Catherine's eyes fluttered open. She was confused as to how she fell asleep, but she was glad to feel well-rested. Floramon was still working on the escape hole, and she made a great amount of progress while she was out.
"Floramon?"
The Digimon stopped with a jump and hurriedly wrapped Catherine with a hug.
"Catherine! Oh my gosh, I was so worried! I didn't know if my pollen would hurt you, but you were such a mess I didn't know what to do!"
As Floramon continued to worry over her, Catherine brought a hand to her head. She recoiled when she felt something weird brush against her forehead. She saw her hand was wrapped in a black fabric. It was then she noticed the bottom half of her tank top was torn off.
"Hey, Floramon, what happened to my top?" Catherine asked. Floramon pulled away and blushed in embarrassment.
"You were bleeding so much and I didn't have anything to wrap your wounds with, so I took some of your shirt to make some bandages… Sorry."
Catherine patted Floramon's head to show that she wasn't upset. In fact, she couldn't fully remember what happened before she was knocked out. She recalled trying to use her fingers to dig through the rocks. It wasn't until she saw the empty cell across from her that remembered what happened.
Floramon came and took multiple prisoners to be executed. It was a horrible thing to think about, but she couldn't stop. It was the way all the Digimon laughed at her for trying to give them hope. They clearly had given up.
She couldn't fully blame them. After being trapped for who knows how long she already had some thoughts of giving up. It was only the thought of her friends coming to save them that kept her going. Maybe that's why they gave up.
Gazimon mentioned something about a king and them being a coward. From what she'd learned from history class that statement wouldn't be too far fetched, but the Digital World taught her anything could happen. Gazimon did say the king asked for volunteers to make up a new army so he probably didn't want to set up another attack, especially after making up an army entirely out of citizens. Though, any good king would try to fight to get their citizens back.
Catherine sighed. She was overthinking things when she had other stuff to worry about. It didn't matter to her if the king came to attack Rosemon. What did matter was her and Floramon breaking out or their friends coming to save them.
Dusting herself off after she got up, Catherine picked up a rock and tried to continue where Floramon left off. Her partner was quick to stop her before she could even lift the rock over her head.
"Maybe you should take it slow for a bit. You just woke up and you're hurt," Floramon said, but Catherine shook her head.
"I'm fine, Floramon. I don't want to leave you with all the work," Catherine said, but Floramon gave her a worried look. Catherine smiled and patted Floramon's head. "I'll be fine. My hands don't hurt and I feel rejuvenated after that long nap."
"If you say so," Floramon said, sounding not totally convinced. "But will you promise me you'll take a break when your hands start hurting or when you feel tired?"
"I promise."
Floramon still didn't look convinced but relented and joined her in working on the hole. Catherine was thankful because the last thing she needed was someone doting over her. What she needed to do was break out of this prison, meet up with her friends, and take down Rosemon.
'I will defeat you and avenge all the Digimon you killed! That is a promise.'
The Digidestined were treated nothing short of royalty the moment they arrived. They received the finest beds and the cleanest facilities the kingdom could offer. All the Digimon were nice as well. Wherever any of them went in the castle one of the guards were quick to accompany them and help them with anything they needed.
Then there was the food. Words could not describe how delicious the food was. The breakfast they had that morning was the greatest meal they'd ever had. They weren't ashamed to admit that tears were shed that morning.
But they couldn't let the grandeur of the castle distract them from what they came here for. They needed to speak to the king and plan out how they were going to defeat Rosemon and save their friends. Chloe still hadn't smiled and was the furthest from her jovial self since her sister was kidnapped.
Multiple times during the night they were awoken to the sound of one of the guards bringing her back to the room. It had gotten so bad they had to tie her to her bed so she wouldn't escape again. The boys made it a rule that one of them had to watch over her at all times.
"Can we meet the king already!? I'm tired of waiting in this lousy castle!" Chloe demanded. The boys were quick to scold her for being rude, but the Apemon watching over them didn't appear offended.
"Understood. His Highness should be in the throne room as we speak. I will take you to him now."
Apemon led the group out of the dining hall and to the throne room. They didn't have to worry about Chloe as they moved through the halls. It was one of the few times she was ever obedient during their stay. It allowed them to see what they missed the night prior.
There were a lot of landscape pictures of Pyrion, before the attacks. They couldn't deny the city's beauty. It made them want to beat Rosemon even more and restore this place to its former glory.
There were a lot of pictures of who they assumed was the king, which filled TK and Patamon with dread. The king was a large golden monkey that wore a red visor, blue elf-like boots, a red cape, and a large red crown. He also had a big white belt wrapped around his waist with a golden emblem of the Crest of Courage in the middle. The most prominent portrait of the king was a full-body painting of him standing in all of his glory with a big ball of energy in his left hand.
"I'm getting a bad feeling about this," Patamon softly mumbled.
"You don't think it could be him, right? Joe and Mimi said Leomon destroyed him," TK whispered back.
"But every Digimon gets reborn after they're destroyed or use too much energy, remember?" Patamon said and TK shuddered. It was something he wanted to forget. The sight of his best friend dying in front of him and not knowing if he'd come back gave him nightmares after his first adventure ended. He also didn't like the thought of some other Digimon coming back.
He and his friends defeated a lot of evil Digimon. From Apocalymon to… Devimon, any one of them could take over the Digital World in its current state, and if what he and Patamon are thinking is true then one of them already took over a vast kingdom.
"Maybe it might not be him. A lot of Digimon could Digivolve into him," Patamon tried to reason.
"I hope you're right."
The group soon came up to a massive opulent door. It was made of gold with a towering avatar of the king's likeness etched in the middle. The two Apemon guards stationed there saluted at them before opening the door.
They walked into a gargantuan room. It was bigger than any other room they'd been in during their short stay. There were multiple statues of the king that acted as pillars and a red carpet that started from the door, up a short flight of stairs, and to a grand throne that was made of gold with two sets of stairs on both sides of it. There were multiple Apemon on both sides of the carpet and they bowed to them as they walked down the carpet.
After a few steps into the room, the doors behind them shut and their guide fell in line with the other guards. They looked around until they heard loud trumpets being played. They saw two Gazimon playing on the side of the throne as a third Gazimon stood at the bottom of the stairs with a scroll in their hands. The lights dimmed, fog filled the room, and a spotlight was placed on the scroll holding Gazimon.
"Ladies and gentlemon it is my pleasure to introduce the greatest king in all the land! No one is stronger than him, no one is braver than him, and no one is shinier than him! He is the gold standard and what we should all strive to be! I introduce the king of kings, KingEtemon!"
The lights blasted on as KingEtemon busted onto the scene. He smiled brightly as all his guards cheered for him as he marched to his throne. Most of the Digidestined were taken off guard by the spectacle, but TK and Patamon weren't. They were mortified by the sight of one of their enemies being a ruler over a kingdom and so many innocent Digimon.
Before KingEtemon took a seat on his throne he signaled for his guards to get louder and they gladly complied. It got so loud the Digidestined thought the room shook.
"He really knows how to work a crowd!" Ryo shouted over their cheers.
"He's like one of those wrestlers from those wrestling shows!" Terriermon added.
KingEtemon basked in their praise for a couple of minutes before silencing the crowd. He took his place on his throne before clearing his throat.
"Hello, Digidestined, and welcome to Pyrion!" The guards cheered once again and KingEtemon allowed them to share their emotions before silencing them once more. "Now, I bet you're feeling a little tongue-tied by the sight of my greatness, but do not fret, I am just like any other Digimon in my fine kingdom. So please don't hold back on any questions you have for me."
Chloe stepped up to speak first, but TK was quick to speak before she could even open her mouth.
"You're Etemon, aren't you," TK accused the king. His friends were confused while the guards appeared like they wanted to accuse him of treason. KingEtemon appeared as if what the blond said affected him, but TK could tell by the look in his eye that the king was shocked by what he said.
"What are you talking about TK?" Ken asked.
"On our first adventure, Etemon was one of the bad Digimon that tried to destroy us. He kept getting in our way as we looked for the crest by sending his lackeys to capture us and almost destroyed our friends multiple times," Patamon explained and the others gasped. The guards started to get riled up and prepared their weapons.
"So we're in a trap!?" Ryo explained and Monodramon growled.
"We were set up!"
"We'll protect you, Willis!" Terriermon and Lopmon exclaimed as they stood in front of their partner.
"Enough! We will not let you soil the great name of our king!" An Apemon guard shouted. The guards circled the Digidestined with their weapons ready. The Digidestined had their Digivices drawn as the guards started to close in on them.
"STOP!" KingEtemon's booming voice echoed throughout the room. Everyone stopped what they were doing to see huffing. He then took a deep breath and started waving his hand. "Guards, please leave so me and our guests can talk in private."
"B-But your Highness, they insulted you," a guard argued, but KingEtemon shook his head.
"I'll handle it."
"But sir–" KingEtemon held up his hand and gritted his teeth.
"I'll. Handle. It."
The guards stood defiantly for a second before filing out of the room. KingEtemon waited until the doors were closed before letting out a long sigh.
"I'm sorry, they're very loyal and protective of me," KingEtemon said with a chuckle. The Digidestined did react as they remained defensive of him. KingEtemon sighed again and dragged a hand down his face. "I guess an apology won't be enough."
"So it was you!" TK said and KingEtemon nodded.
"Yes, I am the artist formerly known as Etemon, but that life is behind me. I've changed, I swear!" He pleaded, but he received more glares from the blond and his Patamon.
"You didn't change when you came back as MetalEtemon," Patamon argued. "You even destroyed Leomon. How can we believe you now?"
"Because I have Digimon to look over now!" KingEtemon exclaimed with tears pouring down his face. The Digidestined flinched as the mighty king cried like a baby in front of them. "I know that no matter what I say will earn your forgiveness and that's fine, but I need your help! Rosemon has been terrorizing my kingdom and kidnapping or destroying my subjects! I tried to stop her but she came back and took more of my subjects."
KingEtemon got off his throne and crawled down the steps. He remained on his knees before them and bowed the rest of his body to the ground. He wrapped his arms around TK's legs and the blond could feel his shoes getting wet.
"Please! If you won't do it for me then do it for my Digimon! They don't deserve to be punished for my crimes!"
TK tapped the top of the king's head gaining his attention. He smiled down at him and the king looked around and saw the other Digidestined smiling at him.
"Don't worry, we were going to go after Rosemon," TK said.
"Yeah, she took our friends and we want some revenge," Ryo added and KingEtemon wiped away the tears and kissed the top of TK's shoes.
"Oh, thank you! I'll help out in any way I can! You want my guards? You can have them. Carriages? Pick out the one you like the most!" KingEtemon said between kisses.
Feeling uncomfortable TK pushed KingEtemon away.
"Thanks. That'll be great."
"We would like to have some of your guards," Willis spoke up.
"And a carriage that doesn't shake so much," Terriermon added and KingEtemon nodded vigorously.
"You got it! I'll get an army made up and a carriage ready for you right away!"
KingEtemon rushed out of the room and the Digidestined shook their heads. TK didn't know if they could trust him, but they didn't have any other options. KingEtemon was the only Digimon they'd met who knew where Rosemon could be. Though, they won't complain if he comes through with his promises.
With nothing else to do, they all started to file out of the room. Before she could leave, TK grabbed Chloe's shoulder and pulled her aside.
"Can we talk for a second? Alone," TK asked.
She gave him a puzzled look but agreed. Patamon flew out of the room but Peguinmon lingered for a few seconds and gave Chloe some worried glances. The girl smiled and signaled that she'd be fine. Penguinmon looked unsure, but followed after Patamon, leaving the two kids alone.
"So, what did you want to talk about?" Chloe asked. TK didn't say anything and gave her a disappointed look. Chloe groaned and took a few steps away from him. "Oh, TK, come on!"
"You've done nothing but be a nuisance since we've got here!"
"I have not!"
"The others and I were woken up multiple times last night because the guards brought you back after you tried to escape!"
Chloe bit her lip. She couldn't argue with him because he was right, but could you blame her? Her sister is in danger and she can't sit around in luxury while her sister is suffering. She needed to save her before anything bad happened.
She wouldn't be able to live without her. Catherine's her best friend and someone she could always go to for help with her problems. She doesn't want to think about where she would be in her life without her.
TK placed a supportive hand on her shoulder and squeezed it.
"Hey, I want you to remember you're not alone. You have friends here who are just as worried as you are. Let us help you," TK told her. She smiled and wiped away the tears that were forming in the corners of her eyes.
"Thanks," she said with a hug. He returned it and when they broke apart, TK ruffled her hair.
"We might have some time before we set off so if you're still feeling restless then do whatever you want to me."
"Anything?" Chloe asked with a smirk.
"Anything," TK repeated and Chloe darkly chuckled. It didn't take long for TK to regret his offer.
She felt exhausted but she didn't stop, not when they were so close to breaking out of their cell. She could hear voices on the other side of their hole and she wasn't going to stop until she found out who was talking. It didn't matter that her arms felt like jelly or her hands were aching she was busting out.
"Catherine!" She heard her partner whine behind her. "You promised!"
"I know, Floramon, but we're so close!" Catherine argued and Floramon pouted.
"But you look like you'll drop in any second."
Floramon wasn't wrong. She was drenched in sweat and breathing heavily. It was almost a miracle that she was still standing, let alone swinging a rock. But her determination won't let her quit.
Catherine continued to work on the hole, ignoring her partner as she worked. Floramon will understand when they escape. She'll even allow the flower Digimon to scold her all she wants when they get out. But they need to escape first.
One swing and part of the wall chipped away. Another swing and more of the wall crumbled. It wasn't until her third swing that Catherine saw some light. The hole it was coming out of wasn't enough to escape from, but it was enough to see the room she and Floramon were digging into.
Catherine looked through the hole and was instantly blinded. She'd been in a dimly lit room for so long that it took some time for her eyes to adjust to the bright surroundings. When she was able to handle it she was able to make out what appeared to be a nursery. Cribs were around the room and cartoonish imagery littered the walls.
She also saw a lot of babies and in-training Digimon too. If it wasn't for the fact that she knew they were prisoners Catherine would've thought that the sight before her was adorable.
"What do you see?" Catherine heard Floramon whisper behind her.
"A nursery filled with baby Digimon."
"Why would Rosemon have a nursery in her base?" Floramon pondered and Catherine shrugged.
She then heard a click and saw their captor walking into the nursery. She sat in a rocking chair, picked up a Koramon, and started caressing it gently.
"It's time for my sweet children to go to bed. You need to get as much rest as you can because Mamma has some big plans for you," she said softly to all the Digimon.
Catherine gulped. She didn't know what plans Rosemon had in mind, but from what Gazimon told her she could make a few guesses.
"You'll all be the key to helping me take over this land and away from that fool's gold monkey. Nothing will stand in my way. Not even snooping girls."
Rosemon stared directly at Catherine's eye and used her whip on the peeping hole to reveal her prisoners. Catherine fell to the floor and Floramon quickly used her body to shield her partner.
"Don't hurt her!" She yelled.
"Oh, don't worry, I won't touch her. I'm not the type of girl who likes to get her hands dirty all too often," the mega said calmly as she reached for her whip.
Catherine tried to get up but she was too exhausted to move any of her limbs. She could feel the whip wrap around her and Floramon as Rosemon chuckled seductively.
"Now then, I can't let you two go without punishment and I have just the idea to teach you a lesson to never try to escape me again," Rosemon said as she carried her prisoners out of the room.
Catherine was scared and didn't know what awaited her and Floramon. All she could do was hope that her friends were on their way to save them.