When the light disappeared, Matt was the first one to his feet. "Laura! Laura! Where are you?" He ran down to the field. No one was there. "Lucky! Answer me. Please."
By now, the rest of the DigiDestineds had followed Matt, spreading out to search for Nick and Laura.
"Nick? Laura? Are you here? Are you hurt?"
No answer came.
"Hey, has anyone seen Aryn? I can't find her either." said Davis, running up too Matt and Tai.
"Where could they be? You don't think Nick and Laura…"
"No." exclaimed Matt. "I would know if something happened to her. She's alive I know it."
"Then were are they?"
"I don't know Mimi."
Suddenly, a familiar beep filled the air. TK pulled out his D-terminal. "We have an email from Genni. It says to get to the Digital World immediately. Apparently, there are some people there that need to talk to us."
"Probably Azulongmon and the other Elders." said Sora. "They probably want to know what happened here tonight."
"What do we tell them?"
"The truth. Lies cause to much pain."
************************************************************************
The teens ran to the school gym. Once there, they made their way into the school's computer lab. Izzy called up the portal, and Davis held up his digivices. "Digi - Port Open."
A bright light filled the room, sucking them into the computer. They land a short time later right in front of Genni's house.
"Hey, I'm in my normal Digital World clothes." said Yolei.
It was true. Everyone's clothes had changed. No one was wearing their dresses or tuxes anymore, rather simple, comfy clothes.
"So, how do we get inside?" asked Cody.
The waters leading to the house, parted.
"Well, there you go Cody. Ask a question, get an answer." replied Tai.
"Come on, we're wasting time. Maybe Genni and the others know something of Laura."
The group ran down the slippery steps, careful not to fall. That was all they needed to complete the night, a broken leg.
Genni was waiting for them at the bottom on the stairs. "Children, I glad to see you have arrived safely."
"Genni, something bad happened to Laura, she disappeared." exclaimed Matt.
"And her brother Nick is alive, Aryn too." Tai added.
"I know all of that."
"How do you know?"
"Because I told him." replied a voice.
Standing in the doorway of his house was a tall woman. She appeared to be twenty. She had long blondish brown hair that flowed down her back. Her piercing purple - blue eyes held a hint of authority and wisdom to them. She easily stood at six feet. Her long, slender legs were toned and well defined. Anyone could see that, even with her dark jeans on. She was also wearing a purple shirt and a silver knee length coat and tied at the waist.
Matt gawked at the sight before him. He knew that woman. "Laura?"
The girl nodded. "Yeah, it's me."
Matt ran and embraced his girlfriend. "I thought I lost you."
"Never. I guess this means you'll have to look up to me for awhile huh?"
"Yeah, but what is up with that, the change. What are you twenty?"
"Twenty one actually. Come inside. Genni and I have a lot of explaining to do."
************************************************************************
Genni led the astonished teens into the living room. He himself sat in the big chair; Lucky elected for the sitting window.
"Where do you want me to begin?"
Tai spoke up. "The battlefield. What happened there?"
"To be honest, I'm not completely sure. What you did see was me using my Mega attack. It took to much energy out of me and the Digital World brought me here to heal and recover."
"And the age thing?"
"When I reached my Mega level, I became a full digimon. I am not longer considered a partial. Yes, I am still human, but my abilities have fully taken over my body. That is why I look older here. I have matured in my powers. So while I am here, I will look twenty one. I will stay this way for centuries."
"You mean you will live forever?"
"I don't know TK, no one does. I still have human characteristics. There is no telling whether I will be reconfigured or not when I die."
"What happens when you return the Real World?"
"I will return to my true age, but once I reach the age of twenty one, I will continue to look at that age."
"Eternal Youth."
"Not quite Mimi. I do age. Just instead of aging every year, I do it once a century."
"Wow."
"What happened to Nick and Aryn." asked Sora gently. She knew that it could be a touchy subject, especially if Laura managed to kill her own brother. Yet, Lucky didn't seem upset, just worried, which was strange.
"I'm right here." said Aryn, walking into the room. She still appeared to be 13.
"And I am here as well."
Everyone turned to the doorway, standing there was a much older Nick. His blond hair was still the same length as before, but his blue eyes were different. They had a tone of happiness and freedom to them. He had forgone his black outfit and know was wearing jeans, a gray shirt and a long knee length midnight blue jacket.
"You." hissed Matt.
"Matt stop. It's okay. Everyone, I would like you to meet Nick, the real Nick."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain sis. The Nick you saw Laura battling was me, but not. I was so consumed by my hatred that I wasn't thinking clearly. Piedmon managed to show me images that Laura killed our parents. I was already jealous of my sister, the Digital World had chosen her to protect it, not me. And before you ask, yes Piedmon planted that idea into my head as well. Mom was another factor to why I fell to the darkness. It wasn't her fault, this was the reason why she never told her kids about the DigiWorld. She knew that at our young age that we would be tempted by the powers of Darkness and that we would be more likely to fall. How right she was. As you all undoubtedly heard, I started my training at a very young and impressionable age. Piedmon used that against me. He promised me that I would be the coolest kid on the block, once I learned how to use my powers. To any eight year old, that sounded great. Now I realize he was turning me against my family. It didn't take him long to make me turn on mom. I doubt Aryn remembers any of this, she was far to young, but Lucky probably does. Mom and I used to get into constant fights, over something little as brushing my hair. And I am not talking about shouting matches, I would throw full out tantrums. Sometimes I hit her, bite her, man was I horrible. But that was just the beginning. All that happened before Laura left on her first digital experience. When she was chosen to be a DigiDestined, I was green with envy. I couldn't understand why the Elders had chosen her over me. I was the more powerful sibling, well at the time I was. I had already master my defense and Dark Illusion attack. It wasn't till later I discover why things happened the way they did. Anyway, the day Laura left, Mom was in hysterics. She couldn't believe her child had inherited the powers of this world. What she didn't realize was that her other to children had as well. Somehow, Dad got the impress that Laura was staying with mom's brother. Mom didn't have a brother, to Dad's knowledge, but something caused Dad to think that way. I think the white light was supposed to affect Aryn and me as well, but since we too were digimon, it didn't. It was then that I learn Aryn to had abilities. I tried to convince her to train with me, but she wouldn't. She must have sense the evilness in him or something. I continued training with him though, despite Aryn's warnings. Everyday I was consumed more and more by the darkness. I needed only one more good push to completely send me over that line. And then Lady Myotismon came to the real world. She was the final push that I need. I can't imagine the pain that sis went through with her. But, what happened to Laura and what I saw was two separate things. I was sleeping in my room when I felt the room start to shake. I heard Aryn call out to me in my mind and I ran into her room. It was there that the building began to collapse. I used a shield attack to protect Aryn and I so that the rumble wouldn't harm us. If I could, I would have done the same for mom and dad, but I couldn't get to their room in time. I thought maybe mom would be able to do the same, but she had spent to much time in this world and lost most of her control on her powers. After the building settled, I dropped the shield and climbed out of the rumble with Aryn. Using my Dark Illusion attack, I created the bodies of Aryn and I to make it look like we were dead. If we were found alive, there were going to be questions that I couldn't answer. So we fled and met up with Piedmon. He showed me what happened at the apartment. He showed Lady Myotismon attacking the building and Laura walking away in the background, laughing hysterically. I thought my sister had turned evil when in fact it was I. It was the final push that I needed. I was consumed by my hatred, greed, and power. My sister needed to pay, for killing all of us. That is why I left her thinking we were dead, if I knew that the truth, I never would have done that. By then, I was too far gone to listen to the truth. Slowly, I started to plan my revenge. With Piedmon's help, I finally reached my Mega level. By this time, all you were about to enter the Digital World. Aryn seemed like she wanted to help get revenge on her sister, but never would she train. I didn't understand it, but I didn't push. Around this time, Piedmon tried to convince me that we needed to over take the Digital World. I couldn't believe it. I never imaged that he was evil. I flat out refused his offer. The next few years, Aryn and I fled in between the Real and Digital Worlds, trying to elude Piedmon. He wasn't happy that I deserted him. So, now it was Aryn and I up against the world. I wasn't upset to learn that all of you had defeat Piedmon. It was more of a relief. It gave me more time to plot my revenge on dear sister. Eventually, I had my plan. And all of you know what happened next."
"Wow, that is some story." asked Yolei. "But what happened at the battle?"
"All of you saw that both Laura and I used Mega attacks. I didn't realize that she could reach the Mega level. I guess somewhere along the line, I really ticked her off, and that extra emotion fueled her energy giving her the chance to destroy me."
"Why didn't the attack kill you?"
Nick glanced at Laura who shrugged. "When I called for my attack, I knew that one of us would die. All of you saw the fireball. But somehow both of us ended up here. Nick was unconscious when he arrived, but when he woke up, the darkness it was gone. I could see it, sense it."
"When Laura's attack hit me, it was like, the darkness inside my heart was killed, but I myself was still alive. I haven't felt this way since before Piedmon came into my life."
"Unbelievable. Lucky, you kept saying that you didn't want to kill your own brother because you knew that some where deep inside, the Nick you knew what screaming to be let out. You were right and some how you willed your powers to just expel of the darkness."
"You're right Izzy, that is unbelievable."
"I have one question though. The prophecy, it all came true, except the part about Justice showing it's true form. Aryn was Harmony, Nick was deception, and Lucky was Protection. So where is this justice? Or was it metaphorically speaking?" asked Kari.
"No Kari, I am Justice."
"You?" explained the group.
"My true form is the one you see before you. I had forgot what my crest meant. That I must always search for the truth. I took it to mean that I must punish anyone who did wrong. So, my crest became corrupt. Only did when Laura and Aryn convince me of the errors of way, did my crest come alive again."
"So you hold the crest of Justice."
"Right, and my powers are that of Illusion. I can make my enemies see things they don't want too or use it on myself and create copies of myself. My defense skills are derived from the element fire. I am the Guardian Of Justice"
"And all of you know I hold the crest of Unity. My abilities lie in the area of Protection. I can destroy any attack thrown my way and use them to destroy any enemy. My defense attacks come from the element of harden water, or ice. I am the Guardian of Unity."
"I hold the crest of Harmony. My abilities are unclear at the time, but seem to lay in the area of Telekinesis. I can telepathically talk to any of you and have. My defense skills come from the element air or wind. I am the Guardian of Harmony."
"That sounded like a speech to me."
"That is because it was." Genni said. "DigiDestineds, I would like to present you the Guardians, or the future Elders of the Digital World."
***********************************************************************
"Say what?" exclaimed Davis.
"We are to become the future Elders of the Digital World. Azulongmon wasn't the first Elder, as all of you know, and he wasn't going to be the last. Nick, Aryn, and I are going to train to be the new ones. Until that time though, Nick, Aryn, and I will be known as the Guardians."
"Unreal. Aryn, you said you haven't come into your powers yet, but you have called to us Telepathically?" asked Matt.
"A few times yes. I had to be careful though. Nick was always watching me. But yeah, I did try to warn all of you in certain situations. I told Matt to run when Nick was about to attack him. I led Laura to where she could find Matt. I even hinted a few times to her subconscious that Nick was the stalker. All of you where so close to the truth, but wouldn't committed to Nick."
"I thought both of you were dead, that is a pretty good reason to cross them off a suspect list."
"You were wrong. You were wrong." Aryn said, teasing her sister.
Laura smirked. "Whatever."
"Since you have come into full powers yet, is that why you look your true age in the Digital World?"
"That's right Ken. But I still show my rank as a future Elder though with my coat. See, unlike Nick's or Laura's, mine is waist length, showing that I am still a partial digimon. Nick and Laura are both full, which is why there's fall to their knees. The colors of our coats are also important. My color is amethyst, which is also the name of my most basic defense skill, amethyst squalls. Laura's is the same. Sliver - silver icicles. Nick too, Midnight blue - Midnight flames."
"But aren't there four Elders? One to cover each of the four reigns? There are only three of you. What about the fourth?"
"There is no fourth Elder. But the Digital World will have a new group of defense, that is if they accept."
"Who is that?"
"They are the Protectors. The first line of defense for the Digital World. Since Laura, Nick, and I will have other duties that will require our attention, the DigiWorld will be left defenseless. The Protectors will especially be needed as we train. Even though Nick and Laura have reached their Mega levels, they still need to learn how to control there powers so they don't tire out as quickly. And in my case, I will have to learn my special abilities."
"So, we wouldn't be needed in other worlds. Not with this band of digimon protectors." said Tai sourly. "Is this the thanks we get for risking our lives?"
"Tai, you have it all wrong. All of you are the Protectors. Nick, Aryn, and I could never kick you out of your jobs. You have been protecting it far longer than all of us. You are still need here, more than you will ever know. The reason why you are given the name Protectors is because it was not destiny that gave you this job, but rather a suggest from Nick to Azulongmon. Besides that, we wanted something else to distinguish you from future DigiDestineds, in case they ever arrive. Only you, Matt, Joe, Izzy, TK, Sora, Mimi, Kari, Yolei, Davis, Ken, and Cody will ever be Protectors."
"Way cool."
Everyone laughed.
"I have to ask though. Laura, you seem upset about something. Why? You have your brother and sister back, a new job, and your whole life ahead of you. What's wrong."
"Nothing Matt. I'm fine, just a tired."
"No, it is more to it than that."
"Okay, no more secrets. I am done with that. When this meeting is all over with, I will not be returning back to the Real World with you. In fact, I don't know when I will return."
************************************************************************
"What! Why not?"
"The whole training thing Matt. I have to stay here and learn how to maintain my powers long, how to run the Digital World, how to be a digimon."
"What about Jenson's? What about us?"
"Tyler will run the company for the time that I am gone. And for us, it is not like you can't come here and visited. I can't leave though. I am needed here."
"And your not in our dimension?"
"Let me rephrase this then. The Elder refuse to let me return. I must train."
"Don't you have a choice in the matter?"
"No, it is my destiny to be the new leader of this world."
"Destiny isn't something that is planned out for you, it is what you decide."
"Not for digimon Sora. It was the same way with my mom. But she escaped her duties. She fled to your world. I can't turn my back on mine."
"The Real World is your world too Laura, or have you forgotten that. And what about all of us? Your friends?"
"Please don't make this harder than it already is Matt, I can't leave. I am bounded by my destiny."
"No, your not. Destiny is what we make of it. Not the other way around."
"I have no choice. This is my job."
"So, this is it. You're turning your back on all of us and choosing to stay here. After all we did for you, risked for you."
"Matt, I understand your anger, but you have to see Laura's side. She doesn't have a choice in the matter. Free will doesn't exist here, or at least for us." Nick pointed out.
"Why not?"
"Because, we are different. We are not normal digimon. Our abilities are far greater than any others. They need to train us, so we don't kill ourselves. And if we become the new Elders, maybe, just maybe we can bring peace back to this land."
"But why now? Why can't they let you, Nick, and Laura have a life? Why are they forcing this upon you."
The siblings replied in unison. "It is our destiny."
"Why can't you choose your life though?"
"Every digimon has a purpose when they are born. Ours was to lead the Digital World, we can't change that, no matter how hard we try. We can't wait either. We've come into our powers now. It is time, not matter how much we hate it."
"What about your other life Laura? What about it?"
"I'll still own Jenson's, but I just wouldn't work there for awhile. Genni is going to tell them that I am going to college. He will continue to home school me here so I can finish high school and then I will take college classes over the net."
"And me? What about us? We are destined to be together you know."
"We still will be together Matt. I'll just be here though. I'll come and visit and you can do the same. I just have to stay here."
"It wouldn't be the same though." Matt didn't like this, not one bit.
"No, I know that. But once we finish training, then I will be able to come back more."
"How long will that be?"
"A few years."
"WHAT!" exclaimed the group.
"There's a lot to beginning an Elder." argued Nick.
"Laura, I don't think I can wait that long."
"I know Matt and I wouldn't blame you if you moved on. I would understand, honestly."
"I could never do that. I swear it. You are the only girl for me."
"I can't ask you to put your life on hold for me."
"Aren't the Elders asking you to put your life on hold for them?" countered Mimi. She couldn't believe what the Elders were asking the siblings to do. Of course the situation was different for Nick and Aryn, they didn't have another life in the real world. Lucky did. 'Why is the fates always out to make Lucky's life miserable?'
"It's different Mimi. Another set of standards."
"How."
Lucky didn't respond.
Joe sighed. "See, the standards aren't different. If you never lived in the Real World, yeah then I would have agreed. But since you did, you've made friends, have a job, go to school. You have a whole other life. How can you just forget about it?"
"It's not like I want too, but I have to follow what my destiny has planned for me. Please I am not asking to accept all of this, but to understand. That is it."
"It is really hard though Laura. It won't be the same without you in the real world. Not having you there will seem really boring. We've been friends for three, almost four years, it is hard to imagine you not being a part of it anymore."
"I know Yolei. I don't like this anymore than all of you. But I don't have a choice in the matter."
"Are you sure that you want to do this Lucky?"
"Yes Cody, I am sure."
"DigiDestineds, people are going to wonder where you have disappeared too. Nick has been using his Dark Illusion attack to make it appear that all of you are still at the dance, but he will not be able to maintain that deception much longer. You'll have to go back soon."
"Okay Genni."
"But before you leave, you'll have to confirm your dedication to be a Protector."
Tai stood up. "I, Tai Kamiya, bearer of the crest of Courage, hereby swears his loyalty to the Digital World. I promise from this day forth to protect this world from any evil threat and will guard the future Elders from any harm that may threaten them. From this day forth, you will know me as the Protector of Courage.
"I, Matt Ishida, bearer of Friendship, promises to guard the Digital World at any cost. Not matter what the odds I will continue to fight until this world can live in peace. Like my predecessors before me, I will protect my friends, the digimon, and the future Elders from any evil that comes their way. From this day forth, you will know me as the Protector of Friendship."
"I, Joe Kido, the bearer of Reliability, will do whatever it takes to make sure this World remains peaceful and harmonious. No matter what time of day, I will be here, watching to protect this realm from any danger that may arise. From this day forth, you shall know me as the Protector of Reliability."
"I, TK Takaishi, the bearer of Hope, pledges that no longer will the Powers of Darkness rise to over take this beautiful world. I will protect the Digital World with my life and never give up hope in the most hopeless situations. I give you my word and honor. From this day worth, you may call me the Protector of Hope."
"I, Izzy Izumi, the guardian of Knowledge vows that this world will never again feel the pain and destruction that has plagued the DigiWorld again. I promise with my knowledge, I will plan any defense, attack, or boundaries needed to protect my friends and digimon from harm. From this day worth, I will be known as the Protector of Knowledge."
"I, Sora Takenouchi, the guardian of Love, promised to protect this world with compassion and dedication. Never again will this world sway, not with I, the other DigiDestineds, and future Elders protecting it. From this day forth, I will be known as the Protector of Love."
"I, Mimi Tachikawa, the guardian of Sincerity, swears that I will secure this world from any harm, even if it breaks a nail. I pledge my loyalty and sincerity to the future Elders that I will protect them, my digimon, all the other digimon, and my friends from any future danger that may present itself to us. From this day forth, I will be know as the Protector of Sincerity."
"I, Kari Kamiya, guardian of Light, vows that the Light from this World will never be extinguished. I promise that I will live up to my crest and the job stated to me and keep the light shining brightly so this world will never have to suffer from total darkness again. From the moment on, I will be known as the Protector of Light."
"I, Davis Motomiya, bearer of the Digiegg of Courage and Friendship, assures that no harm will come to this world as long as I am able to fight. I stand before you all today to promise my service to this world and to the future Elders. As along as I and the rest of the Protectors are here, no evil shall succeed. From this day forth, I shall be called the Protector of the Digiegg of Courage and Friendship."
"I, Ken Ichijoji, keeper of kindness, declares that the Darkness will never be able to consume another soul as long as I am here. I promise to protect, watch, and guard my friends, the digimon, as well as Nick, Aryn, and Lucky from any harm that may come their way. Never again will they feel fear and loneliness that the darkness brings with it. From this day forth, I will be know as the Protector of Kindness."
"I, Yolei Inoue, bearer of the Digiegg of Sincerity and Love, pledge my dedication to the job of defeating future evils that threaten this world. Along with the future Elders aid, I guarantee that no evil will rise to enormous power as past evils has managed to do. From this day on, you shall know me as the Protector of the Digiegg of Sincerity and Love."
"I, Cody Hida, keeper of the Digiegg Reliability and Knowledge, swear to fight any evil that threatens the goodness and purity of this world. I promise to act swiftly, but smartly to protect my friends from any danger that terrorizes their lives. From this moment on, you may call me the Protector of the Digiegg of Reliability and Knowledge."
Genni nodded in approve. "From this day on my dear friends, no longer will digimon fear the darkness. Today is a historical day indeed. The Protectors have arrived. Long Live the Light."
Laura moved silently over to Matt. She motioned him to follow her. The two walked down a hallway. Lucky pushed open a door. Inside was a desk and a bed.
"My future room." Lucky said, as if reading Matt's thoughts.
"Kind of bland."
"I'll decorate it once things settle down a bit."
"Oh, so what did you want to talk about?"
"Everything I guess, but most importantly, us."
"What do want to know."
"What you said on the field, about never loving anyone but me. Was that true?"
"I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't Lucky. I do love you, with all my heart and soul. Nothing, not even this, will change that. I meant it when I said that I wanted to marry you when we got older. I couldn't imagine marrying anyone but you. I can even picture our wedding sometimes. And then when I saw you at the dance, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world. And I still think that way. Nothing will ever change that."
Laura was crying then. Matt wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He could feel the tension in them. She had gone through a lot in the past weeks and now in was beginning to takes it toll on her. There was no way that he could leave her now. His dad would understand.
"You have to go back Matt."
"Are you reading my thought?"
"No, but you are my boyfriend, my soul mate. I know what you're thinking. You have to go home though. Your family is there. You would miss them to much. Plus what about school? Your parents would never let you miss. Go back. Now that you are a Protector, you'll be able to visit more frequently."
"You don't want to do this do you?"
"All I want Matt is to be a kid, to be able to act my age and not have to worry about adult responsibilities. But no matter what road I chose, I do."
"You didn't answer the question."
"No, I don't. But it is my destiny. I have no choice in the matter."
"You have more than you think. But I will respect your decision. Just remember, I will always love you and will wait for that day that we can be together. Okay?"
Laura nodded. She then bent down and kissed Matt passionately on the lips. He returned the kiss full heartedly. The kiss lasted forever. They only parted to breathe.
"You better get going Matt, the Real World waits for you."
The two rejoined the others in the living room. Genni turned to the group. "It's time to go. Tai, will you and your team hold out your digivices?"
They did. Genni whispered some phrase and their digivices charged. They now looked like Davis' team. "This upgrade will enable all you to open the Digital Gates. At any time, you will be able to come here, whether to protect or visit."
"Thank you Genni. But we better go before Nick's spell ends." Ken turned to the computer in the room. "Digi - Port open."
The group was sucked through the portal. Soon, only Matt remained. He gave his girlfriend a hug. "Remember what I said okay?"
Lucky nodded, unable to speak. Tears flowed down her face. Matt followed the rest of his group and returned home. 'I promise Matt, one day, I will return home.'
By now, the rest of the DigiDestineds had followed Matt, spreading out to search for Nick and Laura.
"Nick? Laura? Are you here? Are you hurt?"
No answer came.
"Hey, has anyone seen Aryn? I can't find her either." said Davis, running up too Matt and Tai.
"Where could they be? You don't think Nick and Laura…"
"No." exclaimed Matt. "I would know if something happened to her. She's alive I know it."
"Then were are they?"
"I don't know Mimi."
Suddenly, a familiar beep filled the air. TK pulled out his D-terminal. "We have an email from Genni. It says to get to the Digital World immediately. Apparently, there are some people there that need to talk to us."
"Probably Azulongmon and the other Elders." said Sora. "They probably want to know what happened here tonight."
"What do we tell them?"
"The truth. Lies cause to much pain."
************************************************************************
The teens ran to the school gym. Once there, they made their way into the school's computer lab. Izzy called up the portal, and Davis held up his digivices. "Digi - Port Open."
A bright light filled the room, sucking them into the computer. They land a short time later right in front of Genni's house.
"Hey, I'm in my normal Digital World clothes." said Yolei.
It was true. Everyone's clothes had changed. No one was wearing their dresses or tuxes anymore, rather simple, comfy clothes.
"So, how do we get inside?" asked Cody.
The waters leading to the house, parted.
"Well, there you go Cody. Ask a question, get an answer." replied Tai.
"Come on, we're wasting time. Maybe Genni and the others know something of Laura."
The group ran down the slippery steps, careful not to fall. That was all they needed to complete the night, a broken leg.
Genni was waiting for them at the bottom on the stairs. "Children, I glad to see you have arrived safely."
"Genni, something bad happened to Laura, she disappeared." exclaimed Matt.
"And her brother Nick is alive, Aryn too." Tai added.
"I know all of that."
"How do you know?"
"Because I told him." replied a voice.
Standing in the doorway of his house was a tall woman. She appeared to be twenty. She had long blondish brown hair that flowed down her back. Her piercing purple - blue eyes held a hint of authority and wisdom to them. She easily stood at six feet. Her long, slender legs were toned and well defined. Anyone could see that, even with her dark jeans on. She was also wearing a purple shirt and a silver knee length coat and tied at the waist.
Matt gawked at the sight before him. He knew that woman. "Laura?"
The girl nodded. "Yeah, it's me."
Matt ran and embraced his girlfriend. "I thought I lost you."
"Never. I guess this means you'll have to look up to me for awhile huh?"
"Yeah, but what is up with that, the change. What are you twenty?"
"Twenty one actually. Come inside. Genni and I have a lot of explaining to do."
************************************************************************
Genni led the astonished teens into the living room. He himself sat in the big chair; Lucky elected for the sitting window.
"Where do you want me to begin?"
Tai spoke up. "The battlefield. What happened there?"
"To be honest, I'm not completely sure. What you did see was me using my Mega attack. It took to much energy out of me and the Digital World brought me here to heal and recover."
"And the age thing?"
"When I reached my Mega level, I became a full digimon. I am not longer considered a partial. Yes, I am still human, but my abilities have fully taken over my body. That is why I look older here. I have matured in my powers. So while I am here, I will look twenty one. I will stay this way for centuries."
"You mean you will live forever?"
"I don't know TK, no one does. I still have human characteristics. There is no telling whether I will be reconfigured or not when I die."
"What happens when you return the Real World?"
"I will return to my true age, but once I reach the age of twenty one, I will continue to look at that age."
"Eternal Youth."
"Not quite Mimi. I do age. Just instead of aging every year, I do it once a century."
"Wow."
"What happened to Nick and Aryn." asked Sora gently. She knew that it could be a touchy subject, especially if Laura managed to kill her own brother. Yet, Lucky didn't seem upset, just worried, which was strange.
"I'm right here." said Aryn, walking into the room. She still appeared to be 13.
"And I am here as well."
Everyone turned to the doorway, standing there was a much older Nick. His blond hair was still the same length as before, but his blue eyes were different. They had a tone of happiness and freedom to them. He had forgone his black outfit and know was wearing jeans, a gray shirt and a long knee length midnight blue jacket.
"You." hissed Matt.
"Matt stop. It's okay. Everyone, I would like you to meet Nick, the real Nick."
"Huh?"
"I'll explain sis. The Nick you saw Laura battling was me, but not. I was so consumed by my hatred that I wasn't thinking clearly. Piedmon managed to show me images that Laura killed our parents. I was already jealous of my sister, the Digital World had chosen her to protect it, not me. And before you ask, yes Piedmon planted that idea into my head as well. Mom was another factor to why I fell to the darkness. It wasn't her fault, this was the reason why she never told her kids about the DigiWorld. She knew that at our young age that we would be tempted by the powers of Darkness and that we would be more likely to fall. How right she was. As you all undoubtedly heard, I started my training at a very young and impressionable age. Piedmon used that against me. He promised me that I would be the coolest kid on the block, once I learned how to use my powers. To any eight year old, that sounded great. Now I realize he was turning me against my family. It didn't take him long to make me turn on mom. I doubt Aryn remembers any of this, she was far to young, but Lucky probably does. Mom and I used to get into constant fights, over something little as brushing my hair. And I am not talking about shouting matches, I would throw full out tantrums. Sometimes I hit her, bite her, man was I horrible. But that was just the beginning. All that happened before Laura left on her first digital experience. When she was chosen to be a DigiDestined, I was green with envy. I couldn't understand why the Elders had chosen her over me. I was the more powerful sibling, well at the time I was. I had already master my defense and Dark Illusion attack. It wasn't till later I discover why things happened the way they did. Anyway, the day Laura left, Mom was in hysterics. She couldn't believe her child had inherited the powers of this world. What she didn't realize was that her other to children had as well. Somehow, Dad got the impress that Laura was staying with mom's brother. Mom didn't have a brother, to Dad's knowledge, but something caused Dad to think that way. I think the white light was supposed to affect Aryn and me as well, but since we too were digimon, it didn't. It was then that I learn Aryn to had abilities. I tried to convince her to train with me, but she wouldn't. She must have sense the evilness in him or something. I continued training with him though, despite Aryn's warnings. Everyday I was consumed more and more by the darkness. I needed only one more good push to completely send me over that line. And then Lady Myotismon came to the real world. She was the final push that I need. I can't imagine the pain that sis went through with her. But, what happened to Laura and what I saw was two separate things. I was sleeping in my room when I felt the room start to shake. I heard Aryn call out to me in my mind and I ran into her room. It was there that the building began to collapse. I used a shield attack to protect Aryn and I so that the rumble wouldn't harm us. If I could, I would have done the same for mom and dad, but I couldn't get to their room in time. I thought maybe mom would be able to do the same, but she had spent to much time in this world and lost most of her control on her powers. After the building settled, I dropped the shield and climbed out of the rumble with Aryn. Using my Dark Illusion attack, I created the bodies of Aryn and I to make it look like we were dead. If we were found alive, there were going to be questions that I couldn't answer. So we fled and met up with Piedmon. He showed me what happened at the apartment. He showed Lady Myotismon attacking the building and Laura walking away in the background, laughing hysterically. I thought my sister had turned evil when in fact it was I. It was the final push that I needed. I was consumed by my hatred, greed, and power. My sister needed to pay, for killing all of us. That is why I left her thinking we were dead, if I knew that the truth, I never would have done that. By then, I was too far gone to listen to the truth. Slowly, I started to plan my revenge. With Piedmon's help, I finally reached my Mega level. By this time, all you were about to enter the Digital World. Aryn seemed like she wanted to help get revenge on her sister, but never would she train. I didn't understand it, but I didn't push. Around this time, Piedmon tried to convince me that we needed to over take the Digital World. I couldn't believe it. I never imaged that he was evil. I flat out refused his offer. The next few years, Aryn and I fled in between the Real and Digital Worlds, trying to elude Piedmon. He wasn't happy that I deserted him. So, now it was Aryn and I up against the world. I wasn't upset to learn that all of you had defeat Piedmon. It was more of a relief. It gave me more time to plot my revenge on dear sister. Eventually, I had my plan. And all of you know what happened next."
"Wow, that is some story." asked Yolei. "But what happened at the battle?"
"All of you saw that both Laura and I used Mega attacks. I didn't realize that she could reach the Mega level. I guess somewhere along the line, I really ticked her off, and that extra emotion fueled her energy giving her the chance to destroy me."
"Why didn't the attack kill you?"
Nick glanced at Laura who shrugged. "When I called for my attack, I knew that one of us would die. All of you saw the fireball. But somehow both of us ended up here. Nick was unconscious when he arrived, but when he woke up, the darkness it was gone. I could see it, sense it."
"When Laura's attack hit me, it was like, the darkness inside my heart was killed, but I myself was still alive. I haven't felt this way since before Piedmon came into my life."
"Unbelievable. Lucky, you kept saying that you didn't want to kill your own brother because you knew that some where deep inside, the Nick you knew what screaming to be let out. You were right and some how you willed your powers to just expel of the darkness."
"You're right Izzy, that is unbelievable."
"I have one question though. The prophecy, it all came true, except the part about Justice showing it's true form. Aryn was Harmony, Nick was deception, and Lucky was Protection. So where is this justice? Or was it metaphorically speaking?" asked Kari.
"No Kari, I am Justice."
"You?" explained the group.
"My true form is the one you see before you. I had forgot what my crest meant. That I must always search for the truth. I took it to mean that I must punish anyone who did wrong. So, my crest became corrupt. Only did when Laura and Aryn convince me of the errors of way, did my crest come alive again."
"So you hold the crest of Justice."
"Right, and my powers are that of Illusion. I can make my enemies see things they don't want too or use it on myself and create copies of myself. My defense skills are derived from the element fire. I am the Guardian Of Justice"
"And all of you know I hold the crest of Unity. My abilities lie in the area of Protection. I can destroy any attack thrown my way and use them to destroy any enemy. My defense attacks come from the element of harden water, or ice. I am the Guardian of Unity."
"I hold the crest of Harmony. My abilities are unclear at the time, but seem to lay in the area of Telekinesis. I can telepathically talk to any of you and have. My defense skills come from the element air or wind. I am the Guardian of Harmony."
"That sounded like a speech to me."
"That is because it was." Genni said. "DigiDestineds, I would like to present you the Guardians, or the future Elders of the Digital World."
***********************************************************************
"Say what?" exclaimed Davis.
"We are to become the future Elders of the Digital World. Azulongmon wasn't the first Elder, as all of you know, and he wasn't going to be the last. Nick, Aryn, and I are going to train to be the new ones. Until that time though, Nick, Aryn, and I will be known as the Guardians."
"Unreal. Aryn, you said you haven't come into your powers yet, but you have called to us Telepathically?" asked Matt.
"A few times yes. I had to be careful though. Nick was always watching me. But yeah, I did try to warn all of you in certain situations. I told Matt to run when Nick was about to attack him. I led Laura to where she could find Matt. I even hinted a few times to her subconscious that Nick was the stalker. All of you where so close to the truth, but wouldn't committed to Nick."
"I thought both of you were dead, that is a pretty good reason to cross them off a suspect list."
"You were wrong. You were wrong." Aryn said, teasing her sister.
Laura smirked. "Whatever."
"Since you have come into full powers yet, is that why you look your true age in the Digital World?"
"That's right Ken. But I still show my rank as a future Elder though with my coat. See, unlike Nick's or Laura's, mine is waist length, showing that I am still a partial digimon. Nick and Laura are both full, which is why there's fall to their knees. The colors of our coats are also important. My color is amethyst, which is also the name of my most basic defense skill, amethyst squalls. Laura's is the same. Sliver - silver icicles. Nick too, Midnight blue - Midnight flames."
"But aren't there four Elders? One to cover each of the four reigns? There are only three of you. What about the fourth?"
"There is no fourth Elder. But the Digital World will have a new group of defense, that is if they accept."
"Who is that?"
"They are the Protectors. The first line of defense for the Digital World. Since Laura, Nick, and I will have other duties that will require our attention, the DigiWorld will be left defenseless. The Protectors will especially be needed as we train. Even though Nick and Laura have reached their Mega levels, they still need to learn how to control there powers so they don't tire out as quickly. And in my case, I will have to learn my special abilities."
"So, we wouldn't be needed in other worlds. Not with this band of digimon protectors." said Tai sourly. "Is this the thanks we get for risking our lives?"
"Tai, you have it all wrong. All of you are the Protectors. Nick, Aryn, and I could never kick you out of your jobs. You have been protecting it far longer than all of us. You are still need here, more than you will ever know. The reason why you are given the name Protectors is because it was not destiny that gave you this job, but rather a suggest from Nick to Azulongmon. Besides that, we wanted something else to distinguish you from future DigiDestineds, in case they ever arrive. Only you, Matt, Joe, Izzy, TK, Sora, Mimi, Kari, Yolei, Davis, Ken, and Cody will ever be Protectors."
"Way cool."
Everyone laughed.
"I have to ask though. Laura, you seem upset about something. Why? You have your brother and sister back, a new job, and your whole life ahead of you. What's wrong."
"Nothing Matt. I'm fine, just a tired."
"No, it is more to it than that."
"Okay, no more secrets. I am done with that. When this meeting is all over with, I will not be returning back to the Real World with you. In fact, I don't know when I will return."
************************************************************************
"What! Why not?"
"The whole training thing Matt. I have to stay here and learn how to maintain my powers long, how to run the Digital World, how to be a digimon."
"What about Jenson's? What about us?"
"Tyler will run the company for the time that I am gone. And for us, it is not like you can't come here and visited. I can't leave though. I am needed here."
"And your not in our dimension?"
"Let me rephrase this then. The Elder refuse to let me return. I must train."
"Don't you have a choice in the matter?"
"No, it is my destiny to be the new leader of this world."
"Destiny isn't something that is planned out for you, it is what you decide."
"Not for digimon Sora. It was the same way with my mom. But she escaped her duties. She fled to your world. I can't turn my back on mine."
"The Real World is your world too Laura, or have you forgotten that. And what about all of us? Your friends?"
"Please don't make this harder than it already is Matt, I can't leave. I am bounded by my destiny."
"No, your not. Destiny is what we make of it. Not the other way around."
"I have no choice. This is my job."
"So, this is it. You're turning your back on all of us and choosing to stay here. After all we did for you, risked for you."
"Matt, I understand your anger, but you have to see Laura's side. She doesn't have a choice in the matter. Free will doesn't exist here, or at least for us." Nick pointed out.
"Why not?"
"Because, we are different. We are not normal digimon. Our abilities are far greater than any others. They need to train us, so we don't kill ourselves. And if we become the new Elders, maybe, just maybe we can bring peace back to this land."
"But why now? Why can't they let you, Nick, and Laura have a life? Why are they forcing this upon you."
The siblings replied in unison. "It is our destiny."
"Why can't you choose your life though?"
"Every digimon has a purpose when they are born. Ours was to lead the Digital World, we can't change that, no matter how hard we try. We can't wait either. We've come into our powers now. It is time, not matter how much we hate it."
"What about your other life Laura? What about it?"
"I'll still own Jenson's, but I just wouldn't work there for awhile. Genni is going to tell them that I am going to college. He will continue to home school me here so I can finish high school and then I will take college classes over the net."
"And me? What about us? We are destined to be together you know."
"We still will be together Matt. I'll just be here though. I'll come and visit and you can do the same. I just have to stay here."
"It wouldn't be the same though." Matt didn't like this, not one bit.
"No, I know that. But once we finish training, then I will be able to come back more."
"How long will that be?"
"A few years."
"WHAT!" exclaimed the group.
"There's a lot to beginning an Elder." argued Nick.
"Laura, I don't think I can wait that long."
"I know Matt and I wouldn't blame you if you moved on. I would understand, honestly."
"I could never do that. I swear it. You are the only girl for me."
"I can't ask you to put your life on hold for me."
"Aren't the Elders asking you to put your life on hold for them?" countered Mimi. She couldn't believe what the Elders were asking the siblings to do. Of course the situation was different for Nick and Aryn, they didn't have another life in the real world. Lucky did. 'Why is the fates always out to make Lucky's life miserable?'
"It's different Mimi. Another set of standards."
"How."
Lucky didn't respond.
Joe sighed. "See, the standards aren't different. If you never lived in the Real World, yeah then I would have agreed. But since you did, you've made friends, have a job, go to school. You have a whole other life. How can you just forget about it?"
"It's not like I want too, but I have to follow what my destiny has planned for me. Please I am not asking to accept all of this, but to understand. That is it."
"It is really hard though Laura. It won't be the same without you in the real world. Not having you there will seem really boring. We've been friends for three, almost four years, it is hard to imagine you not being a part of it anymore."
"I know Yolei. I don't like this anymore than all of you. But I don't have a choice in the matter."
"Are you sure that you want to do this Lucky?"
"Yes Cody, I am sure."
"DigiDestineds, people are going to wonder where you have disappeared too. Nick has been using his Dark Illusion attack to make it appear that all of you are still at the dance, but he will not be able to maintain that deception much longer. You'll have to go back soon."
"Okay Genni."
"But before you leave, you'll have to confirm your dedication to be a Protector."
Tai stood up. "I, Tai Kamiya, bearer of the crest of Courage, hereby swears his loyalty to the Digital World. I promise from this day forth to protect this world from any evil threat and will guard the future Elders from any harm that may threaten them. From this day forth, you will know me as the Protector of Courage.
"I, Matt Ishida, bearer of Friendship, promises to guard the Digital World at any cost. Not matter what the odds I will continue to fight until this world can live in peace. Like my predecessors before me, I will protect my friends, the digimon, and the future Elders from any evil that comes their way. From this day forth, you will know me as the Protector of Friendship."
"I, Joe Kido, the bearer of Reliability, will do whatever it takes to make sure this World remains peaceful and harmonious. No matter what time of day, I will be here, watching to protect this realm from any danger that may arise. From this day forth, you shall know me as the Protector of Reliability."
"I, TK Takaishi, the bearer of Hope, pledges that no longer will the Powers of Darkness rise to over take this beautiful world. I will protect the Digital World with my life and never give up hope in the most hopeless situations. I give you my word and honor. From this day worth, you may call me the Protector of Hope."
"I, Izzy Izumi, the guardian of Knowledge vows that this world will never again feel the pain and destruction that has plagued the DigiWorld again. I promise with my knowledge, I will plan any defense, attack, or boundaries needed to protect my friends and digimon from harm. From this day worth, I will be known as the Protector of Knowledge."
"I, Sora Takenouchi, the guardian of Love, promised to protect this world with compassion and dedication. Never again will this world sway, not with I, the other DigiDestineds, and future Elders protecting it. From this day forth, I will be known as the Protector of Love."
"I, Mimi Tachikawa, the guardian of Sincerity, swears that I will secure this world from any harm, even if it breaks a nail. I pledge my loyalty and sincerity to the future Elders that I will protect them, my digimon, all the other digimon, and my friends from any future danger that may present itself to us. From this day forth, I will be know as the Protector of Sincerity."
"I, Kari Kamiya, guardian of Light, vows that the Light from this World will never be extinguished. I promise that I will live up to my crest and the job stated to me and keep the light shining brightly so this world will never have to suffer from total darkness again. From the moment on, I will be known as the Protector of Light."
"I, Davis Motomiya, bearer of the Digiegg of Courage and Friendship, assures that no harm will come to this world as long as I am able to fight. I stand before you all today to promise my service to this world and to the future Elders. As along as I and the rest of the Protectors are here, no evil shall succeed. From this day forth, I shall be called the Protector of the Digiegg of Courage and Friendship."
"I, Ken Ichijoji, keeper of kindness, declares that the Darkness will never be able to consume another soul as long as I am here. I promise to protect, watch, and guard my friends, the digimon, as well as Nick, Aryn, and Lucky from any harm that may come their way. Never again will they feel fear and loneliness that the darkness brings with it. From this day forth, I will be know as the Protector of Kindness."
"I, Yolei Inoue, bearer of the Digiegg of Sincerity and Love, pledge my dedication to the job of defeating future evils that threaten this world. Along with the future Elders aid, I guarantee that no evil will rise to enormous power as past evils has managed to do. From this day on, you shall know me as the Protector of the Digiegg of Sincerity and Love."
"I, Cody Hida, keeper of the Digiegg Reliability and Knowledge, swear to fight any evil that threatens the goodness and purity of this world. I promise to act swiftly, but smartly to protect my friends from any danger that terrorizes their lives. From this moment on, you may call me the Protector of the Digiegg of Reliability and Knowledge."
Genni nodded in approve. "From this day on my dear friends, no longer will digimon fear the darkness. Today is a historical day indeed. The Protectors have arrived. Long Live the Light."
Laura moved silently over to Matt. She motioned him to follow her. The two walked down a hallway. Lucky pushed open a door. Inside was a desk and a bed.
"My future room." Lucky said, as if reading Matt's thoughts.
"Kind of bland."
"I'll decorate it once things settle down a bit."
"Oh, so what did you want to talk about?"
"Everything I guess, but most importantly, us."
"What do want to know."
"What you said on the field, about never loving anyone but me. Was that true?"
"I wouldn't have said it if it wasn't Lucky. I do love you, with all my heart and soul. Nothing, not even this, will change that. I meant it when I said that I wanted to marry you when we got older. I couldn't imagine marrying anyone but you. I can even picture our wedding sometimes. And then when I saw you at the dance, I thought I was the luckiest man in the world. And I still think that way. Nothing will ever change that."
Laura was crying then. Matt wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He could feel the tension in them. She had gone through a lot in the past weeks and now in was beginning to takes it toll on her. There was no way that he could leave her now. His dad would understand.
"You have to go back Matt."
"Are you reading my thought?"
"No, but you are my boyfriend, my soul mate. I know what you're thinking. You have to go home though. Your family is there. You would miss them to much. Plus what about school? Your parents would never let you miss. Go back. Now that you are a Protector, you'll be able to visit more frequently."
"You don't want to do this do you?"
"All I want Matt is to be a kid, to be able to act my age and not have to worry about adult responsibilities. But no matter what road I chose, I do."
"You didn't answer the question."
"No, I don't. But it is my destiny. I have no choice in the matter."
"You have more than you think. But I will respect your decision. Just remember, I will always love you and will wait for that day that we can be together. Okay?"
Laura nodded. She then bent down and kissed Matt passionately on the lips. He returned the kiss full heartedly. The kiss lasted forever. They only parted to breathe.
"You better get going Matt, the Real World waits for you."
The two rejoined the others in the living room. Genni turned to the group. "It's time to go. Tai, will you and your team hold out your digivices?"
They did. Genni whispered some phrase and their digivices charged. They now looked like Davis' team. "This upgrade will enable all you to open the Digital Gates. At any time, you will be able to come here, whether to protect or visit."
"Thank you Genni. But we better go before Nick's spell ends." Ken turned to the computer in the room. "Digi - Port open."
The group was sucked through the portal. Soon, only Matt remained. He gave his girlfriend a hug. "Remember what I said okay?"
Lucky nodded, unable to speak. Tears flowed down her face. Matt followed the rest of his group and returned home. 'I promise Matt, one day, I will return home.'