A/N:

So have I told you what I think of Davis? I think I will, yep, yep. The first emotion I felt for him is pity because he has a desperate crush on Kari. It just makes me smile and shake my head I know that it's a waste of time because TK and Kari are meant for each other.

But then I notice that in the last episode, TK and Kari didn't marry. Oh, well. Maybe Davis DOES have a good chance to woo Kari. *Runs away from an irate ~Lys~* don't be mad at me, Lys-chan! You never know if Davis and Kari would marry. IT IS POSSIBLE! But anyway . . .*shrugs*

It seems to Toei created him to be comic relief because of the way he acts and speaks. He's darn cute when he says 'Dude!' Don't look at me that way. I'm weird that way. He's clumsily funny!! ^_~ But one thing that impresses me about him is his powerful loyalty to everyone, especially Ken. He is the first one to want to help Ken and protect his friends, thinking of the others rather than himself. (Which is a rare thing for him to do!) I'm sooooo proud of him when he finally won Ken's friendship. He seems a nice guy to know, when you get past him ego and clumsiness. ^_^

Aw, must I say the damn disclaimer? *Suddenly, her zealous face fills the screen, her brown eyes flashing with intensity* I, CHICOBO, OR JOSEPH, DO NOT OWN DIGIMON: DIGITAL MONSTERS, NOT EVEN A DIGITAL DUST OF IT. *Then her face comes back to normal, eyes in ^^* 'Kay? READ AND REVIEW, DARLINGS!!

Keys to Their Hearts: Part Two:

Loyal Ember and Pure Jewel

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

Davis's Part

Fiery tongues of luminous orange and glistening golden danced around his legs, forming a respected circle, close enough to touch the flames, yet far away as if in humbleness to face him. Brief cackles and echoing roars that seemed to born out from the hearts of the flames were almost sonorous, not the fierce energy that burst out with fury, but with the everlasting passion simply to be alive.

The mellow sounds of Fire reverberated through his body, sending pleasant shivers that emptied his present energy, then restored by powerful, overwhelming strength that seemed thick, luscious honey to him. He became light-headed, and he stood in place, closing his dark tawny eyes, and let the honeyed energy filling him from head to toes. It was so sweet that he could taste it in his mouth just like honey, but spicy, oddly like the taste of the flames around him if such a taste does exist.

Then, as soon as the energy filled him, it slowly drained itself out, but he wasn't feeling heavy or mundane. Instead, he was refreshed, the feeling remaining strongly in his heart. Opening his eyes, he gazed around dreamily, and then he realized what he was supposed to do.

"Hello?" Daisuke attempted to see something else beside the dancing flames. They were beautiful to him, but he couldn't understand why were they here, how odd they behaved, not feeling the intense heat at all, and that pure power that recently sweetened his body . . . What was that, really?

Trying again, he cupped his hands around his mouth, "Anybody out there? Can you hear me?"

"Hello there."

Daisuke turned at the voice and blinked in surprise. Walking toward him from the flames was Taichi, indeed, clothed in strange clothing that seemed to suit impressively with his appearance. A fiery-orange tabard covered his chest and back, reaching to his ankles, tired around his waist with a thick black belt. His Crest of Courage's symbol of an eight-pointed star was threaded in pale orange on the front, also. Underneath, he wore a light grey shirt and loose pale azure pantaloons. There were azure gloves hugging his large hands and black boots.

Daisuke remembered that Taichi and the seven other Old Kids had mysterious strands of colors that seemed to stand out in their natural hair. No one knew how that happened, not even his or her parents. The kids seemed to know the secret to the strange strands, but whenever they were questioned about them, they would react with shy, almost guarded smiles and their hands would brush through the hair, as if trying to hide the colorful strands. The strands were very thin, almost unnoticed, mingled in the hair, unless the kids chose to expose them.

This time, Taichi had the bright red strand streaking from the front of his thick dusky hair, clouding over his tan eyes, quite powerful. Taichi grinned down to him with the passionate grin.

"Tai, what are you doing here?" Daisuke questioned, staring at him in astonishment.

"I'm not Taichi."

"Huh?"

"Or you might say that I'm also Taichi," the tall boy spoke, and then chuckled at the puzzlement on the bronze-haired boy. "I'm a part of his soul that he left to influence the fate of the Digital World, though he doesn't know I exist. I'm the digitalized version of the Master." He bowed his head slightly. "Call me Blaze."

Daisuke looked bewildered. "Okay . . Whatever you say." Then he paused, realized. "Wait! Tai, the Master?"

"That's his title," Blaze replied.

"Oh, that's because he's our leader, right?"

Blaze smiled. "Yes and no. He's the Master of himself. You will have to ask him about it someday, Daisuke."

"I didn't know that. The Digiworld is full of surprise, ne?" Daisuke then shoved his hands in his blazer. "So, what's going on here?"

"This is your test, Daisuke."

Daisuke turned his tawny eyes around the beautiful flames. "Fire?"

Blaze chuckled lightly. "Not exactly. Fire's my specialty, but it's just for show. You're being tested for your strongest virtues, courage and friendship."

"Why?"

"Remember, you bear the Digiegg of Courage and Friendship. Taichi and Yamato trusted you to possess their virtues, and also you are chosen to have them. Don't you ever think of this?"

Daisuke shook his head. "No. I just thought I was the only one who can have them. It never occurred to me."

Blaze smiled. "Now you know."

"What about you? Why are you here?"

The older boy gazed at him firmly. "I'm one of your Protectors who guide you through the troubled times. I'm supposed to test your courage."

Daisuke grinned back. "I don't think my courage needn't to be tested, but if you insist, I'm ready."

"If you believe to be ready, then you are. What's courage?"

Daisuke blinked at the brief question, the serious voice of Blaze's. "That's it? A question to test my courage?"

Blaze nodded.

"Just one question?"

"All you have to do is answer it."

"Ok." Daisuke took a moment to ponder, but he found it pretty easy to answer. It seemed too obvious that the question didn't need any explanation. "Well, courage is about being brave. When you are courageous, you don't get afraid of anything. Nothing can scare you, and you become a hero in everybody's eyes." He then shrugged. He thought it was a good enough answer.

However, as he gazed upward, he saw Blaze's face stiffened, his tan eyes darkened with disapproval. For a moment, Daisuke thought that the tan eyes blazed like wildfire, sparkles of orange and yellow clashing against tan.

"What's the matter?"

"Is that what you see of courage?" Blaze said, his voice as hot as the flames around.

"Yes. That's the only answer I can think of. Do you expect a better answer?"

"If you are willing to listen, Daisuke, I will tell you what I see of your courage."

"Fire away."

Blaze crossed his arms and glared sharply. "What I do see is that you use your courage to show off. You boast your ability to defeat your enemies, gloats your boldness in the difficult situations. That's not courage, Davis. That's pride."

Daisuke stared speechlessly. The words struck deeply in his soul like daggers and drained his dignity. He was so belittled that he felt hurt and humiliated.

"Whoa, low blow. That stings, Blaze."

"Too much pride can grow into arrogance," Blaze continued. "The minute your experience it, you begin to lose all sense and awareness of your true virtues."

"And you know courage better than anybody?" Daisuke was snappy.

Blaze made a booming laugh. "I am courage incarnation, boy. Taichi bears the Crest of Courage, and he knows courage better than anybody."

"But I have the Digiegg of Courage, then.'

"Taichi entrusts you to guard the Digiegg, but it doesn't mean you have the right to corrupt it with pride."

Daisuke grew shamed. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

Blaze smiled, patted his shoulder. "That's why I'm here to remind you of true courage. Come with me."

Daisuke blinked and followed after the orange-clad boy somewhere. It was hard to tell if they were actually going anywhere; the area looked the same with the flames around. But Daisuke began to notice that the flames were getting quieter and dimmer and the surroundings became rocky. It seemed familiar to him, but he wasn't sure.

"What's your fear, Daisuke?" Blaze voiced.

"What do you mean?"

Blaze slowed down and turned to him. "What's your deepest fear?'

"I don't know," Daisuke answered, not understanding what the point to the question was. "If I do have one, I would never bother with it."

Blaze was silent for a moment, his tan eyes seeming to search for something. Abruptly, he spoke, "I will show you your fear."

Daisuke wondered why did Blaze want to do such a thing, then suddenly, he felt a faint quaver in the ground. The rocks began to shift up and down as if a giant Digimon violently stomped the ground. The rumblings were getting louder, closer. Daisuke got a shiver biting through his skin, and he quickly turned around to face whatever was coming.

He gaped as he saw Virus Metalgreymon rushing toward him, his dark golden eyes blazing. Daisuke couldn't keep his balance steady as the ground quaked. His heart leaped up in his throat with panic, and he froze in his place. But the enormous black android-dinosaur slowed down until he stood in front of the boy, glaring down feverishly.

"Are you telling me that Virus Metalgreymon is my fear?" Daisuke said nervously.

Blaze was calm, watching. "It's not what's outside that you fear, but what's inside."

Daisuke gazed back at the giant and blinked in surprise. Floating within the blackness of Virus Metalgreymon was a yellowish figure that Daisuke immediately recognized as Agumon. His large emerald eyes were full of sorrow and helplessness.

"Agumon!" He stepped closer, but then he cowered at the savage roar of Virus Metalgreymon, the sound shaking through his body. Daisuke was confused. "I don't understand, Blaze. How could Agumon be my fear?"

"You fear to harm him."

Memories of fighting Virus Metalgreymon appeared in Daisuke's head. He grew quiet as he recalled his hesitation to hurt Virus Metalgreymon because he was Agumon despite his friends' demands to free him by harm. He hated to hurt people, even though he acted tough. He may be tough and boastful, but he wouldn't dream of hurt anyone just to get his way.

"You remember," Blaze voiced understandingly. "You don't want to hurt your friends even if they are willing to harm you back."

"But I don't want to hurt Agumon!" Daisuke protested. "He's my friend."

"Even if he's evil?"

He winced as Virus Metalgreymon snapped his jaws at him, but the Digimon made no other move except to glare savagely. Daisuke's heart began to thump wildly.

"Are you afraid?"

"Yes . . ."

"Courage is not about being brave to face fear, but about knowing fear and capable to face it."

Daisuke tensed his body as Virus Metalgreymon raised his metallic claw, the talons twinkling wickedly in the dim firelight.

"You must know your fear, and you must face it with courage," Blaze continued. "What's your fear?"

The boy's voice was strained. "My fear is harming my friends. I never want to hurt them because they are my friends. It would be stupid if I do such a thing like that." Then his voice grew concerned. "But If I refuse to harm them, then they will suffer more badly in the hands of the enemy like Agumon."

Daisuke then gazed in the golden eyes. He tried to search through the feverish passion for the cheerfulness of Agumon, and almost swiftly he could see a flicker of emerald green shining on the gold color. He began to see Agumon behind Virus Metalgreymon, knowing that Agumon was here always.

He became bold. "I know that even if you are evil, I won't hurt you because I know somewhere in you, there's Agumon, my friend. He won't hurt me."

Virus Metalgreymon swiftly swiped his claw toward Daisuke. He kept frozen, shutting his eyes, waiting for the strike.

But the strike never came . . .

Opening his eyes, Daisuke scanned around. Virus Metalgreymon was gone, and all what were present were the dancing flames. "What happened here?"

"You passed it," Blaze mentioned as he arrived at his side, grinning proudly.

"What?"

"You passed the test of Courage."

"Really?" Daisuke was surprised. He didn't expect it. He never expected anything like that. He watched the beautiful flames for a while, trying to figure what was really going on here. Then he turned to see Blaze strolling away. "Hey, where are you going?"

Blaze answered without turning back. "My duty is done. You have one more test to face." Then he did look back, smiling the same courageous grin. "Farewell, Brother, until we meet again."

The orange and gold flames began to shift, swaying, changing colors, until it seemed, to Daisuke, that he was standing in a thick blanket of grey-blue mist. The mist gave him the calming effect, but Blaze was still on his mind.

"Blaze, what am I supposed to do now?" When no answer returned, Daisuke tried again. "Hello . . .? Hey, you can't leave me like that!"

He heard a stifled chuckle behind him, and he whirled around. There, midst of the thick mist, Yamato stood alone, clad in a lightweight mantle, deep blue like the night sky, threaded with tiny moons and stars all over. Wide sleeves reached down to his fingers, barely seen. He also wore dark green pants with short dark blue boots. Underneath the mantle, he was bare-chested. Not even the shadows cast by the low cowl could darken the bright snow-white lock that framed the sides of his face against the ash-blond hair. He stood several feet away, watching and smiling.

Daisuke stepped closer, saying, "You are not really Matt. You are the 'digitalized' version of Matt, am I right?"

The Yamato twin's smile widened, and he nodded in answer. "I'm Ghost, and I'm here to test you for - "

"Friendship," Daisuke cut in, grinning. "Got it."

Ghost's eyebrows raised in amusement. "Always hasty, aren't you?"

"Yes," Daisuke said back. "Well, down to business, shall we? Are you going to scold me about my friendship?"

Ghost shook his head. "Your courage was corrupted, but your friendship isn't."

"So I'm clean?"

"No."

"I know you would say that," Daisuke muttered, crossing his arms. He was still a bit disgraced by Blaze's 'test', even though he passed it.

Ghost chuckled at his tetchiness. "I admire your friendship. The bond is strong, the strongest I had seen. I'm proud of you for it, but there's someone I wonder about."

"Who?"

"Ken," he said, looking truly amazed. "I'm surprised that you are friends with him, who was the Digimon Emperor.'"

"Hey, he realized his mistakes!" Daisuke fiercely defended his close friend. "We forgave him and made him a part of the Digigang. Besides, he was a good friend to us, loyal and softhearted. He wouldn't harm a fly."

The tall blond boy averted his head. "Yet, he was the Digimon Emperor."

"Anymore, he's not! I trust him!"

Ghost cast him a questioning gaze. "Would you still trust him if he becomes the Emperor again?"

A boy appeared beside Daisuke, wearing a wicked uniform of black and blue. He indigo eyes glared smugly from behind violet shades. Daisuke was taken back by surprise and leaped back, raising fists in front. But as he gazed carefully at the Digimon Emperor, Daisuke lowered his fists and scowled. Even though the Digimon Emperor here was not real, Daisuke would never betray his loyalty to Ken by fighting.

"He would not do that," he replied to Ghost's question.

"You trust him still?"

The Emperor made a sudden sharp crack of his whip, grinning eagerly.

Daisuke was firm as he spoke, "I would still trust him, because somewhere in the Emperor, there is the Ken I know. He wouldn't hurt me." His face softened with sympathy. "I won't hurt him because it's like fighting your onii-chan. I trust him like an onii-chan, and if I betray that trust to fight him, then I'm no better than the Digimon Emperor."

The Emperor scowled, unable to crush him with mercilessness, and silently faded into the mist.

Ghost was watching him, his grey-blue eyes relaxed. "Friendship is at the strongest peak when you're friends with someone who was once evil, and you trust him no matter because you have faith in him."

Daisuke nodded. "That's what I would say. Ken and I are partners. It would be hard to be friends if we don't trust each other."

Ghost flashed him a proud smile. "You passed the test of Friendship."

Daisuke grinned back. "It was a short test."

"You already proved your friendship, but I want to make sure you remember it."

From the corners of his eyes, Daisuke saw someone moving, and he noticed Blaze walking from the mist like he appeared out of nowhere to stand beside Ghost. He was speaking, "It takes courage to trust friendship in moments of darkness."

"To have friends standing by you in those moments gives you courage to move on," Ghost continued.

Blaze grinned. "That's loyalty, Daisuke. You're loyal."

Daisuke blinked, his self-respect gaining. "I am?"

The cloaked boy added, "Loyalty is what you give courage to protect friendship, despite the risks and outcomes, Brother."

"Why are you calling me Brother?" the younger boy was perplexed.

"That's your title, Daisuke, the Brother of Loyalty," Ghost replied.

"But do not taint it with pride or egoism, understand?' Blaze added.

Daisuke nodded quickly, and the two strange-clad boys smiled in satisfaction. He then heard a faint creak and saw a door – the same arched door he had entered – opening a distance away. Daisuke wondered if he truly passed all the tests and was surprised when Ghost answered his unspoken question.

"You passed our tests, but remember, there are other encounters in the future that will test your other virtues, but we have confidence in you."

"Also," Blaze added, "we will watch over you, Brother."

Grinning, Blaze and Ghost disappeared out of nowhere. Somehow, Daisuke could feel that they were still here, protecting him, even though they were hidden. Though he could see the actual point of the tests, he noticed that he became more aware of his virtue, courage and friendship or loyalty. He knew he was loyal, and he wasn't going to lose that virtue.

Grinning, Daisuke, the Brother of Loyalty, ran for the door.

***

A/N:

Funny that, at first, I didn't really like Yolei because she's so like SORA! Maybe I'm biased. *Sighs* She doesn't seem an airhead to me, but she's crazy about boys! Way too much at first. I wish I could kick Saban's *ahem* fanny for dubbing those ridiculous phrases, but later, in the Battle of the Two Worlds' episodes, I grew fond of her. She may seem dreamy, but she has a huge heart.

It would be 'shocking' to you, but I think she's the real leader of the New Kids. Sure, Davis does have the goggles and all, but did you see him telling the kids what to do? Uh-uh. To me, he's more the Protector, while Yolei's the Leader. She seriously cares for everybody, much like Mimi, carrying her love for everybody, like Sora.

Did you see the episode - *Brain-farts* - err, I don't remember the title, but with Sora and the Russian Digidestined? You know that part during the battle with the Flymon? SHE IS A PURE LEADER, DAMMIT!! ^_~ She will take over the torch from Tai, I tell you! And that's the answer to your question, Sky! ^_^

I want to say one thing – WAY TO GO, YOLEI!!! She married Ken. Finally. THEY ARE MEANT FOR EACH OTHER, OKAY? *Coughs* and the adult Ken is hot.

But of course, the adult Izzy is hotter. But must Toei make him look hefty?! *Picks up the hugest Bazooka she could find and stomps out of the way*

Go ahead and read the part while I destroy Toei for making my Izz-man looking heavy.

Yolei's Part

Her long lavender-colored hair whisked across her face as Miyako found herself in the middle of a quiet windstorm. It was gentle and warm, not violent as a typical windstorm. Strange as it was, she could see the wind, the drafts drifting around her, like light silvery mists. The drafts tickled her skin, her face, touched with light moisture and balmy coolness that you could feel from a spring breeze.

The sight of the misty drafts entwining around her gloved fingers fascinated Miyako, then she began to notice that the windstorm was becoming stronger. Suddenly, gales of bitter cold burst out of nowhere, roaring around her. She hugged herself, having one dun-colored eye open, peeking from a vision of lavender hair. She wondered why the storm was savage for some reason, then as sudden as it began, the tempest quieted down into mild zephyrs.

"I apologize if my winds disturb you, Miyako."

She turned to the familiar voice and spotted a smiling Sora standing nearby, as if she was summoned from somewhere else. She was clad in a blood-red ankle-length kimono with broad sleeves and a light ivory-white sash tied around her waist. Her chestnut hair was pulled into a modest bun with a white ribbon, leaving several strands free to frame her round face. Miyako saw something amazing; there was a thick tress of metallic silver streaking from her right temple, seeming so stunningly.

"You did this?" Miyako questioned, gesturing to the drafts.

The chestnut-haired girl nodded. "I control wind."

"Control wind?"

"Sora didn't tell you?"

Miyako shook her head, and then blinked. "Wait a second. I thought you are Sora?"

She again smiled and replied with a shake of her head, "No, no, I'm not her. I'm actually a part of her spirit that she left behind. Each of the Old Digidestined had been through a test that caused them to leave a bit of themselves, which are actually we, to become part of the Digital World. Like a reminder. But it's an interesting thing – they don't even know we exist."

"You mean there is more than one Sora?"

"Sora doesn't know I exist. None of the Digidestined ever knows that their Heart incarnations are alive. But they will find out someday, and you will understand the truth." She smiled to the younger girl. "I'm Sora, yet I'm not her. It'd be better if you call me Sky instead."

Miyako was astonished, wondering about the strange abilities of the Digiworld. If what 'Sky' said was true, would there be another Miyako? Would she be any different? Miyako wondered about that because when Sky may look exactly like Sora, she seemed more . . . perceptive. Sora was like that, but Miyako often noticed that in Sora – as well as in the others – there was a faint sense of inner wariness, as if she was haunted of something.

Also, there was one thing else . . .

"You have a question to ask me, don't you, Miyako?" Sky spoke through her thoughts.

Miyako blinked at how she knew about the question, and then asked, "What I don't understand is when you said you control wind. What do you mean by that?"

"Perhaps it's better if you ask Sora instead. She will explain better than me."

"Oh, okay, I will, but what are you doing here?"

Sky folded her hands in her wide sleeves. "This is a test for your love and sincerity. I'm one of your Protector, and I'm chosen to test you for love."

"Why?"

"You have the Digieggs of Love and Sincerity. Those are your strongest virtues. You understand?"

Miyako nodded.

"I ask you, what's love?"

She wrinkled her nose. "Isn't it a bit obvious?"

Sky smiled. "There are many answers to love, but I would like to hear your answer."

Miyako felt her cheeks growing warm as she tried to explain, "Well, love is like passion, affection for your sweetheart. You feel . . ." Her cheeks turned scarlet.

"You brush, Miyako."

"It's obvious!" Miyako muttered. "Love is love. It's simple."

Sky cocked her head to a side. "What about love for your friends?"

The girl shook her head. "That's not love. That's friendship. There's a difference."

"Tell me."

"You have closeness to your friends. You have complete trust in them, and you are more than willing to protect them from any danger. You can't imagine a life without them."

Sky placed a finger on her cheek, looking wistful. "That sounds more like love to me."

" . . . "

Sky again smiled. "Miyako, you will understand about love when you lose someone you truly cherish. Love's not always what you feel for your lover, but the strongest love is what you feel for your friends. Tell me, you love Iori, right?"

Miyako nodded. "More like brother and sister."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

Sky paused, watching, as a silvery draft snaked around her finger. "Why do you love Iori as a sibling? You two are not even related."

Miyako thought before answering, "I know him since he was a toddler. We are best buddies, inseparable. We understand each other, know what do we express and offer help when we need it most. And . . ."

Miyako quieted down, remembering the time when she saw Iori sorrowful when his father died. Iori had fallen in mourning silence, refusing to talk to anybody, not even his mother or grandfather. Miyako was a kind of person who hated to see her friends being so said, and slowly, she brought the small boy back to high spirits by telling him wonderful stories of his father. It seemed to soothe him, and plus, she promised that she will never leave him. For four years, she never broke it.

Miyako continued, ". . . and we need each other. I mean . . . We couldn't go on without the support of each other. We may be different in personality, but we just clicked together." She slowly smiled the mirthful smile that she always reserved for her best friend. "I couldn't imagine going one day without his childlikeness and wisdom."

(A/N: How's that for Yolei's and Cody's intimate friendship? ^_^)

The kimono-clad girl nodded to herself as if was satisfied and rested her hands on Miyako's shoulders, grinning. "Now that's what I call love. Miyako, your love is very intense. I can see it glowing from you. It's very beautiful. Just don't let it fade out."

"I promise."

"You don't need to promise if you continue loving for your friends and yourself." Sky then removed her hands and bowed respectfully. "You passed the test of Love, Mistress."

"I did? That's it?"

"No, there's another one." Sky flashed another smile and turned to walk into the winds, the breezes swaying her clothes.

"Sky, what test is it now?" Miyako called out, but Sky was already gone. Miyako felt the winds fading down, then before her eyes, various plants of beauty began to appear all around. Trees sprouted and bowed downward, budded with breathtaking blossoms. Flowers of the rainbow colors stood around her feet, some fully opened, some still budded as if still asleep. She found herself standing in a vast and picturesque garden.

One thing caught her eye. A small flower blossomed in front of her, its pale lavender petals touched with morning dew. It was the only flower in the whole garden that was the color, matched her hair perfectly. Miyako took an immediately liking to it. She was about to kneel and touch it when a voice spoke from behind.

"I see that you like the orchid."

Recognizing the voice, Miyako smiled over to the Mimi twin as she stood midst the flowers. She was wearing a loose sleeveless blouse, the nice color of pale jade, lightly decorated with painted vines of pale lavender. An ankle-length jade-colored wrap was firmly tied around her waist with a left slip that reached to her hip. It was also painted with lavender leaf-vines all over. A thin cord of real vine is bound around her entire left arm, from her shoulder down to her middle finger, as several vine bracelets decorated her right wrist. Dark blue sandals hugged her feet with short straps tying around her ankles.

Much like Sky's silver tress, Mimi had a pale green tress streaking from her left temple, mingling with her honey-colored hair around her shoulders.

"Yes, I like the orchid," Miyako said, facing the girl. "Um, what's your name?"

"Petal."

"Petal. It's a nice name."

Petal bowed lightly. "Arigato, Miyako. Plants are my specialty, so that's why I'm called as Petal."

She stepped over to an aspen tree branch and placed a finger on the bark. As she removed it, a small white blossom appeared, opening its petals, seeming to follow her finger.

"Wow!" Miyako exclaimed with amazement. "How did you do that?"

"It's not my place to tell you. Mimi will explain it to you someday."

Miyako became puzzled at that. Sky said the same thing about Sora. Did these girls hide something from her or from the New Kids? She grew curious, but she knew right now she was being tested. First, the test, and then the questions.

"Petal, are you going to test me for something?"

She nodded, keeping her hazel eyes on the tiny blossom. "Your sincerity."

"And you are going to ask me what sincerity is?'

Petal smiled back. "You catch on quick."

Miyako crossed her arms, her face having the dubious expression. "I don't understand this. I know that love and sincerity are my virtues, but why should I be tested for this? What's the point?"

"To test your worthiness," Petal simply answered.

"Why?"

"Don't you want to be great?" Petal's voice suddenly was ardent, her pale hazel eyes full of desire. "Don't you want to be popular, famous?'

"I . . I . . ." Miyako stammered. She knew she wanted to be popular, part of the 'in' group, but not anymore. She was now part of the Digigang, and the older kids already treated her as a person, not a geek or a computer brainic. She adored that feeling, being appreciated and accepted. She then shook her head. "Not really. I just want to be respected, that's all."

"Respected for what?"

"For whom I am." Miyako lowered her dun eyes. "I learned that I shouldn't be too judgmental of people, and I should be honest. I should speak out my mind, my feelings."

Petal sounded pensive. "Miyako, sometimes, too much honesty can make you vulnerable. Everybody could see your weakness and can take advantage of you. Plus, too much honesty can make anyone who listen feels exposed. Many hate to be reminded of their imperfections, but they are only human."

Miyako made a half-smile. "Sometimes, I think the same. But I also think that being human is more real than being perfect. I mean, how boring can it be, too perfect?"

Petal laughed lightly, her eyes sparkling. "Your sincerity surprises me. You accept being human, but you try to be honest about yourself and the others." She reached to hold on Miyako's hand. "Honey, it's more than sincerity! That's Purity, your strongest virtue." Then she let it go and nodded to herself. "You passed the test of Sincerity, Mistress."

"Why do you call me that?" Miyako wondered.

"If you don't mind," said Sky as she stepped out from behind the tress to stand beside Petal. "We would like to call you Mistress because it's your title that will soon be known."

"And before you ask why," Petal added with a giggle at Miyako's questioning look, "You will know why someday. For now, just keep this secret between the three of us, okay?" She finished with a knowing wink.

Miyako smiled back, and then she saw the arched door opening nearby, showing that she passed the two tests.

Sky spoke with truth, "You will face more tests in the future not unlike ours, but I know, with your humanity, you will succeed."

Petal bent down to pluck out the lavender orchid and handed it to Miyako. "As your Protectors, we will stand by you, as always, Mistress."

Miyako gently cradled the blossom and watched as the girls and the garden dissolved into dimness. But there was a draft tickling her cheeks. She didn't forget that her Protectors were still here, standing by her, guiding her on the rightful path.

The Mistress of Purity, Miyako smiled as she touched her cheek, then she left for the door.

To be continued.