Love Comes in Funny Packages
Episode 10
Enter the Dragon
The Royal Knights were a little worried about Duftmon and Magnamon. After what happened with those three Digimon, Crusadermon was sick with worry. Alphamon had tried to reasure the Knights that the duo could take care of themselves, as they had before on many occasions. The next day, as the sun came, all of the Royal Knights awoke to find a guest in the dinning hall.
Red scales, large wings. It looked like he had an extra pair of wings attached to the bottom of his hands. A javelin looking weapon in his left hand, his tail had a gold tip. His chest had silver armour with four red jewels, like many other parts of his body. His horns, claws, and tips of his wings had golden tips. His shoulders had four silver spikes, while he had a three horns on his face and three spikes around his face.
The large red dragon-like Digimon was eating away at his seventh bowl, licking his lips and patting his stomach once finished. He spotted the Royal Knights gathered before him, and waved, grinning.
"Examon?" UlforceVeedramon asked. "What are you doing here? Where have you been?"
"I've been traveling around the Ice Realm, looking for mega Digimon to fight," Examon answered. "But, I've been hearing rumours of some human who's appearently been kidnapped by Beelzemon."
"That ain't rumours, Examon," Craniamon said. "There is a human in this world, and she is with Beelzemon, but she wasn't kidnapped."
Examon appeared curious of this news, but Dynasmon intervened.
"Alphamon will want to know your back," Dynasmon pointed out. "I'm sure he'll be concerned by your sudden reapearence."
Examon nodded slowly, got up and went to see their leader.
...
"I'm glad your back," Alphamon said. "We've been a little short of Knights since Magnamon and Duftmon got... involved in something."
They were sitting down in Alphamon's office, Examon occasionally looking around him. Not really paying attention. Alphamon's office was square and quite plain, Alphamon sat behind his burgandy desk while Examon sat on a chair in front of the desk, feeling like a naughty student.
"Yeah, I heard," Examon nodded. "Something about the Demon Lord Beelzemon?
Alphamon sighed, "Yes, rumours really do travel fast."
"What exactly happened?" Examon asked, leaning forward slighlty. "The details are sketchy, no one even know's why the human is here or what she looks like."
"Since you are a Royal Knight, I can tell you, but you must not share this information with anyone else," Alphamon said. "A week or so ago, a human girl by the name of Serena Usagi came to this accompanied by Beelzemon. Magnamon and Duftmon got involved, but why Serena is here is unknown. Neither she nor Beelzemon will explain to them why."
Examon scratched the bottom of his face, "Maybe I should go check on Magnamon and Duftmon," he said. "You know, make sure their safe. After all, what else am I supposed to do?"
Alphamon pressed his hands together, "That's actually not a bad idea. Go on then, go find them and report back... But don't do anything stupid."
"Moi?" Examon asked, pressing an hand to his chest. "How could I do something stupid?"
He got up, and quickly left. Alphamon sighed, lowering his head and looking at the paper work on his desk.
Examon is too cocky, he thought. He thinks that because he's a mega, he can throw his weight around. That could lead to his demise.
...
Serena yawned and stretched, feeling her joints ache. The fire had burnt down, and the three Digimon were all still fast asleep. Beelzemon snoring quietly, Magnamon making odd cooing noises in his sleep and Duftmon breathing lightly. Serena got up and left the cave. She walked towards the shore, watching the waves lap against the sand in a peaceful way. She smiled to herself, and watched as she split into two.
This sensation was still strange, but she seemed to be getting the hand of being two people.
"Oh!" Tomoko smiled. "I love the beach, what about you Serena? I mean, we were here yesterday, but I didn't get a good look at it."
"Yeah," Serena agreed. "The ocean is pretty cool... Do you think those Digimon will come back?"
"Not if they know what's good for them!" Tomoko grinned, punching imaginary foes. "Did Duftmon or Beelzemon notice anything strange about us the other day?"
Tomoko looked at her other half and caped her wings, folding her arms across her chest. Serena watched Tomoko's tail swish back and forth, before replying.
"I'm not sure," Serena sighed. "I think Beelzemon might suspect something is up, but I can't be sure. Duftmon on the other hand know's there's something wrong with me, but is ignoring it."
Tomoko nodded, then jumped back into Serena's body. Just in time too, Magnamon was coming out of the cave, yawning and stretching. Serena felt a chill run up her spine, she might be used to splitting into two, but fusing back together was such a weird feeling.
"I'm so tired," Magnamon complained as he approached her. "What about you? Did you get any sleep?"
"I got some," Serena replied. "But not a lot, I'm afraid those trio of Digimon will come back."
Magnamon nodded, "Why were they after you anyway?"
"I wish I did knew," Serena sighed. "I was hoping you knew."
Magnamon shook his head, "I don't know. Nether does Duftmon and Beelzemon, it's a mystery which will have to stay with us until we can get one of those three Digimon to tell us."
"I'll doubt they'll be back so soon," she said. "They know who their messing with."
Magnamon looked at her, and nodded. "Yeah, they'll be back."
She nodded back, and looked back at ocean. If there was one thing Serena missed most, it was a simple sunset and sunrise. She missed the way the sun turned the sky orange and made the ocean appear like a beautiful liquid orange picture.
"You know," Tomoko began. "It's always calm before the storm."
...
Examon had heard from Gallantmon that Magnamon and Duftmon had headed west, towards the beach. So that would be the best place to start looking. He slowly flew west, keeping a steady pace and keeping his eye out for them. Examon had volunteered himself for this task for two reasons: One, to make himself look like a hero by rescuing the human girl. And two, he wanted take down a Demon Lord.
When he first joined the Royal Knights, he vowed he would take down a Demon Lord. That was his life's goal. He would do anything to fulfil that dream. Defeating a Demon Lord was every Royal Knights dream, defeating such powerful Digimon would make anyone swell up with pride and make them a hero.
...
Beelzemon slowly opened his eyes, he stretched, and got up into a sitting position. Duftmon was still asleep, Beelzemon heard him mumble something and Duftmon turned over. Beelzemon slowly up and left the cave, spotting Serena and Magnamon talking by the shore.
Serena just seems tah stranger and stranger every day, he thought.
"Hey, Beelzemon," Magnamon waved. "Is Dufty awake yet?"
"No," Beelzemon shook his head. "He's still sleeping, don't worry though... I'm sure he'll wake up soon."
Magnamon nodded, "I think I should check in with the Alphamon. You know, just to make sure their not worried about us."
"Be careful," Serena said.
"I always am," Magnamon replied.
Magnamon did a running start, then jumped and flew back to the Royal Knights Assembly.
...
Duftmon was dreaming, a rather pleasant dream too. He was on top of a cliff, much like the one by the beach. For some strange reason, there was actually a sunset. But that's what the dream world was like, they could bend reality and make anything seem possible. Serena would probably see nothing wrong in this dream, after all, she was used to sunsets. He thought he was standing there alone, until he noticed a second person.
A female, by the way she moved. She placed a hand on his face, causing him to turn and look at her. Now he could see who it was, Lilithmon. It must be a nightmare, it had to be. Then, he did something he thought he would never see, even in his dreams- where reality was shattered and twisted. Duftmon pulled Lilithmon into an embrace, wrapping his arms around her waist and they kissed.
Duftmon's eyes snapped, he jumped up, but hit his head on some low hanging rocks. Duftmon yelped and fell onto his backside, rubbing his forehead miserably. He slowly got up, and avoided the low hanging rock. He quickly left the cave and joined Serena and Beelzemon, still rubbing his forehead.
"What's thah matter?" Beelzemon asked. "Hurt ya head?"
"Yeah," Duftmon replied. "I had a nightmare too!"
"Was is that bad?" Serena asked.
He nodded, though, a small part of him quite liked the dream. But Duftmon couldn't tell them that, he couldn't even tell them what the dream was about. They might say something stupid, like... like... like he loved her.
But that's stupid, Duftmon frowned.
Was it? He hated Lilithmon with every vibre in his body, but that was only because he was tricked by her. If he looked past the evil heart, he saw a beatiful Digimon who, appeared to be quite lonely. Being beautifil may have its advantages, but because of that beauty, people would only love her for that. They wouldn't try to look past that external beauty, but Duftmon could see her inner beauty.
Maybe I am in love with her, Duftmon thought.
...
Magnamon knocked on Alphamon's office, it opened, even though Alphamon hadn't left his seat. He looked up, seeming to smile. Magnamon had managed to avoid every other Royal Knight (except for Crusadermon, Magnamon believed the pink Knight needed to know how Serena was, the two seemed close) and come to Alphamon's office. Magnamon hated the thought of having to explain to everyone had had happened.
"Magnamon, you seem well," Alphamon observed.
"I am," Magnamon confirmed "I just came to tell you that we're fine, those Digimon that attacked us are gone- for now. But we might be spending some time by the beach, just until things cool down."
"You will see Examon then," Alphamon said.
"Examon's back?" Magnamon asked. "When did this happen?"
"He came back this morning," his leader replied. "He's gone looking for you, I told him not to do anything stupid."
"Hmm," Magnamon closed his eyes for a few seconds.
"Is something wrong?" Alphamon asked, a tinge of concern in his voice.
Magnamon shook his head, eyes still closed. He opened them after a minute.
"I'll make sure he doesn't do anything stupid," Magnamon promised, then turned and left.
Examon is going to do something stupid, Magnamon thought. I can feel it, he always goes too far
Another thought accured to him. What happened this morning? I could have sworn I saw two Serena's.
...
"Why don't we do something fun?" Tomoko suggested.
"Like?" Serena asked.
Serena didn't bother to think her questions anymore, she was insane, she might as well let herself feel like it. Serena walked down the beach, kicking a rounded stone as she walked.
"Why don't we play a game with Beelzemon?" Tomoko asked.
"Yeah," Serena agreed. "What do we play?"
"Tag," Tomoko said. "We played it last time we were here, now is no different."
"Hmm," Serena crossed her arms. "Good point."
Serena noticed Beelzemon standing by the water a little further up the beach, Duftmon stood next to Beelzemon, speaking quietly. She still found it strange to see a Demon Lord and Royal Knight speaking so casually, especially after Serena discovered the Demon Lords wanted to take over the Digital World. Serena walked towards the group, Duftmon smiled at her and waved at Beelzemon before walking back towards the cave.
To be young and in love, he thought. Man, I sound old. Hmmm, I wonder what Lilithmon is up to.
Duftmon shook his head. He knew he was in love with her, but that didn't mean Lilithmon felt the same or would even care about him. She was evil, and getting her to love him seemed impossible. If Duftmon wasn't so afraid of having his heart broken, he would try.
Stupid! Duftmon scowled himself. Don't think about her, she'll only break my heart.
"Hey," Serena waved at Beelzemon.
Beelzemon slowly smiled, and waved back. She giggled, a smile on her face.
"What was you and Duftmon talking about just now?" she asked.
"...Nothang," he replied.
"He's avoiding the question," Tomoko said. "I bet he and Duftmon were talking about you, that's why Duftmon left, to give you two some alone time."
"Why don't we play a game?" Serena asked him. "After all, we've got nothing else to do."
"And what do yer wanna play?" he asked.
"Tag," Serena replied.
"Okay," Beelzemon reached out, and nudged her shoulder. "Tag."
He quickly turned and ran, she grinned and chased after him. She knew Beelzemon was fast, but he was only jogging and she was having difficulty keeping up with him. A few times he would slow down, teasing her, then he'd speed up and soon be out of reach. Serena eventually collapsed onto her knees, breathing heavily. Beelzemon changed his course and ran towards her.
"Are yer okay?" he asked.
She nodded, sucking in deep breaths and punched his shoulder lightly. She jumped to her feet and quickly ran away, Beelzemon chuckled and followed. It only took him a few seconds to catch up with her. Serena glanced at him, noticing how close he was and ran a bit faster. Serena still couldn't shake him.
"I've got an idea!" Tomoko said.
Serena went numb from the waist down, what did Tomoko do? She didn't have much time to think about it, as she fell back and crashed into Beelzemon. Duftmon noticed, but didn't pay much attention. The two fell backwards and landed in an uncomfortable pile in the sand. Serena felt something plow into her left cheek, causing her to curse.
"Ow," Serena winced as she felt her bruised cheek. "Are you okay, Beelzemon?"
"Fine," Beelzemon grunted.
He opened his eyes, and noticed how close Serena's face was. She was leaning over him, her face barely inches from his own. He was glad his helmet put a little distance between him and her. Beelzemon was made of sturdy stuff, he was alright, but he could her left cheek had become slightly purplish.
"Y-yer got a bruise comin'," Beelzemon pointed out.
Serena raised an eyebrow, and put a hand next to her cheek. She winced again. Beelzemon realized the thing he had accidently elbowed was her face, he felt bad about hurting her pretty face.
"It'll be fine," Serena assured him. "After all, I've had worse."
He nodded, and placed a hand over hers, gently pushing on the wound. Serena blushed deeply, and looked down at his chest.
"See?" Tomoko smiled. "That was a good idea."
She nodded numbly. Now Duftmon was watching, what was Beelzemon doing? Duftmon and Beelzemon had been talking abotu Serena, and Beelzemon had grudgily admitted his feelings for her. Duftmon then argued with Beelzemon, telling him Beelzemon needed to admit his feelings towards Serena. So why wasn't Beelzemon doing as he was told? Duftmon looked at them for a few seconds, then noticed Magnamon land.
"Good," Magnamon said. "I'm here just in time."
"Just in time?" Duftmon repeated. "What do you mean?"
"Examon's on his way," Magnamon replied. "I came here as fast as I could, but I'm guessing Examon still flies slowly."
Duftmon nodded, Magnamon folded his arms over his chest, and looked over to Serena and Beelzemon.
"What...?" his eyes widened. "What are they doing?"
Duftmon shrugged. He knew of course, he just wanted to see if Magnamon could figure it out by himself.
"A human and a Digimon?" Magnamon pondered. "Oh, now I get it... Now I know what Beelzemon meant, by 'it goes much more deeper than being King of the Demon Lords'. He likes Serena, how did we not see?"
"Serena's isn't human," Duftmon said.
"Huh?" Magnamon looked at him. "What do you mean?"
Duftmon didn't answer, he suddenly looked at the sky. Duftmon frowned at a red speck, was that Examon? Magnamon also looked, both of them eyeing the speck until it soon became a shape.
"It's Examon," Magnamon confirmed.
Duftmon nodded and looked at the duo on the beach, "Hey! You two!" he called to Serena and Beelzemon. "Get to the top of the cliff, we'll meet you up."
They looked at him, nodded and got up. They made their way to the top of the cliff, not questioning Duftmon's orders. Duftmon and Magnamon approached the landing Examon, both putting on a cool facade. Both knew this couldn't end well, Examon wasn't one for following orders.
"I'm glad to see your alright," Examon smiled fondly.
"Uh-huh," Magnamon said casually. "We're fine, see? Happy and cheerful-"
"Now go," Duftmon finished.
"That's not nice," Examon pouted slighlty.
"Alphamon told me you came to see if we're okay," Magnamon replied. "And we are, so, you can now leave and give him your report."
Examon bit his tongue, and looked at the cliff. He spotted Beelzemon easily, he was a very tall Digimon. And spotting the human was just as easy, how many humans had pink hair?
"I assume that's the Demon Lord who's taking care of the human," Examon looked back at them.
Magnamon nodded, Examon smiled again, then ran towards the cliff. The two other Knights followed, and tried to block his path, but he was much bigger than both of them. Examon pushed them both out of the way, nearly throwing Magnamon off the cliff. Examon maybe a slow flyer, but he was an incredibly fast runner. They somehow managed to keep up with him and blocked his path when they reached the top of the cliff.
"What do you want here?" Magnamon demanded.
"The Demon Lord," Examon growled. "Give him here and I'll leave."
Beelzemon growled, and tried to push Serena behind him, but Serena stood in front of him. She was protecting him for once. Examon growled again, the sound tearing at the sounds of his mouth and building in his chest. He knocked Magnamon and Duftmon aside. Duftmon landed on his back painfully, while Magnamon landed hard on his head and rolled towards the edge of the cliff.
Serena gasped and ran, diving on her knees and wrapping her arounds Maganmon's waist before he fell off. He may be the same height as her, but he was much bigger and Serena wasn't very strong. While Magnamon dangled off the cliff, lost in unconciousness, Serena began to slide off also. Duftmon slowly got up, ignoring the pain in his back and ran to Beelzemon's aid.
"He's with us!" Duftmon shouted. "Now go!"
Examon shook his head, and knocked Duftmon aside with his javelin-like weapon. This time, Duftmon managed to regain his feet and jumped, kicking Examon in the chest. Examon staggered back. Beelzemon pulled out his guns, and shot at Examon, who continued to stagger backwards. Beelzemon grinned, and noticed Magnamon was still out. But where was Serena?
Beelzemon spotted her, slowly slipping off of the cliff. His eyes widened, and threw his guns to the ground as he ran to her aid. Examon seen this as the right time to strike, and knocked Beelzemon off his feet with his tail. Beelzemon landed on his face. Duftmon jumped in front of Beelzemon, and attacked Examon with his sword. Serena fell off the cliff and grabbed onto the cliff's edge, but she couldn't keep hold of Magnamon and save herself.
She grunted angrily, where was Tomoko when you needed her? Perhaps Tomoko's strength would be enough to save her, Tomoko now appeared to be very selfish. She only came out because she wanted too, not because Serena was in trouble. Serena's grip began to fade, she was loosing her last remaining drops of strength and addreniline.
"Damn," she muttered angrily.
She couldn't hold much longer, then, her grip vanished and she and Magnamon were falling off of the cliff. Beelzemon drabbed his guns, got to his feet and ran, and jumped off of the cliff. Duftmon and Examon watched in disbelief as the Demon Lord jumped. Suddenly, there was a bright purple flash. Beelzemon looked at the one gun in his left hand, it had turned into some kind of blaster.
He bit down on his tongue as wings ripped through his back, skin and leather flying everywhere. The blaster disappeared as he tucked his wings in and dived down after Serena and Magnamon. Serena didn't scream, she couldn't, she was sill holding onto Magnamon. She wasn't going to let him go, she hugged him tightly, she didn't want to die alone. She was afraid, she had never been this afraid in her life, never. Magnamon slowly opened his eyes, and looked at Serena.
Magnamon looked at the ground, which was becoming dangerously closer. Before he could react, something swooped down grabbed them, they stopped falling and slowly landed on the beach below. Serena let go of Magnamon as they fell to the ground, Serena shaking uncontrallably. Magnamon slowly got up, staring at Serena before they both slowly looked up.
"Beelzemon?" Serena awed.
Beelzemon nodded once, and sat on his knees before Serena. He placed both hands on her shoulders, trying- and failing- to stop her from shaking so much. Fat tears rolled down her cheeks in thick streams, Serena sobbed loudly but was smiling. Beelzemon and Magnamon shared a glance, was she crying because she was happy to be alive? Serena stared at Beelzemon, her sobs dying down.
"Y-you saved meh-me," she said, sounding astonished.
Beelzemon nodded, a small smile on his face. "Don't forget, I also saved Magnamon. I'm a real hero now."
"W-why?" she asked. "We all could have died."
"I'll tell ya why," Beelzemon began, grabbing her chin lighlty. "It's 'cause I love yer."
She blinked owlishly, "You what?"
"I... I..." Beelzemon bit his tongue. "I love ya, and I 'ave for quite awhile."
Serena's eyes rolled back into her eyes and she fainted, he caught her as she fell forward.
"Wow," Magnamon whistled. "You really know how to charm the girls."
"The fall must 'ave scared 'er," Beelzemon replied. "And I don't suppose tellin' 'er I love 'er right after thah fall was a good idea."
Beelzemon sighed loudly, picked her up bride-style, Serena's head lulling against his chest. Flapping his wings, Beelzemon and Magnamon flew back towards the top of the cliff. Beelzemon was so confused, how had he changed? He once remebered Lucemon mentioning something about his true form. That was an odd conversation, Beelzemon had just joined the Demon Lords.
"Beelzemon, your as evil as it comes, but you'll always have a small fraction of light inside of you. Sooner or later that light will push out the darkness, and your true form will emerge."
Serena was Beelzemon's light, she managed to push out all of the darkness in his heart and his true form came forth. It was both a good thing and a bad, if Lucemon was to ever discover Beelzemon's darkness was all but gone, his place as a Demon Lord would be gone, he would kicked out and someone else would take his place. They landed on the surface, and Beelzemon felt his wings tuck themselves into his back.
And then, oddly enough, his wings were gone. At least he didn't have to worry about loosing his place as a Demon Lord. Duftmon ran towards them, looking Serena over, while Examon watched.
Beelzemon saved her? Examon asked himself. Why? Why would a Demon Lord risk his life protecting her? Even if she was, somehow, an assest to the Demon Lords, none of them would ever risk their lives for some human.
"Your all safe," Duftmon breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank the Sovereigns! When I seen you go down and then when Beelzemon followed, I though for sure you were all dead."
Magnamon looked at Examon, "Alphamon said not to do anything stupid," he pointed out. "You almost killed two creatures today. But we're not going to tell. As long as you just go back, and tell Alphamon you found us, and that's it."
Examon nodded slowly, then backed off, and flew away. If Alphamon was to ever find out he had almost killed both Magnamon and the human, he would be stuck as either a guard or training the new recruits. Nether option was one he was fond of.
...
Magnamon was interested that Beelzemon had feelings for Serena, but didn't ask any questions. He knew Duftmon would most likely tell him later. As Magnamon and Duftmon left to get fire wood, Serena slowly woke up and looked at Beelzemon. She rubbed sleep from her eyes, getting into a sitting position. Today seemed like a bad dream, and she wanted to believe it was, but she knew it wasn't.
"W-where am I?" she asked.
"Back in thah cave," Beelzemon replied. "Don't worry, yer safe."
"Just for the record," Serena began. "I didn't faint because I was scared or because you told me you loved me. I fainted because I was tired... I already knew you loved me."
"Yer did?" Beelzemon asked. "How?"
"Lilithmon told me," she replied, before lulling back to sleep.
Lilithmon, eh, he thought. Should have known.
...
Duftmon looked at Magnamon, something had been nagging him all day, and he had to tell someone. Someone needed to know, anyone, a rock even. But he would rather see a reaction, all a rock could do was stare.
"Magnamon," Duftmon began. "I have something to tell you."
"What?" Magnamon asked, looking at his friend.
"I..." Duftmon took a deep breath. "Don't laugh, but I think I might be in love with Lilithmon."
Magnamon folded his arms over his chest, an annoyed look on his face, "Everyone seems to be in love- except for me!"
"Don't worry," Duftmon smiled. "I'm sure you'll find someone."
"Maybe," Magnamon sighed sadly. "We'll just have to wait and see."
To Be Continued...