Hellllo there readers! I've finally finished this chapter, and it's a pretty hefty one. I'll let you get right to it.

Dragomon

They were going on their way quickly now. MarineDevimon was out of the way, so there was no longer anything to wait for. For all they knew, Kari was the one waiting, and couldn't be waiting forever. The thought sure kept the group going fast. TK glanced at his two companions, his gaze resting on Tsukaimon. The rookie eventually looked sideways at him, and he made no move to turn away, but spoke instead, his voice sincere.

"I have to say it again, thanks for what you did back there." Now it was time to look away. The feeling of gratefulness had come with a new feeling of guilt. TK knew he had been harsh on Tsukaimon. "I'm sorry about the way I've been acting. When it comes to darkness, I really loose it. My experience hasn't been very pleasant."

"Don't be hard on yourself," the rookie replied. "Really. I mean, if were you, I would have killed Devimon right on the spot, even if he was a rookie."

"I'm glad I didn't. After all, who knows what MarineDevimon was planning on doing? Besides, I usually don't let myself stay this mad for so long. Most of the time I can let it go and put it behind me. I always thought I was good at moving on. It's just..." TK's voice trailed off as he felt a small tingle in his chest. The pain was minimal, but still uncomfortable. He brought his right hand up to hold his left shoulder, with his arm perpendicular to the slashes, in an attempt to relieve the sensation before it got too annoying. He didn't bother to finish his sentence, and a quick glance at Tsukaimon told him the rookie understood.

"It's just that went pretty deep this time, didn't it? Hey, one thing you don't need to worry about is being able to move on. You already proved you can do that in the time it was just the two of us. Besides, I'm the one who should be apologizing. What I did gave you good reason to be mad anyway. But you don't have to worry about me. I learned my lesson, and I'm sticking around 'til the end."

Even if TK had an answer, the time had already passed to give it. The three of them had come upon a spot in the sand that showed signs of a recent skirmish, and they stopped to examine the scene. Remnants of a mallet were scattered, as well as an abandoned pistol. TK gazed upon it thoughtfully, and then his face took on a look of alarm as he noticed a spot of red on the shore. He picked up the gun.

"I know whose this is. The last time, and the only time I've ever carried a gun was back when we were fighting Puppetmon. He was trying to get us to play war with him." TK looked over the pistol. "He must have gotten Matt to join him."

MagnaAngemon's voice came for the first time since the previous battle. "We should hurry and continue following Matt's tracks. He apparently has been injured. How are you holding up TK? You think you can manage a faster pace?"

The answer was obvious. It was his brother, after all. "Of course, let's go!"

The boy set off with quick strides tracing the pawprints of MetalGarurumon, his stamina marvelling the two digimon. If the crisis ended that hour, TK would be up and carted off to the hospital in no time. He knew that was no option; he had to keep a brave face and move on strong until they met up with Ken and Kari, not to mention Sora and Yolei. TK didn't know what kind of trouble they were in, but he recalled Matt mentioning them coming through into the world of darkness. It was enough to arouse his concern.

The cliffs bordering the cove were looming on the horizon, and it was at least a half hour more until they reached it. The sound of waves was unmistakeable, but they were confused as to where the noise was coming from. But then the clamour of a skirmish reached them, and the three knew they had come to the place.

"It's over this cliff, isn't it?" TK asked to no one in particular.

MagnaAngemon confirmed the boy's question, and gently lifted TK and Tsukaimon off the ground, flying them over the impending cliff. As they crossed the crest of rock, TK's jaw dropped at the scene. The first thing he saw was the only spot of sand near the back of the cove. Matt and Kari were there, pressed against the stone face, with Wormmon in front of them. MetalGarurumon was doing most of the defending. The rest of the cove was covered in black from the horde of Shades. They were trapped by the forms of flying digimon, circling overhead. TK pointed to the pseudo-digimon.

"Take them out first, MagnaAngemon."

His partner obeyed and brandished his sword. Tracing a perfect circle in the air with the blade, he called out. "Gate of Destiny."

The door was spinning as it faded into existence, and when the moment came, it slowed to a stop and opened, sending out a blast of light towards the flying Shades. The creatures screeched as their forms dissolved into smoke from the contact. The remaining fog was drawn through the gate into the other dimension. Immediately, MagnaAngemon dove down to where their friends were trapped in order to lend a helping hand to MetalGarurumon.

"TK!" Matt cried as his little brother jumped to the ground. "Did you get him?"

The younger boy only nodded with a smile, which soon faded when he saw Kari. She was staring at him, horrified. His gashes began to tingle again under her gaze, and he looked down at his bloody shirt. TK sighed, and tried his best to reassure her.

"Hey, it could be worse..." His voice fell. He remembered the last time he had spoken those words to her. We could be scraping gum at school. It wasn't the case here. Instead of wandering in the Dark World, looking for a chance to escape, they could be picnicking in the DigiWorld with those they cared about the most. The Digidestined could never seem to pull something like that off without some sort of trouble rising up, and this was one of the worst scenarios any of them could imagine. Except TK. He could imagine worse. The nightmares came to mind and he shuddered.

Looking at Kari, he watched her eyes fall from his injured chest. She stopped and gasped when her gaze came on his hand. "Where did you get a gun?"

TK had nearly forgotten that he still carried the revolver. Matt's eye narrowed. "That's Puppetmon's. Did you meet him too?"

The younger brother shook his head. "I found it on the sand." It was then he noticed the rip in the shoulder of Matt's black shirt. In the dim lighting of the Dark World, it was hard to notice any blood there, as opposed to TK's green shirt, which was now completely discoloured. "You ran into him? Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine," Matt reassured.

TK felt Kari's light hand on his shoulder. She said quietly, "I'd give you a hug, but I don't want to hurt you."

Smiling, he pulled her into a sideways embrace. "I'm fine with that. It looks more painful than it is."

"Sticky Net!"

Wormmon's cry was followed by a raspy shriek and a thud nearby. The three humans spun to see that a Shade had attempted to sneak up on them, though had been caught and now lay writhing in a tangled mess. Wormmon didn't have time to finish the creature off, as he was now preoccupied with disabling more of the creatures with the help of Tsukaimon. MagnaAngemon was dealing with more flying Shades while MetalGarurumon continued faithfully with the ground work. They were losing leeway; the Shades were multiplying. The creatures were determined to get their hands on the kids, especially the handicapped one that lay nearby, stretching out thin limbs towards the children.

"TK," Matt said quietly. "Gun?"

The younger boy looked at the pistol he wielded. He'd never used a firearm before; the closest he got was shooting crows with BB guns. Hesitantly, he raised it up and aligned it with the Shade's head.

Matt encouraged him. "Go ahead. It's not like this thing's going to ask for mercy or anything."

Taking a deep breath, TK pulled the trigger, and flinched at the report of the fire. The Shade in front of them screeched as its head dispersed into fog, followed by the rest of its body. The black mist was drawn into the knee-deep water and disappeared. Both boys took a breath of relief that the method of defence would be effective.

They were brought back to the battle by a cry from behind them. The two turned sharply, and simultaneously called out to Kari. Matt was closest, and lunged toward the Shade that was holding her. He grabbed the wrist that the creature used to cover her mouth, and aimed a punch at where he thought its chin was at. As it turned out, he had hit the Shade's throat, and the creature relinquished its grip as Tsukaimon and Wormmon scampered over to help. In moments, the Shade was tied up by the green rookie and knocked into the water by the purple one. Again, TK was forced to use Puppetmon's pistol as Matt stayed by Kari, making sure she wasn't carried away a third time. Once the offending Shade had completely dissolved, TK hurried over to them. The three stayed put, backs against the cliff wall once more, the two boys keeping the girl between them. It was apparent she was the primary target of the Shades. If they couldn't escape this cove, the least they could do is give the enemy the best fight they had.

Time passed, and the digimon were visibly wearing down. The water suddenly began receding, and the Shades began backing off. New hope spread throughout the outnumbered group, believing that at last their defence had taken its toll on the enemy. A moment of waiting showed, however, that the Shades weren't retreating. They were waiting. Hundreds of eyes lay hungrily on the group, and the children tensed up alongside their digimon. The sand underfoot was now exposed to the air as the waters continued to draw away from the cove.

TK saw it first, and his hand shot out, shakily pointing towards the horizon. "Look!"

They hadn't noticed it before, being that the change was so gradual, but a massive wave had risen and was now crashing full force towards the cove. It had to be at least thirty feet.

"Get on!" MetalGarurumon's voice came as he trotted over to the children. MagnaAngemon also dropped to the ground to grab his partner.

Being that the two most powerful digimon had been distracted, the Shades resumed their relentless attack, diving forward to capture their prey. The children and rookies had mounted, and the two digimon leapt up to make a last attempt at escaping the cove. Despite their haste, the Shades on the ground also had momentum, and jumped up after them. MetalGarurumon was the one who was still within their reach, and two Shades latched onto his hind feet. The mech was weighed down as more attempted to climb up after him. TK watched from MagnaAngemon as the creatures piled on, aiming for the humans on board. Matt was sitting behind Kari, and had turned in his seat to try and kick off the offending creatures. MetalGarurumon knew he couldn't thrash about without risking the children falling from their places.

"Magn—" TK's voice suddenly cracked with panic as he saw one of the Shades grab hold of Matt's foot. "HELP THEM!"

Turning his attention away from the pseudo-digimon up above, MagnaAngemon saw their friends' predicament. He dove down, sword extended, and sliced through the multitude of Shades that were weighing down MetalGarurumon. They came around to finish off any stragglers, and once again, horror seized TK as he saw that a single Shade remained, clasped hard onto Matt's leg. His brother was hanging off of MetalGarurumon, one hand holding onto his partner and the other firmly gripping Kari's outstretched hand. The Shade began climbing up behind Matt, striving to reach the girl. TK watched his brother's previously terrified face take on a look of determination as he jerked his hand out of Kari's grasp and let go of MetalGarurumon. Both the mech wolf and the angel raced after him, hoping to reach Matt before he landed in the midst of all the other Shades.

And then the tsunami crashed into the cove. The roaring waves violently tore past them, engulfing them in the salt water of the ocean. TK felt himself wrenched from MagnaAngemon's grasp and was tossed around mercilessly by the angry waters. The movement caused his chest to burn, not to mention his lungs as he held his breath. He didn't know how far under he was; his eyes smarted with the stinging salt when he tried to open them, so he couldn't look around for the surface. He couldn't even tell which way was up as he was spun in all directions.

But the wave eventually receded, drawing once more into the ocean. TK was left sprawled on his back as he coughed up the water he had inhaled. His lungs stung from the dirty water, and he blinked hard to try and get the water out of his eyes. He cautiously lifted his head to take in the scene. The cove looked peaceful; the Shades had disappeared. He blinked some more, thinking his eyes were tricking him. When he looked again he noticed he wasn't completely alone. The flying Shades were still up ahead, mechanically guarding that way out. His heart began to beat wildly. Where were the others?

TK sat up, and as he did so he felt a familiar weight settle on his head. He took a breath of relief. "Hey, Patamon."

The body on his head tensed up, and the weight lifted and came down on his shoulder. It wasn't Patamon's voice that replied. "Sorry. Hope you don't mind."

"It's okay, Tsukaimon. What exactly happened there?"

"You got hit by a tsunami?"

"Very funny. What was it from, I mean?"

"Dragomon."

"He's coming?"

"You haven't seen him yet? He's coming from the ocean."

TK jerked his head up and stood to get a better look. He saw a shadowy figure, far on the horizon of the waters. Only the head was visible, and it looked something like an octopus or squid. He glanced around him, looking for the others. Tsukaimon helped him out.

"Patamon's over there with Gabumon and your brother. The girl's further down with Wormmon. I think they're both unconscious."

TK was hurrying over to Matt before Tsukaimon got the last sentence out. He knelt beside his brother, shaking him by his uninjured shoulder. "Hey, wake up."

Matt had a cut on his forehead that was bleeding freely, but it apparently wasn't too deep. He slowly opened his eyes and gave a small smile once TK's face came into focus. "Hi squirt."

TK frowned. "You know where you are, right?"

"The beach?" Matt sat up. "Sunbathing? Oh, wait."

The older boy chuckled as he recognized the cove. He scratched his head, wincing when he touched the cut.

"Ah. Darn, I thought I got through all that without a scratch."

TK was still frowning. "What were you thinking?"

Matt looked at him blankly.

"Why did you let go?"

That registered, and the older boy's face sobered. "You saw how they were going after Kari. If I'd held on it would've gotten to her. I couldn't let that happen. You wouldn't have either. Not to mention Tai killing me if we got back without her."

TK sighed, seeing the truth in Matt's words. "I know. It just scared me half to death."

His brother nodded in acknowledgement and looked around. "Where is she?"

TK gestured to the other side of the cove, where Kari still lay. Wormmon was faithfully standing by, anxiety written on his face. The boys stood to walk over, when TK froze after taking a quick glance at the ocean. The army of Shades had reformed, and were now standing there at the waters' edge, staring the group down. TK tugged at his older brother's sleeve, unable to speak on account of his dismay. He heard Matt's gasp and groan.

"Not again."

The form of Dragomon was now steadily rising out of the water as he approached, and the boys knew they were short on time. Especially when a team of Shades broke off from the rest and raced towards Kari. TK let out a cry as he sprinted over to where she lay. His heart fell at the sight. She was on the other side of the cove, and he didn't feel like he was getting any closer to her. The nightmare. TK ran faster, determined not to let it come true. Patamon and Tsukaimon raced ahead of him, and that was comfort to some extent, until two more shadow creatures came to attack them. TK called out after the two as he saw them fail to beat off the Shades. He looked behind him, eyes growing wide when he saw Matt and Gabumon surrounded. He would have stopped right there if his brother hadn't pointed him back in Kari's direction. TK spun back on track, and his dismay grew when he saw her and Wormmon also completely surrounded. The rookie tried his best to fend off the creatures, but was soon overwhelmed.

They had Kari. She was awoken by their cold clasps and TK clearly heard her scream. He shouted back as he continued to run, and then found himself restrained from behind. He let out a pained cry as the creature's arms wrapped tightly around his injured chest. It was happening. He couldn't believe it, but it was all happening. Just like the dream. The only thing missing was the hole in the cliff wall.

But that was soon corrected. A great crashing sound blasted out from the stone face, throwing boulders in all directions and even tossing TK and his captor off their feet. One large stone collided with the Shade holding him, and he heard the guttural cry right next to his ear as he felt its arms dissolve around him. TK stood and looked fearfully into the pitch-black of the hole.

It wasn't darkness that emerged, but fire.

"Wing Blade!"

The blast roared over him in the shape of a bird, and exploded in the midst of the Shade army. He watched at least half of the multitude melt away into the ocean.

A deep voice came next, echoing behind him. "Blast Rings!"

He spun to see the attack crash into the mob attacking Matt and Gabumon. Mere seconds passed before the two were free. TK looked into the hole, his fear replaced by a beaming smile. Garudamon and Aquilamon shot out of the darkness, still firing attacks at the enemy. And then he saw them. The auburn and lavender-haired girls.

"Sora! Yolei!" He cried, running over to them, again forgetting his appearance in his joy to see a friend. Matt was already right next to him. The girls ran up to meet them, both in happiness and in concern.

"You're okay!" Yolei cried, hugging him tight. He grinned, but despite all his efforts, he couldn't help but wince. Sora saw his discomfort and pulled Yolei away.

"Are you really okay?" The older girl asked.

TK nodded. "I'll live."

"That doesn't mean you're okay," Gatomon countered. TK smiled down at her, having not noticed her presence before. Kari, on the other hand, noticed immediately.

"Gatomon!" She cried, running over from where she and Wormmon had been rescued by Aquilamon. The cat digimon leapt up into her open arms.

"Don't ever disappear like that again, Kari! Once was too much to begin with!" Gatomon finished her embrace and jumped down to the sand. She was the first to notice Dragomon was looming over the cove. "Okay, Kari! I've been waiting to digivolve for a while now!"

"Let's do it!" Yolei shouted, using Kari's words next. "DNA style!"

"Aquilamon!" "Gatomon!"

"DNA digivolve to…Silphymon!"

The newly arrived ultimate went straight to work on the Shade army. "Let's send these creeps back to the deep!"

Silphymon leapt up into the air, forming a ball of energy in its hands. "Static Force!"

Garudamon, nearby, decided to add to the attack. "Wing Blade!"

The two blasts reduced the Shade army to a fourth of its original number. The pseudo-digimon above decided to enter the fray, and swooped down upon the ultimates. They were easily beaten off, and Garudamon and Silphymon stood firm. The other Shades suddenly retreated into the ocean.

A roar filled the air. Dragomon had entered the cove.

Stooping low to the ground, the sea digimon prepared to pounce, looking for a weak point to attack. His eyes were constantly resting on Kari, who shuddered and fell towards the back of the group. Sora and Yolei stood on either side of her, while the two boys stood in front. Gabumon stood by Matt, while Patamon was settled on TK's right shoulder and Tsukaimon on his left. Wormmon was standing beside the younger boy, opposite Gabumon. The group was leaving it up to the two ultimates, knowing that Gabumon and Patamon still needed time to recover.

Dragomon made his move, leaping out of the water towards Garudamon, tentacle-like limbs outstretched. The phoenix threw her hands up in defence, and Dragomon latched onto her arms. The evil digimon then jumped backwards with intent to pull the ultimate back into the ocean, but Silphymon sprang into action.

"Static Force!" The attack was aimed at Dragomon's arms, and he relinquished his grip upon impact. Garudamon leapt into the air.

"Wing Blade!"

The sea digimon evaded the blast at the last second, and watched the attack instantly boil the water it contacted. Dragomon wasn't concerned with fighting digimon. He had opened a path that rendered the children vulnerable, and he took the opportunity, sliding towards them, still low to the ground. His approach caused most of the girls to scream, and the boys shouted to the ultimates instead of having their own partners digivolve. Dragomon increased his speed, but Silphymon intervened, diving in front of him. The sea digimon lashed out with a fierce attack.

"Tentacle Claw!"

The sudden blow sent Silphymon sprawling, and it glowed with dedigivolution. Kari and Yolei caught Gatomon and Hawkmon out of the air. Before Dragomon could follow up his attack, Garudamon came down hard from above, and drove him away from the group. Still, with his innumerable limbs, she couldn't subdue him forever.

Kari, meanwhile, whimpered over her digimon. "Gatomon, are you going to be okay?"

The cat digimon stirred and tried to regain focus, determined to not let her situation slow her down. "Let me back at him, Kari. I can't stop now!"

"But he's more powerful. Do you realize he only hit you once and you dedigivolved?"

Gatomon frowned. "So what? Use your crest! Come on, Kari. Let me get back out there. This time we're doing it old style. We've got the power of Light, remember?"

"Yeah," Kari said hesitantly, flinching at the sound of Garudamon being thrown into the cliff wall. Dragomon was approaching the kids once more. There was no time to be hesitant. "Yes! Do it, Gatomon!"

The cat digimon sprinted out head-on towards Dragomon. Light parted the clouds overhead, reminiscent of a year in the past, and shone down on the little champion.

"Gatomon digivolve to...Angewomon!"

Dragomon stopped short as the angel rose up in front of him. He apparently recognized her. The sea digimon rose to his full height and challenged Angewomon. Without warning, he lunged forward. "Tentacle Claw!"

The angel dodged the attack and flew high, stretching out her hands. A bow formed on her left wrist, and an arrow sparked into existence in her right. "Celestial Arrow!"

She released the attack as soon as Dragomon leapt up into the air after her. He was in mid-air. He couldn't evade the attack. The arrow pierced into his forehead. The sea digimon slowed to a stop and he hovered in the air, quivering for a breathless second, and then his data shattered.

He was gone.

All this time...and I still haven't figured out whether Silphymon's a boy or girl...

To be continued!

Review in the meantime?