Chapter 15

Matt took up the front as they slowly approached Spiral Mountain while Kari held onto Joe's arm while they walked behind him. Gennai and Davis walked behind her in silence and Matt glanced back a couple of times worried.

It wasn't like him to be so quiet.

"Davis..."

Looking up to him questioningly, Davis' expression turned to surprise and Matt turned back to see a long figure moving towards them slowly.

"Leomon!" Matt gasped as the figure became recognisable.

"Digidestined, how good it is to see your faces again. You are all grown up now."

"What are you doing here?" Matt smiled.

"I felt the pain of the Child of Faith a while ago and knew that I had to warn Gennai."

"I am already aware. The chosen ones had found him, but lost him again. He recently broke free himself while Arukenimon tried to tap into his powers."

"I see. And where is Faith now?"

"Coming our way," Matt revealed and Leomon turned so that he could join their walk.

As various evil Digimon ran down the mountain, he stepped forward.

"Eye of the lion!"

Matt felt useless without Gabumon as Leomon defeated them and as he glanced at the others, he realised they felt the same.

Once the Digimon were defeated they continued their way and Kari's eyes lit up as they saw a single small figure making their way towards them.

Running forward, she threw her arms around him.

"Izzy!"

"Hello Kari," Izzy smiled.

Matt and the others all stopped beside them and smiled at the reunion and Joe noticed that Izzy seemed to radiate power and strength.

As they separated again they all gasped, as Izzy was covered in even more blood than he'd been the first time they'd seen him.

His clothes were torn and there was hardly any naturally creamy skin left under the blood and bruises.

Without a word Joe pulled off his blue sweater and handed it over so that he could cover himself up a bit, remaining in his t-shirt.

Nodding his thanks, Izzy slipped into it before looking at them one by one.

Closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them again with a golden glance in them and he sighed.

"I'm sorry about the others. But all is not lost yet."

"You know what happened?" Davis asked surprised.

"I didn't realise it yet as I could only feel a few of you, but I do now. Tai?"

Matt slowly shook his head and Izzy swallowed.

"I see."

"Child of Faith, we need to finish Arukenimon and Mummymon off as soon as we can," Leomon spoke up.

"Mummymon is already dead and I have no intention to let Arukenimon go."

Gennai stepped forward to place something into Izzy's hand.

"Here, I believe this is yours. Welcome back, Izzy."

Izzy glanced down at the crest and Digivice in his hand and nodded his thanks.

"We need to finish this now, as long as your presences are still a surprise. Will you three be able to fight?"

"We're not going to let you do this alone," Kari took his hand and Izzy nodded.

"She's going south."

Davis stared at the young man before them, realising how different he looked. He seemed stronger, calmer and fearless and he was suddenly reminded of when Diablomon had attacked, years ago.

Izzy had been the one to lead them then and it was only now that Davis truly realised that.

"Izzy..."

"Davis?" Izzy met his gaze and a shiver ran down Davis' spine as he could see no emotions in those dark eyes. It was like he'd banned everything to deep inside himself.

"Let's go," Davis changed what he'd originally wanted to say and with a nod they were on their way.

Davis hung back a little so that he was walking beside Matt and Joe and turned to them with a whisper.

"Why doesn't Izzy seem to have any emotions?"

"He's locked them away. It's something he's always done, but it is just more obvious now because you've not see him for so long."

"Why?"

"Because he's Empathic. If he doesn't shield himself then he's overwhelmed by other's emotions and collapses."

Davis glanced towards Izzy, who either didn't hear them or ignored their conversation.

"They are here," Izzy suddenly stopped after a while.

"Where?" Joe asked quietly.

"We are surrounded."

Matt nodded and they all tensed for the upcoming battle when Izzy closed his eyes.

Veemon, Gabumon, Gomamon and Gatomon appeared out of nowhere and they all stared at each other confused for a moment before the Digimon noticed Izzy and nodded seriously.

"It is finally going to end," Gomamon smirked as he joined Joe's side.

"Let it begin..."

TBC