Welcome back, ya'll. This is Episode 03 of the Crusaders.

On a side note: Aerol, yes, I am very aware of how its like yours. Bear in mind, I need characters like Saito for some friction among the group, I'm sure you can understand. Anyways, I'm hoping that this, in your honest opinion, steers away from the thought that this is like your fic. Yes, I know they're similar, but I HATED writing that last chapter. I'm sorry if it was like yours. I didn't mean it to be like that… Anyways, on with the next episode.

The Crusaders Episode 03 – The Darkside Corporation's First Strike!

"…" Dialogue, character's speech.

Italicized  Thoughts

* * * * * Change of scenes

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Change of realities

A campfire blazes in the midst of the night, with five human children gathered around it. But, there are no normal human children. They are the Crusaders, the heirs to the power of the Digital World's saviors. I am Gabriella, the guardian of this world. I have chosen each child for their individual strengths, for they give off more of that trait then most humans do.

Takeshi. A kind, and gentle boy. Loyal to the end.

Aya. Perky and cheerful. A spirited girl.

Saito. Cocky and stubborn. A brave soul.

Kenichi. Calm and withdrawn. A voice of reason.

Megan. Wise beyond her years. A fountain of intellect.

But there is one problem.

They don't want to work together.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"I'm telling you! We should just go back to that lady and say we've changed our minds!" shouted Saito.

The group was now in the forest, and they had built a campfire to keep themselves warm. Things had been quiet for awhile, until Saito decided to revive the topic of how he didn't want to participate in this whole mess.

"Saito," said Kenichi, "just accept the fact that we're the only ones who can do this."

Saito scoffed. "Yeah. Easy for you to say. You're the one who went head over heels into this mess! I don't even want to be here!"

"…you know…I agree with Saito…" mumbled Aya.

Kenichi looked appalled. "Not you too! I can't believe your agreeing with him!"

Aya frowned. "Well, sorry for not wanting to risk my life!"

Saito nodded. "See? She's thinking about this through! We could all die here, Kenichi! Do you really want to die here? Do any of you?!"

"I don't." Said Takeshi.

"Me neither." Said Megan.

"…I would." Said Kenichi.

All heads turned to him, surprised expressions etched across their faces.

"What the hell?" said Saito.

"Are you outta your mind?!" asked Takeshi.

Kenichi sighed. "Forget it. Look, I'm going to sleep." Kenichi rose from his seat on the ground and walked over into the part of the clearing they were in where he was going to sleep that night.

"G'night, Kenichi." Said Megan.

Takeshi sighed. "This is some mess we've gotten ourselves into."

"No kidding!" said Aya.

"Hey, Saito!"

"Hm?"

"I agree with you, we should go back to the altar. But, its too dark now…how about in the morning?"

"Sounds good to me. Ladies?"

Aya nodded. "Sure! I'd give anything to get outta here!"

Megan sighed. "I guess so. But…what about Kenichi?"

Takeshi sighed. "He's already decided he wants to stay. We can't change his mind."

Aya, Megan, and Saito nodded in response.

Aya rose from her seat. "Look, I'm going to sleep too," she paused, "and if you guys decide to perv on me, you'll be dead!"

Saito chuckled. "Ah, but then you'll spoil my fun."

SLAP!

"OW! What was that for?!"

"For being a baka hentai, you idiot!"

Takeshi and Megan burst out into laughter, as Aya proudly smirked and made her way over to find a suitable sleeping spot. Saito just sat on the ground, massaging his red cheek.

* * * * * ( The next morning )

Takeshi awoke to the sounds of screaming, and the smell of smoke filled his nostrils.

Oh, shit! Looks like we won't be going to the altar this morning!

"Bout time you got up!" shouted Saito, "this whole forest's on fire!"

"What?!"

Aya appeared from behind Saito. "You'd better believe it, now we've gotta split!"

"But what about Keni-"

Megan stepped up this time. "We can't find him anywhere. He must have left in the middle of the night."

"Then that means that…"

"He could be in trouble? Most likely. But hey, he did say he would risk his life for this world."

"…"

Saito groaned. "Don't play the hero, boy! We've gotta get outta here, and fast!"

"Right!" Takeshi jumped up from the ground  and nodded, signaling his "friends" to follow him.

"Alright, Mr. Leader. Where to?"

Aya pushed him into the dirt, and Saito's sunglasses shattered. "Shut up, Saito."

"Hey! I paid 1000 yen for those!"

"Shut up, and deal with it."

Takeshi chuckled for a split second, before going back into "leader mode".

"Um…let's just find a path that leads out of the forest."

Aya groaned. "But that will lead us back to the beach!"

"Better than dying!" shouted Saito.

"Um…guys?" said Megan.

"Well, do you have any better ideas, Aya?" asked Takeshi.

"…well…I…"

"We're waiting, miss." said Saito.

"Um…guys?" said Megan.

"WHAT?!" shouted the three of them.

"…is it just me or is there a man covered in fire standing right over there…?"

Confused, the three turned into the direction Megan was pointing. A man that stood around 7 feet tall, blue eyes with white pupils, a mouth tied together with stitches, and a body covered in flames stood before him. His lips curled into a smile.

"Ha! At last, I have found them! The Master will be pleased with me!"

"The Master?!" asked Takeshi.

"Yes, the Master! He has sent me on a mission to destroy this forest, and to capture the Crusaders!"

"Wait…how does your Master know about us?!" asked Megan, fear mingling in her voice.

The flaming man smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know? Now die. FIREBALL!"

The flaming man outstretched his right hand a ball of hot flame was summoned into it. His lips curved into an insane smile. He threw the flaming sphere like a baseball, aiming it towards the kids.

Is this it? This is how I'm going to die? Thought Takeshi.

I'm gonna die…I'm gonna die….I'm gonna die! Thought Aya.

Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit! Thought Saito.

I can't believe I'm going to die like this… thought Megan.

And when all hope seemed lost…

"MAGICAL GAME!"

A stream of magic appeared from the trees, and collided with the flaming man's attack. A brilliant explosion appeared before the children, who were still in shock over what had just happened.

"Grah! Curse you!" shouted the flaming man.

"Leave the children alone, Meramon!" came a voice from the trees, "they have done nothing to you!"

"That's where your wrong! My Master wants these children!"

"MAGICAL GAME!"

The stream of magic appeared from the trees once more, this time colliding with the flaming man, Meramon. Meramon screamed in pain as the energy filled through his entire body. It wasn't long until his body turned into blue pixels, shifted around, and then floated into the air.

Takeshi was the first to recover from the shock. "What-just-happened…"

Megan gulped. "I was hoping you could tell me…"

"Do not fear me, Crusaders." Came the voice from the trees, "I mean you no harm whatsoever."

A figure descended from the trees above. It stood at about 5 feet tall, and it had a purple witch's hat, a tattered purple cloak, a golden staff, and tattered tan clothes. His mouth was covered by the collar of his cloak, and his skin was a grayish color.

"I am Wizardmon."

"Wi-Wizardmon…?" asked Megan.

Wizardmon nodded. "Yes. The being you just was a Meramon, and is a servant of the Darkside Corporation."

"Okay, slow down a second," said Saito, folding his arms. "What are you anyway?!"

Wizardmon seemed to smile from underneath his collar. "Then I see Gabriella never told you about the Digital World's inhabitants. Very well, I'll tell you. I am a Digimon, short for Digital Monster, but just call us Digimon. That Digimon that I just beat, Meramon, is another Digimon as well."

Aya had a pensive look on her face. "So…you 'Digimon' come in a variety of species, ne?"

Wizardmon nodded. "You learn fast, child."

"So…what happened to him? Meramon, I mean." Asked Takeshi.

"I deleted him."

"You what?"

"Deleted him. I believe you humans may know the term as 'death'"

"So…you killed him?" asked Saito.

Wizardmon nodded. "It is something that a Temple Guardian such as myself does not enjoy doing it, but it must be done sometimes. Your lives are far too important to lose."

Megan's eyes widened. "Wait a minute! Did you just say you were a Temple Guardian? As in, the Temples of the Crusaders we were told about?!"

Wizardmon chuckled. "Yes, I am. I am Wizardmon, Guardian of the Temple of Light. I am quite positive that one of you is the chosen Crusader of that element."

"…well…one of our own is missing…" began Aya.

Wizardmon shook his head. "No, it isn't him. I had encountered him as the sun rose this morning, and he asked me where the closest Temple was. I told him yes, but he wasn't giving off the Light energies. So, I sent him on a boat to the next temple, an island away from here."

"Speaking of where you sent him, where are we?" asked Saito.

"The Island of RAM. To the north, are the CPU Isles, and above that is the continent of Folder, where all the other Temples are located."

"You said something about a 'Darkside Corporation'. What are they?!" asked Megan.

Wizardmon sighed. "About a month ago, there was a revolt in our world's government. Those who wanted reform in the government, banded together to form the Darkside Corporation, at least, that's what it is called now. Awhile ago, they fought for their ideals, until this…thing appeared and somehow convinced the Reformers to join his army. And thus began the Darkside Corporation."

"Ouch." Said Saito.

Wizardmon fought the urge to burst out into laughter. "But, enough of that. It is dire that I escort you to the Temple of Light, so that the Crusader of Light may begin the Trials."

"Trials?" asked Takeshi, "What are those?"

"Alas, I cannot tell you. Even I do not know the answer. Apparently, it is a test to see if the Crusader is worthy enough to handle the power he or she receives when they achieve Soul Unison."

"…um…what's Soul Unison?" asked Aya.

Wizardmon did burst out into laughter this time. "Did not Gabriella tell you? It is a special function of your D-Gears, only obtainable once you complete the Trials of the Temple. Basically, you will 'merge' with the essence of the past Crusader, and evolve into a level of power of unlike anything you've ever seen."

"Sounds sweet." Said Saito as a mischievous grin spread across his face.

Megan groaned loudly, while Takeshi and Aya smirked.

"Time is of the essence. We move now!"

End Episode 03.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

And that's it for today. Sorry its short, but I need you guys to come back somehow.

Please remember to leave a review!

Gold Stars go out to the reviewer who guesses who the "Crusader of Light" is. ( which, in my opinion, is fairly obvious…but then again, I wrote the story ^^ )

Super Gold Stars go to whoever guesses what color Saito's eyes are. ( I know, I forgot to mention that…but the answer will be revealed next chapter! )

So…review!