Legend of Omeitn 2: Battle Field Tokyo

Chapter 4

Darkness fell. The moon was the only source of light on the rooftop of the school. Edison sat beside the doorway, bathed in the soft moonlight. He hugged his legs and buried his face into his own arms, frustrated and confused. He recalled the power he summoned this afternoon. That was more than just dangerous, that was lethal. If not managed properly, he could have easily killed someone.

Slowly, he looked up, and stared at his own shaky hands. Those hands could easily be stained by other’s blood. The thought frightened him. Once again, he held his hands into fists, and shut his eyes. What had he become?

His mind began to wander. This whole thing was too fast, too confusing. He came back to the same question again and again…

Why?

Why he, of all people, was granted the power to bring pain upon others?

Swirl of light took form, and surrounded Edison. Idipus’s whisper echoed in the air around him. I see…you are still…too young to have experienced real power.

Edison’s eyes snapped open; he waved his hands though the swirls of light, trying to brush them away. “No! I…I don’t even know those people!” His head recalled the image of the two students he almost killed today. “Why…why must I…hurt them?” Furious, he sighed and sat down. “They have done…nothing wrong.”

Idipus smiled. Ah, so it is the reason that you seek. Very well then…He twirled around and whispered in his ears. I shall tell you…the reason.

Your reason to hate…

“So basically…” Shi Shi, wearing nothing but a long T-shirt and her panty, dried her hair as she came out of the shower. “Your school is off limit even during lunch right? No outsiders are allowed?”

“That’s supposed to be the case.” Syaoran drank a warm cup of cocoa, trying no to look as Shi Shi sat down on the sofa across from him. “The fluffs were dropping from the school roof top, which was supposed to be restricted from outsiders at anytime.”

“So the conclusion is…” Jon touched his chin. “Our enemy lies within your school.”

“That’s a possibility.” Syaoran stood up as he heard the doorbell rang. At this hour, it could only be Sakura and Tomoyo.

“Either that or the enemy can fly.” Shi Shi joked. Jon laughed. Soon after that, they heard Syaoran yelled. “What the…!” The two ran up to the door, and saw what he was yelling at.

“What the heck are you doing here!?” He pointed to the stuffed animal that was sticking out of Sakura’s bag. Jon and Shi Shi both thought Syaoran was going mad for yelling at a stuffed toy, until the toy actually bit Syaoran’s finger. “I came because unusual phenomenon is appearing in this town again! As a guardian beast of the Clow Card, I have the right to investigate!”

Syaoran pulled his finger out, and shouted at the beast. “That didn’t even make sense!” Slowly, he shifted his view point from the beast to the girl that was carrying it. “Sakura…”

A sweat rolled down Sakura’s head. “I’m sorry, Syaoran. I blew our cover.” Kero nodded. “Like she can hide anything from me.”

“Don’t be so upset Li-kun.” Tomoyo stepped into his apartment without second thought. “The more the merrier.” Syaoran sighed, and gave up. It was true that Sakura could never keep a secret from these two.

“Talking stuffy.” Shi Shi poked Kero’s head once or twice before Sakura could warn her. “Shi Shi! No!”

“Who’s a talking what now?” Kero jumped out of the bag and began slashing with his soft fluffy paws.

“Wow! You can fly, too?” Shi Shi exclaimed. “How cute!” She grabbed him in mid-air, and began squeezing him tightly against her chest. Kero tried fighting back, but she was holding him too tightly for him to even breathe. Sakura jumped into the scene when half of Kero’s face was turning purple. “Ah! Shi Shi! I think he’s choking!” Yet, her attention was caught by something else. “Ah…um…Shi Shi…that T-shirt…”

“Oh, I found this in Syaoran’s closet. Don’t I look good in his clothes?” Shi Shi giggled, and continued hugging Kero.

“Yes…you do.” Already forgot about Kero, Sakura forced a smile and answered quietly as flames of jealousy burned all around her. “I’m glad that…Syaoran and you are so close that you can even share clothes with each other.”

Tomoyo smiled as she sat down at the sofa. “So, what did we miss?”

Jon picked up an apple from the fruit bowl, and started biting. “We’ve come to a conclusion that the enemy lies within the school.”

“Oh good.” Tomoyo clapped. “Then what better way for you to capture the criminal than sneaking in as students yourselves? Oh my, I have a feeling that I’ll have such good videos I can tape this time.”

Sakura and Syaoran stood up at once. “Tomoyo! Don’t encourage them!”

“Hm…that’s a great idea.” Shi Shi began considering. “Beats staying at home all day.”

“Hey yeah, that sounds fun.” Jon agreed.

Too late.

“No! You mustn’t!” Syaoran yelled. “If you do that I’ll kick you both out of the house!”

“Okay, okay. We’re just kidding.” Jon held up both hands and protested. Yet something in Syaoran’s heart told him that Jon was no where near kidding. He kept glaring at Jon, who now began to change the subject. “Ah…oh my! Look at the time. Tomoyo and Sakura should really go home.”

Sakura hugged the cushion on Syaoran’s sofa and whined. “Oh, but I want to stay…I even brought my pajamas…” Before she could even finish her sentence, Kero jumped out of Shi Shi’s grip, and shouted. “No way! For Christ’s sake, Sakura! You’re only a child, and you’re staying over in a boy’s house! I will not allow that!” He shook his head like mad to prove his determination to object.

Sakura slammed the cushion. “What’s the big deal? It’s just a sleep over. I told dad and Touya that I’d be staying over at Tomoyo’s anyway. Besides, it’s not like we haven’t done this before. In Ometin, Syaoran and I even shared the same bed…” She clamped her own mouth shut, but it was too late. The crowd had already registered the information.

“Sakura!” Syaoran’s face turned bright red.

“You did what now!?” Kero turned to yell at Syaoran; his face was red too, but from anger.

“Oh my, you and Li-kun has already advanced this far? I must get all the details.” Tomoyo took a recorder out of her bag, and began taping.

“No! It’s not what you guys think! It’s not what it sounds like!” Sakura yelled on top of the group, unable to hide her embarrassment. Tomoyo pointed the mike to her face and asked. “Then what did happen, Sakura?”

“I…I…” Sakura’s blush deepened. Jon smirked, and decided to make more fun of the already awkward situation. “What are you talking about, Sakura? It’s exactly what it sounds like.”

“Jon!” The couple yelled. Tomoyo made a full one-eighty turn and switched her focus to Jon. “Oh really?”

“Oh yeah.” Jon laughed. “I mean, come on, they were on a journey together for months. All the things that should happen between them had already happened.”

“What!?” Sakura and Syaoran’s voice were joined by Kero’s. “I’d kill you!!” Kero screeched, and leaped to hit Syaoran with his fluffy paws. “No! Don’t listen to him!” Syaoran put the cushion over his head, trying to hide from Kero’s attack. Jon continued to stir up the situation. “Oh yeah. I’d say they are even closer than a married couple.”

“Wow…” Tomoyo and Shi Shi both awed.

“Jon! Stop it!” Sakura yelled, and through a cushion directly at Jon’s face.

And thus began a pillow fight.

“Thanks, I haven’t had this much fun since all the Clow Cards were captured.” Tomoyo waited for Sakura to get into the car first, then she stepped off to thank Jon for the walking them out to Tomoyo’s limousine. She gave him a paper bag, and said. “There you go. Here are more clothes for you and Shi Shi. You can’t wear Touya-san’s clothes forever; and let’s face it, though Shi Shi looks amazing in Syaoran’s clothes, she needs something more lady-like, too. I believe that’s something that Li-kun can’t provide. Or at least I hope so.” She began laughing at her own joke. Jon just stood there with a sweat drop over his head.

“Oh, and by the way,” She winked. “I’ve added in a little surprise in there. I believe you would find it quite handy.” With that, she went into the limo, and slammed the door shut.

Jon watched as the car drove off, the he peeked into the bag. Gasping at the sight of the clothes, he ran his hand through his hair and laughed. Rich people, he couldn’t believe them.

Mrs. Celloto never thought it would happen to her. She had seen parents on television pondered around in their own kitchen, worried sick about their child’s whereabouts. But Edison was a good kid; he might not be the best student in class yet his mother knew that he was not the kind to stay out until this late without calling. Possibilities rushed through her head. Was there an accident? Did something happen to him? Did he suddenly wish to leave home? She knew she was just scaring herself with negative thoughts; however, she couldn’t keep it out of her mind.

Like a dog answering to its owner’s whistle; Mrs. Celloto’s head snapped up when she heard the sound of key chanting outside the door. She rushed towards the door and opened it before Edison could. Still with the keys in his hand, Edison looked up and said. “Good evening, mom.”

Mrs. Celloto took a breath of relieve and began lecturing. “Do you have any idea how late it is? Where were you, and why didn’t you call?”

“I’m sorry, mom.” He walked into the house and took off his backpack. “I had issues I had to deal with.” Without another word, he walked upstairs into his room and shut the door behind him, leaving his mother confused and angry.

Leaning on the door in the dark, he faced the floor, and held still for a moment. His mother’s voiced faded off into the background, and his lips jerked into a smile. Slowly, he lifted his head, and said. “Hey, Idipus.”

Dusts of light gathered and took form before his eyes. Idipus looked into his eyes, knowing full well why he called upon him.

Edison’s eyes stared off into the space for a while, and then he turned, and looked back into Idipus’s eyes. “I’ve decided to help you.”

Idipus smirked. A wise choice. His weightless body began circling his new comrade. Together, as one, we can accomplish much…

For when one loses all that he has, there is no such thing as fear…

The sound of the textbook dropping snapped Syaoran back to reality.

Sakura turned her head around as the teacher continued to write on the chalkboard. She bended down and helped Syaoran picked up his textbook.  “There.” She said as she handed the book to him. Syaoran nodded, and said. “Thanks.”

“Are you okay, Syaoran? You look tired.” Sakura studied him with a worried look on her face.

“Oh? Um, yeah. I’m fine.” They both knew it was a lie. He had been spacing out quite often lately. Ever since he came back from Ometin, he hadn’t been getting a good night of sleep. Night after night he was haunted by nightmares that he could never remember when he woke. Even in the day, he would be lost in his own thoughts, daydreaming as if he was asleep with his eyes open. Yet as he snaps back to reality, he could never recall what he was thinking of.

One thing was for sure. There was darkness involved. He didn’t know where his mind was whenever he toned out, yet on some level of his wake conscience, he remembered there was someone, something, calling him beyond the cold darkness. It made him uncomfortable, and he could never recall the details of those thoughts.

However, beside than that, he was also haunted by a bad feeling today. Not the same kind of bad feelings that his nightmare gave him; it was as if he knew something was to happen and it would bring him a big headache.

Things like that usually involved Jon and Shi Shi.

He sighed, and tried his best to focus on the class. Thus, he failed to notices two figures walking into school property outside the window.

Shi Shi spun around in her newly acquired uniform, and looked at Jon. “We look just like the real thing.” She curtsied in her skirt; the school uniform that Tomoyo gave them was a perfect fit. Even without the school bag, she would have no problem fitting in with the other students.

Jon tightened his tie and straightened his light blue blazer. “Speak for yourself. I feel out of place dressing up so formally. I’m stiffed all over.” He smoothed the edges, and Shi Shi stepped up. “Well, whatever you do, don’t blow your cover, alright? We’ll have to slit up here, and I’m worried that you’ll get us both busted. I want to have some fun before Sakura and Syaoran find out.”

“Whatever.” Jon turned to look at the taller building: the senior high school. He remembered playing a game of soccer in that field with that…guy…what was his name? Touya…something. He couldn’t remember. Oh well, he though, he could always ask him again when they meet.

He had a feeling they’d meet again.

“No! Not that, Li-kun!”

“Huh?”

When Syaoran’s mind returned to reality, he was pouring in the liquid into the beaker before he knew it. It made a tiny explosion, and black smoke emerged from his lab project. He stood back and coughed; even with his safety goggles, the smoke was getting to his eyes. He took off his work gloves, shoved it into his lab coat pocket and started fanning the air.

Mr. Terada came over, and inspected his product. “Li-kun, I’ve stressed again and again that you shouldn’t pour the chemical in too fast. Weren’t you even listening one bit when I talked?”

“Sorry, sir.” Syaoran lowered his head, feeling himself flushed.

Mr. Terada sighed, and noted something on his clipboard. “I’ll give you a pass this time. But you’ll have to stay behind to clean up the equipment for the class afterwards.” Syaoran answered without energy. “I understand.” The bell rang, and Syaoran removed his safety goggles. Everyone rushed out of the classroom except for Sakura. She stayed behind and walked over to Syaoran. “Syaoran…are you okay?”

Syaoran forced a smile, and said. “I’m just not myself today. Sorry for letting you worry.”

“You want me to help?” She asked quietly, definitely concerned.

“No, it’s okay. I’ll take a while. Why don’t you head to my house and check to Jon and Shi Shi, I don’t trust them one bit.” Then he added with a grin. “You can use your key.”

That cheered Sakura up. She blushed and smiled. “Alright!” She nodded energetically, and dashed off. “See you later!”

Syaoran sighed, and began organizing the equipments.

Wind blew strong on the rooftop of the school. Edison sat dangerously closed to the edge as he at the building across from him. He got a clear view of the laboratory, located at the opposite side of his building. Idipus took form around him and rose like hot air. Now is out chance, do it Edison.

Edison placed his hand in front of him and turned his palm upwards. Idipus places his own hand about his, so their palms face each other. Dark matter emerged from the air between their hands and formed a dark marble. It dropped like lead on Edison’s hand. Gripping it, he drew back his hand and tossed the marble like a baseball. The marble traveled in a straight line like a bullet, it went through the opened window of the lab and dissolved without a trace.

Syaoran thought he heard a sound when he turned his head around. Yet all he saw were chemicals and equipments, stocked neatly on the table.

He stepped closer to the equipment, convinced that something was wrong. As he approached, the equipment began to vibrate, and Syaoran froze on the spot.

Bottles of toxic chemicals shattered and the contents were spilled over the table. They mixed and formed a thick, large puddle, mingling and merging. Then suddenly, it took form and came to life.

Syaoran stared at the black monster before him. Disgusted and afraid, he was unsure of what to do next. He watched as the creature grew and started to lift itself up from the table. Then it shot blobs of thick brown liquid from its own body, taking Syaoran by surprise. He forced himself to move, and jumped aside at the last second. The liquid hit the chalkboard, and splattered.

Syaoran turned around and gasped. Smoke emerged from the spots where the liquid hit. Holes formed and spread as the liquid corroded the board before Syaoran’s eyes. If any of the chemical had hit him, he would have been seriously injured. He turned his attention back to the creature and watched as it grew steadily in size. Then it lunged itself forward, and tried to cover Syaoran with its own body. Syaoran took off his lab coat and threw it at the monster. It got caught in the coat, and dropped on the ground like a sack of potatoes. Syaoran took the chance to turn and run.

“Oh no, you don’t.” Edison flicked his finger, and he watched as the doors of the lab shut on his command. Syaoran almost slammed into the close door. “What…?” Wondering loudly, he jerked at the handle, but the door wouldn’t budge. He looked back at the black monster; it was slowly recovering from the fall. The lab coat was nothing but a piece of broken fabric now. The monster rose and advanced.

All Syaoran could do was watch.

Shi Shi stopped as she walked up the stairs. She had just passed the locker area, and was heading towards the classroom when she felt it, like a wave of energy that rushed through her body. “This…feeling.”

She turned from walk into a run and went to look for Sakura.

Jon walked up their stairs, and traced his finger on the handle as he wondered around the senior-high school. He had looked through a few windows to various rooms, yet all he saw were obedient students, hanging on to every word of their teachers. What boring life, Jon figured.

He was still taking his tour around the school when a teacher stopped him. “Hey, you, where do you think you’re going?”

Jon turned around and looked blankly at the partially bald mid-age man with thick glasses. He fought down his urge to laugh at his appearance. The man continued to talk. “Where is you’re hall pass?”

“Um…” Jon scratched his head.

“Are you skipping class? Report your name at once!” The uptight man opened his book with the list of students and began flipping. Jon stared at the ceiling, trying to come up with a get-a-way. “Ah…that…” The man looked up from his book and eyed him. “Well?”

“T..to…” Then the light bulb in Jon’s head lid up, and he smiled.

“Touya. Touya Kinomoto.”

That was his name!

“Ah yes, Kinomoto from 3-B, huh?” He snapped his book close and grabbed Jon by the hand. “You’re going back to your class with me, mister.”

They walked up a flight of stairs and down the hall. Finally, the mid-age man opened the door that was marked “3-B” and stepped in. The teacher inside was surprise to see them. “What are you…”

“You have some troubled students.” The mid-age man shoved Jon in front of the teacher and began to walk away. “He’s your responsibility now.” Without a word, he walked out and shut the door.

“Um…” The teacher looked at Jon, and pondered. “What does this mean? Are you a new transfer student?”

Jon stared at the teacher for a second, then grinned and nodded. “Yeah.”

The teacher rubbed his face and sighed. “That counselor had always had an attitude. It’s not unlikely for him to just push a transfer student into my class without a single warning.” He looked up and said. “Well, okay. Why don’t you introduce yourself?”

He turned to the class and said with the same grin on his face. “I’m Jon Evergreen. Nice to meet you.”

The girls in the class were more than happy to see a new cute guy in the class. Their joys were obvious with sounds of squeals and sighs. The boys couldn’t stand them. However, there were two people whose reactions were different from the others.

“Hey, Touya, isn’t that…” Yukito turned and asked.

Touya had been staring at Jon the moment he stepped in. Wide-eyed, he was taken by surprise by Jon’s sudden arrival. Jon caught sight of the two, and winked.

Syaoran dodged under the table as the monster jumped over his head. Drips of corrosive chemicals spilled from the monster and created little holes on the table and floor. He got up from under the table and raced to the other side of the room, trying to gain some distance between him.

As the moments went by, the monster became quicker. Syaoran did not like the way this was turning out. It would only be a matter of time before the monster could get a hold of him.

Edison sighed out of boredom. “I don’t understand. Why do you choose him as your target every time?” He looked up at the spirit hovering above him. “It’s way more fun to pick on the teachers, you know?”

This was never about fun. Idipus answered without hesitation.

“Then why him?” Edison looked back at the five-grader as he tried hard to dodge the black monster. “What’s so special about him?”

Idipus smiled. Because you and I might have the ability…but we don’t have the resource.

“Resource?” Edison wondered loudly.

Syaoran was getting tired of running. It was now or never, fight or be beaten. He looked around for tools he could use, but found none. Then his eyes settled on his own bench. An idea hit, and he leap forward. “That’s it!”

Syaoran grabbed his own beakers and bottles of chemical, and stood on the table.

Li-kun, I’ve stressed again and again that you shouldn’t pour the chemical in too fast.

“Now maybe the time to do so!” He dumped the chemical into the bottle and a puff of smoke took form. Syaoran smiled, and held it up at the smoke detector.

The fire alarm went off, and water sprinkled down the whole laboratory. The thick liquid that made up the monster got diluted, and began to dissolve, yet it refused to give up, and was trying hard to rise back up.

“Damn!” Edison rose to his feet and watched as the monster got defeated. We have failed. Idipus added. Edison smiled, and said. “What smart prey. It looks like this is going to be more fun than I expected.” He turned and began to leave before someone could see them.

“Syaoran, are you okay?” Someone banged on the door.

“Sakura!” Syaoran turned and yelled.

“Through!” A pink ring glowed on the door and a hole formed. Sakura and Shi Shi climbed through, and were surprised by the sprinklers. “What’s happening?” Sakura yelled. Shi Shi pointed at the monster and told Sakura. “Purify that thing!”

Without hesitation, Sakura put her wand before her and released her hands. It stayed in the air, and Sakura spread her arms. “Purify!”

Light surrounded the room, and Syaoran clenched his chest. There it is again! He thought. What on earth is this pain!?

The monster dissolved away; Syaoran watched and felt like his heart was also dissolving. He was relieved when Sakura drew back her wand, and the light stopped shining.

“Syaoran!” The girls yelled. “Are you okay?” Sakura looked at Syaoran with concern. She was checking on every inch of his body, trying to spot any injuries. Syaoran held up his palms in defend. “I’m fine, I’m fine.” Sakura looked at him in the eyes and asked. “Really?”

“Really.” Syaoran reassured with a smile. Sakura threw her arms around him and sighed. “Thank god.”

“But how do you…” Syaoran suddenly noticed Shi Shi, wearing their school’s uniform.

“Shi…Shi…” He was shaking from rage. “What on earth are you doing wearing our school’s uniform!?”

“Uh-oh.” She stuck out her tongue and looked away. “Busted.”

It seemed forever before the after school bell rang. For some reason, Touya was more interested in the new student than he probably should be. Jon claimed to be this school’s new transfer student, yet nothing about him looked “student” besides than his uniform. He came to class without so much as a pencil and a note book; he didn’t even arrive until the last period of the class.

Further more, Touya was still mad about the game they played yesterday. The way he stole his ball was so perfect, that it even seemed wrong.

Who was he?

Why was he here?

The questions lingered in his head till the end of day. Now as Touya packed up, he saw the transfer student stood and left the classroom. Touya put the last of his items away, and was about to catch up to him when his teacher put a hand on his shoulder. “Kinomoto”

Touya spun around, and looked at his teacher. “What…is it?”

“Well…it seems that the school counselor wanted me to talk to you about some…well…misbehaved manners?”

“What?”

“Well, apparently, he said he saw you wondering in the hall and skipping school today.”

Touya sighed. “I was in class all day today. You were here. You didn’t see me leave the classroom once, did you?”

The teacher smiled, and shrugged. “I guess not. It must be some sort of mistake. Oh well, off you go.”

“Thank you.” Touya said. What a pathetic teacher, he thought. It was no wonder that suspicious student could slip in so easily. He ran towards the door, and looked from left to right. Crowds of student walked from both directions, but Jon was no longer anywhere to be found.

To be continued…