I don't own Digimon, Pokémon, "Do You Really Wanna Play?" from the Totally Pokémon CD and "The Legend Comes to Life" from Pokémon the Movie 2000. Well it's come a long way but it's finally here. The final showdown with the Missingno Virus is about to begin! Whew and here I was thinking I'd never make it (hears muses behind me yelling, "NEITHER DID WE!). I will not hesitate to say that this is the longest chapter in the entire book (I typed it up in Times New Roman normal format and came out to 56 pages!) so you better get comfortable with popcorn and drinks. Places everybody? Aaaaaand ROLL 'EM!

Chapter 13-The Power of Unity

"This time there's no stopping us. There can't be,"—Rika Nonaka, The D-Reaper's Feast

"Nothing's gonna tear us apart. Nothing!"—Takato Matsuki, The D-Reaper's Disguise

"The time for talking's over!"—Henry Wong, When is a Mon Justimon?

"Your team has to be ready. The whole world is counting on you,"—Tai Kamiya, Invasion of the Daemon Corps

"We're all in this together,"—Davis Motomiya, The Last Temptation of the Digidestined

Pokémon World
Mount Caina

Across time and space…across dimensional gates and digital cyberspace…different worlds and different beginnings rise up in the middle of one struggle. Connections…everyone is connected is some way or another…and creatures have somehow found a way to coexist with humans...

The powerful psychic being known as Mewtwo opened his violet eyes as the rising storm above reached its peak; lightning and thunder raging and combating for the skies. There was the scent of something in the air…a rift…a change in the course of life.

And it's not only here…

He could sense the rift everywhere…stretching beyond even his own limitations in the Pokémon World. Beyond to that world where the trainers had departed to…a powerful force that was manipulating time and space…

All around him, trees were dying and growing anew. Pokémon were reverting backwards to their first or second stages of evolution life.

Here it would be considered a tamper with the forces of nature…Mewtwo narrowed his eyes at the crackling sky. Something up there glimmered…the other world that was supposed to have been kept safe. But I know better. It's the work of a glitch…

Kanto Region
Pallet Town

There were many strange things that tended to occur in the Pokémon World, different regions or not. Kanto and Johto had its fair share of trouble with disturbing weather patterns and legendary Pokémon and Hoenn had its own dealings with Teams Aqua and Magma threatening to modify the structure of the whole world, only to awaken its guardians.

Yet none of those strange happenings could prepare Gary Oak for the chaos that was affecting his world now. Especially since he'd woken up as a twelve-year-old boy rather than a thirty-seven-year-old Pokémon researcher. Not only had that blasted virus called Missingno come to wreck havoc, the whole world seemed to be going into relapse.

"Grandpa!" He raced up to his grandfather's house, spiky brown hair moving in the breeze. "What's going on? I just…HOLY MAGNEMITES!"

Professor Samuel Oak stared back at his grandson, looking not a day older than he had twenty-five years ago when the dimensional portal between the Digidestined's world to the Pokémon World opened up. "You too Gary?"

"Hey guys!" Tracey raced out of the lab, his own body changed to accommodate his younger self. "You…(pant)…better come look at this!" He raced back inside with the other two. "Look!" Pointing at a Dodrio, he said breathlessly, "Now just wait a minute and see!"

It only took a matter of seconds and a strange ripple in the atmosphere before Dodrio changed into a Doduo.

"HUH!"

"Usually you need an Everstone for a Pokémon to remain in a certain state," commented Professor Oak. "How unusual."

Gary blinked. "Gramps, an Everstone can't even do that! Something's wrong with the Pokémon World again…something that's altering the fabric of reality!" He pointed up at the crackling sky whose clouds were now as red as the fires from a Moltres flame. "See what I mean?"

Delia Ketchum, along with her faithful Pokémon Mr. Mime, came out of her house and stared up at the sky as well. She too had noticed the changes in her appearance as well as the world's. "At least you haven't seen what's been happening in the rest of the regions. They say that the strange things are also happening in Johto and Hoenn. But…that's just it. No one finds Pokémon de-evolving or people becoming younger a bad thing. In fact…they don't notice it at all. All they can focus on is the other world in the sky."

The door to the Ketchum household closed and then opened again as Hoenn visitors May and Max Maple came out. After a little while Brendan Birch, son of Professor Birch in Hoenn, followed them. May was once again a young ten-year-old brunette sporting the colors of Hoenn pride. Max was a small kid with shiny glasses that glittered from the effects of the sky. Brendan shifted a confused look around Pallet Town, one hand scrubbing through his startlingly white hair.

"Max! You're…short," Gary blurted out before he could stop himself.

The little boy scowled. "Uh…Gary I've always been this way. But thanks for noticing the obvious."

Mrs. Ketchum was right. None of the inhabitants of the Pokémon World, save for them, seemed to realize that they were actually in the past. Their memories had been modified to adjust to the world as Missingno wanted it.

For a minute the group and the Pokémon silently watched the raging sky as it burned brighter. And then the clouds suddenly parted, revealing a hazy image of what was going on in the other world. Ash and his team of Pokémon trainers, along with the familiar Digidestined and a few strange kids, were arguing with what appeared to be a combination of Digimon parts and who-knows-what-else.

"I knew it," whispered Gary fiercely. "I knew the Digital World had something to do with this mess."

May blinked. "Digital World? What's that?"

"It's not the fault of the Digital World Gary Oak," said an ominous voice. All eyes turned around to see Mewtwo hovering down to their level. His violet eyes narrowed. "It's the fault of Missingno and his creators. Scientists never do a very good job of disposing of the evidence of their experiments."

Gary and Tracey flinched, knowing he was speaking grimly of himself and Chloe. "Missingno is a virus and like any virus, he spreads his influence around as quickly as possible. It's managed to reach us here and I'm willing to bet the same in the Real World as well," said Professor Oak to the others.

Max, however, was exclaiming about Mewtwo. "Oh wow! I knew you were real! Some people just said you were just a legend but you're actually a real live Pokémon! I knew it!"

"Calm down Max," said Brendan. "What's this all about? Digital World? Missingno? And just who are those?" He pointed at the Digidestined.

"Yeah and where's Ash, Misty, and Brock?" demanded May. "Why are they in the sky?"

Tracey and Gary glanced at each other. Since May, Max, and Brendan had not encountered Ash until after the terrifying debacle of the dimensional portal, they obviously did not know the Digidestined.

"It's a long story."

"Well none of us are going anywhere," said Mewtwo calmly. "Missingno's blocked off every way for us to travel. The only thing we could do now is wait."

They are the only keys to our survival now…

Digital World
Sovereign Realm

The evil viral humanoid flashed his eyes before he spoke in Missingno's voice. "You foolish Pokémon trainers. You may have been able to kill me in my true form but how about one fused with the most powerful beings you have ever faced?"

The kids gaped at the being in utmost horror. How was it possible for the virus to still be alive and able to fuse with other Digimon?

"Impossible!" Izzy exclaimed from his laptop. "He's tripling the amount of his attack power even though it's already been doubled by the Mega Digimon and the D-Reaper. The level is too much for me to calculate at once!"

Kari clenched her hands. "Can nothing stop this thing?"

"What is that thing even called anyway?" Yolei wondered out loud.

"I'm the same old Missingno you all know and loathe," the virus answered. "I've just upgraded myself with a new look and used my backup programming to sustain my life force." He sneered at the kids and their partners. Around him, the Digital World was in chaos. "It's easier to take you down now but first I'll destroy the ones who are most vital to your mission." To show whom they were, he turned toward the Tamers.

"Keep away from them!" Davis commanded angrily.

Missingno snorted in an irritated way. "Resist of you want; you cannot win. As you waste time, the Digital World is slowly reducing to ruin from the spread of my viral presence."

Looking around, the kids knew he was right, unfortunately. The ground and sky were distorted and looked blurry as if gazing through a misty window.

The virus unsheathed his two swords and they electrified with blue static. Everybody gaped. "How…Piedmon didn't have that," Mimi exclaimed. "So why do you?"

"Let's just say I added a few of my own touches to my new body," Missingno answered carelessly. His sharp teeth formed a leer as he surveyed each Tamer. "Let's see…eleven kids…ten Digimon…who's willing to go first? Well what's a team,"­—here he glared at Takato—"without a leader?"

"No!" Jeri cried, her eyes widening in ever-increasing fear. "Don't hurt Takato!"

Missingno turned his garnet eyes on her. "So you want to take his place Ms. Katou?"

At this, Jeri bit her lip and looked away. The ghoulish face reminded her too much of the D-Reaper and the horrors she'd had to endure. Leomon held his sword out in front of her. "I advise you not to harm a hair on Jeri's head if you know what's good for you."

The Pokémon trainers looked at each other in distress. There was little they could accomplish now since their Pokémon were too weak to fight and all of their energy had been drained. The Digidestined had already fought for as long as they could. But sacrifice the Tamers? That was unheard of!

"Don't you dare—" Tai began but Missingno prepared his swords to strike.

Guilmon leaped in front of his partner. "The only way you're getting to Takato is through me," he growled.

"That can be arranged," Missingno muttered dryly. Data-stream tentacle arms shot out of the virus's new body and wrapped tightly around Guilmon. They then tossed him out of the way, making him land on the ground with a sickening SMACK!

"Guilmon!" The Tamer boy tried to move towards his partner but his feet wouldn't allow him. In fact, his whole body was frozen solid. "I…I…can't…move…he's…freezing me in position."

"Really? Then how come you're talking?"

"Terriermon!"

"Just saying what I see."

"Enough nonsense," Missingno hissed as he shot the electricity from the swords at Takato!

Rika hollered, "Takato, watch out!"

Chloe bolted forward and cried, "I WON'T LET YOU HURT HIM!" Without thinking of her actions, she threw herself in front of the Tamer and—WHAM!—taking the attack full in the chest!

"CHLOE!" Everyone watched, horrified, as the girl sank to her knees, her hands clutching her stomach.

Takato was positively shaken. "Why did you do that Chloe? I could've dodged those blasts; you didn't have to block them." His eyes filled with tears. Anther teammate's blood was now on his hands.

"I couldn't let him…hurt you," she wheezed. She screwed up her eyes to prevent him from seeing the harsh pain in her blue orbs. "We need you…and the others…to survive…and…I've already died right?"

A rumble of laughter came forth from Missingno and they looked up at him. "How compassionate…but you aren't enough to stop me from harming the others."

With that, he charged up the cannons implanted on his massive shoulders and aimed them at Rika and Renamon. "GIGA CANNON!"

T.K. ran over to the pair and pushed them out of the way, taking the two blasts for himself. He sank to the ground and rolled onto his back, his face contorted with pain.

"NO!" Rika cried out. She knelt next to T.K. "T.K., are you all right?"

"That…depends. Are…my insides…ripped out?"

Even more beams were hurled at the other Tamers and their Digimon. "You can't stop them all!"

"Maybe not," Ash growled defiantly. "But we can!" The trainers, the Digidestined, and their Digimon (as well as Pikachu) dove in front of the Tamers, taking the attacks themselves.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!"

The dust cleared, revealing the two teams stretched out across the ground. The virus's laughter echoed around the rocky terrain and to the dark skies overhead.

Takato clenched his fists in rage. "How DARE you!"

Missingno ignored him, continuing to laugh. The other Tamers and Digimon glowered at him, illuminated by the glow of a faint glimmer of light shining from the darkened sky. Then from behind, they all heard a faint voice. "Ta…mers…?"

Whirling around, they saw that the older kids had raised their heads and were watching them. Chloe coughed before saying, "We'll be okay…I think…there's no blood…"

Shocked tremendously, Takato said, "But…you took those attacks!"

"We know…but we're not dead," T.K. replied, wincing. "But…I don't feel so good."

Kari gave a gasp of agony. "Something…is inside of us…and it hurts…a lot!"

Jacob clutched at the front of his shirt and called out, "I know what this is! It's a virus! Missingno's implanted a virus within each of us…and it's slowly…destroying us from the inside out!"

"WHAT!"

"You heard him," rasped Izzy. "He's implanted a virus in us in order to kill us off. This one works for Digimon and Pokémon too it seems."

Henry bit his lip. Darn it Missingno! "There's gotta be something we could do."

"There is nothing you can do," Missingno smirked. "For the next hour or so, your friends will be in a state of suffering while my virus slowly sucks the lives out of them while you watch."

Chloe felt her body slacken and she knew the viral hazard was right. "Listen to me!" she croaked urgently. "There isn't…anything you guys can do for us now…except kill Missingno. It's not too late to change this around."

"It doesn't matter what happens…to us," T.K. added with a grimace. "Just defeat him…undo all the wrong he's done…"

The Tamers stared awkwardly at the older teams, strangely hesitant.

"You can destroy him now," Tai told them. "He's half Digimon, half Pokémon, and half…whatever. The main thing is that you can hurt him."

The Tamers knew Tai was right but they still weren't sure. Combined with the power of previous evil Digimon, plus the D-Reaper, how could they stand a chance?

"Do it!" Ash insisted. "W-we're counting on you."

"What if we can't defeat him?"

"You'll never know unless you try!" Davis croaked. "Seriously!"

"But—"

Chloe's glowing lapis eyes glinted in a fazed way. "Never give up…teamwork is the key to your destiny got that? Teamwork is the key."

"Your words of wisdom are touching," Missingno hissed. "But they're certainly not going to help you in your present state!" His eyes glowed red as blood and Chloe, T.K., and the others were lifted up from their current positions on the rocky floor. The virus/Digimon/Pokémon's eyes flashed and their bodies slammed against stone slabs that had resurrected from who knows where. Frozen by paralysis, the trainers and the Digidestined could only bear their pain and watch with their eyes; unable to move at all.

"So what's it going to be now?" The Tamers could only stare open-mouthed and numb with horror at their friends; spread-eagled and helpless, their faces contorted with pain. Filled with anger, they turned back to face the deadly creature.

Takato's eyes narrowed. "This isn't right Missingno!" he shouted. "What kind of sick and twisted monster inserts a deadly virus into humans and living creatures?"

"Ah, but you see I'm not sick and twisted; that's putting way too much credit on my part. And I'm no monster Matsuki—just a virus doing its job. You can thank my creators for giving me such a superb personality."

"That's not funny!" Rika snapped, enraged.

Terriermon scowled. "Yeah, I'm the master of wisecracks and I say that ain't funny!"

"No matter what it takes," Takato declared fearlessly. "We will destroy you Missingno!"

Missingno radiated heat and electricity. The ground beneath him split and the sky above raged with the possible outcomes of a storm.

"I'd like to see you Tamers try!"

Ryo stepped forward. "I'll deal with him first."

"Don't be ridiculous Ryo," Rika retorted. "You can't fight Missingno alone and if anyone's going to fight him, it should be me."

"Listen, I don't care what happens to me," Ryo said impatiently. "I can take it."

"And he's not going to be alone," put in Henry. "I'm going with him." Seeing the look on Rika's face, he added, "Look Rika, your body needs time to rest after you came back from the dead. And Renamon's does too."

Takato looked at the two boys. "But Henry…you took a big hit when you fought against me. What if…well…that hinders you out there?"

His best friend smiled grimly. "Don't worry about me Takato. I know we took a few hits but if it's enough to keep you two gaining your strength back then I'll gladly go out there."

"What am I, a basket case?"

Ryo turned to the brown-haired Tamer. "Takato, your body needs to rest because of that ChaosGallantmon incident. You and Guilmon are the strongest of the team so you need to build up your strength. Henry's right."

"Yeah, you guys are our trump card!" Terriermon said pointedly.

Takato sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Rika folded her arms. "Hmph."

"You guys better be very careful," said Jeri worriedly. She looked at Henry in particular. "He looks really dangerous."

"Girl, dangerous is my middle name!"

"You don't have a middle name Terriermon."

"So what?"

Ryo interrupted their argument quickly. "Much as I'd like to hear the end of this, we have a bone to pick with a deadly virus."

Over in Jeri's arms, the triangle on Calumon's forehead was starting to glow.

Just look in my eyes

Tell me

You've got all that it takes and much more

All you gotta do is say…

Stop telling me lies

Show me

With every move that you make you can score

Just tell me that you want to play

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Terriermon biomerge toooo…MEGAGARGOMON!

Cyberdramon biomerge toooo…JUSTIMON!

MegaGargomon and Justimon raced forward to restrain Missingno. Beezlemon decided to lend a hand as well. "JUSTICE BURST!" cried Justimon, releasing large blue blasts from his arm.

"MEGA BARRAGE!" Thousands of rounds fired at Missingno.

Beezlemon formed a star-shaped symbol in the sky with his gun. "CARONA DESTROYEEEEEEEER!" A beam of magenta light fired from the symbol at the viral hazard.

Missingno grinned wickedly with his large teeth. "Is that all? CRIMSON MIST!"

A thick red vapor spread over the attacks, dissolving them into mist.

"Uuuh, that didn't go very well did it?"

"VIRUS GRENADE!"

Thousands of little mines rained down upon the three Megas. They scattered in all directions, dodging the miniature land mines.

"DOUBLE IMPACT!" yelled Beezlemon as he pulled out a pistol and began firing bullets at the creature.

Missingno began to glow with golden light before a shield appeared in front of him. "REFLECT!"

The trainers, in spite of their positions, screeched. "WHAT!"

"PIKA!"

"Dudes, what's wrong?" Kazu asked them.

Misty licked her lips nervously. "That attack…is a Pokémon attack. Trust me, I've seen Chloe use it more times than I could count!"

Ai and Mako looked at each other and nodded once. Ai pulled the D-Power off her neck while Mako fished in his pockets for one of the cards that Alice gave them in the Real World.

"Beezlemon!" they called out to their partner. "We're gonna help you; hold on!"

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify!" Ai held up the D-Power and Mako swiped the card. "Centarumon's Solar Ray activate!"

Beezlemon's right arm transformed into a large metal claw with electricity spouting from its tips. "SOLAR RAY!"

A blast of electricity was unleashed from the metal claw and slammed against Missingno's Reflect shield. The fusion monster grinned. "Here's something new." He raised his Piedmon hand and Puppetmon's metal hammer appeared in it. "PUPPET…PUMMEEEEEEEEEEL!"

"Aw nuts!" shouted Terriermon.

"Get in there Guardromon," Kazu commanded, pulling out a card and his Digivice.

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Matrix Digivolution activate!"

Guardromon Matrix digivolve toooo…Andromon!

"GATLING ATTACK!" roared Andromon, firing two missiles to block the stream of yellow lasers.

"Teleportation." Missingno vanished from his spot and reappeared behind the unsuspecting Digimon. "PSYBEAM!"

"Andromon, move it!" Kazu hollered out to his partner. Andromon got out of the way just in time.

MegaGargomon flew in. "GARGO MISSILES!" The two large cannons resting on his shoulders let loose twin torpedo-shaped missiles at Missingno.

Missingno smirked and countered the missiles with an attack of his own. He charged up the MetalSeadramon head jutting out of his stomach. "RIVER OF POWEEEEEEER!" The blue beam of pure energy burst from MetalSeadramon's nose and destroyed both missiles.

"Du-oh!"

"THUNDERCLAP!" Justimon slammed his hand against the ground, propelling a blinding white force towards the virus. The force made successful contact with Missingno.

"EVIL INFERNO!" An enormous fireball threatened to explode on impact formed between Missingno's human hands. He hurled it at Justimon in order to make up for the attack earlier.

Justimon leapt out of the way, causing the fireball to hit the ground where he used to be. The fireball formed a large crater in the earth.

"This guy likes to play rough," Ryo muttered from within his sphere.

"Then we'll play along," Cyberdramon's voice growled. "VOLTAGE BLADE!"

Justimon's metal arm transformed into a glowing sword. He raised it and ran towards Missingno, intending to run it through him. The virus chuckled lightly.

"You think it'll be that easy? HA!" Using both of Dragomon's tentacles, he secured Justimon's arms together and prevented him from using the Voltage Blade. "Now feel the power. GIGA CANNON!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" Missingno let go of Justimon and the Digimon was sent careening through the air by the blasts of light. As he flew through the air, he de-digivolved back into Ryo and Monodramon.

Missingno smirked. "One Tamer bites the dust."

You can feel it

But can't steal it

'Cause boy I've got the magic touch

Beezlemon reached out and caught the pair before they hit the ground. "You guys okay?"

Ryo lifted his head and managed a quick nod. Monodramon couldn't even move that much. Beezlemon quickly transported them back to the others before going back to help MegaGargomon and Andromon against the feral Missingno.

"You nearly got killed out there Hot Shot," Rika scolded. "What made you think you could take him by yourself?"

Ryo smiled mockingly amid his bruises. "If I didn't know any better Rika, I'd think you were worried about me."

The girl glared at him, but her eyes sparkled. "Worried? About you? No way!"

"Oh come on. I bet you were."

"Uh-uh. Well okay, maybe a little…but that doesn't mean anything, got it Mr. Perfect?"

Takato, once again, tried to ignore the arguing pair. What do they call fights like that? Oh yeah, lover's spat.

Guilmon looked up at his Tamer. "Takato, are you okay?"

"What? Oh yeah, I'm fine. Nothing's bothering me."

Things weren't looking that good back at the battlefield even though Ai and Mako were swiping whatever available cards they had to power up Beezlemon.

"Are we gonna die?" asked Terriermon.

"Not if we can beat this thing!" Beezlemon replied, pulling out his large gun again. "CARONA BLASTEEEEEEEEEEER!"

The magenta beam of energy collided with another Reflect shield that Missingno put up. The beam ricocheted off and smashed a nearby boulder to smithereens. Hanging from their own stone slabs, the Digidestined and the trainers flinched.

"Oh that's swell," muttered Andromon, changing his hand to a sword. "LIGHTNING BLADE!"

Missingno rolled his garnet eyes and dodged the blade of electricity. He then lashed out with his D-Reaper clawed hands, slashing at Andromon and forcing him to de-digivolve all the way to Rookie.

Kazu ran over to his partner. "Guardromon! Hang in there buddy!"

"I'll…try."

Kazu closed his eyes. He has to have multiple weapons in his arsenal. Of course he couldn't have teeny lasers or spitballs. Noooo that would be too easy. He opened them and thought a minute. "Hey wait a minute! You're not Guardromon. Who the heck are you?" Checking his D-Power, he said, "Haguramon, a Rookie Level and Virus Type. It says here your attacks are Darkness Gear and Drag."

"Well since I'm not in the position for dragging anything, can you drag me back to the others?"

"Huh? Oh yeah."

His Digivice started to glow slightly but he ignored it and focused on the more arduous task of dragging his partner back to the safety of the others.

Meanwhile, MegaGargomon shot another pair of missiles at Missingno and these made impact. The virus grunted in pain and fired more Virus Grenades around the Digimon.

"This isn't good," Ryo muttered. "I should be out there."

Takato shook his head. "No, you're still injured. You can't fight yet."

MegaGargomon managed to dodge all of the explosives—with great difficulty. "Y'know, sometimes I wonder why we have to be so big," Terriermon griped sarcastically.

Ai and Mako searched through the cards they had. "We don't have anything really good that we haven't used already," Mako muttered under his breath.

Jeri's eyes widened and dug into her pink handbag. Pulling out a card, she called, "Try this!" She tossed it in their direction.

Ai reached out and grabbed it. "Ready Mako?"

"Uh-huh."

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! WarGreymon activate!"

A hologram of the Mega Digimon appeared in front of Beezlemon and a powerful glowing sphere charged up in his hands. "TERRA FORCE!" he cried, hurling it at Missingno. This attack made impact, but not much.

Everybody looked at Jeri strangely. She blinked. "What? I have all sorts of cards in here."

Can you be the best?

With the power you possess?

Will you stand up to the fight?

Can you pass the test

Are you frightened to confess

That you just can't get it right?

You can win or lose

But you've gotta pay your dues

Step up or step away

Do you really wanna play?

Kenta tossed MarineAngemon into the air. "Go out there buddy."

"KAHUNA WAVES!" he chirped as he sent out a sea of blue bubble hearts. They surrounded MegaGargomon and Beezlemon, protecting them from any encounter with Missingno's attacks.

Missingno's mouth curved into a smile, baring his large teeth. "Sorry to burst your bubbles. PSYBEAM!"

The colorful psychic beam hurtled towards both Megas and shattered the bubble shields surrounding them.

"There's just no getting through to this guy," Henry muttered angrily. "What are we supposed to do?"

"You can't give up," Takato called to him. He glanced at the other kids, hanging in agony and near death. "We can't give up. We can't risk losing them."

"Takato's right. Our friends and our worlds are too precious to lose," Henry and Terriermon spoke. "MEGA BARRAGE!"

Thousands of rounds scored a direct hit on the virus. Missingno blasted another red mist at them. "CRIMSON MIST!" The mist dissolved every one of the missiles and bullets. Missingno raised his large wings and flew into the air. "SHADOW BALL!"

MegaGargomon flew out of the way…luckily. "Whew, that was close!" Terriermon croaked.

"No kidding."

Missingno barely flinched. "You'd think after the trainers were fighting, these kids would learn by now I can absorb attacks from other Pokémon. How about a blast from everyone's favorite?" Calling upon bolts of lightning from the sky, he bellowed, "THUNDER!"

The thunderbolts targeted Beezlemon and electrocuted him, causing him to tumble out of the sky. He grunted in pain and was forced to become Impmon once again. "Impmon!" called Calumon, alarmed.

"EVIL INFERNO!"

"Look out!" Renamon darted forward and grabbed onto him, pushing him out of the way in the nick of time.

MegaGargomon reared back with a powerful punch from his metallic hand. "POWER PUMMEL!"

The force of the punch sent Missingno flying backwards, scraping against the hard ground. The virus raised his head angrily. "Eat my bullets!" yelled MegaGargomon "GARGO MISSILES!"

"Sounds tasty," Missingno remarked dryly. "HYDRO PUMP!"

The powerful water blast splashed against MegaGargomon, sending him flying backwards. But that wasn't all Missingno was planning to do.

"THUNDER!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The hail of lightning bolts lit up the sky as they descended upon MegaGargomon. As the Mega Digimon fell to earth, he de-digivolved into Henry and Terriermon. Missingno's laughter echoed around the mountainsides.

"HENRY!" yelled Takato in alarm.

"Get out of there!" Rika cried.

The Tamer eased himself to a sitting position, wincing slightly. His face and body were lined with scratches and bruises, but otherwise he was intact. Terriermon lay next to him, bearing the same marks. The trainers and Digidestined winced from their positions.

Henry felt the cold tip of a sword blade press against his neck. He gulped. Missingno was standing over him, a malicious smile on his horrific face and his human hand holding Piedmon's sword. I'm in trouble.

The challenge is yours

Take it

You've backed down before

Now prove to me

You control your destiny

"Get away from my Tamer," Terriermon croaked defiantly. He jumped to his feet. "I ain't gonna let you hurt him."

Missingno responded to Terriermon by simply pressing a sword against his neck.

"Uuuhh…you're on your own Henry."

"Terriermon!"

"I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"

MarineAngemon flew in to attack but Missingno jabbed the sword into the side of Henry's neck. Blood started to dribble from the wound. Henry cringed. "Give me a reason," Missingno said to the Mega Digimon menacingly. "And I swear, I'll do it."

The Mega relented, frightened. Missingno's grin broadened and he took the swords away from Terriermon and Henry's necks.

Terriermon gave a sigh of relief but the viral hazard grabbed him with one of the D-Reaper's arms. Henry, knowing what was coming, tried to scoot away; holding a hand to his neck wound. But the virus used another of his arms to tighten the boy's body. "Let…go!" Henry sputtered frantically. He struggled as Missingno raised the sword with his human hand, the blade flaring with electricity.

"HENWY-NICHAN!" Suzie cried.

MarineAngemon sent a stream of blue hearts. "KAHUNA WAVES!" The tiny hearts popped against Missingno, delivering some damage but not a lot.

Missingno lifted his Dragomon tentacle and slammed it against the tiny Mega, sending him flying. Renamon, who was still out there with Impmon, managed to catch him too before he hit the ground.

"Lousy interruption," muttered Missingno under his breath.

Jeri's brown eyes dawned with comprehension. Henry. She hated fighting but Henry…her friend…he was in trouble.

"It's not about the things you want to do, it's about the things you have to do for friendship."

I don't want to fight…but I must. She remembered how Henry had helped her and been there for her when she needed someone. He was always someone to rely on when Takato wasn't there. He's more than my teammate; he's my friend. Or maybe…just maybe…he could be something more…

With a feeling of determination, Jeri looked up at Leomon. He came back to because I wanted a second chance. Now it's my turn to help everyone.

"No matter what you choose Jeri," Leomon said. "I will go along with your decision."

"Then I choose to fight," Jeri declared. She and Leomon broke away from the other Tamers and ran to the battlefield.

Missingno's grip on Henry tightened; preventing him from struggling. Terriermon gave a squeal of pain. "So long Tamer!" said Missingno, sneering.

"Leave—him—ALONE!"

The virus humanoid turned his head in the direction of the voice. Jeri stood a few feet away, hands clenched on her Digivice. Her normally sweet brown eyes now blazed with fire. Leomon stood next to her with his sword drawn.

Missingno smirked. "Oh look it's the weakling."

"Don't you DARE call Jeri that!" Leomon growled furiously.

"Let Henry go Missingno," Jeri added in a cold voice. "Let him go now—if you want to live longer than ten seconds."

Kazu and Kenta blinked. Okay, who is that and what did she do with Jeri?

The virus took the sword he was about to use on Henry away. "Try blocking this silly girl!" He threw the sword at her in a spinning motion, homing in on her neck.

"JERI NO!" yelled Takato and Rika.

"LOOK OUT!" cried Ryo.

But the Tamer girl didn't move. She watched the sword hurtle toward her with wary eyes.

Missingno began to laugh at her unfazed figure. "JERI!" Henry screamed, struggling with all his might. "JERIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!"

A colossal beam of light descended upon both Jeri and Leomon, blocking them from view. The sword moved in slow motion. Inside the light, Jeri's entire body began to gently glow. Thoughts ran through her head as the light enveloped her.

(A/N: Just like the time with the three original Tamers when Dobermon gives them the power to biomerge)

I always seemed to be the different one in school. Ever since my mother left me, I was always happy in order to hide the pain so no one would know the truth. I kept a sock puppet because I didn't want to be alone. When Leomon died, I didn't know whom to turn to; it was like my mom all over again. I even let the D-Reaper take over my mind and body to destroy my friends and family. Takato tried so many times to help me but I kept pushing him away. But I know that Leomon came back to me for another chance and now I have other people to care about besides myself. It's time I started acting like a real Tamer and time I show what I can do!

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Leomon biomerge toooo…SABERLEOMON!

Where Jeri and Leomon once stood was an enormous yellow-gold lion with red trim around his mane and streaming down around his fur. He had two long, curved fangs protruding from his mouth and sharp, massive, gray claws. The lion caught the sword between his teeth and crushed it.

Inside, Jeri stared around her yellow sphere in shock. She couldn't believe it. I biomerged with Leomon. It actually happened!

Missingno's face twisted into a very ugly look. SaberLeomon, without hesitation, lunged at him with raised claws. The virus let go of Henry and Terriermon and shot a River of Power beam from MetalSeadramon's nose.

"KAHUNA WAVES!" MarineAngemon deflected the beam with one of his shielding bubble hearts. SaberLeomon took this time to check on Terriermon and his partner.

"Henry," Jeri whispered from within her sphere. "Henry, are you all right?"

Henry sat up, his eyes goggling at SaberLeomon. "J-Jeri? Is that really you in there?"

She smiled. "Yes it's me. I'm so glad you're okay." SaberLeomon knelt down. "Now get on. I'm taking you back to the others."

Henry blinked, hesitant.

"Come on! We don't have much time."

Without any further argument, he got on SaberLeomon's back. Terriermon perched himself on the head. At the same time, Henry held his Digivice to the Mega Digimon while SaberLeomon raced back to the others. "SaberLeomon is a Mega Level, Ancient Animal, and Data-Type Digimon. This rarely seen lion can crush his enemies with attacks like Twin Fang and Howling Crusher." He glanced away from his Digivice. "You both are incredible."

Jeri blushed heavily and it was good Henry couldn't see.

Meanwhile, Missingno raised his hands and shot another Giga Cannon at MarineAngemon who was frantically doing his best to dodge everything.

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Power activate!" cried Kenta.

MarineAngemon sucked in his paunch and shot a thick stream of bubbles. "KAHUNA WAVES!"

SaberLeomon returned from delivering Henry to safety and poised himself for fighting. His mane shot thousands of tiny shimmering needles at Missingno. "TWIN FANG!"

Missingno maneuvered around most of the needles, but some made impact on him. He gave a slight chuckle. "Just because you biomerged doesn't mean you and that pathetic pink thing can stop me."

"We can and we will!" SaberLeomon declared defiantly before rushing at Missingno with his massive claws. "HOWLING CRUSHER!"

Missingno took to the skies so he wouldn't touch him. He charged up another set of bullet mines. "VIRUS GRENADE!"

SaberLeomon leapt out of the way and the grenades exploded against the rocky ground, digging up holes. "This won't be easy," he muttered in Leomon's voice.

"We just have to have faith Leomon," Jeri whispered soothingly. She looked at the trainers and the Digidestined. "We can't lose them."

Missingno groaned. "This sentimentality and friendship talk is making me sick."

SaberLeomon rushed at him again, sinking his two oversized fangs into Missingno's side. The virus flung him backward with his D-Reaper arms. SaberLeomon landed neatly on his four paws and bared his teeth. "HOWLING CRUSHER!" Once again, he raised his hackles and dived at Missingno with his sharp claws. Missingno sidestepped him.

Keep it steady

Get ready

Show me that you've got the stuff

"Haguramon, we have to help Jeri and Leomon. They don't stand a chance by themselves," said Kazu in a determined voice.

"Are you sure Kazu?"

"Dude, I'm as sure as eggs are eggs. Let's go!" They broke into a run, Kenta hurrying after them to help his partner.

As they ran, Kazu's Digivice began to glow steadily. "Kazu, I just need to ask you a favor."

"Sure buddy. Anything."

Haguramon looked up at him. "Fight with me. Together, we can conquer this menace."

Kazu smiled broadly and nodded. At the same time, a column of brownish light just like Jeri's descended upon the pair.

I can't believe I got to be one of the luckiest kids on earth. I mean, I became a Digimon Tamer and I got to fight to save the world. Usually, those things only happen in a video game or something. But I guess it's gonna be okay. I mean, we're going against a really tough bad guy and I used to hide behind the rest of the Tamers 'cause I wasn't strong enough to fight. I'll admit I was a lot braver than Kenta but it didn't mean anything if I couldn't take part in the action. Well I'm through hiding. The others can rely on me to make jokes during the hardest of times but that's not all. This time I'm gonna fight to win!

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Haguramon biomerge toooo…HIANDROMON!

Where Kazu once stood was a towering black creature with silver eyes. He resembled Andromon but one of his metallic shoulders was blue while the other was red. His long arms nearly reached his ankles and he was entirely created out of cromedigizoid. He had a silver plate on his back.

"Aw, this totally ROCKS!" Kazu yelled excitedly from inside the Mega Digimon. "Ready to teach this virus a lesson pal?"

"You bet. I'm pumped."

Kenta's Digivice flickered to life. "Whoa, check it out. HiAndromon, Mega Level and Vaccine Type Digimon. Don't mess with his Atomic Ray, and his Pasting Copy attack should be enough to rally more allies—of himself that is."

Missingno didn't look the least bit worried. He tossed four swords at HiAndromon. "TRUMP SWORD!"

"Not so fast Missingno," snapped HiAndromon. "PASTING COPY!" Instantly, about two to three exact copies of HiAndromon appeared beside the Mega. Missingno halted his swords, but still didn't look worried.

"You think I don't have a sort of strategy for this kind of thing?" He concentrated, using his senses to seek out the original Mega Digimon. "There you are. Too bad you'll leave us before we had time to know one another."

"I don't think so freakazoid," said HiAndromon, preparing to launch his most powerful attack. "ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAY!"

The glowing beam blasted from HiAndromon's arms and surged towards Missingno. Missingno barely had time to deflect it with his Evil Inferno fireball.

SaberLeomon shot another stream of glittering white needles at the virus. "TWIN FANG!" Since the virus was too distracted with HiAndromon, the needles screwed into his body.

Jeri's voice rang out from the Digimon. "That was for trying to hurt my friends!"

"You tell him Jeri!" Calumon cheered. "Knock that guy out of commission! Come on, you can do it! You can do it!"

"ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAY!"

"TWIN FANG!"

Both attacks attempted hits on Missingno but neither came close. The virus merely moved around them lazily as if they weren't even worth dodging.

"This can't be good can it?" Kazu commented nervously.

"No, it's great."

"Oh ha ha Haguramon."

"I'm fused with you! How can I be Haguramon?"

"What the heck am I supposed to call you then?"

Can you be the best?

With the power you possess?

Will you stand up to the fight?

Can you pass the test

Are you frightened to confess

That you just can't get it right?

You can win or lose

But you've gotta pay your dues

Step up or step away

"Lopmon, we have to help Kazu and Jewi too," Suzie piped up.

The rabbit Digimon eyed her partner. "I wish we could biomerge just like them. Then we'd stand a chance. Even in my Ultimate form, I'm still not strong enough to defeat that guy."

"I don't want to let Henwy down."

Alice looked over at Suzie. She's worried about her brother and his friends…in spite of the fact that she's so young. Even though they kept her back, she still insisted on coming to support them. Versus me, I was discarding myself as useless just because I didn't have a Digimon. She shifted her gaze to SaberLeomon out in the battle. Even though Jeri and I have similar situations, she's the braver one.

Dobermon seemed to know what was going on inside Alice's head. "I believe we still have a chance Alice. After all, the older children gave me a second chance to live just like Leomon. We can do the same as him and his Tamer."

"Yes…you're right Dobermon," said Alice with a faint smile. "As always." She squeezed her D-Power tightly. "So while Suzie helps Jeri, we can help Kazu."

"We can help Jeri too," Dobermon pointed out. "Unless…you want to just help the one who complimented you on your beauty."

Alice's pale face tinged slightly with pink but she brushed the comment aside. "Let's go."

Suzie blinked when she saw the Gothic child walking out to the battlefield where the others were. Alice tilted her head back at her. "Suzie, are you going to stand there and ask your brother what to do? You're a Tamer and that means you have a Tamer's responsibility."

"Uuuhh, I don't know what that means…but okay." She picked Lopmon up and followed Alice.

"HOWLING CRUSHER!"

"PUPPET PUMMEEEEEEEEL!"

SaberLeomon was forced backwards by the thousands of laser bullets. "We can't give up," he muttered. "The others are counting on us."

"The 'others' can help you too," a voice called out.

SaberLeomon, Missingno, MarineAngemon, and HiAndromon stopped fighting in order to spot Alice, Dobermon, Suzie, and Lopmon hurrying up to them.

"Let's go Lopmon!" cried Suzie, yanking out a card and slashing it through her D-Power.

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Yea! Power activate!"

Lopmon drew in a deep breath. "BLAZING ICE!"

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify!" Alice chanted, slicing a card through her D-Power. "Sniper activate!"

Dobermon's eyes locked onto Missingno, increasing his accuracy. "SHWARTZ STRAHL!" he roared while firing a large red beam from his mouth.

Both attacks combined and slammed against the MetalSeadramon head on Missingno's chest, damaging it severely.

"Alice, Suzie, move!" HiAndromon ordered in the voices of Kazu and Haguramon.

Alice shook her head rigidly. "I'm not backing down now."

"Neither am I," Suzie added cheerfully. "I've been in the sidelines too many times and I'm kind of sick of it. Lopmon and I are going to help too."

Both girls raised their Digivices into the air. A column of pink light burst from Suzie's Digivice at the same time as a column of gray light jetted from Alice's. The illuminations covered both girls from outside eyes.

Sometimes I think I'm a buwden on Henwy and the others. I'm always kept back because I'm too wittle or too weak, but I know I can be just as good as Henwy. Even though Henwy sometimes annoys me, I know that he just wants to keep me safe like a big bwother should. But I know he can't shield me fowever. I can't always crwy and expect to get evewything I want. I can fight. I'm a Tamer just like him and I'm gonna make him pwoud of me!

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Lopmon biomerge toooo…CHERUBIMON!

Cherubimon turned out to be a tall pink-and-white bunny with soft gentle eyes and large hands. A spiky white-and-yellow collar was wrapped around her neck and the ends were hung with tiny charm bells. Two gold rings looped around her long ears and her expression seemed more gentle than lethal.

That time when I became the messenger with Dobermon, I knew what was going to happen to him. I guess I was a little selfish for wanting him to stay instead of giving the other Tamers a chance to save the world. But he came back to me just when I'd given up hope. Being a Tamer is an important responsibility and I've just been given that chance. But am I going to just stand here and think, or am I going to act upon that responsibility? I'm with you all the way Dobermon. No matter what happens, I'm going to see this through with you till the end!

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Dobermon biomerge toooo…ANUBISMON!

Anubismon resembled the pale blue Egyptian God Anubis: a jackal. Long braided dark hair flowed from his head and he wore a multicolored collar and wristbands. He also wore golden armbands and a flowing white skirt material swathed his waist. Strange markings were sketched along his arms and bronze wings emerged from his back.

Let yourself go

This is my show

Watch me when I play

Change your mindset

And you'll get

Better every day…

"WOW!" Suzie squealed from within her pink sphere. Cherubimon suddenly started dancing around. "Look at me! I'm a Digimon! I'm a Digimon! I'm a Digimon!"

Everybody sweatdropped. "That…is one biiiiiiiiig bunny," Terriermon uttered.

Henry lifted his Digivice and scanned the Mega his sister had turned into. "Cherubimon is a Vaccine and Mega Level Digimon. This Holy Angel Digimon looks cuddly but can be foreboding with moves like Heaven's Judgment and Lightning Spear."

"That thing is a Holy Angel? They get weirder and weirder-looking don't they?"

"You're not kidding Terriermon."

Alice gasped in shock as she stared around her silvery orb. She quickly snapped out of it. I wonder what attacks I have.

Rika and Takato used their Digivices to scan Anubismon. "This guy's a Mega too, no duh, and Holy Animal and Vaccine Type Digimon," said Rika.

"With attacks like Anemit and Pyramid Power, he's not to be crossed at any time," Takato added.

"Just because you have the last two Megas of your team, it doesn't mean you're any wiser," Missingno sneered. "GIGA ICE BLAAAAAAAST!"

"ANEMIT!" Anubismon cried out. Glowing energy balls appeared around him and set out to seek and destroy. Finding the beam of ice, all of the energy balls collided with it, exploding on impact.

"LIGHTNING SPEAR!" Cherubimon formed a blue lightning bolt-shaped spear in one hand and hurled it. The jagged bolt bounced off of Missingno's cannons. "Oops."

Missingno chuckled evilly and formed a dark sphere between his human hands. "You're powerless against this. SHADOW BALL!"

"Run that by me again," said HiAndromon. "'Cause I didn't hear it the first time. ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAY!"

The glowing beam rocketed towards Missingno who fired two Giga Cannons at it to deflect it. "TWIN FANG!" roared SaberLeomon, shooting the needles again.

Anubismon summoned a pyramid-shaped beam from the sky. "PYRAMID POWER!"

"LIGHTNING SPEAR!" Cherubimon cried again, throwing another bolt-shaped spear and aiming it at the virus's center.

THWAM! All three attacks aimed at Missingno—and all three made successful contact. The MetalSeadramon head was so twisted and dented that it was pretty much futile to use it anymore.

"YEA!" Calumon and Guilmon cheered happily.

"Bulls-eye baby!" Takato added.

Missingno hissed angrily under his breath. These children are a lot less predictable than they make out. He launched both cannons on his shoulders. "GIGA CANNON!"

Anubismon took to the air while the other three Megas leapt out of the way of the yellow beams of light. The force of the blasts left several gouge marks cut into the ground.

Cherubimon lifted both of her hands into the air. The sky became so dark the only source of light came from Anubismon's glittering wings and the beam forming between Cherubimon's hands. "HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT!"

"Let him have it sis!" Henry called. Terriermon cheered alongside him.

The colossal sky beam flew towards Missingno, attempting to slam into him. The virus/Digimon/Pokémon flashed his eyes and a large gaping vortex appeared in front of him. The vortex sucked the beam inside.

"That's the same portal that absorbed the Sovereign's attack strength," Takato noted.

"And that's not all it does," Missingno answered with a smirk. With a grunt, he fired the beam from the vortex back at Cherubimon.

"SUZIE, LOOK OUT!" Henry yelled, horror-struck.

HiAndromon appeared next to Cherubimon. "Two can play that game Missingno. ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAAAY!"

BAM! Both of the glowing beams collided and exploded on impact. Everybody shielded his or her faces from the blinding light. MarineAngemon quickly placed a protective bubble shield around his friends.

"HOWLING CRUSHER!" SaberLeomon took advantage of the blinding light to sink his two overgrown fangs into Missingno's side.

Missingno grunted with pain and wrapped his tentacle arms around SaberLeomon's neck, choking him. Inside, Jeri gave a harsh cry of pain.

"Jeri!" yelled Takato.

"I'll save you!" called Cherubimon in both Suzie and Lopmon's voices. She ran up to Missingno and grabbed onto his tentacles with her large hands. Using her strength, she pried them away from SaberLeomon's neck.

"Hold him still Cherubimon!" Anubismon cried. He fired the pyramid-shaped beam once again. "PYRAMID POWER!"

"ATOMIC RAAAAAAAY!"

Both attacks nearly made contact with Missingno but he swerved to the side. Instead, the attacks made contact with SaberLeomon and Cherubimon.

"Suzie! Jeri!" Henry shouted.

SaberLeomon fell against the ground, exhausted before de-digivolving into Jeri and Leomon. Cherubimon managed to stay evolved but she was severely damaged.

Missingno smirked, baring his sharp teeth. "SCREAMING DARKNESS!"

The powerful dark mist flowed over Cherubimon and she was unable to dodge it. However, she shielded Jeri and Leomon with her overlarge body to prevent them from getting hurt. Two anguished screams could be heard within. Henry shut his eyes.

"Oh dear," Haguramon muttered.

Missingno reared upward to strike when a streak of white diamonds showered down upon him. "What?"

Renamon stood there, her eyes narrowed irately.

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Snimon's Twin Sickles activate!"

"TWIN SICKLES!" Renamon's arms transformed into two long silver scythes and twin magenta slashes issued from them. The sickles distracted Missingno away from Cherubimon who had just de-digivolved into Suzie and Lopmon.

A cunning smile lit Missingno's horrific face as he studied Renamon and her partner. "Well, what have we here?"

"Want another one of that big boy?" Renamon asked with a smirk.

Missingno laughed coldly and lashed out at her with Dragomon's tentacle arms. "TENTACLE FLAPPING!"

"Digi-Modify!" Rika yelled, slicing another card. "Speed activate!"

Renamon, being agile, evaded the tentacles easily with the upgrade of speed. Missingno shot a tidal wave of water at her. "SURF!"

The Vaccine Type responded by leaping onto the wave itself and riding it, her claws set for another Diamond Storm. "You go girl! Ride that wave!" Terriermon shouted cheerfully.

An insane smile crossed Missingno's face as he reached out with his long scythe-like clawed hands. Wrapping them around the startled Digimon, he lifted her into the air. "This time I will personally see to your destruction."

"RENAMON!" Rika leapt into the air after her partner. The virus was much quicker than she was and soon had her in an iron grip with the other pair of arms. The tentacle arms bound her arms and legs.

"See what happens when people like you try to interfere?" he asked softly, lifting Rika up to his monstrous face.

Rika yanked at her arms, her face a mask of fury. "I'm not afraid of you!" she spat.

"I can change that."

Almost instantly, the blue tentacles began to give off rays of electricity. As jolt after jolt coursed through her body, Rika did her best to keep from crying out. Renamon felt the same pain from her Tamer run through her own digital body.

"Fight it…Rika," Renamon called out to her through gritted teeth. She struggled to free herself from the sickly gray claws. "You must!"
Rika groaned. "I'm…trying." She gasped when two tentacles encircled her neck and tightened. She screwed up her face in a pain-filled grimace but didn't cry out. She wasn't going to give Missingno the satisfaction of hearing her scream.

"RIKA!" Jeri screamed weakly from her place on the ground beside Leomon.

"RIKA!" Henry echoed her cry as he ran over to the brunette and helped her up.

Behind the Tamers, Chloe gasped as she felt a twinge of pain in her body, like an arrow searing through her heart. "Rika…no…leave…leave her alone…"

Beside her, T.K. felt the same pang in his own heart and it was not the virus that was slowly killing them from the inside out though he could feel that too. Due to his connection with Chloe, he knew what the pain they were feeling was: despair. "Let her go…oh let her go…"

HiAndromon and Anubismon darted forward. "Okay Missingno," Kazu's voice rang out. "Put the girl and the Digimon down and nobody gets hurt."

"Nobody except you," Missingno snarled. "HYDRO PUMP! THUNDER!"

"We are so toast."

Can you be the best?

With the power you possess?

Will you stand up to the fight?

Can you pass the test?

Are you frightened to confess

That you just can't get it right?

Can you be the best?

With the power you possess?

Will you stand up to the fight?

Can you pass the test?

Are you frightened to confess?

That you just can't get it right?

(song fades out)

"KAZU! GUARDROMON!" cried Alice from within her dark sphere. "ANEMIT!"

The glowing energy spheres managed to stop the hail of thunderbolts from landing on HiAndromon but they weren't enough to stop the powerful water blast from slamming into him. As HiAndromon got to his feet painfully, he could feel his metallic body short-circuiting.

Missingno grinned wickedly. Although the attacks from all of the Digimon had left him with multiple injuries and a broken cannon, he still wasn't floored! "Just a few more Tamers left…and one is slowly coming to grips. Even the Pokémon trainers lasted longer than you all did!"

"You'll…never…win," Rika gasped as the electricity tripled in intensity. "Not…without…a fight!"

"Speak for yourself," the virus hissed. Anubismon threw another glowing sphere at him but he reflected it back. "CLOWN TRICK!"

WHAP! Anubismon was blasted backwards by his own attack. He fell to earth, digging up dust, dirt, and rocks.

"ALICE!" yelled Kazu. "Hang on girl!"

Rika gritted her teeth, still struggling. The electricity and the pain were unbearable. The leathery but slimy tentacles wrapping around her neck chafed it until she could feel the blood circulation stopping. "GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

"STOP IT!" Jeri screamed, tears streaming down her face. She grabbed onto Henry's orange vest and buried her face into it. Unbeknownst to her, he blushed.

Ryo shook his head. "Darn it! We have to do something or they'll die!"

Rika continued to scream for a few more minutes as she felt the pain consume her. Oh this is worse than Piedmon earlier. At least then I died quickly. Shutting her eyes, she whispered the name of the person that had first tried to reach her through her icy blockade. "Ta...Takato…"

The leader of the Tamers raised his eyes when he heard a voice reach his ears. Rika? He tried to move but he couldn't move a muscle. "What the—!"

"Takato, what's wrong?" Henry asked him.

"I…I can't move…I…" He tried to move his arm but failed. "Missingno is…paralyzing me again." He turned his head toward his friend out in the clutches of the viral hazard. "No…"

Rika choked and gritted her teeth as the electricity shocked her skin. "Ta…kato…help…me…" Before I reach my breaking point.

Takato felt like the interior force was holding him back and weighing down his body. Hearing Rika's earlier scream froze his heart. From what he could see, HiAndromon and Anubismon would be taken out in another minute but he couldn't feel anything except pain. Guilmon next to him flinched. "Rika, Renamon," the dinosaur whispered softly.

He could feel the tension tearing away at him as he saw her. "No…let…me…I have to…Rika…"

Anubismon and HiAndromon flew backwards from another one of Missingno's attacks before de-digivolving. "C'mon Alice," said Kazu, holding onto Haguramon tightly. "Let's get out of here."

The young Goth, holding her Digimon nodded. "Yes, let's."

Renamon gritted her teeth. Rika…you have to survive…you have to!

Takato could see Rika's head bow down in defeat and for one wild moment he could see a single tear streak down her face. The pain was replaced with rage flaring through his veins. His blood began to boil as he watched his friend go through that torture. To heck with waiting for my strength to recover; she needs me! I…have to move! Let…me…go!

Appalled, T.K. and Chloe could only hang in agony as their friend hung limply from Missingno's tentacle arms; the electric surges coursing through her. Little shudders racked her body. STOP IT!

"I must admit you were fun while you lasted Rika," Missingno remarked with amusement before his expression turned cold. "It won't be long now."

Rika gave a soft moan of pain in reply. As Missingno increased the frequency of electricity, her mouth opened in a silent cry.

That did it. Takato let out a scream of fury and a powerful force surrounded his and Guilmon's bodies. Guilmon's eyes dilated into feral mode as they launched themselves right at the dreaded being.

"LEAVE—HER—ALOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONE!"

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Omnimon activate!"

Tai, Matt, Davis, and Ken widened their eyes in astonishment. Omnimon activate?

As Guilmon raced across the ground, he could feel the ultimate powers of Omnimon running through his digital veins. His arms reached out, transforming into the heads of WarGreymon and MetalGarurumon.

"SUPREME CANNOOOOOON!"

The powerful blasts of energy fired again and again at Missingno thereby releasing both Rika and Renamon. Missingno grunted as he was thrown hard against the floor. THWACK! As Renamon and Rika fell to earth, Takato and Guilmon caught them.

"Are you okay Renamon?" Guilmon asked the yellow fox anxiously.

She nodded. "I'm fine. Thanks."

"Rika," Takato whispered while shaking her slightly. "Are you okay? Say something. Oh I hope I'm not too late."

In response, a hand came up and—PAF! —smacked him across the cheek! He let go of her instantly, regretting it because she flopped onto the ground. "What…what was that for?"

"That—" Rika said in a scornful voice, "—was to answer your question and for leaving me to die until the last second. And anyway, didn't you think something bad might happen to you running in there with no comprehensive thought whatsoever?"

He sighed. "Sorry."

She smiled lightly and then pulled him into a tight hug. "Thanks for actually deciding to come after all Takato."

He blushed a bit and nodded. "S-sure. No problem."

Rika grinned despite her pain and released him. "Now let's just delete this thing."

"You got it Rika. Let's go!"

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!" chorused Takato and Rika as their bodies transformed into data and fused with their Digimon partners.

Guilmon biomerge toooo…Gallantmon!

Renamon biomerge toooo…Sakuyamon!

The Digidestined and the trainers gazed at the Mega forms in admiration. "Go for it guys!"

"Good luck!" cried Jeri and Henry out loud.

Missingno snorted. "In my regime, there is no such thing as luck."

"That's too bad," remarked Guilmon fiercely. "Because you'll need it!"

The virus rolled his garnet eyes. "Please. The outcome won't be different."

"Yes it will!" Takato declared with defiance. "We're Digimon Tamers and Tamers never give up on anything!"

"Well said Takato," Renamon remarked smoothly.

Sakuyamon concentrated her power and let loose a storm of pink petals. "AMETHYST MANDALA!"

Missingno countered it with an attack of Venusaur's and Meganium's. "VINE WHIP!" Using his Dragomon arms, he slapped away the petals like flies.

With the Amethyst Mandala as a diversionary tactic, Gallantmon charged up the symbol of Courage on his shield before firing it. "SHIELD OF THE JUST!"

The enormous red beam caught Missingno off guard. Growling angrily, he shot two blasts of icy wind at the two Mega Digimon. "TRUMP SWORD!"

The two Megas leaped out of the way. "There's gotta be a way…some way we can beat him," muttered Takato in frustration. "Besides the fact that he's got multiple injuries and that big mark where the beam hit him, he's still eager to fight!"

"Maybe it's because he's a freak," Rika commented.

"Way to state the obvious Rika."

The Tamer rolled her eyes from within her blue sphere. "No time for that Gogglehead. We've got a virus to delete."

Missingno's eyes began to glow and his body began to shimmer in a rainbow of colors. "RECOVER!" The injuries vanished and his body looked refreshed. Sakuyamon, Gallantmon, and the other Tamers gaped in horror. Only Terriermon was able to make any comment.

"This is gonna get ugly."

During the entire time the Tamers were battling, the trainers and the Digidestined writhed in torment and ache for their friends. More than once they had struggled against their bondage, knowing fully well a virus was at work and would soon consume them totally. It was frightening thought, yet they still fought the inevitable, keeping the strength and hope alive that the Tamers would win. For that was all that they had now: hope.

Apart from the rest, Chloe continued to fight against the inevitable. Her life was depleting at a slightly much faster rate than the others because she had been struck first and by two electrical beams. Now all she wished was that death came and took her again to prevent herself from seeing her friends suffering. Death meant very little to her these days.

But Rika means a lot to me, she thought. And the same goes for Takato and Henry and the rest. But what can we do? I've never felt so helpless in my life. Well, maybe once or twice.

T.K. was thinking along the same lines. What we need is a way to boost up Gallantmon's, Sakuyamon's, and the other's attack power. But how?

They won't lose! Tai thought firmly. They can't afford to lose!

Real World
Island of Honshu
Tokyo, Japan
West Shinjuku District (Digimon Tamers Dimension)

The grounds quaked and the sky changed from a stormy black to a blood red. All of this was closely being viewed by Yamaki, the Monster Makers, and most of the inhabitants of West Shinjuku.

Koushiro hasn't emailed in long time. Could something be wrong? Yamaki wondered to himself. The Tamers' parents, especially Ai and Mako's, were worrying themselves sick and Rob McCoy, aka Dolphin seemed very quiet. Rumiko, ever since the email from Izzy, was grief-stricken and hysterical. I hope they're safe. Everything rests in their hands now. As long as they're a team, they're unbeatable!

"Yamaki, I'm getting some sort of signal!"

The blond man turned away from the window and hurried over to where Janyu Wong was staring intently at his monitor. "What is it Janyu?"
"I'm not sure…but it's big…very big."

Tally and Riley were working on two computers nearby. "There's a large anomaly forming from within the focal point in the Digital World. It's not trying to biomerge here sir but I can pinpoint its coordinates," explained Riley.

"Put it on the large screen."

"Copy that," said Tally. She pressed a few keys and soon the image was focused on a large white screen across the room. From what the adults could make out was the large jumbled body of Missingno's fusion and the Mega Digimon belonging to the Tamers. Surrounding them was the chaotic background that had become the Digital World.

Mie Matsuki screamed and fell back against Takehiro. She could see Gallantmon arguing with Missingno defiantly. "That's…that's Takato isn't it? That's our little boy right?"

"Yes," said Dolphin slowly. "But I do believe that this time he's finally on the right side."

Rumiko and Seiko stared at Sakuyamon fighting off Missingno with her golden staff. "R-Rika…she's alive."

"She does appear to be," said Janyu seriously. "Something must have happened to bring her back from the dead."

"They've biomerged again," Shibumi said from his position in front of the large screen. "And it seems that the thing they're fighting right now is something called the Missingno Virus."

"That's the thing they've been trying to defeat since they left for the Digital World last month," Daisy muttered under her breath.

"Man, it sure is ugly," commented Babble.

Shibumi laughed. "Well, no one ever said viruses had to look pretty. But from the looks of things, I'm positive it's very strong and it's gone through some changes. Originally it was labeled as a 'Missing Pokémon' but now it's connected itself to several Digimon as well. I believe a Pokémon is those other types of creatures that girl Chloe talked about."

Rumiko sank into a chair, her face in her hands. "Oh Rika, what have you gotten yourself into?"

Seiko placed a hand sympathetically on her daughter's shaking shoulder. "Don't worry Rumiko. We must have faith in Rika and the others that they'll make it back home alive."

Janyu scanned the monitor again and frowned. "There's the virus and there's the kids, but where are the other children? The older ones?"

Riley checked her coordinates. "Oh my God, I see them. The Digidestined and the Pokémon trainers are a little distance away from the Digimon Tamers. They're right…here."

A scrollbar appeared on the screen and caused it to shift a few inches to the right. From the fuzzy image, the adults could make out the forms of the older children and their partners moaning and wincing on their erected slabs of earth.

"What's wrong with them?" Tadashi Katou demanded.

"It appears as if there's a virus implanted within their bodies," said Curly from across the room. "I'm analyzing their thermal temperatures and X-rays as we speak, and they don't look too good." She bent over her computer before nodding. "It's some sort of hazard unknown to mankind that can destroy humans and creatures from the inside out."

Babble grimaced. "Now that's just disgusting."

Dolphin glanced at the image of the Tamers on the big screen. "If they don't find a way to destroy Missingno soon, something terrible will happen to those older kids."

"How terrible!" murmured Mayumi Wong. "I wonder how their parents would feel, knowing that they're going through this."

"They'll destroy Missingno," said Yamaki confidently. "They've proven themselves before haven't they?"

The parents of the Tamers could only watch their children and hope he was right.

Digital World
Sovereign Realm

"LIGHTNING JOUST!"

Missingno nimbly jumped out of the way and fired the most powerful Fire Pokémon attack. "SACRED FIIIIIIIIIRE!"

The enormous tower of fire collided with the lightning beam and resulted in an explosion that ripped across the ground. Gallantmon and Sakuyamon both glared at the deadly virus. He was now smiling deviously.

"You ought to stop while you have the chance. There's no way to defeat me," he hissed. "Your efforts are just as futile as those pathetic trainers."

"Take that back!" Rika yelled angrily. "CRYSTAL SPHERE!" A clear electrical sphere formed around Sakuyamon and shot at Missingno. It was way too large for him to dodge.

The virus grunted painfully and charged up his swords. "One minute they're filled with despair and the next, they're actually showing promise."

"Why don't you just give up already!" Sakuyamon demanded heatedly.

"Actually, I believe it is you who should give up. Surrender and maybe I won't be so torturous on your death. You will still have to die though. My programming can't allow such trivial creatures as you to live."

Gallantmon charged up the symbol of Courage on his shield, his eyes narrowed. "NEVER! SHIELD OF THE JUST!"

Ash raised his eyes and shook his head. "No Gallantmon! It's a trick! He's got a Reflect ability!"

Too late. Missingno cast the glowing shield around his body and the red beam ricocheted off it and scored a hit on Sakuyamon.

"RIKAAAAAAAAAA!" Takato yelled as the Shaman-Type Digimon's body was flung backwards, crashing into the rocky earth. A human scream could be heard from within.

Chloe and T.K. winced. No!

Growling angrily, Gallantmon changed his hand into a sword. "You'll pay for hurting her!" he cried in the dual voices of Guilmon and Takato. He launched himself at Missingno, a crimson aura surrounding him and his sword. Missingno groaned inwardly.

"When will you learn? PSYCHIC!" A rippling blue force surrounded his body, fused into one beam, and hurtled towards Gallantmon. The Digimon managed to block the psychic blast with his shield but the blow was so strong, the shield cracked slightly.

"Ta…Takato?" Rika whispered as she floated up next to him. "Thanks."

"No problem Rika," he replied. "No matter what, we'll see this through together." With that, Gallantmon fired another blast of lightning from his sword. "LIGHTNING JOUST!"

Jeri covered her face in her hands. It seemed so hopeless. Even if Gallantmon and Sakuyamon succeeded in seriously injuring Missingno, all he had to do was use Recover and he'd be healed. How could they compete against that?

"You know, I think that Pokémon move called Recover is cheating," Terriermon stated frankly. "For the virus anyway."

"Terriermon…" The little rabbit braced himself for the usual reprimand but was caught off guard by the words, "I think you're right."

"AMETHYST MANDALA!"

The Tamers turned to see the storm of petals deflected by an equally large storm of Razor Leafs. Sakuyamon shot another storm of petals but they were deflected by Missingno's tentacle arms. "Darn it."

Gallantmon thrust forward with his lance. "LIGHTNING JOUST!"

"EVIL INFERNO!" Missingno countered as he charged up Daemon's firepower. Both attacks collided and exploded on impact.

Chloe could see that Gallantmon was struggling to stay in the game; Sakuyamon wasn't even as weakened as he was. Her head throbbed and her heart began to pound. Takato, Rika was right. You shouldn't have gone out there. You're going to get yourself hurt.

"I'm so afraid for them," Jeri whispered more to herself than the others. "And for us. What if we lose this fight?"

Henry placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't think like that Jeri. Nothing's going to happen to us. I promise."

"I just hope you're right Henry," said Ryo in a worried tone.

"Don't we all?" Kazu remarked pointedly.

Missingno crossed his two swords together and a small blue portal formed between them. "I hope you enjoy the 'ice-cold touch'," he derided. "ICE BEAM!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!" Gallantmon yelled as the frozen beam caused his entire body to be encased in ice. Inside his sphere, Takato began to shiver. Cold was seeping into him from all sides.

Sakuyamon whacked away at the icy prison with her staff. Some ice chips flew off but the majority of frozen cube stayed. "It's n-no use Sakuyamon!" Gallantmon spoke from within the deep freeze. "G-get away or y-you'll be n-next."

She continued to hack away and shook her head. "I'm not going to leave you! We're in this together!"

"Aw," Missingno muttered sarcastically. "How romantic. I feel like I'm going to retch. But you needn't worry Sakuyamon. I'll let him out—once his heart stops beating!"

The beautiful Digimon stopped what she was doing and lunged. "YOU!"

"FIRE BLAST!"

It took Kenta, Kazu, Alice, and their Digimon to hold Henry, Jeri, and Ryo back. However, when the fire cleared; even the dreaded Missing Pokémon was surprised to see Sakuyamon and a now free but severely-weakened Gallantmon standing.

The Digital Knight changed his sword back into his right hand and slumped to his knees. "I feel…so weak…" His body fizzled slightly.

"You've lost too much strength Gallantmon," Sakuyamon advised him. "You should rest now and let me handle this fight."

"No." He shook his head. "I won't leave you to fight alone. He's too powerful for you Sakuyamon."

Rika bit her lip from within her sphere. "But Takato…"

"I won't give up!" shouted Takato determinedly. "Not now. Not ever!"

He struggled to get up while Missingno laughed maliciously. "Spare me. You have no strength left."

"I still…have enough…for THIS!" Gallantmon powered up the Shield of Courage. "SHIELD OF THE JUST!"

The red beam flew at Missingno, who didn't have time to put up his shield. He hissed angrily at Takato who bore the determination and defiance previously held by the original leaders: Tai and Davis. "Just give in Tamer!"

"Nice job Gallantmon," Sakuyamon commented and then her smile faded. "Gallantmon!"

The Digital Knight collapsed, his battered body and cracked shield fizzling. "I…must not…give in…. Others are…counting on me…. I have to…keep fighting…" He lifted himself up slowly. "LIGHTNING JOUST!"

"Keh, you've already lost." Missingno teleported away from the burst of lightning releasing from the Digital Knight's lance. Appearing again behind Gallantmon, he wrapped Dragomon's tentacles around him. "AEROBLAAAAAAAAAAAAST!"

Missingno released the Digimon as he was sent flying from the powerful beam of energy and light. THWACK! He slammed against the rocky earth, groaning and forcing to revert back to Tamer and Digimon.

"NO! TAKATO!" Rika's voice called out from inside her blue sphere. As Sakuyamon she frantically got to his side. "Takato..."

"(cough) Rika…Renamon…" Takato's voice came out weak and tired. "I'm sorry…I'm so sorry…" He glanced at Guilmon beside him. "Guilmon…are you…okay?"

The Virus Digimon blinked wearily from his spot on the ground. "I tried Takatomon…I really…tried."

"So you really do care about him Tamer."

Rika shook her head inside the glowing blue dome of light and digital energy. Takato…he hurt Takato. Her violet eyes narrowed into slits as they began to glow with ferocity. No ONE does that to MY Gogglehead! Hopefully Renamon couldn't hear those thoughts running through her head.

"Rika…I'll stand with you until the end."

Twisted every way…he kills without a thought…he finds joy in taking life and not just digital life…I can't let it end like this…not like this. As the Child of Spirit and Unity…I CANNOT let him WIN!

Real World
Island of Honshu
Tokyo, Japan
Odaiba District (Digidestined Dimension)

Turns out the Pokémon World and the Tamers Dimension weren't the only areas that were having effects laid out by the Missingno Virus. In the Digidestined Dimension, the primary area for problems was once again undergoing a definite transformation.

Around the globe, young children and babies were disappearing into thin air, casually wiped away from existence. Civilians, old and young, were feeling the effects of more than twenty years fall away from their faces and bodies. And (this was the strangest part) those that were thought dead now walked among the living while graves faded away.

Of course, like the citizens of the Pokémon World, the equally ignorant citizens of the Digidestined Dimension were unaware of these extraordinary changes save for the crimson color of the sky. Everything was just taken in stride…except for the parents.

When Nancy Takaishi first began to experience the distinct changes within her body and the outside world, she wasted no time in calling up the other parents of the former Chosen Children. Whatever was going on had to have something to do with the Digital World if not anything else.

This was why Nancy and the other parents were now gathered at the area where the children had first disappeared into the Digital World more than twenty years ago; their eyes fixed on the battle they could see in the sky.

"What's going on here?" demanded Hiroaki Ishida in frustration. "Our children are now…children…"

Cody's grandfather, who was one of the dead now living, shrugged. "Many changes have come upon us and I don't know who to point fingers at."

"I can explain."

Quietly, the extraordinary being known as Gennai emerged from behind the other adults. His face looked worn and tired. "There's a virus that's been tampering with the ebb and flow of balance and time in the universe and that's why things are what they are now. With all of the power it saps and distorts, it can destroy us all so your children have decided to take up their fallen arms once again."

"Another Digimon?" Cody's mother demanded. "I thought all of that fighting business was done and over with. Our kids are retired from all of that!"

"It's no Digimon," said Gennai warningly. "It's a Pokémon. Now before you start blaming someone, it's not the Pokémon World's fault. This virus has been living and feeding for a very long time until it decided to infiltrate the largest network: the Digital World. It has to be stopped…before there is no world to keep us safe."

Izzy's parents pointed at the sky. "But that doesn't explain why our kids aren't fighting!"

"They can't fight anymore…their time to fight is over," Gennai finished heavily. "I would join them back up there but Missingno's blocked all access to the Digital World. No one can escape or enter until the virus is destroyed. We must believe in the Digimon Tamers now."

"Digi-who?"

"Digimon Tamers." Gennai gestured to the image of Sakuyamon fighting against Missingno and Takato and Guilmon on the ground. "They are the new generation of Chosen Children and they're the only ones capable of defeating Missingno now. They are stronger than the Digidestined ever could hope to be as they fight together heart and soul with their Digimon partners. And as long as I know they have a breath in their bodies, they won't let us down." Yet inside the elderly being's head, he began to doubt just a little. "The prophecy was supposed to have been fulfilled so why isn't Missingno dead? I thought that with Chloe, Takeru, and Rika's resurrections—"

"Are you saying they were killed?" demanded Toshiko Takenouchi, her brown eyes widening in disbelief.

"Well…yes. But they're alive for now. There was a prophecy that told of the virus's defeat and I would have thought it would have happened by now. Unless…it still hasn't been fulfilled yet."

"But those Tamers look to be just children! Do you really think they can win?"

Nancy gazed up at the crimson image with fear in her eyes. The Digidestined and the Pokémon trainers closed their eyes in pain, mouths open in silent cries. T.K…Matt…please be careful…all of you…please come back to us alive…

"It's not a matter of thinking," she said to the others. "Children or not, they have to win…not just for us or for our worlds…but so there is such thing as a future…"

Digital World
Sovereign Realm

Sakuyamon stood up determinedly, her eyes behind the golden fox mask seeing red. She whirled on Missingno and slashed through the air with her staff. "You MONSTER!" Pink light swirled around in her arcs before aiming straight for the deadly creature. "Feel the Twin Blades of Beauty and Truth and fall before my light!"

Missingno merely laughed as the light slashed at his arms and legs. They'll leave marks but not nearly as devastating as the ones I'll leave on her. Unfurling MaloMyotismon's purple wings, he took off into the air. Then he began to chant something inaudible under his breath. Puppetmon's wires snaking around his legs came to life and prepared to strike at Sakuyamon, now resembling the same red cords used by the D-Reaper.

The beautiful Shaman Digimon turned to Takato and Guilmon's injured bodies sadly. I have to protect them from further attacks. Inside, Rika knelt down and pressed her hands to her heart. Eyes closed as she began to chant a spell while her outer body began to glow with shimmering holy light.

"White hot burns the fire as true friendship's strongest bond no wall can obstruct."

Sakuyamon swiped the air twice with her staff, the decorations chiming as a dome shield made of fluttering pink sakura blossoms swirled around Takato and Guilmon. It was only temporary but at least it would keep him from meeting with the worst of the virus's attacks. Ignoring the loss of energy in her own body, Sakuyamon turned back to the red cords and commanded herself to use Spirit Strike. The kitsune slashed through the cords easily.

More cords sprang up around the Digimon but she slashed at them with her staff, her eyes focused on the creature responsible for the cords. I cannot let this continue any longer!

Spinning her staff around and channeling her energy into one attack, Sakuyamon called out, "CRYSTAL SPHERE!" The electrical spherical shield spread from the staff before spinning around her body and spreading out around every corner she could reach.

"Nice," Missingno commented as he landed neatly a few feet behind her, his body fizzling from the sphere's efforts. Puppetmon's wires on his body flapped like cut thread. "However, you'll need more than just spells in order to defeat me." He faded away like a whisper of Saran Wrap.

Darn it! Where did he go? Sakuyamon whirled around several times but she couldn't see or even sense the virus behind her or even above her. She kept out her staff, ready to strike if necessary. Missingno was many things, but he couldn't be invisible. Did he just pull a Houdini?

That was her last thought before she felt excruciating pain. Missingno rose up from the ground, the D-Reaper's claws imbedded firmly into the sides of her waist and legs. She cried out and brought her staff down at them. Missingno chuckled and released her, but not before drawing away some digital data clinging to the claws.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," Terriermon muttered. "Anyone got a barf bucket?"

"Now's not the time Terriermon," Henry said to his partner grimly. The situation was not going well. "Rika has to hang in there."

Ryo nodded, worry in his sky blue eyes. "I hope she's okay though."

"Cheap trick Missingno!" Sakuyamon gasped as she clutched her injuries. The hand holding her gold staff shook.

The virus smirked, the D-Reaper teeth stretched to a certain extent. "What can I say? I'll do what is necessary to fulfill my programming. " His eyes glowed. "For example…CRIMSON MIST!"

"AMETHYST MANDALA!" The storm of petals Sakuyamon unleashed connected with the melting red haze. The attack managed to successfully liquefy the petals but she did not get the brunt of the attack. "SPIRIT STRIKE!"

"CLOWN TRICK!"

Missingno pulled out Piedmon's swords and slammed them against the ground. Two jets of brilliant light swept up and over Sakuyamon's body and shot her backwards. She slammed against the ground, barely holding onto her staff. Ugh…I can't…give up…now…Two more Giga Cannons successfully slammed into her golden armor, sending her tumbling across the dusty earth. As she rolled, her strength gave out and forced her to de-digivolve into Rika and Renamon.

"Rika! Renamon!" Takato called out. The two partners skidded to a halt beside the shield placed around him and Guilmon. "Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay!" He struggled to get up as the shield Sakuyamon had placed around him vanished.

"Takato…" Rika whimpered. "I'm…sorry…" Everyone…I couldn't do it…I'm so…sorry…

He crawled over to her, legs screaming with the effort, and managed to collapse beside her. One hand reached out and gripped hers. "It's okay Rika…you did your best."

"You don't understand!" Anger at herself flooded the young Tamer's soul. "I'm the child of the prophecy. I…I should've…been stronger!" Why doesn't anything work out for me? Why?

Missingno laughed above as Rika closed her eyes furiously. She would not give him the satisfaction of seeing her despair. Please Unity…please help me find the key to beating this blasted virus…please…for my friends…for my family…for my world…

Chloe stared at Takato and Guilmon and then at Rika and Renamon. Even from this considerable distance she could almost hear Rika's silent prayer. She felt so weak and yet seeing the two still wanting to fight made her feel stronger inside…given that she couldn't have felt worse outside. They're so brave. I have to help them. This might be my only chance to do something truly valuable. The symbol of Unity appeared on the ground beneath Chloe as a single silver tear fell from her eye; her own shining tear of life. "RIKA!" she screamed. "TAKATO, YOU CAN DO IT!"

The Crest of Life appeared on her chest and began to shine with silver light. Takato gave a small exclamation as his own body began to blaze with white light, an all-consuming wave of energy coursing through his veins. Missingno, Rika, and everybody else (minus the older teams) shielded their faces from its blinding radiance.

Takato and Guilmon felt their bodies lift off the ground, both of them floating in the heavenly pallid light as their injuries were gently wiped away. A voice swathed around them from their memories: "Do you want my wings? I can give you…my wings."

Grani?

The beautiful light continued to give out rays and a flash of understanding came to him. The Crest of Life…can also be the Crest of Compassion…for only a person who is willing to heal another's heart can be given such a power…only one who holds tears of life…

Chloe lifted her electric blue eyes skyward. "CREST OF LIFE ACTIVATE!"

CREST ACTIVATED

The white light surrounding Takato and Guilmon and the silver light from the crest dispersed into shimmering data. Takato cried out in pain as he was forced to absorb it alongside Guilmon, making them glow brighter and brighter.

Guilmon biomerge toooo…GALLANTMON!

Gallantmon Mode Change toooo…

GALLANTMON: CRIMSON MODE!

"Gallantmon…" The Tamers gaped in awe at the return of the supreme Mega Digimon. His white wings shone brighter than snow on a cold day and the glowing double sword he brandished was nearly the length of Dragonite. His whole body was composed of red-and-yellow armor with flashing yellow eyes showing through his red mask. A crimson aura flared brightly around him and lit up the darkened realm.

Tai, Davis, Kari, and the Digidestined gawked in amazement. It never occurred to them that the Tamers' Digimon could chance forms like Imperialdramon. As for the Pokémon trainers, they had never seen anything like this before but they knew this Digimon could be the key to defeating the Missingno Virus.

Inside his glowing red sphere, Takato heard a small groan. Turning around, he saw Chloe on her knees, gasping and trembling. The light had freed her from paralysis but left her weak and drained of all vigor. Everything in her power had been used to activate the Crest of Life.

"Chloe—" Tai began but a spasm of pain prevented him from saying any more.

Gallantmon: Crimson Mode felt his heart grow heavy. "Chloe…why?"

She barely had any strength to look anywhere but at the ground. "It's when the world is at stake…and you hold the key…that you realize…that you realize… The trainer looked up and fixated her eyes on Gallantmon: Crimson Mode, then Rika and Renamon, and finally Missingno. She looked back at Gallantmon: Crimson Mode. "Use…my strength…well…you two…" Her eyes glowed faintly and she held one hand out at Missingno. "Re…Recover…Di…"

Missingno felt his own body glow with the intensity of Chloe's psy-energy. "What?"

"Di…Disable…Re…Recover…" she whispered before closing her eyes and falling against the ground.

"NO!" Rika cried out. "CHLOE!" Did she hear my prayer? Did the prophecy…answer my prayer?

As for what happened next, no one was quite sure. Missingno's body flared with red light and a strange sickly-looking aura flowed over him. But what it did, no one knew since it departed as quickly as it had come. Only Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu knew what Chloe's last move was but they didn't say anything.

Let Missingno find out for himself.

Seeing Chloe's limp body, Takato felt tears reach his eyes. He shook his head and blinked them back. Thanks for believing in me Chloe. I will use your strength.

T.K.'s shoulders shook as he gazed at his closest friend, the person he could always trust, the only girl he loved as much as Kari. What she did was an act of compassion; it was exactly what the Bearer of Life would do. "If she could transport her energy into Gallantmon then I think we could do the same for the other Tamers. It's worth a try! It may kill us…but it'll be worth it!" He looked at the others and they nodded as they heard his telepathic message. "Then let's create a miracle!" He and the others with crests raised their voices to the heavens; Yolei, Cody, Misty, Brock, and Catherine concentrating along with their friends.

"CREST OF HOPE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF LIGHT ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF FAITH ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF COURAGE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF LOVE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF FRIENDSHIP ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF KNOWLEDGE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF SINCERITY ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF RELIABILITY ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF KINDNESS ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF PATIENCE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF INNOCENCE ACTIVATE!"

"CREST OF MIRACLES ACTIVATE!"

CRESTS ACTIVATED

Instantly, surges of energy began coursing through their bodies. The symbols of their crests appeared over their hearts and they radiated bright light, all of the crests' colors. A cry escaped the teams' throats as the energy left their bodies and dispersed into a circle in the sky; the symbol of Unity.

Dispersing into data, the light drifted towards the rest of the Tamers, including Rika and Renamon. A pallid luminosity released the Digidestined and the trainers from bondage, and they tumbled to the ground heavily.

Henry tried to concentrate on the battle at hand but it was really hard when his body felt like it was on fire! "What's going on?" he gasped as the other Tamers and Digimon emitted sharp cries of pain after being forced to absorb a dispersion of strange shimmering data.

Over near Ai and Mako, Calumon's glowing red jewel was working overtime. "Whoa…so much…power…AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"

Rika, though wincing from the data, turned in time to see T.K. and the other older kids on their knees, exhausted and their breath giving out. "What did you do?" she asked.

"I think…I think they've given us more power," Lopmon noted as the pain vanished and was replaced with healing relief.

"Henry…I feel stronger…like a superhero!" Terriermon called out excitedly.

"But…" Jeri and the rest of them knew what that meant. By transporting all of their crest power to the Tamers, the older kids were left weak and the virus's impact on them increased.

T.K. reached out with his remaining strength and grasped one of Chloe's limp hands in his own. "Tai, there's a pulse," he whispered and the leader heaved a sigh of relief. T.K.'s gaze shifted toward the Tamers, beholding a pleading look. "Don't…let…your guard…down…Tamers…" He closed his eyes with a sigh of exhaustion and let his body slump against the ground.

"T.K.!"

With a look of determination, Gallantmon: Crimson Mode spoke in the dual voices of Takato and Guilmon. "Missingno, this ineffective war has gone on long enough! In your quest to annihilate every existing world and dimension, you have ruined the lives of humans, Digimon, and Pokémon alike. You have destroyed innocents as well as allies; you even succeeded in killing off some of our teammates. Only through a miracle were we able to restore them and we defy your attempts to cause more destruction and suffering. We won't just stand by and let you carry out your hideous plans!"

The virus's blood-red eyes gleamed maliciously. "Nice speech but was that supposed to frighten me?"

"No, but THIS should!" Henry, Rika, Ryo, Jeri, Alice, Kazu, and Suzie pulled out their Digivices simultaneously.

BIOMERGE DIGIVOLUTION

"BIOMERGE ACTIVATE!"

Terriermon biomerge toooo…MEGAGARGOMON!

Renamon biomerge toooo…SAKUYAMON!

Cyberdramon biomerge toooo…JUSTIMON!

Leomon biomerge toooo…SABERLEOMON!

Dobermon biomerge toooo…ANUBISMON!

Haguramon biomerge toooo…HIANDROMON!

Lopmon biomerge toooo…CHERUBIMON!

Impmon leaped into the air. "BEEZLEMON: BLAST MODE ACTIVATE!"

"And now," Gallantmon: Crimson Mode spoke, "we'll make sure we dispose of you once and for all! IT ENDS TODAY!"

It seemed as if every world was finally connected to that of the Digital World and the hearts and minds of Digimon, Pokémon, and human were determined to see this final battle through. Different worlds bonded together for this last moment.

In the Pokémon World, Gary Oak and Tracey Sketchit gazed up at the sky with confidence ringing in their hearts. C'mon you guys…you're heroes. You can do this. Even May, Max, and Brendan found the strength to believe despite their limited knowledge of the battle. Mewtwo watched on through narrowed eyes, concentrating.

In the Digidestined Dimension, the citizens of Odaiba looked up at the raging battle in fear and awe; but the parents of the Digidestined watched with determination. These children are the keys to victory…we have to believe in them…they're our last hope…

In the Tamers Dimension, the parents of those very children singled out by the prophecy to destroy the virus once and for all watched and waited. Not a word was said as they watched the screen of the battle while a storm radiated outside in the crimson skies. You're Digimon Tamers and you never give up on anything. Give it your all and no matter what happens…we'll be proud of you…

All around the corners of the three worlds, the people began to shout out their beliefs and prayers in their minds, concentrating all of their efforts on the Digital World. Light arced from all worlds before forming the same symbol in the sky from Rika's prayer: the symbol of Unity.

"THUNDERCLAP!"

"EARTHQUAKE!"

The two earth shattering attacks collided, forcing those who were on the ground to spiral against the ground.

Gallantmon: Crimson Mode and Missingno locked swords. "We never did anything to you to make you start this reign of terror," the Mega growled. "And yet you want to kill us anyway."

Missingno gave a low chuckle. "I was created for this sort of thing and I knew you kids would do whatever it took to stop me. The details would be far too much for your puny brains."

"Don't…listen…to him!" Ash yelled hoarsely. "He'll mess with your minds…like he did with us!"

"Pika pi! (That's right!)" agreed Pikachu.

We can't give up! Everything we've fought for, everything we've sacrificed, all of that will be in vain. We can't quit yet! thought Gallantmon: Crimson Mode. He pulled free from Missingno's two swords and prepared his own to strike. "INVINCIBLE SWORD!"

The evil virus countered it with his own reflecting Clown Trick, sending the damage back to the Mega Digimon.

MegaGargomon and Beezlemon unleashed their main attacks at the same time. "GARGO MISSILES!

"CARONA BLASTEEEEEEER!"

Both attacks landed a direct hit on Missingno and left a large mark noticeable even from a distance on his metallic body. Grunting, he launched two Shadow Balls in their direction.

MarineAngemon was ready. "KAHUNA WAVES!" he chirped and a blue heart-shaped shield surrounded the two Megas. The two Shadow Balls bounced off the bubble shields and—BAM!—smashed into the dirt.

"HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT!" shouted Cherubimon.

REFLECT!" Missingno mimicked the same move as Alakazam and Chloe.

The lightning beam ricocheted off the glowing shield and flew in HiAndromon's direction. "ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAAAY!" He quickly disposed of the beam with a move of his own.

"SPIRIT STRIKE!" chanted Sakuyamon as three kitsune foxes emerged and seared right through Missingno's body, causing him even more damage. Rika's voice rang out from within her sphere, "That was for what you did to our friends!"

Angered, Missingno began to glow once more in a rainbow of colors. However, this time, the rainbow of colors turned yellow and stopped abruptly. "What? What's going on here?"

Misty grinned weakly from her spot on the floor. "Figured…it out? Chloe used a Disable…on you…and now…you can't ever use Recover until…the match is finished. So basically, you can't use it ever again!"

Rika grinned from within her sphere. "Remind me to thank Chloe when we finish Renamon."

"Of course Rika."

"Aw yeah! The tables have turned!" Terriermon cheered. "MEGA BARRAGE!"

"ANEMIT!" commanded Anubismon.

The rounds of bullets and the glowing energy balls darted around Missingno, showering over his body. He moved around them but stiffly, as if he was no longer as flexible as before.

"JUSTICE BURST!" cried Justimon. He used his large metallic arm to shoot blue bursts at the viral humanoid.

Tai wearily looked down at his arm and, to his horror, saw that it was dissolving like fine sugar before his very eyes. Whipping around to look at the others, he saw the same thing happening to them. "Hurry Tamers!"

"We will," said Guilmon from within Gallantmon: Crimson Mode. "Just hang on for a little longer."

Missingno launched his two cannons at the Digimon. "GIGA CANNON!" The two glowing cannons charged up with yellow light and fired.

"KAHUNA WAVES!" MarineAngemon shot two large bubble hearts at the beams. The hearts absorbed them inside and dissolved them into fine pixels.

Ai pulled out a card while Mako held onto an exhausted Calumon. "Swipe it sis!"

DIGI-MODIFY!

"Digi-Modify! Power activate!"

"CARONA BLASTEEEEEEEER!"

The impact of the purple beam increased due to Beezlemon's power upgrade. THWAM! It barreled into Missingno's chest, creating a large hole right where the MetalSeadramon head used to be. The virus gave a low growl from under his breath.

"I will not lose to such a weak team," he whispered before tossing his swords at them. "TRUMP SWORD!"

"Let me take care of them!" SaberLeomon called out. He grabbed both of the swords with his sharp fangs and bit down. Crunch! They splintered into pieces before vanishing into data particles.

"Nice job SaberLeomon," Gallantmon: Crimson Mode commented. "Now take THIS Missingno!" He dashed straight at the virus with his double sword drawn out in front of him. "INVINCIBLE SWORD!"

The sword-slashing move caused critical damage to the virus as he spiraled against the earth. Getting up quickly, his garnet eyes narrowed into slits. "SCREAMING DARKNESS!" The dark currents of wind blew everybody backward and further away as the virus took to the air with MaloMyotismon's wings. "PSYBEAM!"

"SPIRIT STRIKE!" Sakuyamon's kitsune foxes dissolved the color blast of psychic energy, worked their way around it, and sank through Missingno's body once again.

"MEGA BARRAGE!" Thousands of rounds fired at his body from MegaGargomon's cannons.

The virus smirked and charged up three dark spheres in his clawed gray hands. "SHADOW BALL!"

HiAndromon figured out a quick way to block them. "PASTING COPY!"

Three copies of HiAndromon appeared beside him. He leaped into the air, using them as decoys for the three spherical balls.

"Talk about a split personality," MegaGargomon cracked.

Anubismon commanded the pyramid-shaped beam to rise. "PYRAMID POWER!"

The blast slammed at Missingno and as he was temporarily distracted, he didn't see Justimon leap into the air with his red laser-sword hand. "VOLTAGE BLADE!" With two quick swipes, he slashed away the two cannons on Missingno's back. Growling, Missingno landed.

"Worthless humans. You just had to take the hard way out didn't you?" A silvery glow surrounded his body and the Tamers instantly recognized it as the Pokémon move called Moonlight.

"Our friends are worth fighting for!" Gallantmon: Crimson Mode yelled in Takato's voice.

At the sound, Chloe and T.K. slowly opened their eyes blearily and raised their bodies up a bit. "Ta…kato…. Ri…ka…"

"Yes I'm sure they are," said the virus dryly as his body resumed a somewhat recovered state. "AEROBLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAST!"

"INCOMING!"

Sakuyamon raised her staff. "I don't think so Missingno! CRYSTAL SPHERE!" The shimmering electrical shield surrounded the blast of light and consumed it, safely storing its power into her staff. "NOW TAKE THIS! HAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" She swung the staff in an oblique strike, sending the power of the Aeroblast right back at the Missing Pokémon.

Quickly, Missingno cast a protective shield around himself so the attack was sent rocketing sky-high. However, his disgust over what had transpired did not evaporate along with the beam. "I should have killed you from the start."

"Your own mistake Missingno," growled MegaGargomon as his gun panels opened up. "MEGA BARRAGE!"

Missingno teleported out of range of the attacks, darting in between them. "You'll have to do better than that."

"We'll take that into consideration," said SaberLeomon, appearing in front of the surprised virus. "See if you can dodge these! TWIN FANG!"

Thousands of needles rained down on the virus and this time he felt their effects. Gallantmon: Crimson Mode flew past him in a shimmering red blur and neatly sliced off Dragomon's tentacles. Landing on the ground, he hissed as his body began to smoke and distort. The power supply that was keeping him operational was finally beginning to slow down as the damage had reached critical level.

A dark haze spread over the evil virus, his garnet eyes glowing and his wings spread. "Now you shall pay for denying me the right to destroy your worlds!" The gaping mouth of the D-Reaper stretched taunt as the haze spread up and out.

"You'll never tear us apart!" yelled Gallantmon: Crimson Mode. "Never!"

"TRY AND STOP ME!" Missingno thundered. Electrical energy blasted out from his body and struck the corners of the Sovereign Realm. "DARK CHAOS!"

Tai lifted his head. "Altogether guys!"

"Trash that stinking virus!" Davis added.

"We believe in you!" called Ash encouragingly. "All of you!"

"FINAL JUSTICE!" From his twin-bladed sword, Gallantmon: Crimson Mode fired a huge beam, nailing Missingno to the spot. "NOW!"

"SPIRIT STRIKE!"

"GARGO MISSILES!"

"JUSTICE BURST!"

"TWIN FANG!"

"ATOMIC RAAAAAAAAAY!"

"HEAVEN'S JUDGEMENT!"

"PYRAMID POWER!"

"KAHUNA WAVES!"

"CARONA BLASTEEEEEEER!"

The nine attacks fused together, becoming one massive beam of blazing light. Gallantmon: Crimson Mode charged all of the blazing light energy into his sword, causing it to glow and nearly explode with force.

"HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" With a battle cry, he thrust his sword forward, shooting the beam of light at Missingno. It collided briefly with the Dark Chaos before it easily overrode Missingno's energy, searing into his body thoroughly.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!" The virus's howl of agony echoed throughout the corners of the Digital World. Even the Real Words and the Pokémon World heard at least a faint wail.

The force of the two beams was so intense it blasted the Megas backward and crashed them against the earth. Gallantmon: Crimson Mode raised himself up onto his twin saber. "What's he doing?"

Missingno's fusional body sank to the ground, sizzling and completely sapped of all of his power. The sky swelled and twisted above them, the wind shrieking something terrible.

"How…can…this…be? There…is no…way…"

"There's…always a way," Takato said hoarsely but fiercely inside his Digimon body. "You were just…too thick to find it."

"I…will…not…cannot…be…defeated…by you…"

Rika narrowed her violet eyes. "Release…our…friends…from the virus!"

"I……"

"Release them!" Renamon commanded imperiously.

Missingno lifted his garnet eyes and gazed at the merged Tamers. A sick smile formed on his mouth as he allowed himself to give in to the final phase of his programming. His eyes flashed as his body scattered into fallen particles. As soon as the particles hit the ground, one enormous last dark sphere issued forth, blowing the Tamers/Digimon skyward except Gallantmon: Crimson Mode who used his powerful white wings to fight the tempest. In the virus's place was a massive anomaly of pixels and data swirling around in a powerful maelstrom. Parts of the Digital World vanished into the spinning abyss.

"One…last…effort…mission…failure…system error…system error…"

Gallantmon: Crimson Mode could feel the powerful pull of the maelstrom and to his horror; he found he couldn't escape from it. No…Takato gritted his teeth angrily. No…it can't be…this can't be happening. "Aaaghh…" The Tamer closed his eyes and shielded himself from the terror of the inescapable force of Missingno's fury.

"What…what's going on?" Ash demanded hoarsely.

More blasts of electricity and invisible force blasted from the powerful center, striking each of the biomerged forms and forcing each one of them to de-digivolve back into Tamer and Digimon as it grew stronger and more lethal.

"System error…system error…system error…."

The whirling abyss screeched and howled as it pulled the powerful Mega Digimon directly into its swirling darkness. But the shrieks and howls were nothing compared to the cries of alarm from the Tamers, the trainers, and the Digidestined.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

They knew why they'd screamed, they knew who they were calling out to, and they knew what was happening. But the maelstrom shrieked even louder than ever as if Missingno was having one last laugh even in the light of his demise as the vortex continued suck everything up with great gusto.

Henry closed his eyes tightly, holding back tears of rage and sorrow. He knew what had happened and he hated it. Takato…my best friend…He shook his head and looked away from the hateful spinning maw. His eyes landed on the sobbing Jeri beside him. It can't have happened…why did it happen? Wordlessly, he held his arms out to her and she fell into them as if she belonged there. Terriermon gaped at swirling vortex, finding no room for words of comfort or sarcasm.

With a sigh, Ryo turned away from the sight as well. Pain radiated down his body coupled with anger. It's not fair…but then again…it usually never is. Kenta and Kazu stared at the widening maelstrom with fear for their leader inside, the latter strangely gripping the hand of Alice McCoy. For once they were at a loss for words but what could be said in such a tense moment? Nothing would ease the horror of it all. Suzie and the youngsters clung to their Digimon partners silently.

Rika dropped to her knees, barely able to stand. Her own violet eyes became abnormally glassy as an emotional pain unlike any she'd ever felt before flooded her body, her heart, her spirit. To her horror, small tears were seeping out of her eyes. "Takato…it can't be…please…" She raised her tear-streaked face to the sky and a heart-wrenching scream tore from her throat. "TAKATOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Though the meaning behind the enraged cry and tears were never meant to reach outside ears, they reached the inner telepathic minds of the two people who meant so much to Rika. And the words made the pain of losing Takato and Guilmon to the maelstrom of the virus so much worse. Chloe shakily took Tai's hand and he laced his fingers through hers while T.K. held Kari in his arms in attempts to seek comfort for their inevitable demise.

"System error…system error…system error…."

Missingno's eerie words continued to follow Gallantmon: Crimson Mode all through the descent in the dark maelstrom. Inside, Takato shivered and rubbed his shoulders. It's…so cold…and quiet…okay, besides Missingno.

As they neared the apex of the swirling mass of deleting energy, he could feel the pull getting stronger and parts of his body were starting to break off into the tornado. This is it! "Guilmon?"

"Takatomon…what's gonna happen to us?"

"I…I don't know boy." He stared at the eye of the maelstrom nervously. It seemed to glare back. "Even though…I've got a guess."

More parts of his armor began to break off and he could feel particles of his wings tear away. He clutched his twin sabers tightly.

"Do you still have something to live for?"

Guilmon's voice drifted out, high and frightened. "Takato…I don't like this…Takato!"

"N-neither do I." Takato stared down into cold unknown, the eye of the vortex growing. His thoughts drifted to his friends outside. I'm so sorry…guys…Rika…

"Do you still have something to live for?"

Memories…images…sounds…emotions…the Digidestined…Tai's bravery…Davis's confidence…the Pokémon trainers…Ash's laughter…the Digimon Tamers…Jeri's nature…Henry's loyalty…the Chosen Children…the feel of Chloe's arms…the light in T.K.'s eyes…Rika's tears…Rika's face…Rika's smile…

Rika.

"Absorbing data information now…"

Rika!

No… Gallantmon: Crimson Mode strained to move his deleting wings, yellow eyes flashing with fury. "I…I…won't let…you!" He began to slash at the spinning darkness with his sword.

"Absorbing data form now…"

The pull became faster as well as the deletion but inside his sphere, Takato fought back. "I…won't let you…destroy me!" Not when I can still save my friends. Not when I still haven't told Rika…how much I love her…

"What…just h-happened to them?" Tai demanded shakily.

"Missingno's programming must be built so that should he fail in his assignment, he self-destructs in on himself," Renamon muttered as the maelstrom pulled at their bodies. Surprisingly, they were as solid as rocks—for the time being. "And the pull of the current will draw everything he's distorted with his influence into the glitch."

"That's…right," said Izzy wearily from his spot. "Usually in a computer you have to end up deleting a virus but not before it takes a chunk of data and distorts it along with it. The same goes for here. The Digital World and everything Missingno's tampered with is the data and Missingno's using that last viral part of him to ensure we don't escape and that goes the same with our worlds!"

Ryo blinked. "Then all that fighting was for nothing if he was going to end up destroying everything anyway. It didn't matter if we won or lost the battle, he still won!"

Rika glanced at the Digidestined and the Pokémon trainers as they hid their faces away from the strong currents. She slowly moved over to her truest friends, unable to help them in their injuries. She felt crestfallen, powerless. After all they'd been through…for it all to come to this…

Then miracles shall appear where doubt was once set…and the power of Unity will conquer all…

Stupid prophecy! The young Tamer thought angrily. A fat lot of help it did! It accomplished nothing. NOTHING! Missingno's gonna get his wish after all. All we tried to do…just leads to nothing but pain and deletion. And I lost Takato…I…

But wait. Wasn't that just it? Wasn't it just the doubt that had been hanging over them this whole time?

Chloe's death wasn't enough. T.K.'s death wasn't enough. My decision to become a martyr wasn't enough. Whatever happened with Takato and the others wasn't enough. The trainers' fight wasn't enough. Even this battle wasn't enough.

No…what was enough was the doubt that had been lingering inside their hearts throughout the whole adventure; the slight possibility that they would never defeat the virus. The doubt that was being displayed now in Missingno's victory was enough; enough for the power of Unity.

In order for us to end this final struggle, I have to use all of this combined power to shut down the maelstrom. This means, we have to aim all of the power into the eye with the least possible chance of surviving the impact. Well that sounds pleasant.

A Child of Spirit will decide the course of the final struggle…this is the final struggle! Before with Piedmon was just another battle but this last threat here is the final struggle… Rika slowly stood up. "I have to do this." For Takato. For everyone.

"Rika…" Chloe whispered breathlessly. She stared at the Tamer, her eyes shimmering with astonishment and fear. "What are you doing?"

"Chloe, you told us that teamwork is the key to our destiny right?" The trainer nodded wordlessly. "T.K., you told us to never lose hope right?" Rika asked the blond Digidestined. He nodded mutely. "Our only hope lies with the three of us, the children of the prophecy: Life, Hope, and Spirit. Together we create the essence of teamwork and unity. Together…we form the power that's been dormant inside me this whole time." Her violet eyes began to glow steadily with the blue light from her D-Power. "And together…I think we can help Takato inside there and finally end this threat. So…are you with me?"

After a minute, Chloe released Tai's hand and stepped towards the red-haired girl. "I'm with you Rika," she said with a small wince. Her eyes began to glow a steady silver from the Crest of Life.

T.K. nodded and let go of Kari, flinching from his injuries. "As am I." His eyes shimmered with the Crest of Hope's brilliant yellow light.

The trio slowly made their way closer to the maelstrom, irises intent on its swirling center. Their teammates stared at them, puzzled. Rika shook her head at Renamon, silently warning her not to speak. Her violet orbs eyed the maelstrom of the virus's fury. She closed her eyes and then walked towards the maelstrom.

"An evil will soon fall across the land…"

"…through the ashes fallen enemies will arise…" Chloe continued as she fell into step behind Rika.

T.K. joined his two friends. "The Chosen Children from then will return to the world; the world of their childhood battles and adventures…"

"The Children from now will decide its fate…"

"…with traits and crests one and the same…"

"Life and Hope will seem gone forever…"

"When their sacrifices are made known to the world, a Child of Spirit will decide the course of the final struggle…"

"Then miracles shall appear where doubt was once set…"

"…And the power of Unity will conquer all…"

Rika raised her hands into the air, her body illuminated with ethereal light. It spread across to Chloe and then on to T.K., purifying the darkened world. "We are the children of the prophecy…our sacrifices have been made known to the world...and I am the Child of Spirit. Give me the power of Unity. Give me the strength."

T.K. turned to the others. "Everyone, listen to Rika! In order to stop Missingno's dying message we need to give up the power within our hearts. Balance can't be restored without the crests and traits that we have."

"So everyone concentrate…and lend her your power to form the power of Unity," said Chloe firmly. Inside her head, she sought the mind of Takato Matsuki. It was faint signal but she managed to send him the message. "Takato…if you can hear me…lend Rika your strength."

As one, each child owning a crest or trait pressed their hands to their hearts. A rainbow wave of light began to glow and surround them even while the maelstrom cried out and distorted the chaotic world.

Give us courage to make us brave and daring

Give us friendship so we believe in teamwork

Give us love for us to care about others

Give us knowledge to make us intelligent

Give us sincerity for us to be honest

Give us reliability so we can be depended on

Give us kindness hence our hearts may be gentle

Give us hope to make our dreams come true

Give us light to reveal our inner power

Give us miracles that shine down our path

Give us faith so we believe in ourselves

Give us life so we have the will to go on

Give us patience for us to be virtuous

Give us innocent to make our souls pure

Give us determination so we may never give up

Give us spirit to kindle our hearts and souls

Give us logic to make us sensible and rational

Give us empathy so we may feel compassion

Give us optimism so we can look to brighter days

Give us enthusiasm so we make a team effort

Give us joy to pursue our happiness

Give us strength to conquer our weaknesses

Give us devotion so we are loyal to our companions

Give us humility in order for us to know our boundaries

Join these together within our souls

Show us we can believe no matter the cost

To work like a family in harmony and peace

For those who will rise

For those who will fall

And for those who lead the path to victory

Give this land the radiant light

Of Unity!

Beams of light, the colors of their crests, shot out of their hearts; reaching past the clouds in the sky and striking the region above. They combined into one and hovered over Rika's form, preparing to descend upon her and give her the energy she sought.

There's no guarantee that we'll all survive the impact with the maelstrom. Oh well…what choice do we have? As long as we can save everyone else from this fate…it's enough.

"Don't miss now," Terriermon commented dryly.

Henry shook his head sternly at his partner, all the while holding Jeri and Suzie close to him so they wouldn't get pulled into the eddy of darkness. Give it your best shot Rika.

The incandescent light struck Rika's body and brilliant rays illuminated her body like a beacon. She closed her eyes as her body began to lift off the ground and hover in front of the mouth of the maelstrom. Her glowing eyes narrowed at it as she held out her hands to it, charging up the energy within until it threatened to burst from overload. I can choose the path of the power of Unity. Decision made, she allowed the glittering beams of light to snake out from her hands and fire into the maelstrom. She gasped in pain and exhaustion. "Please reach Takato…give him the power of Unity…"A millimeter smile formed on her face before her body began to fall to earth.

Chloe and T.K. hobbled over to her and caught her before she crashed headlong into the ground. Gingerly, they handed her over to Renamon's protective arms before focusing on the light in the maelstrom; their last shred of hope resting with one Tamer and his Digimon.

"T.K., no matter what happens…if this works or not," Chloe murmured as she silently slipped her hand into his. "I just want you to know—"

T.K. looked into her blue eyes as he wound his fingers around hers. A current of odd acceptance raced through their bodies. "I already know."

Behind them, the other Tamers and the older children waited and watched with bated breath and trepidation. You can do it Takato! You can do it!

Gallantmon: Crimson Mode shivered as more of his body painfully detached from the rest of him before vanishing into little particles to be absorbed by the maelstrom. Yet his will proved stronger than his fear.

Inside, Takato shut his eyes and balled his hands into fists. I am not gonna cry! "Please…my friends are still out there and I have to help them. My family is still waiting for me. GIVE ME WHAT I NEED TO WIN!"

Suddenly from above a streak of blinding white light rocketed towards the Mega Digimon and struck him, followed by more blinding streaks.

"Please reach Takato…give him the power of Unity…"

Rika? Takato thought with almost awed wonder as the light and energy emanated from the body of the Exalted Knight Digimon and spread across the maelstrom. It fused his lost data back together and repaired his shimmering broken wings. A small smile lifted the corners of his mouth. The power…of Unity…

"Deleting data form now…"

"Ready Guilmon?"

"Ready Takatomon."

With determination flaring in his eyes, Gallantmon: Crimson Mode gripped his sword and raised it up. All of the energy and light from the power given to him by his friends charged up inside the twin sabers until it threatened to explode from so much power. The sides of the glowing white blades crackled and the hilt was becoming extremely heavy to hold. Waves shimmered and arced around the Digimon as if the sun and moon had detached themselves from the heavens and come down upon his form.

"You're not deleting anything today Missingno! NOT TODAY AND NOT EVER AGAIN!" Gallantmon: Crimson Mode yelled at the howling eye of the maelstrom. Crimson light surrounded his body as he prepared to throw his powerful sword into the center of all of their pain and struggle throughout the adventure.

"FINAAAAAAAAAAL JUSTIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!"

With all of the combined strength he could muster, Gallantmon: Crimson Mode hurled his twin sabers directly into the core of the vortex. Everyone has their own destiny and this is mine.

The sword was like an arrow, singing in all of its agility and accuracy as it sunk directly into the eye. A shimmering symbol appeared in the darkness. Light burst from its edges and the core screamed as if Missingno was crying out in anger and frustration. Rays and streaks of that same blinding luminescence spread everywhere like a brilliant cloud, washing over Gallantmon: Crimson Mode as he de-digivolved into an exhausted Takato and Guilmon.

The pair floated around for a while watching with dazed eyes as the light swirled around them. The maelstrom vanished while little data particles left to unknown regions. Takato sighed and closed his eyes, letting his body drift. He was so tired…he just wanted to rest…

Tai raised his head and opened his eyes slowly. The Digital World was still topsy-turvy, but the sky was now an inky black instead of the standard stormy look it had during Missingno's regime. He looked over at his friends and teammates. Most were still out of it but some were getting to their feet.

Tai shook his head and moved on his hands and knees to where Chloe's body still lay beside T.K.'s. Doing his best to ignore their joined hands, he gave her a shake. "Chloe…Chloe…"

"Uuuuh…Tai?" The dark-haired girl tentatively opened her eyes. She too noticed her hand in T.K.'s and snatched it away just in time. "Wh-what happened?"

"I don't know but I think the virus is gone."

She blinked and got up on her elbows. "Do you mean Missingno or the one inside our bodies?"

He placed his hands on her back and pulled her up the rest of the way. "Both." He noticed the wince on her face. "Sorry. I don't think the pain all went away just yet."

"Right," said Izzy, walking over to them. "While it's true there's no more immense pain in our bodies as if somebody is tearing out our insides and we're not deleting, we still suffer from some side-effects. But this proves that Missingno is finally dead."

Chloe nodded and then prodded T.K. with her shoe. "Takeru…get up." When he didn't move, she shook her head. "I'll ask Kari to get him up."

"No need," said the blond boy. He hoisted his sore body to his feet. "Ouch…stupid side-effects." He took a step and then another. "We better check on Rika."

Closest to where the maelstrom once stood, Henry's gray eyes fluttered open. Only then did he realize he was lying on his side and his face was directly across from Jeri's. She was wide awake as well and the blush on her face was only too noticeable along with the embarrassed look in her eyes.

"WAH!" Both Tamers scooted away from each other and struggled to sit up. Where are the others? Henry wondered vaguely as he did his best to ignore the closeness of the girl beside him. "Y-you okay Jeri?"

She nodded, a blush still on her face. "Y-yes." Her face clouded with worry. "Takato…"

"I don't know," Henry confessed worriedly. His eyes flickered for a minute. "I sure hope he's all right."

Terriermon groaned and rubbed his head. "Talk about 'Deep Impact' eh Henry?" he said groggily.

"No time for that Terriermon though I do agree with you on that one." Reaching over on his other side, he shook Suzie's shoulder. "C'mon Suzie. Up and at it."

His sister grumbled something like, "Two more minutes Mommy."

"No Suzie, no more minutes. Wake up now!"

Lopmon sat up, wincing. "Oooohh, what happened?"

"Don't you remember?" Terriermon asked her. "That crazy virus blew us out of commission with his dying breath…at least I hope it was his dying breath."

"Not funny."

"Heh, that wasn't meant to be funny. I'm serious on that one."

The way Kazu woke up was not the way he usually enjoyed—not that he enjoyed being woken up anyway. Somebody had grabbed him by the shoulders and was shaking him—hard. "Cut it out!"

"Kazu?"

"Dear heavens, are you all right?"

Kazu groaned and opened his eyes to see Kenta's and Haguramon's anxious faces.

"Wassup everybody," Kazu mumbled groggily. He accepted Haguramon's help and hauled himself to his feet. "Ow."

"Are you tolerable Kazu?" asked his Digimon partner.

Kazu winced. "I feel like I've been hit by three double-decker buses. Otherwise, I feel fine. What happened while I was out?"

"Nothing much," Kenta answered. "Except my head aches and Calumon's going around waking up everybody else with his Eskimo Kisses."

"Pika pi. Pikachu!" (Wake up Ash!)

"I'm awake…wide awake…" the trainer mumbled in reply.

"No you're not," said Misty. She groaned. "Open your eyes!"

"My heart hurts too much and opening my eyes will make things worse."

Another groan. "If you don't wake up, I'm going to have to resort to desperate measures, no matter how much I love you."

"I love you too…"

The redhead blushed at that, but rolled her eyes in annoyance. "ASH! All of your Pokémon have run away and no longer think you're a worthy master!"

The raven-haired trainer's eyes shot open. "Eeep! I'm up, I'm up!" He jumped to a sitting position. "Mis-ty! What the heck was that for?"

"Well, something had to get you up you dink," she muttered.

Directly in front of the maelstrom's previous location, Rika stirred within Renamon's protective arms. What's going on? She glanced up at her partner's furry face. "R-Renamon?"

"Oh you're up!" A wave of relief passed over the kitsune as she helped the girl to her feet. "Thank goodness."

A small frown graced Rika's features as her eyes took in the still desolate world. However… "Takato!" Rika dashed over to the Tamer's motionless form stretched out on the ground. T.K. and Chloe, noticing that she was on her feet and moving, followed her.

While the pair tended to Guilmon, Rika knelt down and shakily laid her hands on the brunette's arms. "Takato, wake up. Answer me," she said urgently. "Can you even hear me Gogglehead?"

The unconscious boy didn't say anything.

"C'mon, everything's going to be okay now. You got what you wanted; you know that right? Missingno's dead and we're all safe—even me. You saved us all Takato. You kept your promise…Takato?"

Still no answer.

A wave of concern washed over Rika. "Please wake up. If not for me then for Guilmon and Jeri." No answer or breath left the leader's lips. The worried expression changed to one of angered determination. "SO WAKE UP!"

WHAP!

The sound of the hearty smack caused the other kids to forget their injuries and focus on what was going on. As painful as it undoubtedly was, however, it seemed to have done the trick. Takato began to cough and his eyes opened blearily. "Ri…Rika?" The side of his face stung painfully. "Ow…what was that?"

A mixture of shock, anger, and relief raged across the redhead's face. "You little…" She swatted him on the back of the hand. "Don't you scare me like that again Gogglehead!"

He laughed quietly as a wan smile appeared on his features. Despite the pain from his injuries and his exhaustion, he was fine. "The Digimon Queen—afraid? Now that's a first."

"Shut up."

"Make me."

Rika laughed as the frozen mask dropped and, screwing all dignity, she threw her arms tightly around the startled boy. Her body began to shake as she finally felt the urge to release all of her emotions out. "Stupid Gogglehead. Stupid baka Gogglehead making jokes even during a near-death experience." I'm not gonna cry. I'm not gonna cry. "Do you know how close we were to losing you?"

"But you didn't," Takato replied rationally even while the blush on his face crept up. He tenderly hugged her back. "I knew you guys were with me inside the maelstrom; I could feel you giving me all of your power. I couldn't have done it without you."

Around them, their friends exhibited expressions of shock and happiness. Not only for Rika's declaration and unusual display of emotion but also for Takato's acknowledgement.

"Takato!" shouted Jeri excitedly. She flung her arms around the goggled Tamer, Rika springing away just in time. "I'm so glad you're okay!"

He smiled and accepted her warm embrace but out of the corner of his eyes he stole a look at Rika. She was casting them a quick glance that looked half annoyed and half…jealous? Nah, my imagination.

Henry tried not to pay too much attention to Jeri and Takato. It was giving him the strongest urge to kick something. Stop looking already! It shouldn't make him infuriated that his best friend was stealing all of Jeri's attention. It's exactly what's supposed to happen. I should be happy for Takato. He has everything he finally wants…and he nearly got killed out there. He grinned at his friend. "Nice to have you back Takato."

"Thanks Henry." Takato glanced at Jeri uncomfortably. "Uh Jeri…while it's great to see you…can you give me some—"

"Guilmon!" Jeri flung her arms tightly around Guilmon instead. The little dinosaur seemed just as happy that Jeri was all right. Except he did say something along the lines of "Can we get something to eat?"

Henry laughed and held out his hand to the fallen Tamer. "Need some help?"

Takato smiled weakly back and allowed Henry to help him up. No sooner had he done so, Chloe gave him a gentle hug. "Welcome back to the world of the living Takato Matsuki," she said warmly. Leaning over, she planted a kiss on his cheek. "We missed you."

T.K. nodded, stifling a laugh at the blush on the younger boy's face. "Whatever you did helped save the world Takato. You were brilliant."

"It wasn't me alone," Takato protested. He cast a grateful smile at Guilmon and the rest of his teammates. Calumon tackled him in a small blur of white and purple. "It was everyone's contribution."

Tai grinned. "Well as far as the battle went, you Tamers were awesome. Not just in this battle but in the others as well. You really are like a true team."

"No lie," said Ash. "You'd give Gary back home a run for his money."

The Tamers smiled broadly, obviously flattered. All of the Digidestined and the trainers still bore the injuries from the virus and the battle but were otherwise on the road to recovery.

Davis held out his hand. "We can't consider you the new Digidestined," he said to the Tamers. "But you're now a part of us."

Brock nodded. "You're like us trainers and Digidestined rolled into one."

"And the same goes for you," said Agumon to the Tamers' Digimon partners. "You remind me a lot of us when we were first starting out except you really do know what you're doing."

"Oh stop it," said Lopmon with a small flutter of pleased awkwardness. "We couldn't have made it this far without any of you with us."

Kazu laughed. "Then again…who's complaining? Not me, that's for sure."

The others were about to agree when a distant rumbling caused them to look up.

Gennai hovered above them in his Mekanorimon, free to have entered the Digital World at last. The elderly man smiled wearily. "Excellent work children," he commented. "You all did a fine job fighting out here. Digidestined: just like old times. Pokémon trainers: very impressive. And Digimon Tamers: I expected no less."

"Thanks Gennai," they chorused brightly.

A fluttering, shimmering butterfly rode on the shoulder of the Mekanorimon and it floated over to Jacob's side. "So you now understand the whole extent of the prophecy eh Jacob?"

"Yes Uncle Oikawa," said the brunette with a rueful smile. "And I'm sorry for doubting it…not too sorry but I understand what it was for." He and Jacqueline nodded at each other. "And…thank you."

Gennai's expression turned grave. "However, though you saved every world and dimension, the Digital World is not…er…in a very stable condition to continue life."

The kids looked around at the desolate half-deleted realm around them due to the fight against Missingno and the destruction of the maelstrom, and remembered the other areas of the Digital World they had seen. They knew Gennai was right.

"Not to worry Gennai," said Chloe seriously. A placid smile lit up her face. "If I believe this song worked with the Pokémon World, then I believe that it will work again here—with the aid of my light of life."

As silver light shone from her heart, the dark-haired trainer took out her ocarina and put it to her lips. She began to play Lugia's Song, her hair flowing around her as the hauntingly beautiful melody echoed throughout the corners of the Digital World and even to those above. It seemed so appropriate for a healing world...as the prophecy was finally fulfilled.

(Play The Legend Comes to Life)

Beams of light, the colors of their crests arced over them; reaching past the clouds in the sky and striking the region above. At once, the rainbow of light spread across the surfaces of the Digital World. Through the darkened sky, rays of purifying light shone through. As the clouds parted, the groups could make out the worlds of the Pokémon, the Digidestined, and the Tamers. Each was shimmering with inner radiance and cast their rays upon the Digital World and warmed the hearts of its inhabitants. The mountains began to rebuild, canyons stopped broadening, the high winds blowing across the surface of the Digital World stopped blowing so hard, the torrential oceans became calm, the forests grew while burnt stumps became fresh new shoots, and the valleys became lush and plentiful. Over at Primary Village, storms of Digi-eggs were falling. The merged world was slowly gaining back its lost glory and beauty.

Everywhere, the survivors of Missingno's chaos began to come out of their hiding places. They looked to the rays of light…and smiled.

Real World
Island of Honshu
Tokyo, Japan
West Shinjuku District (Digimon Tamers Dimension)

None of the grownups had moved for the longest time ever since the battle had gone on. Now they just watched tensely, waiting for any sign that their children were all right.

A sudden beeping from the computer monitors caused everyone to hold their breath while Riley and Tally checked the message that had appeared. "What's the news girls?" asked Yamaki once they had finished.

Riley let out a sigh of relief but Tally jumped up and whooped. "The virus has been destroyed and the kids are safe. They did it!"

Cheers and applause broke throughout the crowds and several of the parents hugged each other while still others wept tears of relief. Yamaki smiled and turned to look out the glass window. Outside, the storm ended and sunlight shone across the whole town as if nothing had ever happened.

Around the corners of the worlds and dimensions, the parents of the Tamers and the Digidestined, the Monster Makers, the workers of Hypnos, and the trainers and creatures of the Pokémon World heard the light sound of a combination between a flute and a piccolo.

"What's that?" Yamaki asked; his head tilted to one side.

Janyu gazed through the window at the fresh blue sky. "It sounds…like music. But nobody's playing an instrument in here."

Riley and Tally checked the computers and grinned. "Maybe nobody here is playing but somebody in the Digital World is." Everybody gathered around the computer as the music grew louder and it seemed as if a chorus of instruments accompanied it. They watched the Digital World slowly reform itself as rays of sparkling light fluttered around the screen. "That dark-haired girl has an ocarina. She must be the one playing the song."

Rumiko smiled. "That music…it's so pretty."

"It is isn't it?" Shibumi agreed quietly. "It's quite apropos for a time like this."

In the Pokémon World, Mewtwo lifted his head and seemed to smile at the sparkling blue sky. May, Max, and Brendan celebrated along with somewhat confused citizens of the Kanto Region while Professor Oak and Gary listened to the soft tune and vaguely found it interesting that Lugia's Song was able to restore balance and cure to the Digital World. Tracey and Mrs. Ketchum smiled, remembering the day that Ash had saved the world as the Chosen One and the same song that had healed the chaos.

"It's finally over," Mewtwo whispered. "This time…for good."

In the Digidestined Dimension, the inhabitants of Odaiba and the rest of the cities around the world heard the song weaving through the air like magic; not a symphony of cheer or an elegy of despair. Most of the parents hugged each other, silently taking comfort in that their children and worlds were finally safe and sound.

Nancy Takaishi glanced at Hiroaki Ishida, the tension between them still there though the song seemed to gently wash it all away. Silently they took each other's hands as the song swelled around them.

We're so proud of you…all of you…

As the peaceful melody floated around from world to world, one could almost feel the message it gave: a promise of healing and a promise of the difference only a few children could make.

Digital World
Sovereign Realm

As the beams of light flashed everywhere, T.K. smiled in remembrance. This was my last vision: the healing of the Digital World.

Calumon floated up a little, his large green eyes shining with joy. "Wow, isn't it beautiful? The Digital World is becoming normal again."

"Hey, look at our worlds!" Davis pointed at the sky towards the dimensional worlds that had appeared in the shining heavens. "They're all together."

Izzy agreed. "It's very unique. The hearts of their inhabitants are helping this place heal."

"That's right," Cody agreed as he looked at the Tamers. "Your parents may not have been able to help us in the combat but they're able to help us now. It's the belief they have in you that's keeping us together."

Brock glanced up at the sky toward the Pokémon World. "And everybody there seems to be helping us too. Even if they don't know what we've been through, they're still eager to help any way they can."

"Even ours," said Joe, pointing at the Digidestined's Real World. "All of the people there know about Digimon. They truly want to help too."

It's true, thought Takato to himself. We managed to defeat Missingno and heal this world…because we were together. As long as we're together, we can do anything!

Without thinking, Takato let his hand drift next to him until he felt Rika's. She grasped onto it securely. Near them, Henry and Jeri did the same thing while Ash placed his arm around Misty. T.K. and Kari held each other close along with Matt and Sora. Jacqueline leaned her head against Jacob's shoulder. Davis and Catherine exchanged knowing smiles while Ken placed his hands on Yolei's shoulders.

The Digimon also stood by their partners, battle-weary, but proud of their labors. Pikachu too, looked up to the sky and smiled happily at the healing lands.

Before them, four shapeless beings appeared, writhing and twisting in the shimmering light's wake. As they began to take shape, the kids could make out the forms of the majestic Digimon Sovereign, resurrected again in the luminosity of the healing.

Azulongmon stretched his mighty head while Zhugiaomon spread his flaming wings. Ebonwumon shook his tree body and bobbed his two heads up and down. Baihumon used his massive paws to haul himself up from the ground.

After the light faded away, Chloe finally began to feel the exhausting efforts of her contribution. However, Lugia's Song continued to fill them with reassurance and peace.

(End The Legend Comes to Life)

The girl finished the song and tottered slightly on her legs. "I…am…so…tired…"

"You did a wonderful job and our worlds are safe," Azulongmon assured her. "Thank you."

"It was nothing Azulongmon," she said weakly. Tai ran up to her just before she lost her balance and fell backwards. "Th-thanks Tai."

He nodded, a smile in his deep brown eyes. "Don't worry. I got you."

Azulongmon nodded his large head and what looked like a grin formed beneath his flowing beard.

"Yes it was very good—for humans," Zhugiaomon grumbled.

Now everyone sweatdropped. "If that's all you could say Zhugiaomon," Baihumon began, and then stopped. "Actually for you that's a well-said compliment."

"Ack, the poor laddies and lassies are exhausted," Ebonwumon noted.

Exhausted or not, the three teams were proud of each other and their accomplishments. Missingno was gone for good as well as the Dark Masters. The long battle against chaos was finally over.

Rika and Takato, having suddenly noticed they were holding hands, withdrew their fingers. "Um…sorry."

"Yeah same here." Rika took a deep breath to regain her composure. "So…uh…Gogglehead…did you ever get around to telling Jeri how you felt about her?"

He blinked. "Jeri? Oh…I never…well…no…"

A small frown appeared on her face. "Well…why don't you get a move on? I'm sure with everything that's happened, she does love you." She smiled a little too forcedly. "I mean you did pretty good out there."

"Good? Good? We risk our lives to protect this world, restore it from permanent deletion, destroy a killing virus with an appetite for data, some of us bounced back and forth between life and death, and the chances of me coming back from the maelstrom were almost zero; and all you can say is 'You did pretty good out there!'"

Rika grimaced at the disbelieving look on his face and finally found the urge to laugh way too strong. "I was just kidding Gogglehead. But not about the first part. You should really talk to Jeri. After all of this you…deserve it." Turning away from the stunned look on Takato's face, she bounded off to where Renamon, Chloe, and T.K. were standing and waiting for her.

"Um, okay."

Terriermon used his ears to fly past Guilmon and Takato. "Aw, tough luck Takatomon. You didn't get a kiss from Rika."

"Whaaaaaat!" The goggled boy stared at the Digimon in shock. "What do you mean by that?"

Terriermon grinned. "Well, it'd be nice if you got a kiss from somebody in this here lifetime so why not—?"

"Terriermon!" Henry yelled from beside Jeri. He too had let go of her hand once he'd realized he'd been holding it. "Don't say that!"

The dog bunny grinned. "You're not exactly one to scold me Henry since you're in the same boat as him."

"Oh shut up." Henry rolled his eyes.

Ash glanced sideways at Takato. "Why were you and Rika holding hands?"

The Tamer shrugged. "I dunno…wait. How did you know?"

"I have these things in front of my face Takato. They're called 'eyes.'"

Terriermon and Guilmon broke into gleeful laughter while Takato's face flushed. "First Terriermon, now you. What are you guys getting at?"

"I think Cupid's arrow has found a target," said Ash in a sing-song voice. "And you seem to have a thing for certain Digimon Queen."

Takato's face turned even redder. "I do…not." I don't want the whole world to know.

"You do too," Ash smiled slyly. Terriermon continued to chuckle.

"Ash quit teasing Takato," said Misty sternly. "Even after all that's happened, you haven't stopped being a child."

The trainer's eyes narrowed. "HEY! I resent that! Are you calling me immature?"

"I said, you haven't stopped being a child. I never said you were immature!"

"Yes you did."

"I said, I didn't."

"I said, you did." Guilmon, Takato, and Pikachu looked from trainer to trainer, back to trainer to trainer, and so on as if they were watching a tennis rally. They were at it again.

"Did not."

"Did too."

"Did not!"

"Did too!"

"DID NOT!"

"DID TOO!"

"NO!"

"YES!"

"SHUT UP BEFORE I SHUT YOU BOTH UP!" Chloe yelled at the top of her lungs.

Both trainers meeped. "Yes ma'm."

Terriermon shook his head. "You humans are crazy."

"Pikachu." (You got that right)

Alexis: Whoa, talk about intensive battling. Missingno's gone for good, the kids are together again, and the worlds of humans, Pokémon, and Digimon are finally safe and sound. But is everything truly solved and just how are they going to fix everything else that's happened outside the Digital World? Find out next!

Okay obviously this story isn't done because I haven't settled a lot of things yet (like Takato and Rika's little problem heh) but fear not people! I still have a week and a few days before I head off to college so you can be sure to find the next installment close by. The next chapter might be the last; it might not. It all depends on you and your opinion of it. Well I'm beat so I hope you've enjoyed this VERY long chapter and don't hesitate to drop me a review telling how good it was or how much it sucked (hey, I can take it!). Till next time!