Hey everyone! So whilst I've always written drabbles and smaller pieces, this will in a sense be my first ever multi-chapter. It is written for the Tale in Fragments challenge. This chapter uses the prompt 'despair'. I'm not sure what to warn in this, but basically, this will be quite a heavy-handed fanfic with warnings for psychological torture, mental slavery, learned helplessness and sexual assault. Thanks to wilkiswik and Zero Slash One for betareading this chapter!
Chapter 1 – Marked
When her eyes opened, there was nothing but darkness surrounding her. Not a ray of light could be seen. Her head throbbed with a sharp, searing pain that made her lightheaded and unable to immediately process her surroundings. The last thing she could recall was screaming – lots of it. T.K., Tai, and Yolei had all been trying to grab onto her, trying to hold on but she was pulled away nonetheless. Did the Child of Light scream as well? No. It was if the screams had somehow gotten stuck in her throat, and then everything had gone black.
A small silver light flickered to life behind her and Kari quickly turned, peering into the brightness but unable to see anyone until two tentacles suddenly lashed out, wrapping themselves around her wrists and yanking her forward. The Child of Light shivered as her eyes met those of the Undersea Master, the one whom the entire World of Darkness feared.
"Perfect," Dragomon hissed, his tentacle reaching around her back. "Child of Light, you are finally where you belong."
Kari shivered at the darkness radiating off the creature and tried to squirm. The fact that he had such a hold on her made her mind go hazy and she wished she were anywhere but here at the moment. "Let go of me!" Knowing that she could not afford to show weakness, she had meant for her voice to sound strong and commanding – but instead of a demand, it came out as a faint, whimpering plea.
Dragomon chuckled. "Your despair only gives me more strength, my to-be queen."
Kari's eyes watered, wishing someone could come for her and get her away from this slimy creature. Just his presence made her feel as if someone were crushing her heart with their own hands. She physically shook as he leaned closer, sinking his teeth into her neck. A bloodcurdling scream left her lips as she felt her strength begin to diminish, blood prickling from the wound.
"S-stop," Kari whispered once more but knew it was no use. Her pleas were falling on deaf ears. Even in her weakened state, disgust filled inside her as Dragomon's tentacles began ripping off her clothes. She wanted to squirm, she wanted to throw something to get this slime away from her – but her limbs were unresponsive, her vision was so blurry and her strength so limited that she could barely move at all. Tears fell down her cheeks at her own helplessness and a few strangled sobs escaped her throat as Dragomon changed her position to forcefully thrust his tentacles inside her.
Tai, where are you? Why aren't you here? T.K., you promised to always protect me from the darkness. Gatomon…did you spend all your time searching for me to not save me when I need you the most? Where are you guys? These were the last thoughts running in Kari's head amidst the torture before her world went black, pain and exhaustion becoming too much for her.