Final Destiny, New Beginings

by FortressMaximus

The team of 01 Digimon faces what could be their final battle as DigiDestined. Their greatest foe returns and for one final time Earth and the DigiWorld hangs in the balance. Can t,hey find the strength to save thier adopted world one more time? And if so

4. Default Chapter Title

Authors notes part two!

Hi! This is it! The final battle, the final chapter. The final everything! Well..almost ;) Check the epilog for the reason why.

At the bottom are links for the pictures Chris drew for me. The six new DigiDestined characters as well as the new one in this chapter!

And if you see a ** don't worry. I've glossed over a few places but the plot of this story isn't effected. The ** are more for character development than plot advancement (save for the Izzy/Tentamon story) and will be done in more short story format when time permits. I.E. the short with T.k./Kari will be major for them character wise, but not as far as being crucial to this story.

And please review! I love feedback and every bit helps me craft a better story, tho next time I'll try for a bit shorter results (GrIn).

Thanks, and enjoy!!--Fortress_Maximus

Final Destiny, New Beginnings--3b

VenomMyotismon was no longer laughing; not this time. He stood there, as shocked by the reappearance of the two angels as was the other Digimon themselves. Therefore it was left up to Gatomon and Patamon to prepare Agumon and Gabumon for what was going to happen.
"Agumon, Gabumon! If you have faith, a miracle will occur!" shouted the feline, the irony of the situation not lost on her.
"Guys, think about Tai and Matt! Believe in them!" yelled Patamon.
Not wasting a second of their remaining powers, Angemon pulled back his right fist as Angewomon called forth her own attack and with all of their might called out their triggers.
"Hand of Fate!"
"Celestial Arrow!"
Agumon and Gabumon blinked at the cryptic words their friends shouted, but before then could question the meanings the twin attacks engulfed them as Angemon's Hand of Fate drenched Gabumon in it's light as Angewomon's Celestial Arrow struck Agumon's body.
Gabumon had never felt anything like it. Every fiber of his body was fire, engulfed from within as he could feel his own power levels surging higher. Closing his eyes tightly, the power grew inside him, churning and boiling as it screamed for release. All Gabumon could do was clutch his paws to his chest as his mind fixated itself on the one person he believed in at that moment as his voice screamed out a name...
Not since the tunnels of Machinedramon's city had Agumon felt anything so powerful. The energy within in grew stronger with each moment that passed. Slowly, he could feel the energy scream for release. With Angemon and Angewomon's words echoing in his mind, the reptile digimon focused on his best friend as his voice called out his name...
"MATT!"
"TAI!"
Suddenly the power exploded outward, filling the battlefield with a luminance never before seen in the Digital or perhaps any other world. Agumon and Gabumon's digivices began to glow as then as if giant funnels absorbed the brilliance and two concentrated beams of light shot forth! Crossing and intertwining several times at the last moment the two streams split, Gabumon's striking the cocoon holding Matt as Agumon's engulfed the one holding Tai.
Each human and Digimon watched as they held their breath, all unsure as to what could possibly happen now.
The answer came as without warning Matt and Tai burst forth from their prisons, each shining like a star. They had reverted back to their regular selves, all traces of Knightmon and Lupismon gone for the moment. Floating in the air, each young man hovered silently as their now bare forms pulsed and glowed with power incarnate. Then their bodies flared as a shock wave of light filled the clearing.
VenomMyotismon stumbled back in shock as the light began to infect the other pods as well, its energy burning back along the tendrils to his own body. Hastily, the Dark Lord stopped his attack, cutting the connection between him and the cocoons.
Falling to the ground, each one began to dissolve. Finally after long moments the DigiDestined slowly crawled out, free of their captivity but found themselves frozen in place by the sight of Tai and Matt.
"VenomMyotismon..."
The Digimon looked up at the two humans as his name, spoken in perfect unison by them, chilled even him to his dark core.
"Once more you have tried to inflict pain on others; used your powers for dark purpose. You have made the lives of both Digimon and Humans a thing to suffer instead of celebrating. Yield, or be destroyed."
"I shall never yield! Not to you or any force. I am VenomMyotismon, ruler of the Digital World and you will not stop me!"

"So be it."
Slowly, Matt and Tai separated, both rising up further as now their normal voices rang out; separately at first....
"Tai Kamiya..........."

"Matt Ishida..........."

Then, in perfect unison, their voice rang out once more..

"SUPREME DIGIVOLVE TO.....GATTAIMON!"

As the words faded, Knightmon's armor began to form around Tai. But unlike before, Tai was not the one to fill it as he slowly started to fade until there was nothing in his place but a tennis ball sized light, hovering as if waiting for something..or someone to fill the void.

The armor began to change as well. Opening up along unseen hinges, the golden metal chest and torso raised up until, as if hinged along the top of the helmet, it stood open from the waist up. The arms were next, opening horizontally from shoulder to index finger. Along the legs the armor flipped down as if hinged at the heels, now showing the empty inside of the armor.

But it was not to remain that way for long. Slowly Matt''s body eased itself into the armor and as soon as he was in place, the light that had been Tai entered Matt's body. Eyes flashing wide open, Matt could feel Tai's presence..his soul..in his form and welcomed his friends' presence. As the energy around the combining forms flickered between both Tai and Matt's Crest colors, the armor began to close as the arms, chest, and legs folded back into place sealing Matt within the armor.

A final flash of light caused all present to look away for a long moment, spots forming in their vision at the brightness. Then, slowly each looked at what had been Matt and Tai and a massive feeling of awe filled each DigiDestined and Digimon.

Within the time it took for the light to subside, the armor had morphed into a strange blend of both Knightmon and Lupismon's forms. The golden-orange color of Knightmon's helmet and chest plate was still there, but now it was Lupismon's Crest-emblazoned shoulder guards that protected his upper arms. Where the orange wire mesh had protected his elbow and lower arm, that too was replaced by the off-blue of Lupismon's cloth. Golden gauntlets covered his wrist and hands. The upper legs were covered as well in the blue mesh as orange shin guards ran from his knees to feet. But perhaps the most notable sign of this figures' duality was the new crest upon his chest; a mix of Courage and Friendship, it sat proudly upon his torso and again on the shield he now carried attached to his left arm. His right had boasted a powerful diamond sword with blue hilt, the combined Crests there as well.

A stunned silence filled the clearing as the Digimon watched in reverence as the figure slowly lowered itself to the ground, placing himself between them and VenomMyotismon.

Pentamon looked over as a bit of movement caught his attention and he blinked as Tentamon started to back away, as if scared by the new being before them. Stepping closer unseen by the other DigiDestined, he knelt down next to his friend. "What is it Tentamon??" he whispered.

The insect Digimon turned around shocked by the sudden voice and relaxed when he saw it was his friend.

"Are you okay? What's got you so shook up pal?"

Tentamon sighed. "It's just..according to legend Izzy, Gattaimon is the name of one of only two Digimon to ever reach the Supreme level! Supposedly, he fought long ago against another Supreme Digimon, an evil Digimon and their battle provided the energy for the Digital World to be formed. It's just rumor; no one I knew ever took stock in the story but if he's here now, and it is truly the same Digimon..."

Pentamon nodded in understanding. "I see. Hey, maybe if we know the name of the Digimon he fought maybe we can..."
'NO! I mean..I..don't remember the name Izzy. I was told this story a long time ago and you know how it is...." stammered the Digimon.

Pentamon looked at his friend and for the first time in the years since they met, he /knew/ Tentamon was lying through his shell. He watched as several times Tentamon cut his eyes towards Gatomon and Gabumon, as if their being in earshot had something to do with his..memory loss.

**If it's bad enough for Tentamon to lie to me about it, then I had better not press the issue now. But what does Gabumon and Gatomon have to do with it anyway?**

Letting himself nod as if believing Tentamon's answer, Pentamon turned away from his friend and gazed at Tai and Matt's combined form as he caught the hushed whispers of Sora and Mimi, letting Tentamon's story rest..for now.

"Tai...?" mummered Venusmon, unsure if the young man she cared for was even still a part of this being before her.

Gently Elitamon put her arms around her friend to comfort her. "I think..they're both in there Sora.."

"We are, Elitamon.." said Gattaimon, startling her and the other DigiDestined, his voice a mix of both Tai's and Matt's. "We are both here, combined. Angemon and Angewomon's Hope and Light helped bring us into creation, and we shall not stop until the Digital World is safe"

VenomMyotismon glared at the being before him as he drew himself to his full height. "Then your cause is already lost Gattaimon! No Digimon can stand against me, as I have proven against these children! You WILL kneel before me beaten! Viral Web!"

Again, the attack lashed out, hundred of small green strands of viral energy plummeting towards the DigiDestined to drain them of their energy.

Inside Venusmon, Sora shivered as VenomMyotismon's words caused the image of Tai's death to reappear in her mind.

"Defensive wall!"

Bringing his left arm over his chest, Gattaimon shouted his trigger and suddenly the shield began glow with a pulsating yellow energy. From the top and bottom, a wall of energy erupted and blocked the attack just in time! As he shielded his friends, Gattaimon smiled beneath his helmet and pulled back his right fist.

"My turn. Phantom Punch!"

Responding to the attack cry, Gattaimon's sword shimmered and vanished as the right gauntlet shot forth and slammed into VenomMyotismon's face with a powerful right hook. Then, before the Dark Lord could counter it arced back, landing a powerful left jab which left the Digimon stunned. The gauntlet returned of it's own accord, snapping back into place around Gattaimon's fist.

Dropping the shield, Gattaimon launched himself at VenomMyotismon and together the two grappled hand to hand. Even though the Dark Lord had Gattaimon beat in terms of size, the smaller Digimon more than made up for it with cunning as with a shift of weight he used VenomMyotismon's mass against him and slammed the Digimon onto his back with a horrendous thud!

"Yea..that's it Tai. Kick his ass!"

Blinking, the group turned to stare at Angewomon, shocked by her language. Blushing, the angel sheepishly looked at the ground before giving the equally stunned Angemon a slight wink that only he could see which caused him to blush as well, totally confusing the rest of the DigiDestined.

"Away from me gnat!" and with a massive grasp of his clawed left hand he grabbed the dual Digimon and with all his strength slammed Gattaimon into the ground raising a cloud of dirt and debris.

"Gattaimon!" shouted Pentamon

"Tai!" yelled Sora and Angewomon, her voice shifting more to Kari's again.

"Matt??" whispered Elitamon before a flash of motion caught her attention and before she could call out, Pentamon was halfway to the severely stunned Digimon.

Catching sight of Pentamon, VenomMyotismon turned and grinned. "Before the main event, a /small/ bit of fun I think! Prepare for oblivion runt!" and he reached for the DigiDestined.

Freezing in place, Pentamon slowly glared at VenomMyotismon as his eyes began to narrow. His fists clenched and even from a distance Elitamon saw this and started to step back, drawing a look of confusion from the others.

"Mimi....?" queried Palamon.

"Sora..did he... just call... Izzy.. a runt?"

"Uhm..yea. Why?"

Elitamon paled slightly and cussed "Ooooh...shit...."

"What's wrong Mimi??" Hearing Mimi of all people cuss was just something that didn't happen.

Elitamon looked at Venusmon and sighed as she lowered her voice. "A few months before I moved away to New York I ran into Izzy and we had lunch. A few of my friends..well, I thought they were my friends... from the modeling agency saw us eating. When Izzy went to the bathroom they flagged me over and..well.."

Venusmon gently put her hand on Elitamon's shoulder. "What happened?"

"They asked me what I was doing wasting my time with a..a runt like him. Izzy came out of the bathroom and heard them and he..kinda..lost it. Called them..well, I'm not going to repeat what he called them but I've never heard most of those words..."

Tentamon blinked. "I never knew about that!"

She sighed. "He apologized after the owner told us to leave but asked that I not tell anyone cause he was scared you all might think less of him for not keeping in control. Personally I think they deserved it but..."

"I know Izzy's always been a little sensitive about his height Mimi, but do you think this time will be worse than before?"

Elitamon looked over at Venusmon and Tentamon. "I know it will be Sora.."

"Why?"

"Cause last time Izzy didn't have the powers of a Digimon..."

Venusmon and Tentamon looked at each other for a moment and with Elitamon in tow waited for ground zero.

"Runt??"

"RUNT??"

"YOU... MISERABLE....FUCKING...SON OF A BITCH! I AM NOT A RUNT!"

The DigiDestined blinked as the calm and collected Izzy they all knew and loved was suddenly replaced by this..wild man..who cursed like a drunk sailor. Sora knew that everyone has something they resent, that one thing that triggers a instinctive rage that is best left to being never seen.

But as she watched, Sora came to one inescapable conclusion--

VenomMyotismon had done a bad thing.

Deep inside the DigiDestined, Izzy exploded in anger and that force surged forth as Pentamon found his trigger.

"Dimensional Shockwave!"

Whereas Lupismon's attack had been sonic in nature, Pentamon's attack was one of pure concussive force. Erupting from his palms, the shock wave slammed into VenomMyotismon as if a typhoon against a house of cards. Shoved aside as if he were nothing, the Dark Lord tumbled over the ground until one of the largest fissures he had created in battle with the DigiDestined stopped him and the Digimon found himself trapped in place under nearly a ton of debris.

His power and rage spent, Pentamon sagged to his knees then started to fall backwards but was caught by Elitamon as Venusmon rushed over to help Gattaimon to his feet.

"Sorry..Mimi. I know I ..promised but...I just wanted to distract him..give Matt and Tai a chance to...but.."

Shaking her head, Elitamon silenced him gently. "It's okay Izzy. We all understand. Just next time remember the language cause there's ladies present you know.."and she smiled that sincere smile they had all come to know so well.

Tenderly, Venusmon and the other arriving Digimon started to help Gattaimon to his feet. After a few moments he nodded in gratitude.

"My thanks to you all. Now.....harugh......!" gurgled the being as he clutched his chest in agony.

"Tai! Matt! What's wrong!"

"Burning..inside. Pain!"

Venusmon knelt down and saw that pain reflected in Gattaimon's eyes as she felt Elitamon's presence over her shoulder. Looking over worried, she blinked as the evergreen DigiDestined was carrying Izzy with little visible of exertion.

"Sora..what's wrong??"

"I don't know!"

"It is simple child! Your savior is tearing himself apart!"

Turning, the two young ladies fixed VenomMyotismon with hard glare as slowly but surely the Digimon was working his way free of his confinement.

"And there is nothing you can do to save him!"

With that, VenomMyotismon's laugh of victory rang out.

Deep within the crippled Gattaimon, two young men winced as burning agony washed over them, unending as ocean waves upon a beach.

Tai clutched his fists to his stomach as tears welt unshed in his eyes. Time and again he tried to work past the pain but each attempt forced him back to his knees as it was too great to fight.

Matt was faring no better as his own pain rushed from head to toe and every attempt to work past it resulted in greater agony.

There was no denying it. Their new powers were destroying them from the inside out as their human bodies couldn't take the sheer amount of digital power they now possessed.

"Matt..we..can't..let it end like..this..."

"I know Tai! We've...got..to..do../something/!"

~~Tai..Matt..we're here! We're not going to leave you!~~

"S..Sora. It's Sora!"

Matt nodded as he too had heard the voice. "I hear her Tai. But.what..can they do?"

Not knowing how to answer, Tai winced as another wave of pain washed over him. All he did know was he and Matt couldn't do this alone; they needed their friends.

They needed to be together.

"Izzy!"

Turning at her friends outburst, Venusmon looked over and blanched as Pentamon was starting to fade and Izzy's body started to appear much like T.K and Kari's did when VenomMyotismon was draining their powers. However, to the shock of everyone around, Izzy struggled to his feet, fingers stretching out towards Gattaimon.

"Izzy..don't! Your not well..."

Ignoring Mimi, the DigiDestined stumbled over and with a desperate surge of strength placed his hand against Gattaimon's armor just as his powers faded.

A bright glow erupted from where Izzy's hand had contacted the metal and for a second, Gattaimon's eyes flickered brighter as Pentamon disappeared totally leaving only Izzy in his place.

Deep inside the warrior, Matt and Tai blinked as for a brief second the pain stopped completely as a sense of familiarity now washed over them.

"Izzy??" mummered the pair together.

"What happened??" Elitamon asked Venusmon as she supported Izzy's form as the young man groggily tried to speak.

"Just..like..before..with..Angewomon...."

"I don't.." began Venusmon as her mind replayed a scene from long ago..

**Everyone..give you powers to Angewomon!**

Garduamon's words cut through Sora's mind like a knife as she suddenly understood what Izzy must have meant. Just as before when the other Digimon gave their powers to Angewomon to defeat VenomMyotismon on Earth, now it seemed that...

"That's it. Mimi, you've got to give them your powers!"

"But..why??"

"There's no time to explain Mimi, but I think..I know..somehow....that's what we have to do! I guess Izzy figured it out now we have to do the same! Biyomon!"

Blinking, the pink Digimon flew over and landed beside her friend. "What is it Sora??"

"You and the others, you've got to buy us a few seconds please!"

Nodding, Biyomon flew back over to the others, not daring to ask why as she knew that tone in Sora's voice all too well and understood that explanations would have to come later. Quickly she got the other Digimon and as a group stood guard over their friends should VenomMyotismon escape.

The Dark Lord couldn't tell what was happening from his rock and tree created obstruction but it did not matter. He would be free in a matter of minutes then he would end this 'Legend of the DigiDestined'. Forever.

Angemon and Angewomon landed beside Venusmon, catching the worried look in Biyomon's eyes.

"Sora, what wrong with Tai and Matt?"

"It's their powers Kari! It's like a fever; burning them up from the inside!"

Angemon blinked as he looked at Gattaimon. "We've got to save Matt and Tai Sora..!"

"We are T.K. I think I know what to do! If we all concentrate hard enough and will our powers to Tai and Matt, that should help!"

"Should??" questioned Angemon doubtfully.

"There's no time to test it out T.K.!" shouted Mimi. "We've got to do this now!"

A long silence filled the small group until the two angels nodded and soon one by one each DigiDestined had placed their hand on Gattaimon's form and each concentrated, searching for the core of their powers.

"Hope..."

"Light.."

"Sincerity..."

"Love..."

"Reliability..."

Mimi and Sora blinked as a familiar voice drew their sight to a disheveled Joe who had recovered enough to stumble over and join his friends. Smiling, Mimi reached over with her free hand and wrapped it around Joe's, her eyes watering at the sight of him safe and awake.

Slowly, each DigiDestined's form faded, revealing the young man or woman within as like with Izzy, their point of contact with Gattaimon's form glowed softly.

One by one the waves of energy washed over Tai and Matt, pushing the pain back further and further until slowly they stood on their feet, their bodies surrounded by glowing representations of each Crest.

"Tai..can you..?"

"Yea Matt. I can feel them. All of them!"

"T.K.! He's alive...!"

"I can feel Kari too!"

Slowly each young man smiled at the other for a second before they nodded in understanding at what this meant.

"We've got a second chance Tai. We can't blow it!"

"I know Matt! No matter what happens to us, we've got to stop VenomMyotismon once and for all!"

"Tai..?"

"Yea Matt?"

"I know..that..we've been through a lot..and sometimes I wasn't the best..friend..I could have been. But I want you to know that if I gotta..you know..die..there's no one I'd rather have by my side at the end."

Tai blinked at the honestly in his friend's voice and smiled softly. "Same here buddy." as he paused, then looked squarely at his best friend.

"For Kari.."

"And T.K."

"For everyone we love.."

"And everything we believe in..."

"VenomMyotismon is going down!" the both said with utter conviction.

Staggering back, the DigiDestined leaned on each other as their powers were totally gone as they stood once more in their normal forms.

"Did..did we do it.." whispered Joe as he held Mimi gently.

"I..I think..."

Sora's answer was cut short by two events; one being Gattaimon's sudden launching into the air, as he now hovered in place for a long moment and two VenomMyotismon's escape from his confinement as the two faced off like from an old time western.

The Dark Lord could not believe his sight! This charlatan of a Digimon again opposed him! Seething in rage his attention never waived from the being before him as silently he focused every scrap of his power. He would end this and claim his destiny.

Deep in Gattaimon, Matt and Tai concentrated. With eyes closed and fists clenched, both young men called on every bit of their borrow power.

No matter the cost to them, it ended here and now.

Matt's mind flashed with terrible images that could only be described as Hell on Earth. VenomMyotismon triumphant. Matt's home a burnt cinder. His parents dead in ghastly twisted poses; their faces etched with horror of their death at the Digimon's onslaught. T.K..beaten, battered without mercy; his young body covered in blood as he and Kari, the Light of his little brothers' life..lay beside him equally violated All his friends..dead. As lifeless as his world would soon become.

**NO! I won't let this happen!!** growled Matt as slowly, Gattaimon's right fist began to glow with a swirling black energy.

Sora beside him, gazing up at clouds on a lazy day. The warm sun beating down on them as off in the distance his parents voices called them to the picnic dinner at the lakeside. All his friends were there, grinning and laughing as he and Sora slowly walked down the hill, hand in hand.This is what he was fighting for; this little bit of Heaven on Earth. Even if he could not be around to share this life, he could die knowing that the ones he loved would be able to go on.

"For you Sora and Kari..for you..." mummered Tai as Gattaimon's left fist started to glow, the white luminance increasing with each second.

Sora and the rest of the DigiDestined stood as each second felt like an hour as the two combatants just stood there, as like silent sentinels for their respective beliefs. Then, without warning as if linked by some invisible connection, both Gattaimon and VenomMyotismon called out their attacks!

"Dark Network!!"

Again, the obsidian black tendrils seeped up from the ground trying to encase his foe in their neigh-unbreakable grip.

His fists slamming together, Gattaimon merged his offensive and defensive attacks into one powerful weapon as his own attack cry echoed across through the air.

"HELL....and......HEAVEN!!!"

Shooting forth, Gattaimon plowed through the ribbons of darkness, his attack shattering the walls of darkness into nothingness as he made his way to VenomMyotismon.

The Dark Lord focused every bit of his power to entrap the warrior as a blinding flash of Darkness filled the air.

With a roar of determination from the young men inside, Gattaimon surged forth as a blinding flash collided with VenomMyotismon as a massive shock wave erupted, sending the DigiDestined and their Digimon tumbling back head over heels as the glare was so dense that to look at it would surely be a foolish endeavor.

Across the Digital World, a foreboding sense of dread filled the air. From File Island to the continent of Server, from the depths of Whamon's ocean to the top of what had been Spiral Mountain, the Digital World shuddered as a realm hung in the balance.

"Matt..." whispered T.K. as he prayed for his big brother.

"Oh..Tai..." cried Sora as she hoped for the best.

"Come on guys..you can do it.." challenged Joe as he held Mimi protectively, the young woman having been able to fill him in to some degree on what he missed while recovering.

"I believe in you Tai..please come back to me cause I still need you big brother.." prayed Kari as she and T.K. held each other giving what quiet comfort they could.

Izzy watched as best he could, trying his best to make out the emerging shadows as the light started to fade.

A short gasp filled the air as Kari was the first to see the outcome of their duel. Seconds later the other DigiDestined's soft sounds of surprise filled the air as one by one their Digimon joined them, each shaken by the sight before them.

Gattaimon hovered there, steam escaping from his overheated armor as the cracked and warped metal started to cool in the wind. Sagging slightly, he floated to the ground and then to his knees as he clutched a dark orb to his chest.

VenomMyotismon was still standing, but it was clear he was not the victor. In the center of his dark form was a hole that Gattaimon had created when his Hell and Heaven plowed through his body and took the Digimon's black core with him.

Slowly, VenomMyotismon began to laugh again. Louder and louder the sound grew, creeping down the spines of all present as the Dark Lord's body started to decompile. It was not until the effect reached his neck and head the laughter stopped as the Dark Lord, despite all his strength and power, simply vanished into nothingness.

"Matt..Tai!"

"You did it Matt!"

"Way to go big bro!"

Various other cheers filled the air as human and Digimon alike ran over to the combined DigiDestined until a warning hand was raised by the armored figure as he looked at them for the longest moment. Then, suddenly, he collapsed as the orb of darkness rolled out of his hands and down a nearby hillside.

The orb forgotten by all present but one, they watched as slowly Gattaimon's figure began to fade and after long, tense moments, Matt and Tai lay there dressed in their normal outfits.

But they were still. Unmoving. As quiet as the grave.

Sora and Kari ran towards Tai's form as Joe, Mimi and T.K. went to Matt.

Joe checked Matt's pulse. "He's alive..but..it's so faint..."

Sora nodded.."Tai..Tai's the same way Joe!"

Kari gently took her brothers hand. "Tai..please..come back to us."

T.K. did the same, clutching Matt's hand as if by sheer will he could pull his brother back from the edge of mortal release. "Come on Matt..come back to us. I may be ..I may be growing up Matt..but I still need you. Do you hear me Matt? I still need you!" as his tears started to fall.

Kari and Sora's eyes too released their tears and in unison they gently splashed against Matt's cheeks as T.K.'s did the same moments later.

Gabumon, Agumon, all the Digimon closed their eyes and prayed in their own way for their friends to come back. Unnoticed by them or their human friends, each of them began to glow softly.

"D..don't cry Sora..okay? It doesn't..look good on you..."

"Tai?? Tai!!" she screamed with relief as her arms wrapped around the young man and she gave him a powerful hug as Kari held her brother as well, thanking whatever powers returned him to her.

"You..sure..about that T.K.?"

"Matt?"

Slowly the young man nodded and clutched his little brother's hand tightly. "Are you sure you still need me T.K.? You were pretty brave out there..."

Still crying softly T.K. nodded. "I'll always need you Matt. I'll always need my big brother.." and he hugged Matt nearly as tight as Kari and Sora held Tai.

Mimi and Joe had been holding back, worried of course but this was a situation that called for the strength that only family and the love of someone close held. But despite the horrors they had just endured, Mimi knew she would look back on this day not with fear but with joy as she realized something her heart had been trying to tell her for a long time only she had been too stubborn to listen.

She deeply cared for Joe. It wasn't love in the same sense that Tai and Sora had, or what T.K. and Kari had expressed, but still...

But could he possibly care for her the same way?

A gently squeeze of her hand brought her attention from that train of though to Joe as the young man looked at her.

For a long moment each stared at the other, not a word being said. But, then, in a moment they both sensed they shared a gentle kiss and a deep hug as Mimi felt her worries evaporate in Joe's embrace.

"Uhm..guys? I hate to break up all the hugging..."

Sora grinned slighlty, blushing as she and Tai looked over at Agumon and were about to ask what was up when they noticed on their on what indeed was 'up'--their Digivices!

"Oh no, not again..." muttered Joe.

"Oh..I got dizzy the last time watching this..." squeaked Mimi, drawing an amused look from the others.

Spinning clockwise in the air, the eight Digivices broke apart and with a flash of light each had reattached themselves to the DigiDestined!

"Woah..prodigious! Does this mean everything is back to normal!"

"I hope so Izzy! Digivolving was interesting, but I think I'll leave it to the professionals! Right Gatomon?"

Turning around, Kari went to look at her friend but the feline Digimon was no where to be seen.

"Gatomon??"

"She was just right here" mentioned Gomamon.

"Where could she be??"

"I don't know Kari" said Biyomon, "But we'll find her. "

Kari nodded and the Digimon started to fan out away from the hillside back towards the forest as Kari worked to get Tai and Matt to their feet.

But Gatomon had not vanished into thin air, nor had she left for the forest. After Matt and Tai had started to wake up, she quietly slipped down the hillside and after a minute or two searching found her objective--the Orb of Darkness Gattaimon had dropped when he reverted back to the two humans.

"So this is all that's left of you Myotismon..." the feline said to the air.

~~So you are my executioner after all Gatomon?~~ the air whispered back.

"They don't understand. They think your defeated. That's what we all thought last time."

~~But you understand, don't you Gatomon?~~

"Yes. You'll keep coming back again and again to threaten us over and over."

The air laughed. ~~Of course! I am Myotismon. You may have defeated me now, but my evil is eternal. I shall come back stronger before. You shall never know peace my treacherous Digimon....~~

Gatomon didn't reply for the longest moment as she stared at the slowly decaying orb in front of her. In a few moments the energy would be returned to Primary Village to start the process all over anew. It may be years before the Dark Lord again grew powerful enough to threaten her world. But it would come. Of that she had no doubt.

Not unless...

Slowly she drew back her paw and the charge for a Lighting Paw started to build.

The air laughed again. ~~Come now Gatomon! Remember what your human said. You are too good for such actions! Besides, you destroy me and all your atonement will be for nothing! You will be claimed by the darkness you seek to escape! You are weak Gatomon! Pitiful! You don't have the stomach for it! You can not do it because your pitiful human is more important than your revenge~~

Gatomon looked at the orb, almost totally gone now save for the very core of Myotismon's code. Deep inside her mind, Kari's gentle pleading for her to be above the anger echoed over and over as it fought against the his laughter that filled her thoughts as well.

"No, Myotismon. Kari is more important to me than anything or anyone; even my soul..." and with that Gatomon plunged the lighting paw into the core of his being and let loose with all her might.

And if on the wind she heard a scream of eternal agony, she paid it no mind.

Staring at the orb until the last particle had disappeared, Gatomon finally exhaled the breath she had been holding. Without a further sound she clawed her way back up the hill and began to walk over to Kari.

Kari blinked as the sound of rocks rolling downhill caught her attention. Looking over, she caught sight of Gatomon coming over the hillside, her normally pristine fur covered with dirt and grime. Standing up, she nodded once to Tai (who along with Matt had been able to reach their feet with some stability) and went over to her friend.

They stopped a few feet from each other, Gatomon doing her best to hide the look of uncertanity on her face and Kari trying her own best to hide her shock at the look in the feline's eyes. Then, each took a few hesitant steps until finally Kari scooped her Digimon up and held her close as Gatomon brokenly whispered to her.

"I'm sorry Kari..."

Running her fingers through the tarnished fur, Kari shook her head and just held her friend. Kari knew..somehow, on some level, what Gatomon had done. The link between them was too strong to deny it. But this was not a time to pass judgment; Kari knew that what Gatomon had done was what she though she had to do.

What right did Kari have to judge anyone on such a belief? She didn't, so they simply held each other until a strange sound filled the air. Slowly it got louder and one by one the Digimon who had been looking for Gatomon came back to the clearing as the buzzing seemed to be directly overhead.

Shielding their eyes from the sun, the DigiDestined looked on astonished as Gennai came into view, riding what looked to be a mobile version of the image transmitter he used to first contact the DigiDestined after the defeat of Devimon. The main difference was this was much wider and the edges were spinning at a fantastic rate as it appeared that is what was giving the craft it's lift capabilities.

Turning away as the dust settled, the group smiled as Gennai stepped off the platform. "Oh my what happened here? It looks like the morning after my last Happy New Digi-Year party..."

Tai and the others smiled. "You might..uhm..could say that Gennai. We kinda ran into Myotismon and.."

"Oh my! That's what I came to warn you about. My sources tell me that he's planing on trying to take over the Digital World again!"

Matt sighed and bit back the urge to reply in a way he really shouldn't. "You don't have to worry about that Gennai. We sent him packing."

"Oh really? Excellent! Now I can get my shows without interference. Those bats of his were terrible on my sports channel.."

Mimi resisted the urge to scream and walked over to Gennai. "Uhm..Gennai. Something weird kind of happened and .."

"Oh. Weird you say? How weird?"

Izzy spoke up next. "We digivolved Gennai!"

"Oh really! Oh my..I was wondering if that was going to happen...."

A collective shock wave passed through the group. "You /knew/ about that Gennai??" exclaimed Joe.

"Well, not really. I suspected such a thing was possible, but the odds of it happening were so small it didn't occur to me to mention it.." he paused and looked over each one of the DigiDestined. "How do you feel now?"

"Well..normal I guess Gennai.."

Sora grinned..."That's not saying much Tai.."

A mixed chuckle filled the air. "She's right Tai. This is as close to normal as your going to get.."

Tai turned and looked at his friend. "Thanks Matt. Remind me again who it was who put itching powder in Sora's soccer outfit before the big game?"

Matt blinked and looked over at Sora, whose face went from holding a gentle smile to one of shock and anger.."Maaattt....." she warningly growled.

Shooting a look at Tai, Matt stammered. "It wasn't on purpose Sora! Honest. I didn't know you shared a locker with June and..."

"So you put itching powder in MY outfit by mistake but you were trying to put it in June's cheer leading outfit to..get out of a date with her!?"

"You don't understand Sora. I had too! I had plans that night and she invited herself but since it was just me and the guys and we were going out to a str.." Matt started to explain when he barely caught himself and shook his head as a round of laughter erupted from everyone present except Gennai who chose to not embarrass Matt further by commenting and the Digimon who didn't understand the meaning of his near-fatal slip of the tongue.

Sora bent over double laughing for a long moment before she was able to compose herself. "A..apology accepted Matt..but don't ever do it again or you'll wish you were fight Seadramon.."

Nodding at the gracious offer, Matt took it and ran. "S..sure Sora. No problem.."

Again a small bit of laughter erupted until Gennai cleared his throat and the DigiDestined turned around to face their friend and mentor.

"I'm sorry to break up the party, but there is a reason I needed to find you other than warning you about Myotismon.."

Joe groaned. "Not another bunch of bad guys we've got to defeat Gennai?"

The elder Digital being laughed. "Oh no! Not this time! I came to tell you all that if you survived against Myotismon, that it was time to turn in your Digivices!"

Blinking, the crowd looked at Gennai as if he had just grew another head and started speaking in rhyme. "Turn in our..." muttered Izzy as he looked at the small square object that had changed his life..all of their lives..so many years ago.

"Of course. It's time for you to move on with your lives and with the defeat of Myotismon, your obligations as the DigiDestined are done!"

"But Gennai..." muttered Matt.

"I mean..are you sure Gennai?" asked Tentamon.

"Of course I'm sure. I am an ancient being filled with wisdom and knowledge. Or something like that anyway. Besides, why do you want to keep them? If you do, you might have to come back someday to the Digital World and fight again. If you keep your Digivices it may mean giving up your life on Earth at the drop of a hat; well, not my hat since I don't wear them but that's something to consider. Anyway, if you keep them you might have to fight again. Do you /really/ want to worry about that?"

A heavy silence filled the group for a moment before Matt spoke up. "Then if we have to fight, we fight. As great as having a normal kinda life sounds, I know I couldn't stand myself if I found out the Digital World was in danger and I turned my back on it. I....we..still have a lot of friends here and I couldn't sleep at night if I didn't help out just because it was dangerous!"

"How about the rest of you?" asked Gennai.

A round of nods answered him. "I mean, I still don't like fighting Gennai, but Matt's right! We've got a lot of friends here and I would rather miss a manicure appointment than find out after the fact that Monzaemon got hurt because I wasn't there!"

Joe shook his head and smiled at how much different, and how much the same, Mimi had become over the years. Still, what she meant carried a lot of weight. "I agree with Mimi Gennai. Just because we've met some sort of technical obligation, but you just can't expect us to abandon our friends!"

Gennai listened for a moment to the arguments and sighed. "I suppose I can't get any of you to change your minds?"

A fierce silence was his reply.

Sighing he nodded. "If that's your wish then I can force you. But at least you'll be able to visit your Digimon when you want..."

Agumon blinked as did the other Digimon. "Visit us?"

"Well Agumon, you certainty can't go live with them permanently in the human world can you?"

"Why not Gennai? We have before and we can do it again!"

"Gatomon's right Gennai.." said Palamon. "Mimi is my best friend and I don't think I could stand to be apart of from her again like before!"

"Come now. How are you going to hide from their parents? Stick you in a closet every time they walk by?"

"I think.." started Tai as he sighed softly "I think maybe it's time to tell our parents everything. I mean, they know we were the DigiDestined, but I think if we tell them about what's happened here..and how we're not in any danger at the moment....and how much our friends want to be with us..that they'll understand. I mean, I need Agumon as much as, well, as much as I hope he needs me."

"Oh Tai, of course I do! We all want to be with our friends, right guys?"

A chorus of nods came from the Digimon and again Gennai shook his head.

"'Your going to be stubborn about this aren't you? Oh very well..but when their parents freak out and make you wear flea collars remember I warned you..."

A giggle erupted from Kari and a few others as the mental image of their Digimon with the aforementioned collars burst into her mind as Gomamon leaned over to Gatomon.

"What's a flea collar?" he whispered.

"Trust me, you don't want to know...." she replied.

"Well, if I can't talk you out of giving up your Digivices can I at least get you to come visit an old mentor from time to time?"

A soft wave of laughter filled the clearing as a round of hugs was bestowed on Gennai until Izzy's voice broke the stillness. "Darn it!"

"What is it Izzy?"

"With Myotismon's castle destroyed so was the Digiport there. And the nearest one that I recall is over two days hike from here..."

A collection of groans filled the air this time.

"Oh man, it will be just like old times.." moaned Joe. "All that hiking makes me tired..."

Mimi giggled and gave Joe a hug, causing a soft smile to erupt on Sora and Kari's face. "Oh well Joe, at least we get to have a nice tour of the place one last time.."

"Actually, it might take a few days, but I can cobble something up that would work like a Digiport with what I have in my flying saucer. It will take a while, but that would give you time to do whatever you wanted to do one last time..."

"I would like to see Andromon again" mentioned Kari

"And me and Patamon can go talk to Electmon..." said T.K. as his friend nodded in agreement.

"And me and Joe..well, we can go see some old friends. Right Joe?" softly suggested Mimi.

Joe looked over and was confused for a second until a glimmer of understanding clued him in. "Yea..I suppose we do need to do that Mimi.."

"I wouldn't mind a swim with Whamon.." grinned Gomamon. "I've got to get some new fish stories before I go!"

A soft moan came from somewhere in the group of Digimon, but Gomamon couldn't quite tell who it came from so he ignored it for now.

Although Izzy didn't mention anything he wanted to do, the look in his eyes that Tentamon caught said that a definite conversation would be forthcoming.
"Then it's settled? You'll visit who you want and meet back here in three days to go home?" confirmed Gennai.

"Sounds good to me Gennai." answered Matt.

"But what about our parents guys?" mentioned Sora. "We all told them we were going to see a friend in the hospital and we've already been gone for a long time. A few more days and my mon's gonna call out the national guard for sure!"

That thought caused a lot of head shaking among the humans before Izzy spoke up. "Well guys, if we're going to tell our parents the truth then that few extra days will have to be part of it.."

Nodding, Tai agreed. "Yea..your right Izzy. The whole truth this time.."

"Well then, it's settled. Izzy, unless you have somewhere to go I would like some help getting the Digiport together..."

"Of course Gennai. Be glad to help.."

Recovering what camping supplies they had brought with them that survived the destruction of Myotismon's castle, the DigiDestined and their Digimon split up and went to see their friends as Gennai and Izzy worked on the Digiport.

**

Three days almost to the hour, the last of the DigiDestined walked into the clearing as Joe and Mimi apparently had taken the long way back for some reason.

Looking over the assembled group, Gennai smiled. "I guess it's time to say goodbye kids..." he started, but the tears in his eyes gave him pause.."I think, though I might be wrong..that I will miss you all deeply. You have saved our world and I just wish there were a way to say thanks but..."

Kari stepped forth and gave their friend a hug. "It's okay Gennai. If it hadn't happened, no of us would be the great friends we are now.." as she cast a quick glance back at a now-blushing T.K. "or have met our Digimon. Maybe all of that happening was part of our destiny too...?"

Gennai smiled. "Maybe Kari. But your obligations to destiny are over and a new beginning awaits you back home." he paused and looked around the group once more. "Is everyone ready?"

Everyone, both human and Digimon, nodded.

"Okay then, everyone on the platform" Gennai motioned as he stood in the center of the flying disk.

Sora looked at Izzy. "Did you two turn Gennai's flyer into the Digiport?"

"Oh no Sora. The Digiport's close by..well, close by using the flyer anyway. Gennai suggested we build it there to get a smoother ride back to our world. Don't want our last time to be where we wind up tangled in knots on the other end right?"

"Oh yea. That'll be one thing I won't miss!" commented Matt who was met by several nods of agreement.

"Then hold on everyone cause here we go...!" shouted Gennai as he tried to be heard over the sound of the flyer lifting off.

In awe the Digimon and humans watched the forest, swamps, oceans and rivers zip underneath them as soon an all too familiar island came into view.

"Hey..it's File Island!"

"Right Joe! The Digiport is right over there.." pointed Izzy as the others followed his finger.

Banking right, Gennai flew towards a thick patch of forest and soon he was in a clearing that gave everyone else besides Izzy a creepy sense of Deja Vu.

"Hey..I know this place!" grinned T.K.

"Yea..your right T.K.!" laughed Sora. "This is the clearing we first fell into when we came to the Digital World!"

"Izzy, did you know about this?" asked Tentamon.

Izzy grinned, caught by his friend. "Not really. When Gennai told me the place we needed to build it I didn't recongize it at first but after I did it seemed kinda appropriate don't you think?"

Laughing, Tai nodded. "Yea Izzy..it is..."

Slowly the flyer landed several feet away from a freshly built television on a huge boulder. After the craft came to a complete stop the DigiDestined stepped off followed by their Digimon.

A heavy sadness filled the air as everyone looked around at the clearing where it all began so long ago. The same clearing that now marked the end of their adventures in the Digital World.

The tears were starting to flow, both from the humans and Digimon as each team paired together. Taking one final look around as if etching every leaf, every blade of grass into their memories, the DigiDestined and their partners turned to Gennai.

"We're ready Gennai.." said Tai softly as he held Sora's hand in his.

With only a slight nod Gennai stood back and watched.

Slowly, each one took out their Digivice and together with voices of conviction, yelled out the command.

"Digiport..open!"

The T.V. flared to life as the all too familiar symbol of the Digiport opened and the group was sucked into the vortex for the last time.

Just as the Digital World vanished from view, Matt heard a strange echo in his mind.

~~Beware young holder of Friendship. The darkness still lurks in the hidden places. Love is the great key you need to lock it away, but it is also the one thing that will guarantee its victory. Be wary, but be trusting my child for in that trust lies your salvation.~~

And with that, the voice-and the Digital World--vanished beyond sight as the DigiDestined were once again on their way home.

Gennai watched the Digiport flicker and close, then watched the blank screen for long moments before turning his attention to the sky.

"I was wondering when you would get here..."

"I am sorry I am late Gennai, but I had to take care of..things.." apologized The Entity.

"You missed your chance to say good-bye."

"I know, but I believe it is for the best. You, on the other hand Gennai, were very unfair. Tricking the young ones that way..." she said, more than a slight hint of humor in her voice.

"Well, it was the best I could do. You and I both know they would have insisted on their Digimon staying here where they would be 'happier' no matter how much pain it would have caused them to be apart. I simply played the 'bad cop' and got them to see the best point of view."
"By tricking them into thinking they were in control and making the decisions when they were making the decisions you wanted them to make all along..."

Gennai didn't quite grin from ear to ear.

"But you chose to not tell them of the changes did you?"

"Would you have?"

"No, I do not think so. Even if their powers return in times of need, it must be of their choosing to use them as they see fit. Now they are free of the dictates of destiny; let them be unaware and happy. If anyone deserves such happiness, it is them..."

Gennai nodded in agreement, letting the subject drop.

"Are they ready?" asked the voice after a moment.

"Almost, but I certainty hope we don't need them."

"Neither do I Gennai, but you know that someday we will have need for them to be given.."

Nodding in reluctant agreement, Gennai pulled out eight small triangular shaped Digivices with small circular screens on them, each triangle a different color.

"I guess the old saying is true..."

The Entity 'looked' at Gennai. "Which one..?"

"The more things change, the more they stay the same..."

A long pause filled the air as Gennai finally felt the Entity nodding in agreement. Without another word he put the devices in his pocket and with a respectful glance he lifted off in the flyer and disappeared over the horizon.

Alone, the Entity shimmered for a moment before her gentle voice resonated out as she began to fade.

"Yes..I guess so Gennai. The more things change..the more they do stay the same...." and with that she vanished into thin air leaving the clearing empty save for the memories.

The memories of eight wondrous children, their Digimon friends, and the world they changed for the better.

"Woah!"
"Crap!"
"Not again!"
"This is gonna hurt!"
"Hey..watch my tail!"
"Ow, my ear!"
"I think.. I'm going to barf.."
"The dividing driver must have out of sequence!"
"Watch my paw!"
"That's MY paw"

THUD!

Like an ugly 7/10 split, the DigiDestined and their Digimon tumbled out of the Digiport and landed in a most undignified way. For long moments everyone tried to get their bearings but the humans soon realized their faces were in places they didn't need to be and a massive rush to get untangled occurred, resulting in an array of sprains, scrapes and pulled muscles, not to mention a round of embarrassed blushing from the couples.

Finally feeling less like a pretzel, the group looked at the now dormant computer in Izzy's room and sighed.

"I guess that's that guys.." said Tai softly.

"Yea..I guess..so.." added Sora with more than a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Even though there was a lot of tough times..I don't think I'd trade it for anything.."

Mimi nodded in agreement with Joe. "Me too, but I won't miss some of those fashions! Oh ick..green and purple aren't colors you can accessorize easy no matter how hard you try!"

A round of laughter erupted from the group as Mimi looked on, a bit shocked. "Well, they are!"

Grinning, Joe gave Mimi a gentle hug with one arm. "I know Mimi. Maybe they'll change it thanks to all your fashion sense.."

Mimi brightened. "Maybe they will! Thanks Joe!" and she kissed him on the cheek, causing him to blush deeply until the door busted open and Izzy's parents looked on in shock.

"Izzy??"

"Mom..??"

"Oh..son!" said Izzy's dad as the two rushed over and gave their boy a huge hug!

"I'm ..glad to see..you both too..but I can't breathe dad!"

"Where have you been son?"
"We were so...oh..my!"

Blinking, Izzy looked over at his mom as she paled slightly at the sight of Tentamon.

"It's okay Mom. You remember Tentamon right?"

"Tenta..oh yes! Wait..you..went back to the Digital world??"

"Well mom..we kinda had too."

"But you told me you were going to see a sick friend!" she not too lightly scolded.

"Well, at the time mom that's why we thought we WERE going, but..."

"Mrs. Izumi" interrupted Tai. "It's kinda of a long story, and we wanna tell what happened, but would it be okay if we called our parents and invited them over here? It'd be easier for all of us to explain it at once..."

Izzy's dad nodded. "I don't see that as a problem, but I hope this kind of disappearing act won't be occurring on a regular basis..."

Mrs. Izumi blinked as a collective depression seemed to settle over her son and his friends for a moment before Sora smiled at them softly.

"No sir..I can promise that won't happen at all..."

Hearing the twinge of regret in her voice, Izzy's mom could easily see that their story would be one hard to tell, but necessary none the less. After a few seconds, her husband returned with the phone and the calls began.

**
It had been a long night for everyone, especially Mimi's parents who had gotten tickets on the Concord to get back to Japan to see their daughter. Even severely jet lagged, they had sat through the entire conversation with her and Joe and despite the surprises the pair dropped, both her mom and dad understood to some degree what happened and approved of the surprising but favorable outcome that had occurred because of their adventure.

After everyone else had went to bed (as Izzy's parents were kind enough to let everyone stay there; though it was somewhat cramped) Matt stood alone on their balcony gazing up into the stars as the voice he had heard repeated in his mind.

**How can love be the key and the danger?** he mused, trying to sort out the meaning of the cryptic warning.

**But what kind of love do I have to be careful of? Is it because I care for T.K. so much that if something happens to him the Darkness will win? Or is it the kind of love I have for my mom and dad?**

Sighing, he gently slammed his fists on the railing unable to figure out what it could mean. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him...

**Or is it..maybe..the love someone other than them.. has for me?? Na..that can't be it..can it??** he silently asked the stars in the clear sky above.

** Is there really someone out there..someone who could love me that much..for me??**

That final question lingered with Matt for hours as he watched the universe unfold in quiet splendor.


Epilog


A hundred miles and several hours later in the small district of Juban, another young person was staring at the same night sky searching for answers to questions she couldn't even begin to ask.

Unable to sleep for the fourth time in as many nights, the young woman sat in the small alcove at her window, knees pressed to chest as the stars twinkled across the black velvet the clear night let in. Her blue nightgown shimmered in the light from a beautiful crescent moon.

Amelia Mizuno stood quietly in the doorway and watched her blue haired daughter become lost in the dream world she had taken to inhabiting of late in the quiet early morning hours.

Even though she tried to talk about it with Amy, the young woman wouldn't..or couldn't..explain what had become so important that her sleep and her studies had fallen to such secondary importance. Her grades had not dropped, nor had any of her college professors mentioned problems the few occasions she had bumped into them about town. But the nightly vigil was beginning to take it's toll on Amy's concentration. On more than one occasion, simple conversations became difficult as Amelia had to repeat herself to catch her daughters attention.

But even if Amy didn't want to talk about it, Amelia had a clue as to what the problem was; a mothers' intuition was a powerful thing even if unexplainable by modern science.

Amy was lonely; her heart aching for that kind of love that only one special person could give. Not even a mother's love-no matter how powerful or deep-could fill such a void. And that is what frustrated Ameila so much; to be so powerless even knowing the face of the enemy that plagued her daughter's heart.

Easing away quietly, Ameilia gently shut the door and walked back to her own room. Once there, she slipped back into bed and closed her eyes and for the first time in a long while, prayed to whatever powers that be to send her daughter a great love to fill the void in her heart. Finishing, the woman settled down into the covers and drifted off to sleep.

Unseen by the now sleeping Amy, the planet Mercury twinkled brightly in the night sky for a moment before settling back into the sea of velvet it had rested in for so long as the darkness gave way to the light of day.

A day that would change two lives forever....



To be continued in--'Of Crests and Planets"