Author's Note: Hiya everyone

Author's Note: Hiya everyone! Okay, I'm gonna cut right to the chase. Because of the fact that I have my finals coming up, I need to start studying. So therefore, until my exams are over, the next couple of chapters might take a while. So I just thought I tell ya. Anywho, please enjoy this chapter and don't forget to Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I am not the creator of Digimon and I am not the owner of Digimon. BUT, I do own all original characters and Digimon in this story. (Examples: Ava, Tigermon, ect.) Please don't steal any of my characters. If you wish to use them in any of your own stories or post this story on your website, please ask for my permission first. Thank you.

~ Chapter Eight ~

The Awaking Powers Emerge

By: Lady Ava

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Tai awoke with a start from his sleep. Although his mind was saying sit up, his body, sore muscles, and slightly opened scars were refusing to let him. After fighting with his body, Tai gave up and collapsed back into bed. 'How did I get in bed?' He wondered, realizing that the sharp earth had been replaced with a soft mattress.

That's when Tai heard a soft beeping coming from next to him. Glancing over, he saw a heart monitor and an IV unit to the side. The room was painted in a creamy white color, in which independent artist's works were hanging on the wall.

Suddenly, a gasp came from the other side of the room. Tai tried to glance over at who had made the sound. "Tai…you're awake at last." Sora's voice echoed.

Looking up slowly, Tai came face to face with Sora's beautiful eyes. She seemed to have been crying very heavily. Her hair was messed and she looked very tired. "How do you feel?" She asked quietly, smiling down at him.

Tai looked into Sora's eyes. "Where am I?" He asked, not answering Sora's question.

"The hospital. You were hurt pretty badly." She murmured, taking his hand in hers.

"Where are the others? The last thing I remember clearly is…seeing Birdramon coming in to catch me and then…darkness and nothing more." Tai stated, looking off to the side and towards the windows. The New York City skyline was glittering in the cool winter air. Each light seemed to shine its own individual light.

Sora bent down next to the teen and smiled her charming grin. "They're sleeping over against the wall. Kari was really worried about you. She was on the verge of a breakdown. And so was Agumon."

Tai shot up, but was quickly dragged down by pain. "You mean to say that Agumon's here? Now?"

"I heard my name." The small voice of the Digimon stated, coming up next to Sora.

Tai smiled weakly as he saw his friend sit on one of the chairs next to his bed. "Hey buddy. How's life?" The injured Digidestined stated, letting go of Sora's hand and took Agumon's.

"Tai, you okay?" You didn't look too good when Ava called the ambulance. You were really weak. The medics even gave you a heart garage." The small orange lizard explained.

Cocking an eyebrow, Tai became confused. "A what?" He questioned.

"I think what Agumon means is a heart massage." Joe's voice corrected.

Without warning, the rest of the teenage party came over to Tai. They were all in their normal clothes, but the girls still had their hair done and their make-up on. Kari was the first one to make a noise. She drew in a breath and hugged her brother. "Oh Tai." She whispered softly. "I thought I had lost you. When you flat-lined, I thought you were…" But before she could finish, her eyes overflowed with tears and she broke down crying into her brother's shoulder.

Matt smiled at his friend. "Tai, what happened? Why did you go off and do that without telling us?" He asked, running a hand through his blond hair.

Looking back out at the skyline, Tai didn't answer. He felt so horrible. 'Why did I do that? Why? If was as if I wasn't…' That's when it hit him. "Guys, can I talk to Ava for a moment alone?" He asked, causing the other teens to look at him strangely.

But only Sora smiled. "Sure Tai. We can go and get some coffee in the commons. Okay?" She asked turning to the other Digidestined.

Agreeing, the seven other teens and the Digimon, who were very well costumed, left, leaving Ava and Tai alone. Taking an empty chair next to him, Ava sat down. "What's up Tai?" She questioned.

"First off…I need your help to form Guardianmon. She can help me and besides…" He started in a rush as he slowly sat up. "We both need to talk to her."

Ava stared at the teen strangely. "Why Tai? What's wrong?"

Tai reached over to the table next to his bed and grabbed his clothes. "Because…the Death Master wants our lives…that's the why. He is trying to murder us. That's the wrong." He told her while he got dressed.

Finally, Tai stood from his bed. But when he came to his feet, his head swam with dizziness as the floor moved beneath him, causing him to stumble. "Whoa, there goes my world." Tai joked as his feet wobbled.

Suddenly, Ava's arms wrapped around his waist in order to hold him up. "Tai, are you sure you want to call Guardianmon? I don't think you have the strength to do it."

"Yeah…yeah I'm sure. We need to in order to find a weakness in the Death Master." Tai told her weakly.

Ava stared at Tai for a moment and then nodded. "Alright then. Shall we?" She asked, releasing him and holding up her hands.

"Not in here. Anyone can come in when we are trying to form Guardianmon. Let's go onto the roof." The leader instructed as he pulled the IV out with only a slight flinch.

As he headed towards the door, Ava grabbed his arm. "Shouldn't we leave a message for the others? They will wonder where we went if they come back and find an empty room."

Tai nodded and looked for his D-Terminal. "Do you have your D-Terminal? Mine must be back at the hotel."

Withdrawing her small computer, Ava handed it to Tai. Thanking her, the leader began to type: 'Guys, Ava and I went to the roof. Meet us there when you get back. It's time for a meeting. From Tai' Setting the terminal onto his pillow, Tai and Ava left in a rush towards the roof.

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"Brr! It's freezing up here, Tai." Ava complained as she stepped out onto the roof. The cold night air bit into both of them as if they were tiny creatures nibbling on them. "This has to be the coldest night of the year."

Shivering under his coat, Tai agreed. "I thought Odaiba got cold in the winters. But Tokyo is like the Caribbean compared to this place." He joked.

Walking to the center of the roof, Tai and Ava faced each other. "Okay…ya ready?" The girl asked, holding up her now ungloved hands.

Removing his own gloves, Tai placed his hands against Ava's. "Crest of Courage…" He shouted.

"Crest of Life…" Ava called.

"Surrender your powers, our force ignite! Release!" They shouted in unison.

The familiar glow from the crests surrounded the teens like always and then the figure of Guardianmon slowly appeared in the light. "Tai. Ava. You called me?" She asked, her voice echoing through the white void like it always did.

"Guardianmon, we want to speak to you. Can you remove the light shield and talk to us in the open?" Ava asked.

Guardianmon smiled and agreed. "Of course. You don't have to hold hands while we talk. I am in a more powerful form in the real world."

With a wave of her hand, the shield vanished and the two people on the roof had now become three. Ava opened her eyes and saw the beautiful Digimon standing next to her. "Guardianmon!" She exclaimed. "Tai, she came." No answer came from Tai in order to reply. "Tai, are you alright?" She asked, letting go of Tai's hands.

The other teen's eyes weren't opened yet and he was completely silent. Ava could see his breath in the cold air, so she knew that he was alive. Suddenly, Tai fell forward and into Ava's arms. "Tai!" She shouted, catching him as she slumped onto the ground with him in her tight grasp.

"What is the matter with him?" Guardianmon asked, kneeling down next to the two adolescences.

Ava explained that Tai had been in a fight with a creature called the Death Master. "He was hurt pretty badly. Do you think you can heal him?" She asked as she cradled the unconscious Tai.

Guardianmon smiled at her. "Of course. Lay him on the ground."

Doing as she was told, Ava placed the teen onto the cold cement of the building. Stepping back Ava let the Digimon get to work.

Placing her hands together, the creature began to chant: "Here my cry, oh guardians of the heavens. Please grant me your power to heal the young Courage warrior. Send your power to my heart and have it flow to the leader of the Digidestined." Suddenly, she changed languages to ancient Japanese. As she continued to chant the same words over and over again, a faint gold glow surrounded Tai's body.

The scars on Tai's arms, legs, back, and face began to fade slowly. Until at last, they were gone completely. Slowly, the teen opened his eyes and sat up. "I'm better." He whispered, jumping to his feet.

Ava ran over to him and looked him up and down. "You don't have a scratch on you." She told him in aw.

Tai walked over to Guardianmon and bowed. "Thank you, Guardianmon." He said gratefully.

Placing her hand onto his head, Guardianmon smiled a deep passionate grin. "I feel a great disturbance in you, Tai. And you as well, Ava. What is troubling your minds?" She asked, sitting on one of the benches that were surrounding the border of the roof. Her long flowing hair dripped on to the ground even more than before and her gown flowed along with it.

"We have a problem." Tai began, sitting down next to the Digimon. Ava sat on the other side of her and listened as Tai told the story. "There is a new enemy threating us. He is known as the Death Master. He is evil in itself. It was his fault that we are here at the hospital."

"This is the hospital? Why are you here?" Guardianmon asked, sounding very concerned.

Ava smiled a small grin that quickly vanished. "He attacked Tai at the hotel. We got to him just in time. Birdramon saved him from falling to his death." She looked up at the cloudless sky. "We almost lost him forever."

"Hey Ava, what's wrong?" You look pale." Tai questioned, looking over at the girl.

Shooting out of her own thoughts, Ava sat up with a start. She seemed to be very nervous about something. Guardianmon looked at the girl as well. "Ava, did you not tell the other Digidestined about---"

"No." She stated, cutting the woman off. Looking at Tai, Ava couldn't remain silent anymore. Jumping to her feet, she spun around and faced the human and Digimon. "I am not ready to tell you what happened."

Coming to his feet as well, Tai smiled. "You don't have to tell me or any of the other Digidestined what happened. Whenever you're ready…you can tell us." He told her, placing a caring hand onto her shoulder.

Smiling, Ava nodded. "Thanks Tai." She whispered.

"Courage," Guardianmon started, causing the two teens to look back at the Digimon. "When you were in battle, did the creature touch you head on or did he use energy attacks?"

Tai glanced down at his feet and tried to remember. "He didn't use any energy attacks. At least, I don't think so anyway. The whole fight is a blur." He explained, holding the sides of his head.

Memories swirled inside Tai's mind as he tried to bring back the battle back to him. All he could bring up into his thoughts was Sora crying in the hospital room. 'Sora…I need to protect her. But I was so easily beaten by the Death Master, I don't think that I will be able to protect her.' He pondered.

"Tai, you have the power to beat the Death Master. You just don't realize it." The guardian told.

Her comment made Tai step back in surprise and shock. "How did you know what I was…" He started.

Fixing a loose piece of hair, Guardianmon smiled. "Nevermind that now. It is time we get to work." She stated firmly, becoming more serious than ever.

"What do you mean 'get to work'?" Ava questioned.

With a flick of her wrist, a small leather pouch appeared over Guardianmon's palm. As the two teens watched in wonder, the Digimon withdrew a handful of white, glittering power. She ran the dust through her long, slender fingers as it poured from one hand to the other. Then, with one blow, the dust flew from her hand and onto the two Digidestined.

"Hey!" Tai shouted, shielding his eyes. As he breathed in, some of the fine particles drifted into his mouth, causing him to gag.

"It is alright. This dust will help in the releasing process." The Digimon explained.

Once again, Tai breathed in deep. But this time, he didn't hack on the powder. Instead, the dust flowed into his system and into his heart, lungs, and brain. That's when the memories came rushing back to him. First, Tai saw himself saying good-bye to Sora before the battle and giving her a kiss. Then, he went to when he first saw Ava in the Digital World. Following that, Tai saw the soccer game finals and when he got hit on the back of his head. 'I remember all that so clearly…' He thought, smiling to himself.

Suddenly, the light around the pictures began to darken. 'What? What's going on?' Tai questioned to himself as his eyes closed tighter.

'Tai…You have negative thoughts and suppressed memories inside the depths of your mind.' Guardianmon's voice told.

'Negative thoughts? But what could there be?' The teen asked, trying to think.

That's when it happened. The vision came clearer than ever before. A memory that had happened long before his first trip to the Digital World. And it was then, that he began to relive it.

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A harsh smack came to Tai's young face. It stung, but not enough to make him cry aloud. Placing his small hand to the red, burning mark, he rubbed it gently.

"How could you do that, Tai? You knew perfectly well that she was sick!" His mother shouted, anger etched on every word.

Tai heard his sister crying in the background and his father trying to calm her down as they waited for the ambulance to arrive. "Can I talk to her?" The young boy asked quietly, sobbing after he finished.

"No. Go to your room!" His father shouted.

Not wanting to make his parents even angrier, Tai turned and walked towards his room. As he was about to shut the door, his mother came up from behide and stated harshly. "Taichi Kayima, you are a very bad boy. Because of you, your little sister could die."

The door slammed shut as Tai stepped completely into the room that he had shared with his sister. Ever since he could remember, Kari had been very ill. She would get sick for two weeks, then recover for two more weeks, and then get sick again. But Tai knew that she couldn't help it. She was born with a weak immune system, which made Kari very vulnerable to any kind of virus or even the common cold.

"Kari…" Tai cried, falling to the wooden floor of his bedroom. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for getting you sick." Hitting his small hands on the ground, Tai screamed, "Kari!"

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Tai's eyes flew opened to feel Ava shaking his shoulders. "Tai. Tai, just breath."

The teen looked around to see the surroundings of the roof. Guardianmon and Ava stood next to Tai, looking very concerned. Staring at the Digimon, the brown haired teen asked, "What was that? What did you do to us?"

"In order to release the ultimate power within both you and Ava, I had to cleanse your memories, hearts, and feelings. If I weren't to do that, then the power could overload your natural systems." The Digimon explained, placing a calming hand onto the young leader's shoulder.

Ava smiled as Tai became a bit confused at what Guardianmon had told him. "Tai, I went through the same thing you did. But for some reason, yours seemed to last longer. Did you see awful memories?" She asked.

Glancing down at the roof, Tai closed his eyes. The thoughts of his sister being sick that day came rushing back to him. "Yea. I saw memories." He whispered, pulling away from the girl and the Digimon. Walking over to the fencing that surrounded the rim of the roof, Tai leaned up against it. "Memories that I wish to forget…" He murmured softly.

"Do you want to tell me what you saw?" Ava questioned, coming up next to adolescent.

Tai looked away. "I want to. Believe me, I really do. But, the memories I have are very painful. I just can't talk about them." He explained, trying to maintain his composure.

Guardianmon tapped the two teens on their shoulders. Turning around, the digidestined looked at the Digimon. "Are you ready?" She asked.

"For what?" Ava asked.

"For the rest of the process to be completed." The woman Digimon told.

Glancing over at Tai, Ava placed a hand on his shoulder as reassurance. "Are you sure you want that you want to do this?" She asked, a light and caring grin caressing her face.

Returning the smile, Tai nodded. "I'm sure. If we can defeat the Death Master with these hidden powers of ours…then we have too." He told her, becoming more himself again.

Walking back to the center of the roof, Tai and Ava stood facing the Digimon head on. "Ava, you will be the first to go." Guardianmon stated.

Agreeing, the black-haired girl stepped forward. "This will hurt for a moment." The creature told the teen. Ava only nodded a silent agreement, knowing that if she were to open her mouth, she would only back away. "Alright them. Let's begin."

Withdrawing the same pouch from her robes again, Guardianmon reached inside. But this time, she didn't withdraw the dust from before. Instead, she took out a small glass bottle that was glowing a strange green light. Pulling out the cork, some of the glow escaped into the sky. It seemed to have a life of its own. It darted around Ava and then over to Tai. The boy watched it as it flew around him in different spirals and then off into the sky.

That's when Guardianmon began to chant:

Sands and Winds of all time,

Help Ava cross the power line.

Release the powers of the crest,

And use the powers of the holy west.

Fly the powers of the night,

And bring Life's true force into the light.

Release.

With one massive burst of energy, the bottle exploded into a rocket of lighting. The green beam shot from Guardianmon's hand and hit Ava square in the chest. The girl choked out a breath but did not scream. Suddenly, in a bright flash, the lighting shot out of her back. But it wasn't only the green glow that came out. Along with the shimmering blaze, the shape of the Crest of Life shot from her body and hung in the air.

When the glare died down, symbol of life became clearer in the darkness. It spun around gracefully as if it were a fallen star in the night. Tai could only stare in aw at the sight before him. He was at a loss of words. All he knew was that a piece of lighting had just passed through Ava's body.

"Oh god. Ava!" He shouted, as he started to advance.

"Tai don't." Guardianmon commanded, causing the teen to stop. "Ava is fine. She is in a state of suspended animation."

Stepping back, Tai seemed to understand. He didn't know why, but he understood what was happening. But he continued to stay on guard, just in case.

Guardianmon moved so that the symbol floated directly in front of her. Opening another bottle, she poured the contents onto the hovering hologram. Then she began to speak once more:

Chant again, oh holy mage,

Release the enchantment from its darkened cage.

The beauty of the Faith become stronger,

Keep the power within no longer.

Ava's eyes opened wide as the Digimon chanted the four-line poem. Suddenly, the Crest of Life changed into a different form. It was a crescent moon with the symbol of life floating inside it. It began to glow a silvery color as the new shape was confirmed.

Turning back to Tai, Guardianmon smiled. "The Crest of Faith has been created once again." She told him.

"The Crest of Faith?" The teen questioned.

Raising a hand up behide the new crest, Guardianmon lightly brushed the character back into Ava's body. As the silver glow reentered her body, Ava fell to her knees. She was panting lightly and she was trembling.

Tai ran over to the fallen girl and went to his knees as well. Looking at her directly, he smiled. "Are you alright?" He asked.

"Yea. I have no idea what happened, but yea I'm fine." Ava stated in a joking tone.

Tai smiled at her comic attitude. He had never seen anyone so calm about being shot right through their body. "You have no idea what has just happened?" He questioned, touching her shoulder lightly.

Looking down at her crest, Ava's eyes widened. "All I heard was Guardianmon chanting and then I was on the ground." She explained, playing with the new tag on her neck.

"It's your turn, Tai." Guardianmon announced, making the two teens face her again.

Coming to his feet again, Tai faced the Digimon. He felt as if he should have been scared, but he wasn't. All he knew was that he was going to do this, no matter what.

Tai walked forward so that he was at the same distance as Ava was from the guardian. "Let's do it." He told her sternly.

"Very well, Tai. Let's begin." The creature stated.

Pulling out the cork of the same bottle as before, Guardianmon began to chant a similar spell:

Sands and Winds of all time,

Help Tai cross the power line.

Release the powers of his crest,

And put him to the ultimate test.

Fly the powers of the night,

And bring Courage's force into the light.

Release.

The identical green lighting flew from the bottle once again, but this time, the light didn't take a round about route. Instead, the light flew right at Tai and hit him directly in the chest. The teen let out a harsh gasp as the energy penetrated into his rib cage. Rushing right past his heart and lungs, the glow flew out his back. And that is when Tai knew no more.

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"Tai…Tai." A soft voice sang in the teenager's ear. Slowly opening his eyes, Tai felt someone holding him trying to keep him warm.

Looking next to him slowly, Tai was met with a pair of brown eyes looking at him. "Sora?" He murmured.

Smiling softly, the girl nodded. "Yea. It's me. Are you alright?" She questioned, hugging him a bit tighter.

"I don't remember what happened." Tai explained weakly, touching a hand to his chest. He felt tired and sick, as if he was about to pass out.

Closing his eyes, the teenager's knees gave out and he fell to the ground. Tai felt Sora go down with him to the ground. Someone called out his name, but he couldn't tell who. He was expecting to feel the cold roof hit his face, but he didn't. Instead, something warm pressed up against his cheek. Managing to crack his eyes opened, he saw two of the most important people holding him tightly.

"Kari, us caught…us." Tai slurred, looking into his sister's eyes.

Smiling, the brown haired girl touched her brother's face. "Of course I did."

"We were all worried about you, Tai." Matt's voice stated as he and the others came into view.

Glancing down at the roof, Tai closed his eyes half way, so that everything was a bit blurry. He was tired and he didn't know if he could stay awake any longer. That's when he felt a warm hand touch his cheek lightly. In response to the touch, the teen pressed a bit onto the hand. Suddenly, a dim glow came from the hand. Tai felt as if his energy was returning to him. Every one of his muscles became stronger and he was completely alert.

Sitting up, Tai looked around. He was in complete amazement about what had just happened. Glancing over at Sora, his eyes became even wider. As he looked at her hand, he saw a faint gold glow fading from her fingertips. Looking her in the eyes, Tai received a silent 'yes' from Sora. Smiling, Tai took Sora in a tight hug and held her. Whispering in her ear, the teen said, "Thank you, Sora."

"Tai," Guardianmon called, causing the others and the leader of the group to look over at her. The Digimon slowly began to fade away. Reaching out to the group nine, she smiled. "The Crest of Eternity…is yours and yours alone. Use its power wisely, for both Eternity and Faith are easily turned to the side of darkness. Until we meet again, farewell." And with that, she vanished back into the crests.

Reaching inside his shirt, Tai withdrew his crest. Looking down at it, he began to examine it. The symbol had been changed to a lighting bolt striking the sign of Courage. Its color had become a silvery orange and the tag was turned silver. "The Crest of Eternal Courage…" He said, coming to his feet.

"And the Crest of Holy Life." Ava said as well as she came face to face with Tai.

As the others joined them, the two teens stared off into the sea of lights. "We must protect this world with all our might." Tai told as Sora hooked onto his arm. Smiling at her, Tai looked at her. 'I will protect her. No matter what the cost.'