Cora's Camp 2

"I would have done it," Theos said without hesitation. "If it came to you I would have done it myself. That is why all my anger is pretty much gone. Knowing his real reason and the relief of him being okay it lifts a weight off my shoulders."

Kemba nodded, "We both had the same answer, I think when everyone focuses on that fact, they to will understand and their anger will subside." Kemba reached his arm around Theos.

"It makes me happy that you're standing here with me. That I am not feeling what Don and Ike are feeling right now. Let's do what we can so that we can protect our family from anymore heart ache."


"I know you are lying," Ike said shaking his head. "It is unheard of for one to lie on their death bed. Forget I said anything. It's obvious you'll lie again if I press. I wonder how many lies I've heard in my lifetime?"

Don's eyes widened by Ike's words, he was pushing Ike away. That was the last thing he wanted. Was he going to have to tell him? Would that be the only way? Don closed his eyes and clenched the bed sheets. He looked away from Ike, towards the opposite wall.

"Damn..." Don relaxed, "Ike...I don't want to push you away. I don't want to lie to you. I've never..." Don stopped.

"I've lied only about one thing...something I was deathly afraid of facing. I didn't want you to gaze at me with the same eyes as everyone else. Uncomfortable, disgust, scorn, sometimes hatred...eventually hatred. Betrayal."

"I lied to you the night you treated me after Kaa harmed me. You asked me... if I thought of you in in a certain way and I said no. I told you that you were just my friend and I didn't think of you as anything else. Then you hugged me and I thought then that this was okay. This one lie preserved our relationship but now... now you're becoming angry with me. I don't want to ruin what we have but if telling you this makes you understand... I... I like you Ike."

Don began to sob, tears rolled down his face under his jaw and staining the white sheet he laid upon. "I didn't want to feel this way towards you and I didn't at first. Then when I saw you with Cole... how you loved him so much and then the training session I couldn't stop worrying... the war happened and all I could think was making a kingdom safe for you... at some point my feelings grew and I fell in love with you. I couldn't think of having you anywhere else but by my side."

Don lay limp as he continued,

"You came with me to the camp... I would have wanted no one else. You gave me such courage to do what I needed because you were watching over me. So there you go... I love you Ike okay? That is the secret you wanted to know. Kaa was right... like always."

Don finished and the silence was coated with his sobs as he stared over at the wall.

"We both had the same answer, I think when everyone focuses on that fact, they to will understand and their anger will subside." Kemba reached his arm around Theos.

"It makes me happy that you're standing here with me. That I am not feeling what Don and Ike are feeling right now. Let's do what we can so that we can protect our family from anymore heart ache." Theos nodded in agreement. Though that would be hard to do. They had minds of their own after all and just like them they created their own misery from time to time.

"That is going to be hard to do. But I am sure we will do just fine," Theos said smiling a bit.



"Damn..." Don relaxed, "Ike...I don't want to push you away. I don't want to lie to you. I've never..." Ike knew he never wanted to push him away. That is why he said the words he knew would sting the most.

"I've lied only about one thing...something I was deathly afraid of facing. I didn't want you to gaze at me with the same eyes as everyone else. Uncomfortable, disgust, scorn, sometimes hatred...eventually hatred. Betrayal."

"I lied to you the night you treated me after Kaa harmed me. You asked me... if I thought of you in in a certain way and I said no. I told you that you were just my friend and I didn't think of you as anything else. Then you hugged me and I thought then that this was okay. This one lie preserved our relationship but now... now you're becoming angry with me. I don't want to ruin what we have but if telling you this makes you understand... I... I like you Ike." So his hunch was right.

"I didn't want to feel this way towards you and I didn't at first. Then when I saw you with Cole... how you loved him so much and then the training session I couldn't stop worrying... the war happened and all I could think was making a kingdom safe for you... at some point my feelings grew and I fell in love with you. I couldn't think of having you anywhere else but by my side."

"You came with me to the camp... I would have wanted no one else. You gave me such courage to do what I needed because you were watching over me. So there you go... I love you Ike okay? That is the secret you wanted to know. Kaa was right... like always."

"Why would I hate you for it," Ike asked. He slowly stood grunting a bit and walked over sitting the bottle on the table. "I have no reason to hate you. Or how you feel. No one can control their emotions." Ike reached out patting his sobbing form wondering if he should hug him. If he'd allow it.

"I stuck beside you even when you made hard decisions. I didn't care how others saw me. I simply wanted to be at your side and be there for you to lean on," Ike thought back to his father. He always leaned on him but it wasn't about that. It was a memory. How he once told Ike that his mother was his other half. The one who was always there to support him and pick him up. In truth Ike was doing no different from his mother. The love they shared.... Did he love Don as well? Is that why he wanted to stand beside him and help him up?

"Perhaps our feelings aren't so different," Ike said softly after being quiet a long moment. The memory slowly tucking back into his mind. Ike wouldn't say he loved him yet but...it was possible.

"Why would I hate you for it," Ike asked. He slowly stood grunting a bit and walked over sitting the bottle on the table. "I have no reason to hate you. Or how you feel. No one can control their emotions." Ike reached out patting his sobbing form.

Don turned back to look at Ike's face, his scales still wet from his tears. He looked into Ike's eyes and they were unchanged. His gaze was just as sweet and caring as they had been before. The same look of innocence that escalated Don's heart.

"I stuck beside you even when you made hard decisions. I didn't care how others saw me. I simply wanted to be at your side and be there for you to lean on, Perhaps our feelings aren't so different,"

What was Ike saying? They weren't so different? This digimon stood by his side and faced the wrath of everyone including his father just because he wanted to stand at his side?

Did...did he...?

"Ike... I-I am not normal. I have endured the harsh reality that I am different. I was not the prince anyone expected. Being what I am... scares a lot of the civilians. My father and mother never acknowledges it. Ban doesn't understand and Kaa he is my brother... but he doesn't realize the look he gives me. Whenever I am around another boy. It is the same look everyone else does. Suspicion. Theos and Kemba gaze at me with those same eyes. As if I have another motive for trying to make friends. The only difference is they love me unlike most."

Don held Ike's hand with his blackened on. Despite it's dark appearance and foreboding aura, its grasp held something much stronger. Something much brighter.

"Do you know what it's like to approach anyone at all and know they think something else entirely? It's like I can almost hear their thoughts. I have felt this hole in my chest. A big gaping emptiness for so long. I repelled all of my peers just for being open about myself. Then I saw Kemba and Theos and I burned with this overbearing anger inside. Why could they be together? Why does everyone love them so much? They're just like me aren't they? That is what I thought...think and the hole only grew wider inside."

"When I saw you for the first time, you didn't know me. At first I was just trying to be a good host. Then at the coronation we danced and inevitably I told you who I was. I didn't see the stare I was expecting. You didn't care and for the first time I couldn't feel the emptiness. When I fell in love with you was when I felt it again then my brother said what he did and I knew he was right. It scared me because every time I get close to someone this happens. I had gotten so used to not feeling that emptiness when around you that I was scared to feel it again. I would do anything to keep it away so I did. When you confronted me I lied. Now you saying this to me...with that same gaze as that day. For the first time in my life, in this kingdom, I don't feel alone."

Don gave a smile and chuckled a bit, "Look at me. I'm a mess... I'm not supposed to be the one crying. Ike, truly thank you. I owe you more then my life. Even if my feelings are never reciprocated by you and I have to watch you marry and start a family. Knowing you'll always be by my side means that emptiness will never return."

Don released Ike's hand, "Ike... could you stay here with me? If only for a little while longer?" Don asked.

Ike listened to his pained and yet relieved words. It was no beyond him to know that his friendship meant the world to Don. That was one of the reasons he could never abandon him. Especially now that he knew Don's true feelings.  

Ike nodded agreeing to stay. He sat up on the bed continuing to hold his blackened claw. A comfortable and content silence falling for a bit. Ike slowly began nodding off as his muscles relaxed. His body slowly tilting to one side before righting itself.

Don noticed Ike's exhaustion. The events of the night had taken their toll on him and Don owed him so much. Don smiled and gripped Ike's hand and shook it slightly to cause Ike to look to him. Don sat up straight, to be level with Ike.

"Ike, you have been up all night. You carried me for miles on your back. You ache and your mind has taken a toll. You nearly watched me die. I will keep you here no longer, go and rest. You must do as Magi says and rest. I'll see you when you wake my friend."


___

As Kemba and Theos approached Cora's tent, Magi and Cole were having words. The conversation becoming clearer as they got closer.

"I do not care who he is Magi! He endangered my boys life! Do you understand that Ike is the last glimmer of my happiness? Without him, all of this is for nothing for me!" Cole yelled.

"I understand but Ike is his own person with his own life to live. Just as you chose your path so to must he."

"Ike isn't ready! He knows nothing of actual combat! He is small and frail just as his mother was! Don't you get it? Ike can't follow in my footsteps because he isn't like me! That is why I insisted him to be your pupil. He has his mothers heart. She had never fought a day in her life you know. Completely defenseless as those monsters raped her and killed her in front of him! He learned what fear and hate was that day. If he acts through those things he will die and I will lose the only thing that matters."

Magi frowned, "So you will shelter him? Send him back to the palace with Raja? Do you understand that could damage your relationship with him? You said it yourself that he boosts your morale. Seeing his face every time you'd come back from battle remember?"

"I know what I said, but I thought I lost him. I felt a pain I swore I would never feel again. I almost couldn't protect him. Goddess help me if I let that happen again. You have no idea what it's like to lose a child. I don't know what I would have done if Don came back and my boy didn't. I fear it."

Magi shook his head, "You're wrong. I know exactly what it is like to lose a child. More than you. I came to Coraggio during Gale's father's reign. Before Gale was even a thought. I watched countless children I helped raise go out to be great digimon as a teacher in those days. When King Sai asked me to become the royal physician is when I felt what it was like to be a father. I saw to the royal family and their needs. Raised the children of the palace as their mothers and fathers worked. Trained the young knights in the art of combat,

When Gale was born I was assigned to raise him and his sister. I got very close to them. Then Coraggio went to war with a warlord and I had to watch as Coraggio suffered a great loss. My heart broke because I could do nothing but watch the children die. I watched as the warlord removed Gale's sisters head from her shoulders and waved it as a flag as it fragmented and disappeared. I saw Gale's heart die that day and become something different. He became a insatiable killer and won that war for us almost single handed. King Sai died not to long after and Gale took the throne. It wasn't long before you showed up Cole only about knee high. Peppy and full of this light. Ready to be the knight your father was, for your mother. I handled your education and your beginning sword training though you were gifted and you surpassed me before long. Then Gale had a sole child. The crown heir who I practically raised myself. Then Midas showed up and you three would constantly get into trouble in my class. It was like I had sons again."

Cole relaxed a bit as Magi continued, Kemba and Theos just behind him.

"I watched you all grow up and my heart hurt every time Gale would beat Cora. Treating every wound he was given. When you became head of the knighthood, I was so very proud as a father would have been. Then it was like a part of me was torn from my chest when Gale sent you away. Then Midas went away and I felt like I lost another part. All I had left was Cora and he soon became King through Raja's help and my own. I had to turn against Gale, someone I once cared a lot for and I still did. I had to put down a digimon I considered a son. Cora and Raja took the throne and had the triplets. Then Theos and Kemba had shown up. I felt like a grand father, the boys I raised gave me more children to love and do the same with. When you returned and brought Ike there are no words to describe my feelings inside. Coraggio finally had a family everyone could love and care for."

Magi took a moment to gather himself, "Then in the blink of an eye Coraggio was flung into war once more and I think to myself, which son will I have to watch die? What part of me will perish?"

Cole's gaze softened, Magi took a deep breath "So yes Cole, I know exactly how it feels to know what it is like to lose a son. Over and over and over again. Everyday I am plagued with anguish. How many times did I think to seal all of you behind some magic barrier where no one could get you? How many times did I think, find a way to go back in time even if it costs me my magic and save Gale's sister? To lift the Kingdom high above the clouds, away from everything? I could never count that high but I didn't. I didn't because I love each and everyone of you enough to build your lives and become what it is you want. To trust you no matter the circumstance. No, it didn't always work out but the reward when it does is immeasurable. A small snot nosed Victory Greymon into a powerful respected digimon. A crying and frightened prince, into a mighty majestic King."

Magi gazed at Theos with a smile, "An abandoned egg on a mountain, into a handsome and loving prince."

Magi looked back and reached for Cole's shoulder, "I would do anything for all of you, but just because I would, doesn't mean I should. Ike, like you, must walk his own path and as a father it is your duty to trust him."

Cole took a moment and raised his hand gently gripping Magi's hand, "I am sorry Magi. Ike...Ike is my everything. I...I am not as strong as you. I will let Ike rest for a few hours, but then I am taking him back to the palace."

Cole removed Magi's hand and with water filled eyes, walked past him eyeing Kemba and Theos as he left. Magi watched as Cole disappeared into the crowd of digimon.

"Pain and fear and love. Those three when mended together are not easy to overcome. I can count on a single hand the digimon who have been able to do it. None but I remain alive."

"Ike...he isn't going to be happy. If Ike decides to fight against his father, a rift could form between them." Kemba stated.

"Then let us pray that Cole will come to reason, though, I do not blame him for the way he feels." Magi answered and looked to the two.

"Ike, you have been up all night. You carried me for miles on your back. You ache and your mind has taken a toll. You nearly watched me die. I will keep you here no longer, go and rest. You must do as Magi says and rest. I'll see you when you wake my friend."

Ike grumbled a bit but rather than get up to go to his bed he just plopped over onto his side. Another mumbled tired escaping his lips as his head trapped Don's arm beneath it.

___

Theos listened his head cocked to one side to better listen. Magi's words were laced with pain. One he'd known for eons and yet somehow always remained the rock for everyone to lean on. Their reason when they were being unreasonable. Something he was doing even now as he was laying his heart to bare.

"Then in the blink of an eye Coraggio was flung into war once more and I think to myself, which son will I have to watch die? What part of me will perish?"

A feeling they all had. They already lost Blake and that weighed heavily on all of them as is. There was that lingering doubt in all of theirs minds as to wither who would survive and who would die. Though the fondness he spoke of them all with left a faint smile.

"An abandoned egg on a mountain, into a handsome and loving prince."  Theos smiled. 

"I am sorry Magi. Ike...Ike is my everything. I...I am not as strong as you. I will let Ike rest for a few hours, but then I am taking him back to the palace."

So Ike was to leave their side. Theos had agreed to protect him as well but like all of them Ike had a mind of his own. They knew the truth behind Ike going with Don. 

"Pain and fear and love. Those three when mended together are not easy to overcome. I can count on a single hand the digimon who have been able to do it. None but I remain alive."

"Ike...he isn't going to be happy. If Ike decides to fight against his father, a rift could form between them." Kemba stated.

"Then let us pray that Cole will come to reason, though, I do not blame him for the way he feels."

"None of us do. No one want's to see their family hurt," Theos responded. "Are you staying for the meeting with Cora?"

Ike grumbled a bit but rather than get up to go to his bed he just plopped over onto his side. Another mumbled tired escaping his lips as his head trapped Don's arm beneath it.

"I-Ike!" Don's cheeks flushed red as Ike lay there. He could feel Ike's warm and short breaths. He lifted Ike's head a bit and removed his arm from underneath him.

"Geez, just plopping down like that." Don lay down next to him with a smile. He examined Ike's sleeping frame and his cheeks flushed redder. It had been a while since Ike had taken all his armor off.

"G...gosh...he's like...Cole from that time...only smaller...and cuter..." Don swallowed the knot in his throat. "I've never focused on him before. He's kinda...pretty."

Don lifted his arm and reached around Ike's side. Snaking it under Ike's arm, and resting his hand on his belly. This was the first time he had ever held anyone like this. Ike felt so soft, it gave Don a warm feeling.

Don rubbed Ike's stomach a bit before shaking his head and pulling his arm back. "What am I doing?" Don turned away from Ike and crossed his arms.

"I shouldn't hold him like that... he is still only a friend. Don you moron." Don turned his head back to face Ike and sighed. "Just a friend." He closed his eyes to try and join Ike in some slumber.

___

"None of us do. No one want's to see their family hurt," Theos responded. "Are you staying for the meeting with Cora?"

Magi nodded and gave them a smile, turning to continue towards Cora's tent. "Yes, I was on my way when Cole had stopped me. I'm sorry you had to see all of that."

Kemba shook his head, "No it was nice hearing you talk about us like you did."

"Yes well, I take pride in the truth. I have had many joys in my life but none compare to the love I have for this family and nation."

"And the love they have for you," Theos responded. "You are the one person everyone can count on. It is a hard position to be in. Thank you for always being there." Theos said smiling. 

He then headed towards Cora's tent. "Shall we," he said his mood having greatly improved from earlier. With everyone a little safer he could finally relax.

"And the love they have for you," Theos responded. "You are the one person everyone can count on. It is a hard position to be in. Thank you for always being there." Theos said smiling.

He then headed towards Cora's tent. "Shall we," he said his mood having greatly improved from earlier. With everyone a little safer he could finally relax.

Magi appreciated Theos kind words and nodded, "We shall."

Magi, Kemba and Theos made their way into Cora's tent. The mighty king still snoring away where they left him.

"Cora hasn't slept this much in days. This will help him tremendously. Much more than if he had gone through with a night attack. Good work you two." Magi patted their heads.

"It was mostly Theos. I was just here as support." Kemba replied.

"Your presence helped Theos immensely. It is why you are his second half. Even if you say nothing, you give strength to Theos who in turn gives strength to those around him. Support is often the most important part of any situation."

Kemba smiled and nodded. "I suppose we should wake the king."

"Allow me." Magi flicked his wrist and a spark of magic appeared over the kings head. A stream of water poured from no where and washed over the Kings head.

Cora's eyes opened and his head shot up. "GAH THAT'S COLD!" He yelled shaking his head vigorously. Magi began to chuckle. Kemba snickered a bit as well.

"What am I a hatchling? I hated when you and Midas woke me like that." Cora frowned.

"Yes you did, but it is still just as cute no matter how old you get. It always made for a good laugh." Cora puffed out his cheeks.

The king let out a yawn and unfurled himself. "How long have I been asleep? I assume you've woke me because it is time?"

"Yes, it is. The dawn has just arrived." Magi stated.

"First we should fill you in on what is going on." Kemba stated.

"Oh? Sounds like the night was busy." Cora stated standing.

Theos smiled as they entered the tent. The sleeping Cora was ever so peaceful even in his snoring state. Theos bounded up to his sleeping form placing his hooves on his snout.

"Cora hasn't slept this much in days. This will help him tremendously. Much more than if he had gone through with a night attack. Good work you two." Theos nodded in agreement.

Kemba was indeed his support in trying times. Theos backed away from Cora who did not stir at his gentle prodding.

"I suppose we should wake the king."

"Allow me." Theos backed up even more. He watched Cora curiously as magi flicked his wrist.

"GAH THAT'S COLD!" Theos laughed at Cora as he shot up. He rejoined Kemba and Magi as they spoke.

"Yes, it is. The dawn has just arrived." Magi stated.

"First we should fill you in on what is going on." Kemba stated.

"Oh? Sounds like the night was busy." 

"Just a bit," Theos said hoping Cora would take it a lot better than Cole. "Don and Ike went an retrieved one of the dark orbs to heal Kaa." 

"Just a bit," Theos said hoping Cora would take it a lot better than Cole. "Don and Ike went an retrieved one of the dark orbs to heal Kaa."

Cora's eyes narrowed a bit. "What?" The King said in disbelief. "The magic item that put Kaa in a come? Why would they risk their lives so stupidly?" Cora clenched a fist.

"Cora the children did what they thought was right. You can't blame them for that. By their efforts, I can save Kaa." Magi explained.

Cora took a moment and released his fist, "Are they hurt?"

"No but Don suffered a wound that needed to be quickly healed. Ike made the decision to use the orbs power. They're both fine but Don has been cursed. Unfortunately, I cannot undo it."

Cora closed his eyes and rubbed his face, "My children... constantly risk themselves for one another and I nap.... this is all my fault. I should have done something."

"Do not blame yourself. Your son takes after your stubbornness. We did all we could to stop him and it wasn't enough. He hid his true intentions from us all. Even you. He insisted on that night attack for his true purpose. Don is strong. He'll work through it and we will be here to help every step of the way." Kemba said.

Cora sighed and shook his head, "It is done. There is no point in dwelling on it. I'll go to see him when we are done. Where is Cole? We should begin our next meeting."

"It is done. There is no point in dwelling on it. I'll go to see him when we are done. Where is Cole? We should begin our next meeting."

"Preparing to take Ike back home. Like you he worries immensely for his sons safety. It took a toll on him and he is convinced Ike should be back in the city now. Ike and him will have to have a heart to heart," Theos stated. "This is probably a lot to take in first thing. We should get you some food to eat while we plan."

"Preparing to take Ike back home. Like you he worries immensely for his sons safety. It took a toll on him and he is convinced Ike should be back in the city now. Ike and him will have to have a heart to heart," Theos stated. "This is probably a lot to take in first thing. We should get you some food to eat while we plan."

Cora nodded, "Separating Ike and Don will be a bad idea and will break their hearts. Still, Ike is Cole's child and I won't interfere with his decision. I will however, take a meal. Now that I've slept and my mind has been cleared, I know what our next step should be. Though this is a plan best suited for all of my General's ears. We'll be setting up key defense points using the forts my father built. We missed our opportunity to march and force them over the border so we'll need to enhance our defenses."

"You think they'll march on us again? They took devastating losses in the last battle. I would have assumed they'd rebuild back home." Kemba stated.

"That is what concerns me. Think back to the capital invasion. They had air forces, in our last battle not a single flying enemy. It's like they fought us at half strength. We have no fliers in Coraggio besides Cole. That gives Scomparsa a very big advantage but they didn't take advantage of it. I fear that Stall saved his strongest troops for a second attack. We need to be better prepared."

"It seems you have concerns to be discussed. I will fetch the meal for the king." Magi said with a bow and turned, heading out of the tent.

"We will resume this meeting in an hour, I must prepare the map and figure out placement." Cora turned to his table, unfolding the map. His markings on it from last night still evident.

Kemba turned to Theos, "What should we do Theos?"