Cora's Camp 2

"Ah, you're back. Just in time too, Magi just got here. Ike is here too." Ike gave a brief nod.

"Hello Prince Theos, I figured someone like you would be up and about at a moments notice." Magi said turning with a smile.

"Though as your physician, I really must advise against it. Ike, could you help Theos back into bed please. This isn't just a Kemba check-up." Ike nodded sitting the materials down on the table. Theos smiled and shook his head. His three good legs allowing him to jump up. Ike gave a small shrug and looked to Magi.

"You could say I was making rounds. Visited Kaa and Don earlier today and Cora just now," Theos shook his head. "He is killing himself at this rate; and none of my words seemed to go through to him. We need to help Kaa to help him."

"You could say I was making rounds. Visited Kaa and Don earlier today and Cora just now,"

"He is killing himself at this rate; and none of my words seemed to go through to him. We need to help Kaa to help him."

Magi walked over to them with young Ike at his side, "Well my boy, the King is very hard to get through when he is filled with anger. I wouldn't take it personally. The years of abuse he had to endure...when his loved ones are harmed, he becomes so feral."

Magi reached for the bottom of Theos jaw and raised a finger emitting a small light. "Before I treat your wounds, I'm gonna make sure you aren't experiencing any loss of senses."

Kemba looked on and cocked his head a bit, "Why not just use your magic and heal us? We weren't directly effected by that bastards dark magic. We should be curable, right?"

Magi chuckled, "As much as I'd like to have an endless reservoir of magic, I do not. I'm nearly drained of it, I have brought back about thirty different digimon from the brink of death. So, I have to use my regular medic skills which I am very good at. Before I learned the spells, I had to understand how to heal with my hands." Magi explained while passing the light over Theos eyes. He moved on to his ears and nose. Opening his mouth and examining the inside briefly.

"Ike, could you remove the stitch from Kemba's sheath please?" Magi said moving to Theos side and pressing his fingers into his ribs.

Kemba's ears dropped back, "I thought you were going to do that..." He said turning a bit red under his white coat. Magi looked at him and smiled.

"I did but it is a simple task. Ike was really cut out to be a medic. His hands are gentle and calmer then even my own. I'm trying to teach him as much as I can while he is with me. Theos, if anywhere hurts, please tell me."

Kemba looked at Ike and turned even redder, he was so close in age and wasn't a physician like Magi. Theos had been the only digimon to ever touch him there. Magi had used magic to apply the stitch. Magi looked at Ike,

"It is just like you did on your father's arm moments ago only it is much more sensitive. Just take it with your fingers and line the stitch with the blade and snip. See if the skin is healing properly and apply some salve to the wound to help it along and avoid any inflammation."

The more Magi explained the process the more and more embarrassed and nervous Kemba became, "I-I think I can apply the s-salve..." Kemba said. Magi laughed,

"Unless you know where to look and apply it to the scarring tissue, I'd rather my assistant do it. Best not take any chances with such an important piece." Magi moved on to Theos damaged leg; applying slight pressure.

Kemba looked to Theos then to Ike, "I...I suppose if Magi trusts you..." Kemba's embarrassment could not go unnoticed with the timidness in his voice. Kemba's expression was quite adorable however, He spread his legs a bit to allow Ike room to work.

"Anyway, the only one who ever got the King to calm was your father or Raja. Even I sadly can do nothing. He refuses to be treated while his men are hurt before him. He is my King, so I must obey his wishes. He plans to march tonight and attack the Scomparsians. I have already made my notions on the matter known. He is in no shape to attack and quite frankly, neither are the soldiers. They need rest, Don thinks that attacking the Scomparsians at night is also wise. Strategically, it is very good...but I fear for the King's health. He will not be able to fight at his best with those wounds. He is very big but he is very slowly losing blood. He'll feel the effects before long."

"Well my boy, the King is very hard to get through when he is filled with anger. I wouldn't take it personally. The years of abuse he had to endure...when his loved ones are harmed, he becomes so feral."

"Before I treat your wounds, I'm gonna make sure you aren't experiencing any loss of senses." Loss of senses? All seemed pretty good. He hadn't really smelled anything yet. He knows his faced was bashed in though so it might be not as sensitive as normal for a little while.

"Why not just use your magic and heal us? We weren't directly effected by that bastards dark magic. We should be curable, right?"

Magi chuckled, "As much as I'd like to have an endless reservoir of magic, I do not. I'm nearly drained of it, I have brought back about thirty different digimon from the brink of death. So, I have to use my regular medic skills which I am very good at. Before I learned the spells, I had to understand how to heal with my hands." That way he could heal them correctly.

"Ike, could you remove the stitch from Kemba's sheath please?" Theos raised a brow. Ike look to him questioningly a moment then nodded. He grabbed the small mayo scissors.

Kemba's ears dropped back, "I thought you were going to do that..." Theos held back a chuckle. Don would be jealous. Ike paused waiting for the go ahead.

"I did but it is a simple task. Ike was really cut out to be a medic. His hands are gentle and calmer then even my own. I'm trying to teach him as much as I can while he is with me. Theos, if anywhere hurts, please tell me."

"Ok," Theos responded. He was pushing a little hard causing a bit of discomfort. His muscles must still be tenderized from the fight. He winced slightly but it was a dull pain and not worth noting.

"It is just like you did on your father's arm moments ago only it is much more sensitive. Just take it with your fingers and line the stitch with the blade and snip. See if the skin is healing properly and apply some salve to the wound to help it along and avoid any inflammation."

"I-I think I can apply the s-salve..." Theos also chuckled unable to hold still in his mates embarrassment.

"Unless you know where to look and apply it to the scarring tissue, I'd rather my assistant do it. Best not take any chances with such an important piece." Theos winced and looked back at Magi.

"I...I suppose if Magi trusts you..." Ike nodded moving in. He crouched down a bit to eye level with it. His fingers had to spread apart the fur a bit then with a swift and sure snip he removed the stitching. He had a good long look at the wound then stood up and grabbed the salve. He applied it gingerly then went over to wash his paws.

"Anyway, the only one who ever got the King to calm was your father or Raja. Even I sadly can do nothing. He refuses to be treated while his men are hurt before him. He is my King, so I must obey his wishes. He plans to march tonight and attack the Scomparsians. I have already made my notions on the matter known. He is in no shape to attack and quite frankly, neither are the soldiers. They need rest, Don thinks that attacking the Scomparsians at night is also wise. Strategically, it is very good...but I fear for the King's health. He will not be able to fight at his best with those wounds. He is very big but he is very slowly losing blood. He'll feel the effects before long."

"I tried convincing him myself. Magi I know your magic isn't infinite. However if you could spare a bit I have an idea. Both to wake Kaa up and to get Cora to rest. You said he only ever listens to Midas or Raja. Maybe we could forge a letter from Raja to him telling him to rest," Theos questioned.

Kemba watched Ike curiously as he got to eye level with his task, his mind couldn't help but think what it might look like from Theos's point of view. He watched Ike raise his hand and reach for it. His fingers moving the fur apart causing Kemba to close his eyes a bit. His hands were so soft and a new sensation from what Kemba knew and he let out a small squeak from it. Kemba was always sensitive there thanks to his cruel past.

He felt the stitch release his skin and he was glad it was almost over. Ike staring so hard at him made Kemba worry if everything was okay. He was about to say something when he walked over with some salve. Kemba remained frozen still embarrassed about this whole thing and even more so when the coldness of the salve and rubbing caused him to clench his eyes tight and let out a small moan that he tried to mask. His body reacting to it, even though it was brief. Kemba hoped his small arousal would go unnoticed by Ike. Within a few moments, his body calmed and Kemba let out a sigh of relief, unknowing if he managed to escape unnoticed.

Magi noticed Theos glance at him and knew what needed doing.

"I tried convincing him myself. Magi I know your magic isn't infinite. However if you could spare a bit I have an idea. Both to wake Kaa up and to get Cora to rest. You said he only ever listens to Midas or Raja. Maybe we could forge a letter from Raja to him telling him to rest,"

Magi first looked to Ike, "Please change Kemba's bandages if they need changing over his bite wound. Though thanks to his Adult form, it may be healed. Also a routine check up like I did with Theos. He did receive a head blow strong enough to concuss him momentarily."

Kemba looked back to Ike and smiled trying to break the awkwardness he still felt, "S...so, should I call you doctor Ike now?"

He returned his attention to Theos, "Forge a letter from Raja would not work. Not only is the timing unbelievably impeccable but a letter is not as powerful as Raja herself. She would never know whether he did or did not. As for that leg of yours, you shouldn't be putting any pressure on that bone. If my slight pressure hurt you that much, it is probably broken. If you don't keep off of it, it will never heal right. I can wrap it against your belly to make sure it stays put, how are you on three legs? Also, how do you plan on waking Kaa? He is comatose and fighting for his life. He was run through with a blade kissed by dark magic. I don't have the charms with me to heal it. I was lucky enough to preserve his life as is."

Ike had been focused on the task at hand he didn't even give Kemba's reactions a second thought. His reactions didn't escape Theos though. Kemba's arousal making him wonder how often he got like that in public. Honestly what was he going to do with him.

"I tried convincing him myself. Magi I know your magic isn't infinite. However if you could spare a bit I have an idea. Both to wake Kaa up and to get Cora to rest. You said he only ever listens to Midas or Raja. Maybe we could forge a letter from Raja to him telling him to rest,"

"Please change Kemba's bandages if they need changing over his bite wound. Though thanks to his Adult form, it may be healed. Also a routine check up like I did with Theos. He did receive a head blow strong enough to concuss him momentarily." Ike nodded and began mimicking what he say Magi do earlier before removing the bandaging. His wound seemed completely gone the fur just needed to grow back. Which would probably happen over night.

"S...so, should I call you doctor Ike now?"

"Ike's fine," Ike responded. He wasn't really a doctor. From what he understood it took years to learn everything well enough to become an actual doctor.

"Forge a letter from Raja would not work. Not only is the timing unbelievably impeccable but a letter is not as powerful as Raja herself. She would never know whether he did or did not. As for that leg of yours, you shouldn't be putting any pressure on that bone. If my slight pressure hurt you that much, it is probably broken. If you don't keep off of it, it will never heal right. I can wrap it against your belly to make sure it stays put, how are you on three legs? Also, how do you plan on waking Kaa? He is comatose and fighting for his life. He was run through with a blade kissed by dark magic. I don't have the charms with me to heal it. I was lucky enough to preserve his life as is."

"I am good on three," It wasn't his first three legged rodeo. "By making him fight for it. I'd like to touch his mind. A coma is like a really deep sleep right? So he must dream; I could be projected into it and let him know I am alright that we all are and we are waiting for him. Make him fight to keep his life in tact and wake up," Theos answered.

Kemba nervously chuckled at Ike's response, he really wasn't very outgoing was he? Kemba looked at his body and smiled, the rest had really helped him. He was feeling better now.

"By making him fight for it. I'd like to touch his mind. A coma is like a really deep sleep right? So he must dream; I could be projected into it and let him know I am alright that we all are and we are waiting for him. Make him fight to keep his life in tact and wake up,"

Magi thought about it with his chin cradled between his index finger and thumb, "That is if he is even dreaming. His eyes weren't moving behind his lids. It isn't a REM sleep...but I also don't see the harm in it. That magic though, it is not so simple to cast and requires a fair amount of power." Magi reached down for Theos leg and motioned Ike over with cloth.

"Help me wrap this," He said quickly to Ike.

"I could use your own power as a substitute, but there is a chance...you could be trapped within his mind until he wakes...and if he dies well..." Magi warned.

Kemba looked at Theos, "No way...I won't let you risk that. It's far to dangerous Theos." Kemba stated in a firm tone.

"That is if he is even dreaming. His eyes weren't moving behind his lids. It isn't a REM sleep...but I also don't see the harm in it. That magic though, it is not so simple to cast and requires a fair amount of power." So it wouldn't be as easy as Theos thought.

"Help me wrap this," Ike nodded grabbing the bandaging and standing on the other side of Theos.

"I could use your own power as a substitute, but there is a chance...you could be trapped within his mind until he wakes...and if he dies well..." Magi warned.

Kemba looked at Theos, "No way...I won't let you risk that. It's far to dangerous Theos." 

"More dangerous than war," Theos questioned Kemba. "I am strong of mind and my body may be bruised and a bit broken right now but I have the energy. I can do this."

"More dangerous than war," Theos questioned Kemba. "I am strong of mind and my body may be bruised and a bit broken right now but I have the energy. I can do this."

Magi finished the bandage, Theos broken leg firmly and comfortably tied to his belly completely immovable. Magi would let them discuss it however and remained silent.

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! Goddess, why are you constantly trying to throw yourself into needless danger? The war is unavoidable and I have better odds at protecting you. If you get stuck in Kaa's mind and the worse happens, there isn't anything I can do!" Kemba froze, frowning and looking down at the bed.

He looked up after a moment and his tone came down; a worried smile on his face, "I know I can't talk you out of it. I...I just worry. You've got a hard head and that is part of the digimon I love. Forget I said anything okay? I don't want to be at odds with you...not after that night. I'll trust you and stand behind your decisions. Just don't forget the oath we took together. If anyone can help Kaa, it's the person he loves most. Something he and I share."

Kemba felt his heart lurch at those words, but he wanted to trust Theos, not fight with him. Those days are behind him. He held his chest a bit as he finished encouraging him.

Magi looked at Theos, "Since I don't have the magic to send you into his mind without using yours, I really have to emphasize that your life could potentially become intertwined with Kaa's. Your astral form unable to escape his mind's world. Do you still want to take a risk like this? As I've said, I have preserved his life for the moment. We could trust Kaa to heal on his own. If this is about the King, we could try a united front."

"Just because you can, doesn't mean you should! Goddess, why are you constantly trying to throw yourself into needless danger? The war is unavoidable and I have better odds at protecting you. If you get stuck in Kaa's mind and the worse happens, there isn't anything I can do!" Theos knew that. There was no way for him to reassure Kemba either. No matter what he would say he would be worried.

"I know I can't talk you out of it. I...I just worry. You've got a hard head and that is part of the digimon I love. Forget I said anything okay? I don't want to be at odds with you...not after that night. I'll trust you and stand behind your decisions. Just don't forget the oath we took together. If anyone can help Kaa, it's the person he loves most. Something he and I share." The person he loves most? Theos could admit to sharing a bond. However saying he was his favorite was a stretch. He loved his father and brothers as well.

"Since I don't have the magic to send you into his mind without using yours, I really have to emphasize that your life could potentially become intertwined with Kaa's. Your astral form unable to escape his mind's world. Do you still want to take a risk like this? As I've said, I have preserved his life for the moment. We could trust Kaa to heal on his own. If this is about the King, we could try a united front."

"Kaa is safe for now. He is strong but it has been turmoil for him and his world is upside down. We can wait a bit more for his wound to heal but I am not as sure about the coma. I love Kaa and as much as I want to rush his recovery it might not be wise. If you think he will wake up on his own I trust you Magi; and you Kemba. I'll set aside my feelings for right now; we do have a bigger issue to deal with and that is Cora," Theos looked up at Magi. "I hope a united front can do this Magi. Cora is slowly killing himself and doing his enemies job."

"Kaa is safe for now. He is strong but it has been turmoil for him and his world is upside down. We can wait a bit more for his wound to heal but I am not as sure about the coma. I love Kaa and as much as I want to rush his recovery it might not be wise. If you think he will wake up on his own I trust you Magi; and you Kemba. I'll set aside my feelings for right now; we do have a bigger issue to deal with and that is Cora," Theos looked up at Magi. "I hope a united front can do this Magi. Cora is slowly killing himself and doing his enemies job."

Kemba was relieved to hear it, but Theos was right about Cora. The King was pushing himself past his limits. They were right to be worried.

"Yes but he is the King, he has the highest authority. He won't listen to us. He could command us and as his subjects, we would have to obey." Kemba said.

Magi sighed, "Yes...at least you and I would have too, and I have. I already tried talking to Cora about it. He shut me out and ordered me to heal his men. The sad part about it all is, I still see the little boy inside of him. I see fear and anger of decades. He is afraid of losing anymore people close to him like Midas. He is angry that our lives are being threatened and all the abuse his own father bestowed upon him; the horrid lashings. It's all boiling over. The war has become an outlet for all of that anger and he doesn't know how to stop. I think his heart is hurting far worse then his body. Those two things is what is driving Cora."

Kemba shook his head, "We saw what Gale did to him...it was only a single moment, I can't imagine how much more he took."

"Let's just say I had to put bones back together and refit teeth. Stitch gashes...the abuse didn't stop until Midas took one of Gale's lashes and lost a part of his ear. Midas convinced Cora to overthrow his father but...it didn't happen until well after Midas had left and Gale resumed the harsh beatings. Cora's mind is broken and all of us are the paste that keeps it together. Without us, Cora could very well become suicidal. I have seen the signs."

"You really think a united front will get him to stand down and let his body heal?" Kemba asked.

Magi shook his head, "I do not know. He is incredibly protective of us. Right now, it is love that is killing him."

"Yes but he is the King, he has the highest authority. He won't listen to us. He could command us and as his subjects, we would have to obey." Theos frowned.

Magi sighed, "Yes...at least you and I would have too, and I have. I already tried talking to Cora about it. He shut me out and ordered me to heal his men. The sad part about it all is, I still see the little boy inside of him. I see fear and anger of decades. He is afraid of losing anymore people close to him like Midas. He is angry that our lives are being threatened and all the abuse his own father bestowed upon him; the horrid lashings. It's all boiling over. The war has become an outlet for all of that anger and he doesn't know how to stop. I think his heart is hurting far worse then his body. Those two things is what is driving Cora."

Kemba shook his head, "We saw what Gale did to him...it was only a single moment, I can't imagine how much more he took." Theos agreed. Cora had taken a lot of beatings. Theos thought hard about it as Magi continued. 

"Let's just say I had to put bones back together and refit teeth. Stitch gashes...the abuse didn't stop until Midas took one of Gale's lashes and lost a part of his ear. Midas convinced Cora to overthrow his father but...it didn't happen until well after Midas had left and Gale resumed the harsh beatings. Cora's mind is broken and all of us are the paste that keeps it together. Without us, Cora could very well become suicidal. I have seen the signs." His anger towards his father no longer applied. He had his revenge; however the wound was still there. It showed that revenge could only solve some things if any at all. 

"You really think a united front will get him to stand down and let his body heal?" Kemba asked.

Magi shook his head, "I do not know. He is incredibly protective of us. Right now, it is love that is killing him."

"And we'll save him with it. A united front will work. I can use the fact I am Midas son but you knew my father better Magi. In then end you know what he would say better than anyone. Gale is dead and gone no matter how one thinks of it there is no excuse for the hatred of his dead father to boil over into this. I hate to say it but we have to get him to act more like a king and less like a raging digimon armed with thousands of lives that he could never justify throwing away in a war scale tantrum," Theos responded. "In the end if we can't convince him we could stop his plans. As a prince I can order the men to stand down. Even if Cora hates me for it for a little while."

"And we'll save him with it. A united front will work. I can use the fact I am Midas son but you knew my father better Magi. In then end you know what he would say better than anyone. Gale is dead and gone no matter how one thinks of it there is no excuse for the hatred of his dead father to boil over into this. I hate to say it but we have to get him to act more like a king and less like a raging digimon armed with thousands of lives that he could never justify throwing away in a war scale tantrum," Theos responded. "In the end if we can't convince him we could stop his plans. As a prince I can order the men to stand down. Even if Cora hates me for it for a little while."

Magi looked confused by Theos talk of Gale, he must not know then,

"I see...you believe King Gale is dead. I suppose no one talks of him and the townsfolk believe he was banished but Gale is very much alive and well. Cora couldn't bring himself to kill his father. His claw trembled mightly around his blade the tip of it on his fathers heart. Cora wound up imprisoning Gale in the Coraggian dungeon. He is there to this very day."

Kemba was surprised to hear of the former king being a prisoner in his own castle. Why would Cora keep his father there? He wondered if Cora would visit him. For someone with such a shattered mind, keeping the one who broke it seemed ignorant.

"Why would Cora not banish him or kill him? Why keep the digimon who harmed you so brutally in a cell?" Kemba asked.

Magi shook his head, "I don't know...perhaps Cora longs for a father figure that loves him and accepts him. Midas often praised his own father. Perhaps the beatings left Cora to afraid to kill Gale. I honestly couldn't say. My closest guess is, Cora doubts his ability to rule. Gale was not a good father but a most excellent ruler. He brought Coraggio into a golden age after all. Constantly being called scum, useless, a degenerate, a mistake, weak followed by a ruthless beating probably rooted deep into him and never really was uprooted. Perhaps he feels he may need Gale to help him in some way rule Coraggio."

"The triplets don't even know their grandfather is still alive and under their very feet. What about Raja?" Kemba questioned.

"Everyone in the palace knows...with the exception of you two and the triplets. Well...now Cole. He's probably the most terrified of us all. The decision to send Ban to his possible death probably didn't help things and now Kaa may never wake up. It isn't healthy at all for him. All of those years of being told he'd fail. He may be older and stronger, but the heart of Cora from that time still is unchanged." Magi looked at Theos.

"It would be unwise to use your title to go against him. Turning on him may solidfy to him that he is failing and losing what he's trying so hard to keep together."

Kemba shook his head, "If I was in his position, I don't know what I'd do. That damn Gale damaged him and should get the ax for it!"

"I remember those days...I sometimes thought I'd have to begin writing Cora's funeral. As a physician, I`ve seen a lot of things in my life...but piecing Cora back together day after day even made me sick." Magi crossed his arms and shuttered at the thought.

"This is very sensitive and needs to be handled as such."

"I see...you believe King Gale is dead. I suppose no one talks of him and the townsfolk believe he was banished but Gale is very much alive and well. Cora couldn't bring himself to kill his father. His claw trembled mightily around his blade the tip of it on his fathers heart. Cora wound up imprisoning Gale in the Coraggian dungeon. He is there to this very day." He wasn't dead? He didn't understand; Cora overthrew his father but didn't kill him despite everything he had done?

Theos thought about it. If it had been his father he would have; he would have loved him but he would have also thought it best to kill him. Not because he wanted to but because any other way could come back to bite him in the ass. If banished he could have given rise to a rebellion and try to come back and reclaim his throne. Then imprisoned beneath the castle? If anyone had been loyal specifically to him they could release him and he could overturn the kingdom from the inside. The servants knowing what he had done wouldn't stand in his way out of fear. Then he had been a king so even soldiers would be unsure. It was simply safer for him to have died.

"Why would Cora not banish him or kill him? Why keep the digimon who harmed you so brutally in a cell?" Kemba asked.

Magi shook his head, "I don't know...perhaps Cora longs for a father figure that loves him and accepts him. Midas often praised his own father. Perhaps the beatings left Cora to afraid to kill Gale. I honestly couldn't say. My closest guess is, Cora doubts his ability to rule. Gale was not a good father but a most excellent ruler. He brought Coraggio into a golden age after all. Constantly being called scum, useless, a degenerate, a mistake, weak followed by a ruthless beating probably rooted deep into him and never really was uprooted. Perhaps he feels he may need Gale to help him in some way rule Coraggio." That was not a good idea. After so many years Theos knew Gale's vengefulness would cause problems. Cora may want his praise and love but from what Theos had been told Gale was not one to forgive or forget.

"The triplets don't even know their grandfather is still alive and under their very feet. What about Raja?" Kemba questioned.

"Everyone in the palace knows...with the exception of you two and the triplets. Well...now Cole. He's probably the most terrified of us all. The decision to send Ban to his possible death probably didn't help things and now Kaa may never wake up. It isn't healthy at all for him. All of those years of being told he'd fail. He may be older and stronger, but the heart of Cora from that time still is unchanged." Theos frowned his brow wrinkling in thought. An unchanged heart...

"It would be unwise to use your title to go against him. Turning on him may solidfy to him that he is failing and losing what he's trying so hard to keep together."

Kemba shook his head, "If I was in his position, I don't know what I'd do. That damn Gale damaged him and should get the ax for it!"

"I remember those days...I sometimes thought I'd have to begin writing Cora's funeral. As a physician, I`ve seen a lot of things in my life...but piecing Cora back together day after day even made me sick." Magi crossed his arms and shuttered at the thought.

"This is very sensitive and needs to be handled as such."

"I tried approaching him in love. Telling him to rest for his families sake. Reasoning with him even they had to sleep. All he said was he'd burn them in their tents when they did," Theos shook his head.

"The only thing I can think of besides his family is my father. Who was like family to him. We have to think of how Midas would handle him...." Theos started thinking about it. "Maybe he just needs a hug," Theos said chuckling. "Remember how Midas was Kemba. How hanged all over everyone and antagonized Cole. Maybe that is all he needs. Just like you are with Kaa. Someone to cuddle him and joke with him and make him embarrassed again so he shows his true self."