~*~ My special Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon: Digital Monsters. As much as I love to change Digimon, the original Digimon is best. It's delicious and inspiring. Criticism will be remembered and flames will be forgotten. ~*~

Powers of Crests Saga:

Part Eight: Being of Life

By Debbie (Dai-chan) *^_^*

Takeru kept a tight grip on the blue wolf's fur with one hand as he held his Digimon in his other arm. Patamon buried his face in the crook of his arm, his azure eyes shut. Takeru narrowed his eyes against the stinging wind as he tried to see the blurred trees moving past him. The wind stung at his eyes that he blinked back cold tears. Finally, Garurumon slowed down into a walk, heavy pants reverberating in his chest that Takeru could feel them. He and his brother were riding on Garurumon in hopes that they might find their missing friends faster that way. Takeru always liked the feel of the wolf's fur under his fingers. Even thought Garurumon's fur was steel-strong, the fur was so soft like down feathers. Takeru let go of his grip from the fur and gently cradled Patamon in his arms.

He felt the light squeeze of his brother's hold around him. He held him so he wouldn't fall off. Takeru gazed back to his big brother. Yamato had his eyes on front, seeming to search for something. His new lock of snow-white swayed in the breeze along with his ash-blond hair. He is changed, Takeru thought sadly. His grey-blue eyes seemed intense, its pupils into slits, appearing as a wolf's eyes. Takeru knew Yamato was self-conscious about his new two fangs, trying to hide them while he was speaking or eating. Takeru often saw them, and somehow, he felt an awed shiver in his body whenever he looked upon to his brother.

Takeru looked behind his brother. Rianmon walked behind the wolf, also panting from the efforts of the run. Her riders, Kimika and Koushiro, were mounting on the horned, lavender dragon, their eyes gazing around. Tentomon flew near silently. Both were so different than before that Takeru was not sure he knew them anymore.

With his aware, hungry eyes, Koushiro seemed to absorb everything he finds and store them in his mind. He was quieter, but his eyes seemed to search for every word of any knowledge. Blind yet all seeing, Kimika sat behind Koushiro, her white eyes upward to the sky. She was more kind, but mostly silent and meditative. Takeru missed the old Kimika when she was easy to talk to, willing to help. She was still willing to help, yes, but in some way, she can see the reality in his soul and simply show him the first step to the problems or anything else.

Takeru quietly sighed. Would his friends and brother be back to the same?

Garurumon slowed down into a stop, raising his snout to sniff at the air. Yamato appeared to sniff the air, too, his wolfish eyes narrowed as he gazed around. Takeru remembered that since Yamato found his power, he could sense souls. He said that souls have different odors around them and somehow, he can taste them with his nose in the air. Definitely like a wolf. Rianmon went to a stop by Garurumon, her spiked tail calmly waving.

"To where, Matt?" Kimika asked after a moment waiting.

"They are close." Yamato's eyes went to a point to his far left. He pointed into the jungle, the friends' eyes following his finger. Takeru wondered how can Yamato sense the friends if he can't see them. Yamato turned to Kimika. "If we run now, we will find them in no time."

Kimika and Koushiro silently nodded.

Garurumon and Rianmon broke in a sprint, heading for where Yamato had pointed. Takeru gasped at the sudden movements before he gripped on the fur, balancing himself. He held Patamon in one arm firmly. He felt the tight, protected hold of Yamato as he had his arm around his waist. Eyes narrowed, Takeru watched the passing trees in a blurred motion. Garurumon and Rianmon were very agile, fleet, and after a moment, they finally slowed down.

"You are finally here!" Takeru looked down to see a grinning Taichi running toward them, his red eyes brightly blazing in the sunlight. Soon, Takeru saw Sora, Mimi, Jyou, and their Digimon walking toward them, looking thrilled to see their friends. Kimika slid off her Digimon and ran to hug Taichi, he laughing as he whirled his old friend around in his arms. Takeru heard Taichi making a comment about Kimika's white eyes, and she answered with a deep blush. Koushiro also hugged them, overjoyed.

Yamato slid off his Digimon and caught Takeru in his arms as he slid off. Garurumon and Rianmon de-digivolved into Gabumon and Iyumon. They went to their Digimon friends, hugging. All hugged each other, overjoyed and ecstatic. Even Mimi cried a bit. After a few hugs, Takeru stepped back and watched his older friends socializing together.

Takeru watched Sora and Mimi, the last ones who found their powers. Mimi looked sincere, relaxed as she chatted with Kimika and Koushiro. He saw a long tress of pretty green among her honey-colored hair. She looked radiant, thought Takeru. His eyes went to Sora, who stood close to Taichi, calmly listening as he talked with Jyou and Yamato. She had an alluring tress that appeared as molten silver among her chestnut hair, few strands of silver curling over her gentle eyes. Takeru gazed at each and every kid. All have found their powers. All but him.

"Wow, Sora and Mimi already found their powers!" he heard Patamon saying in awe, hovering near him. Takeru lowered his eyes, quiet. Patamon gazed over to him and touched his cheek with a gentle paw. "TK, what's the matter?"

"I am the only one who didn't have the power," Takeru said in soft tones.

The touch withdrew from his cheek, and Takeru looked up to see his Digimon smiling, his azure eyes so alike to his eyes. He spoke, "TK, I am sure you will have it soon." Takeru managed to grin, but it faded when he glanced at his friends. He would like to have that kind of power. It was like magic, and he loved magic. But he wondered if he would ever get it. Maybe he was too young?

Takeru gazed to Jyou, who was speaking, "So, all of us have found our powers?"

Yamato seemed to hesitate, and said in hushed tones. "All but . . . TK." The multicolored eyes of the kids and Digimon turning to him as one, wonder and curiosity in the eyes. Takeru suddenly felt his cheeks going hot, and he averted his eyes away, flushing deeply. His eyes laid on someone he didn't expect to see.

He saw a holographic image of an old man walking toward the group form the jungle, his snow-white hair pulled into a topknot. His footsteps were always silent, his arms always behind his back. There was a faint smile on his small mouth. "Hey, it's Gennai!" Takeru called to his friends. They turned to see him.

Gennai stopped in the front of Takeru, merely a few inches taller than the boys. His slanted eyes were always squinted, but Takeru could see the eyes, beady and jet-black, shining with a wise light. Gennai smiled at Takeru, then looked up to the kids. "Greetings, Digidestined." His voice was surprisingly deep for a guy such small. "I came here to see how . . ." He paused talking, his smile fading. His black eyes took in every inch of the older kids, saw the different colors of hairs, and saw the different eyes of Taichi, Yamato, and Kimika. "It's impossible," he whispered.

"What do you mean?" Takeru heard Koushiro saying.

Gennai tilted his head a bit. "Did you find your powers?" Takeru turned to see the kids nodding firmly. He gazed up to Gennai, who shook his head, a frown on his lips. "It's all wrong."

"What are you talking about?" Taichi stomped up to Gennai, his eyes suddenly flaming brightly. "Are you saying that we aren't supposed to have the powers?"

Gennai wasn't startled at the sudden flames in Taichi's eyes. He simply gazed back with immeasurable sadness. "Why won't you all sit, and I will explain all about it."

The kids and Digimon sat in a circle. Patamon settled in Takeru's lap, folding his soft wings to his body. Takeru sat between Yamato and Kimika. He watched the elder crossing his legs calmly and smoothly, surprisingly for an old man. His slanted eyes gazed at every kid with worried sorrow. He spoke softly, "Yes, you are supposed to have that kind of powers, but not now. One of the legends says that the Digidestined will possess their innate powers through the crests and defeat the ultimate evil."

"Innate?" Jyou said from Gennai's left side. Takeru didn't remember that Jyou's voice was very low, whispered, yet he can hear it very clearly. Jyou continued, "You mean we all have them since we were born?"

Gennai nodded at the tall, oldest boy. "You only need help to find them, and the crests are the ones."

"And what do you mean that we shouldn't have our powers now?" Sora calmly asked, her arms around her legs, her amber eyes always meditative.

Gennai gave out a small sigh. "I don't know why, but I do know that you aren't supposed to have them now. The legend didn't say why."

Mimi asked shyly from her position by Jyou, "Do you know who is the ultimate evil? Could it be Myotismon?"

The elder shook his head, his white topknot swaying. "There are Digimon far evil than Myotismon. He is not the ultimate evil."

"Can we use our powers to destroy him?" Takeru heard Kimika asking gently.

Gennai's black eyes suddenly sharpened, like black ice within the face of softness. His voice was stern. "You will never destroy Myotismon. The evil will never be destroyed because it is part of you." Then his voice and eyes softened. "But, however, the evil can be weakened."

By Kimika's other side, Koushiro scratched his chin in thought. Takeru often felt uneasy under his vivid eyes; they seemed to pierce right through him, searching for anything unknown. Koushiro's sharp eyes met the elder's eyes, the exact same color of black. He spoke, "So we might have to use our powers to weaken Myotismon."

"No, you can't, individually." Gennai lowered his eyes, his voice hushed. "The only one who can weaken him must have all your powers combined to be powerful enough to defeat the evil."

Sora leaned over a bit. "Who?"

Gennai waited for a brief moment, and then whispered, "The Savior." Now full of rich reverence, his eyes rose to meet the azure eyes of Takeru.

His heart seemed to stop as he gazed back speechlessly. Him, the savior? He weakly stumbled backward from the soft black eyes before he felt the warm arms around him. Yamato pulled him to his chest, cradling him. Takeru buried his shocked face in his brother's green shirt, feeling the tight, protected embrace of Yamato surrounding him.

"My brother?" he heard Yamato saying in awed disbelief. At that, Takeru almost cried; he never felt so shocked.

"Yes," he heard Gennai saying gently. "He will gather all your powers and use them, along with his own power, to defeat the ultimate evil. So the legend says."

Takeru gazed up to the elder, his eyes misting over with unexpected tears. "Why me?"

Gennai's eyes softened with compassion. "You are very special, TK. You possess the Crest of Hope. You are the Savior to save both your home world and Digiworld." He bowed his head, almost reverently, to Takeru, then stood up.

"Gennai!" Taichi's stopped him. The boy stood, easily taller than the elder, his red eyes meeting his black eyes. "How can we give our powers to him?"

Gennai held his gaze to him, appearing reluctant. "Are you sure you want to know?"

"Yes, of course."

Gennai hesitated for a moment, and then turned to face the Digidestined and Digimon. "Because the powers are part of you, to give them to the Savior, you must also give up your lives."

All reacted differently. Taichi's body seemed to slacken with astonishment as Sora's hands flew to her mouth, her amber eyes full with woe. Mimi turned to Jyou with alarmed eyes as he gazed back with wistful eyes. Koushiro's vivid eyes seemed to lose their light as Kimika simply buried her face in her hands, her white eyes swiftly changing into a yellow hue. The Digimon gazed over to each other, shocked and speechless. Takeru felt Yamato tightening his embrace around him, and he rested his head on the arms, silent.

Sora's amber eyes gazed up to Gennai. "Are you certain?"

Gennai looked troubled, but his voice sounded upset. "That's why you aren't supposed to have the powers now. Your powers are too underdeveloped, too weak. You are not ready yet. Otherwise, we will be still in danger without the Digidestined."

"I don't want to be alone," Takeru whispered, his voice shaking.

In his misted vision, he saw the azure eyes of Patamon gazing up to him. They were full with fondness. "You still have me," he spoke softly. Takeru closed his eyes, tears streaming down his face as his brother cooed softly to him, trying to comfort him.

He heard Kimika standing and walking to Gennai and Taichi. Her eyes were as sad as the elder's eyes. "Gennai, is there a way that we can give our powers without sacrificing our lives?" Gennai remained quiet, his black eyes down. "Please."

"You can hold on a bit of your power and still live. That's all I can say to you." Gennai glared silently to each kid. "You all must learn to control your powers and use them to defeat Myotismon. I guarantee you, it's not over yet." He turned to leave, his head bowed, heading for the jungle.

"Gennai!" Takeru tore himself from Yamato's embrace and ran toward him. Gennai stopped, his head turned to look at him. Takeru wiped away tears and gazed at him with his innocent blue eyes. His voice was weak. "Gennai, how can I defeat Myotismon? I am so small and . . ."

Gennai had a smile on his lips that seemed like he was a compassionate, lovingly grandfather looking down to a gifted, cherished child. "You are special, TK, even since you were born." Takeru lowered his head, but a wrinkled hand pushed him up by his chin, so gentle and kind. "Just believe in yourself, Savior." Gennai let go his chin and strolled into the jungle, his footsteps silent.

Takeru stared at where Gennai had vanished in the trees, standing alone and speechlessly. He heard soft footsteps, and his brother knelt by him, a hand touching his shoulder. His misted azure eyes met Yamato's grey-blue eyes. "I am scared, Matt." Takeru then buried himself in Yamato's arms, crying silently.

***

Demidevimon ducked his head as mad bolts of red lightning passed over where his head had been, crashing on a wall behind him. Demidevimon had no time to be relieved, and he was forced to fly under the golden throne, avoiding the red bolts. Under the chair, he watched his master screeching in outrage and shooting red lightning to his unfortunate bats. They wildly flapped their tiny wings, trying to avoid his rage.

"How in the blasted world can those kids win?!" Myotismon shrieked, his eyes blazing bluer than ice. "FOOLS! They are just children! I am surrounded by idiots! Worthless Digimon!"

He whirled around to see Demidevimon tiptoeing toward the door. The small bat froze in his tracks at the blue glare. He held up his wings, as if was trying to shield the glare from him. "Pl-please, boss! You can destroy them better than the others."

Myotismon growled in a questioning tone.

Demidevimon soared upward, cowering under the vampire Digimon's glare. "You are powerful than the Digidestined combined. Only you have the power to destroy them."

Myotismon's eyes narrowed, a thin pale eyebrow arching. He seemed to calm down, letting his dark cloak settling around him. "That's true," he said in pleasure, and then his voice heated up. "But the Digidestined already found their powers."

Demidevimon quickly shook his head, his golden eyes suddenly full with scheming cleverness. "Not all, boss. The Savior is still powerless."

Myotismon sneered silently, his eyes turning into blue ice. "Ah, I shall go and destroy the Savior before he finds his power." He silently commanded his black magic. A small, glowing portal formed from the surrounding darkness - the pool of seeing. Within the portal, the eight Digidestined and Digimon were seen sleeping together by a fire, their faces full with peace and calmness, all but one. The youngest boy was awake, looking somber, his azure eyes dimmed.

Myotismon was not fooled by the innocence he carried. This boy may be small, but he has immense power, perhaps greater than his own power. But the boy didn't find it. Demidevimon giggled with mischief as Myotismon again sneered.

"Sleep, Little Savior," the vampire whispered. "It will be the last night you will see. Alive."

***

Takeru fingered a shred of grass on the ground, deeply in thought. He laid on his stomach, resting his head on his hand. Patamon nestled by him, his wings folding over his closed eyes, deeply asleep. Everyone was asleep except Takeru. He still pondered about Gennai's words. Is he really the Savior? What is his power? How can he defeat Myotismon? There were so many questions buzzing in his head that he lost the count.

The upside-down head of his brother came in his vision, his grey-blue eyes with slit pupils dark in his shadows. "Hey, kiddo," he said, faintly smiling.

"Hi," Takeru spoke softly.

The head tilted. "What's the matter?" Takeru answered with a shrug, his eyes lowered. Yamato nodded, his blond hair swaying. His face became red with the added blood. Yamato's head withdrew from his vision, and his brother laid by him, holding up by his elbows. "Thinking?"

Takeru pushed up himself by his elbows. "About being the Savior." If one of the kids or Digimon woke up and looked over to the brothers, he or she would be surprised. For an instant, the brothers looked like twins, the older gazing down to the younger, blond hair clouding over their eyes of similar colors. Takeru raised his eyes upon Yamato, asking, "Am I really the Savior?"

Yamato's eyes went upward to the night sky, the fire illuminating his face yellowish-orange. "Well, you are very special."

"How special am I?"

Yamato looked down to Takeru, a faint, brotherly smile on his lips. "Well, you always want to help, don't you? You always are generous, want to be sure that we are happy. You and Patamon are special. Patamon digivolved into Angemon to defeat Devimon. That's special. You are the Savior who will defeat the evil. That's special."

Takeru's eyes lowered to his Digimon, who was sleeping by his side. Yeah, that was special because Patamon digivolved to protect him and his friends. But now, it was his turn now. He was the true one who must protect his friends. His voice was low, "I don't know what to do."

He felt his brother's hand squeezing his shoulder. "Yes, you will know," Yamato said. Then Takeru gazed up, meeting his brother's gaze. Yamato rested his forehead against Takeru's forehead, grey-blue eyes staring right in his azure eyes. Takeru saw something he never saw in Yamato's eyes. Brotherly love. Yamato's voice was soft, tender. "I never get the chance to tell you, but I am very proud to be your brother."

Tears suddenly streamed out of Takeru's eyes. He never knew Yamato really does love him. He longed to be like his older brother, but Yamato often seemed to withdraw from him that Takeru thought Yamato isn't that caring. But he never knew . . . "Hey, don't cry," Yamato soothed him. A finger touched a tear before it fell down. Takeru wiped away tears. His brother hugged him, welcoming his love and warmth. Takeru slowly grew courageous because his brother believed in him.

Then a devilish laugh echoed through the night, seemed to be born from the surrounding darkness. Takeru quietly gasped as Yamato protectively shielded him in his arms. As he remembered before, a slice of living darkness shifted from thin air, expanding until he could see pale eyes within. It floated above the group, its eyes hooded at the brothers. "How pathetic," it hissed.

"It's Myotismon!" Yamato spoke. His voice seemed to howl like a wolf, howling through the darkness. "Hey, guys! Wake up!"

His voice stirred the kids and Digimon one by one. They saw Myotismon, and reacted with different reactions, some frightened, some angered, and some worried. All crawled around the brothers, instinctively protecting Takeru, protecting the Savior. Myotismon floated in midair, his cloak silently billowing around him.

"Come to fight us?" Agumon growled, his emerald eyes blazing. His Digimon friends growled along with him, glaring at the vampire.

Myotismon seemed to smirk. "Why, I would never dream of that. I am only here to destroy the Savior." Takeru shuddered in horror as the ice blue eyes gazed at him. He shifted behind his brother. Myotismon raised a long finger and curled it, as if was beckoning him. "Come here, Little Savior."

Takeru violently shook his head.

"Guys!" he heard Taichi speaking. Looking up, he saw Taichi gazing around the kids, his red eyes aflame. "It's up to us to protect TK from Myotismon." He turned to the Digimon. "Digimon, you must digivolve!"

Agumon, digivolve into Greymon!

Gomamon, digivolve into Ikkakumon!

Iyumon, digivolve into Rianmon!

Palmon, digivolve into Togemon!

Tentomon, digivolve into Kabuterimon!

Gabumon, digivolve into Garurumon!

Biyomon, digivolve into Birdramon!

All digivolved Digimon stood in a line before Myotismon, tensed up and ready to battle. Greymon and Ikkakumon threw their heads back and roared piercingly, the roars vibrating in the air. Garurumon howled fiercely as Rianmon savagely waved her poisonous spiked tail. Kabuterimon and Birdramon flapped their wings in midair, glaring darkly. Togemon clenched her red-gloved fists, ready to box the vampire in his face.

Myotismon hissed unpleasantly at the Digimon.

Takeru heard Sora yelling, "It's not enough! Digivolve again!"

Greymon, digivolve into Metalgreymon!

Rianmon, digivolve into Nightrianmon!

Kabuterimon, digivolve into Megakabuterimon!

Garurumon, digivolve into Weregarurumon!

Birdramon, digivolve into Garudamon!

Ikkakumon and Togemon stood together. Metalgreymon, Weregarurumon, and Megakabuterimon stood in a defending line behind them as Nightrianmon and Garudamon widened their wings to float in the darkness above the Digimon.

"FOOLS!" Myotismon shrieked as the Digimon attacked him at once.

"Get away!" Taichi ordered the kids.

"No!" Yamato yelled. All looked at him in confusion. He pointed up to the battling Digimon, saying, "Our Digimon cannot defeat him, no matter how. We have to give up our powers to TK. He's the only one who can defeat him."

"Matt . . ." Takeru clasped on his brother's hand, trying to speak, but Yamato silenced him by a sharp squeeze on his hand.

Koushiro nodded in agreement with Yamato. "He is right. We have to do it. Come on. I will tell you where to stand in the circle." He quickly explained that he, Yamato, Kimika, and Takeru have found a mansion with the crests. Takeru remembered that. The kids moved around in a blur, going where Koushiro and Kimika were pointing.

Takeru pulled on Yamato's hand harder, and it brought his attention to him. "Matt, I can't do it!"

Yamato knelt to his height, holding him by his shoulders. "Sure, you can! We have faith in you. You can do it! I believe in you. We all do."

"Matt . . ." Takeru whispered, but Yamato again silenced him with a finger on his lips.

Yamato's grey-blue eyes suddenly softened with compassion. "Believe in yourself, Savior, Onii-chan." He stood, walking backward, his eyes glued on him. He went to stand between Kimika and Koushiro. The kids stood in a circle around Takeru, facing him. Taichi, Sora, Mimi, Jyou, Koushiro, Yamato, and Kimika.

Suddenly, all looked up at an agonized scream of one of the Digimon. All saw Metalgreymon laying on the ground, groaning in pain, three long deep red gashes across his belly. Myotismon hovered in midair, panting, blood dripping from his clawed hand.

Taichi groaned, but in outrage. He turned to the kids, ordering, "Do it now!" The kids clasped on hands, bonding into a stable, steadfast circle. Before Takeru's awed eyes, each kid began to glow with their own auras. Taichi's aura flared with enraged flames, as Kimika's aura was silver shadows with black spirals. Yamato's aura was like the starless night sky, misting around him as Koushiro's violet aura sparkled and charged with crazy silver lightning bolts. Jyou's aura was like calm waters of an ocean as Mimi's aura was simply green, rippling like a shawl. Sora's aura was red breezes, swaying around her. Their eyes were closed, their face concentrated as they called on their innate powers.

Takeru gazed over to the battling Digimon. Myotismon was stronger than them. Nightrianmon was using her silver aura, so like her partner's, to shield her fallen Metalgreymon, Ikkakumon and Weregarurumon as Garudamon, Togemon, and Megakabuterimon tried to combat Myotismon. Takeru counted the good Digimon. Seven . . .

Then he remembered. Panicked, he called, "Patamon! Patamon!"

Then he heard a voice calling back from above. "I am here, TK!" Takeru looked up to see Patamon soaring from above, flying downward to him. Takeru held up his hands, urging to hold him. He didn't want to do it alone. The very moment Patamon entered his welcoming arms, the powers struck him.

"Ahh!" Takeru recoiled in pain. He wished to drop to the ground, but the powers held him up on his feet. The auras surrounded him in spirals of colors, giving him an aura of a rainbow. In his vague mind, Takeru felt all the elements that the kids gave away, feeling them inside him. He felt pure fire heating him as dark shadows blinded him. He felt shivers touching him like loving hands as tiny lightning bolts stunned him. He felt refreshing water soothing his soul, smooth leaves brushing against his skin, and soft breezes touching his cheeks. All happened at the same time, confusing him, trying to experience them by one.

Then the elements faded from his soul, replaced by strong, immense qualities that all the kids were worthy of . . . and he was worthy of them. He experienced each of them, knowing them.

Courage to prevail . . .

Reliability to support . . .

Empathy to understand . . .

Sincerity to entrust . . .

Knowledge to remember . . .

Friendship to respect . . .

Love to love . . .

Hope to believe.

Takeru smiled. He now knew what to do, know his power. His power was . . . Life itself.

As one, all the kids in the circle collapsed to the ground, their strength gone. Yamato groaned, struggling against the darkness in his mind. He tried to raise himself by hands, but he fell back to the ground, too weak. His eyes closed, he laid still, panting. He never felt so weak before. Remembering Gennai's words, he had grasped on a bit of his power and pushed the rest to his brother. He could sense the kids were doing the same. Then a bright light struck on his closed eyes. He opened his eyes and gasped quietly.

His own brother was left standing, holding a dormant Patamon in his arms. A heavenly, beautiful white light surrounded him, rays of gold shining from his body. His innocent face was facing upward, illuminated by his own aura, his eyes closed.

"Takeru . . ." Yamato whispered in immeasurable awe. He never knew Takeru had such strength in himself. He sat up, feeling the warm hand of Kimika clasping on his hand. All saw Takeru and sat in awed silence, their faces bathed by the white light.

Then Yamato saw something. He saw a faint shadow of three pairs of mighty snow-white wings spreading out from Takeru's back, followed by a pale-skinned male creature. He stood behind Takeru, his head bowed in reverence, his gentle hands clutching a tall, golden staff. His hair was orange, tied at his neck, flowing to his back. He was clad in silver armor and a sky-blue robe.

Yamato knew who he was. "Angemon."

The angel Digimon raised his head at his voice. A silver helmet hid his eyes, but Yamato believed that his eyes must be the very same color of his brother's. Angemon took a calm look around at the silent kids and smiled the very same innocent smile of Takeru. He putted a hand on Takeru's shoulder, and Takeru's eyes opened. Takeru looked the same as Angemon, silent and angelic.

As one, Takeru and his angel shadow moved together. Angemon raised his other hand with the golden staff upward, guiding the Savior. His arm cradling his Digimon, Takeru raised his other hand upward. His azure eyes shifted to a floating Myotismon. All the other Digimon have grew too weak to battle, and some de-digivolved into their child stages. Myotismon looked very enraged, his eyes darker than midnight as he gazed down to the small boy.

"Being of Life!" Yamato heard Takeru speaking. His voice was sounding ethereally, divinely. A part of the light began to spiral around his arm, gathering in his hand. A beam of the heavenly light radiated from his hand, soaring silently, and attacked Myotismon before he would make a move.

Yamato could hear the pained yells, enraged shrieks, and cursed screeches coming from the Digimon as he cringed in the light. Yamato could not see anything. The light grew so bright that all the kids turned away, shielding their eyes. Abruptly, the yells were silent, and the light was gone, leaving everything in the darkness.

Yamato looked up and saw that Myotismon was gone, and so was Angemon. He saw his brother laying on his back, his head a bit lolled to one side, still holding his Digimon in his arms.

"TK! TK!" Yamato crawled to him and gently picked him up in his arms, embracing him closely. Takeru's eyes were closed, breathing faintly, looking like he was sleeping undisturbed. Yamato touched Takeru's cheek, feeling he was warm. "TK? Can you hear me?"

Yamato saw his eyes fluttered open. Azure eyes full of innocent strength gazed up to him. Takeru stared at him for a while, and then smiled faintly at his brother. He rested his head against Yamato's chest, and went back to slumber, exhausted.

Sudden tears of joy and relief streamed down Yamato's face, and he didn't even bother to wipe them away. He embraced his brother warmly, resting his forehead against his sleeping brother's forehead. Tears fell to the boy's still face, unnoticed. Yamato was so proud that the Savior was his brother. He knew Takeru was special.

Then Yamato felt an embrace around him. Looking up, he saw Kimika, also crying jovially, kneeling by them. She was changed. Her eyes were now gentle brown, and her golden braid was gone. Then Taichi embraced them all, laughing happily. His eyes were no longer aflame, but back to pale tan. The red strand was gone. Sora, Mimi, Jyou, and Koushiro embraced them, nearly burying Yamato and Takeru, all crying and laughing. They were also changed, back to their normal selves and features. Their powers were gone, back within until it is time to use them again. Then all the Digimon - Koromon, Gomamon, Palmon, Motimon, Sunomon, Tsunomon, and Yokomon - returned to hug their partners, cheering. The rings of cries and laughter filled the night.

And in the center of the embraces, Takeru and Patamon peacefully slept, dreaming dreams of white feathers . . .

A lone white feather sailed upward to the pale moon on a silent breeze . . .

***

In deep pain, Myotismon commanded his power. The white feather he held in his hand abruptly burst with flames, then burned into a dying feather, black and decaying. He let it go, and it fell to the ground. Almost. He was almost defeated. He underestimated the Savior's power. Next time he will be ready.

He limped to a dark table, his foot crunching over the dead feather into ashes. Myotismon sneered darkly, his talons drawing grooves on the black stones. "You foolish Digidestined!" he hissed evilly. "It's not over!"

On the black table, there laid nine small cards . . .

Never the End!