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.

14. Talking with Holy Beasts

Author's note

*Suddenly shoots at the screen with Dai-chan's Letter Gun, the tiny booms and shrieks filling the air. They are spooky enough to cause you to take shelter. Smoke also fill the screen, and soon, the trusty (not all the time, but still . . .) Demy blows the smoke away with his trusty wings.*

Demy: Are you trying to imply something?

Debbie: Quiet!

*Gigantic letters, forming the disclaimer, has covered almost the entire screen, blinding you with a glaring yellow color*

(DISCLAIMER:  I DO NOT OWN DIGIMON: DIGITAL MONSTERS)

Debbie: Damn, Dai must've mixed her black ink cartridge with the yellow one again.

Demy: *sniggers* Not this time. *sniggers*

Debbie: *rolls eyes* Why ain't I surprised?

Demy: Because you made us predictable?                                                           

*Debbie opens her mouth, then stops, figuring that it's BETTER not to answer him*

Debbie: Anyway . . . For the disclaimer, I guess that it's better to use a less violent way to explain that I'm just a lousy, obsessed fangirl who likes to torture characters for my own bloody reasons. *blows away smoke from the computer mouse-shaped gun and aims it over your shoulder* And you better accept it or the cat will get it.

Demy: It's not a very friendly method, either.

*Dai rushes in and gives him a noisy kiss*

Dai: SSMMMMOOOUUUCCCCH!

Demy: GAH! Ewewewewewewewewew! Get away! *escapes out the screen with Dai chasing after him*

Debbie: It IS good to be the queen. Enjoy the show, darlings.

(And even if the Disclaimer isn't in the terrible yellow text, imagine it. That's what Imagination is for. :))

Author's Note: Yes, there is a reason *why* the Old Kids had to go see the Holy Beasts. This chapter will explain why. I hope you will enjoy this, especially the battle scenes. The scene with Tai and Izzy is really my favorite. The issue between them has always kept me thinking. Each of the four scenes as the Old Kids meeting up with the Holy Beasts happen at the approximate same time. Do not ask if they happen at the exact same time. I'm not God.

Also, the versions of the Holy Beasts here are mine, not straight from the cards. I only guess right that the other Holy Beasts beside Azulongmon are the right animals. I made the versions before I found out that Zhuqiaomon has two heads instead of one and Ebonwumon and Baihumon are actually males. :p Shows that I'm not always prepared. ^^;; Also, This time, I'm using the Japanese names for the attacks of the Machine Digimon in the chapter, because I couldn't find/remember any American names for the attacks.

Sky gets her wish. There is ACTION down here! ^^ Enjoy yourselves, darlings.

Children of the Digital

Chapter Fourteen: Talking with Holy Beasts

By Debbie (Dai-chan)

He eyed his companion, seating upon one of the Zen rocks, crossing his arms in appalling doubt. He knew that it was useless to be that upset, but after what she said, it affected him. It darkened his moods. It clouded his trust in the Digidestined, but his faith never wavered at the words. He had faith that the children will save the world, but he couldn't help it but feeling unhappy toward his soul mate. He thought that she lived so long, lived every life of all the Digimon who had lived, were living, and will be living, she might had gained wisdom and acceptance of Fate. Yet, she proved him wrong. She was just like the gal she once was, hesitant, doubtful, and pessimistic. She never changed even after thousands of years.

She was standing by the little cottage, which housed the only Digidestined that could decide the very fate that ruled life and death. He knew what she was thinking; she was surprised to see that the little Watcher looked so alike to a certain Digidestined she once knew eons ago. She was also angry. He didn't know the reason yet, but he wasn't determined to find out. He wanted to know how she could think that the children would fail. The Final Battle will be not a repeating of the First Battle, no matter how she believes.

He finally spoke out his irritation, "Seijamon, again and again you speak of faith and how marvelous it can be if anybody believes in it, and yet, as the Final Battle approaches, you dare to lose it?" 

" . . . "

In an instant, she was at his side, not looking at him. The realities of the Digiworld had no effect on them. They were able to stay invisible to anybody whenever they wished, can choose to move from a far place to another faster than a blink of the eye. He was astonished at the strange and effective powers he got, but then she had explained that when he died, he was free from the mortal reality, no longer affecting him. Even after a year, the powers still surprised him at times.

He glanced over to her, and there was a mix of emotions in her smooth face that he was very familiar with. Yet, he asked, "Are you troubled?"

She bitterly frowned, closing her white eyes. "Troubled? You ask me if I'm troubled? Yes, I'm!" She whirled around at him, her movement causing winds stirring against snow. She then averted her head away. "I don't need to tell you what's troubling my heart."

"Sorrow. Anger. Death."            

"Yes."

He then chuckled in amusement. "You sound like me when I was alive."

She mildly smiled. "And you got over it because you learned to have faith."

"Then why are you so troubled over this?"

Her white eyes darkened, unlike his bright black eyes. "Because you died to get it. What if they have to die to get faith? This's not right. They're just - "

"Children, yes, I know." He silently got down from the rock, his white jacket swaying against his legs. "But I'm not a child nor was one when I became a Digidestined."

There was such sorrow in her eyes that made him wonder if she shared the same sorrow her 'son' had. "Why must you die?"

She asked the question so many times and yet he never grew tired of hearing it. He was quite happy that he did die because after life, he finally had something to do by himself and that was to protect the very world he was seeking for. He told that to her, "I chose to die because it was my choice. I wanted to correct my mistakes - and Myalomyotismon's - and the only way I could do it was to die. So the world will live once again."

He watched as she shook her head as if wasn't believing him, and turned her gaze toward somewhere in the distance. Their visions were unlimited, and they can lock on someone miles and miles away, keener and sharper than a hawk. He knew that she was looking at her 'son'. He just knew; he and she shared the same life-force.

"Like you did the same thing to him, remember? When he nearly perished from the virus."

Still, she didn't answer, the sorrow still in her eyes.

***

The scene was an ocean that seemed to fill the horizon with crystal waters. The waters were free of any icebergs, as any northern waters usually had. Although, the waters were known for the icy-cold sensations, offering hypothermia to anybody foolish enough to swim in. Accompanying the ocean, named Polar Sea, there were large series of archipelagoes, hundreds of small islets, along with an occasional larger island in a distance. Scattered close enough to each other, the islands formed a colorful reef in between, coloring the waters blue-green with a tint of orange and pink. All the islands were covered with snow, as usual as any island in far north. There was a crispy chilliness in the air.

Kido Hisoka eyed the archipelago with a faint visage of interested confusion. He was crouching on a high snow dome for better vision, although any higher rise was not necessary, for he was at a cliff that lined the western edge of Polar Sea. His white clothing gave him great ease to mingle within his element of ice, the air brushing at his orange-streaked russet hair. Behind him, snow peaks raised high and tall, surrounded by evergreen trees. He faintly listened to the crashes of the waver far bottom at the cliff's bottom, but his concentration was on the groups of islands. After a long moment, he grunted.

"So we have to find a moving island?" Frankie ran his hands through his unkempt hair. "How silly can it be?"

He tried to ignore the knowing smile of his brother, who was standing beside the dome, as Jyou voiced, "Do I have to say it again? Here, anything can -"

"'Anything can be possible,'" the russet-haired boy hurriedly overlapped him, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah, I know." He then gazed back. "But I have to say this: We've been staring at those islands for a while. I'm really doubtful that there's an island that does move."

Jyou simply shrugged, but still grinned. "We will keep watching for another while, like it or not." He then moved toward the cliff's edge, taking care of his balance. Interestingly, his black clothing made him a target for miles against the whiteness, but he appeared unruffled over this.

Frankie quietly watched him and the islands. Just a few hours ago, he and Jyou were transported straight from Destiny Island, using Akemimon's new-modified Digiport, to the northern part of Server, the coldest place in the Digiworld, much like Russia. The brothers knew what to do; all they needed to find was an archipelago somewhere to find an island that moves. The reason why was that the Water Turtle, Zhuqiaomon, was the one who hid their crests for safety to keep the Shields alive. Jyou's crest has been broken, and so they needed to find the Turtle in time before the crest collapsed any further.

Frankie shook his head. Finding a moving island? How ridiculous! Ok, ok, so it might be possible in the Digiworld, but will they have time to find it? He frowned at the thought. Sometimes, he had a feeling that the Unmons or whatever it was muddling in was leading the Digidestined in a wild goose chase. If there was an actual moving island, then it better be here now.

"Frankie!"

The Keeper blinked at the call and turned to see the black-clad teenager beckoning toward him. He hurried to his side and gave him a questioning look.

"Did you notice something different?" Jyou asked as he pointed toward the archipelago.

Frankie took another effort of patience and gazed carefully at a small group of islands at the far side of the archipelago. After a moment, he couldn't resist but muttered in exclamation. "I'll be darned. That island is actually moving!"

Sure enough, the island was the biggest; its size could swallow most of the present islands, and it was lugging. The movements would be overlooked, but the ripples at the bottom gave it away. The island appeared not to be covered with snow, instead with green-grey barnacles around the edges and reaching up halfway. On the upper side, there was some kind of design that was difficult to regard.

Jyou also looked at it. "One problem, though . . . It's too far. We need to get there by now."

"Oh, yeah. " Frankie rolled his eyes and straightened up. "And how will we do that? Swimming?"

Jyou stared at the island for a moment, appearing thoughtful, before he turned around and walked back from the cliff. Frankie remained where he was, watching him with puzzlement. Soon, his face changed into an expression of incredulous surprise.

"Oh, you can't be serious . . ."

Frankie was forced to sidestep as Jyou came forward in a dash that took him off the cliff. With a graceful dive, the Reconciler disappeared down the cliff. The Keeper carefully peered over the cliff to see a nice and almost silent splash that marked his brother's insane action. He grunted. "Show-off."

Jyou then surfaced, a tiny dot in the middle of waves, and laughed with glee. "C'mon, Frankie! Dive in!"

"Dive in?" Frankie made a mischievous chuckle. "I will dive my way."

With a minute of concentration, he summoned his Ice Power. From his hand, a beam of bright white shone out and touched the air below. The beam froze the air into ice, a flat solid that formed into a kind of slide. It sloped down and down to the surface of the ocean, twisting and arching. Jyou watched with interest as he watched his brother gliding down his custom slide, screaming in thrill until he sharply skid into a stop, balancing perfectly on the slide, stopping right beside Jyou. Frankie flashed him a victory's sign.

"Show-off," Jyou muttered, arching an eyebrow.

Frankie crouched down to push his grinning face in Jyou's wet face. "Hey, you're the one who foolishly dove in icy water! I'm supposed to do that."

The black-haired boy simply smiled. "So you're jealous of my dive."

Frankie gave out a bellowing laugh, his hand ruffling the long hair. "Joe, Joe, I just love it when you're so ignorant of my talents."

"Ha, you wish!" Jyou barked, floating backward from him. He then flashed him a shrewd look. "Tell you what, if you are so confident of yourself, why won't we go ahead and see how well we handle our powers." He jerked a thumb toward the slowly moving island. "We will race to that island. See who gets there first."

Frankie chuckled; he'd never known that Jyou can be competitive, but there was nothing wrong with trying to use one's strength for simple fun. They haven't tried any fun for a while, and a degree of delight and excitement would do them good to keep positive. Frankie took a careful look at the path Jyou had picked; the path was full of blocking islands, but of course, any other path was the same. Still, it would be fun . . .

"With our powers?" Frankie murmured, rubbing his chin. "Hm, too easy for my taste."

Jyou made an exasperated grimace. "Oh, brother . . ." His dusky eyes deepened with contained eagerness. "On three . . ."

"One, two, THREE!"

The Kido Brothers burst into action that would envy any kind of thrill-seekers. The Reconciler cherished swimming and diving, and so, using his powers to enhance his swimming skills, he broke water with such silkiness that he was like a dolphin in a human shape. While he smoothly swan, the Keeper used his power to summon more of the ice to expand the slide, effortlessly circling the taller islands, trying to catch up to his brother. Closer and closer, they raced, nose to nose, speeding toward the gigantic island. Suddenly, a tidal wave splashed against the surface of the island as Jyou arrived a mere second before Frankie 'skid' into a stop. They were panting out of breath, due to their efforts to use their powers fully; they haven't tried them for a long time.

Frankie laughed as he plopped down on the slide. "Not bad!" He allowed the slide's end to lower down to let Jyou shove himself upon it.

"You're not bad, either," Jyou grinned as he twisted his hair and clothes dry.

The younger teenager exchanged his grin, then gazed upward at the vast side that seemed to stretch to the corners of his vision. The barnacles were sure thick and firmly lodged on the side. Even so, the surface appeared odd to him. The island didn't look that much as any normal island. There were no plants, no trees, not even sand or rocks at the edges. It was too round, too tall, and too smooth. He couldn't see the top at all, not from where he was.

"What a funny-looking island." He then cranked his neck to peer up. "Are you sure we will find Zhuqiaomon on it?"

Jyou followed his gaze. "We will have to try. We have to climb it."

"Allow me." Again, Frankie's control of the slide caused it to add structure as it bent into a bench. It then raised upward, carrying the brothers on it, until it arrived at the top. They got off lightly on the surface and were surprised to find it stony hard with a faint echo of hollowness underneath. Frankie knelt down and felt the surface. It was rough and recently damp. "Look at this, Joe! The surface looks like it's been underwater for a while."

"Indeed?" Jyou joined him, touching the top. "Hm . . . you're right."

Frankie noticed something different. Where the top wasn't touched with barnacles, it was dark green with darker blue lines paralleling each other. The lines were about a hand apart. He stared at the lines in confusion, then shook his head as he again sensed the languid movements of the island. "This island isn't real."

"How can you guess?"

Frankie stood up, setting his fists on his hips. "It's moving. Islands do not move." He quickly held up a warning finger before Jyou opened his mouth. "And! And I don't care if moving islands are possible. It's logical."

Jyou stared at him, then smiled. "For your information, islands do move, just too slowly for us to notice. They move by plate tectonics."

His brother threw up his hands. "I just can't win."

Jyou chuckled before he stood up. "Nope."

Frankie looked around the top, seeing nothing but the rough, barnacled surface that was oddly lined. "Well, I suppose we won't find Zhuqiaomon that way, eh? Let's see if he - "

He was violently cut off by a tremble rumbling through the island. That wasn't feeling normal. The tremble may feel light, but it seemed to be started from the very bottom and rumbled upward, increasing in waves until it met the boys' feet as a quake.

"Whoa . . ." Frankie fought to keep his balance.

Jyou paled. "Now I don't like the feeling of this."

Again, the island rumbled. The rumbles became more violently, first moving side to side, then now up and down. The quakes were strong enough to knock the boys down to their feet.

Frankie struggled to grasp his hold on the barnacles, his eyes wide. "Ok, ok, islands do move! You don't have to prove that!"

Suddenly, the island rose in what had to be a 'hiccup', in which the sudden movement sent the boys off balance. Even so that the barnacles were tough, they didn't offer a firm handhold. The boys slid, their hands searching for any possible hold, too surprised to summon on their powers for safety. They splashed right in the sea, even as the island continued to rise, revealing more of the bottom. It seemed that the island didn't have a bottom at all, just more of the barnacled surfaces. The boys hurriedly came to the surface, gasping for breath. The raising island caused waves that pushed them away; in a way, it helped them to avoid the coming bottom, whatever it was.

A glance of black attracted their attention, and they turned to meet a gigantic black eye in the face. Frankie yelled in surprise as Jyou again paled, but the blue-tinted eye simply formed a languid, sleepy blink. Soon, the island grew a head out from the water. It was surprisingly large, as large as the entire bulk of Ankylomon. There were two holes on the top, water spraying out from it, and the head was dark blue with some hint of green among the thick wrinkles. The head gave the impression of age and sleepiness that struck Frankie as a head of a grandfather.

It was . . . the shape of a turtle's head . . .

An turtle! Frankie astonishingly realized as he remarked the body of the Water Turtle. The island was the Water Turtle! The island that moves! Of course . . .

The head slowly moved forward until the eye was close up to the floating boys, their faces clearly reflected in the faint milky lens. A rumbling bass voice came out from the wide mouth. "Were you the lads who tickled my shell?"

Frankie couldn't help but sweatdropping. "Tickling? Hehe . . ." 'Good grief!'

Jyou peered intently at the eye. "Are you Zhuqiaomon?"

Zhuqiaomon carefully nodded, casting more waves that Jyou quickly calmed down to avoid brushing the boys away. "Yes, it's I. What were you doing upon my shell, lads? You woke me from a pleasant dream."

The Reconciler smiled, placing his hands together in apology. "Sorry, sir. We're trying to find you. It's urgent. My Shield is broken."

The eye slightly looked up as if was thinking. " . . . Ah . . . the Water Shield. You must be one of these Digidestined Gennai Unmon informed me about." The eye returned. "I assume that you're present to heal your crest, Reconciler?"

Jyou's smile widened. "Yes, that's right. You know where it is?"

"Certainly, and I shall take you there." Then Frankie had the feeling that the eye has focused on him. "And who might you be?"

"Frankie, the Keeper."

Zhuqiaomon again paused, then his voice frowned. "Your Ice Shield is still protected. It's no need for you to be present."

Frankie nodded. "I know that, but I want to stay with Joe to make sure he gets to his crest safely."

"Keeper," Zhuqiaomon said, almost sounding offended, "the area where I will take him is one of the safest places in the Digidestined."

"I insist."

The eye slightly narrowed, then a chuckle rang from the head. "Very well, you may come. But heed, the way there will be most unpleasant to you, Keeper."

Frankie blinked. "Why's that?"

"Can you breathe underwater?"

"Breathe - ?" Frankie's mouth gaped open. "Are you serious?"

Jyou's lips grew another smile, one of knowing. "I suspect that the place is underwater . . ."

"But I don't have the ability to breathe underwater!" his brother protested. Lucky for Jyou, who had the ability to breathe underwater, given by his power.

"Oh, but you can," Zhuqiaomon said with a nod toward his shell, again causing more waves. "Under my shell, at the notch of my shoulder, there is an air bubble trapped. It's been always itching me and I've never be able to remove it. You can climb under my shell and the bubble will keep you alive until we arrive to the cavern."

Frankie took a look at wherever he thought to be the Water Turtle's right shoulder and wrinkled his nose. He tried to imagine an underwater journey jammed inside a turtle's shell and again expressed light disgust.

Jyou laughed at his face. "Looks like you're stuck with it."

Frankie glared back. Jyou also had the ability to cast a bubble to keep air underwater. He could do that for him, but Jyou wouldn't pass an opportunity to tease him. Jyou's grown to become Gomamon a bit every day. "Aw . . . okay, okay, it's fine with me. Just one more burden as a Digidestined."

Frankie took several breaths before he took a deep breath. He kept his eyes closed to avoid the salt, welcoming the warming iciness that surrounded him nicely. He felt the hands of Jyou on his arm, sensing the moving water around him, as the Reconciler guided him to the air bubble. First, he had his hands on the roughest skin he's ever experienced, then he felt air around him. The scent struck him with a heavy wetness, a kind of musk that smelt salty, and it weighed on him. He opened his eyes to the darkness, and he summoned a bit of his white aura to play among his skin. The air bubble was set right on the shoulder, the bumpy skin stretching over muscles and the interior of the shell.

Frankie pulled himself out and crawled up to find a comfortable spot, which was difficult. Lastly, he was crouched on a bump that he guessed to be the shoulder bone or the collarbone; he wasn't that keen on biology. He braced his hands up on the skinny 'ceiling' and looked down to Jyou, who was still floating in the small spot of water.

"You okay up there?"

"Aside from being under a stinky shell, yeah, sure." He gave a confident smile and a thumbs-up.

After Jyou disappeared underwater, Frankie tried to get comfortable, wondering what will happen to him soon. He was kinda glad that he wasn't claustrophobic, but in a tiny place like this, you would never know . . . Almost suddenly, he could feel and see the muscles and bone moving as Zhuqiaomon swan downward. The bone wasn't that comfy, and he moved to sit on a muscle, which frequently moved up and down gently. He removed his aura and found the spot surprisingly content to rest quietly. The swim wasn't as long as he thought so; perhaps Zhuqiaomon was big enough to reach lengths of swimming in mere seconds. After a short while, he then noticed that the muscles had slowed down. A second later, he saw the spot of water becoming brighter with an underwater white light somewhere. As Zhuqiaomon moved closer to that light, it became brighter.

'Where does that light come from?' Frankie wondered.

Then Jyou's head surfaced. "Hey, we're here."

"Joe, what's that light?" Frankie asked as he sloped down to the water's surface.

"You will see." Jyou seemed to hold a secret as he held up a hand. "C'mon."

When Frankie got in the water, he was surprised to find the water comfortably warm, almost like hot springs. It was freshwater, too, as Frankie was guided by Jyou to the surface. The white light was easily to be seen; it was everywhere, and the source was the brightest at the surface. Whiteness met his eyes, and Frankie found himself in a room that was strangely familiar. The room was like a chamber, its ceiling set so high that it wasn't seen. The walls were pure white, soft to the eyes, but the floor was covered with slimy algae. Near a wall, there was a tall stairway, colored white to almost fool eyes, and at the far wall, there was a large pool, full of dark blue water, in which Frankie and Jyou have just surfaced.

Frankie grinned as he remembered the place. "I remember this room! It's the Fountain of Purity!"

"Pretty clever, huh?" Jyou nodded as they swam over to the edge.

"Really good place to hide your crest." Frankie came out and looked around, faintly puzzled. "I wonder if the Gomamons are here."

"I don't know if they are here . . ." Jyou then turned to Zhuqiaomon. "Well?"

Frankie again puzzled at how could it be possible for Zhuqiaomon to shove his huge head out from the pool, considering his size and shell, but decided to put it aside. Digimon are Digimon. They have ways to work things out. They always do. Zhuqiaomon was shaking his head to Jyou's question, and surprisingly, his head didn't splash upon them. "I haven't seen them for a time. I only hope that nothing harmful has fallen on them."

Frankie exhaled unhappily. 'Danger again . . . oddly enough, Zhuqiaomon said this place is one of the safest places . . . why would the Gomamons leave . . .?'

He watched as the Holy Beast brought a Digicore that looked much different from what Azulongmon used to have around his cloudy body. It was pitch-black, almost as dark as Jyou's crest color. It was glowing gently as the small globe floated over to Jyou, who took it in his hands.

"All you have to do is add this to your crest," said Zhuqiaomon. "That should be able to heal it."

Frankie thought he saw a light anguish on Jyou's face, perhaps for the broken crest, but then he nodded toward Zhuqiaomon with faint persistence in his eyes. With a glance toward his brother, Jyou sprinted up the stairway with the Digicore. Frankie silently wished him luck, then turned to the Turtle. When he was almost satisfied with what Sanimon had told the Digidestined about Nikhai and the history of the Digiworld and the First Battle, Frankie felt that there was something missing. He just couldn't put a finger on it. Sure, Sanimon probably didn't know everything about what happened in the past, but there had to be something that the Digidestined should know of. Maybe it was something about the First Battle that no one else knew about, or maybe it could be a secret about Daematermon that the Fallen Children forgot or hadn't known yet that might prove the downfall of the Final Evil. It could be anything.

That's why Taichi had told the Old Kids to ask the Holy Beasts to see if they knew anything else about the First Battle and these Fallen Children.

Frankie eyed the Turtle, who also watched back, his head the only thing visible of his body. He looked very ancient, probably had lived long before the First Battle. Surely, he might know something.

"Zhuqiaomon, how old are you?" Frankie questioned as he walked up to the edge of the pool. The head was still several feet away, but its right eye was still larger than Frankie's head.

The Turtle's lips slowly grinned, forming more wrinkles. "Old. Very old."

Frankie shook his head, grinning. "Oh, you don't look over a thousand."

Zhuqiaomon chuckled. "Didn't anybody tell you that you're a charmer?"

"Well, no, but you're the first to tell me that. Thank you."

Zhuqiaomon again chuckled, then gazed attentively at the boy. "Why do you want to know?"

Frankie simply shrugged, then sat down cross-legged. He took off his trench coat and boots, put them down carefully, despite the algae-covered floor. "Because I can guess that you know about the First Battle."

"Know it? Boy, I was born long before it."

"Oh, then you probably know pretty much about the Fallen Children."

The Water Turtle slowly nodded, the eye hooding. "I know some."

Frankie felt he needed to say something to continue the conversation, "Zhuqiaomon, who was Mask?"

The eye closed as if was remembering. "The youngest girl, the Maiden of Heart." The eye opened and regarded the puzzled Frankie. "I take that you aren't being told about them."

"Well, Sanimon did, but she said she was vowed not to tell anybody about them, vowed by this Tears guy, whoever he is," Frankie said, crossing his arms.

"The Avenger of Sorrow."

For some reason, Frankie felt a great wave of grief, almost felt his eyes misting over before he blinked them. He was puzzled at the strange title, but then he almost understood why this person was named Tears for. "Sorrow . . . makes sense to me, that connected to his Heart-Name . . ." He wondered why Tears was named with that negative trait of Sorrow, but then he knew that it wasn't enough information he needed to know. "Zhuqiaomon, who are the Fallen Children, really?"

"I will tell you as much as I remember, but it's not my story to tell. I don't know about their real names, their previous lives, or even their purposes to coming there. But I will try."

Frankie sighed, but understood.

"You probably know there are five of them, right; the Avenger of Sorrow, Tears; the Matron of Doubt, Crystal; the Hunter of Shame, Smoke; the Dreamer of Fragility, Chime, and the little Mask, the Maiden of Heart."

"Why the negative traits?"

Zhuqiaomon shook his head. "I'm uncertain. Some say that the traits used to be positive traits, something wondrous about the children, just like you represent Soul to keep the spirit going in the team, but . . . the First Battle affected them and changed the traits."

Rebooting . . . ? Frankie shook his head. If that was true, then three years ago, when the Digiworld rebooted after Acopalymon's battle, the Digidestined's crests would've changed, too. Maybe it was something else . . . His hand went to his chest, imagining the reassuring Crest of Soul hanging underneath. "Were the crests alike to ours?"

Zhuqiaomon smiled. "The Crests weren't of our makings. I believe that the Children had some kind of jewelry, a necklace or a bracelet, perhaps, which changed into crests the minute they arrived here. Your crests came from their designs. We didn't choose them to be Digidestined, as we chose you. They chose themselves."

Frankie thirsted for more knowledge. "Did they have Digimon Guardians?"

"Actually, the Unmons -

Frankie waved his hands to halt the Turtle. "Wait, wait, who are those Unmons? I hear that name often."

The Digimon arched an eyebrow that further formed more wrinkles. "We're not talking about them, Keeper."

"But who are they?"

"Keeper, you will find out." When Frankie made a serious pout, Zhuqiaomon chuckled. "I'm not avoiding the subject. I have the feeling that we will meet them in time."

Secrets again . . . Frankie made a tolerant sigh. "Okay."

The Water Turtle paused, as if was waiting to make sure that the Keeper was sincerely listening, and continued, "The Unmons found out about the children and, knowing how dangerous the Digiworld was - it was much wilder in the past - they chose Digimon to protect them. A Patamon for Tears, a Gazimon for Smoke, a Floramon for Crystal, an Otamamon for Chime, and a Wisimon for Mask."

"How did Wisimon become Daematermon?" Frankie questioned, already knowing a couple of answers.

"I cannot say . . . No one really knows, probably except her."

'Hardly a chance to go to her house and merrily ask what the hell's matter with her . . .'  Frankie rubbed his head in thought, remembering what he had known from Sanimon, Yamato, and practically everyone else, even though they were just thoughts. He pointed that out to Zhuqiaomon, "Matt, the Guardian, told me that Cleo, which is the Watcher, has a little girl ghost that looks almost exactly to her. She's dead and she used to be a Digidestined. She's hiding from her monster, Wissy, which are both Wisimon and Daematermon, as it appears to be." He shook his head. "There must be something more to this, and of course, there always is. We could've known more about the Fallen Children and the history, but Nikhai won't tell us more about her past in fear that Daematermon might find her."

Zhuqiaomon gave a puzzled look. "Nikhai?"

"Nikhai, the girl ghost. Mask."

The Turtle frowned. "That's an Unmon name."

Frankie wondered how could the name be any different from a Digimon name, except that it didn't have the suffix of 'mon'? ". . . Maybe she used it to hide from Daematermon?" It was possible . . .

"But . . ." Zhuqiaomon paused, pondering to himself for a moment, then shook his head. "Never mind this. I begin to see a connection between you and the Fallen Children, but I don't see the reason yet."

"Neither do I, but I suppose we will find out, as usual?"

Zhuqiaomon chuckled, nodding at the boy's confident grin. "As usual." Then the blue-tinted eye shifted up, noticing something.

Frankie turned around to see his brother silently walking down the stairway. "Hey, Joe, how did it go?"

He then noticed that Jyou appeared unusually crestfallen, his eyes dimmed, and his face a soft grimace. Jyou looked up at his words and weakly smiled. "Pretty good . . ."

Frankie was quick to get to his side, now concerned of his behavior. "Are you alright?"

Jyou's right hand went to rub at his left wrist, and Frankie was puzzled at that. Jyou's face again grimaced and he looked down. "I think so. It's kinda silly, isn't it?" He made a cold snicker as he glanced back to the doors upon the stairway. "Seeing your crest broken like that . . . not physically broken, but broken in spirit . . . it looks so dead, so cold, and . . ." He closed his eyes, almost shivering. "I really feel like I lost a part of myself."

Frankie's heart clenched at the sight of his brother and he wondered if he would react like that if the broken crest was his instead. He knew that the crest were really nothing but tiny squares of Chrondigizoid, etched with symbols that were supposed to represent the Digidestined's traits, but for a long time, they carried the crests, helped them glow for the Ultimate digivolutions, and even opened their hearts to discover their innate powers. The crests did hold heart, hold the experiences, the hardships the Digidestined had lived. The crests were part of them.

Frankie rested a hand on his shoulder and said softly, "I don't think it's silly."

Jyou thankfully held on his hand, smiling. "Yeah . . ." He straightened up, again looking back. "Well, at least, it's mended for now. I just hope that it will last."

"If you keep faith, it will," Zhuqiaomon said with encouragement.

Frankie smiled in agreement, and then his grin faded when Jyou's face suddenly darkened. He looked uncertain, almost wanting to disbelieve the words. He sighed and turned to the Turtle, his voice surprisingly emotional, "I'm sorry, Zhuqiaomon . . . I know you mean well, but . . . I'd kept faith as long as I could remember . . . And every time I have a feeling that we will, for sure, break through the darkness . . . everything crashes. My faith plummeted once too many." His voice then darkened. "If it wasn't for the sake of the Digimon, for the worlds we protect . . ." He gave out a tired sigh. "I would've given up to her."

Zhuqiaomon said nothing, watching the Reconciler sitting down and closing his eyes, resting comfortably as much as he can. Frankie didn't move from his spot, astonished at the sudden changes of the mood in Jyou. He knew that Jyou can be cynical, but not that gloomy and dejected. He was almost angry at him for almost giving up, but then the words did make sense. The Digidestined had met darkness, death, and despair so many times that it was definitely amazing at how the children has kept on persist. Jyou was right, however . . .

The Digidestined might not have any strength left to fight any more . . .

***

"Yukio, were you surprised that you were chosen to be a Digidestined?"

He shook his head. "Not quite. I've known about the Digiworld and grown to love Digimon ever since I was a kid. I've always been dreaming to live among them. Yes, I was surprised that Dairimon appeared before me and declared that he was my partner, but . . . " A soft, proud smile came on his lips. "I was and still am glad. The Digimon forgave me. It showed that they wanted me to help protect the world."

"But then you died . . ."

It puzzled him that she began worrying so much about death that might affect the entire world and all the Digimon living there, including the Digidestined as well. He did understand why she was worried, but it was like death was only on her mind. She had died and that fact didn't bother her at all. But if anybody died, she got upset. He didn't quite get it. He rested a hand on her hand and tightened around it. "Not completely dead. I'm a spirit, just like you. Don't you see, soul mate? Because of my death, I'm able to protect my world. If I live, my world dies. It's a worthy sacrifice."

She finally smiled, like sunlight upon him. "You sure are correctly titled."

He almost unconsciously reached up to finger his newfound crest. The Martyr of Faith. He was proud of his title and trait.

She also touched the crest for a moment, like was trying to see the powerful faith he had inside. A slight frown appeared. "But I wonder, Oikawa, how can you help the children in the Battle? You cannot physically fight . . ."

"If I cannot fight physically, then I can fight mentally with my heart, with my faith. Helping them believe that they will save us will help their faith."

When she gazed back to his crest, a new light in her face, he then knew that she was beginning to have faith.

***

"My feet hurt! We've been walking for too long."

Kimika paused in her walk and turned to smile toward Mimi, who stopped by a tree to rub on her poor feet. "Mimi, it's only a couple of hours . . ."

"Feels like weeks," Mimi insisted. She found a moss-covered log and sat there. She gave a great sigh of relief and began untying her sandals.

Kimika again smiled, and then looked around her surroundings. It was another jungle, not much to her surprise. The only difference with this jungle was that it was in the Western Region, not in the Eastern Region. Akemimon had mentioned to her and Mimi that the Western Region was believed to be the shadow lands of North and South America. The northern part, called as Primer, was full of jungles and forests while the southern part, Cipher, was mountainous with few places of plains and swamps. Akemimon thought that the Guardian of the Western Region was more likely to dwell within the jungle, named the Giga Green, which was thought to be limitless in boundaries.

The jungle was sure thick, much like the jungle where the Digidestined were trapped with Frankie, the gigantic blue leaves blocking the sun, the climate humid and hot, instead of the strange winter weather in Server.

"Looks like the forest where we lost our Digimon?" Mimi's thoughts broke in.

Kimika blinked in surprise, then nodded, looking around. "Sure, it does." She looked up to the blinking sunlight. "It feels like yesterday."

"And . . . we were very glad to have you three back. I thought we might lose you forever."

Kimika heard the concern and worry in Mimi's voice, real as if she witnessed the loss just now. She went to sit by the green-clad girl and cast her a gentle smile. "I don't think we will ever fall apart. We are too close to let that happen."

Mimi lowered her gaze, then leaned forward, her eyes hopeful. " . . . can you promise that?"

The Seer remained silent, watching back, waiting for her to finish.

"Can we promise that we won't leave each other?"

She watched Mimi unconsciously smoothing her wrap-skirt, her pretty face a light grimace, and then she rested her gloved hands over hers. "We won't leave you." Mimi looked back, still uncertain. Kimika again smiled. "Petal, you can tell me how you feel about this."

Mimi made a knowing chuckle. "You're the best listener around here." Her fingers entwined, her gaze on them. "I just feel afraid. Afraid that our efforts to stop Daematermon will mean nothing."

The black-haired girl lightly frowned. "I'm surprised that you would think that way."

She then regretted to have her voice sounding disapproving as Mimi looked up, hurt. "But, Kim, I didn't mean to . . ."

Kimika patted her hand, giving an understanding smile. "I do understand how you feel. I want to know why you feel that way."

" . . . Well, we're basically doing nothing, running in circles. We go see the Holy Beasts and try to fix our crests. The Digimon are trying to find Gennai for answers, but I don't think he would show up . . ." She exhaled, wrapping her arms around her chest, as if she was afraid to feel something wrong. "We don't even know how to stop Vampdevimon and Daematermon. We're stuck."

Kimika turned, pulling up a leg to lean on, eying the honey-haired gal. "Do you really think that we will lose to her or that we might have a chance?"

"A chance, yes, but I don't see it."          

"Perhaps it is because it's not here yet."

Mimi's face then broke into a proud grin. "Wish I have a piece of your faith, Moon."

"My faith is part of yours, Mimi," Kimika said. "We share it."

"Really?"

The Seer grinned with a twinkle in her eyes. "Oh, where is the girl with the cheeky exposition, who dared to face down an ugly monster, who brushed dirt off her favorite dress and moved on? Where is the Mimi I've grown up with?"

"Well, she's sitting here, waiting to hear more praise," Mimi giggled, not so coyly.

Kimika laughed and took on the younger girl's hands, tugging her. "You will get more if you move."

The Guide groaned, but didn't move from her seat, her hazel gaze puppy-eyed.

Kimika became solemn. "The sooner we find Baihumon, the sooner we get the chance to stop Daematermon."

Mimi's face changed into the faintly concerned visage, and she nodded. "Right."

The two girls continued walking. Mimi had stopped complaining, remembering her duty, and Kimika simply watched the surroundings for any danger. She only hoped that they wouldn't see any danger. The girls weren't fighters. Oh, Kimika can fight quite well, and Mimi can attack like a cat when cornered, but neither of them had the heart to face any danger and boldly battle it. Plus, Kimika knew that they can't waste any time battling, not when the crests were needed to mend. Healing the crests was important at this moment, and Kimika wished that she and Mimi didn't get any threat.

Her wish didn't come true. After several minutes of walking, Kimika abruptly got the eerie feeling that she feared to perceive. The taint wasn't near, but it was there, nevertheless, feeling like insects underneath her skin. She couldn't stop from shuddering. The taint was like a heartbeat; Jyou had called it the heartbeat of the evil. Strangely, it beat like any normal heart, but with the heavy foulness and filth around it. The only vision she could see of the heartbeat was a small black heart sitting beside her own heart, altogether beating. She could tell which one was the taint's heartbeat; the black heart thumped heavily, as like it was a weight inside her chest. Also, her left wrist began to bite painfully, aching agonizingly. She slapped her other hand around the wrist, tying to ignore the itches. Kimika glared around, trying to see the darkness, but not even her Light Power could help her see anything. Her vision was still blurred, due to the odd changes of the Digiworld.

She then heard a hurt groan from Mimi and she quickly turned around, her heart rapidly beating. She only saw Mimi standing in place, her mouth covered with her hands, her eyes misting, as she gazed up to the leaves. The leaves! When the girls first arrived to the Giga Green, the leaves were dark blue, soft and cool, but even at this moment, Kimika could see the blackness creeping from the tips of the leaves toward the stems. The leaves were turning black, just like the leaves at Destiny Island.

"Oh, no, it's happening," Mimi moaned, then turned to her. "We have to find Baihumon soon!"

Mimi's fright was almost contagious, and Kimika tried to cast it away. She held on the girl's shoulders and asked gently, "Do you remember how to find her?"

Mimi tried to think. "Um . . . oh, I can't remember!"

Kimika exhaled, trying to remember, too. Gennai had told the girls how to find Baihumon if their Shields were in danger. Something about listening to the leaves . . . Oh, she should've remembered it carefully! She never thought that such a situation like this would happen. She thought the Shields were completely secure. "I think Gennai said we need to listen to the leaves . . ."

The Guide gave her a horrified gaze. "Kim, I can't . . . I can't feel the essences. The leaves are dead!"

She grimaced, then realized. "Maybe . . . that explains it . . ."

"What?"

"Maybe we're where we're supposed to be. Maybe the leaves aren't supposed to say anything, and we could find Baihumon here."

Mimi shook her head. "I don't get it . . ."

"Oh, never mind this!"

The girls jumped, startled, at the booming voice. A massive tiger walked in from the dark jungles. She was so silent that Kimika was astonished at how she missed the shiny white fur with her sight. The Earth Tiger's fur was as white as snow with green stripes shaped as lightning bolts all over. She carried spiky armor plates that were polished silver, covering her paws, back, and shoulders, several tiny Digicore spinning around her neck. On her head, three horns protruded out, spiral and silver-colored. Her size was so large that she seemed larger than Rianmon, the shoulders a couple of heads taller than Kimika. Kimika tensed, thought she sensed the taint in the Tiger, but the taint wasn't in her.

Her sapphire blue eyes fixed on the girls, as stern as the earth. Her voice was like grating rocks, as well. "I never stomach those silly riddles. What waste of precious time when you have none."

Mimi's eyes widened. "We have no time?"

The Tiger's sharp face smoothly changed into a visage of light regret. "Pardon my harsh words. You do have time, but not much." She moved closer, slowly, not to scare the girls. "The Final Battle is nearing and I refuse to waste my time on silly riddles!" Then her gaze turned to Kimika. "You don't need to come with us. Your Shield is safe."

"I know that, Baihumon," Kimika said quietly, feeling that she didn't need to add more words to convince her.

Mimi, however, insisted to Baihumon, "But can she come with us? I feel safe with her around."

Baihumon grinned, revealing two long fangs that almost curled out from under her top lips. "And you don't feel safe around me?"

Mimi remarked her massive size and was startled again, this time with acknowledgment. "Oh, Baihumon, I didn't meant that!" She smiled sheepishly.

The Tiger chuckled, and strangely, it sounded like rocks falling on each other. It was obvious that she was named the Earth Tiger. "I take no offense." She then grew serious, her eyes again hard as stone. She then laid down beside them. "However, we must hurry. Mount and hang on tight."

The Guide glanced at the Seer with uncertainty, but Kimika encouragingly smiled. If Baihumon was willing to take them to where the crests were quickly, it was good enough for her. She expertly mounted up, using handfuls of furs to pull herself up. The back was so wide that it felt like sitting on a dining table. It wasn't the same with Rianmon's slim back. She helped Mimi taking a seat behind her. Mimi quickly wrapped her arms around Kimika's waist as Baihumon dashed into a powerful sprint. The trees went in a blur, the bounces of the run soft and smooth. Kimika had no idea how far Baihumon had ran, but the taint had faded away. She was glad to have the heartbeat gone.

After a few moments, Baihumon slowed down into a walk. She wasn't even out of breath. As Kimika looked around the surroundings, she saw that the leaves weren't black this time, but they weren't dark blue, either. They appeared to become more green as Baihumon moved on. Soon, Kimika felt a strange peace in the air, a serenity that wasn't disturbed even when they entered. Then Kimika regarded a beautiful sight; an Earth tree standing in the middle of the surroundings, so mighty and magnificent that Kimika and Mimi watched on in respected silence. The tree was so gigantic that it stood taller than any of the trees, the top unseen. The leaves were light green with hints of yellow, the bark dark brown-grey. The tree seemed to be ancient, perhaps thousands of years.

Baihumon stopped near the tree and let the girls dismount.

"An oak tree . . ." Mimi murmured in awe as Kimika landed beside her. "The Mother of all trees. I never thought there would be a tree here from Earth."

"Perhaps that's why it's special," Kimika said in agreement, liking the peaceful air around the tree.

Baihumon nodded in pride. "And this's where you will find your crest, Guide." A grimace came across her face. "My only hope is that it's not broken."       

Kimika's face lightly frowned with dislike; she knew that the crests were broken, and she didn't need to be reminded, nor needed to hear the commonly dreadful voice that were in almost every Digimon she met. It was like the Digimon were making this corruption, this Final Battle a big deal. She silently rested a reassuring hand upon the distraught Mimi's hand as she voiced, "Broken?"

"Guide, your Shield is destroyed," the Tiger mentioned. "It's possible that your crest might be broken because of it."

"But I thought our crests are dead because we've got our powers . . ." Mimi questioned.

But Baihumon didn't offer the answer. She merely shrugged, sat down on her haunches. Kimika noticed a small globe floating from around Baihumon's neck, glowing with a pale green color. A Digicore, she realized, but a different kind of Digicore. The Digicore silently glided toward Mimi, and her face dawned with comprehension. Holding the globe firmly in her hands, she turned to Kimika, her face bathed in the green light. "I won't be long, Kim."

Kimika gave her a smile of encouragement. She watched as Mimi stepped to the tree. Mimi didn't stop there; she seemed to know what to do as she smoothly vanished into the tree. A hiding tree. She heard faint footsteps fading away, moving downward, and she realized that the tree might be the door to downstairs. She mentally hoped that Mimi would be strong enough to see her broken crest and heal it without breaking down in tears.

"You seem uneasy, Seer."          

Kimika's brown gaze shifted over to Baihumon. Baihumon has sat down, her front paws crossed, her sharp eyes on the girl. She seemed so calm that Kimika wondered if she ever knew about the occurrences. Sure, she would know, but did she? Baihumon appeared to know what she was thinking about. Kimika softly sighed and walked over to her, staying clear of the spiky armor. "You might think this's silly, but ever since I got here, I feel darkness . . . can you feel it?"

Baihumon's tail wagged at the tip, stating her discomposure. "Seer, as the Western Guardian, I'm bound to feel any pain, any corruption that taints my region." Her head turned toward where Kimika had felt the taint, her lips pulled back to show smaller fangs. "I feel it, beating along with my heart."

Kimika didn't act surprised to Baihumon's similar feelings. Instead, she asked, "You know our stories, don't you, the stories when we got trapped here?"

"Your stories aren't a mystery to us. Your stories, we live through with you."

If that was true . . . "Then you might know that I feel it, too. Joe and Izzy, too. Why is that we feel the taint?" She resisted to itch at her left wrist. Every time she thought about the taint, her wrist ached. She didn't understand why.

Baihumon was shaking her head. "You aren't the only ones. Amayamon feels it, too." Kimika frowned in puzzlement and the Tiger continued, "Like you, she was tainted. You were marked by Daematermon."

A buzz of memories flew past, trying to find a flash of the dreadful Daematermon, her girlish face, and Kimika murmured in disagreement, "I don't recall meeting Daematermon before."

"You have, though she was in another form. She possessed Amayamon when she was a disembodied shadow and used her to mark you."

A Medawmon attacking her on her right shoulder . . . an ugly scar shaped as a 'V' . . . A shadow that was ripped apart from Amayamon . . . It was so obvious . . . "So Daematermon was the shadow . . ." Kimika murmured, then frowned. "Wait a minute, what do you mean I'm tainted? How?" She didn't understand what did that mean, being tainted. She knew she can sense the taint, but being tainted . . .?

"Daematermon. She touched you all, you three and Amayamon."

Again, her left wrist ached and Kimika glanced down to it. Realization came in her face. If Daematermon did possess Amayamon . . . did she . . .? She merely pointed to her wrist. "You mean she's the one who gave us these holes?" She knew that she was told not to show the holes to anybody, but if she would find the reason of the holes, it would help her and the rest greatly! They would be able to heal the wounds correctly.

To her astonishment, Baihumon was suddenly uncertain, her eyes slightly wide, her paws stiff on the ground. "Holes?"

The grey-clad girl pulled off her red glove, then swiftly unwrapped the strips from her wrist. The strips were still damp, here and there was a dried spot of liquid silver. As the last of the strips was removed, she silently showed the wounds to Baihumon. The bleeding has stopped, but there was a silver-colored stain around the tiny two holes at where the veins were. The holes looked much like a snake's bite, only bigger and almost unseen, despite the size. The holes were supposed to be closed, but after four years, they were still open.

Baihumon gave out a shocked snarl and abruptly stepped back, her eyes fixed right on the wounds. Her white fur visibly stood in frightened fury. Kimika was so startled at the sudden movements that she dropped down to her rear, staring back in bewilderment.

"By the Digi, is the Daemon Mother truly mad?" Baihumon growled. Her eyes gave no concern or comfort, nothing but fury. "From what I see on you, the Daemon Mother used the Forbidden Attack, Life Leech." She again growled, stamping a paw. Kimika flinched at the shockwave. "How stupid of her! No Digimon is insane enough to summon it. Life Leech sucks everything out of you, your blood, your soul, your very life. You are forever tainted, feeling the darkness, will never be complete. You will never be the same, for she marked you."

Her heart began pulsating in anxiety. "Forever . . .?" Kimika whispered.

Baihumon seemed to notice her for the first time, and her face again shifted back to penitence. "When will I ever learn to soften my words?" She laid back, circling her large paws around the girl to provide consolation. "I'm sorry, Seer. My words are often harsh and I don't think twice before saying them."

" . . . But these are true?" Kimika questioned with solemnity.

" . . . Yes, child."

She bit on her lower lip, trying to envision what could've happened to her if she didn't get the wounds healed soon. She wanted to get rid of the awful taint, the corruption that felt much like dirt under her skin, making her feel unholy somehow. She rested her hands on the paws, attempting to find comfort, and failed. She peered down to her wounds, which were still seeping. " . . . Why did she use it on us?"

She felt a forepaw resting lightly on her back and the earthy voice saying, "She must have a reason, but no matter what the reason is, it's very stupid for anybody, even her, to use it. Especially on humans."

Kimika looked up to Baihumon, only seeing pity in her blue eyes, mixed with barely controlled fury. "How bad?"

Baihumon cocked her head. "I don't know for sure. Life Leech drains data from Digimon, deleting them completely and without a chance for them to reboot their data. In turn, the attacker sucks in a bit of data from the victims, changing its data wrongly, mutating it. With humans . . . humans are not data, am I right?"

Kimika was perplexed. She thought that Koushiro mentioned whenever any of the kids was in the Digiworld, their bodies changed into data, making it possible for them to exist inside the world. "But we're data here, right?"

"But there is a hint of flesh in you. You can't be all data or you will lose your humanity. Likewise with Digimon when they're in your world."

"So what happens to humans if Life Leech touches them?" She touched the silver blood and felt the iciness from it, not as warm as normal blood.

"As I said, they are wrongly changed. Mutated, and the attacker is mutated, as well."

She thought of Jyou, Koushiro, and now Amayamon and wondered how changed they were. She knew that Jyou acted odd ever since he was 'tainted'. He was more susceptible to temper and cynicism, but Kimika thought it was just because of his hardships. She thought the same when she noticed Koushiro becoming more pugnacious and she becoming bold. Now she wasn't sure, seeing how the sensation of the taint truly changed them. Jyou had became dark in mood, Koushiro seemed to want to snap at someone, even wanting to hurt, and she . . . she knew she was becoming more grouchy, although, she didn't showed much.

She then thought about Daematermon. She wondered how much she was changed, too. Was Daematermon really the same as before? Was her present body even similar to her first body? If she used Life Leech on them, maybe she was tainted, too . . . Kimika looked back to Baihumon. "Three of us are tainted . . . that makes Daematermon not completely digital, either . . ."

"Yes."

She frowned. She and the boys were humans. Daematermon was a Digimon. "How could it be different?"

"She isn't satisfied, I would say," Baihumon said, glowering. "She feels she needs to something to feel complete."

"The Crest of Heart . . ." she murmured, remember the scene between Daematermon and poor Cleo. "She wants it."

Baihumon remained silent, remained glowering, then glanced back. "Don't you think there might be more to it?"

More to it? Kimika didn't know the answer, still confused with everything right now. She only stayed quiet, trying to think how to answer back, when she was suddenly struck by the sensation of the taint. She was so absorbed with Baihumon's talk that she almost didn't feel the heartbeat until it was near enough to cast the foul scent. Kimika fought to withstand from vomiting at the smell. The foulness was faint, but it was near, and the foulness was like a black, oily fog floating around her. It smelt slightly different from Vampdevimon's taint, which was more powerful and musky. This foulness was smelling oddly like dead flowers.

Soon, she then heard soft rustling. But it wasn't as quiet. It sounded like someone was rushing through branches and leaves. "What's that?" she voiced.

Baihumon abruptly hushed her, lightly tightening her protective paws around her, her sapphire eyes focused on a spot in the jungle. Fearing that it might be one of the viral Digimon, Kimika summoned on her Light Power. She felt a brisk energy coming through her body as her power created a kind of illusion that camouflaged the Tiger and girl. Kimika carefully used her ability to change the reality, strongly believing that she and Baihumon were merely a part of the background. A second later, the bodies turned green, blue, and brown, mingling perfectly into the background. They then stayed silent, careful not to make a noise. If one of them makes a noise, the illusion will be lost.

A few minutes later, someone burst out, leaves and broken branches flying along. Kimika stiffened in horror as she saw a Flower Digimon - a Blossomon shuffling in. The frightening thing about Blossomon was that she had turned viral. Instead of the yellow-white petals around her head and bud-hands, the petals were polished black, exactly the same as the leaves on the trees. The vines and stems were dark blue with red veins streaming upon the surface. The wide red eyes were glowing, the pupils darting around insanely. Her mouth gaped, the blue tongue looping out. Saliva dripped heavily from the mouth, and the vines constantly twitched, as if were itching. Kimika could feel the taint right inside her, smell the faint foulness fuming from her.

The Blossomon's eyes twirled around and somehow noticed the camouflaged Baihumon and Kimika. She gave out a hollow roar that was half-strangled. Kimika couldn't stop herself from yelling in alarm as Blossomon charged toward them. Baihumon abruptly stood up, but not either charging forward or dodging. Instead, she stood stiff, like stone. Her spiky armor was just enough to halt Blossomon from charging any further. Kimika had to dash out of the way as Blossomon crashed into Baihumon, the force sending both skidding a bit back.

Kimika rolled and leaped to avoid the twitching vines and snapping buds. Baihumon jerked her head forward to bite on one of the vines, spraying blood. The Blossomon screamed and could have bit back, but Baihumon quickly used her hind legs to kick her away. As the Blossomon whammed back into a tree, Kimika stood up and pointed her hands toward her. Through the four years, all the Old Kids trained themselves to use their powers for offense and defense equally. Kimika found a weapon that later became one of her favorites. Her hands glowed dark red and silver, and she shoot laser beams. The Blossomon hollered, trying to shield herself from the tearing laser beams.

A bud shot for her, its mouth wide open, and Kimika went into a back flip to duck under the incoming vine. She then fired another beam to tear off the bud. She flinched at the painful roar of the Blossomon, but she knew it was necessary. There was something wrong with her, and it was up to Kimika to find what was the matter. Even if the only chance to stop her was to delete her.

"Seer! Stay out of this!" Baihumon ordered, then gasped in total surprise as the Blossomon abruptly charged at her. The Blossomon's vine-legs aimed a kick that nearly knocked the Tiger out cold. Baihumon groaned, but didn't move. The Blossomon snapped open her mouth to take a large bite, but the grey-clad girl hastened in front. Her hands went up, spreading out, and suddenly, the Blossomon's eyes went blind. Glaringly white light dazzled from the hands. The light had an unique force that caused the Blossomon to shield her blind eyes, shuffling backward, unable to physically face the light.

'Blossomon is too strong . . .'  Kimika clenched at her efforts. 'The taint?' Quickly, as she halted her blind light, she conjured an image of Baihumon to surround her while she used the power to change the unconscious Baihumon into an image of the unconscious girl. 'Blossomon must be obsessed with destroying Baihumon . . . I must keep her away.' She dashed a bit away from Baihumon, waited until Blossomon gained her sight. The Blossomon growled in raged surprise, then charged toward the Baihumon illusion.

Gathering the sunlight around her, Kimika dropped the camouflage and yelled, "Reflection of Shadow!" The silver beam with the black spirals burst into action, crashing into the Blossomon's chest. The beam didn't make a sound, but the agonizing howl from the Flower Digimon was enough for her to know that her beam had made a strike. Kimika stood still, carefully watching the unmoving Digimon.

Suddenly, the Blossomon recovered, a darkened spot on her chest the only result of her attack. Too strong! Kimika's mind gyrated into action and swiftly, her other power - Shadow - came to her command. Shadows cast by the sun leaped in front of her, gaining mass, budging and swelling. The shadow raised up to the Blossomon's height and took in details. The blackness had become the shadow image of the Blossomon, its vines and face exactly the same to the viral Blossomon. The Blossomon looked truly shocked, and then growled in rage, her vines thrusting for the Shadow Blossomon. The Shadow merely reflected the attacks, its vines merely casting away the thrusts. The Shadow leaped backward, its goal to keep the Blossomon away from both the girl and the Tiger. Kimika watched them keenly, having to control the dark twin to imitate the attacks of the Blossomon.

Then she saw it. The pleading in the red eyes. Kimika was startled to see that. Even though that the Blossomon was focused on battling, she appeared to think of something else. It showed in her eyes. For an instant, Kimika's feelings were psychically bonded with the Blossomon's feelings. She could hear the Digimon's thoughts, wildly and tearful. 'Killkillkillmekillmekillmememe . . .' She wanted to die . . . She didn't want to be like this . . . She was in pain . . .

Kimika felt her heart tearing at the dark heartbeat of the taint from inside the Blossomon's body, feeling it gnawing on her, feeling the pain all over. It happened only for an instant, but Kimika lost her control as she recoiled at the sensation. The Blossomon attempted to spit out her energy attack toward the Shadow. A strike and the Shadow exploded into bits, faded in the sunlight. Her fury aflame, the Blossomon searched for an unfortunate prey in her sight and caught a glimpse of the girl. Wasting no time, the Blossomon lunged at the alarmed girl. 'Killmekillme . . .'

Abruptly, the earth rolled, cracks forming in the ground. The force of the roll pushed Kimika off the ground, appearing to get her out of the way. Kimika rolled forward to soften the fall, and turned around, tensed for another attack. Instead, she only saw the Blossomon entangled by dark green vines. The Flower was irked at the sudden change of luck, and she struggled helplessly against the holds.

Mimi! Kimika's gaze darted at the oak tree, and she saw the younger Digidestined dashing for her. She was yelling out her name, waving. The Blossomon had noticed her, and her eyes flashed in madness. She freed one of the buds and aimed it toward Mimi. Mimi froze in alarm, then Kimika was there, pushing her beside with her arms. The bud crashed into the nearby ground and Kimika sheltered Mimi with her body. She then fired another light beam that knocked the bud off the vine.

They heard an upset growl, and Baihumon was bracing for an attack. Her fangs were bared, and Kimika could see a pale blue glow coming out from between the fangs, the source inside the throat. "Vajira!" Baihumon challenged, and her mouth opened to reveal a huge light globe, which was fired out, and crashed right in the Blossomon. The Flower Digimon was enveloped with the blue energy, then digital pixels were the only remains.

Mimi was already tearful as she glared over to the Tiger. "Baihumon! You don't have to kill her!"

But Baihumon didn't answer back. She remained unmoving, her gaze darkened as she looked down at something. Kimika went to her side and saw a strange-looking ball in the place of the former Blossomon. It was tiny, small enough to fit in her palm, all black and as smooth as a marble ball. Kimika cowered at the sight. Something about it . . . she thought that it was shining, but later, she knew that it was actually sucking in light, somewhat burning white light into dark light. Around it, the grass and fallen leaves has turned brown-yellow and dried up. The ball has sucked in life and all it remained was a circle of browned plants nestled around it.

"Isn't that . . . ?" Mimi voiced in curiosity, stepping closer.

Kimika stopped her with a hand on her arm. She didn't trust the feeling of the ball. She could sense the taint in it. "A virus," she replied. "Iyumon told me. She was infected, like Cyberdramon."

Mimi did know about the battle with an infected Cyberdramon that activated Elecmon's Ultimate digivolution and the light from Cleo's crest. Her wet hazel eyes widened. "I never knew that viruses could be like this."

"Maybe they could be like this in the Digiworld." The ball gave out a weird, hurt moan before it vanished into pixels. Kimika no longer felt the heartbeat. But the circle of dead grass remained. It was like a spot of death in the middle of the jungle of life.

Baihumon shook her head, sitting down, scowling. "I fear for this to happen. Daematermon is spreading her viruses. We aren't safe anymore."

"It happened before?" Mimi questioned.

"Before the First Battle, when Daematermon was driven mad with her new power and spread viruses of her making. Almost half of the Digiworld's population fell victim to it, the corruption driving them mad, and in the end, destroyed, gnawed inside out." The Tiger's body shuddered with remembrance. "I was very fortunate to escape the poison."

"How horrible . . ." Mimi knelt and gingerly touched a dead grass. "Poor Blossomon."

"I'm sorry, Guide, but the only way she can be free from the corruption is to end her life."

The green-streaked honey-haired girl nodded. "I know . . . she'd be grateful for that."

Kimika remembered the pleading and pain in the red eyes. The Blossomon did want to die, to be free from the poison. She took a gaze to the dead plants and looked up to Baihumon. "Baihumon, do you think that Daematermon might actually plan to destroy our worlds?"

"I don't know, Seer," Baihumon admitted. "I really don't know what plans she has for us."

Mimi stood up and turned to Kimika with worried puzzlement. "But, Kim, all she wants is the Crest of Heart, isn't that right?"

"Yes, but . . ." Kimika again looked down to the dead circle. "I wonder what will she do to get it . . ."

***

He felt her arms tightening around his neck and he knew that she was seeking his comfort and affection. She was still troubled about the Battle and how to keep faith in the darkest moments. He let her place her chin on his shoulder, feeling the warmth from her cheek resting against his, and waited until she spoke.

"Do you think that the children will sacrifice themselves for the worlds?"

He gingerly touched her wide sky-blue sleeves with thought. "Why won't you ask them yourself?"

The embrace stiffened. "What? No, I shouldn't -"

"I didn't say you should." He removed her arms and led her to sit down beside him, she facing him. "I'm not the best person to ask. I don't know them that well. Besides, why do you want to know?"

" . . . I don't know why. I don't know if they're brave enough to sacrifice -"

His sudden chuckles stopped her, her cheeks reddening. She can get easily offended. "Why are you laughing, Oikawa Yukio?"

He affectionately touched her face. "Oh, Seijamon, haven't you watched them through their journeys and listened to their hearts as they fought for creatures they'd never dream to meet? Haven't you even spoken to them and showed the history that began destiny? Haven't you lived through the same lives they've lead?" When she didn't answer, the scowl fading, he persisted, "Think about it, soul mate. After all the dangers, hardships, strengths they've lived through, you don't think they would sacrifice themselves for the good of the worlds?"

" . . . I didn't mean to sound that way."

He grinned, shaking his head. "I know you didn't. You know, for an angel, you sure have a lot of doubt."

She giggled embarrassedly. "Sorry, Yukio. I'm just wondering."

"If you want answers, ask them."

She silently looked over to the little cottage miles away, hesitating to ask and yet wanting to ask.

***

Tall metal skyscrapers stood gigantically against each other, forming a metal fence standing along the streets and roads. There were nothing to see but buildings, buildings, and buildings. Occasionally, there were few smaller buildings that could be hospitals, clubs, churches, and stores, but the main dwellers of the city appeared to be these skyscrapers. The city looked almost exactly like Tokyo. Above the sky scrapers, there was a kind of dome that looked like a cage, a metal circled structure in the darkening sky, connected with arches that surrounded the entire city, built with thick glass. Underneath the streets, there was the sound of gears quietly gyrating, forming a metal melody to anybody who listened.

The Machine City.

Taichi stood in the middle of an empty street, his neck craned back to take in the sights of the skyscrapers' tops. He wondered with confusion about his crest's whereabouts. He knew that when he first gave up his crest to keep nature in balance, he had commanded the crest to go to where his element was. He thought that it would be inside a volcano or anywhere that contained fire. Strangely, he got the acknowledgment that it was resting in one of the Machine Cities. He was puzzled at that. The Machine City ran with electricity, which wasn't his element. He brought that up to his partner.

"Izzy, tell me why is that my crest is here, in a city surrounded by electricity when it makes sense that my crest should be surrounded by fire?"

The redhead merely smiled and shrugged his shoulders. "Ebonwumon must have a reason." Taichi recognized the changing tone in his voice as the lecturing tone and he groaned as Koushiro continued,  "Beside, electricity and fire are linked in nature. Lightning gives birth to fire and fire forms lightning." Koushiro shook his head as Taichi gave him a blank face. "Honestly, Tai, do you ever listen in school?"

The Master grinned. "Why should I when I have you lecturing me?"

"Uh-huh?" Koushiro arched an eyebrow. "Let's see if you will say that when you go to college."

"Just to make you feel special," Taichi said, patting on his shoulder.

The Warder rolled his eyes with mock disapproval. But as he averted away, Taichi glimpsed a faint smile on his lips. He was glad to see that. He hated to see one of his best friends in a depressing mood.

"Nice to see you acting mature," Taichi laughed. He remained standing, again looking at the buildings as Koushiro walked on down the street. "You know, this place sure looked a lot like the city where we faced Machinedramon."

"It's the same one."

Taichi looked over to Koushiro, who had stopped at the end of the street, his black eyes looking at a hidden building. "How could you know?"

Koushiro simply pointed at where he looked at and Taichi went to his side. Around the corner, there was a huge mansion, colored brown with hints of blue, standing in a yard. It did look like the house where Hikari had stayed in when she was struck with a fever. Taichi's heart sank with the memories. It was one of the difficult times he's lived through. He was worried to death over Hikari's illness, knowing that a mere fever could weaken her any further. Nothing of his friend's soothing words could help him. He was so persistent to find Hikari after the city collapsed that he expressed his worry and fear upon Koushiro as anger. To his surprise, Koushiro refused to fight back, quietly said that violence never solve anything. That was when he started to respect Koushiro seriously, marveled at his innate composure in the faces of danger.

Taichi glanced to Koushiro. Koushiro didn't move, his black eyes on the house, as if he was remembering, too. Taichi wondered how did Koushiro really feel about the unnecessary punch in his face. Was he feeling angry or sad or even impassive at the pain? Taichi wanted to know how he felt, but Koushiro never personally told him. All he expressed was slightly bruised dignity that recovered as quick as the punch's land.

Koushiro's gaze shifted back to him and the faint smile was there on his face, although Taichi thought he noticed the lips' corners twitch in remembrance. As Koushiro turned away to continue his walk, Taichi cleared his throat, trying to forget the memories. "We should've met some Digimon by now." He tried to remember the names of the Machine Digimon that could be living here. "Tankmon, Mechanorimon, Garbumon, Hochumon."

Koushiro slightly nodded in agreement. "It's a big city, Tai. They might be scattered somewhere."

Taichi's face darkened. "Or that the city is deserted."

Koushiro paused in his tracks and turned around, his face curious. "No body heat?"

Because of his Fire Power, it allowed him to sense any person and Digimon with body heat. Humans gave out a mucky heat of some kind and Digimon had an electrical heat. He was trying to sense any body heat beside his and Koushiro's to find any residents, but it was like he was sensing an ice cube. There was no heat. He sensed only the heat from the spinning gears underground, and that was it. He didn't like it.

"None," Taichi answered. "The city is as cold as Antarctica."

"Ah, so you have been listening in school." Koushiro grinned good-naturedly at Taichi's frown. He then crossed his arms, tilting his head. "How about this? I can access the network and find data on the residents here. I could even access Ebonwumon's data, too."

"Izzy, Izzy," Taichi chuckled, hanging a friendly arm around the redhead's shoulders, "What will I do without you?"

The smile became smug. "You'll be lost, as usual."

"Hey!" Taichi staggered in pain, clenching at his chest, then grinned as Koushiro finally formed a soft chuckle. "Where can you access the network?"

"The place where I will never see you in. A library."

"Aw, that's not fair that you can offend me that easily!"

Koushiro's face looked innocently surprised. "And that's a bad thing?"

"Why, you little - !" Laughing, the Master aimed a swipe at the Warder, who expertly dodged out of the way. Together, they joked and chased each other down a few streets. Taichi's heart rejoiced to hear Koushiro laughing once again. It was a rare event to hear Koushiro laugh and when he did, the laugh was deep and soft, unlike his still childlike voice. The laugh was hard to fake, and Taichi now knew that Koushiro was truly lightened in his mood. He thought that it was because Koushiro finally could do something, not just sitting in the cottage, darkly staring  at his sleeping girlfriend. He didn't need that. He did look almost happy to get out of the cottage, although it was difficult for him to leave her. Taichi wanted to make sure that he will stay happy so the darkness dwelling in his mind would go away.

Eventually, they found a library in one of the few open spaces of green. The library was huge, clearly big enough to hold a couple of public libraries. The entrance was easy; the doors weren't locked, and inside the lobby, everything was mostly empty, except for a wide counter sitting by a wall with a small computer on it. Taichi let Koushiro go to the computer and access it. He faintly listened to the rapid typing as he walked up to one of the large windows. More skyscrapers and a new sight that he didn't remember seeing last time. A metal tower that looked so close to the Eiffel Tower.

A sudden memory came to him, the sight of a Gigadramon darting for the boys . . .

Taichi turned to the redhead. "Izzy, make sure not to get us captured like the last time."

"Ahead of you," Koushiro answered. "Don't worry." A while later, he grinned. "Ah, I found the data of Ebonwumon."

Taichi returned to the counter. "Is she here in the city?"

"It appears to be." He continued typing. "In . . . in this building."

The screen became a digital map that Taichi recalled from the last time. The map was full of lines and blocks that represented the entire Machine City. He saw a orange dot blinking frequently in the exact center of the City. Koushiro zoomed in the dot and a video clip popped out, revealing the Eiffel Tower look-alike that Taichi saw out the window.

"That's where we need to go," Koushiro suggested.

Taichi glanced over his shoulder, looking at the Tower through the window. "My crest is there, too?"

"Checking it now . . . oh, it's heavily encoded." Koushiro frowned, although there was a eager thrill in his eyes. "Almost improbable to hack through."

"Why is that?"

"Probably to prevent any hacker from getting your crest."

Taichi smiled proudly. "Ebonwumon is doing an excellent job."

As Koushiro typed some more, Taichi noticed a frown coming on the freckled face. "Hmm, it's odd."

"What's it?" Taichi suddenly felt a foreboding.

Koushiro gazed back with apprehension. "There's no data that states that other Digimon are living here."

"None? Are you sure?"

"None . . . like they do not exist within this city."

Taichi straightened up, carefully looking around the empty lobby, half-expecting to see a Digimon ramming in. "The City is really deserted . . ."                                             

Koushiro was silent, then his body slightly stiffened, like he was feeling something wrong. His eyes paled and he turned to him, appearing awkward. " . . . Tai, I don't like the feeling of this."

"What feeling?"

The brunette regarded the redhead's right hand attempting to move to his left wrist, and he wondered why. Koushiro exhaled. "Remember the darkness I felt?"

Taichi's eyes narrowed, then glanced around the room again. "Bad?"

The redhead only shrugged in uneasy silence. Taichi turned his head to look at the Tower. It didn't look that far from here. "We don't have much time left, anyway. We just find Ebonwumon, fix my crest, and then be on our way. Shouldn't have any difficulties."

Koushiro nodded in agreement, almost wanting to leave the City already. The teenagers headed outside and went in a direction heading for the Tower. The Tower was tall enough to see from the ground and the boys just followed the sight. As they got closer, Taichi noticed that Koushiro grew anxious, his face tightened in dislike of something. The darkness? He found it strange that out of all his friends, only Kimika, Koushiro, and Jyou can feel the darkness, muttering that they could sense a heartbeat within the blackness, the taint they spoke of. He did pressure Koushiro to tell him how one time, but Koushiro seemed to be silenced by some kind of oath and only can apologize but never told the reasons. Taichi didn't like the results, but hasn't pushed him any further.

As they got to an intersection, Koushiro suddenly grasped on Taichi's arm, almost yanking him off his footing. An instant later, Taichi heard the sound of metal footsteps stomping closer. A Digimon came in sight, all grey-metal with one glaring red eye in the center. A Mechanorimon, Taichi recognized. The Digimon didn't notice them at first, then the red eye darted toward them.

A hollow voice spoke out, "Do not approach."

Taichi found it odd; he couldn't feel any heat from it. It was like the Mechanorimon was dead, operated by someone else.

"Identification requested," the Mechanorimon demanded.

Koushiro still had his hand on Taichi's arm, eying the Digimon with dislike. "Tai, be careful."

"It's alright," Taichi reassured, removing the hand, then turned to the Mechanorimon. "We're the Digidestined, the Master and Warder. We're here for - "

The Mechanorimon interpreted him with a rapid spinning of gears inside him. "Identification received, accessing . . . Identification acknowledged. Digidestined marked as invades. Please depart the area immediately or you will be shot on the spot."

The Master was startled at the words. "Hey, hey!" he protested. "We're not invaders!"

"Invaders acknowledged as hostile. Be prepared to be eliminated."

Taichi sweatdropped as the Mechanorimon's eye began to glow a darker red. He didn't believe what he was hearing! Invaders? Whatever happened to hospitality?

"Twinkle Beam!"

"I think he means business!" Koushiro yelled as Taichi ducked under a laser beam. Taichi mentally agreed as he ran after Koushiro into a side street, again recoiling at another laser beam, which struck the side of the building.

"Invaders are escaping! Shoot at sight!" the Mechanorimon screamed faintly behind them.

Koushiro seemed to know what to do, sprinting through smaller streets and alleys to avoid any sight of possibly more Digimon. After a few turns, Koushiro disappeared into an empty alley and Taichi stopped there, panting from the shock of being shot at. He sank down to the ground, brushing through his hair. "It's deja vu all over again!"

Koushiro nodded, then inched to the corner, and peered out. He sighed in relief. "No one is there . . ."

Taichi scowled back. "Are you sure you found no data of the Digimon?"

Koushiro managed to look indignant. "Tai, I'm positive. No Digimon lives here except Ebonwumon. Positive."

Taichi tried to think other possible methods happening around here. " . . . Is there something else that the network doesn't know about? Someone that might control the Digimon?"

Koushiro sagged against the wall, his skin oddly pale, profoundly worried.

"Is it the darkness, Izzy? " Taichi asked softly.

"I don't know . . ." Koushiro admitted, his arms rubbing on each other. "I feel it everywhere, even in the Digimon."

That explained why Koushiro acted so fidgety. Taichi leaned his head back on the wall. "Then it's probably not Ebonwumon." He scowled. "Daematermon."

Koushiro meekly looked at him, then the oddness came on his face once again. Quickly, he peered out the alley. And this went so fast. First, he spun around, his hands going to clutch on Taichi's tabard, and yanked him up to his feet. A second later, he pulled Taichi along toward the other side, Koushiro's fear creeping up on him. Then, flames and pieces of metal exploded around them. Bombs! Bombs had struck at where they were seconds ago. Luckily, Taichi was immune to fire and so he pulled Koushiro down to the ground, using his body to shield him from the white-hot flames. But Taichi wasn't immune to metal and heavy hits, and soon, he was sore all over his body, ugly bruises forming. The rubble laid around him, and Taichi sat up, groaning at the sharp pain in his neck. Koushiro winced at a new burn on his upper right arm that wasn't shielded. Luckily, they weren't pierced or bleeding.

Koushiro abruptly looked up and Taichi whirled around to see three Digimon coming in. They were Tankmons, rust-brown Tank-like Digimon with cannons as their arms. The minute they saw the boys, they took aim. Taichi then felt Koushiro's body heat giving out great heat waves as he summoned a lightning wall, covering the street before them. The bombs exploded at the contact, spraying bits of metal, but the wall protected the boys.

Koushiro's sooty face turned to Taichi. "We have to fight our way out!"

"No, Izzy!" Taichi disagreed. They can't afford any more time to fight. Not right now. His crest needed to be healed soon. Besides, the Digimon were obviously controlled, and he wasn't going to delete them just because of that. Where was Andromon? He was supposed to be here to protect the Machine Digimon.

Koushiro scowled, an unlikely expression he had. "Give me a good reason why not!"

His sudden fury caused his control to weaken the power. A bomb made through and landed near. Taichi quickly shielded in front of his friend, his back facing the explosions as inferno roared around them. He gasped as a tiny piece of metal punctured in the deltoid of his left shoulder. Taichi gritted his teeth at the pain, but ignored the bleeding as he pushed Koushiro out of the fire. Koushiro was singed, getting another burn on his cheek. The boys ran on, weaker than before because of the pain and burns. They ran around the corner and were again stopped by a Hochumon. The Hochumon was only a Rookie, but his electricity attack was strong enough to shock anybody into unconsciousness.

Taichi held on his arm, glaring at the small gear-shaped Digimon. "Gimme me a break!"

Then pain pulsated in his arm, making him gasping, as Koushiro held on his arms and wrapped them around his own neck. Taichi was momentarily bewildered as Koushiro held his waist to his back. "Hold on tight!" he ordered, and Taichi involuntarily did so. Koushiro slightly crouched as the Hochumon aimed.

Immediately, Taichi saw the ground going down way too fast away from him, his feet hanging in the air. Koushiro's feet met the side of the nearby building and rebounded off, just before bombs and electricity met the spot where he landed. Koushiro used his leg power to push himself toward the opposite-standing building. Again, he bounced off, and again he avoided the incoming attacks. Taichi forgot that Koushiro can leap very high. Taichi forced to shut his eyes tight to avoid vertigo, expressing bounces in his body, as Koushiro leaped upon the top. Koushiro didn't stop there, although. Bombs were shot at the first building as he hastily bound away on buildings. The explosions grew fainter as the boys escaped. Then Taichi got the sensation of air blowing past him as Koushiro landed through a top window. The glass wasn't harmful, blasted apart at the contact. As Koushiro landed, the boys rolled into stops, crashing against some objects that Taichi later noticed as office desks. As Taichi panted shakily, Koushiro ran to the broken window and listened for a moment.

Koushiro peeked out and nodded. "Ok, I think we're safe for now . . ."

Taichi's face was pale with his heart beating of fear. He still didn't get over his fright of heights. He shakily brushed glass bits out his hair and softly growled, "You . . . you could've . . . warned me . . . about the leaping."

Koushiro looked back, then he tried hard not to chortle. "Tai . . . your face . . ."

"That's not funny!" He snapped, using a desk to push himself up. Then he yelped in pain, his right hand reaching to clutch on his left shoulder. The sudden thumping pain caused him to lose strength in his legs and he slumped down.

"Tai!" Koushiro knelt by his side, peering at the wound. "Let me help." Taichi bit on his lower lip as Koushiro's fingers gingerly felt around the wound, and then he swallowed a yelp of pain when the redhead held on the piece. Suddenly, he hissed in a sharp breath as Koushiro yanked out the rugged metal. Koushiro folded a piece of Taichi's tabard and put it on the wound. "It's not bleeding much." He frowned down to the Master. "You shouldn't have to do that, protecting me from the inferno."

Taichi frowned back. "You'd gotten burned to death in that fire." Keeping his right hand to press on the wound, Taichi stood up with Koushiro's help. He looked around the room, saw that they were in a kind of office buildings. The room was creepily empty, with flat desks and office spaces, creepily silent. Taichi got the glance of the Tower through one of the windows. They were getting closer. "C'mon," he said, "We need to get to that tower." He headed for a door that led them downstairs.

"Wait, Tai!" he heard Koushiro calling as he followed after. "We can hide now, but we won't be safe for that long. The Digimon know how to find us, probably by the network, or a certain way that we don't know about. We have to fight to keep them away."

Taichi stopped and turned around in puzzlement. "What've gotten in you? You aren't the fighting type."

Koushiro leaned on the railing, looking down to Taichi from the top step. "Well, there's something that you haven't known about me, Tai-kun."

The older teen sighed and rested his back on the wall. "Alright, what do you suggest?"

"I believe it's not necessary for us to find Ebonwumon altogether. I can draw the Digimon away and you can go locate her without any distraction."

Taichi was surprised to see the battle fire in the black eyes. Koushiro, who refused to personally fight, was looking forward for a battle? Taichi fiercely shook his head, not wanting to see Koushiro getting hurt or even dying. "That's crazy, Izzy." He continued downstairs.

"Why? Why is that crazy?" Koushiro boldly demanded.

" I won't let you risk your life like that! I don't want you to get hurt."

"Sooner or later, I will have to fight!"

"No, Koushiro. No."

He heard the footsteps stopping, then his voice, full of hurt dignity, spoke, "It's just like the battle with Piedmon."

Taichi abruptly stopped in his tracks, frozen. Where did he hear those words . . .?

'Remember, Tai-kun,' he'd said with this dark calmness and yet with controlled fury. 'When you won't let me fight during the battle with Piedmon? Why, Taichi?'

Taichi was startled, remembering the moment he'd witnessed Koushiro attacking and telling those words that wounded him deeply. Piedmon . . . he remembered that Koushiro was upset with him for not letting him fight. He was surprised that this vivid memory popped in his mind, and he was surprised that Koushiro still remembered that. He turned to the redhead with astonishment.

Koushiro looked oddly angry and hurt, his eyes strained with some emotion. His hands were clenched into fists, slightly shaking, and his teeth was gritted. He continued, "You never let me fight . . . All I wanted to do was to help you, protect you. And you never let me prove that I can fight . . ." His face darkened. "Why didn't you let me fight?"

Taichi opened his mouth, trying to say something, but hearing those words silenced him. He felt his heart tearing to see Koushiro angry.

"Is that because I'm a kid?" Koushiro walked down to him, his head barely reaching to Taichi's chin. But the way he glared made the brunette feel meek. "I remembered what I said, and I meant it. Why?"

Taichi closed his mouth and lowered his gaze. He didn't know what to say.

Koushiro tightened his lips, then averted his head away, sighed. "Just tell me what you told Matt back then."

Taichi wasn't surprised at that. He knew that Koushiro was the Warder and he can remember the kids' memories. The memory of him telling Yamato the truth and . . . Taichi never got around admitting the truth to Koushiro. If Koushiro was still that angry over this for four years . . . No wonder . . . Taichi gazed back to Koushiro, who didn't look back. "If you know what I said, then it's not necessary for me to say it again."

Koushiro whirled back, pleading in his eyes. "Yes! It does! I need to hear that from you."

Taichi felt the urge to place his arm around the boy's shoulders in comfort, but stopped. Koushiro would think differently, would react wrongly to the gesture. Gingerly running his left hand through his hair, he murmured, "I don't want you to get hurt . . . That time, when . . . I lost Matt, Joe, and Mimi . . . I couldn't bear the fact that I might lose you, Kim, and Kari to Piedmon." He managed to give him a proud smile. "You were a great friend, and I didn't want to lose you. I still don't want to lose you."

The Warder gazed back, musing over the words, then shook his head unhappily. He stepped around Taichi and walked down. After a minute, Taichi followed.

"Were you really that mad at me? Still now?" All he got from Koushiro was strained silence. "I . . . I never knew you feel that way."

"I know you were considering my safety and I was very . . ." There was the sincere appreciation in his voice, "grateful for it . . ." Then he slammed the railing with a fist, glaring back. "But there was no reason for you to face that Piedmon alone! That's what we're here for! We stick together through thick and thin, fight together, and defend for each other. None of us will have to face danger alone."

" . . . "

"Taichi, when you laid there, hurt and . . ." The black eyes closed in pained remembrance. "I was afraid. Frightened that you might die . . . Kari might lose her brother; Kim might lose her best friend. I might lose a friend that I trust with my life . . . That's why I want to fight, so you might live another day." The black eyes opened, this time with fury. "And yes, I'm still angry."

Taichi watched in silence as Koushiro disappeared downstairs. He exhaled, then went down slowly, musing over the sudden burst of his anger. How could he be so blind to Koushiro's persistence? It was true what Taichi said. He was too frightened to let anybody to fight that he was willing to give up his life so they can live. He never considered that his friends would do the same thing if he was in danger. He didn't realize how loyal his friends were to each other. He never realized that Koushiro would do the same. Koushiro was right . . . None of the Digidestined has to face danger alone . . . That's what friends are for . . .

Taichi arrived to the first floor. It was a room where security could be, what with the rolling counters and metal detectors. He noticed Koushiro standing by the double doors, scouting. He didn't look back to see if Taichi was here. Taichi silently sighed and walked toward a window nearby. He could see the Tower very close from there, maybe two blocks away. He wondered why didn't Koushiro go ahead and leap to the Tower earlier, and then realized that Koushiro did have his plan already ready for distraction. He wanted Taichi to go alone to the Tower safely.

'Izzy, you don't have to do that. . . ' Taichi thought as he gazed toward Koushiro. Instantly, Koushiro ducked down and moved to a wall's safety. Taichi followed, hiding behind one of the counters. He heard gears rolling, and then he saw the shadow of a Tankmon moving across the sunlight, reflected on the clean floor. It was moving slowly, peering inside the building, but seeing no one, disappeared on its way.

Careful of his injured shoulder, Taichi went to Koushiro's side. Koushiro didn't even notice him, carefully listening. Taichi exhaled and whispered, "Izzy."

Koushiro kept on listening.

"It shouldn't take me long to get to the tower. You distract the Digimon as long as you can."

Now the redhead gazed over to him, looking cautious.

"You don't have to prove that you're a good fighter. I know you are." Taichi fixed a serious gaze at him. "Be careful."

Koushiro slowly nodded, still uncertain.

Taichi beamed with pride. "Do me proud."                       

Finally, Koushiro gave him a wide, grateful grin. He, still crouching, ran out the front door. Turning around, he put his fingers in his mouth and whistled shrilly. Taichi heard the sharp turn of the Tankmon and the voice yelling, "Invader, halt!" Later, an explosion was at where Koushiro was. Taichi grinned as the redhead was on a run. Tankmon followed, keeping on shooting.

'Good luck, Izzy,' he thought as the Tankmon vanished out of the sight. He checked his shoulder and was glad that it stopped bleeding. He stepped outside, watching for any Digimon. He was alone. It was a good plan. He ran down the opposite way Koushiro had run from, toward the Tower. The digital Tower was as big as the real Tower, but Taichi remembered where the elevators were and he arrived to them. He pushed a button and gaped in disbelief as the elevator didn't move. 'What the . . .?' He tried all the buttons on all the three elevators. None of them moved.

"Stupid machines!" Taichi growled, kicking an elevator. How ironic was that the Machine City had all the machines and gadgets and thingamajimmys, and none of those damn technology worked?! He then glimpsed a stairway. 'Great, more running.' He sprinted upstairs on the seemingly endless stairs. After several moments running around the balconies and up the stairs, he was stopped by a great heat erupting somewhere far. Whirling around, looking for the source, Taichi saw a familiar purple glow that went past the balcony, floating downward.

'Izzy!' Taichi ran to the balcony and noticed that Koushiro was right at the base of the Tower, battling several Machine Digimon. Taichi marveled to see how skilled Koushiro was with his leaping ability. His body charged with the purple lightning, the redhead has landed on a Digimon's head. The minute his feet met the metal, lightning sparkled over the body, then the Digimon somewhat slowed and was silenced, unmoved.

'Using his electricity to shut down the machines! Way to go!' Taichi proudly grinned as he watched Koushiro continuing his plan to halt the Digimon. But his grin faded into a visage of horror as one of the remaining Digimon aimed a cannon. Koushiro tried to leap off in time, but the bomb exploded right in midair. Koushiro was hurled right in one of the columns of the Towers. There, he didn't move.

"Izzy!" Taichi yelled and he turned around to head to the stairs. But someone was there, stopping him. A gigantic bird with fire feathers floated in front of the stairs, her black eyes fixed on him. She was as large as Garurumon, but the addition of her feathers made her seem bigger than life. Here and there, he could see a glimpse of metal within the flames. Surprisingly, where the flames touched the Tower's metal, the metal didn't melt or become hotter. Still, Taichi stepped back, awed at the flaming body heat from her.

The phoenix slightly shook her head and spoke, sounding like crackling wood. "Let him fight." She then turned around and headed for upstairs. "Follow me."

"Hey, wait!" Taichi called after the phoenix. He hurriedly peered down to see if Koushiro has escaped. He had, already casting a lightning orb to halt the offending Digimon into unconsciousness. Although, Koushiro seemed weaker than before, having to stop and take a breath. Taichi gritted his teeth, wanting to help him out, but then thought, 'Hang on there, pal,' before he followed the bird upstairs.

The balcony was much larger than the last one, empty except for several benches. The phoenix wasn't there, at all, but Taichi was too worried about Koushiro to search for her. Hastening to the balcony, he again looked. Oddly, Koushiro has disappeared somewhere. The Digimon were still there, suspended. Taichi wildly looked all around the scene, trying to get a glimpse of black, purple, or red. He then felt the body heat of the Holy Beast behind him, but he didn't regard her, kept on looking.

He heard the grin in the crackling voice. "You fear heights, and yet you're looking out from the tall tower." The drawl in the word 'tall' was playful.

Sweatdropping, Taichi blanched as he saw how high he was, much higher than when Koushiro lifted him earlier. His vision became blurred. "Ehh . . ." Eyes shut tight, he sank down to the floor, trying to inhale in a calming breath to ease his thumping heart. Guess he will never get over it. He rubbed his head and looked up to Ebonwumon. "Do you have to remind me that?"

Ebonwumon sat down near the balcony, but not too close to avoid touching him with her fire feathers. She folded her wings to her body and watched him with amusement. "It's my nature. I like to find flaws and see how you humans work. Humans are so funny."

"Glad that we amuse you," Taichi muttered as he stood up. "Now that I found you, I must go down and find Izzy." He headed for the stairs, but was once again stopped by Ebonwumon.

"You don't need to do that. He's alright and is doing fine." Taichi looked over to her. "You did a good thing to let him fight. Everybody needs an opportunity to prove themselves."

Taichi paused, looking down the stairs, thinking about finding Koushiro, but that would mean Koushiro would think that he still didn't trust him enough. He had seen the pride and pleading in the black eyes and he knew that Koushiro deserved this. Taichi sighed, then went to stand by Ebonwumon, peering up to her gaze. Changing the subject, he asked, "Ebonwumon, what's wrong with the Digimon?"

"Viral," Ebonwumon answered with a glower. "They're stricken by the Daemon Mother's viruses. She's too strong for me to keep the Digimon under control." She then nodded in pleasure. "Wisely, the Warder used electricity to shut the Machine Digimon's power down, not destroying them."

Taichi felt his chest expanding in pride of the redhead. He knew it. Koushiro can do it. Then Ebonwumon tilted her head, as if was listening. "He's here in the Tower."

This time, Ebonwumon let Taichi run downstairs. After running down a couple of floors, he found Koushiro laboriously taking a step at one time. Despite his singed appearance and unkempt hair, Koushiro was grinning with an energetic thrill. Taichi laughed as he clapped a hand on Koushiro's back. "You did great!"

Koushiro leaned on the railing, looking up to him with mild surprise. "You saw me?"

"You really did great. You're an excellent fighter." Taichi chuckled. "I'm sorry I doubted you. You proved me wrong."

Koushiro blinked, then smiled with pride. Suddenly, he collapsed down to the floor, the strength in his legs gone.

"Izzy!" Taichi caught him in his arms, wincing at the pain in his shoulder. He was surprised to see Koushiro lightly laughing, putting his arm around his shoulder for support.

"Sorry, I'm just exhausted," he said as Taichi aided him to his feet. He staggered for a minute before found his footing. "I haven't used my power fully for a while. I'll be fine."

The brunette grimaced, shaking his head. "Don't lie to me. You sound too much like me."

The redhead chuckled softly. "That's what I get from hanging around with you."

Taichi glared over to the phoenix, who was chortling with delight, watching them from her perch at the balcony. He turned to his friend. "Nevertheless, I'm proud of you. I should've known about your determination."

Koushiro looked silently astonished. " . . . Really?"

"Oh, yeah! Izzy, you don't have to prove it to me, or all of us, that you can fight. Just do what you know what you can do. I trust you."

"You're really proud of me?"

Taichi heard the shyness and dignity in his voice. Koushiro sounded like he was being praised by an older brother. Taichi then wondered if Koushiro did look up to him as a younger brother. Why didn't he notice that until now? He began to feel the same pride as a big brother, and he gave Koushiro the brotherly grin and nodded.

Koushiro's cheeks slightly flushed, and his voice went soft. "Thanks . . . it does help."

"Don't make me cry, man!" Taichi protested, already feeling his throat contracting.

"You're definitely amusing," Ebonwumon was pleased.

Taichi rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, man." He carefully guided Koushiro's steps up the stairs, often pausing when he thought he heard a gasp of pain from Koushiro. Koushiro got rather annoyed with him and told him that he will be fine eventually. Finally, they arrived at the high balcony. Taichi helped Koushiro to sit down on the bench and again saw the flinch in his body.

"You're really beat-up!" It wasn't the singed appearance Taichi was worried about. Koushiro was very exhausted, already yawning and looking sleepy. He must've used his power a bit too much. "You should be more careful next time. You used your power too much."

Koushiro looked like he wanted to protest, then smiled honestly. ". . . It does feel good, actually. I didn't use my power that often lately."

The Master knew what he meant, remembering the thrill whenever he used his power. It was so long . . . "I know what you mean, but still . . ."

Koushiro only nodded in understanding.

"Master . . ." Taichi turned his head to see Ebonwumon with a small orange-glowing globe floating beside her. A Digicore, he recognized. That's right . . . His crest needed to be healed soon . . .

"Go ahead and heal your crest," his friend said.

He turned back to him. "Are you sure, man?"

Koushiro nodded. "I'll be fine."

Taichi grinned and ruffled the fiery red mane with the violet lock. Making sure Koushiro was resting, he went with Ebonwumon on the way to his crest. He felt a great pride coming over him and he knew that he was lucky to have a friend like Koushiro. He would do anything to protect him. He would.

***

He was still tired, but he felt refreshed, as well, Koushiro sat up from laying on the bench. The bench was too difficult to sleep on, but he was too exhausted to give it a second thought. He hit the sack by the minute his head met the cold metal. Koushiro yawned and blinked at the bright morning light. The buildings blocked most of the sunlight, but the sunlight was reflected off the glass dome, and so the sunlight was brighter than actually.

He rubbed his eyes and then chuckled as he saw the slumbering Taichi laying on the ground beside. As usual, Taichi would watch over him to make sure he was alright. He actually felt safe around the older boy, already seeing him as one of the big brothers he had. He was glad that he got to hear what Taichi admitted about not letting him fight. He finally understood. All the time, he thought that the older boys looked down at him as one of the kids, not strong enough to fight. He was relieved to ge,t this bottled frustration out.

Koushiro carefully stepped around the snoring boy and walked up the balcony. He felt bruises aching all over his body, gingerly touching his burns. But he was proud of them, saw them as battle scars. He leaned on the railing and looked down and around to see if he could sense the taint. The taint was gone when he shut down the Digimon yesterday. He hated the feeling, hated the itch and agony on his left wrist and hated it when he experienced the horrible heartbeat inside him. When he first sensed it again in the Machine City, he was panicked that the taint had found him again. Oddly, he sensed it in those Digimon and it was a good thing that Taichi let him try his plan to stop the Digimon. The taint was finally gone, and Koushiro was greatly relieved. But he still pondered at why the taint was in those Digimon.

"Have a good sleep, Warder?"

Koushiro again yawned and turned his head toward the coming Ebonwumon. She perched on the railing, close enough for him to feel heat upon his face. "Refreshed," he answered, then watched the streets. He couldn't see any movement, heard only silence. The City was dead again. "No Digimon are prowling."

Ebonwumon glanced down to the streets. "They're still shut down. You made a wise decision, shutting them down."

"Were they malfunctioning?" He didn't make it obvious to Ebonwumon about the taint. He didn't see a reason to tell her.

"No. They got viral by Daematermon's viruses." Ebonwumon sighed and shook her head. "I don't know what is her purpose . . ."

So she did know that there was a kind of darkness spreading in the Digimon. Koushiro crossed his arms on the railing, pondering. Was this the taint he was sensing from Daematermon? He wouldn't be that surprised, knowing that whenever he sensed the taint, an evil Digimon or a dark feeling has always came. He wondered what was the taint doing in this Machine City. He already knew that from his guesses, Daematermon was from the south, somewhere in Server, and the Machine City was in the south, also. Koushiro wasn't sure if the City was near to the Daemon Mother, but it could make sense that if Daematermon was going to start spreading her viruses, she might start there in the Machine City. At least, the Machine City was all alone in the desert. More vulnerable, that way.

Koushiro's face grew dark as he recalled the face of Daematermon. The young face that could be innocent if it wasn't for the ungodliness around it . . . Why was that every time he thought about her, he felt sympathy for her? He'd grown to hate her for what she'd done to Cleo, but the sympathy was still there, the pity overwhelming the hate. He kept on wondering, but lately, his mind was focused on stopping Daematermon. He had seen a bit of the living darkness eating that poor Village. He had sensed the taint that always made him feel unclean. He had seen what she did to his kanojo. He wanted to know how can he stop her. He can't wait until he gets to the Central. He wanted to know now.

His black eyes shifted to glance to Ebonwumon. To his surprise, the phoenix was watching back with knowing understanding in her own black eyes. Her beak was slightly opened as if she was smiling, and then she asked, "What do you wish to ask me?"

She might know about Daematermon . . . Koushiro straightened up, facing her. "How much do you know about the First Battle?"

"I know enough to forget it."

"We need to know how the Fallen Children faced Daematermon."

The phoenix ruffled her feathers, spraying flames. "They didn't defeat her."

His voice was stony and yet caustic. "Obtrusive, from what I see."

Her eyes narrowed in mild offense. "Very blunt, Warder."

"I tell what I see," Koushiro said calmly as she nodded in understanding. "The reason I inquire is because Cleo acknowledged me that her Crest of Heart possesses the weapon to defeat Daematermon."

"Who told her?"

"Prophetmon."

Ebonwumon tilted her head. " . . . He did, indeed?" The Warder said nothing, looking steadily. The phoenix continued, "Your Watcher does have the weapon, but she has to find it on her own."

"What kind of weapon?"

She shook her head firmly. "It's not my right to know. She must do it all by herself."

He felt a fierce scowl coming on his face, then he softened it, sighing. He was angry, but he can't stay angry for too long.

"I'm sorry . . ." came the gentle whisper of Ebonwumon.

"I know." Koushiro weakly waved a hand, his voice hardening with emotions, "But right now my Watcher is in a condition that she cannot wake from until a certain time. She's incapable to do anything. I wish to find a possible way to aid her." His eyes then closed. 'I don't want to be helpless to anybody . . . especially to her . . .'

"But you are helping her," Ebonwumon encouraged. "You persist in helping her. You do not give up. It's a great help to her." She then sighed with regret. "I cannot tell you more on the First Battle because I don't know much. I'm the youngest of the Holy Beasts and I wasn't exactly fully informed on the history of the Battle. You might want to ask your mentor."

Koushiro glanced at her with puzzlement. "Mentor?"

"Your mentor, Gennai Unmon."

"Oh, him." Koushiro exhaled. "We have no current knowledge of his location, I fear. Our Digimon are searching for him at this moment."

She sounded surprised and somewhat displeased. "He's hiding from you?"

The redhead was surprised. "I'm not aware if he is. Is he?"

Ebonwumon growled to herself, rolling her eyes upward. "Damn Unmons. So bloody secretive . . . He should've let you know that he's the one who -" Her beak snapped shut.

"What?" Koushiro turned to her, lightly puzzled. "Tell me, Ebonwumon."

Ebonwumon averted her head, muttering, "Damn Unmons . . ."

"Damn you, too, if you will not tell me now!" Koushiro lashed out. Something has snapped inside him. The Digimon have kept important knowledge from him too long. Lack of knowledge often brought him and his friends to the edge of death. He wanted to know. He demanded to know! He had to know!

The phoenix gave him a warning glower. "Careful with what you say to a Holy Beast."

"Some holy beast you are!" Koushiro clenched his fist, fighting the thought of slamming his fist upon the flame-covered machine. He wasn't that surprised that his feelings were running amok. Being provoked and led the wrong way once too often did that to you. "How could you keep important information from us that might save the world and you won't tell us?!"

Ebonwumon almost shoved her head forward, her flames glowing redder with her annoyance. "I already told you! I know only a bit of the history! It's no need to snap at me!"

"Blah!" Koushiro sneered. "You do know something about Gennai. Information about him that would be effective. Tell me!" He impressed his words by slamming his fist on the railing instead of on her.

"It's not my place to tell!"

"You irresponsible - !"

"That's enough!"

The Warder and the Fire Phoenix halted in their quarrel and turned to see Taichi walking closer, his face contorted with a serious frown. With his swaying tabard, his crossed arms, and dominating stance, he looked exactly like the Master. He stopped in front of them, glaring at them, before fixed his pale tan eyes on Koushiro.

"Warder, you know that this's not the way to gather knowledge."

Koushiro's cheeks reddened, but seeing the firmness in the tan eyes, he kept his mouth shut and averted his head away.

He heard Taichi berating Ebonwumon, "And, Ebonwumon, if you have to say no to us, you can, at least, say it politely."

Koushiro turned back to see Ebonwumon calm at the words, her head tilting to a side. " . . . you sure bear great authority," she said with admiration.

Taichi said nothing of the praise, continuing, "Are you certain that you cannot tell us more about the First Battle?"

"I cannot tell you because I don't know much. But the other Holy Beasts might. Zhuqiaomon had lived through it."

Koushiro quietly snorted. Lying beast . . .

Taichi gestured in question toward the Fire Phoenix. "And Gennai is involved in this?"

Ebonwumon nodded. "Yes, but it's his place to tell you, not mine."

"That's not enough information," Koushiro protested.

"Izzy, it's more than enough," Taichi was reassured. "Gennai's involved. He sure knows something that might help us." Then he was at his side, placing a brotherly hand on his shoulder. "It's more than enough."

Koushiro looked down, now feeling ashamed for snapping at Ebonwumon. Taichi was right. It was no need to be so angry at her, even though she appeared lightly obnoxious. She was telling the truth. Heat came up to his cheeks.

"Warder, I do wish I could help more . . ." Ebonwumon was embarrassed, too.

"No, it's fine," Koushiro managed to simper. "I suppose my concern over Cleo clouds my logical notions. I apologize."

"I apologize, too."

Ebonwumon and Koushiro shuffled their feet, ashamed, under Taichi's firm gaze. Then the Master chuckled and nudged him. "Come on, Izzy. We tried as much as we can. Let's go back."

Koushiro nodded, knowing that having Taichi's crest mended was more important at this moment. With that finished, he was hoping to see the others to see if they find something that might help Cleo out. He hoped that -

Beat . . .

Koushiro froze in his stance, gasping at the dark heartbeat thumping inside him. His skin paled, chilled. It can't be! The taint! He almost recoiled at the crawling taint underneath his skin, wanting to get rid of those revolting itches. His left wrist began to burn horribly, and Koushiro clapped a hand over it, resisting scratching at it in frustration.

"Izzy, what's it?" Taichi said, looking worried.

Koushiro removed his hand from his wrist and gazed back, his own heart pulsating with fear. "The darkness . . . it's here."

Ebonwumon gasped, then turned toward the buildings. "I cannot believe it . . ." She took up to the sky, peering hard southward. "It's spreading!"

"What?" Taichi demanded, leaning on the railing, trying to see.

"Look at the horizon."

With Taichi, Koushiro focused his sights at the horizons. The buildings were too crowded to let them see the horizon, but the tower was high enough for anybody to see above the tops. A glimpse here and there and they noticed a threadlike line of blackness all across the tops. And it was growing . . . Koushiro sensed the heartbeat there. It was strongest . . . He frowned, already wanting to investigate it. He pulled himself upon the railing, balancing perfectly. But he didn't move, now glancing down to his friend. His master.

Taichi saw what he was going to do, and he gave him a commanding nod. "Be careful, Warder."

He felt his power filling his legs with vital energy. It always gave him a feeling of elation when he leaped and ran. He was free with no rules to keep him down. He took a brief crouch for extra length of leaping. Then, he was in the air, feeling the shockwaves coming up his legs as he landed. As he sprung toward the black line, he noticed that the line was budging and swirling, as if it was like hundreds of black slugs slithering and creeping all over each other. He didn't stop at the horizon, though. In the air, he received a sudden wave of foulness from the blackness. Koushiro gagged at the horrible odor. He slumped down in nausea as he landed on the top, dropping to his knees. Bending over, he then lurched out his stomach's rations.

Foulness . . . so powerful! Koushiro flinched at another dry vomit and wiped at his mouth. He then froze, his eyes wide at the violently thumping heartbeat. Before him, black slugs crept a side of the building where he was on. They were only several meters away, but Koushiro tensed, quick to his feet, and stepped back. He could hear them eating, chomping and devouring the structure. The building wasn't made of real metal and blocks, but of Binary Data. Where the ceiling has been, there was glimpses of Ones and Zeros floating, the faint buzzing filling the air. One of the slugs sucked the Data in its unseen mouth, and pixels formed, drifting away from the holes. The slugs were eating so fast, one of the walls already gone and the two siding walls half eaten.

Looking up, Koushiro saw that the buildings ahead were already gone, the remains still eating by the lurching darkness. Even a part of the sky dome was eaten, few black slugs still there, eating the glass like caterpillars chomping on leaves. It reminded him of the poor Village where he and some of his friends has visited. 'The darkness is eating the city!' Koushiro realized. 'What's going on?'

A sudden sucking sound and Koushiro whirled around to see a large slug leaping right for him. Koushiro cast a silver bolt that exploded the slug at contact. He dodged to avoid the bits from touching him. Even though he was human, he was still digital data in the Digiworld, and a touch of the darkness could devour him in minutes. The air began to fill with pixels as the slugs nearly ate the building whole. Koushiro fought to find his balance as the building crumbled underneath his feet, then he quickly leaped off.

He didn't stop there, kept on going to the Tower. He landed right on the railing and reported at Taichi and Ebonwumon, "The darkness is eating the city! We have to get out!"

Ebonwumon had a dark grimace. "It's happening again . . . You two, go ahead. I will stay and wait until you are safe, then I will depart."

Koushiro didn't like it. What if the darkness took her before she could get out? What will happen to Taichi's crest? "But what about Tai's crest? And what if you -"

"Ebonwumon knows what to do," Taichi reassured him. "It's us I worry about."

Koushiro sighed and nodded. He then looked up to the eastern gate where they'd entered, seeing no darkness there. Going by foot seemed too long. "I can take us to the eastern gate by leaping. Up to it?"

Taichi didn't pale at all. "My fear of heights is the least of our worries." He leaped on the railing, waiting until he found his balance. "Get ready."

Koushiro waited until Taichi wrapped his arms around his neck. Keeping his mind on the leaping, Koushiro flew to the nearby building and continued on the way. After leaping upon several buildings, Koushiro had to stop on one of the buildings. It was unstable, already full of holes. The added weight of theirs caused the building to tremble slightly, but then stood still once again. Koushiro frowned at the sight. Just beyond the buildings, there were no more buildings at all. It was odd. It was like the blackness had devoured all the buildings, but stopped eating half through this building before moving on. Koushiro peered down cautiously, wondering if the blackness was hiding or somewhere. He still sensed the heartbeat nearby.

He then heard the hurling from Taichi and he grimaced. The foulness was still here, still strong. Taichi went to his side and slumped down, wiping at his hand with disgust. "What's this awful smell? It made me vomit!"

"It's the scent of the darkness," Koushiro replied. He then looked over to the gate and again frowned. It was too far for him to leap from here. He suspected that the gate was about two or three miles away. He can leap high, just not as far. "I can't leap that far to the gate from here."

Taichi examined the distance and said, "We don't have to. We can go there on foot."

Koushiro hesitated, but it was the only choice here. He only hoped that the darkness wouldn't attack them down there. "Right."

Together, Taichi and Koushiro leaped down through the holey floors until they arrived to the first floor. As they got out, Koushiro was struck by the coming heartbeat. Whirling around, he then saw the coiling darkness flooding the streets already. It was coming so fast! Taichi grasped on his arm and both dashed as fast as they can toward the gate. The darkness wasn't too fast for them, but it was still coming. The safety of the buildings disappeared in the darkness.

The boys skid into a stop, disbelieved. As if it knew what the boys planned for, the darkness was already there, crawling in front of the gate and was slowly slithering toward them. The boys were only a couple of miles away, but the safety of the circle was closing in.

"Perfect!" Taichi hissed, his fists clenched, glaring at the darkness.                                                

Koushiro's heart beat, trying to find a way to escape. He then looked up and found it. "Tai, I know how to get us out, but it will be risky. You have to trust me."

Taichi grinned. "I told you already. I trust you."

Again, Taichi was on his back, and Koushiro took a minute to pack his power in his legs. 'C'mon, legs, I know I haven't run for a while, but show me what you can!' Taichi seemed to know what to expect and he silently closed his eyes. The redhead grinned as energy surged through his body. He then screamed in wild delight as he broke into a lightning run. He felt the tightening of the arms as Taichi was pulled by gravity, but Koushiro trusted him that he will hold. Blood rushed in his ears, elation filling him. Too bad that the distance was too short for him to enjoy the speed, but the safety of his friend was more important. As the darkness alarmingly approached, Koushiro simply pushed his feet off the ground. The speed he has building in caused him to leap much higher than he normally could. Air shrieked past him as the dome came for them. Koushiro quickly shielded his face with his arms and summoned his lightning sphere to surround the boys. The lightning dome caused the glass to break and bounce off, protecting the boys . . .

Unfortunately, Koushiro didn't get to think ahead of how they could land without breaking bones. Koushiro's muscles were built to absorb shock, but Taichi's weren't. Instead of landing gently, the boys crashed down on a sand dune and kept on rolling, the shock trembling through their bodies. At the base, they stopped, Taichi's face buried in the sand and Koushiro laying scrawled on his back, staring up to the blue sky.

He heard shuffling and the sand-speckled face of Taichi came in his vision. He looked rather unkempt and slightly irritated. "Well . . . Planning ahead, aren't we, Izzy?" Koushiro began to laugh as Taichi spitted out mouthfuls of sands. For some reason, he felt the need to reveal his emotions and it did feel good to laugh. Taichi joined in laughing, but then quieted down as he gazed up. "Hey, look . . ."

Koushiro sat up and his heart tightened at the sight of the Machine City, nearly covered with the darkness. Only the very top of the dome was visible, and the darkness was crawling up to it. "Where is Ebonwumon?" Koushiro asked worriedly.

Then he saw a flash of orange light shooting up from the top of the dome. It sparkled red for a moment, then it headed for north. 'Good, Ebonwumon is safe . . .' Koushiro then tensed as the Machine City began to groan, crumbling under the pressure of the blackness. As it collapsed, bursts of pixels came out, filing the sky like colorful stars. He was worried that the darkness might come for them, but the darkness also vanished along with the former City. Soon, silence came over the desert. The Machine City was no more.

Koushiro sighed, brushing off sand from his clothing. " . . . I could've gotten the Digimon out of there."

"What good can we do for them?" Taichi admitted. "Even if we got them out, they're still viral. It's better for them to reboot . . ."

The redhead hesitated, then shook his head. "I don't know. . . I believe that once the darkness swallows them, they might not be able to reboot."

The Master was quiet, thinking, then he stood up, a bit unsteadily. "Stop Daematermon," he said with courage. "When we stop her, they will come back."

It wasn't only courage. It was faith he heard in the voice.

'Maybe faith is the only way to save the world . . .'

***

He grinned with pride. Yes, they finally understood. Faith might be the only way to save the world. Even thought it was only a couple of the children who understood, still it was enough. A speckle of faith was always more than enough. Now it was time for him to convince her to find faith she had lost.

"Seijamon, aren't you proud that you sacrificed yourself for your son?"

Her sigh was enough to tell him that she relived her memories again and again. "He was dying, so helpless, and I couldn't help him at all except to give up my data so he can reboot . . ." Her white gaze lowered, in thought. "It was the hardest thing to do because we Unmons revere data. We cannot be fully digital, never complete, so to be this pure in data is desired. Giving up your data is considered the most horrible thing you could do."

His grin softened. "But you did it. For him."

"Because I had to . . . and I loved him as my son . . ." Her face grimaced, and she turned to him, spreading her arms as if was showing the whole world to him. "But I didn't ask for this!" Her voice became bitter. "The Elders believed that giving up for the Avenger was so honorable that they wished me to watch over the world as a 'Guardian'." She chuckled dryly. "I don't even know there was a Guardian of the Digiworld! I was only a Hacker!"

He watched the little Guardian that was once an Unmon, a young Hacker who was unfortunate to receive a dream that stated the future of the Digiworld. He couldn't think nor imagine the burden she was given, the fact that she lived as the Digiworld, watching everything, knowing everything, and yet couldn't aid in any possible way. He wondered aloud his thoughts to her, "Then why did you accept it? You could've chose to stay dead . . ."

Her grimace changed into a frightened smile. "I guess I was too afraid to die . . ."

He shook his head. "Maybe not. Maybe you wanted to watch over him . . . and the others, too."

She meekly snickered. "This's so funny. Me, a mere gal, who dreamt the coming of the Saviors and the First Evil, now a Guardian to watch over them all . . . and I couldn't do anything to help."

He eyed her for a moment, his voice low. "Yeah, funny how Destiny works out."

She looked mildly surprised at his response, then averted away. Even after thousands of years, she still didn't understand about Destiny.

"But I believe that you live your destiny, not destiny lives you. You could - and can - help."

"Like what?"

"Tell them how to stop Daematermon, for a start."

She reacted with total surprise in her entire body that he thought the Digiworld trembled at his words, as well. Her eyes widened, her clothing went dark as the result. Her voice quavered with dread. "But I can't! If I leave, she will find me."

He stared back, slightly disbelieved at the protest of helping. He thought she would leap at the chance to help the Digidestined. His frown was enough to deepened her dread.

"So you will not sacrifice yourself again for them?"

***

Under his heavy mantle, Yamato crossed his arms and once again scowled up to the cloudy sky. Much like Destiny Island, Digi Chinatown was covered with snow. It still crackled under his feet even after a day of arriving here with his partner. When the Old Kids departed for their ways to the other Holy Beasts, Yamato and Sora were supposed to stay in Digi Chinatown for Azulongmon. Yamato was still annoyed with the tension of waiting. He knew that Azulongmon will come - he just didn't know a clue to how to find him, and Sora only said that they had to wait with patience - and yet, time was running out! Yamato gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath. Blasted weather. The weather has gone nuts and Yamato didn't like the snow a bit.

Sighing, ignoring the white breaths, Yamato began one of his walks down the sidewalks. He was also worried about Digi Chinatown. It was empty. He thought that the New Kids mentioned that Digitamamon and Tapirmon were running a restaurant there, the only residents there. Yamato looked forward to see Digitamamon again, despite what he did to him years ago, making him slaving for weeks. Strangely, the Digimon weren't here at all. Even the restaurant looked like the Digimon had departed in a hurry. If it was so, he hoped that whatever the danger was didn't catch up to them.

Yamato huddled for more warmth and walked past the stories, peering inside the empty rooms. He often walked all day, half-expecting to see a Digimon coming out. He was just worried about the Digimon. Shaking his head, Yamato shoved his hands under his arms and headed for a store that was his and Sora's home - a florist. It was small and cozy, settled in between of a shoe store and grocery store. He entered the florist and took a moment to smell in the tangy and sweet scents of flowers. The flowers decorating the shelves and floors were both of Earth's and the Digiworld's.  The flowers smelt different. Earth flowers often smelt sweet, but the Digiworld's flowers had a scent that was mixed with sourness and acidity, like the smell of citrus fruits. So the mingle of sweetness and acidity often watered his eyes. He did like the scents, although.

He walked over the clean floor - Sora has cleaned it when she found the store, the petals and leaves littering all over the place - and arrived to a small room where he found Sora. It was hard to miss her when her soul scent filled the room where she stayed for hours, the rust-tasting smell with the airiness of a breeze. While Yamato busied himself with long walks, Sora enjoyed working with flowers, making small bouquets and vases of the flora. The red-clad girl was standing near a counter, several flowers laying beside her. She was making yet another bouquet of poppies and a strange species of blue colored, lemon-smelling daisies. He sat down in a chair and gazed quietly at Sora, his mind musing. It was amazing how patient Sora can become while waiting. She was like the picture of total composure.

Sora turned around and noticed Yamato. She smiled, picking up the bouquet. "Hello, Matt."

"Hello."

Sora didn't miss the weariness in his voice. "Are you aright?"

Yamato silently nodded, crossing his arms, leaning back.

"Still tense?"

"Boring." He reached out to touch one of the dark purple tulips in the vases beside him.

Sora intently watched him, then turned her attention to the flowers. "I'm sure Azulongmon will show up soon, Yama-kun."

"Sooner, the better," Yamato muttered. "I don't like all the waiting."

Silence filled between them momentarily, and then Sora broke it. "Do you feel anything?'

Yamato raised a puzzled eyebrow. "Meaning?"

"Do you feel anything dangerous? From the ghosts?"

Yamato was mildly surprised that Sora asked him, and then looked around. He didn't see any wisps that might be recognized as a ghost, or hear any mournful or angry voice. He didn't bother to tell Sora that not all the ghosts he saw were Digimon. What he knew about Digimon ghosts was that they appeared as 'ghosts' after they got deleted, leaving a bit of their data behind. They only looked like ghosts because that's how Yamato see them. Also, the other ghosts were spiritual; they were really the dead, but he couldn't tell if they were Digimon or Humans or even something else. Ghosts almost never show their true appearances to him, often looking like smoke or wisps. Now, he was glad that the ghosts left him alone for a couple of days. He couldn't stand any more wailing from the ghosts, telling of the danger.

"No, I believe not," Yamato answered. "No ghosts here."

"Oh . . . a relief, don't you think?"

"I wouldn't say it that soon, Sora," Yamato warned as he went to lean against the counter beside her, watching her finishing the bouquet. "You would never know."

Sora smiled as she cut a pale green ribbon. "Must we be always cautious?"

"Keeps us prepared."

"It's no use to worry too much."

Saying nothing, Yamato merely nodded, his hand gently picking a flower that he recognized as a lilac. But instead of its sweet smell, he smelt a powerful apple scent. It was surprisingly nice and gentle to his nose. He peered at the color, admired how the light played on the color, making it almost white. He admitted that the color was familiar . . . The color was nice, pretty, and yet fragile in appearance. He didn't realize that he was looking at the flower for a while when Sora's thoughts broke though.

"What're you thinking about?"

Yamato looked up. "Hmm?"

Sora gestured toward the flower in his hand. "You're staring at that flower."

The blonde glanced at the lilac color and smelt the apple scent. The flower was familiar. And he now knew . . . "It reminds me of Cleo."

A sharp silence came over Sora, and he looked up to see the chestnut-haired girl brushing her hands off the dirt, then turned around to him. There was an understanding in her amber eyes, but a solemnity remained underneath. "I don't want to say this again, but Cleo is safe. She is safe with five Ultimates and one Mega on a distant island that few Digimon know about. She is safer than we are." She reached to gingerly pick up the lilac from his hands and put it in the middle of the bouquet she made. It looked lone among the colorful poppies and roses. Yamato stared at it for a moment, already feeling a deep concern for the Watcher, then headed for the door.

"I'm going to check around some more," he said.

"Matt, you did that twice, already," Sora's voice called after.

He answered, "Keeps me prepared," before he departed into the cold. He wondered why he left so suddenly. Maybe the image of Cleo, still so helpless, hurt him somehow and that urged him to find something to do that might help her. He already felt a brotherly protection over her. Shaking his head, he walked down a sidewalk that led toward the snow-covered forest. After a moment, he stopped, thought to see a flash of something nearby. He looked at a bench settling near the sidewalk, but he saw nothing at all. With a puzzled frown, Yamato turned back, but again was stopped by the flash. This time, as he gazed upon the bench, there was a ghost. The misty figure that was floating behind Prophetmon.

"You again . . ." Yamato was surprised, already looking around for Prophetmon. The misty figure was always seen when Prophetmon was around. But Prophetmon wasn't here, and the misty figure was all alone. Yamato took a careful gaze at it. The misty figure appeared to gain details in appearance that he recognized as Prophetmon's. There were no colors around the ghost, so it was hard to tell if the ghost was a Prophetmon or a Wizardmon, or even a Sorcerymon. He then noticed that the ghost looked solemn, woeful of something. " . . . what's the matter?"

The ghost silently beckoned at him, then drifted to his right, heading toward the forest. Puzzled, but curious, Yamato ran after it. He wondered why the ghost didn't answer him. There must be something that the ghost wanted to show him. Digi Chinatown disappeared behind him as he arrived to the bounds of the forest. He then stopped, noticing something white there. He thought it was just snow, but the white flashes were moving. He soon heard pained pants from there, and he moved closer in caution. It sounded like a Digimon, that was for sure . . .

The Guardian quietly gasped in disbelief as he witnessed a painful sight. An Unimon was limping slowly between the trees, appearing to head for Digi Chinatown. It wasn't the sight of him being weak. It was the sight of him with those . . . those hideous holes. The holes looked much like open wounds, but they weren't normal wounds. They were empty in some way that Yamato only can see. There were no blood. There was no sight of loose or damaged skin. The Unimon had no right leg, the limb missing from the lower joint. A rugged hole was on his back, as big as both of Yamato's fists together. He could see glimpses of computer data, Binary Data, blinking inside the wound. Another hole, much smaller, was on his neck, and Yamato saw a few pixels escaping from the edges of the hole. There was unbearable agony on the Unimon's face, his teeth bared in a clench.

Dying . . . He's dying . . . Yamato stepped forward to aid him, but the Unimon noticed him and stopped there, shuddering with fear and fury. He was growling feebly.

"Take it easy . . ." Yamato soothed, removing his hood from his head, letting the Digimon see his face. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"You . . ." The Unimon staggered backward, but again shivered in pain as more pixels flew away from him. "How do I . . . know if you . . . will not hurt me?"

"I don't want to," the Guardian said honestly. "You're in pain and I want to help."

Shivers began to violently shake the Unimon. "It's too late . . ."

Although, Yamato saw the pleading in the Unimon's face. He moved closer, holding up helping hands. "Please, let me help."

The Unimon hesitated, uncertain, then suddenly, his other three legs toppled under him. Yamato rushed ahead to the Unimon's side, dreading the sight of the wounds sluggishly growing in size. He's really dying . . . Yamato was troubled. He wanted to give comfort to the Unimon, but he wasn't exactly trained for that or even able to do that. Maybe he could use his power? He may not be able to soothe living beings, but he can use his energy to express comfort to them. Holding the snout in his hands, he automatically began to pet the white fur, feeling the sweat soaking the strands. He used his power to enter the Unimon's mind, trying to envision offering comfort. It worked, as he noticed the pain fading from the Unimon's eye mask, the shudders lessening.

"We have a place for you to rest," the Guardian said gently. "All I ask from you is trust."

The Unimon strained to stand up with Yamato's help. He muttered, "What else . . . will I lose beside . . . my life?" But with Yamato's encouragement, the Unimon managed to stand still. Yamato felt like he was leading a horse, the Unimon's snout near to his face, his hands on the fur, gently murmuring words to encourage the injured Digimon. The walk was laborious; the Unimon often paused and took heavy breaths. Yamato's heart darkened with agony of seeing a Digimon injured. He was surprised to feel that way. Before, he was aloof and impassive. He barely felt any pain for anybody, except for his brother, but it soon changed. The pain he often felt was for the innocent Digimon who were wrongly caught in the battle and died unnecessarily. He was often angry and sad for them, wishing to find a way to aid them. He couldn't in time, but now that he found the Unimon, he will work hard to save his life. He can't bear seeing another life disappearing just like this.

As they walked toward the Digi Chinatown, Yamato mentally called for Sora. It wasn't psychic, but a feeling, a stroke of presence. He hoped Sora could feel that. After several moments, Sora showed up, walking down on a sidewalk. "Matt, what - oh, my god!" Her puzzled face abruptly changed into a visage of despair, her hands going to her mouth in fright. The Unimon only looked back, his mind full on stay standing.

Yamato hushed her into silence and spoke, "Sora, listen. I need you to make a bed for him. Quick!"

Sora nodded and guided them to the florist. While Yamato led the Unimon to the back room, Sora worked quick, gathering blankets from a nearby store, and formed a kind of nest in the warmest corner. Sora took a glance at the Unimon's wounds and looked over to Yamato. "Matt - "

"Shh . . ." Yamato shook his head. Not now. Don't talk about the wounds. He needed to rest first. "Find bandages or strips if you can." As Sora departed, Yamato let the Unimon shakily lay down, his legs tucked under his belly. He rested his head on the wall, quietly panting from the labor. "It's alright . . ." Yamato said, kneeling close and rubbing the snout. For some reason, he found comfort in touching the Unimon, comfort for both of them.

The Unimon was too tired to move. "Don't waste your energy on me. It's too late."

"It's not!" Yamato abruptly snarled in anger. "Not when you're with me!" His body began to shake with building fury. How dare anybody do that to an innocent Digimon? Why must they suffer? It wasn't fair! Whoever did evil had to suffer to learn. He'd suffered and he learned. It wasn't right that innocent Digimon have to suffer, too. He didn't realize that his anger of this were building inside him. Maybe it was because of the pain he saw and suffered. Maybe it was because of Cleo, whom he couldn't help right now. Maybe it was just because of the Unimon, who was dying and there was nothing he could do beside offer comfort. All he knew was that he was angry.

Yamato forced to calm down, and then was surprised to find the Unimon resting his head upon the boy's lap. He hesitated, wondering at that.

The Unimon sighed. "I'm so tired . . . "

"Then sleep," the blonde said, resting a hand on the neck, careful of the hole.

The Unimon appeared to look up to him. "Will you . . . stay with me? While I sleep?"

Emotions dried his throat, and Yamato nodded, blinking his eyes. "Yes, I will." Soon, he heard regular but lightly pained breaths as the Unimon finally slept. He sighed, stroking on the spiky mane. Soon, Sora entered, carrying several torn strips, perhaps from clothes or bed sheets. She knelt down and began to wrap a strip around the missing leg. Her face was contorted with despair.

"What awful wounds . . ." she whispered, then turned to Yamato, "What happened?"

"I didn't get to ask," Yamato answered, watching the hole by the neck growing slightly. He's dying and he will die in a matter of days.

" . . . You found him like that?"

"The ghost led me to him."

The Seeker glanced back with puzzlement. "A ghost?"

Yamato opened his mouth, and then looked around. He didn't see the misty figure. It must've disappeared when he found the Unimon. "Just a ghost." His hand kept on rubbing the snout.

Sora was staring at the wound on the Unimon's back. She then reached a finger inside the wound. She withdrew it quickly, shaking her head. "Look at all the data . . ."

Yamato didn't want to see the wounds anymore. He closed his eyes, and almost unconsciously, he began to hum a tune. The tune wasn't merry or sad. Just a monotone tune, but it was enough to calm his fury. He felt like he was singing a lullaby at the sleeping Digimon. A gentle hand rested on his shoulder and Sora's voice whispered in his ear, "I will bring you dinner."

The Guardian only stroked on.

***

"Hey . . ."

He was shaken awake, a hand patting on his back, and Yamato opened his grey-blue eyes. His vision met the amber gaze of the Seeker. She was smiling gently and she was carrying a teacup. He smelt sweetness from the liquid. He stretched his limbs, sitting up from sleeping on the floor, and accepted the teacup. It was morning, the sunlight rays filling the room. It could be a beautiful day to Yamato, but his despair and fury were still there. He glanced to the Unimon in the opposite corner. He was awake, eating some food in a bowl. He actually looked more alive than before. Despite the growing wound. The hole on the neck was as big as his fist, and the back wound was getting too big for any possible attempt for the Unimon to survive through. The wound already devoured the half of his back. Yamato could hear a faint buzzing sound from there and realized it as the sound of Binary Data.

Sighing, Yamato looked up to Sora questioningly. She nodded and said, "You stayed awake all night. Thanks to you, he looks much better."

Yamato said nothing, not knowing how to tell her that the Unimon was dying and there was no way for him to live any longer. He stood up, again stretching, and walked over to the front door. He saw clouds gathering together, colored dark grey and smelt the wetness in the air. "Looks like a storm," he said. "Azulongmon must be coming soon." He went back in and sat by the Unimon, watching as Sora retied the strip around the neck and leg. Yamato thought that it will be unnecessary since the wounds were growing.

The Unimon watched Sora, and then grimaced, saying, "Are you on a mission? You shouldn't stay and waste time on me."

"How could you think that way?" Sora frowned. "We always help Digimon and you clearly need help."

"Plus, our mission is right here, waiting for Azulongmon," Yamato added.

The Unimon looked astonished at the name of the Air Dragon. "What mission?"

"Stopping the Final Evil."

The Unimon eyed the Guardian and Seeker with new interest, then nodded as if was appealed.

Yamato then heard the air blowing into strong gusts. The door and windows were closed, but he could still hear the howls outside. Sora stood up, smiling. "Azulongmon is here."

"About time," Yamato muttered as Sora headed for the door. He remained with the Unimon, and together, they soon heard the gentle voice of Sora and the booming voice of Azulongmon over the howls.

"Azulongmon," Sora said with faint disapproval. "What've keeping you so long?"

"I was occupied," Azulongmon said, and Yamato wasn't sure if he sounded sincere or not.

"Azulongmon, we don't have much time left. The sooner, we get to - "

"Of course, Seeker. The sooner, the better, but there's something I need to acknowledge you. Is the Guardian present?"

Yamato was puzzled, but guessed that there must be something important. The Unimon looked unhappy to be alone, but Yamato gave a comforting stroke on his snout and headed outside. Outside, the winds were blowing, flapping at his mantle and her kimono. The winds added the chill to the already winter weather, and so Yamato was forced to pull the mantle around him for warmth. The Air Dragon was floating above, his lengthy body almost unseen, made of air, only acknowledged that it was there by the chains coiling around it.

"Here I am," Yamato said.

Azulongmon lowered his head down to his level, his red eyes as huge as the boy's entire body and full of wisdom. He sounded deeply regretful as he spoke, "I know about the Unimon . . . It's truly absurd to keep his hopes high. It's too late for him. He will be deleted soon."

"What?" Yamato blinked, feeling the fury rising in his chest. "You mean there is no cure for him?"

Azulongmon sighed, forming more gusts. "The only cure for him is deletion."

Near him, Sora gasped in horror. Yamato glowered in distress. "What has happened to him?"

"Daematermon has a power to spread her darkness, an awful darkness that eats data."

A bitter scowl appeared on his face. Daematermon . . . "A virus," Yamato voiced, his eyes darkened.

"A virus that either eats data off a Digimon, deleting him almost immediately, or driving him into total insanity. Luckily, most of the Digimon regarded it and escaped to safer places before it could touch them."

"Except for the poor Unimon," Sora sadly murmured, glancing toward the florist.

She will suffer. She will suffer for all the pain she had caused. Yamato's body again shook, but slightly, as he resisted to scream in wrath. He glared hotly at Azulongmon, who quietly watched back. "No cure," he tried to control the rage in his voice.

"I'm sorry," the Eastern Guardian regretted.

The rage lessened, losing energy. Yamato quietly felt tired. Was his rage really that powerful, strong enough to drain him of energy? He only shook his head, speaking toward Sora without looking at her, "I'll see you later." He entered the florist, not wanting to see the grieved sympathy on Sora's face, not even wanting to hear anybody speak of regret. It was too late. He staggered into the room and stopped at the steady gaze of the Unimon.

"Will I be deleted, Guardian?" the Unimon calmly said. He appeared unruffled.

Yamato stared at him, seeing the wounds growing larger, and he wanted to cry. He didn't understand why, but he wanted to cry. He wanted to cry right here, right now, and let his grief and rage pour out over losing this poor Digimon to death. He didn't want him to die. It wasn't fair. Yamato swallowed to wet his bone-dry throat. "You heard?"

The Unimon nodded, his gaze unwavering. Yamato waited a moment, hearing the howling winds quieted as Azulongmon and Sora departed off to mend her crest. Yamato didn't even try to hope for Sora. What's the use to try and heal the crests again when the Digimon are dying? He knew it was a bad thought, but he couldn't help it. Sighing, he went to kneel by the Unimon. "Are you scared?"

There was a faint fear on the Unimon's face, but there was also peace. "At first, yeah," the Unimon admitted, then shrugged. "But now . . . I just feel safe and strange enough, at peace."

The dying used to get a strange peace just before they died. Yamato didn't understand why they would feel peaceful at the edge of their deaths, even though there was an afterlife after death. He reached to rub on the snout, mainly to get comfort. The Unimon didn't back up, just letting the boy touch him. Yamato had an odd feeling that the Unimon was comforting him instead. He managed to say, "We will stop her, I promise."

"It's no need to promise." The Unimon gave a faint smile. "I know you will."

The white-streaked blonde glanced down to the wounds on the Unimon. A virus . . . a kind of darkness . . . that eats data off a Digimon . . . Yamato again tried to calm his shakes and asked gently, "Unimon, can you tell me what happened to you, if you're feeling up to it?"

"So you can figure how to avoid the eating blackness?" the Unimon voiced, eying him. Yamato didn't get to answer. The Unimon braced and shuddered and more pixels dissolved from the wounds. The Guardian's heart clenched, seeing that the pixels were dissolving at a faster pace. He will die soon . . . Grimacing, Yamato struggled out his mantle and blanketed it over the back wound. Coolness bit on his bare arms and chest, but he ignored it.

"But you'll get cold!" the Unimon protested, but Yamato only smiled coolly. He was cold, but feeling the cold was nothing compared to the pain he had now in his stomach, tightening it. The Unimon looked mildly surprised at the reaction, then lowered his head. Finally, he spoke of his encounter with the 'eating blackness'. " . . . I was wandering through a forest, near here, with three of my friends. One of my friends thought she felt something funny, like gnawing, but we didn't believe her." The Unimon dryly chuckled. "Should've listened to her. A day later, the blackness came for us out of nowhere and swallowed us whole. It was so . . . cold, so filthy . . ." He shuddered and it was out of the memory. "Felt like I was contaminated."

Yamato could guess that his friends were already deleted by the time he found the Unimon. Nevertheless, he asked, "What happened to the rest?"

The Unimon gave him a bitter scowl. "Don't you guess? They are dead. Two of them were deleted before my eyes, gone insane, and we, she and I, were left behind with these holes. My wounds were benign, but she was deleted in hours. All of this happened within a couple of days."

Yamato was silent, uncomfortably aware of the increasing bitterness in his chest and stomach. God, he wanted to cry. He didn't know what to do. There was nothing for him to do for the Unimon. He felt so helpless . . . He felt his eyes wetting, and he didn't even try to wipe them. Then he was startled once again as the Unimon rested his head upon his lap. The weight, the strange peace on the Unimon's face further misted his eyes.

"Please stay with me . . ." the Unimon's voice was soft. ". . . Until I get deleted."

Yamato finally wiped his eyes, feeling the coolness on his cheeks. Not now. Don't cry. Don't let him see you. You must be strong for him. You must stay strong even after he . . . dies. Yamato focused on stroking the snout until the Unimon fell asleep. Then he felt a cool touch, and he knew it wasn't the weather. Looking up, he then saw a new ghost. A ghost that looked much like an Unimon. It looked much alike to the Unimon, except that it had the feminine figure. It was very clear in detail, and Yamato knew that it meant the Unimon had died recently. The memory of her was recent, still clear. She silently stomped over to the sleeping Unimon and nudged him with her snout. It passed through the flesh.

'She'll never get rebooted,' Yamato thought with grief. 'She's a ghost.'

The female Unimon appeared saddened when she couldn't touch her friend, then turned to look at Yamato. He knew what she was asking for.

'I will stay with him until he joins you,' the Guardian mentally spoke.

She seemed satisfied and she nodded in thanks before she faded in midair. A sorrowful tune began to hum in the air, voiced by the Guardian as he watched over the dying Digimon, his grief and fury building inside.

Unnoticed, the misty figure floated from a distance inside the room. He watched the last of the pixels dissolving as the Unimon was deleted. He spent a few minutes listening to the Guardian weeping to himself. He reached to touch the wet cheek in hopes that he could comfort him, but his hand went through flesh. Yamato never noticed, too deep in his grief. The misty figure sighed and vanished out of sight.

***

"I hate it when you get so persistent, soul mate."

He looked up at her and was surprised to see the genuine smile on her face. After his troubles of wounding her about sacrifices, she departed to spend time alone, obviously to think about it. He was worried that he'd offended her, but he didn't sense any anger nor fright toward her. He assumed that she was struggling with this dread for years, not knowing what to do with it, how to ease it.

Her smile triggered a smile on his face. "What have I done this time?"

"Talked me into sacrificing myself for the children."

His smile faded and he frowned with unease. "This's a delicate issue, and I didn't persuade you into doing it."

"No, but you did persuade me into thinking about doing it," she said, her grin widening.

He chuckled. "So this was all my fault?"

She sat beside him, her pretty face close to his. "Yes, I'm glad it is because only you could convince me into doing something."

"What made you think about it?"

"The way you spoke of faith. Faith isn't all about believing in yourself, but believing into others, as well. If I believe that they can stop Daematermon, then my faith will help them. They can't do it alone . . ."

Something in her voice halted him from saying any more. He heard pain in her voice. When her eyes looked up to him, he was shocked to see profound pain in the whiteness. Was it something wrong with her . . . ? Almost involuntarily, his black eyes shifted downward to her robed legs. He was horrified to see emptiness there. There was some kind of hole where her right calf was, seen through the ripped robe. The darkness. It was eating the Digiworld right now, and since she shared the same life as the Digiworld, the darkness was eating her, too. Slowly, he could see tiny pixels drifting away from her leg. The pain deepened in her eyes.

"Oh, Seijamon . . ." He pulled her into his embrace, wishing with all his heart and faith that he could protect her from the hunger of Daematermon, but he knew he couldn't.

Her arms tightened around his neck and he heard the soft voice in his ear. "I'm afraid, Yukio, but I can't give up. The end is too close for me to give up. I will let the children know about my secret and . . . pray for the future."

The idea of her being gone forever, out of his arms, made Oikawa frightened.

To be continued . . .