Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: I've discovered that Wormmon's name does have the letter m twice, so I've gone back and changed all the chapters with his name in it. The next few chapters have a lot of talk, but it's all necessary, so don't worry. The action will continue eventually. Pay close attention to Veemon, Agumon, and Elecmon. Anyway, here's the next chapter!

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 70: How it All Began

Daichi 'Dai' Motomiya

File Island, Eastern Hemisphere, Digital World

"Dai, I think maybe you should go first," Veemon said cheerfully. "It sounds like you and your friends have been coming to the Digital World for quite a while now, and I think it'll be easier for me to explain what my friends and I went through twenty-five years ago if you tell me what you and the rest of your team have been up to lately."

"I agree with Veemon," Elecmon said quietly. "Why don't you start from the beginning, Daichi. How did you and your friends become Digidestined in the first place?"

Dai ignored Elecmon and turned to look at Veemon instead. The blue reptile digimon was watching Elecmon very closely, and there was a small frown on his face. Elecmon sent Veemon an approving nod, and the blue reptile digimon suddenly smiled. Obviously the two rookies had come to some sort of a decision, but Dai had no clue what it was they were debating.

Are they trying to hide something from me and the rest of my friends?

Dai glanced at the baby digimon and smiled in amusement. The babies had been staring curiously at him and his friends for several minutes, but apparently soccer was more interesting than humans because the little digimon had gone back to their game despite the fact that they had lost their referee.

I guess I'm just going to have to wait and see. Gennai didn't mind leaving out some important information when he sent us that message. Why would Veemon and the rest of our parents' partners be any different?

Dai finally nodded and smiled at Veemon who was sitting beside him. "Alright. It's a long story, but I'll do my best to make sure I don't leave anything out."

"Sounds good to me," Veemon replied.

Dai quickly told Elecmon and the others about Gennai's message and the Digivices they had received from Piximon. He went on to explain how he and his friends had gotten their digimon partners, and he gave quite a colourful account of their battles with Vampiramon and her buddies. He did his best to explain the purpose of the Spirit Chips, and he finished off his story with Centaurumon's news about the crests.

"It sounds like you guys have had quite an adventure so far," Agumon said after a brief moment of silence.

"It has been more of a nightmare than an adventure!" Ryoko muttered.

Palmon smiled at the blond and rested her cheek against his shoulder. "Your new Digivices are really pretty. I wonder why they're called D-Coders."

"We haven't actually figured that out yet, but I'm sure we will eventually," Takara replied.

"I can't believe Gennai has been captured!" Biyomon cried. "Do you think Leomon and the others will be able to find him?"

"I hope so," Dai murmured. He gently stroked Biyomon's pink wings and gave the little rookie a reassuring smile. Biyomon managed to smile back at him, but the look she sent Agumon was filled with concern.

"I still can't believe you guys are Digidestined, but I'm glad you are," Patamon said softly, leaping into the air and settling himself on top of Matty's golden head. "I bet T.K. and the others are going to be really surprised when they find out."

"I couldn't agree more, Patamon," Dai muttered.

"Let's just say we're following the footsteps of destiny," Matty said quietly. "That's what Piximon said, remember?"

"Our parents," Sam whispered. "Piximon was talking about our parents. They became Digidestined many years ago and saved the Digital World, and now we're trying to do the same thing. I think I understand now why Gennai wanted us to find out about Davis and the others on our own. The news about our parents might have distracted us from finding our partners, and if we hadn't found our digimon, Vampiramon and her buddies probably would have defeated us a long time ago. Besides, it's a lot easier for Veemon and his friends to explain what happened twenty-five years ago since they're our parents' partners and were right in the middle of what was going on back then."

"It hits a little closer to home when you're talking to a group of digimon you feel like you already know instead of a complete stranger like Gennai," Mickey said softly, gazing fondly at Patamon.

Patamon beamed at Mickey and gently stroked the older twin's cheek with one of his long ears. "You're right, Mickey. I feel like I've always known you and Matty."

"Me, too," Gatomon murmured, curling up next to Matty and resting her head on his thigh.

"Your father was that little boy I met a long time ago," Elecmon said, smiling warmly at Mickey and Patamon. "He has become a very good friend of mine, and so has Patamon."

"What was our dad doing in Primary Village?" Matty asked curiously.

Elecmon exchanged a look with Patamon and shrugged. "I think I'll let Agumon tell you about T.K. and Primary Village. Veemon and Agumon know what went on during the years your parents were in the Digital World more than I do."

"Can you believe Piximon called Dai's dad a goggle headed fool?" Ryoko snorted.

Dai leaned over Gabumon and punched Ryoko in the shoulder. "Don't make fun of my dad, Ishida! Besides, I could say a few things about your dad, so you'd better keep your mouth shut or else I'll make you wish you'd never said anything in the first place!"

"You leave my dad alone!" Ryoko shouted, his cheeks turning red with anger. "He never did anything to you!"

"You're the one who started this whole thing in the-"

"Guys, I think Piximon was actually talking about my dad," Takara interrupted, looking a little embarrassed. "Remember, my dad was the original leader of the Digidestined. Piximon said something about wishing he'd had a chance to meet the rest of the Digidestined, so I'm assuming he met the first team which was the group my dad was in charge of."

"Still, that doesn't give Ishida the right to insult my father!" Dai muttered.

"I wasn't insulting anyone!" Ryoko snapped. "You're the one who was insulting my dad! Didn't anyone ever teach you any manners?"

"Yes, Ryoko, you're a lot like your father," Gabumon sighed.

"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Alopemon asked curiously, looking extremely amused.

Gabumon smiled slightly and wrapped an arm around Alopemon's shoulders. "It will be a good thing eventually."

"Will you two be quiet?" Ryoko grumbled.

Dai crossed his arms and smiled innocently at the blond. "I'd like to hear you tell my mother she never taught me any manners!"

Ryoko flinched and gazed sullenly at the ground. "You're a jerk, Daichi," the blond muttered.

"Same to you!" Dai shot back.

Even Ryoko isn't willing to face my mother's wrath! I can't believe him. He hugs me, and then he has the nerve to call me a jerk! I must be the most unlucky kid on the planet!

"Piximon actually complimented Davis. Well...sort of. I can't believe we didn't realize he was talking about our parents a lot sooner," Takara murmured.

"Piximon thought our parents had already told us about the Digital World because he seemed really surprised when he found out we had no idea who he was," Sam said quietly. "I guess Gennai had a feeling our parents wouldn't tell us about their past adventures, but obviously he didn't pass the message onto Piximon. Piximon must have realized Gennai wanted us to discover the truth about our parents on our own because he became very secretive after he found out we were completely clueless when it came to digimon."

"Gennai knew your parents would not want to put you in any danger, and that's why he wanted you to discover the truth on your own," Hawkmon said reasonably. "Piximon must have recognized that, as well. Obviously Gennai didn't tell Piximon everything, but I guess that's not really surprising. He has always had a habit of giving out information when it suits him, and at times he can be very selective about what he reveals to us. One thing's for sure, though. I think, in the end, you six had to find out about us on your own, and I believe Gennai and Piximon, along with Leomon and the others, were able to recognize that very important fact."

"You guys seem to know Gennai very well. Who is he?" Glowmon asked curiously.

"Gennai's a young man who was turned into an old man, but he has been turned back into a young man again, only he isn't really human," Gomamon piped up. "He does look a lot like a human, but don't let his appearance fool you."

"He has helped us save the Digital World several times, and his counterparts have helped us, as well," Hawkmon explained.

Dai gaped at the digimon and shook his head. "Okay, now you've totally lost me!"

"Don't worry. I'll explain everything," Agumon replied.

"Before we explain anything, I think we need to talk about the crests first," Wormmon said quietly.

The rest of the digimon nodded in agreement, and Dai frowned. "What about the crests?" he asked slowly.

"Centaurumon wanted you guys to find the crests first before joining him in the search for Gennai, but...that doesn't make any sense," Tentomon said seriously.

Mickey frowned and pulled Halomon into his lap. "What do you mean?" the older twin asked, hugging his digimon tightly.

"How are you guys supposed to find the crests when they don't even exist anymore?" Gatomon snorted. "I think Gennai's losing his mind!"

"What do you mean they don't exist anymore?" Ryoko shouted.

Dai's heart sank, and he glanced at Agumon who was sitting next to Takara. "That's impossible. Centaurumon and Leomon told us the crests still exist, and like I said before, we think Vampiramon and her buddies have gotten their hands on them."

"I guess I'd better start from the beginning," Agumon said with a sigh. "First of all, there are a total of nine crests.They once belonged to Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, T.K., Kari, and Ken. These crests were used to help us digivolve to the ultimate level, and each one had it's own special meaning. Tai's crest was called the Crest of Courage. The reason he had the Crest of Courage is because courage was and still is his strongest quality. His courage and the courage he received from his friends was what gave the crest it's power. That energy helped me to digivolve. They're a lot like the Spirit Chips. Anyway, all of the other crests worked the same way."

"Sora's crest was the Crest of Love," Biyomon said softly.

"Love and courage. That's so romantic!" Takara sighed. "My parents are awesome!"

"Joe had the Crest of Reliability," Gomamon piped up. "Good old reliable Joe. He was always there when his friends needed him."

"That sounds like Joe," Dai laughed. "What about the other six crests?"

"Izzy had the Crest of Knowledge," Tentomon said proudly.

Matty smiled slightly and rolled his eyes. "No surprise there. Izzy's a genius."

"What were my parents' crests?" Ryoko asked softly.

Palmon smiled and beamed at Ryoko. "Mimi had the Crest of Sincerity. It suited her perfectly, don't you think?"

Ryoko pulled the plant digimon into a hug and nodded. "Yes, it does," the blond said softly. "My mom's the most honest and sincere person I know. What about my dad?"

Gabumon gazed at Ryoko's face with interest. "Your father had the Crest of Friendship," the mammal digimon said quietly, his face blank.

Dai gaped at the rookie and shook his head in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Matt Ishida had the Crest of Friendship?"

"Friendship is his strongest quality," Gabumon said solemnly.

"Yeah right!" Dai snorted.

"Shut up, Daichi!" Ryoko shouted, his sapphire eyes glittering with sudden emotion. "You don't know anything about my dad! He has been an amazing best friend to Tai, and that proves his strongest quality is friendship! I believe in my dad, and I won't let you make him look bad!"

"Ryoko's right," Takara said softly. "Matt and my dad may not have gotten along when they were younger, but things have changed since then, and they've been loyal to each other ever since. I think friendship suits Matt perfectly. The friendship he shares with my dad is proof enough for me."

Dai blushed and lowered his eyes to the ground. Takara's right. Matt has been a great friend to Tai and the others for the past twenty-nine years or so, and Ryoko's so much like him...

"Dai, are you alright?" Embermon asked quietly.

Dai looked up and smiled at Ryoko. "Friendship and sincerity. You know what, Ishida? Those two qualities may describe Matt and Mimi pretty well, but they also remind me a lot of someone else I know. I guess some things do run in the family, don't they?"

Ryoko's face turned pink, and he buried his face in Alopemon's fir. "Why do you always have to go and say something like that?" the blond mumbled.

Dai frowned in confusion and glanced at Veemon. "I think Ishida has gone crazy."

Veemon smiled slightly and shrugged. "I don't think Ryoko's the only one who has learned a thing or two about friendship from his dad."

"What's that suppose to mean?" Dai asked curiously.

"I'll let you know when I get to the part about armor-digivolving, but first let my friends and I continue our explanation about the crests," Veemon replied.

"T.K. had the Crest of Hope," Patamon said softly from his seat on Matty's head.

"That's right. Kari had the Crest of Light, and it played a big role in helping us stop Myotismon," Gatomon said, looking extremely pleased with herself.

"Not really. Have you forgotten about MaloMyotismon?" Gomamon smirked.

"Be quiet or I'll use you for a scratching post!" Gatomon muttered.

Sam slowly turned to look at Mickey and smiled at the older twin. "You were right, Mickey. Angels are symbols of hope and light. Your parents' crests suit them perfectly."

"They also remind me a lot of you, Mickey," Matty whispered. "You're the best brother in the world, and now I finally know why."

Mickey's eyes filled with tears, and he pulled Matty into his arms. "No, Matty. You're the best brother in the world," the older twin whispered, his amber eyes sparkling with pain and sadness. "I'm not like you, and I'm...I'm so sorry..."

"What are you talking about?" Matty asked, his voice trembling with fear.

Mickey buried his face against Matty's shoulder and shook his head. "Not now, Matty. Let Veemon and his friends finish their story about the crests first."

"Alright," Matty said slowly, glancing anxiously at Celestimon.

Celestimon gazed helplessly at the younger twin and joined Halomon in Mickey's lap. The two digimon wrapped their arms around each other, and Celestimon whispered something in Halomon's ear. Halomon did not look at all reassured, and the little rookie clung tightly to Celestimon's wings. Even Patamon and Gatomon were starting to look worried.

"Alright, so I take it the ninth crest belonged to Ken?" Dai asked, frowning suspiciously at Mickey.

"Yes," Wormmon replied. "Ken had the Crest of Kindness."

"I should have known. Kindness is the perfect crest for my dad," Sam said softly, his eyes sparkling with happiness.

Wormmon rested his head against Sam's knee and gave the raven haired Digidestined a hopeful look. "I'm glad you think so. In the end, I believe you'll be able to find forgiveness in your heart after all."

"I don't understand," Sam said slowly. "What-"

"Ken's crest is the only crest that still exists," Veemon interrupted. "After we defeated MaloMyotismon, Gennai asked Ken if he could keep the Crest of Kindness here in the Digital World. He wanted to hide it in a safe place in case it was ever needed again. Ken agreed to Gennai's request because he did not want any evil humans or digimon to get their hands on it. The other crests are gone. Tai and the rest of his team gave up the powers of their crests to create a protective barrier over the Digital World. It was the only way to stop the Powers of Darkness."

"Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Izzy, Joe, Kari, and T.K. are all a part of the original Digidestined team, and all of them received a crest in order to digivolve to ultimate," Hawkmon explained. "Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, T.K., and Kari make up the second team of Digidestined to come to the Digital World, and they used DNA digivolving to reach the next stage of digivolution. You're probably wondering why Ken got a crest if he wasn't a part of Tai's team. The truth is, even we're still trying to figure that one out. According to Gennai, there was a team of Digidestined even before Tai's group, but we have no idea who they are. Who knows how many Digidestined teams there may have been over the years, so technically Tai's group isn't really the first Digidestined team."

"Don't forget about Rosa, Noriko, Mina, Willis, Derek, Michael, and the rest of the international Digidestined," Armadillomon added.

"I'm beyond being confused," Takara muttered.

"Willis is a Digidestined?" Dai gasped. "Sorry, Veemon, but your story is getting completely out of control here!"

"You know Willis?" Veemon said, looking surprised.

Dai crossed his arms and nodded. "He and his wife Catherine have come to Japan several times to visit our parents. They have three kids named Lily, Jayden, and Emma. Is Catherine a Digidestined, too? Apparently T.K. was the one who introduced her to Willis, and the two of them ended up falling in love with each other. At least, that's what my dad says anyway. Willis and his family live in Colorado."

"Yes, she is," Palmon replied. "Her digimon's name is Floramon."

"Forget Willis. We have more important things to worry about. Centaurumon insists the crests still exist!" Ryoko snapped. "And who is MaloMyotismon?"

Veemon glanced at Agumon and sighed. "Why don't you start by telling them about what happened with Tai's team. I'll pick up the story four years later and start off by telling them about Tai and the Digiegg of Courage. I'll finish off with MaloMyotismon, and then we can figure out what we're going to do about the crests. Sound good to you?"

Agumon gave Veemon a penetrating look and slowly nodded. "Alright. The story starts off right here on File Island. Tai and his team of Digidestined were all at summer camp when they received their Digivices twenty-nine years ago, except Kari. She was sick, but I'll get to her later. That day snow fell from the sky and the gates to the Digital World opened over Japan. Summer camp is where your parents' story starts, but File Island is where their adventure truly begins..."