Bond of Hope and Light: Name's Takeru Ishida Chapter 11: Through the Digital World, a digimon fanfic

Story by Green Garden

Bond of Hope and Light: Name's Takeru Ishida
Chapter 10: "Through the Digital World"

The feeling of the heart - Love? I know it is... - All I want... - Is your company, to be there beside you that's all... - I won't hesitate in my answer I do to you - But it's more complicated than that! - Am I worthy to be yours? - Or are you worthy to be mine? - Are there others? - Hope? I always have it... - The question is the matter of choice... - In the end the option is completely mine... - Who would I choose?

Previously on Name's Takeru Ishida:

Some interesting events happened in the previous chapter, but go and read it if you want to now. I'm not going to get into it. It's too much to mention and it would spoil some of the surprises in the previous chapter. On with the conclusion...

"I don't know about this Dai... Maybe this was a bad idea." Hikari whispered.

"Don't you want to see Takeru or not?" Daisuke inquired, whispering.

"Yes, but not like this; not through sneaking on a plane to get there." Hikari informed.

"We're definitely going to get in trouble." Gatomon muttered.

"Did we get any other idea?" Daisuke asked...

The coast was clear, and it was a perfect opportunity. Daisuke glanced out from behind the cargo, staring at the open cargo bay of the plane. Daisuke glanced back at Veemon; Gatomon, and Hikari. He nodded his head, and Veemon took his cue. He rushed from behind the cargo and roared. Veemon digivolved to Ex Veemon and started rushing away from the scene, heading towards the control tower.

Daisuke nodded, and gestured for both Gatomon and Hikari to follow. Hikari sighed, and followed Daisuke and Gatomon out, rushing towards the open cargo bay door of the plane. Once inside, the three of them hid behind some cargo, out of sight...

"Someone's coming." Hikari whispered.

Moments later a shadow was over them, and Daisuke; Hikari, and Gatomon all glanced up slowly. The Australian airport security officer raised his eyebrows at them, with folded arms...

"I believe this little blue troublemaker is yours!" An Australian officer exclaimed, pushing Veemon into the room...

Daisuke's eyes snapped open and he breathed heavily, sitting up in his bed in the dorm he shared with Catherine, since they both had been sharing the dorm together for over three weeks now. There was no info or anything new about Catherine's crest. Catherine had told Daisuke about it earlier and she told him that Koushiro came up with nothing, and that he'd still try to come up with something. Catherine was still sleeping on her bed with Floramon with her.

It was still night outside, and Veemon was also still sleeping on Daisuke's bed.

'What was that dream all about?' Daisuke thought.

'I know Hikari is missing Takeru a lot, and he's missing her of course... They need to meet up again, but not through any planes, because I kind of saw how that would end up.' Daisuke thought.

He got off of his bed without disturbing Veemon, and started pacing around the dorm quietly. He had his right hand rubbing his chin, trying to come up with an idea. The only idea he could come up with for some time was flying to Australia in a plane, yet he refused to go through with it. Just as he was pacing towards the laptop Ken had set up weeks ago, an idea came to Daisuke's mind.

'Wow! That's a wild thought. I don't know the time in Australia, but it's best to try it now. I'd need to tell Catherine and Beaulpa first. I'd bring Veemon with me, and Hikari and Gatomon for sure... I wonder what made them so scared that night...' Daisuke thought, walking over to Catherine's bed.

Daisuke gently shook Catherine. Catherine slowly opened her eyes, only to see Daisuke's face. She smiled.

"It's still night. Why are you up late this hour Dai?" Catherine asked, whispering.

"There's some stuff I need to share with you." Daisuke whispered.

Catherine nodded. "Of course... Do Sarion and Beaulpa need to know as well?"

Daisuke nodded. "Yes. I'll wake up Veemon."

"I'll deal with Floramon." Catherine decided.

Daisuke walked back to his bed, and remembered how he used to wake Veemon up from deep sleeps. He knew that Veemon slept lighter than him, but that wasn't always the case, including tonight. He went over to the mini-fridge, and both Catherine and Floramon watched him curiously. They remained quiet, only watching Daisuke's actions. Daisuke opened the mini-fridge and took out some food, kicking the mini-fridge's door closed behind him.

He went back to his bed, and moved the food he was carrying under Veemon's nose. A few moments of the food's scent under Veemon's nose, and in his sleep, Veemon started sniffing. Both Catherine and Floramon watched silently and were amused. Daisuke slowly moved away, and Veemon subconsciously followed the scent. When Daisuke knew he was ready, he quickly moved the food out of the way, as Veemon rushed into the wall, snapping him awake.

Daisuke grinned, and both Catherine and Floramon smiled. Veemon moaned. He glanced at Daisuke, and then at Catherine and Floramon, noticing that they saw everything. Veemon rubbed his head and looked at Daisuke.

"What was that for?" Veemon inquired.

"First, it's night time so let's be quiet. And second, you can have this now. I need all of you awake to share some stuff with you all." Daisuke informed.

"Is anything wrong Davis?" Floramon asked.

"Not exactly." Daisuke replied. "... O.K. I'll start with the dream I had just before I woke up at this late hour..."

The dream Daisuke had was explained to them, and then his thoughts and plans of bringing Hikari and Gatomon to see Takeru in Australia, and ending it with the idea of going through the Digital World to get to Takeru. There was silence once Daisuke was done.

"... Has such a thing been done before?" Floramon asked.

"... Are you O.K. with this Catherine?" Daisuke asked.

Catherine nodded. "Yes. I really don't mind. Can such a thing be done?"

Daisuke shrugged. "I'd never know unless I try. As far as I know, such a thing hasn't been done before; using the Digital World to transport from one part to another part of the world."

"The question is would Hikari and Gatomon come along?" Veemon questioned.

"We'll see, but I have a feeling they would. I've read somewhere that even if someone is asleep, and two people talking in the same room or place that the sleeping person is in, he or she would hear it since his or her ears won't be shut closed. Since we're going to bring Hikari and Gatomon, we'll need to be quiet about it, and need to have both Hikari and Gatomon quiet." Daisuke explained.

"When are we going to their dorm?" Veemon asked.

"Now. Are you going to stay awake Catherine?" Daisuke asked, turning to his girlfriend.

Catherine nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to see you and the others off."

"I'm staying awake too until you all are gone." Floramon added.

"Just make sure you do get back Dai." Catherine informed, in a worried tone.

Daisuke nodded, smiling. He walked towards the door. Veemon followed him quietly, and both left the dorm quietly. Catherine watched them leave...

Everything was quiet in the dorm as both Daisuke and Veemon entered Hikari's and Willis' dorm.

"Takeru..." Hikari muttered in her sleep.

Daisuke blinked, staring at Hikari. It just made him more determined to go along with his wild idea. He looked towards Willis and saw him awake on his bed with his hands folded behind his head. Terriermon was also there awake, but Lopmon was no where in sight. Daisuke put a finger to his mouth, gesturing for both Willis and Terriermon to be quiet. Both nodded. Gatomon was sleeping on her stomach on Hikari's bed. Both Daisuke and Veemon approached their bed.

When Daisuke reached Hikari, he watched her sleep for a few moments, noticing that her sleep wasn't relaxing.

'You're not going to like this Hikari.' Daisuke thought, shaking his head.

Willis watched in interest with what his friends were going to do, and he decided not to interfere. Gently and softly Daisuke put his hand on Hikari's mouth, making sure he didn't block her nose. Hikari's breathing became heavier as it was getting harder for her to breath. Her eyes slowly opened after awhile. When she saw what was happening, she panicked, her eyes going wide in fear. Daisuke gestured by putting a finger of his on his lips for her to be quiet.

Hikari nodded her head. Daisuke slowly removed his hand from her mouth. Hikari glanced at Willis, and saw him awake watching and being amused. She narrowed her eyes, turning her attention back to Daisuke. Veemon gently tapped Gatomon's shoulder. Gatomon shrugged it off in her sleep, and Veemon tried again once more harder. Gatomon hissed; snapping her eyes open, and jumping to her feet. Her glaring eyes didn't change when they saw Daisuke and Veemon.

"Please come you two. I have this wild idea where you would be able to see and talk with Takeru in person." Daisuke whispered sincerely, almost pleadingly.

Hikari raised her eyebrow. She knew Daisuke was being serious. She was also curious in finding out how he'd pull it off. Hikari quietly nodded, and got off of her bed.

"Don't forget to bring your D3, because you'd be needing it." Daisuke whispered.

Hikari turned to Daisuke, with question in her eyes. "... I'll get it when I'm ready to go along this wild idea of yours."

With that, both she and Gatomon went into the bathroom. When Daisuke saw the bathroom door being closed, he and Veemon walked over to Willis and Terriermon.

"Mind sharing your 'wild' idea with me?" Willis inquired, whispering.

"We're going to go through the Digital World to get to Australia." Daisuke replied, whispering.

"... Interesting." Willis whispered, rubbing his chin.

"Would this be the first time such a thing would be done?" Terriermon asked, whispering.

Willis nodded. "From what I've heard so far, yes. I seriously think this IS the first time such a thing would be done. It would be interesting how it would turn out... You want us to be quiet about this, right?"

Daisuke nodded. "Yep. Catherine and Floramon already know. We're going to use the laptop Ken set up in our dorm."

"O.K. Do you have your D3 with you?" Willis asked.

Daisuke blinked, and smiled sheepishly. "I'll need to retrieve in the dorm before I leave."

Just then both Hikari and Gatomon walked out of the bathroom, with both of them being freshened up and looking ready to go. Daisuke noted that Hikari wasn't wearing pink this time. Hikari looked at Willis.

"Do you know what's going on?" She asked.

Willis nodded. "I'm fine with it. I know and understand about both you and Takeru."

Hikari sighed. "That's nice to hear. Ready to go?"

"Yeah. We'll be going back to my dorm first. I'd need to pick up my D3 myself." Daisuke remarked.

That reminded Hikari about her own D3. She walked towards the desk in the dorm and opened one of the drawers of the desk. She took out both her D3 and Digi-Terminal, and put them in one of her pockets. Without any other words, the four of them walked out of the dorm, with Daisuke quietly closing the door behind him. Once they were gone, Willis turned to Terriermon.

"They noticed Lopmon's absence for sure. We'll need to have Rabbit Star on hold for them, just in case." Willis whispered.

"Should I join Lopmon?" Terriermon questioned.

"Not now." Willis replied...

Daisuke opened the door to the dorm he was sharing with his girlfriend, allowing both Hikari and Gatomon to enter first. Hikari and Gatomon weren't surprised to see both Catherine and Floramon awake, and knowing what was going on. Veemon was the last to walk into the dorm, and Daisuke closed the dorm door behind his Digimon. Once the door was closed, Daisuke walked over to the closet and retrieved his D3 and Digi-Terminal.

"Now to the Digital World." Daisuke grinned, walking to the laptop with his D3 in hand.

Hikari blinked. The laptop wasn't on when Daisuke and Veemon left the dorm. One glance at his girlfriend and Daisuke knew that Catherine was the one who turned it on while Daisuke and Veemon were away for awhile. Hikari and Gatomon glanced at each other, and joined Veemon with Daisuke in front of the laptop monitor. Daisuke held his D3 in front of the monitor, with Hikari doing the same; holding her D3 in front of the monitor.

"Just like old times." Daisuke whispered, grinning. "Digi-Port Open!"

The familiar light blinded them, and sucked the four of them into the computer, sending them to the Digital World. It was the first time Catherine and Floramon witnessed such a thing. Catherine took out her digivice from under her pillow and stared at it, all alone with Floramon in the dorm. They weren't too surprised of witnessing how traveling to the Digital World was.

"Take care of yourself Dai. I'll be waiting for your return here." Catherine whispered.

"And come back unharmed Sarion." Floramon added, also whispering...

A TV monitor in the Digital World glowed brightly, and brought Daisuke; Hikari; Gatomon, and Veemon all into the Digital World. Instantly Gatomon's fur rose, and she hissed, completely alert. Veemon clutched his paws and growled in his throat. The sky was dark, and Hikari hugged herself feeling a strong presence of evil in the Digital World all around her, similar to what she felt earlier in the university, during the night that she spent with Daisuke in his dorm room.

She slowly went closer to Daisuke, who shivered, feeling the evil presence himself. The land was dry and cracked, with thunder rumbling in the skies and lightning flashed in them. The TV monitor seemed too isolated with nothing around it. Hikari felt that it was almost like she was in the World of Darkness again, almost.

"O.K. No need to stay too long. The sooner we leave the better, I just hope this works." Daisuke remarked, turning back to the TV.

He aimed his D3 at the TV monitor and Hikari did the same. Gatomon remained close to her DigiDestined, as did Veemon, remaining close to Daisuke. In his mind, Daisuke was thinking of Takeru's room in his family's home in Australia, but not actually visualizing it.

"Digi-Port Open!" Daisuke whispered.

Once more, for the last time for some time, bright light blinded them, and sucked them into the TV monitor, sending them somewhere...

Derek was visiting with Crabmon, and he was with Takeru and Patamon. The four of them were in Takeru's room. Derek was sitting on Takeru's bed and Takeru excused himself, leaving the room with Patamon. Just as the bedroom door close, a dark circular portal opened up in the air in the room, and Derek's eyes widened, staring at it speechless. He froze in shock when bright light came out of the portal, dropping Daisuke; Hikari; Veemon, and Gatomon onto the floor.

For a few moments the two DigiDestined and their Digimon were disoriented, totally unaware of Derek and Crabmon being in the room.

"Did it work?" Hikari asked.

"No idea." Daisuke replied, whispering.

He glanced down at his D3 and gasped, noticing that it had changed. Hikari looked at her D3 and noticed it had changed as well. Daisuke's D3 was basically the same with the blue color in it, but the rest of it was now gold. There was a strange crest on Daisuke's D3 monitor, different from what was there before, which was the crest of miracles. Hikari's was still pink, but the rest of it was now blue.

"... At least we're not in the Digital World anymore." Hikari muttered.

"Yeah... What was going on there?" Veemon questioned.

Derek recovered from his shock, and cleared his throat. Daisuke; Hikari; Veemon, and Gatomon turned their attention towards him. Daisuke nodded his head at him.

"Hi." He greeted, turning his head away.

He quickly realized what happened, and he snapped his attention back to Derek, with his eyes wide. Hikari's eyes were already wide, and she was speechless.

"... I saw everything, and I'm here visiting Takeru. We're in his room in his home now. Does he know you all?" Derek inquired.

Upon hearing Takeru's name, Hikari snapped to attention.

"We're in Takeru's home in Australia?" She asked.

Derek nodded. "... Excuse me. I'm Derek Sider, and I'm an Australian DigiDestined. I assume the two of you are from the Odaiba DigiDestined?"

"... Yes. So you're Derek. I'm Motomiya Daisuke. This is my Digimon Veemon. She's Hikari and her Digimon is Gatomon." Daisuke introduced, pointing at each one of them.

He nodded his head at Crabmon, acknowledging his presence. They were all silent for a few moments. It was the first time Derek and Daisuke had met in person, since they only communicated with each other by phone.

"... I can't believe it worked." Hikari whispered, turning to Daisuke.

Daisuke glanced down at his D3 in his hand, and back up at Hikari. He shrugged.

"Yeah, both Willis and Koushiro are going to love this when they find out about it." He remarked.

"... T.K. would be back in a few moments." Derek informed.

Hikari smiled, and looked at Daisuke. "How do I look?"

Daisuke sweat-dropped, staring at her. The quick experience in the Digital World was temporarily forgotten. The door opened, and Takeru walked in with Patamon flying. Both weren't expecting to see others beside Derek and Crabmon, and at first didn't notice Daisuke; Hikari; Veemon, and Gatomon in his room.

"Derek. Food is..." Takeru paused, noticing the others in his room.

His eyes widened in surprise, and his jaw dropped. Both he and Patamon were speechless, staring at the new visitors. Hikari was smiling brightly, hugging herself; Daisuke was rubbing the back of his head sheepishly; Veemon nervously laughed quietly, and Gatomon just smiled. It took some time for Takeru to find his voice.

"How-How... When... Are you four really here?" Takeru asked quietly.

Hikari nodded silently.

"Yep." Daisuke replied.

"... Wait here... Mom and dad need to know about this!" Takeru exclaimed, excited.

He quickly left his bedroom. Daisuke and Hikari glanced at each other, and both shrugged. Both figured out that Takeru was excited and happy to see them. Hikari was so relieved and relaxed seeing Takeru herself also. Takeru walked down the stairs so excited with seeing both Hikari and Daisuke. Many questions appeared in his mind, but they weren't anything compared to how relieved Takeru was in seeing Hikari. He hadn't realized how much he had missed her until seeing her.

"Mom... I think you'd need to prepare more dishes." Takeru smiled.

Natsuko looked up at her son. "We're having more company T.K.?"

Takeru nodded. "Totally unexpected company! ... I'll go get them..."

Yamato; Gabumon; Hiroaki, and Natsuko all watched Takeru rush back up the stairs to his bedroom. He was so excited that he forgot that he left in a hurry without Patamon. Takeru opened the door out of breath, with all attention turning to him.

"I'm sorry Patamon." Takeru apologized.

"... For what?" Patamon inquired, confused.

"For forgetting about you little buddy... Umm... Do you four want to come down with us?" Takeru asked, staring at his Odaiba friends.

Daisuke was hoping upon hope that neither he or Veemon's bellies would growl then. He remembered giving the food to Veemon back in the dorm, but he wasn't so sure that his Digimon ate the food. Fortunately, it was Gatomon's stomach that growled, indicating that she was hungry. Hikari glanced at her Digimon, sweat-dropping. Takeru took the chance and had a better look at his sweetheart. He noticed that she wasn't wearing anything pink.

He wondered when that had started. Hikari was wearing a dark green sweater with yellow pants and white shoes.

"I think Gatomon spoke for all of us." Veemon grinned.

"I can come, right?" Derek asked.

Takeru chuckled. "Yes. When I mentioned 'us', I indicated myself; Patamon; you, and Crabmon."

Derek nodded and stood up on his feet. Takeru stepped aside and the DigiDestined let Derek and Crabmon out first. Daisuke and Veemon followed them, and Hikari and Gatomon were next, with Takeru and Patamon in the rear. Takeru closed the door behind him. Derek went down the stairs without a worry, but it were Daisuke; Veemon; Hikari, and Gatomon who all stopped when Yamato; Gabumon, and the Ishida couple could see them.

Natsuko gasped when she saw the four of them. Takeru and Patamon stopped beside their Odaiba friends, both smiling. Hiroaki was surprised at first, but he quickly recovered and gestured for them to come down.

"Dear, I think you need to prepare dishes for four more guests." Hiroaki stated.

"... Of course... I'm right on it." Natsuko affirmed, not quite out of the surprise yet.

She went into the kitchen silently. Takeru and Patamon went downstairs. Gatomon was behind them, but Hikari was a little hesitant. Daisuke put his left hand on her right shoulder. Hikari glanced at Daisuke's face, and Daisuke nodded, then he went down the stairs with Veemon. Still a little hesitant, Hikari was the last one down the stairs. The guests all took places in the family room, since it was large enough, with more than enough seats for all of them.

Yamato was on one of the couches on the side and Gabumon was with him. Takeru took the other side of the couch, and Patamon settled on his DigiDestined's lap. Hiroaki was on a lone seat by himself, as was Derek, who was on another lone seat. Crabmon remained with his DigiDestined at his feet. Daisuke took a side of a second couch with Veemon in the middle. Hikari settled down on the other side of the second couch, and Gatomon got onto her DigiDestined's lap.

"It's really a nice surprise to see you four here." Hiroaki smiled. "But... when did you four get in?"

Since Takeru saw them in his room, Daisuke; Veemon; Hikari, and Gatomon all knew that the questions would eventually pop up.

"Just a few moments ago. We popped up in Takeru's room." Daisuke replied, smiling.

"What?" Yamato asked.

"It's true." Derek confirmed it. "I saw it all with Crabmon. A dark circular portal of some sort opened up in midair in Takeru's room. Light came out of the portal, bringing those four in."

On any normal circumstances, it would have been unbelievable. But considering what they and their DigiDestined friends had went through, Takeru; Patamon; Yamato, and Gabumon believed it. Knowing their history with the Digital World, Hiroaki believed it as well.

"From where though?" Takeru asked. "I mean you must've started some place."

"From Daisuke's dorm back in Odaiba University. We traveled to the Digital World, and as soon as we got there, we traveled through the TV monitor to Takeru's room." Gatomon explained.

Gabumon pointed at them. "You four were in the Digital World?"

"... How was it?" Patamon asked.

"It was bad enough that we're not going back to Odaiba that same way." Veemon replied.

Takeru and Yamato were confused.

"But if the Digital World is in trouble, shouldn't we be contacted?" Takeru asked.

"I think that would've happen, but from what I sensed, there wasn't any chance of the Digital World contacting us." Daisuke replied. "It was that bad."

"It ALMOST felt like I was in the World of Darkness again." Hikari whispered.

Takeru knew how that felt, and he had a strong idea of how truly bad it was. Daisuke was surprised, but could still understand what Hikari meant.

"So the World of Darkness is worse than the Digital World is now?" Veemon asked.

"Yes." Gatomon replied, shivering in fear.

"... Is it possible that whatever evil from the World of Darkness is trying to plunge the Digital World into the World of Darkness?" Daisuke asked after some thought.

"As in merge the Digital World with the World of Darkness? That's a possibility. We'd need to know who we're facing first." Yamato explained.

"Whoever is making the Digital World that bad has got to be too much powerful." Takeru added.

The Digimon; Hiroaki, and Derek all listened quietly. The World of Darkness was something new to Derek, but he decided that it would eventually be explained to him.

"So... who's idea was this anyway?" Gabumon asked.

Hikari nodded towards Daisuke. "It was one of his wild ideas."

"It did work." Daisuke noted.

"It also gave us some valuable information. It showed that we can travel from one location on Earth to another through the Digital World. Another thing is that the Digital World is beyond being in danger now." Takeru noted.

"... This is somewhat great! Do the other DigiDestined back home now that your four are here, and about Daisuke's wild idea?" Yamato asked.

Daisuke sweat-dropped. "Only Willis and Catherine know, along with their Digimon. But not the rest."

"Why not?" Takeru asked, staring at Hikari.

Hikari sighed. "Well, it's all because of me actually."

Takeru blinked. "How?"

"I kind of turned the others, except for Ken and Wormmon, against Daisuke. I did that to get back at him from what he did to me earlier." Hikari explained.

"What did he do?" Takeru asked, glancing at Daisuke.

"... Nothing, just he took me out on a date, and he told me everything about the plan you two did. I got mad about that, and the rest is history." Hikari replied.

Takeru laughed. "... That is really amusing... I did tell Dai to take you out on a date, yes. But you getting mad... well... That's the amusing part."

"Not to mention how the others treated Daisuke. It would've been so entertaining to watch them treat Daisuke the way they did... Not that Dai deserves it or anything, don't get me wrong." Yamato remarked.

"... So how is things with you and Catherine?" Takeru asked.

"Great! She's my girlfriend now!" Daisuke exclaimed.

"And Floramon's my girlfriend!" Veemon added.

Both Derek and Crabmon sweat-dropped. Takeru smiled, nodding his head.

"I figured she was the right girl for you." He remarked.

"What about you two?" Patamon asked, nodding his head toward Hikari and Gatomon.

Hikari lowered her head, and didn't answer. Takeru realized what it meant. Daisuke and Veemon felt bad for Takeru.

"... We need a lot of catching up Takeru." Hikari informed.

Takeru nodded. "Definitely."

"... That reminds me... I need to send an e-mail to Catherine, telling her we made it here." Daisuke muttered, taking his Digi-Terminal out...

"Do you think they made it Kat?" Floramon asked.

Catherine smiled at her Digimon addressing her with her dub name. She shook her head, holding onto her digivice.

"I don't know Beau." Catherine replied, whispering.

The door to the dorm room opened, and Catherine turned her head towards the door. Willis' head poked in.

"May I come in with Terriermon?" Willis asked.

Catherine nodded. "Of course. You and your Digimon are always welcome here."

Willis blinked, opening the door wider and stepping in with Terriermon. Willis closed the door behind Terriermon.

"I won't know about that. Daisuke might mind me entering any time I want." Willis remarked.

"Well, then knock before you come in." Catherine shrugged.

"Yeah, that'll do." Willis agreed.

"... So they're gone?" Terriermon asked, climbing up and seating himself on Daisuke's bed.

Catherine nodded silently.

"No word from them yet?" Willis asked.

"Nothing." Floramon replied.

"I sure hope Dai contacts us somehow, telling me he's alright and he made it to Takeru's home in Australia." Catherine whispered.

"Me too." Willis agreed.

The laptop remained on, as Catherine hadn't moved from her bed since she had turned it on. A noise came from the laptop, which was too familiar to Willis. Curious about it, Willis walked over to the laptop. Catherine and Floramon looked towards the laptop, and Terriermon followed his DigiDestined towards the laptop. Willis grabbed a seat and Terriermon flapped his ears up, reaching the desk. He titled his head so he could so the laptop monitor.

Willis kept his eyes focused on the monitor, and using his finger as a mouse, he moved the mouse pointer around and checked the e-mail that had been received. He opened it up and checked the signature, realizing it was from Daisuke. Willis turned his head towards Catherine.

"It's from Dai." Willis informed, turning his head back to the laptop monitor.

Catherine got off of her bed and walked over to the laptop, with Floramon following her. Catherine silently read Daisuke's message.

We made it! I'm with Hikari in Takeru's home in Australia. It worked after all. An Australian DigiDestined with his Digimon, named Crabmon, were visiting Takeru before we arrived. The DigiDestined is named Derek Sider. We're all together now in the family room of the home with Yamato; Takeru; their Digimon, and their father. Both Veemon and Gatomon are still with us, but we'll come home some other way; we're not going to go through the Digital World again to come home. I'll explain everything when we get back. Love you Catherine! Veemon sends his greetings to you Floramon!

Your Love,
Motomiya Daisuke

What Daisuke wrote brought a smile to Catherine's face. Floramon was happy too. Something else caught Willis' attention though. It was the Digital World. Terriermon looked at his DigiDestined, and Willis returned the look. They shared a certain look that only both of them understood, and Terriermon nodded his head. He jumped off of the desk and left the dorm, slamming the door behind him.

"... What is it?" Catherine asked.

"The Digital World... The only reason they won't be using it again to come back would be because it's too dangerous to use it again." Willis replied.

Catherine blinked. "Something bad is happening in the Digital World?"

"From the way Daisuke wrote, I would say so." Willis nodded. "I'm going to reply back... Or would you want to? I'll send it after you write it."

"I'd prefer to write it, telling him you're here keeping me and Floramon company." Catherine decided.

Willis got off of the seat, and let Catherine on. She went right to work on using the laptop...

'I wonder if Catherine would respond back. That certainly was a nice touch from me.' Daisuke thought, thinking about what he wrote.

Veemon was smiling at him, and mouthed silently 'thank you' to his DigiDestined. Daisuke nodded at his Digimon.

"I think I'm going to help your mom in the kitchen." Hiroaki decided, getting up.

"May I help Mr. Ishida?" Hikari asked from her seat, staring at Hiroaki.

Hiroaki turned to Hikari. He smiled, and shook his head negative.

"Natsuko and I would be able to handle it Hikari. Thank you for your offer." Hiroaki replied.

Hiroaki left the family room, and entered the kitchen, leaving the DigiDestined alone with their Digimon.

"I think you four coming here might help pressure our parents to decide on going back." Takeru remarked.

"Yeah. It's definitely going to help." Yamato agreed.

"Now the question is HOW are we going to get back?" Daisuke inquired.

Takeru laughed. "Why! You four are welcome to sleep over until we move."

Yamato agreed. "You four won't need to go back on your own; we would be coming with you."

"Really?" Hikari asked.

"I think that's the best way to deal with this. It would be like the four of you failed if you didn't return with the rest of us." Gabumon stated.

"Yeah. We'll all get to ride in a plane together again!" Patamon exclaimed.

"... Funny you mention that Patamon... That was my first choice." Daisuke nervously giggled.

"What?" Gatomon asked, staring at Daisuke.

"No need to get into that." Daisuke replied.

He hadn't told them about his dream he had before he woke up, and he didn't have any intentions to tell them. He only shared it with Veemon because Veemon was his Digimon. He shared it with Catherine because he trusted her and because she was his girlfriend; he didn't want to hide anything from her. Floramon was Catherine's Digimon, so she'd automatically be allowed to know stuff like that. Daisuke didn't mind telling the three of them also.

"A plane?" Hikari asked. "You were thinking of bringing us in a plane?!"

Takeru laughed. "In the end, he didn't. Like Dai said, it WAS his first choice, and he didn't go along with it."

'I don't believe it! Does Daisuke have any idea of the trouble we could get into if I went along with his first choice? He probably does, and decided not to use it.' Hikari thought, nodding to herself and shrugging.

Daisuke's Digi-Terminal made noise that indicated that he got mail. Daisuke took it out; opened it, and opened the mail, reading it. He smiled when he saw it was from his girlfriend. He quietly read it in his mind.

Glad to hear you made it there Dai! Willis is here with me in the dorm now and he was the one who opened the mail you sent. When would you guys be coming back? Would Takeru and Yamato come back with you? Answer soon if you can. I love you too Dai!

Your Love,
Catherine Fournier

'That's nice.' Daisuke thought, smiling.

He quickly wrote another mail, explaining that he; Hikari, and their Digimon might be staying over with Takeru. He mentioned that they would probably all be coming back together. After signing it, Daisuke sent it.

"... I'm O.K. with staying over here until we go back. What about you Hikari?" Daisuke asked, turning to the DigiDestined of Light.

Hikari glanced at Gatomon, and Gatomon was staring at her. Understanding that Gatomon agreed with Daisuke, Hikari nodded her head.

"Yeah. I'll be staying also with Gatomon." Hikari decided.

"I'm in also." Veemon voiced his opinion.

"Great!" Takeru exclaimed.

"We'll need to ask mom and dad about this Takeru." Yamato reminded.

"Of course." Takeru agreed.

'I think I'd be leaving after I eat.' Derek thought, silently listening to them.

Derek felt like he was a stranger with them, and remained out of their conversations since he didn't understand much of it. He figured that it wasn't the right time to question such things. Derek wondered if he would ever enter the Digital World and see it. Since they had all rallied to defeat Malo Myotismon in the Digital World, Derek only knew that small location in the Digital World and nothing else. Natsuko and Hiroaki returned with the food. They set it down on the table.

"Mom, dad?" Takeru asked.

The Ishida couple looked at their young son.

"Yeah T.K.?" Natsuko asked.

"I was wondering if it would be O.K. with you two that Daisuke; Hikari; Veemon, and Gatomon stay with us until..." Takeru paused.

"... Until we go back to Odaiba." Yamato finished.

Both Hiroaki and Natsuko were quiet, standing back up on their feet. Natsuko felt dizzy, and she fainted, with Hiroaki quickly catching his wife in his arms...

"What a pleasant surprise! Or rather surprises. Nothing much to say, or I'd be spoiling it all. The next chapter would be the last and the epilogue. Stay tuned for the end of this story!"

STAY TUNED FOR THE EPILOGUE: RELATIONSHIPS ARE JEWELS