A/N: Hey everyone, glad you liked the last chapter, sorry that it seemed rushed. I think that I just wanted to get it over with lol. So there's the new chapter. I had fun with this chapter. A little heads up a lot of the characters change their attitudes around somewhat. I don't go far into Yumi's past, but I will be dedicating a full chapter to that with this book or a later one. I'll be putting more details into her story later. Anyway, off topic, so if anyone remembers with Yukito, he is gay. If anyone hasn't guessed yet, he is dating Robert. Their love relationship expands more later in the story. Thanks again to San Child of the wolves and White hunter for your reviews.
Chapter 14
Yumi's past and new lands
Monologue: Yumi
With all the craziness that was going on already in the digital world, this truly took the cake. Since arriving in the digital world, we thought that we were the only humans in this place, but now this? It couldn't be possible.
"So you children are the digidestined. It truly is an honour to meet you. You must be strong to have defeated Devimon."
"Sorry to sound rude, but who are you? And what do you want?" Yumi asked annoyed. All her frustration was truly getting to get. Being stuck in an unknown place for so long was not her favourite thing. She had multiple choices on her hands; snap at her friends and the other digidestined for no apparent reason, or wait until something else showed up. Now, with this old man there, she had her chance. Her friends knew better than to stop her.
"My name is Gennai; I am a friend to all who seek it and an enemy to those who choose it."
"I still can't believe that there is another human here side from us," commented Victoria astonished.
"How come you never tried to contact us before hand?" Yumi asked.
"I couldn't send you this transmission during the battle with Devimon, but now the lines are clear."
"Where exactly are you?" Robert asked.
"I am speaking to you far away from File Island, cross the ocean on the continent of Server."
"How long have you been here?" Tora asked taking the chance to ask a question.
"Since the beginning and to after the end."
'Great, he likes talking in cryptic,' thought Kiva and Yumi.
"Are you the one who got us stuck here in the digital world?" asked Yukito.
"It was not I."
"Then who was it?" demanded James.
"It was…I don't know."
Yumi, Victoria, Kiva and Yukito all rolled their eyes as the others groaned in frustration.
"Mr. Gennai, sir, do you know what we need to do so we can get back home again?" piped up Kisho.
"No, I don't," answered Gennai.
"You just love giving these quick answers don't you? This is becoming very annoying very fast," Yumi snapped.
Gennai turned to her, an air of annoyance surrounding his stature. He never thought he ever encounter such an arrogant child like herself. Yumi stood there with her arms folded over her chest looking furious.
"Sorry I can't be of more help. But you can be of help to me."
"How so?" Kiva and Puppymon asked.
"Please come to server and defeat our enemies. As the digidestined I have faith in you."
"That's crazy; we have no idea where your exact location is."
"Good point. I forgot you were from out of town. Let me create a map for you on your laptop."
"Okay, so what happens if your enemies are a lot bigger than that of these ones?" asked James.
"Do you still think we'll be able to defeat anything other than Devimon?" asked Mark sceptically.
"Not presently, but if your digimon can digivolve once more you might be able to do it."
"Oh great, just one more thing I'm going to be left behind about. It's bad enough that everyone has a digimon, and is able to digivolve to champion, but now a new level? Great!"
"So, it'll be possible for us to digivolve further?" asked Gaomon.
"Yes, but you'll need something special to do it."
Gennai disappeared from the transmission, revealing a tag and crest in the next transmission.
"If you have the tags and crests, you're digimon will be able to digivolve even further."
"Where can we find these tags and crests?" Renamon asked.
"Well, the crests are scattered about, you can locate them all throughout the continent of server. And the tags were secretly sealed away somewhere by Devimon."
"Tell me something. Why is it that I am the only one not to have a digimon? Are you the reason why I'm going on this journey solo?" Yumi asked.
"That's something that I can't answer. But I am sure you'll find what you are looking for soon. No!"
The kids and their digimon stopped confused as to what was happening. The transmission was starting to flicker from existence.
"You must come immediately. Agh! Come quickly. I'll be waiting on Server!"
The transmission ended leaving the kids to stand there more confused than ever.
"He's gone," James said.
"Gennai's transmission ended rather abruptly," Tentomon said.
"Well, at least he was able to send the map through before he got cut off," Robert noted typing on his keyboard.
"What's our next move going to be?" Victoria asked looking back and forth between everyone's face.
"We have to go. No doubt about it. We need to head to the other side and defeat those other digimon," Yumi answered, her voice low. She already felt torn and broken hearted about not knowing any more information about her digimon.
"I say we think it through first before we do anything rash. First we eat, and then we come up with a plan."
Yumi turned away from the group and stormed away, it was childish, yes, but she had to distract herself from yelling at them. There was so much that she could hold back.
Victoria and Kiva stared at the group in disbelief. They all knew that Yumi was yearning to search for her digimon, to finally have a bond that everyone seemed to have with their own digimon. Now they were crushing that dream, by denying the move.
"What?" asked James dumbfounded.
"You're incredible. Server is probably the only place that might have the location of her digimon and your keeping away from that chance."
"She said it herself that she might have located her digimon here on File island."
"Was she able to locate her digimon? No! I'm with her for heading to the new area."
Victoria and Kiva stormed off heading toward the location of Yumi, leaving the others to stare at them shocked.
"Nicely done guys," Yukito said turning away and stalking off.
"Not you too?"
Yumi sat on a flat rock with her arms wrapped around her shins as she rested her head on her knees. A gentle rushing of water could be heard form the nearby waterfall. Anger still coursing through her veins as she stared endlessly at the clear water yearning to disappear under the depths and be over all this torment. She was getting fed up with all the constant arguing and denying of discovery.
"You okay?" asked Victoria concerned sitting next to Yumi on her left side. Kiva took the right as the two digimon took the spot in front of Yumi.
"What would the two of you do if you were in my position? If neither of you got Puppymon or Renamon? But you knew that somewhere they were waiting for you?"
"Do what you're doing right now. Search, no matter where it took us," Victoria answered.
"I just don't understand why none of the others will allow it."
"Because they don't understand. They don't realize just how important it is to you. None of them have lost their digimon," Yukito answered.
"And I could never ask them what it would be like if their digimon disappeared. Even I know that its too much to ask."
The other digidestined arrived a few minutes later. Two of them headed to the water to get some fish, while James, Mark and Tora tempted to make a fire. Mark went to grab some twigs, while Tora got some rocks to put in a circle where the fire was going to go. As for James he waited until Mark came back before attempting the fire.
Victoria and Renamon just side glanced each other as both shook their heads. Neither one knew ho two actually knew how to light a fire and keep it alive, they already discovered that on their first night in the digital world. Renamon knew she was going to have to step in before anything actually started.
Away from the group, Kisho sat by the water holding on to the egg trying to keep it warm.
"You've been quiet Kisho, everything okay?" asked Yumi sitting next to him.
"Yeah, I just can't wait until the egg hatches," Kisho replied.
"You have to have patience little one."
"How can you have so much patience with no location of your digimon?"
"Because I keep my mind set that I'll find him. Not only that, I also have Victoria and Kiva keeping me level headed."
"I hope you find your digimon soon. I want to see what kind you have."
"Me too, me too. Here, I have something for you. Just a little keepsake to help you along when you need strength," Yumi said taking her wolf pendent off and held it in both her hands. The wolf charm in her left and the chain in her right.
Kisho stared in wonder at the sight of the wolf. He was always intrigued by the pendent.
"This was given to me by my aunt when I was very young. She told me that when I wore this, I would have the courage and strength to be able to accomplish anything. It's like a good luck charm."
"Yumi, I could never accept this, it means too much to you."
"It'll only be for a little while. It's just to help you believe in yourself and not worry about all the problems going on. I'm sure with this, your digimon will be reborn just as fast."
"Thank you Yumi," Kisho said gently placing the egg on the ground and embracing Yumi in a tight hug.
Yumi was taken aback slightly be the hug, but she in return hugged him back. When Kisho let go, Yumi put the necklace around his neck and hooked it together. When Yumi sat back, Kisho looked down at the necklace and admired it for some time. It was gorgeous in so many ways. The sterling silver sparkled in the moonlight.
"Never take it off, all right? I'm trusting you with this."
"I promise."
Yumi smiled down at him as he watched him pick up the digi-egg. Mark joined them a minute later to check out what was going on.
"Hey Kisho, what do you have there?" asked Mark noticing the necklace.
"Yumi gave me it for safe keeping, it's suppose to give me courage," Kisho answered holding up the charm showing his brother.
"Kisho, I don't…"
"Don't worry Mark, it'll be for a short time. I trust him."
"All right. Dude don't worry so much, your digi-egg will hatch very soon," Mark reassured looking at Kisho who was still cradling the egg.
"I hope so."
Yumi returned to her group and sat down between Kiva and Victoria. Kiva stared endlessly at the twinkling stars while Victoria seemed to disappear into her own little world.
"How did your little chat go with Kisho?"
"Good, I gave him my wolf necklace."
"You actually gave him your prize possession?" Victoria asked turning her head to her friend.
"He deserved it."
"Who wants food?" called James.
"I smell fish," Yumi replied absentmindedly shifting her gaze over to the campfire not wanting to continue the conversation any longer.
Everyone sat around the campfire enjoying the cook fish. It seemed to be a great favourite to everyone. Kiva, Yumi and Victoria were still in their spots with the leftover fruit that they were able to keep. Puppymon and Renamon were enjoying both the fish and fruit.
"Okay moment of truth. What's it going to be?" asked James after finishing his food.
"We leave for Server," Yumi announced determinedly.
"But whose to say we have a chance against those new enemies?" asked Tora.
"Look, it doesn't matter, we'll never be able to find out unless we try. Besides I want to find my digimon."
"Come on, it'll be so much better if we just stay here," Mark argued.
"No. We need to do this. It is the only way!"
"Even so, what will our means of transportation be?" asked Bearmon.
Yumi, Kiva and Victoria looked at one another before a smile grew on their lips.
"Ever made a raft before?" Victoria asked.
"A raft? Are you serious?" James asked.
"Look, it's the only way we can get across the ocean. Do any of you have another idea?" Victoria asked.
"All right, let's take a vote, all in favour of leaving File Island?" Robert asked. Kiva, Victoria, Yumi, Yukito, Puppymon, Renamon, Penguinmon, Kisho, Tentomon and Robert raised their hands.
"Well, it's unanimous, we're leaving for Server tomorrow. For now we sleep."
No one dared to argue with them, all of them knew better than to come between their ideas, especially when it meant dealing with Yumi. It was almost suicide to go behind her back. Not take the risk, everyone found a comfortable spot on the ground and drifted off to sleep.
Yumi, Victoria, Yukito and Robert made a decision for the five of them to take turns guarding. Kisho was already out like a light by his brother and Gaomon, allowing himself to not only physically but mentally rest up.
"Let me take the first shit, you guys sleep, I'll wake the next person when it's time, I promise," Yumi said standing her ground, not allowing the others to stay awake.
"All right. Who wants the next shift?" Robert asked.
"I'll go," Yukito volunteered before Victoria or Kiva could interject.
"How about this, after Yukito, it goes me, Robert than Kiva, sound fair?" Victoria interjected.
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement. Of course, Kiva didn't like the idea of getting the most sleep than everyone else. But she couldn't argue it, it was a good decision.
Renamon sat next to Yumi watching her partner sleep peacefully on the ground next to the fire. An air of innocence surrounded her presence taking away all her negativity.
Curled up opposite of Victoria was Kiva and Puppymon, nothing seemed to disturb them. Close to Yumi and Renamon were Yukito, Robert, and their digimon. Yukito was stretched on his back while Robert rested his head on Yukito's chest, his right arm wrapped around him waist. The digimon were lying on the ground resting peacefully.
"Renamon, why don't you go and sleep? I'll be fine on my own," Yumi said absentmindedly.
"Not until I get some answers."
Yumi side glanced Renamon with narrowed eyes as she let out a groan.
"Seriously?"
"Yes, you're worrying Victoria and Kiva, and I thought you would be more willing to talk to me."
"What do you want to know?"
"How come your distancing yourself from everyone?" And don't say your not, because I've been seeing that lately."
"Everyone just seems to be more in tuned with everything from their digimon to each other. I look at Yukito and Robert and I see a more tight connection with their relationship. It's like this place just brings everyone closer. Seeing everyone with their digimon, there's more of a close bond. I know Kiva and Puppymon both have one, they need it. You and Victoria have one, you two are so in tuned with your movements, and you two never have to say what needs to be done. Just like Kisho. He had Labramon, he had faith that he could digivolve, he still won't give up ever after he turned back to a digi-egg.
Than there's me, I have no one in this world. Yeah I have my friends, but I question every day will this last? Will something come between us? It doesn't help either that I have no digimon to protect me, to bond with. I have to rely on everyone else, and I hate it!"
"I thought you were one to never let that worry you," Renamon asked.
"I've always bottled it up inside, I never truly allowed it to get to me, but after seeing all this, I've come to doubt everything. My life, my purpose, everything. Renamon, I'm so confused and lost right now, it's killing me."
"Maybe that necklace held more to it than just a sense of courage. Perhaps it kept you level headed."
"I've always thought that, but I now think that it's just stress. Stress on everything, trying to find my digimon, trying to keep everyone level headed themselves, and not to rip people's heads off. I know it's not always shown with me in that light, but it's there."
"You just need to keep believing in yourself that you'll find your digimon and nothing wrong is going to happen."
"Gods, I hope not. This is driving me crazy, besides I already know that Kiva and Victoria are probably ready to kill me for doing this. Stressing out and screaming at the others."
"How come you never told any of this to Victoria and Kiva?"
"Both of them already have enough on their hands. Besides that's only been what's going on here. That's not even scratching the surface of my other life at home. I'm not even getting into that, we could be going on days about that one. Let's just put it this way, mom and I haven't spoken to each other in so long and haven't seen eye to eye."
"You never spoken to anyone about it before?"
"No, there was never any sense to do that. My friends have dealt with their own problems and I'm not one to deal with counsellors."
Renamon didn't say anything after that, she could tell Yumi was getting more stressed and upset just by going over her past. Yumi brought her knees up closer to her chest and stared into the distance, tiredness taking over her body. She pushed it passed her refusing to give in.
Morning came quickly, Yumi now lie nest to the burnt out fire pit. Victoria was still curled up as if she had never woken up. It was the same with Yukito and Robert. Their peacefulness was amazing. Kiva was the only one to be awake with Puppymon continuously stretching her arms.
The other pre-teens were still trying to force themselves awake with no avail. The digimon however seemed to be the only ones to be awake and ready to move.
"Kiva, Puppymon were you two up all night?" Lalamon asked.
"No, only the last couple of hours," Puppymon answered.
"Do you think they'll be awake soon?" asked Bearmon.
"I doubt it, sleep didn't seem to come too easily to them, but they should be up soon," Puppymon responded.
"Is it time to go?" asked a tired Kisho, several minutes later.
"We still have to create a raft first," replied Mark.
"Let's get started then, no sense in wasting time," Yumi replied now wide awake.
"Right now?"
"I agree with Yumi, let's go."
"So how do we start and where?" Tora and James.
"We'll never be able to cut all these trees down that we need."
"Never say never. Bearmon, Gaomon help me," Renamon said taking charge.
"All right, right behind you."
"Diamond storm!"
"Bear claw!"
"Double backhand!"
The three digimon attacked the trees at once causing nine trees to fall at once.
"Are you sure this won't take forever?" asked Tora.
"No, just as long as we work together. With Renamon, Gaomon and Bearmon taking down the trees, we just need the rest of the digimon to shape them to form a raft. For that I think we could just cut them in half long ways and even them out. How many trees do you suppose we need?" Yumi asked.
"I calculate that twenty would be sufficient, especially if we were to cut them in half," Robert replied typing on his computer of a layout of the raft.
"All right. Victoria, Mark, Tora and Kisho could you four go and collect vines so we can tie the wood together please. Meanwhile, Yukito, Kiva Robert, James and I can get the logs all organized."
"Sounds like a plan."
After an hour of working together, they were able to create a large raft capable of holding the nine children and seven digimon. Yumi, Victoria and Kiva looked satisfied with their hard work that they did. It actually felt kind of good that they worked as a team along with the others.
Kisho stood next to them still holding on to his digi-egg, looking hopeful. He didn't notice right away the shaking of the egg until a cracking sound could be heard. Yumi, Victoria and Kiva all turned their heads to the egg.
"What is that?" asked Victoria.
"It's the digi-egg," announced Yumi.
"It's hatching!" Kisho exclaimed excitedly.
The top of the shell broke off revealing a small round white head with pink ears and a tiny pink tail popped out.
"Aw, it's so cute."
"Hi, I'm Paomon."
"Okay, heart warming as this all is, we need to leave," Yumi said impatiently.
"All right, all right. Let's move it people, we have a long trip ahead of us," James called.
With everyone's help they were able to push the raft to the water. In seconds everyone was ready to set sail. Yumi, Victoria and Kiva along with Renamon and Puppymon were standing at the front of the raft preparing for a new adventure. Kisho sat of the opposite end playing with Paomon. It was a miracle to finally have his digimon back with him even if it were for a short time being separated from him.
Yukito sat leaning again the mast staring off into space, as he listened to the sounds of rushing water at every angle. He cursed himself for forgetting his player back at camp. He yearned desperately to be listening to his "calming music" for the duration of the trip.
Robert sat next to him typing on the keyboard as usual to get a lock on their location and see if he could somehow actually locate Gennai.
"Question for you, do you have your music player set up on there?" Yukito asked not taking his eyes off the blue sky.
"No, I don't see a reason why I would need it. And no I'm not downloading it so you can listen to your music," Robert replied not looking up from the screen.
Yukito let his head rest on his shoulder as he stared almost blankly at Robert. There was a pleading look in his eyes that normally would work on his boyfriend, but not this time, Robert wasn't going to allow it.
"You know that it'll be impossible for me to get enough services to actually download it, and on top of that I'm not wasting my time and space."
"You're no fun," Yukito said jokingly.
Robert rested his head on Yukito's shoulder as he continued his work. Yumi looked back at them, a faint smile grew on her lips as she saw them cuddled together. She felt a longing inside of her now to be with someone of her own.
"They are just the cutest couple ever."
"Do you remember how long they've been going out for?" Victoria asked.
"Wasn't it just at the beginning of school last year?" Yumi replied.
"I thought so. How was it that he got lucky enough to snag the good ones?"
"Yukito's got a gift about him. Besides, with his looks who wouldn't say no?"
The waves were becoming a little more stronger and higher. It started to affect some of the kids, mainly James, Tora and Mark. The others kept their cool. Yukito sat calmly in the same position, his eyes closed enjoying the movement. Some how it didn't seem to affect his stomach like it did the others.
Renamon and Victoria were sitting cross legged meditating, concentrating on everything but their present location. Yumi was lying on her back, her headphones in her ears as she listened to her music not caring about what was going on. Kiva and Puppymon on the other hand sat by the edge staring at the waves watching fish fly by.
"Oh god, please tell me we'll be arriving soon, these waves are killing me," groaned Tora fighting the urge to throw up.
"It'll still be a while yet, don't think about it too much and it won't upset your stomach so much," answered Robert who had his head resting on Yukito's lap.
"Yumi, do you have any bottled water?" called James, hoping that something liquid would help.
There was no answer from Yumi. Her eyes were now closed, it was unknown if she were asleep or not.
"YUMI!" James finally screamed.
Yumi opened her eyes, a strong glare hit her eyes momentarily blinding her. Blinking her eyes a few times, she flipped over on to her stomach and took out one of her earphones.
"May I help you with something?" her voice a deadly calm.
"Um…I…you know…" James stuttered fearing her calmness.
"Spit it out."
"Do you have any bottled water?"
"Yes. You do realize you don't have to sound so petrified when you ask something like that right?"
Yumi dug out a cold water bottle and rolled it over to James without hitting someone. She felt the cool sea breeze her skin as she faced the front of the raft and stared off into the distance.
"Hey, has anyone seen Penguinmon?" Yukito asked opening his eyes and looking around.
"He's in the water, swimming beside the raft," Lalamon answered.
"I heard my name, everything okay?" Penguinmon asked.
"Just curious as to where you were."
"Okay."
The waves grew higher and higher causing the raft to get knocked around more than it was to begin with. Victoria and Renamon opened their eyes in alert staring at the water. Yumi sat up in one swift move, almost like a vampire rising from its coffin. Kiva and Puppymon watched in shock as a massive wave turned up.
"Tidal wave! Everyone hold fast!" yelled Victoria.
"Oh god, not good," cried out Tora.
A large ten foot storey tidal wave rose up in front of them and crashed down hard just in front of them causing the raft to rise up making everyone to let out a scream of terror. Yumi held on to the mast bracing herself for the over power of the water. She might have an addiction to water, but to be swallowed by the waves could be a problem.
Mark held on to his brother hoping for dear life that nothing bad would happen to them. James and Tora knelt at the front holding on to the raft thinking that it would protect them.
Renamon grabbed hold of Victoria preparing to get out of the situation. She knew that the outcome was going to be bad. As for Kiva, Robert and Yukito their instincts were to brace themselves against anything.
"Okay, I've seen waves, but never that big without a storm on the way," Tora said as the raft bounced on smaller waves.
"Its not caused by any boat. What else could it have been?" questioned James.
"What's that?" asked Kisho pointing to a large figure in the distance.
At first glance could mistaken it for a small island, but when the waves calmed down it could be revealed that it was a twenty foot whale type digimon. Everyone was stunned to see the monstrous digimon.
"Penguinmon, get out of the water!" Yukito called out when Penguinmon emerged to the surface.
"Who is that?"
"That's Whamon, he is a giant digimon and lives deep in the oceans of the digital world. His jet arrows are unbelievable."
Whamon went to dive again causing more waves to grow. Fear filled everyone as the raft went for another bumpy ride. Whamon never resurfaced causing a few to hold their breath.
"I know that Whamon can be aggressive, but I never seen on this aggressive," Penguinmon said watching the tides spin around them.
"Oh gods, not again!"
As the whirl pool began enclose them, Whamon once again appeared with his mouth wide open.
"Crap, crap, crap, crap!"
"Is this seriously how we end our adventure here? By being eaten alive?" Tora yelled as the raft rushed through Whamon's mouth.
"I don't like this, I don't like this at all!" screamed Kisho.
"We're heading down the oesophagus, the last step is the stomach, hopefully we don't have to see the final part of the journey," Robert explained.
"Robert, you're not helping the fear factory here! It's bad enough we're about to be eaten alive, we don't need to be told step by step where we are travelling," Victoria replied in terror.
Within seconds the raft landed in the stomach surrounded by fluid. Everyone looked around stunned.
"Robert? What's going to happen next?" Yumi asked. Something in her voice told the others that she knew something bad was going to happen.
"The acid with slowly start to eat at the raft before destroying us."
"Yeah, I thought so."
Right after Yumi said that acid started to spill from the top in a waterfall way. Everyone except Yumi, Victoria, Kiva and Yukito screamed, the four let out a groan at the dangerous situation they were in.
"We're going to die now, we're going to freaking die now. We barely saw out lives through," whined Tora.
"Shut up Tora! Just calm down, we need to keep focus," Yumi snapped staring at the wall of the stomach. The acid was increasing even more. In the corner of her eye she could see something black. Turning her had fully Yumi spotted a black gear.
"Guys up there! A black gear!" Yumi pointed out.
"How the heck do we reach that?" James asked.
"With a little assistance. Who wants to go?" asked Renamon.
Kiva raised her hand with no hesitation. Her eyes appeared to hold a strong and dark feel to them. Renamon wrapped her arms around Kiva's waist and teleported to the top. Both knew they had mere seconds to do this with nothing to hold on to.
When Kiva was directly about it, her digivice began to glow. Renamon instantly disappeared and reappeared again to keep them in the air. In seconds the black gear finally disintegrated as Renamon and Kiva free fell half way before Renamon teleported safely to the raft.
"Well, at least that's taken care of, but…uh…how do we actually get out of here?" asked Mark.
Before anyone could answer, the raft began to speed back through the stomach caused by an orb of light. None of them could think there would be any more rushes, but apparently there could.
"This is why I loath surprises!" Yumi groaned as the raft shot out of the blow hole along with a spray of water.
The raft crashed back on to the water breaking upon contact. Yumi emerged from the water coughing and spluttering as she treaded the water looking for any sign of her friends. One by one everyone began to submerge either treading water or holding on to the broken pieces of wood.
"Are you all right, Victoria?" asked Renamon.
"Yeah, *cough* I think," Victoria coughed trying to clear the water from her throat as she held on to a piece of wood.
"Surprisingly we actually got out of there."
"Hey, where is Kiva?" Yumi asked aloud as she looked around at the others. Kiva was the only one to not surface, Puppymon either. Horrified, Yumi dived back under the water desperately searching for any sign of her.
Kiva was panicking, she didn't know what was going on. She couldn't see Puppymon anywhere. She could feel her body go into shock as she sank further into the deep. In one way she almost wanted to allow the water to take her away, it would have been better, but she pushed that though aside. She needed to live to take care of her mother, and to keep Puppymon safe and stay with her friends.
'Kiva, can you hear me?' Puppymon called out through their connection.
'Yes, where are you?' Kiva though back as calmly as she could.
'Just keep focused, don't allow your body to sink any further. I'm close to where you are,' Puppymon replied.
Puppymon was swimming deeper and deeper hopefully in the same location as his partner. He could feel her heart racing as her body yearned for the fresh air. There was another presence in the water as well in the same relative location as Kiva. It didn't take Puppymon long before he realized that it was Yumi.
Yumi could see Kiva struggling to push herself back up to land but to no avail. Reaching her, Yumi grabbed around her waist and pulled her up to the surface. The sunlight shone down upon them giving them the sense of relief of being back at the surface.
Puppymon poked his head out of the water taking a deep breath. Before him he could see Whamon floating there. Feet over by the group of children, he could see Yumi and Kiva holding on to a piece of wood.
"Kiva, are you all right?" Yumi asked.
Kiva nodded her head as a coughing fit set in. Yumi let out a sigh of relief as she saw Puppymon join them. She hated these types of scare attacks when one of her friends got hurt or might be in trouble.
"I am so sorry, I don't know what came over me," Whamon apologized.
"It's all right, we knew it wasn't your fault, it was the annoying black gears," answered Lalamon.
"Don't worry, it's gone now," replied Tora.
"What a relief."
"Those black gears are getting more and more annoying," Victoria muttered.
"Bet you that was the end of those pesky things," Mark said.
"I doubt it."
"I owe you one kids."
"No problem. Listen, you wouldn't happen to know how far Server is would you." Yumi asked.
"Yes, depending upon what is around, I'd say it would take me three and a half days."
"Well, now our problem comes down to, how the hell do we get there? Our raft is destroyed and none of our digimon would have the strength to carry us all the way," Victoria stated aggravated.
"Are you all heading to Server?"
"Well, we were trying to," Yumi scoffed still treading the water.
"Seeing that you saved my life, I'll be more than willing to take you."
"Are you serious?" James asked stunned.
"Yes, thank the gods, we have a way there," sighed Yumi happily as she rested on her back.
Whamon dived back into the water swimming just underneath the kids. The next seconds he resurfaced raising everyone on his back. Everyone let out a sigh of relief as a cool sea breeze hit their faces.
"This is so much better."
The children were all standing up staring out at the open ocean. Yumi, Victoria and Kiva were further ahead than the others getting away from the whole group togetherness.
"So much smoother and faster than that raft was," Robert pointed out.
"You're telling me. Less chance of getting sick."
"Okay, we have a ride, next thing on our list is to find the tags and crests that Devimon decided to hide somewhere," Yumi stated bluntly.
"Did you say Devimon?" asked Whamon.
"Do you know him?"
"Well, I don't know anything about tags and crests, but a while ago Devimon hid something deep in the bottom of the ocean."
"Seriously? Please tell us where," Yumi said.
"It's on the way to Server, you can all ride inside me and I'll take you there."
'And maybe I'll be one step closer into finding my digimon,' Yumi thought.
Once inside Whamon, a surge of energy spread through everyone about the new items. Yumi, Kiva, Victoria and Yukito kept their amusement well hidden from view of everyone. There was no sense in getting all worked over something so small.
"This is so exciting," Tora squealed. "One more step into a higher level of evolution."
"I still can't believe that we can actually go higher now," Lalamon said.
"Don't forget, it's going to be the case of actually finding the blasted tags and going on a ridiculous mission to locate the crests," Yumi stated coldly. There wasn't any reason for the sudden outburst, but something inside of her finally snapped.
"Yumi, where did that come from?" asked Victoria concerned. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just want to fucking end this. I swear to the gods, we have been dealing with the same bullshit for I don't know how long, and it always ends up the same way."
"Okay, Yumi snapped and not in a good way," Tora said backing away a little from Yumi. The others followed her example. Yumi didn't notice it, or if she did she didn't give a shit.
"Should we fear this?" asked James in a hush voice.
"Give her a minute, hopefully she'll get over it. You guys have to remember, she's been on this journey without a digimon and there hasn't been any sign of it anywhere. So not only is she left out from that, she's going to be really left out when everyone will be digivolving to the higher level," Victoria explained in a low voice.
"So, is that why she's been acting that way?" asked Bearmon.
"Somewhat, her regular attitude is a natural outlook, but when she sees all of you bonding and seeing the digimon digivolve, it kills her on the inside."
"What about when she sees you and Kiva doing the same thing with Renamon and Puppymon?"
"She's jealous of us too, there's no getting away from it."
"Guys, I think we're here," Yumi called. Her attitude seemed to have change.
No one said too much when they entered the underwater cave. It was an eerie thing for Yumi to be in an eerie quietness, it usually means a calm before the storm, especially if anyone decided to make any sort of smart ass comment toward her.
"Yumi, do you want to talk?" asked Victoria.
"What's there to talk about? Everything is fine."
"Okay, what definition of fine are you using?"
"My definition of course."
"That's what I feared."
Heading further into the dark cave, the children could see a faint light from somewhere ahead of them.
"What's that up there?" asked Mark.
"This seems too good to be true," Yumi said stepping a little closer.
"Why do you say that?"
"I just have that feeling."
"I don't buy it, you're actually going to believe a superstition?" asked Mark and Gaomon.
As soon as the two of them took a step forward the ground began to shutter and break away.
"What did I tell you?" yelled Yumi jumping back as a yellow digimon appeared.
"Who is that?" asked Kisho.
"That is Digmon, he has the power to control the earth. There is no time when he loses on land."
"No one is getting by me!"
"You want a bet? Diamond storm!" Renamon called out stepping forward in front of Victoria.
"Tornado punch!"
"Gold rush!"
"Why is he attacking us?" Tora asked ducking from the attack.
"I think that something might be controlling him," answered Bearmon.
"It's the stupid black gears," Yumi pointed out noticing the black gear in his back. "I told you."
"Okay, sorry for doubting you."
The three digimon glared at each other daring for one of them to make a move. Renamon slowly moved her one foot back a bit readying herself for an attack. Gaomon stayed relatively still calculating each move he was about to make.
Time stood still for the longest time. Yumi braced herself for the outcome of the problem.
"What are we going to do if this doesn't end well?" Tora whispered.
"We run!" Yumi mentioned.
"Yukito, let us worry about him. You need to find those tags."
"Gotcha."
"Gaomon digivolve to…Gaogamon!"
"Spiral blow!"
"Gold rush!"
"Go, while they are distracted!" Yumi screamed.
All the kids ran toward the protection of the convenient store. Yumi stayed in the back making sure everyone got to safety.
"I say we split up and search for those tags," Yumi said as she turned her attention back to the fight outside. Lalamon moved forward wanting to join the fight.
"It's time for me to join the fight," Lalamon declared. "Lalamon digivolve to…Sunflowmon!"
"Ah, another one for me to defeat!"
"I don't think so. Sunshine beam!"
The attack aimed right for Digmon landing squarely in front of him. The ground blew up causing Digmon to crash into the store. Sunflowmon grinned to herself as she watched the dust spread over them.
"Sunflowmon, aim for the black gear!" instructed Penguinmon.
"Right. Sunshine beam!"
Once again the solar energy headed for Digmon, but this time the blast surrounded the black gear pulling it out destroying it in the air.
Inside the store, everyone ducked down as debris fell around them caused by the attacks.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Victoria.
"I think so."
"Kisho! Where did you disappear to?" Mark called noticing Kisho was no where in sight.
"Paomon, this is not the time to play hide and seek. Come on out!" called Kisho three aisles over from where the group all stood.
There was no response, but Kisho refused to give up. He knew his digimon would be close by.
"Kisho! Come on answer me!" Mark called out, his voice carried around the debris.
Kisho turned his head at the sound of his brother's voice, only to hear another sound on his other side. Not responding to his brother, Kisho turned his full attention toward the aisle where the noise came from. Sitting there was Paomon next to a medium size oak box.
"There you are. What do you have there?"
Paomon jumped on to Kisho's head allowing him to pick up the box. It felt fairly heavy, life there was something inside.
"I can't believe he disappeared again."
"Mark, settle down. He must have gotten lost in the dust, not his fault," Yukito said.
"Guys, look what I found!" Kisho called out running toward them.
"What?" everyone asked turning their heads toward the direction of Kisho's voice.
"This!" Kisho announced holding up the box as soon as he got to them.
James took it out of his hands and opened the lid. Inside there was nine tags, the chains and trim around the little screen were gold.
"Wow, they're gorgeous," Tora explained.
"These definitely have to be the tags Gennai referred to."
"Sure look like them."
Within minutes everyone was back on the surface standing upon Whamon's back with the tags securely around their necks. The sun was setting in the distance, giving everyone a sense of new discovery.
"Don't forget what Gennai told us. The crests are scattered across the continent of Server," Robert said.
"And with both the tags and crests, we'll be able to digivolve once again," Tentomon answered.
'Yay, just one more thing I get to watch on the side lines again,' Yumi thought bitterly.
"Let's go find those crests," cheered James.
A/N: So another end to another chapter, hope you all enjoyed it. Yes Yumi was having mood swings. A lot of that was surrounded by what was going on in my life. I thought I add it in, spice things up a little. Also, the version of fine Victoria and Yumi are referring to is F.I.N.E: Fucked up Insecure Neurotic Emotional. You'll be seeing Yumi refer back to that a lot, especially when they return home. Next chapter will be up within a few days, and I'm taking San Child of the Wolves advice and switching it up. So here's a little hint, next two chapters are going to be completely different. Tell me what you think. I don't want to ruin anything.