The third part of my series. Please R&R.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Yamato stood still for a while before going toward the distraught Princess.
He wasn't sure how to approach her. Finally he decided to simply put a hand on her shoulder.
It startled her, but she didn't whirl around. It would have been painful if her wings smacked
him.
"Who is there?"
"Yamato."
She carefully folded her wings. "Sit down." He did. "Do not lie. I can read minds, but I
promise will not if I can trust you."
"Princess, I'm really sorry. Tai and I shouldn't have followed you. We've really messed things
up and we didn't mean to."
"Do not apologize. Fate does not make mistakes. And love is never wrong. You and Tai have the
strongest bond I have seen." She held up her hand to ward off his question. "No, you do not
show affection in public. I was not even sure until I did a quick 'getting to know you'
reading. It is written in your blood."
"What about you? Can you see into yourself?"
"No. It cannot be done, but I know what I feel."
"So do I. I'm not blind. Shiori and Michuri adore you, look up to you. The younger boys love
your strength and beauty. The girls admire you and your team. Jyou and Koushiro find you
another interesting source for knowledge. Don't you see that?"
"You cannot understand my position. I am the heir to the throne of a pacifist nation and I am
also the Five star General and Commander of the United Worlds' Army. I have lived the last
sixty years of my life alone because I made a stupid mistake. I not only lost my friends, but
I lost my two *best friends.* My koibitos.
"some felt no sympathy, and that did not bother me, but some were upset by our apparent
threesome, as it is termed. However love is never wrong. And what about you and Taichi? What
am I to you?"
Yamato could see she was upset. He put his hand on her knee.
"We both love you dearly. You should be able to see that."
Amara couldn't take it. Nothing could explain what was happening inside. She buried her head
in her arms.
/Athena, please do not ever let anyone feel this pain. A weaker person than me would have died
of despair./ Her thoughts turned. /Ironic, is it not? I rule a planet and run a galaxy-wide
army, yet here I am on a strange planet, crying my soul out. And I cannot control it./
It broke Yamato's heart to see her like this. He wanted back the strong young woman he had
loved all those years ago. He remember how she would loosen up when it was just the three of
them. Her formal speech was banished and she would smile.
He reached over and pulled her to himself. She struggled at first, then ceased. She cried into
his neck, clutching the front of his shirt. He hugged her tight, never wanting to let anything
happen to her again.
After about an hour she fell asleep. She looked so sweet, innocent, and vulnerable. It was
hard to believe that she was a warrior full of awesome, yet awful power.
He carried her back to camp and Taichi.
Together they settled her down between them.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Amara woke up, confused. She didn't remember going to bed or returning to camp.
She looked around and saw that she was situated between Yama and Tai. She allowed herself a
small smile. That was just how those two were. That's why she loved them.
Spreading her wings she flew to a nearby stream. After washing up, the Princess began a spell
that would remove her wings temporarily and suit herself up in combat gear. Just because she
possessed supernatural powers didn't mean she couldn't handle guns or other weapons.
When the transformation was complete, she was dressed in black pants, a black spaghetti strap
tank top, heeled boots, a black leather trench coat, and black sunglasses.
She walked back to camp and relieved Shiori and Michuri of their posts so they could do the same.
Athena had thirty-six hours of sleep in a night. The Digidestined would not be need for the
watch at night.
Daisuke, Ken, and Takeru were already up.
"Good morning, Princess," said Takeru, politely.
Ken merely nodded.
"Great day, huh? Oh, by the way, that's a sweet outfit!" Daisuke winked.
"Thank you." Amara inclined her head slightly, not once smiling.
The three boys made a fire, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Michuri and Shiori returned. They were dressed in similar attire, except that Michuri was
wearing a tan suit and Shiori a navy blue one.
They, along with Iori, joined the breakfast crew. It was obvious that Michuri was taken with
Daisuke. And Iori had his eye on Shiori.
Amara sat down on the air under a tree. Why sit on the ground if you can float?
She pondered the events of the night. She knew Yama wasn't lying when he had said that both
he and Taichi loved her still, but it wasn't that easy.
/If it was, then my life would also be easy. But that will never happen./
She was stopped from further thoughts when she realized that Yamato and Taichi were sitting in
front of her.
"Good morning," said Tai, cheerily. "Did you sleep well?"
"As well as one could expect in that circumstance. And you?"
"Just great."
Yamato slapped him gently.
Amara laughed softly. "I'm sorry. It's like old times."
Exchanging a glance, bother boys smiled. When the Princess laughed and spoke with contractions
that meant she was in a good mood.
/Maybe things will go back to normal./ she thought.
"Breakfast!" called Daisuke.
Everyone go his or her meal then sat down to eat. They all hoped that the day would be an easy
one...
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Night had fallen two hours earlier. The group returned to their campsite and promptly fell
asleep in a huddle.
Since this was the night that the two young warriors needed to sleep, the Princess took watch.
She chuckled quietly to herself. New trainees were always the funniest to see. Their
expression of surprise never ceased to amaze her.
However, Yama and Tai flew through the exercises with practiced ease. It was obvious that their
memories were coming back and fast. Their natural talent and instincts were superb. Everything
they had done was fluid.
Amara remembered her own training from eighty years ago. She was twenty, roughly equivalent to
a six year old human. The Princess could already yield her internal power, Graduating at
twenty-eight, she was the youngest of any species to complete training. Her instructor had
her sent to an officer's school. That is how Amara became a Five Star General and the most
powerful ally to the United Worlds.
But that didn't mean that was what she had wanted. She was the Princess of a pacifistic nation.
Her father had been the one to have her trained, though.
Then came the invasions. That was how she met the now Digidestined.
Taichi and Mimi were good friends of her's, although Tai had problems about not being in charge.
Mimi, believe it or not, was a brilliant strategist. She came up with many of the battle plans.
Amara hoped that they remembered their previous life soon. She had a feeling that trouble was
brewing. And the disks wouldn't help until they started to recall that life.
A small, quiet sound was heard in the distance. It was the same as the one from the other night.
She looked to the sky, gauging how far away it was.
"You're not fighting that alone, are you?" asked Taichi as he and Yamato walked up behind her.
"I might need to," the General affirmed. "It is too dangerous for you and Yamato."
Yama grabbed her arm. "Please, let us help. I hate going against orders."
Concern was evident in her voice as she responded a few moments later. "Just this once. Do no
do anything stupid. Follow me."
Together they walked to face the invaders.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A second blast smashed into Amara's chest. In a human form she was weaker and the extra power
she did have couldn't be used around other humans. It would fry Tai and Yama.
The Princess picked herself up. the boys were covered in blood, some their own, some the
hideous creatures'. She threw a shield over them, then transformed back. Her wings expanded
and spread. She clashed with the master of the flying monkey-like creatures.
The General withdrew a scepter. It landed on the protective covering, giving it more power.
Then she produced a ball of ice fire in her left hand. Snatching it with her right hand, she
hurled it at the grotesque monster.
He froze, then shattered.
Carefully landing on the ground, Amara released the shield. The boys were still covered in
blood, but their wounds were healed.
"Amara, are you all right?" asked Yama.
"I will be," she replied, slowly. She looked at them. "I do not understand. Why were you
twelve chosen? I could do this alone and you would stay safe. I do not want you to get hurt!"
The emotion level in her voice rose slightly, but she kept it in check.
"Yama-kun, I lost you and Tai-kun once before. I don't want that to happen again. As long as
you are safe, I will be all right."
Yamato knew better than that. "No, you won't."
"Of course, you won't. Amara, you don't fool us," added Taichi. "It hurts you."
The General stood up. "You better get cleaned up and head back to camp." She turned to walk
away.
"Amara, wait." Yamato put a hand on her shoulder, carefully avoiding contact with her wings.
"Stay with us, please. Don't leave."
She stood stock still wondering what she should so. She could leave now and never be hurt
again. Or she could stay with the people she loved and who loved her back. Conflicting
emotions battled inside. Her desire to stay won out. She turned around and extended her hand.
"All right."
Instead of taking it, Yamato picked her up and hugged her. "Thank you."
Taichi practically crushed her ribs as he embraced her, too. "You can put me down now."
"Oh, sorry." He set her down and grabbed hold of her arm. Yamato did the same.
"What's the matter with you two? You will not leave me alone. There is such thing as *personal
space,* you know."
/Oh, but you will leave. Why would you want anything to do with us after all these years./
Amara's expression softened as Taichi's thoughts leaked into her brain. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to be so severe." She broke away from their grip and hugged Tai. "I'm sorry." The
Princess stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "You're my best friend. I won't leave
you again. I promise."
The three of them stood there in silence, enjoying each others company. Finally the General
broke the golden silence. "I really do need to transform back. And your clothes need cleaned."
She hovered a few feet from the forest floor, then stretched a hand toward the boys. A green
ball of energy enveloped them, making them shine with an eerie glow.
Almost as soon as it started, they were released, clean and replenished with energy.
Tai and Yama stared at each other, bewilderment evident in their eyes.
Amara ascended higher. A golden radiance shone all around her. The wings on her back once
again disappeared and her black suit, restored.
Yama reached out and caught her as she fell from the sky. Taichi wrapped his arm around her
neck as together they headed back to the campsite.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Yamato stood still for a while before going toward the distraught Princess.
He wasn't sure how to approach her. Finally he decided to simply put a hand on her shoulder.
It startled her, but she didn't whirl around. It would have been painful if her wings smacked
him.
"Who is there?"
"Yamato."
She carefully folded her wings. "Sit down." He did. "Do not lie. I can read minds, but I
promise will not if I can trust you."
"Princess, I'm really sorry. Tai and I shouldn't have followed you. We've really messed things
up and we didn't mean to."
"Do not apologize. Fate does not make mistakes. And love is never wrong. You and Tai have the
strongest bond I have seen." She held up her hand to ward off his question. "No, you do not
show affection in public. I was not even sure until I did a quick 'getting to know you'
reading. It is written in your blood."
"What about you? Can you see into yourself?"
"No. It cannot be done, but I know what I feel."
"So do I. I'm not blind. Shiori and Michuri adore you, look up to you. The younger boys love
your strength and beauty. The girls admire you and your team. Jyou and Koushiro find you
another interesting source for knowledge. Don't you see that?"
"You cannot understand my position. I am the heir to the throne of a pacifist nation and I am
also the Five star General and Commander of the United Worlds' Army. I have lived the last
sixty years of my life alone because I made a stupid mistake. I not only lost my friends, but
I lost my two *best friends.* My koibitos.
"some felt no sympathy, and that did not bother me, but some were upset by our apparent
threesome, as it is termed. However love is never wrong. And what about you and Taichi? What
am I to you?"
Yamato could see she was upset. He put his hand on her knee.
"We both love you dearly. You should be able to see that."
Amara couldn't take it. Nothing could explain what was happening inside. She buried her head
in her arms.
/Athena, please do not ever let anyone feel this pain. A weaker person than me would have died
of despair./ Her thoughts turned. /Ironic, is it not? I rule a planet and run a galaxy-wide
army, yet here I am on a strange planet, crying my soul out. And I cannot control it./
It broke Yamato's heart to see her like this. He wanted back the strong young woman he had
loved all those years ago. He remember how she would loosen up when it was just the three of
them. Her formal speech was banished and she would smile.
He reached over and pulled her to himself. She struggled at first, then ceased. She cried into
his neck, clutching the front of his shirt. He hugged her tight, never wanting to let anything
happen to her again.
After about an hour she fell asleep. She looked so sweet, innocent, and vulnerable. It was
hard to believe that she was a warrior full of awesome, yet awful power.
He carried her back to camp and Taichi.
Together they settled her down between them.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Amara woke up, confused. She didn't remember going to bed or returning to camp.
She looked around and saw that she was situated between Yama and Tai. She allowed herself a
small smile. That was just how those two were. That's why she loved them.
Spreading her wings she flew to a nearby stream. After washing up, the Princess began a spell
that would remove her wings temporarily and suit herself up in combat gear. Just because she
possessed supernatural powers didn't mean she couldn't handle guns or other weapons.
When the transformation was complete, she was dressed in black pants, a black spaghetti strap
tank top, heeled boots, a black leather trench coat, and black sunglasses.
She walked back to camp and relieved Shiori and Michuri of their posts so they could do the same.
Athena had thirty-six hours of sleep in a night. The Digidestined would not be need for the
watch at night.
Daisuke, Ken, and Takeru were already up.
"Good morning, Princess," said Takeru, politely.
Ken merely nodded.
"Great day, huh? Oh, by the way, that's a sweet outfit!" Daisuke winked.
"Thank you." Amara inclined her head slightly, not once smiling.
The three boys made a fire, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Michuri and Shiori returned. They were dressed in similar attire, except that Michuri was
wearing a tan suit and Shiori a navy blue one.
They, along with Iori, joined the breakfast crew. It was obvious that Michuri was taken with
Daisuke. And Iori had his eye on Shiori.
Amara sat down on the air under a tree. Why sit on the ground if you can float?
She pondered the events of the night. She knew Yama wasn't lying when he had said that both
he and Taichi loved her still, but it wasn't that easy.
/If it was, then my life would also be easy. But that will never happen./
She was stopped from further thoughts when she realized that Yamato and Taichi were sitting in
front of her.
"Good morning," said Tai, cheerily. "Did you sleep well?"
"As well as one could expect in that circumstance. And you?"
"Just great."
Yamato slapped him gently.
Amara laughed softly. "I'm sorry. It's like old times."
Exchanging a glance, bother boys smiled. When the Princess laughed and spoke with contractions
that meant she was in a good mood.
/Maybe things will go back to normal./ she thought.
"Breakfast!" called Daisuke.
Everyone go his or her meal then sat down to eat. They all hoped that the day would be an easy
one...
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Night had fallen two hours earlier. The group returned to their campsite and promptly fell
asleep in a huddle.
Since this was the night that the two young warriors needed to sleep, the Princess took watch.
She chuckled quietly to herself. New trainees were always the funniest to see. Their
expression of surprise never ceased to amaze her.
However, Yama and Tai flew through the exercises with practiced ease. It was obvious that their
memories were coming back and fast. Their natural talent and instincts were superb. Everything
they had done was fluid.
Amara remembered her own training from eighty years ago. She was twenty, roughly equivalent to
a six year old human. The Princess could already yield her internal power, Graduating at
twenty-eight, she was the youngest of any species to complete training. Her instructor had
her sent to an officer's school. That is how Amara became a Five Star General and the most
powerful ally to the United Worlds.
But that didn't mean that was what she had wanted. She was the Princess of a pacifistic nation.
Her father had been the one to have her trained, though.
Then came the invasions. That was how she met the now Digidestined.
Taichi and Mimi were good friends of her's, although Tai had problems about not being in charge.
Mimi, believe it or not, was a brilliant strategist. She came up with many of the battle plans.
Amara hoped that they remembered their previous life soon. She had a feeling that trouble was
brewing. And the disks wouldn't help until they started to recall that life.
A small, quiet sound was heard in the distance. It was the same as the one from the other night.
She looked to the sky, gauging how far away it was.
"You're not fighting that alone, are you?" asked Taichi as he and Yamato walked up behind her.
"I might need to," the General affirmed. "It is too dangerous for you and Yamato."
Yama grabbed her arm. "Please, let us help. I hate going against orders."
Concern was evident in her voice as she responded a few moments later. "Just this once. Do no
do anything stupid. Follow me."
Together they walked to face the invaders.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
A second blast smashed into Amara's chest. In a human form she was weaker and the extra power
she did have couldn't be used around other humans. It would fry Tai and Yama.
The Princess picked herself up. the boys were covered in blood, some their own, some the
hideous creatures'. She threw a shield over them, then transformed back. Her wings expanded
and spread. She clashed with the master of the flying monkey-like creatures.
The General withdrew a scepter. It landed on the protective covering, giving it more power.
Then she produced a ball of ice fire in her left hand. Snatching it with her right hand, she
hurled it at the grotesque monster.
He froze, then shattered.
Carefully landing on the ground, Amara released the shield. The boys were still covered in
blood, but their wounds were healed.
"Amara, are you all right?" asked Yama.
"I will be," she replied, slowly. She looked at them. "I do not understand. Why were you
twelve chosen? I could do this alone and you would stay safe. I do not want you to get hurt!"
The emotion level in her voice rose slightly, but she kept it in check.
"Yama-kun, I lost you and Tai-kun once before. I don't want that to happen again. As long as
you are safe, I will be all right."
Yamato knew better than that. "No, you won't."
"Of course, you won't. Amara, you don't fool us," added Taichi. "It hurts you."
The General stood up. "You better get cleaned up and head back to camp." She turned to walk
away.
"Amara, wait." Yamato put a hand on her shoulder, carefully avoiding contact with her wings.
"Stay with us, please. Don't leave."
She stood stock still wondering what she should so. She could leave now and never be hurt
again. Or she could stay with the people she loved and who loved her back. Conflicting
emotions battled inside. Her desire to stay won out. She turned around and extended her hand.
"All right."
Instead of taking it, Yamato picked her up and hugged her. "Thank you."
Taichi practically crushed her ribs as he embraced her, too. "You can put me down now."
"Oh, sorry." He set her down and grabbed hold of her arm. Yamato did the same.
"What's the matter with you two? You will not leave me alone. There is such thing as *personal
space,* you know."
/Oh, but you will leave. Why would you want anything to do with us after all these years./
Amara's expression softened as Taichi's thoughts leaked into her brain. "I'm sorry. I didn't
mean to be so severe." She broke away from their grip and hugged Tai. "I'm sorry." The
Princess stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "You're my best friend. I won't leave
you again. I promise."
The three of them stood there in silence, enjoying each others company. Finally the General
broke the golden silence. "I really do need to transform back. And your clothes need cleaned."
She hovered a few feet from the forest floor, then stretched a hand toward the boys. A green
ball of energy enveloped them, making them shine with an eerie glow.
Almost as soon as it started, they were released, clean and replenished with energy.
Tai and Yama stared at each other, bewilderment evident in their eyes.
Amara ascended higher. A golden radiance shone all around her. The wings on her back once
again disappeared and her black suit, restored.
Yama reached out and caught her as she fell from the sky. Taichi wrapped his arm around her
neck as together they headed back to the campsite.