Cora's Camp 2

"Guess you figured it out too," Theos smiled a bit sadly. The thought of Cole's reaction an unpleasant one. "Don hasn't admitted it yet to Ike. I kept encouraging him to tell though. Maybe almost dying will make him rethink it and tell Ike."

"You're right though Cole's reaction after this today would be a doozy. Also not something we should mettle in. I think that will have to be between Ike and his dad," Theos said his voice softening a bit as they stopped outside the tent. 

"Excuse us Cole," Theos called in.

"Guess you figured it out too," Theos smiled a bit sadly. "Don hasn't admitted it yet to Ike. I kept encouraging him to tell though. Maybe almost dying will make him rethink it and tell Ike."

It wasn't that hard to see. Kemba recognized the look those two constantly gave one another and the unquestionable support. They were just like he and Theos.


"You're right though Cole's reaction after this today would be a doozy. Also not something we should mettle in. I think that will have to be between Ike and his dad,"

Kemba nodded. To come out to Cole and admit he was in love with Don would be something very difficult to do. He wondered with how reserved Ike was, if he'd even admit to how he felt and even tell Cole.


"Excuse us Cole," Theos called in.

The VictoryGreymon was inside still sulking a bit. Sitting down across from the entrance to his tent. His gaze taking in the two forms walking in. He glared at them at first, but then looked away.

"Theos and Kemba. I suppose you're here to agree with Magi? Ike is my son, I will do what I need to do to keep him safe. Even if it makes me a hypocrite. I didn't expect him to be so foolish and put himself in danger. Bringing him here was a mistake."

Kemba looked at Theos and then back to Cole. "That isn't what we came to say."

"Cora is awake. The meeting will happen in an hour. He's already been told about last night so we can focus on today," Theos responded. "For what it is worth you aren't wrong. Cora wanted the same thing for us and his sons. Out of all of us though Ike aced your training the best though. He is very capable like his father." Theos smiled. "Just talk to him a bit once he's rested."

"Cora is awake. The meeting will happen in an hour. He's already been told about last night so we can focus on today," Theos responded. "For what it is worth you aren't wrong. Cora wanted the same thing for us and his sons. Out of all of us though Ike aced your training the best though. He is very capable like his father." Theos smiled. "Just talk to him a bit once he's rested."

Cole looked at Theos as he spoke. He didn't expect him to agree with him. Cole closed his eyes and gave a small chuckle.

"Are you sure you're Midas's kid? You must take after Belle... though I've not met her in person or maybe Midas matured at some point but you make sense more then he ever did when we had a conversation."

Cole stood up, "I will talk to Ike. Alone and without Don or Magi interfering. I want to hear it from his mouth. Why he disobeyed my direct orders to stay safe. From what I understand, they both survived by luck alone and luck runs out eventually. Chances are, I'll be sending Ike back to the palace. I just cannot shake the fear in me that I could blink and the rest of my world is gone."

Kemba understood where Cole was coming from. He himself had experienced it so much with Theos. He wouldn't argue or blame Cole for whatever decision he should make.

"I'll be there at the meeting, but so should Don and Ban. They're still Generals. Ban has been kept in his quarters since Kaa's mishap by Don's order. I can't imagine the worry he must be experiencing. If you could let them know... and... let Ike know I wish to see him. I'll remain here, and gather myself."

Kemba nodded, "Yea sure... but Ike is probably still recovering. Maybe we should let him rest."

"And I will... but not in a medical tent. He isn't a general. He doesn't need to be with us during the meeting. He was only overheated and dehydrated and fatigued. He can rest here."

Kemba nodded, "Alright we will let him know. Come Theos." Kemba turned and headed for the flap.

"Theos... Kemba... thank you."

Kemba turned and smiled before exiting. "We could go together to each, or separate and gather them quickly. It's your call." He asked Theos.

"Are you sure you're Midas's kid? You must take after Belle... though I've not met her in person or maybe Midas matured at some point but you make sense more then he ever did when we had a conversation." Theos chuckled. From what they experienced in the mirror world Midas was a very playful person who loved teasing Cole.

"I will talk to Ike. Alone and without Don or Magi interfering. I want to hear it from his mouth. Why he disobeyed my direct orders to stay safe. From what I understand, they both survived by luck alone and luck runs out eventually. Chances are, I'll be sending Ike back to the palace. I just cannot shake the fear in me that I could blink and the rest of my world is gone." Theos nodded glad he would at least talk to Ike.

"I'll be there at the meeting, but so should Don and Ban. They're still Generals. Ban has been kept in his quarters since Kaa's mishap by Don's order. I can't imagine the worry he must be experiencing. If you could let them know... and... let Ike know I wish to see him. I'll remain here, and gather myself."

Kemba nodded, "Yea sure... but Ike is probably still recovering. Maybe we should let him rest."

"And I will... but not in a medical tent. He isn't a general. He doesn't need to be with us during the meeting. He was only overheated and dehydrated and fatigued. He can rest here."

Kemba nodded, "Alright we will let him know. Come Theos." Theos turned to follow.

"Theos... Kemba... thank you." Theos glanced back and smiled before heading out.

"We could go together to each, or separate and gather them quickly. It's your call."

"We still have plenty of time. I do want to check on Ban first. Let him know his brother will be okay. He is so soft I can just imagine he's been crying this whole time," Theos said smiling slightly. 

Kemba nodded and wrapped his arm around Theos, "Together it is then."

The two turned and headed towards the tents where the soldiers fit for battle were relaxing. Some were training but most were talking about the previous battle. Morale was stagnant with an equal amount of soldiers worrying and praising.

One this was for sure, they were in disarray with their generals fighting with one another. The in fighting had not gone unnoticed. Some of the elders were even wishing Gale was still around to get them through this time.

Eventually, their walk lead them to a very well guarded tent. It wasn't to keep anyone out, but to keep Ban in. Don's orders no doubt. Kemba asked the guard just to be sure if Ban was inside and he answered with a nod.

Kemba turned to face Theos, "Ban is inside, he's tried getting out a few times but Don ordered them to keep him inside. He hasn't given them trouble in the past day. When they checked in on him, he was just laying down on his belly, back facing the tents entrance. He hasn't touched his rations either."

Kemba frowned looking at the tent, "Ban is suffering to. He may be the same age as his brothers but he is so defended, he might as well have been born a different year." Kemba looked back to Theos.

"If it's something he needs to see, it's a friendly face."

Theos looked between the guards frowning. He didn't quite agree with Don's method in calming the young Ban. Though he couldn't say much he was out for most of the after battle struggle. He could just image the struggle of getting everything back together after such a battle.

"Agreed," Theos said approaching the tent flap. "We got good news," Theos called in as he entered the the tent. His gaze going to Ban with a smile. 

"Agreed," Theos said approaching the tent flap. "We got good news," Theos called in as he entered the the tent. His gaze going to Ban with a smile.

Upon entering the tent, three full plates of food were uneaten and off to the side. Ban was curled in a ball, his back facing the entrance. He was motionless up until he heard the voice of Theos. Ban's head shot up from where he laid, and turned to see Theos and Kemba walking in. His eyes were nearly bulging out of his head, his jaw was quivering as he took in the figures before him. His eyes began to water and he began breathing heavier as he started to cry. Ban leaped from where he sat and ran at top speed, toppling over one of the three plates.

When Ban reached Theos, he threw his arms around his neck and began to sob into his chest. Theos could feel Ban's body shaking as Ban placed all his weight on Theos, his fur becoming moist with the tears and mucus. Ban hadn't registered a single word that Theos had said. It was just enough to see him standing here with him. The sight brought a smile to Kemba's face. The muffled cries was all that filled the room.

Kemba moved towards the rations left for him and began to clean up the spilled plate while gathering the other two. Ban hadn't eaten all day, he must have given up. Kemba looked back to Theos as he consoled the relieved Ban.

Theos smiled at the sobbing Ban. His hug nearly toppling him over. He made quiet shushing sounds as he returned the hug his one leg going around his waist to hold him.

"There there; we're okay. Everyone is okay," Theos said letting him cry. Just as he had thought Ban had probably been crying all night. Until he was too tired to move which was why he hadn't attempted escaping recently. He was just too tired. Even now Theos could feel the hiccups in his breathing where the crying was probably starting to hurt.

It was a few minutes before Ban's mumbled crying became silent sniffling. His tight hug finally loosening. Kemba standing close by with the cold rations in hand. Ban slipped away from the hug. His eyes puffy and dry and irritated. His snout still moist and runny. He sat down and looked at Theos then to Kemba.

"I thought I lost you... I thought I lost everyone but Don... they wouldn't let me leave. I tried and tried... but they just kept me here. They wouldn't even listen to my royal orders."

Kemba approached and stroked Ban's head, Ban leaned into his paw and embraced him next in a tight hug. "How do you expect to escape if you don't eat?" Kemba said hugging with one arm while keeping the rations in the other. Ban pulled away and Kemba presented the food.

"Eat, Ban. You must keep your strength up. You cannot lead your troops if you grow weak." Ban looked at the dish and then back to Kemba.

"I don't want to be a General anymore... I don't want any of us to be general anymore. I want to go back home and go back to how things were. Everything has changed... I know we have to fight. In order to save everyone, we have to win. What if things change too much... what if next time, you don't come back?" Ban asked then taking the loaf of bread and eating half of it.

Kemba stood and gave it some thought, "We can't say for sure what will happen Ban, but, we can only do our best so we can go back to how things were. We knew how troubled you must have been feeling. We came to comfort you, so you have to remain strong. We will need you." Kemba said as Ban finished his bread and started on the next.

Ban smiled and looked at Theos, "I prayed to the goddess last night... I prayed that she'd help you, that she'd bring you to get me. I was so overjoyed when I heard your voice. She answered my prayers. I bet she answered my other one to. To help Kaa and Don... or she will I hope." Ban finished his second loaf.

"Maybe she has," Theos said smiling. "Kaa is going to be okay. Magi is working on a cure right now for him." He patted his shoulder.

"I have to say this war is a lot tougher than any of us thought it would be. It may have changed us a bit but you know Ban. Deep down we are all still fun loving digimon. Once this war is over we are going to have a big celebration. Cake, ice cream, dancing and laughter once more," Theos said looking out into space trying to imagine it.

"It will happen and that day all our worries will disappear even if it is just for a time," Theos hoped Ban saw the same thing. 

Kemba nodded, "Theos is right Ban. What and who we have to be now is so we can continue to have those good times and live our lives. There will be a lot more scary things and sad things in the future. In order to live, we have to endure and you're a big part of that."

Ban looked to the duo and then to the ground, "Happiness is sweeter after hardship, because it was earned and not given." He said. Kemba tilted his head. "That was pretty insightful Ban."

Ban chuckled and stood, "Mom said that to me once, after she had a fight with dad. I didn't know what that meant then because I was really young but now I understand. I know this all is unavoidable, I'm not strong or smart and I am easily frightened. I'm not the prince my brothers are, but I love everyone and I will go through this hardship to earn back the happiness we have."

Kemba couldn't help but smile at the prince and his words. "It's hard to imagine Raja and Cora ever fighting but I suppose even the closest of couples do." Kemba looked to Theos giving him a wink.

"She's completely right though we will be even closer when all of this is over. Now, are you ready to go back to being a General?" Ban smiled and nodded.

"What do I do first?" Ban asked.