"Sakura…"

"Don't worry, we'll make it out. We just have to…"

Two girls stood on the roof of a skyscraper, flames burning all around them. Sakura Avalon, the one chosen to prevent a terrible disaster, and Madison Taylor, her childhood friend.

The two of them were only ten years old, yet had come close to death and danger many times before, trying to capture the mystical Clow Cards that had been scattered far and wide.

The situation now was beyond dangerous at this point. If they couldn't stop this one, then…

"Madison. I need you to stay back, okay?"

"Yeah, alright. Be careful, Sakura."

She smiled as she looked back. "I will, don't worry."

She closed her eyes, placing her hands around the key on her neck.

"Key of Clow…"

The key began to glow.

"Power of magic, power of light. Surrender the wand, the force ignite! Release!"

In a swift motion, she grabbed the sealing wand and pulled out a card.

"I have to be quick…or else I'll lose Madison, too. I can't have that."

Her grip on the wand tightened.

"I won't lose anyone else…"

She tossed the card into the air and struck it with the wand.

"Watery! Let's put this fire out!"

A huge wave of water rushed towards the flames, but even as they hit, the flames still burned on.

"So it won't be that easy, then. It doesn't matter since I know what this card is…Firey!"

The flame spirit appeared and looked at Sakura coldly.

Somehow, that doesn't seem right. The cards aren't supposed to be like this, are they? Recently, they've all been so strong to the point where…

A painful memory came to her, but she shook it out to focus on the task ahead of her.

"It doesn't matter. I have to capture them, regardless. I'll try this…"

Another card appeared in her hands, and she struck it with the wand.

"Sword!"

The wand had changed into a double-edged sword.

Madison looked on with concern. Reading Sakura's body language, she looked tired…and the fact that she was about to summon a third card didn't help matters. She figured transforming the cards was work enough, and Sakura was really pushing herself now.

"Sakura…"

"One…more! Windy!"

A vortex of wind now wrapped itself around the blade.

"Okay…one more time, Watery!"

The water spirit changed itself into a gigantic wave again, rushing towards Firey. Sakura charged forward as fast as she could, eyes steeled with resolve.

"Come on!"

As she swung the sword down, a powerful blast of water hit the flames, putting most of them out and subduing the flame spirit.

Sakura panted as the cards returned to their original forms in her hands.

"I…I did it. An element card, too. Finally...now, to…"

She sunk to her knees, barely able to stand. All of that took a lot out of her.

"Ah…I have to get…up. Just for a little bit…so I…can seal it."

"Sakura!"

"Madison…"

"Thank goodness, you're okay!"

"Yeah…I said I would be, right?"

Suddenly, the few burning areas started to flare up again.

"Shoot! There's no time…!"

A blast of flame roared towards the two, with Sakura trying to do something about it…

Why…why won't my body move properly? I can't use a card…!

She was thrown back along the ground, her body in agony.

"Sakura!" Madison saw Sakura struggle to get up, the flames roaring on and getting even stronger.

"It's just a front...the card is still weak, and using the last of its strength right now. At least, that's what it looks like...if only Sakura could get an opening!"

Madison closed her eyes, thinking of what she could possibly do at this time.

Sakura staggered in the direction of the flame spirit.

"I won't…lose…to you!"

She tried to summon a card, but started to panic when nothing happened, her body then going numb with pain.

I still can't... What is...?

Madison had already broken into a furious sprint, and Sakura's eyes were wide with terror as a wall of flame came towards her.

Am I going to die...?

She then felt herself start to float through the air, and for a moment, managed to turn her head.

Madison's arms were outstretched, her eyes filled with tears, but a smile was on her face.

I made it…

Sakura tried to say her name as the world moved in slow motion. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She reached out for Madison as she went through the air.

A soft voice reached her ears just then.

"I'm sorry, Sakura."

Madison's face at that moment was etched into her memory, a soft glow surrounding her.

I'm happy...even like this, I'm happy, because...

Sakura is...

Sakura tried to say her name again, watching as she disappeared into the wall of flame.

She hit the ground, but managed to find some of her balance as she landed upright. Her mind was empty except for the words she knew she had to say, as she ran with the last of her strength towards the flame spirit and its dimming flames.

For Madison's sake. It was only because of her that this moment came.

"I command you to return to your rightful form...Firey!"

She struck the spirit with the wand and watched as it returned to its form as a card.

Sakura reached for it, but fell to the ground unconscious before she could do so.

It was a few hours later before she woke up again, lying atop her own bed and wrapped in warm sheets. A familiar face stood over her.

"Tori…"

"You okay, kid?"

Her response was cold and distant, as she remembered Madison's last moments.

She was...

"No. I don't think...I'll ever be."

He could only look on with frustration.

The Sakura he had known was now gone, in every way. His smiling, joyful little sister wouldn't be coming back, ever.

"All of the cards…I'll catch them. I have nothing else to live for anymore."

Tori wanted to tell her that she was wrong; that she had more to live for than that, but…even he was not sure of that anymore.

All of the people they loved…they were gone. Every one of them, lost to the power of the Clow Cards.

Father…Li...Madison...they were among those that were exposed to the Clow Cards. All of Sakura's friends at school, the people she knew...even they were gone now.

"I'm not as strong as you, Sakura. We're on different levels, you know."

"You're the only person I have left, Tori. I need you..."

"But what if something happened to me? Wouldn't you cry?"

"I don't know…I think…I've forgotten how to cry."

The doorbell of the Avalon house shook the two of them out of their thoughts.

"Just stay and rest, Sakura."

"…Yeah."

Tori scratched his head and went downstairs to open the door.

"It's been a while, Tori."

"Huh." He looked at the person standing there in near disbelief. Of all the people to show up…Layla Mackenzie.

"You weren't overtaken as well…?"

"For now, at least. Though these cards have seemingly been getting stronger…"

"Um…come in. Sakura's resting upstairs, but I'm sure she'll be glad to see you. We both had you pegged as dead by now."

"Thanks. How is she, though? I mean, after…"

"She was getting over it, I think, but earlier today…when she caught the Firey…"

"...What happened?"

Tori took a deep breath before continuing.

"…Madison's gone, too."

Layla put a hand over her chest, a pained expression on her face. "I don't want to believe something like that…"

"Me neither, but…I couldn't sense her anywhere. Sakura was pretty beat up when I got to her, so Madison put herself in danger for her sake…at least, that's what I make of it."

"You're probably right."

"I think because of what happened today…her heart is drifting further and further away. I'm not sure how much more she can take…so I guess I have to make sure that I don't die as well, now."

"I might be able to find something that you guys could use…"

"Yeah? Like what?"

"I can only show you once all of the cards are captured."

"Okay…" The two made their way upstairs to Sakura's room.

"Tori?"

"Hey, we have a visitor."

Layla smiled as she walked over to Sakura. "It's nice to see you again."

"Miss…Mackenzie…"

She stared at her teacher in disbelief. "It's really…you?"

"Yes, it's me. I'm really here, and I want to help you."

The light in Sakura's eyes then faded away. "How is that? The remaining cards are way too strong, and even if we do get to them...what happens then? What about all of the people who got hurt and killed because of this?"

"The answer lies with you, Sakura. Can I see the book for a moment?"

Sakura pulled the book that originally contained the Clow Cards out of a drawer, and placed it on her bed.

"How many cards were in the deck?"

"Fifty-two. I looked through most of the deck before Windy blew it all away."

"How many do you have so far?"

"I have…forty-nine."

"So, only three more. How do you feel, Sakura?"

"Miss Mackenzie…you know that my power hasn't grown at all since the cards started acting up."

"…I suspected so."

"What could we do about it, then?" Tori asked.

"Nothing right now. We just have to find and capture the last few cards, and then…I might be able to help somehow. There was a power meant for you, Sakura, but because of the way things unfolded, we'll have to try and use it in a different way."

"So…the last three…"

"Man…this is going to be tough."

"I'm sure you both can handle it. I have a lot of faith."

"Alright, go get some rest, kid. You deserve it."

"Yeah…"

Sakura Avalon woke up the next day, light shining through her window. She could smell breakfast being made downstairs.

"Mm…I wonder what Tori's making…"

Maybe he was trying to make her feel better…somehow, it was helping, if only a little.

She got dressed for school and went downstairs, only to freeze up in disbelief at the person she saw in the kitchen.

"Good morning, Sakura."

"…Dad…you're…"

"Sakura? Are you ok-?"

She ran over and embraced him as tightly as she could. "I'm…I'm so happy…it was all a nightmare…"

"Nightmare? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine…just a bad dream, Dad. Where's Tori?"

"Haven't seem him around. He probably left before I got up. How are you for time, Sakura?"

"Great! I can finally enjoy the best breakfast around!"

"Oh, it's not all that great."

"You really are the best, Dad," Sakura said, smiling.

It was just a horrible nightmare…thank goodness. Although, it seems like…

She shook the thoughts out of her head. "I shouldn't worry about something like that…oh, Dad."

"Yes?"

"The clock looks like it's broken. Maybe we should fix it later…"

"Sakura!"

"Madison!"

"It's a great morning, isn't it?"

"Yeah!"

The two friends met up on the way to school.

"Have you seen Tori around, Madison?"

"No, I haven't. He must have left early today."

"Dad said so, too. He's usually around in the mornings, though...hmm."

"Well, I'm sure we'll see him around later on."

"Yeah, you're right." She smiled. "I'm glad you're around, Madison. I worry way too much."

"It's just who you are, Sakura. You have a big heart, you know?"

Sakura noticed a silver watch on Madison's wrist. "When did you get that?" she said, pointing to it.

"Oh, it was just a few days ago..."

"I see..."

It looked like it needed adjusting somewhat, but more than that...she had the feeling she had seen it somewhere before.

Soon enough, math class was about to begin...which Sakura disliked, being her worst area.

"Man...I really don't like this..."

She wondered where Miss Mackenzie was, as well. She was always early to class.

"That's a nice brooch, Rita!"

"Oh...thank you. I just got it yesterday, and it looked pretty...I was kind of drawn to it, actually."

"Can I see it?" Sakura asked.

"Sure." She took a good look at the brooch, noting a strange feeling as she did.

"It's really nice..."

Why does this seem so familiar? It's almost like...like...

"Sakura? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. It's just that today is strange."

"Like how?"

"Well, like..."

She happened to glance over at the clock.

It had stopped completely.

She acted on a reflex and pushed Madison away from her, Rita bringing her arm down and slicing through the nearby desk.

"What's happening?"

"Something's wrong with Rita!"

"Hey, snap out of it!"

"Sakura, Rita is…!" They both stared at the girl with a sword in her hand.

"I can't…believe…"

It was then that Sakura realized what was happening. The reason everything seemed so familiar, that everything was like this was because it had all happened before.

She had been thrown into the past.

That meant that the people she had met, that she had talked to...they weren't even really there, were they?

The actual dream...she was standing inside of it. All of the horrible things that had happened, those were all real. Now there were two choices before her.

She could choose to leave everything as it was, let things go on and stay in this part of time forever...or leave this peaceful dream and face reality once more.

"Sakura! It's-"

"Yes, I know. I'll help her, don't worry."

Sakura produced the Illusion Card as she summoned her sealing wand, bright light filling the room.

She didn't hesitate for even a moment, activating the card and knocking the sword out of Rita's hand as she was distracted.

"I command you to return to your rightful form! Sword!"

The world around her started to fade into oblivion, leaving her floating in a space filled with stars. Sakura felt she knew what this was.

"All of it adds up...the clocks weren't moving. I was in a place separate from the rest of time. That's why Tori and Miss Mackenzie weren't around, either. You're...the Time card, right?"

An old man in a cloak appeared, his face hidden as he held an hourglass in his hands.

"So I was right. You're not like the others, though...you're a lot nicer. I wish I could stay in that place you made for me, but...I have to go back. I have to face the world I came from. Even though I want to just..."

"The future is only your dream."

Sakura looked at the old man with interest. "Only...my dream?"

"Yes...the future is only your dream."

"I...I see." She didn't quite understand what that meant, but...

"Thank you."

Somehow, she had a bit more hope.

"I command you to return to your rightful form! Time!"

The future...is only my dream. It sounds like it makes sense, but...I don't know why. I don't know how to use that advice right now.

Sakura watched the world around her change to pure white...it continued and didn't look to be stopping.

She looked down at her hands, only to realize they were fading away. She couldn't see anything but white space in front of her.

"Where...where am I? What is this...?"

Everything was becoming warm and comforting. The feeling was beyond wonderful.

Sakura liked what was happening to her, this sensation running through her.

Her body was being covered in the pure white she saw around her, fading into space. The warm feeling was becoming even more delightful, her mind slipping into a gentle trance.

Whatever this was, she didn't care…this was peaceful. She could just forget everything, all of the pain and worry and suffering. Staying here forever, being surrounded by the light around her…this was the best thing that had happened in a while.

This was a place she didn't want to leave.

Tori Avalon sat near his sister's bed, face drained of all energy and eyes filled with worry. It was morning, but…

"You have to wake up…Sakura…"

Her breaths were gradually becoming deeper as she slept.

In one of her hands was the Time card.

Sakura's breathing was slowly becoming laboured and irregular. Tori knew that it had something to with a Clow Card…he could sense it around her. Whether it was that one in particular remained to be seen.

"Sorry I'm late," Layla Mackenzie said as she stepped into the room.

"It's alright."

"How is she doing?"

"Not good. Whatever card this is, it's pretty much pulling the life out of her…"

"Or rather…pulling her away from life itself."

"…"

Both seemed like possible scenarios, Tori thought. He just hoped that Sakura could make it out of whatever it was.

The Time card had materialized out of nowhere into her hand, he noted. It didn't make any sense at all…

This place is so wonderful…so peaceful…

I feel so good…I want to stay here forever.

Sakura…

Who…

Sakura…you can't stay…

Why not? I don't want to suffer anymore. I hate fighting all of the time. I don't want that life anymore.

Don't you remember me, Sakura…?

I can't…

I said that I would always be there for you, no matter what.

Always…

Yes. I meant every word.

Madison…you're here…

I'll follow you anywhere and everywhere, like I said I would.

Then…come with me. It's so nice here, we could just stay like this…

Sakura…how is it that stars shine?

How? They shine…against the darkness, of course.

That's right, Sakura. Without darkness, there's nowhere for light to shine through.

I don't understand! What do you mean?

The other part of yourself, Sakura...you have to find it...

Madison?

I want to see you again...so please...you have to go back...

Wait! Don't go! Please, don't go!

The future...is only your dream...Sakura...

That's the same thing...what does it mean? Madison!

I don't understand! What's going on, I don't understand!

I'm so scared...I don't know what to do...but...

Something's telling me that I have to try something...anything...for everyone that I love. I'm scared, but I can't stop, even though it's really hard...

I want to sleep, just rest here, but I can't. I want everyone else to be happy as well. I want to see the people I love again, if there's a chance to do so...even if it's only...only..a....

...!

"Hey! Sakura! Don't you dare leave us, kid! Wake up! Sakura!"

"Sakura...!"

The girl had stopped breathing.