Myotismon opened his eyes. Another night. The sky was a velvet black sea inlaid with myriad tiny gems. At such times, he could almost forget the gnawing emptiness that grew with every passing second. The night was beautiful, and for the moment, that was enough. Familiar grey stone walls surrounded him. He espied the full moon, serene and silver through the windows, and he smiled. Real or no, it was still his home.

Someone else was there. Myotismon could sense it. He pivoted to look.

Kari again. Myotismon felt searing anger at her intrusion. Here, at least, he should have been safe from them. Once he would have destroyed her without a second thought. Now he simply wished her far away.




Kari's eyes opened. She recognized the grey stone walls at once. It was Myotismon's castle.

A dream. She was dreaming this. But unlike the other time, this time she was ready for anything that might happen.

Footsteps behind her. She turned, resolute to face whatever was there.




Myotismon stared at the tiny form who now stood before him, determination etched on her childish features. "Kari."

"Why am I here, Myotismon?" demanded Kari.

"I have no idea," said Myotismon, "since it was not me who brought you here."

Kari stood in silence, brows knit in confusion. "This doesn't make any sense."

"I agree," said Myotismon, the tone of his voice dry.

Kari looked at Myotismon in growing anger. "You're supposed to be dead. Why can't you leave me alone?"

"I might ask the same of you," snapped Myotismon. "Since you've seen fit to trespass in my home."

"As arrogant as always, aren't you?" sighed Kari.

"And why should I be anything else?" countered Myotismon. "I see no reason to pretend otherwise. Have I ever misled you into believing me the sort of dreary do-gooders you and your friends are?"

"No," admitted Kari. "I really don't know what you are."

Moonlight poured through the window, and Myotismon turned his face toward it. His eyes gazed fixedly upward toward the moon, his face set and expressionless. "Neither do I." His words seemed to hang in the still air.

Kari stared at the tall shadow-enrobed figure who used to fill her with dread. A feeling came over her, utterly overpowering, of melancholy and loss beyond words. She knew she ought to hate the being before her, but she couldn't. Compassion and sadness grew within her, even as she fought to understand it. "Who are you?" she asked.

His face resumed a slight sneer, expression hardening into scorn. Yet there was something different this time. Kari could sense it.

"That question again. As if it mattered, to you or anyone else. Do you think I owe you an answer?" snarled Myotismon, with typical disdain. "Wasn't killing me enough for you?"

"Oh, and you weren't trying to kill everyone else?" snapped Kari. "What were we supposed to do?" She glared at him, furious at his never-ending selfishness.

"Ah, yes," pursued Myotismon smoothly. "You mentioned something about not wanting me to harm innocent people."

"Yes! That's what I told you," said Kari. "Something you could never seem to understand, that people aren't just playthings for you to abuse or destroy!"

"As if I cared in the slightest degree what happens to the teeming masses of pathetic creatures that inhabit the so-called 'real' world. Miserable, worthless, despicable animals." Myotismon snarled silently, brows furrowed deeply in obvious displeasure. He dismissed them all with a careless wave of one aristocratic hand. "I have had enough of this," he grated, his temples throbbing dully.

"You? Had enough of what?!?" cried Kari. "You brought all of this on yourself!"

Myotismon, now seething in anger, forgot himself. "Who do you think you are to speak to me thus?" He crossed his arms, focusing. Both hands began to glow brilliant scarlet. "Crimson Lightn--"

"Knock it off!" yelled Kari. Myotismon, startled into inaction, stared at her, mouth open.
"All the suffering, and all the misery you caused and you still don't get it!" Kari faced him, arms stiffly by her side, small hands balled tightly into fists. "Just once, I wish you knew how it felt to be those people you hurt, and how wrong you were! Just ONCE!"

"What difference would it make now?", asked Myotismon, his face stony. "It's a little late for that."

Kari stopped dead in her tracks, confused by his terse, emotionless reply. "What do you mean?"

"I am already dead," answered Myotismon, his voice toneless. "Soon enough, I will cease to be. Your troubles are about to end--permanently."

"But how can this be?" asked Kari. "I thought digimon were reincarnated into digi-eggs."

"Apparently not all." Myotismon shrugged, a simple elegant gesture.




Kari fell into troubled silence. There was no doubt that the world was better off when Myotismon died. But annihilation? There was something terribly wrong here.




Myotismon turned, cloak billowing in his wake. A small voice stopped him.

"No--please. Don't go," whispered Kari.

Myotismon looked at her levelly. "I have no reason to stay."

Kari became visibly agitated, her cheeks flushed. "But you have to. If you go now, you'll die."

Myotismon was incredulous, then furious. "What? Why do you care? Isn't this exactly what you want--to see me dead? Again?"

"No!" said Kari, startled by her own vehemence. Her voice lowered. "Not anymore."

"What? Concern for me?" laughed Myotismon. "How touching."

"Everybody needs someone to care about them," whispered Kari, her eyes wide and solemn. "Even people like you."

"You can't expect me to believe you," said Myotismon, staring down at her.

Kari nodded slowly. "You're right. I don't expect you to believe me. But I can hope that you do."

"Why?" asked Myotismon.

"Because you matter. Because it's important." Kari's brows creased, as she visibly struggled to find words. "I don't know why, but it's horribly important." She approached him, small hesitant steps, hands wringing in nervous repetitions. "Even if you don't believe me, please listen to me?"

"It's not as if I have anything critical to do at this point," answered Myotismon, his voice flat and glacial once more. "Proceed."

Kari said nothing. "I really don't know where to begin."

Myotismon nodded.

"You know, I never once hated you," said Kari. "Not after you killed Wizardmon." Her face became serious. "Not even after you tried to kill me."

"A pity I can't say the same." replied Myotismon. "You and those pests managed not only to destroy my ambitions, but to destroy me as well. Can you think of a good reason why I should not despise you utterly?"

"No," answered Kari.

"How refreshing to find someone realistic," sneered Myotismon. "I'm sure that if it had been your brother arguing, he would have tried to force me to believe that it was my duty to like you. Because you had made the attempt to befriend me." The demonic grin widened. "As you can see, I am not honor bound to anything."

"If that's the case, why are you listening to me?" asked Kari.

The tall vampire glanced at her, smile now gone, eyes narrowed. "Perhaps, like you, I want to believe." He turned toward the window, moonlight shining through the panes. "Of course I could merely be trying to save myself, too."

Kari followed him, one tentative step after another. Something about him didn't add up--this demon knight with the face of a fallen angel and the soul of a monster. As she looked on, his image blurred. Another image superimposed itself, like him, and yet not. She blinked, as her vision changed. Her eyes showed one creature, yet her mind's eye saw another. There before her was the digimon she had come to know, the hated monster who would laugh at the death of a child, who would stop at nothing to conquer a world. Her mind envisualized a creature of feeling and compassion, who would befriend another damned soul in the heart of Hell itself. These two had nothing in common. Yet they were the same person.




Myotismon took note of her expression. "Something troubling you?" he asked, voice dry.

Kari nodded. "I just wish I understood you better."

Myotismon listened. His sly smile reappeared. "Do you? Perhaps there is a way."

Kari was wary. "What do you mean?"

"Just answer this. Do you really want to understand me or not?"

There was something in the tone of Myotismon's voice that Kari didn't like. But try as she might, she could not dismiss his words. The only way to accomplish her task was to trust him--somehow.

"Yes," said Kari.

Myotismon stretched forth his arms. "Take my hands, then."

Kari looked up at him, her small face solemn. Then slowly she slipped her small hands into his much larger gloved ones.

Myotismon smiled, lips parting to expose his canines. His hands gripped Kari's tightly then.

Kari gasped as the world unsettled itself. Everything blurred around her. Her body felt alien, distant

"Open your eyes."

Kari did. She looked down at herself.

She was taller now, her figure fully developed. Tentatively, she raised one hand to her bosom. Her breasts still weren't as big as she had once imagined them to be. But she no longer looked like a little girl, and that satisfied her.

Kari's clothing had changed, too. She had been wearing shorts and a tank top. Now she wore a high waisted white gown, slim and close fitting, the material light as gossamer. She saw how little the dress concealed of her newly matured body, and flushed a bright pink.

Myotismon glanced at her, eyes demurely downcast, pale cheeks suffused with color. "You said that you wanted to understand me, Kari. This is not a matter for children."

Kari nodded. A smile flitted across her face, gone so fast, Myotismon wondered if he had imagined it. "Stuff like that cuts both ways, Myotismon."

Myotismon frowned, and glanced down at himself. Gone were the gold braided dark blue tunic and trousers that he normally wore. In their place was a white silk shirt with billowing sleeves, bound at each wrist by a scarlet ribbon, and tight fitting black trousers with scarlet piping down the seams.

Myotismon raised an eyebrow at this. Kari giggled, as her eyes moved over his new appearance. "I like it better."

"I'm sure you do," replied Myotismon, the tone of his voice dry. He raised Kari's hand to his lips.

Kari's blush grew more vivid. "Myotismon!" she gasped.

"Am I so hard to comprehend?" Myotismon pulled Kari closer to himself. "Have you never wanted anything so much that the want completely possessed you? Never hungered so much that you would devour the world if you could?"

Kari was at a loss for words. "No. I never have."

"If you would understand me, it must be all of me, Digidestined. My love, my hate, my ambition." Myotismon encircled Kari in his arms, looking down at her. Despite her adult size, Myotismon easily towered over her. "My desire. My hunger. Do you understand?"

Kari forced herself to remain calm. She really had no idea of what he meant. If she had to free herself, she had only to wake up. Despite the appearance, she was in no danger. "Yes."

Myotismon simply watched her, and waited, as Kari composed herself. "Now look at me," he commanded. Surprised, Kari did. And in that moment, she ceased to be.




She stood apart, haughty and cold. All the digital world lay at her feet, a prize to be taken. And there, just beyond her grasp, the greatest prize of all...Earth, with several billion lives to serve her needs and sate her hunger. The only things that stood between her and her destiny were a handful of human brats and the digimon who allied themselves with the humans.

Thirst. She became aware of a terrible thirst that gripped her, and would not let go. She had never known such a need, so sharp that it cut through her. So demanding that she knew she must inevitably yield to the compulsion to drink from the fountain of life.




Kari became aware of herself once more.

Myotismon looked at her, and waited.

Kari could not reply. She kept her eyes closed, letting the last of Myotismon's monstrous appetite wane. A disturbing need seized her. More than anything, she wanted to strike down the tall brooding figure before her, merely because he stood in her way. She took long, deep even breaths; it passed.

"So now you understand," said Myotismon. His voice was simple, no trace of scorn or anger evident.

"Yes, I see," replied Kari, her voice as toneless as his. She opened her eyes and turned to face him, no longer a child or completely human.

Myotismon read her expression easily. Here now was someone his equal. No longer a foe, but a potent ally. He saw now, as he could never have before, how the very oppositeness of their natures brought them so close together. She stood before him, neither good or evil, but stern and unyielding as a naked sword. A fitting weapon, waiting to be wielded by him. Myotismon found her irresistible.

"Myotismon." Kari's voice filled the chamber, low and impassioned. Myotismon bent to her, as she moulded herself to him, awaiting his kiss. An odd smile curved her mouth upward. She turned her face away, proffering her smooth white throat to him. Myotismon savored the moment, finding her newfound passion a heady pleasure of its own.

Myotismon paused, his lips hovering over Kari's throat. Something was wrong. Kari did not move, her expression empty but for that smile. He looked into Kari's eyes, and saw nothing but a reflection of himself. She had become him, and everything she now felt was a pale imitation of his own nature. Even her smile was only his habitual smirk on her lips. No matter how much she seemed to want him, her desire was not truly her own, but what he wished her to feel.




Myotismon, repulsed by what he had almost done, felt his hunger wane, becoming cold distaste. He bent down to Kari again, this time merely to press his lips against her upturned mouth. He released her, and stepped away from her, a child once more, dressed in simple play clothes. His mind waged war against itself. "Fool!" came the voice. "After waiting so long to taste vengeance, you do nothing but stare at her like a moon-struck calf! You, the King of the Digital world, utterly besotted by a mere human brat! Have you gone mad?"

Myotismon knew the voice well--it was his own, not so very long ago. "Perhaps I have," answered Myotismon. "But I am not answerable to you or anyone else. My actions are for me alone to judge."

"Destroy this puny human," sneered the voice. "She and all humans are your rightful prey."

"No," answered Myotismon. "Not anymore."

"Weakling! Miserable incompetent! Why do you delay? Kill the girl and be done with it!"

"I will not," said Myotismon. "There is no reason to harm her."

"Idiot! Imbecile!" raged the voice. "Why aren't you listening to me? Why do you fail me?"

"Because it's wrong," answered Myotismon.




Kari watched in confusion as Myotismon backed away from her, his eyes fixed on her still, but unseeing. His form shimmered and blurred, garbed once again in the dark blue military tunic. Myotismon's face tightened into the hateful smile that still had the power to make her shudder. Then his expression changed again, clothing melting to reform itself into a silk shirt and pair of trousers once again. This Myotismon's expression was different. Gone was the smirk. Here was only a face lined with weariness and eyes too empty of emotion to see.

Myotismon's body took on a hazy glow. Within the shimmering light, Myotismon's body seemed to be spreading, separating into two creatures.

Kari knew she had to do something, and fast. The white-shirted Myotismon was in danger from his evil self. She had to separate them--now. But how?

Kari felt warmth rise within her, surrounding her. Instinct now guided her, directing her actions. She reached one hand toward Myotismon, her hand glowing. The glow intensified as her hand neared Myotismon's.

Her hand touched Myotismon's hand. There was a blinding flash of light, as Myotismon screamed. The figure shivered and splintered into two Myotismons, one clad in dark blue, the other in black and white. The force of separation knocked both Myotismons from their feet, sending them flying in opposite directions.




Kari ran toward the white-shirted Myotismon, who was the nearer of the two.




"At last I am free of you," said the Myotismon in blue, laughing as he rose to his feet. "Soon I will be rid of you forever."

"Would you stake your life on that?" asked the Myotismon in white, struggling to stand. "I don't think you have the strength to do anything to me right now." He stared at his diabolic alter ego.

The Myotismon in blue stared at him, cold blue eyes narrowed. "I see." He drew himself to his full height. "Then so be it. I choose not to waste time with a worthless craven wretch such as yourself. My destiny awaits elsewhere." Pivoting on one heel, cloak flying behind him, he vanished into the shadows.

The Myotismon who remained staggered, a wash of weakness passing through him. Kari moved to his side, steadying him. "Myotismon!"

"No," said the being. "I am that no longer."

"What happened?" cried Kari. "Who are you?"

"I don't know," said the man who once was Myotismon. "I don't remember anything. Not before--" His voice trailed off.

"Before what?" asked Kari.

"Before I met you. When you told me that you could not allow me to hurt innocent people," said the new digimon. "I remember nothing before that."

"I remember that day," said Kari. "But what does that mean?"

"Even the most hateful of monsters may shelter within its heart some small essence of kindness," the new digimon answered. "Myotismon was such a creature."

"But why...?" Kari was now confused. "How...did I...?"

The digimon smiled. "You awakened me."

Kari thought about it, then slowly nodded. "But what's your name?"

"For the moment, I have no name," said the digimon. "My place is not here any longer."

"Kari." A woman's voice spoke.

Kari turned her head. Angewomon now stood beside her, gleaming white wings outstretched. She faced the digimon who wore Myotismon's face.

"Angewomon!" said Kari. "Why are you here?"

"I was summoned to this place, as were you. Because even destiny needs help, as you said," said Angewomon, furling her wings. "Your words were prophetic."

Kari blushed.

Angewomon continued. "Kari, your kindness helped to create this digimon. Now it is time for him to fulfill his destiny. Will you help him do that?"

Kari looked at Angewomon, then at the other. "I--yes, I will."

Angewomon glanced at the new digimon. "And you, who were once Myotismon. Your path ahead will be difficult, and the obstacles you face many. Do you wish a simpler, less dangerous destiny to fulfill?"

The digimon was puzzled. "Do I have a choice?"

Angewomon nodded. "Yes. In rejecting evil, you have earned the right to choose."

"No, it is a worthy task," answered the digimon. "I cannot do less."

Angewomon looked at him. "As Myotismon, your sins were pride and arrogance. Will you accept the punishment for this?"

"Yes." The answer came without hesitation. "I will repay my debt, if it lies within my power."

"It does." The tall angel seemed satisfied with his answer.

"But it's not fair," protested Kari. "He didn't do any of the bad things Myotismon did. Why should he have to be the one to get punished?"

"His punishment will not be what you think, Kari," said Angewomon. "In the process of atoning his sins, he will have the opportunity to learn just why his misdeeds were wrong, and to correct his behavior so that they will never happen again. Punishment is meaningless without the chance to learn and change."

"Well--" began Kari. "I suppose so. All right." Her face was troubled. "But how can I help him? I don't know what to do."

The celestial digimon spoke. "Do what is in your heart, Kari. Your heart has always been your wisest counsel, and it will show you the way."

Kari listened. She understood, and then she knew what to do. It was simple. The crest she wore on a chain around her neck shone brightly, radiant as a star.

"I said that I never hated you for what you did," said Kari. "But I was mad at you for the longest time. For killing Wizardmon. For putting so many people in danger. My parents, my brother, my friends. Everyone I knew. You tried to kill us all. Anyone else would say that I had the right to be angry."

The digimon who had been Myotismon said nothing, his head bowed.

"But things have changed," continued Kari. "Mostly because you have changed. I can't be angry at you anymore. I understand now. The only thing standing between you and reincarnation is--"

"--is the need to be forgiven," came a voice from the shadows. Wizardmon stepped forward into the light.

"Wizardmon!" cried Kari, in surprise.

"Kari." The short digimon nodded to Kari, his face hidden. Only his eyes showed, bright grey-green. "He does not have to ask for my forgiveness, since I have already granted it to him. But you, Kari, the one he wronged the most. It is not enough that you no longer feel anger toward him. Can you forgive him?"

Kari looked at the digimon who had been the most evil creature she had ever known. She remembered fear, the fear that she might never see her brother alive again. Memories of that time came back. She remembered Wizardmon's murder at Myotismon's hands, and the rage and grief she felt at the death of a friend known too briefly, lost too soon. No matter what this new creature did, the evil could never be undone. Yes, she remembered evil.

But this was not Myotismon anymore, not the monster she knew. This being would feel what the other could not, remorse and contrition. She could feel nothing for him but compassion, and understood then that he would need it. What was it that the Americans called it? 'A tough row to hoe.' That was it.

"Yes," said Kari.