Into the Dragons Mouth

Theos watched the camp carefully. It was as large as reported and seeing it like this it gave those words a deeper meaning. Tomorrow was going to be a truly bloody affair. Theos eyes roamed with the guards they had to time everything just right or they would never make it through. He wondered if sleeping powder was apart of their arsenal it would make some things easier.


"Do you see the size of that army? My gosh..." Theos nodded, "There is our task. We have to some how destroy those weapons." Theos looked to the large machines.



"They're too big for us to destroy with just our power alone...we will have to find another way." Theos had already decided how. Fire would destroy most of it but that took time and draws attention. So they had to make sure to put oil or gun powder on it first. 

"Hey, you'll be fine. We're going to be with you the entire step of the way." Theos finally looked back at Ban.



"I dunno how I'm going to do this..." Ban confessed. "I don't know if I can sneak past so many people..." Ban said drooping his head low.



"I wish I was brave enough and strong like you but this is all I'm able to do." Kemba smiled at the Agumon.



"We all do what we're able. No one expects anything more."



"Are you scared too?" He asked curiously.


"Yes I am," Theos replied honestly. "But I'm going to do my best so i can save as many lives I can. If Ike and Cole are any indication they treat their servants poorly I think we might find some allies with them to help us through this. Not all but maybe some who wouldn't mind doing such a task as not alerting guards. That being said I think the best thing to do is follow the servant routes and avoiding the guards as much as possible." They could do this. They just had to be smart about it.

"They probably keep kegs of gunpowder or oil near the machines so they can light some of the projectiles on fire. We should use that to burn down the machines. Getting rid of some of their resources while we are at it," Theos said.

"Yes I am," Ban felt a little better knowing Theos was just as scared. "But I'm going to do my best so i can save as many lives I can. If Ike and Cole are any indication they treat their servants poorly I think we might find some allies with them to help us through this. Not all but maybe some who wouldn't mind doing such a task as not alerting guards. That being said I think the best thing to do is follow the servant routes and avoiding the guards as much as possible."

"They probably keep kegs of gunpowder or oil near the machines so they can light some of the projectiles on fire. We should use that to burn down the machines. Getting rid of some of their resources while we are at it," Theos said.

"I'm not so sure Theos, most of them probably breathe fire so having that stuff may not be needed." Kemba answered, "Perhaps if Ike was here, he could have helped convince some of the servants." Ban said wondering about how everyone else was doing.

"They will see us easily if we're not careful. We shouldn't assume their servants will help us either, they may be too terrified and give us away to save themselves." Kemba gave it some thought, "Perhaps I should go alone and scout their camp. See if there is anything we can use to destroy the weapons."

Ban cocked his head, "But...your white fur and blue armor would stand out...I don't think that'd be very smart." Kemba had to admit, Ban was right. "Well....then what?"

Ban looked around, "If I take my armor off I could probably sneak around...I dunno what I'd be looking for though..."

"I'm not so sure Theos, most of them probably breathe fire so having that stuff may not be needed." Kemba answered, "Perhaps if Ike was here, he could have helped convince some of the servants." Theos thought about it. Kemba was probably right and it was too late to go get Ike.



"They will see us easily if we're not careful. We shouldn't assume their servants will help us either, they may be too terrified and give us away to save themselves." Kemba gave it some thought, "Perhaps I should go alone and scout their camp. See if there is anything we can use to destroy the weapons."



Ban cocked his head, "But...your white fur and blue armor would stand out...I don't think that'd be very smart." Kemba had to admit, Ban was right. "Well....then what?"



Ban looked around, "If I take my armor off I could probably sneak around...I dunno what I'd be looking for though..."


"Something flammable that burns hot like oil or coal.....which could be found in kitchens. We only got one shot at this so we should be sure of a path between the resources and the catapults. As well as more than one escape route. It will take too much time for you to do alone Ban....." Theos looked to the agumon. "We'll stand out too much since we aren't dinosaurs or dragons. The two of you will need to go. Kemba and me will stay here watching the guards to try and come up with the escape routes with the least resistance. Once you two have the supply locations we can find a path to those as well and hopefully get this done before the first ray of light."

"Something flammable that burns hot like oil or coal.....which could be found in kitchens. We only got one shot at this so we should be sure of a path between the resources and the catapults. As well as more than one escape route. It will take too much time for you to do alone Ban....." Theos looked to the agumon. "We'll stand out too much since we aren't dinosaurs or dragons. The two of you will need to go. Kemba and me will stay here watching the guards to try and come up with the escape routes with the least resistance. Once you two have the supply locations we can find a path to those as well and hopefully get this done before the first ray of light."

Ban and the scout nodded at Theos suggestion, "We won't be long...I think." Ban questioned, Kemba helped Ban strip off his armor so that it wouldn't make noise as they went around. "We will come running to you if you get in trouble." Kemba smiled, "Um...no....I think...I think that if I don't come back...you two should leave. Kaa and Don...they'd be mad if you died here. Daddy would be sad too."

Kemba shook his head, "It's not going to come to that. We will leave here together, okay?" Ban gave a soft smile and nodded. "Good, now get going." Ban looked at the Agumon and they both ran off towards the camp, keeping their bellies to the ground and staying away from any torch lights.

Ban and the Agumon kept their eyes on the movement, hearing the laughter and talk from the guards. Most of it was how they were going to easily take down the kingdom and what they would do to their women. It made Ban sick to listen too but he remained silent and out of sight.

He wondered where their kitchen could be, there were so many smells in the air. He couldn't tell the smell of food from the smell of musk. The two moved from behind tent to tent, crate or barrel. Always low to the ground and minding the torches. "General Ban, that large tent could that be something?" The scout asked, Ban turned to look. It was certainly big enough to be of interest but whether it was the kings quarters or a kitchen was hard to say.

"I dunno. Let's get closer." Ban said, they moved towards the larger tent. They took note of servants packing up tents and supplies as the army prepared itself to march, it was getting harder to move around with so much movement. As they got closer it became clear that the tent was not the kitchen when Stall walked out of its flap. Ban backed up, hiding behind a tent when he noticed him. A small growl in his throat rumbled as he remembered the horrible night of the invasion.

"Where is that wretched princess?" Stall asked a Vilemon, "She has not returned yet sir,"

"I sent her to lure scouts away, if she did find them, was it really so difficult to kill them? Sometimes I think I should have just crushed her digitama when I had the chance." Stall thought about it, "We still need the king to have another child, a male preferably, that we can raise as our own. The sooner we get rid of that child the better, maybe Coraggio did me a favor." He sighed and turned back to the tent. "Inform me when the wench arrives. The King won't march without her. If she hasn't returned within the hour, send a scouting party to check if she is dead." The Vilemon saluted and hobbled off.

"Princess...the princess of Scomparsa was the enemy we tracked? Oh no...I wonder what became of our friends." The Agumon said, Ban became uneasy and filled with worry at the thought of his brothers fighting her. She must have been well protected, were they really enough to win? The Agumon noticed the worry on Ban's face.

"Hey, we can't focus on that. We have a job too do." Ban looked to him and with a frown nodded. They moved on in search of the kitchen.

Kemba and Theos remained on the dunes overseeing the camp, Kemba looked at Theos "If things go bad with this war, we're not staying in Coraggio. I'll drag you away unconscious if I have too. You know that right?" Kemba stated without removing his eyes from the camp. He took mental notes of the guards around the perimeter, they seemed very relaxed. They weren't expecting any enemies by the way they were moving.

They would notice the tents and things slowly diminishing as the army packed it up.

"We won't be long...I think." Theos hoped so. They had to do this as quickly and quietly as possible. "We will come running to you if you get in trouble." Kemba smiled, "Um...no....I think...I think that if I don't come back...you two should leave. Kaa and Don...they'd be mad if you died here. Daddy would be sad too."



Kemba shook his head, "It's not going to come to that. We will leave here together, okay?" Ban gave a soft smile and nodded. "Good, now get going." Theos wasn't going to leave them behind no matter what. He watched them as they made their way into the encampment.


"If things go bad with this war, we're not staying in Coraggio. I'll drag you away unconscious if I have too. You know that right?"

"We wouldn't be able to stay anyway. I wouldn't leave without dragging the princes away though. I doubt they would want to leave the home in which they were born," Theos said his eyes not leaving the guards. "Honestly I wouldn't want to leave either......but I'll have to look out for them. I thought siblings were wonderful at one point. Now that I got them though I have to watch them fight and as the eldest I have this unsaid responsibility." Theos grew quiet.

"No matter where we go Stall will be nipping at our heels. We have to continue to grow stronger not just to protect us any more. Then one day we an turn around on Stall and defeat him and his mistress....Coraggio might be lost but we would have our lives....I still have no idea why though. Why the hate towards me and my species," Theos shook his head it made very little sense. If any at all.

"We wouldn't be able to stay anyway. I wouldn't leave without dragging the princes away though. I doubt they would want to leave the home in which they were born," Theos said his eyes not leaving the guards. "Honestly I wouldn't want to leave either......but I'll have to look out for them. I thought siblings were wonderful at one point. Now that I got them though I have to watch them fight and as the eldest I have this unsaid responsibility." Theos grew quiet.

"No matter where we go Stall will be nipping at our heels. We have to continue to grow stronger not just to protect us any more. Then one day we an turn around on Stall and defeat him and his mistress....Coraggio might be lost but we would have our lives....I still have no idea why though. Why the hate towards me and my species,"

Kemba understood, they both had been through so much. He and Theos, they seem to be trouble for anyone if they stayed for extended periods of time. Theos had grown exceptionally close to the triplets and with him wanting to drag them away from Coraggio and care for them if they should fail. It would be too much...it would be children raising children. Kemba took a deep breath and turned looking at Theos,

"Hey look at me." Kemba said giving him a firm stare, "You know I don't have to tell you how much I love you and I know we've grown especially close to the triplets this past year but if we take them with us, we can't fend for them and ourselves. We cannot raise three digimon and take care of ourselves while dodging Stall and Ara. I'm not saying to leave them behind, but we would have to bring them to W.A.D.A. or somewhere else....then we have too leave them behind. Just because we can't have normal lives, doesn't mean they shouldn't either." Kemba reached for Theos cheek, stroking his thumb against it should Theos allow.

"Promise me if this doesn't pan out, you won't drag them into this anymore then they already have. I know you have a thing about promising but...if it's something like this, it's okay right?" Kemba gave Theos a sad smile. He knew how hard it would be for Theos to let go of the triplets...even they even made it out of this war alive.

"If we love them like I think we do, then it's something we should do."

"Hey look at me." Theos looked to him questioningly., "You know I don't have to tell you how much I love you and I know we've grown especially close to the triplets this past year but if we take them with us, we can't fend for them and ourselves. We cannot raise three digimon and take care of ourselves while dodging Stall and Ara. I'm not saying to leave them behind, but we would have to bring them to W.A.D.A. or somewhere else....then we have too leave them behind. Just because we can't have normal lives, doesn't mean they shouldn't either." He petted Theos cheek and he sighed a bit.



"Promise me if this doesn't pan out, you won't drag them into this anymore then they already have. I know you have a thing about promising but...if it's something like this, it's okay right?" Theos nodded but he didn't promise. He knew Kemba was right though.



"If we love them like I think we do, then it's something we should do."


"We will place them someplace safe and leave.....but it shouldn't come to that. This is a war against us after all. We aren't leaving without a fight," Theos said smiling a bit. "I am worried about Stall the most though. I have no idea how we will take down such a powerful foe."

"We will place them someplace safe and leave.....but it shouldn't come to that. This is a war against us after all. We aren't leaving without a fight," Theos said smiling a bit. "I am worried about Stall the most though. I have no idea how we will take down such a powerful foe."

Kemba smiled and leaned in to give Theos a reassuring kiss, "Together. We will beat him together like we do everything else. Stall will rue the day he messed with us." Kemba gave Theos a wink and turned his attention back to the camp. He gazed out awhile when his eye finally caught a glance of the approaching Ban. "Hey Theos..." Kemba pointed.

Ban couldn't help himself and happily jumped on Theos wagging his tail, "We founded it!" Ban exclaimed giving Theos his usual wide innocent stare. "Uh...general, I think you mean found it..." The agumon corrected, coming up from behind.

Kemba chuckled, "Good...so what's the news?" Ban got off of Theos, "I saw the kitchen. They have huge canisters of oil to cook food in! Mom always told me not to breathe fire around the kitchen cause it would blow up." Ban answered.

"That's really good!" Kemba replied, the agumon nodded "Yes but we don't have much time. They're getting ready to march so we have little time and with everyone moving about, moving the oil canisters would take a while. Also, they're big and moving just one is going to require all of us....then there is also the problem of Stall. He's here."

Kemba felt his heart stop at that news, "He said that they can't march until their princess returns from leading away the scouts....Don and Kaa...they were tricked into fighting their princess. She hasn't come back yet so maybe they won...they won't march until they know for sure." Ban stated.

"We also learned that Stall is trying to replace the princess....why we don't know, but he plans on killing her after he can convince Dubal to have a male child. It seems Stall has his own plans...this information could be useful." Agumon added.

Kemba had to agree, with such information they now knew Stall was planning trouble for Scomparsa's royal family. It's possible if Dubal learned of it, they could cause internal turmoil.

"Hmm...that slime Stall...to think he'd even do that to his supposed allies...but we'll worry about that later. I'll take the news that their princess isn't back yet as good news for Don, Kaa and Blake. So all we have to do now, is find out how to take enough of the oil to those catapults...where did you say the kitchen was again?" Kemba asked.

"It's not too far from the catapults. They keep it in their rear much like the weapons, it is probably twenty feet of the catapults." Agumon answered. "Well at least we're not dragging it through the entire camp. Any suggestions?" Kemba asked collectively.

"Together. We will beat him together like we do everything else. Stall will rue the day he messed with us." Theos smiled he was such a lover. "Hey Theos..." Kemba pointed.



Theos looked to Ban nearly knocked off balance as he jumped on him, "We founded it!" Ban exclaimed giving Theos his usual wide innocent stare. "Uh...general, I think you mean found it..." The agumon corrected, coming up from behind.



Kemba chuckled, "Good...so what's the news?" Ban got off of Theos, "I saw the kitchen. They have huge canisters of oil to cook food in! Mom always told me not to breathe fire around the kitchen cause it would blow up." Ban answered.



"That's really good!" Kemba replied, the agumon nodded "Yes but we don't have much time. They're getting ready to march so we have little time and with everyone moving about, moving the oil canisters would take a while. Also, they're big and moving just one is going to require all of us....then there is also the problem of Stall. He's here."



Theos blood ran cold. Stall was here with the main army it was to be expected sure but Theos had hoped for him to be far away plotting, "He said that they can't march until their princess returns from leading away the scouts....Don and Kaa...they were tricked into fighting their princess. She hasn't come back yet so maybe they won...they won't march until they know for sure." Ban stated.



"We also learned that Stall is trying to replace the princess....why we don't know, but he plans on killing her after he can convince Dubal to have a male child. It seems Stall has his own plans...this information could be useful." Theos frowned. Replace the current heir....could he be planning to take the country for himself? Kill Dubal and the princess while the child is still young and act as his mediator for all royal business so he could run the country.


"Hmm...that slime Stall...to think he'd even do that to his supposed allies...but we'll worry about that later. I'll take the news that their princess isn't back yet as good news for Don, Kaa and Blake. So all we have to do now, is find out how to take enough of the oil to those catapults...where did you say the kitchen was again?" Kemba asked.



"It's not too far from the catapults. They keep it in their rear much like the weapons, it is probably twenty feet of the catapults." Agumon answered. "Well at least we're not dragging it through the entire camp. Any suggestions?"

"We could try splitting the oil into five smaller ones and rolling them. Since we not only have to move them but we have to be able to position then on the catapults for the most effect. Ban and agumon will only have a little amount of time to light them all. Once the first one is set off it is bound to attract attention. Kemba you and I will have to secure the escape route. Once all five are lit we have to get out of there and fast especially since Stall is there," Theos said looking out to the camp. 

"We could try splitting the oil into five smaller ones and rolling them. Since we not only have to move them but we have to be able to position then on the catapults for the most effect. Ban and agumon will only have a little amount of time to light them all. Once the first one is set off it is bound to attract attention. Kemba you and I will have to secure the escape route. Once all five are lit we have to get out of there and fast especially since Stall is there,"

Kemba thought about it, "That's a solid plan...but how do we know there is even anything to hold the oil in?"

The scout stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Well...the canisters may be large and heavy, but General Theos made a good point. If we can simply roll them, then we don't have to worry about lifting. All we have to do is knock them over and roll them to the catapults. The sand should hide any noise."

Kemba and Ban started to get excited, "This sounds like it's really coming together! We may actually pull this off!" Kemba stated. Ban nodding in agreement, "We just have to make sure we're aware of the movement of the servants and guards."

Ban turned to face his scout, "Say, what's your name? You never told us." The Agumon looked back and flushed a little scratching his head, "It's Remmy." Ban smiled "Good to have you Remmy."

"So, about that escape route...we just need to hightail it out of the camp...so why not head opposite their march and work our way around them? Maybe even trail them from behind so when they show up to face the Coraggio army, we'll hit them from behind. Namely, their precious resources." Kemba said.

"That's a solid plan...but how do we know there is even anything to hold the oil in?"

"Well...the canisters may be large and heavy, but General Theos made a good point. If we can simply roll them, then we don't have to worry about lifting. All we have to do is knock them over and roll them to the catapults. The sand should hide any noise."

Kemba and Ban started to get excited, "This sounds like it's really coming together! We may actually pull this off!" Kemba stated. Ban nodding in agreement, "We just have to make sure we're aware of the movement of the servants and guards."

Ban turned to face his scout, "Say, what's your name? You never told us." The Agumon looked back and flushed a little scratching his head, "It's Remmy." Ban smiled "Good to have you Remmy."

"So, about that escape route...we just need to hightail it out of the camp...so why not head opposite their march and work our way around them? Maybe even trail them from behind so when they show up to face the Coraggio army, we'll hit them from behind. Namely, their precious resources." Kemba said.

Theos shook his head, "No we shouldn't trail them. After the destruction of their catapults they will be on high alert maybe even send out search parties for those responsible. We can't risk sticking around. We will move away from them and circle them while they are marching though."

"I think we all have it planned out. Kemba and I have been watching the camp," Theos went on to explain the guards and servant routes. Often pointing out to the camp so they could better understand. By the end of their debate and talk of the routes a good hour had passed if not more. It was hard to tell with them so anxious.

"Let's do this," Theos finally said sneaking down with them to make their way to the cafeteria tent. His ears were constantly swivelling as he was on edge. 

Kemba, Remmy and Ban all followed closely on Theos's heel, taking caution to remain out of sight and silent. They arrived within inches of the kitchen tent and there were plenty of servants inside, packing away the supplies. The canisters were in the back of the tent, untouched.

"Hmm....they're packing everything away. Luckily, there are no guards here..." The sight of these malnourished digimon slaves did not sit well with Ban, they looked miserable by their facial expressions. "We may be able to knock them out..." Kemba suggested.

Ban touched a claw to his chin as he gave a thought and turned to look at Remmy, "Can you continue to look out for guards?" Remmy looked at Ban questioningly, "S...sure...what are you planning General?" He asked, Ban smiled and revealed himself walking into the kitchen.

"Ban!" Kemba whispered, Remmy became nervous "What is he thinking!?" he exclaimed.

The servants became frightened and nearly screamed for the guard, but Ban waved his hands dismissively. They became cautious but they were listening to what Ban had to say, the others couldn't hear what Ban was telling them. Kemba looked over to Theos, "You think he's doing what I think he's doing?" Remmy looked at Kemba confusingly.

"Ban is probably trying to convince them to help us." Kemba said, "Isn't that a bit careless...we just said we shouldn't risk talking to them." Remmy replied.

After a moment, the servants all gave Ban a smile and nodded leaving the tent. Ban looked back at Theos, Kemba and Remmy and waved them to come. Kemba and Remmy came from hiding to join Ban, "What did you do?" Kemba asked.

"I told them that I was prince of Coraggio and I told them about Cole and Ike...I told them that this was a war to save all those wronged by Scomparsa's royalty and that by helping us, we can free them from their misery. I told them that they could become citizens of Coraggio and not face any punishment by father for assisting Scomparsa. They liked that idea and so they're going to keep the guards away from here while we take the canisters to the catapults." Ban smiled and his tail wagged behind him.

"I can't believe that worked..." Remmy said, Kemba chuckled "This is Ban we're talking about, I mean, is it really so difficult to trust him?"

"I suppose you're right." Remmy said.

Theos eyed the servants wondering how they could handle them. There was too many to take down and in truth he would feel bad for doing so. They all looked much too weak to fight them. Probably jut given enough to survive and the rest of the food to the soldiers.

"Hmm....they're packing everything away. Luckily, there are no guards here..." Theos nodded. "We may be able to knock them out..." Kemba suggested.



Ban touched a claw to his chin as he gave a thought and turned to look at Remmy, "Can you continue to look out for guards?" Remmy looked at Ban questioningly, "S...sure...what are you planning General?" Theos watched Ban frowning slightly as he stepped out but trusting him. He was going with Theos original idea to ally the servants.

"Ban is probably trying to convince them to help us." Kemba said, "Isn't that a bit careless...we just said we shouldn't risk talking to them." Remmy replied.



"Yeah but who could resist Ban's innocent charms," Theos said smiling a bit.

"What did you do?" Theos was just relieved it had worked but who knew for how long.



"I told them that I was prince of Coraggio and I told them about Cole and Ike...I told them that this was a war to save all those wronged by Scomparsa's royalty and that by helping us, we can free them from their misery. I told them that they could become citizens of Coraggio and not face any punishment by father for assisting Scomparsa. They liked that idea and so they're going to keep the guards away from here while we take the canisters to the catapults." Ban smiled and his tail wagged behind him.



"I can't believe that worked..." Remmy said, Kemba chuckled "This is Ban we're talking about, I mean, is it really so difficult to trust him?"



"I suppose you're right."

"We have to work fast. The longer we take the more both them and we are at risk. You did good Ban," Theos said smiling as he walked over to one of the canisters checking the lid before standing on his hind legs to push it over.