I'm sorry for not updating for a while! I missed what two (maybe three) weeks already? At first it was school then I couldn't decide on what to write, I seriously have like five different versions for this chapter all completely different too. I hope you guys like this, I like it but it's a bit touch and go with me. Sorry if it's not the best.

Chapter Forty: First Battle [Pt. 1]

It has to begin somewhere I guess. It would've been a kinder fate though if they would've gotten a battle before this one though. This will tell how the flow will go in this war. I bit my lip as I watched them running; they weren't ready to fight yet. They wanted to fight but they didn't believe in their selves. I furled my hands into fists and I wished that I could fight alongside of them but there is nothing that I can do for them right now.

"Chrono, you should be resting." I looked over my shoulder to Valkyrimon; she's been tending to me since I returned.

"I can't rest; I have to see what happens with my own eyes." I turned my eyes back to the screen.

I wished there was something that I could do but with the way my body is I can't do anything at the moment. Being born early made my body suffer, I was weaker and I got sick easy. It was the reason I trained to fight long-range. It was my fault that I was in this mess of being unable to help fight. I knew better than to charge at Daisuke but I made the mistake. I charged at him like an idiot.

"What's going on?" Valkyrimon stepped up beside and looked at the screen.

The screen was something that the Digital Ruler had access to. It allowed him to view other worlds, it was something that almost started a war in between worlds but he never used it for evil reasons. No one but he and I knew about it. Well Valkyrimon knew about it since she was our friend; she often acted like a mother to me.

"Takuya and the others are facing their first challenge." I wanted to fight alongside of them.

Their first challenge, it all began with the attack of the Sangloupmons. It was the calling card. It was meant to draw them into a battle fought for revenge which would ultimately kill them because they'd focus on revenge too much or they would blame themselves. It could have also served the purpose of attempting to break their hope and making them into the perfect prey to chase until they got bored with them and chose to slaughter them. It was the Demon Lord's version of Hide-and-Seek.

"Takuya, is that the boy you've been drawing recently?" I sighed but unfurling my fists I reached up and grabbed the blanket that hung from my shoulders and pulled it around me, seeking the warmth that it gave.

"Barbamon has decided to play a game of chase with them." I feel like they've made their mistake.

"What do you think will happen Chrono?" I closed my eyes; the light was starting to hurt my head.

"I can't tell the future Valkyrimon so I can't tell you what will happen." I opened my eyes once I pulled some of my blanket over my head.

"I asked what you think will happen Chrono. Also if you have a headache you should rest. You can't help them if you refuse to rest to regain your strength." I looked to Valkyrimon.

"You should know by now I don't predict what will ever happen." A frown marred her face.

"You're still thinking about that? How many times have you been told that it wasn't your fault Chrono?" I looked away from her and back to the screen.

"It is something that runs in my blood. It is not something that we cannot control." I stood up as I spoke.

"Since you want me to rest watch, come and get me if something happens." I turned so I was facing her and I watched her sigh.

"Very well, after all should something happen I guess it would fall to me to." I gave her a look and she shut up.

"What would fall to you Valkyrimon? As far as I know you're merely here as the Head Guard. It would fall to Kentaurosmon next." She gulped and I narrowed my eyes.

"Ah I see so that's how it is Valkyrimon." I let the blanket I wore flutter to the ground.

"I wondered how they managed to get in and out without any alarms or alerts. I knew there was a traitor somewhere in our mists but I hadn't expected you out of everyone Valkyrimon." I held my hand out and she jumped back quickly.

A blade of pure white energy came from the metal cuff that I wore. The white gem that was embedded let off a white light. While she had jumped back and away from me she still got cut. A few feathers fluttered to the ground. I hated traitors.

"Even in my current state I could handle you Valkyrimon. I may not be strong enough to fight them but you made the mistake of not only revealing that you're the traitor but you revealed it while I my bracelets." I called the metal cuffs bracelets but they weren't in truth they were the only things that could handle the gems that were placed within.

"I thought for sure you left those in your room and here I was hoping to get you while you were defenseless. I know your body can't handle using your birthright without a medium currently." I laughed slightly.

"Did you think I would go anywhere without them when I know that the Demon Lords could come after me? Do you think I'm that foolish? I would've thought you would know me better Valkyrimon." I felt bad for what I would have to do.

I would have to defeat her. I didn't have the means of cleansing her code from whatever they used to taint her. She was a kind a Digimon and she wouldn't dream of causing harm to me because she did treat me like a daughter at times. I felt bad knowing I would have to send her back to a Digi Egg but this was my own wake up call. Just because I wasn't there fighting with them didn't mean I wasn't fighting the same battle.

"I should've known you always wear them don't you? You just don't use them do you?" The sword flickered before it took the form of my signature weapon, a bow.

(Storm's P.O.V)

I stopped running when I fell behind the others. My legs wouldn't move and all that kept replaying in my head was when I was running away from Daemon, Leviamon, and Belphemon. I hate running away. If we continue running away it won't do anything for us. It won't help anything or anyone. We're fighting for reasons to defeat them. If we run away and show our backs like they expect us to then we'll get nowhere. We'll continue to play into their hands. Rarely do plans work against them but the plan is simple. Do what they don't expect you to do.

"I've run away for four years." I ran away from the pain.

I was afraid to face the fear or the reality so I ran away. I tried my best to hide it all away but that can't continue. I'll continue to give myself excuses for running away so I don't have to face them but if I ever want to move on I either have to learn to set everything down or face them. I have no hope of setting it all down after losing all of my friends and brother to them.

"Kain, Evan be with me please. I'm done running away." They were the only two who could smile at me and make my whole day better just by being there.

Evan you were there from the time we were born as my shield and anchor. When I was losing it you were right there to keep me grounded and when something happened you were always the first to protect me. Kain, he was my first friend. He had nothing against joking with me or that I preferred to be a tomboy instead of all girly.

"Release." I muttered the word.

Electricity sparked from the card that formed and sparked off of me. I felt a surge course through my body. It felt different from before, it felt warmer. My outfit morphed into that of the outfit I gained when I released the seal. The red shirt and black pants, the white sleeveless ankle length jacket formed and unlike usual my hood was up. My card faded from my hands but turned to the glove like bracers that I wore.

"I'd rather die fighting than running away." If I have nothing to hope for but a result of my home world, I would rather die fighting instead of knowing that I ran away and regret my actions.

"Storm!" I lifted my head and I looked at them.

Koichi had stopped; he was staring at me surprised. I just gave him a small smile. Why do I feel unafraid? It's almost like I know nothing will happen. No it's probably because I accepted it by now. If I survive I have Koichi but if I don't then I'll be with my friends and Evan. I turned around and with everything I could summon up I let the electricity surge up and I narrowed my eyes at Barbamon. The story that Koichi told me fresh in my mind from our walking around trying to find either the train station or whatever the Rose Morning Star was.

He told me about the scar on his right leg. It came from Barbamon from five years ago. He was trying to save Kari but he got hurt. I knew who did it but they didn't, someone had healed him before he woke up and found out that Kari was safe but he had a scar. Chrono was there back then, Chrono knew how to heal but I don't know how good she is at healing and she must've done something that got Lilithmon and Barbamon to leave that or there was sixth runner during that mission. I highly doubt that though.

"Thoron!" Electricity sparked around my hand for a matter of seconds before Barbamon was caught off guard.

Those that knew my style was used to electric projectiles from me. Evan was a close range fighter with his black flame sword so I often offered support from far away. What I was better at though was fighting close up. Yet what caught those off guard that got hit by Thoron was that it isn't a projectile and it's not a contact based attacked. My hand sparked slightly and a bit of blood dripped from my hand, it has been a good two years since I had to use Thoron.

"Run if you want but I'm not going to run any more, I'm tired of running." I knew better than to think that we would defeat Barbamon.

Barbamon will be an opponent that will retreat before we defeat him. He's smart enough to know when to pull back. I took a deep breath, I need to remain calm. Nothing will come out of this if I act hastily. It's quite possible that they'll continue running after all unlike me they probably aren't as acceptable of death. Unlike me they still have people to return to, people who would miss them. They have people who love them.

"That actually hurt." Barbamon came from the ball of electricity and I felt good knowing that it hurt him.

That's a step. It's one step forward. How long can I keep my attacks at that level though? Then again should I step it up a level? No, I only know one attack that's stronger and I haven't been able to use it and have energy to spare. That should be an absolute last resort.

"Well it was supposed to you know?" He laughed as he raised his staff and I got ready for what was bound to happen.

"My turn Pandemonium Lost!" I forced myself to stay calm and I jumped and with the use of an ability I hadn't used for a long time I managed to get away.

The space around where I had previously been seemed to falter, as if it had its own personal heat wave. I had done my research about their favorite attacks. Pandemonium Lost was his favorite it burns everything at a super high temperature blast.

"You're not fighting alone, Ebony Blaster!" I was surprised when Koichi suddenly attacked him.

Landing and becoming solid instead of the electrical state. It was something that I could only use in the Digital World; it allowed me to technically convert completely into energy. I couldn't manage it in the Real World. I could manage a speed boost in the Human World though.

"You two are crazy you know that right?" Even though Takuya asked it, he was laughing.

"Atomic Inferno!" The fire balls went at Barbamon but he dodged them with ease.

As I closed one of my eyes hoping I could strike him with one of my least accurate attacks I was surprised by Koji appearing. Wielding that sword of his that his BeoWolfmon form had, he managed to hit Barbamon too. Perhaps we really could manage this. Granted this was probably him playing with us so it would be harder but this was a nice start.

"Bolt!" I'll call it luck.

I was going to miss but Barbamon accidentally step right into it because he was dodging one of Angewomon's attacks which was paired with one of Koji's attack. I didn't know where it would hit; I've hit friend and foe alike with that attack. I even managed to hit myself with it before. Thankfully I have enough skill using it by now that I don't shock myself. If we can manage even a small step forward it'll be something. No one has ever managed to defeat a Demon Lord that has fought at full strength before.

"I would've thought you would be too scared to fight, especially after I got the Sangloupmons to kill. What was his name? Eric no Evan, that's his name." Hearing that I froze and I just stared at him.

It repeated in my head over and over. He's the reason Evan died. He sent them after us. Everything blurred and all I felt was the surge as I once again turned into energy and instead of fleeing this time I went straight at him. The surprised look that twisted on his face was all that registered to me other than the surging feeling of the electricity.

"Discharge!" My senses came back after that.

I was surprised because it was one attack that I was told never to use. It was something that could hurt them but it was something I was not practiced with. We were both blasted backwards, away from each other. I was surprised that it sent him flying but what made me feel better was that he seemed hurt. I closed my eyes though when time caught up with me, it still seemed to flow slowly but now it was back to normal.

I was prepared to hit the ground or a tree but to my surprised I was caught before I could. Yet even being saved from hitting the ground I felt my energy draining. That was an attack above Thoron and Bolt but it wasn't even the one I had thought of. I never thought of it because of the fact that I can't control it that well. I opened my eyes and even though my eyes were blurry I could make out Koichi, well he was Loweemon currently but it was still Koichi.

"Dark Inferno!" Koichi jumped and managed to narrowly dodge it, something was wrong.

"Koichi." I barely got his name out.

My voice was so small. I also realized then that my body ached. I shouldn't have used that attack, even in that whirlwind of emotions I should've known better. I was set on my feet and I stumbled, only being saved from falling this time by Kari who I had no clue where she came from.

You know where, Koichi's been protecting her this whole time.

I bit my lip and tried to shove the voice away. I usually was able to lock it up but right now I couldn't. I can't describe it but I could feel the wound on my side bleeding. Not to mention unlike ever before my scar was burning. I have to ignore it. I'll never lose. I'd rather die than let him provoke me into fighting against my friend.

"Shut up." I muttered it as I forced myself to stand on my own.

"What's wrong Storm?" I glanced at Kari.

Trying to be so helpful when she doesn't even realize anything, she knows nothing about you. She wouldn't understand you.

I closed my eyes and I tried to push the voice back. I really hate him. I've ignored him for so long. It was thanks to Evan and Koichi that I stayed grounded. I took a shaky breath and I opened my eyes. I refused to look at Kari now. I saw Takuya and Koji trying to take him but he pissed so he was serious. It took them a lot to dodge him while Koichi seemed to be struggling. As I watched him struggle through the fog lifted and my senses came blaring back, he was hurt by Barbamon. Barbamon was our enemy. Koichi was fighting to stay in control.

There are those who the Demon Lords taint that refuse to give in. Those who can fight their call are strong because most fall to their call when they get offered the chance to survive. There are those who when in fear are easy to brainwash or mind control but many of the stronger tainted ones choose it, they have full control and are by far their stronger puppets.

"No, Koichi!" I managed to yell his name but it was far too late.

While struggling with an internal battle he failed to dodge the attack. While I was warning him about that it was also to try to give him another anchor in the battle that I could tell that he was losing. It was only thanks to his armor I think. While he was blasted backwards and his evolution failing he was still alive.

"Koichi!" Kari yelled his name but didn't move yet I pushed myself.

With what little I had left I surged forwards and even though he was struggling against Barbamon it was clear that Barbamon didn't care if he killed him. He probably wanted to kill him or turn him; he wanted to break us again. I stood in front of Koichi and pushing all of my reserves that were dwindling away I managed to use it. My arms held out and palms open I did all that my strength could manage. A shield of electricity formed and the black fire that clashed with it halted.

Foretold to be so strong she refuses to fight. If only you were born with that strength right? You would make good use of it wouldn't you.

I closed my eyes and I just focused on keeping the failing shield up until the attack burned out. I'm done being the one who has to be protected. I can protect my friend and I will. My life wasn't saved just so I could run away. I was saved because my friends loved me. They wanted me live on and to continue smiling. They also put their hope in me.

As everything was fading and I was going numb, I was losing the strength to hold the shield, something popped in my head. It was a memory from long ago. Back when I was with everyone, it was before the Demon Lords even made themselves known. All of my friends were together, we were all smiling. Yet it too began to fade until it was just Kain, he smiled. The words he spoke weren't from the memory but it made me open my eyes.

So I have to agree with Chrono. It has to begin somewhere I guess. Sorry if it sucked. My updates will probably still be irregular and for that I apologize for. I'm not sure but I think instead of every Friday it might become every Saturday or it might be every other Saturday or Friday (if i stay with Friday). I'm not sure at the moment. I'll try my best and once I get the schedule down I'll let you guys know.