earth8.html Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. I do own Trikmon©, and the concept of this story. If you want to see fanart for this fic, go to "http://www.crosswinds.net/~filldnothingness." The site isn't complete, yet, but the Digimon fanfiction and fanart sections are up (getting sick of this yet?).

Author's Notes: The poem Matt says in this chapter is called, "And Death Shall Have No Dominion," and was written by the fantastic Dylan Thomas, who's most known for his poem, "Do Not Go Gently Into that Good Night." "Death" is a beautiful piece, and I thought it fit.

Also, out of pure curiosity (humor the author, please!) just which character did you think was going to "get it" in the last chapter? And, no, not which character you wanted me to take down, which character were suspecting?

And mature feedback. I love it. I love people who give it to me. Truly, I do. Try me. *big, pleading eyes* Please?


The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth

Chapter 8: Revelations

Sora twitched and tumbled around her bed, her mind twisting along with her body. She was barely asleep, just teasing the outskirts of consciousness. Jumbled thoughts that she'd forget upon waking flew through her mind in a vicious rush. So much was happening, so many things were going wrong.

Their families were gone. Their digimon turned human. Being cut off from the world, unable to even leave the house without being promptly attacked. Being trapped by a creature whose motive they didn't even know. And now, Mimi. Mimi was... no, not dead. She was not dead! Just... in a coma.

It was just as bad.

Oh, what Sora would've given to make everything magically go back to the way it was before Trikmon had appeared. She wanted her friends to be safe. She wanted her mother back, unharmed. How she missed her mother. What was that old saying? You never know how much you love someone until you lose them. Yes. So true.

"Sora... "

Someone... calling for her? A part of her mixed up dream, perhaps. Yes, that must be it. A piece of the chaos that she'd lose when she'd open her eyes for the new day.

"Sora... "

Still calling. And still, no body in her dream. Just endless dark, and thoughts as black as pitch.

"Wake up, Love... "

In an instant, Sora's brown eyes fluttered open. Now, she recognized the voice. Her stomach suddenly felt like it was made of lead. But, there was no way he could get into the house, she reasoned. He couldn't get in. So, how could she hear him? How was it possible?

"Get up, Sora... " he called softly, for her ears only. "Get up."

Feeling what could only be described as an irresistible pull, she sat up and got to her feet. The wooden floor was cold beneath her toes, and it woke her up a bit more. What was she doing? She had to be hearing things! There was no way-

"The front of the house, Love... " he beckoned. "I'm in the front... Waiting for you."

There was that pull again. As if sleepwalking, Sora made her way out into the quiet, dark hallway, down the stairs, and to the front door. She opened it with a strangely steady hand, barely thinking as she walked out into the summer night. A cool wind blew gently on her, and she shook as a shiver ran up her spine.

She spotted him standing- no, floating just outside the firewall. Clad in black, his dark, stringy hair whipping around, his pale skin stood out, the street lamps making him look even more like a phantom and less like a... a...

"Monster," Sora muttered. She shouldn't have gone out, a voice that sounded disturbingly like Tai stated in the back of her head. Yet, even as that voice admonished her for her stupidity, Sora was walking the front lawn, the cool, wet grass beneath her feet.

He gazed upon her with those oohs light blue eyes, a strange smile twisted upon his face, and another shiver went through her. She halted barely two feet before the invisible firewall, and looked up at him, waiting.

"I knew you'd come," Trikmon said, with that odd voice of his. Nails on a chalkboard.

"What do you want?" Sora demanded, her body beginning to shake despite the late summer warmth.

"Oh, the eternal question... " he sighed. "So many answers to that. Perhaps," he titled his head, dark hair falling in front of his face, "you could be more specific."

A spark of rage tempered her fear for a moment, and she scowled. "What do you want with me?" she amended.

A sickening grin formed on his face. "So many answers to that, as well. You felt it, too, did you not?" he asked.

She blinked, confused. "Felt what?"

"That strange feeling when we... were first introduced," Trikmon chose his words carefully. "The light headedness, almost blinded by the brightness of nothingness."

Sora inhaled sharply through clenched teeth. She did indeed remember that. She had felt like she was going to faint right then. But later on, she had pushed it aside as nothing more than her fear overwhelming her for a moment. Who could blame her?

"You knew what I was going to do," he continued, his alien eyes boring down into hers. "You felt it. You saw it. Practically tasted it. Didn't you, Love?"

"No," she denied, shaking her head, vehemently. But even as she did that, she remembered it. How that little tick of his finger had set off warning bells in her head. She had known what was about to happen. It had confused her to no ends, but she had known.

"Don't lie to me, Love," he frowned, looking almost disappointed. "I know you better than that."

"You don't know me at all," Sora retorted, taking a step back. Should've stayed inside, the Tai-like voice reprimanded her. "Not at all."

"On the contrary," Trikmon held his hands up, spreading his long, claw like fingers. "I know more about you than I know about him."

"'Him?'" she narrowed her eyes.

He ignored her question, and grinned at her, flashing his pointed rows of teeth. "Ever since my creation, I've learned all that was available to me about the Chosen Children. The Digidestined. And I have become... so fascinated by you," he confessed, softly. "I have been given many of his memories. They are filled with anger, fear, jealousy, and an all consuming need to conquer. But love is not among them."
He turned a hand to her. "But you are filled with this foreign emotion. So much so, that you were chosen to bear the Crest of Love. You are a unique, challenging creature to me, sweet Sora. I wish to know more. I want you to show me."

"You've been calling out to me all this time," she frowned. "You've done so many things to us... What can't you do?"

"I can't make you step outside the barrier," Trikmon replied, almost gently, his voice sounding near human. "You need to do that yourself. Come with me, Love. Teach me what his memories could not.
"I could bring your mother back, you know," he whispered, invitingly. "Would you like that?"

Sora's eyes widened at the prospect. "My mother?"

"Yes. She's still alive. They all are. But," he smiled, "I'll bring her back here. And she'll be safe from all harm, I promise you. All you have to do is come with me."

For a moment, for an unreal split moment, she nearly took a step forward. Her foot lifted, made the movement, but stopped before it touched ground. Sora jolted, shocked at her own actions, and instinctively stepped away. He sighed at her, clearly let down.

"If that is your wish," Trikmon murmured. He began to fade in front of her.

"Wait!" Sora called, her brain now functioning normally. Something he had said before was jogging furiously through her mind. "You said you had 'his' memories. 'Him.' Who is 'he?'"

He looked at her, a delighted, downright evil smile appearing on his face. "He hasn't told you, yet? My my... how very interesting... "


With a jaw cracking yawn, Tai got out of bed in the early morning hour. Not that someone could tell that it was morning, he reflected, bitterly. The world, or at least Odaiba, was still lost in eternal darkness. Frowning, Tai walked over to the window, peering outside like he did every morning, almost daring to hope that this day would be different. That today, the sun would be shining.

Of course, there was no sun. It was still pitch black, and the street lamps were still glowing with their harsh, flooding lights. It was almost an unsurprising, everyday scene for Tai about now. Except, there was one thing that threw the entire sight off balance. One thing that ruined the strange monotony of it all.

Sora was outside.

Tai rubbed his eyes, thinking that maybe they were just blurry with sleep. He looked out again. No, it wasn't sleep that was making him see things. She really was out there. Just sitting there in her nightgown, fine as you please. Well, no. She was sitting there, with her knees pulled up, and her arms wrapped tightly around her legs. She even looked like she was rocking a bit.

Swearing under his breath, and silently hoping that she was all right, Tai rushed out of his room, nearly falling down the stairs in his haste to get outside. He flung the front door open, and ran out to her swaying form.

"Sora!" he cried, kneeling next to her, and gingerly placed a hand on her shoulder. Upon feeling her almost icy to the touch, he pulled his hand back in shock." Sora, you're freezing! Have you been out here all night?"

She kept rocking, but now there were glistening tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "Oh, Tai... " she whispered, brokenly.

He frowned, worriedly. "Sora, what's wrong?" he asked, gently as possible. "What happened?"

"Trikmon... he came here," she sobbed, ever so softly. "He was calling to me."

"What?" Tai narrowed his eyes. "I don't understand."

"He was here last night. I talked to him," she explained, almost.

"You talked to- Sora, why didn't you get any of us?" he demanded, rattled that she had put herself in such danger.

"I don't know," she answered, barely audible. "I just never thought of it. He wanted to take me with him."

"What?" Tai jolted, fear stabbing through his chest. "Sora, why- uh, oh God, Sora!" Protectively, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Why didn't you get me? I wouldn't have let him near you."

"I already told you, Tai," she said. "I... wasn't thinking clearly. I didn't go. I stayed inside the firewall."

"Why would he want you?" he asked into her soft hair.

"For memories, I think," Sora whispered. "He wants to understand love."

"Hn?" Tai blinked. "Why would he want to? Why would he care about that?"

"B-because the memories he was given don't contain that emotion." She began to sniffle again. "His memories don't have it."

"Sora," he stroked her hair. "I don't understand."

"Oh, Tai! It's awful!" she pulled away, offering him a view of her tear-stained face. "Just awful."

"What is?" he asked, wiping the tears away with his thumbs.

Her face crumpled slightly, and she shut her eyes tight. "I... I know who Trikmon is."


"Tai, stop it!" Yolei screamed.

"Ken-chan!" Wormmon wailed, horrified.

Ken felt his head slam into the wall, worsening his already horrific headache. Unable to even see straight, he began to slide down to the floor. Tai grabbed onto his neck, and hauled him up, roughly. Ken tried to focus his bleary eyes at the angry older boy, but this action seemed to further incense Tai, who growled and punched him hard in the stomach, doubling him over and bringing Ken to his knees.

This scene had started rather placidly enough. Ken had woken up and gotten done without a single run in with anyone. But when he got downstairs, everyone was huddled in the living room. All eyes were suddenly on him, and all accusing.

No. Not all, Ken reflected, as Tai pulled him up just to punch him again. Yolei hadn't looked accusing. Rather, she had looked... disappointed. He had been looking at her for a possible explanation to it all when Tai had assaulted him.

"You lied to us, Ichijouji," Tai snarled, a deathgrip on Ken's collar. "We let you in to keep you safe, and you repaid us with lies."

"I-I don't know-" Ken croaked, shaking his head.

"Don't you start!" Tai shook him viciously. "You're the reason Trikmon's out there. You and your stupid Black Rings. Created a monster and didn't even know it, did you? And you didn't tell us!"

"I didn't think it would matter," Ken muttered, desperately trying not to gasp. "And I knew you'd react like thi-"

"Shut up!" Tai slammed him against the wall, and pinned him there with every ounce of strength he had. "You deliberately held back the truth from us. I thought we had an agreement, Ichijouji. No deceit. If you had told us what you knew in the beginning, maybe we'd have made more headway than we have. It was worth a shot, dammit!
"But you just kept it to yourself," he sneered, tightening his grip on the younger boy. "When all our families disappeared, you kept your mouth shut. When we had no chance to contact Gennai or get into the Digital World, you kept your mouth shut. And when Mimi- " Tai's voice cracked with anguish. "And when Mimi, one of our own, got hurt, you still kept your damned mouth shut. All to protect your own ass! Because Heaven forbid Ken Ichijouji look bad."

"It wasn't like that," grunted Ken, whose headache was making it difficult to keep his eyes open. "I just didn't... I didn't... "

"Want to lose face?" Matt offered from the couch, scowling with ill covered hatred.

Ken sighed, unable to answer anymore.

"I'm sure he's learned his lesson," Yolei said, holding a crying Wormmon close. "That's enough, Tai. Let him go."

"Yeah, it is enough," Tai released his grip, letting Ken drop like a stone. He glared down at the boy. "I want you out of the house."

"What?" Yolei gasped, letting go of Wormmon in her shock. The little boy ran over to the fallen Ken, crying even harder at his friend's poor condition. "You don't mean that."

"Like hell I don't," Tai snapped. "I'm not letting a traitor stay here."

"But he didn't make Trikmon on purpose!" Yolei defended, stubbornly. "You can't blame him for it."

"I'm not blaming him for the creation of Trikmon," Tai retorted. "I'm blaming him for holding back information that could've helped us. For not trusting us."

It looked like Yolei was going to protest that, but Ken's voice stopped her. "Is Wormmon allowed to stay?"

"Eh?" Tai turned to him.

Ken was kneeling, stroking Wormmon's hair as the little boy cried into his chest. He looked up at Tai with unfocused, ice blue eyes. "Can Wormmon stay? He didn't have any part in this."

"No, Ken-chan!" Wormmon sobbed. "If you're going, I'm going!"

Ken ignored him, and kept staring at Tai. "Can he stay?"

Tai narrowed his eyes for a moment, then nodded. "Yes."

Ken nodded back. "Well. It's settled, then."

With unsteady legs, the blue haired boy got to his feet, and began to make his was slowly up the stairs. Yolei stared after him, her brown eyes widening in horror at each step he took. She whirled around to her friends, shaking with an unidentifiable feeling. It was more then rage, more than fear. It was beyond anything she had ever felt before, and she was practically drowning in it.

"You can't be serious!" she cried, incredulously. "He doesn't deserve this. If you just calm down, you'll understand. This is exactly what Trikmon wants," Yolei pointed out, desperate. "To split us up. To make us weaker.
"You can't all believe this is the right thing to do. You just can't!" She turned her eyes on everyone, but they refused to look back, somber expressions on their faces. "Kari? Iori? Sora?" she begged, trying to plead to the people she was closest to. Not even Iori would look at her, his head bowed down.
Yolei shook her head, tears springing to her eyes. "Mimi wouldn't want this. She always said that everyone deserved a second chance. You know she would be against this. You know she would!" Yolei sobbed. "I can't believe you're actually... You're all horrible people!"

Weeping freely, she ran upstairs without giving them a last look.

"Tai," Kari whispered, eyes still downcast. "That was awfully rough."

"I know," he replied, his voice harsh. "But I won't deal with that sort of thing. Not now. We can't afford it."

Everyone remained silent then, allowing their own thoughts to fill the void. After a few minutes, Matt got up, and walked out of the room, quietly. The others soon followed suit, scattering to their own rooms to think.


Ken wiped the dry blood that was lingering on his lips, tasting the coppery stuff on his tongue. Tai had a good right hook, he'd give him that. He didn't have much to pack. In fact, he didn't have anything. He'd been wearing borrowed clothes for the past days. He had just gone back into his room to change into his old clothing.

The door creaked open and shut. Even facing away from it, Ken knew who it was. "It's okay, Wormmon. I'll be fine."

"You can't leave."

He froze. That wasn't Wormmon.

"Miyako."

"You can't leave," Yolei repeated, walking further into the room. "I won't let you."

"You don't have much of a choice in the matter," Ken said. Damn, why her? Why now? He didn't think he could take seeing her cry. He kept his back to her, closing his eyes. "You heard Tai."

"Yes, I heard Tai," she agreed. "But that doesn't mean I think he's right. He's not, you know. You shouldn't be punished like this."

"'Like this,' Miyako?" he quipped, dryly. "So, you think I should be punished, as well." It was not a question.

"No. Of course not!" Yolei exclaimed. She shook her head, even though he couldn't see. It was just instinct. Shaking her head in denial. "I don't think you should be punished, at all. They're just upset now. They'll relax. You'll see."

"They have every right to be upset," Ken commented, flatly. Don't show any kindness. A clean break is best. "I lied."

"You had a reason to," she argued.

"A selfish reason. You asked me if Trikmon had said anything to me. Anything of importance. Remember?" he asked. "I told you he didn't."

"Yes," Yolei said, hushed. "I remember."

"I lied to you outright. He told me. I lied to your face," he snarled the last words. "To save my face. You're not upset?"

"Well, yes, I'm upset," she admitted. "I'm hurt that you didn't trust me. I feel awful that you didn't think you could confide in me. But," she added, "I can't blame you for it. You were in a horrible position. You weren't exactly on good terms with us as it was. Information like that would've made it even worse, perhaps impossible. I can't hate you for that, Ken," she said. "So stop trying to make me."

His shoulders stiffened visibly. Damn her... "I'm not trying to make you do anything," Ken said, coldly.

"You're doing it again," Yolei accused. "You're trying to be this cold hearted, untouchable person. Well, you're not, Ken Ichijouji! You have the Crest of Kindness, and it was given to you for a reason."

"I don't deserve it," he stated.

"And I don't believe that!" she exclaimed, balling fists, and taking another step toward him. "You are kind, Ken. You're kind to Wormmon. He thinks of you as his best friend, and I know he's a good judge of character. He wouldn't care for you so much if you didn't deserve it.
"And, you've been kind to me," she added. "You have, since the first day you got here. I gave you a chance. I knew you deserved it, and you proved me right. You're a good person. You saved my life! How can you expect me to not care for you?"

Ken blinked, his eyes fluttering open in shock. It had never occurred to him... He just thought it was a crush. He never dared to hope... no, that was silly. Stupid, childish fantasies that fallen people like him couldn't afford. It was all pity for him, that's all. Like one pities a small animal that hurts itself by inanely falling out of a tree. But, still... she had said it. She had said...

"You care?" he ventured, hardly above hearing level.

She didn't answer, and the silence mocked his stupidity. Idiot boy! Foolish, selfish boy! To think, to hope, even for a moment, that he would ever be offered more than her sympathy. His eyes closed again, his throat now burning. Stupid, stupid, stupid, stu-

Gentle arms wrapped around his waist, and Ken gasped silently when Yolei placed her head against his back. He could scarcely breathe when he felt her tears soak through his shirt.

"I care," she whispered.

Trembling, he placed his ice cold hands over hers, and just stood there, amazed that simple physical contact could shatter all his senses at once. He doubted he'd even be standing if she let him go.

But, she had to let him go, he realized with a sharp pang. With a soft grunt of reluctance, he pulled away and turned to face her. "You'll take care of Wormmon, won't you?"

She blinked. "What?"

"You'll take care of Wormmon," he repeated, his eyes hesitantly gentle, "right? You're the only one I'll trust with him."

"No. I can't," Yolei shook her head. "You're staying."

"Miyako, please," he coaxed. "You have to."

"No," she said, firmly. "You're going to stay. You'll see. I'll talk to everyone, and-"

Sighing, he placed his forehead on hers, effectively quieting her. "Promise me," he whispered, his lips brushing against hers on certain syllables. "Miyako, please, promise me you'll look out for him."

"I... ," Yolei's voice trailed, her brain becoming fuzzy at his closeness. His breath caressed her lips with another sigh, and she felt her resolve crumble. "I promise."

Ken smiled slightly, placing a small kiss on her cheek. "I knew you would."

"I want you to stay," she reminded him, stubbornly.

"I know."

"You're... you're not going to, though," she blinked back tears. "Are you?"

"I don't think so," he shook his head. "No."

Her face filled with misery. "I hate this."

Ken took a lock of her purple hair, twisting it through his fingers fondly. "I'm not too thrilled with it, either, Miyako."


He was sitting with her again. He had been for the past day and a half. He'd sneak into her room the rare times Palmon wasn't there, and just sit by her side. Sometimes, he'd talk to her, others he'd sing. But, for the most part, he just sat there, keeping a silent vigil. He thought that no one had spied him doing so.

But Gabumon had, and he worried for his Digidestined. He knew Matt wasn't very open with his feelings. That much anyone could see. And Mimi had been- no, she was just the opposite. In fact, Mimi was, in Gabumon's opinion, too open with her feelings at times. Maybe that's why Matt had found her so appealing. She never held back. If she didn't like it, she said so, and if she loved it, man, did she ever show it. Gabumon had never seen one girl make Matt blush so much.

This whole thing must've been driving Matt insane. He had always had a protective streak. Mostly devoted to T.K., but it did extend to his friends. Especially Mimi. She could take care of herself, really, but there was just something about her that made every man who met her want to protect her. There was a vulnerability there. Another thing that Matt probably had found endearing. As cynical as he was, he did like to play the role of the knight in shining armor.

Gabumon waited at the door, waiting for his Digidestined to get up and leave. Of course, staying at the door meant Matt might catch him, but this was the only way to make sure Matt had the privacy he desired. More than once, Gabumon had diverted a disaster, by trafficking people away from the room. Just about everyone knew about Matt's little visits by now. It would probably mortify the blonde boy to no ends, but as long as Gabumon steered everyone clear, and ducked out of sight when Matt left the room, there wouldn't be a problem.

This particular visit was rather quiet. Matt must've been just sitting there, letting his thoughts wander. Gabumon much preferred him talking. If Matt was silent, it usually meant he was wallowing in self pity, which would just lead to a great emotional explosion later on. He heard a sigh coming from the room, and Gabumon tensed, prepared to disappear before Matt walked out. But he didn't hear any footsteps, and after a few minutes, Gabumon relaxed.

There was the muffled sound of rustling paper, and Matt muttering something to soft for Gabumon to hear. Then, Matt cleared his throat, and took an audible breath.

"And death shall have no dominion.
"Dead men naked they shall be one
"With the man in the wind and the west moon;
"When their bones are picked clean and the clean bones gone,
"They shall have stars at elbow and foot;"

Gabumon blinked. Matt was reciting... a poem? Where had he... ah, Mr. Tachikawa's library. It was certainly large enough to hold enough poetry for someone to trip over. What an odd selection, though. Then again, Gabumon would be the first to admit his lack of culture when it came to poetry. Leaning his ear against the door, he listened.

"Though they go mad they shall be sane,
"Though they sink through the sea they shall rise again;
"Though lovers be lost love shall not;
"And death shall have no dominion."

Matt's voice wavered a bit at the end, and he cleared his throat again, giving himself a moment to collect himself. Gabumon felt his heart go out to his friend, as the blonde boy continued.

"And death shall have no dominion.
"Under the windings of the sea
"They lying long shall not die windily;
"Twisting on racks when sinews give way,
"Strapped to a wheel, yet they shall not break;"

The conviction in Matt's voice strengthened, and the sound carried past the door, into the hallway, filling it with its power.

"Faith in their hands shall snap in two,
"And the unicorn evils run them through;
"Split all ends up they shan't crack;
"And death shall have no dominion."

The vitality in Matt's words were nearly tangible now, and Gabumon could feel them flow through him, waving to and fro, slowly ebbing away the doubts and fears he had. Magical, the power of words.

"And death shall have no dominion.
"No more may gulls cry at their ears
"Or waves break loud on the seashores;
"Where blew a flower may a flower no more
"Lift its head to the blows of the rain;"

Overwhelming was Matt's voice now. Overpowering, filled with a raw strength that could tear anything asunder that dared defy it.

"Though they be mad and dead as nails,
"Heads of the characters hammer through daisies;
"Break in the sun till the sun breaks down,
"And death shall have no dominion."

Matt sighed again, and in that instant the power seemed to fade as quickly as it came. The hallway seemed empty now, and Gabumon felt the same. The sigh itself seemed to break the spell of it all. Matt was talking again, but softly, almost indistinguishable.

"Don't you die, Mimi," he whispered. "We need you here. You understand? If you die, I don't know... I just... " A soft growl escaped his lips. "You just can't, okay? Dammit, girl, wake up!" Silence. Another sigh. "I'll see you later, Mimi."

Gabumon scrambled to hide in the next room, as Mimi's door opened and Matt walked out. The gijinka digimon watched as the blonde boy walked down the hall, his shoulders' slumped, yet tense. Not a good sign, Gabumon decided. Sooner or later, this was going to get to Matt in the worst way, and the resulting rage would probably not be positive for anyone.


"Ken-chan... " Wormmon whimpered, hugging his friend tightly at the waist. "Don't go."

Ken smiled down at him, patting his head. "It'll be okay, Wormmon. Miyako will take care of you." He looked up. "Right?"

Yolei wrapped her arms about her, warding off the psychological chill that ran through her. It really was warm outside, even without the sun. "Of course."

"See?" Ken looked back down at his digimon. "It's going to be fine."

"B-but," the green little boy sniffled, "if you're going, you need someone to protect you. I'll protect you, Ken-chan!"

Ruffling Wormmon's purple hair affectionately, Ken shook his head. "No. You have to stay here. Where it's safe."

"But why?" cried Wormmon, tightening his hold in a desperate attempt to keep his Digidestined where he was.

"Because I said so." There was no room for argument in the statement. It was final, and that's all there was to it. With one more pat on the head, Ken pushed Wormmon gently over to Yolei, who seemed to be in her own world at the moment. If Hawkmon hadn't been behind her, his hands on her shoulders, she probably would've slipped down to her knees by now. "Keep safe," Ken said, kindly. Then, a smirk lit his face. "Wish me luck, ne?"

Almost mechanically, Yolei nodded. "Good luck," she croaked. "We'll... we'll see you after this is all over, right?"

"Of course," Ken shrugged, confident as can be. Or, at least, that's what he was showing. "You doubt me, Miyako?"

Yolei pulled Wormmon close, allowing the boy to take solace with her. She looked at Ken, her brown eyes penetrating through him, almost jarring him. "Never," she whispered, fiercely.

Truth be known, her faith in him shook Ken to the core. Only Wormmon had ever believed in him like that. It was an awesome thing; to have someone believe in you more than you did yourself. It was breathtaking. Running a hand through his hair, Ken recovered and smirked. With a short wave, he turned, and walked out of the safety of the firewall.

He hadn't noticed it when they had been fighting all those Ghastlymon, but it actually got colder once he stepped outside the perimeters of the house. Ken shivered a bit, and forced himself to ignore Wormmon's heartbreaking pleas to stay. Yolei would take care of him. And Hawkmon would make sure Yolei stayed safe. It would be okay for them. Ken just hoped that it would-

"Ken!" Yolei piercing scream shot through him. "Behind you!"

"Eh? Wha- ?" Ken gagged as a strong hand, with long pale fingers gripped him by his neck, and pulled him up into the air.

"Hello, Father," Trikmon smiled.

Next Chapter: Old Hat, New Twist