It's been an entire year since I last updated. winces I guess that means I get to be a human punching bag, huh? sighs I guess you're curious as to why it's taken so long.

1. I lost interest in this story

2. We got a new computer and it took awhile to get it to stop going on fritz, but it's cool now

3. I lost my data for awhile (as in I misplaced it)

4. This past year I've been home schooling and getting involved with volunteering around the community

5. Migraines still here

6. (this is the biggest reason) Roughly September-October I was banned from all computer activities. Why? Because I was addicted to the internet. Not bad addicted as in I wasn't loosing any sleep over it, but I did skip a meal of two and I was skimping math . . . course I hadn't really been doing well with math two years prior to that. Anyway, I've been gaining my folks' trust with the computer since then and have finally decided to finish this story up for all my fans.

So, good news? grins Well one, this is a new chapter. Two, chapter thirteen is finished and awaiting take off permission. Three, I know how the rest of the story is to go. Four, I will do absolutely nothing until I finish this story (minus a dentist appointment, can't avoid those). Good, yes? I hope so, cuz I so owe you guys.

Reviews:

Zoleth-O.O gosh…you really think so? is flattered beyond belief Yeah, couples are a little confusing, I'll try to clean it up but I'm really more of an action writer than a romance writer. But I'll try! Just for you!

Dragi-Thanks for the site offer but I don't have my own e-mail. Good news! An old site that was like digimon-info central started up again so I have everything I ever wanted to know about digimon at my fingertips. I am soooooo sorry for not updating for so long. But I swear I will do nothing but sleep, eat, (go to the dentist winces), and write.

GemmaniGirl-Thanks for the site, it helped! Please forgive me for not updating ASAP. sniffles I hope you like this chappie, the next one I personally think is better. I swear I'll update by a week's time so you won't have to wait long for the next.

Salpheon-Salph, Happy Early Birthday girl! I know how much you like my fic, and good luck with yours! (great advice by the way)

Ja Rule-Er…not exactly? Sorry for the long wait but the next chapter is ready so you won't have to wait this time around. Enjoy!

ZazieCurie-blinks Wow…you really think so? THANKS! Hope you like chapter too! Sorry for the colossal wait. Forgive me? puppy dog eyes

neversmile-Short and to the point. Gotta say I loved your review! I hope you like the way it ends!

paccificgirl-Glad you like it! The new computer is working fine, though I'm not sure what was wrong with the old one. Thanks for the advice on the headache, but it didn't work. It's one of those weird things that humanity hasn't gotten around to figuring out how to fix it. shrugs I'm used to it now so it shouldn't hinder my writing too much. The story is completely outlined out and I WILL finish it. I'm just sorry you had to wait so long for the finished product.

chichi-ducks head under table I'm sooooooooooooooooo sorry! Please forgive me for the impossibly long wait! As for TK? Sorry but his big part was in the beginning. However, just for you, if I can work something in, I'll give TK a more standing position than in this chapter. And don't worry, the gangs will get together, not in this chapter or next, but they will.

sakurafairy-Good to know you like it! Sorry for the incredibly long wait but that was the last of them. I promise. I hope you continue to like it!

Aska spirit of light-Thanks! I hope I won't need the luck though. Maybe just a little to keep me focused. -.-;;

SuperMegaGirl-Glad you like it! Not so glad you wanna kick my butt…but I deserve it, don't I? goes into human punching bag mode Fire away!

foxbane-I updated! -.- like a year late. I'm soooooo sorry for making you wait! I promise there will be no more waits from now on! And good news! I've got a new computer so no more fritzy electronic stuff stopping me from updating!

Disclaimer: Own digimon? Puh-lease! If I owned digimon, I wouldn't be rubbing my dad's back for twenty minutes every week for five bucks! So own digimon? I think I can safely answer NO to that.

Chapter 12

A Change of Attack

Rika gazed around her room. It was filled with people and even some digimon. The doctor had just left so everyone was just settling down. In one corner were mattresses and cushions for the injured and young. Located there was Kouichi, Takuya, Yolei, TK, Ken, and Susie and her digimon Lopmon. Sitting around the table in another section of the room was Henry and his digimon Terriermon, Kari, Kouji, Jeri and Calumon, JP, Tommy, and Ryo and his digimon Cyberdramon. Cody was standing near the door.

Rika sighed and slumped down against the wall. Renamon appeared next to her.

"You know what will happen, Rika."

Rika nodded, "We will have to fight and defeat them. But how can we do that if we keep disappearing? I mean Takato, Kazu, Kenta, and Joe have vanished without a trace and we have yet to rescue the others and their digimon. How exactly do we get out of this mess?"

"That is n-" Renamon froze, her fur standing rigid as she sensed something.

"Renamon?" Rika inquired growing worried.

"It's them!"

A loud explosion outside and a cry of alarm from Cody announced what Renamon meant. Rika dashed out followed by Henry, Kouji, JP, Tommy, and Ryo. Arukenimon and Mummymon stood side-by-side glaring at the digidestined.

"Let's do it, DIGIMODIFY! MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVE!" Rika yelled.

"DIGIMODIFY! MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVE!" Henry called out.

Kouji held out his digivice along with Tommy and JP. "EXECUTE! BEAST SPIRIT EVOLUTION!"

"Taomon!"

"Rapidmon!"

"KendoGarurumon!"

"Korikakumon!"

"MetalKabutarimon!"

Rika, Henry, Ryo, Arukenimon, and Mummymon gaped openly at what used to be Kouji, Tommy, and JP.

"Whoa," Rika murmured.

"So that's what he meant by not having a digimon," Henry remembered.

"Talisman of Light!"

"Rapid Fire!"

"Lupine Laser!"

"Avalanche Axes!"

"Bollo Thunder!"

"Desolation Claw!"

"Acid Mist!"

"Necrophobia!"

It was time to show what they could do.

Owikawa watched them fight silently before sneaking into the house. They were here to collect Ken and perhaps kill or wound anyone else they could, but they needed Ken. They needed the Dark Spore lodged in the back of his neck to continue with their plan.

Takuya watched his friends fighting outside angry he couldn't help. Next to him sat Kouichi who was also fidgeting restlessly. On his other side was Yolei clutching her digivice. Kari was pacing, every once in awhile looking towards the doors. Jeri held Calumon tightly in her lap. Cody and TK were whispering among themselves. Ken had taken it upon himself to entertain Susie.

None of them were expecting the doors to fly open and Owikawa to appear grinning like a mad man. Kari let out a small scream and Kouichi grabbed his digivice. Susie cowered behind Ken whilst Lopmon stepped forward.

"Susie! Now!" she called to her Tamer.

Susie nodded and sliced a card through her D-Power. "DIGIMODIFY! MATRIX DIGIVOLUTION ACTIVE!"

"Lopmon matrix digivolve to…Antylamon!"

Owikawa didn't even glance at the new digimon. He turned to Ken. "Ken, you will come with me if you don't want your friends to die today."

Ken stared at him shocked before glaring at him with raw hatred. "Never."

Owikawa shrugged, "Very well." He shot a dark energy attack at Kari.

"KARI!" A flash of white rammed into the startled girl and threw her away from the attack.

Kari looked up at her rescuer. "Gatomon!"

Gatomon nodded, "Let's teach Owikawa what happens when he messes with us."

Kari grinned and held up her D-3.

"Gatomon digivolve to . . . Angewomon!"

"Wormmon digivolve to . . . Stingmon!"

"Armadillomon digivolve to . . . Ankelomon!"

"Patamon digivolve to . . . MagnaAngemon!"

"Hawkmon digivolve to . . . Aquillomon!"

Owikawa scowled.

Kouichi and Takuya staggered to a stand, "Execute! Spirit Evolution!"

"Lowemon!"

"Agunimon!"

"ATTACK!"

"V-Headbutt!" The attack momentarily distracted Lucemon from his fallen prey long enough for Davis to dash forward and pick up Zoe.

She looked at him weakly, "I told you to get out. What're you doing back?"

Davis shook his head as he hurried back to Veemon. "Not now. We got to get out here!" They dashed through the halls, Zoe leaning heavily on the brunette.

Veemon glanced back. "We're not going to make it!"

Izzy stumbled to a stopped in a thicket and eased Joe onto the ground. Gomamon crawled onto Joe's chest and peered at his partner's face. "Joe! C'mon Joe! Wake up! It's me! It's Gomamon!" The sea-digimon gazed up piteously at Izzy.

Izzy sighed, "Keep trying. You're his best bet." The redhead turned to Tentomon, the only other to stay behind instead of following Takato to Rika's house where their teammates were. "See if you can find any water. Anything from a public fountain to a concealed spring would be great right about now." Tentomon nodded and flew off on this request.

Takato came to a halt outside the walls of a large house. They could hear the battle raging behind the doors. The brunette turned to look at the digidestined behind him. Kazu and Kenta, his two best friends since elementary school, stood side-by-side with their digimon. Tai and Matt nodded to him, their digimon standing ready at their feet. The two girls, Sora and Mimi gazed intently at the doors, both ready to give back what they had suffered through.

"Ready?" Takato asked even as Guilmon got into attack mode.

Kazu snorted in dry amusement. "Dude, we've never been more ready."

A strange light appeared in Tai's eyes. "Time to kick some butt."

The doors opened.

Well, that's it for Chapter 12. Chapter 13 is due in a week from now. Please review and tell me what you think!