In the Dark

Part Six: Storm of Sound

***

Standard Disclaimer Thingy: Is Digimon mine? You tell me. If it was, would I be writing fanfiction about it? Somehow I doubt this. Yet, since things must always be spelled out, here's the disclaimer. Characters – not mine. Plot – is mine. Don't steal, don't sue. Thanks!

***

Mimi peered listlessly out the window. She felt  as though she had been traveling for much longer than the three days they'd been on the road. "I hope it's not too much farther," she commented, yawning.

Lady Tachikawa was consulting a map. "I don't think so," she replied, peering with some confusion at the worn piece of paper. "But this thing is so hard to read."

"Let me see," Mimi offered, taking the map. She peered at it for a few moments, but, the symbols and lines made very little sense to her. "Where did we start from?"

"I'm not sure," her mother replied. She pointed at a smudge in the upper left hand corner of the map. "I'm fairly certain that's where we live."

"The palace is in the center of the kingdom, isn't it?" Mimi wondered. After some amount of searching, she found the blob which identified the capital city of Yagami. The castle lie outside what had once been a bustling metropolis. Now, unfortunately, the city which bore the same name as its' country was only a medium-sized village. The kingdom had fallen on hard times in the years since her birth, and Mimi sighed in thought, remembering descriptions of how the capital city had once been.

Before she could attempt to make anymore progress with the map, however, there was a bump and the carriage came to an abrupt halt. Jolted from her daydreams of glorious cities, Mimi opened the door of the carriage. "Are we here yet?"

"I – don't think so," Palmon stated, peering out the door. A group of strange-looking green digimon peered at them. Though small, there appeared to be many of them, and the small group was far outnumbered.

"Sorry for the stop, milady," the driver called from his perch at the top of the carriage. "I couldn't drive on, they've blocked the road."

Lady Tachikawa peered over her daughter's shoulder. "What – are they?" she questioned in a low voice, trying not to appear rude.

Floramon, the lady's partner, was at least able to answer that question. "Geckomon."

"Are they dangerous?" Mimi questioned, a serious expression on her face. 'Here's that danger,' she thought.

"No, not usually," the flowery digimon replied. "They're usually very peaceful. They sing – that's what they call it anyway – and sit around all day. Ordinarily, they're also shy."

"Looks like these might just be the exception to the rule," Palmon noted, frowning and adopting a similar expression as her partner.

Carefully, Mimi stepped from the carriage, smiling pleasantly. "Is there something wrong?" she questioned the group.

The Geckomon didn't respond. They simply remained in place, peering at the carriage steadily. Mimi shivered.

"Hello," Palmon tried. "We're passing through the area. You wouldn't mind telling us the way to Primary Village, would you?"

There was a long moment of silence as none of the Geckomon bothered to respond. Mimi coughed softly and sighed.

"You'd do best to leave," one of the creatures said suddenly. "In fact, it would be most advisable."

"Leave?" Lady Tachikawa repeated in a wavering voice. "Why?"

As if in response, the group of digimon suddenly lost their silent, steady gaze. Strange expressions appeared on their faces, and Mimi thought she could see a flash of red in their eyes. "You are in the territory of the Digimon Kaiser. You have refused all attempts at peaceful communication. We have no choice but to attack."

"Attack?" Floramon repeated, dazedly.

As one, the Geckomon stood in a line. "Crash Symphony!" they called. Visible sound waves emerged from the horns each one wore around its neck and attacked the helpless passers-by. Mimi and her mother were thrown to the ground back by the force of the waves, and the carriage they'd ridden in was overturned.

***

Daisuke peered curiously at the flower-shaped illustration of the crest of Kindness. "I don't remember this -," he stated, thoughtfully, but even as he said it, he knew it was a lie.

'All the books have one thing in common. They refer to Kindness in the dark,' Koushiro had said.

"I guess all the crests haven't been found, huh?" V-mon questioned. "It's pretty. I wonder who'll get that one."

"Nine crests," Daisuke was saying, not paying the least bit of attention to his partner. He flipped back through the pages. "Courage, Friendship, Love, Purity, Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Light, Kindness. Kindness in the dark, Koushiro said."

"In the dark?" V-mon repeated. "What's that mean?"

"I don't know," he admitted. He read the words beside the illustration. "The crest or digimental of kindness was said to be the rarest of the nine, even more difficult to discover than the crest of light." He paused for a moment, digesting those words before he continued. "Various stories leave the kindness out of the required attributes, though it certainly plays a part in the legends. Often it's linked in some way to darkness."

"That doesn't make any sense," V-mon stated bluntly. "Kindness is a nice trait. How can it be connected to anything with darkness?"

"I know," Daisuke agreed. "If there was a crest of, I don't know, hate, or even just strong dislike, that would make more sense. But how can kindness be linked to darkness?"

***

"Are we getting any closer to a tower?" Takeru questioned. They'd been walking for some time, and there was so far no sign of anything.

"I think so," Miyako replied hesitantly while peering around her, trying to look for the source of the magic.

"I hope so," Hikari spoke up, shivering slightly. "This place is creepy."

Before anyone could comment further, they heard a loud shriek coming from somewhere ahead of them. Miyako turned in the direction of the noise. "What was that?"

There was little time for argument or debate. Whoever was in danger simply had to be helped. Within moments, the digimon (except Armadimon, because Digmon was too slow-moving to be of use in transportation) had evolved. Miyako grabbed Iori by the arm, and he grabbed his partner by the tail, and she pulled them both aboard Holsmon. "Follow the noise!" Takeru advised as he and Pegasmon took flight.

It wasn't long before they saw the source of the problem. A crowd of small green creatures was surrounding an overturned carriage and throwing stones, fruit, sticks, and anything else they could find.

"Geckomon?" Hikari questioned from the air when they could see. "But – they're usually harmless."

"Usually," Takeru agreed with a nod and a frown. "But they're usually not under the Kaiser's control."

"Are Geckomon very dangerous?" Miyako questioned, eyeing the curious creatures from the safety of her partner's back.

"Not usually," Holsmon replied. "They're peace loving creatures who sing all day."
"If you can call it singing," Armadimon commented with an expression of exaggerated pain.

"Their sound can be used as a weapon as well," Nefertimon explained to Miyako's confused look.

"If they're under the Kaiser's control, then the sound probably will be used as a weapon," Hikari nodded.

"Well, let's see if we can't free them. And help out whoever's in that carriage," Takeru decided. He was slightly pleased that they would be able to accomplish something without too much danger. After all, they were only Geckomon. The others agreed to help, and a few moments later the group had landed safely on the ground.

"Oh, you've come!" the voice which had previously been screaming for help wailed, and the rescuers turned to see Mimi, her mother, and their partners cowering behind their empty carriage.

"Mimi?" Takeru blinked, surprised.

"What are you doing here?" Miyako questioned rather bluntly.

There was little time to explain precisely how Mimi had arrived at the confrontation with the group of singing digimon, however, because the Geckomon had changed to their more powerful attack.

As one, they fired their attack again, causing everyone to cover their ears and fall backwards again. "Crash Symphony!"

"They call that singing?" Iori questioned of his partner, shouting over the noise. Armadimon merely shrugged in agreement

"Now you see why I'm hiding!" Mimi explained in frustration as the others quickly scrambled around the overturned carriage to avoid the fruit and stones that were being hurled along with the noise.

"Don't worry, Mimi, this shouldn't be much of a problem," Miyako told her. "Holsmon!" she called to her partner, who had taken to the air to avoid the attack. "Let's take care of these guys!"

"Right!" Holsmon replied. "Tempest Wing!" The bird spun himself into a whirlwind, causing the Geckomon to break their tight formation. Several of them went flying into trees or each other, many more simply fell backwards.

"Keep a lookout for the tower!" Takeru advised his partner, deciding that Pegasmon might be able to spot the source of the magic from the air.

"Tower?" Lady Tachikawa repeated.

"How did you manage to evolve?" Palmon questioned. "I tried, and I couldn't. Is something wrong with me?" Tears appeared in her large green eyes.

"No, it's the magic," Iori assured her. "The towers hold the dark magic which prevents the digimon from evolving."

"Then why can they evolve?" Mimi asked, gesturing to the flying digimon.

"Because of the armor evolution," Armadimon replied.

"I see it!" Nefertimon called from the air then, interrupting the conversation. "Rosetta Stone!" The flying quadruped then fired her attack, a large stone which appeared in a beam of light over her head. The attack felled a few trees, allowing those on the ground to view the tall black tower behind them.

"Great job!" Hikari enthused, cheering her partner.

"Now let's get rid of it!" Miyako agreed. Immediately, all three of the flying digimon prepared to launch their attacks.

"Red Sun!" Holsmon shouted.

"Shooting Star!" Pegasmon cried out.

"Rosetta Stone!" Nefertimon added her attack to the combination.

"Samurai Tone!" a fourth, deeper voice, called out. The attacks were neutralized.

"What the -?" Takeru questioned, covering his ears.

"What – is that?" Miyako gasped over the sound.

"Look! Over there!" Iori shouted over the noise, which died down a moment later. The youngest Chosen was pointing towards the tower. Between the digimon and the dark tower was a large, red digimon with a horn protruding from behind his head.

"Who-?" Hikari questioned.

"He's got a horn like a Geckomon," Takeru observed. "Are they related?"

"They are," Armadimon spoke up. "That's Tonosama Geckomon."

"And he's not on our side," Hikari added with a frown, pointing. "Look at that ring on his tail."

"I think you'd better help out," Iori told his partner. "Digimental up!"

"About time," Armadimon grumbled good naturedly. "Armadimon armor evolve! Digmon!"

As Digmon ran out to join the fray – the other digimon having already engaged the massive creature in battle – a haunting, mocking laughter filled the air. "Don't think he'll help you any," the voice which matched the laughter taunted. "Tonosama Geckomon is at perfection level. A mere armor stage digimon cannot possibly defeat him."

"Oh, great, company," Takeru groaned sarcastically. "Just what we need."

The Kaiser, complete with Airdramon entourage, had entered the scene.

***

"So who do you think would get the crest of Kindness?" V-mon questioned, not noticing the thoughtful look on his partner's face. "Maybe Hikari? She's pretty kind."

"No," Daisuke replied absently. "Hikari will get the crest of Hikari. Just like the digimental. The crest would have to go to someone who didn't already have one."

"So it would have to go to someone without a crest," V-mon echoed. He appeared thoughtful. "That would be you, Miyako, Iori, and Ken, right?" He turned to his partner for confirmation, but Daisuke was staring at his partner, eyes wide; mouth hanging open. "What?" the blue digimon question.

"Ken. It must be Ken, then, right?" Daisuke stated.

V-mon nodded. "Yeah…" He looked with concern at his partner, though. Daisuke had a strange look on his face.

***

Miyako blinked in surprise. Though she'd seen the work of the Kaiser, she'd never actually seen the being himself. Now, she turned in the direction of the voice and was astonished by several things.

The first thing was obvious to everyone in the area, those who were controlled by the Kaiser, and those who were not. He had a powerful presence that meant it was impossible to ignore him. Miyako personally knew very few people who could command attention to themselves without even a word. Daisuke tried, she knew, but he didn't manage to grasp attention as easily as he wanted to. Even Taichi sometimes had difficulties in getting people to listen to him. No, the only other person she'd ever known with that sort of commanding presence was the former King, Taichi and Hikari's father.

The second thing Miyako noticed was noticed by only her, and that was because of the sight of magic she possessed. The Kaiser was surrounded in a cloak of darkness like she'd never seen before, and she had experience with seeing darkness. She'd seen Demon, who had literally oozed darkness, and the cloud of tangible blackness that surrounded him when he'd appeared before them after the defeat of Devimon. But this Kaiser…

Miyako shuddered to look at him, and closed her eyes, but forced herself to turn back out of pure curiosity. The darkness which surrounded her enemy was enormous. There was almost no ordinary aura, just pure blackness.

And Miyako thought another thing for a brief second, but pushed that out of her mind.

"Miyako, you all right?" Hikari questioned, noticing her discomfort. She nodded, focusing her thoughts and turning back to the present.

"Yes, I'm fine," she assured the other girl with a serious frown in the direction of the newcomer. "He's…"

"Good looking…" Mimi breathed. Hikari blinked. Takeru stared. Iori peered wide-eyed. Lady Tachikawa sighed and put her hand on her head. Palmon fell down in surprise. "What? He is."

"Yeah," Miyako muttered low enough so only Hikari, standing beside her, could hear. "If you can ignore the cloud of darkness."

"Cloud of -?" Hikari echoed blankly, and Miyako realized then that it must be the magic that enabled her to see it.

"He is, then," she stated, nodding.

"Is what?" Iori wondered, turning towards her.

"A wizard. And a powerful one. I see an amazingly huge cloud of darkness around him. That means that his magic is very developed, very powerful, and very dark." Miyako shuddered. "This is not good."

"No, it's not. We'd best retreat," Takeru decided. This situation was more dangerous than it  had originally appeared to be.

"I don't think that's going to be an option," Mimi told him, shaking her head with a sigh.

"In case you haven't noticed, we're way outnumbered," Iori agreed.

Hikari nodded "We've got to knock down that tower in some way, or else we'll never get out of here," she stated. "Until we destroy the tower, the Geckomon and the Tonosama Geckomon will continue to attack us."

"But our partners will never get to it as long as Tonosama Geckomon is in the way," Iori pointed out. "We can't free him if we can't get past him."

There was silence for a moment, and then Lady Tachikawa spoke in a surprisingly calm voice: "Sounds like you'll need to use teamwork."

Miyako nodded in agreement. "She's right. Holsmon! Attack from the front. Keep him distracted!"

Iori called: "You, too, Digmon! Attack from the front!"

"Now Pegasmon and Nefertimon can fly behind him and try to destroy the tower," Hikari nodded, seeing the plan.

"Tonosama Geckomon! Guard that tower with your life!" the Kaiser was shouting from his perch atop the Airdramon. As yet he'd paid little heed to the intruders cowering behind the carriage, but that would change.

Yes, that would definitely change.

***

Miyako winced in sympathetic expectant pain as her partner narrowly avoided a swing from the massive fist of Tonosama Geckomon. "Holsmon! Look out!" she called in warning as the giant red creature prepared to sound another blast.

"Samurai Tone!" he called, and the sound waves were even more powerful than before. Mimi and Lady Tachikawa clutched tightly to the back of the carriage, trying desperately not to be blown away. The smaller Geckomon, also caught up in the sound, crashed into trees around them, wavering, unable to keep their feet on the ground either.

"We – can't – keep – this – up – for long!" Takeru shouted, gripping tightly to a secure rock and trying to remain sedentary.

"That sound is too strong!" Iori agreed breathlessly, holding on to Takeru because there wasn't much else to hold on to. Miyako, prepared, had found a good space behind the carriage, but Hikari wasn't so lucky. She flew through the air and collided painfully with a tree. Grunting, she managed to grip the trunk and remain safe until the noise had ended.

"There's got to be something we can do," Iori frowned. He glanced up towards the Kaiser, but he didn't appear to have been affected by the noise. "How is that possible?"

"How's what possible?" Takeru questioned, helping Hikari to stand again.

"He wasn't affected at all?" Mimi blinked in surprise. "How did he do that?"

"The magic that surrounds him," Miyako realized. "It's strong enough so that it forms a shield. I remember reading something about that. If I could remember how to form that shield…" She reached for the bag she'd brought with her and began searching through it.

"Are you sure you can do that?" Hikari questioned, pulling a piece of tree bark from her skirts. "I mean, you've just started."

Before anyone could respond to that statement, there was a loud noise against the side of the overturned carriage as the remaining Geckomon began to resume their rock and fruit throwing. The Kaiser was furious.

"Don't attack with fruit, you incompetent fools!" he shouted. "I want them destroyed, not made into a salad!"

"Tongue attack!" one of the Geckomon attempted, trying to please its master. It ran around the side of the carriage and threw its long tongue out. The appendage secured itself to Hikari's leg and began to pull her from the safety of the carriage.

"Hikari!" Takeru shouted, and grabbed her wrist, swearing under his breath as the Geckomon began to pull harder.

"Takeru!" she shouted. "Help!" The tongue of a Geckomon around her ankle was not  a very pleasant experience.

"I'll help," Iori volunteered, gripping the opposite wrist and pulling hard.

"Finally, we're getting somewhere!" The Kaiser appeared somewhat more pleased. "Assist him, you idiots!" he ordered the other Geckomon. Immediately, several of the googly-eyed creatures went to help their comrade. Two more latched on to Hikari's ankle with their pink appendages, while several others tried to grab the others.

Takeru cursed loudly, which was rather atypical for him, and dug his feet into the sand. "Pull…harder," he grunted between breaths.

"Let…go of… her!" Mimi shouted, grabbing a few stones that had fallen nearby and heaving them in the direction of the Geckomon. "Disgusting creatures!" One of the stones bounced harmlessly off the head of the creature tugging, doing nothing to slow the apparently thick – headed digimon.

Hikari was shouting loudly. "No! Takeru! I'm slipping!" He was loosing grip.

"Hang on! Hang on!" Takeru shouted, his hands slipping from her wrists. "I'm not…letting…you go!"

"Hold on!" Palmon shouted. "Poison Ivy!" Immediately, her 'fingers' extended to become vines, which she wrapped about Hikari's waist. Mimi, seeing the plan, grabbed her partner and helped to pull. Lady Tachikawa seized her daughter and pulled as well.

"I've got it," Miyako shouted, who had been thumbing through a book throughout the commotion.

"It'd better…help," Takeru grunted as he pulled.

"Do it, Miyako!" Hikari shouted.

"This had better work," Miyako stated firmly, having found the page in question. After studying it for a few moments, she began to mimic the hand movements in the book and found that, to her surprise, they helped her aura to expand the way she wanted it. Raising her hands over her head, she let the book drop to the ground and moved the magic the way she wanted it to.

The aura that naturally surrounded Miyako at most times was a mostly pale, with flashes of color. To those who could see it, it almost appeared like a bubble, which was mostly typical of those with magic. Now, she expanded this aura to be more like that in use as well as appearance.

Pegasmon spotted an opening. Busy with trying to swat Digmon away from blasting his drills into his feet, Tonosama Geckomon was distracted enough to allow the flying digimon to fly around the giant creature's head and towards the tower ahead. "Shooting Star!" he shouted.

At the same time, Tonosama Geckomon shouted. "Samurai Tone!"

At precisely that moment, the lead Geckomon pulled harder than ever on Hikari's ankles.  Takeru's grip on her loosened, and he was unable to hold it. Jolted by the tug, he fell backwards into Iori, who fell on to Palmon.

Who lost her grip as well.

Takeru regained his feet almost at once. "No!" he shouted at the same instant the ear-shattering sound was unleashed by Tonosama Geckomon's attack. He covered his ears instinctively.

"No!" Hikari shouted at the same time as Takeru. She was being pulled backwards, dragged along the ground. The huge sound filled her ears, and the Geckomon were flung forwards.

But not that far forwards. "Huh?" one of them wondered, dazedly, as it crashed into an invisible wall.

Hikari landed safely on the ground inside the invisible wall, the Geckomon's tongues having been dislodged in the crash. "What?"

"Miyako!" Iori realized, noting that the wall was not, in fact, invisible. He could see it. The light reflected off of the dome surrounding them like light and a soap bubble.

"You did it!" Mimi agreed cheerfully, but Miyako was concentrating, hard, on keeping the bubble shield maintained, and took part in none of the joy.

It was at that moment that the tower cracked and fell down. And the noise stopped.

"How is this…possible?" the Kaiser questioned, looking at his defeated forces. The Geckomon, freed from the dark rings that had enslaved them, were now lying about, looking dazed. Tonosama Geckomon was rubbing his head in confusion and looking as though he needed a nap. The dark tower was cracked in half, now lying broken like a felled tree. The Chosen were rejoicing.

"How could they have…defeated me?" he wondered. But his confusion soon gave way to his more dominant emotion. Anger. "It will not happen again," he stated, clenching his fist. "This was a mistake. A fluke. Next time," he decided, "They will be crushed." But he was not stupid enough to continue fighting when he had lost. A moment later, he was gone.

Miyako dissolved the shield she'd been trying so hard to keep up, and then weakly put a hand to her head. "That was…hard," she sighed, and found herself feeling weak. Iori helped her to sit on the ground.

"Miyako! Are you all right?" Hawkmon questioned, having de-evolved after the tower's demise and Tonosama Geckomon had decided taking a nap was more interesting.

"I'm just tired," the young magic-user replied. "That was hard."

"You've used up most of your magical energy," Iori nodded, having some knowledge of these things. "It'll probably take you awhile to get it back. We should get back to the Village so we can all rest."

Takeru was helping Hikari to stand. "I think the Kaiser's admitted his defeat," he observed, looking about.

"Oh yes, he's smart enough to know when he's been beaten," one of the Geckomon spoke up. "We're sorry for attacking you like that. Don't know what came over us."

"Oh it's quite all right," Mimi assured them pleasantly. "You really weren't in control of yourselves."

"Yes, the Digimon Kaiser was controlling you," Hikari told them. "I think it would be best if you left this area for the time being. I don't think he's likely to leave you be."

"Sounds like a plan," the Geckomon agreed.

***

And so, it wasn't too much longer that Daisuke and V-mon, having made their way to an outside seat, were greeted with the sight of their return. Mimi and Lady Tachikawa were having an animated conversation with several Geckomon, and Floramon and Palmon were speaking with another group. Takeru was helping Hikari to walk, as her ankle had been twisted while she was used as a rope in a tug-of war game. Iori was helping a rather tired-looking Miyako. And the entire group was followed by a large, very sleepy Tonosama Geckomon.

Jyou, who had just stopped by Daisuke's spot to ask if he needed help getting inside for the night, saw the group and nearly fainted. In the dim light of the setting sun, he wondered if he might be seeing things, but Gomamon told him that he was quite sane.

***

Miyako slept straight through the morning and woke up at midday. She had a headache and a half, which Iori had told her to expect, but didn't make her feel any better. When she awoke, she found that Hikari was sitting in the cot beside her own, reading one of the magic books.

"You all right?" Hikari questioned, setting the book aside.

"Yeah, I think so. Just tired. My head hurts a lot." Groaning, she rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head.

"Iori told me some tea might help you. Do you want some?" she offered.

Miyako peered from behind the pillow. "Yes, I think that might help," she agreed, rolling over. "How are the Geckomon?"

"Searching out new territory," Hikari replied, signaling to her partner. "Not too many of them were injured, but they're going to stick around camp for a bit. Apparently Tonosama Geckomon is not used to being awake for extended periods of time, and needs to nap after the exercise we gave him yesterday."

"Ah. Doing better, I see?" Jyou questioned, stepping into the tent with the requested tea.

"Much. Just a killer headache," Miyako replied, sipping the tea. "I didn't think that spell was going to drain me so much."

Jyou sighed and shook his head. "I didn't either," he agreed. "And I think I'm the wrong person to ask for advice on magical subjects. If you're going to continue using magic, this is probably what to expect."

"But there isn't anyone around with magic," Hikari reminded him.

"Iori's helpful, but he doesn't know much," Miyako agreed. "If I was still at the palace, Koushiro could help, but…" she broke off, shrugging and sipping more of the tea.

"I'll see if I can't convince him to come here," Jyou decided. "Some of the doctors are returning to the palace this afternoon with Mimi and Lady Tachikawa. I'll send a message with them. It won't be easy, mind you. Koushiro's not one for traveling. But I'm sure he'll agree to help."

"Would you?" Miyako asked. "That would be so helpful. That was the first time I'd ever tried a formal spell, and I know I'm going to need to use it more."

"I shall do my best," the doctor promised. "Oh, if you ladies don't mind, I believe you have a visitor." With that, he was gone.

"Visitor?" Hikari repeated.

"Actually, two visitors," came Takeru's voice from the entrance. "Do you mind, or are we intruding on some 'girl time'?" His tone was cheerful and teasing, and he poked his head through the entrance flaps.

"No, no, come in," Hikari waved to him, grinning. "Girl time has been suspended for the moment."

"Good, I need some entertainment," Miyako agreed, headache fading somewhat. Takeru nodded, ducked his head out again, and came in the rest of the way, helping Daisuke to walk behind him.

"I thought you weren't supposed to be walking!" Hikari scolded, standing up and taking his other arm.

"I'm fine, just a little sore," he replied. His tone was of annoyance, but he was smiling, and Miyako could see that he was pleased at least with the attention.

"Oh, don't be silly. Sit. Walking about like that. And you, helping him!" she scolded Takeru. "Have you lost your mind?"

Takeru put both hands up in defense. "Don't blame me, he forced me!"

Daisuke shrugged. "I was bored," he replied. "And this book needed returning." He held up the magic book he'd borrowed.

"Ah. Thank you," Miyako nodded, reaching across the cot to take it from him. "Anything interesting?"

"Oh, some," he answered in a casual voice, but cast her a significant glance. Miyako, used to reading un-spoken glances even before she'd discovered magic, nodded in response.

"Forced you, eh?" Hikari questioned of Takeru. "I'm betting you didn't put up much of a fight."

"Well, no," he admitted, and glanced sideways at the other boy. "I didn't think it would be fair to fight when I had an unfair advantage."

***

Late that night, Daisuke found he couldn't sleep. He'd tried for quite some time, but his own uneasy mind and the sound of the Geckomon camped outside his tent made it impossible for him to drift off. Restless, he tossed around in his cot for a while, and then gave up entirely.

There was no one to help him with his walking, but as his leg was slowly healing, Daisuke was certain he could make at least outside without too much trouble. As Takeru now shared his tent, he moved slowly to avoid making too much noise and waking him. Takeru might be an easy-going and cheerful person, but who knew what could happen to that demeanor if he were to be awakened abruptly and unnecessarily in the middle of the night.

Outside, Daisuke could see a few lights lit in a tent not too far from his own, and reasoned that some of the doctors were awake, talking. He took a few steps away from his tent and nearly tripped over some Geckomon that had made their beds on the ground. Near the communal campfire at the center of the circle of tents, some other Geckomon and a few doctors and nurses were talking loudly.

'Better keep it down or they'll wake someone,' Daisuke thought with a sigh, and turned to walk towards the outskirts of camp. With a million thoughts rushing through his head, carousing with Geckomon was not his idea of a good time.

"Can't they learn to be quiet?" a female voice from somewhere nearby grumbled, and he mentally patted himself on the back.

"Most likely," he mumbled softly. "But it'll be hard to teach them."

A shadow moved in front of him, and suddenly he was aware that the voice that had spoken had heard his response. She turned, and he was able to make out the outline of her face, and then he realized that he was closer to her than he'd thought. Cautiously, he took a step back.

"Daisuke?" the voice questioned, and that and the face before him came together. "What on earth are you doing outside?"

He rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. "Couldn't sleep," he replied. "What are you doing, Miyako?"

"Never mind that. We need to talk." She reached out and grabbed his arm, starting to lead him to the edge of camp.

"We do." He nodded in agreement, and followed behind her. A few minutes later, just past the circle of tents, they were seated in the grass and peering at the stars.

"I came looking for you because I think whatever it is you have to tell me shouldn't be told to me in front of Hikari and Takeru. Am I right?"

Daisuke sighed. "They'll need to know eventually. And I could be wrong, you know. I don't want to alarm anyone. I just want you to know first."

There was silence for a few moments as Miyako laid in the grass and peered at the stars. Then she sat up, sighed, and looked at her bare toes in the grass. "It's about Ken, isn't it?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

With another sigh, he fell back in the grass, leaning on his arms. "Yes." He waited a moment to see if she had more to say. When she didn't, he continued. "Do you remember what Koushiro told us about the crest of Kindness?"

She frowned slightly, and he squinted in the dim light to see her expression. "That it was in the dark…," she replied slowly. "I never understood…what that meant." Turning her head, she peered steadily at the boy in the grass. "You think…"

"That Ken has that crest. Yes."

Miyako shifted so she was facing him. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, sitting up. "Nine crests, the book said. Koushiro said. Courage, Friendship, Love, Purity, Knowledge, Faith, Hope, Light, Kindness. With Hikari and Takeru getting Light and Hope, that means there's only one left that's unclaimed. And Ken did get a digivice, which means he must be Chosen."

"So he must have that crest," Miyako finished. She sighed deeply and lay down in the grass again. "Wherever he is now…"

"He's probably in danger. Or pain. Whatever ''in the dark' is supposed to mean." He shrugged slightly, but not from lack of concern.

There was a moment thoughtful of silence. "What if…it has to do with magic?" Miyako wondered.

"What do you mean?"

"What if, 'in the dark' means something to do with…dark magic?"

***

Lotsa stuff happening in this chapter to make up for the fact that there hasn't been a new chapter in….::counts on fingers:: Oh, never mind, I can't count that high. And it wasn't my fault, really! Honest!

All right! So Miyako gets to use some magic in this part, and a big battle scene. Will the Geckomon ever find a new home? And just when do they figure out everything? Expect a few of these questions answered in the next chapter, and a few more asked!

Hopefully, ff.n will stay up for a little while, now…. Thanks for the reviews, see ya soon!