Ok, this is definitely the oddest crossover I've ever heard of...It's also more or less the first I've written. The first two chapters are about my character's ties to the two groups. They probably won't actually meet until the third, but who knows? Anyway, please send feedback! I love feedback!
First Destiny
"Matt, wait up!"
Matt glanced back to see TK running towards him.
"TK, what's up?"
"Did you forget? It's the six months anniversary. We were supposed to get together tonight."
"Oh, man...TK, I completely forgot. Listen, though. Do you remember, when we were little, our cousin Caitlyn?"
"Caitlyn? I don't think so. Who is she?"
"She's Dad's niece. You know, Aunt Carol's daughter."
"Oh, Aunt Carol? Who married Dad's brother Steve?"
"That's her. Anyway, Uncle Steve called Dad a few days ago. He's in town for a while, and he wanted to know if I'd meet up with Caitlyn and show her around a bit."
"Tonight?" Matt nodded.
"They just got into town this afternoon. TK, I'll call and tell him I can't tonight."
"No, it's ok. Hey, you could bring her!"
"I don't think Tai would like that very much, TK, we couldn't really talk if she was there." TK nodded at that.
"I guess. It won't be the same if we're not all there, though."
"Look, I'll try and get her home early, that way I could still come for some of the evening. Will you apologise to everyone for me?"
"Sure. See you later, Matt."
"See you, TK."
Matt knocked-not very loudly-on the door of the hotel room. Privately, he hoped that she wouldn't hear him, then he could go meet his friends. He was disappointed when the door opened a little.
"Yamato?"
"That's me. Caitlyn?" The door closed, the lock slid off, and it opened again, all the way this time.
"That'd be me. Come in, I'm not quite ready yet." Matt closed the door, studying the girl in front of him. She had dark red hair that fell halfway down her back, and deep green eyes. She was about sixteen, a little older than him.
"So...it's been a while."
"It has. What were you, six? The last time I saw you?"
"I think so. You were about eight, weren't you?"
"I think so. And TK, he was only two."
"Yeah. He wants to meet you, if we have time." That was a lie, but he knew TK would go along with it. Caitlyn straightened from where she'd been fiddling with her bag and studied him for a long minute.
"Is something wrong?" Matt asked, feeling slightly uneasy. Caitlyn shook her head.
"No, just...if you don't mind, let's not stay out too late? I'm still kind of jetlagged."
"Sure. Can I just make a quick phone call?"
"Go ahead." Matt dialled quickly.
"TK, put Tai on." He listened for a few seconds, then he said, "Because his battery ran flat this afternoon. Just put him on, TK!" After a moment, he went on, "Tai? Listen, do you guys mind if I bring my cousin for a quick visit? Yeah, I know, but only for a little while. Thanks, Tai!" He hung up. "Are you ready? They're in a café a couple of blocks from here. We'll meet them, you can have a cup of tea, we'll come back here nice and early."
"Just because I live in the United Kingdom...and not even the United Kingdom, Ireland...does not mean I automatically drink tea, y'know."
"You drank tea when you were eight years old." Matt protested.
"I don't anymore. It's bad for you. Caffeine."
"Fine. I'll have the tea, you can have water. Ok?"
"Fine." Then she grinned suddenly. "I'm just teasing, Matt. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
"Sure."
"Matt! Over here!" Tai said, bobbing out of his seat. Matt pointed towards them and whispered something to the girl with him, then they both made their way across to the booth. Everyone squished in to make room for them.
"Guys, this is my cousin Caitlyn. Caitlyn, that's Tai, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Tai's sister Kari, and you know TK."
"That's never TK." Caitlyn said in surprise. "TK's two years old!"
"No, not any more." TK said cheerfully.
"All grown up? You probably don't remember me, do you." TK stared at her for a minute.
"Kind of. I remember Matt crying when you went home." Everyone turned to look at Matt.
"You *cried*, Matt?" Tai asked. Matt reached across the crowded table and gave him a shove.
"Leave off! I was only six then." Caitlyn smiled slightly, lowering her head.
"Are you all right?" Sora asked in concern. Lifting her head again, she forced a smile.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that?" Looking surprised, Sora repeated her question.
"Yes. It's jet lag, I think. Matt, I hate to be a party pooper and I know we just got here, but could you walk me back?"
"Sure." Matt stood up and helped her out of the booth.
"It was nice to meet you all. I hope I can see you again before I leave."
"You too." Mimi answered. Matt and Caitlyn left and the group began to talk among themselves again.
The next morning, Caitlyn was waiting in the lobby when Matt arrived, accompanied by TK and Kari.
"Tai was supposed to be watching Kari, but he wanted to play soccer, so I offered to take her with us. I didn't think you'd mind." Matt explained.
"Not at all. How are you, Kari?"
"Fine, thank you. Are you feeling better?"
"Much, thank you. I think it was just the jet lag. So, Matt, where are we going?"
"The market. It's always fun to look around."
"Sounds like fun. You can help me pick something for my mother, Kari, I don't know much about clothes."
"You want Mimi for that." Kari told her.
"Oh? Mimi likes clothes?"
"Mimi likes clothes. Now there's an understatement for you." Matt remarked.
"But Mimi's not here." TK protested.
"Then I guess you'll have to do, Teek." Caitlyn said. TK frowned.
"Don't call me Teek."
"Make me." TK chased her around for a minute, until Matt caught him.
"TK, stop that. She's just joking with you."
"I don't want her to call me Teek." TK sulked.
"If you really don't want me to I won't, TK, but it's just a little joke. I give all my best friends nicknames."
"What's Matt's?" TK challenged her.
"Yama." she responded without blinking.
"That's not a nickname, that's just his name."
"How many people call him Yama?" she demanded.
"No one, but..."
"Then it's not his name."
"Does it matter?" Matt asked, finally getting their attention back. "She won't call you Teek any more, TK. All right?" Caitlyn grimaced.
"I really am sorry, TK. I didn't even think that it might upset you."
"It's ok." Kari suddenly pulled on Caitlyn's arm.
"Come on, there's the market!" Laughing, Caitlyn followed her into the stalls.
Much later, Caitlyn and her cousins were lounging in her room, examining her purchases. TK was digging in a bag of what she called Knick Knacks and Matt called junk.
"Uhh...Caitlyn? Where did you get this?" Matt looked at what he was holding and gasped. Caitlyn looked, frowned and got up, coming across to him.
"I don't remember that at all." She picked up the small object and gasped in surprise as it started to glow. "Oohh...I don't think I like this!" Matt got to his feet.
"Caitlyn, it's very important. Where did you get that?"
"I told you, Matt, I don't remember it! What is it?"
"It's a Digivice." he muttered, taking it and examining it.
"That tells me sweet mother all, Matt. What's a Digivice?"
"It doesn't matter right now. TK, call Izzy." TK moved towards the phone and stopped suddenly.
"Matt, your Digivice..." Matt pulled up his top to reveal the Digivice clipped securely to his belt. It was glowing and numbers and symbols were flashing across the tiny screen.
"Do you have yours, TK?" TK dug into his pocket until he found it. It was flashing as well. "Call Izzy, find out what's going on." TK obediently headed for the phone again. Matt turned to Caitlyn who was half-crouched beside the table, staring at the new Digivice, which Matt was still holding. "I can't explain this right now, Kit. Trust me for a little while?" She transferred her gaze to his face.
"Of course I trust you, Yama."
"Thank you."
"Izzy? Is your Digivice glowing?" TK asked into the phone. He frowned slightly. "It's not? Mine and Matt's are, and mmmph!" Matt took the phone out of his hand.
"Izzy, can you call Mimi and Joe and ask them? I'll call Tai and Sora. Call me back in ten minutes. I'm at the hotel." He hung up and immediately dialled again. TK looked at Caitlyn, who'd sunk to the floor and was gripping her head.
"Caitlyn, are you ok?"
"I'm not sure, TK. Is that thing making noise?"
"I don't think so. What kind of noise?" Matt slowly lowered the phone, leaving Tai yelling angrily on the other end.
"Like...hundreds of people all yelling, but from very far away."
"I don't hear anything." TK said. Matt hung up the phone and came across.
"Here, Caitlyn." He picked up the Digivice and offered it to her, but she shied away.
"Matt, I don't..."
"Take it." His voice was very firm. Very, very slowly, she reached for it, and at the exact moment her fingers closed over it, there was a bright flash and all three disappeared.
Matt slowly lifted his head. TK was lying beside him, while Caitlyn was standing nearby, staring at the forest. Matt levered himself to his feet and went across to her.
"Caitlyn?"
"We're not in Kansas any more, Toto." She turned back to face him and he was surprised at the lack of expression on her face. "Is TK awake yet?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"It won't start until he is."
"What won't start?"
"The things that are supposed to happen."
"Matt?"
"TK." Matt half turned to look at him before turning back to Caitlyn. "What are you talking about?"
"I wish I knew." She giggled a bit, turning away to look into the forest. Matt took half a second to note that they were in the Digital World, apparently on File Island, before he strode back to TK and got him on his feet.
"C'mon, TK, get up."
"I'm up. Matt, are we..."
"Looks like it."
"Why is Caitlyn here?"
"Beats me." He turned back towards Caitlyn, who was now looking at something over his shoulder.
"Matt, what is that?" Matt turned.
"Gabumon!" The Digimon jumped into his arms.
"Matt, I've missed you!"
"Me too, Gabumon."
"Is Patamon here?" TK asked excitedly.
"He's around somewhere. He should be here pretty soon."
"Matt, what's going on?" Caitlyn seemed to have come out of her almost-trance and was now eyeing Gabumon suspiciously.
"Matt, who's that?" Gabumon asked.
"Gabumon, this is my cousin Caitlyn. Caitlyn, this is Gabumon, my Digimon."
"You have a Digital Monster?"
"You know about Digimon?" TK asked, cutting himself off when Patamon landed on his head. "Patamon!"
"TK!" Patamon squeaked. "Gennai's on his way here now!"
"Good. Maybe he can explain some of this." Matt said. Gabumon was staring, wide eyed, at Caitlyn.
"Matt, she has a Digivice." he pointed out. Caitlyn glanced at the Digivice, which was now attached to her waist.
"We know, Gabu. That's how we got here...hers and ours were glowing, but none of the others' were." Gabumon nodded.
"Agumon and the others didn't come, but we knew. Matt, she must be Digidestined."
"Yes, indeed she is Digidestined, Digidestined." Gennai came out of the trees.
"Gennai!" Caitlyn breathed, almost exactly at the same time as TK. Matt stared at her.
"You know Gennai?"
"Know him? Not exactly, no...what's going on here?"
"Is there a crisis?" TK asked eagerly. Gennai chuckled.
"Not this time, TK. I just needed to bring Caitlyn here for a while, and I figured since you two are her cousins it might be easier if you came too."
"Why did you need to bring her here if there's nothing wrong?" Matt asked defiantly.
"Because, Matt, we realised after the last time that it was easier on you kids if you knew about what was going on beforehand. I just wanted to introduce Caitlyn to the concept of the Digiworld, and to her Digipartner, and then you can go home."
"Her partner?" TK repeated.
"Well, yes. You didn't think she was going to help you on her own, did you? Gabumon, where is he?"
"Hiding over there." Caitlyn followed Gabumon's pointing finger and moved across the clearing. At the far side she parted a few bushes.
"Oh!" A small teddy-like Digimon came out. He basically looked exactly like a teddy bear, except for the large wings sticking out of his back.
"Caitlyn, this is Baramon. He'll be your Digimon from now on."
"From now on? Did I have one before?"
"That's just the way Gennai talks. Don't worry about it. Can we go now? The others are expecting us." That was Matt, of course.
"No, I haven't told you about her Crest yet."
"What's a Crest? Like a family Crest?" Caitlyn looked up from Baramon.
"No, like an emotion, usually. Matt's is Friendship, mine's Hope." TK told her.
"What about the others?" she asked. Seeing the look Matt shot TK, she added, "Matt asked you to phone Izzy about the Digivice, and he asked Izzy to phone Joe and Mimi. He was going to call Tai and Sora...so I guess all of you and Kari are in on it."
"I'll tell you later." Matt promised. "Gennai, what about her Crest?"
"It's in a cave not far from here. In that direction. Baramon will know the way."
"I will?" Baramon squeaked.
"You'll know it when you get there. Good luck, Digidestined..." And with that he vanished.
"So we're in a computer?"
"I guess. I never really understood it." Matt shrugged. Caitlyn shuddered and wrapped her arms more tightly around him. They were riding on Garurumon's back, while TK was carried above them by Angemon.
"I think we're there." Baramon said suddenly, his voice a little muffled. Garurumon slowed and Angemon landed beside them. In front of them loomed two caves.
"Which one is it, 'Bar?" Caitlyn asked. Baramon pointed to the one on the left.
"All right guys. Garurumon, keep your eyes open." Matt requested. Garurumon bobbed his head and the group moved slowly into the cave.
"Man, it's narrow! Angemon, you better DeDigivolve." TK said. There was a brief flash of light and Patamon flew up to his head.
"We're nearly there." Baramon reported. Matt had been surprised that Baramon was male, as much as any Digimon was a particular sex; Byiomon, Palmon and Gatomon were all girls, and the others were all boys. This would be the first time a Digidestined had had opposite Digimon. Now, however, it didn't seem that odd.
The passage opened up into a large room, but Baramon moved confidently to a sort of altar at the back. A Crest glowed on it, in a yellow colour that blended almost perfectly with the Tag it hung on. The design was vaguely Celtic, a kind of trefoil. It glowed in white against the yellow background, and as Caitlyn approached it shone brighter.
"It's beautiful!" TK said, awed.
"What is it?" Matt asked Gabumon.
"The rarest Crest of all, Matt, I've never heard of its' being used before. It's the Crest of Future."
"Future what?"
"Just Future. The legend says that it goes to someone who holds the future within themselves."
"What does that mean?" Matt asked. At that moment Caitlyn's fingers closed over the Crest and there was another bright flash of light, and the next thing Matt knew he was staring at a very startled Tai Kamiya.
"He didn't say anything, you know Gennai. Just that he wanted Caitlyn to meet Baramon and get her Crest, but nothing important was going on." Matt explained for the fourth time.
"He must have said something." Tai protested.
"He didn't." TK agreed with his brother. Caitlyn, who had barely spoken since they'd returned, looked up as Kari sat next to her.
"Are you all right?"
"Hmm? I'm sorry, I haven't been listening. Couldn't keep up with what you all were saying." She smiled. "We don't speak Japanese all the time at home."
"I just wondered if you were all right. May I see your Crest?" Caitlyn pulled it out from under her top. The room fell silent as it glowed gently, throbbing in time with her heartbeat. "It's beautiful." Kari unknowingly echoed TK's words.
"That's what TK said." Caitlyn said, sounding oddly wistful.
"It is." Sora agreed. "The white, and the yellow, it's just beautiful."
"The design is different than ours." Kari added.
"Very fitting." Caitlyn said, smiling, "seeing that I live in Ireland now." She glanced at her watch. "My father will be back soon. And not that he won't be pleased to see you all, but we won't be able to talk if he's here."
"Kari, what time is Mom getting home at?" Tai asked.
"About half six I think."
"Right, let's go to our place then."
"I can't." Caitlyn said regretfully. "We're leaving tomorrow; my dad's going to want to spend the last evening with me, and I have to pack and everything. I'm sorry, but it's bad enough I missed the whole of yesterday."
"Don't worry about it," Tai said, but he looked fairly mad. Caitlyn saw them out, with several more apologies and assurances that she wouldn't mention the Digiworld to anyone. Matt lingered for a minute.
"Is something wrong, Yama?" He smiled faintly at that.
"Did you hear what Gabumon called your Crest?"
"Future? I was slightly distracted."
"He said it's supposed to be owned by the one who holds the future within themselves."
"I don't know what it means, Matt. I'm sorry." He grinned suddenly.
"Don't be. Did you get your D-Terminal?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Keep in touch? We may need your help. And..." he paused for a long minute. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Matt. Be well." He left the hotel, leaving the newest Digidestined alone.
So that's part one! This is nearly the shortest thing I've ever written...part two is coming up shortly! Review! Oh yeah, I don't own anything! Not even any of my own stuff!
First Destiny
"Matt, wait up!"
Matt glanced back to see TK running towards him.
"TK, what's up?"
"Did you forget? It's the six months anniversary. We were supposed to get together tonight."
"Oh, man...TK, I completely forgot. Listen, though. Do you remember, when we were little, our cousin Caitlyn?"
"Caitlyn? I don't think so. Who is she?"
"She's Dad's niece. You know, Aunt Carol's daughter."
"Oh, Aunt Carol? Who married Dad's brother Steve?"
"That's her. Anyway, Uncle Steve called Dad a few days ago. He's in town for a while, and he wanted to know if I'd meet up with Caitlyn and show her around a bit."
"Tonight?" Matt nodded.
"They just got into town this afternoon. TK, I'll call and tell him I can't tonight."
"No, it's ok. Hey, you could bring her!"
"I don't think Tai would like that very much, TK, we couldn't really talk if she was there." TK nodded at that.
"I guess. It won't be the same if we're not all there, though."
"Look, I'll try and get her home early, that way I could still come for some of the evening. Will you apologise to everyone for me?"
"Sure. See you later, Matt."
"See you, TK."
Matt knocked-not very loudly-on the door of the hotel room. Privately, he hoped that she wouldn't hear him, then he could go meet his friends. He was disappointed when the door opened a little.
"Yamato?"
"That's me. Caitlyn?" The door closed, the lock slid off, and it opened again, all the way this time.
"That'd be me. Come in, I'm not quite ready yet." Matt closed the door, studying the girl in front of him. She had dark red hair that fell halfway down her back, and deep green eyes. She was about sixteen, a little older than him.
"So...it's been a while."
"It has. What were you, six? The last time I saw you?"
"I think so. You were about eight, weren't you?"
"I think so. And TK, he was only two."
"Yeah. He wants to meet you, if we have time." That was a lie, but he knew TK would go along with it. Caitlyn straightened from where she'd been fiddling with her bag and studied him for a long minute.
"Is something wrong?" Matt asked, feeling slightly uneasy. Caitlyn shook her head.
"No, just...if you don't mind, let's not stay out too late? I'm still kind of jetlagged."
"Sure. Can I just make a quick phone call?"
"Go ahead." Matt dialled quickly.
"TK, put Tai on." He listened for a few seconds, then he said, "Because his battery ran flat this afternoon. Just put him on, TK!" After a moment, he went on, "Tai? Listen, do you guys mind if I bring my cousin for a quick visit? Yeah, I know, but only for a little while. Thanks, Tai!" He hung up. "Are you ready? They're in a café a couple of blocks from here. We'll meet them, you can have a cup of tea, we'll come back here nice and early."
"Just because I live in the United Kingdom...and not even the United Kingdom, Ireland...does not mean I automatically drink tea, y'know."
"You drank tea when you were eight years old." Matt protested.
"I don't anymore. It's bad for you. Caffeine."
"Fine. I'll have the tea, you can have water. Ok?"
"Fine." Then she grinned suddenly. "I'm just teasing, Matt. I'm sorry. Forgive me?"
"Sure."
"Matt! Over here!" Tai said, bobbing out of his seat. Matt pointed towards them and whispered something to the girl with him, then they both made their way across to the booth. Everyone squished in to make room for them.
"Guys, this is my cousin Caitlyn. Caitlyn, that's Tai, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Tai's sister Kari, and you know TK."
"That's never TK." Caitlyn said in surprise. "TK's two years old!"
"No, not any more." TK said cheerfully.
"All grown up? You probably don't remember me, do you." TK stared at her for a minute.
"Kind of. I remember Matt crying when you went home." Everyone turned to look at Matt.
"You *cried*, Matt?" Tai asked. Matt reached across the crowded table and gave him a shove.
"Leave off! I was only six then." Caitlyn smiled slightly, lowering her head.
"Are you all right?" Sora asked in concern. Lifting her head again, she forced a smile.
"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that?" Looking surprised, Sora repeated her question.
"Yes. It's jet lag, I think. Matt, I hate to be a party pooper and I know we just got here, but could you walk me back?"
"Sure." Matt stood up and helped her out of the booth.
"It was nice to meet you all. I hope I can see you again before I leave."
"You too." Mimi answered. Matt and Caitlyn left and the group began to talk among themselves again.
The next morning, Caitlyn was waiting in the lobby when Matt arrived, accompanied by TK and Kari.
"Tai was supposed to be watching Kari, but he wanted to play soccer, so I offered to take her with us. I didn't think you'd mind." Matt explained.
"Not at all. How are you, Kari?"
"Fine, thank you. Are you feeling better?"
"Much, thank you. I think it was just the jet lag. So, Matt, where are we going?"
"The market. It's always fun to look around."
"Sounds like fun. You can help me pick something for my mother, Kari, I don't know much about clothes."
"You want Mimi for that." Kari told her.
"Oh? Mimi likes clothes?"
"Mimi likes clothes. Now there's an understatement for you." Matt remarked.
"But Mimi's not here." TK protested.
"Then I guess you'll have to do, Teek." Caitlyn said. TK frowned.
"Don't call me Teek."
"Make me." TK chased her around for a minute, until Matt caught him.
"TK, stop that. She's just joking with you."
"I don't want her to call me Teek." TK sulked.
"If you really don't want me to I won't, TK, but it's just a little joke. I give all my best friends nicknames."
"What's Matt's?" TK challenged her.
"Yama." she responded without blinking.
"That's not a nickname, that's just his name."
"How many people call him Yama?" she demanded.
"No one, but..."
"Then it's not his name."
"Does it matter?" Matt asked, finally getting their attention back. "She won't call you Teek any more, TK. All right?" Caitlyn grimaced.
"I really am sorry, TK. I didn't even think that it might upset you."
"It's ok." Kari suddenly pulled on Caitlyn's arm.
"Come on, there's the market!" Laughing, Caitlyn followed her into the stalls.
Much later, Caitlyn and her cousins were lounging in her room, examining her purchases. TK was digging in a bag of what she called Knick Knacks and Matt called junk.
"Uhh...Caitlyn? Where did you get this?" Matt looked at what he was holding and gasped. Caitlyn looked, frowned and got up, coming across to him.
"I don't remember that at all." She picked up the small object and gasped in surprise as it started to glow. "Oohh...I don't think I like this!" Matt got to his feet.
"Caitlyn, it's very important. Where did you get that?"
"I told you, Matt, I don't remember it! What is it?"
"It's a Digivice." he muttered, taking it and examining it.
"That tells me sweet mother all, Matt. What's a Digivice?"
"It doesn't matter right now. TK, call Izzy." TK moved towards the phone and stopped suddenly.
"Matt, your Digivice..." Matt pulled up his top to reveal the Digivice clipped securely to his belt. It was glowing and numbers and symbols were flashing across the tiny screen.
"Do you have yours, TK?" TK dug into his pocket until he found it. It was flashing as well. "Call Izzy, find out what's going on." TK obediently headed for the phone again. Matt turned to Caitlyn who was half-crouched beside the table, staring at the new Digivice, which Matt was still holding. "I can't explain this right now, Kit. Trust me for a little while?" She transferred her gaze to his face.
"Of course I trust you, Yama."
"Thank you."
"Izzy? Is your Digivice glowing?" TK asked into the phone. He frowned slightly. "It's not? Mine and Matt's are, and mmmph!" Matt took the phone out of his hand.
"Izzy, can you call Mimi and Joe and ask them? I'll call Tai and Sora. Call me back in ten minutes. I'm at the hotel." He hung up and immediately dialled again. TK looked at Caitlyn, who'd sunk to the floor and was gripping her head.
"Caitlyn, are you ok?"
"I'm not sure, TK. Is that thing making noise?"
"I don't think so. What kind of noise?" Matt slowly lowered the phone, leaving Tai yelling angrily on the other end.
"Like...hundreds of people all yelling, but from very far away."
"I don't hear anything." TK said. Matt hung up the phone and came across.
"Here, Caitlyn." He picked up the Digivice and offered it to her, but she shied away.
"Matt, I don't..."
"Take it." His voice was very firm. Very, very slowly, she reached for it, and at the exact moment her fingers closed over it, there was a bright flash and all three disappeared.
Matt slowly lifted his head. TK was lying beside him, while Caitlyn was standing nearby, staring at the forest. Matt levered himself to his feet and went across to her.
"Caitlyn?"
"We're not in Kansas any more, Toto." She turned back to face him and he was surprised at the lack of expression on her face. "Is TK awake yet?"
"I don't think so. Why?"
"It won't start until he is."
"What won't start?"
"The things that are supposed to happen."
"Matt?"
"TK." Matt half turned to look at him before turning back to Caitlyn. "What are you talking about?"
"I wish I knew." She giggled a bit, turning away to look into the forest. Matt took half a second to note that they were in the Digital World, apparently on File Island, before he strode back to TK and got him on his feet.
"C'mon, TK, get up."
"I'm up. Matt, are we..."
"Looks like it."
"Why is Caitlyn here?"
"Beats me." He turned back towards Caitlyn, who was now looking at something over his shoulder.
"Matt, what is that?" Matt turned.
"Gabumon!" The Digimon jumped into his arms.
"Matt, I've missed you!"
"Me too, Gabumon."
"Is Patamon here?" TK asked excitedly.
"He's around somewhere. He should be here pretty soon."
"Matt, what's going on?" Caitlyn seemed to have come out of her almost-trance and was now eyeing Gabumon suspiciously.
"Matt, who's that?" Gabumon asked.
"Gabumon, this is my cousin Caitlyn. Caitlyn, this is Gabumon, my Digimon."
"You have a Digital Monster?"
"You know about Digimon?" TK asked, cutting himself off when Patamon landed on his head. "Patamon!"
"TK!" Patamon squeaked. "Gennai's on his way here now!"
"Good. Maybe he can explain some of this." Matt said. Gabumon was staring, wide eyed, at Caitlyn.
"Matt, she has a Digivice." he pointed out. Caitlyn glanced at the Digivice, which was now attached to her waist.
"We know, Gabu. That's how we got here...hers and ours were glowing, but none of the others' were." Gabumon nodded.
"Agumon and the others didn't come, but we knew. Matt, she must be Digidestined."
"Yes, indeed she is Digidestined, Digidestined." Gennai came out of the trees.
"Gennai!" Caitlyn breathed, almost exactly at the same time as TK. Matt stared at her.
"You know Gennai?"
"Know him? Not exactly, no...what's going on here?"
"Is there a crisis?" TK asked eagerly. Gennai chuckled.
"Not this time, TK. I just needed to bring Caitlyn here for a while, and I figured since you two are her cousins it might be easier if you came too."
"Why did you need to bring her here if there's nothing wrong?" Matt asked defiantly.
"Because, Matt, we realised after the last time that it was easier on you kids if you knew about what was going on beforehand. I just wanted to introduce Caitlyn to the concept of the Digiworld, and to her Digipartner, and then you can go home."
"Her partner?" TK repeated.
"Well, yes. You didn't think she was going to help you on her own, did you? Gabumon, where is he?"
"Hiding over there." Caitlyn followed Gabumon's pointing finger and moved across the clearing. At the far side she parted a few bushes.
"Oh!" A small teddy-like Digimon came out. He basically looked exactly like a teddy bear, except for the large wings sticking out of his back.
"Caitlyn, this is Baramon. He'll be your Digimon from now on."
"From now on? Did I have one before?"
"That's just the way Gennai talks. Don't worry about it. Can we go now? The others are expecting us." That was Matt, of course.
"No, I haven't told you about her Crest yet."
"What's a Crest? Like a family Crest?" Caitlyn looked up from Baramon.
"No, like an emotion, usually. Matt's is Friendship, mine's Hope." TK told her.
"What about the others?" she asked. Seeing the look Matt shot TK, she added, "Matt asked you to phone Izzy about the Digivice, and he asked Izzy to phone Joe and Mimi. He was going to call Tai and Sora...so I guess all of you and Kari are in on it."
"I'll tell you later." Matt promised. "Gennai, what about her Crest?"
"It's in a cave not far from here. In that direction. Baramon will know the way."
"I will?" Baramon squeaked.
"You'll know it when you get there. Good luck, Digidestined..." And with that he vanished.
"So we're in a computer?"
"I guess. I never really understood it." Matt shrugged. Caitlyn shuddered and wrapped her arms more tightly around him. They were riding on Garurumon's back, while TK was carried above them by Angemon.
"I think we're there." Baramon said suddenly, his voice a little muffled. Garurumon slowed and Angemon landed beside them. In front of them loomed two caves.
"Which one is it, 'Bar?" Caitlyn asked. Baramon pointed to the one on the left.
"All right guys. Garurumon, keep your eyes open." Matt requested. Garurumon bobbed his head and the group moved slowly into the cave.
"Man, it's narrow! Angemon, you better DeDigivolve." TK said. There was a brief flash of light and Patamon flew up to his head.
"We're nearly there." Baramon reported. Matt had been surprised that Baramon was male, as much as any Digimon was a particular sex; Byiomon, Palmon and Gatomon were all girls, and the others were all boys. This would be the first time a Digidestined had had opposite Digimon. Now, however, it didn't seem that odd.
The passage opened up into a large room, but Baramon moved confidently to a sort of altar at the back. A Crest glowed on it, in a yellow colour that blended almost perfectly with the Tag it hung on. The design was vaguely Celtic, a kind of trefoil. It glowed in white against the yellow background, and as Caitlyn approached it shone brighter.
"It's beautiful!" TK said, awed.
"What is it?" Matt asked Gabumon.
"The rarest Crest of all, Matt, I've never heard of its' being used before. It's the Crest of Future."
"Future what?"
"Just Future. The legend says that it goes to someone who holds the future within themselves."
"What does that mean?" Matt asked. At that moment Caitlyn's fingers closed over the Crest and there was another bright flash of light, and the next thing Matt knew he was staring at a very startled Tai Kamiya.
"He didn't say anything, you know Gennai. Just that he wanted Caitlyn to meet Baramon and get her Crest, but nothing important was going on." Matt explained for the fourth time.
"He must have said something." Tai protested.
"He didn't." TK agreed with his brother. Caitlyn, who had barely spoken since they'd returned, looked up as Kari sat next to her.
"Are you all right?"
"Hmm? I'm sorry, I haven't been listening. Couldn't keep up with what you all were saying." She smiled. "We don't speak Japanese all the time at home."
"I just wondered if you were all right. May I see your Crest?" Caitlyn pulled it out from under her top. The room fell silent as it glowed gently, throbbing in time with her heartbeat. "It's beautiful." Kari unknowingly echoed TK's words.
"That's what TK said." Caitlyn said, sounding oddly wistful.
"It is." Sora agreed. "The white, and the yellow, it's just beautiful."
"The design is different than ours." Kari added.
"Very fitting." Caitlyn said, smiling, "seeing that I live in Ireland now." She glanced at her watch. "My father will be back soon. And not that he won't be pleased to see you all, but we won't be able to talk if he's here."
"Kari, what time is Mom getting home at?" Tai asked.
"About half six I think."
"Right, let's go to our place then."
"I can't." Caitlyn said regretfully. "We're leaving tomorrow; my dad's going to want to spend the last evening with me, and I have to pack and everything. I'm sorry, but it's bad enough I missed the whole of yesterday."
"Don't worry about it," Tai said, but he looked fairly mad. Caitlyn saw them out, with several more apologies and assurances that she wouldn't mention the Digiworld to anyone. Matt lingered for a minute.
"Is something wrong, Yama?" He smiled faintly at that.
"Did you hear what Gabumon called your Crest?"
"Future? I was slightly distracted."
"He said it's supposed to be owned by the one who holds the future within themselves."
"I don't know what it means, Matt. I'm sorry." He grinned suddenly.
"Don't be. Did you get your D-Terminal?"
"Yes. Why?"
"Keep in touch? We may need your help. And..." he paused for a long minute. "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you too, Matt. Be well." He left the hotel, leaving the newest Digidestined alone.
So that's part one! This is nearly the shortest thing I've ever written...part two is coming up shortly! Review! Oh yeah, I don't own anything! Not even any of my own stuff!