Alright readers, finally managed to get this one done.

It's a nice and longER chapter, so read on.


Stand Out

Yolei cradled her digimon close, rocking back and forth with worry. She had given up screaming for him to wake, and now only waited, nerve-wracked and impatient. Hawkmon had to come back to consciousness soon. After all, between the three Chosen children, there was only one digimon to watch over them, and that was Palmon. It didn't paint a very positive picture for them, as the plant digimon was sitting idly by, secluded in her sorrows.

Davis and Ken both posted themselves sentry over their respective digimon, waiting for one or the other to wake. It had been several minutes since Matt and Kari had taken off after the enemy, and since then all had fallen silent. The forest had become a menace in the short time they had stayed under its cover; it seemed to become larger, and its shadows more deep. It felt like they were being hemmed in on all sides, even though there was no sign of life anywhere. It was silently agreed between the children that as soon as they had enough cover from the digimon, it would be time to get out.

Veemon was the first to open his eyes.

"Hey, buddy," Davis said quietly to his partner. He had previously screamed himself hoarse over the course of the battle and in his attempts to revive Veemon. In the end, he had reached that same exhausted point as Yolei. Davis waited patiently for Veemon to acknowledge him; yet, the blue rookie's eyes drifted around, disoriented.

"Hi there," Veemon said. "Can you get my head out of the vice?"

Davis frowned, remembering the blow to the head his partner sustained. "It's okay, Veemon. You just got one heck of a headache. Take it easy."

"Mmm…" Veemon mumbled, closing his eyes. Davis finally took his eyes off the rookie, and checked on the others. Yolei still held tight onto Hawkmon, Palmon wandering over to her side for company. Ken was in the same position as the girl, trying to coax Wormmon awake. Davis saw the panic in his friend's demeanour. He looked back down to Veemon.

"How do you feel?"

"Oh hi, Davis. I feel fine."

"Can you get up?"

"No problem," Veemon replied overenthusiastically. He managed to rise to his feet, but when he tried to take a step forward, he tripped on his toes and fell flat on his stomach. The rookie gave a long, drawn-out groan. "Why d'you push me?"

The goggle head sighed. "Sorry I mentioned it. Take it easy, you hear?"

"Mhmm…" Veemon replied again, not moving from his spot. Davis walked over and knelt by Ken.

"How's Wormmon?"

The raven-haired boy replied with a shaky voice. "He's not waking up, Davis… I can't get him to wake up."

"He just needs some rest, that's all."

"He's never been out this long before."

"Ken." Davis said firmly, getting his friend's attention. "He'll be alright."

"Hawkmon!" Yolei exclaimed nearby.

The rookie soon replied weakly. "What are you screaming about now, Yolei?"

Davis stood, encouraged. The sooner the digimon recovered, the sooner they could follow Kari out of this place. He came back over to where Veemon still lay.

"How are you now?"

"I feel like I got hit in the head with a dragon's hammer."

Better, in other words. Davis checked in on Yolei. Hawkmon was already standing, albeit unsteadily.

"Remember, Yoleiiii…" the bird digimon tried to reassure his partner, still dazed. "We heal quite fast."

Hawkmon teetered suddenly to the side, but was caught and held up by Palmon. The rookie scratched his head with a feathered finger.

"If we only had Gatomon to fetch catnip for us."

"Who needs catnip?" Veemon asked, suddenly showing himself to be standing under his own power.

"Right on, dude," Davis said with a smile. "You're all right!"

"Yup!" The rookie replied, balling his hands into fists. "Gimme a couple minutes and I'm ready for another fight!"

"Be careful of your words, Veemon," Hawkmon stated matter-of-factly. "We don't want unnecessary trouble."

"Especially with Wormmon like this," Ken said as he approached, his voice small with fright. He was still carrying his digimon. "He's not even stirring."

Davis' posture slouched in dismay. He glanced around uneasily. It felt like the very trees were ready to pick a fight with them. As if Woodmon and Cherrymon would appear out of nowhere and attack. The thought settled uneasily in his mind, and he grew edgy. He looked over the group. Hawkmon and Veemon were standing alert now. It was apparent they were finally good to go. Palmon was in fighting condition, though her countenance suggested otherwise. Ken carried the still form of Wormmon. How hard had the little digimon been hit?

The goggle head made up his mind. It was time to get a move on. They could take turns carrying Wormmon if Ken wished, but for now, he felt responsible for getting the group out of the area. Responsibility never weighed so heavily on his mind before… it was strange for him, but he steeled himself and said to the group, "Let's get going. We're sitting ducks here."

He set off in the direction he remembered Nefertimon leaving by. Veemon followed at his side, while the others lagged behind a few steps. Through breaks in the thin tree canopy he saw the tall spire of Infinity Mountain standing a few degrees to the left of their course. Following a tried-and-true instinct, he set his steps towards the mountain. Maybe that's where the dramon's base was, or at least where they would be taking Cody. Cody… Davis suddenly felt a pang of worry rise in him. He felt responsible for the shorty as well. And then there was TK… still out there somewhere.

Davis slowed his pace, and then gradually stopped.

"…Dav—"

"Shh!" The goggle head ordered, holding a finger to his lips. He was listening. The others heard his shush and stopped as well, keeping quiet. They strained to hear anything filtering through the woods. Anything. Davis wondered how long ago it had been since TK's last cry. He felt a sick worry sink into his stomach. He was accountable for TK too. He was for them all.

At this point, Davis wasn't listening so much to his surroundings as he was to his own thoughts. There were people dying in this fight: their own friends. It was a shock to him; he was brought back to the reality of it all. If they didn't hurry and find TK and Cody, it would be Izzy and the others all over again. Davis glanced at the others behind him, and realized it was only Yolei and Ken who looked back. How had they become so few? His two companions were waiting for his lead; it was his call. Davis never felt so much pressure before. Or rather, if he did, he had been ignoring it until this instance. The sense of urgency rose, and he resumed walking. The others faithfully and wordlessly followed. No one felt like talking. No one really needed to. It seemed as if they already knew what was on each other's mind.

Davis saw a moving form in the trees ahead, and stopped again. "Veemon," he whispered. "See it? Get ready."

"Right." The rookie stood forward, poised to fight. Palmon and Hawkmon noiselessly joined him. The entire group tensed up and waited until the figure came into the open. It hadn't sensed their presence, and so stumbled noisily into view.

A Gostumon. A very battered-looking one.

"An enemy?" Davis asked quietly.

"Not unless we pick a fight with it," Hawkmon replied, relaxing his posture.

The group carefully approached to greet the newcomer.

"Hey there!" Davis called, waving a hand. The Gotsumon turned to them with a start, immediately being thrown into some sort of panic. It hastily attempted a getaway, which was short lived as it got itself caught in the underbrush. Davis and Veemon ran over to help disentangle the rookie. The goggle head said with a chuckle, "Sorry if I scared you. We don't want to fight."

"Well… You'd be the first," replied the Gotsumon, still shaking with fear.

"What happened to you?"

"My town was razed by BlackWarGreymon's armies."

"BlackWarGreymon?" Davis exclaimed, incredulous. "I thought he was destroyed this whole time."

"This may be a different one, Davis," Veemon pointed out.

The Gotsumon stood. "Are you looking for anyone?"

"Yeah, actually…" Davis replied hesitantly.

"How did you guess?" Yolei cut in sharply. "What do you know?"

The Gotsumon lowered its head. "One of my friends came into the forest with a human and a Birdramon to rescue me from the armies."

"Birdramon?" Yolei said, stepping forward. "Was it a girl? A red-head? Sora?"

"A red-head, yes. They killed her. My friend and the Birdramon dove right down into the enemy to try and avenge her, but…neither of them…" The Gotsumon trailed off.

A quiet moment passed before Yolei ventured to speak. "So that means… Biyomon… She didn't make it either." The girl lifted her face and picked up her voice. "I'm sick of this! It has to end now! Come on Davis, Ken. We've got to do something about it!"

"We're doing what we can, Yolei," Ken replied softly. His voice was steadier, but it still didn't carry any confidence. Davis shot him a glance, and saw that Wormmon still hadn't moved in Ken's arms. Yolei stormed by, following the way to Infinity Mountain.

Davis began to go after her, but looked over at the Gotsumon. "You want to come along?"

"What is your plan?"

The goggle head hesitated, unsure of himself. He sighed, "Something."

The Gotsumon thought for a minute, and then shrugged. "Better than nothing."

The troop, the remnant of the second generation, resumed their course with new arms to help in their mission. The mountain seemed as tall and imposing as their current situation, but the addition of Gotsumon came as a great encouragement to Davis. There was hope for more recruitment, and they just might build up the odds in their favour. It would just take time.

The appearance of yet another new digimon soon proved that time was not on their side.

"Cerberumon!" Gotsumon exclaimed about the digimon that stood in the children's way. Davis looked at the rookie.

"Do you know about him?"

"Nothing really, but I would guess he's one of the commanders, so more enemies may be nearby."

"Right you are," chuckled Cerberumon in a gravelly voice.

"Veemon!" Davis called, pulling out his D3.

Yolei pointed to Hawkmon, "You go for it!"

"Veemon digivolve to… ExVeemon!"

"Hawkmon digivolve to… Aquilamon!"

Cerberumon hummed to himself, as if the Chosen's actions were interesting. "You have quite the fighting spirit, if you still think you have a chance after losing so many."

"So many?" Ken asked, talking mostly to himself.

Davis lifted a fist. "I don't care if I'm the last one… I don't care if I have to fight with a stick! I'm gonna do whatever it takes to beat you guys!"

"Davis," Ken whispered into his ear.

"What!"

"Let's not be reckless again. We're no match."

Davis looked again and saw four champions come to back up Cerberumon. Two BlackGarurumon and two other dark dog-like digimon. It wasn't an encouraging sight, but Davis was already riled up for battle. "Come on, we've got to try."

"Listen, Davis," Yolei said, coming close to the two boys. "I know you wouldn't mind fighting until the end, but think about it. What if you get killed, and I end up being last? I don't want the weight of the world on my shoulders alone! Now let's go!"

Cerberumon roared with laughter. "You shaken up, children?"

Davis turned on the ultimate with a growl, but Yolei interrupted his would-be sentence. "Later, Davis! Everyone on Aquilamon!"

Ken called to him as he ran past, "Once Wormmon wakes we'll go to ultimate. We don't stand a chance until then. It'll be soon now… He's stirring!"

Davis sighed and jumped up on ExVeemon, and the group fled from there just as the enemy charged. Aquilamon and ExVeemon tried long and hard to lose their tail, but the five pursuing dog digimon held close chase. They would have to keep on going until Wormmon was recovered enough to digivolve.

It was torture for Davis. At a time like this, all he wanted to do was give something a good slug. Even if it meant punching the ultimate-level Cerberumon itself. He thought about what Cerberumon said that had caught Ken's attention. So many? As far as he knew, about three of the Digidestined were…gone. It was hard to believe they were truly dead, but at the same time, it still left nine more to work with. If they could find TK and Cody.

That was when it struck Davis. Where those two already gone? Was that was Cerberumon was really hinting at? Davis caught his breath as realization sunk in, and then he shook it off, almost violently.

"You okay, Davis?" ExVeemon asked.

"I refuse…" Davis mumbled to himself instead of replying. "I refuse to believe…" He lifted his head skyward. "Until I see them myself!"

Or until a fellow Digidestined told him so. He wouldn't take any information, true or not, from an enemy intending to kill them.

Davis looked down at their pursuers, and saw Cerberumon keeping close behind. He called over to Ken. "How's Wormmon?"

"Moving, but still out. He's hurting…"

Cursing, Davis pounded his fist on his thigh. He wished he had some rocks to throw down on the enemy running below. That would have been satisfying enough for the time being.

The group was coming out of the forest. A beach was up ahead, with the vast ocean beyond. Perhaps they could fly out to the water and wait, where the dogs couldn't chase them. It seemed like a good plan, and Davis didn't have ExVeemon change his course from the waters dead ahead.

And then he spotted something on the beach. A small white creature. He recognized it with a shock.

"Gomamon!"

The digimon turned to look, and stood stunned by the sight. Davis realized they had led the enemy right to Gomamon.

"ExVeemon," Davis ordered his partner. "Pick him up on the way."

The blue champion lowered his altitude to grab the little white rookie, but neither boy nor partner realized just how close the enemy was behind until then.

With a growl, one of the BlackGarurumon leapt up and caught ExVeemon by the leg, bringing him down. Davis flew off his mount and tumbled to rest beside a baffled Gomamon.

"What kinda party is this you got here?"

"Shut up and help!" Davis replied, brushing himself off. Aquilamon, meanwhile, came down to unload his cargo and aid ExVeemon. The blue champion had managed to throw off his assailant, but it would only be a short matter of time before they were overwhelmed.

"I got your back, pal. Ebidramon!"

Two huge champion digimon surfaced at the rookie's call and promptly engaged the enemy. It was their fighting chance. The digimon all cried out, respectively.

"Twin Scissors!" "Vee Laser!" "Blast Rings!" "Poison Ivy!" "Rock Fist!"

The majority of the first volley fell on a single BlackGarurumon, and his data dispersed.

"Whoa, dude," Davis breathed. "I like that attack better than your other one."

Gomamon glared at him playfully, "It's not an attack, genius. Those are my buddies. We stayed behind during the evacuation to keep an eye on whatever's going on.

"So, what've you been up to?"

Davis scratched his head uneasily. "Well, a lot. Oh, that's right, uh… Hey! Ken! How's Wormmon?"

The raven-haired boy made his way over with Yolei and set down the digimon carefully. "He's sort of coming to."

Davis took one look and agreed with his friend's diagnosis. The grimace on Wormmon's face was not there before. It meant the digimon was still in a great deal of pain. They would have to hold off a while longer before Wormmon was in shape for DNA digivolution. Davis looked up at the attacking digimon just as the enemy ultimate let out a huge blast.

"Emerald Blaze!"

The fire crashed into the Chosen digimon and their allies, throwing back the rookies and tripping up the champions.

"Who are these guys?" Davis exclaimed.

"Let's see, there's Cerberumon, BlackGarurumon, and then those two running forward are BlackGaogamon."

"Dash Double Claw!" The two shadow digimon growled in unison.

The Ebidramon jumped forward in reply, "Twin Scissors!"

While that fight ensued, Cerberumon had a clear alley opened up for him to the children. He scanned over their group until his eyes fell on Wormmon. Letting out a sudden roar, he charged forward. Aquilamon dove low to try and drive him off course.

"Grand Horn!"

"Styx Killer," the ultimate replied with a slash of his claws. Aquilamon was clipped in the wing, and sailed out of control. He crashed to rest well out of range. ExVeemon stood forward with the rookies, but was suddenly engaged by the remaining BlackGarurumon. Cerberumon cleared out Palmon, Gotsumon, and Gomamon with one swipe of his claws.

"Wormmon," Ken murmured, his voice weak with panic as he watched Cerberumon approach madly. "Wake up."

"You…okay… Ken?" The little rookie finally said.

"I'm here; I'm fine Wormmon. But what about you? Can you fight?"

"Once I can...move… I'll fight…"

Ken looked up at their enemy. "Please. Make it quick."

Wormmon moaned in reply, his body tensing up. Ken still had his eyes trained on Cerberumon.

And then she stood in front of it. Her actions stopped the ultimate short. He was confused.

"You monster!" Yolei screamed at Cerberumon's face. "What do you want with us?"

The shadow digimon tilted his head with a chuckle. "Oh, I have my reasons."

"Why? Tell me! I don't want to die for some stupid excuse, do you understand?"

"Yolei!" Came Aquilamon's deep voice, filled with alarm.

The girl stood her ground, glaring angrily at her enemy in the eye. Cerberumon lifted his head as if in deep thought. "I don't quite understand, child. My reasons for killing can be entirely different than your reasons for dying. I'm willing to kill for a position of power and respect among BlackWarGreymon's forces. You may be willing to die to save this world."

Cerberumon paused and lifted one of his huge paws to scratch his head casually. The situation had become fragile and delicate. One false move could set off the enemy ultimate. The Chosen looked on breathlessly at the exchange. Wormmon was fully awake now, but even he didn't even think of moving, and instead stared on along with the others. Only one was desperate to make any sudden moves.

"Grand Horn!" Aquilamon roared, diving straight for Cerberumon.

The ultimate, with his claw still raised, merely turned his head to watch while one of the BlackGaogamon abruptly jumped in front of the coming blow. The shadow digimon was gravely injured by Aquilamon, but still managed to drive the crazed Chosen off course for just enough time. Cerberumon chuckled and returned his gaze to Yolei.

"Sacrifice. That's one thing you children have taught me that has turned out to be quite effective." Cerberumon sighed, "I'm not in the mood to kill for power right now. But," he said with a glint in his eye. "I'm willing to kill the brash little idiot who called me monster to my face."

The ultimate suddenly thrust forward his suspended claw, running the blades on his hand right through the girl in front of him.

"And I hope you're willing to die as a brash little idiot," he finished with a growl as he retrieved his bloodied paw.

Yolei fell back with a short, though gut-wrenching scream. Her cry was accompanied by Aquilamon shooting forward with another shout, along with Davis and Ken yelling after in shock and dismay. Chaos ensued.

"Wormmon, go!" Ken said, getting to his feet and running after Yolei.

"Wormmon digivolve to… Stingmon!"

Cerberumon turned to face Ken. The boy didn't stop his course for where Yolei lay. There was a flash of yellow from above, and then Hawkmon fell down in front of him.

"ExVeemon!"

"Stingmon!"

"DNA digivolve to… Paildramon!"

The injured BlackGaogamon hurried to engage the new Chosen in an attempt to preoccupy him.

Ken meanwhile skidded to a stop when he saw Cerberumon take a step towards Hawkmon. The rookie acted oblivious to the beast looming above him as he crawled towards Yolei, desperate to be by his partner. She was still alive, as could be seen by her weak squirming. She had curled up on her side, the only sign of her breathing being the short, irregular sobs.

"Yolei," Hawkmon gasped in a rasping voice. He stretched out a wing and placed his feathered hand on the girl's shoulder. "I can feel it… Y-your pain… Yolei, I'm…so s-sorry you have to hurt so…"

"Be quiet," Cerberumon said quietly as he brought his claw down on the rookie. The power behind the strike was enough to shatter Hawkmon's form, and that was that.

Paildramon let out an enrage shout, and dealt a fatal blow to the BlackGarurumon that had been pestering him. He jumped into a sprint, extending his fists.

"Cable Catcher!"

The wiring sprang forward, ensnaring Cerberumon and stopping him in his tracks. Paildramon dove into the immobilized shadow digimon, hoisting him up and throwing him far. The dragon didn't stop, but instead continued to pursue the shadow digimon's tumbling form.

Ken found his feet, and ran to Yolei, sliding to his knees once he reached her side. She was oblivious to his arrival.

"Yolei," Ken said quietly, fear choking his voice. He reached and took her shoulder, and turned her onto her back so that her head rested in his lap. "Yolei, can you hear me?"

Her eyes only opened halfway at their fullest, and hardly focused on anything. Ken forced himself to look at her wound, but couldn't keep his eyes on it for long. It made him want to vomit. He just watched her face wander aimlessly. Next thing he knew, Davis was kneeling on Yolei's other side. He turned pale at the sight of her.

"Ken…"

The raven-haired boy snapped his attention to Yolei. "I'm here."

"He was right…wasn't he?"

"What?"

"Some idiot I am…"

"No, he was wrong, Yolei. You won't die an idiot. You put your life on the line for me and Wormmon. You would die a saviour, if anything."

Yolei's face relaxed. "You…mean it…?"

Ken gently slid her helmet off and laid his hand on her head. "I mean it. I owe you one." He forced a smile as her eyes rested on him.

The girl let a small grin cross her face in reply. "Tell you what… To repay me…just do what you do best, okay?"

"Don't you worry about that, Yolei."

"Tell Davis to do the same," she continued, unaware of the goggle head sitting right next to her.

"You know me, Yolei!" Davis said, making his presence known. "Nothing's gonna stop me."

Yolei closed her eyes, satisfied. She was apparently beyond the point of pain, though her breath was getting shallower and shallower. Suddenly, her eyes opened and drifted around, searching.

"Ken? Where d'you go?"

"Relax. I'm sti…" Ken's voice trailed off. Her eyes had stopped moving, and were now fixed. Her bloodied chest didn't rise or fall with respiration. "Yolei?"

He knew the truth though. There would be no further response.


Oh, snap...it's just dawning on me how few are left now...it's depressing...

But that doesn't mean I'm putting this down at all. I'll see you next chapter!

Hopefully after a few reviews *hint, hint*