Crystal Tamers

by Tremor3258

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. So sad.

Part 2: Things get deeper.

The moment when Agumon digivolved was among the greatest of my life. The rush of energy pouring through both me and him as he gained power and strength. It was then for the first time in the Digital World I felt confident that we would get home, and little would stand in our way. Mind you, the Digital World did manage to teach me caution again. Tai Kamiya, in his biography by Stephen Ambrose.

**********************

Jessica looked around, or tried to. She was standing in pitch-blackness, and she got the feeling that the walls were just out of reach of where she stood. It was also cold, and growing colder with every second. As Jessica stood shivering, she tried to go over what she remembered.

The events of yesterday had left the two people remaining on the playground disoriented and exhausted. The SINGLE card Jessica had swiped had been intended to simulate mega-level power, and had utterly drained her. Crystalmon had literally dragged her the final few steps home. "This is a dream, or maybe a nightmare." Jessica looked around, "Different than the usual old failure nightmares."

"Do you think you failed?" asked a girl's voice. It sounded deep enough to be older than Jessica's, but it was highly distorted, as if the breathing was constricted. "You fought, something you don't like to do, and the defeated were taken away."

Jessica tried to rub feelings into her arms as she put together her thoughts, "No," she said at last, "I saved Allen from getting crushed, and we managed to keep the school intact, if not the playground despite Ultimates fighting in the area. We couldn't control what happened afterwards. Once I wake up, we'll start trying to make them recover from that bad choice." Jessica looked around, or tried to, "Where am I?" she asked, "I want to see?"

The chill lessened slightly, and Jessica felt the pressure of hidden walls cease. The voice came through, still distorted but a bit warmer, "You are starting to grow past what you were. This is your own mind, Jessica. The truth is very powerful here, and considering how you were yesterday, it's impressive you could even want to forage into the unknown here." The voice sounded saddened, "Of course, the fact you managed to weaken the spell enough to let me talk to you was incredibly impressive. Only one other Crest-bearer has managed it. You know him already."

Jessica nodded, assuming the voice could see, or at least sense what she had done. Jessica focused herself. If this was her mind, she should have some limited control. But she found herself hemmed in from most sides, a binding around her. Off to her left, she could feel thing getting colder. In front of her, the barrier seemed slightly weakened. Off to her right, she could sense a warm, hungry presence, "Crystalmon?" she asked.

That brought a surge behind her, and a glimmer of light, which dimmed quickly. The voice said, exhausted, "Yes. You're very closely connected. You have a very strong empathic sense, which isn't surprising, related to what Crest you bear in your heart." Jessica turned, but she couldn't make anything out with the shadows behind her.

"Can you do anything about the light in here?" she asked.

The shadows may have shifted, "I apologize. But you are still partly under the spell cast. It was designed to make you put up barriers around yourself, and that's what these are to a large degree. You've started to push them back, but I am still weakened and disconnected from you, as well as bound."

"How do I help? Who are you?" Jessica asked. She did feel stronger than when she walked to school the other day, and it wasn't as if the past was nipping at her quite so much.

"I am that which is to your left," Jessica walked over, but she found the cold grew greater. Taking a deep breath, she reached over and hit the center of the cold, feeling a trapezoid-like object for a moment before dropping it from the pain. "The spell was powerful, and used your basic trait against you: Kindness. You felt for others, but couldn't block things out, so everything hit the center of you. You have to watch for it. I'll try and help, but it's difficult for me to talk, as you and I are not yet one."

"You're Kindness?" asked Jessica, answering her own question. "Barriers, huh? Let's see what I can do." Jessica searched herself. She could feel Crystalmon's presence, and if a tag existed in her mind, then maybe so did what she always carried in her pocket. Grinning in triumph, she pulled out her Digivice, currently in its D-Power form.

The voice changed, growing deeper to that of Lady Devimon. "Are you sure you want to see what's on the other side?" asked the voice, "These barriers are ones you built to protect yourself. Can you face what's on the other side?"

Jessica took reliance from those beside her, and said, "Let's find out!" She held up the Digivice to the area where she had felt a weak spot in the barrier. The D-Power emit a brilliant flash of light, warding off the cold, and opening a tiny sliver. Jessica began to walk towards it...

******************

Flames of pure white danced around Allen. "Don't move little boy, or you'll get burned," chided Lady Devimon, "The slightest misstep will plunge you back into the abyss. You used to not have to be aware of them, but this is where friendship takes you."

"Where?" asked Allen, "I can't see past the flames." Allen felt better. He knew something was here with him, as Guilmon seemed more THERE as a presence than Agumon had been. He had been talking with his spirit and it had been an interesting conversation. Though nearly blinded by the light, he could make out the circle of a warm blue light, bissected with wavy lines. It was energy that was a tool, instead of merely destructive.

"Of course, there's nothing there," answered Lady Devimon smoothly, "You're too well bound be me. Give in and the flames will go away. The other route is long, treacherous, and there's no sure chance of victory."

"That's true, but good things rarely come from the easy way, or do you think I'd forget the screams of those kids you sucked in yesterday?" Allen drew out his D-Power, light blue highlighting the screen and it began to glow.

Lady Devimon's voice began to fade, for now, as she said, "Well, I was hoping you weren't far enough along to notice yet."

A spot opened into the flames, but it was one into a blackness. Not an absence of light, but rather the opposite that consumed all light. Allen could just see a dark figure, eyes glowing a malevolent red, hunched over an orb of black crystal. Trying to ward off the feeling of power coming from it, Allen crossed his arms and a bolt of energy flared out.

********************

Guilmon was staying by the side of the bed, apparently all healed. Allen smiled at his partner for a moment, and then his eyes narrowed as he noticed the sun streaming through the window. Guilmon explained, "School was off for the day, as they're trying to explain what happened and inspect the building. I let you sleep in." Allen nodded his thanks. The bruised rib feeling was starting to fade, and he felt reasonably refreshed.

"Thanks Guilmon," said the boy, rubbing sleep from his eyes, before reaching over to check his alarm clock, "What time is it, any-OWW!" More from surprise than actual injury, Allen tossed the clock away as it sparked as its fuses were blown out. Lying in the corner, the former clock, now fused plastic, smoked merrily. "How did that happen?" Guilmon shrugged in response to the question.

Allen looked at the clock, and then at the room in shock. It was clean, and there was a closet with some clothes, but the room was painted a stark white, and only a bed, a lamp, a chair, and a desk stood for furniture. Allen shuddered, "Is this all there's been to me?" he asked. Guilmon only looked at him sadly. Allen seemed to be finally noticing his surroundings, but Guilmon doubted the new, more caring Allen would be all ups.

Several blocks away, Jessica stirred as well. The sheer spiritual and mental exhaustion caused by swiping such a powerful card had left her physically wiped out. She brought her hand up and blinked in surprise at the small pink objects cupped in her hand. "Crystalmon, did I forget to close the window last night? Some cherry petals blew in here." Crystalmon looked at the slightly open window and nodded. They were on the tenth story, but you tended to get updrafts around a lot of tall buildings.

The room was relatively light and painted a robin's egg blue, with a few pictures of singers and a group shot of the Digidestined on the walls. Jessica didn't pay it too much mind except to see if everything was there. Then she saw the time and paled. Crystalmon said quickly, "No school today! Your parents cleared it!" Jessica nodded and went in search of sustenance.

She stumbled out of her room, still in her pajamas. "Good afternoon, sleepy head!" chirped Jessica's mother's partner, a Digitamamon. She was an only child, and her parents worked, but a three foot high egg had trouble navigating Tokyo's train system, especially with the trains the only real neutral zone that everyone left alone, since everyone needed the mass transit, as only the very rich could still afford cars in Japan.

The Ultimate was a very good cook, despite the apparent lack of hands, and a wave of inky blackness left a small plate of soup and rice balls in her hands. Despite the fact Jessica was normally used to it, now the harmless use of the Nightmare Syndromer led to an involuntarily twitch, and she nearly dropped the plates, remembering the previous day.

"Still worn out, huh?" said the Digimon, not unkindly, "You know, you really should just let your parents pay the protection fee for you. You're going to run yourself ragged, and get hurt, especially with-" the egg cut off abruptly, "Eat your breakfast. You gave your parents quite a shock when Crystalmon dragged you around, instead of you dragging her around, and they nearly attacked the poor thing before she could explain."

Jessica sat down on the couch and flipped to a news channel while dropping tidbits down to Crystalmon. "Are you okay after what happened yesterday?" Crystalmon chewed as she thought about it.

"Physically, I'm fine. The Digi-modify didn't damage me in any way. Mentally, we REALLY need to start thinking of a plan. Call the old Digidestined or something. They're getting on in years, but they'd know who to contact," suggested Crystalmon.

Jessica nodded, and then set the platter down for a moment, "Take what you want for the time being. I need to go grab my cards," At Crystalmon's questioning look, Jessica explained, "The last card I did was too much. Allen dropped because of his injuries, but I couldn't withstand that card. I'm guessing I will eventually, but for now we need to decide which ones to use or not."

Finishing up lunch, and thanking the egg, who laid down for a nap, the two went to work. "I'm guessing Digivolution is right out for now?" said Crystalmon, holding up the card. Jessica nodded, "Sorry, but I'm not sure what kind of energy drain that would be. How about we test something small like this seed of strength card?" Crystalmon nodded, and Jessica quickly slashed it. Crystalmon stretched once, and lifted the couch Jessica was on with her two front paws.

"Let's try that one more time! Digi-modify!" The D-power failed to respond, scrolling an error message into the text, "Hmm, data transfer only 5 percent restored. Please wait. I guess there's a limit on how often we can use cards," Jessica said wiping sweat from her eyes. She felt far stronger than yesterday, but still a bit wiped out. She quickly grabbed a rice ball and devoured it.

"Well, I'm glad we know that now, rather than with a Dokugumon breathing down our necks," said Crystalmon. Jessica nodded in agreement, and Crystalmon tried to suppress her surprise. Having her partner sense that Crystalmon was about to go into hysterics about the generally care-free attitude wouldn't be a good idea. It was a refreshing change, and Crystalmon intended to support it. The doorbell chimed, and Crystalmon rushed off to get it, Jessica still busy examining cards.

Allen looked rather downcast, but considering the way he had been squeezed yesterday, that was understandable. With his damaged ribs, he was also wheezing slightly. Still, he managed to hold up a newspaper, which may have been the source of Allen's displeasure.

"I can't believe I hadn't noticed this before!" Allen yelled as a preamble as he walked in. Guilmon waved to Crystalmon before the dragon closed the door. Jessica picked up the paper that was thrown down on the table, upsetting her work with the cards. Jessica's annoyance was chased away when she read the headline.

"Four more gone in series of disappearance cases! How long has this been going on?" Jessica asked. She stopped and groaned. "Right: my parents try and avoid upsetting me, so they're always busy with the front page when I come to breakfast, and the newspaper's already been recycled by the time I get out. Digitamamon! Get out here!" Jessica exclaimed as she continued reading the article.

Allen sighed, and said in an ashamed tone, "I may have actually seen it before now, but I didn't actually notice," he winced, "Actually, it was weird, but there were some problems in my room, like my clock was about to blow up, that I hadn't seen before. Heck, for that matter, there aren't any posters or anything in my room. It's like I didn't care enough." Allen shuddered, "Why would someone do something like that to us?"

"Oh, hi Allen! Club meeting?" said the egg Digimon innocently as he walked out of the room."

Jessica threw the paper at him, "You know, I don't appreciate being lied to, Digitamamon. I do know how fragile I am. There's been a bunch of disappearances in our area, and I do happen to live here. If I'd known what was going on, I could have at least been alert."

Digitamamon tapped one scaled foot against another nervously, "It wasn't my idea, or your mother's. Your father was afraid you'd crack if you got paranoid as well as," the ultimate quailed for a moment, but continued, "As well as how withdrawn you get. He was afraid you'd get pushed over the edge and do something horrible."

Jessica whispered, "I wouldn't. I might get pulled further and farther away from myself, but I doubt I would be stupid enough to kill myself. If nothing else, the idea of how sad everyone would be would make me too depressed to do anything." Crystalmon rubbed her head against Jessica's leg, thinking this was a good time for a head scratch, and Jessica obliged.

Digitamamon's eyes narrowed, "Who are you and what have you done with Jessica?" Jessica laughed, and Digitamamon joined in after a moment. "That's very refreshing to hear, Jessica. You haven't laughed that easily since you were little. What happened?" Digitamamon cast sly glances at the boy in the living room for a moment.

Both blushed straight to their ears. Jessica shook her head, "More like I had the veils ripped from my eyes yesterday. Thanks so much for lunch, though." Digitamamon bowed and grabbed the tray, sucking it into himself temporarily before spitting it into the sink. Allen watched with a trace of disgust on his features.

"You get used to that," murmured Jessica. She turned and gestured at the scattered cards, "You know, if a lot of people were affected by the same sort of spell we were under, we should try and help them. It seems lots of people are being sucked in."

Allen frowned for a second and asked, "Actually, now that I think of it, what did all four of those who were, well, almost infected with darkness, had D-3s. I should know this probably, but is there some sort of listing with this?"

Jessica said, "Well, actually, there is a global Digimon registry. It's on people's birth certificates. But everyone about our age with a D-3, even if we talk just about this neighborhood could be up to thirty people! If we count everyone with a D-3, we're talking literally almost a thousand."

Allen thought about it for a second, and then agreed, "True, calling everyone and asking 'have you been tempted by a dark voice with ultimate power?' wouldn't be that smart a thing to do. I don't suppose there's a way to track?"

"Actually," Guilmon said, "I felt something out on the playground. My mystic senses are a lot stronger now than when I was Agumon. I can smell Digitamamon even through the door, and he's been awake and listening."

Sheepishly, Digitamamon reentered the living room, though his voice was filled with respect, "I'm impressed. Not many Ultimates who stop by and visit actually realize I'm there when I'm trying to be quiet. Okay, anyway, I can't take it any more, and I don't know if this is going to send you back into your shell, Jessica, but what happened exactly? Wasn't that red dino an Agumon yesterday? I've never seen anything like it or Crystalmon before."

Allen and Jessica went through a quick run through of recent events, including the dream last night. Digitamamon didn't seem particularly pleased with Allen being part of one of the protection rackets, but softened when he explained that he had joined for a girl. "Ah, young love in the spring! Makes me feel soft-boiled all over!" The Digimon soon got serious, "Actually, it's bizarre. I haven't been to the Digital World in years, and partners don't speak with wild Digimon a lot, but I've never heard of such a system using any device like cards to assist Digimon. For that matter, I've never seen an analyzer built right into a Digivice before. Maybe you are the Chosen, I've heard that prophecy speaks to heroes." Guilmon and Crystalmon puffed up in response.

"Well, that's one thing I wanted to ask. Any sort of special signs on the day of my birth, good omens, or something?" Jessica asked.

The egg Digimon bobbed up and down, his version of a shrug, before replying, "Well, there were more butterflies than usual for the mountains, I remember having trouble breathing it was so bad. It doesn't help that your Dad had a Woodmon at the time, they kept trying to nest."

"That isn't a big lead to go on," said Allen, discouraged. "I guess we'll just have to keep our eyes open for now. That was one reason I wanted to come over, I really should borrow some cards."

"Well, prior to you dumping that paper down, I was working on that," chided Jessica. Allen bowed to the floor in mock-apology, and Digitamamon went off to get something for them to eat.

"After all," he whispered in the safety of his kitchen, "If there is something wrong back home, and they do have Crests, then they'll be dragged into it whether they want to be or not." Digitamamon thought for a moment, and then began searching the phone book for someone he knew could probably help. Luckily, Japan's Guardian happened to be in, and promised to stop by.

It was a few hours later, and the two were now sitting outside on a bench near the apartment in the shade of a few old cherry trees, plotting the relative value of one card against the other. The two rookies were still trying to figure out the exact magnitude of their various powers, and so were involved in a practice battle. Guilmon was leading, eight falls to six.

Coming up behind them was a middle-aged man. His hair was starting to grey at the tables, but he didn't like being reminded of it. Worry lines had begun to tease at the corner's of his eyes and forehead. He smiled as he spotted the two sitting in the shade, but grimaced as his vision was blocked by a set of pastel butterflies. He grimaced and asked to the air, "Don't you EVER get tired of interfering where more qualified and experienced people are available?" If anything, the butterflies flapped harder and did their best to cut off his vision. "Fine, but you brought this upon youself," the man warned the air. With a snap of his fingers, the butterflies dropped like stringless puppets, bright colors fading from their wings before they dissolved into dust. Smiling slightly, Gennai breathed a word left hanging with the remnants of once bright nectar drinkers. "Fool."

Gennai cursed as he saw the two Digimon hanging near their partners become alert at his approach. He doubted they had seen anything, but it wouldn't do to tip his hand too early, and Gennai forces his grin a few notches wider, from a grin of cunning to one of welcome. Gennai noted the Digimon's slightly hostile stares become distant, as they started ticking off mental Rolodexes of people who they knew. Rookies: old enough to make teaching them difficult, but young enough to be fodder for much of the Digital World. "And humans talk about having an awkward age," chuckled Gennai.

As he approached, he noticed the boy was starting to tense slightly, and that was probably a good sign. Before, he had been led around. The girl, however, took just a second to put his older face with the even older pictures. Gennai was a highly aware Guardian, in charge of the defense of the Digital World, yet he even couldn't recall exactly if the brunette had actually been at a midway point between standing up or not, or simply teleported to her rigid position, practically at attention.

"As you've evidently guessed, I'm Gennai, Guardian of the Digital World, Spiritual Advisor to the Digidestined, and computer terrorist wanted in six countries for deleting classified information about the Digital World," Gennai bowed. The two Digimon stopped glaring and started kowtowing.

Allen placed the reference, bowed as deep as he could, and held it far longer than he had for Jessica, before straightening and asking, "So, which Gennai are you, anyway?" Gennai glared at Allen, and Guilmon later swore he saw flames emitting from the Guardian's eyes. Allen sweat-dropped and apologized profusely.

Gennai smiled, "Don't worry about it. Digitamamon called the Digital World's embassy in Tokyo. I knew your parents quite a while ago, and I owed Digitamamon a favor. Plus, there have been a series of odd transmissions from the Digital World recently that have me baffled, and I believe there may be a connection." Gennai looked at the two rookies and said, "Though I'm wondering where exactly those came from. Slithermons are extremely rare, and I've never heard of one evolving into a dragon-type before. For that matter, I've never seen the red one's type before. And what's with the warning label on your nose? Virus, aren't you?" Guilmon pawed at his snout for a second in confusion. Gennai seemed distant for a second before his eyes focused on Allen again, "For that matter, wasn't your partner an Agumon?"

Jessica asked, as innocently as she could, "Are you suggesting there's something wrong with our Digimon? Crystalmon has never been any trouble. She's my reason to keep hoping, so that all Digimon can have a good relationship without being forced to battle needlessly." Little stars had appeared where Jessica's pupils had been. Gennai smirked.

Allen was a bit more confrontational, "Sir, I understand you can track the going-ons of the Digital World, but I know Guilmon hasn't changed at all! Well, emotionally. I don't know why it happened, but if Guilmon's happy, I'm happy!"

"And this is based merely on the intuition of an eleven-year-old, that your Digimon hasn't changed?" asked Gennai skeptically, "For that matter, most Digimon would say their happy if confronted by their partners, they want you to remain in a good mood."

"It's not simply asking. I know it!" Guilmon and Allen both gave serious nods.

Gennai asked, "Whatever. More importantly, how did your Digimon change classes suddenly? Is he infected by evil?"

Allen shook his head, "Guilmon transformed after the D-Power did, and after the dark energy left me." Gennai stared a bit closer at that, and seemed unconvinced. Allen continued, "Guilmon did help drive back the Viruses who attacked us yesterday! That should mean something."

Gennai said, "I'll continue observing on that issue. Digimon suddenly transforming is not something that happens, in my opinion. Can I see your Digivices, I was told by Digitamamon that they were ... odd." The two drew forth their D-powers, and let Gennai examine them. Gennai picked them up to look closer, but when he tried pushing the 'clock' button, a spark flew from the D-Power to his finger, causing him to drop them. "Now that was odd," commented Gennai after he stooped to retrieve them despite hurried apologies from the two. He exhibited his find. The D-Powers were once again normal looking Digivices. When the two took them in wonder to examine them, they shimmered for a moment and transformed back.

Gennai frowned, "Some sort of protection algorithm. You don't know who gave them to you, or how they're designed? You just know a card slash powers up your Digimon?" The two nodded. Gennai said, "I'm not sure I trust this set-up. Your partners may very well have to be reformatted, and new Digivices issued.

Jessica said, "You just can't do that!" How can I stop him, though? thought Jessica, He's a Guardian, and we're running into a lot of unknowns here. "Isn't there some sort of test you could give them or something?" Jessica asked weakly.

Gennai concentrated for a moment, and then said casually, "Show me they're viable Digimon." Fog began to swirl into the area and Genani explained. "I've found a useful program that resembles transforming the Control Spires. It puts data together into a simple Construct, with not much of a mind, but great power. Useful for blocking people from getting into areas they shouldn't be. Prove your effectiveness and I'll even help train you for Lady Devimon."

Jessica grumbled, "Why does it always come down to 'you must show me your power' around here? Am I living in some sort of twisted anime?" Allen chuckled. Yes, life did seem that way sometimes.

Finally, the fog finished condensing, and a figure started to walk out as the fog was burned away. Though the sun had little to do with the sun's death, as a red-hot Meramon stepped clear of the fog. It stood, blinking glassily, as if unsure of the legality of standing. Gennai studied it and said, "Not my best work, but you'll have to do good to take it out. Or you could probably digivolve and stomp on it." The two assumed Gennai was teasing, or else he had already forgotten Digitamamon's briefing.

The rest of the fog ran away, and then the two Tamers gasped as they felt a wave of longing run through them, like an itch they couldn't scratch. It faded after a moment as Crystalmon said in a hushed whisper, "Even if I wasn't here, I could tell this is a fake. It's like animating a zombie." The two shuddered at that. They weren't great Shintoists, but the defilement of the dead was a taboo that had been greatly impressed in them. Crystalmon flapped her wings, she wasn't a great flier, more of a glider, but she managed to jump onto Jessica's back and whispered, "I'm sorry about that. I don't know why I reacted like that, and it took a minute to get under control. I could barely stop myself from trying to rip that THING's throat out," she said in an ashamed tone. Jessica patted her head.

Guilmon seemed to be having a little more trouble getting under control, as he was growling slightly at the Meramon. It continued to blink. Gennai rose a hand in the air, and dropped it down, "Begin! Meramon! Destroy these two Digimon!" Meramon roared, no words, and launched a bolt of flame at Crystalmon, the farther Digimon, not to mention that the dragon was still on Jessica's back. With instincts bred from years of being in crossfires and near Digimon battles, Jessica dove to the ground, the flame impacting the concrete behind her, leaving a scorch mark. Gennai winced, "Sorry. Note to self: better AI on next set of Gatekeepers." Jessica needed a moment to stand back up, and Allen quickly ran and began searching through the pile of cards, trying to find one they had decided was on the safe list. Meramon prepped another volcanic strike, but Crystalmon was having none of that.

"Now I'm just ticked! No one tries to hurt Jessica and gets away with it! Dragon fang!" Energy surged along Crystalmon's frame as the tiny dragon began charging forward. The energy resolved into a curved arc of energy with Crystalmon inside it, before the dragon Digimon slammed into Meramon, knocking the Construct back a few feet.

"Oh sure, SHE gets a special attack that isn't fire-based," grumbled Guilmon, who was wondering how he was supposed to attack the sorry flaming puppet copy of a Digimon in front of him, when he couldn't touch it!

Allen quickly sorted cards, "I'm not sure which one to slash here. Do you think speed or an attack bonus?" Meramon had started to recover, and was shambling towards the two.

Guilmon noted the fact the concrete had actually started to melt behind the Digimon, "Anything where I don't have to actually come into contact with it would be good." Guilmon suggested.

"Okay, let's try this one!" Allen drew up a card with a small image of an iron bar on it, and quickly swiped it through the reader on the base of his D-Power. "Digi-modify! Heavy metal!" Guilmon glowed as the data was uploaded into its body, and the dinosaur's color scheme changed from red to a steel grey, and his voice became slightly metallic.

"All right!" Guilmon cheered, headbutting into Meramon. The heat would take a while to get through Guilmon's shielding, and as long as the armor lasted, Guilmon was immune to the incidental heat of Meramon. Guilmon laid in with a series of slashes, dodging the slow counter-strikes. Jessica and Crystalmon regrouped to stand near Allen and watch the show. Meramon finally got the notion that his strategy wasn't working, especially as his flames were starting to flicker. Meramon concentrated, and the flames dimmed everywhere but the hand, which glowed with renewed vigor.

"Guilmon's too slow to dodge it with armor on! Where is it," Jessica started to search, finally finding something to her liking. She held up the card, which looked like a weird device with a green dot in the middle, "Crystalmon, get in there and fight! Digi-modify! Accelerator!" Crystalmon dashed forward, twice as fast as before.

"Dragon fang!" improved speed went into a more damaging attack. Meramon was knocked backwards onto his back by the sheer kinetic force behind the strike. Meramon, however, chose that moment to release the attack, which flew straight up into the air. Guilmon and Crystalmon started to move away as Meramon's assault struck himself.

Meramon was obscured by a rolling ball of flames as a noise like a thundercrack became known. Crystalmon jumped at the last minute, aiming for Jessica. She managed to ride the shockwave, partially, but ended up in a slightly controlled stall that sent her and her partner crashing to the ground. Guilmon merely closed his eyes and braced himself at the last minute as the flames surrounded him. When they cleared, he was slightly singed, and the armor program had shut down, but essentially intact.

Meramon however, gave a few gasps for air. The rush of oxygen sucked up by the fireball had smothered much of his flames, and the Digimon made no attempt to even stand. Allen nodded, and Guilmon walked over, claws on the feet barely tapping against the concrete. Meramon made a wild, desperate attempt to punch Guilmon, but the dinosaur dodged it easily, and walked to the fallen Digimon's head. Eyes closed, Guilmon reached down and quickly slashed with his claws. There was practically no heat left. Meramon gave one last choke before he dissolved into a cloud of data.

Jessica, Allen, and the Digimon bowed their heads for a moment, and so missed Gennai gesturing. The cloud of data surrounded him with a nimbus for a moment, before sinking into his robes.

"We wouldn't have to do that again if we trained, would we?" asked Jessica in a slightly choked voice. Brought into life only to fight, and then was put to sleep like a sick animal. She shuddered at the idea of someone doing that to Crystalmon.

"No, you won't have to worry about it," Gennai said angrily. He started to walk away, "I'll let your two live. Who knows, they may turn out to be viable strains, but I won't train you."

Allen said in a confused tone, "Um, we did win right? I mean, we did hold up pretty well up against it."

"You used little tools and extra programs. What sort of standard is that to get about your Digimon?" Gennai demanded. He calmed down after a minute, "Now that I'm aware of the situation, I'll detail some friends in the Digital World to do their best to prevent more disappearances, but I suggest you two don't travel to the Digital World." The two started to protest. They had friends there! Gennai waved at them and said, "A hand full of tricks means nothing compared to the power of a Digidestined. I'll see about rescuing your friends myself, but I wouldn't suggest any foolishness. I doubt your Digimon could ever even digivolve, and the Digital World would eat you alive." Gennai walked off at that point, passing near a pay phone and shimmering into it.

Jessica and Allen stared at shock at the Guardian's passage. "You know about those crazy claims of revisionist historians?" Jessica asked. Allen shook his head, but Jessica continued, "I'm starting to believe them."

Allen nodded, "Let's get inside and talk to Digitamamon. We do need training, and if Gennai thinks I'm just going to wait for him to send in a few zombies to try and save my friends, he's gone senile. You with me?" Jessica smiled and shook the trainer's hand as their partners did the same.

Gennai, meanwhile, traveled through the brilliant colors of netspace. After a moment, he came to one of the sink holes to the Digital World. Butterflies and half-formed shapes danced at the edge of the warp. "You've put your hope with those two? You are foolish," the Guardian said scornfully, "I checked, they have not a hint of crest energy. Most humans partnered have SOMETHING. They will fail, and that will be the end of things. I would say it was nice knowing you, but you have caused me no end of aggravation." Gennai continued on. He had places to go, people to see, worlds to protect as he saw fit. The butterflies danced on through netspace, unconcerned.

To be continued:



Author's Note: Why am I being mysterious about the butterflies? It's not like anyone who saw the epilogue doesn't know what's going on. Actually, it's because one of the points that will come out assumes most people don't want to know the little unpleasant details behind the Digital World's restoration.

Cards they're going to be using: probably just low level speed, strength, and recharge cards.

I think I got italics working.

Oh: Next time: More details are uncovered as plans begin. We find that time hasn't been the best of things to the Digital World.