Project D.I.G.I.M.O.N
Disclaimer-I don't own DIGIMON.
Chapter Four- Of Mother's and Molder's
July, 09th, 1998 -Netserve City
11:54am -Toy Town Theme Park
Just a few days ago Mimi had a death sentence. Today, she was housed by mob boss Monzae Lorge; in one of his theme park's hotel rooms. Yamato had told her he would fix everything, and that she had to swear she would do everything the D.M asked of her. Her ability to see Takeru and himself depended on it. Mimi was given no choice but to agree, her rebellion, her crime was to be swept under the rug. Considered nothing more than a temper tantrum done by Shogun's little ward trying to prove something of no consequence to the D.M.
Mimi glared her honey eyes at her reflection, she was once again being made to look like an airhead. The words of her childhood tutor Otama came to mind.
'Don't let anyone know how smart you are. Don't ask questions, play along Princess Mimi. Your time will come.'
Mimi punched the mirror, watching her reflection crack and fall. Shards littered the floor in front of her pristine pink heels. While blood trickled down her clenched fist. Her time had come! Damn Yamato and Takeru for being her family, for being the reason she'd forsake Leo and Orge's philosophy and plans for Pagabuta.
Mimi walked to the adjoined bathroom to wash her new cuts, ignoring the salty taste on her lips from the tears trailing down her face. The D.M would forgive her, they wanted the brothers too much. They wanted her too now, despite the trial. She showed she was made of the right stuff, like Yamato and Takeru. She doubted she'd be living with Monzae, the big teddy bear of a man would be what old Mimi would've gotten if she was never caught comatosing Shogun all those weeks ago.
They wouldn't just go back to catering to the high maintenance, gluttonous queen she was before. The narcissistic and mean little girl she was under Shogun G's. For now she had to wait for Yamato's words of her status. As she hid in the favored playground of Takeru's.
"Oh sugarplum!" A ghastly high pitched voice mixed with another's more masculine voice rang through the hotel hall corridors and Mimi felt herself instantly shudder in repulsion. She knew those voices, and she seriously wished that Yamato hadn't taken her handheld gun. Looking around while wiping her face, Mimi rushed over to the window to make a quick getaway into the theme park. Anything was better then Suka Mallow and his tag-a-long friend Chuu Erhoita.
A few years ago when Mimi was just becoming a young woman. She was sent on a cruise to expand her view of the world or because Shogun didn't feel like dealing with suitors noticing her developing body. Her caretaker at the time was the captain named Koko. Koko Torimon. An eccentric man who loudly proclaimed to love the desert but was stuck -through his own bad life choices- sailing the ever blue Net Ocean.
For the year that she was 13 years old; Mimi pranced about the ship in either a towel or her silk nightgown. All because of Koko's stupid need to constantly run his alarms that forced everyone onto the deck. She was always caught in the shower or in bed during those times.
On one of the cruise ships pick up spots, boarded Suka and Chuu. A pair of idiot best friends. Suka was a guy who wore spiked bracelets and rocked a horrid yellow mohawk styled like dung; according to Yamato. He saw himself as a lady's man and when he met Mimi would try to always have a hand on her person in the most innocent looking manner but they both knew aimed for her developing assets.
While Chuu, was a shorter man even shorter than her. He was always rushing to keep up, thus had an almost permanent pink flush to his face. Paired with his bucked teeth, made him look like a rat. His constant praise of Suka's bad sexist jokes and always trying to slide up Mimi by grabbing her hand or waist finally drove the usually 'Sweetheart of the Districts' to her violent action of kicking them both in a man's most delicate pieces of anatomy.
Needless to say, when she did get back home. Shogun did end up dealing with the suitors he tried to previously avoid and Yamato grew quite trigger happy whenever the bitterly stupid men came by to shower her with the affection despite her last altercation with the dim witted duo.
It's also why now 16 years old, Mimi in her fashionable white shorts, pink heels and peach tank top was swiftly jumping down from the second story balcony and running deep into the park. Clearly someone knew she was here if they sent those leeches. Especially with her delicate position, she couldn't afford to hurt them and risk being on Monzae's bad side. For a man as sweet as a giant teddy bear he turned dark pretty easily and quite viciously.
She'd have to learn of her status later whenever Yamato would find her in the park. His biggest talent was always finding her. It was also why they had sent him, when she stirred up trouble. He had taken her beloved necklace, with the symbol of Junshin, giving it to Takeru for safeguarding and orchestrated the big chase they would play out for D.M spies when he was ordered to bring her to trial. He could always find her, so he'd find her again.
July, 09th, 1998 -Netserve City
03:30pm -Toy Town Theme Park
Yamato was pissed as he glared and snapped at another happy-go-lucky mascot to leave him alone. He was looking for Mimi, while Takeru was nibbling on cotton candy in the shape of heart. They'd only just finished searching the entire park when Takeru had off handed remarked that Mimi promised to take him to Monzae's bakery gift shop. Located at the exit of the theme park.
Yamato had twitched his eye and silently wished his younger brother had told him that two and a half hours ago. As the brothers walked over to the bakery gift shop he was unsurprised when the strong scent of sugar and bread rushed him. Or Mimi in a blue apron with powder sugar marks all over zoomed in on Takeru.
"About time Yamato. You know I saw Suka and Chuu and had to resort to baking in the back for Monzae's just to get away."
'Hello Princess Mimi, it's been awhile.'
Yamato merely rolled his eyes at Mimi, not daring to voice his thoughts, as she hugged and coddled his kid brother. A small frown did appear on his face at the mention of the lecherous duo that had been half stalking Mimi for more then two years now. He made a mental note to find them and remind them of his existence.
"Who are Suka and Chuu?" Takeru asked as he finally detached himself from Mimi and looked between the two older teenagers.
Yamato gave a smirk that held mischief, which made Mimi glare at him.
"Pests. Forget abou-"
"Mimi's stalkers."
Takeru's storm blue eyes darkened instantly, Mimi was more than just a 'big sister' she was the only mother figure in his life. His vague memories of his real mother often were laced with arson and heartache that left him curled up in pain. Mimi was always there for him during those dark times and despite his physical combat training with Pinochi and his brother, he would often get babied by her. It brought him joy.
As Mimi tried to preserve any innocence he had, like she often did, Yamato gave a speedy explanation of Suka and Chuu. It worked in Yamato's favor; if the two could not be cowed down by his intimidating presence, then he would send out their doom. Takeru gave Mimi one last embrace and before she could hold him in place, slipped away so smoothly that she was left grasping thin air.
"Takeru! Wait! Damnit it Yamato! Stop laughing!"
"Relax Mimi, you know he can handle himself. Who knows, maybe now those two will finally leave you alone."
Mimi signed as she took off the apron and took a small washcloth from the nutcracker dressed server who continued to pass them to other customers for their hands. Yamato walked Mimi out as she cleaned all the powder sugar from her person.
"You know that is not the point. Whatever, so what's the verdict? Who sent those two after me?"
Yamato swept a hand threw his hair with a slight frustrated expression passing his face before he cooly looked into Mimi's honey eyes. She looked at him, patiently waiting for the worse news and to take it like the queen she often acted as.
"It was probably some last surviving loyalist of Shogun's, not many people know of those two idiots."
"Stop stalling. I know The Dark Master's are mad at me."
Mimi frowned as she watched Yamato look away and take out another cigarette; he was only seventeen, did Jyurei honestly supply such a bad habit? Then again, if she thought about it; Shogun had her learn to detect all sorts of reptilian and botanical poisons. Her petite frame, clear skin and picky eating habits were due to many nights suffering from fevers and puking her guts out just to develop her poison immunity.
"Jyurei held good on his promise, he alerted the trickster...Mimi." Yamato blew out some smoke out as he grabbed Mimi by the waist and pulled her closer with his other arm. She looked unfazed nor unsurprised at his sudden need for intimacy.
"Now that Shogun is out of the picture, you were up for grabs. Trump is taking you as his ward." Yamato dropped his cigarette as he tightened his embrace on Mimi's frozen body.
Her honey eyes had widen, as she stared into the park and passing people, no one the wiser of her impending death sentence.
"Mimi you can't play princess anymore. The real you that's nothing more than a bad tempered girl, with nothing to offer this world." Mimi was crying now, her sincere and good nature wasn't meant for the world the Dark Master's envisioned.
"Beyond sugar coated words, your honesty needs to end or he will devour you." Yamato looked into her tear filled eyes. His own shined with sympathy and a hint of fierce determination to save her. Yamato knew she was moments from being hysterical, and pulled her face to his. His lips pressing onto her own, she was shocked and turned scarlet.
It did its trick. Mimi's hysteria softened to a small buzz in her chest. She was also aware of the physical attraction between herself and Yamato. There was love too, but Mimi often believed he mistakened that same feeling of passionate love, for something more than the kinship love that it was. He pulled his lips away, but kept her in his arms as he pressed their foreheads together.
"Yamato...it's not my fault. Paltoge needed to be saved…" A small hiccup escaped Mimi's baby pink lips.
"What have I done? What hell is waiting for me?!"
Yamato gave her no answer, he held her. Waiting for her to calm down before Takeru returned. If only Jyurei and Pinochi didn't both throw a fit when the council was willing to forgive her or risk losing Ishida and Takaishi. After a few minutes, and no sign of Mimi stopping, Yamato was quick to knock her out.
Takeru came back to seeing Mimi being carried like a sleeping princess in his big brothers arms as they calmly walked out of Toy Town.
August, 01st, 1998 -24 miles off of Netserve City
06:02am -Spiral Manor
Panting heavily; she ran for her life. Past rooms, through corridors and straight threw the hell known as Spiral Manor. Everyday. It was a new mind game, a new training regiment, or a new way to see if he could break her without leaving a single mark on her. Or he would have to hear it from Yamato and Takeru. The youngest, oddly enough being the one Pied never truly dealt with.
"How delightfully entertaining this is. I always get so excited before tragedy strikes!"
Mimi heard his voice echo playfully through the rouge painted corridor. She was quick to jump onto a hall table, knocked the decorative vase as a part of the floor opened. She fell for that particular trap just last week. Pied was beginning to repeat himself.
Breathing heavily, her tired and heavy lidded honey eyes scanned the narrow hall. She hadn't eaten in two days, two days since Yamato and Takeru's week long trip to the ghastly manor. She refused to eat anything Pied offered her, she wasn't willing to risk finding out if he used Shogun's poison in his food, or his own.
"Oh little cactus flower~"
Mimi became frantic, she looked around to find him. Her lack of proper sleep also taking a toll on her. For almost a month, she had been too paranoid to sleep properly in Spiral Manor. Sure, Shogun had her trained to fight despite her petite frame, while Leo and Orge taught her more about boxing. Pied on the other hand; made it his sole mission to see if he could make a puppet out of her.
'Oh Mimi, nothing else but a scared little girl. Scared that Pied's going to win.'
Mimi spotted him down a connecting hallway looked ridiculously pleased with himself.
Pied Trump.
A tall, deceivingly thin looking man with more physical strength than a master tai fighter. Mimi knew that particular fact first hand when she had tried to one up him in his sleep. Clothed in a red dress shirt, dark forest green, almost black pants and dark beige dress shoes. Prim and proper, but sorely theatrical by nature.
His bright brown eyes, in the horrible lighting often shined red, were laughing at her. As per usual. His white leather gloved hands swung around his long cane. He didn't actually need it either. It was his well known fact within the Dark Network, Pied had gotten his council seat by whisking out a sword from his cane, and beheading his former successor.
He called it his 'Trump Sword'. Leaving many in the Dark Network wondering if Trump was even his real surname. The hilt of his cane had his infamous yellow scarf flowing off it like an 80's rocker flag. His shoulder length, strawberry blonde hair bobbed with his small bouncing, naturally a curly mess, one could see he often attempted to straighten it and obviously never went well. Not that any of his lackeys would dare say it out loud.
Lastly, the man's fair skin from staying in the shadows and in his secluded forest side Manor. He had a small heart tattooed under his left eye and the infamous scar going down his right eye. Given to him by a Server Cont. Agent named Gennai that hasn't been seen since Pied took to the shadows of the D.M.
To be short; Pied looked like a clown.
"The council has asked to see you in the meeting today. So our fun time has been tragically cut short." Pied didn't honestly expect her to look relieved, his grin only grew seeing the distrust shining in Mimi's sharp gaze. Looking like the cat that ate the canary, he snapped his fingers as a masked servant popped up beside him with a dry cleaner bag.
"Obviously, as my precious little ward. You are expected to look the part. None of those ghastly princess pink outfits that potato Shogun had you parading in. Too soon? I'm sure you don't truly care about the old man since your the one who put him in the coma to begin with."
Mimi slowly climbed off the side table and her ballet flats kicked the broken glass from piercing into her soles. She dusted off Yamato's black nightshirt and her black boy shorts. A not too subtle reminder to Pied that she still had some protection in her corner.
"I knew you'd be thrilled." Pied continued on, completely ignoring Mimi's seething hatred and silent demeanor. He unzipped the dress bag to reveal, that despite his clownish exterior. The man knew how to dress a woman.
He pulled out a beautiful halter bodice with an alabaster crystal pearl pattern. With an open back and flounce court train ball gown. Mimi froze at the off white dress, she was ushered by another maid to her room while Pied walked off spinning his cane and humming a random tune.
August, 01st, 1998 -Netserve City
09:00am -Dark Network's East Branch
3 hours. In 3 hours, Pied had managed to get her drugged, dressed, hair subtle make up done up. No more Mimi who looked exhausted, hungry or kept on her toes. No, the Mimi starting at her in the cars tinted windows reflection was a beautiful looking young lady.
Shogun would've thrown a temper tantrum at the amount of suitors that would call him after seeing her like this. Her auburn hair was in loose waves, her fair skin held tints of blush and hazel eyes popped out with the well applied mascara. Her natural baby pink lips were covered by the apple she slowly nibbled on.
Pied was across from her in the car they sat in. The sound of the apple crunches and shifting papers were the only sounds.
"How did you do it." Mimi didn't look away from her vague reflection out of the tinted windows. She tossed the finished apple core in the tiny waste bin provided. They had rolled by a small farming market vendor to pick her up some fruits, seeing as she wouldn't touch any of the food in Spiral Manor. To keep her hands busy, she lightly toyed with her medallion, the Junshin symbol practically glowed as the only bright color she wore.
Pied began to put away his papers as they rolled into the parking lot of the East Branch Headquarters. He looked over to Mimi in the dress that gave her the impression of a weak beauty; but he knew better. After the first night she was brought to his Manor, she demonstrated that she was agile and aimed to end him, in a less forgiving fashion then she did Shogun. If he hadn't drugged her, he knew she would be wearing at least one of those little blades she personally coated in the poisons she was infamously immune towards.
"Those botanical and reptilian poisons aren't the only poisons out their little cactus flower."
Mimi narrowed her eyes, before the rebellion. Shogun was attempting to get her immune towards insect poisons. She didn't have the perfect tolerance, but she could at least detect.
"So Shogun wasn't your only source, since when did the Dark Master's begin to dabble in Amphibian and Aquatic based poisons?"
"How long were you hiding that brain of yours? I doubt even the Wood cousins or their protegees suspected you of having such a sharp mind, cactus flower."
Mimi unbuckled her seatbelt and got out of the car. She wasn't going to indulge his questions if he wasn't going to indulge hers. Pied chuckled as he followed her. The click of his dress shoes and her black wedges against marble stairwells being the only sound between them.
"Meems!" Mimi spun on her heels with an open embrace, waiting for the smaller body to tackle hers. Storm blue eyes sparkled up at her. Takeru was in a simple navy long sleeved shirt and black jeans, a black beanie graced his head, showing only bits of his sun kissed blonde hair. His medallion hung in the center of his chest, the symbol of Kibou.
Pied continued to walk, he past by Yamato who merely raised an eyebrow at him. The cocky brat. Pied narrowed his eyes, he couldn't touch him. Not yet at least. Mimi smiled at Yamato, who walked up to her and Takeru and gave her a small nudge to walk with himself and Takeru.
As the brothers complimented her, Mimi gave a tight lipped smile. The day had just begun, this was Mimi's official day back into the Dark Network.
August, 01st, 1998 -Netserve City
-One Hour Later-Dark Network's East Branch
Takeru watched as everyone in the room sat and discussed new threats from Server, the ongoing turf wars in Agugato, the profitable market of Garudagoma, the rumor that some of Server's best field agents have disappeared from sightings, and finally the elephant in the room. Not that Mimi was fat, she was literally the most beautiful young woman in the room. That was saying something considering widowed Devy Spevack, Layla NazarNail and Arukeni Archne sat in the same large room.
He was still too young to join in the conversations, despite being trained by Pinochi, Yamato and Toko. It didn't stop Takeru from learning and observing from the great minds of the Dark Network. He mentally filed all the issues and possible solutions into his mind, quiet, unseen by all, except Mimi. Her hazel eyes looked at him from the corner of her peripheral vision. She was like a mother to him, complete with the disapproving stare when he got into his mischievous moods from boredom.
Today, she looked extra beautiful. Gone were the cotton candy princess dresses that Shogun had supplied Mimi for so many years. Pied had given her a gown fit for a queen in his mind. His thoughts were caught short as a fist slammed onto the table that the adults were gathered around. Arukeni grinded her teeth angrily as she pointed her purple gloved hand at Pied.
"How dare you expect me to continue to work with that little bit-"
"I don't expect you to do anything Arukeni, you're too useless without your big mouth on your husband's or Oikawa's dic-"
"Ladies. Not that I don't find this amusing, but we do have a timeframe."
Mimi's eyes had narrowed at the newlywed Arukeni, gaping like a fish at her words. Takeru merely beamed at her until his brother not to gently elbowed him to keep a stone face. Pied merely turned to the computer screen to speak to the man on the other side, completely waving off the two women and their hostility.
"Well, its not like you to not come down to the branch for our meetings, are you taking a page from Machinedra's book?"
Yamato watched as the man in the screen rolled his shoulder nonchalantly at Pied's words. Uncaring that his absence was being frowned upon. M. Seadra was a double head for a pharmaceutical company under the D.M's and the head of the many gangs plaguing the cities by the Net Ocean coastlines.
"I see no point in travelling when I'm needed here, or have we forgotten that the Server Agents are becoming a pain even on my coastlines."
Pied tapped the top of his cane as he leaned back in his chair, watching Seadra, and turning his gaze to the Wood cousins and the many others that had arrived both in person as well as more screens with other figures.
"Speaking of those pests, I believe after our most recent...issues, we should finally allow Takaishi to show his loyalty in the field, we wouldn't want another Paltoge incident after all."
Mimi and Yamato both tensed up, and before Yamato could speak, Mimi rose up.
"Pied. He's still training, I'll go to the coastlines to help Seadra. Allow me to prove that I have every right to demand Shogun's seat after this, and my emancipation as your ward."
The room became silent, and grinned from his spot on the screen, as Pied's eyes lowered with distaste. Yamato gave Mimi a soft glare, at her continuous actions of placing herself in the spotlight. Takeru looked at her with worry, he didn't want to lose Mimi again.
Pied, with the flare of Jyurei, loudly tapped his cane on the marble floor of the room; opened his mouth before it could sneer as it so desperately wanted to, he spoke his answer into the room.
"No. Takeru goes."
Author's Note: Mainly because it was a headache to try and describe Mimi's dress from Piedmon. feel free to google 'hayley-paige-wedding-dress'. Also, Pied Trump, his last name is too honor his digimon attack of "Trump card" in no shape or form was it meant to connect to IRL former political figures.