Disclaimer: See chapter 1
Chapter 3 Reunited-
Takeru held his breath as an excited hush fell over the crowd and the large double doors at the end of the throne room where opened to reveal his angel. She was dressed in a white flowing dress while her long hair was up in braids. Her head held a crown of 14 roses from their garden one for each of their friends. Her lips wore a large smile while her eyes glittered with happiness.
Piedmon held her arms as they took measured step down the aisle drawing the suspense. Those in attendance whispered of her beauty and what a great day this was for Piedmon; his rule was now all but complete.
Kari felt her legs turn to jelly as they finally arrived at the front of the room where she was able to take a hold of TK's hand, his mere touch sending shivers up her spine. It had only been a few months since the rainy night in the garden when they had confessed their love, but it had been the happiest months of her life.
The two had become all but inseparable, refusing to leave each other for more than a few minutes at most. This had seemed to please their guardians so one night at dinner TK got down on one knee and asked her to be his bride. Her answer had set off a spur of action in the castle, all leading to this moment.
Piedmon stood before them with a warm smile while he waited for the crowd to quiet down. As they did be flashed a look to Lady Devimon, her eyes holding the joy that must have been in his own, then he began "My subjects today is a great day for the digiworld, for the prophesized union of Hope and Light is to take place".
He paused to allow the crowds to applause before continuing, "Nine years ago the digiworld was in chaos, yet due to the efforts of the digidestined some a small sliver of hope appeared. Though it came with a price…Courage, Friendship, Love, Sincerity, Knowledge, Reliability, as well as all the digital guardians fell into the clutches of Genni's evil. It remains one of my greatest regrets to this day that I was only able to save two".
TK and Kari bowed their heads for a few moments again sending the silent prayers to their friends and brothers, a prayer for strength and the ability to some day break free and save the digiworld. Piedmon's words quickly brought them back to the matter at hand.
"Now I will make up for part of that loss, I have had the honor with Lady Devimon to raise and protect Takeru and Hikari over the years and have grown to love them as if they were my own children. I have also watched as their young love bloomed into what is before you today…a love that will save our world".
The attendants took their queue, bringing up two gold rings engraved with the symbols of hope and light intertwined as one. Piedmon picked up the rings giving them to TK and Kari. "These rings are a symbol of your undying love for one another, use them as a reminder of your bond and like the circle…never breakable".
TK felt the cool metal in his palm as his blue eyes looked up running right into Kari's. She smiled as he slipped the simple yet elegant band onto her delicate finger giving her hand a quick squeeze. He then felt his band on his finger her hands copying his actions.
As far as he was concerned they were the only two in the room now, Kari was his world and nothing else mattered. The bearer of hope vaguely heard Piedmon say kiss, and needing no further encouragement gathered Kari into his arms tightly never wanting to let go.
The crowd held their collective breaths as their faces inched closer and when their lips were about to meet the two spoke in unison to no one but themselves "I love you". That was it their lips met in a beautiful display of love, touching the hearts of even the greatest evils in the room.
As the two continued to kiss Lady Devimon wiped the tears from her eyes walking to Piedmon's side as he held his hands up grandly "Our future begins today…"
He was cut off when two enormous flashes of light filled the room, one pink, one yellow. At first the jester thought it had come from the children but quickly realized that it had come from different sides of the room.
TK and Kari had broken off their kiss due to the light and had frozen in place for standing in the two opposite windows above the great hall were their brothers. Matt stood on the left tears of joy streaming down his own face while TK's crest of hope shone brightly around his neck. On the right stood Tai, his eyes full of joy yet the sword in his hands showed that he meant business. Like Matt he wore Kari's glowing crest of light next to his.
Kari gasped and fell back into her new husbands arms "Please tell me that I'm not dreaming TK". The blonde held her tight wanting to cry out "Your not dreaming its them…they saw the wedding Kari".
She let the tears flow her brown eyes locking on those with her brothers "Tai" she called happily reaching for his even though he was far from reach. Her calls had been enough to get Piedmon out of his shock "We're under attack!" he shouted drawing his sword casting vicious glances at the bearers of Courage and Friendship he would not let them win, not when he was so close.
Lady Devimon had the same feelings "Get them out of here" she screeched motioning to her heirs "We can't let Genni's forces have them". With that guards leapt into action running for the frightened pair who at that moment only wanted to see their brothers, good or evil.
"Back off" a new voice shouted as it ran in through the main door. Sora appeared with a bow and arrow, arrow at ready "They are coming with us Piedmon, its time they knew the truth" she said with venom in her voice.
Sora had grown like the others only in her own special way. Her belly was slightly swollen with a baby, the baby of Courage and Love. Mimi arrived behind her only seconds later, her own belly slightly larger than Sora's.
She carried the child of Sincerity and Reliability, a child that was due any day now. Joe had insisted that she stay put but her raging hormones quickly put him in his place. "Your lies have gone on long enough," she added to Sora's words.
A figure in the middle of the congregation stood throwing off his cloak to reveal a sword as well as a head full of red hair "Your reign of terror is over" Izzy said carefully moving into the aisle scattering the frightened guests.
"So just surrender and make it easy on all of us" Joe finished stepping from the shadows next to the throne platform as he leveled his sword.
TK pulled Kari closer stepping away from their former friend while Piedmon and Lady Devimon surrounded them. "I'm going to shoot a ring at him, when he moves out of the way take them to their chamber and stay outside no one goes in or out until I say got it" Piedmon said in a whisper. The dark angel nodded taking another step back "Ready whenever you are".
"Aren't you going to try to help them" Kari question her voice shaky, this wasn't exactly how she had pictured her wedding day. Piedmon turned and gave her a quick smile "Once you two are save we will subdue them and make everything right…but you must understand that we need you safe first". TK kissed her head quickly his eyes shining with tears "We understand just save our friends and we won't get caught".
The jester gave them one last look before turning his attention to the advancing Joe, who was the closest threat at the moment. He raised his gloved hands and summoned his energy "Clown Trick!" he called sending the flaming ring at the bearer of reliability. Joe gave a startled cry before leaping out of the way. Lady Devimon made her move. Her large black wings shielding TK and Kari not only from attacks but sight as well.
The wedding guests also took their cue from the emperor and attacked the intruders determined to protect their 'prince' and 'princess'. The digidestined let instinct take over as they drew their swords and concentrated on the battle at hand. Sora's amber eyes risked a quick glance to the windows to see that Matt and Tai had disappeared…exactly as planned. "Phase two" she called to the remaining digidestined.
Mimi drew back the string of her arrow firing it at the window Tai had been standing in only moments before. The stained glass shattered instantly sending down a rein of shrapnel causing anyone standing under it to fall nursing cuts. Izzy slashed his way to the front of the room his eyes fixed on the jester who was busy with Joe. A lot of things had changed over the years, and one of them was Joe himself. He was no longer a coward; he was a warrior who's fighting skills raked with those of Genni himself.
So taking that into account the blue haired boy was giving the viral digimon quite a fight. Every parry was met, every stab was stopped making Piedmon frustrated as another threat arrived on the scene, Izzy. The red head opened with a quick slash at Piedmon's arm, catching the digimon unaware and drawing blood in the process. He let out a scream of fury and jumped back in order to get a better look at his two opponents.
He landed a few feet away giving him a few precious seconds to access the situation. He dark eyes flashed around the now nearly empty hall seeing his best troops unmoving on the floor. He saw that Love and Sincerity had also disappeared from the picture, bringing another matter to his attention Courage and Friendship. Piedmon looked around now frantic for the pair and when he found them nowhere in sight as the pieces fell into place.
The two before him where a distraction to keep him from TK and Kari, the girls were there to dispatch his guards…a feat they had accomplished. He knew he needed to get out of there fast and to his heirs before it was too late. He turned his attention back to the advancing digidestined "I must commend you on a wonderful plan, but before you die care to answer a few questions".
It was Izzy who answered through narrowed eyes "Go ahead, I'd hate to have someone die having unanswered questions on his mind".
"How did you find my castle?" Piedmon asked really wanting to know who had betrayed him. Joe laughed at this "Come on, when an ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled people talk, we knew of the wedding we just followed the line of carriages right to your door, you should have told your guests to be a little more discreet in their mode of travel".
Anger burned in Piedmon's veins he wanted to get them off guard so he could dispatch them and get to those who needed him so he went for one of their known weaknesses "I see your little sluts are with child, who's are they I mean with so many of you I bet your going to have to wait until their born to see who is looks like and who the father is". That was a low blow and Piedmon knew it. He was counting on one of them to blow up at the comment, he was wrong they both did.
The digimon had just insulted Sora and Mimi as well as their own honor; he was going to get it. "How dare you" Izzy screamed uncharacteristically forgetting all reason and rushing forward, Piedmon taking advantage of his blind rage and went for the quick attack catching him off guard. Izzy saw the blade coming too late as it slashed into his side. Pain exploded from the wound as he cried out and fell to the ground.
Joe saw this jumping in before his friend was killed. His sword flying with such force it created sparks as it came in contact with Piedmon's. His eyes where ablaze with fury as they came to a stalemate neither one willing to give an inch. "How dare you call my wife a whore…I will make you eat those words" Joe screamed pushing with all his might. Piedmon used the force to fly back raising his hands with a wicked grin "Clown Trick".
The ring hit Joe in the leg causing him to fall next to the now unconscious Izzy. The bearer of reliability knew that they were beaten and couldn't do anymore here; he just hoped he had bought enough time for Tai and the others. He brought his fingers to his lips and let out a shrill whistle that echoed off the walls. Piedmon smirked as he prepared to kill his wounded pray, the smirk was wiped off when the ceiling began to fall in on itself and Kabuterimon flew in.
"Electro Shocker" he called as he sent the electricity at the jester giving him enough time to gather up his wounded friends as the virus jumped away. He wasted no more time and took to the skies creating another hole on his way out seemingly content with the amount of damage he had caused.
Piedmon pushed the debris off of him ignoring his bleeding wounds as he took off down the hall Lady Devimon had gone down before. He prayed he wasn't too late he had come too far to loose now.
Lady Devimon ran as fast as her legs would carry her while her blood red eyes darted around looking for any sign of an ambush. She knew that this day would one day come; she just had hoped it hadn't come so soon. Her thoughts were focused on one thing at that very moment however…protecting those she called her own. Her thoughts then turned to ways of punishing the guards for letting the digidestined getting as far as they did. Under her wings she hid TK and Kari hearing the blonde comforting his new wife every so often. She knew that the bearer of light must be heartbroken and scared all at the same time.
As she rounded a corner she stopped dead in her tracks and falling to the ground, revealing TK and Kari hidden behind her wings. Kari cried out and kneeled down looking her over desperately feeling for a pulse. "Is she okay?" TK asked quickly putting himself in front of Kari worried that whoever had attacked her would attack them.
"She's just sleeping" Kari replied pulling a small dart out of her arm "I think this may have something to do with it". TK nodded his blue eyes narrowed and his muscles tense as he looked into the darkness "Show yourself" he commanded not quit sure what he would do when they did.
He was answered by the soft sounds of a harmonica playing, its unchained melody bringing back a flood of memories of a time long ago when they first entered the digiworld. TK gasped and turned to the sound "Matt" he asked his voice shaking "Matt is that you?" The music stopped as the blonde stepped out of the shadows with a huge smile on his face "Its me squirt" he said gently.
TK wanted to cry, for years he had dreamed of this moment, his big brother there and alive. Before he could move another figure came out from behind Matt "We're both here".
Kari nearly passed out as she grabbed onto TK for support "Tai". Then and there the emotional dam broke as the two younger siblings ran forward as fast as they could forgetting that their brothers were supposed to be evil, forgetting that Genni was after them, all that mattered at that moment was getting to their brothers.
Matt couldn't hold back tears as TK rushed into his arms, nearly knocking him over in the process. The elder held balance and for the first time in nine years held his precious baby brother in his arms. He cried into his chest holding Matt tighter with every sob as nine years of fear, love, and sorrow came out in one embrace. Matt cooed softly to his brother rubbing his back, his own salty tears falling into this brother's hair.
Tai was in a similar position; only Kari had succeeded in knocking him to the ground. Tai was on his knees rocking her slightly whispering to her. His tear filled eyes went up and locked with Matt conveying the message. Tai pulled Kari away looking at her; seeing how much she had changed…he wished he hadn't missed it. "Kari I have something that belongs to you," he said softly wiping the tears from her cheeks.
Matt did the same with TK reluctantly letting him go in order to pull the crest of hope from around his neck "Genni was able to save these the night Piedmon took you" he said. The thing he didn't add is that Genni had put a spell on the crests so that when they were worn their rightful bearers would wipe Piedmon's memory curse away and the truth would, at last, be revealed.
Matt was surprised to look up and see fear in TK's eyes as he slowly backed away "Your still under Genni's control" he said his barely above a whisper. Kari too was moving away her eyes full of hurt as if her own brother had betrayed her. Tai quickly moving forward grabbed his sister to keep her from getting away knowing full well that TK would never leave her.
"No" Tai said firmly "I know this sounds crazy but it's the two of you who have been brain washed. Nine years ago we were all turned to dolls and Piedmon caught you, he used your energy to reawaken Lady Devimon and when Genni came to save us he robbed you of your memories and took off into the night. He needs the two of you to control the digiworld; with the power of Hope and Light no one could stop him, not even us. He's using you…he's been using you…and when he's through with you he will kill you".
Tears poured down Kari's face as she struggled in vein to get out of Tai's iron grip. TK stood rooted to his spot not sure what to do, Kari was in danger, his brother was after him, and help was no where in sight "Let her go" he begged as his thoughts whirled as the leaders words sunk in…their story would explain a lot of things, like why Piedmon had never tried so hard to find them. So wrapped up in Kari and the speech that he failed to notice Matt before it was too late, his brother's strong arms took a hold of his tightly making it impossible for him to move.
Matt forced TK to look into his deep blue eyes "Takeru would I ever lie to you?" he demanded. TK was shocked, Matt never used his full name unless it was serious, so he searched his brothers eyes, eyes that mirrored his own and found no deception. The young blonde finally shook his head "No onichan". Matt had to bite his lip in order to fend off more tears; he had longed to hear TK say that for so long.
"No you wouldn't" he repeated and stopped fighting. Upon hearing her husband's words Kari also stopped looking to her brother "You really are telling the truth" she whispered. Tai nodded and removed her crest from it temporary home around his neck, its pick tag beginning to shimmer faintly as it came closer and closer to Kari. Kari herself closed her eyes taking one last look at TK before the crest went on. She felt the cool medal against her skin for the first time in nine years and as it did everything exploded followed by darkness.
Matt winced as TK cried out in pain clutching his head before collapsing into his arms. The two brothers stood in silence holding their siblings letting the thrill of victory run through them for the first time. The sound of clapping snapped them out of their revelry and the hold on TK and Kari to tighten. The clapping grew louder as Piedmon entered their line of side his eyes fixed on them with fury.
"That was touching I must admit but its all for nothing. The two of you will never leave this castle alive and I can easily delete this whole little incident from their minds and everything will be back to normal before dawn" he said now helping the waking Lady Devimon up.
Tai adjusted his hold on Kari carrying her like a baby, cradling her in his arms. "Face it Piedmon you've lost, the crests just restored what you took from them and there is no way I'm ever letting you have her ever again. Haven't you noticed that none of your guards have rushed in to help you…our digimon have been longing for a good fight".
Piedmon sneered, "That means you don't have reinforcements either and you can't fight me and hold the little ones at the same time".
Matt laughed, "Your forgetting the true power of Friendship".
Piedmon looked at him confused "If you mean the other digidestined they left long ago…" he stopped short when he felt something sharp enter his back. "Not again" Lady Devimon mumbled before falling to the floor. The emperor turned to see Sora and Mimi holding blow darts smiling sweetly "That's for calling us sluts" Mimi said with a surprising amount of venom in her voice.
Piedmon fought the calls of sleep "This is far from over digidestined, I will have the child that grows within Hikari as we speak, the day you least expect…" he fell to the ground next to his beloved his final words echoing in their ears.
Tai looked down at Kari in shock "I'm going to be an uncle" he whispered. Matt shook his head a few times to get his head back in the game "We'll celebrate later lets get out of here…Sora do you have it?"
Sora nodded pulling out two vials "I still think that this is too nice, after what they done letting them start over after everything they've done".
"I agree but Elecmon promised that he would take personal care of them this time" Mimi said subconsciously rubbing her belly "Besides we won't have another chance like this as long as we live so…" She knelt down preparing to give the two the devolution serum when a new voice echoed down the hall.
"Knights Fist" the Knightmon yelled coming to the aid of his fallen leader. The two girls gave out cries of surprise flattening themselves against the wall to avoid the attack.
Matt cursed out loud as the vials shattered on the stone floor, it precious contents seeping through the cracks. "We've run out of time, lets get out of here". The others posted no argument running to the nearest window and away from the advancing guard. Tai was first to reach one as he stuck his head out shouting "Birdramon now".
The phoenix like bird flew out from the white clouds surrounding the castle following the sound of Tai's voice as it echoed off the stone. She found them within seconds and launched a small meteor, creating a hole big enough for the four to crawl out of to the safety of her back. She smiled as she saw Matt and Tai enter the light holding their two precious bundles in their arms.
Sora did a quick mental count as she climbed aboard "That's all of us" she said grabbing hold of the feather and putting her head down. Her digimon was off like a shot soaring over the wall and diving down to the ground in one flick of her wings. She flew low to the ground at high speeds with the forest, her goal in sight. As she neared the trees she slowed, coming to a halt mere inches from the mighty trunks.
"Excellent" Tai praised watching Sora scooping up Biomon into a tight hug. Garurumon waited just beyond the trees, the mighty wolf already kneeling to allow them to board. As they climbed on the leader looked down to check on Kari, she lay still sleeping in the safety of his arms. "Report" he barked after they took off once again.
Garurumon navigated the forest paths as if he knew it like the back of his hand "Izzy and Joe made it out with some injuries and should be back at the safe house by now. Metalgreymon, Lillymon, and Zudomon did major damage to the castle before breaking off ten minutes ago, they passed me and will also be waiting."
The rode the rest of the ride in silence as the four watched the skies for any sign of pursuit. The silence was broken as the familiar sight of primary village came into view. They had moved a few months ago, hearing that Piedmon had tracked them down. Every so often one of them would visit the lake in order to keep up appearances. Garurumon slowed down panting as they arrived in front of one of the colorful blocks that made up the décor.
As he dedigivolved Mimi placed her hand over one of the patches feeling the familiar scan verify her identity. A door appeared with a burst of cool air and the sound of excited voices. Two of those voice belonging to Patamon and Gatomon, who were about to be reunited with their chosen child.
The little white cat watched the door eagerly as Mimi entered all smiles. Joe, despite is leg and Genni's plea was at her side in a second, holding her tight and kissing her like there was no tomorrow. Sora came next carried the tuckered out Biomon and Gabumon, laying them on a large mound of pillows before the fire. Then Matt and Tai finally came carrying the lost digidestined.
"They did it!" Patamon cried taking to the air shooting at Matt like a bullet landing on his shoulder inspecting TK. "Is it really him?" he asked seeing how much his young charge had actually changed over the years. Matt laughed before collapsing into a chair "Its really him Patamon".
Gatomon ran her paw along Kari's face "Why won't they wake up?" she asked wanting to talk to Kari, find out exactly what had happened to her.
"They've just had a major shock and it will take them awhile to sleep it off," Izzy said from his spot on one of the couches. His chest was wrapped in white bandages that had the first traces of red seeping through "Before anyone freaks out I'm find, just a few scrapes" he added noticing the looks of concern on the friends faces.
Genni entered with a tray full of tea "Did you get the serum into Piedmon and Lady Devimon?" he asked handing out the steaming cups. For the first time since their arrival home the digidestined hung their heads "No the guards came" Sora said sadly "So we still have a now really angry Piedmon to deal with".
"That doesn't matter right now" Matt said looking at his sleeping brother "we have them back, and that's what we set out to do and until they're better TK and Kari is all that matters…them and the two babies on the way".
"Three" Tai corrected getting started looks from the digimon as well as Izzy, Genni, and Joe.
"There can't be three, I've checked Sora and Mimi, neither one of them is having twins and…" Joe stopped short as he looked at Kari. Tai nodded "Piedmon said a she was going to have a baby…and he would one day come for it…"
It was at these words that Kari began to whimper and stir in her brother's arms and across the room TK heard his loves cries causing his eyes to fly open…
To Be Continued…
A/N: Sorry about the abrupt end, I couldn't find a better place. Please let me know what you think and stay turned for chapter 4, yes the babies come in that one. Review