Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Enemy Revealed ❯ Assessments and Plans ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Special thanks to SR for betareading this and to Hikari for helping me out with the fortune-telling.

The Enemy Revealed
Chapter 2: Assessments and Plans

Normally, Sakura enjoyed lunch. Her father packed her a delicious one, but her mind was not on food. Her friends noticed how she picked at her food and kept silent during their talking. Only Tomoyo knew why.

"Sakura-chan, can we speak in private?" Tomoyo asked.

Sakura nodded, and the two walked to the fountain. "Yes, Tomoyo-chan?"

"Are you still worried about the Cybers?"

Sakura nodded. "Hai." She looked into Tomoyo's eyes. "I had a dream last night. It had the User in it." Tomoyo listened as Sakura continued. "It was dark, so I tried to use Light, but it didn't work. Then he appeared and told me he was more powerful than me. Then there were all these explosions..."

Tomoyo placed a hand on her best friend's shoulder. "You defeated Psycho. You were wonderful."

"Tomoyo-chan..."

"You managed to defeat Hiiragizawa-kun's magic. I'm positive you can handle the Cybers and this User." Tomoyo looked into her friend's eyes and smiled.

"This is different, Tomoyo-chan. I don't know anything about the User," Sakura said worriedly.

"Sakura-chan, did you know anything about being a Cardcaptor when you started?"

"No," Sakura answered truthfully.

"Life is all about learning, Sakura-chan. I think you can defeat the User if you believe in yourself," Tomoyo told her best friend. "After all, you're Sakura-chan. You possess the invincible spell."

Sakura looked at her friend like she was the wisest person on Earth. "Arigato, Tomoyo-chan." Something crossed her mind. "Oh, something happened in my dream before I woke up."

"What, Sakura-chan?" Tomoyo prepared to listen.

"Four people spoke to me. They said not to worry," Sakura recalled. "One of them was Syaoran-kun." Upon mentioning his name, she bowed her head and blushed.

"See, there's still hope," Tomoyo said. A light bulb lit up over her head. "Sakura-chan, you can tell fortunes with the Sakura Cards, right?"

"Hai, Tomoyo-chan," Sakura answered.

"Well, why don't you find out about the User with the Sakura Cards?" Tomoyo suggested.

"That's a good idea." Sakura took out the Sakura Cards and her cell phone. "I'd better call Kero-chan. I haven't gotten the hang of interpreting the cards yet." She dialed her home phone number and waited.

"Hello?" Kero-chan said on the other line.

"Kero-chan, are you doing anything right now?" the Cardmistress asked.

"Just playing an RPG, but I can pause," Kero-chan answered. "What do you want, Sakura?"

"I'm going to use the Cards to tell a fortune," Sakura explained. "I need you to help me interpret them."

"Okay. You know how to set them up?"

"Hai."

"Good. What are you trying to find out?"

"What the User is like."

"Hmmmmm, I see. Well, let's get started."

Sakura shuffled the Sakura Cards and divided them into three piles. Next, she combined all three piles into one. Finally she picked one card from the top of the deck and placed it on the ground. She placed another to its left, then formed a diamond as she placed more cards clockwise.

The Cardmistress held the Star Key above the diamond. "Sakura Cards created by my power, please answer my questions," she chanted, "Show me the true of the obstacle I face."

She flipped over the top card. "Windy."

"Looks like word's gotten out about you, Sakura," Kero-chan said.

Sakura flipped over the middle card. "Create." Next was the card to its left. "Dark." Then came the one on the right. "Power."

"Create's telling you the User's ability. Makes sense considering those Cybers. Dark indicates the User has a nature of that type. Power says he's got a lot of it."

"Hmmmmmmm..." Tomoyo cupped her chin in her hand and pondered this information.

Sakura flipped over the bottom card. "Fight."

"Hoo boy. Apparently, the User's pretty confident and wants to test your strength," Kero-chan interpreted.

"Now to find out what the User wants." Sakura picked the top card from the deck and looked at it. "Erase?"

"Erase?" Kero-chan repeated. "That dosn't sound good."

Sakura looked at the Cards she picked, then at Tomoyo. "I'm getting a bad feeling about this."

* * * * *

Syaoran watched as Sakura battled Psycho at Tomoeda Yuuen. He watched as the Sakura Cards failed to defeat the Master Cyber and did his best not to shout at the TV screen. When Sakura managed to cut off the clown's arm, he managed a little grin. When Mirror reflected Psycho's attack, he smiled fully. "Sakura..."

From behind, Meiling and Syaoran's four sisters observed him. They saw Syaoran rewind the tape Tomoyo sent him.

"He's been doing that ever since he came home," Fuutie whispered. "With classes being cancelled, you think he could find something better to do than watch TV."

"He seems to be studying it," Shiefa remarked.

"Can you blame him? His beloved was nearly killed," Fanren pointed out.

"That and the same thing happened to him," Feimei said. "He must be trying to figure out how to fight these robots."

"They're not so tough," Meiling remarked haughtily, standing tall with her hands on her hips. "The one I fought wasn't so smart."

"If I recall, I had to distract him when you were knocked down," Syaoran said loudly, keeping his eyes to the TV. He was aware of his siblings and cousin talking behind him. Once again, he watched the battle between Sakura and the killer clown. "Sakura," he said softly.

"Watching that video again, I see."

All eyes turned to a tall, stately woman. "Mother," all four girls gasped.

Li Yelan approached her son. "Syaoran, are you all right?"

Syaoran turned to his mother. "Yes, Mother, I am. Meiling and I escaped without any injuries."

"That's not what I meant," Yelan said, looking at the TV. Sakura was now engaged in a sword battle with Psycho. "She proved herself that night. You shouldn't worry about her."

"But she was nearly killed." Syaoran rewound the tape to the point where the fake Sakura was caught by Time Bombs.

"But she was clever in using a Card," Yelan pointed out. "Clow Read chose his successor well."

The tape played on. "I should've been there," Syaoran said, closing his eyes. "I should've stayed in Japan with her."

"You know you still have duties with our clan," Yelan told him firmly. "You can still visit her, and maybe someday you will ask for her hand in marriage."

"Mother..." Syaoran bent his head down to hide his blushing. His sisters giggled in the background. Meiling shook her head.

"I know you care deeply for the Cardmistress, but remember your obligations here. Once you complete them, you can return to Japan and stay," Yelan told her son.

"Mother, Sakura barely survived her encounter with this," Syaoran said, pointing to Psycho's face. "He managed to counter the Cards, and Sakura's final attack wasn't strong enough to finish him off."

"To make it worse, there are two more like him out there," Meiling added.

Yelan nodded. "When you told me about the attack at the school, I admit I nearly laughed. However, recently I've been having a strange feeling."

"A strange feeling, Mother?" Syaoran asked.

"Yes, like something is wrong. A magic that should not be," Yulan elaborated.

"A magic that should not be?" Meiling blinked. "What does that mean?"

"Trouble," Yulan answered solemnly.

Syaoran stopped the tape and stood up. "I guess there's only one thing for me to do."

"What would that be, my son?"

Syaoran faced his mother and steadied himself. "I'm going back to Japan, Mother."

* * * * *

"Are the children in bed?" Suppi-chan asked Nakuru.

"Yep," Nakuru answered. "Mizuki-sensei also."

"That's good to hear." Suppi-chan pointed to the book in front of him. "All we need to do is master this teleportation spell, and we'll be able to track down Eriol's abductors."

"Hmmmmm..." Nakuru studied the words on the page. "Looks rather complicated."

"It is, but if I get it right, we'll be able to appear where the next target is."

Nakuru looked up and down the page. "Are you sure you can do this? It's all in Latin."

"I can master it," Suppi-chan assured her. "We'll be in Tomoeda in the blink of an eye."

"Why do you think Sakura-chan is the next target?" Nakuru asked.

"Yes, why her?"

Suppi-chan and Nakuru were surprised to find Kaho standing in the kitchen doorway. She was wearing a bathrobe over her nightclothes. "Mizuki-sensei, shouldn't you be in bed?" Nakuru asked.

"I couldn't sleep," Kaho said as she took a seat. "Not while Eriol is still missing."

"You still have to teach at the school tomorrow," Suppi-chan reminded the teacher.

"I'm still going," Kaho answered, rubbing her eyes.

"Maybe you should take some time off," Suppi-chan suggested. "Just call the school and tell them some sort of emergency came up."

Kaho shook her head. "No, no. I can handle it. Maybe my work will help me cope."

"I'm afraid your emotional state will affect your teaching performance," Suppi-chan argued. "You need to rest. Someone needs to watch the children."

"They have Umbriel and their Guardians," Kaho pointed out. "Besides, you managed to reseal the house."

"That's right!" Nakuru said, beaming. "No more evil robots!"

"Nakuru, keep it down. The children..." Suppi-chan warned.

"Sorry," Nakuru whispered.

Suppi-chan closed his book. "Mizuki-sensei, I think it's best for you to stay home. Nakuru and I will find him. Don't worry." He leapt on the floor and transformed back into Spinel Sun.

Nakuru transformed into Ruby Moon. "We'll bring him back. I promise."

Kaho wiped a tear away. "I hope so."

Ruby Moon looked at Spinel Sun. "Any idea where he is?"

"I might have one," Spinel Sun answered. "I've been noticing a few odd incidents lately in the news."

"Like?"

"Tomoeda Yuuen was closed recently due to repairs."

"So?"

"So some people reported sounds of a battle from there. The local police attributed that to vivid imaginations encouraged by too much alcohol or lack of sleep."

"Oh."

"Also, I just learned from the Internet that a school in Hong Kong collapsed mysteriously. Investigators estimated it happened around the time we were dealing with the robots."

"Hmmmmmm."

"Hong Kong? Doesn't Li Syaoran live there?" Kaho asked.

"Yes," Spinel Sun answered. "In fact, I confirmed that the school was in his area."

"So Syaoran was probably attacked by these robots," Ruby Moon stated.

Kaho gasped. "That's why you think Sakura-chan is the next target."

"Exactly," Ruby Moon said.

"Let us look at the facts. Tomoeda Yuuen was the site of a possible battle. We were attacked and Eriol was kidnapped. At the same time, Syaoran was possibly attacked." Spinel Sun looked thoughtful. "The obvious connection is Clow Read."

"But they also tried to steal the kids' magical objects," Kaho pointed out.

"Ah, we have found their motive," Spinel Sun said. "They are after magical objects."

"But why?" Ruby Moon asked.

"I'm afraid only the person behind these robots knows," Spinel Sun said gravely.

All nodded before resuming their conversation. As they talked, they failed to notice the tiny listening device taped to the bottom of the table.

* * * * *

Nakuru was correct about one thing: the children were in bed. She was wrong that they were all asleep, however. In the girls' bedroom, Ready, Brandon, and Maya overheard the conversation thanks to a receiving device. The volume was kept low enough to prevent the people downstairs from listening to themselves. Brandon leaned against the bed and kept the receiver within sight and earshot.

"I knew I had a good reason for building this," Maya smiled.

"You're so smart," Ready remarked, looking over the homemade device.

"Even though I now believe in magic doesn't mean I've given up my scientific roots," Maya stated. She looked at the desk, where Pegasus Uni and Lupe were sleeping. "I can't believe they fell asleep."

"Well, they need the rest, especially for what they'll be doing tomorrow," Ready said.

"Can you guys keep it down?" Brandon grumbled as he fought off sleep. "I'm trying to listen."

All three kids paid attention to the conversation being broadcast through the receiver. "So when are you leaving for Tomoeda?" Kaho asked.

"Now would be a good time," Spinel Sun replied. "We must go there and warn the Cardmistress that the robots will try again."

"How will you get there in time?" Kaho asked.

"We found a spell that will teleport us directly to Sakura's house," Ruby Moon explained. "Provided Spinel performs it correctly."

"I will," Spinel Sun asserted with a low growl. "In fact, we'd better start."

"What should I tell the children?" Kaho asked.

"Tell them to do their lessons," Spinel Sun requested.

"Tell them to do their lessons," Brandon mimicked. "Who is he...?"

Ready and Maya put their fingers to their lips. "Shhhhhhhhh!"

They heard Spinel Sun chant something in Latin. They were listening so closely they failed to see their door creak open and someone enter.

"Hmmmmmm, this sounds familiar," Ready remarked as Spinel Sun continued to chant. Suddenly, the light went on.

"It's a standard teleportation spell. It was in one of your lessons, if I recall."

The kids turned around and found Umbriel hovering over them. "Um, hi, Umbriel," Maya greeted nervously with a wave.

Brandon blinked. "Uh, my goodness, I must've sleptwalked in here again," he said, looking around as if dazed. "I think I should go back to my room."

"An excellent suggestion," Umbriel said, glaring at the young Shadowwalker.

"Gotta go." Brandon got up quickly and walked past the Darkling.

Umbriel studied the receiver. "Mistress, care to explain what you are doing?"

"Would you believe...?" Ready began, grinning sheepishly.

"No, I wouldn't." Umbriel reached down and seized the receiver. "I will take this while you two get some rest. You need enough strength to do your lessons tomorrow."

"Yes, Umbriel," Ready said with a sigh.

"Good night, Mistress," Umbriel said as turned off the light and exited the room. He shut the door quietly.

"Any other bright ideas?" Maya asked her friend.

Ready yawned. "Umbriel's right. We really should get some sleep." She flashed a grin. "After all, we have a lot to do tomorrow."

Maya grinned back. "Good night, Ready."

"Good night, Maya," the young Starlighter said as she returned to her own bed.

* * * * *

"Nothing still?"

"I'm afraid not. Despite my efforts, he still denies everything."

"Hmmmmmmm, the User will be displeased."

"Indeed. What should I do?"

"Do nothing until you receive further orders from the User. I must inform him of this nondevelopment."

After passing through a guarded large door, a white robed figure hovered towards the end of a large chamber almost draped in darkness. Two tall figures and a monstrous creature lying on the floor guarded a series of steps leading to a skull-shaped structure.

"Majesty," the figure said with reverence.

The skull's eyes and an egg-shaped design between them glowed. The figure watched as the upper part of the skull rose, revealing a person sitting on a throne. Only his eyes, red and yellow, were visible.

"Report, Database."

The robed figure fixed his red eyes on his leader. As he spoke, his fixed mouth emitted a yellow flash. "I'm afraid Mr. Hiiragizawa is being quite unwilling to cooperate with us, Majesty. He refuses to give us the information you seek," he reported in a cultured tone. "Apparently, he is strong enough to resist our...information extraction methods."

"I see. Considering who his interrogator is, he would have talked by now. Good thing he's the reincarnation of Clow Read. Otherwise, he would be dead by now."

"It could be possible he really doesn't know, Majesty," Database hypothesized.

"Yes, that is possible. If it's true, then we've wasted a lot of time."

"At least your Masters have delivered you magical energy to reduce the search field despite failing to perform successfully their secondary objectives."

"It is not enough." The red eye's glow increased. "The search field is still too large. As of now, my Masters haven't found any new ones yet."

"Then I assume you wish for the operation in Japan to begin?" Database asked.

"Yes, Database. Inform the Masters in charge that they may commence the operation at once."

Database bowed. "By your command, Majesty."

A chuckle came from the figure in the throne. "Once I have the Sakura Cards and Star Key, Database, I will be closer to ushering in the beautiful night."

"By my calculations, with the magical objects you've gathered or scanned, the Cards and Key will be powerful enough to reduce the search field, Majesty," Database stated. "Once you obtain all of them, you will be able to bring in the beautiful night."

"Excellent." The Cyber leader leaned back. "And soon the laughter will go away."

"What do you wish to be done with Mr. Hiirigazawa?" Database inquired. "With his apparent ignorance, he is worthless to you. I recommend immediate deletion."

"Don't be too hasty, Database." A cold smile crossed on the Cyber leader's face. "I'm sure I can find something useful for him to do."

"I've got a few ideas, Majesty." Two beady red eyes appeared behind Database.

"I'm sure you do. Is everything ready?"

"Yes, Majesty. Everything is ready for the attack."

"Are you sure you need so many troops?" Database questioned the other Cyber. "In fact, why aren't you attacking the target directly?"

The Cyber flashed a grin. "Because I wish to make a statement to the world that the User is the most powerful being on this planet."

"In other words, you wish to partake in some of your so-called fun," Database said dryly. "Majesty, I question putting him in charge considering his previous failure."

"Database, I wish to show the world how powerful I am. I consider this a declaration of war on the human world. I also consider this a chance for redemption for your fellow Master."

The Cyber bowed. "Don't worry, Majesty. I won't fail you this time."

"I'll keep that in mind. Now go and bring me the Sakura Cards and Star Key."

"At once, Majesty!" With an insane laugh, the Cyber spun around and vanished.