Tai felt out of place holding a weapon, let alone an age old sword.  It was different for him, first of all, he didn't know how to use it.  He stood there in thought, not sure exactly how to approach the situation.

"Um, I don't know if I can use this.  I mean, I don't know how," Tai stumbled on his own words, he was not comfortable taking a weapon he had to use responsibly, if he was not sure how to utilize it.

"I didn't expect you would, but I will teach you.  We don't have long now, I can only show you a move or two, but that will be enough, I doubt you'll have to use it much."  Gennai moved around in the room, Tai heard the sound of a match being lit, and slowly light enveloped the room.  Tai could now see everything clearly, and the reality of the situation became all the more apparent.  He never saw himself having to use a sword, but then, he never imagined that he would ever have to deal with having a tail, or wings, or the fact that there is a dimension of legends.  But even being as unimaginable as it was, the feeling of abnormality, was normal.  Tai had - and still was - leading a life of surprises.  He reminisced for a moment, then came back to the situation at hand.  He saw that Gennai now held a sword of his own, and stood before Tai.

"Watch me, then you try," Gennai instructed, Tai nodded.  Gennai proceeded to step forward onto his right foot, and whilst doing so brought his sword into a diagonal position covering the front of his body.  "You'd do that if an attacker was coming from the front.  You step into it, to cancel his force, and block all of your body with the sword in a diagonal position.  Just make sure to place your weight forward, never step back or you'll be bowled over."  Tai nodded, and thought for a moment.

"Go on Tai, try it, I know you can do it!" Agumon cheered from the sidelines.  Tai took a step back to distance himself from Gennai, and took a deep breath.  He focused, then repeated the move with almost precision accuracy.  As he moved the sword he felt how effortless it was to do so, he had not noticed until now just how light it was. 

"Well done, that was excellent, I can tell you're a natural for it."

"Uh, thanks." He replied sheepishly.

"Just remember, always keep your balance, that is the key to good defence.  I'm going to attack you this time, just focus and keep your balance."  Tai was incredibly nervous, he didn't want to hurt Gennai, but he didn't really have a choice but to block, or get injured himself.  Gennai's blade came directly at him, but at the crucial moment Tai's defensive reflex kicked in and triggered the move he had just practised.  The swords contacted with loud clash of metal against metal, and this almost shocked Tai into realising that he had done it.

"Excellent, just excellent.  I won't teach you any attacking moves, for now, they're a little harder, you need more blade control.  But perhaps we can spar lightly."

"Okay, go easy this time, okay."  Gennai nodded.  They braced themselves, then began sparring.  Without placing much force behind their blades they swung at each other.  Gennai made Tai block his hits from a variety of places and angles.  He missed a few, but that was to be expected.  Judging from what Gennai had seen when Tai had to block, he knew that Tai's defensive instinct was strong, and would not fail him.

"Gennai stopped for breather, then realised just how long they had been gone.  "You're doing fine, just be confident, and keep your balance.  But I think we should get back to the others."

"I guess so, thanks for the pointers, but I still hope I don't have to use this any time soon."

"So do I, it is not a burden you should have to carry.  Come now, let us return."

The trio exited the room, Tai was at the rear, not sure what to do with his new weapon.  His mind was very rushed, but he knew that he had to have confidence, if he faltered now then the group would surely notice, so he made an internal pact to carry on as if nothing had changed, although it clearly had.  As they entered the room they found an impatient Davis standing up and ready to go, he approached Gennai, Tai stayed on the edge of the room, making sure that his sword was in the hand that was out of view,

"Hey, what took so long!" Davis said disgruntledly.

"I do apologise, but I think that Tai would agree it was time well spent," Gennai replied.

"Well, what were you doing?" Veemon asked inquisitively.

"Tai and I were discussing the mechanics of his stone," Gennai started, but he was interrupted by Tai,

"I think I should tell them," Tai started, he thought that this would show them that he could handle the responsibility that was bestowed upon him, and that it wouldn't really change anything.  "Guys, there is something that you should all be aware of.  I don't want you to be worried, but my stone is embedded in this," he said stepping forward, revealing the sword.  He lifted it upright, and turning it to the side, to show them all the garnet deeply rooted in the blade.

"That's, well, that's an exquisite sword," Izzy said in amazement.  It was a mixed reaction that went from the awe of Izzy, to the anxious Sora and Mimi.

"Cool, you know how to use it?" Matt said calmly, reverting to his usual 'cool' self.

"Yeah, kinda," Tai's response went on a gradient, from confident to unsure, but it was good enough to convince them.

"Good, this could help us a lot."

"I just thought it best that you all know.  It's not going to change anything, expect for the obvious fact hat Agumon can help out now.  Can you all handle this?"

"Yeah, totally, this is wicked!" Davis said excitedly.

"Now Tai, there is but one more thing I should give to you," Gennai once more exited the room, and returned shortly with what looked like a myriad of leather straps in his hands.  "Extend your arms please," Gennai prompted, and Tai did so.  Gennai released the straps revealing that here was some metal parts to it.  all in all it looked like a brace that a backpacker wears for there pack to rest on, but the metal part was very thin.  Tai allowed Gennai to put it on him, moving his wings out of the way.  Once it was on properly Tai realised that it was actually comfortable.

"This is to make travel for you easier, place Alestor in it, I assure you it will be secure."  Tai did so, and surely enough it slotted neatly into place.

"Thanks Gennai," Tai said gratefully, he had been a little anxious about how he was going to carry the sword around.

"I'm afraid that is all I can do for you children.  It is now up to you, you must do your best, and remember that you always have your digimon, and your spectres to help you, you are not alone in this battle, as it is not supposed to be yours to fight.  Remember these things, be true to yourselves, and to each other and I know that you can do pull through this."  They all slowly stood, and knew that it was time to be leaving, one by one they moved up to Gennai to say their good byes.

"We'll do it for you Gennai, we wont let them destroy this world," Davis said responsibly, he Catherine and Veemon then left the room to the entrance hall.

"You've trusted us with a lot, I won't let you down," Joe and Gomamon then left to the entrance hall.

"This world is ours to protect, we'll stand bye each other and face what ever comes our way," Matt and Gabumon followed suit.

"You believe in us, and I know you always believe in what is right, so I believe in us too," Mimi and Palmon then quickly caught up to Matt.

"You taught me a lot over the years, I'll come back so I can keep learning," Izzy smiled, then he and Tentomon followed the rest.

"Where there is light there's always darkness, you taught me this, but I'll show them that if there's darkness, then there's light, and it'll be inextinguishable, they won't take us down," Kari said strongly, T.K. then placed his hand on her shoulder,

"And as long as there's hope, the light can glow as bright as possible," T.K., Kari, Patamon and Gatomon then left.

"Gennai, I love this place, I love my friends, and I love you too much to let anyone take it away, we'll do great," Sora and Biyomon then left leaving just Tai, Agumon, Gennai, and the spectres.

"Gennai, I know you're putting a lot of faith in us, and I don't want to let you down.  I'm not going to lie, I'm afraid, for my life, for everyone's lives, but most of all I'm afraid of loosing myself.  But I'm not going to let fear rule my life, I'm going to stand up and fight, and shape my destiny.  We're going to win," Tai spoke confidently, and assertively.

"That is good to hear, you have gratitude, and I wish you all luck."  Tai smiled faintly, then he and Agumon followed the corridor to the entrance hall.  Gennai and the spectres followed.  Everyone turned to face him, awaiting what he had to say.

"I want to thank you, you have all proven to be very worthy of the title of digidestined.  I wish I could give you a direction to travel, but unfortunately I don't know where exactly on Server they have reached.  I would hazard a guess that north is the best way, as that is the direction from File island.  Just be careful, and look after one another."  The group bowed (in Japanese style), then filed out of the house and onto the stairway out side.  The water split open in fantastic style, and the group ascended the stairs.

Once outside they noticed that it was dark, with not a speck of sunlight in sight.  They walked apprehensively away from the stairs, and the water began to close up again slowly.  All very nervous, they checked the surroundings, and one by one noticed a strange woman seated on a rock just to the left of them.  She was dressed in a blue robe, and had covered all but her eyes with cloth of a icy blue.

"Ah, the protectors, it's taken us a while to find you after your last disappearing act," she said, speaking gently and softly.

"Who are you?" Davis said curiously.

"Why surely your friend Ifrit can tell you, but let me just put a stop to that little watery doorway quickly."  She looked over to the lake, and with a snap of her fingers it was instantly frozen – leaving the stairs clearly visible.

"This is bad news, that's Shiva, an evil spectre," Ifrit answered.

"Oh, such a short introduction."

"Enough chit chat, Veemon, take her down!" Davis yelled, Veemon ready to act, "Digiarmour energise!"

"Veemon armour digivolve too, Flamedramon, the fire of courage."  Flamedramon readied himself.

"Ooh, it's as spectacular as Hades said, too bad it wont help you much," Shiva faked her excitement, and was incredibly arrogant.

"No tricks, Fire rocket!" Flamedramon let and attack loose from his fists, and hit her straight on, singing her coat through to the skin.

"Grah, I see you've found a way around our little advantage.  Too bad for you, I'll kill you for ruining that coat.  Blizzaga storm!"  A huge lump of ice formed over Flamdramon's head.  He lifted his fists, and smirked, they glowed yelled, and as the rock of ice fell it landed right onto his spiky claws.  Slowly it melted away to nothing

"Heh, the cold one's never learn, when it's fire against ice, fire always wins."  Shiva shrieked, and launched herself at Flamedramon, letting loose a volley of punches and kicks.  Even with his agility, Flamedramon could not keep up with her, and suffered a few hits, until her final punch landed him in the stomach, and sent him flying back.

"Carbuncle, shield him!" Mimi yelled in distress, as Shiva neared him to let loose a final blow.

"I've got it, get back," Flamedramon snarled.  "Flaming shield!" Flames erupted around Flamedramon, making him impervious to Shiva's attacks.

"Fine, play it that way.  Titan, get rid of this insolent creature!" Shiva ordered.  A large, brown man came out of the bushes, he wore a small animal skin, and a necklace of teeth.  He chuckled, then bent down to the ground and stuck his hands right in.  He began lifting, and shortly it began clear that the he was lifting an incredibly large piece of earth.  He lunged it forward.  In a reflex action, Flamedramon reverted to Veemon, and digivolved up to Exveemon.

"X-laser," He lunged out his energy beam, and broke a hole in the earth that was large enough for him to dive through.

"Guys, that was lucky, consider yourselves all tagged.  The group caught the message loud and clear, and the all lunged into digivolution.

"If you want a war, you'll get one," Shiva announced.  Out of the dark of the forest, a group of spectres came, in all shapes and sizes.  One was a tall, thin adult man, who wore a red robe, and had white hairs that was down to his shoulder blades.  The next was Short, bulky male, wearing animal skins, and had a large set of bulls horns on his head.  Next a female, looking much the same as the white haired male, with the same white hair, and robe.  A male with almost red skin followed her, his head looking slightly bulged, and his waist the same, wearing blood red overalls.  Lastly was a knight, twice the size of a normal adult male, with a huge sword.

"Okay guys, split into teams, we still out number them," Tai ordered.

"So you think, but wait until the full scene has unravelled.  Ultimate Army!" The knight bellowed.  A blinding white light emitted from him, and split off into eleven balls, six on his left, five on his right.  Each one opened up into a smaller version of the original knight, each the size of a normal human male, and bearing a different coloured sword.  The group stared in dismay as the odds of winning went considerably down.

"Uh guys, I think this is the part where we split," Joe said fearfully.

"We can't, they know Gennai has the ark," Tai replied desperately.

"So what do we do, there's too many of them to fight," Izzy yelled.

"There's nothing else we can do," Davis replied.

"You're wrong," Carbuncle said confidently, she extended her arms above her head, "Aura of light," She commanded as she moved her arms into a horizontal position.  A bright light radiated in a sphere around the group.  "That should hold them off for a while.

"Oh Carbuncle, so confident in you're little tricks aren't you?" A sinister, high pitched voice uttered.  The voice shattered through Tai's spine. . .

It was Hades.

"This could be bad guys, I'll try keep it up," Carbuncle advised.  She concentrated and the aura grew much brighter.

"What a charming night light, but little good for anything else."  Hades extended his skeletal arm, and opened his hand.  Sonic waves moved through the air, and the group could see the distortion in their vision caused.  Soon a deafeningly high pitched sound accompanied the waves, and before their eyes the shield shattered.  Carbuncle collapsed on the ground, having put all her efforts into the spell.

"Aw, the poor protectors, they'll have to learn to fight," Hades cackled.

"That's digidestined to you!" Tai yelled, Greymon got the message and hurled a nova blast in Hades' direction.  It hit his extended hand dead on, and seemed to pause in the air.  It ground into Hades' hand until it slowly disappeared.  "And we know how to fight," Tai finished.

"I see, the tables have turned.  No matter, we out number you fiercely," Hades grunted.

"Army, advance!" The knight ordered.  His army of duplicates slowly neared the digidestined group.  Sensing the danger posed to their counterparts, the digimon knew what they had to do, the light of digivolution surrounded them, as they evolved to their ultimate forms, barring Greymon and Garurumon, who went to mega.  Exveemon stood back near Davis.

"I'm sorry Davis, I just couldn't do it," He said shamefully.

"Don't worry about it, I know you tried, just leave it to the others now," Davis replied.  The ultimate digimon and the spectres excepting Carbuncle formed a line in front of the humans, and slowly advanced themselves.

"I have to protect you Davis, I can't sit back here and do nothing," Exveemon said , and began to move toward the others.

"No, you don't stand a chance, I can't let you, I won't let you die for me!" Davis shouted distraughtly, he ran and grabbed Exveemon's fist.

"I have to go."

"You can't leave me, you can't go off to die, I won't let you!"

"Davis, please," Exveemon said sombrely, "I have a job to do.  There is one reason I've been created to live one thing that has always been important for me, and that was you.  Knowing what I know now, that we are linked deeper than just partners, I have to uphold that link, I won't let you down.  I've always known that this day might come, I'm not afraid to die for you, if I can stop them doing it, if I can save you, then my life is insignificant."

"Then I'm going to fight with you.  If you really believe what you say is true, that we are linked by soul, then we fight as one, and not alone."  At this point Exveemon dedigivolved back to Veemon.  Davis knelt down to him, "You my best friend."

"And you're mine, we'll fight together… and win."  Veemon felt a strange yet familiar feeling overcome him, and soon the light of digivolution engulfed him too,

"Veemon warp digivolve too… Imperialdramon."  Standing before the group was Imperialdramon in fighter mode (A\N: For anyone that doesn't know, IM is actually Veemon's mega, even though he's evolved from a fusion.  In such an evolution a digimon with the ability to evolve to ultimate lends their energy to one that does not and they become the supped up version of that digimon's ultimate.  This is what my research on many Message boards has brought me to believe, so I'm sticking to it, don't like it, too bad, and don't bother flaming me about it either, I don't care.).  The group turned to see the source of the bright light, and were unsettled by the new unknown digimon, and the fact that Davis was no where to be seen. Meanwhile the army had stopped in it's tracks.

"Is.. Is that Veemon?" T.K. stuttered.

"What, aren't you happy you have another mega on your side?" Imperialdramon said proudly.

"Davis? Davis!" Catherine yelled in despair, finding the person that had been right next to her at the start of the light show had vanished.

"He's completely gone…" Izzy said in astonishment.

"I'm sure you'd like that, but I'm right here… I think," Davis said unsurely.  His voice came from Imperialdramon, something the group was not prepared for.

"I know that's his voice, but, what the heck is going on, Davis can't be a digimon!" Mimi said in disbelief.

"I don't think I am guys, we'll worry about this later, we have an army to deal with," Imperialdramon said objectively.  He leapt into the air, and joined the front lines.

"T.K., look after Catherine for me, I'm counting on you!" Davis's voice bellowed.

"Right guys, there's eleven of them, and nine of us, let's show them what we're made of.  Ifrit, go back to Gennai, protect him, the megas will group in on five, the ultimates can take one each," Tai ordered.  He had taken a general's stance on the group, a leadership that was natural to him, and much needed.  Ifrit nodded, and flashed back in flames to Gennai, Shiva following close behind.  They lined up, ready for attack, but the nights did not look fazed, they still marched in a trance like state.  Each one drew their swords, and kept up the eerie march.

"Positron laser!" Imperialdramon collected his energy and volleyed his laser at one night, whist Wargreymon and metal Garurumon threw their attacks at two others.  Each attack was right on, but they were absorbed by yet another barrier.

"ARG! I can't take these barriers anymore!!" Davis yelled in frustration.

"Davis, cool it, keep your focus," Tai shouted, sounding angry, "We'll eliminate the barrier, and then you can cut through 'em," Tai's tone was now more encouraging.

"You're wrong, It would take a mage of great skills to break one of my barriers, and yours is out for the count," Hades said in his usual arrogant tone.  The sky darkened more so now, and black clouds were evident,

"What are you up to now?!" Tai snarled at Hades.

"Heh heh heh, it's not me…"  In the sky the clouds separated, as a gust of white came down at an incredible rate, it slowed at it reached the ground, and opened revealing huge feathered wings, with ornamental rings on the end of each.

"Valefor!" Hades grunted.

"Not just me," Valefor bellowed in a muscular male voice.  The sky remained dark, but a bright glint of red could be seen in the sky, heading right for them.  As it came closer it erupted into amber flames, and fell gracefully to the ground.  It was a giant bird wreathed in flames, it's wings tipped in rainbow feathers.  The clouds separated now, revealing a full moon, which unsettled the group as it was still morning.  A gut wrenching howl was heard, and out from the trees behind them leapt a muscular wolf.  It's fur was a light blue, and it almost had a mane extruding in one long tail from the base of its neck.    The clouds returned, whilst a gate of lightning formed to the left of the battle field.  It erupted in a giant explosion of electrical energy and out from the gate slowly strode a horse like creature.  A long horn protruded from it's skull, with a kink in the centre giving it a 'G' shape.  Now to the right a large pool of water had appeared, from it rose a large serpent, coiling as it rose taller.  It's eyes gleamed a fierce yellow, and it's fins appeared razor sharp.  Streams of white energy flashed in all directions, and in the centre of the storm a bright flash of light erupted.  When it faded an almighty roar was heard, and now visible was a large bear like creature, two sharp horns from it's head, and claws that were fiercely powerful.  Now an odd silence had ensued, and the army had stopped in it's tracks.

"Huh, Madeen, Phoenix, Leviathan, Ixion and Fenrir, the whole gang is here then.  Game faces, everyone!" Hades ordered begrudgingly.  Hades himself morphed into a scarier figure than before.  He was taller now, his cloak more revealing and more of his skeletal parts now visible.  The white hared male turned translucent, loosing much of his figure, and barely visible.  The white haired female's transformation was more disfiguring, she became a serpent much the same as Leviathan, her length to rival his, but she now had small wings, and immediately took off into the air.  The bulky male turned also, to a four legged chimera, his head split into three, one remained the same, one that of an eagle, and one of an ox.  His legs were that of an ox, with his arm humanoid, and a snake for a tail, his overall size grew substantially.  Lastly, and probably the most horrific change was that of the red skinned male.  His body became a huge mass of fat, rounded, walking on many tentacles.  His head was disproportionably large, with two large incisors sticking out over his top lip.

"It's time guy's, let's put them out of commission!" The bear like spectre ordered.

"Who are all of you?!" Tai said in a happy dismay.

"The cavalry, we'll introduce ourselves later."  Out of the blue all the stones that Gennai had given the group began glowing brightly, except for Tai's garnet which remained dormant.

"Our presence should increase your powers," The bird figure said in a female's gentle voice.

"And this should greatly increase ours," Shiva said arrogantly strolling onto the battlefield, in her hand was a black glowing orb.

"Ah, I see you recovered the ark," Hades said in a pleased tone.  Shiva tossed it to him.

"No!" Madeen uttered in amazement.  From behind them they could here Ifrit's voice yelling,

"They.. have it."  The group turned to see him collapse to the ground.

"No, Ifrit!" Davis voice screamed from Imperialdramon.  From the sky a bleached white feather fell, and from it exploded and angelic figure, Alexander.

"Ah, Alexander, I see you're just in time for our victory," Hades gloated.  Tai seemed to get distant now, he was barely moving.

"You'll have to fight us first!" Alexander replied viciously.

"Tai, what do we do? They have the ark, the spectres will hold up, but I don't know if we can," Izzy advised worriedly.

"Yeah, I'm scared we'll lose them if they fight," Mimi added, but Tai did not reply.  He stared distantly off into space.  Sora dived onto his arm and clung to him,

"Tai, what do we do?"  Tai still stared into nothingness.

"Hades, this is your doing!" Matt shouted, enraged.

"I have done nothing, but this is just beautiful, the fall of the great leader," Hades launched into a fierce cackle.

"Tai please, do something!" Sora pleaded.  Out of the blue Tai took a step forward, making distance between him and everything else.  He drew his sword, and held it out in front of himself.  Slowly he turned it to face towards him, then in a foul swoop plunged it deep into his body.  He gasped in pain, looked to Sora, and all he could utter was 'sorry'.  He fell to the ground, motionless, and all the group could do, was watch their leader, and best friend, land lifeless on the cold dirt below.

Wow, that was unexpected, ne?  the mother of all cliff hangers for my last one ^_^.

Hey guys.  First I have to give you all a huge apology – it's been a long long time.  I know I promised it like a month ago, butt eh school term started, and that was a disaster.  I've been getting a lot of Homework, and the spare time I do get I sometimes like to just bomb out on a couch somewhere.  But I'll try steadily to get the final one done soon.  Yes, the next chapter is the final one, I'll give you all a bit o an epilogue too, just coz I can.  Hope it was alright, I know that in places it probably seemed a bit rushed.  I am aware of this problem in the descriptions of the spectres, but sometimes it's nice to leave a little bit up to the readers, take what I give you and imagine say Shiva for yourself.  It will also help you in tracking the events, it's really hard to write large battle scenes like this one, so picture it, and it'll probably make more sense.  Lastly, I have to admit that this'll be my last digimon fanfic.  I may do one for beyblade, a short one, but I am in the middle of an original, which will pop up on fictionpress when that is launched.  It's written by hand and will need to be typed up sometime.  The updates will be further between too.  If you're interested just keep an eye out for it, it should be up by the latest the end of march.  It'll be similar in some ways to this fic.  Otherwise just sit tight till the finale, I just know you're gonna like it!  Tanks guys, and sorry again!!