Thechaosmaster: Woohoo! Pulling another late-night update. It is currently 21:19, or 9:19 for those who don't read military time. Now I know, I know, I'm late, but I have many reasons. Not all of them good excuses, I blame ADHD the most, mostly for my short attention span, next, I want to say that...

Kurivolt: This guy is the king of procrastinating.

Chaos: Hey! Kurivolt! What was that for?

Kurivolt: Simply. You were going to forget about me again. As you always do when you upload late at night.

Chaos rubs head in embarrassment: Anyways, This is the chapter that has given me the hardest time to write. Now, before you all complain, I know that it is short, but I tried to write it. Anyways, enough dillydally, Kurivolt. Hit it!

Kurivolt salutes: Sir, yes sir! Thechaosmaster does not own Digimon or its characters, nor does he own his lovable muse, I belong to Konami. Chaos only owns the OCs Lukas and his girlfriend Olette, everyone else belongs to their respected owners. There now we can't be sued.

Thechaosmaster: Hello, everyone, sorry this took so long, I had gotten distracted. But, I won't waste any more time. I own nothing but Luke, Olette, and the Crest Of Protection, everything belongs to their right owners.

Chapter 18: Tai's Burning Courage

"Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." Lao Tzu.

After finding one of Etemon-Baka's Remote Access Terminals, Izzy-San hacks into it to try and map out our location when he received an S.O.S. call on his computer from someone claiming to have been captured by Etemon-Baka. While following the signal, we ended up finding TK-Kun's Crest of Hope, then we found a cave filled with DigiCode, there, Izzy-San and I discussed the laws of the Digital World and how we are all made of Data. Luckily, I was able to prevent the others from thinking that this was just a game, or so I thought. I had to remind Tai-Nii again and again that we are more than just zeroes and ones. However, it turned out that the quote unquote "Prisoner Of The Pyramid" was actually a Datamon, and after we had freed him, he attacked, not only Etemon-Baka, who had tried to stop us, but us as well. And just when it seemed that Datamon-Teme was going to get deleted by me, or Etemon-Baka, he kidnapped Sora-San, and ran away, wonderful. What else can go wrong?

It was now nightfall, and while Izzy-San was busy searching for Datamon-Teme using Etemon-Baka's Dark Network to track him, the rest of us sat in front of a campfire and described what had happened back there. "When Datamon wasn't able to get his revenge on Etemon-Baka, he kidnapped Sora-San and Biyomon-San and took off." Tentomon-San stated, recapping the day's events.

Then Joe-San started walking in circles as he said, "We don't have a clue where to start looking for them. Besides, we can all end up dead, or worse!"

I sighed in annoyance as I turned to glare at Joe-San and said, "Joe-San, Sora-San has just been kidnapped by Datamon-Teme, and you're refusing to save her is getting on my nerves. I'm already pissed off enough as it is, I don't need your annoying ramblings echoing off into my head right now."

Matt-San turned towards me and said, "Luke-San, I know you're angry, but can you please watch your language, TK-Kun is still awake, you know."

I tightly gripped my Tag and Crest as I sighed softly and said, "Gomen, Matt-San. I'm just a little, on edge right now." Yamato-San gave me a small nod of understanding.

Then I heard Tai-Nii ask in a very worried tone, "What if Datamon does something to Sora before we can rescue her?"

"Look Tai, he's already beaten our brains out once. What makes you think he won't do it again?" Matt-San asked Tai-Nii.

"I'm sorry! I can't help but to be worried, alright!? Is it wrong to be worried about my friends!?" Ani yelled out.

I punched the ground with anger as I yelled, "Do you guys always have to argue about everything!?" I turned to the gang with anger in my eyes as I said, "Our friends have been captured by a bloody robot, and you are all thinking negatively! Instead of thinking about our defeat, start thinking about trying to rescue Sora-San and Biyomon-San!" I grabbed my hair in anger as I yelled out, "KUSO!"

No one said anything for a while, most likely because they were in a state of shock at the moment, then I felt a pair of gentle arms wrap around me in a comforting manner, I looked behind me to see it was Olette-Chan, and she was looking at me with worry filled in her red and blue eyes. Then she said, "Luke-Kun, calm down. Getting frustrated isn't going to solve anything. You know this."

I took several deep breaths, then I gripped Olette-Chan's hands lightly as I said, "You're right, O-Hime. Gomen'nasai, everyone."

No one spoke for a while, then Matt-San turned towards me and asked, "You okay, Luke-San, you seemed stressed. More so than usual, that is."

I sadly sighed and said, "I just don't like leaving friends behind. It goes against my moral compass. Just thinking about what Datamon-Teme could be doing to Sora-San is driving me insane!" I balled my hands into fists tightly, so tightly in fact, that they were shaking.

Matt-San then nodded to show that he understood me, at least, understood my anger, at least, then he said, "We need to come up with a plan before we go anywhere."

Then Mimi-San, being the person she is, retorted with, "This is more depressing than a soap opera."

Tai-Nii looked down in anger. Deciding to try to get my mind straightened out, I pulled out my Modify Cards and started laying them down in front of me. Then Matt-San walked up to me and asked, "Yo, what are you doing, Luke-San?"

I grabbed my HyperChip card and looked at it intensely, then I said, "Trying not to worry myself."

"By looking at your Modify Cards? Seems like to me that you're preparing to take on an army." Matt-San stated with a knowing grin on his face.

I chuckled as I picked up Crescemon-Sama's Dark Archery, then I said, "As fun as that sounds, I have more important things to deal with. Besides, I am thinking of different battle strategies for the future, you know, different card combinations, and what not. And maybe a way to search for Sora-San, but it's a fool's errand."

Matt-San knelt down beside me, then he asked, "So, what strategies have you come up with so far?"

I sadly sighed and said, "For any other situation where I can just go in guns blazing, I have many. But for what we need right now?" I shook my head and said, "Nothing. The only useful one that I could use is way too risky to even Think of trying."

Mimi-San then asked in curiosity, "What would that be, Luke-San?"

I raised up my HyperChip card and said, "By using my HyperChip Modify Card, I could move faster than light and can basically search the entire desert within thirty minutes, if I'm lucky. But there lies the problem, if I were to search the entire desert on my own, if I find Datamon-Teme, I would be exhausted, thus setting me up to be captured. Or worse, I could just be wasting my time, and even if I use my Recharge Modify Card, my four main weapon cards are too dangerous if Sora-San and Biyomon-San are trapped with him."

I then extended my right arm, and watched as my shield came into existence, then I said, "And even if I used my shield and crossbow to attack, it would just be too dangerous if I accidentally hit Sora-San or Biyomon-San, and seeing how I would most likely be on my own, because I can't just carry Doru-San with me, and I can't bring Rouge with me, as helpful as she would be, Datamon-Teme is an Ultimate Level Digimon, and putting a Champion against an Ultimate, no matter how strong she is, would be too dangerous to try. And I refuse to go in without backup. And before you ask, I have already thought about having Olette-Chan lead you guys to me, but that would be too risky, and we could get spotted. So, I need a better plan then just going in as fast as possible."

I gripped my Tag and Crest in frustration, then I focused and watched as three small pebbles started rising out of the ground, but they were unstable, and fell back to the ground, then I said, "If I had more control over my powers, I would be able to find and save Sora-San, but right now, I am to frustrated to focus on not creating a massive earthquake that could bury all of us underground, so it is best if I don't act rash now." I took a meditative position by folding my legs and placing my hands on my knees and closed my eyes to try to calm myself, then I said in a calmer voice, "So, until I hear a better plan, I will not do anything."

I then heard Olette-Chan say, "You're right, there are many things that can go wrong, Luke-Kun."

I opened my eyes and nodded at her and said, "Yeah, too many holes in my plan, too many variables that are not yet calculated, too many things that can go wrong. We need an almost foolproof plan."

We all sat in silence, and I watched the fires dance around as TK-Kun and the other Digimon went to sleep. Then Matt-San looked down at the fire and said, "It's tough not knowing what to do."

Tai-Nii then sadly said, "The minute I saw what had happened I should have went after her."

I shook my head and said, "And if he didn't, I should have at least followed after the Teme myself. But I was too worried about Ani for that to even register."

Then Joe-San looked at both me and Nii-San and said, "It's no use blaming yourselves, Tai-San, Luke-San. We're all to blame." At least he was sounding reasonable right now, that is a relief.

Matt-San nodded and said, "Yeah, and we're all going to find a way to get her back."

That was when Izzy-San shouted, "HEY! I got it!" We all turned to see Izzy-San standing in the Digicode covered tunnel as he said, "I know where Sora-San is!"

That made us all jump to our feet and wake TK-Kun and followed Izzy-San into the cave, then he said, "I think Datamon only pretended to take her away. When in reality, they've been right here the whole time."

Tai-Nii turned to Izzy-San with an expression of hope in his eyes as he asked, "Are you saying that they're still inside the pyramid?!"

Izzy-San nodded vigorously and said, "Hai." Then he pressed a single button and he said, "I've discovered that way down below the pyramid there's a secret room." We all watched as the image of the pyramid's blueprints added a new pathway, then Izzy-San said, "And I just know that's where he is holding them. He's found the perfect hiding place right under Etemon's nose."

"Not a bad place as long as he isn't sneezing." Joe-San stated, I was taken back by his joke, but figured that he had more emotions than just whimpering like a frightened cat.

Tai-Nii walked up to the holographic image of the pyramid, then he said, "There's got to be a way in! I don't care what I've got to do, I'm gonna find that room, and I'm gonna bring Sora-Chan back! Guys, I totally understand if you'd rather wait here."

"Enough with the guilt trip, I'm coming with ya!" Matt-San explained, the fire in his eyes burning with determination.

"Remember the old saying, Tai-San. There's no 'I' in team." Mimi-San explained cheerfully.

"Can I come, too, if I'm brave?" TK-Kun asked in an excited tone.

I smiled and walked up to Tai-Nii and placed a hand on his shoulder, he looked at me and I said, "Ani, if you think I am going to let you go in alone, then you don't know me at all. We're brothers, we don't do things on our own. We work as a team, no matter what. Understood, Nii-San?"

Tai-Nii smiled softly at me and he said, "Thanks, Luke-Kun, for always being by my side."

I smiled back at him and asked, "What are Burazāzu for, Ani?" It was a rhetorical question, and everyone knew it. Then I summoned my shield, transformed it into the crossbow form, and with a smile I said, "I'm locked and loaded."

Olette-Chan floated up next to me and said, "Where Lukas-Kun goes, I go as well. So, I'm in."

Tai-Nii smiled softly as he said, "All right then, now, let's go get Sora-Chan, together!"

Then we all threw our fists in the air and shouted, "YEAH!"

We went out of the sphinx and saw trouble. I gritted my teeth as I sarcastically said, "Wonderful. We have Monochromon, Tyrannomon, and Gazimon, all surrounding the pyramid. We're going to have trouble getting inside without being spotted." I turned to Tentomon-San and said, "Tentomon-San, we need some reconnaissance. Can you handle that?"

Tentomon-San nodded and said, "You got it, Luke-San." Then he took off. He was gone for a few minutes. After Tentomon-San returned, he filled us in on the situation.

After calculating everything, and pinpointing where everyone was, Izzy-San then said, "Boy, with so many of the Digimon surrounding the pyramid like this, there is just no way we can get in there without somebody seeing us."

Then Matt-San brought his fist up and said, "Well, that's exactly why we're going to be acting as the decoys."

Tentomon-San nodded and said, "Right."

Joe-San then walked up to the map and pointed at an area and said, "Now, Tai-San, Luke-San, when the enemy starts chasing after us you, Agumon-San, Dorumon-San, Olette-San and Rouge have all got to get inside the pyramid quickly without being seen by anyone, got it?"

We all nodded, then I looked around at the team and asked, "You guys think you can handle things out here?"

Matt-San smiled and in a cocky voice he asked, "What do you take us for, chumps? Like we'd ever allow Etemon-Baka's goons take us down."

I chuckled hearing that, then I said, "No, I don't take you guys for chumps, I'm just being a little OVER protective, I guess."

Tai-Nii then walked over to Izzy-San and asked, "You do have directions for us, don't you?"

Izzy-San nodded and said, "Yeah, just one more thing."

Then Tai-Nii asked in a small, panicked voice, "Why do I want to throw up every time you say that?"

I chuckled and said, "Probably because it gives you the same feeling of dread that Olette-Chan gets whenever I say, 'no need to worry.' But, that's just me."

Olette-Chan lightly giggled and said, "Well, maybe it's because Izzy-San always leaves out the most dangerous things for last, just to worry you the most, Tai-Nii."

Tai-Nii grumbled at that, knowing that it was possibly very true, then Izzy-San said, "Okay now, to enter the secret room you have to take a hidden passage. But, there's another electrified wall to get past, just like the room Datamon was in."

I heard Tai-Nii gasp in shock/surprise and I turned to him to see he was frightened then I heard Agumon-San ask, "Do you think you can make it, Tai-San?"

I put my hand on his shoulder and said, "Tai-Nii, don't whimper out on me now. Now is not the time for fear, that comes later." I lightly chuckled a bit, but saw that my lovable, but still dorky Nii-San was still frozen. Then I said, "Tai-Nii, listen to me, this is not just a simple sabotage mission. This is a search and rescue mission, and Sora-San and Biyomon-San need our help. If we are scared to save them, then all is lost."

Tai-Nii looked at me, fear and doubt clear in his eyes and he asked, "But what if I...?"

But I interrupted him and said, "Taichi, this will be the only time I say this, but don't think with your head for once. Instead, think with your heart. If you care for Sora-San as much as I do, then now is not the time for over thinking anything. It is time to save our friends." I saw Tai-Nii go through a plethora of emotions, then I asked, "Now then, Tai-Nii, what do you say?"

I watched as Tai-Nii closed his eyes, and take a few deep breaths, then when he opened them up, I saw a fire burning in them, this one looked different then the fire that burned every time Tai-Nii plays soccer, this one was filled with determination, then Nii-San said, "I don't care what the wall is! I'm going through!"

I smiled at seeing the return of my Goggle-Headed brother, then I smiled evilly and said, "Now then, let's get down to business."

As we walked to the exit of the sphinx, Joe-San yelled out, "Now try not to do anything stupid and stay out of any unnecessary trouble, you guys. Remember, the important thing is saving Sora-San."

We all nodded at this and said, "Right."

Then as we were heading down, we all heard Izzy-San say, "And you guys try not to do anything stupid either, Matt-San. If you run into Etemon-Baka just turn around and run the other way."

Matt-San nodded, then he looked down to TK-Kun and asked, "You got that, Otouto?"

TK-Kun looked happily up to his Nii-San and said, "Yeah."

Mimi-San turned towards us as he ran and called out, "Whoever doesn't come back alive is going to be in a lot of trouble. Got it?"

We all gave her a thumbs up, then Rouge stated in a board tone, "Okay, enough of this mushy crud. Let's go cause some trouble already." She then jumped down the sphinx and into the sand.

I chuckled at the way Rouge acted and said, "You could act a little less excited about this, Rouge." Then me, Dorumon-San, and Olette-Chan all jumped down after her.

As Tai-Nii jumped, he said, "If this works, everybody has to get their part exactly right."

I quietly activated my Targeting Modify Card as I took note of the situation. "They're coming out of the pyramid." I said to the group. I then deactivated my Targeting card, useful as it may be, it is still useless on multiple opponents, seeing as it only locks onto a single enemy at a time.

Then Tai-Nii, hearing this, turned to everyone and said, "Take cover, everyone! Battle positions!"

Mimi-San then covered me, Doru-San, Tai-Nii, Agumon-San, Olette-Hime, Rouge, Takeru-Kun, Tokomon-San, Izzy-San, and Tentomon-San with a light brown cloak that she just happened to have on her, how she managed to hide that thing in her purse, I'll never know. Then Tai-Nii said, "Thanks, Mimi-San."

"You're welcome." She replied with a cheerful smile on her face.

Then Tai-Nii saw a group of Digimon heading towards us and said, "Get down." Mimi-San then hid underneath the cloak with Palmon-San.

Here we were, hiding under a cloak, waiting for our moment to sneak into the pyramid, then we heard Ikkakumon-San shout out, "Harpoon Torpedo!" That was when all hell broke out.

The ground started shaking, then Ikkakumon-San fired a torpedo at the pyramid itself. Then we all watched as the Tyrannomon and Monochromon charged at Ikkakumon-San. Then Ikkakumon-San fired at the sand and created a smoke cloud, then he retreated. Then we watched as Matt-San and Garurumon-San charged in, leading the Gazimon away.

I turned to the others and nodded, then I whispered, "Now's our chance. Let's move while we can." Everyone nodded, then while still under the cloak, we slowly headed for the pyramid. Once we got to the entrance, I saw Etemon-Baka coming our way and said, "Down!"

We hid under the cloak and we heard Etemon-Baka shout out, "I'm going to rid all of them troublemakers, today!" Then I peeked out and watched Etemon-Baka ride away from the pyramid.

After Etemon-Baka was gone, I heard Tai-Nii whisper, "I hope Joe-San and Matt-San make it okay."

I turned towards Nii-San and softly said, "Don't worry. As much as I make fun of him, Joe-San does have his moments."

Then we all got out from underneath the cloak and Tai-Nii said, "Come on guys, let's move out!"

Izzy-San nodded and said, "Rodger."

Then I heard Mimi-San whisper, "He forgot his name."

I chuckled, she was a god person, but she was still a bit of an airhead at times, then I turned towards Mimi-San, Palmon-San, Takaishi-Kun, Tokomon-San and said, "You four stay here and keep an eye out for any trouble."

The four nodded then the rest of us ran for the pyramid and Tai-Nii shouted out, "We'll be back!"

As we were running, Izzy-San said, "When you get to the wall just keep running!"

Tai-Nii nodded at this and shouted out, "Gotchya!"

Then we ran through the pyramid walls and entered a hallway. As we ran, Izzy-San said, "So far so good."

I nodded in agreement. "Yeah, but stay on guard, who knows WHAT we could run into." And that was true, no plan ever goes off without a problem, it was best to keep my guard up, and from the looks of everyone's aces, they were thinking along the same lines.

As we continued following Izzy-San he said, "This is the right way, I'm sure."

Just as we made the next turn, we saw that the path was blocked off by debris. "Oh, no, the passage is blocked." Olette-Chan said in surprise.

"It's a dead end." Agumon-San stated.

"Not necessarily. Why don't we try that door over there?" Izzy-San said, pointing to another passageway.

Tai-Nii was the first to look through, then he said, "It's clear. Let's go." We then continued on our travels.

As we were traveling, we came to a see though wall and watched as the Gazimon kept running back and forth, and then Tai-Nii said, "Looks like the Gazimon have figured out we're here."

"And we're so close to the room..." Izzy-San stated, looking down at his laptop, probably checking for any alternative routes. He must have found a possible route because he said, "I think the main passage that leads to the privet entrance to Etemon-Baka's lab is located at the bottom of this stairway."

I cracked my knuckles, ready to save the girl who I saw as a Nee-San and said, "Let's move!"

Then we felt the ground shake, we looked to see Etemon-Baka come crashing down right on top of us. Out of quick instinct, we all ran away from Etemon through the fake wall, that he simply destroyed, then he said, "Now, before I cancel you like a bad sitcom, direct me to Datamon."

I glared at Etemon, summoned my shield, and took a defensive pose, then I said, "Gomen, but we have more important things to deal with then you, Etemon-Baka."

But, just before I could do anything else, Izzy-San ran in front of us and yelled, "Go find Sora-San! Tentomon-San, Digivolve!"

D-I-G-I-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N

And in a flash of light, Tentomon-San was gone, and Kabuterimon-San took his place. Etemon-Baka was taken back by this sudden Digivolution, then I turned to everyone and said, "We need to get out of here, quickly."

They all nodded, and we all ran as fast as we could, but before we were out of range, Tai-Nii yelled out, "Hold him, Kabuterimon-San!"

Then we ran through the next wall and down a set of stairs. Then we came to a stop. Right at the electrified fence. Then I heard Tai-Nii said, "Oh, great!"

"An electric wall." Stated Agumon-San in pure sarcasm.

"You think Sora and Biyomon are behind this wall, Luke-Kun?" Olette-Chan asked me in worry.

I looked at her, then at the fence and closed my eyes, then I said, "They have to be."

Then Agumon-San turned towards his partner and said, "I could break through it, Tai-San."

"Why don't you do the honors, Luke-San?" Dorumon-San asked me with a grin, then he asked, "Or, I would be more than happy to break it down."

Just as I was about to aim the wall, Tai-Nii walked in front of us and said, "No, I'll do it, guys."

"Are you sure, Tai-San?" Agumon-San asked, confused as to Tai-Nii's decision.

I looked at my Nii-San with a curious expression as he said, "Not exactly..." Then he started walking to the wall and he said, "But if I don't do this on my own, right here, right now, I might never be able to do it." The Digimon and Olette-Hime were confused at this, then Tai-Nii said, "A man must face himself before he could face his enemies." Tai-Nii then raised his hand to the wall.

I smiled at this, knowing that this was his way of overcoming the Phobos incident, and prove that he can be courageous, then I said, "Wait, Ani." Tai-Nii looked to me as I walked up to him. I grabbed his hand and said, "We're brothers, and no matter what, we always do things together. They're my friends too, and I failed to protect them before, but I won't fail here. I won't fail you."

Tai-Nii smiled and said, "Arigatō, Luke-Chan. Maybe you can share some of your courage with me."

I smiled at Nii-San, be it, with a slight twitch in my eye as I said, "Only if you promise to protect me when I need it."

Then Agumon-San seemed to have a lightbulb appear above his head as he said, "I think I understand it. Go for it, you guys!"

"We know you can do it!" Dorumon-San cheered with a smile on his face.

"Don't screw up now!" Called out Rouge. I quickly turned to her with a glare, but saw that she was grinning at me, not an evil grin, but a cocky smirk, or perhaps, a playful grin.

Then Olette-Chan placed a hand on both of our shoulders and said, "Just have faith in each other!"

Then I looked to Ani, knowing that this was our time, no, this was his time, I was just a support for him and asked, "You ready, Ani?"

Tai-Nii weakly nodded, I could see the fear in his eyes, then I said, "Do you remember what I said yesterday, Ani? Being brave does not mean having no fear. It means being able to face your fears. Now then, let's do this! Together."

And with one final shove, Tai-Nii's and my hands went right through the wall, signaling that we had found the weak point!

Then Tai-Nii shouted out in shocked joy, "It's a fake!"

I smirked, then saw that both of our crests were glowing, then I thought, 'Courage and Protection go hand in hand. Without having someone you want to protect, you can't really be courageous. And without having the courage to face your fears, you will never be able to protect anyone. In that way, they are like me and Tai-Nii, brothers.'

Then Agumon-San jumped in the air as he cheered, "Yipppeee!"

But the joy quickly turned to fear when Etemon-Baka and Kabuterimon-San came tumbling down the stairs. Then Etemon-Baka stood up as he turned towards us and said, "So, we meet again."

I gritted my teeth and said, "Yeash. This guy's like the plague. You get rid of him for a short while, but he keeps on coming back. Dorumon-San, you ready to rumble?"

And Tai-Nii turned to his partner and called out, "Agumon-San!"

Both Digimon nodded, then with a raise of my D-Ark, and a flash from Tai-Nii's Digivice, two Rookies transformed into two Champions. Then Greymon-San said, "Tai-San, Luke-San, Olette-San, you three break through to Sora-San."

Dorugamon-San nodded and said, "Rouge, you ready to play?"

Rouge darkly smiled as she extended her claws and I SWEAR that I saw an evil glint shine in her eyes as she said, "Yeah, let's dance."

"Good luck, Greymon-San!" Tai-Nii called out.

"Rouge, Dorugamon-San, be careful!" I called out. Both Digimon nodded, then I turned to Tai-Nii and said, "Let's go!"

Everyone nodded and we ran through the fence. When we came through, we saw Sora-San standing there, seemingly unharmed. Then Tai-Nii said, "Sora-Chan, are you all right?"

At first I was glad, thinking that she had somehow broken free, but then I observed the room. First I had taken notice of Datamon-Teme standing next to Sora-Nee, then I noticed the blank look on her face. 'Something's wrong here.'

"What do you mean, Luke-Kun?" Olette-Chan asked me through our mental link.

I looked at her and thought, 'Why is she just standing there next to Datamon-Teme? She should have ran the moment she was free.'

Tai-Nii, not aware of our inner thoughts, tried calling out to Sora-Nee, "Sora-Chan! Speak to me! Sora-Chan!" Tai-Nii then ran to the frozen Sora-Nee.

But he was stopped by a voice calling out, "That's not Sora-San!"

We all turned and saw Biyomon-San chained to the wall, and the real Sora-Nee strapped to a weird device. Then Biyomon-San said, "That's just a copy!"

Then the real Sora-Nee weakly said, "Here, Tai-Kun, Luke-San!"

That was when Datamon-Teme began chuckling darkly as said, "And now the copy is finished. I will give her the magic Crest, and she will become the new Sora, and do whatever I require of her."

But Tai-Nii decided to break the looney Digimon's dreams as he ran for Sora-Nee's Tag, Crest Of Love, and her Digivice and me and Olette-Hime ran to Sora-Nee, as Tai-Nii ran he said, "That's what you think, you pile of junk." Then he grabbed Sora-Nee's stuff.

While Tai-Nii was dealing with Datamon, I ran to free Sora-Nee. "Sora-nee, are you hurt?"

Sora-Nee shook her head, then she said, "No, just a little stiff."

I chuckled and said, "Yeah, I bet." I then proceeded to free Sora-Nee from her prison.

While I was doing that, Olette-Chan began freeing Biyomon-San, "What about you, Biyomon-San?"

"I think my feathers are bruised, but other than that, I'm fine, Olette-San." Biyomon-San said as Olette-Chan finished freeing her.

But then I heard Datamon-Teme's voice say in a cocky tone, "I cannot permit two mere boys and a spectral spirit girl to spoil my plans for vengeance."

When he said that, the ground below us opened up, then in an instant, me and Tai-Nii grabbed Sora-Nee and tried pulling her up, but even together we couldn't pick her up, then Tai-Nii turned towards Olette-Hime and Biyomon-San and yelled out, "Olette-Imouto! Biyomon-San!"

We both watched as, not even a second later, Olette-Chan floated right next to us and grabbed Sora-Nee-San, while the three of us weren't strong enough to bring her up, we were at least able to keep her from falling into whatever nightmare inducing thing laid out underneath us.

I turned to Datamon-Teme as he walked up to us and said, "That is the center of Etemon's Dark Power Network. Anything sucked in there is lost to all eternity. And since I have no use for the original I'll simply get rid of it."

Datamon-Teme then grabbed both mine and Tai's arms to try and us drop Sora-Nee, and seeing as how Olette-Chan was now the only one keeping her steady, we knew that it wouldn't be enough, but I wasn't willing to let her go, and neither was Tai-Nii, or Olette-Chan. Then Biyomon-San called out, "Tai-San, the Crest!"

Then Datamon-Teme looked over to Nii-San's hands and saw the Tag, Crest, and Digivice and he said, "Yes. The Crest is the means by which you may save the maidens life. If you give it to me, immediately!"

I glared at Datamon-Teme, wishing that my glares would turn him into dust, and I heard Tai-Nii say, "Yeah? Why don't you go tell Etemon-Baka your sad story, because we're not interested!" Then Tai-Nii dropped Sora-Nee's Digivice and her Tag and Crest Of Love.

Then as these things fell, I called out, "Sora-Nee, Catch!" And it wasn't until that moment did I realize that I had been calling Sora-San my older sister, 'I guess it took a kidnapping for me to realize that I saw her as an older sister.' I looked over to Nii-San and thought, 'Now, if only Nii-San would realize how he feels about her as well.' This entire realization took only a few seconds.

The reason why I knew this is because once I finished my thoughts, I instantly heard Datamon-Teme cry out, "No, wait!"

I couldn't resist what came next as I chuckled at Datamon-Teme's panic and asked, "Not scared, are ya, Datamon-Teme?"

D-I-G-I-V-O-L-U-T-I-O-N

And then, in a flash of blinding white light, Biyomon-San Digivolved into Birdramon-San. And then she flew over the pit, but Datamon-Teme said, "Stay back you blasted crow!" Then we all grabbed onto her feet being lifted upwards, me and Olette-Hime on one side, and Tai-Nii and Sora-Nee on the other, and as we were making our grand exit, I heard Datamon-Teme furiously ask, "What do you think you're doing?"

Then we broke through the false wall, crushing Etemon-Baka underneath us in the process. I ran to Dorugamon-San, still up and ready for another round, but turned to see Etemon-Baka was being shocked multiple times and, with a barely restrained smile, I said, "Well, would you look at that, the King has just been dethroned. Shocking, isn't it?"

"We made it!" Izzy-San cheered loudly.

Then Sora-Nee looked towards us with an expression of pure relief as she said, "I'd never thought I'd see you again."

I turned to Sora-Nee with a smile and said, "You're like an older sister to me, Sora-Nee. Of course I'd come for you."

Sora-Nee blinked and asked, "Really, Luke-San?" I nodded, then Sora looked at Olette-Hime and Tai-Nii and asked, "What about you, Olette-San?"

Olette-Chan twirled her hair between her fingers as she said, "Like Luke-Kun said, we're all friends here, and if Luke-Kun sees you as a Nee-San, then, so do I." Her smile never leaving her face as she spoke.

Sora-Nee seemed to blush lightly at this, probably because she was embarrassed at the fact that someone saw her as an older sister, then she turned to Nii-San and asked, "What about you, Tai-Kun?"

Tai-Nii jumped to the side in surprise, then he blushed madly and nervously asked, "Wha…? Who me? Well, I…" It was kinda funny seeing the brave and fearless leader of our group be turned into a stuttering mess as he tried to find his words, then he looked in front of us and said, "Hey, here comes the others!"

Saving the time for teasing for later, I looked to where he was looking and saw that he was right, we all ran to catch up with the rest of our friends, everyone was back together. Then our Digimon busted out if the pyramid and Sora-Nee said, "We're over here!"

But then I suddenly stopped in my tracks as I felt something. It felt as if something was telling me that something had gone wrong, and without really meaning it, I said, "I feel a disturbance in the Force."

Everyone looked at me in confusion, then my eyes widened in realization, as there was only one thing that it could mean, then I yelled out, "RUN!" And I started running away from the pyramid, and no one dared to ask why, and instead, chose to run as well. And not two seconds later, all of the Digimon that were patrolling the pyramid were being sucked up into the pyramid.

Then I heard something that sent a chill down my spine. "Someone, help me!" Came the panicked voice of Rouge.

I turned around and saw Rouge being lifted off of Dorugamon-San's back, like she was being sucked in by the same force of the rest of the Digimon, and within seconds, she was air born. "ROUGE!" I screamed as I tried to catch her, but I wasn't quick enough.

That was when I saw Olette-Chan glare at this, which was something that, until today, I had never seen before. And then, without a moment's notice, she took off like a bullet, she flew after Rouge, and just as she was about to enter the pyramid, Olette-Chan caught her, and held her close to her chest, then she flew right alongside me, and I saw the frightened look on Rouge's face, it wasn't something I have ever seen before.

Then I heard Olette-Chan whisper in an almost motherly tone, "Shh, shh, there, there. It's okay, Rouge-Chan, it's okay. You're okay. You're safe now."

We all watched as Rouge buried her face in Olette-Hime's hair, almost as if she were trying to disappear. And then the image of a frightened child trying to burry itself into the hair of their Kāsan appeared in my eyes. Then I worriedly asked, "Rouge, what happened?"

Rouge looked at me, and I could see the fear in her face, to think that the legendary Demon Lord Of Lust, Lilithmon would looked so scared, it actually frightened me, then we all heard her as she said, "It was like, I was being sucked into that dark network. I could feel it pulling on my inner darkness and try to absorb me. I'm… I'm scared."

She then buried her face back in Olette-Chan's shoulder, and I could feel the tears building up in my eyes. Rouge may be many things, rude, sarcastic, a bit sadistic, and a literal DEMON, but beyond all of that, scared is one of the few things that I have only seen twice. When Rouge was first released from the Black Gear, and the second when I discovered her past.

It was then that I realized something, "You've been hiding behind a mask all this time, haven't you, Rouge?" I asked, mostly to myself, because she was probably too busy trying to center herself to even hear anyone. 'It makes sense, when she was returned to a DigiEgg, she had to have lost a lot of her power, and now, only a Champion level, she may still be one of the Seven Great Demon Lords, but even she would have to be afraid of something.' My respect for Rouge just grew at that moment, and I decided to try to be nicer to her from here on out.

But before I could get an answer, the pyramid started to light up like a Christmas tree, and we all stopped and landed, and Sora-Nee said, "Look at the pyramid!"

I turned to Rouge, and saw that she was glaring again, possibly trying to recover some of her bravado. Then I heard Tai-Nii say, "It's disintegrating!"

Then the pyramid collapsed and out came Etemon-Baka, now fused with the dark core of his Dark Network. Then he started laughing maniacally. I could actually FEEL the dark energy flowing out of him, I shivered at the dark energy and said, "That's not good."

Then Etemon-Baka said, "All right now. Let's see a show of hands, how many actually missed me, huh?" I swear, the way his voice sounded, made me think that he thought himself as Kami, and that, well, that, I won't allow that to happen.

I had to hold back the vomit from seeing Etemon-Teme, then as I brought my D-Ark in front of me, I said, "I missed you like I miss Devimon-Teme."

Then everyone else gasped in shock at Etemon-Baka's return and Tai-Nii tightened his fists as he asked, "What's with this guy?"

Etemon-Baka then said, "I told you I'd come back and take my revenge on you." As Etemon-Baka spoke, it looked like the Digital World was being sucked into the dark orb that the Teme was fused to. "You didn't believe me, did you?"

I put my sunglasses over my eyes, summoned my Crossbow and said, "Believe me, this'll hurt! Aporo no kami no ya!" Then I fired what is starting to become my signature attack.

And I wasn't the only one attacking. Birdramon-San launched a Meteor Wing, Dorugamon-San fired a Cannonball, Kabuterimon-San launched an Electro Shocker, but no matter how many attacks hit, it did absolutely nothing.

In fact, I was beginning to think that all we were doing was tickling Etemon-Baka, and he all but proved this as he said, "Hey, that was pretty good. I give it a 9.6. Now then, are you ready for a fast ball?" He then threw a Dark Network at the Digimon, and the ball kept moving, and when it hit the sand, it caused the area to distort.

Then Etemon-Baka threw another one at the sphinx, and Joe-San exclaimed, "That one's headed right for the sphinx!" We all watched as the sphinx was pretty much ERASED from existence with that one attack.

"Ahh, the sphinx melted!" Mimi-San cried out in shock.

But Izzy-San shook his head as he stated, "Melting doesn't even describe it."

"We've tried everything, and nothing can stop him...I guess this is the end." Sora-Nee said.

Then Joe-Baka, the oh so cheerful guy that he was, then said, "I was hoping to skip algebra class, but not like this."

I looked down at my Crest and saw the shield image that seemed to glow a bright green, then I tightened my fist around said Crest and said, "No, not everything."

Me and Tai-Nii looked at one another and he nodded and said, "No, I'm not ready to surrender to Etemon-Baka just yet!" Tai-Nii then turned to me and asked, "You ready, Otouto?"

I cracked my knuckles, and my neck, then I said, "You better believe it. Dorugamon-San, time to kick it up a notch!"

Tai-Nii then turned to Greymon-San and asked, "Coming, Greymon-San?"

"Time to Rock 'N' Roll, Jeremy." Dorugamon-San said, a ferocious grin clear on his lips.

And Greymon-San walked right beside Doru-San and said, "I'm right behind you."

The four of us stood next to one another, then I said, "Well, then, time to kick this king off his throne." And with that, we charged into battle.

Then as we charged at Etemon, the faux king asked, "What do we have here sports fans? A new batter steps to the plate."

Tai-Nii clenched his Crest as he said, "I'm not afraid of you, you big blow hard."

I smirked and couldn't resist the joke that came to my head as I said, "I've seen butterflies scarier than you."

Then me and Tai-Nii lifted up our Tags and Crests to the sky and we both said, "Come down here and fight like a mon!"

Then I heard Mimi-San yell out, "Tai-San, Luke-San, what are you guys doing? You guys don't stand a chance."

Then Etemon-Baka smirked at us as he said, "Hey, you boys are brave, I like that."

He then threw another Dark Network at Greymon-San and Dorugamon-San, knocking them both down, and causing me to feel some pain in my left arm. Tai-Nii then ran up to his partner and said, "Don't worry Greymon-San, I'm staying with you!"

"Dorugamon, open your heart to me! Open your mind to me! Let's show this guy why we're the number one tag team!" I said to my partner as I stood by his side. "Let's show this guy what it truly means to protect someone!"

Then both of our Tags, Crests and Digivices started glowing. Greymon-San got up and said, "Tai-San, your Courage is giving me even greater strength. I can Digivolve!"

Dorugamon-San's eyes shot open, glowing brightly, and I could have sworn that I saw them flash green for a single moment, and he looked at me and said, "Jeremy-San, I can feel your will to protect, I'm ready to Digivolve!"

Me and Tai-Nii shared a look, then we nodded. We ran to stand next to each other, and it seemed like nature itself was going out of control, as suddenly picked up, circling around the both of us, creating a small sandstorm.

Then our Digivices began to shake rapidly, and my D-Ark changed color. It was once again blue with red buttons, while Tai's Digivice turned Orange with blue buttons. Then four beams of light shot up into the sky, only for them to converge into two lights that struck Dorugamon-San and Greymon-San, and caused the small sandstorm to become massive, enveloping all four of us.

D.I.G.I.V.O.L.U.T.I.O.N.

"Dorugamon Digivolve to..."

"Greymon Digivolve to..."

Dorugamon-San then transformed from a black furred wolf, into a massive quadrupedal red dragon with white fur going down his stomach. He was once again, "DoruGreymon!"

Greymon-San, however, had some cyber enhancements. First, his left arm became cybernetic. His bone skull turned to metal, and he gained, what I guess you can call wings, and a metal chest plate. And while he didn't really get any bigger, he did become, "MetalGreymon!" And after they had called out their new names, the sandstorm was blown away, revealing two Ultimate level Digimon, staring down a deranged false king.

Then Etemon-Baka begun laughing as he said, "Lookie here, two fully evolved Digimon! Well I can handle them, too. Just watch me, kids."

Then, from my connection from Olette-Chan, I heard Joe-San ask, "MetalGreymon?"

"It was the power from Tai-San's Crest." Matt-San stated, "I find it funny that Luke-San and Tai-San's Digimon have similar Ultimate level forms."

"Well, it could be just as you said, Matt-San." I heard Olette-Chan say. "The fact that they are brothers, and very close to one another, could be the reason why their partners have 'Greymon' in their names."

Then Tentomon-San said, "MetalGreymon uses his own body as a weapon during battle. His most lethal instrument is the Giga Destroyer!"

"Prodigious!" I heard from Izzy-San as he said, "And because Luke-San is always more, hands on when fighting Digimon, DoruGreymon could reflect Luke-San's more direct approach, showing why DoruGreymon-San looks more like a dragon, while Tai-San is headstrong, and reckless, which can be compared to MetalGreymon's weaponry, like his Giga Destroyer!"

Then I was brought back to my battle when I heard Tai-Nii call out, "Etemon-Baka is everybody's enemy!" Nii-San brought his right hand out clenched as a fist, while his left hand rested sideways on his hand as he said, "Now, awaken, The Sun Goddess, Amaterasu!" I turned to Tai-Nii and watched as separated his hands and from between his hands, I saw black flames appear from his right hand, and now I saw that he was now glowing a bright orange glow, and Digicode stared to accumulate around his arm with the black flames from his hand. And in a flash of fire, there was a shield on his right arm in the shape of the Crest Of Courage. Then Tai-Nii said in a unified voice, one was his own, and the other, was Amaterasu, "Use the power of the Crest!"

Then I heard Etemon-Baka laugh loudly as he asked, "Is there no end to your stupidity? Maybe I could put an end to it for you." Etemon-Baka then threw a Dark Network ball at MetalGreymon-San, only for MetalGreymon-San to cut it to pieces.

Etemon-Baka was frightened by that display of power, then I smirked and in a duel voice of my own, asked, "What's the matter, Etemon? Scared already?"

Then Tai-Nii lifted up his shield and said, "Now, feel the full force of the Sun Goddess! From heaven and earth, dusk to dawn, night to day, ignite the sparks of the fire, and transcend! Amaterasu no ken!" Then Tai-Nii's shield soon erupted into a raging dark inferno, only to be replaced with a sleek three-foot-long Knights Sword, with the Crest Of Courage as the center of the hand guard. Then Tai-Nii crossed his arm over his chest, then extended it outwards and shouted, "Amaterasu no inferuno!" And from the sword, came a dark red fire that shot out at Etemon-Baka, who was then lit ablaze.

Etemon-Baka's response was instantaneous as he then cried out, "Ow! It burns! This fire is hotter than I am! Ouch!"

I then aimed my Crossbow right at the Baka and said, "Here, have another taste of my Aporo no kami no ya!" And with that, I fired a glowing green arrow at Etemon-Baka, doing some serious damage.

Then me and Tai-Nii shared a look and nodded, then we said, "Now! All together! Let's finish him off while we have the power!"

MetalGreymon-San started it off by charging at Etemon-Baka, knocking him right into DoruGreymon-San, who brought his tail in front of him and called out, "Bloody Tower!" And sent spear after spear at Etemon-Baka. Then me and Tai-Nii used a combination attack at Etemon-Baka, creating a burning arrow.

Then Etemon-Baka began breathing heavily as he asked, "What's the matter with you?! Don't you know the rules? There's no head butting allowed. And since when is four on one allowed?"

Then MetalGreymon-San and DoruGreymon-San started glowing brightly. Then I felt Olette-Chan and Rouge appeared right next to me. I turned and asked, "What are you girls doing here? It's too dangerous"

Olette-Chan looked at me with a strange expression, one that I couldn't pinpoint what it means, then she said, "I don't know, something just told me to be here at this point. I don't know why."

Then we heard Etemon-Baka loudly say, "No! Don't Destroy me! I've got too much talent!"

But our Digimon didn't really care about him any more as DoruGreymon raised his head up high as a massive ball of iron began forming above his, then he shouted, "Metal Meteor!"

While my partner was doing that, MetalGreymon-San shouted, "Giga-Blaster!"

While that was happening, the metal chest plate on MetalGreymon-San opened up to reveal two shark-like torpedoes, and DoruGreymon-San finished creating the massive iron sphere above his body, then threw it at Etemon-Baka. The two attacks converged and created a huge explosion. Then Etemon-Baka covered his face in a desperate, but pointless attempt to protect himself, shouted, "You must not defeat me! I'm just too important to dieeeee!" Then it looked like Etemon-Baka was transported to another dimension or something.

But before we could enjoy our victory, we felt ourselves being pulled into whatever vortex we created. I looked to Olette-Chan and quickly grabbed onto her and held her close as I said, "Don't let go!" But just before we could go anywhere, DoruGreymon-San put his tail down to stop us. Still holding onto Olette-Chan, I looked up to Doru-San and said, "Thanks for the catch, Doru-San, now don't let go!" But it wasn't to last, as all of us, me, Tai-Nii, Olette-Chan, DoruGreymon-San, MetalGreymon-San, and Rouge, were all sucked into the vortex, then everything went white.

When I could see things again, I felt exhausted, and I rubbed my head to find that I was sweating, and I wasn't the only one, Olette-Chan was as well, and so was Tai-Nii and Rouge. I noticed that MetalGreymon-San and DoruGreymon-San were now, once again Koromon-San, and Dorimon-San. At first we were confused as to where we were, then I heard Tai-Nii asked, "Where are we?"

I rubbed my eyes, not really believing what I was seeing, and I said, "I think, I think we're home, Ani."

Olette-Chan looked around and asked, "This is your home? It's really pretty."

Then I heard Tai-Nii softly say, "We're, we're home."

And so, Tai-Nii unleashed to full power of his crest, he caused Greymon-San to Digivolve into MetalGreymon, and we worked together to defeat Etemon-Baka. But now we end up back at home and no signs of our friends. The biggest question now remains, is any of this for real, or not?

Thechaosmaster: And there we have it! This chapter is finally done, after, let's see here, Monday, Tuesday, that's one, two, wow, a week. Dang. Anyways, I'm sorry to keep you guys and girls all waiting, but, I got distracted. But no worries, I'm here now, and that's it.

Kurivolt: By the way, because of Chaos's forgetfulness, he failed to mention that he's FINALLY updated his Author's page.

Chaos smacks himself for forgetting: Right! On my Authors page, I have created a list of what I am going to be doing in the future. Not all of it will be set in stone, but the last part mentions a small plan for the Hero and The Dragon, go look at the Authors page, then head to the Hero And the Dragon to leave your reviews relating to that plan. I won't put it here because I am too lazy to write it again.

Kurivolt: Now than, before Chaos completely crashes, we like to bid you all adieu.

Chaos,: Oh! Before I forget, the eleventh was my 22nd birthday so, yeah! Consider this, my late birthday present to you guys! Later.

Kurivolt: Bye.

CHAOS CONTROL!

Thechaosmaster: Okay…

Blossom: You're late, again!

Chaos's eyes begin to twitch, then he puts on a dule disk and activates a Trap Card: Activate Spellbinding Circle!

Red watches as a green ring with strange symbols appeared around her and asks: What? What is the meaning of this, boss?

I got tired of all of your constant insults when I am trying to be serious with these Author Notes.

Red scoffs and asks, "Yeah? And what are you going to do with me? Kill me?

Chaos smirks evilly as he pulls out a switch out from nowhere and says: No. But after this, you'll wish for the sweet, sweet release of death.

Red watches as Chaos presses the button, and Red watches as a curtain appears out of nowhere, only to be pulled apart to reveal: No! Not that! ANYTHING BUT THAT!

LEE!

GUY-SENSEI!

LEE!

GUY-SENSEI!

LEE!

GUY-SENSEI!

Red: NOOOOOOOO!

Chaos chuckles madly as Red watches the most evil thing ever created: Now, you shall begin to fear the sunset! AHAHAHAHAHAH *cough cough* Ugh, damn evil laughs. Anyways, guys, sorry for my lack of updates lately, I just haven't been able to figure out what to do. *Glances over to Red, who was desperately trying to break free from the Spellbinding Circle and failing* Don't worry about Red, I always treat my Dule Monster Cards fairly

Red: NOT THE SUNSET! ANYTHING BUT THE SUNSET! MAKEIT STOP! SWEET MERCIFUL KAMI! MAKE IT STOP! MY EYES ARE BURNING!

Chaos sweatdrops: I don't think I'll ever understand why people think that the Sunset Genjutsu is so horrifying. Anyways, in this updated chapter you may have, okay, you HAVE to have noticed that Luke started calling Sora his older sister, this is just him seeing her as family. It will have almost nothing with getting Tai and Sora together, at first. LOL. Well, that's all I have to say, so, hey, Red, you have anything left to say?

Red: END THIS NIGHTMARE! I'M SORRY FOR ANNOYING YOU! JUST PLEASE STOP THE SUNSET!

Chaos: Well, while I make sure I didn't accidently cause Red to need a therapist, you guys can leave your reviews to let me know your thoughts.

Red: SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING! MIGHT DAI HAS JOINED IN THE HUG AND NOW THERE IS AN ECLIPES DURING THE SUNSET! WHICH SHOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE!

CHAOS CONTROL!