Okay I know I haven't updated for about a month and I'm sorry but my life's been pretty hetic lately with weddings, betrayals and deciding my future. Also this chapter didn't want to cooperate. However to make it up (particually) I am going to try to update again this weekend. Again I am sorry about the delay. Thank you for reading and enjoy the chapter!
'So are we all clear on the plan?' Tai asked his arms folded as he looked at our group. He was answered by six nods as we adjusted our rucksacks waiting for Izzy to open the gate on his laptop. There was a sense of unease in the group, and also a determination that we'd never had before.
'You guys go camping while we do all the work, I think I got it.' TK noted sarcastically rolling his eyes and earning some chuckles from the gathered team. I wasn't much in the mood for laughing. I was to busy focusing on what we were about to do.
'Hey now, our part's important too. Without the excuse we're giving you, well you guys would have to answer a lot of questions.' Matt retorted ruffling his brother's hair. There was an underlying tension behind the brotherly action. He was well aware that his little brother might not be coming back from this one.
'Guys, the gates open.' Izzy said stepping back and looking at us. He said it like he'd passed the order for a war to start. In away he had. That's what this was, a war. We nodded moving to gather round the laptop and let Davis open the gate. This wasn't the time to fail and we all knew it.
'Remember, Ken isn't Ken right now. He's evil and he has to be stopped. Try to reach him if you can but don't forget that protecting the Digital World is our number one priority.' Tai cautioned looking at me particularly. I scowled but nodded to show I'd understood. Of course I did. I'd been running through scenarios ever since this plan had been made. There was a lot of risk here, especially for me, but we were going to succeed. We had to, for the good of the Digital World.
'This plan of yours is stupid. Your going to get her hurt!' Joe snapped furiously from his spot fuming against the wall. He'd been the most against the plan. No one was particularly happy about it but he was the worst. I knew why. Chances were not all of us would make it back unchanged. I frowned meeting his eyes. I wondered what he saw behind them, my determination, maybe my belief that things would be fine? I just hoped that it would sooth him enough to cope.
'I'll be fine, it's the only way.' I told him softly. I had known that Joe wouldn't like my plan; I just hoped it worked. There was a flash of something behind his eyes. There was no time to question the emotion as I turned to Davis and nodded my face set. It was time. This time, there was no turning back.
'Okay, Digiport open!' Davis said activating the gate as we got sucked in. Hopefully this wouldn't be the last time
'Okay, you ready Lalamon?' I whispered looking round the corner of the building we were hidden behind. The town was quiet. All of the inhabitants were under the control of the emperor or in a cell somewhere.
'Let's go.' She said edging forward slightly. She was eager to finish this and get me back to safety.
'Digi-armour energise!' I watched as Lalamon went through the digivolving lightshow and turned into Kieremon. She smiled at me before lifting of with a beat of her powerful purple wings. I watched her sore over the town releasing her Heaven Spores and putting them all to sleep. The spores only worked on Digimon so I was safe from their effects. I ran out of my hiding place and started to run towards the control spire that was located in the centre of the digital town. Kieremon flew above me keeping an eye out for any signs of awakening. I rushed through the streets my black hair flying behind me dodging round the unconscious Digimon with dark rings on them. I would have freed them but time was of the essence and I could do more by taking out the spire. I slid to a stop as I entered the town square where Ken had placed the spire and glared at the large black pillar. 'Kieremon take it down!' I shouted as she studied the spire. She nodded glancing at me and raised her arms. 'Violent Vines!' She yelled flinging her arms down. I watched as thick green vines shot up from the ground around the spire and pulled it to the ground with a resounding crash. I grinned as Kieremon did a loop de loop in the air laughing. 'Nice work, let's see the Emperor stop us now!' I said giving a wave to her. Perfect, that was one control spire down.
'Careful what you wish for dear, you might just get it.' I spun round to see the Emperor riding a Devidramon and smirking at me. I just laughed hiding my chuckles behind my hand. I can't believe he actually fell for the plan so easily. I was sure that I would have to destroy at least three control spires but he came after one.
'What's so funny?' He demanded removing his glasses and jumping down in front of me. Kieremon immediately moved so she was in front of me obviously not intending to let the Emperor closer.
'What's funny is you came to the distraction, the others will be attacking your base right now.' I told him rather smugly. This was a plan we should of done ages ago. Of course we needed conformation of Ken's base first but Cody and Izzy had solved that problem. To my surprise he laughed and I stepped around Kieremon to scowl at him. What was so funny? 'Okay time to answer your own question.' I snapped angrily, that made him laugh harder looking at me in amusement.
'Cute Sakura, but I'm far from worried about my back up base right now.' He told me with a grin. I felt the blood drain from my face as I stepped back my eyes wide. No, they were in danger. Suddenly I smelt something weird. I glanced to Kieremon to see her landing fully on the ground and her eyes dropping. I wanted to go to her but I realised that my body was really heavy. I felt my knees buckle as I fell to the ground only to be caught in Ken's arms. 'Goodnight Angel.' He whispered lifting me up to be carried in his arms. I knew I had to do something quickly but I couldn't. My mind made a leap and figured Ken had used some kind of sleeping gas on the area. This plan definitely backfired.
I don't know what I was expecting when I woke up but it wasn't to be in my old room in the base. I figured what with me being a Digidestined and all I would be in a cell or something not a comfy bed. 'Sleeping beauty awakes at last.' I felt my head turn swiftly as I heard a cheery voice next to me and looked to see the Emperor sitting on a chair beside the bed. I glared at him sitting up, or rather trying. My body refused to move with me and I could feel my eyes widen in panic. 'Don't worry; it's just a side effect of the sleeping gas. You'll be able to move in a few minutes.' He told me soothingly reaching over to brush some hair out of my eyes. I flinched from the touch without thinking making him pause. 'You never flinched away from me before. You did with Ryo but never me, did you realise that?' He noted softly.
'You never hit me before.' I whispered harshly encase he'd forgotten. My body was slowly responding more as the gas left my system. Now it was his turn to flinch.
'I'm sorry about that, but the thought of you leaving me made me panic. It's no excuse but it is true.' He admitted leaning back in his chair.
'Where's Lalamon?' I demanded moving my arm slightly. My movement was coming back slowly but it was coming back.
'Hm, I think I'll keep that information to myself.' He said smirking. I narrowed my eyes as I sat up.
'Where is she?' I asked my voice going low from my anger. My hands where shaking from the desire to hit something that I felt. The Emperor laughed slightly standing up.
'Scary Sakura, seriously do you honestly think I would tell you where she was?' He asked mockingly. I had to hold back the tears I felt as I realised that this was definitely not my Ken. My Ken would understand and not mock my concern for my partner. I looked away so he wouldn't realise how he was getting to me. I was a Digidestined, I couldn't afford to breakdown now. I had to find away out of here so I could help my friends. 'Look at me.' I turned to face him before I realised what I was doing. That was weird, it was like I had no control over it, and I still couldn't look away from his cold grey eyes. I saw him smirk and reach for my hand bringing it up so he could place a kiss on the dark ring encircling my wrist. My heart was hammering and not from his actions. A dark ring that worked on humans, if we got caught then we would never be able to fight back. He would enslave us just like the Digimon. 'Stay still.' He ordered softly moving closer and brushing my long black hair of my shoulder. I was unable to even shudder as he pressed a kiss to my neck. I wanted to close my eyes and pretend that this wasn't happening but I couldn't. I could only watch as he moved to kiss my lips firmly. I felt the tears that were escaping my eyes as he pulled back and stayed immobile as he brushed them away with his thumb cupping my check with the rest of his hand. 'Don't cry, I'm not going to use it again unless you do something stupid.' He promised as I felt myself regain control over my body. I just moved as far away as I could even moving of the bed and going against the wall. 'L-leave me alone!' I yelled my trembling voice giving away my fear. I'd been unable to fight back far too many times already in my life. I didn't need another to the list. 'Sakura…' He said standing and looking like he was going to come near me. I couldn't help flinching and backing away to the wall even more.
'Please, just leave.' I whispered trembling. I saw a look of, anguish, on his face. A part of me wanted to believe there was a bit of my Ken inside him, the rest told me that everyone would hurt you so it didn't matter. I heard the door slam shut but I didn't move from my spot. All the little tricks I'd used back with my father were coming back, quiet, small and compliant, the perfect formula.
'Dark Ring Deactivate.' There was a clatter as the ring fell to the floor. I didn't look up I just stared at the floor not even acknowledging the ring.
'You put a ring on her!' My heart leapt at the familiar voice. Lalamon! She was safe! She was here!
'Merely a precaution, I never intended to actually use it.' Ken's protesting tones rang in my ears. What was going on here?
'For a genius you really are stupid aren't you. You know what she's gone through! How did you think this would affect her?' I looked up just in time to see Ken look like he had been slapped in the face. The next thing I knew Lalamon was floating in front of my face. 'Sakura, Sakura.' She said giving me her version of a hug. I smiled slightly and held her against me felling comforted by her presence.
'Lalamon, I'm so glad your safe.' I whispered closing my eyes. I heard a footstep and tensed. My grip on Lalamon tightened and I lent away from him.
'Sakura, I'm not going to hurt you.' His voice was so much like Ken's right now. Usually I could here the harsh, mocking undertones but now he sounded kind and gentle.
'Stop it. Please. Just stop it.' I muttered. My body was shaking from my sobs as I held Lalamon even tighter.
'Huh? Sakura?' I opened my eyes and looked at him calmly despite sobs.
'Stay evil or don't be evil. I can't stand this. Having you go between my savoir and my enemy. It hurts. It's confusing and scary and I don't like it! Please just stop.' My voice was desperate, but then so was I. I need this to stop. It was too hard. Every time he was nice my hopes went up, I couldn't help it. He was silent just looking at me like he'd never seen me before. He had to know. There were only two options for us. Either he returned to the Digidestined, or he would have to control me forever. I was past caring. My heart had long since decided to follow him. If these were the only options for us I would stay strong and follow through. The next move was his. My choice had been made long ago. Now it was his turn.
What will Ken choose? Will the Digidestined rescue Sakura? What's Ken's plan with the Dark Rings? Find out next time on The Possibility of Kindness!