Chapter 21: Raising Morale

/* Sorry, no action in this chapter. This is an intermission linking this with the next three chapters. This fic is on the home stretch!*/

As TK finished up his story, he looked around the room to see the Digidestined's reaction. Cody seemed unfazed, Joe, Izzy, and Ken were debating whether or not it was plausible, Kari and Davis weren't all that surprised due to already knowing the main points, Yolie and Sora seemed relieved he wasn't truly evil, and as he looked to Tai… Smack! The next thing TK knew he was on the floor rubbing his jaw.

"That was for betraying my sister," Tai said coldly. He reached out his hand and helped TK stand. "And that's for keeping her safe."

"We don't expect any of you to forget what we did or forgive us, but we ask that you work with us," Matt said.

"I forgive you," Sora said.

"Me too," Davis agreed.

Kari gave TK a peck on the cheek. "Ditto."

"As long as you don't kiss my sister in front of me, me too," Tai reasoned.

The rest of the Digidestined all gave similar responses, then Gennai came in the room with the other shadows.

"We decided to hold down the fort back on Earth," Takashi announced.

"I think most of you should go too," Gennai added.

"Why? We wanna fight too!" Yolie argued. The others nodded in agreement.

"I applaud your bravery but we need you all to stay in Earth in case the core four fail," Gennai explained.

"So four of us are staying to fight Daemon?" TK asked.

"A small group may be harder for him to find, but when attacks start flying I'd rather us all be there," Matt added.

"The four staying will be the strongest of you 15. Kari, Tai, Matt and TK, I'm asking you to stay.

"So Tai and Matt are staying because they have mega Digimon, but why me and Kari?" TK asked.

"You two have celestial Digimon - but not just any celestial Digimon. Yours are the most powerful Digimon in existence. Their power is even greater than the Sovereigns," Gennai answered.

"But Tokomon digivolves into Tsukaimon who digivolves into Devimon - a devil," TK argued.

"That is but one of his evolution trees. Tokomon is special, for he has three - a light, a dark, and a neutral tree," Gennai explains. "Tokomon can go down the path of darkness you were on, or he can go down a path of light, digivolving into Patamon then Angemon and MagnaAngemon."

"Wanna try it, Tokomon?" TK asked. Tokomon nodded. "Alright, do it!"

Tokomon digivolve to… Patamon! /* Everyone's favorite orange batpig!*/

"He's so cuuuuuute!" Mimi squeaked while Yolie, Kari, and Sora nodded in agreement.

"Now, for the rest of you, be ready in case you are needed," Gennai said.

"Treat her right," Davis warned as he opened the Digiport and the Digidestined began piling through.

Finally it was just Kari, TK, Tai, Matt and Sora left. Matt nodded to TK. "Well, I'm gonna see what Patamon can do. Tai, Kari? Would you like to join?" TK asked while literally shoving Gennai, Tai, and Kari out of the room.

"Subtle," Sora laughed.

"It's a trait I didn't get either," Matt replied. "Look Sora, I'm sorry for all we've put you all through. I was a total jerk, bad brother, and terrible boyfriend. I'm just asking for a second chance, please?"

"Yamato," Sora said, making Matt gulp of her use of his full first name. "When I said those things, I was hurt and angry. But to tell you the truth, I would've done the same thing in your position. I still wish you trusted me enough to tell me."

"So where do we stand?"

Sora smirked and asked, "Have you been listening?" Matt hung his head thinking she meant she was still mad. "I didn't say I only forgave TK, I forgave all five of you. Take care," She continued, kissing him on the cheek before returning to the real world. Matt touched his cheek and smiled.

(-)

Matt, Tai, Kari, and TK left Gennai's house later that day. "So, Matt," Tai asked. "Where is Daemon's main base?"

Matt sighed. "I don't know, but I do know where his top two generals have their bases of operations. SkullSatamon has his base underneath Primary Village, while LadyDevimon has her base at the peak of Infinity Mountain on File Island. It'd be best to split up so we can attack the locations simultaneously."

"Sounds like a plan, but who will go where?" Tai asked.

"I have unfinished business with SkullSatamon, so I'm headed to his base underneath Primary Village," TK replied.

"How did he manage to get one under there?" Kari asked.

"We attacked Primary Village to control which Digimon were being reborn. After we took it, 85% of the Corps went to work building the base," TK explained.

"I need to talk with LadyDevimon. After all she's done for me over the years, it just seems… right," Matt sighed looking off into the distance.

"I'd like another round against that harpie," Gatomon said licking her claws.

"Then I guess we're coming with you," Kari giggled.

Gatomon raised an eyebrow and asked, "What? Last time we fought, she made fun of my hair and pulled it." The group shared a laugh.

Trying to control his laughter, TK bumped Tai's shoulders. "I guess you and me are fighting SkullSatamon then?"

"Last time we fought, he made MetalGreymon look like a lightweight," he laughed.

"He cheated!" Agumon fumed.

"Really? I heard he just out-sped you?" Matt rebutted.

"Ok, enough picking on Agumon," Gabumon ordered.

"Yeah, we have Daemon Corps butt to kick!" Patamon cheered. The group raised their fists into the air and Matt and Kari headed for Infinity Mountain while TK and Tai headed for Primary Village.

/ Only four more chapters!