady. You have a very keen understanding of despair it seems." Manticore chuckled, pleased his employer could respect his work. "You seem confused my friend." Manticore noticed Beelzebub's clueless expression. "It's quite simple really. Every person I've attacked has people who are closest to them. Lovers, parents, siblings, friends…people who rely on them and cherish them dearly. How saddened will they feel when their loved ones just start dying around them? How hopeless they will become."
"Quite a fresh spin on such an old method Manticore. Creating an epidemic in order to attack Gates in mass." The Phantom Mistress replied approvingly. "And as for our friend the Wizard?"
"Oh him." Manticore laughed aloud as if he knew the punch-line to a hilarious joke. "Don't concern yourselves with him. In the end, he shall face the greatest despair."
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Back at the haven
Carter had long since fallen into a deep sleep, his loud snoring bringing satisfied smiles to his friends who congressed within the lounge beside him.
"At least he won't be exhausted when he heads out again." Kero quipped as he stuffed a slice of cake in his mouth. Tomoyo had picked up a fresh boxed pastry on their way down to share with Carter while they reviewed recent happenings. Though, the sweet toothed magician was currently asleep and the cake was already half inhaled by Kero.
"He pushes himself way to hard." Yukito stated sadly. "How has he been able to keep this up for so long?" Yukito's comment caught Sakura's attention, as she recalled something Ezekiel had said before they had seen off, not even a week prior.
Flashback, 5 days ago
"Zeke, please tell Val to not worry for me." Carter asked as he and Ezekiel shook hands one last time before Ezekiel had to board his plane. "Tell her I'm living quite comfortably here in Japan and that when I finally come back home, I'll bring all the souvenirs she could ever want."
"Yes I suppose that would calm her down wouldn't it." Ezekiel chuckled, as did Carter, Sakura and Tomoyo. "She actually sent me here with a gift for you. A…reminder of home you could say." Ezekiel reached into his coat, pulling out a folded up piece of paper which he handed to Carter.
"This…?!" Carter held up the crumbled up photo, staring intently at the old image. It displayed Carter and his family years ago. Carter was twelve years old when this was taken, he wore a childish and giddy grin as he smiled for the camera. In his arms was a tiny girl with blond hair tied in pig tails that must have been Carter's younger sister Valorie. She held onto her elder brother tightly, showing a wide smile that was starting to miss baby teeth. Behind them were there parents, a tall man with messy blond hair and blue eyes seen wrapping his arm around his wife's shoulder, and a beautiful young woman with Carter's brown hair resting her hands on her son's shoulders.
"That's such a lovely photo." Tomoyo commented.
"Was this your family Yu-kun?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Yeah…some ten years ago. I can't believe this survived the fire." Carter looked to Zeke for answers as he held the precious memory to his chest.
"It was tucked away in one of your mother's scrap books. By some miracle it survived for Valorie to find it years later. I remember taking this photo, it was a picnic you guys had invited me too ten years ago." Ezekiel's eyes clouded with feelings of melancholy as he thought back to those happy days where had been seemingly adopted into the Hughes family.
"Yeah, good times." Carter's bangs fell over his face, hiding his eyes from his friends.
"Last call for luggage check in!" An intercom went off, catching the groups attention that Ezekiel's flight would be boarding soon.
"I'll take care of your bags." Carter volunteered, taking the old man's luggage before he could respond, walking off alone toward the check in.
"And there he goes again." Zeke sighed as he shook his head sadly. "He always hides his face and finds some excuse to be alone when this subject crops up."
"It's happened before." Tomoyo agreed, remembering how similar events had occurred when Kero pried about how Carter first became a Wizard.
"Yu-kun always seems so stoic and upbeat. This must really hurt him if he chooses to be alone instead of talk with others." Sakura looked on sadly as her teacher walked away, slumping slightly.
"That's how he's always been. Only now have I realized the kind of burden he's been holding onto all these years. How does he do it?"
"I think…Yu-kun only wants to save people. He wants to make sure there are no more victims of the same misery he's felt and he's willing to bear that pain alone, if he has to." Sakura commented. "But were with him now, so he's not alone anymore." Sakura added, grinning reassuringly.
"Hmmhmm. I see." Ezekiel chuckled. "Then can I ask something of you two?" Zeke asked, kneeling so he was eye level with the two girls. "That man is still a boy, on the inside." He explained with a grin. "A boy with a heart of gold and a will of iron. I'm asking you two for my sake, make sure those precious traits his don't shatter under his pent up sorrow."
Flashback end.
Sakura and Tomoyo agreed readily, leaving the old man with no regrets as he departed. The trio watched as Zeke's plane took off, Carter still holding onto the photograph for dear life. Since then it had been newly framed in Carters apartment, a reminder of the life he has back in his hometown. Now Carter slept, having exhausted himself for a search Sakura and Tomoyo were seemingly unable to help him with.
"I wish we could do more." Sakura stated sadly. Though Carter often praised her as a sorceress and expressed his gratitude for her help in many battles they've been in, more often than not he chooses to head alone into battle, sometimes even pushing himself too far and nearly suffering fatal wounds before she, Yue and Kero intervene. Though she was sure he would never admit it, he must still think of her as a child, someone to protect and make sure remains unharmed. He would sooner risk his own life than the possibility she'll be inured, and this fact left the Card Mistress disheartened.
"Arooo!" Sakura suddenly felt a tugging on her sleeve and she looked curiously down at Golem who seemed to be attempting to get her attention.
"What is it, Golem-san?" Sakura attempted to reach out to the tiny familiar but the shy Pla-Monster suddenly backed away from her, apparently still not comfortable around its master's circle of friends to be touched by them. Still it remained close enough to express what it wished to say.
"Arooo! Arooo!" The gorilla like familiar suddenly began to smash its square shaped fist into its chest, much like a regular ape. Sakura tilted her head to the side in confusion.
"What's he trying to say?" Kero asked confused as well. Golem only beat its chest faster in frustration of being misunderstood. More precisely, it began beating the left side of its chest more frequently.
"Your chest?" Sakura inquired.
"Heart?" Tomoyo attempted.
"Aroooo!" Golem began shifting from foot to foot excitedly, like he was dancing.
"Heart? We can help Yu-kun with our hearts." Yukito said thoughtfully. "I see. Golem-san wants us to support him with compassion."
"Help him with our feelings!" Sakura said happily. "We just have to support Yu-kun and make sure he never feels lonely!"
"What's with all the noise?" Carter yawned loudly and stretched as he settled into a sitting position on the couch. "That was a good nap."
"Sorry for waking you." Sakura apologized.
"It was plenty for a power nap." He replied with a smile, his eyes suddenly shifted to the coffee table and his expression darkened. "And it looks like I woke up just in time." The crystal ball was giving off light, the signal that Garuda and the others were on the trail of the Phantom. "Time to get to work." Carter stood up, pulling on his jacket, though with some difficulty.
"Something wrong?" Yukito asked as Carter seemed to be having trouble getting his right arm through its sleeve, his face belaying the frustration he was having.
"Just snagged." He assured them, finally forcing his arm through. "Well, I'm off." He said with a wink and his signature thumbs up.
"Hang on, we'll come with you!" Sakura volunteered.
"No can do." He held up a hand to stop her argument he knew was coming. "I won't risk you all getting poisoned by Manticore's sting. My armor can protect me so I'll be fine."
"But we can help." Yukito argued.
"You can help by staying here on the lookout for more Phantoms." Carter said as he turned to leave. "The other Phantom's have been strangely quiet lately, chances are they may take advantage of my focusing on Manticore to make their move elsewhere. I need you all to be where I can't. Understand?"
Sakura's dejected face showed the disappointment on her face but she sighed nodded in the end. "Okay Yu-kun, just be safe." She begged.
"You know it!" He waved over his shoulder confidently. He was just about to step through the door way when he stopped mid-step. "Oi, Sakura-chan. That story you told me about when you sealed the last Clow Card…"
"Hoe?" Sakura replied confused. The group had often gotten together and swapped stories here in the haven. Carter was particularly fond of Sakura's stories for when she was competing with Syaoran in collecting all of the clow cards and then how Eriol had created situations designed specifically for her to change the Clow Cards into Sakura Cards. Sakura had even told him of when she sealed the last, most dangerous Clow Card, but she had no idea why he was bringing up that story now.
"I recall you saying how every time that Clow Card attacked, you lost more and more of your Sakura Cards. You were basically becoming weaker as the situation worsened." Carter turned to her with a serious look in his eyes. "Tell me, how did you cope with that situation and push yourself to succeed?"
"How did I cope?" Sakura asked confused. She placed a hand to her chin and thought back to that summer. The last Card had attacked sporadically, slowly causing objects, places and soon even people to disappear from the city. And as the Card's power grew, more of her Sakura Cards were being stolen from her until she had none of them left. But also, another important event coincided with that battle. "I…had resolved myself to something important." Sakura replied surely as she matched Carter's expression with a smile. "I had been reunited with a person very important to me and I was resolved to succeed so that could tell them what I had to say, no matter what."
"Resolve to express something important to you." Carter repeated, understanding slightly. "Wagata!" He turned on his heels and opened the door to exit the haven. "I'll be back later!" he called with a smile. "That Phantom won't know what hit him." Carter shut the entrance to the Haven behind him, stepping out into the deserted School hallway. Carter leaned against the lockers beside the door, gripping his right side in frustration as he sighed. "Resolve, huh? I have plenty of that, its cooperation from my body that I lack."
"Yu-kun." Carter turned in shock to find Tomoyo standing in the hall behind him, a look of concern on her face. "You're hurt."
Carter didn't even waste time to wrack his brain for an excuse. This girl was just that smart and observant. "Yeah, been this way ever since our first encounter with Manticore."
"When he struck you in the arm when you protected Burns-san." Tomoyo recalled.
Carter nodded, pulling up the sleeve of his right arm to reveal a black mark on his fore arm, an inky black substance seemingly pulsating just beneath his skin. "His stinger only pricked me but his poison definitely got through, even if it was a trace amount."
"Have you been in pain?" She asked concerned, taking his arm in her hands in order to look it over closely.
"It hurt a bit at first. But that faded quickly and was replaced with a numbness that's slowly growing along my whole right side. My reflexes have already suffered for this, thus my slow reaction time." He pointed to the bandage on his cheek where he had been cut.
"You can't fight like this! Let Sakura-chan and the others-." Carter suddenly placed a hand to her mouth to silence her.
"I meant what I said. I don't want anyone else getting poisoned. I was lucky to only get hit slightly, that's the only explanation as to why I'm still moving around when every other victim is bedridden. Which means I'm the only one who can stop him."
"Why?" Tomoyo trembled as she looked up at her friend sadly. "Why are you so willing to risk yourself alone when others are there to help you?!"
"Cause I cherish all of you dearly." Tomoyo froze at his sudden and sure response. "Even though we've barely known each other for a few months, I already cherish you four like I would my own family." He chuckled as he ruffled her hair affectionately. "You all have made this city into a second home to me. I love this city and to see the people in it suffer at the hands of that monster is making my blood boil." The serious look returned to his eyes as he turned his back on Tomoyo. "I try to act the role of the gentleman hero, but underneath that is a vengeful man who is ready to lash out in anger. When I see Manticore, I'm going to make him pay for every person he's hurt, the poison inside me be damned."
"Yu-kun…" Tomoyo muttered, astounded by the aura of power coming off her usually gentle teacher.
"Keep this a secret from the others, they'll just worry." He marched away, leaving a silent Tomoyo behind to watch him go.
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As Carter ran out the School building he was met by Unicorn waiting for him at the entrance. The equine Pla-Monster neighed in distress, urging its master to get moving. "Lead the way Uni!" Carter commanded, running after the floating blue horse. He could have followed on his bike but with his right side shot driving would've been risky, so he resolved himself to run, at the very least to get his adrenaline pumping and his body more alert. Uni continued to neigh urgently, disturbed by his master's lack of speed. "I'm running, I'm running!"
"And where are you running off to?" Carter suddenly threw on the brakes as he had to duck under a low hanging broadsword blocking his path. His nose came inches from being sliced off by the large blade before he completely cleared the dangerous obstacle.
"Phoenix!" Carter snarled as the red clad teen stepped out, grinning cruelly at the Magician. "So I guess that first loss wasn't a fluke, you really are immortal."
"Damn straight!" Phoenix brought his sword around again, with Carter just barely cart wheeling aside before it cleaved his top half from his bottom. "I promised I'd be back for your ass."
"Why is it never a girl who tells me that?" Carter shrugged, equipping himself with his Sword-gun. Phoenix snarled as he raised his sword up, coating it in flames.
"Burn!" A burst of fire exploded from the Phantom's arcing slash, racing straight for Carter. Carter rolled to the side as the line of flames scorched the pavement where he had been standing. He squeezed the trigger of his gun, letting a hail of bullets explode out toward Phoenix, who was still prone from being mid swing.
Ping!
The silver bullets whizzed by the Phantoms exposed head, impacting against the wall behind him. Carter stared in shock at how he had missed such a clean shot. Phoenix just snickered, pleased.
"I guess it's true. Your run-in with Manticore has left you severely weakened. What a wonderful opportunity for me." Phoenix's body gave off purple smoke as he shifted into his full red skinned Phantom form. "Manticore said he wanted you to suffer while knowing you failed to save all those Gates, but me, way to slow in my opinion. I prefer just killing you outright so you can't pose a threat anymore."
"Dammit." Carter switched his weapon to sword mode and shifted it to his left hand while he readied his Flame-Dragon ring in order to summon his armor. "I can't afford to lose here!"
"Like I'll give you a chance!" Phoenix howled in glee as his fist was coated in flames. He punched forward, sending a flaming missile in the shape of a bird soaring at the Magician whose hand had yet to reach his belt.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind and the bright gleam of silver exploded in between Carter and Phoenix, the Phantom's projectile literally sliced into bits by a whirlwind of sword slices.
"How unseemly you two children are."
"Empousa-chan!" Carter called in joy as the female Phantom had come in his defense, her blade pointed at Phoenix.
"Bitch, what you interfering for!?" Phoenix growled in fury. "Whose side are you on?!"
"Mine!" She retorted back, stepping forward with her blade gleaming with magenta light. Phoenix was suddenly shot backwards by a barrage of purple arrows of light that appeared and disappeared in the blink of an eye. Empousa towered over the wounded red Phantom, her aura expressing her dangerous mood. "I had thought that such cowardly tactics were above a warrior with your pride, but it seems I was wrong."
"Bitch…" Phoenix growled as he used his sword to help him stand. "I'll make you pay for this!" With a final roar of outrage and a blast of flame, the Phantom disappeared without a trace.
"Looks like he just added me to his hit list." Empousa quipped as she sheathed her sword and retook human form. She still had the short hair from their last duel and had even stylized it to more naturally framed her face, and Carter had to admit, it was a good look for her.
"Sorry, guess I owe you again, Empousa-chan." Carter said guiltily, holding his right arm gingerly.
"You do appear to be injured. What do you hope to achieve in your condition." Empousa accentuated her point by grabbing Carter by the shoulder, sending a dull shock up his arm. "As you are now…you probably can't even hold your sword properly. What happens when your body completely fails you and you take a fatal wound because you were not able to avoid it?" She demanded angrily. "What did I ask you all those years ago? 'Do you have the liberty to fight someone stronger than you?' Right now you are rushing off to fight a foe you have no chance to beat alone. You are rushing off to die!"
Carter responded to her outrage with a smile, taking the hand she placed on his shoulder in his own. "My friends had expressed the same worries you are before I left." He explained with a sigh. "Their concern made me really happy. Happy I had friends like them that worried about me. Your concern…makes me especially happy." Carter raised Empousa's hand to his face, planting a kiss on the top of her hand.
"What are you…?!" Empousa swiped her hand away and reached for her sword, eyeing the grinning magician in suspicion.
"I'll be sure to answer yours and the others concerns and come back in one piece." Carter promised with a thumbs up and a wink. "So how about next time we meet, I take you out to dinner?"
"DO-Don't be ridiculous!" Empousa snapped back shocked and a minute blush on her cheeks.
"Till then!" Carter patted her on the shoulder as he ran off toward the direction Unicorn had been leading him. Empousa watched him run off, her cheeks still burning slightly.
"Childish oaf." She muttered. Her eyes then softened and a grimace set her face. "Don't die on me, Carter."
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"This looks like the perfect place to set up shop." Manticore hummed to himself as he set down a small table and sat in the small chair planted behind it. The afternoon was slowly turning to dusk as the sun began to set. He had picked a quiet back street to set his pseudo-fortune telling business. Very soon the street would be frequented by many people either on dates or just taking a less crowded detour in order to avoid the traffic of the main street. "Soon now…" He grinned expectantly. This was a bustling city, not nearly as his home town in Calcutta, but the people here were quite active and outgoing all the same. Easy pickings for him.
One would assume that after nearly a week of his attacks the people would have become wise to him, but either by dumb luck or the sheer stupidity of the police force, he has been able to roam free, though he needs to find a new spot to set up his ruse every time, he has so far gone unopposed by all but the mahousukai. But even if there were warnings put out about him, he would not be worried. And the reason for that was his understanding of human curiosity. And their stupidity.
How often did he play this ruse in his hometown to the obsessed throngs of merchants, house wives, thieves or children who honestly believed he could read their fortunes with cardboard cards not even worth a child's allowance? Their dependence on hearing assuring news for their day to day lives had brought him a steady fortune. Had he not become a Phantom, he had actually planned to retire to a quaint little abode of his own in the country side. Now, as a death dealing Monster Assassin, he took new pleasure in his old occupation. His every prediction called death upon his customers and he loved every second of it. Their faces, once so alit with hope over what grand news they will learn for their future, become pale and stricken with absolute terror. He savored the look of shock and fear on their faces more than he did the act of assassination, but that was fun in its own way too.
"I wonder where I shall go after this job is done?" He mused to himself aloud. "Perhaps to America? Or maybe Germany?" The world was his oyster, now he worked for pleasure and he barely considered it work.
"Oh, you must consider staying longer." Manticore had been so busy musing on his path endeavors and future plans, he became completely blind to the man staring down at him, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets and his blue eyes ablaze with fury. "There are many sights in Japan even I've yet to see. You wouldn't want to miss out would you?" He accentuated his point with a snap kick that sent the tiny table separating them flying down the street to land near a trash bin.
"Why, you seem a bit more agitated than usual sir." Manticore chuckled to himself confidently, seeing past the bluster immediately. "I'll admit, you got here faster than I expected. There aren't even any customers out yet."
"Your sick game ends tonight." Carter promised taking his balled up fist out of his pockets. "Stand up. Were taking this elsewhere." He ordered venomously.
"If I must." The Phantom assassin sighed, abandoning his stool and letting Carter lead him away from the soon to be busy street.
The Sun had already sank below the horizon as they came to a tree lined clearing, squaring off in the middle.
"Before we start, I want to know something." Carter said as he slipped on his Flame-Dragon ring. "You're victims aren't Gates, I can tell that much since none of them have fallen to despair yet. In fact most of them are so close to death that it would be almost irresponsible for you to have attacked them so before they changed into phantoms. What's your game?"
"My game?" Manticore repeated, tapping his finger onto his chin as he thought of how best to explain. "How about this: Do you know the best way to kill 4 birds with one bullet?"
"What?" Carter was perplexed by the Arab's riddles and could not even come up with an answer to such a dreadful question.
"Simple really, kill the mother and the chicks will die soon after." He grinned deviously at Carter's disgusted expression. "How best to attack Gates without letting nosy magicians know what I'm doing?"
"Poison the Gate's loved ones and wait for them to fall into despair as the people around them die off slowly…" Carter's bangs fell over his face as he gripped his hands tightly into fist. "You sick bastard…You're dead!"
"Flame…Dragon!"
"Bou! Bou! Bou-bou-bou!"
The red projection of Dragon erupted from Carter's body, roaring with fury to match its master's before crashing back down atop Carter and coating his body with red flames. Manticore sneered as his body gave off purple smoke and he took his insectoid form, his scorpion like tail lashing out like a mad snake.
"I was going to let you suffer slowly, but if you want it now…have it!" The poison tipped whip sprang forward toward the still changing Wizard. The stinger dived directly for Carter's heart, coming inches from his heart before a gauntleted hand snapped from the flames, catching the tail just behind the stinger before it could bury itself into Carter's chest.
"You're mistake was not killing me faster!" He retorted with a snarl, gripping the tail with both hands and tugging with all his might. Manticore was flung off his feet, soaring through the air toward Wizard who stepped forward with his boot ablaze, slamming it home into Manticore's stomach as he soared right for him. Wizard released his hold on the Phantom's tail as it was blown back by his kick, straight into the thick trunk of a nearby tree.
"Urrrgh! Dammit…" Manticore hissed as he used the tree to pull himself up. Pounding foot-steps alerted him to Wizard charging for him. He rolled to the side as the Kamen Rider's blazing roundhouse kick struck the tree he had been leaning on, shattering the thick trunk and causing the tree to collapse backwards.
"You won't get away." Carter growled as he equipped himself with his Sword-gun once again. He then passed a ring over its scanner.
"Copy!"
Carter swiped both of his swords out before him, marching on Manticore with menace pounding in his steps. The Phantom retaliated by snapping his tail forward, straight for Carter's helmet. The Kamen Rider ducked low to avoid the deadly stinger, cartwheeling under the whip before it retracted for another attack. He skidded to a halt beside the Phantom's flank, crossing his swords across the beast's exposed side.
"Grahh!" Manticore howled in pain as the silver swords cut deep scars into his body. 'How is he moving like this?!' Manticore thought in denial. 'The poison in the wound from our last battle should have at least numbed his entire right half. He should at least be sluggish.'
As Manticore was running these thoughts through his head, Carter was pulling one of his swords back, stabbing it forward as a silvery flash of steel that slipped through the kaijin's arm block to pierce into Manticore's chest.
'It doesn't make any sense. He shouldn't be able to fight this well!' Manticore snarled in denial as he pressed forward, smashing his claws into Carter's torso.
"Hurgh!" Carter stepped back, his arms crossed over his chest where Manticore raked his claws across his armor. Manticore watched the suddenly weakened Wizard reel back curiously, not thinking his wild attack to be that affective. "Haaaarrragggh!" Carter swiped his blades to the sides once more as he rushed back in, bringing one sword chopping down. Manticore managed to catch the blade on his raised arm but had to back away as the other sword stabbed forward again.
'That reaction…Could it be?' Manticore jumped back further, putting some distance between him and Carter. He whipped his tail out once more, but instead of leading with the stinger as Carter expected, the tail purposely whizzed by his head, only to snap to the side suddenly, striking Wizard in the temple and knock him flying through the air to land on the ground with a heavy thud.
Carter's swords fell from his hands as he lay sprawled on the ground panting heavily with exertion. Manticore chuckled as he dusted himself off and marched toward the wounded Wizard, no longer afraid. "I should've noticed sooner." He mused as he towered over his prone foe. "I was confused at first as to why you were fighting as well as you were despite the condition you should be in. Anger and adrenaline can be such wonderful means of compelling the body into action. But once it wears out…" Manticore pressed his foot into Carter's stomach, causing him to hiss in pain once more. "The damage you've taken becomes all the more painful."
Manticore's tail retracted to hover over Carter's helmet threateningly. "I'll make this quick and just poke through your head. Be thankful you won't have to live to see all those people die, writhing in their hospital beds."
"You…" Carter growled as his fingers tightened around the handle of one of his sword once more. "Talk too much!"
Bang!
"Gaaaaahhhhhh!" Manticore pulled back, his head covering his face from where one of Carter's bullets smacked into his eye. Carter quickly hoisted himself up, ignoring the pain wracking his chest. He tossed his gun aside, knowing he would not likely make another shot like that again, and sprang forward, twisting through the air to land one of his signature bicycle kicks across the Phantom's shoulders, forcing it to a knee.
"How?! How can you still keep fighting?!" Manticore demanded to know as he glared up hatefully at the magician.
"Cause I can't afford to stop fighting. Even if it kills me." Carter retorted tiredly.
"Oh it shall. It shall!" Manticore snarled hatefully as Carter reeled forward, feeling something pierce into his back between his shoulder blades.
"Hurk…Dammit." Carter fell forward, the Phantom's stinger ripping itself free from his back as he hit the ground, barely able to use his arms to keep him from collapsing altogether.
"You let your guard down. Now you get to die slowly, painfully." Manticore rose to his feet again, stepping over the fallen Kamen Rider dismissively. Carter gasped in pain as the venom set his blood on fire, making everyone attempt to move feel like an electrical charge to his nerves. Still, he forced himself to stand.
"Wait. I'm not done yet." Carter pounced forward as Manticore turned back curiously. He was met by an elbow to his jaw. "I'm not finished." Carter snapped off a series of roundhouse kicks into Manticore's wounded flank, punishing the wound with whatever strength he had left.
"Can't you just stay down?!" Manticore growled through the pain, gripping Carter about the throat and tossing him away, to smack into the trunk of a tree. Only by sheer force of will did he not collapse and use the tree to hold himself up, though just barely as his knees were half bent and his arm hung numb at his side. "No job is worth this much headache." The Phantom growled annoyed. "I should just put you out of both our miseries." The Phantom bent sorely to pick up the discarded Sword-gun, leveling the barrel at the exhausted Kamen Rider. "Die."
Bang!
The woods became deathly quiet. The leaves on the trees ceased to rustle as the wind died down. The only movement was the wisp of gun smoke filtering from the skyward facing gun barrel.
"Who…in the hell?" Manticore muttered in disbelief, staring unbelieving at the figure who had forced his gun away at the last minute. The shadows left both Manticore and Carter blind to the interloper's appearance, save for the very human outline cast by the moon.
"Oi, kid!" Carter rasped as loud as he could, hoping to warn the younger man of the danger he put himself in. "Get away, that guy's dangerous!"
"He's the one right?" The boy had a gruff, but also noble sounding voice. "The monster who caused this epidemic?"
"Little brat!" Manticore snarled, swiping at the boy with his claws. The kid did not reel away in terror, instead he pushed in, forcing his arm in to press against the Phantom's, catching the swiping claw by the elbow joint and stopping it in its tracks. "My arm…I can't move it." Manticore gasped in disbelief. He was in for further shock as the small figure suddenly leapt up, snapping off a kick to his face that left him dazed on his feet and tumbling backwards.
"You won't get away…with hurting her home town." The boy suddenly pressed his hands together, one splayed out and the other balled into a fist. Blue flames suddenly flared between his fingers tips as he pulled his hands apart, the flames forming into a shaft held in his fist. With a swipe of his hands the flames subsided, revealing a silver bladed Jian-broadsword with a black jewel set in the center of its guard. The boy crossed both his arms in front of him, his free hand closed save for his index and middle fingers pointed up.
"Another mahousukai?!" Manticore cried in disbelief. The boy responded by raising his sword in front of his face with his two fingers pressed against the flat face of the blade. Blue sparks of electricity jumped from his finger tips to his blade as a magic circle in the form of an eight sided hexagon with Chinese symbols lining each side appeared at the boy's feet.
"Raitei…Shourai!" (D-note: Thunder Emperor; been waiting all fic to write that)
Shafts of lighting flew from the young sorcerer's energized blade, racing through the air to strike the fearful Phantom, devastating the ground around him and sending the monster flying back. Manticore hurtled through several trees, sending them crashing to the ground as his body rocketed deeper into the dark forest, disappearing into the shadows.
"That's not western magic…" Carter deduced as he looked on in awe at the younger man's power.
"I don't know if that destroyed him or not." The boy lowered his sword and turned to Carter kneeling down at the wounded man's side. "Chasing after him in this darkness wouldn't be wise, not with you in this condition. We better leave and treat your wounds."
"No!" Carter gasped as he tried to force himself to rise, but his legs buckled under their own weight and he fell to his knees again, this time exhaustion and pain were completely setting in and even his armor finally fell away, his will no longer able to sustain it. "That monster's victims could die any day now. We have to finish this quick, otherwise…"
"That's why I need to treat your wounds quickly, and start cleansing you of that poison."
"What?!" Carter stared in disbelief at his new ally. "Then forget me, you have to get to the hospital and help those whose lives are actually in danger!" The boy shook his head as he circled to Carter's back, taking what appeared to be a slip of paper from his jacket.
"Had I known about the situation sooner I would have come much faster and may have been able to do something." He explained as he planted his sword into the ground and held the slip of paper to eye level, closing his eyes to concentrate. "Unfortunately, the monster's poison has been in their bodies to long and has most likely begun to take root. It would be more prudent to call this more of a curse than venom and it will be all the more difficult for me cleanse all of them, especially without being discovered."
"So after all, the only way to rid those people of their curse…"
"Is to destroy that monster and let his magic die with him. Now hold still." The boy placed the paper charm over the spot where the Stinger had pierced his back. He began to chant softly as his hexagon shaped magic circle returned once again, surrounding both him and the kneeling Carter. A golden glow grew from the ground the magic circle sat upon as cleansing white light began to filter into the charm and into Carter's wound. The magician could feel a cold sensation hit the small of his back, but it seemed to be fighting back the pain and exhaustion wracking through his abdomen. The glow began to fade as the charm had become the very energy it was filtering into Carter until it too entered the wound, closing it as it disappeared. His spell complete, the young boy fell back onto his haunches, wiping sweat from his brow.
"That was a bit more difficult than I first imagined, but it seems it worked."
"It more than just worked!" Carter called gladly as he began popping his joints and stretching his muscles experimentally. "I think you might have gotten out all the cricks in my back as well. I haven't felt this good since High school." Carter offered the boy a hand up with a grin. The boy took the offered hand and returned the smile. "Those two sure didn't exaggerate when they described your skill to me." He had deduced this young man's identity the moment he saw his magic and was happy to know he had come to aid them in their time of need.
"Nor did Hiragizawa lie of your devotion to stopping these monsters. I'm counting on you to end this and save those people, Wizard-sensei."
"NICE." Carter agreed with a wink.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The Next Morning, Sakura's House.
"Good morning!" Sakura called hastily as she rushed down the stairs from her room to their family's dining room.
"Good Morning, Sakura." Fujitaka greeted her with a smile as he set her breakfast down on the table. Toya was already in the middle of eating his and he looked at his little sister wryly.
"Your classes finally start up again and you still haven't fixed your over sleeping problem. You're hopeless." He remarked tiredly, popping another egg into his mouth.
"I had a lot on my mind last night and couldn't sleep well!" Sakura retorted irritably.
"Do you mean those monster attacks I've heard rumors about." Fujitaka asked, his expression belying his worry.
'Um…sort of." Sakura replied sheepishly. Her true worry was for her friend who had left to fight said monster the night before. The fact that no news had been leaked about whether the hospitalized victims were getting any better proved the Phantom was still on the loose. That left Sakura worried about the state her overworked teacher could be in right now.
"Those attacks have been happening fairly far from our street so their shouldn't be much to worry about." Toya explained. "Still, we want you to go to Tomoyo's house after school from now on since its closer to your school and get a ride home from her. It's still risky to walk around right now."
"Okay. I understand." Sakura complied, best not to let her father and brother worry about whether or not she can get home safely or not.
"Probably won't need to worry too much though." Toya shrugged with a grin on his face. "That monster would probably just run away the moment it meets a scarier monster."
"Jerk!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(D-Note:You guys are either gonna love me or hate me for this scene.)
"I'm leaving!" Sakura exited her house with her school case in hand and slipping her school shoes on, she took off down the street at a jog. "Late! Late!" She called aloud desperately. Sakura had quickly finished her breakfast after stomping down on her ever vexive brother's foot. "Oni-chan still picks on me for, even though I'm a middle schooler."
Sakura dashed through the curves and back roads of her neighborhood, following the path she'd taken ever since she was in elementary school. She had just turned the corner into a back road when she spotted someone waiting for her. At a distance she saw the brown hair and thought it was Carter but as she got closer, her eyes widened in shock and her pace slowed to a halt.
"Syaoran-kun…?" The young man before her was a good head taller than her, with messy brown hair and amber eyes. He wore the green uniform of a male Tomoeda Middle School student and in his hands were a school brief case like hers but in his other hand; tucked between his arm and his chest, was a handmade plush bear with green fur and tiny white wings sewn into its back. The same bear Sakura had made for him years ago.
"I finally finished the formalities in Hong Kong." Syaoran Li explained with a gentle smile. "I can stay in Tomoeda from now on."
"Really?" Sakura asked hopefully as she stepped closer to the boy, starring up into his brown eyes with her green eyes practically glowing.
"Yes."
"We don't have to go through phones and letters anymore?"
"Yeah." He assured her truthfully. Sakura's eyes began to water as tears of joy welled in her eyes. The two set their bags and teddy bear on the ground as Sakura rushed to Syaoran's arms, wrapping her arms around his neck in a warm embrace. She nuzzled into his chest as her face a lit with joy and love.
"From now on, we'll be together, forever!" She spoke her solemn wish as the tears fell down her cheeks joyfully.
"Forever." He agreed whole heartedly.
(The End….NOT!)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Manticore watched the two young lover's encounter from the shadows. He stared hatefully at the young boy with brown hair, remembering without a doubt that he was the interloper from last night.
"A rendezvous between star crossed lovers…I quiver in expectation of the horror filled faces you will show me." The Phantom muttered to himself excitedly as he took his true from and brought his tail to the ready, preparing to run both teens through with one strike. "Now…Di-!?"
Manticore quivered involuntarily, twitching under some unknown force that held him in place. "Why…can't I move?"
Whoosh!
Manticore was suddenly ripped off his feet, flying backwards against his own will as his predetermined targets sank further and further away from him. He finally crashed to the ground, the air knocked from his lungs as he fell on his back painfully. He then saw the source of the force that carried him away. A magic circle of golden yellow color that hovered over him, pressing down on him with such intense pressure that it left him floored to the ground once again.
"Have you not caused enough trouble that must ruin such a beautiful moment?"
"Yo-you!" Manticore hissed as Carter walked into his view, his hand at his belt that glowed with inner power.
"Like it?" Carter quipped as he released the magic holding Manticore down and held up the yellow gem set ring up in admiration. "I picked it up from my master Ring Maker just last night. It allows me to increase or decrease the gravity around my target at my will, so I suggest you not try and run anymore because you won't be getting away this time."
"Do you have death wish?" Manticore demanded to know as he pushed himself to his feet. "I don't know how you're still walking around with all the poison I've pumped into you, but I can just as easily pump in more."
"Not this time." Carter promised as held up one more new ring. "My latest and strongest power will not be so easily toppled by you." The ring was a yellow Dragon Style ring with a thick, square gem setting the mask. "Henshin."
"Land…Dragon! Dan Den Don Zu Dogon, Dan Den Dogon!"
The earth rumbled as as the golden magic circle appeared at Carter's feet. A sandstorm kicked up, circling around the magician as a pair of dust dragon wings appeared from his back and settled into the ground as Wizard stood proudly in his new armor. The Land Dragon Style armor was far bulkier than its previous two counterparts, bearing heavy gem plating on its mask, chest and shoulders and a bright yellow cloak to go with it. Wizard took a low stance with one arm held up and the other pushed out before him.
"Sa, Showtime da!" Wizard quipped confidently and equipped himself with his sword.
"Your fancy costume changes won't change a thing!" Manticore screamed in denial as his tail whipped forward, smashing into Wizard's unguarded chest. But instead of the satisfying feel of piercing flesh, Manticore felt a throb in his tail as it bounced off the thick armor. "Impossible!" He cried out as his tail whipped back in rapidly, smashing into the Rider's yellow gem encrusted armor and bouncing off to no avail.
"My turn." Carter said as he charged in, sword held in both hands. He side stepped the next oncoming whip slash, and brought his sword down in a mighty two handed chop, slicing the head of the tail, and its stinger, clean from the rest of it. Manticore cried out in pain and outrage as his main weapon was destroyed in one move.
"You'll pay for that!" He promised as he took a set of black rocks in his hands and threw them down at his feet. The rocks gave off purple smoke as a pack of Golems groaned to life and leveled their weapons on the magician.
"I don't think so!" Carter said as he passed a ring over his sword's scanner.
"Big! Please!"
A yellow magic circle formed at the tip of his blade, flowing down the sword blade until it hit the guard. A gigantic projection of the blade sprouted from the magic circle, growing to double Carter's size and only by the herculean strength his Land magic provided was he able to hold it up.
"Chestah!" Wizard cried as he sweeped the blade out at an arc, slicing through the line of Ghouls like butter, causing them all to explode to bits. "Finale!" Carter finally turned on Manticore, raising his giant sword skyward. The massive blade eclipsed the sky, leaving the Phantom staring up dumbstruck by its pure size. "Your fate is: DEATH."
"Oh my go-!" His cry was cut short when the giant blade fell. A mighty gust kicked up as the blade crashed to the ground, breaking the dirt into a giant fissure that Manticore fell into the great chasm, stuck in the tight crevasse at the bottom of the pit.
"Gravity, please!"
The magic circle appeared once more over the fissure as the earth rumbled. Manticore could only cry out in terror one final time as the two walls closed in around him, crushing him. Only the satisfying sound of an explosion beneath the ground assured Wizard of his victory.
"Fui!" Carter sighed in relief. He de-henshined and cracked his neck tiredly. He walked through the woods till he found an opening back onto the street. He quickly ducked behind a tree as he heard a familiar voice coming down the sidewalk. Sakura and Syaoran walked hand in hand, chatting amongst themselves about what they had missed in each other's lives over the past two years. Carter leaned against the tree and smiled to himself pleased. He flicked his wrist and held out a pure red rose. He sniffed it contently and watched with eyes welling up in fatherly compassion over his two young friends' joyful reunion.
"Love…truly it is the well spring from which hope is born." Carter stated sagely. "Until this body finally gives out, I will protect this blooming love."
Done! That's about it really, I started this months ago, but due to school and helping Rosa with Double and Kiva I had to leave this chapter hanging in limbo. Sucks really, I had this big event planned since just about the beginning of the story in this exact manner. So I hope it came out as well as I hoped it would and I hope you all enjoyed it. By the way, for those who noticed, I have written Syaoran in this story to summon his sword and fight similarly to the Syaoran in TRC, only because I believe that as he got older he learned to fight this way, hope you like it.
