A/N: I'm so sorry this took so long, school has just been killer on me. Anyway I'd like to thanks my ever so patient editor Kodachrome, without her this wouldn't be up. Hope you all like this part and yes this story is winding down. Feedback and suggestions are welcome and if you want a sequel you need to let me know now.
Disclaimer: See chapter 1.
Genni waited with baited breath, his tired eyes fixed on the path leading into the clearing. Any second Leomon would come through with all eight of the missing mystics ending the nightmare that had begun so long ago. The trees surrounding their clearing stood still and animals hid in their dens seemingly able to sense the dire situation unfolding around them. Silently Elecmon put a supporting paw on his knee "It will be all right my friend you just need to have faith".
The elder sighed "I do have faith, its just I swore to protect them with my life and failed, its my fault they're in there and don't want them to be stuck there any longer than they have too". He could only imagine what horrible torture the warlords had put them through, what they had done to Ken when his secret was revealed, and how Davis reacted to the poison.
Elecmon was about to offer another phrase of comfort when the bushes began to rustle, causing the hair on the back of everyone's neck to stand on end. A silent prayer passed through the elders lips as the leaves parted revealing the mighty beast king.
Small streams of blood flowed from various cuts covering the king's body. In his arms he carried the struggling Kari, struggling being an understatement. The Master of Light was kicking sensitive spots, clawing at eyes, and trying to bite the hand that muffled her screams. "Hikari" Genni cried running to her, her struggles ceasing the instant she saw the old man.
The rest of the party came out the bushes carrying their own struggling bundles, injuries mounting with every passing second. "Koushiro, Mimi, Taichi…its okay". Like Kari they stopped struggling, looks of relief crossing their faces. Leomon signaled to release them; thanking the stars Kari didn't try for one last blow as she shot from his arms to the protective ones of her brother.
Tai enveloped her with a joyous cry swinging her around a few times before setting her down for a hug "Are you okay, did Davis hurt you?" Kari shook her head the mere mention of Davis bringing tears to her eyes "Takeru…" The brunette knew what was setting in, the reality that had hit him a few moments ago, they were out and those they loved were still in. But it didn't stop Tai's big brother instinct from being happy that it was Kari who had been saved…
"We'll get them back," he cooed letting her bury her face into his chest, tears soaking the front of his tunic.
Genni allowed a smile before turning his full attention to Izzy. The Master of Knowledge was being cradled in Mimi's lap, the brunette repeatedly kissing his forehead and fussing over his arm. "When did this happen?" the elder asked gently, brushing her hand away to get the sling off. "This morning" she replied sitting on a log to watch knowing Genni could do more than she ever could hope to do "the guards came for the digimon and we resisted".
"I see" he said pressing on the almost black bruise gingerly, hearing Izzy let out a hiss of pain the second his fingers touched the skin. "I'm pretty sure it's broken," Izzy said through tightly clenched teeth "I heard it snap when the chair hit". Genni just nodded replacing the sling "Mimi set it?" a grimace answered his question "So there is nothing more we can do until we have Joe back".
Tai interrupted at this point cradling Kari in his arms, her eyes slowly dropping in the faint moonlight "How are we going to do that? Get the others out? I highly doubt that they'll allow anyone else in now unless there is a sword at their throat".
"That's assuming they let the others see the light of day again," Izzy added.
Genni sat down heavily next to his charges "I'm sorry I don't know my friends…a few factors have come into play that I didn't plan on. This plan was supposed to get all of you out and you weren't supposed to get your digieggs, let alone hatch them…" A tired silence fell over the crowed with everyone staring into the depths of the fire for inspiration. Minutes passed before Jun spoke causing everyone to jump, they had forgotten she was there "I say we follow Kari's example and sleep on it, there's nothing more we can do tonight and a good night's rest will allow us to think clearer".
No one disagreed as they settled onto the mats the guards provided Genni casting a wary glace at the girl before getting a reassuring nod from Tai. One by one their eyes closed watching the lights in the castle were snuffed out.
Deep within the walls of that castle eight figures sat in the dark dungeon trying to get a handle on what had happened in the last few hours. Patamon flew around the cell looking for a way out, his crystal blue eyes shimmering with tears "I know he's in danger…I can feel him in pain…he needs me" he said his voice cracking. Gatomon suppressed a hiss, she could feel it too but if felt as if Kari was moving farther and farther away by the minute "Agumon quit chewing on the bars you're going to hurt yourself" she said catching a glimpse of the lizard trying to gnaw his way out.
He stopped flopping onto the ground glumly, silently scolding himself. He like the others had been sound asleep in their respective hiding places when just minutes after their charges had been taken the guards burst in. The men tore apart the room, broke furniture, and slashed upholstery. Needless to say they were successful in flushing them all out and depositing them in the dark, dank dungeon.
"We can't just sit here," Gomamon said in a desperate voice "You all know the only way to flush out our power is to put them in danger and I don't want to see what the warlords consider dangerous enough". The others didn't say anything and looked around the cell once more for a way out seeing nothing but metal and stone.
The fire in the throne room glowed in purpled fury as Ken's rage grew with every passing second…for in a few horrid moments they had lost their stranglehold on the land. Four of their pawns taken, five in reality because without Kari, TK could do nothing but be used to keep Yamato in line, ice powers and all. Yolei released her fury as she threw her goblet of wine into the raging inferno before she shrieked at the guards "Comb every inch of this land and bring them back! I want that lions head on a stake…" she stopped when Cody put a calming hand on her arm.
"No need to waste our resources" he said quietly calm as if they hadn't been attacked "they will come back to us" his cold emerald eyes turning to their four remaining captives huddled on the floor before them, locking with those belonging to Matt. The Master of Friendship felt his stomach drop and the blood inside his veins turn to ice, causing him to hold TK tighter to him. Joe let out a nervous sigh knowing just what they meant, dreading how far they would go to make it happen.
Izzy winced as he sat up, the small movement sending waves up pain up through his battered arms. "Easy there" Genni scolded helping him the rest of the way up "without Joe your going to have to do this the old fashioned way". The red head just nodded easing himself onto a log before the morning fire "So it wasn't a dream," he stated. The elder felt his heart grow heavy, if they had only gotten all of them out "It wasn't my boy but I swear we'll get the others out soon".
"Not soon enough though" Tai said his chocolate eyes studying the stained glass windows of the castle, focused on the depiction of Sora. "For every minute we're out here is one more minute they're in there, one more minute of torture…and who knows what else". Leomon knelt before the weary leader, dark circles under his eyes, "I am very sorry". Tai shook his head and helped the king up "Please don't be so hard on yourself, besides we have a secret weapon I don't think anyone factored in".
Silence reigned for a few moments before Jun spoke "That you do and one who is just as determined as the rest of you to get them out. Knowing my brother he's pretty cocky right now and they won't do anything too drastic. You can expect increased guard patrols and a reward for their safe return, by weeks end a price on Leomon's head and every bounty hunter in the city at the castle awaiting orders…"
A small whimper stopped Jun her dark eyes filling with worry when they fell upon the flailing Kari. "What's wrong?" Mimi asked taking hold of the girl's hand while Tai held her down and from hurting herself. Tai only gave an exasperated look pleading with the sleeping girl "Kari wake up, its just a dream" he said in his most soothing tone, the same tone he had used when she was younger and having a nightmare. Sadly it didn't work.
The flails increased and tears leaked form her closed eyes her lips finally giving way to the torment of her heart "Takeru".
The throne room was lit by a small ring of torches with Matt tied to a chair just outside the ring, black velvet had been strung over the windows to block out any sunlight. He was all alone in the room; left to his own thoughts while the warlords went to their own devices. He didn't mind, his mind was still trying to cope with what had happened the night before. Jun, the one he had given his heart and soul too, had sided with the enemy king and helped him whisk away half of his friends. He'd been scolding himself ever since he was dumped into their chambers, scolding himself for being so trusting and believing he could ever find love. Then there was the little fact that he'd shown his true power, the power over ice. The Master of Friendship could have sworn he saw Davis drooling and Ken rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
He twisted his wrists within the rope trying to get the blood flow back and stop the tingling that was creeping up his arms. He had no idea how he had summoned those powers in the first place. Doubting he could do it again if he had too.
One of the side doors leading in slowly creaked open and Ken stalked into the firelight. He like the other mystics were now wingless and void of the symbol on his forehead. His violet eyes flickered with intensity as he took in his prisoner "How are you doing this morning?" he asked pleasantly checking the bindings securing Matt's wrists.
The blonde steeled himself and refused to answer the question, instead fixing his gaze dead ahead. Ken however kept talking "Now I have control over my power because I have done it all my life…but you were able to use it last night with the skill of a master. I want to know how you did it and what the other elements are". Matt still remained silent.
"I expected you wouldn't want to say anything so Yolei and I had a nice little chat last night, discussing what would bring on an attack of such intensity" he continued without so much as a breath "First you somehow saved enough dust to mount the attack, then it took something distressing enough to send you mentally and physically through that barrier blocking your powers. Now my love in her infinite wisdom thinks that you have fallen for that traitor Jun and when she was taken captive by the beast last night it spurred your powers…"
Ken was still talking but Matt wasn't listening 'They were calling Jun a traitor as well,' hearing the warlord raise his voice a little forced Matt to return his attention to the captor "…so how did you do it?"
"Do what?" the mystic asked confused now. Anger flickered across Ken's face but he kept it in check "Shoot a icicle across the room. Even at my best I can manage a spurt of fire now I want to know how to do it at my full potential".
Matt sat back shaking his head "I can't, I don't even know how I did it and even if I did I wouldn't tell you". Ken slapped him soundly across the face for the comment "Don't lie to me" he seethed "the power we posses is innate so at a primal level you are aware of everything you do, just tell me what it was that set you off".
The captive was done talking and he pressed his lips together forming a thin line his eyes fixed on the flaming torches knowing that nothing bad would happen until the sun went down when he had the power to do it again. The warlord circled him one more before leaning down so he was nose to nose with the fairy "I warned you" he said slowly and stalked out of the room, leaving Matt alone once more.
Down in the dungeons Yolei wasn't fairing much better in her attempts to get the digimon to obey her orders. Before her now was the seal like creature called Gomamon, his enormous puppy dog like eyes glaring at her defiantly. She was having a hard time believing something so cute could be such a pain in the rear. She had put a chair around his neck and shackled him to the floor, beginning to bombard him with questions…none of which had been answered as of yet.
Finally the final straw of patience broke and she launched into her defensive strike "Look you little monster I have the one you have been sent to protect just a few floors away, all alone and defenseless. Now if you don't want me to go up there and take out some of my pent up rage start talking and start talking now".
Gomamon stared at her for a few minutes before lowering his head in defeat "What would you like to know?"
Yolei clapped her hands, she just loved to manipulate "First how do you protect him, you are all so small and quite honestly couldn't ward off a large brute when faced with one". The seal didn't look insulted by the comment "I don't know" he said in his childish voice "all I can tell you is that I can feel something inside of me just waiting to be let out, it'll happen when it happens".
The warlordess was satisfied with this "Good, now Yamato showed some interesting power last night that makes me wonder what does Joe command, and the others for that matter?"
"Again I don't know I only have a tie to Joe who I would assume has control over the water, seeing as how that's my element as well." She merely stared at him, her gaze boring down as if trying to discern if he was telling the truth. Satisfied with his answer she continued to grill determined to get every ounce of information out of her prisoner before something else went wrong.
Cody gently knocked on the door leading into Joe's room, courteous to almost a fault. A quiet "Come In" was heard through the wood and the youngest warlord entered. Joe sat in front of the fire watching the flames crackle aimlessly, not looking up to acknowledge the boy. "I have some questions I need answered" Cody said keeping his voice firm like Ken or Yolei would.
The Master of Reliability let out a small chuckle his tired eyes finally turning away from the flames "What more could you possibly want from us?" Joe face seemed worn and dark circles hovered under his eyes giving the young warlord the impression he hadn't slept the night before. "You took us from our home, killed those we love, forced us into slavery, kept us in fear of our lives, seized our guardians, and took our blessing from the rest of the world" Joe shot his anger boiling "And for what? Land, power all things that won't matter a few years from now".
The emerald eyed warlord looked a little hurt as the words sunk in, but hurriedly put up his mask again as the cold tone slithered back into his voice "I said I wanted to ask you some questions, now either you help me or I'll go pay a visit to Sora…" he didn't finish the threat not really wanting to make it in the first place. Joe sighed and lowered his head slightly "I don't know what you could possibly need to know but go ahead".
"Then I'll make this brief, how do your guardians, I guess for lack of a better word, work. In their current forms they can't even protect themselves let alone you. I have also read in countless books that say they posses an inner power that will allow them to 'grow', 'evolve', or become stronger. So that leads to my question, how do they do it?"
Joe merely sat back in his chair "I don't know" he said "I didn't know we had guardian beasts until he hatched and before you ask anything else the only one of us who could have had any hope of answering your questions is now in the hands of that beast king."
It was now Cody's turn to lower his head in defeat; somehow he knew that was going to be the answers all the others were going to give. "Then I thank you for your time" he said with a bow. As he reached the door Joe's voice stopped him "Will you answer a question for me?"
The warlord's instincts screamed for him to say no but his sense of honor said to honor the request "Of coarse" he replied "after all its only fair".
The mystic nodded his gratitude "Why are you following them? I can sense there is something different about you, you have a kind heart and all this threatening, violence, and killing doesn't agree with you. I can also tell that honor and loyalty are as valuable as gold to you…you would never do anything to jeopardize your family name".
Cody bit his lip, his back still to the fairy. He didn't want to turn around because he knew Joe was right. Turning the knob he was halfway out the door when Joe spoke again "How do you think the great Hida name will be seen in history…I'll tell you how, it will be seen as a bloodthirsty monster who ravaged villages and killed the innocent. It will be the one that took Courage, Friendship, Love, Reliability, Sincerity, Hope, and Light from the world. You will destroy the reputation your fore fathers built and die without honor". Unable to take it anymore Cody slammed the door as hard as he could, scowling at the fairy through the wood…somehow his words hurting more than anyone would have ever thought.
Mimi let out a relieved sigh and patted her hand "She's just worried about TK". Genni shook his head as the tears turned to sobs her breaths into ragged gasps until a scream ripped from her throat her eyes shot open and she fell into her brothers arms crying "They're hurting him" she whimpered over and over. Genni began to pale his gaze turning to Jun "Those two have an almost physical bond between them, now be totally honest with me. Would the warlords hurt Takeru, or the others, for any reason any reason at all?"
She shook her head "No, they always said that they needed them healthy".
"Matt" Izzy said suddenly sitting up, ignoring Mimi's restraining arms "Matt displayed his elemental power last night protecting Jun, they're probably trying to get it out of him again". The brilliant thinker was now on a role "They must have figured out that it was the emotional bond between Matt and Jun the elicited the response and figured they could get it out another way".
That was more than enough for Kari as she left her brothers arms, jumping into the air, forgetting in her desperations that her wings were gone. After crashing to the ground she took off in a dead run, through the dense bushes. Tai was up seconds after her "Kari no!" he cried chasing after her, Mimi just behind him. "I didn't know she could run like that," the Master of Sincerity said between breaths. Tai didn't respond, and in all honestly didn't know she could do it either.
Lush trees flew by them in a blur and they continued the chase, jumping over logs and roots along the way. Blood began to seep from the cuts administered by angry branches and their lungs began to burn with the need for air. Finally they broke into a clearing that was just outside the castle seeing Kari banging on the wall screaming at the top of her lungs "I'm back now stop it!"
She continued screaming until a firm hand covered her mouth, her brothers voice gently trying to calm her even though he wanted to chastise her for running off "Kari calm down we'll get them out just not like this". The Master of Light didn't stop her struggles and tried to break free "Listen" Tai said firmly spinning her around to force her to look in his eyes "You would only make it worse by going back in there. If they're hurting him to get to Matt what makes you think they won't do it to get to you, or worse use you against him"
Mimi's took the girl into her arms "Now would TK rather have you in there with that creep Davis or out with your brother, where you are safe?"
"Here" Kari answered her voice barely above a whisper her hands wiping the last of her tears away. Mimi smiled at her giving another comforting squeeze "now lets go back to camp and figure out how to get out of this mess shall we?" After taking one last mournful look at the castle she nodded allowing herself to be led away.
Back at the small campsite Genni fed more wood to the fire while his old ears paid careful attention to the conversation Jun and Izzy were having. "I don't think they'd hurt Takeru to get to Matt" she said absently still lost in thought as she spoke. Izzy gave her a confused look, no one had ever really challenged his logic before and he wanted to hear what she had to say. She obliged and kept talking "If they hurt Takeru they run the risk of all of them holing up and not doing a thing…but Davis on the other hand".
Izzy didn't like the sounds of where she was going "Davis what?" he prompted.
"Davis is obsessed with Kari and sees Takeru as an obstacle and now that he is worthless he just might try to get rid of him…for good"
Genni gasped and began to pray that she was wrong; if Takeru died he would take the worlds hope with him. "But I could be wrong" Jun added coming out of her thoughts to address the full group "I haven't been able to predict one of his moves this entire operation. So Izzy what have you discerned from the texts?" The elder was thrown for another loop, apparently both of them had managed to get a hold of the ancients texts that lay within the castle "So which ones were you able to figure out?" Jun asked picking up one of the scrolls that sat in his bag. Izzy didn't waste a second "You know Matt's already Ice, Tai has Fire, Mimi earth, and myself lightning. As for the others I don't know, I didn't have enough time to translate the script".
"Sora wind, Joe water, TK and Kari some type of holy magic" Jun finished not looking up from her scribbling. The red heads jaw fell open "How?" he stuttered sending Matt a silent compliment 'You sure found a good one'. Her dark eyes met his "As you said the elements love is fleeting sometimes, like the wind. Water is seen as a healing median, as for TK and Kari their crests had been referred to as the holy ones in one of the books I read".
"Excellent" he said his excitement growing "this puzzle is almost complete we just need our dust, digimon, and the others and we'll be able to stop the warlords before they can do any more damage". The surrounding group all smiled at this comment turning their eyes to the brush, as Tai emerged, leading the way for Mimi and Kari. Mimi still had her arms wrapped supportively around her with Kari's hand clutching the star TK had given her. It was her only physical link to him right now and all she wanted to do was surround herself with it. The attacks had stopped but something more sinister was about to befall her love.
For the first time since the entire ordeal had begun Jun was right about her brother's action. He walked down the hallowed corridors of the quiet castle a long black leather whip in his gloved hands. This had been the opportunity he had been waiting for; with the boy out of the way nothing could keep him from taking Kari as his own. TK was useless without her anyway and could serve as a lure. He came to the heavy wooden door a cruel smile crossing his lips; he was going to enjoy this.
Without warning he threw the door open so that it would bang and startle the captive. It succeeded as TK shot up from the shattered bed frame his eyes wild with worry. His arms moved to his side hitting nothing but the sheets, but Davis knew what he was doing. Though he wasn't fully awake his instincts were telling him to protect Kari.
This action added fuel to the warlord's fury as he let the whip fall and his grip to become tighter. "What do you want?" TK asked his tone cold and unwavering. Davis chuckled "You will see" he said letting the whip go. The leather strap shot through the air like lightning, so fast that Takeru didn't have a chance to breath let alone move. It snapped across his arm immediately forming a long, red, bleeding cut.
The Master of Hope looked up shocked and in just enough time to leap away from the next volley of the whip. He dived behind the tattered remains of the couch hearing the wood trim snap a couple of times "Come out here" he demanded appearing around the side of TK's temporary shelter the sting of the whip once again shooting through his body. This time a startled cry escaped his lips and echoed down the hall…
Ken was waiting for Cody after he finished his meeting with Joe and he had heard the younger slam the door in frustration. "Don't worry about it" he said calmly "I didn't get any information either. We're going to have to take drastic measures".
"What kind of drastic measures?" Cody asked falling into one of the lush velvet chairs that filled the sitting room "We've threatened all we can and half our bargaining chips were whisked away last night. Not to mention the king and queen must have raised some sort of army against us by now, we need to stop bullying other kingdoms and take the time to secure what we have".
The mystic looked shocked Cody rarely spoke out, meaning when he did there was a lot of wisdom and thought behind those words. "Your right" he said seeing surprise cross through his emerald eyes "We've taken too much and must focus on securing what we have…starting with reclaiming our pawns…" his words faded away as he lost himself in thought. Cody remained quiet, letting him think knowing if any of them could find a way it would be Ken.
"We could let the digimon go, they are bonded I have seen it with Wormon and myself, they would find their charges and lead us right to them" the warlord said quickly trying to get the idea out before it left him. Cody grabbed a scroll and quill scrawling everything out when a desperate voice floated through the open window "I'm back now stop it!"
Both warlords froze, their eyes wide "Or they come back on their own" Ken said amused running to the window in time to see Tai and Mimi trying to soothe the obviously distraught Kari. It didn't take them long and to their horror the trio began to head back into the woods "Guards" Ken bellowed charging our the room "Search the woods surrounding the castle, our prisoners are out there…"
A violent tug on his tunic forced Ken to stop. Violet eyes flared with anger and he had to resist the urge to slap his comrade "What?" he demanded not hiding his anger. Cody didn't back down, answering with his own determination and fury as he grabbed Ken's arm and pulled him down towards where their prisoners were kept "Didn't you hear what she said? She had a connection with Takeru, that's why the need each other".
It became clear what he was getting as so hard that a horse could have hit Ken and not known the difference. "Davis you idiot" he yelled taking off behind Cody. The pair ran as fast as their legs could carry them, drawing their swords in the process, coming to the room that had once held the Masters of Hope and Light.
The scene that greeted them was horrific. Blood covered the fine fabrics that at lined the walls, bed, and furniture. A black whip lay stained near the door with its owner holding the neck of the bruised, bloody, and battered TK. Both bright blue eyes were swollen shut and his pain filled gasps for air filled the room.
"Davis!" both Ken and Cody screamed startling the warlord enough to get him to drop the boy. Cody rushed forward putting himself and his sword between the pair while Ken came from behind securing Davis's arms behind him "You have five seconds to tell me what you were thinking before I rip you heart out".
Davis didn't back down and pulled himself free "I told you what I wanted and with him out of the way I was going to get it".
Ken backhanded him in hopes of bringing him back to his senses "You just about killed one of our most valuable tools for your selfish and meaningless lust…if you want a girl go get one of the whores from the village and be done with it". While Ken dealt with Davis Cody knelt down checking the boy over. TK's breaths were ragged and forced, numerous cuts bled freely forming a small pool where his body had landed. It was clear that he needed to be healed by Joe…yet sunset was hours away.
Yolei then made her way into the room an annoyed looked on her face "I thought we were going to meet…Davis!" she screeched her eyes falling on TK "You idiot!" She fell in next to Cody tearing shreds from her own dress to press on the most serious of the wounds. "Take him to Joe's and get every herb in the castle" she said taking control getting up and motioning for Ken to pick him up. All three fell silent and obeyed her orders without a word.
Leading the way down the hall she bellowed at every guard along the way, sending them scurrying into the wilderness for herbs once again.
Two hours later Joe hovered over the body of the blonde he had seen as his little brother praying to every ancient he could think of to help him. He had done everything he could until sunset and could only wait. "Just hang in there TK" he said quietly brushing the golden strands away "The sun will go down soon and I'll be able to fix everything". The surface injuries weren't the problem, bones had been broken and there was some definite internal injury all of which would have been fatal had any other healer been working on the boy. But even Joe's skills weren't enough to stop those injuries and time wasn't on their side without his magic TK would die. There was no response and the Master of Reliability wished they would at least let Matt in to comfort his brother, Ken said no to this not giving any reasons.
Cody sat vigil making sure they didn't try anything while Davis, Yolei, and Ken had left to do their own devices. A horrible feeling was forming in the pit of his stomach, things were only getting worse and if Davis had a few more seconds he would have broken Takeru's neck. "By the power of the stars," he whispered, "please just let this end".
Myotismon arrived at his borders in a full fury; children mere children had taken his kingdom from him. A nasty string of curses left his lips as the image of his crown on their heads flashed across his mind. "They will pay for crossing me" he said darkly a sudden thought coming too him "Phantomon" he shouted leaning out to his driver "there has been a change in plans…head for Spiral Mountain, its time for me to call in a few favors…"
Now a smile made his way across his sinister face not only would he get his lands back but the lands of all those that the little brats had conquered. Then to top it off he would have the power of the destined to himself.
Ken bolted the door to ensure he and Yolei would have complete and utter privacy, what he was about to do was for them and them alone. His love lounged on the bed surrounded by mounds of pillows clad in a soft cotton nightdress. She looked as comfortable as a cat yet her eyes told another story; she was furious and ready to take action. "I can't believe he did that," she said slamming down on the nearest pillow "did he honestly think…"
"I know my love" Ken cooed taking her into his arms and kissing her on the head. "And I think that its time for us to cut off our remaining partners". He felt her body stiffen in his arms, this had already been part of their plan but actually doing it was going to be tricky. "I know" she said relaxing "I wanted to do it when Davis went after her the first time…I was just afraid you weren't with me".
Sweet kisses graced her forehead "I'm always behind you, what Davis did was inexcusable and if anyone else had done it they would be dead. Little Cody is also outgrowing his use, he's starting to be sympathetic and his sense of honor is getting in the way of our goals. We need to cut them out by seasons end".
"And we will" Yolei said her voice cold and calculating "once we have the destined back we will be in control and have the power to throw them out. Which brings us to how are we going to do that, I saw that look in your eyes so what do you have planned?"
The warlord smiled she knew him too well "Well when Davis was attacking Takeru little Hikari showed up outside the castle walls screaming to be let in…that is before her brother dragged her back into the woods…" Yolei interrupted his story and when she did Ken was worried that she was going to blow up at him for not recapturing them on the spot "You say just showed up outside the castle walls all alone, no guards, no ropes and had to be taken away by her brother" her eyes hardened "That means that they aren't being held against their will, Leomon must have been in league with the king and queen!"
Everything fell into place and Ken let out a curse but Yolei snaked her arms around his body and began to purr in his ear "But my love that means they can leave of there own free will and Kari just demonstrated she would come out with the right motivation so I say we ready the gallows". Ken let out a growl and pulled her into his arms for a fiery kiss. "You are a genius" he said between kisses his hands pulling her to him. When they had to come up for air he scooped her into his arms carrying her to the door, they had a plan to hatch.
To Be Continued…