Part 4:

Puppetmon, Ambassador of the Digital Land, was dressed in a red robe, covering everything but his head. "The worst part of him," Takeru thought, as he sat in the seat to the left of Yamato.

Puppetmon was guarded by a group of ghosts dressed in black shirts. "Bakemon," Cody thought,"That's what Ken called them."

They didn't carry any weapons, which made Taichi and Davis wonder how they were going to defend Puppetmon.

Puppetmon stopped a few feet in front of Yamato, Takeru, Ken, and Jyou. He bowed,"King Yamato Ishida, I bring humblest greetings from Apocalymon, King of the Digital Land."

"APOCALYmon?" everyone thought.

"Yes," Yamato said,"And I welcome you to my country. Now, what can I do for you?"

"Yes," Puppetmon said, a little taken aback,"Of course. King Apocalymon would like to began to a mining operation, of iron. Unfortunately, The Digital Land, is without. We are in desperate need of this mineral. We have brought suitable compensation, of course."

"What about the assassin?" Ken asked.

"What assassin?" Puppetmon asked.

"The one we are holding in the dungeon!" Jyou said,"The one called Ogremon!"

Puppetmon was wide eyed. "I-I had no idea of an assassination attempt on your life, King Yamato. If it was, indeed, someone from my country, I offer you my most humblest apologies."

Yamato nodded, numbly, then turned to Taichi. Taichi thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Very well," Yamato said,"Where is it you wish to mine?"

Puppetmon snapped his fingers and a ghost came forward with a map, which he laid out on the floor.

"Here," Puppetmon said, pointing to an area,"In the desert of your country."

Yamato nodded,"Very well. Dr. Kido here will go over with you the finals of the contract, but, I want there to be supervisors at all time while you are digging."

Puppetmon growled inside. Outside he said,"As you wish."

"We have also set up lodging for you as well."

"Thank you," Puppetmon said,"But that won't be necessary. Our ship is suitable for my needs."

Yamato nodded,"Tonight, is the ceremony for the wedding of myself."

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. I would like to invite you."

Puppetmon nodded,"Thank you. I will see you tonight. Good day."

After they left, Taichi walked up to Yamato. "Well?" Yamato asked.

"He's lying," Koushiro said,"And he's hiding something."

"I know," Taichi said.

"How can you be so sure?" Davis asked.

"Because,"Taichi said,"Remember how he apologized for the assassination attempt on King Yamato?"

"So?"

"We never said that King Yamato was the target."

"What do you think?" Ken asked. He still didn't like Taichi, but, if they we going to be working together, he would have to get used to him.

"I think we should find out what they're so anxious to find in the desert."

Yamato agreed, "How?"

"I think I might know someone," Takeru said.

"Who?" Davis asked, annoyed that Takeru thought of something and he didn't.

"The High Priestess Yolei," Takeru said,"Her order might know."

Yamato nodded,"Okay. Here is what we are going to do. Taichi, send one of your men to the site. He will be traveling with Dr. Kido. They will be the chaperones."

Taichi nodded,"Cody, that's you."

Cody nodded,"As you wish. When do we leave?"

"After the ceremony," Yamato said,"Takeru, take Taichi and Davis to see Yolei."

"May I go also?" Koushiro asked,"Perhapse I can be of assistance?"

Yamato nodded,"As you wish."

He got up. "Where are you going?" Ken asked.

"To see my future bride."


Mimi sat on a chair, staring out the window in her room. "This is so boring!" she said,"When I become Queen, will I do more than just sit around?"

There was a knock on her door. "I'm coming," she said, hopping off of her bed. She walked to the door and opened it.

"Huh! King Yamato? I wasn't excepting you."

"Is that a problem?" he asked, concerned,"Say, are you alone?"

She nodded.

"But where is your Lady in Waiting?"

"Hikari went to the market place."

Yamato was shocked,"Why didn't she send a servant?"

"She wanted to see her brother."

"Oh," Yamato said,"Does that mean Taichi is taking his sister to the High Priestess?"

"Maybe," Mimi said,"But don't get upset. She loves him very, very much and looks up to him. Do you know what that's like? I wish I could know what its like to have a younger sibling look up to you."

Yamato cracked a smile,"I do," he said, thinking of Takeru.

"Well," Mimi said,"I don't think you came here to discuss Hikari."

Yamato shook his head. "No, of course not. Its the wedding. I..are you as nervous as I am?"

She nodded,"I've never been so nervous in all my life, but there's also another feeling fighting for control. I'm very happy because I've never felt this kind of feeling before. I...I think its love."

He smiled,"I feel the same way. Its good to know that we love each other, that is rare among royal marriages."

She smiled,"I look forward to living with you for the rest of my life."


"Okay," Yolei said stooping in front of a stone temple,"We're here."

Davis looked at the giant temple in front of him. It was a pyramid with steps on the front side, a flat top, and a small, taller, pyramid on the top. "This is it?"

She nodded,"This is where Geni is."

Taichi nodded,"Okay, let's get moving."

"So," Takeru asked Yolei,"Are you sure this Geni guy can tell us about what is possibly hidden out in the desert?"

"That's what I told you before. Remember when you came and asked me? I said I didn't know, but that I knew someone who did. So we all came here, even though some of us weren't allowed!"

Taichi felt his sister tense up at his side. "Its all right, Kari," he said,"I'll take full responsibility if anything happens."

"Yeah," Takeru said, moving up the stairs to get close to her,"I said its okay, so, you don't need to worry."

"Thank you!" Hikari said, grabbing Takeru's hand.

Davis, in the background, saw this and look at Takeru with hate in his eyes. "Just you wait, Takeru," Davis said,"Just you wait."

"I'm sorry," Yolei said,"I didn't mean to yell like that, its just...well, that whatever Geni is going to tell us, is probably going to be secretive."

"Taichi," Koushiro asked, stepping closer to him,"Why did you bring Hikari along, anyway?"

"We're going to see someone afterwards," he said.

"Who?"

"No one!" Taichi snapped,"Now mind your own business!"

The others stopped, but Taichi kept walking up the stairs.

"What's his problem?" Takeru asked.

"He's always that way," Hikari said.

"What way?" Davis asked.

"Cold and annoyed!" Hikari said,"Come on, we'd better follow him."

They reached the top of the stairs and found that they were only in the middle of the pyramid. I don't believe this!" Takeru said,"We must half walked about a hundred feet, and we're only half to the top?"

Davis smiled,"What a whinner! He's a Prince all right!"

"Come on," Yolei said, taking the lead once again. She lead them inside the pyramid through the main opening.

The others were amazed, they had expected the halls to be filled with priceless artifacts, and mystical items, but there was nothing! The walls were bare, and the halls empty.

"What do they need such a big place, if nothing's in it?" Hikari asked.

"I agree," Takeru said.

"Quiet!" Yolei barked, stopping front of a door,"We're here."

She opened the door and walked inside. Now, here was where Hikari's question was answered. Inside this room, was priceless artifacts, vases, painting, tables, anything you could think of. There were two fires at both sides of the room, and in the center, was a man wearing a red robe.

"High Priest Geni," Yolei said, bowing before him.

"Yes, "Geni asked, lifting his head,"What is it, my child?"

"The ones behind me are Prince Takeru, Lord Taichi Kamiya and his sister Hikari, Koushiro Izumi, and Davis Motomiya. We where sent here because on a mission by King Yamato."

Geni nodded,"What is it you wish of me?"

"A nation called the Digital Land wishes to mine iron in the desert of Heighten View Terrace, but, they also sent an assassin to kill King Yamato. They seem to be quite anxious in digging in the desert. I was hoping you could tell us what possible is hidden there."

The desert of Heighten View Terrace?"

She nodded.

"Let me tell you a story. Over a thousands years ago, a visitor from another land, another world, appeared. His name was Parrotmon."

"Mon?" Taichi asked,"From the Digital Land?"

Geni nodded,"From the Digital World, to be precise. The Digital World is another world, another dimension, if you will. When Parrotmon crossed over, so did other citizens of the Digital World, the Digimon. They settled in the place they called the Digital Land. Eventually, the Digital World threatened to destroy this world, when their King, Apocalymon, would enter. A group of twelve wise men sealed the rift using twelve magical keys. These keys were hidden in a city called Nagano. This city, however, became trapped in a sandstorm and was thought lost forever."

"But now they've found it," Takeru said,"We've got to get word to Cody and Jyou, before they leave."

"Agreed," Taichi said,"But I think we'd better leave."

"I'm going to stay here for a while longer," Yolei said,"Maybe I can learn more."

"Very well, then, Hikari and I will meet the rest of you later. We have an appointment to keep."



A little while later, Taichi and Hikari were standing in front of the door to Sora's room. Taichi just stood there, staring at it. "Well?" Hikari asked.

"Right,"Taichi said, knocking on the door.

"Just a moment," the door opened to reveal Sora.

"Taichi!" she said,"What a surprise, I-who is this?"

"This is my younger sister Hikari. She wanted to meet you."

Sora bowed in front of Hikari. She knew she was the Lady in Waiting of Princess Mimi. She had to show respect.

Hikari smiled,"There is no need to do that. If you are the one who is truly destined to steal away my brother's heart, I will soon call you sister-in-law."

"Right," Sora said, standing.

"May I come in?" Hikari asked.

"Of course, m'lady."

Hikari walked past her, then Sora turned to Taichi. "I thought you weren't going to tell anyone!"

"She's my sister, she won't say anything."

"Sora,"Hikari said from inside the room,"I want you to know that, while I'm not particularly thrilled with the idea, I will love my brother no matter what. So, maybe if I get to know you, we can become friends."

Sora looked Taichi in the eyes,"Oh, all right."

She said goodbye to Taichi and closed the door.


to be continued....

NEXT: THE TRAITOR IS REVEALED!