Card Captor Sakura Fan Fiction ❯ The Enemy Revealed ❯ Arrivals ( Chapter 5 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Thank you, SR, for looking over this :o)

The Enemy Revealed
Chapter 5: Arrivals

Dressed in his green traditional outfit, Syaoran attacked the training dummy on the pole with a flurry of punches and kicks. He visualized Sakura being attacked by the Cybers as he struck, increasing his impact with each blow. A kick to the head resulted in it flying off across the courtyard.

Meiling watched her cousin train intensely. "Wei, how long has he been doing this?" she asked the Li family's manservant.

"I believe it's been two hours now, Miss Meiling," the elderly butler replied. "He does take a break occasionally, but when he's done, it's back to the dummy."

Meiling sighed as Syaoran continued to beat up on the headless dummy. *Syaoran,* she thought, *you really do care for her.*

*I won't let anyone hurt you, Sakura,* Syaoran thought as he continued pummeling the dummy. Sweat poured out of his brow as he focused his blows on the chest. *I...* The dummy's seams started to split. *...won't...* Stuffing started to leak. *...let...* The seams weakened further. *...them!* Finally, the dummy's chest burst open, spitting out stuffing.

Syaoran wiped his brow and caught his breath. As he did, he noticed Meiling standing next to Wei. He turned to face his cousin. "Did Mother send you to dissuade me for leaving?" he asked, not looking into her eyes.

"Syaoran..." Meiling began.

"My mother may intimidate me, but this time it isn't working," Syaoran declared hotly, clenching his hand into a fist. "I'm returning to Japan, and no one can make me stay."

"Syaoran..."

"My mind is made up. I'm leaving, and that's that."

"Syaoran!" Meiling bellowed, causing her cousin to look at her. "I don't agree with your mother."

Syaoran blinked. "Huh?"

Meiling nodded. "To be honest, if you love her, then you should be with her, family obligations or no family obligations."

"I'm amazed you're not telling my mother this," Syaoran said, managing a brief smile.

"Well, she's not exactly someone who's easy to talk to," Meiling admitted.

"I would have to agree, Master Syaoran," Wei added.

Syaoran nodded, then turned to the destroyed dummy. "Wei, can you bring out another practice dummy? I'll need more training before I encounter those robots again."

At that moment, a flash of light appeared in the middle of the courtyard. Syaoran and the others watched as four figures fell hard to the ground. "What the...?" the young magician wondered, running towards the strangers. Meiling's curiosity was also piqued, and she followed her cousin.

Umbriel was the first to rise. "We are here."

Brandon got up and rubbed his butt. "You should've warned us about the rough landing," he complained to the Darkling, wincing.

"Yeah," O.G. growled as he and the other Guardians got up.

"I apologize," Umbriel answered.

Maya got up and reached for Ready. Brandon was quick to be at Ready's side and held out his hand. Maya smiled and joined Umbriel.

"Thank you," Ready said to Brandon with a smile after he pulled her up.

Brandon's face heated up. "Uh...no problem..."

"Hoo boy," O.G. groaned.

"Hey, I find it kinda cute," Lupe remarked.

"Someone's coming!" Pegasus Uni said, pointing towards the approaching Li cousins.

Syaoran stopped and beheld the newcomers. "What in the world...?"

*Boy, who's this guy's tailor?* Brandon thought as he looked over Syaoran's costume.

"Li Syaoran, I presume?" Umbriel asked the young magician.

"I am, and you are...?" Syaoran stopped and stared at Umbriel. "Wait, you're a Darkling!"

Umbriel nodded. "You are correct."

Brandon clapped. "Ooooo, good guess. Look, Syaoran, we need to talk..."

Syaoran's eyes darted towards Brandon's cap, especially the symbol over the bill. His eyes widened at the sight of the skull.

Brandon noticed the look on Syaoran's face. "Um, hello?"

Suddenly, Syaoran summoned his sword and pointed it at Brandon's chest. "Don't move, Shadowwalker!" he cried.

* * * * *

"Sakura, are you all right?" Kerberos asked the Cardmistress as they made their way to Tokyo.

"Hmm?" Sakura blinked her eyes. "Did you say something, Kerberos-san?"

"Just wondering if you're okay," the Sun Guardian said.

Sakura sighed. "It's all those people. All those dead people..."

"I'm afraid it's too late for them," Kerberos said solemnly. "Now we can only stop the Cybers from killing more people."

"True," Sakura agreed sadly, her eyes downcast. "Why are the Cybers after me?"

"Well, power attracts power, and you have a lot of it. Guess someone wants yours pretty bad," Kerberos argued.

"That is true," Spinel Sun said, flying closer to the Cardmistress and his fellow Sun Guardian. "You are the most powerful magician in the world, Sakura. That guarantees trouble."

"But the User can't use the Star Key," Sakura stated.

"I think the person who managed to defeat Eriol can do anything he pleases," Spinel Sun said, offering his opinion.

Ruby Moon flew closer to Sakura. "Are you still wondering about Tomoyo-chan?" she asked the Cardmistress.

"Hai," Sakura answered solemnly. "During the time I went after the Clow Cards, she always helped me. Even when Psycho captured Yue-san, she still went after me with oniichan and you, Kerberos-san. I just feel bad about making her stay behind this time."

"I'm sure she'd understand," Kerberos told his mistress. Staring ahead, he saw their destination. "We're almost there."

Sakura gasped at the sight ahead. Smoke bellowed from parts of the city. The remains of buildings stood by some miracle. She shuddered at how many people were now dead. Then she remembered that she was the only one who can prevent more deaths. "I'm Sakura," she told herself. "I possess the invincible spell." She looked at Kerberos. "Let's help those people."

Kerberos nodded, and led the way into the city under siege.

* * * * *

Psycho watched as the Cybers continued their attack on the city. He clenched his teeth. "If that girl doesn't show up, I'll..."

The evil clown was interrupted by a disturbance behind him. Turning around, he noticed that a man had broken free and was attacking the Altron guards. He moved too fast for them to use their guns. He picked one Altron up and tossed him into three more. "I won't let you get away with this!" he declared before slugging another Altron in the face.

"Heh. Looks like someone's looking to die early," Cracker quipped.

After knocking down more Altrons, the man faced his fellow hostages. "We must resist these evil beings, no matter what!" he shouted boldly. "We outnumber them, so why should we be afraid?"

Techno giggled. "Can I kill him?" he asked. "One good whack, and he'll have no head."

Psycho flashed his white teeth. "No need, Techno. I'll handle this." He flew towards the man. The Altrons lifted themselves off the ground. "Hey, buddy, what's the problem?"

The man glared at Psycho. "I demand you release us at once!" he announced, shaking his fist at the clown.

Psycho grinned. "You demand me to release you?" He broke into his bizarre laugh. "Boy, either you're really brave or really stupid! Look around you. Are your fellow humans joining your little revolt?"

The man looked around and saw everyone else eye the Cybers with fear. Some trembled and tried to stay calm. Mothers held their children closely. Men gave the Altron guards dirty looks, but stood still.

Psycho hovered before the man. "Awwwwww, no one wants to help the hero." He beamed as the man, with his eyes wide and mouth trembling, started to back away. "Ooooh, not so tough now, are ya?" He chuckled as the man tripped and fell to the floor. "Somebody needs to learn a lesson in obedience!" His eyes glowed even brighter as he formed a dark energy ball in his hands. "Nightmare Illusion!" he shouted, firing the ball at the man. The ball formed a demonic bird and engulfed its target in darkness. The people watched as the man struggled before the darkness disappeared.

The man rolled around on the floor screaming. "Get them off me! Get them off me!"

The humans watched as the poor man rose and ran around the room shaking his arms in an attempt to get rid of his imaginary afflictions. Psycho broke out into laughter, and Techno and Cracker joined in. Hacker watched the spectacle and shook his head.

Psycho stopped laughing. "Eh, I'm bored. Let's blow something up."

"Good idea," Techno agreed with a chuckle.

"Yeah! Why let the Servers have all the fun?" Cracker looked at Hacker. "You game?"

"I'll remain here," Hacker said without looking at his fellow Masters.

Psycho shrugged. "Suit yourself." He and the other two Masters disappeared, leaving Hacker in charge of Tokyo Tower.

Some of the Altron guards watched the man fall to the ground and assume the fetal position. "Let's delete this garbage," the top-ranking Altron, a Formatter, suggested, leveling his weapon at the trembling man. The other Altrons pointed their guns at the human and prepared to fire.

"Data Slash!"

The Altrons watched as their guns were vaporized by an energy wave. All of them turned to the source of the attack. Hacker stood there with his beam saber out.

"M-M-Master Hacker!" Formatter Altron exclaimed.

Hacker stepped up to the Altrons. "I do not recall authorizing this," he said, addressing Formatter Altron.

Formatter Altron stood at attention. "But, Master Hacker, the User despises humans..."

Hacker got into the Formatter's face. "I do not see the User here. Besides, our current orders are to obtain the Sakura Cards and the Star Key for him, not exterminate humans." He looked at the poor man on the floor. "Now pick him up and return him to his companions."

The Altrons followed Hacker's order without question. They returned the man to the other hostages, who began looking over him. Hacker put his weapon away and was about to return to watching the Windows play out the drama outside when he heard crying and shouting from the hostages. He examined them closely and found a mother holding a crying toddler. "What is the matter?" he asked gently.

"I want candy! Candy!" the toddler yelled through his tears. Hacker heard the kid's stomach growl.

The woman gasped at the sight of the Master Cyber. "Please don't hurt us," she pleaded, but my son hasn't eaten anything for a while now. We were going to a restaurant for lunch, but then..." The woman stopped as not to offend her captor. "He's also not sure if you're going to let us live or not. He's very scared."

Hacker listened to the woman with interest. He spoke after she stopped. "Tell me, are the other young humans among you hungry?"

"I think so," the woman answered nervously.

"Hmmmmmm..." Hacker rubbed his chin. "Formatter!"

Formatter Altron joined Hacker at his side. "Yes, Master?"

"Find food for the humans who need it," Hacker ordered.

"What?" Formatter Altron exclaimed. "Master Psycho wouldn't approve of this!"

"Whose command are you under?" Hacker asked.

"Master Psycho's," the Formatter answered.

Hacker faced the Formatter. "Your Master is currently indulging his appetite for destruction, so I am in charge here. Carry out my order or I'll have you downgraded to a Bit."

"But, Master Hacker, treating these humans with kindness will be frowned upon by the User..."

"Are you challenging me, Formatter?" Hacker asked as he coolly pulled out his beam saber and activated it. The other Altrons watched this with nervousness.

"N-n-no, Master!" Formatter Altron said, gulping.

"Good." Hacker put away his weapon. "These people are noncombatants. Therefore, no harm is to come to them, and when we get the magical objects, we will release them. Understand?"

"Y-y-yes, sir!" the Formatter blurted out. He turned to the other Altrons. "You heard Master Hacker's orders! Find food for the humans at once!"

The Altrons scrambled around the room to carry out Hacker's order. Hacker turned to the woman. "Forgive me for this ill treatment of you and the other humans. Once we get what we want, we will release you and depart this city."

The woman eyed the Master Cyber suspiciously. "How do we know you won't kill us?"

"Because I give you my word as a true warrior," Hacker said solemnly, bowing.

"Master Hacker!" A Controller approached the Master Cyber and bowed.

"What is it?" Hacker asked, turning to the Controller.

"We've detected a strong source of Star Magic in the area," the Controller answered.

"She's here," Hacker concluded, nodding. "Have you detected Sun and Moon Magic as well?"

"We have, Master. Shall I depart to inform Master Psycho?"

Hacker waved his hand. "No. I'll tell him. Formatter!"

Formatter Altron joined Hacker and the Controller. "Yes, Master?"

"The Cardmistress is here. I am leaving to inform the other Masters. Make sure the humans are fed and keep them from doing something that will endanger them."

"Yes, Master."

Hacker turned to leave. "Oh, one more thing, Formatter."

"Yes, Master?"

"If there's even one human missing or crying when I come back, I'll have your head."

"Y-y-y-yes, Master."

Hacker disappeared, leaving the Cybers to find food for the humans. "Well, hurry up!" the Formatter bellowed to his subordinates. In the ranks of the Cybers, it was a bad idea to disobey a Master, so the Altrons continued searching for something edible for their hostages.

* * * * *

"There's a lot of Cybers down there," Sakura commented as she flew over the ravaged city. Below, the Cybers continued destroying everything in their path.

"As long as they don't spot us, we'll be fine," Spinel Sun assured her. A minute after those words were uttered, laser fire came at the Cardmistress and the Guardians.

"Well, that was nice while it lasted," Kerberos said as he dodged the shots.

"It's about to get worse." Ruby Moon pointed to the ground. The Cybers were looking up and aiming their weapons at the magical beings. Soon Sakura and the others found themselves dodging ground fire and aerial fire.

"Hooeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Sakura yelled as shot after shot whizzed past her.

"They must have been programmed to target us when we arrive in Tokyo," Spinel Sun hypothesized as he avoided ground fire.

"Gee, you think?" Kerberos shouted, barely dodging a missile from an Insert.

Arrows came out of nowhere and fired upon Sakura and her friends. Ruby Moon stretched out a gloved hand and fired an energy blast at them. The Arrows moved out of the way and returned fire.

"Not these guys again!" Kerberos shouted, firing at an Arrow in front of him. The Cyber flew out of the way and fired again.

"Great, just great!" Kerberos growled. "Sakura, hang on! Everyone, follow my lead!"

Sakura hung on tight as Kerberos flew straight at the Arrows. "Kerberos-san, what are you doing?" she asked, ducking laser fire.

"I'm also wondering the same thing," Spinel Sun said.

The Cardmistress and the three Guardians sped towards one group of Arrows while another group pursued them. "Go up now!" Kerberos shouted once they were close to the Arrows, turning upward. He flew up, and his fellow Guardians followed him. As the two groups of Arrows were about to meet, he remarked, "That'll take care of them."

Sakura looked down. "Um, Kerberos-san..."

The pursuing Arrows stopped in time to avoid a collision and joined their brethren in chasing their prey. "Well, that worked," Spinel Sun said dryly as he dodged more laser fire.

"Damn! I guess they learned from last time," Kerberos observed.

"At least we can dodge the ground fire easily," Ruby Moon remarked.

"Maybe I should use my magic," Sakura suggested.

"Don't, Sakura-chan," Ruby Moon said in disagreement. "You'll need all your power to face whoever's behind this."

"We'll handle the Cybers," Spinel Sun said. He turned his head to fire an energy blast at their pursuers. Ruby Moon followed it up with a blast of her own.

"Let's go!" Sakura said. Kerberos sped up and dodged more fire from behind and below.

Some Arrows flew ahead of their comrades and positioned themselves above their targets. Sakura and the others found themselves in a laser rain storm.

"They're trying to force us down," Spinel Sun realized.

"Looks like we don't have a choice. Hang on, Sakura!" Kerberos said as he dived with his fellow Guardians and dodged enemy fire from all sides.

"Hoooooooooeeeeeeeee!" Sakura yelled as she hung on tightly to Kerberos' fur.