Power of the Crests: Part Nine:
Rebirth of Death
Original Author: Debbie (Dai-chan)
Rewriter: Celestra (Les)
Hey, everybody! Okay, Debbie wrote this part for Kari, but I hate that little %$ & Sorry so much if you like Kari! So I decided to replace her with Davis, seeing as he's my favorite 02 character. Did you know I considered making him eight years old? Wouldn't that be cute, an eight year old Davis?! I know I'm screwing up the series, but in 02, I find myself liking Kari. So think about two Karis in 02, one big and one little. Imagine some other name for her. Now the, you might be confused about Cat and Kate, and why I made Cat into Davis's sister. I also hate Jun, and Cat doesn't gush over every boy she meets. She actually doesn't have a crush. For more details on them, read 'Lights, Camera, Love and Action'. Cat is pure fiction, and Kate is based on a real person. It's kinda her. ^_^ Oh, yeah, Debbie is the original author, but this is MY version! (calms down) This takes place after 'Enter the Dark Masters'. Enough with the rambling, go ahead and read review. For those of you who are kinda confused, Cat's digimon is Foximon, a (duh) fox-like digimon, and her crest is the Crest of Life. Kate's digimon is Lasdamon, a purple cat-like digimon, and her crest is the Crest of Sacrifice. Davis's crest is the Crest of Power.
Crouching quietly, Tai brushed away leaves from his face and scanned the area thoroughly. He was sitting on a high branch, almost hidden by the thick leaves. The tree was standing along with its fellows near a beach. The sand was white and sparkling, but Tai was not sightseeing for enjoyment. He was on patrol, watching for any sight for suspicious digimon wandering around. He and his friends finally escaped from the Dark Masters, left on Piximon's words of faith and trust.
His heart clenched painfully as he remembered the hasty death of the wise diminutive digimon that aided them a long time ago. His teeth clenched together with bitterness as he again scanned around the white beach and the calm ocean. Any moment, Metalseadramon could appear out from the water and attack he and his friends. Tai hoped that they were well-hidden.
"Are they gone?"
Tai gazed down from his hitch on the branch to the figure of pink near the tree, her hazel eyes on him with concern. Mimi was helping him, too, but she was too upset over Piximon's death. He understood how she felt. Tai called after her, his voice soft enough to be heard only by Mimi, "I don't see anything else, just the beach and the ocean. I guess we are safe for now."
He saw Mimi slowly nodding, her eyes lowering to the beach from her hidden shelter in the bushes. Tai took another thorough scan around, then carefully began to climb down the tree, grasping on branches, hoping that they wouldn't give out under his weight. Occasionally, he could hear a groaning creak from one of the branches, but he arrived to the ground safely. Mimi crawled from her shelter, and Tai could see their digimon, Palmon and Agumon, following after her. Mimi shifted closer to him, and he saw new tears misting in her eyes, her face unusually hard.
"They were so mean," Mimi murmured to herself, and then her face softened. "Poor Chuumon and Piximon." She buried her face in her hands. Usually, Tai would not know what to do, and he awkwardly held her for a moment until he saw Sora walking toward them for another patrol. She saw the crying Mimi and ran to her, taking her from Tai.
"Come on, Mimi," Sora soothed as the girls walked into another part of the forest, alone.
Tai sighed, gazing at them in worried concern. He turned the other way and headed for the hidden camp with Agumon and Palmon at his sides. Palmon knew Mimi better and chose to let her be with Sora. Tai arrived to the camp. The Digidestined finally returned back from their home world and found the Digiworld in greater danger than ever. They have been encountered with the Dark Masters and found them too horrible to face, but Tai knew that they had to face them someday to save the worlds. He wondered if he could stand to see one of his friends losing his or her life. Would it be worth it?
Matt was standing near a tree, his hands clenching into fists, shaking with anger. His eyes of grey-blue, more sharpened than before, gazed at Tai. "They will pay for what they did to our friends." His voice was strained. He was also affected by Piximon's death. But instead of grieving, he was raged, muttering angrily at himself.
Tai tightened his jaw and nodded sharply with Matt. He clenched his fist. "I completely agree with you, Matt. They must pay." For a moment, a single goal appeared in the boys' minds, trusting on each other for succeeding the goal.
Someone must have seen their faces and tended to stop them. Elanna stepped in between the two boys, the distraction shaking them out of their thoughts. Elanna silently glared at each boy and spoke quietly, "Not now, guys. First, we need to find a place to hide and contact Gennai. Vengeance can wait."
Matt seemed to blush slightly and turned away as Tai managed to make a sheepish grin at his sister. Elanna shook her head and returned to her usual side by Raimon, sitting near Joe. Tai ran his hand through his thick hair, his anger evaporating from his chest. He turned to Izzy, who was typing at his yellow-white laptop, his black eyes glued on the screen. He was trying to gain information about the Dark Masters and he also tried to contact Gennai in hopes that he might know something about how to defeat the evil digimon.
Tai knelt by Izzy, his eyes one the screen. "Find him yet?"
Izzy solemnly shook his head. "No, not yet. For certain motives, Gennai could be absent or deny to try to acknowledge us."
"Or perhaps he could fail to respond," replied Joe from his side by Elanna, his dusky eyes unusually hard. He was affected by the deaths, too, but he appeared silent about it, his face slightly taut.
As the kids discussed along with each other, Davis, Cat and Kate watched them from under a tree. Their faithful digimon partners, Foximon, (Cat), Veemon, (Davis) and Lasdamon ( duh! Kate) were curled up in the treetops. TK was sitting by them, also watching the older kids. Patamon was perched upon his green hat, as usual, his azure eyes closed, seeming to doze in the hot sun. Davis, Cat and Kate were the last ones to be discovered as the Eleven Digidestined. Cat, along with her friends and brother, returned to Digiworld to help. But they were not expecting any danger like the Dark Masters, who annihilated the poor digimon they encountered. She knew that the kids seemed uneasy about what would happen, but still, they appeared confident to defeat them. After all, they had TK, Cat, Davis and Kate as their hopes. For what reason, Davis and the others didn't know.
Davis suddenly turned his head to his left. She heard something. A sound like a voice. A very faint one, echoing from the trees. He strained his ears, but he couldn't hear anything.
"Davis?" he heard Veemon speaking. His eyes studied him with worry.
"What's the matter?" asked TK from his side. His azure eyes followed his brown eyes to where he was staring at, then he turned to him.
Davis met his gaze. "I thought I heard a voice."
TK cocked his head in curiosity. "What voice?"
"You didn't hear it?"
The littlest boy shook his head, shaking Patamon from his doze. "What was it like?"
Davis again strained his ears, but still heard nothing. "Well, it sounded like a cry. Very faint."
"What cry?" Davis and TK gazed up at Tai and Kate's voices. Tai was walking toward them, his brown eyes puzzled. Kate turned in her seat and looked at Davis, puzzled. Tai took a long gaze at them. "Who is crying?"
Foximon calmly answered, "Davis heard a voice nearby."
Tai appeared to be not pleased at the information. His eyes met his friend's eyes, piercing in deeply, making Davis silent under the sharp gaze. His voice was dense, "Davis, please stop fooling around. We have more than enough on our minds."
Davis blinked his eyes and responded with a bold voice, "But I didn't do anything -" A sudden groan rang through the trees, seeming to startle the kids from their speculations.
"What was that?" Joe murmured in surprise, standing up. The others were standing up, their eyes on where the groan was coming from in wondering hesitation.
"Now am I fooling around, Tai?" Davis said sharply, eying his friend. Tai turned to him, and he could see the clear apology reflecting in his eyes.
"Someone is hurt. We must go and help him." The kids looked around at Mimi's voice as she and Sora came in. They too, heard the groan. Mimi looked deeply concerned, wringing her peach-gloved hands.
Sora was looking nervous, shaking her head. "It could be a trick."
The groan was heard again. This time, it was louder, almost like a sob, deeply pained and taut. Cat began to wonder if there was really someone hurt. Tai was thinking the same thing. "I don't think it's a trick. Come on, let's go!"
All followed him, the leader, through the trees, they tried to listen for the groan. Davis could hear it, getting louder and frequent. Who was crying and why? Maybe it was a hurt digimon. Hopefully, a good digimon. Encountering an angry, injured evil digimon was too scary to face. Soon, Tai stopped in his tracks, his eyes suddenly widening. Davis crowded through the stopping kids and stood by his side. He saw a creature, as small as Izzy, sitting, almost hidden by the bushes. She was clad in a scarlet robe, thick and heavy, a red hood covering her head. Davis couldn't see her face; the digimon was bending over, holding her right arm. Davis noticed that the arm was covered with red blood, almost identical with the torn red sleeve. Kate noticed, too, and she gasped. She could hear the sobs, now softer from the hood.
"Hey, are you okay?" Tai called out, his voice awkwardly concerned.
The digimon alarmingly looked up, and the hood fell off, revealing a head of silver hair. Her face was the face of a girl, with pale skin and huge golden eyes. The eyes were widened with vast fear. "Who - who are you?" Her voice quavered. "Stay away!" She began to crawl backward with one arm; her right arm was clutched close to her stomach. Her eyes were still on the kids. Not seeing where was she going, she bumped into a tree behind her and she sat there, shaking with fright.
"Calm down," Palmon spoke as she and Biyomon went to her side. The digimon still cowered at the soft voice. "We are not harming you. We are friends."
The digimon suddenly yelled out with a hot voice, "I have no friends! All my friends are dead!" Hot tears streamed out of her eyes, crying with soft sobs.
"Oh, don't cry," Davis heard TK saying as he arrived to her side. Davis gazed at him with surprise. His voice was different than before, very placid and benevolent. His azure eyes seemed to sparkle with mercy. He went past Palmon and Biyomon and sat by the crying digimon, placing a hand on her shoulder. The digimon gazed up to him. "You are safe with us."
The digimon eyed him for a moment, and Davis saw her golden eyes widened at TK's beaming face. Her voice was soft now, filled with wondering awe. "You . . ."
Davis heard rustlings, and Elanna and Joe passed him, kneeling by the digimon's other side. Elanna was speaking softly, "Let us check on your arm." The digimon seemed hesitant at her words, her eyes distrustful at the girl and boy. Then Davis saw her eyes again widening, sparkling with amazement. Silently, the digimon let Joe and Elanna check on the bleeding arm, watching as they carefully tended. "What happened to you?" Elanna was asking, her blue eyes soft.
The digimon's voice seemed to thicken with bitterness, her eyes lowered. "I was a prisoner of Metalseadramon. He was trying to use me for my mystic powers."
"Oh, how awful!" Davis heard Mimi exclaiming.
The digimon gazed up, and Davis saw a smirk passing on her lips. "But I finally escaped. I will not be a slave to him anymore!" Cat seemed to feel uneasy at the digimon, shifting closer to her brother. Something about the smirk made Cat nervous, and Davis agreed in his mind.
Davis watched the digimon as she studied the faces of Elanna and Joe. Something about her . . . "What's your name?" he asked curiously.
The digimon gazed to him, and Davis thought he saw an odd gleam in her golden eyes. But the digimon just smiled brightly. "My name is Sanimon, and I am so pleased to meet the Famous Digidestined. I am so honored to have the Seer and the Reconciler help me."
Davis, Cat and Kate saw something strange. Joe dropped the roll of white bandages to the ground, his eyes suddenly widened. Elanna jolted her head up in startled astonishment, her face paled. The dusky eyes and blue eyes narrowed as they eyed the smiling digimon.
Sanimon didn't seem to notice that. She turned to TK. "And you are the Savior, right?"
TK was nodding, smiling back with cheerfulness.
Sanimon finally gazed up to the rest. "So you must be the Master, the Seeker, the Guardian, the Guide, and the Warder."
Davis quickly looked back to the kids, wondering why was the digimon calling them by strange names. Tai was looking pale, his hands touching lightly on his chest. Sora shifted farther from the digimon, her eyes closed. Matt scowled lightly. Mimi lowered her eyes to her entwined hands. Izzy seemed to cringe at a memory passing in his mind. Their digimon companions gazed at each kid, their multicolored eyes full with understanding concern. All were uneasy under the gleaming golden eyes. What was going on here? Why was that digimon calling them like that, and why did they seem so troubled?
Tai let his hand fall to his side, his brown eyes hard at Sanimon. "Yeah, we are them."
Joe finished wrapping the arm as Elanna held it up gently. As he put away the roll back in his duffel bag, Elanna tied a sling around Sanimon's neck and placed the injured arm in it. "You will be okay soon," Elanna was said. Her voice was slightly tight, as if still shaken from Sanimon's calling of her name. "Just be careful for awhile."
Tai knelt down, but a little farther from Sanimon. "Are you still well enough to walk? We need to move on to find a place for the night."
Sanimon nodded. "I know a place. I was running away for it. It's probably the only safe place in this crazy world."
"Are you sure?"
Putting the hood over her head, Sanimon then smiled. "Do you doubt me?"
Tai looked like he wanted to say it, but kept silent. He took a long scan around his friends, waiting. The kids were silent, but Yamato nodded sharply, and Tai sighed softly. "All right. We have no other choice."
Sanimon stood up a bit weakly, helped by TK and the other digimon. She seemed to bow deeply to Tai. "Thank you for agreeing to my suggestion, Master."
Davis saw Tai jerking his head away a little too quickly, his eyes tightly shut. His hand shook, going to his chest. Sora and Elanna were gazing at him with worry. Even the cheerful TK was distressed as he watched the dusky-haired boy. Cat looked deeply puzzled, and Kate looked exactly like her, making them look like twins for two people so different.
Cat was almost impatient about what was happening, impatient thatshe, her brother and Kate were the only ones who didn't know anything. But her concern was on his brother, who looked mad about him not knowing something everyone else did. He could hear in his mind," I know something you don't know, doo dah doo dah day!"
Sanimon led the group, her footsteps graceful, but weak, as if still weak from the loss of blood. TK was at her side, offering his aid. Matt was at her other side, seeming hesitant to help, but seeing his brother do so, decided to aid anyway. Davis wondered what had happened to the kids. There was a sudden, dark silence drifting around them, their faces pale and tight. The digimon seemed to have deep sorrow, seeming to share their hidden encounters. Tai was looking haggard, his eyes darkened with refreshed memories. Kate slid her hand in his hand, trying to bring him back from his haunted memories, but it was hanging slackly.
"Tai, why did Sanimon call you the Master?" Kate asked.
Tai moved only his eyes to gaze down to her, then returned his gaze back to the path. "That's how digimon know me."
"What do you mean?"
"I prefer not to talk about it, okay?"
Kate and Davis were surprised at his reply and she whispered, "Okay . . ." She couldn't help but at glance at Lasdamon with wonder. Lasdamon walked beside her, and her sapphire eyes were clouded with bewilderment.
Soon, Sanimon stopped in the middle of the path, and her eyes turned to her right, pointing with her good arm. "Here we are." All followed their eyes to where she was pointing at and saw a huge antique mansion, colored shadowy blue, standing alone in a grove of twisted trees. There were no windows on the sides, but with no glass, either. It looked hollow, lifeless.
Davis heard someone making a choked gasp, and he turned to see Matt deathly pale, stepping backward. Elanna and Izzy looked deeply disturbed, and they went to him, holding on his arms, Elanna whispering to him softly. Izzy turned to Sanimon with a frown.
"This place is unprotected," Izzy said. "It's in the command of Banshemon. Why are you bringing us here? Does she want Matt back?"
Davis was now really confused about this. Matt was slightly shaking, his eyes on the mansion as Elanna kept on lulling him with soft words. She was glaring at Sanimon with a dark frown, too.
Sanimon took a puzzled look at the blond boy and replied to Izzy, "You mean Banshemon? She was long gone. I thought the Guardian destroyed her."
"What about the phantasms that wander in that cursed mansion?" Matt said; his voice still choked.
"They were gone after Banshemon was destroyed. I was the former guardian long before Banshemon took over."
"Guardian?" Mimi asked.
Sanimon gazed over to the mansion. "This is the Temple of the Digidestined. I am the Guardian of the Temple. I know everything abut you all, and I vowed to guard all the secrets and legends of the Digidestined. The Temple has a sacred room that has the Circle of the Crests." Sanimon turned to Matt, Elanna, Izzy, and TK, her golden eyes sparkling. "I am sure that you were there before." The kids were silent, all but TK glaring at her. Sanimon wasn't wavered at the glares. She calmly said, "We must remain here for a while. It's the only place you can trust. Trust me."
Matt was heard muttering under his breath as the group headed for the mansion. Cat gazed at the mansion. ("The Temple of the Digidestined? It could be more . . . livelier"), Cat thought. As they got closer, Cat could feel a cold draft coming from the mansion, but no one noticed. She shivered slightly and shifted closer to Davis. They entered the mansion, and Cat awed at the sight.
The inside was a kind of lobby with two massive stairways curling upward to the second floor. There were two doors, one at her right and another ahead of her. There was a dim light coming from somewhere, but she couldn't find it. As Sanimon led them to the right door, Cat caught a glimpse of eleven large paintings on the second floor, open to all who could see. Davis, too, saw them and wondered about them, but Tai dragged him.
The room was nice and cool from the humid air outside. There, they spent the night. No one kept guard. Even Sanimon slept, saying that no one would ever try to attack the Temple because even the evil digimon respected the Digidestined, however with a hateful taste. Davis, Cat and Kate seemed to be the only ones who could not sleep. Davis lay down, wondering about what happened to his friends before they returned to the home world. How come Sanimon called them by names? Was it a legend? If he, his sister and Kate were included in the legend, would they have similar names?
Davis stood quietly, and Cat and Kate followed, curious. They were silent, not wanting to wake their friends and digimon. He felt that he wanted to be somewhere, and Cat and Kate followed, giving him quizzical looks. They exited the room and walked straight to the door between the stairs. Although Cat wanted to see the beautiful paintings, she felt that Davis wanted to somewhere else, and not wanting to lose him or Kate, she followed. The mansion was deathly silent, save for their low breaths and the whistling breezes outside. She could see the darkness outside from the empty windows, creeping among the swaying branches. She thought she saw a flash of gold somewhere, but when she looked again, it was gone.
The three entered a room and were speechless at the sight. It was empty, but they could see the eight symbols of the kids' crests on the walls, two on each. Also, there was a circle, engraved in the hard floor, a circle of the same symbols. Seven around one. Davis saw the Crest of Hope's symbol set in the center, seeming bright among the dark symbols of the older kids. But he saw something missing. His, Cat's and Kate's crest's symbols were not there anywhere. There was no symbol of the Crest of Power, the Crest of Life or the Crest of Sacrifice anywhere. Davis wondered, then gazed down to his crest. The crest was installed in the polished brass tag, colored pale blue. A circle divided down the middle with two perfect circles on either side of the dividing line. Why wasn't the Crest of Power, Life, and Sacrifice among the circle?
"Couldn't sleep?"
Kate gasped, turned around, and blushed lightly. TK was smiling at her near the door, his azure eyes the only light in the darkened room. "TK, you scared us." She spoke for Cat and Davis; Davis looking jerked out of his thoughts, Cat looking startled.
"Sorry about that." TK walked toward them, then stopped in his tracks, gazing at the circle. Kate could see paleness appearing in his face, then it was gone. TK went to Cat's side. "So this must be the Circle of the Crests Sanimon was talking about. I was wondering about that."
Davis looked up and gazed at him with puzzlement. "You have been here before?"
TK nodded. "That's where my brother found his power."
Cat grew confused, so confused that she became dizzy at the new information. "What do you mean,TK?" she replied. The way he gazed at the circle with quietness that made her wonder. "What power?"
TK's eyes went to the symbol of Hope, and his eyes seemed to brighten. "Gennai told us that there is a legend that we could tap on our powers through our crests and use them to defeat the ultimate evil. We don't know what the ultimate evil is, but for some reason, we got our powers before we found out about you guys. Gennai said that it was too early for us to have them, and now we lost our powers. But I am sure we will find them soon."
Kate and Davis shook their heads. "Powers? What are you talking about?"
TK turned to them. "Remember when Sanimon called us by those names? They are the names digimon know us by through that legend. Tai is the Master, Matt is the Guardian, Izzy is the Warder. You know what I mean."
"Not really."
"And what about the powers?"
TK shrugged. "Each of us has our own power. Tai has Fire, Matt has Spirit, Izzy has Lightning, Elanna has Shadow, Sora has Wind, Mimi has Earth, and Joe has Water. I don't know about you guys."
"And yours?"
TK smiled. "Life."
Davis chuckled. "Surely, you are joking."
"You don't believe me?"
"Of course not!" 'Kate's black/brown eyes gazed around the walls and the circle. "You are telling me that we have magic to control. It's ridiculous for us to have them. You must try to amuse me, TK."
"Why would I lie to you,Kate? Here, let me show you."
"Show me what?"
"My power, what else?"
Kate and Cat sighed. "TK, even though this power thing is real, you said that you all lost your powers."
TK grinned, his eyes sparkling. He just beckoned her to come closer. Kate sighed as she came closer. "Hold up your hands like that," TK said, holding his hands up, the palms facing her, the fingers upward. Kate did so, still puzzled. Cat and Davis watched in amusement, wondering what TK ment to do. The hands came together.
There were sudden rays of golden light beaming from between the hands, illuminating the kids' faces. Kate felt a sudden incredible feeling bursting through her body, warming all over her. Cat gasped; and hearing her, Davis held her hand, also feeling surprised. It came so sudden that Kate made a surprised yelp and quickly withdrew her hands. The light abruptly disappeared.
"What was that?" she said, her eyes wide at the still floating hands.
TK lowered his hands, still grinning. "I told you. That's my power."
"But - but you said you lost your power."
TK's face changed into a thoughtful expression, seeming pensive. "I think I am the only one who still has my power. They didn't even try to find their powers. Not at all. It seems that they are afraid." Davis just stared at him with incredulity. TK walked between the symbols and stopped in front of his Hope symbol. "I wonder why they are afraid. I think having a power is neat. Don't you think?"
Kate rubbed her arms, feeling the warm touch through her skin. "Do you think that we could have a power?" Davis gestured to himself, Cat, and the still surprised Kate. TK seemed silent. He stared at him with such sharp azure eyes that he felt a strange experience from him. His power was Life. Sanimon called him the Savior. "Savior . . . That's what Sanimon called you."
Now TK seemed uneasy, like the other kids earlier. "The name reminds me of something. It's too vague to remember. I couldn't remember anything, but I do remember that I had someone who helped me find my power."
"Who?"
TK smiled. "An angel."
Cat smiled with him. "Patamon helped you?"
To her surprise, he shook his head. "Not Angemon. My angel. I don't know who he was, but brother told me that he looked a lot like Angemon."
"Maybe he is really you, your other side. The Savior."
TK nodded, his eyes un-focusing. "Maybe. All I could remember about him was feathers. Just white feathers." TK blinked back in the present and grinned at all three of them. "To answer your question, I do think that you have a power. But what? And why aren't your crests' symbols in this circle?"
Kate knelt down, her fingers touching the Hope crest. The same feeling she received from TK's power burst in her body, making her dizzy, then it was gone. She just said nothing, wondering. "Will I ever find my power? Will it be different? Davis mused silently "Come on, guys. We need to sleep." Davis felt the hand of Cat sliding into his hand and helped him to stand. Davis, Cat and Kate let TK lead them out of the room.
"Worrying about him . . ."
Davis stopped in his tracks. " Did you say something?" Davis asked, looking around at TK, Cat and Kate.
Kate turned to him. "What? I didn't say anything."
"Neither did I."
" Don't look at me."
"But he never has . . ."
Davis glanced around, bewildered. "I heard a voice again."
Cat gazed around, looking perplexed also, but the look of perplexity on her face told him that she didn't hear anything. "What voices? How could you hear voices?" Then he saw recognition appearing on TK's face. "I remember something. Matt told me that when he was in the mansion, he could hear voices, although we didn't hear anything. Maybe the ghosts didn't leave."
" Meant to save everyone ... don't harm him or behold destruction..."
Davis tried to listen to the voice. It seemed vaguely familiar, but he couldn't put a finger on whom. It was like a voice coming from his mind, not outside in his ear range.
"What if she . . . I don't know what . . . Not yet . . . "
"Come on, guys, we gotta go." TK said. The kids entered the room where the others slept.
None of them noticed a flash of gold passing through the trees.
* * *
Metalseadramon suddenly raised his head from the white beach where he was resting during the night. His golden eyes narrowed as he heard soft rustlings from the trees. He slowly coiled his body and tail around him, waiting to strike for unfortunate, unaware digimon. Then he heard the voice.
"Greetings, Lord."
Metalseadramon made a dark smirk among his metal lips. His eyes hooded, and his head lowered to meet the golden eyes of a dark-clothed digimon who stepped out from the forest. The digimon bowed deeply to him, and pulled back the hood to reveal a pale face with silver hair.
"Ah, welcome, Sanimon," Metalseadramon whispered, always hating to hear any loud noises to disturb his peaceful night. "Have you captured the Digidestined?"
Sanimon nodded with reverence. "Yes, my Lord. They are in the Temple as we speak. They are so foolish to see through my plan." She smiled down at her already healed arm. "I await your command to destroy them."
Metalseadramon made a booming, evil laugh that echoed among the water behind them. "No, Sanimon. You are commanded to hold them as captives. I will come and destroy them on my own. But there are three among them I cannot destroy. Yet."
Sanimon arched a thin eyebrow of silver. "Surely, my lord jests. You can destroy them at once with one blow."
Metalseadramon snarled at her, making her cringe in fear. His eyes of gold burned at her with rage. Sanimon stood silent, shaking. "You don't question my power, understand?" The digimon quickly nodded. He made a snort. "I can destroy them, but not when they are with them. Particularly the bearer of the Crest of Power. They are preventing me from destroying their companions. You must destroy the Unnamed One, then the Keeper and the Fighter."
Sanimon deeply bowed, then spoke softly, "He is weak, Lord. There is no mention of him in any of the legends. He does not have power at all. The Keeper and the Fighter should go first in destruction."
"Nevertheless, destroy him while he is weak. I will not take the risk, Sanimon."
Sanimon again bowed. "As you command, Lord." She put the hood over her head, hiding her face and turned to enter the forest.
Metalseadramon rested his head on his coiled body and sneered darkly.
* * *
"I was thinking about what Piximon said to us," Tai mused at breakfast. The kids were sitting in a circle around a small fire set in a hole. Davis noticed for a moment that the kids were sitting in the exact order of the circle in the other room. Tai had Sora sitting on his left side as Elanna sat by his other. Matt sat by her other side, and Izzy sat by him. Joe sat by his other side as Mimi sat in between Joe and Sora. TK was sitting almost in the center, in front of his brother. Davis sat a little behind the circle with Kate and Cat by both his sides, a little behind the others, as if they weren't involved in that circle for some reason.
"Yeah?" Matt said, eying Tai. "What do you think?"
Tai took a large bite from an apple-like fruit and miraculously spoke through his full mouth with clearness. "Piximon said that we need to find something to make us strong enough to defeat the Dark Masters."
"What do you think he was meaning by that?" asked TK. His azure eyes were bright from the flames.
"Piximon, you said?" All looked up at the voice of Sanimon with a bowl full of fruit in her arms. Her robes swayed in motion as she walked up to Tai. Her golden eyes met his brown eyes. "You mentioned something about Piximon?"
Tai seemed hesitant, but replied to her about what had Piximon said to the Digidestined earlier. When he finished, Sanimon was nodding, putting away the bowl of fruit. There was the same smirk on her lips, and Davis suddenly felt uneasy. He glanced at Cat and saw that she looked like she felt the same. He narrowed his brown eyes on her, distrustful.
"I heard of Piximon mentioning that," Sanimon said, gazing at the kids. "I think that Piximon was talking about your powers." Davis noticed that all the kids seemed uneasy again. TK was staring at the flames, his face wistful. Sanimon continued, "I think if you stand on your crest symbols in the Circle, you could get your powers stronger."
"You must be kidding," Elanna murmured. All gazed at her. She was looking pale. "I did touch my symbol, and I disappeared into it."
"You are forgetting that Banshemon is not here. She probably controlled the circle so she would capture you. I promise it will be safe. No one will harm you." Sanimon turned to head for the door. "This way, Digidestined."
All the kids were very reluctant, but Tai stood up, his face tense. The others followed his suit, trusting him as the leader. They followed the digimon to the door between the stairs. Sanimon swept her hand toward the circle. "Go ahead. Stand on your symbol. Your digimon must stand with you in order to be even stronger along with you."
Matt, Elanna, and Izzy seemed haltingly to move closer to the circle, but Tai, Sora, Joe, and Mimi, who had never seen it before, went to the circle in curiosity. They stood on their symbols, their digimon standing close enough to have their feet on the symbols. Finally, the rest stood on the symbols. Sanimon was standing far from them, her golden eyes on them. Then she noticed something. TK was not on his symbol. Davis, Vat and Kate, who had no where to stand, watched in interest.
"Well, Savior, are you going to stand on your symbol?" Sanimon calmly asked.
Standing by Cat's side, TK was shaking his head, his eyes unusually dark. "I don't want to."
Cat heard Matt saying, "Come on, TK. It will be all right." TK was still shaking his head.
Davis then saw the dark smirk on Sanimon. She was saying, "No matter." She then snapped her fingers. Suddenly, rays of light shone from the symbols, each shining with its own color to match the crests' colors. The rays solidified until they became into some kind of containers. And the kids and digimon were trapped inside.
"What the - ?" Joe yelled, gazing upward at the pale black container.
"You liar!" Matt hollered through his dark blue container, punching his fists against the solid light, his grey-blue eyes glaring at the digimon.
"Why?" Mimi whispered, her face tinted green from the light container.
"I am sorry, Digidestined, but Lord Metalseadramon commanded me to capture you for him," Sanimon said, then turned to the remaining kids. "Now this time, you will be not in his way to destroy them."
"Davis! TK! Cat! Kate! Get away from here!" Tai shouted from his orange container.
Elanna, looking like she was swimming in her blue-green-turquoise-aqua container, could only move her lips, until suddenly, she yelled," Guys! Run! You're our only chance!"
Davis, Cat, Kate and TK slowly sidestepped away, hesitant to leave their brothers and friends. Then they heard a crashing sound from behind them. They whirled around in alarm. They saw several digimon that looked like savage lizards, standing on their hind legs, but hunched so low that their thick arms were dragging on the floor. The yellow fangs were dripping with saliva, their red eyes glowing with an eerie light.
Sanimon calmly motioned to the kids. "Barbarimon, capture them. I don't care what would you do to the Savior, Keeper and Fighter, but bring the boy here and alive."
"RUN!" Tai, Matt and Elanna seemed to bellow in unison.
The Barbarimon tensed their hind legs and leaped up in the air, preparing to attack them.
"Rainbow Claw!" Lasdamon hissed and clawed one of the lizards in the face, leaving thin, multi-color streaks in their wake.
"Boom Bubble!" Patamon shrieked out a ball of solid air at a few Barbarimon, causing them to fall backward from the sudden force.
" Ah!" Cat shrieked; she tried to run, but Sanimon held her back." Suddenly I have use for you, Keeper." She pulled Cat toward her, and grinned maliciously. She took her arm savagely and led her away; she cast terrified looks behind her. Foximon also struggled as she was held by another Barbarimon.
" Cat!" Davis yelled." Davis, run! As Elanna said, you are our only chance!" Davis looked torn between his safety and the safety of his sister.
"But-" Davis took a horrified look at his sister. Kate suddenly grabbed on his hand and pulled him out of the way. Together, TK, Kate and Davis dashed out the room with their digimon following behind, occasionally stopping to battle the lizards, giving the kids time to escape.
Sanimon was heard as they ran outside, "Get the boy! He must be destroyed at once!"
* * *
One of the Barbarimon lowered its head and sniffed at the ground, its eyes narrowed. Its fellows darted their heads around, above the thick bushes. Their pointed ears perked at any sound, but there were only the sounds of a breeze whistling and the occasional growl of one of the lizards.
A Barbarimon snapped its head up, seeing something purple flashing among the low branches of a tree. It waited, not making any sound, staring carefully. The Barbarimon leader raised its head and snarled at the lizards. All followed after it, their leather bodies disappearing in the bushes.
Lasdamon exhaled in relief as she watched the lizards patrolling away. She waited for a minute to make sure no one was hiding, and dug her claws in the trunk beside her. She climbed higher, her purple tail swaying lazily. She arrived at the thick branch where the kids sat. She jumped off to land beside Patamon. Davis was holding the trunk with his arms, still looking horrified at the fact at what Sanimon had done; not to mention that he was worried sick about the others, mostly Cat. Kate tried to soothe him.
"It's all my fault," Davis was murmuring to himself.
"No, its not," Kate soothed.
"Then why does Sanimon want to destroy me?" Davis gazed over his shoulder, looking at Kate in a hateful way.
TK smiled, saying softly. "I remember that Myotismon tried to destroy us because he feared us. We were too powerful to be destroyed. I know that Sanimon cannot destroy you, because she fears you."
Davis gazed at him oddly. "How come?"
"Perhaps it's because of your power. You do have a power. You too, Kate."
Davis asked, "Do you really think that I have a power?"
TK grinned, his azure eyes brighter than the sky above. "I you do. You guys must. Have faith." TK gave at Kate, a brief embrace on his face, "Now, we must go back and save our friends."
"The sooner, the better," chirped in Patamon, his wings fluttering lightly. Lasdamon nodded in agreement, grinning to reveal her small white fangs.
Davis also smiled, regaining his faith in his friends and himself.
Lasdamon climbed downward, her black eyes scanning the area cautiously and nodded at the waiting kids. They arrived to the ground and hid themselves under the thick bushes, creeping through for the mansion. Patamon was crawling in front, silently as the kids were in between, staying close and together. Lasdamon was patrolling as the back guard, her ears perking for any betraying sound. Veemon crawled in the middle, having no particular area to patrol. They kept on crawling in silence, fearing that one of the Barbarimon would attack them in an ambush. Davis hoped that they would find and rescue their friends.
"NO!"
Sudden bursts of pain exploded in his chest, causing him to gasp and fall to the ground. Brief yells escaped his mouth as he winced in pain, clutching his chest. Veemon was heard yelling in agonized surprise, curling into a trembling ball from behind. A hand slapped over Davis's mouth, and Kate tried to soothe him as he shuddered. Patamon alarmingly scanned around; hoping that one of the Barbarimon would not hear the yells. Davis kept on whimpering behind his hand, tears of pain streaming down his face as Veemon struggled to hold down the pain he shared from the spiritual link with Davis. The pain eventually weakened into a dull throb that remained in his chest. Kate let go of him, and Davis lay still, panting softly.
TK rubbed on his back gently, his head lowered to meet his eyes. "Davis? Are you all right? What happened?"
Davis took another weak gasp and replied. "The pain . . . I heard the voice again . . ."
Kate looked concerned as she scanned around in alarm, hoping that no Barbarimon would come and attack them at that moment, a moment when they were weak.
"Do you know whose voice this is?" TK asked.
"Please . . ."
"It's Cat. . ." Davis said, stunned. The voice sounded like she was in deep pain.
Patamon was gazing at TK with a puzzled expression. "How can he feel pain from Cat?"
Veemon was heard gulping in deep breaths, crawling to his companion, his eyes full of agony. "I believe . . . that Davis is linked to Cat . . . like I am linked to him."
"It could be possible. They are siblings," Kate said, unusually sagacious. Then her face scowled lightly in thought. "But who could hurt Cat?" She was also very concerned; Cat had been one of her very best friends since pre-school; Elanna was her other one.
"Let him be, Sanimon . . ."
"Sanimon," Davis whispered, clenching his teeth. His anger began to seethe, angry that he could not protect his sister from that lying digimon. "She is hurting her." He weakly sat up and glanced at the boy with a bitter scowl on his face. "We must go back now!"
TK and Kate silently nodded and gestured to Patamon to continue his guard. The small group crawled through the thick branches, occasionally stopping when they heard a faint rustling or a crack of a twig. They continued until they stopped at several feet away from the mansion. It was empty. There were no Barbarimon keeping patrol. The group arrived to one of the windows. The digimon stayed back, watching for any ambush. Kate and TK hid, their backs against the wall as Davis stood, risking himself to peek over the window slit. Davis took a long look, then sat down beside Kate.
"There is no one inside," he whispered to the others.
Kate stared back with perplexity. Where would Sanimon hide their friends? "What can we do now?"
Takeru looked around carefully and said, "Follow me." He then stood and climbed over the window. Davis and the others followed after him, and both sat together in the darkness, waiting for their eyes to adapt. Their digimon came inside from the outside, also sitting quietly. The room that contained the Circle of Crests was empty, no containers of colored light that trapped kids shone in the darkness. The group glided over the floor, as silent as they could, and arrived to the door. Takeru pressed his ear against the door and after a while, shook his head to the waiting friends. He turned the knob a little, and waited again. No sound came out from outside of the door, acknowledging them that there was an ambush. The kids entered the lobby, which was empty.
"Where can we go now?" mused Patamon from his usual side by TK.
"Please . . . Don't hurt him . . ."
Davis again heard his sister's voice, and it sounded like it was coming from upstairs. He pointed upward the second floor, saying, "I believe we must go up there."
The group climbed, wincing at the groaning squeaks over the rotting wooden steps. They arrived at the second floor, and Davis and Kate were speechless at the bizarre sights of the eleven paintings. He saw the remarkable descriptions of the Digidestined on the paintings, each in his or her own characteristic pose. And he noticed something different. Between the paintings of TK and Tai, he saw three paintings that were waterlogged. There were faces, but it was too blurred to tell the details. The frame by Tai was muted magenta, the one by TK was muted silver, and the one in the middle of those two was muted sky blue.
"What are these, TK?" Kate asked him, who was at her side.
TK was staring at his golden-framed painting, his azure eyes oddly dull and cloudy. He literally jumped at her voice and turned to her, blinking his eyes. He shrugged at her question, saying, "I don't know why. We just found them when we first arrived. We didn't know what they are."
Davis and Kate wondered, but then Veemon's sudden gasp jolted them from their thoughts. They gazed down to Veemon, only to find him staring up to the sky blue-framed painting. Lasdamon looked, and was pointing upward, her eyes wide. Kate and Davis looked up and staggered backward, astounded. In the place of the blurred face, the face of Davis was painted, clearly and brightly. On either side, their were pictures of Cat and Kate. Like TK in the painting, Davis, Cat and Kate had their eyes gazing upward, an outline of soft blue framing Davis, a frame of silver framing Kate and a frame of magenta framing Cat. There was a light smile on his lips, just like the posed TK.
Then Kate saw something spooky. The posed Cat and Kate began to stir. The two posed girls seemed to disappear from their painting, and jump into Davis's. Davis's brown eyes shifted lower until he met the frightened gaze of the real Davis. Nevertheless, as he was the oldestm he stood in front of the frightened TK and Kate, quickly moving in front of them, also frightened, his own eyes wide. The painted Davis, Cat and Kate seemed unmoving by their reactions. They moved slightly, as if they were walking backward, yet still in place. They shrunk until their whole bodies were seen in the painting. They raised their arms and pointed to the group, then they moved to point behind themselves. They repeated this motive a few times before they gazed at Davis and Kate with hopeful patience.
Kate was puzzling over this, then finall hey realized. "TK! Davis!" she exclaimed with excitement, grabbing on Davis's arm. "They are trying to show us that there is a secret entrance behind the painting." The posed Kate was nodding, now grinning in a delighted way.
TK gazed at her, suspicious at the painting. "What if it is a trick?"
The posed Kate shook her head and again pointed behind her, still patient. Kate said, "I don't think she would lie. If she does, then I would lie to myself." She went to the painting and placed her hands on the frame. She pushed with all her strength, straining as much as she could. Soon, TK, Davis and the digimon added their strength to hers, heaving hard and laborious. The painting began to move. Kate felt that the posed Davis, Cat and Kate were helping them, too, and shifted their painting away.
Davis looked up to see a small opening in the wall, full with dimness. It was just small enough for them to squeeze through. He glanced at the painting and saw Davis winking back, a confident smile on his lips. Davis smiled back and climbed into the opening. The rest followed behind. They heard the painting shifting to close over the opening, darkening the area. Oddly enough, the tunnel was not quite dark, just enough to shine inside, the faintest light possible.
The group quietly walked in the tunnel, frightened to see the face of Sanimon waiting for them, a dark smirk on her face. The digimon walked in front, keeping caution. There was no sound at all, just the low breathing of the group and the soft footsteps crunching over pebbles.
Suddenly, a series of various growls and snarls was heard from behind. Alarmed, they whirled around and saw several Barbarimon prowling toward them, fangs flashing. How could they appear behind the group if no one was following them? But there was no time to ponder this over. The Barbarimon burst in attack, their claws outreaching.
"Veemon Head butt!" Veemon hissed, rearing back, blue slashes emitting from his head as he head butted a Barbarimon, who hollered in rage. Patamon also entered the battle, shrieking out his Boom Bubble.
"Run!" Kate yelled before she pushed TK toward the tunnel. Davis hesitated, but seeing the sharp gaze in her brown/black eyes, he turned and ran as fast as he could. Kate soon overtook the running boys, being a very fast runner, and she shouted out orders to her digimon. Kate panted as she turned around a corner, but her swiftness caused her to tumble over her feet. She picked herself up and gazed up in alarm at a growl in front of her. Her black/brown eyes met the savage red eyes of a Barbarimon. It was hiding in the darkness, but she could see the body, faint and huge. Kate froze, hesitating as the Barbarimon lunged for her.
" Kate!"
"Being of Life!"
A sudden beam of pure white light with golden spirals around it soared past her and struck the Barbarimon right in midair. The Barbarimon blared in deep pain as it twitched wildly in the light. It lasted for a brief time. The light grew too bright that Kate and Davis shielded their eyes with their arms, then the light disappeared. Kate peeked from her shield and gaped. She saw a few white feathers drifting silently to the ground, to the very place where the Barbarimon had disappeared.
"Kate!" Davis ran to her side and helped her to stand up. "Are you all right?"
" You okay?"
Kate slowly nodded, staring at the white feathers in a neat pile. "TK. . . You did this?"
She turned to see a pained expression on TK's face as he glanced at the feathers. He quickly looked away and whispered, "Yes. That's my power." Davis and Kate silently stared at him, unbelieving. The digimon arrived to their partners' sides, Patamon winced at the sight of the feathers as Lasdamon looked puzzled. Veemon cocked his head in curiosity. Davis cleared his throat. "Come on. Let's find our friends."
The group kept walking through the tunnel for a while until a fork blocked them. The group was wondering which path to take when they heard faint voices from the left tunnel. Kate and Davis looked over to each other as TK, looking wistful, ran down the tunnel, the digimon following. They followed. They eventually stopped at a huge wooden door at the dead end. There was a steel latch on it, thick and looked like it would not unlock.
Kate placed her ear on the door and waited. Davis and TK did the same, straining to hear what or who was inside. They heard familiar voices, whispering to each other as if they were talking. One was familiar.
"Matt?" TK called out.
The voices abruptly stopped, then Davis heard the voice of Matt calling back, "TK?! You came back!"
"Yeah, and we are all here!" Davis spoke.
"You shouldn't be here!" Sora's voice then spoke in.
"It doesn't matter now. How can we open this door?"
Izzy replied, "Sanimon must have the key nearby somewhere!"
"TK, Davis, up there!" Kate spoke, already looking up. She pointed at a small key hanging from a nail on the wall. Then she grew suspicious. ("Why would Sanimon choose to leave the key here? She sould have kept it on her body." )
TK silently gestured to the key, and Patamon flew upward, taking the key. He dropped it in TK's hands, and he turned the key in the opening. The door opened, and TK ran inside. Davis saw that the kids and their digimon were in cages, trapped. TK was unlocking the cage to his brother, and, finished , headed for Sora's cage. Davis noticed that there was one missing.
"Where is Cat?" Davis spoke, worried.
The kids glanced to each other, but couldn't answer. Elanna finally answered, "Cat was taken by Sanimon to somewhere. We don't know where."
" Sanimon is evil. She could be doing anything to her." Joe spoke. Davis chose not to answer." Davis, go find her," Tai proposed.
"No, please!"
Cat's voice pierced through his mind, making him stiffen in alarm. Sanimon was going to hurt her! He must stop her! "Cat!" Davis yelled as he ran back through the tunnel, ignoring the calls of the kids and his digimon. He dashed up the tunnel and stopped at the fork.
"Leave him alone, Sanimon!"
The voice was coming from the right tunnel. Davis again speeded down the tunnel, still hearing the cries of his sister, but not no longer sensing her pain. He arrived at another wooden door, but it had no latch to be locked. He pushed up the bar that was set in the steel buckles. He ran inside and paused in his tracks, gaping at the sight.
He saw his sister, floating in the air, surrounded in an aura of blood red. Her face was covered with shock and pain, her brown eyes on a figure in the room. Davis followed her gaze to the figure and scowled deeply. Sanimon was smirking at him with calm cunningness.
"Greetings, the Unnamed One," Sanimon was saying, almost respectfully. "Or shall I say the Slayer?"
Davis was unmoving at the name, staring angrily at her. "Let go of my sister or else!"
Sanimon chuckled. "I am afraid I cannot do what you command. I obey only Lord Metalseadramon."
"Davis!" Cat yelled, "Get away! You will be destroyed!"
"Not until you are free!" Davis yelled back, his eyes still on the digimon.
"Ah, sibling love. Too bad this is not your power, Slayer," Sanimon said, musing in her golden eyes.
Davis took a anxious gaze at his sister and said, "Why do you call me the Slayer, and what is my power?"
Sanimon appeared amused. "You don't know the legend?" She made another chuckle and continued, "Do you know that you have an odd power that is kind of ironic? There is a small legend that is only known by the Guardians of the Digital World. It is well-hidden, fearing that it would cause hysteria among the Digimon."
She recited, "'the one boy who adds to the ten shall have the power to destroy or heal the Digital World. Beware of him, for he is very powerful. Beware of his power, for he shall be the one who bear the hope or peril to all.'"
"What?" Cat spoke from above, her voice quavering. "What is his power? And what is my and Kate's power?"
Sanimon gazed upward to the girl in annoyance. "Think, Keeper! There are ten powers to Nature that are connected to the Digital World. Your power is Sky and weather alike. The other powers are Water, Air, Earth, Spirit, Shadow, Ice, and Lightning. Ice belongs to the Fighter, in other words, her." She jerked a thumb in Kate's direction. Life is one of the two powers that are connected with all the powers you have. There is one left that is also part of the two powers, but very opposite. That's why the legend is ambiguous, even to us Guardians. Think."
Cat appeared contemplating about it, and then Davis saw great paleness and disbelief passing over her face. Her brown eyes widened as she gazed down to him. Then he heard a word that shuddered through his body. "Death . . ."
Davis nearly collapsed to the ground. Death? His power was Death? How? How would it be possible? He wasn't the one who would destroy anybody. He would refuse to kill anybody if he had to. He never wanted to kill anyone. Except now. This must be wrong. His power couldn't be Death. It was impossible!
He looked over to Sanimon, who made a sigh. He wasn't sure if she was sad or amused. Sanimon was saying, "That's why we were unsure to call you the Slayer of Light or the Slayer of Darkness."
Davis then scowled and stood up straighter. "Well, if my power is Death, you know that you must let my sister go or you will suffer the most painful, horrible death ever!"
Sanimon wasn't moved by that, just standing there, the dark smirk still there on her lips. Her voice seemed more cunning. "You want me to let your sister go?"
"YES!"
"No!" Cat yelled.
"My pleasure!" Sanimon raised her hand, pointing it toward the shaking Cat. "Scarlet Spear!" A glowing spear of red emitted from her hand. Davis made a horrified yell as the spear smoothly stabbed through Cat's stomach. Cat's eyes widened in pain as she flinched forward at the force. She didn't scream out at all, just gasping for breath. The spear disappeared, but there was no wound left behind. It must have shattered Cat's life force. The red aura lowered her to the ground, and Davis ran to her side, crying.
"Cat! I'm so sorry!" Davis embraced Cat, holding her in his arms. Cat didn't answer, she just grinned very weakly at him, then her head lolled to a side, her eyes closed gently.
Davis held his sister closer, tears falling one by one. The tears fell on his tag, wet drops splashing on the glass screen. Then his crest glowed with a soft blue light. The light crept across him and surrounded him. His aura was all white with soft blue rays radiating from his body.
"What?! It can't be!" Sanimon screeched in disbelief. "Not now! Scarlet Spear!"
Davis turned his head sharply, glaring at the oncoming spear, and the aura brightened. The spear came in contact with the aura and disappeared with suddenness. Sanimon gasped in incredulity, her golden eyes widening. Davis had an expression of silent, impassive visage, his brown eyes slightly narrowed. He stood up, glaring at the digimon. "You killed my sister." His voice was hard with no emotions.
He could hear the running footsteps behind him, but he refused to pay any attention to his friends. He heard the gasps of his name and yells of Cat's name. He still glared at Sanimon.
Sanimon managed to grin with cunningness, although Davis could see a glimmer of fear among the grin. "Come on, Slayer. You don't have the guts to destroy me. Your power of Death is just wrong."
Davis quietly said, "You killed my sister. Now you will suffer." He raised his opened hands toward the digimon, who just summoned on her power to shield herself from the oncoming attack.
"Rebirth of Death."
A huge glowing cross appeared in front of his hands, colored pure white with blue lining. The cross soared in the air, arriving to its target. Sanimon was surrounded, screaming in pain as the rays of white and blue stabbed in her body as the blue aura radiated brighter, blinding him. Sanimon was seen fading into particles of red, and then vanishing in mid air.
Davis turned to his sister and knelt by her. His power may be Death, but there was another side to it. He could give his life up to restore his sister. He knew his sister would never forgive him for that, but it was necessary. He took her limp hands in his hands and summoned his power to flow from his body to her. The aura drifted to her hands, arms, and now body. He felt his life drifting away from his body, weakening him, but he just pushed on her power.
Cat opened her eyes, slowly having Davis restore her life. Through the aura, she could hear her brother's thoughts, and she tried to snatch her hands from his, but he held on, as if his grip was like stone. "No . . . no . . . Don't do it, Davis!"
("I must. We need you, Cat. Think of Kate and the others. Think of it as your chance to save us.")
"We need you, too! Don't do it, Davis!" She felt stronger by the minute as Davis began to slacken, but his hands still held on. The aura abruptly vanished, and Davis collapsed in her arms as Cat sat up quickly. "NO!" She shook him, but he didn't respond, his eyes closed, his head resting on her chest. Cat felt hot tears running down her face, as she caressed her brother. She ignored the soft voices of her friends behind, her mind on her brother. "Davis . . ."
Then she heard a hum from the body she held. "Cat. . ." Cat looked down to Davis in shocked surprise. Davis was opening his eyes weakly, gazing up to her. "Why are you crying? I'm here, right?"
Cat didn't say anything, just embracing him close as she wrapped her arms around his neck. Then Cat finally spoke, her voice breaking, "Yeah, you are here. And I'm glad for that."
" Davis, you have a strand of midnight blue in your hair," Mimi shyly pointed out.
" Can I-"
Mimi nodded and took out her pocket mirror and showed him. He looked in amazement. Before anyone else noticed, he pushed the strand of hair behind his goggles, and subconsciously embraced Cat again, glad that neither of them were dead, the power that he had.
TO BE CONTINUED!