Author's Note: In this story the Digidestined and Digimon were seperated back into their own worlds and alone. While they still have a strong bond, they are not together. I have done this for a reason, so bear with me.

The Digiworld was its regular self. Everything was bright and green, the sun was shining brightly overhead. Peaceful digimon played together on the shores of the ocean, while others basked in the light of the sun, hoping to drift into a light slumber. Everything was calm and perfect. It didn't seem a thing could possibly go wrong, not on a day like this. Unfortunately, like all good things, it came to an end.

Gatomon, a feline digimon with gloved paws and sharp, silvery claws, lay on the beach, watching as the younger digimon around her ran into the shallow water. Being a cat, she wasn't quite partial to the water, so she kept her distance. Her best friend, Patamon, was a guinea pig-looking Digimon with large ears which let him fly whenever he pleased. Patamon had an evil idea. Seeing as his Champion and Ultimate forms were both angels it really wasn't expected of him to have an evil idea, but his idea was so evil, so cunning so... funny.

Patamon scooped up his Digi-destined, TK's, hat, which had been given to him upon parting, and Patamon flew to the Ocean, going low enough to scoop some of the salty water into the white hat, and flying out of Gatomon's feline eyesight. He just had to wait for the right moment... And that would have to be soon, because TK's hat was fairly big and Patamon's paws were fairly small. That usually led to disaster for the little Digimon, but he liked to pull out on top. And when he saw her eyes flicker closed as she began to drift off into a light slumber, Patamon moved in. When he was mere feet from her, however, he was startled into dropping the hat as she leapt at him with a quick, "Lightning Claw!" As the hat fell, Patamon fell next to it.

"Ow! Watch it, Gatomon! I was just joking..." Gatomon scoffed as she stretched her lithe body out, her rump in the air and tail swaying as she did so.

"Joking? Dumping water on a cat is not a very nice joke, Patamon."

"I knew you'd forgive me."

"You're too trusting." Patamon laughed and tackled her, knocking her over onto her side, while she gave one of his overtly large ears a good swat.

"You're not trusting enough. Every bad mon that's come our way, we've knocked aside! You and I... We're good partners. Always "Patamon and Gatomon", "Angemon and Angewomon"..."

"I do believe it is 'Gatomon and Patamon', and 'Angewomon and Angemon'." They shared a laugh before Gatomon stretched back out on her side, resting her head on one of her big, yellow paws. Patamon curled up against her stomach. "What do you think you're doing?"

"Napping. You're nice and warm. A nap sounds nice about now." Gatomon rolled her eyes and let her tail sway from side-to-side, before finally falling over Patamon's small form and wrapping around him for added heat. The two slept while large, red eyes stared at them. Their owner wore an evil smirk on his face. Now, he knew two ways to get his pet back... And she didn't suspect a thing. Now, it was time for him to put his plan in motion. Since all of the Digi-destined were linked to their Digimon, his next stop was the world of humans with their conflicting emotions, where they let love and hate rule their lives. That would be their ultimate destruction, and they did not know it. They couldn't even sense the evil that was getting so close to their homes until the sky blackened and the lights went out.

The evil one cackled as he searched the world for the Digi-destined that was his downfall. Thwarted twice by her, and her meddlesome friends was far too many times. This time, however, it would be different. He could destroy her. He could destroy them all. After all, how can man exist without light? How can hope exist without it? The Digi-destined were ultimately linked to one another by one force or another, and with one down the others would fall as well. It was their fate. It was their destiny.

And his destiny was to start the domino effect and rule their pitiful world and take over those unworthy of his power and force them into slavery. His destiny had only just begun, and he knew how to bring it about. But it was so long since those pathetic children had grown up and seperated. They could be anywhere. The key was to find them all and let them realize what was happening to their Light. His pet would regret ever leaving his side to join the girl when she was just a child. He would make her beg to return to his side, and then she would have to redeem herself to be in his good graces, down at the bottom of his level. Deep inside, he knew, she was still the same evil vixen she had once been, but that blasted light had buried the darkness deep inside of her. It would take some persuading to bring it back about, and get her to realize that she was better off on his side.

All through Japan he flew, going from house to endless house, always searching for the girl that was now a woman. She did not live where she had previously lived, so she must be on her own. She would have to be a grown woman now, but he still knew that he'd recognize her. There was no way he would forget that face-- his torment... His destruction... It was all her fault. It all came down to Hikari Kamiya, the Eighth Child, the Bearer of Light, and, to some, the 'Queen'.

Finally, he flew to a small cottage, just outside of Tokyo, and there he found the innocent, sweet face which caused him all of his grieviances and agony. The reflected light of the moon shone brightly, dancing across her face and pillow. Lifting those demonic red eyes to the window, he silently willed his black clouds to block out that light thus she could not see, were she to open those mauve eyes. "Little Light," he whispered, his sour breath caressing her cheeks, and making her skin grow cold. "I have you at last, and this time there is no escape for you. You have taken away my servent, you have prevented me from ruling both of these bothersome worlds... But it will finally be I that takes what is yours. Sleep well, my sweet child. Tonight, you belong to me." And with a whirl of his cloak, Myotismon pulled Hikari into his arms, and they vanished.

Back in the Digital World, Gatomon leapt to her feet, pushing little Patamon aside and scanning the area frantically. The little Digimon watched his friend curiously as she began to pace, her blue eyes wide and nervous. This unnerved her friend, because Gatomon was notorious for her cool demeanor and calm disposition. Yet, here she was, pacing, looking like someone had stolen her first litter. "Gatomon, are you all right?"

"Kari... Something's wrong with my Kari... I feel it, Patamon. Help me find her, I have to help her! She needs me... She needs me now." Patamon lifted his ears and flew into the sky, scanning above the trees.

"But, Gatomon, Kari's an adult now. They don't let adults into the Digital World. How will we find her?"

"I don't know, but we have to. We have to go, now!" Her tail was twitching in her nervousness. She began to run into the woods, searching her heart all the while for a way to get back to her Digi-destined, and to protect her. After all, that's what they were there for. They had to protect one another, and to do that they had to be able to find each other.

Patamon flew over Gatomon's head, seeing if he could spot any way to find Kari. Although he really doubted there was anything they could do, he searched for Gatomon, his dearest friend, and the one he secretly loved. If she was this panicked, there was a reason and he would help her to fix the situation.

Suddenly, Gatomon fell to her knees clutching her ears and clenching her eyes shut. In her mind she could hear Kari screaming for her and that laugh... The terrible laugh that haunted her nightmares for years... He was mocking Kari... He was mocking what the two had shared. To feel anything was a weakness, and therefore easier for them to be destroyed. He knew Gatomon could feel Kari's pain and anguish, and it, in turn, made all of Kari's misfortunes reflect back onto Gatomon.A thud beside the feline announced Patamon's landing and he folding one ear over her trembling body, one of his little paws grasping hers tightly.

"Patamon... Hide... Now. I don't want him to see you..." She whimpered. The tannish-colored Digimon stared at her with an unbelieving look until she opened her clear blue eyes and pushed him back into the bushes. "He's coming... He's coming for me, and I don't want you to get hurt. You stay back there, Patamon."

Before he could reply, the sky went pitch black and an evil laugh filled the air. Millions of bats flew from every direction, swooping down at the small feline, screeching murderously at her as they passed by her head. The cat crouched down low, her ears flattened to her skull. Yet, the bats were relentless and unendless in their pursuit of their prey. Gatomon's tail-ring swatted away several bats, but it didn't deter them. Their master was pleased that the Digimon had fallen before them on her weak knees. "My pet," Cooed the bats' master. "Have you so easily forgotten me? Did you really think that I would be gone so easily? I'm sad to say that is simply isn't so. You will never get away from me. Did you hear your pitiful Digi-destined? She's been crying for you since she came into my... possession. Do you regret not staying in my command? You once had all the power and perfection of anyone in my rule. Yet, that child turned you from me. You risked it all and in turn lost it all."

"I gained everything, Myotismon." She growled, raising her dark blue eyes defiantly into that of her tormentor. "All I've done since I left you is gain everything. I have friends, not servents and people who fear me."

"You've lost power and standing. You were my most faithful servent and the highest of ranks. Yet, you were always weak under that shell. That cost you the life of your only real friend. That pitiful Digimon who died for you... He should have stood aside and let you fall. That is why it is foolish to fall in love. Oh, yes, Gatomon. I know he loved you. And the fool let that control him, and he gave his life for you."

"Don't talk about Wizardmon like that!"

"Like what?" He snapped his fingers and Patamon gasped as Demidevimon, who had in fact been eaten by Myotismon, appeared, in his clawed feet were ropes binding a struggling Digimon. The Digimon's blue hat fell to the ground in his struggle, his blondish hair falling in whisps over his startlingly bright eyes. Patamon recognized him, of course, having met him on a few seperate occasions. He felt his heart clench in a tight fist when he heard the small female gasp in shock.

"Wizardmon!" She hissed, her tail flipping this way and that while she gazed at the weakening Digimon.

"I have more up my sleeve then just him, my pet."

"No! Not Kari!" A malicious grin spread over Myotismon's features. He did love the anguish playing across her face.

"The Digi-destined that destroyed everything? Of course I have her. She was far too... enjoyable... already."

"What did you do to my Kari!"

"The same thing I will do to your friends Wizardmon and Patamon." A dawning look of horror fell over Gatomon when she realized what Myotismon had just said. He knew Patamon was there! Myotismon started cackling harshly before flicking his cape roughly. Where he had raised it, a slender form appeared. Although worse for wear, Gatomon could recognize her partner. Kari's light brown hair was longer than she had remembered, falling to her shoulders. Her pretty head was tilted forward. She was obviously unconcious. The tatterings that were her clothes hardly covered her, and she was covered in bruises and dirt.

"What do you want of me?" Gatomon finally gasped, her eyes dark, watching as Hikari stuggled for her breaths. She would not let Kari die for her. It was her duty to protect the woman and defend her. If that meant giving up all the wonderful things she had previously had, then she would do it. Kari was more important.

"Your servitude."

"Let the others go."

"Only the Digimon. Your Digi-destined remains with me... To ensure your... Obedience." Hate and defiance shone in the feline's eyes as she glared up at him, realizing even as she did that that her fate was now in his evil hands. She would do anything for Kari. "Do not look at me with your eyes!" He spat, remembering in the past those bright eyes that reflected hope. He had trained her not to watch him with those hope-filled eyes, and he would retrain her to do so. He raised his whip and slashed her with it. As she fell, Patamon's mind filled with horror. Gatomon was going to give herself up for them! Even as Demidevimon released Wizardmon and swooped for Gatomon, Patamon sent a Boom-bubble at the offending Digimon, thinking frantically for a way to contact TK. Without him, he could not Digivolve. Without TK both worlds were doomed, because Myotismon had Kari. He could make Gatomon Digivolve, but if she did, and did not do good in the form, her form would change. She would become something he could not change back.

Myotismon pulled her into his arms, grasping Kari as well. The three disappeared in a wave of bats. Demidevimon rushed after them. As the small Digimon flew away, Patamon pulled Wizardmon's bonds from him and helped him to his feet. "Gatomon?"

"They took her."

"They can't have!" He sounded frantic. "He's going to do something awful-- something he can only do with her! We have to save her!"

"Can you take me to the Human world? I need to get TK. He'll save her."

"There is a way... But it is dangerous."