The Defenders
Chapter 6: On to the Kingdom of Akiyama
It was another sleepless night for Ryo. Sleep evaded him constantly. He could hear the snoring that the others made, but sleep never seemed to come to him. He squeezed his eyes shut to hasten it. I wonder if my parents will forgive me for running off like that over something so stupid. I shouldn't have tried to tell my father how to run the kingdom. I bet they do miss me like Juri speculated. I wonder...Thought Ryo, but sleep finally caught up with him.
"Ryo." Came Youma's voice in his dream.
"What now?" Ryo asked.
"You know better than to think so positively about your return to Akiyama. They didn't even know you were gone. In fact, I bet they were glad you left."
"You've no idea what you're talking about. My parents cared for me."
"Oh? Then why did they let you just...run off like that, eh?"
When Ryo didn't respond, Youma continued. "But of course they cared. Not for you. The kingdom is what they cared for."
"Why are you tormenting me? Why did you come back?"
"I forgave you for killing me, but you refused to forgive me for my mistake. I am not tormenting you, because I have nothing to gain. I just enjoy sharing my logical thinking with you. You know showing you how things had to have turned out, especially since they never came looking for you. Think about it for a moment."
"That tone in your voice is not one of just expressing an opinion, you're trying to make me believe what you are saying, not the truth."
"But what is truth? Its only a belief that what you know is the only possible explanation. Ha. I can't wait to see your reaction to what awaits you. It will be such a treat."
"What are you talking about? You're dead. You can't know or see what happens."
"Ha ha. You do know what happens after the body dies, so how can you say I can't? Besides, my former master told me these things."
"Who's that?"
"You will see soon enough."
When Ryo awoke the fire was only embers, and the sun was about to rise.
"Everyone up. We leave shortly. That way we can get around the Forgotten Army." He commanded.
The children woke, as did MarineAngemon.
"Forgotten Army? Wait! Y-you are The Defenders of Shinjuku! The ones that are stopping the darkness from spreading!" The small digimon proclaimed.
"We're famous?" Kenta asked.
"Oh yes." There was a bright light. "Please may I come with you?"
Ryo looked down at the Mega.
"You are Kenta's soul-bound partner. If he comes, so do you." He answered. "Let's move."
Both Kenta and MarineAngemon beamed. Kenta because he too had a partner. MarineAngemon because he was a member of The Defenders now.
The group headed east again. They avoided many troops of Forgotten Warriors as they traveled in the shadows of the forest. During this time MarineAngemon healed, and grew stronger.
But no amount of sneaking through brush could get them around what was waiting for them outside of the forest.
Several thousand Forgotten Warriors waited there for them.
They had no choice but to fight. Ryo stayed back as the digimon and the other children went right into the fight. Soon after the battle started Renamon, Guilmon, Lopmon, and Terriermon started glowing, and grew larger. The enemies tried to shield their eyes from the sudden brightness.
"What's going on?" He heard Suichion ask.
"They've advanced to the next level!" Ryo called back.
The light faded revealing a red dragon with silver hair, a golden fox with many tails, a white and green rabbit with pants and guns for arms, and a purple rabbit in a bright orange outfit and blades on his hands.
The newly leveled digimon fought more effectively now that they were larger and wielded more power. With more power the battle was over rather quickly.
"Guilmon?" Takato asked confusedly as he looked at what his partner had become.
"I am Growlmon now."
"What? Do all digimon get name changes when their level goes up?" Kenta asked.
"Yes. Cyberdramon was once Monodramon, then Strikedramon, before he became what he is now." Ryo said then looked down at his gauntleted hand.
"What are their new names then?" Juri asked.
"I am Kyuubimon." Said the fox digimon.
"I'm Gargomon." Replied the former Terriermon.
"Turuiemon" answered the other rabbit.
"Now we will do better against their leader." Cyberdramon added.
"Who do you think that is?" Hirokazu asked
"Whoever it is has to have the power to control demons." Leomon stated.
"I guess that we have to face whoever-it-is sooner or later. Right Ryo?" Takato said. "Ryo?"
"What did you say? I was thinking about something else." Ryo answered.
"I said we'll have to face whoever is controlling the Forgotten Army eventually."
"Yeah. We will. Just give me a moment to figure something out." Ryo said as he walked on eastward.
"What's bothering him?" Suichion asked Jenrya.
"I don't know. Cyberdramon?" Jenrya responded.
"I'm not sure. He blanks out like that a lot, then tries to hide that he didn't. He was looking at his arm. Perhaps it had to do with the past. He seems to dread talking about it."
"What do you think he's trying to figure out?"
"Whatever it is I hope he doesn't take too long. The Forgotten Army might find us if he doesn't hurry back."
Ryo continued eastward until he was sure he was far enough out of earshot of the others, and sat down.
He let the tears he'd been holding back, fall. He didn't want them to see him like this. He didn't want them to think he was weak or afraid. He was supposed to be the fearless leader, not a wimp. In truth he was just a scared little boy unsure if he was doing the right thing.
He pulled out the pendant his mother had given him when he was little and read the fading inscription. 'Whether you think you can, or you can't, you are usually right'.
"Mother." He said holding the pendant in his left hand and next to his heart. Whenever he was scared and unsure of what to do he'd hold it to his heart like he was doing now, and it would give him courage.
He stood up and noticed something. Not far in front of him on a rock was a splatter of something. He examined it closer. It was blood!
He looked around and found a trail of blood, and followed it. At the end of the trail was a partially decomposed body of a solider. He searched the man to find out how he died.
It was by the same poison that was killing him. He noticed a folded page from a journal nearby and opened it. The page was yellowed with age, but the writing was clear.
'...It has easily been a year since we started our search. Some of my troops have given up hope of finding the lost prince. The reports that he could be found in Kimasu are a bit dated. The town was ruins. I pray to God that he is still alive. I am happy we didn't find his body with the dead, but in a way that would be more satisfying than not knowing if he even lives still. I sent a message to the king that we still haven't found him, but I wonder if he will make it past the dark creatures that are attacking us. I write this so that maybe someone will keep looking for the young prince if, no, when, I die of this blasted poison. Best of luck to you.' He read.
"I told him they cared." Ryo said. "You hear that Youma? They did care."
Ryo turned around to find the other children and the digimon there. Ryo coughed. There was an awkward silence.
"We should get as far as we can before it gets dark." Cyberdramon said breaking the silence.
"That's a good idea." Jenrya said, and The Defenders continued east.
They soon neared the Castle of Akiyama. The younger children and digimon were surprised at its size. The city around it was destroyed.
"Mother! Father! I've come back!" Ryo called as he ran inside to find his parents, and the others followed.
He opened the doors to the throne room.
"Who are you?" Ryo asked the strange dark creature sitting on his father's throne.
"I am the one you've been searching for. The leader of the Forgotten Army." It bellowed.
Its blood red horns glistened in the light from the setting sun as he came closer. The tattered robe he wore fluttered about him with each step.
"You will die now. Then every member of the Royal Family of Akiyama will be destroyed." It roared making the ground rumble around them.
To be continued