Finally! The story that Chi has been hinting about has arrived! Takes place after Nalo's little adventure.

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My name is Chi. And no, Chi is not short for anything. I’m just plain old Chi.

Chi was dragged along to visit Laith. She quietly snuck away to the library before she got stuck watching the kiddies.

I have three half-brothers. Rhys, Wizardmon, and Myo. Rhys and Wizardmon are fart knockers, by the way.

Chi sank down into her favorite chair which was right in the sunshine. She smiled and soaked it up for a moment. It was a glorious summer afternoon. Perfect for reading. Chi shut her eyes and imagined herself sitting beside a river on a warm summer day, writing her own story.

When I was only five I fought for my life…and Wizardmon’s. I won, though I almost lost. And on that little journey I had I made a friend. Ten years later…I fell in love with him.

Chi became immersed in a book. She sat reading for a full hour. Then she sighed and decided to have pity on poor Bella. She could barely handle Nalo and the twins. This time Rhys had brought all six of the munchkins. She better go help… nine little demons could be a hand full.

Chi looked down at her book. Oh how it called to her! She just had to know what happened next! Maybe if she read a little on her way? Chi picked up her book and left, holding the book up in front of her face. It wouldn’t matter, she knew her way around here. The fart knockers had been dragging her here since she went to go live in the Human World, which was when she was eight.

At the exact same time a visiting prince, Prince Tyrik of Witchery, was running from Sir Aaron. He rounded a corner and slammed right into a maiden who was reading while walking.

“I’m sorry!” he said hurriedly.

“No it was my fault… I always do that! A week ago I almost got run over because I was reading! If Rhys hadn't pulled me back on to the curb...”

Tyrik picked up the maiden’s book and as she took it he got a good look at her. Good Lord was she beautiful! She was slender and had ashen skin like every other maiden in Witchery. Her hair was fiery red and she wore it in a ponytail that went down to her waist. Her eyes were spectacular green, emerald green. She wore peasants clothes, so he assumed she was a servant girl. Possibly even a slave. Her dress was tan and ripped at the hem and she wore red gloves that stopped at the middle of her fingers. Her boots were worn though her cloak looked brand new. Then he saw her necklace. A pure silver chain with an emerald crescent moon. Far too fine for a slave, or a servant for that matter.

“Ah…” he said.

Chi stared at him long and hard, her eyes narrowed in curiosity. He was a Sorcerymon, most likely around her age. His hair was a very light blond and cut unusually short for his type. His eyes were curious and hazel colored. He wore a small crown, lined with rubies. And his yellow, red, and purple regal clothing and his royal blue cloak told her he was most certainly of nobility. Then a scene flashed before Chi’s eyes:

They were still on the ground, staring at each other. Then they spoke at once:

“CHI?!”

“TYRIK?!”

This… this was Tyrik?! That little prince she met waaaaay back when she was five? Wow… ten years had been good to him. He certainly looked like a prince, that was for sure.

“CHI?!”

“TYRIK?!”

They laughed and smiled at each other.

“Chi! I should have known, you know Laith don’t you?” Tyrik asked.

Chi nodded. “I’ve been getting dragged here since I was eight. I live in the Human World now, with one of my brother’s wife’s friend. Well… friends.”

“Did you succeed on your quest?” Tyrik asked.

Chi nodded again. “I fought for my life, got the antidote, took it to my brother, then went into a coma for two weeks. Fun fun fun.”

“Wow.” Tyrik said. “You have the courage of an army of knights.” He stood and offered her his hand.

Chi stood on her own, ignoring his outstretched hand. “Do you want to come with me to the nursery? I’m taking pity on Bella. She has to deal with all my nieces and nephews.” Chi chuckled. “She needs help, trust me.”

“Anything to get away from Sir Aaron. Lead the way.” Tyrik said, gesturing for her to walk ahead of him.

Chi nodded, took his hand, and began to half-lead half-drag him down the corridor. Then up a flight of stairs, down a few more hallways, up another staircase, down two more hallways, then finally they reached the nursery. Chi carefully opened the door, in case the children were asleep. They weren’t. Artemis, Elara, and Nalo were playing pretend with Mani. Yiyile and Teruo were listening to a story Bella was telling. And Yuudai, Quent, and Violet were all asleep on an old rug that looked like buckets of paint had been dumped over it.

“Behold, the glory of my family.” Chi said, gesturing to the scene. She led him in and the children turned their heads.

“Hi Chi!” Artemis said with a grin. She looked at Tyrik. “Who’s he? A friend of yours?” Elara whimpered and went to go hide behind Bella’s rocking chair.

“Everyone, this is Tyrik. Tear him to shreds.” Chi said, shoving Tyrik forward. She laughed at his surprised look. “I kid I kid. They’re all sweeties.”

Violet opened her eyes, saw Tyrik, and hurried over. She ran over and held her arms up. “Tyky! Tyky!”

“Awww!” Chi said with a smile. “She wants you to hold her.”

Tyrik smiled and picked Violet up. “Hi there. What’s your name?”

Violet smiled. “I’m Violet. I’m thwee years old!” She held up three fingers and smiled at him again.

Tyrik was surprised. No one had ever done this. Chi had introduced him as ‘Tyrik’ not ‘Prince Tyrik’ or ‘His Majesty’ or anything like that. Just… Tyrik. Just like he wanted to be. And the kids, they weren’t servant children or noble children. They didn’t bow to him. Which he liked.

“Chi, where Alexy?” Violet asked.

“Alexy didn’t want to come, Vi.” Chi explained. “He wanted to stay and keep Nana and Papa company.”

“No Stelly?”

“Sorry, no Stelly. Maybe you can go with your daddy when next time he goes to see them.” Chi said with a gentle smile.

Violet nodded, pulled on Tyrik’s clothes, and pointed down towards the ground. “Please.”

Tyrik nodded and set her down. She ran off to listen to Bella tell a story.

“Listen, Chi.” Tyrik said, pulling her aside. “My mother and father are holding a ball this evening. If I don’t bring a maiden with me then I’m afraid they’ll consider an arranged marriage. Would you mind?” Tyrik blushed slightly and added, “Just as friends of course.”

Chi nodded. “I think it would be fun! Though I better ask my brothers… if I run off and make them worry I’ll go into another coma.”

Tyrik stared at her, taking her seriously.

Chi laughed. “I’m kid. Basically I’ll just get in deep trouble. Stay here, ok?”

Tyrik nodded and Chi hurried out.

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“Sure.” Wizardmon said, shrugging. “I’ll come get you in the morning, ok? Besides, a digimon as beautiful as you should be shown off at balls.” He smiled at her.

“Suck up.” Chi said, hitting his hat so it tilted down over his eyes. “But thank you though. My oh-so-low self esteem just grew a little.”

Wizardmon tilted his hat back up. “You with a low self esteem? I highly doubt it. I’m actually surprised you aren’t cocky and over confident. You’re the most popular girl in your school and the boys follow you home like lost puppies.”

“Yeah they do.” Chi muttered irritably. “No means no… anyways I’m leaving with him tonight. Don’t kill Myo while I’m gone ok? He’s family.”

“Don’t remind me.” Wizardmon grumbled.

Chi rolled her eyes and went back up to the nursery where Tyrik was waiting.

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Everyone remembers little Tyrik, right? And can anyone guess where that rug came from? Heh... you can tell Violet is Rhys's daughter. He used to do the pick me up now put me down thing with Palesa when he was Vi's age...

Review please!