Seimei wanted to scream, but she couldn't. She felt as if she were being pulled in a million directions, as though her breath were being stolen only moments after getting it. She felt her legs and arms go numb as her neck felt as though it were stretching. Then suddenly, she felt herself snap back to being normal as the sensation of falling took over. She finally found her voice and screamed, but only for a few moments before she hit very cold water. Then, after only a bone-chilling moment, she was pulled from the water onto solid, but not very dry, land. She opened her eyes and saw the blury figure of Denkou kneeling next to her. "You okay?" he asked. Seimei answered only with a nod.
"I think that's everyone," Gatomon said, looking at everyone from Tomoshibi's shoulder. "Wait, nope." Everyone looked to see Roten paddling her way over to them. "You okay?" Gatomon asked, looking down at the girl as she beached herself.
"I'm fine!" Roten said irritably. "What's the big deal? Where am I?"
"You mean, where are we?" Seidaku corrected, offering her hand to the girl. On her shoulder was Syniomon, who seemed to be the dryest of everyone.
"I don't care! Where am I?" Roten said stubbornly, getting up without Seidaku's help."And give me my hat!" She snatched her purple cowboy hat from Seidaku's other hand and quickly fanned it to dry it.
"You're welcome," Seidaku said, turning away to look at the distant land. "We're on Sombay Island," she said, "Home to the tribe of misfits."
"Tribe of misfits?" Shinai said, "What is the tribe of misfits?"
"The tribe of misfits is for digimon who have been exiled from home, didn't have a family or group or home to begin with, or are simply one-of-a-kind," Syniomon said, "Like moi."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait..." Roten said, holding up her hands. "You mean, we are in the digital world?" Seidaku nodded.
"Save your tantrum, though, for later," she said. "We should get moving. Kodimon and Polamon somehow got loose on the way here. We need to get to the village for shelter." The kids simply nodded and followed Seidaku and she began walking toward a formidable-looking patch of woods. Roten stayed back with Denkou, clinging to his arm. Gatomon rode on Tomoshibi's shoulder while he walked in between Shoki and Tanshin. Poyomon clinged to Turuiemon's head as he walked alongside Seimei, who gave him nervous side-long glances every now and again. The group walked for a long while in silence, until it was broken by Roten's frightened squeal.
"What is it?" Seidaku asked irritably.
"That!" Seimei cried, seeing the same pair of eyes that paralyzed Roten in fear. The whole group shuddered and backed from it.
"Who are you to be trespassing in these woods?" the voice asked. It reminded the less-frightened of the kids of a younger boy's voice.
"Hey, I've got permanent permission to be coming around here!" Syniomon shouted. "Leormon, get out here!"
"Syniomon! Seidaku!" the voice shouted. The bushes rustled and form it sprange a large cat. It seemed to be a lion cub, but was much bigger and wore a thick gold collar with what seemed to be a round green gem. "So you two are finally back in town!" Leormon said, looking up at the two. "You could have given more warning, I wouldn't have scared your friends like that."
Seidaku chuckled and looked at the kids. "Everyone, this is Leormon," she said. "He lives in the tribe of misfits, and has been for as long as I've been a part of the digital world, which is quite a long while."
"What have you been up to?" Leormon said. "What's with all of the humans?"
"I'll let you know when we settle down," Seidaku said. "Could we get to the village?" Leormon nodded enthusiastically and bounded ahead.
The kids were glad to have a warm fire to dry off with. There were two fires; half of them huddled around one with three of the digimon while the others huddled as closely as possible to the second fire. Those who sat with the digimon waited anxiously for Seidaku to return. They wanted to see more digimon after seeing the village they entered to be rather empty. Personally, Denkou just wanted to see Leormon again. He thought Leormon was awesome. Tomoshibi was quickly becoming comfortable with Gatomon while Seimei was going very slowly. While no one yet seemed to be Poyomon's partner, Shoki was keeping him near. Roten, at the Digimon-less fire, kept glancing nervously at the doorway. That being so, she was the first one to make a noise when a large mushroom-like creature entered.
"Roten, chill!" Denkou shouted as the anxious girl kicked herself to the wall opposite the door. The mushroom was laughing, holdign its sides as he did.
"You humans are so squimish!" he laughed.
"Lay off it," Denkou said, standing up. "Who are you?"
"I am Mushroommon," he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "I was told to take the two kids with Digimon to the chief's hut."
"How do we know we can believe you?" Tomoshibi asked. Mushroommon rolled his eyes. He shook his head and muttered something anout "Humans" as he turned and walked out.
"Well! Are ya coming!" Mushroommon shouted. Seimei was so startled that she jumped up, pulling Turuiemon with her. Tomoshibi stood up calmly and walked out of the hut with his hands in his pockets and Gatomon on his shoulder. Seimei followed quickly, Turuiemon in tow.
Roten looked over at Shoki by the neighboring fire and asked, "Why didn't you and that upside-down cup of pudding go?"
Shoki looked over with an angry glare. Poyomon spoke for her. "It isn't for sure that I'm her partner," he said. "For that matter, it isn't sure if I am partner to ANY of you." Roten pursed her lips and sat by her fire.
Shoki smiled and looked down at Poyomon. "Poyomon, what was my ancestor like?" she asked. Everyone looked at her and Poyomon in curiousity.
"T.K.?" Poyomon said. "Well, as a little kid during the first generation adventures, he was-"
"Poyomon!" someone shouted. Poyomon turned to the door as Turuiemon poked his head in. "They want you and Shoki, too."
"But, we aren't partners," Shoki said.
"They still want you two, though." Shoki sighed and stood up, holding Poyomon somewhat tightly. He didn't say anything, though. He knew she was nervous. They left the hut, leaving the others in confusion.
"What is this?" Tomoshibi asked, looking around the walls of the hut that he and Gatomon were in. Seidaku and Syniomon were nearby with a digimon that resembled a unicorn, but with wings like a pegasus. Seimei was standing close to Tomoshibi, even more nervous now that Turuiemon was gone, having been sent to get Poyomon and Shoki. Soon, Turuiemon returned with Shoki and Poyomon. "Well, know that we are all here," the unicorn-like digimon said, "I am Unimon. I protect this village of lost and unwanted digimon. You are curious about why you were brought here, miss Shoki most of all I am sure." Shoki opened her mouth to ask how he knew her name, but Unimon cut her off. "Seidaku informed me of your names. Now, it is my understanding that you three, in addition to the nine in the other hut, are descendents of the digidestined of years past. I believe Seidaku, especially when the activation of the digivices and the digivolution of Turuiemon and Gatomon is taken into account." Unimon turned toward Seimei and bowed his head. "Come forward, please." Seimei looked at everyone nervously. Seidaku nodded to her, so Seimei cautiously stepped a few feet closer. "Miss Seimei Souno is descendent of Miss Suzi Lee. Her partner was Lopmon, who was once a Deva, became one of the three guardians of the digital world, and was evil by Lucemon for a period of time. Suzi Lee's partner is now your partner, Seimei Souno. As such, you are also the inheritor of a crest or element. Suzi most definately held power in the crests of courage and love while element was most certainly earth. You are likely to preside over one of those three."
Seimei and the others seemed confused. Unimon was puzzled by their apparent confusion. "They don't really know about crests and elements," Seidaku said to Unimon. She then turned Seimei, Shoki, and Tomoshibi. "You see, the first generation had something called crests. These crests aided in digivolution and were somehow connected to their personality. Or, at least in my opinion anyway. The crests also had presidence in the second generation, but they held no presidence in the third or fourth. The first three generations didn't deal with elements, but the fourth did. The elements were fire, water, earth, air, light, dark, ice, metal, and lightning. However, despite theire importance in the previous generations, we believe the crests and elements to have been key to their successes. For example, Kazu of the fourth generation. We believe hope and friendship were his crests, even though crests played no role. We believe metal to have been his element, although it, too, played no role."
"You thinks these are important now?" Seimei asked. Seidaku nodded. "Courage, love, earth... If any of them are mine, it would most likely be earth, or maybe love, but most certainly not courage."
"We shall see," Unimon said. "Mister Tomoshibi Ashi-"
"Please, call me Tomo," Tomoshibi said. Unimon smiled.
"You are descendent of Kari Urazoe, born Kari Kamiya," Unimon continued. "She was the famed eighth child when she was younger. Her crest was light, as was her element. It is undoubtedly sure that you will have either the crest or element of light. Her partner was, obviously, Gatomon, who is nowdays better-known-as the guardian angel Ophanimon. She is now your partner." Tomo nodded and stepped back, taking Seimei with him. "Miss Shoki Hukuno." Shoki edged forward nervously. "You are descendent of T.K. Takaishi, the digidestiend of hope. His element, we believe, was lightning. His partner was Patamon, who is currently Poyomon in your arms and the guardian angel Seraphimon. It is yet unsure if you are destined to have the same partner, but it certainly isn't unlikely. It is likely that you will either have the crest of hope or the element of lightning in your journies."
"But, what if I don't get a partner?" Shoki asked, not at all as timid as she thought she would.
"You will," Unimon said. "You are a digidestined. I can tell. I have seen four generations of digidestined. come through this world. I am not mistaken."
It wasn't long before Tomo, Seimei, and Shoki returned with the digimon. In their company was Seidaku and Syniomon, along with Leormon and Mushroommon. "Well? What did they want?" Kokoroe asked, ever curious.
"A digimon named Unimon told us about crests and elements," Tomo said, sitting in the circle that had been created.
"What are they doing here?" Roten asked, looking at Leormon and Mushroommon.
"More will be coming soon," Seidaku said, helping herself to an apple in a nearby basket.
"What!" Roten screeched. She kicked herself further from the door.
"Why?" Shinzen asked, speaking for the first time since she had first seen Seidaku in the park.
Seidaku was a little shocked to hear her talk, but smiled and replied, "Unimon believes you all are digidestined and that your partners are all here in the village. He wants you to meet his chosen ones."
"Like us!" Leormon said excitedly, jumping up and down. "I hope I'm one! I'd love to go exploring and fighting bad guys and saving stuff!"
"Whoa kid, chill," Mushroommon said. "Better you than me is all I have to say. I'm fine right where I am."
"You are one of these chosen ones?" Shinai asked, looking curiously at the purple-pink digimon. Mushroommon nodded with a huff. Leormon was still jumping around excitedly when his ears perked up.
"Here he comes! Make room!" The kids all scooted until they were in a much larger circle. They left an opening for the doorway. Poyomon seated himself on Shoki's shoulder while Gatomon and Turuiemon sat beside their partners as a line of digimon entered the hut. All of them sat or stood in the center. Among them was one that Turuiemon recognized. "RENAMON!" he said, waving her hand. "What are you doing here?"
"He insists I'll be Rika's descendent's partner," the tall, yellow fox digimon said. "I disagree."
"But you might be his digidestined partner!" Turuiemon said.
"Even if I am, I won't be," Renamon said coldly. Kanki knew it was him they were referring to, and he felt somewhat hurt by Renamon's words, but he could understand. Afterall, if she was his ancestor's partner, Renamon might not feel confortable being partner to another,a nd might even feel too old.
the digimon were all in. There were more digimon than kids, and thankfully the hut was rather large. Unimon didn't follow them in. They could hear hoofbeats, and figured he was yet outside. When he didn't come in, Seidkau poked her head out.As she did, the ears of the digimon perked up. "Everyone out!" Renamon shouted, running out of the door. The digimon followed quickly.
"What is going on?" Roten asked, rather agitated. They want us in, bring all of these digimon in, then-" She was cut off by the sound of the hut being torn apart by a flying bear. The kids fell to the ground, some screaming and one fainting.
"Oh, Roten!" Shinzen shouted exasperatedly. She reached over and grabbed the unconcious girl. Shinzen stood with Roten on her shoulders and looked around. When she saw Polamon, she growled in irritation. "It's them again!" she shouted to the other kids. She was surprised to see Tomo and Gatomon already joining the rest of the digimon. Turuiemon was also running toward them, and Seimei was following, though not of choice. Turuiemon had a grip on Seimei's arm, and in the girl's hand was the pink d-arc digivice. It began glowing, and before anyone knew it Turuiemon was digivolving.
"Turuiemon digivolve to Antylamon!" Shinzen and the other kids gapped at the now-incredibly-tall rabbit digimon. Polamon appeared out of the trees and flew right at the digimon group. He was shocked to see Antylamon and went to turn around, but Antylamon was already on the ofensive. "Mantra Chant!" he shouted, lifting one of his great arms. He brought it down and swiped it at Polamon. From it came a strange wave of metal. It hit its target, dropping Polamon like a dead weight. He landed on an empty hut, crushing it easily.
"That was cool!" Seimei shouted up to Antylamon. Antylamon smiled and bent down, swooping Seimei up easily. She clinged to Antylamon's hand as she went up.
"This is cooler," Antylamon said, his voice incredibly mature. Seimei nodded in agreement, though she hardly looked at the view.
"Behind!" Renamon shouted, leaping into the air. She crossed her arms and shouted, "Diamond Storm!" She pulled her arms apart, sending at least a hundred shards of light at Kodimon. The shards bounced off of him like nothing. He smiled and sent a shot of fire from his paw at Renamon. It hit her as she came down. She landed on the gorund behind the group of digimon as they rushed forward. A barrage of attack went out. They all bounced off of Kodimon. He chuckled and sent more fire balls at the digimon. They scattered, grabbing kids as they went. Kanki, avoiding the other digimon, ran to Renamon. Only, Renamon wasn't herself anymore. She was small and round, though she still resembled a fox.
"Renamon, are you okay?" The small Renamon rolled over and looked past Kanki to Kodimon, who was curently focused on them. "Killing Stone!" the little digimon shouted. Kanki was surprised to see the little being become a solid stone. Then fromt he stone came a strange gas that made Kanki back away. However, the gas was directed to Kodimon. It did nothing more than make him sneeze. He laughed and shot another fireball as the stone returned to being a little fox. As a fireball came their way, Kanki scooped the little Renamon into his arms and ran. The fire hit the ground. He could hear a number of attacks from the other digimon as they went to Kodimon, and he could tell that none were successful. After hearing more scattering, Kanki turned and looked back. Kodimon was on his trail, sending two more fireballs. Kanki ran again and one missed, but his shout was all anyone needed to hear to know one had hit its target.
He hit the ground hard and rolled. It stung, it burned, and it was the most pain he had ever been in. He opened his eyes to see another fireball. It hit little Renamon and threw both of them back further. Kanki watched as little Renamon became even smaller, being nothing more than a yellow ball with eyes, ears, and a tail. Kanki struggled to his feet. He never saw the fighting, but could hear it well enough. More attacks being called out and used, and then the sound of de-digivolution. He opened his eyes to see the looming figure of Kodimon approaching. Kanki wanted to get up and to run, but his legs were numb. He looked down at little Renamon and said pleadingly, "Please, let Rika's digivice work. Digivolve!" He gasped as little Renamon jumped out of his arms, glowing like the sun. Kanki reached into his pocket and pulled out the two digivices. The blue and white one was glowing just as brightly as little Renamon. Then, he heard it.
The kids were panicking. They were pulled apart by the digimon in an attempt to protect the would-be digidesitned. Shinzen and Roten were escorted away by an odd bird digimon and a blue lizard digimon. "Falcomon and Dorumon at your service!" the bird said, flying up in front of Shinzen.
"You stay close behind us," the red dog-like creature said. "Falcomon, I've got the feet!"
"I have the head!" Falcomon shouted. Nearby, Denkou and Shinai were shuffled away by Mushroomon and Leormon.
"Everyone, just aim and attack!" Leormon commanded. Everyone nodded and began attacking. Some required running up and attacking close. Among them was Leormon and Mushroommon. Leormon jumped at Kodimon just after he fired a fireball at Kanki and Viximon. His teeth began glowing as he shouted, "Critical Bite!" He clamped his claws down tight on Kodimon's arm. Kodimon didn't even flinch and simply shook Leormon off. He shook so hard that Leormon landed on the ground with a crack.
Mushroomon has stopped a little ways off. He pulled his fist back and shouted, "Fungus Crusher!" He hsot his fist forward as if to punch. From his fist came a barrage of toadstools that hit Kodimon's side, but had no effect. Kodimon smiled and flapped his great wings. Mushroomon, along with the other digimon, were blown away. Leormon retreated, only to be swept along. Then, more fireballs bombarded the digimon. A few were hit, Leormon among them. He rolled on the ground until he was stopped by Denkou.
"Kid! Friimon! Move!" Mushroommon shouted as he got to his feet with Shinai's help. The two looked up and saw a fireball. It hit Friimon square in the face, throwing Denkou on the ground and almost making him lose his grip on Friimon. The digimon that looked only moments ago like a lion head and tail now looked like a stemless yellow flower. The group reorganized as Kodimon attacked Viximon and Kanki again. Everyone held their breath as one of the attacks hit home of Kanki's back. They watched helplessly as he rolled on the ground, then as Viximon became Reremon.
"Okay, on the offensive!" shouted a candle-like digimon that floated up alongside Elecmon and Falcomon. Kokoroe was close behind the floating digimon. She and Shinzen shouted to the digimon as they ran ahead.
The candle-like digimon bent its candle head forward and shouted, "Flame Bomber!" From the fire light on its head flew three small flames.
Falcomon ran up and then skidded to a halt. As he did, electricity began to collect on his tail and he shouted, "Sparkling Thunder!" From his tail shot several bolts of lightning.
Falcomon was running speedily at Kodimon. With one claw outstretched he shouted, "Scratch Smach!" He brought up his sharp feather-like claws and struck Kodimon. Not even a scratch landed from any of the attacks.
The three digimon backed away as Kodimon turned toward them. "Oh no, get out of there!" Kokoroe shouted.
"Ugh, wha?" Roten had fianlly awoken. Still groggy, she felt herself get dropped on the ground. She watched as Shinzen ran ahead, full speed, at the three digimon. She screamed and skidded to a halt as a barrage of fireballs hit the three. They flew back. Elecmon, now a round digimon with a single large horn digimon, landed at Shnzen's feet. Before she could pick him up, another one struck him, making him even smaller. Shinzen grabbed him and ran.
Falcomon was also hit twice. He rolled up to Roten's feet as a little puff of feathers. Without hesitation, Roten picked up the little digimon and ran.
The candle digimon was nothing more than a puff of tangible smoke after his two hits. Kokoroe gently picked him up and backed away slowly as Kodimon turned back to Kanki and Reremon. She heard Kanki shout something, but she could only make out the last word. "Digivolve!" Kokoroe and the others gasped as Reremon began glowing. Shinzen could make out the digivices that Kanki held. One was glowing.
"Reremon Digivolve to Kyubimon!" shouted a little voice. The glow around Reremon became larger. Then it disappeared, revealing a large yellow fox with white mane-like fur and white fire-tipped ankles and tails. Her tails fanned out, revealing six of them. The flamed tips began glowing. "Fox-tail Inferno!" The glows left the tails, being very much like fire. The six of them struck Kodimon, knocking him back. He was shocked by the strength of the attack. His fur was actually singed. He growled, but then smiled. Kyubimon and Kanki turned to see Polamon flying full-speed at them. Quickly, Kyubimon bit Kanki's collar and threw him over her shoulder and onto her back. Then she leapt away. Polamon followed as Kodimon turned his attention back to the thinner crowd of digimon. Shinzen, Roten, and Kokoroe stepped backward in a group as Shinai and Mushroomon ran in front of them. They were smiling, and something about the smiles made them feel better.
"Ready Mushoomon?" Shinai asked.
"Ready," he replied, "Partner." At that moment, Shinai's red and white digivice began glowing in unison with Mushroommon. "Mushroommon, digivolve to Woodmon!" The glow disappeared, leaving a large tree-like digimon in its place. "This is gonna be good!" Woodmon said. He put his arms together and shouted, "Woody Smash!" He then ran quickly at Kodimon, catching him slightly off-guard. He leapt at Kodimon and knocked him upside the head with his woddy fist. Kodimon teetered slightly.
"Yay!" Shinai shouted, jumping up and down.
"That felt good!" Woodmon said as he landed just in front of Shinai. "I haven't digivolved in a long time!" Their happiness was cut short by a gust of wind that sent them into the air and into a pile of broken huts.
"Shinai!" Roten shouted. They looked and saw Kanki and Kyubimon buried in another pile of broken huts, one littered with huge rocks that were obviously brought about by Polamon, who was speeding ahead at the group of six. The group looked around for help, but found that the other digimon had retreated to the nearby woods. "We're dead!" Roten and little Falcomon cried.
"I don't wanna die!" Kokoroe and the little cloud digimon cried.
"We're not going to die!" Shinzen and little Elecmon shouted. Shinzen's two digivices began glowing as a mysterious updraft ruffled Shinzen's clothing and hair. Both she and the little digimon began glowing. Roten, for the first time since arriving in the digital world, was unafraid and wanting to do something. She, too, began glowing along with little Flacomon. Kokoroe was already there, her digivice floating in front of her chest and the little cloud digimon floating in front of her outsretched arms. Shinzen's two digivices were in front of her chest as well, and little Elecmon was in front of her arm, too. Little Falcomon was soon floating as well. Nearby, Polamon and Kodimon watched in surprise and fear. Kanki and Kyubimon were up and watching, as were Woodmon and Shinai. Then, from the ground below the feet of the three girls came three beams of light. One each wrapped around the girls, then one around the digimon. Then Shinzen's third beam wrapped around the two digivices. Kokoroe's did the same, while Roten's wrapped around itself into a ball. Then, the light and updraft intensified. Fearful of what was to happen, Polamon and Kodimon charged. They were shoved aside by Kyubimon and Woodmon, respectively.
"Digimon Digivolution!" shouted the unison voices of Roten, Kokoroe, and Shinzen.
"Mokumon Hyper Digivolve to Wizardmon!"
"Puwamon Hyper Digivolve to Diatrymon!"
"Punimon Hyper Digivolve to Leomon!"
The glowing and wind disappeared, revealing the three little digimon to be digivolved. Wizardmon lifted his staff and shouted, "Thunderball!" A ball of lightning grew from the oval-shaped sun on the top. It grew to be big, then it launched itself. It struck Kodimon's head, throwing him backward.
Polamon tried to run but Leomon chargedahead at an incredible speed toward him, cutting off his path. Leomon pulled back his huge fist and shouted, "Fist of the Beast King!" He punched Polamon with such a force that he was thrown back to where Kodimon was trying to pick himself up. They gasped and whimpered as Diatrymon stepped up to them. The fierce dragon-bird spread his wings and lifted his head. "Destruction Roar!" he roared as he brought his head down. The roar was loud and made the ground quake. It shattered and nearly buried the two digimon. However, they came to their senses and kicked off of the breaking ground, flapping hard and escaping.
The other digimon and kids came out of the woods, staring at the digimon in surprise. Denkou and the little Friimon emerged from behind a still-standing hut, though it fell as soon as they were away from it. The two of them looked at Diatrymon, Leomon, and Wizardmon with wide eyes. In unison, they said, "Dude, cool."