AN: O_o Ano…I'm a little late, huh? This was supposed to be out Saturday, but…I was kinda busy Saturday, so I tried to get it out Sunday, but…I was busy Sunday, so I tried to get it out Monday, but…I forgot. ^_^;; So here it is! At last! A leeeeetle bit late, but hey, beggars and choosers, right?? You forgive me…right?! Right!! Have a nice day!! ^_^;;

Disclaimer: Why do I even bother doing this? I think it's tradition among fanfic authors. None of us really expects to be sued. We're nonprofit, right? So what're they gonna sue, our egos? Most of us don't even have THOSE! So what's the point? (BTW: I don't own them. ^_^;;)

Read and REVIEW, party-peoples!!

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Chapter Thirteen

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The Four Basic Digimon were afraid of the room in the heart of Central Fortress. That much was easy to see from the way they skirted around it, never going anywhere near it if they could help it.

That same room drew the seven mobile Digidestined like a magnet. If ever anyone wasn't really paying attention to where they were going, they always found themselves staring at the door sooner or later. Izzy tried running a scan on the room, but nothing came up.

When Matt got just a little bit stronger they all swore they'd check out that room thoroughly.

Because, after all, it would probably take all eight of them to undo the eight locks, which bore the eight symbols of the Chosen Children.

But Matt currently wasn't doing very well. The travel had sucked vast amounts of his energy, and he'd been sleeping pretty much constantly the past day and a half. Joe estimated another three, four days before he could even consider moving.

Much less battling the coming Evil.

Here the Digidestined faced a problem: how long would they be able to let Matt's illness be the deciding factor in the fight? How much longer did they have until the Evil decided to make a move?

Not, as it turned out, very long.

The seven were gathered with their Digimon in front of the door, examining it, when Gabumon came tearing down the hall. "They're killing him!" he practically shrieked, pulling at Izzy and Mimi, who were the first two he reached. "Hurry, hurry, they're killing him!"

In an instant everyone was sprinting back to the comfortable main room where pillows and blankets had been piled together as a makeshift bed for Matt.

The Chosen Child of Friendship was on his side, curled into a ball, both arm wrapped desperately around his stomach. Every muscle in his body was contracted with pain.

He gasped and gave a shallow cry.

Meloremon, Anamnemon, Loyarimon, and Piatymon were standing in a loose circle around him as the Basic Digimon of Silence, Oblivion, Fear, and Pain.

Something had turned them back, making them worse than they had been.

For a moment, there was stunned silence as the sight of the four beautifully evil Digimon standing over and coldly watching an agonizing Matt sunk in.

Then T.K. jumped forward, yelling, "Loyarimon, no!" Ribbons of Hope colored light streamed from him, wrapping around all four Basic Digimon.

They staggered back slightly, pulling a bit of their power from Matt.

Instantaneously, instinctually, the other six threw their gifts at the Digimon.

Weak but beautiful tendrils of magnificent blue power reached out from Matt to complete the effort and the Basic Digimon were once again themselves.

They collapsed to the ground, looking shocked and horrified.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Piatymon gasped in a tiny voice, reaching out to take as much of Matt's pain away as she could. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"

The other three merely sat and stared, mute with self-disgust.

"That's it," Tai said flatly. "No more playing around." He turned and marched from the room, Agumon on his heels.

"What's going on?" Meloremon asked, trembling. "What happened?"

"Popular theory is that the Evil has stuck," was Sora's dry response. Then she, too, left the room, following Biyomon.

"Stay with Matt," T.K. begged, and followed her, flanked by Kari and Izzy, and their three Digimon.

"Where are you going?" Anamnemon asked, looking at Joe and Mimi as they quickly checked Matt over before standing and making to leave the room as well.

"The Evil obviously isn't going to wait for Matt to get better," Mimi explained, and Palmon nodded.

"We're going to that room and we're going to open it," Joe finished, picking Gomamon up. "With or without Matt."

"Keep him safe," Mimi added as the quartette left the room.

The Four Basic Digimon looked at Matt, unconscious even as the sign of Friendship flickered on his forehead.

Gabumon was strangely silent as he watched his Destined, waiting.

Tai stood before the door, hands clenched into fists by his side.

Enough was enough. No more waiting for Matt to die.

Because obviously he wasn't going to get better.

They had to finish this battle and go home.

Now.

"What do we do, Tai?" Agumon asked, standing by his side and staring up at the huge door, covered in strange writing and the Eight Signs.

"We open it," he replied flatly, and laid his right hand, palm flat, fingers spread, on the Sign of Courage. For a while he stood there, concentrating, as the others gathered around him. Finally, in a voice that was both his and strangely not his, a voice that echoed and radiated power, he said, "Open."

With a rush of power and a sharp click, the first lock was unlocked.

Tai turned to his teammates, the sign of Courage flickering in and out of visibility on his forehead. "Next."

Izzy stepped forward, rested his hand on his sign, and ordered in a bi-toned voice, "Open."

Next.

T.K., Kari, Sora, Joe, Mimi.

"Open."

Next.

Only there was no more 'next.'

Matt was at the other end of the hallway, past the brink of consciousness.

Wasn't he?

Suddenly a rush of power hit them all, and they staggered slightly.

Meloremon sensed it first.

Power, intense and boundless, building inside the Digidestined lying before her.

With a gasp, she pushed her sisters away from him. "Get back!" she cried, and the power broke free.

Looking back, the four could see Matt, lying exactly as he had been, on his side, slightly curled. Tendrils of blue power rose from his back and side to lick into the air. Gabumon, who was still standing right next to his Digidestined, was encircled and caressed by the power. As the power grew, so did the tendrils, building until they consumed the boy, leaving him totally within a bright, brilliant ball of blue power.

The Basic Digimon could no longer bare the intensity of the light and looked away.

When eventually the power dimmed, the turned to find Matt standing as something much, much greater than he had been. A glorious blue aura still pooled around him, casting shadows as it moved and shifted. The Sign of Friendship blazed from its place on his forehead. His clothing had changed. He now wore pure white breeches and a loose, flowing long-sleeved shirt of the same color. A dark cape swirled around him, falling to the ground and rustling in a power-induced wind.

Gabumon was by him, tucked as close to his legs as he could get. He turned wondering eyes up to look at his Digidestined. Something in him recognized what the boy now was and continued to stare solemnly. "Hello, Friendship," he greeted finally, laying his head against the white-clad legs again.

"Gabumon," Friendship returned kindly, smiling slightly down at the little Digimon. His eyes glowed the same wonderful blue aura that surrounded him and all his ailments seemed healed. "Take me to them, faithful Gabumon."

"Of course."

They felt the aura before the saw it, saw it before him.

He was led by Gabumon, who seemed excited and not a bit frightened.

Friendship walked through the group of fourteen without a hesitation or spared glance for anyone.

They actually parted for him.

Once at the door, he lifted his right hand very slightly and it flew open to reveal a room shrouded in darkness.

In the very center, there appeared to be a circle within a circle, filled with and circled by runes and old writing. It was positioned directly under an opening in the ceiling that showed the sky, clouded with a blackness darker than any cloud.

"What is that?" Tai found himself asking, peering into the room and at the blackness.

"The Evil, that which we were all brought here to destroy."

Tai looked back at the others and saw his own concern mirrored on their faces.

What had happened to Matt?

Finally T.K. asked as much

Friendship turned back to look at him a moment, then smiled wisely and knelt on one knee in front of Gabumon. He rested gentle, powerful, elegant hands on either side of the Digimon's head.

Gabumon stared back at him in utter love and devotion.

"Gabumon," Friendship began in a tone that radiated both authority and tender care, "Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Friendship."

Power erupted from and around the two, drawing ability from the one to the other and back again in an escalating swirl of light.

When the power retreated back into the two forms, Friendship was left standing with the most elegant creature any of them had ever seen before. He had the same basic features as a wolf, only much, much different. His limbs were delicate, looking like they were built of the same hollow bones as a bird. But the frailty obviously housed power; this new creature, bleached the same white as Friendship's clothing with one large blue stripe that ran from the tip of his fine nose down his back to the tip of his long, soft, fluffy tail, looked capable of the swiftest travel, faster than sound or light, faster than thought or the imagination. The lines of his body were both sharp and gentle. His eyes were almond shaped and black, though they shone with the blue power of Friendship. He came up to just above Friendship's waist and stood beside him.

The two looked like the embodiment of all that was elegance and grace and wonder in either world.

"What," Sora stammered, "what is that?"

Even the other Digimon seemed speechless.

"This is my guardian," Friendship replied easily, laying one hand on the Digimon's shoulder.

"What's its name?" Izzy breathed, laptop lowered and forgotten in awe of this new creature.

"There is no name that could either encompass or define him. He is, simply, the Base Digimon of Friendship, also called Guardian Friendship."

"A Digimon of Friendship?" Mimi asked, sounding confused.

"No," Friendship smiled. "Guardian Friendship is not a Digimon of Friendship. He is the Base Digimon Guardian of Friendship."

"Which would be you," Joe said.

"Which would be me," Friendship agreed, stroking Guardian Friendship's head. The great Digimon turned into the caress, pushing his head into Friendship's legs.

"Does he speak?" Kari ventured to ask, swallowing. What had happened to Matt and Gabumon?

Guardian Friendship looked at her as Friendship replied, "He has no need to speak with you. But to me, yes. We communicate."

Finally T.K.'s growing anxiety spilled past his lips. "You're still Matt, right?"

Friendship regarded him for a moment before answering. "In a way."

"What do you mean?" Tai demanded.

A slight smile curved Friendship's lips. "When you changed the Basic Digimon back to their proper forms, you felt power, power that is yours alone. You pulled it from the center of your souls and used it to purify the Evil's influence on a small scale. If what you now intend to do is purify the Evil itself, doesn't it stand to reason that you would
need to become the power? Not just call on it but become it?"

Izzy, having set his laptop down some time ago, snapped his fingers. "Yes!" he exclaimed. "It makes perfect sense!"

"So you're just Matt's power?" Mimi asked, confused again.

"No," Friendship said, shaking his head.

"Then what are you?" T.K. pleaded.

"I am Deity Friendship," he said calmly. And, with the wolf-like Digimon Guardian Friendship by his side, he sure as hell looked the part of a deity. "I am the totality and realization of the potential power Yamato Ishida held inside."

"Then when we changed the Basic Digimon," Tai interrupted, frowning slightly, "we weren't calling on our own power, but on the power of a deity that was born inside us?"

"No," was Friendship's flat response. "You aren't just the body-housing of a deity; you are the ward that holds your power in check. It's been this way since the beginning of the Digital World," he went on to explain. "Yamato Ishida isn't a convenience created to house me. I am Yamato Ishida with all barriers removed. I am the brother of both Takeru and Deity Hope, because they are one and the same. I am merely the reached potential of my own power."

"It's going to take me a moment to process that," Izzy admitted, which spoke volumes for the level of confusion the others were at.

Friendship shook his head again. "You are out of moments. The Evil is preparing its final attack. Release your power to become it and join me."

"How?" Sora asked, drawing back. "How do we…release our power to become it?"

"Don't think," Friendship told her, "just do it."

A ripple of power washed over them. The six turned to Mimi, whose eyes were closed as she reached deep, deep inside and demanded of herself what she had demanded of the door.

Open.

And it did.

Green power lashed out of her to create a supernova of light that surrounded her and her Digimon.

When the power diminished to form a perfected aura around her, she looked up; met Friendship's eyes; smiled gently as she crossed the threshold of the room with Palmon by her side.

"Sincerity," Palmon called, pulling on her new clothing.

It was a beautiful pure white dress that sat gracefully off her shoulders and pooled in a train on the ground behind her. A strip of the white cloth curled around her elbows, floating in the same unnamable, soundless power-wind that ruffled her hair just as it moved Friendship's cape and hair. The Sign of Sincerity burned on her forehead.

"Palmon," Sincerity responded, reaching down to her, "Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Sincerity."

Light surrounded Palmon. When it lessened, a different form of Lilymon stood almost reverently by her Deity's side. Her hair was made of softest flower petals, falling down her slim back to her knees. Her eyes were the same almond as the other Base Digimon, though they let off a green light rather than blue. Her dress was made of clovers, leaves, and vines. She wore no shoes. Her skin was paler than snow, matching her mistress's dress. Wide, glorious fairy wings were lowered against her back. She stood as tall as Sincerity's shoulder.

"Guardian Sincerity," Sincerity murmured, smiling, "my handmaiden."

Guardian Sincerity bowed slightly, and knelt on one knee by her deity's side.

The remaining six Digidestined traded a look before taking a collective breath and closing their eyes.

Six supernovas of power exploded in unison.

Deities Courage, Love, Hope, Light, Knowledge, and Reliability entered the room together, their Digimon at their heels.

Their clothing matched the two waiting for them. The girls' stoles floated more freely in the soundless power-induced wind than the boys' capes, though the capes were no less impressive.

The six turned to their Digimon, who looked up at them with undisguised love and awe.

"Patamon," Hope murmured, his voice whispering throughout the room, "Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Hope."

Light filled the room.

"Gatomon, Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Light."

"Agumon, Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Courage."

"Tentomon, Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Knowledge."

"Gomamon, Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Reliability."

"Biyomon, Base Digivolve to the First Chosen Digimon of Love."

A sun of power was born in that room, though none of the Deities needed to shade their eyes.

The Digimon, once released from the power of the Deity, went silently to that one's side.

Guardian Hope stood just behind Deity Hope's right shoulder, eyes raised to the patch of black blocking out the sun. He was a boy angel, looking no more than twelve or thirteen years old, though he radiated agelessness and power. His eyes were large and dark, the light of Hope tinting them. His skin was pale, his hair short and white. Huge white wings were tucked effortlessly back. Guardian Hope wore an almost stereotypical white robe that fell just above his knees. A golden rope was tied around his waist. His feet were as bear as Guardian Sincerity's.

Guardian Light was an angel as well, though she appeared to be in her early twenties. Her wings were no larger than Guardian Hope's, and were slightly less held back than his. Her outfit mirrored his, though she wore ballet-like shoes that were held in place by golden ribbons that crisscrossed to just below her knees. Her hair was sun-colored, falling just past the golden cord around her waist. Twin clips that looked like small wings swept slightly curly hair away from her face. She stood behind Deity Light, head bowed and eyes closed.

Guardian Courage was powerfully elegant, crouching off Deity Courage's right elbow. He was purest white and strangely lizard-like. He stood on two feet, balanced by a long, agile tail that was currently curled around Courage's ankle. Slim, powerful arms were resting on his legs, his hands hanging listlessly between his knees. His eyes were large almonds that gave off orange glints whenever he shifted his focus. Three thin orange stripes ran from the tip of his rounded muzzle along his head, one going between his eyes, the other two going along his cheek bones to meet back together at the base of his neck to run to the base of his tail, where they split again to spiral to the tail's tip. When he straightened, he would stand no taller than his Deity's elbows.

Guardian Knowledge was vaguely human-like, though his features were definitely anything but. His arms were slightly elongated, with hard casing quasi-sleeves that cupped over his shoulders and angled to a point some four inches past the end of his long, thin, claw-tipped fingers. Though he had no shirt, a softer, more flexible version of the body-casing material made up the long breeches that covered his lower body. The pants were long enough that there was extra material at the end that pooled slightly on the ground. Guardian Knowledge's eyes were also almond shaped, though noticeably larger than any of the other Guardian's. Two almost-fuzzy looking antenna protruded in an oddly cute way from frazzled brown hair that seemed as though it was filled with static electricity. The Guardian stood behind his Deity and, though he was quite a bit taller than Knowledge, portrayed an air of total servitude and devotion.

Guardian Reliability was a creature unlike anything anyone had ever seen before. He was a quadruped, though his legs were more muscular and shorter than Guardian Friendship's. He was small, standing just a little taller than Deity Reliability's knees. His fur was a gray-tinted white, smooth and slick and obviously water repellant. His paws were small and webbed, again attesting to an adaptability to water. The Guardian had a tail roughly the length of his body that ended in a fin. His ears, too, looked vaguely fin-like and were positioned more to the side of his head than the top. Standing to Deity Reliability's side, his almond eyes sparkled with gray light, curiosity, and friendly good-humor, much like a baby seal.

Guardian Love was a bird, more beautiful and exotic than ever recorded previous to that moment. She was the size of a small falcon, all sleek lines and grace. Her feathers were pure white other than an elegant crest that swept from her beak off her head. The crest was red. She perched on Deity Love's out held right arm, surprisingly light for her size. Her wings were folded completely against her slim body as she remained motionless on her Deity's arm. Her black almond eyes were lowered as she gently twittered complements to her Deity.

"Where is the Evil now?" Love asked of her comrades as she swept forward a step, free hand lightly holding the soft cloth that draped gently around her lower arms.

"Approaching," Courage replied, motioning Guardian Courage forward. The Base Digimon obediently straightened and came up close to his side. "Soon it will arrive here, and we must be ready. Guardian, come with me. We will take our place, as we did in the Formation of our Central Fortress."

Guardian Courage bowed slightly, running in front of his Deity to their spot in the outside circle that was marked with the Sign of Courage.

The others unhurriedly took their places, unaware that the Basic Digimon had come to the door of this, the main chamber of Central Fortress, and were watching everything that passed with wide, awe struck eyes.

Eventually, seven of the Eight made a circle around the eighth, standing in positions they had claimed for themselves eons ago, their Chosen Base Digimon standing behind them.

The eighth, Deity Friendship, was centrally located, his Digimon standing beside him, offering support that was silent to all but Friendship.

Once the circle was made, the Eight lowered their heads slightly, turning inward.

Those Base Digimon that could knelt, hands clasped in an almost prayerful manner. Those that could not bow lowered their heads. Guardian Love, standing behind her Deity, swept her wings out and dipped low, low to the ground in a strange semblance of a bow.

"What are you doing?" the four Basic Digimon asked in soft wonderment.

"Long ago," Knowledge replied without looking at her, "before we eight created you four, before we created Central Fortress, before we came to the Digiworld and gave it the gifts of our hearts, an evil such as this but different sought this place to destroy it. Move by pity, we eight came together and used what we are to turn it away. We do so now again."

They wanted to ask how but couldn't, struck dumb as the eight auras began to flare again.

One by one they spoke, and as their words split the stillness, their power erupted from them. Behind them, their Digimon exploded into sparkling Digital codes of pure power. The power swirled around them, propelling them to an entirely new level as two separate entities became one.

"Courage that strengthens us…"

"Love that sustains us…"

"Sincerity that reveals us…"

"Knowledge that fuels us…"

"Reliability that frees us…"

"Hope that encourages us…"

"Light that guides us…"

"Friendship that binds us…"

Seven of the eight voices blended, each one three-toned, and issued something that was at once an order and a plea, "Send the power of our birth through the one who links us forever. Through us, give him the means to our ends."

"Through them," Friendship's voice called above the whispers of the others still echoing in the background.

"Courage that strengthens…"

"By the power they wield…"

"Love that sustains…"

"Through the ties that bind us in the course of the ages…"

"Sincerity that reveals…"

"Beyond the barriers of space…"

"Knowledge that fuels…"

"Time…"

"Reliability that frees…"

"Reality…"

"Hope that encourages…"

"Beyond all doubt of failure…"

"Light that guides…"

"Through them whose power gives me mine, the blow we deliver!"

The power that had grown around each of the Deities was phenomenal now, beyond all comprehension. The four Basic Digimon had long since fallen to the ground, unable to bare up under the intensity of it.

Still the Evil hurtled through space toward the Digital World, set on destroying it.

Now that power, each and every drop of the astronomical force that filled the room, was individually gathered by the Deity/Guardian beings and sent to the central figure of their circle.

As it was passed to him, Friendship Deity/Guardian felt something in his chest buckling under the weight of his task. Something frail, young, something that had been straining for a long time, something that was already acquainted with the feeling of pushing against an immeasurable force.

That something resisted for a moment more, a very valiant moment, before shattering.

The first tone of Deity/Guardian Friendship sighed mentally.

And so the problem with Friendship finally ends…

Now, with all weakness having crumbled beneath the force of the power pooling around Deity/Guardian Friendship, he was able to attack.

Gathering the power between his hands, he leapt from his physical form, riding his Guardian's spirit like a war-steed toward the Evil.

They struck at the same time, burning to the Evil's heart.

A scream that defied logic rocked the entire world.

Deity Friendship and his Guardian stood, power radiating around them, in the very center of the Evil.

And they let the power go.

It swept through the Evil, burning it, cleansing it, purifying it until it was nothing more than a cold stone, which Friendship gathered close to his heart.

"In order to avoid this chaos from ever coming back…" He looked at his Guardian, who nodded solemnly. And then he smiled sadly. "Let's go, Guardian. Let's go to the end of the universe. We'll keep this with us. None of our friends will ever hurt again. The chaos and us…we'll keep each other company in eternity. Right?"

The Guardian howled, a light, crystallized, haunting sound that echoed throughout the universe.

Then the two were gone.

Tai was the first to regain consciousness.

"Oh," he groaned, sitting up, "I hurt."

Agumon, sitting by his side in a tired stupor, couldn't even nod.

Soon after, the others began stirring.

"C'mon, Matt," T.K. instructed, sitting cross-legged on the Sign of Hope. He yawned, then shot an annoyed glace at his brother, who was lying on his back, hands spread limply by his sides, wounds miraculously healed. "Hey, Tai, are your ouches gone, too?"

The leader checked his shirt, patting the shoulder. Surprised, he looked toward Mimi, who was staring at her forearms in something like shock.

They were healed. Each and every cut, down to the smallest scrape, was gone.

"Hey!" Joe exclaimed, grinning suddenly. "This means Matt's rheumatic fever must be gone!"

"My silly brother seems to be really tired," T.K. observed, arching one eyebrow. Even Gabumon was still sleeping.

Matt's breathing had been loud before, right?

So, technically, wouldn't they be able to hear it if he was still sick?

Everyone grew silent as they strained to hear Matt's breathing.

"Nothing!" Sora cheered.

But even as she said it, something in T.K. stilled.

Nothing…

Matt's head was lulled to one side. Gabumon, curled very close to him, was so still.

Why weren't they waking up?

"Oh, God," Kari whispered, lurching to her feet. "Matt!"

"No!" T.K. cried, standing as well. "Everyone, stay on your signs!"

"He's not breathing!" Mimi shrieked. "He's not breathing!"

"Be still!" the Chosen Child of Hope roared, and no one moved. "Patamon," he began in a softer voice, "would you please go over to Matt and Gabumon and see if…"

Patamon nodded and flew over to the two. He peered into Matt's calm, pale face, rested one ear against Gabumon's chest, swallowed once as his breathing became ragged, and shook his head in misery.

Mimi collapsed to the ground again, uttering a soft gasp as she broke into violent sobs.

Tai and the others merely sat where they were, shocked. Their Digimon tried to comfort them, but it was useless.

They'd won. How could this be happening? They'd won!

"Shh," T.K. was saying, talking to himself. His eyes were closed. "Everyone be quiet…There! I knew it! We can save him!" Immediately he knelt and Patamon, surprised, dashed to his position behind the boy.

"What do you mean?" Izzy asked hoarsely, so numb he couldn't feel Tentomon trying to hug him from behind.

"Matt did this on purpose. He and Gabumon—or Guardian Friendship or whatever—took whatever was left of the Evil and…brought it out to space? Yes." He nodded, eyes still closed, as he affirmed the fact. "They're carrying it out to space."

"So what are we going to do?" Kari demanded, still shaking.

They'd won, damnit!

T.K.'s eyes opened and he turned his face up to the now brightly shining space in the ceiling. "We're going after him."

Silence.

Then, six voices as one demanded, "How?"

Irritated, T.K. looked at them, frowning slightly. "We were all connected for a moment there, weren't we? We were all different parts of the same power. We're going to go back as far into that as we can and trace the connection to Matt. Then we're going to follow it spiritually."

Another defining silence.

"Well," T.K. defended, "that's what they are, right? Spirits floating away?"

"Yes," Tai said suddenly, straightening until he was in an upright kneeling position. "And that's why we couldn't move; leaving these spots—our spots—would have broken the connection. As it is, it's going to take a hell of a lot out of us just to follow him, never mind brining him back."

"We'll do it," Mimi assured firmly, straightening as well. "We'll do it because we have to."

"We're going to bring him back," Sora swore, turning her eyes to the hole in the ceiling.

"Both of them," Joe agreed.

"The problem with friendship is only a problem if we neglect to solve it," Izzy added.

Kari smiled. "The eight of us are strong enough to do anything, even bring them back from the recesses of space and death."

Their voices joined in a crescendo as their power exploded out and their forms changed again.

"Take us, the power born, to our lost member! Bear us and guide us, Guardian Digimon!"

We won this thing, damnit! We're not going to sacrifice anyone for that win!

Never again!

Leaving their physical forms in a rainbow supernova of power, they sought out the lost one and the secret he carried with him.

AN: How many times have I killed him now? *counts on fingers* There was the Sakura thing, the thing with Loyarimon, this…what's that, three? In one story? Is that some kind of record? And has anyone been counting the near-death experiences? Y'know, like with VenomCobrmon or the falling-off-a-cliff thing or any of the Basic Digimon…is anyone else sensing a trend?? Is it true what they say, that we hurt the ones we love? Then what do I have with Matt? An obsession? Well, now that you mention it…yeah, I guess that sounds about right. ^_^;; Gee, I need to get a grip. ONE CHAPTER TO GO UNTIL THE END!! YAY!! REVIEW!! ^_~ Thanks!

-Angel Baby