Welcome to the third chapter. Read and enjoy. ^_^ . Sponsored by my crayola crayon: [(((crayola)))]

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1 Chapter III



He saw the recognition on Gatomon's face and smiled. "You recognise me, my old friend."

"How?" was all she could manage to say.

"It's very complex. I'll tell you later."

Gatomon smiled at him, a tear of joy rolled down her cheek.

"Don't cry, Gatomon!"

"I can't help it. I haven't seen you in ages, Wizardmon."

"Yes, it's been a while."

She tried to get up and walk towards him. She tried to ignore the pain. She was managing, just. She gave him a large hug. It took him by surprise, even though he was telepathic. He quickly returned the hug.

"I thought you were dead!" she whimpered in his arms.

"I was." He replied simply.

"But I thought you'd used up too much energy to be reconfigured?" she looked up at him puzzled.

"I was." He replied again.

"Then how are you here?" she interrogated him.

He released her and took a step backwards, signalling for her to follow. "Come. There is much I must explain." He turned and led her out of the room.

Wizardmon picked up his staff, "Take a seat." He pointed. She complied obediently.

"It began about seven years ago, just after the Digidestined left the Digital world." Wizardmon began. Gatomon remembered it well. The Day Kari, T.K., Davis, Yolei and Cody had departed and the Digimon had separated. It was a hard day and it lived in her memory, as fresh as the event's of recent days. Hawkmon, Armadillomon and Veemon had gone off one way, Gatomon and Patamon had gone the other. They hadn't seen each other since.

"I had been watching you for a while, from what humans would call the afterlife." He continued. "Until a strange being contacted me. I don't know how exactly, but he did. He told me that I had a purpose that had not yet been fulfilled."

"What purpose?" she asked.

"Well, he told me that in order to fulfil it I would have to live again. He gave me the ability to travel to either the Human analogue world, or the Digital world. It all depended on where someone was as to where I would need to be."

"Who?" she asked innocently.

He leaned forwards. "You." He whispered.

This quite honestly shocked her. She just stared back at him for a minute or so, in silence. Then she answered. "Why me?"

"That egg you found. It's no ordinary egg." He pointed out.

"I'd guessed that. I've never seen one like it before."

"It's unique. There is only one like it anywhere. It is also very important."

"Why?" she questioned.

"It plays a very important role in the future of the Digital world. And it will become the partner of a very important human, who doesn't even exist yet."

Gatomon was getting frustrated by the thoughts and questions passing through her head. "Well if it's that important why do I have it."

"It belongs to two Digimon. You're one of them." He answered, "You have it because it's your egg."

Gatomon looked shocked, "But I didn't create a Digiegg. How could this have happened?"

"You remember the cave paintings in the cave you sheltered in?"

Gatomon nodded in reply.

"They were a prophecy of. The egg in the middle was the Digiegg you currently hold now. It is a very important, and powerful, egg."

"But how did a simple prophecy form a Digiegg?" Gatomon asked.

"You remember the pictures that looked like you and Patamon? They acquired the data needed, from you two, to make the egg."

"The two of us? That means Patamon is the other parent?" it clicked in Gatomon's mind.

"That's right. The egg is the Digiegg of hope and light, that is why the two of you felt a need to care for it. Light and hope are a very important , and powerful, combination. It will someday save the Digital World."

"How do you know all this?" she asked.

"The powers that helped me to live again had to explain much to me in order for me to do their biddings."

Gatomon seemed satisfied by this.

"But there is a problem now." Wizardmon cautioned.

"What?" Gatomon feared for the egg. Now that she knew that it was hers she felt like she had to devote her life to caring for the unborn child. The fact that it's destiny was to save the Digital world also made her need to care for it stronger. "What sort of problems?"

Wizardmon explained, "When the egg hatches both parents need to be there, or it will not be complete and quite possibly not be able to assist this unborn human in saving the Digital world. Worst case it could even fade away! It needs the power of Light and Hope to fulfil its destiny. You are the light that will guide it, and Patamon is the hope that will keep it going in the darkest of times. Without both sides both the human and Digital worlds could be doomed. The human will need the same qualities, but its parent's don't need to actually be there. Well, the mother does, of course, but in the human world the qualities will be passed on genetically."

Gatomon was even more worried. "That means we need to go to Primary Village to get Patamon! If he's so important then why did he die?"

"That wasn't supposed to happen. The powers responsible for me being here, they didn't anticipate the evil that will threaten your child knowing about him yet. They sent Okuwamon to try and destroy the egg. When that didn't work, as a last resort, he tried to kill Patamon. Unfortunately he succeeded."

Gatomon stood up and limped back into the bedroom. She returned with the egg in her hands.

"Gatomon, you can't go to primary village. You're too weak!" he warned, reading her thoughts.

"Wizardmon, the entire future of the Digital world is at risk! We can't stay here and wait for me to heal. This egg is going to hatch soon, and we need to have found Patamon at Primary Village before that happens."

"You are right." He still sounded reluctant. "I can help you get there, but I cannot go there."

"Why not?"

"I only have a few hours left before I must return to the afterlife. After that, I can only return to help your child in the future. Once my destiny is fulfilled, I will return to the powers of good, the ones who gave me the power to be here. After that, it's up to them what happens to me."

Gatomon looked upset. This would be the second friend she'd lost. The only good thing would be that at least this time she could say goodbye.

"Don't think like that, Gatomon."

"I can't help it! You'll be the second person I've failed to save." She wept.

"It's not your fault. Besides, you remembering me will be all the salvation I need." He smiled down at her, trying to cheer her up.

"This world hates me!" She scowled, "Every chance it gets it seems to cause me problems."

"The world is what you make it. You proved that when you first joined the Digidestined."

Gatomon smiled at him. She hugged him, "You know just the right things to say. Thank you."

He returned the hug, then tapped his head, "Being telepathic has its benefits."

They stood there for a moment, enjoying their last moments together. Finally it was over.

"Well, let's get you to Primary Village." He said, picking up his staff.

Gatomon held the egg tightly as she prepared to be transported half way around their small world. A lot of memories flowed through her mind. Some were sad: losing Wizardmon and then Patamon, Her years with Myotismon. Some were happy: Meeting Kari; finding Wizardmon again, but the ones that remained in her head were of recent times: Sitting under the star-filled sky with Patamon; their discovery of the egg and finally, the one that stood out above all else: Patamon's last few words, as he lay there dying. Those words would always stay with her, for eternity.

"You ready?" Wizardmon asked, shaking her from her thoughts.

"Um. Yep, I am."

"Here we go!" He exclaimed. He began to swirl his staff around in circles. The end began to glow slightly. The intensity of the light began to increase.

"Wizardmon? Thank you. For everything."

"No, Gatomon. Thank you, for giving me a purpose." He smiled. And all of a sudden Gatomon and the egg were far away from where they had been. A tear rolled down her cheek. A tear shed for the memory of a lost friend.

She could see Primary Village on the horizon, the bright colours standing out against the surrounding area. A smile crossed her face, replacing the sadness and tears. She set off towards the Village.

"Here I come, Patamon." She whispered, "Here I come."

Gatomon reached Primary Village just after the sun had set. The last rays of sunlight shone in a hundred magnificent colours. It was the last evidence of the bright, warm day before it.

Gatomon was greeted by the bright light that helped Elecmon tend to the sleeping babies, shining outwards and illuminating the steadily increasing gloom that replaced the day. She saw a few of the babies sleeping in their cradles.

"How do they sleep with all this light?" she though out loud.

"Beats me." A voice from behind her said, causing her to jump into the air from shock.

She turned around to see who it was, "Elecmon! You scared me half to death!"

"Sorry," he apologised, "but I have someone here who really wants to see you." He smiled, stepping aside.

"Tokomon!" she cried in joy.

"Hi Gatomon! I told you I'd see you again." He grinned.

Gatomon dropped the egg and ran towards him. She picked up the small, in- training Digimon up off the floor, pulling him into a tight hug. She never wanted to let him go.

"I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Gatomon. Air.!" he panted, "Need. Air.!"

She loosened her grip a bit, still reluctant to let him go.

"Thanks." He panted. "I missed you too. How was your journey to get here?"

"I'll explain later." She yawned, "but is it okay if I have a rest first?"

"Sure." Tokomon said, "I need one too, you'd be surprised just how fast you get tired in in-training form."

He showed her to the area of primary village where the Digimon slept once they digivolved from fresh and left their cradles. It was basically a very spacious building with a padded floor. Gatomon could see, as she looked around, the floor had different colours on it. Each colour seemed to have a different type of Digimon on it, Koromon's on red, Yuramon's on green, and so on. Gatomon looked on in wonder.

"Come on!" Tokomon called, leading her to a space on the floor. She noticed that it had pink and yellow swirls on it, just like the bright light that they'd seen when the egg first appeared.

"Why do the Digimon sleep in like that, in an order I mean?" Gatomon asked.

"I don't know," he admitted, "but I tried sleeping on an orange patch and I just couldn't get comfy. You'll have to ask Elecmon about that."

"Ask Elecmon what?" Elecmon asked, entering the room, carrying their Digiegg. He handed it to Gatomon.

"I was just wondering, could you explain why the little Digimon sleep like that?" she asked, accepting the egg from him.

"Sure." He smiled, "It's to do with their type, as you no doubt noticed. When a Digimon sleeps it's data moves around, usually in the form of a dream, and can often try to find a Digimon of the same type, passing on certain information to that Digimon. This way," he indicated to the little Digimon with one of his paws, "their data stay's close by, meaning that when it reaches another Digimon it's information is stronger. This help's them to learn faster."

Gatomon looked like she was about to fall asleep, "Thank you." She yawned.

"You better get some sleep." Elecmon suggested.

"I concur!" Tokomon said. He laid down on the floor and almost immediately fell asleep, snoring loudly.

"Goodnight, Gatomon." Elecmon said.

"Goodnight." She replied.

Elecmon turned around and left the room to tend to some baby Digimon. Gatomon turned to where Tokomon was laying and walked over to him. She got down on the floor and curled up. It was surprisingly comfortable to what it looked. She placed the egg down behind her, then pulling Tokomon's sleeping form towards her and held him in her arms. She soon fell asleep. That night she got the best night's sleep she'd had in a while, her dreams, for the first time in ages, were of pleasant thoughts. She slept in peace, never even stirring.

The next morning she woke up, still holding the sleeping Tokomon gently in her arms. She was just about to go back to sleep when she noticed one small thing. It wasn't Tokomon she held in her arms; this Digimon was orange.

"Patamon!" she yelped in surprise.

He opened his eyes slightly, awoken by Gatomon's yelp. "Huh?" he grunted absentmindedly.

"You digivolved!" she marvelled.

"Oh, I did." Patamon stood up and examined himself, "And it's only been three days."

Gatomon smiled at him, as he looked himself over, seemingly looking for something.

"What did you loose?" she asked with a giggle.

"What?" Patamon asked in confusion.

"You look like you lost something."

"I feel different to what I did before." He explained, "I don't know why."

Gatomon smiled, "Well, you are a bit smaller."

"Oh." He said simply, he frowned slightly.

"Don't worry, you'll grow out of it in about a day." Elecmon said as he entered the room.

"Really?"

"Sure. You always start off smaller when you first digivolve, you just don't realise it."

Patamon looked happier. Gatomon just looked on in laughter. Patamon noticed and looked at her with a 'what's up?' expression.

"Nothing." She said, acknowledging his look, "You're just funny."

Patamon smiled, he enjoyed making her laugh, and she knew he did.

"You think I look funny when I'm small?" he pretended to pout.

"Nah." She walked over to him and ruffled the fur between his ears, "I think you look cute like this." She knew he wasn't really upset.

"Well, if you put it like that." he smiled again.

Gatomon giggled again, then gave him a kiss on the cheek, causing his smile grow even wider. This time it was Elecmon who laughed, and shook his head.

"What?" Patamon and Gatomon asked at the same time.

"Nothing." Elecmon grinned; he left the room still chuckling lightly. The two Digimon watched him leave.

They returned their gaze to each other, "So, how are you today?" Patamon asked Gatomon.

She walked over and hugged him, he returned the embrace. "I'm better than I have been these past few days." She sighed. The two released each other, and sat down near their egg.

Patamon asked, "What happened after I died? Woah, it sounds weird asking that!" They both laughed.

"It's been hard getting here." She said. "I was fine for most of the journey. I just followed the river at first, I made good time too."

"I'm guessing from your tone that something happened." Patamon sounded sad.

"Yep. When I reached the rapids it all went wrong." She explained, "The ledge was too small and I nearly fell in. I only just managed to stay up!"

"Then what went wrong?" Patamon enquired.

"I dropped the egg." She stated. "So I dove in after it. I managed to reach it before it could hit a large rock and break, but I hit it instead. It knocked me out. When I came too I was on the beach, I don't have any idea how long I was out for, but it can't have been too long because I was still in the forest."

"Then what happened?" Patamon asked enthusiastically.

"I awoke to find myself in a strange cabin. I had no recollection of how I got there. I tried to leave, but I was too badly injured. It was then that the occupant of the hut revealed themselves to me."

"Who was it?" Patamon's curiosity was growing by the minute.

"It was Wizardmon."

"Wizardmon?" Patamon seemed shocked.

"Yes." She nodded, "He explained why he was alive. He was there to tell me about the egg."

"What did he say?"

"Patamon, it's ours." She smiled.

Patamon looked shocked, maybe even worried at first, as if he didn't believe her, but he knew deep down inside that she wouldn't lie about something about that. "Ours?" he asked.

"Yep, the egg of hope and light." She confirmed. "And it's very important to the Digiworld's future."

"Well, I wouldn't want to have a child with anyone else." Patamon seemed to be accepting what Gatomon was saying.

"It'll be a Digidestined's partner, but Wizardmon says that the human doesn't exist yet."

Patamon looked deep in though, like he was trying to figure something out. Gatomon continued with her story.

"He transported me here because the egg is going to hatch soon, and it's important for both of us to be here when it does, to help pass on the powers of hope and light."

"Well, we're both her. I hope we do a good job of raising it. I hope I make a good father, too." He admitted.

"The best!" Gatomon smiled at him, "And together we can't fail."

Patamon took Gatomon's paw in his, "You know, I think you're right."

Suddenly a loud cracking noise came from behind them. They both span around to see what it was. Their eyes were greeted with the sight of a large crack down the side of the Digiegg. More began to appear all over the egg, crossing over and causing bits of the egg to fall away, revealing the Digimon inside it.

"It looks like a cross between a Poyomon and a Nyaromon!" Patamon pointed out to Gatomon.

"Winzimon! Winzimon!" it cried out, bouncing up and down.

It just bounced up and down on the spot for a few seconds before leaping towards Gatomon in one lofty jump, and landing in her arms, purring happily. Gatomon and Patamon looked at each other and smiled. Gatomon stroked the little Winzimon with one of her paws, causing it to purr even louder.

"She's cute." Patamon grinned.

"She's our child." Gatomon smiled at Patamon. She looked down at the now sleeping baby Digimon in her arms.

"I'll go find some food for when she wakes up. No doubt she'll be hungry."

"Elecmon will have some." Gatomon suggested.

Patamon disappeared from the room in search of Elecmon, leaving Gatomon cradling their child in her arms. She looked at the child she held, it looked so helpless.

"No matter what, we'll protect you." She said. "You're our child. The child of hope and light."

She closed her eyes and thought of the future of her baby. It would be hard, but Gatomon knew that her and Patamon would be there to help, now and forever. They would make sure that she would grow up and strong, for the Digital world, and because they cared a lot.

Little did they know that the powers that would someday threaten the Digital world were watching. They were already hatching their evil plans. Their child's test had just begun.

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Thank you for reading that chapter. I would just like to point out that Winzimon's name is German for tiny. Winzi is a shortening of Winzig, which means tiny. Just useless info. Well R&R and all suggestions are welcome.

P.S. if Stu is reading this, I want to know, "What do you think of it?"