Early the next morning Setsuna awoke to see that his cabin was empty. He got dressed and stepped outside to see that Leomon, Sheepmon, and Mamoru were asleep.
"Hey, wake up," said Setsuna.
"Did you come here to stuff Sheepmon into a test tube again," replied Mamoru as he slowly opened his eyes.
"No, I'm sorry about that. It's just that I'm worried; what if we're not strong enough to defeat the Royal Knights?"
"You just have to believe in our Digimon and their collective power," said Mamoru.
"And you should believe in the other Zodiac Children," said Leomon as he stood up.
"I hope you don't let me down, I hate variables their untrustworthy," replied Setsuna.
Above them was the sound of fluttering wings. Setsuna looked up to see the shadow that was Fairymon under the early morning sun. She was carrying a basket full of food. When she landed, Setsuna looked at the basket with confusion. At the same time Kairi, Mercuremon, Isane, and Archelomon all arrived to see Fairymon's return.
"I went to pick up some ingredients for a recipe Swanmon told me about," she said, "I came back early because there was an attack. An orange Digimon was seen ransacking the market and robbing people."
"Let's go teach this thief a lesson," said Kairi, punching her right fist into her left palm.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," said Mamoru.
"Guys, wait! We need to focus on the important stuff, like a better way of finding the Zodiac Digimon," said Setsuna.
Mamoru, Leomon, Mercuremon, Sheepmon, and Kairi ignored Setsuna, who, in turn, punched the side of his cabin. The group headed off to the market again to investigate the thefts. When they arrived in the market, they stuck together this time. The group walked up to a Tailmon; a small, white cat Digimon with a golden ring on its tail, large ears, and green gloves on its paws. Tailmon was also a bipedal Digimon, instead of walking on all-fours like cats do.
"Hey kitty," Kairi said threateningly, "What did you hear about the orange Digimon that came through here earlier?"
"U-um, I heard," Tailmon started nervously, "That it had attacked a few people and then left, that's all. No one knows where it went."
Kairi pushed Tailmon to the ground and kept moving. Mamoru quickly helped Tailmon up and apologized for Kairi's actions before leaving to talk to others. For a half an hour the group searched the market for answers. They had finished talking with a Sepikmon as they heard an explosion. An orange Digimon was attacking one of the vendors. Kairi rushed to the scene first and saw the Digimon. It was orange Digimon that looked like a small bipedal lion. It had a large tuft of golden fur on its chest and a tail with a flame at the tip. The Digimon had a circular object on each wrist, and it was glowing bright yellow in the center. This was also on the Digimon's forehead, directly in the center. The Digimon also had bright blue eyes which contrasted its fire-like orange hair.
"It must be that Coronamon," said Mercuremon, "They're a troublesome group of Digimon."
The group rushed over to where Coronamon was attacking to see that the Digimon was running away. It turned to the group for a second and a fire ball shot from its forehead.
"Corona Flame!"
The blast was reflected by Mercuremon back at Coronamon and exploded. When they looked to see where Coronamon was, there was no sign of him. Mamoru looked up at the hills in the background and saw an orange creature in the distance.
"Kairi, he's up in the hillside!"
"Alright let's go, I'm gonna beat the shit out of him!"
The group made their way through the market. As they were running they looked at all of the shops that were engulfed in flames. Why would Coronamon do such a thing? The vendors they had spoken to earlier said that some of the Digimon selling food and water were the ones who had been robbed, instead of just being assaulted.
He has stolen things that we need for survival, hmm. There's a possibility that he's living in isolation so it's for him…or he's getting the stolen goods for someone else…thought Mercuremon.
As they reached the hill, Mamoru was the first to notice that there was a hut or shack embedded into the hillside. The group charged up the hill, and Kairi kicked the shack's door open. Upon looking inside she saw a funny looking Digimon. It was white like snow with blood red eyes. There was a crescent moon on the Digimon's chest, wrists, and forehead. It looked like a strange cross between a gnome and a rabbit. Coronamon stood in front of the other Digimon defensively.
"Lunamon, stay back," he exclaimed.
The smaller Digimon scurried to a corner in the hut and cowered in fear.
"That makes sense," said Mercuremon, "Lunamon and Coronamon are twin Digimon of the moon and the sun."
"Twins," Mamoru paused and thought for a second, "Like Castor and Pollux…?"
"Who," asked Leomon from outside of the shack.
"Castor and Pollux, twins of Greek and Roman mythology," replied Mercuremon, "They are also known as Gemini."
Mecuremon pointed to Coronamon's chest and the back of Lunamon's hand, right on top of the yellow crescent moon. They each had a Roman numeral one, I, on them, and when put together they form a Roman numeral two, II, the symbol of Gemini. Before the group could speak further an explosion blew the shack wide open. Flaming chunks of wood and earth were scattered in the air. Mamoru looked to see a red dinosaur with smoke coming from its mouth. This Digimon had black bio-hazard signs all over its body and black rings on its wrists and upper thighs, with Digi-Code written on them. There was one unusual bio-hazard symbol on this Growmon; it was bright red, instead of black, and was in the center of Growmon's chest. Aside from the black markings on its body, this Digimon had two horns and gray hair sprouting from the back of its head. Lastly, this Digimon had a curved blade sprouting from each of its arms.
"That's a Growmon," said Mercuremon, "It works for Dukemon, only his Growmon have a Digital Hazard sign in the center of their chests."
"Listen, Zodiac Digimon," began Growmon, "I'm here to kill five birds with one stone. Exhaust Flame!"
Leomon went to grab his sword but Mamoru put a hand out and shook his head. The boy looked at Kairi as the fire ball headed straight for Lunamon and Coronamon. Kairi moved directly in front of the attack, closed her eyes, and prepared for the worst. The flames exploded in front of her but she felt no pain; Kairi opened her eyes to see a grey wall of energy in front of her, it was her Digisoul. Kairi looked back at the twins to see their marks glow and vanish.
"Let's do this," said Kairi.
"Ready when you are," said Coronamon as he held Lunamon's hand.
"DIGISOUL…CHARGE!"
Kairi's Digisoul wrapped itself around her hand as she slammed it onto the scanner of her Digivice. The grey energy engulfed the twin Digimon and their evolution began. When the light faded two new Digimon stood in the place of Lunamon and Coronamon: Lekismon and Firamon. Firamon was very much like a gryphon; he had the body of an orange lion with bright orange wings protruding from his back. Firamon's mane was golden and looked even more magnificent than Leomon's. Firamon had a black headpiece on that had three circles on it, much like the ones on Coronamon. These circles had flames coming out of them and there were two identical circles on the upper thighs of Firamon's hind legs. The gryphon Digimon also had a tail with a flaming tip.
Lekismon was like a strange, bipedal rabbit. She was wearing black gloves with crescents on each of them. She had crescents on her thighs and groin area. She had blue protrusions on her back, and two on each side curved around her body, appearing almost like ribs. Lekismon was wearing a metal mask over her face and had a pink scarf bellowing behind her. She had large, strange-looking ears, half of which were colored a deep blue. Firamon and Lekismon assumed battle stances and then looked at Kairi.
"What are you waiting for, kick his ass!"
With that Lekismon jumped forward, straight out of the shack, and landed next to Growmon. She jumped high into the air and her foot came crashing down on Growmon's skull.
"Moon Night Kick!"
Growmon was slammed head first into the ground and there was an audible crunch too. Kairi was cheering with joy at how ruthless Lekismon was. Firamon strutted out of the shack's ruins and slowly walked in circles around Growmon, who was starting to get up, slowly.
"So, Growmon, you thought that I would let you attack my sister like that?"
"Yes and what of it," responded Growmon.
"That was a foolish mistake on your part," said Firamon as he took to the sky, "There is an unbreakable bond between twins. When you infringe on this bond you unleash a force like none other, let me show you."
Firamon's body was suddenly engulfed with brilliant orange flames. As he flew high in the sky, Firamon looked like a miniature sun, blazing high above everyone else. Once he was ready, Firamon hurtled himself at Growmon.
"Flame Dive!"
Firamon crashed headfirst into Growmon and an explosion of flames erupted from the attack. Kairi watched in awe as Firamon walked out of the explosion unscathed. Firamon and Lekismon suddenly regressed back to Coronamon and Lekismon. Kairi looked a little tired, despite how excited she was by her new Digimon.
"That was actually the most bad ass thing I've ever seen," she said, "You guys are coming with us."
"Why would we do that," asked Coronamon.
"Well," began Mercuremon, "This Digital World is ruled by the corrupt Royal Knights. To protect your sister and the rest of the Digital World, we need you to join and the others as we search for the Zodiac Digimon. When we find the other Zodiac Digimon we will be strong enough to defeat the Royal Knights and save our world."
"Aside from that being a mouthful, I'd be glad to join you all as long as I'm never separated from Lunamon."
"I'll be looking out for both of you," side Kairi, "I won't let anything bad happen. Now let's go home."
The group turned and left the flaming remains of the shack and the scorched crater behind them. Mamoru turned and looked for a second and chuckled before continuing home. During the course of a fifteen minute walk back, Kairi managed to explain who, or what Digimon, everyone was and the concept of the Digisoul, to the best of her knowledge. They arrived back at Maiden's Village and called the others to the center of the village.
"Guys," started Setsuna, "I'm all glad you found Gemini but we can't keep getting side track. We need to find the others as soon as possible."
"How do you suppose we do that, genius," said Mamoru sarcastically.
"I think we should summon the Great Four."
"Setsuna, we can't just call their cell phones, we have know idea how to reach them," said Mamoru.
"That's where you're wrong," said Setsuna with a big smile on his face, "If we channel our Digisouls into our Digivices, I'm sure they'd respond."
"Alright, but if this doesn't work I get to say 'I told you so.'"
The four kids got their Digivices out and stood in a square. The each pointed their Digivices at the center of the square and summoned their Digisouls. The Digivices each shot a light the same color as the Digisouls into the center. A column of energy shot up into the sky and then faded away. Suddenly, Setsuna felt the earth shake, Kairi's hair and cloths started blowing frantically, Mamoru got very hot and started to sweat, and Isane got very cold. The Great Four appeared above each of their Zodiac Children and the residents of Maiden's Village stared in awe and surprise.
"Why have you summoned us," Mirage Gaogamon's booming voice made some of the Baby-level Digimon cry.
"We wanted to know if there was a better way to find the other Zodiac Digimon."
"You will meet Pisces sooner than you think," said War Greymon.
"You must go to the World Tree," said Metal Garurumon, "On your way you will meet the other Zodiac Digimon and reach your highest level of power."
"You will leave this village tomorrow," commanded Shine Greymon.
Before Setsuna could ask anymore questions, Shine Greymon, Metal Garurumon, and Mirage Gaogamon disappeared. War Greymon began to fly away but stopped and turned to look at Setsuna. The two made eye contact and War Greymon instantly understood. He nodded his head at Setsuna and vanished. Setsuna turned toward the others and sighed.
"Let's get a good night's sleep and we can pack stuff for the trip tomorrow," he said.
The Zodiac Digimon and Children dispersed and headed to where ever they were staying that night.
Later that night, Setsuna got out of bed because he couldn't sleep.
Something's wrong with Azimech, I can feel it.
Setsuna left his cabin and headed toward the center of the village. He found Fairymon sitting on a bench looking up at the stars in the sky. He walked over to the bench and sat next to her.
"Azimech, what's wrong? Are you scared?"
She silently nodded and then looked at her feet.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, I've always been afraid of the unknown. I'm a methodical and calculated person, I hated variables. This entire adventure is terrifying for me."
"Really," said Fairymon as she broke her silence, "You always seem so brave and in control.
"I have to be, or at least I need to look the part. Part of me feeling in control is knowing that I have you by my side to help fight this war with me."
"But if I leave who will protect the village," she said, "Swanmon isn't a fighter she helps heal people."
"War Greymon will. Even though I hate variables, I can feel this inside me. I shared a connection with War Greymon earlier; he knew that I needed him to protect this village without me saying it."
"Is that why he nodded at you?"
"Yes, that's exactly why; that nod was his promise to protect this village for as long as I need him to."
"Thank you, Setsuna," said Fairymon, "I'm grateful that you would do such a thing for me."
Fairymon looked at Setsuna sitting next to her and leaned over toward him. She kissed Setsuna on the cheek, causing him to blush immensely.
"Thank you and good night," she said as she headed toward her own home.
Setsuna waved goodbye as he started toward his cabin. He quietly opened the door to the cabin, hoping that he wouldn't disturb anyone. Setsuna climbed back into bed, still blushing, and went to sleep.