Chapter 2

Destiny Islands

Two boys sit along a palm tree with a horizontal trunk, staring out at the vast sea. Clutched in one of the boy's hands is a letter, which he had pulled from the now-empty bottle, resting at his feet. The words continue to repeat in his mind:

I wanted to tell you right away,

About memories from the past that sleep within you,

And about the pieces that will tie you to your future.

Sora, Riku, Kairi,

the truth behind the Keyblade,

has found its way through so many people,

and now I know that it rests in your hearts.

Sora,

you are who you are because of those people, but they're hurting,

and you're the only one who can end their sadness. They need you.

It's possible that all your journeys so far,

have been preparing you for this great new task that's waiting for you.

I should have known there were no coincidences— only links in a much larger chain of events.

And now the door to your next journey is ready to be opened.

-Mickey

"So…nothing's changed, huh?" a young man with long, silvery-purple hair asks his spiky haired counterpart.

"Nope. Nothing will," the boy answers.

"What a small world…"

"But part of one that's much bigger," the boy adds cheerily.

"Yeah…" the purple haired one replied. "And getting bigger every time I turn around."

"So Riku…what do you think it was—the door to light I mean?" The boy identified as Riku merely raises a hand and points, touching his index finger to his friend's chest. "This."

"This?" the boy asks, placing his own hand over his heart.

"Yeah. It's always closer than you think."

The two sit in silence for a few more moments before Riku sighs and asks, "Sora…"

"Riku?" the boy now identified as Sora responds.

"Your mind's made up?"

"Yea."

Riku turns away again, frowning, though he perks up slightly as he sees a girl walking over to them.

"Sora…" she says as she gets close, causing Sora to jump from his seat on a horizontal tree trunk, as if startled. "Kairi, I… It's just… They really need me. I have to go. I am who I am…because of them. Kairi almost seems to chuckle at the boy, but she holds it in, letting only her bright smile beam off of her face. She reaches out and grabs his hand, placing a star-shaped charm in it. "See you soon," she adds simply.

In the Sixth realm of the DigitalWorld

A long azure dragon with a great beard and chains covering his body hovers over three other massive creatures. He seems solemn as his three friends file in, moving as close to them as their bulky sizes will allow.

"This had better be important!" a great red bird squawks. "Our next regular counsel is not to be for at least a digital fortnight. What reason could you possibly have for calling one so early?"

"Calm yerself, Zhuqiaomon. I'm sure old Azulongmon's got his reasons for calling us in," a two headed turtle with a tree on his back replies. Azulongmon almost appears to ignore them, his eyes closed as if meditating in the presence of his guests.

"What is troubling you, my friend?" the fourth creature, a great white tiger with purple stripes and purple mask asks. "I haven't seen you this tense since the Chaos…"

"I feel it," Azulongmon interrupts, flinging open his eyes. "An incredible disturbance, like one I've never felt before."

"What kind of disturbance?" the tiger asks, as both the turtle and bird cease their bickering to turn and pay attention.

"You don't feel it? It must not have reached the west just yet then. A great chill. A sense of dread. As if the realm will soon be devoured by it."

"Well there be only one thing that could do that, laddie. But the Chaos was soundly defeated by those humans and their partners."

"This isn't the Chaos. It's something else… worse even…" Azulongmon responds, giving his full attention to his guests. "I called you here to counsel on what we might do about it."

"There is nothing to counsel on if we don't know what it is," Zhuqiaomon rebuts. "You're the only one here even detecting anything wrong and I'm not thoroughly convinced anything is. Exactly what kind of plans do you expect to make?"

"I don't know, Zhuqiaomon!" Azulongmon rebuts, unexpectedly harshly based on the fact that Zhuqiaomon seemed startled. "I don't know…" Azulongmon repeats, this time more calmly. "But I know we must do something. Whatever this new threat is…it…far exceeds even our combined power…"

"What!?" Zhuqiaomon squawks as Baihumon and Ebonwumon exchange concerned glances. "That is not possible! The four of us together are the most powerful force in the Digital World. Nothing, and I mean nothing, could ever be more powerful than us."

"How can you be sure?" Baihumon asks. "Both Yggdrassil and Huanglongmon exceed us in power after all. It's not entirely unheard of…"

"Name me one digimon, or one group of digimon, that even comes close!" Zhuqiaomon rebuts.

"The demon lords do," one of Ebonwumon's heads speaks up. "Perhaps it is they who threaten our realms."

"No. It's not them," Azulongmon interjects once more. "This is much more powerful and much more malevolent."

"Then it certainly isn't anything of this world," Baihumon adds.

"My thoughts exactly," Azulongmon states with a nod.

"Then it is the humans who dare to threaten us again!" Zhuqiaomon squawks while emanating heat. "We won't be so soft on them this time!"

"I doubt those good lassies and laddies have anything to do it, Zhuqiaomon," Ebonwumon retorts. "They did help us fight the Chaos, after all."

"Yes, and perhaps they can help us with whatever this is too," Baihumon adds in support.

"We do not need the assistance of humans!" Zhuqiaomon scoffs. "Allow me to send an agent to…investigate…their involvement. If it's true that they have nothing to do with whatever this is, than I'll be satisfied to accept their help, if they wish to give it."

"I'm sure they will be happy to help again," Azulongmon replies, "but we shouldn't drag them into this just yet. We ourselves do not understand the nature of the enemy and it would be improper to ask humans to risk themselves for our sake without at least that."

"Ye really need to stop thinking the worst of those kids, Zhuqiaomon," Ebonwumon's other head adds. "They are heroes of the Digital World, ye know."

"Unlike you fools, I neither rely upon nor desire human assistance. We digital beings are perfectly capable of managing our own affairs!"

"Because we managed the Chaos so well on our own until those humans came to assist us," Baihumon adds with a mild chuckle.

"As I recall, they came because Zhuqiaomon had been sending our devas to attack them."

"And to reclaim the light of digivolution!" Zhuqiaomon squawks with annoyance. "I was the only one who cared to do that, if you recall!"

The four beasts laugh, lifting some of the gloom that had permeated their counseling session. The laugh does not last very long however, as Baihumon turns toward the chamber entrance and snarls. "Someone approaches! An uninvited guest!"

Azulongmon slithers out, followed by his 3 companions, as they exit, they find a glimmering and proud form waiting for them.

"Imperialdramon?" Azulongmon asks, relaxing slightly. "So you got my message?" the knight waits for each of the sovereigns to relax before responding, "I did…"

"And? Will the Royal Knights answer the call?" Instead of a reply, Imperialdramon turns around and picks up a digimon by the neck that the beasts had not noticed until now. The dog-like digimon squirms in the knight's grip, howling in pain before the knight tosses him over to the four beasts. "There is your answer, my sovereigns."

"What is the meaning of this treachery?" Baihumon asks through a snarl.

"Simple. The knights serve a higher cause than you. And you, my sovereigns, have outlived your usefulness to that power…"

"You can't mean…" Ebonwumon starts.

"The door shall soon open and the darkness shall flood this realm. Make peace with your ends, my sovereigns… You and all you have guarded shall soon belong to the darkness."

"Phoenix Fire!"

"Aurora Force!"

Zhuqiaomon and Azulongmon attempt to attack but a great, dark sphere appears behind Imperialdramon and he steps back into it. He vanishes before the attacks can strike, the only indication that he was there being his echoing laugh.

"I would not believe it if I had not seen it with my own eyes…" Baihumon states, still clearly dumbfounded.

"The Royal Knights…betraying their own realm…" Ebonwumon mumbles in disbelief.

"Lord Yggdrassil must be informed of his servant's treachery," Azulongmon adds after a moment or so. "And we should send for the tamers: if the Royal Knights would turn, they may be the only ones we can trust now."

"I hate admitting it," Zhuqiaomon speaks up, "but I'm not sure we have much of a choice."

The hound-like creature struggles to return to its feet before merely collapsing back down. "Dobermon…what happened when you brought them our message?" Dobermon growls lightly, trying to compose himself for his sovereign before answering, "When I told them…of the darkness… they already knew…"

"We got that much," Ebonwumon responds. "Anything else?"

"There was… a human with them… with silver hair…"

"Humans are involved then…" Baihumon mumbles, mostly to himself.

"All the more reason to send word to the tamers. We must know if they stand with us."

"Who should we send?" Ebonwumon asks.

"Allow me…my lords…" Dobermon says, staggering back to his feet and wobbling slightly. "I apologize for my failure. Let me try to make up for it by bringing you the tamers, or by dispatching them if needed…" Azulongmon glances at the other three sovereigns, who each nod to him. "Very well. Go. Find them and tell them what has happened. If you discern that they may be against us…"

"I will take care of it. I swear it, my sovereign," Dobermon assures with a bow of his head.

A sphere floats away from Ebonwumon and enters Dobermon's side, seemingly curing his injuries. "I've patched ye up. Don't be failing us now, laddie. Your sovereigns are counting on you."

In a unknown place

The swirling fog within the orb parts, revealing three children on a beach, conversing. A gray clad knight puts his hand to his chin as he watches them, grunting to himself as they move and touch one another.

"Alphamon! Come away from that thing and spar!" Alphamon rolls his eyes and turns away, looking at the pink armored knight who had called out to him. "I'm a tad busy and a bit out of your league, my sweet. Perhaps you should try sparring with someone more your speed, like Craniamon."

"What could be so important that you want to slack off on your preparations for battle?" another knight who had been leaning against the wall asks.

"I don't see you training, Omnimon…" Alphamon retorts. Omnimon swings his head, directing Alphamon toward a window, through which he can see a blue knight with a shimmering energy blade and shield fighting against a grey armored knight with a flaming cloak and a purple knight with a twin sided lance. "The only person anywhere near my level of expertise is trying to train those two. Of course, I'd be happy to do likewise for you and Crusadermon here…"

"You're not that much better than I am, and you know it…" Alphamon grumbles.

"Is that a fact?" Omnimon asks curtly.

Alphamon appears to simmer for a moment or so before recomposing himself and turning back to the orb once more. "I am watching the keyblade's chosen for his next move. It appears he has taken the bait: the mouse king has summoned him for his Mark of Mastery Exam."

"Imperialdramon will be pleased to hear it," Omnimon croons in a somewhat annoying voice.

"And that just leaves the brats and their pets," a lithe knight states as he, a white armored, purple winged knight, and a red armored bull like knight step into the light of the orb. "I wonder what they are up to…"

The orb swirls again, revealing a young boy with yellow goggles walking down a busy street. "Still blissfully unaware, I see…" the lithe knight coos as the orb shifts to a blue haired boy in an orange vest and then to a red haired girl.

"With any luck, we will have dealt with them before they even know what's hit them," the red-clad knight huffs.

"What's the matter, Kentaurosmon? Don't want to have to get your hands dirty yourself?" the purple-winged knight taunts.

"Perhaps you'd like to bio-emerge and deal with them personally, Dynasmon?" Omnimon interjects, causing the purple winged knight to grumble and cross his arms.

"Certainly Dragomon will suffice to distract them while the Heartless search for the Keyhole," a golden armored knight adds as he too comes to stand in the light of the glimmering orb.

"I do not doubt it, Magnamon," Omnimon confirms. Though I think a little…insurance…couldn't hurt. Examon, perhaps you'd like to stretch your wings a bit?" Omnimon asks as he looks toward one of the doorways.

"Perhaps you should go yourself, Omnimon." All the knights stiffen and turn toward the entryway, near immediately kneeling down. "Imperialdramon. We did not expect you back so quickly."

"Be calm, my friends," Imperialdramon assures as he steps into the light of the orb.

"Did the sovereigns get the message?" Dynasmon asks, standing up.

"I think they did. Now, we move to the next phase. What is Sora up to?"

"He and Riku have been called by King Mickey to take the Mark of Mastery Exam," Alphamon replies.

"Good. Then it is nearly time to act. Once they begin, our friend will be able to recruit the needed members of his organization. I need not remind you what you must all do, must I?"

"No, my lord. We will ensure that neither of them ever wakes again," Alphamon assures.

"Good. Omnimon, make sure that Dragomon succeeds and that the Heartless find the Keyhole. As it stands, there are already enough champions of light to move forward. It would be a shame if our benefactor had to deal with another keyblade not pledged to the darkness."

"Of course. I shall set out immediately." As Omnimon exits the chamber, the three knights who had been sparring enter. "You have returned, my lord," the golden armored one says while bowing his head.

"Indeed I have, UlforceVeedramon. Are you whipping these two into shape?"

"Yes. Quite the thrashing he gave us…" the purple armored one replies.

"My lord, have you discovered where my foolhardy squire has run off to?" the grey one asks.

"That I did. And I must say I was impressed with how much punishment Huckmon was able to take. You seemed to have selected a worthy student to one day join the knights."

"Then he is…"

"No," Imperialdramon replies. "A data stream took him away at the last moment. I remain confident that he is disabled somewhere in the Digital World, but even if not, his location is of little consequence. Let him tell whomever he wishes. With the Mark of Mastery Exam about to begin, it is far too late to stop what is to come." He reaches out and touches the orb, letting it swirl until the image of a great squid appears in it. "Now then, let's enjoy a quick show before setting out…"

Takato taps his foot impatiently as he and Guilmon stand outside the concrete hut that once served as the red saurian's home. "You seem nervous, Takato," Guilmon states in observation, drawing a nervous laugh from his tamer. "I'm just really jittery, buddy. With summer coming to an end so quickly, I really want to spend as much time with the others as I can."

"Yea, I like playing with the others!"

"Plus, we really need to sort all this out…"

Several more minutes pass, and Takato's nervous tap soon evolves to a nervous pace. "Man I hope they didn't forget… I mean, I thought we were late…"

"Maybe they stopped to get some bread?" Guilmon ponders aloud, drawing an exasperated sigh from his tamer. "Do you think about anything other than bread, buddy?"

"Yea," Guilmon says, tapping a claw on his chin. "I think about lots of things… like peanut butter… and ice cream… and bacon… and muffins…"

"I get the picture, bud," Takato interjects with another chuckle.

"Hey bro! Wassup? Are we late?" Takato's head shoots up as Kazu makes his way up the concrete steps. Following behind him is Guardromon and…

"Jeri!" Takato shouts aloud before realization strikes him and he face palms. "Oh no… I forgot to go and get you from your house!"

"It's ok, Takato. I'm sure you've got a lot going on," Jeri assures in a sweet tone.

"Yea, I kinda figured you'd forget, Chumly," Kazu states in what appears to be a brag. "What would you do without me, am I right?"

"Yea, you're right, as always…" Takato says before rolling his eyes. "Thank you." Kazu responds with a thumbs up, which his partner struggles to replicate.

"And how are you doing, Guilmon?" Jeri asks, strolling right over and beginning to pet him. "I assume you've been keeping Takato out of trouble for me." Guilmon nods vigorously before licking the girl with a long, sticky tongue.

"Well it's not like much has been going on here that warrants protection." Jeri turns a beaming look back down the stairs, noticing Henry climbing up, Terriermon latched to his shoulder. "Hiya, Terriermon! Henry!" Jeri shouts cheerfully.

"Good to see you out and about, Jeri," Henry responds with a nod.

"Is your sister joining us?" Jeri asks politely, to which Henry chuckles and shakes his head. "She has a salon day with my mom an sister."

"Gotta say I ain't jealous of Lopmon right now," Terriermon chides, laughing mostly to himself.

"Hey Kazu," Takato suddenly asks. "Where's Kenta? I don't think I've ever seen you arrive somewhere without him."

"Oh he and MarineAngemon are off wrestling up some breakfast. The little pixie kept floating off and getting distracted. Can you believe it? So unprofessional!"

"Unprofessional!" Guardromon nods in agreement, drawing chuckles from the gang asnd yet another face palm from Kazu.

Guilmon suddenly sniffs and turns, letting out a cheery, "Hi Renamon! You smell nice today." The gang quickly turns back around, noticing Renamon standing atop the concrete hut with Rika standing beside her, hands placed on her hips in her typical annoyed stance. Gripped in the kitsune's hands are Kenta and MarineAngemon, who squeaks in displeasure.

"Took you all long enough to get here," Rika taunts, hopping down from above.

"What do you mean? I've been here for the past ten minutes," Takato replies sheepishly.

"Well I've been here for the past fifteen, and you know how much I hate waiting, Gogglebrain."

"So why didn't you just come down and talk with Takato?" Henry says, crossing his arms and arching his brow while his partner snickers.

"Maybe I didn't feel like it, Braniac," Rika responds, crossing her own arms and feigning an impatient look."

"Umm, can you have Renamon put us down? I'm getting a wedgie over here!" Kenta grumbles. Renamon drops the two of them, hiding the slightest of smirks as the two regain composure.

MarineAngemon quickly flutters up and chirps angrily and zips about near Renamon's muzzle. "Yea. It was really rude," Kenta adds in support.

"What's rude is taking a detour and delaying the start of our meeting, Four-eyes," Rika replies with a huff.

"Well I guess we're all here, so we should probably…" Takato starts.

"Wait! Ryo isn't here yet!" Kazu shouts.

"Uggh! You invited Mr. Perfect?" Rika grumbles again.

"Come, Rika. Ryo is a part of this team too now," Henry states calmly.

"Yea, Rika. Ryo isn't so bad," Jeri offers in support. "He's actually pretty cute! Maybe not as cute as Takato and Guilmon, but…"

"Gross!" Rika shouts before crossing her arms and releasing a "Hmph."

"Gotta wonder where he is," Henry states aloud. "Kind of feel like he's always late."

"What do you expect? He lives all the way across town!" Kazu berates his blue haired friend.

"Calm down, Kazu. Don't get those knickers of yours in a twist," Terriermon quips with a chuckle.

"What? Knickers?" Kazu asks, befuddled.

"Knickers are pants, Kazu," Guardromon answers.

"Well who asked you, ya big lug nut?" The group has another laugh, though it is soon interrupted by incessant shouting"

"Yay! Yay! Faster!"

"Get back here with my tamers you overgrown worm! I ain't kiddin around!" Cyberdramon suddenly blasts through the trees, zipping high over everyone's heads, as Impmon scurries to follow, panting heavily before collapsing near the tamers. "Uh… A little help here, maybe?"

"What's going on?" Kenta asks. Cyberdramon suddnely touches down near the others, Ryo sldiing off his shoulders, along with the familiar young ones, Ai and Mako. "What did I tell ya? Better than a train ride, right?"

"Yea! That was fun! Let's do it again!"

"No! No more!" Impmon shouts. "Seriously, are you mashugana? Your parents are gonna ground me, and then you, and then me again!"

"Aww, lighten up, Impmon," Ryo says, lowering the twins off his partner's back. "I wouldn't put your tamers in danger."

"You shouldn't be so much as touching my tamers without my say so you greasy-haired mook!" Cyberdramon growls at this and Impmon takes a gulp and backs off.

"Aww, we're sorry Impmon. We promise, we'll listen to you from now on," Ai says, bending down to pick him up and pull him into a tight hug.

"And…now…I can't…breathe…"

the group laughs yet again, though this time Rika interrupts. "Alright, we've had enough games for a day. Why don't you tell us why you called us all here, Takato."

"Oh, yea! Right!" Takato says rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "So, its kind of been awhile since we all hung out and really wanted to see you guys again, but I wanted to do something more special, so I was kinda thinking…"

"Oh no, he's been thinking! Get the fire department!" Terriermon interjects, earning a scowl from Guilmon and an annoyed glare from virtually everyone else. "Takatomon does a lot of thinking and he's a really good thinker, Terriermon!"

"Ignore the nuisance. What are we here for?" Rika asks, slightly angrier this time.

"Well, we're all going to be starting high school in a few weeks…"

"Speak for yourselves. I started last year and these two have quite some time before then," Ryo points out.

"What I mean is, I thought we could all go on one last adventure together before the summer ends. I'm aiming to head to Okinawa to visit my cousin again and I was hoping you all might like to come. You know, kinda like a beach vacation for us and our digimon."

Almost immediately, Kazu and Kenta's eyes brighten and widen. "A beach vacation! That's gonna be so awesome!" they yell simultaneously.

"A beach vacation? Seriously Gogglehead?" Rika says with a scowl.

"You can count me in," Ryo says with a thumbs up. Cyberdramon could use the chance to relax. Maybe he'll even dedigivolve back to Monodromon."

"I'd say Suzie and I would love to go. I could use some time away myself," Henry adds.

"I'm not sure what my dad will say, but I can ask," Jeri adds.

"Oh, Impmon, can we go too? Please! Please!" Ai and Mako plead incessantly. "Aww shucks, how am I gonna convince your mom and dad to let you go somewhere on vacation?"

"We'd watch them," Jeri assures, gesturing to the others.

"And besides, we'd like for you to come too, Impmon," Takato adds with a smile. You're a part of our team."

"I think you're all forgetting something," Rika interrupts, garnering the group's attention. "Our local babysitter, Yamaki, isn't going to let us zip off to some island where he can't keep his prying eyes on us."

Each tamer and digimon's head sinks for a moment before Takato's shoots back up again. "Hey Henry, your dad is a friend of Yamaki, isn't he? Think maybe he could talk to him for us?" Henry frowns and turns his head away. "I don't know Takato…"

"He's largely been giving his dad the cold shoulder ever since last year," Terriermon explains before jumping up to Henry's head and letting his ears hang down over Henry's face.

"And people say I hold a grudge," Rika remarks, crossing her arms once more.

"You realize you can't stay mad at your pa forever," Ryo interjects. "Believe me. That's personal experience."

"Yea, I know, but…"

Takato moves toward his friend, throwing an arm over his shoulder. "It might be time to forgive him. I mean, we all have our digimon back, so…" Suddenly, a loud bang rings out and the sound of metal creaking and snapping echoes loudly.

"What the hell is that?" Kazu shouts in alarm. Ryo quickly leaps onto his partner's back and zips skyward before quickly zipping back down. "We might have a problem. Anyone ever seen any of those Godzilla movies?"

Dock workers and civilians alike run and scream as what can best be described as a giant squid pulls itself from the bay, smashing buildings and crushing cranes. "Thousand Whip!" The creature flails its tentacles, smashing cars, buildings, trees, and everything else in its path while people flee in terror.

"This ought to get those tamers' attention," Omnimon mumbles to himself as he watches the creature advance further inland. He turns to his right and states, "Ensure that Dragomon leads the tamers away from the Keyhole. You may use any means you deem appropriate, but they mustn't get in my way." Without saying another word, he leaps away and zips off.

Takato - "Oh man. We got some big monster on our hands!"

Rika - "Finally! Some action!"

Henry - "Yea, but we should be careful. We don't really know what's going on."

Terriermon - "Momentai, Henry. It's just a digimon. We've handled lots of them before!"

Kazu - "Yea! We can handle this no problem!"

Poseidon - "I'm sure you can...if it's just a digimon that is..."

Takato - "What's that supposed to mean?"

GWAtti - "Let's just say this fight has somewhat...higher stakes than you're used to..."

Poseidon - "Better be careful..."

Flames shall be use to burn Examon's wings