Because I know a few readers of this fanfiction series are tired of me slowly getting new chapters out... let's get this going.
A new chapter every Sunday until the end of 2006, then a new chapter once a week on Thursdays from that point forward.
Azkaban Episode 1
(NOTE - Disclaimer time once again ladies and gentlemen! Harry Potter and all related characters are the property of the one and only J.K. Rowlings. One book to completion of her series, three movies to go (with Order of the Phoenix coming in Summer of 2007). By the way, that means she only has until… hmm… I’d say we’ll see Harry Potter Year 7 the Movie by Summer 2010 if things go the way they do, so Rowlings will have to answer whether she’ll do anything with the Potter franchise past the last book of the series by then. Don’t envy her, by the way, when she finally makes her announcement if she hadn’t already.)
“Alicia Spinner” tried to be just a normal, typical girl.
She loved her free time, and enjoyed breaks whenever they presented themselves. She also dreaded the time she would be swamped in homework once again, even if the homework was abit more interesting than what “normal” kids did during their summer breaks being that she was doing the whole wizard/witchcraft in training thing.
She was a Rogue Raven. A former Guardian between dreams and reality who was presently in hiding, and presently using the name of another (who she accidentally killed three
years ago during a fight in the streets of London). The whole training thing in school was to keep up the guise of the person she replaced, who was going to start school when she died. One thing led to another and she ended up replacing her, something she wasn’t too comfortable with but found a necessity all the same.
She didn’t want to think about it though. Thinking about it only made her moody and that wasn’t something she wanted to be right now. So she turned her attention back to her studies and went at it again. It was nearly midnight in her room located in Diagon Alley, but she didn’t feel at all sleepy. Maybe if she went back to her studies she’d feel sleepy.
As she propped herself back up onto her pillows on the bed, she drew the huge leather bound book (A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot) back up so she could look over what she was examining for reference as she dictated her essay, her magic quill keeping up with every word on the scroll set out on the table near her.
The title of her scroll? “”Witch Burning” in the 14th Century -- an excuse for Muggles to behave badly.”
The quill was waiting patiently for her to recite her next thoughts as she looked over the pages, organizing her thoughts and setting her next words into motion.
“In the end, when it came down to it, Normal People (aka Muggles) suffered from an extreme paranoia over everything that they could not possibly understand, especially in areas relating to the supernatural and mysticism (magic). As a result, many Normals were killed
needlessly because they were mis-labeled as Magic Folk, and that was in itself wrong. Worst, the magic community of the 14th Century did NOTHING to protect these people whose only crime were to be falsely accused of something they did not commit.
These days the magic community is more keenly aware of the impact it has on the Normals (Muggles) that they live around, and how they have to keep an eye on them and do right by them, but in the 14th Century and beyond “witchhunts” were mostly an excuse for Muggles to behave badly, with entire villages losing it’s female populations in later years due to the barbaric and animalistic behaviors of sick, misguided men.”
‘And it always comes to blaming men in the end,’ she thought, as she sighed. She knew that her report would probably be rewritten by her professor because she always spoke her mind, and when she spoke her mind she spoke of things that weren’t terribly popular in wizarding circles. Still, it was the truth and nothing could change that. Nothing.
The report was just about done, and yet she still wasn’t sleepy. She wrapped her thoughts, did her closing, and ended the report with a slight flourish letting the quill fall to rest as she ended.
Since she did not truly belong in this world, but it was just as well since she had no home to go to these days anyway. Nobody who would miss her if anything happened to her, either here nor anywhere, a sad fact that embittered her daily. So she spent her last few summers hiding out in the inn on Diagon Alley, and if anyone from school inquired why she did this she’d simply answer that she was living away from home as an independent woman and chose to live her life this way. Nothing deceitful about that to be certain. Besides, even if they tried to use a truth spell on her (which nobody ever has) they’d only learn that she was telling the truth, which she was. She was an independent woman, and chose the way she lived her life -- it was only the specific details that suffered from a lack of truth.
Speaking of a lack of truth -- while visiting Harry during the summer she ended up intercepting a rather bad phone call. Now, you might ask, how did she pull it off? She found that simply entering the Dursley’s minds before going in, and “finding” the right “buttons” to push when she knocked on the door was a good way to get into the house. She only had to turn on her “charm”, mostly faked since she never felt truly charming at any point in her life, and weasel her way through the front door and into Harry’s presence.
It was while she was in the house that she happened to be near the uptight male of the house, a “Mr. Vernon Dursley”, when the phone rang. She politely excused herself and as he picked up the phone to answer she felt a chill run down her spine. Then it hit.
“HELLO? HELLO?”
At this Mr. Dursley jumped, holding the receiver a foot away from his ear with an expression of fury and alarm. Quickly, before he could react, she took the phone and covered the mouthpiece.
“CAN YOU HEAR ME?”
“Just a loon.” she told him, smiling as she did, “I’ll set him right.” (Just to insure his cooperation, she “settled” into his mind and played with his pleasure centers making him rather docile).
“I… WANT… TO… TALK… TO…”
Alicia yanked the phone up to her head and hissed “Ron shut the hell up you great big ‘git!”
Ron - “HAR… hold on… WHO’S A…”
“NEVER MIND!!” she yelled, almost immediately realizing where she was. She quickly redoubled her efforts to “calm” Mr. Dursley, and spoke again in a quieter tone. “What the hell is wrong with you? Are you daft?!?”
Ron - “I’m talking to the Muggle and---”
“Then talk to him for Heaven’s sake! Don’t scream at him!” (growls beneath her breath) “He’s a Normal, not deaf. Speak normally!!”
Ron - “A what?”
“A Normal, a Norm--- a Muggle you racist bastard! Just never you mind!” she growled
again, feeling the blood rush to her face turning it bright red, “Just hold on.” she motioned for Harry to take the phone as she calmed Mr. Dursley, only to realize he had fallen over with the most disturbing smile on his face.
The flashback ended then, she didn’t want to think of it anymore. It made her bitter.
Then again most everything about this world made her bitter. No surprises there.
“Maybe I tweaked him a little too much.” she thought bitterly to herself, thanking any deities above that she was alone with him and Harry at that moment or it would have been hard to explain the specific circumstances to his wife. In fact she still didn’t know how to
explain it even to herself, so she was just as glad when somebody from the Ministry of
Magic came to “retool” his memories. She didn’t get scolded by him, but she felt stupid for letting it get out of hand all the same.
One thing she did like about being out here in the world away from the school was that nobody could track the letters her classmates and others sent her. Sure they could send letters, but they went to a “safe house” where a few “associates” of her’s (Magic people she saved three years ago) handled her mail and sent it to her via their own owl which kept her specific “hiding space” a secret. All for security purposes only, she reasoned.
There was, of course, no need for all this precautions since it wasn‘t like anyone was stalking her at this present time, but still it made her feel abit better. It kept the specifics of herself a secret, and yet she could enjoy mail. She didn’t get much mail, but she got a few.
Colin, the formerly annoying little ‘git from last year, wrote her once. Just once. But it was the letter she was anticipating. After his petrification and revival, she had struck a deal with him. In exchange for helping him with his “Harry Potter” photo album, she only asked
that he’d take some photos of Hermione for her and send them during the break (so she wasn’t caught taking them off of him during school).
When the letter arrived it seemed heavier than she anticipated, so she thought he sent her some of his favorite “Potter” pics with Hermione in them. She was shocked to find that EVERY picture was of Hermione. “Damn,” she muttered as she flipped through the moving pictures, “Twit rates on “Stalker” level the way he takes pics.”
True to word, he did as she asked, and each picture looked like he was an expert -- at stalking people. She decided not to ask again this year for his help since his idea of “a few” pictures bordered on obsessive compulsive behavior which didn’t sit well with her.
“There’s a career in tabloid journalism here for the freak.” she noted with disdain.
Still, the pictures were nice and they all went into an album so Alicia could stare at them whenever she felt like it. Still, she did feel a little bad about the pictures whenever she thought about Hermione, but they were one of her prized possessions.
Another person she heard from was Oliver Wood, who spent the entire summer talking NOTHING but Quidditch tactics, sending her moving diagrams and so forth to “improve” her skills as a Chaser. She just chalked it up to his obsession for winning and the fact that he had yet to nail the big prize at the end of the year in Quidditch (the Quidditch Cup).
Made sense, though, if one would think about it. After all it was his last year at Hogwarts so it was now or never.
Still, with her mind more focused on love than Quidditch she wished she could ditch on the team and focus on Hermione. But it was too late. She was in for the long haul whether she wanted it or not, and nothing was going to stop them this year from winning.
With that said all in all she wished Wood was on for one more year so he wouldn’t bother
her THIS year with his trophy obsession.
There was also Hadgrid, of course, and the parade of students and fellow Quidditch players she knew who mailed her one and all. Then there was the one more on her list (just recent) who gave her quite abit of amusement to have on her mailing list.
The former Professor Lockhart.
When he lost his memory beneath Hogwarts during the entire Chamber of Secrets incident none could have been happier than one Ronald Wesley, who didn’t like him in the least.
And it would seem that was that for him, memory wise at least, because while that was happening Alicia had her own difficulties locating a lost treasure of her own dimension, a Darke Raven’s “Heart” (the source of a Raven/Darke Raven’s power, the crystal “heart” which contained the abilities for Ravens to tap into their great power levels) which was located in a second darker chamber beneath the chamber made by Slytherin. There she fought the “ghost” of the heart’s former owner, a Darke Raven named Reavus.
The heart contained too much evil to be kept by her, so in the end she turned it over to Professor Dumbledore to be disposed of. She did, however, gain a pure Raven’s heart (to replace the shards of her old “heart” which she had left after she lost her original Raven’s heart in the battle that killed the original “Alicia Spinnet”), and along with that she gained a new Familyar Cloak.
Thus it was that she was in such a good mood that she decided to help the “good” Professor when she heard of his problems, even if she hated him as much as Ron did.
She came to him while they were deciding what mental facility to lock him away in, and “reinvented him”. As far as he knew now? He was the heir of the world’s greatest line of magical hair care potions, and was now even more popular than he was as a self serving braggart because he apparently had some real skill in the art of hair care (who would have thought it?) He was now one of the greatest of hair fashion experts in the magical world.
Still, to think how long that source of pure evil laid untapped -- the Darke Raven power hidden beneath Hogwarts -- it was lucky that it didn’t fall into the wrong hands. Though at times she wonders if she hadn’t unleashed a worst evil upon the world the day she made Gilderoy Lockhart the king of hair care potions.
Suddenly she felt something brush against the back of her mind. Chii was home.
Chii, her Raven familyar she used for message delivery, was wandering out while she was doing her homework. With a slight wave of her hand she popped open the window for Chii to let herself in, only to realize that Chii wasn’t alone. There were more “life forces” with her, and they were all following closely behind. Before she could react they all flew in together, three owls (two of them holding the third) flew right up to her and dropped the third owl practically on her lap much to her disagreement.
Almost immediately she recognized the owl as Errol, the owl that belonged to the Weasleys.
“Aren’t you worst for wear today.” she muttered, untying the cords around the owl’s legs, removing the parcel, then carrying Errol to Chii’s resting area so he could drink some water and catch it’s breath.
“Next time bring home a boyfriend, not a half dead associate.” Alicia grumbled, turning her attention to the other owls. The two were handsome tawny owls. One was there just for help (apparently recruited enroute), the other however had a package and a letter bearing the
official Hogwarts insignia so it wasn’t a great stretch of the imagination to guess who sent that one. When Alicia relieved this owl of it’s burden, it gave an air of great importance (ruffling it’s feathers), stretched it’s wings, and took off through the window with
the other owl following right behind it. Just as well since Alicia wasn’t very fond of owls as companions to begin with.
“Why must everything be delivered by owl?” she grumbled, turning her attention back to the packages (noticing that Chii had dropped a Spell Tesseract gem on the bed meaning it was carrying mail of it’s own).
First things first, the mail that almost sent Errol to bird heaven.
She carefully removed the paper, finding a present wrapped in gold and a birthday card. Alicia sighed, remembering that she told people her birthday was in the Summer (another truth, if only in a sense) mostly because she’d figured nobody would remember it while on holiday. Her mistake.
She mildly popped open the card with little interest, only to find two pieces of paper within. One was a letter, the other a newspaper clipping. The clipping came from The Daily Prophet and the picture was moving (as all the pictures in the Prophet did). She read the clipping.
MINISTRY OF MAGIC EMPLOYEE SCOOPS GRAND PRIZE
Arthur Weasley, Head of the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office at the Ministry of Magic, has won the annual Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw.
A delighted Mr. Weasley told the Daily Prophet, “We will be spending the gold on a summer holiday in Egypt, where our eldest son, Bill, works as a curse breaker for Gringotts Wizarding Bank.”
The Weasley family will be spending a month in Egypt, returning for the start of the new school year at Hogwarts, which five of the Weasley children currently attend.
The picture was rather quaint by Alicia’s standards. It was a moving photo of all nine of the Weasleys waving furiously at her, standing in front of a large pyramid. Quaint. For laughs she flipped it over to read the back of the page.
ROGUE ANIMAGIUS ESCAPES FROM AZKABAN
Authorities are stymied as to how it occurred, but during the escape of now wanted fugitive Sirius Black, an unknown Animagius (identity unknown) escaped from Azkaban Fortress.
The Animagius, whose transformed form baffled members of the Ministry of Magic, seemed to have been some sort of throwback to the dinosaurs but yet different. Enhanced with Muggle technology of a type never seen before, this strange entity was only identified by the Ministery of Magic as “a being of particular interest” and nothing more.
While it’s present whereabouts are unknown, authorities assured the press that it seemed to rather enjoy it’s solitary confinement at Azkaban and didn’t seem interested in being near anyone (wizard or Muggle). This, assures the Ministry of Magic means most likely the missing Animagius went into hiding in seclusion. Further information on it seems…
“No picture?” she sighed, wishing Ron had just mailed the entire page instead of the clipping. Too late, and since the paper was abit old it was unlikely she’d ever find the paper in question with the rest of the article (which might have contained a picture).
The letter, of course, was from Ron.
Dear Licca, Happy Birthday!
(Alicia frowned whenever Ron insisted on calling her “Licca”).
Thanks for smoothing things out with the Muggles earlier. I asked Dad, and he reckons I shouldn’t have shouted.
(‘No duh!’)
It’s amazing here in Egypt. Bill’s taken us around all the tombs and you wouldn’t believe the curses those old Egyptian wizards put on them. Mum wouldn’t let Ginny come in the last one. There were all these mutant skeletons in there, of Muggles who’d broken in and grown extra heads and stuff.
I couldn’t believe it when Dad won the Daily Prophet Draw. Seven hundred galleons! Most of it’s gone on this trip, but they’re going to buy me a new wand for next year.
“Thank god.” Alicia sighed, hoping that they’d replace that deathtrap of a wand Ron had last year. If they didn’t, she was since she didn’t want to place her life in the hands of a person with such a faulty wand!
We’ll be back about a week before term starts and we’ll be going up to London to get my wand and our new books. Any chance of meeting you there?
(‘Of course since I’m already here.’ she thought to herself.)
Don’t worry, I won’t make the same mistake twice with the Muggles.
See you at Diagon Alley, (signed Ron)
P.S. Percy’s Head Boy. He got the letter last week.
“Must mean he’s the most insufferable jerk in the world right now.” Alicia concluded, putting the letter aside. Sure enough the photo from Egypt showed he was wearing his “Head Boy” badge already (atop the fez he wore on his head). With that Alicia turned to the present and
unwrapped it. Inside was the casing of an old style pocket watch (large and a full handful), with another note from Ron beneath it.
Licca -- here’s the old thing you wanted. I don’t know why you’d want such a thing as a birthday present, but here it is. Bye. (signed Ron)
Alicia smiled as she took her new Raven’s “Heart” from a secret tesseract pouch in her Raven costume (which she kept hung up in her room as a piece of decoration since she presently was “off duty” during her summer holiday) and placed the crystal against the case. It slowly phased into the metal, changing the watch into a Raven’s Mantle Amulet, which she attached to her uniform. The watch began ticking the moment the Heart went into place, clicking softly as Alicia put it away.
There, she now had a proper Raven’s Amulet to go with her uniform and new Familyar Cloak. She was now, once again, an “official” Raven in spirit at least though she was still in exile.
Still, it was the small victories that mattered these days so she was happy.
But it was the next package that really made her happy, mostly because it was from Hermione.
It was held within the tesseract gem that Chii brought, and she remembered that she gave Harry, Ron and Hermione a few each for just such an occasion.
For the longest time she held onto it, feeling rather giddy and chipper as she hugged her package and wouldn’t let go. Finally she managed to pry it loose from her own grip so she could open the card (cute) and letter that came with it.
Dear Alicia,
Ron wrote to me and told me about his phone call to Harry’s Uncle Vernon, I’m glad you were there to straighten things out.
I’m on holiday in France at the moment and I didn’t know how I was going to send this and Harry’s present --- what if they went and opened it at Customs? --- but thankfully Hedwig & Chii turned up! I bought your present in person before leaving for France from a friend,
who is into the same things you are, but only had a chance to mail it to you just now.
Did you see that picture of Ron and his family a week ago? I bet he’s learning loads. I’m really jealous --- the ancient Egyptian wizards were fascinating.
‘There she goes with the Mr. Spock talk again.’ Alicia thought to herself.
There’s some interesting local history of witchcraft here, too. I’ve rewritten my whole History of Magic essay to include some of the things I’ve found out. I hope it’s not too long --- it’s two rolls of parchment more than Professor Binns asked for.
‘Oh, sure, give Binns a heartattack with your essay.’
Ron says he’s going to be in London in the last week of the holidays. Can you make it?
‘Would I miss seeing you again? No. So there.’
I really hope you can make it. If not, I’ll see you on the Hogwarts Express on September the 1st. Don’t forget.
Love from (signed Hermione)
Alicia takes a deep breath, and nearly smothers the letter. “If only she knew how much I’d wish she’d tell me that she loved ME---” (Warning - Alicia’s beginning to act all giddy and stuff! So much so that she doesn’t even read the PS on the letter, she’s too hot on the
“love” part.)
As she puts the letter aside (around 1AM in the morning) and picked up the present, she felt it had abit of weight on it. Knowing “Hermione-chan” (which was Alicia’s pet name for her, but NEVER to her face) it was probably a mega huge book of high level spells --- but it
wasn’t. Alicia nearly jumped up as she pulled the paper back to reveal a case filled with a dozen metal spheres --- “Viewing Spheres” to be precise. Alicia had a whole bunch of these, which were sort of the magical version of DVD discs since (in a place like Hogwarts) normal
human stuff like DVD Players couldn’t be used properly. Her entire sphere collection was all Anime, so she knew that Hermione had scored her another dozen Anime spheres (which she did).
It was, in the end, a cute present from a cute girl, so that really made Alicia’s day.
It was too late however to watch any, she’d just have to do it tomorrow. With that she checked to make sure they were bound with indestructible charms to make them sturdy, which they were, before she put them into her huge collection with the rest of her spheres.
The last parcel had untidy scrawling on it, which meant it was from Hadgrid (bless his soul). She tore off the top layer of paper and saw something green and leathery --- now here’s an odd twist. Hermione-chan, the bookworm, sends her fun spheres with Anime on them.
While Hadgrid, the fun guy, sends her a book? Must be opposites day.
However before she could explore this further, the parcel quivered and snapped loudly --- Alicia looked at the package oddly. “A joke book?” (it did seem to snap) “---I didn’t think Hadgrid was that type of person---”
Well, then again Hadgrid did have a bit of an odd idea of what was “safe”, having had such dubious friends as giant flesh eating spiders and huge three headed dogs with a fondness for classical music.
She poked at the package with her fingers, only for it to snap again. Finally she simply tore the paper off and dropped onto her bed --- a book. That is all she could register before the book flipped onto it’s edge and tried to scuttle sideways along the bed like a weird looking
crab --- if she didn’t scream “HOLD IT!!” which brought it to a stop.
She grabbed the book, which struggled in her grip. It did indeed have “teeth”, and it was abit vicious, but it was soft too. The book was made of a soft leather which felt comfortable in the hands. Alicia forcefully rubbed it against her face (spine first) which, suddenly,
had a strange effect over it. The book stopped struggling and began to calm. Taking this as a hint she rubbed it’s spine over and over again until the book opened, calmed.
With a slight grin on her face she flipped the now confused book over on it’s face and kept rubbing, bringing shrill little shrieks from it, at last finishing by leaning over and using her tongue on the spine to bring the book to a shuddering fit of shakes and cries before it fell
silent, docile and tamed, in her hands.
She then cast a “Forever Repeat” spell on the book. The book stopped noticing the outside world then and lived forever in that “pleasure” of the last few minutes which gripped it and excited slash soothed it forever and ever. Now she could safely open the book and read it at
her leisure --- maybe tomorrow.
The letter was simple enough.
Dear Licca, (as hypocritical as it sounds, she only allows Hadgrid to call her Licca)
Happy Birthday!
Think you’ll find this useful for next year. Won’t say no more here. Tell you when I see you.
Professor Dumbledore wanted me to tell you that he destroyed that “thing” you gave him last year, so you shouldn’t worry about that anymore. I don’t know what he meant, but I’m sure you’ll tell me one day.
All the best, (signed Hadgrid)
Somehow the thought of a biting book which had a fetish for people tickling it (and a real turn on for licking) being useful kind of escaped Alicia at this moment, but she took Hadgrid’s word that it would be useful and left it at that. After she put all the cards
together she just had to deal with the letter from Hogwarts last.
This was rather thicker than usual, so she was abit worried. As she pulled out the first page she read the following---
Dear Miss Spinnet
Please note that the new school year will begin on September the first. The Hogwarts Express will leave for King’s Cross station, platform nine and three-quarters, at eleven o’clock.
Third years are permitted to visit the village of Hogsmeade on certain weekends. Please give the enclosed permission form to your parents or guardian to sign.
A List of books for next year is enclosed.
Yours sincerely, (signed Professor M. McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress)
Sure enough, there WAS a Hogsmeade permission form here.
And thus there was also a problem as well.
As much as the idea of traipsing off into town on the weekends sounded rather jolly (give Alicia more time to find gifts of affection for Hermione-chan), it also proved to be a task because she had no parents or guardians to sign this paper.
She looked over at the clock in her room, which showed it was now 2AM in the morning.
She finally gave up the ghost and went to bed, deciding that her problems might not look so big if she had a good sleep and tackled it with her morning breakfast.
But, for the first time in her life since she came here, she was glad she decided to tell people that she had a “birthday”. If only today, at least, she was glad.
Saturday, December 02, 2006
Friday, December 01, 2006
A Wee Bit Early...
So Saturday's post came out a little bit early.
See you next week for CardCaptor Sakura Remastered 6 to 7 (10)!
See you next week for CardCaptor Sakura Remastered 6 to 7 (10)!
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered 5 (10)
Saturday (December 2nd) (Sakura Blossoms)
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 5 (10)
Nina Kotobuki (Lt.) Recording
After the Clow Card incident (Fly) I decided I needed to keep an eye on as much of the city as I could looking for other rogue cards. The surveillance gear the Judgments used was good enough, but there were still some blind spots. King Penguin Park was one of them.
To counter this blind spot I decided to string it with hover campods, a simple enough way to cover a “blindspot” like the park, or so I thought. I was just making my way back to the Daidouji residence (job completed) when something caught my eye. It was in a lake in the park. When I neared something strange came out, a ghostly figure that--
"AAAHHHH!!!!"
Nina - “…what are you doing…”
* * * * * *
Northwest High (the next day)
"STOP IT!! STOP IT!!" Nina yells over the next high pitched scream from Sakura, face contorting in anger as she does. "Your making dogs deaf for miles (both here AND in the Waking World)!!"
Sakura - "I'm sorry!!"
That was the story Nina was telling them (minus the parts that implicate her true reason for being there, or anything about the Clow Cards). The gang was all there, the same girls Sakura knew when she was younger. Nothing has changed, except the grade-- and a few other things.
* * * * * *
I'm Sakura Kinomoto.
I'm studying to advance to the next grade.
Right now I'm at summer cheerleading practice. We're getting ready for the National Cheerleading Competition coming soon. But while we do, it's summer so Naoko is telling everyone scary stories. That’s when Nina jumped in with her own story, mostly because she figured out that telling ghost stories pushed my buttons, so she does it to annoy me.
Nina - “Did not (for once). I thought this was as good a time as any to do my report since I had some free time --” (groans) “-- unhinge much?”
* * * * * *
Sakura - "Lake?! The lake at New King Penguin Park? That lake!? Sounds familiar--"
Nina - "Know any other lake with a large penguin slide nearby?"
Sakura - "N-n-no-- I mean the s-story--"
New King Penguin Park. Named that because a frustrated Nekochanian with a matter teleport device shifted the park with her secret (hidden in plain sight) business complex to give it a better location. Thus the park, which used to be between Sakura's old home and school, was now located between Tomoyo's home & school (which was in turn once a former industrial park for a major Nekochanian corporation).
The things crazy Nekos would do for a higher profit margain.
"Uh-- N-Naoko? You think something else was the monster? Tree, telephone pole, another crazy Neko doing product testing herself, something? I'm sure we did this before--" Naoko shakes her head in the negative at Sakura‘s query. "Didn't think so."
As practice resumes, Nina walks off smiling wickedly. She got what she wanted after all, and got right back on Sakura's nerves again, and was grinning like a Cheshire cat because of it (even if it truly was done without any real malicious intention at first).
"Anything wrong, Sakura?"
"Nothing--" (sobs) "--nothing at all."
* * * * * *
NINA'S MEAN!! (sobs and cries) Why do people insist on telling scary stories in a Realm of Dreams?!? During the summer no less? I have to pass that park on my way back home--- (sobs) But the story does seem familiar---
* * * * * *
As Nina sighs she looks up into the sky. "If she wasn't so easy to fluster I'd be ashamed of my--" A pom pom flies overhead. "--the pom poms are migrating early this time of year."
The pom pom lands in a tree in front of Nina. "Must be the pom pom's mating season--- or something."
* * * * * *
"I'm sorry! I'll get it!!" Sakura offers, dashing off in the direction it went.
"She's got energy again today!"
"She's definitely getting stronger each and every day!"
But for a stronger girl, Sakura can't help but start crying when she thinks about the 'ghost'. She prefers not to linger on such topics for too long, for they tend to scare her.
* * * * * *
Nina's leg nearly slips out from her, bringing her slamming into the tree bark as she looks down. "Oh now this'll look nifty on my resume. A day in Summer, somebody found a Kotobuki stuck in a tree while she was retrieving a runaway pom pom with acute dysfunctional disorder, so they brought in a one armed man to wave her down." (moans as she looks at the height) "I should shut up and stop jinxing myself--- lord knows a one armed man might show up any minute and start waving."
As Nina looks back up and focuses on the pom pom, a "Ah!" catches her ears. She quickly grabs the tree and starts sweating, "Don't wave! Don't wave! Don't wave!"
"What are you doing up there?" Nina stops, blushes, and looks down. "Oh, it's you." (Sakura) "What do you want, Snoozer."
"I'M NOT SNOOZER!!" (huffs breath) "I came to get that pom pom!"
"Get in line!” Nina counters, “I was up here first!!"
"---" (quickly Sakura starts rifling through her top)
Nina - "?" (blinks) "Not interested in seeing you topless (though you have developed rather nicely in that department!) Thanks anyway! You can go away now."
"There it is--" (Sakura announces with a devilish smirk, as her hand holds out the star key) "Key of the star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!" As the staff grows Sakura reaches into a pocket. "Brought it. Heh heh heh---"
"Brought what?! You better not be thinking what I think your---"
"JUMP!!" (and with that Sakura takes a large leap into the air) "No! No! No! No!" (grabs tree) "Sakura you--" (tree vibrates abit as Sakura lands, but nothing too serious) "---oh---"
"You were saying?" Sakura remarks cheerfully, joining Nina at her level, watching the green haired woman scowl at her as she does. "I hope somebody waves YOU down! It'd be so worth it just to watch you fall on your…" (suddenly Nina stops) "…singing?"
"That song." As the two of them looked, Sakura sighed. "It's Tomo-chan."
* * * * * *
Tomoyo is leading the school choir this year.
She sings like an angel. Just listening to her makes me feel all floaty-- sigh--- She's won a whole lot of singing contests, and all her awards and trophies are located in our bedroom next a case Sonomi put up for all the awards & trophies I won. The two cases sorta make a match set, one next to each other, sorta like Tomoyo & myself. Side by side.
* * * * * *
As Tomoyo bows, and the teacher leaves, Nina climbs through the window and sits on the piano bench much to Tomoyo's surprise. "? How'd you get up here ?"
"I climbed up here." (whispers) "Brought your favorite Ham-ham with me."
"Tomo-chan." (Sakura from the window) "Hey, Sakura! H-how'd you--" (looks down at Sakura's feet) "Oh, Jump. Right."
Sakura - "Choir practice again?"
Tomoyo - "Uh-huh. Nationals are up in September. This year we're leading off with Greensleeves. So when's your practice over? 3?"
"Yeah. Guess you'll be home before me…" Sakura starts, her face freezing midsentence as realization sets in. "Sakura-chan? What's wrong?"
"WALK HOME WITH ME!!!" (grabs Tomoyo, crying) "There, there now-- it's alright. It's OK-- I‘ll walk home with you, promise."
Nina (disgusted) - "Savior of the Realm of Dreams-- fhht." (walks out the door) "Not going to let myself be saved by that crybaby! Seeya Ham-girl."
"--I'm NOT a crybaby!! I'M NOT!!" Sakura sobs, holding Tomoyo tighter. "Don't listen to her. Don't listen--" (kisses Sakura's forehead) "--oh Sakura-chan--"
* * * * * *
After 3PM (on the way home).
"Illusion?" Sakura repeated, confused.
"Remember? It did that the first time this happened years ago. It has to be illusion." Tomoyo noted. The two were roller-blading alone, Sakura convincing Nina to take the girls out for ice cream while they went into New Penguin Park alone, so she wasn‘t around. Suddenly Sakura stops and points towards the lake. "There it is."
With shaky hands she draws forth the key and holds it out. "Key of the star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light.. RELEASE!"
As the last word leaves her lips the staff charges up, growing in her hand to full length.
Quickly she moves forward and thrust the water ring out towards the lake. "Umi! Reveal Illusion's presence by pushing aside it's watery shield!"
Slowly the water begins to back up from the center, the quicker, until a huge hole is open in the lake revealing it's hidden occupant. "Clow card, return to your power confined! Illusion!!" With one snap of her staff, tendrils of energy shoot out and catch Illusion. Within seconds the card is wrapped up, changed back, and in Sakura's hand.
As the water goes back into the lake Sakura holds the card triumphantly. "I did it! And this time it only took one minute! Tomo-chan, I--" (faints) "I know.” Tomoyo notes happily, “I taped the whole thing! Mirra-chan's going to be so happy when she sees this episode!"
"---but it's too short to be a real episode-- it only took five minutes to capture--" Sakura laments. Tomoyo, however, would not be put off so easily, "We'll call it a Cardcaptor intermission then, filler between episodes."
"--if you say so--" Sakura relents, knowing fully well how unstoppable Tomoyo was once she had set her mind to something. Suddenly the water begins to shine and glow. "Wh-what? But that c-c-can’t be…" (looks at her hand) "I have Illusion right-- here--"
A ghostly female figure in a kimono rises out of the water. She looks like she was drowned in life, and reaches out to Sakura. "To-to-Tomoyo?!? Do you---"
"I see it--- I see it--- a woman in a kimono---" she whispers, filming it rising up, staring Sakura straight in the eyes. With a panicked yelp Sakura grabs Tomoyo and drags her away. She doesn't stop running until they come to the front door of the Daidouji Estates, and give Tomoyo's bodyguards the shock of their lives when Sakura comes barreling through the halls with Tomoyo in tow. "I--I thought we were picking up the two later?"
"They can't wait to feel the Earth move beneath them?" the other one remarks, blinking beneath her sunglasses as she looks down the corridor Sakura ran down in a panic. "Sakura seems in a hurry."
"When you gotta go, you gotta go--- I guess."
* * * * * *
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!" Sakura moaned as she washes her hair. "NOT FAIR AT ALL!"
"But you caught Illusion, right?" Tomoyo (lying in the bathtub waiting for Sakura) thinks out loud, "So what was that that came out of the lake after Illusion? Can't be the card's doing."
"Something strange came out! And I don't like things that are strange! They're freaky!!"
"Sakura-chan--" Tomoyo sighs, "--can ghosts live in a Realm of Dreams?"
"I don't know. In the waking world ghosts used to hang around the tree in the park, and Illusion once hung out in the lake, but I never saw that thing before-- it's something different--" (Sakura blinks) "--maybe it's one of those fan Clow cards Nina mentioned. That could be it! It's a fan Clow card!" Sakura finishes washing and joins Tomoyo in the bath, both women lounging side by side soaking in the huge tub.
"Sakura-chan, you'd like it to be a Clow card wouldn't you? Your not comfortable with even the thought of ghosts (which makes it convenient that you didn't fall in love with Naoko since she loves ghost stories)."
Sakura shakes her head, "Clow cards are not as scary as ghosts, and at least Clow cards I can deal with. Ghosts I can't."
"Kero didn't have an answer either--" Tomoyo admits as she leans towards Sakura, wrapping an arm around her and resting her head on Sakura's shoulder. "--but she didn’t scare me in the slightest. I feel so safe just being with you, no ghost can scare me if you‘re with me."
"Me too… except the ghost thing…" (hugs Tomoyo back, choking back a sob at the thought of her continued weakness towards ghosts) "Still I'm so lucky to have you with me…" (sighs as she hears Kero's voice at the door) "SAKURA!! DINNER'S SOON!! DON'T FORGET TO SEND SOMEONE UP WITH MY DISH THIS TIME!! I'M STARVING RIGHT NOW!!"
"Alright, Kero, alright--" (sighs) "--I wish Nina was actually a better bodyguard than she was a pain in the butt. At least we should tell a few of your bodyguards about the Clow cards."
"It's best if we keep the secret to ourselves. Keiko and the others are working to keep all Clow Card incidents out of the public spotlight so we have to do our part to keep this secret. We haven't told anyone yet and even here it's best if we keep the secret. Though sometimes I suspect mother may be catching on."
"I noticed." Sakura smiles, "That was the same way with Toya. He eventually figured it out."
"Hope that doesn't happen with mother." With that the two kiss, eyes closed, bodies close. Their world only existing of each other, for each other.
"COME ON!! MAKE OUT LATER!! I'M STARVING!!" (Kero)
* * * * * *
Sakura sends Gaia to bring Kero his food. "What's this?" Sakura asks, poking her food. "It's chicken fettucini. Eat it, it's good for you. Keep you awake more often." Nina grumbles, serving Tomoyo as the others eat. "Everyone else is eating so pipe up, or I'm going to give YOU hell when it's your turn to cook again."
"I'm eating, I'm eating." Sakura remarked, her distrusting expression turning into surprise on her first bite, "It's actually edible."
"If Eliza didn't ask me to behave I'd so hit you right now." Nina hisses, yet managing to calm herself as she begins eating "?" (looks at picture) "Who's that? Noticed all these pictures but nobody ever said who she was… beautiful--"
"That's Nadeshiko, Sakura's mother, at 16---" Sonomi whispers, looking over at the picture with a loving gaze. "She was a model when she started Junior High. That's why so many pictures of her exist to this day, even here--" (sighs) "Since Sakura moved in I put up new pictures of her every day so we can both remember her, and how much we-- I mean Sakura-- I--" (blushes, skips subject and doesn't mention it) "Say, where's your 'shadow'? The tall blonde you always hang around with?"
"Eliza is NOT my 'shadow'!” Nina complains halfheartedly, “And she's supervising something tonight so I'm keeping her food over in the fridge. I'll cook it the minute she comes home so it's fresh when she eats it. No cold leftovers for her if I have anything to say about it."
"Lots of prep for someone who's NOT your shadow." Sonomi pries, to which Nina counters "Back off. What's between me and Eliza is BETWEEN me & Eliza. So bug off."
"And what makes you--"
Nina‘s eyes narrow on Sonomi. "Your thoughts are clear, so to speak. I don't need to be a Jedi master to see what your up to--"
"Your paranoid." She counters. "Oh sure! You just don't want to admit--"
Sakura gives up on trying to understand what the two are implying and goes back to eating.
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "lab"
Sakura - "Dessert! I took Nina's when she wasn't looking!"
Kero - "YAH!!"
* * * * * *
Downstairs
Umi - "Dessert?"
Nina - "Made an extra one. Figured Snoozer would try to steal my--? Where's my back-up dessert?" (looks over at Umi) "Well?"
Umi - "Uh-- that was yours?"
Nina - "Good thing I made one for Kero, I'll "steal" that one---" (looks over her shoulder as someone enters the room) "Tomoyo?"
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "lab" (ten minutes later)
"Hi Kero!" (Tomoyo walks in) "There's an e-mail for Nina, but I made a copy for you to read." (looks at the two) "Sharing seconds?"
Sakura - "I figured we had all that pound cake and I didn't want it to go to waste." (looks at fax in Tomoyo's hand as she hands it to her) "Isn't that illegal?"
Tomoyo - "Only if she finds out. She just left to deliver dinner to Eliza--- think I'll have a piece myself while it‘s out."
As Tomoyo makes herself a slice of the ice cream/pound cake treat, Sakura reads.
* * * * * *
To Lt. Kotobuki, Nina
From Lt. Destiny, Eliza
Re - New Penguin Park Menace
Nina,
The mainframe's online and the sensors are all engaged. In the last few minutes it's been picking up strange readings from the lake in New King Penguin Park. It's Clow energy but there's also a secondary signature, type unknown. It might be spirit energy but spirits in the Realm of Dreams is unusual and very rare to say the least, so nobody bothered to keep a record of the types of spirits that show up here from time to time.
There's also a complication that just came to light. Misho NamoCatCat (NamoCatCat Corps) announced her "Taste of Tokyo" food fair to happen in New King Penguin Park in a few days. I know, I know, total theft of the "Taste of Honolulu" event but she insists it's her own idea. With that spirit in the lake, and the attendance to this food event expected to be high, a strong presence by us & Sakura/Tomoyo would be recommended. And since it's a big event, Mirra-chan should come since there can be lots of fun to be had while we seal up the ghost and call it a night. She can bring her friend and enjoy the food and each other.
This has to be done, however, because there won't be any chance of doing the sealing prior to the event. Misho has the park swarming with her people and it's filled 24/7 with shift upon shift of workers preparing for the event. So it's event night or bust on the capture.
I'm going to be late so please don't wait up. I'll warm up dinner when I get home. You know how much I love your cooking--- as much as I love you.
Take care, sweetness.
Eliza Destiny.
PS - Don't forget you promised to behave yourself if I treat you extra special when I get home. It’s the price you have to pay for keeping Sakura safe but I’m sure you’ll love the rewards that are coming to you.
* * * * * *
Sakura makes a nauseated expression as she reads. "Eeewww--- they really ARE that close!"
Tomoyo - "Figured the way she could keep Nina on a tight leash that they were lovers."
Sakura - "I know but--- eeww!! I can't even think of the things they do!"
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo smiles as she “protests” in mock anger. "You shouldn't judge them. They don't do anything worst than we do in bed--- and I know how excited you can get when we make love. It keeps my libido up a long time just being near your enthusiasm."
"Tomo-chan!!" Sakura sputters in embarrassment, looking at Kero nervously. "You know I-- Well-- you know…"
Tomoyo waves off any explanations with one hand, "Sorry. I forget sometimes you're a little shy about talking about our more-- intimate moments in front of Kero."
"Excuse me--" (Kero) "--that's all fascinating about your love lifes and all but let's talk about the card for a second?" (serious) "Like Eliza said there'll be lots of people there. If it's a troublesome Clow card we should nip it in the bud before anything happens! Take the cards, and the rings, and go down and shut down it's ghost act once and for all and teach it who the true mistress of the cards are!"
"Yeah--" Sakura blushes, "--you're right. As usual. I have a job to do."
"Then afterwards you can bring me home the good stuff!" (both Tomoyo & Sakura blinks at Kero‘s demands) "Don't waste time on those little restaurant selections! Bring me home a doggie bag from an Iron Chef restaurant! Maybe Iron Chef Kobe (Italian)! Or French (Sakai)! Something good, and really really neat! Or maybe fancy and elegant! At least from a 3 star restaurant if not an Iron Chef and--"
"Is that REALLY why you want me to go?!" Sakura complains. "Of course not, of course not! Don‘t be silly! You go capture the card, knock yourself out. Now back to my treats. Meats if you can, but I'll settle for sushi from a good place or maybe--"
* * * * * *
Sakura woke up to sobbing.
Next to her Tomoyo was crying in her sleep, her arms out as if trying to grab something.
"Sak-- sakura-- no-- sakura-chan--- don't leave me--- no--- sakura--"
Carefully she wraps her arms around Tomoyo, drawing her close, and gently starts to rock her to sleep, whispering quietly "I'm here-- I'm here Tomo-chan-- always-- I'm here-- don't cry-- I'm here--"
Tomoyo's arms wrap around Sakura, and her head buries itself into her shoulder as she holds on as if for dear life, crying softly, begging Sakura to stay with her.
After awhile her sobs quiet down, and she falls back asleep. Sakura rolls back onto her back, pulling Tomoyo on top of her, and holds her throughout the night in her arms, cradling her beloved as she slumbers peacefully.
* * * * * *
Sometimes Tomo-chan cries in her sleep.
I don't know why, but I think she still has nightmares about me leaving her behind.
Once I asked and she told me a boy took me away. A boy in strange robes armed with a sword. I guess she means Syaoran Li, but he's been gone ever since I knew in my heart Tomoyo was the right one for me. He eventually got together with Meilin I think--- don't know how, but maybe they're happy where they are. Sleeping under the same dream sky as I am, in each others arms as happy as I am.
I keep telling Tomoyo that I'll never leave her, but sometimes her nightmares return, making her cry and hurting her. I don't like seeing Tomo-chan cry, it huts me seeing her in pain.
Sometimes people say when a nightmare is firmly lodged in someone's mind and never leaves no matter how much a person knows it'll never happen. That most likely means it's probably a "darkling" (a minion of the Realm of Nightmares) that's causing the nightmares. If I ever found out something was hurting Tomo-chan, I would never forgive it, and punish it severely for hurting my precious Tomoyo. If anything is hurting her, they're going to regret the day they heard the name Sakura Kinomoto!
* * * * * *
As Sakura wakes up, she's briefly blinded by the light of the morning coming through a window. But as her senses focus, she feels Tomoyo's slumbering body still on her's. As she looks, Tomoyo turns her head, and looks her straight in the eyes and smiles.
"Thank you, Sakura-chan. Thanks for tolerating my…" With that she kisses Sakura softly, a tear rolling down her cheek as she does, then she rests her head on Sakura's strong shoulder and whispers softly "Thank you." one more time before closing her eyes.
For a long the time two lie there, exchanging touches and kisses, eventually making love-- and that is a story best left for a lemon section tale for adults only, isn’t it.
See you next time!
To Be Continued (Thursday)
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 5 (10)
Nina Kotobuki (Lt.) Recording
After the Clow Card incident (Fly) I decided I needed to keep an eye on as much of the city as I could looking for other rogue cards. The surveillance gear the Judgments used was good enough, but there were still some blind spots. King Penguin Park was one of them.
To counter this blind spot I decided to string it with hover campods, a simple enough way to cover a “blindspot” like the park, or so I thought. I was just making my way back to the Daidouji residence (job completed) when something caught my eye. It was in a lake in the park. When I neared something strange came out, a ghostly figure that--
"AAAHHHH!!!!"
Nina - “…what are you doing…”
* * * * * *
Northwest High (the next day)
"STOP IT!! STOP IT!!" Nina yells over the next high pitched scream from Sakura, face contorting in anger as she does. "Your making dogs deaf for miles (both here AND in the Waking World)!!"
Sakura - "I'm sorry!!"
That was the story Nina was telling them (minus the parts that implicate her true reason for being there, or anything about the Clow Cards). The gang was all there, the same girls Sakura knew when she was younger. Nothing has changed, except the grade-- and a few other things.
* * * * * *
I'm Sakura Kinomoto.
I'm studying to advance to the next grade.
Right now I'm at summer cheerleading practice. We're getting ready for the National Cheerleading Competition coming soon. But while we do, it's summer so Naoko is telling everyone scary stories. That’s when Nina jumped in with her own story, mostly because she figured out that telling ghost stories pushed my buttons, so she does it to annoy me.
Nina - “Did not (for once). I thought this was as good a time as any to do my report since I had some free time --” (groans) “-- unhinge much?”
* * * * * *
Sakura - "Lake?! The lake at New King Penguin Park? That lake!? Sounds familiar--"
Nina - "Know any other lake with a large penguin slide nearby?"
Sakura - "N-n-no-- I mean the s-story--"
New King Penguin Park. Named that because a frustrated Nekochanian with a matter teleport device shifted the park with her secret (hidden in plain sight) business complex to give it a better location. Thus the park, which used to be between Sakura's old home and school, was now located between Tomoyo's home & school (which was in turn once a former industrial park for a major Nekochanian corporation).
The things crazy Nekos would do for a higher profit margain.
"Uh-- N-Naoko? You think something else was the monster? Tree, telephone pole, another crazy Neko doing product testing herself, something? I'm sure we did this before--" Naoko shakes her head in the negative at Sakura‘s query. "Didn't think so."
As practice resumes, Nina walks off smiling wickedly. She got what she wanted after all, and got right back on Sakura's nerves again, and was grinning like a Cheshire cat because of it (even if it truly was done without any real malicious intention at first).
"Anything wrong, Sakura?"
"Nothing--" (sobs) "--nothing at all."
* * * * * *
NINA'S MEAN!! (sobs and cries) Why do people insist on telling scary stories in a Realm of Dreams?!? During the summer no less? I have to pass that park on my way back home--- (sobs) But the story does seem familiar---
* * * * * *
As Nina sighs she looks up into the sky. "If she wasn't so easy to fluster I'd be ashamed of my--" A pom pom flies overhead. "--the pom poms are migrating early this time of year."
The pom pom lands in a tree in front of Nina. "Must be the pom pom's mating season--- or something."
* * * * * *
"I'm sorry! I'll get it!!" Sakura offers, dashing off in the direction it went.
"She's got energy again today!"
"She's definitely getting stronger each and every day!"
But for a stronger girl, Sakura can't help but start crying when she thinks about the 'ghost'. She prefers not to linger on such topics for too long, for they tend to scare her.
* * * * * *
Nina's leg nearly slips out from her, bringing her slamming into the tree bark as she looks down. "Oh now this'll look nifty on my resume. A day in Summer, somebody found a Kotobuki stuck in a tree while she was retrieving a runaway pom pom with acute dysfunctional disorder, so they brought in a one armed man to wave her down." (moans as she looks at the height) "I should shut up and stop jinxing myself--- lord knows a one armed man might show up any minute and start waving."
As Nina looks back up and focuses on the pom pom, a "Ah!" catches her ears. She quickly grabs the tree and starts sweating, "Don't wave! Don't wave! Don't wave!"
"What are you doing up there?" Nina stops, blushes, and looks down. "Oh, it's you." (Sakura) "What do you want, Snoozer."
"I'M NOT SNOOZER!!" (huffs breath) "I came to get that pom pom!"
"Get in line!” Nina counters, “I was up here first!!"
"---" (quickly Sakura starts rifling through her top)
Nina - "?" (blinks) "Not interested in seeing you topless (though you have developed rather nicely in that department!) Thanks anyway! You can go away now."
"There it is--" (Sakura announces with a devilish smirk, as her hand holds out the star key) "Key of the star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!" As the staff grows Sakura reaches into a pocket. "Brought it. Heh heh heh---"
"Brought what?! You better not be thinking what I think your---"
"JUMP!!" (and with that Sakura takes a large leap into the air) "No! No! No! No!" (grabs tree) "Sakura you--" (tree vibrates abit as Sakura lands, but nothing too serious) "---oh---"
"You were saying?" Sakura remarks cheerfully, joining Nina at her level, watching the green haired woman scowl at her as she does. "I hope somebody waves YOU down! It'd be so worth it just to watch you fall on your…" (suddenly Nina stops) "…singing?"
"That song." As the two of them looked, Sakura sighed. "It's Tomo-chan."
* * * * * *
Tomoyo is leading the school choir this year.
She sings like an angel. Just listening to her makes me feel all floaty-- sigh--- She's won a whole lot of singing contests, and all her awards and trophies are located in our bedroom next a case Sonomi put up for all the awards & trophies I won. The two cases sorta make a match set, one next to each other, sorta like Tomoyo & myself. Side by side.
* * * * * *
As Tomoyo bows, and the teacher leaves, Nina climbs through the window and sits on the piano bench much to Tomoyo's surprise. "? How'd you get up here ?"
"I climbed up here." (whispers) "Brought your favorite Ham-ham with me."
"Tomo-chan." (Sakura from the window) "Hey, Sakura! H-how'd you--" (looks down at Sakura's feet) "Oh, Jump. Right."
Sakura - "Choir practice again?"
Tomoyo - "Uh-huh. Nationals are up in September. This year we're leading off with Greensleeves. So when's your practice over? 3?"
"Yeah. Guess you'll be home before me…" Sakura starts, her face freezing midsentence as realization sets in. "Sakura-chan? What's wrong?"
"WALK HOME WITH ME!!!" (grabs Tomoyo, crying) "There, there now-- it's alright. It's OK-- I‘ll walk home with you, promise."
Nina (disgusted) - "Savior of the Realm of Dreams-- fhht." (walks out the door) "Not going to let myself be saved by that crybaby! Seeya Ham-girl."
"--I'm NOT a crybaby!! I'M NOT!!" Sakura sobs, holding Tomoyo tighter. "Don't listen to her. Don't listen--" (kisses Sakura's forehead) "--oh Sakura-chan--"
* * * * * *
After 3PM (on the way home).
"Illusion?" Sakura repeated, confused.
"Remember? It did that the first time this happened years ago. It has to be illusion." Tomoyo noted. The two were roller-blading alone, Sakura convincing Nina to take the girls out for ice cream while they went into New Penguin Park alone, so she wasn‘t around. Suddenly Sakura stops and points towards the lake. "There it is."
With shaky hands she draws forth the key and holds it out. "Key of the star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light.. RELEASE!"
As the last word leaves her lips the staff charges up, growing in her hand to full length.
Quickly she moves forward and thrust the water ring out towards the lake. "Umi! Reveal Illusion's presence by pushing aside it's watery shield!"
Slowly the water begins to back up from the center, the quicker, until a huge hole is open in the lake revealing it's hidden occupant. "Clow card, return to your power confined! Illusion!!" With one snap of her staff, tendrils of energy shoot out and catch Illusion. Within seconds the card is wrapped up, changed back, and in Sakura's hand.
As the water goes back into the lake Sakura holds the card triumphantly. "I did it! And this time it only took one minute! Tomo-chan, I--" (faints) "I know.” Tomoyo notes happily, “I taped the whole thing! Mirra-chan's going to be so happy when she sees this episode!"
"---but it's too short to be a real episode-- it only took five minutes to capture--" Sakura laments. Tomoyo, however, would not be put off so easily, "We'll call it a Cardcaptor intermission then, filler between episodes."
"--if you say so--" Sakura relents, knowing fully well how unstoppable Tomoyo was once she had set her mind to something. Suddenly the water begins to shine and glow. "Wh-what? But that c-c-can’t be…" (looks at her hand) "I have Illusion right-- here--"
A ghostly female figure in a kimono rises out of the water. She looks like she was drowned in life, and reaches out to Sakura. "To-to-Tomoyo?!? Do you---"
"I see it--- I see it--- a woman in a kimono---" she whispers, filming it rising up, staring Sakura straight in the eyes. With a panicked yelp Sakura grabs Tomoyo and drags her away. She doesn't stop running until they come to the front door of the Daidouji Estates, and give Tomoyo's bodyguards the shock of their lives when Sakura comes barreling through the halls with Tomoyo in tow. "I--I thought we were picking up the two later?"
"They can't wait to feel the Earth move beneath them?" the other one remarks, blinking beneath her sunglasses as she looks down the corridor Sakura ran down in a panic. "Sakura seems in a hurry."
"When you gotta go, you gotta go--- I guess."
* * * * * *
"THAT'S NOT FAIR!!" Sakura moaned as she washes her hair. "NOT FAIR AT ALL!"
"But you caught Illusion, right?" Tomoyo (lying in the bathtub waiting for Sakura) thinks out loud, "So what was that that came out of the lake after Illusion? Can't be the card's doing."
"Something strange came out! And I don't like things that are strange! They're freaky!!"
"Sakura-chan--" Tomoyo sighs, "--can ghosts live in a Realm of Dreams?"
"I don't know. In the waking world ghosts used to hang around the tree in the park, and Illusion once hung out in the lake, but I never saw that thing before-- it's something different--" (Sakura blinks) "--maybe it's one of those fan Clow cards Nina mentioned. That could be it! It's a fan Clow card!" Sakura finishes washing and joins Tomoyo in the bath, both women lounging side by side soaking in the huge tub.
"Sakura-chan, you'd like it to be a Clow card wouldn't you? Your not comfortable with even the thought of ghosts (which makes it convenient that you didn't fall in love with Naoko since she loves ghost stories)."
Sakura shakes her head, "Clow cards are not as scary as ghosts, and at least Clow cards I can deal with. Ghosts I can't."
"Kero didn't have an answer either--" Tomoyo admits as she leans towards Sakura, wrapping an arm around her and resting her head on Sakura's shoulder. "--but she didn’t scare me in the slightest. I feel so safe just being with you, no ghost can scare me if you‘re with me."
"Me too… except the ghost thing…" (hugs Tomoyo back, choking back a sob at the thought of her continued weakness towards ghosts) "Still I'm so lucky to have you with me…" (sighs as she hears Kero's voice at the door) "SAKURA!! DINNER'S SOON!! DON'T FORGET TO SEND SOMEONE UP WITH MY DISH THIS TIME!! I'M STARVING RIGHT NOW!!"
"Alright, Kero, alright--" (sighs) "--I wish Nina was actually a better bodyguard than she was a pain in the butt. At least we should tell a few of your bodyguards about the Clow cards."
"It's best if we keep the secret to ourselves. Keiko and the others are working to keep all Clow Card incidents out of the public spotlight so we have to do our part to keep this secret. We haven't told anyone yet and even here it's best if we keep the secret. Though sometimes I suspect mother may be catching on."
"I noticed." Sakura smiles, "That was the same way with Toya. He eventually figured it out."
"Hope that doesn't happen with mother." With that the two kiss, eyes closed, bodies close. Their world only existing of each other, for each other.
"COME ON!! MAKE OUT LATER!! I'M STARVING!!" (Kero)
* * * * * *
Sakura sends Gaia to bring Kero his food. "What's this?" Sakura asks, poking her food. "It's chicken fettucini. Eat it, it's good for you. Keep you awake more often." Nina grumbles, serving Tomoyo as the others eat. "Everyone else is eating so pipe up, or I'm going to give YOU hell when it's your turn to cook again."
"I'm eating, I'm eating." Sakura remarked, her distrusting expression turning into surprise on her first bite, "It's actually edible."
"If Eliza didn't ask me to behave I'd so hit you right now." Nina hisses, yet managing to calm herself as she begins eating "?" (looks at picture) "Who's that? Noticed all these pictures but nobody ever said who she was… beautiful--"
"That's Nadeshiko, Sakura's mother, at 16---" Sonomi whispers, looking over at the picture with a loving gaze. "She was a model when she started Junior High. That's why so many pictures of her exist to this day, even here--" (sighs) "Since Sakura moved in I put up new pictures of her every day so we can both remember her, and how much we-- I mean Sakura-- I--" (blushes, skips subject and doesn't mention it) "Say, where's your 'shadow'? The tall blonde you always hang around with?"
"Eliza is NOT my 'shadow'!” Nina complains halfheartedly, “And she's supervising something tonight so I'm keeping her food over in the fridge. I'll cook it the minute she comes home so it's fresh when she eats it. No cold leftovers for her if I have anything to say about it."
"Lots of prep for someone who's NOT your shadow." Sonomi pries, to which Nina counters "Back off. What's between me and Eliza is BETWEEN me & Eliza. So bug off."
"And what makes you--"
Nina‘s eyes narrow on Sonomi. "Your thoughts are clear, so to speak. I don't need to be a Jedi master to see what your up to--"
"Your paranoid." She counters. "Oh sure! You just don't want to admit--"
Sakura gives up on trying to understand what the two are implying and goes back to eating.
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "lab"
Sakura - "Dessert! I took Nina's when she wasn't looking!"
Kero - "YAH!!"
* * * * * *
Downstairs
Umi - "Dessert?"
Nina - "Made an extra one. Figured Snoozer would try to steal my--? Where's my back-up dessert?" (looks over at Umi) "Well?"
Umi - "Uh-- that was yours?"
Nina - "Good thing I made one for Kero, I'll "steal" that one---" (looks over her shoulder as someone enters the room) "Tomoyo?"
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "lab" (ten minutes later)
"Hi Kero!" (Tomoyo walks in) "There's an e-mail for Nina, but I made a copy for you to read." (looks at the two) "Sharing seconds?"
Sakura - "I figured we had all that pound cake and I didn't want it to go to waste." (looks at fax in Tomoyo's hand as she hands it to her) "Isn't that illegal?"
Tomoyo - "Only if she finds out. She just left to deliver dinner to Eliza--- think I'll have a piece myself while it‘s out."
As Tomoyo makes herself a slice of the ice cream/pound cake treat, Sakura reads.
* * * * * *
To Lt. Kotobuki, Nina
From Lt. Destiny, Eliza
Re - New Penguin Park Menace
Nina,
The mainframe's online and the sensors are all engaged. In the last few minutes it's been picking up strange readings from the lake in New King Penguin Park. It's Clow energy but there's also a secondary signature, type unknown. It might be spirit energy but spirits in the Realm of Dreams is unusual and very rare to say the least, so nobody bothered to keep a record of the types of spirits that show up here from time to time.
There's also a complication that just came to light. Misho NamoCatCat (NamoCatCat Corps) announced her "Taste of Tokyo" food fair to happen in New King Penguin Park in a few days. I know, I know, total theft of the "Taste of Honolulu" event but she insists it's her own idea. With that spirit in the lake, and the attendance to this food event expected to be high, a strong presence by us & Sakura/Tomoyo would be recommended. And since it's a big event, Mirra-chan should come since there can be lots of fun to be had while we seal up the ghost and call it a night. She can bring her friend and enjoy the food and each other.
This has to be done, however, because there won't be any chance of doing the sealing prior to the event. Misho has the park swarming with her people and it's filled 24/7 with shift upon shift of workers preparing for the event. So it's event night or bust on the capture.
I'm going to be late so please don't wait up. I'll warm up dinner when I get home. You know how much I love your cooking--- as much as I love you.
Take care, sweetness.
Eliza Destiny.
PS - Don't forget you promised to behave yourself if I treat you extra special when I get home. It’s the price you have to pay for keeping Sakura safe but I’m sure you’ll love the rewards that are coming to you.
* * * * * *
Sakura makes a nauseated expression as she reads. "Eeewww--- they really ARE that close!"
Tomoyo - "Figured the way she could keep Nina on a tight leash that they were lovers."
Sakura - "I know but--- eeww!! I can't even think of the things they do!"
"Sakura-chan!" Tomoyo smiles as she “protests” in mock anger. "You shouldn't judge them. They don't do anything worst than we do in bed--- and I know how excited you can get when we make love. It keeps my libido up a long time just being near your enthusiasm."
"Tomo-chan!!" Sakura sputters in embarrassment, looking at Kero nervously. "You know I-- Well-- you know…"
Tomoyo waves off any explanations with one hand, "Sorry. I forget sometimes you're a little shy about talking about our more-- intimate moments in front of Kero."
"Excuse me--" (Kero) "--that's all fascinating about your love lifes and all but let's talk about the card for a second?" (serious) "Like Eliza said there'll be lots of people there. If it's a troublesome Clow card we should nip it in the bud before anything happens! Take the cards, and the rings, and go down and shut down it's ghost act once and for all and teach it who the true mistress of the cards are!"
"Yeah--" Sakura blushes, "--you're right. As usual. I have a job to do."
"Then afterwards you can bring me home the good stuff!" (both Tomoyo & Sakura blinks at Kero‘s demands) "Don't waste time on those little restaurant selections! Bring me home a doggie bag from an Iron Chef restaurant! Maybe Iron Chef Kobe (Italian)! Or French (Sakai)! Something good, and really really neat! Or maybe fancy and elegant! At least from a 3 star restaurant if not an Iron Chef and--"
"Is that REALLY why you want me to go?!" Sakura complains. "Of course not, of course not! Don‘t be silly! You go capture the card, knock yourself out. Now back to my treats. Meats if you can, but I'll settle for sushi from a good place or maybe--"
* * * * * *
Sakura woke up to sobbing.
Next to her Tomoyo was crying in her sleep, her arms out as if trying to grab something.
"Sak-- sakura-- no-- sakura-chan--- don't leave me--- no--- sakura--"
Carefully she wraps her arms around Tomoyo, drawing her close, and gently starts to rock her to sleep, whispering quietly "I'm here-- I'm here Tomo-chan-- always-- I'm here-- don't cry-- I'm here--"
Tomoyo's arms wrap around Sakura, and her head buries itself into her shoulder as she holds on as if for dear life, crying softly, begging Sakura to stay with her.
After awhile her sobs quiet down, and she falls back asleep. Sakura rolls back onto her back, pulling Tomoyo on top of her, and holds her throughout the night in her arms, cradling her beloved as she slumbers peacefully.
* * * * * *
Sometimes Tomo-chan cries in her sleep.
I don't know why, but I think she still has nightmares about me leaving her behind.
Once I asked and she told me a boy took me away. A boy in strange robes armed with a sword. I guess she means Syaoran Li, but he's been gone ever since I knew in my heart Tomoyo was the right one for me. He eventually got together with Meilin I think--- don't know how, but maybe they're happy where they are. Sleeping under the same dream sky as I am, in each others arms as happy as I am.
I keep telling Tomoyo that I'll never leave her, but sometimes her nightmares return, making her cry and hurting her. I don't like seeing Tomo-chan cry, it huts me seeing her in pain.
Sometimes people say when a nightmare is firmly lodged in someone's mind and never leaves no matter how much a person knows it'll never happen. That most likely means it's probably a "darkling" (a minion of the Realm of Nightmares) that's causing the nightmares. If I ever found out something was hurting Tomo-chan, I would never forgive it, and punish it severely for hurting my precious Tomoyo. If anything is hurting her, they're going to regret the day they heard the name Sakura Kinomoto!
* * * * * *
As Sakura wakes up, she's briefly blinded by the light of the morning coming through a window. But as her senses focus, she feels Tomoyo's slumbering body still on her's. As she looks, Tomoyo turns her head, and looks her straight in the eyes and smiles.
"Thank you, Sakura-chan. Thanks for tolerating my…" With that she kisses Sakura softly, a tear rolling down her cheek as she does, then she rests her head on Sakura's strong shoulder and whispers softly "Thank you." one more time before closing her eyes.
For a long the time two lie there, exchanging touches and kisses, eventually making love-- and that is a story best left for a lemon section tale for adults only, isn’t it.
See you next time!
To Be Continued (Thursday)
Added day for updates
I changed the schedule for AmeriManga Times reviews, but only added a day here for a posting to check on comments made during the week (fanfiction postings will continue to be on Thurdays and Saturdays).
AmeriManga Times schedule is now reviews on Fridays and Sundays with a news update on Mondays.
AmeriManga Times schedule is now reviews on Fridays and Sundays with a news update on Mondays.
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered II launchdate revealed
If all goes according to plans and updates remain on schedule we'll have the second chapter of CardCaptor Sakura Remastered fanfics (Remastered II) starting December 28th or so with Remastered III coming in the start of February 2007.
In other words fresh new Remastered (ending IV and going into V) will probably kick off sometime near or in the Spring. Stay tuned for updates otherwise as we come closer to the newest chapter's release.
In other words fresh new Remastered (ending IV and going into V) will probably kick off sometime near or in the Spring. Stay tuned for updates otherwise as we come closer to the newest chapter's release.
Thursday, November 30, 2006
See you Saturday!
That's it for daily introduction updates.
Now we're on regular schedule every Thursday and Saturday! See you then!
Now we're on regular schedule every Thursday and Saturday! See you then!
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered 4 (10)
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 4 (10)
Sakura just couldn’t let it go, especially after what Kero said to her.
'Maybe Kero's right. Maybe I'm only interested in making sure Toya isn't in her future..’ (her rage hit’s a high point) ’ARGHH!! He did it to me again!! Kero!!'
Suddenly Sakura slumps her shoulders and sighs, her temper dropping away as a free hand gently runs through Tomoyo's hair as the other girl slumbers next to her. "I wish I could be as calm as you are about all this, Tomo-chan."
Once again Sakura lies down, trying to fall asleep. As her eyes close, her mind opens, and she begins to “dream“ -- which is strange in a Realm of Dreams, but vital in moments like this.
* * * * * *
In her dream she sees Fly, in Fly's wings it's cradling a scared woman, gripping tight onto Fly. "--no more-- no more-- please don't touch me-- no more-- don't-- please-- don't-- no more--" She was begging, scared and in pain, begging someone to leave her alone.
"I won't hurt you.” Sakura quietly whispered, hand reached outwards, “Please-- let me help you--"
"Sa--"
"Don't hurt me-- please-- let me go-- let me go--"
Sakura smiles, trying to be brave as she reaches out, "I won't hurt you. Here, take my hand, I‘ll take you somewhere safe. I promise."
"Sakura! Sakura!!"
* * * * * *
"Sakura!"
She suddenly wakes up to come face to face with Tomoyo, dressed for school. "You got to get up or we'll be late for school!"
"SCHOOL?!?" Sakura screams, already throwing herself out of bed in a rush.
In a mad dash Sakura throws her clothes on and makes a wild rushing sprint to the kitchen downstairs. "WHERE'S MIRRA-CHAN?!?"
"She's going to school from her friend's house, remember?" Tomoyo calls out from behind her. "OH!!" (dashes into kitchen) "I'M SORRY!! I OVERSLEPT!!"
"---" Nina smiles as she regards Sakura, "I'm stuck, help me out here. You either remind me of Gamera or Godzilla, but I can't figure out which-- help me out here, willya? Turtle potstickers or lizard steaks?"
Sakura glares at Nina as she eats (wolfs) down her breakfast, quickly rushing to the door next to Tomoyo grabbing for her blades-- which aren't there.
'NOT AGAIN!!' Sakura freaks, 'I didn't-- I did-- I LEFT THEM AT SCHOOL JUST LIKE THE LAST TIME!!! HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE IT TO SCHOOL NOW?!?'
Inspiration suddenly hits. "Uh--uh-- Nina? C---c--- can I have a ride?"
Nina shrugs, "Sure, why not--- but you'll OWE me one! Get on, Snoozer."
Sakura grits her teeth, shuts her eyes, and prays Nina vanishes right then and there. Since her wish obviously wouldn't come true, she ends up stuck behind Nina on the trip to school.
“Don’t call me Snoozer.” she mumbled as she followed Nina out.
* * * * * *
"Where's Toya? I thought we usually pass him on the way to school?" Sakura asked.
"I had him stop off to escort Mirra-chan to school. Just to make sure she's safe and all."
"WHAT?!?" Sakura yells, nearly into Nina's ear as she does, "STOP IN FRONT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!"
"Are you nuts?!?” Nina complained, “You'll be late dammit!!"
"DO IT!!"
Nina looks over quickly at Tomoyo for help, only to notice Tomoyo roller-blading without comment to Sakura's fit. "Oh, sure, abandon me at my moment of need why dontcha'."
* * * * * *
When they finally arrive at ths school Toya is already leaving, Mirra-chan and her friends walking to class. "See? All that paranoia over nothing!" Nina scoffs at Sakura, "Your letting your hatred of your brother get the better of you!"
"I DON'T HATE HIM!!"
"Couldva' fooled me." Toya remarks as he sneaks up behind Sakura, "Hey there, squirt."
Sakura - "STOP CALLING ME SQUIRT!!"
Before the argument could escalate, the wind suddenly picks up.
"Not now." Nina sighs, looking skyward. As the wind whips up to high, Sakura turns and notices Tomoyo nearby (where did she come from?) quickly grabbing Tomoyo to brace her, and is herself grabbed by Toya as Fly passes overhead.
Nina, standing her ground, watches Fly pass by. Suddenly Fly screams.
"So feminine-- so much pain--" Sakura whispers, listening to Fly's screams. Seconds later Fly takes off again into the sky, slower than usual for it as it makes good it's escape. "Why are you hurt, Fly?" Sakura whispers as she watches Fly disappear into the clouds.
"Hey! You all alright? Nina! Are you hurt?" Eliza, who was nearby helping drop the girls off, rushes straight to Nina and hugs her tight, trembling as she does. "Hey," Nina remarks slyly, hugging Eliza back to calm her down, "I'm fine! Really! Come on now, stop trembling-- people are staring!"
Toya smirks as he taps Sakura on the shoulder, "No problems with you being whisked away, your TOO HEAVY for that!"
Tomoyo - "Sakura? I--" (grits teeth, winces) "--ouch--" (silence) "--is he dead?"
Nina - "Nah, just knocked out.” (blinks) "Well I had my dose of violence for today. Let's go."
* * * * * *
"Here we go again, Round 2---" Nina sighs, holding her pulse rifle up abit as she scans the skyline. "What's with the honkin' big flyswatter? Fly give you a complex after last time?" Kero goaded. "Shut up or I'll test this flyswatter on you!"
"Behave, you two, behave!" Sakura motions, keeping the two apart. "Variant on the old costume? It‘s nice."
Tomoyo blushed lightly at the compliment, "It's feathered in honor of Fly, but more streamline to give you better maneuverability now that you‘ll have to be quick on your feet against Fly this time around." (gives a wings neck piece to Kero, and pins to Nina & Eliza.)
Eliza - "Very beautiful."
Kero - "Yeah! Alright!"
Eliza - "Cute." (thoughts) 'Looks like I just came in on a flight with complimentary pilot's wings. Man is this childish or what!' (But to her credit, Nina keeps her comments to herself). "You know what your doing, Sakura?" Nina asks as she looks about again for Fly, "The rings didn't stop Fly before, and even the tractor beam on a Frigate couldn't stop Fly from breaking free."
"I know what I'm doing. It might not work, but I know how to reach Fly."
Suddenly the air grows silent, then the wind begins to pick up and grow stronger.
"It's here-- again." Nina sighs, spinning to come face to face with Fly as it comes into view. The first thing it does is aim it's winds down, creating a powerful whirlwind effect scooping Sakura off the ground and into the air. "FLY'S TRYING TO KEEP SAKURA OFF GUARD SO SHE CAN'T CAPTURE IT!!"
"GAIA!!" Tomoyo yells out, ring held forth, "REVEAL YOUR LUSH FOREST AND BE SAKURA'S ATTENDANT!!" From the ground a beautiful mini forest blooms, complete with a net of vines to catch Sakura as she falls back to terra firma.
"All right! Good catch!" Kero cheers. From her pocket, she draws a card. "JUMP!" With the jump wings on her boots, she leaps into the air straight at Fly,grabbing onto it's neck. Suddenly from within Sakura’s head Fly speaks.
"No PLEASE-- don't hurt me-- no more-- please DON'T--" the voice calls out from within. "It's alright. I won't hurt you." Sakura whispers, allowing gravity to slowly pull her down Fly's neck until she stops, arms gripped around Fly's neck, body resting on Fly's chest. "It's alright. I'm here-- come out-- don't be afraid-- come out--"
For seconds nothing, then slowly two hands pass through Fly's body, slowly reaching out. As they reach for her Sakura remains motionless waiting, continuing to whisper softly to Fly. Finally, with a little hesitation, the two hands reach around Sakura, arms and all holding her tightly. As they grasp onto her Sakura leans back and falls, pulling out a female figure with her freeing her from Fly‘s form fully. As they land onto the net of vines, the female begins to cry hugging Sakura tight. "You're alright now.” Sakura whispers softly, “It's OK-- it's alright now-- it's alright."
Looking up she sees Fly, sitting quietly before her waiting for her to do what had to be done.
“Are you sure?” she asked, “I mean… is it OK?”
Fly simply nods it’s head, and sits still waiting for her to seal it once again.
With a tear in her eye she raises her wand, and says the words.
* * * * * *
The girl lies trembling in the stretcher as Sakura watches her, holding her hand.
Fly already has returned to card form, leaving the riddle of the girl behind. She was Elfin in species, but she seemed frightened of something. "Why are you afraid?" Sakura asks.
"It won't stop--” she muttered, looking so depressed even after being freed, “It’s making me do things… violating things… I don't want to hurt people… myself… but it won't stop making me feel so bad… it won't stop… I feel so bad… I feel so bad…"
"Hold your wand out and capture it." Nina suggests.
Sakura - "Capture?"
"Try it."
With great reluctance, Sakura takes her staff and holds it out over her. "Clow card, return to your power confined, Clow card!" and with that she taps the wand slightly and waits… she doesn’t have to wait for long.
Energy begins to gather, and course through the Elven female’s body, as it forms into the shape of a card and flies free of her, only to be snatched out of the air by Nina. "I'll take that."
"But-- the Clow card--" Sakura protests, only to be waved off by Nina "Not one of yours, not one of yours… she’s an elf and there was no elves in whatshisname’s time so he couldn’t possibly have made cards to affect things that didn’t exist (now could he).“ (puts card away into a small lockbox held forth by one of the Alliance Officers near her quickly) “It's one of those fan created ones, nothing you need to bother with, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Tomoyo smiles, "I Think she's feeling better now."
Sure enough Sakura finds herself being mauled by a very grateful girl, who can't seem to thank her enough. With that Nina takes the box and walks it to the shuttle, escort behind her. Briefly she stops, motions for Eliza to approach, and quickly takes the card out to show her. “Say nothing about what I‘m showing you now. Nothing.”
Eliza - "The Pervert Card?"
Nina nods her head grimly, "It's a demented fan idea. Saw it mentioned once on a "Captioned Pictures" section at www.shoujoai.com. When I heard her talk about feeling like violating people I knew it had to be that card."
"But what do we do with it? We can't give it to Sakura."
"I know, Eliza, I know. It's going away--" (puts it back into box) "--far away. You know what to do, right?" The officer nods his head and takes the box, walking back to the shuttle. "Where is it going?" Eliza asks, to which Nina simply replied "Ever see Raiders of the Lost Ark? Especially the end… AFTER the melting Nazis scene I mean…"
* * * * * *
Storage Area IV
Somewhere on the massive “inner world” known as the Central Rim.
The card is locked away in a huge vault. Filled with a hundred thousand other boxes, both large and small. Each filled with a hundred x a hundred thousand bad things. The box, marked "Bad Clow Cards" is kept near the door though, since the Pervert Card won't be the last of the bad cards to be caught. Not by a long shot.
* * * * * *
Back on Terra…
"SNOOZER!! UP ALREADY!!"
Nina screams, her patience wearing thin. "All the magic in the Universe won't make her a better person if she can't even wake up at a decent hour." (huffs breath) "You're a disgrace to Fictionals, you know that?!?" Sakura (upstairs) screams something as she barrels out the door on her way down. "She's a walking disaster waiting to happen-- sigh."
"I HEARD THAT!!"
"So what--" Nina hisses, her eyes blinking rapidly as she goes back to waiting, her thoughts mulling over something as rapidly as her blinks, "Somethings NEVER change-- sigh."
"Two cards, one problem."
To Be Continued (Saturday)
Sakura just couldn’t let it go, especially after what Kero said to her.
'Maybe Kero's right. Maybe I'm only interested in making sure Toya isn't in her future..’ (her rage hit’s a high point) ’ARGHH!! He did it to me again!! Kero!!'
Suddenly Sakura slumps her shoulders and sighs, her temper dropping away as a free hand gently runs through Tomoyo's hair as the other girl slumbers next to her. "I wish I could be as calm as you are about all this, Tomo-chan."
Once again Sakura lies down, trying to fall asleep. As her eyes close, her mind opens, and she begins to “dream“ -- which is strange in a Realm of Dreams, but vital in moments like this.
* * * * * *
In her dream she sees Fly, in Fly's wings it's cradling a scared woman, gripping tight onto Fly. "--no more-- no more-- please don't touch me-- no more-- don't-- please-- don't-- no more--" She was begging, scared and in pain, begging someone to leave her alone.
"I won't hurt you.” Sakura quietly whispered, hand reached outwards, “Please-- let me help you--"
"Sa--"
"Don't hurt me-- please-- let me go-- let me go--"
Sakura smiles, trying to be brave as she reaches out, "I won't hurt you. Here, take my hand, I‘ll take you somewhere safe. I promise."
"Sakura! Sakura!!"
* * * * * *
"Sakura!"
She suddenly wakes up to come face to face with Tomoyo, dressed for school. "You got to get up or we'll be late for school!"
"SCHOOL?!?" Sakura screams, already throwing herself out of bed in a rush.
In a mad dash Sakura throws her clothes on and makes a wild rushing sprint to the kitchen downstairs. "WHERE'S MIRRA-CHAN?!?"
"She's going to school from her friend's house, remember?" Tomoyo calls out from behind her. "OH!!" (dashes into kitchen) "I'M SORRY!! I OVERSLEPT!!"
"---" Nina smiles as she regards Sakura, "I'm stuck, help me out here. You either remind me of Gamera or Godzilla, but I can't figure out which-- help me out here, willya? Turtle potstickers or lizard steaks?"
Sakura glares at Nina as she eats (wolfs) down her breakfast, quickly rushing to the door next to Tomoyo grabbing for her blades-- which aren't there.
'NOT AGAIN!!' Sakura freaks, 'I didn't-- I did-- I LEFT THEM AT SCHOOL JUST LIKE THE LAST TIME!!! HOW AM I GOING TO MAKE IT TO SCHOOL NOW?!?'
Inspiration suddenly hits. "Uh--uh-- Nina? C---c--- can I have a ride?"
Nina shrugs, "Sure, why not--- but you'll OWE me one! Get on, Snoozer."
Sakura grits her teeth, shuts her eyes, and prays Nina vanishes right then and there. Since her wish obviously wouldn't come true, she ends up stuck behind Nina on the trip to school.
“Don’t call me Snoozer.” she mumbled as she followed Nina out.
* * * * * *
"Where's Toya? I thought we usually pass him on the way to school?" Sakura asked.
"I had him stop off to escort Mirra-chan to school. Just to make sure she's safe and all."
"WHAT?!?" Sakura yells, nearly into Nina's ear as she does, "STOP IN FRONT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL!!"
"Are you nuts?!?” Nina complained, “You'll be late dammit!!"
"DO IT!!"
Nina looks over quickly at Tomoyo for help, only to notice Tomoyo roller-blading without comment to Sakura's fit. "Oh, sure, abandon me at my moment of need why dontcha'."
* * * * * *
When they finally arrive at ths school Toya is already leaving, Mirra-chan and her friends walking to class. "See? All that paranoia over nothing!" Nina scoffs at Sakura, "Your letting your hatred of your brother get the better of you!"
"I DON'T HATE HIM!!"
"Couldva' fooled me." Toya remarks as he sneaks up behind Sakura, "Hey there, squirt."
Sakura - "STOP CALLING ME SQUIRT!!"
Before the argument could escalate, the wind suddenly picks up.
"Not now." Nina sighs, looking skyward. As the wind whips up to high, Sakura turns and notices Tomoyo nearby (where did she come from?) quickly grabbing Tomoyo to brace her, and is herself grabbed by Toya as Fly passes overhead.
Nina, standing her ground, watches Fly pass by. Suddenly Fly screams.
"So feminine-- so much pain--" Sakura whispers, listening to Fly's screams. Seconds later Fly takes off again into the sky, slower than usual for it as it makes good it's escape. "Why are you hurt, Fly?" Sakura whispers as she watches Fly disappear into the clouds.
"Hey! You all alright? Nina! Are you hurt?" Eliza, who was nearby helping drop the girls off, rushes straight to Nina and hugs her tight, trembling as she does. "Hey," Nina remarks slyly, hugging Eliza back to calm her down, "I'm fine! Really! Come on now, stop trembling-- people are staring!"
Toya smirks as he taps Sakura on the shoulder, "No problems with you being whisked away, your TOO HEAVY for that!"
Tomoyo - "Sakura? I--" (grits teeth, winces) "--ouch--" (silence) "--is he dead?"
Nina - "Nah, just knocked out.” (blinks) "Well I had my dose of violence for today. Let's go."
* * * * * *
"Here we go again, Round 2---" Nina sighs, holding her pulse rifle up abit as she scans the skyline. "What's with the honkin' big flyswatter? Fly give you a complex after last time?" Kero goaded. "Shut up or I'll test this flyswatter on you!"
"Behave, you two, behave!" Sakura motions, keeping the two apart. "Variant on the old costume? It‘s nice."
Tomoyo blushed lightly at the compliment, "It's feathered in honor of Fly, but more streamline to give you better maneuverability now that you‘ll have to be quick on your feet against Fly this time around." (gives a wings neck piece to Kero, and pins to Nina & Eliza.)
Eliza - "Very beautiful."
Kero - "Yeah! Alright!"
Eliza - "Cute." (thoughts) 'Looks like I just came in on a flight with complimentary pilot's wings. Man is this childish or what!' (But to her credit, Nina keeps her comments to herself). "You know what your doing, Sakura?" Nina asks as she looks about again for Fly, "The rings didn't stop Fly before, and even the tractor beam on a Frigate couldn't stop Fly from breaking free."
"I know what I'm doing. It might not work, but I know how to reach Fly."
Suddenly the air grows silent, then the wind begins to pick up and grow stronger.
"It's here-- again." Nina sighs, spinning to come face to face with Fly as it comes into view. The first thing it does is aim it's winds down, creating a powerful whirlwind effect scooping Sakura off the ground and into the air. "FLY'S TRYING TO KEEP SAKURA OFF GUARD SO SHE CAN'T CAPTURE IT!!"
"GAIA!!" Tomoyo yells out, ring held forth, "REVEAL YOUR LUSH FOREST AND BE SAKURA'S ATTENDANT!!" From the ground a beautiful mini forest blooms, complete with a net of vines to catch Sakura as she falls back to terra firma.
"All right! Good catch!" Kero cheers. From her pocket, she draws a card. "JUMP!" With the jump wings on her boots, she leaps into the air straight at Fly,grabbing onto it's neck. Suddenly from within Sakura’s head Fly speaks.
"No PLEASE-- don't hurt me-- no more-- please DON'T--" the voice calls out from within. "It's alright. I won't hurt you." Sakura whispers, allowing gravity to slowly pull her down Fly's neck until she stops, arms gripped around Fly's neck, body resting on Fly's chest. "It's alright. I'm here-- come out-- don't be afraid-- come out--"
For seconds nothing, then slowly two hands pass through Fly's body, slowly reaching out. As they reach for her Sakura remains motionless waiting, continuing to whisper softly to Fly. Finally, with a little hesitation, the two hands reach around Sakura, arms and all holding her tightly. As they grasp onto her Sakura leans back and falls, pulling out a female figure with her freeing her from Fly‘s form fully. As they land onto the net of vines, the female begins to cry hugging Sakura tight. "You're alright now.” Sakura whispers softly, “It's OK-- it's alright now-- it's alright."
Looking up she sees Fly, sitting quietly before her waiting for her to do what had to be done.
“Are you sure?” she asked, “I mean… is it OK?”
Fly simply nods it’s head, and sits still waiting for her to seal it once again.
With a tear in her eye she raises her wand, and says the words.
* * * * * *
The girl lies trembling in the stretcher as Sakura watches her, holding her hand.
Fly already has returned to card form, leaving the riddle of the girl behind. She was Elfin in species, but she seemed frightened of something. "Why are you afraid?" Sakura asks.
"It won't stop--” she muttered, looking so depressed even after being freed, “It’s making me do things… violating things… I don't want to hurt people… myself… but it won't stop making me feel so bad… it won't stop… I feel so bad… I feel so bad…"
"Hold your wand out and capture it." Nina suggests.
Sakura - "Capture?"
"Try it."
With great reluctance, Sakura takes her staff and holds it out over her. "Clow card, return to your power confined, Clow card!" and with that she taps the wand slightly and waits… she doesn’t have to wait for long.
Energy begins to gather, and course through the Elven female’s body, as it forms into the shape of a card and flies free of her, only to be snatched out of the air by Nina. "I'll take that."
"But-- the Clow card--" Sakura protests, only to be waved off by Nina "Not one of yours, not one of yours… she’s an elf and there was no elves in whatshisname’s time so he couldn’t possibly have made cards to affect things that didn’t exist (now could he).“ (puts card away into a small lockbox held forth by one of the Alliance Officers near her quickly) “It's one of those fan created ones, nothing you need to bother with, so I wouldn't worry about it."
Tomoyo smiles, "I Think she's feeling better now."
Sure enough Sakura finds herself being mauled by a very grateful girl, who can't seem to thank her enough. With that Nina takes the box and walks it to the shuttle, escort behind her. Briefly she stops, motions for Eliza to approach, and quickly takes the card out to show her. “Say nothing about what I‘m showing you now. Nothing.”
Eliza - "The Pervert Card?"
Nina nods her head grimly, "It's a demented fan idea. Saw it mentioned once on a "Captioned Pictures" section at www.shoujoai.com. When I heard her talk about feeling like violating people I knew it had to be that card."
"But what do we do with it? We can't give it to Sakura."
"I know, Eliza, I know. It's going away--" (puts it back into box) "--far away. You know what to do, right?" The officer nods his head and takes the box, walking back to the shuttle. "Where is it going?" Eliza asks, to which Nina simply replied "Ever see Raiders of the Lost Ark? Especially the end… AFTER the melting Nazis scene I mean…"
* * * * * *
Storage Area IV
Somewhere on the massive “inner world” known as the Central Rim.
The card is locked away in a huge vault. Filled with a hundred thousand other boxes, both large and small. Each filled with a hundred x a hundred thousand bad things. The box, marked "Bad Clow Cards" is kept near the door though, since the Pervert Card won't be the last of the bad cards to be caught. Not by a long shot.
* * * * * *
Back on Terra…
"SNOOZER!! UP ALREADY!!"
Nina screams, her patience wearing thin. "All the magic in the Universe won't make her a better person if she can't even wake up at a decent hour." (huffs breath) "You're a disgrace to Fictionals, you know that?!?" Sakura (upstairs) screams something as she barrels out the door on her way down. "She's a walking disaster waiting to happen-- sigh."
"I HEARD THAT!!"
"So what--" Nina hisses, her eyes blinking rapidly as she goes back to waiting, her thoughts mulling over something as rapidly as her blinks, "Somethings NEVER change-- sigh."
"Two cards, one problem."
To Be Continued (Saturday)
The week's schedule.
Have a second blog for you to visit on off days.
http://amerimangatimes.blogspot.com/
Reviews every Wednesday and Friday, with Sunday's topic to be announced... probably on Sunday.
Otherwise new postings here Thursdays (today) and Saturdays (new day).
Now today's posting...
http://amerimangatimes.blogspot.com/
Reviews every Wednesday and Friday, with Sunday's topic to be announced... probably on Sunday.
Otherwise new postings here Thursdays (today) and Saturdays (new day).
Now today's posting...
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Fan Fiction Updates
A few updates today...
CardCaptor Sakura
I am presently working on possibly penning a new Christmas themed CardCaptor Sakura story for the December 24th post. Tenatively entitled (at this time) A Remastered Christmas, I hope to have it done in time for it's Christmas Eve posting.
Next Title?
I am stuck between using my Azkaban (Harry Potter) fic or generating a brand new fic for the site... anyone want to sound off on that one feel free, opinions welcomed.
See you tomorrow with the next chapter of CCSakura Remastered!
CardCaptor Sakura
I am presently working on possibly penning a new Christmas themed CardCaptor Sakura story for the December 24th post. Tenatively entitled (at this time) A Remastered Christmas, I hope to have it done in time for it's Christmas Eve posting.
Next Title?
I am stuck between using my Azkaban (Harry Potter) fic or generating a brand new fic for the site... anyone want to sound off on that one feel free, opinions welcomed.
See you tomorrow with the next chapter of CCSakura Remastered!
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
A Little Early Today...
Since I'm working tomorrow on review submissions I got my post in a wee bit early today so I don't forget or run out of time and become late submitting it.
That's it for the introduction posts, by the way. Next post is Thursday, the first regular post of the twice a week posting of Thursday and Sundays.
See you Thursday, take care!
That's it for the introduction posts, by the way. Next post is Thursday, the first regular post of the twice a week posting of Thursday and Sundays.
See you Thursday, take care!
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 1-3 (10)
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 3 (10)
The skies above Tokyo.
Below--- Northwest High.
""
""
"Where's your vocalization circuit?"
"JUST BEHIND YOUR HEAD TO THE LEFT OF THE PILOT'S CHAIR. WH--"
Jack shoots out the circuit with his handgun. "Never liked that channel anyway."
As he increases speed, he aims for an intercept course with Fly as it barrels down towards the school. "If I'm lucky the engines won't conk out and I won't go boom all over a few hundred innocents."
The cockpit darkens a little as Fly's form draws closer, itself between the fighter and the sun as both dive towards the school, and unbeknownst to Fly, each other.
* * * * * *
As everyone scatters on the ground, Sakura looks up at Fly and holds her arms out.
"Don't be afraid of me, Fly. Don‘t be afraid."
"Sakura!!" Tomoyo grabs her, trying to drag her off the field, "Come on! Take cover!!"
"Fly's coming for me!" Sakura struggles against Tomoyo‘s pulling, "It wants to come back! It's scared all alone out there! Fly wants to come back to me!"
"Sakura-chan, please! Don't do this!!" Tomoyo begins, panic seeping into her voice as she begans to sweat, Fly dropping closer and closer, "What if your wrong?! What if Fly's dangerous now?? It could kill you!!"
"I don't care!” Sakura protested, tears coming to her eyes, “I have to stop it! At any cost!!"
"What about Mirra-chan!!" Tomoyo screams, "Do you want to leave our daughter alone without a father figure?!? Leave me alone without you?! I couldn't live without you!! Sakura!! Please listen to me!!"
Briefly, without warning, Sakura thinks about the loss of her own mother, and her missing father. "I-- I--" Sakura quickly spins about, grabbing Tomoyo's arm and pulling her to safety. "I have to get you to safety, Tomo-chan!"
Tears well up in Sakura's eyes as she runs. 'I almost put Tomo-chan in danger! Mirra-chan! What was I thinking?!?'
* * * * * *
As Fly dropped right down on the school, the lone Omegatech cuts it off, slamming into it and throwing it clear of the school buildings. As both Fly and the Omegatech spin apart, Fly quickly rethinks it's plans and takes off again skyward, this time at normal speed.
The Omegatech is quickly brought under control, however--- "Damn." Jack muttered, red lights flash throughout the cockpit as strange cracking noises fill the small void.
"I'm going to take it that last shot is breaking the hull apart…" (Jack aims the Omegatech towards the harbor, yanking down hard on the eject controls as he does) "… I lose more Omegatechs this way."
As the ejection system throws him clear, the fighter spirals into the harbor and explodes. "Oh, well--" Jack sighs as he floats down to terra firma, his anti-grav emergency pack working optimally, "--the AI on that thing was bugging me anyway."
* * * * * *
Back at the Daidouji Residence
"Fly isn't supposed to be visible like that, right?" Nina asks.
"No. The first time it showed it was invisible to everyone but Sakura." Tomoyo sighs, for the first time she was genuinely worried. "What's happening with Fly?"
"I don't know. It's growing more powerful, and it's angry-- angrier than when it was hurt." Sakura said quietly, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Sakura, do you think you can control Fly now? Let alone capture it?"
"Nina--" Sakura whispers, looking confused.
"OK then!" Kero begins fluttering about getting everyone's attention. "We know Fly is angry about something, but it's also drawn to Sakura because it tried to get at her. Whether it's angry at her or just wants to be comforted by her, we won't find out until we catch up to Fly. HOWEVER we can't take the risk of Sakura being hurt, with her being a family woman and all with a “wife“ and daughter to think about." (Sakura/Tomoyo exchange awkward glances until Tomoyo reaches a hand out and takes Sakura's hand, comforting her as she does). "So--" (grabs Nina's visor to her frustration, putting it on) "--let's roll!"
"That's my line!" Nina growls.
"We should head out to the scene of the crime!" Kero announces proudly.
"Citadel City? That's where Fly committed it's only crime." Eliza remarks in a casual, nonchalant manner. "Your scary sometimes, you know that don't you--" Nina whispers to Eliza. "I know."
"Uh--" (Sakura raises her free hand) "Where's the 'scene of the crime' again?"
"YOUR SCHOOL!” Kero bounces back in, “It went there the first time, it returned there again, it's drawn to that school! And like many classic criminals, Fly always returns to the "scene of the crime"!! (it's elementary my dear, Sakura, elementary!)"
"I know that! Fourth grade as a matter of fact. Don't you remember?"
"--that‘s not what I meant Sakura---"
Eliza wasn‘t convinced. "Isn't the scene of the crime near the Command Center in Citadel City, Nina?"
Nina - "The little Beanie Baby’s on a roll here, Eliza, don't burst it's bubble."
Kero (ignoring Nina) - "SAKURA!! ONCE AGAIN IT'S CARD CAPTORING TIME!!! LET'S ROLL!!"
Nina - "THAT'S STILL MY LINE!!"
Tomoyo quickly leaps out of her seat, bright eyed and (if she had a tail) “bushy tailed“.
"Then we should wear our NEW costumes today! (the heroic visage of a period piece samurai movie intermixed with the beauty of the Spring with you as the heroine!)"
"----Tomoyo---" Sakura sighs.
There's a knock at the door, as a nervous and giddy Sonomi enters the room. "Hi! Just brought some fresh pie I baked! Want some?"
"Thank you!" (everyone thanks Sonomi as she comes in) "Huh? I thought I heard someone else--" Sonomi looks about the room. "Some loud mouthed guy with a bad Osaka accent--" 'BAD ACCENT?!?' Kero fumes only to be grabbed by Sakura. "Oh I'm just doing my little ventriloquist act for Tomoyo-chan! She likes it when I do my act! See?" (Kero voice) "What the heck? What the heck?"
Kero - "WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?! THAT ACT IS FRIGGIN' OLD!! CUT IT-- MPPHH!!"
"See? I'm on a roll here!!" (Sakura proudly announces, holding Kero's mouth shut) "Though my toy's a little vingery today."
"---I see---" Sonomi sweat drops as she leaves, "Well, you have fun now. Bye."
Kero refuses to talk to Sakura even after dinner is served, and she makes his favorite to apologize to boot.
* * * * * *
"I'm a stud and a half, not some plaything." Kero grumbles in disgust.
Sakura - "I said I'm sorry, are you still mad?"
Kero - "OF COURSE I'M STILL MAD!! SHEESH!!" (Sakura's voice) "Oh I'm sooooo cute! I can do no wrong! I wouldn't do that on purpose! I--"
"Are you mocking me?" Sakura asks.
"Me? NO!!!" (Kero slaps himself a few times) "My bad! My bad! Naughty me!"
Sakura - "Are you OK? You look like you enjoy doing that to yourself."
Kero - "Don't get me started again…"
* * * * * *
Tomoyo meets Sakura/Kero at the school. Nina/Eliza are already there.
"How's Mirra-chan?" Sakura asks as she arrives. "I dropped her off at her friend's house for a sleepover, she's fine." (Sakura notices three of the bodyguards are there) "What's your wish, miss?"
"You may go. Make sure to pass by and check up on Mirra-chan before heading home."
"Yes, Miss Tomoyo."
As the car leaves Sakura & Tomoyo talk. "Check up on Mirra-chan? Is she in danger?"
"No, no, not at all.“ Tomoyo responds quickly, blushing a little bit, “Still I'd feel better if I knew she was safe--" (chuckles slightly) "--now I know why mom was always so concerned about my safety when I was her age. Girls Mirra-chan‘s age generate such worry." Sakura smiles, placing a light kiss on Tomoyo's forehead as she leads the dark haired girl to the school building (so she could hang up her skates).
* * * * * *
Outside.
Nina listens to her commlink intensely, monitoring surveillance channels for any sign of Fly. With Eliza standing near Tomoyo, the two watch over Sakura, who is acting as bait.
"You look great! A big improvement over the original I made."
"I don't know---" Sakura sighs as she kicks her feet idly looking down as she does. "I don't feel very special."
Tomoyo - "Strictly speaking as the designer I'm very happy with the results."
Sakura wasn‘t quite convinced, "Sigh-- this time I better remember my skates. Last time I left them here I forgot them--" (looks over at Nina) "Well?"
"Hold thy Clow Cards, oh impatient one.“ Nina balked, “Observation post four picked up a low level energy reading coasting over it, and that's a mile from here-- if it was Fly it'll be here--" (the wind picks up and begins to howl) "--about now."
The wind, now gusting at 30 mph, whips the field as Sakura struggles to stand her ground. "IT'S FLY!"
Above them Fly comes into view, towering over them as it's winged flapped, generating blinding gusts of wind each time it's wings made a full stroke. Sakura grabs the key, and grips it tight.
"Key of the Star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! RELEASE!!"
As the new staff comes to life, it's energy courses and rages, catching Fly's attention. "Tomoyo!"
"Right." (holds up Gaia's ring as she films with her free hand) "GAIA! BIND FLY WITH YOUR VINES AND BRANCHES!"
From the ground all around Fly, the earth erupts and releases many vines and branches which wrap themselves around Fly, slowly pulling it downwards. "NO!!!"
"What---?" Sakura stammers. "Did Fly just speak?" As Fly struggles against Gaia's powers, a piercing scream, feminine yet filled with primal fear, rips through the air as Fly starts to pump it's wings faster to retake the air. "STOP FLY!! DON'T STRUGGLE!! FLY!!" Sakura screams, watching Fly struggle harder and harder against the vines. "FLY!! I'M SORRY!!" (thrusts out wand) "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eyyyyaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!"
Fly shudders, screaming as it curls it's wings tight. It's voice shaking everyone to the core and causing each of them to pause. With a brief opening, Fly shoves out one final time, snapping free of it's restraints and pummeling it's wings fast to climb back skyward out of harm's way. Sakura slumps, head lowered as she watches Fly limp away.
It was hurt, so it wouldn't be doing anymore high speed attacks, but it was also in pain. Yet there was more, something that didn't happen the first time she fought Fly. Sakura quickly spins about, fear on her face, "Tomo-chan!! Are you alright--?!?"
"Yup, of course, and I got it all on tape!"
Sakura faints.
Nina - "Well I'm glad somebody's recording all this for posterity's sake-- I guess."
Back at Daidouji Estates notes were taken and compared.
"Did Fly really talk?" Nina asked, the obvious question first on her lips.
"Here." Kero chirps up, putting the video back on play. In the room was Sakura, Tomoyo, Kero & Nina. Eliza went straight from the school to the slumber part with videos (and more snacks). ""NO!!!" (Fly's head spins back and forth, it's beak seemingly moving in concert with the word). "So Fly did say something--" Tomoyo remarks as she watches the video. "Sounds female though."
"And Fly doesn't know how to talk, let alone say words." Kero remarked.
“So what does that mean, Kero?"
"I don't know yet, Tomoyo. I don't know."
The video was now on the next scene as Fly struggles against the vines. "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eeeyyy---"
"Stop tape." Nina suddenly asks, moving forward to take the control. She rewinds it abit, then plays it again. "I'M SORRY!!" (pause) "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eeeyyy---"
Rewinds.
"FLY, I'M SORRY!!"
(pause)
"CLOW CARD, RE--"
(pauses tape, then slowly moves it forward)
"What are you looking for?" Kero asks, attention focused on the screen as Nina moves it forward. Suddenly she stops it and points at something. "There! You see that Kero?"
"What?! I don't see anything."
"Does this thing have a-- guess not--" (Nina pulls a few hook up cords out of a pouch on her belt and attaches it to Tomoyo's video player (she has yet to put this on DVD)). "What are you doing?"
"Just feeding this image into my wetware, Tomoyo, so I can play with the image."
Sakura - "Wetware?"
Kero - "Isn't that something you wear to the beach?"
"Kero!" (Sakura balks, eyes suddenly looking towards Nina oddly) "Your going to hook that up to a laptop or something?"
"Or something." Nina responds, holding the end of the cord in her hand, plugging it into another cord with two prongs at the end. "One side connected to the machine, the other connects right here." Quickly Nina pushes her hair back and plugs each prong into a hidden metal slot behind each of her ears, directly linking to her brain through neural wetware links. "----" Sakura looks shocked. Tomoyo is recording all this since the conversation started, so she's fascinated. Kero looks like he's going to hurl.
"I'll need a chair--" (Tomoyo moves a chair for Nina to sit in) "--thank you."
As Nina focuses, her mind locks into the image and holds it, dissects it, and through all the wetware implants in her head she begins to make it do her bidding. At first nothing happens, then the screen is suddenly filled with icons, menu bars, scrolls and a cursor.
First the cursor locks onto a place on the image (off to one side), then it circles it with a box and locks into it. "Magnify and enhance." The image magnifies, showing a part of Fly and one of the school buildings. Again a part is cursored off and clicked on. "Magnify and enhance." This time it takes longer but an image of the building (Fly reflected in it) comes closer, that and--- "I see something--"
"Magnify & enhance one more time." As the image comes on, it takes longer this time, and more concentration is needed by Nina to pull in the image. But, at long last, the image comes in clear. It's the reflection of Fly trapped by Gaia's vines. And what seems to be a ghostly figure superimposed over Fly, that of a young woman.
"What's that?"
"That--" Nina slowly notes as she turns to view her handiwork. "Is our screamer."
Sakura - "Is--- is--- is it a---"
"Ghost?” Nina responds seriously, “Sure looks like it. Probably died a horrible death too and she‘s all suffering and in eternal torments and…" (Sakura runs out of the room with Tomoyo close behind her, leaving Kero to scowl at Nina). "What?!"
* * * * * *
Command Center (Citadel City)
A Few Minutes Later.
"I'm sorry, Nina, but it's the best we can do." The Command officer announced.
"I don't suppose a little better might be called for at this stage, don't you think?" (Nina over the commlink to Command) "I'm sorry---" (regards image sent over link) "--but you have to understand the image you sent us is of a fuzzy silhouette of what might be a spirit or a merged entity. And let's not forget this image has it's back turned to us. It might be a woman, it might be something else entirely like a Darkling. There's too little information on this one image to give us much. I'm analyzing the copied video you sent us but it looks like this is the only time the image is visible, so again it's not much to go on."
"I see. Well, try what you can. We'll continue doing what we can here. But it seems it's injured--"
"Which makes it that much more dangerous. I see. Well, keep at it and let us know what you find."
"Right. Kotobuki out."
With a sigh the officer looks back at the image, reaching out to touch the form on it. "So who are you, our mysterious young lady? Ghost? Spirit? Tormented soul? Maybe all three at once--" The image, a female spirit straining against the vines, screaming-- fear? Agony? What? Only she knew and she wasn't talking. Yet.
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "Lab".
"I hate ghosts!" Sakura complains, reaching into her private freezer for the ice cream. "Tomoyo said it's probably another Clow card merged with Fly, and I think she's got a good point. It's probably Snow, or one of the other feminine cards and I concur with her thinking. It's a plausible idea." Kero remarked, eyes focused on Sakura‘s hands as she worked.
Sakura - "But why is it trapped inside of Fly? And is that card inside Fly making Fly act all weird?"
Kero - "We'll find out when we catch up to Fly--" (sighs) "--though right now I'm more interested in my dessert!" (starts to bounce up and down) "Give it here! Give it here! Give it here!! Gimmegimmegimme!"
"Hold on, hold on---" (Sakura puts ice cream on top of a piece of pound cake) "I think we should fortune tell with the cards once we have enough for it! A romance fortune telling!"
"Sakura--" Kero sighs, "You already know your romantic destiny is with Tomoyo, why do a reading now? Talk about pointless."
"Not for me! For Mirra-chan! I want to see her romantic future!"
Kero frowned at the thought. "Didn't Tomoyo warn you about meddling in her life (seconds before she meddled herself by having her bodyguards spy on your little girl‘s private life)?"
"It's NOT meddling! I just want to peek--" (sighs as she sets down Kero's treat for him to eat) "It's important! I want to know who she's destined for (or who she isn‘t destined for)!"
"You just want to make sure it's not Toya, don't you."
"No way in hell it's Toya!" Sakura pouts as she makes dessert for herself and Tomoyo (mostly because Kero's talking got Sakura in a bad mood and she wants a treat to settle her down before bed) "Toya's a pain in the ass! I can't even believe how things ended-- but he's NOT right for Mirra-chan. Heck, he probably doesn't even like her that way so I just want to avoid having her heart broken!"
"Like yours almost was if you didn't find your feelings for Tomoyo?" Kero asked.
"What did I say about getting on my nerves!!" Sakura grumbles, plating up dessert and walking out the door. "Mirra is too good for Toya! Period!"
"Or Toya's too old and too spoken for for Mirra, eh?" Kero finishes as he starts eating.
To Be Continued (Tomorrow)
The skies above Tokyo.
Below--- Northwest High.
"
"
"Where's your vocalization circuit?"
"JUST BEHIND YOUR HEAD TO THE LEFT OF THE PILOT'S CHAIR. WH--"
Jack shoots out the circuit with his handgun. "Never liked that channel anyway."
As he increases speed, he aims for an intercept course with Fly as it barrels down towards the school. "If I'm lucky the engines won't conk out and I won't go boom all over a few hundred innocents."
The cockpit darkens a little as Fly's form draws closer, itself between the fighter and the sun as both dive towards the school, and unbeknownst to Fly, each other.
* * * * * *
As everyone scatters on the ground, Sakura looks up at Fly and holds her arms out.
"Don't be afraid of me, Fly. Don‘t be afraid."
"Sakura!!" Tomoyo grabs her, trying to drag her off the field, "Come on! Take cover!!"
"Fly's coming for me!" Sakura struggles against Tomoyo‘s pulling, "It wants to come back! It's scared all alone out there! Fly wants to come back to me!"
"Sakura-chan, please! Don't do this!!" Tomoyo begins, panic seeping into her voice as she begans to sweat, Fly dropping closer and closer, "What if your wrong?! What if Fly's dangerous now?? It could kill you!!"
"I don't care!” Sakura protested, tears coming to her eyes, “I have to stop it! At any cost!!"
"What about Mirra-chan!!" Tomoyo screams, "Do you want to leave our daughter alone without a father figure?!? Leave me alone without you?! I couldn't live without you!! Sakura!! Please listen to me!!"
Briefly, without warning, Sakura thinks about the loss of her own mother, and her missing father. "I-- I--" Sakura quickly spins about, grabbing Tomoyo's arm and pulling her to safety. "I have to get you to safety, Tomo-chan!"
Tears well up in Sakura's eyes as she runs. 'I almost put Tomo-chan in danger! Mirra-chan! What was I thinking?!?'
* * * * * *
As Fly dropped right down on the school, the lone Omegatech cuts it off, slamming into it and throwing it clear of the school buildings. As both Fly and the Omegatech spin apart, Fly quickly rethinks it's plans and takes off again skyward, this time at normal speed.
The Omegatech is quickly brought under control, however--- "Damn." Jack muttered, red lights flash throughout the cockpit as strange cracking noises fill the small void.
"I'm going to take it that last shot is breaking the hull apart…" (Jack aims the Omegatech towards the harbor, yanking down hard on the eject controls as he does) "… I lose more Omegatechs this way."
As the ejection system throws him clear, the fighter spirals into the harbor and explodes. "Oh, well--" Jack sighs as he floats down to terra firma, his anti-grav emergency pack working optimally, "--the AI on that thing was bugging me anyway."
* * * * * *
Back at the Daidouji Residence
"Fly isn't supposed to be visible like that, right?" Nina asks.
"No. The first time it showed it was invisible to everyone but Sakura." Tomoyo sighs, for the first time she was genuinely worried. "What's happening with Fly?"
"I don't know. It's growing more powerful, and it's angry-- angrier than when it was hurt." Sakura said quietly, eyes narrowed in thought.
"Sakura, do you think you can control Fly now? Let alone capture it?"
"Nina--" Sakura whispers, looking confused.
"OK then!" Kero begins fluttering about getting everyone's attention. "We know Fly is angry about something, but it's also drawn to Sakura because it tried to get at her. Whether it's angry at her or just wants to be comforted by her, we won't find out until we catch up to Fly. HOWEVER we can't take the risk of Sakura being hurt, with her being a family woman and all with a “wife“ and daughter to think about." (Sakura/Tomoyo exchange awkward glances until Tomoyo reaches a hand out and takes Sakura's hand, comforting her as she does). "So--" (grabs Nina's visor to her frustration, putting it on) "--let's roll!"
"That's my line!" Nina growls.
"We should head out to the scene of the crime!" Kero announces proudly.
"Citadel City? That's where Fly committed it's only crime." Eliza remarks in a casual, nonchalant manner. "Your scary sometimes, you know that don't you--" Nina whispers to Eliza. "I know."
"Uh--" (Sakura raises her free hand) "Where's the 'scene of the crime' again?"
"YOUR SCHOOL!” Kero bounces back in, “It went there the first time, it returned there again, it's drawn to that school! And like many classic criminals, Fly always returns to the "scene of the crime"!! (it's elementary my dear, Sakura, elementary!)"
"I know that! Fourth grade as a matter of fact. Don't you remember?"
"--that‘s not what I meant Sakura---"
Eliza wasn‘t convinced. "Isn't the scene of the crime near the Command Center in Citadel City, Nina?"
Nina - "The little Beanie Baby’s on a roll here, Eliza, don't burst it's bubble."
Kero (ignoring Nina) - "SAKURA!! ONCE AGAIN IT'S CARD CAPTORING TIME!!! LET'S ROLL!!"
Nina - "THAT'S STILL MY LINE!!"
Tomoyo quickly leaps out of her seat, bright eyed and (if she had a tail) “bushy tailed“.
"Then we should wear our NEW costumes today! (the heroic visage of a period piece samurai movie intermixed with the beauty of the Spring with you as the heroine!)"
"----Tomoyo---" Sakura sighs.
There's a knock at the door, as a nervous and giddy Sonomi enters the room. "Hi! Just brought some fresh pie I baked! Want some?"
"Thank you!" (everyone thanks Sonomi as she comes in) "Huh? I thought I heard someone else--" Sonomi looks about the room. "Some loud mouthed guy with a bad Osaka accent--" 'BAD ACCENT?!?' Kero fumes only to be grabbed by Sakura. "Oh I'm just doing my little ventriloquist act for Tomoyo-chan! She likes it when I do my act! See?" (Kero voice) "What the heck? What the heck?"
Kero - "WHAT THE HECK IS THAT?! THAT ACT IS FRIGGIN' OLD!! CUT IT-- MPPHH!!"
"See? I'm on a roll here!!" (Sakura proudly announces, holding Kero's mouth shut) "Though my toy's a little vingery today."
"---I see---" Sonomi sweat drops as she leaves, "Well, you have fun now. Bye."
Kero refuses to talk to Sakura even after dinner is served, and she makes his favorite to apologize to boot.
* * * * * *
"I'm a stud and a half, not some plaything." Kero grumbles in disgust.
Sakura - "I said I'm sorry, are you still mad?"
Kero - "OF COURSE I'M STILL MAD!! SHEESH!!" (Sakura's voice) "Oh I'm sooooo cute! I can do no wrong! I wouldn't do that on purpose! I--"
"Are you mocking me?" Sakura asks.
"Me? NO!!!" (Kero slaps himself a few times) "My bad! My bad! Naughty me!"
Sakura - "Are you OK? You look like you enjoy doing that to yourself."
Kero - "Don't get me started again…"
* * * * * *
Tomoyo meets Sakura/Kero at the school. Nina/Eliza are already there.
"How's Mirra-chan?" Sakura asks as she arrives. "I dropped her off at her friend's house for a sleepover, she's fine." (Sakura notices three of the bodyguards are there) "What's your wish, miss?"
"You may go. Make sure to pass by and check up on Mirra-chan before heading home."
"Yes, Miss Tomoyo."
As the car leaves Sakura & Tomoyo talk. "Check up on Mirra-chan? Is she in danger?"
"No, no, not at all.“ Tomoyo responds quickly, blushing a little bit, “Still I'd feel better if I knew she was safe--" (chuckles slightly) "--now I know why mom was always so concerned about my safety when I was her age. Girls Mirra-chan‘s age generate such worry." Sakura smiles, placing a light kiss on Tomoyo's forehead as she leads the dark haired girl to the school building (so she could hang up her skates).
* * * * * *
Outside.
Nina listens to her commlink intensely, monitoring surveillance channels for any sign of Fly. With Eliza standing near Tomoyo, the two watch over Sakura, who is acting as bait.
"You look great! A big improvement over the original I made."
"I don't know---" Sakura sighs as she kicks her feet idly looking down as she does. "I don't feel very special."
Tomoyo - "Strictly speaking as the designer I'm very happy with the results."
Sakura wasn‘t quite convinced, "Sigh-- this time I better remember my skates. Last time I left them here I forgot them--" (looks over at Nina) "Well?"
"Hold thy Clow Cards, oh impatient one.“ Nina balked, “Observation post four picked up a low level energy reading coasting over it, and that's a mile from here-- if it was Fly it'll be here--" (the wind picks up and begins to howl) "--about now."
The wind, now gusting at 30 mph, whips the field as Sakura struggles to stand her ground. "IT'S FLY!"
Above them Fly comes into view, towering over them as it's winged flapped, generating blinding gusts of wind each time it's wings made a full stroke. Sakura grabs the key, and grips it tight.
"Key of the Star, with powers burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! RELEASE!!"
As the new staff comes to life, it's energy courses and rages, catching Fly's attention. "Tomoyo!"
"Right." (holds up Gaia's ring as she films with her free hand) "GAIA! BIND FLY WITH YOUR VINES AND BRANCHES!"
From the ground all around Fly, the earth erupts and releases many vines and branches which wrap themselves around Fly, slowly pulling it downwards. "NO!!!"
"What---?" Sakura stammers. "Did Fly just speak?" As Fly struggles against Gaia's powers, a piercing scream, feminine yet filled with primal fear, rips through the air as Fly starts to pump it's wings faster to retake the air. "STOP FLY!! DON'T STRUGGLE!! FLY!!" Sakura screams, watching Fly struggle harder and harder against the vines. "FLY!! I'M SORRY!!" (thrusts out wand) "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eyyyyaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!"
Fly shudders, screaming as it curls it's wings tight. It's voice shaking everyone to the core and causing each of them to pause. With a brief opening, Fly shoves out one final time, snapping free of it's restraints and pummeling it's wings fast to climb back skyward out of harm's way. Sakura slumps, head lowered as she watches Fly limp away.
It was hurt, so it wouldn't be doing anymore high speed attacks, but it was also in pain. Yet there was more, something that didn't happen the first time she fought Fly. Sakura quickly spins about, fear on her face, "Tomo-chan!! Are you alright--?!?"
"Yup, of course, and I got it all on tape!"
Sakura faints.
Nina - "Well I'm glad somebody's recording all this for posterity's sake-- I guess."
Back at Daidouji Estates notes were taken and compared.
"Did Fly really talk?" Nina asked, the obvious question first on her lips.
"Here." Kero chirps up, putting the video back on play. In the room was Sakura, Tomoyo, Kero & Nina. Eliza went straight from the school to the slumber part with videos (and more snacks). ""NO!!!" (Fly's head spins back and forth, it's beak seemingly moving in concert with the word). "So Fly did say something--" Tomoyo remarks as she watches the video. "Sounds female though."
"And Fly doesn't know how to talk, let alone say words." Kero remarked.
“So what does that mean, Kero?"
"I don't know yet, Tomoyo. I don't know."
The video was now on the next scene as Fly struggles against the vines. "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eeeyyy---"
"Stop tape." Nina suddenly asks, moving forward to take the control. She rewinds it abit, then plays it again. "I'M SORRY!!" (pause) "CLOW CARD, RETURN--"
"Eeeyyy---"
Rewinds.
"FLY, I'M SORRY!!"
(pause)
"CLOW CARD, RE--"
(pauses tape, then slowly moves it forward)
"What are you looking for?" Kero asks, attention focused on the screen as Nina moves it forward. Suddenly she stops it and points at something. "There! You see that Kero?"
"What?! I don't see anything."
"Does this thing have a-- guess not--" (Nina pulls a few hook up cords out of a pouch on her belt and attaches it to Tomoyo's video player (she has yet to put this on DVD)). "What are you doing?"
"Just feeding this image into my wetware, Tomoyo, so I can play with the image."
Sakura - "Wetware?"
Kero - "Isn't that something you wear to the beach?"
"Kero!" (Sakura balks, eyes suddenly looking towards Nina oddly) "Your going to hook that up to a laptop or something?"
"Or something." Nina responds, holding the end of the cord in her hand, plugging it into another cord with two prongs at the end. "One side connected to the machine, the other connects right here." Quickly Nina pushes her hair back and plugs each prong into a hidden metal slot behind each of her ears, directly linking to her brain through neural wetware links. "----" Sakura looks shocked. Tomoyo is recording all this since the conversation started, so she's fascinated. Kero looks like he's going to hurl.
"I'll need a chair--" (Tomoyo moves a chair for Nina to sit in) "--thank you."
As Nina focuses, her mind locks into the image and holds it, dissects it, and through all the wetware implants in her head she begins to make it do her bidding. At first nothing happens, then the screen is suddenly filled with icons, menu bars, scrolls and a cursor.
First the cursor locks onto a place on the image (off to one side), then it circles it with a box and locks into it. "Magnify and enhance." The image magnifies, showing a part of Fly and one of the school buildings. Again a part is cursored off and clicked on. "Magnify and enhance." This time it takes longer but an image of the building (Fly reflected in it) comes closer, that and--- "I see something--"
"Magnify & enhance one more time." As the image comes on, it takes longer this time, and more concentration is needed by Nina to pull in the image. But, at long last, the image comes in clear. It's the reflection of Fly trapped by Gaia's vines. And what seems to be a ghostly figure superimposed over Fly, that of a young woman.
"What's that?"
"That--" Nina slowly notes as she turns to view her handiwork. "Is our screamer."
Sakura - "Is--- is--- is it a---"
"Ghost?” Nina responds seriously, “Sure looks like it. Probably died a horrible death too and she‘s all suffering and in eternal torments and…" (Sakura runs out of the room with Tomoyo close behind her, leaving Kero to scowl at Nina). "What?!"
* * * * * *
Command Center (Citadel City)
A Few Minutes Later.
"I'm sorry, Nina, but it's the best we can do." The Command officer announced.
"I don't suppose a little better might be called for at this stage, don't you think?" (Nina over the commlink to Command) "I'm sorry---" (regards image sent over link) "--but you have to understand the image you sent us is of a fuzzy silhouette of what might be a spirit or a merged entity. And let's not forget this image has it's back turned to us. It might be a woman, it might be something else entirely like a Darkling. There's too little information on this one image to give us much. I'm analyzing the copied video you sent us but it looks like this is the only time the image is visible, so again it's not much to go on."
"I see. Well, try what you can. We'll continue doing what we can here. But it seems it's injured--"
"Which makes it that much more dangerous. I see. Well, keep at it and let us know what you find."
"Right. Kotobuki out."
With a sigh the officer looks back at the image, reaching out to touch the form on it. "So who are you, our mysterious young lady? Ghost? Spirit? Tormented soul? Maybe all three at once--" The image, a female spirit straining against the vines, screaming-- fear? Agony? What? Only she knew and she wasn't talking. Yet.
* * * * * *
Back in Sakura's "Lab".
"I hate ghosts!" Sakura complains, reaching into her private freezer for the ice cream. "Tomoyo said it's probably another Clow card merged with Fly, and I think she's got a good point. It's probably Snow, or one of the other feminine cards and I concur with her thinking. It's a plausible idea." Kero remarked, eyes focused on Sakura‘s hands as she worked.
Sakura - "But why is it trapped inside of Fly? And is that card inside Fly making Fly act all weird?"
Kero - "We'll find out when we catch up to Fly--" (sighs) "--though right now I'm more interested in my dessert!" (starts to bounce up and down) "Give it here! Give it here! Give it here!! Gimmegimmegimme!"
"Hold on, hold on---" (Sakura puts ice cream on top of a piece of pound cake) "I think we should fortune tell with the cards once we have enough for it! A romance fortune telling!"
"Sakura--" Kero sighs, "You already know your romantic destiny is with Tomoyo, why do a reading now? Talk about pointless."
"Not for me! For Mirra-chan! I want to see her romantic future!"
Kero frowned at the thought. "Didn't Tomoyo warn you about meddling in her life (seconds before she meddled herself by having her bodyguards spy on your little girl‘s private life)?"
"It's NOT meddling! I just want to peek--" (sighs as she sets down Kero's treat for him to eat) "It's important! I want to know who she's destined for (or who she isn‘t destined for)!"
"You just want to make sure it's not Toya, don't you."
"No way in hell it's Toya!" Sakura pouts as she makes dessert for herself and Tomoyo (mostly because Kero's talking got Sakura in a bad mood and she wants a treat to settle her down before bed) "Toya's a pain in the ass! I can't even believe how things ended-- but he's NOT right for Mirra-chan. Heck, he probably doesn't even like her that way so I just want to avoid having her heart broken!"
"Like yours almost was if you didn't find your feelings for Tomoyo?" Kero asked.
"What did I say about getting on my nerves!!" Sakura grumbles, plating up dessert and walking out the door. "Mirra is too good for Toya! Period!"
"Or Toya's too old and too spoken for for Mirra, eh?" Kero finishes as he starts eating.
To Be Continued (Tomorrow)
See You Tomorrow
Tomorrow is Wednesday, last of the introduction days before we start regular posting days of Thursdays and Sundays.
In the meantime I'm thinking of rotating this with another fan fic starting in the new year (2007), but I'm still working on which to use... updates to come.
Take care and good day.
In the meantime I'm thinking of rotating this with another fan fic starting in the new year (2007), but I'm still working on which to use... updates to come.
Take care and good day.
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered 1-2 (10)
CardCaptor Sakura Remastered Episode 2 (10)
Within the Realm of Dreams (Edenina)
Nippon (the Japanese Dream Continent)
Tokyo (Tokyo Tower)
The sound of footfalls echoes through the darkness, with the vast landscape of the main central "hub" of Edenina overhead as far as the eyes can scan and the lights of Tokyo providing the backdrop, shadowy figures dash across the building's rooftops in chase.
One small, like a rabbit, one a small bear with wings, and two human females. Finally, after long minutes of pursuit, the first shadow is cornered. Sakura, dressed in a variant of the same costume she wore when she originally caught Jump (the card in pursuit) stands tall.
"At last, I've caught up."
BAM!! Nina reels into the metal fencing Sakura is standing on, shaking it slightly as she falls into it but not enough to throw Sakura's balance off. "EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!!" (gasp gasp)
"I need a time out."
BASH!! Ahead of them, Jump grows to large size and attacks, lashing out with it's claws. Sakura easily dodges the claws, but Nina can barely scurry out of the way before the claws rip the metal bars she was just leaning on to shreds. "Sakura!!" "I'm on it Kero!"
Sakura’s hand reaches into her costume, pulling forth her new key out.
* * * * * *
Flashback
Goddess Council Chamber
On the main central hub of the Edeninan landscape.
"It does pose a problem." the Raven Goddess remarks, holding Sakura's Star wand in her hand as she frowned at it. Sakura, with Tomoyo nearby recording the meeting, is very nervous. "Can I still use it-- Miss Goddess?"
The Goddess chuckles, her voice light and cheery as she whips about (her long hair twirling) as she walks back towards a tall cabinet near one wall in her chambers. "It might do in a clinch but let's give it an upgrade suitable for the task at hand."
As Sakura/Tomoyo watches, the Goddess rifles through her cabinet until she draws out a box of mystical tool. "And people think the only good point about me is my looks." From the toolbox she draws out a hammer, a pair of pliers, and a few pieces of crystal. As she begins to work, sparks fly and energy begins to course through the staff, it's shape changing with each strike of the mystical hammer, leaving both young women awestruck by the transformation. When she is done she hands the new tool over to Sakura. The sealing staff, now with a new bird head with a hollow point in it's "eye" where Sakura's "star" rests, glows with power as Sakura holds it tight.
"Now it's ready for Clow card capturing---" (draws etching tool out) "Now who want complimentary tattoos? I'm not only a licensed magical tool fixer, I'm also an amateur tattoo artist!"
Sakura sweat drops at the offer, but declines politely.
* * * * * *
Present
"Key of the Star, with power burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!!"
The key triggers, spinning and growing as it engages, it's new form and power coming to life. This makes Jump stop, frozen in it's tracks at the sight of the new staff, and it's stronger power. "Sakura! The ring!"
"I know, Kero! I know---" She cries out, holding her left hand out towards Jump.
* * * * * *
Flashback
Daidouji Estate
"Rings?" Sakura asks, taking a ring each from Windy & Umi (Water).
"It's something one of the merchants in town gave us." Umi volunteers, "They're bonding rings, they store a specific power for use over and over again. They're little trinkets that are selling pretty well over in the malls. Sort of like magical tokens of affection." (smiles) "I thought you'd like our powers at your disposal during your quest. Just like old times."
Windy nods her head in agreeance, "Gaia & Light gave rings to Tomoyo, so we're giving rings to you---" (blinks) "I know what Gaia's power is, but I'm not certain about Light's power."
"I'm sure they'll come in handy, thanks." (kisses each on the cheek) "How do I use them?"
"Just like the cards.” Umi responded, “Think about the attack and call it out, and don't forget to point the ring where you want the attack to go."
"Obviously." Sakura adds, Windy poking Sakura in the shoulder once with a smirk on her face. "Don't worry, you won't forget that important point."
“I better not.” Sakura muttered.
* * * * * *
Present
"WINDY!!"
The wind ring charges up, kicking up gale winds as she holds the ring out pointing it straight at Jump. "SEAL JUMP WITH THE CHAIN OF CAUTION!!"
Quickly the ring spews forth long tendrils of energy, which whip and lash about Jump, tangling it down before it can even think of escaping. Sealed as it was, it could only wait the inevitable. "CLOW CARD, RETURN TO YOUR POWER CONFINED! JUMP CARD!!"
With a hard slam of her arm, Sakura's staff releases a brilliant burst of energy, ensnaring and ripping Jump's physical form apart, converting it back to energy. That energy condenses, and forms it's card form again which flies to Sakura's hand once again obedient to her touch and command.
Nina, breath nearly gone, sits slumped near Sakura watching with drowsy eyes. "One card--- down--- 47-- to go--" (falls flat on her face) "I hate my life."
* * * * * *
The Next Day
Back at the Daidouji Estate.
"Sakura-chan! Wake up. Sakura-chan!"
Tomoyo gently shakes Sakura, until finally Sakura rolls to one side and pokes at the alarm clock to shut it off (which has been ringing for five minutes now). "Sigh. What's that sound?" (on the huge TV Kero is watching the vid from last night.) "You're late Sakura! Morning by the way." "G'morning---" (blinks) "---are you watching that vid from last night?"
"Of course! It's been far too long since I've been in a Tomoyo Productions original! And I have to say I'm just as good looking' as I was back in the good ole' days! Yes I am!" (sighs) "?" (Sakura looks on the shelves of DVDs as she dresses for school, with Tomoyo's help) "I thought you finished transferring your tapes to DVD, but some of the DVDs are missing."
"Your early adventures. Mirra-chan wanted to borrow them to watch." Tomoyo remarks, smiling as she helps Sakura get ready. "Your becoming quite a role model for her. She's becoming more and more fascinated with your adventures, wanting to watch them over and over again, holding onto that doll I made for you when you were 11 as she watches. She even wants me to make copies of your adventures for her collection so she can thrill to your exploits whenever she wants. I'm going to do that today in my studio."
"---" (blushing) "That's-- well that's nice--" she said, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Your so modest too, your turning a bright red." Tomoyo chides, poking Sakura's cheeks. "Our little girl needs a good role model to look up to." (Suddenly Tomoyo stops what she was doing and motions for Sakura to sit down) "Which is something else I want to talk to you about. Something important."
"Huh?"
Tomoyo looked concerned, "It's about your brother, Toya."
"Mirra-chan mentioned him." Sakura remembers, "He helps her with her school problems from time to time, giving her advice, being a big brother to her and all that."
"Sakura, it's more than that--" (Tomoyo says, a sigh on her lips as she leans her head on an open palm) "I think our little Mirra-chan has a crush on him."
"Mirra-chan?" (blinks) "She's too young--" (sighs) "--oh no--"
Tomoyo knew Sakura realized what was coming next. "You weren't too young to have that crush on Yuki, remember? And remember, Mirra-chan is older than she looks though mentally she's still a young girl."
"I know! I know--" (sighs as she leans her head against Tomoyo's shoulder) "I'll have a chat with Mirra-chan. But I'm sure it's not that serious, she's friends with Toya and they get along well but love?"
"I know.” she remarks, leaning on Sakura in turn, “It's hard to imagine our little Mirra-chan in love, but just to make sure please talk to her about it. It's important. After all, the first person she ever gotten close to who wasn't a Card Captor was Toya." (smiles) "Though for the life of me I don't ever remember you getting along with Toya at that age."
"Tomo-chan! You know what kind of evil person he was to me at that age!" (smiles) "I'll remember to talk to Mirra-chan. Promise" (takes her bag and kisses Tomoyo on the lips) "I won't let you down."
"Thank you, Sakura-chan. Now let's go. Mom made breakfast this morning."
* * * * * *
I'm Sakura Kinomoto.
I'm now getting ready to go to the next grade soon (for one day less in school we go to one more year in schooling to cover the difference). Studying for the tests is hard, but as long as I have Tomoyo I should be ready for anything (even difficult school topics).
I like music, PE and used to like math before it got so complex (damn 22nd to 24th Century quantum mathematics). I'm just an ordinary young woman, with a strange life and stranger love life. Hmm? My love life? Well it's not boring to say the least, but it's-- it's the greatest thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn't give it up for anything.
I'm in love with my best friend Tomoyo. She's the world to me.
And what's this hyperactive stuffed animal? That's Kerberos, Guardian of the Seal.
He used to have this other form, but when all the Clow cards vanished so did his power, and he's now stuck again in his tiny form. But he doesn't seem to mind, he's grown rather fond of his form. And I haven't told you yet about my new family---
* * * * * *
"G'morning-- oh no--"
"Well THERE'S our little night owl--" Nina scoffs, sipping her drink as she glances at Sakura. "Not so energetic now are we. Welcome to the world of the dreaming, Sleeping Beauty (Tomoyo sure gives you a workout under the sheets ever--)."
"I DON'T SLEEP THAT MUCH!" Sakura grumbles, taking her seat as Tomoyo sits down between Sakura & Nina, mostly to keep the two apart. But Nina's on a roll. "Heard you coming downstairs all the way from here. Sounded like the circus was in-house and the elephants were on parade."
"I'M NOT AN ELEPHANT!"
"Sakura---" Tomoyo sweat drops, trying to settle her down. "Whoa.!" (Nina puts a hand out and stops Sakura's charge, keeping her back with one hand) "Nina, cut that out please." Eliza Destiny, Nina's partner in all things, sighs as she watches.
* * * * * *
The taller woman with the green hair is Nina Kotobuki. She got assigned to monitor the capture of the Clow Cards. She's a pest and a pain in the butt, but she's also taller than me and--- arrggh!! FIVE YEARS AND I BARELY GREW!! I'M ONLY ABIT TALLER THAN I WAS AT 11!! IT'S NOT FAIR!! Why did Tomoyo and everyone else grow several inches and I only grew a few?!? It's frustrating (I become very bitter thinking about it). I keep wishing I was bigger, then I'd show people like Nina!
The one holding Nina back is named Eliza, the girl with the long flowing blonde hair.
She seems very intelligent, and the only one Nina listens to without question. They seem very close. Intimate even.
* * * * * *
"Leave Sakura-chan alone if you know what's good for you." Sonomi warns, putting out breakfast with Windy's help, the two sometimes exchanging glances and touches as they pass each other.
* * * * * *
That's Tomoyo's mom, Sonomi. She's the president of her own toy company.
She's very sweet, and has been sort of a surrogate mother to me ever since I moved in after the disappearance of my father. I miss him, but there's nothing I can do about it.
He was exploring what the locals call "The Inner Realm" (a place older than dreams itself) when he vanished. I don't know what all that means, but it sounds mysterious and scary.
I only hope one day he returns so he can stand by me the day I-- I mean when Tomoyo and me-- when we-- (blushes at thought) ---- She's great. I still miss my mom, but Sonomi misses her too though recently Windy's been filling the void in her life. Ever since Windy became human she's been growing closer to Sonomi, and her to Windy, as if they both experienced heartbreak in their past and can relate to each other on a deeper level because of it.
Kero keeps talking about Windy being different somehow, but all I know is that both of them have been very happy since pairing off together (So what if Windy‘s changed a little? They‘re happy and that‘s all that matters!).
I can't imagine a day without the two of them laughing together, or just sitting in the parlor enjoying each other's company. Content and happy to be with each other, each one making the other complete. Sort of like me & Tomoyo, and how we each make the other complete in our own ways. But I'm never lonely. I have everyone here and we're all family.
I have Tomoyo, Sonomi, Windy, Water (Umi), Woods (Gaia), Light, Dark, Little Mirra-chan, Fuu and of course little Kero.
"Why am I last?!? Don't I rate over at least Dark or Light?!? Don't I get some seniority?!? And why am I ALWAYS little Kero! You saw my original form, you know what a stud I am! Right? Right?!? Somebody needs to rewatch her "early adventures" because somebody forgot the importance of me and--"
Sigh.
* * * * * *
"Thanks. I better get to work. Come on, 'liza, let's roll."
"YOU CAN'T BE LEAVING ALREADY!" (looks at Tomoyo who's already on her way out) "Come on slowpoke, we have to get to school." Nina calls out from the door.
"We're still setting up the portable command--" Eliza starts, only to quickly jump aside as Mirra-chan rushes past them and starts eating quickly, joined in by Sakura who also wolfs down her food. "Like 'father', like daughter." Tomoyo remarks, sweat dropping as she watches the two eat. "Shanks fer da food---" Mirra-chan mutters, Sakura right behind her with the same expression (eyes spinning, hand pounding chest, tears flowing, dazed look) grabbing their gear and heading out. "Uh-- you OK, Sakura? Mirra-chan?" Both girls nod their heads, quickly jamming their roller-blading gear on and rushing out the door. "Bye girls! Have a good day!"
"Goodbye! See you later!" Mirra-chan calls out.
"Sigh." (Kero watching the two leave from Sakura/Tomoyo's bedroom) "Somethings never change it seems."
* * * * * *
"Wait for us! Wait!!" Sakura calls out, finally catching up to Nina/Eliza (on bikes) and Tomoyo (casually gliding along on a custom set of roller blades that she brought herself after spending a year having Sakura teach her how to roller blade). "I'm sorry but you know today's a test we have to take."
"I know! I know-- sigh-- I wish studying for the next grade was as easy as capturing Clow cards!" Suddenly Mirra-chan becomes very cheery all of a sudden, waving her arm as she sees someone. "TOYA-CHAN!!"
"---Toya-chan?!?" Sakura sighs, shoulders slumping. "Hey there, little sprite." (rubs Mirra-chan's head as she passes near his bike) "Been doing your studies and working out like you promised?"
"Yes!" she cried out happily.
"Hey, Toya--" Sakura mumbles as she passes him. "Hey, squirt! How's life? Still oversleeping?"
"---back off---" she mutters as she paces ahead of him, grumbling. Toya rides near Mirra-chan, smiling as he talks to her. "Have to watch out about the things you copy from her, you know that right little sprite? Don't want to wake up late, and have to wolf your breakfast down like she always---!!!"
Sakura drops back, just enough to pass him by and nail Toya in the leg as she does.
"---somebody's temper hasn't improved either, I see--" Toya mutters.
* * * * * *
Toya, my brother. (Why he couldn't have fallen off the face of reality is still beyond me.)
I can't believe little Mirra-chan could possibly have a crush on him! She's too good for him. And he's already spoken for, which is another person I can't believe has any interest in HIM! What's with that anyway?!?
* * * * * *
"---and she oversleeps! Sure she's got more stamina than me, but she sleeps like the (un)dead!" Nina, once again, was making rude comments, this time as she talks to Toya. "I DON'T SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD!"
Toya - "She sleeps like a monster actually.“
Nina - "Noticed she stomps like one too."
Sakura - "HEY!! I'M RIGHT HERE!!" Mirra-chan looks on confused at their banter. "They really like each other, you know." Tomoyo assures her as she nears Mirra-chan. "They just have a really funny way of showing it sometimes." "Oh--" (looks at the three arguing) "I don't think I'll ever understand everything about being human, Tomoyo-mama--- it's confusing at times."
"It's confusing for me too sometimes, Mirra-chan. You just have to take it one day at a time." Tomoyo admits.
Eliza - "--I'm sure she must be worried about what's happening lately."
Toya - "An empty mind usually has no worries."
Nina - "Amen to that!"
Tomoyo (sweat drops) - "I better break them up before Sakura-papa hurts someone. I'll see you later, Mirra-chan!"
Tomoyo takes Sakura's arm as the group heads for the high school dropping Mirra-chan off at Sakura's old school. Toya suddenly turns back and tosses something to Mirra-chan.
"Here! I got you a new pencil case! Great job on that test last week!"
"Thank you, Toya-chan!" (Hugs case and smiles, only for a dark haired girl to walk up and surprise her by remarking about the case. The two talk and walk of together.) "Now isn't that a familiar scene---" Tomoyo remarks as she watches the girl walk to class with Mirra-chan. "That must be her best friend, Hikaru. She mentioned her to me a few times."
"She's pretty." Sakura sighs, turning back to focus on her blading. "She's Mirra-chan's best friend, right? We have to ask her to invite Hikaru over to the house someday, maybe for a slumber party." "But that'd seem like we're spying on them. And she might think we're meddling with her friendships if we look too nosy at the start. But the slumber party idea might be a good idea. Maybe we should let her ask us and then go along with it. Make it her idea instead of ours."
"Sure that'll work?" Sakura asked.
"Worked with you--" (smiles as Sakura looks at her) "--just kidding."
"----"
* * * * * *
Beneath Northwest High Command Center 1
(originally an old automated Judgment Monitoring station)
It took a few days work to rip out the automated antiques and put in new model equipment (with the ability to go either auto or manual operation). The delay was, of course, also lengthened by the need to sneak everything in and out, and not to attract attention to the job or arouse suspicions of students. So one day would be spent removing old equipment, then the next day would be spent putting the new equipment (swapped with the old during the night) into place.
By now the center was almost complete with only the huge mainframe to put in and the rest of the stuff like the conference room set, the coffee maker, and a few vending machines as well as a working kitchenette which was only half completed.
"I think I've seen more wiring then I was ever meant to see in one week's time---" Nina sighs, making the last connections to bring another bank of systems online.
"90% of the inner command center is now up and running, but without the mainframe core it's 100 million yen worth of worthless systems."
"100.75 million yen to be exact." Eliza notes, putting her last connections in as well. "Now we can make that 92% of the command center is now up and running."
"But again, without the core it's worthless. Sure we can cruise the net, play solitaire or something of a more "adult" nature, but we can't do much real work down here--" (blinks as she looks around) "Though if I ever go crazy and my brain melts I can always turn this into a porn den and make millions preying on the overwrought male hormones above us."
Eliza shakes her head, "Let's not go too far with the promise that your calling all the shots that Command gave you."
"Well your no fun--" Nina flops back into the Command chair in the center of the room and spins it around a few times, watching Eliza take a position near her to one side. "My first command and it's playing second fiddle to Snoozer the Ham-Ham Card Captor." (huffs her breath) "Man did Command screw me over or what!"
"Don't think Sakura's going to like being compared to a hamster in a children's Anime---" (blinks) "Snoozer?"
"The weird one that sleeps all the time, uses a sock for a bed." (sighs) "Alright so she's not THAT bad (Snoozer was more adorable than she is in my book), but still she could wake up earlier in the morning. Hmph. Even with all her flaws Command sees her as perfect, and I only have a few shortcomings and I'm screw-up material. What a discouraging thing that is."
"So, Nina--- How did she become mistress of the cards anyway?"
"Total accident.” Nina replies with a bored expression on her face, “She pries open the Clow book, sets the cards free, and Snoozer Jr (Kero) has to con her into capturing them again because he can't do it himself. Apparently his powers go bye-bye when the cards scatter to the four winds. Case in point since he's lost his powers twice already, and the second time wasn't even Sakura's fault!"
"Are they alive?"
"Yeah, but obviously not in a way we term "alive" because the six cards that did become human seem to be still settling into being "living" as it were. Don't know how it was when they were cards, but I guess they had some form of "half-life" as it were." (thinks for a second) "Must be the more the card is used the more mature it becomes."
"You sure?" Eliza asks, "Must be. Look at Windy/Mirror. Windy is a card that gets used a great deal, so when it became human it took on a mature and older stance. Even looks at Umi/Gaia like they're her little sisters. Meanwhile we have Mirror, who isn't used as much, and has the developmental skills of a young girl the minute she becomes human with all the quirks and failings of youthful emotional development. That, in a nutshell dear Eliza, is my theory. The more the card is used, the more it's exposed to "living", and the more it matures. Cards used less don't mature as fast, and are thus emotionally younger than cards used more and thus more experienced and skilled. Sorta like AD&D logic for the emotional part of the Clow Card brain."
"---if you say so---" Eliza whispers, still absorbing information as she speaks.
* * * * * *
"I still think Kero tricked me." Sakura laments.
"Be nice. Most people couldn't do what you do--- the little sandwiches are great, thanks." (kisses Sakura on the cheek as they eat lunch, specially made by Sakura for Tomoyo). "You're a Cardcaptor, who saves the world from Clow Card menaces not once, but TWICE! Isn't that cool?"
"---Tomoyo-chan---" (sweat drops)
* * * * * *
I've been with Tomoyo-chan ever since third grade. I could never imagine my world without her in it. I suppose that lead to falling in love, when I thought she would leave me forever and I finally realized friendship sometimes can become love.
She's smart, and beautiful, and the light of my world. Though sometimes she gets a little too excited about this Cardcaptor-ing thing.
* * * * * *
"And don't forget to let me tape you next time!" Tomoyo cheerfully reminds Sakura, camera already rolling focused right on Sakura. Sakura faints. "And I got a new costume ready for you too! I designed it already!"
Sakura sighs as she takes another bite of her food, from a flattened position, eyes narrowed and sweat dropping as she does. "Sigh."
* * * * * *
Yes. Tomoyo makes my clothes for Cardcaptor-ing. She did it before, and she's doing it again. It was very embarrassing when she first did it--- and it seems somethings never change, but don't tell Tomo-chan I said that!)
* * * * * *
"Sakura! When you do your duty, you have to wear special clothes that set you apart! And you have to videotape it too! You know how much Mirra-chan looks up to you, and she already put an order in for your new adventures (DVD Series II Volume 1) so I want to get it to her ASAP!!" (Tomoyo finishes with a smiles as she start to eat)
* * * * * *
Tomoyo-chan.
She's my light, my star, my love.
She's also a bit strange.
But I didn't say that either, so don‘t tell her.
But back to reality, as it were.
What do they teach here? Strangely it's the same stuff I learned in Junior High, only harder, with more facts, and harder dates to learn, and harder math (including damnable Quantum Mathematics), and worst homework. High School was supposed to be this wonderous magical place, but it turned out to be just Junior High for older people.
At least somethings never change… PE for example.
* * * * * *
Sakura makes the jump over the horse just fine, no stress for her.
"Great job! Maybe next time we'll use a real horse!" Mr. Terada chides her.
It's been a few years since he taught them in Junior High, but now he worked in the High School, and was engaged to marry. But for the life of her Sakura couldn't figure out who despite the fact everyone else seemed to know, and was keeping it from her.
Every time she ask about it people would clam up and not talk. Once she even thought he was going to marry Tomoyo, but that was one day before her 16th birthday and the next day her suspicions vanished with her last doubts about her love when the two consummated on the night of her 16th birthday and swore their love everlasting.
Still, nobody wanted to talk about Mr. Terada's fiancee, though somebody knew who it was. Toya was working the soccer team as their coach, which he did sometimes as a favor to his old school. But just having him that close to her made Sakura pouty. "Why the hell does he have to coach today? Is the soccer coach sick again or something?"
"That Neko flu bug gets around it seems." Tomoyo off-handedly comments, watching the soccer team practice as the rest of their class does the vault. Suddenly something catches her eye, off to one side she can see Mirra-chan and Hikaru watching the soccer team practice while waiting for their class to do vaults over at the Junior High side. Mirra-chan was shaking the fence fiercely, looking agitated. "Now doesn't that bring back a memory!" Tomoyo slyly remarks. "I wasn't that bad--" (sighs) "--maybe I was. But she's still way too good for him."
"Then you'll talk to her?" Sakura smiles as she gives Tomoyo a cunning glance, "Maybe you'll like her to fall for Hikaru?"
"---Sakura---" Tomoyo blushes, but her intent is clear. "--maybe, but that's her choice, not ours. It would be nice if they became as loving a couple as we are and all, but…"
"Oh Tomo-chan, I--" Suddenly Sakura freezes. "Sakura, what---"
"GET DOWN!!" As she quickly shoves Tomoyo down, a huge fighter comes barreling out of nowhere, barely managing to get over the school fields and back into the sky. "What was that?!" Tomoyo gasps, looking quickly to make sure Mirra-chan was safe. Mirra-chan was clinging onto Hikaru, keeping her safe. "That was an Omegatech I think. Saw it in a movie once---" (looks off to one side) "--what the--"
* * * * * *
""
""
"Your telling me---" Captain Lazarus glumly remarks, checking the wing struts as he turns his fighter about. The wings were scratched and dented from flying debris, the main fuselage was solid but dented, and the cockpit's hard plasti-steel glass was cracked in several places.
"One good gust and that thing almost impaled me through Tokyo Tower." Jack laments into his voice recorder, hoping it survived the fight to keep what might be his last recorded thoughts. "Almost crashed and burned into that school too--" (looks down) "They're OK though. And wouldn't that be a hard one to explain to people--"
"What's the---"
The commlink buzzed and crackled, signal isn't holding solid with all the energy being discharged into the air from Fly's presence "--is it dow-- repor-- tus of Fly-- is any-- there? Res-- any-- rus? Res--"
"Fly is still up. Repeat, Fly is still up and active. It took off again but---" (takes a look as his fighter flies over the town) "---it's getting more powerful." From his viewpoint overlooking Tokyo proper, he could see the Frigate Antares, listing in an awkward sideways angle, sticking out of Tokyo Harbor. The ship forced down by Fly, it's strength growing in leaps and bounds past even it's old power levels.
A few days ago it was manageable. Now it was becoming impossible to deal with.
It didn't damage the ship, only knocked it askew (and it's anti-grav drives did the rest to twist the huge behemoth into the harbor).
"What's going on up there?"
This time the signal was coming through, mostly because it was coming from a nearby source. "Nina? Is that you? Where are you?"
Nina - "Northwest High, the school you almost plowed into!"
"Sorry about that, Fly knocked me for a loop."
Nina - "Fly's here?!?"
"Yes it is--- don't you have your systems up yet?"
Nina - "Not without a mainframe, the stuff down here is super sized paperweights without it. What's the situation?"
Jack looks around at the chaos Fly left in it's wake. "Fly took off again, so it looks like the worst is over for now---"
Nina - "Guess again."
"Wh--?" Nina voice sounded nearly silent, a faint whisper as she spoke, "Look up---" As he looks upwards his breath sticks, and his eyes widen. Fly was coming back, barreling down from the sky-- and right at the two schools Jack barely managed to avoid colliding into a few minutes ago. Jack - "---aw damn---"
To Be Continued (Tomorrow)
Within the Realm of Dreams (Edenina)
Nippon (the Japanese Dream Continent)
Tokyo (Tokyo Tower)
The sound of footfalls echoes through the darkness, with the vast landscape of the main central "hub" of Edenina overhead as far as the eyes can scan and the lights of Tokyo providing the backdrop, shadowy figures dash across the building's rooftops in chase.
One small, like a rabbit, one a small bear with wings, and two human females. Finally, after long minutes of pursuit, the first shadow is cornered. Sakura, dressed in a variant of the same costume she wore when she originally caught Jump (the card in pursuit) stands tall.
"At last, I've caught up."
BAM!! Nina reels into the metal fencing Sakura is standing on, shaking it slightly as she falls into it but not enough to throw Sakura's balance off. "EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!!" (gasp gasp)
"I need a time out."
BASH!! Ahead of them, Jump grows to large size and attacks, lashing out with it's claws. Sakura easily dodges the claws, but Nina can barely scurry out of the way before the claws rip the metal bars she was just leaning on to shreds. "Sakura!!" "I'm on it Kero!"
Sakura’s hand reaches into her costume, pulling forth her new key out.
* * * * * *
Flashback
Goddess Council Chamber
On the main central hub of the Edeninan landscape.
"It does pose a problem." the Raven Goddess remarks, holding Sakura's Star wand in her hand as she frowned at it. Sakura, with Tomoyo nearby recording the meeting, is very nervous. "Can I still use it-- Miss Goddess?"
The Goddess chuckles, her voice light and cheery as she whips about (her long hair twirling) as she walks back towards a tall cabinet near one wall in her chambers. "It might do in a clinch but let's give it an upgrade suitable for the task at hand."
As Sakura/Tomoyo watches, the Goddess rifles through her cabinet until she draws out a box of mystical tool. "And people think the only good point about me is my looks." From the toolbox she draws out a hammer, a pair of pliers, and a few pieces of crystal. As she begins to work, sparks fly and energy begins to course through the staff, it's shape changing with each strike of the mystical hammer, leaving both young women awestruck by the transformation. When she is done she hands the new tool over to Sakura. The sealing staff, now with a new bird head with a hollow point in it's "eye" where Sakura's "star" rests, glows with power as Sakura holds it tight.
"Now it's ready for Clow card capturing---" (draws etching tool out) "Now who want complimentary tattoos? I'm not only a licensed magical tool fixer, I'm also an amateur tattoo artist!"
Sakura sweat drops at the offer, but declines politely.
* * * * * *
Present
"Key of the Star, with power burning bright, reveal the staff and shine your light! Release!!"
The key triggers, spinning and growing as it engages, it's new form and power coming to life. This makes Jump stop, frozen in it's tracks at the sight of the new staff, and it's stronger power. "Sakura! The ring!"
"I know, Kero! I know---" She cries out, holding her left hand out towards Jump.
* * * * * *
Flashback
Daidouji Estate
"Rings?" Sakura asks, taking a ring each from Windy & Umi (Water).
"It's something one of the merchants in town gave us." Umi volunteers, "They're bonding rings, they store a specific power for use over and over again. They're little trinkets that are selling pretty well over in the malls. Sort of like magical tokens of affection." (smiles) "I thought you'd like our powers at your disposal during your quest. Just like old times."
Windy nods her head in agreeance, "Gaia & Light gave rings to Tomoyo, so we're giving rings to you---" (blinks) "I know what Gaia's power is, but I'm not certain about Light's power."
"I'm sure they'll come in handy, thanks." (kisses each on the cheek) "How do I use them?"
"Just like the cards.” Umi responded, “Think about the attack and call it out, and don't forget to point the ring where you want the attack to go."
"Obviously." Sakura adds, Windy poking Sakura in the shoulder once with a smirk on her face. "Don't worry, you won't forget that important point."
“I better not.” Sakura muttered.
* * * * * *
Present
"WINDY!!"
The wind ring charges up, kicking up gale winds as she holds the ring out pointing it straight at Jump. "SEAL JUMP WITH THE CHAIN OF CAUTION!!"
Quickly the ring spews forth long tendrils of energy, which whip and lash about Jump, tangling it down before it can even think of escaping. Sealed as it was, it could only wait the inevitable. "CLOW CARD, RETURN TO YOUR POWER CONFINED! JUMP CARD!!"
With a hard slam of her arm, Sakura's staff releases a brilliant burst of energy, ensnaring and ripping Jump's physical form apart, converting it back to energy. That energy condenses, and forms it's card form again which flies to Sakura's hand once again obedient to her touch and command.
Nina, breath nearly gone, sits slumped near Sakura watching with drowsy eyes. "One card--- down--- 47-- to go--" (falls flat on her face) "I hate my life."
* * * * * *
The Next Day
Back at the Daidouji Estate.
"Sakura-chan! Wake up. Sakura-chan!"
Tomoyo gently shakes Sakura, until finally Sakura rolls to one side and pokes at the alarm clock to shut it off (which has been ringing for five minutes now). "Sigh. What's that sound?" (on the huge TV Kero is watching the vid from last night.) "You're late Sakura! Morning by the way." "G'morning---" (blinks) "---are you watching that vid from last night?"
"Of course! It's been far too long since I've been in a Tomoyo Productions original! And I have to say I'm just as good looking' as I was back in the good ole' days! Yes I am!" (sighs) "?" (Sakura looks on the shelves of DVDs as she dresses for school, with Tomoyo's help) "I thought you finished transferring your tapes to DVD, but some of the DVDs are missing."
"Your early adventures. Mirra-chan wanted to borrow them to watch." Tomoyo remarks, smiling as she helps Sakura get ready. "Your becoming quite a role model for her. She's becoming more and more fascinated with your adventures, wanting to watch them over and over again, holding onto that doll I made for you when you were 11 as she watches. She even wants me to make copies of your adventures for her collection so she can thrill to your exploits whenever she wants. I'm going to do that today in my studio."
"---" (blushing) "That's-- well that's nice--" she said, her cheeks turning bright red.
"Your so modest too, your turning a bright red." Tomoyo chides, poking Sakura's cheeks. "Our little girl needs a good role model to look up to." (Suddenly Tomoyo stops what she was doing and motions for Sakura to sit down) "Which is something else I want to talk to you about. Something important."
"Huh?"
Tomoyo looked concerned, "It's about your brother, Toya."
"Mirra-chan mentioned him." Sakura remembers, "He helps her with her school problems from time to time, giving her advice, being a big brother to her and all that."
"Sakura, it's more than that--" (Tomoyo says, a sigh on her lips as she leans her head on an open palm) "I think our little Mirra-chan has a crush on him."
"Mirra-chan?" (blinks) "She's too young--" (sighs) "--oh no--"
Tomoyo knew Sakura realized what was coming next. "You weren't too young to have that crush on Yuki, remember? And remember, Mirra-chan is older than she looks though mentally she's still a young girl."
"I know! I know--" (sighs as she leans her head against Tomoyo's shoulder) "I'll have a chat with Mirra-chan. But I'm sure it's not that serious, she's friends with Toya and they get along well but love?"
"I know.” she remarks, leaning on Sakura in turn, “It's hard to imagine our little Mirra-chan in love, but just to make sure please talk to her about it. It's important. After all, the first person she ever gotten close to who wasn't a Card Captor was Toya." (smiles) "Though for the life of me I don't ever remember you getting along with Toya at that age."
"Tomo-chan! You know what kind of evil person he was to me at that age!" (smiles) "I'll remember to talk to Mirra-chan. Promise" (takes her bag and kisses Tomoyo on the lips) "I won't let you down."
"Thank you, Sakura-chan. Now let's go. Mom made breakfast this morning."
* * * * * *
I'm Sakura Kinomoto.
I'm now getting ready to go to the next grade soon (for one day less in school we go to one more year in schooling to cover the difference). Studying for the tests is hard, but as long as I have Tomoyo I should be ready for anything (even difficult school topics).
I like music, PE and used to like math before it got so complex (damn 22nd to 24th Century quantum mathematics). I'm just an ordinary young woman, with a strange life and stranger love life. Hmm? My love life? Well it's not boring to say the least, but it's-- it's the greatest thing that ever happened to me, and I wouldn't give it up for anything.
I'm in love with my best friend Tomoyo. She's the world to me.
And what's this hyperactive stuffed animal? That's Kerberos, Guardian of the Seal.
He used to have this other form, but when all the Clow cards vanished so did his power, and he's now stuck again in his tiny form. But he doesn't seem to mind, he's grown rather fond of his form. And I haven't told you yet about my new family---
* * * * * *
"G'morning-- oh no--"
"Well THERE'S our little night owl--" Nina scoffs, sipping her drink as she glances at Sakura. "Not so energetic now are we. Welcome to the world of the dreaming, Sleeping Beauty (Tomoyo sure gives you a workout under the sheets ever--)."
"I DON'T SLEEP THAT MUCH!" Sakura grumbles, taking her seat as Tomoyo sits down between Sakura & Nina, mostly to keep the two apart. But Nina's on a roll. "Heard you coming downstairs all the way from here. Sounded like the circus was in-house and the elephants were on parade."
"I'M NOT AN ELEPHANT!"
"Sakura---" Tomoyo sweat drops, trying to settle her down. "Whoa.!" (Nina puts a hand out and stops Sakura's charge, keeping her back with one hand) "Nina, cut that out please." Eliza Destiny, Nina's partner in all things, sighs as she watches.
* * * * * *
The taller woman with the green hair is Nina Kotobuki. She got assigned to monitor the capture of the Clow Cards. She's a pest and a pain in the butt, but she's also taller than me and--- arrggh!! FIVE YEARS AND I BARELY GREW!! I'M ONLY ABIT TALLER THAN I WAS AT 11!! IT'S NOT FAIR!! Why did Tomoyo and everyone else grow several inches and I only grew a few?!? It's frustrating (I become very bitter thinking about it). I keep wishing I was bigger, then I'd show people like Nina!
The one holding Nina back is named Eliza, the girl with the long flowing blonde hair.
She seems very intelligent, and the only one Nina listens to without question. They seem very close. Intimate even.
* * * * * *
"Leave Sakura-chan alone if you know what's good for you." Sonomi warns, putting out breakfast with Windy's help, the two sometimes exchanging glances and touches as they pass each other.
* * * * * *
That's Tomoyo's mom, Sonomi. She's the president of her own toy company.
She's very sweet, and has been sort of a surrogate mother to me ever since I moved in after the disappearance of my father. I miss him, but there's nothing I can do about it.
He was exploring what the locals call "The Inner Realm" (a place older than dreams itself) when he vanished. I don't know what all that means, but it sounds mysterious and scary.
I only hope one day he returns so he can stand by me the day I-- I mean when Tomoyo and me-- when we-- (blushes at thought) ---- She's great. I still miss my mom, but Sonomi misses her too though recently Windy's been filling the void in her life. Ever since Windy became human she's been growing closer to Sonomi, and her to Windy, as if they both experienced heartbreak in their past and can relate to each other on a deeper level because of it.
Kero keeps talking about Windy being different somehow, but all I know is that both of them have been very happy since pairing off together (So what if Windy‘s changed a little? They‘re happy and that‘s all that matters!).
I can't imagine a day without the two of them laughing together, or just sitting in the parlor enjoying each other's company. Content and happy to be with each other, each one making the other complete. Sort of like me & Tomoyo, and how we each make the other complete in our own ways. But I'm never lonely. I have everyone here and we're all family.
I have Tomoyo, Sonomi, Windy, Water (Umi), Woods (Gaia), Light, Dark, Little Mirra-chan, Fuu and of course little Kero.
"Why am I last?!? Don't I rate over at least Dark or Light?!? Don't I get some seniority?!? And why am I ALWAYS little Kero! You saw my original form, you know what a stud I am! Right? Right?!? Somebody needs to rewatch her "early adventures" because somebody forgot the importance of me and--"
Sigh.
* * * * * *
"Thanks. I better get to work. Come on, 'liza, let's roll."
"YOU CAN'T BE LEAVING ALREADY!" (looks at Tomoyo who's already on her way out) "Come on slowpoke, we have to get to school." Nina calls out from the door.
"We're still setting up the portable command--" Eliza starts, only to quickly jump aside as Mirra-chan rushes past them and starts eating quickly, joined in by Sakura who also wolfs down her food. "Like 'father', like daughter." Tomoyo remarks, sweat dropping as she watches the two eat. "Shanks fer da food---" Mirra-chan mutters, Sakura right behind her with the same expression (eyes spinning, hand pounding chest, tears flowing, dazed look) grabbing their gear and heading out. "Uh-- you OK, Sakura? Mirra-chan?" Both girls nod their heads, quickly jamming their roller-blading gear on and rushing out the door. "Bye girls! Have a good day!"
"Goodbye! See you later!" Mirra-chan calls out.
"Sigh." (Kero watching the two leave from Sakura/Tomoyo's bedroom) "Somethings never change it seems."
* * * * * *
"Wait for us! Wait!!" Sakura calls out, finally catching up to Nina/Eliza (on bikes) and Tomoyo (casually gliding along on a custom set of roller blades that she brought herself after spending a year having Sakura teach her how to roller blade). "I'm sorry but you know today's a test we have to take."
"I know! I know-- sigh-- I wish studying for the next grade was as easy as capturing Clow cards!" Suddenly Mirra-chan becomes very cheery all of a sudden, waving her arm as she sees someone. "TOYA-CHAN!!"
"---Toya-chan?!?" Sakura sighs, shoulders slumping. "Hey there, little sprite." (rubs Mirra-chan's head as she passes near his bike) "Been doing your studies and working out like you promised?"
"Yes!" she cried out happily.
"Hey, Toya--" Sakura mumbles as she passes him. "Hey, squirt! How's life? Still oversleeping?"
"---back off---" she mutters as she paces ahead of him, grumbling. Toya rides near Mirra-chan, smiling as he talks to her. "Have to watch out about the things you copy from her, you know that right little sprite? Don't want to wake up late, and have to wolf your breakfast down like she always---!!!"
Sakura drops back, just enough to pass him by and nail Toya in the leg as she does.
"---somebody's temper hasn't improved either, I see--" Toya mutters.
* * * * * *
Toya, my brother. (Why he couldn't have fallen off the face of reality is still beyond me.)
I can't believe little Mirra-chan could possibly have a crush on him! She's too good for him. And he's already spoken for, which is another person I can't believe has any interest in HIM! What's with that anyway?!?
* * * * * *
"---and she oversleeps! Sure she's got more stamina than me, but she sleeps like the (un)dead!" Nina, once again, was making rude comments, this time as she talks to Toya. "I DON'T SLEEP LIKE THE DEAD!"
Toya - "She sleeps like a monster actually.“
Nina - "Noticed she stomps like one too."
Sakura - "HEY!! I'M RIGHT HERE!!" Mirra-chan looks on confused at their banter. "They really like each other, you know." Tomoyo assures her as she nears Mirra-chan. "They just have a really funny way of showing it sometimes." "Oh--" (looks at the three arguing) "I don't think I'll ever understand everything about being human, Tomoyo-mama--- it's confusing at times."
"It's confusing for me too sometimes, Mirra-chan. You just have to take it one day at a time." Tomoyo admits.
Eliza - "--I'm sure she must be worried about what's happening lately."
Toya - "An empty mind usually has no worries."
Nina - "Amen to that!"
Tomoyo (sweat drops) - "I better break them up before Sakura-papa hurts someone. I'll see you later, Mirra-chan!"
Tomoyo takes Sakura's arm as the group heads for the high school dropping Mirra-chan off at Sakura's old school. Toya suddenly turns back and tosses something to Mirra-chan.
"Here! I got you a new pencil case! Great job on that test last week!"
"Thank you, Toya-chan!" (Hugs case and smiles, only for a dark haired girl to walk up and surprise her by remarking about the case. The two talk and walk of together.) "Now isn't that a familiar scene---" Tomoyo remarks as she watches the girl walk to class with Mirra-chan. "That must be her best friend, Hikaru. She mentioned her to me a few times."
"She's pretty." Sakura sighs, turning back to focus on her blading. "She's Mirra-chan's best friend, right? We have to ask her to invite Hikaru over to the house someday, maybe for a slumber party." "But that'd seem like we're spying on them. And she might think we're meddling with her friendships if we look too nosy at the start. But the slumber party idea might be a good idea. Maybe we should let her ask us and then go along with it. Make it her idea instead of ours."
"Sure that'll work?" Sakura asked.
"Worked with you--" (smiles as Sakura looks at her) "--just kidding."
"----"
* * * * * *
Beneath Northwest High Command Center 1
(originally an old automated Judgment Monitoring station)
It took a few days work to rip out the automated antiques and put in new model equipment (with the ability to go either auto or manual operation). The delay was, of course, also lengthened by the need to sneak everything in and out, and not to attract attention to the job or arouse suspicions of students. So one day would be spent removing old equipment, then the next day would be spent putting the new equipment (swapped with the old during the night) into place.
By now the center was almost complete with only the huge mainframe to put in and the rest of the stuff like the conference room set, the coffee maker, and a few vending machines as well as a working kitchenette which was only half completed.
"I think I've seen more wiring then I was ever meant to see in one week's time---" Nina sighs, making the last connections to bring another bank of systems online.
"90% of the inner command center is now up and running, but without the mainframe core it's 100 million yen worth of worthless systems."
"100.75 million yen to be exact." Eliza notes, putting her last connections in as well. "Now we can make that 92% of the command center is now up and running."
"But again, without the core it's worthless. Sure we can cruise the net, play solitaire or something of a more "adult" nature, but we can't do much real work down here--" (blinks as she looks around) "Though if I ever go crazy and my brain melts I can always turn this into a porn den and make millions preying on the overwrought male hormones above us."
Eliza shakes her head, "Let's not go too far with the promise that your calling all the shots that Command gave you."
"Well your no fun--" Nina flops back into the Command chair in the center of the room and spins it around a few times, watching Eliza take a position near her to one side. "My first command and it's playing second fiddle to Snoozer the Ham-Ham Card Captor." (huffs her breath) "Man did Command screw me over or what!"
"Don't think Sakura's going to like being compared to a hamster in a children's Anime---" (blinks) "Snoozer?"
"The weird one that sleeps all the time, uses a sock for a bed." (sighs) "Alright so she's not THAT bad (Snoozer was more adorable than she is in my book), but still she could wake up earlier in the morning. Hmph. Even with all her flaws Command sees her as perfect, and I only have a few shortcomings and I'm screw-up material. What a discouraging thing that is."
"So, Nina--- How did she become mistress of the cards anyway?"
"Total accident.” Nina replies with a bored expression on her face, “She pries open the Clow book, sets the cards free, and Snoozer Jr (Kero) has to con her into capturing them again because he can't do it himself. Apparently his powers go bye-bye when the cards scatter to the four winds. Case in point since he's lost his powers twice already, and the second time wasn't even Sakura's fault!"
"Are they alive?"
"Yeah, but obviously not in a way we term "alive" because the six cards that did become human seem to be still settling into being "living" as it were. Don't know how it was when they were cards, but I guess they had some form of "half-life" as it were." (thinks for a second) "Must be the more the card is used the more mature it becomes."
"You sure?" Eliza asks, "Must be. Look at Windy/Mirror. Windy is a card that gets used a great deal, so when it became human it took on a mature and older stance. Even looks at Umi/Gaia like they're her little sisters. Meanwhile we have Mirror, who isn't used as much, and has the developmental skills of a young girl the minute she becomes human with all the quirks and failings of youthful emotional development. That, in a nutshell dear Eliza, is my theory. The more the card is used, the more it's exposed to "living", and the more it matures. Cards used less don't mature as fast, and are thus emotionally younger than cards used more and thus more experienced and skilled. Sorta like AD&D logic for the emotional part of the Clow Card brain."
"---if you say so---" Eliza whispers, still absorbing information as she speaks.
* * * * * *
"I still think Kero tricked me." Sakura laments.
"Be nice. Most people couldn't do what you do--- the little sandwiches are great, thanks." (kisses Sakura on the cheek as they eat lunch, specially made by Sakura for Tomoyo). "You're a Cardcaptor, who saves the world from Clow Card menaces not once, but TWICE! Isn't that cool?"
"---Tomoyo-chan---" (sweat drops)
* * * * * *
I've been with Tomoyo-chan ever since third grade. I could never imagine my world without her in it. I suppose that lead to falling in love, when I thought she would leave me forever and I finally realized friendship sometimes can become love.
She's smart, and beautiful, and the light of my world. Though sometimes she gets a little too excited about this Cardcaptor-ing thing.
* * * * * *
"And don't forget to let me tape you next time!" Tomoyo cheerfully reminds Sakura, camera already rolling focused right on Sakura. Sakura faints. "And I got a new costume ready for you too! I designed it already!"
Sakura sighs as she takes another bite of her food, from a flattened position, eyes narrowed and sweat dropping as she does. "Sigh."
* * * * * *
Yes. Tomoyo makes my clothes for Cardcaptor-ing. She did it before, and she's doing it again. It was very embarrassing when she first did it--- and it seems somethings never change, but don't tell Tomo-chan I said that!)
* * * * * *
"Sakura! When you do your duty, you have to wear special clothes that set you apart! And you have to videotape it too! You know how much Mirra-chan looks up to you, and she already put an order in for your new adventures (DVD Series II Volume 1) so I want to get it to her ASAP!!" (Tomoyo finishes with a smiles as she start to eat)
* * * * * *
Tomoyo-chan.
She's my light, my star, my love.
She's also a bit strange.
But I didn't say that either, so don‘t tell her.
But back to reality, as it were.
What do they teach here? Strangely it's the same stuff I learned in Junior High, only harder, with more facts, and harder dates to learn, and harder math (including damnable Quantum Mathematics), and worst homework. High School was supposed to be this wonderous magical place, but it turned out to be just Junior High for older people.
At least somethings never change… PE for example.
* * * * * *
Sakura makes the jump over the horse just fine, no stress for her.
"Great job! Maybe next time we'll use a real horse!" Mr. Terada chides her.
It's been a few years since he taught them in Junior High, but now he worked in the High School, and was engaged to marry. But for the life of her Sakura couldn't figure out who despite the fact everyone else seemed to know, and was keeping it from her.
Every time she ask about it people would clam up and not talk. Once she even thought he was going to marry Tomoyo, but that was one day before her 16th birthday and the next day her suspicions vanished with her last doubts about her love when the two consummated on the night of her 16th birthday and swore their love everlasting.
Still, nobody wanted to talk about Mr. Terada's fiancee, though somebody knew who it was. Toya was working the soccer team as their coach, which he did sometimes as a favor to his old school. But just having him that close to her made Sakura pouty. "Why the hell does he have to coach today? Is the soccer coach sick again or something?"
"That Neko flu bug gets around it seems." Tomoyo off-handedly comments, watching the soccer team practice as the rest of their class does the vault. Suddenly something catches her eye, off to one side she can see Mirra-chan and Hikaru watching the soccer team practice while waiting for their class to do vaults over at the Junior High side. Mirra-chan was shaking the fence fiercely, looking agitated. "Now doesn't that bring back a memory!" Tomoyo slyly remarks. "I wasn't that bad--" (sighs) "--maybe I was. But she's still way too good for him."
"Then you'll talk to her?" Sakura smiles as she gives Tomoyo a cunning glance, "Maybe you'll like her to fall for Hikaru?"
"---Sakura---" Tomoyo blushes, but her intent is clear. "--maybe, but that's her choice, not ours. It would be nice if they became as loving a couple as we are and all, but…"
"Oh Tomo-chan, I--" Suddenly Sakura freezes. "Sakura, what---"
"GET DOWN!!" As she quickly shoves Tomoyo down, a huge fighter comes barreling out of nowhere, barely managing to get over the school fields and back into the sky. "What was that?!" Tomoyo gasps, looking quickly to make sure Mirra-chan was safe. Mirra-chan was clinging onto Hikaru, keeping her safe. "That was an Omegatech I think. Saw it in a movie once---" (looks off to one side) "--what the--"
* * * * * *
"
"
"Your telling me---" Captain Lazarus glumly remarks, checking the wing struts as he turns his fighter about. The wings were scratched and dented from flying debris, the main fuselage was solid but dented, and the cockpit's hard plasti-steel glass was cracked in several places.
"One good gust and that thing almost impaled me through Tokyo Tower." Jack laments into his voice recorder, hoping it survived the fight to keep what might be his last recorded thoughts. "Almost crashed and burned into that school too--" (looks down) "They're OK though. And wouldn't that be a hard one to explain to people--"
"What's the---"
The commlink buzzed and crackled, signal isn't holding solid with all the energy being discharged into the air from Fly's presence "--is it dow-- repor-- tus of Fly-- is any-- there? Res-- any-- rus? Res--"
"Fly is still up. Repeat, Fly is still up and active. It took off again but---" (takes a look as his fighter flies over the town) "---it's getting more powerful." From his viewpoint overlooking Tokyo proper, he could see the Frigate Antares, listing in an awkward sideways angle, sticking out of Tokyo Harbor. The ship forced down by Fly, it's strength growing in leaps and bounds past even it's old power levels.
A few days ago it was manageable. Now it was becoming impossible to deal with.
It didn't damage the ship, only knocked it askew (and it's anti-grav drives did the rest to twist the huge behemoth into the harbor).
"What's going on up there?"
This time the signal was coming through, mostly because it was coming from a nearby source. "Nina? Is that you? Where are you?"
Nina - "Northwest High, the school you almost plowed into!"
"Sorry about that, Fly knocked me for a loop."
Nina - "Fly's here?!?"
"Yes it is--- don't you have your systems up yet?"
Nina - "Not without a mainframe, the stuff down here is super sized paperweights without it. What's the situation?"
Jack looks around at the chaos Fly left in it's wake. "Fly took off again, so it looks like the worst is over for now---"
Nina - "Guess again."
"Wh--?" Nina voice sounded nearly silent, a faint whisper as she spoke, "Look up---" As he looks upwards his breath sticks, and his eyes widen. Fly was coming back, barreling down from the sky-- and right at the two schools Jack barely managed to avoid colliding into a few minutes ago. Jack - "---aw damn---"
To Be Continued (Tomorrow)
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