Digimon Frontier: Ancient Wisdom

by Truenovel91

A young Middle School student, who is the daughter of a long-passed but well respected police officer and of a retired US Marine, begins to answer her call of destiny and self-discovery. Will she ever fulfill her dream of becoming a hero like her mother? Or will she finally see that becoming a hero is not all she hoped to be? We will find out soon enough. Rated T for language.

4. Chapter 3: Kumamon Baby, Light my Fire!

Greetings and salutations my fellow Otaku brother's and sister's! I hope you enjoyed my previous chapter and left some understandable reviews and comments and allowed every other Digi-Fan know of my FanFic! Here is another installment of the Ancient Wisdom series!

Where we last saw our favorite couple, Koji made a promise to Raine that he would take her to a doctor after he found his spirit and find a way back home. But things didn't go as they planned when Raine met Tommy and J.P., who are also trying to find a way back home. The duo paid a Pagumon in candy for some information and they were later attacked by the same Pagumon and brought his friends to munch on them, Raine included. They were able to get away for a while, but the Pagumon caught up and tried eating them again. Raine, showing off her Jujitsu skills, managed to fight back, but suffered something that nearly made her to black out. Koji swooped in to save everyone and had to face Raremon. Takuya, Zoe, Bokomon and Neemon came in just in time and Takuya spirit evolved to give him a hand, but he changed back afterwards. Koji finally found his spirit and became Lobomon the Warrior of Light. He took out Raremon in one strike and even made friends with the group...sort of. Later, after a small emotional moment in each others arms, both Raine and Koji decided to take a well deserved rest while Koji confessed his love to Raine when she slept. Even if she didn't really hear him say it, Koji vowed to admit his love for her whenever he is ready.

Whenever that is. Here's hope to the soon-to-be lovebirds! On with the show.

---

Koji's POV: Flame Terminal forest area.

My eyes blinked open to the sound of the soft wind blowing, brushing the leaves off the ground. Inhaling a breath of fresh air, I looked around to see that half an hour had passed, at least. The sun above shifted a little and there aren't any Digimon around. I felt heard someone making a sound and I looked down to see Raine waking up. I couldn't help but smile at her sleeping form. She was nuzzling into my chest and smiled. It was, dare I say, cute. I couldn't help but put my hand over one she placed on my chest, clasping unto my shirt for warmth. She turned her head and slowly opened her eyes, only for her to look straight up at me. At first, she just blinked to get rid of the haze out of her eyes, but then they became as big as dinner plates when she realized that she slept on me and sprung off of my lap.

"Oh, my gosh! I'm so sorry!", she said, panicking, "I didn't realize...I just...crap." She bowed her head to me in shame. "Sorry."

I couldn't help but stifle my laugh at her flustered cursing. She heard me and looked up.

"Don't worry about it", I said, "You needed the rest, and I didn't want to wake you in the first place."

Seeing her face lit up with a light blush, she looked towards the ground before reply anything.

"Oh, um...thank you", she slowly looked up to see me approaching her. I lifted my left hand and placed it on her right shoulder.

"It's alright. Just let me know if you need anything, okay?" She blinked a couple times before giving me her warm smile and nodded.

A soft breeze blew past us with a nice smell of fresh, clean air and a hint of nature mixed into it. We both turned to the direction of where the wind is heading and felt the breeze blowing through our hair. Seeing that she is standing right next to me, I finally got to having a first glimpse of her hair flowing. The light colors began to shine in the sunlight and flowed with the wind. It was almost as if she was floating. She had her eyes closed and was focusing on the nice, cool feeling that it brought to us. I couldn't help it but, I said something that even I didn't expect to say. It was the first thing that popped into my head.

"The wind in the Digital World smells pretty sweet", I said with a straight face. I heard Raine give out a small giggle, making me shift my eyes towards her. "What?", that made her stop her giggling and looked at me.

"It's nothing", she began, "I just didn't really expect something so serene from you."

I couldn't help but smile at that. But before I could say anything else, small figures moved from behind her and I recognized both the color of thier eyes and their round gray figures. I pushed Raine in to get behind me and almost lost her footing because of it...

"W-what? Koji...?"

"Stay behind me!", she kept her gaze at me until the small figures came out of the bushes behind the tree.

Raine's POV: Flame Terminal forest area.

I stayed behind Koji, who held his D-Tector at the ready, and watched as the Pagumon came out of the bushes.

"What are you all doing here?", I asked them. Koji kept his one hand holding unto his D-Tector and the other keeping me from moving out of his protection. He directed his gaze at them.

"Are you here to finish the job?", he said with venom in his voice, making the Pagumon cringe. One of them slowly made their way over to us, but Koji pushed me further away from them.

"Wait! Please, we just wanna talk to her." It was pointing at me with his gray furry ear. "We promise we won't attack you. Honest!"

"Forget it! There is no way you're getting near her!"

"But-"

Koji growled and brought up his D-Tector and his hand started to glow with the bright ring swirling around it. The Pagumon knew immediately that he was going to transform into Lobomon again. I could tell from the way they were shaking and their bright red eyes growing wide. But I stopped him, making the ring disappear and Koji turned to me a concerned look.

"Koji, no", I said shaking my head.

"What are you saying?", he asked as I slowly made my way to be in front of him.

"I doubt they want anymore trouble. I mean, look at them. They don't have it in them to go and cause any more trouble", I pointed over to the sheepish Digimon a couple feet from us, "And since you found your spirit, they should know a losing fight when they see one."

I felt his shoulders loosen a bit before hearing him sigh at me. He looked to the gray rabbits in front of us with an angry eye and then back to me with a more softened look. I smiled and nodded to see if I got his approval. He gave it to me by showing me a warm smile and held my hand, guiding me to the Pagumon in front of him, but kept close in case the little Digimon decided to go crazy again.

"Now then," I began, "What do you have to say to me that is so important?"

The Pagumon only moaned both in shame and nervousness, until one of them bounced up to me and finally spoke for his fellow companions.

"We just wanna say that...well..."

"We're sorry," they all said in unison. That made Koji a little mad and marched up back in front of me.

"Sorry?!" He yelled, clenching his fists. "You attacked my friend, the two kids who followed her, and nearly got US both killed when one of YOUR friends turned into an overgrown trash heap!"

The Pagumon groaned and the 'leader', I guess, spoke up again.

"I really am sorry for what my brother did you and your girlfriend, but we couldn't help it", that 'G' word made me blush and made me stutter and Koji, well, let's just say he was red as a tomato. I couldn't really tell if he was blushing or stark raving mad.

"W-what're you crazy?! She's not...I mean...!"

I couldn't help but giggle at HIS flustering, leaving the Pagumon to have their heads turn to each other in confusion. All they could do is blink and see what they have done, though that didn't stop their leader from continuing with his explanation.

"Listen, Bandanna Boy, I really mean it when I say that we are sorry. We never thought that large human would give us something so sweet and tasty that he called 'chocolate'. We couldn't control ourselves. It was the best thing we ever had before our homes were scanned."

Koji gave me a confused look when he turned to me, giving me a raised eyebrow.

"I'll tell you later."

I moved back up towards the Pagumon and knelt to their level. Keeping my eyes on their new leader, they shied away from me knowing still what they have done to me and my friends.

"So, I take it you now lead your...um, pack?", I asked.

"Yeah. Like I said before, my brother was the one who lead us to attack you", the leader said as he kept his head aiming at the ground. "We really didn't know what came over us. We just wanted another bite of that chocolate..."

"Yummy!" The Pagumon cried out in unison making me smile a little.

'Must have been the sugar rush', I thought.

"That's no excuse for what you did!" Koji yelled as I jumped from the volume of his voice. "I don't care how much you like eating. You almost got her killed!" He pointed over to me.

The Pagumon gasped at the anger he displayed in his voice and all of their ears simultaneously drooped down, as did their leader. I wasn't going to let him go any further.

"Koji, stop. They know what they done and they are willing to pay for it. There's no need to go any further on this," I said standing up to his level now. "They haven't tried eating chocolate before in their lives. And for all we know they probably haven't had anything to eat before we got here."

"It's true," the lead Pagumon said, making us both turn. "The Digital World is in chaos and we haven't had anything at all."

I looked at them sadly when Koji walked up to my right side looking curious. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, that the food we usually get from Trailmon deliveries just slowed down."

"Not to mention the trade in metals they give us for smelting and turning them into things for construction and they give us food and supplies in return." One Pagumon said.

"Normally we get food two to three times a month since there are so many Digimon living in the forest like us." Said the one next to him.

"But ever since Cherubimon came everything is all out of whack and the food could only be brought here once a month!" Another said.

'Cherubimon?' I thought.

"That's why you went berserk," Koji remarked. "You were just hungry."

I elbowed his arm and made the 'I told you so' look. He just rolled his eyes and I turned back to look at the Pagumon.

"So where are the other Digimon?" I asked. "Did they all leave here for find more food?"

"We sure did!"

We all turned to see more rabbit looking Digimon, except their fur are bright red with blue stripes all over and their tails were spread wide like a peacock's tail.

"Hey, look! The Poyomon were telling the truth."

"I guess there are humans after all."

"They look funny to me. But then again, what doesn't?"

They waddled toward us and some decided to go closer and eyed our features. They looked to Koji first and looked up pointing at his badanna and whispered to why he was wearing it. They even poked at the shoes at his feet just so they can feel the nice soft material, but it only made him feel both irritated and uncomfortable. Next, they circled around me and saw how different I was from him. My hair is a bit longer than his with a soft shade of brown and the grey color in my eyes. They commented on my green jacket and, like how the Poyomon pointed out before, wondered if I was hot wearing it and seeing the white fur sticking out a bit from my hoodie.

Koji's POV: Flame Terminal forest area.

"Who are you? And quit poking me!" His outburst made the red rabbit jump back from his foot and smiled sheepishly.

"He-he, sorry..."

"Quit getting in their space and let ME do the talking."

Another voice piped out, but this one sounded it had more authority to it. The red rabbits complied and moved aside, revealing another red rabbit walking towards us. He wore a brown leather jacket with some of the light brown fur sticking out and a cross shaped scar on his left eye. There was no doubt in my mind that he is their leader. He even seemed a bit taller and bigger along with his red fur seemingly more bristled then the rest of his kin.

"Please forgive my brethren. No one has ever met a human before. I am the leader and elder of this group. We are Elecmon and welcome to our world."

"Elecmon?" I blinked. Raine stood next to me before speaking.

ELECMON

A Nature Digimon

It is very curious and lively Digimon, but their Super Thunder Strike make them very good protectors for young Digimon.

"Yes. We Elecmon are the ones responsible of taking care of the In-Training Digimon that live here in the forest and making sure they don't get into any trouble."

"Does that also apply to them?", Koji said unconvinced as he pointed out the Pagumon next to us.

"The Pagumon?" The Elder blinked, "Wait a minute...did you guys misbehave while we were gone, again?"

"'Misbehave' doesn't even come close to it." I said with a huff, before continuing and pointing out the cave entrance. "They tried to eat my friend here and chased her down to that cave."

The look that the Elder made was something like he suffered from a heart attack, "They did what?!"

"It's true. Their former leader turned into some large blob thing and made everything look like swiss cheese with his green ooze."

"Not again!" One of the Elecmon said.

"How many times do we need to keep an eye on you trouble makers?" Another said.

"W-wait a minute..."

Both human and Digimon turned to see the little Pagumon trying to defend himself. The rest of his kin rallied behind him. But before he could say anything else, I cut him off and kept on with my 'accusation'. Raine didn't look like she was being appreciative about it either.

"But..." he paused, "Even I have to admit, if it weren't for these guys I would never have found my Spirit."

"You mean you actually found the spirit?" The Elder asked as the rest of his fellow Elecmon gasped in awe. Leaving me and Raine feeling like we were left in the dust.

"Elder," Raine spoke as she approached me from my left side, "Do you know anything about these 'Spirits'?"

"That I do, young lady." He said closing his good eye and nodded, but turned his gaze back to me. "But tell me this boy: How is it you were able to, not just find the Spirit of Light, but become one with it?"

"I don't really know," I said and brought up my D-Tector that was stowed back into my left pocket, "We were told by someone to find a 'Spirit' when we first came here. A woman. We don't know why or how she knew our names, but she somehow brought us here using the Trailmon."

"Hmm..." The Elder closed his eye again as he was deep in thought. "You say a woman told you? Odd. Never have I heard of someone calling humans from another world before, much less anyone being able to have such power to do so. Unless..." His sudden pause made me nervous and even more when he quickly opened his eyes. "The Celestial Digimon."

"Celestial...Digimon?" I couldn't believe of what I had just heard. Raine looked at me in confusion but I shrugged. I didn't know what to say, so she turned to the Elder for the answers.

"Are they some sort of royalty, Elder?"

That made the Elecmon and their Elder blink in surprise and even murmured to each other. Only one of them moved up to the Elder and whispered in his ear. For a few seconds, the Elder nodded and motioned the Elecmon to go their way before turning to us again.

"Young man, is this girl also a bearer of a spirit by any chance?"

Neither of us had the answer. Raine hadn't found any spirit of her own yet, but I was certain she could one day and become something like Lobomon. The thought of her mentioning a strange fox-like creature came back to me in a flash. Maybe something about these spirits may have something to do with it.

"No", I said, " but she did see something before coming here." I turned to look at Raine. She was looking at the ground, afraid to say something, but she nodded all the same.

"She did?" The Elder kept his good eye at her. He walked up closely to see the look in her eyes. I didn't know what he saw, but it took a couple of minutes for him to nod and thought to himself. 'Could she be the one?'

"Come and walk with me. I have a lot of explaining to do."

A few minutes later...

Despite the sun now started to set, it was still light out when we followed the Elecmon and their Elder. They led us to their village of small houses that appeared within the forest when we first arrived here. They seemed relatively small considering the young Digimon who were able to fit in them. Even the Pagumon seemed more friendly towards the Poyomon, who just arrived to have their fair share of food that the Elecmon brought in and viewed their old homes. From what we have been told, that kid named Takuya was responsible for restoring their land by using his D-Tector to release it when another Digimon called Cerberumon stole it. I was never impressed with that kid in the first place, but seeing what kind of good he did to help these Digimon, I might want to reconsider.

"My family is going to be busy handing out the supplies to the younglings for a while, so we have all the time to ourselves." The Elder said before I added.

"And for you to answer our questions." That earned me a slight jab in the ribs from Raine and her disapproving tone.

"Koji..."

"What?"

The Elder chuckled at our antics, not minding the rude tone I gave him, and he motioned us to sit down. We were sitting in front of some fire pit with small logs and rocks surrounding it. The pit is made with well cut stone and it was big enough for one of those rotisseries to be installed. There was already stacked wood near to one of the small houses behind us. It was even more impressive when the small line of bulbs hanging on the trees surrounding the area. They looked like Christmas lights, but I doubt they even know what the holiday is or even of what is it about. We both sat down on one of the logs and the Elder sat to the left of us. I was the closest to him when Raine sat to my right. The Elder cleared his throat and crossed his arm before starting the conversation.

"Now, how shall we start?" He asked, looking at us straight in the eye. No pun intended.

"Well, how about these 'Spirits'?" Raine said. "You said you know them."

"No, young lady. I don't know them personally." He laughed. "But I do know of their legend. They are always the first of many lessons when growing up here in the Digital World."

"Really?"

"Yes." He simply replied. "Now please, listen closely to our world's greatest tale of heroes who have ever lived and fought for our world..."

---

The Tale of the Legendary Warriors.

In ancient times there were terrible wars between the Humanoid type Digimon and the Beast type Digimon for control of the Digital World. Lives were lost and many families suffered within the chaos and were forced either into hiding in search of a sanctuary or choose between sides in the war.

One day, an angel Digimon called Lucemon appeared. He taught them how to resolve their differences and live in peace, and the fighting stopped. But although the war ended, some of the Digimon who went into hiding refused to return to their lands, fearing that a dark and terrible fate will once again befall onto the Digital World.

As prophesized, the days of peace in the Digital World was short-lived. And Lucemon, the wise and benevolent ruler, became obsessed with power, and tormented the peace-loving Digimon until they could take no more.

It was then ten brave warriors rose up against him. Each one carried an element: Fire, Light, Darkness, Wind, Ice, Thunder, Wood, Water, Earth and Steel.

After a fierce battle, they defeated Lucemon, restoring the peace. But the warriors could no longer maintain their power or physical form and soon fell into a deep sleep. Their tale has been told many times, and to this day, many have wondered if the warriors would once again rise and stand together to fight for our world.

---

Koji's POV: Flame Terminal residential area.

"That's some story."

"And a very good one at that my young friend." The Elder nodded and looked around, watching his fellow Elecmon wandering from one baby Digimon to another. The night was already here, and the lights above is what is keeping everyone see where they're going. It almost seemed like the festivals back in Japan.

"And it is that very reason why I am grateful to meet the one being who claimed the spirit by right. Because now the prophesy of the Legendary Warriors are already coming true."

"What makes you say that?" Raine asked.

"Cherubimon." He simply stated. The name made the other Digimon to look in our direction, some in fear, other in deep concern. That didn't sit well with me. I never was the one who likes to be left in the dark.

"The Pagumon said that name before. Who's this Cherubimon?"

The Elder looked up with anger in his eye. "He is the reason why our world is being turned upside down. He was once one of the three Celestial Digimon who rule our world. Together they watched over all who look to them for guidance and has kept the balance of our world intact, hoping that never again would the chaos that Lucemon has wrought would return. But he soon became corrupt with power and rallied the Beast type Digimon and revolted against the remaining Celestials, for what I don't know. Everywhere, his loyal followers take the Fractal Codes that make up our world. From mountains to trees and even the sea disappear before our very eyes. The world becomes more barren and empty with nothing but the dark mist that hovers below our very feet. The only thing that makes up for it are the Trailmon tracks." He closed his eye again and sighed deeply, I could have sworn I saw a bit of tears in the corner of his eyelid. "I bet my one good eye that when you look from the moons above, the world would be nothing but a skeleton."

'I have never felt this angry before. Not since my mother's death.' I feel the burning sensation in my chest. One memory after another, I could understand why these people are so afraid. You don't realize you love something or someone before they're gone. I heard a few sniffs behind me and before looking up a Pagumon jumped unto my lap. He was giving me his big eyes.

"I'm sorry", it was the new leader, "This is why we're so desperate of eating your friends and that chocolate they were carrying." The other Pagumon moved their heads downward and groaned.

"It's not just the food that we've been worrying about." A smaller and younger Elecmon piped up and moved up to the front of the crown and standing next to Raine. "Cerberumon was the one who came to find us during our foraging and told us and right before he left to find one of the ancient spirits and said that if any of us refused to join Cherubimon he would turn us all into data."

"Other Digimon have been pressuring us to join Cherubimon, too. Calling us cowards and have no right to leave the young ones at the Flame Terminal unattended." Another said.

"But it wasn't our fault. Cerberumon scanned the Forest Terminal, leaving both the younglings and us without a nice place to sleep. Believe us, sleeping on one of those benches at the station makes our back ache."

"Not to mention the horrible smell of the smoke from those furnaces." A Poyomon cried from on top of the wires. "We have to watch where we are going so we wouldn't be burned from the hot flames."

"Our home in this forest is the only place we could ever live in peace."

"Peace." The Elder huffed. "As long as that monster continues to bring ruin to our world, there will never be peace. Meanwhile, when we try to keep ourselves together and keep every single youngling alive, many Digimon continue to mock us and calling us cowards when we rather keep our families safe from harm and avoid danger. The only guilt I feel...is the guilt of not proving myself. To prove that we are not cowards. That we are not weak and afraid all the time." He sighs heavily, letting his head move downward. "Sometimes, I feel like we are lost..."

The crowd becomes silent, and I couldn't help but wonder. Could these 'people'...yes, people, stand a chance to fight their way out of this situation? Would obtaining the spirits really help make a difference and save their whole world? And why us of all people? Why kids like us? And looking at these small Digimon, no matter how big they make their numbers, their strength wouldn't be enough to keep themselves alive. Turning to see Raine, her head hanging down like all the rest of them and her eyes aren't visible, kept silent and listened to everyone that was in the circle. I can't imagine how she must be feeling. This talk about loss, defeat and doubt leaves no question that she must have lost someone she loved too. But thinking back of what happened in the forest, I knew from my own experience that losing someone isn't easy. I guess that what happened to her. It's true what they say, when one experience a change in their lives they end finding a kindred spirit who fell into the same situation.

"But you shouldn't be." Raine spoke up. The audience looked up to her, looking confused, including the Elder. "It's not your fault. Granted, I wasn't looking forward to be eaten alive by little guys with razor sharp teeth, but I can't forgive for what this 'Cherubimon' has done to you and to to the Digimon who harass you."

"Raine..." I whispered, taken aback.

"Elder, you said that the prophesy is coming true, that the Legendary Warriors are coming back to help save your world." She told him. The Elder was giving his full attention and nodded. "Well, here is your proof."

She walked over to me and held her hand to mine, making me stand and the Pagumon leap off me, smirking on the light blush he saw on my face. She pulled out her D-Tector from her pocket and put in front of herself towards the Elder Elecmon. I blinked wondering what is really going on, not believing what she's doing. The Elecmon, Pagumon and even the Poyomon that were sitting on the wires, watched and listened of what she had to say.

"The spirits of the Legendary Warriors are calling to us. We have seen AND heard them. They know what is happening to you and your world. Koji has already found his and it's only a matter of time of finding my own. I know you are all afraid and are hoping that this nightmare to be over. But you can't just sit here and let everyone push you around and calling you names." She said before going on. "You, the Elecmon, have done the exact opposite they have accused you of doing."

The Elder gasped and the Digimon looked on in awe. I did the same.

"You have kept on going strong and helping these younger Digimon to keep on living. Day after day, you knew that if you had stopped, they would have suffered. But you never gave in and kept becoming a good example of what other Digimon should do. Living. So keep on fighting and together you will see another day. And once we get our spirits together, we'll beat Cherubimon and bring back everything you and all the other Digimon have lost. You will have all the food you can eat and the Trailmon will come back to make your trade again. And all those Digimon who think they're so tough for picking on you will regret for ever siding with Cherubimon."

The Digimon around us cried in agreement and cheered, making everyone jump in surprise, save for the Elder who wiped a single tear from his eye. This whole time when she was quiet, she must have prepared every word she just said. Looking over her, she laughed and smiled like there wasn't anything wrong with her. But I knew the truth back in the forest. She lost someone, but she's never gonna let that get in her way. I felt the warmth in my hand and it was still in hers. I never paid any mind of it at all, and neither did she, I think. I kept my usual composure so she wouldn't panic like she did before. Still, I feel that all the anger I felt for years had finally disappeared.

"Thank you, my dear. You have made this old Digimon very happy." The Elder said with a smile.

It was their cue. All the Digimon cheered and began to circle us. The Pagumon were jumping around, probably dreaming of having their meals back. The Elecmon were raising their paws at us and had Raine pick the smallest one of them up to her shoulder, and more likely the one that spoke up before. The Poyomon flew down from the wires and hovered above us, until one of them landed back inside Raine's furry hoodie and another landed on my head. I just raised a eyebrow at it and sighed when Raine giggled at the scene. And when we were enjoying the attention that was given, our D-Tector's started to make more of it's weird noises. The small crowd fell silent, watching both of us bring them up so we can see the same symbol that appeared when we first arrived.

"Attention. Go to the Forest Terminal immediately."

"Huh?" Raine said, her motivation had gone.

"What now?" I groaned. This mystery woman is starting to get on my nerves. The small Digimon started to talk among themselves trying to make sense of what just happened.

"Well then, what's say we get yourselves a ride on the Trailmon?" The Elder said, walking towards us with a little more confidence and maybe even hope. "I'm sure that Franken would be happy to give you a ride to your next destination. He should be done with his day time shift now."

"Franken?" Rained asked. She seemed to give a small pause to think over something, then nodded and turned to the Elder again. "Is he anything like Angler?"

"No, no, dear." He said, chuckling. "He very different from Angler, and from his fellow Trailmon."

"There are more than one?"

"Indeed. You see, the Trailmon have different versions of themselves. Kind of like how Digimon change their appearance when they digivolve. They each have different powers and abilities that becoming fitting to their required jobs." He jumped up to log next to us. "For example, did you notice that Angler Trailmon has a long bulb on his forehead? Well, in his case, he is best used when he needs to go into long dark tunnels or is needed to do a night shifts of carrying supplies in different towns."

"Didn't you say Franken is working the night shift though?" I asked him.

"Yes. But often times, the Trailmon have so much work to do and long distances to travel, that they need help from their fellow brethren." He rubbed his chin and gave his thoughts. "Now that I mention it...Angler is gone and should have been ready to do his shift tonight."

I only blinked in confusion. 'Gone? But why would he just leave?' I turned to Raine who made her smile with a little more of a nervous hint to it. 'Oh yeah...those two.'

"Ah, no matter." The Elder said, breaking my thoughts. "What you should know is that you can always count on the Trailmon to do their work. And when it comes to Franken, he'll get it done."

"But, Elder..." The smaller Elecmon tugged the older one's leather jacket, getting his attention. "Franken is a little mean, isn't he?" The older one laughed.

"No, little one. He's just grumpy. Kind of like an older brother who you'd wish he would lighten up a bit."

"How unlike anyone I know." Raine said. I turned to her knowing all too well of what she had meant. Or should I say who? I just huffed, not minding the laughter from teh little Poyomon around us.

"I am not grumpy..." I muttered.

---

Raine's POV: Flame Terminal train station.

The Digimon gathered around and waited until Franken was finished with his maintenance inspection. Poor guy was grumbling to himself, wondering where Angler had gone. Knowing the truth of events, there was no way of me giving away that small bit of information when it was J.P and Tommy were at fault. Dad said that when a person causes trouble they had to man up by taking responsibility into their own hands. But seeing Koji giving me that look before, I still had to explain the whole to him. Privately.

"I am happy to have met you two humans. Never have a I dreamed the day of meeting the heroes who will save our world." The Elder said as the smaller Elecmon handed us our tickets.

"Don't count your blessing yet, Elder." I said. "I still have to find my spirit. And since Koji found his, there's no telling how much trouble we'll be in." I pulled my D-Tector out and looked at it. "Not to mention with this Cherubimon we have to deal with, he may already have his goons sent out to stop us."

"My dear," Elder began, "If I know one thing, is that you will find what you are looking for. And no one will stop you from doing it."

"He's right." Koji said. He walked up to my right and put a hand on my shoulder. "You're not doing this alone. I'll be right there with you. Just like how they are with each other." Pointing out to the Digimon in front of us, I could see what he had meant.

"All aboard!" Franken called out, steam fuming from underneath him and door flipping open. "Come on! I know we don't have all night. I got business to finish or whatever."

I looked at Koji to give him another teasing look, but it earned me a shove into the car. Hearing the laughter from all the Poyomon outside, the rest of the Elecmon waved at us with the Pagumon flapping their ears to get a good look at us one last time.

"Goodbye, my friends. And good luck on your journey!" The Elder called out and thought to himself as the train pulled away. 'I hope you find your spirit child. I have a feeling that once you do, you'll be part of a much greater role.'

As Franken Trailmon moved forward and exited out of the station, the Poyomon followed and flew off in different directions, leaving only me and Koji alone to sit on the left side of the car looking outside to see the bright stars and the colorful trio of moons in the dark night sky.

"It's going to be a long while before we make our next destination folks." Franken said. "So if you're planning to nap or whatever, I'd say you better get started."

"Thank you."

"Never the one to stop being polite, huh?" Koji said. He was sitting next to me on my left. He sat close to the metal railing of the end of the seat, probably still afraid of what happened from earlier. Honestly, so am I.

"And you're one to love to start a friendly conversation, aren't you?" I gave him my best clever smile that I could muster. He smiled back and looked back to the round windows of the car.

Watching the dark scene of the landscape, nothing seemed too visible if not for the bright light of the moons above. It was strange, back in our world many people believed that many planets have different shapes and colors to them. But here, it seemed like out of a fairy tale. There were so many stars up there, pretty and bright, like something you would expect to see only in a planetarium.

"You should get some sleep." My mind snapped back to reality, looking at Koji questioningly.

"What about you?" He looked back to me, putting more firmness to his voice.

"Did you already forget what happened today?" I shook my head in response. "Raine, I don't know what happened to you when we first arrived here, but it didn't look good at all. You were suffering some sort of concussion, sweating like crazy, and most of all, you cry whenever something serious happened."

"I..." I tried finding some words, but couldn't find the right ones. "It's nothing serious..." I felt his hands on my arms and looked up to his face. Now looking a bit angry and offended.

"I saw what happened. From the station to the underground tunnels. You even started screaming right after you tried to help those kids! There's something seriously wrong with you. And whatever it is, it's been making you suffer!" He yelled.

I could only look down to the floor of the car, feeling ashamed. I clearly remember what happened in my vision. But I wonder why it didn't hurt before when I was knocked out when instead it happened right in front of both him and Angler and again when was with J.P and Tommy right before Koji found his spirit. He has a point though. What could possibly be causing me to experience these painful sensations?

'Should I tell him?' I wondered. 'Or will he think that I have gone insane? I don't know.'

"Sorry." My head bolted straight back up to see Koji moving away and letting go of me. "I didn't mean to yell."

"N-no, don't be sorry." I said. "You're right. I should be more considerate about this. Didn't you say we were going to look for a doctor?"

"Yes." Koji looked back at me with a more softened look. "But it probably will take some time to find one. So I suggest that we keep that in mind while we're looking for your spirit."

"Koji..." I breathed. I never felt like this in along time. Not since...forget it. That's in the past. I held his right hand with my left, not minding if Koji was staring at me. "Thank you."

"No problem." He gently held my hand a bit more firmly in response.

I looked into his dark blue eyes, wondering what could he possibly see in me. He no longer had a cold hardened look like he did when we first met in the elevator back in Shibuya. No. There was more softness to them, warmth even. The thought of what he did back in the forest, holding me so close to him. He did it after I teared up seeing that one little Poyomon fly off even if it didn't want to. Once he held me, I questioned him, but he ever said is that he knows. Knowing about what? Letting go? Did he lose someone too, for real? That brought the faint memory of my mother when she held me whenever I cried out of sadness or fear. I would eventually calm down and listen to her heartbeat, allowing it to lull me to sleep. Either it was that or she was humming a small lullaby while she brought a blanket to me in my crib. Does Koji know what is like to lose someone like my mother? Or did he suffer the same thing as I have?

'Mom...' I thought. 'I wish you were still alive so you could tell me what I'm feeling is really true.'

Suddenly, there was an abrupt jolt of the car going a bit upward. It hit a small bump on the rails that made us both be pushed into each others arms and practically lying flat on the car seat.

"Whoops. My bad." Franken called nonchalantly. I should keep in mind that both he and Koji are FAR from being alike.

"Why does this always have to happen to me?" I whined.

I blinked my eyes and saw the yellow shirt I was lying on or should I say Koji. He had his face frozen and red in embarrassment and inches away from mine. I had to spring right off of him before anything could go any further. Dad would kill me if he was here.

"Oh, damn! I'm sorry! I...just...I mean..." I kept bowing my head until I just let it hang in defeat. I heard him clearing his throat and saw he was rubbing the back of his neck trying to calm himself down.

"I-it's okay. Stuff happens." He adjusted himself to his sitting position and I did the same. Even if that just happened, I wasn't going to be rude. "You really should get some sleep."

I nodded and took my jacket off. Pretty bad move I know considering what happened, but I would rather use it as pillow than sweat in my sleep.

"I'm surprised you're wearing a turtle neck of all things." Koji said as he watched me fold my jacket neatly into a tight square.

"When you live in a neighborhood like mine cold air tends to be funneled in. Believe me, my family owns a bakery but it doesn't keep us warm all the time." I told him while laying down next to him. "Can I count on you to be an airbag for me?" I said smirking at him.

"Go to sleep already!" He said poking at my head for teasing him.

I kept my one eye open seeing him trying to hold back a smile on the side of his face. But I just closed my eyes all together and breathed deeply and letting my muscles relax a bit. Maybe a little bit shut eye could do some good for me. I mean it happened before, so why not now? I feel my consciousness fade and listened to the sound of the tracks below the car. There was a small warm feeling on my forehead and I couldn't help but smile knowing for who it belonged to.

'Koji...' That was the last word I could hear in my mind before officially blacking out. Little did I know that from whatever is going to happen next was the last thing I would expect.

---

In the dream realm...

"Hello child."

It was that voice again. I know who it belonged to. Suddenly I realized that I was back in the realm of dreams and right before me was the yellow fox still wearing her purple hoodie.

"Hey, ma'am." That made her chuckle.

"Please, you do not need to call me that. I am NOT that old." I rubbed my head in response gave a nervous chuckle.

"Sorry. It's what I've been taught from my dad."

"Then he must be a good teacher." She removed her hoodie allowing me to see her face. There wasn't anything different. Just the fact that she looked a lot better without it. "Are you ready?"

"Please don't tell me where going on another vision quest?" I asked reluctantly. And before I knew it, we were suddenly thrusted into a different scenario.

The area was dark but well lit from the moonlight and saw that the Trailmon tracks were completely cut off from the other side. I hoped that the direction we were going isn't going be here, but there was a small path that zigzagged downward to what seemed to be small village. Small flickering lights could be seen from the inside of the rock walls and a river is right next to it. The three moons were visible from the water's surface. But from the corner of my eye, there was movement on the path.

"Hey! It's Takuya, J.P and Tommy." I cried out watching them go downward. I saw the pink clad girl follow the two aforementioned boys in front of her while Tommy and the two funny Digimon coming right behind them. Bokomon and Neemon I thnk. I never did catch the girls name.

"You did call out that one." The fox pointed out.

"I never got to introduce myself to her." I said looking at her. But something caught my eye on the rock wall straight below them. There were shadowed that almost looked like something out of a Halloween decoration. Tall, angry looking shadows danced on the wall. And they quickly left as they had appeared. I didn't like it one bit.

"Don't worry about it." Said the fox. "You'll see soon enough."

I could watch as the small group jumped from rock to rock that poked out of the river to get to the other side. Once everyone was together, they stopped and saw that the light's had disappeared. No doubt that whoever cast those shadows must have warned the rest of their village for intruders.

"That's weird. I could've sworn those lights were coming from right here." J.P said, looking around the area.

"Looked like that to me." The pink one followed.

I noticed that while they were looking around, Tommy was standing right next to Takuya. The little kid already has found himself a suitable surrogate brother. I couldn't help but smile at the thought of how well they must be getting along. The poor kid needed someone to look up to after all. But the little guy turned to see something on the wall that made me jaw drop. There was an angel carved on and a large circle of strange symbols. Two out of the ten looked very familiar.

"Takuya?" He pulled the older one's arm and had him turn to the wall.

"What is that?"

"Kind of pretty." Pinky added. I might as well call her that considering.

"Pretty? Pretty, she says." Bokomon sighed. "These are the marks of the Ten Legendary Warriors." He proclaimed, keeping a book in hand.

"The Ten Legendary Warriors?" The group repeated. I just smiled seeing how they haven't heard of the story yet.

"I've never heard of them."

"Are you serious?" Bokomon asked lookingat Neemon with disbelief. "The legend of the Ten Warriors was the first thing we learned in in Digital World history."

Neemon just kept looking at him before replying anything. "I must have been sick day. But they sure are pretty."

"Ugh!" I laughed at the duo's antics, not believing that this was actually happening. The fox seemed to enjoy it too from what I can tell from her smile.

"These new companions will never be bored with those two tagging along." I stopped and looked at her.

"No doubt!"

After a few minutes of Bokomon reciting the story to the group and Neemon, I can't help but wonder why he didn't mention the Digimon who decided to go into hiding and stayed that way. Maybe it wasnt covered in their subject?

"Read it to me again?" Neemon pleaded But Bokomon just denied him and placed his book back in his pink waistband. If there was a Digimon version of Mary Poppins, he would be it.

"I know that symbol." Tommy pointed at the mark on top.

"It's the same one we saw when Takuya Spirit Evolved into Agunimon." Pinky recalled. I need to think of a better name to call her. I don't think I'll be able to take her seriously.

"And that mark next to it was the one on Koji's shoulder when he turned into Lobomon." Tommy added, recalling.

"I wonder if I'll be next." Pinky wondered. "Oh, I hope my Digimon's cute." That earned me a roll of my eyes.

"I want to be like the biggest, scariest Digimon ever." Tommy said out loud and making me smile at him again. What is it about kids that keep making me soft on?

"Not likely, Shorty." J.P said. "I mean, there's no way we'll all get to be Digimon."

"He is not very good with children smaller than him, is he?" The fox asked me.

"You have no idea. I swear, it's like he's never been his age in his life and...why are there lights going on in different directions?" Seeing how the group didn't notice, I turned to look at what's causing the creepy light show. "Wha..?"

"Candlemon." She simply stated.

"Candlemon? Is there a Lanternmon that they need to worry about?" No answer. "I guess not.."

The creatures were pale and were perched on some brass stand. They had long arms and are at the level as their mouths. Their flames literally looked very much alive with the fact they have blue eyes gleaming in the light they were casting. But the pale creatures had red eyes and were very much sticking out of their wax bodies.

"We got company." Takuya finally noticed the Digimon that are now starting to pop up in different areas of the canyon. Three of them moved forward, but one of them looked older and had a long mustache on him and...carrying a huge matchstick?

"Why have you humans come to our village?" The leader demanded. "You are not welcome here."

"We're on our way to the Forest Terminal." Takuya answered trying to look friendly. "Sorry to disturb you. We're just passing through."

"You're melting my heart." The leader said, looking a bit offended.

"Ooh, that's a no-no." The other Candlemon cried in unison and started to burn their flames brightly. I felt something bad in my gut.

"You mean to steal the ancient artifact from us, don't you?" The leader accused, anger now burning in his red eyes. "Well, you won't get away with it!"

"He's right." His left wingman,...er 'mon', cried out. "The humans must be punished."

"Hey, boss! You want us to wax him for you?" His right 'mon added. Now that made me worry even more.

"Wait! Stop! Let me explain!" I turned to see Bokomon jumping in front of the group, ready to defend them. "These humans have come to help us save the Digital World, not steal some artifact."

"But we didn't know that at first." I face-palmed at Takuya's statement.

"You're not helping." He turned to him then back to the villagers. "This may be hard to believe, but somehow this boy was infused with one of the Ten Legendary Warriors, Agunimon."

"Did you say Agunimon? Impossible!" The Elder wondered but still couldn't believe it. And neither did his fellow villagers.

"That's a hot one," Said one Candlemon.

"What if it really is him?" Asked the other next to him.

"He's pulling our wicks!" Accused another.

For the next few minutes, the Candlemon were busy arguing among themselves to even bother with the children. I just scratch my head in bewilderment. Do Digimon really have to be fickle? But then again, humans can be too. So I shouldn't judge.

"Well, isn't this interesting?" The leader chimed.

He then turned to his left and right wing 'mons and started to whisper to each other. And, like before, I started to feel a bit uneasy. The three living candles turned back to the group and started to make smiles at them.

"Please forgive our rude behavior, my dear young friends." He laughed wholeheartedly and started to float over the stones within the river and approached the group. "We are the Candlemon Tribe. It is our sacred duty to protect the ancient artifact." He stated before examining them. "So which of you inherited the Spirit of the Legendary Warrior?"

"It was this one, Takuya." Bokomon pointed him out. But I couldn't help but smirk at the kid's small whimper after being addressed so quickly.

"Ah. Well, you certainly have a brave face, young man."

"Pfft." I stifled the laugh. The fox looked at me and raised an eyebrow. "Aw, come on! Don't you didn't find that funny?" The response she gave me was just a sigh and shook her head from side to side. I just shrugged and watched what happens next.

"On behalf of the Candlemon Tribe, I bid you welcome." The leader proclaimed. "Please, be our guest."

"Something doesn't seem quite right." Takuya wondered.

"Come along now, don't dawdle." Called back to them.

"Your new friend is right. I hope he is ready for what comes next." Said the fox next to me.

We somehow moved when the group followed the Candlemon. Most likely leading them to their village. The path they walked was lit by the beautiful glow of the three colorful moons. I was floating close to the river, while the yellow vixen was at my left.

"Yeah, I know." I nodded and turned to her in question. "What did the leader mean that their sacred duty is to protect the artifact?"

"The Spirit, of course." She clarified.

"Well, I kinda figured."

"But...?" She added knowing what I was going to ask.

"Back at the underground tunnels, no one guarded Lobomon's spirit. Not even the Elecmon knew where it was. It was just dumb luck." The fox nodded at what I was getting at.

"It is true what you say, child." She began. "But not every spirit is well guarded and revered like these Candlemon have."

"Then why?" I asked. "What do these Digimon have to protect this one spirit?" The fox closed her eyes and sighed.

"Because this spirit is very pure and absolute. While the others have been well hidden throughout our world, this one is very young and very easy to be deceived by the dark forces. So it is crucial for these Digimon to take up the mantle to protect it at all costs."

"Young?" That word took me only a minute to realize the truth. Because once I looked down to the only boy young enough to be anyone's younger sibling and an easy target. "TOMMY?!"

"Yes." She nodded. "This young boy is next to claim what is rightfully his."

I couldn't believe it. Already this little kid is going to Spirit Evolve like Takuya and Koji. He's going to fight the forces of evil like they are now. But is he really going to be thrown into all of this chaos that's been happening to this world? My face fell and I felt a knot in my stomach, thinking about that if anything would happen to this little kid, his family won't be able to see him again. And what about these Digimon? Are they really willing to sacrifice themselves to protect this spirit from the forces of evil?

"We're here."

My head snapped upward and broke out of my sorrowful trance. Looking down towards the path, I could see the village is definitely built within the canyon walls. And even though the lights were on in every home, the large pipes that stick right out of the walls themselves were gave light of their own. But in the middle of their village, a large candle stood proudly where everyone could see. It also bears the symbols of the Legendary Warriors, while the large flames burned underneath it. It was kind of like how the Native Americans back in our world used a totem pole to honor the spirits that watched over their descendants and the land they were blessed with. Maybe these Digimon aren't so different from us humans after all. And now that I mention it, the Candlemon started to dance and circle in a rhythmic chant around the giant candle and were carrying giant four leaf clovers. I was still close to the river when we arrived. We heard footsteps from behind and saw the group now catching up to the lead Candlemon.

"Looks like a giant birthday party." Takuya said as he and the group now arrived to the village.

"It's for you, my friends" Said the older Candlemon. "A welcome ceremony. Enjoy!"

"Those clover's aren't very lucky, are they?" I asked the fox.

"I'm afraid not."

"Come closer." The leader beckoned. "Feel the warmth of the flame."

Once the group grew closer and closer to the candle's flame, the chanting Digimon suddenly threw their clovers into the fire and catching the kids off by surprise. The clover's were soon burned away and leaving only a trail of light green smoke to emerge and be fanned away by the Candlemon, still chanting in rhythm. Bokomon was the only one who saw through their plot.

"Oh, look at this. It's Sleeping Clover."

"It's nappy time anyway." Neemon yawned and slowly collapsed to floor and Bokomon followed.

The kids were having trouble too, trying to stay awake but soon were on the floor like the two Digimon.

"I can't keep my eyes open." The pink one yawned.

"Yeah..." J.P slowly felt his eyes grow heavy.

"Night." Tommy said, lying flat on his back and was soon joined by the first two.

Takuya, however, was fighting the drowsiness away even when he was already on his knees to the floor. He could only balance himself with his hands.

"So you claimed the spirit of Agunimon, have you?" The leader scoffed loudly. "Bah! We will shed some light on this!"

"No! No! No! Don't fall asleep now, of all places!" I yelled.

"I have told you before, child. They cant hear you..."

"I don't give a rat's ass if they can hear me or not! They're tougher than this, I know it!"

Cussing out when under frustration isn't one of my best qualities. But was I going to do? I hated watching on the sidelines and not be able to do anything. I just couldn't bear it. There was no where else to go. It wasn't like the Candlemon was going to move away and give them some room to spare. Not like they can walk on water or anything.

"Wait...the water." I muttered. Looking towards the river behind me, a light bulb soon popped over my head. "That's it!"

"You have thought of something?"

"Damn right, I do!"

"You know, cursing isn't one of your best quality." The fox stated. "Perhaps you should reflect on this matter." That one word got me on a roll.

I did the same thing when I first saw the vision when Takuya claimed his spirit. I went on my knees and clasped my hands together. Pouring both my heart and soul to whomever was listening.

'Please...," I began. 'Hear me..."

Little did I know, I wasn't praying to some divine being above. Somehow, someone else was listening to my words. And he was already putting up a fight right below me. Fighting off the sleep from his body and trying to get a hold of his senses while he could. To him, the words were a small whisper yet an echo in his mind. Like someone put their own voice inside your head.

'Hear me...'

"Huh?" He blinked and looked around the area, blurred images of the Candlemon were slowly moving along with the flickering lights of the fire.

'...river...Go to...river.'

"The river? What...?" Right in front of him, there was a tall yellow figure. Wearing the same purple clothing on her body and saw the same bright blue eyes, staring at him. "Who are...you?" He asked, groggily.

The yellow vixen blinked in surprise, but maintained her composure. 'He can see me?' She narrowed her eyes and slowly moved her head in my direction. 'Has the child been able to do this?' She thought to herself.

But while she was looking at me, Takuya followed where the vixen's head was looking at to what seems to be the river itself. The boy blinked and shook his head and had his eyes wide open in both worry and determination. Mustering all his strength, he moved towards the sleeping trio of children and J.P and the pink clad girl first, then moved to Tommy.

"Let's turn up the heat on these artifact filchers!" The old leader cried, riling his fellow Digimon. "Get them, Candlemon!"

"Yeah!"

"Hey, we can't stay here." Takuya said, still trying to wake Tommy. "Come on!" He turned to the next thing he saw. "The river!"

As he grabbed J.P and the girl by the shoulders, he led them to the river with Tommy being carried off. Just in time, too.

"Lava Loogie!"

"Dive in!" Takuya led the group straight into the water, leaving the Candlemon to seemingly miss their mark.

I sighed in relief. "Good. They're safe."

"Are you sure?"

The vixen's words made me take a second look at the river. There were shadows and I couldn't make out what happened, but the sudden burst of bubbles came up to the surface making me think that someone may have started to drown.

"Allow me..."

Suddenly, my eyes felt something...change. I could see through the water, but it was still a bit fuzzy. Like looking through a telescope towards the foggy sea. I found Tommy though, and he wasn't doing too much of good job of swimming. In fact, drowning was more like it!

'I don't know how to swim!' The little boy thought. His panic is what made those bubbles burst up in the first place.

"Where the hell is Takuya?" I muttered.

Looking in the river with my new eyesight, he finally shows up looking worried and probably upset for losing grip on the kid. He grabbed a hold of him and quickly went up to give Tommy some air.

"That was a great idea!" He said, trying to balance himself to stay on the surface.

J.P and the girl in pink soon followed above water.

"I'll never complain about my alarm clock again!" Pinky cried out.

"Yeah, nice way to wake up." J.P grumbled. "Did we really have to jump in the river?"

"Takuya said to dive in, or we were gonna burn up." Tommy stated. J.P just gave a look in contempt.

"Oh, yeah?"

"Oh, did I disturb your beauty sleep?" Takuya mocked, earning himself another look.

"We'll be safe as long as we stay here." Pinky said, breaking up the argument. "I bet fire Digimon like Candlemon can't get near the water."

"Guess again, human!"

Two Candlemon raced up from down river and spewed out their Lava Loogie's aiming at their heads.

"Go under!"

The group followed Takuya's command and the Candlemon missed their target. The group continued to swim down river with Takuya leading and kept his grip on Tommy, having me pray he doesn't let go again.

"Find them!" One of the Candlemon said, leading the chase. "Don't let them get away!"

"Man, these guys don't know when to quit." I stated.

"Are you that worried for them?"

"Of course, I'm worried!" Looking at the vixen, it was my turn to raise an eyebrow. "They're being chased for no reason. And they're not getting the chance to prove themselves."

"I wouldn't say that."

No way I was going to believe her right away. What sort of person, or Digimon for that matter, would just go and accuse someone for doing something they weren't going to do? Bokomon already pointed out the truth, seeing that he is a witness to all of it. So shouldn't another Digimon's word be enough to help these guys? If these Candlemon are doing their sacred duty of protecting one of the spirits of the Legendary Warriors, don't they need proof from these kids that shows that they're telling the truth?

I blinked, realizing now what the Candlemon are doing. "They're testing them."

"Hmm?" Her attention now caught.

"They're testing to see if Takuya really is a Digidestined." I turned to show the fox my inquisitive smile. "Aren't they?"

She could only smile back and nodded. "Now you're learning."

---

Meanwhile...

Koji's POV: Franken Trailmon's train car...

"Mmm..."

'She's been moaning in her sleep for the past ten minutes.' Koji thought, staring at the brown haired girl who was still laid on her back and her head on the makeshift pillow.

It had been only a few minutes after Raine had fallen asleep, due to his request. Now there was more for him to see that there was seriously wrong with her.

"Please..." Was the word that came out of her mouth, then sighed to herself breathing slowly and had the grip of her hands loosen from the sides of her waist.

"Raine..." He whispered. "What could be wrong with you?"

His hand still on the girl's forehead, he wondered if he could just wake her up and see if she was doing alright. But all the same, he was afraid of doing it and not knowing what sort of consequence may have if he would just wake her from whatever dream she was having. People always said not to wake someone right away when they're having a nightmare. The only problem is: She's not having a nightmare at all.

---

Raine's POV: Dream Realm...

The group had found a small spot near the rocks that block the river's current. They watched silently as the Candlemon were busy looking at the same spot they had went under. Both the vixen and myself were just watching the living ornaments, frantically searching.

"Is it really necessary for them to just go and attack them like that?"

"Yes. They must be prepared for whatever dangers they come across. A friendly face is often a mask well worn."

"Well, when you put it that way..."

Our attention turned back to the Candlemon search party. I know that they were supposed to give them a chance, but how long will it be for Tommy to actually find his spirit? The gang hadn't moved their spot yet, so there was ample time for them to come up with a game plan, if not without arguments.

"I'll distract them." Takuya said, turning to the group. "Then, on my signal, you guys make a break for it."

Pink just huffed in annoyance. "Some plan."

"Hang on a minute, Mr. President. I don't remember electing you leader of this stupid fan club." J.P said then turned to Pinky. "Right?"

"Yeah. That's right." She confirmed. "We're all in this together, so any decisions we make, we make as a team. OK?" Man, I haven't even properly introduced myself to this girl and even now I haven't given her any credit.

"I really want to help, but I'm too slow." Tommy stated. "You guys should just go on without me."

"Tommy..." My voice was inaudible, but I guess fox lady heard me still.

"You care deeply for this little boy, don't you?"

I didn't even answer her. Much less look at her. This kid is young enough to be a little brother of my own. Too young even. Does his mother even notice he was gone?

"That's not an option!" Takuya said, breaking my thoughts. His look had more firmness to them after what Tommy just said. "If I Spirit Evolve into Agunimon, I can snuff out the Candlemon!"

"Right, Spirit Boy." J.P scoffed. "Better read you Digimon instruction manual before you try something dumb like that again."

"He's right. You shouldn't try to fight alone. You're not very good at it yet."

As if on cue, the Candlemon started to approach the group, still not being able to see where they're actually hiding.

"Here they come!" J.P yelled. "Duck!"

They go under once more, watching the lights of the Digimon pass by. The two search members were giggling for some reason as they leisurely pass by. About a minute or so, they resurface, leaving Takuya feel a bit more unsure of the group's faith in him.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." He set his goggles down to his face and left one last set of instructions. "Just get Tommy out of here, OK?" And with that, he swam away and headed towards the shore.

"OK, let's move." J.P ordered.

"Evidently, the Bearer of Flame, seems to care about him, too." The fox said, referring to Tommy.

"Yeah." I nodded. "And I have no doubt in m mind that he may a little brother of his own back in the Real World."

"How can you tell?"

"The Flame Terminal. The way he acted when Ceberumon came and wrecked the whole place, the first thing he went for was Tommy." I hated that memory. I mean, I was glad that Takuya got his spirit by right, but poor Tommy is probably going to be scarred for life.

"And do you have any siblings?" She inquired.

"No." I said, making her cock her head in confusion. "But I did do a good job in babysitting. I took care of little kids in my neighborhood. The area was pretty small, so everyone knew where we lived. It was a job that needed patience, and the kids were pretty well mannered. The neighbors had their own shops to run and sometimes need to resupply goods. Obviously, they found the right girl for the job."

"I see." She said, looking back at the group who are now climbing up the rocks to get a better view of their newly proclaimed leader. "Watching over this boy, makes you remember your home."

Not another word was made. All I did was hang my head, not in sadness, but in meditation. Weird, I know. But what else could I say to her? Just the word 'home' is enough to make a kid depressed.

"Oh, dear..."

"What now?" Looking in where she was staring at.

"I see one of them! Get 'em!"

The Candlemon spotted the only human who made it to shore: Takuya. The group on the rocks looked back, shocked that they found him so quickly. The poor guy was now being chased with the Digimon hot on his heels. Literally. They started to shoot their Lava Loogie's and nearly hitting the back of his feet. Takuya looked back, nervously, and tried again to work with the buttons on his D-Tector.

"Come one, help me out here!" As he was pressing the two buttons, the hot flames made him jump and lost his grip with his device. "Oh no! My D-Tector!"

"Takuya!" The trio finally made atop the rocks and watched helplessly as their leader dropped his D-Tector, with now the laughing Candlemon closing in on him.

"We've got you now, human!"

"No!" My sudden yell not only had gotten the attention of the fox, she didn't even stop me of what I was going to say next. I managed to have Takuya hear me again, without doing my prayer thing.

"Don't just stand there!"

He blinked, the voice was now oddly clearer, but he couldn't put his finger of who the voice belonged to.

"Hurry up and Spirit Evolve now! Tommy needs you!"

The boy looked at the device laying a few feet in front of him, and lunged at it with his very life at stake. The older Candlemon watched in confusion and expectation for what the red clad human would do next. Bokomon and Neemon were finally waking up from the Sleeping Clover.

"Spirit Evolution time!"

The screen on the device glowed in bright white, and Takuya put his hand watching the ever glowing ring of blue appear from it. He made his signature move and slided the codes across the top of his D-Tector. And before it went through completely he cried...

"Execute Spirit Evolution!"

His clothes soon dissapeared into nothing and the image of Agunimon made clear it was once again awakened. The armor soon were placed upon his small human body, that is now stretching and growing. As the pieces now fall into place the light in eyes burned brightly and as he turned the lights turned into flame and his eyes are now bright blue and fire is burst off of his armor.

"Agunimon!"

The kids cheered as they watched Takuya transform. Along with Bokomon and Neemon, now fully awake, the old Candlemon was in awe and dumbstruck of what he had just witnessed. Did he actually heard me? Unknowingly, the vixen smiled of what happened.

'Her power's are growing.'

"Well, I'll be dipped." He breathed. "The brat really is Agunimon!"

"Doesn't he ever say anything nice?"

"Besides of what happened?"

But before anything was said, Agunimon brought his two fists together while the Candlemon shot him another one of their attacks, but it was too late and once his arms were separated again, rings of fire swirled around his arms. He was ready.

"I summoned the Pyro Tornado!" Instead of spinning around like he did with Ceberumon, he just shoots them straight out of his hands and hit the Candlemon. They retaliated and shot back at him, only for him to smacked the fireballs away, but was surprised that nothing fazed them and their burned like hellfire.

"Seems like he still needs practice."

"No kidding!" I cried exasperated. "What was that? Those were cheap shots!" The gang, up top, weren't very impressed either.

"What's wrong?" Tommy asked.

"Fire attacks don't work on Candlemon. He should know that!" Pinky exclaimed.

"Yeah, that wasn't too bright." J.P mocked, then motioned the group. "Come on, I'd better get us out of this hole, before we get waxed!"

Just before he made another step, J.P slipped on a sleek yet icy surface. The other two noticed and carefully kept their stance, despite the how easy it is to slip up.

"I hate ice skating." He groaned.

"Be careful, Tommy." Pinky warned. But the kid was struggling.

"I-I'm trying."

As J.P propped himself up, he saw the deep cavern covered in ice. "Wow, I didn't see that before." Pinky looked up and knew the opportunity was rare.

"We should be safe from those hotheads in there."

Even I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Ice, everywhere, was poking right out of the cave. The fox woman looked deep into it with her eyes, using the same ability as she allowed me to do before.

"He is waking up."

"The spirit?"

"Yes."

Then a loud roaring sounds came from behind the trio. Agunimon was struggling to keep the flames away, yet was still being pushed back further and further. Tommy's hands were gripping unto his device that oddly matched his attire. Light blue all around but had a forest green color on the handle and within the white ring around the screen, he frantically pushed the buttons so he could Spirit Evolve.

"Please give me a Spirit." He begged. "I want to help!" That caught J.P's attention and tried to dissuade him.

"Give it up, kid. The spirits of the Legendary Warriors would never give their power to a pipsqueak like you."

That whole sentence made me mad. To think that I was starting to be friends with him.

"Looks like it's really up to me." He pressed unto his device but it made a noise that sounded like it rejected him. Good. "Aw, man. I wish this came with a manual."

"Paraffin Paralyzer!"

The attack caught Agunimon in a tight grip. He couldn't move and the steamy hot wax was now seeping unto his skin and hurting him.

"That stuff hurts!"

The painful howl made the little boy watch in fear of his 'brother's' predicament.

"Agunimon! Hang on!"

His thoughts were flooded of what had happened in the beginning of their journey. He wondered if he could be brave like Takuya. Everything that had happened, from Ceberumon's flames, the destruction of the Flame Terminal, the attack from Raremon and now this. Watching helplessly, hesitating and afraid, he thought for the worst. Looking in his eyes, I saw doubt and fear, and his whole froze when he was wax free. I wanted to scream, I wanted him to hear me. No more waiting. This is now his moment now. And he needs to take it.

"Help him."

The little one blinked, not bothering to turn his head to see if someone was actually talking to him.

'That voice.' He thought. He listened even further for my voice.

"Help Agunimon. Help your brother."

'My...brother?' Repeating the words in his mind, he new exactly who that meant. The one boy who kept him safe from the very beginning is in danger. He was always being in the way and he needed to act now.

"I can't-I can't move anything!" Agunimon struggled, trying to break free of the now hardened wax on his body.

"Hang on, Takuya!" Tommy slid down from the top of the rocks and back into the river and kept himself in shallow waters and used his big orange hat to scoop the water out and throw it towards the cocky Digimon. Though the two kids weren't supportive of this action.

"Tommy, no!"

"Stop, kid!"

"Light's out! you meanies!" The boy kept throwing water at the Digimon and stopped listening to J.P and Pinky. "I won't be just a little kid in the way ever again!"

Then, a sudden burst of bright light exploded right beneath the ice of the cavern above, surprising both the two humans on the same spot and myself.

"Mama Mia!"

"Ma'am, is that...?"

"Behold. The spirit has chosen the rightful bearer."

As the lights continue to glow, a small figurine of what looked like a small white bear rose up and a voice was heard. But this one is younger, almost like a perfect match for Tommy. The figure that now stood before me, was a small white polar bear, wearing a green headband with a childlike drawing of a bear on it, green shirt and boots on his feet. There were red lines on his face, one on each side. On his right arm was a orange pauldron and his left was bulky and made of metal His back carried a giant blasting gun and his front bore one of the symbols of the Legendary Warriors. Kinda makes me think of one of those ice cream signs that you see in a park with a cute bear or penguin on it.

'It's so good to see you again!' He hollered. 'I can't wait when we're all together!'

I wasn't sure if he was talking to me or not. I looked to see if the fox lady was next to me, but she was gone. Guess I have to answer.

'Again?' I asked mentally. 'What do you mean, again?'

'You don't remember?' He asked curiously. Then made a big smile that meant for mischief. 'Don't worry! I'll make sure you do!'

The image soon disappeared and the figurine floated down in front of Tommy, who now stopped throwing water, and the river froze instantaneously. His feet now covered in ice, Tommy stared at the image that appeared to him. Putting his hat back on, he knew what it was and basked in it's glow.

"It's a spirit!"

Taking out his D-Tector, he pointed it at the figurine. A long beam of light shot out and began to draw the figure in.

"Spirit, come to me!" Tommy called.

The figurine disappeared and was now inside the device, the sign of the Legendary Warrior appeared and an all to familiar, if not mysterious, voice was heard.

"It is time."

Tommy readied himself as he brought his hand out watching the glowing blue ring appear. Smiling, he brought his hand to his D-Tector and slide it downward.

"Execute Spirit Evolution!"

His clothes disappeared and snow fell around him. Feeling the change of his body, the small green armor was soon placed on of him. He could his head growing larger and his fingers became merged to make three digits. White lights glowed from his eyes. They grew brighter and brighter until the light died down. Now revealing his completed form, the white bear slid down and fell into a pile snow then emerged back up giving his peace sign and made his signature mischievous smile.

"Kumamon!"

"What a cute little bear!" I said laughing with joy. "He's perfect for Tommy."

The fox chuckled made a warm smile. "All the more reason why he was chosen. The spirit is practically like him."

Meanwhile, Pinky was in awe while J.P was busy feeling like he was kicked in the gut. Takuya not believing what he was seeing in front of him. The old Candlemon was completely taken off guard and Neemon cheered watching the event take place. Bokomon look up and down from his to the new Digimon that appeared and found what he was looking for.

"It's Kumamon, the Legendary Warrior of Ice."

The said Digimon ran up to the Candlemon looking very mad. "Time to teach you bullies a lesson." He breathed in deeply and cried out. "Crystal Freeze!"

The harsh cold winds hit it's mark, leaving one of the Candlemon frozen in his place. When the other was ready to avenge his fallen comrade.

"Hey there, teddybear! You want a playmate?" Spewing a tall ring of fire, the Candlemon spinned and emerged out of the cocoon of light that had formed.

WIZARDMON.

A Majin Type Digimon.

This mysterious champion level Digimon can make you disappear with his Electro-Squall and Magical Game attacks.

"Crystal Freeze!"

"Take off, teddy!" Wizardmon said, kicking the white bear off his feet.

"Kumamon!" Agunimon looked in horror as he watched his comrade fall. Wizardmon laughed cruelly as he mocked the Bearer of Flame.

"Looks like the great Agunimon has a problem with waxy buildup!" Turning to the warrior he gave a sly look in his green eyes. "How about a little Magical Game?"

Lifting his golden staff, he disappeared into thin air, leaving Agunimon to finally recover and break off the wax on his body. The little bear looked on to where the spot Wizardmon once stood.

"That was weird."

"What was that he did just now?" I asked, looking around. "He's gone!"

"Majin type Digimon are very tricky. They are what you human call sorcerers. Digimon like specialize on using clever tricks and spells to ward off and confuse enemies."

"Well, that's very ensuring." I retorted.

"That's because it's not."

Suddenly, loud footsteps could be heard near Agunimon. He turned to find the source, but there was nothing there still. He turned to his other side and yet nothing. This isn't going to be easy. There was now laughter right above his head, and a transparent silhouette passed by.

"Up here!" He cried laughing. "I know! Let's play catch!"

Shooting long rays of lightning, he aimed at Agunimon, but the warrior quickly moved out of the way. Again, Wizardmon shot his attack at him and still couldn't hit him. He might as well stop trying. But instead, he landed and appeared right before his audience.

"Not bad, Legendary Warrior." He complimented. "But I've got plenty up my sleeve."

A large number of Wizardmon circled the Warrior of Flame, leaving everyone in a state of confusion.

"Too bad you're going to lose no matter which Wizardmon you choose."

"Which is the real Wizardmon?" J.P asked, looking frightened.

"They all look the same to me." Pinky clarified.

"Agunimon, don't you see? All these Wizardmon are me!" Agunimon glares at the copies. Probably hating the rhyming as much as I do. "We all look real, because we are. Just try to run. You wont get far!"

"This is just a game. Only one is real, and I'm going to find it!" He declared. But Wizardmon doesn't seem to care.

"Every warrior must fall. Your time is up. Electro-Squall!"

At the same time, all the Wizardmon pointed their staffs at the red warrior. Luckily, he jumped right before they hit him. From below, Kumamon found the right answer for his friend. The Wizardmon was tough, but he lacked the consideration that he was handling two warriors not one.

"Agunimon! Look down here!" He called out. "Only one of them has a shadow!"

"Thanks!" Agunimon replied. He turned to the real Wizardmon and knocked him in the face with his right knee. "Games over!"

With that full force of power, Wizardmon fell unconscious and a ring of data soon appeared around his still body.

"I never did believe in magic." Agunimon said, bringing out his D-Tector. Pressing the button on the side, the top of his device glowed. "Here's a trick for you. Fractal Code Digitize!"

Sliding his device across the stream of data, the code swept away from the now present Candlemon lying tired and beaten on the ground.

"Yay! Molto Bene!"

"Yeah, mol-What she said!"

The kids cheered up on the rocks. Agunimon brought his hand down to the little white warrior and helped him back on his feet.

"Thanks, Agunimon."

"No, thank you." He countered. "You're one brave little bear."

The bear smiled at his 'brother' as thanks for the compliment. Feeling the tears welling up, I let only one to fall down on my cheek. Looking at Tommy now, I know that there is nothing to be worried about. He was going to be fine as long as he stayed with Takuya and the others. What is it about kids like him that makes me such a softie?

"Are you alright, child?" The vixen asked looking at me with wonder in her eyes.

I nodded. "Yeah. I'm just happy for him, that's all."

"You truly have a love for children his age, don't you?"

I didn't answer her. I just looked at her with a smile while the tear still streaked down. The fox lifted her paw, I guess, and brought one of her fingers to the tear stained cheek. Strange, it felt more human than Digimon. Back at the Candlemon's village, it was clear that the proof was as clear as day.

"Well, I guess this proves that they're really are the Legendary Warriors after all" Said one Candlemon.

"Yes." The leader said. Hopping up proudly to get a better view of the two warriors. "I would not have believe it if I hadn't seen it myself."

"You see?" The fox smirked at me even if I already had found out on my own.

"Well, at least you didn't get to say 'I told you so'."

"I was thinking about it."

Rolling my eyes, I laughed it off. Maybe this is going be a good relationship after all. The sounds of data swirled around the two warriors, and in a split second, now stood two humans who seem ready for anything.

"You have indeed proven yourselves worthy of carrying the spirits of the Legendary Warriors, my young human friends."

As the leader spoke, Takuya winked at Tommy and gave him a thumbs up, signaling his approval for the kid's bravery. Tommy returned the gesture and smiled, trying to hold back a laugh.

"Takuya and little Tommy, you two have truly honored the great names of Agunimon and Kumamon." The leader proclaimed. "I salute you both."

The leader turned to the other Candlemon, asking if there were any volunteers to help bring J.P and Pinky down from the rocks above. A couple showed their hands and brought a long ladder out from one of their homes and hopped happily to the duo. Takuya and Tommy were busy chatting with each asking questions of it felt like it should have when turning into a superhero. Bokomon and Neemon rushed to the two and waited on the shore for their two friends to come down from the rocks.

"I trust you that feel better now?"

"I am now." I told her. "Tommy is going to be safe from here on in. So..."

"Wake up."

Blinking to what she had said, I turned to see her gone and the world around me swirled out of sight like it was going down the drain. "Huh? Wait! I..."

Everything was becoming dark, there were no more sounds, only whispers that inaudible to me. I can't understand a word they're saying. Man, I'll never get used to this...

---

Raine's POV: Franken Trailmon's train car...

"Raine...Raine!"

Koji was shaking me by my right shoulder. I was still laying right next to him. When I opened my eyes, I could see him being upside down for obvious reasons. I blinked my eyes a couple times to get the haze out of me and slowly, but surely, I rose up getting to a sitting position. Koji kept looking at me with worried eyes.

"Are you, OK?"

"Uh-Huh." I yawned in response. After rubbing my eyes, I looked outside to see that t was still night out. "How long I was asleep?"

"Only for half an hour." He said, watching me with searching eyes. "How're you feeling?"

"Surprisingly? Still a bit tired." I closed my eyes for only a moment when a pair of warm hands was felt on my forehead and my left shoulder. "Koji?"

He was feeling for a fever and kept me steady in case the Trailmon hit another bump. A minute had passed when he finally let go, sighed and looked at me with worried eyes and yet firm in his dark blue eyes. He was searching for an answer in my gray ones, but I wasn't sure how I wanted to break it to him.

'How can I tell him the truth?' I thought, hesitantly. 'I mean, would he still be my friend?' I turned my head to the floor of the car, frowning and afraid of him.

I couldn't help but wonder what would he say or do if he learns the truth. Seriously, if anyone is both skeptical and had a no nonsense character, it would be him. The way he was being serious with the Pagumon back at the Flame Terminal and the way he gave a cold shoulder to those kids...would he do the same to me? Just brush me off like I'm some lunatic that needs to be put away, never to see the light of day again? He probably would just leave me in the middle of nowhere and I would just go on all alone.

"Raine?" His voice made me look up again. "Something happened when you were asleep, didn't it?"

I gasped at his words. He's already catching on to me. My mind went blank, leaving me nothing to find the right things to say to this boy. The hands on my lap began to shake uncontrollably and I had to ball them up so he wouldn't notice. My hair covered my eyes, leaving them out of his sight. I was really scared. Too scared to even notice my own shoulders were now beginning to shake.

"Hey, what's with-", his right hand was now on my left shoulder and gasped, "You're shaking."

"Um, I..." I sputtered, still not looking at him. "I'm sorry."

"What? What for?" He asked still looking confused.

"Koji, do you trust me?"

His look now made into a serious one. "What kind of question is that? Of course, I trust you. But why...?"

"Please," I said, now having the courage to lift my head back up. "The only reason why I'm asking you this is because I know why I've been having those weird episodes. But..."

"But what?" He pressed. "Come on, you can tell me. What could be so bad that you're having trouble of telling me?"

"Well, it's not bad per say really."

"Then? What's wrong?"

"It's just..." I bit my lip for the next few words and shut my eyes for what came next afterwards. "I can see visions of other spirits of the Legendary Warriors."

Koji just gave me a face that said, "What?"

"See! I knew you wouldn't believe me!" Exasperated, I stood up and walked away from him for only a couple steps. Crossing my arms, I just sighed deeply and told him in a depressing tone. "You probably think I'm crazy, don't you?"

"No. I don't." He stood up and walked to where I was standing and turned me around so he would have me face him. "Look at me."

"No."

"Raine..." Lifting my chin with his hand, he slowly had me make eye contact, making my grey eye meet his blue ones. "I'm keeping my promise. Remember?"

I just blinked at him.

"Back when we got off the train, you made me promise to keep being nice to you. Right?" I nodded. "Well, being a good friend is a part of that promise. So now, it's your turn to keep a promise for me."

Staring at him, I couldn't help but smile at his stubbornness. There wasn't really anything to worry about. "What would that be?" I asked.

"Promise me that, that for now on, whenever you're having these 'visions' of yours, you have to tell me no matter how crazy they may seem."

"Koji." I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but before I let them fall, I lunged unto Koji's chest and wrapped my arms around him. "Thank you."

The boy in blue blushed furiously of what I had done. And as he looked down, he couldn't help but feel sorry for me. He didn't know how much this had really scared me from the get go. How much I held it all in pretending that nothing was wrong. I knew he told it wasn't for the best of health, but even old habits die hard. His blushing died down a little and let himself relax before wrapping his arms around me. I could hear his heart beating a mile a minute and stained his yellow shirt with my tears. Knowing very little his feeling he had for me.

"Your welcome."

Five minutes later...

After telling Koji the whole story of what happened, he still couldn't believe that it was possible for me to have such a power as to sense and commune with spirits. But he told me when we were being attacked by the Pagumon, strange markings appeared on my body and disappeared when I was being knocked out. I wasn't sure what that part meant, but if anything it may have something with that fox woman, like how she used her eyes to help me look for those kids in the river. I already told him about her and how she became my spirit guide. He theorized that if he was given the image of wearing Lobomon's mask, then there was a chance that very same image that I was given of her is my would-be Spirit. A charming match up, if you can recall what Lobomon had called me. Leaning on his right shoulder with his arm around me, I finally get to relax knowing that I get to be more open with him about this matter. But one thing has left me stumped: who is she? And what kind of Legendary am I looking for? The only way we can answer those questions, and keep moving forward and head towards the Forest Terminal. Maybe the mystery person who keeps popping up in our D-Tectors may help us.

We were unaware that in front of the Franken Trailmon, a new path appeared. The bridge that stretched across the canyon, had been now placed in at the right time, thanks to the efforts of a certain group of human children, who watched from below...

---

Takuya's POV: Candlemon Village...

"Hey, somebody else just beat us across the bridge."

We saw a different looking Trailmon moving across the bridge, and caught a glimpse of that bandanna wearing kid, Koji, sitting in the front most car. And I could have sworn that Raine was leaning on him.

"I wonder if they're going to the Forest Terminal, too?"

---

Franken leaves out of their sight, leaving only the tracks empty and well lit by the moons above. Koji has yet to confess of his true feeling's, and Raine still has to look for her spirit. But now that she has less to worry about for little Tommy, would she able to figure out what true love is much less knowing who has it in for her? Only time will tell.

---

Oh, my goodness. First of all, I wanted to apologize for the long wait of my chapter. I've been busy moving back home and getting everything sorted out and brought home safe and sound. Second, I really do hope you shed some light of what you guys think of my story. A little review wouldn't hurt anyone. Things have been popping in my head and suffered some writer's block. But don't worry, it comes and goes like everything else.

So thank you, fellow Otaku's and please write in the reviews and comment of how well I have written. I can always retype whatever doesn't make sense and upload it again. Thank you all and Love ya!