~*~*~

Chapter 6

Miyako was worrying up a storm. "What should I do to stop the King??" She rushed past some servants who were cleaning the kitchen area.

"Have any of you seen the King?" She asked politely, with Hawkmon hiding behind her legs. One girl stood up, and pushed her red hair behind her ears,

"Yes ma'am, he went towards his study, I think he's plotting something." Miyako's eyes widened, and she headed towards the study.

"Oh please let this be the study." She whispered, and she knocked on the door.

"WHO'S THERE?!" The King roared. Miyako and Hawkmon jumped back, scared, but Miyako found all her courage and answered.

"It's Princess Miyako, your highness." She heard papers rustling and The King swung opened the door, a gentle look on his face.

"What is it darling?" He said as nicely as he could. Miyako cleared her throat and spoke.

"Um, your majesty, do, do you have…any books of myths? I'm really interested in those." The King's eyes brightened.

"Why yes, I do, would you like to see them? But you have to make it quick, I have some…business to attend to." Miyako held back a gasp, but she regained her self, and went inside the room.

"Do you have one about the…destined children?" The King eyed her carefully, but nodded.

"Why…yes, that I do have. It used to be the boys' favorite…" The King crossed the room and reached for the highest bookshelf. He moved his hand around until it landed on a thick red book. "Ah, here it is." He pulled the book down, and held it in his hands. "Would you like to read it here?" Miyako nodded, gesturing Hawkmon to go block the door. The Digimon nodded and went to the door, shut it, and sat in front of it with his arms crossed.

"Could you find the story for me?" The King laughed.

"This whole book is about the destined children!" Miyako smiled weakly and took the book. It was really heavy, and she had to drop it on the desk before she hurt herself. The King sighed and headed for the door. "I'm off, hope you enjoy the book." Miyako watched him reach for the handle in fright; he was going to get away! She was about to call after him, but the King screamed.

"OWWWWWWWWW!!!!" He jumped back, grabbing his leg and moaning. "THAT BIRD BIT ME!!" He yelled, sitting down in his chair and rubbing his shin. Miyako looked at Hawkmon, who had a piece of the King's pants in his mouth. She hid the smiled that was about to form, and yelled at the Digimon.

"Bad Hawkmon! You apologize!" Hawkmon sighed.

"So sorry your highness! Don't know what came over me!" He said everything sarcastically and rolled his eyes. The King was really upset at him and yelled,

"DUMB BIRD! I can't support myself on this leg!" He turned to Miyako. "Go! Go get me some help!" Miyako nodded, picked up the book, and bowed to the King. She picked up Hawkmon in her other arm and opened the door (with some difficultly).

"Yes your majesty, right away!" And she rushed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Miyako let out a sigh of relief. "That was almost too easy!" She said. Hawkmon spit out the piece of fabric he had in his mouth.

"That's easy for you to say! That guy tastes horrible!" Miyako giggled and turned back to the door. She found the outer lock, and shut it quickly just incase the King wanted to get out.

"Hopefully he hasn't told anyone else about his plans." She put Hawkmon down and the two started walking out of the castle. "Now to the church."

~*~*~

Sora and Biyomon had finally made it to Lord Koushirou's manor. The place was eerily quiet, except for the occasional mooing of the cows in the barn.

"I have to find out about the priest." She said to Biyomon, and the two started jogging towards the Church.

She reached the front entrance and breathed in deeply. She pushed the heavy doors in and they slowly opened, making a large creaking noise in the process.

"Who's there?" A shaky voice called. Sora looked down the altar and saw a young man standing behind the podium. The priest. She thought. She looked down and Biyomon, but the pink bird Digimon had nothing to say. Sora walked down the aisle, getting a closer look at the priest.

He was young, blue haired, and from the look on his face, very scared.

"I have come to see The Ishida princes and their ladies, I know they are here somewhere." The priest gulped and looked down at his feet. Sora followed his gaze and saw there was a Wormmon sitting beside him. YES! "Is that your Digimon?" She asked him calmly, stepping up onto the platform and looking him in the eyes.

The priest sighed and nodded. "Yes, this is Wormmon. He is my friend." Sora smiled.

"So am I. I am against the King, so wherever you are hiding the others, you might as well tell me." The priest stood shocked, as if she had read his mind.

"Um, well, they are in the bell tower, but I suggest they stay there, who knows what the King will do." Sora sighed and sat down on the floor.

"How long have you been a priest?" She asked him, since she had nothing to say. The priest sighed.

"It's my first year." Sora smiled, that's why he's so young. Although he couldn't be much younger then herself. She looked up at him and smiled.

"You're young, what's your name?" He looked down at her and sighed.

"Ken Ichijouji. You?"

"Sora Takenouchi." Ken thought for a moment, and then realized where he had heard that name before.

"From the Takenouchi Kingdom? The princess whose supposed to marry Prince Yamato?" Sora nodded, looking back at the ground.

"Yes…we're in quite the dilemma, aren't we?" Ken sighed and sat down in his chair.

"You're telling me! The King will surely have my head for helping you people." Sora nodded, wondering what to say.

"Have you heard of the destined children?" She asked, picking up Biyomon and putting her on her lap. Ken thought for a moment.

"Um, yes, that old myth? About the children and their Digimon?" Sora nodded, stroking Biyomon's feathers. "Why do you ask?"

"I think we're the chosen children." Ken straightened up in his seat, almost causing Wormmon to fall off his lap.

"Excuse me your highness??" Sora smiled, still not looking at him.

"It's beginning to make sense now, everything that's happened in my life…Ken, did you ever have a dream, something about entering another world? And having to save it from—"

"Dark Masters?" He finished her sentence. Sora's eyes widened and she turned to him. Ken seemed deep in thought. "And there are other people surrounding you? But you can't see their faces, but you know they're your friends?" Sora nodded slowly. Ken sighed. "I've had that dream many a times. I remember each detail, sometimes I think I can actually smell what the girl's hair next to me smells like,"

"Strawberries?" Sora answered. Ken nodded, surprised.

"This is most strange." He said, rubbing his chin. "You think the others are part of the destined children?" Sora nodded,

"It's all too much of a coincidence." Then, the doors of the church flew open and there stood Princess Miyako and Hawkmon seemingly out of breath.

"The King…" She breathed. Sora and Ken held their breath, was he coming? "Is trapped." She said excitedly, skipping down the altar and joining them. She was carrying a large red book in her arms, and Sora immediately recognized it.

"Is that a copy of the book of the destined children?" She asked, getting up and joining Miyako. Miyako nodded happily.

"Yep, the King lent it to me…but that was before Hawkmon bit him in the shin!" She giggled and handed the book to Sora. Sora opened the book almost greedily; and read the first page aloud,

"The legend of the DigiDestined-I knew there was a real name for them!" Sora exclaimed, looking up and smiling at Miyako and Ken. "Is the oldest legend of this land--"

"Wait," Ken said. "Shouldn't we get the others?" Sora looked up at him and frowned. True, they should tell the others, but she wanted to read it right away.

"Yes," She sighed, closing the book and standing up. She turned to Miyako and smiled, "Hopefully Taichi and Daisuke get here soon." Miyako's face blushed and she looked away. Ken glanced at the two princesses carefully, noticing both of their faces were turning red.

"Oh no," He said softly, causing the two princesses to turn to him, confused. "Don't tell me…you two…too?" The girls giggled and nodded. Ken sighed and combed his hand slowly through his hair. "Come this way…the others are hidden." He sighed. He started towards the back of the church, towards and old bookcase. Ken tugged at its side and pulled it towards him. The bookcase slowly creaked open, and revealed a stairway. "They're up there."

The girls nodded, going in before Ken (he was a gentleman of course). Miyako sighed, climbing the creaky stairs.

"I hope Iori comes back soon."

~*~*~

Iori, Willis, and Armadillomon followed Gennai into the old house behind his stand. It was dark, a single candle lit in each of the corners.

"We can't stay for long, we have to find two knights." Iori piped up, looking into a crystal ball.

"Taichi and Daisuke?" Gennai said. Iori turned to him, surprised. "Ah yes, the holders of courage. They will be here in…four…three…two…one." There was a large banging on the door opposite of the one they just entered.

"An invitation was sent to us," Sir. Taichi yelled, knocking some more. Gennai rolled his eyes and walked over to the door, pulling it open to reveal the two knights.

"Whoa." Willis whispered, backing up a little. "That was too weird." Iori nodded, still watching the two knights. Gennai took the two knights' hands and pulled them in the room.

"Welcome! Ah, now we are off!" Daisuke raised his arms in question,

"Now, hold on old man, where are you taking us?" Gennai sighed and placed all the crests in a small bag.

"Sora and Miyako need your help." He said simply. The two knights' eyes widened, and then they blushed softly. Iori rolled his eyes.

"Aren't you going to explain yourself?" Iori asked Gennai, who seemed ready to get out of the small room. Gennai smiled at the young boy.

"Wow, so many questions, you are supposed to respect your elders!" He laughed. "Now, Willis, we'll get your Digimon first." Gennai snapped his fingers, and with a poof a Terriermon appeared right before their eyes.

"Terriermon!" Willis said happily, bending down to pick up the shocked Digimon. The cute dog Digimon looked up at his friend.

"Wow Willis," He said. "I was just chasing this really annoying squirrel! We ran around and around and around and then I jumped from behind the tree and I thought I got it, but," He looked around. "I guess I didn't." He smiled weakly as Willis picked him up. Gennai smiled and turned to Taichi and Daisuke.

"Your two will probably be together, right?" The two nodded, still amazed at the appearance of Terriermon. "Okay then." Gennai snapped his fingers again. Poof! Agumon first, then followed by Veemon five seconds later. They landed in a pile in the middle of the room.

"AHH!" Veemon screamed, running up to Daisuke and hugging his legs. "DAVIS! Oh! Agumon was scaring me saying that a witch was going to make me disappear and I said 'No! She's gonna take you first', and then he disappeared!!" Veemon looked as if he was going to cry. Agumon sighed and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Oh, quit your belly aching Veemon! I'm right here!" Veemon looked back at him, his eyes wide and filled with tears.

"AGUMON!" He screamed, and he jumped on him, hugging him tightly around the neck.

"Get off me you little blue piece of--!" Taichi picked up Agumon before he could finish his sentence.

"Calm down fella." Taichi said, noticing the evil glare Agumon was sending Veemon. Veemon whimpered and held onto Daisuke's pants.

Gennai laughed hysterically at the scene. "And to think! You two are the holders of courage! This is most amusing!" Iori was getting angry now.

"What is with this? 'The holders of courage'! What does that mean?" Gennai turned quickly to Iori, a very…odd look on his face. It was as if he wanted to laugh and strangle Iori at the same time.

"You'll find out. Now, where are you supposed to meet the lovely young ladies?" Iori kept his stare, but answered,

"In the church on Lord Koushirou's manor." Gennai nodded, looking towards Willis, then towards Taichi and Daisuke.

"Well, here we go." This time, he snapped both of his hands, and Iori felt as if he had been blown up into a million pieces.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" He heard the screaming of all the men, except for Gennai, and the howls of the Digimon. Every few seconds, Iori would be able to see little details of the world around him. A merchant here, a child playing there, all just a swirl in Iori's mind.

And then, they fell. Hard on the ground of a dark room, although Iori felt something squishy beneath him. He heard girls scream, and something move under him.

"Ack! Get off me!" A familiar voice screamed. Iori looked down, his body one piece again. He saw Prince Yamato, lying on the floor groaning, for Iori was sitting on him. Iori quickly jumped off the prince, only to bump into Willis, whose helmet was lopsided on his head.

"Whoa…my head hurts." The blonde guard whispered. Iori searched the room; familiar faces popping up everywhere.

Prince Takeru and Lady Hikari were sitting on the ledge, Hikari with her hands over her mouth. Next to them sat Princesses Miyako and a girl he had never seen…but seemed vaguely familiar. She had pink hair, and large brown eyes. Lord Koushirou, Father Ichijouji, and Dr. Kido stood off to the side, dumbstruck looks on each of their faces.

Princess Sora sat by the door, a large red book in her hands.

"Iori? How did you—"Then something caught her eye, "Taichi!" She squealed, she put the book down and ran over to him. The two hugged and that caused Miyako to realize that Daisuke was on the floor (under Agumon, Veemon, and Terriermon).

"Daisuke!" She giggled, picking up each of the Digimon off of his back, and then hugging him tightly around the neck. Daisuke was bright red in the face (either from the fall or Miyako) and he smiled a weak smile.

Prince Yamato stood up, and tugged at his shirt. "Ok, may I ask, what the hell is going on here?!" Iori looked up, a little surprised at the prince's out burst. Gennai placed his hands in his pockets (for some reason he hadn't fallen, but landed on his feet as smoothly as a Gatomon)

"Now now Matt, please, settle down." Yamato stepped back, surprised that the old man knew his name, let alone his nickname. Gennai looked at each of the people in the room. "Look at all of you. You are all so very young, but with such weight on each of your shoulders." He looked at the crowded area, with the huge bell hanging from the ceiling. "Could we find a place…with more room?" Father Ichijouji nodded and opened the door.

"We could go down to the main floor, I'll lock the doors."

~*~*~

"HELP!!!!" The King screamed, hobbling over towards the door. "CAN ANYBODY HERE ME????" His leg was in so much pain from Hawkmon's bite, that each step he took sent a painful jolt through his body. He banged on the door repeatedly. "HELLO?!?!?" He shrieked.

Then, a little girl with red hair walked by the room. She was one of the servants, and the one who had directed Princess Miyako towards the King. She heard the man's bellowing and had hurried towards the door.

"Your majesty?" She whispered, leaning her ear against the door. The King banged harder on the door, causing the little girl to jump back.

"Whoever's there, open this door immediately!" The little girl pushed her short red hair behind her ears. The King seemed really angry, maybe she should let him calm down…but if he does not get what he wants, then there will be hell to pay.

The little girl pulled the lock out of its hook, and turned the handle. The King fell out, almost landing on the girl who shrieked with fright.

The King stood up and looked at the little girl.

"Thank you." He said simply. And he started to limp down the hallway, grumbling something about revenge.

Until then…

S.C. Hardy