A/N: Well thanks for the support guys and I am trying to find inspiration yet nothing seem to pan out. I will finish this fic and your reviews help me write faster. Finally I know this is shorter than what I usually but out but I've been really busy and I feel something is better than nothing.
The hot afternoon sun beat down upon the lush forest as two of the guardians wandered through the paths, on the daily food scrimmage. Gomamon and Tentomon walked side by side each one carrying a basket "I don't see why we have to go so far from home" Gomamon complained as he wiped the sweat from his brow with his flipper. Tentomon followed suite, stopping at a berry bush and beginning to pick "Izzy said that the warlords were still looking for them and if we picked from bushes by the camp they would find it easier, its like a decoy".
Gomamon grunted in annoyance and hurriedly filled his basket anxious to get back to the cool creek that ran through the meadow. They picked in silence for a few moments each one enjoying the simple song that the birds were singing and the rusting of the trees in the wind. "That should be enough" Tentomon buzzed admiring basket as he checked his companions. Gomamon agreed and they both began to head back home when they heard a soft whimpering coming from down that path…closer to the castle.
The guardians stopped dead "Did you hear that?" Tentomon asked slowly turning towards the sound. Gomamon nodded "Should we go check it out?" Another whimper made its way through the trees answering his question. The pair dropped their baskets and broke into a run, following the sound of the wounded cries.
They didn't have to go far, finding the source at the crossroads were a blue lizard lay beaten and bleeding. The crossroads were connected to every road in and out of the kingdom and were the biggest thoroughfare in the country, meaning he could have come from anywhere. "Hey are you all right?" Gomamon cried kneeling next to the lizard, his charges healing side burning through. Tentomon chimed in "If he was okay I don't think he'd be making that noise" his own charges nature coming through.
The seal rolled his eyes and let the healing nature fully take over "What
happened? What's your name?" he began
motioning for Tentomon to gather supplies to make a stretcher. Pained brown eyes looked up and parched lips
opened "My name is Veemon, I was attacked by some men…they had a girl with
purple hair leading them…I tried to get away but…" Gomamon put a quieting hand
on his shoulder "Shh, you rest and we'll take you to our friends, they'll be
able to fix you up in no time".
Tentomon had finished the stretcher and helped ease the injured creature onto it, taking head of his injuries. One on he appeared to fall asleep the carefully hefted it into the air, forgetting the berries and heading for home.
Tai felt his stomach growl as he dropped his last load of wood into the storage shed. Living on their own was harder that he thought it was going to be. However, it was all worth it as he gazed upon the village they had created. Their homes were hidden high in the trees, the only evidence of them being the ladders that hung down. The center held a fire pit that would soon have a building to surround it. Numerous storage sheds were scattered throughout the area, holding food, water, wood, and other supplies. Finally his eyes fell on Sora as she sat in the sun, weaving fabric together. It was going to be a tapestry of their symbols for Cody, a coronation gift.
She seemed to feel his eyes upon her and looked up briefly to offer a knee-weakening smile before returning to her work. He felt a strong hand on his should belonging to Joe, the healer smiled "They should be back in a few minutes with lunch" he assured with a small laugh. Tai blushed "I wasn't that loud was I?"
"I could hear you down at the stream," Kari said as she entered the camp one hand entwined with TK's and the other a string of fish. Tai blushed and merely shrugged "All this hard work is making me hungry". Matt rolled his eyes at this as he entered the area, taking the fish from Kari; it was his night to cook.
Takeru helped his brother while Kari went to look at the work Sora had been doing, running her fingers over some of the finished detail "Its beautiful" she said picking up an unfinished section, beginning to work. Joe and Izzy came into camp as the smell of fish began to fill the air, rousing them from their studies in the meadow. Joe looked at them smiling, until he realized his guardian was nowhere in site. Usually the little seal was so close to the fire he feared he would fall in. "Haven't Gomamon and Tentomon come back yet?"
Mimi shook her head spreading out the blanket and Jun emerged with the dishes, all of which had been provided by the royal family. "They went to gather berries and knowing them they ate them all on the way back and had to go back for more". Izzy agreed with his wife knowing their propensity to nibble as they walked. Jun, however, shook her head "Then they sure brought back a lot of berries, look what they're dragging".
Everyone was immediately on their feet looking to the edge of camp where the who had come into view, pulling a stretcher of some sort behind them. "Something's hurt" Joe said running to his hut to grab his bag while Matt and Tai ran out to unload their burden. What they returned with made them gasp in surprise.
"He said his name was Veemon before he passed out" Tentomon
said huffing from the effort of dragging him through the forest.
"And that he was attacked" Gomamon added.
Sora cradled the lizard in her lap while Mimi placed a cool rag on his head, "The poor dear is burning with fever," she said. Joe returned just in time to hear her comment and began to pull out the appropriate herbs until he was able to transform. He moaned slightly as they were forced down his throat before calming down, apparently asleep.
"Where did he come from?" Kari asked her voice holding none of the sympathy that Sora and Mimi had, she sensed something dark about the creature, something dark yet familiar. Gatomon apparently sensed it too for she was looking at him with her ears down and claws flexed. "He was attacked at the Crossroads by some men and a girl with lavender hair" Tentomon said sensing the other guardians discomfort with their decision to bring him back with them "we couldn't just leave him there to die".
"You did the right thing bringing him back to us," Izzy confirmed, patting his guardian on the head. A wave of relief shot through his veins and he returned his attention to Joe's work, hoping that they hadn't been too late.
In the mountains Davis passed like a caged animal, he had his men ruff up Veemon for affect; perhaps they had gone to far. No, it had to be realistic or they would never have taken him. And he knew they had taken the bait. All he had to do was wait for his guardian to return, and the attack would begin. Wait in the hollowed out cavers of his fiery mountains, the fires that burned below it seemed to responds to his moods. Calm when he was and explosive when he was ready to kill.
All he had to do was wait. He hated to wait.
One of his men entered the room, breaking him from his pacing, anger dancing in his eyes. The brute seemed to sense this and fell to his knees, holding up a wooden box. "This arrived from Ken and Yolei my Lord, I believe it is an answer to your request". Davis smiled. Something to pass the time "Well let me see it" he demanded snatching the box away, using his dagger to pry it open.
It was the stench that hit him first; it was the smell of death and rotting flesh. And it was the site that caused his eye to narrow in shock and disgust. Yet his surprise and disgust passed, replaced with anger as he dumped the contents onto his chamber floor. The head of his messenger rolled out and stopped at the soldier's feet, who in turn promptly lost the contents of his stomach. This too annoyed the warlord; someone so weak was part of his army.
A soft growl alerted him to the presence of the dragon leader, he had started calling him Ryu, feeling the warrior had eared that sign of respect. The dragon had come at the smell of blood and flesh, his reptilian eyes looking at the head as if it was a treat. "They refused the offer," he informed gesturing to the head indicating he could eat it. Ryu wasted not time, gobbling it up with a flick of his tongue, causing the soldier to vomit again. The beast once again set its gaze on Davis, who nodded. With a scream of utter terror and pain, he was gone with two snaps of the dragon's jaws.
Ryu let out a belch and bowed his head in thanks "I should be the one thanking you my friend" Davis said with a bow of his own. Once he rose he moved across the cavern, looking at the pile of eggs remaining. He now had half a mind to splatter them all over the cave wall, but thought better of it. They would be of use to him yet.
Yolei opened the flap of her tent, the site that greeted her bringing a smile to her face. It was the disemboweled body of Davis's messenger, the messenger who had the audacity to demand money of them. His death had been slow and painful, she had seen to that, using him a guinea pig for teaching her men the finer points of torture…then letting each on have a go at it.
"Lovely sight isn't it my love" Ken purred arriving from his morning exercises with the men. She only nodded looking over the once wheat field that had become home to their hoard. "I sent a spy to watch Davis, we haven't heard so much as a peep out of him and then he demands money".
"Good idea" Yolei responded heading for her potions tent, briefly clutching her stomach as a wave of nausea passed over her, "you don't think he has a lead on where our little pawns ran off too?" Ken knew she was referring to the chosen, his burning desire for revenge just as strong as hers. "I think he might, after all there is nothing else we would pay money for".
They entered the tent the overwhelming smell of lavender and musk nearly overwhelmed him, not fazing his wife in the slightest. Ken stopped to look around; seeing as how it had been awhile since the last time he was in here. In the center was a large wooden table covered with herbs of every shape and color. Surrounding the tent were rows of wooden shelves covered with more herbs, potions, and empty vials. In the darkest corner of the tent was a long table with leather straps on all four corners, clearly for use with a human specimen.
"Then all we can do is wait until the spy reports back…but be sure to keep an extra set of eyes on the castle, who knows what our little prince is up to?" She was working on yet another concoction as she worked, her teeth once again clenched as if trying to hold something in.
Ken narrowed his eyes; Cody was another sore spot a spot they would remove with time. He also thought it prudent not to say anything about her condition; the healers would come soon enough to see that all was well. But for now their focus was on finding the mystics, after all they were once again an integral part of their plan.
Night was falling and their visitor had yet to wake, save for a few moans when he rolled over. Under any other circumstances this would have concerned Joe, but he would be transforming in a few moments and have him back on his feet in no time, thanks to his powers. The others were preparing for their nightly runs as well by putting on the weapons Cody had given them and donning their traveling cloaks.
Takeru and Hikari, however, stood away from the group, the Mistress of Light not feeling comfortable around Veemon. TK appeared to feel it as well choosing to keep his love company "Don't worry he'll be gone by morning" he soothed pulling her into a loving hug, kissing her forehead. She let out a sigh and settled into his arms, the simple act of his gentle touch washing away the fear that ebbed through her body. "I know I just want him gone…I want this feeling gone".
"It will" he assured "Besides I'll tear him to ribbons if he so much as looks at you" Gatomon hissed from Kari's feet, the feline barely visible in the long grass they were standing in. "And I'll finish what's left" Patamon added perching on TK's head looking to the fading sun.
The sun disappeared below the horizon casting moonlight upon the meadow bringing forth flashes of light as their wings sprouted and their powers reborn. Joe set to work instantly, preparing the visitor while the others finished setting their journey's to come.
Joe moved to his patient closing his eyes, taking a deep breath, and clasping his hands as if in prayer. The crest on his wristband began to glow, casting a silver light upon Veemon. He shimmered for a few seconds before the light into the night and his rich brown eyes opened. "Where am I?" he groaned sitting up, holding his head and surveying the site before him: eight mystics with their guardians gathered around him, the guardians even closer watching his every move.
Tai stepped forward, assuming his role as leader "My name is Taichi and you are safe in our village. Gomamon says you were attacked, do you remember any of it?" Sora nudged him in the ribs to get him to slow down, not wanting to overwhelm the poor creature just after he woke up. Veemon didn't seemed to mind, placing his small hand on his head and letting out a small groan before speaking "Yes, I was heading to a lake and a woman came from the bushes with her men demanding the location of the 'Chosen'. I told her I had no idea who she was talking about but she didn't want to believe me…and set her men on me. The next thing I remember is you".
"Sounds like Yolei to me, we just need to be more careful from now on…she seems to be patrolling the forest for us now" Izzy concluded flexing his wings for the flight ahead. Joe nodded his agreement "You should be fine in the morning, but for now you need rest" he ordered looking to Gomamon, conveying the silent message to watch over his patient. Gomamon merely smiled and saluted, beginning to prepare a plate of food to prove his dedication.
"We all have long lists tonight so don't wait up" Matt said cuddling briefly with his wife, looking to his guardian conveying his own silent message to protect here. Gabumon nodded briefly as not to alert Jun, she would hate to know she was being watched over. The red head didn't notice as she kissed her husband on the cheek "You just be careful, and don't worry about me I have enough work here to keep me busy most of the night". Matt merely smiled and kissed her one more time before taking to the warm air of the night.
Takeru waited until they were well away from the village before he guided Kari to the ground, their guest was bothering her more than she cared to voice in his presence. "We're away from him now, please tell me what you sense" he said softly feeling a shudder run down her body. "Kari, please" he pleaded, "I feel something too but I know you know more…please tell me".
Kari twitched her wings in frustration as she looked up into the crystal blue eyes of her love, feeling safe and knowing he wouldn't dismiss what she was feeling. Ever since her rescue, the others seemed to write them off as stress from her ordeal. "Davis" she said running her hands through her hair "I sense Davis…that horrible black feeling that is laced with a hint of insanity".
TK sighed "Is Jun in danger?" he asked.
She shook her head "I have no feelings of ill will, besides she has all of the guardians and herself to protect her…I just think we need to worry more about ourselves". TK nodded "Okay, we'll complete our task and them meet with Matt and Tai as soon as we get back, they'll know what to do with him".
Kari smiled giving him a soft kiss feeling the icy ball in her stomach finally melt "I knew you would understand". He flashed her a smile before returning the kiss "And I always will".
Jun watched as Veemon wolfed down another plate of food vaguely reminding her of the way her brother would eat, shovel in and hope something gets chewed before swallowing. It was a thought she immediately shook off, she never wanted to think of her brother, or his eating habits, again. Instead she turned her attention to her task at hand, the tapestry for Cody. She was currently weaving Matt's section seeing as her love had no talent with the needle and thread.
Slowly she weaved the blue thread with a practiced hand, finishing his symbol with a tight knot, this was a gift that would last the ages. Picking up her scissors he was carefully cutting off the extra thread when a large, unexpected belch made her jump. The sharpened metal went through the carefully woven fabric and into her hands.
Jun cursed in pain wrapping the wound in a rag hoping to stop the blood before it ruined the tapestry. She was relieved to find only minimal damage had been done and her hand could be healed when Joe returned. With those problems solved she turned her attention to Veemon who was busy licking his plate clean.
He looked up to see the bloody rage, his eyes widening "Oh, let me help you" he cried staggering up and brining his cup of water over. The former general took it gratefully, choosing not to tell him he was the cause of the accident. Carefully she rinsed the blood away to revel a long cut but superficial cut, dropping her rag to the ground.
Veemon picked it up ready to wash it when a familiar smell greeted his senses; it was the smell of his master. Confused he looked around only seeing the various guardians, Gabumon now at Jun's side. He sniffed the air and found the smell coming from the rag and without thinking he spoke "You smell like Davis".
Gabumon, who had been wrapping the wound, froze as his mind struggled to grasp the statement. Gatomon however was ready "What did you say?" she demanded bounding forward, flexing her claws.
By now Veemon had realized he'd blown his cover and needed to act fast if he wanted to live long enough to report back to his master "I said she smelled like daisies" he covered hearing his voice falter.
"And I'm the Queen of Sheba" Jun said drawing her dagger with her good hand, motioning for the others to surround him. They obeyed without question, intent on destroying the threat to their charges. "Now how do you know Davis?" she asked carefully, moving in and pressing the dagger to his throat.
The lizard didn't know what to do, Davis hadn't told him if something like this happened, after all something like this wasn't supposed to happen. Yet it did and he had to think fast if he wanted to keep his head. "I crossed paths with him not too long ago…I traded him directions for some food" he lied.
Her dark eyes flashed, he had given a wrong answer for her brother was far too proud to as for directions in the first place. "You sure seem to run into a lot of warlords looking for things," she taunted, pressing just a little harder. The creature couldn't help but whimper as the blade began to slice the tender skin. "Besides my little brother would wander around the woods for three years before asking directions".
'Brother' his head screamed, why would his master's sister be on the wrong side, unless she was the traitor that had cost him his queen. Slowly his fear was replaced with rage, rage of what she had done to his master, rage he used to his advantage.
"Traitor" he cried turning in her grasp and kicking off "Vee Headbutt". He hit her square in the head and took satisfaction at watching her drop like a log unconscious. The guardians were on him in and instant, Palmon's vines the first to reach him. He swatted them away as if they were annoying flies.
The combined forces of Gabumon and Agumon, both of which hit him dead on, followed her attack. Veemon was airborne and landed hard near the fire, his blurry vision falling on a large flask of oil. He smiled, he may not be able to get away but he could lead his master there. Rolling away from Tentomon's bolt he grabbed the flask and threw it into the fire, just as Gatomon plowed him into the ground, Patamon knocking him out.
The flask exploded into a great fireball, launching itself well above the tree line into the night sky. The guardians fell to the ground covering their heads as ash and glass reigned down on them. Singed they arouse to survey the damage which was nothing a little rope and sweeping couldn't fix.
Yet Tentomon stayed true to his masters form "Just how far away do you think someone could have seen that fireball?" he said feeling an icy ball form in the pit of his stomach.
Davis could barely contain his excitement as he watched the last remains of the fireball dissipate into the night sky. "We ride!" he yelled running back into his mountain stronghold rousing his men as he went. His voice echoed followed by the roars of the dragons and the battle cries on his men. They had been thirsting for action ever since they were driven from the castle, wanting revenge for their master, and their honor restored.
The mouth of the cave began to look like the gates of hell as the dragons lined up, men boarding, as smoke filtered out of their reptilian noses and growls hummed within their throats. Davis boarded Ryu; addressing his men "Tonight we reclaim our queen and our honor!" Torches and swords were thrust into the air as a mighty roar came from the army and echoed off the hills.
And as the hoard took to the sky another spy launched a flare of his own, this was the spy belonging to Ken and Yolei. The flare burned green as is soared across the night sky, pointing the way in which the hoard had taken off, the flare itself unnoticed.
Unnoticed by any of Davis's men, Ken and Yolei's spotted it instantly. Paige's stationed all over the camp ran for their master's tent, each one wanting to be the first there in order to reap the rewards of the news. Four of them arrived at the same time only to find Ken hovering in the air and Yolei saddling her horse "Took long enough" she chided, making note to punish them all upon their return.
"Saddle up" Ken yelled as the alarm bells began to spread across the camp. The men obeyed and within five minutes their finest were at their sides ready to fight. This pleased Yolei as she paused to give orders before they pulled out "Davis has dragons and his men are incompetent, if any of you are injured I will put you to death for your own stupidity" she paused to make sure they were still with her. They nodded "Now, I have two potions I intend to test" she continued pulling out two velvet bags, one red and one black "none of the mystics are to be killed until I administer them…understood".
Again nods and grunts of agreement "As for the mystics themselves they will be armed with their elemental powers and guardians, separate the beasts from the masters to make it easier to fight" Ken continued "finally, if you corner one call for us so the potion can be administered". Seeing no further argument of questions he signaled to move out.
In the distance eight mystics were beginning to return home, unaware of the siege to come.
To Be Continued….
