The Destiny Of The Emperor
Chapter 1: The Fall of an Empire
By CyberDracomon
(Author's Note: What follows is very far from my usual fanfic. It is in tribute to something few of us remember, but those who do cherish the memory, the first fanfic I ever read. It is a version of an old Final Fantasy 6 story called "Anti-violence Therapy Subject 11983" by an author going by the name Cross Knight Kefka. I printed this story back in 1997 and as far as I know my printout is all that remains of the original story, I haven't even found the original author yet. The concept and ideas the story presented were too good to be forgotten, so I rewrote it into this. Please be warned this is a PG-13 fic and the first chapter depicts a great deal more violence than I generally use, if you disapprove of this please do not read.)
As any Digimon fan knows, series 02 started with the enemy known as the Digimon Emperor, the Digidestined we would later know as Ken. The end of his reign came when Davis found the Digiegg of Miracles and used it to Armor Digivolve Veemon into Magnamon, who managed to defeat Kimeramon with help from Wormmon, who sacrificed his energy to restore Magnamon. Kimeramon was done in by Magnamon's Magna Explosion and Ken never became the Digimon Emperor again. This is the reality we know and must embrace, but there exists any number of other realities where every possibility exists. Now we look at one of these realities where we learn what would have happened if the final gambit with Magnamon was unsuccessful. What if Magnamon had lost? What if Ken was the Digimon Emperor for years rather than months?
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It is 7 years since the Digimon Emperor entered the Digiworld and began capturing his Digimon slaves and claiming areas as his own. After the Digidestined were successful in stopping his base, Ken and Kimeramon went after the Digidestined once again, but at the same time, Davis had discovered his 3rd Digiegg, the Digiegg of Miracles. Veemon, as Magnamon, fought Kimeramon, but could not beat him. Desperate to save his human counterpart, Wormmon sacrificed his energy to recharge Magnamon. With one final gambit, Magnamon attacked again, but as the battle continued, Magnamon could not win. With Wormmon gone and Kimeramon the victor, Ken embraced his evil, took Kimeramon back as his Digimon with a Dark Spiral, and continued his terrible reign. The Digidestined, for the past 7 years, have fought to stop Ken from controlling the Digiworld. In the last year they have gained the upper hand, ever since their Digimon learned how to go Ultimate without DNA Digivolving, their power has matched Kimeramon's, and Ken and his minions have been unable to gain ground, forced to fall back. Now much has changed. TK and Kari have grown to love each other, Davis is respected as a leader, Yolei has been on her own, cleaning up the Digiworld, even Cody has grown stronger. Most of all, Ken has grown weary, Kimeramon's unstable form has grown old, and 7 years into his dominant reign as the Digimon Emperor, his empire is doomed to fall.
**********
Ken stood at the entrance of a cave that had served as his base for some time now, watching a battle rage between his most powerful minion, Kimeramon, and the four Ultimate Digimon of the Digidestined. Most of his slaves had been freed, many of which were watching on at a distance, and his control spires demolished, leaving him to hide in the cave until the day the Digidestined came for him. That day had come. If Kimeramon lost here, it was over. Ken knew his end could be met here within minutes. Kimeramon was pieced together from many incompatible Digimon, it's DNA was chaotic, it shouldn't have even lasted the past seven years, but it was all he had left. His fate depended on this freak of nature he had created so long ago.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon yelled, aiming an arrow of light at Kimeramon. She released the arrow, sending it speeding through the air, leaving only a streak of energy behind it. The attack flew with such speed Kimeramon could only block the attack with SkullGreymon's arm, his strongest appendage. It was not strong enough, however, as the blast deleted the appendage, leaving Kimeramon with no parts of Ultimate Digimon.
"Beam Saber!" MagnaAngemon yelled in his cold, harmonic voice. He rushed at the puzzle piece Digimon, slashing at him with his sword for any part that may have been exposed. He caught the edge of Birdramon's wing, deleting one of Kimeramon's sets of wings. Ken watched in horror as his Digimon slowly began to fall apart limb by limb, slowly leaving the mutant Digimon defenseless.
"Harmonious Spirit!" Shakkoumon shouted, firing a piercing laser beam from his eyes. Kimeramon tried to jump out of the way of the beams, only to get his tail clipped and deleted. Kimeramon crashed to the ground, kicking up the dust around him. He tried pushing himself up to continue, but the battle had exhausted him and the injuries to one of his Devimon arms was so great it deleted under the strain, dropping Kimeramon back to the ground.
"Vee Wing Blade!" AeroVeedramon shouted, his form surrounded in an intense blue flame. He flexed his wings violently, sending the blue flames into the air as a sharp, V-shaped fireball. The blast cured down, flying at Kimeramon with blinding speed. The attack was well aimed, blasting the Greymon torso that held all of the parts together. The force of the blast deleted Kimeramon's torso, and with nothing holding onto them, his remaining parts deleted in a massive cloud of digital bits that quickly faded to nothing. Ken could only watch on, a sudden, overwhelming sense of impending doom coursing through him. At the same time his mind only focused on his hatred for the Digidestined, he would have killed them long ago if he had chosen. Now it was far too late, Ken watched as the Digidestined and their Digimon closed in. Ken backed up, hoping to escape through a passage he had discovered in the cave some time ago. Unfortunately for him as he turned he discovered a Drimogemon had tunneled up behind him during the heated battle, blocking his escape. Somehow this clicked in Ken's mind, after a year of running, a year of hiding, he could escape no longer.
"Face it, Ken, it's over!" Davis shouted from beside AeroVeedramon, both remaining alert just in case. They learned a long time ago that Ken was always full of tricks. Unfortunately the Digimon watching proved to be more drastic. Many of them rushed past the Digidestined and before they could stop them, the Digimon had surrounded Ken completely. Ken looked around for any way to get out of the ring of Digimon, but before he could find one a pair of Vegimon lashed out with their vines, entangling Ken's arms and pulling them tight until he couldn't move.
"Finish him off!" A Digimon shouted from behind the crowd. A few others yelled their encouragement for the idea, followed by many other shouts for suggested punishment, which included, and most shouted, execution, an idea Ken froze at the thought of. He didn't think the Digimon he enslaved would go to such measures, but even the most gentle ones he recognized form the crowd seemed to be cheering the scene on. Before Ken could fully realize the situation, a Mojyamon stepped in front of the crowd, holding his signature icicle club. With a hateful glare, Mojyamon pulled back on the club and hurled it like a javelin toward Ken. The shades of his Digimon Emperor outfit hid the pure terror in his eyes as they watched the ice spear heading for his chest.
With his body still tense, awaiting Death's grip to take his life, Ken watched as the spear was suddenly stopped in midair as AeroVeedramon clamped down on it with his jaws, much to the dismay of the crowds. Many Digimon hissed and booed, all too happy to display their anger toward the action, even if it was against a Digidestined. Among the shouts and rants of the Digimon, nobody heard Ken breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hold it, you guys, we can't just kill him." Davis said, stepping out in front of Ken to address the surrounding Digimon. "I know what Ken did to you, but killing him just makes you guys even worse, even he never did anything like that." Ken could hear a few mumbles of some of the Digimon that just now realized what Davis had announced. He was relieved they now thought differently, but he also hated them for being meek enough to show mercy.
"So what do we do with him?" Mojyamon asked, taking his club back from AeroVeedramon. "We can't just let him roam free in the Digiworld or your world." This brought another idea through Ken's mind, imprisonment. Even he knew some Digimon weren't above long term captives, the worst would make his life pure hell. He knew well how surprised someone could be to know what they could live through.
"We'll do this fairly." TK said from outside the circle of Digimon, which started to thin out as he spoke. "We'll take him to Leomon to be put on trial, we'll decide what to do with him there." Some of the Digimon could be heard grumbling, either approving or complaining, some doing both. Leomon was still known as a leader among Digimon, if any could serve as judge it should be him. Ken didn't complain with the decision, he knew how to survive, nothing Leomon could imagine could break him at his best.
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The following day a trial had been set up to decide Ken's fate. Ken stood before Leomon, who sat behind a tall, ominous podium. His hands had been tied behind him and a pair of Vegimon watching his every move in case he tried to get away. He was dressed in his real world outfit, his Digimon Emperor outfit being burned as soon as they could get it off of him. To his side Ken saw his jury of various Digimon, none of which looked like they'd be fair. On his other side sat TK, Kari, Davis, and Cody, all with their Digimon, all waiting to see what Leomon had in mind.
"Ken Ichijoji." Leomon began, glaring down at Ken. The look in his eyes didn't look as angered as the others, maybe because he hadn't been one of Ken's captives. "As the Digimon Emperor, you committed crimes against countless Digimon, enslaving them, forcing them to battle themselves and the Digidestined, experimenting on them for the purpose of trapping even more Digimon. What is your defense?" Leomon's stern voice stole any joking attitude Ken had left from this ordeal. With a quick glance toward his jury, then at the Digidestined waiting in the row of seats beside him, he glared back at Leomon and laughed maniacally, obviously to the surprise of Leomon and the Digidestined.
"You want my defense?" Ken said defiantly. "You must be dumber than I thought, Leomon, this isn't a trial, it's just an excuse to say you gave me a fair chance before executing me. I have no defense, nor would I wish for one! I would do it all a thousand times again and every time I did it I would enjoy it more!" Leomon had been surprised by the sudden laughter of insanity, but not surprised but Ken's announcement. Since Ken's capture, Leomon had been exploring as many options for "punishment" that he could, but found very few suitable for such an evil person.
"Very well, I hoped you weren't beyond other forms of punishment, but I see no alternative." Leomon stated, standing from his seat to deliver a sentence. "Many of the Digimon you enslaved pleaded with me to sentence you to death, however I have devised something just as appropriate. You are sentenced to undergo rehabilitation therapy until you are no longer capable of the evil acts of your past. Be warned, if you struggle against these therapies you will wish your sentence was death. Take him away, his treatment begins tomorrow." With that the two Vegimon grabbed onto Ken's still-bound arms and lead him out of the room. Something in his mind couldn't help but laugh, to think a few therapy sessions were going to "cure" him. Ken laughed to himself as the Vegimon pulled him from the room, shutting the huge doors behind him. Once Ken had been lead out, Leomon breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out from behind his podium to join the Digidestined, who were already standing from their seats, their respective Digimon standing in front of them.
"I can't help but wonder if I've made the right decision..." Leomon admitted to them. "As the Digimon Emperor he nearly changed the Digital World as we knew it, caused so much suffering... I'm not sure if any methods of treatment can cure someone so overcome with evil..." None of the Digidestined said anything, none of them sure of it themselves.
"Don't worry about it so much." Kari said, suddenly breaking the silence. "We're all worried, but it's all we can do for now. All we can do now is hope the treatments are enough to at least get him to a state to return to our world." Leomon nodded, hoping that would be the case or better, but his uncertainties remained intact. There was no telling how long it would take or how much it would take, but he was determined to make sure Ken would never want to become the Digimon Emperor again.
**********
The Vegimon had lead Ken into a dark room that smelled of heavy dust, like it hadn't been used in years. He was strapped to a chair by his wrists and ankles to prevent escape, though he failed to see how it held him better than the ropes he had been tied with minutes ago. After a few minutes in the dark the door opened as Ogremon, his assigned keeper, entered holding a burning torch. He placed it into a metal holder beside the door before pulling out a scroll of some kind.
"Are you my first torturer, then?" Ken asked mockingly. Ogremon only grinned at Ken as he continued to read over the scroll.
"I only wish I was." Ogremon said. "I'm not, but he was right behind me when I came down here." Just as he said that the door opened once again as a Meramon entered, a long box of some kind in his hand.
"So what's his torture, giving me a sunburn?" Ken said, still cocky about his sentence. Orgemon chuckled to himself as he finished the scroll and put it away.
"You wish." He replied. "Meramon's "treatment" is his own form of acupuncture, minus the training. We said he could use you as a test dummy till he learns how." Ken felt a sudden chill go through his spine, his eyes widening at the announcement. Suddenly he wished he hadn't been so cocky before, his sentence was devised by one of the more peaceful Digimon, he thought it would be more like a trip to a psychiatrist. Ogremon continued to chuckle as he took a seat on a stool in the corner as Meramon walked toward a table beside Ken, setting the box down and opening it, revealing many various needles of various sizes that gleamed in the light of the torch.
"Just to warn you, I'm a slow learner." Meramon said viciously. Ken remembered what he did to the Meramon group he found and suddenly worried if this was one from that group.
"Try your best, an oversized candle hardly scares me." Ken said defiantly. Meramon grinned wickedly, then quickly grabbed for Ken's shirt, ripping it from his body, which had developed well over the years of constant battles. Meramon reached for his first needle, looking Ken over for a suitable puncture point, then brought the needle to his chest and stabbed into Ken. The sudden jolt of light pain made Ken flinch, but it was easy enough to get used to.
"I remember what you put me through seven years ago." Meramon said, preparing a second needle. "Me, my friends, my brothers, you enslaved us all, forced us to fight the Digidestined, then allowed SkullGreymon to attack us all. I've been waiting to get my chance at you, so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when Leomon assigned me as your first "treatment" session." Meramon drove the second needle into Ken's chest, causing as much pain as the first. The longer the needles were in Meramon's hand, the hotter they were, and the more they burned into Ken's flesh.
"Do your worst, you'll never change me! Never!" Ken screamed in anger. Meramon grinned wickedly as his task continued. Each time he drove a needle into Ken he did it with more rage, more force, causing more pain with every stab and drawing blood with many of the heated needles. Ken was in unbearable pain, though he refused to cry out, knowing how much Meramon wanted him to do so. After what Ken thought was an eternity, Meramon had run out of needles, much to Meramon's dismay and Ken's relief. Ken sat as limp as his restraints would allow, weak from the constant pain.
"You will change." Meramon said, grabbing the now-empty needle case form the table. "One way or another, sooner or later, you will change." With that Meramon walked out of the room, leaving the needles imbedded in Ken, some of which were driven so deep they were still bleeding. Ken's mind was reeling from the hours of constant pain, he could barely remember where he was. All he knew is that the next few months were going to be the worst of his life.
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A few days later, Tai, Davis, TK, and Kari walked into Leomon's manor, the same building where the trial was held and Ken's treatments were being done in it's depths. Leomon had requested their presents right away, though none of the four knew why. Leomon's urge was so great they didn't even have time to find their Digimon before coming. The small group walked through the large manor until they came into Leomon's study, where the lion Digimon was waiting for them.
"Digidestined, I appreciate you coming so quickly." Leomon stated, walking to the middle of the room to meet with them. "There is something of some urgency we must discuss." The Digidestined were afraid that was the case, though it wasn't hard to guess by how urgent Leomon's summon was.
"Of course, Leomon." Tai said, standing out as leader of the group. "What's this all about?" Leomon walked away toward a large desk where he picked up what looked like a red needle, showing it to the Digidestined.
"I looked in on Ken this morning." Leomon explained. "I found several dozen of these imbedded into him by Meramon." Tai and TK took a step closer, getting a better look at the needle. They saw that it wasn't red, rather it was covered in red blood. "I had no idea the treatments were so violent, I just now discovered many of the Digimon assigned to Ken's treatments used to be his slaves. I fear they are more concerned about revenge than actually rehabilitating Ken." Kari had an obvious look of disappointment, but she didn't look at all surprised.
"He had so many slaves, there was no telling if the Digimon you put in charge of him were going to take vengeance." Kari explained. "Why did you summon just us, though? Wouldn't any of the other Digidestined be just as helpful?" Leomon shook his head before setting the needle back down among a small pile of similar blood-stained needles.
"I summoned you four specifically for good reason." Leomon said. "Tai and Davis have both served as leaders of the Digidestined, and you and TK have been in both groups, giving you much more experience. I knew you four could help the most." Everyone seemed to think that made sense, besides Davis who was still sorting out Leomon's reasons.
"Well, there's gotta be some more gentle treatments, aren't there?" TK asked. Leomon nodded in agreeance. "How about we just stick to those?" Leomon wasn't as positive about the second suggestion.
"Unfortunately we have to keep some of the more negative treatment." Leomon said. "If too many of his treatments are too gentle he will learn to just go with them until we've been fooled into thinking he's cured. As long as the negative aspects are in his treatments, his violent nature is better controlled." TK was afraid that would be the case, he didn't like the idea that Ken's treatment had to have more violent measures.
"How about just one constant treatment?" Tai suggested. "Something you can always have on him in case he gets out of control, something he wouldn't exactly like feeling too often." Leomon lowered his head, thinking for a second, then lifted his head and nodded.
"We have such a treatment..." Leomon said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Unfortunately the method of applying it is rather extreme... I've been hesitant to administer it, mainly out of fear whoever would be in charge of it would kill him with it." Tai shook his head lightly, tossing his wild hair around a little.
"Then make sure you're the only one in control of it." Tai responded. "That way you can be sure it's only used when it's needed." Leomon thought about it for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Very well." Leomon said finally. "As I said, the process required to set up this treatment is rather extreme, but I'm sure it will be effective afterwards. I chose well to consult you." Leomon glanced over at Davis, who hadn't said a word since they arrived. The others looked in his direction, just now noticing this.
"Something on your mind, Davis?" Kari asked, curious about what could distract Davis so well. Davis looked up and smiled nervously.
"Oh, nothing." Davis replied. "You know me, my mind gets lost easily." Kari looked at him strangely, then dismissed it. Rarely had Davis been so honest about being absent-minded. TK and Tai dismissed it, as well, after all miracles did happen from time to time.
**********
The next day Ken found himself laying on his back in a room he hadn't seen before. Last he remembered Meramon had come back for another session with his needles, except he only used one that was kept in a clear liquid. It must have been some kind of sedative to knock him out. He tried to look up to view the surroundings only to find his head couldn't move. It was being held down by a leather strap, restraining it from moving. Ken found his hands and feet were being immobilized by similar straps, making it impossible to move.
"Wh... where am I?" Ken asked, barely managing to get the words out. The sedative was still in effect, making it hard to speak, though it had worn off just enough to keep conscious. After a minute a Digimon appeared over Ken to where he could see him, but the sedative made it too hard to tell what Digimon it was exactly.
"Quiet, kid, we want this over with as quickly as possible." The Digimon said before moving out of view. Ken tried looking around without moving his head to little success. He looked down and could barely see some kind of device over his chest. Before he could make out it's details it shot some kind of lightning bolt down at Ken's chest, surging through him. The pain was incredible, but Ken was far too weak from the sedative to scream. The bolt stopped and seemed to retreat into the device, dragging a black orb of energy with it.
"Know what that is, kid?" The Digimon said. "That's the energy from your body that connects you to that black Digivice of yours. You won't be able to use it even if you got it back." Ken was outraged, he couldn't believe they'd even dare to do something like that. He wanted to get up and take back what was his, the energy and his freedom, but both were impossible as long as he was restrained. He heard some Digimon moving around behind him, just out of his sight. As much as he strained against the straps, he couldn't get a better view of what was happening.
"Relax, kid, we're just installing a little device for you." The Digimon said. "Consider it a thank you for what you did to us for so many years." Ken didn't like the sound of that, whatever they had planned couldn't be good if it was "thank you" for his doings. For a few minutes nothing happened, the room was completely silent and whatever Digimon talked to him was gone now. Then Ken felt a piercing pain in the top of his head, like one of Meramon's needles. In an instant the pain faded and Ken caught a glimpse of a doctor's needle being passed over his head. Ken figured it must have been a pain killer they injected, but why? All they've been doing is causing pain, why would they want him to feel no pain now? The answer soon came to him as he heard the sound of something spinning incredibly fast, then the sound of it cutting into something. The sound it made told Ken what was going on, they were sawing into his skull to install whatever they had in mind. The sound of the bone saw going through him made him want to vomit. After a while it stopped, and the saw was passed over his head. In exchange the Digimon operating on him received a scalpel to go into more intricate work. After a while a very small device was passed over Ken. His vision was still too blurred by the sedative to tell what kind of device it was, but it couldn't be good. Then something came he didn't expect. He felt them placing the device within the opening the saw had cut, installing it into his head. He expected this when he saw the device, but it was the fact he felt it that frightened him. The pain killer they injected must have been too weak, it was wearing off. Ken began to feel pain as the Digimon probed with the small blade, fitting the device into his head.
"Feeling... p... pain..." Ken managed to say. "Pl... ease... n... numb me..." The Digimon stopped what they were doing as soon as he said this, relieving Ken. One of them looked over his head into his view, then just smiled down at Ken. The Digimon left his view and continued his work as the pain killer continued to weaken, with no hope of being renewed. Ken began to scream out in pain as the Digimon continued, with a faint laughter being heard from them as the screams became louder.
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Five months pass and Ken has shown progress in his treatments. True to his word, Leomon made sure the violent treatments were kept to a minimum, with Meramon's acupuncture treatments handled with more care as Meramon used his real knowledge of the art rather than his previously violent version. Ken was also started on a form of visual therapy where he would watch peaceful images on a monitor for hours at a time, the constant intake of peaceful views calming him mind.
Ken's rehabilitation also included hobbies that were offered to him. Many things were made available, from painting to sewing. Kari even loaned them an old digital camera for him to try photography, but he seemed to take up the flute best of all. Often he played melodies between treatments in his cell, from hateful ones to surprisingly gentle songs. At night, while Ogremon slept, Ken would stay awake, watching the stars through his cell's window, learning constellations and mapping them out in a book of star charts he was given.
Occasionally Ken would still lash out violently, enraged by what he goes through daily. The device that was implanted in his head delivered an electric shock through his system if he tried leaving his cell without Leomon present. He was the only one that held the control that activated or deactivated the device. It was enough to keep Ken in line and prevented them from resorting to more violent therapy.
Leomon walked into Ken's room to find him sitting on the edge of his bed in his cell, in thought. Usually when Leomon checked in he was playing his flute or looking through a few of the books provided.
"You've shows progress, Ken." Leomon said, looking through a report of the rehabilitation. "But you still have violent tendencies that we haven't been able to cure... despite the pain you describe from the electro implant you still lash out." Ken looked up from his thoughts, taking in Leomon's words.
"You wish to know why I lash out?" Ken said coldly. "I have been denied every right as a human being. I don't have my freedom, my privacy, my dignity, I barely even have moments when I'm not in constant pain from your damned implant... I am even denied the powers your precious Digiworld granted me... I lash out because I despise what you have made me become... As much as I wish to do the same to you, I cannot thanks to the damn piece of junk parts in my head." Leomon looked on at Ken with little surprise in his eyes, getting the answer he expected. He grabbed a key hanging on his side and inserted it into the keyhole on Ken's cell door, undoing the lock and opening the cell.
"Good." Leomon replied simply. "Now leave. My men and myself grow tired of your constant rambling. Leave this place and face the world where you can no longer do anyone harm." Ken looked on in surprise, not believing Leomon would suddenly grant his "freedom" so easily. Ken stood from his bed and walked out of his cell, taking a look at Leomon beside him. Seeing his opportunity, he lunged at Leomon, wanting desperately to do as much damage to Leomon as he had done to him. Leomon expected this and revealed the controller to Ken's device in his hand, hitting the button with his thumb. A shot of intense electricity went though Ken, making him scream in agony. Each time it was used the device turned up the voltage and this was by far the worst shock he had received, so great he collapsed under the pain as the electricity died down. Leomon shook his head in disappointment as he pressed another button on the controller, which deleted the device from his head. Leomon had no further use for it if Ken was to leave.
"Ogremon." Leomon said, indicating Ken's guard beside the cell. "Take Ken outside and leave him there to recover. We have nothing more we can do for him." Ogremon grinned as he quickly gathered up the fallen teen in his arms to take him outside. Leomon guessed that Orgemon was glad to get off the constant guard duty, and to be honest he couldn't blame him for it. Unfortunately Ogremon was grinning for other reasons. Like many Digimon, he hated Ken for what he had done and when he heard of Ken's release today, he planned ahead. When Orgemon reached the front door of the building, he opened the door to see a hoard of various Digimon, all with vicious grins on their faces.
"Man, there's more of you guys than I thought there would be." Orgemon said, dumping Ken to the ground in front of them. "Enjoy the present. Just don't kill him off right away, there are worse things than death, after all." A Tyrannomon went over and picked Ken up, nodding in agreement.
"Ken's treatment is over." Tyrannomon announced to the crowd, turning to face him. "Now he gets what he should have received a long time ago! To Primary Village, there we can string him up and do as we please!" The hoard seemed to like the idea as they started to walk off toward Primary Village with Tyrannomon leading the way with the still unconscious Ken in his claws. As they left, from the top of the building, Davis and Veemon watched on from a lookout tower high above the main building.
"Davis, why aren't we stopping them like last time?" Veemon asked. Davis looked down at the blue lizard Digimon and shook his head in dismay.
"You know my reputation in the Digital World, without the others they wouldn't listen to me." Davis explained. As much as he didn't like it, Veemon had to agree, Davis wasn't exactly the most respected Digidestined. "Besides, it's not our place, we can't do anything to change their minds... We don't have any right to interfere." Veemon turned away from his human friend and looked on at the Digimon mob, who was almost out of view now. He didn't like Ken, but as much as he did, he didn't like what those Digimon were about to become even more.
**********
"It's time for celebration!" Tyrannomon screamed at the edge of Primary Village. "The Digimon Emperor is about to finally be executed!" Ken woke up from his unconsciousness just in time to hear this, but it was too late to retaliate. He was hanging from his wrists on some kind of wooden stage that was set up on the edge of Primary Village. His wrists were bound to a pair of beams sticking up from opposite sides of the stage, holding his arms apart while keeping Ken upright. His legs were in a similar setup, but he could stand on his feet, just not move them anymore than that. Ken managed to look around and noticed all the baby Digimon had been cleared out of this side of town, making him worry about what they had in mind.
"Okay, everyone, gather around!" Ninjamon said, jumping up onto the stage. He produced a knife and stabbed it into the top of a short post on the stage near Ken. "Every former slave of our fallen emperor here gets one swipe at him with this knife before we finish him off. Try not to cut anything vital, we don't want him dead just yet." Everyone seemed to approve with glee, except for Ken, who was helpless to argue against it. Ninjamon was more than happy to take the first shot, taking the dagger and slashing into Ken's abdomen. The cut wasn't too bad, as this was just a form of torture, not execution. Ninjamon replaced the dagger and stepped off the stage as another Digimon, Gorillamon, came up and took the dagger, hacking into Ken's chest. One by one, other Digimon came up to take their slash, all careful to cut deep enough to bleed, but not kill. Those without hands to grip the knife were more than happy to use their own devices, especially Drimogemon and Snimon, both more than happy to use their natural weapons. With each cut came a new degree of pain, it was worse than anything Ken had experienced during his therapy. Many cut across other slashes, making the first cut deeper and drawing new blood from cuts that had stopped bleeding. Eventually, after what seemed like hours to Ken, every Digimon in attendance had their slash. Ken was sure some had taken two cuts and some, such as an Apemon in the back, he had never enslaved. He also knew nobody cared if he had a few extra cuts, though.
"Now we come to the grand finale." Ninjamon announced. Upon hearing this, four Unimon stepped out of the crowd, all with vicious grins on their long faces. Ken, now very weak from his injuries, only had faint ideas of what was going to be next. "Cut him down. We'll tie him to the Unimon and draw and quarter him! A fitting end to someone who split the Digiworld apart so well!" Ken felt his blood run cold upon hearing their idea, to think it all would end in such a gruesome end made him nauseous. The Digimon didn't have the same feeling as many cheered as Ninjamon drew his signature throwing star and sent it flying toward the post, cutting the ropes that bound Ken, who fell to the wooden stage, too weak to stand. A similar throw cut his feet free as well, leaving him to the hoard of angry Digimon.
Before any of the Digimon could get to Ken, they heard some kind of noise above them. Many of them looked up and behind them to see a series of fireballs soaring down toward the stage, blasting it hard and collapsing it. Ken looked up to see what had saved him, but could see nothing through the smoke from the stage's flames, which were blazing in front of him and to his sides. He quickly realized this might be the idea, it left him a path behind him that was blocked from view by the smoke and the fire was spread so nobody could get to him. Despite his injuries, he had to take his chances. Ken struggled to his feet and took off toward the edge of town, which lead into the Digital desert if he remembered correctly. He glanced behind him to see the fire completely engulfing what used to be the stage, and the smoke coming from it was too thick for even flying Digimon to get through. If anything could get through that, they wouldn't be able to follow him through the desert. It was suicide to attempt, but dying in the desert heat was, if anything, more gentle than anything they would have in mind.
End of Chapter 1
Chapter 1: The Fall of an Empire
By CyberDracomon
(Author's Note: What follows is very far from my usual fanfic. It is in tribute to something few of us remember, but those who do cherish the memory, the first fanfic I ever read. It is a version of an old Final Fantasy 6 story called "Anti-violence Therapy Subject 11983" by an author going by the name Cross Knight Kefka. I printed this story back in 1997 and as far as I know my printout is all that remains of the original story, I haven't even found the original author yet. The concept and ideas the story presented were too good to be forgotten, so I rewrote it into this. Please be warned this is a PG-13 fic and the first chapter depicts a great deal more violence than I generally use, if you disapprove of this please do not read.)
As any Digimon fan knows, series 02 started with the enemy known as the Digimon Emperor, the Digidestined we would later know as Ken. The end of his reign came when Davis found the Digiegg of Miracles and used it to Armor Digivolve Veemon into Magnamon, who managed to defeat Kimeramon with help from Wormmon, who sacrificed his energy to restore Magnamon. Kimeramon was done in by Magnamon's Magna Explosion and Ken never became the Digimon Emperor again. This is the reality we know and must embrace, but there exists any number of other realities where every possibility exists. Now we look at one of these realities where we learn what would have happened if the final gambit with Magnamon was unsuccessful. What if Magnamon had lost? What if Ken was the Digimon Emperor for years rather than months?
**********
It is 7 years since the Digimon Emperor entered the Digiworld and began capturing his Digimon slaves and claiming areas as his own. After the Digidestined were successful in stopping his base, Ken and Kimeramon went after the Digidestined once again, but at the same time, Davis had discovered his 3rd Digiegg, the Digiegg of Miracles. Veemon, as Magnamon, fought Kimeramon, but could not beat him. Desperate to save his human counterpart, Wormmon sacrificed his energy to recharge Magnamon. With one final gambit, Magnamon attacked again, but as the battle continued, Magnamon could not win. With Wormmon gone and Kimeramon the victor, Ken embraced his evil, took Kimeramon back as his Digimon with a Dark Spiral, and continued his terrible reign. The Digidestined, for the past 7 years, have fought to stop Ken from controlling the Digiworld. In the last year they have gained the upper hand, ever since their Digimon learned how to go Ultimate without DNA Digivolving, their power has matched Kimeramon's, and Ken and his minions have been unable to gain ground, forced to fall back. Now much has changed. TK and Kari have grown to love each other, Davis is respected as a leader, Yolei has been on her own, cleaning up the Digiworld, even Cody has grown stronger. Most of all, Ken has grown weary, Kimeramon's unstable form has grown old, and 7 years into his dominant reign as the Digimon Emperor, his empire is doomed to fall.
**********
Ken stood at the entrance of a cave that had served as his base for some time now, watching a battle rage between his most powerful minion, Kimeramon, and the four Ultimate Digimon of the Digidestined. Most of his slaves had been freed, many of which were watching on at a distance, and his control spires demolished, leaving him to hide in the cave until the day the Digidestined came for him. That day had come. If Kimeramon lost here, it was over. Ken knew his end could be met here within minutes. Kimeramon was pieced together from many incompatible Digimon, it's DNA was chaotic, it shouldn't have even lasted the past seven years, but it was all he had left. His fate depended on this freak of nature he had created so long ago.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon yelled, aiming an arrow of light at Kimeramon. She released the arrow, sending it speeding through the air, leaving only a streak of energy behind it. The attack flew with such speed Kimeramon could only block the attack with SkullGreymon's arm, his strongest appendage. It was not strong enough, however, as the blast deleted the appendage, leaving Kimeramon with no parts of Ultimate Digimon.
"Beam Saber!" MagnaAngemon yelled in his cold, harmonic voice. He rushed at the puzzle piece Digimon, slashing at him with his sword for any part that may have been exposed. He caught the edge of Birdramon's wing, deleting one of Kimeramon's sets of wings. Ken watched in horror as his Digimon slowly began to fall apart limb by limb, slowly leaving the mutant Digimon defenseless.
"Harmonious Spirit!" Shakkoumon shouted, firing a piercing laser beam from his eyes. Kimeramon tried to jump out of the way of the beams, only to get his tail clipped and deleted. Kimeramon crashed to the ground, kicking up the dust around him. He tried pushing himself up to continue, but the battle had exhausted him and the injuries to one of his Devimon arms was so great it deleted under the strain, dropping Kimeramon back to the ground.
"Vee Wing Blade!" AeroVeedramon shouted, his form surrounded in an intense blue flame. He flexed his wings violently, sending the blue flames into the air as a sharp, V-shaped fireball. The blast cured down, flying at Kimeramon with blinding speed. The attack was well aimed, blasting the Greymon torso that held all of the parts together. The force of the blast deleted Kimeramon's torso, and with nothing holding onto them, his remaining parts deleted in a massive cloud of digital bits that quickly faded to nothing. Ken could only watch on, a sudden, overwhelming sense of impending doom coursing through him. At the same time his mind only focused on his hatred for the Digidestined, he would have killed them long ago if he had chosen. Now it was far too late, Ken watched as the Digidestined and their Digimon closed in. Ken backed up, hoping to escape through a passage he had discovered in the cave some time ago. Unfortunately for him as he turned he discovered a Drimogemon had tunneled up behind him during the heated battle, blocking his escape. Somehow this clicked in Ken's mind, after a year of running, a year of hiding, he could escape no longer.
"Face it, Ken, it's over!" Davis shouted from beside AeroVeedramon, both remaining alert just in case. They learned a long time ago that Ken was always full of tricks. Unfortunately the Digimon watching proved to be more drastic. Many of them rushed past the Digidestined and before they could stop them, the Digimon had surrounded Ken completely. Ken looked around for any way to get out of the ring of Digimon, but before he could find one a pair of Vegimon lashed out with their vines, entangling Ken's arms and pulling them tight until he couldn't move.
"Finish him off!" A Digimon shouted from behind the crowd. A few others yelled their encouragement for the idea, followed by many other shouts for suggested punishment, which included, and most shouted, execution, an idea Ken froze at the thought of. He didn't think the Digimon he enslaved would go to such measures, but even the most gentle ones he recognized form the crowd seemed to be cheering the scene on. Before Ken could fully realize the situation, a Mojyamon stepped in front of the crowd, holding his signature icicle club. With a hateful glare, Mojyamon pulled back on the club and hurled it like a javelin toward Ken. The shades of his Digimon Emperor outfit hid the pure terror in his eyes as they watched the ice spear heading for his chest.
With his body still tense, awaiting Death's grip to take his life, Ken watched as the spear was suddenly stopped in midair as AeroVeedramon clamped down on it with his jaws, much to the dismay of the crowds. Many Digimon hissed and booed, all too happy to display their anger toward the action, even if it was against a Digidestined. Among the shouts and rants of the Digimon, nobody heard Ken breathe a sigh of relief.
"Hold it, you guys, we can't just kill him." Davis said, stepping out in front of Ken to address the surrounding Digimon. "I know what Ken did to you, but killing him just makes you guys even worse, even he never did anything like that." Ken could hear a few mumbles of some of the Digimon that just now realized what Davis had announced. He was relieved they now thought differently, but he also hated them for being meek enough to show mercy.
"So what do we do with him?" Mojyamon asked, taking his club back from AeroVeedramon. "We can't just let him roam free in the Digiworld or your world." This brought another idea through Ken's mind, imprisonment. Even he knew some Digimon weren't above long term captives, the worst would make his life pure hell. He knew well how surprised someone could be to know what they could live through.
"We'll do this fairly." TK said from outside the circle of Digimon, which started to thin out as he spoke. "We'll take him to Leomon to be put on trial, we'll decide what to do with him there." Some of the Digimon could be heard grumbling, either approving or complaining, some doing both. Leomon was still known as a leader among Digimon, if any could serve as judge it should be him. Ken didn't complain with the decision, he knew how to survive, nothing Leomon could imagine could break him at his best.
**********
The following day a trial had been set up to decide Ken's fate. Ken stood before Leomon, who sat behind a tall, ominous podium. His hands had been tied behind him and a pair of Vegimon watching his every move in case he tried to get away. He was dressed in his real world outfit, his Digimon Emperor outfit being burned as soon as they could get it off of him. To his side Ken saw his jury of various Digimon, none of which looked like they'd be fair. On his other side sat TK, Kari, Davis, and Cody, all with their Digimon, all waiting to see what Leomon had in mind.
"Ken Ichijoji." Leomon began, glaring down at Ken. The look in his eyes didn't look as angered as the others, maybe because he hadn't been one of Ken's captives. "As the Digimon Emperor, you committed crimes against countless Digimon, enslaving them, forcing them to battle themselves and the Digidestined, experimenting on them for the purpose of trapping even more Digimon. What is your defense?" Leomon's stern voice stole any joking attitude Ken had left from this ordeal. With a quick glance toward his jury, then at the Digidestined waiting in the row of seats beside him, he glared back at Leomon and laughed maniacally, obviously to the surprise of Leomon and the Digidestined.
"You want my defense?" Ken said defiantly. "You must be dumber than I thought, Leomon, this isn't a trial, it's just an excuse to say you gave me a fair chance before executing me. I have no defense, nor would I wish for one! I would do it all a thousand times again and every time I did it I would enjoy it more!" Leomon had been surprised by the sudden laughter of insanity, but not surprised but Ken's announcement. Since Ken's capture, Leomon had been exploring as many options for "punishment" that he could, but found very few suitable for such an evil person.
"Very well, I hoped you weren't beyond other forms of punishment, but I see no alternative." Leomon stated, standing from his seat to deliver a sentence. "Many of the Digimon you enslaved pleaded with me to sentence you to death, however I have devised something just as appropriate. You are sentenced to undergo rehabilitation therapy until you are no longer capable of the evil acts of your past. Be warned, if you struggle against these therapies you will wish your sentence was death. Take him away, his treatment begins tomorrow." With that the two Vegimon grabbed onto Ken's still-bound arms and lead him out of the room. Something in his mind couldn't help but laugh, to think a few therapy sessions were going to "cure" him. Ken laughed to himself as the Vegimon pulled him from the room, shutting the huge doors behind him. Once Ken had been lead out, Leomon breathed a sigh of relief as he walked out from behind his podium to join the Digidestined, who were already standing from their seats, their respective Digimon standing in front of them.
"I can't help but wonder if I've made the right decision..." Leomon admitted to them. "As the Digimon Emperor he nearly changed the Digital World as we knew it, caused so much suffering... I'm not sure if any methods of treatment can cure someone so overcome with evil..." None of the Digidestined said anything, none of them sure of it themselves.
"Don't worry about it so much." Kari said, suddenly breaking the silence. "We're all worried, but it's all we can do for now. All we can do now is hope the treatments are enough to at least get him to a state to return to our world." Leomon nodded, hoping that would be the case or better, but his uncertainties remained intact. There was no telling how long it would take or how much it would take, but he was determined to make sure Ken would never want to become the Digimon Emperor again.
**********
The Vegimon had lead Ken into a dark room that smelled of heavy dust, like it hadn't been used in years. He was strapped to a chair by his wrists and ankles to prevent escape, though he failed to see how it held him better than the ropes he had been tied with minutes ago. After a few minutes in the dark the door opened as Ogremon, his assigned keeper, entered holding a burning torch. He placed it into a metal holder beside the door before pulling out a scroll of some kind.
"Are you my first torturer, then?" Ken asked mockingly. Ogremon only grinned at Ken as he continued to read over the scroll.
"I only wish I was." Ogremon said. "I'm not, but he was right behind me when I came down here." Just as he said that the door opened once again as a Meramon entered, a long box of some kind in his hand.
"So what's his torture, giving me a sunburn?" Ken said, still cocky about his sentence. Orgemon chuckled to himself as he finished the scroll and put it away.
"You wish." He replied. "Meramon's "treatment" is his own form of acupuncture, minus the training. We said he could use you as a test dummy till he learns how." Ken felt a sudden chill go through his spine, his eyes widening at the announcement. Suddenly he wished he hadn't been so cocky before, his sentence was devised by one of the more peaceful Digimon, he thought it would be more like a trip to a psychiatrist. Ogremon continued to chuckle as he took a seat on a stool in the corner as Meramon walked toward a table beside Ken, setting the box down and opening it, revealing many various needles of various sizes that gleamed in the light of the torch.
"Just to warn you, I'm a slow learner." Meramon said viciously. Ken remembered what he did to the Meramon group he found and suddenly worried if this was one from that group.
"Try your best, an oversized candle hardly scares me." Ken said defiantly. Meramon grinned wickedly, then quickly grabbed for Ken's shirt, ripping it from his body, which had developed well over the years of constant battles. Meramon reached for his first needle, looking Ken over for a suitable puncture point, then brought the needle to his chest and stabbed into Ken. The sudden jolt of light pain made Ken flinch, but it was easy enough to get used to.
"I remember what you put me through seven years ago." Meramon said, preparing a second needle. "Me, my friends, my brothers, you enslaved us all, forced us to fight the Digidestined, then allowed SkullGreymon to attack us all. I've been waiting to get my chance at you, so you can imagine how overjoyed I was when Leomon assigned me as your first "treatment" session." Meramon drove the second needle into Ken's chest, causing as much pain as the first. The longer the needles were in Meramon's hand, the hotter they were, and the more they burned into Ken's flesh.
"Do your worst, you'll never change me! Never!" Ken screamed in anger. Meramon grinned wickedly as his task continued. Each time he drove a needle into Ken he did it with more rage, more force, causing more pain with every stab and drawing blood with many of the heated needles. Ken was in unbearable pain, though he refused to cry out, knowing how much Meramon wanted him to do so. After what Ken thought was an eternity, Meramon had run out of needles, much to Meramon's dismay and Ken's relief. Ken sat as limp as his restraints would allow, weak from the constant pain.
"You will change." Meramon said, grabbing the now-empty needle case form the table. "One way or another, sooner or later, you will change." With that Meramon walked out of the room, leaving the needles imbedded in Ken, some of which were driven so deep they were still bleeding. Ken's mind was reeling from the hours of constant pain, he could barely remember where he was. All he knew is that the next few months were going to be the worst of his life.
**********
A few days later, Tai, Davis, TK, and Kari walked into Leomon's manor, the same building where the trial was held and Ken's treatments were being done in it's depths. Leomon had requested their presents right away, though none of the four knew why. Leomon's urge was so great they didn't even have time to find their Digimon before coming. The small group walked through the large manor until they came into Leomon's study, where the lion Digimon was waiting for them.
"Digidestined, I appreciate you coming so quickly." Leomon stated, walking to the middle of the room to meet with them. "There is something of some urgency we must discuss." The Digidestined were afraid that was the case, though it wasn't hard to guess by how urgent Leomon's summon was.
"Of course, Leomon." Tai said, standing out as leader of the group. "What's this all about?" Leomon walked away toward a large desk where he picked up what looked like a red needle, showing it to the Digidestined.
"I looked in on Ken this morning." Leomon explained. "I found several dozen of these imbedded into him by Meramon." Tai and TK took a step closer, getting a better look at the needle. They saw that it wasn't red, rather it was covered in red blood. "I had no idea the treatments were so violent, I just now discovered many of the Digimon assigned to Ken's treatments used to be his slaves. I fear they are more concerned about revenge than actually rehabilitating Ken." Kari had an obvious look of disappointment, but she didn't look at all surprised.
"He had so many slaves, there was no telling if the Digimon you put in charge of him were going to take vengeance." Kari explained. "Why did you summon just us, though? Wouldn't any of the other Digidestined be just as helpful?" Leomon shook his head before setting the needle back down among a small pile of similar blood-stained needles.
"I summoned you four specifically for good reason." Leomon said. "Tai and Davis have both served as leaders of the Digidestined, and you and TK have been in both groups, giving you much more experience. I knew you four could help the most." Everyone seemed to think that made sense, besides Davis who was still sorting out Leomon's reasons.
"Well, there's gotta be some more gentle treatments, aren't there?" TK asked. Leomon nodded in agreeance. "How about we just stick to those?" Leomon wasn't as positive about the second suggestion.
"Unfortunately we have to keep some of the more negative treatment." Leomon said. "If too many of his treatments are too gentle he will learn to just go with them until we've been fooled into thinking he's cured. As long as the negative aspects are in his treatments, his violent nature is better controlled." TK was afraid that would be the case, he didn't like the idea that Ken's treatment had to have more violent measures.
"How about just one constant treatment?" Tai suggested. "Something you can always have on him in case he gets out of control, something he wouldn't exactly like feeling too often." Leomon lowered his head, thinking for a second, then lifted his head and nodded.
"We have such a treatment..." Leomon said, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. "Unfortunately the method of applying it is rather extreme... I've been hesitant to administer it, mainly out of fear whoever would be in charge of it would kill him with it." Tai shook his head lightly, tossing his wild hair around a little.
"Then make sure you're the only one in control of it." Tai responded. "That way you can be sure it's only used when it's needed." Leomon thought about it for a moment, then smiled slightly.
"Very well." Leomon said finally. "As I said, the process required to set up this treatment is rather extreme, but I'm sure it will be effective afterwards. I chose well to consult you." Leomon glanced over at Davis, who hadn't said a word since they arrived. The others looked in his direction, just now noticing this.
"Something on your mind, Davis?" Kari asked, curious about what could distract Davis so well. Davis looked up and smiled nervously.
"Oh, nothing." Davis replied. "You know me, my mind gets lost easily." Kari looked at him strangely, then dismissed it. Rarely had Davis been so honest about being absent-minded. TK and Tai dismissed it, as well, after all miracles did happen from time to time.
**********
The next day Ken found himself laying on his back in a room he hadn't seen before. Last he remembered Meramon had come back for another session with his needles, except he only used one that was kept in a clear liquid. It must have been some kind of sedative to knock him out. He tried to look up to view the surroundings only to find his head couldn't move. It was being held down by a leather strap, restraining it from moving. Ken found his hands and feet were being immobilized by similar straps, making it impossible to move.
"Wh... where am I?" Ken asked, barely managing to get the words out. The sedative was still in effect, making it hard to speak, though it had worn off just enough to keep conscious. After a minute a Digimon appeared over Ken to where he could see him, but the sedative made it too hard to tell what Digimon it was exactly.
"Quiet, kid, we want this over with as quickly as possible." The Digimon said before moving out of view. Ken tried looking around without moving his head to little success. He looked down and could barely see some kind of device over his chest. Before he could make out it's details it shot some kind of lightning bolt down at Ken's chest, surging through him. The pain was incredible, but Ken was far too weak from the sedative to scream. The bolt stopped and seemed to retreat into the device, dragging a black orb of energy with it.
"Know what that is, kid?" The Digimon said. "That's the energy from your body that connects you to that black Digivice of yours. You won't be able to use it even if you got it back." Ken was outraged, he couldn't believe they'd even dare to do something like that. He wanted to get up and take back what was his, the energy and his freedom, but both were impossible as long as he was restrained. He heard some Digimon moving around behind him, just out of his sight. As much as he strained against the straps, he couldn't get a better view of what was happening.
"Relax, kid, we're just installing a little device for you." The Digimon said. "Consider it a thank you for what you did to us for so many years." Ken didn't like the sound of that, whatever they had planned couldn't be good if it was "thank you" for his doings. For a few minutes nothing happened, the room was completely silent and whatever Digimon talked to him was gone now. Then Ken felt a piercing pain in the top of his head, like one of Meramon's needles. In an instant the pain faded and Ken caught a glimpse of a doctor's needle being passed over his head. Ken figured it must have been a pain killer they injected, but why? All they've been doing is causing pain, why would they want him to feel no pain now? The answer soon came to him as he heard the sound of something spinning incredibly fast, then the sound of it cutting into something. The sound it made told Ken what was going on, they were sawing into his skull to install whatever they had in mind. The sound of the bone saw going through him made him want to vomit. After a while it stopped, and the saw was passed over his head. In exchange the Digimon operating on him received a scalpel to go into more intricate work. After a while a very small device was passed over Ken. His vision was still too blurred by the sedative to tell what kind of device it was, but it couldn't be good. Then something came he didn't expect. He felt them placing the device within the opening the saw had cut, installing it into his head. He expected this when he saw the device, but it was the fact he felt it that frightened him. The pain killer they injected must have been too weak, it was wearing off. Ken began to feel pain as the Digimon probed with the small blade, fitting the device into his head.
"Feeling... p... pain..." Ken managed to say. "Pl... ease... n... numb me..." The Digimon stopped what they were doing as soon as he said this, relieving Ken. One of them looked over his head into his view, then just smiled down at Ken. The Digimon left his view and continued his work as the pain killer continued to weaken, with no hope of being renewed. Ken began to scream out in pain as the Digimon continued, with a faint laughter being heard from them as the screams became louder.
**********
Five months pass and Ken has shown progress in his treatments. True to his word, Leomon made sure the violent treatments were kept to a minimum, with Meramon's acupuncture treatments handled with more care as Meramon used his real knowledge of the art rather than his previously violent version. Ken was also started on a form of visual therapy where he would watch peaceful images on a monitor for hours at a time, the constant intake of peaceful views calming him mind.
Ken's rehabilitation also included hobbies that were offered to him. Many things were made available, from painting to sewing. Kari even loaned them an old digital camera for him to try photography, but he seemed to take up the flute best of all. Often he played melodies between treatments in his cell, from hateful ones to surprisingly gentle songs. At night, while Ogremon slept, Ken would stay awake, watching the stars through his cell's window, learning constellations and mapping them out in a book of star charts he was given.
Occasionally Ken would still lash out violently, enraged by what he goes through daily. The device that was implanted in his head delivered an electric shock through his system if he tried leaving his cell without Leomon present. He was the only one that held the control that activated or deactivated the device. It was enough to keep Ken in line and prevented them from resorting to more violent therapy.
Leomon walked into Ken's room to find him sitting on the edge of his bed in his cell, in thought. Usually when Leomon checked in he was playing his flute or looking through a few of the books provided.
"You've shows progress, Ken." Leomon said, looking through a report of the rehabilitation. "But you still have violent tendencies that we haven't been able to cure... despite the pain you describe from the electro implant you still lash out." Ken looked up from his thoughts, taking in Leomon's words.
"You wish to know why I lash out?" Ken said coldly. "I have been denied every right as a human being. I don't have my freedom, my privacy, my dignity, I barely even have moments when I'm not in constant pain from your damned implant... I am even denied the powers your precious Digiworld granted me... I lash out because I despise what you have made me become... As much as I wish to do the same to you, I cannot thanks to the damn piece of junk parts in my head." Leomon looked on at Ken with little surprise in his eyes, getting the answer he expected. He grabbed a key hanging on his side and inserted it into the keyhole on Ken's cell door, undoing the lock and opening the cell.
"Good." Leomon replied simply. "Now leave. My men and myself grow tired of your constant rambling. Leave this place and face the world where you can no longer do anyone harm." Ken looked on in surprise, not believing Leomon would suddenly grant his "freedom" so easily. Ken stood from his bed and walked out of his cell, taking a look at Leomon beside him. Seeing his opportunity, he lunged at Leomon, wanting desperately to do as much damage to Leomon as he had done to him. Leomon expected this and revealed the controller to Ken's device in his hand, hitting the button with his thumb. A shot of intense electricity went though Ken, making him scream in agony. Each time it was used the device turned up the voltage and this was by far the worst shock he had received, so great he collapsed under the pain as the electricity died down. Leomon shook his head in disappointment as he pressed another button on the controller, which deleted the device from his head. Leomon had no further use for it if Ken was to leave.
"Ogremon." Leomon said, indicating Ken's guard beside the cell. "Take Ken outside and leave him there to recover. We have nothing more we can do for him." Ogremon grinned as he quickly gathered up the fallen teen in his arms to take him outside. Leomon guessed that Orgemon was glad to get off the constant guard duty, and to be honest he couldn't blame him for it. Unfortunately Ogremon was grinning for other reasons. Like many Digimon, he hated Ken for what he had done and when he heard of Ken's release today, he planned ahead. When Orgemon reached the front door of the building, he opened the door to see a hoard of various Digimon, all with vicious grins on their faces.
"Man, there's more of you guys than I thought there would be." Orgemon said, dumping Ken to the ground in front of them. "Enjoy the present. Just don't kill him off right away, there are worse things than death, after all." A Tyrannomon went over and picked Ken up, nodding in agreement.
"Ken's treatment is over." Tyrannomon announced to the crowd, turning to face him. "Now he gets what he should have received a long time ago! To Primary Village, there we can string him up and do as we please!" The hoard seemed to like the idea as they started to walk off toward Primary Village with Tyrannomon leading the way with the still unconscious Ken in his claws. As they left, from the top of the building, Davis and Veemon watched on from a lookout tower high above the main building.
"Davis, why aren't we stopping them like last time?" Veemon asked. Davis looked down at the blue lizard Digimon and shook his head in dismay.
"You know my reputation in the Digital World, without the others they wouldn't listen to me." Davis explained. As much as he didn't like it, Veemon had to agree, Davis wasn't exactly the most respected Digidestined. "Besides, it's not our place, we can't do anything to change their minds... We don't have any right to interfere." Veemon turned away from his human friend and looked on at the Digimon mob, who was almost out of view now. He didn't like Ken, but as much as he did, he didn't like what those Digimon were about to become even more.
**********
"It's time for celebration!" Tyrannomon screamed at the edge of Primary Village. "The Digimon Emperor is about to finally be executed!" Ken woke up from his unconsciousness just in time to hear this, but it was too late to retaliate. He was hanging from his wrists on some kind of wooden stage that was set up on the edge of Primary Village. His wrists were bound to a pair of beams sticking up from opposite sides of the stage, holding his arms apart while keeping Ken upright. His legs were in a similar setup, but he could stand on his feet, just not move them anymore than that. Ken managed to look around and noticed all the baby Digimon had been cleared out of this side of town, making him worry about what they had in mind.
"Okay, everyone, gather around!" Ninjamon said, jumping up onto the stage. He produced a knife and stabbed it into the top of a short post on the stage near Ken. "Every former slave of our fallen emperor here gets one swipe at him with this knife before we finish him off. Try not to cut anything vital, we don't want him dead just yet." Everyone seemed to approve with glee, except for Ken, who was helpless to argue against it. Ninjamon was more than happy to take the first shot, taking the dagger and slashing into Ken's abdomen. The cut wasn't too bad, as this was just a form of torture, not execution. Ninjamon replaced the dagger and stepped off the stage as another Digimon, Gorillamon, came up and took the dagger, hacking into Ken's chest. One by one, other Digimon came up to take their slash, all careful to cut deep enough to bleed, but not kill. Those without hands to grip the knife were more than happy to use their own devices, especially Drimogemon and Snimon, both more than happy to use their natural weapons. With each cut came a new degree of pain, it was worse than anything Ken had experienced during his therapy. Many cut across other slashes, making the first cut deeper and drawing new blood from cuts that had stopped bleeding. Eventually, after what seemed like hours to Ken, every Digimon in attendance had their slash. Ken was sure some had taken two cuts and some, such as an Apemon in the back, he had never enslaved. He also knew nobody cared if he had a few extra cuts, though.
"Now we come to the grand finale." Ninjamon announced. Upon hearing this, four Unimon stepped out of the crowd, all with vicious grins on their long faces. Ken, now very weak from his injuries, only had faint ideas of what was going to be next. "Cut him down. We'll tie him to the Unimon and draw and quarter him! A fitting end to someone who split the Digiworld apart so well!" Ken felt his blood run cold upon hearing their idea, to think it all would end in such a gruesome end made him nauseous. The Digimon didn't have the same feeling as many cheered as Ninjamon drew his signature throwing star and sent it flying toward the post, cutting the ropes that bound Ken, who fell to the wooden stage, too weak to stand. A similar throw cut his feet free as well, leaving him to the hoard of angry Digimon.
Before any of the Digimon could get to Ken, they heard some kind of noise above them. Many of them looked up and behind them to see a series of fireballs soaring down toward the stage, blasting it hard and collapsing it. Ken looked up to see what had saved him, but could see nothing through the smoke from the stage's flames, which were blazing in front of him and to his sides. He quickly realized this might be the idea, it left him a path behind him that was blocked from view by the smoke and the fire was spread so nobody could get to him. Despite his injuries, he had to take his chances. Ken struggled to his feet and took off toward the edge of town, which lead into the Digital desert if he remembered correctly. He glanced behind him to see the fire completely engulfing what used to be the stage, and the smoke coming from it was too thick for even flying Digimon to get through. If anything could get through that, they wouldn't be able to follow him through the desert. It was suicide to attempt, but dying in the desert heat was, if anything, more gentle than anything they would have in mind.
End of Chapter 1