Chapter 1: Chapitre I
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:11:06 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Arcademan and related characters are trademarks of Arcademan Universe
Unlimited (c)1988,1989,2003 by Brian Chapel.
Cardcaptor Sakura and related characters are trademarks of CLAMP (c)
1997,2003. Used without permission or for profit.
The following story may contain elements and description of scenes of
a suggestive nature and may also contain foul language.
Prologue...
A warm summer's night, 2003...in the desert southwest regions of
Arizona in what is known as the Arcademan Universe:
Arcademan continues to fight his way through a wave of beings made
entirely of darkness...void of human emotions and a single desire to
destroy anything and everything in their pathway. In the background,
a lone figure stands by and witnesses the entire ordeal...for he's
the one to unleash them on the unsuspecting world. His name is
Destrux and he is a supreme Being of Darkness.
"Damn! Destrux is doing his best to wear me down. Problem is...it's
working." Arcademan mused thinking even though he may be successful
in defeating the shadow creatures, he'll be too weak to oppose the
archmage and possibly be destroyed.
"Hope my 'friend' got my message or my ass is history." as bolts of
energy surround Arcademan's fist as it smashes through three more
shadows. In the background, he hears the laughter of Destrux.
"Well...my old friend. It comes down to this moment. The rest of your
heroes are off planet on an adventure against more of my minions,
leaving this pitiful excuse of a planet ripe for picking. However, my
master Lord Pyrogod believes the key to taking over the entire
universe lies within this planet. Once you fall, the Earth is mine!"
"Now I wouldn't exactly say that, Destrux!" As the archmage turned
around, he noticed a figure floating above him...dressed in
pink...wings and glowing with electricity. It was the pixie
Parrillusia.
"So...you've come down from your lofty perch from the plane of Higher
Existance, you pixie bitch!" yelled Destrux. "What business of this
is yours to meddle in the mortal plane?"
"If you must know, Arcademan and I are forever linked. Our
relationship goes beyond friendship. Then again, what would a being
like yourself know of the concept of friendship?" mocked Parrillusia,
enraging the villain.
"OK, pixie. Have it your way...two against my dark legion. I will
still prevail!" as Destrux started laughing loudly, never realizing
that his laugh would echo across the dimensional rift to still
another Earth...specifically Tomoeda, Japan.
Nightime...Tomoeda, Japan.
The biggest worry for Sakura Kinomoto the last few days was what to
expect on her first day back to school as she enters the ninth grade.
It was a little more than five years ago when she accidentally
discovered the Book of Clow in the basement library of her father's
and unleashed the magicks that resides within the book. She accepted
her new position as Cardcaptor and captured all 52 elemental cards
with help from her life long friend Tomoyo Daidouji and Syaoran Li, a
desendant of the magician who created the cards Clow Reed. She
claimed all the cards her own once judgment was passed and converted
them all to Sakura Cards. Additional cards were created after that
ordeal and she professed her love to Syaoran Li, who lives in Hong
Kong and visits occasionally.
The last couple of years have been trouble free for the young lady
and has been for the most part has been living a normal life...a
shame that all of it will about to change for the mistress of the
magical cards.
End Prologue...
As Sakura slept what amounted to be a peaceful sleep, she began to
dream about how the first day of school was going to turn out. Her
best friend Tomoyo as well as most of her classmates of grades past
would be there as they make the transistion from elementary school to
high school. She also was having a sweet dream about her boyfriend
Syaoran as he was set to visit the following weekend from his home in
Hong Kong.
Suddenly the images within her dreams went jet black...followed by an
evil laughter, which seemed to echoed throughout the void of
darkness. A cold chill went up Sakura's spine as she continued to
walk through the darkness. After what seemed to be an eternity, she
approaches a light. Upon seeing this, Sakura looked through the light
and saw a horrifying sight...an armored being coursing with dark
energy and on the ground slumped over, two figures almost as still as
death. Again, Sakura began to shiver, this time more violently as
Destrux turned toward the lovely young cardcaptor.
"You came just in time, Sakura Kinomoto to witness the utter
destruction of Arcademan and Parrillusia. Once I'm done with
them...you'll be next!!!" and Destrux starting with his chillful
laugh once again.
Arcademan weakly pulled his head up and looked deeply into Sakura's
eyes...
"You're our world's last hope...please...we need your help..."
Those were the last words he would speak as the archmage summonned
large amounts of dark force energy. With a gesture, he aimed it at
the fallen heroes. A blinding flash of light was followed by a loud
explosion...
And Sakura Kinomoto wakes up with a loud scream...pools of sweat all
over her. She continued to shake, unable to control herself from the
horriffic dream she just had.
Chapter 2: Chapitre II
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:13:00 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Sakura's sudden scream wakes Kero from his blissful sleep. He looks
over to her.
"Told you not to eat too much cake...it always gives you nightmares,
kiddo..." But as Kero flew over to the bed, he knew something was
terribly wrong as Sakura continued to shake as though she was scared
out of her mind.
"Sakura!!! What's wrong?!! Speak to me!!! It's me...Kero!!!"
Sakura slowly turned her head towards Kero and then, like snapping
out of a trance opened her eyes.
"Kero!!! I had a bad dream...well, it started out good but then
it...it became a nightmare...I..." she stuttered a bit, sounding confused.
"Slow down, kiddo!" said Kero. "Tell me what you remember."
She tells him about her dreams about school and Syaoran Li then about
the nightmare with Destrux and the two heroes. Kero gave Sakura a
puzzled look.
"Sounds to me like someone someone was trying to send you a message,
Sakura and chose to do it through your sub-conscious."
"You could be right, Kero. After all, it was Arcademan and we have
teamed up a few times in the past but it's been over three years since
I've seen or heard from him. I got the impression he could handle
anything but he and his pixie friend Parrillusia looked like they
were about to die. I need to investigate it and find out what's going
on."
Back in the Arcademan Universe, Arcademan and Parrillusia began to
get the upper hand on the shadow beings.
"We got them on the run, PixieP! Let's finish this off!" Arcademan
began to power up with intense energy. As Parrillusia used a spell of
containment to gathered all the beings, Arcademan shouts
out...
"ENERGY BLAST!!!"
The blast of energy instantly vaporize every shadow being.
Afterwards, Arcademan falls to his knees, totally drained of his
energy."
"Damn! Shouldn't have done that...especially with Destrux lurking
about. This is exactly what he was waiting for...to weaken so he
could get the upper hand." Then he spotted a figure floating over
him...the archmage Destrux.
"This way only the prelude to what ultimately will be your
destruction, Arcademan." Then he turned to Parrillusia. "Ah...I
haven't forgotten about you, my little faerie. I'll be sending you to
pixie hell soon enough."
An enraged Parrillusia charges up and shoots a bolt of lightning at
Destrux however he fades away before the bolt strikes him.
"That bastard!!! He'll get his soon enough! I swear!!!" Then she
turns to Arcademan and helps him to his feet, none the worse for wear.
"PixieP...I fear that Destrux is just toying with us. We must prepare
for the worse. At least you can safely retreat back to the higher
plane of existance while I defend the world from Darkness." said a
solemn Arcademan.
Parrillusia gave Arcademan a mystic potion to restore part of his
strength and said "I am not leaving your side. Retreat is NOT an
option."
"I hope we can get some help in our upcoming battle because we're
going to need it." answered back Arcademan.
Chapter 3: Chapitre III
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:16:14 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
After thinking about it long and hard about the situation, Sakura
Kinomoto decides to journey from her home to the alternate world
where her friend Arcademan lived however she would require vast
amounts of energy to travel between the dimensions. The only way to
accomplish such a feat was to go to Tsukimine Shrine, a holy place
of immense power and faith.
Upon skating from her house to the sacred temple with her friend
Kero, she stood at the front gates as the cherry blossoms filled the
air with a pleasently sweet fragrant. She was dressed in one of her
Cardcaptor costume...half cape with a hat and red bows and her
traditional Star staff within her hands.
"You sure about this, kiddo?" asked Kero with concern in his voice.
"Not really, Kero but I need to know what's wrong with Arcademan.
He's helped me twice in the past and it's time for me to return the
favor. [see sidenote below] I just need to do one last thing before I leave..." On that
note, Sakura pulled out a card with the picture of 'The Mirror' on it.
"RELEASE!!!" shouted the young girl. "Mirror please help thee, change
into a perfect copy of me!!!" A glow forms around the card and in
mere moments where the card was now stood another Sakura Kinomoto.
"Kero, you and...er...a...Sakura hold down the fort here. I shall
return soon." as Sakura gave him her trademark smile as she drew out
another card...'The Return'...and started the process of executing
the spell.
The Arcademan Universe...on the site where earlier in the night a
glorious battle between Arcademan and Parrillusia fought Destrux the
silence of the moment is broken by a crackle of electricity, followed
by a glowing light. Through the light steps the young girl Sakura.
Once the light disappears, she looks around.
"Hmmm, last time I was here, I was under an evil influence and
Arcademan saved me. Now it's time for me to return the favor...if I'm
not already too late." Sakura strikes 'The Fly' card with her staff.
With wings of angels sprouting from her back, she takes flight to
find her friend.
Sidenote: Arcademan and Cardcaptor Sakura have met twice before in the past. One of the stories "Captain Marvel/Arcademan 2" can be seen over in the DCUGNElseworld Yahoo Group Their first meeting is still unwritten...I'll have to write it in the future however the first meeting of the worlds was recently revealed in "Arcademan: Legacies United"
Chapter 4: Chapitre IV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:18:53 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Inside of the Arcade Brigade headquarters, Arcademan and Parrillusia
were still figuring out their last battle with the archmage Destrux
that occurred earlier nearby when suddenly Parrillusia spotted a
flash of light outside.
"What's that light?" said the pixie. "Is Destrux coming back to
finish the job?!!" As she started to go outside, Arcademan grabbed
her arm.
"Somehow I don't think it's him, PixieP. I sense someone...familiar."
Arcademan, still weak from the battle counldn't fully trust his
senses. "I'll come with you." and the two headed out to investigate.
Once the two heroes came to the site, they saw a lone figure standing
in the field...Sakura Kinomoto.
"Salutations, Arcademan." said Sakura.
"Sakura?!! Is that you? What brings you here to my world?" questioned
Arcademan who looked at the young teenager.
"Hmmm...strange. I saw her almost a half year ago and she seemed to
have aged almost four years. Time must've flowed different. The time
I met her briefly in her home it did feel like it was 1999 instead of
2003...that would explain it." Arcademan thought to himself.
"Whew! I'm glad you speak Japanese so well since I don't speak
English too well." said Sakura.
Parrillusia interrupts. "Actually, we wear translators that instantly
translates languages. You speak Japanese but we hear it as English
and vice-versa. By the way, my name is Parrillusia and yes, I am a
pixie." On that note, she pulls out a potion and sprays all three of
them with its dust.
"Now we can all speak English. Otherwise, if you wandered away from
us, no one would understand you, Sakura...except Japanese speaking
people."
"Thank you, Parrillusia. Arcademan, I had a very strange and
troubling dream about the both of you. You were in dire danger and
thought I could be of some help...like you helped me years ago from
that demi-lich Hextrillia."
"Well...we did have a battle earlier in the day however we're far
from being in danger, Sakura. I wondered..."
However Sakura cuts Arcademan's sentence short. "You were fighting an
armored being named Destrux, weren't you?!!"
"That's right...but how did you know that?!!" asked a surprised Arcademan.
"All I know is that I saw him standing over both of you defeated...a
stillness like death. It scared me seeing you like that, Arcademan. I
had no choice but to see if I could help you." Sakura's voice was
starting to break up a bit and she began to cry a little.
Parrillusia put her arm around the young Cardcaptor. "Don't cry now,
Sakura. I'm thinking you may have seen the future and maybe you
coming here was a sign of things to come. Come on inside...you must
be tired from your journey. It's rest that you need mostly now." and
the three went inside the Arcade Brigade headquarters.
Sakura laid down on the couch and was soon fast sleep. Arcademan and
Parrillusia went into the meeting room.
"You think what she saw in her dream will happen, Arcademan?" asked
the pixie.
Arcademan looked at his friend. "PixieP...we encountered many strange
things during our career and I trust Sakura. For some reason, what
she told us sent a chill up my spine and I cannot for the life of me
understand why..."
Chapter 5: Chapitre V
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:20:22 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As Sakura Kinomoto slept peacefully on the couch inside the Arcade
Brigade headquarters, Arcademan couldn't help but replay what she had
told him earlier...how she had a dream of Parrillusia and himself
being struck down and killed by Destrux, a supreme Being of Darkness
and sworn enemy of the heroes. The Cardcaptor's presence disturbed
him greatly since she had not known let alone met Destrux yet earlier
in the evening that's who both Arcademan and Parrillusia were
battling.
"So many questions...so few answers, PixieP?" said Arcademan to his
closest and dearest friend.
Parrillusia answered back. "Truth to be told...I'm almost afraid to
find out some of those answers, Arcademan." Both peaked into the main
room from the meeting room to see the young teenager fast asleep.
"The poor girl's exhausted however I suspect you had something to do
with it, Parrillusia?"
"A sleeping spell to help her rest. Her magicks need recharging as
her powers and abilities are extremely high. So...what is the source
of her powers, Arcademan?"
"A magician of great power in her Earth's past named Clow Reed. Born
of both English and Chinese descent, he used both ancient eastern and
western magicks to create the cards to seal elemental forces, then
bound them within the Book of Clow, foretelling that 'If the seal is
broken, disaster will befall the world!' She unwittingly broke the
seal and released the cards' powers. Eventually she captured all 52
cards and became the new mistress of the cards." Arcademan finished
his story.
"That's the magicks I feel within her soul. Amazing indeed." said
Parrillusia.
Arcademan headed towards the back door. "PixieP, I have a favor to
ask of you. Please stay with Sakura here for the evening. I need to
investigate a theory and since it has to do with the Beings of
Darkness, I must go alone."
"I understand, Arcademan...and good luck." answered back the pixie.
"I knew you would. You, more than anyone else I trust in this world."
On that note, Arcademan flies off into the evening sky. As
Parrillusia closed the door behind her after seeing Arcademan off,
neither one seeing a shadowy figure lurking outside of the Arcade
Brigade headquarters...
Chapter 6: Chapitre VI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:21:49 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
"I know not who the heroes are harboring within their quarters but I sense a great and powerful magick from within this girl...most
powerful indeed. She may not know the extents of her abilities. I
think it's time for I...DESTRUX...shall find out."
The dark mage intentionally waited for Arcademan to leave hence he
get drawn into a lopsided battle. Though he had the upper hand in
battle earlier with Arcademan and Parrillusia, the presence of the
young Cardcaptor would be against his attack. Slowly Destrux snuck
towards the side of the building, using a spell of deception to
disable the alarm system to the headquarters.
Parrillusia sat inside the main room in what appeared to be a trance.
Her true home resided within the Higher Plane of Existance...the
longer she was away from there, the weaker she grew over a period of
time so she was establishing a psychic link to replenish her powers.
Sakura was still asleep but was starting to stir as though she was
having another disturbing nightmare.
"NOOOOO!!!" yelled Sakura as she woke up in a cold sweat. This caused
Parrillusia's link to the Plane of Higher Existance to break. She
rushed over to the shakened young girl.
"It's okay, Sakura. I'm here...Parrillusia. What did you dream about?"
Sakura's eyes fluttered then opened wide. "Oh, PixieP! It was
horrible! It was the same dream I had before with you and Arcademan
being killed by that helmeted dark mage except I saw it more cleary."
Parrillusia wiped the sweat from Sakura's forehead. "Strange...I gave
you a sleeping potion to put you in a deep sleep yet you still had a
dream and woke up...hmmm." Then Parrillusia noticed something glowing
from Sakura's pouch that she keeps on her belt buckle.
"What's that glow?" questioned Parrillusia.
Sakura reached into the pouch and pulled out what looked like a card
with a picture of a mystic being on it.
"It's the Dream Card. It's active! Why I don't know...like it's
trying to tell me something."
"Of course!" said Parrillusia. "When I used the sleeping potion on
you, your magicks converted it into energy through the Dream Card..."
"And because of that, it strenghtened my ability to see my dream.
That's why it was so real to me this time!" added Sakura. "I still
wish I knew what it meant though..."
Then a voice as cold as darkness interrupted the two heroines...
"You'll find out soon enough, my young friend. My name is Destrux and
it's time for the both of you to die!!!"
Chapter 7: Chapitre VII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:23:57 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Warning...this chapter contains strong language.
While the archmage Destrux was confronting the two heroines,
Arcademan flew to a secret location known only to him less the world
be unleashed with the forces of darkness. After landing and entering
a cave, he spots a glowing sphere within the dark cave...the nexus
between the real world and The Dark Dimension. Since Arcademan is
originally a Being of Darkness, he has access to it...any others who
attempt to use the nexus would be vaporized on the spot. With a
determined look on his normally emotionless face, Arcademan enters
the nexus.
The Dark Dimension itself is well named...a dimension outside of
normal space where there are no stars in the sky...no vegatation on
the ground...an icy cold wind constantly howling. Any lesser being
would most likely perish but Arcademan is far more than a normal
being himself. Looking over the far horizon sits a castle...the home
of the Dark Dimension's ruler Lord Pyrogod!
Reaching the front doors of the castle, Arcademan swings the doors
wide open. Two shadow creatures go towards him in attack mode however
two flashes of heat vision instantly vaporize the two as Arcademan
continues walking to the throne room. Sitting on top of the
throne...the supreme Being of Darkness...the ruler Lord Pyrogod
himself!
"What brings you to the Dark Dimension, Arcademan?" Lord Pyrogod's
voice seemed to resonate throughout the castle...his voice as cold
and dark as the very dimension itself.
"I've come to find out why you have chosen to break the non-
aggressive pact between your dimension and Earth?" asked Arcademan.
Pyrogod answers back. "I have not broken the pact. As you can see...I
am still here. I cannot control the actions of Destrux or any of my
followers though deep down I really cannot condone it either."
"Damn you! You're up to something and I intend to find out what!!!"
Arcademan was becoming visibly irate.
Pyrogod stands up from his throne and walks to Arcademan. "True, the
pact between us prevents me to directly attack Earth. Though I am a
Being of Darkness, I am also a being of honor...my word is my bond.
However, there is nothing in the pact that prevents me from launching
an attack somewhere else."
Suddenly, Arcademan got a very uneasy feeling.
"You bastard!!! Your minions are the ones attacking
Fairyland!!!" he shouted. "That's where all the heroes of the Arcade
Brigade are at...defending the faeries from your armies."
Pyrogod simply looks up. "Like I said, I have no control over the
actions of Destrux but if he just happened to launch an attack on
Earth while all of the heroes are pre-occupied...well, I would be
more worried about what he's going to do next instead of arguing the
point with me, Arcademan."
A realization hit Arcademan like a ton of bricks...
"Parrillusia!!! Sakura!!!" Arcademan turned from Pyrogod and headed
out of the castle but not before saying one final thing to the dark
master...
"Trust me on this, Lord Pyrogod...this isn't over...not by a long
shot!!!"
The last thing Arcademan heard was the chilling laugh of Lord Pyrogod
echoing throughout the entire Dark Dimension itself.
Chapter 8: Chapitre VIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:28:41 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
This chapter contains descriptions of violence and strong
language...
INTERLUDE...
Back in Japan, on the homeworld of Sakura Kinomoto, her mirrored
double she created to cover for her while visiting Arcademan on his
world was having afternoon tea with Tomoyo, her best friend and Kero,
the guardian of the Clow Cards.
"Sigh! I can't believe Sakura took off without telling me, Kero."
said a dejected Tomoyo. "Not that I'm worried about her but I
could've made her a wonderful costume and sent her off." Sakura's
ever-growing and different costumes are courtesy of her friend, who
also films her battles and keeps a personal record of the
Cardcaptor's exploits.
"At least her father and her brother Touya are out of town for the
week so they won't find out what she's up to." Kero's very mention of
Touya made the mirror Sakura smile wide for a moment.
"I wish he was here. His presence fills me with happiness." said the
living embodiment of the Mirror Card.
Everyone's thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.
"I wonder who that could be?" said Tomoyo. "I told all of our friends
that Sakura was quite ill and that she wasn't going to be going out
this weekend."
Tomoyo walked down the stairs and opened the front door. There stood
Li Syaoran, Sakura's boyfriend and former rival from Hong Kong.
"What are you doing here, Li?!!" asked Tomoyo, caught totally off
guard by his appearance.
"I thought I'd surprise Sakura by arriving here a week before I had
intended." Syaoran answered back.
"Yeah, that's the word all right...surprised!!!" thought Tomoyo.
END INTERLUDE.
Back in the Arcade Brigade headquarters, Destrux has confronted both
Sakura and Parrillusia.
"You! You're the dark being I've been having nightmares about!"
Sakura looked a bit scared but stood her ground.
"Flattery will get you nowhere my little magician." Destrux' hands
began to glow with power as Parrillusia moved between him and the
young Cardcaptor.
"You'll have to go through me, Destrux!!!" Parrillusia's eyes also
began to glow with electricity as she stared down the archmage.
Destrux stared back at her. "Pixie witch! I know you're not at full
power since our last meeting and without Arcademan around, this will
be a most lopsided battle. Prepare to meet you superior,
Parrillusia!!!"
"Go ahead, you bastard!!! Give it your best shot!!!" Destrux pulled
out his energy gun and began to fire it right as Parrillusia shot out
her bolts of lightning. Both blasts cancelled each other out however
the light from the energy explosion blinded Parrillusia, long enough
for Destrux to take advantage of the situation by pasting her with a
powerful right hook. Parrillusia slumps down to her knees by the
punch.
"Heh. All too easy, Parrillusia. Now to show you how true darkness can
feel!!!" He punches the fallen pixie with a series of punches,
followed up by a kick into her unprotected side, rendering her
unconscious. Then Destrux turned his attention to Sakura.
"Your turn, little girl!" mocked Destrux as he took a few steps
towards the still-shocked Sakura. Then she pulled out her necklace,
which contained a locket...
"Key with the power of the stars,
reveal your true power to me...
By our contract, I, Sakura command...
RELEASE!!!"
Chapter 9: Chapitre IX
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:31:08 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The locket had grown into a mystical staff as Sakura took an
defensive stance against Destrux. She glanced over to the side where
the unconscious form of Parrillusia laid then back to the archmage
and took out one of her magick cards...
"WOOD!!!"
Instantly, vines sprout out from the ground and started bounding
Destrux as a tree began to grow rapidly.
"Really...do you really expect this to hold me?" With the slightest
flex of his armorized muscles, he shatters the branches. "Any more
tricks up your sleeve?" questioned Destrux.
"SHADOWY!!!"
The room filled up with a darkness that was many times darker than
the night. Sakura was using it to hide herself while she planned her
next attack but before she could begin to think, a hand grabbed her
throat and began to choke her.
"Idiot! I am ONE with the Darkness. You cannot hide from me in here.
Now, hold still while I take care of Parrillusia." While Destrux held
the young Cardcaptor up in the air by the neck with his left hand, he
drew his sidearm with his right hand and aimed it at the defenseless
pixie.
"No!!! yelled Sakura as she was fighting to stay conscious
herself...the only thought in her mind was to save her newfound
friend...
"GLOW!!!"
Her staff grew blightly and exploded in a blinding light right in
Destrux' face, instantly dropping her from his chocking grasp.
"I'm blind!!!" You little wench!!!" yelled Destrux while Sakura moved
behind her and summonned another card...
"WINDY!!!"
A giant gust of wind blew Destrux through the wall of the Arcade
Brigade headquarters and outside several hundred feet.
"FLY!!!"
Wings sprouted on Sakura's back as she flew after Destrux outside
with just a single thought in her mind...
"I have Destrux away from Parrillusia. She's safe from him."
Chapter 10: Chapitre X
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:34:37 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
This chapter contains descriptions of extreme violence and is NOT
intended to be read by anyone under the age of 13...
Sakura Kinomoto flew after Destrux who had finally laid to rest on
the ground far away from where the fight originated, her main concern
was getting the archmage away from the fallen Parrillusia. However
she could see that he was already recovering from her abrupt attack.
"You show promise, young Cardcaptor." said Destrux in his usual
monotone voice smacking of evil. "Now we'll see if you can take it as
well as you can dish it out!" On that note, Destrux lept up from the
ground and charged Sakura who dodged him at the last instant.
"MIST!!!"
The air became foggy almost instantly as Sakura decided to go on the
offensive...
"JUMP!!!"
Sakura leaps high into the sky above the fog and spots Destrux...
"THUNDER!!!"
A wolf-shaped figure rumbles with power and discharges a powerful
bolt of lightning...
But to Sakura's dismay Destrux seemingly dodges the bolt of lightning
with ease and jumps up to meet her.
"FLY!!!"
As Sakura attempts to fly to dodge the villain, he grabs her left
ankle and slowly pulls her down by sheer weight. Suddenly Destrux
pulls himself face-to-face with Sakura and with a right hook decks
her in the face. The wings that help her fly disappear as a blinding
rush of pain fills her soul and both figures begin to fall hard and
fast down to the ground. At the last possible moment, Sakura pulls
out another card...
"FLOAT!!!"
It slows her down a little but fails to stop their freefall. Both
crash into the unforgiving ground. Sakura's world begins to go dark
however Destrux gets up as though the freefall had no effect on his
body.
"Ah...are you hurt, little girl?" mocked the archmage. "It really
sucks being you!!!" as he picked up the dazed teenager by her neck
and promptly threw a series of punches at her defenseless body: a
series of body blows and face shots until she was barely conscious
and slumped back to the ground, blood and bruises covering her body
and face. Her costume ripped up by the assault was already soaked and
stained by the large amounts of blood oozing from her body. The final
humiliation was a hard kick to the ribs and Sakura cried out in
extreme pain.
Destrux then pulls out his anti-energy gun. "Time to die,
Cardcaptor!" Then he took aim and squeezed the trigger. Out of
instincts and sheer desperation Sakura pulls out a card...
"SHIELD!!!"
The energy beams bounce off the erected shield and this enrages
Destrux.
"Why put off what will will eventually happen?" He then pulls out his
sword and strikes the shield surrounding the wounded, semi-conscious
girl, with each stroke, the shield cracks and then finally shatters.
Before Sakura can react, Destrux grabs her right arm, the one that
holds her staff and squeezes her arm until the hideous sound of bone
snapping and another blood-curling scream comes from Sakura. She
falls once again to the ground as Destrux holds her star staff in his
hands and starts to bend it in his hands.
"Without your precious staff, you truly are defenseless. Watch as I
break it in half." But as he attempted to do so, the staff glowed in
mystic energy, as though in protest of what was going to happen and
without warning to Destrux, repels his force. The following backlash
blasts him back as the staff flies back to Sakura and she uses it to
stand herself back up.
"Must...confuse...him. Try t-to escape..." With a weak voice she
calls out the card in her hand...
"MAZE!!!"
As the walls of a maze start to rise from the earth to surround
Destrux, he fired his gun one time before completely being engulfed
by the magick maze. Sakura falls to the ground...a stillness
befitting death shows...
INTERLUDE: Tomoeda, Japan...
"Why did she go without us?!!" yelled Syaoran Li as his attempt to
surprise Sakura by arriving a week earlier than planned didn't work
out.
"Back off, brat!" snorted Kero. "I'll turn into Keroberus and then
you'll be sorry!!!"
Syaoran stuck his nose up at Kero, who in her present state looked like a
stuffed teddy bear. "How could you let her take off without any back-
up. You should've called us, you stuffed creep!"
Tomoyo stepped between the two arguing. "Li...Kero. Please stop. I
know Sakura since we started second grade...I trust her completely.
All we can do is wait for her to return." The mirror-Sakura nodded
her head in complete agreement.
Suddenly...without warning, the Sakura double screamed out loud and
fell down on the bed. As the others rushed to her, she muttered...
"The Mistress of the Cards...she's dying!!! AAAAAAAAAA!!!" and she
fades out of existance.
END INTERLUDE.
Chapter 11: Chapitre XI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:37:01 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
"Is this what death is like? I can suddenly remember every detail of
my life..."
Sakura laid still on the ground...her arm and several ribs broken,
cuts and bruises...lying in her own pool of blood...
"Is this how it ends? Away from my close friends...on another
world..."
Sakura looks up into the starry night's sky and sees her world get
darker...
"Everything will be all right..."
Her eyes shifted briefly to the giant maze-like wall she created to
imprison Destrux, loud crashes echoing from within the walls as he
tried to escape the trap.
"At least Arcademan and Parrillusia will be safe..."
Sakura's eyes slowly began to close as tears began to form...
"I'll never get to see my beloved Syaoran Li again..."
Her breathing began to slow up and her eyes closed...
"Every...thing...will be...all...right...*"
Arcademan was returning from his rather disturbing meeting with Lord
Pyrogod from the Dark Dimension where he had deducted the truth. He
was still plenty steamed by the actions of Darkness that his usual
standard procedure of looking ahead with his super-vision wasn't used
so when he approached the Arcade Brigade headquarters he was shocked
by what he saw...the entire side of the building destroyed.
"Parrillusia?!! Sakura?!! Are you here?!!" yelled Arcademan as he
shifted through the rubble. A quick scan of x-rays reveals the
unconscious pixie.
"PARRILLUSIA!!!"
He picked her up and noticed she appeared only stunned. Grabbing a
healing potion from his belt pocket and sprinkled it on Parrillusia.
In mere seconds, her eyes slowly opened up.
"Arcademan...is that you?" said the young lady in a weak tone.
"Yes, PixieP...it's me...Arcademan. Did Destrux do all this?!!"
"Y-yes...took me by surprise...where...where is Sakura?"
Arcademan looked around and noticed no one else around.
"Dammit! Where is she?!!" Arcademan began to sweep the area with his
vision powers and a moment later, his eyes grew wide as he found his
missing friend. His normally emotionless face began to change and
Parrillusia gasped upon seeing this side of Arcademan.
"SAKURA!!!" He yelled loud enough to shake the windows and foundation
of the building as he immediately flew in the direction of the fallen
Cardcaptor.
"Arcademan! Wait! Come back...what did you see?" Parrillusia
struggled to get up and slowly headed outside.
Chapter 12: Chapitre XII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:40:11 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The wall of the maze that had trapped Destrux began to fade away,
freeing him. He looked on the ground where Sakura Kinomoto laid.
"Interesting. The maze disappeared because she has indeed died so her
magic couldn't hold me anymore. A valiant yet futile effort from the
Cardcaptor. There will be a footnote of this battle once I've taken
over the world and rewrite history." Destrux said to himself.
As he walked towards the fallen girl, he hears a whoosh of air. He
turns and spots a streak of gold and crimson approaching him like a
blur.
"It's Arcademan. He has returned."
Destrux slowly reaches to his holster for his gun.
"Why am I doing this? At the speed he's coming there's no way I can
get a shot off at him."
The streaking figure get closer. A loud boom begins to echo as
Destrux fully pulls out his gun and begins to raise it.
"Sonic boom. He's closer. I see him coming but there's no chance of
me dodging the blow."
For the split moment, the two look deeply at each other. Impact is
less than one-tenth second. Destrux aims and begins to squeeze the
trigger.
"I'm too late and now I'll pay the price."
"CRASH!!!" Arcademan slams into Destrux at a rate of over 600 miles
per hour. The impact sends the archmage flying into a tree, imploding
upon the impact however Arcademan follows up with a series of
punches...nothing held back.
"You heartless bastard!!! You want me...you GOT me!!!" as the
enraged hero continued his assault.
"Get the HELL off me!!!" Destrux grabs Arcademan's right arm and
flips him over however he lands on his feet. It's then Destrux
notices a change in his enemy.
"What's wrong, Destrux? Scared?!! You should be!!!" Upon looking at
Arcademan, he saw the once bright red, yellow and blue costume has
become a much darker shade, almost dark and forbidding.
"Looks like I pushed him over to the side of Darkness. Damn! It's too
soon. Looks like I'll have to kill him off after all. He's beyond
conversion!!!"
Destrux pulls out his anti-energy gun and blasts Arcademan blank
range in the chest. He staggers back but then a twin blast of heat
rays from Arcademan's eyes strikes the gun, causing it to explode in
Destrux' hand. He falls down as the hero moves him what appears to be
for the kill.
Parrillusia meanwhile had made her way outside and saw the battle. He
also saw Arcademan slowly reaching to his back where he kept the
Sunblade, a sword of great power and forbidding evil.
"Arcademan!!! Don't touch the sword!!! Your darkness will manifest
itself and you'll be evil once more!!!" shouted the pixie.
Arcademan hesitated as he turned to Parrillusia. Destrux quickly got
up and started to run.
"Arcademan...if I were you, I'd check on your little friend. You'll
find her quite dead!" mocked Destrux as he teleported away from the
scene.
Indeed, Arcademan turned and saw Sakura Kinomoto lying lifeless on
the ground.
"Dear God in Heaven!!! What have I done?!!" said the grief-stricken
hero as he hurried over to her as Parrillusia also approached their
fallen comrade.
Chapter 13: Chapitre XIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:41:36 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
FLASHBACK...
In his fifteen years of being a hero, Arcademan has not only seen
death...he experienced it on two occasion. At least twelve of his
comrades...his friends...even two of his nieces...have met their fate
at the hands of Darkness, protecting the Earth from their evil
influences. He remembers each and every one of them and for each one,
a piece of his soul was taken from him.
REALITY...
Arcademan kneels down to Sakura and notices that she's still
alive...at least for the moment.
"PixieP!!! Hurry!!! Sakura's still alive!!!" yelled Arcademan as
Sakura struggled to open her eyes then keep them open.
"Is...is Destrux...gone, Arcademan? " said the
battered girl, her voice getting weaker with each passing moment.
"Yes, Sakura. Thanks to you. You saved the world from him. Now please
hold on...help is on the way." as Arcademan tried to comfort her as
Parrillusia arrived.
"Do something, Parrillusia!!! Heal her!!! You have to save her!!!"
Arcademan's voice became a panic.
Parrillusia was waving her hands above the Cardcaptor, mystical
streams of energy flowing from them. Then she turned to Arcademan.
"It's no use. It's beyond my powers to save her. Mystique Rose might
be able to do it...she's a sorcerer, I'm not. I'm sorry, Arcademan."
Arcademan grabbed Parrillusia's left arm. "Go to Fairyland and get
Mystique Rose NOW!!! Dammit, I will NOT let another person die in my
hands!!!"
Parrillusia, on the verge of crying folded her arms and then
converted herself to pure energy and disappeared.
Arcademan held Sakura's hand. "You will NOT die!!! Hold on, Sakura!!!
Please...hold...on..."
Sakura gave Arcademan a faint smile. "The world is safe... I
knew...what I...I was do...doing... . Please...don't weep for
me...my dear...Arcademan. Everything.. .will...be...all r-r-right...*"
Her arm falls to her side...her breathing stopped.
"NOOOOO!!! Sakura!!! NOOOOO!!! Don't leave me!!! It can't end like
this!!!" As Arcademan picked up Sakura's body and held it tightly to
his and began to cry. Then he noticed a shadow approaching
him...shallow at first but getting closer and darker.
It was The Angel of Death.
Chapter 14: Chapitre XIV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:42:50 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Arcademan gently put down the body of Sakura Kinomoto and turned to
face the Angel of Death.
"You can't take her!!! I won't let you take Sakura to the Death
Zone!!!" yelled Arcademan in a defiant tone.
The Angel of Death stood in front of the hero. "There is no way you
can prevent me from taking her soul to eternal rest. Stand aside,
Arcademan." The dark being continued his slow walk toward the fallen
heroine.
"I said you can't take her!!!" Arcademan swung his fist at the face
of Death, only to have it go through it like there was nothing solid
there. He swung several more times at him, having absolutely no
effect.
"It's like I'm punching air!!!" Then the Angel of Death put his hand
on Arcademan's chest. A cold, numbing effect went through the hero's
body as he sank down to his knees, as though the cold kiss of death
had touched him.
"Damn! Where the hell is Parrillusia?" thought Arcademan. "It's going
to be too late to save Sakura..."
Where was Parrillusia? She had transferred to energy in an attempt to
reach Fairyland, where the other members of the Arcade Brigade were
in battle with an army of Darkness...a mere decoy to allow Destrux to
try and take over Earth. One of the members of the brigade, Mystique
Rose, was a level 24 sorceress who had the best chance of saving the
young Cardcaptor.
However as the pixie tried to gain entry into the realm of the
fearies, an invisible force field repelled her back, preventing her
from entering Fairyland.
"Seven Hells!!! Can't break through and in my weakened condition,
it'll be too late." Then Parrillusia had an idea...
"The Higher Plane of Existance!!! It's my only chance. Maybe they can
help out." On that note, Parrillusia disappeared into the Dream
Dimension...her home and the home of the Dream Angel and Dream Demon.
But will they help and will it be in time? As Parrillusia persuded
the Dreams, The Angel of Death reached down to Sakura's body as a
helpless Arcademan could only watch.
Chapter 15: Chapitre XV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:44:42 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As Parrillusia walked towards the two figures in front of her: a
woman in a form of an angel, a man resembling a demon, complete with
horns and bat-style wings...The Dream Angel, in charge of dreams and
The Dream Demon. who controls all nightmares.
"I need your help, Dreams. I'm desperate and you two may be the only
ones that can..."
"Enough, Parrillusia!" shouted The Dream Demon. "We are aware of the
situation!!!"
"Demon! Settle down!" The Dream Angel being the calming influence
over her darker counterpart. "Our brother The Angel of Death will
find taking Sakura Kinomoto's soul be most difficult. Come,
Parrillusia...we are needed on the mortal plane." And all three fade
out.
"Never felt so helpless in my life!" As Arcademan struggled to regain
his stance after being touched by The Angel of Death. Then the words
of Sakura Kinomoto played in his mind...
"Everything will be all right."
"If Sakura believed in that...then it must be true. Everything...WILL
be all right!!!" Arcademan stood up once more then sped between Death
and his victim.
"Stand down...NOW!!!" If you want Sakura, then you'll have to take me
as well!!!"
"So be it!" says the agent of Death. He reached at Arcademan however
a blinding light reflects his touch.
"What is going on? What has the power to starve off death?" said the
puzzled angel.
"Indeed. Look around and above us." said Arcademan as a barrier of
light surrounded both Arcademan and Sakura...its origin...all the
mystical cards have come to protect their mistress.
"The cards are the loyal servants and friends of the Cardcaptor. They will not
abandon her...even in death. Neither will I!!!" As Arcademan looked
around he could feel the presence of the Sakura Cards.
"You have been denied her soul, Angel of Death! Begone...so commands
Parrillusia!!!" said the pixie as she flew down from the sky along
with the Dream Angel and Dream Demon.
"You cannot dictate to Death, Parrillusia. The Cardcaptor is dead.
She is mine."
"NO!!!" bellowed the Dream Demon. "She is not of this world and her
death was not a natural one!!!"
The Dream Angel continued. "We conclude she is not yours, brother
angel. Leave the mortal plane less ye answer to the Dreams."
The Angel of Death looked at his fellow angels, then to Arcademan,
then finally to the still-deceased Sakura... "So be it. I shall
leave. Here is one parting gift." He pointed his hand at the girl and
his fingertips slightly glowed for a split second. Then he faded away
from the mortal world.
Arcademan bent over to pick up the body of Sakura, a tear streaming
from his eye.
"This still doesn't change the fact that Sakura is dead and it's
entirely my fault. I will never forgive myself for..."
Arcademan's statement is cut off by what sounded like a heartbeat.
Then he heard shallow breathing coming from Sakura.
"Come on, Sakura!!! You can fight it!!! Come back!!!"
Sakura, her body still craddled in Arcademan's powerful yet caring
arms slowly opened her eyes and looked up at Arcademan and
whispered...
"Every...thing...will...be...all right..."
Chapter 16: Chapitre XVI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:46:06 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
For the first time in awhile, Arcademan flashed a smile upon hearing
Sakura's words.
"Yes...it will be all right. I'm going to take you to a hospital.
You'll be up and around in no time." assured Arcademan.
Parrillusia erected a spell of suspension around the injured
Cardcaptor and took her from Arcademan's arm.
"This will allow her to rest comfortably until she receives medical
attention. I'll take her to the hospital immediately." The two float
off and head to the hospital.
Arcademan turned to the Dreams... "My eternal thanks for saving my
friend."
The Dream Demon stared at Arcademan. "We didn't do it for you so save
your praise, mortal!!!"
The Dream Angel slapped her demonic counterpart upside the head. "Be
nice, Demon. Though what he said was in part true, we were glad to
assist. Sakura Kinomoto is not of this world so her death here
violates the laws of nature as we see it. We are glad you are happy
about the outcome but..."
Arcademan continues. "...but the worse is yet to come. I knew you
were going to say that, Angel. You know I 'sense' things. She dreamed
about my and Parrillusia's death and I've failed to capture Destrux.
"Best be on your guard, Arcademan 'cause if you die, I ain't coming
to save you!!!" And the Demon started laughing.
The Angel grabbed the Demon's hand and the two began to fade away.
"Fare thee well, Arcademan." she said and then the two disappeared.
Back in Japan...
The mirror Sakura faded into nothingness but not before she said that
the mistress was dying.
"No!" cried Tomoyo. "That can't be!!! What's happening?!!"
"I...I don't know! We need to find out fast!" said Syaoran Li. "Kero.
can you access where Sakura went with your magicks?"
"No way, kiddo! She has the power of the stars and even then, she
needed the assistance of the temple shrine to access the other
dimension. I don't know what we can do." There definitely was a
worried tone in Kero's voice.
Suddenly, the phone in Sakura's room rang. Tomoyo picked it up.
"Kinomoto residence..."
She heard a familiar voice on the other end of the phone. It was
Eriol Hiiragizawa...who in the past was the magician Clow Reed...
Chapter 17: Chapitre XVII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:48:04 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
"Tomoyo. This is Eriol Hiiragizawa. I am led to believe Sakura is not
present?" said the young sorcerer.
"She went to another place...I really don't know...I mean..." Tomoyo
was stumbling to find the right words to say.
"Hey! Let me talk to him!" asked Kero.
"Ah, Keroberus. Nice to hear from you again. Please to tell me where
your mistress is? I sensed a great disturbance in the mystical
plane...along with the feeling of distress." Eriol had a sense of
urgency within his voice.
As Kero filled in his former master of the events that led to
Sakura's transporting to the other dimensional Earth, Tomoyo turned
to Syaoran.
"I am so afraid of what's going on...Sakura's in grave danger."
Syaoran put his arms around Tomoyo to try and reassure her. "We can't give
up on Sakura, Tomoyo. We'll find a way to help her. I promise!"
Back in the Arcademan Universe...
A hospital room...Sakura lies in bed after being taken there by
Parrillusia. Arcademan has arrived and begins to talk to the doctor.
"Hmmm...broken right arm, several cracked ribs...lacerations, mild
concussion, punctured lung...did she step in front of a runaway
diesel or something, Arcademan? wondered Dr. Chance.
"Yeah...something all right...named Destrux!" answered back Arcademan.
"I see." Dr. Ronald Chance wasn't a normal doctor in any sense of the
word. A brilliant surgeon, he is the official physician of the Arcade
Brigade, knowing more about them than they know themselves. He looks
at his instruments and then reads the printout from his computer.
"I see Miss Kinomoto isn't from our world. Her vibratory genetic
composition doesn't match the signatures that make up our genes here."
"Short words, Doc. In a nutshell, she's from another Earth."
"From what I can see, her metagenic structure stores vast amount of
self-generation ectoplasmic energies that..."
"DOC!!! Stop talking like a dictonary. Laymen terms, please..." asked
Arcademan.
"Okay. Her body stores magic. Those so-called 'Sakura Cards' are
actually living entities that feed off her mystic powers. They are
self-generating and even as we speak, she seems to be healing at up
to three times the normal rate as a regular person." explained Dr.
Chance.
At that moment, Sakura opened her eyes and saw Arcademan and Dr.
Chance.
"Where...where am I?" asked the young girl in a weak voice.
"You're being cared for, Sakura. You need to rest...regain your
strength so you can go back home where you'll be safe." said
Arcademan.
"But...I didn't stop Destrux. He'll return..."
"Not your concern anymore. I'm responsible for you almost getting
killed. I will not have your death on my mind. End of discussion."
snapped Arcademan. Sakura's eyes began to tear up as she began to sob
slightly.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you, Sakura. You saved Parrillusia and
myself and I'll always be grateful for that however this is my battle
and wish you no longer be involved in it for your safety." As
Arcademan held Sakura's left hand, Dr. Chance added a sedative in her
IV tube. She quickly falls asleep.
"Rest is her best medicine right now, Arcademan. I think it's best we
leave for now." As the two left her room, Arcademan turned to the
doctor.
"By the way, Doc...where is Parrillusia?"
"She dropped Sakura off here and then almost fainted. When I tried to
assist her, she pushed me back and disappeared. She looked injured to
me...no doubt from Destrux."
"Damn! I hope she's okay." Arcademan thanked Dr. Chance and flew off
in what was now an early morning sky.
Chapter 18: Chapitre XVIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:49:23 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Arcademan flew back to what was left of the arcade Brigade
headquarters, being horribly wrecked by the earlier battle with the
archmage Destrux. As he shifted through the debris, he noticed his
teammate sitting in a corner keeping to herself...Parrillusia.
"PixieP...are you okay?" asked the concerned Arcademan.
"Yes. Just resting and recharging my powers. Sorry about leaving so
soon...seeing Sakura like that was...a tad unsettling for me."
"Understandable." said Arcademan. "I'm kind of surprised on your
reaction though. Since you left the mortal plane and made the Higher
Plane of Existance your home base, I'd noticed your seemingly lack of
humanity towards everyone...me included."
Parrillusia walked over to Arcademan. "Oh, no! It's not that. It takes
a lot of willpower and power to stay in the plane. I must have total
control of my emotions at all times less the true, destructive power
of my being be released upon the world. I'm so sorry if I made you
and the others uncomfortable."
"No apologies necessary, PixieP. As you know, I try to do likewise in
battle...emotions tend to make for sloppy decisions...however, seeing
the sight of Sakura...and yourself like that...sometimes emotions get
the best of you."
"At least it's good to know not to piss you off, Arcademan. I caught
a glimpse of what you did to Destrux." And the two heroes laughed out
loud...the first time there were smiles in what was a most harrowing
adventure.
Arcademan then turned to the heroine. "I wonder where Destrux went
and how bad I did manage to hurt him?"
Back in the Dark Dimension, Destrux, in a different suit of armour,
was doing repairs to his original one. There were visible signs of
damage and cracks. Lord Pyrogod appeared in front of the archmage.
"REPORT!!!" demanded the dark lord.
"The heroes damaged me. There was a hidden factor that swayed the
battle in their favor, my lord." Destrux answered back.
"Ah, yes...the otherworld Cardcaptor. I am familiar with Clow Reed's
mystical abilities and they are quite powerful. I wonder how she was
able to find out of our plan?"
"Matters not. I have killed the Cardcaptor and soon my armour will be
at full strength. Your dark barrier around Fairyland remains intact,
keeping the heroes away and I shall strike at Arcademan and
Parrillusia before they can fully recover." mocked Destrux.
"Very good, Destrux. Go do your duty and make haste for as we speak
my dark barrier is starting to collapse. You have twenty-four hours
before it disappears and all the heroes will be able to return. I've
seen that they do not even know of the barrier as our forces of
Darkness continue the battle in Fairyland."
Destrux entered his repaired armour. "All systems are at full
power...now it's time to have some fun at Arcademan and Parrillusia's
expense!"
Chapter 19: Chapitre XIX
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:51:04 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
The morning had given way to the afternoon as Arcademan returned to
the hospital where his friend Sakura Kinomoto was after her severe
injuries during their battle against Destrux. As the hero opened the
door to her room, she saw Sakura sitting up, watching television.
Meanwhile. Dr. Ronald Chance was in the corner of the room, reading
the printout on his computer and looking over graph charts.
"Hello, Sakura...Dr. Chance." said Arcademan as he walked over to
Sakura's bed. "How are you feeling today? You had me so scared
yesterday."
"Hi, Arcademan! I'm feeling pretty good actually. Thanks for visiting
me." said the young girl in a cheery tone.
"Arcademan, may I see you for a moment please?" asked Dr. Chance.
Arcademan walked over to the desk where the good doctor kept his
computer and notes.
"Look here!!!" as the doctor shuffled through the piles of paper on
his desk. "Her metabolism is simply amazing!!! Her magicks have
healed her in a fraction of the time of a normal being. Her ribs are
healed...broken arm, once set has mended itself. It'll be sore for a
few days but the break is gone...her cuts and bruises...completely
gone. No signs of scars or trauma!"
Indeed. Arcademan took a quick scan of Sakura's body with his x-ray
vision and confirmed what Dr. Chance just told him.
"Simply remarkable." was the only words Arcademan could say.
"Simple?!! Remarkable?!! Is that all you can say!!!" As Dr. Chance
continued to shuffle through his papers, Arcademan suddenly heard
Sakura yell out...
"HOEEEE!!!"
"What's wrong? Are you in pain?" As Arcademan rushed over to the bed,
Sakura was pointing to the television which was on a cartoon station.
"That...that's ME!!!" squeaked Sakura. Arcademan looked on the screen
to see a commercial for the cartoon series "Cardcaptors." He started
to laugh a bit.
"Sakura...here in my world, you're just that...a animated series and
believe me...not as good as the real thing." and gave the young girl
a wink of the eyes.
"Arcademan, you're so sweet and nice to me."
"Yeah! But don't go blabbing that around. I have a reputation to
maintain."
A knock on the hospital door and entered Parrillusia.
"Hi, sweetie! Looks like you're healing nicely!" said the pixie as
she gave Sakura a hug. Then she turned to Arcademan.
"Sorry this can't be a social call. Arcademan, Destrux is on his way
back and we have to stop him for good this time."
Arcademan turned to Sakura. "Sorry, duty calls. I brought some
clothes that used to belong to my nieces. They shoud fit you fine.
Also, PixieP managed to repair your uniform. When we take care of
Destrux, I'll find a way to send you back home. Promise."
Sakura started to crawl out of bed. "You guys aren't going without
me! You need my help and you know it." argued the Cardcaptor.
Parrillusia walked up to her. "You'll serve us better if you stay
here and continue your healing." Parrillusia grabbed a potion without
Sakura noticing and sprayed it on her. Sakura slumped over back into
bed asleep.
"I'm so sorry that I had to do that, Miss Kinomoto but this is our
battle. We appreciate your help but to face Destrux is OUR destiny."
Arcademan turned to Dr. Chance. "Keep her sedated. I don't want her
to leave out of here, okay?"
"No worries, Arcademan. Nice potion there, Parrillusia. I'll have to
run some tests on it..."
Parrillusia turned to Arcademan. "He certainly has a one-track mind,
doesn't he?"
"Well, he's the least of our concern. Destrux is!!!" Arcademan was
back in his serious mode again.
Chapter 20: Chapitre XX
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:52:50 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As Arcademan and Parrillusia rushed out, she turned to him...
"Face it...we don't stand a chance against him, Arcademan."
Arcademan turned to his companion. "Maybe we do...maybe we don't but
we'll go down fighting!"
Parrillusia answered back. "Do you really not care about
life...willing to sacrifice yourself like this?"
"On the contrary, PixieP...it's because I value life that I do this.
Destrux will destroy the world unless we stop him."
Parrillusia nodded in agreement with what he said.
As the two continued their flight, they look ahead and see an army of
dark shadows approaching.
"This is it, PixieP...no turning back now. Hit them hard and hit them
fast!!!"
TOMOEDA, JAPAN...
An airplane lands at the airport which in itself isn't big
news...however this airplane contained a very special passenger from
England...Eriol Hiiragizawa, who a lifetime ago was the magician
known as Clow Reed, creator of the Clow Cards. As Eriol exited from
the plane, Syaoran Li greeted his so-called cousin.
"Welcome back to Japan. I wish it was under better circumstances." as
Syaoran bowed to greet Eriol.
"Same here. Let us proceed to the Kinomoto residence and see what I
can hope to accomplish." The two hopped into a limo supplied by
Tomoyo's mother and soon they had arrived at Sakura's home.
Eriol looked at Sakura's bed, where the 'mirror' version of her sat
before she disappeared.
"Ah...I've picked up a scent...weak but otherwise traceable." Eriol
then extended his wand over the surface and chanted some incantation.
After tense moments, Eriol turned to Syaoran...
"She is alive and I know where she is!"
BACK IN THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE...
Sakura was sleeping as Dr. Chance looked over some paperwork.
Suddenly he noticed increased heart rate and brain activity from the
young girl. He looked over to her and saw what amounted to a dream.
Moments later, Sakura began to scream out loud. Dr. Chance ran over
to the bed and shook Sakura.
"Wake up! You're having a nightmare!!!" Sakura slowly opened her eyes
as sweat dripped from her forehead.
"I saw that dream again!!! Arcademan and Parrillusia will die today
at the hands of Destrux!!! I must stop that from happenning!!!"
Chapter 21: Chapitre XXI
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:57:53 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
As Sakura attempted to get up from her hospital bed, Dr. Chance
stopped her from doing so.
"I know you want to help out Arcademan and Parrillusia however you
still need time to recuperate. If there is a problem, I'm sure they
will contact you. Right now, the best thing for you is rest."
Sakura slumped back into her bed with a rejected look on her face as
the doctor returned to his desk and his paperwork. Taking a quick
glance on where the doctor was, Sakura pulled out her necklace,
containing a locket.
"Key with the power of the stars,
reveal your true power to me...
By our contract, I, Sakura command...
RELEASE!!!"
The locket changes into her star wand and pulling out a card from her
pocket, flipped it up in the air and struck it with the wand...
"Card made from the stars, make no peep...
gently put the good doctor to...SLEEP!!!"
Instantly, a figure floats over Dr. Chance and spreads mystic dust
all over him, putting him immediately to sleep. As Sakura changed
into her battle costume, she looked over to the sleeping doctor.
"I'm so very sorry, Dr. Chance but I need to assist my friends in
battle before they are hurt. I thank you for your help." Sakura flips
out another card...
"FLY!!!"
Wings sprouted from her back and she flew out the hospital window
rushing toward her destiny.
BACK IN TOMOEDA, JAPAN...
A car pulls up to the front of the sacred temple in the center of
town. Eriol and Syaoran step out and head to the front gate of the
temple, floating behind the two was Kero, with Tomoyo bringing up the
rear, video camera in tow.
Eriol waved his mystic wand and soon the cherry blossom tree that
grew in front of the temple building glowed slightly under his power.
"This was the last place Sakura was in our world. If we are to find
her, we must access the portal right here." said Eriol. "However I'm
not entirely sure if my magicks are strong enough to do so."
Kero floated up to Eriol. No problem. I'll help you out." The small
creature folded his wings over his entire body and soon transformed
into Keroberus, guardian of the Clow and former creation of Clow Reed.
"I'll help too!" said Syaoran as he pulled out his sword and a charm.
"No...that will not be necessary, cousin. After all, you'll be the
one going through the portal. I'm needed here to keep the portal open
less we lose all contact with the other dimension."
A little unsure about himself at first, Syaoran Li then prepared for
his journey. "I'm ready. I'll do anything for Sakura!!!"
BACK IN THE ARCADEMAN UNIVERSE...
"We're going nowhere again, Arcademan." Parrillusia was striking down
at the army of shadows along with Arcademan as Destrux waited in the
back for the heroes to wear themselves out.
"We need to go on the offensive and quick!!!" yelled Arcademan as he
punches out two more shadow creatures.
"Okay...follow my lead, Arcademan!!!" as Parrillusia floated out
slightly into the air and raised both of her arms...
"LIGHTNING ATTACK!!!"
Bolts of lightnings began to strike the entire area, pummeling the
entire army of shadows. "NOW, Arcademan!!!"
Arcademan kicked in the super-speed and charged the archmage, much to
his surprise but before Destrux could react, Arcademan slammed into
him at full speed. Both of them go flying uncontrollably into the
ground, stunning the both of them.
Arcademan struggled to get back on his feet as Destrux did likewise,
each knowing whoever made it first would have the advantage. The two
moved closer to each other and then started exchanging blows to each
other's faces. Parrillusia had destroyed the entire shadow army
however was totally drained of power. She slowly walked over to where
Arcademan and Destrux were, hoping Arcademan would win the battle.
Sakura was approaching the battlesite where he landed behind a tree
and looked on. She was going to help but it was as if something was
stopping her. She looked at her hands and noticed them shaking
uncontrollably. One look at Destrux betrayed her feelings as she was
so scared by his presence she was frozen with fear.
Chapter 22: Chapitre XXII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 13:59:23 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
FLASHBACK: The previous battle with Destrux...
Sakura Kinomoto had faced several major battles in her short six
years of being a Cardcaptor but none have ever had a lasting effect
as her battle against Arcademan's greatest enemy Destrux. Despite all
of her efforts, she was motally wounded and in a sense, died at the
hands of the archmage. Only a technicallity spared her life from
Death. Now as she spy on Destrux, she was afraid to act.
"Look at my hands...I can barely hold onto my staff. I...I'm so
scared. What if he kills me again? Will I stay dead? Will I finally
go to heaven where...where my mom is."
With Parrillusia standing nearby, Destrux and Arcademan continued to
punch one another, neither of them relenting for a moment. Then with
one final burst of energy, Arcademan grabbed Destrux and flew
straight up into the sky and then dove straight down toward the
ground.
"POWER BOMB!!!"
Arcademan turned Destrux upside down and drove him into the ground
with a spine-breaking piledriver. With Destrux laying motionless on
the ground, Arcademan stumbled to Parrillusia, who grabbed him and
held the drained hero up on his feet.
"Finally...it's over, PixieP and not a moment too soon. I don't have
an ounce of energy left in me." said Arcademan with a weak voice.
"Yeah...me too. Let's get him chained up and head on back to the
hospital to check up on Sakura." However, as the two heroes turned to
walk away from the battle site, they heard a dark, menacing laugh
from behind them. They turned around to see Destrux standing from
where he landed from Arcademan's devestating Power Bomb.
Is that the best you have, heroes? Now it's time for the both of you
to DIE!!!" mocked Destrux as he pulled out his energy gun.
Arcademan reached in his belt pouch for a recovery potion but there
was none. "Damn...used the last one on Sakura in the last battle..."
Destrux aimed his gun and shot out bolts of energy, striking both
Arcademan and Parrillusia. The ground beneath them explodes and as
the smoke clears, both the heroes lie in a semi-conscious state as
Destrux laughed out now.
Sakura, wanting to act was still petrified, however Desturx still
hadn't notice her, his complete attention on the fallen heroes. Her
foot shuffled across the ground and Destrux turned and finally
noticed the Cardcaptor.
"You're alive?!! Amazing. You're more powerful than I thought but it
seems like you're afraid to do anything. A wise choice." Then Destrux
looked again at the heroes...
"You came just in time, Sakura Kinomoto to witness the utter
destruction of Arcademan and Parrillusia. Once I'm done with
them...you'll be next!!!" and started with his chillful laugh once
again.
Arcademan weakly pulled his head up and looked deeply into Sakura's
eyes...
"You're our world's last hope...please...we need your help..."
Just like the dream...full circle...
Chapter 23: Chapitre XXIII
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 14:10:46 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
Destrux' laughter echoed through the soul of Sakura Kinomoto as she stood, frozen in fear as the villain took aim at the helpless Arcademan and Parrillusia.
"I'm...so scared. I have to help my friends but...heaven help me...I can't...I must..." Sakura's thoughts were running amuck as she closed her eyes and tried to concentrate...to try and get rid of this feeling and help out but will it be too late?
"Give my regards to the Angel of Death, Arcademan!!!" As Destrux pointed his weapon to fire, a bolt of lightning came from behind him and struck him full force in the back. Sakura looked to see where it came from...
Syaoran Li appeared in the Arcademan Universe and used his own mystical powers to strike Destrux with a lightning bolt.
"Sakura!!! Are you all right?!!" yelled the young teen.
"I am now, Syaoran. I'm so very happy to see you!!!" Sakura's emotions were running high now upon seeing her boyfriend.
Destrux looked at his new adversary and then turned his attention back to Arcademan and Parrillusia.
"Sakura!!! I'll keep him busy! Save them!!!" And Syaoran drew his sword and aided by a written charm, shot off another bolt of lightning at Destrux.
A sense of confidence courses through Sakura as she no longer harbors any fears within her soul. Her first duty is to help and protect her friends as she draws out a card and strikes it with her staff.
"Card that was created by the stars, do not yield...
Protect my friends with all your might...SHIELD!!!"
A powerful shield surrounded Arcademan and Parrillusia. Destrux yells out in frustration and begins to pound the shield with all of his powers in a vain attempt to break through. While this occurs, Sakura runs over and gives Syaoran a big hug.
"Syaoran!!! It's time to finish this once and for all. Are you with me?!!"
Li turned to Sakura. "Let's do it!!! I'm ready!"
Sakura grabs two cards and tosses them into the air. Syaoran notices which ones they are and expresses his concern.
"Sakura! That's the TIME and POWER cards! They take the most energy from you individually but to use both at the same time?!!"
"I can do it!!! Everything will be all right!" said Sakura with a smile and raised her staff and struck the first card...
"TIME!!!"
A spirit of an old man holding an hourglass appears and turns the hourglass upside down. Everywhere, time begins to slow down, then to a complete stop, leaving Destrux frozen in time. Being a relative of Clow, Syaoran was immune to its effect, as were Arcademan and Parrillusia as they were sheltered by the shield Sakura raised earlier. At the snap of her fingers, the shield disappeared. Then she struck the next card with her staff...
"This is our finest hour...
Give my friends thy much needed POWER!!!"
Arcademan stood up from the ground, his eyes and fists glowing with intense power. Parrillusia floated up into the air, sparks of lightning emulating from her body.
Sakura turned to Syaoran. "Let's go!!!" As the two ran toward the still-frozen Destrux, Sakura made one more transformation...
"SWORD!!!"
Her star staff transforms into a sword of unimaginable power as Syaoran draws his sword as well.
"SLASH!!!" "SLASH!!!"
Both of their swords strike the front of the armor of Destrux and rip a gash across his chest. Destrux begins to scream in pain in slow-motion as the effects of stop-time begins to fade. Arcademan flies up to the front of Destrux and at point-blank range aims...
"ENERGY BLAST!!!"
Destrux is blasted back as chunks of armor fly away from him. Before the archmage could fall to the ground, Parrillusia begins her most powerful transformation...
"DEMI-GODDESS!!!"
Parrillusia's body turns into a living lightning bolt as she takes aim at the still-flaming body of Destrux and lets loose a force equal to over one hundred atomic bombs.
KA-BOOM!!!
A loud explosion rocks the entire neighborhood as Destrux lays in a molten heap of twisted armor on the ground as the four heroes stand in front of what's left of Destrux. As he tried to stuggle to get up, Destrux heard the voice of Lord Pyrogod in his mind.
"Destrux! This is your lord and master. Our cause is now lost. As I speak, the protective barrier around Fairyland has been breached by the Arcade Brigade and now the heroes approach. It's time to leave the mortal plane and return to the Dark Dimension."
The twisted metallic body of Destrux goes limp as his energies are recalled back to the Dark Dimension.
Syaoran looked at the armor. "Is he truly dead, Arcademan?"
Parrillusia waved her hand around the armor. "There is no presence of his energy within it."
"Destrux is made of energy. My guess is that he abandoned his armor and returned to his master Lord Pyrogod. It will take him months to rebuild a new one. The threat is over!" said a relieved Arcademan.
Sakura jumped up into the air and cheered "Alright!!! We did it!!!"
Suddenly, a portal opened up in front of the heroes. Sakura hides behind Arcademan.
"Is he coming back? HOEEEE!!!"
Arcademan smiled at the young Cardcaptor. "No! It's my friends. They are returning home from their mission. Now it is truly over!"
Chapter 24: Chapitre XXIV
(by Arcademan, added on 2005-07-17 14:14:47 AEST) [Discussion Topic]
EPILOGUE...
The headquarters of the Arcade Brigade. Earlier it was pretty wrecked
up but now thanks to the greatest heroes of Earth, it was now totally
rebuilt and refurbished. Now a gathering of heroes mark a historic
occasion.
"Man, when you throw a party, Arcademan, you sure know how to bring
down the house...literally!" joked Disruption.
"Ha! Ha! Very funny. Bet you weren't laughing during your battle in
Fairyland." answered back Arcademan.
"Be nice!" as Parrillusia jabbed her elbow into his side.
"Actually, my husband was joking a bit over there. You know he can't
take like too seriously, Arcademan." said Mystique Rose as he hugged
her hubby Disruption.
"Well, it was an ingenious plot by Lord Pyrogod...divide and conquer.
Send us into battle over to Fairyland while you and Parrillusia
defended the world from Destrux. If it wasn't for your Cardcaptor
friend there, who knows what could've happened to the both of you and
of our world." Tecknight summarized the chain the events.
In her usual self-confident voice, Sakura said "Ah, no problem at
all. I'm so happy that everything worked out fine. Personally I have
Syaoran to thank for helping me out." Upon saying that, Syaorans face
turned beet-red from embarrasement and nodded in appreciation.
The resident sorceress, Mystique Rose was looking over one of
Sakura's cards.
"So, you use the mystic energies within your body to activate the
spirits within each sealed card?" asked Rose.
"Well...something like that. They're my friends and my powers
substained theirs." Sakura tosses a card into the air and strikes it
with her star-staff.
"FLOWER!!!"
A flower sprite appeared above the group of heroes and started
dancing around. Soon, the air filled with flower pedals and the sweet
smell of cherry blossoms. This made Flora, a plant faerie and one of the members of the Arcade Brigade, smile and feel
warm, which is the exact opposite of her usual personality.
The other heroes were mingling around, talking, laughing and enjoying
themselves after a long and hard battle. Arcademan excused himself
from the group and walked outside into the cool night. Moments later,
Sakura joined the hero outside. She noticed Arcademan looked a little
sad.
"I noticed you slinked outside. Are you all right?" asked the worried
teenager.
Arcademan turned to her and gave a bit of a false smile. "I have to
be okay. It's part of being a hero. In truth, I was remembering our
fight with Destrux. I'm feeling so guilty for getting you involved in
our petty battles. You were seriously injured. You died...it reminded
me of when my nieces were killed in battle last year. It broke my
heart to see you like that. I wish I could take away your pain and
suffering from that. Could you ever forgive me for what happened,
Sakura?"
Sakura grabbed Arcademan's hands. "Of course I forgive you. In the
past, you helped me out in my time of dire need and it was only
natural for me to return the favor. It does make me wonder how I was
able to see your future though?"
"I can answer that!" interrupted Parrillusia as she joined the two outside. "In the Plane of Higher
Existance where I dwell, there also dwells the Dream Angel and the
Dream Demon...they were the ones that saved you from the Angel of
Death. They foresaw what was going to be so to prevent it from
occuring, they planted a dream within your soul, Sakura, so you would
come here to help turn the tide of battle. I wish the Dreams were
more direct in their methods and informed me about it but that is
their ways, whether we approve of it or not."
"Well, in any event, we need to get you and Syaoran Li back home to
your world. Are you ready?" asked Arcademan.
Sakura smiled and nodded her head in approval.
"Fine. Let me get with Mystique Rose and we'll send you home."
Parrillusia headed back into the headquarters. As Arcademan followed,
Sakura grabbed his arm.
"Arcademan. Hold on, please." Sakura's eyes began to tear up. "As
much as I'm very pleased that everything worked out, I can't forget
what happened to me. I was hurt beyond words. I've never been hit
like that before. Destrux did things to me I'm afraid I'll never
forget. As much as I want to, I'm so afraid to go to sleep and relive
that torture..."
Sakura started crying as Arcademan hugged her and wrapped her in his
cape as tears formed within his eyes too.
"I'm so very sorry for allowing you to go through this. I wish I can
take all the pain and memories from you, Sakura...I really wish I
could..."
Sakura wiped the tears from her eyes. "I know that, Arcademan and
that makes you a true friend. Besides, there are some memories I
won't forget here and they are most pleasent ones."
Arcademan lifted Sakura onto his shoulder. "Let's join the others and
get you home."
Inside, Mystique Rose had opened a portal to Sakura's dimension.
"Okay, here you go. Arcademan and Parrillusia will escort you back
home. It was a pleasure meeting you and Li, if only for the briefest
of times. Farewell."
"Thank You, Miss Rose." said Syaoran Li and Sakura as both of them
linked hands and entered the portal home, followed by the two heroes.
BACK IN TOMOEDA, JAPAN...
As Eriol, Tomoyo and Kero waited in the front of Tsukimine Shrine
patiently, the cherry blossom tree began to glow brightly as four
figures emerged from the light. It was Sakura and Li, followed
closely by Arcademan and Parrillusia.
"Look!!! They're back!!! Sakura-chan!!! Li-kun!!!" yelled Tomoyo
Daidouji in sheer excitement.
Kero flew right up to Sakura and hugged her. "Welcome back, kiddo. We
were scared when your mirrored image disappeared. I'm go glad to see
you're all right!!!"
"So...you're the 'Arcademan' person Sakura told me about. My name is
Eriol Hiiragizawa and I was in the past Clow Reed." as the two shook hands.
"Let's go back to my house. Cake and cookies are on me!!!" said
Tomoyo as everyone waves so long to Arcademan and Parrillusia.
"Hold on, Sakura!" says Arcademan as he hands her a special
amulet...an eight-pointed star known in his world as The Powerstar.
"A gift from a most grateful world. Thank You."
Parrillusia added "You can open it up and summon us if you need our
assistance. Please feel free to call upon us anytime. Thank you,
Sakura Kinomoto." Then both Arcademan and Parrillusia entered the
portal back to their dimension. Soon the light faded to nothingness.
Sakura stood standing for a moment then heard her friends. "Come on,
Sakura!!! We're waiting for you!!!"
"All right!!! Let's party!!!" As she jumped into the car with her
friends and headed to Tomoyo's house, thus closing the book on one of
her most eventful adventure.
THE END!!!
Brian Chapel-Writer/Artist
"Arcademan: In the Cards..."
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