Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon any more than I own the world.

*word* - thoughts

Digimon: Legend of the Holy Dragon

Chapter 8

            "How much longer do we have to walk?" Shaulamon whined.

Sacchi checked the holographic map above her D-gadget. "Only a while more. We're almost there."

"Don't be such a weakling, Shaulamon. You are perfectly able to go further than this," Takeshi coaxed his partner, who was currently complaining about having short legs.

Up front, Sacchi suddenly stopped. As the others gathered around her, they all saw the reason why.

Looming up in front of them was a maze made of trees.

Taking a deep breath, Sacchi led them in. Just as Rick had known the way in the cave, Sacchi instinctively knew which way to go. Which was perfect considering that the D-gadgets did not work in the maze.

After a long while, they finally made it to the center of the maze. Sitting on top of a tree stump shaped like a pedestal was the Mystic DigiEgg.

It was a pale blue upright egg with a green stripe down the middle. It had a pair of mini fairy wings sticking out of the back.

An awestruck expression on her face, Sacchi slowly reached out to touch the DigiEgg.

The DigiEgg started to glow with a soft green light as Sacchi's hand got closer and the same green glow spilled out of her D-gadget and enveloped both her and Pekomon. As Sacchi's hand came into contact with the DigiEgg, it exploded in light.

The green light threw out multiple sparks which swirled about before consolidating into a Digimon. As the Digimon became fully tangible, the DigiTamers made out its shape.

It was a long, coiled, pale blue and white serpent. It had three green eyes and a pair of pale violet butterfly wings. Its scales shone slightly and rattled as it moved.

"I am Mystmon, guardian of the Mystic DigiEgg. Have you come to claim the DigiEgg, chosen owner? Do you accept the test of worthiness?" Mystmon asked in a soft rattling voice.

"I accept." Sacchi said without hesitation.

Mystmon nodded and motioned for her to start the battle. Sacchi grabbed a couple of chips and slotted them in.

"Chip Activate! Digivolve! Attack Boost!"

_DIGIVOLUTION_

Green light flashed as Pekomon digivolved into Synekomon. Baring her teeth, she attacked.

"Claws of Steel!"

Mystmon slithered aside and counter attacked.

"Ice Scale!"

All over Mystmon's body, scales turned shiny and transparent. As soon as they changed, the scales shot out towards Synekomon. Synekomon simply charged through, slashing at Mystmon.

Unexpectedly, even after multiple slashes, Mystmon seemed unaffected although its scales were deeply scored. Mystmon fired off another volley of ice scales and Synekomon used Double Swipe to clear the scales. This continued for a few more rounds before Sacchi got frustrated and slotted another chip.

"Chip Activate! Thunder Plus!"

A cloud of electrons hovered around Synekomon as electricity ran over the feline Digimon. Using Double Swipe, she sent the cloud of electrons against Mystmon. As she leapt in to attack, Synekomon noticed that Mystmon was writhing in pain. The electrons that she blew at Mystmon had settled into the injuried from before and the effect was like pouring salt on an open wound.

Synekomon changed her attack technique as a sudden idea appeared to her. Gathering thunder power onto her claws, she slashed at Mystmon again, right into the older wounds.

Mystmon screamed, a sound halfway between a screech and a hiss. The DigiTamers all slapped their hands against their ears in an attempt to block out the unholy sound.

As the scream faded, Mystmon slithered slowly upright. It started slithering around Synekomon, its scales rattling as it went. As it circled, the rattling got louder. Finally, Mystmon stopped right in front of Synekomon.

"Snake Charmer."

As it announced its attack, Mystmon started swaying slowly from side to side and its green eyes started glowing eerily. The rattling sound intensified and became higher pitched. As Mystmon swayed, something amazing happened.

Synekomon had been staring at Mystmon. Now she was starting to sway like Mystmon.

"Sacchi! That attack is a hypnotizing skill! You have to wake Synekomon up1" Kangamon said suddenly.

"Hypnotizing? Oh no…Synekomon! Wake up!" Sacchi yelled. Synekomon did not respond.

*What am I doing? Why can't I control my movements? The snake's hypnotizing me? No! I won't allow it!*

"Synekomon! Please! Wake up!" Sacchi shouted worriedly. Frantically, she started searching through her chips to find something that she could use.

A hand appeared in her vision. Sacchi looked up to see Kei holding out her hand with a smile. "I think you're looking for this." she said. Sacchi took the chip Kei held out and slotted it.

"Chip Activate! Debug!" A beam of double helix yellow light shot out of her D-gadget and hit Synekomon. The beam twisted and wrapped around Synekomon.

*A Debug chip? The hypnotism's fading! Thank you, Sacchi!*

After a while, the beam of light burst outward, revealing Synekomon, moving on her own. She growled, baring her teeth, and glared at Mystmon. Her own green eyes glittered strangely and her tail waved lightly.

After a few moments, Mystmon became stiff and immobile. Synekomon leapt up and attacked.

"Claws of Steel!"

This time her attack hit home. As she slashed down, some scales flew off to reveal a large gash. Mystmon collapsed and Synekomon reverted back to Pekomon.

"Pekomon! You did it!" Sacchi yelled as she scooped up Pekomon and hugged her. The others gathered around and cheered for Pekomon's victory.

Unnoticed, Mystmon slithered upright.

"Chosen one, you have proven your worth. You may have the Mystic DigiEgg." Mystmon smiled and dispersed into light.

Sacchi jubilantly held up the DigiEgg. A green light surrounded her hand and Pekomon, energizing her.

Sacchi looked at the DigiEgg. It was glowing with the same green light. The light pulsed a few times before turning into a blue chip with a green stripe and fairy wing patterns. It was labeled 'Mystic'.

"All right! I've got my DigiEgg!" she cheered.

"That's great, Sacchi!" Kei exclaimed. "Now where do we go next?"

"The Valley. Its north-east of here." Kangamon replied.

"All right! Lets go!" Sacchi shouted. Agreeing, they all started towards the valley.

"Don't be happy too soon, Humans. There is much more to come." A shadowed figure whispered and vanished into the bushes.

TBC…

Author's notes: Ok, how was the chapter? I took a grand total of 2 hours and 10 minutes to do it so if its not very good I understand. Tell me what you think, ok?

Up next: Who will get their DigiEgg next? Will the next part of the prophecy come true? Who is the mysterious Digimon who hates humans? Stay tuned!