Queen of Chaos
Kal Zakath
Rated R
Chapter II: Baths, Feasts, and Symptoms
It was a very quick escape from the city, the Llanowarmon did little to examine Gandalmon's slaves, as long as he held their chains in his gnarled fingers and told them stories of his "cruelty".
The jungle was an even easier escape. The wizard had keen ears and eyes. He knew that they were being stalked by the Skyshroudmon, the scouts of Galadrimon. But they kept their distance, knowing that the humans he carried with him were slaves. Gandalmon kept them walking for hours, then he stopped.
"What is it Ga-Master." Jeri asked politely.
"He must go right. The ship awaits." Gandalmon said, leading them down a sharp hill. Takato had the most trouble of them all. He coughed hard, and hacked up a lot of snot and such.
"Hey, you okay?" Kazu asked.
"I'll be fine..." He sneezed. Gandalmon didn't say anything until they were at the bottom of the hill, and on an open sandy beach. It was windy, and bit chilly, but the water was saphire and serene. Perfect for just relaxing. Gandalmon glanced about, seeing no one there, and he signaled.
He raised his staff high into the air. "MAGI SPHERE!" He shouted, sending a golden sphere into the heavens, where it ignited and exploded brilliantly like a flare.
Like magic, the beach was enshrouded in mist. "Ah, so they saw it." Gandalmon laughed. A minute later, a small trireme floated onto the shores. It was a large one, with a single square sail and a brazier behind it. The captain and only crew member was a small white Pug (Mops) dog. He was white, fuzzy and had a very black face, along with an underbite that gave him a huge chin.
"Elvis!" Gandalmon shouted. "Ahoy there. How's the weather?"
"Miserable." Elvis commented. He had a light voice. Standing up against him, the little dog was merely two and a half feet tall, and managing this whole boat.
"Children, these are the Pugmon." Gandalmon said. "In particular, this is Elvis. They're the cutest warriors you'll ever see. Well, okay. Elvis is merely a Demipugmon, and not yet a full-grown adult. You'll find them to be your best friends on the island, along with the Drakemon. In fact, I believe that Ryo and the others were building a sort of Tamer House' back on the island. You'll like it. Pugmon build their villages quickly, but those are strong buildings. The Drakemon are skilled artisans and architects, but their just too lazy to build stuff like that. Instead they manage their own shops and sell wares of all kinds."
"Mr. Gandalmon," Kenta asked.
"Just Gandalmon, Kenta."
"Oh, yeah! Uh, what's this island called?"
"Zahn Ashu." Gandalmon said, the words rolling right off his tongue. "It means Tooth of the Dragon' in an ancient language. We assume it was the language of the island's original inhabitants. They're all deceased down, but their legacy lives on in the texts of my castle. You'll love my castle; I call him Gal Argonus' the Castle of the God in the ancient language of the sorcerors. It's a pity that the language it almost extinct now. But, we must continue on. Elvis, full speed ahead!"
The sails picked up, and the ship cast itself away from the shoreline. At this time, Gandalmon took a minute to examine Takato. The old wizard bent down and looked at his face. "Alas, a horrible sight you've all endured. But no worries. For an island sleep on Zahn Ashu will wash away the recent horror. But at least now the boy's suffering has ended. Takato, hold still."
The wizard looked into his eyes, which were tired and puffy. "Open your mouth." He said, glancing in there. "Nothing, surprisingly." He said. "Must be the jungle fever. Not to worry. A couple days rest and some hot soup will do the trick. Rest now, Takato. For it we will be sailing this way for the rest of the day. By sunset you will see the island of Zahn Ashu basking in the glory of the sunset. I just hope that Ryo has finished building the Tamer House."
The sea was asleep. Ruki found it's serenity to be a great one. She was happy to be free of that pit. Never had she realized it until now. But the only problem was that Renamon wasn't here to enjoy it with her.
"Hey." Kazu said, leaning over the side of the ship with her. "Nce weather, nein?"
"It's okay." Ruki said. "The breeze is nice, and the salt smells good."
"Yeah...." Kazu said. "I miss Gardromon."
Ruki sighed. "I miss Renamon. But I guess we all feel the same."
"Can I join you?" Jeri asked.
"Sure. Free boat." Ruki said. "Take a look at that!" She pointed to the Dolphmon jumping into the air.
"Cool." Kazu said.
Gandalmon glanced towards the Dolphmon. "Wonderful, but what are they doing all the way out here in the open seas? Tis a long distance away from a island or continent. In fact, I wonder why they are even near the mainland."
"It's still a beautiful sight." Jeri said.
"Yes, but unnatural." Gandalmon said. "I see that Galadrimon's evil touches even the isolated oceans of the Digiworld. It seems like her recent conquests have brought out the worst of the world."
"Hey Gandalmon." Ruki said.
"Yes?"
"Thanks." Ruki said. "Thanks for everything so far."
"Ruki, it wasn't of own good will, I'm, afraid. Besides, there is no need to thank me. I'm merely repaying a debt to a good friend. Besides, you're all a vital necessity to the Soverigns' plan."
"A good friend?"
"And an admirer of you." Gandalmon said. "I had to strictly forbid him to not go looking for you, with the Soverigns making sure he never left the island."
"Well, nice to know that someone cares about you." Ruki grinned.
"Ruki and Ryo, sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Ryo with the baby carriage!" Jeri joked.
"I ain't stupid." Ruki said. "Besides, you once said over the phone Oh Ruki, Ryo is soooo HOT!'."
Jeri blushed. "Okay, so I did. I'm guilty." She said. "I ain't stupid either."
"Ah, to be young again." Gandalmon sighed to himself.
******
"Children, wake up! The island is in clear view!" Gandalmon said. "and behold the beauty of the land."
Lee glanced at it. It was a solid black ink smudge against the purple, blue and pink sky. The island had a large mountain in it's center, and millions of trees on it's shores. The island was a cliff with green hair. The only place where a beach existed was on the eastern side along a small bay. The jungle pentrated everywhere, save for the very tip of the mountain. It stuck out like a bald old man's head. The radiance of the little rock seemed to give off an aura of peace and serenity.
A contrast of townships made their way visible as Elvis navigated through the Dolphmon Reef that guarded the bay.
"This is Tradewind Bay, a safe haven for sea-worthy vessels. The Dolphmon and Scubamon protect this bay with zeal. And on the surface are the Pugmon, elite defenders of eace, and the Drakemon, who was fierce and shrewd. Notice Drakemon Town to the right, and Pugmon Village to the left. And in back, it's not very visible, but that is Shire Castle, our primary defensive point. And there is the Tamer House, I suppose. My, the coloring is nice! Tan brick. I wonder where they got the hue." Gandalmon said. "All leaving for the island please debark now."
On the shores near the harbor, Ryo and little girl stood among the crews of the Pugmon. The Tamers all got themselves up, save Takato getting support from Kazu and Kenta, and nearly fell over when the boat stopped suddenly. Elvis tossed a rope to a black Pugmon whom we will learn later is named Edgrrr (A/N: Like a dog growling ^_^).
"Ahoy, Edgrrr!" Elvis shouted, throwing the rope to his fellow Pugmon. Edgrrr took it and tied the ship up. The other other Pugmon were at work putting up the little set of stairs that connected the ship to the docks. Ruki went up to Ryo, and then did the unthinkable: She kissed him smack-dab on the lips.
"OH my god!" Kazu shouted. "It's the dawn of a new era!"
"Where's the fireworks and champaign when you need it?!!" Kenta added. Ruki gave them the finger in response. The Pugmon laughed heartilly. Even Gandalmon was chuckling. Takato sort-of laughed. Lee ran to Susie and hugged the little girl hard.
"Are you okay?" Susie asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine, Susie. I'm just glad you escaped."
"Where's Terriermon?" Flopmon, who had been standing beside her Tamer all this time, said.
"Um," Lee didn't really have any words to say. Susie understood though. For a six-year old, she didn't start crying (yet), but held her cool. Flopmon patted her shoulder.
"Ah, Gandalmon." A deep-voiced dragon walked across the docks, his head held high and his voice powerful. He was dark blue, and had green eyes. He was like a mix of a European dragon and a human. He wore a silver robe, but kept his brilliant wings visible.
"Ah, hello Rokun. Good to see you also. Where is Dr. Noah?"
"Why, that is a good question itself. Even I do no know the answer."
"I am here, you dults!" A faun Pugmon with a large, serious face and an eyeglass over his right eye and and a chain going into a furry patch on his chest. He was just as serious as the other two.
"Right. So are all the Tamers present and accounted for?"
"One of them is ill." Gandalmon said. "Takato. The blond boy."
"Yes. PUGMON! Hurry and get this boy a stretcher." Noah demanded.
"Noah, it's not something you can cure with medicine."
"And WHAT disease does he have that I cannot simply cure?" Noah said.
"Well, it's the Common Cold." Gandalmon boasted. "Last time I checked, it was cureless."
"DAMNIT!" Noah swore. "Aiy, I'm beatin'. Well, just rest it off then. PUGMON! GET THAT STRETCHER!"
Moments later, Takato was on it. "Thanks...." He managed to say.
"Deliver him to the Tamer house. Mr. Ryo! Please guide them to the proper room."
"Yes, Doctor." Ryo bowed and left the group with Ruki left standing there.
"Does this top make my chest flat? Be honest, Jeri." Ruki asked.
"Ryo didn't seem to think so." Jeri pointed out. "After all, he's a guy that's all that matters."
"You know, guys have other things on their minds." Lee argued. "Aside from your boobs."
"Really? Like what?" Ruki countered.
"Cards!" Kenta added.
"-and Cars!" Kazu added more. "Looking good for the ladies-"
"Sports." Lee added. "Food............"
"CHESS!!! CLUB!!!"
"Only Kenta..........um," Kazu ran out of ideas.
"That's about it....." Kazu said.
"Whatever." Ruki said.
******
In the guy's bathroom, Takato was set down in the tub via the aid of Ryo and Lee. Kazu and Kenta were already in.
"Here, let's get the towel out...." Lee flipped it off and flung it onto the tile floor.
"Oh man. I'm hallucinating." Groggily Takato said.
"What'doyasee?" Kazu asked.
"A couple of naked guys in the same tub as me." Takato said. "I'm sittin' next ta two of em. And other two are ugly as hell."
"HEY!"
"And the two next to me could kick my ass if I say anything."
Everyone started laughing. Kenta picked up the soap and got cleaning.
"Aw, Kenta! Jesus!" Kazu plugged his nose.
"I don't complain about your BO -and I could make a case to the Supreme Court if I did- so shut the hell up!"
"Hey, if anyone's complaining, it should be me. Ryo hasn't had a bath in at least a week, or so the smell says so."
Ryo jokingly stuck his armpit in Takato's face.
"ACK! Make that a month....." Takato said.
Lee rolled his eyes. "Come on, guys. Be mature."
"We are!" Kazu whined. "You sound like Ms. Esagi!"
"Hot as she is, she naggs 24/7." Kenta added.
"Only Kenta......." Kazu shook his head.
"Oh yeah, you got her to sign your annual!"
"I'm special." Kazu argued.
"So special they had to put him in Special Ed." Ryo said.
"Riiiiiight. At least I go to school."
"So what? I got Ruki to kiss me!" Ryo said.
Lee perked up. "So........how was it?"
"Not bad, just trying to fight off her tongue's the only part I don't like. Whew, her breath was a little nasty."
"I'm TELLING! " Kazu mocked.
"Go ahead. At least she kissed me."
Kenta added in. "Kazu and I went on a double-date with Veronica and Monica Sanjiro and we were gonna-"
"NOOOO!!!!!" Kazu shouted.
"-Kiss in a picture booth. He got impatient and thought that Veronica was in there-"
"Oh my!" Lee joked. "Kazu, you will never live this one down."
"I'm just glad I didn't get any tongue."
"Kenta?"
"What?"
"You'rearegularsonofabitch." Kazu said quickly.
******
The girls did really have anything interesting to say in their tub, but at the feast in the dining hall, it was different. Clad in terry cloth bathrobes, the whole gang feasted on mashed potatoes and gravy, honey-glaized turkey stuffed with Stove-Top, steamed veggies and rice, General Tso noodles and chicken, beef noodles, chicken soup, pot-pie and then for dessert they had pumpkin pie and a glass of Arbor Mist.
******
After the largest dinner they'd ever had was finished, Ryo showed them all back to their rooms. The girls got the right side of the hall, and then he showed them that the bathroom was connected with the bedroom. Three beds were ready for them.
"Lee, can you read me a story?" Susie asked.
"It's okay." Jeri chopped in. "I'll read you one if there's a book in there."
(Thanks) Lee mouthed.
(You owe me) Jeri mouthed back.
The guys room was much like the girl's. Only with more beds and dressers and less moving room.
"Hey, does this mean we get to sleep naked?" Kazu joked.
"oh man, he's gonna be playing ping-pong all night!" Kenta said.
"Oh, shut up." Kazu snapped.
Takato slumped into his bed, going under the covers and then tossing out his robe from underneath the sides. "G'nigh...." He said.
Lee checked the dressers. Inside the top drawer was enough underwear and socks for the week, then in the second enough shirts, then shorts, then long pants, and the a jacket or sweater.
"Nice setup we got here."
"Yeah. Bella's the village seemstess, and she likes to sew like no mother I've ever known." Ryo said, putting on a pair of briefs and then pulling off his robe. "Man, if Ruki saw me like this...."
"Hormone assault." Lee joked, doing the same and slipping into his bed. "Well, good night." He said.
"Good night." Ryo said.
"Good night, Kenta, Lee, Ryo, Takato." Kazu said.
"Good night, Lee, Kazu, Ryo Takato." Kenta said.
"Good night, Lee, Kazu, Kenta and Takato." Ryo said.
"Good night, Ryo, Kazu, Kenta and Takato." Lee said.
"Good night, dammit." Takato muttered.
******
Lee woke up suddenly, hearing the sound of moaning and struggled breaths. Lee turned on the lamp next to his bed and saw Takato, the blanket covering only his top half. That half was soaked in a cold sweat and he was having trouble catching his breath.
"Takato?!" Lee suddenly shouted.
"HELP!" Takato screamed.
Lee felt his forhead, and felt it steaming hot.
"HELP! IT HURTS!!!!" Takato shouted, not opening his eyes......
"Oh my god....." Lee, not caring what he looked like, swept past the sleeping boys (or they once were) and flung open the door. One of the nightmaids was patrolling the hallway when she was startled to see the almost-nude boy fling open the door.
"WE NEED A DOCTOR ASAP!!" Lee shouted.