The Dark Bandit

The Dark Bandit

Part Four

Wormmon rejoiced when he saw the figure return through the large picture window. "You're back!" he cheered.

His partner smiled kindly and sat on the bed, removing his mask and hat. "It was a quiet night," he explained. "Is Daisuke back yet?"

"No," Wormmon replied. "He didn't even notice you were gone."

"I hope his mother isn't too sick," Ken commented as he began to change back to his original clothes. He had just finished when a light knock came at his door. He opened it to find Jun standing outside.

"I'm not quite certain why, but Mother wishes to see you," she informed him. "I suggest you hurry."

He nodded. "Should I bring Wormmon?"

"I don't care. She requested you."

He shrugged. "Very well." He turned back to his partner. "Will you be alright for a bit?"

Wormmon nodded. "I'll be fine," he replied confidently. Ken nodded.

"Good. Be back in a little while."

He left his room and headed for Lady Motomiya's chamber.

***

Miyako rushed into Sora's chamber. "Sora! You'll never guess what just happened!"

"What?" Sora wondered, startled so that her heart nearly stopped beating.

"He visited me! The Dark Bandit!"

"What?"

***

Ken tapped lightly on the bedroom door. A moment later, he heard Daisuke's voice call: "Come in." He opened the door and entered.

"You wanted to see me, Lady?" he questioned.

Lady Motomiya rested on the bed. She looked a lot better than he had expected. Slightly pale, but well. "Yes," she replied softly. "Come in, Ken."

He entered the room. Daisuke nodded towards his mother and walked past his friend, exiting. Curiously, Ken stepped closer to the bed and stood at its foot.

"Have a seat, Ken."

As she had requested, he sat on the chair next to the bed that Daisuke had vacated. "Is something wrong?" he wondered.

The Lady shook her head. "No," she replied. "I just wanted to see you."

"Why?"

"You are like one of my children, Ken," she told him. "You know that."

He looked at his feet. "I thank you for taking me in, Lady Motomiya," he replied politely. "I'm sorry if I've been a burden at all."

She reached a pale hand out to him and took his hand in her own. "You've not been a burden," she told him. He peered at her face again. "You've been anything but." She sighed slightly. "I'm so sorry for all that has happened to you in the past. You will always be welcome with us."

Ken blinked. "Thank you," he answered. "I'm grateful for your hospitality. If there's ever anything I can do to repay you, just let me know."

Lady Motomiya smiled. "Actually, there is one thing," she replied.

Ken frowned slightly but nodded. "Anything you wish," he stated, bracing himself for whatever it might be.

"I need you to watch after Daisuke."

He blinked, startled. "That's it?"

"I know it doesn't seem like much, but I've been worried about him. With all this Dark Bandit stuff I've been hearing about, I'm worried even more," the woman confessed. She coughed a few times.

Ken blinked again and smiled. "Don't worry," he assured his guardian. "I won't let anything hurt Daisuke."

She smiled and coughed again. "I fear that I'm very sick," she told him. "My husband has promised me that you'll always be at home with our family. If I go, I need you to watch Daisuke for me."

He frowned. "Lady, you're not dying," he protested. His voice cracked, and tears were forming in his eyes. He didn't brush them away.

"Ken, I need to face facts. Be strong, please? I know that my children can't accept it. But you can, I know you can."

He nodded weakly. "I'll try," he whispered.

She coughed again. "Promise me you'll keep my son safe," she told him.

"I promise." His voice cracked even more. A few tears rolled down his cheeks. "I'll keep Daisuke safe."

She nodded. "Thank you."

"Only Daisuke?" he wondered, sniffling slightly.

She smiled slightly and coughed once more. "Jun will have her father," she explained. "But Daisuke, he'll try to carry the burden himself. Take care of him for me."

"I'll do my best, Madam," he replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Ken. I knew I could count on you." Lady Motomiya coughed again. "Now, let me rest for a bit. I need to sleep."

"Shall I come see you again tomorrow?"

She smiled. "That would be nice, Ken. I would like it very much."

***

Daisuke was waiting for him in the corridor. His eyes were wet as well. Ken remembered that he'd promised to be strong. He took a deep breath and dried his own eyes before he met his friend.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

Daisuke nodded, sniffling slightly. "She doesn't say anything, Ken, but I think she's dying. I think she knows she is."

His friend sighed and put an arm over his shoulder. "It's alright, Daisuke," he assured his friend.

Daisuke let his tears flow. He hugged his friend and cried loudly for a few minutes. V-mon looked on helplessly at first and then gripped his partner's leg, sniffling himself.

Ken gulped a few times and blinked hard so he wouldn't cry. 'I've got to be strong,' he reminded himself. 'For Daisuke.' Awkwardly, he patted his friend on the back. "It's alright," he told him again.

After a few minutes, Daisuke wiped his eyes and pulled away, sniffling. "Thanks," he whispered hoarsely.

Ken smiled weakly. "It's nothing, really," he replied. "Come on. Let's go back to the room."

***

Daisuke frowned when he heard of that evening's occurrences. "Princess Hikari I understand, but why on earth did you contact Miyako?"

"She's the one we're trying to protect," Ken reminded him. "It would help the process if she wasn't afraid of me. Besides, I thought she might know something."

"Did she?"

"No. Not a thing. The whole evening was very unproductive. The only thing I know is that Sora and Hikari have promised to protect Miyako and not tell her about it. So I've got two allies."

"And me!" Daisuke reminded him, slightly insulted.

"Of course," Ken replied. "I knew that. I meant besides you."

The redheaded boy frowned. "I really wish that I could help more," he grumbled. "I feel so useless."

"Princess Hikari has the same worries," he assured his friend. "I'm not feeling very helpful right now either. Perhaps I should take advantage of my allies and get some rest."

"Probably," Daisuke replied. "Hey, let me see your arm. We should probably change the bandage."

"I'm actually most worried about tomorrow," Ken confessed. "She'll be even more of an easy target at the party than she was at the picnic."

Daisuke frowned as he removed the covering cloth. "You can't not go," he replied.

Ken sighed. "I know. I'd be missed too much. I wish I could be in two places at once."

"You don't have to be, remember? You've got allies. Besides, everyone is concerned for Miyako's safety."

"Yeah, but at a party, there's not much they can do," Ken reminded him. "Ouch," he winced.

"Sorry," Daisuke apologized as he applied the wet cloth to the wound. "It's still pretty bad, but I think it'll heal well."

"I've got an idea."

"What?"

"You have a ceremonial sword, right?"

"Yes -," Daisuke replied nervously.

"Wear it tomorrow."

"What?"

"Please? It'll make you look good, and you'll be able to defend Miyako in an instant."

Daisuke sighed. "I'm not that good at sword fighting," he reminded his friend as he reapplied the healing salve.

"You're better than I am!" Ken retorted. "Come on, you said you wanted to be useful!"

He sighed. "Alright," he agreed. "If you give your word on one thing."

"What?" Ken got the feeling he was making way too many promises lately. Sooner or later he'd run into one he couldn't keep.

"Get some sleep tonight."

He sighed in response. "Alright. I'll sleep."

"Good." Daisuke retied the bandage tightly, making his friend wince in pain again. "Now sleep. Good night!"

"Nite!" V-mon called, following him out.

***

"Daisuke - er - I mean masked guy, uh, why are we here again?" V-mon whispered.

"We need to watch Miyako. And the Dark Bandit needs to sleep. So we're taking over for him," Daisuke explained for the umpteenth time. He was wearing Ken's spare mask and carrying his own sword, but was dressed in his usual clothes.

"Are you sure this is a good idea? I mean, you don't even have a name!" the blue digimon protested.

Daisuke shrugged. "Look, I'm not going to fight. If I see that evil type guy again I'll just distract him while you run back and wake up -Ke- er - the Dark Bandit. He'll get here in time to help out. I hope."

"And what if he doesn't?" V-mon demanded.

"I don't know!" Daisuke half-shouted. "Look, it was a flawed plan and I'm risking my own neck, alright? But it's the best I could do."

V-mon sighed and shrugged. "As long as you admit it," he replied.

"Anyway, I don't think that guy will show up. He'll probably be here at the party tomorrow. There's too many guards around right now," Daisuke assured his partner, gesturing to the courtyard below him, where a guard was patrolling that very moment.

"Great. So I'm out here loosing sleep because of some guy that won't show up. Can't we just go to bed?"

"I can't right now," Daisuke replied. "I'm too worried about Mother."

V-mon didn't reply right away. "Daisuke," he began cautiously. "If you get yourself killed it won't help your mother."

The boy shrugged. "I'm not trying to get myself killed," he replied. "I'm trying to help out."

"Is that so?" another voice questioned. Daisuke felt a chill run down his spine. He didn't like the sound of that voice. Slowly, he turned to see who had spoken. Before he could turn all the way around, however, something hit him hard on the back of the head.

V-mon was off and running before Daisuke hit the roof. Thankfully, in the darkness, the other guy didn't notice the blue digimon running for safety.

***

Ken sat up abruptly in bed, a cold sweat running down his forehead. Wormmon was at his side in an instant. "Ken?"

Breathing heavy, the boy took a moment to collect himself. "There's trouble," he replied before jumping out of bed.

"Trouble?"

"I'm not sure who, or what, or where, but I know there's a problem," Ken replied. "Wormmon. We've got to go."

Wormmon nodded, unwavering.

A few seconds later, Ken was dressed and ready. He grabbed Wormmon in his arms and opened the picture window. "Are you sure it's a good idea for me to come?" the digimon questioned.

"No," the Dark Bandit replied. "But I've got to risk it."

"Very well," Wormmon replied. "Sticky Net!"

Within seconds, a thin rope formed between the roof and the window. Wormmon gripped tightly to his partner's back as he began to climb to the roof.

***

V-mon huddled in the shadows. He didn't know how to get back to the ground without his partner, and he didn't know how to stop the intruder. He watched him as he gracefully leapt from the roof to a nearby tree branch.

Satisfied that all was safe, the blue digimon rushed back to his partner. Daisuke was motionless and unconscious. A large red bruise was forming on his neck.

"Daisuke!" a voice shouted, shocked.

V-mon shook his head frantically at the Dark Bandit. "Don't worry about us!" he shouted back. "That - guy! He's in the tree!"

Eyes locked in steely determination, the Dark Bandit picked up Daisuke's sword and placed it in his belt. Then he removed an arrow from the holder on his back and his bow from his shoulder. He notched an arrow, and despite his anger and overwhelming feelings of anger, he notched a perfect shot.

Unfortunately, his opponent saw the arrow coming and was able to dodge just enough to escape the shot. The Dark Bandit dropped both his arrows and his bow and turned to his partner. "Stay here. Watch him," he ordered both digimon, and leapt down into the tree.

Brandishing Daisuke's sword, a fight was underway with in minutes. The anger of the Dark Bandit made his strength increase, but his accuracy declined. Still, with the rage and fury of one whose friend had fallen, he fought on.

The opponent was able to block each and everyone of his strikes, but had no chance to counter attack. Instead, the Dark Bandit pushed on until finally his enemy was standing at the edge of a branch, teetering above the ground.

Breathing heavily, he prepared to strike again.

The opponent merely laughed. "Foolish," he mocked. "Your anger has gotten in the way of your fight." He bowed mockingly. "Another time, perhaps."

Enraged, the Dark Bandit swung his sword again, but the other had dashed away before the blade reached its target.

Breathing heavily, the Dark Bandit felt his tiredness. He returned to the roof, hoping that no one nearby had noticed the fight.

"Are you alright?" Wormmon asked. He ignored his partner, turning instead to his best friend.

"Daisuke?"

"What will we do?" V-mon wondered.

The Dark Bandit sighed. "There's only one thing to do. I can't take care of him. It's too bad a bruise. He needs a doctor."

"So where will you take him?" Wormmon wondered.

"To the Princess," he replied. "If she's a true ally, she'll help him. Of course, I'm sure that she will. Daisuke is innocent, in her eyes."

***

Hikari awakened, startled, to a knock at her window. She peered over to see the Dark Bandit standing on her balcony.

With a gasp, she jumped up and opened the window. He didn't enter. Instead he held out something in his arms. "Please. Help him," he

pleaded, pain in his eyes.

Hikari gasped again. "Daisuke," she whispered. She noticed V-mon below. "What happened?"

V-mon sniffled. "He was trying to help," he explained. "We didn't mean to get in the way."

"The enemy has struck again," the Dark Bandit stated simply.

"Bring him in here!" Hikari ordered. "I'll call the doctor at once!"

He hesitated slightly. "Please. Promise me that he won't be harmed. He's innocent in this. Completely."

Hikari nodded. "I promise you. He'll be in good hands. Lord Jyou is a great doctor."

With reluctance, the bandit stepped into her chambers and laid the unconscious Daisuke on the bed. "Take care of him, please," he whispered.

"As an ally," Hikari stated, grasping his hands and looking into his eyes. "I can assure you that he is in good hands. Don't worry."

He nodded, and she could see the tears in his eyes. "I have to go," he excused himself, turning away. "I'll be back later. Take care of him, please." She nodded. He turned to V-mon. "Don't worry. He's in good hands."

V-mon nodded, still sniffling, as he watched the Dark Bandit disappear.

***

Ken sat on the roof above Miyako's room. Wormmon sat next to him, trying to console him as he sobbed continuously. He was still dressed in his disguise, although he had pushed the mask up into his tousled hair.

"It's alright, Ken," Wormmon assured him. "It wasn't your fault Daisuke got hurt."

"I saw his mother today, Wormmon," his partner explained between sobs. "I promised her I would take care of him if anything happened to her. She's not even dead yet and already he's hurt. I told her I'd be strong. But I wasn't. My emotions got in the way tonight, and they could have cost Miyako her life."

Wormmon patted his partner and friend. "It wasn't your fault," Wormmon repeated. "Daisuke chose to come out here on his own and he got hurt because of that stupid guy. Not because of you."

The boy sighed. "I know." He peered out towards the horizon. "I guess I should get some sleep. The sun is coming up."

***

Daisuke's injury causes Ken to rethink his own actions. But that's not the only thing that will happen as a result of Daisuke's attempt to help. Look for a lot more complications in the future. The King and the bandit with the hood come into play shortly. And, yes, you will eventually find out who he is.

As for anyone who's concerned about Mimi? Don't worry, she's got a part coming up. A very important part, actually.

Enjoy! And remember, in case you don't know, I don't own any of this except the plot. ^_^