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.

5. Revealing the Past

Disclaimer: Chicobo, Joseph, and I do not own Digimon: Digital Monsters. Sorry.

Dai: Now that *sounds* remorseful. Why are you sorry for?

Debbie: For disappointing my fans.

Dai: Who says you have fans?

Debbie: . . . I don't like you.

Dai: Neither do I.

Demy: -_- *sighs*

Children of the Digital:

Part Five: Revealing the Past

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

The room was quiet, just like the other rooms of the residence of the Takaishi's.

Takaishi Takeru slept soundly in his bed, along with his Patamon nestled on the blanket, his wings folded over his body. Nothing should disturb their peaceful dreams. Nothing should disturb the peacefulness of the residence. Nothing outlandish should be here.

But she chose to be here.

Soft light rays began to radiate from the computer screen at the far side of the room. It was like the computer was turned on its own, the screen now shining greyish-green. The lights were just dim enough not to wake the sleepers. Slowly, a small figure stepped out from the computer. It was not detailed, all made of dark silvery light. The silvery figure formed itself into a human female, a small girl child. The figure gained her colors and looks, and lastly, Verzyemon stood in the center of the room.

Her golden eyes gazed over to the sleepers and her lips grinned. She would be eager to attack them when they were vulnerable, but she was at orders at the moment. Verzyemon silently tilted her head, feeling for the strip of darkness that she was feeling ever since she entered the room. The strip was like a thread inside her, a thread thin and weak. Mentally, she touched it. Only the ones of the evil and the ones who were touched by the dark can feel it. The thread could choose to hurt her for touching it, but it didn't do anything, simply guiding the girl-Digimon. It wanted to be found.

The origin of the thread was in a closet. So, that's where he keeps them.' She glanced to the boy with interest. Clever boy, hiding them in the least obvious place, but he doesn't understand how the darkness works.'

She tiptoed over to the closet and opened the slide door. She wasn't expecting that the strip of darkness was coming from on the top of the shelf. And the shelf was too far for her to reach. She frowned at that. She could choose to transform into her Digimon form, but she knew that it was too risky. Looking around, she spied a chair. She took it in front of the closet and carefully stood on it. She reached for the top shelf, using the thread to guide her to them. Her fingers were like spiders, following the invisible thread to a small box resting at the wall. She withdrew the box from the shelf and opened the lid.

Laying in two rows, nine dolls enduringly grinned at the snake-girl. Each of them was shaped and painted to represent the Digidestined when they were at a younger age. She knew what they were. They were the gifts from Daematermon given to Puppetmon so he used them to control the Digidestined's minds. Puppetmon didn't know their true powers, and he used them only physically.

Verzyemon covered the box, looking to the boy. It's kinda funny that the Savior keeps them after all the years. Why didn't he go ahead and destroy them? Humans are strange creatures.'

She carefully moved back the chair and walked toward the computer, keeping her eyes on the sleepers. She saw Patamon's wing-ears twitching at an unheard sound, and she hurried, not wanting to be captured. Not yet. In her haste, she didn't pay attention to her whereabouts, and she bumped into the desk. The lamp rocked off the surface, but she quickly caught it with a hand. Heart beating, she glanced to the sleepers. The boy was stirring into awareness! She putted the lamp back and touched the computer screen. A glow of greyish green light, then she was gone.

Takeru opened an eye to the glowing screen. Drowsily, he reached to shut it down and nestled deeper in his blankets. Just before he slid back in slumber, he realized that he never turn it on.

***

"I got them, brother."

Demidevimon turned to her footsteps. Verzyemon skipped into the chamber, holding the box tightly. She opened the lid and held up the box so Demidevimon can see.

Demidevimon grinned. "Good. Let's begin."

The chamber was the same chamber where Myotismon used the mystical cards to open the gate to the Real World in his castle. Daematermon was fond of him, and she used the appearances of that chamber to remember his 'victorious' march in the other world. There were no tall gates on one wall, though. The doors were small, normal, and there was a small pedestal in the center, much like the previous one in the vampire's castle.

The pedestal was designed differently. There were two circles, one smaller than the other, set in the center. Nine marks were engraved on it, four on the outer circle, four on the inner circle, and the last one in the center of all. The vampire and snake-girl didn't understand what the circles and spots mean, but Daematermon had mentioned that there were so many symbols and signs out there that weren't yet discovered. Those circles represented the balance of Nature in the digital data; she called the circles the model of 'The Friends of the Stones'.

She told them what to do with the dolls, and that was what they were about to do. As Verzyemon held the box for him, Demidevimon reached to pick up the doll that was the exact model of the young Master. Two brown eyes daringly looked back, a determined grin flashed, and Demidevimon thought he was looking at the real Master of Courage. Of course, he did know who the Master was, but for now, he didn't have any grudge against him or any of the Digidestined at the moment. In fact, he held high regard of his Power and courage.

'They are very powerful, I acknowledge it. It would be an interesting Final Battle,' he reminded himself.

He settled the Master doll in the center mark. The doll seemed to take a life on its own once it touched the central mark. The doll's clothing shimmered, changing shape and color, and soon, it was clad in a kind of orange open robe and light blue pants. The symbol of the Crest of Courage was sketched on the front of the robe. The doll looked older than it was, four years older, as much as Demidevimon tried to figure the age of humans, then the doll slowly walked over to the outer spot that marked the southern point. Standing there, it turned to stare toward the central spot, unmoving.

Verzyemon watched it with great interest and looked at him. Demidevimon smirked. "They still work even after four years."

He continued settling each doll on the central spot and watched as it changed age, shape, and clothing, then walked to stand on a mark that was its rightful position. He then realized what Daematermon mean by the circling balancing Nature. Those children controlled Nature with their Powers, and the dolls represented the children keeping balance in Nature and Digital data.

The last two dolls worked differently, he noticed. When he tried to put down the tiny Savior doll on the central spot, the doll instead hovered in midair. It smoothly transformed into a different person, a young boy of sixteen years old. The Keeper. He didn't meet him in his past, but guessed that the boy joined the Digidestined long after he was deleted. It was strange, indeed, that the Savior doll changed into the Keeper doll as he watched it walking to stand on the southeastern point, clad in a white long jacket and orange pants.

"What does this mean, brother?" Verzyemon questioned, puzzled.

Demidevimon remained silent, and then picked up the Saint doll. As he expected, when he putted down the doll, it floated and changed appearances. It changed into a young female child, clad in a black dress, a dark blue jacket, and a rainbow-colored ribbon tied around its waist. He recognized it as the Watcher, a new Digidestined. He had seen her before, during one of his random travels. She was walking with a Digimon that was so familiar to him. He had heard the Digimon calling her the Watcher'. At first, he was so shocked that he thought he saw Wizardmon again, but he then realized that the Digimon had different clothing.

Demidevimon shook his head clear of memories and watched as the doll lowered itself on the central, and instead of standing like the others, it sat down and bowed its head as if was meditating or sleeping. He thought it looked heartbroken.

But his guess of the two different dolls was correct as he thought so. Turning to the curious Verzyemon, he said, "It's clear now. Remember, now the Savior and Saint are Armor Children, not Nature Children. The older kids don't need them anymore. The Keeper and Watcher had joined them, as you see here."

She was puzzled at that. "But it would make the Nature Children weak, incomplete without them. Life and Death are part of Nature."

"True, but this Watcher -" he pointed at the central doll - "is the center of the Nature Children. She is taking over the places of Life and Death, using Mind to connect to everything. If we remove her . . . The Digidestined will lose everything." He then wondered why he said that. That Watcher was just another Digidestined. She didn't mean anything to him.

Verzyemon appeared to think the same as she frowned at the doll. "What makes her so special?"

"Appearances can be deceiving, Verzyemon. You remember that."

"Yes . . ." she turned to gaze at her brother. "But she is so . . . fragile, delicate. She is easy to be broken."

Demidevimon wondered her words. She was right. The doll was very frail, pathetic, but Demidevimon had seen the Watcher. She may be weak, but somehow, he felt a power from her. She wasn't as weak as Verzyemon thought so. Maybe that Watcher was something that Demidevimon should watch for. Maybe she had something that might be of interest to him. Perhaps.

***

Shoes crunched over fallen leaves, the silence softly filling with the humble sounds of nature. The silence was replaced by the sounds of whistling breezes, the grunts of animals, and in the distance, faint voices carried by the wind.

Three boys walked on a concealed path, one of the paths that led to Primary Village, the main nursery birthplace of all the Digimon, except of the Destined Digimon. One tall boy was in the lead, knowing the pathway very well, since his Digimon partner was one of the Caretakers. Two other boys were behind him, one slightly older than the other, each different in appearance, blood, and personality. They hadn't found a trusted friend in each other, for their lives were different.

Yet, they were together for this purpose, putted together by their Protectors'. For a moment, they felt companionship in their silent company.

However, curious of the unknown purpose stirring in one of the boys, and he leaned to a side, careful of his sore ankle, and spoke in a low voice, not to be heard by the Protector in the front.

"Psst, Ken," Michael whispered, his ice-blue eyes meeting the twilight blue eyes of Ken. "I wonder what kind of surprise they have for us."

Ken firmly held his Wormon in his arms, while the older Betamon preferred to walk rather than being carried, clumsily flopped beside his digi-child. Ken nodded, whispering back, "I was curious when Kim called me about the surprise. What do you suppose?"

Michael made a shrug. "Honestly, I don't know." He turned to gaze inquiringly toward his Protector, and his face reddened in captured guilt as Frankie cast a sharp gaze upon them.

"I can hear you back there," he said, winking. "You will see about the surprise, so be patient."

So the boys did, already learned how to keep patience. They entered the Village, the chatters of the Digibabies playing filling the air. Some hopped excitedly to the Destined Digimon, asking if they want to play. Betamon only smiled and nudged them in affection as Wormon shyly waved one of the antennae, much to the babies' delight.

A small Elecmon walked toward the boys. He was the future Caretaker, though he won't take the position unless the current Caretaker was too ill to help or was required on a long journey, which was the most likely case. The younger Elecmon, nicknamed Lil Elec' by the Digibabies, grinned at the boys.

"Hello, everybody," Lil Elec greeted, and then turned to his right. "I will show you where they are now."

The boys followed him around the plush buildings, most of them fallen after the last battle with Cyberdramon. Fortunately, many benevolent Digimon, who had heard of the unexpected battle, had come to help rebuilding the Village, knowing how valuable the Village was to their generations. Still, there were a couple of ruins left from the battled, blackened by the batting Digimon's attacks and an empty grove of laying trees near the boundary of the Village.

Frankie spoke up, "Have they found them yet?"

Lil Elec nodded in reply.

Ken was puzzled at that as well as Michael, and he asked, "What are you trying to find?"

"Our Digieggs."

"What?" Michael was astonished. "You mean Armor Digieggs?"

Frankie grinned. "That's what I said. Last year, we found two Armor Digieggs with our Crest symbols, but we never had a chance to find out which New Kids those Digieggs belong to. The other kids did try, but they weren't theirs. Here we are."

They paused at an area that was rarely visited. The small structures made of patterned stones and polished wood, unlike small buildings in secret. A moderate cottage stood in the center, colorful but humble, its door opened. The Caretaker, Elecmon, was sitting beside it, peeking inside. His long ears perked at their arrival, and he grinned at them.

"Hello, guys!" he greeted, standing. "The Digieggs are safe, and Kim is waiting for you two inside."

Ken and Michael took a curious look inside. The indoor was dimmed, empty, except for a small table in the center. The sunlight shone in from outside the opened door, and the boys' eyes were attracted to the gleaming egg-shaped objects sitting on the table. They immediately guessed that they were Armor Digieggs.

One was small, colored metallic silver, settled on two short rods of deep red, and tiny silvery wings sprouted from the sides. On the front of the silver Digiegg, the Crest of Empathy's symbol of a rainbow with a swirl at one end was emblazoned in darker silver. The other was slightly bigger, rounder. It was night blue, and on the top was a kind of tiny headdress lined with colorful feathers, spread across the top like a rainbow. Also, behind the headdress, there was a crescent-shaped arc, made of dark red metal, easily hidden by the larger headdress. The Crest of Soul's symbol of a downward-falling comet with a half-moon as its head was painted white on the front.

"Come in," a voice was saying. The boys almost didn't see Kimika, for she was standing near a wall, her dark skin allowing her to be hidden in the dimness. Or perhaps it was something else. She went to stand behind the table, faintly smiling. Her Digimon agilely leaped upon the table and seated herself, her curled tail wagging. The boys didn't move, scrutinizing the strange objects.

"Go ahead, boys," Frankie's voice rumbled in the cottage, unlike her soft voice, as he entered with Elecmon and stood beside Kimika. "Take what is yours."

"You mean . . . those are ours?" Ken questioned.

"That's what we thought so," Kimika replied.

"Then why did you wait so long?"

Frankie said, "We weren't sure if the Digieggs are yours. We didn't want you to keep your hopes high, but now we are certain that they are yours."

Ken glanced to Kimika, who nodded. He then eyed the Digiegg of Empathy. Somehow, it roused something inside him, a warm feeling of compassion inspiring his body. He abruptly adored the simple magnificence of the Digiegg, and he tenderly placed his long fingers upon the top of the silver egg. He could feel the warmth from it, and all of a sudden, his black D-3 glowed with a white, mellow radiance, illuminating the cottage and bathing everybody in its light.

Smoothly, Ken took the Digiegg off the table with gentle hands. A second later, the Digiegg transformed into a beam of silver light as it leaped from his hands into his D-terminal inside his pant pocket. He took it out, and he saw an image of the Digiegg of Empathy glowing on the black screen. He smiled faintly. "Now I have a Digiegg of my own."

"Congratulations," his Protector was beaming with pride.

Michael was indeed curious about the Digiegg of Soul. He could feel power from it, the power of living, the power of self. He never felt so bold and vigorous before, not even when he finally defeated Ogremon with the help of his new friends. Careful of the razor-sharp crescent blade behind the headdress, he putted a hand on the side of the Digiegg. At his touch, a thick white light burst from his old Digivice, so dazzling that it nearly blinded everyone, averting gazes.

"Michael, your Digivice!" he heard his Digimon uttering.

In the blinding light, he held on the Digivice. Almost as quick as it happened, the white light dimmed down into a muted glow, the rays shining between his fingers. He could feel strange heat from it, and he took it off, starring at it in amazement. The old Digivice, colored dull grey with green buttons, slowly transformed into a newer model that the New Kids now bore - a D-3. The edges of the D-3 were in deep purple like the twilight as the lines between the buttons and edges were pure white.

"He is part of us," Frankie murmured in pleasure. "Michael, take the Digiegg."

Firmly holding his new D-3, Michael removed the Digiegg of Soul off the table. An instant later, the Digiegg changed into a ray of snow-white and leaped right in his right pants pocket, where he found another new device, D-terminal. He grinned at the image of the Digiegg on the machine.

"I wonder what will we Armor-Digivolve into," Worm said, curiosity coating his voice.

"When we need to battle, we will find out." Kimika then stepped in the doorway. "Right now, we need to go back for the presentation. They will be here any minute."

The younger boys exchanged puzzled gazes. They weren't here just for receiving their new Digieggs, but for a special presentation that the Old Kids felt that the New Kids needed to know.

"What is it about, anyway?" Michael demanded.

Frankie rolled his eyes. "Didn't I tell you to be patient? You will find out soon."

***

The Warder sat upon a log used as a bench, his raven-black eyes watching the spectacle before him. Sixteen children of various ages from bold sixteen to innocent ten conversed together, associating with the newer Digidestined. Seventeen young Digimon, devoted and spiritual-linked to their digichildren' as they fondly called them, refreshed the empathetic friendships.

He loved to see such scenes. He knew that he was once antisocial and remote. He was not like Yamato, who was aloof and chose to take care of himself and nobody else. He himself kept distant out of shame of his secrets. Often, he longed for someone who would understand his reasons for being unsociable, and thanks to his Digimon, he had learned to open up to his newfound friends. He was now hospitable and dedicated, already earning some of the most valuable comradeship he ever had.

But now, his mind wasn't on the precious friends he had, but on the diverse Digidestined. He was chosen to serve a purpose, and his heart began to beat nervously at that thought. Because the Old Kids finally agreed to let the New Kids know about the Powers, they already knew who would be the best to portray the tales. He was the Warder of memories and knowledge, so he was selected, much to his trepidation.

Koushiro had never told a story to a large audience before. He always had stage fright before his speeches!

"Whew . . ." he was astonished, didn't realize until now how many Digidestined and Digimon were present, including him and his Digimon, thirty-five in total.

"So, do you think you can handle an audience like this?" grinned Taichi, who leaned against the log beside Koushiro. The redhead gave him a gaze of hurt dignity.

"Come on, Tai," Tentomon defended, glancing to his digichild with admiration. "He can handle anything. He is the Warder."

Koushiro waved a hand, reddening at the unexpected praise. "Don't worry. I'm sure I will handle this. I will give them the best tale they will ever hear."

"Good," Taichi nodded, and then stood. He then burst out with a sharp yell that totally astonished everybody. "HEY, QUIET DOWN!"

Koushiro couldn't help but laughing with amusement as two different scenes happened at the same time, seeming hilarious. Taichi had found it amusing to tell all of a sudden to startle his friends, and the older Digidestined had been used to his sudden shouts for long four years. They took to their seats in unison, along with their Digimon, and they were gazing at him with suffering annoyance. At the same time, the new puzzled Digidestined jumped in shocked bewilderment, and hasted to their seats, eyed Taichi with perplexity.

Looking smug, Taichi grinned as he sat down beside his humiliated Digimon, but not without a sharp slap to his head from his best friend.

"Must you do that every time?" Mimi growled from her seat with Jyou.

Taichi just grinned sheepishly. "I just couldn't help it."

"Sure, you can help it!" Yamato barked, his eyes flashing.

"Can we start, please?" Koushiro murmured, silencing the chatter between the old rivals. The Old Kids shouted in agreement as the New Kids laughed at the scene. The Digibabies that were sitting on some of the kids' laps made sounds mimicking the older boys' voices and words. Lil Elec shook his head at that as Elecmon simply grinned.

Smiling, Koushiro stood up and spoke, "Konniechiwa, minna. Thank you for coming. First of all, we the Old Kids want to apologize for keeping this secret from you." He noticed the curiosity appearing in the New Kids' faces, waiting for his explanation. "We know you can be trusted with it, but remember, we'd been through so much that it's still hard even for us to fully accept the destiny of having those powers." Now, there was the speechless astonishment from the New Kids. His voice grew hard. "I tell you, this is not a trick of magic. What you will see is absolutely real. Some of you had witnessed the speculation of our powers, and we know it may be too shocking for you to comprehend."

He now grinned. "I'm the Warder of Knowledge, who guards memories of the Digidestined. I'm chosen to tell you the stories, so please sit back and listen to the secrets."

The presentation was not like the other usual kinds. Each old Digidestined was to stand before the New Kids and tell a brief narrative of what happened that uncovered the innate powers they woke through the crests. Koushiro could tell all the stories, but he pointed out to the Old Kids before that a tale straight from their memories would be more understanding to the new children. Also, they planned to perform a momentary recital of their powers.

Koushiro first told of the time when they became aware of the true meanings of their Crests and sought to find them while Myotismon, the Undead King, sent his deadly henchmen to embezzle their Crests. He began about how the children got separated from each other, trying to find a way back together, and find their innate Powers that they never knew of.

Taichi, the Master of Courage, voiced of how he face the dark himself that he had feared, and he tapped in his Power of Fire, learning to know fear and face it. He showed a small, almost shy flame, unlike the fiery and intense soul of his, dancing on his index finger, and to the New Kids' awe, the flame left no burn on the skin.

Jyou, the Reconciler of Reliability, narrated of how he was chosen to keep balance within chaos, and he tapped in his Power of Water, wanting to prove his trustworthiness to everybody. He formed swirls of grey-colored mist, so thick and moist that the new Kids felt warm drops falling from the mist like rain upon their curious hands.

Kimika, the Seer of Empathy, repeated of how she learned to see behind the illusions of reality, and she tapped in her Power of Light, knowing the true sight of shadows. To their delight, she juggled tiny light orbs, each in a different color, moving around in a blurred circle.

Mimi, the Guide of Sincerity, performed of how she heard the truth of herself, and she tapped in her Power of Earth, keeping her friends together with a word of integrity. She delicately walked around the group, beautiful budding flowers appearing in her wake.

Koushiro, the Warder of Knowledge, revealed of how he wished to help his lost friends with power of Knowledge known and unknown, and he tapped in his Power of Lightning, vowing to offer aid when needed. Between his hands, silver and violet bolts of electricity leaped across, so tiny and yet so powerful.

Yamato, the Guardian of Friendship, portrayed of how he learned to listen to other voices and his heart, and he tapped in his Power of Spirit, knowing that friendship was too precious to lose. Instead of showing his power, he told of his abilities of hearing the deceased from the other side' and smelling souls.

Sora, the Seeker of Love, described of how she sought for love in herself and the others, and she tapped in her Power of Air, seeking love for everybody. She gestured with a swift motion, and soon, the air was filled with dancing breezes that tickled the New Kids' cheeks.

Hisoka, the Keeper of Soul, stated of how he unfolded his true self from his many lives to find home, and he tapped in his Power of Ice, known as the Last Digidestined. In his hand, he adeptly crafted a block of blue ice into a beautiful crystal rose, which he handed to Miyako in respect.

Cleo, the Watcher of Heart, recited of how she wished to help her friends from afar and near, and she tapped in her Power of Mind, carrying a secret of her own. She helped a delighted Betamon to fly' around the children's heads, and she sent a cheerful greeting in the astonished New Kids' minds.

"Now," Koushiro spoke with a solemn tone, "You need to listen carefully about TK and Kari. Their powers are complicated, dangerous, not to be used idly like outs. Only they have insight and self-control to handle them."

Takeru, the Savior of Hope, reported of how the Digidestined gave up their powers to aid him defeat Myotismon before he could harm them, and he tapped in his Power of Life, daring to hope in hopeless situations. He mentioned that he could take life if he chose to, and heal any injuries of physical and mental.

Hikari, the Saint of Light, uttered of how her brother gave up his life for her life, and she tapped in her Power of Death, the most powerful Digidestined of all. She voiced that she could give death, however, she would never do it, and she could harm people by a touch if she allowed it.

Koushiro observed the reactions of the New Kids. They appeared quiet, eyes clouded with uncertainty and fright. They glanced to the Old Kids with new respect and discomfort. Daisuke's bold face was pale, but a flicker of loyalty glowed behind his dark tawny eyes. Miyako seemed thoughtful with a bit of courtesy in her face. Iori's young eyes of emerald were full of reflective wisdom as if he discovered something new. Ken eyed the Old Kids with a new degree of awe, but also with appreciation. Michael's eyes were half-closed, seeming relaxed, but also inwardly struggled at the same time. Willis was clearly astonished, being the newest Digidestined and never expecting anything out of ordinary, but he appeared tolerant.

The redhead sighed and again spoke to ease their troubles, "So you see. That's what we had gone been through to receive the powers. We are still the same inside, only born with these strange but remarkable powers. We kept this from you and everybody else because we are afraid you might not accept us. We don't want to look weird to you."

The New Kids heard his words and glanced to each other, their minds seeming to work together, thinking the same words. Then Miyako was the first to stand up, her dun eyes soft and sharp. She spoke truthfully, "From what I heard from your stories, I think it's wonderful that you have powers like that." She smiled. "I know it's not magic or anything, but it seems so much like fantasy to me. Still, it's real, and I see no reasons why we can't accept you. You are still Digidestined and our close friends. I do accept you."

Daisuke stood beside her, grinning with confidence. "I agree with Yolei. I think that's special that you have those powers. And who knows? Maybe we are special, too, with our powers."

Iori stood up, sagely smiling. "No matter who you are, we are still friends. If we don't accept you, then we might as well be better off alone."

Ken's eyes shone with inner discipline. "You already accepted my past of mistake. I accept you with your wonderful powers."

Michael nodded in agreement. "We are already chosen to battle monsters and save the world. Why could this be any strange? I think being different is cool than being the same."

Willis was the last one to stand, but he was smiling, looking at each Old Kid. "I always want to be accepted in your group because we are different. It is no surprise here that I will have a real adventure with you guys because you are my friends. I accept you."

Koushiro wasn't surprised to feel wetness on his cheeks; he was just so reassured that the young kids accepted him and the others. The Old Kids were too content that they didn't say anything, eyes sparkling with true gratitude. Takeru and Hikari exchanged knowing grins together; they knew their trust in the New Kids were truthful.

Taichi stood up, his face full of pleasure. "You never know how grateful we are for your acceptance. I know it will be difficult to understand what's going on here, but we will do our best to help you out."

"Although," Koushiro smiled at the New Kids, "I don't think they need much help because they already proved their faith."

The New Kids blushed and grinned at the praise.

The presentation ended, and the New Kids still had so many questions to ask their Protectors of their powers and tales. The Old Kids answered as much as they could, but some questions were too personal and painful to answer, and the New Kids, knowing the inner haunt of pain reflecting in their eyes, were wise enough to skip to the next question. The surroundings were loud with excited questions and simple answers, but it was also peaceful because it was one of the rare times that the Digidestined socialized in peace during the dark times.

However, someone was watching them. Someone with danger on her mind. She was well hidden, snaking behind the trees, her golden eyes narrowed at the chatting Digidestined, oblivious to everything around.

The Keeper sensed her.

Frankie abruptly turned his head to glare at a point in the surroundings trees around Primary Village. His dark hazel eyes just darkened into murky mud-brown, his face scowling bitterly. No one noticed his reaction, but someone sensed him.

Able to control the mind-emotions during the eager questions, Cleo was listening to Willis asking Koushiro about his Power when she almost gasped at the sudden flicker of menace in the back of her head. Sensing it as Frankie's mind-emotion, she glanced to him. She saw him standing alone, his sharp eyes on a point in the trees. She stepped close, searching for something that had tapped in his sense of danger. "Frankie?" she whispered.

"Shhh . . ." Frankie hissed from the corner of his mouth.

Cleo stared hard to wherever he glared at, and her face paled visibly at a thin, twisted blackness hiding behind a thick tree. She could see two slanted golden eyes glowing. Then she suddenly sensed a glint of electricity and data passing across her mind, so swift that she almost didn't catch it, but she already knew what it was. It was hard to describe how she can know what it was, but she experienced it several times to be able to recognize it. Then the blackness seemed to tremble as in awareness of something and vanished out of her sight.

"It's a Digimon," she murmured in light dread. But she couldn't tell what kind.

"She's dangerous," Frankie growled, his eyes not moving from the point. She felt the fading menace from his mind; the blackness was running away. Frowning in puzzlement, Frankie then glanced to the worried Cleo. Unpredictably, the air was moving with a sharp gust. The winds stung her skin like small bites of a mouth with icy-cold fangs. Cleo shivered in the coldness, rubbing her arms. She even glanced to her arms, wondering if the ice fangs actually left any teeth marks on her skin. She sensed the deep anxiety of Sora in her mind and knew that the winds weren't natural.

Cleo was worried. She felt that feeling of déjà vu again. She didn't know why or how, but a memory popped in her mind, the same one she sensed before, and she wasn't sure if it was one of hers or someone else.

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 didn't want to hurt her anymore. She didn't want to hurt anybody. She didn't want to hurt . . .

She dropped the sword . . .

And at the same instant, an icy gust blew fiercely and a flash of purple blinded her . . .

And there was nothing.

Cleo again shivered.

***

While the Warder voiced legends of the Nature Digidestined to the new children, Verzyemon also listened.

New to her world, created recently by her mother' with data and Human DNA, Verzyemon had no knowledge of the Digidestined except what Daematermon told her about the past. Her brother' Demidevimon even told of his encounters with some of those children and she could feel pure hatred and admiration mingling in his voice, puzzling her.

What was so special about those human children? Human were nothing compared to the powerful Digimon with no capability to fight with elements or pure energy from within themselves. Human had fear of everything that they had no understanding of, and could either attack back with fear or escape with fear. Human were born of fear, she thought so as she heard stories from her mother.

And yet Daematermon and Demidevimon spoke of those human children called as Digidestined with reverence, although coated with extreme dislike.

Verzyemon didn't understand. She didn't understand how special those Digidestined were to the Digimon and the Digiworld. She didn't understand about Digivices and their values to the Destined Digimon for aiding them to digivolve without wasting extra energy. She didn't understand how the Digidestined had their unusual powers of the elements that dominated the Real World as Nature'. She didn't understand why those children saved the worlds with their lives and hopes.

She may be a Mega Virus Digimon; she never had a need to digivolve, but her mind was still of a Digibaby's mind. Everything was so new to her.

That's why she was eager to accept the assignment given from her mother to spy on the Digidestined. That way, she could learn more about the children she hadn't feared. She remembered that the children often were seen around Primary Village, mostly to help rebuilding and taking care of the Digibabies. She went there, her snaky form smoothly slinking through the foliage and terrain. She was smart enough not to move around in her human form, for a lone human was to be seen uncommonly and she cannot allow anybody, Digimon or human, to know about her existence. Remaining in her Digimon form was more unobtrusive.

She arrived in time, veiling in the dimness cast by towering trees, and her golden eyes were curious as she witnessed seventeen different children and eighteen Destined Digimon. They seemed so happy, so hopeful that she wondered why was that they were happy when there was danger coming for them. Strange creatures, she thought. She settled herself in silence, having no wanting of danger to harm them, simply interested in the stories.

She was able to identify each old Digidestined by their titles, knowing the faces and learning their strengths and weaknesses. Each child impressed her, but not quite. She hasn't seen them in action, like Daematermon and Demidevimon had. She didn't know how strong they were right now, only seen a bit of the powers the children displayed to the astonished new Digidestined.

Seventeen children. Demidevimon has met nine of them. Daematermon has known more than that. And she knew that there were far more Digidestined in the entire Real World, perhaps hundreds, even thousands! But just seventeen? And eleven of them possessed several of the more powerful elements of nature. One can easily destroy her with a blow of that power. Perhaps, could that mean . . . ? Those new Digidestined might have powers, as well? She learned much that her heart began to know fear of them.

Her ears perked at the words that she was spying for, three words that sent terror in the Daemon Mother whenever she head or thought of it. Crest of Heart'. Verzyemon's eyes swiftly narrowed, focused on a female child standing before the group. So small, so fragile, she was, with hair as white as milk and sad green eyes. She recognized her from the doll sitting in the center. That was the thing that her mothered was frightened of? That small girl was supposed to carry the weapon to end the Final Battle? Impossible! She was so frail! She can easily break the child with a swipe of her tail!

Yet . . . She seemed to possess an inner strength that glowed from her weak eyes. Even weaklings can beat brutes with inner might and wisdom.

But she was delicate, like glass. Verzyemon sneaked closer to take a better gaze on the girl. She may be the bearer of the Crest of Heart, but she was weak, not knowing the true power of the crest. A sense of threatening curiosity appeared in her mind, warming her, motivating her. A simple plan appeared in her mind; she was still naive, but powerful in her attacks. If she chose to capture the girl from everybody and silently annihilated her, then her mother's plans would be undisturbed. She needn't worry about the Crest of Heart anymore.

Unfortunately, her mind was carrying danger, and one of the Digidestined, the Keeper with his mischievous face and laughter, sensed her. He turned straight to her, his sharp gaze piercing through her. She was hidden, and yet he knew where she was! She could feel iciness radiating from his body, chilling through her, feeling like she was turning into ice. Then the girl with the Crest of Heart, the Watcher, appeared at his side, but she didn't see her. Instead, she searched around, trying to find the source. Verzyemon could choose to stay still, waiting until the two children forgot about her, but that Keeper still watcher her, and she couldn't bear the frostiness. Moving stiffly, as if she was actually turning into ice, she finally escaped from the icy eyes and ran as fast as she could to hide in another grove of trees.

Panting in dread, she finally understood why the Digimon respected and feared them. They were strong, perhaps strong than the Daemon Mother herself. She finally understood that it wouldn't be easy to destroy the children. They won't give up, and perhaps never will.

She evaded to the Citadel, wanting to be safe from the iciness. When she entered the warm darkness inside, she gave out a trembling breath. She did remember she was supposed to report to her mother about what she saw and she tried to gather her bearings, tried to forget about the icy eyes. She coiled her tail abound her and rested her arms on the scales, resting her forehead on her arms, closing her eyes. It was unfortunate that she allowed danger to creep in her mind; she knew she was new to everything, but time was precious and the Final Battle was nigh. She needed to stead herself. Yet she couldn't forget.

"You almost disobeyed Mother's orders, sister."

Gasping, she gazed upward through violet hair strands and saw her brother perched upon a fallen column. The place where she stayed was the supposed lobby, but the magnificence of the huge columns supporting the housing upstairs and fancy designs and engravings of stones was ruined, blackened by the living darkness twisting in the corners and cracks of the walls and floors. It was not beautiful anymore.

Demidevimon watched her from near, had sneaked in silently. His golden eyes held amusement and pity.

Her face burned with shame, and she hissed, curling her lips to bare one of her fangs. "No one saw me."

"The Keeper sensed you," he mentioned, and she stopped herself from shivering to the memory.

"You dared to spy on me, brother?" she uncoiling, glaring.

Demidevimon made a small smile of conceit. "I was the top spy for Myotismon, remember?"

Verzyemon sneered back. "Sure, but you got deleted."

She was hoping to insult him back for shaming her of orders, but Demidevimon only hooded his eyes, seeming unruffled.

"Don't underestimate Demidevimon," she heard her mother speaking. Verzyemon turned to the darkness that shifted behind her, and bowed deeply, her cheeks reddening. Daematermon had admiration for Demidevimon, she could hear in the voice, and her cheeks again burned with jealousy. "He learned his mistakes, and I'm sure you learned yours, as well."

Verzyemon nodded. "Yes, Mother."

The humanlike hand, pale and willowy, came out from the darkness and stroked one of her cheeks. Verzyemon shivered at the warmth and iciness of the touch. Yet, she pushed against the bare skin, yearning for the feeling of the motherly tenderness. When the hand withdrew back in the darkness, Verzyemon exhaled a breath she held back.

"You found the crest, I believe."

Verzyemon allowed her eyes to meet the hidden eyes of Mother; she was hidden in the darkness this time, but the vague outline of her body was visible. "Yes. A Digidestined called herself as the Watcher claimed the crest."

"What does she look like?"

The words she described the Watcher were, "A small, fragile child with hair as white as milk and sad green eyes."

Somehow, she thought she saw a grimace appearing in the darkness, a bitter shifting, a fearful twisting of the blackness. Then she heard a doubtful voice from Daematermon, astonishing her. "Are you certain?"

Verzyemon nodded, her face contorted with puzzlement. The darkness seemed to avert away, the mother's back facing her. Confused, she glanced over to Demidevimon, who was unmoving from his perch, his eyes on the mother, clouded with worry and perplexity.

"Brother, what's so special about the Crest?" Verzyemon dared to whisper, glancing to the silent darkness. She didn't know what was so extraordinary about this ordinary crest; her mother didn't tell her the reasons.

Demidevimon's golden gaze met her gaze for a moment, then shook his head slowly. "I believe we will find out."

***

Hair as white as milk?

Sad eyes?

What is the color of the eyes?

Blue?

If they are truly blue . . . She is finally here.

But she said they are green . . .

. . .

Yet, she said they are sad . . .

Just like my Lucy.

How is this possible? How did she live? She was dead! I killed her with my bare hands! I saw the light fading from her beautiful, sad blue eyes . . . But I wasn't certain the light did fade entirely from her eyes. The Sword harmed me before I could find out. Perhaps she was still alive, struggling to find a way to reborn, like I did.

But . . .

She was dead!

. . .

Sad eyes . . .

The same eyes that chilled and warmed me . . .

How I long to see those eyes again, but it was too late. I embraced the darkness, and she refused to come with me. Instead, I killed her. That meant I will not see her eyes again.

. . .

What should I do? Go out and destroy Sad Eyes before she had a chance to defeat me?

. . . No.

It's not time. I would easily steal the crest, but I cannot. I only can take it when Sad Eyes gives it of her will. I must fool her into giving me the crest. Then she will die in peace, I promise.

That way, Lucy will die in peace, too.

. . .

The Black Lens . . .

Would it be time for him?

He is ready. He is eager.

. . .

I suppose I will let him have his fun with the children.

". . . Demidevimon."

***

(A/N: I always wanted to do this ever since I found out about Iori's deceased father. I wanted to give him sympathy, and I know just one boy to do it for me. This is for Iori fans! ^_~)

***

A small hand, clenched into a fist, hesitated before the large door, trembled for a moment. A row of white teeth bit on the lower lip, chewing, thinking. Then a soft breath exhaled out, and the fist knocked on the door, weakly, then harder, then it dropped to a side.

Hida Iori could wait patiently for the door to open and bow respectfully to an elder who answered it, but right now, his heart was clenched with uneasiness. He almost wished he didn't knock on the door, but he couldn't stop thinking about the powers. The Powers marveled him with those beautiful sights and seeming impossible abilities, but one power truly fascinated him. When he first heard of that power, so many questions appeared in his mind, and he wished to ask, but he hesitated, unsure if he should ask such a personal appeal. Still, the thoughts of the unusual power, those abilities, buzzed in his mind. He had to ask, and he will accept no' for an answer if he was rejected.

The problem was that he didn't know if he could handle the rejection.

Iori quickly held a breath as the door opened. The steel-blue eyes of Yamato met his emerald eyes, truly surprised to see him at his door, but then Yamato lightly smiled, the gladness easing his usually serious face.

"Ohayou, Iori-kun! Genki desu ka? (How are you?)"

"I'm doing fine, domo arigato." He then asked, "May I come in?"

Yamato nodded, still smiling. He stepped aside to allow Iori to enter. He was curious how come Yamato didn't question about the whereabouts of Armadillomon. The truth was the Armadillomon knew about his appeal, and encouraged him to go meet Yamato. Iori had asked him to come along, but Armadillomon only shook his head and mentioned that sometimes he had to learn to go alone to overcome some fears. A valuable friend, he was.

Iori took off his shoes and set them beside Yamato's shoes as the blonde patiently waited in the living room. However, Iori didn't move anywhere, instead asked, "Um, there is a question I want to ask you. Something about your power."

Yamato appeared lightly surprised at that, but he noticed that his eyes were not on him, but to a point behind him, and his eyes softened for some reason. Iori curiously looked back, but no one was there. He was standing close to the door, and he was sure he could feel someone behind him if the door opened. But Yamato seemed to see someone else.

Yamato snapped out of his thoughts and nodded, pointing toward the couch. "Please sit there." Iori obediently sat there, his socked feet straight in front. Yamato took a seat on the chair, set in front of Iori. He questioned, "Why didn't you ask that before back in Primary Village? I would be more than happy to answer it."

Iori's face slightly burned. He knew he could ask that earlier, but he wished to talk with Yamato in privacy. His hands entwined together in his lap. "I know. It's a kind of personal question. Matt, is that true that you can speak with dead spirits?"

Yamato closed his eyes, and Iori worried that his words might hurt him, but Yamato simply smiled and nodded. "Cody, I know this question is not what you wanted to ask. The question won't hurt me. You can ask."

Iori again waved, uncertain. He was frightened of what could happen, but like Armadillomon said, he had to walk alone to overcome fear. "You know about my father's death?"

"You want me to talk to your father's spirit?"

The boy blinked in doubtful surprise. He muttered softly, "If it won't be a problem."

The teenager made a small smile of understanding. "Cody . . ."

"I mean," Iori continued, trying his best to explain why. "I know he's alright, and Grandfather said I don't need to worry too much. But he doesn't understand. I was very young when he died, and I couldn't remember his touch, his voice. The only memories I have are in photographs and Mother's stories. I need to hear his voice one more time, touch him again." He fell in a trembling silence. Every time he thought of his father, he couldn't help but shedding a few tears. Often, he felt shamed to show his weakness - fear of aloneness.

He finished in a small voice, "I don't believe in speaking to the dead, but if you can see and talk with them, maybe there is a chance."

He gazed upward, and Yamato was appearing softhearted, unlike the icy, stern face he usually had. He saw strong compassion in the steel-blue eyes. He seemed to glance to one side of Iori, seeming to communicate with someone, and then he turned to the young boy, speaking, "You might not know it, but he's here with you."

Blinking back tears, Iori glanced to his side, but seeing nothing. Yamato chuckled at his puzzlement, and continued, "When I first met you, I saw a tall man standing beside you. He was smiling with a bold expression, and he also wore a policeman's uniform."

"That's my dad!" Iori exclaimed. He knew his father died while wearing his uniform.

Yamato nodded, keeping his gaze a bit off from Iori's side. "I suspected so. He didn't say very much, but he did want to say something for you."

"What did he say?"

"He said . . . I'm always watching over you.'"

Iori finally grinned with light gladness. "That's the answer to my question! I always asked myself, is he okay? Is he really gone, or is he staying with me?' I hoped he would stay so he could watch over me."

Yamato's face grew solemn, and Iori lost his gladness, worrying about that expression. Yamato spoke in a gentle, but firm voice. "Iori, you have to understand that he is alright. Do you know why he is here with you? Because you couldn't let him go."

" . . . Let him go?"

"Yes. Let me explain. Sometimes when a person dies, his relative or lover or friend has a hard time to accept the face that he is gone, he or she refuses to believe it. That link between the two people is not broken, and the deceased spirit is bonded to the mourning person, and it will be there forever until the fact of death is accepted."

Yamato shook his head quickly at the boy's guilty expression. "I'm not saying it's your fault to keep your father here. It shows that you and your father did share a strong bond, so strong that it's hard to break it. Now that your father died and you were so young the link remained strong because your father didn't want to leave you, and you didn't want to forget about him. Your father is glad he remained, but he feels that he is no longer needed. You already have your friends and family. He feels satisfied that you are old enough to let of the link."

Iori slowly shook his head. "I don't want to. I will feel alone if he leaves."

"Don't you have Armadillomon and your friends to be with? Are you feeling alone around them?"

"No . . ."

"Then why can't you let your father go?"

"I don't know. I just can't."

Yamato bit on his lower lip, seeming helpless, and then he cocked his head to one side, listening to something. Iori kept silent, now understanding that he was listening to the spirit or whatever. He wondered what was like to hear voices from the other sides. Did it bother him at first? It perhaps did, but now Yamato seemed composed with his power. He was used to it. Iori never believed in spirits or ghosts. He never thought that they might be real, but now that when he watched Yamato communicating, he believed that anything could happen, anything could be real if he believed hard enough.

Then why can't he believe that his father was all right? He didn't want his father to leave. He cherished him so much. He felt safe around him. Sure, he had Armadillomon, but it was different. If he got lost and alone, without any of his friends or Armadillomon, he would still feel safe, because his father would be with him. How can he let him go? If he could, he would, but he didn't know how.

"Cody?"

He snapped from his thoughts and gazed toward a worried Yamato. "Oh, gomen, Yama-san. I was thinking."

"You don't want to feel alone, Iori-kun?"

Iori blinked. He read his thoughts? . . . No, he can't, but how could he . . .? "How did you know?"

Yamato smiled knowingly. "Remember, I was alone. I didn't know very many friends, and I often took care of myself, never anybody else except my brother. I was so cold and distant. Aloof was the favorite word my friends used to describe me. Then I met Gabumon, and I didn't feel alone anymore. Gabumon is like the other half of me, and no matter whenever I feel alone, I simply think of him, and he is here with me in my heart. He is always here.

"If you feel alone anytime, just remember about your father, and he will be here in your heart. He won't leave you if you keep remembering."

Iori nodded silently. He had heard the similar words from his mother and grandfather, but this time, they were different. The words seemed strong and warm, as if his father was talking . . . through Yamato. He gasped quietly, gazing at him, but the blonde was only watching back.

He licked his lips and said, "If I let him go . . ."

"Even if you let him go, he will be here. Don't worry about him. He wants you to be happy. Let him go."

He was willing to let him go. He was ready, but he didn't know how. He remained in a troubled silence, his eyes lowered. He was now feeling guilty for not knowing how to let him do. Yamato might know how, but he didn't say anything to help him. He had to find it alone. He wasn't certain if he can do it alone. He hated being alone. He preferred to be with someone, even though he was silent in his friends' company. He hated behind alone. He can't do this alone.

Then, to his total surprise, strong arms came around him, gently tightening around him. Yamato was hugging him? Yamato who dislikes to be seen hugging in public? Iori hesitated, afraid to look up his face, but he felt the warmth from his body, and he also putted his small arms around him. So content in the embrace, Iori buried his face on Yamato's black shirt, feeling more tears wetting the shirt. He didn't know why was he crying, but perhaps it was because he wasn't alone. Yamato was with him.

Then . . . something happened. He could feel someone in the room embracing around the boys. He felt cool hands resting on his back, unlike Yamato's warm hands. Iori opened one eye, peeking above one of Yamato's arms, but he saw nobody else.

" . . . Matt?"

"Hmm?"

"Which one is hugging me, you or my dad?"

A soft, pleased chuckle came from his throat, and Yamato replied, "Both of us."

A happy smile appeared on his young face, and he tightened his embrace, trying to feel his father's touch. For a moment, he felt so safe in the two embraced given by one of his friends and his deceased father, then later, he felt the second embrace withdrawing, and he knew he was letting him go. But he didn't feel alone at all. He felt safe. And relieved.

"Sayonara, otosan." Good-bye, father.'

***

(A/N: *sniffles* Kawaii Iori-san!)

***

Cleo made a small smile of pride, standing near the shelf that supported the White Lighthouse, the breeze gently moving the light blue nightgown around her legs, as she watched the friendly talk between two of her successors'. Hikari was sitting near the lighthouse, her face creased with a curious smile as Willis conversed about his life in America, sparking an interest in the pink-clad girl. Willis may be distant and reserved due to his mistakes in his past, but he felt comforted around Hikari, finding her easy to talk with.

The three Digidestined were at the dark beach, mainly to train their psychic powers as Digiwalkers. Hikari and Willis proved their patience in perfecting their abilities for the last couple of days, and they were able to control them with ease, perhaps already aware of the psychic powers, but not yet knowing how to handle them. Willis's powers were the weakest of the three Digiwalkers, but his control over them was stronger than Hikari, and hadn't suffered headaches as often as Hikari had. Hikari was improving her control by the minute.

Cleo remembered when she found about another Digiwalker, about a year ago or so. She already knew that Hikari was a Digital Walker, but her psychic powers weren't developed enough to aid her to walk the Digital World, so she chose to leave her by until she was ready. Discovering Willis was an accident, she would say. It happened that she just heard about Willis Rose from America and how the New Kids aided him to battle one of his Digimon, which was invaded by a virus of his making. She never thought of visiting him or even thought of him.

On one of her common walks, Cleo was wandering with Prophetmon, listening to one of his stories - he was like a storyteller - when she sensed a presence. She was the only human who had visited the Digital World for three without any other human presence and even with the opened Digiports, she found it unusual to sense a different presence from the New Kids' presences.

She searched for the presence and found an eleven years old boy dozing among trees and bushes, unawares of his surroundings. It appeared that he might have dreamt of the Digiworld told by his new friends and arrived here without knowing it. That proved that he did have some psychic powers she felt within him and used it to walk the world, although he slept through it. Prophetmon called him the Judge and disappeared so the boy won't know about him. She woke him and, to his surprise, she called him a Digital Walker, much to her delight. The boy introduced himself as Willis Rose, and he was puzzled and worried about his Digimon. She knew that Digiwalkers can walk the Digiworld, but their Digimon cannot follow them, for a particular reason.

For a couple of hours, Cleo filled in of what happened to the New Kids when Willis asked of them. She promised to help him train his powers so they can visit together and learn more of the Digiworld. Though, she made him seriously promise that he won't tell anybody about his powers, and he agreed. He was doubtful to her words at first, but he found trust in her and agreed.

She enjoyed his company, although he grew troubled and guilt-ridden. He was not the same boy the New Kids had first met, and she felt sympathy for him. At least he was happy to have his Digimon back.

Willis and Hikari did show that they were successful in controlling their psychic powers, but Cleo kept worrying that the psychic powers weren't strong enough to block the lure of the Dark World. Hikari still suffered headaches, and it will be a matter of time before Willis, too, will hear the enticing waves. Cleo had once heard the waves, too, but Prophetmon had pulled her out before she got trapped and ordered her not to listen to the Dark Ocean. She was able to block the lure with ease because the addition of her Mind Power enhanced her control. Yet, she couldn't forget the beautiful, terrifying sounds of the ocean.

The Digiwalkers had to be careful, but Cleo had faith in them.

Cleo?'

Cleo turned to the thought in her mind, recognizing it as Willis's mind-voice. One of the abilities of a Digiwalker was telepathy, and only Digiwalkers can communicate between each other. She had suggested to use telepathy for two reasons - first, to improve the ability in case whenever danger strikes, a Digiwalker can call without any difficulty, and second, so that the darkness won't hear them and won't be able to lure them.

She resumed her walk toward the kids, taking care of her bare feet upon the rugged rocks. What's it?'

Willis wasn't wearing any pajamas as Cleo and Hikari did, his time in America different from their time. The breezes swayed his clothes, different from his usual uniform in the Digiworld, as he pointed a finger upward. I was wondering why the clouds look so sad.'

Like the mind-emotions of the Old Kids, she had learned to identify the traits that distinguished the children. Willis's mind-voice was quite different from his vocal voice. When he normally spoke in guarded, muted tones, his mind-voice was heavily coated with a bluish-green hue, almost very rich and judicious, as if he was judging people with a fair heart. She was surprised when she first heard his mind-voice like that, but she guessed that it was his true personality.

Cleo gazed upward. The clouds were always grey, depressing, neither angry nor lurking. They seemed to wait for something, sulking unhappily.

I think they are gloomy,' Hikari murmured from her seat. Her mind-voice was much the same to her normal voice, a mild, pink tint to it, very soft and aware.

I honestly don't know why,' replied the fourteen-years-old girl. They've been like this ever since I first arrived here. I did ask Prophetmon about it, but he didn't know. It never rains here, either.'

Willis narrowed his cobalt eyes toward the east. The sun doesn't rise here?' When his Protector shook her head, he made a puzzled frown on his face. How would it be possible when this place is part of the Digiworld?'

You have to remember, Willis-kun, that anything could happen in the Digiworld,' reminded Hikari as she stood up, dusting her nightclothes.

Willis wasn't familiar with the strange rules that ruled the Digiworld, the rules that acted differently from the Real World, such as the sense of direction, time, and reality. He stepped closer to the White Lighthouse and placed a hand on the smooth, cool surface. He voiced out in awe, "It's too real . . ." He then stopped as in realization and turned to Cleo. "Oh, I didn't mean to talk out loud."

Cleo shook her head in reassurance, also speaking vocally. "It's alright." Like using your voice too much caused it to because weary and hoarse, using mind-speak often used up energy, and she understood that Willis did his best to speak telepathically, but just didn't have the energy for it. She continued, though, with seriousness, "But we need to stay quiet as the darkness won't hear us."

She wondered if it was too dangerous especially for Hikari and Willis to stay at the beach, for they were still vulnerable to the essence of darkness. But Prophetmon had insisted that, even though they were exposed to the darkness, Hikari and Willis can improve their powers swiftly against their struggle, becoming stronger rather than in complete safety and not improving as much. Cleo just hoped he was right.

Cleo's jade eyes slid across to the Black Lighthouse on the left shelf and studied the building. She was once again awed at how beautiful and cold the Black Lighthouse was, continuously shining dark light that should not be existent, with the lustrous walls that seemed to draw the white light shone from the white twin. Then her face slightly frowned as she though she saw something. She squinted, trying to see the faint figures drifting near the Black Lighthouse.

She could see the details clearly enough after a while staring hard. The faint figures were two small individuals, one a human child and the other looked like a Digimon. The child looked feminine, in summer clothing, stood near the door of the Black Lighthouse, the door that was locked with no lock for a key to open. She was trying to open it, while the strange Digimon floated nearby, waiting for something.

She then remembered.

I finger the marble door, so big that I feel like a mouse, and turn to my Digimon.

I can't open it, Wissy.'

Wissy makes a grimace on her ghostly face, but nods. She then adjusts her floppy hat so that it won't fall off and says softly, Maybe you don't have the right key.'

What is the key? Do you know where can I get it?'

I don't know.' Wissy glances upward, the black light reflecting in her golden eyes, making them looking like holes of darkness in her ashen, ghostlike body. Maybe your brother knows.'

I frown, shaking my head. He doesn't know. They don't know.'

Wissy drifts near to me and places a wispy finger on my nose, her crooked grin wide. I'm sure you will find it. I trust you.'

I giggle, also touching her face; she has no nose, or maybe it's hidden. I trust you, too.'

I then gaze across to where the pretty White Lighthouse stands on the other cliff -

Cleo softly gazed as a warm hand touched her arm. An unfamiliar boy stood in front, waving a hand near her eyes. "Cleo?"

She slowly blinked, swaying at her feet, as if she was just wakened from a deep dream. The boy came in focus, and she recognized him as Willis. He was gazing at her with concern in his face. Hikari was also worried, her hand holding Cleo's arm.

"Cleo, you ok?" Willis was saying. "You were staring at that lighthouse for a while."

"Did I?" Cleo's voice was oddly garbled, and then shook her hazy head. Looking more conscious, she glanced at the Black Lighthouse. "I was . . . remembering."

"What did you remember?" Hikari asked, also looking at the lighthouse.

She tried to remember, but her mind was still foggy. The memories were too blurred to make clear. She fell silent, but replied through her mind, Nothing that I can remember.'

Her successors appeared unsatisfied with her answer, remained worried, but Cleo said nothing, keeping watch on the Black Lighthouse. Then a new presence materialized in their minds. Cleo, being more experienced, acknowledged it as a Digimon. She can't explain how she knew, but she just knew. The younger kids, not used to sense presences, were puzzled and searched the beach.

"It's Ruigumon," Willis spoke.

Ruigumon knew where the dark beach was, since she was led by her digi-child. Rarely did she visit, not trusting the abnormal surroundings, but she often went there just to see her digi-child. She wasn't flying as she could do, instead strode up the beach, her complexion of pale purple and dark orange clashing against the gloomy grey, brown, and black coloring of the beach. She then waved in greeting toward the kids when she saw them, her other arm carrying a bundle.

Together, the children treaded down the steep shelf to where Ruigumon stood at the base. The younger kids took a curious gaze on the bundle she caressed, and noticed that it looked familiar. It was the exact shape of an egg, only larger, big enough to hold with both hands. It was coated with a light golden color with darker yellow lines across vertically down the surface. On the front, the Crest of Heart's symbol of a half heart with a four-pointed star in the center was emblazoned in pale lavender. As well, on the back of the egg object, a pair of wide butterfly wings were fastened, unfolded as if ready to fly right out of the Butterfly Cyborg's arms.

"Is that an Armor Digiegg?" Willis questioned her.

Ruigumon's face was usually somber, but she flashed him a lenient grin as she nodded in reply. "I meant to give it to you, Willis."

Willis's cobalt eyes tore from the Armor Digiegg to the Digimon, clearly surprised as well as Hikari, who stood by him. "Why?"

"Why?" she repeated, and the grinned again. "Because they are yours." She tenderly grasped the Digiegg in one large hand, held it up. "This is the Digiegg of Heart for your Digimon."

The boy seemed to grasp the meaning, and his face broke into an excited grin as he again examined the Digiegg. Though, Hikari was puzzled, never knew that there were actually another Digiegg. She turned to Cleo, who was standing a bit back, watching it all, asking, "Cleo, I didn't know you have an Armor Digiegg."

Cleo nodded. "I do know, but in fact, I didn't know where I can find it. Ruigumon knew where, and I asked her to give it to Willis because I know it's meant for him. I guess it's time for him to receive it since rest of you already has them. After all, he is part of the team."

Hikari cocked her head in meditation and spoke with her mind-voice, How many more secrets do you have left, Watcher?'

Cleo was surprised at her question and said nothing, not knowing how to reply. Hikari seemed to accept her silence as an answer and gazed away, her face expressionless.

"Here." Ruigumon placed the Digiegg of Heart in Willis's waiting hands. The instant it touched his skin, the old Digivice that he kept at his waist began to radiate, neither as bright and fierce like Michael's light nor as soft and simple as Ken's light, but strong and merry, feeling true affection in the white light. The Digiegg of Heart became a bright ray of soft purplish white and leaped from his hands into his jacket pocket.

Willis took out his Digivice and beamed with pride. His former Digivice was now a D-3, the shell around it bold orange colors, much like the noon sun, and just like the other D-3s, the lines between edges were white. He also received a new D-terminal. Hikari cheered him, surely happy that he was now one of her group, eight in total. Cleo simply smiled, knowing that the New Kids were complete.

However, she then knew that the whole Digidestined still weren't complete. The Old Kids needed to update their Digivices. The New Kids needed to get their crests. After the presentation, when the troubled winds settled down, Taichi had told the New Kids - even Michael and Willis - that they were planning to visit the Destiny Island to receive D-3s and new Crests for the New Kids. The New Kids agreed, wishing to help out, and the group set a day, hoping to get them as soon as possible in case some danger breaks out, and they would be ready for it.

Cleo turned to the kids, saying, "Now, we all need to rest and pack because tomorrow, we will go to the Destiny Island." When Hikari and Willis nodded, showing their worry in their faces, Cleo smiled, surprised at the worry. "No need to be so somber. It should be a happy even, for you finally get your Crests and we will be prepared. The danger can wait."

***

Despite what the Watcher said, danger never waited. No, it never waited for a sign to attack, never sneak around to leap upon an unaware person to make its move. It was already on its move.

Demidevimon dexterously agitated his wings as he navigated between thick, ancient trees, dodging around leaves that were not the same color of the Real World's leaves, often pale blue or dark pink or light red, or even white, flashing by the cast of the sunlight.

His mind was racing animatedly. He finally got his chance. His Mother had decided to allow him to use her precious Black Lens to digivolve into the Mega Stage using all the energies of her fallen sons. He will not be the same to a normal Mega Digimon. He will have so much power that he will be destructive to himself.

He knew his risks. He knew that once he was acknowledged to the worlds, the Digidestined would come and try to stop him just like they did to all the Villains that ruled the Digital World. He knew that if he ever got deleted or killed again, his Mother would not resurrect him again. She believed in second chances. This was his second and last chance. He must use it carefully.

He felt a bit tired from flying and went to rest upon a high branch. The two objects swayed from his neck, the weights wearing him. One was the Black Lens, the one feared item that can force a Digimon, even a Vaccine, to digivolve into a dark Digimon, using energy that he/she had stole from deleted data. The other object was the Crest of Silence, the only wild Crest that cannot be wore by Digimon and Human, and yet tamed by the Daemon Mother to balance the power radiated from the Black Lens.

He adjusted so the weights won't pull on him as much, and took a look around his surroundings. A wide, ancient beach was at his far right, seen from between the wide leaves. The sounds of the gentle waves crashing were heard, but there was something else. A sound of faint buzzing was coming from his far left. Narrowing his golden eyes, he listened for the buzzing as he attempted to see the source. It grew louder, but not sharper, coming closer.

He moved back in the dimness and waited. Almost immediately, a Flymon swiftly flew past, so fast that he missed it. So that's what the buzzing came from. The Flymon must be coming from its Village. He closed his eyes, trying to recall what the Village's name that usually inhabited Insect Digimon was.

The Giga Houses, the strange houses too gigantic for humans to live, yet suitable for the Insect Digimon, Even though they were seen as repulsive, disgusting creatures, they were civilized and enjoyed life as one would. Some were kind and shy, while the others were aggressive in territorial protection and would fight without reluctance.

A scheme appeared in his mind, and Demidevimon grinned darkly.

He was not here for revenge on the children. He was not here to follow his Mother's orders. He was not here to observe the lands for precious memories anymore.

He just wanted to have fun.

***

"Land ho!" Willis bellowed, and his yell brought the attention of the children and Digimon to the place they were heading for.

Nine Digimon traversed across the vast ocean that covered the Digiworld, much like the Real World, traveling north. There were submerging the surface, being so swift that they left behind white billows. In the front of the trio, Ikkakumon was leading, born to swim the ocean, and upon his white, thick-furred back, sat Jyou near the horn, along with Kimika, Ken, Iyumon, and Wormon sitting nearby. Behind Ikkakumon, Seadramon slithered his snaky body, used to swim in deep lakes and rivers, not oceans, trying to keep up with the walrus, carrying Michael, Frankie, and Elecmon on his back. Submarimon remarkably danced among the billows, Iori safely nestling inside.

The other six Digimon were soaring, some low to the ocean, the rest drifting high. Takeru and Hikari mounted upon Pegasusmon and Nefertimon, flapping their wings with calmness. Birdramon left behind feathers of red fire, carrying Sora, Mimi and Palmon upon her back, they unharmed by the fire, which only can harm ones with dark souls. Aquilamon soared beside her, Miyako and Willis holding his Twin Digimon in their arms, being so small and can be caught in the wing by their large ears.

In the front of all the Digimon, Kabuterimon, the largest Champion of all the Destined Digimon, buzzed melodiously with his gossamer wings. Koushiro sat upon the helmeted head, and Taichi, Yamato, and Cleo rested on the back, held on the odd-shaped scales of the Insect Digimon. Agumon and Gabumon also seated with them. Beside Kabuterimon, Ruigumon followed, also making a quite different buzz with her butterfly wings.

When Willis called, the kids and Digimon took attention to the front. Slowly, appearing in the sight, a thin strip of land seemed to grow from the horizon, the color of hazy blue and pink, indicating that the land was perhaps covered with jungles. But later, as the land become a moderate island, seemed tiny compared to File Island itself, but quite large enough to support a large city. It looked normal to the group, but somehow, the island gave out some kind of invisible energy, felt from inside, felt strength from it.

"This is the Destiny Island," Cleo spoke from her seat, her voice barely heard over the buzzing sound.

Taichi knelt from his position and shielded his eyes from the bright sun. He took his time studying the island, and turned to the blonde. "Do you know where the cave is?"

She nodded, brushing back strands of hair from her eyes. "When we arrive, I will show you."

The Digimon found a spot on a new beach to go ashore. The children dismounted from the Digimon and the monsters dedigivolved back to their Rookie Forms. They stared around in wonderment that they never knew anything about such an island like this. The only island they ever visited was File Island. The Destiny Island, Cleo had said, was north of File Island, but it was too far to see from any northern beach. Not many Digimon knew about it, not even the Sea Digimon. It was like the island was hidden to all eyes, except the chosen group.

Cleo headed for the rocks that lined a part of the beach. The beach was newly formed, and the golden sand barely covered the sharp, rugged rocks. The party took care of climbing on the rocks, which were slippery with the loud waves crashing against; the winged Digimon decided to take to the air, disliked the idea of climbing.

The rocks were clearly unsafe to climb upon, but Cleo seemed to know the way without risking herself, skipping to one stone to another, and the rest was careful to follow her path, helping each other whenever one was about to slip off. The rocks acted like stairs, ascending, and then descending, until the group saw a cave opening from a cliff face. The opening was rather small, but not too small for anybody to get through.

One by one, the group stepped from the slick stones to the smooth, level flooring of the cave. Noticeably, the cave was not normal, for the walls and the floor were too smooth, as if someone flattered the ruggedness. Who knew if the cave was manmade or even Digimon-made?

Also, there was a faint light spreading out from the walls, mellow and easy to the eyes. Just like what they felt from the Destiny Island, the group sensed power behind the simple cave, and they followed Cleo in silence, perhaps not wanting to disturb the peaceful stillness in the moist air.

The tunnel was short in length, and soon, they saw an archway built in the roof, acting like an opened door. They noticed strange symbols written on the curve, perhaps digicode. They were uncomprehending, the Digimon having no understanding to read the difficult, advanced language. Even Koushiro, the only one out of all the Digidestined who was able to read digicode, appeared puzzled.

They entered under the archway and found themselves in a huge cavern, wide enough to hold a house. The walls and floor were soft white, not the natural grey-tan as those in the tunnel. The ceiling was built into a dome shape, also white. The group spread out, curiosity taking better of them, wandered quietly. On the center of the floor, they observed a circle of the Crest symbols of the Old Kids, easily recognized, deeply engraved on the stone floor so they would remain for a time.

The eight symbols of Courage, Friendship, Empathy, Sincerity, Love, Soul, Reliability, and Knowledge were in the circle, set around one more symbol that was recently known to most of the group - the symbol of Heart. Some paused at that, remembering old memories sparked by the sight.

Then Iori spoke, his quiet voice echoing in the domed cavern, "Look, the message on the wall is in the same writing as the one on the arch." He was standing on the far side, his emerald eyes sweeping over writings that were also engraved on the stone.

"I will translate them," Koushiro volunteered, already toward the writing, with Kimika at his heels. Koushiro can read digicode, although like a child understanding big words and Kimika can see the meaning of the riddles if the writings were riddles.

While they studied the strange writings, Takeru was looking intently at the circle. He was recalling a certain image that looked so much like to the circle. He was the only one that scrutinized the circle with careful caution. The others murmured words to themselves to each other, rather curious of the dome cavern itself.

"What is this place?" Mimi asked the unspoken question stirring in some of the group.

They looked over to Cleo, who had been here once, but she only shrugged to the question. "I do not know the name. All I know is this is where we are supposed to get the crests and D-3s."

"Guys, I think we know what the message means." They listened to Koushiro's words as he explained, "It's not a riddle, but an easy one. Unlock your emblems with the Keys of your Virtues, and you will be given what you seek.'"

"What keys?" Hikari asked.

"The Digital Keys," Kimika pointed out. "They bear our virtues."

"You mean the Digital Keys are really yours?" Daisuke muttered, puzzled at that.

"What does it mean by unlock'?" Ken voiced. "Unlock what?"

"Crest symbols," Mimi gave the answer. She was kneeling by her symbol, eyes wide wit amazement. "Look, the symbol has a hold in the middle!" Sure enough, when the group looked closer to the symbols, there were tiny, odd-shaped holes, just big enough to fit a finger in, built in the exact centers of the symbols.

"Maybe it's a keyhole," Mimi murmured.

Miyako stooped beside her, removing the pale green Key of Sincerity from her neck and placing it in her hand. "Then let's unlock it!"

Nodding, Mimi set the Key in the hold. She quietly gasped. "It fits."

"I get it," Jyou understood. "We have to open the symbols to get the D-3s."

Taichi agreed with him and said, "Okay, let's try unlocking them."

The New Kids removed the Digital Keys, the Keys the Old Kids entrusted them to guard, and handed them over. Only Cleo, Willis, Hikari, and Takeru had none. And they watched as the Old Kids placed the Digital Keys in the keyholes' of the symbols. As one, they turned the Keys.

"Huh?" Daisuke uttered in bewilderment. "Nothing happened."

"There must be something we overlooked," Michael guessed, and the rest nodded in agreement.

Takeru was still distracted of the memory of the circle, trying to clear up the meaning. He stared at the Heart's symbol in the center, alone and silent. It was like his Crest symbol in the center of the Circle of the Crests. He began to think he knew why nothing happened. "Cleo?" he spoke. "Go see if your symbol has a keyhole."

The cavern was silent as Cleo gazed back, her face puzzled. "What? I don't have any key to unlock it."

"Just do it." Takeru has the light appeal in his face.

The youngest Old Kid watched him for a bit, and then stepped past the circle to stand beside her symbol, taking a careful gaze. She then shook her head. "No keyhole."

Takeru nodded slowly as if was expecting the answer. "Then stand on it."

The Watcher blinked.

"TK, what are you trying to do?" His brother demanded.

He didn't reply back, now understanding the meaning of the circle. Again, he requested, "Protector, trust me."

She remained silent, then shrugging, stepped right on the Crest of Heart's symbol. Abruptly, the symbol seemed to burst into light, the thick rays twinkling upward, the color of lilac, seeming to react to her crest that dangled from her neck, also glowing with the baby purple aura. Her clothing and ivory hair fluttered about, as if was being blown by a gentle zephyr, yet there was no movement in the cave air. Bathed in the purple light, she stood frozen, looking frightened, but did not step out of the way, as though her entire body activated the symbol.

At the same time, the eight symbols encircling the Heart began to glow with their colors, rainbows of the ways illuminating the faces of the astonished children and Digimon, intense, pleasant, and powerful altogether. The Digital Keys that were positioned in the keyholes also glowed with the same colors of the symbols, and all of a sudden, colorful beams leaped from the Keys and snatched the Digivices right from the Old Kids' holds. They cried out with surprise, but didn't reach out for them, for the beams handled them with gentleness, the Digivices floating in midair above the Digital Keys.

Cleo's face lightly tensed as if hurt of something inside her chest, and the Crest of Heart glowed brighter. Eight tiny beams fired from it, each aiming for the Digivices, in perfect unison. The purple beams struck them, and for a moment, they glowed with the lilac aura. The Digikeys raised themselves out of the holes and floated beside their respective Digivices. The Keys seemed to melt, their masses engulfing the Digivices. Then the Digivices lowered themselves on the floor. The glow faded from all the symbols, and lastly, the Crest of Heart's light also vanished.

Cleo swayed on her feet, exhausted, and dropped down to her knees. Takeru quickly went to her side. The Old Kids dashed to their Digivices, but then they paused in speechless amazement as they witnessed something incredible. Before their eyes, the Digivices slowly modified, tiny bolts of pale purple darted among the lines, as if they were the ones responsible for the transformation. The Digivices grew in size, becoming D-3s. The only differences were the colors.

Taichi's D-3 was fiery orange with pale azure lines. Yamato's was dark indigo with emerald-green lines. Kimika's was pale silver with maroon red lines. Mimi's was pale jade green with soft lavender lines. Sora's was blood red with ivory-white lines. Frankie's was ice-white with peach-orange lines. Jyou's was deep steel-black with soft grey lines. Koushiro's was bold violet with grayish-black lines.

The Old Kids reached to touch the D-3s, and something happened. The very moment the fingers touched the devices, blinding colors burst from the screens, blinding all in the dome. The lights seemed to shallow the Old Kids, lingering for a moment, then finally, the lights faded. The New Kids turned to see what happened. To their surprise, the Old Kids were changed in clothing. No longer, they were clad in their casual clothing, but now wore strange clothing. The New Kids immediately recognized them as the same clothing their Protectors wore in their tests.

Tai wore a kind of orange fabric that looked like what ancient knights would wear over their armor, a tabard, with pale blue pants. Matt wore a heavy hooded cloak that covered both back and front, colored dark blue with dark green pants. Kim wore a fighting uniform, light grey with red fringes among the edges. Mimi wore a pretty Hawaiian-like wrap and shirt, all pale green with painted vines and leaves of lavender on. Sora wore a red kimono with a white obi. Frankie wore a white knee-length overcoat with orange shirt and pants. Joe wore a pitch-black tunic and dark grey pants and Koushiro wore a purple vest, pants, and a black breechcloth.

Cleo was the only one who didn't have an uniform. She still wore her white pullover, denim Capri and sandals.

(A/N: I'm too lazy to detail the uniforms further so you have to look in 'Keys to their Hearts' and 'Snow Angels' to find more details of the uniforms. Xp Sorry for being so lackadaisical.

Dai: Lacka - what? What does that word mean?

Demy: *reads in the dictionary* 'Showing lack of interest or spirit'

Debbie: *frowns* I didn't lack interest in my stories. I'm just lazy. And what did I say about reading in my dictionary?!)

The Old Kids were astonished at their change of clothes and the changes of their Digivices. The Digimon then hugged them, glad that they finally had the chance to digivolve into Mega. Now they can help fight. The New Kids also congratulated them.

"Cleo, are you okay?" Takeru asked, worried. "I'm sorry I made you stand on the symbol."

She shook her head, her face paled, but regaining color. "I felt like my energy was drained away, but I'm okay."

Takeru exhaled in relief. "It's just . . . the circle reminds me of the Circle of the Crests. I stood in the middle and received my power that way. I just thought maybe you were the one who was needed to activate the D-3s."

Cleo only nodded, and then her eyes were attracted to a movement underneath her feet. Together, Cleo and Takeru stood up in an abstracted silence as they watched the Heart symbol slowly creeping from the center and snuggled in between the symbols of Courage and Knowledge. The rest also saw it, uneasy of the result, and then suddenly, "Hey, the writing is changing!" Willis voiced in astonishment. The digicode on the far side seemed to move around, the runes stretching and curling until they finally stopped, different in appearance.

Koushiro went to them, touching them, his lips moving in wordless thoughts, and then he grinned, turning to the group. "I think it's about the New Kids."

"How so?" Sora questioned.

"Listen to this. Stand on your Protectors' souls to glow, and you will be given your souls.'"

"Does it mean that we have to stand on your symbols?" Iori said.

Koushiro nodded. "I believe so."

Miyako glanced over to Taichi, who had his eyes on her that moment. He then smiled and nodded. She grinned back and spoke, "Okay, everybody, let's do it!"

As Takeru and Cleo withdrew from the circle, Daisuke putted one foot on the Courage symbol and the other on Friendship. The other New Kids did the same. Miyako and Iori had two Protectors, while Ken, Michael, and Willis only had one. Miyako stood on both Love and Sincerity, and Iori took the position on Knowledge and Reliability. Ken stood on Empathy between Daisuke and Miyako. Standing on the symbol of Soul, Michael stood amid of Miyako and Iori. Lastly, Willis stood in the midst of Daisuke and Iori, his feet touching the Heart symbol.

The symbols again glowed with the Old Kids' colors, mingling together upon the New Kids. One by one, the group saw the kids' chests beginning to glow with whole new colors, perhaps the colors of their hearts.

Daisuke was engulfed with a pale orange color, the color of coral born in the deep reefs, soft, yes, but aggressive, like a strong soul waiting to break through. Ken's glow was light pinkish-purple, a lavender color, as soothing as the medical plant. A soft red aura surrounded Miyako, so like the soft petals of a red rose, beautiful in appearance, but lethal if not carefully handled. Michael's light was pale whitish-blue, the color of fresh ice in winter, perfectly matched his eyes, intense and sharp. The aura encircled Iori was a dark purple with a bit of red in, much like aged wine, intoxicating and spirited. The radiance of Willis was a charming green, reminding of the calm sea at daybreak.

Then something happened. Ken always kept his cherished Crest of Kindness on his body, and somehow, it knew it was its time to wake. Moving on a life on its own, it drew itself from his pant pocket and came to hover in front of him. Ken never noticed, neither did the other New Kids, their eyes closed, concentrated.

The New Kids gave out sudden cries of pain, all in unison, and there was the impulsive sound of snapping, somehow exploding the very air of the cavern as tiny balls burst out from their chests, whirling in place, floating in midair. They spun so swiftly that they were blurs, but they slowed down, and soon, the Old Kids could see the objects.

"They look like . . ." Sora murmured.

"Crests!" Frankie finished, grinning

The new crests, nestled in polished brass tags, now drifted in midair as the New Kids collapsed to their knees, sensing throbbing pain in their chests. It appeared that the only way to get their Crests was to let their souls glow and give up a part of them. The new Crests floated downward onto their hands, and the New Kids sat silently, awed to the new symbols and names that symbolized them.

The Crest of Loyalty was in the color of coral-orange, and the symbol was a lined yin-yang with four points on the outside, much like a simple star of balance.

The Crest of Purity was in rose-red color, and the symbol was two teardrops, the points downward, the sides touching together, looking like a perfect heart with a line running down.

The Crest of Wisdom was a dark wine-purple color, and the symbol was a thick-armed cross set inside a thin ring, the ends of the cross .

The Crest of Mercy was ice-blue, and the symbol was a rugged spearhead, the point facing the bottom, the rugged sides damaging, but the point used to relieve pain, harm and heal in one.

The Crest of Justice was the mellow sea green hue, and the symbol was a four-pointed star, the rays diamond-shaped, and the points not touching.

The Crest of Kindness remained the same, with no change, the lavender color with the symbol of waves billowing among a setting sun, so soothing, and so gentle.

It was the Old Kids' turn to congratulate the New Kids, eager to see the symbols that were almost alike to their crest symbols. For a while, the cavern was filled with words of praise and pride, the children and Digimon unaware of a small blond girl standing at the entrance, not facing anybody. There was tension in her small body, and later, one finally noticed her.

Taichi noticed her. He was worried about her. He was the leader, of course, and should keep in touch with his friends' feelings and opinions with empathy and care. But he knew that Cleo was not a follower or a leader. She was simply a part of the group, giving valuable information. Yet, he felt that she did a great help to them.

He strode toward her, watching as her worried Digimon tried to stir her attention. The blonde didn't respond, too preoccupied. Her face was very pale and frightened, her head cocking to a side, listening to something too quiet for him to hear. He placed a hand on her shoulder, murmuring quietly, "Cleo-chan, is there something wrong?"

I'm not sure, Tai-san. Just now, I sense something wrong.'

Taichi jerked his head at the sudden words inscribed in the blackness of his mind, colored brilliant iridescent, like swelling fire. Even he had seen her words once, it was so sudden that he couldn't grasp on the words. He did feel the dread from the word, and his heart turned cold.

"How bad?" he questioned.

She turned her dismayed face at him and replied, "Very bad."

"Cleo!" He then heard his sister calling as she ran to the blonde's side. He noticed that she had the shocked visage on her lightly freckled face. Her voice was also shaking. "Did you sense it?"

Cleo nodded silently, and then Willis showed up. He, too, was troubled and unhappy. "There is something wrong over there - on the mainland."

Taichi didn't understand about the abilities of the Digiwalkers. He watched on in uneasiness as the three Digiwalkers kept their eyes toward a spot, as though they were watching the mainland, although all they stared at was one of the white walls. He then jumped at the light touch of Miyako, lost in thought, worrying of what danger they sensed.

She appeared disturbed, glancing at the Digiwalkers, and gazed back, gravely. "What's going on?"

He sighed. "Trouble."

***

The Black Lens lay in front of him, and he held the Crest of Silence in his wings, excitement buzzing through his mind, but he forced himself to keep calm. He will have his fun. He stroked the smooth surface of the Black Lens with a wing-finger, and the lens began to glow. It was an understatement that it was glowing. The best words to describe its glow were that it sucked light. It drew in the essence of the light itself, sapping life from the surroundings, the bright pink and blue leaves withering and fading into ugly brown and grey colors. The ground seemed to lose life, also, the rich soil becoming dusty and flaky.

The Black Lens didn't touch him. It knew what he wanted, and it granted it.

The Black Lens shot out a beam of dark light through the Crest of Silence. The crest was surrounded with the budging light, twisting and swirling, eager to get free, and finally, it did. The dark light fired from the crest and bound him in the fierce darkness. What power! What strength! He never tasted such might like this! He could feel the essence pulsating in his entire soul, so passionate and ferocious, that instead of fearing it, he embraced it.

He was ready.

Demidevimon, warp-digivolve into . . . Vampdevimon!

To be continued!

HA! *Runs away* Cliffhanger! Cliffhanger! Don't you love them! Muahahahah!! Ehh . . . *escapes under her digi-rock and attempts to finish the next part to satisfy the rabid fans* Aye! Rabid! I tell you, rabid. ^_^;;