The End? Ch- 7 The Decision Part 2
-Me: When these 4 solid lines come, short users start reading.-
"Your'e mom?" said Li. As limited his visits to the outside world and the Avalon residence were, he knew that Sakura's mom was, well, dead. "Are you sure of that?"
"Uh-huh." said Sakura, nodding her head furiously. "Her picture is on the counter in the kitchen, I've seen it everyday since I was 3. I've seen it so much that she comes to me as a ghost!" Sakura looked at Li. Underneath her brave look, Li could see the tears that were starting to well up in her eyes. He thought for a moment. True, he hadn't seen his father in ages, but did that compare? He looked at Sakura again and took a breath.
"I'm sorry for whatever I said. Let's just watch, okay?" He turned back to the field where the lady still stood, his heart beating quickly. That was the longest conversation he'd had with Sakura out of, practically none. How was he ever going to lead a normal life?
Back on the field, the lady put up both her hands, similar to when Sakura opens her wand. In her hands materialized a crown with a dainty purple jewel right in the middle. She put it on. As she looked up, Li gazed in awe at her beauty. Her face was like Sakura's, only paler, and her hair was like Madison's, only wilder. No wonder Sakura was so pretty. It was in the family. Sakura looked on at her mother. She was even prettier than Sakura had thought. 'My father and her made such a cute couple. Sorta like... Li and I'
The lady reached out for the crystal. As she closed her hand, she closed her eyes and concentrated hard. It was the sign of a strong magician, one who could perform magic without an object. Suddenly a light shone from her fist. She opened it, and in her hand was a mallet and a gong. Raising it high, she struck it. When the noise faded away, she said,
"Let the judgment begin."
Li and Sakura stepped back together.
"Another Judgment?" they said together. They looked at each other in despair. Unknown to them, the Judge in the front was talking to Madison and looking at them very intently. She then straightened up and out of nowhere, produced a wooden stick with the same stripe pattern of the staff. She called out to the two and said, "Catch this!"
Li and Sakura looked up to see the wooden stick flying at them. As one, they both ran there and grabbed it-Li on the top and Sakura at the bottom. Embarrassed, Li tried to pull his hand back. It didn't work. His hand was stuck! He put his other hand on the stick and tried to pull his hand off. But now both his hands were stuck to the stick.
"Sakura! My hands are stuck to the stick!" Sakura said, "Oh?" and put her hand on top of Li's to pry it off. *Li sweatdrops*
"Smart Sakura! Now both of our hands are stuc-" he was cut off by the lady banging her gong again.
"Silence in the court! The Court will now rise to present itself."
She nodded to Tori, who stood up and said "I am the Justice of the Spoken Truth."
He sat down and Julian stood up. "I am the Justice of the Awakening."
He then sat down and Madison stood up. "I am the Justice of the Written Truth."
She sat down and Ms. McKenzie stood up. "I am the Justice of the Saving. She sat down again and the Judge spoke up.
"I am the Judge of the Reed Court. Present yourselves." Sakura and Li stood up together sort of awkwardly, since both of their hands were stuck to the rod.
"I am Showron Li, of the clan of Li," said Li; using the introduction that Wei had taught him. "Say it like I did." He whispered to Sakura.
"Mmm?" she said.
"I am Avalon Sakura, of the clan of-" she was cut off -Li: from embarrassment. Why did you say clan if you didn't know yours?- by the Judge gasping.
"NO! I am to pass judgment on my child! Is it allowed? And I have insight that she isn't even finished with her main quest! What is the standing of things?" she looked in the direction of Tori. He closed his eyes, and then opened them. Li was shocked. Tori knew magic? Without an object?
"True, the judgment is naturally passed upon the completion of one’s main quest. And also, true, you cannot pass judgment on one of your children. But there are now exceptions. Clow Reed has declared rules that are applicable to this occasion. First, the joining of the Clow Cards and his future descendants can change everything, so the judgment must be passed before the two have merged. Secondly, the child is joined so closely by another it is not considered your child, but a merger yet to be sealed. This is all in the book of rules the Justice of the Written Truth has in her possession. If Your Honor commands it, she can read from the book." Tori finished and sat down.
The Judge said, "Fine. Court is now in session." But Sakura had had enough.
"What are you judging? What did you do to my friends? And what was Tori talking about?" The Judge looked at her and laughed.
"This is going to be an interesting session. Sit down Sakura. All will be explained."
She raised her hand and the tree trunk turned into an elevated platform. She sat down. Turning to Madison, she said, "Begin." Then, turning back, she said to Sakura and Li, "The Decision case 1 will now be executed. This Court of Reed is judging Showron Li and Avalon Sakura, Leader of the Li clan and Cardmisteress. We will begin with an introduction to the case. Justice of the Spoken Truth?"
Tori stood up. "In the ancient days, the spirits of the future Clow Cards ran free, wreaking havoc on the World. The great magician Clow Reed imprisoned them in Clow Cards, and put them in a book and brandished a special seal on them to keep them from escaping. Clow Reed, being such a strong magician, felt no weakness when the cards were drawing power from him, but he knew in future generations that that would not be the case. So he devised this Court. When the judged have completed their main quest, the court will give them a decision. Either they can carry the burden of the Cards for this life and beyond until the next Cardcaptors arrive, or they can surrender the cards to us, and the Judge will hold them for the next Cardcaptor. The choice is the two of yours. Since the Cardmisteress has not completed her quest, the cards go back to their rightful owners for the duration of the trial. The ending is up to you."
When he finished speaking, all the cards that Li had originally captured flew out of Sakura and went to Li. He looked at them strangely. In the beginning, all he wanted was the Clow Cards. But now it didn't seem to matter now whether he had any or not. He raised his head to say he would keep the cards, but when he tried to say it, the words wouldn't come out.
The Judge looked at him. "You will not be able to choose until she has made her decision."
Li looked at Sakura. She was staring at the cards in front of her with a strange look in her eyes. What was taking her so long? All she had to say was I'll keep them. What if she didn't want to keep them? He would have to go back to Hong Kong and tell his clan that the cards were gone. Sakura looked at the cards in front of her. What was wrong with her? All she had to say was I'll keep them. But why couldn't she. Something inside of her was pulling her back...
*FLASHBACK*
"You're the Cardcaptor. You have to catch all the cards. Otherwise they'll destroy the world."
"But I can't!"
"You have to."
"I can't be a Cardcaptor. I'm too young for this!"
"You have no choice. You're the chosen one."
-swirly-
"You're hopeless at this. Do you even know what to do?"
"No."
-swirly-
"You're no Cardcaptor!"
-swirly-
"Everyone will forget this chapter in their lives. Forever."
"Julian?"
*End of flashback*
"Decide Sakura," said the Judge.
"Come on Sakura!"
'You're no Cardcaptor.'
"Will you keep the cards?"
'I can't be a Cardcaptor. I'm too young for this!'
"It's a simple decision."
'You have no choice. You're the chosen one.'
"Sakura! Say you'll keep the cards!"
'But I can't!'
"Sakura. Make your decision."
'You're hopeless at this. Do you even know what to do?'
"Sakura! Believe in yourself and you will find your answer."
'No.'
"Sakura. Please!"
'Everyone will forget this chapter in their lives. Forever.'
"STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Sakura blinked out of her half dream state. She was sobbing uncontrollably. All those bad memories! Why couldn't she think of any of the good ones? And who had shouted and brought her out of her nightmare? She looked around. There was a weird Tori, weird Julian, her mom, weird Madison and, Ms. McKenzie? Instead of the weird lady that had stood next to Madison, Sakura's regular math teacher stood there, holding up a single red gem.
"Ms. McKenzie?" said Sakura, squinting. "What are you doing here out of costume? You didn't- you didn't know this was going to happen, did you? Wait. No. You did know. Right?"
Ms. McKenzie looked at Li intently with searching eyes. She then turned and looked at them both.
"I owe you both an explanation."
"I'll say." muttered Li.
"I have around for much longer than you think. Through the years I have been here, guiding many. I found Clow Reed many years ago. He knew right away I was more than what I seemed. And I too, knew that he had a great destiny ahead of him. He knew more about me than I thought he did. He knew that I would be here through the ages, and he requested my help. He requested that I carry the Clear Bell-and this." She held towards them the jewel that she had been holding up. "The Clear Bell, as you already know, was to give Sakura another chance at the Final Judgment, against Yue. But this is for this Judgment. It is the Jewel of Nameless Choice. Sakura, if you want, you can postpone the decision until you feel ready. It will be a while, but if you cannot make the decision now, this is for you. But there is a precautionary warning. Going against the Clow Book, which is the most powerful thing of magic in the world, and making something that would go against the rule that one can only take the Final Judgment once used up much of Clow Reed's power. So I have no idea of where he got the power to make this. It might be good, or it might be evil. But do not be afraid. Follow your heart. I have told this to Li, while you were battling Yue: There are no coincidences. Whatever happens happens for a reason. So, do you want to use your decision now or take the jewel?" Sakura looked at the jewel. She could postpone the decision, she looked up.
"But then the magic will keep on hurting Eli and Li, won't it?"
Ms. McKenzie smiled. "No, it won't. There is something that will prevent it. It has grown now. Li and Eli will be protected by something beyond magic, something that will show itself in its true form very soon. You already know this something, but you will never be able to make the connection until later."
Sakura didn't even think. "I'll take the jewel." she said.
Ms. McKenzie turned to the judge and handed her the jewel, talking so Sakura and Li couldn't hear.
"Sister, the joining of the jewel and staff can only be preformed by you. Go on."
The Judge took the jewel and said back softly, "I'm sorry I tried to change fate. But I had to try to save my daughter from the jewel. Will she be in for the same fate as me?" Ms. McKenzie looked at her sister, disbelief sketched all over her face.
"Is that why you were acting so harshly to get her to decide? No, of course she won't be in for the same fate as you. The Meilin girl does have magical powers, although she doesn't know it. She has insights, and she knows that if she marries Li, something terrible will happen. But her mind has told her, instead, that Li loves another. This is true also. Your daughter has powers beyond what the mind can comprehend, but she will not be able to realize that for a while. The young boy who joined with your husband is none other than the reincarnation of Clow Reed. He will split his powers soon, so you will be able to rejoin with your lover. And your daughter will-"
"No, I don't want to know. It's strange. I have tried, all these years, to wipe my mind; just like was written in the texts. But now- now I can't. Not after I- I hurt my daughter, I came back to her! She was sick, and I came back. You wouldn't know the feeling inside me when she smiled at me... but that's lost now. She'll never trust me again. If I knew what's in her future, I would automatically help her, and then I'd feel like she was never given a chance to create her own destiny. Promise me this one thing- that you will never try to help her with her future. Don't let her know. I was told, and now I regret it. I knew that I would be chosen, and look at the turmoil I went through, knowing that in a few years I would leave Aiden, Tori, and Sakura, and that Sakura would never have someone to call mom." The Judge sniffled softly, a single tear falling down her cheek. "But now I will join the staff and jewel, to give her a chance to live."
As they were talking, Li continued to look at the cards in front of him. Suddenly a thought struck him. Taking these additional cards from Sakura must drain her of her magic. Besides, he didn't even want the cards anymore.
"Go away!" he shouted into the night air. The Judge and Ms. McKenzie looked up as the cards, one by one released themselves. But instead of running away, they all approached Li. The Time went and placed a hand on Li's head.
"You made a wise decision, master." Li could hear a voice echoing in his head. The Time? "Had you kept the cards much longer, the Mistress would have been lost forever. It was hard for you, and the Elders will not believe it, but you have a strong heart. Follow it. Your heart will lead you to your destiny. Now we must go. Anytime you need one of us, call upon us with this." Time handed Li a small card with a Clow symbol on it. "This is an ancient magic, given only to those who are ready to give unselfishly to others what is rightly theirs. Sakura already communicates with her cards, in her dreams. You will know the incantation at the correct time only. The magic will not work whenever you want it, only when you need it. Keep this carefully, as one day you will need it. Farewell Showron Li. You will always be our first master, in our hearts." The Time took his hand off Li and motioning to the others, flew off to Sakura and transformed back into Clow cards. Li looked at them, then at the card, which was floating in the air before him. Using a spell, he folded it and put it in his pocket. He would take it out later.
The Judge spoke up. "Would the two of the Clow come forward?" Li felt his body being seized up and brought to the Judge. She looked him, then at Sakura. She made a motioning gesture with her finger, and the star key flew off of Sakura's neck. She didn't even look up. How could her own mother do this to her? She must not care about me. She breathed in, quivering slightly. How could she care about me? I was only 3. She pushed it to the back of her head and looked at the judge. She smiled at Sakura then took the now-transformed Star Staff and the jewel in her hand. Raising it high above her head, she said,
"Star Staff! Your power belongs to me,
Staff that controls the land and sea,
Evil and good, day and the night,
Join with the jewel with all your might!
UNITE!"
Before them the jewel and the staff joined together. The space between the Star and the staff lengthened, and the new jewel flew there, and then fastened itself. The judge lowered the staff, and shrunk it, handing the key to Sakura. As soon as she handed the Staff to Sakura, a wind picked up. The Judge's clothes and hair began to change. The crown and elaborate robes disappeared, getting replaced with wild hair and a simple green dress. The Judge blinked, and the eerie purple eyes were replaced with regular ones. She stepped down towards Li. She looked at him, and then raised her hand. Li could feel his hands loosen. Letting go, the stick clattered down them disappeared. The Judge looked down then knelt, so she was almost eye level with Li.
"I don't believe we've been properly introduced? I am Nadeshiko Avalon, Sakura's mother." Li blinked with surprise. The voice he heard was not the harsh voice of the Judge, but a kind, gentle voice. "And you look like a suitable, kind boy. I am sorry if my little Tori doesn't like you. Take care of my precious cherry blossom, won't you?" Li blinked, feeling a blush rise up. How would this lady know? Nadeshiko laughed and smiled, pinching Li's cheek. Then her face changed into a sad one, and she walked over to Sakura. Sakura saw her coming, and moved slightly so she couldn't see. What did she want? Nadeshiko stood right next to Sakura, then in one fluid motion, created a chair, sat down, and lifted Sakura into her lap. Looking down at the pretty emerald- eyed girl that now sat bewildered in her lap, she could hardly believe this was the little baby she had last seen before being claimed by the Jewel of Choice. The little baby that had clung to her hand saying 'Okaa-san?'. Her eyes were full of tears. The little girl that now didn't know why her mother had treated her so harshly, when she should have been glad to see her.
Looking at Sakura, she said, "I love you, my little Sakura." Sakura looked at her mom. What? Was she kidding? But one look told her everything. No. Her mother did love her.
"I'm sorry I acted so harshly. And I'm even sorrier I can't tell you why I acted so harshly. But just know that I do love you, and I always will." Nadeshiko looked at Sakura. She had done her job. It was not up to her whether or not to accept her mother. Sakura looked at her mother, then smiled and buried her face in her dress. It was okay. Her mother loved her, and the world could end then and there for all she cared.
Suddenly Nadeshiko stood up, carrying Sakura. "I'm sorry, but I have to leave now. I'll come back very soon, don't worry." Sakura didn't worry. She knew some way or another she could see her mother again. Nadeshiko placed Sakura down very softly and stood on the tree trunk. She spread her arms out and closed her eyes. A sprinkle of shimmering dust fell. Then, a huge cloud of it fell on top of her, creating a whirlwind that slowly carried Nadeshiko upwards, while she was slowly spinning. Ms. McKenzie looked at her younger sister and smiled. It wasn't hard to see why Adien had fallen in love with her. She was beautiful, with her hair flying around her body. Aiden was a good man.
As Nadeshiko started to started to float upwards and disappear, Sakura called out softly, "I love you too, mom."
To Be Continued...