In the previous chapter:

WarGreymon had used the last of his energy, and had turned back into Koromon. Garudamon, who had rested a little from the attacks bestowed upon her, had struggled up and is determined to face Metalseadramon again, although weak and now realizing that she needed the power of the crests to help her. Now, even though together in spirit, she faces Metalseadramon alone.

~ Garudamon's POV (continued)

With giving Koromon to Tai, the safest place he could ever be, I turned back to Metalseadramon, who patiently waited with all his scratches, bruises and cuts from WarGreymon's massive Terra Force.

Suddenly, I felt the power of the crests, the unity of courage of love flow into my body. I felt that nothing else, including time or space, existed. I myself was as badly cut and bruised as Metalseadramon, but with this sudden power enlightening me from Sora and Tai and even a little from Koromon I hardly felt any physical pain at all. I closed my eyes as the energy began to grow, and I could practically feel my eyes roll back into my head as I tried desperately to control this new energy. Finally feeling powerful, I opened my eyes and muttered under my breath-

"You're finished, Metalseadramon."

~ Narrator's POV

"What on earth is taking her so long?" Metalseadramon eyed Garudamon as she closed her eyes with a relaxed expression. "Is she meditating? Could there be a worse time to meditate? What in the DigiWorld is taking her so long?"

Suddenly, in a striking flash, Garudamon opened her eyes and with the most massive force Metalseadramon had ever witnessed, unleashed the largest Wing Blade ever seen, so massive that the ground began to vibrate under her command, engulfing Metalseadramon in flames. A high-pitched cry was heard as he burnt away, trying to move back into the water, but he was too slow, and never made it. Within about two hours of silence from the good side he had vanished completely, never to darken their hearts again.

Garudamon immediately changed back to Biyomon, who rushed over to Sora and gave her a hug. After cheers of joy, Biyomon took the sleeping Koromon in her wings, and hopped away to tend to him, her eyes shining with love and care.

Tai finally managed to open his mouth. "…Sora?"

Sora felt this sudden excitement fill her. She knew that the battle had meant teamwork, and the unity of their power had brought them together as partners. This was the big moment, it was a strong gut feeling, with excited chills down her spine, and she knew that nothing else would stop him from asking her now.

"Yes, Tai?" she said slowly.

"I just have a question…" he mumbled, turning red. "I know this may sound a little stupid, but I'm just curious…"

"Yes, continue," Sora said in a casual tone, except inside her heart was beating so fast that her blood was practically roaring in her ears.

"…Was it just me or did it strike you as really weird that Metalseadramon was fighting us out of water?"

Sora almost fell over. "You moron! That wasn't what I was expecting you to ask me! I wouldn't have let you ask me if Biyomon was still here, and that's why I was all nervous, DINGBAT!"

Tai had a thoughtful expression for one moment, then a shocked one, and then smiled. "Ahh! I see! I didn't expect this, but I think I know what you were going to ask. And thus I ask you now."

"Ask me what?" Sora teased.

"Ask you… for the honor… for me, for us…" Tai began, finding it difficult to find the words. But with just those words, Sora was satisfied.

She smiled shyly and whispered, "I hope you know what would answer the question."

Sora leaned in and very gently kissed him. She knew she would do it, but Tai, not expecting it, was shaking like jelly, unable to respond. Eventually, however, he melted in to the kiss, almost blowing Sora away.

Sora broke away, smiled and walked off, leaving him almost paralyzed. "Oh, and Tai?" she began, continuing to walk away. She turned back to him, at a distance of about ten meters away, and grinned naughtily.

"You know, maybe you didn't realize but, four years ago we fought Metalseadramon out of water. You're just a little, tiny bit slow…"

THE END!