Myotismon smirked idly from his throne. With a half full wine glass in hand, he slouched backwards with one lanky leg crossed over the other. This was quite the adorable little proposition Wizardmon was pitching. This ingrate brought on by one of his strongest warriors dare demand an audience with him so late? He'd thought about lashing him on the spot, but there was something in his eyes he hated. Something he tore from all of his recruits eventually, but Wizardmon had managed to keep his alive; hope.
"I want to take Gatomon's punishments from now on." Wizardmon said fiercely in his wisp of a voice.
Myotismon took a sip of his glass and continued gazing at Wizardmon intently. "Why would you want that?" he asked, knowing precisely why but wanting to hear the little sorcerer say it himself.
"Your punishments are too harsh!" he shouted, biting his tongue. He may have really done it now. When Myotismon didn't retaliate though, he continued in his usual subdued tone. "You punish her too severely for the few transgressions she does make, and sometimes it appears for no reason at all."
Wizardmon trembled before falling on his hands and knees, bowing before his dark lord. "Please stop penalizing her so harshly! I'll do anything!"
Any hint of annoyance on Myotismon's face disappeared at the sight of Wizardmon groveling so desperately. Yes, he was very close to Gatomon, wasn't he? Myotismon got up, setting his drink on the arm of his throne before striding over to Wizardmon, who was still hugging the floor but now raised his head.
"I should whip you for your insolence right here for so daringly bringing this up." He lightly put his boot to the back of Wizardmon's head and forced it to sit flush against the floor.
Wizardmon was of course becoming more terrified inside by the minute. He might have blown it, but in his heart the consequences were well worth the attempt. "But," Wizardmon's heart beat increased with that glimmer of hope. "It took a great deal of courage to come to me, and that makes a better soldier. You also knew better than to ask something of me without compensation." Myotismon released Wizardmon's head from under his boot.
"Your offer intrigues me. I need some time to think of some conditions for this agreement. I will summon you again when I make my decisions." When Wizardmon looked up at him with that disgusting emotion in his eyes, Myotismon kicked him in his side. He rolled across the floor and Myotismon followed up by stomping on his back and crushing his body to the ground. Wizardmon was jarred, but knew better than to try to retaliate or escape. When Myotismon was finished hearing Wizardmon's gaspy cries, he knelt down and pulled Wizardmon's head up by his long chestnut bangs. "Don't make a habit of questioning my authority." He whispered to his crumpled minion.
The lord straightened up and walked back to his throne. "You are dismissed, Wizardmon."
The permission to leave did nothing to ease Wizardmon's physical pain, or the looming tension. If he didn't leave promptly, Myotismon might resume beating him. Fighting the pain still gripping him, Wizardmon picked himself up. He stumbled the first few steps, but managed to collect his hat and staff which had gotten away from him during the struggle in a fairly timely fashion while Myotismon's eyes followed him. He bid Myotismon a good night and left, glad to just be out of there.
He almost regretted asking for that audience in the first place. Almost. He winced on the way back to his room as he thought of what Gatomon would do to him when he told her the news. That certainly wouldn't be the quietest of discussions. Now wasn't the time to dwell on that, it was time to rest up so he wouldn't seem weak in front of his friend and the other soldiers of nightmare. Running through a few scenarios in his mind before sleep came over him wouldn't hurt though.