The cold chains rattled as he stumbled away from the sharp pain that cracked against his back. The Holy Angel withered and screamed in agony as more of his white wings were torn from his back. The Digimon grinded his teeth as parts of his flesh bubbled and peeled from where dark flames had touched him. Dots flashed behind his eyelids as he tried to breath in through the pain. But it was hard. His body shook with exhaustion and pain as his captors stopped their torture when the Demon Lord told the female Digimon to stop. She had been unaware of another entering the medium sized rocky cell.

Fresh blood oozed from wounds that had yet to heal, falling down his battered body and landing on the cold stone floor forming a puddle in its wake. His wrist throbbed and ached as they were hung above his head. He had long since given up trying to free himself. He knew there was no escape. Ever since the fall of the Holy Kingdom and after realizing that the Four Great Leaders had abandoned them to save their own hind, he knew it was all over.

The Holy Digimon panted weakly. His chest ached, not only from the stinging of the whip but from the beating he had gotten from one of his ex-comrades. He was sure he had a few broken ribs, all caused by those he used to fight alongside with. Angemon struggled to take a breath, silently thankful for the breather; however, he knew deep down he did not deserve it. After decades of hearing the Four Great Leaders drilling into their minds over and over again that the Digimon of the 'Evil Virus Court' were monsters, unwanted pests that just wanted to destroy the balance of the Digital World. They only wanted to cause havoc to their everyday lives, to cause death, to cause pain.

It was a cleansing, they had said as their excuse for their actions when they began to doubt, it was the only way to save the Digital World from the "monsters". He had believed them, like his father, and his father's father had before him. He had joined the Holy Alliance to make a difference, to take back what was said to be there's. But as years went by, he had fallen in love with the very thing he had sought to destroy.

His wife had been a beautiful Bastemon. His wife had been a retired soldier of the Virus Court, having served since she was a Mikemon. It was from her that he learned about the Virus Court and the lies that he had been feed about them. He had soon learned of the current members of the Demon Lords and the true reason why the Great Leaders feared them.

Back then (in a time when Demon Lords had not yet joined together like they are now), each member of the members had a name for themselves. Each was powerful and frightening in their own way. They were powerful. They were frightening. They were ruthless. They were legendary.

Angemon remembered the embarrassment and horror he felt as his wife told him the stories of her youth and her time in Lucemon's service. It hadn't taken him very long to realize that everything he had been told as a child was a lie. The Demon Lords nor the Virus Digimon (nor the few Data Digimon that sided with them) were the 'monsters' or 'destroyers of life' as the Great Leaders of the Holy Alliances implanted in their minds since they were children.

It had been them. They were the monsters. They were the destroyers that everyone feared. They were the ones that were killing and killing and killing with the end result being the death of his brethren and the possible destruction of the Digital World.

Oh, how he wished he had known this sooner. It would have saved the thousands he had killed during his time of service. He hadn't and he knew he was paying for his crimes. It was a simple fact that he would die and he accepted that. Bastemon and their little one had been killed by those that had once been his allies. He had been unable to save them. He had been a coward and fled, unable to do anything.

He deserved to die.

He knew the Demon Lords' wanted information about the whereabouts of those cowardly, backstabbing Digimon he had once served so faithfully. But there was not much he could say. He simply did not know. No one did.

They had fled the Holy Kingdom just before the Virus Court's army ambushed the kingdom. The Four Great Leaders had fled and went into hiding, he assumed.

Their current location was a mystery. Even to him.

"It seems he doesn't know anything, my sweet." Angemon opened his eyes to see the arachnid woman that had started the interrogation after Beelzebumon had dumped him in this cold room, gazing down at him in disapproval. That actually hurt a lot more than he liked.

The female Digimon turned her piercing eyes away from him and regarded the other Digimon that spoke. Unlike Lilithmon's top advisor and lieutenant, Lucemon's lieutenant had not transformed into his Digimon form. The other had stayed in his humanoid form, not assisting, simply watching, much like Demon. But even so, his single yellow brought a slight shiver down his spine. Could it be that he had a message from the Demon Lord of Pride? Could he be coming to relieve Demon or assist him in interrogating him?

Angemon swallowed nervously. He honestly prayed that wasn't the case. Out of all the Demon Lords, Lucemon was the most terrifying. Demon was cruel and ruthless through and through and had made it clear that he would burn him to his core if he did not talk. He was terrifying, but Lucemon was even more so.

Demon had a terrifying temper that would make anyone coward. However, one would beg to not be in the same room as Lucemon, especially for the fact that he was known to be very unpredictable. It was rumored that Lucemon had no soul, for one could not judge his emotions by simply gazing at him. There were many rumors said about the Demon Lord of Pride. One such one was that Lucemon could kill a 'mon swiftly or tortured them for days on end until they spilled everything and begged for their lives just moments before the Demon Lord pierced their chest and ripped out their DigiCore.

No one who ever encountered the Leader of the Demon Lords ever lived to tell the tale.

"Don't be so foolish, Mummymon," Archnemon said with a cluck of her tongue. It was obvious she was annoyed with this interruption. The Arachnid Digimon's claw tightened around the hilt of the whip as she gazed at the other. "He knows something. It's only a matter of time," Archnemon said coolly with a frown on her features as she gazed at the other in annoyance. "What are you doing here? Has Lord Lucemon returned?"

"No." Mummymon shook his head, much to Archnemon's annoyance.

"You have no idea where he is, do you?" Archnemon asked with a snort of disgust.

Angemon coughed weakly, his body working overtime to try and fight against the pain and blood loss. Lucemon's missing?

"What makes you think that?" Mummymon asked, only to get a deadpanned look in response. The Lieutenant General of Pride signed as he regarded his comrade. "Archnemon, you and I both know that Lord Lucemon does what he wants when he wants. It is not easy to track his every move."

Despite his calm tone, Angemon could practically sense the tension between the two as the conversation progressed. Archnemon clearly thought Mummymon was an idiot. Angemon was having a hard time trying to place Mummymon's emotions, but he had a feeling the other was feeling insulted and hurt by her indifference attitude and words.

"Clearly."

If he had known any better, he would have thought the two were an old married couple.

Mummymon leaned against the wall as he regarded his female companion. His single yellow eye gazed into her's as his arms stiffly rested at his sides. Mummymon's hand tighten slightly around the handle of his cane as he fought against his emotions. Archnemon's words must have struck a nerve. "You really think me and Devimon hadn't been tracking Lucemon since Gennai told us that he'd saw Lord Lucemon leaving early this morning?" Yup, definitely hurt.

Archnemon snorted once again as she tossed the whip aside. Her body simmered as she reverted back to her humanoid form. "And what a wonderful job you guys are doing." The comment would have been a compliment, an innocent one among allies if it weren't for the sarcasm that laced the Arachnid's words. "You two should get a reward."

Mummymon's body became rigged, his eye narrowing slightly as his resolve slowly began to crumble. Thankfully before an argument could spring forth, Demon decided he had heard enough of their squabbling.

"Enough!"

Angemon stiffened at the cruel voice of Demon coming from somewhere near the dark part of the cell that was cast in total darkness. Demon's temper and cruel nature were legendary and frightening, especially when he was angry or annoyed. And boy was he angry.

Mummymon and Archnemon stiffened at Demon's voice and watched in silence, giving each other nervous glances, as he stepped out of the shadows, stopping a good foot away from them and looming over them with a piercing look that would cause even Magnamon to look away.

"If you two are going to talk then talk, but I will not tolerate childish bickering while there are things that need to done!" Demon's eyes narrowed dangerously as he picked up the two up by the scruff of their necks, lifting them so they were eye level. The two Digimon were stiff as Demon spoke. The semi-dark prison-like chamber just seemed to make Demon's deep, gruff voice even more unfriendly and menacing. "There are Digimon dying out there and we have yet to find them! I will not tolerate such behavior in my presence! If you two are going to bicker then do it on the battlefield or on your own time, is that clear?"

Angemon trembled slightly as he gazed at Demon. Demon was truly a fearsome Digimon. Angemon had never fought the Digimon himself, but he had heard stories of the other by comrades that had witness Demon in action. However, Demon was more scarer in person. From the stories he heard about as a young soldier, Demon was always said to be a mysterious Beast Digimon with an immense amount of power. No one truly knew what he looked like or what type of powers or weapons he wielded for he was always hiding behind a cloak.

He wasn't wearing a cloak now.

"A-as you wish, Lord Demon," Archnemon choked out just as Demon released his grasp on her. The Arachnid Digimon yelped as she landed on the cold floor. Archnemon groaned as she sat on the cold floor in a daze. The female Digimon attempted to move her long silvery-blonde hair that was covering her pale face, only slightly aware that her red and purple hat had gone flying off her head the moment Demon grabbed them. Once her hair was out of her face, it only took her a moment to realize that that Mummymon was still in Demon's furry purple claw.

Mummymon swallowed nervously as Demon held him tightly, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Un-un-derstood," Mummymon mumbled stiffly, unable to avert his gaze away from the Demon Lord.

Demon exhaled slowly, grunting slightly at the headache that had started to build when the two grown morons began their ridiculous bickering. He was truly thankful for the brief silence before giving Mummymon a piercing look. "Now why are you down here, Mummymon? I highly doubt you and Devimon managed to find Lucemon."

"We haven't," Mummymon confirmed as his hand fuddled with the button on his blue trench coat. "Both Gennai and Barbamon had wanted me to deliver a message to the both of you."

Demon frowned at him, clearly not liking that his lieutenant had not bothered to come down to speak to him himself the moment he returned from his mission. "And why didn't he come down himself?" He hadn't been aware that Gennai returned apparently.

"He said there was something he needed to attend to," Mummymon replied, which just made the Demon Lord frown a little bit more. "He said he will speak to you after the meeting though." This caught both Demon and Archnemon by surprise. Ultimately, causing Demon to drop Mummymon right on top of Archnemon, who had been too stunned by the information to move out of the way.

"A meeting? I don't recall Barbamon scheduling a meeting today, especially one this late at night."

"Well," Mummymon said after Archnemon pushed him off of her, causing him to land on his back, "something happened," Mummymon grunted slightly, wincing in pain as he sat up. "I'm not sure of the details, but it was enough to cause Lord Barbamon to call an emergency meeting."

"Hell better be freezing over," Demon grumbled under his breath as he turned to make his way towards the door, clearly annoyed, his temper rising just a bit more. Mummymon grunted once again and manage to caught a glance at Archnemon, who was watching Demon leave.

"What should I do with the prisoner?" Archnemon asked as she and Mummymon managed to get their bearings together to get to their feet.

Demon paused at the open door, not even looking back to them as he replied. "Archnemon, finish up here and send one of the Medical Digimon to tend to his injuries. We will continue the interrogation in the morning."

"Of course," came Archnemon response as Demon closed the door behind him with a slam.

The two Digimon kept their eyes on the door long after Demon left. There was something about this situation that did not feel right to them. It wasn't odd for Lucemon to leave whenever he liked. As Mummymon said, he tended to leave for long periods of times without telling anyone. He was careful that way. However, it was rather odd that Gennai just so happened to see Lucemon leave early this morning, and only him.

Archnemon frowned a bit as she moved her silvery-blonde hair off her shoulder. There was something strange going on. Over the past few weeks, villages with powerful Digimon and their supply camps were being attacked and destroyed. It was probably nothing. The Holy Alliance was known to be sneaky bastards that would do anything to destroy them. But how was it that they were able to find their secret bases, with locations that were only known by a select few?

Archnemon narrowed her eyes a bit in thought. Could it be possible that they had a mole?

"Would you like me to get one of the Medical Digimon, my sweet?" Archnemon ignored the endearment that was used to address her, opting to consider Mummymon's offer instead.

"If you don't mind," she replied coolly as she turned to look at him. "If you happen to see Mastemon, mind sending her down as well?"

Mummymon smiled brightly and replied something along the lines of "Anything for you, my sweet!" before leaving in his pursuit to find the other lieutenant and Medical Digimon

Once she was alone with the prisoner, Archnemon finally allowed the breath she had been holding to leave her body in a long slow sigh. It was truly moments like this in where she wished she was still that wise, naive healer. A time before she had been approached by Ophanimon all those centuries ago.

Archnemon allowed another wistful sigh to escape before she turned her gaze to the pitiful Angel Digimon.

The Digimon's body was littered with bruises that were now turning black and blue, cuts that were deep enough to draw blood, but not enough to kill him, and black burns that were bad enough to peel this skin. Archnemon just gazed at him for a moment, frowning a disgruntled frown as she saw her past-self (instead of the angel) chained and bleeding from wounds caused by the 'mon that had attacked and raped her on that fateful day.

Archnemon shook the memory away, happy to see the vision of her past-self fading away to the long distant past. It was a part of her life that she wished she could forget, ever since she had Dark Evolved to this form.

The angel gazed at her pitifully, his breath coming out in short pain intervals. His eyes, that would have been a bright green color was now dull and unfocused. It had been a long twenty-four hours since Lord Beelzebumon brought him here. They have given him only water and crackers to sustain him as they conducted their on and off interrogation. They didn't want him to die on them. He knew something, something they could use. She knew it.

But as she gazed at him coldly, watching as he struggled to breathe through the pain, trying to stay conscious, she couldn't help but wonder: Why? Normally she would have killed the other Digimon. He was nothing but a pawn of the Holy Alliance, willingly killing to destroy all that was not in their perfect little world.

Archnemon loathed the Digimon of his kind, especially after what she had been through. It was a past she would rather forget. But that was what defined her today, wasn't it?

Archnemon shook that thought away. It didn't matter now. She was no longer Lilamon; that naive healer that wanted to protect others and believe there could be peace among their kinds was dead. It was a foolish dream she realized. But if she learned anything from her time serving the Holy Alliance, it was that: one must not trust so blindly; one must not be open about one's opinions; and finally, men Digimon must not be trusted.

But what about Mummymon? Archnemon hated the small soft voice of her past-self. It could never truly leave her.

Archnemon was silent as she walked towards the other Digimon, her thoughts drifting to Mummymon. After what she had experienced, she knew the real reason why she couldn't accept Mummymon's feeling. It wasn't that she hated him. He was annoying, yes. He got on her nerves and made her want to punch him, but it was in a good way. He would do anything for her, despite how badly she treated him.

He was an idiot.

A lovable, sweet idiot.

But she could never acknowledge, nor accept his affections with an open heart.

He was a male, just like the one that had harmed her.

She hated them all.

But then why did she want to bask in the love he had for her? Why did she want to accept his kind words and hugs? Why did he have to care about her?

Archnemon's shoes clicked on the cold stone floor as she stopped in front of the battered and bruised Digimon. The Digimon trembled at her intense gaze, not that he could see them. But Archnemon could and what she saw in those green orbs made her push aside her feelings for how distaste men were. She simply gazed at him, knowing that there was something different about him.

She could tell he had done his fair share of killing. They all had killed their fair share of Digimon throughout the war. But for some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted to die. There was grief in his dull green eyes. It was a look she knew all too well. It was a look of a broken heart, a broken soul, a broken 'mon. Defeated. He was defeated. It was a look she had seen in herself so many times before.

Archnemon gripped his chin in her purple-gloved hand. She so desperately wanted to torture him, to force him to reveal every piece of knowledge he knew about her Mistress's father and those morons that started this godforsaken war.

But she couldn't. Something was holding her back. She narrowed her eyes. It was his fear, she realized. But of what exactly?

Was it because of her? Possibly. She had been the one interrogating him for the last twenty hours.

Of Demon? Archnemon mentally snorted at that. Who wouldn't be afraid of Demon? Not only was he a Demon Lord, who was feared by even the most powerful of Digimon, but he was known to have a very big temper. One that was bigger than her own.

Of Death?

Archnemon reached out her other hand to remove her purple-tinted glasses, revealing orbs the color of freshly cut rubies. She stared into his eyes, searching for the answer to the question that was bothering her.

"Why?" Angemon was not afraid to die. He wanted it. Craved it. But, why?

The other looked confused at her question, not understanding what she was referring to. Her eyes narrowed at him as she lifted up his head, holding his face tightly in her hand.

"Why do you wish to die?"

"What could possibly have happened that he had to do a meeting now?" Demon was not in a good mood to put it lightly. He had spent the last two weeks looking through the remains of their destroyed supply camps. Three had been completely destroyed. From what he could gather, whoever attacked it knew of the security features they had in place to not trip the alarm. They even seemed to know the schedule of the Digimon that were guarding the facilities.

The Holy Alliance had a good five hundred soldier that had managed to escape the ambush and even more followers they may not be aware of. As far as he could tell, this was an inside job. Whoever attacked the three bases, knew of its locations. No one knew of them beside him and the other Demon Lords, their lieutenants, those stationed at the bases, and the senior ranking members of their forces.

Demon suspected a mole. It was the only thing that made sense. How else would the Holy Alliance know of their bases and disappear before they even realize what was going on before it was too late? That was why he had Gennai scouting the areas and the members of their forces. It would be difficult finding the mole. He had no suspects and no idea who it could be. They had many enemies and even more Digimon who would do anything just because they were afraid of them.

He hated keeping the others in the dark, but he had to be careful. He didn't know who to trust. The mole could be one of the Demon Lords or even one of their lieutenants.

Demon frowned as he reached the floor that led to the room where they hold all of their meetings. Demon did not want to personally think that one of the others had been possibly lacking information to Goddramon and his allies. They all hated the Alliance and was greatly affected by them in a way. They all fought against them and even worked together in the past, proving their loyalty. However, Demon couldn't be certain. He didn't know any of them well enough to say for sure. It had always been him, the wise Shamamon, the Demon Corp, and Gennai for the longest time. He trusted them all with this life.

But as time went on, he soon came to learn that there were others he could rely on. But could he truly trust his fellow Demon Lords? He wanted to. He truly did. But could they be trusted to not betray him in the end?

Demon shoved that thought away as he reached the open door of the Throne Room. Although, the others tend to call it the Planning or War Room. But with just cause. The room was located beneath the ground that the castle rested on. Beyond their quarters, their lieutenants' quarters, and even the dungeons was a huge cavern that had been converted into a spacious room. To the far left of the room was a lake that connected to the ocean outside. In the middle of the room was a huge oval table with throne-like chair (engraved with each of their Crests) surrounding them. Hence, why he called it the Throne Room.

Decorating one of the walls of the room were a variety of weapons: swords, whips, shields, battle axes, mace, bows and arrows and crossbows, spires, and shuriken. Demon felt one could not be too careful. If his home was ever infiltrated, they could always come here to protect themselves. This room was a safe haven. A barrier (curtsey of Barbamon) surrounded the room. No one but them and their lieutenants could enter this room.

On the other walls were different maps of all the islands in the Digital World and books. Several sticky notes (written in Barbamon's handwriting) were scattered around the wall and pinned to a specific map. Each note talked great detail about their findings over the several past months. He glanced at the maps with a frown. There were even more areas circled, next to them were even more handwritten notes that he couldn't make out from this distance. Barbamon sure had been busy. He didn't remember them being there when they had a meeting a week ago.

Demon trained his eyes around the huge room. Leviamon and Beelzebumon were talking among themselves at the table while Belphemon was sleep as per usual. Looks like not everyone is here. Other then Lucemon, who left before anyone was awake, Barbamon and Lilithmon were not present, unfortunately.

"Come one! You can't come here with a bag filled with endless possibilities and then tell me I can't look inside of it!"

Demon blinked as he turned his focus to the very childish and annoying Demon Lord, only now realizing that the annoying, wooden pinocchio was there as well. Perfect.

"Piemon said this was for Lord Lucemon's new member," Pinochimon said with a shrug, not fazed by Beelzebumon's obvious frustration. Beelzebumon was now pouting childishly. His posture sagged slightly in his designated throne chair and his eyes were watching Pinochimon's every move as if the action would make Pinochimon change his mind. It didn't.

Demon could only sigh in exasperation as he felt a headache forming. Beelzebumon was his least favorite. He was childish. Unpredictable and very, very annoying. In fact, he was sure Beelzebumon and Leviamon had it out for him. The two were always working together to make his life a living hell. Demon did not want to think about the decorating they did to his room last month when he accidentally destroyed his room in a fit of rage. He was absolutely horrified. It also didn't help that the two were singing some ridiculous tone from this other planet that he couldn't remember the name to.

"Are you telling me that you will listen to Piemon over me?!" Beelzebumon's childishly whined as Pinochimon placed two duffle-bags on the table. Beelzebumon's eyes lingered on the bag in curiosity. His eyes search for a moment as if the bags would open on their own and reveal their contents. "New member?" Beelzebumon asked as he returned his eyes to his lieutenant, his voice questioning, confused. "Who?

For once, he wasn't the only one. Demon found himself just as confused. It was rare for their leader to bring a new member to their ranks. He wasn't the most trusting of Digimon. Usually, Lucemon would have a Digimon go through a series of tests before allowing him or her to enter their folds and it was even more so for one to be welcomed in their home base. This was certainly odd.

Pinochimon shrugged. "Piemon didn't really say. All he said was that Lucemon is very fond of his new guy and to give him this when he gets here." Pinochimon moves his sore shoulder. "Not sure what's in them but they are kinda heavy."

"That's odd," Beelzebumon mumbled, his finger tapping the table as he thought. "Did he say anything else?"

The Puppet Digimon shook his head. "No. That's all he told me before he teleported away, saying something about a dispute he had to resolve before it got out of hand."

Demon snorted at that, catching the others' attention. "The Bakemon are probably fighting again." Demon entered the huge archway, his pale blue, almost gray eyes glaring at the three as he spoke. "I don't know why you have them guarding the gate and the borders, knowing full well that they are worthless, cowardly, weak Digimon."

Beelzebumon grimaced at that. It seemed he somewhat agreed with him. However, there was still the aspect of his recent recruits that needed to be addressed. Demon had expected Beelzebumon to defend those worthless Digimon. However, it wasn't him who spoke up.

"Demon, not everyone is as highly trained and knowledgeable in the art of combat and dark magic as you are." Demon had expected that from the Demon Lord of Greed. "You should know the best out of all of us that we all have the ability to reach our full potential. Some just find it faster than most." Demon frowned as he stepped aside to allow Barbamon into the room. The other nodded his head slightly in gratitude as he walked into the room. Demon regarded the other silently for a moment, pondering how horrible it would be if Barbamon was the mole. It was not something he wanted to think about.

"You really shouldn't judge by appearances, Dai," Beelzebumon said as he took his seat.

"Oh, really?" Demon regarded the other suspiciously. The other had always been a thorn in his side since the beginning. He made it his life mission to annoy him, starting with that annoying alternate name for him when he visited one of those other worlds. Daimon was not how you spell his name. Demon? Yes. Daimon or even Daemon or one of the many other spellings? No, hell no.

"Yup," Beelzebumon said with a confident smile as he picked up the bag by the straps and placed it on the floor next to him. "Many of them are still getting used to their powers. You'll be surprised." Demon eyed the other in annoyance as he watched his fellow Demon Lord get comfortable in his chair, his boots prompted on the table and his arms laying lazily across his chest. "They're more powerful then they look." Cocky brat.

From next to Beelzebumon, Demon noticed that Pinochimon was smiling just as cocky, with a tad of mischievousness. "Big things do come in small packages after all, just like those Marin Angemon that defeated your army a few months back." Demon's eyes narrowed slightly. Demon had not wanted to be reminded of that horrible day. It had been a week or two before they ambushed the Holy Kingdom. Demon had several of his best 'mon to infiltrate the kingdom. One group were disguised as soldiers and prisoners, while the other group was to spy from the outside. The mission had been to find a weakness in the structure. The first group managed to sneak into the base without any incident. It was funny how overconfident the Holy and Data Digimon were. Although, that was only because the second group had been blindsided by a bunch of small, weak, pink flying abominations.

Demon's right eye twitched. Beelzebumon or one of his little ducklings would always bring it up. He was never going to hear the end of it. "Didn't we end up saving them, though?" Beelzebumon feigned innocence, which only made Demon grind his teeth together in agitation. Yes, that was exactly what happened, but he wasn't going to admit it. Oh, no. He was not going to give that smug, brat that satisfaction.

Pinochimon snickered at his reaction, sensing his growing temper. Demon was ever good at staying calm. He had a habit of acting first, thinking later. And now seemed to be one of those times. "Please, don't make me laugh! They couldn't even defeat a Numemon!" He was thankful that his seat was next to the Demon Lord of Sloth and not next to the very annoying, very childish Digimon that he so desperately wished he could never see again as long as he lived. "You and I both know that those pathic Digimon wouldn't know a strong opponent even if it was right in front of them. I've seen them in action! They haven't been through what we've been through. They haven't fought against the most powerful members of the Holy Alliance. They are weak in comparison to them." He slammed his fists on the table. "As far as I am concerned they are a weak, worthless, pathetic lot that should not be in war in the first place!"

Silence filled the room. No one said anything, not even Beelzebumon, surprisingly. From the corner of his eye, Demon noticed Barbamon frown slightly as he placed more notes on the map. Belphemon only gave the slightest of movements, a single eye-opening slightly. He had heard the whole thing. Beelzebumon merely frowned at him, clearly not liking what he was hearing. Beelzebumon eyed him silently, his eyes hard and it was then when he noticed the fierce protectiveness that was in those orbs. In that moment, Demon realized that there was no way the kid could be a mole. He was too loyal, too protective of those he cared about.

"You may be right," he said in a voice that was no longer teasing, no longer playful. "The Digimon under my care have not seen war. They were lucky enough to be born after those horrible times. They have only seen bits and pieces from this safe haven. But let me tell you this, Demon, they are not weak. They will get stronger, wiser. They will learn and fight for this world, just as we are. They all have the potential. They just need someone to bring it out. They need someone that understands them."

Demon didn't respond. How could he? Beelzebumon was right, but he would never say that out loud.

Silence filled the room again and much to his relief Barbamon decided to start the meeting. "Wait what about Princess and Lucemon?" Beelzebumon asked, allowing the Puppet Digimon to make his departure so they could get on with their meeting.

"With Lucemon currently missing, we have to assume he is on a secret mission." The three of them nodded, minus Belphemon who had returned to sleep. But they all knew he was half awake, listening to the conversations around him

"Pinochimon informed us that Lucemon is returning with a new member," Leviamon informed him.

"I see." Barbamon's hand ran through his long white beard, his voice reflecting his puzzlement. "This Digimon must be very important and close to Lucemon if he is bringing him here." Demon nodded at his thinking, he had come to that conclusion as well.

"I wonder who this guy is," Beelzebumon said as his eyes shifted to the bag on the floor.

"We won't know until they get here," Barbamon said as he took a seat. "Though, I find it a bit odd that Lucemon would allow someone to get that close to him. He's never being the sensitive type." Lucemon was a very odd individual. Demon, honestly, could never put his finger on what Lucemon was thinking at any moment. The 'mon always keep things to himself. He was always holding back as if he was afraid of something. Demon couldn't figure it out though. Lucemon was quite powerful for a Perfect and the rumor about his Ultimate form was something to consider, given how relucent he was to use it in battle. Maybe he should look into that.

"Lucemon is not one to share his feeling," Beelzebumon spoke up, earning a suspicious look from Demon and a knowing look from Barbamon.

"You act like as if you know something about him that we don't." Beelzebumon's silence was all he needed to know and, quite frankly, it surprised him. He hadn't realized that the two were so close.

"Beelzebumon, were did Lucemon go?" Barbamon asked calmly as he gazed at the youngest member of their team.

"I promised I wouldn't tell anyone," Beelzebumon said, looking bored. Demon's eye twitched. That was just a stupid excuse to say that he wasn't going to tell them anything. "However, he'd did say anything about not telling you the reason why he left this morning."

Demon felt a headache coming on. He raised his claw to rub at his temple. The brat's sly tone was getting on his nerves as well as the run around he was doing. He was avoiding the question. "Well?" he asked, impatiently.

Beelzebumon rolled his eyes, giving him a look of exasperation. "He's mourning his brother's death."

Demon blinked, startled at the information. He hadn't known Lucemon had a brother and it seemed the others hadn't known either. "A brother?"

Ken snuggled into his savior's embrace as he slipped into a peaceful slumber with a full tummy. His savior's friends had been so kind to give him a blanket to keep him warm. It certainly was cold. Ken hated the cold. It reminded him of the Mean Man that had snatched him away from his Mama when she had been sleeping. Ken remembered the man yelling at him, holding on to him a bit too tightly as he shook him without mercy. The Mean Man was so scary! But why had Mama not woken to save him?

Ken didn't understand why his Mama said that he was going to be loved, that she was going to make sure he was protected and safe and away from his cruel Papa, and then not do anything when the Mean Man took him away! There had been another man, Ken remembered. Ken remembered hearing his voice when he was still in his Mama's womb. Mama always talked to the other man. They had been discussing about him and about a home for him, a place where he would be loved and cared for. Ken wasn't sure what they meant, though. Had they been trying to stop the Mean Man from taking him away? Had Mama been planning on leaving the Mean Man when she learned how horrible he was or the things he would do?

Ken knew he didn't like the Mean Man. Mama said he was Papa and that Papa loved him. But then why did the Mean Man refused to feed him? Why did he take away the only blanky he had? Why had he placed him in a holely bed and dumped him into the freezing cold water? And then there were the cruel words.

Ken shivered. He snuggled into the warm body a little bit more in hopes of getting away from the chill. The Mean Man had said he was bad. That it was because of him that his Mama and older brother were gone. That he was not supposed to be alive. That he was not wanted.

What did he mean? What had he done to be hated? To have his Mama and brother leave him alone? Ken continued to tremble as those thoughts swirled in and out of his mind. Was it is bad for him to wish to be loved? To be wanted and cared for?

"Shh...Shh...It's okay, Ken. It's okay." His savior's words felt so soothing, so genuine, to his ears. Ken wanted to trust his words. Mama had always told him a story about a man with blue eyes and white wings. According to Mama, this man was an angel. The angel was said to protect all children, only revealing itself to those that needed him the most. It protected those being harmed and reunited them to those that loved them the most.

Could the man in his Mama's stories be his savior?

He couldn't be sure. This world was so confusing! For a long time, he only had the love of his Mama. But he had been taken away from her! The Mean Man hated him and wanted him gone! He had woken up with those thoughts, only to be in the gentle embrace of his savior. The angel had not been very happy with something, but not at him. There were others there. Ken did not want to know who they were. It would be awhile before he calmed down and when he did, Ken realized that his savior truly liked him and was making sure he was safe and happy.

Ken was pleased with that thought. Ken hadn't minded the other strange man. He had given him a soft toy! Though, he was weird looking; but he seemed truly nice.

Ken snuggled into his savior's warm body, falling asleep instantly. He wasn't aware of the conversation between the two men, nor was he aware of the fear that filled his savior. Ken was only aware of the hope that filled him and of his dreams of being reunited with his Mama.

The woman looked so much like the small baby in his arms. She had a slim figure, despite the round belly. She had beautiful brown eyes that sparkled with so much love and concern. They were so similar to the baby's. Although, Ken had neither of his parents' eyes. So the color must have come from either the mother's or father's side of the family. Lucemon was assuming the mother, though. Same with the hair. The woman's hair was brown, but the strand seemed to look like the baby's. The two of them had a pale complexion. However, the woman's complexion did not look healthy at all.

"Yukio-kun, promise me you'll protect him." Lucemon remembered the Human Male saying that Ken's mother was sickly and the pregnancy was just adding to her already failing health.

Lucemon gazed at the woman with a heavy heart. She was standing in what remained of a nursey. The blue caterpillar wallpaper had been pulled from the walls and torn to shreds. The small worn crib seemed to have been tipped over violently since several of the wooden beams that supported it was now broken or loose. The few toys the woman must have bought for her unborn son was ripped apart, the stuffing popping out of the toy and the threading coming undone as she picked it up. A baby monitor was seen on the other side of the room. It seemed that whoever destroyed the room must have thrown the monitor at the wall, destroying that as well in the process.

Lucemon felt his own tears fill his eyes as tears freely fell down the woman's cheeks. She was rubbing her stomach absently as she held a small green caterpillar toy that had managed to survive the destruction and a small familiar blanket.

"Megumi-chan..." There was another man there. This man was tall. He had a narrow face, a long narrow nose, and black eyes and hair. He seemed to be in his early twenties, much like the young mother.

"I know," Megumi said as she rubbed her stomach, her eyes gazing at the destroyed room in despair. "I'm weak. I should have left him when he started getting violent with Osamu as well. I should have left him when Osamu was taken away from us." Megumi shook her head when Yukio opened his mouth to protest. "You know it's true. You have been with me ever since we were kids. You were my twinkle of happiness. I was the fool for allowing Riku-san to blind me with his false promises and charm."

I knew I could have tortured him, the Demon Lord thought grimly.

"Megumi-chan," Yukio walked in front of the distressed woman and gently placed his fingers under her chin, forcing her to gaze at him, "come with me." Lucemon's eyes widened, slightly surprised by the pleading in the man's tone. This man dearly cared about her. No, that wasn't right. The man loved her. "We can still be a family. You. Me. Osamu." Yukio paused, smiling gently as he gently placed a hand over the woman's hand that was rubbing her stomach. His eyes never left those brown orbs. "And Ken. Just like you, me, and Hiroki always talked about when we were kids."

Megumi closed her eyes, relishing in Yukio's touch. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to give into the perfect world he was describing. At first, Lucemon thought she was going to say yes. She had wanted to, but she didn't. When she opened her eyes and gazed at Yukio with so much sadness and guilt, he knew. Lucemon's already knew what her answer would be and he hated it. "You know I can't, Yukio. I won't survive the birth."

"You don't know that!" Yukio almost shouted as he gazed into grief-stricken eyes. He was shaking slightly, his hands gripping the other's shoulders desperately. "You can't give up! Think of Osamu! Think of Ken. Think of me," he said the last part quietly, barely above a whisper.

"I am," she said as she tried to stifle a cough. "Osamu will be fine with you, Hida-kun, and that lovely fiance of his." She paused again as another cough interrupted her. Once her cough seemed to pass for the moment, she spoke again. "I never did get to thank you for adopting Osamu when he was taken away from us and put up for adoption, did I?" Yukio frowned slightly as the woman gazed at him sadly.

"Megumi, you don't have to thank me. I was happy to do it. But he still needs his mother. They both do, That's why you have to keep fighting," Yukio tried to reason with her, but she stubbornly shook her head.

"Ken's still in danger, you know? Riku-san will try to kill him. I know he will. He will blame him when I die." Her lower lip trembled. "You must protect him. Raise him. Love him as your own as you do with Osamu. Please..." Her body trembled as she sobbed. "He doesn't deserve to die!"

"He won't!" Yukio pulled Megumi towards him, holding her as she sobbed. Yukio rubbed her back soothingly. As he watched, Lucemon found himself gently stroking the baby's cheek. Ken continued to sleep away peacefully. "I promise. I will protect him."

"Thank you," the woman sobbed.

Lucemon moved his hand to wipe the tears that had begun to fall. The image was now beginning to fade, the image growing fuzzy and then to black as the portal returned to its dormant state. But just before the image went completely black, the woman spoke once again, this time in regret. "You are a wonderful man, Yukio. I'm sorry I didn't notice my feelings for you until it was too late."

She loved him. The thought brought a sudden heaviness that only seemed to grow as he realized the magnitude of love and suffering the mother and her children had gone through. The woman had not been in a healthy or happy relationship. And the one she did love, she could never be with him, nor with the children, she brought into this world. She would never get to raise them as a mother should. Lucemon gazed at the baby sadly. "Your mother loved you so much." Ken only snuggled into his body a little bit more. He frowned as he noticed small little shivers. Lucemon readjusted the blankets. Was he cold? Was the blanket not enough to protect him?

"She truly was an amazing Human. We could learn a thing or two from her." Lucemon nodded as he shifted his eyes to Piemon who was gazing at the portal. "Did you want to see more?" Lucemon shook his head. No, he didn't. He didn't need to. The Human was dead. The baby saved and secure in his arms. Though, Lucemon was sure he will be panicking every now and then just to make sure the baby was okay.

Lucemon sighed. How did this day go from mourning Puttimon's death to saving the little one from his horrible fate? Lucemon rubbed his forehead tiredly. He had seen too much for today. Maybe it was time to go home.