Cora's Camp 2

"I don't think we should wait that long. Blake died before we could tell him. I would have loved to hear what he would have said to us. It might have been a little easier for him in the end if he knew. That's just my thought, maybe I'm overthinking things. It is still possible...you or I won't come back from this." Possible maybe but it was a very slight chance if Theos had anything to say about it.

Kemba shook his head, "I'm sorry it's not a good conversation to have. Not now, we can wait till after. I'm just so stressed out, I haven't felt a sense of relief since that night we saved Ban."

"Not even when we were saved and you knew I'd be alright," Theos asked. 

"I know I was. I was relieved again when Cora agreed to stay as well. I guess we have to take joy in the small things for now. The palace has spoiled us," Theos chuckled. 

"Not even when we were saved and you knew I'd be alright," Theos asked.

"I know I was. I was relieved again when Cora agreed to stay as well. I guess we have to take joy in the small things for now. The palace has spoiled us," Theos chuckled.

Kemba puffed out his cheeks, "Yea I know there were times here and there but it doesn't last long."

Kemba smiled and turned a bit towards Theos, "I miss the days you and I would go into the palace bath at the crack of dawn before anyone even woke up. When I used to hold you in my arms and stroke your belly." Kemba began to purr putting his nose on Theos's snout.

"Nibble on your neck and kiss your lips. Then ever so slowly work my paw down, down...down." He began to chuckle a bit.

"You'd make the cutest noises and faces. Made me fall in love with you all over again. It's those playful and peaceful times I want to get back to. So I can enjoy my life with the digimon I love."

"Yea I know there were times here and there but it doesn't last long."

"I miss the days you and I would go into the palace bath at the crack of dawn before anyone even woke up. When I used to hold you in my arms and stroke your belly." Theos smiled at the memory.

"Nibble on your neck and kiss your lips. Then ever so slowly work my paw down, down...down." He began to chuckle a bit.

"You'd make the cutest noises and faces. Made me fall in love with you all over again. It's those playful and peaceful times I want to get back to. So I can enjoy my life with the digimon I love." Cutest noises, Theos would be scarlet if his fur didn't hide it. 

"You and me both. Though I have to say you make cute faces and noises as well," Theos teased right back with a chuckle. "I've lost sense of time a bit in this desert. Do you think it is about time to wake Cora for today's meeting?"

"You and me both. Though I have to say you make cute faces and noises as well," Theos teased right back with a chuckle. "I've lost sense of time a bit in this desert. Do you think it is about time to wake Cora for today's meeting?"

Kemba chuckled, "If I make cute noises and faces it's only because I copy you."

He turned his head to try and peak through the flap of the tent for any sign of sunlight.

"It has been hours...perhaps it is early morning. Though I don't look forward to waking the King with the news of Don and Ike leaving. Cole is already a mess from it. Convincing him not to fly after those two took almost steel rope and sleeping pills." Kemba let out a sigh.

"I'll go check if it's time. You stay here and I'll be right back. If it isn't, perhaps I can come back here and get you to make those noises for me. hee hee." Kemba moved to kiss Theos. Tasting his lips on his tongue a bit before pulling away and patting his side.

"Be back shortly." He winked then slid off the bed, heading outside.

He walked out of the tent, setting his sword firmly at the hip. He traveled down, looking at the sky. It was starting to brighten with the morning sun.

"Guess it should be time now, the one time I was hoping Theos was wrong." Kemba turned back to walk into the tent when something caught his eye in the horizon.

"Hmm?" Upon focusing on it, he would see the strained Ike, carrying Don back towards the camp. Kemba's eyes lit up, assuming the worst with Don.

"Oh goddess, Theos! Don, something's happened!!" He yelled back before darting towards where Cole and Magi was.

As Theos made his way outside, Ike with Don would reach him.

Theos chuckled at his response. Sure they could go with that, but Theos knew the truth. 

"It has been hours...perhaps it is early morning. Though I don't look forward to waking the King with the news of Don and Ike leaving. Cole is already a mess from it. Convincing him not to fly after those two took almost steel rope and sleeping pills." Theos had to agree. Waking Cora to such terrible news was not an appealing idea.

"I'll go check if it's time. You stay here and I'll be right back. If it isn't, perhaps I can come back here and get you to make those noises for me. hee hee." Theos let out a low pleasured rumble as they kissed. His teasing never ceased when he was in the mood.

"Be back shortly." Theos nodded and began waiting patiently for his return.

"Oh goddess, Theos! Don, something's happened!!"

Theos ears perked at Kembas call. He jumped out the bed his three legged hop landing a bit heavily as he didn't break pace out of the tent. He looked to Kemba and then the pair on the horizon. No more than small black specs against the vast desert.

Kemba was already rushing to fetch Magi. Theos approached the pair. Ike looked just as bad as Don at this point. When he saw Theos a faint relief sounded in his mind.

"Let me help," Theos said walking up beside him so he could put Don on his back. Ike simply shook his head. Once he let go of Don he knew he would collapse as what remained of his strength and will would be drained. He at least wanted to make it to the medical tent before collapsing. 

Theos frowned at his refusal. He didn't quite get it but he walked with him and partially herding him to the medical tent. He was pretty sure Ike could have only walked in a straight line if he didn't have any guidance. 

Ike walked into the tent a sigh escaping his lips as he finally was able to place Don in a bed. He collapsed heavily onto his rump afterwards. He tried moving his arms to get some feeling back but they were heavy and hurt.

Theos inspected Don a bit. Noticing his wrapped arm and just the faintest tinges of black skin peeking through. It worried him but Don's breathing was pretty normal. He then turned to Ike. His breathing was heavy and he just sat there staring at his claws.

"You alright," Theos asked earning a nod from the tired digimon. That was about all the energy he could spare at the moment it seemed.

It wasn't long before they could hear a familiar voice, "Where is my son!? Where is Ike!?" Cole threw open the flap to the medical tent. He immediately spotted Ike and and ran to him. Cole fell on his knees and held Ike to his chest with tears in the corner of his eyes.

"Ike...Oh goddess, I thought the worst! I thought you had gone to your death!" Cole's embrace was a bit tight.

"What would possess you not to tell me what you were planning? You have no idea how worried I was, and what more, if you never came home...I don't know what I would do!" Cole held him out from his chest now, gripping his arms.

Kemba and Magi walked in and looked to the father and son.

"You cannot just go out and do things without telling me! Especially going into the enemy camp! You have almost no combat training! You could never survive! Don't you know what those animals would do to you!? I am so upset with you Ike! This isn't like you at all! Do not ever pull something like that again, do you understand me?" Cole ordered firmly.

Kemba frowned at the troubled father, but he could understand Cole's anger. He loved Ike so much and must have been terribly afraid.

"D...don't yell at Ike...I forced him to come." Kemba, Magi and Cole looked at Don as he leaned over the bed panting a bit and glaring at Cole.

"What did you say?" Cole questioned. Don continued his stare,

"I ordered Ike to accompany me to the enemy camp. He didn't have a choice. I needed a medic and he was the only one I trusted." Don gripped his bandaged arm. Faint burning sensations still running through it.

"You ordered...? Why would you even go!? Do you have any idea what Cora will be like if you had failed? If you never came back!? Did you think once about how it would hurt us!?" Cole yelled.

"All I ever do is think about this kingdom and my family. I do what is necessary to get the results that favor our kingdom. What is best for my family."

Kemba went to speak up but was cut off by Cole.

"All you ever do is think about this family? If that was true, you'd have thought of a plan instead of going off on some suicidal mission! Furthermore take my Ike!!"

"Kaa is an essential part of our army. I did what I needed to do to cure him. With him comatose, chances of winning are lowered. Your anger is pointless. We're here and we're alive. I'll also remind you Cole, that I am not a soldier under your command. I am not your child to scold. I am your prince and you will mind your tongue. Do not presume to know me."

Cole seemed shocked by Don's response and so did Kemba. This was the second time he was pulling his title on someone.

Cole stood and shook his head, "You may be a prince, but you're not a king. I'll be damned if you ever take my son into enemy territory again. Next time, I won't be so forgiving. Don't you presume that you can order me either. There is one digimon in this camp that has that authority and it damn well isn't you."

"That is enough!" Magi yelled gaining the attention of the room.

"This is not the time nor the place to do this. There are several of my patients still sleeping. I will not have their rest interrupted by this folly. Cole, you cannot be here right now. Remove yourself from this tent. You are far to emotional." Magi stated.

Cole glared at Magi, "Of course I am emotional! My son was taken into danger!"

"As is the result of war. Now remove yourself from this tent so that I can treat Ike and Don. Please."

Cole stared at Magi a moment then to his son. He relaxed a bit and closed his eyes, turning and walking towards the exit. He was soon gone from the tent.

Magi turned to look at Ike and knelt down taking his arm and feeling his pulse. He did not have to express his disappointment. His eyes said it all.

"You're overheated and fatigued. Remove your clothes for an hour or so." Magi got up and walked over taking a bottle of water from a cooler and handing it to Ike.

"You're dehydrated. Drink please. I need you back in functioning order."

Magi walked back over to the desk and began looking for a book. Kemba moved over to Theos who was by Don.

Don looked at them both and laid back in his bed; staring at the tent's top. "Say it. I know you're both dying to scold me to." Don said clutching his bandaged arm.

Kemba analyzed it, the smell of it was changed and nefarious. It smelled very familiar.

Ike looked up as his father came bursting in. He grabbed and held him sufficatingly tight before holding him out.

"You cannot just go out and do things without telling me! Especially going into the enemy camp! You have almost no combat training! You could never survive! Don't you know what those animals would do to you!? I am so upset with you Ike! This isn't like you at all! Do not ever pull something like that again, do you understand me?" Ike didn't make a move to defend himself or acknowledge his fathers command.

Ike looked over at Don as he claimed the blame. For some reason it made Ike's skin prickle. He looked down trembling slightly with an unseen feeling. A small spurt of anger at him taking the blame when Ike had insisted on going.

Theos looked between the two ready to step in at any moment. Cole looked ready to burst and act out on his rage. Don was not helping matters at all.

Cole stood and shook his head, "You may be a prince, but you're not a king. I'll be damned if you ever take my son into enemy territory again. Next time, I won't be so forgiving. Don't you presume that you can order me either. There is one digimon in this camp that has that authority and it damn well isn't you."

"That is enough!" Ike jumped a bit at Magi's raised voice.

"This is not the time nor the place to do this. There are several of my patients still sleeping. I will not have their rest interrupted by this folly. Cole, you cannot be here right now. Remove yourself from this tent. You are far to emotional." Magi stated.

Cole glared at Magi, "Of course I am emotional! My son was taken into danger!"

"As is the result of war. Now remove yourself from this tent so that I can treat Ike and Don. Please."

Theos felt a sense of relief when Magi stepped in. The situation diffused quickly thanks to him and Cole having respect between one another. That and he was going to treat Ike. Who seemed a little less composed than normal. He didn't meet Magi's gaze and seemed to be more zombie like.

"You're overheated and fatigued. Remove your clothes for an hour or so." Ike nodded and began to strip himself of the armor. He took the water silently.

"Say it. I know you're both dying to scold me to." 

"We could scold you til our faces turned blue. You wouldn't listen anyway," Theos said sighing. "I'm just relieved you are both safe and we didn't have to give your dad bad news when he woke up." He visibly relaxed and sat down.

Ike drank the water ill contented. He said nothing though and resigned to dragging himself to a corner of the tent away from everyone to rest. 

"We could scold you til our faces turned blue. You wouldn't listen anyway," Theos said sighing. "I'm just relieved you are both safe and we didn't have to give your dad bad news when he woke up."

Don turned his gaze to Theos, "Of course we're safe. My plan wasn't going to fail. I wouldn't have risked everything so easily...or rather, it couldn't fail. I wouldn't let it." Don turned his gaze back.

"I won't apologize for doing it. I got what Magi needs to help Kaa."

"No one is expecting you to apologize, no one is angry with you that you want to save your brother. Why we're disappointed Don, is that you didn't trust us enough to trust your plan and include us. Kaa means a lot to everyone." Magi said walking over with a tome.

Kemba nodded, "If you had been truthful from the start, things might have been different."

Don looked at Kemba and Magi, "I needed to fix my own mistakes. This was something I had to do alone. To fix what I had done."

"But you didn't do it alone. Did you?" Magi said glancing over to Ike. Don looked away with a frown.

"I don't know what kind of baggage you think you're carrying Don, but you should let us help carry it. This entire war was fought to help Theos carry his as a family. There is no need to shy away from those you love." Magi continued, analyzing his arm.

"I cannot help what I feel inside. The way my heart ached when I look at my brother...the way it ached when father tossed himself into work...when Ban cried in my arms. My intentions were not to mistrust you all. It was my own personal demons I needed to fix."

Kemba frowned, "Take it from two digimon who have been doing nothing but fighting their own personal demons. It only gets harder without a helping hand. We get what you feel inside but it is not wrong of you to get us involved. We love Kaa a lot, it is wrong that you can't see how badly we all want to save him."

Don's gaze softened as he stared into Magi's chest, he didn't respond to Kemba. Magi stared at the bandaged arm that gripped the orb. He could feel the dark magic coming from it.

"So this is the cause of all this trouble." Magi took the the orb from Don.

"You can reverse it...like you said right?" Don asked. Magi looked to Don, reminded of the words he spoke allowed that had caused this. Magi gave a smile.

"Yes, I'll be able to reverse engineer this with enough time and magic. If the remnants of this thing chains Kaa's mind. They will be broken, we just have to keep taking care of him until then." Magi looked to the orb, noticing a chip in it.

"Curious, it is broken?" Magi's eyes widened and turned to the arm and waved his hand undoing the bandages. His face looked horrified at the revealed arm. Don's scales were completely black and the fragment of the orb merged into the former wound. It looked like a part of Don's arm now.

Don gazed at his arm and only his arm but gave no expression. Kemba covered his mouth with a gasp.

"Goddess...Don what have you done?" Don closed his eyes and took a breath.

"What I needed to do." He said, lying once more to protect Ike. "I was shot in the arm by Stall...I had to do something so I broke a piece off with a spine and sealed my wound. This was the result...I'd have died if I did nothing."

He could have failed. Theos shook his head at his stubborn invincibility complex. 

"No one is expecting you to apologize, no one is angry with you that you want to save your brother. Why we're disappointed Don, is that you didn't trust us enough to trust your plan and include us. Kaa means a lot to everyone." Theos nodded in agreement.

Kemba nodded, "If you had been truthful from the start, things might have been different."

Don looked at Kemba and Magi, "I needed to fix my own mistakes. This was something I had to do alone. To fix what I had done."

"But you didn't do it alone. Did you?" He didn't do anything. Kaa did it to himself when he refused to run when Theos told him.

Personal demons? Theos still did not know Don that well. He had to wonder what it was that made Don feel like he had to shoulder everything himself.

"Take it from two digimon who have been doing nothing but fighting their own personal demons. It only gets harder without a helping hand. We get what you feel inside but it is not wrong of you to get us involved. We love Kaa a lot, it is wrong that you can't see how badly we all want to save him." Theos agreed once more.

"So this is the cause of all this trouble." Magi took the the orb from Don.

"You can reverse it...like you said right?" Don asked. Magi looked to Don, reminded of the words he spoke allowed that had caused this. Magi gave a smile.

"Yes, I'll be able to reverse engineer this with enough time and magic. If the remnants of this thing chains Kaa's mind. They will be broken, we just have to keep taking care of him until then." 

"Curious, it is broken?" Theos gawked a bit his fur standing on end at the sight. He looked to Don's face wondering how it was effecting him.

"Goddess...Don what have you done?" Don closed his eyes and took a breath.

"What I needed to do." He said, lying once more to protect Ike. "I was shot in the arm by Stall...I had to do something so I broke a piece off with a spine and sealed my wound. This was the result...I'd have died if I did nothing."

"No," Ike said from his corner. "I did it. He was ready to die and I had no way to stop the bleeding completely or preforming surgery. I took the chance and broke off a small piece with my sword. You can reverse Kaa's I figured you might reverse his as well."

"No," Ike said from his corner. "I did it. He was ready to die and I had no way to stop the bleeding completely or preforming surgery. I took the chance and broke off a small piece with my sword. You can reverse Kaa's I figured you might reverse his as well."

Magi and Don looked at Ike and Don looked back to Magi, "He was only doing it to save me. Don't scold him for my sake. He saved my life."

Magi looked at Don and frowned, "I can only reverse one of you." Don relaxed into his bed and closed his eyes to think.

"I see. Then the answer is obvious. Kaa is more important." Don said after a moment.

"What if we get another one of these things?" Kemba asked, Magi shook his head. "By then, it will be too late. The magic in Don's arm is uniting with him, it is only reversible while the fragment is still visible. With Kaa...it's only an aura of this magic afflicting him...so it is reversible whenever."

"So then reverse Don and we will find a different method of saving Kaa." Kemba exclaimed. "There is no telling what it is going to do to him!"

"No! I did not go through this to fail! My wishes is for you to reverse Kaa's ailment. I've made my bed...I'll lay in it. I don't feel any different then before. If the worse thing that could happen to me is my arm is black, I'll live."

Kemba and Magi remained silent for a moment. "This isn't going to be just a cosmetic change. There is no telling what this magic will actually do to you."

"The heir is more important then I am. His presence is needed in this war to boost morale. His heart is needed. I refuse your help. Save Kaa, please..."

"Don...you're not any less important then Kaa is. We want to save you to." Kemba replied.

"I get that. I do. You're worried about me, but I am pleading with you. I will beg on my hands and knees if that is what it takes. Forget me and save my brother."

Kemba frowned at Don's broken voice and pleading. "Very well...I will reverse Kaa's condition. I can only pray that this magic does not change you Don. I will get started on the reversal. It will be a few hours before I make any progress."

Magi headed for the exit and Don let out a sigh or relief, relaxing into his bed once more.

"Thank you Magi." Don smiled. Magi nodded with a look of concern and glanced at Ike a moment before walking out of the tent.

"How did things get so bad?" Kemba said shaking his head.

"Seriously...I'll be fine. There isn't a need for you to worry. I feel no different."

"I can only reverse one of you." So one or the other had to be cursed.

"I see. Then the answer is obvious. Kaa is more important." Don said after a moment.

"What if we get another one of these things?" Kemba asked, Magi shook his head. "By then, it will be too late. The magic in Don's arm is uniting with him, it is only reversible while the fragment is still visible. With Kaa...it's only an aura of this magic afflicting him...so it is reversible whenever."

"So then reverse Don and we will find a different method of saving Kaa." Kemba exclaimed. "There is no telling what it is going to do to him!"

"No! I did not go through this to fail! My wishes is for you to reverse Kaa's ailment. I've made my bed...I'll lay in it. I don't feel any different then before. If the worse thing that could happen to me is my arm is black, I'll live." Theos knew Don was tougher than he looked. However he doubted a single little shard only changed the color of the scales. He had to agree though. Don went through this for Kaa it would be a waste to ignore his feelings.

"This isn't going to be just a cosmetic change. There is no telling what this magic will actually do to you."

"The heir is more important then I am. His presence is needed in this war to boost morale. His heart is needed. I refuse your help. Save Kaa, please..."

"Don...you're not any less important then Kaa is. We want to save you to." Kemba replied.

"I get that. I do. You're worried about me, but I am pleading with you. I will beg on my hands and knees if that is what it takes. Forget me and save my brother." A feeling both Theos and Kemba knew well. To sacrifice for one another in the name of love.

"Very well...I will reverse Kaa's condition. I can only pray that this magic does not change you Don. I will get started on the reversal. It will be a few hours before I make any progress."

"Thank you Magi." 

"How did things get so bad?" Kemba said shaking his head.

"Seriously...I'll be fine. There isn't a need for you to worry. I feel no different."

"I hope it stays that way. That dinohumon was pure black and obviously not right in the head. But we all know you are strong in that department. You might be alright," Theos said smiling softly. "You two should get some rest. We'll handle Cora for now. He'll want to get started on the plans for today."

Theos nudged Kemba to follow him out. After surviving last night Theos was sure they not only needed rest but time to talk and wind down among themselves.

Ike had remained quite the whole time. Don couldn't be reversed with Kaa. He should have known it would not be that easy. Nothing ever is. His father yelling at him had scared him a bit but he understood. He understood his anguished heart and how he never wanted to lose him.

"Sorry," he finally muttered towards Don.

"I hope it stays that way. That dinohumon was pure black and obviously not right in the head. But we all know you are strong in that department. You might be alright," Theos said smiling softly. "You two should get some rest. We'll handle Cora for now. He'll want to get started on the plans for today."

Theos nudged Kemba to follow him out. After surviving last night Theos was sure they not only needed rest but time to talk and wind down among themselves.

Kemba nodded and followed Theos outside glancing at Ike on his way out.

"That could have gone better. Couldn't it?" Kemba stated walking at Theos side.

"Sorry," Don looked at Ike in his corner.

"What are you apologizing for? You have done nothing wrong." Don moved over on the bed to his side to look at Ike.

"You saved my life. I owe you a debt I cannot repay." Don gave a smile. "Are you okay over there? You shouldn't be by yourself."

The prince sighed, "I should apologize to you. What I made you go through...there is nothing I can do to make it right."

"That could have gone better. Couldn't it?"

"Yeah, but I think everything will be okay for now. Don was adamant about protecting Ike from any anger. I think he would relax more if no one was in there for a time," Theos said as they walked along. "Always so protective and yet it is slowly tearing him apart."


"What are you apologizing for? You have done nothing wrong." He put the shard in his arm.

"You saved my life. I owe you a debt I cannot repay." Don gave a smile. "Are you okay over there? You shouldn't be by yourself."

"I should apologize to you. What I made you go through...there is nothing I can do to make it right."

"I went of my own accord," Ike responded. "If I hadn't you would be dead. There is nothing for you to be sorry about other than lying about going to Natalie." Ike grumbled a bit and slowly stood up. He walked over a bit then sat back on the floor. Eyeballing the water bottle in his claw.

"I'll talk to my father once he cools down," Ike said sighing. He wasn't looking forward to that conversation. "Something else nags at me. What secret do you have that would make me hate you?"