::::::LEGACY DRAGONS::::::

By Atruyai (Atry)

Summary: A prince rescued from being killed along with his family. A young princess who was chosen to wait for her destined soul mate. Could they be the ones bearing the spirits of the mythical Rainbow Dragons? Could they be the ones destined for each other? Surely they are not... right? AU fic, S/S, E/T

Disclaimer: I don't own the CCS and Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE cast, along with the images on my (soon to come) homepage(except my webcam images). But, the dragons and the other foreign characters in this fic are mine.

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Atry: Well... I'm back. -clapclap- I'm not sure whether there'll be any Meiling in this fic, but I'll try and fit her somewhere. And maybe she wouldn't be a Li either...

Rikmen and Zerule: We're in this?

Atry: Ummm... yeah.

TCP Crew: Are we in this?

Atry: Only Rizurel and Artemis.

TCP Crew: Nooooooooo!!!! If we can't be your muses...

Rizurel and Artemis: -gives the rest of the TCP Crew backstage passes- They can, ne, Atry?

Atry: I guess so. Ask the two new muses. So! I have 4 muses for this fic! Rikmen, Zerule, (???) and (???)! Wahey! Oh, and everyone is kinda OOC in this fic.

Keys:

[...] - thoughts

"..." - speeches

-...- - somewhere else, sometime later, change to someone's point of view

{ATN:...} - Atry's Small Notesies

MAIN Characters: (I will include this just once.)

Syaoran Li: 17 yrs old, Prince of the Li Kingdom.

Sakura Kinomoto: 17 yrs old, Princess of the Dragonyte Kingdom.

Eriol Hiiragizawa: 19 yrs old, Royal Magician of the Li Kingdom, former apprentice of Clow Reed.

Tomoyo Daidouji: Sakura's best friend, 17 years old, Princess of the Daidouji Kingdom.

Fujitaka Kinomoto: 48 years old, King of the Dragonyte Kingdom. Soul Partner of Nadeshiko.

Nadeshiko Kinomoto: 40 years old, Queen of the Kinomoto Kingdom. Soul Partner of Fujitaka.

Touya Kinomoto: 23 years old, First Prince to the Dragonyte Kingdom. Soul Partner of Yukito, but betrothed to Mei Ling. {ATN: EEEK! Gomen for the unusual pairing...}

Mei Ling Hotori: 23 years old, First Princess of the Hotori Kingdom, betrothed to Touya.

Yukito Tsukishiro: 23 yrs old, Royal Healer of the Dragonyte Kingdom. Soul Partner of Touya, but married to Denaii Yamaro. (Now Denaii Tsukishiro)

Denaii Tsukishiro: 22 years old, married to Yukito, lead pianist for the Royal Palace.

Xian Long Li: 47 years old, King of the Li Kingdom.

Akira Kinomoto: 20 yrs old, Second Prince of the Dragonyte Kingdom, betrothed to Kaoru, Soul Partner of Kaoru.

Kaoru Hotori: 20 years old, Second Princess of the Hotori Kingdom, betrothed to Akira, Soul Partner of Akira.

Zerule Mekkuno: 16 years old, Prince of the Mekkuno Kingdom, betrothed to Rikmen, Sakura's best friend.

Rikmen Gaire: 16 years old, Princess of the Gaire Kingdom, betrothed to Zerule.

Atry: That's long enough, don't you think? No, both Yukito and Touya aren't a thing, they are just required to live together for they are Soul Partners. Yukito is already married, and Touya is betrothed. Eriol is NOT, I repeat, NOT Clow Reed's reincarnation. He had just inherited his knowledge. He's still... Eriol. Oh, and Nadeshiko is still alive.

----Chapter 1: A Kingdom Gone, A Kingdom Found

"CODE RED, CODE RED!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Bii Lou Rang shouted as he ran through the crowded main hallway of Li Castle to the Throne Room. The maids in the corridor looked strangely at the frightened soldier, who had disappeared around a corner, and then looked at each other. Suddenly, they're eyes widened in shock. This he just say... Code Red? They scrambled everywhere, dropping their dusters and brooms, buckets and cloths.

They had to notify the others.

-LI THRONE ROOM-

Xian Long Li advanced his chess piece across the checkered board calmly. He smiled at his Royal Magician.

Eriol Hiiragizawa stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Very wise, Your Majesty. However, I am sure tha-"

A soldier collapsed against the mahogany doors, forcing them to burst open. The heavily armored man fell face down onto the red carpet, but he stood up again, wobbling slightly.

"...Bii Lou Rang?" Eriol whispered to himself, almost out of astonishment. But Bii Lou's post wasn't in the kingdom... He was supposed to guard the bridge over Silver-Forged River!

"Your Highest Majesty... the Black Zen Clan... is attacking...!" That was all Bii Lou managed to say before he dropped on his knees, and died instantly, his mouth still parted from speaking.

Members of the high court and the council gasped, and murmurs started around the room.

A pool of black blood flowed disgustingly from a cut at the side of the soldier's chest. He must've been stabbed by a cursed sword.

"This is disaster!"

"We are no match for the Black Zen Clan!"

"Legend has it that they could only be defeated by dragons!"

"The White Zen Clan is the only Clan with dragons, but they don't exist, right?!"

"Yes! So we are doomed!"

Xian Long abruptly got onto his feet. He raised his hand, and the room immediately fell silent.

That's when they heard the distant screams of the peasants.

Some of the honourable nobles shuddered fearfully. The screams echoed inside the soundless room, bouncing off the walls, creating an eerie atmosphere.

"Tell me, dear friends; do you love this kingdom?" Xian Long suddenly asked his royal advisors and the members of the council and the high court. They all blinked, awestruck at the level of calmness in their leader's voice. Slowly, one by one, they all nodded.

"Then fight with me!" Yelled the aging king. The whole crowd gasped again.

"He's lost it!" They commented.

"What are we going to do?!"

The Superior Judge stepped out boldly from the crowd. He was an elderly man in his sixties, with white hair, and a long, white beard. Despite his appearance, he was a kind and respectful man, and his faded blue eyes always had that twinkle of intelligence in them, although they were hidden behind his ancient glasses.

"I shall fight for this kingdom." The assembly gasped yet again. The Superior Judge, properly named Jin Hui Zhang, turned to them.

"I was proudly born here. Men from my family, from my great-great-great grandfather to me, had served this empire without the smallest hint of regret. Not once had the Li Family abandoned us in times of hardships. I'm not going to back out now. I know, this battle will certainly cost my life, but I would be glad that I died protecting my kingdom, rather than cowering somewhere else and watch as everything being destroyed. I'm begging for all of you to re-consider your decisions. Back out, like cowards, or fight, like true nobles." He stood beside Xian Long, and stayed there.

Nobles in the group exchanged surprised glances with one another. Slowly, all of them joined Jin Hui, each with a new feeling of determination. Half of them even withdrew their swords. Xian Long nodded thankfully to everyone.

Eriol, who had been standing in the shadows all along the whole ordeal, frowned and walked up to Xian Long.

The 19-year-old bowed humbly.

"Sire." He addressed Xian Long. Then, looking uncomfortably into his eyes, he continued, "Is it time for the young prince?" He asked. The others looked at them confusedly.

Xian Long's shoulders immediately slumped, his messy brown bangs covering his sad golden eyes. He sighed.

"Yes, Eriol. It is. Bring him there. Do not forget... the letter." Eriol nodded quietly and left the room.

The baffled aristocrats glanced at Xian Long oddly. "Gentlemen... the Revenge of the Rainbow Dragons... shall be fulfilled." They all gaped and flinched before following Xian Long to the courtyard.

-QUEEN'S CHAMBER-

Eriol unlocked the door. It opened with a spooky creak, a result of fourteen years of neglect. He got in quickly, and closed the door again, locking it temporarily with magic. He couldn't be long in here.

Eriol made his way to a lone table at the back of the dusty room. As he walked he remembered the women of the Li family.

There was Fanren, Fuutie, Feimei and Xiefa, the four hyper-energetic girls. Always cheerful, always smiling. Obsessed fanatics of... cute things.

Then there's Yelan. The strict Queen. Although she always looked serious and devoted, she was a woman with a pure heart. Her kindness overflowed, her smile radiant and welcoming.

Eriol reached for the first drawer at the writing table. He concentrated, and tried to find the charmed letter Yelan wrote before she passed away with her daughters. It's not there. A memory flashed inside Eriol's mind.

That disturbing event... changed the once happy wolf cub into a cold, heartless werewolf...

Flashback

"Eriol! Get Syaoran away from here! Hurry!" 5-year-old Eriol blinked. Why was Auntie Yelan asking him leave? Did she hate them?

3-year-old Syaoran Li tugged on his sleeve. "Eriol-chan! Why is Ma-ma bleeding?" Eriol looked at the small scared prince and inspected Yelan closely. Sure enough, she was panting slightly, and black blood stained her cream-coloured battle shoes. She had been injured in her leg!

"Yelan-san, let me call Clow-san to heal your leg!" Eriol turned around to leave but Yelan held his shoulder, pulling him back.

"Clow-san is outside. No need to get him for me! This cannot be healed! Just leave, with Syaoran! Come back when Li-san has returned from the Rukuya Kingdom!" Yelan shouted, making Eriol and Syaoran tremble in fear. Yelan handed the family sword to Syaoran, who jumped with glee. She turned and left, but not before whispering something to Eriol.

"We will be there for you, even if we are spirits..." She ran outside, her own sword held up in front of her. A minute later, Clow Reed came panting in, with the four Li sisters defending his back. He dropped his Staff and kneeled in front of Eriol, placing both of his palms on Eriol's forehead. He pressed them gently.

Eriol felt something flowing through his veins. He closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of it, ignoring a screaming Syaoran who saw his weakening sisters fighting against black strangers.

Syaoran dragged the family sword behind him and punched one of the ninjas in their thigh. Unfortunately, his punch was too small, and it only succeeded in making the assassin wince slightly. Feimei gasped.

"Noooo!! Little brother!!!" She hurriedly ran to them to stop the Black Zen ninja, but she was too late. The 'meanie', as Syaoran called him, knocked Syaoran over, making him groan painfully. The ninja saw the family sword and nearly grabbed it, but Eriol had sent him flying across the room.

The 'new' Eriol took Syaoran in his arms. Clow walked weakly to him and gave him his Sun Pendant, and chanted a spell.

"Eriol, you now have my knowledge. I hand to you, my apprentice, the Sun Staff. You will know when to return to the castle, because... you hold the rank of the Royal... Magician..." Eriol felt his body being spun slowly. Then, when he opened his eyes again, he was in a forest on the Guarding Hill, overlooking the burned roofs of the cottages in the Li Kingdom.

End Flashback

And when he returned to the castle a few days later with Syaoran, Xian Long was mourning sadly over the lifeless bodies of his daughters and wife.

Syaoran also saw them and ran to his room, crying severely.

When he came out the next day, his amber eyes were puffy, and they were no longer happy, but cold and unforgiving. He became stoic and lonely. He never ever laughed or smiled again, he only smirked every now and then. Other times, his face is neutral, emotionless.

As for Clow Reed... he was found pinned to the wall with a cursed sword in his chest, but his face was calm. He died with dignity.

Eriol sighed. He reached for the last drawer. Before he could even yank it out, something inside glowed. It flickered, and broke through the wooden drawer.

A scroll materialized in Eriol's palm. It was silver-coloured, with a magical golden seal. It gives off a turquoise aura.

Eriol smiled faintly. He puts the letter in his robe pocket, and left hastily. There was no time to be lost. Vyclae could sense them easily if they don't depart to the Serenity Forest soon.

-COURTYARD-

Xian Long stood in a battle stance, his trusty sword parallel with his fist. He scrunched his nose, and stabbed the Black Zen soldier standing in front of him. The 'creature' didn't even flinch. It melted into black liquid, before re-forming again, into the same ninja it was before.

Xian Long shivered. He had been stabbing, slicing and casting spells for the last 30 minutes, yet he's still on his first opponent. Then he remembered something.

Minions of the Black Zen Clan are immortals.

Only dragon fire could defeat them, but...

"No." Xian Long whispered to himself.

The Prophecy will succeed. He had to believe in it. It was Yelan's final request for him.

Renewed with a strange feeling of willpower, he continued the battle, clashing the blade of his sword with the one of the ninja's.

If he couldn't defeat them, he could delay them.

-PRINCE'S CHAMBER-

Syaoran Li felt something tugging on his heart.

[What's up? Those normal battles never last this long...] He frowned as he heard another battle cry.

That's enough.

He took the Fire Horn Pendant from its resting box and hanged it around his neck along with his sword pendant. He snatched his travel bag from his closet. He filled it with money, clothes, food and canteens of water, his battle robe, a stack of ofudas... and a picture of his whole family, before most of them died.

He sighed, swung the bag over his shoulder and frowned as Eriol entered his room without knocking.

"Packed up, Syaoran? Let's go then." He asked, summoning his Sun Staff.

"Where are we going this time? Did father ask us to run to the Serenity Forest again? You know, I've seen us beat these rival kingdoms many times. We don't have to go anywhere. They couldn't even get past the imperial guards! What's there to fear?"

"No, Syaoran, this is no ordinary opponent. We... we might never return again."

Syaoran took a shocked step backwards, but he shook his head and nodded curiously.

"Guardians of the Sun and the Moon, bestow upon me, your master, the power of disguise and agility. Release!" A gust of wind blew in the room, and Eriol signaled for Syaoran to stand beside him. A strange blue light encased Eriol and he quivered.

"Come." Eriol took hold of Syaoran's hand. "Agility!" He ran out of the room at an inhuman speed, dragging Syaoran behind him, venturing into the halls, inside the dungeons, across the kitchen, and into the gardens before finally stopping beside a hidden trap door underneath some flower beds. Along the way, they had seen servants flailing their arms in the air helplessly and running away from the castle itself to avoid being killed by the immortal army, who were murderous Black Zen assassins.

"Syaoran, you might experience some difficulty breathing, but not for long." Eriol warned the 17-year-old teenager with unruly hair beside him.

Syaoran glared at him as a 'yes'.

Eriol tapped the ground with the end of his Staff. "Disguise!"

Syaoran choked. He felt as if the air was squeezed out from his lungs, and he cannot inhale anymore. He coughed a bit, but he held strong.

This 'torture' lasted for a full minute before Syaoran could breath normally again, to his utmost relief.

Eriol shook his head. He's starting to feel tired already. He wasted no time in opening the trap door and shoving Syaoran inside.

-SECRET PASSAGE-

Little droplets of water dripped from the crude ceiling of the small passageway. Syaoran snorted. "It smells of dead animal in here..." He commented dryly, clutching his warm Fire Horn Pendant.

Eriol ignored his air of distaste and snapped his fingers.

"Fymora." He muttered. Suddenly, all of the unlit torches on the walls sparked with fire, heating up the place, and lighting the way out.

"I was just about to call out Furrion." Syaoran said. Eriol smiled. "That Hao Okami (3) of yours is not familiar with dampness, remember?" He reminded.

Syaoran frowned and nodded.

"Let's go. We are invisible to everyone, and they cannot hear us, but this is sucking up my magic." Eriol walked briskly forwards with Syaoran tailing him at an equally same pace.

At last, they arrived at the end of the tunnel, where a barred metal gate was situated. Eriol stopped in front of its locks and held his hand out, his palm facing heavenwards. He pulled his hand downwards slowly, keeping it at a same distance with each lock. As he did that, the huge iron padlocks rattled.

By the time he brought his arm back to his side again, the padlocks dropped obediently onto the ground, leaving the metal gate swinging slightly open. Syaoran wasn't surprised. He's used to Eriol's 'tricks'. He had been living with the guy all his life.

Eriol peeked through the small opening and scowled. This surprised Syaoran. It's not the fact that the young magician didn't have to be so secretive and peek on anything (since they're invisible), but it was because Eriol had rarely scowled in the whole time he grew with him. He always had that freak smile on, but why was he scowling now?

It never dawned on Syaoran that Eriol was watching a thatched cottage being burned down, with the tenants being decapitated in front of their neighbours, whom he suspected were going next.

He turned to Syaoran and smiled sadly. "Hide your aura, Syaoran." Syaoran nodded and immediately the green glow outlining him disappeared. Eriol's blue aura dissipated too.

"Syaoran, I hope years of being trained by the best fighters in the kingdom could prepare you for this."

He opened the door fully and ushered for Syaoran to follow him. Syaoran's eyes widened in extreme disbelief.

In front of a half-burnt cottage, a figure in a black cloak was executing innocent villagers with a silver sword. He was smirking clandestinely, enjoying the whole action. Syaoran felt disgusted. He wanted to launch himself at the man, but Eriol held him back.

"Don't, Syaoran! You are absolutely no match for him!" Eriol yelled. He's starting to feel weak. They have to move fast, if they want to get to the Serenity Forest on Guarding Hill without getting spotted.

"But he's killing them!!" Syaoran shouted. Eriol sighed. "Come, Syaoran! I can't hold on to my invisibility spell much longer! We must go now!"

Suddenly, a huge shadow loomed over them. Before Syaoran could even look up to see what it was, Eriol had dragged him into narrow street. "Please, we need to get out of here! Dracul could spot us with his eyes, even if we're invisible! We'll get killed ourselves if that happens!" Syaoran growled.

"Are you mad, Eriol?! That bastard's slaughtering peasants! I must stop him!"

A small earthquake broke out.

"That's Dracul! He's on the ground!" Eriol took Syaoran's arm, and with all his might, pulled him away.

"Agility...!" They picked up speed. Syaoran gritted his teeth in anger.

"Eriol!! Who was that man?! If I can't have his head, I want his name!!" Syaoran looked at Eriol's face.

He was sweating heavily.

"...Eriol?!" Syaoran could feel them slowing down bit by bit. Then it struck him. Eriol's magic is decreasing!

"His... name... is... Vyclae..." Eriol panted. Syaoran gripped Eriol's hand and channeled his own magic energy into him. They whizzed between guarding Black Zen soldiers.

"Thank you, Syao..." Eriol said. Syaoran nodded. Now he's the one who's tired.

-COURTYARD-

Xian Long lay defeated on the ground, along with his comrades. He took a blow too many from a cursed sword, and he's dying. Puddles of black blood collected around him, as he frowned at the sight of the unmoving body of Jin Hui Zhang.

"Tertamii,

Sancera,

Orminx,

Humiyra!!

Syaoran!!"

He chanted loudly. All of a sudden, his brown aura left him and flew somewhere else.

His whole life flashed in his eyes and he exhaled for the last time.

-VYCLAE-

I was laughing at the midnight sky when I saw a brown light shot by me. I scowled. "Xian Long!!!" I climbed onto Dracul and he took to the sky. We followed the light.

It dived suddenly and disappeared. I shook my head. Maybe I'm hallucinating. Dracul, however, roared angrily.

No, something's really up.

-NORMAL POV, SYAORAN AND ERIOL-

A brown light blanketed Syaoran.

"Father...!!!!!!!!" Syaoran shouted desperately. He knew that his father had lost, and was unable to hear his call. That's why he had channeled his remaining aura to his son, to help him.

Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrr!

Eriol shuddered as a huge shadow sheltered them from the rays of the moon. "Syaoran, whatever you do, DO NOT look up. It's not time for you to meet creatures like Dracul yet. " Eriol pleaded. Syaoran thought that this was a ridiculous request, but he complied anyways. That roar intrigued him though.

Syaoran continued to channel the new aura he got from his father for Eriol.

"I'll have to create a diversion!" Eriol yelled and they ran into an empty tavern. There, he made identical duplicates of himself and Syaoran.

"You'll leave by the back door and we'll leave by the front door. This will confuse Dracul, so hopefully he will follow you guys. Go anywhere but the Guarding Hill. In fact, go back to the direction of the castle. GO!" The real Eriol and Syaoran left through the front door, and the fake ones ran out of the back door.

As Eriol anticipated, Dracul got confused.

"Well? What are you after now?" asked Vyclae gruffly. His black dragon flapped its wings as a final decision and went after...

The mirror images.

Eriol sighed contentedly. "That was close. Now, let's go, Syaoran. The Guarding Hill isn't far from here. If we enter the Serenity Forest, the magical shield will conceal our auras. We better get moving." Eriol started to run again, but he felt a heavy weight on his back.

Syaoran had fainted. "Shimatte(1)!! He's given too much of his energy to me!" Eriol carried Syaoran in his arms and ran again.

-SERENITY FOREST-

Eriol sat on a dead stump, and commanded for his Staff to disappear. He released his aura. Syaoran lay on the grass under him, his green aura flickering back on again. They're regenerating as Syaoran slept.

Eriol sighed for what seemed the 10th time that day. He searched his hidden pocket for Yelan's letter.

The silver parchment shone a bright turquoise, as if calling someone. Eriol felt tired and fell asleep, dropping the vibrating scroll. His glasses slid down his nose but he didn't bother to push them up again.

He had no energy whatsoever to check what's wrong with the piece of rolled up paper shaking and glowing abnormally at his feet.

-DRAGONYTE KINGDOM-

Fujitaka Kinomoto looked up from his book, as if jerked out of a nightmare. He stayed still for a few minutes and quickly snapped the book shut. He returned it onto the bookshelf hastily.

He scurried out of the Royal Library and went into the Palace Gardens.

"Esquela Gitaunen Xartamus!" He called out. Suddenly a golden-scaled dragon swooped down from the sky and landed beside Fujitaka, who jumped onto him.

Xartamus is a rare golden dragon, with thick scales of gold protecting its body from harm. He has a long, shining spiky tail, and a huge flat piece of spearhead at the end of it. His wings are enormous and bat-like. He has sharp claws, but he rarely uses them in combat. He has wing-like ears, which are very acute at hearing. In the middle of his nose, a yellow gem glimmered with a hidden fire. His eyes are also yellow, and his teeth are properly kept, all sharp and deadly. He could reflect the sun's rays with his shiny body, but at night, he could overturn his scales (yes, he could do that) and stay gray. He uses this technique when he's on night tasks with Fujitaka.

"What is it, Fujitaka? You don't normally call me in the middle of the night." Xartamus asked worriedly, overturning his scales into 'night mode'. For Fujitaka to call him in these hours of darkness, it must be very, very urgent.

"Syaoran Li is in incomparable danger." Said Fujitaka simply. Xartamus made a shocked noise in his throat. It sounded like a sudden 'hrrrr'.

"I need to wake Touya and his best friend. Can you please bring me up to Touya's bedroom?" Xartamus nodded and soared upwards.

Fujitaka disembarked at Touya's balcony, and opened the sliding door. Touya was sleeping soundlessly under the blankets of one of the two huge beds in the room, while his best friend was eating a rice ball, sitting comfortably in a chair beside the other empty bed, supposedly his. He was still wearing his official uniform, a gray cloak with a white tunic underneath, and black slacks. On the cloak, the emblem of the Dragonyte Kingdom, a picture of a clawing golden dragon (surely Xartamus), was sewed in golden thread.

Yukito, the Royal Healer of the Dragonyte Kingdom, finished his midnight snack and saw Fujitaka. He grinned widely.

"Kinomoto-sama! What brings you to our room?" Yukito stood up and bowed. He slowly made his way outside to accompany his king. He saw Xartamus and smiled. The golden dragon nodded to him once as a greeting.

Fujitaka laughed shortly. "Yukito-kun, I told you many times to call me Fujitaka."

Yukito smiled. "Why, of course, Fujitaka-sama."

Fujitaka adopted a serious look again. "Wake Touya-kun up. We have to leave." Yukito blinked. "And summon Bulan and Farziilus. We might need to warp." The brown-haired king informed, although his voice held an air of command in it.

Yukito nodded. "But where are we going, Fujitaka-sama?" Fujitaka glanced at the awaiting Xartamus.

"The Li Kingdom is down." Fujitaka paused. Yukito gasped.

"Vyclae had ambushed them with his Clan." The King continued, now looking remorsefully at Yukito.

The gray-haired man shook his head slowly, refusing to believe what his King had told him. But he knew that Fujitaka Kinomoto had never lied before.

"And... what happened to-" Fujitaka cut him in his sentence.

"He's alright. Eriol Hiiragizawa is with him. But he's weak and is still in the risk of being found by Vyclae and his black dragon. We have to act fast." And with that, he rode Xartamus, and waited for Touya and Yukito. He needed to get them to somewhere with a lot of space to summon their own soul dragons.

Yukito sighed in relief. "I'll be right back, Fujitaka-sama." Yukito said before he disappeared into the room.

"Fujitaka." Called Xartamus. "How did you know that the Li Kingdom is attacked by Vyclae?" Fujitaka sighed.

"I could hear Yelan's spirit calling me and telling me. She had done it several times before, after she died. She never spoke to anyone else but Nadeshiko, Xian Long and me. It must be one of those Connection Letters she created. It's simple to use. You write a letter, and put a spell on it. It will trap some of your spirit. If this letter is important enough, the spirit in the letter could contact living people." Xartamus snorted fire as a sign of his astonishment.

Touya emerged from his room with Yukito behind him. He was wearing a black cloak, covering his royal red robe.

"Is it true, father? The Li Kingdom is no more?" Touya asked shakily. Yukito had his head down.

"Fortunately, no. The heir to the throne is alive, with the Royal Magician. Please, Touya, we need to get him far away from the Li Kingdom as soon as we can!" Touya nodded to his father and climbed onto Xartamus, followed by Yukito.

Xartamus brought them to a field with a huge rock in the middle and a lake behind it. The moon was clearly visible, and if one was to stand at the foot of the rock, it would look as if the moon is perched on top of the tip of it.

Touya and Yukito jumped off Xartamus. Yukito stood beside the lake and Touya walked up to the rock. Fujitaka stood a little distance away with Xartamus.

Touya touched the rock and closed his eyes. "Dynavera Rectuss Farziilus!" He shouted. Suddenly, the rock crumbled. Now in its place, was a floating, slithering dragon.

Farziilus has small hands and legs, with two pairs of wings. It looked like a Chinese dragon, with its long, wavering body, constantly moving from side to side. But what's strange is that the body... it's entirely crystal! The wings, one pair just past its hands and the other just past its legs were flapping, but were clearly golden! Its claws were diamonds, and in a straight order from the top of his head to the tip of his nose, lined precious gems like rubies, emeralds, aquamarines and amber. His eyes were a tense black colour. [1]

Touya sat on a saddle on his dragon's head, as Farziilus's whole body was moving, and it's impossible to sit up straight anywhere there. The two joined Fujitaka on the sidelines and waited for Yukito.

Fujitaka shifted uncomfortably in his seat. He's frightened and anxious. What if it's too late for Syaoran and Eriol when they arrive there?

Yukito picked up a random medium-sized rock and chanted. "Yue Astairi Bulan!"

He threw the glowing rock into the reflection of the moon on the lake's surface. Amazingly, the rock stayed afloat. It was bathed in the moonlight and slowly formed into a similar slithering dragon like Farziilus.

Bulan meant moon in an Eastern language, and that's exactly what this white dragon represented. It had huge, majestic, feathery white wings, with light purple eyes. Unlike Farziilus, though, Bulan's body doesn't move, except for his tail, which is slightly weighed down by a white rock. That's the same rock Yukito threw in the lake but it's now changed into a rare moon rock.

Yukito waved to Bulan and jumped onto him.

"We must go now. We have already wasted 15 minutes! Warp to the Li Kingdom!" Fujitaka shouted. The three dragons huddled together and formed a circle in the sky.

Slowly, a round, white portal formed magically. Xartamus entered it, followed by Farziilus and Bulan.

-MAGICIAN'S CHAMBER, DRAGONYTE KINGDOM-

Rizurel petted the head of his black and orange striped dragon absently.

He couldn't believe that the Li Kingdom has fallen. But if the prince is okay, then...

Tegrel licked Rizurel's cheek with his rough tongue. He got worried of watching his master staring into the distance, petting him unenthusiastically.

Rizurel snapped out of his thoughts and smiled at his dragon.

Tegrel wasn't at all grand, but being the dragon of a magician gave him superior intelligence, knowing as much as Xartamus himself. He has the stripes of a tiger, and three, long tails. Yes, three. His wings are swallow-like, earning him the title of the swiftest dragon in all of Dragonyte. He has to be, for some of the ingredients Rizurel needs for his spells expire quickly. His orange eyes made him look vulnerable, but Tegrel could be as fierce as a tiger itself, if he wants to.

"Are you okay, Rizurel?" He asked. Rizurel nodded. "I thought that you've suddenly gone mute or something." Tegrel commented. The black-haired man beside him laughed at that. "You are a special dragon, Tegrel." Commented Rizurel heartily. Tegrel breathed a little fire happily, careful not to burn his master.

"Rizurel, why are you still awake?" asked a sleepy Artemis, turning in the bed to face her husband. Her dragon, Lelias, poked Tegrel. "You need to sleep too, Tel! Today's journey to get the Fire Rocks from Api Mountain must tire you a lot!" Tegrel shook his head. "No, it doesn't, Lis." Tegrel replied, staying beside his master.

The pink striped white dragon named Lelias huffed slightly. Rizurel and Artemis laughed.

"Well, Artemis, I was listening to Fujitaka-sama talking with Touya-sama and Yukito-san." Rizurel said sadly. Artemis got off the bed and stood beside her husband with Tegrel. "What is it?" Rizurel shook his head. "I can't tell you. We have to watch it ourselves." Rizurel puts on his cloak. Artemis looked at him, puzzled, then she did the same. Tegrel and Lelias followed their master and mistress.

The four of them waited in the gardens, unaware of a small figure of a girl behind some trees, shielding her pink aura carefully.

-LI KINGDOM-

Xartamus, Bulan and Farziilus jumped out of the portal quickly. It closed behind them. Xartamus froze and glared. Bulan snarled ferociously. Farziilus spouted blue fire.

In front of them, an angry Dracul roared.

-VYCLAE-

I was flying around aimlessly on Dracul, in hope to find more peasants to kill, when a blinding light appeared out of nowhere. I rushed to it, suspecting that it was peasants playing with fireworks, to find Fujitaka and two other men on their dragons. I know Xartamus, and he was glaring at us, but the other two, who also seemed to be angry at me, were enchanting, to say the least. Too bad they weren't mine.

Dracul roared at the mere sight of Xartamus. They never got along, the two of them.

-AT THE SAME PLACE, NORMAL POV-

"We meet again, Vyclae." said Fujitaka. Bulan and Farziilus were jerked back by Yukito and Touya, because they were starting to get very tempted to attack Dracul. Xartamus remained calm, although his eyes flickered with anger.

Vyclae laughed evilly. "Yes, I agree, Fujitaka. How could I forget the kind, respectful king of the Dragonyte Kingdom?" He commented sarcastically.

Fujitaka smirked. "And how could I forget the most stupidest, ignorant, arrogant, clumsy ex-general of the Dragonyte Army?" He countered in a tone of truth. Vyclae gritted his teeth in anger. Dracul sent huge quantities of extremely hot black fireballs hurtling towards Xartamus, but he dodged them so easily and gracefully that Touya almost thought that he was dancing.

"ARRGHHH!! DRACUL, ATTACK!!" Vyclae ordered crossly. Dracul attempted to burn Xartamus with his black fire, but Xartamus flew behind him. Dracul turned around and bit Xartamus's neck.

Fujitaka's golden dragon roared in pain. It breathed fire at the black dragon in front of him, narrowly missing Vyclae. Dracul released him immediately.

Fujitaka checked the area Dracul bit Xartamus, and smiled faintly. The wound is healing by itself. Had Vyclae forgotten the small fact that his golden dragon was a self-healer?

"If you want to play rough, Vyclae, so be it!" Bellowed Fujitaka. Vyclae laughed again. Dracul roared, as if sure that he's gonna win this battle, and zoomed towards Xartamus. Fujitaka smiled. He whispered something to Xartamus's wing-like ears.

"Close-ranged Spike Spin?" He suggested. Xartamus nodded confidently.

Vyclae raised his eyebrows, wondering why Xartamus isn't making a single move. He laughed maniacally anyways, thinking that this is going to be the day that he defeats the king of the most powerful and mythical kingdom that ever existed in the world. Touya and Yukito just expected the worst.

Suddenly, seconds away from a direct impact with Dracul, Fujitaka jumped off Xartamus and landed on Bulan, who edged backwards, surprised. Xartamus quickly spiked up his scales and spun.

Dracul didn't have any time to react. Xartamus's spiky, spinning form managed to scratch his neck deeply, and sent him plunging to ground.

Vyclae threw himself off before Dracul could squash him. He rolled and came to a stop beside a rock. He stood up weakly, his knees and cheek scratched. But his arm particularly, was bleeding badly. "Bakayaro... (2)" He cursed, wincing slightly in pain.

Dracul was lying unconscious on his back, with his scaly wings spread out, his neck wet with blood.

Vyclae walked to his dragon uncomfortably and dropped beside him, exhausted and drained for some unknown reason.

Xartamus stopped spinning and shook his head. He felt a bit dizzy. Fujitaka got onto him again and gestured for him to land beside the dying Dracul. Xartamus looked at him and said, "Are you mad? This is Dracul and Vyclae we're talking about here! He could kill you with his Silver Dragons' Tail Sword in a single swipe!"

Xartamus searched, but he couldn't see a hint of playfulness or joking in Fujitaka's eyes and face. Everywhere he looked, it said "I'm serious." He sighed and descended slowly. "Just be careful." Fujitaka nodded wordlessly and kneeled beside Dracul's bloody neck.

Touya diverted his eyes from his father and looked at Yukito, who had his face in his hands, shaking it slightly. Touya sighed. He stared at the Serenity Forest, then at the Li Kingdom. It seems like everything beyond the Kingdom's walls was on fire, including the grand citadel. At that precise moment, he wondered of the welfare of the Li Prince.

Fujitaka felt the tip of a sword near his neck. He glimpsed from the corner of his eyes and saw the rugged-edged blade of the Silver Dragons' Tail Sword, held by its hilt by Vyclae.

Fujitaka ignored the dangerous position he's in, took a deep breath and touched Dracul's wound. He could feel the blade cutting into his flesh and warm blood soaking his cape.

It felt like hundreds of mini-swords attacking his neck. Still, he ignored everything and closed his eyes, concentrating on healing Dracul.

He couldn't leave a dying dragon to its death if he could've easily healed it.

Even if the dragon originated from the Shadow Dragons race, and works with the Black Zen Clan.

Xartamus growled. How could Vyclae hurt Fujitaka when he's helping his own dragon? But that's when he heard it, a heart-breaking sentence that one could never had believed flowed from the mouth of the most vile man in the world of Wedromone.

"What are you doing, Fujitaka, touching my best friend..."

Vyclae said, and he continued, his voice teeming with sadness. "... When he's dying...?"

Fujitaka frowned. "He's not going away yet, Uiji Hakura!" He shouted firmly, using Vyclae's real name bravely.

Uiji trembled. How could Fujitaka still remember his name? It had been years since he left Dragonyte Army, where his name was known widely. His sword dropped onto the ground and he gaped slightly.

Dracul's wound was healing! It's as if the time was played backwards again! Oh, how happy Vyclae/Uiji was! He picked his sword up and sheathed it again.

Silently, he thanked Fujitaka.

Unfortunately, Fujitaka heard him and said "You're welcome." He hopped onto Xartamus and watched as Uiji rubbed Dracul's belly. The black dragon blinked and got onto his feet.

Vyclae climbed onto Dracul and patted the dragon's neck.

Xartamus could just hear Dracul 'hrrr'ing lowly, pleased with the caring side of his master.

Both of the dragons rose into the air. Xartamus and Fujitaka flew to Farziilus and Bulan, while Vyclae and Dracul summoned a huge portal.

Suddenly, thousands of Black Zen assassins poured out of the gates of the Li Kingdom and entered the portal. Vyclae glowered at Fujitaka who smiled back.

"I'll let you go this time. But we will meet again, Fujitaka."

"I'll be waiting, Hakura-san." Fujitaka replied, before Uiji/Vyclae disappeared into the portal himself, and the whole gateway vanished.

There was brief, mutual silence before Fujitaka spoke up.

"I, Fujitaka Kinomoto, king of the Dragonyte Kingdom, declare the Li Kingdom, physically, no more!"

Touya couldn't hold back a single tear to sprout from his eye. Yukito nodded, his cheeks already stained from the crying he did earlier. He'll miss the kind golden eyes of King Li, all of the people in the Dragonyte Kingdom will.

"Xian Long Li and his family had been great friends to the Kinomoto family, and all of them who died will be missed severely." He announced finally before turning around to face his son and his Royal Healer.

"Prince Syaoran Li will stay with us secretly, until it's time. Please warn everyone that they must not tell of him to anyone outside of the Dragonyte Kingdom. This news shall not reach the ears of rare wanderers to our land. Now let's go get the Prince and the Magician."

And with that, Xartamus, Farziilus and Bulan headed to the Serenity Forest.

-SERENITY FOREST-

"Eriol Hiiragizawa will ride with you, Yukito, since Bulan has extra space." Yukito nodded affirmatively and placed Eriol's sleeping form in front of his saddle.

"Prince Li will be carried by me and Xartamus, as he's the weakest and most vulnerable." Fujitaka positioned Syaoran on so that he could lean against him afterwards.

"What should I carry, Otou-san?" asked Touya. Fujitaka looked around him and saw Syaoran's traveling bag and a scroll. He pointed to them. Touya nodded and picked the items up. He hugged the bag and gripped the scroll tightly. The three dragons flew out of Serenity Forest and formed another portal. They disappeared into it in a second and the portal vanished into thin air.

A few minutes later, something inside the withering kingdom ignited, causing a huge explosion. It burned everything down to black ashes, which were blown away by the soft midnight wind.

There weren't any single trace left of the kingdom that had previously resided there.

-HYDRALIC PALACE GARDENS, DRAGONYTE KINGDOM-

Rizurel covered his eyes with his arm, and motioned for the others to do the same.

A white light appeared out of nowhere, highlighting the dark garden. Farziilus made a crash landing, followed by a more composed Bulan, then a calmer Xartamus.

Three pairs of eyes widened at the sight. Rizurel wasn't surprised, he had anticipated their return. Just like the girl with emerald eyes, who was hiding in the distant shadows.

The four bowed.

"Rizurel and Artemis Kihara! What drives you to stay outside when you should be sleeping?" Fujitaka said in a concerned tone, still not coming off Xartamus.

"Deepest apologies, Your Majesty. It's just that I have accidentally heard your conversation with the First Prince, and I was worried that you would return in a troubled condition, Your Highness. My wife, our soul dragons and I decided to wait for you." The four bowed their heads courteously. Fujitaka smiled. "Thank you, Rizurel. And I wish for you to call me by my first name, like you call my daughter. Right, Sakura-chan?" Fujitaka asked to the shadows. Everyone focused to where he was staring.

A faint groan was heard, and Sakura Kinomoto stepped out of the blackness. She was wearing her favourite purple-pink nightgown. She smiled nervously as the others, including the dragons, who looked at her amusedly. "I-I... I shielded my aura." She sighed in defeat and released her comforting pink aura, sending a surge of power to the group ahead of her. Keroberos was sitting on her shoulder, clearly bored of her behaviour.

Rizurel and Artemis bowed at her. "Princess."

Fujitaka laughed. "You are a sneaky one, my child." He said jokingly. Sakura pouted.

Fujitaka descended from his saddle and lifted Syaoran off Xartamus. Yukito did the same with Eriol, and Touya hopped off his dragon, patting it on the head. Farziilus 'hrrrr'ed. Touya dropped his load on the grass and stretched.

Rizurel, his family and Kero rushed to see the two newcomers. Sakura shrugged and went to greet the dragons, not caring about the importance of the whole commotion unfolding in front of her very eyes.

Farziilus and Bulan nudged Sakura's sides. She giggled uncontrollably. "S-s-stop, you k-k-know I'm t-t-ticklish!!!!" She shouted in between giggles. Lelias and Tegrel joined in the fun. Xartamus growled softly and shook his head. "Young ones, leave the princess alone." He came to Sakura's side. The teen princess was about to thank him when suddenly Xartamus breathed hot air down her neck. Sakura curled into a ball. "Xartamus! Don't do that! It tickles!" Sakura scolded. Xartamus 'hrrr'ed delightedly. Soon, all of the dragons breathed at the laughing Sakura.

Touya looked over his shoulder at his little sister. He decided to help her out.

"Now, now, Sakura has something to do for the Fujitaka-san. All of you, back to where you belong." The dragons snarled playfully at Touya before obeying him. Xartamus flew to somewhere in the sky, Farziilus and Bulan returned to the field they came from before and Tegrel and Lelias trotted back to Rizurel and Artemis. Kero gasped at the news Fujitaka gave him about the Li Kingdom, and instantly hugged one of Tegrel's tails for comfort. Tegrel 'hrr'ed confusedly.

Sakura thanked her big brother. "Whatever, Kaijuu." Sakura frowned and stomped on Touya's feet. "This is one of those rare occasions, isn't it? What did you brought back anyway? An ancient manuscript like last time?" Sakura asked. Touya's face expression changed immediately. He looked as glum as ever now, and Sakura became worried. What did she say that made her usually tough, cheerful brother look so... sad?

"Sakura... The Li Kingdom..." Touya sighed. Sakura knew something was wrong and rushed to her father and Yukito. She nearly fainted.

Messy brown hair... green aura?

Yes... there, in her father's arms, is Syaoran Li, unconscious and tired-looking. Sakura furrowed her eyebrows pitifully. "Otou-san, isn't this... Syaoran Li?" Sakura asked. Her father nodded miserably. Sakura gasped. "Then the Li Kingdom... is... is..." She stuttered as she fell on her knees.

Touya finished for her. "Is gone." Sakura felt tears rising in her chest and she allowed them to flow. She has always thought of Xian Long Li as a second father, and this loss was too much for her. The Li Kingdom was the strongest among the five Kingdoms who knew about the mythical Dragonyte Kingdom, and the closest. Although Syaoran and Sakura never meet each other when Fujitaka visited the Li Kingdom, Sakura always heard of him through his father. She doubts that Syaoran ever heard of her, he was never interested in nonsense.

Rizurel, Artemis, Fujitaka, Touya, Kero, Tegrel, Lelias and Yukito looked away, and tried hard not to look at the stained face of the broken porcelain doll kneeling in front of them.

"Don't... cry... Princess..." Coughed Eriol, now fully awaken. Sakura snapped her head in his direction. "You must be Eriol Hiiragizawa..." Sakura smiled faintly and stopped crying. Eriol patted Yukito's shoulder. The silver-haired young man understood and lowered Eriol to his feet. The Magician thanked him and greeted everyone, including the two dragons, who said "Hello" back. He raised his eyebrows at them. [Dragons...?!] He thought.

Eriol shook the hands of the First Prince, the Royal Dragonyte Magician, the Royal Healer and the King. He crouched beside Sakura and smiled sadly. "The Li Kingdom would still prosper in our hearts, ne? Anyway, Syaoran is still here, you know." The teenager in the dark blue robe pointed at the figure in Fujitaka's arms. Sakura smiled. "Hai. Arigatou, Hiiragizawa-san." She exclaimed happily. Eriol waved his hands. "Please, I prefer Eriol-kun." Sakura giggled. Eriol turned to bow to the King, but Fujitaka stopped him. "I don't like people bowing to me. I'm just a human, like everyone else." Fujitaka said.

Touya rolled his eyes.

"Yes, Kinomoto-sama."

Fujitaka shook his head. "I'll need to ask everyone to call me Fujitaka from now on." The group laughed, while Tegrel and Lelias 'hrrrr'ed.

"Sakura, could Syaoran sleep in your bedroom tonight? He needs to be with someone else and looked after. He's still weak and his magic isn't fully restored yet. Since your room is the best in the whole kingdom, and it's heavily guarded, he would be safe there. Is that alright with you?" Fujitaka requested, and Sakura blinked hesitantly.

She didn't realize that she was nodding.

"Fujitaka-san, may I know where I am at this present moment?" Eriol asked. Everyone turned to him. Fujitaka nodded to Rizurel, and the Dragonyte Magician approached his counterpart. Well, not really.

"Eriol-kun..." He waved his hands and a staff appeared in them. It was light purple, with a globe mounted on the top. In the globe, a black swirl rotated. At the sides of the globe, two pairs of small wings flapped every now and then.

Rizurel was joined by Tegrel, who roared.

"We, the legendary White Zen Clan, welcome you to the prosperous Dragonyte Kingdom."

(1)- Damn it

(2)- Bastard

(3)- I'm not gonna tell you what this means yet! That would be spoiling the fun! -pouts- But you'll know soon. I hope I didn't get the words wrong. Forgive me if I do. -insert apologetic bow-

[1] - I'm building a small, simple website on this fic. When I'm done, it will be full of images where you could like... refer to. For now, imagine Farziilus and Bulan as Selece from Magic Knights Rayearth (which I don't own either) or Tsubasa RESERVoir CHRoNicle.

Atry: Harharhar! This is gooood. Another (rubbishy?) fic. XDDDDD I'm so gonna get lots more of sleepless nights --;;;;;;

Viratenn: -glares at the computer screen- Harumph.

Atry: Oh! Minna-san, I introduce to you, one of my two new muses for LD, Duilangeus Videraw Fanderal Yitrumus Viratennekh! -claps excitedly- He's a special muse, from N e o p e t s . c o m!!! A dragon called a Draik!!!! Just call him VT, Vie-kun, Vite or more formally, Viratenn. -pats Viratenn fondly-

Viratenn: Ack, gerrrof!!! -shoves Atry away and leaves to find the other muse-

Atry: .-.;;;;; He's so cold! Like Syaoran-kun! -glomps imaginary Syaoran doll- Perfect! Another fic uploaded just before the first day of school. Seriously. -growls- I'll pay a lot to see my secondary school being blow up. Harharhar. Anyway... REVIEWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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