Yet another chapter! Is anyone happy? I hope so. Thank you all for reading and voting on my poll!
I wandered down the dreary dungeon corridor and paused outside the right cell. I smirked taking in the sight of the defeated Digimon inside. 'Hello Wormmon.' I said grasping one of the bars and kneeling so I was closer to the green bug Digimon. His injuries were healing up; I noted pleased. That would make Ken happy when he saw him.
'Sakura, why?' Wormmon demanded looking at me. I frowned thinking it though.
'I don't know.' I admitted shakily. I really didn't. Sure I wanted to prove myself but that didn't lead to this. I was startled out my thoughts by Wormmon's antenna brushing my hand.
'Let Ken and me help you.' He urged plaintively. I swallowed wishing I could but frightened by something preventing me from asking for help. Then I felt something shift and the doubt was gone. I stood up and pulled open the cell kicking Wormmon further back inside. He yet out a yell as he turned over. I picked up the bug and stuffed him in a small cage that was barely big enough for him. It was easy to see in so the Digidestined would recognise their friend instantly. I strode from the dungeon my head proud as my movement shaking the cage rattled the green bug inside. I stepped out of the dungeon into the desert heat and headed to the temple complex that I'd renovated into an evil citadel. I paused to look at Talankomon who was stood by the main doors and pouring her powers into the shield. It was a shame that such a strong Digimon was bound to the temple. If I could get around that the Digidestined would never be able to stop me. Moving on I walked past the Time Guardian and into the temple. No matter how impressive the architecture was I just ignored it focusing on my main purpose.
In the main room of the temple Ken was resting on the altar. His eyes were closed but I could tell he wasn't sleeping by the frown he wore. Probably thinking about something, I realised dimly. I suppose he didn't have all that much else to do. Maybe I'd see about getting some entertainment for him. 'Ken!' I snapped stamping my foot. He jumped and turned sitting up in a fluid motion.
'Sakura.' He said smiling. Then he looked at my hand and his eyes widened as he shot up of the altar. 'Wormmon.' He whispered shocked. He didn't dare move closer but he looked to me begging.
'Ken!' Wormmon shouted pushing against the cage.
'Quiet insect.' I said coldly. Ken glared at me for that but I just met it setting down the cage. 'All right, Ken. We're going to put on a little show for your friends.' I told him smiling serenely. Ken narrowed his eyes clearly not liking my tone.
'Show? What kind of show?' He demanded defensively.
'You'll see, but don't worry about it love.' I said walking over and cupping his cheek. I gave him a quick peck my lips giving his cheek a ghosting touch. He stayed still but he clearly wasn't happy. I sighed and stepped behind him grabbing his wrists. 'Hey!' He exclaimed surprised as he turned to look over his shoulder. I ignored him as I slipped rope round his wrists tying them together. He gritted his teeth as he tested the ropes obviously not finding any purchase to undo them. 'Don't bother love.' I lightly scolded tapping his arm to tell him to stop. He glared at me but I reached up and turned his head forward. 'Come on, we don't have all day.' I sang marching him out to the awaiting Airdramon, pausing to grab Wormmon in his cage. I pushed Ken down so he was sat on the Airdramon and grabbed the collar of his shirt lightly encase he fell. I set Wormmon down as well and rapped the Airdramon with my ridding crop. 'Let's go!' I ordered. There was a swift beat of the wings as we took of into the sky. I smiled as I felt the wind rushing though my hair before turning to Ken. I pulled out a piece of cloth from my pocket and moved so I was behind Ken.
'Sakura, don't…' Ken pleaded turning to look at me. I glared at him narrowing my eyes.
'Look forward.' I hissed lowly. He meet my look for a few seconds that seemed to stretch unnaturally but his shoulders dropped from defeat and he closed his eyes looking ahead. I pulled the cloth tightly round his mouth so he couldn't talk tying a knot at the back that I was sure wouldn't accidentally come undone. I stroked his neck taking advantage of my position before moving back to watch for our destination nearing. I felt Ken move so he was lying down and I was sure he was shaking as he shuffled closer to Wormmon. I could have stopped him but I decided not to and ignored the soft reassurances that his partner was giving him. I had other things to focus on rather than a troublesome Digimon trying to help.
'I don't like this, there hasn't been an attack yet.' Cody spoke up to the others as they walked along the path heading closer to the rocks that Airdramon was hiding behind, with Ken and me on his back of course.
'She's probably focusing on something else, which is good news for us. We'll never find her base if she keeps blocking us like this.' Davis noted shaking his head.
'I have to agree, we need a new plan.' TK spoke up.
'Hey, we'll think of something. Still, we have to go on like this until we do.' Kari noted holding TK's hand lightly. TK gave her hand a squeeze in reassurance.
'What if we don't? What if we never get our friends back?' Yolei asked her tone surprising low and mournful Davis paused and spun to look at her.
'Hey don't give up! We won't know if we don't try.' He told her putting a hand on her arm and giving her a grin.
'Davis.' Yolei looked down clearly close to tears. I didn't expect Davis to pull her into a hug but that's what he did. Yolei let lose sobbing into his shoulder while Davis held her. He didn't say anything, but Yolei didn't need to talk. When she pulled back sheepishly laughing and wiping her eyes he just smiled and passed her a handkerchief. She took it gratefully as they continued. I waited patiently as they drew closer and closer. Then they were finally at the right spot. I snapped my fingers and Airdramon knocked the rocks away dramatically revealing us to the group.
'Ah, Sakura!' Davis yelled as they scattered to avoid the rocks. I grinned and nodded.
'Hey losers, still causing trouble?' I asked laughing.
'Sis! Stop this, please!' Cody yelled urgently tears coming to his eyes. I ignored the child instead deciding to look over the rest of the group. TK was standing protectively in front of Kari while Yolei stood by Cody ready to get him to safety. Davis was in-between the pairs ready to move where he was needed. I raised a hand and clenched my fist.
'Tyrannomon, block of their escape!' I commanded my voicing ringing out clearly. The ground shook as the heavy dinosaurs marched to form a circle round the Digidestined.
'Your such a Copy Cat, Ken did the same thing!' Yolei mocked despite her clear alarm. I shrugged allowing the truth of the comment.
'True, but I'm sure he'd agree.' I noted grabbing his arm and pulling him up so he was standing beside me in my grasp for them to see.
'Brother!' Cody yelled alarm. Ken gave the youngest Digidestined a wink trying to reassure him. I hit him in the stomach for it removing anything it might of given the little one and grabbed his shirt collar to hold him up.
'Ken!' The others shouted shocked. Kari moved forward to grasp TK's arm fear evident on her face. Cody was shaken as Yolei pulled him behind her in a protective gesture. He was clearly too shocked to fight straight.
'All right listen up!' I snapped letting Ken fall to his knees in front of me. He was shaking after the hit but otherwise he was fine. I felt the glares from the rest of the team that were in their right minds.
'What do you want?' Davis demanded clenching his fists and taking in the situation.
'I want you to either side with me or never return to the Digital World.' I offered my ultimatum casually and waited. I wasn't prepared for what happened next. Ken shoved me down easily by kicking my legs out from under me and moved to use his soccer skills to shoot Wormmon's cage to a safe landing in Davis hands. I'd managed to get up after his attack and grabbed his arm firmly kicking his own legs so he landed on his knees in front of me. He winced but there was a spark in his eyes that told me behind the gag he was grinning. He looked to Davis who just nodded.
'Let's go! Regroup!' He called leading the charge away. The others moved swiftly following their leader. Cody gave one last longing look to us, but he didn't need to bother. He yelled as he was grabbed by an all to familiar set of vines and lifted so he was held at my eyelevel. Kieremon flew up and gave me a silent nod.
'What the, Kieremon!' Cody gasped in disbelief. Ken looked with wide eyes at the Digimon who'd once been his ally.
'Of course, she's my partner. It was easy to send a signal corrupting her data. She's completely loyal to me, just as she's supposed to be.' I explained smirking. Ken looked down clearly at a lost for what to do.
'Of all the, she's your partner! How could you?' Cody demanded furiously. I shrugged and shook my riding crop. Kieremon set Cody down but left he vines that were tying his arms together against his body. 'I'd sit unless you want to fall.' I noted dryly as I tapped Airdramon neatly. It took of in a fluid movement reaching the skies with ease as Kieremon flew beside us. Cody toppled over but he landed against Ken so he didn't fall off.
'My Mum's really going to freak now.' Cody realised groaning. Ken nodded unable to say anything to the comment, gag or no gag.
After making a small detour to lock Cody in a cell designed for humans I entered the main room with a specific purpose at the forefront of my mind. I looked at Ken who'd stopped struggling with the ropes when I'd entered as he glared at me still unable to say anything thanks to the gag. I strode up to him as he knelt against the altar and glared at him. 'I seem to recall telling you to behave.' I said coldly tapping my foot. Ken merely glared back at me with such anger I almost thought the Emperor was back. I knelt on one knee in front of him and lifted his chin up so he was forced to meet my eyes. 'Do you really expect me to let that stunt of yours slide?' I demanded slowly. I wasn't disappointed by the fear in his eyes or the shudder that went through his body. I moved the hand that held his chin so it slid down his neck and rested on the front of his chest. 'Lay face down on the altar.' I ordered detached. He didn't move for a minute, testing me. Then he stood up and did as I said easily. I reached over and used two chains to tie his ropes tightly to the altar. Repeating the process to his ankles meant the only part of his body he could move was his head. 'You'll stay like this till I decide otherwise.' I said firmly standing back to take in the view. 'Helpless.' I whispered moving so I straddled him. I let my body rest on top of his feeling his hammering heart beneath me. 'Vulnerable.' I whispered letting my breath tickle his neck lightly as I stroked his arm. He was tense, clearly terrified by me. I moved to kiss his neck lightly. 'Loved.' I added so softly I doubted he would hear. He must have though cause he stopped being tense though he was still shaking. I moved off him and went to sit at my throne opening the file on the Dark Rings that worked on humans, Dark Collars I was calling them just to differentiate. I looked at Cody's Digivice as I frowned. Opening the screen that showed his cell I felt my heart twist at the image of my little brother crying his heart out. I couldn't do it, I realised shaking slightly. I just couldn't…a searing pain cut me off as I fell to the ground. I heard myself scream as I held my wrist, which felt like it was on fire for no reason at all. I heard Ken fight against the chains but didn't do anything. I withered slightly on the floor wishing for the pain to stop. 'Sakura, come back.' I was startled by Ken's soft gentle voice speaking in my ear and through the pain turned to see him lifting me up easily and setting me down on the altar cushions so lightly I barely felt it. I felt him rub my forehead gently as he rubbed his thumb over my wrist. What was I doing? This wasn't right, was it? I didn't know anymore. I was scared. Someone help me. Please, someone help me!
Will Ken break though to Sakura? What is the truth behind the Dark Spore activating? Find out on the next The Possibilty of Kindness.