[Notes:

It's a boring part for me, but eh. It pretty much spills out the upcoming plot, so it needs to be here. The crossover officially happens now! Yay! Too bad, though. I didn't figure it was going to take THIS MANY PAGES to explain it right. Originally I'd have more stuff planned, but I wanted to cut this part a little short because I'll be going on my OWN little vacation adventure early this August. So I wanted to get this out of the way before leaving.

So yay, here's the crossover. It's not much now, but the other characters will be coming in by the next part, definitely. I'll be playing more on the little Hiruki/Rukazu incident more next chapter, as well as some other things while trying to keep it fun. I'd like to hope I get Part 5 done before I go back to school.

I decided with keeping some English/Dub terms since I'm too stupid to remember the originals half the time. It'll be easier on my own brain just to keep with what I memorized, so I hope that doesn't piss off anybody too much. I hope my crossover concept isn't TOO retarded and farfetched to work. But there's lots of Lee in this chapter (finally justifying my right to make him somewhat the main character…?), so enjoyeth, people! I'm off to my own happy beach vacation. ^^;]

"Poor guy…no one would believe what he saw. …Jee-an-rii-angu knew danger was imminent, but how would he get everyone to safety when everyone thought he was a big fat liar?"

"Takato! …This isn't a joke, you know!"

"Of course, Lee-chan! It just so happens this situation matches the plot of my movie!"

"That's not the point! You're talking like you don't believe me either!"

"It's not that I don't believe you, Lee. It's just that I don't want to think about it…"

"Baka, will you leave Takato alone about your scary hallucinations?"

"Oh, mind your own business, Ruki!"

"Hey, Ruki, can you kinda move out of the scene for a minute? It's not gonna make a lot of sense to have the monster showing on the scene whilst the hero does his monologue…"

"Monster?! You just randomly cast me as a monster in your dumbass movie when I didn't even volunteer?!"

"Me and my big mouth…"

            Ruki smacked Takato on the head. "If you don't edit me out of that right now, you're DEAD, Matsuda!"

"I'll do it as soon as I get all the filming completed!" Takato promised, with a bow. "Trust me!"

                        "You better not be lying," Ruki said, walking to the bathroom. "Because I'll find out."

Takato sighed and turned the video camera off. "Sorry I'm making a mockery of your premonitions, Lee-chan. I…I guess that's just how I deal with stress and fear these days."

            "Takato-chan…" Lee tiredly sat down on a bed. "If you don't want to believe me, you don't have to."

"Someone's got to," insisted Takato. "Everyone else thinks you're crazy! And…I don't think you're crazy, Lee."

                        Lee smiled at Takato. "I really appreciate that, but please don't think it's a requirement. For all I know, maybe I am going crazy…"

            Takato moved in to hug Lee. "Don't bring yourself down so much! It's not like they don't believe you…they just don't want you to be right! This is supposed to be a vacation…and I certainly don't want you to be right."

                        "I don't even want myself to be right," mumbled Lee. "But I can't avoid the facts…"

Takato patted his boyfriend on the head. "Hey, if it keeps buggin' you, we'll schedule a check-up just to make sure you're all right. When we see something that insinuates your visions are coming true, we'll prepare for it…somehow."

            "How can we?" Lee asked in his usual worried tone. "Aside from Renamon, all our defenses are thousands of miles over the ocean! There's no way Terriermon and the others could ever get here, much less on time…"

                        "We'll FIND a way," stated Takato. "Just don't worry about it until it happens. If it does."

Lee nodded to Takato. Somehow he felt Takato wasn't all the way supporting him in this situation…then again, who would want to really believe someone who had visions of their vacation being utterly ruined by a long, neverending battle?

            "I need to wash my face," Lee decided as he sat up and walked to the bathroom.

Ruki had conveniently walked out just then, leaving the bathroom vacant. She gave Lee a quick glare before joining her friends, who were glued to watching TV. Lee merely ignored it and proceeded into the bathroom, and quietly shut the door.

            Wasting no time, Lee turned on the faucet and waited for the water to get to an unbearably cold stage. As he waited, Lee looked at his reflection on the mirror and noted how tired and delirious he looked. What with all he had to face the night before, he'd gotten little to no sleep.

                        The boy was disgusted with himself. He looked so weak; so frail. Lee could hardly believe he was letting this get to him so much. With every minute passing, Lee was really beginning to believe this ordeal was just one big hallucination. He knew deep down he was worrying everyone with his 'crazy talk'… what right had he, when he had no proof that he was even talking to a Digimon last night?

            Lee shook his head. He knew he'd have to apologize as soon as he could. Preferably after he left the bathroom. With that in mind, Lee started washing his face in hopes of waking up so he could process all what's happened.

Cold, cold water…an instant revival.

/Still in denial, Tamer?/

            That was just the thing Lee didn't want to hear. He resumed what he was doing.

/Don't worry… I'll be bugging the rest of your friends soon enough./

                        "I'm not hearing that," Lee told to himself. "Nothing's talking to me…"

Lee's reflection on the mirror suddenly disappeared. The entire premise of the tiny bathroom grew dark and disfigured. Lee wisely started making his way for the front door…

                        A reflection returned to the mirror. Not Lee's, but the silhouette of the Digimon from last night. Oddly, it was upside-down. Like last night, no details were shown, save for a pair of glowing red eyes.

            Lee bluened and flailed. "This can't be real…! Leave me alone!!"

                        The red eyes narrowed. "So, you think you can get off easy by pretending I'm an illusion? You will pay."

The defenseless Tamer cringed. No matter how he tried, this situation would not dissipate like a good hallucination…

            "No! You're not real! There's nothing…to fear!"

The red eyes widened. "If you're that far in denial, then it's time I show you just how real this is!"

                        The silhouette put its hands forth, growing bigger and bigger…until it appeared they were coming out of the mirror and towards Lee, who was completely backed up against the front door. Lee suddenly found it very hard to move when he noticed the points fingers of said hands were extending…more, more…more…

            Coming closer…

Lee did the only thing he could think of doing in this situation. Scream.

…and just as quickly as he let out his scream, the door opened and the dreary scenery that took presence in the bathroom had disappeared. Lee blinked, and noticed the image on the mirror was gone, and nothing was coming for him.

            "Lee-chan?! What happened?!"

Lee staggered to where the door had opened. Takato was there, obviously very worried. Hirokazu and Juri were right behind him.

                        Lee swallowed. "I…guess you didn't see…"

            "What're you DOING in there?!" shouted Juri. "Are you trying to scare us all to death?!"

                        "I thought I told you to knock it off about the Digimon crap!" reminded 'Kazu.

"Calm down, both of you!" Takato demanded. "And give it some thought. Lee wouldn't do this on purpose!"

            "It wasn't a joke!" Lee insisted. "It was there…the same one from last night, inside the mirror!"

All three looked to the very normal-looking mirror. They simultaneously shook their heads.

            "It hurts me to say this," admitted Takato. "But…I think the others are right, Lee-chan."

                        "Like I'd lie," muttered Hirokazu. "I think it's time we got his head checked."

Lee looked down in shame. Was he hallucinating or not…? It didn't seem his friends would give him anymore time to decide upon that…

            "Lee, if something's really bothering you, we should—"

                        Lee would not hear anymore of his friends' claims of insanity. He simply walked past them all, and to the door leading to the exit of the room. He gave them one last look.

            Takato looked especially worried. "Lee, please…we only wanna help you!"

His boyfriend left the room without another word.

                        "Lee-chan…!" Takato cried, attempting to run after him. However, he was held back by his friends.

            "We'd better give him some time to cool off," Hirokazu told him. "I don't think he's in the mood to talk…"

"I'm worried," said Takato. "He's been so weird since last night…"

                        Juri sighed. "He…may need to be alone for a bit, Takato." She patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry about him. He's not the type that's going to do something stupid…or dangerous…"

            Takato looked down. "He'll come back, right…? I think he's mad at us…"

                                    Hirokazu rolled his eyes. "He's just frustrated. I can't…say how okay he is, though."

"Let's give him some time," suggested Juri. "Give him a chance to…reflect on some things."

            "Lee-chan…"

*

He ran out into the beach, passing the many people occupying it. He was sincerely hoping none of them noticed him; lest they ALSO thought he was going insane.

            It was extremely hot outside today…especially very muggy. The sun was shining like nobody's business. The uncomfortable weather only made Lee worse, as he ran as far as he could until he reached a giant structure of rock. People were scarce that far out into the beach.

                        Lee stopped and leaned against the rock, ignoring the stinging pain of hotness which came from that.

            He stopped and regained his breath. Lack of exercise this summer had left him pathetically out-of-shape. Therefore, he was absolutely exhausted. It was impossible for him to think under these unbearable conditions. What exactly was he doing…? What was he thinking?

                                    What else could he do? His own friends were too oblivious to help him.

            Lee took a deep breath and looked out to the sky. He took in all the sounds of his surroundings…seagulls, wind…boats speeding across the ocean…the surf…

"Tachiagare!  Yuusha wa  boku no naka ni iru…"
 
A male voice? And a harmonica?
 
"Sobietatsu TAAGETTO  makeru wake ni wa ikanai!"
 

A guitar, too? Lee turned around and faced the rock. Music was coming from somewhere around there…

"Moeagare! Kodou wa  mune o kogashiteru…"
 
Lee pondered this for a moment. Above the rock? No…under it? Certainly not. IN the rock? It didn't seem hollow…
 
"Wasurerareta ashita  torimodoshini ikun da!"
 

A smirk came to Lee's face. He stepped into the water and started walking…around the rock.

"Atsui BATORU okose…!"

A young man…in a one-man band. Sat down, laid back…a guitar in his lap. A stand attached to it, and on the end, a harmonica, next to the lad's young mouth.

            A handsome musician indeed. Icy blue eyes…spiky, yet very styled blonde hair.

"Oh…!" Lee exclaimed, shrinking back a bit. "I didn't know it was just one person…"

            The man looked up from his instruments and smiled. "Amazing. You're the first one to find me."

Lee blinked, a bit confused. He started to walk over. "Are you lost…?"

                        The musician shook his head. "Nah. As long as I've been here, I've grown quite familiar with the surroundings. Fangirls can't resist a face like this, though. No way…I always have to play my music in some private place…that way girls can hear my music, and not be able to chase me all over the country. You get what I'm saying?"

            "Of course!" answered Lee. "I'm sorry for busting your secret, then…I won't tell anyone."

            The man nodded to Lee. "You look like someone I can trust. Arigatou."

                        Lee smiled as he noted the accent. "You're from Japan too, hai?"

"As long as I can remember," the man replied. "For the past few months I've been here, though. Waiting…hoping. I'm a little homesick, to be perfectly honest. America's nice and all, but it's not home."

            "I know how it is," Lee sympathized. "I get homesick easily, too…"

The musician motioned for Lee to take a seat next to him. It was a particularly nice view from where he sat; perfect for sunsets and such. It didn't take Lee long to accept the invitation.

                        "So, how long are you in for?" the man asked.

"Few weeks," Lee replied. "Mighty long for a vacation, but…my friend wants to live up his grand prize to full potential."

            The man put on a pair of sunglasses. "You don't say. So you WON your trip here…?"

"Yeah, I was one of the five he picked to take along," explained Lee. "Pretty lucky if you ask me."

                        The blonde looked down. "Very interesting…" He coughed.

            "What about you?" Lee asked. "How long have you been around, exactly?"

                        "Nearly 4 months," the man replied sullenly. "My friends and I have been trapped…"

"You had five other friends along too?"

            "More like eleven."

"ELEVEN?!"

                        The man smiled. "I thought it was pretty insane myself."

            Lee was wide-eyed for a few moments. "O…kay…"

"Maybe we should introduce ourselves," the man suggested. "I feel awkward not calling you by a name."

                        "Oh, oh yes!" Lee snapped, bowing. "How rude of me…um…"

            "Calm down," the man urged, chuckling. "You're reminding me of me as a kid…"

Lee sweatdropped. "Truth is, I have a lot of names, but…" He extended a hand to the stranger. "Lee Jenrya desu."

                        The man shook his hand with appreciation. "Jenrya, huh? Peculiar…"

Lee looked away nervously. "Yeah, it's kinda odd…see, I have a multi-cultural family and all, my dad's Chinese, really…I have Chinese versions of my name…same with all my siblings…"

            "Is that so?" the man asked, amused.

"Oh yeah," Lee nodded. "Jenrya's the given name, but my real-real name, IF you want to be that literal, is Jianliang. That's the Chinese version. But my friends and all kinds of other people have trouble pronouncing Jenrya, so most everyone calls me by my surname, Lee. Of course, that's the L-e-e spelling, and lots of people will call me Ree instead, Japanese L-R conversion and all, and sometimes people spell my name in the L-i style, then there's also R-i, of course…then SOME people who might insist on calling me Jenrya will call me ZENRYA for some reason…and then again, there's also the—"

                        "I give up, kid!" the man wailed, holding his hands up. "You don't need to explain it further!"

Lee bluened and covered his mouth. Twitching…'Terriermon's rubbing off on me…' he thought.

            "So, most people call you Lee, right? Then I'll just call you Lee for my own sanity's sake."

Lee nodded quickly. "Lee's just fine! Sorry for confusing you…"

                        "No problem. My friends have their own decent share of nicknames…that really adds up when you have eleven friends, you know."

            "That must be a lot of names to remember," Lee commented. "Quite admirable."

                        "You get used to it," the man assured. "But one thing that's hard to adjust to is living with eleven people."

            "I can imagine," said Lee. "I have a brother and two sisters, our own decent share of pets…there's never a dull moment around the house. But at least I don't get noticed much…"

                        "Middle Kid of the family, huh?"

            "I guess you can say that," Lee figured. "Halfway the middle kid, anyway…"

"I had a brother once," the man informed. "Well, I actually do still have a brother…he's not dead or anything, but my parents are divorced, so we got separated while we were really young. So I guess you can say I've been more or less living an only child's life, even though I do kinda know what it's like, and all, to have a sibling."

                        "Younger or older brother?" Lee asked, amused.

            "Younger," confirmed the man. "Seeing as you're in the middle, I guess you know the pains of younger siblings."

Lee bluened a bit as he recalled Shuichon…time and time again, giving him much frustration. "Quiiite well, sir."

                        "Oh, sorry," the man said with a laugh. "I forgot to tell you my name…"

*

Renamon was speeding across the shallow waters of the shoreline. People would often gawk at her and assume her as some freak on a waverunner, but she was using her own two feet to rapidly skim the surface of the water. Renamon examined the beach in hopes of spotting wherever Lee was hiding out.

                        It had been almost half an hour since he fled from the hotel, and everyone started to get worried. Hirokazu ordered for everyone to split up to look for him in their own separate ways. Some went in through town, some searched the entirety of the hotel, while others went on the beach, opposite of the way Renamon was heading.

With Renamon's agility and ability to scan large areas in a short amount of time, everyone figured she'd be the first to find him. But just to ensure that, Ruki promised Renamon a reward if she was the first to find Lee.

"I wonder…" Renamon said to herself. "Perhaps the reward…might be ice cream again? I certainly enjoyed it last time."

            She turned her head towards the beach again. The further she went, the fewer the people.

The Digimon figured it might be a good time to head back…she wasn't finding any traces of Lee…

                        That feeling suddenly changed as Renamon felt a powerful shock.

She squinted over the area the was passing by….a small section of the beach forming a little cove. It was in-between two giant formations of rock…

                                    Renamon could tell there was two people residing there.

Renamon stopped in her tracks and stared for a while. She wanted to be absolutely sure this was Jenrya Lee she discovered…

*

            The man looked away from Lee and back out to the ocean. "Did you just see that?"

                        Lee followed his gaze. "See what?"

"We have company," the man informed, standing up. "You should take cover somewhere." He looked serious…

            "I don't know what you're talking about," Lee admitted as he stood. "But let me help you, okay?"

The youthful musician glared at Lee. "This isn't a game. I can't help you if you get hurt…"

                        "Just tell me what you see!" Lee pleaded. "I'm not some useless kid!"

The man gritted his teeth. "You just don't get it, do you? It doesn't matter how old you are! You could never possibly defend yourself from these beasts of evil!"

            "Beasts…of evil?" Lee echoed, suddenly feeling short on breath.

                        "I'll explain it all later!" the man shouted, pointing to the cave behind them. "Just hide! Now!"

            "Hey! I'll have you know I was trained for 10 years on how to defend myself! I have a right to know—"

"Insolent brat!" cursed the man as he grabbed Lee and threw him into the cave. "And DON'T leave that cave!"

            Lee found himself flung into the cave, landing harshly on the thin layer of sand. Thusly, knocking the wind out of him for a while…a large pair of brown eyes looked down at the fallen Tamer worriedly.

                        "Not to worry, little friend…in all likelihood, you're much safer in here…"

Back outside, a confrontation had just taken place.

            "So, it's another one of you," the man figured. "So you goons finally managed to find out a plan…are you plotting to eliminate us one by one?"

                        Renamon titled her head a bit. "I…beg your pardon?"

"Don't play dumb…" the man growled. "At least they're attacking us with some Digimon we'll be able to beat easily…"

            "There were two of you here," Renamon mentioned, ignoring the man's banter. "Was there not?"

"You have to go through me first!" the man cried. "I won't let you endanger anymore innocent people!"

                        The Digimon bowed her head in frustration. "I'm not here to hurt anyone. Just to merely retrieve someone, for a friend."

                        "Yeah, the brains behind the whole operation!" accused the man. "So your new plan is to kidnap one of the Chosen Children, is it? How cliché of you."

            "I really don't know what you're talking about," said Renamon. "I have no interest in some 'Chosen Children'."

                        "We aren't quite children these days, you know," the man countered. "So you'll learn to take us seriously!"

                                    "Please know, I do have a moral code to follow. Unless otherwise ordered, I would never attack, or capture a defenseless human being. My fights are between Digimon only."

            "Digimon only, huh?" the man scoffed. "You won't even be able to touch mine…"

Renamon blinked. "You have a…"

            The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a very old-style Digivice, which was glowing blue.

"Gabumon!!" the man shouted. "Attack!!"

                        From the cave, out leaped a short, but very chunky Digimon. A yellow lizard-type Digimon, yet he wore a giant fur coat over him, with a horn on his forehead. His brown eyes flickered with anger as he studied his would-be opponent.

            Renamon sweatdropped. Her adversary had to be at least ¼ her height.

"I do not wish to fight you," Renamon said again. "But if you're enforcing one…I have no choice…"

                        The man shook his head. "Enough talk! Gabumon, take care of her now!"

Gabumon nodded and immediately jumped towards Renamon. Renamon backed up a bit, and teleported to Gabumon's backside. In a split second, she kicked the Digimon back into the sand.

                        But Gabumon had recovered quite quickly. "She's very fast!" he commented as he anticipated her next attack.

            Renamon spread her arms widely as she prepared her attack. "Diamond Storm!!"

Bright shards of energy formed all over Renamon and noted their target below. They zipped down to their defenseless foe.

                        Gabumon held out his arms defensively, but as the shards made contact with him, they didn't seem to do any damage whatsoever. One by one, each shard bounced harmlessly off Gabumon.

            Renamon was surprised. "How can you…?!"

                        "Huh..?" Gabumon was just as surprised. "Not a scratch…?"

"Gabumon!" the man shouted. "Now's your chance!!"

Gabumon nodded. "Right!" he opened his mouth. "Blue Blaster…!!"

            From Gabumon's mouth came a blast of blue fire. Renamon copied Gabumon's own style of defense and took the hit of the attack. It bounced against her…and then died off quickly. Again, not a scratch was made…

                        The man was watching this closely. "That's funny…we were able to hurt the other Digimon…"

            "What other Digimon?!" Renamon asked. "I should be the only one on this island!"

"Will you cut it out with the innocent act?!" cried the man. "Gabumon, what kind of Digimon IS this?!"

            Gabumon looked at his opponent closely. "That appears to be a Renamon, Rookie level…"

"That's it?" the man asked his Digimon. "Of all times to need Koushiro's computer, and we don't have it…"

                        "Yamato!" Gabumon shouted back. "I'd like to say I could defeat her, but I can't seem to understand why Renamon and I can't hurt each other! It's…as if we weren't meant to fight!"

            "That's nonsense, Gabumon," the man, obviously being Yamato figured. "You two SHOULD be able to…"

Gabumon was ready to respond, but was cut off when Renamon had come down to kick him in the head.

            "Thankfully we can still fight in a physical bout!" Renamon confirmed.

Yamato was not pleased. "This doesn't look good, Gabumon…but give it your all! I probably will need help…"

                        "C-call for the others…" Gabumon requested, as he was recovering from the attack. "We need them!"

            Renamon narrowed her eyes. "Even if we can physically fight, I'm afraid it'll be hard to demolish you fighting like this." But a little thought in the back of her mind struck out. 'I have no one who can come and help me…'

            "I don't even know where they are," Yamato said as he grabbed a cell phone. "But someone's gotta be there…"

            Gabumon yelled out as he headbutted Renamon. Having a horn, Gabumon did a good amount of damage to Renamon as she crumpled to the sand. Around this time, Lee was beginning to recover inside the cave…

            "What nerve…" Lee muttered, sitting up. "Who does that guy take me for?"

The Tamer stood up as he noticed Yamato running back into the cave, particularly towards a pile of various belongings.

                        "Where's that damn calling card…" Yamato growled to himself, digging through his things. "Of all times to lose it…" He looked up. "Oh, Lee. Good to see you up. Listen, I'm sorry I…"

            "What's going on here?!" Lee shouted angrily. "If you won't tell me, I'll go out and see myself!"

Yamato sighed. "Please don't…it's too dangerous, kid. You'll get hurt. It's not like you'll believe me if I tell you."

                        "Shoot," challenged Lee.

"Fine then," Yamato muttered. "There's a psycho Digimon outside that apparently wants to kidnap you. I'm holding her off right now with my Digimon, so that—Lee…?"

            Lee had run off when Yamato first said 'Digimon'.

*

"What's going on out here?!" Lee cried as he showed himself in the opening. On cue, Gabumon and Renamon ceased their fighting to look to who interrupted them.

            "Oh no!" worried Gabumon. "Please go back inside! Yamato didn't want you to get hurt!"

                        Lee ignored those commands and ran right into the battlefield. "Renamon?! What're you doing here?!"

Renamon stood, uneasily, being quite roughed up from the fight. "Everyone is searching for you, Lee."

            "Oh, please," grumbled Lee, folding his arms. "I haven't been gone THAT long."

"Long enough for the others to worry," informed Renamon. "Takato, especially."

                        Lee's expressions softened a bit. "…well, if you put it that way…"

"You seem to know this Renamon well," said Yamato, coming up from behind. "Maybe we should talk about this."

            "You can start," Lee offered. "Just who is this?" He pointed to Gabumon.

Yamato looked down. "That's Gabumon, he…he's my partner."

            "Your partner?" Lee inquired, with his eyes widened. "Like…A Digimon-Tamer bond thing…?"

"Huh?" Yamato looked confused. "Don't you know? I'm a Digidestined…one of the Original Eight."

                        Lee stumbled back in surprise. "Excuse me..?! A Digidestined?! You're…"

"I'm sure you've heard of us," Yamato explained as he held out his still-glowing Digivice. "THE original Second-in-Command."

                        "Ishida Yamato…" Lee whispered. "You ARE a Digidestined!"

Yamato smiled. "That's right. I'm the one with the Crest of Friendship. I take it, you and Renamon are…"

            Lee shook his head. "My Digimon isn't with me. I know Renamon because her partner is one of my teammates."

"So those other five people you mentioned…"

            "We're the Tamers," Lee finished. "Next generation, I presume?"

"Maybe," Yamato figured with a laugh. "But I still say you don't look any older than my brother. He's one of the Original Eight, but he's also in OUR next generation of Digidestined…"

            "This is unbelievable!" Lee exclaimed. "I can't believe I'm talking to THE Yamato!"

"I don't make autographs," Yamato said with a grin. "So, what's your Digimon?"

            "Terriermon," replied Lee. "Only one person in my group brought a Digimon along…um, the point of our vacation was kind of…from them, y'know."

                        "I know how it is," sympathized Yamato. "You like to drive me crazy sometimes too, huh, Gabumon?"

Gabumon and Renamon had blank expressions on their faces.

            "I take it, you guys don't want us to fight anymore," Gabumon guessed.

"Nah, there's no enemy between us," said Yamato. "However…"

                        Lee looked serious. "You're hiding something. Why did you bring YOUR Digimon here?"

            "It's a long story," Yamato assured. "But trust me, this is no vacation we're on…"

"Lee," Renamon interrupted. "I think it's time we let the others know you're safe."

            "I'll meet up with you later," Lee promised. "Just go back to them and tell them the news."

"Ruki's orders were specific," Renamon clarified. "I am to bring you back if I find you."

            "Here's an idea," Lee said. "How about Gabumon goes with you, so I can prove to the others, WITHOUT being with them, that there are other Digimon on this island. Maybe then they'll all wise up, and we can start taking this situation seriously."

                        Renamon sighed and turned away. "I don't make exceptions often. Be thankful."

Lee looked to Yamato. "You don't mind if Gabumon goes with her, right?"

            "I trust you guys," Yamato said with a smile. "No big deal."

"We'll be back shortly, Yamato!" Gabumon shouted as he followed Renamon back into the water.

Yamato looked to his right hand where he was still handling his Digivice. It had refused to cease its soft blue glow, which was oddly intensifying as the minutes passed.

            "Damn it," he cursed. "This thing's on the fritz again. It normally doesn't glow like this."

"Can I look at it?" Lee asked. "You can tell me everything meanwhile…"

            Yamato looked to his Digivice again, and handed it to Lee. "You're the Smart One in your group, huh?"

"Pretty much."

            The exchange was made.

"Well," Yamato started. "This is no average vacation. I wasn't kidding when I said I've been trapped on this island for months. The others and I have been concealed in this REALLY odd barrier over the island for a while. We're not entirely sure who our enemy is, but we know for sure that they want us eliminated."

            "And how you got here…was how we got here?"

"By winning a contest? Yeah," said Yamato. "One of our next-generation members won it, Motomiya Daisuke…we thought it was fishy that all eleven of us could go, with all the expenses paid and everything, which is why we all brought our Digimon with us. I guess it was bad luck on your part, since bringing five people seems a lot more believable, it didn't seem as suspicious…"

Lee nodded. "Tell me more about the barrier…wouldn't people NOTICE they're being trapped eventually…?"

            "It doesn't affect them," Yamato said sadly. "Somehow these new Digimon are able to have powers that can trap us, but let any normal human pass through it harmlessly. These guys are really low-profile…"

                        "Couldn't you at least call your parents?" asked Lee. "So they'd know?"

"They've totally messed with our lives," Yamato said angrily. "Any Digidestined with a calling card, bank account, you name it…half the time we can't use them, and we definitely can't make any out-of-country business at any time."

            "They must be evolved forms…" Lee thought. "Even we haven't encountered Digimon who do that…"

"We're down to our last dollars," Yamato explained. "A few million between the twelve of us has lasted us to this point, where we've been having to get jobs just to make sure we don't go broke. We've overstayed our hotel visits, so by now we just travel, city to city…right back to here, where it all started, and that's where it'll start for YOUR group.

            "Haven't you tried to fight?" asked Lee. "Are they really THAT advanced?"

"They weren't too hard at first," Yamato said with a frown. "Then they got the idea to put a lock on our Digimons' EVOLUTION."

            Lee gritted his teeth. "So you're all stuck to Rookie levels?!"

"Champions in times of crisis," corrected Yamato. "But every Digimon attacking us lately have been extremely strong Champions, Ultimates, and higher…we've been able to evade them, but sooner or later they'll catch us when it matters the most, and they'll eliminate us all…"

Lee sweated a bit. "So…we were your last resort, weren't we…?"

            Yamato was taken aback. "We…we did try a distress call one time…"

*

[Flashback]

"I'm glad you all made it," congratulated Taichi. "And it's good to see us all still alive."

            "What's the deal, Tai-san?" inquired Daisuke. "Did you come up with a plan?"

"More like a hunch," Taichi admitted. "Can we all stand in a circle, for just a second?"

            "A circle? If we're doing what I think you're planning to do, I don't think…"

"We're not," interrupted Taichi. "I personally think there's no way any of us has a chance of beating the evil that's infected this sorry island."

            "Fair enough to say," said Koushiro, as he and the others formed a circle. "But really, what're you planning?"

                        "Our powers to make our Digimon evolve have been sealed," Taichi said. "But there's more to our Digivices than just that. And I think you've all learned that a long time ago."

           

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"And as we're all aware, there's more Digidestined on this planet than just us. I didn't want to drag them from their homes just to draft them into battle…but…"

            Mimi looked down. "We're fresh out of ideas, aren't we…?"

"Pretty much," Taichi sighed. "I don't know how much they can help us, but if they can make THEIR Digimon evolve, it may be the only fighting chance we have…"

"A pretty reasonable plan," commented Jyou. "But the fact still stands that we can't communicate with the outside world. I can't even call my mother! How're we supposed to rally up Digidestined when they're just as far away?"

                        "That's where the Digivices come in," said Taichi. "We can use them to fight, true…"

Takeru looked down at his. "But we could also use ours to locate our fellow teammates!"

            "That's the spirit," Taichi said with a wink. "We could always rely on these things to find each other in times of crisis…most of the time. And since these things are so allegedly linked together…"

Koushiro's eyes widened. "Of course! As our final battle with MaloMyotismon proved, these Digivices could have summoning powers!"

            "I see…" said Ken. "So if we all combine our powers together, we can form a summoning beam to bring us a new set of Digidestined, fresh and ready to fight!"

                        Daisuke slung his arm around Ken. "Exactly! We can even tell them to tell our parents that we're okay! Man, and people question why I admire you, Tai-san!"

"Eh, I get brainstorms now and then…" Taichi chuckled, scratching his head. "Can't leave Koushiro to do all the work…"

            "There was always more to you than being our braindead leader," joked Yamato as he elbowed his partner in the shoulder.

"So, how exactly do we do this?" Hikari inquired. "I mean, can we even be sure it'll work?"

            "I'm not sure in the least," admitted Taichi. "But like Mimi said, we're out of other things to do."

Iori looked at his D-3 curiously. "…And we're going to do this, how?"

                        Taichi smiled and held his Digivice out upwards. "Everyone hold their device like this."

The other eleven nodded and mimicked Taichi's actions.

            "Now think really hard," Taichi ordered, closing his eyes. "Will it…to come.."

All of the Digidestined closed their eyes on command, and begun to concentrate. From Taichi's Digivice, an orange beam of light shot out and flew high into the sky. Shortly after, more colored beams followed. Blue, Red, Purple, Pink, Yellow, Green, Black…

            The columns of light combined into a bright explosion in the sky. Everyone opened their eyes to behold what they had caused. The rapidly-flashing explosion slowly seemed to be spawning another ball of light, which flickered as it floated away from the large come-together of lights. The Digidestined watched silently as the ball of light started floating off slowly towards the ocean…

                        All became quiet and tranquil as the ball ever-so-slowly floated out of the Chosen's sight.

                                    As it did leave the sight of everyone, the explosion dissipated and the lights dispersed.

Everyone lowered their Digivices simultaneously.

"We did it…" breathed Taichi. "Our distress call…if that's what that thing is…"

            Koushiro squinted towards the ocean side. "It seems to have made it past the barrier…"

"I guess all we can do is wait, then," Takeru said softly.

            "And hope," added Yamato. "I can only guess how much longer we can last out here, defenseless…"

*

Lee looked very interested. "I'm sorry you guys had to go through all this trouble," he apologized.

            "Hey, no one's to blame for it," insisted Yamato. "Except the Digimon in question…"

"I'm wondering, though…" figured Lee. "How did we get chosen to help, if we're not Digidestined?"

                        Yamato looked uneasy. "That's what I'm wanting to know. Also, you weren't summoned…"

"We weren't," recalled Lee. "We got here like how you did…"

            Yamato looked down. "The power of Will is a very odd thing," he said. "Maybe it created another contest…"

"So much for helping," Lee said with a sigh. "We came here totally uninformed, now we'll probably get sealed off just like you…" Lee paused for a moment. "Not that I'm saying it's your fault or anything."

                        "Don't throw in the towel just yet," Yamato advised. "As long as they don't know you're here, you guys still might be in the game."

Lee shook his head in sorrow. "I wouldn't count on that…"

            "No way," Yamato groaned. "Have you had to fight them already?"

"No," Lee replied. "Actually, the reason I ran all the way out here was because of a Digimon bothering me personally. None of my friends would believe me…" He started to look pained. "Not even my closest friends…"

                        "Strange," commented Yamato. "How exactly was this going about?"

"Well, at first I thought I was just hallucinating it," Lee admitted. "But there's been this voice mocking me, and calling me Tamer…ever since last night. It mentioned things like a great battle, how this isn't really a vacation…and some 'fools who called for us'…"

"Damn it!" shouted Yamato. "So they already know…"

            Lee looked down. "I never could get a clear view of who was talking to me, but I could tell it was a Digimon," he held a hand protectively against his throat. "Just today, I think it was trying to get me…in the bathroom…"

"Your friends still don't believe you?" Yamato asked, looking concerned.

            "No…" Lee whispered. "This Digimon has a knack for going as quickly as it comes. When the others came to me, it was like nothing happened at all…so I can't really blame them for not believing me, somewhat…still…"

Yamato nodded. He looked determined as he sat up very straight. "It's time they've woken up and smelled the coffee, then. It's no hallucination, Lee. And if they know you're here…then it might be too late already."

            "I just don't get how they could tell I was a Tamer," wondered Lee. "I don't even have my D-Arc with me, much less my own Digimon…no one else except Ruki brought them! But they were after me…"

                        "It doesn't matter," Yamato explained. "Just because you don't have your Digimon and your device with you doesn't mean that you're not a Digidestined inside…or in your case, a Tamer."

"So I was just the lucky one to get teased before the fight," Lee muttered. "Can they seal us if we don't have our devices with us, Yamato-san?"

            "I'm…not sure," Yamato pondered. "I'm only saying that because everyone in my group brought theirs along, so everyone got sealed by default…but if they can't seal you, then maybe all hasn't been lost yet. Just tell your friend who did bring theirs along to be careful…"

            "Of course," said Lee. "But even if we're not sealed…it's going to be hard for Renamon to defeat these evil Digimon all by herself. Our Digimon are so far away…"

"We'll think of something," Yamato assured. "We know our devices can summon people, at least…maybe your friend's can summon your devices…and summon your Digimon, too."

                        "That's just in theory, though," Lee reminded. "But I guess it's the best we can do."

Yamato stood up. "Well, I don't know about you, but I think a little meeting is in order."

            "You mean, your group meets up with my group?" asked Lee.

"Exactly," Yamato nodded to him. "After all, the best chance we have against these evil Digimon is if we all fight together."

Lee smirked as he stood up. "Where have I heard that before…" He extended a hand. "Nonetheless, I couldn't have said better, Yamato. I'd be more than happy to meet the Digidestined."

            Yamato accepted. "And I'm interested in your group as well, Lee. I'm sure with our powers combined, we can make short work of these tyrants, and maybe we can make a little use of our vacation in the long run."

                        Lee chucked a bit. "Don't get too ahead of yourself, now!"

"No, I'm serious," Yamato insisted. "Anyway, how about I meet some of your friends right now? They ARE looking for you, right?"

            "Yeah, I almost forgot," said Lee as he looked back at the water. "Come on, I'll lead you to them."

*

"This is so stupid," Ruki said with a huff. Draped in a black cloak with sunglasses, she was standing over a part of the beach which she was quite familiar with. "Just how far can that little bastard go in half an hour?"

She was about to turn around and leave, when something hit her. She looked into the sky, and noticed it was almost sunset. Ruki looked down thoughtfully as the area around her was growing quieter by the minute. Pretty soon she was the only person there…

"Now this is just getting creepy," she said to herself. "I'm out of here." She started to leave again…but stopped.

The shell.

Ruki instinctively started to sweat. She remembered that shell…she remembered touching that shell…

'See, I'm not such a bad person. I'm completely touchable, and so are you.'

Ruki hopped away from the shell, clearly frightened.

'You're not as cold as you make yourself out to be!'

"He would never say a thing like that to me," Ruki growled. She kicked the shell towards the ocean, and watched it fall into the water.

'Aishiteru…'

Ruki gasped and ran towards the water, picking up the shell. She grasped it tightly and glared at it. "How could I let myself…"

"Ruki?"

Ruki turned around quickly. "Renamon?!"

            Renamon bowed her head. "I have returned."

"I see," noted Ruki as she looked down at what Renamon was carrying. "Look, I know I don't let you go out much, but I'd like to HOPE you even remember what Lee looks like."

                        Renamon didn't answer. It just took a few seconds for Ruki to do a doubletake.

"R-Renamon…! That's…!"

            "A Digimon."

Ruki instinctively took out her D-Arc and scanned the Digimon Renamon had brought along.

                        "Gabumon, a Reptile Digimon, Rookie Level…he's a Data-type…special attack…Blue Blaster."

"Pleased to meet you!" greeted Gabumon. "Um, would you mind putting me down, Renamon?"

            "Of course," answered Renamon as she released the smaller Digimon. "Ruki, I believe you owe Lee an apology."

"H-how is this possible…?" Ruki asked, horrified. "Renamon, why are you being so CASUAL…?"

                        "He's not an enemy," Renamon simply said.

"Tell me how you know this!" Ruki shouted, becoming more stern. "What's going on here, exactly?"

            Renamon sighed and looked to Gabumon. "Lee made a bit of a discovery while he was in hiding…"

"So, is this young lady your partner, Renamon?" Gabumon asked as he extended a paw to Ruki. "I'm charmed."

                        Ruki folded her arms. "Makino Ruki. What's it to you?"

"Ruki," Renamon said in a serious tone. "Gabumon isn't an enemy because he has a human partner."

            "…Another Digimon Tamer?!"

                        "Not quite," said Gabumon. "Renamon's told me a bit about you, Ruki-san. Digimon Queen…?"

"That's me," Ruki confirmed.

            "Then surely you've heard of the Digidestined, aka the Chosen Children."

Ruki paused, and took off her sunglasses. "You're…"

            Gabumon nodded. "The name of my partner is Ishida Yamato."

"Lee is with Yamato right now, discussing things," Renamon informed. "It seemed to be important he did so, because it just so happens that there are evil Digimon lurking around this island, Ruki. As he predicted."

                        "No way," whispered Ruki. "He was just pulling our legs…"

"I'm afraid his fears of an evil Digimon cult being here are true, Ruki," said Renamon. "He said he would return to you soon. In the meantime, I think it's our job to inform the others before it's too late."

            "I guess so…" Ruki looked down at the sand. This was a lot of information to take in for such a short amount of time…

*

"It's hopeless," bemoaned Takato. "No one's found a trace of him and we must've searched the entire area within a 2-mile radius! It's insane!"

            "I wouldn't worry so much, Takato," said Kenta. "For all we know, he's still inside the hotel. 'Kazu-chan will find him, no problem."

"I just don't like the idea of him running away from us," Takato wailed. "I know he's gone a little nutty on this whole Evil-Digimon-Are-Following-Us thing, but if it's getting to him so much that he's really getting upset about it, I don't know what to think…!"

            Kenta sighed. "It could just be sunstroke or something. I mean, as long as I've known Lee-kun, he rarely gets out of the house. He's probably not used to all this sunlight. …Well, I HOPE that's all what's wrong with him…"

                        "I'll never forgive myself…" Takato sputtered as he fell to his knees. "If he gets hurt…"

"You really need to calm down," Kenta advised. "Look, he's probably not mad at YOU…"

            "How can I be calm, Kenta?!" cried Takato. "This is LEE we're talking about!"

"Good point," Kenta agreed. "Still, I don't think he's hurt or anything. So please, don't beat yourself up over it…"

                        "I just can't help it," Takato said sadly. "Kenta, you just don't understand…"

"Well, there's lots of things in the world I don't understand," Kenta said as he took off his glasses and started wiping them with his shirt. "Sure, I'd probably worry a lot if Hirokazu freaked out and ran away from us, even though he DOES actually know how to take care of himself…but you need to get it through your head that Lee's not going to go off and kill himself just because he's alone. He has more sense than that, Takato. It's time you've realized that."

"Maybe I just care too much," Takato muttered as he sad down. "Then again, love does that to you…"

            "No kidding," Kenta commented as he put his glasses back on. "You guys must've bottled up those emotions for YEARS in advance. It's amazing how…not-wild you guys are over each other."

                        Takato huffed and looked away. "Just because we've been madly in love with each other for several years doesn't mean that we're going to do every dirty thing in the book the first chance we get. For the last time, Kenta, we're not like you and 'Kazu. We're just…not to that point yet." He started to smile. "Not like we need to be on your level, anyway."

                        "Whatever," grumbled Kenta. "Just stop whining, please."

"Takato-chan…!"

Takato and Kenta looked off in the distance. Two men were running over to them…

Tears of joy flooded out of Takato's eyes. "Lee-chan!!"

The Begoggled One stood up quickly and started running over to him. Kenta followed at a much slower pace. Both pretty much ignored Yamato, who was clearly seen with Lee, as the two pairs met.

            Waves crashed onto the shore, splashing water everywhere as Takato leapt into Lee's arms and welcomed him with a deep kiss. Lee happily returned it and held Takato tightly as they embraced.

Yamato looked at this and only smiled. Kenta finally noted Yamato's existence.

            "Oh, did you find him, sir?" Kenta asked him. "If so, we really appreciate it!"

"No problem," said Yamato. "Actually, he found me, but I'll explain that later."

            Takato released Lee, both sets of eyes locked on to each other's. "Daijoubu…?"

"Don't worry," Lee assured, petting the shorter boy's head. "Nothing happened. Everything's fine."

            "How could I not worry?" asked Takato. "How could ANYONE not worry?"

Lee closed his eyes. "I'm really sorry…I just…snapped, I guess…I won't do it again."

"Especially since he's not hallucinating, as you think," Yamato piped up. "He's told me the whole story."

            "Oh, pardon," said Takato as he bowed to Yamato. "Thanks for finding-…what do you mean, he told you?"

Lee stood defensively in front of Yamato. "You two, you need to trust this guy. This is Yamato. Yamato, these are my friends, Takato and Kenta."

                        "A pleasure," Yamato nodded to them both. "Yeah, Ishida is my last name."

"Matsuda." "Kitagawa."

            "I want you guys to treat Ishida-san with respect," ordered Lee. "He may be our ticket in getting out of this alive."

"Wait, you still haven't told us anything," said Kenta. "What's this all about? Just what did you TELL him, Lee-kun?"

                        Yamato dug into his pocket. "You're the Digimon Tamers, correct…?"

Takato and Kenta were immediately taken aback. "Lee, you can't just tell the whole world about that…!"

            "Of course not," agreed Lee. "But Ishida-san had his own secret to share, so it was a trade-off, sort of."

"What are you implying…?" Takato inquired.

            Yamato unveiled his own Digivice, and held it out to the group. "Oh, I'm just an original Digidestined, nothing special, hm?"

                        Takato gasped. "That…thing's for real!"

Yamato looked at it. "It's still glowing, too…" He shook it. "Damn it!"

            "Ours never glow without a reason," noted Takato. "Are you sure it's just glowing for the sake of glowing?"

"No way," Yamato answered, still shaking it. "But it's sure not telling me much by just glowing…"

                        "We need to be on our guard," said Lee. "Yamato told me himself that he's encountered some dangerous, evil Digimon lately…his whole group has."

            "Is that true?" Takato asked again. "What's this evil force?"

"Not sure of the name," Yamato said, looking away from his Digivice. "We don't even know their motivation for all this. But which one of you brought a Digivice along?"

            "That would be Ruki," Kenta informed. "She's not with us right now. I think she's on the opposite end of the beach or something, but she's not far away."

                        "We need to find her, then," Yamato said, narrowing his eyes. "Before it's too late."

            "I wonder," pondered Lee. "Maybe your Digivice is trying to warn us of something…"

Yamato gasped and looked to Lee. "Maybe! A Digimon might be coming for her! We need to get her out of danger before she gets sealed, too! She might be our only chance of making out of this alive."

            "Wait a second," Takato interrupted. "What's exactly going on here?"

"There's no time to explain it," said Yamato. "We need to find that Ruki kid and her Digimon before—"

"Takato!"

The group looked behind them as they saw Juri running towards them happily. She was dragging a familiar man behind her, who was having a time keeping up with her.

            "Hey, isn't that the ice cream guy from yesterday?" Kenta wondered out loud.

"Is is," said Takato. "What's he doing here with Juri…?"

                        Yamato smirked. "Oh, Taichi. How the mighty have fallen."

"I'm glad I found you guys!" Juri yelled out happily as she reached the group. "I found the ice cream man from yesterday, and he told me this really great story that you guys will never believe…!"

            "Yama?" The man gasped. "What the hell are you doing out here?"

"I could ask you the same thing," Yamato said with a sneer. "Especially why you've sunk down to the level of selling ice cream, Taichi. But I don't have a lot of time right now…"

                        "It was all I could do this week!" Taichi shouted. "I don't see YOU taking up any good jobs…"

            "You two know each other?" Juri guessed. "That's wonderful! And Lee's here! Thank goodness!"

"What are we sitting around here for?!" Yamato shouted. "We need to find that Ruki kid, now!"

                        "You know Ruki, too…?" Juri was a looking a little paranoid now.

Lee shook his head in frustration. "I can feel something coming any second…we all need to listen to Yamato and find Ruki! If we don't, we'll be stuck here forever!"

            Taichi looked distant. "Yamato, just who the hell did you find…"

"I'll explain later!" Yamato cried as he grabbed Taichi's arm and started running. "But we need to go, NOW!!"

                        Takato, Kenta and Juri looked on, dumbfounded.

"What are you waiting for?!" Lee called out as he followed Yamato and Taichi. "Get a move on! HURRY!"

Kenta blinked. "Um…do EITHER of you know what the hell just happened…?"

            "Not really," Juri trailed off…

"I don't have a clue," Takato admitted, looking serious. "But apparently Lee-chan does! Let's find out what this is all about!" With that, he started running after them.

                        Being as clueless as Takato, both Kenta and Juri brought up the rear and followed him.

Everyone's running ceased simultaneously as they heard an explosion. In the water. They turned to face the ocean to see a shadowy figure emerge from the water and into the sky. Yamato and Taichi glared, as if they were familiar with his happening. The Tamers were looking frightened when the figure's details were coming into light.

Lee was terrified. "That's…that's one of them…isn't it…?"

Yamato nodded solemnly. "This is an enemy. Of course, I can't get a reading on it…!"

            "Great," Taichi growled. "We need Koushiro, or one of the new generation teams…"

"What are we going to do?!" Kenta wailed. "We're defenseless! What's a Digimon doing here, anyway?!"

                        Juri screamed and hid behind Takato. "You're the leader, Takato! Give a suggestion…!"

Takato gulped. "I wish I could, Juri…" He looked to the others. "I just…don't have any idea on what to do!"

"That's simple," the putrid, inhuman voice of the Digimon cracked. "You fight, of course!"

            Lee started to sweat. "If only Gabumom or Renamon were here…there's no way we can fight!"

"We may not have a choice, kid," Taichi said, gritting his teeth. "We…may not have a choice."

"Enough talk," said the Digimon. "I smell new prey…fresh and ripe…ready to be sealed!"

[Annnnnd…it's to be Continued!]