The Key

Prologue

He moved in not too long after Eriol left. Sakura only knew this because Tomoyo found out. The boy was said to be very quiet and uncommunicative, but otherwise, he was not so strange, at least not as strange as Eriol. Still, Sakura was very aware that the whole affair with Eriol could have ended in disaster had Eriol any sinister motives, and contrived, this time, to be much wiser about her acquaintances. Her cards make her a more than favorable target now, and while in Japan all were encouraged to be as amiable as possible, only fools would remain naïve at heart. She asked her guardians what they thought of this development.

Kero sensed nothing special about the boy. Yue was naturally more skeptical, but he, too, did not feel anything alarming about the new Chinese neighbor, other than the fact that it seemed the child lived alone—which was something to be examined.

" That's very bizarre." Kero agreed. " But then, isn't that too bizarre to be worth inspecting much? I mean, if he really were after Sakura's cards, wouldn't he be more attentive to such things?"

But the magical world, as it turned out, was much bigger than Sakura realized, and as Yue pointed out, some beings are not at all aware of the habits of humans.

" But he seems normal otherwise." Sakura frowned. " What should we do to find out?"

" Well," Kero flew around the room thoughtfully, " If he is after you, hiding from him won't do you any good. We'd have to come up with something that would only provoke him if he were magical."

" Like what?" Tomoyo asked.

" Well," Sakura suggested, " We can reverse time. Once."

" That's not a bad idea." Kero agreed. " Or we can freeze time, locate him, then spy on him and see what happens when we release time. Assuming it would have any effect on him."

" That sounds like a plan." Sakura agreed.

So it was decided, that instead of waiting around for the newcomer to attack her, she would initiate the first step and confrontation, if it comes to that. It could be, even, that this new Chinese boy was a sorcerer but disinterested in her cards, but Sakura could not be too careful.

He lived in one of the apartment buildings downtown and was frequently seen in Penguin Park. While quiet, Sakura knew he usually remains in areas where there were a lot of people, which would be strange behavior for anyone sinister, but it may be because there was an increased chance of him meeting the Card Mistress in such frequented areas. Tomoyo had described him as being of average height, large amber-colored eyes that seemed sad all the time, and brown hair. He was usually dressed in a green t-shirt, but that was not much to go on. At length Tomoyo offered to capture a video of him. Considering how Tomoyo carries her video camera everywhere and shoots everything, it would not be suspicious. So they decided to wait for the weekend, when Tomoyo is able to get a good footage of him, before proceeding to their plan.

" He looks very depressed." Touya had observed. " I wonder if he's abused."

" You think he might be?" Sakura asked, troubled. He certainly looked morose enough for that to be the case. And it may or may not explain why he liked large crowds but never mingles in—large crowds may provide a feeling of safety, but the abuse would prevent him from socializing comfortably. There was certainly something touching about his façade, that appealed to some emotion Sakura could not name, when she saw him in the video. She hoped he was not an enemy.

" We go along with the plan." Kero insisted. " Abused or not, we can find out once we make sure he's no harm to us. At least, once we're certain, anyway, maybe then we can help him."

Yue agreed with this. It was not such a harmful test, after all. Simply halt time for a few minutes, and see what happens. No one should get hurt, unless, of course, this Li Syaoran decides that Sakura was fair game; in which case, they were prepared.

Chapter 1

It had been a happy day eleven years ago when Li Yelan was blessed with a son. He was a healthy baby boy, lively, and the most darling thing one could behold. Husband and wife cradled their child to them that night in tender joy.

" He shall be named Zhineng." His father declared. " How about that?"

" Very well." Yelan had acquiesced. She had, after all, named the girls.

The Li sisters were in raptures. The youngest was already thinking of all the spells she could teach her brother, for she was, after all, the best teacher out of the four. After a few days they were to show their little brother to the rest of the clan, and the youngest had been trusted to be the one to carry her brother when her mother needs to rest. Such a responsibility! She, up till now always the youngest of the family, will be bearing a treasured burden. She was incredibly excited. Her older sisters instructed her.

" It's not that hard. Just mind you don't drop him, and to always support his head."

" Yes, the head is important. As a baby, he did not develop muscles there yet."

" When I carried you," Said the second youngest sister, " I always made sure to keep your head upright."

" And don't shake him, by any means!"

" It will make his brain shake back and forth and he could die."

" No sudden moves. Which is fine because you won't be expected to make any sudden moves."

The day came. What festivity! Red eggs, five in each basket, were bestowed on each of the clan's families to announce the birth of a boy. A huge banquet was prepared, and the child presented to the rest of the clan. The smallest sister bore her burden carefully and attentively, which was easy to do. The child was too young to give much trouble, though at length it began crying in hunger, and was promptly returned to its mother. Hopes were high—a young one's entrance into the world is always something to be celebrated. So many gifts, at least one from each member of the family, were bestowed upon the newborn, compliments paid, and the day was filled with much gaiety.

A year passed. Then two. There was something wrong with Li Zhineng. He was incredibly intelligent, and incredibly healthy, but his magical aura was incredibly non-existent.

Their son had no magic.

Li Yelan and her husband sat down one night to discuss. They needed to figure out what to do about the boy's education. All members of the Li clan began their magical and martial arts training at the age of three. What if Zhineng did not develop any magical abilities? How was he to train and study?

" There is not reason he cannot study martial arts." Her husband said.

" I'm more worried about the other children." Yelan admitted. " What if they mistreat him?"

" We will have to work through it as it arises." He replied. " It is a curse he must live with."

At three years old Li Zhineng began his martial arts training. He had realized, comparing himself to his sisters, that his sisters were capable of things he could never dream of doing. He was also warned, as gently as possible, that it was the same with other children. Frightened, nervous, he finished the day downhearted, with the other children finding him strange and too shy and reserved for their liking. On the same day, his father went missing. No one knew what happened. He had left the territory to go out on a business trip. He neither arrived at his destination nor was heard of anywhere else, ever again. Zhineng was pulled from his lessons for a week before he was returned, more morose than before.

The other children realized that he was never present at the magical practices. His pet name was Syaoran, which meant " Little Lad", but not a year later everyone began calling him Syaoran, the " Little Wolf", which sounded the same as Little Lad, followed by howls and yips and barkings, all meant to antagonize him. His sad manner was queer to them, and made the uncomfortable. To dispel their frustrations, they attacked him relentlessly. They asked if he even knew his father's face, or if his father abandoned his family.

" Probably was ashamed."

" Yeah! Ashamed Wolfboy's a loser. Can't even cast a simple levitation spell on a feather. Hey Syaoran, try to lift this!"

" Yeah Wolfboy! Try to lift this!" The children laughed cruelly.

" Can you light the wood Syaoran?"

" Syaoran, use a thunder spell!"

" Yeah Syaoran!"

" Woof! Woof!"

Syaoran swallowed his tears in silence. There was nothing to be done. He lost his father and he would never be capable of the amazing things other children could accomplish. He took comfort in his excellent martial arts skills and his wit and intelligence, and gradually his sensitive heart closed to all ill-comments and remarks.

Strange things happened again. The children were not allowed to use magic on Syaoran because of his handicap, but this did not prevent them from trying to sneak in a few spells. It soon became obvious that a lot of spells did not affect him at all. He could get hurt by attack spells. He could get levitated and thrown. But spells to alter his appearance, his mind, and his motions, did nothing to him. They could not change his hair green. Nor did any of their potions work on him—it seemed he was even immune to poison.

At length, bored, for they could not seem to have any fun with Syaoran without getting into trouble, the rest of the children ignored him. The rest of the adults, though sympathetic, saw no reason to pay their attentions to a child with so little hope, and his morose façade and sad eyes made them uncomfortable, to the point where they disliked the child.

Only his mother and sisters prevented Syaoran from succumbing to his bitterness. At home they showered him with love and affection and pride. However his magic failed him, it cannot be denied that he had an exceptionally intelligent mind. His other accomplishments could even dwarf any accomplishment of the other young sorcerers, magical or not. Syaoran dove into these with a passion. He wanted to prove that, magical or not, he was better than the rest of the clan.

oO

Fine was the summer after his tenth year. The Li Clan received news from sorcerers that a Master of the Clow Cards had been found—in Tomoeda, Japan. It was not something they were particularly interested in, but as this was something that affected everyone in the magical society, it was good to remain informed. Syaoran, knowing that had he been magical, he might have been that master, felt all the accusing disappointment of the clan that awful day. Yelan, angry, declared the whole family was to go out and have fun the next day, and all were given permission to skip school. The next day was a Friday anyway, and everyone, including Syaoran, was glad to have an extended weekend.

Still, the child felt increasingly depressed.

Yelan, hurting as much as her son, offered, " Syaoran, want to stay in Niang's bed tonight?"

He was too old, Syaoran had insisted, but this time he nodded eagerly.

" Bring your pillow to my room." Yelan had kissed him on the forehead. He quietly, but eagerly, obeyed.

He slept, cradled in his mother's comforting arms, as Yelan's troubled mind strove to find some way to help her son, to find some destiny, some fate, that would make her son happy. He would have to find some non-magical solution, though, at the same time, she wondered at her son's immunity towards spells and magic in general. Could it be that he was simply a late bloomer?

" Niang," She heard Syaoran whisper, " Why did Heaven give magic to everyone except me?"

" That's not true." Yelan pointed out. " There are plenty of people without magic."

" But everyone in our family does." The poor child sobbed. He had asked this question many times. " How come I didn't get any? Not even a little bit? Did I do something wrong?"

" Of course not." Yelan kissed her son's forehead. " Go to sleep, precious. None of this is your fault." She sighed in empathy. " None of this is your fault."

" Did Father leave because of me?"

" No. Father loved you. And if he is out there right now, he loves you still." She wondered what became of her husband, but the years gave her no answer. She pulled Syaoran tighter to her. If only the fates had been kinder!

Day dawned, the family went out. The sky was clear and blue, and birds chirped cheerfully in the trees. Yelan bought ice cream for her children and they sat in the park bench watching old people practice Taichi on the grass. Syaoran's sisters made conversation while Syaoran listened, silent, as always.

" He is the biggest prick." Said one to the other. " He's so full of himself. So I was like ' you're not having that one over me' and every time he said anything I had a comment back, to the point where he stopped trying. It's weird how guys only respect girls who don't respect them, because yesterday he was telling me about Cho and Miao, and how every time he talks to them he feels like he's above them, but with me he doesn't even try because he regards me as his equal."

" Doesn't sound like he's your equal. What did you say?"

" Well, I was thinking just that, so I didn't say anything. Not to mention, with this kind of guy, soon as you start acting nice to him he stops respecting you. I don't really care for his opinion or regard, but why would I be nice to a guy like that?"

Yelan, listening with amusement, murmured, " He certainly seems to be an immature fellow. Do you see him often?"

" Too much." The girl wrinkled her nose. " And now he's always around!"

" Sounds like a Mr. Darcy."

" Mr. Darcy's great! This guy totally isn't!"

" Mother," Syaoran suddenly rose, " I want to go take a look in that game shop. Be right back?"

" Go with Fuutie." Yelan ordered. " And come back when you leave the store."

Fuutie rose obediently and followed Syaoran into the game shop. Syaoran looked at all the toys, but was merely content to simply study them. Fuutie, also curious about the items, wandered to the other side of the shop.

While there, a young man approached the girl.

" Hello, I am new here." The man said to her. " I am told the Li Clan is nearby. Do you happen to know where they are?"

" Oh yes." Fuutie replied. " I am Li Fuutie. And you are, sir?"

" Really?" The man blinked in surprise. " Then I suppose that there is your brother?" He asked, as they had come together.

" Yes. He's my brother, Li Zhineng." Fuutie nodded. " Are you heading there now?"

Something about the man's eyes made Fuutie start. She stepped back warily as a slow grin spread across his face.

" Li Zhineng, you say." And without warning he drew a staff. Fuutie barely had time to cry out before he struck her. Syaoran, turning at her voice, saw her fall. He whirled around to look for help. For some reason, there was no one in the shop. Even the shopkeeper was not present. The man turned to see him. Syaoran instantly saw he was a sorcerer.

He yelled. The man dove after him. Syaoran ran, smashing into the doors—but the doors would not open. Terrified, he ducked as the man swooped to capture him. Bewildered and frightened, Syaoran fought back, kicking the man in the face as hard as he could. He tried to open the doors again as the man tried to recompose himself. They were stuck—the sorcerer had spelled them locked. Syaoran rolled to the side as the sorcerer's spell crashed into where he had been standing. Terrified, Syaoran raced to the back of the shop, but the back exit was shut as well. He turned around.

" There is nowhere to run, young one." The sorcerer held his staff out. " You best come with me quietly."

" What do you want?" Syaoran demanded, struggling to keep his fear under control. What is happening? Why is this happening? He glanced over at Fuutie. Mother, please come after us, please!

" You. What does it look like?" The man smiled wryly. " Don't make this difficult, boy. Come with me quietly. Your sister is not hurt, and she won't be, if you follow orders."

" Why should I trust you?" Syaoran shot back. How am I supposed to defeat him? Just because Syaoran was immune to most spells, did not mean he could not be hurt by them. Any spell that could hurt objects could hurt him. He wondered where the shopkeeper was. " Why are you doing this?"

" Very well, child." The sorcerer lowered his staff, " I suppose, in debt to humanity, you are owed an explanation before you die.

Mother, mother, oh why don't I have any magic?!

" Thousands of years ago, a great sorceress learned all the truths of Life. She wielded great power and lived a long life. Towards the end, however, she grew weary, and decided to pass this knowledge to a disciple. Far and wide, she searched, until she finally found one. When she finally passed this knowledge along, she left this world. And so the knowledge was kept in this way, generation by generation, for many centuries."

Keep talking. Syaoran prayed, not seeing where this was going. The longer you take, the more likely they'll come.

" At length, one decided he could benefit the world if he taught this to more disciples. A poor fool, he meant well, but not everyone is fit to have this knowledge. It passed, finally, to the wrong hands, and was used against others. A war broke out, a magical war of devastating proportions, until finally, ten great sorcerers came together, repressed the others, and locked away the Truth, as it was called, in the form of ten crystals. This, they kept hidden."

" Anything without a lock can be opened in more ways then one. And anything with a lock must have at least one key to open it. The ten great sorcerers decided that having but one way to open the Truth is a lesser evil than having many ways. They constructed a lock. They constructed a key. No one knows what it looks like, or what form it takes—until now."

Feeling a horrible premonition, Syaoran backed away as the sorcerer approached.

" Come." The sorcerer held out his hand, almost kindly. " If you follow me quietly, you will feel nothing at all. I promise."

" What are you talking about?" Syaoran demanded furiously, tears of indignation pooling in his eyes. " You got the wrong person, Mister! I don't even have magic!"

" All the better." The sorcerer replied impassively. " Makes my job so much easier. A Key, after all, is meant to be used. It can't use itself. That would be bad, wouldn't it? Come. I don't have all day."

" You're crazy!"

" Perhaps." The man responded. " But I won't have the Truth unleashed to cause havoc again. I'm giving you one last chance. Come with me quietly. Don't make me force you."

Suddenly, behind him, Fuutie struck. She had woken and heard the entire thing. The man stumbled away.

" Syaoran! Get behind me!" Fuutie cried, and she prepared another spell. The man dove to dodge. Syaoran raced behind her, shuddering.

" Don't you dare mess with my brother!" Fuutie cried. " Men Fang!" She shot her hand at the doors. They smashed outwards. Fuutie grabbed Syaoran's wrist and pulled, dragging him out. " Mother!" She cried out. " Mother! Help!"

Yelan, not far off, shot to her feet in alarm. Fuutie raced to her side, turning around and pointing, " He was going to hurt Syaoran!"

But while the sorcerer could be seen through the now open doors, he did not follow them out. There were too many people. According to the Ancient Magical Code, magic must not be exposed to the non-magical society in any way that would have lasting effects. He could not wage battle against Li Yelan and hope to cleanse the memories of every witness of the day afterwards. With a grim look, shadows overlapped him and he disappeared, leaving the bewildered Li's to wonder who he was.