Even in sleep Kari could hear a large fan turning and water dripping – the sound echoing.

~Kari...Kari...wake up...~

Kari shivered as the voice of Sirene called out to her.

~I know you are tired after your sickness, but you must awake.~

What felt like a hand caressed Kari's cheek, and a white light engulfed her body. Sitting nearby was Haruna who was startled with T.K. and Gatomon as they see the little girl's body glow, and Kari stirred. The white glow dissipating as she opened her eyes.

Kari saw that they were in some underground sewers or an abandoned subway. T.K.'s bag had been lent as a makeshift pillow and found that she was lying in dry moss as a bed. "Where am I?"

"You're awake!" T.K. exclaimed.

"Kari!" Gatomon smiled.

"Oh thank goodness!" Haruna said in relief.

"T.K.… Gatomon…Haruna… I…what happened to me?"

"How do you feel?" Gatomon asked.

Kari touched her own forehead with her right hand. It wasn't hot anymore, the fever had broken while she slept. "My fever is gone. I feel a lot better, too."

"You've been sleeping for a very long time. That must've helped your recovery." Gatomon speculated.

Haruna felt Kari's forehead and her own to be certain. "Yes, your body temperature feels fine."

"How long was I asleep?"

"All through the night, we took turns keeping watch over you."

Kari then looked around. "Where are the others?"

The faces of the three fells momentarily. Then there was the sound of wings flapping.

"They're back!" T.K. exclaimed, recognizing that sound belonging to Patamon's wings.

"Maybe they found someone!" Gatomon hoped.

Kylie had returned with Sora, Piyomon, Beth, Dana and Patamon however they'd found no sign of Tai nor the others.

"Oh, that's right!" Sora held up the pill bottle that read ZE-22 Y-ZE. "Look, Piyomon found this. It must be the medicine that Tai and the rest went to find for you, Kari."

"He was terribly worried about you and feared it'd have been better for you to remain on Earth." Kylie explained. "But we reminded him that it was you choice on whether you wanted to come to the Digiworld or not."

Kari nodded. "And I wanted to see your home. I mean, it's where you were born, and Gatomon, she's your sister. So, it's all of your home."

"This place winds around itself like a maze." Piyomon explained. "But if we all search together now, I'm sure we'll meet the others again in no time. Cheer up!"

"I'll do my best to look for them, too." Kari said with a warm smile. "After all, I am Tai's sister."


They began walking through the tunnels when Sora told them to stop and listen.

"What's wrong?"

"Quiet. Do you hear something?" Now that it was somewhat silent, they could hear something like gears turning. "Listen. What is that?"

"It's coming from over there."

"Let's take a look." They followed Sora to where the sounds where coming from.

"Work!" Someone shouted followed the sound of a whip.

"Work!" Another crack.

"Work, all of you! You Numemon may be weak against the sunlight, but you act as the power source that fuels the urban areas of Spiral Mountain that Lord Machinedramon controls! Work!"

The group arrived to a catwalk above a large chamber with a lot of machinery. The speaker was a large black and creamy teddy bear, that looked like the polar opposite of Monzaemon. He had a little piece of leather stitched to his left arm that read Waru in kanji, which meant evil.

"Isn't that… Monzaemon?" T.K. questioned.

"No, he's WaruMonzaemon!" Patamon clarified.

"So he's become a minion of Machinedramon now…" observed Piyomon.

"It fits, seeing as he's way different than the Monzaemon we met." Beth remarked.

"He must be a part of the Metal Empire Army." Sora assumed.

Kari didn't say a word, her tearful eyes were focused on the Numemon that are being worked to the figurative bone, suffering under the cruelty of WarMuzemon.

"What's the matter? Don't slack off!" WaruMonzaemon continued whipping them.

"The Numemon… how sad…" Kari wasn't looking the way she usually did. Something had taken possession of her. Her small body glowed with a divine white light.

At the same time, the Heart of Etherea began it shine a hot pink from within Beth.

"Kari!" The leader of the guardians gasped, clutching the rapidly glowing heart.

"What is it?" Sora asked in concern.

"I think Sirene is possessing Kari again!" Beth exclaimed.

Gatomon turned in alarm, and some joy over the presence of her 'mother' but was startled by the tears.

"It's all...so cruel...it's all...My fault..." The voice of Sirene now wept out.

"Sirene?" Beth asked cautiously.

"If only I hadn't died..." The voice of Sirene sobbed out. "If I was alive...none of this suffering would've happened...to this wondrous world, my daughters, my beloved digimon..."

Suddenly, a bright light broke out in the room, and the Numemon all stopped working. WaruMonzaemon tried to whip them, but the whip melted in his paw, and he cowered in fear of the holy, ethereal light casting off of Kari.

"Wh-wh-what the!?" WaruMonzaemon gasped n shock and horror.

"Kari, I mean 'Sirene', Mrs. Mom!?" Beth cried out in alarm when Kari floated up into the air.

"Mother?" Both Kylie and Gatomon whispered.

"You cause pain and suffering," Sirene 'spoke'. "Body born without compassion or mercy. You have stolen the freedom and happiness of these little beings."

WaruMonzaemon looked up, and was unable to turn away, staring at the sun-like majesty of Sirene, who's mirage like image appeared over Kari's body.

"I sentence you to data, and to be reborn in the Village of Beginnings to redeem yourself in the next life!"

WaruMonzaemon cried in dismay, and maybe regret, as the light engulfed his form, and he shattered into data. The others were gasping in shock, especially Beth. A high level being, channeling it's power through Kari, crest or not was bound to cause problems.

"It's got to be..." Beth exclaims.

"What?" Sora turned to look at Beth.

"Kari's fever, it must've been a result of Sirene trying to focus her will through her to help us," Beth explained.

"So, it's Mother's fault?" Gatomon asked sadly.

"Oh, I doubt she's doing it on purpose," Beth said. "But it isn't healthy for a No-Maj like Kari, to wield potent magic like this, so suddenly. We mage types grow up with it, and assimilate it during puberty."

Beth's words caused them to look at Kari in alarm, as the light shining from her dissolved the chains on the Numemon, who all looked at her with love and awe.

"Great Mother Sirene! Princess Kari," They began to chant. "Great Mother Sirene! Princess Kari!"

'Sirene' smiled as Kari floated down to the floor, the others rushing to join as Kari kneels to pet and kiss the Numemon on their slimy heads.

"Go, my digimon children. You who call this world your home, you are free now." Sirene declared, and turned as the light faded. Sirene's transparent image disappeared with the light, Kari stumbled over, but was caught by Kylie who held her upright.

"Kari!?" Kylie asked in alarm.

"I am alright..." Kari sighed.

A beam of light was shining from her, and seemed to be acting like a lighthouse. "We follow this..." Kari said. "A gift...from Sirene to help us out."

Kylie covered her eyes, the blinding light from Vanessa's magic mirror stabbing into her brain. But in truth, it was telling her, speaking to her, she wanted to know. She needed to know.

~You wish to see your brothers?~

~Then I shall show you, it begins, and ends with your mother~

~But they live on, and as long as they live, she lives~

~Harmony lives, Sirene lives~


Lady Despair smiled, surrounded by her children, the Dark Masters.

~Go, and take out these whelps, My son's.~

Lady Despair points a silver talon covered finger imperiously down to the kids.

~And this world, it shall be mine~

Maki shook Daigo, frantic with fear and despair, but the waves of misery wafting over her disappeared. For a rainbow of light shimmered, and a tall, beautiful woman, with hair like golden light, and glowing turquoise lacking pupils, appeared before the children and fallen digimon.

The two children looked up in shock, and Piedmon, who was floating down towards the children stopped in surprise.

Lady Despair looked down at the Nymph, and grit her teeth in shock and hate.

~You...~

The lovely lady of light, smiled softly at the children and digimon.

~My beloved ones, children of this world, and others~

She clasps her hands together.

~I am Sirene, A Nymph of the worlds of magic. And I am here, I will protect, and guide you in this hour of hopelessness~

Sirene turns to frown at Lady Despair and the Dark Masters.

~For it's a mother's duty to protect the children, who are bullied and lost~

Sirene raises her hands upward. ~You dare to come here, Sierra. To my world, my new home and let your children run amok~ The nymph's beautiful face deepened into an angry glare. ~I will not permit this, for these children are the remaining hope for the future of Earth and this world~

~Let my love guide you, let it fill you to rebirth~

Lady Despair and the Dark Masters watched in alarm, as Sirene performed a ritual.

Light is born of Darkness, Darkness sails north to become water...light sails south to give birth to fire...wind flows in between light and darkness...Light sinks into Darkness and returns to Earth.

Sirene's whole body always glowed, like a angel, she walked with a radiance that light up the dark night, and during the day one shielded their eyes.

But now she covered her mouth with both hands, and turned to blow a kiss at the fallen digimon, and her glow increased into a dazzling nova of light.

I give you my love, I give you my light. I give birth to you, My Harmonious Ones. Reveal your true forms, and be born to me

And the light, the life force of Sirene poured into the digimon, engulfing them in spheres of light.

Orochimon, Hippogriffmon, Triceramon, LoaderLiomon, all four were engulfed, and opened their eyes. And saw the one who loved them, the one who loved them above all else, for the Digital world was Sirene's all. And all in it here were receivers of Sirene's love.

NO! I WILL NOT BE STOPPED!~

The voice of Despair screamed, and she gestured to her sons, Machinedramon and MetalSeadramon.

~OBLITERATE THAT NYMPH, AND THOSE WRETCHED CHILDREN!~

The blasts were blocked but it was by megadramon, who fell over in a heap.

Daigo cried out, as Sirene lifted her arms, and encased the digi-destined who scattered, Daigo included into the same spheres.

They gathered around Megadramon, who Maki watches as he's lifted up in a light bubble too.

~Do not let them succeed, attack my darling ones!~ Lady Despair cried out.

But it was too late, as the digimon were changed, completely transformed, 12 glowing orbs circling around them, as they floated into the air, with the sphere's crumbling to glittering dust as Sirene's glowing body became weaker.

~To you I give a part of myself, as a mother does on Birth, and entrust you to the Harmony of this world. My Harmonious Ones~ Sirene said softly, and looked sadly at Megadramon.

~I beg your forgiveness, and wish you had not made this choice~ Megadramon looked up at her, eyes opened weakly, but it smiled at the Nymph, content with what he chose to do.

The four god like Digimon turned to Megadramon, who spreads out his wings and arm canons as he was hit with powerful energy blasts from the digimon, which engulf him in their energy.

Lady Despair held out her scepter, and a black, skull like butterfly appeared over the skulls face, before it fired a massively powerful beam of magic. But the beam was counteracted, as Megadramon became a whirling ball of energy that shot through the beam. Lady Despair screamed, flinching back in terror, as the Dark Masters quickly piled over her to shield their witch mother from the blast. ~NO! THIS CANNOT BE!~

Too late, the blast hits them straight on, but instead of death, they were banished away. Maki watched in horror, for the other Harmonious Ones fell to the ground, and pillars of light shot forth from them, as well as two energy beams burst from Sirene's eyes.

They strike where Despair and the Dark Masters once were, and hit the inky black sky, causing a portal to open, sucking away the dark magic clouds, and soon everything was all bright and clear once more.

Maki looked up at the falling glitter that was once Megadramon and she clenched her digivice in grief and anger.

~Why...~

Maki turned to stare at Sirene, who looked hurt at the grief-torn expression on the young girl's face. ~Why did you only pick four?~


Back in the present day, Kylie found herself and Kari being worshipped – they've only just recognized Kylie as Sirene's biological child. Gatomon just didn't know what to make of all this.

The underground was tightly packed with pipes and cables, so in order to move further into it or deeper underground, they had to cut through pipes and cables that blocked their path. It felt like parting through a sea filled with algae. But once they made it through, they reached a wide cavity underground. It didn't change that it was still a difficult place for Machinedramon to fight in.
He couldn't use his Mugen Cannon. Although cramped, the source of the city's power was underground. If he used his cannons carelessly, there was the apprehension that the world of cities itself would be destroyed.
But not even that was a major problem — That was what Machinedramon's mechanical brain cells calculated. Even in hand-to-hand combat, his power had the precondition of eclipsing the powers of all the Chosen Children's Digimon partners.


After Machinedramon blasted them to this underground city, Tai, Izzy, Zaira and Sara G were quick to regroup with each other but found no sign of the others. Tai was beyond himself with worry to the point where he's nearly lashing out. So it came as a surprise when he suddenly pulled them close and lowered his voice. "Someone's trailing us."

"What?"

"Listen."

They strained to listen and heard feet marching down the corridors. Agumon and Tentomon were unable to digivolve, the girls could still transform but even their wings limped with fatigue.

However before they could get the drop on a possible attacker, they stopped for Tai, Izzy and Zaira recognized the figure. "Andromon!"

"Chosen Children, Guardian Zaira… It's been some time." He said. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"That's what we should be saying!" exclaimed Tai.

"Friend of yours?" Sara G questioned.

"Remember the Android digimon in that weird factory we told you about? This is him!" Zaira quickly explained.

"Yes. What are you doing here, Andromon?" Izzy asked him.

"Ever since I came underground, I have been acting as a lone soldier in a resistance movement, aiming to free these cities from Machinedramon's control." He explained. "However, I was unaware that you were in this area, so that is why I had thought you were Machinedramon's subordinates."

"No way!" "Don't insult us." The digimon protested.

"My apologies."

"Listen, we're looking for a girl named Kari." Tai quickly told Andromon.

"We think our friends Sora, T.K. and the other guardians are with her, too." Added Izzy.

Zaira nods, "One of them is Kylie, Sirene's heir."

"I understand. Please wait one moment." Andromon lifted his arms to the ceiling causing cords to come out and connect.

"We're counting on you. Kari is Tai's little sister."

"Here it comes." Andromon said.

"You mean Kari?"

"She's coming this way?"

However, what burst out of the wall teen feet away was not who they were hoping to see. "Here you are."

"Machinedramon!" The group exclaimed in shock.

"Andromon is with you, eh? Even better, I get to kill all of you at once." The robotic beast raised his head towards the ceiling and charged them.

"Find some place to hide!" Andromon walked forward.

"Andromon!"

The brave android digimon placed himself against one of Machinedramon's legs and began pushing.

"Come on, we've got to help!" Sara G cried.


In the meantime, the other had following Kari then as she stopped to tie her shoes she'd paused. "They're close."

"You mean Tai and the others?" T.K. inquired.

"Here it comes!"

However out from the wall came one of the very last things they'd wanted to see…

"Machinedramon!"

At that moment, the entire floor suddenly collapsed from under their feet, fortunately the digimon caught them as they descended.

The shots that Machinedramon had fired to the surface opened up the light and let it flow into the tunnels. Then they spotted those they'd briefly separated from, Kari ran to her brother at once.

Nevertheless, Machinedramon remained a threat. Quickly the other guardians transformed to fight.

"Meteor Wing!"

"Holy Arrow!"

"Heaven's Knuckle!"

"Spiral Sword!"

"Empyrean rage!"

"Springtime gust!"

"Northern Tempest!"

"Naiad's attack"

"Electro-beam!"

"Seven crowns!"

The attacks engulfed Machinedramon but he emerged from them unscathed.

"Machinedramon is a Mega-Level, remember?" Izzy reminded them.

The metallic monster launched his Mugen Cannons at his opponents send them backwards. "I didn't even feel that," Machinedramon laughed. "You all are next, as just punishment for the heinous crime of making My Mother weep tears of sorrow and rage, as well as for the death of my siblings."

Everyone was frightened beyond belief, when a soft voice began to sing, and Kari walked towards Machinedramon.

~Ah-ah-ah-ohh~

"Kari!" Tai cried out in shock.

"Kari!" The others called out.

Then out of the caverns, the Numemon showed up and began to cover the Dark Master. The singing began to pick up.

~Ahh-ahhh-oh-oh-oh~

And the white light began to shine, and they realized it was coming from Kari: both the light and the singing.

~Oh-Ahhh-Ahh-oh!~

And the transparent figure of Sirene appeared, walking alongside, over Kari. The late nymph's form seemed to become more corporeal, with Kari vanishing from sight as the Nymph began to appear more fully.

"Mother!" Kylie gasped in alarm. "What..."

"She's begun to manifest herself through Kari," Beth answered. "We think that's why Kari was falling ill."

"It's too much for her to channel Sirene's magic." Sora said in alarm.

"YOU..." The voice of Machinedramon turned hateful, and yet at the same time. It was filled with utter dread. "It can't be...it can't be! Mother said...Mother said Piedmon killed you!"

Suddenly, all of the Numemon crawled out of the cracks, crawling up the body of Machinedramon, trying to hold him in place.
Each of the Numemon were powerless on their own, but in these numbers, even they were a menace to Machinedramon.
But although the iron beast was buried beneath the mountain of Numemon, he wasn't getting his butt kicked.

"Why…? They know they can't win… They know they'll die, so why?!" Sora whispered, aghast. Next to her, Kari heard the Numemon's voices from their hearts.

Like Sirene's heir, the Chosen Children and the Guardians are our hope! We can't let them die!

Before coming to the Digital World, Kari had seen the Numemon in the human world and had honestly thought them to be disgusting. But not now. Right now, they were magnificent warriors who did not fear death.

"Get off me, you insufferable insects!" Machinedramon raised his arm to strike.

We're counting on you, children…

Kari's body suddenly glowed.

~Sunlight shine, and pierce the darkness

The voice of Sirene spoke, causing the machine digimon to freeze, quivering in pain.

~Oh life giving light, descend from the Heavens

Sirene rose a hand and all the Numemon flew off the Dark Master, encased in spheres of light for their safety, as Sirene's turquoise eyes were fixated on the child of her enemy.

~Blazing with Holy Radiance, I beseech you!~

"NO! NO!" Machinedramon cried out as shafts of light shot down, spearing through his body like lances. "MOTHER, PROTECT ME!"

But it was to no avail.

~VANQUISH THIS EVIL!~ Sirene held her hands together, forming a circle, and a spiral wave of white and blue energy shot forth, and struck Machinedramon.

"AAAAAHHH!" Machinedramon cried out.

His body exploded into data, and the vial of black blood, that which fueled his existence, was also engulfed in the bright light. And was vaporized with a loud shattering sound.


Up on Spiral Mountain, Lady Despair cried out as she grabbed her heart, Piedmon rushing to grab her and hold her up.

"AAAUUGH! MY SON!" Lady Despair screamed.


But back in the urban sector, Sirene lowered her hands, and the light faded, the Numemon were released, and mobbed around Sirene, but parted as she strolled through them towards Andromon.

"My loyal friend, you never gave up hope, you protect the Chosen ones, and you also protect my beloved children from his cold, hatred." Sirene spoke gently, touching him as she crouched down, Andromon was covered in a white light.

"Ah..." Andromon's eyes snapped open. "I feel...power coursing through me..."

"You have earned my gratitude, arise and continue on the path you've paved for yourself." Sirene spoke.

"My Lady…" Andromon bowed his head in respect.

"Mother!" Kylie runs up to Sirene, who turns her glowing turquoise eyes toward her daughter, she smiles happily.

"Please, Mother. You have to stop," Kylie said in upset tone. "You're hurting Kari!"

Sirene frowns, and looks down at her hands, and the form of Kari, who was within her own form.

"It's too much for her to hold your magic," Kylie said. "I want you to stay more than anything, but...but you died..." The pale girl had little tears in her eyes. "And Kari is still alive, and so is her brother, her parents. All the people who love her, even me and Gatomon."

Sirene smiles sadly, nodding in acceptance, and reaches out to cup Kylie's face in her hands. Kylie shut her eyes, the tears pouring down her cheeks, as she's is touched, and caressed lovingly by her mother for the first time.

"I just...wanted to see you, to hold you...just once more, My Darling Daughter." Sirene said in her soft, sad voice. "If only...if only I had lived...if only...your father knew you were still alive, he'd come and find you...the little girl he never got to watch grow up, who never got to love you and see your first steps or first words."

Kylie's eyes snapped open in shock. "My Father...my father, he's alive!?"

Beth and the others all gasped in amazement.

"He is?!"

"Where?"

"He is lost, my beloved child. He wanders out of grief, believing you had perished alongside with me. But one day, his wanderings will put him on the path...to reunite you two, together again."

Kylie leaned forward, as Sirene pressed a warm kiss to Kylie's cheek.

"Farewell, My beautiful Angel." Sirene whispered, and her form disappeared. "You will always be loved..."

Kylie wept, but quickly caught Kari, as she passed out into Kylie's arms.

"Kari!" Gatomon and Tai shouted, rushing over to her side as Kylie cradles Kari close, and pressed a soft kiss to Kari's forehead.

"I love you too, Mama..." Kylie sniffled.

The whole place began to crumble slowly just as it had when the previous two Dark Masters were destroyed

"Now that the ruler of the cities, Machinedramon, has been defeated… this area will now commence to deconstruct." Andromon informed them.

"And that's our cue to leave." Zaira remarks.

"Don't worry." Sora reassured T.K. "We're all together."

"Okay."

"It will soon be too dangerous for us to be here. We should escape as quickly as we can." said Izzy.

"Okay, let's do that!" agreed Tai.

From within Angemon's arms, T.K. said, "We did it. "

"Albeit this time with a little help. " Sara G remarked.

Tai, who was being held in one of Angewomon's arms as she held Kari in the other, stared down at the world of cities as it scattered into data dust.

"Now that the cities have disappeared… My fight is over." Andromon said stoically.

"Onii-chan. When we get down, can I make a grave marker for Sirene?" Kari asked Tai.

"Yeah." Tai nodded.

"We'll all help." Sora offered.

Then Andromon spoke up. "Look there. "

The children saw that the scraps of Machinedramon's black data dust were sinking lower and lower to the bottom.

"Does it mean that the data of a Mega level has more mass? " Izzy asked Andromon. "Or did he get absorbed by that thing Zaira saw in her premonition…?"

Not even Andromon knew.

"You're next, Piedmon." Tai said grimly looked up to the peak of the mountain.

In any case — Sora thought — Compared to the Numemon, who had banded together for a common cause, what were they doing? They were scattered. Had Matt figured himself out by now? Were Joe, Theo and Yui still working on persuading Mimi?

Their only enemy left was Piedmon... Sirene's murderer and the final Dark Master.

To be continued…