Your reviews:

Finalcool720: Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the review.

Birdboy: Glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the review.

Guest: Chapters are going to be a little shorter with a quicker pace as we're getting to the end.

Warrior Seadra: Heh, I can still hear Paildramon's Desperado Blaster too!

A young woman with curly blond hair held her microphone close to her face, "This is Catherine Deneuve, reporting. After we joined with the Digital Army, we were attacked and separated while following Sora through a dark forest. I found myself with Taichi and Daisuke. We continued to the castle but were attacked by Neo. By convincing himself he was better than Taichi, his Crest of Pride activated and Arkadimon evolved to the Mega level! We were able to escape but now they're right behind us!

The Hangyomon in front leaned on a cane as he spoke. "We've given you the audience you requested."

Ai felt her heart twist as Makoto crossed his arms. "How generous that you managed to find the time to speak to your rulers."

The older Hangyomon sighed. "What is it that the Lady Hikari requests?"

"Other Chosen have entered the Dark Ocean."

"Really?" the elder asked, "Well, we would know nothing about…"

Makoto continued, "Other Chosen that your Hangyomon soldiers have captured! Since we've received no mention that you've apprehend them, we can only guess that you're keeping them for yourself for some reason."

The elder balked. "And what reason would that be?"

Makoto crossed his arms. "You tell me."

The elder shook his head. "If a group of Hangyomon have taken these Chosen prisoner, I know nothing about it. What reason would I have for helping humans? Look at what has happened to our world when your mistress came here."

Makoto met the elder's stare. "There's a girl with them, a girl with an Impmon partner. I'm very eager in finding her. If you hear anything, I demand to be notified right away." He waved at the Impmon at his side. "Let's go." He turned back to the elder. "I will be back to tomorrow to check so don't think about hiding them or I will annihilate you all."

The Dead Princess

Chapter 34

The Lord of the Dark Ocean

Arkadimon Mega punched a salt pillar, sending it through a line of similar structures, showering the small area of beach with black salt. Zoe removed her hands from her head and pushed herself back to her feet. "Was that really necessary?"

Neo grunted. "Yagami might have been hiding in there. This was the quickest way."

"Yes, maybe, but now he'll know that we…" She cut off as Neo's hand wrapped around her neck. He pulled her close to his face and uttered two words.

"Shut up."

She nodded as best she could and he dropped her to the ground. "Yagami's here. We need to find him!"

Taichi woke when Catherine shook his shoulder. "Sorry," she said, "But you wanted me to wake you when…"

He rubbed his eyes and looked up at the hazy sky. "Is it morning?"

"Close enough," Daisuke answered, handing him a sealed pouch. "We're running out of rations. How far do you think the castle is?"

Taichi shook his head as he ripped open the pouch. "I told you before, I don't know. Sora said it was in this direction, so we just keep moving."

"How will that help us?" Catherine asked, watching as the black tides left shells in the sand, "If we won't even eat the seafood…"

Koromon pawed at the rations with the rabbit ears on his head. Taichi handed it to him and he swallowed it in one gulp. "We ate food at the castle the last time. It should be safe there, at least."

Koromon gasped and glowed with light. "Koromon evolve to Agumon!"

Taichi exhaled the breath he did not know he was holding and grinned. "Great!"

The dinosaur nodded and flexed his arms. "Yeah! Let me at him!"

The human chuckled as he rubbed the top of his partner's head. "Let's wait a little bit longer before…"

A roar sounded in the distance. "They're getting closer," Taichi growled, climbing to his feet, "Let's move!"

Renamon leapt down from atop the tree branch and landed on her feet. "Well?" Ruki asked.

Her partner nodded. "I climbed until I was above the tree coverage and spotted a tall mountain off to the right."

Sora's eyes glinted. "I told you that's where the castle was."

Ruki met her glare and Ken sighed. "Come on, we're in this together."

The two redheads turned from each other and marched in the direction indicated by Renamon. Chika whispered to Ken, "I don't trust her completely either, but if Ruki doesn't drop the attitude, we might never make it out of this forest."

Ken sighed. "Yeah, I know."

Ai tried to get a sense of where they were heading so that they could backtrack when they escaped…if they escaped. The Hangyomon had not let down their guard since capturing them last night. They led them deeper into the mountains, but the Hangyomon were Deep Savers, so why were they so far from the ocean? She asked her companions that in whispers.

"Yeah," Miyako said, "It's really freaky, isn't it?"

"Maybe it's a way to confuse the Dead Kingdom," Armadimon suggested, "The Dead Princess wouldn't think to look for a Deep Saver base so far out here in the mountains."

"Yeah," Ai nodded, "Maybe…"

Impmon raised an eyebrow. "Ai?"

"I don't know," she said with a shake of her head, "I don't know why, but I think it has to do with the feeling I had in Modem; that we had to come to the Dark Ocean." She recalled the vision she had while in Modem City's tavern, in the room she once shared with Ruki.

She frowned again. "They're okay, right? The others, I mean."

"I'm sure they are," Armadimon said, "They're a lot tougher than those Devidramon that attacked us."

"Do you think General Motomiya is looking for us?" Miyako asked, "Or heading to the castle."

"Taichi needs to go to the castle," Ai added, "Hopefully he's safe."

Their questions remained unanswered until they reached a bump in the landscape, a ridge of sharp, black rocks. On the other side was a drop to a large lake of water surrounded by tall cliffs; a valley that had filled in. Dotting the surface were buildings made of dark bamboo floating on similar rafts. In the center of the lake was a small island; in the center of that was a statue of a large, humanoid, squid creature.

Ai gasped, her mind flashing back to a vision seen while in Modem. I…I've been called here," she panted, "That statue called to me before."

The Hangyomon with the Eyepatch bowed. "That is the true ruler of the Dark Ocean, our lord and master, Dagomon. You must free him."

"What?" Miyako asked, "Even if we could, is that a good idea?" When the Hangyomon stared at her she blushed and blurted, "I mean, we heard that…"

The Hangyomon with the Eyepatch smirked. "You shouldn't listen to anyone from the Dead Kingdom. The General was lying to you."

Ai winced. She wanted to trust Sora, wanted to like her, but she had been their enemy for so long. She shook her head, she would worry about that later. "I need to get down there."

The Eyepatch Hangyomon nodded. "Of course. This way."

He led them to a set of stairs that descended down to a dock chiseled out of the rock. There they hoped onto a raft and the Deep Savers jumped into the water to push them towards the center island. Other Hangymon appeared in the doors of the buildings and watched with wide eyes as they passed.

"We are sure this is a good idea, right?" Hawkmon asked.

He received only silence as the raft ground to a stop on the island's black rocks. Ai leapt onto the ground and rushed to the statue, followed by Impmon and, more slowly, the others. The preteen was about to place her hand on the stone when a voice shouted for her to stop. She spun around to see Hangyomon pointing spears at the other Chosen. The Eyepatch Hangyomon was trying to wave them off.

"Don't!" he cried, "They can help!"

"Help?" another Hangyomon asked as he hobbled forward on a cane, "What can more humans do?" He gasped at Impmon and then at Ai. "A human with an Impmon!"

"That's right," Impmon said, her eyes narrowed, "What's it to you?"

"Representatives from the Dead Kingdmon have already been here, demanding we hand over the humans." He pointed at Ai, "Especially that one!"

She blinked. "Me? Why would they want…" A cold hand seemed to grip her heart. "W-was it a boy with an Impmon too?"

The elder nodded. "Yes, that's right."

A tear came to Ai's eye and she wiped it away. "Makoto. He's still looking for me."

"Your brother?" Miyako asked.

She nodded. "Yeah. I just wish there was a way I could save him."

"Be that as it may," the elder said, "Explain to me why I shouldn't order your deaths immediately!"

"B-but elder," Eyepatch protested, "They can free Lord Dagomon!"

The elder's eyes flashed. "How? How can they do such a thing?"

"They have those infernal devices…"

"All these Chosen do!" the elder retorted.

"But they have those pendants too!"

The Elder gasped. "What?"

Eyeptach turned to the Chosen. "Show him! Quick, or your lives are over!"

"A crest?" Iori blinked.

Miyako shook her head. "B-but we don't have…"

Hawkmon fluttered his wings at Ai. "You have one, don't you?"

Ai pulled out the Crest of Hope from behind her dress. "Yes! Yes, I have one."

The Hangyomon murmured and the elder nodded. "Yes, yes, all right." He waved at the spear-holding Hangyomon, "Lower your weapons. Let us hear them out. How can you free Lord Dagomon?"

Hear them out? Ai had no idea what to do. "Um, maybe you should tell us how he ended up this way?"

The elder nodded. "Yes, yes. When the Dead Princess and her forces first arrived here, they claimed there had to be a way to leave. Though Lord Dagomon was wary, we helped them search through our realm until we found the exit at Darkness Falls. The Dead Princess tried to exit, but when she got close enough to the gate, she recoiled in pain. We soon discovered that she could not pass through and was thus trapped here. She was powerful and so Lord Dagomon tried to give her some concession but she wouldn't have it. A war broke out between our forces and here was where we had our last stand."

He motioned to the statue, "You can guess the result. The Dead Princess used her infernal digivice and her Crest of Darkness to trap our lord here and made slaves of the rest of us."

Iori glanced at Ai and then back. "So what do you want her to do?"

"I think I know now," Ai answered, holding the Crest of Hope in her hand, "If Lady Hikari sealed him with her crest, I might be able to free him with mine."

"How?" Impmon asked, "And more importantly, are you sure it's safe?"

Miyako nodded. "Yeah, no offense, but I don't think the two of you are really in the same league here."

Hawkmon sighed and rubbed his eyes. "Miyako…"

Ai circled the statue with her crest and digivice in hand. She placed both on Dagomon's leg and gave a cry as a burning sensation crept up her arm. She pulled back, almost stumbling into Impmon.

"Ai!" her partner cried.

"I'm all right," she said, rubbing her stinging hand against her leg. "I just wasn't ready for it."

Iori narrowed his eyes. "Ready for what?"

"Dagomon needs energy to break free," she explained, "I felt my energy rushing down my arm. I'll need to focus if I'm going to free him."

"And what happens if he takes too much?" Iori questioned. He looked over his shoulder at the crowd of Hangyomon. He lowered his voice, "And how do we know they won't turn on us? I don't think this is a good idea."

Ai crossed her arms. "Well I do! I've had this feeling since Modem that I needed to come to the Dark Ocean, and now I'm certain this is the reason. I'm sure Dagomon's no friend of the Dead Princess and with his help we can stop her."

Iori was silent and then nodded. "All right, I don't like it, but…" He glanced at the Hangyomon again, "I don't think we've got a choice."

"Can we help?" Miyako asked.

Ai shook her head. "I think I just need to mediate and try to focus my crest energy." She smiled, "Even though I wasn't the Sage's messenger, he taught both me and Makoto. I was always better at that, hehe."

She sat crossed-legged on the floor and closed her eyes.

Impmon ushered the others away. "Just let her concentrate."

"Does she always do that?" Miyako asked, "Compare herself to…it's her brother, right?"

The small digimon nodded. "Yeah." She narrowed her eyes, "You should know, you kept us prisoner for years."

"Oh come on," Miyako said, "That was on the orders of the Chosen Masters and…"

"Let's not fight now," Iori said, "We're in this together now."

The elder Hangyomon approached. "Will she help us?"

"She's trying," Impmon said, "Just give her time."

The elder nodded. "Then, in that case, would you like some refreshments?"

Ai tried to push away the others' voices from her ears but her stomach rumbled at the elder's offer. She forced that aside as well. She needed to remember the Sage's lessons on focusing her thoughts, her energy. She remembered sitting in the Sage's room in Modem City along with Makoto. "Calm yourself," the sage said, "Wipe all thoughts from your mind. Feel the center of your energy and focus."

Ai concentrated and found a warm, tingling in stomach. The Sage smiled at her. "Well done, Ai." He then glanced at Makoto, who had sweat pouring down his red face. "Makoto, on the other hand…"

Makoto panted and dried his forehead. He turned to Ai and smiled. "Well, I'd be embarrassed if it was anyone else than you."

Ai frowned; her concentration broken as memories of her brother filled her mind. How could he have gone from the kind, protective brother she remembered? She opened her eyes and studied Dagomon. She closed her eyes again and forced all thoughts from her mind. Dagomon could help them, help Taichi. She needed to free him!

She heard Impmon call her name and she opened her eyes seconds before her partner tackled her to the ground. A blast of red energy struck the ground where she had just been sitting. The sky was covered with circling Devidramon. The Hangyomon were throwing spears from the water while Iori directed Scorpiomon as his partner jabbed at the devil Digimon with his tail. Miyako called out orders to Silphymon as he darted between the creatures.

"What happened?" Ai asked.

"They just swooped in to attack!" Impmon cried.

"Why?"

Impmon opened her mouth, but another voice answered. "We were just coming down to talk to the Hangyomon, but then we saw you hiding behind the statue."

Ai hissed as her brother and his Mystimon jumped down from atop a Devidramon. "I've found you. He waved at Dagomon, "I can't let you free him!"

Mystimon swung his sword, sending out a crescent shape blade of energy. Ai's Impmon pushed her aside. "Impmon super evolve to Bastemon!"

The cat woman kicked the energy blast aside and pounced on Mystimon, scratching his face with her claws. He grabbed her ankle and threw her to the ground. She rolled along the ground before leaping back to her feet and rushing at him again.

"Why'd Yagami send you here?" Makoto asked, "Is he really desperate enough to try and ally with Dagomon?"

Ai shook her head. "Taichi didn't…"

Makoto laughed. "You thought this was a good idea, didn't you? Always biting off more than you can chew!"

Ai sighed. "Makoto, please, don't…"

He snorted, "Another desperate plea?"

"Please," Ai said, "You've got to remember who you are…"

"I'm fully aware of who I am!" he snapped.

"Then let me find a way to save you!"'

"I don't want to be saved!" he snapped. He curled his fingers. "This is power! I'm not the same kid that the Sage used to promise that one day, I'd be strong, that I'd be able to become a priest. Well, no more!"

Ai stared. "Makoto, why didn't you ever say that you were…?"

A scream from above as two Devidramon body slammed Silphymon. Scorpiomon and the Hangyomon were at a disadvantage from the flying devil Digimon, and on top of that, they were outnumbered. Bastemon was too busy with Mystimon to help; not that she could do much good; she was grounded too.

Ai winced, her eyes flickering in every direction. She needed help, she needed someone to save her. Where was Taichi?

Her eyes darted to the Dagomon's statue and she became aware of her crest and digivice in her hand. She needed to do this; her, not Taichi, not Makoto. She took a breath and ran.

Makoto roared. "No! I won't let you!"

Ai raced towards the statue, crest and digivice in hand. Everyone was in danger. That was her focus! She took a breath and slammed both objects into Dagomon's leg. She felt a rush of energy pull out of her, but not enough to devolve Bastemon. Just enough for a thin layer of stone to crack, then crumble, then explode. The force sent her tumbling backwards and she twisted on the ground to watch the giant squid Digimon shake off the last remains of the stone that imprisoned him. A Devidramon roared and dive bombed him, but Dagomon grabbed the devil in his tentacled hand and threw him into another Devidramon. He screamed; a roar so loud that the walls of the valley shook.

The Hangyomon gasped. "Lord Dagomon!" they cried.

"This was a good idea, right?" Miyako gasped, "Right?!"

The Devidramon returned Dagomon's roar with a cry of their own. They dove at him with their claws outstretched. The Aquatic Beast threw an energy-trident from his tentacle. "Forbidden Trident!" The blast tore through a Devidramon before exploding, deleting two more.

The Hangyomon cried in agreement and resumed their attacks. Dagomon used his tentacles to throw Forbidden Tridents or batted and bashed them into one another. Miyako ordered Silphymon to battle. Ai twisted to find Bastemon but as she turned, she saw Makoto racing for her. He snarled and lunged. In her panic her body acted on autopilot. Her hand grabbed a shard of the stone that once encased Dagomon and she swung.

Makoto gasped, his eyes growing larger. He struggled for breath and stumbled backwards before falling onto his back, the stone shard sticking from his chest. Ai had to force her hands from shaking as she scrambled over on her knees. Her brother lay motionless, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.

Bastemon rushed to her side. "Ai?" she gasped, "Mystimon just…just deleted! What's…?"

If the cat woman asked more, Ai did not hear it. The preteen girl fell onto her side as her screams turned to sobs.

With Dagomon free, and their commander dead, the Devidramon were soon disposed of. The Hangyomon ushered the Chosen together to stand before Dagomon. Ai's face was stoic as she stood next to Iori, but he could sense it was a façade. "Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yes, "

Miyako put a sympathetic expression on her face. "Are you sure?"

Ai nodded. "Yes. The person that I…" She swallowed, "He wasn't my brother. My real brother died a long time ago."

"Ai," Impmon frowned and hugged her legs.

Dagomon had Makoto's crest in his tentacle. "So, this is what the Dead Princess is after?" he asked in a voice that sounded like oil gurgling.

Iori glanced at Ai and then nodded. "Yes, we believe so."

The true ruler of the Dark Ocean eyed the humans. "And one of you freed me with a crest of your own?"

"Yes," Iori answered before Ai, "One of us has a crest."

"Which one?" he asked.

The humans remained silent and Dagomon snapped. "Which one?"

"Hey!" Miyako shouted, "Don't forget that we freed you!"

"Yes, I know," he replied, "It is that fact that I do not kill you on the spot! I do not like humans! Now, which one of you has the crest?"

Ai stood tall. "Me. I'm the one who freed you."

Dagomon stared down at her and then laughed. "I thank you child, for what you have done." His laughter faded, "But if my enemy, the Dead Princess, wants the source of your power, then I cannot allow you to roam free."

The Hangyomon lifted their spears. "Come on!" Miyako protested, "If it wasn't for us, you'd still be trapped!"

"That may be," Dagomon answered, "But you will be the perfect bait for when we march against the Dead Princess."

Catherine ducked behind the salt pillar on the beach as the Devidramon screeched overhead. She held her breath and clutched Floramon's arm until the digimon had passed. "Patrol?" she asked.

Daisuke shrugged from his place at her side. "Maybe. Either way we should keep moving. We're too exposed here."

Taichi nodded in agreement. "There's some rock formations in the distance. Let's here there and…"

Black light exploded overhead, throwing a whirlwind of beach into the air. The Chosen and their partners dove to the ground with hands covering their heads. After the sand settled, Taichi lifted his head and growled. Arkadimon Mega stood before them with Neo at his side.

The evil Chosen smirked. "Found you!"

Next: Sora, Ruki, Ken and Chika are still lost within the dark forest, but when the evil in the forest manifests in their darkness memories, will they be able to escape?

Chapter 35: Forest of Memories

Did you enjoy it? Any criticism? Thanks for the read and please remember to review.