Red eyes flashed in Flint's eyes awaking him suddenly, sweat soaking his body. As his vision focused he saw Jack and Rex were up as well, though they seemed as out of it as he did. Marie was back too, holding Rich in her arms and rubbing a bump on his head.
"What happened?" asked Flint his memory failing him at the moment.
"Nothing much," groaned Jack sorely. "We were just attacked my deadly, deadly, ninja guys."
"And injected with deadly, deadly poison," added Rex removing his prince outfit.
"Then why aren't we deadly, deadly dead?" asked Flint finding beyond some soreness he didn't have a scratch on him or any needles stuck into his body.
"That was my doing," explained Marie dangling her fingers over Rich's boost.
Nightingale
A gentle and warming light grew from her hand, illuminating the room. Once it faded, the bump was gone and he felt a lot better. Flint and the others were amazed by her powers and now that they thought about it, they never did see what abilities she had when they fought the rest of the team.
"Thanks for that," said Rich getting back to his feet. "During all the ruckus I fell off the stage and hit my head. I've always been a klutz during confrontation and now this is the biggest blunder ever. The only thing that went right was Marie here to heal us."
"I wouldn't call it a total blunder," argued Jack. "Sure we lost Angel and two of our teammates, but, uh, what was I trying to say?"
"That we didn't epically fail to keep tonight from being a disaster even though we did," replied Flint growing angry the more he woke up. "But next time we will make them epically fail!"
"So what's your title?" asked Rex curiously to Marie, ignoring Flint as he got up and pounded his fists against his chest to psyche himself up.
"I'm always a bit embarrassed to say it," admitted Marie. "I'm the hand of healing that cures not only what ails you, but the emptiness in your heart. Medic of Love, Marie."
"If you are a medic then could you use that magic to heal any wounds completely?" asked Jack.
"Just about any wounds I suppose," she replied.
"That's all I wanted to hear," stated with a grin. "Flint, hit me."
"What?" Flint asked as he stopped pounding his chest.
"Give me a good punch," continued Jack pointing to his cheek. "Right here and make it a good one. Then lovely Marie can come and heal me with her magic touch."
"I don't think I should," Flint replied. "I could really hurt you."
"Just don't use your full strength then," began Jack, but before he could continue Flint already planted a powerful punch on his face sending him flying into the wall with a half swollen face. "Ok, that'll do Flint. And now Marie, if you'd be so kind as to heal me."
"Of course," she said walking over to him.
"It's time to go Marie," Jill shouted from the audience entrance across the room.
"Is it time for us to do another job from the guild?" she asked surprised.
"Ember told you we were going to have an early start today and not to stay up to late with those guys," she said sternly.
"Didn't you even hear about all the crazy stuff that happened last night?" shouted Rex.
"Hardly a Digimon around who hasn't," she answered. "But it wasn't our responsibility. You buffoons messed it up so you'd better fix it. It hurts my team's image if a team that held their own against us could get beat so easily. So get this matter fixed before we fix all of you." Her words were very threatening and made the remaining members of Team Matrix swallow hard and watch as Marie take her leave.
"What about healing me?" asked the still injured Jack.
"If you want, I can heal you," offered Jill as she brandished her claws.
"Actually, I'm feeling a lot better," lied Jack knowing her type of healing would likely send his six feet under.
"Fear is the best medicine as usual," she chuckled as she took her leave with Marie right behind her.
"For a moment there I thought her team was going to help us," sighed Rich feeling the situation growing worse by the second.
"We don't need anyone else," stated Flint feeling fully energized now. "We're going to go after those ninjas and save Angel and the rest of our team. Vengence shall be ours!"
"And I've always wanted to fight ninjas!" exclaimed Rex excitedly.
"Didn't we already fight them?" asked Jack remembering it was not a very pleasant experience.
"But this time we're going to come out on top," explained Rex. "We'll get our gear from the store and then we'll be able to fight them on equal ground."
"Oh, yeah," added Flint. "With everything going on I forgot about that."
"But we don't even know where they went," added Jack. "And by now they are long gone without a trace."
"Don't you remember?" asked Rex. "They said they were from the Blue Moon Kingdom. So all we have to do is go there to find them. Easy as pie."
"It's going to be a lot harder than it sounds," stated Rich. "In fact, that one fact makes it a lot harder than simply not knowing where they are going."
"That doesn't make sense," commented Flint. "And isn't the Blue Moon Kingdom the same thing as the show that was just put on?"
"Kind of," answered Rich. "We knew there was a small island nation called the Blue Moon Kingdom, but could they really have thought Angel's song was referring to them? If that is the case it's the biggest national blunder ever and any action from us could start a war."
"A war?" asked Jack. "You aren't making any sense."
"Let me explain," continued Rich. "The Blue Moon Kingdom is a sovereign nation that's separate from the land controlled by Sauron. The last thing we'd want is to be the cause of a national catastrophe."
"Well what about them kidnapping Angel and our friends?" asked Flint. "How can they get away with that?"
"Because we don't have proof against them," explained Rich. "However, if we can be just as sneaky we might be able to rescue them and avoid getting into trouble."
"Well what's the plan then?" asked Rex.
"I'll fly you three to the island," answered Rich. "From there you'll jump off the plane and parachute down disguised as ninjas and try to blend in with their ninja infantry. If you don't get attacked on your way down you'll head for the castle and search for Angel and the others while avoiding an army that easily outnumbers you 10,000-to-1. If you can manage that impossible task somehow you'll need to find a way off the island as I won't be able to pick you up and there won't be any possible way for us to stay in contact. I'd say there is little chance for this to even work and even if it does someone is likely to be killed." As he said the last part, his eyes instantly turned to Jack making the purple Digimon feel extremely uncomfortable.
"Maybe we should just forget about it and go on with our lives," suggested Jack nervously.
"We get to be ninjas," stated Flint trembling with excitement.
"With ninja outfits and everything," added Rex.
The two of them turned to one another and struck their Team Matrix Pose. "Team Matrx is going to be the greatest ninja clan ever!" they cheered together.
"Didn't you hear anything Rich said about this mission beside the ninja part?" cried Jack angrily at them. "Like how it is impossible or that we don't even have a means of escape? What about how he's practically saying I'm going to be killed? Are you guys even listening to me?"
"We're going to go get ready," shouted Flint and he and Rex grabbed Jack's arms and carried him out.
"Get the ship fueled ready for our departure," added Rex.
"Someone call my mommy to save me!" wailed Jack, his voice fading as they exited the theatre.
"It's come to this," said Rich as they left. "I don't know if it is worse that are not treating this like a game or that they seem to have forgotten the point of the mission. Still, nothing else I can do but rely on them. And who knows, they might just be able to do it. That's it. I just have to stay positive. Yeah, they can do this and everything will turn out all right. There's nothing to worry about."
The next day, Rich met Team Matrix only one thing came to mind upon seeing them. "We're doomed." Flint was dressed in a bright red gi while Rex wore a blue one, and Jack a bright yellow one. If they were any louder Rich would've needed earmuffs. There
was absolutely no way they would blend in with real ninjas.
"What do you think?" asked Flint. "That Bokomon Jarvis helped set us up with these costumes and while we were there got our weapons. Now we're all set."
"I see that," answered Rich weakly. "A blade on your arm, a mask, and a bag."
"It's a happy sack," corrected Jack unable to believe he was still going along with this.
"Are you alright?" asked Rex seeing that Rich looked less than enthusiastic. "You look really down. Don't you like our super awesome disguises?"
"It's not that," he began to say, but couldn't bear to tell them the truth. "I'm just disappointed I won't be able to see you kick butt against those ninja guys."
"We'll tell you all about it when we get back," said Rex happily as they boarded the plane. After getting the last of the preparations were taken care of, the wheels of the plane started to move towards the flight strip and quickly began to turn faster as they accelerated forward. They went faster and faster the wheels leaving the ground only to come back down. It happened a few times before they left the ground and the plane kept rising. They were on their way to the Blue Moon Kingdom.
"Where am I?" asked Angel awakening. She rubbed her eyes and saw she was no in a beautiful silk dress and while it was lovely she felt disturbed to have been dressed in her sleep. "Why am I in these clothes? What's going on?"
"I'm sorry if you were hurt in any way on your transport here," said a figure standing before her. "But it was necessary for me to be able to bring you to me."
"Who are you?" she asked nervously.
"Don't you recognize me beloved," he told her. "I am the one to which you have yearned for. Just as the legend goes we are meant to be together. I am the Blue Moon Prince and you are my princess. And soon enough, dear, we shall be married."
Chapter 30
The night sky was thick with clouds which ended up being a good thing for Flint and the others as they flew above the Blue Moon Kingdom. Even at night it was fairly easy to spot a bright pink plane in the sky and they needed stealth above everything else.
Below them was a rather large city that was dwarfed by the castle next to it, their target. Everything else around was just forests and mountains. The castle was made of stone and rock that was carved into a grand masterpiece. In the dark, it seemed very creepy with gargoyles on the roof and stein glass windows with very intricate designs. Torches were lit to help illuminate things, but at their current elevation they couldn't see much of what was down there.
"I'll go over the plan once more," Rich informed them as they neared the drop zone. "You'll all have to parachute in and recover Angel, and the rest of your team. It is not guaranteed they will all be in the same place, but it is important that you all remain together."
"Why can't we split up?" asked Rex. "We will be able to hide better if we aren't together."
"The odds will be bad enough as is, so you'll need to stick together to survive," explained Rich. "The biggest risk of separation so far is the drop off. It has been a bit windier than I had hoped it would be, but feels like it has calmed down for the moment. This is our chance, so get ready to jump and good luck to all of you."
"We don't need luck," stated Flint. "All we need is to kick their butts."
"Yeah and its ninja butts so that makes it even better," chuckled Rex excitedly.
"That's enough talking about butts," said Jack. "No offense, but I don't understand your fascination with kicking them."
"You just kicked a butt before have you?" asked Flint.
"Or at least not hard enough," laughed Rex.
"We're in position," informed Rich as he handed them each a parachute. "Grab a parachute and get ready to jump." He started to walk away, not sure if they would succeed or even if he would ever see any of them again. Taking a deep breath he chose to send them off with all his faith and belief resting on them. "I know you will bring them all back safe."
Securely fastening their parachutes on, Flint opened the door causing the cabin to decompress as the air began to get sucked out. Everyone held fast to avoid getting sucked out holding onto the chairs for support. Once the air inside was equal to their air outside, it was safe for them all to let go. Flint, Rex, and Jack then lined up at the door and one after another they took a step forward for the big plunge. Walking to the door, and with a heavy heart, Rich closed the door and returned to the cockpit to turn off the auto pilot and head for home. There was nothing more he could do now.
"Bet you I can go the longest without pulling my chord," stated Rex as they were freefalling.
"You're on!" shouted Flint finding it hard to hear as they plummeted to the ground.
"Shouldn't we be focusing more on the mission than games?" cried Jack unable to keep his eyes off the ground. "Or at least the hard castle that we're getting ever closer too. I don't know about you, but I'd like to at least make it alive beyond this part."
"Fine," grumbled Flint pulling his chord and finding himself being pulled back up into the sky as the parachute caught the wind before descending a lot slower. Rex pulled his right after and his came out just the same.
"We were just messing with you a little," added Rex chuckling a little at how nervous Jack looked.
"Blah, blah, blah," mumbled Jack as he tried to pulling his chord, but nothing happened. "What? It's not working. My parachute isn't working!"
"Very funny," replied Rex. "You are just trying to prank us back for the joke we just put on you."
"I'm serious," he cried pulling it more and more erratically, sweat pouring down his face. "This can't be happening!"
"I don't think he's kidding," Flint replied seeing him quickly near the castle. "Jack!"
"Flint?" he replied sobbing a little.
"I know we were always making you the butt of our jokes and stuff, but you know it was just because we're friends."
"You really mean that?" asked Jack seeing his end in sight.
"Me too," cried Rex. "We're a team. The best of friends. Who've have thought it would end like this?"
"I know," stated Jack solemnly, only seconds left before his collision. "But there's one last thing I have to tell you." They both looked down eager to hear what he had to say. A grin suddenly spread across his face as he looked up and stuck his tongue out while pulling down one of his eye lids in a teasing manner. "Fooled ya!" Pulling on his chord for real, he released his parachute and saved himself by the narrowest of margins. "Looks like I got the last laugh this time."
A wild wind then blew pushing Jack towards the castle making him slide along the castle top on his rear, giving him a pretty nasty butt burn before slipping off and crashing through the roof of a lower level of the castle.
"Never a dull minute with him," chuckled Flint. "But he knows we were supposed to stick together."
"No accounting for wind I guess," stated Rex as another strong gust blew in between them. "Uh, this doesn't look good."
"But somehow expected," sighed Flint. "Quick, grab my hand so we don't get separated."
"I'm trying!" cried Rex fumbling in the air, but he just couldn't move closer to Flint. They were at the mercy of the wind and it chose to blow them further and further apart. "What do we do now?"
"What we do best!" shouted Flint. "Kick butt!"
"Kick butt!" screamed Rex.
"Go Team Matrix!" they shouted together as they lost sight of one another. Rex crashed through the roof and entered a very delicious smelling room. Flint, on the other hand, somehow managed to avoid crashing through the higher levels of the castle and instead crashed into one of the lower levels. As he slowly floated to the ground he saw he was in some sort of gymnasium. The floor was matted with soft exercise pads; the walls had an assortment of exercise gear like weights, jump ropes, and medicine balls on it on hooks and shelves. There were also weapons like swords, spears, and axes. However, the most alarming thing that Flint saw was that a class was still in session with more than a dozen Digimon dressed as ninjas were practicing punches and kicks in unison as they worked on their breathing. They didn't even seem to be able to notice him crashing through the roof and landed in the very center of the room, his parachute blanketing over him.
"Maybe they didn't notice me," thought Flint as he struggled out of his parachute. It was a bit harder than he expected, but once he managed to poke his head out he saw all the ninjas had gathered around him and didn't look happy at all. "Looks like I'm going to be kicking butt a lot sooner than I expected."
"Where am I?" asked Fonz as he finally came to. Looking at his surroundings he discovered he was in a dimly lit dungeon. He was grateful that he wasn't wearing one of his afros as the dankness would have ruined it. As his consciousness to his surroundings came more into focus he realized something wasn't right. From the way he was positioned he was already standing up, but his feet weren't even touch the ground. When he tried to move he realized he was chained to something. Then he realized that something was alive as he suddenly started hopping about. "Who am I attached to?"
"Fonz is that you?" asked Dan looking around. "Where are you?"
"I believe we're chained together," he said. "But how long have you been awake for?"
"A few hours I think," replied Dan.
"A few hours and you haven't noticed that you were chained to me at all?" stated Fonz in disbelief.
"Sorry," apologized Dan. "I got distracted by the carvings in this room. It makes me wonder just what other archeological finds this place must have."
"Do any of them tell us how we can get out of here?" asked Fonz trying futilely to get free.
"No, but there is a door over there," Dan answered. "And before you get upset I already check and it's locked."
"Figures," sighed Fonz. "Well where are the others? I remember Angel was captured along with us."
"It looks like we're the only ones here," observed Dan. "They were after Angel so they probably have her somewhere else and the others I have no clue about, but they aren't here."
"If they haven't been captured or killed yet," said Fonz. "What are the odds they are on their way to rescue us?"
"Pretty good if you ask me," responded Dan. "But even so we'd better do more than wait around. I just wish we could break free of these chains. It's a pain to hop around everywhere."
"At least you can hop," commented Fonz. "I can't do more than move my ears. This is a really uncool situation we're in."
"Now, now," stated a voice from the door as it opened. It was Nikki of the four ninjas that had attacked them earlier. "You should be glad that you are still alive. The others wanted to execute you, but I convinced them that Angel would want some of her friends to witness her wedding. At the very least, it's bought you a few more hours of life. It won't be good to allow you to leave knowing what you do."
"That makes us feel a lot better," grumbled Dan. "Then what did you do to our friends?"
"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we just left them dying a slow agonizing death," admitted Nikki. "They are long dead by now."
"Marry you?" Angel replied in disbelief. "You've got to be kidding."
"I am quite serious my dear," he answered. "After all, you are my love, the princess, and I am your Blue Moon Prince. We were meant to be together."
"I'm sure you think that's the truth," stated Angel in the nicest way she could. "It is quite flattering that you think I'm a princess and I'm sure you are a prince, but please don't take this the wrong way, but you're a five year old Gumdramon."
"I'm eight and a half," he replied hugging at her waist. "And we will be together and happy forever my lovely Angel."
"But we hardly know each other," she replied. "I don't even know your name."
"My name is Arthur," he answered. "Quite fitting for a king don't you think?"
"I guess so, but as I've said before you are too young," she repeated adamantly. "Besides, my heart belongs to another."
"Another?" cried Arthur. "Who is this other? Tell me now so that I might destroy him."
"I'm not telling you," she replied. "So you might as well let me go and try calling me in about ten years to see if I'm still available."
"Your highness," shouted Shadow rushing into the throne room. "I have urgent business to report."
"It had better be good," Arthur snapped. "I was in the middle of swooning over my love before my nap."
"We've detected three intruders invading the castle by parachuting," he reported. "It is highly likely they have come to reclaim the princess and their companions."
"Then I can assume that among them is the fiend hampering Angel and my love," deducted Arthur. "Have you sent the troops to apprehend them?"
"That's just the thing, sire," replied Shadow. "We've never had to deal with intruders before so none of our guards are sure how to handle this. And to be perfectly honest, I doubt they would be able to stop them. It would be much less costly to let them walk into our traps so that we can capture them. We, your elite ninja team have already defeated them once, we can do it again. Until then, remain in this section of the castle with your bride to be."
"Then I leave it up to you to make sure they regret coming to my kingdom to steal my princess," stated Arthur.
"Don't underestimate them," argued Angel. "They will not be as easy as you think to defeat. They will beat you and rescue me."
"Then how about a wager, my dear," suggested Shadow. "If they can reach you then you are free to leave, but if they are all captured then you will remain here of your free will and happily marry the prince."
"Do not carelessly wager my fiance," argued Arthur unhappy with such a risky bet.
"I assure you that we will win without fail," promised Shadow. "Just have a little faith in your most loyal warriors."
"Very well then," agreed Arthur. "And what say you Princess Angel?"
Pausing for a moment to consider the offer she knew it was costly if she lost and in this situation, winning only worked if they kept their word. Angel had no idea if they would honor their side of the deal or merely betray her trust, but knew there was no harm in agreeing since losing was the same with or without the bet. If they failed to rescue her now there was very little chance that someone else would come to her rescue.
"It's a bet," she answered bravely. "If they rescue me I'm going home and if they fail this will be my new home and I'll gladly be your bride."