The Final Testby Mystery ManPart Three: It Scatters"The first of them is over there, down on the west side, maybe a few miles from here. Hustle, we must hurry." The three of them move across the streets at a rapid pace, attracting odd looks and suspicious thoughts. The magic becomes stronger, as a strange feeling comes into play. "It's here," Kerberos states nervously. All is silent for a second. It is the calm before the storm, the slight moment before the sword breaches the defenses of the shield, the life flashing before the eyes. Yue takes a step forward, careful to breath it in. The pause before the calamity. It breaks loose, a flurry of wind against three bodies, struggling to stay standing. "Clow-sama, be careful!" Kerberos screams over the raging gusts. "I think that's impossible for me, but if I die, never forget me, for I will return, many years from now!" the sorcerer shouts as the wind speed increases. "I think that's impossible for me," Kero responds quietly, as he flies cautiously above the razor winds, "Trust me, I'll never forget you…" Torika lays her head against the floor in exhaustion. "I can't take this any more," she cries, "I won't survive. This is too hard." "Oh Torika, you can't say that. You really have to believe in yourself, honey," Sakura whispers in a soothing voice, rubbing her back softly. Maddy looks nervously at Hana, who looks at the cards again. "Kero, what does WATERY mean? It has to play a part in the fortune, right?" "Well, WATERY probably means that the cause of this magic is aggressive, and will take the first strike. But, I'm not so sure. It may just serve the purpose of telling the strength of Torika's opponent," Kero says, floating to Torika's side. "You all right?" "Yeah, I just broke down. This is overwhelming, you know, my father disappearing, and now this." Torika stands up, a little dizzy from crying. She looks at her friends, who are trying their best to give her comfort. "Torika, don't worry. We'll always be with you, right until the end, triplet." Maddy winks at her friend, standing up. "Yes, Ms. Torika. Through thick and thin." Hana smiles and gets up too. "We'll conquer this together!" Natsume screams excitedly, scrambling up with the rest. They put their hands up and meet in the center. "All for one and one for all!" Torika shouts, and all of them cheer. "Look!" Sakura yells, and she points at the deck of cards lying on the floor. They rise, slowly at first, but steadily, an eerie purple glow surrounding them. Slowly they loop into a circle, and start to move, as if to an unknown tune. "This…this is like my dream," Torika mumbles as she watches the cards. They stop in place, forming a line, and compacting, leaving four cards at the front. "FIREY, WATERY, WINDY, EARTHY, the elemental cards," Maddy says, as they float out of the room, bobbing up and down, seemingly excited. The cards soar into the hallway, finding the door to the roof quickly. By magic it opens, and they fly up the stairs, growing faster. The next door slams open, and they float out into the midday sky. They form a smaller circle, and start to move, until they are no longer individual, but a single streak of light, encompassing a small space. "What's going on?" Hana asks, mystified. The cards stop abruptly and the laws of inertia kick in. They shoot across the sky, each one going its own way, spreading across the town. "Oh no! We've got to go get them!" Torika cries in dismay. "Don't worry, I've got the deck right-what? It's gone!" Kero looks all around the roof, but the rest of the cards are nowhere to be seen. "This is bad, isn't it?" Natsume asks, peering over the ledge of the roof. "Very bad." Yue floats up a bit, getting a better view of the town. "They could strike anywhere, any time." "Strike? They can't do anything without my consent!" Torika argues, sitting down on the blue planks of the house. "I'm afraid not, Torika. Those cards are possessed," Kero replies, positioning himself to look like he's thinking. "Possessed? By what?" Torika asks, feeling left out. "Magic under the sign of the moon. Well, this might take a while to explain. You're the moon guardian, why don't you explain it Yue?" Kero taps his fellow guardian's shoulder and closes his eyes. "Okay, so there are two types of magic, magic under the sign of the sun, and magic under the sign of the moon. Each type of magic has its own advantages. Sun magic has control over the elements of fire and earth, while moon magic encompasses the areas of water and wind. Other abilities exist, such as sun magic's tendency to be offensive while moon magic is often defensive," Yue explains, as the rest of them look up, intrigued. "So, what does that have to do with the Heart Cards being…possessed?" Hana asks, playing with her stringy black hair. "Well, moon magic can be a bit…underhanded, I would say. Instead of using full on force, which is the offensive tactic of sun magic, moon magic will often take something down from the inside, attack from inside the walls instead of outside them. Apart from being great for sneaking, thievery, and illusion, moon magic is well known for possession. This takes a lot of energy, mind you, and to possess all four elemental cards at the same time is a huge magic drainer. I don't think I would be able to do it, especially considering FIREY and EARTHY only subdue to sun magic. Whoever's doing this is really powerful." Torika peers over the side of the roof, away from the crowd around Yue. Sakura walks over slowly. "You know Torika, I've lived in this house my whole life. It's pretty old," she whispers softly, running her hand through her daughter's soft hair. "Yeah, I know," Torika sighs, leaning against the wooden border, "and it still holds strong. Dad used to tell me that all the time." "Some of the Clow Cards were caught here too. WOOD, SWORD, LITTLE, just to name a few," Sakura reminisces, looking into Torika's eyes. I'm sorry Mom. I know this is tough for you, but I'll be all right. I have to go get those cards back from whoever is controlling them, don't I?" "Yeah. I just wanted to tell you that I'll be there in spirit." Sakura leans on the wooden border next to Torika, looking out onto the bustling town. "You're not coming?" "No, I've got to stay here. The most likely place for any of those buggers to attack is here, so I've got to hold up the fort. Besides, what if your father decides to come home and finds no one here? I'm sorry I can't come, I really am, but I'm supporting you. I'm a cheerleader at heart, remember?" Sakura laughs a breathy laugh and touches Torika's cheek. "I understand. I'm rooting for you too Mom," Torika responds, and she touches Sakura's cheek. "Torika, we must leave now. We've got to find those cards. They could be anywhere." Kerberos appears, his golden fur reflecting the sunlight. He is majestic, his wings spread and his deep eyes staring straight at Torika. "Right. I'll see you around Mom. Trust me, I won't die," Torika says, smiling. "Thanks for the reassurance," Sakura responds sarcastically, and Kerberos lifts into the air with Torika and Maddy on his back, followed by Yue, who is carrying Hana and Natsume. "Bye honey! Be careful!" Sakura calls as a familiar feeling comes into Torika, the rush of being in the air, freely soaring in the open sky. "Hey, I've got an idea! I'll use the Lasin Board!" Torika pulls the ancient item from out of her back pocket. "Wait, not yet. We're taking a pit stop at my house first," Maddy says, grinning and putting her hand on the Lasin Board. "Why?" "It's not like I tote costumes around wherever I go," Maddy responds, a witty tone in her voice. "Oh, I should have known." Kerberos swoops down for a landing and they are at Maddy's front door. "Remember, call us if you find anything!" Natsume shouts from Yue's grasp, and the other three fly out above the east side of the town. They walk in through the door. "Maddy, Tai, are you home?" a voice calls from in front of a blaring TV. "It's just me and Torika, Mom. And we're leaving soon." The two girls rush up to Maddy's room and close the door shut behind them. Maddy opens the door to her closet and an array of bright colored cloths and cottons hang from assorted hangers. Her dark eyes search the depths of the closet, for just the right outfit. There are funny hats and plaid headbands, fluffy dresses and rubber boots. "Here, this is the right one." She pulls out a simple blue outfit, one with a normal blue shirt, complete with a light blue skirt and navy blue leggings. In her left hand is a baseball cap, embroidered with a blue letter T. "Baseball? Why baseball? Haven't I already worn this one before?" Torika asks, putting her hand out to touch it. "It seems the most casual of all of them. I don't want you to go out and look absolutely crazy," Maddy says, and she shoves the outfit into Torika's hands. "Go, change. We don't have a lot of time. Kero seems to be getting a bit impatient." Torika changes and barrels outside, almost tripping. She comes up to Kerberos, who grunts, and gets on. "Hurry Maddy!" "Coming!" She rushes out of the house and climbs on to Kerberos' back before he has a chance to complain. Torika pulls out the Lasin Board for a second time, focusing and concentrating on any form of magical energy. "Source of light with ancient spin, send forth the power of magic within! Oracles of gold, wood, fire, earth, cloud, wind, rain, and electricity, force, know my plight, release the light!" A blue orb of light starts to form within the board, and as soon as the last words are screamed, a magical beam shoots up. The blue light spirals confusedly, returning back to whence it came. "What? What's going on?" "Dang, the moon magic must be blocking the use of the Lasin Board, which runs off the same type of magic. It looks like we're on our own." Kero lifts off into the air, looking around. "Hey, I do sense something. Just a little though. It feels like this when I'm in the presence of Yue, though, not near a Heart Card. It's much different," Torika informs the other two unsurely. "Well it's all we've got. Which way do you sense it coming from, Torika?" "That way." She points the westernmost part of the town, near the edge of a dense forest. Kero flaps his wings and they start to head to the source of the energy. As they get closer, Torika can feel it even more. It is the presence of a Heart Card, but not exactly. Somehow the aura is warped, entwined with the aura of a foul being. Torika scowls. Kero touches down at the outer ring of the forest bordering the town. It is peaceful, the trees towering above all heads and a river running through the forest, its rushing sound softly calming all around it. "It's here. We should call the others." Torika scans the area, but she can't tell exactly where the aura is coming from. Maddy takes out a toy phone and presses dial. "Yeah, guys? We found the Heart Card. It's in the forest near the west edge of town, right by the Starbucks. See you soon." She clicks off the phone and puts away the antenna. "They're on their way." "Good, because the magic is getting stronger." Torika fingers the Heart Key, pondering whether to release it now and attract the attention of the card or save it for later. Something is in the air now, sort of like the smell of ocean spray, entering Torika's body, her soul. She closes her eyes and starts to take the key out of her pocket. A huge splash sounds from the river, and Torika looks over to find a huge column of water towering to the heights of the trees. "WATERY!" she screams, backing away slowly. "That's right." The voice of WATERY is chilling, as if it is coming from someone who is helplessly drowning. "I'm sorry, but I must do this, Master." The column of water is still for a second, frozen in the webs of time. Torika has this moment just to herself, to make a split-second decision, to save herself. But not for long. The water rushes out, a dangerous rapid force, able to crush even the strongest boulder. And it is headed straight for Torika. To be continued… Part Four: It OvertakesThe wind rips through the streets, tearing down signs and knocking over sales-carts. All bystanders have disappeared, seeking cover from the strange uprising. They are alone, WINDY and the three who wish to combat it. Clow takes out a staff, putting out in front of him. "Shield of Divine, answer my plea!" he calls, and a sudden burst of light emits forth from the staff. He is protected from the biting winds. For now. "I need your help, cards of mine own. Come to my aid to defeat this foe!" he calls, as Kerberos and Yue watch worriedly from above, ready to swoop in and save their master from a fatal blow. Nothing happens. He tries again. "I need your help, cards of mine own! Come to my aid to defeat this foe!" But again, nothing happens. The winds still rage outside the now weakened shield. Clow can already start to feel strong breezes seep in through the creases. "Dang it, do something," Kero whispers to himself. "Ancient winds of decades past, counter this enemy, and fast!" Clow yells into the now howling winds, as he raises his staff up. Winds begin to swirl around the top, and soon enough wind is fighting against wind, each one trying to overtake the other. "So, it may be a little tougher than I thought," Clow thinks aloud as his winds wrap around the WINDY in a tight bind. "Just a little." Torika closes her eyes and shuts her mind, blocking out all possible pain. She crouches, awaiting the crushing force. But it does not come. She opens her eyes to find Kerberos standing in front of her, sopping wet and lying on the ground. Slowly he gets up, groaning and licking the site of his wound. "You'd better be careful Torika. WATERY is strong," he warns her. "Thank you," she whispers, and she runs to Maddy. "That was a close one," the girl with black hair says, as she lifts up her hands and puts them out. With a bright flash of light, she transforms, a pink paradise, fully equipped with needle and thread. "Now, let's do this thing." Torika nods and takes out the Heart Key. "Key of my heart…release!" she screams. Even though it takes an ounce more of magic, the shortened version of the chant is helpful in these situations. WATERY recuperates faster than expected, and shoots another blast of cold water at the two girls. They dodge, and Maddy sees this as a weak spot. With a quick hand motion, she throws needles at the figure, precise and perfect. WATERY looks up, startled, but the needles pass right through, as if it is just thin air. "Solid attacks won't work unless it is frozen or evaporated," Torika remembers, landing on the low branch of a tree. Maddy nods in reply and waits for WATERY's next move. Torika wishes suddenly that she is safely at home, cards at her disposal. But she must not think about that now. There are things at hand. WATERY smirks and lifts its hands up forebodingly. No water rises at the river, but Torika thinks quickly and whirls behind her, just in time to see the loops of water headed straight for her. They knock her down, and she gets up before they can deliver the final blow. "Torika!" Maddy screams worriedly. "I'm fine, don't worry." Torika grunts as she gets up, but she is fine, just as anyone would be. "You think that's going to beat me? Because if you do, you are so wrong!" Torika shouts, her heart filled with courage. WATERY answers by disappearing back into the river, letting it swirl as an assurance that it is still there. "What do we do? I can't use any magic save for sealing the cards, and your attacks won't do anything," Torika points out, leaning against a nearby tree. "Use the surroundings." The voice surprises Torika, but Maddy has seen Kerberos get up. He is bedraggled but ready for battle, and eager to protect and serve. He walks over to a tree. "If we could get WATERY to hurt itself, we wouldn't have to do any work, now would we?" "So you mean, like, lure it?" Torika asks, thinking about it. "Sure, you could call it that," Kerberos responds, smiling and looking back over to the river. "WATERY is going to come back any second now, and we have to be ready for its attack." As if on cue, the water starts to swirl again, and WATERY appears, surrounded by mini water spouts. Its dark blue hair shimmers in the light of the forest, and it grins knowingly, watching the other three carefully. "Yeah, I know, WATERY is really weak. All it's been doing is using sissy moves. It won't fight like a real Heart Card," Torika says in an obnoxious tone, using the cliché provocative statement. WATERY doesn't fall for it. Instead, it sends the water spouts at its three opponents, twirling and spinning in a topsy-turvy way, unpredictable. Kerberos tries to stop it with fire, but the breath merely misses and veers off to a wide right. "Run!" he shouts. But Torika stays frozen, trying to think of some way to lure WATERY out of the river. There has to be some way… "Torika, watch out!" She hears the warning too late, and looks up to find a water spout headed straight her way, no more than ten feet from her own hands. She ducks and covers, hoping for the best. She feels a tug on her shirt, and she is flying backwards, almost hitting a tree branch and a bunch of leaves. She tries to wriggle free, but she is let go near the top of the river, away from WATERY. She looks over at Maddy, who gives her a thumbs up, and she realizes that she was saved from WATERY's grasp thanks to Maddy's magic thread. "See WATERY, you can't catch me," Torika taunts, but can't finish the chant because she is lashed from behind by a water whip. WATERY laughs and Maddy shrinks back, biting her lip. Is this an unbeatable foe? "Wait a second, I can use magic to help!" Torika realizes excitedly, raising her wand in the air. "I just have to get a little closer." "Torika, what are you planning? You really have to be careful. You've seen what WATERY can do!" Kerberos warns her, flying up into a branch and shooting a fireball at the giggling Heart Card, who vanquishes it with a wall of water. Torika doesn't listen. Instead she inches closer to WATERY, taking small steps and warily watching for its next move. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," WATERY says in its frozen voice, turning around to face Torika. "I wouldn't want you to get killed." Torika growls and takes a step back, waiting for the right moment. Maybe if she could get it to let down its guard. "Why are you doing this anyway? Can't you fight this possession?" she asks. "Maybe. I haven't really tried. Even if I could, I wouldn't. This is all for the greater good, Master," WATERY responds, flitting its hair out of its eyes. "You want to kill me?" Torika asks, more insulted than scared. "No, I would rather you defeat me," WATERY replies, and it disappears underwater again, leaving Torika to ponder these things on her own. "What's going on? I don't understand. Maybe it's because someone's making it say that, because its under possession. Or maybe not. Why would it want to fight me at its hardest, when it wants to be defeated? I don't understand." Torika sits down on the cold wooden ground of the forest, laying her staff in her lap. "Is everything alright?" Maddy asks, walking up to her friend's side, "You really don't look too good." "It's just, I'm really confused right now, that's all. WATERY said that it wants me to beat it, but it's still trying at its hardest, rather than letting me beat it. As if it's conflicted." Suddenly Torika remembers the TWIN card in the prophecy, that the person behind this may have two motives for doing what he's doing. "You never know Torika. All you know right now is that you have to capture WATERY, and I know you can. You just have to try your best. And of course, we'll be here to help you," Maddy comforts her, putting an arm around her shoulder. "Girls, watch out!" Kerberos barks, and they look up just in time to see water in the shape of a hand rushing for them. It comes on too fast, and it snatches Maddy from the ground, taking her up into the air and surrounding her, now a binding chain. "I'm trapped!" "But that-it should have killed her." Torika looks over at WATERY, who has reappeared on the water's surface, hands raised in concentration. Another hand shoots out of the river, this time at Kerberos, who has no time to react. He too is grabbed and lifted into the air, helpless to WATERY. "There's no way you'll defeat us this time," Torika says, more so to herself than to WATERY. WATERY raises a final hand out of the water, fingers poised and ready for action, and it shoots at Torika, who raises her wand. "Demonic influence, desist!" she shouts with all her might, and she puts her wand out to counter WATERY's blow. There is a clash and a struggle. The two onlookers watch amazedly as a color of lights fight each other for the final say. WATERY groans, as it can tell it is being saved from its possession, but yet it fights back, trying to win over. Torika is having a tough time as well, keeping off such a strong force. They stay in their positions for a few minutes, both trying their hardest to stay in the fight. Finally one of them wins over. WATERY. Its hand rushes past the staff and onto Torika. She is lifted into the air, the last of them, and she helplessly flails as her staff drops to the ground. She can see WATERY is tired, but there is nothing she can do about it. "If only I had my staff. Then I could beat WATERY." But it is too late. She is trapped like the others. "WATERY is weak!" Kerberos shouts, "If anyone were to attack it magically, it would be defeated!" "But we can't! Isn't that obvious?" Torika asks as she wriggles, desperately trying to free herself from WATERY's grasp. But the information is not for her. "Shaft of Ice!" An arrow surrounded by a silver wind shoots at WATERY, who is helpless to defend. It is frozen, unable to do anything, and so are the hands that hold the three who are trapped in their places. "Shaft of Stone!" Another arrow follows quickly after it, breaking Torika out of WATERY's bind. She sits down, dazed and tired from her battling. Looking up, she finds Natsume standing on the branch of the tree, Yue and Hana right behind them. "Sorry we're late. There are too many Starbucks around here," Natsume apologizes. "Now seal it, before it breaks free." But Torika doesn't even look at the wand. She stares at Natsume. "What? Is something wrong?" Natsume asks worriedly, looking around for any sign of danger. "It's-it's almost like the ERASE card…" Torika notices, and Natsume puts her hands in front of her. She gasps in surprise. "What? But how? It's not like ERASE is possessed too." "Just like in my dream," Torika continues, not noticing a word Natsume says, "you guys all disappear." "Disappear? Where do I go? What's going on? Stop it! Someone stop it!" As she screams and cries, Natsume's voice begins to fade as well as her body. Leaves start to swirl around her as a wind picks up. "I don't know, but whatever happens, I'll save you. We'll save you." Torika is braver now than before, having conquered the WATERY. She salutes Natsume, for it seems the right thing to do. Natsume frowns, but salutes back, a true trooper. The leaves whip up into her face and the wind is now whirling, pulling her hair up. She smiles faintly for a second, but it disappears like the outline of her body. "I know you will. What are friends for?" Her voice dies on the sound of the R. Natsume disappears. To be continued… |