Donkey Madness -- Corruption ~ The Crest of Cruelty

Started: April 21, 2001
Finished: April 22, 2001 (*giggles insanely* It's almost midnight, too! *_* I can't believe how fast I finished!)
Part 18:
Corruption ~ The Crest of Cruelty
Ken Ichijouji brushed at his hair as he finished his breakfast, looking at each of his companions. Although he was sure they had all gotten enough sleep the night before, none of them looked especially energetic. He would have brushed it off with the thought that they were all not morning people, but he had seen them early in the morning four days in a row now.
"What's wrong with everyone today?" he queried softly, looking down at the smoldering campfire they had cooked fish over only awhile ago. Wormmon sat comfortably in his lap, his own breakfast finished four minutes into the meal.
"I'm homesick," Cody Hida murmured, sitting between Davis and Yolei with his knees drawn under his chin.
"I miss Gatomon," Kari Kamiya sighed. She was wearing T.K.'s Silver Cloak, drawing its folds around her.
"I miss real food," Davis Motomiya groaned, throwing away a fish bone he had been using to pick at his teeth. "I mean, I really wouldn't mind if this was more like a camping trip, but there's no way in heck I'm gonna pretend this is all fun and games."
The indigo-haired Digimon Emperor frowned. "I've been living in the Digital World for over two months and you don't see me complaining. . ."
Before anyone could respond to Ken's remark, a familiar voice boomed from out of nowhere. "Are you prepared for your final test, little emperor?"
Ken felt his heart leap into his throat, his entire body tensing at the voice of Makusumon. T.K. glared upwards, silently frustrated that he had nothing proper to glare at. "Ken's opened all the Digimentals, Makusumon! We should get to go home now!"
"When did I ever say that opening the Digimentals was the test?" questioned the last Game Lord. ". . . If you want to leave so badly, get up and move. The last test awaits you."
Familiar with the drill of exiting the forest, the Digidestined put out the campfire and left their camping. Kari gave T.K. back his cloak and slung her backpack over her shoulders, carrying the little gear they had begun the "game" with. Each of the Digidestined that had received prizes carried them; Davis' Red Orb was safely in his jacket pocket, Cody's Golden Scepter strapped to his back, Kari's Pearl Vase -- now used as a canteen -- was carefully placed in her backpack, and T.K.'s Silver Cloak was wrapped around his neck.
Yolei eyed her friends' prizes as they walked through the forest. "I wonder why I never got a prize?" she sighed.
"We really didn't have any time to get prizes for everyone," replied Kari. "If Utagaumon didn't attack us before out-of-the-blue, T.K. wouldn't have gotten a prize, either."
Ken couldn't keep the frown off his face as he looked back at the two girls. "I get the feeling that Utagaumon's attack was planned; Makusumon didn't hesitate to hand over another prize." He shook his head and returned his attention to the situation at hand. ". . . That really doesn't matter anymore, though. We just have this one last test and then we can leave. I have all eight Digimentals at my command now, so we shouldn't have too much trouble."
"I wouldn't be so confident, Ken," Cody murmured quietly. "Makusumon could very well use that against you; he's used us against you -- what's keeping him from using your own emotions against you, too?"
"Hasn't he already done that?" Wormmon was held in his partner's arms as the group walked. "Makusumon took away Ken-chan's emotions at the very beginning of this whole thing. . ."
Caught up in their conversation, the group didn't notice their surroundings change until the ground beneath them caused their footsteps to echo through a long corridor. They stopped simultaneously, staring at the new scenery. Ken was the first to comment.
". . . Makusumon is such a hypocrite. He said that he wouldn't use another maze, and yet here we are."
"Maybe he's just not creative," Yolei guessed.

* * * * *

He ran his hand along the ebony wall as he led the small group through the maze. Cody had taken Wormmon once again, carrying the insect digimon as he followed the other children. Glancing back at his five companions, Ken thought about all that had happened through the testing.
If someone had told me that I'd be getting along with the Digidestined and working with Wormmon before this, I would've thought them insane. But . . . they've all become close friends to me.
His gaze fell on Davis.
They've all had to rely on me throughout this ordeal. I've basically stolen away Davis' role by being around. But he hasn't complained once. I always thought him to be a loudmouthed jerk that managed to humiliate me at every turn.
His eyes traveled to Cody.
I always thought Cody to be snobbish in his silence, full of himself and arrogant to contribute to the Digidestined's plans. He's only a little kid. . . He gets scared, too. He just tries to hide it. I guess he's smarter than I gave him credit for.
T.K. and Kari were next.
Ah . . . Mr. Optimist and Ms. Perfect. Until this whole test, all they did was annoy me. . . They drew their strength from each other at every possible opportunity and managed to persevere. . . I think I was just envious of their bond.
The next to fall under his scrutiny was Yolei.
. . . Is this what it's like to be in love? Wanting to protect something with all your heart and never wanting to let it go? I never thought I'd be in love, especially with one of my enemies. But . . . I am. I am, and I don't know how to handle it.
Veiled eyes finally came to rest on Wormmon.
Wormmon. . . The one that I've known the longest of the group, and yet haven't acknowledged kindly until recently. Why does he continuously cling to me? Why didn't he ever leave me after all the abuse he's gone through?
Ken blinked hard when he realized the digimon was staring back at him.
Can you tell that I'm thinking about you? Can you hear my thoughts? . . . No. No, I'm just being paranoid.
The young emperor frowned as the thought floated through his head. He concentrated his attention back to leading the group, still running his hand along the wall subconsciously. Unlike past mazes, there were absolutely no traps -- no pitfalls, no ceiling crushers, no fire blasters. . .
It was actually quite unnerving.
"I don't like this," murmured Cody, glancing around nervously and breaking the heavy silence. "It's too quiet."
"No kidding," agreed Davis with a nod. "You'd think Makusumon would try to keep up from advancing on. I mean, we've taken out Utagaumon and Uragirumon already."
"There's only Makusumon left. We'll probably have to beat him to end this test," T.K. sighed.
". . . But what can beat the strongest?" Ken whispered. Is Wormmon strong enough. . .? Even with the Digimentals, I can't be sure. . .
As if sensing his thoughts, Yolei moved to walk at Cody's side and patted Wormmon on the head. "It's not fair that Wormmon has to do all the work," she said. "He could very well die of exhaustion if Makusumon pushes him hard enough!"
Ken's eye twitched at the thought. Wormmon . . . dying? He couldn't even comprehend that now!
The corridor finally broadened into a room, the curved walls hinting at the overall round shape of the room. The six kids warily entered, all of their eyes falling on a glowing pedestal in the center. Wormmon shifted in Cody's arms, blinking at the object curiously. "What's that?"
"I don't know, but it sure is bright," Kari muttered, squinting against the light.
"This is the ninth Crest," came Makusumon's voice, again from beyond the ceiling. "This is the Crest of Ken Ichijouji."
All of the children started at those words. ". . . I have a Crest?" queried Ken, clearly surprised by the statement.
"Each Digidestined has a Crest," replied the Game Lord dryly. "Retrieve it and we shall see if you deserve it."
Yolei shifted nervously at those words. ". . . This doesn't feel right," she whispered mostly to herself. She stepped forward and grabbed Ken's arm as he started for the pedestal. "Ken, don't. . ."
The young emperor frowned. "This is my last test," he stated firmly. "We're almost free." He gently pried off Yolei's fingers and took a few more steps forward.
Ken turned at his digimon's cry, smiling comfortingly as Wormmon struggled out of Cody's arms and to the floor. "I'll be careful -- don't worry."
The indigo-haired boy strode forward, staring at the glowing Crest through his violet shades. He reached down, picking up the tiny, mauve object cautiously. Before his eyes, the Crest began to release a black light, and he gasped as burning pain flooded his body.
"What the--?!"
"Ken!!"
"Get out of there!"
"I knew it was a trap. . .!"
"It's glowing black. . .!"
"Ken-chan!!"
Abruptly, the glow died and Ken grabbed hold of the pedestal for balance. Yolei took a step to help the younger boy, but Davis blocked her path with one arm. "Davis, let me go!" she hissed.
". . . No. Something's wrong." Davis turned and all the kids watched as Ken pushed himself back in a straight position. His eyes were unreadable beyond his shades.
"Ken? . . . Are you all right?"
A dark smirk twisted Ken's lips, sending chills down the Digidestined's spines as a horrifying revelation dawned on them. Ken's unclenched hand reached into the darkness of his cape, pulling out something that shouldn't have been there: the familiar retractable whip of a maniacal tyrant.
"Fools. . . Did you actually believe I was an ally!?"
"Ken-chan!!"
The whip snapped at Wormmon, but Davis leapt to the digimon's rescue and knocked him out of the way. "Ken, snap out of it!" the goggle-boy growled as he climbed back to his feet.
"You idiot, I have snapped out of it! Did you honestly think I would help you in my right state of mind?!" The Digimon Emperor laughed insanely, lashing out at Cody next. Yolei swept down on her best friend, pulling him out of the whip's reach.
"It is as I suspected."
T.K. stiffened at the voice of the final Game Lord. "Makusumon! What did you do to Ken!?"
"Nothing; he did this to himself. The darkness remaining in the boy's heart kept him from claiming his Crest. It has been corrupted into the opposite trait of Cruelty."
"The Crest of Cruelty. . . It makes sense," Kari gasped, narrowly avoiding the black streak as it flew her way. "He tortured the digimon out of pleasure and resolved everything with fighting. . ."
Cody pulled free his scepter, gripping it like he would his Kendo shinai. "Ken-- no. . . Digimon Emperor! Fight me!"
A dark smile appeared. "You aren't worthy of fighting me." With a flick of his wrist, the emperor's whip wound around Cody's scepter and yanked it out of his grasp. Once that was accomplished, the boy pinned Davis with mocking eyes. "Will you try next, Davis? You and your Red Orb of Courage?"
"I'm not dumb," spat back Davis. "If I used it, you'd just find some way to throw it back in my face."
"How very true," the Digimon Emperor agreed. It was disturbing to see Ken once again against them, sneering wildly and looking imposing and dangerous even with his hair framing his face. "You would need similar firepower to bring me down!"
Similar firepower. . . Similar firepower. . . Similar firepower. . . T.K. gasped as an idea struck him, his eyes going to Kari quickly. "Kari, give me your vase!" he hissed, removing his Silver Cloak.
Their enemy's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the movement of the two Digidestined of Hope and Light. "What do you think you're doing. . .?" he demanded.
Neither replied, although Kari was very confused by T.K.'s sudden order. She pulled out the Pearl Vase and handed it to T.K., who pulled the stopper off it and dumped the contents of the vase onto his cloak and effectively getting it, himself, and the floor wet. Handing the vase back to Kari, the blonde pulled at the drenched cape and wound it around itself.
"Let's go, Ken," hissed T.K., taking a defensive stance in front of his startled friends as soon as he had wound up the wet cape. "I'll fight you!"
A bit unsure of what the Digidestined of Hope was planning, the emperor snapped his whip out at the boy. T.K. reacted quickly, dodging the whip and snapping the cloak out at the boy. Ken cursed, dropping his corrupted Crest as the end of T.K.'s cape struck his left wrist sharply.
"I see. . .," the indigo-haired emperor ground out, glaring at the blonde. "A makeshift whip. Very smart, T.K.; I wouldn't have expected something like that from you."
"Makusumon said our prizes are weapons," T.K. declared, frowning as he held his cape in two clammy hands. "I don't want to fight you, Ken, but you're not leaving me much of a choice."
Ken didn't reply, instead throwing himself into a furious battle against the boy. The other Digidestined backed away swiftly, watching the two attack each other through wide eyes. Wormmon silently cried, swept up in Yolei's arms as they watched the scene together.
"C'mon, T.K.!" cheered Davis, frowning seriously. "You can do it! Beat 'em down!"
T.K. spun around and ducked as Ken's whip sped at his head, knocking his hat off his head and to the ground. ". . . That was my favorite hat," hissed the Digidestined of Hope, launching the Silver Cloak-whip straight at Ken's head. He succeeded in taking the yellow shades right off of the boy's face, the shredded eyewear falling to the floor in pieces. The children were horrified by the sight that greeted them.
Ken's eyes had once again become white, devoid of color.
"Oh, God!" Yolei hid her eyes in Wormmon's back, not wanting to look at those eyes again.
Gritting his teeth, T.K. shook out his initial revulsion and tackled the Digimon Emperor. They rolled along the floor in a tangle of curses and hisses, their whip battle forgotten. In the end, the blonde boy managed to pin the struggling tyrant under his own body weight.
"What do you think you're going to do now?" leered the emperor, staring at the blue-eyed boy with those unnerving eyes. "I can tell you don't want to hurt me. . . You foolish Digidestined are so weak. . ."
"Is that so?" T.K. looked away from the blue-suited boy and to the goggle-wearing member of their group. "Davis, destroy the Crest! I think that's what triggered this!"
Blinking in surprise, Davis slid across the room and looked down on the black Crest of Cruelty. Ken paled considerably as Davis picked up the Crest, growling and struggling against T.K.'s grip with renewed strength. The Digidestined of Courage and Friendship smirked faintly, waving the tiny square where the emperor could see it. "This means something to ya, huh?" he mused. "Well, let's see how much good it does you . . . in pieces!" Davis snapped the Crest in two, then threw the pieces to the ground and stomped on them.
Ken howled in agony, writhing under T.K. as burning pain ran through his head. He slammed his head against the black flooring, spots dancing across his vision as more pain registered. The boy twisted and choked on sobs, tears biting at the edges of his eyes and overflowing.
And then there were arms around him, pulling him into a sitting position and embracing him from all sides.
Yolei stared hard at Ken as his eyes opened, holding him tighter as she saw the familiar flicker of violet return to his gaze. The other Digidestined were also surrounding the weakened boy, bombarding him with whispered questions and worried looks. Wormmon squeezed his way through the mass of human children, calling up to his partner with tears in his eyes. Ken wrapped his arms around the small digimon, slowly calming with so many people caring for him.
". . . I'm sorry," he whispered, swallowing hard and running a gloved hand across his eyes. "I failed. I failed the test. . . I was aware of everything and I couldn't do anything about it. . ."
Davis was shaking his head before Ken even finished. "Man, don't apologize," he sighed. "We shouldn't have let you pick up that Crest; there was something majorly wrong with it and none of us stopped you. We should've done something sooner. Are you okay? You're not in pain, are you?"
"Not too much," admitted Ken, receiving help from Yolei and T.K. to stand. He smiled slightly at the blonde. "You have one helluva right hook, T.K."
"Thanks . . . I think," chuckled the boy, walking away to retrieve his hat.
"I'm not sure what to think of this performance."
". . . You could think we did well and let us all go," suggested Cody, not missing a beat.
"You did not pass the original test, Ken Ichijouji; you were still corrupt enough to be turned to the darkness. Even now, the Dark Ocean still reaches for you."
Kari's burgundy eyes widened. "The Dark Ocean?!" she repeated in shock. "What does the Dark Ocean have to do with this?"
". . . The Digimon Emperor was the product of the Dark Ocean's influence on Ken Ichijouji's soul."
Ken looked at the brunette in confusion, an intangible fear sneaking at the back of his mind. "Have you seen the Dark Ocean?"
"I have. . . Something there was trying to capture me because of my power as the Digidestined of Light," explained Kari. She shook her head. "That's not important right now, though! Makusumon, what are you going to do to us?"
"As I was saying, the little emperor did not pass his original test. But . . . I cannot overlook the fact that you managed to save yourselves from death, even when it came in the form of a friend and companion. I believe I must award you with a passing grade."
The shrieks and cheers of victory were deafening.
T.K. practically spun Kari, laughing loudly as they celebrated. Yolei kissed a startled Ken on the cheek before spinning away in Davis' arms, only to break away from him and dance with Cody. Ken stared after the lavender-haired girl, touching his cheek as a faint blush appeared.
". . . You seem to have forgotten that I haven't released you yet."
The Digidestined stopped in their cheering, looking blankly at each other for all of seven seconds. Davis straightened his goggles and frowned up at nothing. "Then let us go! . . . And we want our digimon back, too!"
"Quite a bossy young one, aren't you, Courage?" If he didn't know any better, Davis could have sworn Makusumon was laughing at him. "I shall transport you to where your digimon are; you shall have to find them yourselves, though. I do not keep tabs on them every other minute."
Yolei's heart leapt at the thought of seeing Hawkmon again. "Great! When do we leave?!"
"Right now."
And the Digidestined disappeared, streaks of blue, pink, green, yellow, and red faint reminders that they had been there to begin with. Ken found himself standing alone, holding Wormmon in his arms.
"W-- what?" managed the boy, looking around him in utter confusion. "Makusumon, you--!"
"No more tests, little emperor. I would simply like to talk to you and your digimon. I must say that I'm impressed; I didn't believe you had it in you to survive the tests of the Digimentals, and then the test for your own Crest."
". . . Which I never received, I must add," mumbled Ken, clutching Wormmon to his chest.
". . . Yes, that's right. Consider it your prize, then." There was a burst of light, and then a sudden change of weight on Ken's neck as he felt a pendant drape itself around his shoulders. "The Crest of Kindness."
"Kindness?" repeated the indigo-haired emperor, lifting the gold-colored tag to eye level. Within it pulsed a tiny, rectangular object, designed to resemble a stylized flower. "Isn't that a bit . . . ironic?"
"Why is it, Ken-chan?" queried Wormmon, moving to get a better look at the Crest. "You're kind. You should have the Crest of Kindness!"
Ken smiled faintly at his partner, stroking his head as he looked around. "Makusumon, since we aren't . . . enemies . . . anymore, can I see what you look like?"
"There really is nothing to see, little emperor."
"I'd like to judge that for myself."
The next thing the two occupants of the room knew was a bright, nearly-blinding light. Ken staggered backwards, allowing his eyes to adjust to the light before speaking. "You're--"
The pulsing sphere of light emitted a voice that the Digimon Emperor immediately recognized. "I am an essence, young one. I am a unique digimon -- one you will never see outside of the Forgotten Pentagon. You are the only human I have ever allowed to see my true form. Feel privileged."
". . . I believe I shall." The boy paused. "Makusumon, may I ask a question?"
"Whatever is within my power, I shall answer."
"Why didn't Yolei receive a prize?"
"Did you not know?" Ken got the feeling that the spirit was extremely amused. "Yolei's prize was. . ."

* * * * *

Yolei was a bit depressed -- and worried -- to find out that Ken wasn't with their group once Makusumon had teleported them. Kari had immediately comforted her, suggesting the possibility that Ken was simply transported to a different area of the forest. It was a much nicer idea than the young genius being alone with Makusumon.
Kari congratulated herself for thinking before she spoke.
Davis marched in the lead, clearly enjoying being at the head of the group once again. The five had been teleported into a forest -- not one of black-barked trees, but one resembling the forests of the Real World. Relief and happiness emanated from the small party, as each member was glad that the tests were finally over and they would be able to return home at long last.
The peace didn't last long.
A tremor shook the ground beneath the Digidestined, causing them to tense and look around warily.
"What was that. . .?" T.K. hissed, gripping his damp Silver Cloak tightly.
"Dunno," replied Davis, eyes darting around and trying to find the source of the tremor. Another one shook the ground, causing the children to shake and gasp.
Many pairs of glowing eyes could be seen in the depths of the forest, staring at them suspiciously. A low growl could be heard, splitting the silence that had fallen between the two groups.
Cody swallowed hard, glancing at his friends before speaking. ". . . Out of the frying pan and right into the fire," he murmured grimly.

*screams* I FINISHED THE DANG CHAPTER IN TWO DAYS!!!
Ken -- *winces and covers ears* We know.
Osamu -- *pretty much doing the same thing* You don't have to yell.
WHY NOT!? I'M SO HAPPY!!!
Wormmon -- *buries himself under a pillow*
Osamu -- Lucky Digimon. . .
Ken -- Why must we suffer?
You'll all suffer sooner or later, you know; that's why you're my muses and not Yamato or Daisuke or Taichi!
Osamu -- Because you enjoy hurting us?
Because I love you guys! . . . And, yeah, that too.
Ken -- . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Osamu -- . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wormmon -- *pops his head out from under the pillow* . . . I don't know whether to be happy or extremely frightened.
I would like to thank the wonderful, brilliant author Hikari Takaishi for writing the "Digi-Bloop That!" series. (Spas, Wannabe Spas, and the infamous Whip War! *sighs contentedly*) The Whip War between T.K. and Ken inspired the choosing of T.K. and Kari's prizes, along with the short battle in this chapter. If you have not yet read Hikari's "Digi-Bloop That!" series, go read it now! ^_~
. . . We are quickly approaching the end of this story. . . *stifles tears* At the very most, there will be three parts after this -- one of which will be an epilogue. What will happen in the next chapter. . .? What was Yolei's prize. . .? Who were those two visitors that just . . . came out of nowhere to talk to Makusumon? Just who IS Makusumon?
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