( Look, the second part. Here we go. I think I got all the characters in the first part, didn't I? Oh, well, they should all be in this part as well. Hope you like it! )
The Digidestined in Tights part 2
Yamato slipped into the shadows of an alley as the sheriff passed by with his men. He couldn't afford to brush shoulders with him today, even in costume. Taichi was right beside him, as always, waiting and watching for the evil men to walk by. In the next moment, he led the way to another home. They'd been at it for hours, equally distributing all the gold to the people of the village. Takeru had taken some of the homes too, and that would get the gold into the hands of the people faster.
Just before sunrise, they headed back to the church where Takeru was waiting for them patiently. The look on the younger man's face was grave even as the two out-laws rode towards the tall building on their horses. The look in his eyes was almost disturbing to the two rogues as they neared.
" What is it, Takeru? ", Taichi asked concerned. " Is there something wrong? Did something happen while you were handing out the gold? "
" No, that went well like always. But Ken has finally done it, Yamato. ", he replied, his blue eyes meeting that of his brother's with a glare of pure worry. " I believe you have pushed him too far now, even for you. "
" What are you talking about, little brother? ", Yamato demanded.
" The prince has put a price on your head, there are posters all over the village proclaiming it. He will pay anyone who will bring you to him five-hundred-thousand gold pieces, and it doesn't matter to him if you are dead or alive. ", the young fryer explained solemnly. " I was dreading the day this would happen. "
" No one will be able to take down Yamato, not with Koushiro, Sora, Davis, and me around to watch over him. ", Taichi assured Takeru, not seeing Yamato's shocked face. He didn't see that his leader turned to look up at the castle over the horizon where the evil Prince Ken ruled from, a fire in his gaze.
' So, you want to get rid of me? Go ahead and try, you coward! As long as you pay the king of the neighboring kingdom to hold King Joe hostage, I will fight you. I may not be able to save the rightful king myself, but I will keep you from torturing his people! ', the lead rogue thought furiously as he stared at the stone fortress Ken hid in. ' You may have power now, but someday I will take it from you! '
* * *
" You're joking, a reward? What a coward, and a fool! What will a price on Yamato's head do to capture him? The villagers are loyal to him because of his kindness. ", Sora commented with a dry laugh. " He's just trying to improve his own image, try to look like he's taking control of this. "
" I agree. No one will come after Yamato that isn't a member of the prince's guard and he should know that. ", Koushiro added from his seat around the fire.
" But what if Ken is trying to get a renegade bounty hunter to do his bidding. It's most likely the only other type of person foolish enough to come after our leader. ", Davis remarked thoughtfully as he passed out everyone's morning meal. Then he took a seat next to Taichi as they all began to eat. " Should we prepare for anything? Like a surprise attack maybe from the royal guard? "
" No one is foolish enough to try to find our camp, it's in the center of the forest! No one has ever found it before and no one but Takeru knows where to look for me, I made sure of that in the beginning. ", Yamato finally spoke. He hadn't said a word since they had returned to the large campsite. It had been Taichi who had told them of their new situation, but now the leader knew he had to say something or he would burst. " And none of you are to take any unnecessary risks to keep me from harm. It's me the prince wants, and I will not tolerate any of you risking yourselves to keep me from his clutches. I will fight this one myself. "
" No, Yamato, you can't. We will not let you. We are your friends and we will not let Ken get his evil clutches on you no matter what. Without you all of our efforts would have gotten us thrown into the dungeon, or maybe worse. ", Taichi insisted. " And I have an idea. What if we could know what the prince was planning next? That way we could beat him to the prize and perhaps dethrone him? "
" I doubt we could dethrone the tyrant, but knowing what he has in mind would be very helpful. ", Yamato retorted. " What did you have in mind? "
" Your old flame, Maid Mimi, she still stays in the castle if I remember right. She would have the only other access to Prince Ken's plans. If we could get her to spy on him, and keep us informed, we'd have a chance of defeating him. ", the brunette archer explained slowly, looking at everyone as he spoke.
" That could work, but there is one flaw, " Koushiro sighed as he sharpened his sword staring into the fire. " Prince Ken wouldn't let you near Maid Mimi unless you were a suitor or a handmaiden. I'm afraid none of us could pass as suitors. "
" Yes, none of us could pass as suitors without exposure, but one of us could pass as a handmaiden. ", Davis said slyly. All gazes turned to the Lady Sora.
She glared at them defensively. " Oh, no! Not on your life! "
* * *
Koushiro was the one to prepare her, for he knew how noble women were to act and speak around royalty. Yamato then filled her in on how Mimi would behave, and what she should tell her and Prince Ken. They all knew how dangerous this would be, but it was Taichi that was the most wary of how Sora would perform.
" Promise me no unnecessary risks. ", the brunette made her promise as she finished putting on the light yellow dress she would be wearing to the castle.
" I will do what I have to, Taichi. ", she told him, looking over his shoulder to see if Koushiro was ready in his disguise as well. " This isn't a mission that I can stand back and watch, Yamato's life is at stake here. "
" I have to agree with Taichi, Sora. I don't want you to do anything foolish while you are so close to our enemy. If something you cannot handle arises, I want you to find a way to contact us, do you understand? ", the blonde leader implied. She nodded and then he turned to Koushiro who had already mounted his large black horse. " Once she is inside and safe we will need you back here. Another shipment of taxes will be coming and it will be too much for just three of us. "
" You can't really be thinking of another heist while the prince has a price on your head. ", Davis gasped in concern. " Every member of Ken's guard will want a shot at you if you are to appear anywhere! You shouldn't risk it. "
" The villagers count on us to protect them from the prince's evil. If we don't take gold for them, who will? ", Yamato retorted. " No matter what the risk, or the chance that I may be taken down, I haven't stepped back before, and will not now. "
" Don't worry, Davis, my brother knows how to handle himself. ", another voice added as a smaller form stepped into the camp. He smiled warmly. " Hello, Yamato, I'm sorry to drop in on you all, but I thought that maybe I could be of assistance to Taichi's plan. I got a contact from Koushiro saying I should come. "
" How can you help? ", Sora demanded, hands on her hips.
" If I go with you I can bring you straight to Maid Mimi with no questions asked. You're forgetting, Sora, the prince would not turn away a man of the church, it's considered a sin. ", Takeru grinned at them. He then turned to his older brother. " Is it settled, brother? May I ride with them? It will be safer that way. "
" Despite the fact I don't condone Koushiro summoning you behind my back, I agree with you, and their safety is very important to me. ", the lead rogue answered after a moment of silence. He nodded to Takeru. " Go with them, but be careful. Mother would never forgive me if I sent my own brother to his death. "
They mounted their horses and headed off down a hidden path towards Prince Ken's fortress. Yamato's stomach twisted as he watched them ride off. He was still unsure if he should have even agreed to let Sora take such a risk for him, and worse yet, he was dragging the woman he loved into this battle. Maid Mimi didn't deserve to be asked to be a spy, and she shouldn't be at risk for him.
* * *
Sora was left in Maid Mimi's chambers after Koushiro had left for Sherwood Forest, and Takeru had gone to find the maiden they had come to ask for help. The young fryer found her finishing a game of chess with one of her handmaidens, the one he knew as Kari. Her face lit up when she saw him enter the study. Mimi had always been kind to him, and she was always glad to see him, especially when he brought word of Yamato. She hurried to greet him.
" Takeru, I didn't expect to see you today. ", the young maiden implied as he kissed her hand like always. " Is there some news you bring me? "
" Actually, I've brought you a new hand maiden. ", he replied with a sly grin. " Follow me, she's waiting in your chambers. I'm sure you know each other. "
The two brunette girls gasped when they caught sight of Sora. Mimi ran towards her, her features reading of shock. " You're one of Yamato's rebels, the only female one if I remember right. What are you doing here in a dress? And what is this Takeru tells me about you being a handmaiden? "
" As you know Prince Ken has a price on Yamato's head and we need to know what he has planned. That is why I am here. You and I are going to spy on his highness and get anything we hear back to Yamato before Ken's plan can be carried out. ", she explained. " What do you say? Will you help us? "
" Anything for Yamato. ", Mimi nodded in agreement.
" I'm going back to the church before I'm missed. If you can, dear ladies, keep me posted on what you hear. I, too, am concerned with my brother's well being. ", Takeru remarked as he headed for the door. " Good luck to you. "
* * *
" If only there was a way to lure him out in the open that didn't consist of me losing half my gold! ", screamed Ken as he smashed the globe in his personal chambers. " Another collection of taxes stolen by that rogue and his Merry Men! Why must I be surrounded by fools who cannot even defend themselves against an attack from simple thieves? Why must Yamato mock me this way? "
The rage in his veins was coiling around his very senses. He was a man of honor, of high rank, how dare that simple peasant challenge him this way? Defiant Yamato would remain, that was clear, but maybe there was a way to get him out in the open, a way to trick the rogue into showing himself. Yes, his connection to Maid Mimi, that could be it. They had been sweethearts once, would he not still carry a torch for the brunette woman? Would he come to see her in the least?
" Sheriff Starmon, get in here! ", the prince cried. Seconds later the strange man shaped like a star walked in cowering before his master with trembling hands. The prince began to pace once again. " If I want Yamato captured I'm going to have to trick him into coming here. I want you to announce a party, a masked ball, one that all the villagers are invited to at the palace. I want everyone to be here. "
" But how will you get that rogue to come? ", Sheriff Starmon asked.
" Idiot, he will come to see Mimi, of course. With the whole kingdom wearing masks he will deem it safe to attend like everyone else. ", the prince retorted wickedly. " Now post the proclamation as soon as you have it written out. I want the ball tomorrow night, no arguments or excuses! Go! "
The strange looking man ran out of the room to do the evil young ruler's bidding as fast as he could. Ken threw back his head cackling evilly.
' I will have you at long last Yamato! ' he thought with a sneer. Then his eye gazed out the large window across the room. ' You will not escape me this time! '
To be continued:
Will Yamato and his Merry men, and Sora, be able to outwit the evil Prince Ken? Or will Ken triumph over our hero? Will I get any reviews for this story? Should I continue? Does anyone else hate the narrator's voice on the show? R&R and tell me!