We're on the downhill stretch, ladies and gentlemen.
Something Small
Chapter 10: Unpacking Keeps
"No. Not happening. Not one more step, flap, twitch, stitch, or what have you. Not until I get some dammed answers!"
So much for this taking a few hours, Alphamon thought with a sigh.
Drake had awoken long enough to take care of necessities and drink up a protean shake before curling up in Examon's arms and going back to sleep. His leg was still pink with bits of scaly skin, but his arm and the side of his chest were fully healed. All of his movements were done under his own power with minimal help. Doc took it as a sign the meddling had not done any permanent damage. Alpamon took it to mean they could leave without further delays. The day was getting late; the sun would be set in full in an hour. Kaminari and ChaosDukemon were sleeping over at the Santos'; all the better to avoid that "thinggy".
Their party looked ready to go...
Then Drake's mom – Kristy Author was it? – put her foot down. Her ultimatum still ringing in his ears, Alphamon acquiesced.
"I presume you would like me to start at the beginning?" he asked.
"No wisecracks, buster," Kristy threatened, cracking her knuckles in a way that would have been menacing to the average mortal.
"Then I'll provide the Cliff's notes version of the beginning: Yggdrasil created the world and all in it. Then He realized He'd made a mistake called the Dark Ocean and sealed it up. The only problem was even with all His divine power, Yggdrasil could not shut off the Dark Ocean's access. To counter the threat it possessed, Yggdrasil tasked Imperialdramon Paladin Mode to watch over the world. If ever the Dark Ocean made a move, Imperialdramon Paladin Mode was to awake the Order of the Thirteen Royal Knights starting first with their Lord. Me.
"The Dark Ocean made a move here and there, but nothing substantial. Imperialdramon Paladin Mode retired, left us in charge, blah blah blah as you might say. Skip ahead to fifty years ago when a zealous bunch of idiot archeologists found the Dark Ocean's seal... and touched just the wrong spot on said seal. Cue the Thousand Day Catastrophe."
"Erk," gagged Lillymon. Kristy numbly agreed.
Alphamon continued: "The ten of us stomped on it, hard. Needless to say, the Dark Ocean did not like that. We thought – erroneously – that we had stepped on it hard enough to seal it away forever. Stupid us. Yggdrasil couldn't even seal it away, and He created the world in the first place. Now it is braking loose again and causing as much havoc as it can.
"To answer your immediate question, there are only ten active Royal Knights. Or at least there were, before Examon was picked to be the eleventh. Since Examon is so new to the Order the Dark Ocean will be gunning for him with all it has. I would like to get him in his new keep – which is warded to give the Dark Ocean indigestion at worst, keep it out all together at best – and get the deep wards laid so we can all take a breather and figure out what comes next. Up to and including how best to protect you, young Drake, and various other friends who don't come born with claws, fangs, blades, and/or guns."
Silence.
"For once," Lillymon squeaked, "I'm sorry Astamon isn't here. His paranoia would come in handy about now..."
Kristy patted her Partner's hand. "Tim and Astamon have a hard enough time of it with the DEA. At least... At least we know any shadows jumping at them will just improve their under cover rep."
"I miss dad," Examon sighed. "Drake does too... although you didn't hear it from me."
"Sure," Lillymon assured him, even though her chuckle was strained.
"One year, eight months, and four weeks, then he's all ours again." Drawing on dwindling strength, Kristy pulled herself together. "All right. So these keeps are Royal Knight safe houses. We just... need to get Examon to his, and we can all take a breather. And plan, or whatever."
"Make introductions to the Royal Knights, get caught up, and training." The last comment Alphamon directed at Examon. "Yes. That about sums up the situation. Any further questions?"
"Oh, just mundane stuff, like Drake's education, and what I'm going to do for an income. But I suppose things like that take a back seat to planning a war..."
Alphamon rolled his eyes. "Hardly," he huffed. "You need something to keep you grounded. And yes, I speak from personal experience. Yet as you said, such mundane things can wait for now."
Kristy sighed. Took a deep breath, and sighed again.
"Caledfwlch isn't tired, mom. I can carry you and Drake and Lillymon without a problem," Examon reassured her. It wasn't much, but it was assurance.
"Once we arrive, your Partner, yourself, and I will have to stand aside. Examon's keep is too new. Until Examon sets it, it will not be safe to enter."
Examon frowned at that. "You'll make sure nothing gets them, while Drake and I get everything set up, right?"
Wingdramon took the bold move of interrupting. "Sir Examon, there is an army awaiting you," he told the great dragon. "Ever since word of your keep appearing spread through Digital World, troops have been gathering. As one of those troops I say it will be my honor to insure the ladies Kristy and Lillymon remain protected. Just as it shall be my honor to serve yourself and Sir Drake."
Alphamon looked as though he might say something, only to stop. Well... Drake was Examon's Partner. That did make them equals – and by extension a Royal Knight ranking a sir. ...Oh my. Mortimer was going to be mortified to be called sir. Or worse: Lord. Maybe his troops would not get into the habit...
Kristy sighed once more. "All right then. Let's get this show on the road."
Good. Alphamon would not admit this aloud, but he... He missed Mortimer. Yggdrasil's particularly large hammer – dreamfasting – had awoken a need in Alphamon. Mortimer was a part of his very Core, and Alphamon wanted the human, needed him, by his side. Just as Digital World needed Human World to provide dimensional balance, so Alphamon needed Mortimer to balance himself.
So frail humans were. So strong. So utterly insane. Mortimer's life was prof enough that humanity still had many, many issues. Then again, Digimon had many of those same issues. Yet through it all Mortimer was Mortimer – Alphamon would have it no other way.
Examon asked him if he was ready. Alphamon answered at first with a sigh.
"Yes. My apologies, but I seem to be a bit homesick."
"Heh. After the past twenty four hours, who wouldn't be?" Lillymon giggled.
"Indeed," Alphamon chuckled. "Wingdramon. You know the way."
All but tripping over himself, Wingdramon blushed at the honor. "Yes sir!" Needing no further prompting the Perfect took off, Examon and Alphamon a breath behind him.
It was not hard to find the thinggy. Still, he checked the garden first, collecting up the spilled silver watering pale as he returned. The hole Alphamon had made in his garden had notably shrunk. Add a little potting soil for extra nutrients, and it was about the right depth to plant the Wisteria bush RhodoKnightmon had brought him. Also new were the neon pink mystic thorn lacing the whole of the garden.
Hah! As if that alone would garner Dukemon X's favor.
From the garden he made his way unopposed to his room. General WarGrowlmon was handling things well enough. The general was no Jewelbeemon – who now had Miranda for company during his forced bed rest – but he was well skilled.
In his room he found the thinggy. It was indeed big with a circumference of at least twenty five feet, shiny with bright white coloring, and metallic. In fact it looked like a chunk of raw, pure, White Digizoid metal. Such a large quantity could have only come into existence if Yggdrasil Himself willed it. ...Or if one of His agents worked very quickly to gather up as yet undiscovered veins of it.
Deciding action worked better than words, Dukemon X punched it. Hard. The metal yielded fractionally to his fist. The gems on Dukemon X's armor glowed brighter. Ah, so he did have someone's attention.
"That, was for frightening my daughter." He punched it again, harder. "That, was for biting her." One more time, as hard as he could manage. "And that! Was on general principle! You swore she would be safe!"
Dukemon X's crest – the Hazard Symbol that had once adorned his armor and still adorned his shield – glowed in black relief on the white metal. An image flashed in his mind.
"Armor? You're... You're giving my daughter enchanted armor? It is a bit late to do much good!"
Another image flashed.
"Yes, yes, I understand. A bit late now does not make it worthless later." Dukemon X glared at the massive thing. "You had best leave training in its use to me. Or I swear I will take this hunk of rock and smelt it in the first volcano I come to. And if there are no volcanoes I will make one myself! Am I clear?"
The floating hunk of metal actually looked terrified. Point made, Dukemon X nodded.
"You do realize You have frightened my daughter to the point she does not wish to return home? Aatth!" Dukemon X readied to punch it again as it threatened to pulse in light. "No more meddling!"
The building glow dissipated, harmless.
"This thing You would make into armor without smiths, to be wielded by my daughter alone – You will leave it here. Right here," Dukemon X pointed to a spot away from the hearth, far enough back in his room that it could not be seen from the door. "It shall not leave this spot in this room until such time as I deem Kaminari ready to wear it. And You shall meddle with her in this matter no more! One faintest glint of a dream, or any such ilk, and I will smelt this gift without remorse."
Duly chastised, the floating orb of metal moved to its designated spot. Certain now that it would behave, Dukemon X turned to leave. He had a daughter to reassure...
"A word to the wise, Sir," Dukemon X hissed before closing the door. "When dealing with children, tap an Angel to deliver Your message. Preferably one all ready devoted to You. Too much of a hammer or too much of subtlety only works to terrify a child. And when dealing with my child? Tell me first."
Dukemon X slammed the door shut. Walking down the hallway, he felt... Actually, he felt a lot better now. The only lingering concern would be if his recommendation were acted on. If it were then... Heh. Poor Angels at Lord Seraphimon's Temple to Yggdrasil and His Sovereigns. But then, that's what they were there for – to act as messengers to the rest of the world.
Hum? Bah. Night had fallen. ChaosDukemon should have called if she and Kaminari were staying the night. First to the communication room to see if, indeed, ChaosDukemon had called as she should. Then to the garden to plant that Wisteria bush. Following that would be a walk around the keep to check in on everyone, soldiers and refugees both. Lastly would be a trip to town to insure LeAnn, Jacob, and Richie were not having problems with the Vanguards still present.
Lord Alphamon and Sir Examon would all ready be on their way to Sir Examon's keep. Perhaps they had it up and running now.
Hum... Slight change of plans: Check for a note from ChaosDukemon, then call Magnamon X. He had been a great help in getting Alphamon to Human World in the first place. It would be good for him to know his efforts had not been in vane. Besides, if anyone would take humor in Dukemon X dressing down an agent of Yggdrasil, Magnamon X would.
Two hundred years.
The number was boggling. The memories that went with it mind numbing. Yet Mortimer was almost through them now. Almost done digesting them in a way he could understand.
No wonder Alphamon had such a deep dislike for humans. And, even if that dislike changed, its taint would still be ever-present.
Two hundred years...
They saw the campfires before they saw the unfinished keep. Hundreds of them peppering the land like stars in the sky.
"Whoa," breathed Drake from his Partner's arms. "All of them are here for Examon?"
"For us," corrected Examon, a hint of question in his tone.
"Many will branch off to form villages in support of the keep. Their tithes of food and material goods keep us sustained and provide modest monetary income to purchase those things that cannot be tithed. In return our soldiers keep their villages protected with patrol sweeps, and render aid during disasters," Alphamon explained. Afterwords he felt like knocking his head against a wall.
What had they just had? A disaster. What had Alphamon's keep not done for the closest human settlement? Render aid. Yggdrasil, if ever there was a time Alphamon wanted a hammer dropped on his head, now was it.
There would be impediments to rendering aid, though. First, the towns had not asked – likely because they thought none would be given. Next would be the simplest and hardest problem of all: They had no connection to the human towns. The only one who did was Dukemon X, and that was through Kaminari. With no established connection any aid would be frowned on...
Bah. There was nothing Alphamon could do to solve the problem now. First things first: Get Examon in his keep, get the keep fully formed, and deep wards laid. Then: Go home. Alphamon had no idea he would miss Mortimer so much. They had shared their lives through dreamfasting, yes, and while that meant much it did not make them fast friends. It may have made Mortimer his other half, but it did not make them brothers. ...Didn't it?
Alphamon sighed, schooling himself back to composure. Lay the wards and lay them well. Mortimer would kill him if Alphamon was sloppy on his account. Loosing a patient to natural causes was one thing. Loosing one to stupidity? Not, Alphamon repeated, not allowed.
"The keeps all follow the most base of floor plans," Alphamon warned Examon. "The keep will want to match that basic plan; do not fight that pull for the necessities. Instead push for little changes: Placement of a or the courtyard, segmenting off a spot for a library or entrance way, where to put your room, your mother's room. Little things are best."
"What about size?" Kristy asked.
"The keep will match its master," Alphamon assured her. "Also: If it pushes for how you want your rooms, and you do not know for sure, let it guess. You can always change your room later. Perhaps not in size, but furniture is easy enough to get hold of."
Examon took a deep, steadying breath. This was it. This was him, and Drake, swearing to be selfless good guys until the day they died. This... was a hell of a lot of responsibility.
"Right. Wingdramon? Take mom and Lillymon."
Wingdramon did a midair salute, "Yessir!" With a cultured air he swung up next to them. "M'ladies, if you would please? There are a great many Digimon who wish to meet you."
"They better not expect any favors," Kristy warned, taking Wingdramon's offered hand
"Not if they don't want a Flower Cannon up the snout," Lillymon concurred., joining her Partner
"They shall be proper gentlemen, ladies, and soldiers," Windramon promised them. The gleam on his claws stood to answer what would happen to those who did not behave.
Alphamon chuckled, following after Wingdramon. If that dragon did not make regent, he'd make a fine general. Determination like that brokered no other position.
Examon floated where he was. In his arms, Drake stood. The keep itself looked... well, like a cube. Just a big floating Rubik cube of stone...
"There's no door yet," Drake noted.
"I guess that means we take the roof?"
There was a noncommittal hum from his arms. Looking down, Examon told his Partner, "Give the word and we're gone."
"No," Drake shivered. "No, we're not... Promise me... Promise me that if I start acting like dad? You'll bite me or something."
"Hang you out by your underwear. Gotcha. Just so long as you promise me you'll nag Caledfwlch into batting me in the head, or kick me in the shin, or something, if I start acting like dad."
"Get Lillymon to Flower Cannon you. Gotcha."
The two friends chuckled lightly at their poor joke. Sensing their relative ease, Caledfwlch took matters into its own – ah – hands. It sent them gliding in to land on the cube's roof. At least what would become a roof. It was the top at any rate.
A beeping sound echoed from Drake's pocket. Which was weird, because Drake had thought the tent of a shirt Doc had gotten him to replace the grungy hospital stuff didn't have pockets. But he had to admit mom's weirdness about always carrying a fresh pair of underwear in her purse had actually come in handy...
Drake reached as though he were reaching into a pocket. A ball of light formed in his hand that in turn formed a Examon-red device shaped like a softly angled rectangle with an LCD display. The beeping grew quiet.
A bubble of energy formed around Drake. Examon began to glow. Together, they sank into the unfinished keep. When they were swallowed entirely, the keep began to glow.
Waiting down below Kristy began to twitch. The cube building was glowing now but nothing was happening. Her baby had been through enough, damnit! When would this day just hurry up and end?
It almost ended when the cube shifted. It was like watching a giant 3-D puzzle mixed with origami. The cube unfolded, growing four massive towers, wide battlements, a gate – and a drawbridge! No mote, though. Erk, no, wait, spoke too soon. A ten foot wide swatch of land surrounding the keep sunk into the earth to be replaced by clear water.
The keep's form solidified. Kristy had to hold her jaw in by force: It... It was King bloody Arthur's castle!
The drawbridge opened. Mechanisms could be heard inside as steel gates were lifted. Drake came running out the front while Examon took wing from some hidden courtyard. Somehow or another, Drake was dressed in his favorite denim outfit. The same one he'd worn to school that day, when the Dark Ocean Digimon had attacked. Only the outfit was whole – her baby was whole. Well, except for the backpack. That was missing.
Sugar overload grin in place, Drake came running up to her. Grabbing her wrist, he yelled, excited, "Mom, mom, mom! You gotta check out your room!"
"And the garden!" Examon urged her and Lillymon as he landed. "It doesn't have anything planted in it yet, but its big! Big enough I can fit in it without getting cramped! And there's a little pond with a fountain and..."
Examon paused. For the first time, he realized he had the eyes of everyone on him. He settled in to a more dignified pose before addressing the crowd.
"Those who wish to join my service in defense of both Worlds may enter. The keep is sound. Battle regiments' grounds are on the outer wings. The aids' are in the middle wings. I wish you all welcome."
A hurray roared from the crowd. In one fluid motion the campfires were doused and the mass moved towards the keep. There was no clogging of the entryway – it had been made with size in mind.
In a conspiratorial tone, Examon staged whispered to Alphamon, "Mine and Drake's rooms are in the center on the top floor. Mom and Lillymon's rooms are there, too."
"Guest rooms are on the ground floor, and there's a library in the basement." Drake's grin grew as he added, "Along with some... other stuff."
Kristy froze. Knowing her son all too well, she demanded, "Tell me you did not put alligators in the basement."
"Nope. Just a shadow eating labyrinth."
Examon chuckled, "Not only does it eat shadows, it goes everywhere."
"Secret passages galore?" At the duo's chipper affirmative, Lillymon laughed.
"Perhaps you would be kind enough to show me the passage to your rooms?" Alphamon didn't, quite, plead. "It has been a long day... and I miss Mort..."
"Whoa, wait, Mort? That Mort? The guy who helped Drake? He's your Partner?" Examon demanded. At Alphamon's affirmative, Examon blanched, "And you left him at home?"
"Oh you poor old fool," Lillymon tutted. "You're not homesick. You're stretching yourself thin and don't even know it..."
Drake released his mother's wrist to grab Alphamon's instead. Later, Alphamon would tell the boy how such a move could be seen as suicidal. "Come on," he urged Alphamon. "The closest passage is human sized, 'nd just inside the gate, sort of. You'll see."
Examon picked up Kristy and Lillymon. "Meet ya there," he told them, then took off.
"If flying is faster..." Alphamon began, only for Drake to interrupt, "You see those stone gargoyle things right below the battlements?"
"Yes?"
"If you ain't Examon, you ain't gettin' in."
...Ah. That made sense. Good use of available material as well. He'd need to remember to tell the others – and how was Drake walking through a wall? Oh, no, wait, that part of the wall had slid forward at Drake's touch to give the illusion of a whole wall. There was actually a passageway here...
The passageway was dark. Had it not been for Drake's firm grip on his wrist, Alphamon would have been lost. "You'll need to do periodic sweeps down here," he warned the boy.
"All ready thought of that," Drake answered. They were going up now. "If its not me down here with someone, an alarm trips in Examon's room. So long as we're not gone weeks at a time it should be okay... Besides, the passages only seal if it feels like shadows or Dark Ocean Digimon are down here, and they all dump into the library at some point or another. Just keep going straight down a tunnel and you'll either get out or get stuck with a bunch of books. ...Well, when we get books. A lot of the ones in there are fake right now. Ah-ha! Here we are!"
Alphamon barely took notice of their rooms, aside from the fact it was like his own room and Mortimer's. One room connected by a fireplace yet separated by a wall. Not completely separated; there was a giant archway in the dividing wall, half of which was made by the far wall. There was no door separating the two.
Approaching the fireplace, Alphamon marshaled his will to order. Old Magic rose and fell in familiar patterns. He willed the room itself, with the fireplace as its anchor, to keep out all outsiders. To allow nothing to enter without permission from the room's masters. Allow not even himself, unless pressed to it, to enter this room but its masters. Allow nothing... nothing... nothing...!
Alphamon stepped back from the fireplace.
"It is done. You will need to give permission to your mother and Lillymon or they shall not be able to enter. If they attempt to force their way in, they will die. The same goes for any intruders," Alphamon told them, voice flat with exhaustion.
Drake faced the fireplace. "Do not fry my mom or her Partner. Even if I get annoyed at 'em."
The fireplace flame glowed a little brighter, then returned to crackling merrily.
"You going to make it home all right, or do I need to call someone to fly you?" Examon asked kindly. There was a gnawing pulling on Alphamon that made him feel more tired than he had in ages.
"I will be fine," Alphamon assured them. Which was true: He'd flown from point A to point B under more exhausting conditions then now. "Just... to the exit, if you please?"
Examon nodded. Walking over to Drake's window, he threw it open. "Alphamon has leave to pass!" he roared at the battlements.
Grateful, Alphamon nodded his thanks. He took to the air – a little shaky at first, but he leveled out and headed for home. Oh, how he missed Mort...
Watching from Drake's window, Examon sighed. Maybe someone had communications up. Alphamon looked to be flying in a direction that would put him in Dukemon X's territory shortly.
Examon shivered. That long away from his Partner? Inconceivable. Drake was a piece of his Core. Any time he wasn't nearby, Examon could feel it. It tore at Examon to miss that tiny piece of himself... Alphamon must have been feeling like gum on the underside of a corporate executive's shoe.
"Come on," Examon nudged his Partner, shutting the window tight. "Let's go see if we can make a phone call..."
The sound of running water woke him. No... It was the distinct absence of warmth against his back that roused him first. The water switching on merely finished waking him up.
Sitting up, Alphamon grumbled. Note to self: Ten hours or longer away from a piece of his Core gave him headaches that hurt.
...Wait a moment. This was not Alphamon's room. This was Mortimer's... Ah, how bloody wonderful. Alphamon's pull towards his Partner must have dumped him in here instead of in his own room. Yet he had to admit, sleeping back to back with Mortimer had been uniquely restful. All the aching tension had drifted away in that platonic touch. The headache had only come after Mortimer had risen.
Digimon were used to knowing things at the drop of a hat, so it came as no real surprise that Alphamon knew the water had been on too short for a shower. Too long for a toilet flush either. Mortimer must have been taking a bath. Getting his back properly cleaned would be a hassle alone – besides, Alphamon longed for his company. The headache Alphamon had eased as he walked into the bathroom area.
Mortimer's silver green eyes looked up at him aghast. "Privacy?" he squeaked.
"Bubble bath," countered Alphamon. There were enough bubbles in that tub Alphamon couldn't see the bottom of the bathtub even if he wanted to. "Besides," he grinned, settling to sit next to the tub, "I've seen it all from your perspective. You're not my type, either, by the by."
Mortimer sunk a few inches deeper into the tub. It was large enough for Alphamon to fit, if a bit scrunched, so sinking under the foamy waves was a viable method of retreat. Pointedly ignoring his Partner's embarrassment, Alphamon rested his arm on the bathtub rim, letting his hand dangle over into the bubbly water.
Mortimer's hand held his. A tingle of comforting energy – Mortimer; Partner; brother – washed over Alphamon. Yes, ten hours had really been too much.
"You're in good shape, for being two hundred years old," Mortimer mumbled, trying to joke.
Alphamon countered with, "You're in good shape, for having avoided exercise all those years."
"Three words: Jocks. Weight room."
"Bugh," Alphamon shuddered. "Thank you for that reminder. Now I'll never be able to look at my training room the same way again."
"You're welcome," Mortimer chuckled. The chuckles chilled, turning in to shakes, as Mortimer began to shiver. Alphamon held his hand fractionally tighter. "I don't know if I can do this," Mortimer whispered. "You've got... so much responsibility. I don't... think I can shoulder it... And... and you hate humans, for all the right reasons...!"
"And all the wrong ones. I let my pride get the better of me the last few years..." Mortimer's snort of agreement made Alphamon laugh. Curious – and concerned – he asked, "How much were you shown?"
"Everything," Mortimer answered. "Only... a lot of it is fuzzy. I have to really think to remember anything past the last eighteen years or so years..."
"That makes sense. Your own memories are about that long..." Alphamon gave his Partner's hand a comfortable squeeze. "You can do this, Mort. Not all of my responsibilities are yours; can ever be yours. Yet those that are, you can shoulder with ease."
"Defending two Worlds against soul eating shadows from a place I can only call Hell." Mortimer snorted, dismissing the idea, "Yeah. I can really stand up to those things."
"It is only about as hard as a clinical rotation, really," Alphamon assured him.
"Seventy two hour shifts with no sleep, angry doctors, and terrified patients thinking they're all going to die?" Mortimer was only in year two of premed, but he knew the stories
"Not the horror story rotations. Actual clinical rotations," Alphamon corrected him. "Besides, finding you an apprenticeship when you've not gotten the basics down will be a tad more challenging."
It was strange, to feel someone actually stop and think. "You... really mean it, don't you...?"
"You could start your informal studies with the keep physician, if he's no objections."
"...I am not getting an apprenticeship by dropping your name around."
"Of course not! If you cannot be a doctor by your own merits, you have no business practicing medicine."
It was the reason why Mortimer had not gotten in to an ivy league school. His test scores and transcript weren't good enough – skipping two years of high school was fine and dandy, but he didn't have life experience. His parents could have smuggled him in through their connections... But if Mortimer did not have the right stuff to attend those schools, then he had no right to attend them at all.
Leaning against the side of the tub, resting his head on Alphamon's arm, Mortimer sighed. Maybe he could do this...
A powerful voice boomed: "Lord Alphamon! Present yourself, or I will shatter your wards!"
Mortimer recognized the voice. Sir Omegamon – er, Sir Omegamon X now – was not joking. If he wanted those wards down, he could force them down... by taking the keep apart one brick at a time.
"Hold your sword, friend!" Alphamon shouted back. Funny... this close to him, Mortimer's ears should have been ringing. Instead he was giggling as Aphamon added, "I will present myself in good time, as always! Wait in mine or Mortimer's chambers if you feel yourself so rushed!"
Mortimer shivered – and not from nerves. He could feel the invitation being accepted; could feel Omegamon X walking in to his room. He could also feel that if Omegamon X made one wrong move, Patches would eat the paladin for breakfast.
"I certainly could not leave him," Alphamon shrugged.
Patches... Alphamon was talking... about Patches.
"There is a ledge out of obvious view. The perfect perch for so steadfast a guardian to continue his watch."
Emotions in Digital World had power. Add eighteen years of emotions ranging from benign to extreme to an all ready existing spell, and...
"...I don't think he'd be able to break the ward," Mortimer whispered.
"Let's not tell him that, shall we?" Alphamon suggested, a conspiratorial tone in his voice that made Mortimer giggle.
There was a pause. Mortimer looked pointedly at his Partner. "I am drawing the line," he said in an unwavering voice, "at you seeing me naked. Out."
Alphamon stood. He bowed, "As you will, Lord Mortimer."
One of those little bubble bath products hit him square in the back of the head.
Still chuckling, Alphamon made his way to Mortimer's room. Omegamon X was looking pointedly at Patches – the stuffed toy was effectively glaring back at him. Not actually glaring, glaring, but the radiating feeling of protection of mine served well enough as a substitute. Alphamon reached up to give the dalmatian puppy a scratch behind the ears. The feeling eased from the stuffed toy by a fraction.
"No need to be so worried," Alphamon told the magic that had taken root in Patches. "Sir Omegamon X knows to mind his manners." Turning to Omegamon X, he shrugged in explanation, "Eighteen years of emotions packed in to one small toy, then tied into the deep wards."
"Ah." Omegamon X gave the toy a lingering look. "Perhaps we should adjourn to your chambers."
"If you wish," Alphamon shrugged. He stopped a second later as a hint of black caught his eye. Looking, he saw – "What in the world is that?"
There was a black lump of something soiling Mortimer's lucky satchel. The satchel was beaten up enough daily as it was; it didn't need rocks, or whatever that was, poking holes in it, too. Frowning, Alphamon picked up the black chunk of whatever it was.
Magic sang within it, passing along instructions on how to –
Alphamon tossed the satchel on the bed, then put the chunk of Black Digizoid metal back on the nightstand. "Honestly," he growled at it, "more meddling?"
"Problem?" rumbled Omegamon X.
"Not precisely, but..."
For a second time, Alphamon stopped. Mortimer was emerging from the bath area with a black and gold towel wrapped around his shoulders. He was wearing a monotone ensemble of black slippers, black pants made of what looked like but was not silk, and a black long sleeved shirt of the same material. Across all three gold embroidery was stitched. For a moment, as his eyes were closed, Mortimer looked exactly like Alphamon if Alphamon had been human. When Mortimer opened his silver green eyes the effect remained, if dulled. Mortimer's eyes were different from his own, and he was taller than Mortimer, but the effect was staggering.
Mortimer met his gaze. Paused, to look at himself. Then, with a world weary sigh, ran the towel through his hair again.
"I could really get to hate your boss," the human sighed.
Omegamon X was openly staring. Before he could speak, Mortimer interjected with, "Call me lord, or sir, and we will have problems. Mr. Pendragon is out, too, unless you're talking to my dad. Mortimer works fine. And yes, there were matching boots."
This last comment was directed at Alphamon. Alphamon sighed in answer. Yes, indeed – more meddling.
Omegamon X managed to collect his wits. "There's been..." He coughed, trying not to stare. "There's been a meeting called today, to be held at Sir Examon's keep. When your regent could not immediately find you, he was... concerned."
Alphamon walked to the main entrance. Opening it, he found Doruguremon looking worried just outside.
"M'lord!" the dragon beast brightened, relieved.
"My apologies for worrying you, Doruguremon." The dragon beast blushed. "Have a light meal brought up for myself and Mortimer, if you would, please." Turning back inside Alphamon asked his guest, "Have you breakfasted yet?"
"Yes, at the nominal time of five hours ago. I have not had lunch yet," Omegamon X chuckled.
Turning back to his regent, Alphamon added, "And a lunch for Sir Omegamon X."
A buzzing noise came from the pouch Doruguremon wore to carry those things that normally required hands to hold. Alphamon blinked, staring at the pouch. He knew that buzz...
Doruguremon withdrew Mortimer's buzzing cell phone from the pouch. "Communications did as you asked, m'lord. It has not stopped ringing since second watch last night. Nor will it shut off."
Alphamon took the device in hand. Turning back, he tossed it to Mortimer.
It was a simple black flip phone. Simple, in that it had no keyboard or camera. Just a phone that could be flipped open to show the number pad inside. A small screen on the outer casing showed the date, time, and who was calling.
Looking at that little screen caused Mortimer to pale. "Aw Fruit Loops," he cursed. "Its my parents."
Alphamon winced in sympathy. "Camomile tea, if we have any," he added to his breakfast order.
Mortimer opened the phone and pressed talk. "Hello?"
"Mortimer Pendragon! Where on God's green earth are you young man?"
Holding the phone a good ten inches from his ear, Mortimer replied, "Hi, dad. Um... I'm actually not on earth right now..."
"What!"
"Well, ya see, I kinda ran into my Partner yesterday..."
"Mortimer~!" The man on the other end then proceeded to launch into a tirade.
Wincing, Mortimer wilted. To the audience formed of Omegamon X, Alphamon, and Doruguremon, Mortimer warned, "Never, ever, get my dad mad. ...Whatever you do, don't make mom mad, either. She's worse."
"What was that?" a feminine voice demanded, even as Alphamon silently nodded his agreement.
"Nothing mom! Just... have some friends over, is all..."
This newcomer lowered her voice so that Mortimer could actually hold the phone against his ear. Mortimer then paled. "Speaker phone? Really, mom, I'm fine... The Vanguards called you?" Wide eyed, he stared at Alphamon, "Said I got tapped for ...special assignment...?"
Alphamon silently swore he and Miss. Marple would discuss what the word delicate meant. Soon.
"Yes ma'am," Mortimer wilted. He held the phone out towards Alphamon. "Mom wants to know you exist and didn't kidnap me for nefarious experiments on a-typical humans."
It had been a long time since Omegamon X had seen Alphamon frightened. The Lord of the Royal Knights asked in a soft squeak, "I don't suppose I can just call her back later...?"
Mortimer gave him a look.
Sighing, Alphamon replied, "I thought not. At least she can't kill me over a phone..."
"Doesn't mean she won't try," Mortimer winced, sympathetic.
Steeling himself, Alphamon took the phone. "Mrs. Pendragon? My name is Alphamon. I am Mortimer's Partner... and I did not kidnap him." A pause. "I did not do that, either." Another longer pause. "Such an explanation would take time. Are your husband and yourself free later this week? I can arrange for you to be brought to my location."
Mortimer's eyes went wide. "Bad idea," he squeaked. "Bad idea! I went to a college on the other side of the country from them for a reason!"
Mortimer's parents were good parents. They were good people. But they had this tiny obsessive streak when it came to their only child...
"Indeed, that may work better. Mortimer and I will see you and your husband at the family villa this Saturday, then. We will be no later than one in the afternoon. Good day."
Alphamon closed the phone. "Sovereigns," he breathed, handing Mortimer back the phone. "Are you sure your mother is not part dragon?"
"She hasn't spit fire yet. Oh, man, you are so toast."
"We've got until Saturday to plan," Alphamon noted. "Doruguremon, forgive me, but I am going to be unavailable four days from now. Hopefully for less than two days, but it may be longer than ten."
"Mom's got a way of sinking metaphorical claws into her metaphorical prey," Mortimer agreed, grim.
"The keep will hold, m'lord," Doruguremon answered. He was staring at Mortimer, who was now in clear sight of the doorway. "I... Excuse me. I shall fetch your meals at once."
Mortimer, Alphamon, and Omegamon X exchanged looks. This was going to be a rather... interesting day, to say the least.