Rediscovering Destiny

By theladyknight

Disclaimer: Digimon and the song "On the Way Down" by Ryan Cabrera aren't mine!

Wandering Rain: Well, whatever you find yourself doing now, I wish you the best of luck in everything. Sometimes change is good; I hope this is one of those times for you. I'm going to miss your writings here, but you do what you think is best. I'm honored that you stop back to check up on me from time to time, and if you ever want to talk or chat, you know where to reach me.

Ballet Kitty: Mimi's never going to be with a "defined" couple. I'll put in plenty of hints for her with different chosen guys though…

Kuroi Black Nightingale: It'll be a few chapters before the action starts up, but it won't take long when it does.

Calare: I'm still not going to tell you if Sora's pregnant or not, BUT by the end of the story you will know for sure…if you doubt my honesty. –insert evil laughter- The groups kind of just meet up in this chapter, but they'll talk and learn why they're here again and who the "Dark One" is next chapter. I was running out of time; I wrote a bulk of this chapter today even though I should be packing…I'd better go do that right now…

And thanks to: Sabishi Tomo, sorato-takari, KoumiLoccness, windedlove, and Mrs. Ishida-to-you.

Chapter 8: I Saw You

Theoretically speaking, the battle between good and evil has always been raging from land to sea in the digital world. From the very beginning there was chaos and terror, masked behind the bit of light and hope spread throughout the world by those willing to fight. Evil dictating monsters have come, damage has been wrought, panic ensured and for many, the will to win has long since vanished.

But in those times of need, in both great hazard and minor turmoil, there have always been those prepared to take a stand against the darkness, to fight to spread the infinite power of goodness, friendship and love. The resistance has prospered when banding together, defeating the enemies of peace and serenity one by one.

Yet darkness still remains.

Despite all the power of the resistance, darkness still will cover the world. The size of the darkness and despair reflects the situation at hand. At times the power of evil and viciousness is nearly obsolete, providing the digital world's inhabitants with a sense of security and safety. But at other times, namely in periods of great struggle and internal chaos, times when the darkness has readily captured everything in its way, fear dominates, ready to spread to even the real world.

It is during these dark times that those who have the ability and power to vanquish the threatening darkness from taking over the minds and hearts of all who reside here must stand together. Their only chance at success to rid the world of the current chaos and destruction comes as a team. One person can make a difference, but one group has more abilities, drawn from every member of the team and his or her gifts and talents. To defeat an evil like this, forgiveness and honesty must be distributed, handed to each member of the team on a golden platter of loyalty.

But, as it is with everything else one is offered, the ability to rid the world of the enormous darkness comes as a choice. One is not obligated to defend the world, one is not forced to stand firm when he or she would rather not.

It is a choice.

If one of the party is not willing to give and sacrifice, no good can come. To be successful, each person must do their part, contributing their assets to the good of the whole. Courage must once again become the leader but at the same time know when to be a follower. Purity (Sincerity) will help the lost and doubtful regain their attributes. Reliability offers a shoulder to lean on, always ready to help. The blendings of Love and Purity (Sincerity), Friendship and Courage and Knowledge and Reliability will be the support system, keeping the group moving down the right road. Light and Hope must provide strength for all despite how terrible times become. Knowledge and Kindness will light the path to victory.

And most of all there must be Friendship and Love.

Friendship is the guiding key to ending the darkness; the one element necessary to combine all the virtues and traits together, but Friendship also leads to the most important one of all: Love. And if there is no Love…there is no chance…


The cackling fire was finally starting to die down. Its flames danced in the dark décor of the room, providing the one source of light until the sun made its powerful presence known. Hikari glanced at the room before her, eyes traveling to study its wonders. The gothic architecture placed the windows high above, and she knew sunlight wouldn't hit the room until sometime during midmorning.

Glancing at the now beeping digivice in her pocket, she noted the time. 8:15. Kari stood up, stretching a bit from her uncomfortable night of sleep, hazy dreams and confusion. The others around her were slowly beginning to stir, but as they woke, none acknowledged anyone else's being a few feet from them.

Iori caught her eye as he too rose to his feet, walking over to join her in front of fireplace. "I think we should get going."

"I agree," she automatically responded. "We need to meet up with the others as soon as we can."

"I want to go home!"

They both swung around at the comment, looking at an irate Miyako. "First I was drug into this land without wanting to. Then I was forced to meet up with her." She jabbed her finger in Mimi's direction, prompting a gasp from the movie star. "I'm stuck here with you people, none of whom I've talked to in a good five years. I JUST WANT TO LEAVE!"

"Miyako, calm down." Hikari calmly tried, unsure if her attempt would get through. "Before we can do that…"

"Shut up, Hikari! You don't know the hell I've been through these past five years. Then suddenly, here I am, transported back here and seeing you guys again. I'm sure things have been nice and peachy for you all, but that's not the case for me!"

The brunette raised her eyebrows in confusion. "Nice and peachy? My life has been far from that. I'm sure not one of us in this room can say his or her life has been that way."

"I bet her life has been nothing short of perfect."

"What's with all these verbal bashings, Miyako?" Mimi hastily stood up from her chair, hair flying wildly around her. "You yelled and threw words at me since the moment we arrived here, and I have yet to hear a justified reason."

She glared right back. The flames of the fire seemed to jump higher as if they could see the growing feelings of uneasiness and fury. "I think you should know that!"

"Can't we all just stop arguing and show a little maturity here?"

"NO!"

Iori's face fell at the comment. It's not like I'm not used to being ignored.

"Stop this now, you two!" Takeru stepped in between the two young women, trying to get them to come to their senses as he was sick and tired of their fighting and arguing. "You're being childish about the whole thing."

"I just want to go home!" Miyako pleaded, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "And I want to get away from all of you."

Mimi began to smirk. "And you think the rest of us don't?"

"Mimi…" Hikari warned.

"Why you…"

"Can we all please STOP YELLING?"

The entire room silenced, arguments from Miyako and Mimi coming to an abrupt halt. All gawked at the blue-haired doctor who had finally decided to make his presence known. "I'm sick and tired of listening to all of you bicker! Yell at each other, complain, throw fits…do it on your own time. For the time being it appears we're stuck together like it or not. I have no idea in hell why we were sent back here nor do I know how we can get home. It's clear from our digivices that the others are here as well. As it's been in the past, we probably all have to meet up before we can find out the why's and how's."

Kari took a deep calming breath. They wouldn't listen to me. Thankfully Jyou took the initiative to speak up. He's the closest we've found to a leader so far. "I agree with your theory, Jyou. When we first came here during the era of the Dark Masters, the eight of us had to be together before we could even think of defeating them and returning home."

"And we couldn't start to fight our real enemy until Ken joined us, and we became friends." Iori supplied. "Right now we would be better spending our time searching for the others instead of wasting our breath arguing."

The two girls—the main source of the arguments and rants—appeared to agree, both choosing not to say anything as the other inhabitants were clearly not happy with them. Right now, as no one seemed to have any inkling as to why they were transported back to the digital world—here of all places—and why they were needed, it was the best option not to have everyone seething at them, all tempers dangerously close to erupting.

First Hikari stood up. She had been waiting for Jyou to take the initiate, hoping he would be that "leader" they so desperately needed until they met up with her older brother. If he still has enough courage to be the leader.

But Jyou did no such thing. One by one the others mimicked Kari's example with Jyou being the last person to rise to his feet, as if unsure the choice was the best in the situation. Iori joined the bearer of light up at the front while the other four lingered around, sporadically displacing themselves from one another but remaining close enough in case something should happen. Or maybe it was just so they could guarantee they wouldn't get separated, unable to find the others and ultimately, unable to get home.

Silence had now become everyone's best friend. In a world where it seemed nothing was ever quiet, the calming peace disturbed by increasing technological wonders and human rudeness, silence was equated to nerves, fear and weakness. Usually this want for calmness and softness—should there be one—was hard to find anywhere. Humans thrived on the noise as if afraid the silence was a monster under the bed, awaiting the perfect—silent—instance to stalk its prey and viciously attack. This kind of silence, though for the most part was never wanted, was greatly welcomed in some instances.

But not this time.

Leaving the house far behind, the chosen walked down the path Iori and Jyou had climbed last night, taking one last look at the picturesque mansion behind them. The six chosen children had departed in an unnerving, almost fearful silence.

For some—namely Miyako and Mimi—opening the mouth was not an option. Tempers were already thin, nearly as wild as the fire they'd all sat around the night before, and neither girl wanted to make things worse, particularly for themselves. For others, it was the fear and uncertainty. What would they do? What was the answer?

Why?

Hikari's vision drifted through the group, eyes wide on the lookout for any of the others or any threat. We were sent back here for a reason; we'll have to be on the look-out at all times.

With their digivices continuing to provide the only noise and be the only leader, they trekked on, slowly but surely approaching the other six…


"Why are we…what…" Taking a glance back at a yawning Daisuke, Ken continued to lead his group closer to where the rest of the chosen were located at. "Why are we up so damn early?"

"The Dark One could choose to strike at any time. It'll be a hundred times more beneficial for us to be with the others than by ourselves out here."

Taichi huffed, drawing everyone's attention and making it a bit blatant he was more than peeved at the boy teen and his answer. "Why don't you just tell us what's going on since you obviously know? We'd all appreciate it, you explaining what's going on instead of rubbing it in our faces."

"He's not rubbing anything in our faces. He's going to explain everything when we're all together." Koushiro reasoned, inferring from the brunette's behavior that a verbal assault was a mere minute or so away from launching itself. Hopefully things don't get physical.

"I wonder why you say that," the bearer of courage ignored the other genius's answer. Ken probably already told him everything. "I bet the two of you are laughing to yourselves at how we're not smart enough to figure things out."

Yamato's face darkened as he stopped walking, turning in the boy's direction, apparently not happy with what was coming out of Tai's mouth. "Look, your emotions are on edge along with the rest of us right now. Cool it before you do something you'll regret."

"Is that a challenge?"

"You don't want to fight me, Taichi."

"Wanna bet?"

Daisuke had every urge to jump in between the two nineteen-year-olds, but he stopped, remembering something Takeru had told him long ago. "Daisuke let them be…" The bearer of hope's words had come to be a knowledgeable assumption, stemmed from their earlier years in the digital world. But should I leave them be? Maybe a good beating will do them both good.

Yamato took the first swing, decking Taichi hard in the side of the face. "Yamato, STOP!" Sora cried, lunging between the two of them, doing her best to separate them. "A fight is not what we need right now."

"This is between the two of us, Sora. Stay out of it!" Taichi spit blood, glaring at the girl who was holding his one-time rival back.

She returned the gesture, grasping her hands tighter around Yamato's waist where she had been using every bit of strength she possessed—and using the fact that she was going near him, something he wanted, to her benefit—to keep the two from fighting. "You didn't mean that, Tai. If the two of you would just think, think before doing something stupid, things will be better."

"Sora's right," Ken quietly answered, a bit alarmed they were fighting over something petty; something he had, well, had not said. "If you can wait until we find the others, Taichi, I'll answer every question you have for me."

Daisuke looked around them and realized the others were making up ground, as they had previously not been moving. "Can we just keep going?"

No one seemed to hear the youngest in the group, or if they did, they chose to ignore his words of wisdom. Daisuke could see the blond take a deep breath, calming his nerves and emotions the best he could possibly manage.

Sora's close proximity is probably keeping him from doing something stupid. Koushiro could sense the tensions between everyone. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure that one out. Things had very much changed over the course of five years. It was hard to believe this was the way things had turned out with all of them.

"It's not worth it, Tai." With another soothing breath, Yamato had thrown in the towel. "There's no need to get in another pointless fight, now of all times."

Tai knew he should be listening. He knew he was never the reckless one. That was always Yama. He knew it would serve them best to forget this and find the others. He knew it.

But his ego and pride got in the way.

"No. No! It's not pointless." He jerked his fingers at Ken while Koushiro moved closer so he could, if necessary—and it seemed very possible—keep Tai from hitting back. "Ken knows what's going on. Doesn't it bother you guys that none of the rest of us do? He could be helping us figure out what's going on so we can get back to our pathetic lives. But instead he's shutting up, just like Gennai always did." His emotions and anger were now controlling him. "You know what? I want answers!"

"He's promised us answers, Tai." Sora tried to be the reasonable one, hoping her years of friendship to the bushy-haired teen would help her. He's never been this irrational before. Have things really been that bad for him? "And we will get them. Just don't take your anger out on Yamato…don't take your anger out on any of us."

"Siding with your boyfriend…I see some things haven't changed over the years, Sor. It's always been like that. Even when we were little you went with what he said. And now, you're backing up another person who isn't me. That's just like you."

They both knew he didn't mean it. Everyone knew he didn't mean it. Pushed on by his anger, fear and general hate for his life, Taichi's words held a venom that pricked Sora like a needle, though. Slowly, almost hesitantly, the girl freed Yamato from her grip, looking him square in the eyes, her own beginning to form tears. "Go ahead. It's for your own good, Taichi. Maybe you'll knock some answers into him, Yamato."

Her words sent Taichi off, and he caught the blond off guard, delivering a punch straight to his jaw. Yamato, though a bit dazed, fired back with a hard kick to the brunette's shin, tackling the once-leader to the ground. They wrestled around below, but none of the others chose to interfere. "You asked for answers, Taichi? It's funny how the roles are being reversed. This was the two of us years ago except I was the one left wanting answers and you were the one beating sense into me. We'll get our answers eventually. For now we just have to be patient and hope for the best, hope that we can fix our pathetic lives and make things go back to the way they used to be."

The allusion to their old fight—ironically over nearly the same thing—struck a nerve with Tai, but he didn't stop fighting. "What's going on?" "What are the two of you doing?" a set of voices cried out, pausing the wrestling match before them.

All eyes turned to meet the new arrivals. From the familiar voice, they knew it wasn't an enemy. Hikari and Takeru had pushed their way to the front of the pack when realizing their brothers were locked in a reminiscent fistfight, Yamato currently pinning her Taichi to the ground. Probably for some dumb reason. Hikari looked around. "It's been awhile, guys."

"Yeah, it really has." Sora was the only one to find her voice. One by one the other six who had just arrived joined the large group, all of them finally together once more. It's been such a long time since we were all together


"You see, you worthless fool, I do not need to worry about the chosen. They are no threat! Look at the way they are behaving here. Friendship and Courage and attacking each other. Love's heart seemed hardened, showing contempt for both the two. Knowledge is at a loss. Kindness is failing his task. And Courage/Friendship is confused. The others have just arrived, but they're suffering the same loss."

"Yes, Oh Dark One. You are so smart and powerful."

The digimon's eyes narrowed at the lofty praise, causing his minion to shrink down into the darkness. "I think, though, that despite their uselessness, I'd rather not have them intruding on my territory. I think, yes, I'll send them a parting…final goodbye…"


(Memory everyone is having)

"Hikari Yagami, what is taking you so long?"

"I'll be out in a minute. Calm down, big brother," she called from behind the door of the bathroom. Her older brother stood outside, pacing frantically, ready to put a hole through the ground if he walked over the carpet anymore.

The door slammed open, stopping his pacing and making the bushy-haired teen, dressed in his nicest clothes smile at his sister. "You're just crabby because you think we'll be late and then you won't be able to see Catherine and some other digidestined will ask her to dance."

His chocolate eyes filled with a glare. "At least I'm not going to have two guys fighting over who gets to dance with me all night."

"There are three Poi brothers, Taichi."

Narrowing his eyes a bit, the boy couldn't fight a chuckle. She had him on that one. "But don't forget about Takeru and Daisuke…"

"Wow, Gennai really went all out!"

"I'll say," Koushiro replied, glancing at all the decorations.

Iori laughed. "But I bet he had some help."

"Do you really think he could do all this by himself?" Miyako questioned.

Ken smirked at her statement. "You never know."

The digital being had once again arranged a huge party for all the digidestined children from around the world and their digimon—who had helped in the battle with MaloMyotismon—as well. Thousands of people, ranging from young ages to mid-twenties were there. The race and language barriers had been broken, all having a good time with people from all walks of life.

"Hey guys!"

They looked up to see Sora and Matt's smiling faces, the two walking hand and hand over to them, both appearing a little tired. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good. This party's lots of fun!" Miyako warmly exclaimed. "I never thought I'd see some of these people again. Sor, did you happen to talk to Yuri because I did?"

"He's kept me on the dance floor all night long! I haven't had a chance to talk to anyone," Sora giggled.

"I've kept you on the dance floor?" the blond grinned impishly. "What about all the "Yama, I love this song! We can't leave!" things I've been hearing the whole night?"

The group around them laughed as Sora's face began to slowly match her hair color…

Taichi let out a sigh as he watched the line of guys following Catherine around, each one waiting patiently for their turn to dance with her. I guess I'll talk to her some other time. It wasn't like he hadn't danced or anything. He'd been out on the floor with all his close girl friends and the guys as well.

His eyes traveled across the room. His little sister was currently talking to five guys, but Tai knew that if any of them tried anything, he'd be there in no time. Daisuke caught his eye from his spot on Hikari's right and rolled his eyes. Takeru looked over and smirked at the brunette's expression, knowing exactly what was running through his mind.

Jyou, as Tai was pleasantly surprised to find, was out on the dance floor with one of the girls from China. The bearer of courage laughed to himself as he realized that the blue-haired boy's dance moves had improved over the years. Koushiro was sitting at a table with Mimi, Miyako, Ken, and Iori, all of them locked in a ferocious card game of some sort.

"No food in front of you?"

"Sora! Hey! What's up? Where's Yamato at?" he wondered as the redhead sat down next to him at the circular table.

She fanned herself with her left hand, sweat droplets beginning to form on her forehead. "He's getting us some drinks. How's Tai doing? I've seen you eying Catherine from time to time."

He smirked at her. "Yeah, well, I'm not the only one. I'm good, taking over my watchful role of leader of the chosen children. I'm thinking about getting a petition to start a worldwide digimon union, me being the leader of course."

"Of course," another voice added roguishly, "I mean, what kind of digimon organization would it be if fearless Taichi Yagami wasn't our leader?"

"Hello to you too, Yamato. Is he always this cranky?" Tai addressed Sora while listening to Yamato laugh at his comment.

"It varies with the day." The blond handed the other two large glasses of a tropical punch Gennai had made.

"I'm touched, Yama. You remembered little old me too."

Yamato gave a flourished bow in Tai's direction. "How could I forget you, oh brave and fearless leader?"

The music continued blaring for the next hour while the three friends caught up on all the good times. They hadn't had much time to sit around and talk over the past few weeks and months. Things had become increasingly hectic ever since the defeat of MaloMyotismon.

"And now, we're going to take things down a little," the DJ called into the microphone. "It's Ladies' Choice right now, so ladies, get that guy you've wanted to dance with all night out onto the floor…"

Sora leaned over to Yamato, whispering something in his ear. A large grin broke out onto his face, and he nodded, obviously liking her suggestion. She smiled back at him, placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Where are you going?"

The blond glanced back at Taichi, a dangerous smile on his face. "I'm going to go get into some mischief. You two have fun. Tai, DON'T step on her feet to much, or you'll have to deal with me…"

"Awe…Mimi managed to get Koushiro out to dance! I think that's the first time he's been out there all night."

Tai had to crack a smile, moving his feet to the music but carefully avoiding stepping on her feet, remembering Yamato's warning. The song "Cool" by Gwen Stefani was playing and pairs were out on the dance floor now. "Sora…I'm touched you wanted to dance with me of all people, but why not Yamato? He's your boyf…"

"But you're my best friend, Taichi," she simply explained. "I don't want things between us to be odd just because Yama and I are dating now. I know it was a bit awkward, the night of the concert and all but…"

Tai gave her a smile, never before realizing how mature Sora really was. "I'm happy for the two of you. I really am. You guys go well together."

Sora, arms already resting on his shoulders, pulled Tai in for a hug. "You're the best, Tai! I don't know what I'd do without you as a friend."

They heard a laugh from them and were very surprised—as were five other boys—to see the couple dancing wildly beside them even though it was a slow ballad. The brunette's mouth dropped open, and he began to laugh loudly. "You're one of the few people I won't hunt down for dancing with her, Ishida."

Yama grinned too, spinning his dance partner—Hikari—in a circle while the table full of boys, Takeru, Daisuke, and the Poi brothers all watched on enviously…


"Now are we going to get our answers?" Taichi growled to one of the boy geniuses, a bit perturbed by the sudden appearance of the others, particularly his sister.

"Yes, we're…DUCK!"

Fireballs came shooting out of nowhere, but the group luckily managed to evade them. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

A group of five Meramon had them surrounded, all twelve locked together in a circular ring. Fear grew on everyone's faces while the digimon before them gave insane chuckles. "Now I know why the Dark One said it would be easy to destroy them. Say goodbye digidestined…"

A/N: Good place to leave it hanging! Lol! Some quick notes about the chapter: 1) I switched around Taichi and Yamato's behavior from the episode where they fight each other in front of everyone. My reasoning for it was that Yamato was more concerned with his "problems" with Sora rather than wanting to know every answer. He was glad to be there and see Sora. But he'll be more wondering and show his temper again…don't worry. And Tai's behavior is a result of his life situation and how much he wishes things were back to the way they used to be. 2) I don't own the song by Gwen Stefani. It just seemed to fit the whole Yamato/Sora/Taichi thing. 3) I jumped around a bit in here. If you have any questions, just ask. The party thing was a memory everyone was thinking of. And 4) I hope you guys all enjoyed the chapter and please review to let me know what you thought! Your comments help me write, particularly for this story.

Okay, here's the complicated mess I find myself in right now. I leave for Canada—long story there—tomorrow morning for about 4 days. When I get back, I should have "Undercover" written and up sometime before the 28th. Then, on the 28th, I leave for Mexico. Yes, yes, I know…I've traveled more this summer than all my other summer's put together. I'll be gone for two weeks, back in time for senior pictures and fall soccer to start up, but I should have PLENTY of updates on stories ready to be typed!

Please Review!