The Friends of the Stones

by Debbie Dai-chan

Finally, the Stories of the Ten Digidestined and a new enemy that has a role to play . . .

4. 4 Symbols of Palms

The Friends of the Stones:
Part Four: Symbols of Palms
By Debbie (Dai-chan) and Chicobo, too!

Yamato rested his head against the wall as he watched the scenery from the cave entrance. Near him, boulders and stones were scattered around. As he looked farther, the stone ground become more terrestrial as it ended up into a vast jungle of deep green and pale blue. The cave mouth was a little higher on the ground level, and Yamato could see the top of the jungle for a couple of miles until it met up with the horizon.

The ground was still damp and soggy, and even after a day, Yamato could see the messy footprints of the absent three boys in the brown-greyish mud. He was growing worried about them. He really hoped that they were all right, and prayed that Taichi's theory of his sensation of someone was correct, not a trick.

He heard footsteps behind him, and he knew it was Hikari by her childish, light scent. He could smell souls, like a wolf, and he has recognized each kid's scent easily. Hikari has a faint, pinkish taste to her scent. She sat beside him, wrapped her arms around his left arm, and rested her head on his shoulder. She has hanged around with Yamato since her brother was gone, and Yamato was feeling a little grateful of her company since he already missed his brother.

"What's up, kid?" Yamato said, glancing down.

Hikari looked up with her tan eyes. Why was that every time she look at him, she looked remarkably like her brother? She was speaking, "Are you worried about TK? Don't worry. He will be fine."

Yamato smiled and ruffled her dusky hair. "I know, kiddo. I'm not worried only about TK, but Tai and Frankie, too."

"Do you think Tai is right about this 'person'?"

"I don't know, Kari. I really don't know."

Hikari turned to stare outside, a lonely expression on her freckled face. Yamato hated to see her depressed. He hated to see the other girls getting disheartening over the absent boys and the slumbering kids. It was his job to cheer them up.

He grabbed her by the waist and flipped her upside-down. Hikari squealed with delight as he putted her over his shoulder. Grinning, he carried the laughing girl into the cave where Sora and Mimi gazed over to them with surprise.

"Hey, ladies, I brought lunch!" Yamato hollered somewhat like a caveman.

Mimi stifled a giggle as Hikari yelled, "Hey!" She began to beat playfully on his back. Sora rescued her by snatching her from Yamato. Hikari screamed in glee, clinging on Sora as Yamato chased them outside. Mimi went to stand in the cave entrance, shaking her head at the silly kids as they ran across the wet ground. They were so immature, but still, they tended to cheer up the dark mood. Watching them did make her feel better.

She noticed that the kids stopped playing and were freezing in place. She grew worried, concerned that something bad was happening. Then she saw three faint glows coming from their clothes. Sora had a vague red glow from her small pink belt pouch, Hikari had a strong, bright pink light from her shorts pocket, and there was a night blue glow from Yamato's back jeans pocket.

Moving closer, curious, Mimi soon saw that the glows were coming from the strange stones, which were hovering from the kids' pockets, floating in front of the kids. She noticed that Sora did find a stone - a feather. The stones were glowing in their colors. Then the kids closed their hands around the stones, the glow now shining from between their fingers. She saw the light expression of pain passing across their faces. Suddenly, they let go of the stones with yelps of agony, holding their hands. The stones were back to their grey, plain appearances.

Mimi ran to Sora, who pulled off her gloves and blew on her palms. She took a hold on her hand and took a careful look. She saw raw red lines that appeared like burns, shaped as Sora's crest symbol - a hollowed heart with a circle within. One both palms. Mimi grabbed Sora's gloves and was befuddled. The gloves had no burns on the palms - as though the burns occurred through the gloves without damaging the fabric.

"Matt, look," Mimi heard Hikari saying, and turned to see Hikari showing her palms to Yamato, a perplexed visage on her face. Mimi quickly took glances on Hikari's and Yamato's palms. Hikari had her symbol of a diamond-pedaled flower on her palms, and Yamato's symbol of a yin-yang stamped on his own palms.

"What has happened to you?" Mimi asked.

"I heard my stone humming and told me to hold it," said Hikari with awe.

Mimi glanced to the older kids see if it was true. Sora and Yamato nodded in silence, gazing at their hands. Then all looked up at a weak voice. They saw Kimika leaning against the cave entrance, looking like she was about to fall down.

"Kim!" Yamato broke into a run toward the dazed girl. The other girls followed as Yamato picked Kimika in his arms and carried her inside. "Go and check on the others," Yamato ordered the girls, but they went to the back of the cave already.

"Are you okay?" Yamato whispered as he set Kimika down, placing his hand on her forehead. Kimika looked ghastly pale, but she wasn't shivering and was breathing fine. She just looked exhausted.

Kimika took his hand, holding it thankfully. "Yeah, I think so. I feel really tired like I slept too long."

"Well, you have," Yamato said.

Kimika gazed at him in puzzlement. "What?"

Before he could answer, he heard footsteps as the girls, along with the boys, walking in. Like Kimika, Koushiro and Jyou looked all right except for exhaustion and paleness. The girls let them sit, fussing over them.

"Yama-kun, what do you mean, I have slept too long?" Kimika asked.

Yamato answered, "You, Jyou, and Izzy have slept for nearly two days. We couldn't wake you at all."

"And you spoke this weird poem," added Hikari.

The three kids were obviously bewildered. "A poem?" Koushiro murmured.

"You did say it, and we don't understand it," Sora replied, worry in her amber eyes.

The three kids gazed over to each other, their eyes somehow clouded and dazed. They didn't remember saying it, Yamato thought. Something weird was going on here.

Jyou's voice got his attention as he spoke, "Where are the rest? Tai, Frankie, and TK?"

The girls except Kimika went silent, their eyes gazing over to Yamato, the temporary leader. The others also looked at him, wanting a reasonable answer. Yamato calmly spoke, "Tai was worried that you couldn't wake, and he said that he sensed someone outside. He thought that it might has the answer or a cure to wake you guys. Frankie and TK volunteered to go with him, and I was chosen to be the second-in-command."

"You let them go?" Kimika whispered, her brown eyes nearly going too soft.

"We should go find them right now," Jyou said calmly. "We are awake and all right. They don't have to search for a cure."

"No, Jou-kun," Mimi protested. "You are still weak from your sleep, and your wounds aren't healed enough."

Then they turned to the surprised voice of Koushiro. He was staring at Hikari's exposed palms. "Your palms, Kari . . . What happened?"

Without hesitation, Hikari told what happened. Kimika held Yamato's hands, her face a worried and awed visage. The burns were healing, but left neat lines that were perfect replicas of his crest symbol. Yamato realized until now that he left his stone and gloves, which he has pulled off, outside, along with Hikari's stone, and Sora's gloves and stone.

"Hika-chan, why won't you go and get our gloves and stones for us?" Yamato asked. The youngest girl obeyed and went outside.

"Matt," Kimika said, "I think I could do something about the wounds. I could heal them."

The kids gazed at her in astonishment. "You can, Kim?" Sora said. "How?"

"Well, not exactly healed. My power is Shadow, remember? I can change reality. Small things, really. I could mend the wounds into whole skin, leaving no scars. But I cannot take pain away, so although your wounds are gone, your pain won't. Either way, it's best so your wounds won't get worse or get infected because they would be already closed."

"Amazing power you have," Yamato grinned admiringly. He wanted to find the other boys as soon as possible so the group won't be separated again. "Kimi-chan, if you are strong enough, go ahead."

Kimika tended to Jyou first, unwrapping the bandages with the help of Sora. Yamato flinched at the horrible sight of the V-shaped wounds on the black-haired boy's shoulder. Were the wounds the cause of the trio's too-long slumber and the poem? He wasn't certain. The Digiworld was getting bizarre by the minute. He watched Kimika's hand glowing with a faint silver aura as it hovered over the wound. To his concern, the wounds didn't exactly heal. Instead, the skin did close over the gashes, but the skin became too thick, now scarred into a 'V'. Seeing Kimika's disbelieved face, Yamato assured she didn't know how did it happen and decided against the idea to ask her about it.

The same thing happened to her and Koushiro's wounds. The outcome ended up with a V-shaped scar that was unsightly. But at least, the wounds won't get infected, and the kids could hide them under their shirts, feeling self-conscious. Yamato also felt self-conscious about the burns on his palms. He and Sora hid them underneath their gloves. Hikari seemed not minded with her palms, often gazing upon them with curious wonder.

The kids cleared up the cave, getting ready for yet another journey to find the rest. Jyou, Kimika, and Koushiro appeared well to travel, although there was a faint pale tinge among their cheeks. Ready, they left the cave for the jungle, following the still-wet footprints.

***

"Tai, whenever you find this guy, tell us, okay? I'm getting exhausted here," Frankie called over from behind, then Taichi heard a disgusted grunt as the oldest boy pulled his foot out from the thick mud, making squelching sounds.

They have been wandering in the forest for several hours, and Taichi was worried because the person he was sensing was gone. He wondered if he led them in a wild goose chase. When they first left their friends, the boys walked on, trusting on Taichi's power to find wherever the person was. The presence never moved at all, staying in one place as they got closer. The next morning, the person still don't move.

Frankie has said that he couldn't sense any threat from the presence, and the boys got confidence that the person must be friendly. But as they walked on, the presence was gone. Just like that. Taichi didn't tell the boys anything about it, feeling a bit worried. He didn't want them to lose their trust in him, but then he should've stopped and turned back. Being a leader wasn't that easy.

Taichi stopped in his tracks and slowly scanned around his surroundings. Although it was in board sunlight, the jungle floor was rather dim and humid. The ground was still muddy from last night, not yet dried up by the sun. His shoes were so messy that they were no longer white, but now grey-brown, patches of mud staining his shocks.

Takeru came to his side and asked, "Tai, why did you stop?"

Taichi rubbed his neck, feeling the tension in the muscles. He tried to think how could he tell them that he has lost the presence. "Well, I think I lost the presence." Yeah, smooth, Tai.

Takeru cocked his head to gaze at him in silence. He suddenly felt sheepish under the alert azure eyes as if Takeru was searching carefully for the truth.

"What do you mean, you lost the presence?" Frankie said, arriving at his side.

"I lost it. I couldn't sense it anymore. It's gone."

Frankie made a displeased grunt and ran his hand through his orange-streaked russet hair. He had left his hat in his backpack, too hot to wear it. "So, what can we do now? Go back?"

"But what about Kim? Izzy and Joe?" Takeru murmured, his eyes growing worried.

Taichi sighed. "Goman nasai, Take-kun. I just hope that they would wake up soon."

"Me, too," Takeru said.

"Me, three," added Frankie, his hazel eyes going back on the path. "But, really, Tai, how could you think that this person has the answers to them sleeping and that poem?"

Taichi was silent momentarily. "I don't know. I just have this feeling that the person does have the answer."

"How?"

"I don't know!" Taichi snapped. And winced at the tone of his voice. "Goman, Frankie."

Frankie made a half-smile as though he understood, but demanded an answer. "That's ok, man."

"Are we coming back?" the little boy asked, was silent during the bickering.

Taichi was still silent. Takeru was worried about him. He wanted to say that it was all right not to be right sometimes, but Taichi hated to be wrong. He watched the boys talking for a moment, then he felt a touch on his right shoulder, very soft, and a tingling sensation that tickled his skin. He could feel that someone was behind him. Slowly, controlling his fear, Takeru looked over his shoulder and met the bright green gaze of a man.

Takeru gasped and stumbled into Taichi and Frankie. The boys caught him, seeing the person, and shifted back, cautious and surprised.

A male humanoid stood up from the bushes. He was tall, almost a giant, and well-muscular. He was in white clothing. A sleeveless white shirt with appearances of orange fire around his waist, the flames dancing upward, covered his upper body. His extremely loose pantaloons were white, too, with flames dancing from the ankles to the calves. He was barefoot. He wore red finger-less gauntlets.

He was too human to be a Digimon, and yet he had the air of a high authority. His hair was long to his back, fiery red like Koushiro's hair, with noticeable lavender strands, tied in a ponytail at the base of his neck. His eyes were like real emeralds, set in a pale-colored stony face.

"Who are you?" Taichi demanded, his eyes narrowed. It was strange. He couldn't sense body heat from the male as though he was nothing but an illusion.

The male helped up large hands in a defending position, but his eyes were too bright to be gentle. He had the look of hidden secrets. "Easy, Digidestined," he spoke, his voice deep and powerful to fit his appearance. "I wish not to harm you, not when you are digiunited. I'm known as Akemimon, and you are the Master, the Keeper, and the Savior, right?"

Taichi glanced sidelong to Frankie, who answered with an uncertain shrug, heedfulness in his hazel eyes. He then gazed to Takeru, who was rubbing his right shoulder, his azure eyes wide with wonder at the humanoid. Taichi met the green gaze with his own pale tan gaze. "Yeah, we are them. What do you want with us? Are you really a Digimon?"

Akemimon smiled with hidden cunningness, and Taichi became wary about the smile. "Yes, I'm a Digimon. I have been waiting for you, Master."

"Are you the one Tai sensed?" Takeru asked.

Akemimon turned emerald eyes to him for a moment, saying nothing. Then he said, "I'm here to warn you that you all are in great danger."

"What do you mean, we are in danger?" Frankie asked, crossing his arms How could he say we're in danger if I can't? he thought at Akemimon's words.

Akemimon spoke, his eyes slitted, "Some of your friends have been marked. If you value them, I need your help to restore my evil sister. She is the one who marked them."

"Marked? What the heck are you talking about?" Taichi said, disliking this guy by the minute.

Akemimon again said, the cunning smile on his lips, "Three of your companions will betray you. Beware of them, but if you want to restore them, give me the Savior, and I will stop my sister and release your friends."

Takeru quickly hid behind Taichi, his eyes darkened. Tai promised Yamato he will protect him all the time, and he won't betray the trust. "I won't let you take him," Tai said fiercely, feeling his power heating in his chest. "And we are in danger? Oh, really? We *always* are in danger! What a surprise." He turned to his friends, muttering, "Let's go back to the cave. I don't trust this dude." Frankie nodded in agreement, glaring at Akemimon.

They took only a few steps back when Akemimon suddenly appeared in front of them, stopping them. Like an illusion, he transported himself. His voice was strangely sad. "I'm sorry you disagreed to my plead. I warned you. I will send you to your friends, but beware." He raised his hands toward the boys, and they began to glow with a faint white light.

"Hey, you have no right to do that to us!" Taichi warned, his own aura of fire already surrounding him as Frankie was aglow with his pure white aura, the boys protecting Takeru.

Akemimon shook his head sadly, and snapped his fingers. There was a sudden blinding flash, the boys felt a cool tingle passing through their bodies, then they found themselves standing on rocks.

"Nani?! Where are we?!" Taichi said, scanning around in alarm. Everywhere were stones boulders and pebbles. He could see the sky, pale blue against grey clouds.

"I think we are on a mountain or some place like that," Frankie said, peering over a gap and paled. He could see how high they were. Very high, calculated at how tiny the trees were.

"What's the big idea of Akemimon sending us here?" Taichi growled, clenching his fists.

"Hey!" Takeru's voice brought the boys to his attention. Takeru had a look on his young face as if he heard something. "Do you hear that?"

Now that the boys calmed down, they began to hear faint rumblings that came closer in a slow rate. Taichi received a mild wave of heat that he recognized as the body heat of a Digimon. He heard a sharp intake of breath from Frankie and assumed he sensed danger.

"Frankie?" Taichi whispered, his eyes on where he thought he heard the rumblings.

Frankie whispered back, "May I suggest we run far away? Like, right now?"

Taichi and Takeru didn't need any warning. The three boys broke into a dash, as fast as they could from the coming danger, whatever it was.

***

Kimika stood, her brown eyes on the remains of a campfire. The ashes were very cold, a sign that the three boys were long gone. Why must the boys leave them? Kimika was afraid that whoever or whatever Taichi was supposed to sense would be a trick. Yamato has agreed with her, but he said Taichi was certain about it. Kimika sighed. That was the Taichi she knew so well.

Hikari was at her side, quiet, but secretly wanted her brother back. Kimika's company seemed to comfort her. The rest was staying together as Yamato scouted the area. Kimika always thought he was so alike to a wolf. His power allowed him to 'smell' souls, and he could easily find a trail left behind by the boys, just like a wolf. Yamato had his head low, his grey-blue eyes intensely sharp as he searched for a trail.

"Aha!" Yamato exclaimed, bring the group's attention to him. "Found them!" He entered the thick bushes, pushing away branches and stepping over rocks as the rest followed, trusting his power. Yamato became aroused as he found the boys' scents, a strong, mingled path of white, orange, and yellow entwining through the bushes, and he began to hasten, vaguely listening to his friends' yells to slow down for them. He could almost taste the scents, an odd mix of coolness, heat, and sharpness. But soon, the scents faded in the air, as if a sudden gale blew them away, leaving Yamato in puzzlement. He slowed down, and his friends finally arrived to him.

"Did you find them?" Jyou asked from behind, his eyes looking around.

Yamato shook his head. "Iie. The scents are gone."

"And I couldn't sense their essences, either -" Mimi stopped, her hazel eyes widening as she stared at a hidden point in the forest.

"What's it, Mimi-chan?" Jyou asked.

"Now I sense one essence, but . . ." Mimi cocked her head. "But it's not one of us."

Hikari began to say something, but Mimi turned her head to gaze at another point at her far right. "Now I sense two," she murmured. Then she whirled around behind the kids. "There is another one, but they are different."

The boys involuntarily stepped in a protective circle around the girls, each facing the three points, their faces slightly darkened. Then Mimi whispered, "One of them is coming closer, and I think it could be dangerous."

"What's going on here?" Sora spoke, her amber eyes melting into molten gold, the sign of her increasing anger. "Someone is watching us, but who?"

Soon, they could hear soft rustling, as though something was trying not to be noticed as it came closer. Seven pairs of cautious eyes turned to the noise, and the children tensed as they saw a middle-sized Digimon standing in the dimness, his dark purple eyes inspecting them. There was enough light to see his appearance.

He looked like a giant red tiger with a yellow flaming mane. Golden stripes ran among his agile legs and back. There was a white spiral horn on his forehead, the only bright object on the dark tiger. Thick black chains coiled around his legs that looked unbreakable. He stood on four huge paws with thick yellow talons.

"Phalomon," the kids heard Koushiro whispering, his onyx-black eyes on the tiger.

"How could you know, Izzy?" Yamato asked.

"Because he's the Warder," the children jumped at the guttural voice of the tiger as he stepped into the light. Phalomon glared downward to the kids. "The Warder knows everything about us Digimon."

"Stay back, Digimon," Yamato warned, stepping in front of his companions. "We don't want any trouble with you or anybody."

Phalomon narrowed his vivid violet eyes at the blonde. "You stay away, Guardian. This's no concern to you, unless, of course, you will give up the Seer, the Warder, and the Reconciler to my Mistress."

"Nani?" Yamato gasped.

"These three are dangerous to her. If you want to keep peace, give them up."

"No way!" Mimi grasped on Jyou's arm, her eyes flashing with disbelief.

"Joe," Yamato hissed to him, "get the others and go. I will take care of that beast."

The black-haired boy had no way to protest when Phalomon attacked. He leaped right in the group, scattering away the kids. Phalomon turned straight to Jyou, who backed as much as he could. The tiger moved forward, then paused in his tracks at the pale yet bright blue aura the boy possessed. Jyou wasn't looking every inch as the average, anxious Jyou. He was the Reconciler.

Then Kimika ran in between, facing the tiger. She wasn't glowing, but her hands were, swaying in the air, Phalomon's eyes following them with wariness. Somehow, shadows cast by the trees, gathered in front of Kimika on the ground, raising from the ground as one, gaining mass. The shadows shifted into one shade, solidifying until it was an exact replica of Phalomon, the color of black and silver replaced the colors of the real Digimon, touched by the blue light of Jyou. The shadow, with a command from the Seer, leaped for Phalomon, its black fangs aiming for his neck.

"RUN!" Kimika ordered as she and Jyou ran the opposite way. The kids followed behind, the roars of the two tigers still heard.

Yamato saw Kimika slowing down, turning around to face the roars, the kids running past her. "Kim, go now!" Yamato shouted as he stopped beside her.

"Iie!" she refused. "I must stay to make sure my illusion distracts Phalomon!"

"Then I stay!"

"Iie, Matt! You are the leader! We need you!"

"I won't leave you!"

The mates argued fiercely for their safety, then were abruptly silenced by a triumphant roar. They whirled around to see Phalomon dashing for them, ravenous hunger burning in his violet eyes.

Yamato and Kimika hasted through the bushes as they heard the tiger coming closer at an alarmingly increasing rate. Yamato could hear the growls getting louder, trying to shut them from his mind, then he heard a yell from Kimika as she stumbled over a hidden root. Yamato abruptly halted, seeing the tiger heading for his girl.

He screamed inhumanly, his fear for her rising swiftly. He speeded toward the tiger, his teeth baring in an animal-like behavior. He never noticed that the burns on his palms just began to glow with a nightly blue light, hidden by his brown gloves, but he was vaguely aware of a painful burning tingle through his body from his palms.

Kimika whirled on her back, her shocked eyes meeting the savage eyes of the tiger. He had his mouth opened wide, prepared to clamp upon her. Then she heard a young, yet fierce howl coming from behind her. She cringed in fright as a sudden golden flash launched past her. The golden flash leaped on the tiger, at his neck. It was a wolf, its fangs sinking in Phalomon's neck. Its fur was pure gold, glazing. It looked like a normal wolf, except for the odd golden fur.

Phalomon hollered in raged pain, shaking his body furiously to heave the wolf off. He was successful, but the wolf twisted its body and landed gracefully on four paws before Kimika. Kimika saw Phalomon weakly backing, and there was red blood staining his mane. The golden wolf had blood on its jaw as well.

The wolf widened its jaw, and a beam of dark blue fire emitted from its mouth, aiming for the tiger. Phalomon growled in surprise, then howled in pain as the blue fire surrounded him. Kimika could see him dissolving in the fire, then there was nothing of him as the fire evaporated.

Kimika was stunned, her mind a blank, then the golden wolf turned its head to gaze at her. She saw sharp, intelligent eyes of the animal, hued grey-blue, so similar to Yamato. Yamato . . . Before she could think, the wolf glowed with a nightly blue light, its body twitching as though in pain. The glow vanished, and Yamato knelt in place. His eyes were glazed as he stared at Kimika, softly panting. He shakily gazed down to his open hands, then swayed in motion.

Kimika went to catch him before he could fall down. "Matt? Are you okay?" She gently slapped on his cheek, and he dazedly blinked. The grey-blue eyes were greatly clouded as he gazed around, then he spat out blood and saliva in disgust, wiping blood from his chin.

"What happened?" Yamato muttered, his face twisted in repulsion at the iron taste in his mouth.

Kimika was silent, not understand what really happened to him, but at least Phalomon was gone. The others ran to their sides, asking if they were okay. Kimika seemed reserved, tightening her embrace around Yamato as he remained groggy.

Out of nowhere, the kids were literally frozen as a sudden light of white flashed, blinding their eyes, then a cool sensation crept up their backs and limbs. The next thing they knew, they found themselves among rocks.

The kids were dumbfounded at what just happened. They could see the kids clear from their position, and they felt a strong gale huffing from between rocks. By the sight, they believed they were on a mountain, but how did they get over here? They weren't certain if the mountain was part of the range they used to take shelter some time ago.

Then they heard voices - familiar voices. Soon, they saw their missing friends lumbering between rocks; grunting and straining were heard.

Taichi appeared first, crouching on a boulder, his eyes going wide as he noticed them. He seemed astonished to see them, then he was tackled by his sister, who was thrilled to see him at last.

"Nani -?" he tried to speak as he calmed Hikari. "How did you get here?" Then he saw Kimika, Jyou, and Koushiro. A huge relieved grin appeared. "You are awake!"

Frankie appeared at his side with Takeru behind. They were surprised, then thrilled. But Frankie restored the expression of serious fright. He said tensely, "Hey, I'm really happy to see you guys okay, but right now, we have a serious problem! Something that isn't exactly friendly is chasing us!"

Taichi realized the situation, and jumped to his feet, yelling sharply to move on. Not knowing what was happening, but trusting their leader, the kids trundled between boulders as quick as they could as they now heard rumblings, like a huge mass moved over rocks, crushing them.

Takeru came to a sudden standstill at the edge of a cliff. He would fall off if he didn't slow down. The ledge was like a cliff, but with a more level slope. Still, after studying the slope, it was too steep to climb downward safely. The kids searched for a passage to escape, and Taichi noticed another narrow ledge that slant upward among the face. It was a gamble with life to climb on that, but it was better than wait for the monster to get them.

"Up there! We can climb up there!" Taichi yelled, getting their attention. They saw what he was pointing at, and some blanched.

"What, we have to go up there?!" Kimika paled at the sight of the shaky ledge.

"It's the only way to escape! I've no time to argue!" Tai snapped, then said to Jyou, "You have the best climbing skills. Go and lead us on the ledge as safe as possible."

Jyou agreed and faced the ledge. There was a gap between the shelf and the ledge, but it was rather narrow in size, and Jyou easily leaped over it onto the ledge. He inched the way, testing the rock wall and the route. He nodded down to Taichi to inform that it was sound.

"OK, we need to get moving fast! Kari, you first!"

Knowing better than arguing with her brother, Hikari went after Jyou, grabbing on his hand for aid. Mimi and Frankie were next. Taichi, Yamato, and Kimika were staying behind, confronting the coming monster as Takeru, Sora, and Koushiro climbed upon the ledge. The rumblings came closer. Kimika quickly ascended with Yamato behind. As soon as Yamato was on the ledge, Taichi leaped over the gap and climbed swiftly.

An extended line of tense children was lengthened upward on a face of the mountain, hastening to evade from the coming monster. Taichi fought another wave of nausea as he inched the wall. He had an intense fear of heights, even though he possessed the Crest of Courage. He tried not to glimpse down, but the urge to see how high he was hassled him.

A booming bellow snatched his attention, and the others', as well. On the cliff, they saw a large Digimon that was a crossbreed between a bear and a snake. His head was the head of a snake, but with real fur all over, colored dark blue. Two bear limbs supported the thick, serpentine mass as a lengthy tail thrashed the rocks beneath. Yellow eyes glared at the last kids, which were Taichi, Yamato, and Kimika. The others kids could see the Digimon, but they were too high to be seen.

Taichi's face swiftly lost the color as the Digimon prowled toward him. Taichi suddenly wished that the gap was too wide for the Digimon to cross over to the ledge. But the Digimon stopped just before the gap, the yellow eyes observing carefully and cleverly. It then turned around. Taichi had a sudden wave of relief, thinking the Digimon changed its mind against attacking the kids, then screamed in alarm as the thick tail whistled through the air and bashed right in the rock wall above Taichi's head.

A landslide formed above him, rocks and pebbles falling downward. Taichi twisted his body to avoid any large rocks, but his timing was off, and a rugged stone collided on the side of his head, bursting a dull, nauseous dizziness in his head. Taichi let go of his grasp in a daze. He could feel the sudden clasp of Yamato's left hand around his wrist, but his loss of balance, along with Taichi's weight, caused Yamato to fall down along with him. Kimika gave out an alarmed shout as she tried to reach over for Yamato's right hand, and also lost her balance, plunging after the boys.

Koushiro only could get a brief glimpse of the three kids falling before they were shielded by tumbling stones from his vision. His heart clenched at the worry of them being buried alive, then twisted to see another thrash of the Digimon's tail striking on the rock wall beside him. Almost too close.

In the panic, Koushiro involuntarily released his grip on a crack, his foot slipping off. He screamed in alarm as the ledge collapsed under his feet, then Sora hastily seized on his hand. Her brace paused his falling, nearly pulling his arm out from the socket, and Koushiro grabbed on her hand with his other hand. Sora groaned as she strained to pull him up.

"Onegai, don't let go!" Koushiro pleaded.

"I try not to!" Sora then turned to see, once again, the tail pummeling for the wall, again causing rumbles and landslides. The rumbles jolted her out of her balance, and she slipped off. Takeru quickly reached for Sora, knowing that his feeble brace won't help, and he fell down the cliff along with Koushiro and Sora.

It happened too fast. First, he was falling, then he spun over head and foot, rocks driving painfully on his body, then blackness.