"What? What did you say!?" Daigo was alarmed from what just Maiki informed him after he found her in the festival alerting her about a distortion that suddenly appeared on the grounds. She was surprised but not compared to how shock he was at the moment.

He was trying to grasp an understanding if it was real. If what Maiki told him was true, but...it most likely was. It added up, with you. And everything. The odd behavior. The sudden disappearance. Change in appearance. What you last said to him. It just all added up and with your parental background it was highly likely that...but then again you are a digidestine so that had some merit. Then again...looks could be deceiving and...as he and Maiki ran back to where she left Meicoormon and the distortion appeared, he couldn't help but with a heavy and conflicting heart how he'd tell the others of this revelation. Especially, Jaspermon. He knew she'd be righteously opposed, honestly, a part of him felt opposed but he couldn't have such feelings cloud his mind. It was his job and as an agent, he bound to his duty. Still...he wanted to...

Stop Maki from screaming off the top of her lungs, Takeru wished for Maki to stop doing (an hour before the distortion appeared), but she couldn't stop finding out the digimon where here at the school festival. They were equally happy, Patamon happily clung to her head. Elated more than she'd ever been, Maki was glad to have them with her. She, along with Takeru and Hikari enjoyed the festival. Sora joined them. Nearly draining her brother's funds, with Yamato's included dry as she insisted on spending as much as she could on them. Playing games(with Patamon, Gatomon, Biyomon, and Jaspermon), trying different things to eat, even going to the cafe where Mimi and Meiko where. Finding Palmon and Meicoomon hiding under the table where she tried to join them. Mimi treated her to a special dessert, and let her join the dance she and Meiko performed. Takeru recorded her for his family. Just as he put the group message together consisting of himself, Yamato, his father, mother, Megumi, he stopped on your name. Adding it...wouldn't do much...would it? Taking a moment he plays the video back of Maki dancing and saw you in her for a moment, dancing. Not as enthusiastic as Maki, but you did it, he remembered when he was younger and came for a weekend stay with you and Yamato; it was a dare you had to do that he said. It was with him and laughed enjoying it. He knew you enjoyed it too. The smile you had, was the same as Maki's. He wondered if you'd smile seeing this, pressing send, realized he forgot to add you. Just as he redid the message including you this time, Hikari alerted him that Maki was gone.

Trying not to panic though it was written upon his face he grabbed Patamon and raced out with Hikari, Sora and their digimon. Shouting for her through the hall, Gatomon led the search, finding no trace of the little girl.

But, she found something...actually she saw someone, you briskly walk by the room out the corner of her eyes while she was dancing. And her face lite up like Christmas lights, you where here! At the festival which meant she could spend time with her and go do all the fun things here. Maybe she might get you to come in and dance with her, you often did Takeru told you used to do it with him and loved when you two did. While everyone was applauding and Takeru was on his phone she sunk off to after off you hoping to bring you so her brothers would be happy just like her. Maneuvering through the flow of students in the hall coming and going she was careful not to bump into them, spotted you up head walking further away. She tried calling for you, but you didn't stop nor turn around. Perhaps you just couldn't hear her, speeding up her little legs follow you back outside, where she lost you among the crowd.

"Are you looking for someone?" A voice asked.

Maki turned around finding no one. Turning back the way she was facing she spots you again in the distance, this time looking at her for a moment before turning away and walking away.

"On-Onee-chan!" Maki calls, hurrying after you. "Onee-chan! Wait! Onee-chan!"

"Maki-chan!"Takeru shouts down the hall, but nothing came. Slamming a class door open shouts for her again, Hikari looks in one. Both come up empty. His heart raced against his chest it tighten with pain. He tried not to think of what could or might happen right now. Who Maki was with, he hoped Yamato found her...damnit why did he instill for her to be friendly? Yamato told him not do it too much. He should have listened.

Looking into another classroom, nothing again. What if she walked off campus and...no! He shook the thought out of his mind, but the parallels of the situation etched upon him...Jimmy..he thought...remembering his tragedy and now..Maki..which meant..his head spun at the thought, Hikari calling him snapped him back.

"That won't happen," she assured, knowing what crossed his thoughts. "we'll find her. She here's somewhere. I'm sure."

Her words settled his nerves, taking a deep breath remembering(something you taught him if he became overwhelmed) exhaled softly calming the rest of his nerves, only to get an alert a distortion appeared, did his nerves flood right back like a torrent. He wasted no time and raced down the hall, passing Gatomon and Jaspermon, hoping desperately Maki was found or...

"Onee-chan? Where did you... go?" Maki peered tentatively around the corner of a pathway, leading away from the festival. She had followed you here or she thought, you weren't anywhere to be found. Walking further down path, ignoring the fluttering feeling in her stomach, turn the corner finding a beautiful garden of flowers, Meicoomon, and to her astute delight, you.

Though dressed differently, in an oversize hoody reaching for Meicoomon for some reason, it didn't matter to Maki she was just happy to see have found you and wasted no time running over, ignoring the opening portal and the dark figure stepping out behind you their hands directed at your throat.

Overcome with her own emotions, Maki made the grave mistake, she didn't think much of, making herself known. "Onee-chan!"

Your blood ran cold and heart plummeted, at the sound of her voice, you made the mistake and froze for a mere second, was all it took. The others alerted to the distortion hurried were not prepared for the crying screams that cut through the air like a knife of Maki. It somehow reached everyone, and the moment Yamato and Takeru heard them their every part of them gripped with fear they almost froze. Pushing through it, bolt faster than ever to the area. Arriving after Mimi and Meiko, the latter who stared horrified at the sight before their eyes; shocking every with confusion and disbelief.

You.

On your knees, a hand reached up to your throat, kneeling to the Digimon Emperor who had not just Meicoomon in his grasp but Maki; taking them into the portal. Both fearfully struggling to break free. Calling out to their loved ones for saving, you heard them...and try to get up...but movement sent a jostle of pain through you from what..he did. You could barely...manage to hold it together...this wasn't how it was supposed to go...Maiki said...she said...all you had to do was...you just needed to get to Meicoomon and then Meiko would...everyone else would be...they would...

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. Now Maki was...her cries faded further the deeper she went, crying for anyone to come and get her. The same with Jimmy..when he was lost...when you...it was the same. You couldn't handle it...move damnit...you hissed to yourself. Pushing against the seething pain to move, but no part of you could...least...that happens...and you couldn't let it...not yet. Maiki said...she said...where was she?

Where was-

"Amane-chan!" Sora gasped, striking you with ice as you hunched over further in pain. The worry in her voice...as it trembled, you knew how she looked...how the rest of them looked at you. Their confusion...you could fell it crush you. Try as you could to block them out...all of them and only focus on moving...you couldn't.

You could barely hold on as it was...it was creeping upon you faster now...more than ever. You needed to flee...you needed to get out of here...but what about Meicoomon and Maki? You needed to get them...you needed to...to...

"Ama-chan!" Jaspermon cried, running to you, "Ama-chan! What's wrong? What is it? What's going on? Ama-chan!"

Jaspermon, you cry silently apologize manage to move left hand and with a slight flick of it draw in a thick fog quickly, seconds before she reached you...before anyone reached you; conceal yourself, melt into it and disappear. Ignoring the pleading screams and cries of the others, ripping your heart even further.

Tumbling in you nearly knock over the small nightstand and your sharpen nails nearly tear the sofa, before collapsing on it and screaming; shut your eyes and descend to the darkness and silence...for a moment and find yourself in the snow in your current state see Jimmy and Emeraldmon by the tree down the path playing. They stop and turn in your direction, waving happily to you with an inviting smile on. One you gladly accepted and just as you take a step someone suddenly appears before you in the path, their arms spread out blocking you from going any further. Their warm green eyes sternly locking with yours, a look you knew all too well and missed greatly than anything. Eyes that guided you and showed you nothing but knowledgable kindness and guidance, that welled up some tears in your eyes of grief...you turn your head away in shame shrink away. They said nothing, only extended a hand and taking yours in theirs, gentle as always. They didn't want you to do this...you knew it...their words resonated through you bittersweetly...but you had to do it...it was the only way. Surely they...they'd understand. They did too. Years ago. For Hikari and Gatomon. So what made yours any different?

What makes it different, Wizardmon? you cry, squeezing his hand as it trembled. Drop to your knees and throw yourself on him, fall straight into snow...open your eyes find yourself sideways. There was a cup of warm tea on the coffee table; Maiki was back.

Feeling a tender touch stroke your hair slowly drift to sleep. Standing over you watching you as your eyes close once again, Maiki stroked your hair for a few more minutes until she was sure you under, lifted her hand with a cynical smile twisted on her lips.