Hi there...

Yeah

I am alive...

Sorry about the late updates but I got swamped unexpectedly. I should be updating a little more for the next few weeks but I have exams coming up in early Jan so I apologise in advance.

I'm going to try something a little different. You guys,the readers know a lot about the characters and not that much about the writer. So, submit a question in a review and I shall answer it truthfully at the beginning of the next chapter.

I hope you all read, enjoy and review.

Damn it's cold here...

He swore. The young Digidestined hid behind a fallen pillar, forcing his tall frame to be hidden from view. Elegon Blaze squinted as a harsh wind suddenly tore across the ancient ruins. His eyes darted around , his partner, Celemon, the femanine armoured angel was hidden nearby. Strectched out before him was an endless sea of rocks and deadly formations, an inhospitable area unless you were strong enough to survive here. Towards the west was a small , incredibly well kept ancient stone town. Buildings, fires, temples, a thriving miracle in the desert of rocks and dust. Elegon kept hidden behind a fallen misused ruin on the edge of the plain. He cursed again, he was supposed to find the leader of this fction and convince him to join the small alliance that bad begun. Will and Momaru had calculated his strength would be needed in the coming years. A thunderous crash erupted in the middle of the plain before the town as a Knightmon was crippled by brute strength.

"Come out, Astamon!" Omega Strikemon, the sickly green knight called out, strong cruel wings stretching out , emphasising his brute almost god like power. Several crumpled, battered bodies lay around him, data floating away carelessly.

"We should do something!" Celemon called out. Elegon shook his head, one mega wouldn't be anywhere near enough to stop the demon angel before them. Omega Strikemon leveled his sword at the town, a tremendous green light fizzling away. He reered his arm back, ready to unleash a chaotic force on the town. His vission became blurred , a flash of black filled out before him as he rocketed backwards. Omega Strikemon flexed his wings and caught the wind , stopping himself. Elegon craned his neck around , unable to get a clear view of Astamon, only a long grey coat being the only detail visable to him.

"Leave here and never threaten my town again." Astamon spoke, anger rising in his voice as he leveled a large gun at the green knight. Elegon cursed, he couldn't move around the pillar for fear of being seen, he had to stay there, forced to listen to the conversation.

"You're in no posistion to even threaten me. I'm here on...offical matters." Omega Strikemon said clearly as he seethed his sword and folded his wings. He slowly approached Astamon.

"What do you mean?" Astamon shifted slightly.

"I'm here to offer you an alliance." Omega Strikemon saidly simply as he stretched out his arms, a sign of friendship.

"Alliance? If you haven't noticed, I claimed this entire region as my own. These Digimon fought with me in the Tribal Wars. You have no right to offer us anything." Astamon said bitterly.

"I offer you only my help. I know you have a faction here agains't you, lord Astamon, dark prince. My army and equipment would easily destroy them." Omega Strikemon stretched one arm out towards Astamon.

"What do you want in return?" Astamon asked bluntly, clearly interested.

"I'd be able to call on you in battle anytime I pleased. You and your entire force, anytime I needed. My help, for your help." Omega Strikemon said darkly.

I want to see your so called army." Astamon barked. Omega Strikemon nodded and snapped his fingers. Grey bullets from the sky fell all around almost instantly like rain, varying in size and shape as they littered the area. The extordinary speed caught Astamon off gaurd as he raised his large gun, he lowered it again,seeing the creatures didn't attack.

"Gmon!" Astamon exclaimed, perplexed at how such creatures had survived the Alpha incident.

"They are my servants." Small humanoid, featurless creatures emerged from the dust and sand. Small black rings tattooed around their neck. Others were huge giants, sheer masses of deformed muscle and brute strength.

"I also have this." Omega Strikemon brought something out from under one of his wings, a small black device. Rectangular in shape, a small screen with grey binding around it. A small keyring hanging off one side near four tiny buttons. Elegon inhaled sharply.

"That's a Digivice!" Elegon immediately pulled out his Digivice, the signal from it coming up as clear as day on his screen. Astamon studied it for a few seconds before placing his hand in Omega Strikemon's, a sign of agreement. Omega Strikemon's glinted darkly as he used his brute strength to crush Astamon's hand.

"What are you doing?" Astamon stared at the green knight, Omega Strikemon forced him to his knees before drawing his sword once more and levelling it next to his neck.

"Your town is surrounded. I have the larger army. I have a Digivice. Your forces now belong to me and me alone. You will serve me unconditionally, understand?" Omega Strikemon barked at the dark Digimon before him. Astamon growled before staring at the injured Digimon around him and did the only thing he thought he could. He nodded. Elegon and Celemon stared at each other, realising they had to leave at that second. They had to let the others know as soon as they could. The Digidestined had to be made aware, Omega Strikemon was raising an army.

"Why did you help us?" Reaver asked small uneasy group had taken shelter just outside a cave , a long way from the desert and Royal Knight territory. Tanya smirked.

"Dark Digidestined help one another, don't they?" She replied casually.

"I wouldn't know the code. It's a secret even among the Dark Digidestined." Reaver folded his arms. A small flame of agony raced across his skin as his finger tips brushed the area of a cut to his left arm. He whinched slightly.

"Here." Tanya reached into a small brown leather bag at her side and throw a small ice pack to the messenger. Reaver caught it and eyed it carefully. He set it down on the ground and stared darkly at her. The embers of the large fire crackled into the nights sky , trying in vain to compeat with the stars of the night. Trees loomed dangerously nearby, shadowing them from the rest of the world.

"You can trust me." Tanya spoke softly. Reaver raised an eyebrow, he was used to hearing a dark voice. A manipulators voice, someone capable of convincing someone to do anything. Twisting words and reshaping the world around them through their voice alone. A very dangerous ability she was more than happy to use in the secret war. Both he and Will wore scars as a result of her ability. Impon and Lightmon had chosen to stay in the cave, away from Tanya's Agumon. An Agumon of a darker complexion than normal, battle scars across his claws.

"She's telling the truth." Reaver turned towards the slightly weak voice. Will was sat against the wall of the cave, on of his legs outstretched , the other pulled back. His left arm heavily bandaged to his chest, small dots of blood forming on the material. Broken, at Tanya's best guess, in several places.

"What?" Reaver asked quickly. Will shifted slightly, a bruise on his back making it difficult for him to get comfortable.

"This is the second time she's helped me." Will said simply. Lightmon frowned and growled in annoyance. It was clear Lightmon still didn't trust her.

"What do you mean?" Reaver asked as he crossed his arms. A frown quickly carved itself across his features.

"Before the roadtrip with Tai and the others, just before the incident with Alpha Strikemon I was sent to a city in the south to check on a faction there. Jack Knight ambushed me, he caused an entire block of buildings to explode and collapse. Nearly made it out but Jack's partner, Magna Garurumon attacked us. Its hazey for a bit after that , but when I came too Tanya was duelling with Jack. Jack had wanted to finish me but Tanya stopped him, it gave me enough time to escape." Will explained simply. It was one of his worst defeats. Outsmarted and over powered by Jack Knight.

"How do you know that wasn't planned?" Reaver asked almost mockingly.

"Jack thought I was already dead. He saw data floating away. It was the data of a Digimon we tried to rescue but he died regardless, right next to me." Will's eyes met with Reaver. Reaver knew from just a look, that if he pushed the matter any more every ounch of Will's pent up rage would be directed at him. He rolled his eyes, neither of them were in any shape to fight.

"Jack told me that we were the true Digidestined. The rest of you, us , were imposters, chosen by false gods with power that isn't theres. The god's formed their own army and rescued a world that isn't theirs. Said we were truly good. I followed his commands but when we ambushed Will, he could easily have escaped. Instead he stayed and tried to rescue a Digimon. I realised Jack was wrong. We both thought Will was dead. Long story short, I left Jack." Tanya looked away, fishing into her bag for something.

"Again, this may just be a..." Reaver stopped dead when he saw what Tanya produced from her bag. A crest and tag, proof of a legimate Digidestined.

"I've been trying to track down Jack in secret. I've nearly caught him a few times but I know where he is."

"What?" Reaver's voice was low and subdued. The chance of finding his enemy both thrilled and terrified him.

"He's working in the ruins of Delta. He's got a hacker named Gizmo with him." Tanya brought out a large map from her bag , a section of it circled in red. The ruins of Delta.

"We were putting together a strike force to go and deal with him. But all of this happened and now, it's just Tanya and I." Will smirked but a slight hint of sadness flooded his expression.

"Wrong." Reaver interupted. "You're going back to Odaiba. Me and Tanya will handle Jack." Reaver began to study the map as he placed the ice pack on his arm. Tanya's expression softened, watching Reaver accept the small gesture of trust. Reaver and Impmon exchanged a single look. If she did cross them, he knew exactly how to handle these situations.

"We should cross here." Reaver pointed to the map. Tanya exchanged a curious look.

"Will and Alex Stone aren't the only Digidestined to have been involved in a war. The war of the Beasts. Happened here." Reaver pointed to another section on the map, a cluster of islands in the north. Reaver knew exactly how to handle himself. He and Will shared a quick look. The common feeling of paranoia rushed over them. Common battle experiences let them know better. An enemy infront of you is safer than an enemy behind you.

Reaver and Tanya faded away in the distance, heading towards the lowering sun escaping from it's troubled shift. Dangerous eyes watched with a longing only a warrior would know. Will rolled his eyes and turned, advancing along the cliff face he was currently travelling along. Lightmon pulled at his trousers and gave him a thumbs up, feeling no need to say anything. Will nodded and his expression softened. Reaver and Tanya had opted to go after Jack straight away, choosing to leave Will to find his own way home. Will glanced at his arm, tightly bandaged to his chest to restrict movement. He wasn't exactly in a posistion to argue with them after the last few days. He also owed Reaver for getting him out a tight situation, Will rolled his eyes, stupid American.

"At least we get some time off!" Lightmon chirped up as he began to bounch playfully ahead.

"You just want to see Biymon, don't you?" Will grinned evily as Lightmon turned, his cheeks turning a slight red.

"So what if I do? You want to see Sora!" Lightmon retorted. Will's eyes widened as the night they had spent together came rushing to the forefront of his mind. He ran his free hand through his hair, feeling his cheek burn slightly.

"Well, it's always nice to see a friend." Will attempted to brush off the implication.

"Yeah. Friends." Lightmon glanced at the Digidestined. Will simply raised an eyebrow before his mouth fell open. When did Lightmon get so smart? He had a point though. They did need to talk. Especially about that night. About Matt. Yamato Ishida. Digidestined of Friendship. One of the strongest known Digidestined who proved his strength during the defence of Odaiba in the Alpha incident. A strength Will no longer possessed. He pulled at his tag and crest in frustration, the chain snapping simply from the brute force. It had been years since it had lit up, the original power he held as a Guardian, an age had passed since the crest had stopped working. He'd quickly learnt to use his own power to help his partner Digivolve. The crest was still vital. It was arteficial , a replica, not a real crest. Granted to him by the God's of the Digital world so he could protect Sora and Matt. The symbol etched into the tag had faded with colour, more and more with each use. It was never meant to last longer than his original adventure. Will stopped and stared at the crest intently , his eyes studying every last little detail and scartch. It had faded colour, the metal rusted away , the cool feel of it against his skin now a painful itch. It had become a dead weight, his crest finally giving up. Lightmon no longer had the ability to go past the champion level.

He looked out across the ridge, resisting the over whelming urge to just throw it with all his might into the distance. He reered his hand back, with every intention of hurling the object into oblivion. He was convinced the item was cursed. He had waged war against his friend, his leader, travelled country after country to vanquish enemies who were just reborn. He was a hero. He'd always wanted to be a hero. He thought the crest was the perfect way to be a hero. He failed. He'd never been the hero, he never managed to grasp it. Now it was too late, his power and strength to protect was gone like the brittle metal of his tag. He sighed and brought his hand down, glancing at the crest again. Just faintly, he could see the outline of his crest, completely devoid of colour.

"Damn it." He muttered angrily. He shoved the crest in his back pocket. It was useless now. Just a sentimental trinket. He cursed himself. Who would want a physical reminder he had achieved nothing. Lightmon turned and smiled.

"We're really finished now, aren't we?" There was the tiniest hint of sadness. No more thrill of battle. No more adventures. No glory to be had.

"We are." Will smiled the tiniest of honest smiles. A tremendous weight fell from his shoulders in the same fluid motion as if a knight had lost his cape. Just for a moment, they wandered who would succedd them? Who would be next to attempt the heroics they never managed to achieve? Will grinned madly. He doubted anyone he had even helped remembered his name. He could easily slip away from the other members of D.I.R.T and simply fall into the pages of history. A peaceful place to be. Lightmon and Will approached the small brightly lit tv set. The exit from the Digital world. Will chuckled. It was a quiet exit. This was his exit from the world of the front line. His departure from the land of the heroes. The screen lit up brilliantly and quickly engulfed them and just as suddenly, the light died out completely, shutting the book on the adventures of Will and Lightmon.