CHAPTER 6!!! ::sings pick up sticks.. O_O oh the camera's rolling!::
::clears throat and says O' so eloquently::
ummmmmmmmm. . .
OH YEAH! I remember now!
Ok yeah so this chapter I think skipped around a bit but I had a major writers block so try not to hold it against me! Grrrrr, it was * really * frustrating! I actually wrote everything in lil' chunks and at the end I pieced 'um all together from there. Ack! F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!! Wow! that's a really long word when you spell it out like that! Any who. ^_^ Hopefully it all worked out in the end. . .
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His Excellency Boran, stood before the gathering crowd of Tashon citizens. They were churning with excitement and anticipation of the council to come. Boran let a small frown cross his lips as he thought of the reason for this council. The strangers, specifically the one named Yamato. Borans thoughts were drawn into memory. . .
~Flashback~ ::flash!::
Boran stood over the young man named Yamato, whose form was slumped in his bonds. He was weak, the Cantamon blood had worked well, but still the boy resisted. Boran grew anger, "What do you know about the Dark Lord?"
Yamato shook his head, "I already told you," he mumbled, to weak to pronounce his words correctly. It was taking everything he had just to say them, "I don't know who his is."
Boran grabbed Yamato by the neck forcing him to look into his eyes, "You lie again boy."
Yamato's eyes turned stormy, "No. I. Don't." He said threw clenched teeth. Sweat fell from his face and splashed on Borans wrist. It was than that Boran saw a flicker in the boys eyes. At first he thought he had imagined it, because it had come and gone so quickly, but than it came again. A flash of gold light just at the edge of his eyes.
Boran let go of Yamato in fright, and the boy slumped forward with a slight groan and went unconscious. Suddenly, a weak light blue light sprang from his forehead in the form of an odd symbol. Boran cautiously reached out and tilted the boys head back so that he could see the symbol better.
The symbol appeared to be a circle with a jagged slash threw it and two sweeps of blue coming from the sides. (The symbol of friendship just incase my description was unclear.)
Boran slowly stepped away form the boy. The light felt warm, but he would not let this fool him. Only demons could do such a thing as have light flow from their foreheads. . .only demons. . .
~end of Flashback~ ::flash!::
Boran drew his mind out of the memory. It was best not to dwell on such things just yet. He turned his head back to the ceremony, the elders were about to enter. The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent as two horn blowers appeared at the stage. They sounded the horns twice than fell back. From behind a screen thus positioned nine robed figures slowly made their way to their respective seats on top the stage.
After a moment of silence, the lead elder spook. "Why have you summoned us!"
Boran stepped forwards, ready to tell all present of the two demons that have entered their midst's.
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". . . And so Gabumon and Agumon Warp digivolved and we--" Suddenly armor was heard from out side the tent. Matt's eyes widened, "Quick! They don't know your awake yet!"
Tai nodded and quickly laid back into position. It had become second nature to him now. Matt sat back into his cot trying to look unsuspicious. The guards burst in and one, the taller of the two, spoke in a commanding voice. "One known as Yamato! Your presence has been requested by the elders! You are to come with us."
The second guard bent down and hauled Yamato up, *ever * so gently. Matt purposefully sagged in his grip. If they were going to take him, he defiantly wasn't going to make it easy for them. When they had left Tai sat up, the beginnings of a plan brewing in his head.
He had to go help Yamato-or Matt as the boy had told him to call him. Tai smiled at the name. It sounded better than Yamato.. it sounded more familiar, like he had used it many times before. Tai's head began to hurt and he brushed the thought aside. Concentrate on getting out of here. Tai thought.
Tai went to the side of the tent moving his hands along where tent met ground. He cursed. It was held down tightly. They obviously didn't want him getting out. Just in case he felt around the rest of the tent and was rewarded when his finger punched threw to the outside. The hole was small. No bigger than two fingers width round, but it was something to work with.
Tai pulled slightly at the hole. It nudged a bit wider. Tai smiled in satisfaction. This was their ticket out of here.
Tai crept back into his cot. At night time he would make his escape.. .
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` ( A very long A/N that should answer some of your questions:
Oh and sorry that its kinda stuck in the middle of the chapter like this. It just sorta happened like that. ::shrugs::
OK well, I think I forgot to mention in this that the door/flap * thing * to the tent * is * being guarded. That should clear up the whole, 'why don't they just walk out the front door' question some of you might be asking. The fact is if they did that, they'd probably get a couple wallops on the head. Joy. Joy. That would be fun! Heh, sorry, I'm in my sarcastic mood. ^_^
Any who, you'd have to figure that Tai's smart enough to say, 'well you know what I don't want those two wallops', and that's why he's looking for the alternative ways of escape. Another question that might have arisen, if the door's being watched don't you think the guards would have over heard Tai and Matt talking by now? Ummm. . . well for reasons such as I didn't want Tai and Matt to get caught just yet, lets just say the guards posted were deaf or something like that. No offense meant.
One last thing. Food. I was thinking about this today and I realized I haven't had Matt and Tai eat anything through this whole ordeal-well 'sept those eggs but that was in the very beginning so it sorta doesn't count. SoOo anyway, I'm going to try and be better 'bout that from now one but as far as the past chapters go just assume that Tonai * has * been giving them food.
Opps, wait I have another 'one last thing', ::sweatdrops:: to recap on how long Matt and Tai have been in the Tashon village. . . I'd say roughly three, possibly four days. Ok well I hope that clears up some of the confusion and once again I apologize that this had to be stuck in here like this. Okie Dokie That's all I had to say. ^_^)
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Matt was roughly dragged threw the frightened crowd. Again, the people would not make eye contact with him. He looked to where the two guards were taking him but could not see over the heads of the crowd. Suddenly they pushed threw the crowd and he was confronted with a grand stage.
On top the stage stood nine chairs, royally built, and upon those nine chairs sat nine hooded figures, hunched over and grey. He could not make out their face. The guards forcefully led him up a set of stairs and he found himself on the stage facing the crowd. The guards backed away ever so slightly. They had bound Matt's hands behind his back on the way here, they knew he couldn't get away. Matt knew it too.
Matt let out a slight sigh of anger, 'what now?'
Than he noticed the large man, the one who, Matt realized with displeasure, had tortured him, was on the stage as well. He groaned inwardly. Tonai was at his side. One of the hooded figures stood and spoke, "One who is known as Yamato! You have been accused of trespassing on our sacred shores, and infiltrating our cities defenses. We have reason to suspect you and your friend of being spies for the Dark Lord. What be it you say in defense?"
Matt took a short breath, than replied. "I'm not a spy for the 'Dark Lord.' Neither is my friend. I don't even know who the 'Dark Lord' is!" This brought a few gasps. Matt continued. "Yes we trespassed on the 'sacred shores' but it wasn't on purpose! We got lost in these caves, and than there was a cave in. We fell threw the cave into the river. It was never our intention to even come here! It was all just a mistake!"
"What were you doing in the caves?" Boran questioned, coming up behind Matt.
Matt let out an exasperated breath, "Trying to find a way out."
"How did you get there in the first place?"
"We don't know." Matt said honestly. "One minute me and Tai are in our house, the next we're in the caves. We don't know how we got there." The crowd burst with noise.
The lead elder sat back in his seat tenderly, than said, "His Excellency Boran, speaks of you as a demon. He said your forehead shown with a demon light." Matt looked confused.
Boran stepped forward, he had no reason to repeat his story however, since the crowd had already heard it and so he just spoke his mind. "The strangers are spies, they are evil beings! And this one," he pointed an accusing finger at Matt, "His eyes are filled with a demons soul. Who else could he serve than, but the Dark Lord himself!?!"
Matts eyes grew wide, "I already told you don't serve the Dark Lord!"
Boran whirled around on the stage and came within breathing distance of Matt. Matt was tempted to step back a step to get away, but he forced himself to stand strong. "And how can we believe you? HUH? By your * word *?" Boran spit at Matt's feet. "The Dark Lord's servants are no better than himself!" He turned back to the crowded.
"They burned and plundered our lands! The lands of our ancestors! They destroyed our ancient temples, killed our mothers and children! They * destroyed * our world! How? Because we let them!" The crowd was an uncomfortable silence, remembering. "Citizens of Tashon! You remember the day they came to our village? How they said they were * peaceful *. And we believed their * words *.
"Let us * not * make the same mistake again! Let us not let even * one * demon live! Citizens of Tashon! Have we not learned to be weary of strangers words?" The crowd cried in anger. Tonai shivered at how quickly they learned to hate.
The sweat of panic dripped down Matt's face, "Please! Listen to me! If you let me and my friend go we'll help fight this Dark Lord! We can help you! Please just let us-"
Boran stuck his face within breaths distance from Matt's and said coldly, "Your words are worthless to us."
The crowd exploded in excitement, fear, panic, sadness, anger, hatred-
The lead elder stood up sharply from his seat and raised one hand above his head. The crowd was silent in an instant. He spook, and everyone listened, "We have heard everything we need to hear! We will fall back to our chambers to make our decision, and in one hours time we will return tell the strangers fates."
With that, the elders got up and went back behind the screen. The moment the last elder was out of sight the crowd exploded in excitement once more. Boran walked smugly passed Matt stopping only to say, "Enjoy your last hours demon." Than continued on off the stage and out of sight.
Matt gave a scowl. He was beginning to hate that man with a passion.
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Back in the cave, Gedi's head fell, things were not looking good. Not looking good at all. . .
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Matt stood in the hot sun, sweat beading his brow, it had been about an hour now. He licked his chapped lips, man was he thirsty. Suddenly a bowl of water was lifted to his mouth. He looked to see who had given it to him and saw it was Tonai. "Tonai!"
She nodded and let Matt drink from the bowl. Matt was going to ask jokingly if there was anything in * this * drink like there had been in the others but his thirst won out. He drank greedily. When his thirst was quenched, he looked up and said, "Thank you."
She nodded than began dabbing the sweat from his brow, as she leaned in she whispered, "Can you really help my people?" She looked directly into his eyes.
Matt nodded, a bit surprised, than answered truthfully, "I think that's why we were sent here." Tonai was about to say something more when the horns began to be blown again. Tonai quickly ducked her head and stepped away.
The elders came out once more, and Matt stood up a bit more, hoping for good news. The lead elder spook, he seemed to be the spooks person. "We have made our decision. We find His Excellency Boran's speech to have been very persuasive and therefore we have found the one known as Yamato, unreliable in his words."
Matt looked angrily at Boran who he swore was snickering right than, "* However *," Matt let out a deep breath, however, however was a good thing right? "We do not find Yamato's manner to be that of a demon or a servant of the Dark Lord.
"And so it is in this way, that we have decided that Yamato's soul will undergo the ceremony of Chyi. Should his heart be pure, than he will be set free, should his heart be evil, than to the hells of Sockar (1) he will go." The crowd burst into speech all at once. Yamato just closed his eyes sadly. Great, just great. The elder continued and the crowd was silent.
"We do not, however see it fit to make a decision on the one known as Tai's behalf, since he may not be of the same circumstances of his companion. When he wakes, a separate council will be held. Yamato will undergo the ceremony of Chyi at early night this day." With that, the elders left once more.
The two guards forcefully took Yamato off the stage, "No," he screamed, "Damn it! Your making a mistake! I can help you people! Just let me-" A guard slapped him across the face and Yamato was quite. They than led him threw the crowd and to the sacred grounds.
Tonai stood with her father on the stage. Boran let out a slight snort and a large grin passed his face. "He is given what he rightfully deserves." Boran than turned and left Tonai standing alone. She watched Yamato's receding figure with uncertainty. He said he could help. . .
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Tai silently paced the tent back and forth. It was night time, and still they had not brought the boy named Matt back. Tai was beginning to worry. This surprised him. When had he grown to care about the boy so much. (No you sickos not in that way! ::scowls::)
Tai then realized that this only confirmed Matt's story that they had known each other before.. . before what? Matt had never told him. The guards had come and taken him before he could finish explaining. The thought made Tai frustrated. He couldn't even remember how he had gotten here!
He sighed and his thoughts drifted back to worries for his.. friend? Tai was unsure. He felt a deep bond with the boy but.. could he trust him? What if the boy was lying? Then again, what if he was telling the truth?
Tai gave a sigh. Well, whatever Matt was he seemed to be the only one who could tell him who he (Tai) was. Tai began pacing once more in anxiety. Matt had been gone for several hours, much longer than the times they had taken him before. Tai had hoped to escape with the boy, but as the precious minutes dragged on, the boys return, became less and less likely.
Suddenly, the door to the tent flapped open. Tai jumped into the shadows in surprise. He hadn't heard any one approach! The figure moved to his cot and felt around as if looking for something. Him. (Tai) Tai guessed.
The figure looked around in confusion and that's when Tai, who had silently come around behind the figure, grabbed hold of them, covering their mouth so they could not make any noise. The figure gave a surprised mumble mixed with fear thru his strong hands.
Tai shushed them in a desperate attempt to shut them up. Moon light, filtered thru the tent and briefly touched upon the figures face. Tonai. Terror was written across her face. Tai felt instantly sorry.
"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you." He tried to comfort her. "I only want to know where my friend is." Tai didn't even notice that he had said friend. "Now I'm going to let go of your mouth, but I don't want you to scream." As soon as he did so she let out a scream-of course.
Tai cussed quietly under his breath and covered her mouth again. "I * told * you don't scream! I'm not going to hurt you if you just tell me where they've brought Yamato. Please! I promise I wont hurt you."
She looked at him in fright, as if judging the worth of his promise. Than it seemed she came to the conclusion that he was telling the truth.
He slowly, cautiously, lowered his hand. She only mumbled in fear. "Where's Yamato?" He asked as kindly as possible, given the circumstances.
After a long moment she said in a weak voice, "They, they took him to the ceremonial grounds," She shivered in fear than continued, "To purify his soul." Some how that didn't sound too 'good' to Tai.
"Ok" Tai said thinking fast. "I need you to take me there. Will you do that? Please?" He said as an after thought.
Tonai looked at Tai in shock. "No! We are forbidden to set foot on the ceremonial grounds!"
Tai took a deep breath to calm his frustration, "And why is that?"
"The ceremony is already in progress. If we go there now, than we will be disturbing the ancient sprits."
Tai looked right into Tonai's eyes, "Ok fine, just-just tell me what the hell this 'cleansing of the soul' curtails, will yah? He's not going to die is he?"
Tonai shook her head in bewilderment. "If he has a truly wicked heart than yes he will, but if his heart be pure he will live on."
Tai, instantly seeing threw her words, stopped short, and a bad thought came to mind, "Tonai, just how many people that have gone thru this 'ceremony' have lived?"
Tonai shook her head once more, "None, they all held evil sprits."
"Shit." Tai cursed. This is just great, he thought. Than he turned back to Tonai. "OK listen to me Tonai," He said pulling her out to arms length, "You know Yamato right, I mean you've talked to him a bit?" She nodded sheepishly. "Ok," Tai said licking his lips in apprehension, "Do you honestly think, that Yamato has an 'evil sprit' inside him?"
Tonai was silent for a moment than shook her head, no.
(Yes, your not imagining it, she is shaking her head excessively.)
"Ok, good." Tai said, letting a small breath blow out. "Well guess what's going to happen at that ceremony. He's going to * die *. No, not because he has an 'evil sprit' in side of him, because no one's ever lived threw this 'ceremony' thing."
Tonai broke in, "The ancients would not lie-"
Tai raised a hand and gave a little 'et et et' sound silencing Tonai, than continued. "They've been lying to you * the whole time *! Tonai, you have to understand that."
"No! You do not know the ancients! You play trickery on me!" She said her voice raising in volume just a tad. Tai was quick to shush her by placing his hand over her mouth once more.
"Tonai, I'm not trying to trick you here. I'm only trying to save Yamato's life. Now I'm going to try and save him, but I need your help in finding him. Will you help me? Will you show me where the ceremony is being held?" Tonai turned her head away from Tai. Tai growled ever so slightly. "Tonai, you're Yamato's only chance right now. If you don't help him, he'll die. Will you be able to live with that?"
This brought Tonai's face around. She stared into Tai's face, looking deep with in trying desperately to find his truth. She turned away again. "You ask me to betray my father."
"Only because he is wrong!" Tonai frowned. "Please Tonai. Help me save Yamato!"
For what seemed an eternity they stood there, silent. She played her fathers harsh words at the council over again and again in her head, 'The strangers are spies, they are evil beings!' but. . . Tonai knew this to be false. At least she thought she did.
She looked into the boy called Tai's eyes, deep inside, and saw no darkness there. Tears brimming in her eyes she realized her father was mistaken. These men were not evil.
And the stranger, Yamato, he had said he could help her people! Free them from their life of constant fear under the Dark Lord! And she believed them, though she did not know why. She set her face in firm decision.
She now knew what she had to do. She gave a slight shiver, 'I am sorry father,' she thought, 'but I do this for our people.'
And than, slowly, ever so slowly, she nodded, breathing the words, "I will help you."
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The clock ticked 5:37 in Matt's apartment.
"What could this 'evil beings' motives be for merging the digiworld and Kanack?" Joe questioned aloud.
Izzy threw up his arms as he answered. "Who knows?!? I mean, it could be anything-maybe by merging the two worlds he'd gain more power, or-maybe he did it as some sort of revenge. For all we know, it could have just been a mistake!"
"Some mistake." TK said glumly.
Izzy continued with a frustrated sigh, "The thing is, we don't know enough about what happened to even make an educated guess!"
"Well, * that's * why we have to * find out * what happened." TK said, his voice rising ever so slightly in anger.
"Should we try to contact Gedi again?" Ken asked, trying not to shiver at TK's anger. It reminded him too much of the anger he held in the digiworld. And that scared him. . .
Izzy turned back to the computer. "I would, but I have no idea where to even *start *. When I tried to email him back, it told me that his email was no longer a valid account. And since we can't log into the digiworld to find him. . ." Izzy left the sentence hanging. The others could fill it in all too well. There would be no more help from Gedi.
"Izzy," Sora said, pushing her hands down onto the table, "I was thinking. . . maybe. . . well is it possible that there are new digidestined or something that can help us?"
Izzy sat up in thought, "Well, it is possible, and this situation * is * a digi-crisis. . ."
"Well if there * are * new digidestined," Yolei reasoned, "shouldn't they appear on your digivices and our D-3's?"
"You bring up a good point," Ken said, crossing his arms across his chest, "and the digivices * have * been reliable about that in the past. . ."
"So, we're assuming that there are * no * new digidestined?" Joe asked to clarify.
Izzy shook his head in defeat, "They haven't shown up yet, and besides that we have no way of knowing."
"So, you guys, where does that leave us?" Mimi questioned.
"With a lot of questions." Kari said softly, worry written on her face.
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Tai and Tonai silently crept threw the shadows of the Tashon village. Tai still held Tonai's wrist in a firm grip, he still wasn't sure is she could be trusted. Even though she had agreed to help, that still didn't mean she wouldn't change her mind.
After a few moments Tonai was leading Tai threw a dense forest. Matt was about to ask how much longer when a sharp pain ran over his head. He fell to the ground with a slight moan.
Images of a face raced across his mind. . . he could almost make it out-but at the last moment his fingers slipped threw and the image was lost once more.
He became aware of Tonai by his side, asking if he was alright. He took a shaky breath, "I think so. . . come on, lets keep going." Then they resumed their walking, in the distance they could hear drums.
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Fifteen minutes later, Tai and Tonai, reached the boarders of the ceremonial grounds. Tai spotted Matt instantly. He was tied to what looked like a cross. . . something about that . . . a cross. It seemed familiar. . .
Tai fell to one knee as another image came crashing threw his head, but it was gone before he could catch it. He shook it gently. What was happening? Was he remembering, or just suffering from a major migraine?
Tai decided to think about that later. He turned his attention back to Matt. He looked fine, if not a bit roughed up. Tai noticed in surprise that Matt wasn't wearing the strange white shirt with the row of buttons anymore, instead he wore a brownish tan robe type garment. Tai asked Tonai about this and she responded.
"Those are the judgment gowns. The one who is to be judge must wear them. It is tradition."
Tai looked back to the ceremonial ground and than noticed that a total of eight old men and women were sitting hunched over before Matt. "Who are they?" He asked.
"They are the village 'elders'. They pray now to the ancients, so that they might grant them wisdom to not be lead astray by an evil sprit. Tai, we must hurry. They are about to start the ritual!"
"Right," Tai said absentmindedly. He than turned around to face her, "Tonai," he grasped her hands in his, "You've done your part. You don't have to come with me. You can leave now, if you want. I'd understand"
She stared into his eyes for a moment. She felt a strange feeling rise up in side her. What was it? She brushed it away. Two voices began to argue in her head. One voice, the voice of reason told her that this wasn't right. She shouldn't be here. After all, she was the village leaders daughter. She was betraying her own father! She should leave now, before any more damage be done to her soul.
But the second voice told her that she should trust these two men. They were good. And her father was wrong. She set her face in grim decision. If these men could really help her people, than that's enough reason to help them. She gave a silent prayer to the ancients, pleading for forgiveness, than turned back to Tai.
"No. I said I'd help, and that is what I will do."
Tai looked stunned. "Are you sure?" She nodded. "Thank you," Tai said kindness drifting in his eyes. She nodded again. 'Alright,' Tai thought, 'now to get Matt and get out of here.'
The bonds on Matt's wrists hurt, they were bound so tight! Sleep was threatening to consume him as he stood. Matt shook himself awake. 'Try not to think about it,' he though than diverted his attention back to the ceremony in front of him. The elders had been praying to the 'ancients' for what seemed like hours in complete and utter silence. Every so often however, the four drum men to the left of the alter, would begin to play their drums. It never lasted long though.
Suddenly he heard a rustling from behind him and seconds later a familiar voice. "Tai?" Matt whispered threw his teeth.
"Yes, its me." Tai whispered back.
"Oh man, am I glad to see you! Get me outta here!"
Tai nodded and silently, careful not to catch the praying elders attention, began fiddling with the ropes on Matt's wrists. "What are you doing?" Matt whispered.
"Getting you free!" Tai said bluntly.
"What? With you hands! Tai didn't you bring a knife or something? Those ropes are too tight to be unwrapped!" Tai kept fiddling. "Oh my God! You didn't bring a knife! Wait to go, smart one!"
Tai scowled. "Well I was kind of at a press for time! You should be grateful! I * could * have just left you you know!"
"Ok ok! I'm sorry! Just get them off will yah! They hurt like hell!"
"Let me try," Tonai said.
"Tonai's here too?" Matt whispered in surprise. Than Matt heard a small knife being unsheathed. Tai let out a small, 'woah.' In explanation Tonai said, "A leaders daughter should always be prepared."
But before she had a chance to free Matt, what must have been the lead elder stood, with a flurry of motion, and pointing at Matt with a particularly sharp spear. He then began to speak in a tongue Matt was unfamiliar with. "IEE SO! CHO! Sychi MEI! Oo Diyie SO!"
Matt stood up straight as an arrow, trying to look unsuspicious. He began to sweat. Was this part of the ceremony, or had the elder seen Tai and Tonai? He gritted threw his teeth, "Hurry it up you guys!"
The elder stepped closer and Tai and Tonai were forced to duck down behind the alter, in order to make sure the elder didn't see him. Tai cussed silently, how were they supposed to save Matt if they couldn't get to him?
Tai quickly turned to Tonai and whispered, "What's going on?"
Her face was pale, "The elders are nearing the final stages of the ceremony. They will now draw first blood of the one to be judged and offer it to the ancients. We must hurry!"
Tai almost laughed when she said 'first blood'. Hadn't they drawn blood before all this? He turned his attention back to Tonai. "Alright, how long do you think it'll take for you to untie Matt-I mean Yamato."
Tonai figured it in her head. "Perhaps a minute. The bonds are thick."
"Ok than," Tai got up and made for the forest.
"Where are you doing?" Tonai hissed.
"Buying us some time!" Tai whispered back, and than ran into the forest.
The elder was now a foot away from Matt and it was at this point the drum men began their beating once more. The elder stood, singing in his odd tongue and playing dangerously with the spear near Matt's head. Matt looked closer at the elder. His robes were long, and covered most of his body. His hood was folded back to reveal a face who had seen many years.
(Thus the reason he was an elder!!! Imagine that!)
The drums began to build to an unbearable peak, and Matt swore his heart was going to the beat. And than, all in one moment, the elders spear was pressed straight against his neck and the drum beats came to a screeching halt.
Matt let out a gasp of surprise, but didn't dare to move. The elders spear was way to close for that!
"You may give your last words now, before we begin."
Matt let out his breath a bit. His last words?!? What was he supposed to do? Trying to buy more time came to mind. But what if they couldn't free him in time? He set his mind. Better make this good than. "Well. . . first of all I'd like to say that your making a mistake, and second I'd like to uh. . . say goodbye to TK my little brother. And also Tai. Tai, even though we fight sometimes you're like a brother to me. If I don't make it out of this, tell TK I love him. And say good bye to the others for me, especially Gabumon an-"
Suddenly, a rock came flying out from the forest and hit an elder straight in the head. The elder let out a loud 'ugh!' than fell over backwards.
The other elders looked up in confusion, and suddenly another rock came flying out from the forest, narrowly missing another elder. Matt looked on in shock. Tai's doing?
Tai came out form the forest at that moment, by his side a rather large pile of rocks. The elders eyes bulged. "Hey you guys! Mind if I crash the party?" He than proceeded to chuck rocks at the old people.
(Look how delicately I phrased that!)
The elders began to run for cover into the forest. The lead elder took one look at Tai than turned around and ran for his life, dropping the spear as he went. Tonai, looking on in amazement, than hurriedly began hacking at the bonds around Matt's wrist.
Meanwhile, Tai had turned to chucking rocks at the drummers, who had not ran away when he had appeared. "HA! Take that you filthy drummers! I didn't like your music anyway!" Tai reached back for another rock, felt around. "Uh oh." There was none left! He had used them all. His eyes grew big as the four muscular drummers circled their pray.
He gulped. "Heh. Di-did I say that? I meant. . . Take that you * wealthy * drummers! It'd be a shame to not like-love! your music!" They kept circling.
Matt watched in growing panic. "Tonai! Hurry!"
"I'm trying Yamato! Just a few more strands!"
Two of the drummers came up behind Tai, and grabbed his arms. He yelped in surprise, but the surprise was quickly replaced by fear as another drummer came in, fists clenched. Tai squeezed his eyes shut. This was going to hurt.
Suddenly, he heard a loud grunt and than a * thump *. Tai cautiously opened one eye to see that one of the drummers was now laying on the ground unconscious. He looked up in surprise to see Matt, wielding the elders spear as a club.
"Nice shoot," Tai breathed and than the scene turned to madness.
Two of the drummers charged into Matt, while the other drummer stayed behind to hold Tai. Matt was sent backwards by the two drummers sheer weight and fell painfully down to the ground dropping the spear.
Tai, taking this opportunity where there was just one drummer, slammed his elbow backwards into his stomach. The drummer hunched over in pain, releasing his grip on Tai. Tai than whirled around and gave the man a painful uppercut to the jaw.
Meanwhile, Matt had his hands full, trying desperately to get the two drummers off him. He was putting up a good fight, considering they were both two times his size. His smaller build was actually an advantage over them, because it enabled him to wiggle this way and avoid *most * of their punches.
After making sure that the drummer was out cold, Tai came running over to Matt and grabbed one of the men that was pinning him down, than gave him a good head butt. This gave Matt just enough time to wiggle his feet up and kick the other drummer off him. ( T_T don't think bad thoughts here people ::Scowls::)
Matt sprang up while the drummer was stunned and punched him right in the face. Matt stood up, his breath coming in short gasps. It was harder than it seemed to fight these guys! He was surprised as hell they had won.
He went over to Tai who was sitting on the ground holding his head. "You alright?" Matt asked stretching out a hand.
Tai took it gratefully than answered, "Remind me never to head butt someone again. It gives you a major head ache." Matt gave a snigger when all of the sudden a large hand hit him from the back, sending him sideways to the ground.
Tai looked up in surprise and saw that the first drummer had woken up and was coming at him menacingly. Tai gulped, 'oh great!'
The drummer let out an angry war cry and charged toward Tai. Tai put up his hands and a feeble attempt to shield his face, but the blow never came. When the drummer was within five feet of Tai he stopped dead in his tracts than crumbled to the ground. Tai looked up in astonishment and saw Tonai, armed with the spear.
She was quivering. "What have I done." She whispered. Tai got up off the ground and took the spear gently away.
"You've saved our lives. Thank you"
She nodded faintly.
Meanwhile, Matt sat up groggily. "Any one catch the name of that bus?" Tai laughed.
Tonai gave a confused look, "What is a bus."
"In our world it's a type of public transportation." Tai explained.
Matt stared open mouthed at Tai. "Tai, how did you know that?" He said carefully, as if Tai was a fragile thing, which in some ways he was.
Tai looked oddly at Matt, than his eye widened in realization. "I-I don't know!"
"Your remembering?" Matt asked excitedly.
Tai gave a big grin, "I guess I am."
"Quick!" Matt said happily, "do you remember anyone? Does Kari sound familiar, or Sora?"
Tai's head fell, "No sorry, just the bus for some reason, and even that's blurry."
Tonai looked confused again, "Remembering? You could not remember?"
Tai began to explain when he was interrupted by two large horns in the distance. Tonai's eyes widened in fear. "The elders have warned the village! We must escape before they bring the warriors!"
Matt quickly got to his feet, a bit wobbly at first, Tai helped stable him. Tai turned to Tonai, "You don't have to come with us, I mean, I don't think the drummers saw you did they? You could make it back to the village, make up a story that we kidnapped you or something. . ."
"No," Tonai said firmly, "I have made my decision now I must live by it. Besides," She turned towards Matt. "I believed you when you said you could help my people."
Matt blushed, "Uh. . . well we'll try our best Tonai." The horns sounded again. "We better get going." Matt said hurriedly.
"Which way?" Tai asked.
"This way," Tonai said pointing towards the north, "to the caves. There is a secret exit through the caverns."
Matt groaned inwardly, 'Not the caverns again!' And than they hurried off, as the sounds of heavy footsteps could be heard in the distance.
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Will the trio's escape be successful? What will they find outside the caves? And will Izzy and the others be able to help Matt and Tai? Find out next time in DIGIMON: DIGITAL MONSTERS!
(1) The Egyptian God of Hell, the equivalent of Satan. Many times his name and the plain in which he rules, Hell, is undefined, thus if someone were to say "Go to Sockar" you might be able to take it as "God to Hell" So the next time you guys are arguing with someone, feel free to spew this obscenity at them! YEY!
ACK! This turned out to be a * very * long chapter! o_O;;;! Its like 6,000 fricken words! Wait. . .is that how you spell friken? It doesn't look right. . . and spell check looks weird. ::sweatdrops:: I'm * so * sad. If anyone knows how to spell it tell me. Its kinda frustrating. Ok well I wont keep you from the preview any longer!
PREIVEIW OF NEXT CHAPTER:
Matt, Tai and Tonai reach the outside but what they find is unsettling. What exactly did they find? Well you know I cant tell you that! But I'll tell you one thing, whatever is out there, must have been pretty bad to have forced the Tashon people to seek refuge in the caves. But Tonai's not talking. Will Matt and Tai be able to figure out the mystery? Its out of one mess and into another on the next chapter of * Merge *.
::theme song comes in and she starts singing it::
DUH DUH DUH DUUUUW DUH DUH DUH DUUUUUUW! O_O opps your still here!
Ok, so just want to apologize for it taking so long for this chapter to get out. I'm taking Biology over the summer so I can take Art during the year and man! I tell you its hell! Homework in the * summer *, not a good mix. So anyway, that's cut back on my free time a tad. So yeah, that's my excuse. But this chapter is pretty long so hopefully that makes up for it! Till next time!
::salutes::
Sit ubu sit.
Reion
7-09-03
::clears throat and says O' so eloquently::
ummmmmmmmm. . .
OH YEAH! I remember now!
Ok yeah so this chapter I think skipped around a bit but I had a major writers block so try not to hold it against me! Grrrrr, it was * really * frustrating! I actually wrote everything in lil' chunks and at the end I pieced 'um all together from there. Ack! F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!! Wow! that's a really long word when you spell it out like that! Any who. ^_^ Hopefully it all worked out in the end. . .
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His Excellency Boran, stood before the gathering crowd of Tashon citizens. They were churning with excitement and anticipation of the council to come. Boran let a small frown cross his lips as he thought of the reason for this council. The strangers, specifically the one named Yamato. Borans thoughts were drawn into memory. . .
~Flashback~ ::flash!::
Boran stood over the young man named Yamato, whose form was slumped in his bonds. He was weak, the Cantamon blood had worked well, but still the boy resisted. Boran grew anger, "What do you know about the Dark Lord?"
Yamato shook his head, "I already told you," he mumbled, to weak to pronounce his words correctly. It was taking everything he had just to say them, "I don't know who his is."
Boran grabbed Yamato by the neck forcing him to look into his eyes, "You lie again boy."
Yamato's eyes turned stormy, "No. I. Don't." He said threw clenched teeth. Sweat fell from his face and splashed on Borans wrist. It was than that Boran saw a flicker in the boys eyes. At first he thought he had imagined it, because it had come and gone so quickly, but than it came again. A flash of gold light just at the edge of his eyes.
Boran let go of Yamato in fright, and the boy slumped forward with a slight groan and went unconscious. Suddenly, a weak light blue light sprang from his forehead in the form of an odd symbol. Boran cautiously reached out and tilted the boys head back so that he could see the symbol better.
The symbol appeared to be a circle with a jagged slash threw it and two sweeps of blue coming from the sides. (The symbol of friendship just incase my description was unclear.)
Boran slowly stepped away form the boy. The light felt warm, but he would not let this fool him. Only demons could do such a thing as have light flow from their foreheads. . .only demons. . .
~end of Flashback~ ::flash!::
Boran drew his mind out of the memory. It was best not to dwell on such things just yet. He turned his head back to the ceremony, the elders were about to enter. The noisy crowd suddenly fell silent as two horn blowers appeared at the stage. They sounded the horns twice than fell back. From behind a screen thus positioned nine robed figures slowly made their way to their respective seats on top the stage.
After a moment of silence, the lead elder spook. "Why have you summoned us!"
Boran stepped forwards, ready to tell all present of the two demons that have entered their midst's.
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". . . And so Gabumon and Agumon Warp digivolved and we--" Suddenly armor was heard from out side the tent. Matt's eyes widened, "Quick! They don't know your awake yet!"
Tai nodded and quickly laid back into position. It had become second nature to him now. Matt sat back into his cot trying to look unsuspicious. The guards burst in and one, the taller of the two, spoke in a commanding voice. "One known as Yamato! Your presence has been requested by the elders! You are to come with us."
The second guard bent down and hauled Yamato up, *ever * so gently. Matt purposefully sagged in his grip. If they were going to take him, he defiantly wasn't going to make it easy for them. When they had left Tai sat up, the beginnings of a plan brewing in his head.
He had to go help Yamato-or Matt as the boy had told him to call him. Tai smiled at the name. It sounded better than Yamato.. it sounded more familiar, like he had used it many times before. Tai's head began to hurt and he brushed the thought aside. Concentrate on getting out of here. Tai thought.
Tai went to the side of the tent moving his hands along where tent met ground. He cursed. It was held down tightly. They obviously didn't want him getting out. Just in case he felt around the rest of the tent and was rewarded when his finger punched threw to the outside. The hole was small. No bigger than two fingers width round, but it was something to work with.
Tai pulled slightly at the hole. It nudged a bit wider. Tai smiled in satisfaction. This was their ticket out of here.
Tai crept back into his cot. At night time he would make his escape.. .
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` ( A very long A/N that should answer some of your questions:
Oh and sorry that its kinda stuck in the middle of the chapter like this. It just sorta happened like that. ::shrugs::
OK well, I think I forgot to mention in this that the door/flap * thing * to the tent * is * being guarded. That should clear up the whole, 'why don't they just walk out the front door' question some of you might be asking. The fact is if they did that, they'd probably get a couple wallops on the head. Joy. Joy. That would be fun! Heh, sorry, I'm in my sarcastic mood. ^_^
Any who, you'd have to figure that Tai's smart enough to say, 'well you know what I don't want those two wallops', and that's why he's looking for the alternative ways of escape. Another question that might have arisen, if the door's being watched don't you think the guards would have over heard Tai and Matt talking by now? Ummm. . . well for reasons such as I didn't want Tai and Matt to get caught just yet, lets just say the guards posted were deaf or something like that. No offense meant.
One last thing. Food. I was thinking about this today and I realized I haven't had Matt and Tai eat anything through this whole ordeal-well 'sept those eggs but that was in the very beginning so it sorta doesn't count. SoOo anyway, I'm going to try and be better 'bout that from now one but as far as the past chapters go just assume that Tonai * has * been giving them food.
Opps, wait I have another 'one last thing', ::sweatdrops:: to recap on how long Matt and Tai have been in the Tashon village. . . I'd say roughly three, possibly four days. Ok well I hope that clears up some of the confusion and once again I apologize that this had to be stuck in here like this. Okie Dokie That's all I had to say. ^_^)
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Matt was roughly dragged threw the frightened crowd. Again, the people would not make eye contact with him. He looked to where the two guards were taking him but could not see over the heads of the crowd. Suddenly they pushed threw the crowd and he was confronted with a grand stage.
On top the stage stood nine chairs, royally built, and upon those nine chairs sat nine hooded figures, hunched over and grey. He could not make out their face. The guards forcefully led him up a set of stairs and he found himself on the stage facing the crowd. The guards backed away ever so slightly. They had bound Matt's hands behind his back on the way here, they knew he couldn't get away. Matt knew it too.
Matt let out a slight sigh of anger, 'what now?'
Than he noticed the large man, the one who, Matt realized with displeasure, had tortured him, was on the stage as well. He groaned inwardly. Tonai was at his side. One of the hooded figures stood and spoke, "One who is known as Yamato! You have been accused of trespassing on our sacred shores, and infiltrating our cities defenses. We have reason to suspect you and your friend of being spies for the Dark Lord. What be it you say in defense?"
Matt took a short breath, than replied. "I'm not a spy for the 'Dark Lord.' Neither is my friend. I don't even know who the 'Dark Lord' is!" This brought a few gasps. Matt continued. "Yes we trespassed on the 'sacred shores' but it wasn't on purpose! We got lost in these caves, and than there was a cave in. We fell threw the cave into the river. It was never our intention to even come here! It was all just a mistake!"
"What were you doing in the caves?" Boran questioned, coming up behind Matt.
Matt let out an exasperated breath, "Trying to find a way out."
"How did you get there in the first place?"
"We don't know." Matt said honestly. "One minute me and Tai are in our house, the next we're in the caves. We don't know how we got there." The crowd burst with noise.
The lead elder sat back in his seat tenderly, than said, "His Excellency Boran, speaks of you as a demon. He said your forehead shown with a demon light." Matt looked confused.
Boran stepped forward, he had no reason to repeat his story however, since the crowd had already heard it and so he just spoke his mind. "The strangers are spies, they are evil beings! And this one," he pointed an accusing finger at Matt, "His eyes are filled with a demons soul. Who else could he serve than, but the Dark Lord himself!?!"
Matts eyes grew wide, "I already told you don't serve the Dark Lord!"
Boran whirled around on the stage and came within breathing distance of Matt. Matt was tempted to step back a step to get away, but he forced himself to stand strong. "And how can we believe you? HUH? By your * word *?" Boran spit at Matt's feet. "The Dark Lord's servants are no better than himself!" He turned back to the crowded.
"They burned and plundered our lands! The lands of our ancestors! They destroyed our ancient temples, killed our mothers and children! They * destroyed * our world! How? Because we let them!" The crowd was an uncomfortable silence, remembering. "Citizens of Tashon! You remember the day they came to our village? How they said they were * peaceful *. And we believed their * words *.
"Let us * not * make the same mistake again! Let us not let even * one * demon live! Citizens of Tashon! Have we not learned to be weary of strangers words?" The crowd cried in anger. Tonai shivered at how quickly they learned to hate.
The sweat of panic dripped down Matt's face, "Please! Listen to me! If you let me and my friend go we'll help fight this Dark Lord! We can help you! Please just let us-"
Boran stuck his face within breaths distance from Matt's and said coldly, "Your words are worthless to us."
The crowd exploded in excitement, fear, panic, sadness, anger, hatred-
The lead elder stood up sharply from his seat and raised one hand above his head. The crowd was silent in an instant. He spook, and everyone listened, "We have heard everything we need to hear! We will fall back to our chambers to make our decision, and in one hours time we will return tell the strangers fates."
With that, the elders got up and went back behind the screen. The moment the last elder was out of sight the crowd exploded in excitement once more. Boran walked smugly passed Matt stopping only to say, "Enjoy your last hours demon." Than continued on off the stage and out of sight.
Matt gave a scowl. He was beginning to hate that man with a passion.
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Back in the cave, Gedi's head fell, things were not looking good. Not looking good at all. . .
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Matt stood in the hot sun, sweat beading his brow, it had been about an hour now. He licked his chapped lips, man was he thirsty. Suddenly a bowl of water was lifted to his mouth. He looked to see who had given it to him and saw it was Tonai. "Tonai!"
She nodded and let Matt drink from the bowl. Matt was going to ask jokingly if there was anything in * this * drink like there had been in the others but his thirst won out. He drank greedily. When his thirst was quenched, he looked up and said, "Thank you."
She nodded than began dabbing the sweat from his brow, as she leaned in she whispered, "Can you really help my people?" She looked directly into his eyes.
Matt nodded, a bit surprised, than answered truthfully, "I think that's why we were sent here." Tonai was about to say something more when the horns began to be blown again. Tonai quickly ducked her head and stepped away.
The elders came out once more, and Matt stood up a bit more, hoping for good news. The lead elder spook, he seemed to be the spooks person. "We have made our decision. We find His Excellency Boran's speech to have been very persuasive and therefore we have found the one known as Yamato, unreliable in his words."
Matt looked angrily at Boran who he swore was snickering right than, "* However *," Matt let out a deep breath, however, however was a good thing right? "We do not find Yamato's manner to be that of a demon or a servant of the Dark Lord.
"And so it is in this way, that we have decided that Yamato's soul will undergo the ceremony of Chyi. Should his heart be pure, than he will be set free, should his heart be evil, than to the hells of Sockar (1) he will go." The crowd burst into speech all at once. Yamato just closed his eyes sadly. Great, just great. The elder continued and the crowd was silent.
"We do not, however see it fit to make a decision on the one known as Tai's behalf, since he may not be of the same circumstances of his companion. When he wakes, a separate council will be held. Yamato will undergo the ceremony of Chyi at early night this day." With that, the elders left once more.
The two guards forcefully took Yamato off the stage, "No," he screamed, "Damn it! Your making a mistake! I can help you people! Just let me-" A guard slapped him across the face and Yamato was quite. They than led him threw the crowd and to the sacred grounds.
Tonai stood with her father on the stage. Boran let out a slight snort and a large grin passed his face. "He is given what he rightfully deserves." Boran than turned and left Tonai standing alone. She watched Yamato's receding figure with uncertainty. He said he could help. . .
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Tai silently paced the tent back and forth. It was night time, and still they had not brought the boy named Matt back. Tai was beginning to worry. This surprised him. When had he grown to care about the boy so much. (No you sickos not in that way! ::scowls::)
Tai then realized that this only confirmed Matt's story that they had known each other before.. . before what? Matt had never told him. The guards had come and taken him before he could finish explaining. The thought made Tai frustrated. He couldn't even remember how he had gotten here!
He sighed and his thoughts drifted back to worries for his.. friend? Tai was unsure. He felt a deep bond with the boy but.. could he trust him? What if the boy was lying? Then again, what if he was telling the truth?
Tai gave a sigh. Well, whatever Matt was he seemed to be the only one who could tell him who he (Tai) was. Tai began pacing once more in anxiety. Matt had been gone for several hours, much longer than the times they had taken him before. Tai had hoped to escape with the boy, but as the precious minutes dragged on, the boys return, became less and less likely.
Suddenly, the door to the tent flapped open. Tai jumped into the shadows in surprise. He hadn't heard any one approach! The figure moved to his cot and felt around as if looking for something. Him. (Tai) Tai guessed.
The figure looked around in confusion and that's when Tai, who had silently come around behind the figure, grabbed hold of them, covering their mouth so they could not make any noise. The figure gave a surprised mumble mixed with fear thru his strong hands.
Tai shushed them in a desperate attempt to shut them up. Moon light, filtered thru the tent and briefly touched upon the figures face. Tonai. Terror was written across her face. Tai felt instantly sorry.
"Don't worry I'm not going to hurt you." He tried to comfort her. "I only want to know where my friend is." Tai didn't even notice that he had said friend. "Now I'm going to let go of your mouth, but I don't want you to scream." As soon as he did so she let out a scream-of course.
Tai cussed quietly under his breath and covered her mouth again. "I * told * you don't scream! I'm not going to hurt you if you just tell me where they've brought Yamato. Please! I promise I wont hurt you."
She looked at him in fright, as if judging the worth of his promise. Than it seemed she came to the conclusion that he was telling the truth.
He slowly, cautiously, lowered his hand. She only mumbled in fear. "Where's Yamato?" He asked as kindly as possible, given the circumstances.
After a long moment she said in a weak voice, "They, they took him to the ceremonial grounds," She shivered in fear than continued, "To purify his soul." Some how that didn't sound too 'good' to Tai.
"Ok" Tai said thinking fast. "I need you to take me there. Will you do that? Please?" He said as an after thought.
Tonai looked at Tai in shock. "No! We are forbidden to set foot on the ceremonial grounds!"
Tai took a deep breath to calm his frustration, "And why is that?"
"The ceremony is already in progress. If we go there now, than we will be disturbing the ancient sprits."
Tai looked right into Tonai's eyes, "Ok fine, just-just tell me what the hell this 'cleansing of the soul' curtails, will yah? He's not going to die is he?"
Tonai shook her head in bewilderment. "If he has a truly wicked heart than yes he will, but if his heart be pure he will live on."
Tai, instantly seeing threw her words, stopped short, and a bad thought came to mind, "Tonai, just how many people that have gone thru this 'ceremony' have lived?"
Tonai shook her head once more, "None, they all held evil sprits."
"Shit." Tai cursed. This is just great, he thought. Than he turned back to Tonai. "OK listen to me Tonai," He said pulling her out to arms length, "You know Yamato right, I mean you've talked to him a bit?" She nodded sheepishly. "Ok," Tai said licking his lips in apprehension, "Do you honestly think, that Yamato has an 'evil sprit' inside him?"
Tonai was silent for a moment than shook her head, no.
(Yes, your not imagining it, she is shaking her head excessively.)
"Ok, good." Tai said, letting a small breath blow out. "Well guess what's going to happen at that ceremony. He's going to * die *. No, not because he has an 'evil sprit' in side of him, because no one's ever lived threw this 'ceremony' thing."
Tonai broke in, "The ancients would not lie-"
Tai raised a hand and gave a little 'et et et' sound silencing Tonai, than continued. "They've been lying to you * the whole time *! Tonai, you have to understand that."
"No! You do not know the ancients! You play trickery on me!" She said her voice raising in volume just a tad. Tai was quick to shush her by placing his hand over her mouth once more.
"Tonai, I'm not trying to trick you here. I'm only trying to save Yamato's life. Now I'm going to try and save him, but I need your help in finding him. Will you help me? Will you show me where the ceremony is being held?" Tonai turned her head away from Tai. Tai growled ever so slightly. "Tonai, you're Yamato's only chance right now. If you don't help him, he'll die. Will you be able to live with that?"
This brought Tonai's face around. She stared into Tai's face, looking deep with in trying desperately to find his truth. She turned away again. "You ask me to betray my father."
"Only because he is wrong!" Tonai frowned. "Please Tonai. Help me save Yamato!"
For what seemed an eternity they stood there, silent. She played her fathers harsh words at the council over again and again in her head, 'The strangers are spies, they are evil beings!' but. . . Tonai knew this to be false. At least she thought she did.
She looked into the boy called Tai's eyes, deep inside, and saw no darkness there. Tears brimming in her eyes she realized her father was mistaken. These men were not evil.
And the stranger, Yamato, he had said he could help her people! Free them from their life of constant fear under the Dark Lord! And she believed them, though she did not know why. She set her face in firm decision.
She now knew what she had to do. She gave a slight shiver, 'I am sorry father,' she thought, 'but I do this for our people.'
And than, slowly, ever so slowly, she nodded, breathing the words, "I will help you."
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The clock ticked 5:37 in Matt's apartment.
"What could this 'evil beings' motives be for merging the digiworld and Kanack?" Joe questioned aloud.
Izzy threw up his arms as he answered. "Who knows?!? I mean, it could be anything-maybe by merging the two worlds he'd gain more power, or-maybe he did it as some sort of revenge. For all we know, it could have just been a mistake!"
"Some mistake." TK said glumly.
Izzy continued with a frustrated sigh, "The thing is, we don't know enough about what happened to even make an educated guess!"
"Well, * that's * why we have to * find out * what happened." TK said, his voice rising ever so slightly in anger.
"Should we try to contact Gedi again?" Ken asked, trying not to shiver at TK's anger. It reminded him too much of the anger he held in the digiworld. And that scared him. . .
Izzy turned back to the computer. "I would, but I have no idea where to even *start *. When I tried to email him back, it told me that his email was no longer a valid account. And since we can't log into the digiworld to find him. . ." Izzy left the sentence hanging. The others could fill it in all too well. There would be no more help from Gedi.
"Izzy," Sora said, pushing her hands down onto the table, "I was thinking. . . maybe. . . well is it possible that there are new digidestined or something that can help us?"
Izzy sat up in thought, "Well, it is possible, and this situation * is * a digi-crisis. . ."
"Well if there * are * new digidestined," Yolei reasoned, "shouldn't they appear on your digivices and our D-3's?"
"You bring up a good point," Ken said, crossing his arms across his chest, "and the digivices * have * been reliable about that in the past. . ."
"So, we're assuming that there are * no * new digidestined?" Joe asked to clarify.
Izzy shook his head in defeat, "They haven't shown up yet, and besides that we have no way of knowing."
"So, you guys, where does that leave us?" Mimi questioned.
"With a lot of questions." Kari said softly, worry written on her face.
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Tai and Tonai silently crept threw the shadows of the Tashon village. Tai still held Tonai's wrist in a firm grip, he still wasn't sure is she could be trusted. Even though she had agreed to help, that still didn't mean she wouldn't change her mind.
After a few moments Tonai was leading Tai threw a dense forest. Matt was about to ask how much longer when a sharp pain ran over his head. He fell to the ground with a slight moan.
Images of a face raced across his mind. . . he could almost make it out-but at the last moment his fingers slipped threw and the image was lost once more.
He became aware of Tonai by his side, asking if he was alright. He took a shaky breath, "I think so. . . come on, lets keep going." Then they resumed their walking, in the distance they could hear drums.
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Fifteen minutes later, Tai and Tonai, reached the boarders of the ceremonial grounds. Tai spotted Matt instantly. He was tied to what looked like a cross. . . something about that . . . a cross. It seemed familiar. . .
Tai fell to one knee as another image came crashing threw his head, but it was gone before he could catch it. He shook it gently. What was happening? Was he remembering, or just suffering from a major migraine?
Tai decided to think about that later. He turned his attention back to Matt. He looked fine, if not a bit roughed up. Tai noticed in surprise that Matt wasn't wearing the strange white shirt with the row of buttons anymore, instead he wore a brownish tan robe type garment. Tai asked Tonai about this and she responded.
"Those are the judgment gowns. The one who is to be judge must wear them. It is tradition."
Tai looked back to the ceremonial ground and than noticed that a total of eight old men and women were sitting hunched over before Matt. "Who are they?" He asked.
"They are the village 'elders'. They pray now to the ancients, so that they might grant them wisdom to not be lead astray by an evil sprit. Tai, we must hurry. They are about to start the ritual!"
"Right," Tai said absentmindedly. He than turned around to face her, "Tonai," he grasped her hands in his, "You've done your part. You don't have to come with me. You can leave now, if you want. I'd understand"
She stared into his eyes for a moment. She felt a strange feeling rise up in side her. What was it? She brushed it away. Two voices began to argue in her head. One voice, the voice of reason told her that this wasn't right. She shouldn't be here. After all, she was the village leaders daughter. She was betraying her own father! She should leave now, before any more damage be done to her soul.
But the second voice told her that she should trust these two men. They were good. And her father was wrong. She set her face in grim decision. If these men could really help her people, than that's enough reason to help them. She gave a silent prayer to the ancients, pleading for forgiveness, than turned back to Tai.
"No. I said I'd help, and that is what I will do."
Tai looked stunned. "Are you sure?" She nodded. "Thank you," Tai said kindness drifting in his eyes. She nodded again. 'Alright,' Tai thought, 'now to get Matt and get out of here.'
The bonds on Matt's wrists hurt, they were bound so tight! Sleep was threatening to consume him as he stood. Matt shook himself awake. 'Try not to think about it,' he though than diverted his attention back to the ceremony in front of him. The elders had been praying to the 'ancients' for what seemed like hours in complete and utter silence. Every so often however, the four drum men to the left of the alter, would begin to play their drums. It never lasted long though.
Suddenly he heard a rustling from behind him and seconds later a familiar voice. "Tai?" Matt whispered threw his teeth.
"Yes, its me." Tai whispered back.
"Oh man, am I glad to see you! Get me outta here!"
Tai nodded and silently, careful not to catch the praying elders attention, began fiddling with the ropes on Matt's wrists. "What are you doing?" Matt whispered.
"Getting you free!" Tai said bluntly.
"What? With you hands! Tai didn't you bring a knife or something? Those ropes are too tight to be unwrapped!" Tai kept fiddling. "Oh my God! You didn't bring a knife! Wait to go, smart one!"
Tai scowled. "Well I was kind of at a press for time! You should be grateful! I * could * have just left you you know!"
"Ok ok! I'm sorry! Just get them off will yah! They hurt like hell!"
"Let me try," Tonai said.
"Tonai's here too?" Matt whispered in surprise. Than Matt heard a small knife being unsheathed. Tai let out a small, 'woah.' In explanation Tonai said, "A leaders daughter should always be prepared."
But before she had a chance to free Matt, what must have been the lead elder stood, with a flurry of motion, and pointing at Matt with a particularly sharp spear. He then began to speak in a tongue Matt was unfamiliar with. "IEE SO! CHO! Sychi MEI! Oo Diyie SO!"
Matt stood up straight as an arrow, trying to look unsuspicious. He began to sweat. Was this part of the ceremony, or had the elder seen Tai and Tonai? He gritted threw his teeth, "Hurry it up you guys!"
The elder stepped closer and Tai and Tonai were forced to duck down behind the alter, in order to make sure the elder didn't see him. Tai cussed silently, how were they supposed to save Matt if they couldn't get to him?
Tai quickly turned to Tonai and whispered, "What's going on?"
Her face was pale, "The elders are nearing the final stages of the ceremony. They will now draw first blood of the one to be judged and offer it to the ancients. We must hurry!"
Tai almost laughed when she said 'first blood'. Hadn't they drawn blood before all this? He turned his attention back to Tonai. "Alright, how long do you think it'll take for you to untie Matt-I mean Yamato."
Tonai figured it in her head. "Perhaps a minute. The bonds are thick."
"Ok than," Tai got up and made for the forest.
"Where are you doing?" Tonai hissed.
"Buying us some time!" Tai whispered back, and than ran into the forest.
The elder was now a foot away from Matt and it was at this point the drum men began their beating once more. The elder stood, singing in his odd tongue and playing dangerously with the spear near Matt's head. Matt looked closer at the elder. His robes were long, and covered most of his body. His hood was folded back to reveal a face who had seen many years.
(Thus the reason he was an elder!!! Imagine that!)
The drums began to build to an unbearable peak, and Matt swore his heart was going to the beat. And than, all in one moment, the elders spear was pressed straight against his neck and the drum beats came to a screeching halt.
Matt let out a gasp of surprise, but didn't dare to move. The elders spear was way to close for that!
"You may give your last words now, before we begin."
Matt let out his breath a bit. His last words?!? What was he supposed to do? Trying to buy more time came to mind. But what if they couldn't free him in time? He set his mind. Better make this good than. "Well. . . first of all I'd like to say that your making a mistake, and second I'd like to uh. . . say goodbye to TK my little brother. And also Tai. Tai, even though we fight sometimes you're like a brother to me. If I don't make it out of this, tell TK I love him. And say good bye to the others for me, especially Gabumon an-"
Suddenly, a rock came flying out from the forest and hit an elder straight in the head. The elder let out a loud 'ugh!' than fell over backwards.
The other elders looked up in confusion, and suddenly another rock came flying out from the forest, narrowly missing another elder. Matt looked on in shock. Tai's doing?
Tai came out form the forest at that moment, by his side a rather large pile of rocks. The elders eyes bulged. "Hey you guys! Mind if I crash the party?" He than proceeded to chuck rocks at the old people.
(Look how delicately I phrased that!)
The elders began to run for cover into the forest. The lead elder took one look at Tai than turned around and ran for his life, dropping the spear as he went. Tonai, looking on in amazement, than hurriedly began hacking at the bonds around Matt's wrist.
Meanwhile, Tai had turned to chucking rocks at the drummers, who had not ran away when he had appeared. "HA! Take that you filthy drummers! I didn't like your music anyway!" Tai reached back for another rock, felt around. "Uh oh." There was none left! He had used them all. His eyes grew big as the four muscular drummers circled their pray.
He gulped. "Heh. Di-did I say that? I meant. . . Take that you * wealthy * drummers! It'd be a shame to not like-love! your music!" They kept circling.
Matt watched in growing panic. "Tonai! Hurry!"
"I'm trying Yamato! Just a few more strands!"
Two of the drummers came up behind Tai, and grabbed his arms. He yelped in surprise, but the surprise was quickly replaced by fear as another drummer came in, fists clenched. Tai squeezed his eyes shut. This was going to hurt.
Suddenly, he heard a loud grunt and than a * thump *. Tai cautiously opened one eye to see that one of the drummers was now laying on the ground unconscious. He looked up in surprise to see Matt, wielding the elders spear as a club.
"Nice shoot," Tai breathed and than the scene turned to madness.
Two of the drummers charged into Matt, while the other drummer stayed behind to hold Tai. Matt was sent backwards by the two drummers sheer weight and fell painfully down to the ground dropping the spear.
Tai, taking this opportunity where there was just one drummer, slammed his elbow backwards into his stomach. The drummer hunched over in pain, releasing his grip on Tai. Tai than whirled around and gave the man a painful uppercut to the jaw.
Meanwhile, Matt had his hands full, trying desperately to get the two drummers off him. He was putting up a good fight, considering they were both two times his size. His smaller build was actually an advantage over them, because it enabled him to wiggle this way and avoid *most * of their punches.
After making sure that the drummer was out cold, Tai came running over to Matt and grabbed one of the men that was pinning him down, than gave him a good head butt. This gave Matt just enough time to wiggle his feet up and kick the other drummer off him. ( T_T don't think bad thoughts here people ::Scowls::)
Matt sprang up while the drummer was stunned and punched him right in the face. Matt stood up, his breath coming in short gasps. It was harder than it seemed to fight these guys! He was surprised as hell they had won.
He went over to Tai who was sitting on the ground holding his head. "You alright?" Matt asked stretching out a hand.
Tai took it gratefully than answered, "Remind me never to head butt someone again. It gives you a major head ache." Matt gave a snigger when all of the sudden a large hand hit him from the back, sending him sideways to the ground.
Tai looked up in surprise and saw that the first drummer had woken up and was coming at him menacingly. Tai gulped, 'oh great!'
The drummer let out an angry war cry and charged toward Tai. Tai put up his hands and a feeble attempt to shield his face, but the blow never came. When the drummer was within five feet of Tai he stopped dead in his tracts than crumbled to the ground. Tai looked up in astonishment and saw Tonai, armed with the spear.
She was quivering. "What have I done." She whispered. Tai got up off the ground and took the spear gently away.
"You've saved our lives. Thank you"
She nodded faintly.
Meanwhile, Matt sat up groggily. "Any one catch the name of that bus?" Tai laughed.
Tonai gave a confused look, "What is a bus."
"In our world it's a type of public transportation." Tai explained.
Matt stared open mouthed at Tai. "Tai, how did you know that?" He said carefully, as if Tai was a fragile thing, which in some ways he was.
Tai looked oddly at Matt, than his eye widened in realization. "I-I don't know!"
"Your remembering?" Matt asked excitedly.
Tai gave a big grin, "I guess I am."
"Quick!" Matt said happily, "do you remember anyone? Does Kari sound familiar, or Sora?"
Tai's head fell, "No sorry, just the bus for some reason, and even that's blurry."
Tonai looked confused again, "Remembering? You could not remember?"
Tai began to explain when he was interrupted by two large horns in the distance. Tonai's eyes widened in fear. "The elders have warned the village! We must escape before they bring the warriors!"
Matt quickly got to his feet, a bit wobbly at first, Tai helped stable him. Tai turned to Tonai, "You don't have to come with us, I mean, I don't think the drummers saw you did they? You could make it back to the village, make up a story that we kidnapped you or something. . ."
"No," Tonai said firmly, "I have made my decision now I must live by it. Besides," She turned towards Matt. "I believed you when you said you could help my people."
Matt blushed, "Uh. . . well we'll try our best Tonai." The horns sounded again. "We better get going." Matt said hurriedly.
"Which way?" Tai asked.
"This way," Tonai said pointing towards the north, "to the caves. There is a secret exit through the caverns."
Matt groaned inwardly, 'Not the caverns again!' And than they hurried off, as the sounds of heavy footsteps could be heard in the distance.
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Will the trio's escape be successful? What will they find outside the caves? And will Izzy and the others be able to help Matt and Tai? Find out next time in DIGIMON: DIGITAL MONSTERS!
(1) The Egyptian God of Hell, the equivalent of Satan. Many times his name and the plain in which he rules, Hell, is undefined, thus if someone were to say "Go to Sockar" you might be able to take it as "God to Hell" So the next time you guys are arguing with someone, feel free to spew this obscenity at them! YEY!
ACK! This turned out to be a * very * long chapter! o_O;;;! Its like 6,000 fricken words! Wait. . .is that how you spell friken? It doesn't look right. . . and spell check looks weird. ::sweatdrops:: I'm * so * sad. If anyone knows how to spell it tell me. Its kinda frustrating. Ok well I wont keep you from the preview any longer!
PREIVEIW OF NEXT CHAPTER:
Matt, Tai and Tonai reach the outside but what they find is unsettling. What exactly did they find? Well you know I cant tell you that! But I'll tell you one thing, whatever is out there, must have been pretty bad to have forced the Tashon people to seek refuge in the caves. But Tonai's not talking. Will Matt and Tai be able to figure out the mystery? Its out of one mess and into another on the next chapter of * Merge *.
::theme song comes in and she starts singing it::
DUH DUH DUH DUUUUW DUH DUH DUH DUUUUUUW! O_O opps your still here!
Ok, so just want to apologize for it taking so long for this chapter to get out. I'm taking Biology over the summer so I can take Art during the year and man! I tell you its hell! Homework in the * summer *, not a good mix. So anyway, that's cut back on my free time a tad. So yeah, that's my excuse. But this chapter is pretty long so hopefully that makes up for it! Till next time!
::salutes::
Sit ubu sit.
Reion
7-09-03