Hoo-kay, this took a long time to write. I nearly got in trouble with my pre-reader because it took so long (and when I teased her about being impatient, she acted all offended.) Any-hoo, as usual let's answer reviews.
courageous-flame: Glad you liked it!!!
Bluesakuramon: I'll take my chances with the D-Tector colors. I saw the symbol, it was cool. So glad you like the story.
Xtremequeen: Glad you like the story!!!
I'm not getting that many reviews. Don't worry, I'm not going to set a review count. I ask that you tell your friends and readers about this fic, though. Anyhow, onto the story. I'm introducing a new part to the story line. Has anyone besides me ever wondered about the original Legendary Warrior's childhood and growing up? I'm adding eleven new Digimon who's original purpose was to care for the Legendary Warriors when they were in their Baby, In-Training and Rookie stages, and now they will follow the Chosen to guard them when they're not Digimon. Despite any flames about them and the fact that I might lose readers (except for the faithful and very beautiful, I'm sure Bluesakuramon, I ain't getting rid of them. Enjoy! R&R!!!
Chapter 2: Do You Believe in Magic?
Falling.
That was all Tim was aware of. He was falling further from his friends, further from Kayla.
Looking down, He saw that he still had a long way to go. He still couldn't see the bottom of the cliff.
'Oh joy.' He thought. 'Just me and my broken arm.'
His arm was still hurting, but he was no stranger to pain. He'd been hurt ever since that day. Kayla had been his only source of healing, and now she was taken away.
Turning his mind away from the people above him, he fumbled in his pocket with his good hand, trying to pull out his CD player. His foster parents were amazed that after their horror, instead of turning to the harsh cords of rock from the many countries where they lived, twins had turned to the slow, soothing cords of American country music. Both had favorite artists, both could play different instruments, and they hated the fact that their foster parents were die-hard rockers. In fact, the only CD that they ever agreed to listen to was Big & Rich.
As he settled on their "Wild West Show" song, one that clearly described his feelings right now, and set the player on a loop, a strange Digimon showed up. It was a red, four-legged eagle with a silver helmet and silver wings. The symbol on the helmet was the same one found on Kazemon's gloves. It was a Halsemon.
"A human? What happened?" It asked.
Tim tried to answer, but he found himself drowsy. He muttered something incomprehensible.
"Great skies, you're injured!" Halsemon exclaimed. "Don't move. I'll catch you as gently as I can."
He swooped up to the boy and gently leveled, Tim on his back.
"Hang on." Halsemon said. "My group has human-type Digimon in it, and two of them are healers. We'll get there in no time."
Tim nodded slowly. He lie down on against Halsemon's back and fell asleep.
Thirty minutes later, about the time the others were at council with the Numemon, Halsemon landed at a small campfire.
"Magnamon! Shurimon!" Halsemon called softly, so not to awake the human on his back. "Brothers! We have a problem!"
From the trees came a ninja. It was clothed in white and green with a large shrunken on it's back and shrunkens for hands and feet. This was Shurimon.
Near the edge of the fire, a figure stood up. His golden body armor gleamed in the fire and moonlight against his blue skin. This was Magnamon.
"What is the problem, Halsemon?" Asked Magnamon, walking forward with Shurimon.
"I found a human during my flight." Answered the eagle-like Digimon. "He was falling off the Endless Cliff with a broken arm."
"That's not good." Shurimon said, studying the arm. "But you do realize that I haven't practiced medicine since AncientGreymon cracked his head on that cliff while chasing Lucemon, right?"
And I haven't had to heal since AncientWisemon cracked his mirrors while fighting that traitor." Magnamon added, carefully lifting the sleeping boy and laying him next to the fire.
"I know, I know." Halsemon said impatiently. "I know you're out of practice, but how bad can it be?"
"Remember our first time?" they asked.
"I'm sorry I asked." Halsemon said, sweatdropping at memories of the old test dummies.
"We'll try." Shurimon said, straightening the arm carefully.
"Just don't get mad at us if we screw up." Magnamon finished, his armor starting to glow a gold color.
Light shot from Magnamon's armor, shining on the arm. When the light stopped, the bone was healed.
For the first time in seven years, Tim special ability failed him. He woke up about the same time as the others, though he didn't find himself hanging by his wrists. He found himself next to a fire. Wondering where he was, he stayed in place like his old martial arts teacher had taught him to do in a kidnapping situation.
He listened for any noise. The fire. The sounds of, maybe eight or nine creatures breathing. He cracked his eyes, keeping his breathing level. He looked around. There was the Halsemon who had saved him.
In the sky floated the creature called Magnamon, this he knew by looking in Bokomon's book while their guide was asleep. Magnamon's symbol that was gleaming in the moonlight on the armor was the symbol of Light.
A Shurimon was in the trees. On his headband, reflecting moonlight, was the symbol of Wood.
A dragon man was sitting next to Halsemon, dressed in flame armor. This was Flamedramon, of course, but the symbol on his vest was the symbol of Fire, not the usual sun symbol.
A black armored beast-type Digimon stood at the edge of the fire. This he recognized as Raidramon. He wore the symbol of Thunder on his chest.
A yellow bug with drills for a nose and fingers stood under Shurimon's branch. A Digmon, the symbol of Earth flashing on it's back.
A killer whale on legs and an orange inner tube, an Orcamon, was as far from the fire as it could get. The symbol of Water stood out on it's white belly.
A tall, blue-armored creature, a Rinkmon, stood next to Orcamon. On it's flowing cape, the symbol of Ice flashed.
Finally, a blue android with transparent wings, Peacockmon, stood next to Raidramon. On it's back was the symbol of Metal.
Deciding that they were okay and friendly, especially since Halsemon saved him and some of them most likely healed his arm, he spoke up. "What happened?"
All nine creatures turned to him.
"Are you okay?" Halsemon asked.
"I'm fine." Tim said, sitting up and stretching his healed arm. "Who are you guys?"
Seeing that they were about to give him names, he said. "I know what you are, but why are you all grouped together?"
"Oh." They took a deep breath and said in unison "We are the Guardians of the Legendary Warriors."
"The Legendary Warriors." Tim whispered.
"Yes." Halsemon said. "As each Spirit was activated, we hatched and bonded with our chosen Digieggs. Flamedramon was the first to hatch."
"It felt great to be back." Flamedramon said, popping his neck. "Then I had to watch over the others until they hatched."
"You were the first to hatch." Tim mused. "You say you are Guardians. Are you Guardian of Agunimon?"
"Yes." Flamedramon laughed. "I am now that he's a Spirit. Before, I was the Guardian of AncientGreymon."
"Okay, I understand your purpose, but there's one thing I don't get." Tim said, standing up and stretching. "Bokomon's guide book never said anything about Guardians."
"We never did care for popularity. In fact, we asked the Warriors never to mention us." Magnamon said. "Few was said about the Legendary Warrior's birth and childhood. That was our main purpose. To care for the Legendary Warriors while they were in their Baby, In-Training and Rookie forms. We fought with them when they reached Champion level, but by the time they became Ultimates, we were very much unneeded."
"I thought that there were ten Legendary Warriors." Tim said. "I count only nine Guardians."
"There are, in fact, twelve Legendary Warriors." Halsemon said. "The reason there are only nine of us is that the other three Guardians have yet to hatch. The last three Spirits haven't been activated yet."
"The Legendary warriors of Hope and Magic may never be awakened." Rinkmon said quietly. "The sacrificed themselves to power the remaining ten and defeat Lucemon. Their last request was not to tell the public about the sacrifice. They didn't want their brothers and sisters to be thought of as weak."
Tim was silent at this. Much like he sacrificed himself to save Tommy. He began to wonder…
"Now we won't say anymore." Orcamon said. "Not until you eat and tell us your name."
"My name?" Tim asked, looking around. "My name's Tim, but I can't stay. I've got to find my friends."
"No." Raidramon said, jumping in front of him before he could take five steps. "You haven't the strength. Your arm is healed, but it took a lot of strength to last as long as you did."
At that moment, Tim's stomach growled loudly before he could deny any of Raidramon's statements. All of the Guardians laughed as Tim turned red with embarrassment.
"Okay, you guys win." Tim mumbled. "I'll stay."
After a quick meal, Tim had gotten up to go, when a flash of gold caught their eyes. They turned to see one of the three eggs next to the fire hatch. The baby Digimon blinked at them, then merged with the armor Digiegg behind it. An abraxen came from it, with golden armor and wings. "Pegususmon!"
Everyone stared at Pegususmon slack-jawed. Tim because he had never seen an armor Digivolution, and the Guardians because they never thought they'd see him again.
Pegususmon shook his mane and looked at them. "Well brothers. It's been a long time."
"We feared that we'd never see you again, Pegususmon." Flamedramon said. "So, the Spirit of Hope is active."
"It must have been Kayla." Tim said, receiving blank stares. "I've been traveling with the Legendary Warriors of Fire, Ice, Wind and Thunder for some time now. The Warrior of Light is around the Digital World somewhere as well. All of them are humans who can become Digimon. My twin sister and I expected to get one of the remaining Spirits; Earth, Water, Metal, Wood or Darkness."
"But you think your sister received the Spirit of Hope." Peacockmon said quietly. "So, if BlueSakuramon is here, the Spirits of Magic might become active."
"But if Kayla had to Spirit Evolve, then she's in trouble." Tim said. "They need help."
"You say that the Legendary Warriors are human." Halsemon said. "I think that we shall be needed again."
"Speak for yourself." Said Digmon. "That's only Agunimon, Lobomon, Kumamon, Kazemon, Beetlemon and BlueSakuramon. The Spirits that Orcamon, Shurimon, Peacockmon and myself aren't with them."
"And what of the remaining eggs?" Orcamon asked. "Bucchimon hasn't hatched yet, and neither has Yasyamon."
Tim wasn't even listening to them anymore. His black-and-silver D-Tector was in his hand and he was staring at it. "Where are you?"
He looked at the mountains and gave a shout of surprise that stopped the Guardians from arguing.
"Someone is scanning the mountain!" Raidramon roared.
"Young Tim, climb on!" Halsemon said, leaping to Tim. "Let's go with haste!"
"Don't even think about it!" Came a new voice. "Roundhouse Punt!"
A foot shot from the trees and hit Halsemon's helmet, stunning the Wind Beast and sending him and Tim flying.
"I don't believe it." Said Shurimon as beast and boy landed on either side of the fire. "I'd know that voice anywhere! AncientTrojamon!"
"Not quite." Said the new voice as a figure walked out of the trees. It was a robot made of wood, looking like a totem pole of the Native Americans. "But I used to be. I am Arbormon. Look pretty good, right?"
"What would cause a Legendary Warrior to strike a Guardian?" Shurimon asked. "I had more faith in you, Arbormon."
"It's not just me." Arbormon replied, sounding smug. "Grumblemon just scanned the Numemon Mountain."
"What?!"
"And Ranamon and Mercurymon are with us as well. Duskmon will join us soon."
"Duskmon!" Magnamon gasped. "Why would that demon be released? What happened to Lowemon?"
"I don't know, I don't care." Arbormon said. "I was sent by Lord Cherubimon to collect the Fractal Code of the Guardians."
"Cherubimon!" Peacockmon groaned. "That explains everything."
"We can't allow you to do this, Arbormon." Shurimon said gravely. "We will fight to the death. Double Star!"
The ninja Digimon pulled the large shrunken from his back and threw it at Arbormon, who dodged it.
"Roundhouse Punt!"
The foot smashed into Shurimon and sent him flying. He nearly landed on Tim, who looked up just in time and threw himself away from the crash site.
"Fire Rocket!"
"Magna Blast!"
The fire and light attacks headed straight for Arbormon, who dodged again—right into Digmon.
"Gold Rush!"
The drills shot point-blank at Arbormon, but he just brushed them off, like they were nothing but sand.
Tim leapt into a tree and watched the fight as one by one the Guardians attacked and failed, all the while thinking desperately. "There's got to be something I can do. Arbormon's kicking their tails right now."
"You can help." Said a voice from his D-Tector—the same voice that had brought him and the others to the Digital World. "Things happen like magic. You just have to believe."
Tim stared at his D-Tector, frowning slightly. He believed, alright. He'd believed in the impossible for a long time. He believed that Kayla would pull through after she was shot when nobody else did. He believed that he had family out there somewhere, and two of his cousins were in the Digital World with Kayla.
Feeling new strength from his belief, he saw a perfect opening to help in the fight. Arbormon was right below him and had his back facing him. Grinning, Tim leapt.
Falling past Arbormon, he grabbed the Wood Warrior by the back of the head, letting his momentum take the creature down. (A/N: Like what Robin did to Cinderblock in the Apprentice, Part I episode of the Teen Titans TV show.)
At that moment, a bright light flashed and two statues were floating in front of him. Without thinking, he pulled out his D-Tector and downloaded the statues. Then, he fell into a trance.
In his mind's eye, Tim was surrounded by white to his right and black to his left.
"What's going on?" he asked out loud.
"You are strong, Young Timothy." Said a voice to his right. "But you are alone."
"And you will never defeat Arbormon alone." Said a voice to his left. "That is for certain."
And there appeared two figures. In the light, one stood. He was fair to look at, clothed in loose, light green fabrics. He had long blonde hair, piercing blue eyes and pointy ears. A long, hunter green cloak was wrapped around his throat, held by a silver broach with an emerald on it. A long bow and a quiver of arrows was on his back, two long, curiously curved swords were sheathed at his waist, and, in his right hand, he held a white staff with a strange design on the top.
In the dark, the other stood. He was, well, ugly, clothed in tight, dark fabrics. His wild black hair was long and his eyes were an evil red. A long, black cloak was wrapped around his neck and a long, black bow and a quiver of black-feathered arrows rested on his back. Two scimitars were hung at his waist and in his hand was a long, black staff with a white orb at the top.
Both stared at him. He switched his gaze between the two before they spoke again, this time in unison.
"Weak we are divided. Strong we are united. You may be alone, but you are never alone. Remember that."
Tim looked from one to the other, then closed his eyes. "I will, and I understand."
Tim opened his eyes to find Arbormon getting up. The Guardians were looking at his with amazement and concern. Tim grinned wide as he gazed at his D-Tector.
The image one of the Spirits of Magic appeared on the screen, and Tim crossed his hands over his head, D-Tector in his right hand, a Fractal Code ring appearing in his left. He swung his arms three times until the D-Tector and ring met in front of him.
"Execute! Spirit Evolution!"
The ring broke at the sound of his voice and surrounded him. Armor and clothing appeared and compressed against him, and when the Fractal Code disappeared, he was changed, looking like the elf in his vision.
He swung his staff and stamped it against the ground, a light coming from the top, yelling "Elfmon!"
Everyone, Guardians and Arbormon, stared at Elfmon in shock, only Flamedramon noticing when the egg in his claws hatched and merged with it's chosen Armor Digiegg. It looked like a kendo swordsman in the armor and the swords that are required for the sport. "Yasyamon!"
None moved as Elfmon's clear voice filled the air. "Arbormon, stop this madness. I don't want to fight you."
"You don't have to." Arbormon said, recovering. "I'll just pound you into dust and take your Fractal Code. Power Pummel!"
Arbormon leapt into the air and his arms and legs came loose, attached to cables, and streaked towards Elfmon, who didn't even flinch.
"Elfstone of Aragorn!"
The emerald on the broach gleamed and a shield shimmered into existence around Elfmon. The arms and legs hit and bounced off the shield. Elfmon drew one of his swords and charged. "Mythical Blade!"
He slashed with the sword, but Arbormon dodged.
"Double Arm Guard!"
Right into Yasyamon's wooden sword. It slammed into his face and knocked him back.
Elfmon grabbed his staff and aimed at Arbormon. "Spell of the White Wizard!"
The white energy that hit the Warrior of Wood was powerful, but Arbormon came back for more.
To everyone's surprise, Elfmon was covered in Fractal Code, his feature shifting to the other in his vision. "Spirit Switch! Orcmon!"
Stringing his bow and nocking several arrows, Orcmon let them loose at Arbormon, yelling "Poison Arrow!"
The arrows stuck to the robot, doing little damage.
"Curse of the Dark Lord!" The dark blast from Orcmon's staff sent Arbormon flying, yelling "This ain't over!"
Fractal Code formed a cocoon around Orcmon. When it spiraled off, Tim stood there, smiling.
Before anyone could say a word to congratulate Tim or greet Yasyamon, however, the third and final egg hatched, and the little Digimon Armor Digivolved. "Bucchimon!"
There was much laughter between Tim and the Guardians, until Tim began walking toward the mountains, saying, "Let's find the others."