-Hey all, thanks for the reviews n_n Oh, since some got confused, lemme state one thing again. An Everlasting Vow is the sequel to this story, and it's already finished and I've already got this story finished, too, it's just that this fic was taken out by an error. So I'm reposting it all over again o.o so read this story before An Everlasting Vow.

"So…what now?" Tai asked he looked at everyone. He put his arms behind his head.

They weren't ready…not yet. Tears were still streaming down their faces, mourning the loss of their dearest Mimi. Palmon, who had been crying the whole time, sat in silence beside Agumon who comforted her. Takeru was crying on Sora's lap as she stroked his head to calm him down. Mimi used to do that, too. Gomamon waddled over to Joe who was kneeling in front of the grave they all made in honor of Mimi. It was a high mound of mud with a cross on the middle. The shrine was showered with red and pink roses that each had placed. At the foot of the mound was Mimi's pink hat. Joe slowly got up and wiped the tear that escaped his eye.

"You okay, Joe?" asked Gomamon, pawing at him a bit.

"I-I just—got something in my eye," Replied Joe and quickly got up.

Izzy walked up to Tai, "Hey, Tai. I know we're all still pretty depressed—but, it's been a day already and we're like sitting ducks out here. We ha—"

"I know, Izzy. But not everyone's not ready to leave yet," Tai sternly replied and rubbed his nose and tried to regain his strong voice, "Where's Matt?"

"Right here," They all looked up and saw Matt walking towards them, hands hidden beneath his jeans like always. Matt stopped short as he caught glimpse of the shrine they made.

Tai saw the emotions swimming around his blue eyes, full of misery, confusion, and guilt, until now no one has ever seen Matt break down like he did earlier after hearing of Mimi's fate, they actually were surprised to see the human side of him. Tai walked up to Matt, "You gonna be okay, Matt?"

"Yeah, I'll live." He quickly responded.

"Hey look, it's Gennai!" said Biyomon. Indeed it was Gennai, everyone inched closer to his hologram.

"Digidestines," he started that sentence like he always does, "I know that the loss of our Sincerity has affected us all, but I'm afraid that I have more bad news…and I'm sorry to bring this onto you all, now."

"What are you saying, Gennai?"

"Well, I have received word that the Dokugomon Empire has increased and have been disturbing the Digiworld and the creatures that live here," Right away when they all heard the word, Gennai noted the clenching of their fists, their faces drooping down and the widening of their already wide eyes.

Sora stepped in, "But Gennai, why would the Dokugomon do this?"

"That I have no knowledge of yet, but if they do not get stopped soon—well, I am sure it won't be good. It appears that the torch has been passed down to a new leader."

"So where is their empire?"

"Hm, if my sources are correct, they appear to be up north at the foot of Infinity Mountain. They dwell among the dark forests. You need to head there as quickly you as you can," he said, "But be careful, they're more dangerous than they seem and there are eyes lurking at every corner, but so are alliances," And with that he disappeared.

"Well, come on gang," Tai started, "We better get going before it gets dark."

"B-but, Tai," protested Palmon, "I can't digivovle without—"

"I know. We're just gonna find some other way Palmon," Palmon sniffed, "Look guys, I know we're all still depressed and all but, we have to do what we came to do. You all know that Mimi wouldn't want us to quit just like this all because of her," There were no response after that, letting go was always hard but.

"Those Dokugomon will pay for what they did!"

"We'll make their king pay for what they've done to the Digimon!"

After a while of that they were finally off. As they left, they all took one last glance at the pink cowboy hat that stood looking over the lake; its rims were slightly covered with rose petals and dots of light that escaped the shade the leaves provided. Matt slowly dragged behind and stopped short as he came by it. Hands in his pockets, eyes misty with tears, he looked at it with a heavy heart, trying to find something to say that would put his feelings at rest…

"Well, I don't really know how to say goodbye, so I won't. Because you were right, Meems. I'll never lose you, as long as I don't forget you," he paused. "But I do regret ever letting you slip out of my hands without telling you how I feel, but I guess I can't really do anything to change that. But move on," A smile crept across his face. "But it doesn't matter anymore, because every minute, every second of memory I made with you will always be mine. And I will keep all these memories locked up in my heart, forever."

And Matt ran up to catch up with the others.

A furtive shadow crept among swiftly crept among the trees of the forest. It was dark. Or at least in the forest it was. There were so many trees, vines, and moss that the only lights were the creatures red eyes. The creature was Dokugomon. It crawled into an abyss deep within the vines that led to an even darker place. Trees that were linked together with cobwebs that were filled with sleeping Dokugomon surrounded this place. From the hole, there was a vine walkway leading to a huge black willow tree. The Dokugomon quietly crawled towards the willow tree and was greeted by an unfriendly Dokugomon slightly bigger than he was, the creature spoke in a shrill voice.

"Kaoru, I bring you news concerning the digidestin children." The creature slightly bowed.

The bigger Dokugomon walked out of the tree, "Well? Out with it!"

The digimon shrank in fear but continued, "Well, they have heard of our empire and queen and are heading this way to stop us."

The Digimon called 'Kaoru' was in silence for a minute, "Hmm…Your Highness will not like this," he looked at the creature, "Pick a four and no less of your strongest soldiers, head towards the Digidestines, but do not let them know of your presence and keep an eye on them. Do anything to keep them from ever reaching our territory." The creature nodded and crawled away into the darkness.

Kaoru's red eyes wandered up to the tree. A sudden cold wind whirled through the dark leaves, the leaves shifted and a tiny patch of light shone. As the light shone through, a small pendant was revealed; it was a black gem, in the shape of a teardrop. It was hanging from a creature up the tree. Its malevolent red eyes were filled with emptiness.

"Well?"

Kaoru bowed, "Your Highness, you need not to worry. I have sent some scouts to get rid of them as soo—"

"I don't want your excuses. Just get rid of them at once!"

"As you wish…" hiding a small grin

The creature smiled, "One down…six more to go," she looked down, "You may go."

And the Dokugomon was gone.

Tai ignored what Sora was saying to him and looked at everyone, they all seemed so tired from walking nonstop for three days. They were on their way to the Dokugomon Empire. He noted that everyone had been doing pretty well since Mimi's death, even Palmon was smiling at times. His chocolate eyes wandered over to Matt who was dragging behind. He had always felt that there was something between his friend and Mimi—he noticed how Matt reacted when they had found out about her. He wanted to be there for his friend, really he did, but like everyone else, Matt just shuts him off. It's like he lives in a whole different world from everyone else. There was always this dark, mysterious atmosphere surrounding him and everything coming from other people he always thought a white lie. But that's what he liked about Matt.

"Hey, Tai! Are you even listening to me?!"

Tai snapped out of his trance, "Huh? W-what? Did you say something, Sora?"

Sora flailed her arms, "Forget it!" and walked ahead leaving him.

Tai wanted to apologize but he just couldn't shake off the feeling that something wrong's bothering his friend. He dragged behind to talk to him, "You okay, man?" He put a hand on Matt's shoulder.

Matt saw that his friend only wanted to help him and he thought he'd give him a break this once, "Like I said, I'll live."

"Y'sure?" Tai smirked, "Look, I know you miss Mimi and all, I mean, you can't hide everything from me."

Matt smiled, "Thanks, Tai. Thanks." That's pretty much all he could say. Tai smiled and went to catch up with Sora. Matt looked over to his brother. He was laughing again, he was playing around with Patamon and Gabumon. He looked around at everyone, even what had happened to Mimi affected them all, they were all still able to move on and go on with their lives. He looked down on the ground, it's hard to let go, he thought.

"Are you okay, Matt?" it was Takeru.

A smile crept on Matts' face, "No. But I'm getting there." Takeru and Matt suddenly bumped into the others who seemed to have stopped in their tracks. Matt looked at Joe, "What are you doing?"

Joe, hand shaking like mad, pointed ahead. It was a Mammothmon. Matt and Takeru froze as they saw the gigantic digimon standing right in front of them, its eyes staring right down to theirs. Tai quickly regained conscious and yelled beside him.

"Agumon, digivovle to—"

The digimon quickly stepped in before Agumon could do anything, "Oh no, please, I don't mean any harm. I was just passing by and  thought you were the Dokugomon—terrible digimon they are. Please don't make me fight, I wouldn't want to hurt you children."

They looked at him, "Well, uh—" started Tai.

"Excuse me," interrupted Izzy, "But would you in any chance know where the Dark Forest is?"

The Digimon shivered when he mentioned that name, "Dark Forest? Why would you want to go there?" he whispered, "That's where those Dokugomon are."

"We know," Sora said, "That's why we're going there. We're the Digidestines, it's our duty to protect the Digiworld. Would you please show us the way to the Forest?"

The creature thought for a moment, "Well, I guess it wouldn't hurt to just show you. Let's go!" They all cheered and followed the jolly brown giant.