AUTHOR'S NOTES:

…that awkward moment when you thought you updated your fic already and now it's almost been 2 weeks since your last update even though you've got a few chapters in the bank.

Whoops?

Thanks for your patience, thank you to everyone for your love on the last chapter, and I hope you enjoy today's update!

PROTECTION

In their usual disoriented fashion, they tumbled through the gate, all limbs and curses and tangled appendages. Daisuke had managed to find himself on the bottom of the pile, his face pressed in to the dirt, and he was still picking leaves out of his hair when they met up with Mimi who, with Koushiro's help, had managed to arrive at another gate nearby. Palmon was waiting with her, as was Michael and his partner Betamon, a digimon that reminded Daisuke of a watermelon with legs, red eyes, and a fierce orange Mohawk-fin that ran along its back. It had been hard to guess Michael's age through the video call, but in person Daisuke guessed that he was around Mimi's age. Maybe a year or two older. It was difficult to tell. Taichi was the first to greet him, gripping his arm firmly with a nod of approval.

"Thanks for your help," Taichi offered in broken English.

"It is my pleasure," Michael replied in equally stunted Japanese. Mimi beamed with pride, amber eyes fixed on Michael as he hesitantly introduced himself to each of the Chosen and their partners. To the guys he offered a firm handshake, and to the girls he gave a small kiss on the cheek. By the time he reached Daisuke (having lingered a little too long with Hikari for Daisuke's liking), Daisuke gripped his hand firmly and offered a warm "nice to meet you" in his best English that made Michael pause and Hikari smile in surprise.

"Gomamon and the others are waiting for you," Palmon said when Michael had finished greeting them all (which Daisuke thought was a bit much, but then he'd never really understood Americans). Taichi ran through the plan one last time, though Daisuke couldn't help but feel it was more for his own benefit than for anyone else's. Daisuke had left their meeting last night thinking of nothing but the plan, and he'd fallen asleep running it over in his head until he knew exactly what he needed to do. Taichi had given him a group and a job, and he was determined not to let the team down.

After confirming one last time that everyone knew what they needed to do, Taichi led his group further in to the trees. Mimi and Palmon bid them a small "good luck" before disappearing in the opposite direction, her signal stopping just at the edge of the D-3's range. Daisuke glanced at his "team" – five people, with four digimon between them. Veemon, Hawkmon, Armadimon and Patamon would be the only ones able to digivolve so close to the dark towers surrounding the Kaiser's base, and despite her brother's protests Hikari had refused to sit and wait with the others.

"He's more likely to send LadyDevimon out if I'm there," she'd argued. After some back and forth Taichi had reluctantly given in, though before Daisuke had opened the gate Taichi had pulled Takeru to one side and made him promise to look after her. He hadn't asked Daisuke outright, but Daisuke had seen it in his mentor's fiery determination, and he'd made a silent promise to help keep Hikari safe too.

Finally Hikari's D-Terminal gave a shrill chime, and she gave a short nod to confirm the signal had come from Taichi. Daisuke looked down at Veemon and grinned, adrenaline pulsing through his veins.

"Ready, partner?"

"Ready!" Daisuke took a deep steadying breath and lifted his D-3 high overhead. Then, in perfect time with the others, he cried:

"Digimental, up!"

As the light of their evolution faded, Fladramon limbered, swinging his arms and dancing from toe to toe, while Holsmon ruffled his feathers and Digmon's drills rattled. Pegasmon stretched his wings before allowing Takeru to spring nimbly on to his back, and Daisuke felt a strange burning in his gut as he watched Hikari settle in to the saddle in front of him, cradling her bow in her lap. Pegasmon was the only digimon capable of easily fighting with two passengers – Holsmon needed to be as light as possible to out-manoeuvre his enemies, and both Digmon and Fladramon could only safely carry one passenger each on their backs – but it didn't mean Daisuke had to like the way the golden saddle pressed the pair of them so close together, even if he could reluctantly agree that it did make the most sense.

"Daisuke, is something wrong?" Fladramon rumbled. Daisuke bit his tongue and shook his head, and silently climbed on to his partner's back.

Palmon had given them directions to find the Kaiser's base. She and Mimi were giving it a wide berth, attempting to slip past unnoticed and approach the base only after the Kaiser had left it (if all went to plan, which Daisuke had to keep reminding himself that it would). Daisuke and the others we're heading straight to it; Holsmon and Pegasmon took to the skies, and after a moment Daisuke received a message from Hikari.

FROM: Hikari
TO: Daisuke
We can see the base. Follow our signal.

Daisuke relayed the message to Iori and Digmon, and together they headed deeper in to the forest. Daisuke kept his eyes on his D-3 for the most part, but whenever there was a gap in the trees he found himself glancing up. Holsmon and Pegasmon were taking cover above the clouds for the most part, but sometimes the break in the canopy aligned with a break in the clouds and Daisuke spotted their distant silhouette, no bigger than his thumb.

They regrouped a little while later. The flying digimon had already landed, and their passengers had dismounted by the time Fladramon and Digmon had caught up. The forest stopped suddenly; a jagged line of trees giving way to dry sand and compacted clay. The sand-blasted ground rolled out before them, forming a hollow in the landscape. The rim of the bowl was lined with trees, and inside the crater was littered with dark towers. In the centre there was an enormous craggy rock, standing at least two storeys high. From what Palmon had remembered of her convenient escape, Daisuke assumed that this was the Kaiser's base.

"We'll have to free those digimon first," Hikari said softly, staring at the digimon dutifully patrolling between the towers. Palmon hadn't mentioned them; it seemed the Kaiser had added extra security after she'd managed to break out. "There's no way he'll send LadyDevimon or the others out to fight us when there are so many adults around."

"If we try to free them all, it'll take too long and we could waste too much of our strength," Takeru countered. Hikari pursed her lips but reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"Then let's wipe out the towers," Daisuke said firmly. "If we get rid of them, maybe that'll free up some of those digimon. Or it might just make Ichijouji angry enough to have to deal with us." The others nodded.

"The more digimon we release, the easier it will be for Mimi and Palmon," Miyako added. Daisuke nodded.

"We'll start on opposite sides; me and Iori'll take the ones on the left." He wanted to partner with Hikari, but there was no way she could join him without Miyako or Takeru tagging along too, and much as Daisuke was loathe to admit it they were probably better off keeping the flying digimon and the grounded digimon working in pairs. Hikari sent a brief message to her brother to let them know it might take them a little longer than planned, and then she was back in Pegasmon's saddle and back in the sky with Holsmon close behind. Daisuke dug his fingernails in to his palms and forced himself to focus. His schoolboy crush could wait; he had a job to do.

"Let's go, partners!" Digmon called before sprinting forwards (and ignoring Iori's warnings that perhaps they should be a little more cautious). Daisuke clambered back on to Fladramon who case a concerned glance over his shoulder.

"You sure nothing's wrong?" Fladramon asked. Daisuke nodded, his eyes set firmly on their first target.

"Nothing at all."

Together they destroyed three towers before the closest digimon stumbled over to attack them. Digmon continued drilling at their fourth tower while Fladramon handled the oversized teddy-bear with ease. In a matter of minutes Fladramon had landed a flaming punch on the dark ring strapped around the bear's belly and the digimon stumbled back, tripped over his own feet and collapsed heavily. The ring shattered on impact, and after a moment the bear sat up, rubbing his head and blinking in confusion. He patted himself down, tucked some of stuffing back in to his seams, and then grinned (which somehow made him look more intimidating than before).

"Thanks for the help," he said, hauling himself to his feet. More digimon were charging at them now, and the bear narrowed its eyes and prepared itself to fight. "Looks like you guys could us a hand."

Somewhere between all of his attacks, the bear introduced himself as Monzaemon. His attacks weren't overly strong, but with a belly full of stuffing he was more than happy to take the lead and handle the first hits from the oncoming digimon. Fladramon swept in then, attacking the digimon from behind while Digmon continued to chip away at a fifth tower, and then a sixth.

Four towers later and they had been joined by three Mojyamon (fierce bundles of fur with icy fists), two Blossomon (overgrown flowers that walked on their thorny vines and attacked with razor-sharp petals), and four Veggimon, but no Kaiser. The base remained silent and still. Across the crater, Pegasmon and Holsmon were working on toppling another spire whilst a handful of digimon fought below them. Whilst they still had a number of towers to topple before the area could be deemed clear, the number of digimon remaining under the Kaiser's control were rapidly dwindling.

"Maybe he's not here," Iori sighed, clambering back on to his partner's back. Daisuke ground his teeth together and growled, his eyes darting to the giant rock.

"No," Daisuke grunted, spinning on his heel and leaping on to Fladramon's shoulder. "We didn't come this far for him to be out. Let's go!" Fladramon nodded and took to the sky, leaving their small army behind. He bounded towards the base, and as they drew closer Fladramon looked over his shoulder with a wicked grin.

"Hold on tight!" Daisuke wrapped his arms around his partner's neck and clung to him tightly as Fladramon leapt high in to the air. Fire engulfed them, licking harmlessly over Daisuke's skin as Fladramon fixed the base within his sights.

"Fire rocket!" The flames grew to an inferno and Daisuke buried his face in his partner's back as they sped through the air. At the last second Fladramon pulled out of the dive, and a cool breeze kissed Daisuke's cheeks as the fire left them, spilling over the Kaiser's base.

"Star shower!" Fladramon darted out of the way as Pegasmon's stars splashed across the craggy rock like raindrops on a pond. Digmon arrived next, and he buried his drilled in to the ground. A network of cracks and fissures split the rock beneath his feet, but the base remained untouched.

"Come out, coward!" Daisuke cried as Pegasmon swooped around for another attack. "We know you're in there!"

They had agreed it best not to call at the Ichijouji residence before beginning their attack for fear of tipping their hand, but as the silence lingered on Daisuke wondered if perhaps they should have taken the risk. Holsmon buffeted the rock with gusts of winds that could topple spires, but they splashed harmlessly against the outer wall as he banked around for another attack.

There came a great rumbling of stone against stone and then a menacing cry as Garudamon emerged. She barrelled in to Holsmon, catching him off-guard and knocking Miyako clean off his back.

"Miyako!" Daisuke cried. Fladramon leapt forwards but Pegasmon was faster, and Hikari and Takeru both grabbed Miyako and helped her on to Pegasmon's back. Daisuke's relief was short-lived as he watched Pegasmon begin to falter under the weight of three passengers. Holsmon had taken to the skies, drawing Garudamon with him, and when Daisuke looked back to Pegasmon he saw Hikari shouting and pointing to the ground. Pegasmon swooped low, hooves skimming the dust as Hikari slid from his saddle, bow in hand, and began sprinting towards the Kaiser's base.

Fladramon didn't need Daisuke's shout to urge him forwards. With three large leaps he caught up to her, planting himself between Hikari and the base.

"What are you doing?" Daisuke exclaimed. Hikari skidded to a stop and pulled an arrow from the quiver strapped across her back.

"She's in there, Daisuke, I can feel her. We need to draw him out."

"And you're gonna do that with a…" The words died in his throat as his gaze dropped to her hands. They were glowing. A furious white blaze was dancing along her fingertips, spreading up her arms and along her elbows, spilling out over the arrow. Hikari sidestepped Fladramon and drew it back, pausing for one slow breath before releasing the glowing arrow.

The tip pierced the outer shell of the base and exploded in a blaze of blinding white light. Daisuke buried his face in his elbow, dimly aware of his partner throwing himself between them and the explosion. When the light faded, Daisuke turned to Hikari who had fallen to her knees, her eyes wide.

"That was… unexpected," she breathed.

"IDIOTS!" The Kaiser's voice was booming, surrounding them from every side. Fladramon straightened, searching the skies, but Daisuke spotted him first. Ichijouji was standing atop an airdramon, whip in hand as he glared down at them. "LadyDevimon, attack!"

She appeared out of nowhere, dropping down between them and the Kaiser with a furious sneer. She crossed her arms over her chest and bowed her head.

"Darkness-" The arrow clipped her shoulder and she gripped the wound with a hiss, glaring at Hikari who had darted around Daisuke to take aim. To Daisuke's surprise LadyDevimon merely smirked before spiralling in to the air, disappearing behind the clouds. As the Kaiser called after her, snapping his whip furiously, Fladramon pulled Daisuke back on to his shoulder.

"Let's move!" he yelled, snatching Hikari in to his arms before making for the tree line. His pace felt slow and jilted in comparison to his usual lumbering steps, but he refused to put Hikari down even when she offered to run by herself.

When they were almost at the tree line Daisuke looked up in time to see Holsmon swoop overhead. Miyako dropped from Pegasmon's back with a scream, landing easily between her partner's massive wings, and then Pegasmon was beside them. Without breaking his stride, Fladramon and Takeru manoeuvred Hikari until she was sat again with Takeru, and the trio pulled up just in time to avoid colliding with the forest. As Fladramon dove between the trees Daisuke caught a glimpse of Digmon's golden shell up ahead. Satisfied that they'd all made it away from the Kaiser's base safely, Daisuke risked a glance over his shoulder. LadyDevimon and Garudamon were speeding after them, with the Kaiser and his Airdramon not far behind, and Daisuke buried his face in his partner's back, silently urging Fladramon to run faster.

Taichi had been gripping his digivice for what felt like the better part of an hour by the time the five dots came in to range, approaching from the rear as planned. He nodded in silence to the others and Koushiro, Jou and Michael disappeared to find their partners who had spread out along the tree line. Yamato and Gabumon stayed firmed in place, Yamato's hand tangled in the fur of his partner's shoulder. Somewhere at Taichi's side, Sora laced her fingers with his and gave them a gentle squeeze.

A minute passed. Then another. Taichi looked down at the approaching formation of dots and felt Sora give another squeeze. Taichi squeezed back, wishing now more than ever that Agumon was with him. Even when the others arrived (and it wouldn't be long now) he would next to useless; little more than a cheerleader on the bleachers, only this time a loss meant more than dropping a place in the league.

At last Pegasmon and Holsmon swept overhead, quickly breaking apart to avoid Garudamon who tore through the space between them. Selfishly Taichi sought out his sister, and only when he spied her sitting with Takeru did he let out the breath he'd been holding. He pressed his lips together to keep from giving the signal too soon. Not yet, he reminded himself as Fladramon and Digmon emerged from the forest. They had to make sure the way was clear for Mimi and Palmon. LadyDevimon soared in to view, swooping towards Pegasmon who dove left, only to find himself inches away from Garduamon's talons. Hikari ducked and Takeru swung his staff, rapping the wood along Garudamon's knuckles and making her flinch back. She howled in anger, but as she dove after Pegasmon she was knocked off-course by Holsmon who barrelled in to her side with Miyako clinging to his back. A gleaming drill caught LadyDevimon in the hip, but she didn't turn to attack them until the crack of a whip made her grit her teeth and swoop forwards.

"Now!"

The bushes were already alight as the Kaiser came in to view, and soon the digimon were surging forwards with a triumphant roar. WereGarurumon was the first to join the fray, releasing a howling blaster that set LadyDevimon's hair alight with blue flames. MegaKabuterimon soared high above Garudamon, releasing a ball of electricity that hit Garudamon squarely between the eyes. She tumbled through the air, stunned and unable to avoid MegaKabuterimon's horns as they drove her straight in to the path of Zudomon's great hammer.

The Kaiser was watching the battle unfold below him with a look of horror that quickly turned to a sneer. He lifted his fingers to his mouth as though to whistle, but before he could close his lips around them an arrow struck his knuckles and he clutched his hand to his chest with a curse. Pegasmon swooped in from above, and against the bright sunlight Taichi could just make out Hikari targeting him with another arrow. If words were exchanged, they were too far to be heard, and after circling him once Pegasmon turned his attention towards LadyDevimon.

The Kaiser cracked his whip and his Airdramon turned form the battle, only to find itself face to face with Michael's Seadramon. The pair traded roars, and the Kaiser had to drop low to keep from being thrown from his ride as the digimon clashed together.

Taichi felt a hand on his shoulder, though he couldn't tell if Yamato was offering support or taking it. Either way, standing in the middle of Yamato and Sora settled Taichi's nerves just enough that he didn't completely panic when Hikari was knocked from Pegasmon's saddle. She dropped nimbly on to Garudamon's back, sliding along her back before catching Garudamon's talons. She pulled herself up and took an arrow from her quiver to hack at the dark ring around Garudamon's ankle. When Garudamon finally noticed her, she kicked her foot wildly and then Hikari was falling again, only to be snared by Miyako and pulled to safety on Holsmon's back (who, to his credit, looked as though he might have had at thing or two to say about the ordeal). Sora let out a low, uneven breath as they watched Holsmon spiral into the clouds overhead.

"She's definitely your sister," she breathed. Yamato offered a noncommittal grunt. Despite his fluttering heart in his throat, Taichi found a strange sense of pride beneath his fear, along with a sudden understanding of why all the reckless outbursts of his youth had made Sora so angry. He clutched his digivice close to his heart, and together they watched in silence as the battle played out before them.

It should have been an easy win with all of their strength against only two perfect digimon, but even from a distance Taichi could tell they were near-evenly matched. Under the influence of the dark spirals, their partners were faster and stronger, and it was quickly becoming clear that the armoured digimon, though marginally more resilient than most adults, did not pack the same punch as their opponents. Overhead, Seadramon was quickly losing ground to the Kaiser's Airdramon, and Taichi grimaced. If the Kaiser escaped, there was every chance he could call for reinforcements or, worse, he would return to his base before Mimi and Palmon had had enough time to break Agumon free. They had a very real chance to defeat the Kaiser – once and for all – if they could just tip the scale as in their favour.

He turned to Sora, still deliberating. If he was right, then it wouldn't matter that Agumon was being left behind. Defeating the Kaiser would free him, and they could solve two problems with one fight. But if he was wrong…

He grit his teeth. Even if Lillymon joined them in the fight and they didn't manage to defeat the Kaiser, they stood a solid chance of freeing at least one of the others. As Sora had said earlier, one was better than none, even if the one wasn't his partner.

"We need Mimi."

"What about Agumon?" she asked. He shook his head.

"We defeat the Kaiser here, and we go get him after," he answered, leaving her (and himself) no room to doubt that they would win.

"And if they already have him?" Taichi grimaced. They still didn't understand how the spirals worked, nor how the Kaiser was able to control his captive digimon. There was no guarantee that the Kaiser couldn't summon Agumon to them anyway, especially if he was already free of the base. They had scouted a cave to the north where Lillymon was going to take Agumon and keep him there until the fighting was over, but there wouldn't be enough time for her to drop him at the cave and then join them at the fight, and there was no guarantee that Agumon would stay put without someone to keep him there.

"Tell her to bring him, but to be careful. We can't let the Kaiser see him."

They needed Mimi, and Taichi could only hope that their message reached her in time. Sora hesitated for a moment as though giving Taichi a chance to rethink his order, but when he turned back to the fight he heard her tapping out a message to Mimi.

"Are you sure it's this way?"

"Yes, Mimi. Shh!"

"It's so dark and horrible. And cold. Did he really keep you down here? I'll rip him apart if he-" Palmon sighed and wrapped her vines around Mimi's mouth, trying not to smile. From her brutal honesty to her impractical shoes, Palmon had most definitely missed her partner.

"I'm fine now, Mimi," she said, truly meaning it. Mimi melted and the fire in her earthy eyes died just a little.

They pressed forwards. Despite her outer confidence, Palmon felt nervous thorns blossoming in her belly. This place was creepy, and dark, and more than a little bit horrible, and she'd only been partly aware of her surroundings when she had stumbled from the base in her break for freedom. For Mimi's sake she smiled and nodded and pretended to recognise that wall or that door or that junction, and kept repeating that they were on the right track.

Eventually they found the cells, and Mimi's gasp rang in Palmon's ears when they found Agumon. He was sitting rigid in the corner, his red eyes glazed and vacant as he stared through the wall and into nothing. Palmon looked up at Mimi one last time, and at her partner's nod she wrapped her vines around Mimi's wrists and unlocked the cell door, tugging Mimi sharply along behind her.

"Agumon," she said, making her voice as deep and commanding as she could. And flat. She had to make it flat and lifeless, she reminded herself as she spoke again. "I have captured one of the Chosen Children. The Master has commanded that we bring her to him." She waited a moment, but Agumon remained frozen in place. Palmon took a deep breath and tried to keep the worry from her voice. "Agumon!" she barked again. "You heard the Master's orders. We must obey."

Agumon blinked his large red eyes and finally turned to face them. Slow and silent he rose to his feet and stood staring at her, his arms hanging lifelessly by his side. Palmon tried to ignore the way Mimi shivered beneath the vines and forced herself to remain calm. If Agumon was going to attack them, he would have done it by now.

"I'm to carry you and the girl," she said, keeping her voice loud and low. "The Master wants you by his side in case any of her friends show up." Agumon blinked again and then slowly nodded his head. Palmon tugged Mimi out of the cell, not trusting herself to look back until she heard Agumon's lumbering footsteps echoing behind them.

Palmon took the lead as they left the base, walking a half step in front of Agumon who followed in silence. Mimi had tangled her fingers in Palmon's vines, and every so often she felt Mimi giving them a gentle squeeze. It was just enough to help Palmon keep her cool as she led them out in to the sunlight.

The digimon that had been patrolling the crater had dispersed, leaving the area empty. Palmon drew them to a stop several feet from the base, and after one last look to Mimi she handed her partner over to Agumon. Mimi winced as Agumon wrapped his large paws tightly around her arm, but she nodded nonetheless and Palmon held her breath. This was where their plan could all fall apart.

Mimi's digivice erupted in an explosion of light and sound, and soon Palmon lost herself in a cocoon of data. She closed her eyes and felt herself shifting, her limbs twisting and lengthening as she shifted from one form to the next. Hurry! Hurry! She willed her data to move as fast as she dared, latching on to Mimi and drawing more from her partner than she ever had before. Mimi gave her all she needed and more, and soon the data began to pool and settle, forming delicate wings that sprouted from her back and tumbling vines that fell over her shoulders and swirled across her chest.

As Lillymon, she looked first to Mimi and then to Agumon, finding them exactly where Palmon had left them. Agumon didn't seem to have noticed that Mimi had triggered the evolution, and Lillymon let out a sigh of relief as she ordered Agumon to hand over their 'prisoner'.

Mimi threw her arms around Palmon's neck, burying her face in her shoulder.

"The plan's changed," Mimi whispered urgently. "We have to join the fight."

"And Agumon?"

"He's coming too, but we need to hide him from the Kaiser." Lillymon nodded, and she moved to allow Mimi to climb on to her back before she looped her arms around Agumon's chest. He didn't move, neither helping nor hindering, and Lillymon's wings straight at the extra weight as she lifted them in to the air. Perhaps Palmon had overestimated her strength when she had agreed to the plan. Still, there was no turning back now, and Lillymon soared as high as she dared.

It wasn't hard to find the fight; the trees and grass sang of it for miles around, telling her to turn and flee, but Lillymon flew against their will. She saw Garudamon first, grappling with Holsmon and clawing at MegaKabuterimon. Lillymon started heading for cover when she saw LadyDevimon dodging attacks from the ground to soar above the clouds with Pegasmon hot on her heels. Mimi tapped Lillymon's shoulder.

"Set us down here, the others are just over-"

"Agumon!" Too late. The Kaiser had spotted them, and the crack of his whip made Lillymon's data run cold. "Digivolve!"

Agumon growled deep in his throat as his body began to shiver and grow, trapping Lillymon's hands under his arms. Lillymon scanned the ground below, searching wildly for anywhere to set Mimi down safely, but the trees were too dense for any kind of landing – especially a quick one. Somewhere outside of Lillymon's panic, Mimi cried out, her voice strange and cheerful, and then Mimi was leaning over Lillymon's shoulder to catch her eye.

"Be careful!" she said sternly before placing a gentle kiss on Lillymon's cheek and releasing her grip.

"Mimi!" Her partner's giggle was light and beautiful, and Lillymon craned her head to watch her partner falling towards the trees below. Then, at the last possible second, Holsmon appeared, saving her from crashing in to the canopy. As Agumon continued to digivolve, Lillymon finally pried her hands free and shot high in to the sky, shaking the Kaiser's evil from her fingertips. Mimi was carried safely to the ground a short distance away from Taichi, Yamato and Sora before Holsmon and Miyako returned to the fight to pull Garudamon away from where she had been driving MegaKabuterimon towards the ground. Further afield, LadyDevimon had sent Pegasmon and his passengers sprawling, and Lillymon could see Hikari convincing Takeru and Pegasmon to go on without her as WereGarurumon and Fladramon closed in to keep LadyDevimon distracted until Pegasmon was ready to fly again.

They were tiring, Lillymon realised. Meanwhile, Garudamon and LadyDevimon seemed as strong as ever. It was no wonder the plan had changed. Lillymon glanced up, finding the Kaiser and his Airdramon dancing with Seadramon who was doing an excellent job of keeping their attention and drawing them further from the fight. Down below, the tree line exploded as MetalGreymon emerged.

Garudamon gave a triumphant trill that made Lillymon's petals curl, and she twisted in the air. Garudamon was darting towards the ground, bathed in flame, her sights set on a single target.

Mimi.

Lillymon darted forwards, crying her partner's name, knowing before she had even begun that the fire was faster than she could ever be, and she watched in horror as Mimi spied the attack too late to do anything but stare in terror as it tore towards her.

And then Mimi was gone. The fire struck the ground nearby and seemed to balloon outwards, rolling harmlessly over a dome of shimmering glass. No, not glass; Lillymon had never seen glass shimmer with every colour of the rainbow. Mimi was inside a dome of light. In front of her stood Hikari, palms spread wide in desperation, bow cast carelessly aside, and a look of utter confusion on her face.

For a moment the fight seemed to pause, and it felt like everyone was staring at the shield. Someone called Mimi's name and she turned, sprinting on her heel as the dome of light dissolved. Hikari swayed, stumbling over her feet as she ran towards her bow, and LadyDevimon made a break for her. Lillymon was quick to intercept, grabbing LadyDevimon by the hair and tugging until the dark digimon had no choice but to turn towards her. Lillymon clasped her hands together, unfurling the petals of her Flower Cannon.

The blast was less than half-formed when LadyDevimon brushed it aside, following the attack with a flurry of bats that sent Lillymon darting backwards. It was all the opportunity LadyDevimon needed to target Hikari who was sprinting towards the cover of the trees. Voices called her name, and as LadyDevimon closed in on Hikari she twisted, and hand flying out blindly behind her.

The blast of light caught LadyDevimon's wind and the demoness let out a cry as she spiralled to the ground. Lillymon darted forwards, reaching Hikari at the same time as Mimi did. Hikari was pale, her limbs heavy and her head lolling forwards as though she might fall asleep at any minute, and together Lillymon and Mimi moved her on to Mimi's back.

"Go!" Lillymon ordered, even though Mimi was already running. Lillymon turned then, her hands forming another cannon as she watched LadyDevimon slowly rise from the ground. The demoness was seething, her lips pulled back in a furious snarl, but Lillymon couldn't help but smile at the sight.

For where Hikari's light had struck her, the leathery black of LadyDevimon's wing had melted away to reveal Angewomon's gleaming white feathers, and strands of frail white hair had turned radiant gold. LadyDevimon paused, twirling the yellow locks through her crimson claws. Slowly a smirk spread across her face and her dark eyes landed on Hikari who, despite her snowdrop complexion, managed to smile brightly. LadyDevimon looked up, her eyes darting to the Kaiser who was still clinging to his Airdramon and fighting to stay atop his mount. The boy hadn't noticed what was unfolding beneath him, and with a satisfied grin LadyDevimon darted high in to the sky to disappear behind the clouds.