Episode 3
The doorbell echoed throughout the mansion sending
shivers down Phoenix’s spine. It was
Saturday afternoon and Phoenix was definitely not happy that she had to spend
her Saturday afternoon doing a report on her grandfather she hardly knew. The door opened suddenly and a tired looking
nurse answered the door.
“May I help you young lady?” She asked in a tired voice.
“I’m sorry to bother you. My name is Phoenix Showron. I’m here to see my grandfather.” Phoenix replied.
“Oh yes. Come in. Mr. Showron is
expecting you,” said the nurse as she opened the door. The nurse led Phoenix into the hallway and
up a long flight of stairs. The nurse
opened a pair of doors and into a study that had the giant windows covered with
drapes that left the room dimly lit with only a crackling fire. Phoenix hung back as the nurse went over to
the lone chair sitting in front of the fire.
“Your grandfather is here Mr.
Showron,” the nurse told him, then walked out of the room. As she closed the doors she sent a
sympathetic glance over at Phoenix.
The room was silent for a few
moments, and then the fire crackled breaking the silence.
“Well, get on with it,” her
grandfather finally said. “You said
that there was something you needed to talk to me about?”
“Umm… Yes. I have an assignment for my family sciences class. I am supposed to interview one of my
grandparents and find out what life was like for them at my age and what kind
of things they did,” Phoenix replied.
“Is there some reason that you
couldn’t bother your other grandparents?” He questioned her.
“I’m sorry. My Uncle Nicholas was injured at work and
they flew to Hong Kong to see him and…” Just then Phoenix felt the same odd
sensation that she had felt at school, this time more powerful. She then noticed that her grandfather also
had a strange look on his face, as if he too had sensed something. She also noticed that her grandfather was
watching her closely.
“Is something wrong?” He questioned her.
“It was weird. I felt something strange and…” Suddenly a
picture appeared in her head. It was a
picture of a pink book with a picture of what looked like a winged lion on the
cover and the words: ‘The Sakura.’ “I
just got an image of a pink book with the words ‘The Sakura’ on it. Is there some sort of book written about my
grandmother?” Phoenix questioned her
grandfather.
A sad look passed over Li’s eyes as
he thought of that day 30 years ago.
“There is no such thing.” He
answered her gruffly. “Now let’s get on
with this interview so you can leave me in peace!”
Suddenly a great light filled the
room. It appeared to be coming from a
painting on the wall behind a desk.
Then, without warning, a whole bunch of lights shot out from the painting
and went through the ceiling and into the sky.
“No!” Li shouted as he hurried over to the painting as fast as he
could. He swung the painting outwards
and revealed… a hidden safe. He spun
the combination slowly, as if trying to remember the combination. When he finished he slowly opened the safe,
as if he was afraid to see what was in it.
He reached in a pulled out what looked like a weird game, then a cool
looking sword. At last he pulled out an
open pink book with a lion and the words ‘The Sakura’ on the cover. He stared at it in horror, turning quite
pale.
Phoenix saw that the book didn’t
have any pages with words, but it was hollow with a place to put something, but
it was empty. Li closed the book and
looked at the cover when it began to glow again. A small stuffed animal-like creature rose from the book. The glow slowly subsided from the book, and
saw that the lion had disappeared from the cover.
The stuffed animal creature opened
it’s eyes and looked over at Phoenix, then over at Li. He stared at Li for a moment before
speaking.
“WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?” It
shouted. “I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO
COMMUNICATE WITH YOU FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS!
WHAT? YOU COULDN’T HEAR ME FROM
BEHIND THAT STUPID SAFE YOU PUT ME IN?
I…” It then noticed that Phoenix was slowly inching her way toward the
door. Just as she reached it and turned
the knob, the stuffed animal appeared right in front of her face.
“Hey! Where ya going?” He
asked.
Phoenix screamed as she fell
backwards onto her behind.
“Is everything alright in
there?” The nurse called as she knocked
on the door.
“Everything’s fine! Now please leave us alone!” Li called.
“Wh-What’s going on?” Phoenix stammered.
“That’s what I want to know.” Li said as he settled into his chair. Isn’t
it your job to make sure the cards don’t escape? Did you fall asleep on the job again?” he asked condescendingly.
“Grrr… No!” The animal shouted. “Without Sakura to magically seal the book
the cards were able to wear down my magical powers.” He said with just a touch
of sadness reaching his voice and his eyes.
“The cards wanted to be released and because of YOU they were!”
“Oh, so this is MY fault?” Li shouted back.
“Excuse me? Can I go home now? I’ll come back when you’re … not busy.” Phoenix said.
“Hey? Who’s this?” the cute stuffed animal asked.
“This is my granddaughter,
Phoenix.” Li replied. “Don’t change the subject.”
“Granddaughter?” It asked, flying up to her. “Hey!
I’m Kiroberos, but you can call me Kiro. You’ve probably heard of me.
I’m the guardian beast of the seal.
I don’t always look this way.
You should see me in my true form.
Then you’d really be scared.” He
said with a smirk.
“I’m already there.” Phoenix said.
“Well, common Li!” Kiro said.
“Grab your sword! We have to
recapture the Star Cards!”
“I gave up on magic a long time
ago.” Li replied. “Go get them yourself.”
“WHAT? You can’t be serious! Why
I otta… fine! We can do it
ourselves! Right Phoenix?” Kiro asked.
“Oh no! Don’t drag me into this!”
She replied. “For one thing I
have absolutely no clue what you two are talking about.”
“What do you mean you don’t know
what we are talking about?” Kiro
asked. “Didn’t you pass down your
magical knowledge?” Kiro accused Li. “What kind of magician are you?”
“I told you. I gave up magic.” Li told him.
Kiro closed his eyes and attempted
to sense the magical powers within Phoenix.
He then slowly opened his eyes.
“Whoa…” He whispered.
*** NEXT PAGE ***
*** Main Fan Fiction Page ***
Click here to Return Home