“Land Ho!” Raul called from the crow’s nest. Taichi, Sora, Hikari, Jyou, Koushiro and Miyako looked in the horizon the could see the trees for the Island Hikari gasped suddenly feeling the coldness of the black magic that emitted from it. “That’s definitely Demon Island.” She whispered.

They watched as the ship approached closer and closer, Hikari felt a sense of panic come to her suddenly she could sense the evil, she could tell by far that Catherine’s aura was definitely felt but she felt another presence another evil…she felt the devil.

“Taichi…. he’s there on that island.” She replied as she watched Taichi looked at his sister confused “What do you mean?” he asked, “What I mean is the devil.”

Koushiro groaned Miyako just raised an eyebrow “The devil?” she wondered. Hikari nodded she went to grab her book of spells then searched the pages for a bit. “This is his symbol.” She held out the book to all six. It was a goat’s head like one of the mountains goats with the big horns.

Taichi gasped seeing the symbol. “Catherine!” he cried “What?” the others cried “She had a ring just like that! With the symbol on it and a ruby in the middle of it’s forehead.” He explained.

Miyako too looked at the symbol “I’ve seen this before encraved in a stone on my Island before. Some where in the mountains was said to contain the devil himself those symbols where carved out of stone and placed on the walls. His name is Scratch the lord of the underworld.” She replied.

“How did you know?” Koushiro asked “Because I was part of the team responsible for letting that monster loose.” she replied she looked down at her feet feeling shameful.

“How did that happen I mean I thought you never believed in any such thing?” Jyou questioned her. “Exactly I didn’t at the time.” She said Koushiro looked at her worried “Then how did that happen? How where you involved?” he asked.

“A team came to my door one day they asked me if I would show them to this place where the supposed Scratch had been locked up for an eternity.”

Flash back….

“What?” Miyako questioned the man in front of her again. “This symbol have you seen it before?” he held up a piece of parchment that had the symbol on it. Miyako nodded “I have but what do you have to do with that?” she asked.

“It’s non of your business what we are going to do.” The man told her harshly. “I have seen that symbol before I’ve been there before but don’t think I will escort you there. That place is dangerous.” She told them.

“Your the only person that can help us.” The second to his left said to her. “I refuse to go to lead you there now leave!” she shouted. The first man pulled his sword out and held it up to her. “Will you now, I don’t want to kill a pretty thing like you.” He replied harshly.

“So I lead them to the site I waited out side as they went into the cave.”

“Haha!!” a voice laughed from with in the cave then screams of pain followed afterwards “Thanks for letting me loose I appreciate it and now your souls belong to me Scratch!”

End……

“I hid then when I heard the screams behind a big rock that was near there.” she said to them. “Whoa….I see then. How long ago was this?” Taichi questioned “About three months ago. And I knew this was bad from the being.” She said to them.

“Don’t worry now Miyako we now have to take care right?” Sora question as she looked at Taichi for conformation. “We will.” He replied strongly “We can do anything if we set our minds on it.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Catherine watched the scene from her bowl of water she wasn’t amused at all. With a puff of smoke scratch came out for nowhere. “SURPRISE!” he smiled he laughed insanely then smelt the air. “Oh…I smell something…. is it what I think it is?” he rubbed his hands together in excitement.

Catherine turned from the bowl and looked at him. “Humans…. Taichi and company to be exact…they are close very close!” he cried he started laugh with excitement.

“YOU FOOL HE’S COMING TO DESTROY US!” she shouted bitterly at the devil that stopped and looked at her. “But you miss the point darling…we can still fight and this time it’s my turn to do something about it. Make them give my souls to be quicker then you both could have done.” He answered.

“I don’t see what I could have done that was much better then anything you will do!?” she shouted Seoras looked on “Stop fighting darling maybe this plan that he has thought off with be the last of the Yagami’s crusade to destroy us after all it’s not often we get this kind of help especially from the devil himself.”

Scratch grinned “Thank you some one has some appreciation for me after all.” Catherine growled and turned around to look at the bowl. “It’s only a matter of time before they reach the Island and when they do they will be sorry that they ever did.” He laughed.

“This plan of yours to get their souls better work.” She commented as she stared at Taichi through her water bowl “It better.” She whispered she looked and saw Sora’s face in the water. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Around after dinner time…the Galley

“We won’t reach Demon Island till dusk, in the mean time we all the rest we can get.” Taichi said to them “Because after we get that stone. It’s a sure thing to say that Catherine will not allow us to come with in they’re head quarters to destroy her.”

………………..

As the ship approached the island slowly at ten knots, Taichi’s crew was sleeping in they’re beds…Taichi had a frown on his face he turned once….he sat up as the same time he did Sora and Hikari did as well they all had disturbed looks on there faces, beads of sweat on there foreheads.

“Something not right.” Hikari worried she felt something it was something big.

Galley early morning hours….

The entire crew was awake they where tired. “The close we get to the island the…the more I feel like something wrong…” Hikari replied she looked forward toward her brother he was in thought. “If we can’t get our rest how are we supposed to get the job of getting rid of Catherine?” Sora asked.

“I’m getting to that…” Taichi replied. “I have an idea of what it is.” Hikari told them. She got up she brought mirror over to them and placed it on the table “I was trying something new…first time I did this but I’m going to be able to project an image of the island to see what is happening on it.”

“What?” Koushiro got up about to protest when Miyako pulled him down to his seat again. “Let her explain.” She told him. “Thank you Miyako.” Hikari then looked at the mirror. “Show me Demon’s Island.” She pointed at the mirror then an image appeared the island. But the next thing that appeared on the mirror frightened most of everyone at the table.

“What the hell is that?” Jyou cried it was a monster a huge one that was waiting on the shore of the island. “It’s what I thought it would be that’s causing out nightmares.” Hikari whispered shocked.

“Hikari what’s wrong?” Taichi questioned her. “That is the Nightmare beast…that is the proof you need to see that the devil is at work.” She told them. “What do we do?” Sora asked she looked to Taichi. “I could probably take him out but it will use a lot of my magic.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“HEHEHE!!” Scratch’s voice echoed with in the cave. “Come out you fool!” Catherine screamed at him she looked around the cave. “You should be thanking me.” He says to her. “Thanking you….YOU OF ALL DISGUSTING CREATURES??” she demanded she was once again in one of her outfits the tight kind of dress.

Scratch smirked watching the evil sorceress carefully. “Like I said you should thank me go ahead and look in your magic water bowl of yours…and see what expects Taichi and his crew once they arrive.” Catharine eyed him then walked over to her bowl.

She looked in and saw a monster, her eyes widened then she grinned, “You summoned the Nightmare beast?” she asked. “Yes, and if you will look at the Taichi and his crew they are tired and miserable because they haven’t had a decedent sleep in a couple of days.”

Catherine looked further on and saw them they were all beat by the looks of they are tired expressions. She smiled “Good…it all makes my part of the plan easier.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sora looked at the monster through the mirror, it was horrid it stood forty feet tall, its body was large and he bore spikes all over his body, on his feet each toe had claws they were about ten feet long. He had two long mammoth sized tusks projected from the side of his mouth and, his mouth was narrow and contained two rows of sharp jagged three feet long teeth, and two six foot canine teeth, on his bottom jaw, and the most frightful thing about it where his red eyes they were hungry, hungry for souls.

Sora gasped looking away from the image. “WE CAN’T” she screamed she ran to her room. “Sora!” Taichi ran to their cabin but she had locked it. “Sora, it will be all right.” He called to her through the door.

“Taichi give her time she got scared who wouldn’t be scared of that thing.” Koushiro told him. Taichi let out a sigh he watched the door for a moment. ‘I promise that I will protect you Sora and I will keep that promise.’ He thought.

Sora sat on her bed it would be just like the nightmare, Taichi will die, Hikari will die, Jyou will die…everyone would have that she grown to care about they were all her new friends.

She shook her head “No….if I think negative we won’t defeat her…or it.” She replied she stood from her spot on her bed then walked back out into the gully. “Guys let’s think of a plan and get rid of that over grown monster.”

“That’s the way to think Sora.” Hikari came over to her and gave her a high five. “Great now lets plan.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“This is defiantly the monster of underworld and I think the devil sent him.” Hikari began she looked threw her mirror image of the Island. “The way it’s just waiting there is un normal.” Miyako pointed out “Exactly why I think it was sent by the devil, the night mare beast is known to roam the lands and eat everything in sight.” She whispered “But this one…he is waiting…and he is waiting for us, he is hungry for us.” She said to them.

Taichi stared at the mirror looking at the creature they are going to face. “There must be a weakness….” He replied watching it through the mirror he was in thought.

Koushiro came out from his cabin “I have an idea.” He announced all five looked at him. “We use a spear and pierce right in between its eyes.” Taichi spoke up the group looked at him. “I’ll do it…but we need to occupied it so when it’s not looking Hikari are you up for the task you are a magician after all.” He turned to his sister who looked surprised.

“Well ya! Of course, when wouldn’t I not be. It’s not very often that you ask me to join in the mission.” She said to him. “Good so it’s settled first task is to get rid of that monster. Once we get the long boat shore and push Hikari you go first and materialize behind him and do some kind of magic that makes him try to turn around after you because judging the size he won’t be able to move that swiftly.”

“What do you want me do to?” Sora questioned “Nothing at all.” Taichi said immediately. “No fair she can go but…” Sora stopped and sighed “You can watch Kuro for me make sure he doesn’t take any uncalculated decisions.” Hikari told her she handed Sora her hawk handling glove. Sora sulked silently she then put glove “Fine.” She replied. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“What do you make of that!” Catherine pointed her eyes were full of anger as she point at the image before her. “What do you make of that! Honesty you don’t seem to care much why is that??” she asked furious.

“Relax witch lady, you have nothing to worry about that beast sure knows what it’s doing. I ‘m sure that those kids don’t know what they are getting into.” Scratches response was.

Catherine looked at the events upon her water bowl. “For your sake the beast better take care of them and cause if they defeat that monster there is no way for us to stop Taichi from getting the Gem of Goodness. If evil even goes near it the thing will explode…and it will damage us!” she declared staring at the hairy half goat and half human creature.

“Patience, in all due time I shall get what I wanted they’re souls.” He replied he began to laugh. “AHH HAHAHAHAHA!” the laugh carried out through out the Island. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The crew on the long boat all looked up they heard the laugh. Hikari shivered “What was that?” Miyako questioned “Something what we all don’t want to have to deal with.” She said to her.

“Hikari we got to carry out the plan okay go.” Taichi told her the monster was just with in feet it looked like it was just going to come towards them might as well go after them if they didn’t come closer with the boat.

Hikari disappear in a swirl of light then reappeared behind the gigantic beast she got read to throw a fire ball at it when she noticed it faced her… it swung it’s tusks at her and flung to her to ground.

Taichi watched in pure shock he couldn’t do anything to save her. “NO!” next thing he knew he had jumped into the water and swam to shore “TAICHI!” Sora and the others shouted to him. “Come on row faster!” Jyou demanded.

Hikari managed to get up she then threw her fire ball at the beast it made it flinch a little but it still came after her. Hikari back up further and further… until she reached what felt like a cliffs edge she looked down. “Oh no….hmmm” she looked to the beast it advanced toward her. “That’s it!” she cried she smiled at it. “Come big boy come and get me….” She trailed off she motioned with her hand. The beast roared loudly.

Taichi had not yet made it to shore he was just within five feet…he finally climbed on the beach and looked up he saw Hikari beckoning the beast to come to her. “HIKARI! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!” he is cried at her exasperated.

Hikari didn’t listen to him she had to concentrate on this plan of hers. The beast made a jump at her…and was trying to give her some kind of mental attack which she was blocking out of her mind effectively. She disappeared then reappeared behind the beast again. This time the beast was unprepared as she figured it would have been then put her hands together. “Take this!” she cried from her hands she formed a blue ball of fire when she flung it at the beast back side it flew at it’s target like a comet and the full impact of it cause the beast to go over the edge and fall.

The ground shook mighty heavy as the beast hit the ground. Hikari looked down from the edge “Hmm see what’s you get with messing with Hikari Yagami.” She said to it Taichi partially scrambled up the side of the cliff to his sister. “Are you okay!?” he cried he gave her a hug. She smiled “Of course, why wouldn’t I be….” She fainted in his arms soon the others came.

Sora came over to him and took Hikari from Taichi have her lay down on the ground for a bit she waved her hand over Hikari’s face “I think she over exserted herself.” Koushiro said. “No kidding that was definitely a new attack she has there.” Sora said. Taichi frowned as he looked at the beast something told him that they had to hurry to the village right now.

Hikari began to come too. “I’m okay just a little tired..” she said to them Sora helped her up. “That’s good to know.” Miyako said to her she smiled wearily. “Guys lets get to the village before night fall.” Taichi said as he came to the group “Okay.” ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Your pathetic beast did ABSOULTY NOTHING!” Catherine screamed at him. “Now, now darling.” Catherine looked to her father head. “Don’t dwell on the monster it’s finished, you have to do something about them…they are determined to destroy us. Taichi was a fool to not love you back. Time to show them how strong you are.” He told her he looked to his daughter he knew with that kind of fire behind her that she would conjure up an army of creatures.

“Your right father but first….” She walked to her water bowl and watched as Taichi and his companions arrived at the village were the gem was being kept. “I’ll make sure you never get here Taichi. I’m stronger then what I was before.” Catherine watched them closely from then on. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The crew arrived to the village in time by then Hikari had awoken and was walking by herself. Once they had set foot in the village, the village leader came to them. “I am Yanoko” he shook hands with Taichi then the other crewmembers. “We are honored that you so let us use your jewel.” He told.

“Yes, we do have reason to believe that once that jewel is in presence of those evil it will annliate them all.” He told him “Now come inside my home and we shall talk some more over tea.”

………….

Inside the leader’s home, Taichi and his friends were severed tea by Yanoko’s wife Marroa.

“This.” Yanoko said as he picked up some that he had held with in a treasure box. The stone is attached to a chain; it sparkled magnificently as the night with bright stars. “Wow, it’s more beautiful in life.” Hikari said Sora nodded agreeing. “The gem kept away all evil from or village we are counting on you that you will destroy them all….this gem will as I said before annliate the evil with in a thirty foot radius. I entrust you with this as I know you will destroy the evil.” He told Taichi strongly. “And I promise to keep that promise.” Taichi said to him.

Yanoko reluctantly handed Taichi the jewel. Taichi took a look at it and nodded “you have my word.” He said to him. “We will need all the able men to fight her forces…mostly Cathrien won’t give us a chance to get the jewel into demon’s cave.” He said to him.

“Right every able man to fight will be ready.” Yanoko agreed with him. “Good.” Taichi nodded ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Catherine smirked as she turned away from the bowl. “Yes indeed Taichi you and your friend won’t ever get the chance to get passed my forces of evil. Never, with my army.” She whispered. When over to her bowl.

“Soldiers slain by my hand rise once more to fight!” in the felids before demon cave skeletons of the passed deceased are reconstructed and stand with shields and rusted swords, they were a lot of them the entire field was filled.

“Harpies hear my calling come to my aid by the millions!” Some where in the world from a cave million’s of Harpies hear her call begin to make flight toward Demon Island.

“Four giants of rock will I need, come forth!” she shouted she raised her arms in the air, just out side the caves rocks came crumbling down and from the rubble rose four rock giants.

Catherine grinned she did will all right there was no way they could with stand this. Not even a group of able normal men could handle this army of minions that she has called upon. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

As all the able men they were able to get they set out forward behind the village and into the felid apparently trying the safest route with out get noticed.

“Taichi LOOK!” Hikari cried she looked out ward facing an army of skeletons coming from the west from there North came Harpies millions of them, then from they’re east came four rock giants.

Taichi gulped there plan on being quite did not work and they were out numbered. “Taichi do u got a plan?” Jyou asked a little anxious. “No, but we will have to do something about this…” he trailed off.

To Be Continued….

Next up…..

With the enemy having the upper hand will Taichi and crew be able destroy all the forces or will they lose to evil.

Will Catherine’s army defeat them and concur the world? Or Will Taichi and his friends find a way to end Catherine’s evil once and for all? Find out in the next chapter of Night n Gale.