Answers to your reviews:

Finalcool720: Sora has two crests in the main story; her Crest of Love, which currently no longer works, and her Crest of Sorrow, given to her by Hikari. This Crest allows Piyomon to evolve to Karatenmon.

Angelfish369: I wanted to show a more gradual fall, showing that Hikari's evil in the main story not because of the bite, not because of any kind of outside force, but because she's allowing herself to slide into darkness. There will be a turning point, though, and that's coming up next chapter.

This is a side-story to The Dead Princess, so please give that a read.

The Fall of Light

Chapter IV

Shadow of the Heart

To Hikari's surprise, it was not Floramon that woke her the next morning, but Sora. The redhead smoothed the wrinkles out of her black and white maid's outfit. "Do I look that bad?"

Hikari could only picture her in her soccer uniform, knocking the boys to the ground while she grabbed the ball in her feet. "I've never seen you like that before."

She blushed. "Well, it's a new look for me too. Um, let's get you dressed."

Hikari stood in place while Sora pulled a dark blue gown from the closet. "This one doesn't look so bad."

As she laced up the back, Sora asked, "Hikari, how old are you now?"

She searched her mind. "I-I really don't know. How long have I been here?"

Sora's hands stopped. "You don't remember?"

"I really lost track."

"It's been six months since you were taken by Myotismon."

Hikari should have felt something, but there was only a dull ache in her heart. "Oh, I didn't think it had been that long. So if I was taken in August, then it's January? So I'll turn 9 in April. Why do you ask?"

She felt Sora's hand resume tightening the bodice of the dress. "I'll mention it later. Hopefully we'll be out of here before you need to worry about that. Okay, all done. You'd better get to breakfast."

She blinked. "What about you?"

"Hikari," Plotmon said, "The staff doesn't eat with the royalty."

The young girl gasped and turned to her. "Sora!"

The older girl smiled with a wave of her hand. "It's fine. Even though I'm the new girl, Floramon made sure that the others don't give me a hard time."

Piyomon appeared in the doorway. "You evolved!" Plotmon grinned.

The pink bird nodded. "Yup, sometime last night." She fluttered behind Hikari and gently pushed her through the door. "We've got to clean the room. Now go."

"But it's not fair," Hikari frowned.

"You're the ones eating with Myotismon," the pink bird retorted.

"Don't remind me," Plotmon muttered.

Life settled into a routine for the Chosen girls and their partners. Since Hikari had, as Floramon put it, decided to behave, she was given more freedom. She was allowed to walk the halls, with a guard at first, but then, as the days passed, unescorted. She was still not allowed to leave the castle, and with Myotismon constantly away on campaign, what time Hikari could not spend with Sora was spent in the castle library.

"I had no idea the Digital World had so many stories," she told Plotmon one day.

"Why wouldn't it?" her partner asked, "Our world's been around for a while."

Hikari grabbed a black book from the stack. "But how? It's made from the internet, right?"

Plotmon shrugged as she curled into a ball on the table. "I don't know. You should ask Phantomon if you really want to know."

Hikari frowned at the thought of the scythe-wielding digimon, "I'm not that interested." She flipped to the first page. "There was the One, who is called Kami, and he looked upon the Darkness and created the Light."

She paused. "Does that mean the darkness came first?"

"Myotismon used to say that all the time," Plotmon said, "But I don't believe it, especially after meeting you."

Hikari continued reading, "And from the Light came the others: Courage, Friendship, Love, Knowledge, Purity, Reliability and Hope. Together they created the Digital World and blessed it with life."

She pulled her crest from around her neck; the bright pink had dulled, but a grin grew over her face as she held it. "My power came first?"

"See how important you are," Plotmon said.

"But from the Darkness came the others: Pride, Sorrow, Vanity, Void, Wrath and Despair. The emblems of Light battled the Emblems of Darkness, though the Light was victorious, and the Emblems of Darkness destroyed, they still exist in the heart of the Digital World." She turned to Plotmon again, "Does that mean there are evil crests? And even though the Light won, which is really stronger?"

Her partner had no answered.

Hikari spent as much time with Sora as she could; as the older girl was sharing duties with Floramon, that was not a problem. She was often with Hikari in the mornings to help her get ready for the day, or in the evenings helping her bathe and get ready for bed. Neither one had even thought to question why Hikari, a child who was able to take baths on her own, suddenly needed help. Hikari just thought that it was what happened to princesses.

While Sora helped her dress that morning, Hikari asked how things had been. "It's not so bad," Sora smiled, "It's just like the chores on Earth; clean the rooms, wash the clothes, you know, things like that."

"And you're being treated okay?"

"Yes," she laughed, "I told you, Floramon's treating me good."

Hikari shook her head. "It's still not fair; I'm living like a princess and you're living like a servant."

She turned the younger girl around to face her. "If it means being able to protect you while we're here, then it's worth it."

"I think Sora just likes taking care of you," Piyomon added.

Sora's face turned a slight red. "W-well, since Taichi can't be here, then I'm going to do it for him." Her mind flashed with the gossip she heard last night in the servants quarters, "Oh, I almost forget to tell you. Lord Myotismon returned from campaign last night."

The others stared at her and she gasped, face turning even redder. "I-I've been hearing that almost 24-7 for months now. It must have gotten into my head, hehe. Um, so you'll be having breakfast with him again."

"Perfect," Plotmon muttered, "Too bad you can't protect her from what happens afterwards."

Sora blinked. "What?"

Hikari shook her head. "It's nothing! You don't have to worry about it. Come on Plotmon, we don't want to be late."

Once they had left, Sora stripped off the bedsheets while Piyomon fluttered up to remove the curtains. Since the first day, they had used this time to discuss any escape plan. After their first plan fell through, they spoke about the next option, and the next. Now… now they did not even bother; they did their duty, like the obedient servants they had become.

Sora's fists twisted as she tossed the sheets into the bin. "I hate this!"

"I do too," Piyomon said, "But we agreed that it was best to wait, right?"

"Yeah, I know." They had both agreed that, even if they could escape, they would need to worry about what they needed now to survive. If they could not get the blood given to them by Myotismon, they would have to resort to killing digimon in the wild. Sora imagined herself with a Gazimon in her mouth, but shook the thought from her mind. She would not kill a digimon in that way, and she would not make Hikari do so either.

"It's been months now! Where the hell are Yamato and the others?" She unleashed her frustrations on the innocent cart, kicking it into the hall. She wanted to scream at times, but knew she had to keep it together for Hikari.

"Maybe the other servants have heard some gossip," Piyomon suggested. Sora gave her a look and the pink bird blushed, an odd shade of red on her face. "Yeah, well, Lord Myotismon would be happy."

Sora rolled her eyes and continued making the bed. Plotmon trotted inside a few moments later. "Where's Hikari?" Sora asked.

The small digimon turned away. "I…um…"

Sora's eyes grew wide and she dropped down in front of her. "Plotmon, what's going on?"

She continued to stutter. Sora lifted her so she could stare her in the face. "Plotmon, please. We're your friends."

The digimon swallowed. "For…a long time now, Myotismon and Hikari have been…"

Sora listened to Plotmon's tale; her eyes grew wide while her heart shattered. "S-so I guess I never realized it because Myotismon's been away for as long as we've been here." She glanced at Piyomon, "We need to get out of here."

Piyomon nodded. "But how? Every plan we had just fell apart."

The preteen girl sighed. "We need to think of something."

Sora tried to comfort Hikari when she returned; the young girl was angry at Plotmon for telling them, but told Sora that, "I guess I'm just used to it now."

The redhead hugged her as tight as she could. "Oh Hikari, I'm so sorry this has happened to you, but don't worry, we're going to get out of here somehow."

After Sora helped Hikari prepare herself for the night, she retired to the servants' quarters. "Have you heard the news?" a female Mushmon asked.

Sora and Piyomon shook their heads. "You're going on campaign with the master."

"Campaign?" Sora asked, "Who is he at war with?"

"The Dark Masters are starting to encroach on our territory."

Sora and Piyomon turned to each other. "Which one?" the pink bird asked, "Taichi destroyed Metalseadramon."

"I have heard rumors that the Chosen are fighting Pinocchimon," a PiccoDevimon answered.

"It must be Yamato," Sora grinned.

They climbed into their beds and the human girl stared up at the brick ceiling while Piyomon blew out the candle on the small table.

"Maybe the others are getting close," Piyomon whispered.

"Let's hope so," Sora answered, "But I have an idea. Maybe when we're out on campaign, if he's distracted enough, we can escape."

"But what about your…um…special needs?"

Sora frowned. "We'll have to take supplies with us."

"Will they last long enough before we find the others? And what if the others can't turn you back?"

Sora did not want to consider that, but the reality crashed into her like a rough wave at the beach. "Then…then I'll have to do what's necessary."

A short gasp escaped from Piyomon. "Sora!"

"Hikari can't stay here any longer. Not…not as long as that monster keeps doing that to her."

They were indeed summoned by Myotismon to accompany him when he left early the next day. They marched to a valley at the edge of the vampire lord's territory. Myotismon and Hikari sat in a cart pulled by two enslaved Monocromons. Sora was surprised to see that there was a space for her and Piyomon as well. It seemed that having the princess's favor had its perks, but had Hikari asked Myotismon, or had she ordered it done herself?

Sora studied the younger girl as she watched Myotismon's dark realm move past them. She recalled the young girl from before her time in the Digital World; she always had a spark that brightened everyone around her. Now it was like a dark veil had dropped over her eyes. They had to leave; they needed to escape!

They set up camp that night and marched to battle the next day. Myotismon's forces stood on the edge of a small hill that slopped down into a grassy field. In the distant was another small hill on which stood a line of mechanical digimon; Guardomons and Mekanorimons, while Megadramons circled the sky above.

"Mugendramon," Plotmon said.

"That's correct," Myotismon said, "He has begun to invade my territory, and it's time to put a stop to that."

He nodded at Phantomon. The ghost digimon swung down his scythe. "Attack!"

The two armies met in the field, a crash of claw against metal filling the air. This was soon drowned out by the low roar of a voice calling, "Myotismon!"

"Speak of the devil."

A large mechanical creature stomped into view behind the metal army, a dragon-like head on his shoulders. Hikari gasped. "That's him?"

"Yeah," Sora shivered, "We met him when we first got back here. He's strong, just like the rest of the Dark Masters."

"But you said Oniichan beat one of them, right?" Hikari asked.

Sora nodded and addressed her, but her eyes glared sideways at Myotismon. "Yeah. He gained the power to evolve Agumon to Wargreymon, and once he finds us, we'll be safe."

A chuckle escaped the vampire lord's throat. "If he's so powerful, I wonder why he's not here yet."

Sora turned back to Hikari and she saw something flash in her eyes. "My brother is going to rescue us!"

Myotismon slapped her across the face. Sora wanted to reach for her digivice, order Piyomon to evolve, but at the same time, wanted to rush to Hikari's side.

She did not need to; the younger girl hardly flinched.

Myotismon turned back to the battle. "Since he has stepped onto the field, perhaps I should as well."

"And what are you going to do?" Plotmon asked, "How can you stand against an Ultimate, a Final Level? You're only Fully Evolved."

He clenched his fingers, red energy crackling through his fist. "I have been growing more powerful these last few months." He shot into the sky, whips of red energy pouring from his hands, annihilating waves of Guardromons," Crimson Lightning!"

Sora ran to Hikari's side. "Are you okay?"

The girl blinked and rubbed her cheek. "Yeah, I barely feel it anymore."

The red head felt her heart breaking. "Oh Hikari…"

"Do you think Taichi's really coming for us?" she asked, her voice almost emotionless.

"Of course!" Sora gasped, "Why would you even ask that?"

"Maybe he was killed. That could be why he hasn't come yet."

Sora's heart cracked even more. She spun Hikari around; the girl's eyes looked even duller, almost blank. "Hikari, listen to me. Taichi and the others are doing everything they can to find us. This place…it's almost like it's hidden from the rest of the Digital World."

An explosion from the battle drew their attention. Myotismon unleashed a Night Raid of bats into a Guardromon, ripping it apart from the inside. "Sora!" Piyomon cried, "Now's our chance!"

She nodded and pulled Hikari's arm, but the younger girl held fast. "We're leaving! Come on."

"But where will we go?" she asked.

"Anywhere but here!" Sora cried.

"Infinity Cannon!"

The words rung in Sora's ears and she tackled Hikari to the ground. A fraction of a second later, a massive blast of wind cut overheard. Mugendramon stomped into the space carved between the Metal Empire digimon and the Nightmare Soldiers. "Myotismon," he growled, "How do you think you can stand up to me?"

The vampire smirked. "I've gained new powers since we last met. Observe! Myotismon evolve to Venom Myotismon!"

Sora stared at the demonic red beast, her mouth dropping open. "H-he can evolve?"

Even Mugendramon seemed impressed. "Well done, you've reached the Final Level as well. And you can control your evolution at will? We have lost Metalseadramon to the Chosen. How would you like to take his place?"

Venom Myotismon laughed. "So all it takes is being able to become a Final Form? I am still the same digimon you rejected before." His fist swung out, knocking Mugendramon in the side. The metal dragon blasted an Infinity Cannon into Venom Myotismon's chest. The demonic beast stepped back, but recovered with a flurry of punches from his fists.

"Sora!" Piyomon hissed, "Let's go!"

Sora stared at the evolved Myotismon. Mugendramon sent all their Fully Evolved partners back to their Baby forms, and Venom Myotismon was holding his own! "T-there's no way out."

Her partner blinked. "W-what?"

"If we run…if he catches us…"

The pink bird shook her head. "No, no, no! Sora, you can't lose hope! We need you to stay strong. What about Hikari?"

Sora turned to the younger girl. "T-the best way we can stay safe is to stay where we are and wait to get rescued."

Piyomon opened her mouth to continue protesting, but a mechanical digimon hovering in the sky caught her eye. "Megadramon!"

The dragon smashed his tail into the ground, causing a shockwave that brought the humans to the ground. Sora held up her digivice and her partner evolved to Birdramon on her way to the sky. "Meteor Wing!"

Megadramon batted aside the fireballs and smashed Birdramon's head with his gun barrel arms. Hikair held up her own digivice. "Plotmon, help her!"

She nodded. "You got it. Plotmon evolve to…"

But there was no determine declaration of her next form, no familiar blast of energy, but a deadly silence that filled the air. "I can't evolve!"

Hikari stared at her digivice. "I-I did it right, right? I mean, that's what I'm supposed to do, right?"

"Hikari, get down!" Sora cried, pushed her once again the ground seconds before Megadramon's tail swiped through the air, missing both girls by inches. A blast of red exploded from beneath her maid's outfit. Her crest was glowing! "Birdramon!"

"Birdramon evolve to Garudamon!"

Megadramon laughed and cocked his gun arms. "Just try me! Genocide Attack!"

Garudamon shot back and fired an energy blast in the silhouette of a black bird. "Shadow Wing!"

Her attack struck the Genocide missiles, detonating them in a blast that filled the fogged sky in light. Garudamon dropped down over Plotmon and the girls. She grunted, held back her scream as the explosion ripped across her. Sora cried for her partner, but kept herself on top of Hikari. She would die before allowing anything to happen to the younger girl.

That was her last thought before her vision went black.

Sora awoke with Hikari kneeling over her, tears in her eyes. "Sora! I thought you were really…" She bit her lips, "I…I don't think I could have saved you that time."

She sat up and rubbed the back of her head. From the corner of her eyes, she spied one of the blood packets taken from the castle; it was empty. "I-I'm all right," she said. She blinked, "Where's Piyomon?"

"Right here," a small voice answered and Pyokomon jumped into her lap, "That took a lot out of me."

Sora giggled and rubbed the top of her partner's head. A dark shadow fell; looking up, she saw Myotismon towering over her. "That was foolish child!" he barked. Sora was not sure if he was talking to her or Pyokomon, probably both. "If you are that eager to die, then perhaps I should help you!"

Hikari leapt in front of Sora. "Don't you dare!" she screamed, "She might be a servant, but she's my friend! And if you want to hurt her, you'll need to go through me!"

Myotismon stared back at his princess, the tension filling the air, until he chuckled. "So be it. What would have been the point of dragging her back here if I wanted to dispose of her so quickly?"

Plotmon swallowed. "So you can evolve and devolve at will?"

The vampire lord licked his lips. "Yes, only a taste of the Child of Light's power gave unto me that ability." He ran a finger around Hikari's cheek. "Maybe I should not have turned you so quickly."

He turned to the remains of his army. "We have won this day, Mugendramon has retreated!"

Sora stared at Hikari as the cheers erupted around them. "It's okay," the younger girl said, "I'll make sure he doesn't hurt you."

Sora knew she should have been concerned, maybe even a little insulted, that Hikari referred to her as a servant, but she felt something well up inside her, an uneasy feeling in her stomach.

Hikari was truly the Dead Princess. If Sora wanted to survive, she would need to depend on her, follow her orders now.

And that dependency fostered another feeling within her; Hikari would now give the orders, and Sora would do whatever was necessary to not only fulfil them, but protect her princess as well.

After camp had been made that night, Sora and Pyokomon entered Myotismon's tent. He sat behind a carved wooden table, maps and charts spread out. "You dare enter unbidden?"

Pyokomon cowed behind her legs, but Sora stood firm. "Yes. I want to fight."

The vampire laughed. "Do you truly think you stand a chance against me?"

"No against you," Sora answered, "I-I wanted to fight for Hikari. I-I want to be part of your forces."

Myotismon stared at her, studying her. "I will need to consider this. Until then, continue with her normal duties."

Sora stared at him for another moment before she and her partner exited. "Well," Myotismon said, "That was interesting. These human are far more complicated then I first anticipated. What do you think?"

Phanotmon hovered into view from the shadows. "A Chosen with even a small amount of power in our military may prove disastrous."

"And yet maybe not," Myotismon said, "I have pushed back Mugendramon, with two Chosens under my control, not even Master Piedmon could stand against me!" He roared with laughter, "Let the dice roll where they may."

To be continued….

Did you enjoy it? Any criticism? Thanks for the read and please remember to review.

Author's Note: I had read somewhere, a really long time ago, that Hikari's birthday was in April, and that Taichi's was in November, but I cannot remember what website.

And these are the origins of the 'Dark,' Crests in the main story.