A/N: Well I guess your all ready to kill me because this took so long. I'm really sorry, I had some medical problems to deal with as well as a promise to keep to some other authors. So now I beg for your forgiveness and present this next part to you. Let me know if you like it and suggestions are always welcome.
Now time to plug the contest Kodachrome, Raine, and I are holding. It's a season one contest and all the information is on my profile page if you're interested.
Finally major major thanks to Koda for editing, I don't know what I'd do without ya!
Disclaimer: See chapter one.
The room was deadly silent as the picture fell into place. Takeru stood holding the midnight black cloak in his trembling hands, his eyes not believing what he was seeing. For there just a few feet away stood Ken, evil warlord, oppressor, and mystic just like him. The violet wings on the warlords back shimmered in the moonlight flittering with nervousness now that his secret was out.
Cody was the first to find himself shouting at the guards as soon as his voice came to him "Don't just sit there seize them!" he shouted pulling the stunned Tai off the floor, while putting his sword to his throat. The guards shook their heads quickly shaking away the last of the cobwebs before obeying their master. The chosen didn't even try to move out of the way, their minds not accepting what they were seeing.
Takeru didn't struggled when the guard seized his arms, pinning them to his side firmly. "Your one of us," he said slowly.
Ken's eyes finally flashed with anger as he addressed the group "I am not one of you" he said in a low threatening voice, swinging his sword for emphasis "I am Ken Ichijochi, warlord, and ruler. You are our slaves to do with as we please, now shut your mouth before I let Davis at your love". TK visibly flinched as he shrank back his eyes locking on Kari across the room. Seeing he was in control Ken continued his rampage "Now take them back to their cells, with the little beasts, we will deal with them later".
The guards didn't move an inch, jumping a few feet into the air when Ken's voice roared through the throne room "Do as I say!" he bellowed. The guards scurried out the room with their prisoners in tow and within seconds had left the four warlords alone. For the first time Ken's violet eyes softened as he turned to his love, horrified to see the look in her eyes.
Tears shimmered against her pale skin illustrating the betrayal she felt inside. She backed away from his reaching arms shaking her head "How could you?" she said her voice barely above a whisper "all these years and you've been lying to me". Ken shook his head and tried to take her into his arms. Yolei backed away again pulling out her own sword to keep him at bay "Not another step".
He held his hands out to show he had stopped tears now filling his eyes, in his wildest dreams he never thought she's find out this way. He was going to tell her himself when the time was right…now the time wasn't. "I was going to tell you…" he began not knowing what else to say. "Planning to tell me" she exploded "When? When we had a child and it had wings!"
Ken took a step back as if he had been struck physically "Please just let me explain" he said mournfully giving up on reasoning with her altogether. Her eyes narrowed to small slits and she settled into her thrown folding her arms. Cody left Davis's unmoving side to join her his own eyes flickering with anger. The fairy took this as a sign that they were at least going to let him talk before killing him. "I was born with them, and for the first few months of my life was raised with them. But my 'father' raided the village we had been hidden in, the elders made a run for it. All but mine made it to safety. Ichijochi found the elder who had taken me hiding in the forest and killed him, ready to do they same thing to me when night fell and my wings sprouted. He knew of the legends and decided to take me in as his son letting me explore my powers while hiding them from the rest of the world. We had planned me as the ultimate secret weapon, not only to take over kingdoms but to lure the others out once he found them".
"That obviously didn't happen" Cody said coldly.
"I know, other warlords showing up wasn't part of the plan and by then the others were hidden so well we had no idea where to start looking. So knowing that he couldn't beat you he joined you. Once we had taken this Kingdom I would reveal my powers as I killed the rest of you, taking total control". As he finished his phrase he heard a disproving noise from Yolei. "But" he said forcefully to ensure he had their full attention "when we met you guys I fell in love with Yolei and everything changed. We came up with a new plan to overthrow our own fathers after the job was done…you know the rest" he finished looking to his love, awaiting her judgment.
Yolei sat in silence, Cody keeping quiet knowing she was in control now. Her dark eyes looked over Ken's remorseful face so hard he could see the wheels turning in her head "That still doesn't answer why you didn't tell us" she said. Ken felt a small ping of relief wash through his system; at least she had spoken to him. Taking a deep sigh as he gathered the courage to let out one of his darkest secrets. "First I was scared that you would run to your fathers and tell them, giving them a good reason to kill us. Then I was afraid of loosing you," he said looking directly into his love's endless eyes.
The warlordess's eyes softened, as they looked back "You were afraid of losing me?" He nodded. "I feared it more than dying, more than torture, and more than the others". She looked at him with hard eyes looking even deeper into his eyes. She slowly got up letting her sword clatter to the ground. The metallic noise helping to rouse the drugged Davis. Her heeled shoes echoed in the silence of the hall as she moved toward Ken.
He held his breath as she approached not knowing if she was going to snap his neck or kiss him. To his relief it was the latter, her hands slowly took his tenderly the killer rage gone from her eyes "It will be a long time before I get over your lying" she said as if they were the only ones in the room "but I love you none the less and I cannot deny the whispers of my heart". No more words were needed as he drew her in, kissing her long and passionately feeling as if his burden had disappeared. For the first time her silky hands ran along his back stroking his wings, easing the tension that was slowly draining from them.
Cody cleared his throat loudly to let them know he was still in the room and still had questions. "You said you extended your powers so lets see them". The couple broke away with their own annoyed sighs. "Yes, I have a full handle on the magic of the dust and that ninth egg belongs to me so it will only be a matter of time before it hatches". As he spoke he reached within the folds of his discarded cloak pulling out a violet bag, identical to those of the other chosen.
It glittered happily in his hands, even sparking a few times in response to his touch. He carefully pushed Yolei out of the way before bringing his fist back and letting the power fly. Yolei and Cody let out gasps of surprise because they had expected when he let go the dust would glitter like the others, needless to say it didn't. A fireball of purple fire shot forth from his hands gliding through the air like a bird, moving to the warlords every whim. Ken made it circle the room before guiding it into an empty chair. The flames hungrily ate away at the wood until there was nothing left for it to feed off, ending his little display by closing his hands magically snuffing out the flames.
"Now that is useful," Yolei purred returning to Ken's arms finally looking at Davis "guards". Like trained dogs they appeared from every entrance falling to their knees as they arrived at her feet "Mistress" one replied quickly. "Take Davis back to his chambers and find 10 of your best men, I want them to report here first thing in the morning". Again they bowed running to Davis helping him up as he groggily allowed them to lead him out.
"They will gather the beasts first thing in the morning and by nightfall Leomon's kingdom will be ours".
Just outside the castle gates Leomon sat in front of a roaring fire his keen eyes on the massive fortress before him. By this time tomorrow he would be in the throne room of it ending the rein of terror…that is if everything went well tonight. Genni shifted nervously at his side his eyes on the same target "Don't worry my friend I have known Elecmon for years and he hasn't failed me yet". The elder looked at the king with thankful eyes "I know my friend it's just he's been gone for a long time and if he was caught the chosen could suffer as much as him".
The lion put a comforting paw on his shoulder "He won't get caught, now let's go over everything again to pass the time". Genni consented with a mere nod pulling out his scrolls containing the detailed plan they had laid out. The King and Queen had helped but all involved had deemed it too dangerous for them to come and were back in the remains of Odiaba waiting for word.
He lay the paper out on a log before them "Phase one is already in motion with Elecmon drugging Davis's wine. The drug will bring his innermost desires out; it is that desire for power that will cause the others to turn on him. Meaning that when we go in tomorrow night there will only be three of them…" the bushes began to rustle forcing everyone to go on guard holding their breath, no one even daring to draw their sword because of the noise it would encourage attack.
The rustling became more violent as heart rates rose to dangerous levels when a small red creature popped out from the bushes. His bright blue eyes flickered with amusement at the tense state of the group, that jubilation wearing off when he realized what he had to report. "Its just me" he said in a quiet voice handing Genni the empty vile.
The elder looked at it with satisfaction "So who ordered him to the dungeons when he tried to take control of their little empire". Elecmon looked at him taking a deep breath "Well that wasn't exactly his deepest desire" he said quietly. Leomon looked shocked "Well what on earth was it then?" he demanded.
The digimon didn't get a chance to answer before he heard Genni let out a gasp of horror "No, oh no…please tell me I'm wrong".
Elecmon shook his head "I'm sorry my friend it was Mistress Hikari". Genni began to tremble endless pictures of what he would do to the girl running through his head causing tears to fill his eyes "What have we done?" The caretaker spoke up "Nothing…Davis's comrades didn't take too kindly to his actions and let Takeru protect her…along with their guardians. Needless to say there was complete pandemonium for a few moments until Takeru pulled off Ken's cloak…he's the ninth that has been missing all these years".
If the situation hadn't been so dire Genni would have passed out then and there, but used every ounce of stamina he had to keep conscious "The warlord Ken, who would have thought" he muttered turning to Leomon "I do believe it's time to change phase two". The beast king replied by pulling out a quill and scroll taking another look at the castle as the torches inside were put out.
Tai sat in completely dumbfounded as the events of the past hour began to sink in. Not only had the nutcase made another try at his siste,r but the long lost member of their group had been found. And even though he was responsible for them being in such a dire situation he was one of them nonetheless. Sora sat down at his side after making sure the digimon had been tucked away "Everything's changed now hasn't it?" she asked softly.
He could only nod and take her into his arms for comfort "Yes, but if Yolei and Cody decide his betrayal was too much we may only be dealing with three captors instead of four". Sora looked up into his eyes "But do we want that?" The Master of Courage had to think about this "I really don't know my love, I guess it all depends on how much like us he is deep down. He's already proven to be a merciless killer or is it just an act. We also need to know what his crest is and what powers he has".
"And that would be Izzy's department" Sora said "unfortunately I don't think they will let us have a little group meeting, not matter what they do with Ken".
A fire had begun to burn in Tai's mind, as a plan came to mind "We don't need to get all of us together, just a note to Izzy I'll bet the guards can be bribed…got anything of value on you?" Sora shook her head knowing the only thing she had was the star he had given her to seal their betrothal and nothing was going to make her part with that, a small smile spreading across her face "We don't need to use a guard and we don't need to bribe".
Now he was confused wondering if she had been digging a tunnel while he was sleeping. The Master of Love was oblivious to his confusion and kept talking "Jun, she can help us…" Now Tai had to speak up "I hate to burst your bubble but she's one of the bad guys, she has Matt as her slave in her chambers where she's doing who knows what to him".
She let out a small chuckle at this "How can you not see it?" she asked in an awed voice. Again he answered with a confused look waiting for her to answer her own question "They're in love".
"Who's in love?" he asked not knowing where she was going with this.
Her small laugh, a laugh that made butterflies rise in Tai's stomach, echoed through the chamber "Matt and Jun, ever since we came hear I've been able to feel it. They're love is just as strong and pure as ours. Jun stopped Ken's weapon with her dagger, inadvertently helping us reveal him. She takes great care not to hurt Matt when she brings him to court and her eyes will flash if one of the others even lay a hand on him. His eyes sparkle when he looks at her, which is most of the time…everything fit now?"
Tai wanted to hit himself on the head for not looking closer; he didn't even notice that his best friend had found his soul mate. "So it will be Jun that gets us the information we need" he said "or gets us out of here". Sora nodded kissing him on the cheek "After tonight I think she and Matt may come up with a plan meaning all we can do is wait and hope".
Matt looked down the hall carefully his ears listening for any hint of noise. When he found none he signaled to Jun by taking her hand and leading her across in a few swift steps neither one making a sound along the way. They stopped before a wooden door just like all the others lining the hall, the red head pulled out a golden key and inserted it soundlessly into the lock. With a flick of her wrist the door was open and they were through before a cricket had time to complete its chirp.
She could feel her loves hand tighten around hers when they entered his sights falling on the slumbering form of his brother. Takeru lay curled up in the bed his arms fastened securely around Kari. He could see dried tears on both their faces and the pillows under her face was still wet, he wasn't at all surprised, especially after what had happened in the throne room. She had every right to cry.
The door clicked behind him as Jun locked it ensuring them some privacy for a few precious moments. A small hiss alerted them to Gatomon's unhappiness at their presence. Matt fell to his knees holding out his hands to show who he was "Its just me Gatomon, Takeru's brother". Her ears lowered even closer to her head and her eyes fell upon Jun standing behind him "She has 'his' blood in her".
Jun had to resist the urge to step back and held her ground "I won't lie to you he's my brother, but I don't condone his actions…if you want me to leave I will". The feline perked her ears back up and settled back onto her pile of pillows, obviously showing her consent. With a small sigh of relief Matt moved forward to his brother's side amazed at how much he still resembled the eight year old he had watched over not too long ago. Tenderly he brushed the hair away from his eyes, the slight touch startling the boy awake.
TK's eyes were wild and his body moved to block Kari fully, fist back and ready to strike. "Easy Takeru" Matt said quickly in a soothing voice watching the panic drain at those two simple words. "Onissan?" Matt had longed for him to say that for years now, he actually couldn't remember the last time Takeru had called him that. "Its me" he said soothingly. "But how?"
The elder had been waiting for him to ask that a smile spreading across his face "You aren't the only one with an angel". Kari's eyes opened at the sound of her nick name her body instinctively moving closer to TK her eyes falling upon Matt "I'm not dreaming am I?" she asked. TK kissed her on the forehead "No your're not angel, but Matt said something about his own angel". She looked at him expectantly as Matt held his hand out to Jun still hiding by the door.
The younger mystics looked shocked to say the least as she moved into Matt's arms snuggling into them just as they had done so many times. Yet after the initial shock wore off happiness flooded their systems, Matt had finally found his other half. The comments he and Sora had made after blessing the girl also made its way to the forefront of their thoughts, she had really needed the blessings and through Matt her prayers were answered.
Kari crawled out of bed giving her a warm hug "Welcome and thank you, I saw you throw your dagger to stop Ken's weapon…I don't know what it would have done if it had hit full force". Jun knew very well what it would have done and chose to keep that to herself as Kari let her go and TK took her place "And thank you for putting that sparkle back into my brother's eyes, I haven't seen it for years". The comment made her blush and return to her loves arms, feeling like part of their family with every passing second.
"As good as it is to see you why are you here" TK asked his brother settling in on the edge of his bed. Matt gave a small smile "A few reasons, first and foremost was to make sure you were okay especially after Davis's little show and to tell you to be on your guard. Jun overheard the guards talking, they are under orders to raid our rooms at dawn and take the digimon by force". Kari let out a small gasp picking up the sleeping Gatomon, cradling her in her lap "How?"
Jun shook her head sadly "I don't know, I had to keep moving or they would suspect something and that wouldn't do any of us any good".
Matt gave her a comforting squeeze "This was more than enough" he said gently "But we do have a problem, there's no way we can warn the others without someone picking up on something". The quartet fell into silence, pondering what had just been said each one trying to come up with something. "What if we created a diversion?" Kari asked quietly her eyes seemed to be staring off "One of us get sick or something, that would surely stop them from whatever they're planning".
Jun thought it over for a few moments "It could work you are all too valuable to their cause to die or be unable to perform a blessing but that still leaves the rest of the day, they'll just make Joe heal you and proceed with the plan". TK shook his head resisting the urge to kiss Kari then and there for her brilliance "No they can't it will be day and we won't have our powers therefore Joe can't heal the 'afflicted' one until sunset".
Pride ran rampant through Matt's system; they had been taught well "So who will be the afflicted?"
TK spoke up instantly "Not Kari, I don't want Davis to have any reason to take her away". No one argued this point with Matt raising his hand slightly "Let me do it, I'm Jun's slave, and she can throw a tantrum to get me better". Her eyes brightened at the prospect "I will be a great performance. I'll keep all the guards running so they won't have time to even follow through with the warlords orders while the warlords themselves deal with my hysterics…perfect now we must be off, a new shift is coming on and I don't want to be caught crossing the hall".
She watched as the words left her mouth the pain those words caused the brothers. Before their capture they had never been separated for more than a few hours at most and even after those separations able to return to each other. Matt loved his baby brother dearly and it was truly killing a part of him being unable to save him from this threat. Keeping silent she watched as he embraced the pair one last time whispering unheard words of encouragement to them with "It will be all right" making its way to her ears. Jun prayed to everything she believed in that Yamato hadn't just lied to them because if he had they would suffer a fate worse than death.
Izzy lay with his arms wrapped securely around his love as she slept lay wrapped in the confines of sleep. The sun had just peeked over the mountains the first rays of light taking their wings away. He looked at her sleeping face fondly letting her rest as long as she could, the capture had been so trying on all of them that every ounce of energy could mean the difference between captivity and freedom when the time came. His gaze wandered over to the couch where the books were hidden his mind already spinning with what he might find today.
The last of his reading the night before had revealed that they had control over some of the elements, exhaustion had forced him to turn in but now with a renewed strength he was ready to go again. Ever so carefully he slipped from the warm sheets as not to disturb Mimi, brushing some last stray hairs away from her gentle face before heading for the couch. He fed the dying fire some wood and made himself comfortable with the ancient text.
He turned through the first half of the book flipping pages until the crest of courage shimmered back at him. The page was elaborately hand drawn in deep orange ink that sparkled in the firelight making the flames bordering the page dance "I guess we know Tai's element" he muttered turning the page to be greeted by lines of ancient text, only a few letters of it known to him so far. Knowing it would do no more good he turned his attention to Sora's crest seeing clouds with wispy lines coming from them. Izzy hadn't expected everyone's to be as easy as Tai's and continued looking only able to decipher a few more. His for instance seemed to have something to do with lightning, Mimi plant life, and Matt ice, each one of these elemental powers could lead to their freedom, that is if they could figure them out.
"Do you ever put those down?" Mimi asked her gentle brown eyes gazing at him from the bed. A smile crossed the Masters lips "Not unless something better comes along". Mimi slipped out of bed and padded across the stone floor into his lap to look over the pictures "Looks like Matt's going to come in very handy next summer" she said running her hands over the pictures. Despite himself Izzy laughed hugging her tightly "Look who's talking".
She playfully slapped him in the chest, their happy giggles stopping when the door began to open. Izzy was up in a flash, getting the book under the couch and Mimi behind him in one fluid movement. Mimi peeked out from behind him quickly making sure the digimon were hidden under the bed.
An unknown guard walked in confidently, flanked by three of his comrades, each one holding a blow dart. "Where are the creatures?" the leader demanded tossing the first chair he came to across the room causing it to shatter into tiny bits of firewood. Mimi jumped but hid her fear well; in their day forms they were nearly helpless against any type of weapon. "We don't know what your're talking about" Izzy said calmly pointing to the eggs sitting on a pillow by the fire "Ours still haven't hatched".
"Liar" the guard screamed grabbing another chair, throwing it at the mystics. Izzy shoved his love to the floor taking the brunt of the force for her…and it cost him dearly. One of the bones in his arm snapped like a twig with the armrest hitting him in the eye, turning it black instantly. The Master of Knowledge fell to the floor unconscious eliciting a scream of unholy terror from Mimi. It echoed down the hall bringing the panicked footsteps of others. Under the bed Palmon and Tentomon responded to their charges distress darting out and barreling at the attackers before any more damage could be done.
Unfortunately the guards were ready for this and fired the sedative-laced darts at the unsuspecting digimon. The guardians were only inches from their masters before collapsing in heaps. Mimi cried out again holding Izzy to her "Get away from us!"
The guards chuckled and advanced. Mimi tried to save them but with Izzy in her lap wasn't able to get to them in time, only able to watch as they were scooped up. "That was just too easy" the leader said turning to leave, freezing in place when he saw Jun in her angry glory "Just what do you think you are doing" she said in her most commanding voice, making the men's knees shake as her eyes narrowed into dangerous slits.
"Warlords mistress, requested we get the digimon…" one stammered.
"And I suppose killing our prizes was part of their plan! Look what you have done!" she yelled raising herself to her full height "Not only have you damaged our property but you ignored one of my orders…my personal prize is sick and EVERY guard is to be combing the countryside to find the herbs for him".
By now the leader had gone pale as a sheet "But Lord Ken said…."
Jun blew up, stepped forward, and grabbed him by the front of the tunic "That was before my prize got sick…now get out of here, get on your horses, and find my herbs!!!" The men let out small whimpers and ran out of the room, with the bag, fearing for their lives. Jun watched them go her chest still heaving from her outburst before turning to Mimi.
The brunette still sat huddled on the floor, clutching Izzy in her arm, tears streaming down her cheeks. Jun began to walk toward her stopping instantly when Mimi tried to back away with a whimper. She cursed herself mentally for not getting there in time, she had stopped every other guard from even opening the door to go after the digimon but then her brother had shown up. She had to put on her show, got every guard in the castle looking for the herbs…well almost every guard.
"Let me help you" she said carefully.
Now instead of shrinking back Mimi lashed out by throwing a hunk of the shattered chair at her. The general was easily able to dodge the projectile but the gesture hurt all the same. "Please, Mimi I can help you and Izzy…"
Another piece of wood was thrown her way "Get away!"
By now all the screaming had roused the attention of the warlords, bringing all four down the hall in a fit. Everyone looked like a cross between panic and anger as they crowded in. Davis looked the most put out spoke first "What on earth is…" then he saw Izzy unmoving, Mimi crying, and shattered furniture covering the floor. Jun answered his unspoken question "Your imbecilic guards nearly killed him fulfilling your orders".
Color drained from all of their faces as they realized that they were down two mystics and hours from sunset. Ken stepped forward reaching out to take the red head to the bed and was forced to flinch back when the armrest rapped against his wrist "Stay away from him" Mimi said already bearing another piece "just get out and leave us alone".
"You know we can't do that" Yolei said in a surprisingly sweet voice that startled even Ken.
The Master of Sincerity finally snapped "Yes you can!" she screamed, "you can let us go, you can give this kingdom back! But you won't because you are the embodiment evil, hate, and darkness. What you have done and are doing will haunt you one day, your darkness will come back to haunt you and no one will be there to stop it". As her words echoed off the stone, she lowered her head to attend to her love as best she could.
Cody felt a small ping in his heart as her words struck home, shaking him to his young core. Slowly he looked to his comrades to see if they were having the same reactions…they weren't. Ken, Yolei, and Davis didn't look hurt or thoughtful they looked mad, almost ready to lash out at the helpless girl. He was about to put out a restraining arm when Jun spoke up in her own angered yet demanding voice "You know as fascinating as it is to sit here and watch her insult you my slave is still in need of help now seeing as how he's my payment I want it taken care of".
The murderous glares faded away "Fine then let us go care for him and prepare for tonight" Davis said his voice still dangerous "listen girl you all belong to us and we will do what we please with you and as punishment for your little outburst your love will receive no herbs or attention. After sunset Reliability will heal Friendship but not Knowledge…he will heal on his own in his own time…in agony all thanks to you". Finished Davis turned on his heel and strutted out the door, Ken and Yolei at his heels praising him as they crossed the threshold.
Cody lingered for a few moments before leaving as well taking one last look at the huddled pair trying to place the odd feeling residing in his chest…guilt?
Like every other day the sun lowered under the horizon and the transformations took place. Jun chained Matt as she did every night, taking care not to have the chains too tight. Ken had already brought Joe by to 'heal' him before the court began. Gabumon snoozed by the fire, his tail wagging in happiness slowly. "You know how much I hate to do this?" Jun asked before she opened the door feeling his iron clad arms wrap around her "I know you do and don't blame you for anything…especially what happened to Izzy today". He felt her tense up at the mention of what had happened causing him to nuzzle her neck tenderly "You did everything you could to stop it, a(and) look how many of the other's you protected today".
"I just wish I could have done more," she whispered. Matt hated to see her beat herself up like this and turned her around to face him "You have done more than enough" he said sincerely looking deep into her eyes "We will get through this and we will start out lives together away from your brother and the others". Now no more was needed and she jumped to him, wrapping her arms around his neck, kissing him full on the lips.
The unlikely pair savored the moment trying to comprehend how they found each other in the oddest place. Pounding on the door forced them apart and scowls on their faces, it was Davis "Come on Jun Leomon is at the gates". With an angry sigh they fully parted and followed the brunette down the hall, the last to arrive as usual.
Matt turned his attention to Izzy, finding Mimi had managed to make a sling from what looked like the curtain and stopped the bleeding from the cut on his head. Other than looking bruised Izzy wore a defiant look refusing to even hint that he was in pain.
"Now that we're all here we'll begin" Cody said any guilt from earlier that day gone under his icy mask. The guards at the elaborate wooden doors pushed them open allowing the newest entourage to enter.
Leomon was at the head of his group, seven servants flanking him on either side. The beast king stood tall in the dire situation, looking the chosen over rather than looking the warlords in the eye. Ken took notice of this and acted quickly he didn't trust the beast "You will kneel before us" he commanded flicking his wings for emphasis. The king obeyed motioning for his servant to do the same "We have come to serve you my lords" he stated humbly.
"That's the attitude I like to see" Davis said smugly gesturing for Jun to go collect the crown. "You know the rules and the consequences should you fail, correct?"
Leomon stayed on his knees as he removed the golden symbol of power from his head "Yes my lords". Yolei let a broad smile cross her face; he was cooperating better than anyone before. "And you also are aware of the rewards for handing over your birthright". Now the king only nodded as Jun stopped before him with outstretched hands. "Then who do you chose?"
What happened next was unexpected and left everyone frozen in place "All of them" he said with a growl in his voice "they are all coming with me tonight". When he had finished his phrase his paws shot out like a fired arrow, grabbing Jun, pulling her to him. A sword appeared from his sleeve and found its way to her throat before anyone could blink. The beast took a step forward his voice authoritative "Now unchain them all and I'll be on my way" a sneer tugging at the corners of his lips.
Davis's eyes twitched with anger "Let my sister go" he said drawing his sword satisfied when he heard the guards do the same. The cruel smile that had crossed his lips so many times made its way to Leomon's lips "She's your sister…how intriguing…however I will not let her go until you remove those chains or you will watch her bleed to death right here right now". When he finished he looked over the warlords, shocked at their expressions. They were not ones of worry, as one would expect, but impassive and void of emotion as if they didn't care.
"If it means giving up our prizes kill her" Davis said descending the throne platform to stand possessively by their captives. Seconds later he was joined by the other warlord's swords out and ready.
For a few moments time stood still for Leomon, he hadn't expected this, he didn't think they were that cold hearted. He chanced a glance at those he was trying to rescue. Their looks ranged from confusion to hope, until his eyes met with the ice blue ones of Yamato. Rage, pure unbridled rage and every ounce of it was directed at him. Leomon looked to make sure Takeru was safe, after all the younger blonde was the only one with the power to send Matt into such a protective fury, or was he. There was something else hiding in those eyes, something he didn't think his hostage could bring about, love?
Mustering his courage and calling to the ancients Leomon carried on "Fine then watch her die" he said simply pressing his sword harder to the girls throat causing a small trickle of blood to run from her throat. The blood glistened against her pale skin a small whimper of pain escaping her throat. That small whimper would have been unheard under any other circumstances, but in the cold chamber it was the only thing that reached Matt's ears. It echoed in his ears over and over causing his heart to ache and his power to rise.
He felt the blood pump faster through his veins with every beat of his heart, a cold energy forming in his hands. He looked into her eyes wanting nothing more than to hold her and kiss the pain away. He wanted to kill that beast and her brother for allowing the pain to happen. Unconsciously he reached into his tunic, withdrawing the vile containing some of his dust. However the dust wasn't glittering as it usually was, it was glowing, glowing in his rage.
Instinct took over from there. Without knowing how or why he opened the vile and dumped its contents into his palm where the energy from his body transferred into it. The dust grew cold as ice just before Matt spoke "Let her go and go back to whatever hole you crawled out of". Leomon looked at him in shock seeing a blade of solid ice hovering just before the mystic. The warlords watched agape, opting to let Yamato take care of the threat rather than take it on themselves. Leomon knew he had lost and any chance of escaping with the mystics was slipping away with every second. A quiet voice shook him out of his thoughts "Genni sent you didn't he?"
The digimon didn't need to ask how she knew Genni, or how she knew who Genni was, but how he could use her as an ally "Yes, he did are you willing to help me get them out?"
"Yes" she said without thinking about it for more than a second. Leomon could see Matt was tired of waiting and was bringing his arms back to let the ice go. Leomon threw Jun to one of his men well out of harms way "Plan B" he shouted hitting the floor just in time to watch the ice hit the guard behind him. The six men who had come with him didn't move to help him up; they had other goals to accomplish. Fearlessly they charged forward with battle cries, cutting down any man that got in their way. And for the second time in two days pure chaos erupted in the throne room.
Guards began to flood in and the warlords began to unchain their prizes, desperate to get them out. Yolei worked frantically at Sora's lock as one of Leomon's men approached Tai, cutting the master of Courage free with one swipe of his sword. He took the end of Tai's chain like a leash, dragging him down to get Sora. Yolei let out a fierce growl finally getting the lock to click. "Chrome Digiziod Steel" the guard said coldly "it can cut through anything so give me the girl if you don't want me to cut your heart out".
The threat was answered with a ball of purple fire whizzing past his head "No you let the boy go and I won't burn your heart out of your chest" Ken said arriving at Yolei's side with a fire in his eyes, wings fluttering as he hovered off the ground. In one hand the warlord had his sword and in the other Joe's chain. Joe, like Sora, wasn't struggling with the warlords for once; feeling they were safer where they were.
"Kari!" TK screamed before the guard could answer the threat, turning everyone's attention down the line. Takeru was still chained to the floor, Cody opting to defend him rather than drag him out, clutching Kari's hand as Leomon himself slashed her chains away. Their knuckles were white from holding on so tight, and with a small tug of the chain Kari was ripped away.
Leomon felt his heartbreak when he realized this was as many as they were going to get and it was time to go. "Pull out" he roared over the clashing of swords and wails of pain. Genni's men obeyed without question pausing their battles to reach into their tunics for the small capsules they had been given just before they left. The village elder had said to throw them on the ground for a smoke screen escape. Thick clouds of black smoke filled the room, billowing out the windows, and leaving every occupant blind.
Through coughing fits Davis tried to shout orders, but to no avail. They all would have to wait until the smoke cleared to see the aftermath of the attack.
Ten minutes later it did. Revealing dead bodies, blood, and four chosen. Sora knelt on the floor trying to catch her breath, her chain still in Yolei's hand "Tai" she whispered before dissolving into tears. Joe too took great gulps of fresh air, crawling to Sora to make sure she was all right. Takeru was huddled on the floor his eyes fixed on the open door, pale pink fabric clutched tightly within his fingers. The fabric had come from the sleeve of Kari's dress when she was ripped away and now it was all he had of her. Yet the Master of Hope wasn't alone in his grief, Yamato was trying to come to terms with what had just happened. Jun, his beloved had been helping the intruder; she had unlocked Mimi and Izzy herself, taking them to the beast, betraying his trust, faith and love.
To Be Continued…