Inevitabilities: A precursor to Cardcaptor Torika

[Part 1]

Sakura had all but sealed the Clow Cards off from ever wreaking havoc on the world. I use the phrase "all but sealed" as opposed to simply "sealed" because, unfortunately, even the greatest precautions have their loopholes. Having transformed them all into her own Star Cards, it seemed certain that the magics of East and West had safely been manifested into a new generation under the command of a capable young master. As such, the young Master of the Clow could avert her gaze from the trials she faced with the Ancient Deck of Cards and focus increasingly on life's magic: love, marriage, a family…

Years went by, and Sakura's magic grew to proportions even Clow Reed would have been jealous of. It had not really occurred to her that one day the Cards would naturally escape again, or that her own daughter would be faced with an all-too-familiar task. That is, until she began to foresee the future in dreams again. The dreams were always the same, and as the days went by, they revealed more and more, until one day, the dream played out in its entirety.

A flash, and then a figure appeared before her.

"Clow Reed?"

"Yes, it is I. I come to you with an urgent message, Sakura. It regards the Star Cards."

"What is it? What's going to happen?"

"It's rather complicated. I'm not sure I understand it myself. But, alas, I will tell you what I know. You will not always be the Master, Sakura, as I'm sure you are aware. A similar situation to that of your own adventures will take place not long from now."

"What do you mean? What can I do?"

"Unfortunately, Sakura, there is nothing you can do. It is her destiny to succeed you."

His image began to fade from the dream. He moved, almost angelically. Sakura lost sight of him.

"Whose destiny? Clow Reed, please tell me what will happen!"

But when she turned around, he was gone. His voice remained slightly longer to offer some final words.

"Sakura, the world cannot always be altered by one person. Sometimes responsibility must be passed on to others. The time for a new Master approaches - someone very dear to you. And though you yourself will not be able to directly assist the new candidate, I can assure you she'll be alright."

[Part 2]

Sakura had been doing laundry when the doorbell rang.

"Coming! Oh, hey Tori!"

"Hey squirt. What happened to you? You look like the aftermath of a tornado."

"Ughhhhhhhh! Stop calling me squirt! I'm an adult now, Tori."

"Eh, you're right. I brought some food if the brat doesn't mind me staying for dinner."

"You just can't stop with the names today, can you? Why do you keep calling him that?"

"If you're so smart, you figure it out."

"Whatever. Anyway, you can stay for dinner. Besides, Torika hasn't seen you in a while."

[Part 3]

After Tori had left, Sakura returned to the dinner table with Li.

"Li, I need to talk to you."

"What about?"

"I had one of my strange dreams again. Clow Reed was in it."

"What? That can't be possible. The Clow Cards have long been in your possession. What else would Clow Reed have to say to you?"

"I think I'm in danger, Li. Clow Reed came to warn me. It won't be long before something awful happens."

"Was there anything else he said?"

"Yes. He said someone close to me will become the new Master."

"Do you have any ideas who?"

"I think so," and with that the conversation was replaced with silence.

[Part 4]

Sakura had spent the next few days preparing for the inevitable. She told Li to look after Torika and to not get angry if indeed she discovered the Cards in the future. She wrote a letter to Ms. Mackenzie explaining everything and asking her to guide Torika as well. She took the Key of the Star and Cards with her everywhere. Almost.

It was the "almost" that was inevitable.

[Part 5]

Destiny has a unique talent in that it can never be fully avoided. Precautions can be made to attempt to avoid it, but all paths eventually lead to the same fate.

"I'm going to work. See everyone tonight! Goodbye Torika, I love you!"

Those were the last words they heard from her since.

No weatherman had predicted a storm of its severity. It had come so suddenly that there was insufficient time to prepare. Windshield wipers struggled to keep up with the pounding rain.

Amidst it all, one driver lost control of her car. As her car slid out of control, she struggled for a necklace, desperate for the key it held. But for some reason, the necklace wasn't there. The Cards weren't there either. They were forgotten in the chaos of an early work day. Her car swerved into oncoming traffic despite her best efforts.

In her last conscious instants, Sakura recollected the images of Clow Reed in her dreams.

"Unfortunately, Sakura, there is nothing you can do. It is her destiny to succeed you."

"And though you yourself will not be able to directly assist the new candidate, I can assure you she'll be alright."

With this, a sense of comfort came over an otherwise panicked Sakura. Her daughter would be fine. That was enough for her.

[Part 6]

The oncoming car had hardly a chance to come to a stop. The man could not prevent the head-on collision from happening. He knew that. That's the way it was meant to be.

The man got out of his car, and proceeded to aid the wounded driver opposite him. Much to his relief, she was alive, but unconscious. As he held her and waited for emergency personnel to arrive, he spoke - almost as if to have her hear his words, though he knew it was not possible.

"I'm sorry, Sakura. I did not want it to happen in such a horrible manner. Please forgive me. I will explain it all eventually. Torika will be just fine as the new Cardcaptor. She will go through many of the tests you did. Some will be even more difficult than the challenges you faced. But I can assure you she'll be alright."

Having said that, he returned her to a comfortable position in her driver's seat. The man went back into his car. Being sure not to be seen by any onlookers, he wielded a key.

"I call upon the powers of the day and the night.

Sun and darkness, unleash your might! Release!"

With one movement of the staff, Eli Moon had disappeared from the scene.