Let Your Spirit Evolve

Chapter 5: The Journey Begins

"Uh… where are we going again?"

The group facepalmed as they looked to their so called leader. It was only twenty minutes after the group had set out to head to Dragon's Eye Lake and Takuya had already forgotten which direction Ophanimon had told them to travel in. Kouji rolled his eyes and snorted at his friend. "You couldn't have forgotten already dufus."

"Hey! I'm just directionally challenged!"

"How did you become our leader again?"

"Because I can kick your ass! You think you can do any better?"

"Yes, in fact I can! And you and I both know that you did not and will not ever be able to kick my ass."

Zoe shook her head. "And so it begins."

"I take it this happens a lot?" Lia asked as the group continued to walk along through the forest, with Kouji and Takuya leading while arguing with one another.

Tommy nodded. "This happened all the time during our first journey here."

"Yeah, nearly drove us all crazy," JP said shaking his head.

Kouichi shrugged. "I wouldn't know I wasn't really there for most of it."

"You were better off my boy," Bokomon assured.

Neemon frowned. "They argue a lot."

"They're boys, it's what they do," Zoe shrugged.

"You want to fight this out right now?" Takuya paused in his walking to shout at Kouji.

Kouji smirked. "Yeah I do!"

"Alright, that's it," Zoe spoke up loudly walking in between both boys. "You two need a time out!" Zoe yelled at the two boys, grabbing Takuya's arm and pulling him away from Kouji. Lia quickly moved forward to help her friend separate the two hot heads, grabbing Kouji before he could start to advance on the Warrior of Fire. "Lia take Kouji to walk in the back of the group. Takuya stay with me up here. You two will be allowed to talk as soon as you cool down."

"But Zoe, we were just messing around!" Takuya whined. "I wasn't really going to fight him!"

Kouji nodded in agreement. "Yeah, we weren't gonna fight!"

Zoe raised an eyebrow at the two boys which clearly meant she didn't care. "Let's go Minamoto," Lia said, dragging Kouji to the back of the group. Tommy, JP, Kouichi, Bokomon, and Neemon started laughing at the brooding boy as he was being dragged to the back by the small red-head. Takuya pouted and stayed up at the front with Zoe, under her watchful gaze as they continued on walking. The group continued on for about half an hour before Kouji and Takuya were allowed to walk together. The rest of the day was spent walking and conversing civilly. Anything that sounded like it was slightly threatening prompted Zoe and Lia to glare at whoever made the comment.

It didn't take long for the boys to realize who was running the show.

Soon night had fallen and the group had settled down to sleep. Takuya had decided to take the first watch. As he watched his group of friends sleep, Takuya smiled knowing that they were safe and that they were back in the Digital World. He had missed the ability to turn into a Digimon and he had missed all the friends he had made in the Digital World. And now here they were again, six years later, fighting to save the world once again. Sure, they hadn't fought anyone yet, but Takuya knew that the slow pace at which they were going at now wouldn't last.

And then there was the surprise about Lia being one of the Legendary Warriors along with someone else who was already in the Digital World. Why hadn't they known about this? And what was Lia's spirit? And who was the last Warrior? Then there were the Feudal Lords. Who were they if they weren't Digimon and how did they get there?

Takuya shook his head and started playing with a stick he had found on the ground. There were just too many questions running through the boys mind and not enough answers. He thought he had known just about everything there was to know about the Digital World, but of course things were never that easy. Takuya stood up for half an hour more before he kicked Kouji to get him to wake up and take his place.

Kouji grumbled and flipped Takuya off before he took his turn at watch.

"C'mon guys it's time to wake up! The sun's up!"

Takuya rolled over and tried to block the sun from his eyes as he heard Tommy's enthusiastic voice trying to wake him. "Get up," Kouji ordered, kicking Takuya's back slightly. Takuya groaned and rolled over to look and see that all of his other friends were already up. Takuya sat up and reached a hand up to Kouji, who pulled him to his feet. Takuya's stomach growled.

"Aw man, what's for breakfast, I'm starving!" Takuya complained. JP smiled and held up an apple. Takuya beamed. "Alright, Meat Apples! Toss me one, JP!"

"I'm still confused how apples can taste like meat," Lia spoke up as Takuya bit into the apple before exclaiming it tasted like steak.

Kouichi shrugged. "It's just one of those Digital World things you get used to."

"Takuya Kanabara."

Takuya jumped and nearly choked on the meat apple when he heard the voice. He quickly pulled out his D-Tector and looked at it to see Ophanimon's face on the small screen. "The guards have begun their journey to the Ice Ridge and should arrive within the next three days. Upon their arrival the Warrior will immediately leave to follow behind you."

"Should we wait for them?" Takuya asked.

"No, continue on to Dragon's Eye Lake and the Warrior will catch up."

"Alright, we'll be on the lookout for him… or her… or it," Takuya assured before he put his D-Tector back into his pocket. He then looked to the others who all looked about ready to leave. "I guess we just keep moving," Takuya shrugged. "Bokomon, which way are we going now?"

"We should be about two days away from Dragon's Eye Lake. We must continue to travel west and—"

"We go that way!" Neemon exclaimed, cutting Bokomon off and pointing over Zoe's shoulder. Bokomon promptly snapped Neemon's waistband before nodding.

"Yes… that way."

The group started travelling along in that direction. "Hey guys, don't you think that transforming and flying there would make this whole process faster?" Zoe asked looking around at the boys, seeing as Lia had no idea about digivolving or anything of that sort. The boys looked at her. "I mean we're going to have to digivolve to fight anyway."

"That's true, but only you and JP can fly in your spirit evolutions and we're not sure what it is that Lia can do," Kouji pointed out. "We can probably run, but I think we should keep walking so we maintain the element of surprise."

Zoe shrugged. "Okay, it was just a thought."

"Wait we can fly?" Lia asked.

"Depending on your spirits, yes," Kouji answered for the girl.

"That's so cool! I hope I can fly!" Lia beamed.

Kouji rolled his eyes. "Let's just hope you can use your spirits effectively."

Lia glared. "I'll be able to handle my spirits just fine, Minamoto. The concern is much appreciated though."

"Sarcasm is not necessary."

"No it's not, but I felt the urge."

Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Will I have to separate you two?"

The two shared a look before turning away from each other. "No…"

"Good."