Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own digimon or anything related to it.

Note: Sorry for being so late to updates.

I own some of the OCs that will appear later. I intend to use all ten spirits. Also characters will have other friends that are OCS outside the main circle. I just find it more realistic.

Those who have read the story before I started again will find one section mostly same. I do apologize but I needed to get through that and also had to put something else in it.

I will be taking elements for from adventure Tri.

As much as Takuya disdained being just an ordinary boy after everything he was in the digiworld, he couldn't help act like a typical teenager in many ways. For one, he liked to stay up till late in the night and watch some TV show or movie. Of course, he couldn't do it that day since his mom also forbid him from TV for his punishment for belligerent behavior. He had tried to ain his dad's support. It had worked a few times in the past. "It's not like I was trying to hurt someone." He had said, "Come on, dad. I can't just watch."

"Yukiko," Takuya's dad addressed his mom, "He isn't wrong. Let..."

But apparently, his mom was not going to go soft this time, "I made it clear that he should approach a teacher. It's too reckless of a behavior," She gave his dad a reproachful glare, "Stop enforcing it." Takuya shot Shinya a nasty glare his the latter nodded fervently.

Takuya's dad sighed and gave him an apologetic look, "Sorry, Takuya. Maybe she is right," Takuya's hopes for an early escape from his punishment went down the drain.

Compared to a hotter afternoon, the night was soothing— curtains fluttered as a cool breeze wafted in through the windows of Takuya's room. He could smell rain and earth in it. Sure enough, as Takuya had suspected, clouds had approached, sailing on winds from the horizon. He wouldn't mind a bit of rain but hadn't been able to shake the feeling that there was something different in the air. It was as if the winds were humming something silently. Takuya shook his head, "I 'm just imagining stuff like this afternoon." Having nothing much to do since he had already finished his homework for having nothing else to do, he decided to go to bed early.

Another thing Takuya shared with many ordinary folks was hating to have his beauty sleep disturbed, especially if it was in the dead of night.

It was half-past 1:00 AM when Takuya woke up with the need to use the bathroom. There was a lot of rattling and booming sounds. A cool breeze caressed his face making him sleepier. Half asleep, he shifted in his cozy bed. He was almost tempted to forget about the toilet to go back to sleep but, gathering all his will, threw the covers away and leapt out of bed. The storm had was finally sweeping through the city, and that weird feeling Takuya got from the wind was more substantial than before.

The windows and doors rattled by the powerful gusts. Occasional flashes of lightning lit up the hallway for a moment, casting eerie shadows on the wall. Takuya could have sworn he saw someone lanky and scrawny standing in the kitchen. Not for the first time in this kind of situation, every muscle in Takuya's body was suddenly on edge, ready to fight only to relax a moment later. Takuya shook his head and went on with his business.

Takuya was washing his hands when his eyes noticed something in the mirror for a moment. A shadowy figure in the sky. But it was gone in the blink of an eye. Considering it to be his imagination, Takuya finished up and went back to his room. He dropped on his bed, ready to drown beauty sleep when he saw it.

Lightning flashed across the clouds, and a huge shadow passed over his house. Takuya kept still, eyes wide and lips apart for a few moments, unable to believe his eyes. Perhaps it is just sleep. Yeah, that's. . .Wait, why is lightning green suddenly? Takuya couldn't remember a single time in his life—not even in digiworld—when he had seen green lightning during a storm.

Takuya wasn't able to think about the lightning for long. The shadow passed over once more—Takuya jumped off his bed and rushed to the window. The shadow of a giant bird sailed across the sky. There were also a bunch of round objects flying around the bird.

Takuya rushed out of his room, careful not to wake his parents up, "It can't be!" As he opened the front door of the house, strong cool gusts hit him. He stepped out and closed the door. His eyes peered at the sky, searching for the shadow of the giant bird, but he didn't see anything. He marched out of the yard to the street—his gaze still on the sky frantically, and there it was, passing over the most prominent house in the area.

It was massive and shadowy. The shadowy figure of a giant bird circled overhead in the reddish-brown cloudy sky: occasionally slightly illuminated by flashes of weird green thunder. Takuya could only see a blackened figure, but he noticed that its wings resembled the skeleton of a bat's wings with tiny arms and long and wide-spanning fingers. At least, that's how it appeared to him in the darkness of night.

Takuya's heart was thumping in his chest. It was—he couldn't believe it—a digimon. After all this time! It Takuya several moments to come back to his senses. The massive bird was flying away. Takuya, not thinking about what he was doing, dashed after it. He tore across the street around the corner and raced to the next junctions. Tried as he might, the giant bird was getting farther and farther away.

Takuya halted in his pursuit as he couldn't keep up with the bird. He watched it getting smaller and smaller as it sailed away on the winds. What's it going to do. A could speck hit Takuya's forehead, then another on the cheek, and then another on the nose. He bolted back to his home, wondering what that bird was about to do. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't just ignore it: poles apart from what he wanted. As of now, it was headed toward the place of Koichi. It wasn't much and didn't guarantee that the overgrown chicken wouldn't change its route, but that was all he had. He just hoped Koichi would wake up. The guy wasn't lazy, but he would sleep, and you'd think he is dead.

Koichi knew Takuya well enough to expect a call from him till late at night. Despite hating being disturbed from his beauty sleep, he also tended to stay awake till late at night. Koichi was quite glad he was a heavy sleeper. Those calls were to get rid of his boredom most of the time and " to waste precious time productive members of the society": Koji's words, not Koichi's. But 2:00 AM was late even for Takuya. Hoping it wasn't one of those calls, Koichi answered, "What's up, Takuya?"

"You are awake! Good! Look out of the window in the sky. You might see something interesting?" Takuya said it all so fast that Koichi had to take a moment to register everything. He sounded a bit excited and alarmed, which roused Koichi's interest.

"Interesting!" Koichi got out of his bed and walked up to the window.

"Do you see something?"

"Yeah." Takuya gasped, "rain: lots of it. You know, in every minute, one billion tons of rain falls on the earth? Interesting, right?"

"Haha, very funny!" Koichi smiled amusedly, "You and humor aren't frequent together?"

"I think we are. It's just a more subtle relationship than your with humor."

"Yeah, whatever. Look carefully. Go outside if you have to!"

Takuya not following up on that was weird, and Koichi was a bit tempted to do as he said, but all the same, "Takuya, it's raining outside, and it's 2:00 in the middle of the night!"

"I know, but we can't wait!"

"But..."

"It's important!"

Takuya sounded in an absolute frenzy. Whatever it was, it was severe. Koichi decided to do as Takuya said. "Will you tell me what it is?" Koichi insisted as he headed down the lounge. Takuya was reluctant to say what it was even though he insisted Koichi go out in the rain at two at night.

"You gotta see it for yourself, or you might not believe me." Suddenly Koichi could guess what it might be. Only one thing could have riled up Takuya this much. Koichi hoped it was not that. If it was, he hoped, Takuya was just sleepy because Koichi wasn't, for sure, "I should know what I am supposed to be looking for." He grabbed an umbrella from the basket by the front door, careful not to make any noise so his mom wouldn't wake up.

"Oh, alright!" Takuya said in a frustrated tone, "I think...I think it was a digimon. Look before you say anything, you should know I followed as far as I could and just bolted back home, so I am anything but sleepy right now," Koichi shut his lips, "It was a huge bird. Its wings, well, they were more like bones of a bat's wings, though I could only see a black figure."

If Koichi was honest, he didn't want to see it, but he couldn't just refuse. "Okay. I will talk with you after taking a look outside," He didn't want to risk his cell phone getting wet.

Koichi stepped out into the downpour. Buckets of water started pounding his umbrella. He shivered a bit in the icy weather. It wasn't uncomfortable, though. He just needed to adjust—the thought of a giant bird roaming around, doing who knew was the real problem. Koichi still considered that Takuya was sleepy. He could hope, if nothing else.

Koichi walked down the street, looking for anything weird in the sky, but the high rises limited his view. Though he doubted he would miss a giant bird even there, he decided to head toward the main road.

Roaming around alone in the middle of the night was a strange experience. Koichi realized how after many years, every fiber in his body seemed to be ready to leap. It was especially true for the narrow alleys where streetlights didn't reach, and he couldn't see anything in the velvety darkness. He wasn't scared, f course. He held the spirit of the dark, and he liked nighttime, but it was thrilling, just like those days from their time in the digiworld. The random distant sounds of cars from the road were like the distant sound of some wild digimon. It made him a bit nostalgic.

Koichi searched around the square and even walked down all four routes, spending half an hour searching, but all he found was lightning. There wasn't even any distant weird sound, though he might have missed it in the thunder even if there was one. "There isn't much of anything, really," Koichi told Takuya after returning home from his search. It could amount to a few things, "Takuya, are you sure that..."

"Yeah, I am!" Takuya said curtly, with such conviction force that Koichi decided it wise not to argue anymore. He truly believed what he saw. That left an unfavorable possibility. Takuya took the words right out of Koichi's mouth, "It might have changed its path." Takuya said in a bit more frustrated tone. Koichi could see him pacing around in his room, driving himself mad.

"Or it might have gone back," Koichi liked that one a lot more.

"I guess!"

Koichi didn't miss the bit of disappointment in Takuya's voice. On the other hand, he had seen first hand what digimons could do in the human world. It would be better off if that bird went back. But what if it wasn't? "I guess we will have to keep an eye out for any news if someone saw something, and let's just hope it won't cause any harm if it's still here."

"I suppose. I will search the web to see if any night owl saw something. Even though it's raining, there is always a possibility. Maybe news too. Can't believe I wanna watch the news once more."

Yeah, that was more than enough to cement the direness of the situation, "Sounds good. I will check too."

"Hear'ya later."

"Bye!" As soon as the call ended, Koichi dropped on his bed. Something told him that the next few days wouldn't go as smoothly as the previous few years. For him, it started right at that moment as his eyes caught something huge illuminated by a flash of lightning in the sky outside the window. He hastened to the window and watched wide-eyed the silhouette of a giant bird— clustered by round objects—its wings were as Takuya described'em. It entered a swirling vortex of colors, and the vortex flickered and disappeared.

It ached all over. The digimon had crashed into solid earth. A few shards of rocks had penetrated his back like tiny needles, but the worst was his shoulder. It was burning hot there as if the liquid fire had seeped into his shoulder. He couldn't breathe for a few seconds and then sucked in a vast amount of air and dirt. He coughed as inhaled dirt stuck to his throat, and in return, the pain in his shoulder suddenly skyrocketed. An unintentional groan escaped his lips.

Cherubimon couldn't rest and tend to injuries. He pushed himself off the eath using his better arm for support. It hurt, just flinching his other arm. The memories of getting hurt this badly were few and far between, even in his lifetime of centuries. Cherubimon neither had the desire nor the time reminiscent, though. He could feel the heat of the energy blade as its light penetrated the dust cloud that covered him. Lightning condensed in his better hand, he tore out of the dust cloud. His lightning blade clashed with Ouryumon's arm.

"You don't look in good shape."

"I am just getting started!" That wasn't remotely true, but Cherubimon was a beast-type digimon, and he couldn't bear being looked down upon. He and Ouryumon moved apart. A blade of energy came his way, and he flung the lightning blade. There was a flash and then a bang. Cherubimon soared higher as Ouryumon had appeared right through the searing hot air.

"I don't wanna have to kill you, Cherubimon. Just tell me where it is."

"You will never get his hands on those sprits." At least, he did not realize my camouflage from earlier was from the spirit of darkness. But what came next was the last thing Cherubimon expected.

"Who is talking about those?"

"W..what!" Cherubimon gasped, dumbfounded. It had always been spirits. If not those, then what more valuable thing could he possess? He couldn't think of anything else.

"The cosmic writings!"

"The what now?"

"Don't play dumb with me! If you don't know, then who would?"

Cherubimon couldn't think of anything. He had quite a few books in his library— the same library, this-mon destroyed just a short while ago—but nothing was there that Ouryumon was demanding. "I have no idea what you are talking about!"

"And I believe you!" Ouryumon replied in a sarcastic tone.

Cherubimon had no time to ponder over this whole thing as Ouryumon tore up at him, surrounded by a golden aura. Cherubimon moved, dodging by a hair's breadth. He managed to both his arms high, ignoring the pain in one of his shoulders. Clouds roared like a wild beast, "Heaven's judgment." Lightning rained down upon Ouryumonand the unsuspecting digimon was sent hurtling down. Cherubimon summoned two lightning blades, flung'em at Ouryumon, summoned two more, flung'em, and kept on it.

Ouryumon had managed to gain his balance before hitting the earth and started shooting energy blades that clashed. Clashing with Cherubimon's lightning, the energy blade burst into sparks.

"I am going to ask once again," Ouryumon growled. "Where is it?"

"And I am going to tell you the same thing. I haven't a clue what you are on about!"

Ouryumon sped at him, surrounded by the golden halo, "In that case, maybe I will need to be a bit more persuasive."

"Heaven's judgment!" Cherubimon gasped as Ouryumon pushed through lightning, "What the hell!" He moved to the left and winced as something sharp grazed left his torso. He didn't stop flying farther away, though.

"I am not done with you yet!" Cherubimon looked over his shoulder. Ouryumon was on his tail, "Running away again!"

Cherubimon greeted his teeth on Ouryumon's mock soaked tone. He shook his head. Shouldn't let my anger control me. Better stay calm. But this whole thing was bizarre, though. A mega-level digimon suddenly appeared and attacked me! How did we not see this coming? When did things get so out of hand? No, when did they even start going south, to begin with? Most importantly, what has Seraphimon been doing about it? He didn't want to be seen as selfish again, but law and order were supposed to do Seraphimon's job.

Cherubimon peered over his shoulder once more and nose-dived, dodging Ouryumon.

"I will take what I want eventually!" Ouryumon crossed his swords and shot an X of energy. Blue lightning appeared in his hand. He knew it was useless, but at least it could give him a chance to run away. He hated himself for that thought, "Lightning spear." Cherubimon's voice thundered as he threw the blue blade toward Ouryumon.

BOOM

A white-hot blast illuminated the sky, followed by a wave of wind. Ouryumon shot out of the mass of white-hot gasses covered in the golden aura.

Cherubimon rushed upward. He never thought one day he would feel so helpless. He raised his arms. Thunder cloud-covered sky. "Heaven's judgment."

Lighting thundered down Ouryumon. "Golden armor" He charged like a meteor enduring all thunderbolts.

Cherubimon summoned lightning in his hand. "Lightning spear." It was useless, but what choice did Cherubimon have? He threw multiple lightning blades in a rapid-fire. Still, they just dissipated on hitting Ouryumon, "This guy is unbelievable," Cherubimon gathered his strength and flew out of the way at full speed. All he could do was run.

Ouryumon took a sharp turn toward Cherubimon. "You won't run away." He roared.

Cherubimon flew as fast as possible. He looked over his shoulder. Ouryumon came closer and closer Cherubimon's eyes widened when he looked ahead again. "Seraphimon! Ophanimon!" He couldn't believe his luck; those two were here.

"Strike of the seven stars."

"Sefirot Stone."

Orbs of light and ten crystals rushed past Cherubimon. He stopped and looked back. To his disappointment, Ouryumon halted and sliced at the light spheres and crystals like an expert swordsman. Only specks of light and dust were left behind.

"The whole gang is here. Good! Maybe you two could ou some sense in the bunny's head."

Ophanimon approached Cherubimon. "Cherubimon!" Cherubimon followed her gaze. It was hard for him to believe as well what he was seeing. He was in bad shape. There were wounds all over his body, and fractal code had appeared at several places. It was saying something. Ouryumon was not to be taken lightly. Cherubimon was a beast-type digimon, and for this, he is the most dangerous of the three celestial digimons. In battle, he was ferocious, aggressive, and deadly, unlike his friends. Despite all that, Ouryumon had no injury. And Cherubimon was, embarrassingly, running away from a fight! Something totally against the nature of beast-type digimons.

"I thought we told you not to attract trouble again!" Seraphimon said.

"You should know by now it's impossible for me!" Cherubimon replied. "And besides, I thought dealing with trouble is your job, not mine."

"It's not like I can babysit you every second!" Seraphimon replied. "I have many important things to do."

"Yeah?" Cherubimon asked. "And dealing with dangerous digimon didn't appear in the job description of law and order?"

"We were busy with something." Ophanimon cut in the argument. "It's about what we started."

"Other matter! You mean-" He got a nod from Ophanimon. Yeah, that was more important stuff. More than him and his friends. "So, what are you doing here? Not that I am not grateful but-"

"We needed your help in the matter, so we decided to contact you and found out you are busy with other stuff!" Seraphimon added.

"Glad to know I am only remembered when needed!" Cherubimon replied

"I am still here." Ouryumon interfered. His swords glowed yellow. "Are you going to talk or keep up your family drama?" He crossed his blades.

"So, he is after spirits?" Ophanimon asked.

"Beats me. Has been talking nonsense." Cherubimon replied.

"Where are the cosmic writings?"

"What?" Seraphimon asked, confused.

"What?" Cherubimon retorted, receiving questioning looks from the other two, "I already told you I haven't a clue."

"You sure?" Seraphimon's tone was doubtful.

"What? You think I am lying?" Cherubimon snapped.

"We can talk about that later," Ophanimon interjected before Cherubimon could say anything more.

"Even your own buddies don't trust you," Ouryumon said as if that was more than enough confirmation for him. He shot the energy blades, and the three celestial digimons scattered out of the way.

"Stop this madness, Ouryumon!" Seraphimon ordered, seven orbs of light appeared around him. "Or we will have to stop you by any means necessary." He glanced at Cherubimon, most defiantly counting how many injuries he had! It frustrated Cherubimon. He was never a fan of appearing weak.

"Madness?" A yellow aura surrounded Ouryumon's body. "Where is it? Tell me, and I might stop." He looked from Ophanimon to Cherubimon to Seraphimon. "For now anyway."

"We don't even know what are those?" Ophanimon replied, summoning her jawline.

"Nonsense!" Ouryumon pointed at Cherubimon, "That guy must know something. He had held the key to it for ages."

"Me!" Cherubimon asked once again, lost. Either the lizard has gone nuts, or my memory has become sloppy. A small nagging voice in his head said that it was probably the later. Cherubimon squashed that voice, "I have no idea!"

"Your choice." Ouryumon charged at Ophanimon.

"Strike of the seven stars."

"Sefirot stone."

"Lightning spear."

All three attacks hit Ouryumon but shattered on contact. "Am I a joke to you? Or was it the play ball?"

Seraphimon and Cherubimon charged at Ouryumon.

"Excalibur."

"Lightning spear."

The energy blade and lightning spear clashed with Ouryumon's swords. They pushed Ouryumon by putting in all their force, which Cherubimon found shameful to admit even to himself. Seraphimon seemed to be thinking on the same wavelength.

Ophanimon attacked from behind. "Eden's javelin."

Cherubimon gathered lighting in his other hand. "And this one is for earlier." He hit Ouryumon with the lightning spear.

"AGGHH" Ouryumon screamed, his voice dripping agony. The next moment Seraphimon punched him away. Cherubimon soared higher. When Ouryumon got his balance, he looked ahead as if searching for someone. Cherubimon was sure it was him. "Where is the bunny?" He looked up, and Cherubimon smacked him down, sending him crashing toward earth. Cherubimon's lips curled in a smile. That felt good!

"Enjoyed that one, did you?" Seraphimon asked as seven spheres of light appeared around him.

"He had that coming for him for quite a while," Cherubimon raised his arms high into the air and winced as the pain in his injured shoulder once again rose. Thunder clouds once again roared, "Ready?" e didn't bother for a response. He didn't need to. At once, the spheres of light, lightning, and crystals rained down upon Ouryumon. Once again, the golden aura surrounded Ouryumon, and to Cherubimon's shock, he pushed through their attacks.

"Impossible!" Ophanimon said in astonishment.

"We have to come up with something else!" Seraphimon said. All three of them scattered away from Ouryumon's path.

"Nice thinking!" Cherubimon replied in a mocking tone, "I certainly couldn't have thought that" Joke aside, Seraphimon had a point. This is getting out of hand. At this point, all we can do is... He released a sigh. "Well, guess my time has come."

"I am tired of this game," Ouryumon growled as he came to a stop.

"Feelings are mutual, buddy," Cherubimon replied. He threw another lightning spear which Ouryumon slapped away. Talk about being pathetic! He greeted his teeth in anger. "Listen, Seraphimon, I have a..." Ouryumon had sped toward Opahnimon. "OPHANIMON!" The next moment he was in front of Ophanimon. His eyes were wide in shock because Seraphimon was in front of him, holding Ouryumon's from moving.

Cherubimon could imagine the pain Seraphimon was struggling against holding Ouryumon. Cherubimon himself has been on the receiving end of that attack. Seraphimon's armor was getting damaged, but he kept his hold on Ouryumon.

"SERAPHIMON!" Ophanimon shouted.

"I know what you are thinking, Cherubimon, but you don't have to."

"Don't go on about it being a forbidden act for digimons, now!" Cherubimon snapped. Cherubimon still believed that sometimes laws should be broken, exceptions should be made, and sacrifices are necessary. It was a forbidden act, unknown to nearly the whole digiworld, and lost in history. It wasn't long ago when they discovered it in some newly discovered—'appeared' might be a more appropriate word—ruins. "We can't stop him like this," Cherubimon growled, "it's not the moment to hesitate!" Blue lightning appeared in his hand. He flew above Ouryumon and charged at him. Ophanimon followed his lead from below.

"Stop both of you," Seraphimon shouted, causing Cherubimon to halt in the air, shocked along with Ophanimon.

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, STOP?" Cherubimon shouted in frustration. "Stop playing the hero!"

"I am not!" Seraphimon replied, "Listen, Ophanimon" He turned to Cherubimon, "and Cherubimon, you will have to go."

Cherubimon growled as anger rose like fire. "WHAT DO YOU MENA 'YOU WILL HAVE TO GO'" He yelled as rage flared. "WHAT DO YOU THINK I AM. A COWARD?"

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT! WHY DO YOU ALWAYS ASSUME I THINK ANY LESS OF YOU?"

"Oh, I don't know. Let's see, a moment ago, you were the one doubting me!"

"I WASN'T DOUBTING YOU!"

"Oh, then what was..."

"I was thinking that maybe you are just fooling Ouryumon."

Cherubimon didn't have any response to that other than shock. That was the last thing he expected. It would have made more sense for them not to trust him.

"Seraphimon, your fractal code!" Ophanimon said, snapping Cherubimon out of the shock. Cherubimon's eyes widened as he realized what was happening. It was weird that Seraphimon could hold Ouryumon for so long, but he was...

"I will do it!" Seraphimon said. His fractal code snaked around Ouryumon and seeped in the dragon digimon from every side.

"W...what!" Opahnimon exclaimed.

"Now, what kind of shit is this. You were the one who argued it be made forbidden!"

"I just realized that you were right. An exception should be made. Look, we don't have time for this. Just go and take Ophanimon with you!" He turned to Cherubimon. "I should be the one to do it."

Cherubimon growled in frustration once more. Who does Seraphimon think is he?

"Seraphimon, you don't mean..." Ophanimon said in shock. "Seraphimon, I can't."

"Exactly!" Cherubimon growled. "I should do something like this I-"

"NO" Ophanimon screamed, perhaps the first time since Cherubimon knew her, and it was a long time. "I will do it then."

"Don't argue," Seraphimon cut in "there is no time to think besides," Seraphimon winced. His armor was starting to crack at several points. "Cherubimon, don't you have more important jobs to do."

Cherubimon's eyes widened "but-" he stammered.

"You are the only one with the knowledge to help those kids."

Yes, he understood where Seraphimon was coming from but still. Cherubimon was the one who once almost destroyed the digiworld. He should be the one to save his friends, shouldn't he?

Ophanimon looked toward Cherubimon, then Seraphimon. "Seraphimon, no, I can't let either of you do something like this. If necessary I..."

"Ophanimon, this world needs you more," Seraphimon cut in. "You have made choices before. It's time to do it again" He turned to Cherubimon. "You know better than me. Everything has a time. Even us! And Cherubimon..."

Ouryumon's mocking laugh cut Seraphimon, "Do you think I will let them g..."

"SHUT UP" Seraphimon shouted. "Cherubimon, some things are bigger than us, you, me, and Ophanimon."

Cherubimon looked down. His mind was a jumble of thoughts. He understood where Seraphimon was coming from, but. This is the moment he can make up for old times. He tried to hurt both of his friends before. Now he could save them.

"It's one of those things," Seraphimon added.

Ophanimon looked from Seraphimon to Cherubimon, who felt more agitated and frustrated than ever, back to Seraphimon. Cherubimon knew she was hoping he would argue, but there was nothing left to discuss. Cherubimon shut his eyes. "So sometimes we have to make choices, huh! Talk about unfair circumstances" He opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "I get it."

"What?" Ophanimon whispered, but Cherubimon heard her. Most likely, she was disappointed in him. He couldn't blame her.

"And listen. Things, well, they have been messy between us in the past. I-" He sighed. "I won't deny some of it was my fault, but..." A brief silence followed Seraphimon's words.

"Seraphimon," Cherubimon murmured.

Seraphimon released a sigh. "I am glad we are back the way we were after the time of ancients."

Cherubimon smiled. "Yeah, me too" He couldn't believe he just said that. Damn you, Seraphimon! "Alright, I…I guess."

"You've got to be joking me," Ouryumon said, "We are in the middle of a battle, and you are playing this emotional..."

"I SAID SHUT UP" Seraphimon cut Ouryumon, "Go. Both of you. I can't hold it much longer. The energy that will come out will be catastrophic."

"Look I...I ugh Damn it," Cherubimon growled. Nothing came to mind. "Fine, let's keep it simple, thanks, and um well, sorry."

"I know!" Seraphimon replied.

"Come on, Ophanimon." He whispered

"But-" She looked back and forth between Seraphimon and Cherubimon "But-"

"Ophanim...AGH!" Seraphimon winced.

"Seraphimon!" Ophanimon said desperately.

"Please!" Seraphimon whispered.

After some moments, Ophanimon stopped struggling, and Cherubimon pulled her, which he wasn't pleased about. Something like this had happened before, but Cherubimon was sure it didn't get any easier.

"Give a message to Bokomon from me, will you? Tell him. I am sorry that I won't be able to see him one last time."

Cherubimon nodded as he sped away at top speed, pulling a limp Ophanimon along. Taking one last look over his shoulder, he saw the brilliant light and wished that was it was just pitch black.

The arch of harsh sunlight waned on the hard stone earth and disappeared into the blackness. If the sun was burning, then the darkness was blinding and heavy. His vision had gone dark except for the soft blue light of the crystal farther ahead. Quite fitting since he couldn't see a way any other option in this situation.

He lingered on ahead slowly toward the pale blue light of the crystal, still trying to sync in what had just happened.

"What's the status, Gennai?"

He would have rather liked to be anywhere but here right now. Even the dark ocean would be better. He wanted not to speak, but he didn't have much of choice. He was also well aware of the many pairs of eyes hidden in blackness watching him keenly. He caught a pair of blue eyes: the only one not hidden in blackness. It gave him a bit of strength. Hoping for the best, he spoke, "It's not good. Not at all." That was all he needed to say. Everyone would understand by themselves.

"Then we will proceed with the other!" The suggestion—more like a command—came from the crystal.

...

It was a better outcome than he expected, but he still wished it not to be this way. Gennai sighed and squinted as he walked out into the harsh sun. It was already prickling his skin. It seemed like both light and darkness were in a bad mood today.

"You know what this can cause, don't you?"

Gennai turned to the Royal knight. He had expected Jesmon to come.

"A conflict among the digidestineds."

"Most of the legendary warriors might not even accept this. I am not sure about the four newer ones, but the older ones..."

"They will be destined for conflict the moment they meet each other. This will just fuel the spark unless those humans don't stand with Yggdrasil, in which case... You know them best. What do you feel like they would do?"

That was the more pressing issue. Gennai couldn't really figure it out. Being a data humans, he knew that the human mind worked in complex ways, and he wasn't an actual human t begin with, "Depends; how they see this situation. Even I can't say for sure, though."

"I see. In that case, I would like to see what those humans decide and how they go about it."

Gennai nodded. It was better than most things he could have expected. It was unfortunate, though, that he couldn't contact Taichi and rest as of yet.

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