Chapter 7: New Gifts, New Power

The air around Tai began to change and he began to glow. Brighter and brighter the light from his body grew it the room was engulfed in the burning light. When the light had cleared, no longer standing there was the battered boy who had drawn the blade. Now there was standing there in his place an armored being. In appearance the armor was similar to that of WarGreymon, save that there were gauntlets in place of the claws and the arms were completely covered. The legs were covered in full and there was no shield. The helm he wore also was different from the digimon; the horns on this armor were part of an artistic engraving. All in all, if the other DigiDestined saw Tai they would not be able to recognize him.

Leomon did not know what to say when he saw his smaller friend. None of the other digimon knew what to do either. None of them expected this. Still they all hoped that things could finally move forward. That they once more could rest in the light of peace.

However there was not much time to marvel at the new ability of the boy, the enemy was still on the move drawing closer to the temple of the DigiDestined. Now was the time to strike back. Now was the time to stand and take back what they had lost. Their enemy would now face the wrath of those digimon who desired to dwell in peace.

"My friends the time you have long awaited is here. Now we make our move." Tai had raised the sword above his head as he spoke. He was no longer just one of the DigiDestined, nor just their leader. He was not the champion of the digimon before him and he had a battle to win, an island to reclaim. "Let's move out!"

The forces that were sent to storm the temple were no common place battlers. There were squads of Ogremon, swarms of Kuwagamon, and groups of other digimon that the DigiDestined had fought in their past adventures. They seemed to be without number, yet those who were with him did not seem to be afraid. As he stood on top of the arc way overlooking the coming forces, an idea came to him. Perhaps there was away to end the battles here without the loss of more digimon and the beauty of the isle.

"You, servants of the darkness!" Tai cried out with all of the air in his lungs. "I challenge your leader to a battle to the death!" The next thing that Tai knew the evening had appeared to have come early. As the dark shadow had finally passed from over him, it had become clear, that was the leader of the invading forces. This was not going to be an easy battle.

"Who is the fool that challenges me to a battle?" The voice was nothing sort of pre darkness. In the voice cool be felt the evil that lived in the digimon. Of all the evils that the boy had faced in the Digital World, this would be the hardest by far. There was no digimon who could draw upon his strength and grow in power to topple it. All he had was him and him alone.

Tai turned to his closest ally among the struggling survivors. Seeing who had spoke he had to ask his friend: "Leomon who in the Digital World is that?" He could read the fear in the digimon's eyes. It was clear that these two had tangled before, but the outcome was not good.

"That is LordDevimon. The same that the young TK and Patamon defeated the first time you were here." Leomon had back the fear that was griping him, not allowing the panic to take control. "Somehow he was able to return stronger and fowler than before. Without the black gears to use, he turned to the spires to weaken us and limit what you and the others could do should you ever arrive."

"Then he learned of the blade and sought to destroy it before it could be used." Tai concluded and Leomon nodded confirming the guess. "Well then I better face this battle." Leomon looked at him afraid for the boy. "Don't worry I'll be fine. Somehow I just know that I'll win." He then jumped down and started to head to the battle front. He gave a confirming look to his partner digimon, giving them determined looks. He would live though this.

"I challenge you!" He called out towards the empowered digimon. By the looks of things not much changed in his appearance, save now that his wings looked more whole, his body armored and now he welded a scythe. But no matter, he was still going to win; he knew it in his heart. "These are the terms that we will battle: I win your forces leave here never to return; if you win, my friends will surrender their places of resort, leave and never return here."

"Then we have an agreement boy!" LordDevimon then charged at the lone figure. That battle for File Island had begun. When this day was over only one of the two would be standing. There was no turning back.

Matt and the others had finally reached the old fortress. There were no enemies in sight so the team began to wonder why they were there. After what seemed to be hours they finally found a clue, one of the D-3's began to beep. As they followed in the direction were the signal got stronger, they found what they were after and were surprised to find a golden digi-egg. It was deep in a clearing within the woods around the fortress. They were at a loss to what was going on. It made no since to the young heroes. As they neared, they saw that it bore the crest of light. "Kari why don't you try to pick it up," Izzy suggested to the young lady. The rest of the team agreed to this idea and Kari decided that it was worth a try.

Kari walked up to the egg as it sat on a rock. She placed her hands on the egg and began to pull and tug to no avail. It was not going now and was not going to any time soon. She looked to her friends and shook her head. Davis went to try his luck, after all he had the golden egg of kindness, and so what is one more? Before he took one step, they started to feel the ground tremble.

The next thing they saw was a towering pillar standing there. It was not there before. They recognized it at once. It was a control spire, but it being there was impossible. They were no longer being used they had thought. Then they saw what they did not like, an evil digimon laughing about their situation. They knew it at once: SkullMeramon.

No one feared the spire, and told their digimon to digivolve, but it did not work. SkullMeramon chuckled at their failure. "Alright then we'll armor digivolve." Cody told the others and soon they all made their attempts to do so with no luck. Something was not right; they should have been able to armor digivolve. SkullMeramon was now having a laughing fit at this. Then out of the blue he attacked, knocking Veemon out of commission. Then it clicked to the group, they needed the Golden Digi-eggs.

"Just so you know if you don't already, the digimon was gloating over them, you'll not be able to do things as normal. My boss made some improvements to these things." He pointed to the tower. "You cannot use the old tricks on them." He laughed more at them.

Kari knew she was powerless and knew the older children were as well. There hopes now rested on TK, Yoli, or Cody being able to use the egg. As TK made for the egg, he was stopped by the foot of SkullMeramon. Cody and Yoli then tired at the same time, with the boy sent by the digimon. However this allowed Yoli to get to the egg and grab it. She was able to hold it in her hands and stand. It was meant to be used by her and her alone. Kari could feel the power of the egg as Yoli called out: "Golden Armor Energize!"

In a flash of golden light Hawkmon was consumed. "Hawkmon Golden Armor Digivolve to… Peacockmon!" While this transformation happened, Kari's Crest ripped itself from around her neck and merged with her digivice. It no longer was it just ordinary as the rest like it. Now it was encrusted with the Crest of Light. This is what Gennai had meant about upgrading their Digivices. They had a new hope in fighting the darkness. But they could take a look at her more powerful device later; SkullMeramon had to go down now.

Peacockmon was making quick work of the burning digimon. Starting off with Rainbow Flapping, the enemy was paralyzed by a fine mist of rainbow colored powder. He followed this up with his Peahen's Assistance, calling froth doubles and striking with his wings from multiple angles. With a cry of anger the vile digimon was no more than digital bites.

Next Peacockmon turned their attention to the dark spire that stood nearby. Everyone was in agreement that it could not be left standing. It had to go and it quickly was. They could rest for a moment and savor the peace they had own. They started their celebration of their first good news since they arrived. They at last had a hope to help them achieve their victory.

When he had the chance Izzy took time to study the empowered digivice that Kari now had. After a careful examination and analysis he found that it had all the capabilities it had before, and yet it also had the power to unlock a new power. Perhaps it was able to unleash the power of another mega level digimon. Only time would reveal the answer to this new mystery.

Although happy for the victory they had just one, Sora was still worried about Tai. She sat away and watched as her friends began to go on talking like things were over. They talked about what they were going to do when they got home and so forth. Willis and Izzy spoke about their project like it was simple Math. Most of the group was lost as they went on.

As things were starting to calm down, Kari's digivice began to act strange. It started to glow bright. Soon the light became noticeable to everyone, and Kari did her best to cover it, but then the light shot out and in the air they saw a window to another part of the Digital World. There was a battle going on and they saw two beings facing each other. But then they started rushing towards each other. As they neared, it became clear that they were not equally matched. One was clearly smaller than the other. Soon they could tell that they could clash and their conflict would be a violent one. The only thing they did not know was who would win.

The battle was the key to finishing off the conflict that was ripping the island part. There was not much time to argue about finding a better plan. Tai knew that this was the fastest way considering he could not call upon WarGreymon to aid in the fight. But he did have the sword. That will make this battle interesting.

Charging forth he did not have time to make second guesses about what to do. This was all or nothing, but what did he have? He was going to find out. This was going to prove interesting indeed.

By time he had closed the distance between him and LordDevimon, the digimon had jumped into the air and was flying over the clearing. He was biding his time to strike and defeat his opponent. Tai did not like this. He did not like the idea and dying to the likes of a once fallen enemy. Not even Myotismon had that luck. It was this day or never, but he need to do the impossible.

It then came to him; he already did when he drew the sword. He did it again when he summoned armor. Years before during the battle with Diaboromon, he entered the internet. If he could do it before, he can do it again. Drawing the sword, he readied himself for the battle.

When the digimon made his move, Tai dodged and made his own. He jumped, further and further up he went. It was so easy. It was his connection with the sword; it gave him new power to combat. He then knew what to do next. This was a very special sword, which meant that LordDevimon wanted gone for a reason.

When he had reached the height of his ascent, he looked down at the digimon he had engaged. The digimon was in disbelief at what had happened. On one had before done this, the skill was unmatched. 'What would the others think if they saw me do this?' Tai asked himself. He was thrilled at the new power he had. There will always be something for him, Agumon, or even Koromon to do while they were here.

Now was the time to make his move. He took the sword in both hands and began a high speed descent. He cried out as he moved at higher and high velocity: "Deletion's Blade!" As the steel made contact to the vile creature, the beast began to disintegrate. The blade cut through it like water, smooth and clean. When Tai landed he looked back to see what was left of his opponent, there was nothing to see. Even the army of LordDevimon was gone they all disappeared, as if they were never there.

As he approached the temple he was greeted by an old face, BlackWarGreymon. He digimon seemed to have news for the boy. It was not long until the digimon spoke up. "Savor the victory young boy. The true power that he had was illusion. He created the army that was under him. You have done well." The digimon eyed the boy. "But now you must ready for the task ahead. Things are about to become very hard for you on the island. You may need to call across the boundaries."

Before Tai could question what the digimon meant, they were gone. "Looks like Azulongmon is not done with us yet Agumon, Koromon. It seems that we have to work here for a while."

The other children could not believe that battle they just witness. A mere human looking being just took out a giant digimon with one strike. Not even Omnimon or Imperialdramon had that power, and the stranger did. They now had to be careful where ever they went, for they did not know if they were a friend or a foe. But one thing was for sure, they really had their work cut out for them.

However they could not just go and think about that they had a job to do. "Everyone, I got a lock on the next egg." Kari looked up hope was in her eyes. They all knew what it meant the sooner they find the eggs the sooner they could find Tai.

What are we waiting for? Let's go!" Mimi said overlooking the shoulder of her friend. Moments later they were all mounted and in the air. Things were about to go swimmingly.