A/N: No I didn't give up on this one I just wrote a fic to announce the contest I'm running with raine and Kodachrome and it took a lot longer than I thought. If you want to enter that contest just go to my profile page and read the rules and entering instructions. Anyway here's chapter 5 and as a warning I have started school again so don't expect things to be posted quickly.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Yolei lay curled in her silken sheets unwilling to greet the morning just yet. And while she slept a figure sat at the foot of her bed watching her with adoring eyes. The warrior could feel the eyes on her and finally opened her eyes to be greeted by her love. "So are you going to stay in bed all day?" he questioned with a mischievous smile on his face. The same smile crossed hers as she opened her arms "That depends on if I have a reason to get out".
Ken crossed the room in a few steps sweeping her into his arms catching her lips in his own all in one swift movement. Yolei sank into the embrace running her hands to his hair and her legs around his waist so he wouldn't let her down. She could tell he was carrying her across the room setting her gently into a lush chair in front of her blazing fireplace. Breaking the kiss she looked up into his eyes for a few moments before turning her attention to the breakfast he had brought in for her.
"You read my mind," she said helping herself to the fruits before her. He merely smiled at her settling into the seat across from her "I have one more thing" he said watching her light up, leaping from her seat and to his side her hands patting him down to find it. Light chuckles escaped his lips "Its on the table my love". Yolei let him go instantly turning back to her feast seeing the intricately carved wood box instantly.
Like a child and Christmas she flung the lid open gasping at the sight. Set off by deep purple velvet sat a shimmering gold crown lined with hundreds of diamonds shimmered back at her glittering in their own light. With tears welling she turned to her love questions written across her delicate face. Silently he stood taking the crown from her hands "With the first of the royals arriving today my queen must look like the powerful women she is" as he finished he set the crown onto her head marveling at how it fit her so well. "Beautiful" he breathed kneeling down so she could see her reflection in the looking glass behind him.
Yolei let out a gasp when she saw her reflection's commanding air staring back at her. "My love" she breathed kneeling down to met his eyes seeing nothing more.
Even as the first of the royals made their way to the newly claimed castle the escaping set came upon what was left of the little town of Odiaba. The queen let out a small cry when her tired eyes fell upon the burned out houses, fresh graves, and tattered residents trying to rebuild. "What happened?" she breathed leaning into her husband's arms for support. His shaky voice answered her question and his arms held her tight "The warlords".
The queen lowered her head kneeling before one of the fresh graves "Don't worry your highness they all died honorable deaths trying to protect the chosen" a soft voice said its owner casting a shadow over her. No fear welled from the new arrival, if fact a wave of relief passed through her system "Genni, my friend" she said standing to embrace the elder "I feared we'd lost you when I saw the children".
Genni pulled away his face worn and weathered from the stress of the past few days "I've had a few moments where I wish I had…I failed them all". It was the king's turn to offer a supporting hand "We all did and now what matters is we get them back before its too late". Those villagers who had survived the attack now surrounded the royals and their entourage offering water and blankets to those in need.
The tuckered guards accepted the help with thankful hearts staying at the royal's sides as Genni led them into one of the rebuilt huts putting a pot of tea on the fire. "Do you know if they found the digi eggs yet?" he asked knowing they didn't have time for pleasantries. "I wouldn't doubt it" the kings said quickly "I left journals about them in case I died before I could tell my predecessor…it seemed like a good idea at the time". The king risked a glace fearing the rage in the elder's eyes, pleasantly surprised to find none.
"That is actually a good thing," he said with a small smile "Those who slumber inside the eggs will protect those children no matter what, its just the matter of getting them to hatch…its not likely that they'd give them the eggs". Everyone let out a small round of laughter at the mere thought feeling the sun break through the clouded situation. "Well since we know they won't do that, what do we do?" the queen asked.
Silence fell over the hut as everyone went into deep thought the king the one to break it "I got word that royals in the land had been ordered to the castle to give their complete loyalty and power over. Now we can't get in but one of them can, do you have any allies that we could call upon?" Once again the elder turned to his thoughts searching his vast memories. "Yes, there is " he said after a few minutes "Leomon is a digimon from the northern forests, he's been ruling there for 35 years now…and a friend of mine for even longer. I have no doubt that he's gotten word by now and is already in route."
"Then I'll send a small group to meet and led him here first; that way we can compose a plan and get them out" the king said firmly staring into the fire suppressing a shudder when he thought of what was going on in the castle.
Kari sat content in TK's arms watching the fire flicker in the fireplace, her egg nestled in her lap little quivers of activity coming from it every so often. It had been four days since Davis had made his attempt with the dust and they hadn't heard a peep from him since. Every morning Ken or Cody would poke their heads into the room to see if the eggs had hatched yet, seeing the answer was no they would disappears into the rat holes they had come from.
"It's been more active today," she said rubbing the shell fondly "yours?" TK set his in her lap alongside hers watching the activity increase "I think it likes you" he said nuzzling her neck. Their captivity hadn't been that bad since the arrival of the eggs, even though the master of hope knew it wasn't going to last. Once the patrons arrived they would be back in chains forced to the whims of the warlords evil minds. Kari relaxed a little more snuggling into his embrace "Are we going to get out?"
Stopping his kisses he answered her question without second through "Soon and when we do we'll have the ceremony performed so we can start our new lives together". Though he couldn't see it he knew she was smiling, her smile falling away at the sound of two eggs cracking in unison. Gasps of shock escaped them and their eyes were riveted to the small objects before them.
The two eggs sat side by side on the soft fabric of Kari's dress shaking violently the shells falling rapidly away. Kari let out a gasp as the small creatures bounced out of the shattered shells into her arms cooing happily. One was pure white with black eyes that seemed to be sparkling all the time, while the other was a small ball of yellow fur with a tail. They stopped their cooing to study the two mystics frozen before them seeming to study them carefully in turn.
TK and Kari didn't move as their hearts raced "The warlords wanted to train them for a deadly attack force?" TK said quietly jumping in surprise when the white one launched itself into his arms "Poyomon" it called happily snuggling up into his arms. The other followed suite at Kari "Nyromon" (I don't know if that's right so just go with it). The brunette smiled giving the baby a small hug "That's what they said but I'm not going to let them have you" she said sweetly watching it cuddle up and close its eyes sleepily "Look she's tired".
"Mines way ahead of her," TK said like a proud parent already feeling a sort of bond the little creature in his arms. They sat for a few moments making sure they were asleep before laying them in a corner of the four-poster bed, well out of site of any peering eyes. By the time they had settled their creatures the sun had dipped below the horizon and the transformations begun.
Izzy poured through the look before him like a man possessed his wings even twitching with stress ever few moments. At the top of the book a small pink creature sat and watched him with intent black eyes that bore a striking resemblance to those of the Master of Knowledges. "What are you?" he mumbled turning yet another page in the massively old book Jun had given him. "Pabumon" it burbled cocking its head. Izzy smiled "Yes I know that but 'what' are you?"
The creature just babbled again blowing bubbles to entertains itself while the mystic searched. Across the room Mimi cuddled her own creature in her arms at it slept peacefully. Like TK and Kari she had been tossed in with Izzy to see if the eggs would hatch faster, and now that they were together they had no intention of telling their captors they had. "Give it a rest Izzy," she pleaded knowing it would do little good when he was this determined.
She was right his eyes stayed focused on the book his lips moving with unspoken words a smile suddenly appearing on them "Ah ha" he said proudly picking up Pabumon holding him high in the air "They're digimon" he added returning to his book "Digimon are the mystical beasts capable of vast amounts of power. Nine of these beings were commissioned to protect the digidestined as they led the world and cared for the innocent. By day the digidestined is one with the people but by night they are the saviors to all. To this day the identities of the chosen remain unknown".
Mimi rose slowly going to her loves side "That sounds an awful lot like us" she mumbled reading the passage over and over studying the pictures of the symbols next to it. "See" she said running her fingers over her symbol. Izzy could only nod his finger itching to turn the page to see what else they revealed taking special note that his symbol was next to Mimi's. "Who's is that?" she asked pointing to an unfamiliar one at the bottom of the page. "I don't know it's a big book so it has to be in here". Finally she removed her hand allowing Izzy to investigate further freezing in place when footsteps began to near their door.
It took only seconds for their instincts to kick in and their feet to move. Mimi gathered the digimon into her arms shushing them as she set them on a small pile of blankets hidden under the bed for just this situation. Meanwhile Izzy shut the book slowly as not to make a noise pulling up the cushion on the coach tossing the book under it. Just as he placed the cushion back and Mimi lowered the dust ruffle the doorknob turned allowing Davis to enter.
The boy had been come every day since bringing Mimi in and each day his eyes were dark, clouded with anger. Today was no different. The door hit the stonewall with a loud thud as the warlord stomped in this time chains in hand. "Don't move," he said coldly "because I can kill your friends with a mere yell". Neither one moved their eyes locking for seconds conveying their silent agreement.
Seeing they were complying Davis moved in chaining Mimi first then Izzy his evil chocolate eyes moving to the eggs nestled on the pillow unmoving. "And those eggs had better hatch soon" he added. Izzy allowed himself an inner smile, when the eggs hatched the bottoms of the shells had remained in tact allowing them to get away with the illusion.
Mimi stood chained waiting for Davis feeling movement next to her foot; the digimon didn't like to see their masters treated in such a way. Gently with her toe she nudged them back praying they would get the message and stay put. Apparently they did staying hidden and quiet as the mystics were harshly pulled out the door by their chains the door slamming once more as they disappeared. "Pabumon" the baby whimpered in the silence cuddling up to his counterpart for comfort all the while the power with in them growing.
Jun sighed unhappily as she looked at Matt sleeping peacefully in a chair by the fire. He had been reading in one of the books from the library, his little 'digimon' curled in his lap. He had even slept through his transformation. Never the less the first of the royals were arriving and she had to take him to the throne room should any of them want his blessing in return for their loyalty. Her gaze then shifted to the chains she had to take him in with narrowed eyes. They were living creatures yet the others insisted on treating them like animals.
Hearing her clock toll she knew it was time and she slowly moved to his side running her hands through his silky hair. A small smile formed on his lips and his icy eyes cracked open. Her eyes were waiting for him "What a nice way to wake up" he said in a groggy voice relishing the smile on her face "But I can make it better". Jun didn't have time to respond before his hand had wrapped itself around the back of her neck and pulled her down to him. His lips tenderly brushed hers, she didn't waist any time responding using her free arm to pull him closer and deepen the kiss.
All her life she had wanted someone to love her, hold her and now she had it. Yamato too was having the same feelings. He had watched his friends and little brother fall in love wondering if he would ever find that kind of happiness. Now here in what was supposed to be his darkest hour he had found it. His 'digimon' leapt from his lap as the mystic pulled Jun into it lacing her fingers in his own.
The newly found couple was more than willing to spend the rest of the night in each other's arms but the warlords had other plans. Davis banged on his sisters locked door Izzy and Mimi still in tow. Matt slowly pulled away shaking his head allowing Jun to snap out an answer "I'll come when I'm good and ready". Even while she spoke she gave him a small smile picking up the chains. The mystic held up his hands without a word allowing her to carefully latch them as not to hurt him.
Once he was secure she helped him up so he could stash the baby on the silky pillows of her bed. As he tucked him in Davis grew inpatient banging the door once more. Ignoring him Matt spoke softly to the baby "You just take a nap and we'll be back before you know it". The digimon cooed happily in response closing its eyes. Satisfied Matt handed the end of the chain and the both geared their strength and opened the door.
Jun threw a cold look into her eyes and pushed Matt out causing him to land on Davis's foot. Matt flashed a smile to Mimi and Izzy who were biting their lips to hold in bouts of laughter. "Oh I'm so sorry" Jun said in a sweet worried voice "I didn't know you were right there". Davis rubbed his foot with a grimace "Don't worry about it".
The sibling pair walked down the hall without a word to each other pulling their charges. As they approached the throne room they could hear the pleasant conversation. Chains jingled telling them the other chosen were in position. Matt let out a small gasp as they entered the great hall; his friends and family were chained to rings in the floor, the chains length forcing them to kneel the entire time. Ken sat up on the first of four thrones clad in his usual black cape his striking eyes looking over the summoned royals as if deciding whom to torment first.
Yolei was as always at his side a golden crown glittering on her head a black velvet dress showing her in all her regal glory. Cody was next to her holding a roll of parchment in his hands a quill ready. It seemed all they were waiting for was the entering group. "About time" Yolei said coldly motioning for them to chain them with the others. Davis obeyed instantly with a painful tug sending them both to their knees even before the chain was hooked. Jun was gentler in her task, taking her place just off the side her hand resting on the hilt of her sword.
Ken let his mild annoyance at their tardiness pass so he could turn his attention to more important matters. He allowed a nervous silence to fill the room for a few more seconds before speaking "First I want to thank you for such a quick response to our summons and you to know that you will be rewarded handsomely for it. Before you you see the chosen mystics who have answered you pathetic prayers for years, your saviors now belong to us".
He paused to admirer the horror in their faces "Now we are going to give you a choice…surrender you title and lands to us or our men will kill your people while we behead you in our public square. Remember if you do surrender we will allow you to have the blessing of your choice performed". Tai grumbled something inaudible under his breath trying to get more comfortable in the chains. The first king from the neighboring land stepped forward taking off his crown.
"We surrender" he said in a shaky voice reluctantly setting the symbol of power on the ground "But you must swear no harm will come to our people". Cody rubbed his hands together eagerly "You have our words as warriors that no harm will come to your people. You will remain in your castle and report to us directly, we will give all commands and they are to be obeyed without question. Taxes will be levied on your kingdom and they will be paid promptly at the first of every month. One or our generals will stay in you castle to ensure you abide by all these terms".
The now powerless king could only nod in agreement kneeling to his new masters. The emerald-eyed warlord smiled as he finished writing the last of the stipulations down before looking up "Which blessing would you like?" The queen came forward taking her husbands arm in her own and they together looked at the children with sad and tired eyes.
Kari could see that they had already been through so much and didn't want to ask anything of the captives. The queen herself was on the verge of tears so Kari spoke in a soft voice "Its okay" she said looking directly into the queens watery eyes. At those simple words the grown woman broke down into tears. She had grown up learning about the chosen and their cherished abilities, told over and over their powers would never be used to help the powers of darkness.
"What was that I didn't quite understand it?" Davis sneered maliciously from his velvet throne. The queen averted her eyes whispering into her husband's ear when she got an idea. As she spoke a smile passed across this worn face as well "We wish to enlist the services of the Master of Sincerity". The took the quartet by surprise seeing as how they were now under their control why they would need to know if they were being deceived.
The brunette seemed surprised as well thinking that they would want Tai or Matt's over hers. "As you wish," Yolei said the first to close her mouth gesturing to Ken who still guarded their bags of dust. He freed her quickly hearing a few of her joints pop as she stood. Her wings flittered for a few seconds as she carefully reached into the bag unknowingly copying Joe's actions and gathered a few precious grains under her nails. She heard a chocked whimper from behind her causing her eyes to shoot open.
Yolei had put the tip of her dagger at Izzy's back "Those wings move again he will lose his" she said. Mimi forced them rigid her hands shaking as she performed the blessing. The movements came naturally although it had been ages since she last performed them "May the stars guide you" she said beginning sprinkle the dust over the kneeling royals. "May they guide you to know those who hide deceit in their hearts". As the last words passed through her lips the tiny grains burst to life illuminating the room in a flash of green light.
The light faded throughout the entire chamber except for a single floating spot hovering directly over Ken. Mimi narrowed her eyes knowing what the remaining light meant, he was lying, however if he had been lying about the terms of the surrender all four would have been glowing in the accusing light. The mystic decided to keep her mouth shut about this little bit of knowledge because Yolei still had the knife at her loves back. And there was no telling what she would do if she accused Ken now.
"Why is he glowing?" the king asked keeping his temper in check angered at the thought of a double cross. Mimi was at a loss but answered quickly "They are being truthful about the terms of your surrender, as for his highness…some of us just have secrets in our past that are meant to stay there". Ken shot her a quick grateful look before picking up the crown discarded on the ground.
Placing it on his head he returned to his lush velvet throne "You have received your blessing and given up your crown therefore your business here is done. We will expect your first report and tax collection by the spring rains, if they are not in by them you know what will happen".
"Meaning get out" Cody finished coldly settling back affixing them with a cruel glare. The dethroned had no other choice but to back away with one last bow and a look of sympathy to the prisoners. Izzy and Mimi were the only ones to see the sadness in their eyes and did their best to convey that everything would be all right…in time.
Davis watched doing his best to hold still until the last footsteps of their guests to fade away. Once they had he leapt from his chair with a celebratory shout "It couldn't have gone any better" he praised taking the crown from Ken's offering hands to inspect the find craftsman ship and the family heirlooms that had gone into it. After he was done he tossed it to his sister "He's your first paycheck".
Jun caught it easily seeing the jewels glittering in the torches of the room "Thanks" she said in a neutral tone slipping it into the loop of her belt "What now?" Yolei released Izzy by shoving him into the waiting arms of the guards "We wait" she said releasing the others "Scouts report another party will arrive at dawn meaning we will hold audience as soon as they change, until then work with the troops".
The fiery red head bowed leaving the room without even looking at Matt, fearing such a simple gesture would tip the warlords off. "Take them away" Ken ordered to the remaining guards taking Yolei by her arm gracefully whispering in her ear "I do believe you need some sleep my love". Playfully she kissed his hands "And why is that, do I need my beauty sleep or something?"
"Never" he said instantly looking into her eyes adorningly "After all you can't improve upon perfection".
Cody watched them go with a curled lip looking to Davis "Don't they just make you sick sometimes?" The brunette nodded dumbly his eyes focused on Kari as she was led quietly away. Only after she was out of sight did he address the younger "Yes, but what are ya going to do? Have you had any luck in the library?" At this Cody narrowed his eyes "Little, its as if all the books containing the answers I need are gone. But what I have found is the things in the eggs are called digimon and there are other such creatures throughout the world. Some good some evil, just like us, a few may be coming to court as well".
Davis was paying close attention "Anything else?"
Once again the emerald-eyed boy nodded "Much more. There are nine mystics total meaning that there is another hiding somewhere. This explains why we have the extra egg and that final mysterious symbol that's always grouped with the others. I think that he/she was separated from the others at a young age and has possibly been hiding in a nearby village or even with a royal family, if this was done on purpose I don't know".
"We need to find the last one, we can't risk it getting any ideas on rescuing the others" Davis said running through his list of men, trying to find who would be the best choice to send on such an important mission. "I agree" Cody said "but like I said there's more. Blessings aren't the only thing they can do. Each one has power over one of the elements, and when trained able to bend it to their very whim".
"Now that could be useful, no one would stand in our way…who controls what?"
Cody shook his head finally rising from his throne "That I can't find, there is a book detailing the powers but I can't seem to track it down. I'm hoping that once their digimon hatch it will give us a hint to what its master controls". Seeing the confused look on his comrade's face he continued "They are bonded to their partners to their very cores and no doubt will reflect each other".
Davis understood stretching "I will send a group of men out to find this missing fairy first thing in the morning but until them I'm going to get some sleep". Cody smiled "That sounds wonderful" he added pausing a few moments before asking the question that had been bothering him for days now. "Davis I don't want you to take this wrong but I'm curious" he shot a quick glace to make sure it was okay to continue. "Go ahead".
"Why the girl, why Hikari? You could have any girl you wanted, yet you want one you just can't have".
When silence followed Cody feared he had angered his friend and possibly signed his own death warrant relieved when he got an answer. "That's why I want her so bad. I've always gotten what I wanted without so much as a fight, and she rejects me at every turn. She has something inside of her that I want…need…and I will get it Takeru or no". A maniacal glint had made its way into his eyes now and his voice rose in feverity "I will sway her heart no matter what it takes, after all we don't need them forever and once they have outlived their usefulness I will kill her precious hope and take her light as my own".
By now Cody was shocked into silence, in all the years he had known Davis he had never seemed this mad. And too his luck they came to their quarters giving the younger a way out "Good night Davis" he said quickly shutting his door bolting it tight. Davis was wrong, they needed the chosen as long as they could control them and if Davis were too kill Takeru they would lose more leverage than he knew. Hikari would be literally useless without her other half, and the others would merely refuse to work because the warlords would have broken their word. "I'll talk with Ken and Yolei first thing in the morning" he muttered to himself picking up one of the great books, beginning his nightly reading.
Tai pressed his pointed ear to the door listening to ensure the last of the guard's footsteps had faded away. Once he was sure that they were gone he gave the signal to Sora. The auburn haired fairy took off her wings rising to the rafters where the two babies had been hidden. They bounced happily upon seeing the girl, the little black one nearly bounced right off the beam. "Did you miss us?" she cooed gathering them into her arms returning to the ground.
Tai smiled as they ran around happily releasing the pent up energy from hours of having to hold still. "Are you hungry?" he asked reaching into the basket their captors had provided them for dinner. Again happy coos answered him "So what sounds good, apples, cheese, some meat".
"They might be a little young for the cheese and meat," Sora said separating them away for her and Tai to eat. She placed the apples in front of the creatures jumping back at they attacked the fruit as if they hadn't ever eaten. Tai wrapped one arm around her using the other to feed her a piece of cheese "I guess they were hungry". Sora nodded nibbling on the food gratefully turning in her loves arms to look into his eyes.
So many words were communicated in those seconds ending with Tai gently stroking her face "I know" he whispered. With that they settled in front of their fire enjoying their meal in each other's company. Once they were finished they settled back to watch the flames of the fire flicker in the darkness of their chamber, nearly jumping from their seats when another flash of light erupted from the room.
"What the" Tai cried turning around to their source, seeing it had come from the babies, only they weren't babies anymore they looked in many ways like heads without bodies.
Dumbfounded the mystics stared in shock neither one know what to say or do at the moment. The heads did the talking for them "Taichi, I'm Koromon," the pink one with rabbit ears said. Tai's jaw dropped farther his hand finding Sora's whose jaw joined his when the flower headed one spoke "And I'm Yokomon". More stunned silence with Sora finally able to find her wits "Pleased to meet you, but how do you know our names?"
The pair bounced into their master's arms all smiles "We're your friends, sent by the ancients to protect you".
At this Tai let out a small laugh, "Well you're a little late for that". Sora nudged him hard in the ribs narrowing his eyes in anger "Besides our captors are after you for their own personal army, meaning we are going to protect you". The two digimon didn't like this one bit raising their protest in unison "But we would never help them".
Sora hugged Yokomon quickly "You just said that you are here to protect us and if the warlords threatened to harm us would you do what they asked?" The flower atop her head twitched in anger when she was unable to give a come back. The fairy then smiled like a mother placing Yokomon on a small pile of pillows behind the bed "Now get some sleep and we'll starting figuring a way out of this".
The two couldn't have protested if they wanted to, the combination of food, soft bed, and evolving had taken its toll on their small bodies. They were asleep within minutes of hitting the feathery fabric leaving their masters alone once more. "We need to talk to Izzy" Tai said running his hand through his unruly hair "Genni never mentioned that we had guardians".
"There are a lot of things about ourselves we don't know" Sora added sadly looking at her hands as if expecting something to happen. Tai saw this taking them into his own kissing them tenderly "I know I love you and that you love me, everything else is trivial" he said gently. His fingers left to trace the symbol on her forehead before kissing it. She signed happily fighting the tears threatening to overwhelm her, "I know but we just don't know so much…" a finger on her lips silenced her long enough to look up and greet the lips of her love.
She sank into his arms and the kiss reveling the moment, they had been separated for days before the warlords thought putting them together would speed up the hatching. And for all of them it had been the worst days of their lives. Like other chosen, Tai and Sora had been raised together, never being away from one another for more than a few hours. So the days apart had been torture, especially for Tai know a vengeful Yolei was after his love.
With those renewed thoughts coming to the surface Tai pulled her even closer, covering her face with butterfly kisses. The moment came to an end with their foreheads against one another's, hands intertwined tightly, and eyes locked. "We should get some sleep," he said releasing her. She nodded seeing the coming dawn through the bars. Closing her eyes she braced for the transformation, feeling her wings fade away and powers leave her.
When it was over she opened her eyes to find Tai back to his daily form as well. The events of the night finally caught up with them and they collapsed into the confines of sleep still in each other's arms.
As the weeks passed the surrounding kingdoms became part of the warlord's domain leaving only the outer lying kingdoms free from the tyrannical rule. As Cody had predicted the digimon rulers began to arrive early that summer. By that time the once small digimon had grown up yet another level, now able to convey who and what they were to the captives. While the information was a blessing the growth was making it more difficult to keep up the rouse of the unhatched eggs.
The night was dark and rainy, the thunder shaking the stain glass windows of the great castle. Lightning flashed every few seconds casting evil shadows along the walls of the throne room as the warlords held court for the new arrivals. Ken's violet eyes bore into the patron before him with his intimidating glare, trying to figure the beast out. It had introduced himself as Myotismon, ruler of the land of Server.
Server would be the biggest catch for the warlords yet and the prospects of controlling such a mass was enough to make them giddy. "Now Myotismon you know the terms and what will happen if you don't agree to them. We now place the choice before you…surrender or die". Myotismon smiled for the first time revealing two fangs against his crimson lips and his icy eyes looked over the mystics.
"I know the terms very well my lords but would like to amend them," he said in a silky voice ignoring the flashes of anger from the quartet.
Davis had the shortest temper and was on his feet as the words passed through his mouth "It's our way or you and your people will suffer a death beyond compare" he shouted drawing his sword for added affect.
Myotismon didn't phase a bit, in fact he laughed a bone-chilling laugh that sent shivers up Kari's spine…he was up to something. "I could care less what you do to my people" he began "but myself is another story. You are more powerful than me, and that is my I offer this proposition."
Davis was about to kill him on the spot; the only thing stopping him was Cody's arm calmly blocking his path. The youngest of the rulers stood up "And what is it you propose?"
This satisfied the dark lord "Like I said before you have a lot of power and in addition to giving up my crown, taxes, and power to you I offer one more thing, my army of darkness. The army holds the most deadly digimon in all the land, able to kill hundreds in the blink of an eye. At my word they will join your hoard and obey without question, even killing me if you so desired".
"Keep going" Yolei said obviously intrigued by the thought of more digimon under her eventual control. He did with a small bow to her "All I want in return is one of your prisoners". The eight cried out in unison trying to pull away from the monster the chains holding firm. The chosen weren't the only ones who weren't to keen on the idea with Ken the first to lash out this time.
"I'm afraid they aren't going to be part of any bargain," he hissed coldly flicking his wrist to get a wall of guards before their prizes. "Now you will surrender your crown this second or die where you stand". At those words 50 swords were drawn in unison the ringing sound echoing off the walls for minutes after. The guards advanced slowly pointing the deadly tips to the patron waiting for his answer.
Myotismon hardened his gaze, he had never been the one at the bottom of the chain and now it seems all his indiscretions were coming back to haunt him. Slowly he weighted his options, one was surrender and rebuild over the next few years, forming a coo to over throw them, or have his head sliced off and put into the public square. With a slow angry hiss he removed the black iron crown from his head throwing it too the floor, the blood red ruby glittering a goodbye.
"Thought so" Davis said smugly taking a long sip from his wine glass, narrowing his eyes when the tangy taste turned bitter in his mouth "Now we are men and women of our word, chose your blessing". Myotismon answered without second thought "Friendship", after all if he wanted to stage a coo he would have to have the loyalty of his men.
Matt wasn't shocked when he was chosen his stomach churning at the thought of what he was about to do. Binding an army of darkness to a dark lord was a bad combination. Jun was the one who unchained him, giving his hand a quick comforting squeeze…leaving a small container in his palm. The Master of Friendship was forced to suppress a smile at her genius dipping his hand into the cold dust, enjoying the feeling of it in his hands again.
"By the power of the stars I bless you with the loyalty and friendship of others. May you never be betrayed and die surrounded in their presence" he said a loud. He threw the dust up watching as it flashed with the bolt of lightning out side, an ominous sign of what was to come. With that all was done and the court was finished for the night.
Jun took him by the arm keeping the tip of her sword at his throat while Yolei dismissed the hoard "Now go back to your kingdom and let your people know we are their rulers now". Myotismon shot her a withering gaze before bowing to show his distained respect. He allowed himself to be escorted out. Once he was out of sight the warlords slumped into their thrones, showing for the first time that the beast had worried them. "I hope all the digimon aren't like that" Yolei muttered angrily "The nerve of him asking for one of them…and after we captured them too".
Ken as always was at her side in seconds "Of coarse my love but look we won in the end…in fact burn one of his villages just to show him what happens when he angers us". The guard at his side scurried away like a rat to obey his master's commands. "Take them to their chambers, the leader known as Leomon will be heard tomorrow at twilight".
Matt allowed Jun to lead him away twisting slightly to get a good look at his friends; he hadn't had a good one in days. Everyone looked a little worse for where but seemed to be holding up okay. He then saw Davis moving down the line freeing Kari himself. Another clap of thunder echoed in the hall and Matt turned to Jun "Your brother is up to something" he whispered in a low voice watching the panic rise in Takeru's eyes.
Her dark eyes followed his line of sight seeing her brother holding Kari tightly by the arm an odd sneer on his lips. "The guard can take her back to our room" TK said pulling slightly against the restraining arms. Davis held on tighter "The eggs haven't hatched yet, and highly doubt that they will tonight. So Hikari is going to spend the night with me.
Kari let out a startled cry pulling harder, flapping her wings frantically to get away. Tai and TK began to throw elbows in efforts to get away, Tai surprised when Cody loosened his grip briefly, as if debating whether to let him go. "Davis what do you think you are doing" Ken demanded struggling to keep a hold of Joe "you can't have her…yet". The warlord tried to stare down his brother in arms Cody's words for a few weeks ago resurfacing. Cody had said that Davis was ready to do anything to get the mystic.
Now it seemed Davis was tired of waiting for the right moments and was going to use the direct approach. "I will not be denied any longer" he said fiercely "They haven't shown us their true power because they haven't had the right motivation. I figure she'll show her true colors when she finds I am her soul mate".
By now it was apparent to everyone that Davis had gone insane and rapidly approaching the point of no reason. Matt leaned against his love whispering in her ear "Your brother is going to do some irreparable damage if something isn't done soon". She nodded whispering out of the side of her mouth "What do you want me to do? I can't reveal myself yet, and you don't know all your powers yet".
Davis was dragging her to the door oblivious to all the cries for him to stop "She's mine, mine, mine, mine" he ranted now flinging her around like a rag doll. Takeru was allowing his tears to fall unhindered "Kari". Ken closed his eyes and shook his head letting go of Joe "Save your friend" he whispered "then you can heal ours". The Master of Reliability knew exactly what he meant and knew protecting Kari was worth saving Davis's sanity.
Joe took flight-seeing Tai, Takeru, and Izzy had been released as well. The quartet formed a circle around the insane warlord trying to grab Kari as she was thrown by. The Master of Reliability watched helplessly as she flew by two times before he got a feel for the rhythm. Steeling his nerve he leapt directly at Davis tackling him to the ground, forcing him to relinquish his hold on Kari.
She flew through the air at a sickening pace, a pace that was leading right into the wall. She never hit, she never thought she would hit for Takeru was there. His strong arms caught her pulling her into his secure embrace. She shook with fear as the last of Davis's thoughts left her head and Takeru's love broke through "Its okay" he soothed rubbing her back. Her voice came muffled from his chest "He was going…"
"Its okay" TK soothed not letting her finish turning his attention his friends. Davis was fighting like a man possessed, doing everything and anything he could think of to break his restraints. Tai held his arms obviously gritting his teeth from the effort while Izzy had the legs. Joe held out his hand for his bag of dust getting nervous at the look filling the chocolate brown eyes of the warlord telling him magic was at work here, and evil magic at that.
Ken obeyed his silent command, eyes locked on his friend. Davis saw the silver bag and let out an unholy hiss along with another burst of energy. The newfound strength was more than enough to throw off Tai and Izzy, leaving them dazed on the floor, Sora and Mimi screaming in the restraining arms of the guards. "Don't let them go" Yolei commanded not liking the fact that so many were unrestrained.
By now Davis was off the floor his eyes affixed on Takeru and Hikari huddled against the wall. With a fierce cry he drew his sword "She is mine and you will die!" Matt's knees went weak, so weak he would have fallen if Jun hadn't been there to catch him. She knew that this couldn't go on any longer and she drew her own sword ready to betray her brother to save the one of her loves.
Just as she began to run suddenly stopping when an orange and white blur made its way past her eyes followed by an unfamiliar cry "Boom Bubble". Still she saw nothing but Davis's sword clattering to the ground well away from his insane reach. Angered beyond belief he searched for who had foiled him gasping when he saw what had. A little orange creature that looked like a pig with wings stood next to a clawed white cat crouched before TK and Kari ready to attack again.
"They hatched" Cody said with a mixture of happiness and anger "and they already have the desire to protect the chosen". Ken nodded a smile curling on his own lips watching with eagle eyes as Joe used to opportunity to dose Davis with a healthy pile of the dust. "Be gone dark spirits" he shouted his voice full of authority, more than enough to dispel the dark forces at work in the boy.
Davis slumped onto the floor in a heap unnoticed and unattended by the rest in their room for all their eyes were on the creatures standing before the Masters of Hope and Light. Gatomon flexed her claws more taking in each of the warlords with her icy eyes feeling the hair on the back of her neck stand on end. Cody was the first one to speak "Now what do we have here? Two little digimon finally free of their eggs".
Kari shrugged off Takeru's embrace to gathering the creatures in her arms, backing back in the protective arms of her love. The three conscious warlords laughed at this "You think that you can protect them from us?" Yolei mused drawing her sword slowly and purposefully letting the steel ring. "You seem to forget your place as our servants here, now put the little beast down and we will return you all to your chambers".
Kari shook her head clutching the digimon tighter "No, we aren't going to let you turn them into killers".
Rage filled the warlordess's eyes "They will do what we want them to, guards seize them all". The guards went into action forming a tight circle around the room, slamming the great wooden doors as they did.
Tai and Izzy still sat on the floor where Davis had tossed them, the master of courage shooting his friend a quick look. Izzy nodded pointing to Ken, he had the dust and if they had their dust they could fight back. Tai's eyes then moved to those of his sister, their bond getting her attention long enough to indicate their plans. She gave an all but unseen nod before bearing her ground again.
The air in the room was so thick it could have been cut with a sword, as muscles tensed and wings twitched. Yolei made the first move twirling her sword around expertly setting her sights on the digimon "My love" she said moving to Ken's side "let us take them…I have always wanted a cat…we'll just have to de claw her first".
Tai could see the horror written in his sister's eyes and how he would feel if Agumon was here right now. Kari's distress must have pulled Gatomon out of hiding, again Tai filed that away and needed to make sure to keep his emotions in check. Sora let out a small squeak from his left when the guard holding her pulled his dagger out, putting it at her throat "Don't you get any ideas sweetheart". She had never had any intention of jumping into the fray knowing she would only get in the way. She shifted a little to move the blade farther away looking at Mimi out of the corner of her eyes.
The Master of Sincerity was watching her love closely, her fingers fiddling with the star around her wrist. She knew he was up to something just from the look in his eyes and even through they knew the warlords wouldn't kill him she still feared for his life. 'Don't do anything stupid' she prayed silently finally catching Sora's eyes.
She had no more time to dwell on her thoughts as all at once the chosen that were free took flight soaring just out of the swords reach. It didn't faze the warlords at bit, if anything made them happier as the hunt increased. Ken let out a small laugh reaching into the folds of his cloak to retrieve one of his favorite weapons he had developed just for this type of situation. It was a long thin rope made of the finest silk threads intricately woven around a solid round rocks on both ends.
He had designed in order to bring the mystics down should they ever take to the air just as they had here. All he had to do was hold with middle of the rope and wing it around his head a few times before letting it fly. No matter where it hit its pray the threads would wind around its body, the stones shattering bones, affectively ending any resistance.
Matt kept an eye on his brother while he used himself as a decoy to Yolei. Bait she was currently taking. "Come on pretty boy" she said "it will be a lot easier if you surrender now, I promise not to punish you too severely". He ignored her taking to taunting her instead the others safety more important than his physical safety. Enraged she hurled a dagger at him, missing by a considerable distance due to her emotions getting the better of her.
Ken's violet eyes scanned the flyers carefully deciding whom to take down first. While the leader would be a major moral blow the genius was a thinking threat. Without anymore thought he let the weapon fly watching in satisfaction as it spun through the air in a graceful dance. They had wanted the digimon and he was going to get them. So he had aimed his attack at TK and Kari.
Neither of them nor the other fairies saw it coming but Jun did. She had helped Ken with that weapon and knew just how much damage it could do in the hands in such a master. Needing no more consideration on the matter she pulled the dagger from the sheath on her back and throwing it at the silky treads. Her aim was true and the silver blade soared through the air slicing the threads.
With the center point lost the weapon spun out of control striking Kari and Tai in the sides hard. The Kaymia siblings let out painful cries followed by those of their loves as they fell to the ground. Tai hit first followed by Kari laying on the ground unconscious, the digimon falling from her arms, eyes closed in their own slumber.
Ken shot Jun a look of hatred making a note of bringing the incident up with her first chance he got. He then began to move forward to the digimon, his hands shaking with anticipation. TK forced himself not to run to Kari's side, instead going into a desperate dive oblivious to the fact that he was back within the reach of the blades. Ken was almost upon the helpless group Yolei and Cody closing in from the other sides. TK gave his wings a desperate flap putting him close enough to get his fingers around the thick velvet of Ken's cloak.
The Master of Hope pulled as hard as he could feeling the cords securing it around his neck give way…he and the cloak were caught in the momentum and fell back. He heard gasps of horror as he lay on the ground trying to get this thoughts back finally looking up to see what had upset everyone so much. He let out his own gasp when his blue eyes fell upon a pair of shimmering violet wings…
To Be Continued….
A/N: Hope you all liked is review and let me know!