A/N: Humm...maybe I should threaten people with Domu more often! Just kidding! I just want to say that you guys don't have to worry. Everyone will show up in the story somewhere. It's a big list of characters, so it would be hard to have everyone as a main character, but everyone will play a part!

Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon. Shame, I know!

Following The Footsteps Of Destiny

Chapter 7: The Watchers Of The Digiworld

Gennai

Server, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

"Gennai, we can't delay any longer. The barrier that separates our world from the human world is weakening! If we don't do something soon, the darkness will begin to spread!"

Benjamin, his counterpart, glared at him and Gennai sighed. Benji's right. We don't have a choice anymore. It's a good thing I've already put the first steps into action.

He pulled back the hood of his long robe and gazed up at the sunny skies of the Digital World. It looked peaceful enough, but he knew very well that it wasn't. He could feel the darkness, creeping over the land, and it made him shiver. If they didn't hurry, all digmon and humans would suffer.

"Well?" Jose demanded. His Mexican counterpart shifted impatiently and the hem of the other's robe fluttered in the warm breeze. "I know we can't really do anything until the gates open again, but..."

Gennai stood with his counterparts on a rise, overlooking a large valley, which was located on the continent of Server. Off in the distance, unseen by the naked eye, was File Island; the island of prophecy. It also held the largest existing gate between Earth and the Digital World. It was a place of history long past and history yet to come.

Hogan shook him by the shoulder and Gennai jumped in surprise. "Are you even listening to us? This is important! Will you please focus on the problem at hand?" His Australian counterpart gave a sniff and levelled him with a disapproving look.

The gates are open again. They will come...

Gennai nodded and motioned the others into a circle around him. "Listen closely. I have already taken the steps needed in order to protect the Digital World." I just hope it's enough.

"You have?" Iyla stared at him in surprise and exchanged a look with Jackie.

"Yes. We will not have to fight alone, my friends. I did not want to have to do this again, but is seems we have no choice." They will understand and come to our aide. They have to! They're our only hope.

Jackie threw up his hands and shook his head. "I thought we finally had things straightened out after the whole Oikawa fiasco!"

"I'm afraid not," Benjamin said sadly. He put a hand on Jackie's shoulder and turned his gaze towards the valley with a sigh.

"When is it going to end?" Hogan muttered.

Gennai lowered his eyes to the grass and bowed his head. "I don't think it ever will end. Wherever there's light, you'll always find darkness. The important thing is to save that small flame that's fighting to stay lit." They will come. I know they will. "As long as we can keep the darkness at bay, then our work is done."

He turned to gaze back towards File Island and smiled.

A sudden female voice behind him laughed, and he jerked around in surprise. His eyes grew wide with shock.

"Gennai, look out!" Jose cried.

It can't be! He raised a hand to defend himself, but darkness clouded his vision and he knew no more.

Masato 'Matty' Takaishi

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

Matty groaned and slowly opened his eyes. He blinked against the morning sunlight streaming through the window and found himself gazing into his twin brother's smiling face.

"Matty, the alarm went off. It's time to get up," Mickey said in his shy voice.

Matty sat up so quickly his forehead nearly collided with Mickey's nose. He stared at his brother in disbelief. "Already? But I just went to bed!"

Mickey laughed and gave him a warm smile. "I know how you feel, but we've got to hurry. We can't afford to keep cutting it so close like this."

"Alright," Matty grumbled. He wriggled out of the blankets, trying to free himself, and would have fallen out of bed on his face if Mickey hadn't caught him under the arms.

"Thanks, Mickey." He gave his twin a soft smile. What a great brother. He's always there to lend a hand when I stumble.

Mickey put his warm arms around Matty in a shy affectionate hug. "You're such a klutz," he said fondly.

Matty rolled his eyes. "Well good morning to you, too!" He turned and squeezed Mickey tightly, smiling slightly.

Their mother strolled through the door of the room he shared with Mickey and smiled softly at them. "Hey, you two. I see you're up relatively on time today! Hurry up, or your breakfast is going to get cold."

"Alright, we're coming," Matty replied. Mickey scrambled off the bed, and Matty found himself being dragged along behind. They quickly dressed and headed into the kitchen where their father was already seated with Rina.

"Hey, little sis!" Matty grinned and leaned down to kiss her cheek.

Giggling, she poked him in the nose with a sticky finger.

"Yuck!" So much for a nice morning hello. Matty wiped the goo off of his face and wrinkled his nose.

His father let out a laugh and motioned them towards the table. "Morning, boys."

"Hey, Dad," Matty said cheerfully, taking the seat next to his father. "How's the new book coming?"

Their father was a full time novelist, and he was currently working on a new book to add to his list of best-sellers. He had a small office off the living room where he put all of his brilliant ideas into writing. In the evening, Matty would often do his homework in there with Mickey to keep their father company.

"Pretty good. I finished a couple more chapters last night, so it's coming along."

"Did you two finish your homework last night?" Their mother gave them a stern look and took her seat between Mickey and Rina.

Mickey nodded and helped himself to some orange juice.

Matty sighed. "I hope Dai did. He can't afford to get into any more trouble." If he does, his parents will freak. Dai should be flattered by the amount of worrying I do for him!

His dad raised a golden eyebrow and glanced at him. "What kind of trouble has Dai gotten himself into now?"

"He got stuck in detention again," Mickey mumbled through a mouthful of food. "He was already grounded yesterday, but I figured we might be able to convince Davis and Noriko to let him come get ice cream with us. Then Dai landed up in detention and that idea went right out the window!"

"Mickey, don't talk with your mouth full," their mother scolded.

Mickey blushed. "Sorry, Mom."

"Actually, it was kind of Ryoko's fault," Matty piped up. "He was provoking Dai, as usual, and Dai got mad. He hit Ryoko pretty hard and Mrs. Hanari saw him."

His father sighed. "That nephew of mine. Honestly, it's like your Uncle Matt and Uncle Tai all over again with those two!"

Matty exchanged an amused look with Mickey. They had heard all about Matt's and Tai's legendary friendship. The two of them had somehow gone from absolutely hating each other to having the most amazing friendship the world had ever seen.

"I don't understand why Ryoko and Dai can't get along," their mother said and shook her head. "Even when they were toddlers, they were always pinching each other and pulling each other's hair!"

Matty laughed. "Sometimes people just rub each other the wrong way!"

His dad was frowning. "Maybe, but..."

"What?" Mickey asked, his eyes curious.

"It's like I said. Your uncles use to be like that. They were always fighting, but somehow they managed to work things out and become best friends. They've been inseparable ever since."

"Well, I guess you can't get lucky twice!" Matty said cheerfully. My uncles may have found a way to get along, but that doesn't mean Ryoko and Dai will.

"Yes, you can," Rina pouted. She waved her spoon in the air and frowned at it. Mickey shifted to the side just in time before Rina's cereal hit him in the face.

It's a good thing she doesn't use chopsticks yet! He sent Mickey a sympathetic look and grinned into his plate.

"Rina, food on the plate, and don't wave your spoon around." His mother smiled slightly and shook her head at her daughter's table manners.

"It still concerns me," their father said and frowned at their mother. "What bothers me the most is that it's getting worse, not better."

"What do Matt and Mimi have to say about it?" Their mother's amber eyes were curious and filled with worry.

Thier father sighed. "I don't think Matt and Mimi know that much about it. Ryoko's pretty good at hiding his feelings towards Dai from them. I think there's a lot he doesn't tell them. I don't know if you've noticed, but when his parents are around, Ryoko will act perfectly decent towards Dai. I bet they think Ryoko and Dai grew out of it along time ago. Even when Ryoko was young, Matt and Mimi didn't seem too concerned. I guess Matt figured Ryoko would grow out of it like he and Tai did. Davis and Noriko know. Dai never hesitates to show his feeling towards Ryoko around them. They're pretty upset about it."

"I know. Noriko's always badgering Dai to act his age and learn to get along with Ryoko." Their mother sighed. "Do you think we should say something to Matt and Mimi?"

"I think it's better if Ryoko lets them know in his own way. I don't want to get our nephew into trouble. Having Matt and Mimi angry with him isn't going to help matters any. Ryoko should be the one to tell them. That way they can work things out together as a family."

Their mother nodded. "You're right, but I still worry."

"Dai isn't innocent in all of this either. He urges Ryoko on just as much as Ryoko angers him."

I can't argue with that! "I know Dai sometimes encourages Ryoko, but he's still a good friend," Matty said loyally. "So is Ryoko."

His father turned to him and laughed. "It's strange to think you and Dai are such good friends. His father and I didn't get along very well at your age."

Matty made a face. "That's only because Davis liked Mom. I'm glad that didn't work out otherwise I wouldn't be here!"

"Me either," Mickey added, looking quite alarmed. He buried his face against Matty's shoulder, apparently horrified by the thought of not existing.

"Me either," Rina piped up, giggling. She didn't have a clue what they were talking about, but she seemed to want to join in nevertheless.

Their parents both laughed. "I have to say I quite agree with you, Matty," his father said and smiled at his mother. Matty and his siblings knew all about Davis' crush on their mother and were more than glad he fell in love with Noriko. His father and Davis had been getting along wonderfully ever since. Their story was another legendary one in the Takaishi household.

"Trust me, there was no chance of that happening and we're thankful everyday that you three are here." Their mother smiled and gently kissed the back of Mickey's head which was still buried against Matty's shoulder.

"Yeah, Mickey. Don't worry," Matty said cheerfully. "You're right here with me and everything worked out great."

Mickey pulled back and gave him a grateful smile. Matty hugged him tightly in return and gently patted his back.

Their father smiled at them and pulled them both into a warm hug. "Come on, you two. You'd better get to school."

He and Mickey both beamed at their father, kissed their mother on opposite cheeks, and headed towards the door. They waved to Rina who waved her spoon at them in return as a goodbye gesture.

A/N: I'm sorry it's so short. Don't worry, the next one will be longer. Do you all remember the episode where that entity thing took over Kari's body? When the white robed guys were monitering the positive and negative forces of the Digiworld, there were more of them than just Gennai. I figured it only made sense that they would be Benjamin and the others. Okay, don't forget to review and if you're reading and haven't reviewed yet...shame on you! I accept anonymous reviews, so there's absolutely no excuse! I'm updating my other fic first, but I'll be back! bye for now! If I spelled any of Gennai's counterparts names wrong let me know! What the heck do I know about Russia!