It took a lot of time but Season 2 is finally all finished! So chapters will be coming out faster now as we race towards the end :D

This time we've got some exposition, some touching character moments, and a little bit of emotional trauma!

Please enjoy :)

. . .

Kai and Kotemon

. . .

It had been a few days of walking, when Kai and his partner finally reached the base of the mountain range. Knightmon was kind enough to give them directions since they'd left the village after resting up properly. But they didn't venture out into the wilderness unprepared, both human and digimon carrying a pack filled with supplies courtesy of the village. But even with all they had, the tall mountains looming over them were certainly an imposing challenge.

"Sun's almost down," Kotemon noted, "Maybe... We should camp and tackle this in the morning?"

Kai nodded, "Yeah... Sure is a shame you didn't Crest Digivolve into something that can fly." Only half joking.

To which his partner laughed, "You do know I don't get to choose what I turn into right? It just kinda... Happens?"

Kai quirked an eyebrow, as he set his pack down beneath a large tree. "Huh, strange, I kinda figured you had more control over it."

Kotemon shook his head, joining him in the shade. "Nope! Most of the time, Digimon digivolve into whatever their environments demand." Before he lowered his arms, "But, I think its different for us, digimon partnered with humans I mean."

Kai nodded, remembering what Knightmon said about Kotemon's egg. "It sounds like maybe your evolutions have been chosen for a higher purpose."

"Destiny!" He threw his arms right back up, excitable as ever. "Yeah, by the end of this journey I'm gonna be a big, royal looking knight! Even cooler than Knightmon and totally unstoppable!"

Kai chuckled lightly, shaking his head as he took a seat on the ground. "Well hopefully you don't keep getting bigger, the last thing we need is you getting as big as someone like Dragomon."

"Yeah... Sure would be easy to beat him though." The little digimon stuffing his hand into one bag, fishing for any remaining snacks.

Kai leaned back against the tree, looking out at the grassy fields that laid behind them. The road they'd taken to reach this place, it had been so peaceful. He was thankful for that much, hoping the rest of their journey could go as quietly. But the more he learned about the Digital World and this supposed destiny they might share-

"With each passing day the world grows closer to falling into darkness!"

"Rumors of destruction on the southern continent!"

"Dragomon's attack on the human world!"

"And all the while Mephistomon is attempting to Revive Demons in the West!"

"You know," Kai said suddenly, as he stared out at the blades of grass, watching them tremble in the gentle breeze. "I didn't realize until after meeting you, but I wasn't that miserable doing everything my grandfather decided for me."

Kotemon blinked, "Oh? I thought you were eager for some change."

"I was," Kai nodded, "But it's sort of... Freeing, to have everything decided for you... To know that you'll always have a place, a goal, and path to walk, to even know where it's going to end." Before shrugging his shoulders, "Sure, I got annoyed with him constantly deciding things for me, but if I'd stuck to the path... If none of this had ever happened, maybe eventually I would have turned out the way he wanted, and I probably would have been okay with that."

Kotemon wasn't quite sure what he was getting at, "Well uh... I think the ship has sailed on that plan," He said with a nervous laugh, before going quiet for a moment. "Do you... Regret being chosen for this?"

"Not at all." He answered without an ounce of hesitation.

Confusing the rookie level even further! "But you just said-"

"I'd be happy, and I'd live a peaceful, quiet life for the rest of my days." He reiterated, before pulling out his Digivice. "But, I wouldn't be me." Kai said simply, looking down at the screen. "If you asked me a few weeks ago if I thought I could help take down a twenty foot tall Knight, I'd have said no... But we did it, together." He looked back at his partner with a smile. "And I wanna keep going together, because I can't see the end of this path, and I'm excited to find out what's waiting there for us."

Kotemon blinked in surprise, before laughing and bashfully rubbing the back of his head. "Well, I like this version of you a lot better... And I wanna see where it goes too! So lets find our friends and our destiny!"

Their moment was interrupted suddenly, by the sound of a long whistle emanating from the branches above them. Both of them rolling away from the tree and looking up, expecting to be attacked. "Wow." But instead they were met with a familiar voice, "You sure have come a long way from dumping your partner at the airport."

"SAM!" Kotemon exclaimed, before spotting a set of golden wings among the branches. "And Darcmon too! You're here!"

Kai dropped his guard, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. "Are the others nearby?"

"Afraid not," She shook her head before jumping down. "Just us."

"How did you find us?" Kotemon asked, running up as Darcmon landed as well.

"Tracked your digivice once you entered the range." Sam explained, "I take it you haven't had any luck with finding the others either?"

"Haven't had much time to look," Kai replied, "Got held up visiting Kotemon's home town, before the leader pointed us this way to speak with a hermit digimon living in the mountains."

"A hermit digi-" Sam stopped, looking to Darcmon who simply shrugged. "Guess the old man's not as sneaky as he thought... Uh yeah, we can introduce you to the hermit but he isn't gonna have much in the way of answers."

"You've met him?" Kai questioned, "Well that'll at least speed things up, is he a good digimon?"

"Not a digimon." Sam corrected, "And he's my dad, he's alright I guess."

"You father is here!?" Kai exclaimed, "In the Digital World!? How? Why?"

Sam sighed, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "Look its a long story, I know a place further up the pass that'll make a nice campsite with some cover, lets head there and I'll explain." Hiking a thumb over her shoulder towards the mountains.

Kai nodded slowly, "Right, okay..." Oh he couldn't wait to hear this.

. . .

Thomas and Cody

. . .

Thomas held his breath as he finishing tying the loose ends of the bandage, "Just gotta tighten it up-"

"OW! DAMMIT!" Cody exclaimed, resisting the urge to jerk his arm away for the hundredth time since this process had started. "Can you try to be careful? I know yours legs didn't work a week ago but you're hands are fine!"

Earning a laugh from the younger teen, "Now look who's making cripple jokes."

Cody rolling his eyes, shifting in his bed as he grumbled. "Yeah yeah laugh it up, ugh... I feel like crap."

His arm now bandaged and wrapped in a sling, he had several others wrapped around his head and over parts of his body where he'd taken that horrible beating. This wasn't the first time they'd had to change his bandages, and probably wouldn't be the last. Since settling things with Kinkakumon the chosen teens and their digimon had been resting in the village, under said golden digimon's rather... Intrusive watch.

"You sure you don't want a bigger tent?" She asked, continuing to pout outside. "I can't even fit in this one..."

"That is exactly the point," He replied, shaking his head. Before looking back to Thomas, "So, Kokuwamon said you had kind of a hard time where you landed too."

Thomas sighed and nodded, leaning back against his own bed. "Yeah, crazy robot digimon making other digimon into slaves, tried using Kokuwamon as a living battery, freaky stuff."

"Sounds rough," Cody replied, wiggling the fingers on his hand that still worked. Each and every one wrapped in bandages along with his knuckles, given the excessive damage he'd done to them punching goblins. "Wish I'd been there."

"Ha! I don't!" Thomas answered, followed by more laughing.

"What do you mean?" Cody demanded, narrowing his eyes. "You don't think me and Shamanmon could handle it?"

But Thomas waved him off, "You did fine here, but I'm not sure how your face punch strategy would have worked out against tanks and cannons." Before his amusement faded slowly, eyes drifting over Cody's injuries. "I'm sorry, I can't believe I was passed out while you were-"

"Weren't you blown up by the same metal piece of crap that beat our asses?" Cody interrupted, quirking an eyebrow. "You got nothing to apologize for, I just did what I had to." He shrugged.

"You could have died in that arena," Thomas scoffed, "These digimon, most of them seem like they don't understand what humans even are, they think we're just as durable as they are... Or they don't care." Before his fingers clenched against his knees. "And we're all in this mess because of me."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Cody questioned.

"My genius plan," He said sarcastically, "Left us all scattered across the Digital World, for all we know the others are dead," Fingers clenching to a white knuckled grip on his legs. "I have to... I have to get us all home, safe."

Cody remained quiet for a moment, realizing this must have been on his mind for awhile. "You pushed the button, but we all agreed to it." He answered, looking back at him. "We made our choice, and you saved the friggin world from that giant squid asshole," He added, pointing a finger at Thomas. "Not us, you... Nobody else could have figured that out the way you did." Before looking back down at his broken arm, "It's why I... Did this."

Thomas blinked, "What do you mean?"

"Look, kid I don't know if you've noticed," Cody shifted in his seat slightly. "I'm not exactly the brightest, I know that I'm bullheaded... I don't think around problems I just try to barrel through them, that's how I ended up like this." He shrugged, motioning to his battered body with his good hand. "My stubbornness ain't gonna get us all home, we need someone smart for that, we need you." He stated bluntly, "So you do the brain work, and I'll worry about the ass kicking."

Maybe not the most eloquently put, but it did make Thomas feel a little better. "Play to our strengths huh? Yeah, I think I can do that..." Smiling faintly as he nodded. "I'll do whatever it takes to get us all home."

"Yeah, and I'll deal with anything that gets in your way!" Cody assured, "Whether its that giant squid prick, that stupid metal bird-" Before he noticed the golden helm poking in around the entrance of the tent once again. "OR THIS GIANT GOLDEN PAIN IN MY ASS!"

"I'm not leaving!" Kinkakumon barked back.

Thomas laughing lightly as he watched the exchange, before turning his thoughts to the future. And to the remaining obstacles in their way, "So, about that metal bird..."

. . .

Shamanmon

. . .

Meanwhile, Shamanmon was seeing off the last of those imprisoned by the tribe. Making a point to have each and everyone one of them present as Monochromon and Triceramon had arrived to guide the others back to safety.

"Do we really have to do this?" An Ogremon grumbled, arms crossed over his chest.

"Yes, you do." Shamanmon replied sharply.

"Its not our fault they're all so pathetic!" Another argued.

Shamanmon gritting his teeth, "You want me to furious spike you all again!? Or are you going to do what I told you!?"

He didn't like having to shout and chest pound to get his way, but it seemed to be one of the few things they understood. And of course, they responded with their tails between their legs, bowing to the bunch of recently free digimon. All saying in unison, "We're sorry for what we did, it won't happen again!"

Shamanmon sighing as they finally said it, shaking his head as he approached Triceramon and the others. "It's like pulling teeth with them, I swear..."

Earning a deep chuckle from the dinosaur digimon. "Bah, I'm sure they'll get better now that Kinkakumon isn't in charge anymore." He assured, giving Shamanmon a thumbs up, "Thanks for all your help, where's that friend of yours?"

"Yeah!" Peeped the small bird like digimon, Pomumon, as she hopped forward. "Where's Cody?"

"Still resting," Shamanmon explained, "He can't be up and moving around right now, but I'll send your thanks."

Monochromon nodded, "Please do, if you ever need a place to stay, know that you're welcome in our lands." He offered.

Triceramon adding, "We'll get the word around that you guys are friends of the jungle Digimon!"

"Not just friends!" Pomumon chirped, "Heroes!"

Shamanmon laughed bashfully, blushing a little as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah well, you helped too." He reminded, giving the rookie level a thumbs up. "So thank you, for helping me out of that cage."

The little pink birds eyes widened, jaw agape before her eyes started to sparkle. She was absolutely beaming at his praise, before her eyes rolled back and she passed out on the ground. Monochromon blinking as she hit the ground, "Oh, she fainted..."

Shamanmon watching with mild concern, "Does this uh... Happen a lot?"

"Only when she gets too excited."

"Right..."

. . .

Kai and Sam

. . .

True to her word, after about an hours walk up into the mountains they'd found themselves in a nice secluded alcove. A large overhang up above keeping out prying eyes, Kai and Sam were already setting out the sleeping bags while Kotemon used his super heated kendo stick to ignite some wood gathered by Darcmon. Before long, they were all seated around a campfire, wood crackling as Kotemon occasionally prodded it with his weapon.

"You're pretty good with that sword," He commented, looking up at Darcmon, "We should spar some time!"

She quirked an eyebrow at him, smiling faintly. "Perhaps, I've noticed you're quite a good sword fighter yourself."

"I practice every chance I can!" He replied excitedly.

Kai chuckled lightly, setting his own longsword aside before looking to Sam. "Well I'm glad they're getting along, but uh..."

"You wanna know about my dad," Sam nodded, "Right, no point beating around the bush."

Kai shrugged his shoulders, "I wasn't going to rush you."

"Don't worry about it," She waved him off, "I'm not as sensitive as regular humans, and I didn't have what you'd call a regular childhood... I was born here, in the Digital World."

Kai blinked in surprise, noting the way she spoke about humans. "How? Are there other humans living in this world?"

"From my understanding, it was an accident." She continued, "My parents were some of the earliest scientist working on the Cyber Core project, that was almost twenty five years ago." Before shaking her head, "While building the digital framework for what would become the Cyber Core your kind use today, they inadvertently made contact with a data stream running from your world to the Digital World, a gateway was opened and they were pulled in."

"And how old are you?" Kai questioned, knowing she seemed at least a little bit older than him.

"I'm twenty, my parents were stuck in this world for almost five years before I showed up." Sam explained, leaning back against the cave wall. "You've probably noticed I'm not exactly normal looking either," She added, pointing to her silver hair and eyes. "That's because I wasn't... Born, so to speak... I was created out data, you could almost say I'm a human digimon."

Kai stared back at her in disbelief, "But... How is that possible? What created you? Your parents?"

"Not sure," She shrugged casually, "According to Dad, one day I just of... Appeared, in a ball of light from the sky, along with Darcmon's digi-egg." Slowly fishing out her Digivice, "Our bond was instant, like we were both chosen and created for a specific purpose... But like I said, I'm from this world not yours, I generally view her more like a sister than as my partner digimon like you guys."

Kai nodded slowly, "So, the two scientists that raised you aren't your parents by blood... How did you end up going back to the Human world?"

"Mom and Dad spent almost all their time studying data streams, and the connection between this world and yours," She explained, shaking her head. "They found that the two worlds were slowly drifting closer together, a powerful multi-layer firewall of sorts prevents them from completely overlapping but Digimon were starting to find ways through."

"It was our idea to make sure none of them caused any harm to your world." Darcmon chimed in.

Sam nodded to her, "Right, but we really had no idea how to get there, until one day my Digivice just started going crazy." Clenching her hand tighter around the device, "All of a sudden, we were being sucked into a computer in my Dad's lab, and the rest is history."

Kai remained silent for a moment, digesting everything she'd presented. The first and foremost thought in his mind that came out was; "Then I guess neither of you are quite sure how to get back?"

Sam shrugged, "Afraid not, Cyber Core was in its infancy when my parents worked on it, barely more than a web browser addon." Before she smirked, "But Thomas seems to have a pretty in depth understanding of how it functions, so if we bring them together I'm sure they can figure a way to get you guys home."

Kai quirked an eyebrow at that, "You're not coming with us?"

Sam hesitated for a moment, before sharing a look with her sister. "Not sure yet, I've been away for a long time, don't know I'm ready to leave again just yet."

Kai sighed as he leaned back as well, "Can't say I blame you, I'd be feeling pretty homesick after five years too."

"No kidding," She released a scoffing laugh. "Your world is fun and all, but I think I prefer mine."

Kai stared into fire for a moment, letting the silence setting in. While Kotemon voiced the one thing on his mind this entire time, "So..." Looking up at Darcmon. "Do you think Sam can digivolve?"

The taller digimon blinked, looking down at him. "I don't think that's how it works."

"Why not?" Kotemon persisted, "Just take Sam's digivice, hold it up and make her digivolve! Just like Kai does!"

The boy shrugged, "I still have no idea how it works."

Sam rolled her eyes, "We are not trying that, I'll save the flying around and fighting monsters to the sister with the sword and lightning powers."

"But what if it gave you the sword and lightning powers!?"

While they continued to bicker, Kai laid back on the ground. Thinking about the things he'd learned, and fishing out his own digivice as a few thoughts entered his mind. Mainly concerning the others, the ones chosen like him and currently somewhere out there in this crazy world.

"You damn coward, its easy to make the choice when it isn't your partner on the chopping block!" Cody, the unapologetically passionate punk, who seemed much more caring than you'd think by looking at him. "Well? You're not gonna break that promise are you?!"

"I've already spent hours studying this signal!" Thomas, the crippled genius who never seemed to stop working towards his goal. But carried the burden of knowing answers not everyone wanted to hear. "We have to do this now!... I'm sorry... If there was more time I might be able to figure it out but..."

"I don't know if Tsukaimon and I are really cut out for fighting." And Madison, someone he'd written off as meek and not ready for the kind of responsibility this new destiny seemed to demand. But he soon found out how wrong he was, "But even if I'm scared... I won't let you suffer alone!"

He'd only known them for a short time, but each and every one of them had shown immeasurable character. Is that why they were chosen? Thinking about the crest he'd been gifted with, wondering if it could have been anyone who showed such qualities. Even if it was all by chance, he found an immense amount of pride filling his chest as he thought about it. Even if they weren't the most functional of teams, or the best chosen for this duty, he wouldn't have it any other way.

Simply put, it was an honor to be among them.

"What are you smiling about?" Sam seemed to have noticed Kai's prolonged silence.

He shot her a sideways look, before sighing lightly. "I was just thinking... We've all fought together a few times now, but I don't know any of the others very well." He explained, looking at his Digivice once again. "I think... I'd like to, when we make it back home."

"When and not if huh?" Sam teased, "That's very optimistic thinking."

. . .

Madison

. . .

She awoke from the sound of something entering her room, followed by a dark shadow looming over her bed. Expecting to see Myotismon, but instead finding herself staring up into the blood red eyes of that other servant, Devimon. "Oh... It's you," Narrowing her eyes, remembering his role in their capture, and in forcing Tsu to digivolve. "What do you want?"

He wore a smug smile as he stepped back from the bed, "I am curious, do you still think you're going to get out of here alive?" He questioned.

Madison huffed as she swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. "I don't think, I know."

Earning a chuckle from the devil, "Oh now that is amusing," Snide as ever, "You humans are so funny, and the digimon you find are so pathetic."

Madison was attempting to straighten her messy hair. "Pathetic huh?" She repeated, "Funny, I haven't heard about any obsessive carefully planned plots to make you Mephistomon's super weapon."

Devimon's eye twitching, "Oh? Seems you aren't entirely without fangs after all, that's good." Leaning down behind her, so he was almost eye level. "I can't wait to see your confidence, and your hopes crumble."

Madison took a deep breath and sighed heavily, looking back at him. "Look, I get it, you're all doom and gloom and super evil," She rattled off, waving her hands around. "I should be trembling and scared and cowering under the bed, I promise you Devimon I am well aware of my situation." Before crossing her arms, "I can't do anything right now, so there is no point freaking out and working myself up, so if you don't have anything more important to tell me can we skip the ominous threats for today?"

Devimon blinked, standing back up straight. "Well you are just no fun..." Almost pouting, "Very well, I'll skip right to the real reason I'm here."

Madison paused, "What?"

"The Dark Lord summons you!" He grinned wickedly, as his shadow suddenly expanded beneath him. Spreading beneath Madison and swallowing them both up.

"Agh! HEY!" She cried out, the world around her disappearing as she sank into the void. It felt like she was moving, rushing through something but she had no sense of direction or ability to see. But she could feel Devimon's clawed hand at the scruff of her neck, holding her by the back of her shirt. He was taking her somewhere, likely to Mephistomon.

When her sense of direction returned, they were emerging from the floor. She gasped for air, suddenly feeling she could breathe properly again. Madison stumbled forward as Devimon let her go, falling to her hands and knees. While the devil digimon stepped passed her, "As you requested, my lord."

Madison's eyes widened as she looked up, realizing she was in the great hall again. But not in the center, she was on some kind of wooden platform, "Wh-What is this?" A stage? She recognized it, this is where the music was coming from when she'd been here before. A large piano nearby, a number of instruments along the wall behind it.

"Excellent," Mephistomon chuckled from his throne, "Be prepared to return her, I assume this won't take long."

Madison stood up, swallowing nervously. The entire court was watching her, sharp and evil eyes watching her every movement. "What do you want?" She asked, glaring up at the Dark Lord. "Why am I here?"

"What can't I invite my guest to the party?" He questioned sarcastically, "Very well, if you're so eager... I learned an interesting piece of information while continuing my... Delicate work, with Tsukaimon..."

Madison's body tensed up hearing that, "What did you do to her!?" She demanded.

"Oh nothing new," He shrugged simply, "I simply found that you apparently have a lovely singing voice."

Her breathing hitched, "Wh-What?"

"So I thought I might put you to some use around here," He explained, the amusement in his eyes shamelessly displayed. "So go on, the audience is waiting." He added, motioning to his court, a series of chuckles rumbling through their ranks.

Madison stepped back, her confidence and anger suddenly disappearing as she shrank before them. "I-I'm not going to-"

"Why not?" Mephistomon scoffed, "You've got a stage, soon-to-be adoring fans, so sing for us!" He urged, loving to watch her squirm.

She was starting to sweat, all her fears regarding performance with her voice welling up as she looked out at the judgmental eyes watching her. She opened her mouth to argue, but couldn't find the words, she stammered out. "B-But I've never- I don't know h-how to-"

"Perhaps you just need some incentive!" Mephistomon boomed, "Sway me with your beautiful singing voice, move me to tears, and perhaps I'll let you and Tsukaimon go, doesn't that sound fair?" He chuckled, more amused laughter echoing from the court.

Her hands trembled, knowing he was lying but her mind telling her she was going to fail if she didn't say or do something. Trying to focus, trying to think of anything she could sing. But they were already starting to laugh openly at her, as she shuddered and stepped back from the center stage. Madison knew exactly what he was doing, and she hated it.

She could handle the overbearing fear, the attempts to intimidate her, the doom and gloom. But this humiliation? Attacking her insecurities like this, was so much worse. It was causing her to shrink back, trembling before them. Even if she believed she could save Tsukaimon by singing right here and now, she couldn't find the words, or the strength to do it.

The courts laughter turning to jeers, mocking her while the Dark Lord loved every second of it. But before long, as Madison slouched her shoulders and surrendered to their torment, he held up a hand. "Aaah, now that was refreshing, quality entertainment!" He chuckled, turning to the shadows at his side. "You may return her to her room, Devimon."

"Of course sir." He said with a bow from the darkness, before vanishing.

The shadow raced to her location, swallowing her up in what should been another frightening experience. But after what he'd just put her through, the trip through the void was a merciful escape. Leaving Madison both shaken and questioning her chances of surviving here if this continued...