The New Kids will find their Powers in Chapters 8, 9, and 10. J You have to be patient! No, I do not own Digimon: Digital monsters. You just like to hear that again and again, don't you, you little fiends? ^_^
Children of the Digital:
Part Three: Secrets of his Butterfly and Being of Life Again?
By Debbie (Dai-chan)
Hakata Cleo halfheartedly stepped in her boyfriend's room.
She always liked the room. It was always clean, which could be unusual for a typical teen boy. It had a nice scent of fresh air, the light breezes drafting from outside the open window. The bed was neatly made, as if it was never been slept in. The bookshelves above the bed were free of dust, the books in perfect order. But she didn't pay attention to the room this time, but only Koushiro.
He had his back to her, leaned forward on the desk with his elbows rested on the surface. She couldn't see his face, but then she noticed the faint reflection on the window. He was expressionless.
"Red . . .?" Cleo tried to use her favorite nickname to rouse him, but he didn't respond. "Koushiro, please, look at me."
"You lied to me," the blunt answer pushed her guilt deeper in her throat. His voice was hard, without emotion.
"I didn't mean to."
"You never told me you are a Digidestined."
Cleo bit her lower lip and entwined her hands. "If you are willing to listen, I will explain everything."
For a brief moment, she thought he wasn't enthusiastic to listen, but then he whirled around on his chair with a swift motion and crossed his arms. His black eyes were even darker than the darkness she had struggled against. He said nothing, just waiting.
She exhaled heavily, her eyes on elsewhere than him. "Okay . . ." She took a seat on the soft bed and hugged a pillow close to her chest, trying to prepare details she meant to make clear to her friends. Her voice was awkward, but somehow relieved in tone.
"Yes, I'm a Digidestined, like you. I know Gennai said I wasn't, but he was wrong. You already knew how I got to the Digiworld and got the Crest of Heart. Okay, after than everything was the same as you told me, you returned here to fight Myotismon, and then you returned back to battle the Dark Masters and Apocalymon.
"Now, you told me about being trapped out there with Frankie. You then found your Digistones and got the burn scars. Well, guess what? I got them, too."
He expressed surprised disbelief as she leaned forward and opened her hands. He reached to touch the thin burn lines that were almost unseen, threadlike and white, just like the Old Kids' scars. The burn lines were formed into a half-heart, rugged on one side where it was harshly ripped apart from its other side, along with a tiny four-pointed star set in the hollowness of the half-heart.
"You are telling me that you did have a Digistone like ours?" he quietly mentioned.
"I got the marks when I was ten, about the same time you got yours. I know it's impossible, since the time spans were different between the worlds at that time, but it was true. That night, I woke to a voice I recognized as Dewimon. On my bed, there was a stone shaped like a seashell with my crest symbol on it. I held it, and it burned on my palms. Then, all of a sudden, I was sucked through my computer, and I got to the Digiworld. There, I first met Prophetmon, who explained everything happening lately."
Koushiro sent a moment observing her palms, then sat back, his face uncertain. "How about this? How did you get to the Digiworld without using a Digivice?"
She nodded briefly, expecting such a question. "I mean to tell you about that. There are very few Digidestined that have psychic powers, strong enough to walk the Digiworld without having to use a Digivice."
"How?"
"The barrier between the two worlds is solid, much like stone, with no doors to enter or exit unless you have the right keys. You used your Digivices to open the right doors. But after you returned here with Frankie's crest power, not your Digivices, the barriers lost the doors for your Digivices. You could say the barriers changed the locks. Because of that, you need different keys to open other doors."
"The D-3s" he comprehended.
"Right. Now, the Digidestined with psychic abilities are called Digital Walkers, or Digiwalkers, because we can walk the Digiworld freely." The way Cleo pronounced the word 'walk' was odd; it was accented with a jingle as if by a bell. "Digiwalkers have the ability to alter the solid barrier into a watery one. We can easily slip through it without having to open any door."
Koushiro had the light disbelieved expression as he understood. "How did you find out about it?"
"Prophetmon told me that I was capable to travel through the Digiworld with my mind. Remember when I was so sick that I wanted to escape from it? That's when I walked through the Digiworld's barrier and met you guys. I've been walking since."
"I heard you said 'we'. Are there any others?"
"Kari is also a Digiwalker."
He reacted with astonishment. "Kari is a Digital Walker? How could you know?"
She made a light smile at that. "Don't you ever think it is strange that Kari has a way to know that something will happen? She does have psychic abilities, though not as strong as mine. She doesn't know that she is a Digiwalker. I'm responsible to help train her to take control of her psychic abilities, or she will get trapped. She could walk into any world other than our worlds and get ensnared. I can't allow that to happen. I must watch her."
He looked intently at his girlfriend with new respect. "You are truly the Watcher?"
She nodded. "I'm the Watcher of Heart. I was called that because I watched you. I watched you fighting the Digimon Emperor. I watched you fighting dark Digimon. I watched you defeating Myalomyotismon. I watched everything you did."
Koushiro wasn't astonished. During those battles, he could feel that someone was there, hidden, watching. He even attempted to take a full scan of the area to find out whom, but that person must be clever enough to escape as quickly. Iori stated that during the last battle between Black Wargreymon and Oikawa, he sensed a presence nearly, though to stand on the roof of one of the buildings. When Black Wargreymon sacrificed his body to seal the gate, he thought he heard a voice saying, "Good-bye, friend."
But he was not sure if this person was really Cleo. Black Wargreymon never had a change to become a loyal friend; he died too quickly. He scrutinized the petite girl before him, sitting cross-legged on his bed, his pillow hugged tight in her firm arms. Her jade eyes were clouded, perhaps with shame that she didn't really tell anything of this to her friends about being a Digidestined. He wondered what made her so silent about it for the four years.
He was contented that she did tell everything she could. He knew she disliked keeping secrets if they were meant to harm. She probably thought it was awful to tell her friends abruptly that she was a Digidestined after all and lose the trust from them just because she kept the secret. He wasn't hurt inside, just disappointed that she didn't tell that to him. Still, he did trust her, and he wondered if the other kids would accept her as a Digidestined. They did mention that they wished her to be a Digidestined, but he wasn't sure if they would even accept her after she lied to them.
But there was something about her that he grew curious about. He just happened to think about the Last Digidestined. If Frankie truly was the Last Digidestined, then Cleo was already a Digidestined long before Frankie was discovered. And if she was a Digidestined, which would mean that she would have . . . He decided to test her to see if she told the whole thing. He casually leaned back, saying, "The next thing you might say is that you do have a Power, but we know it's unlikely."
Cleo jerked at his words, her jade eyes meeting his eyes, and he knew. She appeared self-conscious, averting her head. He lightly grimaced, couldn't believe that his theory of her was true.
"I can't believe it. I don't believe it. There are only ten powers to Nature! Akemimon never mentioned about an eleventh power."
She answered back gawkily, "Akemimon doesn't know two things – he doesn't know about me, and there is an eleventh power."
"What's your power?"
"Um, there is a power linked with all the ten powers, even Life and Death. Without it, the ten powers would not work together, could not cooperate. Izzy, you know about the five senses?"
He nodded. "Yes, touch, hearing, sight, smell, and taste."
"What about the sixth sense?"
"The sixth sense . . ." He contemplated this over, trying to understand what she tried to mean. Then he noticed her gently tapping the side of her head. "Oh, psychic powers, of course."
"Power of Mind," she mentioned. "Nature's not only physical or mental. It's also psychic. Psychic powers help to cooperate with the natural powers, letting them understand what the other powers need. Without it, it would be chaos. My power is general, not specific, like your Lightning Power. Let me show you."
He watched as Cleo stood up, gazing around for something. Finally, she noticed the several books on one of the shelves. Her eyes narrowed as if in concentration. Slightly, the books began to rock back and forward, and then, one by one, they slipped off the shelf. He retorted to catch them, but to his amazement, the textbooks hovered in the air, just like downy feathers. They slowly floated around his head, almost like dancing to a playful tune.
"Telekinesis," he murmured in admiration as he watched the dancing books.
She formed a small grin, keeping her gaze on the books. 'Yes, that's right, Red.'
He jumped at that. All of a sudden, there was a voice, her voice, inside his mind. He didn't hear it, as he thought so. Inside, his mind, he couldn't hear the words, but instead saw them. It was like an invisible pen engraved her words, colored in iridescent colors, much like the glow around her before, in the thick blackness of his mind, burned for a moment, just long enough for him to comprehend the message, then they were gone, as if were blown away by a breath. He didn't read the message. He knew it, like he knew himself, knew the essence of the words. It was very queer, yet inspirational, like he was feeling her essence in his mind.
'It's alright, Izzy,' Cleo was sending another mental message, meant for reassurance. 'I'm talking via telepathy. That's something you have to get used to.'
With a brief wave of her hand, the floating books hovered back to their former positions on the shelf, now silent and undisturbed. She returned to her seat, again embracing the pillow. She had her eyes lowered, averted away. Koushiro made a small exhale and went to sit beside her.
He whispered gently, "Why didn't you tell us? Why did you keep this a secret from us for four years? Don't you trust us?"
She suddenly shook her head, as if denying the questions. "Oh, I do trust you!" Then she became reserved, uncomfortable for some reason. "It's just . . . Prophetmon said it's best if you find me instead of me finding you. I wasn't ready."
Koushiro wrinkled his face in light suspicion. He remembered when he took his first glance to the short Digimon, he immediately thought Wizardmon was alive at all, but he was mistaken when the Digimon spoke with and tranquility, unlike the solemnity and boldness of Wizardmon. Still, the resemblance of Prophetmon was remarkable; the colors may be different, but the appearances were much the same.
But he wasn't sure if he could trust him yet. Ever since Amayamon corrupted him, he, along with Kimika and Jyou, became a bit more wary of Digimon than the other Digidestined. He knew he shouldn't be like this since not all the Digimon were dark, but the haunted experience of being controlled by the living darkness was terrifying and pained. It affected him deeply.
"You always obey Prophetmon?" he muttered skeptically.
She glowered at him, daring him to say a word against the Digimon. "He's a good Digimon and a dear friend. I trust him. Izzy, why do you distrust him?"
"I didn't say I distrust him. I've learned not to trust too easily. I know you trust him, but I don't see why I should trust him."
". . ." Cleo seemed to ponder with something and then lowered her gaze. "There is something else that I should tell you guys. When I first met Prophetmon, I felt friendship in him, but also loneliness. I think he's sad, but I don't know what he's sad about. He told me that he is worried for us because we have to face the Final Evil."
"Is there a way for us to stop the Final Evil?"
"Yes." Cleo then reached her hand under her white pullover and drew out the brass tag from around her neck. Her fingers lightly touched the glass screen that protected the fragile lilac-colored crest. "He says that my crest holds the weapon to save both the past and future and stop the Final Evil."
Koushiro gazed at her with sharp black eyes, appearing to measure the newest Digidestined from his knowledge of her secrets. She seemed innocent, almost puzzled of herself. "Is he serious?" he spoke softly.
"Very."
He held up an opened hand, and knowing what he wanted, she silently placed the crest on it. He attentively scrutinized the symbol of a half-heart, one side harshly ripped from the other side as if by an angry hand, with a tiny four-pointed star within. The crest had been broken in half when it was found, but it was now healed by the Warder's blood. His blood. Koushiro remembered as he closed his fingers upon the crest. He recalled that the crest never glowed before. It was much alive, he knew it, but it never did anything, not even helped Dewimon to digivolve; he was aware that Cleo had no Digivice, but the crest could glow anytime, and it never did. The crest was one of the most mysterious objects the Digidestined had ever received.
"How could this frail crest hold the weapon to alter fate itself?" he whispered in bewilderment.
Cleo was silent as she got her crest back. "I don't know. I don't know."
Koushiro gazed at her carefully, but she said no more. He was also quiet, thinking how to change the subject, for he could see that she was uneasy to talk any further about it. He then recalled about Prophetmon saying that she was a Digidestined, but she cannot show herself to the Digidestined. He wondered about that. "Cleo . . . Can you tell me why Prophetmon said it's better for us to find you, not you finding us?"
Cleo hugged herself, keeping her gaze down. "What he said is not just because I didn't tell you about myself. I was being too frightened."
"Frightened? Of us?"
"No, of myself. When I first got my power, I never understood why I was destined to have it. Then you and the others trusted me just enough to tell me about your powers. You are so comfortable, having no hatred or doubt about having them. They are part of you. You accepted them. I couldn't. It's just too hard."
He understood. "Is that because you don't want to be different?"
"A freak," she ineptly murmured.
Koushiro just smiled. "When we told you about our secrets, did you think we are freaks?"
Cleo also smiled, but with penitence. "No, I thought you had wonderful gifts. But why me?"
"Why us?" he said calmly. "That's the same question we'd been asking for four years. We don't know if it is destiny or just a coincidence. We just happen to have these abilities to control Nature. You do have the ability to control Mind, from your little demonstration. I could say we are 'lucky' to be chosen to have these powers because the experiences helped us to become whole inside. Before we met each other, we felt empty, unfinished. You seem complete when I see your power. Maybe it's the reason we have the powers – to become fulfilled."
She listened sensibly to his words, feeling light in spirit. She now wished that she had told her friends about herself earlier. She now wished she did that earlier so she could help fight for the two worlds' peace. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier," she whispered lowly, almost muffled from behind the pillow.
He ran gentle fingers through her ivory hair, and then took her in his arms, resting his chin onto her head. "Now our wish came true."
"What wish?"
He furtively smiled. "The wish that you are one of us."
He heard an amused giggle from her; she knew his scheme already. She turned her gaze at him, her eyes holding affection. "Aw, Red, you just always know how to make me feel better."
He tightened his embrace, suddenly looking serious. "I'm glad. I hate to see you sad."
She seemed surprised, and then grinned. "Don't worry, Red. Nothing will take me away from you."
***
Everything he saw was dark and grey, and the citadel was as black as the empty night sky.
Demidevimon remembered seeing the place before and only once, and yet the memory was vivid. The citadel was built on the top of a cliff that was the boundary of a beach below. If anybody was down there on the beach, there was no way for him to get out of there except by sea or air. The cliff was too wide, too steep, acting like a faithful guard. The beach sand was light grey, soft to the eye, and the shore was often washed down by the black waters of the sea. Two shelves stood at an inlet in the center of the beach, each reaching for sky, facing each other. On one shelf, there was a white lighthouse, made of marble, shining pure white light, the only other color than grey and black in this gloomy place. On the other shelf, a twin lighthouse stood, made of black onyx, also shining light, this time pitch-black, blacker than the waters.
He found it fascinating to watch the two lighthouses. To him, the lighthouses seemed so like the two forces of light and darkness, constantly shining, constantly against each other. This place was like a world without color with just black, grey, and white left to represent life and reality.
The bat turned his eyes to the citadel on the cliff. Even though it was a citadel, it was miniature in size. It wasn't even the same as a mansion or manor, but modest and simple appearance. The citadel wasn't made of rock or wood or anything, either. It was made of the living darkness itself, made by the Daemon Mother. But the darkness wasn't the ugly, bloodcurdling darkness. It was the night darkness, welcoming and soothing. It had the same feeling of peacefulness when you slide into undisturbed slumber full of dreams; whenever you glance upon the citadel, you feel like you want to fall asleep, protected by that building, and dreamed endlessly.
Demidevimon was exhausted from flying for the whole day. He wished not to observe the building with affection, but just want to have a restful sleep, easing his sores. Still, his mother was the first thing required to see before his sleep. He went for the citadel, searching for a window or a porthole to enter. He was there only once, and he attempted to remember which one that led to her personal chamber. He noticed a small window just below the steeple and sent for it. There was no light glowing inside; the mother had no need to light to see. The dawn light was enough for him to see inside.
When the citadel was diminutive from the outside, the inside was the very opposite. The chamber was massive, the ceiling unseen because it was too far upward. The dim rays could not even touch the opposite wall of the window. It was also empty, isolation hanging in the air, except for a single throne standing in the center.
He flew forward to perch lightly on the headboard of the plain-looking throne. He could sense his mother present; naturally, she was hidden. She didn't like to be seen, not yet.
He kept his eyes on where he thought he sensed his mother, and whispered, "Mother, I'm here."
Somewhere, he could see a section of the darkness shifting delicately, as if alive, and that section seemed to take on a shape of a humanoid, cloaked by blackness, too vague to see the details. It moved forward the throne. As it slid over the dawn light rays, it seemed that the darkness swallowed them up, transforming the light into darkness. Then a willowy hand withdrew itself out from the darkness. It looked femininely human, and the smooth skin was so pale that it was ice-white, beautiful and cold. The hand was like a ghost hand, floating against the black surroundings.
The hand moved closer to Demidevimon and lovingly stroked his cheeks. Closing his eyes, he pressed against the hand, wondering how come that when she was the essence of evil, she had a gentle, doting touch. It was so strange, but the touch was of a mother's touch, tender and true.
"You obeyed me well," her voice whispered from the darkness. Her voice was warm, unlike the chilling and sharp voices of the Villains. Still, her voice was as warm as ice. Ice can be warm to you if you embraced the essence of chilliness and rejected the warmth given by the sun. The warmth from the sun was too intense. The warmth from ice was pleasant.
Demidevimon attempted to see her face in the darkness, but couldn't. He hasn't seen her face ever since he was reborn; the only thing that acknowledged her existence was the ghost hand. He had heard her words and said, "You needn't doubt me, Mother. I'm loyal to you."
"Indeed, you are," the Daemon Mother spoke like a fond mother. The ice-pale hand disappeared into the darkness. "You do know the result if you betray me."
"Yes, Mother," Demidevimon truly said with apprehension. He didn't doubt her word. She had the ability to delete any Digimon with a simple wave of her hand. She didn't, though, had said that he was too valuable to her. But she did show the punishment by forcing him to watch a harmless In-Training Digimon that mistakenly entered the territory. Seeing the small Pagumon's face full of unspeakable horror gave him shudders, and his loyalty to her grew to a greater extent. He would never dare to betray her.
Daematermon inside the darkness seemed to smile; the blackness shifted with approval, like a mother pleased to see a child obeying her rules. "Now, tell me, son, what did you see?"
He began to report with a steady voice, "The world is still heavily tainted and weak from Myalomyotismon's darkness. I doubt it will be healed any sooner, not even with the Martyr's added energy. The Digidestined are steadily patrolling the lands, had already destroyed the Control Spires. I observed that in recent days, the children are involved in rebuilding Villages more often than watching for danger."
"No commotion?" she voiced airily.
He cracked a slight sneer. "The Digimon are too preoccupied in restoring the world to notice anything else."
Daematermon didn't say more, unmoving in the darkness. He only can presume that she was thinking of something. It was hard to tell if she was content of displeased of his report. He then became aware of his sore joints and muscles in his wings from flying so long. He winced as he involuntarily flexed to stretch the muscles and caused a great yawn that he hurriedly stifled. He never felt so tired like that before, and the darkness that filled the empty chamber pursed him to take a nice doze.
But he could still sense the presence of his mother in the chamber, and he assumed that she did have something for him since she didn't depart. He spoke quietly, not wanting to disturb her, "Mother, what do you wish me to do now?"
For several seconds, she didn't answer, but then she finally voiced, "For now, I wish you to remain at my side. I will explain my plans and aid you getting prepared. I believe you will help me find the crest."
He heard anticipation in her voice. It was not a question of suggesting or pleading. It was a demand. He often wondered why this mysterious crest that he never heard of had such a great influence over her. She seemed confident, believing that she will discover it. Something about the Last Battle, she said. He was perplexed, couldn't remember the prophecies about it. But if this crest was the reason of the Last Battle that will decide the fate of the two words, she must have a reason. But he wasn't going to question her about it. He did one time out of curiosity. Her single glare was enough to freeze him to his bones.
"Yes, Mother," he said carefully. "I swear I will seek and annihilate the crest before the Last Battle."
"Make sure," she said, her voice growing warmer like ice crystals. "I cannot risk the chance any longer."
***
After he concluded his details, Koushiro watched the reactions of two of his close friends. Taichi was standing near an empty bench, crossing his arms. He had the harsh expression that he often bore whenever he found something disapproving to his thoughts. He closed his pale tan eyes and Koushiro couldn't tell if the eyes supported the same harsh look. Beside him, Kimika had the opposite expression of troubled insecurity.
Behind the teenagers, screams and yells of encouragement and challenge filled the air. Spectators were cheering for an off-season soccer game happening at the small stadium. In fact, the kids were supposed to support for one of the teams, which grouped Daisuke and Ken together. The other New Kids and their Digimon joined in, sitting on a lower bench somewhere, unaware of the absent teenagers, who had sneaked out.
It was the day after Cleo was discovered that she was a Digidestined, the Watcher of Heart, and Koushiro decided to update Taichi and Kimika.
"So, it's true," Kimika murmured with faint incredulity, as if she was almost expecting it. "Cleo is really a Digidestined. But why didn't she tell us?"
"It wasn't her time to help because she wasn't ready," Koushiro responded. "She wanted to help very much, but she was unprepared for any of this."
Kimika looked uncertain. "That darkness – has it really spread?"
The redhead grimaced. "Yes, Kim. It's starting to spread over the world again."
"Is that what you saw yesterday by the Village?" Taichi then spoke, opening his eyes to gaze sharply at him.
Koushiro couldn't resist an acidic sting that bit at his left wrist, and he restrained his right hand from scratching at it. His voice was thick, "I can feel it. It's poisoned, foul."
Kimika tucked fists under her chin, appearing smaller than her lithe height, and voiced quietly, "I thought we finally destroyed Myalomyotismon's darkness."
Taichi made a dejected grunt. "Remember, the Digiworld is still weak. It's going to take a lot of time to restore it back, even with Oikawa's energy."
The black-haired girl sat down on the bench. "I wish it is over."
Taichi cast a sympathetic glance at his intimate, and then glanced back to the redhead. "Izzy, how could Cleo ever know about the Final Evil?"
Koushiro jerked, taken back at the strange voice. He sounded hardened, intense. He knew that meant Taichi's mild temper was beginning to boil. "Well, Cleo told me Prophetmon informed her about what was happening. He's the one who sent Yolei the message."
The leader almost growled, to the surprise of both teenagers, his eyes narrowed. "How could I ever know Prophetmon is trustworthy?"
He only gazed back with astonished puzzlement. Taichi was never that irate. There must be something about what he said that provoked his temper. He visibly flinched at the blazing tan eyes, and knew that if Taichi didn't take control of his temper any sooner, Koushiro feared that he was going to unleash his power.
Kimika also noticed his reaction. She quickly stood and held a firm hand on his arm. "Tai, what's getting in you? You sound upset."
Taichi's displeasure did cool down, though he was still harsh. "I have every right to be."
Then Koushiro realized that Taichi was upset about Cleo. He didn't know what to do to convince him to trust Cleo again. Sure Cleo did lie, but that was because she had to. She wasn't ready. But neither did the older kids. How can he explain that to Taichi? "You have to ask Cleo, Tai. She will explain about this better than I."
"She lied to us," was the Master's answer.
The Warder's lips suddenly contorted into a knowing sneer. "Remember, you were the one who told us to lie to the New Kids about our powers."
The older boy bristled at that.
"That's enough," the Seer's voice knocked the stormy ire out from the boys' chests. "It's not time to quarrel over about it. Remember, we are not here to suspect Cleo."
The boys were unmoving, refusing to give up to each other. Then a sudden, muffled beeping reverberated in the air. It was just impossible because the spectators of the games were blaring, easy to drown any noise, but the three teenagers could hear it effortlessly, as if the beeping was right beside their ears. They whirled to the source – Kimika. She looked startled as she grabbed for her Digivice from her belt. Her face blanched.
"What's it?" Taichi demanded.
Her voice quavered. "It's Iyumon. She's in danger!"
"Danger at Primary Village?" When she weakly nodded, he deeply scowled, and his eyes meet the eyes of Koushiro. Abruptly, the ireful tension was forgotten. Almost in one motion, Taichi dashed down the stairs, precisely going to rouse the New Kids of the danger, as Koushiro removed his old Pineapple laptop he carried for possible emergencies, and sat down on the bench.
Eyes on the screen, he rapidly typed, seeking for a Digiport near the Primary Village. Even through he didn't look up, he could feel anxiety in Kimika as she paced in front of him.
"Kim," he tried to reassure her, "I'm certain Iyumon can manage the danger."
"I doubt it," she murmured. He gazed upward with perplexity. Kimika had serious blankness on her face as she gazed back. "I know she can handle anything, but if she's calling for help, then the trouble is too much for her."
He already knew she was right. Iyumon was one of the Digimon Guardians who was secure enough to face strife without any fear, despite her smallness. His mind raced around possibilities, and his heart clenched with concern for the Digibabies. He truly hoped they were out of danger.
Both were distracted when Taichi returned with the New Kids. They appeared apprehensive, but they were keeping their composure. Koushiro abruptly felt mixed feelings for them. He was proud that they had learned to hold their self-control and dignity midst of danger. He was also troubled that if the Digidestined were to face the Final Evil some time in the future, the New Kids would (or will, more likely) face their own enemies and suffer as greatly as the Old Kids had.
"Izzy," Taichi commanded as a natural-born leader, "You have to stay here and guard. You might have to let Davis and Ken knows what's happening."
He slightly nodded. He turned the laptop so the screen was facing the kids. None of the kids did care if anybody else was watching; protecting Digimon was too important to be neglected. Koushiro closed his eyes from the brightness as the ten kids and Digimon transported though the Digiport. Once again, he wished them luck.
***
"Ice Tempest!"
The butterfly Digimon fluttered her wings rapidly, becoming a bright orange haze. Around her, gusts of wintry cold air formed, squalling wildly. The gusts struck brutally at the sides of a giant Digimon. This Digimon was rarely seen in the eastern region, but Dewimon knew him very well; he came from her region of the south. Cyberdramon was a gigantic black dragon crouching on two thick legs, covered with bulky leather skin to protect from elemental attacks. Two pairs of red, torn wings that vaguely resembled bat wings were lazily resting around his shoulders. His talons were silver and razor-sharp. He had no eyes; his smooth metal mask hid them, making him appearing brutal.
But there was something wrong with him. Cyberdramons were Vaccines, and despite their fierce appearances, they would not harm anybody until they were provoked. She knew that when a Cyberdramon got provoked, hell breaks. This Cyberdramon was mad, his body filled with crazy wrath. He constantly rumbled in his chest, as if was mumbling to himself about something, as he swiped his large claws to destroy the soft buildings of Primary Village. When the Ice Tempest struck him on his sides, he paused for a moment, lightly brushed off pieces of blue ice, and without looking, suddenly aimed his Erase Claw toward her.
Dewimon gasped, but swiftly got out of range. Again, she sent another Ice Tempest.
Nearby, Elecmon watched as the butterfly Digimon tirelessly battled the strange Digimon. He had no idea who they were, but she appeared the good one to protect the Primary Village. He felt grateful for her help. He needed any help he could get. Abruptly, he turned away to avoid the violent battle and dropped his head to gently take a Punimon in his mouth. The Punimon was too shaken to bounce away with his other Baby friends.
Waves of Digibabies passed around Elecmon, clearly terrified of the sudden attack of the black Digimon. Elecmon growled stern commands around the Punimon hanging from his teeth, persuading them to evade. The Digibabies were prepared for this; fearing for any possible attack, Elecmon taught them how to evade the Village to the stream where it was safe. He was a faithful Caretaker, and the babies trusted him.
Then Elecmon winced as small chunks of the blocks avalanched near them where Cyberdramon collapsed against a collapsed building. The chunks were not as hard as rocks, but they were very soft and easily would suffocate any Digibabies under them.
"Here, digi-brother, I will take him."
Elecmon blinked from his dreadful thoughts to his younger self, a smaller Elecmon standing before him. He was supposed to be the next Caretaker since Elecmon was discovered as a Destined Digimon. The younger Elecmon may look worried of the danger, but he was composed, boldly meeting his gaze.
The young Elecmon gently took Punimon in his month, and went with the evading Digibabies, gently pushing them to move on. Elecmon took a deep breath and turned to Iyumon, who was a distance away, pushing a few shaken Digibabies away, none too gently.
"Iyumon!" he called over the cries of the babies and yells of the two Digimon nearby. "Are you positive they are coming now?"
She answered back with an upset growl, "They are coming, and I know it! Move it now!" she then snarled that at a frozen Botamon before her. Suddenly, a tree decorated with toys around its branches was knocked down by a swipe of the dragon. Iyumon quickly covered the Botamon with her body; luckily, the tree missed them.
Anger exploded in his chest, and Elecmon bellowed out, "Super Thunderstrike!" His peacock-tail crackled, and a screen of bright white-blue thunderbolts roared toward Cyberdramon. But, as unfortunately as it was, lightning had no effect on the leather skin. The Digimon didn't even notice.
Dewimon glared at the speechless fox with disapproval. "Stay back! He's an Ultimate! You Rookies are no matches for him!"
"You can't handle him, either!" Iyumon barked back as the Botamon mewled frighteningly in her paws. Then her eyes widened. "Look out!"
Dewimon couldn't look up in time as Cyberdramon aimed his claw for her. Elecmon horribly flinched at the solid, revoltingly noise as her entire body was smacked, and in an alarmingly incredible speed, she flew backward through the trees until she collided into a tree. She appeared lifeless, broken wood laying over her.
"Rosetta Stone!"
The two grey-colored stone tablets soared out of nowhere and crashed on the Cyberdramon's back. He slightly staggered at the force, and then hotly glared at where the attack came from. Suddenly, a dazzling blue-green beam of energy hissed through the air and blinded right in his eyes. The Cyberdramon make a strange sound as he faltered, rubbing his eyes.
Elecmon searched for wherever the saviors were, and then saw them, the Digidestined who returned the cry of help. Nefertimon flew in with Hikari and Taichi on her back, and soon, Pegasusmon entered in, carrying Takeru and Kimika, followed by Iori, Miyako, and Hawkmon on Ankylomon. The giant armadillo's steps shook the very ground.
"What is going on here?" Taichi demanded as he leaped off Nefertimon.
Elecmon wasn't exactly in the mood to merrily explain the danger. He growled unhappily, "You ask me? That crazed Cyberdramon showed up all of a sudden and wrecked wherever he goes!"
"It's like he was controlled by someone, but there are no control devices on him," Iyumon mentioned as she arrived with the Botamon cuddled on her neck.
"He's . . . he's not being . . . controlled."
They looked up at the strained, pained voice of Dewimon. She was covered with ugly gashes, a shaky hand cradling her right arm. It was amazing at how she survived through the crash. She appeared ready to collapse.
Kimika and Miyako were quick to arrive at her side, catching the small body before her knees buckled. "How bad are you hurt?" Kimika questioned gravely.
Dewimon couldn't shake her head, not having the energy. "I don't know . . . Everything hurts."
"Who's she?" Miyako whispered, curiously studying the blue-clad, orange-eyed Digimon with the strange accent.
"She's Cleo's Digimon. Help her stand." Kimika putted an arm around the butterfly's waist to stabilize her. The butterfly groaned, not wanting to stand. Kimika was about to demand her, when the trembling noise of falling objects filled the air. The three females gazed upward in alarm as a gigantic tree came falling for them.
Iyumon, digivolve into Rianmon!
Miyako gasped with panic and swiftly ducked her head, as the other friends did so. A large shadow enclosed over her, and she tensed for whatever was coming. When she heard soft strikes above her, she opened one dun eye upward and saw the lavender dragon's underbelly. Rianmon had blocked the trio with her entire body as the tree collided harmlessly upon her. She lazily wobbled her body free and raised her head toward Cyberdramon.
Her spiked tail suddenly whistled through the air and clouted him in the face. Cyberdramon again staggered back, unprepared for this.
Miyako heard Taichi yelling, "You three, go and lead him out of here! Don't hurt him, just enough to scare him away."
She looked up and Takeru, Hikari, and Iori, along with their Digimon, went on as Cyberdramon, seeming eager to battle them, pursued after them through the trees. Miyako studied the body of Cyberdramon. Something about him was brutal, fervent, as if he wasn't going to surrender to the children. She thought it wasn't strange, but still, it was strange since he wasn't being controlled. She left Kimika whispering kind words to the hurt Dewimon and ran to Taichi's side. He was picking up a Pitchmon with gentle hands.
"Tai!" she said, "Cyberdramon looks like he's not going to give up. We should help and force him away."
Taichi lightly frowned and shook his head. "No, Miyako." His voice was strained, as if he was hurting inside about the danger along with the Digimon. "Hear me out. We can't hurt any Digimon no more. We're the Digidestined. We're supposed to protect them, not hurt them."
Miyako's cheeks reddened, and she nodded meekly. "Yes, Taichi."
Then Taichi looked at her intently, like he was suddenly finding something that was worth his attention. His tan eyes softened, then he tenderly putted the Pitchmon in her arms, she surprised and looking at him with puzzlement. He quietly smiled and spoke, "You have to understand that even though some Digimon are bad, we are chosen to help them. That's the way it is. I hope you will understand it. I have faith in you, Mistress."
Miyako blinked. The way he voiced out her newfound title was . . . convinced. She was only speechless as he again smiled and turned back to run toward where the rest disappeared along with Cyberdramon. She stared after him, puzzling at how did he seem confident of something about her. Her arms tightened around the Digibaby.
***
Hikari closed her eyes to avoid the sight of the swiftly coming claw from Cyberdramon. Luckily, Nefertimon was able to dodge from it, hurriedly flapping her wings to gain air. Cyberdramon was watching the winged Digimon with crazed intelligence that sent Hikari shivers. He wasn't a normal Digimon! She thought. Yet, Cyberdramon did not try to destroy them, though. He appeared to study them carefully with the hidden eyes as if he was learning their behaviors and stances and planning to use them against them. He looked too intelligent, but he was being controlled, Hikari was sure of that.
Ever since she arrived to the scene, she was struck by an abnormal mind presence. It felt dark and evil, but she couldn't identify the evilness of the presence. It wasn't entirely evil, but somewhat wounded, wounded in the angry emotion. The presence must be hurt in a way that it grew dark from the good side. She felt that the presence came from the light, but must have gotten injured and grew incensed, eating on the darkness instead of seeking comfort. Or perhaps the presence had lost comfort and only can turn to the darkness. Hikari felt it, somewhere in Cyberdramon, somewhere in the back of her mind. It wasn't annoying, but just there as if it was always there from time to time.
"He's too strong."
She gazed over to Takeru, who was mounted on his Digimon. He was changed, as always as she knew him well; he always was upset whenever he saw a dark Digimon. He was so determined to stop the Cyberdramon from hurting any longer. His azure eyes darkened into steel blue as he glared to Cyberdramon. He then met her gaze, his chin set. "We need more power to stop him."
Hikari quickly shook her head, hoping to reassure him. "No! We can't hurt him."
Iori spoke from below, partly hidden by his Digimon's one of gigantic spikes, "Tai said to scare him away, that's all." Perhaps he did notice the hot glare from the blond boy.
Takeru disagreed strongly, his hands tightened around Pegasusmon's mane. "I don't think we can. Pegasusmon!"
Before Hikari could yell out after him, Pegasusmon broke into a dive, Takeru bent forward on the back. The winged horse went into a yellow-white dash as he lunged for Cyberdramon. The blue gem on his mask began to glow. Cyberdramon then moved too fast. His thick tail came into a blur, and then Hikari's heart literally stopped as Pegasusmon was knocked out from the air. The boy and horse plunged onto the ground with such swiftness that she thought they couldn't survive this.
Taichi saw the horrible attack as he dashed through the trees. His legs pumped energy as he arrived to the bodies. To his disbelieved amazement, Takeru began to stir, giving out a soft, pained groan. Taichi knelt beside him, and held him so he won't collapse. Takeru's face was scraped from skidding on the ground, but otherwise he seemed okay. His eyes were clenched against the pain.
"TK, are you alright?" Taichi questioned.
Takeru weakly nodded, flinching at pain somewhere in his body.
A thunderous smack shook the air, and the boys gazed up to see Ankylomon, his face fiercely scowled, sending a Tail hammer toward Cyberdramon. The black dragon was again thrown backward by the sudden force on his chest, and he skid back for a moment. He again struggled to stand up, starting to growl with angry insanity. Ankylomon looked alarmed that the Digimon survived his attack. Iori, who had his arms wrapped one of the spikes, was clearly scared, astounded at the strength of Cyberdramon.
Ankylomon growled back and whirled his body to whip his tail. Unfortunately, Cyberdramon silently reached out his claws and grabbed the tail! He used the speed to heave the armadillo off the ground. Ankylomon dug his claws in the ground, but Cyberdramon must have unspeakable potency that he was able to pull him into the air. He grunted as he began to step in a circle, using the force to lift the giant Digimon into the air. It took only a second, and Taichi and Takeru watched in terror as Iori and Ankylomon flew through the trees, the great body tearing down trees, until they finally came to a stop. Ankylomon then glowed with a yellow light, and dedigivolved into his Rookie form. Iori slightly stirred from the ground, groaning. He was unaware of the approaching Cyberdramon.
"Cody, look out!" Hikari's voice screeched from above as Cyberdramon's claw clenched into a thick fist and directed it in the direction of the young boy. Iori jerked at the voice and frighteningly looked up. He then screamed a helpless cry of horror.
Taichi was distracted when Takeru swiftly stood despite his injuries and darted for the boy. His eyes widened with disbelief as, with a twinkle, a breathtaking aura of divine golden-yellow took over Takeru's body, hugging every inch, touched with rays of pure white, radiating outward. Takeru's face appeared unwavering, concentrated.
"TK, NO!" Taichi blared as he realized what the boy was going to do.
Iori did notice Takeru's glow. He was too shocked to speak, frozen in place, again unaware of the coming fist toward him. He was too captivated by the heavenly aura that surrounded the long-limbed body of his partner. Since their Digimon were DNA-digivolved, that, in a way, bonded Iori and Takeru, too. Somehow, their hearts had begun to simultaneously beat, becoming one musical heartbeat of hope and wisdom. They could sense each other from a short distance, knowing what the other was feeling in an instant.
Iori felt something different about Takeru's heartbeat inside his chest. The heartbeat became . . . holy, energetic. As if Takeru's heartbeat was not his, but of an angel.
Then he heard his voice, also different from Takeru's gentle tone, ringing out, "Being of Life!"
Takeru's hand, which was outreached, began to brighten with a thick golden-yellow light, and somehow, Iori felt a yank somewhere inside him, feeling his life being touched by that glow. A gigantic beam of pure white light with golden spirals that twisted around the beam fired out from his hand and soared toward the fist. Iori covered his eyes from the brightness as the beam silently, easily slid over the fist and dissolved it. Cyberdramon stared at the stump with bafflement and then made a brief yelp of surprise. With that, he then disappeared through the trees, perhaps knew better than battling with that strange angelic boy with the golden aura.
Iori blinked with bewilderment as Takeru arrived, his aura fading into nothing. Takeru appeared plain without the beautiful aura and he seemed exhausted out of his energy. He was clearly worried as he knelt beside him. "Cody, are you okay?"
Iori's young mind tried to comprehend what happened, and he slowly nodded. "Yeah . . . I think so." His emerald eyes then met Takeru's azure eyes and he questioned with childlike awe. "What happened to you?"
Takeru made a small sigh, closing his eyes, and shook his head. "It's not important now, Cody. What's important to me is that you are safe now." He then gazed back to where Taichi was standing under the shadows. Patamon was resting in his arms, exhausted from the attack, his eyes closed. But what struck Iori about Taichi was that he looked unhappy. His face bitterly scowled and his tan eyes somehow blazed with inner fire, glaring at Takeru. Takeru visibly trembled and bowed his head, as if shamed. Iori wondered.
Taichi then heard running footsteps, and turned to see Kimika coming to his side. She was astonished, but then became composed, almost troubled of the sight. Taichi caught something purple in the trees, and, to his disappointment, saw Rianmon stepping in with Miyako and Hawkmon, sitting upon her back. Miyako's eyes were wide with amazement as she silently watched the boys. Hawkmon shared the similar expression.
Taichi didn't lose the scowl and he glanced at Kimika.
Kimika's eyes were half-closed when she noticed his face. She then glanced to the children, and nodded, whispering, "Yes, we saw everything."
Taichi noticeably struggled with resentment, his jaw square.
"Tai, you have to accept it," Kimika spoke, appearing tired. "We know this will happen sooner or later. We cannot hide it anymore. They will find out. Even you know that."
Abruptly, the tall boy departed, too stubborn to listen, as the black-haired girl sighed, her brown eyes watching the boys.
To be continued.
Now that Takeru's power is known to the New Kids, what could happen to the Digidestined? Will the New Kids accept or reject them? Find out in the next part of 'Children of the Digital'!
*whacks!*
Debbie: Get out of here, Annoying Narrator!! Geez . . .