A/N: Anctual early time update for me. Still late on an early update though. I got really busy really fast. Where here is the battle conclusions.

The First Crest

Love… arguably the most powerful emotion and force known. Love also the most fragile and diverse of all the emotions. It's not an emotion that should be taken lightheartedly as it is, in fact, connected to the heart. There is love for family, love for friends, and love for love. To know the difference and know the signs is the key to love.

"Look out Terriermon!" Henry warned as he shot an arrow at the attacker as it swooped at his friend. The attacker stopped its current pursuit as it got struck on its side. Its new path… Henry. Jumping out of the way he tumbled to safety. 'That was close.'

"What's the big idea?!" Terriermon yelled at the attacker.

It landed and glared at them. It was a red griffin with a silver mask with wings that carried a heart symbol on it. The same symbol as on the door. "I am Halsemon, the wings of love!"

Terriermon began a laughing fit, "Wings of love?... Whooo! What a stupid name." He started laughing harder

"I am the guardian of this temple and you are trespassing!" Halsemon took off again, "Mach Impulse" Halsemon then slashed his head and blades of wind at Terriermon which sent him flying into the wall.

"Terriermon." Henry groaned

"Yeahhhh?" He asked dazed

"Please don't antagonize him." He readied another arrow, 'You guys better be having a better time than us.'

xxx

"…Axel" Takato said stunned. The prince was safe. He wasn't dead. He was here. Wait… the prince was here! "How?"

Axel started walking slowly around Takato and Guilmon. "It's funny really. How are you here? Or should I say, specifically, how did you get in here?"

Takato was shocked. Why is he asking this? What is he saying? "Takatomon." Guilmon growled snapping Takato back into reality.

"Were you attacked? Or did you wander into this room?" He laughed.

Did he know? Wait, but how? There was no possible way he knew they were attacked. Still, he was here right now smiling like it was some sort of joke. 'This isn't like him. What's wrong?'

He had no chance to ask, "Fox Fire" A dark blue flame headed straight at him. In a flash Guilmon came to his aid and tackled him to the ground. He felt the heat and was sure if he'd been hit he would be barbequed; if he wasn't then… he rather not think about that.

"AXEL! What was that?!" He yelled

"What? You don't remember him?" Axel asked. From out of nowhere Garurumon appeared. Yet it wasn't Garurumon. It looked like him, yes, the same giant wolf digimon, but now it was midnight black instead of blue.

"They're gone Takatomon…" Guilmon growled, "Gone… Defend… now."

"Get up Takato." He then drew out a blade that was black as well. "Show me that power you carry."

xxx

This was all a cruel prank caused by Mistymon. It had to be. There was no way this could be real. It wasn't the giant bird digimon that stared them down, it was the fact they were sucked into a wall to and forced to fight.

"Rika get behind me." Renamon said ready for the fight. She stared directly at the digimon. How was she supposed to fight the digimon? First it was just a small rookie, but automatically it digivolved twice. No it stood on two legs but could be still known as a bird. It had a pair of wings on its back and claws and talons.

"I am Garudamon." It spoke to them. It smiled at them. It wasn't a malicious, but a kind smile. What does this all mean? Was this a trap?

"Garudamon, if you please? We kind of pressed for time here." Said the female voice in the room

"Wing Blade" Garudamon surrounded itself in a blazing aura and sent it at Renamon and Rika in a form of a bird.

Quickly Renamon picked up Rika and moved her out of the way. "Renamon… Go."

"Yes Rika." She ran back to Garudamon "Diamond Storm"

xxx

'This is getting ridicules.' Henry thought as he fired off another arrow at Halsemon. The fight was just them going back and forth with shots.

"Henry!" Terriermon yelled dodging Halsemon again. "I think I need to do it!"

"No Terriermon!" Henry snapped. Not again. He didn't want Terriermon to lose control again.

"Eagle Eye" Halsemon fired two red beams from his eyes at Terriermon.

"Terriermon!" Henry yelled. Terriermon got up and gave him a thumbs up weakly. Relieved he took a deep breath and held out his bow. "Digi-Cast: Hyper Sonic Crash"

Terriermon then ran straight at Halsemon and headbutt him which sent them both back from the force.

"Arghh… you fool." Halsemon yelled in anger.

"Listen, we don't want to fight." Henry now tried to reason with the guardian, "We just need the power the temple has because-"

"Don't try to lie to me!" Halsemon bellowed, "I was warned of your arrival. You can't trick me!"

"Henry! I need to digivolve NOW!"

"No!"

"Don't you trust me?"

Henry just stared at Terriermon. Why can't he see it? He doesn't want Terriermon to lose control again. Not because of him. If something bad happened to him because of Henry; he wouldn't forgive himself. They just have to wait for the others if they are all right. "Terriermon…"

"Tempest Wing" Another red tornado sent Terriermon flying into a wall.

"No!"

"Henry! I can handle it I promise!"

Can he? Halsemon was more skilled than Terriermon and if he lost control Halsemon would gain the upper hand. He noticed that Halsemon lost interest in him and went after Terriermon. 'Terriermon!' This was bad, should he take the risk? He has no time to wait. Besides… He can trust Terriermon. "Terriermon, Finish this!"

"Finally!" Terriermon got up and started to glow. "Terriermon Digivolve too…." He grew bigger and gain some type of weapon that Henry still couldn't place. Gaining pants and a sash he finished the evolution "Gargomon!" He laughed at the surprised look on Halsemon's face. "Bunny Pummel" he then charged his weapon and uppercut Halsemon.

"You… You digivolved?"

"That's right." Gargomon now aimed his weapons at Halsemon "Gargo Lasers" He unleashed a furry of his attack on Halsemon.

He took off again "Mach Impulse" Halsemon sent out his pressurized blades, but Gargomon was ready. He jumped out of the way and climbed up and landed on Halsemon.

"Henry!"

"GET OFF!"

He nodded and took another deep breath and held out his bow "Digi-Cast: Strength"

"Bunny Pummel" With the added boost the punched knocked out Halsemon out and they both fell to the ground.

"Gargomon!"

Groaning he got up and rubbed his head, "Told ya I got this Henry."

Henry chocked back a sob and was just glad that his friend was okay. Then Halsemon tried to get up weakly, but collapsed. "Go ahead… Finish me."

"We told we didn't want to fight you." Henry said, "We just needed the power this temple holds to save our kingdom."

"What do you mean?"

xxx

Why? Why was Axel acting like this? What happened to Garrurumon? These were all questions Takato asked as he blocked another strike that Axel took. He's been on the defensive, not taking a chance to strike. He looked over at their digimon and saw that Guilmon was now trying to hold on as BlackGarurumon tried to shake him off. This wasn't right. How could he fight now?

"What's wrong Takato?" Axel asked with a sneer. "What don't you use the power of that mark? The power of the hazard?"

Takato's was shocked, "How-"

"I know all about that mark and the power you carry." He took another slash, "It's an evil and destructive power. You can produce and manipulate flames. You will destroy what's ever in your path when you succumb to its power with regard for whoever's around you. Even Rika."

Takato took a couple steps back right to a wall with the picture of the same strange symbol he was looking at before. But he didn't noticed, how could Axel know all this. "Who told you?"

"Obviously not you." He spat "I am here to make sure your power doesn't harm my sister."

"Axel you know I wouldn't harm Rika."

"You right now won't, but who's to say that power doesn't?" He then tripped Takato and put a foot to his chest. "So I'm gaoing to make sure that doesn't happen." Axel's blade seemed to gain a dark purple aura as he pulled up over his head, "Good bye Takato!"
"Rock Breaker" Guilmon slashed at Axel knocking him into the wall and off Takato. Guilmon turned back to BlackGarurumon, "Pyro Sphere" He launched a fire ball and knocked out him out. Giving a hand he helped Takato to his feet. "You okay Takato?"

"Yeah… Thanks Guilmon."

Axel got to his feet as well. "You'll pay for that" He said charging at them. This time Takato attacked back. He needed to take the offensive if he wants to live. Axel might have been a better swordsman, but the Ranmayaku blade seemed to have responded to Takato's want to fight back. The blade seemed to guide his movements to counter anything Axel threw at him. Seeing an opening Takato used his blade's hilt he pushed Axel to the ground.

"Enough Axel!" Takato said not noticing the faint glow of his mark.

Axel just shook his head, "The blade of Chaos… A perfect fit for you." Getting on one knee Axel plunged his blade into the ground. A dark energy started spiraling towards Takato and Guilmon. Takato was shocked and frozen. 'Aww nuts… How did is he doing this? More importantly… How do I stop it?'

While he freaked out Guilmon stood behind him smirking. Not concerned for his own safety or his friend as it was already decided. The prince made a horrible move, he didn't know yet. "Fool…"

All at once the walls erupted in a massive light. It blinded everyone in there and woke up BlackGarurumon, but it was too late. The lights focused on Axel and BlackGarurumon and they cried in pain. "Axel! Garrurumon!"

"AHHHH!" Axel cried out. Takato tried to help him, but the light pushed him back. The next thing they knew the two were gone leaving Takato and Guilmon alone.

xxx

Axel and Garurumon dropped onto the ground still crawling in pain. They looked up to Lucemon. "You had to pick the hall to test your power?"

"Whaa?" Axel asked weakly

Lucemon sighed, "The Hall of… Which temple where you at again… never mind, but the hall is a place where a destined's story is preserved. You can't use powers that threatenes the integrity of the hall."

"Now you tell me."

"Whatever, I still got a plan to accomplish. Get yourself up."

xxx

"Renamon." Rika said in annoyance. The battle wasn't going smoothly in their favor. Renamon was too busy dodging not enough attacking for Rika. They needed to get out of here and the only way was to get past Garudamon. "Pick up the pace Renamon!"

"Do you believe that she isn't?" Said the female voice

Rika grunted, "She's not attacking. We need to get out of here."

"She seems to be doing the best she can right now. Given the circumstance."

Renamon was now jumping back from the assault of Garudamon's fists. Rika had enough, closing her eyes and clasping her hands together she concentrated, "Digi-Cast:Power"

Noticing the power shift Renamon jumped up again, "Power Paw" She then punched Garudamon with her blue flamed paws. Unfortunately… it didn't faze Garudamon.

"Crimson Claw" Garudamon set her own claw ablaze and struck Renamon to the ground.

"Renamon!" Rika caught herself from running and stayed put.

"Why have you stopped?" The voice asked, but didn't wait for an answer, "It is not weakness for you to show your love for your partner. Love is just as important as strength. In fact both rely on each other."

What was the voice saying? Show her love? No… she couldn't. No one would take her seriously or see her as the strong person she was if she didn't. 'Besides… my own mother doesn't love who I am.' She surprised herself. Where had that come from? Sure her mother always tried to change her to something she wasn't. She hadn't thought about it since her castle was gone.

Once again the voice knew exactly what she was thinking, "Ahh… I remember my own problems with my own mother, but like you need too, I realized she only acted they way she did was because she loved me." The voice waited for a response, but Rika didn't want too. "Just find your own way to love."

"What?" Then Renamon was thrown by Garudamon, "No…"

"You see love as a weakness because of your mother, but that's how she shows it. For you to love you need to find your own way to show it."

The next thing she knew she was off to where Renamon had landed. "Are you okay Renamon?"

"Rika?" That hit must have done more damage than she thought. "Get back."

"No…" Rika just stared at her. She couldn't lose someone else again. "Come on get up." She said as she always done, but there was something else in her words.

"Yes Rika."

"Come on you can beat her."

Renamon then erupted in a bright light, "Renamon Digivolve too…." She gain nine tails each with a blue flame at each tip and was now on all fours. "Kyubimon!" She charged at Garudamon and jumped "Dragon Wheel" she became covered in a blue flame and sent it at Garudamon in the form of a dragon. The attack hit and actually did some damage. "Fox Tail Inferno" Lighting all her tails she launched them at Garudamon.

Garudamon took the hit and was about to counter when the voice interrupted, "That's enough Garudamon. Our time is almost up."

"Right." She said landing on the ground

"What?" Kyubimon and Rika said in unison.

"I know, but we said we're only here for a limited time. Fortunately you learned enough to carry my power." In front of Rika a small orb appeared and in it was the same symbol of a heart they have been seeing. "This was what you needed right? Carry it proudly. It is my crest of Love." The orb then went into Rika and she felt a warm comforting feeling, "I wish we could've taught you more. Before we go: Rika someone will need your love for them one day to not lose himself."

Rika instantly blushed as a face appeared in her head of the possible person. Was this because of the crest? Was it affecting her that much already? "Wait… not lose himself?"

Garudamon turned to Kubimon, "Kyubimon, I know that it's something we digimon hardly know, but be patient, because his love for you will be the key he needs to know who he is."

"What does that mean?"

"Garudamon… if you please."

Garudamon then started to glow and the room brightened blinding Rika and Kuybimon found themselves back at the temple. Kyubimon then de-digivolve back to Renamon and they found Takato staring at them in shocked.

"Where did you go?" Takato asked surprised.

Seeing him with his blade out got her suspicious. Before she could ask the door opened and Henry and Terriermon entered with Halsemon following them. Taking a quick look Terriermon groaned, "Great… More explaining. Can't we have one outing together?!"

A/N: So... What did you guys think? I really tried on this chapter, but still couldn't feel it. So Reviews are welcome.