Author's Note:

This is only an introduction to the 'Children of the Armor, but an important one. It's about the New Digidestined recognizing their virtues through 'tests'. They are not really tests, but more of explanations to why they have these special traits. It's not great, but will give hints of their titles, Protectors, and Crests.

So enjoy. ^_^

Oh, one thing. You will notice in the series and saga that there are words summarized into abbreviations because of course, I HATE typing long words and names. It causes my wrists to suffer. *Kisses her poor twisted wrists* So, I will show a list so you have the idea what the abbreviations mean. Those will appear in the conversations, not the story.

N.K. = the New Kids

O.K. = the Old Kids

O.C. = Outer Circle (It links to their powers. Taichi, Sora, Jyou, and Mimi are the Outer Circle)

I.C. = Inner Circle (Kimika, Yamato, Frankie, and Koushiro with their inner powers)

L.C = Linked Circle (Takeru and Hikari)

The Circles are unknown to the New Kids, kept secret. (But soon, they will find out. Heh, hehe.)

May I strongly suggest that you read the 'Powers of Crests' and 'The Friends of the Stones'? It's the only way to understand what's happening in this new saga if you read the past novels. They will tell you about the natural powers, and the Last Digidestined, Frankie. Helps you get better prepared.

NO WAY. How many times do I have to say that?! I DO NOT own Digimon: Digital Monsters. I do own Kim, Iyumon, and whatever I created in this saga. But at least, I do not dub the stupid phrases as Saban did. *Mumbles to herself*

Keys to Their Hearts:

Part One: The Coming Tests

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

"Izzy!"

The fiery-haired boy paused in his tracks at the sound of his nickname. The voice sounded anxious, and Koushiro turned around in puzzlement to see who was calling out his name. On the sidewalk, he saw a petite girl of his age jogging toward him, her short hair of ivory-blond bouncing with every step.

His raven-black eyes lightened with delight. "Hey, Butterfly. Surprised to see you here." He then became worried about his girlfriend as she halted beside him, gasping for breath. Her illness may be gone, thanks to his given blood, but there were times when Cleo felt lightheaded for a few moments. Koushiro was always concerned for her as he waited for her to regain her breath. "What's the matter?"

Cleo brushed back few hair strands from her pale jade eyes. "Red, where are you going?"

"Oh, I regret I forgot to inform you. I'm heading for Kim's. The New Kids have got a reading in the Digiworld, and they are going there to check it out. We're waiting at the computer, as usual."

Cleo seemed troubled. "Red, do you think it's odd that the New Kids got a reading now all of the sudden? After what happened before?"

Koushiro remembered it very well, even though it was only half a year after the final battle with Myalomyotismon. After it was over, the portal to the Digiworld was still open, only by the D-3s, of course. The New Digidestined (Fondly called as the New Kids by the Old Digidestined) continued to demolish the seemingly countless Black Control Spires and kept in touch with the international Digidestined.

The two worlds were pretty quiet, and the Humans and Digimon kept on their own business. But at the near of the summer's end, Michael, who got more involved with the Japanese Digidestined, announced that he got a reading from the Digiworld and asked them to check it out with him

Koushiro had no idea why did Michael have the reading, not the others, but the New Kids already prepared a trip into the digital world and asked one of the Old Digidestined (In return, the New Kids enjoyed calling them the Old Kids) if he/she could watch the computer. Kimika volunteered because her house was usually empty since her parents were working all day long, and her older brother had moved away for college. Taichi and Koushiro decided to accompany her for the time.

Even though Cleo was not a Digidestined, she deserved to know everything happening lately between the two worlds. Koushiro was the one who notified her all the time. The Old Kids planned to tell the New Kids about her since she was involved, but Cleo reminded them that she wasn't exactly involved, but simply watching.

To answer her question, Koushiro shrugged. "I'm not certain, but perhaps this reading would aid us to solve the secrets of the Digiworld. There must be a reason why the portal is still open." The Digidestined thought that the dimensional portal between the worlds would be closed once again, but it can be opened by D-3s only, much to their curiosity.

"Oh . . ." Cleo murmured, her face softening, but there was light dread reflecting in her eyes.

"Is there something wrong?" Koushiro asked.

Cleo blinked and shook her head. "No. No, there's nothing wrong."

"Are you sure?" When she nodded, he smiled back. "Why won't you come with me? I'm sure Tai and Kim won't mind your company."

"Oh, I would like to, but I need to get home soon. I will see you later, ok?" She then placed a light peck on his cheek and strode away.

However, when he turned around, he heard her concerned voice calling, "They will be tested just like you were before."

He looked back, but she was gone.

***

He arrived at the door of the Inoues' and knocked twice. There was a yell from inside, shuffling of bare feet, and then the door opened to show Taichi grinning down to him, his tan eyes merry.

"Ohayo! (Hello) Kim and I were waiting for you, man. Dozo ohairi kudasa (Come in)."

"Arigato." Koushiro bent down to take off his shoes and followed the tall boy to the kitchen where Kimika was pouring pink lemonade into three small glasses.

"Ohayo, Izzy," the black-haired girl flashed a quiet smile over her shoulder. "How're things doing?"

"Excellent." Koushiro then gazed around. "They previously departed?"

"Hai," Taichi replied, straddling on a chair, resting his arms on the back. "Michael's already there, so they left." He then noticed that Koushiro seemed distracted of something as he sat. "Izzy, what's up?"

The shorter boy blinked at Taichi's words and smiled wryly. "Goman, Tai. Earlier, I encountered Cleo. She mentioned a message that was inquisitive."

Taichi arched his eyebrows at him. "What did she say?"

"She mentioned that the New Kids would be tested."

"Tested?" Kimika repeated. She placed the glasses in front of the boys and took a seat near Taichi. "What was she talking about?"

"That's what's so peculiar about it." Koushiro took a drink of the sweet lemonade. "The New Kids will be tested like we have been tested before."

Taichi made a twist of his lips, his sign of showing bewilderment. "I don't remember if we've been tested before. I'm pretty sure I could remember a quiz."

Kimika cast him an amused look. "I don't think Cleo was talking about the tests from school, Tai. Besides, it's summer."

"I know," he joked.

Koushiro smiled, and then said, "I wonder if this 'test' is a kind of analysis or maybe an experiment."

Kimika murmured almost to herself, "Like . . . when we were tested with our powers?"

The boys quickly glanced at her, uneasily speechless. As they watched, Kimika raised a hand, and after a second, her glass somehow began to rock on its own, as if it had a life. Koushiro noticed that the girl's face was patiently concentrating. Then the glass slowly rose a few inches high from the table without any aid.

Hastily, Taichi snatched the glass out of the air and firmly stamped it upon the table. His tan eyes glowered over to Kimika, scowling hotly.

"I still think we should tell them about the powers," she spoke quietly.

"No way!" he objected. "We can't. For four years, we have to keep our powers hidden from everyone. I do trust them, but they are still new to it. They won't understand why we have those strange powers!"

Silently, Koushiro gazed down to his hands. Fine lines of five circles – his crest symbol – traced on the raw palms, faint enough to be unseen. Only he could see them if he looked hard enough. He could still remember the scorching burns that bit through his skin when he held his Digistone four years ago like it happened yesterday. The scars were the source of his power. At least he thought so.

He remembered. As odd as it was, the Old Kids still had control of their powers. They thought the powers were gone for now, but they found out that they still could control them even in the real world.

Mimi was the first one who immediately told them of her power. She could still sense their essences. The rest did sense things that normal people couldn't, such as Taichi sensing heat, Yamato hearing deceased voices, and the calm aura around Jyou. Through the years, they had privately practiced the powers into perfect control, and often being alone to have full concentration.

Taichi, being the strong-minded leader, was deeply anxious about this knowledge being aware to anybody, even their parents, and he demanded them not to use their powers unless absolutely necessary without being seen and guarded the knowledge painstakingly without any leaks.

When the New Kids joined the intimate group, some older kids were worried; the New Kids might find out about their powers sooner or later. They thought perhaps it was a good idea to let them know, but Taichi was seriously unwavering. Koushiro knew him well enough. Taichi wasn't being distrustful, but just cautious and anxious that the New Kids would not accept the fact that easily.

The only other person who knew about their powers was Cleo, despite the fact she wasn't a Digidestined. They trusted her completely, and she never betrayed them.

Closing his hands to cover the thin scars, Koushiro cleared his throat. "Perhaps, it's a decent idea to explain to them about it," he helped out and gulped at the blazing eyes of the dusky-haired boy. No wonder his Heart-Name was Blaze.

"Out of the question," he growled. "Not yet. They aren't ready."

"Still," Kimika said, crossing her arms, "why are they being tested, then? Well, Tai?"

Taichi exhaled. "I don't know, but why did Cleo say that? She's not even a Digidestined."

"What's the difference between a Digidestined and not being one?" Koushiro muttered warningly, his onyx eyes darkened. "She's part of this."

"Goman, Kou-kun," the older boy excused himself.

The boys were awkwardly quiet until Kimika broke the silence by saying, "Whatever the tests might be, I hope they will pass them. I still have this eerie feeling that something will happen soon, some unfinished business."

Koushiro did feel the same. In fact, the Inner Circle – that which the ones with the inner powers (Kimika, Yamato, Koushiro, and Frankie) were fond to call themselves – were the only ones who had perceived a shaky feeling since the final battle last winter that there was something not right. They fretted that the worlds were not safe yet, but there was no danger since that time. Neither of them could figure out what was wrong, continuingly bothersome.

The Outer Circle – Taichi, Sora, Mimi, and Jyou – couldn't sense it at all, but they had learnt to trust on the Inner Circle's mystic sensations. Not even Takeru and Hikari could sense it.

Trying to shun from the uneasy nagging in the back of his mind, Koushiro sighed quietly. If their business wasn't finished, then he was worried that the New Kids will find out about the truth of the Old Kids, and he feared that they might not be prepared for their real battles in the future.

***

Miyako was the first one to notice the blond American as he waved from the base of the hills where the New Kids stood. They waved back as they descended.

"How're you doing?" Michael spoke in his thick American accent. Since he joined the small group of the New Japanese Digidestined, spending more time in the Digiworld, his uniform had changed much alike to the New Kids' uniforms. Miyako had joked that his clothing looked 'American.' His pants were white with blue lines down the sides, along with white sneakers. His short-sleeved shirt was dark red with a thick blue lining across his chest. He wore red gloves, as well.

(A/N: I like Michael because he seemed a cool guy. Because he was the first American Digidestined to appear on the show, I immediately wanted to use him in my saga. Now that there are more than ONE Americans, I chose Michael because I SAY SO! If you don't like him, tough. ^_^)

The Japanese Digidestined responded with their own greetings, and the kids and Digimon chatted for a while, until Hikari interpreted them. She had a distracted expression on her freckled face, and she was glancing around cautiously.

"TK," she was whispering, "this place is familiar. Have we been here before?"

The New Kids quieted down as Takeru scanned around. He looked puzzled. "No, I don't remember."

"I would swear I was here before," she said.

"When we find the reading, maybe it would be in one of the places you visited before," Ken said.

"Maybe."

"Have you found out what is the reading?" Iori questioned Michael.

The eldest boy shook his head. "No, not yet. We can go ahead and find it." He turned on his heel, taking out his Digivice. The screen was showing a yellow dot northerly. It was odd that only his Digivice had the reading while the newer D-3s didn't, but they weren't going to question about it. Eager, they set off north.

The walk was seemingly short; a few minutes later, Michael slowed down and announced out loud that they were here. Daisuke stepped aside to take a good look around. Somehow, the area spooked him. He saw a wide, spacious building of some kind, perhaps a mansion, standing in the shadows of the towering trees around. Even though the sun was at its fullest zenith, the shadows set by the trees made the mansion seemed to stand in the dead of night. Stonewalls were covered with crawling vines, and the few windows were empty of glass, like hollow eyes. It was dark blue-black in hue, somewhat haunted.

Daisuke wondered how that strange building came to be.

When she laid her eyes on the mansion, Hikari's heart nearly paused in horror. Her pale tan eyes blanched into a sickly beige color, and she squeaked weakly, quivering. At her feet, Gatomon widened her eyes in hot fury, her white fur stiffly standing.

Takeru was at her side in a flash and grasped on her shoulders. His usual calm face was contorted with inner anxiety. His voice was strained with force as he uttered, "Kari! Nothing will hurt you here! I promise you!"

Her eyes still on the building, Hikari violently shook her head. "No! I won't return to this horrible place! Never! The memories still haunt me!"

"Hikari, watch what you say here!"

Hikari seemed to rouse by his thick words, blinked her eyes. She noticed the tense face of Takeru, then the ten Digidestined and Digimon standing nearby, each displaying the expressions of worry and bewilderment. Her face flushed, and she calmed down. Her eyes, however, held dread.

"Kari, are you all right?" Miyako questioned gently.

Hikari nodded, cracked a weak smile. "Yeah, it's just bad memories."

Takeru turned toward Michael, his voice still strained. "Michael, are you sure that the reading came from this building?"

Michael nodded. "It came from inside."

Takeru crossed his arms. "Then why aren't our D-3s beeping? Usually all of them beep at the same time."

Then, suddenly, the sound of shrill beeping from the cherished devices at their waists, plus the eerie air of the dark mansion, made the group jumping spontaneously. The Digidestined quickly took a look at their D-3s and found out that flashing yellow dots on the screens were coming from inside the building.

"Well, I guess that would answer your question," Wormon voiced from his partner's side.

Takeru scowled at his green-white D-3.

"Is there something on your mind, TK?" Iori asked worriedly.

Takeru's face lost the bitter scowl, replaced with fatigue. "It's just . . ." he gave out a heavy exhale.

Patamon spoke in for him, "The truth is that we had some troubled experiences in there."

"Is it dangerous?" Armadillomon questioned.

Gatomon made an unhappy hiss. "Hopefully, not anymore."

Daisuke had turned to scan the building. Strangely, as they talked about it, the building seemed to soften in its spooky appearance. It was almost like it was welcoming him, telling him that it had been changed. Daisuke made a light shake of his head, wondering how he got to think like that, and shrugged.

"We aren't finding out whether it's dangerous or not if we stand here." He stepped forward the mansion.

"Hey, where are you going?" his Digimon called after as he rushed for him.

Daisuke grinned vigorously. "What do you think? I'm checking it out."

"Davis, you're crazy," that words came from Takeru, sounding irritated.

Ignoring him, He and Ken, with their Digimon, strolled for the mansion. The building truly seemed huge, but when they pushed open the two wide doors, they found themselves standing in an enormous lobby. On their left, there was a smaller room, the door closed, and two wide stairways climbing from each other on the floor and meeting at the second floor. Between the stairways on the first floor, there was a narrow hall tunneling downward and inward.

"It doesn't look so bad," Daisuke mentioned after a minute looking around.

Ken pointed upward. "What are those up there?"

Taking another look, Daisuke saw nine towering pictures lined side by side with a different-colored frame of each; they looked much like murals. He could almost see familiar faces on them, but they were too high to make any detail clear.

"It's spooky," he heard Miyako muttering from behind. The rest had arrived, looking around in interest.

After a few moments, Iori spoke, "TK, Kari, what's in here that frightened you?"

The duo didn't answer him. Takeru still had the displeased frown, his azure eyes darting around, as Hikari sullenly stared upward to the murals. However, the sullenness changed into puzzlement as she noticed something different of the murals.

"Hey, look over there," Michael called, gazing to the hall.

A small humanoid, as small as Iori, sauntered toward them from the darkened hall. She was clad in a scarlet robe, and her face, barely seen from the dimness of the cowl on her head, was childishly pale with wide golden eyes. She stepped within several feet of the kids and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Digidestined," she spoke, her voice mild. "I'm pleased you are here."

Michael said, "Were you the one who beeped us?"

The golden-eyed Digimon nodded. "Yes. I'm Sanimon, the Guardian of the Digidestined. Here's the Temple where I guard the secrets of the Digidestined."

"You mean you know everything about us?" the emerald-eyed boy asked curiously, as usual.

Sanimon smiled over to him. "In a way, little Iori."

Iori was surprised at how did she know his real name, and then set it aside. "Sanimon, why did you beep us?"

Sanimon putted her pale hands together, hidden by wide sleeves. "The reason I called you is that I believe it's time for me to give you one of the relics revered by the Digimon – the Digital Keys."

"The Digital Keys?" the bronze-haired boy repeated.

"Let me show you." Sanimon turned to head for the small hall. Abruptly, Takeru went to stand in front of the kids, blocking them from following her. He still had the frown, his eyes hardened.

"I don't think we should trust her."

"Why?" Miyako was worried. "You know her before?"

"I don't trust her. Neither does Kari."

Daisuke noticed that Sanimon was unmoving in her spot, watching the children. Her hands were clenched together, and her golden eyes were clouded with light grief. She didn't really look much like a dark Digimon to him.

Daisuke voiced, "If she is a dark Digimon, we can handle her. There are fourteen of us and one of her. She's outmatched."

When Takeru glared sharply back, Daisuke found himself irritated at his odd attitude. "Dude, what's with you?"

"I knew her." The azure eyes burned as he gazed at the red-robed Digimon. "She was shrewd and deceitful."

Sanimon didn't flinch, instead watched back, too quiet. Takeru's attention was distracted when Ken placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Takeru-kun, I was like that before, and now you trust me."

Takeru blinked, a bit astonished.

"He's right," Daisuke agreed. "Sanimon might be already changed. Even if she's evil, we can still handle her."

As the rest of the group agreed, Daisuke went past the blond and followed Sanimon. As he peeked back, he saw a puzzling sight. Takeru raised a clenched fist and gazed to Hikari, as if was awaiting her answer. For a brief moment, Daisuke swore that the fist was glowing with a faint, almost brisk golden-yellow light. Hikari took a glance at his fist and also frowned, sharply shaking her head. Then she moved ahead, leaving Takeru, who lowered his fist, his face hardened at nowhere.

Daisuke wondered what was up with that.

Sanimon led the group down the narrow hall to two tall doors. They opened wide on their own, welcoming them inside a moderate-sized circular chamber that had no windows, no doors. It was empty of everything.

"Come to think of it," Veemon voiced, "What are the Digital Keys?"

Sanimon went to stand in the center, facing them as she explained, "It's difficult to explain, but each Digital Key has a unique power, each different, to control the powers of the Digiworld. Not even I could understand the powers, but I believe they work much like the crests the Old Kids possessed. I'm sure you could figure the secret."

"And you are really giving them to us?" Iori said.

"Yes. I feel it's urgent. But I cannot give them until after the tests."

"Tests?" Miyako blinked. "You didn't mention anything about tests."

The red-robed Guardian became serious. "Each Digidestined, at a time, enters a kind of test to prove his/her worthiness. Each of you has your strongest virtue, and we Digimon want to know if you represent them. Don't you want to know if you're worthy enough?"

"What kind of tests are they?" Daisuke muttered, shaking his head. "We know we're worthy. We saved our worlds from Myalomyotismon. Isn't this good enough for you?"

Sanimon just smiled, her eyes sparkling.

"Guys," Ken quietly spoke out, "it wouldn't hurt if we try. Besides, I would like to know if I'm worthy, at least to you all."

Wormon rested one of his claws on Ken's foot. "Ken, you don't have to. You are already worthy to me."

Ken gave his humble smile. "I know I don't have to. I want to know."

"I agree," Miyako said, grasping her hands together in her blithe motion. "I want to try."

"Sanimon, how can we prove ourselves?" Iori asked her.

Sanimon stretched out one of her hands and musically snapped her fingers. Afterwards, four arched doors appeared on the circular walls, each of them made of the very stone of the walls.

"Each of you goes through those doors. The tests are not dangerous, but they help you get more aware of your virtues. If you prove yourselves worthy, I will give you the Digital Keys." She then looked over to the silent Takeru and Hikari. "They had been already tested and proved their worthiness. Michael had done it, as well."

"Really?" Miyako murmured, turning to the American. "You never told us about your test."

Michael shrugged and made a lopsided half-smile. "Well, it happened recently. It's no big deal."

"If it's no bid deal, why didn't you tell us about it, anyway?" Daisuke questioned, not being pushy, but just curious.

"It's Michael's choice not to tell, Davis," Sanimon firmly said. "Sometimes, a test can be difficult for a Digidestined to tell. If he doesn't want to tell, he won't." She smiled. "Now, remember, it's your turn now."

Veemon grinned. "Davis and I will handle whatever is in there and pass the test. Right, Davis?"

"Right!" Daisuke agreed.

"You can't," Sanimon shook her head. "The Digidestined must go alone without their Digimon."

The Destined Digimon reacted with unhappiness and protestation. Sanimon hushed them with a sharp slash of her hand. "The Digidestined before you had been tested alone. It aided them to learn to battle on their own without having to rely on the Digimon Guardians' strength." Her eyes were hardened. "You must learn."

Daisuke blinked at her bold voice, and then shrugged his hands. "I guess so. So, which door is mine?"

"It's your choice. Each test is different, depending on your virtue."

"Well, I'm off!" he waved at his friends. "See you on the other side, guys."

"Good luck!" Miyako gave her encouragement.

At the command of the Guardian's hand, the arched doors smoothly slid wide, opening on silent hinges. Inside, there was only dimness, untouched by sunlight that shone through cracks above. The four Digidestined stepped inside, and the doors silently closed.

Takeru stiffly stood behind Sanimon and suspiciously spoke, "Alright, Sanimon, what's the game?"

Sanimon didn't turn, but she winced at his voice. "There's no game, Savior. I'm only doing what I'm being told."

"Told by a dark Digimon?" Gatomon snarled.

Sanimon turned around, her golden eyes holding guilt. "I know you're upset with me –"

"No kidding," Takeru spoke acidly.

"Please listen to me. I'm not the same as before. I was reconfigured from my egg stage and finally realized my mistakes. I was so foolish to believe Metalseadramon's lies of glory and power." She smiled wryly. "Guardians are not invulnerable."

She became solemn, glancing down to her entwined hands. "But I was given a second chance, and I vow to be devoted as the Guardian of the Digidestined as I should've been."

Takeru slightly frowned, then stole a cautious glance to Michael. He was standing in a distance from them. Betamon was with the other Digimon, but Michael's ice-blue eyes were brushing around the empty chamber, finding something interesting to him. He seemed meditative.

Takeru wondered what kind of test he had been through; He remembered that Michael was part of the American Digidestined team and probably already had experiences similar to the Japanese Digidestined. Takeru still knew it was too risky to let him know about the secrets of the Old Kids, even though he was now part of their team.

Takeru turned to the red-robed Digimon, speaking thickly, "Sanimon, if you do tell the truth, I've got to tell you that it would be a seriously long time before we can trust you again."

Sanimon nodded. "I know. I don't want your trust so soon, but only earn it. I deserved the guilt. It would be a while before I can trust myself."

"Excuse us," voiced Hawkmon from the small group of Digimon, who had been listening to the conversation for a while, growing curious. "We didn't mean to eavesdrop, but we don't understand what's going on here. What happened between you?"

The Digidestined seemed reluctant to reply. Instead, Patamon spoke, "You don't really want to know, not now."

Wormon cocked his head. "It seems that there're much more in you than we ever see."

"Oh, there is more than that, Wormon," Gatomon replied, becoming pensive. Despite her size, she was the oldest Champion of the New Digimon, and her voice held the strength she gained from her darkest moments.

"Someday, you will come to understand why we are so watchful of everything in the Digital World. We all were naive and young, but we saw things that shouldn't be seen at all. We fought our enemies, friends, even ourselves. We forced ourselves to grow up and see the imperfection we had become. We are veterans of the past darkness. You will go through the similar things, and you will understand."

The Destined Digimon remained silent, awed and spooked by her prophetic words.

"Gatomon is right," Patamon said. "You and your Digidestined will suffer, mostly for the good. Sometimes, it takes the hard way to see your true self, and it may be unbearable. But, also remember, we can't lose our hope. We can't give up, quit because the Digital Worlds is counting on us. We are counting on each other, replying on our faith to survive, to grasp on hope." He smiled blithely, his azure eyes shining. "When you dare to hope, nothing will fail."

The Digimon nodded in optimistic agreement, promising that they will protect their Digidestined with all the strength and faith. Even Michael was impressed at them, making an encouraged smile.

Takeru grinned at the powerful hope that the New Digimon possessed. It would be hard to cover all the brightness. But . . . his mind was on something else. He turned to the silent Sanimon, asking, "There's something concerning me. What exactly are the Digital Keys?'

"I already told you," Sanimon answered. "I can't truly explain it fully, but I know you will find out how they work. I want to tell you that there's a danger out there, much greater than Myalomyotismon. You could call it the Final Evil that affects the past and future. Someone told me to give you the keys because they're important in the future."

"Who told you that?"

"A superior Digimon that you will meet down your destined path. He's a powerful ally, but he will reveal himself when he decides to. You can call him the Prophet."

Takeru took this to his mind, wondering who this danger out there was. It was no surprise; whenever the Digidestined defeat a danger, a greater danger rose and once again threatened the existence of the two worlds. It would never be over for the Digidestined and Digimon Guardians. Plus, he was curious about this 'Prophet'. He wondered if this Digimon was someone he knew.

" . . . Sanimon?" Hikari spoke hesitantly, the first words she spoke since she walked in the mansion. She watched her carefully, her face tender. "Why are they being tested? I don't remember myself being tested before."

Sanimon averted her head, couldn't look at Hikari. "Your test was fighting me and saving your brother's life, Saint."

Hikari painfully closed her eyes. "Please, don't call me by my title. It's too painful."

Sanimon gently covered her hands around the girl's hand. "I'm sorry, young Kari, but it was urgent. You had to prove your worthiness, and like you, they have to prove their worthiness. If they don't prove it . . ." She fell silent, her brows crossed.

"No, don't tell me!" Takeru burst out in disbelief. "Don't tell me they could die!"

He regretted saying it as the Destined Digimon inhaled sharply and gasped in panic. Michael widened his eyes, his face taking the visage of doubt.

Sanimon shook her head. "No, no, they won't die. I would never do such horrible tests! But they will suffer if they don't pass."

Takeru fell into deep anxiety, glancing at the closed doors, trying to imagine what they will face in there. "They are new to this. They finally start getting more aware of the true role of being a Digidestined. I'm not sure they might be ready for this."

"You were new when you were tested, remember?" Sanimon reminded him, her golden eyes sympathetic. "No one can be ready for anything. That's why we learn to be better prepared for the future, but still, we will never be fully ready."

Hikari was watching the doors. Somehow, she believed that the New Kids would pass the tests. She knew they were new; they haven't yet witness the darkness as she had seen before. Myalomyotismon may be the darkness to the New Kids, but it wasn't the whole darkness. Still, they did have the strength of the Old Kids, plus their own faith, and many time they proved their worthiness to the Old Kids

She had no doubt that the New Kids will succeed.

"TK . . . " she murmured, speaking her thoughts. "I have confidence that they will pass. I don't know why or how, but they can do it if they do try."

"Are you certain?" Takeru said, beginning to sound a bit hopeful.

Hikari gave him a positive smile and nodded. "After all, they are the Digidestined, aren't they?"

To be continued!