A/N: Okay here's chapter two, hope you like it. Thanks to everyone who reviewed, I took your feedback into account and used it in this chapter. As always HUGE thanks to Kodachrome for helping me out of corners and editing.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Ken poured over the contents of the small computer as if it was a best selling novel, every page holding another gem, furthering his knowledge, and forming his plan. He'd started with the journal, feeling it would indicate what files would be important to look into, and been rewarded with a day by day account of their first trip to the Digital World.
He briefly looked over the sleeping Wormon, wondering if his life was ever in enough danger if his partner could protect him, and what he would turn into. Through his readings he'd learned their first foe had been a beast by the name of Devimon. Devimon's plan seemed to be much like his own, use a dark force to enslave innocent Digimon, force them to do his bidding, and take over the world piece by piece. Rule and conquer for all eternity. And while he wasn't surprised that he had failed, he was surprised by the one who had ultimately beat him, the smallest, the one named TK. It had cost Angemon his life, but was an impressive bit of power none the less.
"Master you really should get some sleep" Wormon said with a yawn and to his surprise Ken closed the computer and stretched out "I know, let us retire, I need to process what I've read".
Dawn was breaking over the Digital World as the Digidestined began to pick of the pieces from the night before. Izzy was up and moving and had sunk into a deeper depression, blaming himself once again for letting Ken get his hands on such sensitive information. "Izzy will you stop moping and help us figure out what were going to do next" Mimi snapped throwing a cup of water in his face to snap him out of it. Izzy sputtered and fell off the log he was sitting on. He wasn't used to the newer, more aggressive Mimi, and wasn't sure if he liked it yet.
Joe chuckled offering his friend a hand up "She's right we're going to need your help figuring out what we're going to do next". Izzy nodded wiping the water away. Tentomon settling in next to him "Besides I wasn't able to stop that pathetic little worm…just wait till next time I'll shock him good, I'm still getting that sticky stuff off my shell".
"At least you don't have hair" Gomamon pouted pointing to the matte in his hair. Mimi sighed and pulled out a comb grabbing him before he could run away.
"What is Tai's group doing?" Cody asked quietly, reminding the older Destined with a start that they were there. Sora held up Yolei's D-Terminal "I'm talking with them right now…Tai thinks we should stick to the plan of them finding Ken and us finding Genni…wants your feedback".
Joe shook his head "We should join up and concentrate our efforts on finding one or the other, preferably Ken…we don't even know if Genni is even around still".
"I disagree" Izzy said wincing slightly at the noise Mimi's comb was making "We should try to find Genni, he'll know what to do with Ken and the information he already has".
"Or we could split up even further to cover more ground looking for both" Yolei chimed in. She looked around gauging the reactions of the others, knowing instantly that it wasn't and option.
Sora's fingers worked quickly to get in everyone's input, only waiting a few moments for a reply "So we stick to the plan, they'll keep looking for Ken and we'll try to find Genni. He says to head for the lake. He also says to have two people on watch at all times and stay under the cover of the woods to avoid being tracked". She closed the terminal and handed it back to Yolei with a grateful smile.
Yolei placed it into her backpack "Will you tell us more about Genni?" she asked startling the older kids. She could see the trio exchanging looks, silently debating whether to answer the question. Finally Izzy nodded and motioned for them to sit down "Of coarse…we don't want to hide things from you anymore. He was our guide and mentor through our first trip to the Digital World".
"And he's crazy" Tentomon buzzed earning a swat from Palmon "He means protector" she said folding her arms.
"And crazy" Gomamon muttered under his breath.
"Eons ago he was the protector of the crests, guardian of the Digital World, a great and powerful warrior. He knows the history of the Digital World, seen and been a part of its greatest battles" Joe added "He also saved our lives more times than I can count".
Cody looked sullen "Why hasn't he come to us yet? I mean I can think of a few times were a little guidance would have been nice".
"Your guess is as good as ours" Sora said trying to sooth the hurt feelings "He didn't come to us until after we defeated Devimon…and believe me we hit some low points against him. Instead he made himself known after…when we had proven we were the Digidestined and ready for out crests."
This seemed to satisfy the pair for the moment, as the nodded and holstered their packs "Then we had better find him quickly" Cody said moving out.
"They're going to keep looking for Genni" Davis said closing his D-Terminal and adding it to his own pack "And we're still going after Ken, he's not going to know what hit him". Veemon bounded up next to him "Got that right". The others just looked at him and let them stroke each others egos for a few moments.
"Mimi said the Airdramon went north when they took off so we're going to head that way" Tai said signaling for the group to move out.
Ken had finished the journal and every other file in the computer he had gained access too, each one more fantastic than the next. He had been right about the crests; they were going to somehow be the key to the Digidestines undoing. Now how to do that? Apoclimon had stripped them of the crests only to have them find the power within themselves; therefore he would have to pull the power from their very core. Then the eggs would be of no use to the next generation.
Making the matter at hand was how to take the power. This is where the journal had provided some more insight, and old man named Genni. He had guarded and helped them find the crests in the first place, and if he had given them the power he could surly take it away.
"Wormon" he called hearing the scuttling of feet. "What do you know of a man named Genni?"
Wormon felt important and overjoyed, he could actually provide his master with an answer "There are many legends of him Master. He was the ancient guardian who was sent to guide the Digidestined as the battled all manners of evil. Before the Digidestined came, he was the keeper of the sacred crests, protecting them against the evils of our ancient world". Wormon could see that Ken wasn't pleased with the answer.
"I know all that" he said carefully "Where do these 'legends' say Genni is?"
Now Wormon felt worthless again "No one really knows…" the guardian shrank back beginning to panic fearing retribution clutched at the latest rumors he had heard "but they say Elecmon of Primary Village was close with him…he may know".
Ken stood up fastening his cape, calling his slaves into action "I don't believe I have met this Elecmon, we should go pay a visit to him, after all subjects love visits from their Emperor". Wormon followed knowing full well that Elecmon would not appreciate the visit he was about to get.
"Hey, the ground we're walking on is getting all squishy" Davis said giving it a few test bounces before moving on. As they walked the leaves on the trees surrounding them turned into soft colors, bringing a sense of tranquility to the group.
"We must be getting near Primary Village" Kari said happily "that would be a great place to stop for the night". Tai looked at her doubtfully, he wanted to keep going, there were a few more hours of daylight left. But one look at her face made the decision for him. "Okay, let's find Elecmon; perhaps he has heard something about Ken".
They began to walk toward the heart of the village, soft, bright, toys beginning to litter the path. Davis fell back in step with TK unable to hold back the smile the environment brought on "Why is Kari so excited about this place?" TK looked around to make sure Davis was talking to him "Think of it as the Digimon nursery, full of Digimon babies, she always loves to come here".
Veemon was bouncing happily as well "All Digimon start out here as eggs, when we hatch Elecmon cares for us until we're ready to go our on our own".
"TK and I got to spend a lot of time here when we were separated from the others" Patamon added "we got to play with all the toys and babies…it was really fun until Ogremon showed up".
Davis looked at TK seeing a small shadow cross his eyes "You guys separated? Why on earth would you do that?" The shadow passed as if he'd shaken off an unwanted memory "Trust me it wasn't by choice. We had been hiking for awhile, looking for the source of the Black Gears when we came upon this great mansion. It had food, hot baths, and real beds…everything we had been missing from home. So still new and naïve we stopped for the night. It was late, well after we'd all fallen asleep, when Devimon attacked. He used our beds to fling us in all directions, the farthest points on File Island. He thought alone would be easier targets…"
The young leader had questions filling his mind and mouth, TK had never been this open, and he was going to see how much he could get. "How did you get back together? Who did he send after you? How long were you apart?" he blurted, only stopping when TK began to laugh.
"We were apart far too long" TK answered "The others seemed to find each other…Matt and Tai found me just as Ogremon and Leomon were about to finish me off."
"Why didn't Angemon protect you?" Davis blurted, immediately regretting asking, the look on TK's face cutting deep. TK however answered "Patamon couldn't Digivolve quite yet, let's just say he was saving his first time for something big."
"We're here" Tai called back as they entered a large clearing littered with empty bassinettes. TK hurried ahead calling for Elecmon has he passed.
Veemon came up next to his charge "What's wrong?" Davis watched the four of them ahead before answering "TK and Kari were only eight, Matt and Tai my age…I don't know if I could have done what they did".
"You could have" his guardian said seriously "I know you could have; besides you don't have the Digi Eggs of Courage and Friendship for nothing. The same traits and powers of Matt and Tai, that takes someone very special. All of you will have your moment to shine, just wait and see".
Davis smile gratefully "Thanks Veemon, why don't we go help them find this Elecmon"
TK caught up with Kari beginning to worry about the empty cradles, on their last visits they had all been full of baby Digimon "Did you have a nice chat with Davis?" she asked.
"He's just curious…have you seen any of the baby Digimon yet?" he said now taking in the silence shrouding the normally chaotic village. Chills began to ran up his spine and he felt Kari tense next to him as Gatomon let out a low hiss "I don't hear any of them" he said. Matt and Tai came up behind them, both tense, eyes flaring, and battle ready. "Everyone quiet" he hissed pointing to the trees for cover.
The Digimon formed a protective circle around their charges, hair standing on end. Step by step they listened intently for any sign of where the inhabitants had gotten too. Desperate they listened for a coo of jingle of a toy. It was Gabumon's sensitive ears the found it "This way" he whispered leading the way though the small grove of trees, into a smaller clearing.
They crouched behind the bushes keeping well out of sight. TK put his arm around Kari as the sight before them came into view. A large group of babies had been corralled into the center of the clearing, surrounded by various vicious dark ringed Digimon, each one growling fangs at ready. Ken stood there too, his foot pinning Elecmon to the plush ground.
"He's gone too far" TK said looking to Tai for direction. The leader had his fists clenched so hard that his knuckles were white.
Tai nodded, ready to leap out of his skin, rage boiling in his eyes. Just as he was about to signal for an attack Ken's cruel voice echoed across the clearing. "This is your last chance" he said pressing down onto his captive "You tell me where Genni is and I won't let my minions have your babies for breakfast". Torn between his duties to the babies and his duty as a guardian he paused, only to lower his head in defeat.
"Under the lake just east of here, his house on the west shoreline" he said.
Matt cursed "We're out of time, Digivolve now".
Ken let out another cold laugh, celebrating his victory, nearly getting bowled over by the large ball of fire that came from the trees. He used every ounce of athletic agility to jump out of the way, tucking into a roll as Elecmon but in a shot of his own.
"Kill them" he shouted, infuriated to see his leverage was now being guarded by Nefertimon and Pegsausmon. Garurumon and Flamdramon were driving his minions back, their Dark Rings shattering with the precise hits. Without the rings, they had lost their purpose and bravery, opting to run into the forest rather than face the Destines guardians.
The ground behind him began to shake as Greymon emerged bearing down on him, Tai standing on his back eyes ablaze "We can tolerate you attacking us, you're a villain and supposed to do that. But attacking something this innocent and one of our friends to boot…that is unforgivable".
Greymon let lose his Nova Blast, aimed at the Emperors prone form. Wormon watched in horror knowing his master would never be able to get out of the way in time, so his did the only thing he could think of, he dove and Ken with all the force his little body could muster, pushing him clear. The edge of the blast caught his tail. He cried out in pain and fell to the ground. Ken lay stunned for a few moments contemplating what had happened, he actually having been struck by a Digidestines attack. His mind caught up with reality as he saw Tai and Matt moving towards him, both looking incredibly unhappy. Knowing he was out of protectors he chose to fight another day and gathered his fallen guardian "You will all pay for that…you just wait" he screamed "I know where your mentor is and it will only be a matter of time before your powers will all be mine and you will be but a footnote in my legacy!" In one swift motion his hands pulled a small capsule from his belt, creating a smoke screen that darkened the entire clearing. It was only when the smoke cleared could they see he had escaped.
"TK" Matt called sliding off Garurumon's back "call the others, tell them Genni is at the lake and Ken knows they need to get there now".
TK began typing as fast as he could "Why don't we go?" Davis asked.
"It's too far away, besides Kari and I are the only ones who can fly and we wouldn't be a match for him alone" TK said quickly. Getting a beep in response "They're on their way, they've all Digivolved".
"He's got Wormon to worry about, that should buy us some time" Tai said turning his attention to Elecmon and the frightened babies that had surrounded them.
"Faster" Izzy shouted over the wind to Kabuterimon as they flew towards Genni's lake. He held onto Cody in front of him, not wanting the young boy to fall off "Why did Ken attack the village to find out where this was?" he shouted.
"For Genni's safety I never mapped or indicated where his hideout might be so the only way to find it would to be ask someone who already knew" Izzy replied looking over at the girls flying slightly ahead of them. Joe was behind him, head buried in his back "Are we there yet?" he asked, voice frantic.
Izzy didn't answer, instead scanning the horizon for the blue. Deep down he'd hoped the Genni wasn't there, explaining why he hadn't responded to any of his emails. The trees began to give way to desert on the ground below and Izzy knew they were beginning to get close.
Birdramon began to descend as the soft glistening lake came into view. With a sigh of relief they landed on an empty beach, the lake showing no signs of being disturbed. "Ken doesn't seem to be here" Yolei said obviously relieved "TK said Wormon had been injured, perhaps he's taking care of him".
Cody pulled out his D-Terminal, trying to email the elder himself, and within moments of sending the message the waters began to part.
"Nice job Cody" Sora muttered beginning down the stairs. The others followed the long stair case took them down into the depths of the lake, the sun above fading as they descended.
They came upon the small cottage, just as the original Destined had remembered it, Genni standing at the front door. A mixed expression was on the old mans face, pleased to see his charges while worry etched his features. "Greetings" he said the exhaustion evident in his voice.
Sora and Mimi gave him a hug "We were worried about you" Mimi scolded "why didn't you reply to any of Izzy's emails".
"Forgive me" Genni said motioning them inside to his living room. The house had not changed since the Digidestines last visit, with walls of books surrounding the well worn furniture. Tea had been prepared and was sitting on the coffee table before them, piping hot, he knew they were coming. "I had no way of verifying it was indeed you trying to contact me. Now I understand Ken has managed to get his hands on some rather sensitive information". Izzy lowered his head in shame once more, finding it more difficult to face his mentor.
Joe answered for him "We're afraid so. We think he's now coming after you, he wants a way to stop the crests".
Genni settled back into his chair sipping his cup of tea before speaking. "He's no fool that's for sure". Yolei looked up from her own cup "So he could really defeat us by taking the crests". Genni nodded "Without the crests your Digi Eggs will cease to exist, and without the eggs that leaves 8 Champion Digimon to fight his army…they wouldn't stand a chance. However, getting the crests would be rather tricky".
"I thought the crests were gone" Gomamon said reluctantly remembering the battle with Apoclimon.
"The crests themselves are gone, but they were merely a physical representation of the powers you possess. During the battle with Apoclimon those powers peaked allowing you to wield your power without the physical carriers. So in order for Ken to get the crests he must take them from your very soul".
Silence reigned and Mimi asked the question that was on everyone's mind "Can he do that?"
"I'm afraid so, he's already on the right track with his dark rings" Genni said hearing the clattering of cups. "You've seen what pure darkness can do to your crests" he said looking directly at Sora. Rubbing her arms she nodded, her mind flashing back to the cave of darkness she'd been lost in "All he needs is the right concentration of darkness, lets say a Dark Ring only in beam form and…"
"We're in a lot of trouble" Tentomon finished.
"So our focus should be on defeating Ken, not getting the computer back" Cody said grimly.
"Precisely"
Sora reached into Yolei's bag pulling out the D-Terminal "I'll contact Tai, have them meet us here. We're going to have to revamp our entire plan".
Genni stood "If you're all going to be here I'm going to need some more beds and food…I've seen the way some of you boys eat and at the rate they go I'll be out by noon".
Ken sat seething, the laptop once again hooked up to his main computer as he searched through the files. In his lap Wormon lay in a fitful sleep, bandages wrapping his burns, pain killers helping him to sleep. The Emperor paused briefly to adjust his guardian making him more comfortable.
Leaving the journal, he returned to the main collection of files, looking over the names for something that seemed interesting. He found one in the middle that he'd never paid too much head too, Prophecies. Clicking on it an odd looking Gram cracker appeared on the screen, "What?" he mumbled to himself finding an icon into a word document? The document appeared to be Izzy's notes on the matter. "So that's a prophecy" he said again "now what does it mean". Ken knew it had already come to pass but was curious none the less.
The prophecy itself made little sense and the notes seemed to have been typed in a hurry, many thoughts unfinished.
Hour of the Beast 06:06:06
Undead King Myotismon
True Form Big, horrible creature
Angels of Hope/Light Angemon/Angewomon
Sent to protect TK and Kari
Loved Ones Matt and Tai
Miracle Warp Digivolution
Ken read through the notes and the prophecy again making sure he had seen it correctly. The angels had caused the Warp Evolution for Agumon and Garurumon.
Feeling a rush of adrenaline he pulled open the files regarding the other guardians, confirming none of the others had achieved that high of a level.
Sitting back he tried to collect his thoughts, piece together more of the puzzle. TK and Kari were part of two Digidestined teams, and their Digimon seemed to be extremely powerful. He cursed out loud suddenly disturbing Wormon, cursing again Ken paused letting him settle back down. He'd had the Patamon; he was going to put a Dark Ring on him. But instead of just slapping it on he'd been cocky and slowed the act just to torment TK…if he hadn't he would have had control on an Angel. If he'd had the angel, could he have used the power to evolve his own army to a more powerful level? He would have to consider his options.
But it still left the crests; he still needed to destroy them if he wanted to destroy the Digidestined. That brought him back to the matter of how to destroy the crests. A thought sparked, Matt's crest had stopped glowing at one point. Quickly he returned to the journal finding what he'd wanted during their fight with the Dark Masters.
…Puppetmon has captured TK. Matt is a wreck, feeling he had failed to protect him, blaming himself. To make matters worse Matt and Tai fought (as usual) about the correct course of action. Tai wanted to fight, Matt wanted to look. However when Gabumon tried to Digivolve, he couldn't, Matt's crest wouldn't glow. No one knows why but I think that Matt's current state of mind has put him in a position where he sees his own friends as enemies, negating his crest…
Ken scrolled farther down in the journal, finding recap on the events of their final battle he found what he was looking for.
…Sora had found Matt just in time but according to her it was the other way around. She said she'd fallen into a cave of her own darkness, brought on by her own insecurities…Even more fascinating, Matt admits to having the same experience. I wish I had been able to study the darkness itself…
He jumped up with a shout of triumph, spilling his battered Digimon to the floor. Wormon was snapped out of his drug induced sleep to see his master nearly jumping up and down like a two year old on Christmas morning. "Master" he whimpered, shocking Ken. The Emperor stopped, scooping up his Digimon "So sorry" soothing rubbing his head almost affectionately "but I have found the key to defeating the Digidestined, and it's all thanks to you". Glossy eyes answered his declaration.
"Darkness will do it and I've had it all along in the Dark Rings, they have to be modified of course but it should work. Wormon had fallen back to sleep by now never even hearing his masters praise. "The crests and the Digital World will soon be mine".
To Be Continued…