Disclaimer: I don't own anything that doesn't belong to me.

...

There were many legends in the Digital World. One of the most popular in this day and age was that of the Fox Queen.

The Fox Queen, according to the stories, was a mighty sorceress without peer, a spellcaster whose magic was as great as her wisdom, her wisdom was as boundless as her kindness, and her kindness was as breathtaking as her beauty, and she was beauteous indeed. If the tales were to be believed, she ruled over a vast domain rich in magic somewhere in the world, a place where spirits danced and played, where sadness and want were virtually unheard of, and the people rarely ever had a reason not to smile. Her heart was so big and full of love, so it was said, that her borders were open to all who had been spat on, cast out, and spurned by the rest of the world, offering them a place where all the destitute and lonely and broken in spirit could find a place to belong and heal, a place to call home. It was also said that, for all her bottomless compassion, she had absolutely no tolerance for the cruel or the wicked or the unjust (though some claimed that she had a bit of a blind spot where her sister was concerned), and would obliterate any evil that crossed her path without hesitation, condemning those who sought to harm those in her care to a living death beyond imagining.

Many scorned these stories, claiming they were nothing more than fables made up by weak Digimon to give themselves hope where none could be found. Alphamon was not one of those naysayers. He knew the Fox Queen was real. After all, she was right there in his office, talking to Meicoomon.

"Greetings, little one," the Fox Queen, also known as Sakuyamon, said gently, smiling beatifically at Meicoomon, who, while regarding the shamaness warily, didn't seem to be quite as afraid of her as she was everything else. Whether that was because Sakuyamon had used some spell or glamour, or her innate purity was so self-evident it was impossible for anyone to mistrust her, or because she was just so goshdarned beautiful even without magic it was impossible for anyone to look at her without falling a little in love with her, it was hard to say. "My name is Sakuyamon, though I am known by many names, including the Fox Queen. Do they still whisper that name in the Primary Village where you were hatched?"

"Th-they do," Meicoomon whispered, awed to be in the presence of a living legend. "They told me you were just a fairytale. That someone as wonderful as you couldn't be real, and if she were, she would… She wouldn't want anything to do with a monster like me."

"I see no monster when I look at you, child," Sakuyamon said gently. "I see a little girl, one who has suffered far too much, more than any child ever should, in a fair and just world. What is your name, dear one?"

"M-Meicoomon," Meicoomon told her.

"Meicoomon," Sakuyamon repeated. "A fine name, and not one I've heard before. Meicoomon, tell me, how did you come to receive your injuries?"

"The… The others gave them to me," Meicoomon confessed, looking ashamed.

"The others?" Sakuyamon asked quizzically.

"The other kids. The staff at the Village. The doctors who poked and prodded. The Digimon that brought me here. Everyone…e-everyone except… him," Meicoomon whispered, nodding at Alphamon, who was standing a ways back, feeling awkward.

Sakuyamon's radiant smile faded, but only for a moment. "I see. I shall need to have… Words with the people responsible for this, little one. It was their duty to protect you and keep you safe. Clearly they have been derelict in this duty."

"They were… They were just treating me the way I deserve," Meicoomon said miserably. "I'm a monster. Everyone says so."

"Then everyone is wrong," Sakuyamon said firmly.

"But they're not!" Meicoomon snapped, her eyes flashing red for a moment, arcs of red electricity crackling around her briefly, and the strange power Alphamon had sensed earlier growing in strength. "There's… There's something inside of me. Something dark. Something horrible. And when… And when I lose control, I hurt people. Hurt them badly. So it's… It's only fair for them to hurt me back. I'm lucky they don't kill me. Maybe they should have-"

"No!" Sakuyamon interjected sharply, startling Meicoomon. "You must never think that! All life is precious, and for you to believe that it would be best if yours were to simply cease to be… That is a tragedy I simply cannot accept! You are correct, Meicoomon, there is something inside you. I can sense it now. But I'm not afraid."

"Y-you aren't?!" Meicoomon asked in disbelief.

"There are many Digimon in this world possessing power both great and terrible, myself among them," Sakuyamon assured the feline. "It is not the power itself that defines them, but what they choose to do with it. And that you fear hurting others with it… That just proves to me that you are no monster, Meicoomon, for a monster would have no regards for whomever they might hurt by accident. I believe that you are a good Digimon, and if you can tame what lies within… I weep at the thought of what wonders you might perform."

"N-nobody… Nobody's ever said that about me before," Meicoomon whispered, starting to tear up. "You… You really think… I can be good?"

"I do, indeed," Sakuyamon said, about to touch the child on her shoulder, only to hesitate, not certain she would appreciate physical contact right now. "As does Alphamon. Isn't that right, Alphamon?"

"What? Um… Yeah, I guess," Alphamon said uncomfortably, feeling rather awkward at being singled out. Gallantmon, who standing beside him, cleared his throat and elbowed him. "I mean… Yes, Meicoomon. I don't think you're a monster. I'm not entirely sure what you are just yet, but… Of that, I'm certain."

Meicoomon started crying even more, and, for the first time, she smiled. Alphamon felt… Weird. A strange fluttering in his chest. While normally, he would've wished it was a palpitation in his DigiCore, at that instant, he hoped it was something more.

"You did the right thing, calling us in," Gallantmon said as Sakuyamon took a closer look at Meicoomon's wounds, the girl still a little uneasy, but seeming more willing to trust her now. "This isn't the first bad case we've had to deal with. Wish there weren't so many kids like her out there…"

If pressed, Alphamon would, very reluctantly, admit that he didn't really hate all of his Knights. Yes, there were some he despised with every fiber of his being, but most of them, while often getting on his nerves, he could more or less tolerate most of the time. There were others he would even call friends, but not when anyone was in earshot. It would probably surprise most people to learn that Gallantmon was among the Knights Alphamon genuinely disliked. It was hard to imagine why. After all, Gallantmon was one of—if not the- finest Knights in the order, a Paladin in name and deed, a truly heroic and noble spirit who believed in and lived up to the ideal of the Royal Knights before they became a laughingstock, honorable and valiant and just plain good without the holier than thou attitude of someone like, say, Jesmon. With that said, whatever reason would Alphamon have to hate Gallantmon?

The answer was simple, and had nothing to do with the fact that he was married to a drop-dead gorgeous mage-Queen and had a loving family and rather sizable fanclub, though. Alphamon would be lying if he said that jealousy wasn't a part of it. No, Alphamon hated Gallantmon for the simple fact that he reminded him of everything the Royal Knights had once been, and would most likely never be again. He reminded Alphamon of what he himself used to be, before the decay set in. To look at Gallantmon was to see himself, through a bright mirror. He didn't like it very much.

Even so, Alphamon acknowledged that Gallantmon was one of the most reliable and trustworthy Knights in the order. Plus, kids loved him. Aside from the two he and Sakuyamon had borne, they had adopted plenty of orphans and kids from broken homes who'd found their way to their realm, and treated them all with the same love and compassion they showed to their own biological children. Meicoomon would be safe in their care.

"Do you think you'll be able to give her what she needs?" Alphamon asked, absolutely certain that he himself couldn't.

Gallantmon nodded. "While it would be awful to generalize, since every abused kid is different, she's not the first child we've encountered who was bullied and worse, just because of what she was. We can help her. Help her find peace with herself, accept who and what she is, whatever that may be. Find a way to use this weird power she's got for good."

"You can sense it too, right?" Alphamon asked his subordinate.

Goemon nodded. "Yeah. It's strong, very strong, and a little scary. Still, I don't sense any malicious intent." He frowned. "Something about it seems a little… Familiar, somehow."

Alphamon nodded. "Yeah, I noticed that too. What's up with that? I know we've never met a Digimon like her before."

"Maybe Craniamon could figure something out?" Gallantmon suggested.

Alphamon made a face. "Given the way she talked about doctors, you really think she's going to be okay being scrutinized in a lab?"

"She might if you were there," Gallantmon said.

"… What's that supposed to mean?" Alphamon asked suspiciously.

"You have noticed? She's been looking to you for approval constantly. She wouldn't let Sakuyamon anywhere near her until you vouched for her. She trusts you," Gallantmon informed him.

Alphamon grimaced. "She shouldn't. She'll only be let down once she realizes the kind of person I really am."

"You beat the crap out of a DexDorugamon because he was insinuating you should use her as a plaything. You're the first person who's ever stood up for her. In her eyes, that makes you a hero," Gallantmon pointed out.

"… A hero? Me?" Alphamon scoffed. "We both know I haven't been a hero in a long time, Gallantmon. If she really thinks I'm one, she's only going to be disappointed. Just like pretty much everyone else in her entire life seems to have disappointed her.…"

"Maybe not," Gallantmon said enigmatically. "By the way, you really ripped off that DexDorugamon's wings?"

Alphamon winced. "Too much?"

"As a noble and honorable knight, I feel obligated to say yes. As a father, and because I really hate those rotten bastards, I give you two thumbs up," Gallantmon said with a chuckle. "Just don't make a habit of it."

"I make no promises," Alphamon said flatly.

"You know that there may be consequences for that, right?" Gallantmon pointed out.

"Yeah. Still don't regret it," Alphamon said firmly.

"Nor should you," Gallantmon agreed. "Heck, I'd have done even worse. Ripping off his wings is restrained compared to what I would've done."

"You? Mister noble and honorable knight?" Alphamon asked in surprise.

"As I said, I'm also a father. There's nothing I wouldn't do for my children, even if it meant breaking the knight's code," Gallantmon reminded his superior gravely. He frowned at him. "Why did you react so strongly, anyway? I mean, yelling at him to get out I would expect from you, but beating him nearly half to death?"

"… Not entirely sure," Alphamon admitted. "I suppose it was the insinuation that, as far as I've fallen from what I once was, that he thought I'd sunken that far. I know I'm a failure, but I'm not… And never will be… That kind of guy." He shrugged. "Plus, he had an incredibly punchable face."

"They really do," Alphamon agreed.

Sakuyamon found herself frowning again after finishing her evaluation of Meicoomon. "Some of these injuries you've had for quite some time. They never even bothered to treat you?"

"Only a little. Enough to keep me alive. They told me to walk off most of them," Meicoomon said in resignation.

"You must be in a great deal of pain," Sakuyamon said, doing her best to hide her outrage.

"I've… Gotten used to it," Meicoomon said quietly.

"You shouldn't have," Sakuyamon nearly snarled, restraining herself because she didn't want to scare the child. "Little one, may I heal you? It galls me to see anyone, especially a child, suffer so."

Meicoomon shot a glance at Alphamon, who, remembering Gallantmon's words, nodded, uncomfortably wondering to himself how it had come to pass that he had become a child's role model. "Will… Will it hurt?"

"Not at all," Sakuyamon promised. "I swore an oath on my magic to never harm the innocent, lest I lose my power and beauty and my DigiCore turn to sand. And no matter what you may think on the matter, child, that includes you as well."

Meicoomon again shot a quick glance at Alphamon, making him feel even more uncomfortable. After he hesitantly nodded at her, she reluctantly said, "If… If it won't hurt, then… I guess it's okay…"

The enchantress gave the feline a dazzling smile. "Wonderful." She opened her hand, and motes of light started to form, swirling and coalescing together to form a construct of purple flames resembling a Fox. Yawning, it uncurled from her palm, bright pink eyes blinking open as it looked at Meicoomon with curiosity. The child's jaw dropped, staring at the creature in wonder. "This is one of the many spirits of whom I hold dominion over," Sakuyamon explained. "Her name is Mika, and she's a spirit of light and life. She is one of the kindest and gentlest of my subjects. She will tend to your wounds, now and in the future."

Meicoomon blinked and gave Sakuyamon a confused and somewhat worried look. "In… The future?"

Sakuyamon nodded. "Yes. From this point forward, she is bonded to you. She will stay with you and be your companion in all things."

Meicoomon's eyes widened in disbelief. "You… You're just… Giving her to me?!"

Sakuyamon nodded. "My spirits go where they are needed. And right now, where she is needed most is with you."

Mika drifted out of Sakuyamon's hand, trailing small twinkling embers as she circled around the enraptured Meicoomon, giving her an appraising look. Seeming to like what he found, she glided in closer and nuzzled Meicoomon's cheek, the bruise there glowing and gradually fading away. Meicoomon stared at the spirit, stunned, and started crying in amazement and joy as the creature began to circle her once more, kissing and nuzzling and brushing up against the myriad bruises and injuries on her body, taking a little more hurt away from her with every contact.

"I see the two of you are to become fast friends," Sakuyamon chuckled, standing up. "If you don't mind, little one, I need to speak with my husband and your caretaker. Mica will take care of you in my absence."

Meicoomon, so awestruck by what was happening to her, by the fact that she actually had a friend now, someone who wasn't hurting her, gave no sign that she heard her. Nodding in satisfaction, Sakuyamon turned away and walked towards the two knights, the smile on her face inverting with every step. "The harm that has been inflicted on that child is not inconsiderable," she hissed furiously. "A weaker Digimon would have died long before now. The fact that she has survived this long not only speaks to her strength and resilience, but also how used she must be to this sort of treatment. The thought that other Digimon would be willing to do this to her, including those who were supposed to cherish and nurture her, is beyond the pale! About the only thing I'm certain has not been done to her was rape, and even that is but a small comfort compared to everything else! When I find whoever did this to her…!"

"I might be willing to bend a few of my rules when I get my hands on them as well," Gallantmon growled.

"Finding them is going to be the hard part," Alphamon pointed out.

"Meicoomon doesn't know?" Gallantmon asked.

Alphamon shrugged. "She knows that she spent just about all of her hellish childhood in a Primary Village run by a Swanmon, but that doesn't really narrow it down. They also did some pretty nasty experiments to her in some lab, but she doesn't know where it was either."

"That's not good…" Gallantmon muttered.

"And that still leaves behind the bigger question of why," Alphamon continued. "I don't mean to trivialize child abuse or anything, but it's not like someone being hurt to the extent Meicoomon has been is… Unheard of."

"Regrettably," Sakuyamon said unhappily.

"So then why was she, out of all the other children in the world, picked out by Yggdrasil's goons and dropped on my doorstep? For that matter, why did they encourage me to be abusive towards her? What makes her so important to warrant attention from the big tree?" Alphamon went on. "And why, ultimately, was she given to me? If they wanted her to be abused, why not just give her to one of the million bigger bastards than me out there? They'd have no qualms with hurting kids."

Gallantmon sighed. "There's still a lot we don't know."

"One way or another, we will find answers. There are many lines of inquiry I can pursue which may bear fruit," Sakuyamon promised. "But the power within her.… You sensed it as well, did you not?"

The two knights nodded. "Yeah, did it feel familiar to you as well?" Gallantmon asked his wife.

Sakuyamon nodded in agreement. "Yes, but I'm not sure why. She feels… She feels touched by evil, borne by evil, has the potential for evil… But I do not believe that she herself is evil."

Alphamon nodded. "Yeah, I got the same vibe. Like, whatever's inside her is dangerous, but not… willfully malicious? Something like that?"

"But it could be under the right circumstances," Gallantmon agreed.

"Which means we must ensure that those circumstances never come to pass," Sakuyamon added. "Give her a loving and happy home. A healthy childhood and education, to stabilize her power and make sure she can control it at will and only uses it for good."

The thought of nipping the problem in the bud by killing her never crossed their minds. Well, it crossed Alphamon's, briefly, only for him to immediately dismiss it. Like he'd said, he wasn't that kind of guy. "Well, I'm sure you'll be able to do that just fine when you take her back home with you," Alphamon said confidently.

The other two looked at him in surprise. "You think we're taking her home with us?" Gallantmon asked.

Alphamon blinked. "Well…, Yeah. I assumed as much. I mean, that's what you two do with homeless and abused kids, right? Bring them back to your place, give them a home and a family, make them happy…"

"And you do not believe that you are capable of doing that on your own?" Sakuyamon queried.

Alphamon snorted. "What? Me? Don't be ridiculous! I'd say I'm the worst possible person here to take care of a kid, but Dynasmon exists. Even so, I'd make a terrible parent. She'd be much better off with you two."

"Perhaps," Sakuyamon admitted. "Then again, perhaps not. Somehow, I doubt that she would feel the same way-"

Behind them, Mica stiffened in the middle of healing a particularly nasty abrasion, sniffing Meicoomon in concern. "Wh-what is it?" Meicoomon asked anxiously. "Is something wrong?"

The spirit suddenly yelped in alarm, recoiling and racing over to Sakuyamon, much to the feline's dismay, a look of hurt and abandonment flickering across her face. Mica whispered something in Sakuyamon's ear, and she started. "She's what?!" She cried in horror.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Gallantmon asked in concern.

"Is something wrong with her?" Alphamon asked, surprised at the sudden pang of fear rushing through him.

Sakuyamon looked up sharply. "We need to take her to Craniamon, immediately! According to Mica, Meicoomon's body is harboring a strange and powerful virus, one which threatens the stability of the entire digital world!"