Our Dear Digital World

by Sora Takenouchi Ishida

The eight original Chosen Children take their kids to the Digital World for the first time. Set in the epilogue 25 years later.

Hello everyone! I'm back with a new one-shot! This one is rather long and it came out from a conversation about their children. This one-shot takes place earlier on the day the Chosen Children took their kids to the Digital World in the 02 epilogue and what happened there. Please note that everything here (including the children's names), aside from the part where the eight adults watch their children running in the field, is my headcanon. This one-shot also gave me an idea for a new multi-chapter fanfic, so there will be a new one coming soon. I don't know exactly when, though. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this! Don't forget to leave a review with your thoughts!

It was a typical autumn day. The weather was cool and the temperature wasn't too high or too low. It was a perfect day to go to the Digital World. A lot has changed in these past seventeen years since their last battle. Taichi, Yamato and Sora got their partners back a few years after losing their connections, when they graduated from college and started pursuing their dream jobs. The Digital World has been at peace since then.

Each one of them got married and has one or two children. Their friendship bond was never loosened, it only became tighter. Their schedules were hard to match, so they had to plan this day about three months ago. Today was the day they would show their children what the Digital World was like.

Hikari felt her heart racing. She hasn't been to the Digital World for who knows how long; she can't even remember it. She was the first one of the eight original children to have kids. Or third one if you consider the four kids from the next generation. It was a boy who's now seven years out. Everyone would expect Sora and Yamato to be the first ones to become parents, as they were together since their teenage years. So it was a surprise when Hikari announced her pregnancy.

Taichi walked into the kitchen of their parents' apartment. He and Hikari had moved out years ago, but every time he comes to visit Yuuko and Susumu he feels like this place is too big for the two of them. Yet everything seems the same to him, and he couldn't help but remember all the adventures he lived there with Agumon back in the days of that fateful summer. A smile escaped from his lips. They were indeed the best duo. Turning around, he noticed Hikari trying to pour herself some coffee, but failing because of her arm shaking. He walked to her and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey, is everything okay?"
"I'm not sure." Hikari confessed; a frightened look on her face. "The idea of going to the Digital World once again is a little scary to me. It's been decades since we last visited it and taking our kids there just seems so…"
"I see. And you're wondering if we are making the right decision."
Hikari couldn't contain her smile. Taichi got a lot better at reading her as years progressed. As a consequence, their relationship grew stronger. She never fully believed in the saying 'Maturity changes some relationships' until it happened between her and Taichi. They were much closer after he moved away during college. She had a hard time living without him at first, considering they spent almost fifteen years under the same roof. "Well, yeah." She finally said. "Yamazaki is only a child. Takato even more. What if a new threat comes up and they have to fight it?"
"I think it's hardly gonna happen." Taichi replied. "We've been taking care of the Digital World and everything is still at peace. To be honest, it seems unlikely for a new threat to come up after so many years. Oikawa restored the balance in the Digital World. I can guarantee you everything's safe. I wouldn't put anyone into danger if I knew something could happen, especially my son, nieces and nephews."
Hikari smiled softly at her brother's last statement as she took a sip of her black coffee. That's what the twelve Destined Children were: a family. Even though they weren't all blood related, she also considered their children her nieces and nephews. They all shared that feeling, even though some of the Destined Children were closer to some of them and not so much to others. It wasn't something that exactly bothered her, it's just how human relations work.
"Do you feel better now?"
"I do." Hikari walked to the large glass window that allowed her to see the giant Ferris wheel from Tokyo. "We've been through so much, didn't we? It's like every corner in Odaiba holds at least one memory from our adventures, whichever they are."
"You're right." Taichi replied as he joined her. "I remember when I came back after Greymon evolved into MetalGreymon for the first time and you were home alone because you were sick. I can still see it perfectly; you came out from our old bedroom." He turned his head towards what now is an office and Hikari followed his gesture. "Back then it hadn't hit me that there was a reason why you could see Koromon and not be afraid of him. You even had said you saw Digimon all the time and I didn't realize what it meant."
"Things happen on their own pace. Everything worked out in the end." A smile appeared on Hikari's lips and she returned her attention back to the window. "I remember the mess it was on that day, when we were the only ones who could see the Digimon."
"Yeah, they caused a riot. I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy battling and defeating our enemies. It still pains me a little the fact we won't have it again. A part of me misses feeling the adrenaline that comes from fighting bad forces. But I like how it is now. We wouldn't have the time required for this duty anymore."
"I kinda miss it too." Hikari confessed. "But we had to grow up eventually, for real. I'm grateful for everything we've been through."
"Me too." Taichi nodded positively. "The bonds we created, the friends we found, the growth we had. In the end, that's all that matters."
"That's true." Hikari smiled. "We should get going. The others are probably there already."
"Hey kids, we're ready to go." Taichi called them from the hall.
Yamazaki and Takato, Taichi's four year old son, ran into the living room, closely followed by Agumon, Tailmon, Koromon and Plotmon. All of them were laughing out loud and fully focused on the game they were playing. Both Taichi and Hikari watched the scene with a grin on their faces.
"It makes me so happy to see them getting along so well."
"Me too." Hikari took the last sip from the coffee, now not so hot anymore. "Okay, let's go."

Taichi and Hikari looked around after landing in the Digital World. Everything seemed the same, yet it was different in a way. Yamazaki and Takato had their mouths open in awe at the place they had heard so many stories from Hikari, Taichi and their uncles and aunts.
"Mom, is that actually the Digital World?"
"Yes, dear. It is." Hikari confirmed as she looked down at him. "The first time I came here I was your age."
"And you didn't feel afraid?"
"Not really. Your uncle and our friends were with me, so I knew I was safe and they wouldn't let anything happen to me."
"Are you surprised with this place?" Taichi asked Takato, who was in his arms.
"It looks like a forest."
"The Digital World has a lot of forests."
"Are there any dangerous animals?"
Taichi couldn't help but laugh. "Not like the ones we see on our world. Here there used to be some, but now there are only peaceful ones. So you shouldn't be afraid of them."
"Look, the others are here." Hikari said as they got closer to the group.
"Hey everyone." Taichi said with a grin.
"You're late as always." Yamato said as he rolled his eyes. "I wonder how you can have such an important job being this way."
"Here we go again." Sora covered her face with her left hand.
"Still jealous of me, Ishida?"
"Jealous of you? Absolutely not." Yamato let a smile escape from his lips. "But it's fun teasing you."
"Is someone missing?" Koushiro asked as he looked around.
"Takeru and Kenichi. But they should be arriving any second now."
"Can you believe today it's been twenty eight years since we first met our partners?" Sora asked.
"It's crazy, isn't it?" Jou replied. "We had no idea what was happening and suddenly we had to fight evil and protect this and our world."
"Were you afraid, dad?" Shuichi asked him.
"Not really. I had to be the bravest one because I was the oldest of us all."
"You should tell the truth to your child." Mimi said with a smile. "Your father was probably the most scared one among all of us."
"I was not, Mimi. You were."
"What?!"
"And we're back to being kids again." Sora said as she smiled.
"It's still too early to eat, and I think everyone wants to show their kids around." Hikari said. "So how about we split up for now and then meet here again for lunch?"
"That sounds a great idea!" Mimi said.

Sora, Yamato, Aiko and Kouji walked further into the forest. Their kids couldn't stop looking at everything in awe. The couple had smiles on their faces, and Sora reached for Yamato's hand and rested her head on his shoulder. He looked down at her and kissed the top of her head.
"Mom, was the Digital World like this when you first came here?"
"Not really, Aiko. Some things were different."
"I remember this place quite well." Yamato joined the conversation and looked at Sora. "This was the place you were hiding after PicoDevimon said your crest would never glow. I leaned against that tree over there."
"Oh that's right."
"What happened next?" The six year old girl asked with curiosity.
"Your mother gave me a hard time trying to find her."
"I did not." Sora protested. "I just didn't want to be a burden to everyone since I couldn't be much of a help."
"And then I said I didn't want to lose you." Takeru's voice echoed, causing everyone to turn their heads towards him. "That was right before you told us what our crests meant."
"And then what happened?"
"The others joined us and then Vamdemon appeared for the first time."
"All Digimon were defeated by him except me. Sora didn't want me to fight because I was attacked by PicoDevimon. And then her crest finally glowed and I was able to evolve higher."
"That's true. And when everything was over, I played my harmonica for her."
"Yes, you did." Sora smiled kindly at Yamato as they both remembered that moment in their minds. "I felt special because you never played for anyone."
"See how many people already liked you back then, Sora?" Piyomon asked as she kept flapping her wings next to her partner's head.
"Piyomon."
"Maybe she'll believe you, Piyomon, because she doesn't when I say it." Yamato walked behind Sora and slid a hand over her belly.
"I do believe you." Sora placed her hand over his. "I just don't like when you say it all the time."
"Yamato is always so melodramatic." Takeru said playfully.
"What?! I am not."
"Oh no, you are."
"Okay, stop it you two. Since when you decided to team up against me?"
"See? We stand correct." Sora laughed.
"You're embarrassing me in front of my children and my nephew."
"Oh sorry, honey." She kissed him in the cheek. "We love you."
Yamato slipped his arm around Sora and pulled her closer to him. Takeru sat beside his brother just when the children started running around, playing with each other.
"So, Takeru, how's your book going?"
"It's going great!" Takeru said with a large grin in his face. "It's sold out in some libraries in Tokyo. People really wanted to know everything we went through during our two adventures in the Digital World."
"I'm glad your book is a success, Takeru." Sora said softly. "It's good to know all our memories will be forever imprinted, but I feel awkward knowing so many people know all about it. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Sora." Takeru reassured her. "To be honest, I felt it too sometimes. But then I realized we're the only ones who actually got to live it. The rest of the world can only imagine it. We're the ones who can come to this place everytime we want."
"Yeah, you have a point."
"Are you going in a mission soon, brother?"
"Maybe in six months, I'm not sure yet." Yamato looked at his younger brother. "Some of them can be really long, and right now I just want to spend as much time as I can with Sora, Aiko and Kouji. In fact, we were wondering if Kenichi could sleep over at our house in the weekend."
"Yes, of course!" Takeru nodded. "Sometimes he complains about not having anyone to play with. So spending some time with his cousins will be great for him."
"Aiko complains about it too. I mean, she has Kouji, but she says he's too young to play the games she likes. I'm an only child, so I never knew what it was like. Were you two like that too?"
"I don't think so." Yamato replied. "I always remember playing with Takeru all the time. We were inseparable."
"That's right. I remember that time when I fell over the alphabet square bricks and started crying. Yamato came to me and picked me up so I would stop crying. And then he started playing his harmonica for me. It's been his habit since he was six years, I believe."
"I think it all began around that age."
"Yamato has always been a music boy. I mean, since when we met. He was always playing or singing. It's something so natural for him."
"You really think so?" Yamato looked at Sora. "You never told me that."
"I didn't? Well, I think so. The melodies you used to play always calmed me down. They were so soothing."
"When I need my harmonica, it's not with me."
"It's okay, honey." Sora rested her head on his chest. "You can sing to me. I love your voice."
Yamato started chanting and soon Aiko and Kouji sat in front of him and Sora, enjoying their father's song. Kenichi sat on Takeru's lap and closed his eyes.

Mimi and Yasuhiko were standing in front of a large castle. She shivered a little as memories came back into her mind. Palmon reached out for her hand.
"Mimi, are you okay? We don't need to go in if you don't want to."
"No, I do." Mimi replied firmly. "I just remembered everything that happened that day and how selfish and arrogant I was."
"They forgave you." Palmon reassured her. "It's about time you forgive yourself."
"That's why I'm here. Let's go." She reached for her son's hand they started going upstairs towards the door.
"Mama, what's this place?"
"This is the castle I stayed at when we all went in different directions after Taichi was taken back to Japan. We had split up back then, so we could have better chances to find him. It turns out he was the one who brought all of us together again." Mimi replied with a smile. "Palmon and I had run over quite a few Geckomon and Otamamons in our way and they were desperately trying to find someone who could sing and wake their master. I volunteered to do it. I gave my best at first, but then I kept coming up with excuses not to do it. Each time was a different one, and sometimes silly, excuse. I asked for a princess dress and when they brought it to me, I actually starting feeling like one. But not the kind and sweet ones you see on movies or books."
"And then what happened?" Yasuhiko asked with curiosity.
"Then your uncles Taichi and Jou came to rescue me and I refused to leave with them. In fact, I asked Geckomon and Otamamon to kick them out. It's not something I'm happy about. I used to be a bit selfish sometimes back then."
"That's okay, Mimi. What matters is that you understood that wasn't right and made up for it."
"Thanks Palmon." Mimi smiled at her partner before continuing the story. "But luckily, they hadn't given up on me. The Geckomon and Otamamon told Taichi and Jou what happened and they decided to give it a try and sing to wake their master, along with Agumon and Gomamon. It turns they were terrible at it."
"I can't even imagine how funny that must have been." Yasuhiko laughed as he tried to picture the scene in his mind.
"Yeah." Mimi laughed along with her son. "So then they decided to ask for Palmon's help to record me singing and then play it, so they could wake him up. It was working until I saw the wire that connected the microphone to the recorder and screamed as loud as I could. Taichi was wearing a headphone and that must have been incredibly loud for him. He almost went deaf."
"Mama!"
"I know, I know. So then I asked the Digimon to arrest them and Palmon too, for taking part of the plan. At night I was sleeping and I saw your aunt Sora. She told me what I did was wrong and then disappeared. I spent a few days wondering if it was only a dream or she was actually there, until she told me she saw everything that happened and was really there that night. So the next morning I put my regular clothes on and went to apologize to everyone. To make it up I sang the song and Geckomon and Otamamon's master finally woke up."
"And then what happened?"
"Then it turned out he was evil and attacked us. It was a good thing Taichi and Joe were still there to help me."
"Mimi, look!" Palmon pointed at a stair.
"My pink hat!" Mimi exclaimed and ran to pick it up. "I wonder how it got here. It's been decades since I left it behind."
"Maybe they found it and kept it all these years."
"It still looks new. That is surprising." Mimi looked at it carefully and then put it on her head. "Somehow it still fits me."
"Are we going inside?" Palmon asked.
"Yeah, I want to see if everything is still the same there too. To be honest, I find it shocking that some things remained intact all these years while the Digital World changed so much."
"We still don't get it quite that much too. It works in a way we can't fully understand most of the time."
"Ah look, it's still the same!" Mimi exclaimed as she looked around the main lounge. "Everything looks so new! Come on, Palmon! I want to see the bedroom."
She ran upstairs to where used to be her bedroom, closely followed by Palmon and Yasuhiko.

"Jou, look." Gomamon said as he pointed to his left.
"Huh?" Jou looked up after he fixed his son's hair that got messed up because of the wind. He fixed his position and his glasses. "Why is this place still around? It should have been destroyed when the Dark Masters took over the Digital World."
"Don't ask me." Gomamon said. "Maybe they build it again."
"Daddy, what is this place?" Shuichi, his six year old son, asked.
"This is a restaurant I was forced to work at back in 1999. I was twelve at that time."
"Why were you forced to work there?"
"Because I was fooled. I was told there were other humans around and they made me work at the kitchen. You see, I used to be a very clumsy boy and couldn't even hold a tray without shaking and dropping it. So what meant to be only days turned into weeks and months. And then Yamato found me and said he'd help me as soon as he went back to Takeru. But he was forced to stay as well, and obviously hated it. He also hated the fact I wasn't making things easier with my inability of being steady, which only added more time for us to help."
"What happened then?"
"Then Taichi and Takeru found us and Yamato said he'd only go away if I didn't come along. Not much after that, Takeru saw PicoDevimon – he was the one who started all the mess – and the plan was exposed. One of the Digimon grabbed Takeru and I jumped from the roof to save him, ending up in his place instead."
"That was very brave of your dad, Shuichi." Gomamon said proudly. "He sometimes may be scared or unsure, but he's really courageous when he has to."
"Thanks, Gomamon." Jou knelt down and petted his partner. "It was the least I could do after Yamato helped me so much. He didn't say, but I knew how it was hurting him he couldn't go back to Takeru."
"Jou." Gomamon said surprised. "And in the ending it was what activated his crest."
"That's true. But it wasn't the only reason. It was his heart, I believe. Me saving Takeru would be for nothing if he wasn't feeling something already."
"And then you became friends again?"
"We never stopped being friends, son. We may have had our misunderstandings and discussions sometimes, but our friendship was always stronger than them. I don't really believe in fight, but I think we were all destined to meet in that summer camp."
"Jou." Gomamon said and then smiled. "I believe it too."
"And to keep that bound strong as years went by. We literally watched each one of us grow up and start following our own paths in life. I'm really proud of every single one of them."
"I'm very proud of you, Jou. You became such a tough person. Don't you think so?"
"Gomamon? Eh… maybe I did."
"And there he is again." The Digimon shook his head, laughing.
"Of course I did, silly." Jou started tickling his partner, which caused him to laugh even more.
"Daddy, do you think it's still working?" Shuichi said with his hands over his stomach. "I'm a little hungry."
Jou couldn't help but let out a soft laugh. "You must be. You had breakfast very early today."
"I'm hungry too."
"When aren't you, Gomamon?" Jou asked playfully and then grabbed Shuichi little hand. "Okay, we can see if the restaurant is working, but let's try not to eat much because we still have the picnic."
"That's right. Isn't it almost time to go back?"
"No, we still have some time." Jou replied looking at his watch. "Let's go."

Koushiro let go of his daughter's hand as them stopped by the tall mountain, along with Tentomon. The girl had a look of enchantment in her face.
"Koushiro, why are we here?"
"I don't know, Tentomon." He replied without looking at his partner, keeping his head up to see the top of the mountain. He didn't remember it being that tall when he was a child. "My instincts led me here, I believe."
"Look, daddy!" Megumi pointed at a sign a few meters away from them and ran to read it.
"Megumi, you shouldn't run like that even if it's rather near." Tentomon flew after her and landed beside her. "It's dangerous."
Koushiro couldn't help but laugh at his partner excessive overprotectiveness towards his daughter. He then began to walk towards them. "It's okay, Tentomon. The Digital World doesn't have many evil Digimon nowadays."
"But…"
"None of us would risk our children's lives if it was any other way." Koushiro added in a reassuring way. "I've been keeping track of this world professionally for about twenty years now. I'm surprised you seem to forget it sometimes, since you're always with me."
"Sometimes it's still hard to assimilate that the Digital World is much more peaceful now."
"But I know why you are frightened by this place. I would be too under other circumstances."
"There you go using difficult words again."
"I can't help it." Koushiro laughed in embarrassment. "Some things don't really change, huh? But I'm trying my best. And no, there won't be any poop here again."
"Poop?" Megumi asked confusedly.
"There used to be an evil Digimon living down below here and he almost brainwashed me."
"He did it for some time, you mean."
"Yeah, yeah, he was succeeding."
"What's brain…watching?"
Koushiro laughed as he knelt down in front of his daughter. "Brainwashing, sweetie. It's a hard word, so it's okay. It means when someone makes you believe something they want you to, distorting the reality of it."
"Ohhh." Megumi said surprised. "And they did that to you? But you're always so smart!"
"Even I fall for that sometimes. Let's just say they touched a very sensitive point of me."
"How did you and Tentomon end up below the ground, daddy?"
"We saw a sign just like that one." Tentomon was the one who replied. "It said something about poop around here and it freaked us out. And then a hole appeared and we couldn't escape it."
"Were you afraid of it?"
"Well, considering everything was beyond dark, a little. But I guess I was more when the evil Digimon appeared. He said I would have to give up my curiosity if I wanted to survive."
"I don't understand."
"Sweetie, that means I couldn't ask questions or get answers to things I wanted to know. Basically, I had to be just there."
"Like a ghost?" Megumi asked, still not getting the situation.
"Something like that."
"You can imagine how desperate I was when your father gave up his curiosity and his crest because Vademon told him he had to get rid of everything to be able to connect to the universe. I regressed back to Pabumon at some point."
"Your baby form? And how did you go back to normal?"
"The bubbles Pabumon released contained some memories of us. At first I watched them without any emotion, until one of the exploded and I regained my conscience."
"The next thing we had to do was getting my mind and my crest back. Pabumon was actually the one who walked into the room and got my crest for me."
"And then we tricked the bad Digimon by locking him outside and went to get Koushiro's mind back. It didn't take long for me to become Tentomon again and evolve to Kabuterimon, so I could fight the Digimon."
"Did you win?"
"Of course." Tentomon said rather proudly of himself. "But it wasn't easy. I had to evolve once more."
"Eh…" Megumi said a little unsure. "You mean that thing that daddy showed me once? The red one?"
"Yes, Megumi, that's the one." Koushiro said. "His name is AtlurKabuterimon."
"That name is too difficult for me… can I just call it a big bug?"
Koushiro couldn't help but laugh at her little arms spread as large as they could, to show how big she meant. He loved his daughter's spontaneity. "Yes, darling, you can call it a big bug."
"Hey!" Tentomon protested.
"I'm sorry, Tentomon. But you have to admit it's a hard name to learn at first, especially for kids."
"Yeah. You're right. You didn't seem to have a problem with it, though."
"Well, I'm your partner after all. And I was a few years older than Megumi."
"Right." Tentomon crossed his arms and turned away.
"I can't believe you're angry at this." Koushiro said with a smile as he bent down towards his partner. "You've been spending way too much time with Agumon. You were never this dramatic."
"I'm hurt."
Suddenly, Megumi hugged Tentomon and give him a small kiss on the top of his head. "Mom says we should kiss where it's hurting, so it'll heal fast. Is it better now?"
"Yes, it is, Megumi." Tentomon hugged her back. "Thank you."

The Ferris wheel could be seen some meters away. Takeru couldn't help but think it used to be way taller when he was eight. Patamon was flapping his large wings beside his partner's head.
"Takeru, why are we here if this place brings us some bad memories?"
"I don't know, Patamon." He shrugged. "I saw Sora and Yamato where her crest shone for the first time and it felt natural to come here. I used to cry a lot back then."
"You didn't." Patamon shook his head. "You were just a child who was forced into a situation you didn't ask for. You reacted the same way every child would."
"Hikari didn't."
"You're not Hikari. Besides, she only joined us much later." The Digimon landed on Takeru's head and looked down at him. "You became much braver than you were when you first got here. Just like I knew you would."
"Patamon." Takeru looked at him with a smile.
"I'm proud of the man and the person you've become, Takeru. I've watched you go to college and graduate, fall in love, get married and become a father. I couldn't be happier for you." Patamon looked down at Kenichi. "And I'm sure that this little guy over here couldn't have a better dad."
Kenichi looked up at the Digimon in his father's head with a smile. "You're right."
Takeru reached for his son's hand and held it. "I'm happy to hear that. I try to be the best one I can."
"So Takeru and I had some bad memories here, but we also had good ones." Patamon flew from his head to his arm, looking at his eyes. "Right?"
"That's right." Takeru nodded. "I learned not to be easily manipulated. Plus, even though we all had gone in different directions, I knew they'd be here for me no matter what."
"PicoDevimon was a really bad Digimon, but luckily we found out about his plans before he could do more damage."
"He made me turn against you." Takeru flinched as the memories came into his mind.
"That's okay, Takeru." Patamon said in a reassuring tone. "It's been years now and I've forgiven you right away. There's no reason to bring this back again, it'll only make you feel bad and sad."
"You're right. What matters is the person who I became and who I want to be from now on."
"Exactly."
"Daddy." Kenichi said and both Takeru and Patamon looked at him. "We can also make some more good memories here."
"What do you have in mind, son?"
"Can we go to the Ferris Wheel? Maybe I can finally go to Tokyo one after this."
"Of course." Takeru said with a smile. "I'm sure your fear will go away when we come back. You're a strong boy."
"I am." Kenichi nodded with a grin and started running towards the wheel. "Let's go!"
"He's a good boy." Patamon said proudly. "You raised him well."
"Thank you. Knowing that makes me sure I 'm on the right path."

"Takeru changed so much, didn't he?" Piyomon asked as she flapped her wings above Sora's head.
"Well, if you are referring to his eight year old version, then yes. He learned to step up for himself without depending on other people and that says a lot. I love how he's such a caring person."
"He's had the best examples he could ever have." Gabumon stated. "And I don't mean just Yamato and their parents."
"Huh?" Sora looked down at him confused, though deep down she knew who he was referring to and she felt her cheeks burning up in embarrassment.
"I couldn't agree more." Yamato joined the conversation, and Sora changed her focus to him. "It's not a secret Takeru always looked up to you. You're partially responsible for who he is today too, especially after we started dating."
"I feel flattered, but I still don't think I had that much to do with Takeru being who he's become today. I'm proud of him, though."
"Me too." Yamato placed his hand over Sora's shoulder. "I will never be able to thank you enough for stopping him from eating that poisonous mushroom."
"No need to thank me." Sora gave a warm smile. "I only did what any of us would."
"That's true. But the fact you did it makes it more special to me."
"Stop it, you're embarrassing me." She said playfully.
"Now you know how I feel." Yamato played back.
"So this is revenge?" Sora couldn't stop laughing. "Is that how you want to teach our children?"
"You have a point." He turned to them. "Revenge is not good, kids. Praising your mother is."
"Praising your father too." She added and then looked at him. "Have I told you how much I love you today?"
"If you have, I don't remember. So you'll have to say it again."
"Silly." Sora smile widely and ran her hands through his leather jacket. "I love you so much."
"I love you too." Yamato looked at her tenderly as he wrapped his arms around her. "More than I'll ever be able to express."
She placed a hand behind his neck and pulled his head towards her as she stood on her toes and met his lips in a kiss halfway.

Yamazaki looked carefully at all trees inside the forest. Hikari observed him in awe and couldn't help but feel proud of the child he was. It hadn't always been easy, and she felt a feeling of pride for herself too. Ever since she became a mother, she began to value her mother much more. She hoped she made Yuuko proud just as much as Yamazaki makes her.
"Hikari, look!"
The woman was woken up from her thoughts when she heard Tailmon's voice and saw her pointing to a tree. It didn't take her long to notice something hanging from it and a brief silver sparkle she almost missed.
"It's your whistle."
"What?" Hikari asked. "I doubt it, Tailmon. It's been years since we decided to leave it behind. A random Digimon probably has it."
"I'm telling you it's your whistle. I can see it." Tailmon ran to it.
Hikari and Yamazaki ran after her and watched her climbing the tree to get it. Luckily, it wasn't that high, so she didn't have to climb that much.
"You were right, Tailmon." Hikari said as she grabbed her old whistle and watched it carefully. She wasn't quite sure how she felt about it. She was happy her partner found it and also confused and intrigued it was still there and whole after so many years.
"I can't really say I'm surprised it's still here."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I was the one who hung it here."
"You hung it there?" Hikari asked surprised. "Why?"
"After you left it behind, I took it and hung it in that tree. I had a feeling you would want it back in the future and I believe this moment arrived."
"What are you…" Hikari's voice trailed off as she followed Tailmon's gaze and came across her son. She was beginning to put the pieces together. "You were saving it so I could give it to my child?"
"That's right."
Hikari looked at her old whistle and then to Yamazaki, who was looking at it with curiosity. She stood up and walked to her son; a large smile was on her lips. She knelt down in front of her child. She stretched her arm towards him, the whistle in her palm. "You like this?"
Yamazaki looked at his mother with the same curious face, as if he was waiting for a permission to hold the object. A soft laugh escaped from Hikari's mouth as she put the whistle into his hand and closed it.
"This used to be mine when I was your age, when I had my first adventure here. It was very useful back then and now it may be useful to you. That's why I want you to have it. That is, if you want to."
Yamazaki looked at the whistle in his palm before grinning and jumping into his mother's arms. "I do! Thanks, mommy! It's so pretty."
"Yes, it is." Hikari answered with a smile and watched proudly as her son put it on.
"It looks great on you, Yamazaki." Tailmon said. "I was always sure I had made the right thing."
"I can't believe you kept this from me all these years."
"To be honest, I hadn't thought about it for quite a few years. Oddly, this has been on my mind since I woke up today."
"You always had a special way of sensing these things, didn't you?"
"Just like you. No wonder why we are partners."
"Thank you, Tailmon!" Hikari threw her arms around her. Her eyes were teary and the tone of her voice was full of pride. "You are the best partner I could ever ask for! I'm sorry for not being able to come with the others and making you wait so long for me."
"That's okay, Hikari." Tailmon hugged her back. "Despite everything that had happened, deep down I always knew I'd find you."
"Mommy, you never told me how you met Tailmon."
"I didn't?" Hikari tapped the ground beside her. She sat down properly as her son took the seat she had just tapped. "I can tell you now."
The teacher and her partner took turns in telling Yamazaki how they met each other. The child listened to it carefully.

Taichi was standing by a lake with Agumon and Takato by his side. He threw a small rock into the water and watched it create small waves before sinking. Almost thirty years had gone by, but he could still hear the same sweet melody echoing around.
"Taichi, what are you thinking?" Agumon asked as he stared ahead.
"Uh, it's nothing." He discreetly wiped his tears away; a real deja-vu from many years ago.
"This seems like the same island we spent our first night here." The Digimon looked over his shoulder. "If I remember correctly, we lit a bonfire around here and ended up burning a Seadramon's tail."
"That's true." Taichi bent down and hugged him. "We've had the same conversation at the ending of our first adventure here, remember?"
"We did?"
"Yes, silly." Taichi laughed. "Then you asked if it was your fault and I told you I was the one responsible for the burning."
"You still remember it even after all these years?"
"I can't say I remember it very clear…" The man scratched the back of his head and gave an awkward laugh. "But Takeru's book didn't let me forget about it completely. One thing is true, though. You and I made the best duo."
"We really did."
"I'm so grateful for meeting you, Agumon. Thanks to you, I went back to Odaiba a different person. The man I am today began that day." He sighed and looked up at the sky.
"Taichi." Agumon looked up at him and then to his son. "I'm proud of who you are now. And I'm sure so is this little one over here. You should be too."
"Hey, little boy." Taichi knelt down beside his son. "What do you think of this place so far?"
"It's like a big park." Takato replied and then looked around with curiosity.
"So I guess it didn't change at all." The man couldn't help but laugh. "The Digital World is too big, so we won't be able to see a lot today. But daddy promises to bring you here as much as he can."
"But daddy, mommy doesn't like it when you bring me here with you."
"Don't worry about it." Taichi picked his son up and threw him a little high in the air. "I will talk to her and make sure she agrees with it."
He laughed when Takato screamed in happiness before Taichi grabbed him as he came down. Then Taichi put him over his shoulders and the little boy ruffled his father's hair before picking Taichi's old monocle.
"Looks like someone's happy." Agumon stated as he looked up at Takato.
"Hey, Agumon, I have an idea."
"I'm listening."
"You know how Takato loves dinosaurs and robot figures, right?" Taichi looked down at his partner and received a positive nod. "So I was thinking maybe we could…"
"Show him WarGreymon."
"I like the way you think." He took his digivice out of his pocket and its screen started to glow, and so did Agumon.
Takato watched everything in awe as the light began to fade and the small yellow Digimon was replaced by a tall armored one. Taichi got closer to his partner and the boy's tiny hand touched the closest part of WarGreymon to him. A smile appeared on his lips right after. "Wow.
"Pretty impressive, huh?" Taichi took his son away from his shoulders and held him in his arms, from where the Takato could get closer to the ultimate level Digimon. "His name is WarGreymon."
"Hello." WarGreymon said and Takato opened his mouth in shock with his voice.
"Daddy, he's so cool!"
"Isn't he?" The man got closer to WarGreymon. "Come on, it's time to reunite with the others."

When Taichi and Takato joined the others, everyone was already there except Yamato and his children. All the other ones either looked at WarGreymon in awe or didn't want to come near because they were afraid.
"So, it looks like you and Yamato had the same idea without knowing it."
"Huh?" Taichi looked at Sora with a puzzled expression.
"He came up with this idea about having Gabumon to warp-evolve to MetalGarurumon and show him to Aiko and Kouji. The kids were crazy about him. They must be around here somewhere, Yamato took them on a ride."
"They didn't want to see Garudamon?"
"They were afraid of her." Sora pretended to be hurt over it, but couldn't stop laughing. "Somehow they think a robot wolf is cooler than a huge bird."
"Can't say I blame them." Taichi joked and Sora slapped him in the arm playfully. "Ouch!"
"Well, you deserved it." She smiled. "No one goes unpunished for making fun of my partner."
"I see you want to steal my moment once again, Yagami." Yamato's voice echoed around the place as MetalGarurumon stopped near the group.
"Shut up, Ishida."
"We were just waiting for you to eat." Sora greeted her husband with a quick kiss on the lips. "Everyone is starving already."
"I bet they are." Yamato turned to the rest of the group. "I'm sorry for taking so long to get here, guys. Aiko and Kouji were crazy about MetalGarurumon and didn't want to come back."
"It's okay, brother."

After they finished eating and rested a little, the kids were all ready for another adventure. They were running around playing tag or hide and seek. The little ones tried to follow the older ones, but they didn't have the same pace and often got excluded from a game. The eight Destined Children watched them playing all together, smiling and feeling extremely proud of their kids.
"Are you more relaxed now?" Taichi asked Hikari as he approached her.
"What?"
"You were nervous as hell before we came here this morning. Are you feeling better about it now?"
"Yeah, I guess." Hikari momentarily looked at Yamazaki picking a crying Takato up from the ground. "I shouldn't have been so scared to take Yamazaki here. Of course he'd love it."
"Takato too. You should have seen his reaction when he first saw WarGreymon."
"He's such a great kid." Hikari said proudly. "They all are."
"True. They really make us feel like one big family."
"I know what you mean. I think we feel the same way. That summer really changed our lives, didn't it?"
"And I wouldn't want it any other way." Taichi smiled at Hikari and then looked towards the children, who were going further into the large field the adults chose for their picnic.