"Time to give up," Shinzen said. "You're surrounded!"
"I'll never give up!" Polamon shouted.
"Polamon, it's okay." Polamon looked over at Kodimon approached, flanked by Seidaku and Evelomon on the left and Denkou and Leormon on the right. "give up," Kodimon said. "We can help them defeat Soritamon and be free. They'll protect us."
Polamon's eyes narrowed as he glared at Kodimon. "Traitor."
- - - - - -
Kodimon was caught off guard. "Traitor?" he said questioningly. "Polamon we'll be free!"
"Free?" Polamon said with a laugh. "We'll be their servants then. I'd rather be servant to the winning side."
"That settles it then," Shinzen said. "Leomon, let's finish him."
"No, please wait!" Kodimon shouted. "Polamon, think about it! You're outnumbered! They'll destroy you right now! If you join them like I have, they'll protect us from Soritamon and we'll help destroy him!"
"You're an idiot Kodimon," Polamon said. "Soritamon will defeat them easily. Already he's nearing his third level of power. These children will never defeat him."
"Too bad you won't get to witness his defeat," Seidaku said. "We won't let him win. No generation before has allowed evil to prevail. On way or another, evil is always defeated. I've witnessed it all. You'll never win."
Polamon growled, but then fell silent. In defeat, he hung his head. "Fine," he said. "But, I'm only doing this because Kodimon in-" Polamon gasped and roared as his wings fell to the ground. Blood flowed freely from his back. His wings disappeared, becoming nothing more than loose data. Polamon fell to his paws and knees, allowing everyone to see a tall purple bear standing atop Trailmon's side. It lifted one of its great claws and drove it into Trailmon, then tore a great hole. It leapt into the air as the train digimon turned into data and disappeared. It landed several feet from the group.
"Weak traitors," the bear said. "You aren't fit to exist."
"Grizzlymon!" Kodimon shouted. His lifted one of his paws and pointed it at the digimon.
"Hello Kodimon," Grizzlymon said. "I see you still stand. Your wings must not have been as injured as I thought. I told Master Soritamon that you two were weak. Though, I thought Polamon was weaker than you. Seems I was mistaken. I'll leave you to die another day, Kodimon. I have other more important matters to attend to." Grizzlymon turned and began to head into the woods.
"I don't think so!" Diatrymon shouted. "Destruction-"
Grizzlymon turned with a smirk and whistled. Shoki, Roten, and Tokomon were thrown from the woods, landing in front of Grizzlymon. Diatrymon closed his beak and ran forward. Grizzlymon shook his head and placed a claw on Roten's neck, the sharp tip digging lightly into her neck. Diatrymon skidded to a halt. "If there's one thing I despise most," Grizzlymon said, "It's weak digimon." He turned swiftly and kicked Roten and Shoki, sending them into the dirt and himself into the woods. Diatrymon sped up to them as the others followed.
"Roten," Diatrymon said, "Are you okay?"
"I just got thrown out of a tree and kicked into the ground," Roten said through her gritted teeth. "Of course I'm okay!"
As Roten got to her feet with Diatrymon's help, Shoki sat up on her legs and held onto Tokomon tightly. "Are you okay?" she asked. Tokomon looked up at Shoki's scratched, tear-stained, dirt-covered face. Not a scratch was on him, he knew.
"I'm fine Shoki," he said. "Shoki, you can't stop me from fighting all of the time! I need to be able to protect you."
Fresh tears filled Shoki's eyes and she hugged Tokomon closer and tighter. "So what happened to Trailmon will happen to you too?" Shoki said with a shaken voice. "No! Never!" The others didn't know what to say or what to do. The champion digimon returned to rookies, save for Gatomon, Wizardmon, Evelomon, and Diatrymon. Mushroomon and Wizardmon helped Roten onto Diatrymon's back as Shinai and Kokoroe stayed by Shoki. The others gathered around Polamon.
Polamon was losing his breath fast. Kodimon was in a panic. "The only sensible and merciful thing to do it to end it fast," Seidaku said without a hint of emotion. Everyone gasped and protested, most of all Kodimon, but Polamon silenced them.
"Please do it," he said with a gasping breath. "Please." Seidaku nodded and pulled out her digivice. Evelomon was ready to digivolve, but Kodimon grabbed Seidaku's arm.
"No... Let me," he said. Seidaku nodded and backed away, signaling the other to do the same. "I'll bring revenge upon him," Kodimon told Polamon. "You shall be avenged, brother." Kodimon aimed both paws at Polamon. "Inferno Saw!" Two bands of fire left the rings around Kodimon's wrists. The bands wrapped around Polamon and, in the blink of an eye, set him on fire and turned him into a could of data that disappeared quickly.
The others joined them in time to see it. Shoki broke down in tears again. Kokoroe and Shinai tried to consol her. For a time, it was the only sound that was made. Everyone was still, as though time had stopped. Finally, Seidaku broke the silence. "We should get moving."
- - - - - -
For the next few hours, everyone was silent. Shoki's cries had been reduced to silent tears that Tokomon wiped away every so often. Kodimon walked at the back of the group, trailed by Tanshin and Tanemon. Shinzen and Elecmon walked with Kokoroe and Wizardmon, who occasionally checked Roten's injuries. Roten didn't argue it. Tanomoshii stayed on Shinzen's other side with FanBeemon on his head. Denkou stayed close to Seidaku. Kanki walked with Shinai, holding her close. Mushroomon and Renamon walked close behind. Behind them was Kanki and Kudamon. Kudamon was once again wrapped around a large golden cartridge. The sun was hard on those who walked in the setting sun, and the shadows in the trees made those who walked near them uneasy. Suddenly, the trees ended and the group found themselves on top of a hill that over-looked a village. It looked rough, with the buildings being worn. Some were even heavily broken.
"Ethe Village," Kodimon said, walking to the front of the group. "Polamon and I attacked this village, but we met enough resistance that Soritamon ordered us elsewhere."
"Are there still digimon?" Seidaku asked. Kodimon nodded. "Well then, let's go."
"They won't appreciate my being here," Kodimon said.
"You're with us," Denkou said. "They'll have to at least tolerate you, right?" He looked to Seidaku for the answer and she nodded.
Things were silent for a while longer before fire, lightning, and water began to fly at them. They watched as a number of digimon took position at the barricade. Seidaku turned to the others and told them to stay put and that she would got up and talk to them. Denkou protested. "Leormon and I will go with you," he said. Leormon and Evelomon nodded in agreement; Seidaku didn't argue.
The four of them approached the tense digimon at the barricade. When they went to attack, Seidaku stopped and put her arms up. The others followed her lead. "We are friends!" she shouted.
"No one who is friend with him are friends of ours!" shouted the lizard digimon Agumon. The other digimon chimed in with their agreements.
"He is good!" Seidaku said, daring to approach further. "He has seen the error of his ways and has made a vow of commitment to our cause. I have with me the new generation of digidestined! We seek shelter after a harsh day of walking and fighting!"
"No shelter for him!" shouted the digimon Dogmon. "No shelter for him!" The other digimon began chanting with Dogmon. Suddenly they all quieted. They moved away from the barricade. A few moved a part of the barricade itself. From the opening came a porcupine digimon with a back full of icy quills.
"Come closer," it said as it approached. Denkou and Seidaku met the digimon halfway. As they approached, Seidaku noticed that on its legs were the crest of friendship. "I am Togemogumon," it said when they reach each other. "I am one of the guardians of Ethe Village. Something these digimon fail to remember is that our village guards the crests."
- - - - - -
The kids and digimon were settled into a comfortable, simply furnished room. It was tall enough for Kodimon to stand comfortably, but Togemogumon had insisted that he sit. So, Kodimon sat on a pile of cushions. A few digimon brought in food and drink for the group, though only one would go near Kodimon. That digimon called herself Mikemon. She looked like Gatomon, but she had an orange-brown design light a turtle and she didn't have a gold ring on her tail. She reminded Kokoroe of a calico cat.
Mikemon was kind to Kodimon and seemed to be the only one without a hateful grudge toward him. Kodimon was grateful toward Mikemon and her kindness. The kids ate quickly, all of them suddenly feeling like they had been starved for weeks. After they finished, the same digimon came and took away the dishes. Again, Mikemon was the only one who would go near Kodimon. The kids thanked the digimon profusely. They sat in silence for a while before being joined by Togemogumon and several other intimidating digimon. They each held a silver box in either their hands, paws, or mouth. One of the digimon was a bee with the crest of Knowledge on its helmet. A centaur digimon had the crest of Hope on the front of its armor. An owl digimon had the crest of Love on its head. A kabuki digimon with flowers for hands had the crest of Sincerity on the sash around her waist. A snake digimon with wings had the crest of Light on its forehead. A digimon that looked like a cross between a mouse and a cat was carrying a bundle of balloon in one hand; on the other hand was the crest of Kindness. A boar digimon that had fur like fire had the crest of Courage on the metal plate on its forehead. A whale-like digimon wearing a life vest and a life ring had the crest of Reliability on its belly.
The nine digimon stood in a line and set their silver boxes on the floor in front of them. "As I told you before, Seidaku, this village guards the crests," Togemogumon said. "In these boxes are the crests we each guard. The boxes are sealed and can only be opened by the touch of the one meant for it."
"Each of you shall have to come up and touch the box that corresponds to your ancestor," the kabuki digimon said. "I am sure Seidaku can help you figure it out. Obviously, because of your number, not all of you shall bear a crest. Those who have no crest will bear an element and shall have to go to the place of safe keeping for the elements."
"So, let's get started," Togemogumon said. The digimon nodded.
"I am Kabukimon of Sincerity," the kabuki digimon said with a bow.
"I am Boarmon of Courage," said the fiery boar.
"I am Opossumon of Kindness," said the digimon with the balloons.
"I am Orcamon of Reliability," said the whale-like digimon.
"I am Aurumon of Love," said the owl.
"I am Saggitarimon of Hope," said the centaur.
"I am HoneyBeemon of Knowledge," said the bee.
"I am Quetzalmon of Light," said the winged snake.
"I, Togemogumon, am of Friendship," Togemogumon said, concluding the introductions. "Will the descendents of Friendship please come forward?"
"Shinzen, Kanki, that would be you two," Seidaku said. Neither said anything as they went to Togemogumon.
"One of you, please place a hand on the silver box," he said. "Only one at a time." Kanki nodded and placed his hand flat on the top. He waited for a moment, but nothing happened. "You are not of Friendship," Togemogumon said. Kanki nodded and stepped back. Shinzen placed her hand on the seamless silver box. She gasped when a thin strip of light surrounded the middle of the box, creating a seam for opening. "You, Miss Shinzen, are the digidestined of Friendship. Please take your box and open it when the crest is needed." Shinzen nodded wordlessly and picked up the box. She sat back down with Elecmon as Saggitarimon stepped up.
"The descendents of Hope, please come forward," he said.
"Kanki, Roten, and Shoki," Seidaku said, "That would be you three." Kanki sighed and placed his hand on the box. Again, nothing happened. He went and sat down as Roten stepped forward. She placed her hand on the box, but nothing happened for her either. She went to sit down but Seidaku said, "You might as well stay up because you may be qualified for the crest of Love as well." Roten nodded and stayed standing. Shoki, nervous and quiet and still holding onto Tokomon, placed her free hand on the box. As happened with Shinzen happened with Shoki. The box gained a seam.
"Please take your box," Saggitarimon said. "Keep it always and open it when it is needed." Shoki, now incredibly pale, nodded and took the box into her hand. She went back and sat down next to Tomo. Saggitarimon stepped back as Aurumon stepped forward.
"Since you are also of Love, I shall go next," she said to Roten.
"Let's see," Seidaku said, "Shinzen, Roten, Seimei, and Shinai are all of Love. Shinzen, you don't need to try again, since you have your crest." Shinzen nodded as Seimei and Shinai joined Roten. Roten tried again, but to no avail. She sat as Shinai tried her hand. A seam appeared. She smiled at Aurumon and took the box without Aurumon needing to say anything.
"I know, keep it safe and open it when I need it," she said. Aurumon nodded with a smile and stepped back.
"Boarmon, could you go next?" Seidaku asked. Boarmon nodded and came forward. "Seimei, Denkou, you two are of Courage."
Denkou didn't need to get up. Seimei placed her hand on it quickly, believing she wouldn't get it. Much to her surprise and dismay, the seam appeared. "I don't suppose I need to repeat what's been said," Boarmon said jokingly. Seimei shook her head and replied with a meek "No." Boarmon cocked his head and then nudged Seimei's hand as she slowly picked up the box. "You didn't believe this was your crest," Boarmon said. "I can tell. You will see. You are brave and courageous. It will take time, but you will see." Seimei nodded and went back to Lopmon as Kabukimon stepped forward.
'Tanshin, it's yours," Seidaku said. "You are the only one left to have the crest of Sincerity besides Shinai, who already has a crest." Tanshin nodded. He went to Kabukimon and, instead of placing his hand on it like the others had, he simply picked it up. The seam appeared nonetheless.
"You haven't a new digivice," Kabukimon said. Tanshin looked up at her in surprise. "You will, have no worry." Tanshin smiled and hurried over to Tanemon. As Kabukimon stepped back Quetzalmon slid forward.
"Descendents of Light, come forward!" he said forcefully.
"Kanki and Tomo, that's you two," Seidaku said.
"I have a third?" Kanki asked.
"You forget, you have two ancestors who were digidestined," Seidaku said. Kanki shrugged. He hadn't stood up before Tomo had touched the box and created the seam.
"Guess I don't have to worry about it," he said.
HoneyBeemon flew forward. "That's me!" Kokoroe said enthusiastically. "Knowledge, right?" Seidaku nodded.
"Only you," she said. Kokoroe touched the box and picked it up as the seam appeared.
"You're an enthusiastic one," HoneyBeemon said. Kokoroe smiled and hurried back to Wizardmon.
HoneyBeemon flew backward as Orcamon stepped forward. "Tanomoshii, Denkou," Seidaku said. Denkou placed his hand and nothing happened. When Tanomoshii placed his hand, the seam appeared. Orcamon stepped back without a word. Opossumon wasn't as quiet.
"Okay, kids of Kindness, step right up!" she said.
"Roten, Kanki, and Anchuu," Seidaku said, "That's you three."
Roten and Kanki struck out, yet again. "I guess that means us two have elements," Kanki said. Opossumon didn't let them sit down without a red balloon each. Anchuu's hand reacted to the silver box with the crest of kindness. He took his box quietly and bowed to Opossumon. She giggled and waved her hand as Anchuu sat next to Shinai. Kudamon floated up and "sat" on Anchuu's shoulder.
"Well, that's all of the crests," Togemogumon said. "That is good. If one of the crests hadn't been taken, then who knows what could have happened." The digimon all bowed and exited, save for Orcamon.
"You all are welcome to wander around," he said, "but it would be advisable to return to this building when the night bell rings." He pointed one of his flippers out of the window to a tall tower. "That is, as you could say, our curfew bell. It is for our best safety." He bowed and left the room.
"I'm going to go and stretch my legs!" Shinai declared, putting the silver box into her waist pouch. "Look, a perfect fit."
"We'll go with you," Anchuu said as he stood, sticking his box into one of the large pockets on his pants.
"No, that's okay," Shinai said. "I'd rather go alone." She looked at Mushroomon and smiled. "Rather, just me and Mushroomon." Mushroomon nodded. Together, they left. Anchuu crossed his arms and walked out of the second door. Kanki thought for a moment before following Anchuu. Renamon followed Kanki dutifully.
When they were gone, Lopmon said, "Looks like Renamon has accepted Kanki." He looked at Seimei, who stared at her silver box sadly. "Hey, it will be okay," he said to her. "Like Boarmon said, it will take some time. Seimei sighed and nodded. "Come on, kiddo, let's go for a walk." Seimei smiled and stood. She followed Shinzen and Elecmon as they left. Roten and Falcomon then followed them. Kokoroe grabbed Wizardmon's hand and pulled him to the door, stuffing the silver box in her bag as she went.
"Well, since everyone else is going, we might as well go too," Denkou told Leormon. As Leormon bounded ahead to the door, Denkou put his silver box in his messenger back and then followed. Tanomoshii, Tomo, and Tanshin also put their silver boxes into their respected bags. Tanomoshii looked up to see FanBeemon already leaving.
"FanBeemon, wait up!" he said as he scrambled to his feet. He had to run to catch up, and wasn't the only one left behind. Tanemon was also leaving and was nearly stepped on by Tanomoshii.
"Watch it!" Tanemon shouted. When he saw Tanshin following, he playfully ran ahead. Now only Shoki, Tomo, Seidaku, and Kodimon remained. Tomo quietly got up and left. Gatomon was still on his shoulders.
Shoki showed no sign of leaving. Tokomon looked over at Seidaku, who winked at him. Tokomon smiled and quickly dislocated himself from Shoki's arms. "Tokomon!" Shoki cried. Tokomon ran to the door and stopped looking back at her. Shoki followed, and soon both were gone.
Seidaku looked at Evelomon. "You gonna go for a walk?" she asked.
"No," Evelomon said. "I'm gonna wander around and keep an eye on them all. You?"
"I'm kind of tired," Seidaku said. Evelomon nodded and hurried out through the door Tanshin and Tanemon had left. Seidaku looked back at Kodimon, who was staring out of the window. "How are you doing?" she asked. Kodimon didn't hear her at first. When he turned to her, he smiled sadly.
"Polamon it bound to be a part of Soritamon by now," he said.
He was silent for a while. "You two were close, weren't you?" Seidaku asked. Kodimon nodded. "Childhood friends?" Kodimon shook his head.
"He was my brother," he said. "Twin brother. Not much resemblance, I know. We were born from the same digiegg."
"Oh," Seidaku said. "I see. When you called him 'brother' you meant it literally. I see." She thought back to Willis, the American boy who had twin digimon from the same digiegg. His partners were Terriermon and Lopmon, though not the same ones that were partners to the tamers. She remembered how Lopmon had been infected with a virus.
"We'll defeat Soritamon," Seidaku said. "You'll see. We'll defeat him and Grizzlymon and you just might be reunited with Polamon."
Kodimon smiled. "Thank you," he said sincerely. "You are most kind to me."
- - - - - -
On the hill that overlooked Ethe Village, Grizzlymon stood with a cat digimon and two other figures.
"They've gotten to the crests," the cat digimon said. "All of them might be claimed."
"Only one way to know," said one of the other figures. It was female.
"We need those crests," said the other figure, a male.
"If the crests are gone, there is always the elements," the female said.
"Kodimon is there," the cat digimon said.
Grizzlymon grinned with a growl. "I'll deal with him."