[A/N: I'm INCREDIBLY sorry for the inexcusable delay in updates to this story. I really, truly wish it had not been tossed onto the back burner for months on end because I hate to keep readers waiting, but the muse had other plans for me over in the PotC department. Gomen nasai times a million to you all. I hope the length and content of this chapter will help to restore your trust in my updating abilities and I hope that people haven't given up on completely. I'm guessing that there will be only 1-2 chapters left after this one for this story as I finally have the ending and details thought out. Once again, apologies for the delay and onto the story!]

Sao and Lisa rushed forward, barely suppressing their squeals of delight. The Warriors watched awkwardly as the Keepers formed a huddle, talking excitedly at a mile a minute. Sao was the first to regain her composure and she turned to face the Warriors with a rare smile on her face.

"Warriors, allow me to present the third, not-so-dead, Keeper: Leonard, as she is affectionately known."

"Warriors?" Leonard questioned curiously, looking the group of younger children over expertly. Leonard was ever so slightly taller than Sao and had short-cropped black hair. Her black t-shirt had a skull and crossbones emblazoned on the front and she wore baggy dark blue jeans that almost completely hid her black tennis shoes.

"Yes, they're supposed to be the Elemental Warriors, but truthfully, they'd be dead several times without our help," Lisa jeered, but not quite cruelly.

Leonard nodded once. "I believe it." There was a strange twinkle in her amethyst eyes that made the Warriors feel alright about the teasing they were receiving from the Keepers. "And, for that reason, they need to stay here; they'll only get hurt if they join us in this fight. No offense, Warriors." She turned her attention back to Sao and Lisa. "Now then, can I have my Elements back? I know the two of you have them for safekeeping. I just hope you kept them safe." Once again, the twinkle in her eyes belayed the harshness of her words.

"Of course,"

"How could you ever doubt us?" Sao and Lisa toyed efficiently with their D-Tectors and mere moments later four beam of colored light split from the screens and transferred their energy into Leonard's black and gray D-Tector.

"I didn't." Leonard cast a small smile at her teammates. It was obvious just from the look of them that being reunited was enough to keep them in high spirits for quite some time. Leonard was the one who broke the joyousness with her next comment. "But we don't have time to fool around, we need to finish off this evil. Which of them are the Warriors of Flame and Light?"

Sao turned to stare coldly at the Warriors and when her gaze landed on Takuya and Koji she raised her hand at shoulder level. "Them." A strong wind kicked up sand and swirled around the two Warriors before picking them up and depositing roughly on the sand before Leonard, who remained untouched by the wind.

"Nicely done, Sao," Leonard commented with a true compliment in her voice. Sao simply nodded with a small smirk and she and Lisa went to speak with Wizardmon. Leonard turned her attention to the collected group of curious-looking Warriors. "As for you lot, give all your Spirits to Koji and Takuya here," she indicated the boys with a casual wave of her hand. "I don't care how you divide them, but in the end these two should have all twenty Legendary Spirits between them, understand? Don't bother asking why because it's a bit obvious."

The four Warriors grudgingly did as they were told and silently transferred the Spirits they possessed to their leaders. Once they held the Spirits, Takuya and Koji exchange confused glances and Leonard simply grinned mischievously when they turned their curiosity to her.

"Leonard!"

Leonard looked up sharply at the call from Sao and her eyes lit when she saw the large shadows trailing over the sand behind her approaching colleagues.

"We're just about ready to go." As Lisa finished speaking the owners of the shadows landed on the sand, startling the Warriors though the Keepers remained unfazed.

Dobermon dropped onto one knee in a form of a bow. "We are eternally at your service, oh Legendary Keepers."

Leonard smiled warmly at the humbled Digimon. "Relax Dobermon and drop the formalities. You too, Aquilamon," she added when she looked up and realized that the large bird Digimon had his head bowed reverently.

Sao and Lisa dragged Takuya and Koji over to Aquilamon by the arms and left them to stand in the huge bird's shadow as they climbed expertly onto the creature's massive back. When Dobermon stood on all four feet once more Leonard vaulted lightly onto his back and leaned forward to whisper something in his ear.

When she had finished she turned to the remaining four Warriors. "Since you can't fight and will only get in the way you get to stay here with Wizardmon and hope for the best. Ta!" Without waiting for the Warriors to gain their senses back and react the two Digimon set off; as Aquilamon took off he grabbed Takuya and Koji in his massive, talon-clad feet, dragging the shocked Warriors along for the ride.

zZzZzZzZz

The distance between the small group and where they had left their friends grew quickly as the distance between the small group and Pharaohmon's castle diminished. The five humans began to settle into restful half-slumbers before their upcoming battle when two dark, wavering specks on the horizon caught Sao's attention. She squinted against the bright sun and was just able to make out the forms of two Digimon, neither friendly-looking.

"Heads up, we've got company." The call brought everyone to complete alertness and all eyes focused on the ever-growing dots.

"Stop while you are still alive and able to choose to do so, humans!" Youkomon hissed dangerously as the Digimon bearing the humans neared and came to a stop. Sao and Leonard gazed coldly past the Digimon blocking their path to the dark castle not a full mile away.

Lisa, however, could not hold her tongue so well as her companions. "Listen you pieces of data scum, we've got a job to do; back off."

"'Data scum'?! How dare you insult Pharaohmon's royal guards?! Mach Shadow!" Aquilamon and Dobermon moved with lightning speed to avoid Saberdramon's attack which burned a hole deep in the sand where they had stood.

"If they want a fight they shall have it, but not from you humans. Aquilamon and I shall stay and fight; it is the least we can do." Dobermon said sternly, his words holding an ordering note.

"Dobermon is correct: we owe you our service which extends to fighting your lesser battles while you handle the big things. Proceed and come out victorious Keepers and Warriors. Unite yourselves." Aquilamon added as he released Takuya and Koji and allowed Sao and Lisa to slip from his back.

"Thanks Dobermon, I know arguing is useless, but if you get yourself deleted, you'll be answering to me," Leonard muttered to her canine companion as she slipped off his back. "Be careful yourselves," she added as the group of humans dashed for the castle.

Dobermon and Aquilamon nodded their understanding warmly before collecting a battle-ready composure and lunging into the fight.

zZzZzZzZz

"Everybody, get into your Pico forms; it'll make evolving to a higher level faster when we need to call on our strongest powers!" Sao ordered, collecting a ball of fire in the palm of her hand and letting it encompass her. The others followed suit with their select elements until five Pico Digimon were covering the sandy expanse quickly.

It wasn't long before they reached the castle gates. The Keepers paused and tensed, ready for a surprise attack that would never come.

"Well that's just great, how do we get in?" Flamon questioned aloud, looking at the black iron barred gates quizzically.

"And where will we find Pharaohmon?" Strabimon chimed in.

"Shh!" Perromon, Leonard's Pico form, hissed as she pricked her ears and listened for any out-of-place movements. "There's something waiting just beyond these gates." The Warriors looked into the courtyard beyond the bars and to them it was deserted.

"I think you're worrying over nothing, buddy," Flamon muttered and received a sharp growl from FlaDiiamon for the comment.

"Perromon is right; we're going in. Flaming Diamond Blast!" FlaDiiamon's attack smashed through the gates as if they were paper and the three Keepers burst through the demolished gates, battle-ready. Flamon and Strabimon followed more hesitantly and more plainly.

"Perromon, FlaDiiamon, look up!" Folamon whispered sharply, her eyes already turned skyward. As the dogs turned their cold gazes up to the ceiling they spotted the large, hovering dragon Digimon.

"Airdramon," Strabimon breathed.

"Pyro Mane!"

"Flaming Diamond Blast!"

The energy attacks purposely landed to either side of the dragon, sending burning blocks of the ancient ceiling crashing to the ground.

"Steel Tackle!"

The third attack hit its target as intended and the dragon hissed in pain.

"Pyro-"

"Please Legendary Keepers, I beg of you, do not attack again," Airdramon rasped. "I have been wounded enough."

The Keepers exchanged peripheral glances of distrust and both Warriors felt the awkwardness. Airdramon shifted slightly and while his movement set the Keepers on-edge, it gave Flamon all the information he needed; Airdramon was indeed badly injured.

"Hold it guys, he's hurt," Flamon argued as the Keepers prepared to attack.

"We can see that." Folamon and FlaDiiamon retorted sharply.

"Well don't you think we should here him out? He doesn't sound dangerous." This was Strabimon's contribution. The Keepers consulted one another silently, then looked up at Airdramon once more before finally relaxing.

"Thanks you, merciful Keepers."

"Just talk fast flyboy," FlaDiiamon growled lowly, momentarily baring her teeth threateningly at the larger Digimon.

Airdramon ignored her rude comment and looked down curiously at the Warriors. "You are Legendary Warriors, correct? The holders of Flame and Light?"

"Yeah, but how did you know?" Flamon asked curiously.

"It is rumored that the Warriors are more…easy-going than the Keepers. And rightly so; the Keepers have much more reason to be edgy."

"Who're you calling edgy?" Folamon demanded instantly, pinning her ears back in irritation.

"Apologies Legendary Keepers, I should not have said such a thing when it is you who are destined to save the world."

"If only we knew how," Strabimon muttered. Airdramon turned a questioning gaze on the small Digimon, who continued to explain. "We don't know where to find this Pharaohmon."

"Ah, in that I may be of service. Although Pharaohmon recently beat me for some form of insubordination I can lead you to his chambers." Without waiting for the Picos to answer, he turned toward a winding stairway at the back of the courtyard and casually glided upwards. "Follow me!"

The group didn't even bother to looked at each other before dashing up the stairway in hot pursuit of Airdramon. They followed the dragon through a vast maze of puzzling corridors until they stopped before a set of black-stained wooden doors. After a brief pause the doors swung open of their own accord and they were greeted by an intense burst of light.

A screech of pain erupted through the chamber and as the Picos forced their eyes open against the light they caught the tail end of Airdramon's deletion. Before they could notice any other detail the room fell completely dark.

[A/N2: Sorry for the cliffy, but I hopefully won't keep you hanging there for very long. You have no idea how much your reviews of encouragement have meant to me in getting my muse to help me out on continuing and finishing this story. So I ask again, please review and help me move along?]