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Chapter 22

Winning the Peace

--o--o--o--

There was a part of Yeii Coyomon that was fascinated by the idea that two of the most powerful beings in existence might fight over him like a couple of drunken bimbos outside of a bar. Fortunately, it was a very small part of him. The rest of him found the prospect fairly horrifying. He desperately groped for something to say but it seemed as if his glib tongue had deserted him.

"Nikola suffering, bald-headed Tesla and all of his pot-bellied aunts and uncles!" he cursed under his breath.

Sakuyamon shifted her staff slightly, making its rings clink together, but gave no other sign that she had heard him.

The looming confrontation made no sense to Yeii Coyomon. They could have left with the others and never seen Yatsuramon again. It just wasn't like Renamon to want revenge-- more like Rika's style-- he started with realization. Sakuyamon wasn't just Renamon's Mega form; Rika was in there too.

"Renamon--" he said.

"Sakuyamon," she corrected.

"I'm just talking to half of you, princess," Yeii Coyomon said. "I'm talking to the half that's about to risk her tamer's life in a fit of jealousy."

Sakuyamon turned to look at him then. "Don't be stupid, flea-bag. This whole thing was my idea." Even without the use of her habitual nickname for him, the tone of the remark was obviously Rika's.

"What?"

"Until this gets settled one way or the other, Renamon is going to be upset and unhappy and I can't think of anything else I want right now except to make her happy. If I have to go up against a Sovereign to do that--"

"There's no way I'm going to let that happen!"

"How are you going to stop me, flea-bag?"

Yeii Coyomon sputtered in frustration for a second before replying. "Damnit! I promised Yasuramon that none of us would turn on her after the battle was over! You're just confirming her bad opinion of us!"

Sakuyamon stared at him for a moment and then said quietly, "She doesn't seem to have a bad opinion of you." And she flicked the fringe of Yeii Coyomon's jacket with the tip of her staff.

He'd forgotten the runes. He looked down and lifted the edge of the buckskin, turning it so that he could read them: Coyomon. Captain of Devas in the Realm of the South. Right Hand of the Sovereign. Beloved of Yasuramon. "Beloved?" he breathed, "Oh, shit."

"She will remove those runes and apologize to Renamon or we will tear that oversized tail right off of her." Sakuyamon said softly.

"I love you, Rika." Yeii Coyomon said.

"Wh--what?" Sakuyamon stammered.

"You are one of the most amazing people I've ever met. A twelve-year-old girl who's braver than any man or digimon I know. You're tough, smart, and independent and you saved me from a pointless existence as a Wild One-- from always being on the outside of things. How could I not love you?"

Sakuyamon frowned and shifted uncomfortably. "I don't understand."

"I'm getting there," Yeii Coyomon assured her. He sighed deeply and continued, "I will die before I see you harmed, Rika. If you intend to confront Yasuramon, I will take her on myself. I will betray my word to her and I will do my best to destroy someone who I have come to respect and care for. And let's face it," he grimaced and pointed up at the huge golden form of the descending Sovereign, "she'd kick my ass without even breaking a sweat."

"Not with me by your side."

Yeii Coyomon actually laughed. "There! How can you imagine I wouldn't love a spirit like that?"

Sakuyamon stepped close to him and looked directly into his eyes. "That was Renamon."

"Sure it was."

"Alright, then-- we will leave Yasuramon in peace-- but get rid of the jacket, okay?"

"Of course. But I think we're going to have to have some words with her. She's nearly here--" he said looking upward again and frowning, "and there's something different about her."

Sakuyamon looked up and saw that he was right. Yasuramon radiated immense strength and seemed to be trailed by small fragments of glowing energy.

"Hey!" Yeii Coyomon exclaimed, "Those are digignomes! What the hell is that twisted vixen up to now?"

"I heard that." Yasuramon's golden voice floated down from above.

"Yeah, well, you've got ears the size of teepees-- I'm not surprised." Yeii Coyomon yipped back at her.

Yasuramon swept down and landed nearly silently in front of the pair. The digignomes circled just above her head. Yeii Coyomon could feel Sakuyamon tense up beside him but she didn't speak or move. He stood with his hands on his hips and his head cocked to one side, surveying the shining Sovereign and her flock of followers. "You're looking well-rested. What have you been doing since the battle ended?"

"I was killing Baihumon," she said bluntly.

"What?" Yeii Coyomon shouted. "You-- you can't still be--"

Yasuramon smiled. "You think I am still intent on conquest or revenge? No. You may not believe it but what I want more than anything now is peace."

"And you think killing the other Sovereigns will bring peace? You've got to be kidding me!"

Yasuramon shook her massive head. "Just Baihumon. The rules have changed now and he couldn't change. The days when dumb, brute force would keep peace in the Digital Dimension are gone and it will take rulers with wisdom as well as strength to control it now. I believe Azulongmon and Ebonwumon will be able to rise to the challenge."

"But with the D-reaper gone--" Yeii Coyomon trailed off as he began to realize the shape that the future would take. "With the D-reaper gone--" he repeated slowly, turning to look at Sakuyamon.

"There will be Mega-level digimon everywhere with no common enemy to fight," Sakuyamon said with a stunned expression.

"And no limits on the ability of the lower levels to digivolve," Yasuramon added.

"Holy freakin' Tesla! It'll be a slaughterhouse!"

"Unless it is ruled firmly-- and wisely," Yasuramon repeated. "Baihumon would have tried to settle things with his own claws and fangs-- the only sort of diplomacy he understood. His realm would have been a smoking ruin within days."

"But now it doesn't have a Sovereign at all!"

"I feel perfectly capable of ruling half of the Digital Dimension," Yasuramon said lightly. "All of it, actually, but hopefully it won't come to that."

Yeii Coyomon and Sakuyamon exchanged glances.

"It would be easier with the aid of a good Captain, of course." Yasuramon said quietly, smiling slightly. Sakuyamon bristled and began to speak but the Sovereign forestalled her with a raised paw. "Forgive me. I find it hard to resist a small jibe now and again."

"About that--" Yeii Coyomon said, taking up the corner of his buckskin jacket in one hand and lifting it.

"Ah yes," Yasuramon merely glanced at the runes and they rippled into beautiful but meaningless patterns. "My 'teepee' ears are even better than you think. I've heard everything you've said." She turned to Sakuyamon. "I apologize to you, Renamon and Rika, for everything I have done against you."

"And you accept that he is mine-- now and forever?" Sakuyamon said and then turned to Yeii Coyomon. "That was Renamon," she clarified. He smiled and winked at her.

"Accept? Yes-- but only because I know there is nothing I can do to change that."

"And you promise to behave yourself?"

Yeii Coyomon winced. That last had to have come from Rika. Yasuramon went silent and then the corner of her mouth twitched slightly and there was a noise from deep in her throat like bubbles rising in melted chocolate that Yeii Coyomon fervently prayed was a sign of amusement.

"Behave?" Yasuramon's voice was low and soft, straddling the line between humor and danger. "Oh-- now, I couldn't possibly promise you that."

There was a long, long silence as Sakuyamon and the Sovereign stared at one another and Yeii Coyomon shifted uncomfortably. There were several things he wanted to say but it seemed wiser to hold his tongue.

"May you rule long and wisely," Sakuyamon finally said. Yeii Coyomon let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding.

"Thank you," Yasuramon chuckled. "I can hardly rule long if I do not rule wisely,"

--o--o--o--

Takato was sitting in front of the shimmering portal, leaning against Guilmon who was curled up and sleeping behind him. Leaning against him was Jeri, also asleep. He spoke quietly, so as not to wake either of them. "Any sign of them, Henry?"

Henry craned his neck around to search the sky to the North. He had to hold his head at an awkward angle to keep the sleeping Terriermon from sliding off his shoulders. "Nothing yet," he whispered back.

Ryo paced back and forth, kicking at small pebbles and occasionally glancing up at Cyberdramon who was hunched over, squatting at the edge of the glow cast by the portal. Kayamon was sitting next to him and the two of them were talking in low voices.

The rest of the group had been sent through the gate earlier. Henry insisted his sister be taken home immediately but Takato was unwilling to leave without Rika and Jeri refused to be parted from Takato. She never said anything but wouldn't let go of his arm when the others tried to take her with them. Henry hesitated but decided to stay. There was no hesitation from either Ryo or Kayamon.

"Do you think--" Takato began.

Kayamon made a sudden startled noise and the humans turned to look at her. She was still next to Cyberdramon but standing now and glaring in the direction of Ryo.

Ryo stopped pacing and walked over to the pair of digimon. "Is something wrong?"

Kayamon took a couple of steps backwards, her eyes still narrowed, and her lips lifted from her teeth. "Is it true?" she hissed at Ryo. "Do you hurt him with that thing?" She practically spit the last word, using her muzzle to point at the digivice that hung from Ryo's belt.

"Uh--" Ryo hadn't ever thought of the energy lash technique as a punishment. He'd had to use it several times to keep Cyberdramon under control but it never occurred to him how it felt to Cyberdramon. "He's hard to control sometimes and--"

"You're his partner! How can you do that to him?"

"You don't understand. I don't want to hurt him but--"

Kayamon's eyes literally blazed. "And you humans call us monsters! My father is wrong about you. You aren't worthy of--" Cyberdramon had had enough. He rose to his feet and snarled at Kayamon.

Takato was on his feel in an instant and rushed to stop the quarrel. Jeri rolled back against Guilmon and blinked sleepily.

"Stop it!" Takato said. "Please, Kayamon, we're not perfect but we try our best."

"Then why do you do such awful things?" There was a note of pleading in Kayamon's voice. "We fight for you. We die for you! Father says there can be friendship and even love between us but I've never seen it. You only--"

"Hey!" Henry said, "I think I see something! Yeah-- it's a light in the sky-- moving like an airplane."

Jeri wiped at her eyes, confused at waking in the middle of an argument. "What is it?" she asked.

Cyberdramon faced the distant object. "Something powerful." He growled.

Kayamon turned, too. After a moment of concentration she sighed with relief. "It's father-- and mother and my Sovereign." She moved away from the group and Cyberdramon relaxed slightly.

Jeri walked over to Takato and took hold of his arm again. Henry prodded Terriermon awake. Guilmon continued to snore softly.

Within minutes the golden radiance streaming from Yasuramon overpowered the faint glow of the gate and clearly illuminated the two smaller figures flying along side. When they landed Kayamon ran to greet them-- her father, joyously-- her mother (and Rika) politely-- and her Sovereign, with the deepest respect. She backed away when the tamers approached.

Even the humans could sense the change in Yasuramon. The very nearness of such a presence woke Guilmon from his deep slumber. He blinked and said, wonderingly, "Look at all the digignomes!"

Sakuyamon separated into tamer and digimon. "You didn't need to wait for us Takato," Rika said while stealing a sidelong glance at Ryo, "but I'm glad you did."

I'm glad you're safe," Takato said. "We can go home now."

"Um-- not just yet," Yeii Coyomon said. "Yasuramon has some gifts for you."

The tamers turned to look at the Sovereign in surprise. "Gifts?" Takato asked doubtfully.

"Yeah--" Yeii Coyomon said with a bit of hesitation in his voice. He knew he ought to be used to being the bearer of bad news by now but the expressions of dismay still seemed to bother him, somehow. "You see, just because the old Sovereign is dead doesn't mean that digimon will stop finding their way to Earth-- and now with more digimon being Megas and all--" None of the children were stupid and they all realized the implications immediately.

"We're still going to have to fight off Wild Ones? Strong Wild Ones?" Henry's expression was one of shock but strangely Terriermon's face lit up in a wide grin.

"Yep. So Yasuramon thought it would be handy for you all to still be able to biomerge once you get back to the Real World. She's whipped up some code or spell or something that will let your physical bodies do that."

"I didn't think that we wouldn't be able to--" Takato said with a look at his partner.

"Well, now you know," Yeii Coyomon interrupted him impatiently. "You'll all get energy armor, too. The D-reaper should be history in a few days, but the armor is still pretty darned useful. Line up and get your goodies, guys."

The tamers stepped forward and were a bit surprised when a digignome flew down to each of them. Takato was just putting a finger up to his and beginning to say, "Hey, there--" when the blast of energy from Yasuramon's eyes burned through the little creature and drove its particles deep into his chest.

All the tamers staggered back, disoriented by the sudden change in their bodies. "Aw-- the poor little guy!" Takato cried out. "Did you have to do that?"

Yasuramon looked down at him as if he were some species of interesting insect. "That is their purpose," she said, using her most powerful, intimidating voice. "They create and change. Scores were transformed to make Guilmon and they were happy to do it." The remaining digignomes swirled around her and trilled as if in agreement.

"I-- I'm sorry," Takato said, still unhappy about the tiny creature's death. "I know things are different here. I will try to understand."

Yasuramon's gaze swept over the group. "You will always be welcome in my realm," she said formally.

"That means 'get your butts through the portal, already'," Yeii Coyomon helpfully translated.

"No," said a quiet, musical voice.

"What?" Yeii Coyomon turned to see his daughter backing away from the group, shaking her head.

"Not to the human world, father!" she protested, still backing away until she stood next to one of Yasuramon's huge forepaws. "I-- I don't-- I don't like them! Please stay here with me. We can serve the Sovereign together. We can fight her enemies together."

Yeii Coyomon felt a twisting sensation in his stomach. No armor could defend him from the hurt his child could deliver. "Oh, sweetie," he said softly as he walked over to her and stroked her head, "I can't stay here. My place is with your mother and our tamer. I won't force you to go, but I have to."

"She will have high rank and be honored among my devas," Yasuramon said. "I will give the portal spells to you and you may visit her whenever you like and, if she so desires, she may visit Earth with you. Perhaps you can change her opinion of humans in time-- though I think she is closer to the truth than you are."

"Is that alright with you, Kayamon?" he asked her. She didn't say anything but pressed her head against his chest and let him stroke her silky mane as she nodded ever so slightly. "I'll come see you soon, I promise," he told her and gently kissed the top of her head.

"I am so very proud of you," Renamon said from behind her mate's shoulder. Yeii Coyomon moved aside and let Renamon fold her daughter into a loving hug. "The Digital Dimension will be a better place because of you. I know it in my heart." Kayamon pressed her shoulder harder into Renamon's chest and made a tiny, wistful sound.

"Hey!" Yeii Coyomon said cheerfully. "I've got a good idea!" He continued, despite several of the group groaning quietly, "You save a couple of the nastiest Megas for us-- We'll fight them together-- sort of a family outing!"

Kayamon smiled, almost shyly. "I'd like that."

The tamers and their digimon began to file through the gate. When only Rika and her partners were left, Yasuramon spoke again. "I have one last thing I would like to discuss with Yeii Coyomon-- privately."

Renamon's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Yeii Coyomon took her head in his hands and turned her to face him. "You don't need to trust her, lover. You can trust me." He pulled her to him and kissed her thoroughly and lovingly. Her tense body relaxed and molded itself against his as her arms tightened around him.

"Yuck!" Rika exclaimed, rolling her eyes in disgust as she turned her back on them. They held the kiss for a long time. Rika sighed impatiently and kicked at the sand.

Finally, the lovers broke off their embrace and Renamon shot one cold glare at the impassively watching Sovereign. "If he doesn't come through that gate in less than ten minutes, I'm going to come back here and rip your tail out by the roots. Do you understand me?"

"And a pleasant farewell to you, too, Renamon," the Sovereign said placidly.

Renamon grabbed Yeii Coyomon by his cheek tufts and planted one last forceful kiss on his muzzle before stalking through the sparkling gate. Rika sighed again and followed her.

Yeii Coyomon looked up at the sovereign doubtfully.

"There's another threat you need to worry about," she told him.

"Really? Other than Mega invaders?"

"Oh yes-- and it's much, much more dangerous."

Yeii Coyomon frowned. "You've got to be kidding me. What could be a threat to digimon in the Real World? We're literally bulletproof! It would take an army to--"

"It would only take a handful of men-- if they were the right men."

Yeii Coyomon could see that Yasuramon was in deadly earnest. "Tell me," he said.

She did.

--o--o--o--

"I can see why you didn't want the tamers to know," he said quietly when she had finished.

"Humans are nasty, evil creatures!" Kayamon put in forcefully.

"Well-- yes," her father admitted, "some of them are. But not all, sweetie-- not all." He sighed sadly. "Not even most of them. But sometimes the really bad ones seem to overshadow the rest."

Yasuramon and Kayamon looked at each other for a moment and Yeii Coyomon suspected they might be mind-speaking to each other. Kayamon laughed and said aloud, "That's a good idea!"

"You worry me when you say things like that," he said dryly.

"I was just suggesting to your daughter one last gift for you-- to help you against the threats you will face."

"I'm a natural Mega now," he said, stretching out his long wings for emphasis. "How much help do you think I'll need against some sneaky humans now that I know what they're up to?"

"Don't underestimate them. They're very clever. You can't be everywhere at once and you'll need help-- digimon help. The humans will be unlikely to aid you against their own kind. In the Real World there are peaceful Wild Ones and even partnered digimon that will aid you if you bear some mark of leadership or authority."

Yeii Coyomon didn't like the amused look on Yasuramon's face-- and Kayamon was trying desperately to stifle a fit of giggles. Not a good sign. Yasuramon lifted one of her huge paws and between two toes, he could see a tiny, powerful spark of blue-white energy. "Wait a minute--" he began, but Yasuramon's paw flashed forward and Yeii Coyomon was blasted through the portal by the explosion of searing energy that erupted when it struck him.

--oOo--oOo--oOo--

Author's Note:

Wow. Long chapter there. I hope it didn't bog down for you. I just couldn't find a good place to break it into two pieces.

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