A/N: *cries* I really sorry for Ken, that he has to go through this suffering again… *cries louder*

Warnings: very long chapter; lot of unexpected events, *I'm crazy, see, it's in the warnings section, lol* Sam will appear a little OC from the show but it's because that he has truly changed from this story and the story preceding this…. Ken doesn't die… just wanted to let you know

Chapter 33: Breaking Free From Fears 2

(Back to General POV)

            In mere seconds, Wishmon was downloaded to her destination—the Emperor's base—in the world of fears.  Similar to the world in which the Digidestines had visited during the battle against Malomyotismon where dreams and desires fueled the realm, the world of fears derived and fed on every living creature's fears and nightmares.  Consequently, the Emperor's base was floating in what appeared to be a black vortex.

            Wishmon was teleported into the hallways of the base safely.  In front of her, slowly escaping was Ken in his wicked outfit.  She noticed the flower still growing on Ken's head.  Aghast by the sight, she turned her gaze away from him for a brief moment.  That was a mistake, for by time she turned back, Ken had disappeared from her sight.  'He must have turned around the corner,' Wishmon imagined.  On her paws, she quickly dashed around the corner in search of Ken.  To her surprise when she halted, she saw no Ken.  Her ears twitched at the noise of footsteps coming from behind a locked door.  'It must be Ken.  He's headed to the controls.  I must stop him.  If he returns to his evil past, he will fail,' Wishmon thought, panicking as the noise got softer and Ken got closer to darkness.  Wishmon used one of her claws to pick the old-fashion lock on the door.  A few clicks were heard and then the passage was opened for her to take, in pursuit of her friend.

*          *          *

            Back at the Empress' base in the Digital World, Mariana continued to monitor the progress of the Digidestines and the progress of their Digimon.  The Digimon weren't with the Digidestines; however, the Digidestines that succeeded to the second level found each other in the middle of the maze at last.  To their surprise, Willis was there also.  He was also taking the Empress' test.  All they had to do now to move onto the next level is to find their way out to join their Digimon in the fierce battles that each digital monster was engaged in.

            "Hey, how do you suppose we can get out of this stupid maze?  All these twists and turns are making my mind go nuts," Davis moaned.

            "Not to worry.  My computer will scan the area and determine the shortest and safest route out of this," Izzy answered confidently as he sat himself down on the ground and began typing on his laptop.

            "Great idea, Buddy," Tai complimented, looking fondly at Izzy for his quick thinking.  Then a realization stuck him.  "Where's Ken?"

            "Uh-oh," all but Tai and Izzy said in shock.

            "He might still be stuck in the first level," Izzy stated as he programmed his computer to scan the surroundings.

            "We must find him.  He needs our help," Cody blurted out worriedly.

            "I'm afraid we can't," Izzy replied when he finished typing.

            "We'll see about that," Davis said obstinately.  "We'll find him somehow."

            Izzy shook his head with a solemn face.  "I can't track him with my laptop using the same programming as the Digivices.  He's out there alone."

            "He's not alone.  He knows that he has our support and love wherever he is," Yolei said in frankness.

            "That's right," Willis added with a confident smile.  'And besides, Ange assured me that no one would get hurt from doing the test—that Mariana will stop the test if things get out of her control.'

            "We must trust that he can face his fears," Tai said as he tried to crack a smile of reassurance.  "Now, let's get of here and find the Digimon."

            Reluctantly, they nodded.  'Good luck, Ken,' Yolei whispered mentally.

            "Have you found a way out yet, Izzy?" Sora asked eagerly and Izzy gave a thumbs-up.

            The computer genius stood up with his laptop still opened and began guiding his friends out of the labyrinth.  "Follow me."

*          *          *

            Back in the human world, Ange had returned home.  She sat at the computer in her room, awaiting her friends' returns.  She walked back and fro in anxiety.  Although she didn't have a Digivice, but could just use her supernatural powers to pass through the portal into the digital realm, she restrained herself from using magic.  She had done all that she could do for a successful mission, but an uneasy feeling still haunted her heart.  She desired to do more, but it was all up to Davis and the others.  The fate of her true self was in their hands now.  Fortunately, Mr. Chaikary had not returned yet, for he would have interfered.  As for Aurora, he was out and unaware of her return.  Not only was Ange distressed, but she was also feeling tired and feverish.  She halted by her chair and sat down in front of the computer.  She touched her forehead with her hand and realized she was having a fever.  'What a horrible timing—" Ange thought before her eyes drooped and she fell asleep, with her head resting on the computer table.  Fast asleep, she dreamt about the Digidestines taking Mariana's test.  More importantly, she was envisioning Ken's journey.  In her dream, he was opening a door to a darkened room.

*          *          *

            The troubled Ken, now the Emperor again, entered the main control room.  Upon entry, a few lights turned on.  A smirk formed on his face; he never ceased to amaze himself with his brilliance.  Too bad, he was using it again for evil.  The ominous plant still lived within him; the flower on his head was proof.  Ken toured the room, admiring the buttons, switches and little gadgets he had acquired to build his base when he first decided that he wanted an empire to rule.  Every step Ken took around the room caused him to become more and more the Emperor again.

            "STOP!!!" a voice cried out when Ken was about to push a button to operate the base fully again.  Ken pulled his hand back in and then turned to glare at the intruder—Wishmon.

            "Why do you interfere?!" the darkness asked angrily through Ken.  It was the Emperor talking, not the genuine Ken.

            "I'm here to give you a little help, Ken.  I cannot do more than that or my mistress will be completely furious with me," Wishmon answered earnestly as she advanced towards Ken.

            A part of Ken wanted to back away while the remaining part of him wanted him to stay put so that Wishmon could help him through the Empress' test.  "GET AWAY FROM ME!" the Emperor demanded irately.  "Help me, Wishmon.  Help me," the genuine Ken pleaded in a low fading voice as he held out his right hand to Wishmon.  He was barely holding on to the goodness somewhere in his heart.  Truly, he needed help from his friends to pull through and make the right decision.  Wishmon was about to take it hand when he withdrew it.

            The Emperor's eyes reddened with madness, and Wishmon watched in fear of losing Ken.  "Stay away from me, you little pest!!!" the evil genius barked as he took out his whip and began lashing it on the floor.

            'Uh-oh,' Wishmon thought but stood firmly.  Wishmon hid her paws behind her back and then focused some of her illusion energy into an energy ball by putting both of her paws together and concentrating.

            "What are you hiding?" the Emperor asked suspiciously in fury.

            When enough energy was gathered, she opened her paws, and brought her paws from behind with her left paw gripping the energy ball.  "NIGHTMARE ILLUSION!" Wishmon yelled.  Instead of blasting it towards Ken, she banged it against the hard floor, causing a brilliant flash as the energy ball exploded and materialized into a large mirror right in front of the Emperor, who was too busy watching the energy ball to whip the floor again or Wishmon.

*          *          *

            At Ange's house, on the ground level, two ghostly figures hovered in the mid-air.  "What's happening to me, Sam?" a feminine voice asked as her figure descended towards the floor.

            "You're becoming alive again," the other figure deduced as he tried to poke her left arm, but his fingers went through her arm.  Widening his eyes, he watched in amazement as Uraina became 'reconfigurated' and regained her actual body.

            "I— " she started to say before she coughed at her first breath after being reborn.  "How is this possible, Sam?"  She saw him shrugged.  Ordinary humans weren't able to see or hear face to face the dead, only those with special abilities or special powers, like Uraina, who possessed magical powers.  "Is this because I have magic?"

            "That could be a possibility.  Or perhaps there is something more to it.  Maybe you've been reborn to do something.  What is your unfinished business?"

            "I have lots.  But I don't think that's the case," Uraina answered.  "Does someone need my help once more?  But, that can't be, he should be taking Mariana's test right now."

            "Perhaps, he's been endangered.  Something has gone terribly wrong," Ken's older brother hypothesized in apprehension.

            "Let's go and check.  Ack—" Uraina shrieked as she tried to hold Sam's hand, but couldn't.  They couldn't touch anymore.  She had become a living human being once more while he remained as a ghost, waiting for his turn in reincarnation.  But, why was it that she was reborn, and Sam wasn't also?  Uraina was now feeling a little frustrated and hurt at the fact that she was given a second chance at life while her boyfriend wasn't.  'It's not fair,' she thought as tears watered from her eyes and raced down her cheeks.  'I wanted you and your family to have a second chance.  I wanted us to be together.'

            He was standing right in front of her, gazing into her dismal eyes, and couldn't help but bring his right hand closer to her left cheek until his hand would almost make contact with her skin.  He didn't want to upset her more so he didn't move his hand closer, for he knew what would happen.  "Don't cry, Uraina.  We've got to enter the Digital World to help my brother and his friends," Sam tried to assure, reminding her of her top priority.  His withdrew his hand slowly and muttered as happy as he could, "Let's go together."

            Gradually, she forced herself into discontinuing her weeping and managing a weak smile.  "I'll need all the help I can get."  With a quick chanting in her mind, she transported herself and Sam into the world of fears.  However, they weren't inside the base; instead, they were teleported outside in the middle of ultimate darkness.  Only the brilliant rays the Emperor's base emitted were shining, and this allowed them to spot the floating fortress. 

            "Where are we?"

            "I cast a spell to find Ken."

            "I don't believe this is the Digital World."

            "You're right; but, how did you know that it isn't the Digital World?" she asked, staring at Sam.

            "Hm.  Ever since I've become a ghost, I've been watching out for Ken more often.  I followed him into the Digital World.  But more importantly, I can just enter the realm without a portal.  So, do you know what this dark place is?"

            "I think so.  Mariana had informed me that this is where the first part of her test was held, in the world of fears," Uraina revealed.  "Ken is experiencing his worst fear."

            "Becoming the fiendish Emperor again," Sam said in a traumatized voice.

            "I'm afraid so," Uraina agreed and placed her attention on the base.  'Why isn't Ken able to pass this level?  Is the darkness inside Ken too strong?'

*          *          *

            Within the Emperor's base, Ken was immobile with his eyes staring at the images the mirror was showing.  "Don't you remember, Ken?  These are your friends.  You're a Digidestined, just like them," Wishmon pleaded.  Wishmon was trying her best to remind Ken about the good times he shared with his friends, and the good things he had done in his life by replaying images of Ken's past through the glass.

            "I'm just like them, a Digidestined?" Ken questioned.  "You're lying.  I'm nothing like them.  I'm the Emperor.  Always!  They're inferior to me.  They don't care about me, and I don't care about them either," an angry and frustrated emperor declared as he lashed his whip onto the mirror's glass, shattering it.  "Now, only you stand in my way," the Emperor began to say, staring madly at Wishmon.  "But, don't worry, you won't anymore," he threatened as he lashed his whip forward, aiming towards Wishmon when something unexpected happened.  Before the whip had claim Wishmon as its victim, a person intervened, taking the blow for the Digimon.

            "Annye!" Wishmon shouted in happiness and in shock when she recognized the long dark green hair of Uraina.  The Emperor took two steps backwards.  "Are you hurt?  How—"

            "Don't worry about that Wishmon.  My shoulder is alright.  But call me Uraina from now on," Uraina replied as she turned to face her former Digimon partner.  Wishmon leaped into her arms, and Uraina cradled her for a few seconds and whispered into Wishmon's ear, "Go and bring Davis and the others here to help Ken.  I don't want to use to resort to magic to bringing them here.  It'll take too much energy, and I'm still weak from being reborn."

            "Okay, but you realize that Mariana will be furious," Wishmon said, looking up at her former mistress who nodded in reply.  Seeing her reply, Wishmon jumped out of Uraina's arms and landed on her paws safely.  Next, Uraina cast a spell to transport Wishmon back into the Empress' base.

            "Why are you here?" the Emperor demanded to know.  "I remember that you died."

            "I've been reborn, but I'm not the only one here," Uraina spoke and this confused him.  "Sam's here also," she announced as she pointed towards Sam, who wasn't visible to him.

            "Sam?  My selfish so-called brother of mine?!  I don't see him.  You're lying, just like the others who claimed to be my friends."

            "And yet, they're not here to help you," Uraina added for the Emperor while Sam watched as the two persons he cared about debated things out.  She advanced towards Ken until only a metre separated the two of them.  Sam kept himself beside Uraina, listening and watching attentively.

            "Yes."

            "Then, why do you think I'm here?"

            "To keep me from fulfilling my destiny as the Emperor."  When Ken said this, Uraina shook her head as though he had gotten the reason why she was right in front of him all wrong.

            "But, don't you realize it, Ken?  Your reign as the Emperor ended when you chose to resume the path of a compassionate and honourable Digidestined and human being."

            "NO!  That was just the beginning, and STOP CALLING ME KEN.  I am the EMPEROR!" he demanded irritably as he flogged his whip against the floor, indicating that it was the last straw.

            "I will call you Ken because you are Ken, not the tyrannical dictator who you feared to become once again.  Listen to me.  Remember, you had forgiven yourself for your old crimes; the Digital World had forgiven you.  Your friends and those who suffered under your reign don't blame you anymore."

            "How would you know whether or not the Digital World has forgiven me?"

            'Because she possesses the crest of forgiveness, Little Bro,' Sam said to himself when Uraina reminded Ken that she owned the crest of forgiveness and was able to sense if he was forgiven.

            "Truly, you have been forgiven.  You're just too afraid of becoming the Emperor again, and that is why you are having troubles passing the first level of the Empress' test.  You see, this realm you are in is not the Digital Realm.  It is the world of fears, and it is fueled by the fears of every living creature, either from the Digital World or from the human world."

            "How appropriate," the Emperor remarked in skepticism.  "You make it sound as though I don't want to be the Emperor and as though the great Emperor fear anything or anyone.  You make it sound as though I do not wish to embrace the darkness."

            "Deep down, Ken, you have the strength and understanding to repent and trust that your friends, your family, but most of all, yourself will shed light to whatever darkness that threatens you to change into your dark side now and in the future.  Only when you've embrace this feeling will you be able to conquer this obstacle."

            'You tell him,' Sam cheered Uraina on mentally.  'And I'm here also, more than ever if you need me, Ken.'

            The Emperor cackled.  "What rubbish!"

            "As you friend, let me help you with that spore of yours," Uraina offered fearlessly and he stopped laughing.   She walked closer towards Ken despite his continuous attempts at thrashing the area between them as a warning.  The Emperor continued to lash the floor with his whip until it made contact with Uraina's legs.  She didn't flinch at the pain Ken's whip inflicted upon one of her legs, causing blood to penetrate through her navy pants; she only concentrated on getting closer to Ken to eradicate the menacing plant on his head.  The Emperor gripped his whip tighter when she was only several inches away from him.  A part of him felt uneasy and livid as his personal space became invaded while another part of him felt a little embarrassed at how close she was to him, and how her eyes stared right into his for a moment that felt like an eternity.  "Don't be frightened," Uraina said, lifting her head and staring at the flower.  She raised her hands right over Ken's head, closed her eyes, and began reciting a spell in her mind, which then caused the plant to glow dark purple as it slowly wither away and to disappear.  The grip on the whip loosened, and it fell onto the ground.  "It's gone now; you don't have to worry about your anger and resentment being intensified by this foul parasite."  The Emperor let go of his whip and stared at Uraina in bewilderment when she somehow managed to eliminate the plant that infected him and began to take a few steps backwards, giving his personal space again.

            "Good job," Sam commended Uraina and she smiled pleasantly.

            Out of thin air, Tai and the other Digidestines nosily materialized into the scene with Wishmon.  "We were this close to exiting that stupid labyrinth," Von indicated, catching the attention of Uraina, Sam and Ken.  Turning to face Ken, he added concernedly, "And we want you [Ken] to join us.  Uraina?!  You're a Digidestine also?  Who's your partner?"

            "It's great to meet you, Von," Uraina started to say as Wishmon leapt into her arms.  Von looked confused.  He was a little taken back by Uraina's comment, that it was the first time she had finally met him; however, he was her brother, so this wouldn't have been the first time they've seen each other.  But at least, he understood that Wishmon was her Digimon partner.

            "You're alive?!" Cody asked in shock.  Uraina nodded.  "How?" he continued to ask, and she shrugged when Von walked closer to her.

            "Wishmon told us everything we needed to know back there," Sora said as she turned everyone's attention to the Emperor, who only stood there firmly observing them keenly.

            "We're all here if and when you need us, Ken," Yolei assured.

            "And as your friends, we know that you don't want to be the terrible Digimon Emperor again," Cody continued from where Yolei left off.

            "My friends?  You're here?" Ken asked rhetorically.

            "Of course, Buddy," Tai replied.

            "No one should make you do what you don't want to do, Ken, just like being an evil genius.  Remember, after battling Malomyotismon, you learnt that you can be whoever you want to be, and you wanted to be normal and kind," Davis preached as he approached Ken and tapped his shoulder gently.

            "And we won't allow you to be forced against your will in returning to your old ways," Matt uttered wholeheartedly.

            "Just believe in yourself, that you are strong enough to erase the darkness that calls for your return.  There is light in all of us; yours is strong, I can feel it," the holder of the crest of light lectured.

            "We have hope.  You do also.  Have hope in succeeding in being the kinder person you wanted to be in life, Ken," T.K. claimed just as passionately.

            "Can't he speak or something?" Davis asked no person in particular.

            "He might still be a little shock from the last move I made," Uraina spoke.

            "How can you be so confident that in the future, I will not return to being the wicked person I was?" Ken asked.

            "Because you are our friend, and we trust your loyalty.  And all of us cares for you too dearly to allow you to take the wrong path again," Joe answered.

            "That's right, Ken," Mimi agreed, and Ken's friends nodded.

            After hearing his friends out, the Emperor's clothing slowly transformed back into his normal clothes as tears was slowly from his eyes, moistening the areas around his cheeks.  Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, Kari, T.K., Davis, and Yolei walked closer to Ken to give him a hug or to pat him on the shoulder while Cody and Von was more interested in Uraina.  Laughter from Ken's company filled the room.  After regaining their memories from Mariana, they were looking for the right time to break the news about Uraina's death to Von.  Now, Cody was interested in how she came back alive while Von was wondering where she was all this time.  However, they were both relieved that she was alive and well.  Before Cody or Von could say something to her, they were all [including Sam] automatically transported out of the world of fears and into the middle of the maze in the Digital World.

            "Not again," Davis whined.  "It took so long.  This labyrinth is enormous! Why can't you just use your magic and pop us out of this maze?  It sure is easier that way."

            "Easier yes, but all of you will not pass the second level," Uraina countered.

            "Quit your bellyaching, Davis.  We've got Izzy and his computer to lead us out," Matt reprimanded and some of the girls giggled in amusement.

            "At least, we can discuss some things while we walk out of this," Von said, trying to look on the bright side, as everyone trailed behind Izzy and his laptop.

            "Such as?" Uraina asked as she looked up at him.  She felt stinging coming from her injured leg.

            "Is Sam still here with you?" Ken asked, catching the attention of all of his friends.

            Uraina grinned as she turned her head in the direction of Sam.  "Trust me.  He's here."

            "I'm sorry about your leg.  How are you feeling?  Does it hurt too much?" Ken questioned, feeling guilty, as he stared at the blood stain on her pants.

            Uraina bent down, rolled her pants up on the side of her wounded leg, and peeked at the nasty cut.    "I'm a fast healer."  Not wanting the others to see it, she swiftly rolled her pants back down, and stood up straight to resume walking.  'It'll heal eventually, I hope—'

            "That's a relief," Willis commented.

            "Don't you recognize me, Sis?" questioned Von when he halted.

            "Sis?  I'm your sister?  I'm sorry, but I don't remember."  Suddenly everyone came to a stop.  "How can this be?" Uraina asked herself as she looked at Wishmon.

            "Von is your brother," Wishmon acknowledged.  'At least, your foster brother if what Ange tells me is true.'

            "How about we do this after we finish the test?  Mariana promised us an explanation for all her evil doings," Tai reasoned anxiously.  They nodded and continued their journey out of the maze.

            "What was everyone's worst fear?  Now, that everyone knows mine," Ken asked, trying to make conversation.

            "Mine was failing my courses," Izzy bellowed to them.

            "Mine was having no fashionable clothes to wear."

            "None of you remembering me as your friend."

            "Losing Kari."

            "Don't worry, Tai.  I'll always be there for you."  Tai smiled.

            "Being too reckless," Joe continued after Kari.  "Killing my patients instead of saving them."

            "Being so honest that I pushed everyone away," Yolei answered.

            "Lying and covering up old lies with new ones until I can't differentiate the truth from the lies I fabricated," Cody muttered, sounding very ashamed.  Noticing this, Joe whispered to him that that'll never happen.

            "Having Tai and Matt duel each other to their deaths over me," Sora answered, chuckling.  Both teenage boys blushed slightly.

            "Losing all hope."

            "Everyone around me changing into Davis," Kari joked.

            "Hm.  At least, there'll be enough of me to go around."

            "That wasn't it, Davis.  It's being isolated in the Dark Ocean where the darkness conquers."

            "Oh."

            "My worst fear was not being chosen as a Digidestined.  My Digivice, Digimon partners, and anything from the Digital World ceased to exist.  Everything relating to the Digital World and everything that resulted after I became a Digidestined didn't exist."

            "None of us had our Digivices or D-terminals back until we returned to the Digital World.  Could it be possible that our digital devices cannot be transported with us to that realm, Uraina?" Joe asked.

            "It could be possible.  But, perhaps, each of you also feared not being able to be a Digidestine.  Anyway, what did you fear the most, Davis?  Von?"

            "No comment.  The great Davis has no fears," he arrogantly replied.  'I'm so glad it was just a silly test.  Being grounded to do the chores for the rest of my life is not very realistic.'

            "Von?"

            "Huh?  Oh.  No comment either," he answered dully.  'Losing you to your biological family.'

            "Oh.  Okay."

            "Where are our Digimon by the way?" Sora inquired.  "I hope they're not in too much trouble."

            "There's your answer, Sora," Izzy said, pointing his index finger to the labyrinth's exit that was only several steps away.  Through the opening, they saw their Digimon (in usual form) all grouped together.  Their Digimon didn't notice the Digidestines, instead, their attentions were on whatever or whoever was in front of them.  Hastily and noisily, the Digidestines exited the maze, only to find two sets of their Digimon partners, each on the opposite side.

            "Which side is our Digimon on?"

            "VEEMON!" Davis shouted, ignoring Mimi's question.

            "Davis!  I'm glad you and the others are here.  All of us had to negotiate with those clones of us so all of you can return to help us digivolve," the Veemon on Davis' right answered. Happily, everyone (but Uraina) screamed out the names of their Digimon as they rushed to be by their sides.

            "What's this level about?" Tai asked Agumon and a figure materialized behind the Digidestines.

            "Return by my side, Wishmon," the figure ordered angrily.  The voice was recognizable—it belonged to the Empress Kamari herself.  They turned to face her.

            "Yes, Mistress," Wishmon replied, swiftly running towards her.

            "How dare you defy me, Wishmon?  I told you not to help Ken with his own test."

            "I'm sorry.  Are you angry?"

            "A little.  I wanted you to be ready and rejuvenated for the last level."

            "Think of it as Ken's little cheat sheet," Uraina kidded as she joined the Empress by her side.  "Of course, it'll only take them this far.  I wouldn't interfere for the last few steps."

            "Prepare yourselves for the third level; you must defeat the replicas of your very own Digimon," Mariana announced, referring to the Digi-clones.

            Grunting, the Digidestines being tested stared at their obstacle.  "Digivolve!"

            As each of their Digimon underwent digivolution, Mariana told Wishmon to stay with Uraina to watch them in their battles so she can return into her soaring base to reprogram the tests on her computers to accommodate what happened and what the last level would be.  With that, she teleported herself back into the control rooms and began typing while chanting spells to operate the machinery.

            When the Digimon all changed into their strongest states so far, the human partners joined them as they charged towards the Digi-clones.

*          *          *

To be continued….

A/N: Hope you enjoyed this chapter.  It's the longest so far in this part 2.  Any question so far about the story?  If so, post it; I'll try to answer it in the chapters to come.  Anyway, thanks for reading/reviewing, and have a great summer.  So far, I'm stuck at home—bored.

Disclaimer: Eek… I forgot to mention in the previous chapter that I don't own Digimon and still I don't own it…