Disclaimer: I don't own Digimon.

A/N: Another chapter done. Just so you know, I'm going to be pretty busy over the next few months, so if you don't see an update from me for a while it's not because I've given up on any of my stories. It's just lack of time, but as usual, I will do my best to update as often as I can. (Trust me, I'm not going to quit on this story. I've gotten very attached to my characters and their families, and there's no way I'm going to give up on them now!)

Following the Footsteps of Destiny

Chapter 79: Gennai's Gift

Davis Motomiya

Odaiba, Japan, Earth

"Davis, what's wrong? Aren't you happy to see me?" DemiVeemon asked, his large eyes growing wide with fear and his forehead wrinkling in confusion. "I wanted to say something earlier, but you were talking to Dai, and I figured it was probably better if I stayed out of the way until your son and his friends had a chance to tell you about their digimon. Besides, I wanted to surprise you."

Davis raised his eyebrows, and DemiVeemon gave him a sheepish look. "Dai and the others told me to keep quiet because they wanted to tell you their secret without any of us digimon interfering. I think they feel guilty about lying to you, and that's why they thought it would be better to break the news to you about the Digital World first before bringing me into the picture."

"Same with us," Goldmon added. "They wanted all of you to get used to the idea of new Digidestined before having to deal with digimon being in the human world again."

"They also wanted you to get comfortable with the fact that it's your kids who are the new Digidestined," Palelymon said quietly, giving Kari a nervous smile and hiding his face against Rina's stomach.

"I knew I should have left you in my backpack," Dai muttered, glaring at DemiVeemon.

Davis wrapped his arms around his partner and squeezed his eyes shut. "Of course I'm happy to see you," he whispered, hugging the little digimon tightly against his cheek. "I've missed you so much. What have you been doing all this time?"

DemiVeemon snuggled against him and sighed. "Eating, sleeping, and hanging out with my friends. You know, the usual. It isn't as much fun without you, though."

"I know what you mean. I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get a chance to see you again. Life just isn't the same without you by my side."

"Don't wait so long next time, okay?" DemiVeemon said softly in his ear.

Davis let out a shaky laugh and shook his head. "I'm sorry, DemiVeemon, but I didn't have a choice. The gates..."

"I know. It's okay. Don't worry about it. We're together now, and I know we won't have to wait another fifteen years to see each other again the next time the gate closes."

"How can you be so sure?" Davis asked, his voice trembling with sudden emotion.

DemiVeemon smiled up at him and shrugged. "It's just this feeling I have. I can't really explain it, but it's a good feeling, and that's why I know I'm right."

Davis gave his partner a fierce hug and shook his head in disbelief. He still could not believe he was holding DemiVeemon in his arms after spending fifteen years without his digimon partner by his side. He felt a sudden strong surge of affection for his partner and smiled. Their reunion was even more special because DemiVeemon was obviously very fond of Dai, and Davis truly believed his digimon would protect his son and keep the new leader of the Digidestined safe from danger.

I can't believe he's really here. I've been waiting forever for this moment, and it's even better than anything I could have ever imagined. I wonder if Dai realizes how lucky he is to have a digimon partner...

"Well, at least someone's happy," Takara laughed, giving DemiVeemon a fond look.

Davis set DemiVeemon on the ground beside him and pulled Dai into his arms. "Thank you," he whispered, hugging his son as tightly as he could.

Dai smiled and hugged him back. "You're welcome. I thought you'd be happy to see him. I feel the same way about DemiEmbermon."

"Thanks, Dai. You're the best partner ever!" DemiEmbermon said happily, making himself comfortable in Noriko's arms.

"You too, Davis," DemiVeemon piped up.

Davis stroked his partner's small head and smiled at the little digimon. "I can't even tell you how glad I am to see you. This moment makes up for everything. Well...almost."

"Great, you had to add that last part in, didn't you," Dai complained.

I'm sorry, Dai, but you still have a lot of explaining to do. I love you, but you haven't been honest with me lately, and I just hope I can find a way to trust you again. I bet you probably feel the same way about me, too...

"Davis, don't be too hard on him," DemiVeemon said urgently, climbing into his lap. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"He's right. Look, Dad, I know I'm a huge disappointment, but you and Mom aren't exactly innocent in all of this either," Dai mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

Noriko's eyes filled with tears, and she quickly scrambled out of the chair she had been sitting in and threw her arms around her son. "Daichi Motomiya, you're not a disappointment to me or your father, and I don't ever want to hear you say that again! Oh, honey, I love you so much. I know I can be strick sometimes, but it's because I worry about you and your sister, and I just want what's best for both of you. Oh, why did the two of you have to be so much like your father!"

Davis rescued DemiEmbermon from Noriko's lap and gave her an offended look. "Hey, it could be worse. They could have ended up like Jun!"

"Grow up, Davis, we're supposed to be talking about the digimon!" Jun shot back.

Dai grinned at his aunt and turned to look at his cousin. "Sorry, Aunt Jun, but considering who your daughter is...well...that's not exactly encouraging, is it. Right, Ema?"

"You're going to wish you'd never said that!" Ema threatened, her dark eyes narrowing into angry slits.

"Don't worry, Aunt Jun, Ema's ten times worse than you are!" Ami joked.

Jun rolled her eyes and frowned at Ema. "Honey, keep your comments to yourself from now on, and quit trying to make your cousin angry. We have enough problems to worry about at the moment without you attempting to make things worse."

"Mom, I can't believe you're taking his side!" Ema shouted. "He's the one who ran off to the Digital World without telling his parents, not me!"

"Let's just ignore the fact that you would have done the same thing if you had been in Dai's place!" Noah snorted, tugging on one of his sister's short, spiky pigtails.

"Mom, we're a lot like you, too, you know," Ami said softly, kissing her mother's cheek.

Noriko wrapped her arms around her daughter and managed a weak smile. "I know, and that scares me more than everything else combined."

"Mom, the Dark Spore is never going to affect you again. You're free, and so are we," Dai said quietly.

Noriko froze and stared at her son in shock. "You know about the...the spore?"

Ken let out a loud gasp, and Davis glanced anxiously at his best friend. The former Emperor's eyes were glittering with fear, and there was a terrified expression on his face. He looked like he wanted to run out of the room, but apparently the sympathy in Sam's eyes affected him very deeply because he stayed in his seat and hugged his son tightly against his chest.

Sam was not gazing at Noriko with fear and disgust in his eyes. He looked sad, and his face was filled with compassion. Obviously he felt bad for Dai's mother, and his expression clearly stated he wished there was something he could do for her.

Does Sam know his father was also a victim of the Dark Spore? That's impossible, or is it? They know about Noriko, why not Ken?

"My friends and I know you were one of Oikawa's victims, but that doesn't mean we know everything," Dai mumbled, avoiding his mother's eyes. "Where did the spores come from anyway?"

Davis let out a sigh of relief and sent his best friend a sympathetic smile. Ken's face had gained back a little bit of colour, and he no longer looked like a frightened child. Unfortunately he still appeared to be a little bit uneasy, though, because he kept glancing nervously at Yolei and fiddling with the sleeve of Nao's shirt.

Don't worry, Ken. Sam doesn't know about your spore. I know that for a fact because Dai has given me all the proof I need. How can our children know you were a victim of the original spore when they don't even know where the one inside Noriko came from?

"Thank you, honey. Your words mean a lot to me," Noriko said tearfully, kissing Dai's cheek.

Dai stared at her for a moment and frowned. "Did you really mean what you said before?"

I don't get it. How can he not know?

Davis smiled and gently ruffled his son's hair. "Dai, we've always been proud of you. In fact, we're more proud of you now than we have ever been before."

Dai blushed and shrugged his shoulders. "I know. Um...Mom? I'm sorry I made you upset."

"Don't worry, sweetie, I'm fine."

"What's a Dark Spore?" Ami asked curiously.

Dai made a face and took DemiEmbermon in his arms. "I'll explain later."

"Things worked out okay after all!" Sam murmured, his dark blue eyes sparkling with sudden happiness.

Ken stroked his son's raven hair, and Davis raised his eyebrows. The former Emperor's gaze was filled with hope.

Sam was able to forgive Noriko. Hopefully that means he'll be able to forgive his dad, too.

"How?" Yolei gasped, gazing at DemiVeemon in astonishment.

Ryoko shifted uneasily in his seat and sighed. "We met Veemon and the rest of your digimon partners when we were at Primary Village this afternoon. Centaurumon was the one who told us to look for them, and Elecmon helped us find them. It was all Gennai's idea. He constantly has us running in circles."

"Did...did you see Gabumon?" Matt choked out, his sapphire eyes burning with emotion.

Ryoko avoided his dad's gaze and slowly nodded. "He...he told me I'm a lot like you."

Matt threw his arms around Ryoko and buried his face in his son's golden hair. The two of them clung tightly to each other for a moment, and Ryoko squeezed his eyes shut. "He misses you, Dad."

Matt hesitated and gently kissed his son's forehead. "I miss him, too."

"What about Palmon?" Mimi asked quietly.

Ryoko blushed furiously and quickly squirmed out of his father's arms. He gave his mother a rather weak smile and shrugged. "I told her you were having another baby, and she's really happy for you."

"Oh, Palmon!" Mimi said tearfully, her cinnamon eyes sparkling with joy and happiness. "Ryoko, honey, do you...do you think I'll get to see her again?"

"Yes, you will," Ryoko said simply. "The gates to the Digital World are open again, and that means you can see her whenever you want. Don't worry, Mom, you and Palmon are going to be together again very soon. I promise."

"Ryoko-"

"The same goes for you, Dad," Ryoko mumbled, avoiding his father's eyes. "Did you honestly believe you'd never see Gabumon again?"

Matt gently brushed a stray strand of golden hair out of Ryoko's eyes and managed a shaky smile. "Ryoko, when I'm with you, I can believe anything."

"Me, too," Mimi whispered, smiling softly at her son. The rosy haired Digidestined did not appear to be aware of the tension between Matt and Ryoko, and Davis had a feeling that was probably a good thing.

At least they're not shouting at each other anymore. I guess that's a good sign.

"We saw Patamon and Gatomon. They can't wait to see you guys again," Mickey said shyly, glancing nervously at his parents.

T.K. gently ruffled the older twin's golden hair, his bright blue eyes sparkling with happiness. "We feel the exact same way, Mickey."

"I'm so glad Gatomon hasn't forgotten me," Kari whispered. "I should have known I'd see her again. After all, I was right the first time, so why not this time, too?"

"If there's one thing I've learned over the past few days, it's never doubt your digimon!" Matty laughed.

Takara turned to look at her parents, and she gave them a hesitant smile. "Biyomon and Agumon are amazing."

"I feel like I've been waiting forever for this moment," Sora said tearfully, leaning over and kissing her daughter's cheek. "Thank you, Kara. I'm still upset, but I think we might be able to work things out."

Tai nodded in agreement and smiled softly at his daughter. "Agumon has never once let me down, and I know he'll do everything he can to protect you. I feel better just knowing you've met him."

"You'll see him again, Dad, and Mom will see Biyomon soon, too," Takara said firmly.

Tai pulled his daughter into his arms and gently kissed her cheek. "I know. I'm so proud of you, Kara. You would have made a great leader anyday."

"Okay, now I'm really confused," Taysuke muttered.

"Tai's right, Kara. You have more courage than all of the guys on my soccer team put together!" Dai added, sending the female Digidestined a warm smile.

Takara blushed and avoided the goggle headed leader's eyes. "Thanks, Dai. You're the best."

"Well, I'm glad you think so anyway," Dai replied, glancing pointly in Ryoko's direction.

Davis smiled and studied Takara's pink face. Is it just me or does Tai's daughter have feelings for my son? Well, one thing's for sure, she definitely has good taste! Naturally Dai's completely clueless, but that's okay. I'm sure he'll wake up in a couple of years, and if Takara still feels the same way about him when she's older then there might be a good chance they can share something special. Until then, I have more important things to focus on.

"Oh, Sam, you've met Wormmon and Hawkmon?" Yolei choked out, her eyes growing wide with shock.

Sam rested his cheek against his dad's shoulder and managed a half-hearted nod. "Hawkmon's great, and Wormmon's really nice. I like them both a lot, and I think they like me, too."

"Of course they do," Yolei murmured, giving her son a tight squeeze. "I miss Hawkmon so much. It'll be great to see him again."

"Wormmon," Ken whispered, his violet eyes sparkling with emotion.

"Dad? Um...are you sure you're okay?"

Ken smiled softly at his son and let out a small sigh. "I am now, Sam. Wormmon will be able to help me. In fact, I think he already has."

"What do you mean?" Sam asked curiously.

"Nothing, Sam, don't worry about it."

Davis pulled DemiVeemon into his arms and gave the former Emperor a brilliant smile. He knew exactly what Ken meant.

Wormmon didn't tell Sam about the Digimon Emperor! If he had, Sam would've already known about Ken's past!

"I hope you're right," Sam mumbled into his dad's shoulder.

Sam will forgive Ken. He has to...

"We also met Gomamon, Armadillomon, and Tentomon," Dai added. "According to DemiVeemon, Punimon went to visit Meramon and Gotsumon."

"You know about my partner, too?" Noriko gasped.

Dai nodded and gave his mother a warm smile. "DemiVeemon told us a lot about the international Digidestined and all the kids who had spores scanned into them."

"Oh, Meramon," Mina whispered.

Izzy kissed his wife's cheek and sighed. "Life just isn't the same without Tentomon."

"He called us clones!" Mickey and Matty shouted, their amber eyes sparkling with anger.

Izzy stared at the twins for a moment and promptly burst into laughter.

"I bet Gotsumon's really anxious to see me," Rosa said, nodding her head for emphasis.

Cody hugged his wife and laughed. "I bet Armadillomon's taking a nap right this very moment!"

"Gomamon's probably really lonely without me, even if he won't admit it," Joe muttered to himself.

"Oh, Punimon, I knew we'd see each other again!" Noriko said tearfully.

"The others wanted to come with, too, but Dai wouldn't let them," DemiEmbermon interrupted. "Don't worry, though, you guys will see your partners eventually. The only reason Dai didn't bring them with is because he didn't want things to get too crazy."

Davis held DemiVeemon tightly in his arms and turned to look at his son. "Dai, you brought DemiVeemon here to help you explain what's going on. You know what that means, don't you?"

Dai blushed and nodded. "Yeah, it means I'd better start talking. Alright. You see, everything was fine until one of the computers in the computer room started acting funny just over a week ago. That's when we knew there was something strange going on. Our adventure begins with a message from Gennai and a visit from a friend of yours named Piximon..."