Harry Potter and the Keeper of Friendship
The Web of Fear
By Starrysapphire
Disclaimer - Christ, these things are annoying! NO, I DON'T OWN ANYTHING! SATISFIED NOW?!
By the way, in 'Voyage of Discovery''s warnings, (how do you say that anyway? If you write 'Voyage of Discoveries, it sounds like that's the title when it isn't. Another one of the those questions to keep me awake at night) I mentioned (as a joke) Drarry - eg Draco/Harry with Draco as the seme or whatever it is. Apparently, some people found this absolutely traumatising *coughBlackGoddesscough* and I have to reassure you all that it was only a joke and will never be mentioned again.
Oh yeah and there are very, very, very, VERY slight hints at Taiora in this fic (breathe, you Taito fans, breathe. I didn't intend for them to sneak in but they have). Sora knows that there's absolutely no hope for her and Tai, she knows Tai likes Matt. But she likes him in vain. And Tai's as oblivious as a duck in the rain!
There's some not-all-that-graphic torture in this part and big, big, BIG! jabs at Taito (okay, less jabs, more smashing hammer blows the knock the point in!) and even bigger jabs at Draco/Harry. Don't worry guys, they'll get there eventually!
A quick 'the story so far' for anyone with short memories. Matt Ishida has been sent to join Hogwarts. After a rocky beginning, he befriended Abetzi Littlewood (Abby) and Talitha Lions. However, their accidental creation of a Venom-Black Potion brought Myotismon back from wherever he went when the Digidestined destroyed him. Matt called the Digidestined with the aid of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco Malfoy. The Digidestined arrived in England ready to defeat Myotismon again. However, Myotismon was on the rampage, and after killing a bunch of centaurs, he kills Abby. Abby's death forced the Digidestined to reveal themselves to Dumbledore who listens to their story seriously before sending them to the Hospital Wing to rest while he thought. Later, after he left the Hospital wing, Matt was called up to the office again by Fawkes, where he found Dumbledore dying after Myotismon attacked him. Dumbledore revealed that he and his friends were the original Digidestined and he had kept their crests for the wizards in the group. They have to use their magic though the crests to have any effect on the Digimon that may attack them. After Matt had revealed this to the others, Myotismon attacked them in the Hospital Wing. He then returned to the Digital World, taking Matt, Tai and Harry with him. Uh oh....
Sora and Draco eventually found the others in Gryffindor tower where they'd been watching Myotismon's departure from the window. Everyone else in the tower was talking animatedly and no one seemed to notice that Draco didn't belong in there.
"What are we going to do?" Ron asked "We have to save them."
"Before we can save them, we have to follow them and find out Digimon!" Izzy pointed out "I don't know how to do either of those! Do you?"
There was an unhappy pause.
"This is useless!" Mimi wailed "We've lost Abby and Dumbledore and now we've lost Tai, Matt and Harry too!"
"Don't be stupid!" Draco snapped "We haven't lost them! Myotismon didn't kill them so he must have a use for them in the Digiworld. We can still save them!"
"Oh, you'd know all about how someone evil looks at things!" Ron snapped.
Draco's eyes flared black dangerously "Say that again Weasley, if you dare!"
"I said...." Ron began but Sora cut it.
"Stop it, both of you! Fighting between ourselves won't help! We have to fight this together! And the first thing to do is fill Ron in."
She told Ron what Matt had told them, giving him his Crest of Trust (a hand holding up all five fingers). Ron listened quietly. At the end he said;
"Well, if that's true then we're all in this together. Sorry Malfoy."
"It's Draco," Draco said "And I'm sorry too Ron."
Ron blushed a little but didn't say anything. The other Digidestined were looking at their Digivices.
"What do you think we have to do?" Mimi asked.
Everyone looked at Izzy.
"Oh, like I'm supposed to know that," Izzy said.
"Well, we've got to work it out," TK said "We have to! Anything could be happening to Matt and the others right now."
* * * *
At that moment, Matt was regaining consciousness in a dark cell. Groaning, he sat up, gingerly touching his aching head and trying to remember what had happened. It was all very blurred but he dimly remembered Myotismon grabbing his arm then snapping some sort of rope round him. After that, things got hazy but he seemed to remember coming though some sort of opening. That was last he remembered.
"Tai?" he called "Harry?"
There was no answer. Matt looked around but the cell was only small and there was no one else in it.
"Well, well, well. Sleeping beauty finally stirs."
Matt stiffened at the sound of the unwelcome voice before turning. Myotismon was watching him.
"Where am I? What have you done with the others? " Matt demanded.
"You are in my new abode in the Digital World," Myotismon said "The others...well, they are also here."
"Where are they?" Matt shouted.
"They are quite safe," Myotismon said. Then he paused "Well, Taichi is anyway and he is who you are really worried about."
"I'm worried about Harry too!" Matt snapped "How would you know who I worry about?"
Myotismon smiled
"You all talk in your sleep," he said.
Matt couldn't help blushing just by the way Myotismon said it.
"Well, it's not your fault," Myotismon said condescendingly "When I want it to, the Night Rope always brings on a deep unconsciousness where true thoughts are revealed. You've all had some fascinating thoughts in there. I've enjoyed listening to them."
Matt blushed even more, a mixture of horror that Myotismon probably knew some of his greatest secrets and anger that Myotismon probably knew some of his greatest secrets.
"You don't know anything!" he yelled at the vampire-Digimon "Nothing at all! I want to know what's happened to Harry!"
Myotismon sighed.
"Harry is probably safe," he said "But I'm not so sure really. It all depends on what Voldemort wants to do to him...."
Matt's blood froze.
"Voldemort?" he repeated.
"Oh yes," Myotismon said "Dumbledore was wrong you see. Voldemort has agreed to help me for several reasons, most of which I am not going to disclose to you. However, my being able to give him Harry certainly helped...."
"You bastard!" Matt yelled "You filthy, rotten, corrupted..."
Myotismon listened to the flow of insults for a few minutes before getting bored. Waving his hand, his Night Rope snapped Matt across the face, sending him flying against the back wall of the cell. Matt hit it with a crunch and then fell to the floor of the cell, stunned. Myotismon unlocked the door and walked in, standing over Matt's body.
"If you continue to annoy me," he told the boy "I shall be forced to take more drastic measures to keep you quiet. Do you understand?"
Matt was winded and trying to get his breath back but he still glared at Myotismon defiantly.
"Why....don't you.....just....kill....me....now?" he gasped out.
"I could do that," Myotismon agreed "But there are better things that I can do with you, most of which require you alive."
"Such as what?" Matt asked, pushing himself into a sitting position.
"That would be telling," Myotismon said "However, while I need you, I do not really need your Digidestined friend, Taichi. If you continue to upset me, he will suffer."
Turning, he swept out of the cell, leaving Matt feeling very ill at ease behind him.
* * * *
Harry woke up slowly, deciding that he hadn't felt this bad since Lord Voldemort had risen again. He sat up, trying not to be sick.
"So, young Potter is awake I see," a voice said.
Slowly, Harry looked up at the figure that was standing in his cell.
Lord Voldemort.
Harry swallowed and said nothing. He noticed that Voldemort's face, which had always looked like a snake's, now looked more snake-like than ever. Beside him, Voldemort's pet snake Nagini hissed.
"So," Voldemort said "Letting yourself get captured by Myotismon. Very careless. I thought better of you Potter, truly I did."
Harry still remained silent.
"And all those inner thoughts you bared while sleeping," Voldemort continued "Lucius Malfoy will be interested to hear what you really think of his son."
"It's no secret," Harry said before he could stop himself "Everyone knows we hate each other."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. Well, Harry assumed that was what he was doing, the complete lack of eyebrows made it hard to tell.
"So you're still in denial about it?" he said "Well, I can't say I blame you, I doubt anyone's going to be all that pleased about it..."
"All that pleased about what? I'm not in denial!" Harry snapped, then remembered that he wasn't speaking to Voldemort and went quiet. Voldemort smiled.
"Think about it Potter," he said "Now....I need to decide. Kill you or not?"
Harry gritted his teeth as Voldemort looked thoughtful.
"Well, Myotismon may have some use for you. He has something planned for that Keeper of Faith anyway....but he's keeping the other child around for that. So he's unlikely to need you....what's that around your neck?"
Harry glanced down. The chain to his new crest was visible. Stepping forward, Voldemort caught hold of it and looked at it.
"A crest!" he hissed "But you aren't a Digidestined....where did you get this?"
Harry said nothing. Voldemort glared at him. Then he brought out his wand and murmured "Sonorus!" then called "Myotismon!"
His voice echoed, magically magnified and a few moments later, Myotismon arrived. Voldemort pointed the wand at his throat and whispered "Quietus!"
"I think you meant Lord Myotismon," he said, a little icily "But I shall let it pass this time. What is it?"
In reply, Voldemort showed him Harry's crest. Myotismon's eyes widened and then he looked at Harry.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
Harry said nothing.
"Where did you get this?" Myotismon repeated "This is not another Digidestined's crest for they would never give theirs up. So what is it?"
Harry gritted his teeth. Voldemort pointed his wand at him and said "Crucio!" Harry screamed in pain. His screams echoed all over the castle, causing Matt to tremble in his cell, his thoughts automatically flying to Tai before wondering if it was Harry. Voldemort waited a few moments, then removed the curse. Harry lay shivering on the floor.
"Impressive," Myotismon said "Where did you get the crest boy? And what does it symbolise?"
Harry still wouldn't speak. Myotismon suddenly looked considering. He stopped Voldemort before he could curse Harry again.
"We may need him alive and in good health depending on how things develop," he said "If this boy has a crest, then the other Digidestined will know about it. The Keeper of Friendship will sing like a canary if we threaten the Keeper of Courage and if that fails, then we'll have accelerate our plans for him slightly, that's all."
The two left the cell. Harry stared after then, hoping that Matt was hardier than they thought.
* * * *
Back in Hogwarts, the group were down at supper. Everyone was very quiet and most people were watching them rather than eating. Not that the Digi-group were eating anyway. Talitha was building little piles with her food rather than eating it and Ron wasn't touching his at all. Draco was staring off into the distance, his face thoughtful. Izzy was trying to make his lap-top work. Hermione had told him it was pointless about six times but Izzy needed something to distract him and he insisted that nothing was impossible. Sora was playing with her Digivice, trying to work out if there was anyway of making it work.
"This is useless!" she said finally "I can't make it do anything."
Draco picked it up and looked at it. The Digivice lay in his hand. Shrugging, he spun it round absently, thinking.
Draco was thinking about Harry. He had been thinking about Harry ever since this had started. Well, to be fair, he'd been thinking of Harry since the summer. What he though, he didn't really like.
Draco was beginning to realise that he had a crush on Harry Potter.
It had been gradually building up ever since the end of fourth year. Draco had found himself feeling sorry for Harry over what had happened with Voldemort. He'd kept these thoughts closely to himself, making sure to show the right amount of dislike around everyone. But inside, his feelings were growing. He'd been glad for the excuse to join forces with Harry over this Myotismon thing. He enjoyed comforting him, and not only that, had sincerely wanted to help Harry feel better. And now Harry was gone....
'Get real Draco' he told himself 'Potter won't look at you twice! He hates you remember?'
But did Harry hate him? Recently, they'd even been becoming friends. And Harry had let Draco comfort him...
'Um, hello Draco?' the little voice in his head said 'He still hates you! He still thinks you're evil! Remember?'
Draco bit his lip thoughtfully. Well, maybe he could try. He could change himself completely. Renew himself in Harry and his friend's eyes.
Renewal....
"LOOK!"
Draco's eyes snapped open and he stared. The Digivice in his hand was glowing and growing hot.
"You've done it!" Sora yelled "What did you do?"
For a second, Draco didn't even know. He felt slightly off put by the entire school whispering and staring. Then he guessed.
"Your crests!" he yelled "I was thinking about Renewal! You have to be sincerely thinking about the quality your crest symbolises while holding the Digivice!" "Prodigious!" Izzy shouted. He put his lap-top back on his back and gripped his Digivice which started to glow almost immediately. The other's produced their own Digivices and focused. Ron, Hermione, Sora and Talitha simply watched as the light around them all began to grow. Then suddenly, there was a sharp ripping noise and then....
"An opening!" Mimi squealed "We can get though!"
"Ron, Hermione, Talitha, Sora! You go first!" Izzy shouted "We may need to keep it open and you four aren't!"
Ron carefully stepped though the hole. He felt a strange feeling as though something was running though him and staggered slightly.
Then he was looking back though at the Hogwarts Great Hall. Beside him, Hermione gasped. Sora and Talitha scrambled though, followed by TK and Kari who had insisted on coming next. Then Draco came though the rip, then Izzy, then Mimi and then last of all, Joe.
"What's going on?" Professor McGonagall shouted. She was running towards the hole even as it began to close up.
"Don't worry!" Ron yelled "We'll be back soon! And we'll be fine!"
Then the hole closed completely and they couldn't see Hogwarts anymore.
* * * *
Matt was escorted out of his cell by two strange brown Digimon with long noses who said that they were called Womblemon. He was taken along the castle and into a hall. The hall was long and Matt had to admit it was impressive. Slowly he looked around him. Myotismon was sitting at the top of the hall on a throne thing. The man with a face like a snake sitting beside him on a similar throne could only be Voldemort. He could see figures standing nearby, all hooded and robed. And huddled on the floor next to Voldemort...
"Tai!"
Tai weakly looked up and gave Matt a feeble smile. Even from the distance, Matt could see that his friend was in pain. Someone had hit him with something in the face which left a long red mark across it and one of his eyes was half closed. Myotismon beckoned and the Womblemon escorted Matt to the thrones. Myotismon smiled down at Matt who was staring anxiously at Tai.
"In case you were wondering, your friend Harry is perfectly fine," he said "Not very forth-coming but still alive for the time being."
Matt swallowed and stared defiantly at them. He blinked in surprise as Myotismon produced the crest that Matt had given to Harry.
"What is this?" Voldemort asked.
Matt said nothing. If they didn't know, he certainly wasn't going to tell them anything.
"Why does Potter have it?" Voldemort demanded.
"That's none of your business," Matt said, accurately but slightly unwisely given the circumstances.
"Oh really?" Voldemort said. He brought out his want "You'll answer me boy whether you want to or not. Imperio!"
A strange floating sensation washed over Matt and he felt utterly relaxed for the first time in ages. He could hear a voice faintly speaking to him "Tell us about the crest..."
That was easy enough. Matt opened his mouth to comply then stopped. A little voice at the back of his mind was speaking up.
You don't want to do that it was saying. Evil, remember.
"Tell us about the crest..."
Incredibly faintly, Matt could hear a voice shouting "No Matt, don't tell them anything! You mustn't - ack!"
'Tai?'
The thought penetrated the fog round Matt's mind. Someone was hurting Tai.
"The crest..."
Matt blinked dizzily and looked around, his memory returning. Tai was lying on the floor, obviously having received a kick from someone.
"Tell us about the crest," Voldemort ordered again.
"No way!" Matt yelled "You can't control me like that!"
Tai grinned.
"Nice one Matt," he said "I knew they couldn't control you - ow!"
One of the Death Eaters had kicked him again, sending him sprawling. Voldemort was fuming but Myotismon put a calming hand on his shoulder.
"As you will not tell us willingly," he said "We shall be forced to use other methods to make you talk."
"I won't tell you anything!" Matt snapped.
"Really?" Myotismon said "Lord Voldemort? Do the honours."
Smiling unpleasantly, Voldemort turned to Tai. Pointing, he said "Crucio!"
Tai screamed. Matt had never heard his friend scream like that before, ever. As he watched in horror, Tai twisted and writhed on the floor. Then Voldemort stopped and Tai lay sobbing in pain.
"If you do not tell us about the crest and why Harry Potter has one," Myotismon said "We shall continue torturing your friend until you do!"
Matt gritted his teeth and looked at Tai. As he did, Voldemort muttered the curse again and Tai went into fresh spasms of pain. Matt could feel tears building as watched Tai convulse.
"Shall I stop, Keeper of Friendship?" Voldemort asked lazily "Or do you want to continue watching your friend's pain?"
Matt hung his head helplessly. He hated to see his friend suffer so much. He didn't think that he could stand it.
"Stop," he whispered "Please."
Tai's screams stopped, leaving the room silent. Myotismon and Voldemort were watching Matt expectantly. Matt swallowed.
"Before he died, Dumbledore gave me the crest," he whispered "The only way that Harry could fight or protect himself from any evil Digimon would be to use his magic though the crest."
"What does it symbolise?" Myotismon asked.
"Peace," Matt said.
"And his friends?" Myotismon said "Do they also have crests?"
"No," Matt said.
"You're lying," Myotismon said flatly "If you lie, your friend will suffer. Do the others have crests?"
Matt hesitated a moment. Seeing Voldemort's wand inching towards Tai again, he quickly said "Yes. They symbolise Trust, Compassion, Renewal and Life."
Myotismon and Voldemort smiled at each other. Matt kept his head down so they couldn't see his ashamed face. He'd just let everyone down. But he couldn't let them hurt Tai!
"Thank you for your information," Myotismon said "Now, we have another plan for you..."
"What?" Matt asked.
Myotismon smiled.
"That would be telling," he said thoughtfully. Then he gestured at the Womblemon "Take him back to his cell!" he ordered "I will summon him here when everything is ready."
Matt twisted his head round as he was led out and noticed that Tai was unconscious. He hadn't heard anything of what had just happened.
* * * *
Ron was feeling fed up. They'd been wandering round for what seemed like hours now, and they hadn't even seen one Digimon.
"They are here," Izzy kept insisting "We just haven't seen them."
"If only we knew where our Digimon are," Mimi said mournfully.
"Yeah," Joe agreed "If only we could call them on the phone."
"Couldn't Izzy send an D-mail or whatever?" Ron said "My feet hurt!"
"Send an E-mail to what exactly?" Izzy asked moodily "As far as I know, only Genii sends us anything and he contacts us, not the other way round."
Ron scowled sulkily.
"Well fighting's no use," Joe said hastily "Let's keep - arragh!"
Everyone turned. A huge Digimon was staring at them menacingly. It looked somewhat like a Stegosaurus only with a larger head and longer teeth. Izzy looked at him lap-top.
"It's a Mateeamon," he said "Normally pretty placid unless you've strayed onto it's territory."
"Um, just wondering," Joe said "Would this be his territory?"
The Digidestined turned and ran, the Mateeamon hot on their heels.
"It's gaining on us!" Hermione shouted.
"I noticed!" Ron yelled back.
"What will it do if it catches us?" Draco asked.
"I don't know," Joe said "And I have an idea. Let's not find out!"
"Look!" Sora shouted.
They were approaching an unclimbable cliff face. There was no way up. No way of escape. The Mateeamon stood in front of them. Opening it's mouth, it gave an ear-splitting shriek.
"Uh oh," Kari said.
The group pressed themselves into the cliff face as the Mateeamon prepared to charge.
"Dazzling Web!" a voice bellowed. The Mateeamon screamed as a copper coloured web slammed onto it. Turning it ran. The Digidestined turned to see who or what had saved them.
Hovering in mid-air was a humanoid Digimon. He had long brown-red hair that blew loose around his face, only held back by a headband which was plain red ribbon with one crystal in the front. He two small wings like hummingbird wings protruding from his back. He was covered in feathers all over, but the skin they could see was creamy white with blue patterns like henna tattoos all over. He was holding a pipe in his hands. He flew down to them.
"Are you the Digidestined?" he asked, his voice deep and resonant.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, we are," Sora said.
"Most of us," Ron muttered.
"You will come with me," the Digimon said.
It wasn't a request but Izzy protested anyway.
"Why should we?" he asked.
"Yeah," Draco agreed "We don't know you."
The Digimon smiled.
"I am Taliesinmon," he said "As to you coming with me....do you really have much choice?"
The group looked at each other. Then slowly they walked over to Taliesinmon.
* * * *
Matt was not pleased when the Womblemon returned to get him. He allowed himself to be led back to the Great Hall where Myotismon and Voldemort were waiting. He noticed unhappily that Tai was still chained up at the feet of the thrones. He gave Matt a tiny smile and a wink to show he was fine. Matt looked at Myotismon.
"What do you want now?" he asked, forcing himself to sound calm but letting anger creep in. Myotismon smiled.
"Your help," he said calmly "The castle is in a valley."
"Yeah, so?" Matt said "See if I care where your rotten castle is."
"We want to make in impenetrable in case your friends come to rescue you," Myotismon said. "Which they won't," Voldemort put in.
"Don't under estimate them," Myotismon warned "The Digidestined are very clever."
Voldemort frowned. Myotismon looked at Matt.
"You are going to help us," he said.
"No!" Matt said "I won't help you!"
"Won't you?" Myotismon said.
"No!"
Myotismon shrugged. Then he walked over to Tai. Tai pressed backwards, glaring defiantly at Myotismon. Reaching out, Myotismon pushed Tai's head on one side, revealing Tai's pale neck. Matt suddenly realised what Myotismon was going to do and tried to run forwards but he was stopped by the Womblemon, who clutched at him, preventing him from moving. Myotismon sank his teeth into Tai's neck. Tai gave a sharp whimper and then went limp in Myotismon's arms as the vampire sucked at his neck.
"NO!" Matt yelled, struggling violently "NO, NO, NO! STOP! TAI! TAI!"
Myotismon drew back, Tai's blood on his lips. Tai lay still, his face white and his eyes closed. Matt stood staring at him, trembling.
"And here I was thinking you only cared for yourself," Myotismon said a little mockingly.
"You know I don't feel that," Matt said "Is he..."
"No," Myotismon said "He'll live. If you co-operate."
Matt stood undecided. Tai was only one person. There were others to consider. His other friends for a start. TK, Sora, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, Kari, Ron, Hermione, Draco. Then there were the worlds to consider. If he gave in now...
But how could he leave Tai to suffer and die?
"You promise you won't harm him if I do as you say?" he said slowly.
"I give you my word," Myotismon said.
"And will you set him and Harry free?" Matt continued.
Voldemort frowned but Myotismon held up a hand and he remained silent. He looked at Matt.
"I can't do that," he said "But they will be put together and be well looked after and not harmed."
Matt looked at Tai, then Myotismon.
"What do you want me to do?" he whispered at last.
Myotismon smiled.
"I'm glad you see sense," he said smoothly "It's really quite simple."
He walked behind the throne and pulled a red curtain aside. There was an alcove carved in the rock, a little way off the ground.
"You have to climb into that," he said.
"Huh?" Matt said "What's that going to do?"
"You'll see," Myotismon said "Will you do it, or not?"
Swallowing, Matt glanced one at Tai.
"All right, but I want to check Tai's okay before I do anything," he said.
"Go ahead," Myotismon said.
Matt knelt beside Tai and checked his pulse. It was steady if slightly weaker than normal. Matt took a hanky out of his pocket and pressed it to Tai's neck. The wounds had already strangely closed up, but there was still blood dripping down.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing Tai," Matt whispered "Take care of yourself okay? I don't know if you can hear me but....our relationship means a lot to me Taichi. I don't want that to ever change. I hope I see you soon."
Carefully, he lowered Tai to the floor, then walked over to the alcove and climbed inside. It appeared to be exactly how it looked from the outside. He turned and looked at everyone who were staring at him.
"Place your hands at the top," Myotismon ordered.
Matt obeyed. Suddenly, lancing pains went though them. He tried to pull them back but they were stuck there, held in place by tiny wires which had sprung out from the rock. As he watched, the tiny wires sprang out from all over the alcove, digging into his flesh, trapping him. He screamed in pain, trying to avoid the wires but it was impossible and soon Matt was enmeshed in a wire web. The pain got so bad, he passed out.
Myotismon and Voldemort looked at the unconscious boy, hanging in the web.
"That's good enough," Myotismon said satisfiedly "Soon, his nightmares will be made real and the valley will be well protected, more than already. And of course, there's all his energy..."
"You shouldn't have promised about Potter," Voldemort snapped "Potter is mine to do with as I please."
"Of course," Myotismon said soothingly "But he doesn't know that, does he? Although, I would advise keeping Potter alive. We do want to keep the boy happy so he'll keep providing the power we need."
Voldemort nodded.
"My plans for Potter don't include death just yet," he said with a smile "Besides, we need to know more about that Crest of Peace."
Myotismon looked at Matt's limp body and smiled in satisfaction. The boy had been easy enough to trick and soon his plans would go ahead fully.
Very soon....
End of Part 5!
The Web of Fear
By Starrysapphire
Disclaimer - Christ, these things are annoying! NO, I DON'T OWN ANYTHING! SATISFIED NOW?!
By the way, in 'Voyage of Discovery''s warnings, (how do you say that anyway? If you write 'Voyage of Discoveries, it sounds like that's the title when it isn't. Another one of the those questions to keep me awake at night) I mentioned (as a joke) Drarry - eg Draco/Harry with Draco as the seme or whatever it is. Apparently, some people found this absolutely traumatising *coughBlackGoddesscough* and I have to reassure you all that it was only a joke and will never be mentioned again.
Oh yeah and there are very, very, very, VERY slight hints at Taiora in this fic (breathe, you Taito fans, breathe. I didn't intend for them to sneak in but they have). Sora knows that there's absolutely no hope for her and Tai, she knows Tai likes Matt. But she likes him in vain. And Tai's as oblivious as a duck in the rain!
There's some not-all-that-graphic torture in this part and big, big, BIG! jabs at Taito (okay, less jabs, more smashing hammer blows the knock the point in!) and even bigger jabs at Draco/Harry. Don't worry guys, they'll get there eventually!
A quick 'the story so far' for anyone with short memories. Matt Ishida has been sent to join Hogwarts. After a rocky beginning, he befriended Abetzi Littlewood (Abby) and Talitha Lions. However, their accidental creation of a Venom-Black Potion brought Myotismon back from wherever he went when the Digidestined destroyed him. Matt called the Digidestined with the aid of Harry, Ron, Hermione and Draco Malfoy. The Digidestined arrived in England ready to defeat Myotismon again. However, Myotismon was on the rampage, and after killing a bunch of centaurs, he kills Abby. Abby's death forced the Digidestined to reveal themselves to Dumbledore who listens to their story seriously before sending them to the Hospital Wing to rest while he thought. Later, after he left the Hospital wing, Matt was called up to the office again by Fawkes, where he found Dumbledore dying after Myotismon attacked him. Dumbledore revealed that he and his friends were the original Digidestined and he had kept their crests for the wizards in the group. They have to use their magic though the crests to have any effect on the Digimon that may attack them. After Matt had revealed this to the others, Myotismon attacked them in the Hospital Wing. He then returned to the Digital World, taking Matt, Tai and Harry with him. Uh oh....
Sora and Draco eventually found the others in Gryffindor tower where they'd been watching Myotismon's departure from the window. Everyone else in the tower was talking animatedly and no one seemed to notice that Draco didn't belong in there.
"What are we going to do?" Ron asked "We have to save them."
"Before we can save them, we have to follow them and find out Digimon!" Izzy pointed out "I don't know how to do either of those! Do you?"
There was an unhappy pause.
"This is useless!" Mimi wailed "We've lost Abby and Dumbledore and now we've lost Tai, Matt and Harry too!"
"Don't be stupid!" Draco snapped "We haven't lost them! Myotismon didn't kill them so he must have a use for them in the Digiworld. We can still save them!"
"Oh, you'd know all about how someone evil looks at things!" Ron snapped.
Draco's eyes flared black dangerously "Say that again Weasley, if you dare!"
"I said...." Ron began but Sora cut it.
"Stop it, both of you! Fighting between ourselves won't help! We have to fight this together! And the first thing to do is fill Ron in."
She told Ron what Matt had told them, giving him his Crest of Trust (a hand holding up all five fingers). Ron listened quietly. At the end he said;
"Well, if that's true then we're all in this together. Sorry Malfoy."
"It's Draco," Draco said "And I'm sorry too Ron."
Ron blushed a little but didn't say anything. The other Digidestined were looking at their Digivices.
"What do you think we have to do?" Mimi asked.
Everyone looked at Izzy.
"Oh, like I'm supposed to know that," Izzy said.
"Well, we've got to work it out," TK said "We have to! Anything could be happening to Matt and the others right now."
* * * *
At that moment, Matt was regaining consciousness in a dark cell. Groaning, he sat up, gingerly touching his aching head and trying to remember what had happened. It was all very blurred but he dimly remembered Myotismon grabbing his arm then snapping some sort of rope round him. After that, things got hazy but he seemed to remember coming though some sort of opening. That was last he remembered.
"Tai?" he called "Harry?"
There was no answer. Matt looked around but the cell was only small and there was no one else in it.
"Well, well, well. Sleeping beauty finally stirs."
Matt stiffened at the sound of the unwelcome voice before turning. Myotismon was watching him.
"Where am I? What have you done with the others? " Matt demanded.
"You are in my new abode in the Digital World," Myotismon said "The others...well, they are also here."
"Where are they?" Matt shouted.
"They are quite safe," Myotismon said. Then he paused "Well, Taichi is anyway and he is who you are really worried about."
"I'm worried about Harry too!" Matt snapped "How would you know who I worry about?"
Myotismon smiled
"You all talk in your sleep," he said.
Matt couldn't help blushing just by the way Myotismon said it.
"Well, it's not your fault," Myotismon said condescendingly "When I want it to, the Night Rope always brings on a deep unconsciousness where true thoughts are revealed. You've all had some fascinating thoughts in there. I've enjoyed listening to them."
Matt blushed even more, a mixture of horror that Myotismon probably knew some of his greatest secrets and anger that Myotismon probably knew some of his greatest secrets.
"You don't know anything!" he yelled at the vampire-Digimon "Nothing at all! I want to know what's happened to Harry!"
Myotismon sighed.
"Harry is probably safe," he said "But I'm not so sure really. It all depends on what Voldemort wants to do to him...."
Matt's blood froze.
"Voldemort?" he repeated.
"Oh yes," Myotismon said "Dumbledore was wrong you see. Voldemort has agreed to help me for several reasons, most of which I am not going to disclose to you. However, my being able to give him Harry certainly helped...."
"You bastard!" Matt yelled "You filthy, rotten, corrupted..."
Myotismon listened to the flow of insults for a few minutes before getting bored. Waving his hand, his Night Rope snapped Matt across the face, sending him flying against the back wall of the cell. Matt hit it with a crunch and then fell to the floor of the cell, stunned. Myotismon unlocked the door and walked in, standing over Matt's body.
"If you continue to annoy me," he told the boy "I shall be forced to take more drastic measures to keep you quiet. Do you understand?"
Matt was winded and trying to get his breath back but he still glared at Myotismon defiantly.
"Why....don't you.....just....kill....me....now?" he gasped out.
"I could do that," Myotismon agreed "But there are better things that I can do with you, most of which require you alive."
"Such as what?" Matt asked, pushing himself into a sitting position.
"That would be telling," Myotismon said "However, while I need you, I do not really need your Digidestined friend, Taichi. If you continue to upset me, he will suffer."
Turning, he swept out of the cell, leaving Matt feeling very ill at ease behind him.
* * * *
Harry woke up slowly, deciding that he hadn't felt this bad since Lord Voldemort had risen again. He sat up, trying not to be sick.
"So, young Potter is awake I see," a voice said.
Slowly, Harry looked up at the figure that was standing in his cell.
Lord Voldemort.
Harry swallowed and said nothing. He noticed that Voldemort's face, which had always looked like a snake's, now looked more snake-like than ever. Beside him, Voldemort's pet snake Nagini hissed.
"So," Voldemort said "Letting yourself get captured by Myotismon. Very careless. I thought better of you Potter, truly I did."
Harry still remained silent.
"And all those inner thoughts you bared while sleeping," Voldemort continued "Lucius Malfoy will be interested to hear what you really think of his son."
"It's no secret," Harry said before he could stop himself "Everyone knows we hate each other."
Voldemort raised an eyebrow. Well, Harry assumed that was what he was doing, the complete lack of eyebrows made it hard to tell.
"So you're still in denial about it?" he said "Well, I can't say I blame you, I doubt anyone's going to be all that pleased about it..."
"All that pleased about what? I'm not in denial!" Harry snapped, then remembered that he wasn't speaking to Voldemort and went quiet. Voldemort smiled.
"Think about it Potter," he said "Now....I need to decide. Kill you or not?"
Harry gritted his teeth as Voldemort looked thoughtful.
"Well, Myotismon may have some use for you. He has something planned for that Keeper of Faith anyway....but he's keeping the other child around for that. So he's unlikely to need you....what's that around your neck?"
Harry glanced down. The chain to his new crest was visible. Stepping forward, Voldemort caught hold of it and looked at it.
"A crest!" he hissed "But you aren't a Digidestined....where did you get this?"
Harry said nothing. Voldemort glared at him. Then he brought out his wand and murmured "Sonorus!" then called "Myotismon!"
His voice echoed, magically magnified and a few moments later, Myotismon arrived. Voldemort pointed the wand at his throat and whispered "Quietus!"
"I think you meant Lord Myotismon," he said, a little icily "But I shall let it pass this time. What is it?"
In reply, Voldemort showed him Harry's crest. Myotismon's eyes widened and then he looked at Harry.
"Where did you get this?" he asked.
Harry said nothing.
"Where did you get this?" Myotismon repeated "This is not another Digidestined's crest for they would never give theirs up. So what is it?"
Harry gritted his teeth. Voldemort pointed his wand at him and said "Crucio!" Harry screamed in pain. His screams echoed all over the castle, causing Matt to tremble in his cell, his thoughts automatically flying to Tai before wondering if it was Harry. Voldemort waited a few moments, then removed the curse. Harry lay shivering on the floor.
"Impressive," Myotismon said "Where did you get the crest boy? And what does it symbolise?"
Harry still wouldn't speak. Myotismon suddenly looked considering. He stopped Voldemort before he could curse Harry again.
"We may need him alive and in good health depending on how things develop," he said "If this boy has a crest, then the other Digidestined will know about it. The Keeper of Friendship will sing like a canary if we threaten the Keeper of Courage and if that fails, then we'll have accelerate our plans for him slightly, that's all."
The two left the cell. Harry stared after then, hoping that Matt was hardier than they thought.
* * * *
Back in Hogwarts, the group were down at supper. Everyone was very quiet and most people were watching them rather than eating. Not that the Digi-group were eating anyway. Talitha was building little piles with her food rather than eating it and Ron wasn't touching his at all. Draco was staring off into the distance, his face thoughtful. Izzy was trying to make his lap-top work. Hermione had told him it was pointless about six times but Izzy needed something to distract him and he insisted that nothing was impossible. Sora was playing with her Digivice, trying to work out if there was anyway of making it work.
"This is useless!" she said finally "I can't make it do anything."
Draco picked it up and looked at it. The Digivice lay in his hand. Shrugging, he spun it round absently, thinking.
Draco was thinking about Harry. He had been thinking about Harry ever since this had started. Well, to be fair, he'd been thinking of Harry since the summer. What he though, he didn't really like.
Draco was beginning to realise that he had a crush on Harry Potter.
It had been gradually building up ever since the end of fourth year. Draco had found himself feeling sorry for Harry over what had happened with Voldemort. He'd kept these thoughts closely to himself, making sure to show the right amount of dislike around everyone. But inside, his feelings were growing. He'd been glad for the excuse to join forces with Harry over this Myotismon thing. He enjoyed comforting him, and not only that, had sincerely wanted to help Harry feel better. And now Harry was gone....
'Get real Draco' he told himself 'Potter won't look at you twice! He hates you remember?'
But did Harry hate him? Recently, they'd even been becoming friends. And Harry had let Draco comfort him...
'Um, hello Draco?' the little voice in his head said 'He still hates you! He still thinks you're evil! Remember?'
Draco bit his lip thoughtfully. Well, maybe he could try. He could change himself completely. Renew himself in Harry and his friend's eyes.
Renewal....
"LOOK!"
Draco's eyes snapped open and he stared. The Digivice in his hand was glowing and growing hot.
"You've done it!" Sora yelled "What did you do?"
For a second, Draco didn't even know. He felt slightly off put by the entire school whispering and staring. Then he guessed.
"Your crests!" he yelled "I was thinking about Renewal! You have to be sincerely thinking about the quality your crest symbolises while holding the Digivice!" "Prodigious!" Izzy shouted. He put his lap-top back on his back and gripped his Digivice which started to glow almost immediately. The other's produced their own Digivices and focused. Ron, Hermione, Sora and Talitha simply watched as the light around them all began to grow. Then suddenly, there was a sharp ripping noise and then....
"An opening!" Mimi squealed "We can get though!"
"Ron, Hermione, Talitha, Sora! You go first!" Izzy shouted "We may need to keep it open and you four aren't!"
Ron carefully stepped though the hole. He felt a strange feeling as though something was running though him and staggered slightly.
Then he was looking back though at the Hogwarts Great Hall. Beside him, Hermione gasped. Sora and Talitha scrambled though, followed by TK and Kari who had insisted on coming next. Then Draco came though the rip, then Izzy, then Mimi and then last of all, Joe.
"What's going on?" Professor McGonagall shouted. She was running towards the hole even as it began to close up.
"Don't worry!" Ron yelled "We'll be back soon! And we'll be fine!"
Then the hole closed completely and they couldn't see Hogwarts anymore.
* * * *
Matt was escorted out of his cell by two strange brown Digimon with long noses who said that they were called Womblemon. He was taken along the castle and into a hall. The hall was long and Matt had to admit it was impressive. Slowly he looked around him. Myotismon was sitting at the top of the hall on a throne thing. The man with a face like a snake sitting beside him on a similar throne could only be Voldemort. He could see figures standing nearby, all hooded and robed. And huddled on the floor next to Voldemort...
"Tai!"
Tai weakly looked up and gave Matt a feeble smile. Even from the distance, Matt could see that his friend was in pain. Someone had hit him with something in the face which left a long red mark across it and one of his eyes was half closed. Myotismon beckoned and the Womblemon escorted Matt to the thrones. Myotismon smiled down at Matt who was staring anxiously at Tai.
"In case you were wondering, your friend Harry is perfectly fine," he said "Not very forth-coming but still alive for the time being."
Matt swallowed and stared defiantly at them. He blinked in surprise as Myotismon produced the crest that Matt had given to Harry.
"What is this?" Voldemort asked.
Matt said nothing. If they didn't know, he certainly wasn't going to tell them anything.
"Why does Potter have it?" Voldemort demanded.
"That's none of your business," Matt said, accurately but slightly unwisely given the circumstances.
"Oh really?" Voldemort said. He brought out his want "You'll answer me boy whether you want to or not. Imperio!"
A strange floating sensation washed over Matt and he felt utterly relaxed for the first time in ages. He could hear a voice faintly speaking to him "Tell us about the crest..."
That was easy enough. Matt opened his mouth to comply then stopped. A little voice at the back of his mind was speaking up.
You don't want to do that it was saying. Evil, remember.
"Tell us about the crest..."
Incredibly faintly, Matt could hear a voice shouting "No Matt, don't tell them anything! You mustn't - ack!"
'Tai?'
The thought penetrated the fog round Matt's mind. Someone was hurting Tai.
"The crest..."
Matt blinked dizzily and looked around, his memory returning. Tai was lying on the floor, obviously having received a kick from someone.
"Tell us about the crest," Voldemort ordered again.
"No way!" Matt yelled "You can't control me like that!"
Tai grinned.
"Nice one Matt," he said "I knew they couldn't control you - ow!"
One of the Death Eaters had kicked him again, sending him sprawling. Voldemort was fuming but Myotismon put a calming hand on his shoulder.
"As you will not tell us willingly," he said "We shall be forced to use other methods to make you talk."
"I won't tell you anything!" Matt snapped.
"Really?" Myotismon said "Lord Voldemort? Do the honours."
Smiling unpleasantly, Voldemort turned to Tai. Pointing, he said "Crucio!"
Tai screamed. Matt had never heard his friend scream like that before, ever. As he watched in horror, Tai twisted and writhed on the floor. Then Voldemort stopped and Tai lay sobbing in pain.
"If you do not tell us about the crest and why Harry Potter has one," Myotismon said "We shall continue torturing your friend until you do!"
Matt gritted his teeth and looked at Tai. As he did, Voldemort muttered the curse again and Tai went into fresh spasms of pain. Matt could feel tears building as watched Tai convulse.
"Shall I stop, Keeper of Friendship?" Voldemort asked lazily "Or do you want to continue watching your friend's pain?"
Matt hung his head helplessly. He hated to see his friend suffer so much. He didn't think that he could stand it.
"Stop," he whispered "Please."
Tai's screams stopped, leaving the room silent. Myotismon and Voldemort were watching Matt expectantly. Matt swallowed.
"Before he died, Dumbledore gave me the crest," he whispered "The only way that Harry could fight or protect himself from any evil Digimon would be to use his magic though the crest."
"What does it symbolise?" Myotismon asked.
"Peace," Matt said.
"And his friends?" Myotismon said "Do they also have crests?"
"No," Matt said.
"You're lying," Myotismon said flatly "If you lie, your friend will suffer. Do the others have crests?"
Matt hesitated a moment. Seeing Voldemort's wand inching towards Tai again, he quickly said "Yes. They symbolise Trust, Compassion, Renewal and Life."
Myotismon and Voldemort smiled at each other. Matt kept his head down so they couldn't see his ashamed face. He'd just let everyone down. But he couldn't let them hurt Tai!
"Thank you for your information," Myotismon said "Now, we have another plan for you..."
"What?" Matt asked.
Myotismon smiled.
"That would be telling," he said thoughtfully. Then he gestured at the Womblemon "Take him back to his cell!" he ordered "I will summon him here when everything is ready."
Matt twisted his head round as he was led out and noticed that Tai was unconscious. He hadn't heard anything of what had just happened.
* * * *
Ron was feeling fed up. They'd been wandering round for what seemed like hours now, and they hadn't even seen one Digimon.
"They are here," Izzy kept insisting "We just haven't seen them."
"If only we knew where our Digimon are," Mimi said mournfully.
"Yeah," Joe agreed "If only we could call them on the phone."
"Couldn't Izzy send an D-mail or whatever?" Ron said "My feet hurt!"
"Send an E-mail to what exactly?" Izzy asked moodily "As far as I know, only Genii sends us anything and he contacts us, not the other way round."
Ron scowled sulkily.
"Well fighting's no use," Joe said hastily "Let's keep - arragh!"
Everyone turned. A huge Digimon was staring at them menacingly. It looked somewhat like a Stegosaurus only with a larger head and longer teeth. Izzy looked at him lap-top.
"It's a Mateeamon," he said "Normally pretty placid unless you've strayed onto it's territory."
"Um, just wondering," Joe said "Would this be his territory?"
The Digidestined turned and ran, the Mateeamon hot on their heels.
"It's gaining on us!" Hermione shouted.
"I noticed!" Ron yelled back.
"What will it do if it catches us?" Draco asked.
"I don't know," Joe said "And I have an idea. Let's not find out!"
"Look!" Sora shouted.
They were approaching an unclimbable cliff face. There was no way up. No way of escape. The Mateeamon stood in front of them. Opening it's mouth, it gave an ear-splitting shriek.
"Uh oh," Kari said.
The group pressed themselves into the cliff face as the Mateeamon prepared to charge.
"Dazzling Web!" a voice bellowed. The Mateeamon screamed as a copper coloured web slammed onto it. Turning it ran. The Digidestined turned to see who or what had saved them.
Hovering in mid-air was a humanoid Digimon. He had long brown-red hair that blew loose around his face, only held back by a headband which was plain red ribbon with one crystal in the front. He two small wings like hummingbird wings protruding from his back. He was covered in feathers all over, but the skin they could see was creamy white with blue patterns like henna tattoos all over. He was holding a pipe in his hands. He flew down to them.
"Are you the Digidestined?" he asked, his voice deep and resonant.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, we are," Sora said.
"Most of us," Ron muttered.
"You will come with me," the Digimon said.
It wasn't a request but Izzy protested anyway.
"Why should we?" he asked.
"Yeah," Draco agreed "We don't know you."
The Digimon smiled.
"I am Taliesinmon," he said "As to you coming with me....do you really have much choice?"
The group looked at each other. Then slowly they walked over to Taliesinmon.
* * * *
Matt was not pleased when the Womblemon returned to get him. He allowed himself to be led back to the Great Hall where Myotismon and Voldemort were waiting. He noticed unhappily that Tai was still chained up at the feet of the thrones. He gave Matt a tiny smile and a wink to show he was fine. Matt looked at Myotismon.
"What do you want now?" he asked, forcing himself to sound calm but letting anger creep in. Myotismon smiled.
"Your help," he said calmly "The castle is in a valley."
"Yeah, so?" Matt said "See if I care where your rotten castle is."
"We want to make in impenetrable in case your friends come to rescue you," Myotismon said. "Which they won't," Voldemort put in.
"Don't under estimate them," Myotismon warned "The Digidestined are very clever."
Voldemort frowned. Myotismon looked at Matt.
"You are going to help us," he said.
"No!" Matt said "I won't help you!"
"Won't you?" Myotismon said.
"No!"
Myotismon shrugged. Then he walked over to Tai. Tai pressed backwards, glaring defiantly at Myotismon. Reaching out, Myotismon pushed Tai's head on one side, revealing Tai's pale neck. Matt suddenly realised what Myotismon was going to do and tried to run forwards but he was stopped by the Womblemon, who clutched at him, preventing him from moving. Myotismon sank his teeth into Tai's neck. Tai gave a sharp whimper and then went limp in Myotismon's arms as the vampire sucked at his neck.
"NO!" Matt yelled, struggling violently "NO, NO, NO! STOP! TAI! TAI!"
Myotismon drew back, Tai's blood on his lips. Tai lay still, his face white and his eyes closed. Matt stood staring at him, trembling.
"And here I was thinking you only cared for yourself," Myotismon said a little mockingly.
"You know I don't feel that," Matt said "Is he..."
"No," Myotismon said "He'll live. If you co-operate."
Matt stood undecided. Tai was only one person. There were others to consider. His other friends for a start. TK, Sora, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, Kari, Ron, Hermione, Draco. Then there were the worlds to consider. If he gave in now...
But how could he leave Tai to suffer and die?
"You promise you won't harm him if I do as you say?" he said slowly.
"I give you my word," Myotismon said.
"And will you set him and Harry free?" Matt continued.
Voldemort frowned but Myotismon held up a hand and he remained silent. He looked at Matt.
"I can't do that," he said "But they will be put together and be well looked after and not harmed."
Matt looked at Tai, then Myotismon.
"What do you want me to do?" he whispered at last.
Myotismon smiled.
"I'm glad you see sense," he said smoothly "It's really quite simple."
He walked behind the throne and pulled a red curtain aside. There was an alcove carved in the rock, a little way off the ground.
"You have to climb into that," he said.
"Huh?" Matt said "What's that going to do?"
"You'll see," Myotismon said "Will you do it, or not?"
Swallowing, Matt glanced one at Tai.
"All right, but I want to check Tai's okay before I do anything," he said.
"Go ahead," Myotismon said.
Matt knelt beside Tai and checked his pulse. It was steady if slightly weaker than normal. Matt took a hanky out of his pocket and pressed it to Tai's neck. The wounds had already strangely closed up, but there was still blood dripping down.
"I hope I'm doing the right thing Tai," Matt whispered "Take care of yourself okay? I don't know if you can hear me but....our relationship means a lot to me Taichi. I don't want that to ever change. I hope I see you soon."
Carefully, he lowered Tai to the floor, then walked over to the alcove and climbed inside. It appeared to be exactly how it looked from the outside. He turned and looked at everyone who were staring at him.
"Place your hands at the top," Myotismon ordered.
Matt obeyed. Suddenly, lancing pains went though them. He tried to pull them back but they were stuck there, held in place by tiny wires which had sprung out from the rock. As he watched, the tiny wires sprang out from all over the alcove, digging into his flesh, trapping him. He screamed in pain, trying to avoid the wires but it was impossible and soon Matt was enmeshed in a wire web. The pain got so bad, he passed out.
Myotismon and Voldemort looked at the unconscious boy, hanging in the web.
"That's good enough," Myotismon said satisfiedly "Soon, his nightmares will be made real and the valley will be well protected, more than already. And of course, there's all his energy..."
"You shouldn't have promised about Potter," Voldemort snapped "Potter is mine to do with as I please."
"Of course," Myotismon said soothingly "But he doesn't know that, does he? Although, I would advise keeping Potter alive. We do want to keep the boy happy so he'll keep providing the power we need."
Voldemort nodded.
"My plans for Potter don't include death just yet," he said with a smile "Besides, we need to know more about that Crest of Peace."
Myotismon looked at Matt's limp body and smiled in satisfaction. The boy had been easy enough to trick and soon his plans would go ahead fully.
Very soon....
End of Part 5!