-Howdy folks. This was originally supposed to be the last chapter, but it wound up running sixty-five pages, so I thought it would be best to split it up. About the idea I use in this chapter… I'm sure it's been used several times before, or at least thought of about a million, though I've never read one before if there is any more out there. You'll know what I'm talking about when you get there. It's predictable, and normally I try to stray away from that but I really wanted to use it anyway. Hope you enjoy it!

To Hell with Destiny!

The Light of Hope

"Satamon…"

The children coward in fear as the massive monster stared down at them. Satamon stretched and grunted like a human would after waking up from a long nap. "Ah… So you've heard of me? I'm pleased. I was afraid the people of your world would've long forgotten me after all the years I've spent in this prison…" Satamon's eyes flinched slightly and he moaned inquisitively as he noticed the girl standing below him for the first time. "Ah… Hikari… The little angel of light… Have you finally come to join me?"

"Not on your life bonehead!" TK snarled, as he pulled Kari closer to him. Not the most creative of insults, but appropriate considering Satamon's appearance. "There's not way your getting your grimy paws on her! She's going back with me!"

"How cute." Satamon giggled. Somehow Satamon managed to speak without moving his mouth. Just one more oddity that added to the eerie aurora of the master Digimon. "You must be Takeru… The young bearer of hope. Not strange to see you two together I suppose."

"How do you know who we are?!" TK demanded.

"What exactly did you mean when you called this a prison?" For whatever reason, Kari seemed particularly interested in that question.

"You mean you don't know my child?" Satamon inquired of Kari. He chose to ignore TK. "Allow me to enlighten you. I've always loved to tell a good story… Even if didn't quite work out my way… Yet. Hum, hum…"

"We're listening." TK gritted his teeth tightly.

"Ah, then allow me to being. First, I think it would only be fitting to introduce myself properly. As you know, my name is Satamon, ruler of darkness and the origin of everything evil ever to reek terror upon the Digital World."

"The origin of everything evil?" Kari asked. "How is that possible?"

Satamon giggled eerily. "It all has to start somewhere my dear. I'm responsible for everything evil Digimon and every dark thought that ever came out of the Digital World. Apoclomon, Myotismon, Devimon, they were all breed from a part of me that was left behind before my old nemesis exiled me from the Digital World…"

"What a second," TK said, as he remembered something Davis had told them he read in that prophecy of his. "The legend says that the Guardian had to imprison you after the battle… You mean this place, the Dark Ocean world I mean, is your prison?"

"Ah, you're an observant young lad I see. Yes indeed, eons ago my old nemesis, or the Guardian as you called him, created this dimensional prison just for me and my minions," Satamon continued. "It was meant to hold us here for the rest of eternity, and was doing a pretty job of it up until this point. This world is gray and gloomy like this for a reason. It's meant to house the most evil and devious of creatures. People of your kind are not supposed to be able to exist here."

TK's eyebrows furrowed. "What do you mean people of our kind?!"

"People who are pure of heart and strong in sprit, and other disgusting things like that. Only darkness is supposed to exist here. When someone who lives by the way of light winds up here it must mean something happened along the way to corrupt that persons soul at least temporarily."

"When TK and I were fighting," Kari sniffed, as her eyes watered again slightly. "I felt miserable and dark… I stopped caring… That's how I was drawn here again…"

"But I came here because I did care," TK said to her, hoping Satamon hadn't succeeded in dampening the spirit in Kari TK had worked so hard to raise. "So that theory can't be entirely accurate."

"I pulled you into this world once before by having my minion Toeimon play on your doubts and fears, along with your kind heart by use of the fake Scubamon. It becomes rather easy when you let things like jealously, doubt, and hatred take over your soul. On top of that, a few years ago I almost succeeded in pulling a couple of your friends into this dimension, but fell just short of my goal right before leading them over to my side."

"Matt and Sora," TK groaned, remembering that day clearly. The moments right before the Digidestined locked horns with the Dark Masters. "They almost buried themselves in their own little caves of darkness… You were the one responsible about for that! Or Toeimon anyway... Playing with people's emotions… It's sickening!"

"Why did you want to bring me here anyway?!" Kari asked suddenly. "What's so special about me?!"

"I hate to sound like a broken record, but I've sensed the power radiating from you Hikari… It's like none other I've sensed from any human before, and I long to find out what it is… I have a hunch, but I'm afraid it doesn't make all that much sense to me at the moment. In fact, now that I look more closely I sense a similar energy coming from your young friend… Intriguing. I'm also curious to how he keeps managing to follow you here when his soul hasn't been darkened such as yours has." Satamon lowered his head and chuckled slightly. "Though I didn't call you here this time, I am glad you two just happened to show up."

"Why is that?" TK braced himself.

"Don't look so nervous," Satamon told him. "I merely wanted to thank you. Do you two know what the key was that kept the gate to this dimension sealed, and prevented me from reentering the Digital World?"

"No, what?!" TK scowled.

"The Sphere of Light."

"The Sphere of Light?!" Kari's eyes went wide.

"Yes, indeed. And when the Sphere of Light along with the Sphere of Hope were destroyed not to long ago, that opened the gate allowing me to leave this place whenever I please. Now that that day has finally come, I can return to the Digital World, and purify it with darkness as was my dream all those years ago… And I owe it all to the two of you."

"How the hell is that our fault?!" TK challenged. "What could we have possibly done to keep the Spheres of Light and Hope were destroyed!"

"I don't know, but I do know this. The Spheres of Hope and Light are directly linked to the two Chosen that represent them. The Sphere's are incredibly powerful, strong enough to hold me here even with all my immense power. You two would've had to have done something along the way to cause the Sphere's to be destroyed. I have no clue what you might've done, nor do I really care."

"So what do you plan to do with us know that you have us here?" Kari asked sternly. "Destroy us?"

"Now, that would be a waste now wouldn't it?" Satamon snipped. "I at least what to discover the meaning of the power I sensing inside the two of you… It may prove useful to me."

TK chuckled softly, and looked up at the demon defiantly. "Well, I'm afraid your going to have to catch us first. If what you said about having to be possessed by darkness to exist here, then that means we shouldn't be able to exist here anymore." TK waved at Satamon, as a bright light illuminated around him and Kari as their images slowly began to fade away. "See you on the front lines Satamon!"

Satamon snickered coldly as the two youngsters disappeared from his view. "Careful what you wish for boy. You might want to make sure you really want it first."

********

Tai stared up in astonishment at the sky above his head. For the first time in two days a huge section of clouds rolled out, allowing the sun to light up the forest he was surrounded by. Tai more then welcomed it, even though it did reveal that they were standing at the base of a rather large mountain. Tai ran his hand through his hair and smiled confidently, not because of the recent gift of sunlight but because his friends were once again scattered all around him. Not behind him, by standing right by his side like they had so many times before and Tai wouldn't have it any other way. All the fog stricken Digimon were back to normal, the all the sprits of the chosen children all seemed to rise ten-fold over a matter of a few minutes. Tai wasn't really concerned with it, though curious to the reasons why, as long as they were finally starting to see the big picture. He had heard a few scattered remarks along the lines of Sora, and "Be glad you weren't there to see her Tai." Tai giggled warm heartedly at her noticing how red her face would flush with each comment. Tai may never look at her the same way again after what she'd said to him moments before, and he wasn't nearly as nervous about it as he thought he would've been. Only Davis was inconspicuous by his absence, and the fact that Veemon was lulling around with the rest of the group made his absence all that much weirder.

"Are you guys sure your up for this?" Tai asked them unsure that their attitudes could change so quickly. Then again the recent funks they'd all been stuck in struck kind of suddenly as well.

"As up as we're ever going to be," Ken replied, holding Wormmon in his arms as usual.

Joe placed his hand on Tai's shoulder. "I think we're all back to normal Tai. We had to do a little soul searching, and I think we found them."

"We didn't mean to make it seem like we'd turn against you either Tai," Izzy added, with a hint of guilt. "We were all acting rather immaturely. Me in particular… I'm sorry about that. But I guarantee you all that childishness is way behind me. I'm logged on, and ready to compute!"

Tai sweat dropped. If he didn't know any better Tai would've swore Izzy actually thought he was a computer. "That's nice to hear Izzy, but you guys can stop apologizing now. Just as long as you guys are acting like your old selves again, we can put that mess behind us. The Digimon are back to normal and everyone seems to be happy, so let's move on to more important matters… However, I am curious to how everyone had these sudden mood swings all at once. Did something happen this morning that I'm not aware of?"

"That's not what's important right now Tai!" Sora yelped nervously, as she grabbed him by the shoulders. "Like you said, all that matters is everyone's back to normal! Ha, ha…"

"Don't be so modest," Biyomon sung. "You know you had a major hand in that."

Tai smiled at Sora. "Oh yeah? And what exactly did you do Sora."

"Oh you should've seen her! She was absolutely brutal Tai!" Yolie shouted, causing Sora to blush and hang her head. "She ripped into us like Uncle Lefty into Grandma's Christmas ham!"

"She sure woke us up all right," Joe snickered. "We needed a good slap in the face, and she sure gave it to us."

"Yeah, if she'd been any more vocal I would've froze in place!…" Tentomon buzzed. "That is if I hadn't already been frozen in place."

"Oh really now…" Tai's smiled broadened. Sora's face flushed again with embarrassment, as she dug her foot into the ground. "Wish I could've been there to see that."

"It's was nothing really… Everything was falling apart, and someone had to hold us all together."

"Then let me be the first to commend you on a job well done then," Tai congratulated.

"I don't know about that…" Matt started. "I feel sorry for the other guys. I've seen her angry before, and it's not pretty."

"Stuff it Matt!" Sora jeered playfully.

"It's really good to see everyone's back together, and friends again," Mimi stated. "I'm sorry I ever doubted you guys. I never should've listened to Davis anyway."

Everyone looked at Mimi curiously. Tai was the first to speak up. "Listen to Davis? What did he tell you?"

Mimi blushed, and looked at the ground. "Well… I know I shouldn't of believed him, but he tried to convince me that you guys couldn't stand me and didn't want me around anymore…"

"He did what?!" Sora asked in disgust. "That's ridiculous! Why would he have said something like that?!"

Joe starched underneath his chin, as he thought the matter over. "Hey Cody?… You mention to me that Davis had told you some rather unkind thins regarding you, and how the rest of us feel about you right?"

"Yeah…" Cody cracked. "Some really mean things. I really believed him for a while too…"

"He did the exact same thing to me, when I approached him about it!" Joe snarled angrily. "Everything he said to both of us must've been nothing more then a big wad of bull crap! And to think I bought into it…"

"I heard him bad mouthing from the confines of my own room," Izzy added, as he twitched his eyebrows thoughtfully. "That's was prompted me into the rather dubious mood I'd been in up until a hour or two ago. In fact, I think you were with him weren't you Ken?"

Ken lowered his head shyly. "Yes, I was. I had no idea why he said the things he did, but almost none of it was true. Then later that night he turned on me, and got me to a point where I doubted the trust the rest of you had in me along with him. I guess all that was just his opinion though."

Tai's face tightened with realization. "Of course, you all saw the little stunts he's pulled with me… What's the little heathen up to?…"

"That's not the only thing," Ken continued. "Remember how we were all suspecting someone of starting those rumors floating around school about TK and Kari? Well, I found out who it was the other day. I can't tell you directly, but I'll give you three guesses who the culprit is."

Tai growled disgustedly, as he clenched his fists. "That does it! I think we have to have a little talk with Mr. Montoymia. That little bastard was blaming me for all the troubles we'd been having, when It was him that the cause for most of them all along!"

"But why would he do something like that?" Sora asked. "It just doesn't seem like him."

"I don't know… I really don't think he'd be just be doing to set me up so he can dethrone me, and take over the reins," Tai seethed. "Whatever it is, I'm going to find out! I see no better time than the present!"

Tai had stormed off to do just that when Matt jumped in front of him. "Hold up a second Tai!"

"I will not hold up! I'm going to put and end to this, before that little traitor does something else to sabotage the team! I'm going to get some answers out of him, even if I have to beat them out of him!"

"But this isn't the best time right now Tai! You guys look about ready to lynch him right about now, so why don't you wait a while and cool down first?"

Tai wasn't about to listen to reason, other then his own of course. "Oh no, we're not angry Matt! What the hell do you expect us to feel! You heard with your own ears what that little skunks been doing! Look what he's put your brother through for God's sake!"

"I know, and I'm pissed at him for all that too," Matt stated calmly. "But I also heard about that the other night, and I've had time to cool down since then. Give me two minutes to talk to him first and get him ready, and then you guys can follow and tell him what ever is on your mind. He may have a good reason for what he's doing. Can you at least to that for me before you guys impose mob rule on him?"

Tai stared Matt down for a second before groaning, and stomping his foot in submission. "Alright! But only two minutes then we come in after you! He better have a damn good reason for the crap he's pulled, or what's left of him is headed home in my backpack!"

Matt took Tai's threat seriously, and dashed over to where he knew Davis was hiding. Davis had a sinking feeling the others were going to find him out soon, and it looked like his paranoia was well served. He found Davis a few seconds later looking over a small cliff. Davis didn't even half to ask Matt what he was there for. "They don't have pitchforks and torches with them do they?"

"They didn't when I left, but they might pick some up on the way here. They are really pissed off right now Davis, and especially Tai."

"They have every right to be," Davis sighed. "After what I helped put them all through. I wouldn't blame them if they hoisted me up, and tossed me off this cliff. At least part of this nightmare is finally over, but a completely new one is just beginning. I'm never going to be able to rebuild the relationships I tore apart over the last week Matt. They took so long to build, and I ripped them to shreds in a few minutes. Particularly Tai and Ken. They're never going to look at me the same way again are they?"

"I don't know Davis, but I hope you know what you're planning to say. Maybe you should just tell them what's been going on," Matt urged him. "Tell them how you were forced into this when you didn't really want to go through with it. This wasn't an easy thing for you to do. If you explain it that way I'm sure they'll understand."

"No, I'm not going to do that Matt. I'm not going to do anything to jeopardize all my hard work." A small smiled crossed Davis's lips. "After all, everything did work out the way it was supposed to."

Matt looked confused. "What do you mean by that Davis?"

"They did it Matt… They really did it. Despite the hell they've gone through, they all pulled back together. They all pushed their demons back into the closet, and did it all while never knowing something much different was going on. I'm sure even TK and Kari are solving their problems as we speak. I can feel it…"

"So, what are you going to do then?"

"The only thing that's right to do." Davis turned around to face Matt. "I'm ready to face responsibility for my actions, and pray they forgive me."

"If that's what you really want then I commend you for it, but I hope you've rehearsed your speech long and hard because it better be a really good one." Matt stepped aside, and looked at the angry mob approaching behind him. Davis gulped as he watched Tai approach him with a murderous glint in his eye that could burn holes in his retinas if he wasn't careful.

"Montoymia! We have to talk, right now!"

"Stop right there Tai, I already know what this is about," Davis said, keeping his cool. "I figured you guys would find me out sooner or later, especially after you all started talking to each other again. I guess I have some explaining to do huh?"

"Your damn right you do!" Tai grabbed Davis by the collar of his shirt. "Who the hell do you think you…"

Matt smacked Tai's arm, forcing him to let go of Davis. "Take it easy Tai!"

"What the hell are you doing Matt?! Why do you keep defending him after what he did!"

"Because I know a few things that you don't yet! Just listen for a minute, and give him a chance to explain himself before you try to dismember him! It might feel good to do just that right now, but you'll regret later on."

Tai groaned in frustration. "Fine! Make it quick, and good Davis!"

Davis stared at all the faces peering in at him. Some of them looked angry while others seemed more confused and saddened, as if they were asking him why. Whatever the look, Davis just flat out wished they'd stop. "I'm sorry guys… I know this means diddly crap right now, but you guys have no idea how sorry I am. I know what I did was wrong, how could I not?! I just didn't have any other choice…"

"What do you mean you didn't have any other choice?!" Tai demanded.

"Let him finish Tai!" Matt snapped.

"I can't really explain why… I swore not too. Please believe me when I say it's something I absolutely had to do… Please don't think it was easy for me, because I hated every second of it! I really don't believe any of the nasty things I said to you guys, including you Tai, but I just…" Davis hung his head after running out of things to say. "Please try to believe me… And understand that I can't explain why."

Veemon bounced up to Davis, and looked up at his partner with sad eyes. "But why can't you tell us Davis?! Why would you do something like this?! I know this isn't like you! Why?! Why?!

"You better start explaining if you know what's good for you!" Tai threatened. "Some five cent apology isn't going to cut it! After all the lies you've been spewing over the past week, how do you even expect us to believe you now?! If you want us to even consider believing you, then you better start explaining why!"

Davis stared at Tai, and the seriousness etched into his face. Davis wanted nothing more then to tell him, but his hands and tongue were tied. Tai was ready to press the issue again when an unexpected source came to his rescue. "Tai I…"

"He was acting under direct orders from Genai himself. I can vouch for him on that."

"Wizardmon!" Gatomon cheered as the cloaked Digimon approached Tai and Davis.

"If you can't believe him, then by all means listen to me. Davis by no means performed these deeds on his own free will, and in fact was quite resistant to the idea in the beginning. However, his task was invaluable to preserve both this world and the Digital World."

"I think I got some of that," Agumon said. "But I think I'm going to need someone to translate the rest."

"We all get the general idea," Tai said sharply. "Now more importantly, what is this task of Davis's that's so important, and what the hell could him trying to make our lives miserable save the world?!"

"It's very simple Taichi. You children needed to be tested to see if you really were the chosen," Wizardmon stated. "You've been tested many times in mental and physical battles, but never so much on an emotional level and how well you could hold together as a team. As I can clearly see you all past with flying colors so far. Davis's job was to push the envelope and test your emotional and spiritual limits by playing off the doubts and fears that existed mainly in your own minds. You all overcame those obstacles, and most of you did this with the help of others proving the strength of the bonds of friendship you Digidestined share with each other. One in particular I might add did an exceptional job, though it took her a bit out of character."

Sora blushed as Wizardmon's eyes fell on her. "Um… Yeah…"

"What do you mean by to prove we're the chosen?" Yolie pondered. "We already know we're Digidestined! What do we have left to prove?!"

"Yes indeed you are Yolie, but regular Digidestined and the Chosen are two different things," Wizardmon answered her.

"How are they different?" Cody asked.

"That I can't tell you right now. Those are all answers you have to discover on your own. That's another part of your test, along with defeating Satamon and ridding the Digital World of this horrid mist. Now, there's only one more little objective that needs to be taken care of for the time being. Now that you know Davis's story, what are you going to do now? Are you going to believe him and accept his apology, or are you going to dropkick him off that cliff behind us? Remember, he is your friend and your team mate."

"Don't give them any ideas now Wizardmon," Davis sweat dropped.

"The dropkicking part is tempting…" Tai toggled with the thought briefly. "But when I get to thinking about it, I guess we do need the little dork don't we? I guess we can all bring ourselves to forgive him eventually if your story is true, but believing and trusting in him is a much different matter. I think I speak for all of us when I say your going to have to earn that back again Davis."

"That's all I'm asking for!" Davis sighed in relief, but looking at the other Digidestined worriedly. "What about the rest of you guys?…"

Sora was the first to speak up. "I had my doubts about this from the beginning. I had a hard time believing you would do any of those things, and I got to thinking if he did there must be a really good explanation for it. This one sounds pretty good to me. Davis has shown a lot more good to us then bad over time, so I think he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I'm with Tai on this one."

Izzy followed Sora's lead. "Eh… What the heck?! I guess I'll give him another shot. Besides, he's the only one of us with close to undisputable insight to this prophecy, and I'm going to need him working close to me if I have any hope of deciphering it. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm going to need Davis's head on this one."

"He looks sincere about it," Cody said to Joe as he looked Davis up and down.

"Yeah, but he also looked sincere when he was lying to our faces just a couple nights ago," Joe denounced sternly.

"Trust me when I say that was one of the toughest things I ever had to do guys! I don't take any pride or pleasure in what I had to do, and it took every ounce of resolve I had to keep my emotions neutral! I had to make it convincing, or things just wouldn't have worked out. Please try to understand that."

"Oh, we understand perfectly Davis." With a tug of his glasses, Joe's stern expression softened. "I know full well that we all have to make decisions that are difficult every once in a while. Sometimes they're even life altering such as your situation. I understand, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to be upset with you for a while. However, I will forgive you. We are a team, and we do need to stick together after all."

"Dido," Cody smiled confidently. "Besides, whether you really meant it or not, it won't phase us anymore. We're a part of this team whether you or anyone else likes it or not."

Davis smiled at the youngest Digidestined's strong words. In the meantime, Mimi crossed her arms and snorted stubbornly. "I still think we should throw him off the cliff! But… Since everyone else seems willing to forgive you… I guess I might as well too. Like Joe said, we are a team and that includes me whether you like it or not Davis!"

"Wouldn't have it any other way." Davis shifted his gaze to the two children who were yet to say anything. Yolie groaned somewhat submissively.

"But I haven't been mad at you long enough yet!… I guess it doesn't matter since I'm sure you'll just do something else to irritated me soon enough. I guess I shouldn't be complaining, but I am a little insulted that you left me out of your little mission. My life wasn't important enough for you to try to ruin or something?!"

"I don't think I'm going to touch that one," Davis laughed nervously.

The last obstacle standing in Davis's way to complete his salvation was a 5'5 146lb mountain named Ken Ichicjogie. Davis's best friend and someone he'd helped pull out of the clutches of darkness and find the good inside himself, only to counteract all of that with a few yaps of his jaw. Ken's friendship meant a lot more to Davis then he'd let on, and the thought it might really be over was something he didn't want to dare think about. Ken's silence wasn't helping matters all that much.

"Ken… Everyone else is at least willing to try and forgive me… What about you? I know you must hate me right now, but just to let you know I know your not evil and I've always trusted you with my life."

"You really hurt me Davis!" Ken said sharply and suddenly. "To say I was stabbed in the back just doesn't cut it… More like impaled with the jagged edge of a mountaintop! I bought into everything you ever told me about what it means to be a friend, and learning to trust other people! Then you turned right back around, and threw it on the ground and spit all over it like it meant nothing! I did feel dark and empty for the first time in a long time after that… I hate to say it, but I don't like what I see standing in front of me right now. I'm not sure I want to trust anybody right now let alone you!"

Davis expected almost those exact words Ken spoke, so he wasn't as affected by them as you might think. The only card Davis had left to play was one he left on the table the first day this mess all started. "I can understand your not all that fond of me right now Ken, but then again none of you are. I just want you to remember a promise you made to me not that long ago. I asked you and TK a question that sounded strange at the time, but I asked it to set up this moment I knew would come eventually. I asked you if someone was forced to do something they regretted and wound up hurting you in the process, would you forgive them? You said you would at least consider depending on the circumstances. Well, we're at that crossroad now Ken. I forgave you rather easily for all your days as the Digimon Emperor, so are you going to forgive me now for what I've done to you? It's all up to you."

Ken's face went blank with clarity. He remembered Davis asking that question all to clearly, and how confused he was when Davis asked it at the time. Now ken understood why. Davis had known what he was going to do all along, and he wanted a little reassurance that he'd still have his friends by his side once it was all said and done. Ken held his stern expression, as he walked right up to Davis and peered into his eyes. "Davis…"

"Ken…"

Before Davis could get a word out, Ken socked him right in the chin sending the spiky-haired boy crashing to the ground. Every one gasped as Davis's butt got a closer look at the dirt. Tai had the mind to jump in and intervene, but stopped when he noticed Ken wasn't making any motions to advance on him. Davis rubbed his face, and was startled when Ken held out his hand to help him back up. Ken smirked at him, as Davis accepted his friend's hand. "Let's just call it even, and pretend this nightmare never happened."

"Sounds good to me," Davis grinned, as Ken helped him up.

In a show of unity everyone gathered around Davis, and patted him on the back as if to say everything was okay. Tai remained curious about a few things as he thought them over in his head. "That still doesn't explain why you were so defensive of him Matt. Usually when an angry mob forms your right at the head it."

"I knew about what was going down a couple days ago," Matt admitted. "Very much like you just were, I stormed over to Davis's apartment with full intentions of pounding the life out of him when Genai stopped me. Since I stumbled across their little plan early, they decided to include me in it instead of risking me blowing the lid off of everything."

Tai's expression remained serious. "Still, if this is all true then I wonder why they chose Davis to go through this… Why not me, or you or somebody? Just about anyone else would have been more suited for the job."

"I don't know about that. He put on a very convincing show as far as I'm concerned!" Ken joked.

"We may never know the answer to that," Matt replied to Tai's question. "Davis was chosen for some reason he may never fully understand.

"No Matt… Actually, I think I'm starting to see why…" Davis's eyes seemed distant even as they stared into Tai's. "Tell me something Tai. What does it mean to you to be leader? I guess what I'm asking is, where does the responsibility lye in your eyes?"

Tai's eyebrow twitched with intrigue. It was a strange and sudden question indeed, but a rather good one in Tai's eyes especially coming from Davis. "Well, I think the most important part of leadership is protecting and being there for the people who follow you when they need you the most. Making tough decisions and sacrifices you may not want to make, but you do because it's your duty. The fate of the mission and the people around you can rely on the simplest decision you make, and that's really where the weight of the world lies. When you take a real good look at it, the most important part of being a good leader is making the choices others either don't want to or can't make…" Tai paused as he discovered the answer to his own question hidden within his own words. "What are you getting at Davis?"

"Listen to what your saying Tai. I'm the leader of the new Digidestined, and I carry those same responsibilities on my back whenever you're not around to take that load for me. Being forced to make everyone's life a living hell, has made this last week or so a living hell for myself to live in! Seeing tears in a friends eye that I've caused, or watching them walk by you looking like someone had just stabbed them in the back. Having to lay awake all night because my conscious continues to pound on me and refuses to let me have any peace. Being afraid to look a friend in the face, because I don't want to see the pain in them that I helped drill into their souls…"

Pain taking on the form of water rolled down Davis's cheeks like little water droplets rolling off a leaf on a tree. Despite the strong feelings of anger still residing inside the other Digidestined, they now suddenly felt their hearts going out to him. It was painfully obvious this was no act, and if it was it was one worthy of Shakespeare himself. "I kept repeating to myself that I had no choice, and what I was doing was all for the good of our world but I never believed it. It explained what I was doing, but it didn't excuse it. There's no good excuse that gives someone the right to torture people your supposed to care about like I did. I'm going to have to live with those scares for the rest of my life, while all of yours will probably heal a lot faster then mine. But it had to be done… I lost count of how many times I asked why it had to be me. I realize why it had to be me now… I couldn't have asked anyone else to do this. Not TK, not Ken, Not Kari, Not Yolie… I couldn't knowingly let someone else take this kind of burden on their shoulders. Most of you wouldn't have been able to handle it, while it could possibly have driven others insane! It almost became too much for me on several occasions… I wouldn't wish that kind of pain on my worst enemy. Now I see that's why it had to be me… I play the leaders role too Tai, and when a situation like this comes along I need to take the bull by the horns…"

Tai glared at Davis in an understanding fashion, a sudden new respect building inside for the young boy. Davis might find some good in this situation after all. It seemed to be maturing him a bit… Just like his mentor had started to do when he was around Davis's age. "You know… Maybe you would make a good leader yet Davis. But you're still going to have to wait, because I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon. Still… I don't fully understand why it had to be you. It would've made much more sense to choose me. At least that's the way I'd prefer it. Your still a little young to have to go through that sort of thing."

"No, that just wouldn't have worked Tai." Tai looked mildly insulted, but Davis began to explain his reasoning before Tai could defend his statement. "Don't look at me like that, just hear me out first. First of all, you don't really know the newer Digidestined all that well yet. You wouldn't have been able to hit them on the same emotional level that I could, since they know me so well. On the other hand, I've developed at least some type of relationship with all the original Digidestined in one way or another. More importantly, you need to think about this. When the time came to do something to hurt Kari or Sora, you wouldn't have been able to go through with it would you?"

Tai's face went wild with emotion. He dwelled on it for a second or two, before hanging his head in defeat. "Since you brought it up… No, I don't think I could have."

"Exactly my point. I believe that was the determining factor between you and me. While I had close relationships with everyone, I wasn't really close enough to any one person to let my true feelings keep me from doing what needed to be done. Ken and Kari were the toughest, but I managed… Is that what Genai meant Wizardmon?… Wizardmon?"

Everyone scanned their eyes across the hillside, but there was no sign of him. Matt rubbed the back of his head, then shrugged his shoulders. "He's gone. I didn't even see him slip out of sight."

"Didn't even bother to say goodbye," Gatomon whined.

After a brief moment or so of everyone taking in what had been happening, everyone slowly started into a conversation on what in the world they were going to do next now that executing Davis had been postponed for now at least. The conversation hadn't gotten very far off the ground when everyone was startled by two bright balls of light that had suddenly appeared in the middle of the group of kids and Digimon. The light dimmed revealing the images of TK and Kari behind them. Their faces lit up when they saw all their friends surrounding them, but the feeling waned when they noticed they were all staring at them rather strangely. A deep blush flooded both faces, as they realized they were still clinging on to each other rather tightly. None of the others knew it was merely a show of support while cowering in the shadow of an all-powerful Digimon, and to the naked eye it appeared as something much different then it actually was.

"Great," Tai giggled at what his eyes beheld. "Now I owe Matt ten bucks."

Both children quickly separated. "This wasn't what it looked like I swear!" TK said to Tai in particular, as he waved his arms around in front of him.

"It wasn't?" Matt asked with a grin and a raised eyebrow. "Because from the way I saw it you guys looked like you had your hands all over each other!"

"Don't tease them Matt, the important thing is they're back," Tai said, while thinking the exact same thing himself. "It's about time too. We were getting tired of waiting for you."

"Does this mean you guys are at peace again?" Yolie asked hopefully.

"Yeah, we're cool," TK sighed, relieved the situation didn't get as out of hand as it could have.

Kari quickly changed the subject, just as anxious to get everyone's attention off of them as TK was. "There are more important things we have to worry about right now. You'll never believe what we saw in the Dark Ocean…"

Kari fell silent, as both she and TK turned slightly pale. Needless to say this worried the rest of the group, especially Tai. "What's the matter guys? What did you see out there?"

TK gulped, almost chocking on the word. "Satamon…"

Davis's skinned crawled at the mere mention of the name he'd been hearing so much of over recent weeks. "No way! You guys actually saw him?! Are you guys completely sure it was really him?!"

"Oh yeah, he introduced himself and everything…" Kari grabbed on to TK's arm again just thinking about him. "You could just feel the evil pouring out of him… I wanted to break down and cry just looking at him…"

"As it turns out the Dark Ocean served as a prison, created by the Guardian to hold Satamon captive. I really don't understand everything he was saying, but he mention something about he Sphere of Light being destroyed, and that's allowed his evil power to escape into the Digital World."

"He said the Sphere of Light was the key that held him there, and that it was my fault it was destroyed," Kari said sadly. "Because it was directly linked to me somehow."

"How did you guys get away from him?" Cody asked curiously.

TK smiled at that recent memory. "Satamon also told us that people who follow the light aren't supposed to exist there. So naturally we realized we didn't belong there, and poof be known now here we were. It shouldn't be long though before that ugly bullheaded bastard shows his ugly face here…"

"We better make sure we're ready for him," Tai said with and uneasy breathe. "You guys take it easy for a minute or two, then we need to start preparing ourselves… Though I have no clue how exactly were going to do that just yet."

Both being extremely tired, TK and Kari weren't about to argue. They walked out towards the edge of the circle of people where their Digimon were waiting patiently for them, and they greeted them with open arms.

"You did it TK! You did it!" Patamon squealed with delight.

"I never doubted you guys for a second!"

"But Gatomon, you said…"

"Shut up Patamon!"

"Go on Davis. You need to tell them," Ken urged him as he motioned him towards the young couple while they reunited with their Digimon.

"I know… I'm just not sure what to say to them. I hurt them far worse then I did anyone else, and I didn't even attack them directly… I wouldn't forgive me if I were them…"

"But they're not you," Veemon reminded him, as he tugged on his pants leg excitedly. "You have to take a chance Davis! The others forgave you, so I'm sure they will too."

"I hope you guys are right…" With a sigh Davis reluctantly approached TK and Kari from behind.

His heart was heavy and his body was trembling. Davis never knew how powerful a lie could be until he created two of them revolving around the bearers of Hope and Light. Somehow he managed to sap the very soul out of a young man he knew only to be cheery and friendly towards most everyone, and succeeded in driving Kari all the way back to the Dark Ocean. If he'd known just how effective his methods were going to be, he wouldn't have wasted a second scraping them and coming up with something else. He prayed to God they'd forgive him for what he'd done, but he just couldn't see that happening. Not even with them.

"Hey TK… Kari… Can I talk to you guys for a minute?"

"Sure Davis, what's up." Gatomon jumped out of Kari's arms as she stood up. TK followed her lead, as Patamon flapped down towards Gatomon.

"I have something I really need to tell you guys. A while back ago Genai approached me, and saddled me with one heck of a task. He wanted me to test the resolve of the other Digidestined by effectively making their lives a living hell in one way or another. To make a long story short, that's all behind us now. They past their tests I guess, and they have all forgiven me for what I did though their still a little ticked off about it." Davis rambled on a little more, explaining to them in full detail about his situation.

TK and Kari looked at each other, not sure what to make of what Davis was telling them. Kari smiled softly and tried to reassure the boy. "That's good Davis… I don't think it sounds right for Genai or anyone to ask someone to do that, but as long as everything worked out okay in the end…"

TK nodded his head in agreement. "Besides, as far as I know you really didn't do anything to us."

Davis hung his head in shame. "That's not true guys… I did do something to you two, and I swear I'm going to curse myself for it the rest of my life."

"What's the matter Davis?" Kari asked growing concerned at the tears welling in Davis's eyes, as was TK. What did you do to us?"

"I… I spread those rumors around school about you!" Davis started slowly and finished quickly. "I swear I didn't mean anything by them! They weren't even my idea!"

TK and Kari's mouths hung open in disbelief. For Kari, sympathy was replaced by shock and confusion, while a mild rage added to TK's mood. "You did what?!… Why?! What do you mean it wasn't your idea?!"

"It's wasn't fully my idea anyway," Davis replied. "I came up with what to say, but it was Genai's idea to go at you guys in that manner. Not that I disagreed with him, I thought working over your friendship would've been the best way to go at you guys anyway. However, he was very insistent on going after you two that way. He seemed particularly interested in testing you guys, though I'm not completely sure why. Still, that doesn't excuse what I've done... I won't blame you guys if you don't forgive me, because I may never forgive myself for any of this. I've already been slugged once today, so if you'd let me live in peace I'll leave you guys alone if that's what you want. I just felt that you guys deserved to know what was going on…"

TK and Kari looked at each other again. TK shook his head and forced a smile, as he placed a hand on Davis's shoulder. "Look… To say I'm pissed off at what you just told me would be an understatement… In fact I'm toggling hard with the option of ripping your head off as we speak… But… I understand that you were forced into doing what you had to do… And I just wouldn't be me if I didn't look past this, and forgive you for now…" Davis grunted as TK clenched his hand a little tighter into his shoulder. "Just to be on the safe side however, you might want to check behind you everyone once in a while for the next day or two."

Davis smiled nervously. "Gotcha…"

Kari didn't appear near as forgiving as TK had, and he had the look of someone ready to kill. "I should never speak to you again for what you put me through! If your goal truly was to put me through hell, then pat yourself on the back because you did a damn good job of it! Still… I don't envy the position you were put in… I have to at least commend you for going through with it, I know it couldn't have been easy. I can try to forgive and forget at least."

A sigh of pure relief passed Davis's lips. Sure their words were harsh and their expressions were by no means kind. Still, Davis considered himself lucky for if it were anyone less standing before him, the result most likely would've much different. "Thank you guys… I know you guys are going to be angry with me for a while, but I promise I'll find a way to make this up to you. That goes for everybody else too. I don't know yet, but I'll find a way."

"Oh, don't worry about that Davis," Tai jeered, as he draped his arm across Davis's shoulders. He had inadvertently overheard… Okay, he was ease dropping along with just about everyone else. "Once this is all said and done, we're going to get back at you. We don't know when, or how were going to do it but we will. In other words we're not going to stay mad, we're going to get even. Keep that in mind."

"Okay…" Davis squeaked nervously.

Davis simply stood his ground and sweat dropped as the others gave their suggestions and insights on what they should do with Davis, some of them sounding rather embarrassing or painful. Izzy for one did not join in the fun, as he had a much more pressing issue clicking buttons in that head of his.

"Wait a second…When Hope and Light finally escape the darkness…" Izzy recited the first half of the final line of the prophecy. He took a long look over at the two youngest of the original Digidestined. "When TK and Kari escaped from the Dark Ocean?…Prodigious! I think I have it!"

"Got what Izzy?" Tai asked, as everyone diverted their attention to the redheaded genius.

"The prophecy! I think I finally interpreted…" Izzy didn't bother discussing any more details, and started piecing together the puzzle piece by piece. "The Guardian of Light defeated and imprisoned the forces of darkness, AKA Satamon and his band of merry whatever they are! If what TK and Kari just told us is true, then that means the Dark Ocean dimension is the prison the Guardian banished Satamon to!"

TK's eyes went wide. "Hey yeah! I didn't even think about that…"

"That's not all your little encounter with Satamon taught me," Izzy continued. "He said the Sphere of Light was the seal that held him inside the dark Ocean? Well, the Sphere must be representing the light the prophecy kept mentioning! That would explain the line that stated if the light faded, then darkness would be unleashed back into the world… So in other words, when the Sphere of Light was destroyed, that gave way for this mess to spread its evil hand across the Digital World." Izzy pointed at the clouds above his head, and the fog drifting around the area around them.

"A world covered in darkness…" Joe awed, understanding what Izzy was getting at.

"The same light we were supposed to protect," Matt grumbled like someone who'd failed at the most inopportune time in his life.

"It's my fault," Kari whispered sadly. "Satamon told me the Sphere of Light was directly linked to me somehow… I guess it's supposed to have something to do with this special power inside me that I've been hearing about so much. Anyhow, I did something to destroy it, so if this is anybody's fault it's mine."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Tai told her. "How can you possibly be responsible for something like that?"

"I let my light fade… At least for a short time. That's how I got sucked into the Dark Ocean again. I let my light fade, and darkness sucked me in again. That was until TK helped me find it again."

"The light shines strong now, however it has never been tested. Its foundation could be cracked easily if the right opportunity presents itself…" Davis whispered to himself, as most of the others conversed. Davis eyed TK and Kari closely. "They got Kari's light to fade, thus destroying the Sphere of Light, but attacking Kari's relationship with TK? Is that what Genai meant by testing them? What the hell is it about those two anyway?…"

"But what about those nine entities that were supposed to be used to protect both worlds?" Mimi asked Izzy.

"That one's simple. I think we've all had an idea about this one, it just seemed to obvious to be correct, but now I can't see any other explanation that fits." Izzy pounded on his chest. "You can't tell me you guys forgot about your crests already? Think about it. Knowledge, Courage, Love, Reliability, Hope, Light, Sincerity, Kindness, and Friendship. Add them all together they equal nine. I can only assume we all hold some small part of the old Guardians power somewhere in our hearts. I'm just not sure who has what part yet."


"But what about those of us who represent two crests?" Yolie inquired.

"Not to mention the line that said we have to understand the true purpose of our existence to slay the darkness once and for all," Ken added.

"I'm not sure," Izzy answered honestly. "I guess those questions will have to be answered later…"

"I do have one more question," Tai began. "The prophecy also quoted that Friendship and Courage are the guiding force to keeping that light alive. I'm assuming that means Matt and I. Does that mean that we're responsible for the Sphere of Light being destroyed somehow?"

A confident grin crossed Izzy's lips. "Could be, but I don't think that's the case. However, I find myself leaning towards the theory that this prophecy heavily involves them." Izzy looked over at TK and Kari. "It seems to center around Kari in at least a secondary manner, and TK is really her counterpart in a lot of ways. You guys are their brothers so it would make since to assume that you have something to do with it… The last line of the prophecy intrigues me the most. It states that 'When Hope and Light finally escape the darkness, and are brought together the light of hope will appear to vanquish the forces of darkness once and for all'. I have a hunch that refers to TK and Kari escaping the Dark Ocean like I said before. However, there's obviously some part of that theory that needs to be resolved, since nothing really out of the ordinary has happened since their return."

"Well, I guess that means your theory is wrong then," TK assumed. "As you can see there's still plenty of darkness floating around here to go around!"

"He's right, if it were true something would've happened already," Kari backed him up. "We're friends again so…"

Davis screamed in frustration, as he ripped his goggles off his head. "You guys cannot be that dense! Are you trying to say you can't read between the lines here, or are you still just in denial! Everyone but Joe's grandma knows what's going on, so get over it already!"

"Do you have to bring my Grandma into everything Davis?" Joe complained.

TK and Kari looked at Davis like they thought he was on crack. "Davis, what are you talking?" they both asked.

"I'm talking about this!" Davis grabbed them both by the wrists, and placed their hands together. TK and Kari looked at each other and froze, as their faces alternated between every different shade of red known to man. Davis smirked, noticing they weren't bothering to let go as they stared at one another. "Now you get the picture?"

----------

"They've finally done it," Genai sighed contently. "Even young Davis. He risked sacrificing his morals, his friends, and even his very identity all for the hope that the people around him could sleep better at night after this is all said and done. He showed the mark of a true hero and leader, therefore passing his own test that he was unwittingly taking. He finally learned the world doesn't revolve around him, and to look out of the people around him. It took him a while to mold himself into it, but he finally grew up. Almost in the exact same way Taichi before him did…"

"What about his friends?" Wizardmon asked, as he walked along beside Genai. "Will Davis be able to get his life back on track after this?"

"I'm certain he will Wizardmon. Like you said, they are his friends after all. They're angry right now, but they'll get over it with a good night or two of sleep. They'll learn to understand that he had to do this."

"I hope so… Do you think they truly are the Chosen Genai?"

"Not a doubt in my mind," Genai laughed. "Now all that's left for them to do is discover that on their own, and unlock the little secrets hidden deep inside themselves… I always hoped it would never come to that, but with the future looking so bleak I see no other proper course of action. Their lives are going to change drastically because of it, but if I know them as well as I think I do, I don't think most of them would have it any other way… As for you my friend, I guess this means you held up your end of the bargain.

Congratulations, you're amongst the officially living again permanently. I hope you appreciate what we've done for you though. What we did was a no-no according to the digital laws of nature. We do appreciate all your help however."

"It is greatly appreciated Sir Genai." Wizardmon bowed politely. "Who could turn down a second chance at life, or a chance to save existence as we know it for that matter. I'm afraid I'll have to disagree with you on one matter however. My job here isn't done yet. I'm going to see this through to the very end."

"I was hoping you'd say that. It's reminding me of a lot of the reasons I came to you in the first place… And that bean burrito I ate for lunch that's given me indigestion."

The pair walked and chatted along the rocky mountainside until they came upon the still figure of Alzulamon. He was staring into the time mirror once again, like he'd found himself doing many times in recent days.

"Hey Alzulamon! Good news! The Digidestined are three-fourths of the way home! Just a few more…" Genai stopped in mid-sentence as he noticed the legendary Digimon continued to gaze at the mirror blankly. "Is something wrong Alzulamon? You look a little bluer than usual this morning."

Alzulamon inched his head around slowly to face Genai. "No I'm fine Genai. I do have something on my mind however. No offense Wizardmon, but could you excuse us for a moment?"

"None taken. I'll be on my way then." Wizardmon walked off leaving the mentor Digimon behind.

"So what seems to be the trouble Alzulamon? Did something you saw in the time mirror bother you? The Rock didn't lose the title again did he?"

"No, nothing like that. Things are still a little warped though. Cody rises to political power in Belgium, and eventually begins World War III, essentially becoming the third Anti-Christ. That and Matt's still an astronaut along with some other things."

"Your making these up now as you go along aren't you?" Genai asked.

"Yeah sort of." The serpent digimon giggled softly. "You know actually… I'm in a rather good mood this morning despite my demeanor."

"Why is that?"

Alzulamon pointed behind him with his head. "Look back there."

Genai turned around, and looked up at the shrine where the Spheres of Hope and Light use to shine brilliantly. What he saw was two little globes of shinning light. They weren't the massive and incredibly bright spheres they use to be, but they were there none the less. "The spheres have regenerated themselves already, and they've grown that much this quickly?!"

"What can I say, those kids work fast," Alzulamon chuckled proudly. "They can sure make an old Digimon proud… I figured it wouldn't take them that long though."

"But this is a joyous occasion Alzulamon! Why do you seem so down then?…"

Alzulamon lowered his head in thought. "Genai… There's something I neglected to tell you. As you know, my duty as a Guardian Digimon was to protect the Spheres of Hope and Light at all costs, and watch out for the children they represent. When I allowed the sphere's to be destroyed I neglected my duty, and the penalty for that is very severe as you can probably understand under such important circumstances."

Alzulamon bent down, and whispered something into Genai's ear. The old man's eyes widened (about as much as they could) as he heard the shocking news. "Oh Alzulamon… Why didn't you tell me? We could've found another way if that was the case."

"No, there was no other way Genai. I made my choice, and I will accept the consequences when the time comes. Until then, let's get prepared for a big battle is about to rage down below us in case you've forgotten. I just hope my sacrifice will not go for nothing…"

********

"God help us all," Joe gasped, as he and the rest of the Digidestined gawked at the horrific scene in the distant sky. The horizon looked much like a dark Okalahoma sky just moments before the mother of all twisters comes roaring through. The only problem was this was no tornado, and it was much more sinister and destructive then any F-5 ever known to ravish the American Midwest.

"He's coming…" Kari cringed, as she grabbed TK's arm. Though not as noticeable, he was shaking just as badly as she was. Finding no words that would possibly be deemed appropriate, he simply placed his arm around her back in a useless attempt to comfort her. The others just hadn't felt Satamon's tremendous power up close like they had.

"What are they doing up there?" Matt asked, referring to the small army of Digimon that had gathered just above the group's heads. The Digimon recognized them as the same types of Digimon they'd been fighting over the past day or two. "All they've done for the past half hour is stand there, and stare at those storm clouds rolling in! Are they going to attack or what?!"

Gabumon sweat dropped. "Don't encourage them Matt. They out number us four to one if you haven't noticed, and they did a pretty good number on us when the sides were even!"

"The question is should we wait, or take them out now while they're distracted?" Tai pondered, with his eyes transfixed on the black streak rapidly approaching them.

Izzy was quick to analyze the situation. "If we do we need to be quick and hit as many of them as we can before the others have time to react. It is true they outnumber us by a wide margin, but we certainly don't want to give them a chance to join up with Satamon."

"But we handled them pretty well as rookies," Tentomon informed them. "If we Digivolve we should be able to take them easily!"

"True, but if we have everyone Digivolve we might raise their suspicions," Izzy sighed. "This situation is most definitely a head scratcher. Anything we try we're at a disadvantage."

"We need to try something though." Tai's face burned with determination. "I just wish we knew what they were waiting for."

In the meantime, one Digimon in the circle grew tired of waiting. The cloaked creature vented his frustration as he gripped his scythe tightly. "What am I waiting here for?! This is ridiculous, I have more important matters to take care of."

The Rageramon commander called out to the cloaked Digimon frantically, as he floated towards the ground, making sure not to break his position in the formation. "Daemon, what are you doing?! We're supposed to hold position here until Lord Satamon arrives!"

"Bah, he's not my master! You fools can wait around here all you'd like, but I'm going to settle an old score…"

"Ankylomon!…"

"Angemon!…"

"DNA Digivolve to!… Shakkoumon…"

Tai sweat dropped at the large teakettle looking thing spinning around above his head. "I'm sorry guys, but I still say that's the stupidest looking Digimon I've ever seen…"

"Goofy looking maybe, but he gets the job done," Cody smirked.

Tai along with the rest of the Digimon squad looked proudly at the team of fully digivolved Digimon lined up in front of them, either in DNA, Mega, or Ultimate form. "Well guys… I wish I had some kind of Lombardy like speech to give to pump you guys up, but I'm afraid there are no words that can prepare any of us for what we're about to face. You guys know the situation, and you know what's at stake. Just like always, the only thing standing in the way of the total destruction of the world is us. We've been through this a hundred times before and we have pulled through every time, so I see no reason why we can't now."

"Damn right!" Paildramon punched his hands together. "That's good enough for me! We all look ready to go! Let's tare this Satamon character a few new holes!"

Yolie stared at the circle of Digimon, which were almost motionless in the sky. "They still haven't moved an inch, besides their wings. I guess the little Digivolving display didn't catch their attention."

"Oh yeah?" Ken pointed at a distant figure fast approaching them. "Don't look now, but we at least attracted one of them."

"What the?!…" War Greymon's keen eyes, clearly recognized the figure. "Holy shi… It's Daemon!"

A collective gasp from everyone present echoed in the air. "The same Daemon that practically single handedly wiped us out last year?!" Yolie whimpered, already knowing the answer was yes.

TK clenched his fist. "That's right! The only way we could stop Daemon was to banish him to the Dark Ocean… When the seal broke allowing Satamon to escape, of course the door was left wide open for Daemon to walk out of too!"

"Well, I'm not going to stand here and wait for him to come to me!" War Greymon growled, as he readied his claws. "Let's show this lowlife he can't get the best of us!"

"Right!" Metal Garurumon howled, as he and the rest of the Digimon capable of flight took off after the Mega's.

"How courteous, a welcoming committee just for me!" Daemon cackled as he prepared for battle. "So if it isn't War Greymon, and his band of digital candy assess. Don't tell me you all are still smarting from the last time I knocked you around!"

"Don't sound so cocky! You won't have nearly as easy of a time as you did with us during our last fight! Tri-Missile!" War Greymon's chest plate opened up, and three large giga-missiles came rocketing out.

Daemon swung his scythe around like a helicopter blade, easily exploding the fast approaching projectiles safely in front of him. "I see you have some new tricks up your sleeves. Well, I have a new move or two of my own! Death Sickle!"

"What the?…" War Greymon couldn't see the attack coming, but he definitely felt it. Hell, it felt as if it ripped through his stomach, tore through his insides, and blew out a hole in his back. However it hadn't, but whatever had hit him left a lasting impact. It was all the powerful Mega could do but keep himself from plummeting out of the sky.

"Wolf Claw!"

Daemon vanished just before Metal Garurumon's attack could make impact. Daemon appeared directly above the four-legged Mega cackling like a madman. "Dark Cannon!"

A large black ball of energy appeared in the hand Daemon had risen above his head, but it didn't stay there very long. He swung his arm down violently sending the powerful blast into the center of his targets back. With a howl of pure agony, Metal Garurumon was driven downward right into an already wounded War Greymon. The Mega's dropped from the sky like ducks that had been shot over a pond, and crashed onto the rocky hills below them.

Daemon shook his head and sighed. "And they were supposed to be the Mega's."

"Desperado Blaster!"

Daemon grimaced in irritation as the series of little bursts of energy splattered against his body. Not much damage done, but enough to slightly annoy the powerful Digimon. "Hmm… A backbiter huh? Two can play at that game!"

Paildramon had no idea how serious Daemon was. Daemon disappeared and quickly reappeared behind Paildramon. Before he had time to react, Daemon hit him right in between the shoulder blades with his devastating Death Sickle attack. Paildramon froze in shock as the insides of his very body felt as if they turning themselves inside out. The DNA Digimon fell from the sky, and landed not very far away from his Mega teammates as they struggled to their feet.

Daemon heard another Digimon shout out something, but he couldn't make out whose voice it was. He simply sidestepped the attack, and whirled around while firing another of his Dark Cannon attacks. All he saw was a brief glimpse of a Garudomon screaming, as she was knocked out of the sky by the surprising power of the little ball of energy. Then Daemon's eyes picked up two more Digimon flying into range, trying to get the jump on him by flying above him. One of them a large insect Digimon, and one resembling a large fairy of some sort. "Ho, ho. I have something special in store for the two of you!"

Daemon hurled himself upward, spinning his body around until he resembled a small tornado. "Pestilence!" he called as he split the uprights, and stopped just above them while cackling like a madman. Feeling no ill affects from what ever it was Daemon had done to them, Mega Kabuterimon and Lillymon exchanged a confused glance.

"What the heck was that all about?" Lillymon asked as she stared up at Daemon.

"I don't know but…" Mega Kabuterimon wobbled a bit and groaned. "I don't feel so good all of the sudden…"

Both Digimon flushed green, Lillymon more so then usual, and struggled to keep their equilibriums in line. Within a few seconds they both fell too ill and sapped of strength to even hold their bodies in the air. They hovered towards the ground rather sharply and landed in the dirt with a thud, collapsing to the ground from the sudden and frightening sensation of exhaustion.

From far below the mid-air reenactment of Little Big Horn, Tai gritted his teeth anxiously. "Damn this isn't looking good... He's walking all over us!"

"No kidding…" Matt gulped, as he watched the two Mega Digimon still struggling to pick themselves only to fall short just when it looked like they were about to succeed. "This is ridiculous, he's even more powerful then before! One hit and everybody's down for the count…"

"This just can't happen… Not so quickly!" Tai cupped his mouth, and shouted as loud as his lungs would allow him. "Guys please get up! He's not even the real threat, you can't let him get the best of you like this! Please don't give up!"

Well aware of the urgency of the situation War Greymon tried his best to honor his friend's request, but his body just wouldn't cooperate. "I'm trying my best Tai, believe me I am. I'd never give up at a time like this, but… Damn, what did he do to me?!"

"This isn't good," Yolie deduced after surveying the battle scene. "Only Silphymon and Shakkoumon are left standing right now, and with the way Daemon cut through the others…"

"Oh, please be careful guys," Kari whimpered, as she clutched on to TK's arm a little tighter.

TK hated seeing Kari like this, feeling just how frightened and doubtful she really was just by the way she squeezed his arm. What he hated even more then that was knowing he could do nothing to really comfort her for he was just as afraid as she was. Daemon was an incredibly strong adversary, and he didn't make TK shake half as badly as Satamon did. The only comfort he could offer her was a slight caress of her hand, and some weak words that meant almost nothing to either one of them. "Don't worry too much Kari. They can take care of themselves… I hope…"

"Well don't look now because they're not fairing so well at the moment!" Cody yelped quickly, as they watched the two remaining Digimon get whacked suddenly and violently.

"I shouldn't have let my guard down," Silphymon echoed, as she struggled to keep her body steady. Shakkoumon was right beside her spinning around like a top, and then danced around like a drunken barfly until he finally managed to stop himself.

"This is pathetic," Daemon sneered. "I don't even think your trying. It annoys me to think what I might've accomplished if you brats hadn't banished me to that miserable dark realm… No matter. I don't have to worry about that anymore, and I believe it's about time I end this little game. I have more important matters to tend to." Daemon reared back, and summoned up every ounce of energy in his body. In a flash of black and green, Daemon lunged forward and fired two massive globes of energy at his two remaining targets.

Neither Silphymon nor Shakkoumon could've moved if they wanted too. Before they had time to blink they were both blasted by the dual attacks, and literally turned inside out. Once the smoke cleared, it wasn't two but four much smaller bodies raining down from the sky. They splattered against the unforgiving ground luckily landing rather close to where their Digidestined partners were observing the battle. The children ran out to their friends who had all been knocked down at least one level.

"Armadillomon!" Cody dropped to his knees beside his fallen friend who had landed upright on his back. "Are you okay?"

"To tell you the truth I've felt better…"

"Well at least your still breathing," Cody joked trying his best to raise his partners obviously broken spirit. "Hopefully landing on your shell absorbed most of the impact. Nothing feels particularly painful or out of place does it?"

"No, not that stands out… Who said that?"

"Let me go Kari!" Gatomon squealed, as she tried to wiggle out of Kari's arms. "I swear to you I'm fine! I'll show that sorry digital freak whose boss, just let me at him and I'll claw his eyes out!"

"You'll do no such thing Gatomon! There's not a single inch on your body that isn't black and blue! I'm sorry but your going to have to sit the rest of this one out, at least long enough to get some of you strength back."

"But Kari, he's whacking us around out there! We're going to need everyone we can get to fight him!"

"You can't your too injured! Allow me to demonstrate." Kari took her finger and poked at several different spots around Gatomon's body.

"Ouch! Oh, stop! Ouch! Ah! Okay, you win! Maybe I'm more hurt then I thought, so please just stop!"

"Hawkmon, please say something to me! Are you alright?"

"No, I'm not alright! What kind of ridiculous question is that?! I just got shot out of the sky in case you didn't notice! My entire body aches, I've got a migraine that's making my head spin, and I just want to crawl back into bed and forget this entire day ever happened…"

Yolie smiled, not really minding Hawkmon's grouchy attitude. "Well, don't get too keen on that idea because we're probably going to need you again before this is all said and done. For the time being I better get you some place safe so you can regroup and regain your strength."

"Can't I just pass out, and have you wake me after it's over?"

TK stroked the back of Patamon's head trying his best to comfort his fallen ally. He noticed Patamon took a rather nasty blow to the head after he hit the ground. "Are you okay little buddy? That's a nasty bump on your head right there. Do you remember who you are? Do you remember where you're at?"

With a far off look glazed into his eyes, Patamon glared at TK confidently. "Of course I know! We're down by six on the twenty-yard line with a minute and half to go! Give me the ball coach, I'm ready!"

"Sorry kid, but your going back on the bench. I think you've been knocked around enough for one day."

With the Digidestined caught up in the battle with Daemon, they failed to notice what was going on with the group of Digimon gathered above them. Waspmon's eyes widened in astonishment, as a dark shadow descended over him. "Lord Satamon…"

"Ah, greetings my children. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long… Wait a second… Where's Daemon?"

One of the Rageramon wasted no time squealing. "He disobeyed orders, and went to face off against the Digidestined sir!"

"Did he now?" Satamon snickered, amused by the foolish act of disobedience. "No matter. I wasn't directly responsible for his creation anyway. Though I would expect him to be a little more appreciative that I'm the reason for his very existence. I'll show him the consequences for his actions I assure you. Now my children it has come time for the great purification of his world. Your very purpose for existing lies at this moment and time! Join me, and add to my power so the Digital World can tremble at my feet once more."

"Yes Master," all his followers chimed at once. Soon a large whirlwind of energy appeared around the group, and slowly began sucking them in. Not a single one of them showed any fear, and even seemed proud as their bodies dissolved and merged in with the circulating band of energy. As soon as the last Digimon dissolved, Satamon moved the bony hinges of his jaw to open his mouth and inhaled the band of energy down his throat. Satamon groaned with contentment, as he felt the added power of his followers merge into his being.

"Yes… It is time to claim my destiny."

"Paildramon! Get up! Don't let that creep get the best of you!" Davis called out, but he had a feeling it wasn't going to do any good.

"This isn't looking good," Ken growled. His and Davis's head jerked up as an ear splitting explosion thundered in the sky above them. A veil of darkness blanketed the sky quickly, as a large ominous figure slowly approach seemingly more part of the darkness rather than underneath it.

"What the hell?" Tai reiterated what just about everyone was thinking at the moment.

"Satamon…" Daemon whispered, and actually showed a tiny but noticeable ounce of fear. He knew all to well what he was in for as the image of Satamon slowly approached him.

War Greymon quivered as a sudden wave of dark energy washed across the immediate area. "That's Satamon?…"

"We're screwed," Paildramon stammered.

"Don't talk like that! We're not licked yet!"

"I'm trying to be optimistic, but look around us War Greymon," Paildramon suggested, pointing out Mega Kabuterimon and Lillymon. "Those two are really sick from whatever the heck Daemon did to them, and Silphymon and Shakkoumon just got knocked clear into next week! We couldn't even touch Daemon eight on one, so with only four of us left standing what are we supposed to do against two of them?!"

"I don't know," War Greymon sighed, as he thought things through. "We'll think of something. Right now let's just bide as much time as we possibly can."

"Satamon," Daemon cackled as he glared at the almighty Digimon defiantly. "Your late."

"I come and go whenever I please. However, the same cannot be said for you. What do you think your doing? You were supposed to wait in chorus with the others."

"I don't take orders from you! If you must know I was extracting some revenge on these miserable Digidestined children and their Digimon. In case you haven't noticed I'm not one of your mindless drones you created for your own self-indulgence. I'll do what I bloody please. I played along with your little power trip, but only long enough to escape from that Dark Ocean wasteland! Really now, all that tripe about reclaiming the Digital World for you own. It's laughable. This is going to be my world now Satamon, and the only way you're going to get to it is through me!"

Satamon snickered at Daemon's little game of defiance. "Oh really now Daemon? You really wish to challenge me? The source of all evil that's ever graced the Digital World? You must be joking? Come now Daemon, I'm practically your father for goodness sake."

"Ack, do you really expect me to believe any of that bull! You may think you're all powerful, but I'll show you!" Daemon summoned up every once of energy in his body, just like he did when he attacked Shakkoumon and Silphymon but twice as powerful this time. "DARK CANNON!"

Satamon stood his ground, and let Daemon's attack hit him dead in the chest. It had about the same effect as a gnat smacking against a car windshield. Satamon cackled evilly, while Daemon merely froze in shock. "Funny. That didn't hurt nearly as much as you made it sound like it would. Why don't you tell me how this feels?" Satamon held his Cannon Arm out in front of him. "Demon Rocket!"

"No…," was Daemon's last word before the hot blur of red fire crashed into his body. Once all the smoke cleared Daemon was nothing but digital dust.

"Ah… Stupid children."

The reactions of the children below would be easy to guess. A lot of hanging jaws, knocking knees, and ghost white skin pigments. Tai in particular was shaken up, as he stared at Satamon in disbelief. He stuttered slightly as his body shook like a streaker roaming around the Yukon. "There's no way… Daemon just got done mopping the floor with us like we were nothing… Then Satamon comes along and blows him to bits just like that?!… What are we going to do?!…"

"I think I just wet my pants," Joe shivered.

Matt was quick to concur. "I think we all did…"

"You see, I told you we were screwed," Paildramon reiterated.

War Greymon grunted in determination, mixed in with the first real trace of fear he'd ever felt in that form. "I don't care how strong he is! I'm taking this mother down, or he's going to have to blow me to pieces trying!"

It probably wasn't the wisest decision they could've made, but that didn't stop War Greymon from taking to the air along with the other three remaining able Digimon to engage the unholy nightmare floating in the air. Satamon look downward with indifference. "Oh goody. Daemon didn't break all of them before I could get here."

Satamon watched the four images approach without bothering to move a muscle. Insulted by the blatant lack of respect, War Greymon let his temper get the best of him. "Source of all evil in the Digital World huh? Well, I'm not impressed! Let's see just how all powerful you really are!"

War Greymon swung wildly at Satamon at least a dozen, maybe more times without landing a single blow. Oddly enough, Satamon dodged them so quickly he barely even seemed to move as he did so. After one last arrant right hook, Satamon grew tired of toying with the hotheaded Mega. With War Greymon's body still in an awkward position after missing with another straight chop, Satamon drove his knee into his enemy's gut with such force it might've caused any lesser Digimon to cough up most of their internal organs. Satamon finished the job with a hard elbow planted right in between his shoulder blades. War Greymon nose-dived downward until he crashed into the side of a small mountain sticking out of the digital jungle floor. The tiny mountain range was just one of the many mysterious originating from the bizarre Digital World landscape.

"Was that it?" Satamon snipped disappointedly. His other three adversaries had a much better approach however, or so they thought. All three launched their attacks at their target simultaneously, but Satamon rather easily dodged all three of them. What happened next could be described nothing less then a complete massacre. Satamon released an earth-shaking burst of power that knocked all of his opponents off balance. That one little second of disarray was all Satamon needed, and he took full advantage of it. Satamon thrust himself into the middle of the triad, and planted his massive hoofed foot right underneath Garudamon's chin sending her flying back towards the children. Zudomon, who had felt rather useless stuck on the ground to that point, positioned himself under her for a fair catch.

"Don't worry I gotcha, I gotcha! Whoa!…" Garudamon came in so hard, she almost took out Zudomon with her as she landed. Zudomon rolled on the ground with her quite a ways, scattering Mimi, Joe, and Izzy as they went, before finally coming to stop. "Ah man… Maybe you're the one who got me…"

Less then a second after playing some chin music on Garudamon, Satamon was somehow already overtop Metal Garurumon. Satamon came down on him like a spear, driving his entire foot hard into the stunned Mega's back. Metal Garurumon fell howling to the ground, and crashed at the base of the same mountain War Greymon had been knocked into. Paildramon at least was granted a second to blink before Satamon was on top of him. Satamon curled his powerful hand around Paildramon's neck, and dangled him at arm's length preventing the flow of air from reaching his brain and lungs.

"Do you know how easy it would be for me to squeeze your puny neck until your eyes pop out of your skull?" Satamon taunted him, as he tried in vain to squirm free. "But that would be a waste of my energy. Why don't you take a seat along with the rest of those pitiful excuses for Digimon?" Satamon hurled Paildramon towards the ground. He smacked right into Metal Garurumon further injuring both of the already wounded Digimon.

Satamon slowly descended downward towards War Greymon, who was just then finding the strength to pull his face out of the jagged rocks. Satamon crept up close behind War Greymon and whispered maliciously into his ear. "So War Greymon… Is that all powerful enough for you?!"

As if to further his stand, in case War Greymon still had any doubt, Satamon called up a small ball of energy in his one hand and fired it right into War Greymon's back. The blast exploded through War Greymon's armor, and the once mighty Digimon fell backward slowly until he crumpled to the ground where he laid limp and motionless.

"War Greymon!" Tai bellowed in horror, as he watched his friend fall in battle for what just might be the last time. "No, this isn't happening! How can he be so powerful?!"

"He said he was the source of all evil," Matt stuttered, obviously shaken. "It all has to start somewhere… There may not be a way we can beat him Tai…"

"I won't accept that!"

"This grows tiresome…" Satamon sighed, as he admired his handy work. The broken bodies of three of the supposed strongest Digimon ever to grace the Digital World. That's when Satamon's eyes wandered to another prize. Something else he'd been interested in for quite some time now. The little girl that was watching the slaughter from just a few hundred feet away. "The princess of light?… Why not? This didn't take me near as long as I expected."

"Where's he going?!" Tai longed to know as Satamon took flight, and headed in their direction.

"He's not coming over here is he?!" Mimi freaked.

"Don't know," Matt muttered quietly. "Were good as dead if he is though…"

Much to their surprise, Satamon didn't stay on the course they expected him too. He veered off to the left slightly straying away from Tai and his group of Digidestined. While this confused most, one of the children knew all to well where he was headed.

"He's coming after me!" Kari screeched, as she jerked down on TK's arm desperately. "He still wants to take me! What am I going to do?!"

Oh, how TK wished he had an answer for her. For once he couldn't bear to look at Kari, shaking like a leaf and so obviously filled with fear it made TK's body freeze in place. He'd love nothing more then to take her in his arms and protect her from anything in the world that might try to hurt her. Common sense informed him that was impossible however. The only reason TK's own fears hadn't taken complete control over him was for they were so heavily outweighed by hatred. Hatred for this son of a bitch that brutalized his friends, and was scaring the life out of someone he cared for as much as anything God ever put on Earth. Like any primal-minded human being, the urge to protect the people you love the most savagely slaughters logic even at times like this. "Don't worry about a thing Kari! Stay close to me, the only way that monsters going to get to you is over my dead body!"

"Do you know how easily he could arrange that?!" Kari scolded him. "Don't talk stupid! You and the others should get out of here. Maybe if I give myself to him he'll leave the rest of you alone."

"Like hell you will! We're either pulling through this together, or we'll die together! Your not facing this alone, I won't let you!"

The argument may have continued if not for the large shadow descending over them. The two frightened faces already knew what they were going to find standing over them as they slowly lifted their heads, and laid eyes on Satamon. "Greetings Kari. TK… You two left rather abruptly last time we met. I was rather offended."

"Damn it! He's going after Kari and the others!" Tai bellowed, as he darted off in that direction. He was quickly intercepted by Davis and Matt who, with what must've been the grace of God, managed to hold the boy back. "Let me go guys! KARI!"

"Calm down Tai!" Davis commanded, gripping his arm around Tai's shoulder for dear life. "We need you to keep a straight head right now, not to mention keeping it on your shoulders!"

"I don't care!" Tai glared menacingly at Matt who had his other arm in his clutches. "What do you think your doing?! Your brother's stuck over there in case you didn't notice! God knows what that unholy monstrosity might do to them!"

"I know, but there's nothing we can do right now! Rushing in without thinking is only going to make the situation worse for them, and probably get ourselves killed in the process! We have to think the situation through first! I believe in TK and Kari enough to know they'll be fine until we can find a way to help them. Why don't you give it a shot too Tai?"

"Err… Damn it!"

War Greymon's body stirred from the spot where Satamon had left him to rot. He felt Tai's plight burning in his own heart. It only replenished his strength slightly, but just enough for him to get back to his feet. "Please don't be a fool Tai… I'm coming… Just hang on!"

"What do you want Satamon?!" TK demanded of him, as he stepped protectively in front of Kari.

"I thought the answer to that was already clear," Satamon gurgled. "I'm here for the girl. I must discover the origin of the power I'm sensing inside of her. Then again, I've been sensing the same type of energy from you, and it's gotten stronger all of the sudden… Since you're so intent on staying with her, maybe I'll just take the both of you then. It's always nice to have a backup just in case one of you has an unfortunate accident…"

"Over our dead bodies!…" A gruff voice called out weakly. Gatomon and Patamon leapt in front of their partners as if they thought they actually posed a threat to the persona of all evil. In fact, they didn't look like they could pose a threat to a line of ants at the moment. Gatomon was bruised up from the licking she took earlier, and could barely stand on her feet. Patamon was still slightly woozy from the conk he took on the head. "Kari! You and TK get out of here! We'll hold them off while you get away!"

"Are you insane?!" Kari gasped in horror. "You guys will get yourselves killed! Get out of here right now!…"

"Wait a second Kari." TK grabbed her hand, and gave her a wink. "We better do what they say… Besides I think they know something we don't if you know what I mean."

Kari wanted to argue, but something about the sudden streak of confidence in the boy wouldn't allow her. She just let out a sigh, before they ran for their lives. "All right… You two be careful!"

"Isn't this sweet," Satamon snickered at the pathetic wall of defense standing between him and his prize. "You two don't really plan on fighting me do you? I really have no desire to destroy you, so if you'll kindly remove yourselves from my presence I'll be on my way… What the?!" Satamon was startled when a pair of strong arms wrapped around his body.

"Did you forget about me big boy?!" Zudomon growled, squeezing Satamon as tightly as he could. "Your on my turf here on the ground buddy! Instead of picking on Digimon half your size and little kids, why don't you try picking on someone your own size?!"

"If you insist." Satamon powered out of Zudomon's hold much like he would flip his wrist. Zudomon went crashing to the ground, and Satamon quickly followed up with a hard kick to the gut. Zudomon rolled around in agony with Satamon towering over him unimpressed. "I'm disappointed. From the way you spoke, I had the impression you were supposed to be tough."

"How about this for an impression?!" A voice screamed catching Satamon's ear.

A streak of gold came barreling into Satamon's chest, hitting the monster hard enough to make him grunt and stumble backward. War Greymon flung his arms around Satamon much like Zudomon had done earlier, but with a much more positive affect. Satamon sensed the sudden newfound power in the Mega's grip, and in fact it entertained him to some degree.

"War Greymon!" Tai shouted, elated merely to see War Greymon was still breathing let alone holding Satamon at bay even if it would only be temporary.

"Tai, please! You and the others start running quickly!" War Greymon pleaded with them, already feeling his grip on Satamon weakening. "There's nothing more you guys can do here, so there's no point in putting yourselves at risk! And I'm afraid there isn't much we can do to stop him… Though I'll try my best, I fear the worst… I don't want you to have to watch what's going to happen here… So, please just leave!"

"He almost sounds like he's giving up," Davis mumbled quietly.

"No, we just can't!" Tai shouted, but it was all in show. He feared the worst himself.

"Enough of this sentimental garbage!" Satamon howled, as he flipped War Greymon over his should and onto his back. "I don't see why you humans are so concerned over things like death anyway. You're all going to die eventually, so why do you worry so much about when and where? Why are you all standing around here for anyway? Do you enjoy watching your friends massacred? Why do you put yourselves at risk out here when you could easily leave them behind and save yourselves? Not that I care, I'm just curious to human logic."

"You don't know what you're talking about!" Tai called out to him.

Feeling another surge of energy, War Greymon kicked back up to his feet. "Stop worrying about logic, and worry about me!"

"Kari hold up!" TK yelled, bringing his quick feet to a screeching halt. Kari obeyed, but looked at him as if to ask what the hell do you think your doing? They hadn't gotten very far, and she wasn't sure how long Zudomon and War Greymon could hold Satamon off.

"What's the matter TK?! We have to get out of here, there's not much time!" Kari grabbed TK by the hand and tried to take off again, but the boy wouldn't budge.

"Kari I need a minute please! I have something I want to tell you…"

Kari turned around, and looked up into his eyes. "What's the matter?"

Just as he had gotten Kari's full attention, TK's confidence conveniently flew the coop on him. Kari's soft brown eyes peered through him like they were expecting, or at least hoping he was planning to say something in particular. "Never mind… Your right, we need to get out of here quickly."

"No!" Kari frowned, turning the tables on her best friend. "You started to say something now finish it! We're not moving from this spot until you do!"

TK looked around nervously debating his options, weighing them against what little time they had. He hated wasting the precious time his friends were trying so valiantly to buy them, knowing full well it may cost them the ultimate price in the end, but when he looked at the big picture he just didn't see it as a waste. He didn't want to tell her, yet he did on the other hand more then anything else in the world. No, he had to tell her right now, for he might not get another chance if he wasted this opportunity. He quickly, but softly, took Kari by the hands, and dropped them both down to their knees. "Kari… I have to tell you this before it's too late… I think we've all been forced to admit or own mortality today more then we'd normally like too. I've come to realize there's a good chance I might not make it through this day alive, so I had to tell you… I don't know how to say this…"

"Hurry up Takeru! Get to the point, we don't have time to waste."

"I understand that, but I have to do this right. You might think I'm crazy for doing this at a time like this but… That prophecy stated that we all needed to unlock the hidden powers within ourselves, and it's no secret that the power inside of me is hope… There are two hopes in particular that I hold in higher regard than any others. One of course, is the dream that one day both this world and the Digital World can live in peace without evil, but no matter how much I may despise the forces of darkness I know that we can never get rid of it permanently. The other hope well… It revolves around you. Waking up and going to bed every night hoping your okay, and hoping that each passing day is as bright and happy as you've made mine since the day I met you. Hoping that you'll be there waiting for me by my locker when I get to school in the morning just like you've been everyday since I moved back to Odabia, hoping I'll get to see you smile at least once before I call it a night, and hope I never do anything to hurt you or make me any less of a person in your eyes. Most of all hoping one day I'd be able to tell you… I mean hoping that one day you'd grow to look at me as more then just a frie…"

Kari bore down on his hands, but that just didn't succeed in squeezing the response she wanted out of him. "I'm waiting."

TK felt a huge load lifting off his shoulders merely thinking about finally getting that burden off his shoulders. He wrote the strange stinging feeling in his chest off as merely his nerves, but in fact it was his heart opening up and letting out the person he really was. More preciously one of the biggest reasons he held so much hope, and the reason he almost lost all of it when he thought he'd lost her. That hope that was now symbolized by the ancient marking etching itself on TK's chest just over his heart, and creating the soft yellow glow circling his body. Both were practically invisible to the naked eye. Kari's body was going through a similar phase, only her aurora took on light pink along with her Crest of Light seeping through her chest. Even if those kids could've seen what was happening to each other, they probably wouldn't have cared at that moment none the less.

"Kari I just have to tell you… I don't care if people say I'm to young to know!… What I do know is I've known you the better part of my life, and I know how I feel. Kari I…" TK wanted to say it. He was going to say it really. Well maybe… Kind of sort of… However, none of that matters anymore because Kari beat him to it.

"I love you too TK."

"I love… Wha, huh, what?!"

Kari blushed in the midst of a sweet smile, and lowered her head slightly. "Well, if I waited any longer for you to say it we'd probably wind up slimy smears underneath Satamon's foot! Now… I guess that only leaves one other thing left to do unless you're going to make me start that too."

TK looked down into Kari's eyes, and for the first time saw her starting back at him like she was peering into his soul. Just like she'd always looked at him, but he was merely too blind to notice until now. He simply smiled at her, needing no more words then what had already been spoken. Instead, he pulled her close and met his lips with another pair his had waited three long years at the least to introduce themselves like this. Their bodies erupted in a flash of pink and gold now glowing brightly enough for anyone to see if they were paying attention, but these two were obviously more focused on other things.

"What the heck?!" Davis hollered as the sudden explosion burned a hole in the back of his head. He whirled around, and gawked at the sight of what he assumed was two of his friends. "TK and Kari?…"

"They're doing that glowing thing again," Matt snickered, alerted by the same flashes of light Davis had been. It was a good thing they were the only two who noticed, at the moment anyway, for it was pretty obvious what they were doing from that distance.


"Whoa!" Patamon's body jiggled around after a sudden boost of energy surged through him.

"Are you okay?… Ah!" Gatomon started to ask before a similar sensation attacked her being. As soon as the surges were through, Gatomon and Patamon looked at each other excitedly. "Did you feel what I felt?!"

"Yeah! It feels... Good. Are you…Na, hah!"

Their bodies went numb again and a brilliant white light washed over them filling their bodies with incredible power, so much in fact their small bodies wouldn't be able to contain all of it or even any body reminiscent there of. The answer came to them like a bolt out of the blue striking something locked in their deepest memories, but they knew it wasn't there before. Still they went with it like they'd been doing it all their lives instead of merely the first time.

"Patamon!" Gatomon glared at him with confidence and determination.

Patamon needed no clarification why she was looking at him like that for. "I'm ready as you are!" With another bright flash of light their fighting spirits began to merge into one.

"Patamon!"

"Gatomon!"

"Warp DNA Digivolve too!…. Auroramon…"

A dazzling light show exploded in the sky that had become eerily clear since Satamon's arrival, and blinded everyone within the range of sight. As the light dimmed out, the large figure of an Angel appeared with its departure. He looked a bit like Magna Angemon in a way, but more graceful like Angewoman in another. Either way, this new Digimon was much larger then either of the before mention, and a tad more menacing than an angel should look to make you feel comfortable. All the Digidestined, who had gathered collectively near the same spot amidst all the confusion, dropped jaws in unison.

"Auroramon…" Sora gawked in amazement.

"Do you think that's what the prophecy meant by the Light of Hope?" Mimi asked her. Sora merely shrugged her shoulders, nether one of them bothering to take their eyes off the breathtaking sight just above them.

"Prodigious…" (If I have to reiterate on who said this, then you guys wanted the Pokemon section)

"Whoa…" Armadillomon admired the sight for a moment, before looking Hawkmon's way. "You think we can do that too?"

"I doubt it."

"That's him, that's him!" Davis ranted strangely, as he pulled on the sleeve of Ken's shirt.

"Davis stop that! What do you mean that's him?"

"That's the other Digimon I saw in my dreams… I never mentioned it before because they'd only appear every so often, and I didn't really know what they were but it's all too clear now! They were Satamon and Auroramon!"

Ken still wasn't clear on what Davis was so excited about. "That's an interesting revelation, but does it really mean anything?"

"Oh, you can bet it does Ken." His typical smug Davis grin crossed his lips. "I think the tables may have just turned in our favor."

"That's awesome," Tai marveled at the sight directly above his head. Tai backpedaled towards the spot TK and Kari were at. "Hey guys, check out what your Digimon just did! Pretty cool huh? Guys…"

That's when Tai realized his two younger teammates hadn't noticed a damn thing yet. I guess you could say they were distracted, still caught up in well… "Break it up you two! You have more important things to worry about right now besides what each other had for breakfast!"

TK and Kari jumped at Tai's shrill demand, both blushing an inhumanly shade of red. That lasted all but three seconds before they laid eyes on the angelic Digimon, their attention diverting completely to it. "Tai! We…Whoa, what is that?!"

"Well, it use to be Patamon and Gatomon, but now they've become Auroramon," Tai explained somewhat. "That must've been one hell of a kiss to keep you guys from noticing what was going on."

"Auroramon…" Kari muttered in astonishment. "Gatomon and Patamon? But how did they?…"

Matt smirked wildly, merely thinking about what he was about to say. "I guess that's what happens when two Digidestined rub their tongues together."

"SHUT UP MATT!"

"No, it can't be…" Satamon's appearance remained emotionless and dark as he gawked at Auroramon, but deep down he was rattled. Not by the Digimon itself, but the old memories the image was luring to the surface. "No, it's not you… A good copy, but not exact. I can sense a lot of the old energy flowing through you, but you don't fool me."

"I wasn't trying too," Auroramon smirked as he spoke for the first time. The voice was soft and harmonious much like Magna Angemon's, yet there was a distinctive feminine pitch. "No, I'm not exactly, but my memories are all to clear of you Satamon. I'm well aware of the evil and chaos you can spread and how quickly if given the chance, but I also know how to defeat you. You certainly won't simply be imprisoned only to wait for another chance to bring pain into this world. This time you're finished for good."

Auroramon's words were soft spoken and calm, but very deliberate and powerful in the same breath. If Satamon was impressed, he certainly wasn't allowing it to show. "Ho, ho. Is that supposed to scare me? Your predecessor couldn't stop me, only detain me for a while. There's no way you can defeat me one on one, and you know it."

"What the hell are they talking about?!" Davis asked to anyone in the captive audience that was listening.

"I don't know," Tai responded. "By the way they were talking it would make you think they've met somewhere before…"

"Yes, this is true, but I don't plan on going at it alone. Please everyone, stand up! It's going to take all of us working together to vanquish this horrid mass of evil." Auroramon twirled his staff above his head, until it was completely illuminated with a bright yellowish energy. Auroramon held the staff in place over his head, as several beams of energy shot out from it headed directly for the other nine Digimon.

Hawkmon and Armadillomon tensed up as two of the beams struck them in the chest, sending a sudden wave of energy pulsating through their bodies.

"Wow! That's incread... Armadillomon digivolve to... Ankylomon!"

"I feel revitalized! Hawkmon digivolve to… Aquillamon!"

"What hit me?…" Paildramon groaned, as he and the others around him picked themselves up. "Oh yeah, I remember! How are the rest of you feeling?"

"Never better," Metal Garurumon howled, feeling no sensation of pain or fatigue from his recent beating.

War Greymon was flat on his back when one of the beams of energy struck him in the chest. His eyes immediately came alive, and he exploded back to his feet. "That's exactly what I needed! I'm ready for round three! Where'd you go Satamon?!"


Satamon turned his head casually to all sides, examining the group of Digimon merging on him from all sides. "Hmm… This is finally getting interesting."

"Your cocky Satamon, and you have a right to be. You are incredibly powerful, but you're not all powerful. Allow me to demonstrate!" Auroramon reared his arm back, and created a wavy globe of light blue energy in between his hands. "Northern Lights!" (Sorry, I know that was corny, but… Hell, you try to come up with something better)

The wave of energy slammed into Satamon's chest, and hurt the demon much more then he expected it too. Not enough to cause much more pain then to make him cringe, but just enough to catch his attention. "Impressive… That was the hardest I've been hit in ages… If that's all you got, then I'm afraid you're not long for this world. Now let me show you what I can do!"

"Not so fast!" War Greymon screamed, as he slammed into Satamon again causing the monster to stumble backward. "Your not finished with me yet!"

War Greymon began swinging wildly at Satamon again, but this time the demon couldn't seem to dodge or block a single one of them and some of the hits he landed actually hurt. Pain wasn't a familiar experience to the mighty Satamon, and he quickly decided he didn't like it. "Enough of this!" Satamon shoved War Greymon off of him, and then planted his gigantic hoofed foot into War Greymon's chest sending him skidding across the landscape of the Digital World.

Satamon stalked over towards War Greymon's fallen carcass when several blasts from the air struck him in the back. More agitated then anything, Satamon searched the sky for any sign of the culprits. He found the trio of Garudamon, Lillymon, and Aquillamon circling overhead. Lillymon took a short break in formation to stick her tongue out at him. "Insolate little pests!"

Satamon took to the air and chased around the trio of Digimon, firing numerous attacks at them from his horns and mouth but landing not a one. Satamon sneered hideously once he thought he had Garudamon in his line of sight, only to discover she was luring him right into a trap. "Keep your head up Satamon!" Mega Kabuterimon growled right before he rammed his horn hard into Satamon's gut. The demon stumbled backward, and was forced to do a mid-air flip to maintain his balance.

"You rotten little insect…"

"Wolf Claw!"

"Desperado Blaster!"

The Digimon team reached a milestone in their battle, because for the first time they forced Satamon to actually cry out in pain. Determined to gain immediate retribution, Satamon spun around and fired at his newest assailants. "Demon Rocket!"

The missile whizzed in between Paildramon and Metal Garurumon, and literally obliterated the mountain it eventually struck in the distance. Paildramon was particularly impressed by the devastation. "Dang… It's a good thing we didn't let that hit us."

"They've gotten stronger… How is this possible?" Satamon asked himself calmly, as he descended towards the ground. "They have the advantage in the air. I'm better off if I launch my offensive from the ground…"

No sooner then Satamon's feet touched the ground, he was greeted by Zudomon who speared him to the ground. "There's no where for you to run or hide Satamon! Vulcan's hammer!"

Zudomon smashed Satamon right between the shoulder blades, as Satamon attempted to stand up and drew a grunt of pain from him. Satamon quickly rebounded, and drove his shoulder into Zudomon putting him down for the count. No rest for the wicked however. Satamon raised his head up at the sound of someone calling his name, and a loud jet like sound. Before Satamon knew what was happening War Greymon plowed into him and drove him back at tremendous speed, leaving a deep trail of skid marks left by his hoofed feet. War Greymon drove him all the way back into the side of the same mountain Satamon had thrown him into earlier in the battle, leaving a nice foot and half deep outline of Satamon's body in the mountain side. After standing back to regain his senses for a second or two, Satamon pulled himself out of the rocky imprint only to receive a hard round object right into the gut that sent the demon right back where he came from. Satamon bounced of the mountain, and stumbled forward. Ankylomon reared his tail back again and slammed it into Satamon's belly one more time, causing him to double over.

"We've weakened him enough! Everyone start attacking all at once!" Auroramon ordered, and not a one of his teammates was intent to argue.

An instantaneous flurry of offense rained down on Satamon from all sides, and they didn't just stop at one. They continued the assault while Satamon rived and screamed on the receiving end of the heavy fire, and it continued until Satamon finally slumped down to his knees a broken wreck compared to what he was just minutes ago.

"No… This can't happen again… I've come so close to what I've always dreamed of… Damn you all to hell! I might just die here tonight, but if I do I'm taking as many of you as I can with me!" Satamon snarled, as a black aurora spread all across his body.

"Oh no…" Auroramon gasped, fearing he knew what Satamon was planning to do. "Everyone brace yourselves quickly!"

The warning came just in time. Satamon's body lit up in a wave of dark energy that rivaled that of Auroramon's on his arrival. Satamon released that energy in one last desperation attack, frying every Digimon it came in contact with. Nine of them crumpled to the ground simultaneously, only Auroramon being able to withstand the ferocious blast unleashed by Satamon's dark energy. Satamon himself fell on his hands and knees, completely spent by the excursion of power. He pretty much used up most of the energy and strength he had, that hadn't already been beaten out of him. Even the largest jumbo jet runs out of gas eventually after it uses up enough fuel. Auroramon stammered around slightly, as Satamon snickered that annoying and sickening laugh of his.

"You are so stubborn aren't you?… Why can't you just fall?!"

"I will never give you the satisfaction of seeing it!" Auroramon replied proudly. "You drained most of your power with that last attack, and it was a waste too. In case you can't tell, everyone's still breathing. Your finished Satamon!"

"That's what you think…" Satamon stood up quickly, and unhinged his bony jaw. "Screaming Missile!"

"Devine Purification!"

The attacks whizzed right by each other, and hit their targets dead on. Satamon was knocked flat on his back, while Auroramon clutched his gut and dropped to the ground below.

"Auroramon!" TK and Kari yelped in the same breath.

"Did we finally get him?!" Davis clenched his teeth and hands hopefully.

"Don't jump to conclusions anybody," Joe advised. "Everybody's down at the moment. I know we're all worried about our friends, but all we can do now is wait and see what happens next."

"So I couldn't make you fall hey Auroramon," Satamon laughed at knocking Auroramon out of the sky. Drained of energy from that big body, he was still laying on his back staring up at the sky.

Auroramon coughed and wheezed as he spoke. "Well… I'll have to admit…" A sly smile slowly crossed his not so angelic lips at the moment, and stood up proudly. I did dramatize it a little bit. That last shot of yours hardly did anything at all… The pop in your punch is completely gone I'm afraid."

"You played me you little…" Satamon stopped when he noticed War Greymon slowly rising to his feet just behind Auroramon. For some reason he seemed to find this amusing. "Ha, ha, ha! War Greymon your just like a New York coach roach! Only not as hard to kill…"

"Hey, what I can say?… You can knock me down as many times as you'd like, but I'm always going to get right back up…"

Satamon was laughing like a mad man now, but he was by no means happy. He was broken, desperate, and angry. He was a prideful Digimon, but intelligent enough to know this battle was as good as lost to him. Still, he needed to make them pay for what they did to him, but the only question was how. An idea originating from pure evil stormed in his mind, as his head slowly turned in the direction of the children. "Fine then… If I can't defeat you… Then maybe I'll take it out on your little friends."

Satamon fired a quick attack from his horns at Auroramon and War Greymon, before using what was left of his strength to take off in the children's direction. The attack didn't hurt them much, but it was enough to stun them and drop them to their knees. War Greymon moved to pursue him, when Auroramon put his arms around his waist. "Stop War Greymon! Let him go."

"What?! Are you crazy?! He just said he was going after Tai and the others!"

"I know, but this has to happen," Auroramon began to explain to a Digimon less then willing to listen. "They'll be okay, trust me on this. If things get out of hand we'll intervene, just stand back for now okay."

War Greymon glared at the angelic Digimon like he was crazy, but for some reason he just couldn't help but believe what Auroramon was telling him. "GRR… All right, but you better be sure about this! If anything happens to them, I'm holding you personally responsible!"

"I plan on taking it in full. Now please stay low to the ground. They have to think were incapacitated or, things won't work. I'll explain later, right now you'll just have to wait and see."

"Oh my God, he's coming after us!" Yolie screeched, watching Satamon approaching fast.

"All the Digimon are hurt!" Cody cried. "There's nothing we can do to fight him on our own! What are we going to do?!"

"Running comes to mind!" Izzy suggestions.

"Great idea Izzy, all you guys get moving now!" Tai ordered. "I'll find a way to distract that overgrown monstrosity!"

Everyone was all for running like hell, but no one was particularly thrilled with the latter part. "Tai, don't be crazy!" Matt snapped. "Let's get out of here all together before he runs us down!"

"No, I'm not going to run anymore!" Tai chimed sternly. "War Greymon would never run away in the middle of a battle on me, and I'm not about to leave him!"

"Tai…" A tear rolled down War Greymon's eye. His sensitive hearing could hear everything Tai said even from a considerable distance away.

Auroramon smiled to himself, and spoke to War Greymon. "It's working…"


"Besides, I promised Sora I'd make sure all you guys would make it out of this alive, but I never said anything about myself. If it costs me my life then so be it, as long as the rest of you are safe. Get a move on while you still can!"

"We'll do no such thing without you!" Sora barked, as she grabbed hold of his arm. "I never expected you to live up to that, nor does anyone else!"

"No, but I expect it of myself." Tai smiled confidently for the girl. "Besides, I'm really not in the mood to die today. But I'm not going to run… Not this time, or ever!"

With no more words, Tai pulled his arm out of Sora's clutches and stalked off in the direction Satamon was coming from. Bless their hearts, none of the other kids could bear to do what Tai requested of them since he was being so brave. All they could do was watch helplessly as he and the demon drew closer together.

"What's this?" Satamon inquired of himself, noticing the boy headed his way. Curious, he stopped his flight path and descended to the ground directly in the path Tai was walking, though still a considerable distance away. "What's this? The boy must be suicidal."

Tai halted his progress immediately, rethinking his train of thought or lack they're of rather. Tai's face tightened with determination, remembering exactly what he had to do. "Execute us huh? Maybe I'm not seeing things clearly, but from the looks of it you were the one with your back to the wall just a moment ago. I guess since you couldn't handle them without getting your ass handed to you in the process, you have to turn your aggression on us to make yourself feel big huh? Almighty Digimon, bullshit! I figure we can all consider ourselves almighty if we only pick on people who can't stand up to us! Ewe, the big powerful scary monster! You're a joke! You can be broken and defeated just like anyone else!"

"Well, it's kind of hard not to pick on anyone not as strong as you, when nobody's as strong as you." Satamon snickered at the adorable little display of bravery, or stupidity depending on how you wanted to look at it. "You have a lot of guts to talk to someone who can break you in half in between his fingers like that. What do you think your accomplishing anyway? Are you trying to stand in between me and the rest of your friends? While I do find this very entertaining, as soon as I vaporize you I'll merely do the same to them right afterwards, so what's the point in running out and saying shoot me first?"

"You ask too many stupid questions you know! I wouldn't expect a cold-blooded monster like you to understand how humans think and feel! I'm not afraid of you Satamon! I'll admit you scared the hell out of me at first, but I'm long past that now! If my death manages to distract you just long enough to give War Greymon or any of the others enough time to catch their breath, and my friends stay safe then it's well worth it to me! I'm sick and tired of running away anyway, and standing back and watching somebody else do my fighting for me! I know there's nothing I can physically do to stand up to you, but if I'm going to die anyway I'd rather do it standing on my own two feet rather than being shot in the back while running away!"

As Tai ranted a surge of adrenaline rushed through his body, and once it reached it's peak exploded into the form of a blazing orange light outlining Tai's body. Unseen to the naked eye was the odd etching that resembled the sun burning into his chest. At the moment he felt unbreakable, unstoppable, and knowing Tai he was going to let that go straight to his head.

"Dude, he's on fire!" Davis beamed while most of the others just stared in disbelief. Not just at what they saw, but what they heard just moments before.

Matt looked over at TK and Kari, who were staring intently at Tai, and then he looked back towards Tai. "Man, now he's doing it too!"

"What is this? Cheap human magic tricks? I'm not impressed."

Though it had been expected, it was still a heart stopping shock when Satamon pointed his Cannon at Tai and promptly fired. The world seemed to slow down to a crawl, yet still went a hundred miles an hour. Tai's eyes only had time to widen before the screeching missile exploded in front of him, leaving a huge ball of fire and smoke where Tai had been standing.

End.

Sorry about that. I needed to cut it off somewhere, and this was the best spot! I already have the conclusion finished, I just need time to edit and post it. Overall I'm happy with the way it turned out, but there a few parts I felt I could've done much better. I don't think I'll do anything quite like this again… There where times when working on this felt like a chore, and I'm not going to allow myself to be caught in a trap like that again. I promise there are no cheesy political jokes in the next part. There are a few things that may seem a little corny and off the wall, but like always I wanted to make this unlike anything else I've ever read before. I hope you enjoy it!