The Remains Of Heaven
By Ryan Bodle
Chapter Sixteen: The Flight Of The General

Davis followed the pace with surprising ease after his last sleep. His body had woken up refreshed and seemed to relish the challenge of another day's march. Soon they would rendezvous with the digimon army and march onwards to the Shadowed citadel. The stronghold from which the shadow creatures held their ruined grip on the digital world. It served as fuel for him and his pace began to surpass the group for a moment. He steadied himself from taking off and instead chose to walk beside Cody. The now fully grown man led on in silence with no company, only speaking of his intended pace and the elements of the day that would change his plans. Weather changing, possible caves that were used by the shadow mostly affected his decision.

They stopped once to rest for little under an hour and continued. Cody hoped to meet their allies as soon as possible. It was the safest place to be. As the day began to near to an end, Leomon returned to the group after scouting ahead.

"The digital army is in sight, they are camped just a few leagues from here."

Cody thought about the news. He did not show any emotion. "They have managed to travel further than anyone anticipated. Their first resistance must have been decimated. I must applaud Io for his work."

"Io?" T.K asked.

"Izzy," Cody corrected himself. "He is currently leading the armies to the citadel. In any case, we should join with them now. It is the safest place to rest. The camp will attract attention of any nearby creatures and if they find us after our hard travelling, we will not be much resistance."

He started towards the camp. He could not yet see it over the peak of the hill they stopped at. The sun was shining a light orange, indicating they did not have much time until dark.

"Leomon, go ahead of us and advise them of our arrival. We do not want to startle the guards if it is dark when we get there."

Leomon nodded and took off in a large gallop that nobody would be able to keep up with. "Come. I feel our own safety is not the main reason we need to be back."

"What makes you say that?" Matt asked.

"Just a gut feeling, we have more than one battle to face before reaching the citadel. And they will be far from easy." He said no more and began to walk on. Davis quickly followed without a word, a stern look on his face. He seemed to be thinking over what Cody had said.

Matt, Ken and T.K looked at each other, looking for signs on what they were feeling or thinking from their expressions. Matt's face was inexpressive as always but the other two shared a gaze that showed a cross of concern and uncertainty.

"Just what are we fighting, anyways?" T.K asked. "And why is it just called 'The Shadow?' Don't these things have an actual name?"

"Not as far as anyone can tell," Matt answered. "Well, nobody bothered to find out, I guess. They burst out into the digital world, pretty much as soon as we left. The time cycle got way out of hand and in a little over ten years, they've decimated the place. It looks like the digimon are now determined to fight back."

"They weren't before?" Ken asked.

"I hadn't really asked. Marching to war was our idea. Well, me, Kari, Joe, Yolei and Cody's. I guess with us finally coming back to the digital world, the digimon's morale really got a boost."

"Wait, I thought we were fighting to change what's already happened," T.K started to think. "Just how can we do that?"

"I have some idea," Ken answered. "But like most experts in the field, I'd need to study theoretical physics for several years to understand temporal science." He joked. "I think time works differently in the digital world."

"No kidding," Matt offered.

"And if I get this right, someone or something distorted the time line in the digital world, if we beat them, the time line might get reversed to when the event occurred that distorted it in the first place."

T.K was following the explanation. "So we could prevent this from happening?"

"Yeah, problem is, we don't know if it will reverse us as well, if it does, we'd have no recollection of what we're supposed to do and we'd be repeating this again." Ken cursed under his breath. "I hate stuff like this, every answer turns up ten more questions worse than the first. I mean, for all we know, we could have done this already."

"Forget it, Ken," Matt advised. "The answer is too much beyond us, so don't figure it out. If it doesn't work, we beat the crap out of this thing for everything it's done. If it does, we get everything back. We get Tai and Sora back." Matt said that last sentence with a heavy tone of voice.

"I'm sorry Matt," T.K replied. "I didn't think how much it hurt you hearing about what happened to her."

"It's alright," the older brother answered. "If there's a chance I can get her back," he paused and looked at Agumon and Biyomon below. "That we can get them back, we have to take it." The two digimon offered the most courageous smile they could muster. He looked up to see the other two getting further ahead from them. "Come on, lets go."

"Cody, why do think we've got a tough battle ahead of us?" Davis asked as he caught up the digimon general. Cody regarded him for just a moment and didn't answer. "Well, I mean an even tougher time."

"Despite their primal instinct ways, the shadows are smart. If they know that we march on them again, then they will be rallying a large army, the likes that has not been seen before.

For this army to draw together from all over the digital world, time is needed. A lot of time to draw its numbers and organise a counter strike. In order to buy them that time, I expected the shadow to gather garrisons to block our path and buy them that time. But they have not. At least as much as I thought.

So there are two answers as to why. The first, their strength and numbers are diminishing, which I seriously doubt. Or they have a greater army already massed and they have a trap set for us."

"Right, so if anything, we should be rested and be ready for whatever it is," Davis concluded.

"Right," Cody answered with a slight smile. "You know, Davis? You make a better leader than I guessed you for."

"You say that like you ever doubted me," the boy replied with just a hint of childish and joking arrogance. It caused Cody to chuckle.

"You think these things out far better than me," he told him. "I never had the mind for war the way you do at your age."

They breached the peak of the mound and saw the digimon army ahead of them. With the dying light of day, they had set camp. In the distance, they saw Leomon making much head ground on them and speeding nearer to the camp. They had stopped there to view the scene. It was serene and calming. The landscape was a different story. It was scarred with shades of red and brown, like a burn mark, horribly disfigured from its former green pastures.

A slight wind blew from behind them. It cooled Davis and was refreshing. Cody's neck hairs stood on end as it swept by. He spun on his heel and looked back. He saw the other three digi-destined not far behind him. The forest they had just crossed was leaking an oil coloured sea of creatures, pouring at an incredible rate.

"They gained on us!" He exclaimed. Davis looked behind him and saw the threat behind them.

"How long will it take them to catch up?"

"Hard to say, perhaps an hour."

"How long to the camp?"

"At a run, an hour, just under."

"We can't run for an hour!" Davis answered.

"I know, come on, we have to hope the others can help cover our escape," Cody cupped his hands. "We must move!" And then pointed behind him.

Ken craned his neck up as Cody shouted to them and then followed the direction the older man pointed. Ken's jaw dropped. "Oh no," he whispered.

T.K looked back. "Someone really needs to vocalise my sentiments for right now."

"Oh crap!" Matt cursed.

"That will do," the blonde haired boy replied and turned on his feet, running. The other two needed no persuading to follow suit. The three boys raced uphill. T.K and Ken with their digimon in their arms, Gabumon, Agumon and Biyomon hot on their heels.

Cody allowed them in front as they reached the summit and took up the rear as they started down the other side. "Save your strength, you will need it later," he advised. "Walk for now."

"They'll catch us if we walk!" Ken protested.

"Then walk quickly!" Cody snapped. "We cannot run the entire distance."

Davis led the way, half walking, half jogging, he made his way down the slope. He swallowed back his anxiety as he did. His hands were subconsciously fingering the newly bestowed weapons he possessed. He looked down at Veemon, who stayed religiously by his side. The small blue digimon, despite his upbeat attitude to the task of their flight, looked weary and tired. Davis concluded the other digimon would be in equal shape and in no condition to fight as they were, let alone evolve. They were alone and being hounded by an enemy impossible to defeat on their own. Only the digimon army camp could help and they would need to hold out as long as possible to get that help. He wondered if the digi-destined behind were up for the job of making it there. Despite his newfound energy, he didn't feel ready for another fight.

Leomon had run for a full twenty minutes toward the camp to bring word of Lord Ark's return to the army. Whilst he was far ahead, he still had some way of his journey left to go and was now running at a leisurely pace. His muscles tingled as he bound on all fours to relieve some stress on his hind legs.

In front of him, he saw the guards of the camp hustle about. They had seen him and were sending for commanding officers. Soon Lord Ark, leader of the digital world armies would be with them and he would lead them to battle. Only with the leadership of Lord Ark and the aid of the digi-destined did Leomon feel they could bring down the rule of the wretched rule of the shadow. There was a sensation in Leomon's warrior heart of retribution he had longed to fulfil since the first coming of the shadow.

He had been there when Primary Village was initially decimated, hundreds of digimon eggs were mercilessly destroyed and Leomon almost lost his life when he tried to avenge the slaughter. He underestimated the numbers of these new creatures as they poured out from a tear in the digital world. He was overwhelmed by their numbers and sought to escape their grip on him. It was a young digi-destined boy with a Digmon that had saved him and they both fled the village. Leomon bit back his emotion every time he remembered it. He felt somehow as if he was betraying the digital world by fleeing, but he knew his efforts were futile to just stubbornly attack them.

The next week he was left bed ridden to recover from his wounds. The digi-destined renamed Faith by the digimon aided his healing. By the time he had recovered, he was allowed for the first time to witness the destructive power of these creatures. The digital world was slowly submerging to their awesome power and numbers.

Ark, formerly called Cody had spent that time rallying and recruiting the surviving digimon. He had taken the weak into safety and recruited the strong to unite and fight back against the threat. All manners of allies had formed to Ark and the older Izzy, soon to be named Io. They were joined by Gennai. Whilst Ark and Io shared leadership over the digimon that answered their call, Gennai was organising the retaliation to the shadow.

As the grip of the shadow on the digital world became absolute, the digimon army marched to overcome the shadow.

The battle plan was well executed by Gennai and it proved to be effective against the shadow as it decimated shadow numbers. However the ranks of the shadow were great and they regrouped, charging the digimon. Leomon remembered being in the front lines, fighting for his world with many other patriotic digimon. He tore through ranks of creatures as they kept coming. The battle was of apocalyptic proportions and although the digimon had slain countless shadows. Their numbers were badly damaged and they were forced to retreat. Each side were not able to better the other.

The digimon had lost their homes and had nowhere to run but the hills in which they could hide. What followed were years of guerrilla fighting for Leomon and the band of digimon he then stayed with. They were mostly Gazimon but there were also battle-hardened champions like himself. Heavy and robust Tankmons and even his rival Ogremon fought at his side as they harassed shadow strongholds.

Finally, the boy Cody found them again and was now a man, he was now known as Ark. He recruited their aid once again and in short time, they attacked the shadow stronghold of Primary Village. There they had won the refuge of the shadow's fortress. The digimon had gained their first victory over the shadow. Even then Leomon felt it a hollow one. For now, they had safety from the enemy in this fortress, but for how long?

He feared an immediate retaliation from the shadow lord. To his surprise, the wretched creature fled and so did his minions, disheartened by their master's leave. However the battle was not over. The very being that threatened the Shadow Lord still remained. Daemon staggered from the hole they had collapsed into and although severely weakened by his battle, he sought the destruction of the digi-destined for the ruin they brought on him.

With no option left, the three and their partnered digimon faced him. Leomon had not seen the magnificent new digimon they had evolved into, but they were a force to be reckoned with and managed to force Daemon back. The dark digimon was infuriated with their resilience and spent the last of his energy in a devastating attack that would surely kill himself and everything around him.

Then the light of the digi-destined prevailed once more. The light of the fabled digivices rang through their corresponding digimon and then at Daemon and they encompassed him in a protective barrier, containing the dreadful energy Daemon produced. Finally the victory proved just how hollow it was. The attack released itself but failed to break the barrier. Its might was so hard it reverberated back through its wielders. There was a flash of light that blinded all for several seconds. There was an ear-shattering scream and then silence.

Ark stood with an injured digimon in his arms, barely alive. But he was considered lucky. For Faith and Io were both alone. The girl on her knees, sobbing and wailing incoherently. Io was as pale as a bakemon and could not speak for several weeks after. Their loyal partners were lost to the might of the wicked Daemon. Never to return without Primary Village restored.

Ark witnessed their anguish, tilted back his head screamed in anger. He let out all his rage with one outburst. Leomon had noted, the young man was never the same again.

Despite their loss, despite the torture of all the digimon in the digital world left, there was chance for retribution and even to undo the harm. Leomon sprinted, he yearned for victory now. And with all the digi-destined now here, their hour of glory was undeniable. But they had to be united.

The camp was just a short distance away now.

Izzy scanned the map intensely looking for possible ambushes. He could see none, but he knew their march so far was too easy. The shadow must have had something planned. If only Cody was here, he would see it. For all his brain power, Izzy was no tactician and despite any arguments, this was no game of chess.

There was a trumpet flare from the borders of the camp. Then a triumphant shout. He couldn't make it out at first, but the voice was coming to his tent and soon he deciphered what was being said. 'Leomon is coming!'

'Leomon!' Izzy thought. 'That means!' He sprinted from the command tent and sought out the owner of the voice. The messenger sped round the corner to Izzy still shouting.

"Get the other destined!" Izzy commanded and ran off in the direction the messenger came. The boundary was close by and he saw the plains to the east. There was a group moving down the slopes in the distance. They were just specs in the distance now. A gazimon handed him a telescope and he accepted it without taking his eyes from the group.

Eye now fixed through a lens to see further, he could focus and confirm the group was in fact made up of Ark and others he couldn't have been happier to see. "Is it them?" He heard Faith ask.

"Yes," Izzy answered. "Its Ark, he's there with Matt and Davis, T.K and Ken! He found them!" He exclaimed. Then he noticed something peculiar about the group. "They seem to be moving quickly."

"Maybe they're excited about getting back," Faith offered.

"No, its something else. I can't explain it but, its odd."

"I can ride with Unimon to make sure they're ok," Faith suggested.

"That could be for the best. I have a feeling they're being followed, check beyond those hills as well," he told her. He took the lens away from his eyes, she was already gone.

Kari and Joe arrived together. "Izzy, we heard Leomon has arrived, does that mean-?"

"Ark, I mean, Cody has returned, yes," Izzy answered Joe as he faced them. "But something seems wrong, I think they're being followed and trying to get here to safety, be ready for another fight."

"Where's Yolei?" Kari asked.

"She's taken Unimon to find out if they are ok and what's beyond those hills." Izzy answered.

"Let me go with her."

"She's gone already, just be ready to help the others get back to the camp if need be. Get your digimon, we may need them," Izzy returned his sight to the group now clearing the foot of the hills.

Unimon took to the air with great speed and Yolei held on to his mane tightly, but not so she would rip the hair from his neck. His powerful white wings raised them into the air and it gave her a sensation familiar to her. She quickly put it from her mind, she needed to focus and not mourn her missing partner. The cold air whipped at her face as Unimon pushed forwards to close on Ark.

By flight, the distance was covered in minutes and as she neared the group, she noticed them now running for the camp. Ark, looked over his shoulder and she followed his motions. Rather than stop, she pressed Unimon on further to find out what was over the hill.

Her stomach clenched tight as she looked over its peak. There was nothing but shifting black, covering every inch of the land. From the foot of the hill to the dense forest a whole league away, a great shadow army was seated, waiting for the right time to strike. Just coming over the peak was a vast scout group that looked intent to catch the others and tear them down.

"Unimon get back to Ark!" She ordered. The flying digimon veered quickly and retraced his flight path. He landed and slowed to a trot next to the digimon general at the back of the group. The others glanced back at her, but didn't stop.

"You have a whole army following you she informed quietly," she heard Ark curse under his breath.

"Unimon, can you carry another passenger?" Ark asked.

"Certainly, General," Unimon answered confidently.

"Begin taking the others back and send more riders, Unimon will need to conserve his strength," Ark ordered. Faith looked ahead, the nearest to them was Ken. She looked on with little enthusiasm. "Faith!" Ark barked. She looked at him and nodded, spurring Unimon on.

Unimon's hooves thundered onwards and bore down on Ken Ichijouji, Wormon clinging on holding tight on to his shoulder. At the nearing gallop, Ken looked back as Faith held her hand out. Instinctively, he reached out for it. Combined strength on both parts helped Ken onto Unimon's back in front of her. Her knees tightened to spur Unimon into the air. Her arms quivered as she placed them round him to grab hold of Unimon's mane. The encircled him just a bit closer than she allowed for passengers.

"What about the others?" Ken shouted back.

"We'll send more riders for them," she answered. Unimon flew onwards, seeking the refuge of the digimon encampment. Maybe he was pretending, or maybe he was trying to act normal to make her feel better. Maybe he had even noticed, but Ken paid no recognition to Faith or Yolei. There was comfort in this, but she also felt regret. What did he really feel about her? Would he still feel the same? She bit her lip and concentrated on the ground in front of her, she couldn't let her mind wonder now. She had seen the oncoming army of shadow and knew she could not afford to falter.

The camp was almost below them as Unimon dived, Faith felt as though she was more distracted than she originally thought. She hadn't noticed it growing larger at all. Unimon gracefully landed in a clearing where Io waited to hear from her.

"Well?" He asked as he helped her from the steed digimon.

"They are being chased by a scout group of shadow attempting to catch and kill them, we need to send more riders to bring them here," she answered.

"Scout group? Where's the main guard?" Io asked.

"Just over the peak," she confessed and dropped her voice. "Their numbers are so much more than we've ever seen before, we have to rally all the troops and prepare for attack."

"Any indication as to when?" Faith shook her head. Io turned to face Ken as he dismounted. "Ken, its good to see you, are you ok?"

"A little tired," Ken answered. "What's going on?"

"It seems we're in for one hell of a fight," Io answered.

"Don't I know it, what can I do?"

"For now, get some rest, we'll need you and Stingmon for sure in the up coming hours but we can handle this."

"But I want to-."

"Help? I figured, but we have this under control, the others will be back before you know it, why don't you find Kari and Joe, they're somewhere here." Ken nodded and walked off.

"I need flyers! General Ark and the Digi-destined need to be brought to the camp!" Io shouted. "Prepare the flyers!" He disappeared into the crowd of digimon shouting orders.

"Lady Faith," a voice barely whispered with a mysterious but dulcet voice. She turned round to face the digimon who called her.

"Ferramon," she answered back. "Bring my weapons and armour, and advise the rest of my team to be ready."

The fox like digimon bowed and walked away. Faith looked back over at the battlement towards the approaching group. Safety was so far away and the scout group were gaining ground at an unbelievable rate. They were almost upon them.

"Wait! Stop!" T.K panted. "I'm sorry, I can't keep this up," he gasped at the stretch of his stamina. Davis was not far from him bent over double and thankful for the rest as he caught his breath. Matt was equally tired. Cody showed the least fatigue, he seemed used to the exercise.

"They are almost on us," Cody answered. "If we can hold on for a little longer-."

"Sorry Cody, but I'm done, I've got no more," T.K answered.

"I feel the same," Davis finally managed. Matt merely looked up at him and nodded to confirm he felt the same.

"Then we must stand our ground until aid comes for us. Lets hope that it's not too long," with that he drew his heavy sword and grasped it in both hands. Turning he faced the oncoming shadows and stood wide and aggressive.

Davis felt the ends of both of his weapons and took them into a loose grip, looking at the oncoming assassins. Matt grabbed the basic sword Cody had given him. T.K now armed with something similar reached for his.

"Flying digimon will be sent to take us to safety. When they show up, get back as soon as possible, no heroics," Cody ordered.

The shadows seemed barely one thousand meters from them now, they moved as fast as Leomon, if not faster. Running on all fours, they looked like large wild cats with gangly and elongated legs. Their faces shaped more bullet-like with only eyes the only visible feature. They bore riders, smaller shapes that could resemble dwarfed version of men. The wide strides of the steeds were massive and intimidating. Massive claws for feet pawed at the ground, tearing up dust with every tread.

"Spread out," Cody ordered. "Take down the larger ones they ride on, try cutting underneath them or if you can, hit them in the side of the head."

It was all the advice Cody had time to give as the shadow came at them at break neck speeds. Cody gave a cry of exertion, ran forwards to meet a steed, parried a missile and rolled underneath it. He thrust his sword up, cutting it under belly, there was a hideous screech and the beast toppled face first, crashing as it rapidly lost the speed it had gained. Its riders thrown from its back like rag dolls. The impact killed them instantly. He turned and faced the next steed that became more cautious of him.

Davis instinctively harnessed his battle pick and wielded his hammer in both hands. He waited patiently for the right moment as his foe ran straight at him. At the last moment, he sidestepped and pivoted his foot, which took him into a spin. His hammer came round in a reverse arc with a mighty force and crashed into the skull of the steed. The impact caused it to topple on its side. Its skull crushed, it died in moments. The riders leapt from it unscathed and landed agilely, claws raised for him. He landed and gripped his pick in one swift motion and charged them down. His pick was swung at them and they jumped back to avoid its sharp end. Davis pivoted on to his side, raised his shoulder and barged into the nearest target, knocking it several feet back. He followed up by driving his knee down into it, obliterating it. Instinctively, he swung his body round to face behind him and his hammer came across his body, catching two shadows in the sternum, he crushed them under the heavy blow and they fell limp by his side. Veemon made his presence known by jumping a last rider and scratching him about the face before using both legs to kick off from it, crushing its middle.

T.K and Matt stood side by side and faced off one steed of their own. It came at them with incredible speed and ferocity. Both dived out of its path just in time as it skidded to a halt the other side of them. The riders dismounted and the steed reared. T.K sought his chance and charged at it, sword held out right. He jumped the last of the distance and buried his blade deep in the chest of the creature. It screamed in agony and T.K's force knocked it over. Matt followed up behind him and watched the riders wait for the right moment to pounce on T.K. He swung heavily at two, one was cleaved clean in half, and the other suffered a deep gash and keeled over. Matt held out a hand and pulled T.K up. Seeing his younger brother not scratched or hurt, he looked about him for the next attacker.

"Not good," he muttered.

The four digi-destined back up into each other to form a defensive circle as the group encircled them. A dozen steeds and their riders surrounded them, picking a time to strike.

"I can barely hold my weapons up," Davis informed them. He figured his friends felt as tired as him.

"Just a little longer," Cody said again. Davis couldn't be certain if he was assuring them or himself.

The shadows began to close the circle. The digimon rose to their defence and focused their attacks.

"Pepper Breath!"

"Howling Blaster!"

"Boom Bubble-!"

The resulting attacks faded out the last of Patamon's voice and they collided with the wall, taking out a rider and spinning another off balance.

"Quickly!" Cody ordered and ran for the gap before it was closed, he swung his heavy sword and cleared a path as everyone squeezed through without injury. Now in the clear they held up their weapons. Cody was relieved not to be trapped in the circle. An outline glinted in the corner of his eye but he dare not look, not just yet.

The shadow scout group regarded them for a while, being careful again to pick their time to strike. With little warning they charged at full speed, the digi-destined in front of them were surely going to be trampled.

"Rosetta Stone!"

A heavy tablet crashed into the ground in front of the group. Those unlucky enough to be at the front were destroyed whilst the latter ranks tripped over themselves to stop and ended up on the floor. Nefertimon landed gracefully not far away and Kari dismounted holstering a crossbow. She took aim quickly and pulled the trigger, the bolt pierced a shadow and destroyed it instantly.

"You guys ok?"

"Kari!" Davis exclaimed. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you," she replied in a 'in case you didn't know' tone.

"But, I-," Davis was cut short as Veemon felt it necessary to save himself the verbal damage and delivering a short elbow to the ribs.

"Nefertimon," Kari said expectantly. Her digimon rose to the air and circled the hunting party. Kari locked another bolt into her crossbow and raised it again, aiming at an oncoming shadow. Over the initial shock, the remaining creatures regrouped and dispersed to attack on all fronts. She squeezed the trigger, causing the heavy arrow to fly through the midsection of the assailant and destroying it. She let the crossbow fall to its side and drew her rapier.

Davis not to be outdone by her, stood up with strength renewed. He felt a strange pulse up his arms with this determination, as if the weapons themselves were giving him strength. He creaked his knees and jumped into the thick of a group of fighters, he swung a weapon about his waist level in each direction at felt them connect. What followed was a series of sweeping manoeuvres he preferred with his weapons, each time connecting with the soft flesh of a shadow.

Finally his mind caught up with his actions and he saw there was nothing left. He had destroyed the creatures in an instant. The next thing he was aware of was everybody looking at him with awe. "What?" He asked. "Is something wrong?"

"How did you do that?" Cody asked him.

"Do what?" Davis asked.

"Heads up!" T.K warned, cutting off the current conversation. A new detachment of shadows were approaching from the sky.

"Flying shadows?" Cody asked in disbelief. "We have never seen such creatures before!"

"Nefertimon!" Kari cried out nervously. Her partner digimon was being overwhelmed by the new enemy.

"We have to shoot them down somehow!" Davis said as he ran towards them.

Kari looked down at the useless rapier in her hands and then to the missile weapon holstered by her side. "Hold on Nefertimon!" She chased after Davis. The others soon followed suit.

Kari locked another bolt to her crossbow and looked up. Nefertimon seemed to be holding her but clearly didn't like the odds against her. Kari took aim and waited for an opportunity. The flying creatures were shaped much like eagles except their wings did not beat, even when they hovered. She waited still for one to stay in its place. Held her breathe and squeezed the trigger. Her aim was true and it nailed one of the eagle like beasts in the wing, causing it to spiral to the ground.

About now, the creatures began to pay her attention and several broke off their assault on Nefertimon. Unprepared for their attack, Kari fell back and dropped the crossbow. Expecting the attack to come, she rose her arm up as a guard without thinking. There was a roar but not from them, it was human and she never felt the claws of the creatures.

As she chanced a look, the four guys had sprung to her defence. Davis had wedged his pick into one on its descent and pulled it to ground, finishing it with his hammer. Cody seemed to have leapt over her at the crucial moment, his heavy battle sword slicing another in half. T.K Leapt into the brace of another and drove his blade though its skull. Matt stood over her blocking the path of the last, swinging his sword madly. The creature kept its distance, screeching wildly, eager to get through. As Cody freed his sword, he swung about behind him and caught the creature about its side, cutting it deeply. It crumpled to the ground a crowed in pain. Matt dived his blade down to finish it.

Nefertimon landed by her apparently finished with the last few she was left with. "Thanks," she purred at Kari. Her partner smiled back at her.

"Come on guys, lets get back to the camp," Kari suggested. Over her shoulder, a few small shapes began to materialise into bird like digimon making their to them at last.

"We made it," T.K sighed.

A/N: Please leave a review and tell me what youn think. My longest chapter yet. Anyways, some of you might be getting confused when I keep moving over to the new names I gave Cody, Yolei and Izzy. I'm trying to draw a line where there are one or the other but still making it look like they're one and the same (like a personality clash or something) by combining the two, I hope it demonstrates that they are still Cody, Yolei and Izzy to their friends but because of what's happened they're also Ark, Faith and Io. Does that make sense? Hope it does.