Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers

by Alene Deirbre

when piedmon was destroyed he was forced to choose a new ruler for the nightmare soldiers, and the one he chose was Matt, but deamon wants that honor for himself. Matt/Tk brotherly stuff & Matt/Tai friendship

14. Angel's Lend Me Your Might

A/N: hey guys, I'm finally updating. I'm really sorry for how long this took, I just had other agendas on my mind. Thank you, to everyone who is still around, and to everyone who reviewed or e-mailed me with support.

Emma: thanks for your suggestions.

Tenshi: thank you for your support and kind words.

Sc333: thanks for your encouragement.

FireBird9900: thank you so much, for your help and your encouragement, it's meant a lot.

And thanks to everyone who reviewed, it was all greatly appreciated.

~*~*~

Two callous hands held the rusted chain tightly, venting out all frustration through the firm grip. Already pale knuckles turned white and blue veins began to rise to the skin. One hand twisted a bit allowing the palm to rub over the chain a couple of times before the hold slackened and the two hands rested almost limply on the chain.

At first the swing remained still as two sneakers shuffled the playground dirt around, then the swing began to sway as two lean legs moved back and forth. The rubber seat suspended by two rusty old chains squeaked and creaked on its hinges, and the body moving it lowered his head as he followed the lullaby of the rusty metal.

"I don't know what to say."

"I guess there's nothing to say, really. All this time we thought we we're looking for some illusive enemy, when the true enemy was right in front of our faces."

"Tai, I'm not your enemy, this doesn't change anything."

"What are you talking about! Everything has changed."

"Sora, Please try to understand,"

"Try to understand what? You're the Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers, you stand for everything that we've grown to hate!"

'I hate him! He lied to me. I hate him…'

Crystal tears streaked down redden checks, creating a clean path through the dirt that had collected there. The swing began to creak again as the boy on it began to shiver from the night's chilled air.

Feet shuffled in the dirt once more, this time the sneakers dug little crevasses in the ground allowing the earth to build up around the shoes. The boy soon found himself leaning entirely on the left chain suspending the swing as he tried to curl up as a defense against the breeze.

It was late, and darkness had claimed both the jungle gym and the slide, leaving only the swing set for the youth to rest upon. Shadows played carelessly upon the equipment, with no worry of injury. Nothing could be broken and no one could get hurt when the only one there was an already heart broken and badly hurt child.

"TK, Please just listen to me!"

"Listen to what, Matt? More lies?"

"No listen to the truth."

"Forget it, if you wouldn't tell me the truth before, then how can I possibly know that you're telling the truth now."

Finally one of the pale hands completely released the rusted chain as its backside was whipped over a runny nose. More tears fell and sniffling was heard before the swing began to sway from side to side. Soon the sniffling stopped and all that could be heard was the metal hinges creaking in a perfect rhythm.

"A little past your bed time, don't you think?"

A simple huff was heard as the boy chose to ignore this new comer.

The sound of dried leaves crunching under slow steps mingled with the creaking of the swing and soon another had found his way to the old rusty swing set.

One swayed side to side, stopping at a safe distance from his neighbor as the other swing began to rock back and forth. Neither of the playground occupants spoke, instead rusty metal said the words neither wanted to say.

The wind picked up once more, shifting the clouds so that silver rays of moonlight came to join the shadows in the sports upon the playground. The chilled air reached the first boy's bones and he pulled himself even closer to the chain he leaned upon, while stopping his pendulum motion.

Shifting from the other swing increased and then the first boy felt thick fabric blocking the force of the wind from reaching his once bare arms.

"Thanks, Tai." The boy stated softly as he pushed his arms through the sleeves of the jacket and pulled the cloth closer.

"You're welcome," came the equally soft reply.

Again silence and then creaking of metal until finally the first boy spoke.

"We use to come here before our parents split up."

The other nodded acknowledging the first's statement.

"I loved to swing, even when I was little; it made me feel like I was flying. We'd laugh and he'd push me on this very swing. This was always my swing, it was always the better one, it doesn't squeak quite as much as the one your on." the gentle voice stopped for a moment and another sniffle was heard. "It didn't matter how badly he wanted to swing, he'd always push me, get me going, and even after I had picked up speed, he'd still be here right behind me, ready to catch me if I fell, and so I was never afraid to fly."

"He was the wind beneath my wings too TK, and I never realized how hard that position must have been for him. We had such high expectation of him, always expecting him to drop whatever he was doing and come pick us up the moment it even looked like we we're going to fall. But we couldn't expect him to do that forever." Tai urged, trying to bring the younger boy out of his current state of mind.

"I don't get what that has to do with anything." The blonde pre-teen expressed with a hint of resentment in his voice.

"Come on TK, you know what I'm getting at. We all have our own path; it's time we let Matt follow his. It's time we let him fly."

TK growled in frustration as he pulled himself off the rubber seat of the swing.

"I don't understand you! You were just as mad as I was."

Tai sighed wearily as he too picked himself off the swing.

"I'm still mad, but I'm getting over it, he's my friend, I can't resent him for wanting something great in his life." Tai explained firmly.

TK's fist tightened up. "But you can resent him for lying to and betraying us."

Tai rolled his eyes in annoyance to the younger boy's anger.

"Whatever, I'll get over the lying thing, its not like we haven't all lied before, and I really don't consider what he did as betrayal."

"I still hold to the theory that he was brain washed." The Child of Hope stated bitterly.

Tai chuckled at this, "Yeah, that's what I thought at first too, but come on, Matt is way to stubborn to be brain washed."

This brought a small smile to the younger boy's face and soon some of the anger had faded from his blue eyes.

"Well you do have a point, but still why didn't he just come to us and tell us?"

"Maybe he was afraid we'd react the way we did, besides I think he tried to tell us back at the coffee shop, but was interrupt." The brunette explained his theory as he strolled to the sidewalk that ran through the park.

TK nodded agreeing with Tai's assumption as he joined his taller friend on the sidewalk.

"So what do you think we should do?" the younger boy asked with innocent eyes.

Tai smiled, for a moment it looked like that pest of a little eight-year-old looking back at him rather then this tall young man. "I guess we wait, I'm sure Matt will come back soon."

"I hope so."

TK's head lowered as he fell in place with his friend and the two of them began to make their way out of the park.

For a while the two walked in silence, both of their thoughts dwelling on the same question, will Matt come back.

"Hey Tai," TK began bringing the older boy's attention to him. "How'd you know where to find me? I didn't tell Patamon where I was going when I dropped him off at home."

"Matt brought me here once." The older boy explained as he continued to walk. "He told me all about the swing thing, and then he told me how proud he was when you learned how to fly on your own."

The younger boy smiled with contempt as he and his friend left the playground to the shadows for the night, and the two of them walked off together returning to the comfort of the light.

~*~*~

The wind brushed over the land as the east came to life with the rising sun. The warm golden rays that breached the great mountains gently washed over forest and plain, awakening the dormant plants from their slumber and welcoming the green leaves to an untainted day. Consciousness returned to the inhabitants of the valley and each creature, both small and large, rose from where they slept, ready to begin fresh with this new dawn.

The larger creatures went back to their building, while the smaller ones returned to the fields. All greeted this new day with excitement and a proud sense of joy as the fruits of their labors finally began to show on the land they had been working on. The great hall was now complete, and from the inside of the valley it stood out like a diamond among the ruff while from the outside of the valley one could not pick the difference between normal mountains and the cliffs that harbored the foundation of the South.

The sunlight seemed to find its way to all corners of Forbidden Valley, even the ones it was not wanted in. Still blue eyes, shadowed with heavy thoughts, locked on to the light creeping over the cliffs in the east. The light had yet to find its way to the lavish throne room, the picks of the eastern mountains were high and it would be noon before the rays made it past the over-shadowing cliffs.

Blue eyes shifted from the cliffs above, to the west, which was already illuminated with the dawn. The cerulean orbs caught a small glimpse of Trica, the three peaks in the center of Forbidden Valley, and for a moment thoughts wandered to the progress of the four citadels, before the orbs came to rest on the floor of the throne room.

Matt listened as the rest of the hall came to life. From his place in the throne room he could hear servants dashing through the halls, completing the final preparations for the arrival of the Leaders of the Three Islands. There was a great deal of pressure put on this meeting, the three mega digimon had been at peace with the South for centuries, even during the conquest of the Dark Masters, and keeping that peace and possibly creating an alliance was very important. If such wise digimon trusted the South then it was possible that others would follow.

Having peace with all lands would be the greatest development for Matt, but despite the importance of this upcoming meeting the young Lord could not keep his thoughts from straying. As hard as he tried to keep his mind focused on what was ahead he could not stop himself from looking back to the event from the night before.

He could feel the eyes of his friend and his brother searching him, questing him, as they had done the night before, and the betrayed looks in those eyes were like the coldest of deaths. He couldn't blame them for their anger, and he was certain the anger would not last forever, however the resentment and distrust could forever create a barrier between him and his friends.

'I don't blame them for being angry, how could I? As their teammate, as their friend, I should have came to them with the truth from the very beginning. I would have expected nothing less from one of them.'

A deep sigh of exhaustion escaped moist lips and a lean body fell back upon one of the large pillars placed in the throne room. Matt's head fell forward, allowing his glistening blonde locks to surround his face and brush gently across his checks. For a moment he stared at his clothing, the whole ensemble was alien to him, and he couldn't help but chuckle as the thought that he finally looked like a rock star crossed his mind. Really the clothes weren't too extravagant, but it was much more then what he was use to. The base of his outfit was completely black with an un-tucked long sleeve oxford shirt, and a simple pare of cotton slacks, hardly anything breath taking, but the coat he wore threw the outfit into an entirely different category. The coat acted as a short of cape for him, it was loosely fitted and it reached down to the floor. The style was definitely sixteen hundreds to seventeen hundreds European, and the deep red patterns made the coat stand out among normal garments.

His eyes shifted down, locking on his bare feet for a moment, it was true that his outfit was eccentric but their was also a laid back quality to the garments. Untucked shirt, loosely fitting clothes, and bare feet, a sign that even though he had adapted some of the lustrous styles of the South, he had still managed to keep a bit of his calm steady appearance with him.

'Tai would brake out laughing if he saw me now.'

The thought put a bittersweet smirk on the blonde's face as he finally gave into his exhaustion and slide to the throne room's floor. For a moment he sat silently staring at the polished onyx floor. The black stone reflected a bit of the sun's rays and the teen gratefully accepted the warmth and the light.

Then his head pulled back, and he found himself scanning over the lavish throne room for umpteenth time. There was, of course, the cool smooth onyx, which made up the floor. Then lining the room where great pillars, which reached forty feet high until they met the rim of the ceiling. The blonde's pale hand gently caressed the pillar he leaned upon; the blood red Hematite with bands of Jasper was absolutely beautiful, and added to the lush colors of the grand room. The two great doors to the room stood thirty-five feet high, allowing easy access for any sized digimon. The great hand carved mahogany doors were polished and beautiful. Of course the doors were so large that Matt never bothered to use them, instead he would take the secret passages which only he and his generals knew about.

The ceiling was domed shape and consisted of deep blue glass mixed with clear glass. The deep blue was placed on the clear in the shape of raindrops. But that wasn't the quality which made the glass so amazing, the thing that was so intriguing about this glass was the fact that from the out side it looked like jagged gray mountain peaks; while from the inside it looked as clear as air and only allowed enough light to pass through to illuminate the throne room.

After a moment the teen's eyes ran from the unusual glass ceiling to the mural painted on the wall, opposite of where he sat. The painting covered the entire wall and showed in beautiful color the history of the South. It started with Zhaqioumon's flames destroying the savage lands, and ended with Matt and his generals on Trica's peaks. Matt was amazed that the artist saw it fit to include the battle between the original eight Digidestined and the Dark Masters, but the longer he stayed here the more he realized that any resentment remaining from that battle had faded away the moment he took his place as Lord.

"It turned out rather lovely didn't it." a soft voice stated, her tone enchanting.

"Yes it did." Came the satisfied reply. "Perhaps too lovely."

"So you are not pleased with the hall?"

The saddened reply brought Matt to his feet. Once the blonde was standing he walked deeper into the large room, leaving the opened balcony behind.

"It's not the hall Ladydevimon, it's the circumstances."

Ladydevimon fluttered from her place on the balcony ledge to the onyx floor, and then she lightly stepped towards the blonde, stopping a few feet behind him.

Matt knew that the fallen angel was waiting for some sort of explanation for his statement.

"I don't like them feeling obligated to give me a palace." He explained with his head lowered.

"But they are obligated to do this my Lord. As our leader you have an obligation to us, to watch over us, and to keep sacred our traditions and laws. You as our Lord hold the heavy burden of this bond, so let us at least show our gratitude. We don't do as you ask because we feel it is our duty, we do it out of love for you."

Matt turned around sharply; his crystal eyes searched the scarlet orbs before him, looking for the meaning behind her words. "Ladydevimon how can you say so certainly that my people have love for me when I have done nothing to earn it?" he questioned rationally.

The dark maiden's blood red lips twisted up in an understanding smile.

"Matt did you ever read fairy tales as a child?"

"What?" the blonde asked obviously both confused and amused by the question.

"In fairly tales after the noble king would pass away or die honorably in battle, the subjects of the kingdom would morn as though they had lost their own father. But then the prince, young and inexperience, would take his place, and the people loved him just like his father before him, not because of what he has done, but because of who he is."

"And who is he, that he should receive such unquestioned faith?"

"He is the one chosen by the leader before him. Piedmon had faith in you, even in his wild thoughts he still managed to find a light to dwell on, you." Ladydevimon paused for a moment. "A time will come when your abilities will be tested, and in that time you will prove not only to the world but to yourself that you are meant for something great."

Matt smiled; Ladydevimon's words brought some security to his troubled mind, allowing him to push aside some of his fears and doubts. "But what if there comes a time when I must face an enemy who is too great to be conquered?"

"Our only true enemy is hate, and when the time comes that you must fight such an opponent remember that the power to fight hatred lies in compassion for all. Never loose the humility you have now, and never place yourself higher then another, just aspire to go the highest you can."

Matt smiled, "Thank you Ladydevimon, you are a true friend." Cerulean eyes shone with gratitude as the young Lord thanked the maiden of darkness.

A light blush appeared on Ladydevimon's pale skin, the crimson then began to fade as the demon shook her head and tried to hide her embarrassment. "Well don't get all mushy with me, you know you humans get too emotional for my taste." She expressed mockingly.

Matt chuckled lightly, all of his cares vanishing as he and his general laughed together.

The feeling of powerful magic turned the two's attention to the throne room's great doors.

The solid wooden doors began to move like ripples on once still water. The ripples branched out from the center where the two doors meet, and then a figure emerged from the rippling wood.

"Forgive me for interrupting my Lord." Sorcermon spoke benevolently with a bow.

"You're not interrupting anything Sorcermon, in fact we're glad you could join us." The blonde exclaimed with a smile.

Sorcermon smiled behind his cape as he stood straight up. "I have come to give you an update on our status." The small wizard digimon explained as he walked to where Ladydevimon and Matt stood. "WereGarurumon has finished his address to the inhabitants of the northern shores and will be returning to Forbidden Valley sometime this afternoon. Three of the four Citadels have been restored, and the cities under the mountain range are beginning to take form."

"Excellent." Matt replied with pride.

"Yes," Sorcermon agreed before he continued. "Also the leaders of the Three Islands have just arrived on the western platform."

Silence clouded the throne room, and for a moment Matt found his mind wander to all the worries that had plagued him earlier. This meeting was very important, and if he failed then that would add another enemy to the Nightmare Soldier's list. 'Why does it seem like everyone is against us?'

"My Lord? Matt, are you all right?" Sorcermon questioned as he noticed his ruler zone out.

Matt blinked, allowing his crystal eyes to refocus then he turned his attention back to the champion digimon. The blonde decided not to address the wizard's earlier question, instead he fixed his thoughts on the more important task.

"Show the three megas to the throne room." he ordered simply as he turned away from his two generals and paced back to the opening of the Western Wall.

Sorcermon nodded despite the fact that Matt could no longer see him then teleported back to the western platform.

"You'll do fine, Matt. We're all behind you." Ladydevimon chimed.

The throne room grew silent as Matt found his way back to the pillar he had leaned upon earlier.

"'What though that light, thro' storm and night,

So trembled from afar-

What could there be more purely bright

In Truths' day-star?'"

The Ladydevimon cocked a quivering eyebrow as the blonde sang the stanza to a made up melody.

Matt noticed the demon's confusion, which only put a smirk on his face. "Oh come on, I would think that you of all people would be an Edgar Allen Poe fan." He laughed with more mirth then usual.

"I prefer 'Be silent in that solitude, Which is not loneliness-'"

Matt chuckled as the fallen angel offered her quote. "Is that your humble way of telling me to shut up?" he questioned with a smile.

Ladydevimon smirked then shrugged her shoulders gracefully. "It's all what you get out of it."

Matt smiled at the answer and was about to response with a sarcastic jest when the sound, of the great throne room doors slowly opening, pulled his attention to the large entrance.

The doors were actually very quiet when being opened; the hinges were new so the wooden barriers swung open freely.

Matt returned to the center of the throne room where Ladydevimon still stood. His steps were impossible to distinguish and his mood had changed from that of comical to a stern nobility, which suggested seriousness with an undeniable grace.

Matt could feel his nerves tingle with anticipation, as he felt dizzy for a moment with nervousness, however a comforting look from Ladydevimon brought him back to reality and he gained control of his thoughts once more.

Sorcermon was the first to enter. The Political Advisor stood tall with pride, a slight blush of excitement brightened his generally pale face, as he lead the three great megas through the large door and into the throne room.

The champion digimon had never been so excited. He, being both wise in political philosophy and well educated in the generally structures of government in the Digital World, knew just how important and significant this meeting was. It was his Lord's first negotiation, which would hopefully lead to a new order for the entire Digital World. The wizard digimon had spent hours, along with Ladydevimon, preparing Matt for these talks, and he had full faith that the young Lord would do wonderfully.

Matt's face remained emotionless as he tried not to gawk at the majesty of the three megas before him.

Sorcermon bowed once he reached a closer distance to Matt then stood, preparing to introduce the megas.

"My Lord may I introduce Pharaohmon, Pharaoh of the desert island of Yermar."

Pharaohmon was a tall and lean digimon with protruding muscles. His entire body was encased in gold, with a white cloth over his broad shoulder and a white cloth around his waist. This mega was an unknown type digimon, possessing no family or attribute. His attacks are extremely powerful and effective, and he is known for his iron fist in ruling and his desire for solitude.

"And Anubismon, Guardian of the tomb island of Inquiet Sepulcral, resting place for both the noble and virtuous."

This wizard digimon was a vaccine type. His body was also tall and lean, however it did not have the fine muscles that Pharaohmon possessed, showing that this digimon relied more on his magic than his physical strength. His body was cover in short grayish fur with steel blue tents, his arms were long and reached down to his knees and his head resembled a dog or wolf, only with more human characteristics. His garments were also Egyptian, with flowing white cloths and gold straps around his wrist and upper arms. And his two great golden wings made the wizard seemed as though he'd be out of place on an island reserved for the dead.

"And of course, from the island of Iris the Lady Ophanimon."

Ophanimon was by far the most breath taking of the three digimon. She too stood tall and lean, but the grace in her very presence immediately placed her apart from the others. She was clothed in cerulean armor, shaped in many awkward forms, but the armor only added to the creature presence. Her six golden wings glowed in a rich golden light, and her two white wings showed the angel's heritage as Angewomon. This angel warrior bore a shield on her left arm with the symbol of glory and a javelin in her right.

"Leaders of the Three Islands may I present my Lord, Yamato Ishida."

~*~*~

"Okay somebody please say something!" Yolie groaned in frustration, her voice managing to echo through the vacant school halls.

"Nice weather we've been having." Davis replied flatly, causing everyone in the room to look in his direction. After a few seconds of receiving disapproving frowns, the red head jumped to his own defense. "At least I'm talking."

"Yup, you're talking all right." Cody replied, as he laid his head on the desk in front of him.

"You know, Davis is right, we have had nice weather lately." Biyomon expressed, while stretching her pink wings.

DemiVeemon began bouncing happily on the window seal. "Yeah, the sun is shining and the air is warm!" the little in-training digimon chirped, still bouncing by the large open window.

'No matter how bad things get, the digimon always remain optimistic, I wish I had that kind of faith.' Kari thought sadly, as she stroked Gatomon's back.

"And the sky is blue, and the clouds look like big white, puffy marshmallows, and…" Upamon went on, his high-pitched voice squeaking, as he joined DemiVeemon on the window seal.

"Yeah, and the birds are chirping" DemiVeemon was suddenly cut off when Joe entered the room.

"Sorry I'm late guys." The eldest of the Digidestined bowed then apologized.

"It's okay Joe, we were just discussing the weather." Davis reassured the last of the Digidestined to arrive.

Joe nodded to Davis, then took a seat next to Izzy, who had been typing on the school's computer during the entire weather report.

"Was anyone able to get a hold of Mimi?" Ken asked, once everyone had settled down, and the digimon were back in the partners' laps.

"I talked to her, she was really upset." Sora stated, as she straightened up, pushing the rolling stool she was sitting on, back a bit. "She said, she was going to try to convince her parents to let her come back, but so far it's been a no go."

"Maybe its better that she stay in New York. Odiaba has been the only place attacked, and if something happens to all of us, then it will be good to know that she could still unit the Digidestined from around the world to fight… whatever it is we're fighting." Ken stated evenly.

"You know what it is we're fighting Ken." Sora stated bitterly. "We're fighting one of your own. Our friend betrayed us."

Immediately different reaction began to fly in response to Sora's words.

"Matt hasn't betrayed us!" Davis exclaimed in defense of his predecessor.

"Davis, Matt is not only on the other side, but he's leading the other side. He's the Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers, the race of digimon that started all the wars in the Digital World." Cody replied back logically.

"There's no proof that Matt has turned against us." Kari stated back gently.

"No proof!" Yolie cried, siding with her predecessor and close friend. "Just look outside. Look at all the destroyed homes and separated families! That is all the prove I need."

"It's true that the last attack on the city was the worst one we've seen, but to be far, Matt wasn't commanding those digimon." Izzy replied, deciding that throwing out opinions and blame wasn't going to resolve the matter. The only way to figure out a problem was to stick with the facts.

"How do you know he wasn't controlling them? It could have just been a cover up. Another lie like the others." Sora shot back, as she pushed some of her auburn hair out of her eyes.

"Not likely." Izzy replied his voice vacant of emotion. "The majority of the Digimon that attacked were not Nightmare Soldiers. So the possibility of Matt commanding them, is pretty slim."

"But you have no proof that he wasn't." Yolie replied equally as smug.

"True," The red head began, but was cut off before he could finish by his friend.

"So we really have no proof of anything, only a bunch of theories." Sora interrupted Izzy, brining an end to the argument.

Soon the, almost over powering, sound of the clock ticking, echoed through the room. The white washed walls, seemed to move in closer and closer to the center of the room, and the computer monitors began to grow in size, looking like ominous windows to a forbidden land.

The group began to feel uncomfortable in the silence, and the tension began to grow thick, like an impenetrable blanket of fog, obscuring the path to reason and logical answers to their problems.

Just as it seemed that the silence would last forever, the sound of soft humming began to mingle with the ticking of the clock on the wall, until at last the gentle humming drowned both the ticking and the tension out.

The Digidestined and digimon's heads snapped in the direction of the sound, and all of them stared at the young blonde boy, with his hands gripping his white hat tightly in his lap, while humming the tune to one of his brother's songs.

Once all of the Chosen Children had relaxed, the blonde boy decided to speak for the first time since he had arrived at the school. "I can't believe that Matt would leave me. And I refuse to believe that he would ever purposely hurt us. You doubted him, and even turned on him, so quickly, but I hope… no, I know that Matt will come back, and when he does, he will give us the answers we want. But, until he does come back, I'm going to get ready, because Deamon is still out there. And Matt is going to need my help to bet that demon." TK stood up, as a light began to shine in his eyes. "Matt's always been there for me, now I'm going to be there for him."

Tai jumped out of his seat once the blonde pre-teen had completed his speech. "TK's right, we can't fall apart. The moment we loose faith in one another, is the moment we loose the battle against evil. We have to stop letting fear and doubt control us, and believe without a shadow of a doubt that what we fight for is right. Only together will we win."

After the leader had finished, the other Digidestined stood up as well.

"You're right Tai, we have to stay together, and we have to stay strong." Davis agreed with a big grin.

The rest of the group nodded in agreement, and TK smiled, knowing that his brother would return.

"All right then!" Tai exclaimed in excitement. "Let's get started, Izzy hunt down Genia."

"I'm on it Tai." The young genius affirmed, as he began to type away at his computer.

"Okay, Yolie, Davis, and Kari. Run to the convenient store; and get us, thirty bags of various potato chips, two packages of chocolate chip cookies, two packages of peanut butter cookies, six bags of marshmallows, sixteen candy bars, four cartons of vanilla ice cream, two jars of peanut better, three cans of sardines, and a pack of mint gum. After all we need to keep our heads about this."

For a moment the entire group stared at the brunette leader with completely baffled looks.

Tai blushed as the attention fell on him. "Okay, okay, two packs of mint gum." The brunette corrected sheepishly.

After Tai's correction, the group went back to what they were doing, and Yolie, Davis, and Kari took off to the convenient store, to, quite literally, empty their shelves.

As the rest of the group waited for Izzy's results of Genia; TK and Tai began to talk.

"Okay, I think I understand every, but there's still one thing I don't get." The blonde stated, as his face squinted up in confusion.

"What's that?" Tai asked seriously.

"What do we need sardines for?"

Tai stared at the blonde boy for a moment, almost as if he were shocked that the pre-teen would even ask such a question.

"Hello, do you not remember last time when, Gatomon gave that long speech about us showing no respect for cats." The brunette reminded sternly.

"Oh, yeah, good thinking." TK complemented, as he stood from his seat on one of the computer desk, and joined Ken over on the other side of the room.

Tai watched TK speak to the indigo hair boy, and then he shifted his gaze to the large window behind him.

'Okay Matt, be safe, where every you are. Just be safe, and come back to us.'

~*~*~

"I am honored that such noble leaders would accept my request for conference." Matt stated as he gave a small bow in respect to his guest.

The three megas bowed also out of respect to custom, and as a show of manners to their host. However, both Matt and his generals knew that this meeting was going to require more then just courtesy.

Matt's suspicions were correct, as Pharaohmon step forward, with a disapproving frown on his face. "I will not lie to you, Lord Yamato, I was greatly troubled to learn that a human inherited the place of our fallen ally, Piedmon. And I am troubled even further, to find that you are a Digidestined. Does this not brake your creed with your fellow Digidestined, to side with the very race that you once fought so strongly against." The mega's voice boomed, his accusations surprising both Ladydevimon and Sorcermon.

Both generals had expected a less personal approach from the three renowned leaders, but Matt did not seem shaken at all by the pharaoh's words. Sorcermon looked over at his Lord, expecting to find the teen as surprised as he was, but instead, he saw a strong confidence burning in Matt's powerful stare.

"I have done nothing to betray my duties as a Digidestined, but even if I did, that would not be a concern of yours." Matt replied so calmly, that his voice almost seemed threatening. "I respect you, great leaders, as your reputation demands it, however, I am under no obligation to cater to your curiosity of matters, which do not concern you. So if you do not mind, I would prefer if we stick to the matters at hand."

Sorcermon's eyes widened in shock of his Lord's handling of Pharaohmon's words. The champion digimon had never dreamed that his Lord would be so confident under such pressure, but he was relieved that the teen chose not to answer the megas accusation, as virtually any answer would be used against the teen later.

"For a human, you are quite arrogant." The Egyptian mega gnawed out in frustration.

Yamato could see that the meeting was not going well, so he decided to shift gears, and bring everyone's focus to the reasons they were there.

"Leaders of the Three Islands, I have asked you here, because I wish to rebuild the alliance that our lands once held. A time of war is surely approaching, our people stand a greater chance of surviving this time, if we stand together."

Sorcermon began to grow nervous as no response came to Matt's statement. He knew that all three of the megas were going over every word his Lord spoke, trying to find any thought that could be used against him, and of course there were many. 'Any thought, no matter how straight forward and honest, can be used against you. Our own words are often the greatest weapons our enemies have against us.' As these fears ran through the Political Advisor's mind, similar concerns were plaguing Yamato.

'I knew they'd use the fact that I am human against me, but I had hoped that, in the end, they would see past that… Piedmon did.'

"Tell me something Yamato, why are you so concerned with the wars in this world, when you always have your own world to flee to? The Digidestined are not called upon when civil wars arise, so why would you concern yourself with them, when you could remain home, safe, with your friends and family." Anubismon spoke this time; his voice was mystical and almost sounded as though the wind itself was speaking.

This time Matt decided to address the question, knowing that he could not avoid it forever. "I was selected and tested by both Piedmon and the Digi-Core, and I passed those test. I am the Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers, and I have accepted the responsibilities that come with that position."

Anubismon scowled in anger. "You are not the Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers! You are simply a lost little boy, who was thrown into a place he doesn't belong." The wizard mega bellowed in anger, his magical voice no longer sounding like the soft breeze, but instead like a relentless hurricane. "Go home child! Go back to your video games and MTV, and leave this task for someone who actually cares about life outside of his suburban bubble!"

With this show of no faith and distrust the, three megas began to walk towards the great throne room doors, preparing to leave the incompetent kid and his misguided followers behind forever.

Sorcermon watched as the entire negotiations fell apart, taking away his hope for peace with three of the South's long time allies. Just as the wizard was about loose all hope, something surprising happened. The throne room doors were suddenly ablaze with blue energy and then slammed shut, right in Pharaohmon's face.

The mega growled in anger, then spun around to see Matt, standing with his arms crossed and a cold glare frozen on his face.

"How dare you!" the large pharaoh shouted threateningly.

Matt's eyes narrowed on Pharaohmon, until they were like daggers.

Sorcermon looked on the scene, panic growing heavily in his gut. Both Anubismon and Pharaohmon, had made their way back to the center of the room, their teeth gnawed together, and their eyes narrowed on the human, which they towered above greatly.

"This is an insult! An outrage!" Anubismon cried, his voice roaring like the howling wind from a winter storm.

"An insult?" Yamato hissed, equally as cold, but not nearly as angered. "You, accuse me, of insulting you when it is you who have totally disregarded my hospitality. I humbly invited you here, in hope of rebuild an alliance, which has stood for ages, and alliance, which has benefited your lands more than ours. And how do you repay my loyalty and generosity? By completely disregarding my respect and judging me with extreme prejudice."

Anubismon huffed, half laughing at the teen, and half mocking his words. "So boy, what do you intend to do? Keep us here until we agree to an alliance?" the mystical digimon questioned with a snicker.

Sorcermon cringed as he felt the tension grow, he knew that at the point, an alliance was out of the question, but now he was wondering, what would transpire next. In all reverence to customs, Matt was right. Pharaohmon and Anubismon had completely disrespect him, and had completely ignored political process, by brining such personal issues into the negotiation. And these facts completely shocked the champion digimon, as the Leaders of the Three Islands had such high reputations. Now, instead of helping build peace, the small humanoid was preparing to defend his Lord, at any cost, should the megas try an attack.

"No, any chance for peace, seems to have faded. I do, however, intend to keep you here until you apologize."

"What?!" Pharaohmon screeched in rage.

"My Lord is right." Sorcermon stated, taking a few steps forward, until he was closer to Yamato. "If you are displeased with the fact that our Lord, is human, then fine, you are entitled to your own opinion, however you do not show disrespect to our Lord. We will not allow it."

Ladydevimon nodded in agreement, showing, that she too, could not be swayed from her loyalty.

"So, the Nightmare Soldiers truly believe in you." Pharaohmon mused out loud, as though he were thinking of an object and not a living being. "Perhaps, you would not show so much faith in your Lord, if you saw him for the weak creature that he truly is."

Sorcermon and Ladydevimon immediately gritted their teeth and tightened their fist, the only thing holding them back from attacking the arrogant pharaoh, was the fact that they had not yet received the order to attack.

Yamato's eyes narrowed even more, his blood began to boil with anger, but his palms sweated, and his head spun. He was torn, torn between the fifteen-year-old boy, that just wanted to play his bass guitar, and the Lord, who wanted to rewrite the coarse of two worlds.

The struggle between the two consciences went on, for Matt it seemed to last for an eternity, but for those waiting, it was less then a second before the Lord won, and the teen's cool exterior froze over entirely.

"Is that a challenge?" he questioned darkly.

Pharaohmon smiled; pleased that he had gotten the response he wanted from the teen. "Here, now, in your court, before your people. I want them to see you, for what you really are." The mega replied coolly.

"Agreed; here and now." Yamato replied equally as calm.

My Lord, you know nothing of Pharaohmon's strength.

I know Sorcermon, but this is something that has to be done.

Yes I know. And I also know that you will make us proud.

'Oh great add more pressure to me.' Yamato thought once his conversation with Sorcermon had come to an end.

"Let's begin." The teen announced, as he dropped his pose and waited for his opponent's response.

"Yes, however, there is one more catch to this battle that you should know about." The mega stated slyly.

That caused Matt to tense up. 'Great, and whatever it is, I have to go along with it, or it will be just as bad as not accepting the challenge at all.'

"We will battle using these." As Pharaohmon spoke, Anubismon held out his hands.

A small sphere of dust spun in the wizard's hands, like a palm size dust storm, and then, the sand began to pull together, until it for a large rectangle. The rectangle began to darken until, at last, it was the color of dark wood. That was when Matt realized that the sand, had turned into a wooden box.

Anubismon smiled just as slyly as Pharaohmon had, then stepped forward, opening the box and revealing what was inside.

Matt's crystal eyes narrowed, until they were focused on the contents of the box. To his surprise, it was two Sai sets, one perfect for Pharaohmon's large hands and another set smaller. Small enough for a human.

"I take it you planned on this." The teen expressed flatly.

"None wish to see a human with such power. I have taken it upon myself, to rid the world of you." The mega replied so causally that it was almost sickening.

Matt nodded, taking in what his opponent had said. 'So it's a fight to the death, I guess I should have expected that. Now I'm really glad that I gave that letter to Sorcermon to give to TK and the others, should anything happen to me.'

"It will be a battle to the death. We will use the weapons only, which means no magic, no powers, and no special attacks." The mega explained further.

Now Matt was getting nervous, up until this point, he had relied mostly on his powers, now he was going up against an experienced and powerful mega digimon, in a physical brawl to the death.

Matt again nodded in agreement, as he took the sai set handed to him by Anubismon.

Ladydevimon and Sorcermon were now by the wall, both tense with fear. Anubismon leaned against the mural relaxing, as though he was preparing to watch a play. Ophanimon had moved to a place next to Anubismon, she still had yet to speak, but her eyes, hidden behind a great mask, never once left Yamato's form.

Pharaohmon now had his sai set in his hands, and was ready for battle. "Ready." It was more of a statement then a question.

Matt gulped and pushed down his fear, as he too, moved into a ready position, opposite of the towering mega. 'Well it's a good day to die.' He thought sarcastically to himself, as he prepared for the most difficult battle he had yet to face.

"Begin!" Anubismon shouted.

And with that, the two charged at one another, and the battle of Pharaoh verses Lord began.

Matt bit down hard, as he brought he right arm up, reading it to attack, and pushed his left arm out in front, to serve as a defense. His bare feet barely touched the ground when he ran, and in the blink of an eye, he and Pharaohmon met in the center of the room.

The large mega was the first to attack, and Matt barely had enough time to block the blow. The clang of metal upon metal echoed through the throne room, and sparks of white fire splattered of the two sai sets, from the friction of the blow.

Pharaohmon smiled ruthlessly at his, puny human, opponent, then jerked his weapons out of the lock, causing Matt to stumble back a bit.

Matt managed to regain his balance, but only in time to see Pharaohmon, quickly swing his right arm around, with the edge of the sai ready to slice through his throat. Quickly, the young Lord ducked, then spun towards the approaching weapon.

His maneuver allowed him to miss the intent of the strike, however, he did not get away entirely untouched. Pharaohmon seemed to have sensed the teen's plan, and just as Matt had spun beneath the mega's large muscular arm, Pharaohmon brought his other sai up and swung.

At first Matt didn't feel the blow, but after he was at a safe distance from his opponent, his mind was able to go over what had just happened. Soon the salt from his sweat began to make him aware of his new wound, as the drops began to mix with his blood, stinging his split flesh.

Pharaohmon smirked arrogantly, pleased with his first bit of fun.

Matt rotated his sai, until the blade was laid upon his wrist, and the hilt was being held by his thumb and last two fingers. The mega's smirk broadened, when Matt brought his hand up and gently touched his right check with his two free fingers.

Crystal eyes narrowed at the crimson on two pale fingertips. Pharaohmon had managed to breech Matt's defenses, and in payment of the young Lord's carelessness, he now had a thin scrape running along his right check bone.

"If you want to give up, and simply surrender your rights to the South, then I will fully understand." The Egyptian digimon taunted, his deep voice gaining a sugar sweet tone to it, trying to make his offer for surrender seem more appealing.

The room was silent; Matt offered no reply to the mega's mocking, instead his cerulean eyes simply stayed glued on the, now dried and sticky, substance on his fingers.

Pharaohmon's smirk was slowly turning into an annoyed frown. This useless kid was really beginning to irritate the great mega.

"Well what do you say child!" the pharaoh boomed, demanding some sort of response. "Has the taste of your own blood brought some sense to your mind? Or do I need to remove a limb, before you finally understand that you can not win."

Heavy silence returned to the room, and the tension began to build. Pharaohmon's eyes sharpened on the teen before him, waiting for a reply to his threatening words. When no response came, the large Pharaoh lost it. "Answer me, fool!" he shouted in rage.

"Silence is a precious thing. It can soothe head aches and stimulate thoughts and ideas. Something as precious as that should never be broken with such empty words."

"What?" this time Pharaohmon's voice had regained some of the calm it held earlier.

"This battle has barely begun, and already, you have deemed yourself the winner. Well I'm not dead yet. So, I wouldn't be gloating over victory, until you have taken my last breath away, that is, if you can." Matt's right hand went up and the sai shifted back to a battle ready place in his palm.

Pharaohmon smiled once more, pleased that he would truly, get the satisfaction of piercing this arrogant brat's heart.

No more words were exchanged, and Matt charged the waiting mega, and the clang of weapon upon weapon rang through the room again.

Pharaohmon's large leg went around in a low kick, as he blocked one of Matt attacks from the left. Matt sensed the kick coming, and leaped into the air, doing a graceful back flip, avoiding the devastating effect, that such a powerful blow could cause.

The mega charged at the teen before he landed, but reached him too late. Matt landed then spun, swinging his sai set like a buzz saw. The attack made it past the mega's defense, and the two sai clanged upon the pharaoh's golden armor, causing him to grunt and pull back a bit.

The battle seemed to have no pause, Pharaohmon's strength, allowed him to deliver one powerful attack after another, and Matt's speed and agility, allowed him to dodge each and every one.

Pharaohmon ran towards Matt, his heavy steps pounding upon the onyx floor, backing the teen up into the very pillar, that he had rested upon an hour ago. The great mega brought his long arm up, and swung so hard, that the air screamed as he split it.

Matt saw the powerful blow coming, and in one hopeful move, ran to the pillar and quickly ran up the side of the cylinder. Then, pushed himself off, doing a, somewhat, shaky but still successful, aerial, over the towering mega's lowered head.

Pharaohmon had not expected the teen's narrow escape, and his attack hit the pillar, cutting into the solid stone, causing pieces of blood red rock to fly everywhere.

Matt landed a few feet behind Pharaohmon. He stumbled back a couple of steps, before he regained his balance, then he charged at the mega, whose back was turned. He swung the sai in his right hand, and hit the digimon on the side, in the same place as before.

Pharaohmon grunted in aggravation, then swung around, quickly pounding Matt on his right shoulder with the hilt of his sai.

Matt moved back a few steps from the now enraged mega.

The teen panted with exhaustion, this fight had lasted for thirty minutes, and neither of the opponents had made an effective move. Now the teen was beginning to tire, and his legs were beginning to shake, as his muscles were burning more oxygen then he took in.

'I can't keep this up much longer, if I don't think of something, Pharaohmon's going to slaughter me.'

Before Matt could run another idea through his head, Pharaohmon turned around and charged again.

Matt brought his sai set up, and blocked the attack, then pushed the pharaoh back, and swung his right arm. Pharaohmon blocked the attack with his left hand, then swung his right leg out. Matt blocked the kick with his left hand, then spun under his arms to get away from the mega. Pharaohmon pulled off his attack, then shifted the sai in his hand and stabbed down, trying to thrust into Matt's skull.

Matt felt the attack coming before it hit, so he quickly dropped to the onyx floor, and crossed his weapons of his chest, protecting himself from Pharaohmon's attack.

Pharaohmon's sai slipped through Matt's, fork like, weapons, but the main blade was still stopped from reaching blonde's body. Pharaohmon pushed down, hoping that his strength would send the spikes right through the teen's rib cage, but Matt fought back. Summoning all of his strength, the blonde managed to throw Pharaohmon off of him, and in one quick leap, flew off the floor and landed back on his feet, with his weapons ready to receive, or deliver an attack.

Pharaohmon had skid on his knees after Matt threw him off, but he was back on his feet and ready for his opponent.

They meet once more, both wielding their weapons with amazing accuracy. Matt no longer tried to avoid the attacks by simply getting away from the mega, but instead he meet each blow with his weapons.

The attacks began to merge together, until there was no telling when one ring of clanging metal began, and another ended. Sparks flew from the friction of the attacks, and swings, kicks, and flips, made up a deadly dance.

Matt gained control over his breathing, and was functioning a lot better, but his muscles still burned, and he grew more tired with each move.

Pharaohmon thrust at Matt's neck with both of his hands, and the blonde was forced to raise his weapons so that they were pointing outward, in order to prevent the mega's weapons from impaling him in the throat. The block worked, however, it caused Matt to have a poor grip on his weapons. Pharaohmon saw the vulnerability, and quickly took advantage, the great mega jerked his arms up, pushing Matt back, and throwing the teen's weapons out of his hands.

Matt stumbled back, moving a clear distance away from the pharaoh. A flood of fear and shock, drowned out the fighting spark in the teen's crystal eyes. The blue pools grew darker, as the blonde looked down at his hands, erasing his mind of any doubt, that his weapons hadn't been sent flying behind Pharaohmon, and were not now completely out of his reach.

"It seems you have run out of defenses." The Egyptian king sneered, "You fought a better battle then I could imagine, but now it is over. Your journey has come to an end."

Sorcermon stared at the scene before him in complete disbelief. He knew that defeating Pharaohmon would be a difficult task, but he had been certain that Matt could do it. Now all of this certainty had faded, Matt was defenseless, and his edge for attacks, had been ripped from his very hands. His people, the Nightmare Soldiers, would dwindle into nothing, once more. They'd fade out forever, like a flame smothered out by sand, and there was nothing he, or any other being, could do.

"And now you fall!" Pharaohmon mocked, as he readied his weapons and charged. The mega's speed was incredible; it looked like a blaze of gold, flying straight for the defenseless teen, in the center of the throne room.

Pharaohmon's smile widened, and he prepared to bring the attack down upon Matt. He twisted the golden instrument and brought it down, aiming for Matt's skull, just as he had done before.

Matt didn't look up, the attack came closer, and the sai was only a millimeter away from impaling him in the head. The onlookers thought it was over, but just before the blade made contact with the blonde's scalp, Matt lifted his arms and caught Pharaohmon's wrist. The blow was stopped, and Matt had an iron grip locked around the great mega's wrist.

Pharaohmon tried to brake free from the teen's hold, but Matt's grip only tightened. The teen didn't waste anytime gloating over the fact that he was currently overpowering the mega, instead, he ducked a little, then spun out, leaving no chance that Pharaohmon could attack with his left arm. After Matt was in the clear; he twisted his wrist so quickly that he threw Pharaohmon off the ground, causing his, large, tree stump like, feet to fly over his head.

As Pharaohmon was being flipped, Matt took this opportunity to wrench the sai out of the mega's hand. Once Matt had a grip on the weapon, he yanked the mega down, causing the force of his fall to be much greater, then it would have been.

Pharaohmon hit the ground with a startling impact, the sound of his golden armor cracking on thick onyx floor, boomed into the outside. Dust and pieces of black stone, flew over the room, and scattered upon the floor, and deep cracks now ran through the floor, from where the pharaoh had landed, to the throne room doors and walls.

Pharaohmon was dazed by Matt's counter attack and speed, speed which even Sorcermon's eyes could not follow, and in this daze, he left one second open, enough time for Matt to gain full control over the battle.

Quickly the teen moved until he had pinned down the mega. His right hand pinned down Pharaohmon's left arm, which still held its weapon, with the same strength that he had locked upon the pharaoh seconds ago. He allowed Pharaohmon's right arm to lie limply on the ground, since his right wrist was broken from the teen's grip, and his right shoulder had been dislocated by the violent flip. With both arms unable to attack, and his right leg impaled with a large piece of onyx, Pharaohmon was completely at the mercy of Yamato.

Matt held the sai by his left ear, ready to slam it into the mega's throat, should he even breathe wrong. His eyes were like mirrors, showing no emotion of their own, only reflecting the image of the beaten pharaoh, allowing the mega to se,e that he looked as pathetic as he must have felt.

"Do it, show the world who the new Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers is." The pharaoh panted out.

Matt stared down at the mega beneath him, his eyes still vacant of emotion. "So you admit you're defeated." His voice was soft, there was no hint of mockery or disrespect in his tone, only a simple hint of uncertainty.

Pharaohmon's eyes narrowed upon Matt's face. His teeth gritted, and his face tensed up, in the aggravation of knowing that he lost. "Yes." He hissed out, trying to maintain some of his dignity.

Matt looked at the pharaoh doubtfully for a moment, but soon nodded, as though he had ended an argument within his mind. "Very well." He stated calmly, as he pushed his left arm forward, the sai heading straight for Pharaohmon's throat.

The mega's eyes shut tight, as he waited for the sound of blade piercing armor, but to his amazement, all he heard was the soft cling of metal upon rock, and then the pressure of the teen upon his limbs and chest was gone.

Pharaohmon opened his eyes, to see Matt standing some feet away from him, his face set like ice, and his eyes still reflecting the scene like clear mirrors. The large sai had been set beside Pharaohmon's head, and now seemed to be completely forgotten by, the pharaoh's victorious opponent.

Anubismon waited cautiously on the sidelines, still in shock by Pharaohmon's defeat. Yamato had proven himself, had done what no one, outside of the South, thought he could do.

Pharaohmon suppressed a groan, as he shift on the cracked floor, trying to elevate himself enough to look at the teen across from him.

Anubismon saw the battered body, saw the golden blood, creeping through pierced armor, and was immediately at his comrade's side. The wizard digimon waved his long hand thoughtfully, and the debris around Pharaohmon turned to sand, and blew away, allowing the pharaoh more freedom to move.

Matt watched, with the same passive stare, as the Egyptian god of the dead lifted, the pharaoh of the living, to his feet, supporting him until he stood sturdy on the bloodied battleground.

Pharaohmon stared at Matt, intensity and judgment, narrowing upon a victorious Lord. The pharaoh had many questions, many accusations he wished to voice, but in his broken state, against this miraculous guardian, he could only breath one word. "Why?"

Matt dropped his pose, no longer seeing the need for such a stressful stare, and took two long strides towards the two megas. "You have admitted your defeat. There are whiteness to argue against any who say otherwise, so I see no reason to continue." He said crisply, then turned around heading for his temporary throne, standing upon a small platform with three steps.

"It was a fight to the death!" Pharaohmon boomed, obviously angered by Matt loss of interest in him and the events, which just occurred. "I would have killed you."

"And that is the difference between us." The blonde cried back in irritation to Pharaohmon's persistence. After a moment of cold stares, his angered calmed, and he leaned comfortably back in his throne, knowing that this display of arrogance, would fuel all rumors that the blonde had inherited some of Piedmon's hauteur.

"There is already so much needless destruction in this world. And sometimes we're too quick to pull a trigger, or to condemn another to die, especially when we've all probably done something worth dying for. You fought for what you believed, and I fought for what I believed. Were either of us were wrong? I don't think we could be, because everything is gray. There was no evil or good, only opinion and belief."

Matt took a deep breath, then leaned back in his throne; waiting for a moment then, released the air in his lungs. His eyes stared straightforward, not seeing anything, and yet there were pictures in his mind of everything. The payment for this one small battle, a destroyed throne room, and an injured leader, so much destruction, and only one fight. He couldn't help, but imagine what nightmare would fall on his world, after Deamon's rampage was over.

"So you would curse me to live in the shadow of my defeat. This is not acceptable, you must kill me, I will not live with the reputation of being weak!" the mega cried in both anger and woe.

"Well now you have a lifetime, to prove that reputation wrong. Go home, nurse your wounds and tend to your people. It is selfish of you to want to die, when your hands hold the fates of so many. What would your people do, once you are gone? They would fall without you to lead them, and you would let that happen? You would forsake them just for your reputation? I can not believe that such a wise leader would do such a thing." Yamato spoke calmly; adding only a little angered edged to his tone, in order to get his point across.

The room fell silent, Pharaohmon still leaned weakly on Anubismon, while Anubismon shifted his sight around the room, his muscles tense and on guard. Ladydevimon, along with Sorcermon, had moved closer to the stand, where Matt's throne was placed, and the Lady Ophanimon remained where she was, hidden in the shadows, with her eyes, ever watching, the young Lord.

Pharaohmon glared at the teen across from him, his eyes baring into blue orbs, searching a powerful soul for any sign of greed or self-interest, but there was none. The mega could find no element within the blonde's heart, that could even evolve, into power hungry. The Digidestined truly believed in what he fought for, truly believed in the South, and had a sincere love for its people.

"Now I know, there is no doubt in my mind." The Egyptian mega stated calmly, every edge of brutality once present in his deep voice had faded, and he sounded more like a loving father, praising his child after a good deed. "Lord Yamato, forgive my distrust, but I had to be certain." Pharaohmon stated, as he pulled away from Anubismon, and stood straight and tall.

"Yes, I see it also, we were wrong to question Piedmon's judgment. Clearly our fallen friend has carried his wisdom with him beyond the grave. And this young Lord, is a testament to his wise judgment." Anubismon agreed calmly, his voice no longer sounding mischievous, but instead ringing with wisdom, wisdom earned through many years of sorrow.

Matt was completely shocked by the sudden change in the megas' behavior. He shifted uncomfortably in his throne, finding the positive attention, somewhat, disturbing, then stood and walked slowly down the steps of the platform, his long coat flowing behind him, making him look majestic and royal.

"Now I am confused." He expressed almost exhaustedly, as if dealing with these megas had been like baby-sitting toddlers, their little games trying, both his energy and patients.

"Perhaps I can explain."

Immediately all attention was turned to Ophanimon. Her soft voice blew from the shadows, where she had waited through the entire ordeal. She had watched the teen closely, had searched his heart, reading his desires, loves, and fears, and at last she had seen it all. She saw as deep, as she needed to, and was now ready to offer the finally judgment upon the waiting Digidestined.

The angel digimon slowly emerged from the shadows. She took each step slowly and gently. Her steps made no sound upon the black floor, and her long golden hair, flowed behind her like a trailing halo.

"This, Lord Yamato, was a test. A test of your strength, your character, and a test of where your heart truly lies." She explained strongly, like a teacher lecturing an eager class. "But not only did this encounter serve as a way for us to better know your worth, but it also served as a lesson to you. You must learn to recognize all of your strengths, and use them together, if you are to defeat the tyrant, which haunts your world. Only the true Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers can defeat Deamon."

"So this," Matt waved his hand, signaling to the ruins which was once his throne room, "Was all a test?" he question, partly in shock and party in offense.

"Yes." Ophanimon replied calmly, not being moved by the teen's display of frustration.

"And if I had failed your test?" the blonde questioned darkly.

"Then you would be dead." Came the simply reply, from the still injured Pharaohmon.

Before more could be said Ophanimon moved to Pharaohmon's side, and gently place a hand on his shoulder. She then whispered in a tongue, which none other then the three megas, understood, a holy spell. At her beckoning, an aurora of light washed over her, the beautiful colors radiating off of her in warm ray of light. After a moment, the rainbow of colors ran up her body, into her arm, and then passed through her finger tips, and cover Pharaohmon's entire body. The colors began to darken, and then slowly they seeped into the mega, healing his wounds, leaving no trace of scares or broken armor.

Once Pharaohmon was healed, another light radiated from the archangel. Ophanimon continued to whisper, soft, enchanting words, and at her command, the light flooded the room. Ladydevimon and Sorcermon were forced to shield their eyes from the intensity of the light, however, the three megas and Matt, remained unfazed. The colors dashed upon the throne room, and Matt watched closely, as every crack on the floor and every broken pillar began to rebuild.

Black and gray stone turned to puddles on the onyx floor. Blood red jasper truly looked like pools of blood. Puddles, of what was once solid rock, littered the throne room floor, and soon the puddles began to mix. Every stray drop of rock met with a larger pool. Once the scene was set, the onyx began to slide back to the cracks and holes in the floor. The pools filled up every piece of uneven ground then hardened. The pool of jasper seemed to come alive. The red drops began to crawl slowly up the pillars, looking like insects, as the puddles crept back to their original place and filled the cracks. Then, like the onyx, the jasper hardened, and returned to its state of solid rock.

Matt watched the scene, his face showing little interest, but his mind marveling at the grace and power of the Lady Ophanimon. His throne room was now completely repaired, and he was now in a far better mood to deal with his, unusual guest.

After Ophanimon had healed Pharaohmon she stepped away, then turned her attention to the young awaiting Lord.

"Do not be angry with us Lord Yamato, for you see our intentions were noble. When Piedmon was placed as Lord, he too was young and inexperienced, and he too faced a similar test. We are not governed by the Digi-Core, there for it is impossible for us to simply believe that it chose correctly, we had to make certain for ourselves." Anubismon explained proudly.

"But this race was created by the Digi-Core, how could you not believe that it would choose correctly?" Matt questioned in complete confusion.

"We simply needed to see for ourselves." Explained Ophanimon gently, though Yamato could tell that there was more behind her saddened tone then what was being told.

"But we now know that you are more then worthy for your place as Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers." Added Pharaohmon, with a ruff smile. "We were originally called here to rebuild the once powerful alliance between our lands. Do you still wish to do this, or has the circumstances hindered your decision?"

Yamato thought about the mega's word for a moment. He was upset by the mega's games; they took up both valuable time and energy, and not just for him, but for his generals also. 'What they did dose make sense, I will have to face a lot of uncertainty until the world get used to the fact that I am both human and a Digidestined. And this will only bring me one step closer to permanently braking down that wall. And I do like the idea of knowing that I will have the Lady Ophanimon to turn to, should I ever need her help.'

"Very well, we will rebuild this once grand alliance, however, I do have one condition." The blonde stated, comfortably, now letting go of the tension that came with making a difficult decision.

"Oh? And what is that?" Pharaohmon questioned in amusement.

"Honesty." Replied Yamato calmly. "I will not deceive you to gain anything for my people, and you will not deceive me to do the same."

"A very understandable request. And so it shall be the first point in our new treaty." Anubismon announced, and the occupants of the room began the grueling task of brining two different worlds together.

"Lord Yamato," Ophanimon addressed Matt with a small smile.

"Yes my Lady?" the blonde responded in the deepest respect.

"After the treaty has been signed, I wish to speak with you alone, if I might."

"Of course Lady Ophanimon." Matt replied, a little nervous at the thought of being the soul attention of the celestial digimon.

'There is something I need to speak with you about also.' And as this thought faded from the young Lord's mind he went to work with the others in the room.

~*~*~

The sky was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun. Stray rays of warm light, mingled with the coming darkness, the fiery pinks and oranges painting the western horizon, while shades of dusk conquered the east. It was a surreal time, a time when the day met the night, when darkness mingled with light. The moon hung low and bright, glowing with a soft yellow light, so unlike the pale silver moon which hangs high in the sky at midnight.

The sun too was different, understanding that its time to rein was nearly over, and that the moon's time had barely begun. The sun understood that, if the moon must change its character for these few short minutes, then it too should change, finding compromise in the time of twilight. So the sun dimmed, and the bright golden light, that shines proudly during the day, became less intense, less amazing.

Yamato watched the sunset, watched the darkness creeping up from the east, and found himself lost, in the timeless moment. It was an amazing sight, and unjustifiably so.

'It shouldn't only be twice a day, when the sun rises and when it sets, there should be more time for the world to simply be at peace. For they're to be a silent agreement, that it would be a crime, a sin even, to disturb a moment like this. A moment when night and day reaches a compromise, a time when darkness and light can exists peacefully together.'

"This place is truly lovely." An angelic voice spoke softly, as a feminine hand gently caressed the large white petals of a beautiful flower.

Normally Matt would have been frustrated, even disappointed, had anyone dared to disturb this silent, unearthly moment, but for some reason Ophanimon's voice, did not feel like a disturbance. Her soft mystical voice, seemed so perfect for such a time as this. Her words and tone, seemed more gentle, and comforting, then dawn's first light.

"Yes," Matt agreed softly, finding it odd that he too fit well in this moment, "At first I did not see the need for it, but now that I see how happy it has made you, I'm glad that Sorcermon talked me into having it put in."

It was a large garden, filled with the most beautiful flowers, all of different, vibrant colors, and all native to the South. The place was an Eden, with perfectly laid stone paths, and a small stream flowing freely through, saturating the dark soil, so that the many plants would remain well watered. It was the perfect place, the only place, that the teen could think to take the lovely angel.

The two fell silent, a moment that would have seemed awkward, but both felt at complete ease in the recesses of their talk, finding them as pleasant and comforting as the actually conversation.

Matt slipped away, his crystal eyes clouded over a bit, until the many colors, painted upon the garden, faded, and all of his focus strayed to the only picture he truly felt was worth dwelling on, his friends. He found himself, for the umpteenth time, thinking about his fellow Digidestined, wondering what they were doing. Wondering if they really did hate him.

"My Lord is something wrong?"

Ophanimon's clear voice, chased away the teen's image of his comrades, brining his attention back to the serene garden.

"Forgive me Ophanimon, I guess I zoned out a bit." He explained sheepishly.

"There is nothing to forgive, in fact, it is I who should be asking for your forgiveness. It is wrong of me to take, both you time and attention away from where they should be." She expressed kindly.

Matt chuckled a bit at the respect offered to him by the angel digimon. "Lady Ophanimon you could not take my attention away from where it should be, because not even I, know where it should be." The teen explained in irritation with himself.

Ophanimon's voluptuous pink lips curved in a sweet smile, as a feeling of pity washed over the angel. Even this powerful mega knew the strain that had been place upon the young Lord. The way his soul was being torn in two, one side holding complete loyalty to his fellow Digidestined, and the other holding complete devotion to his people, the Nightmare Soldiers.

"My Lord, why are you so distressed? Have you know faith in your own judgment?"

Matt looked at Ophanimon thoughtfully, not quite sure how to answer her question. "It's not that, it's just, how can I be certain? How can I know, without a doubt, that this isn't some sort of mistake, that I'm not some sort of mistake." The teen's voice was pleading, begging the mega to ease his doubts.

"This is a strange world we live in, and an even stranger time. Everything that I once felt certain of, has dissolved, leaving me, to question our fate. But there is one thing in this time of questioning that I have never doubted, and that is the power of hope. It is true, that the glory, which this world once possessed, has faded, and that virtue is diminishing, but I have hope, that the Digital World will, once again, be pure. Whether you will be part of this struggle of hope, is up to you." Ophanimon explained calmly. "The only one who can decide if you are a mistake or not is you."

Matt nodded, taking some comfort in the angel's words. They seemed to make him feel more in control, like he could handle whatever happens next.

"I just wish that Piedmon had not left me with so many enemies." The teen expressed, putting the blame for his problems upon his predecessor for the first time.

"You feel that Piedmon is the cause of all of this uncertainty?" Ophanimon questioned, a little shocked by the teen's words.

"He was the one who went power crazy. If he had not attacked the West, then maybe, none of this would have happened." The blonde stated, as he dropped his head in defeat.

"Maybe." The angel agreed calmly, "But tell me, Yamato, have you ever considered what drove Piedmon mad?"

At this question Matt's head snapped back up, and he looked at the mega in bewilderment. "Azulongmon destroyed a great deal of his army. I always thought that's what pushed him over."

Ophanimon lowered her head, her gentle features taking on a look of sorrow. "No it was long before that, long before his conquest of the West." She explained sadly.

Matt watched the angel closely; he slowly began to feel guilty for upsetting her, though he wasn't certain how he had done it. Kindly he gestured to the large stone benches in the garden.

Ophanimon understood the silent question, and walked slowly to the benches and sat down.

Yamato waited until the lady was comfortable, then he too sat down, waiting patiently, until the angel was ready to speak.

"In many ways Piedmon was much like you. He had a great love, not only for his people, but also for the entire Digital World. He did everything he could to ensure the survival of the ancient ways, while also embrace new and better philosophies. All leaders of the Digital World had great respect for him. He ruled for centuries in peace, and it did not take long for myself and many other ancient megas to befriend him. However this time of tranquillity did not last forever." The angel began, her voice growing distant ,as she lost herself in the sorrowful memories plaguing her mind.

"I know much time has passed since then, but it seems like only a moment ago, that I found him there, pacing frantically in his throne room, like a caged animal. His eyes were burning with shock, confusion, denial, fear… he mumbled incoherently to himself, and it was some time before he noticed that I had arrived. Once his attention had fallen upon me, I wished it hadn't. I have never seen a sight so heartbreaking."

"Tears wheeled in his eyes, but he pushed them back and confronted me with dignity. I question him about his behavior, but his response made little sense, and even now, I am not certain what he truly meant. 'What are we but prisoners to our destiny. Pawns in a game that we can not control. No matter what power we gain, there shall always be another greater, so what are we but the tools in the more powerful's will. We are shackled by what destiny has chosen us to do. And I can no longer fight it; my time is up. And everything will end.'" Ophanimon finished quoting Piedmon's words, her head still lowered in remorse. "I never spoke with him again, for the next day he attacked the West."

Matt was silent for a moment, trying to see if he could find any reason behind the former Lord of the Nightmare Soldier's word, but no answer came. "And you never figured out what he meant by this?"

"No," Ophanimon replied sadly. "He would not see any of his former allies after that day. I believe he was ashamed to face us." She explained her theory thoughtfully.

Matt nodded, deciding not to question the angel's assumption, after all, she knew the fallen Lord far better then he did. "Piedmon was immensely powerful, powerful enough to seal away the four Digi-gods, so what could have possibly spooked him so much, that he snapped?" the teen mused out loud.

"A force stronger then the four Digi-Gods." Answered Ophanimon, she too, sounded as though she were working on the mystery.

"But I can't think of anything with enough power, or desire to do this. And I also can't believe that Piedmon would be intimidated so easily by threats."

"So, you don't believe what he said was true? That we are not prisoners to our own destiny?" the mega question softly.

Matt thought for a moment, considering every answer to the question, then replied. "No, I don't." he stated with firm resolution. "I don't believe that destiny is a binding chain. I think that, what destiny does is lay certain paths before us, but in the end we are the ones that must choose which path to take, and which to ignore. And no matter what road we take, I believe that in the end, we decide where the road will end up." He explained thoughtfully. "It's like you said, the only one that can decided if you are a mistake is yourself."

Ophanimon smiled then nodded. "Then what do you suppose lead Piedmon to such an unstable state?"

"Intimidation." Matt stated strongly. "Something, something very powerful, knew exactly what to do to control him, and that's what worries me. Whatever it was that got to him, surely, is still out there."

"And you feel that whatever it was, will come to claim you." Ophanimon replied.

Matt did not reply, instead he let his mind wonder. He finally understood, finally realized why the great angel had asked to speak with him alone, she already knew of this threat, she had come to warn him, so he would not fall subject to the same fear that ruled Piedmon. He wasn't certain if the knowledge of this threat's existence gave him peace, or disturbed him further.

"I thank you Lady Ophanimon for this information. And I assure you, I will do everything in my power to ensure peace in the name of the Digi-Core." The young Lord expressed confidently.

At this vow Ophanimon seemed somewhat troubled. Her head lowered in grief, but she did not speak on her concerns, instead she offered up this warning. "Just remember my Lord that peace, often has a high price, but it should never come at the cost of freedom."

Matt nodded in agreement; he wanted to question the angel on her sudden dolorous state, but decided not to intrude. What the angel wanted him to know she would tell him.

Ophanimon stood from her seat on the bench, her sight turned to where the sky had once glowed with the final light of the setting sun.

Matt too stood and turned his attention to the west, feeling for the first time, the cool of the night.

"Lord Yamato, there is one last thing I wish to give you, before I leave."

At these thoughtful words, Matt turned his gaze back to the archangel, and waited calmly for her to continue.

Ophanimon did not speak again, instead she held out her slender hand. At first nothing happened, but after a moment a dim golden light began to glow above her opened palm. The dim light looked like a fallen star, resting willing in the palm of an angel. After a moment the light grew brighter, and the gold slowly faded into soft silver. The silver glow radiated in her palm for a moment, and then the angel's hand closed around the light, causing all traces of it existence, to vanish.

Ophanimon tightened her grip, then took a few steps closer to Matt.

Matt tilted his head slightly in curiosity, then held out his hand, ready to receive his gift.

Ophanimon smiled then extended her own arm and dropped the gift in Matt's opened palm.

For a moment, the teen just stared at the trinket in his hand. He could not help but show his surprise at the sight of the small silver ring. The band was simply; there were no jewels to add color, no gold to add worth, only some strange engravements, in a language, which was alien to the blonde.

Matt took a closer look at the ring, turning it in his fingers then looked up at the angel in bewilderment. "I can not read the digi-code." He explained, slightly embarrassed by his own inadequacy.

"That is understandable, considering there are none who can." Ophanimon explained, amused by the blonde's troubled scowl.

"It is a language long forgotten by this world." She further explained.

"This is the Spiritual Ring, one of three ancient tools, used to help keep peace in this world. The ring was owned by a great mega angel, his soul was pure and his desire for unity and peace in the Digital World was boundless." As Ophanimon explained, a hint of sorrow filled her voice, at the thought of the ring's previous owner.

"Then why give this Ring to me?" Matt question, knowing that whoever first owned the silver band, must have had a great place in the female digimon's heart.

"It belong to a pure and virtuous soul, and it was his wish, that it be in the hands of another." She explained with a bittersweet smile.

"What happened to him? If I might ask." Yamato asked softly.

The same bittersweet smiled played on the angel's lips. "Long ago, when the Digital World was still young, the land and the digimon were different. We lived in a utopia, governed by three great celestial digimon. Each of these celestials possessed one of the three spiritual items, and used the power of these items, to keep peace amongst the ancient race. But sadly, nothing as wonderful as the old ways, can last, and as the digital world expanded, more of the virtue in our people began to fade. Many event lead to the final destruction of this old race, leaving only a few ruins to remind the world of what once was."

"This ring was owned by the greatest of the celestial digimon, and is one of the few things, which remain of the old ways. There was a time, long before the forging of the four regions, when a great darkness threatened to destroy this youthful world, and it is through the struggle of this forgotten race, that the digital world still stands today. The three celestial digimon, led the armies of the ancient race in a war against the darkness, but sadly, victory came at a heavy price, as many were destroyed."

"The few who remained alive after the war, settled in File Island, building a small society, governed under the only surviving celestial leader. A government was rebuilt, however, the race could not flourish as it once did, and so when new breeds of digimon arrived on the island, the ancient race left. Giving their right to the world, over to these, new creatures, and allowing the Digital entities to have full govern over the land and digimon."

Ophanimon stopped for a moment, knowing that she had the teen's full attention.

"There have been many ages to this world Yamato, but there has been one thing that has not changed, and that is the force that brought the first darkness upon the Digital World. The force that drove Piedmon made. It is still here, it still watches, waiting for the time, when it will find the ultimate pawn to finish it's plans for full destruction over the world."

Again Ophanimon paused, and Yamato could feel the intensity in her words, the weight of her warning.

"You are not immune to this age old cycle. It has seen you, felt your power, and it will come for you, just as it has done all Lord's before you. And when the time comes, you will have to face this demon alone. None will stand with, not even your fellow Digidestined. You will be abandoned to your own conscience, left too decided the fate of this world. And when this time comes, you will not remember me, or what we have spoken of, you will not remember your friends, your generals, or even your brother. All you will be aware of is yourself and a choice."

Yamato tightened his grip upon the silver ring in his hand. He found his mind spinning with the angel's words.

"Something to think about huh." The teen stated in a daze.

"Do not dwell on it now, Lord Yamato, take you journey one step at a time." Ophanimon expressed kindly, knowing that her words had greatly troubled, an already, troubled mind, but also knowing that what she said, had to be spoken.

"Your comrades died fighting this force, Piedmon was destroyed by obeying this force. If you could not beat it, then how am I suppose to?" he questioned weakly.

"That you must figure out on your own. All of us have been given the power to defy destiny. Fate would have it that you follow those before you, and fall to this evil, but are you really going to allow destiny to control you? To chain you?"

Matt jerked his downcast head up at these words, suddenly inspired by the Lady angel's courage.

"This is a great gift you have given me, Lady Ophanimon, and I swear to you that I will use it to avenge your fallen allies, as well as the Lord which came before me." Yamato vowed, solemnly.

"I know you will, Lord Yamato." The archangel replied with a smile.

The conversation ended, and the two walked on in silence. One with thoughts of her painful past, and another with thoughts of a painful future.

And the sun had set, leaving darkness to cover the land once more.

~*~*~

Tiny flames danced upon ashen wicks, and drops of melted wax ran down long slender candles, mixing with the pools of cooling wax, which formed on the rim of the candleholders. The candleholders, all of polished iron, littered the large room. Groups of small brad stands and winding vine like stands, were placed around the throne room thoughtlessly. The smooth onyx floor reflected the flickering light, as the soft night breeze gently brushed the flames, causing them to flicker merrily, as the only joyful objects in the room.

The carelessly placed candles really did not brighten the large, open room; all they served for, was a dim sense of comfort. A pale glow, barely seen by the teen sitting on his throne. They were like the stars, dim, beautiful, but not really necessary. They didn't give off enough light to illuminate the room, only enough to let the blonde know that they were there.

But none of this really mattered; the candles had faded from the teen's mind, as well as the cold darkness of night. He had blocked everything out, finding no use in dwelling on the bleak elements of the world at midnight.

He sat calmly on his throne, lost in the maze of concerns, which trapped all great leaders. Concerns for his people, his land, and his loved ones. Stray strands of golden blonde hair slipped over his face, concealing part of his right eye, but no hand went to push the strands away, instead they lay there, out of place and completely unnoticed by their owner.

The teen slumped low in his throne, both legs stretched out lazily, while his chin rested on his knuckles, and his elbow was propped on the throne's arms rest. His long red coat fell around him, covering most of the throne, and his bare toes stretched a bit, before he grew still once more. Like a statue, he sat, barely breathing, his body dead, but his mind racing.

The throne, shaped of solid silver with dark blue velvet cushions, felt the weight of its master upon it. Felt the weight of the many concerns running through its master's mind, like led pushing down upon its legs.

Matt had long forgotten that he was sitting on a rather uncomfortable throne, he had sunken so deeply inside himself that everything was like a distant illusion, and all that was truly real to him was his earlier walk in Eden and the lady angel's warning.

"You are not immune to this age old cycle. It has seen you, felt your power, and it will come for you, just as it has done all Lord's before you."

'But how can I stop it? How can I fight something, when I don't even know what it is I'm fighting?'

The questions circled his mind. They clouded his thoughts like a heavy fog, and he felt lost, lost in his own fear and lack of knowledge.

"Fate would have it that you follow those before you and fall to this evil, but are you really going to allow destiny to control you? To chain you?"

'She was right, I can't allow what happened in the past, to stop me from succeeding in the future. But I only wish, I could have learned more. There was so much I wanted to ask her. So much I need to know.'

He had thought about asking her everything. The wise angel knew so much of the Digital World before the separation of regions and before the creation of the Digi-gods. This was a part of the world's history that he knew very little of. The Digi-Core had only uploaded the more recent history into his mind, which was understandable considering the Nightmare Soldiers did not come into existence until much later in history. But he had wondered, why not let him know more?

'Was Cayla afraid that I would refuse this position if I had known before? She must have been afraid, I mean, she already lost one Lord to this evil. I'm sure the fear of loosing another must be very overwhelming.'

Matt leaned back tiredly in his seat, feeling, for the first time, the immense pain in his lower back from the extremely uncomfortable throne. Subconsciously a hand reached for the ring, dangling from a silver chain around his neck. He still wasn't certain why Ophanimon had given him the ring, and he also couldn't help but wonder who possessed it before him. But he tried not to let those questions cloud his mind. It was true that he now had a great curiosity about the Digital World's early history and the ancient races, but he knew his focus had to remain in the present.

'Deamon is still out there, and right now he should be the focus of all of my attention.'

His mind began to wander again, and he found himself unwilling thinking about his friends. He thought of the real world, his brother, the Digidestined, and everything that had transpired the other night.

As his mind began to drift a strange sense began to fill his being. A power, not native to the South, a power almost as great as the three megas that stood in this very room only hours ago.

He could feel it clouding his senses; it was as real to him as the cold breeze blowing through the open wall of the throne room. For a moment he wasn't certain what to think or how to react, but soon the shock of this new presence faded, and he was left angered. His muscles tightened in defense and the tension in his mind grew.

His teeth grinned together in irritation while his palms closed tight into fist. In his angered state he could only mutter out one world.

"Azulongmon."

The identity of his visitor, who was at the western platform, undoubtfully waiting for him, was unmistakable. The Digi-god of the East, the ruler of the wise and holy digimon, had come to the South. The teen could only hope that the mega dragon did not expect a warm welcome, because if so, he would be greatly disappointed.

With anger filling his being, and irritation circling in his mind, Yamato pushed himself off of his throne and walked calmly to the Western Platform, preparing himself for his first encounter with the greatest of all the Digi-gods.

~*~*~

The perfect rhythm of clock ticking echoed off of white washed walls. The circular device, filled with whir and wheels, was accustom to holding the fate of youth in it ticking hands. Many children had been sentenced to spend, what was to be their free time, locked in this room, due to poor behavior. Locked where time governed them, where only the pace of those long, slender, black dials decided freedom. Now the clock ticked louder then ever, proud to have another group of youth placed, unwillingly, in its grips.

Deep, dark brown eyes, watched the white circle, with numbers painted on, dully, the actually taunting of the clock never quiet registering in their owner's mind. An exhausted body slouched in a black office chair, legs stretched out comfortably, and a heavy head rested on a tanned hand, which was elevated thanks to a bonny elbow propped on a small leather arm rest.

The deep, and somewhat haunted, eyes shifted from the clock to a man, clad in white and, pacing frantically from one end of the small computer lab to other. The man's, once soft blue eyes now shook with wildness, wildness seen only in people who feel like what little control they had over things, was slowly slipping through their fingers.

It was expected that the young man would react poorly, but none had expected this crazed frenzy. When he first received the news he was shocked. His eyes darkened and grew distant, his body swayed as though he were going to faint, and that had seemed bad. A horrible response from someone who was so highly looked upon by this group of impressionable youth, to grow speechless and freaked so easily, but then it only got worse. The stunned silence faded away, and the man began ranting. He kept shouting why and how could this happened, and his distressed cries began to worry the youth. This was their mentor, their rock, and it was strange, almost frightening to see him with such a lack of control.

But the crazed shouting eventually stopped, and the room grew a bit calmer, still with all young eyes upon their rock. The man calmed, and soon control came back, and he sat. Sat with the Digidestined of Knowledge and the holder of Sincerity and Love. The two intelligent teens, spoke slowly, softly, as though they were dealing with a lunatic or a toddler. They informed the man of what little information they possessed, and questioned him gently on the few small facts he had gathered. He gave up his knowledge freely, and soon the three of them were hard at work, trying desperately to put the few misshapen pieces of this puzzle together.

The room grew clam once more, the tension faded, and the youth knew that the worse was over.

Tai smiled a bit as his eyes left the pacing man and scanned over the small computer room. It was a strange sight, but there was some comfort in it. The room was littered in jars of empty peanut better; cartons of devoured ice cream, and crushed soda and sardine cans. Children, and monsters, were spread out over the room, the majority of them sleeping, and that was comforting to the leader, to know that they could still rest easy, even in the midst of all of this doubt and pain.

Sora sat on a chair with her arms folded on one of the desk and her head resting on her arms, while Biyomon was perched on the back of the chair, both snoozed continently. Kari and Cody were curled up together in a corner, leaning on each other, while Gatomon spread out on both of their laps, and Upamon snuggled up next to Cody. Davis was spread out on one of the empty desk, with DemiVeem resting on his chest, both snored occasionally, and Davis mumbled, every once in a while, about pizza and soccer.

Joe sat on a bench, with his back leaned against the wall, and his feet propped on a chair, reading a medical book, with no signs of tiredness. Gomamon, on the other hand, had fallen asleep over an hour ago in his partner's lap. Poromon, Agumon, and Tentomon where all piled on top of one another, sleeping continently.

It was a good sight for the leader, seeing all of them relaxed and resting up, but he still worried for those, whose soul attention was upon their troubles. Izzy, Yolie, Ken, and Wormmon, were still crowded around the computer, putting every theory and strategy on the drawing board. Izzy would use his fast knowledge of the digi-port, and digi-vices, while Yolie would add an expert's opinion in programming and communication. Then Ken would offer his knowledge of data and digimon physiology, and Wormmon would put in his knowledge of location and regions of the Digital World. They were like a dream team, all of them having different, but valuable, knowledge about the Digital World.

Brown eyes moved from the team of geniuses, temporarily stopping on the still pacing man clad in white, then stopped on the main object of his concern. TK had been so quiet over the last hour. It had taken them until nine in he evening to finally get a hold of Gennia, and now it was a little passed midnight. From the moment Gennia arrived, and started his raving, TK's attention had fallen upon the large window in the room. The blonde pre-teen, moved his black office chair to the window and sat, quietly and unnoticed. Everyone else had either fallen asleep or found a, somewhat, productive way to occupy their time, but the blonde didn't move. He stayed glued, starring at the black world outside.

With a sigh the Child of Courage rose from his seat, ignoring the quiet conversation going on behind him, and approached the blonde's backside.

Patamon sat upright, and wide awake, in his partner's lap, his usually gleeful blue eyes starring out the window, with the same dullness that had clouded over TK's once bright eyes.

"How ya doing there shorty?" the brunette asked, as he pulled a chair out from a desk and sat next to the brother of his best friend.

"Shorty?" the pre-teen repeated, a hint of amusement in his voice, "Give me another year and I'll be taller than you." He expressed mockingly.

"Not funny." Tai pouted as he crossed his arms.

The smiles faded from both of the young men's faces, and the weariness of their situation returned.

"I've noticed you've been offal quiet lately, wha'cha doing over here?" the young leader questioned kindly.

"Thinking." Came the flat, and vague response, and Tai was forced to marvel at how much the simply reply, made the young boy seem so much like his brother.

"He'll be all right." Tai stated, trying to convince himself as well as the younger boy.

"Maybe, but I'm not so sure I will be." Came the honest reply.

"Well that makes two of us. But still…" Tai paused for a moment trying to find the right words. "Maybe it's time that we're not all right. I mean we've always been all right, maybe it's time for a change."

At this TK shifted in his chair, and looked at the older boy for the first time in the last hour. "What is that suppose to mean?" he questions skeptically.

"Well I guess it means that, maybe it's time to grow." The teen tried to explain, still not certain if he was making any since. "Sometimes we get in this place in our lives, where everything is all right. You know, you get into this routine, and everything is pretty good, sure there's the occasional misfortune, but for the most part, everything is all right. And we get dependent; we get so use to everything being all right, that we almost grow afraid of the unknown. Everything's good, so why make a change? Even if that change could be good, we still live by the motto if it ain't broke don't fix it. And that cripples use. All right, is good, but not being all right is real. Sure, if you move from all right you're probably going to experience pain and disappointment, but at least you'll be moving. Sure, all right is good, but moving, moving is real. Occasional disappointments and pain, is having proof that you actually lived."

TK listened to Tai closely, thinking over his words. "So what your saying is, I may or may not ever be all right again, but it's okay. Moving forward from all right, whether it be a good place or not, is just living."

"Basically." Tai explained, still not certain that, even he, fully understood his explanation.

"Thanks Tai," TK chirped, sounding happier than he had the whole night, "in some strange way, that makes since."

"Well I'm glad I could help." The brunette replied with a smile.

"If only there was a way to talk to Matt." Yolie expressed sadly.

"Don't worry about that, it's already taken care of." Gennia answered calmly.

For the first time TK's and Tai's attention, shifted to the group of problem solvers on the other side of the room.

"What do you mean, it's already taken care of?" Tai question suspiciously.

"Azulongmon is going to the South, to address the matter personally." The digital being explained with pride.

"You don' think there's going to be any fighting, do you?" Ken asked with deep concern.

"I don't know, both the South and the East wish to see the end of Deamon, but other than having that in common, they are worlds apart." Gennia stated thoughtfully.

'Matt please don't do anything you're going to regret.'

TK thought sadly to himself, as the rest of the awake children went back to work on trying to figure out what Deamon's next move might be.

~*~*~

Clouds blew ominously across the velvet sky. The dim glow of the moon barely, traveled passed the curtain of white, and only pierced the thinnest of clouds. The air was cold, as the sun had set many hours ago. The land was now ruled by darkness, controlled by shadows, and the South found strength in this time. The forsaken people of the South, were given control, once the sun had set and the light had relinquished its power to night.

Forbidden Valley was no exception to this increase in strength, if anything, the heart of the South gained more control, raising it above the rest of the continent. The shadows of the towering mountains, gave power to the night, and the dark forests welcomed midnight freely, loving the brake from the hot, oppressing sun.

It was the time of day when the South was at its strongest, and this is what greatly confused the young Lord, who slowly exited one of the empty rooms, of the grand Hall of the South, and made his way to the open night air. Matt walked slowly, almost ideally, up the winding stare case, which led to the Western Platform. His mind going over the many possibilities behind the digi-god's visit.

Matt made his way up the final steps of the stare case and walked onto the platform. The Western Platform, was once one of the smaller mountains, which was concealed by the larger mountains surrounding the valley. Sorcermon and the architects saw the forgotten peak as the perfect location for visitors to enter the hall. So the construction workers went to work, and smoothed the peak of the cliff, until it was like a mesa. Then they polished the top until it glowed.

Once the basic structure was completed, they lined the edges with eight pillars at Matt's request. The pillars represented the original eight Digidestined, of course, only Matt and his generals were aware of that. Attached to each of the pillars, was a torch, and these eight torches, were the only light placed upon the elevated mesa.

Matt stood alone, tall and proud, upon the platform. The wind blew strongly at this altitude, pulling at the teen's long coat, and playing with the bright flames upon the torches. Circling the platform from above, was a flock of Devidramon. The demon dragons were the guardians of the borders to Forbidden Valley. Normally they rested, encased in stone like statues, upon the many peaks surrounding the valley, but even in their hibernating state, their senses are strong, and the moment an intruder approaches they know.

The Devidramon did not attack Azulongmon when the holy dragon first arrived in the valley; instead they waited, knowing, that the master of the South, would tell them when it was time to attack. And so the obedient demon's waited, they flew above their master in a glorious air show, circling the platform like buzzards, and waited.

Azulongmon was there, concealed by the clouds, he watched, waiting to see if Yamato would command the attack.

Matt looked up, he knew the digi-god was there, he felt him long before he stepped onto the platform. The Devidramon flew overhead, and he knew they would not make a move until ordered, and so he snapped his fingers, signaling the end of the demonic air show.

The Devidramon silently departed, twelve went away, returning to their normal perches on the mountains, while four remained behind. These four swooped down to the platform, and landed on four of the tall pillars. Now there were two Devidramon on both sides of Yamato, leaving the pillars in front of him and the pillars behind unoccupied.

The young Lord knew that the four champion digimon would not be threatening to the great digi-god of the East, however they would serve as a warning, letting the mega know that Matt had little patients for him.

The clouds thinned, and soon a great light blue, transparent body appeared.

Matt looked up, watching the dragon closely. Slowly the great beast flew lower until at last he was close enough to speak with the waiting teen.

"It is good to see you, Yamato." Azulongmon began gently, knowing that he was unwelcome.

"Skip the pleasantries and tell me why you're here." The blonde shot back coldly.

Azulongmon nodded, never once loose his composure. "I have come to speak with you."

"Obviously." Matt replied flatly.

Azulongmon seemed to ignore the teen's cold exterior, and continued with what he had come to say.

"I have come to ask you to forget this insane notion of being Lord of the Nightmare Soldiers." The mega continued cautiously. "You are not like these digimon Yamato, you are a Digidestined. You have a responsibility to the light."

"That's all you've got? I expected more." Matt replied tiredly, then turned, preparing to leave the digi-god.

"I know what Cayla told you Yamato, that you originally were not going to become a Digidestined." Azulongmon shouted, causing Matt to stop dead in his tracks. "You should know that this is true, but if you had never come here then that would have been a mistake, you fit with the Digidestined, it is your place."

"My place…" Yamato whispered quietly to himself. For some reason this hit him hard, he had expected force, yelling and threats, but he had never expected pleading. He had never expected, that they would ask him back.

As doubt clouded his mind again, Matt found his hand slowly reaching for the trinket dangling around his neck. Shaking fingers gripped tightly upon the Spiritual Ring, and Yamato could feel it. He could feel the ring's power, could feel the very soul of the celestial digimon that bore it before him, hidden deep within the shinny metal.

"She never told you, did she?" Matt questioned softly, his words causing confusion to appear in Azulongmon's gentle red eyes.

Matt turned around when he received no reply, his hand letting go of its hold upon the ring. "Cayla never told you about what really happened to Piedmon. She never told you about the world before you and the other digi-gods." Matt now felt pity for the great digi-god; he felt pity for this entire generation of digimon.

"There was never a need to know of what came before us." The wise digimon replied calmly, keeping his front, even when feeling uncertainty.

"But if you don't know what mistakes happened in the past, how can you hope to avoiding making them in the future?" Matt questioned, a sort of urgency filling his voice. "You don't understand, and how can you? You were created for a purpose, and you have served that purpose, but there is more to the pain of this world then just the occasional crazed digimon. There is something much deeper, much darker." He explained, realizing fully for the first time that what Ophanimon said was true, he will have to face this alone.

"Yamato, the only thing I worry of now, is you, and that you will follow in Piedmon's steps." Azulongmon stated, finding the teen's words of distant danger too disturbing to consider.

"Well I won't." the teen replied calmly. "You should go Azulongmon, I have a lot to do before I return to the real world." Yamato stated, losing interest in the mega, as he began to go over what all needed to be done before he faced Deamon.

"You intend to return home?" the mega questioned in surprise.

"Of course." Matt replied with a smile. "I have an unfinished score to settle with Deamon." The teen replied before he waved his hand, signaling the Devidramon to escort Azulongmon off of his land.

The Devidramon took to the air, and Azulongmon went freely, knowing that he could do no more, then he already had.

Once the five dragons had faded into the distance, Matt began to pace the platform, his mind going of his situation.

'I have something to settle with Deamon, and I have forgiveness to ask of my friends.' He thought worriedly to himself.

"This new age has begun." The young Lord declared, as he went to summon his generals, knowing that returning home will be the most difficult test he has ever had to face.

~*~*~

Just to let you know, Pharaohmon, Anubismon, and Ophanimon are real digimon. The Spiritual Ring is an actually item in the Digimon card game, as well as the other two Spiritual items that I spoke of. So I have no clam to these things, if you want to use them don't e-mail me asking for permission, just go a head and use them.

Also, the vague story that Ophanimon told is not a rip off of season four, I plan to explain it better later, but the only real similarities are the three celestial digimon.

Okay now that that's over with, please go review and tell me what you think. I could use opinions on everything, since I'm a little uncertain about the quality of this chapter. Thanks for your reviews and thanks for sticking around, I know how long this took, so thanks for not giving up on me. Oh last thing is that there is only two more chapters after this one, so be prepared for * dramatic music * the end.