Disclaimer: I don't own digimon, just my OC's.

As usual, English isn't my first language... so excuse the few possible mistakes.

Anyway this chapter is going to focus mostly on the OCs since I want you to get to know their characters because it is important for later chapters. I hope you like this one.

I promised November... and here it is. Enjoy; I know some of have been waiting for this.


Life's so ironical... really, it is. As long as I can remember there always was this one person in particular that meant the whole world to me. Though there are a lot of people I deeply care about; people I love more than anything in life, they're nothing like him. Though I wake up every morning, feeling like shit because I know that this day – as well as the day before, and the day after – contains a war that doesn't seem to come to an end in the foreseeable future, I appreciate the day, because he makes everything better. My father was the first person – in fact, the first anything – I saw in my life. I don't' know if that was such an emotional moment for me that it can be considered as the cause of me being unable to even think straight without him being nearby. Of course, I as well as my sister love both of our parents. And I'm sure my sister would agree with me when I say that we can't put our love towards them into words, because we can't. Our parents are so different from every couple normal people would face in their whole life. While our mother is the most beautiful and of course most caring woman I ever met in my life – and I don't say that because she's my mother but because it's a fact – my father is completely different. I heard a lot about my father starting to be the leader of the digidestined while only being 11 years old. You can imagine I was quite impressed and wanted to be just like him.

My sister for her part doesn't even have to try... my mom always says that she got every characteristics of our father. While she's very impulsive and stubborn she's the most selfless person I know. She's a born leader, and I'm more than happy to leave her the position as the leader of our team, though no one really thought about having a female leader before my dad brought up the idea.

So our father is a very important person in our life. I can't remember a single time when he missed a soccer match, neither of me nor my sister. He was always there, spent most of his time playing with us or teaching us how to fight – after all, we mustn't forget that we grew up during a war. Wouldn't it have been for our father, we wouldn't have learned how to defend ourselves before we turned 14. But our dad being our dad didn't think about following someone else's orders and just started to train with us by himself. I honestly don't know when I had my first weapon in my hand, but I know that I didn't realize what I was holding when the time came. I didn't know what it was, neither what it was useful for. But being almost an adult now and looking back... I'm really thankful that my father did what he thought was best for us. Because it was.

So... how does it feel to have the most important person without whom you wouldn't be the person you've become today being torn away from you by force?

It hurts. God it hurts so much...


Anger

While seeking revenge, dig two graves – one for yourself.

Kazumi's Prov

A million thoughts dare to overwhelm my already tense mind. Much more questions than I could bear are running through my head, longing to be answered at once. Why, when, who, where and most of all...HOW, did that just happen? Why did we have to run for our lives down into the command center? When did the soldiers notice the attack? Who exactly did it? Where are they? And how on earth did they know where to aim at?! I know that Dylan and I are used to situations like these... god, we grew up during a war for fucks sake. But looking around and seeing the digidestined's shocked, pale white faces is prove enough that they actually didn't experience something like that, ever. Not yet anyways. I try to ignore the weird feeling I get while seeing all these people I use to look up to in my time in such a state. For all I know now Dylan and I are much more experienced than them. So that means we have to cope with a situation we've never faced before.

The shrill sound of the alarm I hear on an almost daily basis back home is still ringing loudly. I scan the room quickly – something I got used to too while being a leader – checking if everyone's here. There are Kari, T.K, Yolei, Cody, Ken, Uncle Davis, Mimi, Joey, Izzy, Phoenix my brother and my mom. Though somewhere in my chaotic mind I register the absence of Uncle Matt and my own boyfriend the absence of my father sends icy cold chills down my spine, quickening my already fast heartbeat even more.

Just when I feel how I begin to freak out I hear loud – very familiar – voices getting nearer. A second later Alec comes in my sight, carrying a more than just hysterical Tai who's coughing violently and fighting against Alec's death grip at the same time. The digidestined act as if on instinct; they immediately gather themselves around their leader who fell down on the floor, looking straight at the steel doors of the command center that close automatically. I can't focus on anything than on the wide shocked and most of all... teared up eyes of my way too young father who's kneeling on the ground, his arms being held by Alec behind his back. Several panicked voices are heard through the still ongoing sound of the alarm. However the sound of the whole upper floor crashing down in front of the door, the door closing right in this moment and my father's scream of pure desperation of not being able to get back are enough to shut everyone down. With the door closing the alarm stops immediately, leaving everyone in here in absolute silence.

I'm met with several questioning glances of the digidestined; however the only glance I return is the one from my mother. Her face is pale white and I can tell by taking a quick glance at her that she's shaking. Though I feel the immense urge to cross the room and embrace her – I mean... that's my mom for fuck's sake – I resist and focus on my dad instead; One of the most important persons in my life. Much to my relief Alec let go of his hands and is contented to just remain by his side and wait for any reaction of him. Tai for his part just keeps staring at the massive steel door with in shock widened eyes. I can tell that he can't really believe what just happened; unfortunately I faced this sight of my father a lot. Though I am aware of the fact that my dad is in a shock right now I don't really know what to do right now... usually it is Joe or Koji for that matter who takes care about people's health. God I wish my team would be here right now...

"Where's Matt?" T.K's snaps me – and everyone else for that matter – out of their respective dazes and drives all attention to him. He eyes Alec with fear widened eyes, obviously fighting against the realization that his brother got buried under the whole upper floor. Alec doesn't have to response... his silence speaks volumes. The blonde digidestined however just shakes his head slowly, fighting against the upcoming grief that is clearly starting to grow inside of him.; The same grief that is crushing dad down onto the floor.

"No...No no no no no no no, please tell me that's a sick joke", he mumbles, turning around and walking towards the wall, his hands covering his face. Davis is the quickest to react; he immediately follows him, keeping a distance however.

"T.K", he tries slowly, keeping his voice low in an attempt to calm the other boy down. T.K however doesn't even bother to notice him.

"No...no... That can't happen. Not now... not ever", he keeps mumbling but I can tell by the change of his voice that he's on the edge of tearing up already. Who'd blame him... I'd cry too if I could.

Davis lays a hand on his shoulder, trying to pull the younger digidestined in a comforting hug; "It's alright T.K, we'll find him... I'm sure he's okay. Just calm down now okay? You just have to –"

"Shut up! Shut the fuck up!" Just when he's about to slam his hand into one of the heavy steel walls –and surely break his hand by doing this – Phoenix steps in, gripping his hand forcefully and pulling him away. T.K winces because of Phoenix' strong hold of him.

"You're hurting him!" Mimi shouts, anger clear in her voice. I don't have to be really good at reading people to know that she wanted to show Phoenix her antipathy towards him for a while now.

"He'll hurt himself if he keeps acting like this. T.K I know that you're really confused right now and I am sure the pain inside of you dares to overwhelm you. But you have to calm down right now until we know what exactly is happening. Can you do that?" he says, looking T.K deep in his eyes. Much to my surprise the digidestined calms down and nods, however he can't hold back the tear that managed to escape his ocean blue eyes that match his brother's in such an incredible way.

"Kazumi", my brother's voice interrupts my thoughts. I turn to him to signalize him that he got my attention, he leans in further so no one can eavesdrop our conversation. "Did you try to contact Uncle Matt by your D-Terminal?"

My eyes widen in realization. Oh my god why didn't I came up with this idea by myself. If Uncle Matt in our time didn't vanish it means that this one here is just fine. Well... he has to be.

"Dylan, you're a genius." He gives me one of his rare – at least...they became rare – smiles before turning back to the scenario in front of us. The digidestined are still gathered around their leader who didn't move one bit.

"Tai...it's okay", Izzy tries, kneeling in front of his best friend and trying to get any reaction out of him.

"Let him be, he'll be fine..." Alec says in his usual apathetic voice. I hate when he talks like his... it reminds me of the time when he was that douchebag I got to meet first. Izzy however decides to ignore Alec's comment and continues to talk to Tai.

I focus on my D-Terminal and send a message to my favorite uncle in our time.

23.57 pm Kazumi: Are you alright?

"That's your fault!" My father's voice drives my attention back immediately. He got up from the floor and is facing my boyfriend right now, a type of anger shining in his eyes I honestly never saw before. And I know my father quite well actually...

"My fault? How is it my fault that your pathetic best friend falls behind?!" Alec counters not less angry judged by his voice, but I know my boyfriend enough to know that Tai's scaring the shit out of him. Though everyone is afraid of Alec and sees him as the evil himself... there's one person on this earth he respects and fears most at the same time. And this person is my father, whether in this time or in mine.

Alec could have chosen his words wiser because he just pissed Tai off more. Without anyone even realizing it Tai's already pinning Alec on the wall, ready to punch the living shit out of him. Much to my relief Dylan is the fastest to react this time because within seconds he's by dad's side, grabbing him by his shoulders and pulling him away from my boyfriend. Though Dylan would have been never, ever be able to do the same thing with our dad back home he doesn't seem like he has trouble doing it with this Tai here. Looks like immortality did change my father in ways I wasn't aware of...

"He's not worth it Tai!" Dylan says, trying to calm Tai down. Tai however doesn't even bother to listen to his own son for a second. The only thing he obviously cares about is how to rip Alec's head off in the best way.

"Let go of me Dylan I'm serious!"

Though Dylan is stunned for a moment to hear Tai saying his name – something that didn't happen for months now... – he doesn't cave in that easily. He turns Tai around and forces him to look straight into his eyes – a method dad used to do a lot with Dylan when he was that angry.

"Calm down... he's not worth it", he repeats in his calmest voice possible. I didn't even notice it until now but seeing my brother and my dad standing so close to each other the similarities hit me like thunder. They actually look like the same person if there wouldn't be the reddish shade of Dylan's hair. Much to everyone's surprise Tai's breathing normalizes slowly but surely, signalizing my brother to let go of him now.

"He saved your life Tai... I for my part am really thankful", Kari says quietly, her arms crossed before her chest and her sight focused on the ground. I can tell she's really cold right now... actually, seeing that almost every one of them is in their sleeping gear they have to be all cold right now.

"Don't you dare to think that I did it for your sake", Alec says directly at Tai who eyes him with hatred filled eyes still.

"I did it for their sake. They wouldn't be able to bear something like this again", Alec says after glancing at both, me and Dylan.

I feel my blood freeze and shot Alec a glare, signalizing him that he'd better shut up right here and right now. I'm really not in the mood to talk about this right now. For all I know this fuckin hint of him did give at least Izzy or Ken reason to think about me and my brother – or our time for that matter – more than it would be healthy for them.

"I don't fucking care why you did what you did. All I really care about right now is that someone of you opens this damn door so I can go and look for my best friend!" Tai says, glancing at Phoenix and the white soldiers who stand distributed in the room, waiting for some orders of Phoenix.

Sensing that whatever it was that the enemy did is not over yet my mouth is way faster than my mind.

"NO!"

Everyone turns to me immediately. Alec looks at me with a confused look while my own dad glares daggers at me. "I-I don't think that this is a good –"

"I didn't ask you for your opinion", dad interrupts me, piercing my already disrupted heart with his harsh tone. Obviously seeing what his words did to me Sora steps next to me, glaring at her to be husband.

"You shouldn't forget who you're really angry at. If Kazumi thinks that the door shouldn't be opened now then I'm sharing her opinion", she says, stopping because she senses that Tai's about to interrupt her again. However by raising her finger in front of him – a gesture she used to do a lot actually – he closes his mouth again:" we all want to know what's going on with Matt. I mean... look at Gabumon! Don't you think the only thing he's thinking about is to look for his partner now? But we can't risk any more lives right now. So calm down. We need your clear mind; you're the leader after all..."

"And if you break... what else do they have?" Gennai's voice sounds, causing everyone in the room to turn around. I didn't even notice the man being in the room... but when I really think about it. When does he even leave the command center anyway?

Tai stares at him with a blank expression, not bothering to even try and bring up any emotion up his face. Though what Gennai said just a second ago Tai looks quite broken to me already. I know kids shouldn't talk like that about their parents, but after all I'm one of the very few persons who can read my father like an open book, whether he likes it or not, I'm one of the persons who knows him best. And I can tell that he's near his breaking point; There's not much more needed for him to lose his mind. Who would blame him... The room is dead silent and I can't do anything but think about the message I've sent just a minute ago... why the hell doesn't he r –

BANG

Though I can tell that this explosion was farther away – so I don't think that they hit the base – the impact of it reaches the command center within seconds. The walls are shaking immensely, cutting of the electric power supply. The screens of the computers turn black immediately, as well as the rest of all electric equipment, leaving us with no light.

"What is happening?!" I hear a frightened girly voice. I guess that was Mimi... or Yolei, not sure.

"Everyone down on the ground and shield your head!" I hear my boyfriend's order going around the room... –

BANG

This one was closer... fuck. It's difficult enough to shield this base under normal circumstances... I honestly don't have any idea how we're supposed to do it without any light now.

"Phoenix!" I shout, though I have no idea where he is right now. I lost my orientation completely though I know this base inside out.

"I'm all ears Kaz", he responds from my left side. Though there's absolutely no light in here and I have no idea where the rest of the digidestined are I turn around and stare at Phoenix, at least... I hope I do.

"How do I activate the emergency supply?!"

"Wow Kazumi you are a genius", I hear Uncle Davis' voice coming from across the room. I can't help but grin lightly. It surely isn't the first time he tells me that.

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but there is none here yet", Phoenix responds after an embarrassed silence of him. The digidestined's reaction is the same as mine... we sigh in annoyance at the same time.

"And what are we going to do now?" my aunt asks from the direction Davis' voice sounded a minute ago.

"Wait a second", Dylan says, his voice seeming a little distant. Since I know what my brother is up to I try to calm down my breath and focus on our enemies' actions. I shut my eyes tightly and exhale deeply, fading out every other person in here. Within seconds I've got a clear picture in front of my inner mind. There were five bombs... Three of them hit our base, two missed. One of them was aiming at our command center but got diverted – by what?! – And hit the east wing instead. The other one hit the arsenal, but didn't destroy it completely...what about the last one?!

I try my hardest to stay focused and find out where the third bomb was thrown at, but the image refuses to pop up in my head. God that's frustrating...

"Wow Dylan! How did you do that?" Cody's voice snaps me out of my daze. I quickly open my eyes and can't subdue a grin that's forming on my face. There in the room are at least a dozen little flames flying in the air, lighting up the whole command center. Though the light isn't too bright it has a calming effect. The digidestined are all sitting on the ground, staring at the tiny flames my brother managed to release. I steal a look at Alec who's leaning his forehead on the steel door, his eyes closed though.

"Dad taught me how to do that", Dylan's responds, reminding me of the fact that they actually asked him something.

"What do you mean by he taught you to do it?" Ken asks, his curiosity – as usual – getting the best of him.

Seeing that my father is eying my brother with deep interest in his eyes I can tell that Dylan just managed to cause dad to lose his focus on Matt's absence. For now.

"Well... when Kaz and I were kids dad thought it would be useful for us to know things like these. And seeing that we are his kids we've got some power too", though I know my brother quite well he always kind of seems to be able to surprise me still. I never expected him to actually answer Ken's question, but seeing that he's actually doing it I can't do anything but stare at him in awe. Wow, my brother is starting to open up.

"What power?" Tai asks, not being able to hide his frown. My brother shots me a quick glance that tells something like *why the fuck don't they know already?!* I just shrug and take the lead from here since he's not sure how to react. I always was the one being better in dealing with uncomfortable situations.

"You'll find out soon. The enemies are gone; we can open the doors now." I say, driving everyone's attention to the steel door again.

"How bad is it Kazumi?" Alec asks me, his eyes not meeting mine though.

"It's bad. The whole upper floor is destroyed, some parts of our arsenal too. The east wing should get checked too. However there was a third bomb that hit the base... though I don't know where. And seeing that our whole electronic isn't working right now I'm afraid we can't find it out without looking for the destruction." I state the situation. I can tell the digidestined are all quite surprised and wonder why I know all that, but that would include these powers my brother mentioned before... and I'm definitely not the one who should tell them about this kind of stuff.

"How many deaths Dylan?" Phoenix asks in a low voice. All attention immediately goes to Dylan who's staring at a flame that's dancing right above our dad's head. I don't have to take a better look at my brother to know that he's actually just looking at our father, seeking for his company.

"23."

I try not to look too bothered about it and focus on my D-Terminal that shows me a message from Uncle Matt. FINALLY.

Matt: Are you asking about me or your father?

Kazumi: I'm asking about you.

I respond quickly and am just about to focus on the conversation between the digidestined and my brother. Them asking who didn't survive the attack and him explaining to them that he isn't able to find out their identity. However the vibration of my D-Terminal causes me to do otherwise. My uncle is obviously not that busy at the moment.

Matt: I'm fine. Why?

Kazumi: You got buried under a roof here.

Matt: I did survive that attack. Tell them to look at the end of the corridor under a bookshelf.

Thank. God.

Kazumi: Will do. Any news?

Matt: Don't ask questions I don't want to answer. Now go and do your job. You're on a mission, don't forget that Honey.

I try to ignore the sickness that dares to overwhelm my already labile stomach. On one part we all got a reason to sigh in deep relief; this time Matt is going to survive whatever happened out of this room. For the other part however my father's oldest friend acted worse than usual. That can't mean anything good.

"Alright. Phoenix tell them to open this damn door; I'm not going to keep sitting here without knowing if my best friend is alive or not", my father's voice snaps me out of my daze. I quickly place the D-Terminal back in my pocket and try to focus on the conversation again, ignoring my minds voice that tells me that something has gone really bad in our time...

"Tai I'm sure he's –"Alec starts but gets cut off immediately.

"Don't you dare", Tai says in his most inhumane voice I know. I personally hate when he talks in that tone...at home it means that Dylan and I are in deep shit. I inwardly smile by remembering the last time dad actually told us off.

"Okay I think you all should calm down right now", I speak up, finally having enough of this ridiculous situation. "Phoenix, try and get the electronic system back up again, without electricity there's no way to open this door. And you", I say before turning to my father – much to my surprise getting his full attention at once – :" take a seat... drink some tea, and relax. I'm taking the lead for now...until I can be sure that your decisions are based on a clear mind."

There's probably nothing I hate more than to speak disrespectful towards my father, but he just doesn't give me a choice right now. I know that the only thing he can think about right now is to make sure that his best friend survives the night. I know a few would think I should tell them that Matt is alright... or rather, will be alright... but time travels are complicated; just because our Matt in our time is fine doesn't mean it's sure to say that this one will survive. So telling them about this isn't an option, watching him being mean to my beloved boyfriend isn't alright either, so the best thing for them to do right now is to just sit down and allow themselves to relax.

Much to everyone's surprise Tai just eyes me with a weird look before nodding tiredly and taking a seat on one of the sofa's in the very back of the room. Taking Tai's lead the digidestined don't bother saying anything more and join their leader.

"I don't like this...at all", I hear one of them – judged by their voice it most probably was Joe, whispering to Tai's ear. However I'm not able to hear my father's response, but I wouldn't be surprised if he'd agree with him. I don't blame them... I wouldn't trust these people too if I wouldn't have grown up with them.

I slowly look over the room and check my companion's occupations. Phoenix is sitting under one of the big desks, doing some complicated-looking stuff with a few cables while Dylan lights the place for him. Gennai for his part is leaning over some old looking book I really don't feel like even looking at. So that leaves only my boyfriend. I turn my head to the other side of the room and face his back that's turned to me. He's standing on a small kitchen-island-like desk, staring at the kettle. God knows how he managed to get a kettle on without electricity.

I slowly cross the room and lean on the opposite side of the little desk, staring at Alec's perfect face. The skin around his chin is tight, proving my assumption of him grinding his teeth. The cold usually numb looking eyes are staring straight at the kettle that's seething already. By taking a closer look at it I notice the flame on the kettle's base, heating up the water inside of it. Right... I forgot about his powers for a second. I slowly lower my sight and look at the things laying on the table in front of him. There isn't really that much, a tray with a few tea mugs – probably for the digidestined –, his mobile phone as well as his D-Terminal. However the little vial in Alec's right hand doesn't get unnoticed by me. I don't have to ask what it is... I already know this substance quite well. Alec however doesn't bother to even take a look at me; he carefully opens the vial and pours a little bit in every mug in front of him.

"You're really drugging the digidestined? Are you serious?!" I try to whisper so no one can eavesdrop us. My boyfriend closes the vial again and lets it disappear in his jacket again. After that he takes the kettle and fills the mugs with the steaming water. Filling up the last mug and placing the kettle back on its place he finally lifts his gaze and looks at me, his icy eyes filling with emotion immediately.

"I'm not drugging them... it's just soporific. We have to get them out of our way to clear up this whole mess", he says in his usual calm voice he uses whenever he's talking to me. I for my part can't shake off the bad feeling about this... I mean, my boyfriend wants to drug not only my parents but also the rest of the digidestined? The people who are fighting for my life for about 19 years already? And I'm not supposed to stop him?

Obviously sensing my doubts about this he leans closer and whispers in a way too assuring voice:" listen Kaz... these digidestined aren't used to situations like this yet. We have to find Matt and I will have to heal him... and this will be really ugly. They don't have to see any of this, aren't you agreeing?"

He literally pierces me with his grey eyes. Though everything inside of me tells me to stop Alec of giving the digidestined these mugs... I have to admit; he has got a really good point. I saw the procedure of healing digidestined in our time countless of times... not only on the original ones but also on my friends... even on my own brother. If I can tell one thing about this hell of a procedure then that is hurts, like a bitch. I'm sure I won't be able to forget my brother's screams ever again. After all... he won't let anyone touch him after this anymore, anyone but dad.

Without me even noticing it I'm slowly starting to nod, signalizing Alec to take the tray and bring it to the digidestined where he places it in front of them on the table. Since they are way too far away from me to hear their conversation I don't bother to even try and eavesdrop. However they exchange a few words – and when I say *they* I mean mostly T.K and Alec – before Alec turns around again and comes back to me. I watch with an awful guilty feeling in my gut how every one of them takes a mug and empties it within a few minutes. Including my parents.


Dylan's Prov

In all these years I am on this goddamn world I experienced a lot of shit, a lot of said shit I caused myself. My parents got angry at me way too many times for things I pulled off. But this is probably one of the worst things...

After drinking the tea they received from Alec – of course sharing it with their digimon too – every one of them fell asleep... systematically. Even if I wanted to wake them up... I wouldn't be able to; I know Alec way too well to even think for a second that he made a mistake with the doses. He did shit like that too many times to make any mistakes.

I lean back on the wall on my back and stare aimlessly around the room, trying to ignore my sister and Alec's voices and just focus on the tiny little flames that are still floating around in the air, never dimming for even a second. The clicking sound of Phoenix trying to fix the electricity however disturbs my already numb mind and drives my attention back to him. I gave up a while ago... I know too little to help him this time.

"Phoenix... I think it's time that you –"I start when the lights in the room start to flicker and I hear the sound of the computers starting up again. Unbelievable... he did it again.

Phoenix gets on his feet again and grins at me, a grin I didn't see for a while now actually.

"As you were saying?"

I try to resist and grin too but fail miserably. The whole room is illuminated by a dim light, creating a rather comfortable atmosphere.

"So. Since we got our electronic back on track we can open this damn door now", Phoenix says and crosses the room immediately, taking a seat on the main computer in this base. After the system identifies him and gives him access to the main security system he deactivates the code red that was activated after being attacked. As soon as he presses the button the heavy steel door cracks and starts to open ever so slowly. However a second after that I start to wish he didn't deactivate the code. Immense broken rocks fall into the room immediately causing Kazumi and Alec who were standing in front of the door patiently to back off a few meters. I jump up and cross the room, standing right next to Kazumi, Phoenix joining her other side. As for Gennai... after taking a quick glance back into the room I spot him on a small armchair right next to the sleeping figures of the digidestined.

"Dylan", Kazumi's horrified voice snaps me back to the situation and drives my attention to the door that opened finally.

The sight however is what worries me most... how the hell are we supposed to ever get out of here ?!


Kazumi's Prov

The corridor is filled with rocks, some bigger, some smaller than others. The only way to even get out of here would be to climb over the rocks, however the question then would be...is it even possible to get through the corridor by climbing over them?!

"Well... looks like we have a lot of work ahead of us", Alec states and approaches the door.

"What do you think you're doing?" Dylan asks confusion visible on his usual calm face. Alec however doesn't bother to turn around, let alone answering the question.

"What do you think I am doing? I'm looking for blondie", he says after a while, starting to actually climb the giant pile.

"I don't think that will work... how do you know that there's enough space to walk through?" I say, looking up to Alec who's continuing to climb the pile, almost reaching the point where I'm not able to see him anymore. However hearing my voice he turns around and shots me a look.

"There sure is. You have to remember that the whole upper floor is missing. That makes the corridor two times the size of what it usually is. So come up and help me. All three of you."

With that he turns around again, grabs a bigger rock on the top of the pile and pulls himself up, disappearing from our view. I sigh in deep frustration and take a step closer to the wall-like pile. I slowly stretch out my right arm before grabbing a rock, pulling to check whether it will stand my weight or not. Luckily it doesn't move one bit although I pull as hard as I can. Being satisfied enough with this result I take a deep breath and pull myself up, placing my left foot on some other rock that appears to be strong enough to hold me. Much to my displeasure my brother soon overtakes me, pulling himself up by grabbing any rock without checking if it's loose or not. As soon as he reaches the top he turns around, stretching out his hand for me.

"I don't need your help." I know I'm acting like a real child right now. After all this is my twin brother looking out for me and trying to help me. But I'm too much like my father to let him to pull me up the meter that's left to climb. Dylan absolutely gets that and stretches his arm out for Phoenix instead, pulling him up to him.

I reach out for the last rock on the top and pull myself up. However in doing so the rock gives in and I slip. Just when I'm about to fall I feel a strong hand on my shoulder. Dylan pulls me up without breaking a sweat, looking down at me with an unreadable expression.

"Don't say anything, okay?" I say, pushing me off of the ground and take a look around our surroundings. Phoenix pulls out three flashlights and gives me and Dylan one of them.

Considering the fact that there's absolutely no light in this corridor I'm really thankful that Phoenix was smart enough to think about such a little detail. I wonder how Alec managed to orient himself. I turn on the flashlight in my hand and direct the light beam straight ahead, illuminating the whole corridor. However seeing that we're actually standing about 3 meters over the normal ground I can't help but let my gaze wander over everything visible right now. The rocks lying on the ground extend themselves a few meters in front of us until suddenly a few books appear among them. Something clicks in my mind as soon as I see the books and my head snaps up immediately. I direct the light beam up, looking for one thing in particular. The upper floor looks mostly okay though the ground is missing... obviously. I slowly aim the light ray into the farthest corner, illuminating the remains of the library. There's nothing left on the wall that was once covered with thousands of different books. The only thing remaining is immense black burn marks. Looks like I found out what the third bomb hit...

"Alec?" Dylan's voice snaps me out of my daze, bringing me back to our current situation.

"Over here!" Alec's voice sounds from the very back of the long floor. We immediately start to approach him, walking ever so slowly since a few rocks give in lightly when stepping on them. The sound of rock hitting another echoes through the room and confuses me. What the hell is he doing?!

We reach a cliff like end and look down on my boyfriend's bent down figure. He doesn't even bother to notice our arrival; he grabs rock after rock and throws them out of his way. It takes me quite some time before realizing what exactly his intention is. There's actually a cracked bookshelf visible between the rocks. Faintly but it is. The sight of the bookshelf hits me immediately and I remember Uncle Matt's text message.

"Please don't tell me he's buried under all that stuff", Dylan whispers quietly next to me, staring down too.

"Don't tell me you can't feel his aura", Phoenix says, placing his flashlight on the edge of a rock and climbing down to his brother's level. Alec for his part just ignores him, looking up to me. Just when I'm about to climb down too he reaches out for me, placing his hand on my ankle.

"Just light this area for us, will you?" He says, using this soft voice of his. Seeing that there's really not much for me to do because these rocks are way too heavy for me to lift, I just nod and kneel down, lighting the area for them.

Dylan climbs down too and helps the two brothers to get all these rocks out of the way. Little by little the bookshelf appears under the heavy rocks, revealing a small hole behind it. I lean further down to examine the hole, holding the flashlight into another direction though so the guys aren't left in the dark. Sensing that something is right under the bookshelf I block out all the sounds the guys are making and focus on the one thing that seems to call me from under this shelf. After a few minutes in staying in this posture I hear a faint whimper that sounds an awfully lot like my beloved Uncle. A sickening feeling starts to grow in my guts.

"Guys", I whisper since I can't manage to strengthen my voice right now. The three of them turn around immediately, eyeing me with confused expressions.

"I think I found him." I say, still staring on the same spot.

Alec is the first one to react; he immediately grabs the flash light Phoenix placed on the edge of a rock and points it down to the spot I was staring at a second ago. I was right; there indeed is a hole under the bookshelf. Much to my relief I catch sight of blond hair.

"Alec", I direct him to the right spot and he kneels down immediately, looking through the shelf's frames. Dylan and Phoenix climb up again, giving Alec more space down there.

"Matt! Can you hear me?" he calls, slewing the flashlight to get a better look at Matt.

"Kazumi come down here", he says before standing up and passing me the flashlight. I climb down to his level and stare at him in confusion. He gestures for me to kneel down and take a look for myself. I do so as I'm told and kneel down, ignoring the hard wooden shelf pressing on my shinbone. I light the hole under the shelf and try not to gasp out of shock when I see my young uncle's face. His lower part of the body is buried down under giant, heavy looking rocks.

God really has to love him a lot if his legs aren't crushed into million pieces.

"Matt?" I whisper quietly, aiming the flash of light in his face again, blinding him on purpose.

He stirs for a moment before opening his eyes, looking up to me. I sigh in deep relief and can't help but smile widely at him. He's alive!

Alec obviously heard him reacting to my voice, because within seconds he's kneeling next to me again.

"Matt we will get you out of there don't worry", he says, trying to sound as calm as possible. Though Phoenix, Dylan, Alec and I all have really cool incredible powers I can't come up with an idea to get him out of here without risking getting buried ourselves.

"I –", he says but doesn't continue. Alec and I lean in further immediately, trying to hear anything.

"Can you repeat that?" I ask, though I feel the sick feeling growing inside of me. This is not good...

After some more minutes of absolute silence – Neither Alec and I nor my brother and Phoenix dare to say something because we're all waiting for the digidestined to repeat what he just said. I can tell that the guys have the same bad suspicion as I do. Finally I hear Matt mumble again and lean in even further.

"I... can't feel –"

"Can't feel what?" Alec asks a hint of panic hearable in his voice.

"My legs."


Sora's Prov

I slowly open my eyes... that's when I realize where I actually fell asleep. Tai's head is laying on my chest, his right arm draped over me. Although I hate the idea of waking him up right now I can't ignore the ache in my back that was caused by falling asleep in such an uncomfortable position. I carefully push him down on a pillow, placing his arm on his stomach before I stand up and stretch my sore body. Sleeping on a couch isn't really that smart of an idea.

I look around the room and notice with great relief that they obviously managed to get the electricity on again. While the digidestined are still sleeping peacefully there are five figures sitting on the big round table we held our meeting at the first time we were here. Kazumi, Dylan, Phoenix, Gennai and Alec are sitting there, discussing what seems like some really important matter. Not being sure of what to do I just stand here like an idiot, debating whether to disturb their conversation or not.

However it is Dylan who finally lifts his head and notices me. He gives me a small, warm smile and gestures me to come closer. I do as I'm told and approach the small group. They immediately turn to me, eyeing me with unreadable expressions. Kazumi and Dylan however look at me with a welcoming smile.

"Take a seat", Kazumi says, pulling a chair next to her for me to sit on. I take the seat and give her a small smile. "Thank you."

I'm not sure how long I've slept, but seeing that they look quite worn out I can tell that a few hours must have passed already.

"As you were saying Alec?" Gennai takes the lead of the conversation I obviously interrupted. Though I intended to ask them about news of Matt's whereabouts I shut down and focus on their conversation instead. Something tells me I'm going to find it out anyway.

"He has several broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a few contusions here and there. However the thing that worries me most is that he can't feel his legs... that is a bit of a problem", Alec says, tapping on the table with a lighter.

Kazumi obviously notices my shocked face because she lays her left hand on my leg, driving my attention to her. "He'll be fine. You just have to trust us okay?"

Though everything inside of me is screaming out of shock I remain calm and focus on the one thing I can think of right now. Her eyes. Though on first sight it looked like the twins got a mix of mine and Tai's eyes I realize that she actually got deep brown eyes – as her father. As if on call, my heart immediately beats slower and I manage to calm down. I suddenly feel the deep bound my future self must share with this girl and give in to the feeling of trust that starts to grow inside of me.

"What do you mean?" Dylan starts the conversation again.

"His legs are crushed... literally. No wonder he can't feel anything anymore", Alec responds, his expression remaining blank and the sound of his lighter hitting the table echoes through he room. I try not to gasp and just stay silent, for now.

"But you can heal him don't you?" Phoenix asks his older brother. Alec just eyes him for a few long seconds before deciding to not ignore his brother for once.

"I can. But if the injuries don't kill him until then I bet he'll wish he would have died the latest by the time I heal him", Alec responds, his expression hardening even more. He obviously remembers something rather uncomfortable.

"What do you mean?" The question is out before I even realize what I'm doing. Within seconds all eyes are on me and I can't help but feel like some kind of outsider between them. They obviously know each other for quite a while. A few seconds pass and I'm just about to apologize for my question when Dylan speaks out.

"The procedure of being healed is quite..., painful", he says quietly, staring down on the tabletop. I can tell by the way he just said that, that he obviously experienced that himself. He continues however.

"You have to imagine... it's like fire is running through your veins, inflaming every organ, every muscle and every bone inside of your body. You feel like your whole body is on fire...and no ice, water or anything like that can help you in that moment. You just have to lay there and wait..." he says, still staring on the same spot as before.

"But we have no choice. If Alec doesn't heal Matt soon he'll surely die because of his injuries", Gennai says, stating the obvious for everyone.

"The only question is... is Alec able to heal his nerves too? I hate to remind you but the boy is paralyzed", Phoenix says, shocking me once again.

"I am. Thanks for trusting me", Alec says, giving his brother the fakest and on the same time scariest bright smile I've ever seen. Moments like these are the cause for my distrust towards him.

"Okay guys don't get this started again. I'm so sick of you two pretending to hate each other", Kazumi says, annoyance clear in her voice. The two brother turn to her, eyeing her – I don't even dare to say it but... – with the exact same expression. Actually, that's the first time they look so alike to each other.

"We're not preten –"

"Alec you should go. They're waking up", Dylan interrupts him, his gaze straight forward, looking at the digidestined. I turn around to my friends, watching my boyfriend get up first from the couch. I should have known that he wouldn't keep sleeping that long without me next to him. I can't help but grin at that realization though.

Alec eyes them nervously before standing up and leaving the room without any words. I shot Kazumi a confused look but she waves me off.

"That's just what he's like. You get used to it", she gives me a reassuring smile before leaning back in her chair, waiting for the digidestined to join us here.

Tai crosses the room, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes. I hope imploringly that his anger from yesterday – or before? – has vanished for the most part. But some evil little voice in my mind tells me that it's only going to get worse as soon as he finds out about Matt's well–being. I mean... how are they actually supposed to react when Gennai – or Phoenix for that matter – tells them that Matt is paralyzed? Sure... we got injured countless of times before in the digital world. But never were we attacked with such weapons.

"Would you like some coffee?" Kazumi's voice snaps me out of my thoughts again. She's looking up at Tai from her seat next to me. He eyes her with an expression I never saw him wearing ever before, before he shakes his head slowly.

"No, but thanks", he says, giving her his usual lopsided grin before taking the seat on my left side.

"But I'd love one actually", Davis voice sounds from the other side of the room. He approaches the table, followed by the rest of the team. They all take a seat on the table. While some of them seem like still being half asleep, the others eye Phoenix and Gennai with interest, obviously waiting for them to say something.

"Sorry. We got no coffee here", Kazumi says, earning a chuckle from her twin brother and a groan from Davis.

"But you said –"he starts before Kazumi interrupts him again.

"If Tai would have said yes I'd go after It." this however shuts Davis down. I can't help but join in Dylan's laugh though Kazumi is kind of mean right now I can't help but like her type of humor.

Tai however is fidgeting on his chair next to me. I know he's dying to know about some news of our current situation. There are actually so many unanswered questions like... who did attack exactly? Why now? How did they know where to aim at? How is Matt holding up? And what are we going to do next? While we were able to leave the digital world without having to deal with too much guilt we can't do it now. Not after we found out of what the enemy is capable of. For all we know 23 beings died. Digimon or these white soldiers – I still have no idea how to call them but I got informed that they aren't actually Digimon and not humans... something in between probably –, it doesn't matter. 23 lives were ended by this attack. And we can't ignore that.

Dylan eyes Tai with interest before he leans back in his chair, starting the conversation we were all subconsciously awaiting.

"Matt's alive. We found him", he says.

I can't quite describe the change in the atmosphere right now. Where before most of the digidestined – mostly T.K and Gabumon – were nervous as hell, not to mention really tense, they relax immediately. As if someone just let the air out of some balloon or something. Tai sighs in deep relief next to me, sinking into his seat while doing so.

We remain silent for a few minutes and enjoy the waves of relief washing off the stress we've been into for the last few hours.

"Where is he? Can we –", Mimi starts; reminding me of the fact that she actually shares a much deeper bond with him than most of us. How could I forget about that?!

Gennai however has to interrupt her this time:" I'm afraid you can't visit him for now. Luckily the hospital wing wasn't destroyed by the attack so he's there right now. However he was heavily injured –"

"What does that mean?" T.K interrupts him, leaning further to take a better look at our long-time mentor.

Kazumi however is the quickest to answer his question:" He had a lot of broken bones. The heavier your injuries the longer the healing process takes –"

"What healing process?" Yolei asks, stopping Kazumi in mid-sentence. Just about when the brown haired girl is about to answer the new asked question Dylan speaks out again.

"Could you all please stop interrupting us? That is so annoying you can't imagine..." he says, crossing his arms and gesturing his sister to continue.

I can't help but grin; he has a temper... wonder where that comes from.

Kazumi takes a deep breath before continuing this time:" as I was saying... the heavier the injuries, the longer the healing process takes. Alec is upstairs, working on it", she says, however this time stopping by herself in mid-sentence before turning to Tai who tensed up as soon as Kazumi mentioned Alec's name.

"I know you probably don't want to even hear his name but... he saved your life. I for my part am really thankful for that. And now he's saving your best friend's life... I think it's your time to be thankful now", she says in the toughest voice I've heard of her yet.

Though she seems like someone who has a really strong personality and doesn't give in that quickly, none of these qualities was visible when she was talking to Tai, until now. I can't help but wonder what special bond she shares with him. One thing I can tell... it sure as hell is nothing usual.

Tai for his part eyes her for a really long time in absolute silence. Everyone's gaze is focused on the two of them. No one dares to say something until Tai slowly starts to nod, dropping eye contact.

"Your silence is deafening", a new voice sounds from the door. Everyone turns to Alec standing in the doorway, looking emptier than ever. I immediately expect the worst.

"Is he – ", Kari asks, obviously expecting the same as me. Alec gives her a small smile.

"You can go up now. Worst damage was taken care of."

T.K and Gabumon jump up immediately but Gennai stops them right in their tracks by lifting his hand up, signalizing them to stop.

"We still have some things to discuss", he says firmly, reminding everyone in here that our current situation should not be handled that easily.

"I think we can hold this meeting without them. Go", Alec says directed to T.K and Gabumon who just give him a thankful nod and leave the room immediately. Alec turns to Tai, knowing that Tai too wanted nothing else than to join T.K and Gabumon.

"I'm afraid we'll need the leader of the digidestined to discuss our strategy... I'm sorry", he says, lowering his gaze and taking his in between of Kazumi and Dylan.

"What strategy?" Davis asks, placing his elbows on the table. Looks like he woke up finally..

"After last night's attack you forgot that we're in a war? Really?" Cody asks his older team mate, not believing of hos forgetful Davis actually is.

"No! Of course not... I just didn't realize that –"

"That we have to respond to this attack?" Alec ends Davis's question. Said boy just nods, looking at him strangely.

"I'm afraid we have to...that's the only logical thing during a war", Alec says, earning a huff from his brother. He immediately turns to him, glaring daggers at him.

"Aren't you agreeing with me, little brother?" Alec asks in his probably coldest, most inhumane voice he's got.

"Does that really surprise you?" Phoenix counters not less pissed.

"No... Actually, it does not."

"Shut the fuck up. Both of you!" the twins shout in unison, causing the two brothers and everyone else for that matter to jerk.

"Watch your tone guys", Phoenix warns them. Dylan and Kazumi however don't bother to even notice what he just said.

"You should not forget who these two are Phoenix... imagine what their dad could do to you", Alec says, grinning evilly at his brother.

"I don't think he can do that much considering the fact that he's not even –",

"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Within seconds Dylan got his hand around Phoenix's throat, pinning him on the wall. I didn't even have time to realize that he shot up from his seat. Kazumi stares in shock at her brother who obviously just lost his patience.

"Alec, do something!" Gennai shouts frantically though I have trouble to understand why they're panicking that much. However Tai is way faster in reacting than Alec because within seconds he got his arm around his future son's arms, pulling him back from Phoenix. I can't help but think back of yesterday...when it was exactly the other way around.

"Dylan come on, let go; this certainly isn't the time for things like this!" Tai tries to calm the boy down, he however doesn't even think about giving in. He actually reminds me of a wild animal that tries to get free, using all power he has.

"Let me go! I will kill this son of a bitch. Because that's what he is. A fucking –" SLAP.

Dylan's hand reaches up to his left cheek where Tai just slapped him, staring up to his "father" in shock.

"But he –", Dylan starts to explain himself. However Tai stops him by lifting his hand.

"I'm sure you had a really good reason to want to beat the living shit out of him. But we've got more important things to do now."

Seeing that no one really is in the right mood to discuss anything right now Gennai tries to loosen up the tense atmosphere.

"I think we postpone that meeting. We'll meet again in the evening. Excuse me I have to check on everyone finally..." he says, ending the meeting with these few words.

"Dylan I'm –"Phoenix starts but this time Kazumi is the one interrupting him.

"That was one mistake too much Phoenix." She says before getting up and leaving the room, followed by her brother.

"What was this about?" Izzy asks, his need to understand everything getting the best of him.

But since no one of us knows the answer we all remain silent, Tai still standing in the middle of the room, not sure of what to do obviously.

Alec or Phoenix for that matter being the only ones who actually could answer the question just stare at each other. Alec doesn't even bother to hide how furious he is right now. Phoenix for his part looks as if guilt is eating him from the inside.

The confusion inside of my mind grows with each minute I spend with these new people. Though there is so much new about this whole situation, the fact that they obviously have lot secrets is making everything worse. I never was a person who wanted to know everything, but this is getting ridiculous. How on earth are we supposed to trust these people if they ignore us half of the time because of their own personal lives? Lives that include our future selves?

"You took a step too far little brother..." Alec says quietly, standing up from his seat as well.

"I know, I'm going to apologize to them", Phoenix says, coughing lightly. Dylan probably has a very hard grip...

"I can't believe you bought Tai up... how could you?!" Alec says.

He doesn't wait for his brother's response however. Instead he just turns and crosses the room

"Where are you going?" Davis asks, causing Alec to turn around again.

"To pick up the pieces."

God... I'd do anything for some answers!


Alec's Prov

I see their tears too often lately... way too often.

"Stop crying. Both of you, he'll be fine you know that", I try to soothe them. I usually wouldn't care if someone would break down mentally... but these two are the closest thing of a family I've got. And I love them...

"Y-You don't know that", she sobs, hugging her knees tighter. He however continues to press the tissue against his eyes; his pride being too big to let me see him cry.

"You just have to get the cure and bring it back. He'll survive until then." I try once again to calm them down... I know we're in a fucked up situation right now. And I sure as hell know that he could be dead until we got the cure... but I'm not going to accept them giving up right now.

"What if we're too late?" he asks, looking up finally. His deep brown eyes dare to pierce right through the remaining of my heart.

"If that'll be the case we just kill Daemon."

"You know this is impossible", she counters, looking angry all of the sudden.

"They're fighting a war that can't be won. You know that right?" her brother adds, wearing a similar expression now.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that", I say, leaning back in my chair and stare at the twins.

"What do you mean?" They ask in unison.

"Didn't you feel this Tai's aura? I nearly got a heart attack", I say, not being able to hide the small smile of pride when thinking about his strength.

"But he didn't activate his powers yet", Kazumi argues, sitting up straight.

"Yeah... in fact, no one of them has", Dylan adds, once again.

"Then we'll just have to help them a little." I say before changing the subject back to our main aim at the moment.

"But first of all. We need the cure."

"How are we supposed to get it? For all I know these digidestined have no idea how to act during a war. This time's Tai has no idea how to lead an army", Dylan says, crossing his arms and closing up again already... god this kid is so frustrating.

"I didn't had a fucking clue of how to lead an army too when I first did. And guess what? I won." I counter, pretending to not notice the boy's small smile appearing on his face.

"But Alec... the cure is in Daemon's base. One of the seven bases", Kazumi joins the conversation again, catching my whole attention.

"I know... but we have to save your father."

"This is a suicide mission. You know that, right?"

Hell yeah... I do.


So. This was chapter 6. How did you like it? Take a minute and tell me what you liked, or disliked for that matter.

I try to upload the next chapter until the end of December... if not then you definitely get chapter 7 in January 2016!

29/11/15