Sora looked up at the stars twinkling against the blackening sky of the Digiworld. Her feelings were mixed. She was sad for Tai, scared of their new enemy. She expected that. But she was also struck with a feeling of pride. Pride that she shared the duty of saving both worlds with her friends, pride of who she was. She still didn't understand it, though. She was about to speak her feelings, but Matt spoke first.

"It feels kind of empty here without Tai around, doesn't it?"

"I still can't grasp the fact that he's gone."

"I know." Matt whispered. He glanced at the dying flames. "I'd better get some more fire wood. I'll be right back."

Sora suddenly put a hand of his shoulder. "About Arcticmon," she said, "do you really think that we can beat him by 'combining' our attacks?"

Matt hung his head. "Actually," he said apologetically. "I don't."

"Then why did you agree with that plan?" Sora asked inquisitively.

"I don't know."

Tentomon suddenly flew into the area. "Come quick! Arcticmon's here!"

Matt muttered, "Speak of the devil," as Sora ran ahead of him into the clearing outside of camp. Matt ran after her.

Once there, they found Gabumon and Biyomon run/fly up to them.

"Quick! Let us digivolve," Gabumon pleaded.

"Sora and Matt took out their digivices, and their digimon digivolved. Garurumon and Birdramon went to go fight alongside their fellow digimon, who had already digivolved.

"How pathetic," Arcticmon sneered.

Joe spoke up. "Remember our plan, guys."

"Ahem, excuse me?" Mimi looked annoyed.

"And girls." Joe silently mouth 'one... two...' "THREE!"

Suddenly, Arcticmon was hit with a barrage of attacks. When the dust cleared, however, he had not a scratch on him. "FROZEN MIST"

When the icy fog appeared, all of the digimon de-digivolved. Ikkakumon, however, was far enough away that he emerged unscathed.

"Don't worry guys! You can count on us!" Joe said. Suddenly, he pulled his digivice from his pocket. It was glowing brighter and brighter every second. Everyone watched as Ikkakumon digivolved in Zudomon.

"Ha! You think that scares me? The great Arcticmon? That is so pathetic."

Matt, however, ran to Gabumon upon seeing him injured.

"No! Gabumon! You're my best friend!" he shouted over the madness. He stopped as he accidentally dropped his glowing crest on the ground.

"Gabumon warp digivolve to... Metal Garurumon!"

"Impressive. However, you know you're attempts are futile, right?"

"That's what you think," Matt said through clenched teeth.

"GIGA MISSLE"

Arcticmon grabbed the rocket and laughed. "Is that the best you've got?"

"No. This is," Zudomon grinned. "VULCAN'S HAMMER"

Arcticmon whirled around as the blast struck the bomb he was holding. The massive explosion sent everyone sprawling. Matt watched as the blackened body of Arcticmon hit the ground and returned to the data from which he came.



"Damn! Those Digidestined destroyed Arcticmon! Oh, well. I guess that leaves everything to Anemomon." The digimon ran his fingers down the blade of his sword. "I just wish I could've taken care of them." He stood up from his throne and turned the gigantic screen in front of him and laughed devilishly.

To Be Continued...