Calmer of the Storm: …Yeah, I know it's been a while. But I promise that I am not dead! I will finish this story, no matter how long it takes me. University really is time and life consuming, I'll tell you…

Cody: And all those hours of sitting around doing nothing are…

Calmer of the Storm: Uh…those are…times for my brain to regenerate.

Cody: Uh-huh. And what should you actually be doing right now?

Calmer of the Storm: Cody! You don't want me to finish the story!

Cody: You're avoiding the question.

Calmer of the Storm:…..I should be paying attention in class….but music history isn't really all that exciting, and it's not like we're doing anything at the moment…

Cody:…

Calmer of the Storm: Well, class is over now, anyways. Time to write!

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The sound of hoof beats echoed as thunder through the dense forest. The night's hold was losing its grip, and morning's light was beginning to make its presence known. The mist had formed, covering the ground in a thick blanket that was penetrated solely by the rushing of hooves and a fury of flying feet.

The small army drew closer to the castle, each rider knowing full well what awaited them. In the heart of the forest they split, forming a thin line that would ring around the grounds where the hanging was to take place. Sir Guy had a boastful nature, and he would make a public statement to all who would plot against him; the peoples' beloved hero had been caught, and he was going to pay for his treason against the crown. Hundreds would gather to see it. The peasants would mourn and those faithful to Sir Guy, and those that feared him enough, would rejoice in the spectacle. It would be a great victory in the war which divided a kingdom.

Reaching a certain point, the pace of the army was slowed from the frantic gallop to a mere walk. They could not afford a big entrance, for it would for one thing give them away, but it could also force the execution to occur faster than they wanted it to. Time was something they needed, and they certainly did not have very much of it to begin with.

The plan was in place, even though it was a loose one, at best. It would be a great risk, and one wrong move, or even a right move at the wrong time, would cost everything. Hikari knew the implications of what they were getting themselves into. In her mind she went over her brother's words that everything was going to be alright. For a brief moment, she had believed him. However human nature had set in, and along with it, doubt. She thought back to the time she recalled best as a child which was perhaps comparable to this. There was no word that could describe the feeling of being hunted by an insane clown thing that was bent on being the very end of you. Running through a terrain that he knew all too well, and you knew nothing of. The sound of the maniacal laughter that said he knew it was only a matter of time before he caught up. He'd already gotten everyone else; why should you survive as well?

Hikari shuddered in the saddle. Was Taichi right? Could they get through this? Things in the digital world…they seemed different. Almost less real than this was now. Perhaps it was because they had the digimon to accompany them, and they had always pulled through before. Always being pressed on to a greater potential; a greater power.

But they weren't here now. This wasn't a game. Then again, when was it ever? But she still couldn't shake this feeling of hopelessness. The small mare she sat upon seemed to feed off of her nerves, for she danced in her spot and tossed her head frequently. At least she wasn't making any noise. Only the horses of Sir Richard's men seemed at ease with the whole situation. Perhaps that was only due to the fact that the soldiers themselves sat perfectly still in the saddle.

A quick, nervous glance was cast her brother's way, and he looked the same as he always did in these situations. His face had hardened and his lips drawn to a thin line. Hands clutched the reins tightly, and jaw was tense. He was determined, just as he always was. Kari admired his courage to be so still in the time of peril. She always had.

He took note of her glance, and turned slightly to return it. Taichi knew that she was very worried. Somehow he had become the leader of the group, and he was now taking full responsibility of getting Takeru back.

Even if it meant he'd probably be dating his sister when it was all over. Not that he didn't like the boy…it was just that she was his baby sister. No one would be good enough for her.

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The sound of a creaking wooden door being opened violently was what woke Takeru from his slumber. Confusion hit him for a moment, as he was still in a groggy state. Reality finally hit him, and he slumped further against the cold, hard wall that he had been thrown at when first put in the cell. Well, it could be seen as a good thing…the groggy state…for it meant that he actually had gotten some sleep that night. He couldn't recall falling unto such a state, but evidently he had.

But that didn't make it any easier for him. The jailer came by, and opened his cell. There was a sombre look on his face; he seemed to regret what he was doing. The man's motions were slow and he seemed almost hesitant…like he was being forced.

Shaking his head, he held out a pair of shackles. "Sorry kid, I gotta do this…" The tone of his voice clearly spoke regret, and TK knew just by looking at him that the man would rather be anywhere else but here.

Takeru offered a smile, as weak as it was. "No, it's alright. I understand." Using the wall to help him, he stood to his feet. He found that his body lacked its usual strength, but this was mostly due to the fact that he had lost his will. The fight seemed over. He just hoped that the others would forgive him for his blunder, and that they would be able to live a good life, even in a place like this.

A sad smile crossed the face of the jailor. "So it's true, what they say about you. Always doing the right thing." With this he latched the metal cuffs onto the boy's hands, then chained them together. Shackles were also placed on his feet so he couldn't run. Takeru knew that Sir Guy would take all the precautions necessary in order to ensure his death…even though he wasn't really the one he wanted, technically. He was just a teenaged boy who had happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time…just like the rest of his friends were. But there would be no explaining that to anyone in this era.

The trek up the dark, dank staircase was arguably the longest trip Takeru had ever taken. His death awaited him at the top, he knew, and he was in no rush. The heavy wooden door at the top was opened, and the morning light came pouring in. He had to shield his eyes for he was so unaccustomed to it. What little light had reached him had been drowned out mostly by the darkness. The sun had not quite risen, but its face was just beginning to show over the horizon. Not much time left, he knew.

Sure enough, a crowd had gathered. Most of them stood in silence, some of them crying. All had looks of despair written across their faces. For them, their last hope of ever being freed from the oppression that Sir Guy had inflicted upon them was being destroyed before their eyes.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes landed upon the gallows. The hangman was already waiting there, but Sir Guy had yet to show up. It would only be a matter of time.

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The forest could not have been more silent. The crowds had not generated enough noise so that it went that far, for they were fairly quiet. The sound of running footsteps could suddenly be heard, and a young man approached Sir Guy on his palomino stallion.

"They've lead him out; he's got shackles on his hands and feet. Sir Guy hasn't come out of the castle yet, but that will come soon. But I suspect we'll know when he does come."

Sure enough, as soon as the man had spoken, the roar of the crowd could suddenly be heard. Some of it was no doubt in reverence to the man, but most of it was of rage and hatred. There would be guards to hold back the masses.

Sir Richard nodded, lifting a hand. "We move now." With a light squeeze of his legs the stallion moved forward at a walk. The circle began to close in. They would go in as far as they could without being noticed. It was the hope that Sir Guy would be expecting an attack of stealth, not one that could be seen from plain view. All the scouts had been disposed of earlier; this was confirmed as they actually had a man on the inside. His contact had been limited to that, for he feared for his own life.

Soon they were out of the forest, and everything became all that much harder for them. Now they could be seen, and shot at. Though they wore armour, the expert archers of the guard would no doubt have no problems piercing it. Hooves clicked upon the cobble stone pathways, but the crowds drowned the noise out. A couple of the horses began to grow nervous, and tried to break out. They were rounded up by those closest to them and put back in to line. Other than that, there were no complications.

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Takeru had only been standing upon the platform for a few moments when the crowd suddenly erupted into a deafening roar. Turning his eyes towards the castle he could see Sir Guy riding towards them on his horse. 'And he couldn't even walk here…' Takeru thought, bitterly. It really wasn't that far from the castle.

He reached the platform and dismounted, then got up beside the boy. He began a speech, to which the crowd responded to in mixed ways. Takeru wasn't really aware of what was being said, but it didn't matter to him. He could see the guards stationed around the platform, and outside the perimeters of the town square, where everything was being held.

All of a sudden he was aware of a sharp pain in his side, and then the jeering laughter of Sir Guy and his faithful few. Clenching his teeth he took liberty to look down, and saw that his shirt was now turning a nice shade of crimson. The man had stabbed him. But there was nothing he could do about it now.

He was then shoved, causing him to stumble and almost fall, as his hands and feet were bound. The hangman also seemed to have the same look as the jailor did; he was just doing his job. 'Not really a pleasant one, mind you…' came the thought. But one had to make a living somehow.

Looking down he saw that he was standing on a trap door. 'It's just like in the movies. Except the director isn't going to yell "cut" any time soon…' The noose was placed around his neck, and pulled tight, but not too tight. It really wasn't to suffocate, for the object was to break his neck. The platform was quite high, and Takeru really wasn't looking forward to the fall. He jus hoped that everything would be quick.

Another few words were said by Sir Guy, but again the boy wasn't listening to him. Jaw was clenched, and the pain in his side didn't seem so horrible any more, compared to what was coming. He suddenly found that his face was wet with tears. Bitter, angry tears. He was mad at himself for not doing everything better. He had rescued Hikari, yes, but now she, along with the others, would be stuck here forever. All because of him. He felt so helpless in his state…there was nothing more that he could do. There was no hope in him now.

But then something happened that he did not expect. Sir Guy stopped his rant, and he swore, and his yelling changed. It became frantic, and he was barking out orders…to the guards? Looking he saw a shuffling in the crows, and the guards were running towards the back. More were streaming from the castle and other places. It seemed like the whole army was in the town square now. Suddenly the sound of hoof beats was as thunder, and there were horses coming in from all directions. Takeru recognized the golden mount of Sir Richard, and suddenly felt ashamed that he would think so little of his friends…that they wouldn't come for him. Then he was frustrated. Hadn't he told them not to come? It would only be their demise. Sir Guy was clearly far more powerful than they. As of yet he had not seen Hikari, but he knew, and dreaded, in his heart that she was there.

Soon horse and human collided, and swords were swinging. They were trying to get to him. Sir Guy began to laugh again, and this time his words reach him. "Now you get to watch all your friends die. I knew they'd come, but not like this. In a way, I'm glad. Makes for better entertainment, don't you think?"

This angered the boy beyond belief, and he lashed out, trying to strike him some way. The older man simply dashed back, laughing even more.

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Hikari had been fitted with a small dagger, though she hoped she didn't have to use it. About halfway into the city she had dismounted, and she had put on a simpler dress, as to blend with the crowds. Moving quickly she ended up in the masses, and watched as Sir Guy stabbed her friend in the side. She suddenly envisioned herself ripping the man apart. Shock hit her following the thought…when did she become so violent.

Perhaps it was because he was threatening a person she loved. Loved? Well, cared for deeply, at any rate. But it wasn't the time to think about that. She had a mission to do, and she had little time to do it.

She had made her way to the front of the crowds, pushing her way through the masses of bodies. A shout told her that her companions had been spotted, and suddenly everyone began to shift. Castle guards ran passed her, and she stopped for a moment, hoping none would recognize her. They didn't. And now there were only a few left, stationed at the platform. If only she could get close…

The girl was at the front now; the guards had their backs to her. Now was her chance. Not even thinking she bolted forwards, and hit beneath the structure. Getting up would be the hard part, for she couldn't wait until the door fell. He would break his neck, and it would be over.

But, as fate would have it, Hikari wasn't so lucky as to be moving through there unseen. Sir Guy had caught but a glimpse of her auburn hair, and he knew immediately that it was her. He moved to the guard that was with him, and spoke a few words. The man nodded, and left the platform.

Takeru thought that he had just instructed him to join in the tumult. To his horror, a few moments later, he returned with the wriggling Hikari in hand. The boy's heart fell. Now it was all over. They exchanged a glance, but it was broken when Sir Guy got in the way.

"I knew you were going to come. For a moment I thought you were going to disappoint me, but it seems you haven't." He stood in front of her, using a finger to lift her chin. She spit in his face. "Oh, you'll regret that later." He said, his voice eerily calm.

He stepped back, allowing the two to see each other again. The crowd seemed to disappear. There was a pensive look on the man's face. "You see, now I am faced with a dilemma. Who do I kill first?" He turned to TK. "I could kill her right now and watch you suffer knowing that you caused her death." His sword was drawn, and it was pointed in the girl's direction. "Or", he turned. "I could kill him, Miss Marion, and then watch you suffer." He stopped to think for a moment, a smile crossing his lips. "Or I could kill him and allow you to live, forcing you to suffer with what you have done. And my men have been mostly ordered to keep your companions alive, and they would be my leverage. If you should attempt to kill yourself, or succeed, they will be put to death. How does that sound?"

"You're sick." She said angrily.

"Yes, well, it happens. But I guess we'll just have to wait until this fun is all over, because no one's paying attention. There's no point in it being public if no one's watching." He crossed his arms and waited.

"Oh, try anything funny and I'll kill him without hesitation."

So either way, Hikari was going to live. But it wouldn't be much of a life.

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Sir Richard and his men were growing tired. Some had been slain, and the bodies of horses and men now lay strewn in the streets. It was a sickening sight, to those who had never experienced it before. Miyako almost lost her breakfast, but managed to hold it in. She could tell that Mimi, and even Sora, were going through the same thing. The look on Matt's face told them it was difficult for him as well, but he was dealing with it. His brother was first priority. Killing Digimon was one thing, but killing people was a different thing entirely, and understandably so. No one seemed to have noticed what had happened to Hikari.

Sir Guy's men brought their onslaught endlessly…the line of men never seemed to weaken. They were going to lose this fight.

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Calmer of the Storm: Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo yeah. I know it's a little shorter than before, but a lot happened! And I left a cliff hanger (hehe). But I do know what's going to happen, and there's only two more chapters left!

Cody: At the rate you're going, you'll be done a year from now.

Calmer of the Storm ; uh…I'll work on that. I'm hoping to finish it before summer…but we'll see how that goes….Bye for now!