Previously . . .

Devimon raised both hands and the beds rose into the air, holding a child, a Digimon, and the child's clothes on each. They all let out cries of alarm.

"What are you doing?" Blake screamed as they circled in the air around the devastated mansion.

"Instead of me taking your lives from you, you have taken a slave from me," Devimon said. "So now I will take away the source of your power and, mark my words, you will die!"

"Leave us alone!" Becca wailed.

"You've overcome all challenges you've faced thus far," Devimon said. "But how will you fare when you're all alone? Since you gain so much strength from your friends, allow me to send you by yourselves all over the Digital world!"

-

CHAPTER TEN

Legend of the Digivice

She felt something sitting on her chest. Upon opening her eyes, she discovered that her eyes weren't working. Slowly, her eyes began to come into focus. At first, she saw a yellow blob in front of her, but as her eyes cleared, she -

"Aaaahhh!" Becca felt the scream erupt from her lips, and the creature sitting on top of her jumped in fear, falling off of her.

Becca pushed herself away from it, coming to a stop with her back pressed against a tree.

She was in a tropical rain forest. Everything around her was lush and green, and the air was warm and damp. Light shafted through the canopy of trees. A bed was lying on its side in the dirt, Becca's clothes scattered about.

"Wha - what are you?" Becca cried as the creature righted itself.

It was yellow, like mustard, and looked like a head with arms. The head was like a cone, with three layers stacked on top of each other, each layer a bit thinner than the one underneath it. It had thin, spindly arms with black belts wrapped around its wrists. At the intersection of the bottom and middle body layer was the mouth, wrapping around the entire body. It was large and gaping with big, white teeth and a fat, lolling mouth. Two goofy eyes adorned the top section, and a little gelatenous blob served as a hairpiece.

"My name is Sukamon!" it exclaimed with a goofy, doofus voice. "I'm protecting you, beautiful."

"Ugh!" Becca cringed, making a disgusted face at Sukamon. "Why are you protecting me? Where's Otamamon?"

"She went to clear her head," Sukamon said, bouncing up and down.

"Okay," Becca said, trying to slow her brain down and think logically. "First things first, you need to turn around and not look while I put my clothes on."

With a downcast look on his silly face, Sukamon obliged. Becca hurriedly put her clothes on, then walked pristenely past Sukamon. Sukamon smiled at the sight of her and bobbed along behind her.

"Where did you say Otamamon is?" Becca asked worriedly, looking at Sukamon over her shoulder.

"Just through those trees."

In only moments, the trees opened up and Becca saw her blue, tadpole Digimon on the banks of a gentle jungle river. Otamamon was washing her face. A pink mouse was standing at Otamamon's side.

"Otamamon!" Becca exclaimed. Her partner was startled at first, but then turned and excitedly jumped into her friend's arms.

"Becca! You're awake!"

"Yep! How do you feel?"

"I've been better," Otamamon admitted, rubbing her head, "but I'm okay."

"That's good," Becca smiled.

"You're not hurt, are you?"

"No."

"Thanks for watching after her, Sukamon," Otamamon said to the strange Digimon.

"Any time!" Sukamon exclaimed, shooting a glance at Becca's face and blushing. Becca caught it and gave him an angry look, but he'd already averted his gaze.

"Ready to get some food?" the pink mouse asked. Becca now got a good look at him and yelped in surprise.

He was very small, with a raspy, shaky voice. He had two big white, round eyes with tiny black pupils pointing in different directions. He had a big, toothy mouth and a small, round, black nose at the end of his long snout. He stood on two legs, and had a curving tail lying limply on the ground. All of him should have been neat and rounded, but it looked like he'd been badly drawn into reality. His circular ears were imperfectly shaped, only one eye seemed functional, and he seemed to involuntarily cower.

"Sounds good," Otamamon replied.

"Um . . . " Becca piped up, " . . . who are you?"

"That's Chuumon," Otamamon replied, as the now named Digimon, Chuumon, shuddered for no reason.

"It's nice to meet you," Becca said sweetly, seeing how totally harmless Chuumon appeared to be.

"We can find some fruit at the tree where you woke up," Sukamon said, jumping between Becca and Chuumon.

The four walked back to the overturned bed and Sukamon and Chuumon shot into the trees. Fruit began dropping to the ground as Sukamon and Chuumon rushed about with strange prescision and speed.

"Wow! They're so fast!" Becca exclaimed. Otamamon said something through a muffled mouthful of fruit, but it was inaudible. Becca bit into her own fruit, which was large, orange colored, and pear shaped. She bit into it and smiled. It was juicy and sweet, tasting like an orange, apple, pear, and a bit of pineapple had been mixed together in a fruit drink that coagulated into the soft interior of the fruit.

"This is so delicious!" Becca cried happily.

"Thanks!" Sukamon said, plopping down next to Becca with Chuumon on his shoulder, making her jump slightly. "We watch after these trees ourselves."

"Mmm!" Becca and Otamamon said, delighting in the blissful goodness of the fruit.

"Sounds like you really like it!" Sukamon said. "How 'bout a kiss?"

Becca's face went from delight to anger immediately. "Eew!" She cried. "No way, you perv!" She slapped Sukamon hard across the . . . cheek? He looked slightly dejected, but recovered.

"No kissing!" Becca asserted, pointing her finger accusingly at Sukamon.

"Okay," both he and his pink friends sighed sadly.

Becca and Otamamon finished their meal, Becca under the speculation of Sukamon and Chuumon. As Becca stood, sighing contentedly from the delicious food, she turned to the two unusual Digimon. "Did you see any other people come to this island?" Becca asked.

The Digimon looked terrified to give her the wrong answer. "I don't know," Sukamon said, slowly and sheepishly.

Chuumon attempted to snap his fingers, shuddering at his failure before saying, "I think I saw another bed, but I'm not sure . . ."

"You did!" Becca exclaimed. "Where do you think I can find them?"

Chuumon made a grinding sound in his throat, seemingly exhasperated, before saying, "I don't know. I do know a good place to find someone . . ." he suggested.

"What do you mean?" Becca asked.

"There's a pyramid close to the coast. If someone riding a bed in the air was to see it, they'd probably make for it."

"A pyramid?" Otamamon repeated.

"That's right," Sukamon piped up. "It's an ancient pyramid. It's full of runes and things. It's a nice landmark, but there's a powerful guardian that keeps people out of it."

"That's okay," Becca reasoned. "We just need to not go in." She smiled. "If anyone else is on this island, we'll find them!"

"Right!" Otamamon agreed.

"Sukamon," Becca said sweetly, batting her eyelashes at him and making him blush, "would you lead us to the pyramid?"

"Well, uh, um, uh," Sukamon stuttered. He simply nodded and began hopping off. Chuumon made the grinding throat sound again as Becca and Otamamon followed them through the jungle.

-

The temple was designed like an Aztec temple. It had a large stone steps leading up to a flat roof-top that was about a half-acre large. There were gaping tunnels leading to the interior on all four sides of the pyramid. It was also two stories high.

"Wow," Becca gaped. "It's so big!"

"We'll at least be able to see for a long distance from the top," Otamamon said, after noticing that no one was around.

"I wish we'd found someone . . ." Becca sighed, but she smiled at her partner and said, "Let's go to the top!"

"Yeah!"

The two friends began to climb the stairs, heading for the top. Sukamon and Chuumon looked after them from the ground.

Upon reaching the top, Becca wiped the sweat that was building on her brow away and looked around. She gasped at the beauty of the landscape around her. It was all lush, green jungle, bursting with life and bright colors. No one could be seen through the tree canopy and thick foliage, but it was still a sight to behold.

Sighing, Becca said, "I don't think we're gonna find anyone." She turned.

There it was. Infinity Mountain. On the main island, too far away from their current location. There was a strip of sea between her and the most probable place to reunite with her friends.

"Duh!" Becca said, slapping her forehead. "I should have thought of that. I'd bet everyone's going to go to Infinity Mountain to regroup!"

"That makes sense!" Otamamon agreed excitedly. "We should get over there!"

"Hold on a minute," said a voice behind them. A familiar voice.

"Casey!" Becca and Otamamon cried happily, turning and running to give him a big hug.

"Hi there," Casey laughed. "I didn't know if I'd ever find anyone."

"Neither did I," Becca agreed. "We were just about to leave!"

"Then I'm glad I caught you," Casey said as Prairiemon clambered up behind him.

"Sukamon and Chuumon left," Prairiemon said.

"What?" Becca and Otamamon cried.

"I told them that we could look after you," Casey explained, "but they didn't want to leave you. Prairiemon convinced them."

"That's right," Prairiemon agreed with a smile.

"Okay . . ." Becca said unsurely.

"So," Casey began, "let's go see what this pyramid's hiding!"

"What?" Becca cried in alarm as Casey began climbing down. "No!"

"Hm?" Casey said, wondering what was wrong.

"Sukamon and Chuumon told me that there was a guardian."

"Okay," Casey said, not concerned at all. "Since we're not messing anything up, I guess it'll be okay."

Becca's jaw dropped as Casey turned and again began his descent. Becca tried to think of something to say that would change his mind, but she couldn't think of anything. Sighing, she followed after him with Otamamon at her heels.

"Stay close, Otamamon," she whispered.

-

The air in the dark, square tunnel of the pyramid was cool. The chill, dampness of the tunnel caressed Becca's skin, and she shivered involuntarily; more from fear of the unknown guardian than the cold.

"Look at this!" Casey exclaimed, pointing to the wall.

"What is it?" Becca asked, squinting in the dim light.

"They look like heiroglyphs," Casey replied.

"They indeed are ancient writings," a gruff voice said, causing the four companions to jump. "And they are sacred. You have entered the sacred pyramid, uninvited. Why?"

They turned. Becca stifled a shriek. All she could see of the guardian was the dark, humanoid silhouette and a single, yellow circle of an eye glaring at them.

"Who are you?" she cried.

"I am Centarumon, guardian of the pyramid. Now, who are you and why have you come here?" He stepped for them, revealing his image. He was a large, orange furred centaur. He was wearing a sort of Roman helmet, with a T-shaped opening that showed his eye. He had purple, bubble-like spots all over his body, most where his muscles would be, but also some where his joints were, and some along his arms. One of his arms was gray and skeletal-looking, and the other was a cannon of sorts.

Centarumon's eye examined the four creatures in front of him as Casey explained, "We couldn't help coming to this island, but we came to this pyramid to explore."

"That's right," Becca interjected, hoping to say something that would stay his wrath. "We wouldn't even be here is Devimon hadn't -"

"Devimon!" Centarumon exclaimed angrily. Becca jumped, fearing she'd said something wrong, but he said, "That evil has sent you here? I cannot stand the evil Devimon!"

"Hey! We're on the same page then!" Casey smiled.

"Why have you come into the pyramid?" Centarumon asked again, showing no emotion.

"We just wanted to look around," Casey replied, beginning to wonder how tempermental Centarumon was.

Centarumon stepped towards them. "You are not meant to be here." His eye looked them up and down quickly as all four took a fearful step backwards. Then, Centarumon let out a gasp.

"A Digivice!"

"Hm?" Becca said, puzzled, but then she remembered. "That's what this is called!" she said, holding up her white device, only one of seven that had fallen down to her what seemed like an eternity ago.

"Yes!" Centarumon said triumphantly, starting to get excited. "The Sacred Device! You must be the DigiDestined!"

"What are you talking about?" Becca asked, puzzled.

"What's DigiDestined?" Casey added, stumbling over the strange new word.

"The DigiDestined are the ones who posess Digivices," Centarumon said, not really answering either question directly yet.

"Still not following," Casey said.

"We're DigiDestined?" Becca asked, trying to make sure she was following.

"Yes," Centarumon replied. "There is a legend, an ancient legend, in the Digital World, that speaks of the DigiDestined."

"There is?" Prairiemon asked.

"Yes," Centarumon answered. "The legend states that the DigiDestined will be children, sent to the Digital World from another world."

As Centarumon spoke, the four listeners mouths fell open. Everything he was saying was so coincidentally true. Could it be? Could these ordinary children be spoken of in an ancient legend.

"The legend, or what I prefer to call the prophecy, says that the DigiDestined will come into our world to expel the evil. When their task is completed, they will be sent back home."

"Hey!" Casey exclaimed. "That's what we've been searching for: A way home! So all we have to do is beat Devimon and we're home free!"

"Yes, Devimon stands as the great evil in the Digital World," Centarumon agreed. "The Digivice have been sent to aid you, DigiDestined. They allow your Digimon to become stronger, as I'm sure you've already discovered."

"Yes," Otamamon answered.

"So we're like," Becca said, thinking for a moment, "the protectors of the DigiWorld?"

"That's precisely what you are," Centarumon said. "Your purpose is to dispell the evil. Then your purpose will be fulfilled and you shall be transported back to your lives."

"This is just what we've been searching for!" Casey exclaimed. "This is our ticket back home! We have to get to Devimon and defeat him. Then we can go back home!"

"That's right," Becca agreed. "Camp is over by now. Our families must be worried sick."

"Yeah," Casey muttered solemnly. He hadn't thought of that. "So what we need to do is head back to the island we were on earlier."

"File Island?" Centarumon asked.

"The one with Infinity Mountain?"

"Yes."

"Okay then, File Island," Casey said. "We need to get back to Infinity Mountain. It's in the center of File Island and it's the highest point around. That's the best place to really start a search for the others."

"I'd bet they'd think of that too," Prairiemon added hopefully.

"Yeah," Casey agreed. "So let's go."

"I shall take you to the top of the pyramid," Centarumon suggested. "There, I shall point you in the correct direction. From there on, your destiny shall guide you."

The four nodded agreement and followed Centarumon to the top of the pyramid.

Centarumon stood, staring out at the ocean. The waves rippled gently and the sun glinted off of it as it would off of glass. In the distance, File Island sat, with Infinity Mountain standing tall in the center.

"There it is," Casey breathed.

"What's that?" Becca asked. It was a whirring sound. Menacing, yet familiar -

"Centarumon! Look out!"

Centarumon jerked in surprise to Becca's scream, but it was too late. The gear dug deep into Centarumon's back. His torso slumped as an agonized moan escaped him.

Casey and Prairiemon backed away to Becca and Otamamon, putting themselves between the girls and Centarumon. "Back up, Becca," Casey directed. She did so.

"Get ready, Prairiemon," Casey muttered. Prairiemon nodded beside him, stepping forward. Casey brought up his Digivice, ready to Digivolve Prairiemon in a moment.

"Be careful, Casey!" Becca cried worriedly, pulling Otamamon into a worried hug. She brushed her fingers against her Digivice for reassurance.

Centarumon regained his posture, and turned his head slowly. His once yellow eye was now deep, glowing blood red.

"Oh, no," Casey breathed, wide-eyed. "Prairiemon, Digivol -"

"Jet Gallop!" Centarumon yelled, and in an instant, he was alongside Casey. With one swipe of his hand Casey's Digivice clattered across the stones to where Centarumon had been standing only a second before. With the next impossibly fast movement, Centarumon sent Prairiemon flying over the edge of the pyramid.

Prairiemon bounced down the steps, landing painfully on the dirt at the base of the ancient pyramid.

A nanosecond after Prairiemon was sent into the air, Casey had been roughly grabbed up into Centarumon's arms. Centarumon, firmly holding Casey helpless, turned his gaze to Becca. But it was too late for him.

"Digivolve!"

"Otamamon! Digivolve to . . ."

" . . . Tortomon!"

The huge yellow turtle with the spiked shell had reappeared. She roared and rushed at Centarumon.

"Jet Gallop!" he yelled, leaping out of the way. His arm that ended in a cannon began to charge yellow, electric energy. "Solar Ray!" he announced, sending a ball of energy streaking for Tortomon.

It collided with Tortomon's spiked shell, blanketing Tortomon in smoke. Centarumon landed nearby and laughed haughtily, as Casey and Becca gasped in terror.

Then, from within the cloud -

"Strong Carapace!"

Enormous, glowing energy spikes erupted from the smoke, pummeling Centarumon mercilessly and dissipating the cloud.

"Yeah! Go Tortomon!" Becca cheered.

"Spinning Attack!" Tortomon cried, scrunching into a ball and rolling for Centarumon like a buzzsaw.

"Jet Gallop!" he cried, leaping out of the way just in time.

Tortomon spun to a stop, and then began spinning in the direction Centarumon had gone.

As the fight was going on, Becca had subtlely inched her way along the edge of the pyramid to the other side, and now she held in her hand -

"Casey! I have your Digivice!"

Tortomon uncurled herself, crying, "Strong Carapace." The projectiles smashed into Centarumon's legs, sending him painfully to the ground. Centarumon launched a Solar Ray attack that hit Tortomon squarely in the face. She DeDigivolved to Otamamon.

Casey fell from Centarumon's grasp, within reach but not currently in his clutches.

"Here!" Becca yelled, throwing the Digivice for all she was worth. It clattered across the large, white stones of the roof and slid to where Casey could just reach it with his fingertips.

Becca mentally slapped herself for being such a bad thrower.

Centarumon had caught on to what they were doing. He shifted his weight and reached his hand for Casey's ankle.

"Come on," Casey breathed, feeling Centarumon's fingers coming around his ankle. Time seemed to have slowed as his fingers scrabbled at the Digivice.

Then, with a mighty pull, Centarumon had pulled Casey back to him, and had even managed to hop onto his feet.

"Try that again," Centarumon gloated, but Casey turned in his arms.

"You mean this?" he yelled triumphantly, holding his Digivice up to Centarumon's face with the screen facing Centarumon.

"Yes!" Becca cried. "He got it!"

Light erupted from the screen, glorious and golden. Centarumon screamed, dropped Casey, and stumbled back, holding his eye and shuddering.

"Yeah!" Casey cried triumphantly, running back.

"Prairiemon!" Casey yelled. Prairiemon, who was pushing himself painfully up the stairs, heard his partner's call. "Digivolve!"

Even from his position close to the base of the pyramid, Prairiemon could feel the now familiar energy flow into him.

"Prairiemon! Digivolve to . . ."

" . . . Leomon!"

The great Leomon was back, and in one mighty leap, returned to the summit of the ancient pyramid. He unsheathed his sword in the second it took him to fly to the roof, and he was in battle stance right in front of Casey in a moment. Becca was now with him, holding Otamamon gently in her arms.

"Nice to see you again, Leomon," Casey joked.

"Thanks for the power boost," Leomon replied. "Let's fry him!"

Leomon leapt at Centarumon, who'd finally regained his sight. Centarumon braced himself. Jet Gallop wouldn't work this time. Leomon was much faster than Tortomon.

"Beast Sword!" Leomon cried. The sword slashed at Centarumon, who ducked underneath the deadly blade.

"Solar Ray!" Centarumon answered, sending a yellow blast into Leomon's stomach. Leomon flew back, his padded feet skidding across the bricks.

"You will feel true power now!" Centarumon gloated, raising his cannon to the sun. "Solar Ray!" Bringing down his cannon, the DigiDestined were blinded by the light now contained in Centarumon's cannon.

There was a loud blast and Leomon was engulfed in smoke. Everything was white-washed with solar energy, and the great power sent the kids flying back.

Centarumon laughed. None had ever withstood his charged Solar Ray.

"You're going to have to do better than that," Leomon grunted painfully from within the cloud.

"It can't be!" Centarumon cried in disbelief.

"It is!" Leomon roared, leaping forward with a fiery fist. "Fist of the Beast King!"

The flame-lion that was Leomon's attack erupted from his fist, roaring across the stones to slam into Centarumon. Centarumon stopped his backwards-slide just short of the edge.

Leomon hadn't stopped. He'd come down, only to leap back into the air, his sword brought to bear again. This time, he yelled out, "Smashing Kick!" His clawed foot flew out in front of him as he hurtled towards Centarumon.

"Heat Uppercut!" Centarumon countered, side-stepping Leomon's attack and catching his stomach with a yellow, charged cannon. This time, it was charged for heat, not power.

Leomon cried out in pain as he soared backwards. He landed on his knee, gasping for breath.

"Jet Gallop!" Centarumon announced, suddenly before Leomon. Leomon flew back as Centarumon's fist collided with Leomon's face. Leomon skidded to a halt, but Centarumon was already there.

"Jet Gallop!" he cried again. This time, he grabbed Leomon by the main and drug him in a circle at incredible speed.

"Eat the dust, fool!" Centarumon crowed.

Casey felt tears welling up in his eyes. His partner was getting beaten. Badly. Painfully. There was nothing he could do to help his friend except watch. And if Leomon really was defeated, they would be next. Otamamon was already out of power.

"You - don't - have me - beaten - just yet!" Leomon grunted, still gasping for air. With an explosion of all his remaining energy, Leomon went for his last shot. If this worked, they were safe. If it didn't, they were all dead.

He twisted around, ignoring the sharp pull of his mane, and grabbed Centarumon's arm in both his hands. In the same second, he pulled himself up, swinging onto Centarumon's back. Centarumon was still galloping, and his arm was now held helplessly behind his back. Centarumon began to slow down, charging a Solar Ray to blast Leomon from his back.

"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon roared, the words erupting from his throat as his fist erupted into flames. The fist came down hard on Centarumon's back, making him crumble awkwardly to the ground. There was a great explosion, from which Prairiemon flew and landed at Casey's feet. Casey picked him up and held him.

When the smoke cleared, Centarumon was standing on shaky legs, facing away from them.

"Centarumon?" Becca cried, fearful of whether he was free or not.

Centarumon turned to look at her, his eye back to its original yellow glow. "DigiDestined," he said. "I am so sorry. Even I cannot resist the direct power of Devimon."

"It's okay," Casey said, feeling so tired all of a sudden.

"He must be stopped," Centarumon said, his resolve and stance growing stronger with each second. "And you are the only ones who can do it." He limped to Becca and placed his arms on her shoulders, addressing her and Casey.

"You are DigiDestined. You must defeat the evil. You are our only hope."

Becca and Casey looked at each other for a moment, before nodding at Centarumon, determined to pull through.

-

Sukamon and Chuumon came back about ten minutes later, as Centarumon was still apologizing. They brought more fruit with them, worried about Becca's hunger now that the sun was beginning to go down.

The seven ate their fill, as Sukamon and Chuumon were delighted to provide for Becca. After their meal, they walked to the coast.

"There is Infinity Mountain," Centarumon said, gazing at the focal point of the lush island called File. "There, you will find the way to fulfill your destiny."

"We'll ride Tortomon back to File," Becca suggested. Casey and Prairiemon nodded agreement.

"Digivolve!" Becca cried, holding out her Digivice.

"Otamamon! Digivolve to . . ."
" . . . Tortomon!"

The great yellow turtle waddled into the shallow surf. "Hop on."

Casey and Prairiemon climbed up on the base of Tortomon's neck, resting their backs on her foremost spikes.

Becca walked to Sukamon and Chuumon.

"Thank you for all of your help," she said. She bent down and kissed each of them quickly on the cheek. Their faces burned red as she ran to join Casey and Prairiemon atop Tortomon.

Tortomon began swimming swiftly for File Island. Becca, Casey, and Prairiemon waved at Centarumon, Sukamon, and Chuumon.

"At this pace," Becca said after a minute, when the island had begun to fade and File had begun to loom ahead, "we'll make it to File in no time."

"Let's hope we can find the others when we get there," Casey nodded. "Then we can beat Devimon and go home!"

"Right," Becca smiled. She stood up and yelled towards File Island, "We're the DigiDestined, Devimon, and we're coming for you!"