~ Prologue ~

( Haha! I've decided to give all you people reading Myotismon's Heir a little break. This story actually takes place four years from that story and will explain all that happened to Matt when he was in that vampire's castle. There will be some Mr. Ishida bashing, because in this story he abuses Matt, and you don't have to read any of my other stories to read this one! Cool huh? Well, I should stop blabbing and get on with the fic! )

~ Prologue ~

He hit him again, throwing the young blonde to the floor. Yamato tried to climb to his elbows so he could eventually stand up again, but his father's foot came out and forced the air from his lungs, sending him rolling across the carpet. The pain was something that the young boy was used to, but every time the beating was different. And it wasn't what some people in his family had suspected, it wasn't because his dad was a drunk, or that he had some problems, it was that he literally liked to inflict pain on his eldest son. He seemed to get a thrill out of it.

The fact no longer shocked Matt. His father came home and he tried to avoid it all, but there was nothing he could do when his dad just exploded on him. There was nothing he could do but take it. If he cried, the blows would be worse. If he screamed, his father would duck tape his wrists together, put a strip of it over his mouth, and find different ways to cause him pain. And if the young man even thought of telling someone, his father would have gone after his brother. There was no way out of the nightmare the boy knew as his home, not until he went to summer camp. It had been a way to get away and be normal. But normal didn't apply to what happened that summer. Normal would never describe Matt Ishida again.

Twisted: Prelude to Myotismon's Heir

Tai was in the front of the group, like always. He was talking with Sora, no surprise there, about her crest. It had just been hours ago that the bearer of Love had gotten her crest to glow and her Digimon go to the Ultimate level. Joe and Izzy were talking about the computer whiz's latest theory, about what Matt didn't know, Mimi was talking with TK. Gabumon loyally walked with his human at the back of the group, noticing that the blonde seemed very quiet that day.

" Is something wrong, Matt? ", the wolf like creature asked him, his voice low so only the child next to him would hear. " You look upset. "

" I'm fine. ", the bearer of Friendship insisted, glancing away from him. There was something about him that made Gabumon ache inside. He always seemed to be distant, not wanting to get too close. He wished Matt would open up, to him at least, and he wished more than anything that Matt would trust him with his secrets.

" Are you sure? Do you want to talk about it? ", his digital companion offered gently, trying to meet his gaze again. " You know I'm always here to…. "

" There's nothing to talk about. ", Yamato declared, an icy edge to his voice. He then quickened his pace, passing his digimon and walking closer to TK. Gabumon was hurt by his harsh actions, but if Matt wouldn't talk about something that was obviously bothering him, then there was nothing he could do. He tried to catch up to him without making it too noticeable.

It seemed to be forever before Tai declared they were going to take a rest. Everyone sank down onto the ground, and Mimi instantly began to complain how sore she was. Gabumon sat next to his human, but the blonde young man seemed to be in a trance, and didn't notice him. Joe and the bearer of Courage started discussing where they should head next since they seemed to have no destination at all since they had set out this morning. Tai then suggested something.

" Why don't we go to the heart of the problem? I say we head for Myotismon's lair, and defeat him once and for all! ", the brunette implied clenching a fist in anticipation. His brown eyes were burning bright.

" Are you crazy? That's suicide! ", Yamato spoke up for the first time in over an hour. Everyone's attention was then turned on him, but he was only looking at Tai, his azure eyes fierce. " Who knows how powerful he really is anyway? We just barely escaped him the last time, and he could have guards and tons of reinforcements! We could go and be outnumbered a hundred to one! "

" So then what's your suggestion, Matt? ", Izzy asked him, his voice ever curious. His dark eyes peered over the screen of his labtop, a rare thing indeed.

" I… " He had no idea what to say. What could they do? He knew they couldn't hide from Myotismon forever, but he knew that they wouldn't win facing the monster head on either. So what was the better option? He couldn't think of a plan, but he was sure that anything would be better than facing what they couldn't comprehend. Yamato hung his head, unable to finish his sentence.

" If you can't think of anything better than why are you even contradicting me, Matt? Huh? If you can't come up with a plan than who says mine is so terrible to try, or maybe you don't want to admit I'm right! ", Tai shot back, his arms crossed over his chest in a challenging position. Matt glared up at him angrily.

" If we go with your plan we'll all get killed! ", the blonde stated.

" And we can't go with your plan cause you don't have one! ", the Guardian of Courage, a sneer on his face. There was a fire in their locked gazes, and the others could see the sparks flying as the oncoming hurricane began to brew. There was a fight stirring, all of the Digidestined could see it coming.

" So just because you're the only one with a plan means we have to do it, no questions asked? Even if it gets us all killed? ", Yamato exclaimed hotly, taking a few steps towards him. " Some leader you are! If we all die it's on your head! "

" Are you just arguing to argue again, Matt? ", Tai accused, hands now on his hips. His voice seemed like he was pretending to talk to someone younger, someone who couldn't understand. " Cause we don't need that right now. "

" What we really don't need now is a fight so break it up you two! ", Sora remarked, stepping up next to Tai. " It's getting late, maybe we should call it a day so we can figure out where to head next, all right? The last thing we want right now is to get into a fight with each other. Now unclench those fists and walk away. "

Taking a deep breath, trying to control his own rage, the Guardian of Friendship turned on his heels and was preparing to head over to TK like he'd been instructed to, but Tai's voice made him stop. " No, Sora. "

The red headed girl looked at him in shock. " What? "

" Matt and I need to settle this once and for all. He's only mad because he wants to lead, but he knows he wouldn't be able to do it. ", the bearer of the Crest of Courage implied, his eyes trying to pierce holes in Matt's back like two drills.

Yamato looked into his brother's eyes and saw fear. He knew then that he could not fight Tai, not then, and not with TK there. It took all of his will to start walking again, but he was going slowly and this outraged Tai.

" You're not walking away from this one! ", the brunette boy yelled, charging. Before Yamato could react, the shorter boy's fist connected with the back of his head, sending him face first to the ground. Joe and Izzy gasped in shock, and Mimi let out a small scream. TK cried out his brother's name, and all of the digimon tensed up, readying to stop them if they were ordered to. Matt tried to get up, but Tai kicked him in the chest, forcing him back to the dirt with the wind taken out of him. Sora could see that Matt didn't intend to fight back, and so could Tai.

" Get up and face me, Matt, I dare you! ", the Kamiya boy challenged as he kicked Matt in the back. The blonde didn't move, didn't respond. The Guardian of Courage's face was turning red with fury. " Get up and fight! "

' I won't fight him, it's what he wants. I can take a beating, but God if he kicks me in the ribs again…. And he's doing it in front of TK. ' the bearer of Friendship thought as he grit his teeth, still refusing to face the other Digidestined. Tai kicked him the face, then screamed at him to get up and face him.

" Stop it! ", TK sobbed, running to his brother. He threw his arms around the older boy's neck, unable to watch him get hurt any longer. A small feeling of triumph came over Matt, but he didn't let it show. Suddenly, the Guardian of Hope clenched his fists pulling away from his older brother to look angrily up at the unofficial leader. " Leave my brother alone! You're acting like a bully! "

Yamato finally stood, but there was a solemn look on his face. He had just realized something, finding the answer to the question that had plagued him all day. He began to walk towards the forest. " It's fine. I'm leaving anyway. "

Gabumon started after him, but stopped when the child shot him a cold glare. The other Digidestined, all but Tai, protested, but he turned to them once more, ready to give his reason. " I've been wondering for a long time if I was actually part of the group, or if I was only here because I thought TK needed me to be. I got my answer just now, and I don't want to be a burden any longer. "

With those words, he threw down his tag and crest, and then his digivice, and walked off into the woods before anyone could think to stop him.

* * *

Myotismon seemed utterly fascinated with what was in his magic mirror when DemiDevimon flapped into his chambers to tell him his report. He peered over his master's shoulder to see that he was watching the Digidestined again, and that the children of Courage and Friendship were fighting, again. The small bat like digimon felt a shiver run down his spine when the vampire sneered at the images.

A minute later the dark lord finally noticed his presence and turned form the looking glass to face him. " What is it, DemiDevimon? I'm busy. "

" Boss, I just got word that the gate is under way and that it should be finished within the next few days. ", his servant replied, hoping that his news would please his master. His voice was annoying and Myotismon wished he could destroy him right then and there, but the small creature had yet to prove himself useful.

" Good, but I have other things I wish to attend to. ", the vampire told him, his tone unreadable. He then glanced back at the mirror, watching the image of the Guardian of Friendship throw down his tag and digivice. That sneer returned to his lips once more and he quickly wiped it away. " I want you to have something done special for me, DemiDevimon, something very important. "

That made the annoying creature's eyes light up with eagerness. " Yeah, Boss? Ya mean it? What can I do for you, your malevolence? "

" I want a special room in the dungeon prepared for one of the Digidestined children. I will be leaving in a few minutes and I will be bringing one of them back on my own, DemiDevimon. ", Myotismon explained as he wiped his hand over the glass of the mirror, ending the spell upon it, and making it a regular mirror once more. Although that did not matter for he could not even see his own reflection. As he headed to the exit of the room he gave the bat his last orders. " When I return the cell must be prepared to hold him. I have special plans for this Guardian. "

" Yes sir! ", DemiDevimon bowed as his Lord left the chambers.

* * *

' For so long I've been wondering if they really need me, and now I know I was only staying to protect TK. What Tai just did to me proves it. ', Matt thought to himself as he walked through the digital forest alone. ' Not only did he beat me like an animal, but only TK stood up for me. Sora, Joe, Mimi, and Izzy, they didn't stop him. '

His cold stare was filling up with tears and he was beginning to wish he had let Gabumon come with him after all. Then maybe he'd have someone to talk to, and someone to comfort him. But it was too late now, he wasn't going back now, not after this. What Tai had done, it had reminded him of what his father was like. And that was an image that Yamato Ishida longed to forget.

All around him were trees, and it was soon becoming dark. He knew he should find somewhere to stop and rest, for he'd been walking for hours, but in his heart he knew that he had to keep going. He had to get away from them, all of them, even TK. He'd seen the fear in his brother's eyes, and it had been like a reflection of fear in his own eyes when his father was in a rage. He never wanted to see that look again, if he could help it. So he kept walking, even when the twilight sky gave into the blackness of night, and he could barely see anymore. He kept walking forward, despite the loneliness, and in spite of the pain in all of his muscles.

' I thought they needed me, but it was a lie. I'm not even like them, I can survive on my own, I always have. ', he assured himself. His thoughts were the only comfort he had in the dark of the night. And if he kept moving he wouldn't stop and think about what was in the forest with him either. He'd just keep moving on.

His fists clenched suddenly, and his conflicting emotions drove him to anger. They had been leading him on, pretending to be his friends. They had never really needed him, all except for TK. He felt bad for leaving his little brother behind, but if he had stayed with TK the others would still be around him. He couldn't stand the thought of being near Tai anymore, or even Sora. As strange as the thought seemed he knew his reason, she had tried to stop the fight when it seemed Matt had had the control of it. But when Tai took over, she hadn't said anything. None of the older Digidestined had spoken up against their precious leader. Only TK cared.

Finally, he fell to his knees in his exhaustion. Tears were flowing down his cheeks and he was so sore he was afraid to move. Everything hurt, everything ached, his heart, his mind, it all was in an indescribable pain. His breaths were short gasps as he laid down on his side, trying his hardest to shut out his torturing thoughts, and relax his body. His blue eyes slowly shut, and sleep over took him.

Yamato's timing was terrible, for the vampire digimon had found him moments before he'd slipped into a semi-peaceful slumber. He'd watched as the young blonde had drifted off, defenseless and far from anyone who could help him. With a flick of his wrist a small glowing orb floated over to the sleeping Digidestined and rested on his forehead. The spell in the tiny object insured him that the boy would not wake as he took him back to his lair. All was going well.

' Now, Guardian of Friendship, you are mine. ', he thought evilly.

To be continued:

( There, now you have a somewhat better idea of what happened four years before Myotismon's heir. And if you're not reading that story, I really do suggest it! )