Okay, so this is interesting. My motivation is weird, people. It doesn't go according to plan. Which is kind of annoying at times because when nothing goes according to plan, it really isn't any fun. It throws all my schedules out the window. Thanks to NeoMiniTails and coolgamer for betareading this chapter. You guys are awesome, you know? To my readers, do tell me what you think of Dai and Gumdramon's first meeting.

11. Meeting of Fate

Holding his sister and heading towards the situation as fast as he could was not an easy task for Dai, but somehow, he managed to do it. The forest was covered in darkness, and the smell of burnt charcoal made Dai twist his nose in distaste. The group stopped in front of a large factory which made Dai scratch his head, considering the fact he'd been expecting a scary looking dungeon.

Screams from inside made him pass Yuki over to MJ and almost rush forward, but Kei grasped his arm before he could. Kaito was still supporting Tay, and Dai was sure had Kaito not been holding onto the younger boy, he would have run ahead before Dai himself could.

"Don't!" Kei said urgently. "We can't just rush in. We don't know what's inside."

"Did you want someone to welcome you in?" A voice said coyly as the doors of the factory opened and an indigo-haired boy stepped out.

Dai stared for a moment, eyes widening as he saw an entire army of digimon behind the adolescent. He didn't even know who these digimon were, but they sure looked a whole lot more powerful! He could practically feel their strength and the boy...somehow, he could just tell who it was. His heart begun beating faster; he didn't think it would be that easy to find his friend. Uncle Ken and Aunt Yolei would be relieved at least.

"Sam?" Dai said softly, pulling his arm away from Kei and stepping towards him. "You are Sam... aren't you?"

Sam raised an eyebrow. "How do you even know my name?" His expression was blissfully blank as if he were not really seeing them but straight through them.

"Because we're friends," Dai said firmly, stepping even closer. He could tell Sam didn't remember him at all, but that didn't matter. Even if his memories were foggy, he was still Sam, and they could become friends all over again. Before he could say more though, a blast came from inside the factory and Sam ducked as a digimon was sent crashing to the ground.

"Shiori," Sam said, turning his back on them. "What's going on?"

"A bunch of digimon were attempting to leave their beds," A girl's voice came but they couldn't see anyone so Dai turned his attention to the blue dragon who had been tossed aside like yesterday's garbage. He had spots of digital blood spread unevenly on his blue body and looked more of a blue and red dragon right now, rather than a blue one. He looked as if he had been shot down quite badly but even through the shaky breaths he took, he managed to stand, despite his trembling legs. Dai admired the fact that he was still standing. His heart clenched in his throat and his own fists were clenching and his legs were beginning to itch with the desire to run forward and pull him into his arms to shield him from further harm.

"I-I will escape," The digimon said shakily. "Like hell will I be a damn toy for you to play around with. You're not healing us, you're just causing us pain! You're hurting Omnimon too!"

"Ah Gumdramon," Sam spoke as if we were commentating about the weather which made Dai want to storm over and give a good punch to the other's face because he really needed a good dose of reality right now. "You're not well. You need to sleep. Monochromon, grab him and take him back inside."

"No, stop!" Dai cried, unable to stop himself from speaking. He knew Kei and Kaito said not to rush in, but he couldn't help it. Yuki was crying, Tay was close to it, Hana had been about to open her mouth too if he hadn't have cut in and MJ had to practically clutch DemiDevimon to her chest to keep him from attacking while Kaito was fidgeting.

Sam laughed. "What, you want to take him with you?"

Dai didn't stop himself this time; he stormed over and punched Sam in the face. "Yeah I do! Dammit Sam, open your eyes and look at him!" He gestured to Gumdramon. "Can't you see the pain he's in? You're causing that! Whoever told you that you're helping them is lying!"

"Seriously," Hana said, clearly unable not to say anything. "How stupid are you, Sam? That little digimon is bleeding. Can't you see that?"

Sam rolled his eyes. "Stop brainwashing these digimon into thinking you're helping them! I know the truth. You're just going to hurt them. Monochromon!"

Dai glowered at Sam again before moving to run in front of Gumdramon. "No, I said leave him alone!"

"Kid, you're just gonna get hurt," Gumdramon said, sounding weak and like he was about to pass out. "Run."

"No way," Dai said stubbornly. "I'm going to help you." Just as he spoke his words, his DigiWatch gave off a strange glow, surrounding Gumdramon and healing his injuries. His eyes widened. "G-Gumdramon is my..." No wonder he felt such a strong connection to help this creature more than anything he had ever felt before. He wanted to protect Gumdramon, to be there for him.

Gumdramon looked at himself in surprise and suddenly grinned. "Hey thanks! I had no idea I was a chosen digimon! Thanks for coming to help me partner."

"I swear," Yuki muttered and Dai blinked, just now noticing that she had moved beside him. "Dai's partner had to be just as reckless as he was."

Dai grinned at both his new partner and Yuki. "You mean, he's as fun as I am. I'm glad you're okay, Gumdramon but..." He winced as the army of digimon moved forward towards them.

"Gumdramon," Sam said firmly. "You're coming back with us." However, suddenly, he moved back his army. "Since you think you're so smart, why don't I give you guys a real challenge? Dokugumon, crush them!" He smiled darkly.

It sent shivers down Dai's spine and he stretched out his arms, to make himself into a living shield in front of his partner.

Hana let out a shriek causing Dai to jump as a yellow and black insect crawled out, three large legs on each side, the middle one of which was a mixture of yellow, purple and black stripes while the front and back leg were mostly black in color. The front leg had three belts in the middle of the leg while the back one had yellow stripes. The feet were two red horns on the front and the middle leg, while the back leg had one sharper horn coming out. While the creature did not look too intimidating in appearance, he knew Hana had a phobia of insects so it was understandable why she had screamed like that. Had the situation been any different, it might have been amusing but right now, he was more focused on keeping Gumdramon away from them.

"Dai, stay back," Gumdramon said now moving in front of him, expression hardening. "It's my turn to protect you now." Dai began to protest, not wanting his partner to be taken away just when he had met him but calmed down, seeing DemiDevimon and Mikemon.

"We'll help!" DemiDevimon said immediately and MJ finally let her partner go to move beside Gumdramon as Mikemon ran forward.

"Course we will," Mikemon said beaming. "Welcome to the team, Gumdramon!"

Gumdramon grinned at her. "Good to be with ya guys. Now let's kick some butt, shall we?"

"Oh, this'll be fun," Sam said, clapping his hands in an almost amused fashion. "A former DigiDestined Mimi Tachikawa's now free slave, Palmon who has been able to evolve due to my healing is now fighting for her freedom."

"What?!" Hana cried. "That's Mom's partner?! Why would she attack us like this? This is all crazy! I mean first Uncle Joe's partner nearly kills us and now Mom's?"

"Hana, this isn't the time for you to freak out," Kaito said bluntly. "We kind of have bigger problems to worry about."

Hana glared at her best friend who shrugged, simply gesturing to the battle ahead.

"Fire Vortex!" Gumdramon began to spin around, beginning to do somersaults as flames shot from the end of his hammer-like tail towards Dokugumon.

"Neko Claw!" Mikemon charged at Dokugumon, launching a series of kicks at him which from a distance looked like didn't even lay a scratch on him.

"Pico Darts!" DemiDevimon shot his darts towards Dokugumon, one of which actually managed to hit the digimon.

"Venom Blast!" A purple substance shot from Dokugumon's mouth, hitting all three of the digimon and sending them flying back, crashing into the ground.

"Gumdramon!" Dai cried running to his partner's side, just as his sister and MJ did the same. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Dai," Gumdramon said albeit coughed weakly trying to stand up again. "That guy... he's tough." His attempts to stand up failed as he crashed back down to the ground again.

"Mikemon," Yuki whispered, cradling her gently in her arms. "Please talk to me. Are you alright?"

Mikemon tried to smile. "Not really...sorry. I'll manage."

MJ was hesitating to touch DemiDevimon, albeit her eyes watered. "You were still hurt from before. I should have never let you fight. I'm so sorry."

DemiDevimon smiled. "I'm okay, MJ. Really. I just... really can't fly right now, that's all."

Dai picked up Gumdramon in his arms, trying to smile at his sister and MJ. "They'll be fine, guys. They're just a little worn out." He should have been more careful, it was lucky that Gumdramon and the others hadn't been taken away already. Was Sam toying with them?

"Isn't this touching?" Dokugumon drawled, crawling forward towards them. "Since you've moved me so much, I'll start with my former partner's children." She crawled towards Hana and Tay. "Ready to die?"

"No!" Taysuke cried, beginning to cry. "I don't wanna die! Not yet! I'm too young!"

"I'd rather eat worms than be killed by the likes of a creep like you!" Hana snapped as she yanked Tay away from Kaito, pulling him close into her arms as she glowered.

Dai could see how pale her face was as Dokugumon advanced towards them and his own heart thudded in fear. His hands began to sweat. Please! Whatever power that worked for me last time...please work again. He couldn't let his cousins die, no matter what happened. But nothing was happening... was that power a one-off thing?

"Venom Blast!" Seeing Dokugumon shoot her attack towards Hana and Tay snapped Dai out of trying to get his power to work.

Without thinking, he ran forward. His only thought being to protect them. "NO!" Dai cried, not even noticing as he jumped in front of the blast that his DigiWatch had begun beeping and flashing like crazy and Gumdramon was surrounded by a light blue glow.

"Gumdramon digivolve to... Veedramon!"