Thechaosmaster: Whoo! Pulling another late nighter. It is currently 21:19, or 9:19 for those who don't read military time. Now I know, I know, I'm late, but I have many reasons. Not all of them good excuses, I blame ADHD the most, mostly for my short attention span, next, I want to say that...

Kurivolt: This guy is the king of procrastinating.

Chaos" Hey! Kurivolt! What was that for?

Kurivolt: Simply. You were going to forget about me again. As you always do when you upload late at night.

Chaos rubs head in embaressment: Anyways, This is the chapter that has given me the hardest time to write. Now, before you all complain, I know that it is short, but I tried to write it. Anyways, enough dillydally, Kurivolt. Hit it!

Kurivolt salutus: Sir, yes sir! Thechaosmaster does not own Digimon or it's characters, nor does he own his lovable muse, I belong to Konami. Chaos only owns the OCs Lukas and his girlfriend Olette, everyone else belongs to their respected owners. There now we can't be sued.

Chapter 18: Tai's Burning Courage

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." Lao Tzu.

After finding one of Etemon's Remote Access Terminals, Izzy hacks into it to try and map out our location when he received an S.O.S. call on his computer from someone claiming to have been captured by Etemon. While following the signal, we ended up finding TK's Crest of Hope, then we found a cave filled with DigiCode, there, Izzy and I discussed the laws of the Digital World and how we are all made of Data. Luckily, I was able to prevent the others from thinking that this was just a game, or so I thought. I had to remind Tai again and again that we are more then just zeroes and ones. However, it turned out that the quote unquote "Prisoner Of The Pyramid" was actually a Datamon, and after we had freed him, he attacked, not only Etemon, who had tried to stop us, but us as well. And just when it seemed that Datamon was going to get deleted by me, or Etemon, he kidnapped Sora, and ran away, wonderful.

It was now nightfall, and while Izzy was busy searching for Datamon using Etemon's Dark Network to track him, the rest of us sat in front of a campfire and described what had happened back there. "When Datamon wasn't able to get his revenge on Etemon, he kidnapped Sora and Biyomon and took off." Tentomon stated.

Then Joe said, "We don't have a clue where to start looking for them. Besides, we can all end up dead, or worse!"

I sighed in annoyance as I turned to glare at Joe and said, "Joe, Sora has been kidnapped by Datamon, and you're refusing to save her is getting on my nerves."

Then Tai said, "What if Datamon does something to Sora before we can rescue her?"

"Look Tai, he's already beaten our brains out once. What makes you think he won't do it again?" Matt asked my brother.

I punched the ground with anger as I yelled, "Do you guys always have to argue about everything!?" I turned to the gang with anger in my eyes as I said, "Our friends have been captured by a bloody robot, and you are all thinking negatively! Instead of thinking about our defeat, start thinking about trying to rescue Sora and Biyomon!"

No one said anything for a while, then I felt a pair of arms wrap around me in a comforting manner, I looked behind me to see it was Olette, and she was looking at me with worry filled in her red and blue eyes. Then she said, "Luke, calm down. Getting frustrated isn't going to solve anything."

I took several deep breaths, then gripped Olette's hands lightly as I said, "You're right, O. Sorry, everyone."

Matt then asked, "You okay, Luke, you seemed stressed."

I sadly sighed and said, "I just don't like leaving friends behind. It goes against my moral compass. Just thinking about what Datamon could be doing to Sora is driving me insane!"

Matt nodded to show that he understood me, then he said, "We need to come up with a plan before we go anywhere."

Then Mimi retorted with, "This is more depressing than a soap opera."

Tai looked down in anger, then I pulled out my Modify Cards and started laying them down in front of me. Then Matt asked, "Yo, what are you doing, Luke?"

I grabbed my HyperChip card and said, "Trying not to worry myself."

"By looking at your Modify Cards? Seems like you're preparing to take on an army." Matt stated with a knowing grin on his face.

I chuckled as I picked up Crescemon's Dark Archery, then I said, "As fun as that sounds, I have more important things to deal with. Besides, I am thinking of different battle strategies for the future, you know, different card combinations, and what not. And maybe a way to search for Sora, but it's a fools errand."

Matt then asked, "So, what strategies have you come up with so far?"

I sadly sighed and said, "For any other situation where I can just go in guns blazing, I have many. But for what we need right now?" I shook my head and said, "Nothing. The only useful one that I could use is way too risky to try."

Mimi then asked in curiosity, "What would that be, Luke?"

I raised up my HyperChip card and said, "By using my HyperChip Modify Card I could move faster than light, and can basically search the entire desert within thirty minutes, if I'm lucky. But there lies the problem, if I were to search the entire desert on my own, if I find Datamon, I would be exhausted, thus setting me up to be captured, or worse, I could just be wasting my time, and even if I use my Recharge Modify Card, my four main weapon cards are to dangerous if Sora and Biyomon are trapped with him.

And even if I used my shield and crossbow to attack, it would just be to dangerous if I accidentally hit Sora or Biyomon, and seeing how I would most likely be on my own, because I can't just carry Dorumon with me, and I can't bring Rouge with me, as helpful as she would be, Datamon is an Ultimate Level Digimon, and putting a Champion against an Ultimate, no matter how strong she is, would be to dangerous to try. And I refuse to go in without backup. And before you ask, I have already thought about having Olette lead you guys to me, but that would be to risky and we could get spotted. So, I need a better plan then just going in as fast as possible."

I gripped my Tag and Crest in frustration, then I said, "If I had more control over my powers, I would be able to find and save Sora, but right now, I am to frustrated to focus on not creating a massive earthquake that could bury all of us underground, so it is best if I don't act rash now." I took a meditative position by folding my legs and placing my hands on my knees and closed my eyes to try to calm my self, then I said in a more calm voice, "So, until I hear a better plan, I will not do anything."

Olette nodded and said, "You're right, there are many things that can go wrong, Luke."

I nodded and said, "Yeah, too many holes in my plan, too many variables that are not yet calculated, too many things that can go wrong. We need an almost foolproof plan."

We all sat in silence, and I watched the fires dance around as TK and the other Digimon went to sleep. Then Matt said, "It's tough not knowing what to do."

Tai then sadly said, "The minute I saw what had happened I should have went after her."

I shook my head and said, "And if he didn't, I should have at least followed after Datamon myself. But I was too worried about my brother for that to even register."

Then Joe said, "It's no use blaming yourselves, Tai, Luke. We're all to blame."

Matt nodded and said, "Yeah, and we're all going to find a way to get her back."

That was when Izzy shouted, "HEY! I got it!" We all turned to see Izzy standing in the Digicode covered tunnel as he said, "I know where Sora is!"

That made us all jump to our feet and wake TK and followed Izzy into the cave, then he said, "I think Datamon only pretended to take her away. When in reality, they've been right here the whole time."

Tai turned to Izzy and asked, "Are you saying that they're still inside the pyramid?!"

Izzy nodded and said, "Yes." Then he pressed a single button and he said, "I've discovered that way down below the pyramid there's a secret room." We all watched as the image of the pyramid's blueprints added a new pathway, then Izzy said, "And I just know that's where he is holding them. He's found the perfect hiding place right under Etemon's nose."

"Not a bad place as long as he isn't sneezing." Joe stated.

Tai walked up to the holographic image of the pyramid, then he said, "There's got to be a way in! I don't care what I've got to do, I'm gonna find that room, and I'm gonna bring Sora back! Guys, I totally understand if you'd rather wait here."

"Enough with the guilt trip, I'm coming with ya!" Matt explained.

"Remember the old saying, Tai. There's no 'I' in team." Mimi explained cheerfully.

"Can I come, too, if I'm brave?" TK explained.

I smiled and walked up to Tai and placed a hand on his shoulder, he looked at me and I said, "Tai, if you think I am going to let you go in alone, then you don't know me at all. We're brothers, we don't do things on our own. We work as a team, no matter what. Understood, Tai?"

Tai smiled and said, "Thanks, Luke, for always being by my side."

I smiled and said, "What are brothers for, Tai?" It was a rhetorical question, and everyone knew it. Then I summoned my shield, transformed it into the crossbow forme, and with a smile I said, "I'm locked and loaded."

Olette then said, "Where Lukas goes, I go as well. So, I'm in."

Tai smiled softly and said, "All right then, now, let's go get Sora, together!"

Then we all threw our fits in the air and shouted, "YEAH!"

We went out of the sphinx and saw trouble. I gritted my teeth as I said, "Wonderful. We have Monochromon, Tyrannomon, and Gazimon, all surrounding the pyramid. We're going to have trouble getting inside without being spotted." I turned to Tentomon and said, "Tentomon, we need some reconnaissance. Can you handle that?"

Tentomon nodded and said, "You got it, Lukas." Then he took off. After Tentomon returned, he filled us in on the situation.

After calculating everything, and pinpointing where everyone was, Izzy then said, "Boy, with so many of the Digimon surrounding the pyramid like this, there is just no way we can get in there without somebody seeing us."

Then Matt said, "Well, that's exactly why we're going to be acting as the decoys."

Tentomon nodded and said, "Right."

Joe then walked up to the map and pointed at an area and said, "Now, Tai, Luke, when the enemy starts chasing after us you, Agumon, Dorumon, Olette and Rouge have all got to get inside the pyramid quickly without being seen by anyone, got it?"

We all nodded, then I asked, "You guys think you can handle things out here?"

Matt smiled and in a cocky voice he asked, "What do you take us for, chumps? Like we'd ever allow Etemon's goons take us down."

I chuckled hearing that, then I said, "No, I don't take you guys for chumps, I'm just being a little OVER protective, I guess."

Tai then walked over to Izzy and asked, "You do have directions for us, don't you?"

Izzy nodded and said, "Yeah, just one more thing."

Then Tai asked in a small panicked voice, "Why do I want to throw up every time you say that?"

I chuckled and said, "Probably because it gives you the same feeling of dread that Olette gets whenever I say 'no need to worry.' But, that's just me."

Olette giggled and said, "Well, maybe it's because Izzy always leaves out the most dangerous things for last, just to worry you the most, Tai."

Tai grumbled, then Izzy said, "Okay now, to enter the secret room you have to take a hidden passage. But, there''s another electrified wall to get past, just like the room Datamon was in."

Tai gasped and I turned to him to see he was frightened then I heard Agumon ask, "Do you think you can make it, Tai?"

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "Tai, don't whimper out on me now. Now is not the time for fear, that comes later." I lightly chuckled a bit, but saw that Tai was still frozen. Then I said, "Tai, listen to me, this is not just a simple sabotage mission. This is a search and rescue mission, and Sora and Biyomon need our help. If we are scared to save them, then all is lost."

Tai looked at me and asked, "But what if I...?"

But I interrupted him and said, "Tai, this will be the only time I say this, but don't think with your head for once. Instead, think with your heart. If you care for Sora as much as I do, then now is not the time for over thinking anything. It is time to save our friends." I saw Tai go through a plethora of emotions, then I asked, "Now then, Tai, what do you say?"

Tai closed his eyes, then when he opened them up, I saw a fire burning in them, this one looked different then the fire that burned every time Tai plays soccer, this one was filled with determination, then Tai said, "I don't care what the wall is! I'm going through!"

I smiled at seeing the return of my Goggle-Headed brother, then I smiled evilly and said, "Now then, let's get down to business."

As we walked to the exit of the sphinx, Joe said, "Now try not to do anything stupid and stay out of any unnecessary trouble, you guys. Remember, the important thing is saving Sora."

We all nodded and said, "Right."

Then Izzy said, "And you guys try not to do anything stupid either, Matt. If you run into Etemon just turn around and run the other way."

Matt then looked down to TK and asked, "You got that, TK?"

TK said, "Yeah."

"Whoever doesn't come back alive is going to be in a lot of trouble. Got it?" Mimi replied.

We all gave her a thumbs up, then Rouge stated in a board tone, "Okay, enough of this mushy crud. Let's go cause some trouble already." She then jumped down the sphinx and into the sand.

I chuckled and said, "You could act a little less excited about this, Rouge." Then me, Dorumon, and Olette all jumped down after her.

As Tai jumped, he said, "If this works, everybody has to get their part exactly right."

I quietly activated my Targeting Modify Card as I took note of the situation. "Their coming out of the pyramid." I said to the group. I then deactivated my Targeting card, who knows, could be useful later.

Then Tai said, "Take cover, everyone! Battle positions!"

Mimi then covered me, Dorumon, Tai, Agumon, Olette, Rouge, TK and Tokomon, Izzy, and Tentomon with a light brown cloak that she just happened to have on her. Then Tai said, "Thanks, Mimi."

"You're welcome." She replied.

Then Tai said, "Get down." Mimi then hid underneath the cloak with Palmon.

Here we were, hiding under a cloak, waiting for our moment to sneak into the pyramid, then we heard Ikkakumon shout out, "Harpoon Torpedo!" That was when all hell broke out.

The ground started shaking, then Ikkakumon fired a torpedo at the pyramid itself. Then we all watched as the Tyrannomon and Monochromon charged at Ikkakumon. Then Ikkakumon fired at the sand and created a smoke cloud, then he retreated. Then we watched as Matt and Garurumon charged in, leading the Gazimon away.

I turned to the others and nodded, then I whispered, "Now's our chance. Let's move while we can." Everyone nodded, then while still under the cloak, we slowly headed for the pyramid. Once we got to the entrance, I saw Etemon coming and said, "Down!"

We hid under the cloak and we heard Etemon shout out, "I'm going to rid all of them trouble makers, today!" Then I peaked out and watched Etemon ride away from the pyramid.

After Etemon was gone, Tai whispered, "I hope Joe and Matt make it okay." Then we all got out from underneath the cloak and Tai said, "Come on guys, let's move out!"

Izzy nodded and said, "Rodger."

Then I heard Mimi whisper, "He forgot his name."

I chuckled, then I said, "You four stay here and keep an eye out for any trouble."

The four nodded then the rest of us ran for the pyramid and Tai shouted out, "We'll be back!"

As we were running, Izzy said, "When you get to the wall just keep running!"

Tai shouted out, "Gotchya!"

Then we ran through the pyramid walls, and entered a hall way. As we ran, Izzy said, "So far so good."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but stay on guard, who knows WHAT we could run into."

Then we continued following Izzy as he said, "This is the right way, I'm sure."

Just as we made the next turn, we saw that the path was blocked off by debris. "Oh, no, the passage is blocked." Olette said.

"It's a dead end." Agumon stated.

"Not necessarily. Why don't we try that door over there." Izzy said, pointing to another passage way.

Tai was the first to look through, then he said, "It's clear. Let's go." We then continued on our travels.

As we were traveling, we came to a see though wall and watched as the Gazimon kept running back and forth, and then Tai said, "Looks like the Gazimon have figured out we're here."

"And we're so close to the room..." Izzy stated. "I think the main passage that leads to the privet entrance to Etemon's lab is located at the bottom of the this stairway."

I cracked my knuckles and said, "Let's move!"

Then we felt the ground shake, we looked to see Etemon come crashing down right on top of us. Out of quick instinct, we all ran away from Etemon through the fake wall, that he simply destroyed, then he said, "Now, before I cancel you like a bad sitcom, direct me to Datamon."

I glared at Etemon, summoned my shield and took a defensive pose, then I said, "Sorry, but we have more important things to deal with then you, Etemon."

But, just before I could do anything else, Izzy ran in front of us and yelled, "Go find Sora! Tentomon, Digivolve!"

And in a flash of light, Tentomon was gone, and Kabuterimon took his place. Etemon was taken back by this sudden Digivolution, then I turned to everyone and said, "We need to get out of here, quickly."

They all nodded and we all ran as fast as we could, but before we were out of range, Tai yelled out, "Hold him, Kabuterimon!"

Then we ran through the next wall and down a set of stairs. Then we came to a stop. Right at the electrified fence. Then I heard Tai said, "Oh, great!"

"An electric wall." Stated Agumon."

"You think Sora and Biyomon are behind this wall, Luke?" Olette asked me in worry.

I looked at her, then at the fence and closed my eyes, then I said, "They have to be."

Then Agumon said, "I could break through it, Tai."

"Why don't you do the honours, Luke?" Dorumon asked me.

Just as I was about to aim the the wall, Tai said, "No, I'll do it, guys."

"Are you sure, Tai?" Agumon asked.

I looked at my brother as he said, "Not exactly..." Then he started walking to the wall and he said, "But if I don't do this on my own, right here, right now, I might never be able to do it." The Digimon and Olette were confused at this, then Tai said, "A man must face himself before he could face his enemies." Tai then raised his hand to the wall.

I smiled, then I said, "Wait, Tai." Tai looked to me as I walked up to him. I grabbed his hand and said, "We're brothers, and no matter what, we always do things together. Their my friends too, and I failed to protect them before, but I won't fail here. I won't fail you."

Tai smiled and said, "Thank you, Luke. Maybe you can share some of your courage with me."

I smiled and said, "Only if you promise to protect me when I need it."

Then Agumon said, "I think I understand it. Go for it, you guys!"

"We know you can do it!" Dorumon cheered.

"Don't screw up now!" Called out Rouge. I quickly turned to her with a glare, but saw that she was grinning at me, not an evil grin, but a cocky smirk, or perhaps, a playful grin.

Then Olette said, "Just have faith in each other!"

Then I looked to Tai and asked, "You ready, bro?"

Tai weakly nodded, I could see the fear in his eyes, then I said, "Remember what I said yesterday, Tai? Being brave does not mean having no fear. It means being able to face your fears. Now then, let's do this!"

And with one final shove, Tai's and my hands went right through the wall, signaling that we had found the weak point!

Then Tai shouted out, "It's a fake!"

I smirked, then saw that both of our crests were glowing, then I thought, 'Courage and Protection go hand in hand. Without having someone to protect, you can't really be courageous. And without having the courage to face your fears, you will never be able to protect anyone. In that way, they are like me and Tai, brothers.'

Then Agumon cheered, "Yipppeee!"

But the joy quickly turned to fear when Etemon and Kabuterimon came tumbling down the stairs. Then Etemon said, "So, we meet again."

I gritted my teeth and said, "Yeash. This guy's like the plague. You get rid of him for a short time and he keeps on coming back. Dorumon, your ready to rumble?"

And Tai called out, "Agumon!"

Both Digimon nodded, then with a raise of my D-Ark, and a flash from Tai's Digivice, two Rookies transformed into two Champions. Then Greymon said, "Tai, Luke, break through to Sora."

Dorugamon nodded and said, "Rouge, you ready to play?"

Rouge darkly smiled and said, "Yeah, let's dance."

"Good luck, Greymon!" Tai called out.

"Rouge, Dorugamon, be careful!" Both Digimon nodded, then I turned to Tai and said, "Let's go!"

Everyone nodded and we ran through the fence. When we came through, we saw Sora standing there. Then Tai said, "Sora, are you all right?"

At first I was glad, thinking that she had somehow broken free, but then I observed the room. First I had taken notice of Datamon standing next to Sora, then I noticed the blank look on her face. 'Something's wrong here.'

Then Tai said, "Sora! Speak to me! Sora!" Tai then ran to Sora.

But he was stopped by a voice calling out, "That's not Sora!"

We all turned and saw Biyomon chained to the wall, and the real Sora strapped to a weird device. Then Biyomon said, "That's just a copy!"

Then the real Sora said, "Here, Tai, Luke!"

Then Datamon chuckled darkly and said, "And now the copy is finished. I will give her the magic Crest, and she will become the new Sora, and do whatever I require of her."

Then Tai ran for Sora's Tag, Crest, and her Digivice and I ran to Sora, as Tai ran he said, "That's what you think, you pile of junk." Then he grabbed Sora's stuff.

While Tai was dealing with Datamon, I ran to free Sora. "Sora, are you hurt?"

Sora shook her head, then she said, "No, just a little stiff."

I chuckled and said, "Yeah, I bet." I then proceeded to free Sora from her prison.

But then I heard Datamon say, "I cannot permit two mere boys to spoil my plans for vengeance."

When he said that, the ground below us opened up, then in an instant, me and Tai grabbed Sora and tried pulling her up, but even together we couldn't pick her up, then Tai yelled out, "Biyomon!"

I turned to Datamon as he walked up to us and said, "That is the center of Etemon's Dark Power Network. Anything sucked in there is lost to all eternity. And since I have no use for the original I'll simply get rid of it."

Datamon then grabbed both mine and Tai's arms to try and us drop Sora, but I wasn't willing to let her go, and neither was Tai. Then Biyomon called out, "Tai, the Crest!"

Then Datamon said, "Yes. The Crest is the means by which you may save the maidens life. If you give it to me, immediately!"

I glared at Datamon and Tai said, "Yeah? Why don't you go tell Etemon your sad story, because we're not interested!" Then Tai dropped Sora's Digivice and her Tag and Crest Of Love.

Then I said, "Sora, Catch!"

Then Datamon said, "No, wait!"

I chuckled and asked, "Not scared, are ya, Datamon?"

And then, Biyomon Digivolved into Birdramon. And then she flew over the pit, but Datamon said, "Stay back you blasted crow!" Then we all grabbed onto her feet and Datamon furiously asked, "What do you think you're doing?"

Then we broke through the false wall, crushing Etemon underneath us. I ran to Dorugamon, but turned to see Etemon was being shocked and said, "Well, would you look at that, the King has just been dethroned. Shocking, isn't it?"

"We made it!" Izzy cheered.

Then Sora said, "I'd never thought I'd see you again."

I turned to Sora and said, "You're like an older sister to me, Sora. Of course I'd come for you."

Sora blinked and asked, "Really, Luke?" I nodded, then Sora looked at Tai and asked, "What about you, Tai?"

Tai jumped to the side in surprise, then he blushed madly and nervously asked, "Wha? Who me? Well, I...Hey, here comes the others!"

And he was right, everyone was back together. Then our Digimon busted out if the pyramid and Sora said, "We're over here!"

But then I felt something. "I feel a disturbance in the Force."

Everyone looked at me in confusion, then my eyes widened in realization, then I said, "RUN!" And I started running away from the pyramid, and no one dared to ask why, and instead, chose to run as well. And not two seconds later, all of the Digimon that were patrolling the pyramid were being sucked up into the pyramid.

Then I heard something that sent a chill down my spine. "Someone, help me!"

I turned and saw Rouge being lifted off of Dorugamon's back, like she was being sucked in by the same force of the rest of the Digimon, and within seconds, she was air born. "ROUGE!" I screamed as I tried to catch her, but I wasn't quick enough.

That was when I saw Olette glare and then she took off like a bullet, she flew after Rouge, and just as she was about to enter the pyramid, Olette caught her, then she flew right along side me, and I saw the frightened look on Rouge's face, it wasn't something I have ever seen before.

Then I heard Olette whisper in an almost motherly tone, "Shush, shush, there, there. It's okay, Rouge, it's okay. You're okay. You're safe now."

We all watched as Rouge buried her face in Olette's hair, almost as if she was trying to disappear. Then I asked, "Rouge, what happened?"

Rouge looked at me, and I could see the fear in her face, then she said, "It was like, I was being sucked into that dark network. I could feel it pulling on my inner darkness, and try to absorb me. I'm, scared."

She then buried her face back in Olette's shoulder, and I could feel the tears building up in my eyes. Rouge may be many things, rude, sarcastic, a bit sadistic, but beyond all of that, scared is one of the few things that I have only seen twice. When Rouge was first released from the Black Gear, and the second when I discovered her past.

It was then that I realized something, "You've been hiding behind a mask all this time, haven't you, Rouge?"

But before I could get an answer, the pyramid lit up like a christmas tree, and we all stopped and landed and Sora said, "Look at the pyramid!"

I turned to Rouge, and saw that she was glaring again, possibly trying to recover some of her bravado. Then I heard Tai say, "It's disintegrating!"

Then the pyramid collapsed and out came Etemon, fused with the dark core of his Dark Network. Then he started laughing maniacally. I shivered and said, "That's not good."

Then Etemon said, "All right now. Let's see a show of hands, how many actually missed me, huh?"

I had to hold back the vomit from seeing Etemon, then said, "I missed you like I miss Devimon."

Then everyone else gasped in shock at Whamon's return and Tai asked, "What's with this guy?"

Then Etemon said, "I told you I'd come back and take my revenge on you." As Etemon spoke, it looked like the Digital World was being sucked into the dark orb that Etemon was fused to. "You didn't believe me, did you?"

I put my sunglasses over my eyes, summoned my Crossbow and said, "Believe me, this'll hurt! Apollo's Devine Arrow!" Then I fired what is starting to become my signature attack.

And I wasn't the only one attacking. Birdramon launched a Meteor Wing, Dorugamon fired a Cannonball, Kabuterimon launched an Electro Shocker, but no matter how many attacks hit, it did absolutely nothing.

Then Etemon said, "Hey, that was pretty good. I give it a 9.6. Now then, are you ready for a fast ball?" He then threw a Dark Network at the Digimon, and the ball kept moving, and when it hit the sand, it caused the area to distort.

Then Etemon threw another one at the sphinx, and Joe exclaimed, "That one's headed right for the sphinx!"

Mimi cried out in shock and said, "Ahh, the sphinx melted!"

And Izzy stated, "Melting doesn't even describe it."

"We've tried everything and nothing can stop him...I guess this is the end." Sora said.

Then Joe said, "I was hoping to skip algebra class, but not like this."

I looked down at my Crest and said, "Not everything."

Tai nodded and said, "No, I'm not ready to surrender to Etemon just yet!" Tai then turned to me and asked, "You ready, Luke?"

I cracked my knuckles, and my neck, then I said, "You better believe it. Dorugamon, time to kick it up a notch!"

Tai then turned to Greymon and asked, "Coming, Greymon?"

"Time to Rock 'N' Roll, Jeremy." Dorugamon said.

And Greymon said, "I'm right behind you."

Then as we charged at Etemon, the faux king asked, "What do we have here sports fans? A new batter steps to the plate."

Tai clenched his Crest as he said, "I'm not afraid of you, you big blow hard."

I smirked and said, "I've seen butterflies scarier than you."

Then me and Tai lifted up our Tags and Crests to the sky and we both said, "Come down here and fight like a mon!"

Then I heard Mimi yell out, "Tai, Luke, what are you guys doing? You guys don't stand a chance."

Then Etemon said, "Hey, you boys are brave, I like that."

He then threw another Dark Network at Greymon and Dorugamon, knocking them both down. Tai then said, "Don't worry Greymon, I'm staying with you!"

"Dorugamon, open your heart to me! Open your mind to me! Let's show this guy why we're the number one tag team!" I said to my partner. "Let's show this guy what it truly means to protect someone!"

Then both of our Tags, Crests and Digivices started glowing. Greymon got up and said, "Tai, your Courage is giving me even greater strength. I can Digivolve!"

Dorugamon's eyes shot open and he looked at me and said, "Jeremy, I can feel your will to protect, I'm ready to Digivolve!"

Me and Tai shared a look, then we nodded. Then our Digivices began to shake rapidly, and my D-Ark changed color. It was once again blue with red buttons, while Tai's Digivice turned Orange with blue buttons. Then four beams of light shot up into the sky, only for them to converge into two lights that struck Dorugamon and Greymon.

D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.

"Dorugamon Digivolve to..."

"Greymon Digivolve to..."

Dorugamon then transformed from a black furred wolf, into a massive quadrupedal red dragon with white fur going down his stomach. He was once again, "DoruGreymon!"

Greymon, however, had some cyber enhancements. First, his left arm became cybernetic. His bone skull turned to metal, and he gained, what I guess you can call wings, and a metal chest plate. And while he didn't really get any bigger, he did become, "MetalGreymon!"

Then Etemon begun laughing as he said, "Lookie here, two fully evolved Digimon! Well I can handle them, too. Just watch me, kids."

Then, from my connection from Olette, I heard Joe ask, "MetalGreymon?"

"It was the power from Tai's Crest." Matt stated.

Then Tentomon said, "MetalGreymon uses his own body as a weapon during battle. His most lethal instrument is the Giga Destroyer!"

Then I was brought back to my battle when Tai called out, "Etemon is everybody's enemy! Now, awaken, The Sun Goddess, Amaterasu!" I turned to Tai and saw that he was now glowing a bright orange glow, and Digicode stared to accumulate around his arm. And in a flash of fire, there was a shield on his right arm in the shape of the Crest Of Courage. Then Tai said in a unified voice, one was his own, and the other, was Amaterasu, "Use the power of the Crest!"

Then I heard Etemon laugh and ask, Is there no end to your stupidity? Maybe I could put an end to it for you." Etemon then threw a Dark Network ball at MetalGreymon, only for MetalGreymon to cut it to pieces.

Etemon was frightened by that, then I smirked and in a duel voice of my own, asked, "What's the matter, Etemon? Scared already?"

Then Tai lifted up his shield and said, "Now, feel the full force of the Sun Goddess, from heaven and earth, dusk to dawn, night to day, ignight the sparks of the fire, and transcend! Blade Of Amaterasu!" Then Tai's shield soon erupted into a raging inferno, only to be replaced with a sleek three foot long Knights Sword, with the Crest Of Courage as the center of the hand guard. Then Tai crossed his arm over his chest, then extended it outwards and shouted, "Amaterasu's Inferno!" And from the sword, came a dark red fire that shot out at Etemon, who was then lit ablaze.

Etemon then cried out, "Ow! It burns! This fire is hotter than I am! Ouch!"

I then aimed my Crossbow and said, "Here, have another taste of my Apollo's Devine Arrow!" And with that, I fired a glowing green arrow at Etemon, doing some serious damage.

Then me and Tai shared a look and nodded, then we said, "Now! All together! Let's finish him off while we have the power!"

MetalGreymon started it off by charging at Etemon, knocking him right into DoruGreymon, who unleashed a barrage of "Bloody Tower!" And sent spear after spear at Etemon. Then me and Tai used a combination attack at Etemon, creating a burning arrow. Then Etemon asked, "What's the matter with you?! Don't you know the rules? There's no head butting allowed."

Then MetalGreymon and DoruGreymon started glowing brightly. Then I felt Olette and Rouge appeared right next to me. I turned and asked, "What are you girls doing here? It's too dangerous"

Olette then said, "I don't know, something just told me to be here at this point. I don't know why."

Then we heard Etemon say, "No! Don't Destroy me! I've got too much talent!"

Then MetalGreymon shouted, "Giga-Blaster!"

And DoruGreymon shouted, "Metal Meteor!"

Then the metal chest plate on MetalGreymon opened up to reveal two shark like torpedoes, and a DoruGreymon created a massive iron sphere above his body, then threw it at Etemon. The two attacks converged, and created a huge explosion. Then Etemon shouted, "You must not defeat me! I'm just to important to dieeeee!" Then it looked like Etemon was transported to another dimension or something.

But before we could enjoy our victory, we felt ourselves being pulled into whatever vortex we created. I looked to Olette and grabbed onto her and said, "Don't let go!" But just before we could go anywhere, DoruGreymon put his tail down to stop us. "Thanks for the catch, Doru, now don't let go!" But it wasn't to last, as all of us, me, Tai, Olette, DoruGreymon, MetalGreymon, and Rouge, were all sucked into the vortex, then everything went white.

When I could see things again, I was sweating, and I wasn't the only one, Olette was, and so was Tai, Rouge, Koromon, and Dorimon. At first we were confused as to where we were, then Tai asked, "Where are we?"

I rubbed my eyes and said, "I think, I think we're home, Tai."

Olette looked around and asked, "This is your home? It's really pretty."

Then I heard Tai say, "I'm, I'm home."

And so, Tai unleashed to full power of his crest, he caused Greymon to Digivolve into MetalGreymon, and we worked together to defeat Etemon. But now we end up back at home and no signs of our friends. The biggest question now remains, is any of this for real, or not?

Thechaosmaster: And there we have it! This chapter is finally done, after, lets see here, Monday, Tuseday, that's one, two, wow, a week. Dang. Anyways, I'm sorry to keep you guys and girls all waiting, but, I got distracted. But no worries, I'm here now, and that's it.

Kurivolt: By the way, because of Chaos's forgetfulness, he failed to mention that he's FINALLY updated his Author's page.

Chaos smacks himself fof forgetting: Right! On my Authors page, I have created a list of what I am going t be doing in the future. Not all of it will be set in stone, but the last part mentions a small plan for the HEro and The Dragon, go look at the Authors page, then head to the Hero And the Dragon to leave your reviews relating to that plan. I won't put it here because I am to lazy to write it again.

Kurivolt: Now than, before Chaos completely crashes, we like to bid you all adue.

Chaos,: Oh! Before I forget, the eleventh was my 22 birthday so, yeah! Consider this, my late birthday present to you guys! Later.

Kurivolt: Bye.

CHAOS CONTROL!