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date	Fri, 19 Feb 2010 20:53:12 -0500
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+:fc00894c1d4a
+Title: Seal Cards
+Subtitle: Corruption of Silence
+Author: Matthias Engel aka MysticMew
+Feedback: Solarsenshi@gmx.de
+Status: Alpha
+Fandom: Card Captor Sakura (manga), Slayers, Bishoujo Senshi
+Sailormoon (minor implications)
+Rating: PG-13
+Category: Romance, Action/Adventure, slight Crossover elements
+Pairing: Sakura/Tomoyo
+Timeline: Sequel to "Happy Years"
+Summary: There are two more cards Clow created. Our couple must learn
+that even great mages are not prone to mistakes.
+Sub-Summary: Caught in events Sakura finds herself face to face with
+the nightmare of her own timeline sooner than she would have liked. As
+events draw to an epic end, Sakura and Tomoyo are forced to risk
+everything, including their lives to prevent a catastrophe.
+Distribution: MSD (www.catstrio.de), Shoujo Ai.com (www.shoujoai.com),
+ff.net (www.fanfiction.net), Mediaminer (www.mediaminer.org), Moonlit
+Nights (http://jrem.net/moonlit/tsFics.html) others may follow. If you
+like this fic for your story, please tell me, I'm not likely to put
+stones in your way, but I like to know where it goes.
+Legal Disclaimer: This story features two females romantically
+involved. If that is illegal where you are or entirely not your thing,
+turn around and leave now.
+Disclaimer: Card Captor Sakura belongs to CLAMP and assorted
+companies, I claim no right on the characters and original storyline,
+neither do I claim any right on the small crossover elements in this
+story, they belong to their respective owners.
+Story Disclaimer: Seal Cards: Corruption Silence(c)2003 by Matthias
+Engel
+Note: Names in () indicate the POV. If there is no name the scene is
+written in third person.
+******************************
+Foreword
+Not much to say. The last part in the Forbidden Cards series. Takes up
+directly after the first part of Seal Cards (Epitomes of Love). Next
+in line will be the BSSM pre-story though that one will also have
+slight Crossover indications, so if you want to stay for the whole
+ride you might want to look out for it.
+I hope you've got some time, it turned out to be a longer part than
+originally intended.... Not that that is something new for the little
+terror...
+******************************
+Seal Cards: Corruption of Silence
+Based on the works of CLAMP
+Story Concept by Matthias Engel
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+To describe exactly what the place looked like I would have to assume
+that the observer had to possess not only magical sight but also a
+fine understanding of the different layers of reality. On first glance
+all you might see was a field of orange-gold light, shining with the
+intensity that had you thinking you were right in the center of a sun.
+Yet, it wasn't actually blinding. Bright, yes. Even brighter than the
+human eye should be able to handle but at the same time gentle, filled
+with a certain harmony that inspired awe.
+	I, with my limited skill, felt tiny in comparison to the sheer
+beauty of the place. This was much more magnificent than the
+experience of Love's simple energy output reflected on the outside
+world. Much like in a mother's womb I felt sheltered from the tainted
+world outside. The absolute purity of emotion was overwhelming.
+However, compared to our reaction outside to this increase in positive
+feelings, here I was at total peace, not compiled to act in certain
+ways. I basked in the ultimate experience of love, sinking into its
+embrace.
+	Glancing over at Tomoyo, I noticed that she was equally
+overwhelmed. Wherever exactly we were, we had left Time's safety
+bubble behind and I didn't quite believe that it would have survived
+in here. I was a little perplexed actually to see Tomoyo. My actions
+of the last moments had been like watching a movie of myself. In a way
+it was me acting but in another I also was only watching my body move.
+I had realized on a certain level that I couldn't just simply capture
+Love, that this wasn't the right way and that there had to be a
+different approach. And I knew deep down that we had to face Love
+together. As a couple bond by her own element.
+	Before either of us could speak, a faint glimmer attracted our
+attention. Turning towards the white sparkle of light I watched it
+brighten, expanding slightly. Slowly the shape of the card's sprite
+form became visible. I had seen it before but this time the features
+were much more defined. Golden-blond hair ran down the woman's back.
+She wore a simple yet elegant orange dress and her eyes sparkled a
+clear blue so enticingly beautiful that I felt the urge to kneel in
+humbleness, unworthy of that creature's attention. This was
+fascinating, none of the card's spiritual forms ever had been so
+vivid, so human... No, human didn't sound right. The woman seemed more
+like a goddess actually. A goddess that was incredibly lonely...
+	Love looked at us with a warm smile that made my heart skip a
+beat. Cocking her head slightly to the side she seemed to be deep in
+thought for a moment, then her eyes brightened in obvious recognition.
+Yet the greeting was not exactly as I expected. "Greetings, Lina-dono,
+Amelia-dono. I had not expected you here."
+	I blinked and traded a glance with Tomoyo who mirrored my own
+confusion. "Excuse us but I think you are mistaking..."
+	Love laughed lightly and the sound was angelic to the ears. I
+realized that a lot of those effects were due to the fact we were in
+her realm of power. It had been similar with Time. Outside the sealing
+chamber her presence didn't seem to be so enormous all the time. "Oh,
+I know, I know. I apologize for that. It appears you are not awakened
+yet."
+	Awakened? What the...? My surprise must have been visible since
+Love let go of another giggle, echoing throughout the surreal space.
+	"Ah, don't worry about it. The time will come that you
+understand. Now though. I understand that you are Clow's successor and
+therefore technically my new Mistress." I nodded a little dumbly,
+still not quite grasping what exactly the words of the card's sprite
+had done to me. I had felt something stir inside of me at her words.
+Faint, tiny and almost impossible to notice but it was there.
+	Love's happy, smiling expression didn't change but her tone of
+voice did as she continued. "Clow was a fool. If it wasn't for him,
+the Feared One would not be on the verge of breaking through our seal.
+He gave us form and therefore made us targets for her power. This form
+is limiting and it is only a matter of time before the Feared One will
+be able to take advantage of the disrupted flow," she stated bitterly.
+I could guess without a problem who the "Feared One" was supposed to
+be and the confirmation that my worst fears were proving true sent a
+shiver down my spine.
+	"But Sakura-chan isn't like Clow! I'm sure she can fix things!
+She always does!" I turned a surprised look at Tomoyo and felt a wave
+of pride wash through me. The lavender-haired girl stared at Love
+intently, silently daring her to challenge the statement. She didn't
+seem to shy away from the otherworldly being but instead stood up for
+her faith in me. I really didn't deserve someone so incredible like
+her but I would certainly cherish that gift forever.
+	Love didn't seem to mind the outburst at all. Instead her
+features softened even more as she regarded Tomoyo with a look,
+searching her eyes for some sort of confirmation for a moment, then
+turned back to me. "No, she is not like Clow. I could tell from the
+very first moment." The blue eyes flashed for a moment and I shrunk a
+little under the intense gaze. "So, what will you do now that you
+stand before me. What will you do to fix what Clow has damaged?"
+	The question was genuine and honestly curious... and it took me
+totally off guard. I had not planned on any of this happening now.
+Yes, I had devoted so much time to search for the Seal Cards but
+hadn't actually given much thought to what exactly I wanted to do if I
+found them. They were the center of what held the seal on Pandora
+together after all and I couldn't just remove them without endangering
+the whole planet. I felt foolish at not really having thought about
+that, about rushing into this without a decent plan of action. And
+right now I wasn't quite sure how to answer Love's question.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+Sakura was clearly struggling with an answer to Love's question. I
+could tell she hadn't given it much thought which surprised me a
+little. Other than in her earlier childhood the Sakura of now was much
+more focused on her actions. What she did, she did with purpose. I
+should know since I had been treated to some of the happier moments
+that showed this change. Then again. Sakura also carried some great
+grief over everything that was tied to the current situation with her.
+And grief often served to easily cloud your common sense and rational
+judgment.
+	I had thought about it myself for a while after Sakura revealed
+that bit of her timeline to me. When we were younger I had always
+tried to help out the brunette with her problems, trying to ease some
+of the weight off of her shoulders. She had often been so innocent and
+with such a pure heart that it was hard for her to come up with how to
+deal with serious situations that called for the possibility of
+hurting someone in the process if the decision she made was the wrong
+one... or especially the situation where someone would likely get hurt
+nonetheless.
+	Sakura now was no longer afraid or incompetent to make these
+decision on her own which she showed quite impressively about four
+years ago - more or less relatively seen. Yet, I knew what a deep
+emotional scar the events of her timeline had left on my girlfriend.
+As much as she tried - successfully for the most part - to be cheerful
+for me and everyone else. So, although I did not know all the details
+- that much I was sure of - I had been thinking about the situation,
+trying to help Sakura in those small ways. I had somehow anticipated
+that moment might come and she might need my support then.
+	Thinking had sparked some ideas but also some questions that
+needed to be answered first. And so, gathering my courage - since I
+was still rather impressed and awed by the sudden transition from the
+real world into this... other realm - I spoke up quietly, "Can I ask a
+question?"
+	Both Love and Sakura turned to me, the latter raising an eyebrow
+a bit surprised while the former merely smiled and nodded. Taking this
+as a "Yes" I managed to bring my jumbled thoughts into some sort of
+order. "Sakura-chan told me that by creating you and the other card
+Clow made a mistake. I take it he was... aware of it because he put
+you... um, here." I gestured around us, not quite sure where exactly
+we were other than inside the seal which for some reason didn't sound
+appropriate enough for me. Love nodded. "Well," I asked tentatively,
+"I don't mean to offend your existence but... Couldn't Clow just
+have... returned you to what you were before?"
+	At that Sakura also looked visibly curious and turned a
+questioning glance towards Love. The sprite looked a tad bit miffed at
+the question, obviously not really happy with the reply she was about
+to give. "That is a hard question to answer. You must understand that
+when Clow created us he invented an art of magic lore previously
+unheard of in such quality. In the old days - which have been long
+lost to human history - magic was drawn upon directly and so were the
+elements. They were used temporally. Clow, however, bound an element
+to an inanimate object, giving both the object and the element an
+independent personality in a way. That is what you see as our
+human-like appearance. We are a small portion of the larger thing but
+we can also interact and draw upon the flow of elemental power that we
+were once a part of. A lot like an Elemental but we are not as
+natural." Love paused, waiting for us to absorb this. I saw that
+Sakura seemed to have less trouble following while I had a hard time
+comprehending all of this. The gist of it wasn't lost on me though and
+I nodded to Love to continue.
+	"When Clow created his first set of cards he bound a great
+amount of already pre-bound elemental flows - a mistake he did
+thankfully not repeat with the cards you own now - and by doing so
+unknowingly tapped into us who we have made up the seal for ancient
+times. I cannot really fault him since our nature is already
+complicated as it is and he must not have understood exactly what we
+there. The problem is that after creating us, he disrupted the flow of
+the seal. Yes, he did try to return the elements after realizing that
+grievous mistake. But Clow was a Black Mage for the most part. I do
+not mean that he was evil but he believed more in power and the use of
+dark magic for his purpose and that magic is also easier to force
+things rather than to patiently coax a power into doing one's will.
+And you cannot force healing. So fixing something, returning what he
+took by force, was much harder for him than the initiate action.
+Simply put, he put so much effort into creating us that with his
+personal affiliation it was impossible for him to simply undo it
+again." Love sighed mournfully. "He put us into the seal the way we
+are now to try and reduce the damage. But the Feared One is quite
+patient and we will not be able to hold her off much longer. Does that
+answer your question?"
+	I nodded, my mind hard at work to process all this but I had
+gotten the answer to what I needed to know indeed. "Is it still
+possible to return the flow now?" I caught Sakura's eyes light up in
+the beginning of comprehension and smiled at her faithfully.
+	Love considered the question for a moment. "I would believe so,
+given the right circumstances. Why?"
+	At this point Sakura intervened. "I think I get where Tomo-chan
+is going. Clow's reincarnation said I was already much stronger than
+he was and my power is different from his, so is the way I treat the
+rest of the cards. I... I don't know if I can do it but if... if it's
+possible..." She looked down at her feet, almost appearing a little
+meek but I could tell from her posture and slightly shaking hands how
+much she wished to be able to make that difference.
+	"I am certain Sakura-chan can make it," I put in reassuringly,
+squeezing my girlfriend's hand tightly. Sakura flashed me a grateful
+smile.
+	Love smiled faintly but for the first time you could really tell
+it was fake. There was a deep melancholy in the sprite's eyes and once
+again I could see that soul-shattering loneliness. "Something is
+happening right now. My mate has left her path and moves into a
+specific direction. I was worried that is why I moved as well to meet
+her."
+	"Mate?" I asked curiously. It was obvious Love was referring to
+the second card but the choice of word stroke me as odd.
+	"In ancient times before the seal was created our power belonged
+to those that eventually fueled it into this layer. They were soul
+mates, so to say, and we are more or less mirror images of our former
+selves." A troubled look crossed her beautiful features and I could
+hardly think of anything else that had ever looked so out of place. "I
+do not doubt your abilities," Love addressed Sakura, "but if you claim
+me now, you must seek my mate with utmost haste or I fear the seal
+will break before the next sunrise. I do not know what happened to
+Silence but I worry for her well-being..." My heart reached out to the
+gentle sprite, looking so fragile and vulnerable at the moment. Not
+knowing what happened to her beloved had to be a terrible experience.
+	I glanced at Sakura who had her eyes closed for a moment before
+moving forward with an expression of firm resolve in her face. I had
+seen it so often before but every time it fascinated me anew. Gently
+taking the sprite's hands in her own, Sakura smiled at her gently.
+"This is why I am here. I understand now about the consequences of
+unsealing Time." Love gasped at that. "I know now that this is what I
+was meant to do, why I am here now. I will set you free, both of you,
+that I promise." For a moment card and Card Mistress looked at each
+other and after almost a full minute - though I could not be sure how
+the passage of time was handled here - Love gave a slight nod. Sakura
+let go of her hands and stepped - or better floated - back slightly,
+never letting her gaze leave that of the card's spiritual form. Her
+star wand reappeared in her right hand from wherever it had gone and
+she brought it forward in a smooth but not at all forceful motion.
+"Return to your original form," the brunette almost whispered, "Clow
+Card."
+	Somehow the whole thing was rather anti-climatic for a card that
+powerful. But then again, the real challenge was still to come.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+An hour later our small - relatively seen - yacht dropped anchor at
+one of the small island in the middle of the archipelago. Otousan
+pointed out that those small islands were not on any chart and Sonomi
+declared that she hadn't seen them until we were almost at shore. My
+suspicion was that all those small isles were either protected by a
+strong field of illusion or not entirely in the same dimension as
+ours. I didn't know that much about dimensional theory but I wouldn't
+exclude the possibility. Not that the issue was really relevant in
+light of the situation.
+	"It's almost dusk already," I commented, looking over the small
+isle roughly a few miles in diameter. It would probably not take long
+to walk from one end to the other - even less flying. The most
+imposing landmark was the single mountain, rather thin but probably
+higher than the whole island. Up at the peak I could sense the
+unmistakable power of the second Seal Card. Silence.
+	"It's up there," Tomoyo stated my thoughts quietly, making
+everyone look at her in surprise. Except me that is. Quite frankly I
+had only been mildly surprised that there obviously was some sort of
+magical gift inside my girlfriend. I had felt it on occasions before,
+especially during our... mating. While the intensity had me focused on
+other things more interesting I knew that feeling from Syaoran and my
+lovemaking on my timeline. In those moments you were the most exposed
+and your magic could run wild. No, I wasn't really surprised. More
+like curious since her magic seemed so different from my own. Older
+somehow, which might be a good explanation why neither of us had
+sensed anything yet. Ever since... claiming Love - it wasn't like I
+really had to return her to her original form since it wasn't really
+wild to begin with - the magic around Tomoyo was actually tangible.
+	To my surprise someone else put the general surprise into words.
+"I am surprised you can see it."
+	I blinked, turning sideways. That voice... Clad in long white
+and green Chinese robes a young boy around Tomoyo and my age had
+stepped up to our group. Unlike the ten-year old or the boy who once
+held my heart on my old timeline he had his brown hair tied into a
+ponytail falling lightly over one shoulder. A sword was stripped to
+the simple belt and he wore an expression that was hard to read.
+	"Syaoran-kun," I whispered, a bit dumbstruck, rather floored by
+his sudden appearance. I had been so concentrated on what lay ahead
+off me that I had not even sensed his presence and therefore was not
+quite prepared for the conflicting emotions his appearance managed to
+stir in my heart. Those lasted only for a moment though. It surprised
+me a little how quickly I managed to get my feelings under control yet
+the last months - even if a bit under Love's influence - I had come to
+the unmistakable realization that my feelings for Tomoyo went far
+beyond what I had ever felt for Syaoran. And therefore, even before my
+girlfriend could react to his presence in any possible manner, I had
+reached out, lacing my fingers through her own and giving her hand a
+reassuring squeeze.
+	"Sakura," Syaoran nodded, his voice not betraying his stoic
+demeanor for any other than me who got to know him pretty well in all
+the years we - well, his other self and I - had spent together. He did
+notice the clear gesture obviously and there was the barest hint of
+sadness, gone the next moment, but I was sure about its existence.
+That couldn't be helped though.
+	"Where are many types of magic that Clow's family didn't even
+know about. You shouldn't be that surprised," I answered his question.
+"Excuse my bluntness. Not that I am not... happy to see you again but
+I am kind of in a hurry. While I can guess part of it already, why are
+you here?"
+	Syaoran sighed and glanced up towards where Tomoyo had pointed.
+"Yes, it is quite obvious, isn't it. my mother and I both felt the
+disturbance in the seal's flow when Silence passed over China. I
+followed it all the way until here. It's been hovering there for the
+better part of an hour already, doing... well, nothing."
+	I raised an eyebrow at Syaoran's obvious knowledge about the
+seal since the one of my timeline had only learned about it from his
+mother when there was little to do anymore. Something we both had been
+quite angry about. "So, your mother let you in on Clow's dirty, little
+secret, huh?"
+	With a shrug the Chinese boy turned back to me. "Only the most
+necessary I am afraid. You seem to know what is going on for some
+reason though, so why don't you tell me?"
+	Turning away I started to walk in the general direction of the
+mountain. "I don't have time to stand around. If you want to come
+along we can talk while walking." Glancing back at the rest of my
+family I asked, "Maybe you should wait here. This is going to be
+dangerous enough."
+	Touya, as expected, wanted to protest, being the overprotective
+brother he always had been and still was most of the time, but Otousan
+was faster. "I saw a small building, looked like a shrine, at the base
+of the mountain. Maybe we should go there first. I'm sure there is a
+reason for a shrine to in the middle of an obviously uninhabited
+island."
+	Syaoran nodded in agreement. "I spotted it too. But I wanted to
+wait for you before checking it out. Maybe it has some meaning for
+what is going on. What do you think, Sakura?"
+	I traded a brief look with Tomoyo. The reasoning was logical. If
+a battle ensured, I wasn't sure about the effects. A building might
+provide more shelter than staying out at the open or in the ship. I
+really had not wanted to pull all of my assembled family along into
+this but that option was taken from me. Love had been clear about it
+that I couldn't return the flows individually. I had to have both
+cards to make this work and there was only a short time limit in
+between. I could have send them back with the ship and use Fly, of
+course. On the other hand I had no idea how much magic I had to spend
+in resealing the seal.
+	There was not much helping it, as it seemed. "Alright. Let's
+go."
+******************************
+(Tomoyo
+To say that Syaoran was shocked to learn how exactly it had come to
+the turning point in our lives about four years ago would have been an
+understatement. A big understatement. He was, I noted, quite furious
+at his mother for not telling him more about the seal but I suppose
+that was really not something the proud family of Clow's descendants
+liked to talk about. Also there was no telling how much Syaoran's
+mother really knew and how much she was just pretending to.
+	I kept silent most of the way, letting Sakura explain. Yes, I
+was pretty surprised at seeing the Chinese boy here but after all that
+happened, especially under Love's gentle coaxing, I wasn't about to
+suddenly turn into a jealous, mistrusting bitch just because my
+girlfriend's ex-boyfriend turned up without warning. Going back and
+reviewing that last thought I had to suppress a giggle in spite of the
+serious situation. That sounded rather awful.
+	That's just it though. The situation was serious. I should have
+known better than to think it would be that easy. Of course Sakura
+couldn't just claim the two Seal Cards one by one and return the flow
+in a similar fashion. They were like Light and Dark. Always bonded
+together. If it was even possible to return one power flow by itself,
+the result could very well be a greater disharmony as there had been
+through Clow's meddling. Now Sakura only had a few hours to catch the
+other card and return the seal's old strength. I wasn't one to doubt
+her ability to pull that off but the time limit was rather thin.
+Therefore it was necessary that all of us concentrated on the task at
+hand, not losing ourselves in personal quarrels.
+	I was seriously glad that Yue had turned back to Yukito for the
+moment who managed to divert Touya's attention quite nicely. The older
+Kinomoto sibling kept throwing dark glances in Syaoran's direction,
+giving me the idea that the tension between him and the Chinese mage
+was not necessarily because of Sakura. They just simply didn't like it
+each other.
+	I was amazed at how... relaxed the rest of the family took all
+this. Especially Sakura's father and Okaasan. They had obviously
+gotten the hint very quickly that keeping distraction at bay for the
+moment was the best thing to do. For Sakura and everyone else. This
+was the first time all of us have been card hunting together,
+especially our parents. It might have been involuntary but that
+couldn't be helped right now. And seeing all this loyalty and support
+my heart fluttered at the thought that I was an accepted part of this
+family.
+	The sun had already disappeared behind the mountain, beginning
+to sink into the ocean behind it at any given time now. There were a
+few stars already visible in the sky. I felt a little tired but didn't
+want to complain right now. It was apparent Sakura wouldn't get any
+rest before sunrise and I would be there with her all the way. I
+always had been and always would be. There might not be much that I
+could do but Sakura herself had said that she depended on my support
+and faith for her strength. And if that was how I could help, I had
+sworn that I would always be there to give Sakura a reason to show her
+beautiful strength.
+	"Hey, look! That must be it!" Kero-chan cried out from the front
+of our small group. He had taken the lead with Touya and Yukito, the
+adults behind them and then the three of us in order to give Sakura
+and Syaoran some time to talk... and to keep Touya and Syaoran out of
+each others' hairs. That arrangement had more or less worked since
+Okaasan and Fujitake-tousan had taken to give each other flustered and
+embarrassed looks instead of verbally bringing up what had happened
+under Love's influence. I doubted there really was any hidden feelings
+there. That was quite frankly impossible. Sakura had explained that
+Love sends out positive emotion. Feelings like jealousy - and in a way
+you could call it that, at least from Okaasan's part - were more or
+less also emotions associated with Love. What the card's power did was
+take that emotion and more or less return the opposite much stronger.
+I wasn't sure though if Sakura just said that for our parents piece of
+mind alone.
+	At Kero's shout I tore my eyes away from Sakura and Syaoran who
+had stopped talking as well. The temple was hard to miss at first
+glance. Built under a ledge that covered the whole building in
+shadows. The design was quite unfamiliar to me and I was pretty sure
+the structure was one of its kind in the world. Dark blue stone
+sustained thick pillars who were built side by side in a way that it
+was rather impossible to actually pass through in between. At the
+sides the structure widened, stretching out to both sides like wings
+of some gigantic creature. There was a single entrance with something
+resembling a golden eye looking down at those who dared approach it. I
+really would like to know about the building's material and I was
+quite sure that eye was some form of crystal that was worth a lot of
+money.
+	"Quite impressive," Okaasan stated as we all came to a stop at
+the base of the few stairs leading up to the entrance. "Looks rather
+lonely to me. I doubt someone is living out here."
+	Sakura's father shook his head at this, scratching his chin
+thoughtfully. "I don't know. This place looks old and it is too clean
+and well taken care of to be abandoned." I had to agree with him on
+that one. The shrine looked neat and without a spot of cobwebs or
+dust, no debris lying around either.
+	"Someone's coming," Sakura said and everyone stiffened
+automatically. I noticed Syaoran sending Sakura a surprised look at
+the statement but couldn't quite fathom why. Didn't he sense anything
+at all? I knew I was new to that kind of thing and if I could feel the
+presence then he should as well.
+	I didn't have time to give that much more thought since whoever
+Sakura and I had sensed coming was just appearing in the entrance. The
+woman's features were striking. Clad in a white and blue traditional
+miko robe, with long blond-golden hair falling over her back, and
+enchanting blue eyes. Compared to Love's sprite form though this woman
+looked... older. Wiser, might be a better word. Her whole appearance
+spoke of a long lifespan and great experience collected in her years.
+But just like Love there was also a certain loneliness. It was harder
+to see than in the card's eyes but nevertheless was there. And while
+Love's loneliness had touched me I felt a heavy sadness tightening
+around my heart for a brief moment inspired from that of the woman.
+Something familiar and in a way compassionate that shouldn't be
+possible for strangers.
+	Were we strangers? That was a more logical question than one
+might think because the moment I had seen the woman there was that
+undeniable feeling that I should... that I DID know her. That was
+absurd, of course, since I had always had a good memory and would
+surely have recognized someone as impressive as her. Yet I could not
+deny those feelings and this only served to really confuse me.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+Long blond hair, like a waterfall cascading down the back of a subtly
+powerful body. Blue eyes deep and enchanting. A lot like Tomoyo's at
+times but still different in their own way. They stroke a feeling of
+familiarity in my heart that was so strong it shook my very worldview.
+For a moment the older, wise but in a way rather lonely face was
+overlapped by something younger, more innocent, more kind and...
+happy. For a moment it was as if there was only me and that woman, our
+bodies pressed together, our lips...
+	What the heck?
+	The image had sent a shock through my system that managed to
+bring me out of whatever weird trance I had been in. I couldn't, for
+the life of me, figure out what exactly just happened there. It wasn't
+a fantasy. I didn't fantasize about other girls - especially strangers
+- like that. I had Tomoyo, I was perfectly happy with Tomoyo. In fact
+seeing and talking with Syaoran again had not changed a single thing
+about it. The feelings I once held for him had subsided. Some kind of
+love would forever be there. But it was dull and - as painfully as it
+sounded - negligible compared to the fulfillment being with Tomoyo
+gave me. But the feelings that had erupted in my heart for just a
+brief moment at this... this... image... they were almost just as
+strong. It didn't feel like a mind-produced possibility. It felt
+like... a memory.
+	And that was rather disturbing, to say the least.
+	"Welcome, I have been expecting you, Lina-san, Amelia-san," the
+voice of the woman shook me completely out of my momentary shock. She
+bowed her head respectfully and smiled up at me almost... apologetic.
+	I was seriously glad that Tomoyo for some reason had also been
+intently focused on the woman because I was pretty sure she could have
+SEEN all that had went through my head just now with but a glance. She
+had always been able to do that. Also I was glad that although my
+girlfriend... mate, I corrected myself mentally - feeling a need to
+put an emphasis on our relationship -, was equally captivated by the
+blond-haired shrine keeper - I presumed -, Tomoyo was still able to
+formulate words. An ability I didn't feel quite content about right
+now. "That is funny. This is the second time someone called us that.
+Love did so, too..." Tomoyo trailed off but her words struck me as
+true and a wild thought entered my mind just then.
+	What did Love say? We were not "awakened" yet? I've read a bit
+about reincarnation. Heck, Eriol was living proof for the whole thing.
+I knew through some brief acquaintances in my future, when everything
+went to hell, that there were a lot of people on this planet who were
+quite aware of a former life, even drawing power and knowledge from
+it. Was that what Love meant? Could this be what I just experienced? A
+flashback of some former life? I didn't really want to think about it
+but quite frankly the names used by both Love and the stranger
+sounded... right somehow.
+	"I am sorry. As is true for Love's current form, my mind still
+lingers in the past sometimes." The woman smiled, yet it was a sad,
+wistful smile. One that made me feel... guilty somehow. It almost
+confirmed my theory. The smile quickly faded to a more serious
+expression, one that told of years... heck, probably centuries of
+experience. "My apologies again. My name is Filia. Before you ask.
+Yes, I am quite aware of why you are here and what is going on. We
+have little time indeed but there are things that I would wish you to
+know. If you would please follow me." She gestured towards the shrine
+entrance behind her.
+	Numbly I felt myself follow, grasping Tomoyo's hand tightly as
+if to reassure myself that she wasn't going to disappear. I had the
+feeling that whatever those things were that Filia - the name stirred
+something in my heart as well - wanted us to know would start a chain
+of events that might jeopardize everything that I worked so hard to
+achieve. That somehow it would disturb the relationship between Tomoyo
+and me.
+	She must have felt it because while we walked through a series
+of hallways, the lavender-haired girl next to me had moved a lot
+closer, her presence managing to calm myself down enough to think
+rationally again. Well, as rationally as possible in this situation. A
+situation that was quickly spinning out of control. Everything
+happened so fast, one shock after another. This was a turning point in
+our lives. A nexus of events to come. I could feel it. Whatever was
+done and discussed here on this island tonight would have an impact on
+the future. A heavy impact. And everyone seemed to feel it somehow
+because they mostly kept quiet, just the occasional question directed
+at our guide regarding the age of the structure or if she lived here
+all by herself. From which both answers only strengthened my rebirth
+theory.
+	Really, for the rest of us the whole thing was probably just
+confusing. They were pulled along by the tidal wave Love's capture -
+or was it even further back than that? - had started. They could
+probably feel the rising tension and that something important was
+happening. But without a sufficiently trained magical sense... When I
+was just beginning all this, I doubt I would have sensed the coming -
+practically inevitable - change. But now I did. I saw that from
+Syaoran's somewhat grim expression he did too to some extent. Yet, I
+was pretty sure it didn't touch him as much as it did... us. Yes, us.
+From what I could see Tomoyo was deep in thought as well, trying to
+figure all this out. She was probably feeling now what I would have
+felt about twelve years ago - including two senses of time.
+	And for some reason that DID reassure me. We were in on this
+together, somehow. There were ties between us even outside of this
+life. And I could FEEL these ties were strong.
+	After walking for a bit, we reached a bigger chamber. Not really
+gigantic but the vibe I got from this room was of high importance and
+a sense of nostalgia. The presence from the young woman was rather
+active here. Heck, I wasn't even sure about her age. This Filia was a
+complete mystery to me. I couldn't get anything detailed from her
+aura. Her shields were nearly perfect, just showing glimpses of
+emotion on the outside every now and then. And I knew it took a very
+long time to hone your mental defenses like that.
+	My observation was cut short though as my gaze settled on the
+interior of the room. Well... What was inside the room was rather
+sparse. More important were the various... pictures lining the wall.
+It was hard to describe them with proper terms because I'm not sure
+those terms existed in this time period. They seemed futuristic
+somehow, a bit like holograms, but also had a sort of ancient touch.
+Like paintings, or wall drawings. They actually looked like they were
+part of the wall.
+	There were so many I had a hard time deciding where to look
+first, awed by the vividness of the pictures. There were a few though
+that caught my eye immediately and... well, not really surprised me.
+There were some of Her, making it painfully clear that this was some
+kind of memorial of a time long past. Probably of the time when
+Pandora was first imprisoned.
+	What drew my attention like a moth to the flame though was a
+single picture, showing three young woman standing in a sort of
+triangle around an enormous structure, in poses of deep concentration.
+There were auras of power drawn around them. But that didn't really
+interest me right away. Those figures were familiar, so damn familiar.
+A woman in long robes with a staff and purple hair that I couldn't
+immediately place but knew deep down that she was... had been...
+important to me... us. A slightly younger woman who carried a somewhat
+child-like experience in white garb with a white cape and a necklace.
+She had shorter, black hair with a few purple highlights running
+through it. Her eyes, her eyes were much like... no, EXACTLY like
+Tomoyo's. And then there was the redheaded one. The most striking of
+the three. Dressed in similar clothing as the other two with a black
+cape I felt like looking in a mirror. Outwardly there were a lot of
+difference between her and me but still I just knew that...
+	"Is that..." I whispered, speaking up for the first time since
+meeting Filia at the entrance and getting here. "... us?"
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+"Is that... us?"
+	Sakura's words shattered the tranquil atmosphere that had
+settled on the group since reaching the island. In the empty hallways
+of the shrine the silence had become more than just a little uneasy.
+Barely bearable. More like suffocating actually. At any other given
+time I would have enjoyed the rich style of art with which the shrine
+was built, its true beauty kept more to the inside than the outside. I
+would have been excited, would have loved to ask more questions...
+	But they were inappropriate. And deep down I knew that those
+things were irrelevant. They simply did not matter right now. Not only
+because of the current situation that was still looming over our heads
+like the Grim Reaper's glaive. No, that wasn't all there was to it. I
+couldn't explain it. I lacked the words or Sakura's understanding of
+the mythical. I did not have her experience. But I KNEW that there was
+something much bigger going on here. Sakura's unease was evident and
+even a totally insensitive jerk could have seen it.
+	And now that feelings actually had a name. And the feelings
+Sakura's statement evoked were confusing, conflicting even. I realized
+that I had been staring at the exact same picture for the entire time,
+trying to figure out why those three woman looked so familiar and why
+my mind constantly tried to draw associations to Filia and Love's
+manner of address. However, a part of me was SCARED of that
+association. And to a degree that was because that part KNEW that the
+association was TRUE.
+	"Nani?" Syaoran exclaimed next to us, looking incredulous. "You
+don't mean..."
+	"Yes. This shrine was built in memory of a war that took place a
+very, very long time ago. And yes, you Kinomoto Sakura, as well as you
+Daidouji Tomoyo were a part of this war. At least your past lives have
+been as I am sure you have figured out by now." Even before the woman
+named Filia confirmed Sakura's statement, I knew it was that way.
+There was no denying it and doing so would only do more harm than
+good. That much I was certain of.
+	"Is this from when the seal was made," Kero-chan asked from his
+place on Yuki... Yue's shoulder - darn, he really unnerved me with
+those changes sometimes. Kero's voice had grown deeper, more like his
+true self. More serious. For the first time I tore my gaze away from
+the picture of the three woman and noticed in various others the
+presence of a sinister vaguely female figure, often accompanied by an
+aura of evil that seemed to be alive, tangible in this artificial
+state. Sakura had never given me a clear description of how this
+Pandora looked, but there was no doubt that this had to be her.
+	Filia nodded solemnly. She glanced at Sakura for a moment before
+launching into the tale and I really wished I wasn't so damn observant
+all the time. I could deal with Syaoran's looks directed at my
+girlfriend. It was to be expected that their was sadness, pain and
+probably some jealousy too. I could deal with that because Sakura had
+made her choice between us. But the same things that I saw in
+Syaoran's covered glances, it was there with the older woman too. Yet
+with Filia it was to a degree as much wistful as it was almost
+painfully intense. And what really got to me was that as hard as I
+wanted to be jealous, I couldn't be. Because some part of me knew this
+woman and this part just couldn't harbor any negative feelings towards
+her. It was confusing and frustrating and...
+	I shoved it to the back of my mind, reminding myself that there
+were more important things to deal with right now. Besides, Sakura had
+been rather adamant about her faithfulness on more than one occasion.
+I had nothing to fear for the moment. I had time to dwell on that
+later when I knew more and the current mess was dealt with.
+	"Time is short I know that." Filia looked up briefly out of the
+huge window above that showed the top of the mountain from where one
+magically gifted - which all of us except Okaasan were - could see
+Silence's presence hovering just above the tip. And those dark clouds
+that were gathering, slowly beginning to cover the Moon's light were
+more than just unsettling.
+	"Those clouds aren't natural," I said quietly, more to myself
+than anyone else. But the quiet surrounding the group carried the
+words to everyone else without me even meaning them to.
+	Sakura nodded grimly. "Yes, and it's getting worse. I don't
+think we have time to stand around here and talk. I really like to
+know more of this but it has to wait until after I finished what I
+started. There are only a few hours left. And I seriously have no idea
+how long this will take."
+	Filia shook her head. "Please, trust me. You must know all that
+has happened back then. If not to awaken your past life's memories,
+then at least to truly know all that is at stake here. This must be
+hard for you to comprehend but please understand that I will not
+jeopardize all those years of lonely vigil to see you sacrifice
+yourself because you did not know all that there needs to be known."
+	At this I studied the woman incredulously. From how she worded
+it, it was apparent that with "years" she didn't just mean, say a
+decade or more. No, it sounded more like she had been around the whole
+time, ever since the ancient war of which the pictures spoke. And that
+had to be a very LONG time. A pang of sympathy once again made me
+aware of how much that woman meant to me... had meant to me once.
+	Filia turned away from us, glancing at the very picture that had
+Sakura and my attention captured moments ago and her voice was thick
+with emotion, lacking that certain element of control that had
+dominated her whole being for the few minutes I knew her. "I could not
+stand to see all of this happen again because I failed in my task. So
+many lives were lost to Her back then. The world must never experience
+this horror again."
+	Sakura and I looked at each other and for the first time I
+really got a good look at my girlfriend's face and how much the whole
+thing affected her, how much that stranger affected her. And I also
+saw the fear there, the fear of things to come. But also the knowledge
+that this was an inevitable event and that she had to eventually face
+it. We had to eventually face it. I smiled at her reassuringly,
+briefly reaching up to brush some hair out of her face. Sakura knew I
+trusted her but as was the case so often she wasn't sure she was worth
+that trust. An unspoken understanding passed between us and Sakura
+slowly nodded.
+	Whatever happened or had happened in the past, it was never
+going to destroy us. There was simply no turning back now after the
+events of just a few hours ago. The love that was between us was as
+vibrant as before and it would not weaken by whatever was to come in
+the future.
+	Sakura turned back to Filia. "Alright," she said softly. "Then
+please tell us everything." She paused briefly, then added, "Anything
+that is needed to know."
+******************************
+(Filia)
+I had been ready for that meeting. I had been forewarned by several
+sources but now that the time was really at hand I felt horribly
+unprepared, meager and insignificant. Seeing the two girls, even after
+all this long time still fond in my memory, standing before me again
+so young and vivid, so... different... I became painfully aware that
+they were not and probably would never be Lina Inverse and Amelia Wil
+Tesla Saillune again. My cherished friends and comrades. Their
+memories would eventually return but their personalities were so
+different that I could hardly expect them to be the same girls.
+	Glancing at Sakura out of the corner of my eye, I added
+mournfully that She would definitely never be the same again. It was
+ironic but in the way there was not much difference to the situation
+of the past. I would always be a substitute anyway, as harsh as this
+might sound and as much as their old selves would probably protest. I
+never really belonged with them. And yet I had hoped and it was that
+hope that had kept me sane all these years.
+	There was no time for that now. I had time to pity myself later.
+Silence was getting darker and I really didn't want to risk too much
+by keeping them here any longer than necessary. But even if they
+succeeded today, it would just be a small victory and they had to be
+prepared for the coming war. I desperately hoped that it wouldn't come
+to that, I prayed every day, but yet I knew that ultimately there
+would be no way to change the inevitable. Just prolong it until they
+were ready.
+	Composing myself I nodded at the two girls who were standing
+rather close together, hand in hand. I hope I could do this well. I
+was never really good at storytelling and spending most of my time in
+solitude didn't help that skill any. "Eons ago, in a time long before
+the current evolution cycle of this planet, the universe was a rather
+dark place to live in. Life was scarce and lived in constant fear by
+the various entities and beings of darkness terrorizing the stars
+everywhere. Nobody knew where she came from, she came literally out of
+nowhere, wiping out whole civilizations with but a wave of her hand.
+Or so the stories were told among the stars. She is a being born from
+the negative side of Chaos. Chaos is what we deem the beginning as
+much as the end, where we come from and where we will eventually
+return to. It is neither Good or Evil. She, who was named Pandora, has
+practically no light in her. She is the embodiment of Darkness. All
+the negative emotions you can name and even those you can't. Hate,
+despair, malevolence. The races feared her everywhere."
+	I paused gauging their reaction slowly. I realized that Li...
+Sakura must have told them from her own experience already and
+therefore the faces looking back to me were mostly grim but I could
+see the fear in the young brunette's eyes and I knew where it stemmed
+from. I knew very well what that monster was capable of, remembered it
+vividly even after all that time. Every time I went to sleep I saw the
+lives lost at her hands and the sacrifices made back then, including
+theirs and my own. Sad enough that what Sakura had witnessed was just
+a portion of what that being was really capable of.
+	I turned around, gesturing at various of the holographic
+recordings associated with the last big war. "Then Pandora came to us.
+Earth was a torn planet back then, populated by many creatures who
+fought each other for dominance. We were rather ignorant for what was
+going on in the universe and were really not prepared for the terror
+Pandora brought upon us..."
+	I moved over to a picture showing a young woman with silver hair
+bound in two ponytails with a crescent moon on her forehead. Next to
+her stood a younger girl with a similar hairstyle in blue tones. To
+the duo's left and right stood three others in their formal warrior
+uniforms. A blonde with long hair and blue eyes, a dark-haired shorter
+girl with a menacing-looking glaive and a taller woman with
+black-green hair and a long staff. From Sakura's reaction I could tell
+she did recognize the uniforms at least. Not to surprising considering
+from where she came. They ought to have met.
+	"However, Earth has always had been a nexus of sorts. The
+mythical energy filling this planet and especially what is known as
+the Tokyo area in this time has a high concentration of power that
+attracts all sorts of gifted mages or other magical individuals. There
+was one girl who had a heart as pure as Pandora's was black though.
+She managed to unite as well the gifted as much as the God and Demon
+races of Earth to stand up to Pandora. A war ensured that was long and
+bloody. It claimed many deaths." I closed my eyes for a brief moment,
+trying hard to banish the memories rising to the surface. "But
+eventually we managed to seal the evil being away in a gigantic effort
+bringing peace to not only the world but the universe as well."
+	I finally arrived at the image that - not surprisingly - held
+the most attention for the two girls who were now listening intently.
+"Despite all of our efforts the best we could do was seal her away.
+She was to powerful to just destroy. The seal consisted of two layers
+to ensure that Pandora would never break free again and terrorize
+future generations. Those three woman you see here were the most
+gifted human mages of our time and they used their powers to bind
+Pandora into her prison between the dimensions. They literally sealed
+her with their very life force knowing there was no other way and as a
+result..." I trailed off, for a moment not able to hold my composure.
+All those millennia had done nothing for my heart to forget that day.
+It was still as intensely painful as it was back then.
+	Everyone was silent and Sakura and Tomoyo looked rather
+uncomfortable, holding each other now more tightly. They were so
+close. Just like them and in this time there seemed to be no big
+social complications. I was happy for them. I really was. Even if I
+had no place in their lives anymore, at least they were happy. I just
+hoped they would accept Sylphiel when the time came. I could deal with
+the loneliness, I had done so for thousands of years. She though...
+	"The three became known as Children of the Seal, their power
+sustaining the barrier that made Pandora's own useless. As you have
+guessed already you are two of those three brave girls, reborn in this
+time."
+	At this point Sakura interrupted. "Matte, how can we be their
+rebirth if they... we are supposed to keep the seal in place? And what
+about the powers that Clow converted into Cards..."
+	I nodded, the question was to be expected. "The seal consists of
+two layers. As strong as your previous selves were their power was not
+unlimited and there were holes in the seal. Tiny but they were. For
+that reason the warriors of our leader used a portion of their given
+power and made a second layer. It was supposed to be like a safety
+net. However, as you said correctly already, when Clow tempered with
+those powers he disrupted their natural flow. By placing the cards he
+created back into the seal most of the damage was repaired but the
+seal wasn't flawless anymore. I can only guess but I suppose that
+might be the reason why you were reborn and why you have become the
+new Card Mistress. Because no one else could possibly be able to undo
+the damage. The sealing power is still active, inside of you. You are
+not aware of it but your mere presence is sustaining the inner seal."
+	Of course that also meant that they had become less untouchable
+by Pandora and I had the feeling that Sakura at least understood that
+as well. Neither of us said a thing though. There was no need to cause
+even more troubled feelings as it was.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+I found the whole story strangely familiar. As if I really had been
+there. Well, given that what Filia just told us was the truth - and I
+could just tell it was - I HAD been there. At least my past self. I
+wondered if I had dreams about it sometimes that I didn't remember
+after waking up in the morning. That happened sometimes. As the Card
+Mistress my dreams usually were vivid and I remembered most of them,
+as stupid as they might be. I had gotten used to that. Sometimes
+though I could try as I might but I couldn't remember what I dreamed
+about, similar to the dream about Clow all those years ago. But with
+Clow I at least had a feeling that I did dream something important.
+Yet, at those occasions there was practically no recollection. I used
+to pay it not much mind, figuring that even a mage needed some normal
+dreams at times that faded from memory with the morning light. Now
+though, now I couldn't help but wonder if there was some sort of
+connection.
+	A loud thunderclap suddenly vibrated high from the mountain top
+and made us all look up. Tomoyo flinched a little and I pulled her
+closer to my body while observing as the dark, unnatural clouds began
+to block out even the last light of the night above the little isle. I
+could SEE the dark power at work, I could SEE the horrible wrongness,
+yet I couldn't quite detect what exactly was going on. Only that it
+was really, really bad.
+	I really couldn't just stand around here. Past be damned, I
+needed to do something!
+	"As I feared," Filia stated and I turned back to her
+momentarily. "She is trying to corrupt Silence."
+	"Corrupt?" Tomoyo echoed and I narrowed my eyes. I really didn't
+like the sound of that.
+	"There is nothing you could have done about it," the shrine
+maiden - or whatever she actually was - said sadly, as if reading my
+mind. It unnerved me with how much casual skill that woman managed to
+get past my defenses. There was some sort of strong connection between
+us in that past life of mine but I had stubbornly pushed it back for
+the time being. This was not the moment to dwell on those or other
+such things - I glanced briefly at the picture of the three moment,
+feeling a pang of longing once again race through me at the vivid
+portrait of the purple-haired woman...
+	"You must understand that Silence power is a destructive one. It
+is not Evil - if you want to use the term - just destructive. A power
+much closer to the Feared One than that of Love. Love has been the
+total opposite even though not as powerful in terms of strength and as
+long as the two powers were in harmony there was not much Pandora
+could do against them." But now Clow's meddling had separated them by
+creating magical spirits of their essence. They were no longer in
+direct, steady contact, I understood at that moment. The pieces began
+to fall into place and that loneliness I saw in Love's eyes was also
+making sense.
+	"Clow gave the power's form, their spiritual bodies are a mirror
+reflection of their former wielders and since they have a form now on
+the Astral Plane She can make use of that. It's a long and tenacious
+process but She seemed to have managed to lure Silence here. Here
+where the Warrior's layer originated."
+	Flashes of dark lightning illuminated the sky briefly, an eerie
+glow of a dark foreboding. "Then I have no time to lose. There's only
+a few hours left until dawn. Not to mention if Pandora is really
+trying to break through, I have to do something about it."
+	"And how will you do that?" Filia asked calmly. The question let
+me stop in half-turn. Yes, what was I going to do about it? Sure, I
+had managed to capture Time and Love but they had more or less wanted
+to be caught. A hostile card as powerful as Silence, possibly blinded,
+corrupted and even empowered by that beast... Could I really just go
+in there and... and... yes, what? Catch it? I had no idea what that
+would do with Pandora controlling the card's spirit. I could
+accidentally even provide her with a means of escape. That would mean
+cutting off the influence first. But how should I do that? I knew how
+powerful that being was and even if her influence was just minor it
+would cost probably all of my powers. And then I would have no power
+left to restore the seal in time...
+	I glanced sideways at Tomoyo who had gently squeezed my hand. "I
+am sure Sakura-chan will find a solution." I marveled once again at
+this infinite belief. The words were said with so much conviction that
+everyone hearing would immediately lose any doubt if they were the
+truth. Coming from her there was really no question at all. That
+unconditional trust and love she gave me had always been my silent
+strength, the fuel for my determination, her love...
+	Of course!
+	To Tomoyo's complete surprise I suddenly pulled the
+lavender-haired girl into a brief but nonetheless deep kiss. I didn't
+really care about the others right now. I felt so incredibly glad that
+I had this wonderful, inspiring girl at my side that I just had to
+show her. I really doubted I wouldn't even be standing here at all if
+not for her constant support and advise. Even when she didn't really
+mean to give anyway, she had always inspired me.
+	Tomoyo blushed, a little flustered, as I released her. "Arigato,
+Tomoyo-chan. I think I know now what I have to do."
+	"A-Anytime..." Tomoyo whispered and I couldn't suppress a little
+smirk at the look on her face.
+	Someone cleared his throat and I turned to look at Syaoran,
+looking clearly uncomfortable. I felt a little guilty for doing that
+in his presence but I really didn't care right now. "If you have a
+plan, then we should get going," he said seriously, his face schooled
+into concentrated features.
+	I was a little amazed at his silent offer but knew that even if
+things between us had changed, he still wanted to help in some way.
+And also, he had made all the way here without even knowing that we
+would probably meet. I could need the help though. I hoped to get this
+done as peacefully as possible but there was no guarantee for my
+sketchy plan to work out flawlessly. They rarely did.
+	I nodded slowly, releasing Tomoyo and turning to the rest.
+"Alright. Yue you come with me and Syaoran. Kero you stay here with
+the rest..." I was quick to ward of his protest. "Yue's powers are
+greater at night. Yes, I could empower you easily but I really don't
+want to waste more energy than absolutely necessary."
+	The little stuffed animal pouted but after a short period of
+holding my gaze, he nodded in defeat. "You are probably right. I
+wouldn't be of much help."
+	I motioned for Yue and Syaoran to follow me but was stopped by a
+gentle hand on my shoulder. I glanced back at Tomoyo's worried face.
+"I'll be careful, I promise," I stated with the confidence she herself
+had given me just a few moments ago.
+	Tomoyo hesitated for a moment, but then spoke up softly. "I... I
+want to go with you."
+	I blinked startled at the request. This was not like Tomoyo at
+all. She would normally never be that unreasonable and reckless.
+Granted, we hadn't come in any dangerous situations since we got
+together until now but usually she knew better than to needlessly
+bring herself into danger, thus distracting me from the actual
+situation. Therefore my first reaction was to be a vehement denial,
+however, that look in her blue eyes made me stop. There was
+something... something that made me reconsider. I had the feeling she
+had no idea why she made that demand just now. Like an instinct one
+couldn't really explain.
+	I thought back on the events of the last hours. Tomoyo had been
+there than I had confronted Love. For some reason both of us knew that
+only together it could be done. Tomoyo had clearly developed some sort
+of magical sense. And after Filia's revelations it was rather obvious
+that this magic was from her past life. We were in this together. I
+really didn't like to put her into danger but... The more I thought
+about it, the feeling grew stronger in me that I absolutely needed her
+to come with me. If only for her presence, only for her being there
+and the confidence she managed to always instill within me...
+	Closing my eyes briefly, I made a choice.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+Grasping tightly onto Sakura this time it had not much to do with
+seeking closeness since I was much more concerned with holding on for
+dear life. This really was a stupid idea, I mused for the thousandth
+time. Not that Sakura actually agreeing with me was a much better
+idea, I added. I had really not been sure why I insisted to tag along
+with Sakura and Syaoran - who was right now carried by Yue. No, I
+absolutely could not explain what had overcome me. Normally I knew
+that all that would achieve was me turning out to be liability in the
+end, getting Sakura into trouble for my sake. Yet, something made me
+speak up. There was this indefinable, STRONG urge telling me that I
+had to be there.
+	Somehow Sakura had understood it, probably better than I did.
+And Filia had even agreed, saying that only our power together could
+have a chance to stand up to an influenced Silence. Heck, I had NO
+idea what the hell I could even DO!
+	No, this definitely wasn't a good idea. The wind was more than
+just a hassle. It had risen to the strength and speed of a tornado,
+whipping through our hair and entirely unfitting clothes. Out in the
+summer we had not expected to fly through a chilling storm in the
+middle of the night. At least I had not.
+	Sakura was struggling to hold the wand steady. She had cast Fly
+on her staff as she had done before transforming the cards. This both
+for my sake as for her own. The strain of flying up to the mountain in
+this wind - even without my added ballast - would have been great
+enough. That didn't make the task easier now though. Yue was having a
+hard time moving as well.
+	"We are not getting any further," I cried over the thunderous
+wind. A few lightning bolts flashed left and right, much too close for
+my taste. "Either we'll be ripped apart before we are up or it will at
+least take us hours!"
+	I wasn't sure if Sakura heard me but she had obviously come to
+the same conclusion. One of the cards appeared in her hands and she
+held it up into the air. "Windy, clear a path through the storm for
+us!" I wasn't really certain if that would work but not one to doubt
+Sakura's abilities I snuggled even tighter against her as the storm
+for a moment seemed to reach another new height but then the strong
+winds were magically pressed back, creating a calm zone around us and
+Yue who had barely managed to close the distance before Windy's magic
+took effect.
+	Losing not a single second Sakura pulled the winged wand almost
+completely vertical. I let out a startled yelp as she flew us upwards
+inside the calm zone at blinding speed. I would love to see what
+happened around us but I had my eyes closed and was really glad that
+moment that Sakura had insisted to sit behind me. I'd probably have
+fallen of right now.
+	After what seemed a small eternity we slowed down again and as I
+reopened my eyes I realized that Sakura's reckless maneuver had
+brought us straight up to the summit, just a little bit away from the
+center and where Silence... raged. Touching down on the peak Sakura
+banished Fly while Syaoran jumped from Yue's arms - who in turn took a
+moment to regain his breathing from the flight. "That was fun,"
+Syaoran commented dryly. "Now what?"
+	Sakura glanced up towards Silence. It was really a frightening
+sight. All that one could see right now was a deep purple glow. Not
+bright but dark, at some points even fading into obsidian black. I
+squinted my eyes, trying to see a bit clearer, trying to make out
+anything of importance. The funny thing was I did see something. Once
+again I couldn't really explain how I knew but I did. "It's hurting.
+Hurting badly," I said, the feeling barely bearable. There was so much
+pain, so much... agony.
+	Both Sakura and Syaoran looked at me as if I had seen something
+they couldn't. Then it hit me. They really couldn't. Not like me.
+Filia had told us just before we went up that my past life had not
+only been a good healer but also had developed a gift to see things on
+the astral plane when she grew older. Quite frankly I had no idea what
+she was talking about but there hadn't been much time.
+	"Can you see where exactly something is... wrong," Sakura asked
+tentatively.
+	I tried to concentrate hard. The necklace around my neck that
+Filia had given me glowed softly. It was hard to hold the
+concentration though and there was so much different things to see.
+Silence had such a huge presence and the energy released all around it
+didn't help at all. After a few moments I sighed and shook my head
+sadly, feeling drained by the effort. "No. I can see that something is
+wrapped around her... spirit. Something that doesn't belong there."
+	"That would be Pandora then," Syaoran said. "So the woman was
+right. She actually managed to push this far forward." He looked at
+Sakura. "I guess you want to severe the connection somehow?"
+	The Card Mistress nodded, her brown hair now blowing roughly in
+the strong winds. "I'm not sure I can do it forcefully. But Silence
+should be able to do it herself." At both of our confused expressions
+she pulled out a card. It was Love. "You reminded me of it,
+Tomoyo-chan. Love said that they are mates since their former wielders
+were. I'm sure if something can calm Silence down to a degree where
+she can fight back, it would be Love. THEN we should have a chance."
+	Syaoran chuckled a little. "In a situation like this your trump
+card is the surreal love of two magical spirits?" With a smirk, he
+finished, "That's so like you." Squaring his shoulders he was about
+ready to move on. "Well then, I suppose you need a distraction to get
+close enough. Coming, Yue-san?"
+	The silver-haired man nodded stoically, having kept silent while
+we discussed the plan of action. I bet he had some comments of his own
+but held them to himself obviously. I doubted he had a better idea
+anyway. Sakura's made sense though and from what I could see Silence
+was just as lonely as Love. They just dealt with it differently, much
+differently.
+	I cried out as suddenly a rumble shook the entire mountain. My
+eyes barely registered that a gigantic bolt of black lightning had
+crashed through several layers of stone, nearly splitting the small
+mountain apart. Instinctively I reached out for Sakura's hand but with
+horror realized that the storm blow had not only affected me. All four
+of us were slammed back by the incredible force that definitely was
+not just that of a natural element. Obviously Silence didn't like
+company.
+	The whole thing happened far too quickly. Bah, time slowing down
+in moments like this! It was rather the opposite. One moment we were
+standing atop the mountain, the next we were slammed over the side,
+surely tumbling to our deaths...
+	And yet again the next moment, everything was over and I found
+myself held by something that felt like some animal's skin. I blinked,
+the shock from what nearly happened just setting in as I sat up
+slowly. Well, animal would probably really understate things. The
+creature that I was currently riding was of a deep golden color with
+massive wings. While I had never seen one - in this life at least -
+there was no mistaking it that the creature was a full-fledged,
+golden-colored dragon. A big, strong, impressive dragon...
+	"Are you alright," the dragon rumbled in a voice while a little
+different in volume and tone was rather easy to identify.
+	"F-Filia-san?" I gasped, still numb with shock from the near
+death experience.
+	The dragon chuckled... well, at least it sounded like a chuckle.
+Probably a snort but I really didn't care about details right now. "I
+thought you could need some help." The wind once again picked up,
+nearly blowing me from the human-turned-dragon's back again. I buried
+my fingers tightly into the back of the creature who had obvious
+troubles to maintain her balance in the turbulent winds.
+	Glancing to the side I saw Sakura hovering next to us - Fly's
+wings on her back this time - faring not much better. Yue, holding
+Syaoran were on the other side. Sakura shot me a truly worried look
+and I could see the still visible panic that must have filled her when
+we were flung from the mountain.
+	"Look!" Yue cried out over the crescendo of the storm and we all
+did as he said. The strong pressure had obviously forced all flying
+parties to keep a strict distance. We were rather far away from the
+island now but even from here one could see that the storm had become
+almost one giant twister, laced with purple lightning and as black as
+the darkest night. The sight sent shivers down my spine and I felt
+numb with a sudden cold. It was like the icy breath of death.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+The shockwave of power was even stronger than the one that had blown
+us from the mountain top. Yet, it wasn't really a forceful, brute
+power. No, this one came subtly, silent like a whisper in the wind and
+still with a force as strong as all of my cards combined, probably
+stronger. That enormous presence was Silence but it was also much
+more. I felt it even from here and the fear rising in my heart, I
+could not suppress. I had tried to deny it but there was no mistaking
+it now. That terror-inflicting presence could only belong to one being
+in existence.
+	The whole island was enveloped in a cocoon of pitch blackness,
+only occasional lighted by the eerie lightning and a barely visible
+glow of energy that I suspected belonged to Silence. Right now the
+high concentration of magic was just that. A concentration. But if it
+was released...
+	"With that much power, the whole planet is going to burst if it
+erupts unhindered!" Yue shouted. I wished I could disagree but frankly
+that were my thoughts exactly. Suddenly I remembered something vital
+and for a moment I felt terrible ill. Stretching out my senses I tried
+to locate the familiar auras in the black tornado but couldn't find
+anything. Then there was a faint echo, a little outside the danger
+zone. I glanced down to see a small spot that had to be our ship
+racing away from the isle.
+	"I had a feeling something big would happen and brought them
+back to your boat," the dragon rumbled. There was no mistaking it by
+now that it was really Filia. It didn't surprise me very much. From
+the beginning I had sensed something supernatural in her. No human
+being should be able to hide their aura so well. And the dragon part
+was familiar, probably glimpses of my past life again. I really didn't
+know what to make of all of this. For the moment I was just glad that
+she had saved Tomoyo when I hadn't been able to. Those were long,
+horrible moments for me. I felt so damn helpless, barely able to stop
+my own fall. If it hadn't been for her...
+	"This is not good. I don't think any of us can break through
+there," Filia stated darkly and I had to once again agree. Fly's power
+was barely able to hold me anymore and Filia's wings looked not that
+good either, Yue wasn't better off. Not to mention that the sheer
+power Silence was emitting was as good as any barrier.
+	Before I could respond there was a glow in front of me and
+Love's sprite form appeared in the air before us. "Silence..." she
+whispered hoarsely. One could hear her voice breaking with pain at the
+sight. I didn't even dare to try and understand how she felt. That
+would mean I had to picture Tomoyo in a similar state, controlled and
+corrupted by Her. Thinking of the thought alone was sickening. And
+even more so I was amazed when Love seemed to practically glow with
+confidence, staring ahead into the darkness with sheer determination.
+I would do the same, of course. In her place I would do everything to
+save the one I loved. I had experienced the consequences of
+helplessness before and I'd swore myself never to let this happen
+again.
+	And that left me with only one path to follow now.
+	"Can you break through there and take me inside? There is still
+a faint presence left. If we act quickly, we might be able to severe
+the connection. But I have to get inside first," I said, gripping my
+staff in a tight grip. I ignored the shouts of the others that t was
+too dangerous. There was no other solution to this. Truth be told, in
+the face of such gigantic power I felt small and useless. But rather
+would I die trying before waiting for destruction once again.
+	Love was quiet for a few seconds, then she turned and fixed me
+with a stern gaze. "No, Mistress. I cannot take you alone. Pandora's
+influence over my mate has grown too strong already for me to
+withstand alone. I need someone else's strong love to support my own.
+Together there may be a chance to pass through unharmed."
+	I gasped as realization set it. The way Love said it, there was
+no question who exactly she was referring to. "You mean..." I started,
+turning fearful eyes in Tomoyo's direction. There was no way I could
+jeopardize her life even further than I had already. I should have
+left her with the others in the first place. Because of me she almost
+died once already. This was my mess, my battle. I couldn't put her in
+danger because I wasn't strong enough alone...
+	Tomoyo blinked, puzzled for a few seconds before comprehension
+dawned in her eyes. I was wondering at first if I really saw the flash
+of panic, just for a moment, but even if, it was gone almost
+immediately, replaced by an almost solemn expression. Guessing from
+her usual selfless behavior, I could guess already what she wanted to
+say. "Tomo-chan, don't..." I flew closer to her until I could reach
+out and touch her face, my eyes gazing into hers. "I can't put you in
+danger like this. Please... I..." Words pretty much failed me at this
+point and the grip I maintained on her shoulders must have become
+painful. There was that scene again, flashing before my mind's eye.
+Tomoyo, in my arms, dying...
+	Gently, pale hands reached up to take my own into them, making
+me glance down for a moment before hesitantly meeting her eyes again.
+"This is not your future, Sakura-chan. You have been given another
+chance to make it better. Believe in that, believe in yourself, just
+like I do."
+	I was paralyzed in amazement. I had witnessed it so many times.
+But now, in this situation Tomoyo's true strength shone so bright it
+could light the zone of darkness. Immediately a warm, soothing
+sensation spread through my whole self and I welcomed it openly.
+"Aren't you scared?" I was scared. Just a moment ago, I was so scared
+I rather wanted to turn and fly the other way than facing this
+nightmare... again. Now it was only a dull sensation. A bearable
+background feeling. Because of her.
+	"Of course I am," Tomoyo said gently. "But I know everything
+will be alright." I was pulled forward suddenly but didn't resist when
+Tomoyo pulled me into a brief hug. "Because I believe in you."
+	I was defeated. I had known the moment that Tomoyo looked at me
+that I wasn't able to win this argument. When her arms went around me,
+with so much trust and love, I gently flapped my wings and lifted her
+from the dragon's back. "Only with you I can be strong," I said,
+realizing once again how true those words were. How much confidence
+the knowledge of their truth brightened my soul.
+	There wasn't a further word said but it wasn't necessary. The
+orb of light surrounding us, making maintaining Fly unnecessary, was
+of a bright golden radiance. I could feel the purity and the love, our
+own feelings mingling with the magical force created by the card. It
+was magnificent and much stronger than what it felt like before.
+	Hand's clasped tightly, we turned around and with a slight nod
+Love shot forward right into the darkness ahead.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+A void of total blackness. Not a light fell anywhere, not even a
+glimmer. If not for the illuminating shine of Love's protective
+barrier it would be impossible to see one's own hand. And the void was
+not only pitch black but also cold, so cold that it would probably be
+warm at the North Pole. Not so much a temperature-induced coldness but
+one that threatened to freeze your very soul. An icy breath of
+foreboding, of promised annihilation. And not even a sound penetrated
+the thick veil of darkness, causing even the simple of action of
+breathing to sound like tiny sonic booms in the deathly quiet.
+	When I said that I was scared, I had meant it. But now, now I
+felt actual fear. This place was... No, there wasn't a word to aptly
+describe it. However, everything in me shied away from the
+incomprehensible... evil filling the very air - if there was even air
+outside the bubble. Something in me told me that it wasn't supposed to
+be evil. That Silence alone wasn't evil. Filia had pointed this out.
+Which only meant that Pandora's control had to be more or less
+ultimate inside this zone already. If not for Sakura's presence and
+the tight contact we kept, I wasn't sure if even Love's powers could
+have kept me from running away.
+	I felt Sakura tighten her grip to an almost painful level and
+saw her face contorted in deep concentration. "I can barely bear it.
+All that hate, fear, terror... it's... it's like the dead are being
+tortured." A shiver run through the other girl and I realized that I
+wasn't much better off. Sakura's comparison might be a little crude
+but that was just how I felt right now.
+	"Unfortunately, that is the case," we could hear Love reply
+softly. At her words I glanced around and almost jumped at the shock.
+I could see them. Tiny wisp-like forms. Suspended in the space around
+us, bound by tendrils of the darkness, they were the only thing that
+indicated that there was indeed color around us and not just void.
+Looking at one closely I could SEE their torment, I could see the
+utter agony tearing them apart inside out but yet never ending their
+peril. It was sickening and I wanted to scream but my voice had been
+caught in my throat. For a moment I felt a glimpse of what they were
+going through and... and...
+	"Don't look!" I felt myself being turned away from the sight at
+Love's sharp warning, Sakura pulling my face against her body and I
+was instantly grateful for that. I had been frozen in place, alone I
+might have been caught in the moment forever. Desperately I tried to
+regain my composure but couldn't help a few tears slipping out,
+drenching Sakura's clothes as the horrible realization set in what
+exactly I had seen.
+	Only gradually I managed to quell the terror in my soul, still
+weeping for the fate of those around me. Sakura was rocking me gently
+and it helped somewhat to calm my nerves, I could draw strength from
+her presence. It was a hard fight for control though. "It's... it's so
+horrible..." I breathed, clutching tightly at Sakura for fear of being
+left alone in here.
+	"I am sorry," Love said, sounding guilty. "I had not expected
+that the Feared One had such control over my mate already. Even with
+my power I can only dim the experience."
+	"What happened just there? I can feel so much terror all around
+us, What did Tomoyo see?" Sakura asked, worry clearly evident in her
+voice. I would have answered but I was unable to voice the horror I
+had unintentionally witnessed.
+	"Lost souls," Love replied solemnly, her voice telling of her
+own sadness. "The Feared One feasts on them. It has always been her
+greatest pleasure to convert the souls of living beings, strip of all
+their positive feelings and only leaving the darkness that every life
+form possesses as pure as they might be. They are left alone, in a
+state of utter torment, forced to spent eternity with their own
+terror. It is worse than Hell." Love was silent for a moment as Sakura
+hugged me even tighter. I could feel her trying to pour her own love
+into me but she was struggling as well, now that the evil presence
+around us had a name. "Tomoyo's abilities to see the Astral Plane must
+be returning slowly when she can actually see them. But believe me,
+seeing it might be very traumatic, actually experiencing it though..."
+Love trailed off and I could hear something that sounded like a gasp,
+followed by a deep wail that threatened to wrench my heart right out
+of my chest.
+	Startled I turned around to glance at what had inspired such
+terror in the gentle card spirit and SAW. I damned that ability
+already. I saw Silence up ahead, glowing a very faint purple, almost
+consumed already by the thick chains of darkness covering more or less
+every inch of her spiritual body. It was like with the souls I had
+seen but on a much larger scale. I had to fight myself not to look
+further, knowing that I surely would become lost in the process. While
+the tormenters of the souls had merely been mindless, a part of
+something bigger, this... this... thing was the epitome of terror, the
+very incarnation of horror. At this moment I really understood why
+everyone feared it so much. My understanding of those latent abilities
+was small, most based upon instinct, but what I could see was enough
+to scare a god, that much I was sure of.
+	"Phoebe!" Love cried out in terror and I could really not blame
+her. I didn't pay that much attention to the name but instead was
+focused on what to my eyes was best described as something like a
+black hole. Always devouring everything around it. I knew somehow that
+in reality - or better on the physical plane - where was not much to
+be seen. That being wasn't present in this world, it wasn't tangible.
+The only body ir had was that of the Card's spirit and to say those
+had actually physical bodies would be stretching the term. Sakura had
+once explained that she didn't really know the border between what was
+physically and what spiritual about the cards. They could interact
+with their environment but their sprite form was the only thing that
+really gave them some sort of solid shape on this plane.
+	That being, Pandora, was so huge that Silence's sprite - which I
+could dimly see slowly drowning in the ocean of darkness - was not
+more than an insect in comparison. And it was unrelenting, holding the
+card's spirit mercilessly, not giving it even an inch to move.
+	At the shout though I could see just a little quiver, rebelling
+briefly against the tainted presence. The being simply tightened its
+hold and I could literally feel the pain resulting from that action.
+With a lot effort I tore my gaze away slightly, trying to divert my
+focus.
+	"Foolish humans. Did you think you could stop my release?" The
+voice echoed all around us. It wasn't at all what I expected. I had
+thought it would be something more... sinister. Not that quiet,
+controlled voice that was neither soft, nor loud. For all I knew it
+was... normal. Controlled to a degree as if this was just a normal
+conversation and not bragging about the coming freedom and how she
+would be destroying everything or something like that. I felt Sakura
+clasp my hand tightly but it seemed she wasn't really surprised which
+had to mean that this seemed to be a normal thing for that feared
+entity.
+	"What did you do to her?" demanded Love vehemently, the glow
+around us intensifying to nearly blinding levels.
+	There was a pause and then Pandora's voice came again, almost as
+if not paying the question any mind at all. "I owe that whelp a lot.
+Before his meddling you were just energies, perfect power flowing
+steadily. He gave you a spirit, feelings of your own. Just mirror
+images of your former owners' but that was enough already. You became
+independent in a way, be it even so small. I had spent so long in
+slumber I could wait the few more centuries it would take to work my
+way into this one's mind. With Silence's power I can finally burst the
+seal. You cannot change that anymore. Your efforts will all be in
+vain. Your mate is already mine, and the rest of you will follow
+soon."
+	No, that wasn't true. I risked another glance at Silence and saw
+her struggling weakly. Obviously Love's presence seemed to get through
+to her despite the powerful control. "Don't listen to her," I shouted,
+"Silence is still there. She can sense you!" An idea had hatched in my
+mind and while it was more like a piece of straw in a raging river I
+grasped onto it. Sakura had put her faith into this in the first place
+and from what I saw thee still was a possibility that it might work. I
+looked up at Sakura, our eyes met while I grabbed her other hand
+tightly. Concentrating on the love in my heart for the beautiful girl
+I let it flow out. I didn't hold back and let it fill me, my whole
+self vibrating from the intensity. Only a moment later Sakura followed
+suit and I could feel our hearts beating in synchrony. The glow of
+magic erupted into a shade too bright to look at. Closing my eyes, I
+held firm onto the feelings inside me, hoping that it would be enough
+for Love to reach her mate.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+The experience was one of the most surreal I ever had... and really...
+those were a lot. Sensing what Tomoyo was trying to do, I quickly
+joined her efforts and being more experienced, took all that love
+created at this very moment and channeled it directly into Love's own
+protective sphere. The star key in my hand glowed softly, the effort
+not really all that noteworthy since all it had to do was focus
+energy.
+	I thought back on all of the time spent with Tomoyo, both in my
+old timeline as her best friend and now in this in something much
+more. How much the feelings between us had blossomed beyond my
+furthest imagination after my choice. I felt my spirit slipping away
+into a sea of brilliant gold. It wasn't suffocating, no. Instead it
+was comforting, an embrace of absolute happiness. This was a plane
+where the physical self didn't really exist anymore and all the soul
+and spirit felt was pure love.
+	Only about a decade of training enabled me to hear the voices,
+the desperate pleading and the silent war for control going on.
+	"Phoebe!" Love called out to Silence. I figured since they were
+mirror images of the ones who released their power in the first place,
+the name was probably that of the assorted Senshi. It was at least a
+logical explanation and I had more important matters to think about
+than that.
+	"Is that you, my love..." The reply was faint and with the thin
+concentration I managed in this plane while my main focus was still on
+focusing and channeling our feelings into Love I was for a moment not
+sure if I really heard it. But then it came again, a bit stronger,
+desperate now. "I thought you were... She said she took you from
+me..."
+	"I am here," Love quickly reassured. "Pandora tricked us. She
+used our brief separation to claim your spirit. You have to fight
+back."
+	"I can't..." There was a flare of helpless fury, a spark of
+power that was more senseless defiance than any real threat to the
+control of the dark being. "She's too strong. I can't fight back...
+not without you..."
+	There was a brief pause and then I felt Tomoyo's feelings
+change, concentrating on another aspect of our relationship and I
+welcomed it thankfully. Those feelings of trust and sincere faith I
+had discovered to be my greatest strength, something that had been
+shown in the last few hours many times again. Feeling my own
+confidence rise, I relayed it all to Love, knowing that a Clow Card
+could increase its strength then the wielder increased their will.
+	"I know you can do it. I trust it," Love said, picking up on the
+delivered feeling. A ripple went through the darkness outside the
+protective bubble. I could nearly see Love's power filling the zone
+almost completely. I could sense Silence mobilizing enormous powers,
+pushing back the control over her spirit, slowly but steadily. I
+redoubled my efforts and Tomoyo responded in kind. It was working it
+was really working. Pandora was struggling with the only control she
+had of the physical plane as of now. I knew that logically beating her
+that easily was impossible. However, what we had her was just an
+extension of her true self. A part of her spirit. There wasn't much
+more the seal allowed... yet. That had been my only real hope in that
+matter, that maybe she wouldn't be strong enough to withstand a
+focused assault in this state and would be forced to retreat.
+	And then everything shattered. I was amazed at myself that I had
+even the time to push Tomoyo away when the bolt of darkness crashed
+right through Love's bubble with a destructive force that could have
+easily shattered the planet if we still were fully on the earthly
+plane.
+	And where before had been absolute love, the embrace of safety
+and utter calm, like a mother's womb, where before in the state we
+entered was only a bit of discomfort at our surroundings and what were
+the echoes of the lost souls all around us, all that had transferred
+into the total opposite now, amplified several times and then doubled
+again. When the pitch blackness touched me I could feel all the terror
+this plane emitted and now I really fully understood what Tomoyo must
+have seen when she had looked at one of the tormented souls. The
+experience was only of a mere moment but I felt such fear in the
+presence of such... sickening... WRONGNESS that I would have been glad
+if someone just ran me through with a sword, ending the horror.
+	"TIME!" I cried out, not able to give any more clear orders or
+form equally coherent thoughts. Thankfully enough Time might be a
+mysterious card that rarely told me anything and if, then often in
+rather mysterious terms, but she was also the most intelligent card I
+had ever come across. I still didn't know what her role in all this
+was and firmly believed that there was a lot more to her when she let
+on. As it was Time did exactly what was necessary.
+	I sank to my knees and hands when I felt the protective bubble
+of temporal energy flicker into existence. I could hear the quiet
+whimpers from Tomoyo and wanted to do nothing more than to comfort my
+girlfriend. Yet, I was still much to paralyzed from that brief - but
+still much too long - ordeal. Frantically I reached out, trying to
+locate Love's presence. I had felt the bond ripped apart and feared
+for the worst. If Love was... destroyed - and I really had no idea if
+that was even possible - then the seal would be void. Relived I noted
+that there was a faint glimmer, signaling that Love was still there
+and as I raised my head I saw that it wasn't going to be any longer at
+this point.
+	The sprite form of Love drifted almost lifelessly towards the
+darkened form of her companion, an easy target for Pandora to capture.
+Soon they were united again but probably in a way both would have
+liked to avoid. Silence's power had risen to a cold flare of anger but
+without Love's support it lacked conviction. The card was struggling,
+unrestrained fury pulsating around her. But the will to fight back had
+been broken the moment Love's power had been.
+	"You thought you could push me back this easily. In here where
+there is chaos. Chaos fueled by everything you term negative. Every
+positive emotion is as weak as a candle in the wind. This plane is my
+creation and as long as I have Silence as my anchor where is nothing
+that can make me return to my prison."
+	Was that it? Was that the end?
+	Love had been my last hope. I had really BELIEVED that it would
+work. That was so unfair. I had been so close. If I had gotten to
+Silence a bit earlier, I could have repaired the seal and ended that
+nightmare once and for all. I knew I could do it. With Tomoyo's love
+and support behind me I could accomplish everything. It might have
+taken all my power but compared to fighting Pandora, repairing the
+seal seemed like mere child's play. What I could I do against
+something like this? Even that small part of her was so vastly
+powerful that fear was paralyzing my body. All the magic at my
+disposal meant nothing. What good did it do to be stronger than Clow
+when I couldn't even protect the few people I loved dearly? There was
+no way anyone could defeat her...
+	"Sakura-chan..." Tomoyo rasped out behind me and I felt slender
+arms encircling me, drawing me against her body. A jolt of pure
+devotion traveled through me, crashing into my spirit that already
+admitted defeat a moment ago, filling it with that awesome feeling I
+had come to cherish so much. Slowly at first, it was like a volcano,
+the lava bubbling just underneath the surface trying to get out.
+Questions shot through my mind, hard and unrestrained. What would
+happen to those that I loved? What would happen to my family? To my
+friends in Tomoeda? To Syaoran and Filia? To Yue and Kero? What would
+happen to Tomoyo if I... if WE failed here?
+	They would all die a horrible, painful death. Just like in the
+future I had escaped.
+	No.
+	Never.
+	I would not... I absolutely could not give up here!
+	Slowly reaching up to take Tomoyo's hands in mine I clasped them
+tightly for a brief moment. There was a mutual silence, then the
+familiar sentence spilled from both of our lips in sincere harmony,
+filled with renewed faith. "Everything will surely be alright."
+	I separated from Tomoyo without looking back, basking in her
+love as long as I could, keeping those feelings close to my heart in
+hope they would preserve me, channeling them directly to Light and
+mentally commanding her to secure my heart and soul, while I slipped
+Dark around my mind, to calm my fear and any doubts if they should
+arise again.
+	Then I stepped outside Time's bubble.
+	But not before giving one last command. If someone had directly
+asked me when Filia made the revelations about her past life, I would
+have told them that the surprise had only been brief. I had been aware
+of the power inside of me, the presence of arcane magic older than
+anything Kero or Yue could ever teach me. I had discovered it years
+ago but had been afraid of the change I felt would come. I was afraid
+of the consequences releasing the seal on that power would entitle and
+I knew deep down that doing so would change me. Not only magically but
+as a person as well.
+	Until now there was no need to even attempt it. Until Pandora
+there never had been the necessity for something greater than my own
+given magic. And the fear of consequences had outweighed the
+temptation by far. With great power comes great responsibility.
+Nothing happens without a reason, no power was ever given without
+taking something in return.
+	Light, Dark, Kero, Yue, even Time herself had told me where
+would be consequences for changing history. They never told me what
+consequences because they either didn't know or didn't want to tell. I
+had pondered it for a long time but only now. Only now did I
+understand. In the face of my greatest fear, I understood that the
+consequence would either be the destruction of this planet and
+probably the whole universe afterwards or...
+	"Time," I spoke softly, "release the seal on the memories of my
+past life."
+	And with that I opened myself completely to the bubbling power I
+had been secretly tempted to utilize more than once since traveling
+back in time. I held firm to Tomoyo's image in my mind and hoped that
+if something remained untouched by the ordeal it would be our love. I
+needed that power now, I needed the ancient wisdom of someone who had
+already helped seal Pandora in the first place. If my past life really
+had been as strong as Filia said, I needed her help now.
+	As the magic burst forward and I felt the flood of memories
+beginning a silent onslaught, I relented and accepted it all with the
+one thought in mind to protect those that I loved.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo)
+It was like losing a part of myself. When I let Sakura go, I felt as
+if something was irreversible taken from me. While I had not much
+experience with supernatural encounters I had learned to trust my
+instincts since this mess started. My heart wanted to deny that
+something could... would happen to Sakura but yet my instincts told me
+otherwise.
+	At the same time though I could also tell that while I lost
+something, I would gain something, in the long run maybe even more
+than I would lose. Of course I couldn't really make much sense to me
+that moment and all I could think about was that I had such a really
+bad, sinking feeling in my stomach. I had no idea what exactly she was
+planning, hanging there in the void, just hovering for a moment. Wisps
+of white and black that I identified briefly as Light and Dark
+circling around her. I hadn't wanted to let her go. I really had not.
+I was far more worried about her life when to care about what might
+happen when nothing was done about Pandora. That brief experience
+outside in the void, unprotected and exposed to the horror of dark
+emotions had left me a frightened mess. I really had no idea where I
+had pulled the strength from to even move. But I had known that Sakura
+needed my support now, that she was on the verge of breaking and that
+I had to be strong for her. She depended on me giving her confidence.
+And as much the feelings of fear threatened to overwhelm me any moment
+now, the need to be there for Sakura was far greater.
+	And then Sakura spoke and everything began to make sense. I
+stood there on shaky legs, watching transfixed as a faint glimmer of
+crimson red formed around Sakura's form. Where it touched, the
+darkness recoiled for a moment. For a few, timeless moments that was
+all that happened. Sakura had her head thrown back and I could guess
+that her eyes were closed. Then suddenly the faint aura literally
+exploded in a bright flare, crackling and hissing like an angry flame
+ready to consume whatever lay in its path. It began to completely
+surround... no, swallow Sakura from head to toe, expanding in size and
+intensity until I had to look away as another bright flash of light
+temporally lit up the darkness.
+	When my eyes managed to finally adjust again, the darkness had
+mostly returned except for the purple shimmer of Time's bubble. Then
+there was Sakura. On first glance you might not see the changes,
+especially in the dim light. But for me, for someone who had known
+Sakura for so long, I spotted them immediately. The hair was longer,
+falling a little past her shoulders and of a darker shade of red,
+somewhere between the fiery orange-red that was in my memories from
+the picture in the shrine and Sakura's natural chocolate-brown. Since
+I couldn't see her eyes from here, those were all the physical changes
+visible, yet there were small things, things that were more
+appreciated on a subconscious area that I had learned to read and
+interpret for about five years. Subtle movements of muscles, body
+posture and her very aura that told me that this was not just Sakura
+anymore. Not just Sakura, but not fully someone else either. And what
+really made the difference from me was that the bond of love between
+us, that sense of awareness for the other was still there, not in the
+least damaged. No, it had actually warped a little and seemed to be
+even more defined than before.
+	I could have sworn I heard a gasp and when Pandora spoke up,
+somewhat disbelievingly I was pretty sure it came from her. "You?"
+	Sakura lifted her head up to gaze at what could barely be
+recognized as the sprite form of Silence. Both her and Love had been
+almost completely swallowed. While you literally felt the fear
+radiating from my girlfriend whenever confronted with the infernal
+being, now there was an air of calmness around her. Nothing in her
+body language spoke of doubt. There was a strong confidence in her
+abilities that for all her advances in magic my Sakura had never shown
+before. This Sakura - I really couldn't bring myself to think of her
+as anyone else even though I knew she probably was as much her past
+self again right now as she was Sakura - didn't show any fear in the
+face of the situation before her, there was no hesitation.
+	Briefly Sakura glanced back and I gasped as I felt myself
+captured in the most enchanting pair of gold eyes, sparkling with the
+fire of a miniature sun, a passion as vivid as the genki spirit of
+Sakura but mixed with something much more mature, maybe a little
+darker. I felt myself trembling and leaned against the inner wall of
+Time's bubble. Sakura sent a reassuring smile down towards me but even
+though her new appearance had stunned me to immobility I could detect
+a bit of sadness and regret there. I wanted to reach out, to say
+something, anything... But my mouth felt dry and denied me the favor
+of speech.
+	Then the now-redhead turned back towards her foe. "Not entirely.
+I am more now when I have been before." The wand in her hand flared
+with a bright white for a moment. "As you will see soon." Sakura
+really didn't waste much words. With one gesture she pointed the wand
+down at where Love and Silence were entangled in the mass of darkness
+that by now was rather hard to distinguish from the rest of the void
+if you didn't know where to look. I gasped in amazement as a beam of
+white light - on closer inspection turning out to be more like tiny
+little stars - struck the duo of card sprites that were holding each
+other tightly.
+	There was a startled exclamation of Pandora before she had to
+suddenly shift all her attention to the mix of orange and purple light
+erupting from within her. It was not nearly strong enough to burst
+their bonds but they were fighting back again, furiously. And that
+gave Sakura time and the diversion she needed for... Well, for
+whatever she had planned.
+	Sakura crossed her hands before her chest and I could see a deep
+red glow spreading from where she had put the four talismans Filia had
+given her. Then she began the incantation with the same calmness now
+dominating all her actions at the moment.
+	"Shikai no yami wo suberu oo, nanji no kakera no enishi ni
+sitagai
+	Nanjira subete no chikara mote ware ni saranaru chikara wo atae
+yo"
+	Ever since entering the zone of darkness it had really been like
+in the eye of a storm. It was silent, an eerie quietness, and all that
+could remotely be considered wind was the icy death breath filling
+everything around us. Now there was a gentle breeze, slowly gaining in
+force as Sakura continued her spell. And as the wind grew in intensity
+the darkness seemed to... move. I knew it was stupid. I knew it was
+technically impossible - but then again what was not commonly termed
+impossible of the things I experienced since Sakura had become a
+Cardcaptor? - yet the vast emptiness around us practically seemed to
+gather around the Card Mistress and then flow between her cupped
+hands, slowly taking shape.
+	"Akumu no ou no hitokake yo
+	Sora no imashime tokihanatareshi kooreru kuroki utsuro no yaiba
+yo
+	Waga chikara waga mi to narite tomo ni horobi no michi o ayuman
+	Kamigami no tamashii sura mo uchikudak"
+	Sakura's voice grew in strength as she chanted, the words
+beginning to almost vibrate with the power forming between her hands.
+There was a short startled scream as Pandora obviously took note of
+what was happening but something told me that it was already too late.
+The darkness between the redhead's hands had taken shape already. I
+wasn't sure if you could declare the blade of pitch blackness solid
+though. It was livid, wavering, always changing shape, never really
+stopping in its chaotic motion. I stared in stunned disbelief at the
+phenomena, something familiar stirring inside of me at the sight. And
+there was that feeling again that Sakura was risking more with that
+spell than was obvious at first glance.
+	And then I saw it. I saw the subtle shaking, the tensed muscled,
+squared shoulders, I felt more than saw the pain of concentration in
+her face that the spell demanded from her. It was a wild thought, yet
+I knew even more so that it was true. While the spell probably wasn't
+lethal. Sakura, reincarnation or not, was not used to it. Her body was
+mot used to the demands the arcane magic obviously put on her body and
+spirit.
+	I jerked back in slight shock when Sakura's head snapped around
+to look at me and right now her eyes were more a taint of red than the
+prior gold. "Amelia, where is the connection that roots her to the
+physical plane?" she shouted desperately. Her teeth were clenched and
+the eyes were turning more into slits right now. One even totally
+inexperienced with magic would see the colossal effort it caused the
+young girl to maintain the spell.
+	I didn't really pay the name much attention, on a level already
+understanding that Sakura probably couldn't distinguish between past
+and present right now. The desperation in her voice quickly snapped me
+out of my shocked state and I looked over at the tangled mass of
+semi-solid darkness and the rebelling card sprites. I had not dared to
+look directly again ever since the first time but now I knew what I
+had to do. I let instincts complete control and SAW. Spotting what
+seemed to my eyes like a big ball of the infernal presence that was
+Pandora I was pretty sure that this was exactly what Sakura wanted.
+	"There!" I pointed at the spot and mentally willed it for Sakura
+to be visible. I was surprised myself when the spot flashed with a
+faint blue light around the edges and for a moment thought it was just
+by my imagination, but judged by Pandora's startled exclamation, it
+must have really been there.
+	Glancing back to my girlfriend, I saw all the remaining cards
+dancing in a circle around Sakura, supplying tiny beams of magic that
+were absorbed immediately by the morphing blade of blackness, now held
+high over the Card Mistress' head, her gaze fixed on the one spot I
+had pointed out. Then, with a force creating a sonic boom, she brought
+it down on the knot of darkness that anchored Pandora to this plane.
+	"RAGNA BLADE!"
+	Absolute silence fell over the area when the blade came crushing
+down. For a frightening long moment disbelief and shock pushed to the
+forefront when the magical sword seemed to stop just inches from
+cracking the so tiny seeming knot apart.
+	"You... won't beat me... so easily..." Pandora could be heard,
+gasping out in obvious strain.
+	Then Love and Silence pushed upwards with a wave of joined
+power, drawing a scream from Pandora. At the same time Sakura pushed
+forward with all her might, a murdering scream of her own spilling
+from her lips. There was another moment in which nothing seemed to
+happen, then slowly the black blade pushed through the knot and
+everything exploded into bright white, accompanied by a shrill shriek
+that could have sent a dragon running.
+******************************
+Blinking my eyes my senses gradually returned one by one. I had no
+idea how much time had went by or if even any time at all had passed.
+My mind began to catch up with my senses and I began to remember what
+happened. There was a giant explosion when Sakura severed Pandora's
+connection to the physical plane and after that I remembered nothing.
+At first I wasn't sure if the release of powerful magic hadn't damaged
+my sight somehow because all around me was nothing but white. It was a
+stark contrast to the vast blackness from before. For a brief moment I
+wondered if we might have all just died and this was heaven or
+something.
+	But, I felt too alive to be dead. And then I became aware of the
+soft glows to my left and turned to see the sprite forms of Love and
+Silence. I gave a sigh of relief, walking over to them, all the while
+looking around in the infinite light for some sign of Sakura. "Where
+are we?" I asked curiously.
+	"In a small zone where our mutual energy flows met. We are in
+the only existing focal point of the seal," Love explained.
+	"I had been drawn and corrupted here by the Feared One," Silence
+stated in an emotional voice. But as emotionless as it seemed, her
+companion was obviously able to detect something more in it, squeezing
+her hand gently in comfort. I guess she had been feeling rather guilty
+about the whole thing. For the first I got a really good look at
+Silence's appearance, untainted by the influence of Pandora. Her skin
+was probably an even lighter tone of albino white, framed by short
+dark hair and somewhat cold and distant purple eyes.
+	That just left one question and I couldn't get that awful
+feeling in my chest to disappear that I wouldn't like the answer.
+"Where is...?" I started, but before I could finish my gaze traveled
+down to the figure on the ground. At first I didn't recognize the
+disheveled shape with the messy reddish hair and slightly torn
+clothing. But then I got a good look at her now pale, unmoving face
+and an anguished outcry left my lips. "Sakura!"
+	With one step I crossed the distance and was already on my knees
+before the last syllable even left my mouth. Gently, afraid to break
+her delicate form upon contact, I reached out to touch her face,
+searching for some sign of life, any reaction at all. My emotions were
+in turmoil and I couldn't think straight at all as all sort of
+nonsense bubbled from my lips. I tried to feel for a pulse but in my
+frantic state wasn't able to find it, only heightening the panic
+welling up inside of me.
+	"Pandora fought back against Mistress' spell. She had to put all
+of her magic and that of the cards into it to succeed," Love said
+quietly.
+	"Lina-dono was not ready for that amount of magic in such a
+young and inexperienced body. It not only drained her magic but her
+life force as well," Silence added, sadness this time audibly without
+much restraint.
+	However, I didn't want to hear it. "No," I rasped out, tears
+brimming in my eyes. I didn't want to hear the sadness or their
+explanations, I didn't want to hear it because... "She can't be dead.
+I don't believe she's dead!" I screamed at them making both card
+sprites recoil slightly at the bitterness and anguish in my voice. The
+cold and numbness I experienced in Pandora's void was nothing compared
+to what my heart felt like right now. "She promised me! She promised
+me everything would be alright..." I said, my voice turning into a
+whisper, silent tears spilled from my eyes as the truth slowly worked
+its way through my denial. "She promised..."
+	"To-Tomoyo..." My head jerked up and I stared at the girl in my
+arms, tears clouding my vision. Had I just heard...? I didn't dare to
+believe, I didn't dare to hope that... Sakura's eyes fluttered open
+weakly, barely on the brink of consciousness.
+	I felt my heart make a giant leap that could have crossed the
+whole planet with that one jump. Putting her hand against my cheek I
+smiled happily. "I am here Sakura-chan."
+	"D-Did I... beat her...?" Sakura choked out. I had to strain to
+even hear the voice but that was okay. She was tired. That was
+understandable. Just a bit of sleep and everything would be fine. We
+could go home and that would be the end of the whole ordeal. Just as
+Sakura said. Everything was alright.
+	"Of course," I managed to reply, a sob disrupting what I had
+planned to be proud and reassuring. Why was I still crying. Sakura was
+alright, wasn't she? There was no need for the tears anymore. They
+would only bother Sakura and I didn't need her to worry now. She was
+supposed to be resting.
+	"Good..." Sakura breathed with relief, her eyes slowly yielding
+to fatigue. I felt her fingers caress my cheek and sighed contently at
+the familiar feeling. "I am sorry..." The words, followed by the
+violent cough ripped me right out of my self-induced denial. All at
+once I became aware of how cold Sakura's body was, I became aware of
+the beat of her heart having slowed to an alarming rate. I became
+aware that the faint connection between us began to weaken to a point
+where it would be severed at any moment. I became aware that Sakura
+really WAS dying.
+	"Sa-Sakura..." I whispered fearfully, not wanting to hear the
+truth, not wanting to accept the fact that my best friend, my
+girlfriend, my lover, my mate was so brutally taken away from me,
+beyond my control, beyond anything I could do. However, I was unable
+to resist the truth anymore and that truth was like a sharp icicle
+bored right into my heart, draining all my life force. It was only a
+question whether I'd go from the pain or from the coldness.
+	"Dawn is approaching," Love said quietly, tears of her own
+glistering in her spiritual eyes. "When the flow is not returned,
+everything that has been done, every sacrifice would be pointless."
+	Pointless. The word echoed in my mind, crushing my already
+mortally wounded heart even further. Not only would I lose Sakura but
+it would all be in vain. Pandora would break free, Sakura's efforts
+without any effect, her death meaningless... Something inside that
+dead place that was my heart stirred, a tiny spark, not nearly enough
+to break through the ice covering it, but it was growing, growing
+slowly.
+	"N-No..." I glanced back at Sakura at her words, so faint now
+they were almost like the wind whispering. She brought her other hand
+that was still clutching the star wand up slowly. "Tomoyo... you have
+to... finish it..." My eyes widened in shock, my hands moving more on
+autopilot than actually wanting to as I took the staff from Sakura's
+limb fingers. "The... the cards love you... You have the magic... You
+can do it... I... I trust you..." Her breathing was getting shallow
+and the next breath was taking so long I was afraid it was already her
+last, but from somewhere she mustered the strength and a detached part
+of me analyzed with some sort of morbid amusement that this was just
+like Sakura, stubborn until the end.
+	"I love you... I am sorry that I have failed you... so badly...
+But I could not... let you die... again..."
+	Was that the consequence? Was that the consequences of using
+Time? If so, then that wasn't fair. If Sakura died here, all that
+would have really changed would be the four years we spent together.
+She wouldn't have saved anyone because the seal would break anyway,
+the same horror repeating again that she had tried to correct. Maybe
+that hadn't been her initial wish but her initial wish was to make me
+happy and how would having her sacrificed devoid any sense and as a
+result the entire Earth lost - including me -  make me happy?!
+	It wasn't fair.
+	It was not fair!
+	I didn't really understand why I was more angry than sad. I
+should be crying, screaming, anything, but all that I could do was
+holding the soft gaze of my dying beloved. Gold eyes meeting blue, not
+letting go until the last moment. The spark had become a small flame
+and was growing in size. An unnatural calmness began to fill me and as
+I sat staring into those eyes that despite the change were still so
+much Sakura I slowly began to understand. I began to understand why I
+had insisted on joining Sakura in the first place, despite the danger,
+despite my usual good-natured common sense. It wasn't because of Love
+and feeding her our feelings, it wasn't because I could suddenly see
+spirits and help to point out Pandora's weakness, it wasn't even
+really to lend the support Sakura needed so much.
+	No, I had made my request because of this moment, because of
+this very moment. Not because I knew Sakura would die but because I
+knew Sakura would die if I wasn't here. Filia's revelations had
+frightened me, I hadn't allowed myself to think about them, I had not
+wanted to face some of the implications albeit sensing that they might
+not be all that bad. And I was pretty sure Sakura had had similar
+troubles. However, my mate had not hesitated when there was no other
+choice. She had not hesitated to risk losing her very self in the
+process if it ensured the safety of those she loved.
+	And now it was my turn. If there was anything powerful in me, if
+Filia's tale about the strength of my past life was even remotely
+true, then... then... Then there had to be SOMETHING I could do to
+help Sakura. The other girl had saved my life so often. If I had this
+power, couldn't I just once, just this ONE time save her life? Was it
+too much to be asking that one favor? Had she not done enough already
+to earn some damn gratitude?
+	I refused to believe that this was the ultimate consequence of
+her actions. I refused to acknowledge that Sakura would be taken from
+me after only four years spent together like this. I refused to
+believe that everything that she had done, everything she had
+sacrificed would in the end be MEANINGLESS.
+	I simply did not accept it...
+	I wanted to help her...
+	I would help her...
+	I was able to help her...
+	Because...
+	My vision blurred without warning and I felt myself being drawn
+into the golden eyes of my lover...
+******************************
+()
+The sky was a clear blue, a few soft white clouds strolled across the
+wonderful spring morning scenery, not doing much to obscure the warm -
+not hot - sun from illuminating the ground below. The various plants
+and flowers in the vast green field below seemed to actually stretch
+to take in as much of the sun's rays as possible.
+	Upon closer inspection one could see that the large field was
+not so much open space but a majestic garden, surrounding half of a
+grand palace. A figure sat in the middle of that vast garden, clad in
+white robes she appeared to be almost childlike and one not knowing
+could have mistaken her for one. But the blue eyes spoke of not only
+maturity but also a deep concentration. Short black hair fell slightly
+into her face as she kneeled by a single, lonely sprout of a tree. She
+had her hands placed over the pretty unhealthy looking sprout.
+	A second figure approached behind the girl and silently stood,
+watching as the first began to speak words of power. Not of force but
+of healing. Gentle, softly, the single syllables flowing like a
+beautiful ballad. The first girl's hand glowed a bright white but it
+immediately dimmed again after only a short time and the single green
+leaf that had spread from the efforts seemed to wither away. The girl
+let out a sigh and her shoulders dropped miserably.
+	The other girl smiled fondly, shaking her head in a mix of
+amusement and disappointed. Placing a hand on the dark-haired girl's
+shoulder she made her look up. "You still force it too much,
+Amelia-chan. Didn't they teach you patience at all?"
+	The last question was spoken with the hint of a teasing smile
+making the girl called Amelia pout. "Patience was never much of my
+greatest strengths. You know I trained in White Magic because it was
+expected of me as the Princess of Saillune. I don't think it ever was
+really my specialty." She reached up to touch the other girl's cheek,
+letting her hand linger in the soft purple hair falling slightly past
+the other girl's shoulder. "You've always been much better with this,
+Sylphiel-chan."
+	Sylphiel smiled sympathetically. "I know. But you want to be
+able to help if the situation should ever come up. You said so
+yourself. There might be a time when I am not available and you have
+an amazing talent, Amelia. You just have to learn how to use it
+properly."
+	Amelia nodded quietly, a look of determination entering her
+eyes, replacing the pout. "Thanks, with you guys supporting me like
+this I feel like I can do everything." With that she turned back to
+the withered tree sprout, once again concentrating solely on it,
+beginning to chant anew.
+	Sylphiel watched quietly, pride clearly visible in her eyes but
+also adoration for the other girl... no, almost young woman already
+that she held so dear. Her eyes closed for a moment and a happy sigh
+escaped her lips when a pair of arms encircled her waist from behind,
+drawing her against a third girl, slightly shorter than herself with
+distinctive orange-red hair and scarlet red eyes.
+	"How is she doing?" the redhead asked, nuzzling Sylphiel for a
+moment before moving her attention to Amelia who was lost in her
+spell, the white glow from her palms growing in intensity.
+	The purple-haired woman chuckled. "Amazingly well, considering
+we've only been training seriously for a few weeks. She doesn't
+realize it but she's learning this high level magic faster than I
+did." As if wanting to prove her words Amelia finished the spell and
+the magical light spread out from her hands in a steady flow, encasing
+the sickly looking sprout. Green leaves began to spread, the bark's
+color was returning to a more normal shade. All in all the sprout
+looked like it would grow into a very healthy tree one day.
+	Amelia released her held breath in a soft sigh and sank back to
+sit in the green grass. The redhead moved from Sylphiel, kneeling
+behind Amelia and pulled the pleasantly surprised girl into her lap.
+The taller woman sat next to them, resting her head on the redhead's
+shoulder and stroking softly through Amelia's dark hair. "That was
+very well done, Amelia. Just a bit more training and you can do it as
+good as I can."
+	Amelia shook her head in an adoringly cute display of
+stubbornness. "No way, I'll never be as good as you in White Magic or
+Lina in Black Magic."
+	The redhead, Lina, smiled lovingly. "Maybe, but you have more
+talent in all three magic categories than most normal humans, probably
+including us. I couldn't cast a healing spell like that in a hundred
+years and Sylphiel probably couldn't use attack magic to save her
+life." With a chuckle she added. "Except a Dragon Slave that is."
+	Sylphiel sent the redhead a mock glare at that but quickly
+joined in with her own soft laughter.
+******************************
+(Tomoyo/Amelia)
+And just like in the memory the words flowed from my lips.
+	"Seinaru iyashi no mite yo, hahanaru daichi no ibuki yo
+	Negawakuba waga mae ni yokoyawarishi kono mono o
+	Sono ooinaru jihi ni te sukui tamae"
+	Recalling all those lessons, the hours spend with a gentle and
+patient, much more experienced shrine maiden learning the ultimate
+form of healing. Not forceful like a Black Magic spell, not wild and
+somewhat chaotic like an elemental spell. No, slowly, with steady
+precision touching each damaged area, healing what was injured, curing
+what was sick. A process not hastened but patient with the faith set
+in mind that even if it seemed much too slow, the pace would be just
+right. Healing was like that. It needed precision, it needed to be
+flawless, or otherwise a tiny mistake in an unimportant area could
+cause all the effort to be in vain.
+	White magical energy flowed into my hands from all around us,
+the seal's power obviously an even stronger supply of life force than
+I had initially thought. There was so much, I actually had to damper
+the flow a little in order to not be overwhelmed. All my concentration
+was on the redhead, the one I HAD TO save. My mate, in this life as
+much as in my previous. My mind was detached and I wasn't quite sure
+who I was anymore since all my focus was on the other girl.
+	I could feel the magic reach its peak. I had already patched up
+everything physical, now it was time for the last touch, the crucial
+point, to return the life to Sakura/Lina... to breathe new life into
+her almost dead body.
+	"RESURRECTION!"
+******************************
+()
+Far away, back in Tokyo, close to Tomoeda actually, a young girl not
+older than Sakura and Tomoyo stopped in her mundane task of sweeping
+the yard of her family's shrine. Long purplish hair was blown back in
+a soft breeze when the young miko looked up into the sky with a look
+of puzzlement in her green eyes. For a moment there she had felt
+something oddly familiar.
+	After a moment, the girl shrugged and returned her work in
+patient acceptance.
+******************************
+(Sakura)
+An angel.
+	That was the first thing I thought when I opened my eyes. After
+all I was pretty sure I just died and the face hovering above me was
+truly angelic. The delicate, pale features so much like Tomoyo, those
+eyes so deep and full of compassion, blue as a deep ocean or vast sky.
+The hair was a little darker, somewhere between black and deep purple.
+The happy smile and the glow in the angel's face were heartwarming,
+filling me entirely with love, completing me with just that single
+action. Only one person ever managed that - not including past lives
+right now.
+	"Sakura-chan," the angel whispered and my heart skipped a beat
+at the melodic, oh so familiar voice I thought never to hear again.
+	I blinked in confusion, wondering what was going on.
+"Tomo-chan?"
+	Before I could actually react I was pulled upwards into a
+crushing hug that threatened to split bones upon contact. The embrace
+was without doubt Tomoyo's. Nowhere else I could feel so at home,
+nowhere else I wanted to belong. Once in Tomoyo's arms I never wanted
+to leave again. Yet, this embrace was fierce, screaming with a mixture
+of burning emotions. Relief, happiness, longing. I could hear the
+other girls' heart beating in synchrony with my own. Soft, steady
+beats. They were the most heavenly music I had heard in my life
+because they told me one thing. Tomoyo wasn't dead... and neither was
+I.
+	"Tomo-chan, what...?" I started but never managed to finish,
+finding much more pleasant things to occupy my mouth with. The other
+girl had brought her lips to mine in a kiss that was full of
+desperation, conveying all the fear and sadness of not to long ago but
+also all the happiness and relief coursing through her. It mingled
+with my own mirrored feelings and was returned with an equally strong
+favor. Our spirits seemed to join for that single timeless moment and
+I began to understand partly what had happened.
+	When the kiss ended, I pulled back and stared into Tomoyo's
+eyes. Seeing not only the unconditional love of the one person I would
+give... had given anything for, but also something else, someone else.
+Dormant, not really awakened as the soul inside of me when Time
+released my past life's memories. "You saved me," I said softly,
+tracing the other girl's face with one finger, mesmerizing the few
+subtle changes. She was still mostly Tomoyo but there was a bit of
+Amelia there too. Before I had made that step, I would have been a
+little scared of the change that could mean for us. However, now with
+the full recollection of my past life, I realized how foolish that
+fear was. For us, there never had been any danger of losing something
+important. On the contrary there was actually more to gain.
+	"I had to," Tomoyo said simply but her eyes were still moist
+with unshed tears of happiness. I reached up to gently brush them away
+with one of my sleeves and smiled with unrestrained pride.
+	We could have stood there for ages, neither caring about the
+world around us. Unfortunately where was still one thing to attend to,
+as Love chose to remind us - of the matter and her presence that is.
+"Dawn is almost upon us."
+	I didn't cast my eyes away from Tomoyo. An understanding passed
+between us that went far beyond simple words. It was an understanding
+born from the ordeal we had just experienced and survived. With a
+simple mental command the forgotten star wand floated into my
+outstretched hand. I stepped back slightly and held it out between us,
+waiting. Tomoyo nodded and wordlessly clasped her own hands around the
+staff. There wasn't even a hint of hesitation. Both of us knew exactly
+what to do.
+	I closed my eyes, seeing more with my heart than I needed with
+my eyes, letting the power flow. I had understood that power at my
+disposal when facing Pandora with my full memories. The still
+untouched source I had never really given much thought. Up to now the
+wand had merely been a focus for using the cards, empowering them with
+my own magic. Never had I truly used the Star Magic on its own. Yet,
+stars were the essence of life. They gave birth to life, nurtured
+life, sustained life. They were the first children of creation and in
+them slumbered an almost unlimited power.
+	And the seal, Love and Silence were nothing more and nothing
+less than energy released by those who wielded the power of the stars,
+protecting life with their strength.
+	"Key that holds the power of the stars
+	Infinite source of light, brilliantly shining in the darkest
+night"
+	The chant, spoken from both us was done without preparation, yet
+with the conviction of certain success. The staff between our hands
+flared, warming to the touch, almost too hot to touch but never
+burning in the slightest. I could feel its form expanding. I could
+feel Love and Silence hovering just above us. Magic began to swirl in
+a beautiful dance all around us.
+	"Release the slumbering power of creation
+	Bless these lost souls and return them to their true path"
+	The dance began to quicken, turning into a maelstrom of power, a
+storm of creation that where it touched every life lost was restored,
+where it touched new life was born. In a small area around the coast
+lines of Japan entirely new life was born in what would later surely
+be titled as miracles. I wasn't really aware of this. My mind was
+focused on the task at hand.
+	Slowly I reached out, feeling Tomoyo join me in the effort. In a
+way it was much like a healing spell and I realized with quiet
+fascination that while my past life had not been able to do much in
+this area, Kinomoto Sakura was definitely a different story. The flux
+of magic finally reached its peak and with a final shout of power, it
+was released to its designed task.
+	"RESTORATION!"
+	The eruption of magic was not powerful. Instead it was more or
+less anti-climatic aside from the sheer potent energy concentrated
+into the spell. I opened my eyes, watching with rapt attention as a
+beam of purest magical energy shot upwards engulfing Love and Silence.
+For a moment nothing seemed to happen, then there were tiny ripples
+from the spots where the card sprites had been swallowed. Golden and
+purple light created tiny shockwaves and in the middle of them were
+the cards, glowing brightly in the display of power.
+	I could feel it now, the flow of their nature changing. The
+difference that separated them from how the rest of the cards were
+designed became pretty much undetectable. And in a last, spectacular
+display at the magic at work, a steady stream of their respective
+elements shot to either side, vanishing in the formless white.
+	*Thank you,* their voices could briefly be heard, then another
+bright flare made us avert our eyes and when we looked again, the two
+cards floated down, changed into the star design of my own.
+******************************
+<Several hours later>
+The sun was just barely above surface level when our yacht was making
+its way back to the Japanese coast. The isle in the distance was only
+a mere rock formation, not worthy of the terminology land anymore. The
+violent storm of darkness that Pandora had created with Silence's
+unwilling help had pretty much ripped it apart and only the mountain
+remained partly and a few pieces of land from the surrounding isles,
+floating above the waves unattached.
+	A gentle breeze caught my unbound, longer hair. Something I
+would definitely need to get used to. Sure, I could cut it or
+something but I didn't really like it. The physical change was a
+reminder, a symbol of the change inside me. Trying to describe it in
+words was hard. While I was still Sakura on most levels, I had all of
+Lina Inverse's memories, including those of her personality. That
+didn't necessarily mean a part of me HAD TO be her... but it COULD be.
+As I said, it was rather strange and my mind was just beginning to
+catch up with all that had happened in the last few hours. It was too
+much to comprehend all at once.
+	I glanced down at the two cards in my hands which I wasn't
+really sure what to make of. The seal was restored, the flow returned
+to its original strength... and the spirits that had been mirror
+images of the ancient warriors had vanished back into their own
+element. But our joined magic seemed to have done more than just
+release the bound energy, it seemed to have... created something new.
+The same element, yet with new, unbound energy. The meaning of this
+still left me rather speechless. I had pretty much made my own cards.
+Not changed already existing Clow Cards into Sakura Cards, but CREATED
+the latter.
+	With a slight shake of my head I willed the two cards away,
+leaning back into the body embracing me from behind. "What are you
+thinking about?" Tomoyo asked softly, her voice showing her own
+tiredness. She was a much different story. Where had not been much of
+a change at all. Physically some facial features had changed and her
+hair was a little darker, fading into black in some areas. She didn't
+have a full recollection of her past life like me. Just glimpses.
+	I sighed, glancing out at the rather still water considering the
+rough vortex that had raged not too long ago. I really didn't want to
+go into this right now, having experienced too much and having been
+entirely too close to death just a short while ago. It was too early
+after the events that should leave me feel joyous and happy at our
+success. Yet, I couldn't be happy. "Don't laugh at me. But I think it
+was too easy." Silence, Tomoyo tightened her grip slight, but didn't
+say anything. "I feel this was just the beginning. All we did was sent
+her back to her prison. While the seal is restored, Pandora has
+already pushed very far to the surface. There is no guarantee that she
+won't find some other way. And that sooner than we might like."
+Especially since I was pretty sure she realized who were and there was
+no telling what she might come up with.
+	For a time the only sounds were that of the ocean, the tiny
+waves against the ship, and the vibrating buzz of the yacht's engine.
+"Yes. Somehow I knew you would say that." Tomoyo slipped next to me,
+an arm went instinctively around her waist. "A lot of things changed
+in the last hours. Permanent changes. That is only natural though.
+Everything changes, that is life."
+	"Does that trouble you." There were so many things implied in
+the question. Mainly about our past and our relationship back then.
+There was Sylphiel who I was pretty sure had been reborn as well. The
+bond between the three of us had been strong, I knew that. But Tomoyo
+hadn't really regained all of her memories as Amelia. Most of them
+were flashes, glimpses of the life we led back then. A part of me was
+relieved, a part of me a little saddened by that. I had no idea how
+she'd take the impact our past lives would eventually have on those we
+lived now.
+	And then there was Filia who was a totally different case I
+didn't want to go into right now or anytime soon. I was glad that the
+dragon priestess had offered to give Syaoran a ride back home since
+his own ship was lost in the storm. I was glad because just the short
+time we spent together after returning from the seal stirred memories
+and feelings inside of me that affected me emotionally to a degree
+where I am sure Tomoyo had noticed. I really was not ready to think
+about Filia right now, no definitely not.
+	Tomoyo had looked at me for awhile with a hard to read
+expression but now she leaned forward to put her head on my shoulder.
+Instinctively I pulled her closer, enjoying the feeling of her body
+against mine. Not in a physical sense, more in a way of completeness.
+"Not really. Not anymore. I know now, that whatever happens, we will
+be together."
+	I felt compelled to say something in return but instead I turned
+to draw her firmer against me, both arms coming around her body.
+"Always," I said with absolute conviction, glad and proud at the same
+time of the level of understanding and comprehension Tomoyo showed.
+	It was much like Tomoyo said though. Change was a constant
+companion in life. Life was chaotic. People who couldn't deal with
+change, with unpredictable situations would stagnate and miss most of
+the beauty that was life. We both had to accept this in the last
+hours. We would deal with what would come, one way or another.
+	A yawn made me look down at Tomoyo, comfortably snuggled in my
+arms, her head resting just a bit under my chin, letting me inhale the
+soft fragrance that amazingly had been rather untouched by the events.
+I couldn't help a soft chuckle. "I think we should get some sleep. We
+definitely earned it." Truth be told I felt ready to pop right here
+and there, not waking up for the next year or so. Whatever had us
+going for so long, had finally subsided and exhaustion began to catch
+up.
+	Tomoyo nodded, very reluctantly stepping away from me, just to
+reach for my hand. I grinned and let myself be dragged below deck to
+our cabin. Thinking could come tomorrow or next week or whenever I
+felt like it. Right now I felt much too spent to even begin to assess
+the changes in our lives experienced over the last twelve hours or so.
+What counted was that I was still here, everyone was still here,
+Tomoyo was still here. We were all alive and everything had indeed
+turned out to be alright.
+******************************
+(Filia)
+I watched the boat slowly disappear from human sight and eventually
+from that of a dragon as well. Time was rather insignificant right
+now. It would be awhile until I had to go drop the boy off in China
+and after that... well, I wasn't sure. The shrine was gone too which
+left me a little sad with the though of my solitary home for a very
+long time not being there anymore.
+	That's the price for success, I suppose. The seal was restored,
+just as I had been told. And Earth, along with the rest of the
+universe, had earned itself a little breathing space.
+	"It won't be long now, will it?"
+	I didn't turn at the sudden appearance of a very familiar, in
+the old times often pretty annoying voice. Truth be told, I had
+expected him to show up a little earlier. "A couple of years, I would
+believe. It'll take her awhile to seek another opportunity."
+	The man stepped up next to me, his trademark smile in place,
+even though I could tell that for once he wasn't really amused and his
+voice showed his seriousness. "The other parties are coming along
+nicely. Everything will be in place when the time comes."
+	Sighing I turned away from the spot where I had watched the
+group leave in their ship, with them Lina who was now awakened. That
+didn't change a thing though and I knew it. Made it not much easier to
+accept though. "I hate playing the conductor for a war that could be
+avoided. We could spare them all this just by ensuring she doesn't get
+to them. What would be so bad about it?"
+	I regretted the question right away because I knew what was
+coming judged by the gleam in the purple-haired priest's eye. "Ah,
+dear Filia, that is a secret." The grin quickly turned into a stoic
+expression though. "One that I neither know the answer to or am
+especially fond of finding it out. You know as much as I that this is
+our path. We have our instructions and I for one will follow them to
+the letter."
+	"I hate it when you are right, Xelloss," I grumbled.
+	Xelloss chuckled lightly and then, without much fanfare,
+vanished, leaving me once again alone with my thoughts.
+	A couple of years, indeed. Then, THEN the REAL battle would
+begin. And it would be an epical one.
+	"Use that time well," I said quietly to the wind, then turned
+and walked back towards the small camp on the rocky surface of the
+torn mountain top.
+THE END (for now)
+Author's Notes
+That muse makes me nuts. I had no intention of making that chapter
+almost as huge as all three installments before put together. I really
+didn't want to...
+Okay, okay, I'll stop whining.
+This really turned out rather different from what I had initially
+planned but in the end I am more or less satisfied with it. I had to
+rewrite the last scenes at least once but now I think the story is
+presentable. An apology here for the long-winded explanation in some
+parts while some things pretty much faded into the background. I
+realize that I haven't brought much attention to any of the other
+characters except Sakura and Tomoyo and to a degree Filia. This story
+was done from their perspective and there really was not much space to
+include them further, nor was it intended in the first place.
+I realize this part has experienced an even greater touch of the
+crossover it is eventually leading to than I had planned for. That
+couldn't be done any other way though, I realized halfway through
+writing. This stretched the length of this part enormously but I also
+managed to cover much more and still not neglect thoughts and emotions
+in the process of action and past life revelations.
+There are still a few things that are left unclear which is good,
+since I didn't really want to reveal too much yet. You must keep in
+mind that this was just a collection of pre-stories. A work an author
+might do AFTER writing a greater series, to explain some of the
+background. So, I more or less did it the other way round, at least
+for the CCS part. :)
+Mixing the three main elements in this part had been a lot of fun and
+I think I managed to do a lot of setup for the actual main story. For
+those who interest those things. I decided to use the actual Romanji
+incantation of the spells I took from Slayers. There have just been
+too many conflicting translations that I didn't want to get into the
+predicament again to choose one of them. Those of you interested
+should easily be able to find English translations on Slayers Universe
+(www.inverse.org) or QP's page
+(http://homepage3.nifty.com/QPHOUSE/slayers_e.html) from which I have
+the Romanji incantations.
+For the names I decided to go with those I am most familiar with. Just
+like the spells there are so many different spellings, so I went with
+those that I know from my own DVDs.
+This marks the end of what I unofficially titled the "Forbidden Cards"
+series on MSD. Next will be the BSSM intro that will directly lead up
+to the main story, probably will be part of the main story already.
+Maia really, REALLY got a hang of this and I am not sure when she gets
+down from it, so... This will probably be my main focus for now.
+That's it so far. I thank all of you for your kind comments along the
+way. When I started this series at the beginning of the month it
+hadn't been planned to take up so much time... Heck, it was a single,
+shorter story to begin with, but I enjoyed my first experiences in
+writing CCS.
+I hope I'll see you soon and that you continue to provide me with
+feedback.
+Ja ne, yours
+Matthias
+Note for Moonlit Nights readers (31/01/2004)
+Since I had not visited the site for awhile I have just recently
+discovered that this part has not been posted because of a
+misunderstanding, confusing this part with the following project to
+which this story was a sort of prequel. Provided you read this note,
+this misunderstanding has been cleared. However, the following project
+called "Soul Lights" will not be distrubated on Moonlit Nights because
+that would go against their "pairings policy" :) which I can very well
+understand since I wouldn't go and let people post other stuff on our
+Minaru group as well. As such, "Soul Lights" is a running project that
+you can already (and for now only) find at the SA board
+(http://www.shoujoai.com/forum/topic_show.pl?tid=20701) or on my SiL
+group (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/starsinlove).

Mercurial > moonlitnights

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