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[Qu33n0f1c3]

Kresnimon followed Shawn out of the building, always eager to get a move on, though he did stop and bow toward Cronomon before leaving completely. It was only respectful.

Lucifer followed him at a distance. Shawn wasn't the only one who'd been thinking about the Land of Peace and what it meant to go back there.

Even aside from talks with Gabriel, he knew that the realm of peace was his. It called to him. He felt like he was meant to be there. But what could he do? Gabriel had his powers, and he still had to learn to evolve to perfect level again. He was coming along well, but not fast enough for his preference.

Edward followed up last of them all, trailing behind Picodevimon and Neo. Standing at the door, he cast one final look to Chronomon, then shut it over and left him in peace.

On the way back to the airship nervousness was really starting to take hold. The shrine, the underground world, how the hell was he going to survive any of it?

"I won't lie and say it's going to be all right," Elise said, slowing a little so as to walk beside her son. "Look at me, Edward. Listen to me. These next few days are going to be harrowing. There are times you are going to want to give up. If you do, you're grounded. No son of mind is going to give up when the world's depending on him."

Edward didn't say much in response though, just gave his mother a weird look.

"This will protect you," she said, placing her hand upon Kresnimon's bracelet. "And so will I. Maybe I'm not dead anymore, but you and Sam will be in my thoughts . . . and you know I'll keep working at preparations for the wedding. Your father and I are going to throw you and Shawn a party you'll never forget. So stay strong, Edward. You have so much to live for."

"Thanks," Edward said quietly. It didn't show on the outside, but inside he was grateful for the little pep talk. He even dared to smile. It was nice knowing she cared enough to try and pull him out of potentially dark thoughts.

When they reached the blimp, Edward approached Picodevimon. "Hey guys," he said to him and Lionessmon, and Neo, who was nearby. "I'm pretty exhausted, but before I lay down I want to have a meeting with Neo and Ashok. I want to talk about what we should expect from the shrine. And what sort of plan we're going to have going underground."

"Me?" Neo wondered.

"Yeah. You're my partner, right?"

"Oh, I dunno Prince Edward. Grandracmon assigned me to be your partner as the Bearer of Darkness . . . but the Bearer of Life? It doesn't feel right."

"As strange as it sounds, I get where he's coming from," Picodevimon admitted. "I'll stand by your side no matter what, Ed, but I've wondered myself who gets to decide who your partner is now that you've broken your crest and aligned to the Goddess Valkyrimon."

Edward frowned and looked them over, then looked at Lionessmon in particular. Hadn't she been given to him as a gift by Valkyrimon? He wondered if somehow the Goddess had known all along that this might happen, and had given her to him as her own selected partner. Wouldn't that be strange.

"Perhaps we should pray and find out for certain," Edward said. "I'd hate to assume and fail the trial by default by bringing too many of you in."

"It's never a bad idea to pray," Picodevimon agreed, grinning. "C'mon then, let's go inside."

[ShadowCat]

Once he was outside again Shawn started for the Airship, but a slower pace. He was happy with where they’d be going next, but wasn’t in any hurry to get back on the ship yet. He wanted to enjoy the openness of the island as long as he could. Even if he’d only gain a few extra moments by not hurrying on-board.

Next to him Elecmon’s thoughts where more on the danger they’d be facing once they reached the core. If it was going to be even half as dangerous as he was thinking it could be then he was grateful that he and the others had been training all this time. Looking up at Shawn, he worried a little though. He’d missed out on the training the other humans had gotten. He turned a little to look back at Edward too, but wasn’t that worried about him. Edward had always been a fighter.

’I’ll just have to make sure Shawn’s never in a situation he’d be in danger then. ’ Elecmon thought looking back up at Shawn.

Oblivious to his partners concerns, Shawn glanced back at Ed when he heard his mom speak up. He didn’t slow down to walk with them though. He didn’t want to intrude what seemed like a mother son moment. He did smile a little though as he looked away, glad Ed hadn’t ruined his relationship with his mom or dad.

Looking around at the others Shawn watched them for a few moments. His eyes lingered on Lucifer and Ben. He still wanted to talk with them about the wedding. Now might be a good time as they'd not be doing much once they got back on the airship. It might even give the two something less dreary to think about for a while.

He just hoped Sam wouldn't mind if he stole him for a while. Or Kresnimon ether for that matter.

"Ben, Lucifer." He called to get there attention, "I've got something I want to talk to you guys about. Mind coming with me for a bit?"


Lionessmon had been quiet as they’d left the shrine. Her thoughts on what her husband had shared with her about his death. The thought he’d have to do a shrine again worried her. Lionessmon didn’t think he’d die again, but she doubted he could be feeling well about what they needed to do. She wished there was some other way for him and Ed.

When Ed called out to them she gave him her attention, listening as he said he wanted to talk to Neo and Ashok about the shrine and underground. She wondered if she should tag along. She might not be going, but she might feel a little at ease when the left if she knew what they planned to do.

When Neo said that he didn’t feel he belonged with Ed as the barer of Life, she looked between him, PicoDevimon and Ed. Who his partner was now hadn’t even crossed her mind. When Ed looked at her thoughtfully, Lionessmon had to wonder what he was thinking. Was his thoughts on the fact Valkryimon had made and given her to Edward to be his familiar? She remembered the goddess telling her when she’d been trying to understand her visions. Valkyrimon had said she was to guide and help Ed in his quest to defeat Kresnimon.

Things had obviously changed a lot in the past year though... For one Kresnimon was not longer then foe.

“I’d like to pray with you.” Lionessmon told them. She wanted to know more and she just felt it wouldn't hurt to pay her respects to the goddess.

[Alison]

Ben kept up his pace that he had started to walk at, there was no point slowing down for him. Kresnmon had left behind Shawn so that was an idication that the god wanted to get going and he was not going to be the one to keep him waiting. Miles, Fang and Wizarmon were not far behind.

Ben was oblivous the conversation happening behind him between Edward and his mother, he was just content to be walking with Sam right now. Miles however had caught slight wind of a discussion as he turned his head to see where the others were. He saw Elise place her hand on the bracelet and for the boy to smile. Part of him wanted to get hold of Ben there and then and hug him, worried for his own son's safety. But the boy was seemingly happy with Sam.

Ben looked a little startled as Shawn called for both him and Lucifer. Pondering for a few moments on what Shawn could possibly want from he let go of Sam's hand.

"We'll catch up later." he spoke to her with a smile before heading over to man.

"Sure we have sometime to spare before we get to Lucifer's domain," he answered.

Miles watched his son go to Shawn and gave a slight sigh. The man then looked to Elise and spoke. "I don't know about you, but I never thought we would have to be supporting our children through something so dangerous."

[Qu33n0f1c3]

The airship jets began to whir to life as the group began to enter inside. Kresnimon had been one of the first ones on, up, and through to relay the plan of action to their pilot, Piemon (of course).

Lucifer had been more than ready to blindly follow his Gabriel, but Shawn was calling his name, and Shawn was his second favorite person, so he surely turned around and smiled.

Bounding over to him, he wondered, "What do you want to talk about?"

Edward nodded, he was fine with Lionessmon wanting to come along. Her being there might be a good idea anyway.

They went up onto the airship together, but instead of going to his room, Edward led them upstairs, past the larger rooms, and into the more cozy sitting area, where Terry had made habit of occupying. He was there, as expected, nose deep in a book he still struggled to read. He was old, and learning to read digicode had been slow going for him.

He looked up briefly when the four of them came into the room, but they seemed to be absorbed about something, so he simply nodded and continued to read.

Edward sat himself down in a chair in the corner of the other end of the room, and waited for the others to join him, Picodevimon setting down on the arm of the chair and Neo sitting on a couch nearby.

There was a table between them, and thick, wide candles set in the middle. Edward began to light each one in preparation for the prayer.

"What should we offer her?" Edward asked them. "Valkyrimon has always liked blood but I'm not so sure it would be wise to shed that which gives us energy in such desperate times."

Terry briefly glanced over his book, though he tried to keep inconspicuous. What was this man talking about regarding offerings and blood? Was he about to bear witness to some satanic ritual?!

Elise shrugged to Miles, finding him mildly annoying and off color with his questioning. "I died in a car wreck because some idiot lost control of a truck," she said bluntly. "Life is always dangerous. I have and always will protect my son regardless the level of danger associated with whatever it is he's doing . . ." She began to head toward the airship.

[ShadowCat]

“I have something I want to discuss with the both of you about the wedding.” Shawn them quietly in in response to Lucifer's question, as he started to led them away from the Airships lobby. He thought about heading to his and Ed’s room to talk, but Ed could show up at anytime there, and the sitting area by there room was also occupied often. So he settled for just walking around the corridors. He thought they’d be able to keep what he had to talk about privet that way.

“I have a surprise for Ed planned after the earth wedding ceremony. I’ve talked to both Devimon and Terry about also having a traditional dark wedding ceremony. Like the one I saved Ed from before.” Pausing he looked between the two. He wasn’t worried too much about what Lucifer would think. He though as long as it was something Shawn wanted to do, he’d be alright with it. He was still a bit concerned about what Ben would think though.

Feeling a little nervous Shawn ran a hand though his hair before he went on, “We each need some a witness to take part in it. Sort of like a 'best man'.” Turning his eyes on Lucifer Shawn said, “And I need someone who will stand in for my family to be there. Would you do that Lucifer?”


In the Lobby of the ship Alex watched Shawn head off with Ben and Lucifer, before turning to Sam. "What do you think there up to?" She asked the younger blond girl. She was happy to see Shawn interacting with the group, but curious as to what he wanted to talk about with only them.


Glad they didn’t mind her coming along, Lionessmon trailed after Ed to the sitting room. When they entered the room she looked over at Terry for a moment. The Lion oman wasn’t too concerned with his presence, so she left him be and sat on the couch near Neo.

“Do you have anything in your Digivice we could offer?” Lionessmon asked when Ed voiced his concern over the normal offering of blood for Valkyrimon at this time. She remembered Ed used to carry stuff around (like incents, feathers and bones), but didn’t know if that had changed while he was away.

[Alison]

Lucifer was soon to join them, which brought Shawn into saying what he wanted. It being about the wedding wasn't a big suprise and so the boy followed Shawn away from the lobby. It was nice that Shawn wanted to have a suprise for Ed, but Ben really had not expected it to be the traditional dark ceremony.

Ben's face showed the suprise at the news. He recalled what had happened when they been at Hemani's home and what Edward had nearly done in public with the ape. Then his thoughts started to wander to what had happened between them both when he had been captured. The suprised face turned thoughtful as Shawn continued. He recalled that people had to be present to bear witness to the event.

He had already agreed to be Ed's best man at the normal wedding. But could he do this? He didn't know. He had forgiven Ed for what had happened, but had Edward forgiven himself? They had a deep conversation in this very airship but hadn't discussed it since then. Just how would Ed feel about having sex in his presence?

Shawn had spoken to Lucifer directly, so for now he would wait to give his thought.

Elise's blunt reply caught Miles off guard. He hadn't indicated anything bad had he? With how she had responded he didn't know for sure. He was speechless as he watched her go. With another sigh he started to head after her, hoping that at the end of this he wasn't going to feel worse than he was now.

[Airdra]

Shawn wanted to know if there was still a way for Ed to come, and Sam was rather interested in that as well. As much as she would have liked Ed to stay behind and be safe, there would be something...wrong...if he didn't go with them. Something just wouldn't be right at all...

But they'd still have adult supervision--Leah would be coming with them, if she could. Kresnimon would see to that.

Ben seemed to share Sam's sentiments that Ed would at least be safe if he stayed behind, and Sam was rather glad about that. It wasn't just her.

"Another shrine?" Sam murmured. Her own had been...difficult. Not impossible, but difficult. It seemed so long ago, so far away. So much had happened in that time; in retrospect, it seemed like the shrine was in a way easier than some of the other things she had to face since then.

And there had been other shrines too; the ones Piemon had set them up with. The ones he'd really used to mess with them all. <i>I wonder how long Valkyrimon's will take...we don't have a whole lot of time...</i> She didn't say that out loud, not yet.

At least Ben was there, squeezing her hand reassuringly. She liked that, returning the squeeze with one of her own.

But at least there was now some idea of where they would leave the others. It would be somewhere safe, and somewhere that wasn't with Chronomon. That was reassuring in a way; though Sam doubted Chronomon would cause anyone in the group any harm, he was...unnerving. After the initial euphoria had worn off a bit (or she'd acclimated to it), the god's manner had been...odd.

She started to follow after Ben as they left, giving Chronomon a polite bow of her own. She had to grin when she heard Elise talking to Ed; her mother was a strong woman, and she loved her for it.

And now Shawn was calling for Ben. It surprised Sam, but she didn't seem to have a problem letting Ben go. Sure, she was annoyed by it, but she didn't think Shawn would be keeping the boy for too long...ah, well. It wouldn't do to dwell on what they were talking about, would it? It was probably something regarding the shrine or...maybe something earlier? Something from when Ben had gone off and talked with Edward? Okay, she was curious, sure, but she didn't think either of them would take it well if she insisted on following along, and she didn't want Ben thinking she was clingy...

A bit irritated and distracted by thoughts of what was to come, she decided to wait until it was time to go, fidgeting a bit as she did so. She was, however, distracted even from that by Alex's question. "I've got no idea. Guy things?"

[Qu33n0f1c3]

Lucifer waited patiently for Shawn to get over with the exposition about the wedding, which admittedly did perk up his interest.

His eyes lit up at the mention of a traditional dark ceremony. Live sex? Being witness for Shawn? HELL YEAH LUCIFER WAS DOWN FOR THAT.

"Sure!" Lucifer grinned from ear to ear. Looking to Ben, he said proudly, "I'm gonna be a best man!"


"Of course I do," Edward said it matter of factly. "I just worry that plain old stuff isn't enough. I don't have much in terms of meat or hides." He frowned, retrieved his digivice, and began to scan through the contents.

[ShadowCat]

As he’d expected, Lucifer had not been bothered by his request. In fact he seemed delighted to have been asked. Smiling back at the happy demonic angel Shawn said, “Thank you. It will mean a lot to have you there for it.”

For a moment he just let himself feel happy Lucifer had said yes, before turning to look back at Ben. He’d been quiet sense he’d told them what he was planning and it worried him a little. He didn’t know if it was just because he was thinking while he talked to Lucifer, or because he was uncomfortable. Which Ben would have every right to be. For a moment Shawn wondered if he’d really made the right decision. Well he’d know in a moment.

“Ben, would you be willing to take part in the ceremony? Be there to witness it for Ed?” he asked more than a little nervously. It wasn't a simple thing he was asking of the younger boy.


Alex hadn’t really expected Sam to have known what they were up to, but a girl could hope, couldn’t she? “Yeah, your likely right.” She agreed after a moment. “Hey, do you want to go do some girl stuff while the boys are off doing their thing?” She asked. She didn’t see why the guys should be the only ones having fun.

[Alison]

Lucifer's exclimation made Ben wonder if the Digimon even knew what was involved in the ceremony. To be honest Ben didn't know the full details himself. He knew that Edward and Shawn would have to have sex, but was else what involved? Would Lucifer have to do more as the best man? What would that also mean for him as Edward's best man in the normal ceremony.

"Well I can see you are excited for this" Ben smiled back to the former god.

As much as Ben tried for it to be a geniune small, it likely came off as a nervous smile. Shawn had asked him something big before he had responded to Lucifer. Something Ben wasn't sure he could do. It was clear that the Ben was uneasy about it. He knew that Dark Ceremony meant sex and watching both the men taking part with each other. Part of the boy had hoped that Shawn was just simply telling him that the ceremony was to take place. But this was important. He doubted Shawn would have asked if it wasn't.

"I..don't know," the boy answered uneasily. "Being Edward's best man in the other ceremony is one thing. Being a witness for Edward in the Dark ceremony is quite another."

Ben bit his lip before looking to the floor and exhaled. If he didn't do it what would both Ed and Shawn think? He was supposed to be friends with Ed and he had forgiven the man. He was friends with Shawn too. Another step to getting over something was to face it head on right? Ben looked back up to Shawn and gave a nod.

"I think I would like to do it," he confirmed, still having that slightly nervous look. "As long as Edward doesn't mind at the time."

[ShadowCat]

Shawn nodded slowly as Ben told him he didn’t know. The unease in the boys voice was easy to pick up and Shawn felt bad for having asked him. His worry over that made him overlook Ben saying he was going to be Ed’s best man in the first ceremony. He did hear him say that, but it just didn’t click yet.

When he went on Shawn expected him to say he ‘didn’t think he could’ so was a bit surprise when he said yes. Well if Ed didn’t have problems with it.

With a sad smile he said, “Thank you. I imagine it can’t be easy for you to agree. I think Ed will be happy to have you there though.” Of course Shawn didn’t know for sure, not without asking Ed, but that would kind of ruin the surprise. Still had the feeling Ed would be pleased. He’d come to understand the Ben was special to Ed, being his first human friend.


Lionessmon pondered what Ed said, as he looked through his Digivice. He was right that it would be better to give her something meaningful, and not just some generic prayer items.

After a few moments she offered, “Maybe we could use my blood for it. As I’ll be staying behind when you go to the core I don’t think it’ll hurt me as much.” Still she did agree that blood might not be the best option at the moment, but it would be better then just a feather. "Or maybe they'd be something in the store rooms." She added and then looked over at her husband. She guessed he'd know if there was, as he'd spent a lot of time down there.

[Qu33n0f1c3]

Edward appeared pale faced and somewhat alarmed by the idea of using Lionessmon's blood for the ceremony.

"Perhaps it would be best not to break flesh for an offering." It was Terry who spoke, peering over his book.

"What else is there to give?" Picodevimon wondered. Valkyrimon wasn't impressed by much.

"Well, she is the goddess of life, isn't she? Anything created by a life form should do. How about some hair?"

"Hair?" Picodevimon echoed, slowly glancing around. Each of them certainly did have some hair or fur that could be spared.

"S-sure," Edward said. He dove into his digivice for some scissors, and once he'd retrieved them, he set about to pulling his hair into his lap and snipping a little off of the end.

"This is gonna stink, man," Neo murmured, leaning toward Edward so that he could cut a little from him as well.

Edward simply smiled, hidden pain behind a mask, and looked toward Lionessmon, wondering if she was going to donate.


Lucifer turned to Ben when Shawn asked him if he'd stand in for Ed. Something about Shawn's tone was more somber than when he'd asked him. Though he was young, Lucifer wasn't stupid. He thought he knew why Shawn was talking this way.

But Ben said he'd do it, which was a good thing. "It'll be no big deal, you'll see," Lucifer said. He was kind of wishing he had more chances to engage in such ceremonies himself. Gabriel didn't understand how quickly his memories were returning. Lucifer wanted him.


Sam gave Alex a sidelong glance. "Girl . . . stuff?" She scrunched up her nose, thinking of how soiled her clothes got sometimes when she worked on machinery, and how unladylike her favorite past times were. "I don't know . . . What did you have in mind?" She had visions of pink toenails and flowery dresses. She wasn't thrilled.

[Alison]

Ben didn't know how to handle Shawn's sad smile. Heck he wondered if it would have been worse if he'd have said no. He nodded as Shawn responded to him and then Lucifer followed up. The former god was somewhat of a comfort.

"It isn't easy for me to agree," Ben admitted. "But I will give it a chance. Afterall I wouldn't want to miss my friends getting hitched."

Turning to Lucifer, Ben gave a smile. "I'm sure it won't be a big deal," he responded. "It's going to be nice to have something to celebrate and look forward to."

[ShadowCat]

Having forgotten about Terry’s presence Lionessmon blinked and turned to look at the old human when he’d suggested they not us any blood. Her husband asked what else to given then and to her surprise Terry suggested hair.

Thinking, Lionessmon lifted a lock of her own golden hair and peered at it. It would certainly would be better then blood, if the goddess would be happy with it.

Either because he thought it a good idea or because he couldn’t think of anything else, Edward agreed to give hair for it. Knowing how much the boy loved his hair Lionessmon hoped the goddess would accept the offer. She watched as Neo leaned forward to let Edward take some of his hair, before he turned his green eyes on her.

Guessing what he wanted she leaned towards him, “Take as much as you need.” A lock of hair cut off was no big deal to her. And it would grow back with time.


~~~

Shawn glanced over at Lucifer as he tried to encourage Ben, telling him this wouldn’t be a big deal. Returning his eyes to Ben he hoped the digimon was right. That is wouldn’t be hard on him.

Ben admitted he was correct it thinking this wasn’t easy for him, but would try anyway. For his friends. “Thanks.” Shawn smiled, this time a more happy one. He was happy that the boy thought the wedding was something to look forward to still, now that he knew it would be more then just the earth ceremony. It helped put his fears about having asked Ben at ease.

Slowing down Shawn wondered what to do now he’d told them what he’d had to say. He had no reason to keep them with him anymore, but he kind of wanted their company. He thought Ed likely would be busy with his partners for a while. And while he could go fine his own partner, the purple foxish digimon wouldn’t provide him what he was wanting at the moment. Elecmon was to laid back and quiet for that. He found he just wanted to act like the teenager he was and hang out with friends.

“Now that’s, out of the way… you guys want to find something to do that’ll kill some time?” He asked the two of them. A thought crossing his mind he looked back at Ben, “Unless you’d prefer to go find Sam?” He asked, well maybe teased.

~~~

"Hmmm" What could they do? Alex wouldn't mind doing the normal girly things, but had the feeling Sam might not so much. Well if her scrunching her nose was any indication anyway. "You like making things right? And I like crafts... so maybe we can tell each other about stuff we've made?" Alex suggested after a few moments.

[Qu33n0f1c3]

Smiling in gratitude, Edward leaned forward, and brought the scissors to the locks of hair Lionessmon had offered. He took the strands in one hand, then cut with the other. He didn't take too much. Just a few inches from a couple slivers. He put the hair on the table, and the pile began to grow. Soon there was a mass of the stuff, distributed there, having come from everyone seated there.

To his surprise, Terry approached, and crouched beside where Edward sat. "Go on, take some. You need it for the sacrifice." Terry smiled weakly, a bit uneasy about his own initiative, but Edward merely nodded respectfully, and snipped a few strands of Terry's short, grayed hair.

Edward gathered up the mass and pulled it taught, letting it knot together into a ball, which he placed upon a flat stone, and lowered a match to.

The hair went up in flames. For a moment there was a foul stench of sulfur in the air, but the smell did not linger. The flames flared golden, and began to glow without heat. The connection to the goddess had been made, and when she spoke, everyone heard it, even Terry, whose mouth hung open, surprise evident on his features as the voice filtered through his mind.

<Seems like I've got a large audience tonight,> Valkyrimon remarked, only a little bit sarcastic. As far as she went, that was the equivalent of good news. <To what event do I owe the pleasure?>

Lucifer looked at Ben as well when Shawn asked whether he wanted to hang out with them or go hang out with Sam. The way he said it made Lucifer's mind wander. He was missing Gabriel's presence. He wanted to go to him, and hold him close. He wanted to kiss him, and be kissed. Lucifer sighed dreamily to himself, trapped in the sensual image of him and his love together.

"Uhh . . . Well, sure. I guess." Sam pursed her lips, unsure about how thrilled she actually was about Alex's idea. Even though she was young, it just seemed a little trivial. The sort of things she built weren't going to be anything like the sort of things Alex would have made back home on Earth. Sam wasn't like normal little girls who played with dolls or played warrior. She could program a robot. She just didn't see her and Alex's interests coalescing. Then again, she'd seen stranger things in her time in the digital world. That was the only reason she was giving it a shot at all.