*Disclaimer: Digimon doesn't belong to me. Taichi, Yamato, Sora and Mimi don't belong to me. So leave me alone! Ugh, I'm getting tired of writing these disclaimers. T_T

Author's Note: The reason why this story is similar to The Swan Princess is because, well, The Swan Princess is based off of Swan Lake too! ^^; Sadly, I don't like the movie The Swan Princess, so this story—despite coincidental similarities—was not based on that movie.

Feathers in the Sky

By: RaspberryGirl

Yamato stopped midway in his proposal when he heard someone shout his name. He gasped when he saw the girl. She looked exactly like Sora. And he was even more surprised when she threw something at him. The object bounced on the floor a couple of times before stopping a few paces from the prince.

It was a ring.

Yamato's eyes widened in recognition. It was the same ring he'd given Sora four nights ago. Quickly, he seized the hands of the girl in front of him. Nothing adorned her fingers.

"You're not Sora!" he cried. Getting up, he chased after the fleeing princess.

* * *

Sora ran blindly out into the cool night air. A burning feeling spread up from her chest and into her throat, making it hard to breathe. She had failed in her quest for freedom, she realized sadly. Yamato had given his heart to another. Crying openly now, Sora saw Yamato's servant nearby making his way to the stables with his horse. Hastily, the princess over to him.

"Your Highness!" the serving man blurted when he saw Sora. "Wha-what's the matter?"

"Nothing," Sora mumbled. She looked at him imploringly. "I need a horse."

"Erwell, this steed is a fine one." The servant patted his horse's neck.

"Could I borrow it? Just for tonight?"

"Why, of course, Your Highness!" the serving man handed Sora the reins.

Sora mounted the horse, flicked the reins, and sent the steed into a gallop away from the castle.

Moments later, Yamato emerged from the castle. He spotted his servant and ran to him. "Did you see her?" the prince cried.

"You mean the—the Princess Sora?" the servant asked hesitantly. "The maiden I was supposed to fetch tonight?"

"Yes!" Yamato shouted impatiently.

"Sheshe took my horse and went that way." He pointed at the castle gates.

Without another word, Yamato raced to the stables. He emerged moments later, mounted on a horse of his own and chased after Sora.

The figure burst outside from the castle just as Yamato rode out of the gates. Mimi ran after Sora and Yamato until she reached the front of the castle entrance. She hadn't seen Taichi anywhere, but she was sure he'd already returned to Swan Lake. Sora and her prince were probably heading there too. She saw a figure walking dazedly towards her. From his clothing, he seemed to be one of the castle servants. "You there!" she called.

The serving man straightened. "Yes, my lady?"

"I need a horse. Where are the stables?"

"That way, my lady," said the servant, pointing.

Without a word of thanks, Mimi ran in that direction.

The serving man stared after her in a puzzled manner. What was the matter with everybody tonight anyway?

* * *

Sora urged the horse into the fastest gallop it could manage. Behind her, she thought she heard the sound of Yamato close in pursuit.

Hoping to throw him off, Sora veered her mount sharply into a small wood. She wasn't heading to the edge of the lake. She couldn't bear to face her handmaidens. Their inevitable disappointment and her own knowledge that she had failed pierced her like knives. Sora slowed down and reined her horse to a halt. She dismounted quickly and gave it a slap on the flank to send it homeward. Breaking into a run, Sora sped through the trees until she reached the edge of a cliff overlooking the lake. She'd only been to this place once in her childhood, before her nursemaid found out and banned her from there.

Sora looked over the edge into the shimmering waters of the lake.

* * *

Yamato saw Sora's horse dash away through the underbrush a little distance ahead of him. But where was its rider? Following the horse's tracks, he reached the place where it looked like Sora had dismounted. He, too, descended from his own steed and let it go. Following her faint footprints, Yamato cleared the final branches from his view, revealing the cliff.

And there was Sora.

"Sora!" Yamato cried. "I'm sorry!"

The princess looked at him expressionlessly. "You broke your promise."

"I didn't!" Yamato protested. "She looked just like you, Sora! I really thought it was you!"

"You meanyou didn't fall in love with that girl at random?"

"No!" said Yamato fiercely. "I love only you! I was fooled by that other girlit—it must have been Taichi!"

Sora paused to think about what Yamato had just said. Then, "You're probably right." That girl could have been Mimi. After all, Taichi could easily have altered her appearance to matched Sora's. That girl looked too much like her to have been just a coincidence.

Softly, Yamato asked, "Will you forgive me?"

"Iforgive you," Sora answered quietly. "But it's too late."

"What do you mean?"

Sora looked down at the lake. "Please understand. No matter what we do—what I do—Taichi will never give me up. If you and I married, he would find another method to steal me away. Or cause us pain."

"He won't!" Yamato cried. "I'll have guards and—"

"Mortal guards are no match against him," Sora said sadly. "No, I've made my decision. Think about how much suffering I've brought indirectly through Taichi to the people I love. I don't want that to continue. And there's only one way to stop it."

Yamato gasped as he realized what Sora was saying. "No! Sora, you can't possibly—"

"Farewell, Yamato." It was only then that the prince saw the silver tears that ran down Sora's face. "Farewell, Miyako." Then, so soft that it was almost inaudible, "FarewellTaichi."

And with these words, Sora plunged into the cold waters of Swan Lake.

* * *

Faraway, Taichi thought he heard a splash and an anguished scream.

What had caused the splash, Taichi didn't know. It was a moonless night and everything was too dark. The splash and scream had come from the far end of the lake, and Taichi dismissed the sounds quickly, thinking that some animal had probably caused the noise.

The young magician began pacing again. He was very cross, having waited by the lakeside for who-knows-how-long.

Taichi cast a withering glance at Sora's whimpering handmaidens. Stupid creatures.

And where was Sora anyway? She should have reached the lake by now, so why wasn't she here? He had been present among the mass of people in the ballroom and when she had fled, he had slipped out and transported himself back here. If she didn't come in a few more moments, he would set off and look for her himself.

Taichi started to pace more fervently. In his hands, he fiddled absently with a white hair ribbon. Back and forth, back and forth, back and forth he strode, untilA loud crashing noise sounded in the distance.

Sora?

Tucking the ribbon back inside his doublet, Taichi hurried in the direction of the noise. After trekking in the forest for a short time, Taichi emerged into a small clearing.

In the middle was a figure on its knees, but it wasn't Sora.

"You!" Taichi cried angrily.

Yamato looked up and in shock, realized it was Taichi. The prince leapt to his feet, his hand instantly going to his sword hilt. Hatred and anger marred his face, and his eyes were like blue fire. "I'm going to kill you."

Taichi laughed. "You? You're nothing but a weak, pampered little princeling."

Yamato only clenched his teeth and lunged.

The force of Yamato's attack caught Taichi by surprise. Both men toppled to the ground. Taichi found himself pinned to the forest floor by Yamato.

If the young magician had his regular strength, Yamato would already be dead. But since he was still suffering from the aftermath of a warding spell, had cast two transporting spells, and one disguise spell, Taichi was beginning to tire. Of course, he didn't let it show. Concentrating, he forced his power into his hands, but Yamato had a firm grip on them. The Dark energy crackled at his fingertips. It simmered around Yamato's face and Taichi knew it stung, but the prince seemed too angry to care. The magic sparked again then died out.

Now all Taichi had to rely on was his physically strength.

The magician struggled and finally brought one knee into contact with Yamato's stomach. With a choked cry, the prince doubled over and Taichi was able to kick Yamato off of him. The young magician got unsteadily to his feet.

Yamato also got up. He had a wild expression on his face. "You're weakened, magician," he said in a dark voice. "By the end of this night, I'll have your head." Yamato pulled out his sword.

For a moment, a spark of fear rose in Taichi. Yamato had a sword and he didn't. Taichi had no means to defend himself now. If he used his magic and conjured up a weapon, it'd leave him so weak that he probably couldn't even use it anyway. Taichi had two options. Stay and fight, or run. His pride kept him from the latter. No doubt, Yamato was a skilled swordsman and could take Taichi's head off in one swipe.

Taichi swallowed.

Just as Yamato was about to attack, the bushes near Taichi rustled and a very disheveled Mimi stumbled upon the scene. "Taichi!"

Yamato looked at Mimi with hard, cold eyes. "You are in league with the magician?" Realization dawned on the prince. "You are the one who pretended to be Sora?" When Mimi didn't reply, and only looked at the prince with bewildered, frightened eyes, he said, "After I'm done with this swine"—he indicated to Taichi—"I will kill you too."

"No!" Taichi cried. "Don't harm her! She has done nothing!"

"You are wrong, magician," Yamato said harshly. "She was the vixen you disguised to look like Sora, wasn't she? Because of her, SoraSora is" Yamato's voice wavered.

Taichi's eyes narrowed. "Where is Sora? What has happened to her?"

Yamato stood mute, his features like heavy lead.

"What has happened to Sora?" Taichi screamed.

Once again, Yamato did not answer Taichi's question. Instead, he asked one of his own, "Why did you keep her prisoner? Why?"

Taichi was silent for a moment. Should he answer? "I had to," he finally said. "I didn't have a choice."

"You didn't have a choice?" Yamato cried incredulously. "Don't you have a mind and heart of your own?"

Taichi avoided his eyes.

"Answer me!" Yamato yelled angrily. "Every man—"

Taichi looked at Yamato, his brown eyes like stone. "You think I wanted to become what I am?" he asked coldly. "You think I wanted to imprison Sora and cause her pain?"

Evidently—from Yamato's expression—he thought Taichi did.

Taichi glared at the prince. "Fool! If I were not bound to my master's will, I would've made something of myself! I would not have taken the path I am on now! II loved Sora!"

"You don't know the meaning of love," Yamato said flatly.

"My master, Allemar, saved my life when I was a baby," Taichi said, sounding strangely calm. He pretended not to hear Yamato's comment. "He found me in the woods one day and instead of leaving me to starve, he took me in and raised me. I owe him my life; I am bound to him as servant and apprentice. Allemar never accomplished his life's goal so I must complete it for him. Or die trying."

Yamato stared at Taichi. "This 'Allemar' was a Dark sorcerer, wasn't he? You're a fool to remain loyal to someone who's already dead."

Taichi glared at Yamato. "I stick to my vows. And I promised Allemar—"

"I don't care about your vows," Yamato said savagely. "You can stand by them, but now you will also die for them as well."

Yamato tightened his grip on sword. He was going to strike.

Mimi, who had been listening to their conversation, gave a piercing scream. "No!" She took a step towards Taichi, but then backed away as Yamato gave her a menacing glare. "You-you'll have to kill me first!" she shouted.

"Mimi!" Taichi angrily motioned her away. "Get out of here! This is your chance to escape! Run! Why are you—"

"But I can't leave you!" Mimi wailed.

"Don't be stubborn!" Taichi shouted. "Go, now!" He tried to push the girl away, but Mimi resisted with all her might. During their struggle, something fell from Mimi's smock.

It was Allemar's journal.

Taichi paled at the sight of it. Mimi snatched it up quickly, clutching it to her breast. She took a few hasty steps away from the young magician.

"You still have it?" Taichi asked softly.

"Yes," Mimi whispered. "I—I haven't figured it out yet but—"

"You should have gotten rid of it," Taichi said curtly.

"But Taichi!" Mimi protested. "You wanted to learn more about your past, didn't you?"

Taichi only said, "You should go." He cast a quick, nervous glance at Yamato. The prince only stood there, staring at them.

"Taichi," Mimi said, "I've always believedfor some reasonthat Allemar wasn't telling you the truth. About your past, about everything."

"You have no proof," Taichi said. His expression revealed nothing.

"No," Mimi said slowly. "But—" She quickly changed the subject. "You're a kind person deep inside, Taichi. You stand by your beliefs honorablybut I just want to know if they are the right beliefs." A large tear rolled down Mimi's cheek. "Over the years I've stayed with you, I" Mimi bowed her head. "I've come to love you."

Taichi looked startled. Yamato remained still, watching the magician and the girl.

Mimi held Allemar's journal in front of her. She placed a hand on the cover. "I wanted you to know how I feelbefore I did this" Mimi opened the book with sudden, fierce energy. The journal opened not to the first page, but to a section that was very close to the end.

With a choked scream, Mimi dropped the book and clutched her side. She fell to her knees her other hand to her mouth. But even that did not cover up the scarlet blood that seeped through her fingers. Suddenly, she began to cough violently and crimson drops fell upon the pages of the journal. Taichi watched in horror as the red blood came up in torrents from Mimi's mouth splattering messily all over Allemar's diary.

"Mimi!" Forgetting about Yamato, Taichi ran to the girl and held her supportively in his arms.

"Taichi" Mimi said faintly. "You can read Allemar's journal nowand find out about your pastI've paid the price for youso youdon't have to worry. Thisis what you've always wanted, isn't it?"

"Not if you have to die," Taichi cried.

"It's all right" Mimi's voice was growing weaker. "I'm happy nowit doesn't matter"

"Of course it matters!"

"Itwas her you loved all alongwasn't it? Even afterall these yearsyou still cared for her, deep inside. I thought I could make you forgetI think Iunderstand now"

"Mimi, what are you talking about? Mimi!"

But she didn't answer.

Taichi stared at the limp girl. The front of her smock was blood soaked. Her face and lips were pale and her brown hair clung to her face. Gently, he laid her down on the ground, then turned to Yamato. "Are you happy now?" he asked savagely. "Mimi is dead."

"We're even then," Yamato said quietly.

"Even?"

"We've both lost someone we cared for."

Taichi gave Yamato a hard look. "Who was it that you lost?"

"Sora."

Taichi's eyes widened. "What?"

"Sora is dead!" Yamato burst out. "All because of you!"

"No!" Taichi whispered. "She can't be." His hand suddenly brushed the cover of Allemar's blood-soaked book. Numbly, he picked it up. Mimi had wanted him to read this. He was going to die in about a few minutes, when Yamato lost his patience, but he didn't care. He would read the journal before he was struck down. For himself. For Mimi.

Taichi stared at the red-stained pages. The pale markings showed up bright against it. His eyes widened as he read the first words on the page:

The boy, Taichi, is a certain half-wit. He was so easily gulled into thinking that I found him in the woods. A fine story indeed! But the boy does not know that in truth, I stole him from a village one night. Stupid boy. But he's faithful enough, I suppose. He will make a fine servant.

Taichi stopped reading. He couldn't bear it anymore. "Kill me," he whispered to Yamato.

The prince started. "What?"

"Kill me," Taichi repeated. "Do it! I have no wish—no will—to live anymore."

For a moment, Yamato raised his sword obligingly, the blade quivering above Taichi's head. "No." He looked at Taichi, then lowered the sword. "Sora wouldn't want this. And because you have told me you wish to die, I have no intention of granting you your wish." Yamato turned to leave.

Taichi glared murderously at Yamato's retreating back. Anger gave him new strength. With a burst of energy, he sent a bolt of magic at Yamato. Then he lunged.

The prince was taken by surprise by Taichi's attack. Instinctively, he whirled around, ready to defend himself. His sword sliced the air as he turned, striking Taichi in the chest.

Yamato took a step back in horror, realizing what Taichi had made him do.

Smiling, with blood seeping through the front of his garments, Taichi sank to his knees. A blood soaked white ribbon dropped from the front of his doublet. Then, he fell to the ground and was still.

Spinning around, Yamato ran.

* * *

It was not until he burst through the trees of the forest, that the prince realized he had subconsciously taken himself to Swan Lake. The place was repulsive to him now. He longed to run from it, but it was then that he caught sight of the swans.

They were Sora's handmaidens, Yamato was sure. Taichi was dead and in a few moments, they would return to their true forms. Yamato's eyes drifted past them. He heard the gentle lapping of the water. For a moment, he considered throwing himself into the lake.

The swans, he began to notice, were swimming closer looking at him with sorrowful eyes. Once more, Yamato looked out across the lake. How he wished he could drown himself as Sora had. How he wished to be dead as Taichi and his servant girl were. Just then, a faint ray of light broke out in the sky. It lighted the area, giving it a soft, ethereal look.

No, Yamato thought. I can't kill myself. Imust move on and start anew.

In front of him, the swans let out high-pitched cries. In an explosion of feathers and light, they were no longer birds, but six young maidens. The tallest of them—a girl with long lavender hair—hurried towards Yamato. "Where is our princess?" she inquired urgently.

Yamato looked at her sadly. "The magician is defeated, and you are all free, butbut Sora is dead."

The girl gasped. "No!"

"It's true."

The girl's cries grew distant to Yamato's ears. He heard the other maidens join in her mourning, but the sounds seemed very far away.

"Your Highnesswhat shall we do now? Your Highness?"

Yamato realized that all six maidens were turning to him for help. For guidance.

"I" Yamato was on the verge of saying, "I don't know", but he stopped himself. "I will take you all back to my castle. Then"—he faltered—"thenyou will all be safe," he finished lamely.

But his answer satisfied the girls.

"Come," Yamato said wearily. "Let us depart from this wretched place." Swiftly, he turned his back, just as sunlight poured across the lake, turning night into day. The maidens followed, hushed. Some looked back at the lake.

A long feather drifted down in front of Yamato. Grudgingly, he turned around. The lake was bathed in gold, glittering. The lush green trees rustled and from the distance, birds began to call. All around the lake area, white shapes were falling. The wind, Yamato realized, had thrown the swan feathers up into the air.

Cushioned by the wind, the feathers in the sky swirled in one last dance over the lake before floating higher and disappearing into the dawn.

Author's Note: Hehewasn't the ending just so sweet and tragic? *Ducks from rotten tomatoes* Ahem, before you send any flames, please take note that I didn't kill Sora or any of the others because I didn't like them. In some versions of Swan Lake the princess, the prince, the evil magician, and even some of the handmaidens all die. In my version, Yamato was spared because 1) I didn't want everybody dying in my fic, and 2) I like him way too much. ^_^ And as for who Sora "chooses" in the end, it's up for free interpretation. I'll let the reader decide. ;)