Digital Souls
By Wanderer D
Chapter 8
T.K. held the key chain that used to be his brother resolutely as he tried to hold on to the rope.
He and Kari were the last standing, Matt, Jessie, Angewomon, Wargreymon, Metalgarurumon, Izzi, Sora, Mega Kabuterimon, Garudamon, Andromon, Gomamon, and Joe had all been turned into dolls.
Sora, Angewomon and Gabumon had managed to get the 'Zero Doll' from Piedmon and had given it to him just before they had been caught.
After that, they had managed to get to a balcony of Piedmon's castle and found a rope that went up into the air and had tried to climb it, but Piedmon had easily found them and cut it.
Angemon had been batted away without a second thought, and now their chances seemed dim at best.
Piedmon laughed as he cut the rest of the rope with one of his swords and the last two Digidestined started to fall.
T.K. tightened his grasp on the doll as he closed his eyes.
"Brother, I believe in all of you! I believe this will turn out all right!"
The emblem of Hope started to glow with intensity and Angemon shot into the sky as he transformed. The metal helm that he used seemed to stretch upwards, and turn into a metallic sheen of purple with a golden cross in it, his wings grew larger and golden ribbons fluttered around him as yet another pair of wings appeared.
Piedmon was as surprised as the kids were when Magna Angemon slammed him with his shield and sent him sprawling.
The angel then caught both T.K. and Kari and hovered down; picking the key chains that Piedmon had lost when he was hit.
***
T.K. finished putting the key-chains in line against a rock.
"Are you sure you can do it, Magna Angemon?" Kari asked a little worried.
Magna Angemon nodded. "Magna Antidote!"
A soft white light engulfed the small dolls and, slowly they started growing.
Everyone stood up; staring at the newly improved angel in surprise, and then checked themselves over.
Zero noticed that his wounds had closed; it seemed that the angel's power was enough to break a curse and cure wounds at the same time. A definite improvement from the previous Digivolution, he thought, but didn't say anything, grateful as he was that he was normal again.
He smiled at Peregrine and the others. "It seems that T.K., Kari and Magna Angemon did what none of us could! Well done T.K.!"
Little T.K. blushed with pride at his brother's prize, he had finally gained Matt's respect.
"Thank you, brother!" The little boy smiled.
"I'm proud of you, T.K." Matt answered.
Without warning, Piedmon appeared surrounded by a cloud of Vilemon; the ugly creatures had black greasy fur that covered their whole bodies and an overly large mouth, full of fangs. Their leathery wings carried them towards the Digidestined and their friends with surprising swiftness.
"I'm not over yet, Digidestined!" Piedmon spat.
The Digimon quickly Digivolved into their Ultimate and Mega forms, although Zero knew that they were severely overpowered by the sheer number of Vilemon.
He decided that using his blaster would be more effective against a large number of opponents and started charging at the same time the Digimon used their powers to keep them away.
Just as he was about to shoot his blast, a huge ball of plasma blew up in the middle of the attacking Vilemon, blasting through them and slamming Piedmon out of the air.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the new comers.
X, in his samurai-style armor and surrounded by energy stood by Mimi and Lillymon, just in front of a huge army of Digimon.
X smiled at Zero, and shot into the Vilemon's path. "CHARGE!" he shouted.
All the Digimon, X and Mimi ran forward.
Hundreds of Digimon clashed into the fray, as X cleared a way towards the others. When they were finally together, X shook Zero's hand, then Peregrine's.
"Like old times?" X asked.
Something flashed inside Zero's eyes, and Peregrine smiled. "I'll join you this time!" she said holding her blaster up.
"Special Zero Unit of the Maverick Hunters!" Zero shouted, drawing the attention of all present combatants.
Zero smiled viciously at a Vilemon, who sweated a little. The Reploid started charging his blaster again, and soon he was surrounded by green sparkles of energy, popping around him.
X placed his hand in front of his blaster, both waist level, and started gathering energy as crouched to Zero's right. Bluish-white energy started gathering from his blaster, until small sparkles of the same color were popping around him, mixing with the green ones from Zero.
Peregrine knelt pointing her blaster at the enemies in front and started charging it too. Black energy surrounded her, and soon she also had sparkles of energy floating around her and mixing with the others.
T.K. and Tai shared a look with the others, wondering what it was all about.
"LET'S HUNT!" Zero shouted. Just as Piedmon flew up again, enraged and holding his swords.
The only thing most of the present, Digimon and Digidestined, registered was the explosion as three simultaneous blasts erased from the Digiworld the ugly visage of dozens of Vilemon and blasted into Piedmon with incredible force.
When Joe looked again, Matt, Peregrine and X were in the middle of the stunned Vilemon that had remained in the area.
X's armor had changed color and he was throwing around axes that erased the evil Digimon with each hit. Peregrine was trigger-happy enough for an action movie, destroying anything that stood in front of her... and all that did were Piedmon's hordes.
Matt was a blur of fire, spins, jumps, ice and blasts. The only thing he could see of his sword movements were the disappearing Vilemon.
"Magna Angemon!" T.K. called his friend, who nodded.
The angel flew way over the battle and out of his hand stretched a translucent red blade. With a circular motion, a rune covered stone circle appeared after the blade's wake.
"Destiny Circle!" the angel shouted at the top of his lungs.
The circle rotated and opened, illuminating the surrounding area with a light that shone from inside it.
A whirlwind seemed to suck all of Piedmon's army into it.
The screeching Vilemon soon disappeared into the circle, and Piedmon, who was already on the edge of becoming Digidust, was left alone, fighting against the pull.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon shouted, sending an arrow made of the purest light flying.
"Terra Force!" War Greymon added his own fireball.
"Metal Wolf Claw!" Metalgarurumon echoed the two.
"Electro Shocker!" Mega Kabuterimon's electrical ball flew straight, following and gaining on the other attacks.
"Flower Cannon!" Lillymon shouted, sending a ray of light to join the attacks.
"Wing Blade!" Garudamon would not be left behind and her wings shot various shards of multicolored light.
"Vulcan's Hammer!" Zudomon growled, slamming his gigantic hammer to the ground sending shocks into the mix of attacks.
Piedmon was hit by all of the attacks, and sent sprawling and smoking into the gate, he became digidust just before reaching it, but it also got sucked in. The door closed after him, finally ending the Dark Masters' reign of terror.
Everything remained silent as the battle ended as suddenly as it had started. The gathered Digimon looked at each other before they started cheering and congratulating each other and the Digidestined.
The Digidestined Digimon devolved back into their rookie forms, their energy spent in that last blast.
After a few minutes, most Digimon decided to go back to their usual lives, and left, with the exception of Ogremon, Andromon and Leomon, who wanted to talk to the three Reploids.
Peregrine walked over to X. "Well, tell me how're things going? Is the battle finally over back home?"
X nodded. "Yes, the Maverick virus has finally been controlled, and the reminders are normal enough for the rest of the hunters to handle."
Peregrine smiled. "That's good to hear, X." Her smile turned smug, and she elbowed him. "And exactly *what* have you been doing with Mimi?"
Lillymon, who had been watching over X, quickly spoke up. "He's been a lot of help to Mimi! They've been walking together, talking together..."
X blushed mush and more as the list continued.
"... Sleeping together..." This called Peregrine's attention.
"X! I didn't know you were that kind of guy..." she teased. "And on the first date! I'm impressed!"
Both girls smiled as X mumbled trying to explain it was not what it seemed and that he would never do such a thing.
They knew it, of course, but teasing was a good way to relax after battle.
On the other side, Mimi was finally meeting the new and improved Matt. She stood in front of him, looking up and down his armored body. "I don't like that rusted color, why don't you try blue like X?"
Matt almost fell over, but understood what she was trying to say.
"I missed you too, Mimi," He smiled. "And why's X armor color so attractive to you?"
All the present started talking and walking as Piedmon's castle became smaller and smaller behind them.
When the ground started shaking they were reasonably surprised.
They turned around and saw Piedmon's castle crumbling down, but there was also a strange feeling of impending doom in the air.
Izzi's computer started beeping and everyone felt like their stomach was on ice.
With a trembling hand, Izzi opened his laptop and the wrinkled face of Genai appeared on screen.
"Digidestined, this is your final enemy, an enemy unlike you have faced before!" the old man explained.
Tai pushed Izzi to the side and glared at the old man. "Genai, why is it that you always tell us things a little too late?!"
The old man ignored Tai. "Listen to me, Digidestined! Every time the Digital world comes under attack, the Digidestined are called from the real world to save both worlds. You are the last Digidestined to be called here."
As he talked, a dark cloud seemed to extend over the sky, but as they looked closer they realized that the cloud was, in reality, a dark void, and soon they were surrounded by it and seemed to be floating in space.
Leomon, Andromon, Ogremon, X and Peregrine disappeared from view just as Genai's transmission was cut short.
"Peregrine?! X?!" Matt asked, staring at the place where they had been standing.
"We've got other problems right now, Matt!!" Gabumon warned.
Matt turned around and stared at the strange metallic mine-like thing that had appeared in front of them.
***
Peregrine and X watched the others disappear in darkness, leaving them with three confused Digimon.
"Zero?!" Asked with no response. Peregrine grabbed Ogremon and shook him. "Where is he?!"
"Calm down!" Said a voice from overhead. They all looked up at Genai, who seemed to be piloting some kind of mecha, much like the ones X had piloted from time to time. Next to him, a centaur-like creature with a helm covering it's face landed.
"Centaurmon! What is happening here?" Leomon asked the half horse Digimon.
"The Digidestined are fighting Apocalymon for the future of the Digi World, and theirs." The centaur answered.
"Can't we do anything to help?!" X asked.
Genai shook his head. "No. The Digidestined are the only ones with the programming to survive. If we were there we would be erased. But don't worry; as soon as it's safe we'll be reunited with them."
Peregrine sat down dejected, and looked up as X kneeled next to her.
"Don't worry; I'm sure Matt will be okay." X offered.
Peregrine smiled. "Thanks, X. Mimi will be alright too."
X blushed and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Isn't there a way to at least know what's happening?" Leomon asked Genai.
The old man looked pensive for a moment. "Well, there is a way..."
***
Genai led them away from the remains of Piedmon's castle. To a nearby cliff.
"Down there we may be able to see what is happening, but we'll be unable to interfere."
Ogremon looked down the cliff into velvety darkness and stepped back. "You want us to jump in there?"
Genai nodded, and Peregrine shared a look with X, who nodded. She turned around and X slid his hands under her arms and grabbed her shoulders, and then held on as she spread her wings and started beating them softly, and separated them some centimeters of the ground.
"Let's go!" Peregrine said and made a head dive into the darkness below with X holding on for dear life.
Leomon and Ogremon shared a worried look, but Genai comforted them. "Don't worry; nothing will happen to you two if you jump." He said, almost believing his own words.
The two rivals looked at each other and shrugged. The next moment both were falling into the darkness.
***
X and Peregrine seemed to drift in the darkness for only a few seconds before being enveloped by a blinding light. As soon as they opened their eyes, they were surprised to see that they seemed to be floating in space.
A shooting star passed behind X in the distance as Peregrine regarded her friend thoughtfully. They seemed to be weightless, as if they were in space.
X pointed to a large figure, a black helm covered it's giant head, making it look like a giant raven, with red eyes, the lower half of is body seemed to be trapped inside a kind of metallic polyhedron.
The creature was laughing insanely, and both Reploids noted the absence of the Digidestined and their Digimon.
"Where are they?!" X asked his friend.
"This doesn't look good!" Genai said appearing in a flash of light alongside Leomon, Ogremon, Andromon and Centaurmon.
"Why?" Ogremon asked.
"It seems that the Digidestined have been turned into separate data by Apocalymon!"
"WHAT?!" Ogremon, Leomon, Andromon, Centaurmon, Peregrine and X all shouted at the same time, incredulous at the old man's calm.
"What's that?!" X asked pointing just in front of the monster.
One by one small spheres of colored light were appearing in front of Apocalymon, they condensed into eight forms. Even in the distance, the brilliant light enabled them to see their forms.
"Those are the emblems!" Genai exclaimed. "There's still hope!"
"The emblems?" X asked confused.
Genai nodded and pointed at the one in the left. "From left to right:"
A yellow glyph that represented light shining out of a sun spiraled surrounded by dust of the same color.
"That's the Emblem of Hope. T.K.'s Emblem." Genai said.
He then pointed to a purple star-like sigil that also rotated surrounded by colored dust. "The Emblem of Light, Kari's Emblem."
The next looked like a drop of water made of green crystal that glowed as it also spun around. "The Emblem of Sincerity, Mimi's emblem."
X sighed in relief.
"That's Tai's Emblem of Courage." Genai identified the orange sun next.
The fifth filled Peregrine's heart with hope, as she recognized the glyphs that represented two blue hands one over the other. "The Emblem of Friendship." She said, and Genai nodded.
A red heart was next in line, spinning proudly and illuminating the area around it with it's translucent red light. "Sora's Emblem of Love." Genai said.
Next, glowing gray was a cross that shined almost shyly. X smiled guessing who's it was. "Joe?"
Genai nodded. "Yes, he carries the Emblem of Reliability."
Finally, two purple circles, one bigger with smaller circles inside connected to another circle started glowing as strong as the others did. "Izzi's Emblem of Knowledge."
They watched in rapt attention as the emblems became smaller. Their light seemed to blind Apocalymon and the creature roared in pain and surprise.
The emblems stopped getting smaller. All the shining dust around them coalesced on the glyphs and slowly the forms of the Digidestined humans and Digimon materialized.
The observers couldn't hear what was happening, but the Digimon evolved into their ultimate and Mega forms.
The Ultimates destroyed some kind of metallic claws Apocalymon shot at the kids as Matt, Tai, War Greymon and Metalgarurumon reached their enemy.
The two Mega Digimon used their attacks on the monster and it seemed everything was over when it started panting in pain.
Apocalymon said something then and started glowing eerily; the Digidestined seemed to be almost panicked into being paralyzed.
Suddenly, their Digivices glowed and some sort of semi-transparent cube formed around the gigantic monster. They then saw Apocalymon burst into light inside the cube, which expanded a little before disappearing, along with the explosion. The battle was over.
"It's time for us to meet our friends!" Genai noted.
***
The Digidestined stared at the place where Apocalymon had made his last, desperate move.
He would have destroyed both worlds. With that in mind, the Digidestined had put all their hope and wishes into the Digivices, which had managed to contain the explosion.
They were all tired, but proud. Even Matt, after surviving many battles and terrors, was convinced that no one else would've done what they had and come out victorious.
"Matt!"
"Mimi!"
Both turned to see Peregrine carrying X towards them, closely followed by the others.
"X!" Mimi was happy at the sight and jumped at X, hugging him. Unknowingly mimicking Peregrine and Matt.
X blushed but returned the hug looking at Matt for help. The former captain of the Maverick Hunters just smiled and gave him the trademarked thumbs up and stuck his tongue out at him.
***
"So, it's time to say goodbye?" T.K. asked Genai.
"Yes," The old man nodded. "Now that the disruption has finally passed, time in both your world and the Digital World has stabilized and time will pass equally in both worlds."
The Digidestined had been taken to the place where it had all started; File Mountain. There they would take a ride inside a wagon to their home.
However, not everyone was sure on their decision.
"What do you mean?" Tai asked Matt.
"I mean what I said, Tai. I'm going to stay here."
"But, why?" the leader of the Digidestined insisted.
"I don't think the world is ready to accept me, Jessie or X." Matt said, crossing his arms and looking away. "I don't want to be caught and opened by a group of scientists just to see what makes me tick."
Matt looked at his hands.
After the battle with Apocalymon, X had finally told them that Dr. Cain and his comrades had designed a new chip that would enable all of them to have normal hands instead of the Metallic gauntlets.
They had tried them and they had functioned perfectly, Jessie's own hid her wings with her armor. They now looked like a group of young teenagers.
"The truth Tai," Matt started looking at his friend. "Is that I'm... afraid."
This stopped Tai's rant.
"A-afraid?" Tai stammered. "But, why?"
"Tai, tell me what I'm gonna tell my parents?"
Tai was silent as the Reploid continued. "I won't grow old. I can't really go to school, or lead a normal teenage life. I want to see them, but I also want to have more time with Jessie. I could go back to the Reploid's world, but..."
"You have to face your parents, Matt!" Gabumon interrupted him.
Matt turned around to look in surprise at his friend. "Gabumon?"
"Matt, you know I would love you to stay, but this is as much a responsibility as leading a group into the Nuclear Base and disabling those missiles."
Matt's eyes softened as he regarded his friend.
"I think your parents deserve to know what happened, Matt." The Digimon insisted.
Matt smiled at his friend and after a moment, finally nodded. "True."
***
As the eclipse that signaled the time for the Digidestined to return started, the air was filled with the merry sound of a harmonica played by a master.
As he played, Matt closed his eyes, considering everything he had gone through. In his mind he replayed his life.
From the anger and pain of his parents' divorce, and the separation from his brother, to that day in the camp where it all started.
The battle with Devimon, then Etemon. Only to have to go back home in a desperate search to find the 8th Digidestined before Myotismon could get Kari.
Then, they had to fight the giant monster Venom Myotismon, who seemed to be a beast out of hell.
Then they had come back to the Digital World, finding years had passed and new enemies had appeared in the forms of Metal Seadramon, Puppetmon, Machinedramon and Piedmon.
When he had met Cherrymon, he found himself and Metalgarurumon fighting Tai out of his envy for his friend's relationship with his brother.
That was when he had decided to go away and his adventures in that alternate Earth as the Maverick Hunter Zero had begun.
Everything seemed to be in a whirlpool as he faced his life. They had grown up. All of them. Mostly out of necessity, but they had emerged victorious out of a long history of fights, dreams and understanding.
Matt hadn't understood himself that well until he had met all of his friends; Digimon, Reploid and Human.
He had gone a long way, but, for what? He was about to leave his Digimon friends and face a challenge he didn't really want to.
He was going to have to explain to his family what had happened to him.
T.K. had seen much more than his parents had in their whole lives, but he hadn't really understood what had happened to his brother.
To T.K., Zero was still a cool power his brother and his new friends had found. Nothing more. He still saw his brother, albeit a little older perhaps. Matt could only wish that things remained the same after he had explained.
He realized that it really wasn't a problem, since he still possessed Dr. Cain's technology and would be able to come back. But he was still afraid of repulsion on his parents' side.
"Matt, it's time." Gabumon interrupted.
Matt looked up at his friend, and nodded.
***
The wagon took off with the shrill sound of Gatomon's whistle and as it started moving, the group looked out of the window and waved at the friends they were leaving behind.
When Matt looked into the eyes of the others, realization finally hit him. Tai and the others had found out what he was the night before but they had treated him as always, he then remembered Sora's words when she had caught him talking to Jessie about his identity problems.
Sora had turned away and started walking back to the others, when she had noticed that he didn't want to say anything yet. "Remember, Matt, we've been together through thick and thin. I don't know what a Maverick Hunter is, but I know you'll tell us when the time is right."
It wasn't the part about telling them what Sora meant to tell him. It was the fact that they were his friends, and more. They all felt sort of like brothers. They were his family.
Matt smiled and joined X, Jessie and the others in their waving.
Maybe some people wouldn't understand, and maybe his parents would be spooked, but this family, those who had shared the sweat, tears and blood with him would never leave.
Wherever they were. T.K., Jessie, Gabumon, Tai, X, Izzi, Sora, Joe, Mimi, Palmon, Agumon, Kari, Gatomon, Gomamon, Biyomon, Tentomon and Patamon, there, with each one of them, he would find his home.
They were a large family, true, but he would be there to protect them, for he was a Hunter... and, most importantly, their friend.
Concentrated as they were in the world below them, no one noticed the bright glow of the crest of friendship.
***
By Wanderer D
Chapter 8
T.K. held the key chain that used to be his brother resolutely as he tried to hold on to the rope.
He and Kari were the last standing, Matt, Jessie, Angewomon, Wargreymon, Metalgarurumon, Izzi, Sora, Mega Kabuterimon, Garudamon, Andromon, Gomamon, and Joe had all been turned into dolls.
Sora, Angewomon and Gabumon had managed to get the 'Zero Doll' from Piedmon and had given it to him just before they had been caught.
After that, they had managed to get to a balcony of Piedmon's castle and found a rope that went up into the air and had tried to climb it, but Piedmon had easily found them and cut it.
Angemon had been batted away without a second thought, and now their chances seemed dim at best.
Piedmon laughed as he cut the rest of the rope with one of his swords and the last two Digidestined started to fall.
T.K. tightened his grasp on the doll as he closed his eyes.
"Brother, I believe in all of you! I believe this will turn out all right!"
The emblem of Hope started to glow with intensity and Angemon shot into the sky as he transformed. The metal helm that he used seemed to stretch upwards, and turn into a metallic sheen of purple with a golden cross in it, his wings grew larger and golden ribbons fluttered around him as yet another pair of wings appeared.
Piedmon was as surprised as the kids were when Magna Angemon slammed him with his shield and sent him sprawling.
The angel then caught both T.K. and Kari and hovered down; picking the key chains that Piedmon had lost when he was hit.
***
T.K. finished putting the key-chains in line against a rock.
"Are you sure you can do it, Magna Angemon?" Kari asked a little worried.
Magna Angemon nodded. "Magna Antidote!"
A soft white light engulfed the small dolls and, slowly they started growing.
Everyone stood up; staring at the newly improved angel in surprise, and then checked themselves over.
Zero noticed that his wounds had closed; it seemed that the angel's power was enough to break a curse and cure wounds at the same time. A definite improvement from the previous Digivolution, he thought, but didn't say anything, grateful as he was that he was normal again.
He smiled at Peregrine and the others. "It seems that T.K., Kari and Magna Angemon did what none of us could! Well done T.K.!"
Little T.K. blushed with pride at his brother's prize, he had finally gained Matt's respect.
"Thank you, brother!" The little boy smiled.
"I'm proud of you, T.K." Matt answered.
Without warning, Piedmon appeared surrounded by a cloud of Vilemon; the ugly creatures had black greasy fur that covered their whole bodies and an overly large mouth, full of fangs. Their leathery wings carried them towards the Digidestined and their friends with surprising swiftness.
"I'm not over yet, Digidestined!" Piedmon spat.
The Digimon quickly Digivolved into their Ultimate and Mega forms, although Zero knew that they were severely overpowered by the sheer number of Vilemon.
He decided that using his blaster would be more effective against a large number of opponents and started charging at the same time the Digimon used their powers to keep them away.
Just as he was about to shoot his blast, a huge ball of plasma blew up in the middle of the attacking Vilemon, blasting through them and slamming Piedmon out of the air.
Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the new comers.
X, in his samurai-style armor and surrounded by energy stood by Mimi and Lillymon, just in front of a huge army of Digimon.
X smiled at Zero, and shot into the Vilemon's path. "CHARGE!" he shouted.
All the Digimon, X and Mimi ran forward.
Hundreds of Digimon clashed into the fray, as X cleared a way towards the others. When they were finally together, X shook Zero's hand, then Peregrine's.
"Like old times?" X asked.
Something flashed inside Zero's eyes, and Peregrine smiled. "I'll join you this time!" she said holding her blaster up.
"Special Zero Unit of the Maverick Hunters!" Zero shouted, drawing the attention of all present combatants.
Zero smiled viciously at a Vilemon, who sweated a little. The Reploid started charging his blaster again, and soon he was surrounded by green sparkles of energy, popping around him.
X placed his hand in front of his blaster, both waist level, and started gathering energy as crouched to Zero's right. Bluish-white energy started gathering from his blaster, until small sparkles of the same color were popping around him, mixing with the green ones from Zero.
Peregrine knelt pointing her blaster at the enemies in front and started charging it too. Black energy surrounded her, and soon she also had sparkles of energy floating around her and mixing with the others.
T.K. and Tai shared a look with the others, wondering what it was all about.
"LET'S HUNT!" Zero shouted. Just as Piedmon flew up again, enraged and holding his swords.
The only thing most of the present, Digimon and Digidestined, registered was the explosion as three simultaneous blasts erased from the Digiworld the ugly visage of dozens of Vilemon and blasted into Piedmon with incredible force.
When Joe looked again, Matt, Peregrine and X were in the middle of the stunned Vilemon that had remained in the area.
X's armor had changed color and he was throwing around axes that erased the evil Digimon with each hit. Peregrine was trigger-happy enough for an action movie, destroying anything that stood in front of her... and all that did were Piedmon's hordes.
Matt was a blur of fire, spins, jumps, ice and blasts. The only thing he could see of his sword movements were the disappearing Vilemon.
"Magna Angemon!" T.K. called his friend, who nodded.
The angel flew way over the battle and out of his hand stretched a translucent red blade. With a circular motion, a rune covered stone circle appeared after the blade's wake.
"Destiny Circle!" the angel shouted at the top of his lungs.
The circle rotated and opened, illuminating the surrounding area with a light that shone from inside it.
A whirlwind seemed to suck all of Piedmon's army into it.
The screeching Vilemon soon disappeared into the circle, and Piedmon, who was already on the edge of becoming Digidust, was left alone, fighting against the pull.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon shouted, sending an arrow made of the purest light flying.
"Terra Force!" War Greymon added his own fireball.
"Metal Wolf Claw!" Metalgarurumon echoed the two.
"Electro Shocker!" Mega Kabuterimon's electrical ball flew straight, following and gaining on the other attacks.
"Flower Cannon!" Lillymon shouted, sending a ray of light to join the attacks.
"Wing Blade!" Garudamon would not be left behind and her wings shot various shards of multicolored light.
"Vulcan's Hammer!" Zudomon growled, slamming his gigantic hammer to the ground sending shocks into the mix of attacks.
Piedmon was hit by all of the attacks, and sent sprawling and smoking into the gate, he became digidust just before reaching it, but it also got sucked in. The door closed after him, finally ending the Dark Masters' reign of terror.
Everything remained silent as the battle ended as suddenly as it had started. The gathered Digimon looked at each other before they started cheering and congratulating each other and the Digidestined.
The Digidestined Digimon devolved back into their rookie forms, their energy spent in that last blast.
After a few minutes, most Digimon decided to go back to their usual lives, and left, with the exception of Ogremon, Andromon and Leomon, who wanted to talk to the three Reploids.
Peregrine walked over to X. "Well, tell me how're things going? Is the battle finally over back home?"
X nodded. "Yes, the Maverick virus has finally been controlled, and the reminders are normal enough for the rest of the hunters to handle."
Peregrine smiled. "That's good to hear, X." Her smile turned smug, and she elbowed him. "And exactly *what* have you been doing with Mimi?"
Lillymon, who had been watching over X, quickly spoke up. "He's been a lot of help to Mimi! They've been walking together, talking together..."
X blushed mush and more as the list continued.
"... Sleeping together..." This called Peregrine's attention.
"X! I didn't know you were that kind of guy..." she teased. "And on the first date! I'm impressed!"
Both girls smiled as X mumbled trying to explain it was not what it seemed and that he would never do such a thing.
They knew it, of course, but teasing was a good way to relax after battle.
On the other side, Mimi was finally meeting the new and improved Matt. She stood in front of him, looking up and down his armored body. "I don't like that rusted color, why don't you try blue like X?"
Matt almost fell over, but understood what she was trying to say.
"I missed you too, Mimi," He smiled. "And why's X armor color so attractive to you?"
All the present started talking and walking as Piedmon's castle became smaller and smaller behind them.
When the ground started shaking they were reasonably surprised.
They turned around and saw Piedmon's castle crumbling down, but there was also a strange feeling of impending doom in the air.
Izzi's computer started beeping and everyone felt like their stomach was on ice.
With a trembling hand, Izzi opened his laptop and the wrinkled face of Genai appeared on screen.
"Digidestined, this is your final enemy, an enemy unlike you have faced before!" the old man explained.
Tai pushed Izzi to the side and glared at the old man. "Genai, why is it that you always tell us things a little too late?!"
The old man ignored Tai. "Listen to me, Digidestined! Every time the Digital world comes under attack, the Digidestined are called from the real world to save both worlds. You are the last Digidestined to be called here."
As he talked, a dark cloud seemed to extend over the sky, but as they looked closer they realized that the cloud was, in reality, a dark void, and soon they were surrounded by it and seemed to be floating in space.
Leomon, Andromon, Ogremon, X and Peregrine disappeared from view just as Genai's transmission was cut short.
"Peregrine?! X?!" Matt asked, staring at the place where they had been standing.
"We've got other problems right now, Matt!!" Gabumon warned.
Matt turned around and stared at the strange metallic mine-like thing that had appeared in front of them.
***
Peregrine and X watched the others disappear in darkness, leaving them with three confused Digimon.
"Zero?!" Asked with no response. Peregrine grabbed Ogremon and shook him. "Where is he?!"
"Calm down!" Said a voice from overhead. They all looked up at Genai, who seemed to be piloting some kind of mecha, much like the ones X had piloted from time to time. Next to him, a centaur-like creature with a helm covering it's face landed.
"Centaurmon! What is happening here?" Leomon asked the half horse Digimon.
"The Digidestined are fighting Apocalymon for the future of the Digi World, and theirs." The centaur answered.
"Can't we do anything to help?!" X asked.
Genai shook his head. "No. The Digidestined are the only ones with the programming to survive. If we were there we would be erased. But don't worry; as soon as it's safe we'll be reunited with them."
Peregrine sat down dejected, and looked up as X kneeled next to her.
"Don't worry; I'm sure Matt will be okay." X offered.
Peregrine smiled. "Thanks, X. Mimi will be alright too."
X blushed and mumbled something unintelligible.
"Isn't there a way to at least know what's happening?" Leomon asked Genai.
The old man looked pensive for a moment. "Well, there is a way..."
***
Genai led them away from the remains of Piedmon's castle. To a nearby cliff.
"Down there we may be able to see what is happening, but we'll be unable to interfere."
Ogremon looked down the cliff into velvety darkness and stepped back. "You want us to jump in there?"
Genai nodded, and Peregrine shared a look with X, who nodded. She turned around and X slid his hands under her arms and grabbed her shoulders, and then held on as she spread her wings and started beating them softly, and separated them some centimeters of the ground.
"Let's go!" Peregrine said and made a head dive into the darkness below with X holding on for dear life.
Leomon and Ogremon shared a worried look, but Genai comforted them. "Don't worry; nothing will happen to you two if you jump." He said, almost believing his own words.
The two rivals looked at each other and shrugged. The next moment both were falling into the darkness.
***
X and Peregrine seemed to drift in the darkness for only a few seconds before being enveloped by a blinding light. As soon as they opened their eyes, they were surprised to see that they seemed to be floating in space.
A shooting star passed behind X in the distance as Peregrine regarded her friend thoughtfully. They seemed to be weightless, as if they were in space.
X pointed to a large figure, a black helm covered it's giant head, making it look like a giant raven, with red eyes, the lower half of is body seemed to be trapped inside a kind of metallic polyhedron.
The creature was laughing insanely, and both Reploids noted the absence of the Digidestined and their Digimon.
"Where are they?!" X asked his friend.
"This doesn't look good!" Genai said appearing in a flash of light alongside Leomon, Ogremon, Andromon and Centaurmon.
"Why?" Ogremon asked.
"It seems that the Digidestined have been turned into separate data by Apocalymon!"
"WHAT?!" Ogremon, Leomon, Andromon, Centaurmon, Peregrine and X all shouted at the same time, incredulous at the old man's calm.
"What's that?!" X asked pointing just in front of the monster.
One by one small spheres of colored light were appearing in front of Apocalymon, they condensed into eight forms. Even in the distance, the brilliant light enabled them to see their forms.
"Those are the emblems!" Genai exclaimed. "There's still hope!"
"The emblems?" X asked confused.
Genai nodded and pointed at the one in the left. "From left to right:"
A yellow glyph that represented light shining out of a sun spiraled surrounded by dust of the same color.
"That's the Emblem of Hope. T.K.'s Emblem." Genai said.
He then pointed to a purple star-like sigil that also rotated surrounded by colored dust. "The Emblem of Light, Kari's Emblem."
The next looked like a drop of water made of green crystal that glowed as it also spun around. "The Emblem of Sincerity, Mimi's emblem."
X sighed in relief.
"That's Tai's Emblem of Courage." Genai identified the orange sun next.
The fifth filled Peregrine's heart with hope, as she recognized the glyphs that represented two blue hands one over the other. "The Emblem of Friendship." She said, and Genai nodded.
A red heart was next in line, spinning proudly and illuminating the area around it with it's translucent red light. "Sora's Emblem of Love." Genai said.
Next, glowing gray was a cross that shined almost shyly. X smiled guessing who's it was. "Joe?"
Genai nodded. "Yes, he carries the Emblem of Reliability."
Finally, two purple circles, one bigger with smaller circles inside connected to another circle started glowing as strong as the others did. "Izzi's Emblem of Knowledge."
They watched in rapt attention as the emblems became smaller. Their light seemed to blind Apocalymon and the creature roared in pain and surprise.
The emblems stopped getting smaller. All the shining dust around them coalesced on the glyphs and slowly the forms of the Digidestined humans and Digimon materialized.
The observers couldn't hear what was happening, but the Digimon evolved into their ultimate and Mega forms.
The Ultimates destroyed some kind of metallic claws Apocalymon shot at the kids as Matt, Tai, War Greymon and Metalgarurumon reached their enemy.
The two Mega Digimon used their attacks on the monster and it seemed everything was over when it started panting in pain.
Apocalymon said something then and started glowing eerily; the Digidestined seemed to be almost panicked into being paralyzed.
Suddenly, their Digivices glowed and some sort of semi-transparent cube formed around the gigantic monster. They then saw Apocalymon burst into light inside the cube, which expanded a little before disappearing, along with the explosion. The battle was over.
"It's time for us to meet our friends!" Genai noted.
***
The Digidestined stared at the place where Apocalymon had made his last, desperate move.
He would have destroyed both worlds. With that in mind, the Digidestined had put all their hope and wishes into the Digivices, which had managed to contain the explosion.
They were all tired, but proud. Even Matt, after surviving many battles and terrors, was convinced that no one else would've done what they had and come out victorious.
"Matt!"
"Mimi!"
Both turned to see Peregrine carrying X towards them, closely followed by the others.
"X!" Mimi was happy at the sight and jumped at X, hugging him. Unknowingly mimicking Peregrine and Matt.
X blushed but returned the hug looking at Matt for help. The former captain of the Maverick Hunters just smiled and gave him the trademarked thumbs up and stuck his tongue out at him.
***
"So, it's time to say goodbye?" T.K. asked Genai.
"Yes," The old man nodded. "Now that the disruption has finally passed, time in both your world and the Digital World has stabilized and time will pass equally in both worlds."
The Digidestined had been taken to the place where it had all started; File Mountain. There they would take a ride inside a wagon to their home.
However, not everyone was sure on their decision.
"What do you mean?" Tai asked Matt.
"I mean what I said, Tai. I'm going to stay here."
"But, why?" the leader of the Digidestined insisted.
"I don't think the world is ready to accept me, Jessie or X." Matt said, crossing his arms and looking away. "I don't want to be caught and opened by a group of scientists just to see what makes me tick."
Matt looked at his hands.
After the battle with Apocalymon, X had finally told them that Dr. Cain and his comrades had designed a new chip that would enable all of them to have normal hands instead of the Metallic gauntlets.
They had tried them and they had functioned perfectly, Jessie's own hid her wings with her armor. They now looked like a group of young teenagers.
"The truth Tai," Matt started looking at his friend. "Is that I'm... afraid."
This stopped Tai's rant.
"A-afraid?" Tai stammered. "But, why?"
"Tai, tell me what I'm gonna tell my parents?"
Tai was silent as the Reploid continued. "I won't grow old. I can't really go to school, or lead a normal teenage life. I want to see them, but I also want to have more time with Jessie. I could go back to the Reploid's world, but..."
"You have to face your parents, Matt!" Gabumon interrupted him.
Matt turned around to look in surprise at his friend. "Gabumon?"
"Matt, you know I would love you to stay, but this is as much a responsibility as leading a group into the Nuclear Base and disabling those missiles."
Matt's eyes softened as he regarded his friend.
"I think your parents deserve to know what happened, Matt." The Digimon insisted.
Matt smiled at his friend and after a moment, finally nodded. "True."
***
As the eclipse that signaled the time for the Digidestined to return started, the air was filled with the merry sound of a harmonica played by a master.
As he played, Matt closed his eyes, considering everything he had gone through. In his mind he replayed his life.
From the anger and pain of his parents' divorce, and the separation from his brother, to that day in the camp where it all started.
The battle with Devimon, then Etemon. Only to have to go back home in a desperate search to find the 8th Digidestined before Myotismon could get Kari.
Then, they had to fight the giant monster Venom Myotismon, who seemed to be a beast out of hell.
Then they had come back to the Digital World, finding years had passed and new enemies had appeared in the forms of Metal Seadramon, Puppetmon, Machinedramon and Piedmon.
When he had met Cherrymon, he found himself and Metalgarurumon fighting Tai out of his envy for his friend's relationship with his brother.
That was when he had decided to go away and his adventures in that alternate Earth as the Maverick Hunter Zero had begun.
Everything seemed to be in a whirlpool as he faced his life. They had grown up. All of them. Mostly out of necessity, but they had emerged victorious out of a long history of fights, dreams and understanding.
Matt hadn't understood himself that well until he had met all of his friends; Digimon, Reploid and Human.
He had gone a long way, but, for what? He was about to leave his Digimon friends and face a challenge he didn't really want to.
He was going to have to explain to his family what had happened to him.
T.K. had seen much more than his parents had in their whole lives, but he hadn't really understood what had happened to his brother.
To T.K., Zero was still a cool power his brother and his new friends had found. Nothing more. He still saw his brother, albeit a little older perhaps. Matt could only wish that things remained the same after he had explained.
He realized that it really wasn't a problem, since he still possessed Dr. Cain's technology and would be able to come back. But he was still afraid of repulsion on his parents' side.
"Matt, it's time." Gabumon interrupted.
Matt looked up at his friend, and nodded.
***
The wagon took off with the shrill sound of Gatomon's whistle and as it started moving, the group looked out of the window and waved at the friends they were leaving behind.
When Matt looked into the eyes of the others, realization finally hit him. Tai and the others had found out what he was the night before but they had treated him as always, he then remembered Sora's words when she had caught him talking to Jessie about his identity problems.
Sora had turned away and started walking back to the others, when she had noticed that he didn't want to say anything yet. "Remember, Matt, we've been together through thick and thin. I don't know what a Maverick Hunter is, but I know you'll tell us when the time is right."
It wasn't the part about telling them what Sora meant to tell him. It was the fact that they were his friends, and more. They all felt sort of like brothers. They were his family.
Matt smiled and joined X, Jessie and the others in their waving.
Maybe some people wouldn't understand, and maybe his parents would be spooked, but this family, those who had shared the sweat, tears and blood with him would never leave.
Wherever they were. T.K., Jessie, Gabumon, Tai, X, Izzi, Sora, Joe, Mimi, Palmon, Agumon, Kari, Gatomon, Gomamon, Biyomon, Tentomon and Patamon, there, with each one of them, he would find his home.
They were a large family, true, but he would be there to protect them, for he was a Hunter... and, most importantly, their friend.
Concentrated as they were in the world below them, no one noticed the bright glow of the crest of friendship.
***