Children of the Digital

by Debbie Dai-chan

Part Fourteen: Get a comfortable seat and popcorn, people, because this chapter is a longie. You probably want to take a couple of breaks in between. :p The Nature Children go off to talk with Holy Beasts and Oikawa and Seijamon have their moments.

4. The Last Crest's Light

A/N:

*Grabs on a Bazooka and points it toward you* Now, don't ever make me say the disclaimer. EVERYBODY knows that I DO NOT own Digimon: Digital Monsters. Otherwise, I would not dub the Digimon Movie just because it has to be 'American'. *Fires a missile at Saban** DUB THAT! ^_^;;;

Children of the Digital:

Part Four: The Last Crest's Light

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

"Greetings, Watcher."

I gaze upward from my musing thoughts to the familiar voice of Prophetmon. I know he is there, after all. I can sense him long before he speaks out the words. Still, his appearance surprises me. He is no longer covered with his cloak of blackness. The colors that decorated him seem outlandish. I suppose that now that the Digidestined know about him, he must have chosen not to hide himself. I wonder why since he told me that he's too precious to the worlds, as I am to the worlds, and needs to remain nameless.

Maybe he has a reason.

I only smile back to his words.

Prophetmon cocks his head at my silence, but doesn't question it. Instead, he says, "I was informed that the Savior saved the Teacher's life."

I nod once, turning my eyes to my finger, which is tracing something in the dirt. I have no idea what I was doing; I was musing so much over the recent events that my mind drifted. "Yes, with his power," I finally reply back. I am surprised at the fatigue in my voice. "Now everybody knows."

"Do you resent it?"

My finger pauses in tracing, and I meet his gaze. His azure eyes are too soft for me to understand why he felt that way. My power of Mind may be intense, but I just couldn't see inside his mysterious mind. His mind is too complex. I reply, "Well, everybody is pretty upset about it, but personally, I think it's important that the New Kids know about it. They will get their powers, anyway, so they have to learn to accept the fact of us having powers, or they will resent themselves."

Prophetmon nods with understanding, and he goes into a comfortable sitting position in front of me. I was sitting beside the white lighthouse, waiting for him. The bright white light touches his clothing, giving the appearance of snow upon his limbs. Beyond us, the black lighthouse continues shining the dark light in silence.

"It will take time, Watcher," he reminds me. "Just like you took time to accept your powers."

"I know."

"Now, have you yet informed them about the D-3s?"

I again shake my head, answering, "No, but I promise I will. I will tell Tai and Matt about the D-3s in a couple of days."

I then look down, letting my mind drifting, as my finger resumes tracing the something I was trying to remember. Prophetmon says nothing, also watching my finger. My finger begins to form a familiar figure of an 8 in the grains, forming grooves until it seems permanent, engraved in the dirt. I blink in realization. That figure . .  It reminds me of my dream . . .  The 8-shaped figure is - no, it's not the shape of an eight, but the shape of infinity, one twisted circle that contorts around the middle. The key . .  Infinity is the key . . .

I let my face frown and whisper, "Prophetmon?"

Prophetmon turns his azure gaze to me, waiting.

I then pull my legs to my chest, hugging them. I sound grave as I inquire, "Tell me one thing. Can you really see the future?"

Prophetmon forms a small smile around his eyes; I cannot see his mouth, for it is hidden by the high collar. "No, I cannot see the actual future, but only the future that could happen whenever we choose a particular path to affect it."

"So what happen if we don't take action to fight the darkness?"

Prophetmon appears troubled, the first emotion I have seen in a long time. He seems disturbed as he tries to find the words to explain his predictions. Then his voice is thick with dejection, "Blackness. Oblivion. Nothing."

I then lean my head against the lighthouse's wall. "Well, of course, it will be dark. If we don't fight the dark Digimon, the worlds will be destroyed."

To my surprise, Prophetmon is shaking his head. His azure eyes are somehow haunted with some inner knowledge. "No . . . Even if you did not take action, you will, eventually. You were destined to fight and protect us. But this time . . ." He closes his eyes, bowing his head. "It's different from what I saw. If you fight yourself instead of the darkness, we will have no future at all. You have to fight the past to save the future."

Confused and sympathetic, I put my hand on his shoulder. He feels warm like human skin, not with electric heat as Digimon have. He feels different. Prophetmon gazes up, again with composure in his face, as if none of these emotional moments happened. "I cannot say anything more of this. It's something that you have to find out on your own." He lightly pats my hand and stands up. He takes a brief look at the Black lighthouse and quickly turns back as if the black lighthouse pains him.

I ask with worry, "But what can we do if we don't know what to do?"

Prophetmon gives me the most curious expression I've received. He appears stunned, saddened, and . . . disgruntled? I am totally surprised at him, but he then puzzles me by saying, "The answer is already in front of you." Then he leaves.

I sit there, perplexedly. What did he mean; the answer is front of me? I look forward, and my eyes meet the light of the black lighthouse. The answer is that? I once questioned Prophetmon of the meanings of the lighthouses, and he replied that they symbolized the two sides of fate - the eternal light and the ageless darkness. Much like . . . God and the devil. But how could those simple-looking lighthouses represent them? The black lighthouse doesn't look evil. The white lighthouse doesn't look holy, either. They just look ordinary.

My puzzlement growing, I look down, and again my eyes meet the eight-shaped figure my finger has been tracing in the dirt. The key . . Infinity . . .

***

She made an unhappy frown on her soft face as she pulled her legs to her chest. She tightly wrapped her arms and tried very hard not to listen to the quarrels around her that her friends began.

Cleo flinched at the intense mind-emotions whirling in her mind. She called them mind-emotions because she could sense sensations of people inside her mind that she received from any thought. Right now, passionate and fanatical mind-emotions were darting around in her mind, and she couldn't handle the pressure. It was like her mind was too full, threatening to strain the 'boundary' of her mind.

She could sense colors of every emotion, much like Yamato 'smelling' souls' colors and energies. The emotions were heavily orange and red, the colors of fury and doubt, lined with dour bluish-grey. The bustle of emotions was very nearly driving her insane. She was not fully trained in her mind power, not yet learning how to handle the sensitivities of mind-emotions without get affected. She was truly upset and anxious as she suffered listening to her friends.

"Tai, I don't like the way you rebuke my brother for using his power wrongly," Yamato almost growled like a wolf, his normal grey-blue eyes hardened into steel blue. The night-blue mind-emotions that she could easily identify as his were pulsating stiffly with bold orange anger. He looked sour, enraged as he coldly glared at his leader over the table between them. "You saw him! He saved Cody's life. How could you tell him that this is wrong?"

Taichi did appear hot blooded in appearance, but he was controlled in his temper. His burning mind-emotions were forced, wrapping with self-control so they won't get out of control. He was also standing in front of the table, his arms crossed. His voice was crackling, clearly like wood crackling in the heat. "Even so, we all agreed not to use our powers anytime -"

Frankie interrupted him. He abruptly stood up from his chair that startled Cleo, his pure white mind-emotions bursting like ice breaking into tiny bits, piercing her mind painfully, and he barked like a fox, "Unless it's urgent. That was urgent! Cody was in danger, and you could have done the same."

It was amazing to Cleo when her friends' mind-emotions were so much like their powers. It was like the Digidestined's mind-emotions were no longer human - well, it would be misleading, she remembered. The mind-emotions were human, but they were almost advanced from the normal mind-emotions, the powers modifying the minds to adjust with the abilities. She could sense the pure energy of Nature pulsing through the mind-emotions, so profound that she felt like she was Nature.

Her mind was swiftly relieved by the rippling voice of Jyou. His soft black mind-emotions were very tranquil like a still river, but smeared with slight frustration, as Jyou spoke, attempting to calm the three boys. "What Tai is trying to say is that we have worked hard to keep this secret for four years, and now that the secret is out, we don't know how the New Kids react to it, and we don't want to take the risk."

"So you don't trust them at all," Kimika whispered from her side with Koushiro. She looked very remote, pensive, but her soft face was lightly twisted with anguish. Her pearl-silver mind-emotions were also distressed, distantly glowing with dismayed radiance.

Sora glanced at her with a light frown of dislike. Cleo could sense her blood-red mind-emotions steadily gusting with a low whisper, but the sound was increasing in loudness. "Kim, that's not what we mean."

"No," Kimika shook her head, looking up. Cleo almost closed her eyes from the blindness before she stopped herself, realizing that the blindness was coming from the black-haired girl's mind-emotions inside her mind. "Even since we got our powers, we stood by each other, helping overcoming the hardships. Now, we already told Cleo about the powers. Why? Because we trusted her, despite the fact she wasn't a Digidestined and she didn't have a Digivice. We trust her, no problem. Why can't we trust the New Kids?"

Cleo shifted uneasily, closing her eyes, not liking the way the subject shifted to her even for a brief moment. She tried to be composed as she sensed her boyfriend's mind-emotions. His vivid violet mind-emotions were lightly charged with tiny bolts and full of unhappiness as he spoke, "She's right. They are like us in many ways. They already faced their ultimate evil and proved their worthiness and faith. But of course, they don't have 'powers'." His voice became bitter. "In your point of view, they wouldn't understand the reasons."

"It is too risky to let them know now," Taichi frustratingly explained. "They are too young to understand the hardships we had been through to earn our powers."

"Too young?" Yamato snapped with fury that stung her mind. "We were younger than them when we got the powers!"

Cleo suddenly slapped her hands over her ears; her mind was hurting so dreadfully from the uncontrolled mind-emotions. "Stop!" she cried. "Stop it!"

The other Digidestined silenced down, not expecting the sudden burst from the youngest girl. Their mind-emotions swiftly moderated down into light emotions of full astonishment and new concern. "Cleo, what's the matter?" Frankie finally spoke, his eyes paling.

Cleo withdrew her hands and looked at each of her friends. Her mind lessened in pain, and she felt almost heavy from the misery of her own thoughts. She whispered, "Please, don't fight." She was surprised that her eyes were misting; she barely cried. "You were arguing for no reason. I don't want to see you fighting just because TK saved Cody's life. It is meant to be. The New Kids will know about our powers, but you shouldn't fight at all. If you do, the darkness will separate us. It will! Please . . . don't fight."

"Cleo . . ." Koushiro murmured, go to seat beside her and wrapping arms around her shoulders. His comforting mind-emotions placated her. "We're sorry. We are behaving immaturely."

Taichi's eyebrows crossed. "I don't think -"

"Enough," Frankie again stopped him. Cleo was lightly shocked at the bitter mind-emotions of the russet-haired boy, and she glanced closely to him. Frankie was continuing to Taichi sternly, "I don't want to hear anything more of this." He then gazed to Cleo, questioning seriously, "Tell us what we should do about the powers. Should we tell them or not?"

Cleo was dumbfounded. Frankie was asking her for advice? She knew it that Taichi was the leader around her. She knew he knew it! Taichi was the destined leader of the Old Digidestined, and he already proved that many times. She nervously gazed at Taichi, and he was looking away, a light scowl on his face. His mind-emotions were subtly burning like a tiny candle flame in the back of her mind, warm, not scorching.

She turned to Frankie and replied reluctantly, "Don't ask me. I hid my power from you and you trusted me all the same. The New Kids are like you in personality and heart. You decide whether they will understand or not. Please, just don't fight."

"We won't," Kimika said, slightly smiling. She genuinely gazed at the rest, expecting them to follow her words. Knowing that the Seer was right, they nodded with honesty and with a bit of humiliation. Their mind-emotions were humbled, too.

Yamato closed his eyes, appearing relieved, but still edgy, worried. "There is one situation - Primary Village. It needs help rebuilding. Who wants to go?"

"I will go," Frankie answered. His eyes clouded with remembrance. "I haven't seen Elecmon for a while."

"I can help him out," Sora suggested. It was not surprising, for Frankie and Sora were close friends.

"Cleo?"

She gazed to Frankie. "Yeah?"

"Why won't you help us?" He then grinned with his usual impishness. His icy mind-emotions slightly warmed, but never completely hot, for his power was Ice. This time, the mind-emotions were welcoming. "You are one of us, and that means you have to suffer calluses and splinters helping rebuilding."

Cleo couldn't help smiling at him. She bowed her head lightly in respect to him. "I would love to."

Still smiling, Frankie took a glance at Taichi. "Alright with you?"

Cleo risked another glance to Taichi. He was looking straight at Frankie, the scowl gone. He looked reflective as if was musing over something. He only silently nodded, no smile on his face, and no expression of esteem at all. Cleo's heart began to weaken with angst, and she didn't know why. Something inside her remembered. Someone inside her remembered. A scared, little girl inside her remembered. Remembered about the anger and grief that has forever plaguing her heart.

She whirled her head, her sapphire eyes wide with horror . . .

Her brother shrieked out something, running toward her . . .

A girl also ran with him, her coal black eyes darkened with something . . .

Two boys stood together, one's face streaked with wet tears, and the other shouting with disbelief . . .

She stepped back . . .

She shouted out something . . .

Cleo shivered.

***

"Hold on, Yolei," Michael stopped her with a raise of his hand. He was clearly astonished as his ice-blue eyes widened at the marvel of the thirteen-years-old girl's tale. "Tell me again about yesterday."

Miyako eyed the American over her round eyeglasses with mock exasperation. She was sitting cross-legged on a high beam that was fallen from the battle yesterday. "Michael, I already told you twice!"

He flashed a quick grin. "I know, but I want to hear it again."

Miyako's usually positive face was deeply thoughtful as she said, "TK glowed just like that. He made a weird kind of beam."

Daisuke made a suspicious snort that took the attention of the older kids. Like before, he played with the Digibabies, being their favorite playmate, tossing around a soccer ball. He hurled the ball toward Veemon and then gazed back to Miyako with the expression of wondering skepticism. "You must have dreamed it, Yolei," he said, shaking his head. "It's impossible."

Miyako rolled her dun eyes and gave him a glower. "Cody already told you about it, and your eyes were popping out. Don't tell me you didn't believe it. All of this is absolutely true."

"Seriously?" Michael now questioned quietly with true curiosity.

The lavender-haired girl became silent as she recalled the incredible scene she had witnessed. She attempted to figure out what was happening, but not even her imagination could ever comprehend it. Her voice softened. "Cody was in utter danger. None of us was close enough to rescue him. Poor Armadillomon was too hurt to even stand. TK just ran for him, glowing with a yellow light, like it was all golden. It was like an angelic light around him. He saved him with that incredible beam of white and golden."

Her voice dropped, remembering the yank of her life as she, mounting upon Rianmon, beheld the scene. She could still remember the lively, powerful pull that Takeru seemed to hold on, and she felt that her life was somehow connected with everybody else. She couldn't explain that, but somewhere in the back of her mind, she could almost sense heartbeats that Takeru had putted, sensing the laid-back heartbeat of Michael and the energetic beat of Daisuke. Sure, she could sense Hikari's steady heartbeat because they were DNA partners; even now she could feel Hikari inside while the younger girl was in the Real World. But when she began to sense the boys' heartbeats, it totally surprised her. Perhaps when she saw Takeru's glow, the yank of her life pulled into his and Iori's lives to become connected, somehow.

She shook her head clear from the musing thoughts and continued, "I can't tell what did it really happen. It was like a burst of pure energy."

The boys were quiet, eyes musing at the details of the battle. It was no doubt that they did believe her story. They already learned that anything could be possible in the Digiworld. Daisuke held the expression of complete wonder even for a brief moment before he lightly frowned. Michael appeared reserved about something, his ice-blue eyes remembering about his own time.

The American broke the silence, "Did Tai or Kim say anything?"

Miyako bit her lower lip and replied, "Tai looked really upset, and Kim appeared troubled. It seemed to me, also, that Kari was very frightened about TK. It was really confusing yesterday."

Daisuke appeared somber, unusual for the energetic boy. His dark tawny eyes narrowed. "Do you think the older kids know anything about it?"

She made a half-shrug, fingering the beam of which she sat upon. "Must be. Tai and Kim didn't go ahead to answer our questions. It was like they were hiding it."

The bronze-haired boy made another deep frown. "Why could they hide it from us? We don't hide anything from each other."

"That's strange of them," Michael agreed, putting down the hammer he has been using to nail up a wall. He cocked his head. "They don't trust us."

Daisuke turned his head to eye the three older kids were at one of the newly built wall. They were painting bright colors, creating comical splashes and crazy smears. Around them, Digibabies readily ordered them how to paint.  "Let's find out if they do trust us or not," Daisuke burst out, then, with that, he went to a determined walk toward the Old Kids.

"Davis!" Miyako called out in surprise, hesitant to rouse up a secret that would be painful to them. But she admitted it, with a brief glance to the other boy, that she was truly curious. With Michael at her side, Miyako followed Daisuke to the Old Kids. She was surprised at Daisuke's boldness. She knew that Daisuke may be mulish in his personality, but once he set his mind on something, it was nearly impossible to get his attention away from it. He was persistent and often she admired him for it.

Daisuke casually sat on a fallen tree that was laid nearby. Frankie was silently smearing the wall with his wide brush; he was a skilled artist and enjoyed to create pictures with his hands. Sora was standing beside him, patiently gliding her brush. Cleo was sitting on a tall stool, using a tiny brush to create small comical faces of the Digimon she had encountered.

"Frankie?" Daisuke voiced out. "May I ask you a question?"

Frankie paused in painting, and gazed over to the boy. "Yeah?"

Daisuke's face was firm as he asked, "It's about TK. How did he make that beam of energy?"

It was almost expected to Miyako when she saw the reactions of the older kids; that must mean that they did know. Frankie didn't reply the question; his hazel eyes suddenly darkened, meeting Daisuke's eyes. Sora gave out a physical startle and nearly dropped her paintbrush. Her amber eyes were slightly wide, her lips thinned. Cleo only sighed softly and watched the group with sudden concerned eyes.

Daisuke didn't react if he noticed the reactions of the kids, keeping on querying, "Was that true? Did TK really do that?"

"Davis, we didn't think it is impossible," Sora spoke with a weak smile. Miyako was suspicious at the struggling quaver in her voice; it sounded like Sora was attempting to cover it.

"You don't think, Sora," Frankie bluntly said back the sentence that made the chestnut-haired girl blush slightly red. Turning to the bronze-haired boy, he continued with a half smile, "Yeah, it's true. But it's an extremely long story."

Michael went to his 'Protector', as he already knew some time ago. "We want to know why you didn't tell us about your secrets. That if they are really secrets."

Frankie lightly leaned forward, his hazel eyes searching Miyako, Daisuke, and Michael, revealing unusual pain that the younger kids never had seen before. "Do us a favor. Someday, we will explain every detail that you were being rejected from, but not now. We have a duty, and that's helping rebuilding the Villages. Taking care of the Digibabies is more important than our powers." The two boys blinked at that. Powers? "We will tell you all about it. Even if not all of us agree to tell, I will personally tell you, of course."

"Frankie, you wouldn't!" Sora protested, and then flushed at the conscious gazes of the young kids.

He ignored her, but the slight flickers of his eyelids confirmed that he did hear her. He kept his gaze unwavering. "Don't ask questions for now, ok?"

"Ok," Miyako spoke for everybody, her arms aikido. "But we would like to know."

The russet-haired boy nodded. "You will know, I promise."

For a while, Cleo was quiet, seeming to muse out of her mind, but more of listening to something that none of the rest paid attention to. Cleo was smiling happily and voiced out that got the rest's attention, "Listen, I want you to meet three of my close friends, although some of you already know them." With that, she leaped off the stool and jogged around the corner. It didn't take her long, for she now walked back, with two humanoids by her side, and two small creatures perching on the shoulders of one.

The humanoids became clear, and they were actually Dewimon and a young boy chatting quietly with Cleo. A bit taller than Cleo, he was about Daisuke's age of twelve, looking strongly familiar. He wore a short-sleeved open maroon jacket over a plain white long-sleeved shirt, denim shorts, and red sneakers. His hair was spiked and short, the color of flaxen, and his alert eyes were cobalt blue. He then waved shyly as Daisuke and Miyako abruptly recognized him.

"Willis!" That came from Daisuke, who was astounded. He ran toward him and grabbed the blonde's hand. He grinned gleefully as he read details of the first American friend he had discovered. "I can't believe it! How long had it been since?"

Willis smiled, which was rare for him due to his troubled past, but the smile was jovial in a calm way. "Too long." He turned to the group who arrived and gave them another smile, this time plain and wary, unlike the friendly one to Daisuke.

He was a cautious boy unlike the cheerful youngster he was before his twin Digimon appeared before him in his private computer. He was extremely smart, much like Koushiro and Ken, involved in honored classes and even was tutoring college kids. He had a good life at his family's farm, used to be solitude and reserved, being an only child. That was his life before Terriermon and Lopmon came into his life. He finally had friends and he loved every minute of it. For half a year, when he was eight, Willis and his Digimon enjoyed doing chores together, playing pranks on his families; His parents guessed that they were some kind of farm animals and accepted them.

When he attempted to create another Digimon on his computer, he didn't realize that his life changed from that instant. He grew attentive and distant; afraid to make more friends in fear that his tainted Lopmon would take them away. The only friend he had was Terriermon and even he knew that the life for them was not as great as Willis wished. That was until he met Daisuke and his group of Digidestined. They proved their warm friendship by standing beside him whenever he felt lost from the battles with Endigomon. Willis felt his confidence coming back, and he cherished the friendship for a year even when he didn't have a chance to see his new friends again. He may be modest and guarded, but the friendship of the New Digidestined taught him about justice. 

Cleo grinned as she introduced, "Guys, meet my good friends Willis Rose from Colorado of the United States of America, and his twin Digimon, Terriermon and Lopmon."

The New Kids already knew Terriermon and exchanged cheerful hellos. They then noticed a twin Terriermon; only that he was smaller and different in appearance. Instead of one horn that his twin brother had on his head, he had three horns set in a triangle, and his fur was dark russet with reddish-pink markings. His black eyes were bright in curiosity, but he timidly hid behind Willis's head.

"Lopmon, why won't you say hello?" Willis gently murmured, as if the young Digimon was infantile. Lopmon only waved a tiny paw and lowered his eyes in coyness.

"Why can't he say anything?" Sora questioned in concern.

The blonde boy made a shrug as he gazed protectively. "He's mute. The virus affected him, and now he can't talk." But he made a brief laugh that eased the group's worry of the boy. "That's alright. Lopmon finds it enjoying because he could keep any secret from us. He likes to play pranks on us." Lopmon then nodded with shy delight at that.

Frankie questioned him, "How did you know that we are here?"

Willis glanced at Cleo before saying, "I want to see Davis and the rest, having heard so much from Cleo about saving the world and all, and she called me to come here."

"But how did you get to know each other?" Miyako asked. "And how did you get here without a D-3?"

Willis only smiled slightly as Cleo explained, "Willis is a Digital Walker like me." The New Kids already knew; once the Old Kids told them about Cleo being a Digidestined, Cleo chose to tell them about her abilities as a Digital Walker (She was 'forbidden' to tell them of her power, just like the rest). The New Kids were fascinated at that, asking many questions about it, and Hikari was also surprised when she found out that she was actually a Digital Walker.

Cleo continued, "I first met him when he entered the Digiworld without knowing it, and I recognized him as one of the Digiwalkers. I decided to help train him, and, guys, remember that I didn't tell you about myself being a Digidestined until recently, so Willis and I were actually keeping all of this a secret. But now you know."

Daisuke grinned back to Willis. "Either way, I'm glad to see you again."

He nodded, smiling likewise. "Me, too."

The group turned to a mock cheerful voice of Elecmon as he showed up at Frankie's side, his teal eyes narrowed. "Sorry to break the reunion, but will you someday help rebuilding the Village?"

The aggravated gaze from the fox Digimon reminded the group of their promised duties, and they shifted guiltily, grinning sheepishly. Frankie was the first one to laugh off the uneasiness. "Yes, Fox Ears, we will." He then clapped his hands. "Come on, let's go before Elecmon scrapes us to death."

The kids scattered to work, Willis chatting quietly with an animated Daisuke and Miyako as Michael listened to the conservation in silence. The Old Kids were walking toward the painting job when Sora determinedly stopped Frankie by a hand on his chest. Her amber eyes darkened into molten golden as she glared at her. Cleo was quiet, stepping back, knowing better not to interpret.

"You know you can't tell the New Kids unless we all agree," she reminded firmly.

Frankie gave her an exasperated glance, but removed her hand gently. "Give it a rest, Sora. I know it is right, and I ain't letting Tai make my decisions, and neither will you."

Sora's frown deepened, but then it vanished when the girls noticed the older boy's face contorted into an apprehensive expression. Sora blanched. She knew the look very well. Like the other Old Kids, Frankie had hidden abilities that no other people were able to sense. He was the only one to sense oncoming danger just before it attacked. That was the look of alarm she knew very well.

Frankie whirled to the New Kids, shouting all of a sudden, "LOOK OUT!"

The New Kids heard his scream, and turned to him in startled puzzlement. An instant later, the ground unexpectedly trembled with a loud groan. A roar filled the air, sounding so fierce and infuriated that the kids and Digimon slapped their ears at the horrible roar. Some of the Digibabies began to wail. Cyberdramon stormed in, wildly flailing his huge arms, one ending up in a stump, the result of the Being of Life attack, demolishing down the buildings. He wasn't like that yesterday. He appeared too enraged, beside himself. The New Kids screamed in pure fear, fleeing from the mad Digimon.

In his confusion, Michael tripped over something and tumbled onto the ground. Betamon stopped in his tracks and returned to his digi-child's side, his dark red eyes clouded with fright and severity. Michael gawked at the oncoming Cyberdramon, too frozen with horror.

"Michael, move!" Frankie ordered at the top of his lungs, already running toward him. The New Kids fell into a stunned silence as Frankie began to glow. Somehow, the air seemed, all of a sudden, to become frosty, icy-cold breezes biting in their bare skin. Even the breaths came out in white mists. A blinding white aura hugged around his body, as bright as the winter sun shining upon fresh snow. Around him, it felt so cold that there was no heat at all, and the kids shivered with a new kind of coldness, the coldness that felt warm.

The oldest boy bellowed out, "Heart of Ice!" His aura became intense, and somehow, perfectly formed icicles emerged from the aura, as if the aura made the icicles of the coldness, and, like fired by a rifle, launched from the aura, aiming for Cyberdramon's legs. The icicles seemed to grow, forming a mass of bluish-white ice. The thick ice clearly held the legs in place, Cyberdramon being unable to budge his legs a bit.

"What's that?!" Miyako shrieked in shock, her dun eyes wide at the recent scene of impossibility.

"His power," Sora flatly replied. Her face had a taut expression of light displeasure.

"Cleo, Sora!" Frankie shouted as he assisted Michael to stand up. "Get everyone out of here!"

Sora stiffened, but obeyed the command. She held on Miyako's arm, surprising her, and the New Kids pursued after her. Seeing that everybody was responding to him, Frankie turned his attention to Michael. The younger boy was hanging on his arm, his face slightly pained, his right leg hanging from the ground. It seemed that Michael might have twisted his ankle.

Cyberdramon, in a deep rage, swiped an Erase Claw at a recently built building, causing it to collapse without any resistance. He then gave out a mad holler.

"Now I'm really mad!" The growl, also angry and bitter, came from Elecmon as he dashed toward Cyberdramon, his anger boiling for his babies' pain. A golden glow surrounded him.

Elecmon, digivolve into . . .  Mamemon!

"Bomb Fist!" Mamemon furiously cast his fist right in Cyberdramon's face. But unfortunately, the metal mask protected his head. Cyberdramon jerked his head to a side, and Mamemon was thrown into a building, forming a hole in the wall. Meanwhile, Dewimon entered the battle, casting an Ice Tempest at the black dragon. Cyberdramon, unmoving from the waist down, bent down to grab on chucks of rocks that were thrown around from the last battle, and with a roar, heaved the rocks toward the kids who were herding the Digibabies.

At Miyako's yell of alarm, Sora sharply looked up at the incoming rocks. Smoothly, Sora gestured a light swipe of her hand in the air. The air became alive, breezes becoming visible, colored red, as red as blood. The breezes danced around the chestnut-haired girl in a whirlwind of red, and she suddenly gestured sharply. The kids felt the air pushed against them, and then they were gone. An instant later, they heard quiet roars, and looked around. To their bewilderment, a dome of red wind was formed around the eight kids and Digimon, including some of the Digibabies. The dome seemed compact in strength and structure as rocks harmlessly bounced off the red wind dome. Sora looked calm, her hand still up in the air as if was actually holding the dome.

"What happened?" Willis finally spoke, his cobalt eyes on the battling Cyberdramon, Mamemon, Dewimon, Rianmon, and now Seadramon. "What is he attacking us?"

"Look at his eyes," Cleo whispered, stepping close to the boundary of the wind dome, her eyes narrowed. "He's mad."

"More like insane," Daisuke spoke.

"But why is he attacking us?" Miyako repeated Willis's question, glancing at the older girls. They said nothing, Sora remaining standing with a hand up in the air, and Cleo watching her Digimon sending another Ice Tempest. The blond girl then groaned in alarm as the Butterfly Digimon received a sharp swipe from Cyberdramon and collapsed onto the ground. Miyako inhaled in a breath. "We have to help!"

"No!" Sora firmly shook her head at the lavender-haired girl. Her face was unusually impassive. "You stay."

"Frankie, Michael, get away!" Cleo suddenly yelled. All gazed over to where Frankie held the hurt Michael up by an arm around his waist. They were striding blubberingly because of Michael hopping on one foot, and their lethargic speed was perilous on them, trying to do their best to escape from the nearby battle. Cyberdramon easily clouted Rianmon in her flanks that made her stiffen in pain, and then her large body glowed in a golden light. She dedigivolved back into a dazed Iyumon. Just before Cyberdramon sent another Erase Claw at her, Seadramon quickly took the small lizard in his mouth and dodged out of the way.

Mamemon was seized on Cyberdramon's mask, using one hand to take a sturdy hold on one of the horns. He repeatedly cast several Bomb Fists against the thick leather skin, the abnormal fire burning through. Cyberdramon gave a frenzied roar and wildly jolted his head. Yet, Mamemon had the hold.

Cyberdramon, with a solid jerk of his head, sent Mamemon out of his hold and heaved him right on the ground beside the two boys. The boys crouched, tense and terrified. Mamemon groaned, but didn't move, lying there limply. The russet-haired boy made an upset yell. The ice block around Cyberdramon's legs had ruptured midst of the battle, and he freed his legs, turning toward the boys.

Michael looked up at another roar, and yelled out the other boy's name. His face resolute, Frankie glared upward as Cyberdramon targeted his stump where he had lost his claw.

"MAMEMON!"

Mamemon popped wide his eyes.

His crest glowed white . . . His Digivice shrieked . . . The image of the Crest of Soul - a downward-soaring comet with a crescent-moon as its head - glowed with tiny stars . . .

Mamemon, digivolve into . . .

Mamemon stood upon a lake of pure bluish-white ice, circling in place. A white aura began to cover him, surrounded him as a figure of white. His body swelled, gaining mass in size, standing taller than his previous form. The white aura vanished, and a large, bulky Mamemon-like Digimon stood before you. And the transformation began. White rays shone from his left hand as the entire hand modified into a large metal cannon, from the elbow to the tips of the fingers, and a thick black gauntlet slid on his right hand. His dark blue pants lost its color, replaced by wicked black, with scraps of silver metal patched all over. A glowing red sensor replaced his left eye, radiating deadly powerful laser toward you. His other eye was still golden, but full with fierceness and loyalty.  He whirled in place, waving his cannon-arm, until he posed, legs separated, cannon-arm shooting upward in triumph, as the background of blue creased with explosions.

. . . Metalmamemon!

A black-gloved hand, as large as Cyberdramon's claw, shot out and grasped the coming stump in midair. Cyberdramon growled in raged surprise as he gaze met with the blazing red eye of Metalmamemon. He stood tall and colossal, easily towering over Cyberdramon. His other eye, which was a laser beam, focused on the dragon, and he effortlessly tossed him out of the way. Cyberdramon stumbled down, his tail thrashing around. Almost forebodingly, Metalmamemon took aim his cannon-hand, only inches away from Cyberdramon's face. The dragon was totally frozen, clearly scared stiff at the facing danger.

"Metal Bomb Fist!" A faint light glowed inside the barrel of the cannon, and with a brief blast that almost deafened the ears in range, a menacing sphere of inferno fired out the cannon. The inferno had so much force that it exploded right on Cyberdramon's face and chest, and the force thrust him skidding backward. There was a dismayed silence, the kids shaken at the sight. The smoke settled around an unmoving Cyberdramon. His mask was totally smashed by the force, but not destroyed. The inferno had burned off the thick leather skin, leaving raw scalds around the chest and shoulders. Metalmamemon, now cautious, stepped forward, his cannon up. Then he stopped, his face contorted in disbelief. Cyberdramon was just stirring! The black Digimon labored to move a muscle, but he did move!

"He needs more help!" Willis's voice rose from the settling smoke.

Miyako was standing beside Sora, both watching the disturbed scene. "Please, Sora!" Her dun eyes were misted, gazing at her with an insistent expression.

"No!" Sora refused, but her face was full of clear worry for the two boys in the distance. "It's time for you to see how we handle things around here."

When she heard what the Seeker mentioned, Cleo turned her jade eyes upon Dewimon. The Butterfly Digimon was lying on the ground, aware of everything, but too weak to move any muscle. She had her head raised, her orange eyes watching the scene with helplessness. Helplessness. Cleo had felt the same way before. She felt that way so many times, that she wanted to fight against it. She refused to give up, fighting the feelings of vulnerability. She wanted to help, give her own support for the Digidestined that she had vowed to help. Her eyes narrowed in stalwartness, and they met the orange eyes of Dewimon. They felt the same way.

Hidden under Cleo's shirt, The Crest of Heart glowed with a pale lilac light, the radiance dancing around the lines of the half-heart . . .

***

Daematermon snapped her head back at the light within her heart, seeming so painful that she gasped.

The crest!

***

Dewimon, Digivolve into . . .

A soft beam of bright lilac emitted out from the Crest of Heart and smoothly encircled around Dewimon. You could see a vague shadow of the butterfly Digimon standing silently from within the beam. The shadow began to shift slightly as if she was changing in size and appearance. Then a slender bare foot stepped out from the beam, and the Digimon appeared, the beam dissolving from her body.

A humanoid stood in place, her smooth skin pale lavender from head to feet. Scraps of dark grey metal-patched sections of her legs, torso, and arms, connected with shimmering metal veins that crisscrossed nearby upon the skin, covering parts of her body like protective garments. Veins of metal that seemed like a bare skeleton crept upward from the tops of her left fingers toward the shoulder as her right was pure flesh.

A mask of dark silver metal screened the whole right side of her face, covering the right side of her head, freeing the right eye. The left side of her head was bare of hair, smooth but comely. A metal bolt was set on the center of the left cheek, held on by five thin wires that looked much like spider webs, hooking tightly on the skin. Metal, coiled antennae curled from her head. Deep orange eyes glare at you with dominant power. Two sets of huge butterfly wings on her back were made of orange metal, charging with tiny lighting bolts.

She posed herself, commanding and steadfast, gazing at you with overwhelming strength.

 . . . Ruigumon!

"Ruigumon, help Metalmamemon!" the Watcher commanded, her hand now clenching around the precious crest in triumph.

The new-digivolved Ultimate leaped up into the air, a blur of steel-grey and orange. She came to Metalmamemon's side, floating in the air. Her pale orange eyes turned to meet his red and laser-lighted eyes, and for a brief moment, they sneered.

"Ready?" Ruigumon spoke, her voice smooth unlike the accents of her former stages.

"Ready." Metalmamemon rumbled and then raised his cannon-hand toward the moving Cyberdramon, who treaded heavily toward them, the body exhausted but now refreshed with new madness. "Metal Bomb Fist!" The inferno detonated from the cannon and wickedly licked around the protected skin, slowly scorching until the skin was tender.

Ruigumon spread wide her metal wings and they then lightly charged with tiny silver lightning bolts. "Heart Bullet!" The holes that were built in the metal wings opened up and pellets shaped as razor-sharp hearts, as tiny as thumbnails, fired out. The Heart Bullets came into contact with Cyberdramon's body, making him snapping back his head and hollering in great agony. As quick as the Heart Bullets struck him, Cyberdramon dissolved into pixel dust, gliding into thin air.

But he wasn't quite gone. In his place, there was something that was odd in appearance. A tiny ball of some kind, all black and smooth, rested in place. It seemed like the ball was absorbing sunlight, not reflecting it. The Digimon and kids came to take a cautious gaze upon the ball. No one dared to touch it or even step within several feet of it, forming an awkward circle around it.

"What is this thing?" Sora murmured, clearly tense, as well as the others.

"I've seen this before," Iyumon spoke tiredly, from upon Seadramon's neck. "It's a virus that controls Digimon into insanity, not unlike the Black Rings."

"So, that means Cyberdramon was being controlled?" Daisuke wondered, glancing to the others, who had no other answer for his question.

The attention was attracted to the ball once again as it gave out a weird groan as if was in agony, and then evaporated into pixels. An instant later, Metalmamemon glowed with the golden glow, and his body reduced in size. Elecmon's In-Training form, Pagumon, frowned as his black eyes gazed around his different body.

"Aw, back to the In-Training Stage," he mumbled, then shrugged as much as his small body could. "I gotta get used to it."

Frankie gently picked him up in his arms. He was grinning proudly. "I'm really proud of you, saving us."

Pagumon's grey-furred cheeks blushed lightly. "Well, that's the least I can do."

Cleo took a gaze at her new-digivolved Digimon. Ruigumon appeared surprised, thoroughly taking in details of her body, orange eyes glancing at her arms, legs, wings, and body. She looked much different, more human in appearance, except for the Chrondigizoid metal scraps and large wings that were made of orange-tinted metal. Her metal antennae perked up, and she turned toward the coming fourteen-years-old girl.

Cleo was silent: she entwined her hands, and finally spoke softly, "Ruigumon, I'm sorry I forced you to digivolve."

Ruigumon only smiled. "It is okay, Cleo." She then took another gaze at her hands. "I think I will like this body."

Michael was sitting down on a fallen boulder, supporting his right ankle on another rock. Sora was kneeling beside, gently checking on his ankle. He had heard what Cleo and Ruigumon spoke about, and he was curious. "What does she mean, forcing her?"

Sora replied bluntly, "Very few Champions can digivolve to Ultimate without a certain device, such like a crest, but Cleo doesn't have a Digivice to control the stages." Pausing, she glanced to the butterfly. "She will have to stay Ultimate."

The New Kids were silent as they watched the tension between Frankie, Sora, and Cleo. Frankie and Sora cast careful looks at each other, clearly guarded, while Cleo avoided all gazes upon her.

What's up with them?

***

That crest . . .

I never forgot the familiar light. How could I? I can remember the beautiful light, so much like a newborn flower bud. It shone all of a sudden, poking a tiny hole of my magnificent darkness. My darkness was too dark to let any light shine through, but it is now flawed. Before, my darkness was perfect, without emotion and disorder, just pure. I found it comforting, knowing that nothing will hurt me. No one will ever dominate me. I was free . . .

Until now.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, there is the crest light, so humbly glowing, but nevertheless there. It may be beautiful, but it is also deadly. When the light first shone, it was like a tainted dagger pierced right through my heart, that if I ever have one. I can feel my life-blood seeping out, but I know I am not dying or hurt at all. I cannot be hurt! I am immortal!

Nevertheless . . . this light reminds me somehow of life. Reminding me of how precious life is, and how it should never be corrupted. Then how it could be possible, I recalled. Everybody knows that life cannot be perfect. When there is life, there will be death. We need balance, and we cannot live without balance.  You cannot have life without death, and you cannot have light without darkness. I should know because I am the darkness.

Then who would be the light? That crest? That crest is too weak to be a ray of the light, but it did flaw my darkness. And there is something else about it . . .

Why is that when the light hurt me, I feel happy? I forgot what feels like to be happy. I forgot how to be happy a long time ago. Melancholy is my happiness. Grief is my joy. Death is my life. Why did I feel jovial that the crest is alive? Is that because she is alive after all the time? How ridiculous! She is dead. I know because I killed her. I killed her because I cannot stand the heartbreaking eyes of her. I gave her no mercy, but she did touch me just before she died that she forgave me. My humble, little Lucy . . .

 . . .?

Tears . . .?

I. . .  cry?

. . .

I must find who bears the crest. I want to know why this person awakened the crest to life, and of what purpose. Moreover, when I find him, I will destroy him just like I destroyed my girl.

***

Demidevimon remained perched upon the head of the throne. His 'mother' was seated on that chair, perfectly unmoving as she mused deeply. He remembered what had happened a few hours ago. Daematermon seemed to flinch in pain, giving out a small, childlike gasp. The living darkness, which was always embracing around her body, recoiled agonizingly and dejectedly from her. It happened only in a brief second, but she was truly disturbed, her small body apprehensive in disbelief. After that, she sat down on the plain, wooden throne and ruminated.

He was greatly inquisitive about why that when Daematermon was the essence of the darkness, she still flinched at a bit of pain. However, he knew better than pester her with meaningless questions, so he remained silent, his large golden eyes on his mother.

Then she finally roused and turned her hidden face toward the door of her empty chamber. Demidevimon also watched over there, but saw nothing but a doorframe that seemed to surround the darkness from outside. A short time later, he could hear scuffling from the outside of the entryway, as if something was slithering on the ground. Instantly, he knew what his mother was doing. She was calling her other servant.

That servant was made of her doing, straight from chosen data and Human DNA she had stolen from a previous Digidestined. In few words, she was not a real Digimon. Still, Daematermon, being a tender mother, referred to her as a daughter, and even Demidevimon recently called her as his younger 'sister'.

A figure entered the chamber, slowly, as in respect of the Daemon Mother, and soon, Demidevimon could see her appearance as she slithered into the few rays of daylight. He noticed that she wasn't in her Digimon form, instead in her human form. A young girl stood before the Daemon Mother. She looked about nine years old, he believed. She looked simple in appearance, wearing a dark purple jumper over a black shirt. She was barefoot, and her wavy hair was the color of the indigo night sky, pulled back into a thick ponytail. She has her eyes closed as she bowed to Daematermon.

"Yes, my Mother?" she hissed softly with sly shyness, two pointed fangs exposed from behind her girlish smile.

Daematermon twitched a faint smile at her, but her voice was icy-cold. "I demand you to search for the Crest. I sensed it, and I want to know who the fool that woke it is. Keep yourself hidden, do not let anybody see you. Once you found the crest, report me at once. Don't fail me, Verzyemon."

As Demidevimon watched, Verzyemon seemed to transform before his eyes. It took her only a few seconds, and before Daematermon, stood a woman-snake. Half snake from the waist down, half woman from waist up, she was. A lengthy thick tail thrashed, leaving thick dust trails behind, as she slinked closer. Small durable scales, as wide as a human child's hand, of shiny violet and black protected the vulnerable skin beneath. Above her waist, a young woman smirked upward at her 'brother'. Smaller scales, built for lethal beauty, adorned her long arms, torso, and neck, allowing her delicate face free with velvety skin. Her hands looked normal, but her fingers ended up into talons of toxin. Thick wavy hair curled about her small shoulders, and when she smiled, two pointed fangs exposed from behind her full lips, twinkling white. Her eyes opened and they were snakelike, golden irises with black slits.

"I shall do what you ask, Mother."

***

I am back in my dream, but I know it's not mine.

At least, I thought so.

It is not the same. I'm not walking from the darkness into the dying garden that I usually repeated before. Instead, I stand in the middle of the garden, as if I'm here the whole time, having no sense how I got here. I could feel a cool breeze in the air, and I know that my past dream didn't have any wind. It was too still, artificial, and this dream . . . it is natural. It's the same, yes, with the dying plants around me, the darkness behind me, the light in front, but the air . . . it feels different.

The breeze gently brushing my short ivory hair away from my face, I take time observing the area. It's much the same to my recent dream. The garden is the same garden with the withering plants as if out of thirst for nonexistent water and sunlight. I have no understanding of this 'representation'. Ever since, I symbolized the garden as a world on its last legs or a waning heart, something like that. All I know is that the garden somehow characterizes death or dying.

There are many tiny paths made of ancient stones jumbling through the plants, and now I decide to walk upon one of them. It leads me through a hallway of tall, lifeless shrubbery, the top almost reaching to my chin. I could see the swirling, magnificent light behind the barred door at the far edge of the garden. My heart again aches of longing to go there, but that dire door prevents me. That door . . . it still scares and puzzles me. Why is it there? Why is it locked?

Sighing faintly, my eyes gaze upward to the silver-grey sky that is a blend of the eternal light and the living darkness. It's neutral and relaxed, and it gives me neither happiness nor sadness. It's always that way, and I have no idea why. Something attracts my astonished attention. Numerous, tiny butterflies of many colors silently flutter over me, so high that I almost miss the teeny creatures among the grayness. Butterflies, here? I wonder with amazement. It's the first time I'd ever seen any other creatures than me.

I snap my head to my right. I hear a sneeze. It's a very light, childlike sneeze, but the very sound in the silence startles me. My eyes narrow at the chain of browned bushes behind me. "Who is there?" I speak with hardness in my voice. "Show yourself."

I hear nothing, but silence from the bushes, and then another sound comes out, again surprising me. The sound is a frightened sniffle. Someone is here, hiding in the bushes, and by that sound, I think it's young. It sounds so sacred that my voice softened as I kneel by, "You can come out. I'm not going to hurt you."

I watch carefully in the bushes, searching for any façade of that person, and I could make out two small human eyes peeking out. The eyes are striking blue, like electric blue. The young eyes amaze me - they are familiar. Someone I saw in my memories . . . I make a brief shake of my head from the sudden dizziness I often experienced, and coo to the blue eyes, holding out a hand. "It's okay."

A moment later, a human hand comes out, and so small. It seems to shake with fright, but it firmly holds on my hand, as if the child with the bright eyes is lonely and hungry for a touch. As I watch, the face of a young girl comes out from the bushes. Thick bangs of light blond hair cloud over her electric blue eyes, the cheeks rosy and full.

I make a gasp - she looks exactly like me! She looked exactly the same when I was her age of eight! I withdraw my hand in disbelief, my jade eyes wide at the exact resemblance of the girl child before me.

"Who are you?" I speak cautiously.

The small girl crawls out on hands and knees, her eyes steadfast but terrified. Her clothing is unusual in appearance. Over a simple white shirt, she wears a kind of a denim jumper, all black, reaching down to her knees, along with a dark blue blazer with three stripes of black, gold, and red around the hem. One thing that strikes against her dark clothing is a long, silky sash tied around her waist. It's made of the rainbow, every color in order, illustrious and peculiar, the ends knotted and swaying at her right side.

The girl cocks her head at me, seeming to know something about me. In a very small voice, she whispers, "I think . . . I'm you."

I narrow my eyes, studying the details of her, and finally, I remember. I remember seeing her standing beside me in my other dream, waiting for the 'key' I was supposed to give her. She was very quiet, looking at me with pity and hope.

This time, the same young girl before me is truly a child, frightened and alone.

"I know you," I say. "You are the girl from my dream. Nikhai."

Nikhai. That strange, yet familiar name. I do not know why the name reminds me of something. It's like the half of my memories are gone, unable to remember anything of this mysterious girl and name.

The girl is slowly nodding at me. "It's my name, but I think I have another one."

I glance to the bushes and ask, "Why were you hiding in there?"

She looks troubled. "I hid from the monster."

"What monster?"

"My monster." Nikhai crawls backward toward the safety of the bushes, her bright eyes darting around.

I quickly hold on her cool hand and she stops at that, watching me. "Nikhai, there is no monster here, or at least, I think so." I glance around the dying garden. "It's my dream, after all."

Nikhai seems to frown. "No, it's my dream. You are in it."

"You said the same thing before," I murmur. In my other dream, Nikhai often mentioned that she thought she dreamt this place, and I thought I dreamt this.  None of us understood why or how did it come to be. "Whose dream is this, Nikhai?"

"I don't know," she responds with innocence. She comes to kneel before me, and her tiny hands touch my face. The coolness soothes me, sending calming tickles down my back. Perhaps she is surprised to see a person with the same face as hers. A small, coy smile appears on her face. "You are pretty."

I blink and smile back warmly. "Why, thank you."

"You are pretty like my monster."

At that, a cold, bitter hand suddenly clenches on my heart, and I could feel my blood draining from my face. I want to believe that Nikhai is only a child. She would say things like that, not knowing the dire foreboding from them, but I force myself to remember about the reasons of her meeting me. She looks exactly like me. She wants the key from me. She's trapped here like me, both longing for the light and fearing the darkness. The simple words of beauty she uttered recently scares me.

Nikhai now grins widely, full of cheerfulness. "I will call you Butterfly because you came here with them."

What is with those foreboding words? I catch myself glancing upward, thinking that I would see the butterflies in the sky, but to my surprise and apprehension, they are gone. I'm alone in a dying garden with a girl that could be my twin. I can't help it but feeling that I'm doomed.

Taking a deep breath, I gaze back to the girl, having a few questions of mine. "Nikhai, who is your monster?"

I don't know," she answers, suddenly timid.

"Do you know what your monster looks like?"

Nikhai shakes her head, her hand holding one of the ends of the rainbow sash to her mouth. She's wide-eyed with forlorn dread.

I frown at her action. "Then how can you know which monster you hide from?"

Nikhai finally says, but with eerie words, "I will know when she comes."

She? I frown at that, but I don't have a chance to ponder this over when Nikhai grabs on my hand, forgetting about my questions. "Butterfly, can I show you something?"

"Sure," I only nod.

Nikhai pulls me to my feet, and she seems excited as I follow her down one of the paths. I notice that the path is leading into the darkness. I remember of the dire feeling during my walk in the darkness, and I hesitate, too scared to walk inside. But the girl pauses just several feet before the darkness. She points downward, and I crouch, taking a look.

A large symbol of a triangle is engraved on a flat stone a couple of feet wide, the triangle dashed through by a lightning bolt. My fingers touch the impression.

"Is it pretty?" Nikhai is saying. "I made it."

"Yeah, it's pretty," I agree. "Why did you make it?"

She kneels by me. "I just remembered. My brother liked the picture."

"Your brother?"

"Yeah! He will like it." Suddenly, she nudges my arm. "Come on, let's see the other pictures I made for my friends!" She lets go, and she dashes down the path back in the garden.

"Nikhai, wait!" I make an impatient grunt and I pursue after her. She runs toward the light, near the barred door, and she turns back, calling out my name. As soon as I arrive, she then points downward, grinning. I notice that there are three more symbols, as strange as the lightning triangle, engraved on a risen stone.

One is shaped as an hourglass, only that it's gracefully curved around corners and sides, as if it's dancing. The second is three small triangles, touched together with one of the points on each. Lastly, the third symbol is two large circle with a long, curved line linked in between.

"I made them," Nikhai says with mixed sadness and excitement in her eyes, "so my friends will remember."

"Why do they need to remember?"

"About my monster," she responds. "I'm so scared of her, and I want my friends with me so I will feel safe."

I can't handle the mystery here. There are so much more to this simple dream and to the look-alike girl standing before me. I must find the answers and I have the questions to ask. Firmly, I hold on her small shoulders and sternly gaze in her eyes. "Who are your friends? Where are they?"

She mildly answers, "They are in there." She points a finger behind me. I look and she's pointing at the swirling light behind the barred door. She continues, "I want them to come out, but they can't. I need the key to open that door, so that they will protect me from the monster."

"The key . . ." I frown and turn back to her. "Nikhai, what's the key? Please, tell me."

"I don't know, Butterfly," Nikhai replied with a bit of unease. "You're supposed to give me the key."

"I don't know what the key is!" I yell, my anxiety and angst erupting from within. "I don't know where to find it! You're the only one who knows! You have to tell me!"

She's truly scared of my sudden change, but she doesn't run away from me. Instead, she looks up and makes a terrified whimper. An abrupt sensation of dread shivers through my body, and my heart bumping, I whirl around. That 8-shaped symbol on the top of the door is glowing, somehow. That light scares me the radiance grows intense.

Suddenly, Nikhai escapes from my hold. I call out her name as she disappears around the bushes, but there is silence from her. Again, I look back, and gasp as the intense light blinds me into darkness . . .

***

Cleo sat upright from her bed, gasping breath. She gazed around quickly and saw that she was back in her bedroom. Her vision was blurred from sleep, and she rubbed her eyes. Her head was full of light dizziness, and she stayed still, waiting until the dizziness faded out. She sighed deeply, and one of her jade eyes tiredly opened, remembering about the new strange dream.

Nikhai . . . Who are you?

***

(A/N: Juicy clues in there! *runs from angry fans because once again she refuses to let go the suspense* Heh!)

***

Cleo made a smile as she accepted the steaming cup from Yamato. "Arigato, Yama-san."

Yamato smiled back and walked over to the kitchen. His hands toyed with the dishes and the warm kettle, but his mind was on the blonde sitting on his couch. He sneaked a guarded gaze toward the smaller blonde drunk the warm tea. He could notice a difference in her even since the battle with Cyberdramon. Something about her appeared out of place, but he didn't think she did know about it. He could see a spirit hovering near her.

Another ghost?

He was able to see deceased spirits since his Power was Spirit. He had noticed that there were spirits drifting behind a few Digidestined. Ken was the most conspicuous, having his older brother's spirit wafting around him. It seemed that, out of his guilty conscience, Ken refused to forget about his brother that the spiritual link between them held Sam to him. Yamato often wished to tell Ken that his brother already forgave him, but he couldn't dare to beak his oath of keeping his power a secret. Then, some time later, Ken finally settled peace with himself, and Sam, seeing that his business was finished, disappeared out of sight.

Iori did have a spirit around him, but Yamato decided not to tell him, for that spirit told him to keep the secret confidential. Iori just had to find out on his own about his troubles. Then it was the misty spirit floating behind Prophetmon that really perplexed him. He couldn't tell the details of the spirit, but he began to think that he could recognize the spirit as someone that had died four years ago, but he didn't want to make a mistake by telling Prophetmon. He wasn't even sure if the Digimon did know about the spirit . . .

Then there was Cleo. When he opened the door to greet Cleo into his home, something about Cleo overwhelmed him. There was a murky aura around her, unseen, but very clear to him. There was a small spirit walking beside her, always at her left side, often casting nervous glances over her shoulders. He assumed that it was a young girl, about seven or eight years old, but all dark and cloudy that he had problems reading the details. There was a fearful air around the spirit and she appeared deeply worried about something maybe a danger that she foresaw. Yamato also felt troubled, not because of the spirit's anxiety, but for Cleo. Cleo might be in danger that she wasn't aware of, but Yamato didn't know what kind of danger was waiting for her. Plus, when did the spirit first appear, anyway? Why now?

Yamato almost jolted from his thoughts when the vibrant words appeared in his mind. 'You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine.'

Yamato gazed over to Cleo, who was looking right at him with a small smile. "I didn't say anything . . ." Yamato said, but trailed off, realizing. "Oh, your power . . ." He still didn't believe that there was still a power that was connected to Mind, and he grew curious of it. "Cleo, tell me one thing . . ." He then took his cup, turned a chair to face Cleo in the front and sat there, watching her. "Is it weird that you can read my mind? Any mind?"

Cleo was quiet, and then answered, "I try my best to stay out of your minds, but sometimes, thoughts can be strong enough to show themselves without your control over them." She smiled. "Your thoughts are like neon lights."

Yamato watched her carefully. He wanted to find out about the spirit that sat by her, her head bowed, her eyes darting around from under lashes. He needed to know. "Cleo . . . What do you think of what I'm thinking now?"

He then knew that she read his mind, for she looked slightly tense, lowering her gaze from his steel-grey gaze. Yamato continued, "Do you know?"

"About the girl?"

"Who is she?"

She softly exhaled and looked upward. "I don't know who she is. I had dreams about her ever since . . . ever since I can remember. She is like a phantom that won't go away."

Yamato wondered if she knew that the 'phantom' was dead. "Do you know that she's a ghost, a deceased spirit?"

"You can see her?" At the male's nod, she tightened her hold on her cup, staring at the liquid. ". . . Her name is Nikhai and she knows about Digimon."

Yamato can see that she wanted to tell him more, but she seemed uncertain if she should. He felt that he needed to know who the spirit was. Although, the fact that the spirit knew about Digimon was a bit strange. "How could she know?"

Cleo shrugged. "Maybe she was a Digidestined."

Yamato formed a frown of disbelief. "A girl who died that young? I find it uncanny." How it could be, he thought. A seven-years-old girl who was dead and she knew about Digimon?

Cleo rubbed her cheeks, looking confused. "Well, I did ask her, but she won't answer. She seems so frightened . . ."

He noticed the concerned tone in her voice. He can imagine; the ghost girl was looking very scared of something, huddled next to Cleo, shaking. Cleo remained quiet, watching Yamato curiously, as he observed the unseen girl. Yamato can speak with spirits, but only if they were willing. Yamato was willing to help, and he relayed that to the girl, using a streak of his Spirit Power to 'touch' her. Then he was surprised when the girl seemed to cower at his power, trying to hide behind Cleo. The girl stared back with terrified eyes, and he realized that she was not ready to talk. She was too sacred. Still, Yamato had to find out what has happened to her and why she was bonded to Cleo. He could do another way to talk with her, but only if Cleo was willing, as well.

He looked to the blonde, asking gently, "Maybe you can tell me more about your dreams and the girl."

She didn't answer anything, unconsciously reading his mind. What he had in his mind astonished her and she shook her head, uncertain. "No, Matt . . . I don't want you to enter my dreams."

He sighed. He can enter dreams to find answers. There was the only other way to speak to the deceased. "Do you want to find out who she is? Why she is in your dreams?"

Cleo was still shaking her head. "But she is so afraid! She's hiding, fearing that her monster will get her."

"Her monster?"

"It could be a Digimon or a real Monster. The problem is that she is a very scared child, lost her brother and friends to her monster, and she fears that her monster will find her. She trusts me not to tell anybody about her so the monster won't know where she is. The only reason you know about her is because you see her."

"She chooses to be seen so she does want me to see her." Alhough, he wanted to know why she wanted him to see her.

"What can you do to help her?" Cleo sounded helpless.

"I can talk to her."

"Then talk!"

Yamato shook his head. "She has no voice to talk. The only way I can talk to her is in your dreams."

Cleo wrapped her arms around herself, troubled. "You can hypnotize me and enter my dreams . . . ?"

Yamato felt his heart clenching at her scared voice. Somehow, she looked very much like the ghost girl. They looked too alike, acted too alike. That caused a cold pierce at his neck, his neck hairs standing. He rubbed at his neck, trying to answer her question. " . . . That's one of the ways, but yeah."

". . . It's too dangerous . . ."

"Why? How dangerous can it be?"

Cleo's jade eyes met his steel-grey eyes. "Because . . . if her monster is that bad, the monster would kill me just because Nikhai is inside me."

Yamato was wordless, hearing her words. Again, the cold pierce came, and he lowered his gaze. She might be right. Whoever that monster was, it could be dangerous and hostile, and if it was searching for the little girl, it might know about Cleo and would try to destroy her, as well. He suddenly felt a strong protection, the wanting to take Cleo to safety so no one would hurt her. He didn't know why he felt that way, being not that close, but perhaps it was because she looked frightened. He would be scared if there was a monster out there wanting to kill him just because he was in the way.

Yamato slowly nodded. "Perhaps it's better for both of us to wait."

"Yes, please," Cleo said with the pleading.

"But I could help her . . ."

Cleo tightened her lips, lightly frowning. "Well, for now, I wish to help her alone."

Yamato blinked. "Alone? But if -"

Cleo held up a hand to silence him. "Wait, Matt. There is something I want to do by myself. You see, I feel that I could not do anything to help you. I feel like that I'm helpless, a weight on your shoulders."

"Cleo, you are not," Yamato said sincerely. "You are a great help to us."

Cleo averted her head. "I know it, but still, that's how I feel. I do want to help, and not just being there as a spokesperson between you and Prophetmon. I want to do something that will be of a great help to you." She looked back to him, serious. "I believe that there is something about this girl in my dreams that is connected to this, whatever the Final Battle is. She trusts only me and no one else, and I want to help her on my own. It will prove to you that I can do something."

Yamato heard the confident tone in her voice, but she made it sounded like that he didn't appreciate her doings. " . . . We didn't mean to make it seem that you didn't do anything."

"It's not just you," she answered. "I just feel that I want to do this on my own. I believe I can solve this without any help."

Yamato nodded. "I will trust you on that, but . . .  I want to help you, too. If that girl won't talk or I keep seeing her around, then I would want to find out, too."

Cleo appeared withdrawn, studying him, and then nodded. "Ok, Matt. If I can't solve this problem on my own, I will ask you." Her eyebrows crossed. "But only you. Please don't tell anybody about this. You are the only one that I can ask for help."

"Ok. There must be a reason why she is here in yours dreams . . ."

"And if I can't ask her, you can ask her, but at another time. When we both are ready."

Yamato gave her a rare smile. "Good idea. I know you can do it."

Cleo smiled back in gratitude.

Still . . . Yamato can't stop thinking about the girl. Just one question he needed to ask. That would make this mystery clear. "But one question . . . When did you first get your dreams?"

He watched as she tried to remember, but then he heard knocking on the front door. He stood, preparing to get the door, but he stayed there, watching Cleo. She quietly answered, "Ever since I got my crest."

Interesting . . . He took a brief glance down to her crest, and then headed for the door. He grinned as Taichi entered, taking off his shoes.

"Ohayou, minna-san," Taichi addressed.

Yamato remembered why Cleo and Taichi were here for. Cleo had called them privately and she had information from Prophetmon that she felt that it was important for the 'leaders' to know. Obviously, Taichi was the leader, already chosen by his friends, and Yamato was chosen by Taichi to be the second-in-command. Even so, Yamato was aware that the Circles, which were called by the Old Kids, representing the Friends of the Stones' circles, had chosen leaders already. Taichi was in the outer circle, which involved Sora, Mimi, and Joe, for their powers, and it made Taichi the leader. Yamato was the leader of the inner circle, Kim, Izzy, and Frankie. He noticed that it didn't matter who were the leaders and who weren't. The Old Kids were aware of their roles and they knew what they can do and can't do. Yamato would not choose to be the leader of the inner circle, but he was honored when Taichi gave him the role that he decided to keep it.

Cleo was serious about her information and Yamato and Taichi agreed to meet her at Yamato's residence. It was the day after the last Destined Digimon, Elecmon and Dewimon, digivolved into their Ultimate Stages, as well, and Yamato felt that the Final Battle was coming. He hoped that the information would be helpful.

As Yamato closed the door, Taichi glanced over to Cleo. She was quiet, staring down in her cup. She looked so small, so fragile, and yet she held strength within. Yamato sat down on his chair as Taichi sat by Cleo. He remarked that Taichi showed one of his rare empathy to Cleo.

"Cleo, are you alright?" Taichi asked, his tan eyes soft.

Cleo seemed to snap from her thoughts and didn't notice the big-haired boy beside her. "Yeah, why?"

Taichi titled his head. "You seem lost in thought."

She just shrugged. "Just thinking."

Taichi again smiled, and then looked over to Yamato. The blonde was just sitting, waiting for him to start. Taichi continued to Cleo, "I understand that you have something to say."

Yamato made a snicker. "Tai, I never heard you that formal."

"Must you criticize me about this?" Taichi protested, although a wily smile played on his lips.

"Fun that way."

"I don't see you being formal, either."

"I have my way." Yamato grinned good-naturedly.

Suddenly, a word burst in their minds, flaring intensely. 'Boys!' Cleo mental-spoke.

"Whoa!" Taichi jumped, blinking at the brightness, even it was only in his mind.

Yamato rubbed his head, could feel the solidity of the word inside. He smiled sheepishly, "Maybe we should listen to Cleo for now."

Cleo grinned, back to her good nature. She waited until the boys recovered from the sudden mental voice and said, "Ok, this is short, so it won't take long. It's important for you to know about this, but before I tell you about it, I only got this information from Prophetmon. He's my source of the Digiworld, keeping me updated about what is happening out there. Whatever I say about this, I heard it from him. Okay?"

Yamato's answer was a nod. He understood what she meant. Some of the Old Kids were already suspicious of her and Prophetmon, since they just happened to show and offer their help. Cleo was already a good friend to them, but they never knew that she was a Digidestined until she was discovered, so they still suspected that she might keep a few secrets from them. Prophetmon carried a resemblance of Wizardmon, one of the most valuable and respectful Digimon the Digidestined held in their hearts, and some of the kids frowned at that, for it seemed to them that the strange Digimon was a mockery.

Yamato wasn't against Cleo. He just understood why she was secretive.

Although, Taichi wasn't that understanding. "Someday, I want to ask you more about Prophetmon," he said solemnly, but he then smiled. "But go ahead."

Cleo cast him an appreciative gaze. "You know about the D-3s that the New Kids have? Well, Prophetmon told me that we do have D-3s so they can help our Digimon digivolve into their Mega Forms."

Yamato arched his eyebrows in surprise. "Are you serious? We do have D-3s?"

"But we already have our Digivices," Taichi said.

"Prophetmon said that your Digivices are outdated, so they need to be updated."

"How?" Taichi demanded. "And must I remind you that we lost all our crest powers? Our Digimon cannot digivolve to Mega."

Cleo smiled, shaking her head. "But you are wrong, Tai. Think about it. Have your Digimon digivolved to Mega using your crests?"

"As a matter of fact, no," Yamato said, comprehending.

"And your Digimon can digivolve to Mega without any crest power, so they can jump over the Champion and Ultimate stages to Mega. They didn't digivolve directly from Ultimate to Mega, but from Rookie to Mega."

"It's true," Taichi nodded. "So all of us can have our Digimon digivolve into Mega?"

"Yes."

Taichi grinned, the first one here. "It's nice to hear that. Our Digimon would be thrilled knowing that they can digivolve after all. So we don't need any Digicore?" That, he asked Cleo.

"No, not anymore."

Yamato took out his Digivice. He was surprised at how old it was, dull grey with blue buttons. It was ancient, the 'first Digivices' ever made. Of course, the Digivices were needed to be updated. The Digiworld was updated and rebooted many times, and so the Digivices needed to catch up to the modern adjustments. It was important, too. The Digidestined needed more power if they were needed to defeat the Final Evil, and the Mega Digimon would be more than enough. He gazed to Cleo, saying, "So where can we update our Digivices?"

Cleo replied, "We have to go to an island north of File Island. It's called Destiny Island, and no, I don't know why it is called that way. Prophetmon took me there one time. It is beautiful, a lot of trees, very peaceful. He showed me a cave underneath the island. It's enormous, but empty. He said the only way to update your Digivices is that you have to be there together."

"So we need to get them as soon as possible?" Taichi questioned.

Cleo nodded to his question and she then grinned in delight. Her delight was clear. "Also, the New Kids need to be there, too. They will get their Crests there."

Taichi noticed her delight and also smiled. "I suspect so. I always thought they will get their Crests, since Ken already got his, and they know their virtues through the tests."

Yamato agreed. "Yeah, and it's good because we need all the help we need to face the Final Evil."

"You are right," Cleo said. "In fact, the new crest will help the New Kids to become into Armor Children."

"Armor Children?" Taichi repeated, perplexed. "What?"

Cleo looked slightly surprised of something. "Don't you realize? Did you know that we are called as the Nature Children because we control nature?"

"Yeah, we know . . ." Yamato trailed off, realizing. Something popped in his mind, at the edge of his consciousness, vague yet nagging. "You mean . . .?"

The knocking came again. The memory vanished, and Yamato blinked at the abruptness. He stared at the door for a moment, then apprehended. " . . . " He could feel the tan and jade eyes on him as he went to answer the door. When he saw who was at the door, he then smiled.

"Ohayou, nii-chan," his little brother said. He was hugging Patamon in his arms, his azure eyes full of concern. He wasn't looking like the confident, eager Takeru, and Yamato knew why.

"So you decide to come here?" The Guardian said as he let the Savior in.

Takeru let Patamon fly out his arms and turned to Yamato. His face was quiet and bothered. Yamato knew why he looked that way. Takeru talked to him about what happened days ago and he wanted to let Taichi know about it. Yamato agreed and promised that he did support the idea. Takeru nodded at Yamato's question. "I have to. It's critical." He glanced over to Taichi and Cleo sitting on the couch, looking curious. His azure eyes appeared clouded and he walked over to Taichi, Yamato following.

"Tai, I'm sorry to interrupt this, but . . ." Takeru looked over to Yamato for support. His big brother smiled and nodded. Feeling a bit more confident, Takeru said, "I have something to say."

The Master looked every inch as the leader of the Digidestined. "Yes, what is it?"

Takeru folded his hands and bowed his head, the ancient humble role for a youngster toward the elder. In a quiet voice, "I still think we should tell the New Kids about our powers."

Yamato knew Taichi very well. Even that the leader was stable outward, he could see the stubbornness flashing in his tan eyes. He said, "Tai, let him explain."

Taichi glanced to him for a moment, and then watched Takeru as the boy went into explanations.

"Taichi-san, I have thought over this, and we should tell them. I feel that . . . no, I know that they will find out. They will find out that we have these powers and I have faith and trust in them that they will accept the facts. Somehow, I have a feeling that we are keeping secrets from each other, and I don't know why. Even I have a secret that I can't tell you until I feel ready."

Even Yamato was surprised at that, for he had no idea about Takeru's secret. Nevertheless, his suggestion was important. Takeru gazed directly at Taichi, more certain. "I'm sorry that I used my power against my word, but it was necessary. I wanted to save Cody. If I can't use my power, Cody would be dead right now." Takeru made a very small half-smile. "Now that my power is known, I feel better because I don't want to keep any secret from my friends. I trust them and they trust me. It's not fair for them not to know our secrets just because they are not part of this. They are part of this. Sooner or later, we will have to tell them about our secrets. I want to tell them about our secrets."

Yamato watched Taichi's reactions carefully, and his reactions were half what he expected. The leader's eyes locked on the azure gaze, and then he looked away, appearing deep in thought, his boyish face simple. He then made a nod and gazed back, saying, "From what I know right now, the New Kids already know about your, Frankie's and Sora's powers. There is no way to cover them up, and it's too late. I'm aware of the risks involved if we tell them about our powers . . ."

Takeru looked a bit defeated, but Taichi's voice softened, as he continued, "But I'm aware of the risks involved if we don't tell them . . . I was thinking over this, last night. We have to let them understand that we are not 'freaks', but just happen to have them. I want to tell them that I'm one of them. I want to tell them that they don't fear us."

"They are not afraid of us," Takeru said otherwise. "They are awed of it and they want to learn more."

Taichi appeared astonished, a smile on his lips. "They do, don't they . . .? You are right, TK. It's not fair for them not to know."

"Really?" Takeru grinned, hope brightening in his face. "You will let us tell them? Thank you. I feel relieved. I don't know how you feel if I want them to know . . . but you accepted it."

"Don't thank me. Thank your brother. He knocked some sense in me."

Yamato half-smiled at himself as he recalled his snap at him about reproaching his brother for using his power. Takeru was chuckling. "As he always did," he said.

Yamato also grinned. "And I'm glad you agreed to my brother's suggestion, Tai. It's fair."

As the boys nodded, Cleo, who was quiet, spoke in. "Now I ask you, are you planning to show them your powers now or . . . ?"

Taichi glanced to her. "You have a point. Should we have some kind of presentation so we can show them?"

"Maybe we can have a picnic together someday and show them our powers and tell stories," Takeru suggested, beaming. "They would love it."

"Michael and Willis should be there because they already saw the powers," Cleo said.

"Is that a coincidence?" Taichi was curious. "I mean, why did, all of a sudden, two American Digidestined join us? Not any of the others?"

Yamato shrugged. "Maybe it's meant to be."

"But why them?" Taichi voiced. "Not any other Digidestined?"

The Watcher grinned. "You would ask the same question even if another Digidestined joins us."

"Point," he grinned back.

Takeru picked Patamon from where the Digimon was perched on the nearby table. Holding him tenderly, he said with sincerity, "I would not ask for any better team than the New Kids. I think we can do it. We can help you fight the Final Evil."

Taichi shook his head, chuckling. "You don't have to make it obvious. I know you can do it. I have faith in you."

"As do we all," Cleo agreed.

Somehow, Yamato felt the icy pierce stabbing underneath his skin and he shivered. He didn't know why, and he didn't know why he thought up the words. But those words held a dire foreboding and Yamato was suddenly worried. He glanced to the frightened girl, who was watching back, appearing that she knew his words and knew the doom.

'We have to have faith. Who knows what will happen if the faith is gone?'

To be continued.