There was a loud crash as Takuya sent KendoGarurumon flying to the ground. Dahlia was having trouble paying attention to the fight as her own pain wouldn't let her.

Now was when she was starting to regret changing back and allowing herself to be hit by that rock. Then again, she had saved her spirit.

Her wrist stopped bleeding but still had a nasty looking gash on it that would need medical attention. In fact, all of her would need medical attention. To bad they didn't have any.

The back of her head was throbbing like someone was whacking her repeatedly with a hammer. Her vision was all but blurry and for once, it wasn't her throat that hurt the most.

Luckily, she didn't have any broken bones.

Although she wanted to scream, cry, anything to release the pain she felt, she bit her tongue. The others had more important things to worry about then her condition, and she wasn't going to distract them.

It was hard to focus, but Dahlia kept her eyes on the battle before her, silently cheering Kouji on. Takuya rushed forward, throwing Beetlemon at KendoGarurumon.

Tommy was near tears watching the sight before him and Zoey just felt useless. She gripped her D-tector in her hand tightly.

Kouji thought back to his 'friends' that were behind him. If Takuya attacked them in this state, they were done for. Sure some of them could run, but Dahlia was stuck were she was. He felt a wave of energy through his body. Though he would never admit it, he felt that he had to protect them.

"Alright! If it's a fight you want, fight me!"

This caught Takuya's attention. He turned, facing the enemy.

A small voice spoke in the back of his head.

"He isn't your enemy."

The voice was drowned out by his blood lust. If it was a fight this guy wanted, it was a fight that he was going to get.

Takuya charged forward, dodging an attack and jumping on Kouji's head, ready to claw him. Just as he was about to, he was thrown off and away from the target.

Kouji ran into the forest in an attempt to lead Takuya away from the others. This backfired when Takuya actually went as far as setting the forest around them on fire.

Something snapped with in Dahlia. The forest was burning. Maybe it was because she was the warrior of nature, but as she watched those tree's burn down, she felt like she was watching her home burn down as well.

She wanted the pain and grief to stop. There was so much of it though, that she felt like she was suffocating in it. It wouldn't allow her to move or breathe as she struggled for something to hold onto. Something to lift her out of the pain.

Something familiar.

It wasn't happening though. Tommy wasn't to far away, but he was out of sight and reach, as was Zoey. Takuya was possessed and Beetlemon and KendoGarurumon were busy trying to fight him off.

Dahlia sat up now and curled up into a ball, her head resting on her knee's and her hands covering her ears as she tried to drown out the sound and sight of the fight and destruction taking place before her.

Beetlemon struggled under the weight of Takuya's foot.

"Takuya don't! It's me!" He yelled desperately.

He gulped as Takuya rose a claw, ready to finish him when he stopped.

"Wait, what am I doing?" He asked himself.

"Gotta stay calm, staying calm." Beetlemon whispered to himself. He was surprised when Takuya removed his foot and stepped backwards. Not hesitating, he ran, not noticing the fight that Takuya was facing inside of himself.

"These guys are my friends. I have to keep reminding myself that. Wait a second, if they are my friends, why are they attacking me? Maybe they are the enemy!"

With this new realization, Takuya didn't hold anything back as he attacked relentlessly.

He let out a great roar. A roar full of fear, anger, pain, but mostly confusion.

Dahlia's friends ran away in fear, but she stayed in her spot, not only because she couldn't run.

That's right Takuya, let it all out.

"Dahlia!" Zoey cried out, remembering her wounded friend. If she couldn't protect her by fighting, then she would by getting her to safety. With Tommy's help, they got Dahlia onto Zoey's back and they started climbing up a steep hill, putting some distance between Takuya and themselves.

Or so they thought.

A rock in front of them suddenly smashed to bits revealing the possessed Takuya behind it.

"Cut it out!" Beetlemon yelled, slamming into Takuya.

"Go back to the burning forest!" Bokomon yelled to his fleeing companions. Then added more to himself "I can't believe I just said that."

They started running back down the hill. Tommy stopped.

I can't keep running away, Takuya needs me!

He turned, watching as Takuya held Beetlemon in a death grip. Kouji ran forward again to help, rewarded with Beetlemon being thrown at his face.

Tommy frowned but didn't move.

This is just like before, back in the real world.

"Tommy!" Zoey called, trying to get the little boys attention. He didn't move though, only stared at the fight before him.

Tommy had run before, but he wasn't going to run now.

What could he do though? Takuya was much bigger now then those bullies from before.

He watched horrified as Takuya started slamming Beetlemon into the ground.

"Takuya no!"

That was the last straw. It didn't matter if he was going to get hurt, Tommy had to help Takuya and his other friends. He charged forward, ignoring the cries of his friends to stay away.

"Takuya!" Tommy yelled, closer now. Takuya looked down at the little boy in front of him.

"Please Takuya you've got to stop this! Fight it Takuya! I know you don't want to hurt any of us." He took a step forward, relaxing his arms out to show Takuya that he wasn't going to hurt him.

"This isn't really you. You're just out of control and afraid." When Tommy took another step forward, Takuya stepped back and roared at him.

"Listen to him!" Kouji added.

"Yeah come on Takuya it's us!" Beetlemon said, though he still stayed out of his reach.

Takuya looked closer at Tommy.

"Don't you get it? We're your friends. We're here to help you."

In Takuya's vision, Tommy suddenly changed into a monster that was going to hurt him. He dashed forward, ready to get the little beast before it got him.

"Tommy!"

Dahlia watched, but she wasn't scared for Tommy. She knew that the little guy was going to pull through, and so was Takuya. This wasn't the little boy she had met who was always crying and afraid, this was a new Tommy. A brave one.

Tommy refused to show any fear. This was Takuya, so he wasn't afraid.

"Don't you remember what happened?" Tommy asked. He himself was remembering how he had been attacking his friends and the one who had made him snap out of his dream and see the reality in front of him was Takuya.

"I learned that true courage isn't paying bullies back, it's just standing up to them. You showed me that fighting back in fear is just as bad as being a bully."

Tears filled his eyes.

"You can't let fear control you, you have to fight it. I know you won't hurt me if you remember that we're friends."

A single tear fell from Tommy's face and onto Takuya's eye. A tear that cleared his vision and helped him to see things as they really were.

Wait, Tommy?

He blinked, regaining control of his actions.

What was I going to do? What did I do?

He placed Tommy back on the ground, then turned and ran. Approaching a rock, he started banging his head down on it repeatedly, punishing him self. As it started to break, he pounded it with his fists, releasing his anger. With one final roar of pain, the data streams surrounded his body, returning it to his original form.

As he knelt there, Takuya started to cry. It was bittersweet really. Letting out his emotions yet feeling frustrated for openly showing weakness at the same time.

Zoey wanted to run to her friend, but she couldn't do that with Dahlia on her back. She put her down gently, then helped to support her as she stood.

"Can you walk?"

Dahlia nodded. Together, the two girls made their way over to their friends, Dahlia limping while she leaned against Zoey for support.

Kouji and JP returned to their original forms as well. JP ran to Takuya to see if he was okay while Kouji came over to Zoey and Dahlia.

Why was she walking in the first place?! She was seriously injured!

"I got her." Was all he said to Zoey. She nodded, running towards Takuya as Kouji helped Dahlia. He wrapped one arm around her waist allowing her to lean against him so she wouldn't fall. She started moving forward again, Kouji matching her pace.

"I'm fine." She whispered, already knowing what Kouji would ask her.

But she wasn't fine, because no sooner had she said this, she collapsed to the ground.

At this point, the group was split. Takuya wanted to be alone; Zoey, JP, Tommy, Bokomon, and Neemon were trying to figure if they should talk to him or not, and if they did, what to say; and Kouji was next to Dahlia who had yet to wake up. She was slumped against a tree, resting, while he sat next to her. It had been a few hours and she had already began healing, her wounds closing.

Kouji was getting worried though, because even though her body was healing, she was not. At least, it looked that way.

Dahlia was constantly stirring in her sleep, mumbling things under her breath and occasionally crying. Every time he saw the tears falling down her face, he would quickly wipe them away while feeling as though someone was twisting a knife in his chest.

The only thing on his mind right now was her.

Her and their fight.

Kouji didn't know how to feel about that. A part of him felt guilty and the other part felt angry, probably because she was right. He had left without telling them anything and hadn't planned on returning while she had made a promise to. Really. What right did he have to accuse her for doing something that he had done himself more shamefully?

As soon as he found out she had left, he was extremely worried and determined to find her. According to Bokomon, his pace had gotten them to the village in record time.

When Tommy had brought her back, he was so happy, but he was also angry. Even though he seemed angry at her, he was really angry at himself. He let her leave. He let her get away.

It wouldn't happen again.

While he sat next to her, Kouji thought of all the things he could say to her when she woke up.

Meanwhile, she was having a nightmare.

Dream.

"Dahlia." A voice whispered. She turned, looking to see who it was. She couldn't pinpoint a location though, because the voice seemed to come from every angle.

"Where are you?"

"Dahlia." It spoke again, ignoring her question.

"Who are you?" She tried.

"You know who I am." It said calmly.

"No, I don't."

"Was it that easy to forget me? I thought we were family."

"I don't have a family." She whispered, tears in her eyes.

"You did. You had me. We promised remember? We promised to be together forever." The voice sounded as if it was going to cry.

"But where are you! You aren't here with me! You moved on. You don't care about me anymore. How could you be so mean?" The tone had turned from sad to angry.

"I- I don't"

"You don't deserve what you have! It's your fault that I'm gone. It's all your fault!"

"Please!" Dahlia cried. "I don't understand."

"I promise you, we'll be together eventually. No matter what it takes. Time is ticking. Remember that, because if I can't have my happiness, then you can't have yours." The voice faded, as if it was disappearing.

"Wait!" She yelled. She got up and ran, trying to find whoever was talking to her.

"Your pathetic! You aren't the Dahlia I know."

"There's only one me! The only Dahlia here is me!"

"No!" It roared. "You're not Dahlia. I hate you! Give my Dahlia back!"

The area suddenly started to fill with a black ink like substance. It stopped Dahlia in her tracks. She couldn't move. The ink made it's way up to her waist.

"Help me! Anyone please!" She yelled in fear.

The voice from before laughed at her. "Nobody is going to help you, just like nobody helped me."

Dahlia began to sob as the ink came up to her throat.

"N-no" She whimpered. "Kouji-"

Her voice was drowned out as the thick substance entered her throat. She felt like she was suffocating. Dying. All the while, laughter filled the air.

"Kouji-" He heard her whimper.

Suddenly, Dahlia shot up from her position against the tree. Her hand flung over her mouth to keep from screaming and her eyes were squeezed shut. Heavy sobs racked her body as tears streamed down her face. In an instant, she felt an arm wrap around her. She flinched at first in fright, but relaxed when she realized it was Kouji.

"What's the matter?" He asked.

Rather then answer, Dahlia continued to cry. She felt so weak, but the tears wouldn't stop. Kouji pulled her tighter to him, hugging her as she cried.

"It's okay, it was just a dream." He whispered softly into her ear.

She shook her head. It wasn't just a dream. There was more to it. It gave her a headache just trying to figure out what the voice was talking about. She remembered the dream clearly. Every last frightening detail of it.

After a few minutes, Dahlia finally calmed down. Only after she had she realized this she also realized that she was pretty much sitting on Kouji's lap while he held her, and her cheeks went bright pink.

"Are you okay now?" He asked, setting her gently back onto the ground. If he was embarrassed about what happened, he wasn't showing it.

No, but I will be. Dahlia wrote softly into the dirt.

"How about your injuries? Do those hurt?"

Not really. I just feel tired and numb.

Kouji nodded, showing he understood.

"How come you changed back to your normal form? If you stayed as Lillymon, you wouldn't have been hurt."

Dahlia cringed. She knew this question would come up.

If I didn't, Grumblemon would have gotten my spirit. He already has two, who knows what would happen if he had three? Besides, we were given these spirits for a reason, and until I know what that is, I'm going to protect mine.

Kouji frowned, but didn't argue with her, which she was grateful for.

"I get that, but please, just don't do it again. You're more important to us then your spirit is."

Initially, Dahlia was shocked at not being scolded. Kouji's voice was soft and gentle, almost pleading.

A huge grin took over he face as she nodded.

Okay, I'll be more careful. Can we get up now?

"You sure you're up to it?"

Dahlia gave him a thumbs up.

positive.

Kouji got up first, offering her a hand which she gladly accepted with a faint blush still on her cheek.

"You love him." The fortune tellers words echoed over and over in her head. She was willing to accept them though, and she just prayed to God that no matter what happened, they could always have little moments like these. She would admit Kouji was her crush and her best friend, though she wasn't exactly sure how he felt about her. Just as long as he was her friend, it would be good enough for her.

Would it really?

Kouji wrapped one arm under her shoulders as she put hers above his, limping over to the rest of the group. This time, it didn't hurt so much.

"um, Takuya, are you okay?" Tommy asked timidly.

"I should be asking you that. Thanks Tommy." Takuya finally answered, standing up and facing his friends.

"Aww it was nothing." Tommy admitted shyly. "But your welcome."

"It wasn't nothing, it was one of the bravest things I've ever seen!" Takuya argued.

"Well I owed you one! Now we're even."

"Oh the trials of friendship. Take note you three for when you get your beast spirits." Bokomon spoke to Zoey, JP and Dahlia.

Zoey and JP argued a bit on who should get theres first. It was obvious they were both afraid but simply would not admit it.

Dahlia gulped nervously. She was a bit afraid about getting hers now. What if she hurt her friends? As if he could read her mind, Kouji whispered gently to her.

"Don't worry. We're all here for you when the time comes. We won't let the beast spirit take you over."

She looked up at him with a small, appreciative smile.

"How are we even going to find Grumblemon anyway?" JP asked, snapping her back to reality. what were they saying?

"Geez I think it's harder to avoid him then find him. I think we should just keep going. I bet we'll run into him sooner or later." Takuya answered.

Bokomon led the group with his nose shoved into a book.

"The book says the roots make the forest path treacherous. Oh thats rediculaaah!" Bokomon tripped over a root, falling to the ground. Kouji sighed annoyed next to Dahlia who giggled. He still helped her walk even though they both new at this point she could probably walk on her own.

They soon came to roots that looked like ladders going down a hill.

"Hey! Check it out! What's up with these roots?" JP asked, running over to get a look. At the bottom, there were several X's and one O.

"Ooo, do those stand for hugs and kisses?"

"Yeah, like you'd know." Zoey snapped.

"Hey!"

Neemon looked at them as well. "It's like a maze!" He decided.

"Well not really. All the roots connect." Bokomon pointed out.

"Then make it a maze!" Neemon exclaimed. "Everyone get your own vine and let's go!"

"Cool I'll take this one!" Zoey agreed, running to one of the roots.

After everyone of them had taken a root but Dahlia, they started running down. Kouji was unsure about leaving her alone at first, but she shoed him away wanting him to have fun. She smiled as her friends laughter filled the air.

At the end, the only ones to land in the circle were Tommy and Takuya.

"We win!" They shouted happily. The others complained at them for gloating when all of a sudden, the land under the X's disappeared, throwing those people in the mud.

"Help!" JP squirmed as he tried to get out.

"You're only making it worse!"

Dahlia got up from her position and moved down the side of the hill as fast as she could, which wasn't all the fast. When she got to the bottom, Takuya was trying to figure out how to get everyone out of the mud.

Dahlia tapped on his shoulder and pointed to a vine.

"Good idea." He nodded.

He grabbed the vine, tossing it to the losers to catch. Once he had, he, Dahlia and Tommy began to pull on the makeshift rope, trying to get them out.

There was a sudden rumble in the ground. A giant sand cloud of dirt surrounded that area and when it disappeared, it revealed none other then Grumblemon.

"Look who here!"

"It's Grumblemon, no!" Takuya shouted.

"Grumblemon yes! And you just where I want you!" The digimon yelled back laughing.

"Looks like you two won race and you cheat! To bad winners now big losers. It's spirit taking time!"

"Actually I think it's getting stuck in the mud time." Neemon responded stupidly.

Grumblemon snapped back an insult at him that nobody was paying attention too. Dahlia and Takuya grabbed their D-tectors.

Grumblemon pointed to the three kids not stuck in the mud.

"And now take care you two!"

(Obviously, Tommy had no spirit so he was't a problem for Grumblemon.)

"Why can't we just be friends?" Takuya asked.

"Quiet now. Nobody give me as much trouble as you. You know you lose. Why not you play nice?"

"So what, we should just hand over our spirits? Forget it! That's NEVER gonna happen, especially now that I have my beast spirit." Takuya shot back.

"Now why me not afraid of that?" Grumblemon teased.

"Well you should be because it's very powerful."

"Only powerful if you can control and I'm betting that you not learn yet or why you looking so afraid."

Thrown off, Takuya took a step backwards with Dahlia and Tommy behind him. No matter what Dahlia thought she was in no condition to fight and Tommy didn't have his spirit. It was all up to him.

"See, you tell me all I need know."

Grumblemon then reached into the ground and grabbed his hammer, swinging it down at the digidestined in front of him. Dodging out of the way, Takuya forced Tommy to start climbing up a tree and grabbed his D-tector, Dahlia doing the same.

"Execute! Slide evolution!"

"Gigasmon."

Data streams surrounded Takuya and Dahlia's hands.

"You sure your up for it?" Takuya asked Dahlia. She smirked.

Always.

"Execute! Spirit evolution!"

Kouji silently cursed the both of them. Why the hell was Dahlia fighting?! She was in no condition!

"Agunimon!"

"Lillymon!"

"How you feeling?" Agunimon asked Lillymon.

"Fresh as a daisy." She winked, ready to fight for her friends.

Agunimon charged forward, but Gigasmon grabbed him and threw him out of the way.

"Viscous vine!" Lillymon yelled, shooting out a vine that wrapped around Gigasmon's hand.

"Quagmire twister!"

Lillymon was flung out of the way as Gigasmon spun into Agunimon, hitting him hard and sending them both flying backwards.

"Agunimon! Lilly-" Tommy didn't finish his sentence before a strong and rather large hand wrapped around his body, plucking him from the tree like an apple.

"Gigasmon you asshole!" Dahlia screamed at him in frustration and anger. The people stuck in the mud were shocked. They had never heard sweet little Dahlia swear before. Well, as Lillymon anyway.

"You put him down!" Agunimon commanded, though it didn't sound all that convincing.

"You want him you have come take him!" The digimon replied, turning to flee back up into the tree's.

"I'm going after them." Agunimon stated, looking back at his friends unsure.

"Don't worry were fine now. I mean, we're kinda stuck here." Kouji sighed. Lillymon looked to Agunimon unsure.

"That's what I'm worried about." She whispered.

"Agunimon, go without me. I'll stay here and make sure nothing happens to them." Dahlia decided. Without a second thought, Agunimon shot up into the tree's before he could lose sight of Tommy.

Lillymon turned to her friends, offering Zoey a hand first as she fluttered over the mud.

"Need a hand?" She asked with a wink. The blonde smiled, taking her up on the offer.

"Hey, why does Zoey get to get out first?" JP complained. Zoey rolled her eyes.

"Haven't you ever heard the term 'Ladies first'?" She snapped.

After getting Zoey out Lillymon had started grabbing Neemon while Zoey got Bokomon when they heard Agunimon's scream.

"This is gonna hurt!"

He crashed into the ground with a rather loud and painful BANG!

"I was right." He groaned. The hit was enough to make him dedigivolved, leaving Lillymon the only one left standing.

She gulped in fear. Tommy called out to his friends. He was now hanging from a vine that was wrapped around his waist.

"Tommy!" Takuya yelled.

"I'll get him." Dahlia took off into the air, flying towards the boy. When she reached him she was confused by his horror filled eyes.

"Dahlia look out!"

A fist smashed into her head, sending her straight back down to the ground. The impact hurt like crazy, probably worse then Agunimon's since more force had been added. She lay motionless for what seemed like an eternity before returning to her regular form.

At least Gigasmon wasn't getting her spirit this time either.

Though the pain wasn't as bad as when she hit the rock because Lillymon's absorbed most of the blow this time, Dahlia still felt as though she had been run over by a steam roller. Ouch.

"Execute! Beast spirit evolution!" She heard faintly.

"BurningGraymon!"

Takuya?

Feet moved towards her. A second later, she was surrounded by Zoey, Kouji, Bokomon and Neemon. Zoey helped her gently to her feet.

If it wasn't for the fact that she was pretty banged up already, Dahlia would have thanked Zoey. Actually thanked her with a whisper, but instead she gave her a small smile.

"Are you alright?" Zoey asked. Dahlia nodded, a bit of sarcasm in her eyes.

Peachy.

Above them, they could hear fighting.

They watched as Tommy fell and BurningGraymon ran to catch him, only getting their just in time. Tommy thanked him and joined the others while watching the fight.

He looked a Dahlia with a frown on his face and tears in his eyes.

"I'm sorry Dahlia. You're hurt because of me."

She shook her head, reaching out to ruffle his hair.

No I wasn't. Don't worry about it. I'm okay.

"You sure your gonna be alright?" He asked, unsure. Dahlia's smile widened again as she nodded, then flexed her arm muscle. To her surprise, there actually was some muscle there. Must of been from being in the digital world. Who'd of thought?

Of course! I'm strong, remember?

Finally, Tommy did smile. She crouched down openly receiving a hug from him, even if it hurt a little bit. This was worth the pain.

"Thanks sis."

Her heart swelled when he called her his sister. The feeling was mutual as she already thought of him as a brother. She had for a long time.

"Come on, we should catch up with Takuya." Bokomon suggested. Everyone agreed, heading towards the direction they had last seen him leading Gigasmon away towards.

Dahlia was still moving slower then the others, but she tried to keep up as best as she could. Realizing they weren't moving anywhere fast, Kouji stopped and sighed.

"Here, get on my back." He said to Dahlia with a faint blush on his cheeks. He looked at her. She seemed hesitant as first, but nodded.

Kouji turned back around, bending his knee's so it would be easier for her to get on. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she jumped up easily and his hands slid under her legs to support her from falling off. She wrapped her arms around his neck carefully so she wouldn't slip.

In no time Kouji was back walking with the others again. He noted to himself that Dahlia wasn't heavy at all as he made good time with the group. They could see the clearing ahead of them. Zoey watched them out of the corner of her eye, clearly amused. Dahlia's face was flushed and Kouji's was trying hard not to think about the girl on his back.

When they emerged from the forest, they discovered Takuya slamming a giant wave of fire straight at Gigasmon.

Wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of that. Dahlia thought quietly.

Gigasmon's body faded black as he was surrounded by a data stream. Takuya's friends all cheered for him, Dahlia still on Kouji's back, though neither seemed to notice or mind at this point.

Takuya leaped forward, taking the spirit of Gigasmon from the data stream. The spirit was absorbed into his D-tector.

"Now for Tommy's."

Takuya moved forward again, snatchingTommy's spirit and tossing it back down to the young boy. Tommy caught it with ease as it returned to his D-tector, finally home again.

"And now to get Zoey's." Takuya started back towards the deformed Gigasmon, but suddenly Gigasmon turned back to Grumblemon and the data stream was gone, along with Zoey's spirit.

"Me leave while behind!" Grumblemon yelled once he came to his senses, burrowing his way into the ground. Zoey gasped in shock.

"N-no" She wailed on the verge of tears. "He still has my spirit."

Dahlia got off of Kouji's back and moved towards Zoey, enveloping her into a tight embrace. The girl hugged her back, holding in sobs as Dahlia rubbed her back soothingly.

At least she would always have her friends.

The 8 of them stood on a ledge, looking up at the beautiful night sky in the digital world. Night had always been Dahlia's favorite time of day. She absolutely loved star gazing. As a child, she believed that the starts were angels from heaven shinning down on the world, offering their protection. The brightest ones were always identified as her parents.

She missed them so much. Tears filled her eyes as she stared at the sky. Her eye was caught by the brightest star she could see, another one twinkling next to it almost just as bright.

Hi mom. Hi dad.

Kouji, sensing something was wrong, grabbed her hand without a word about it. Dahlia squeezed it once, letting him know that she appreciated the gesture.

"Isn't it pretty?" Tommy asked.

"Yeah, I guess." Zoey commented, still bummed about not getting her spirit back.

Takuya felt ashamed. If he had only moved faster, he could have gotten her spirit back for her. Tearing his gaze from the sky, he turned to address the group.

"Come on guys, we've got a long road ahead of us." As he started walking away, the group followed behind. Dahlia still clasped Kouji's hand in her own, neither one of them wanting to pull away.

They were both upset with the outcome of the day, but this was all the comfort that they needed.