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Summary: In the kingdom of Ishida lived two young princes, and in an unfortunate turn of events they were both separated. One made it to a loving family, while the other was forced into a cruel place, far away. Now the two kingdoms in which they live are at war, and they are finally reunited. But, they are fighting each other, and one doesn't remember his previous family.
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon or any Digimon characters. I only own the side characters and the plot. Knowing my unoriginal mind, though, there is probably a plot out there just like this one...
Secrets of a Kingdom
Chapter One: Fall of a Kingdom
By: Yami Kibou
In the Ishida Kingdom lived a great king, along with his beautiful wife and two sons. For centuries this line of royalty ruled the land, showing wisdom, strategy, and intelligence. But for the Kingdom of Ishida was best known for was by their fearsome warriors. Each Ishida child was always born with the natural qualities of a great fighter. Their bodies were meant for fighting, and when each was old enough they proved just that.
The kingdom usually never the ones to start war, but when they decided who their allies were, when given no other choice, the opposing kingdom knew the outcome before any battle could begin. One of the Ishida's closest allies were the Yagami Kingdom though you could never tell by observing the rulers. The two kings always seem to bicker with one another at first sight of each other. They seemed to even past this form of greeting to their two eldest sons- Yamato Ishida, crown prince of the Ishida Kingdom; and Taichi Yagami, crown prince of the Yagami Kingdom. With these two powerful kingdoms joining arms only a fool would dare to press against one or the other.
Though, behind the strong fronts of their kingdoms lies a secret that they desperately try to hide- one that has passed to one of the kings' unknowing children. While, the kings and queens try to ignore and hide the dark family secrets they try to live a happy life for their children and kingdom. It had worked, until another equally powerful kingdom grew wise...
In the exquisite garden the queen watches joyously as their eldest son of six, Yamato, entertains her baby of three, Takeru. Yamato was making all kinds of silly faces and doing exaggerated impressions of the town's people. As he mimicked one of the teachers that he was forced to learn under Takeru laughed along in delight.
"Young one, if you can not learn that blah blah blah equals blah blah blah. How do you possible think that you can rule the kingdom without the use basic mathematics? Knowledge is power, without knowledge your kingdom will surely fall." Yamato said as deep as his young voice would allow him. He was waving his pointing finger in Takeru's face, as if giving a lecture. All Takeru did was sit there and laugh.
"Yuw funny," Takeru said in between laughs, his bright blue eyes shinning with the eyes of a care free child.
"Yep," Yamato said with a nod," and don't you ever forget it." Yamato finished, standing straight and tall with his hands on his hips. Posing as a statue would for some epic hero. This brought Takeru into another burst of laughter. Yamato always did enjoy making Takeru laugh, though he would never dare to let Taichi see him act in this manner. He took great joy in the fact that he was the first one to make him do so. He remembered the first day Takeru blessed his family with his first set of gleeful squeals of joy. "If you liked that one you are sure to like this one." Yamato took a deep breath and was about to do an impression of their nanny. But before he was able to begin his impersonation the sharp sound of a horn sounded in the distance, and that horn stole the young boy's attention.
"Yey, Yamato make funny soun'!" Takeru said, he was completely oblivious to what was about to take place in their elaborate home.
"That wasn't me bro'." Looking across the purple sky he could see the front gate where many of the army for conjugating.
"Hmm?" Takeru said, tilting his small, round head.
The castle buzzed to life. From where he was he could here the hustle in town as the civilians made their way to safety. He listened as the horn blew again, although he may have been young he knew what that horn meant... and he was scared. He was about to grab a hold of Takeru, but his mother beat him to it. She quickly swung her young son into her arms and grabbed Yamato's hand, and turned to face the garden's exit that led to the castle. Four guards were around them protectively and began to escort them into the castle.
"Mother, what's happening?" Yamato asked as they quickly proceeded into the castle.
"I'm not sure, sweetie," she replied. "We just have to follow the guards until... it's safe."
"Safe...?" Yamato repeated. "Safe from what?" He asked, but was left waiting. His mother's eyes kept forward, the same blue eyes with the intensity of a mother willing to do whatever it takes to keep her children safe.
The group of guards and royalty made it to the top of a winding staircase where they were met by their king and a unit of soldiers. He took up Yamato into his arms and embraced his wife.
"Hiroaki, what's happening," Natsuko asked, not realizing that she was repeating her son's earlier question."
"The Takaishi Kingdom has decided to attack. We're holding them off well, but they wanted a sneak attack, and the got it. The guards say they seemed to come out of nowhere. One minute there was nothing and the next a thousand soldiers are advancing our walls."
Natsuko looked behind her where her bodyguards kept watch silently. She turned to her husband with fear in her eyes. "Will they reach the castle?"
"My soldiers will do everything in their power not to let them get that far. But it is only a matter of time before they find some means of entrance, so I want you to take the boys and flee."
"What about you?"
"It is my duty to stay and help hold them off. Go now protect my sons and the heirs of the kingdom." He turned his attention to the four guards surrounding his queen and children. "Go with them and keep them safe. Don't let anything happen to them. I'll escort you to the main hall but after that we must part." He gently put Yamato down and knelt in front of him. "Yamato, you have to watch over your little brother now. I'm putting him in your hands. Take care of him, alright."
"Don't worry father, I'll protect him and mother."
Hiroaki stood and kissed his wife then he turned to Takeru, rubbing his head affectionately. Takeru looked up at his father and smiled. "I wish I could be as carefree as you are my son. Don't let anything taint you. Come, let us be off"
They all began to make their way to the main hall as quickly as they could without going into a full out run. They finally made their destination and they approached the main door that broke into two passageways shortly after. Before they reached said door an Ishida soldier came bursting through the doors like a madman. He was holding onto his side which was gushing blood, streaking his uniform in the sticky substance. Once he got sight of the king he quicklu approached.
"Report," the king ordered.
"The mages, sire, they teleported into the castle, nearly thirty of them. They are making their way through the castle as we speak."
"Curse those mages. Have no fighting morals?"
"That's not all your majesty, King Shun Takashi is with them."
"Actually," said a voice behind the group. "To be more avidly correct, King Shun is amongst you."
Everyone turned to and saw a flash of magneta light once faded they found them facing a tall thin man. Even though he was not much for muscles, and his face was thin and pale, he still gave the aura of a man of high power. He had raven color hair and soulless green eyes.
"How the hell did you get behind us?" King Hiroaki yelled at him.
"Teleportation is an incredibly useful spell." As he said this he watched as five guards placed themselves in front of their rulers and stood in a tactful formation while the rest stayed, surrounding the family in case an attack from behind emerged. Hiroaki lifted Yamato into his arms. "Now, I really don't need to fight any of you. I only came for one thing. You see my scribes were looking at an ancient prophecy that described a couple that would bring forth either destruction or peace across our kingdoms: the bearer of Hope and the child of Light. Now, I have absolutely no certainty of who this child of Light may be, but on the description of the bearer of Hope I was able to narrow it down considerably." He began to walk closer as he began to quote a part of the prophecy describing the bearer of Hope. "The bearer of Hope will have the hair of the sun and the eyes of the sea. Born under the constellation of the mighty wolf." Once finished he gave them a grim grin. "Only when the bearer of Hope and Light merge into one will the prophecy become complete."
He stopped before reaching the guards with their drawn swords. "I do not know your family too personally, but I do know these facts: Each Ishida child was born with blonde hair and blue eyes."
"Blonde hair may be uncommon in these parts, but it is not enough validation to attack out kingdom under such accusations!" Natsuko cried out. Hiroaki lifted his arm to quickly silence her.
"Yes, I am not that foolish, but there is more. The next facts are quite stunning. Now, the prophecy spoke of the bearer to be born under the constellation of the wolf. Which is also your kingdom's insignia if I do believe so?" He began to point his at the two boys, going from one to another. "Now I wasn't sure if I would see the two during my lifetime, because the prophecy never gave an exact date. But, it did give us something to go by. It said that when the bearers were born 'the heavens would cry with tears of joy.' After my scholars made a few background checks they came to find that someone in this room was born under a certain constellation and during quite a storm." After listening to all of this Natsuko began to breathe rapidly tightening her grip around her son, Takeru. She watched as his finger rested on her smallest child, and it felt like her heart stopped when he spoke his name. "Ishida Takeru!"
"No!" Natsuko yelled. "Stay away from him."
"Just give me Takeru and I won't have to kill all of you."
"Mommy, what is he talking about? Why is he looking at me like that?" Asked the ignorant and fearful child in Natsuko's arms.
"Natsuko" whispered Hiroaki, picking up the frightened Yamato. "I hate to say this but we have to get out of here. I know you won't like this but we need to make a run for the door. When we pass the main door and are out of his sight I want us to switch spots. I will take one route and you and the children the other. Hopefully it will trick him into chasing me instead of you."
"I'm not going to leave you to that monster!" She whispered back angrily.
"Think of the boys." Natsuko became silent. "Yamato will stay with me so I won't have to waste the precious seconds by putting him down, I can't risk him catching up. Meet me in the Yagami Kingdom." Turing to the one of the royal body guards, he gave him a serious look. "Hachiro, go with Natsuko."
"Sir." Hachiro said in understanding.
"What are you talking about over there King Ishida? I really don't have all day."
"Natsuko! Run now!"
The five made a dash for the door, while the other soldiers all went for King Shun. Behind them they heard Shun cruse loudly. They were just to the door when Hiroaki and Yamato was hit by a fireball that Shun created and threw at them. Making a direct hit in his right side and Yamato's shin, out of shock and pain, both Hiroaki and Yamato let out a yell in pain, halting his queen.
"Yamato!" Natsuko yelled.
"Father!" Cried Yamato.
"Keep going!" He yelled as he pushed on.
When out of Shun's sight they quickly changed their course and took different paths. Natsuko to the left and Hiroaki to the right. During the exchange Hiroaki stumbled from the sudden loss of blood and hit the wall, leaving a small blood smear. The cries of the soldiers left behind made them move quicker, knowing they hadn't much time before the mage fought his way past their defenses. They kept on going even after the sound of battle ceased.
Shun left the main hall unscratched, but now behind schedule. He was about to go down the right path and fall to the trick, but stopped immediately when sighting the blood smear across the wall.
"So, King Ishida," thinking with his cold and twisted smile. "You thought you could trick me, did you? I'm sorry to disappoint you." He then changed paths and went down the hall to the left.
CHAPTER ONE: FALL OF A KINGDOM
Yamato and King Hiroaki ran as fast as he could down the hall. He had Yamato thrown on the other hip because of his current injury, wishing Yamato's leg hadn't been burned so he could run on his own. Every so often Hiroaki glanced behind them to see if anyone followed. So far- nothing. "Please God, protect them."
Their pace began to slow when the reached the outer wall of the castle. Thankfully, they had not encountered any of Takashi soldiers or mages. Sadly, he thought too soon. In another flash of light three mages flashed before them, blocking their path.
He quickly placed Yamato on the ground. "Stay behind me, son" he said pushing Yamato behind him.
The mages automatically began to recite a spell, but before they were able to they found themselves face to face with the King of Ishida. He quickly unsheathed and drove his sword into the first mage and quickly pulled it out to fight the other. The second mage produced a quick shield that protected him from the attack. While Hiroaki was producing attacks and the second mage worked hard to protect himself, the third mage gained some well-needed distance.
When the shield failed Hiroaki dealt the finishing blow. He then turned to the third mage that was preparing a spell. He was just about to charge until the mage set loose a poison arrow from the palm of his hand. He would have been able to dodge it- if it was heading toward him. He looked at his son, as he stood frozen in place. Hiroaki made a beeline to his son in attempt to save his heir. It was too late to push him out of the way, so he did the next best thing. Hiroaki dove in front of Yamato just as the arrow neared. It was at that moment that the arrow had pierced his shoulder and evaporated on impact. The king did not let this slow his failing body down. He quickly grabbed a dagger that was hooked to his belt. He turned and threw it at his adversary with the speed of lightning. The mage was not fast enough to react in time, so the dagger pierced his skull, killing him instantly.
"Father, are you okay?" Yamato asked as his father slowly began to stand. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault."
"Don't say such things, I'm fine. Come now, we must hurry." The king said quickly, though with each motion, with each breath, his body trembled with pain. He was physically unable to carry Yamato any farther so he silently hoped that Yamato would grow numb to the pain he knew he was fighting through.
The shinning moon and twinkling stars shown down on them as they finally made it out of the castle. Ignoring the fighting in the distance they made it to the woods just outside of the city. Strangely enough, it seemed as all of the Takashi army slowly began to withdraw. He heard the fighting slowly dying down and orders to withdraw immediately. But right now all he cared about was getting Yamato to safety and to meet Natsuko at the Yagami castle. Though, he was beginning to doubt that he would make it that far.
Shortly after they made it into the dark woods his vision became blurry- his movements sluggish. They were moving at a slow pace even for Yamato and his injured leg. Hiroaki was using every tree that he passed as leverage as he moved, while Yamato held onto Hiroaki's pants, watching him nervously. Hiroaki couldn't make it any longer. He could feel the poison running through his veins and the death that will shortly come for him. He knew he couldn't make it much farther, and he didn't want Yamato here to see. Hiroaki fell to the ground and felt Yamato's small hands press against his chest.
"Father, come on. We have to keep going. They'll catch us!"
"Yamato, I want you to go on without me."
"What? No! Father I can't do that!"
Ignoring his child's response, he continued "I want you to stay on this road and travel as long as you can before resting. I want you to hide if you hear anything traveling the road."
"No," Yamato whispered as tears began to swell in his eyes.
"There will be three signs that you will pass before reaching the kingdom of Yagami." Hiroaki then wrote the name Yagami in the dirt. "Memorize this Yamato. It's the name Yagami. When you see it on a sign, follow whichever direction it points. Do you understand?" Yamato didn't respond. "Yamato, do you understand me?"
"Yes."
"Memorize it, Yamato." He allowed his son to look at the writing in the ground before clearing it with his hand and continuing. "Yamato, remember that your mother and I love you and your brother dearly. I won't be with you in the Yagami castle, but I want you to remember everything that I taught you, and when you're old enough I want you to rebuild our kingdom. Take care of your mother and Takeru. Watch over your brother Yamato. He is in more danger than any of us can conceive."
"But father… I don't understand…"
"You'll learn it soon enough. Yamato I want you to run as fast as you can away from here."
"No! I'm not leaving you."
"Don't. Turn around and just keep going."
"No..." Yamato's voice became quiet.
"I love you, now go."
"No."
"GO!" Hiroaki yelled. "Go now, and don't look back!"
Yamato stood up and backed away. Tears streaking his young face.
"Yamato go now, run!"
Yamato then began to run away from his father. Trying his hardest to breathe. He obeyed him and didn't look back. Hiroaki kept yelling his order until Yamato was out of sight. He then stopped and allowed his body to start to fade away.
"Natsuko, Takeru, Yamato... I love all of you." With that he slowly fell into his eternal slumber.
CHAPTER ONE: FALL OF A KINGDOM
Natsuko followed Hachiro down the hall of the Ishida castle with a crying Takeru in her arms. The hall was clear, but she could hear the battle that was raging around them. They were about to take a secret passage that led to the outside of the castle. Before they could reach the tapestry that was hiding a small wooden door. King Shun teleported before them. Hachiro took a fighting stance in front of his queen and prince. Shun laughed.
"Did you really think that you barbarians could fool me?" Shun said pulling down the tapestry with a wolf and a full moon sewn onto it, revealing a small wooden door. "Did you really think that I would allow you to escape? When the power to rule lies in my grasp?"
"Your majesty, I'll try to keep him at bay. Take the prince and run away as fast as you can."
"Yes, Hachiro." Natsuko didn't delay and took off in the other direction. She would try and make it down the path her husband took. Hopefully if she ran fast enough she would be able to catch up to them.
"How noble of you. Sacrificing your life to prolong the queen's demise and her son's capture."
"I will not allow you to touch the queen and prince."
"There isn't anything you can do to stop me now is there?"
Hachiro ran toward King Shun with his sword lifted high. He saw that Shun's hand was surging with electrical power. He hoped that he could reach him before he completed his spell. He was now more than a foot before striking range he saw the look of shock in Shun's eyes as he brought down his sword into his shoulder. Shun was lucky, he was barely able to dodge that fatal blow.
"Perhaps I misjudged you cretin." He glanced and the deep wound in his arm and back at the guard advancing him with the force of a bear, but before he could bring down his sword Shun pushed his arm forward and bolts of electricity sprung forward, hitting Hachiro straight on. He fell to the ground with electricity running over his smoldering body. Not quite dead, but his body momentarily paralyzed he watched helplessly as Shun walked past him, smiling the evil smile that he was now famous for.
Natsuko ran as fast as she could down the hallway. Takeru had his small arms wrapped around his mother's arms tightly, not moving or making any sound. Scared to death was what Natsuko had decided. Truthfully, she was too. She made it back to the main hall where she was first separated from Hiroaki and Yamato. She was about to continue down the hall but before she was able to take another step she was struck in the back by something sharp being pushed between her shoulder blades. She felt it burn and dissipate, leaving only the unbearable pain. She fell forward to the ground, twisting herself so she wouldn't crush her child. Takeru quickly got up and grabbed his mother's fingers.
"Up mommy, we have to go now," pleaded Takeru as he futilely pulled at his mother.
Natsuko tried to use the remainder of her strength to force herself around the next corner. But it was obvious that she had gone as far as she could she could feel liquid pouring into her lungs. She had failed at protecting Takeru. But she couldn't give up, not yet. As long as life was pumping through her veins she would fight to get Takeru to safety. She pushed herself up, using the wall as leverage, allowing Takeru to hold onto her hand.
She was only a few steps farther until she felt the agonizing pain that forced her to the ground once again. She knew she lost too much blood. Her whole body was becoming cold. Takeru was once again at her side, crying his little eyes out. He was never put in this situation. He was confused and scared. Probably waiting for his father to jump out and save the day. She hoped they were safe- that they made it out of the castle. Even if she does die, she knew that Hiroaki wouldn't wait one minute to save Takeru. She looked at Takeru. He was still crying, trying his hardest to pull her to safety. She could also hear Shun's footsteps come closer. Knowing that this was the last moment she would see Takeru on this earth she reached up her other hand and placed it on his small cheek.
"Take-" she began to say, but her eyes widen as another flaming arrow struck her. Her hand around the shocked boy's face went limp and fell to the ground.
"Mommy?" Takeru kept a firm grip on his mother's hand. He knew what death was, coming from a worrier family he was taught its harsh ways quickly, but this was the first time that he actually seen it happen. He held onto his mother as if she was a security blanket, burying his face in her neck, sobbing. "Mommy! No!"
"No more tears Takeru. All the pain will be gone soon." Shun said as he placed his hand on the young child's shoulder. He wasn't surprised when it was slapped away. The boy was now looking at him through red, puffy eyes, full of tears.
"No. No. No!" Takeru yelled.
"Well, we certainly know that word, don't we." Shun said with a playful grin.
"I don't like you," Takeru said as he put his face back into his mother's neck.
"Come now, you don't even know me. I'm sure after a few years you'll love me just as you would your own father."
"You killed mommy."
"Yes I did."
"You're mean… Go away..."
"Come now, time for you to sleep." Shun said as he began a quite chant.
"I'm not sleepy!" Takeru loudly responded.
"Sleep Takeru. Soon you won't even remember all this pain." A thick mist formed around his hands and blew around Takeru. Soon his heavy sobs were brought down to deep breathing of sleep. Shun took up Takeru in his arms. "One down one to go... Sayuri." He called out. Not three seconds later a young girl materialized from behind him.
"Yes, my king?" She asked, bowing.
Sayuri was young, not even sixteen by the looks of her round girlish face. She had dark blue hair that fell to the waist of her black robes. Her eyes were also blue, almost black. Her face was beautiful and her skin was pale with the slight shade of pink in her cheeks. Though through her appearance she seemed unusually cold and sinister for someone as young and beautiful.
"Take this child and put him in a nice, warm room. I have the feeling that he will be with us for a while."
"Yes, your majesty." She said as she took the small boy into her arms. "May I ask where you are going?"
"I am going to do some research in the library at my castle. Now that I found one of the keys to the destruction of my enemies I need to find the other... Fetch me when he awakens."
"Yes, your majesty." Sayuri then vanished from sight along with the sleeping Takeru, and after Shun looked at the body of the fallen queen he followed her suite.
AUTHOR'S NOTES
Well, I hope that you all like it. Sorry I made Yamato and Takeru orphans in the first chapter, I still feel guilty about that. Please offer any advice, criticism (as long as it is constructive), or anything else.
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