AC: Just to warn you: Takaishi Takeru is T.K. in digimon adventure. I'm using their original name.

Chapter 6: Around the campfire

Millenniumon was once again in his temple. He didn't have any reason to stay now that Ryo was safe and he was tired.

He sat on his bed and watched Ryo and Agumon who teamed up with Mimi and Palmon. The cruel god felt some part of his fear for Ryo safety dropping now that his partner wasn't alone to against his minions.

As a target for Ryo to reach, he wanted him to succeed and reach his temple. Millennium already planned the great climax between him and his partner and didn't intent to let something in his way. He wanted it to be the final climax and not the first climax between them like in his reality. He crossed his arms and watched Ryo and Mimi talked for a while. Mimi said something that turned Ryo face into fear and pain. Millenniumon guessed Mimi said something bothering Ryo or said something unpleasant. He saw Mimi looking down and seemed guilty about what she said and apologised before they continued talking.

That was what Millenniumon guessed because Ryo seemed to feel better and nodded at her. After this, Mimi talked a little until it was getting late. Millenniumon eyes started to close against his will.

"I'm really out of...energy. Too bad I couldn't...hear what Mimi asked," Millenniumon said. He stopped watching what Ryo was doing and felt asleep.

Ryo, Mimi, Agumon and Palmon were around the small campfire they did for the night. They finished eating and they watched the fire warming them during the cold night of the cruel desert.

"Mimi," Ryo said before hesitating. After a few seconds, he said: "Thank you for saving me back there."

Mimi smiled at him before replying: "It's what I should have done sooner. I cannot help Koushiro, but I can help you fighting against Etemon. I have the crest of Sincerity," she showed it to Ryo.

"With this. Palmon can evolve into his perfect form right?" Ryo asked.

"Yes. Palmon will be at equal strength against Etemon," Mimi replied. She didn't sound completely convinced about.

"Are you sure?" Ryo asked.

"With what Millenniumon did, I just hope he didn't use his power to pervert the crest or strength Etemon. If it's the case, evolution to perfect won't be possible for me, but we will still be two against him," Mimi said with a smaller smile.

"We will beat Etemon just like any digimon we have in our way!" Agumon shouted cheerfully.

"They also think you are dead Ryo," Palmon said.

"We have the advantage for a first strike," Ryo said putting his hand on his chin.

Mimi looked at Ryo face. Her smile disappeared and she said sincerely worried: "Ryo...Are you alright?"

"Yes. I'm fine. The mark on my head isn't that bad. I'm really lucky," Ryo replied with a smile.

"I know. I'm talking about the bruise and a black eye," Mimi said.

Agumon gasped when he heard the question. Ryo didn't say anything. He turned away and dropped his eyes. Mimi saw his body lightly shaking by mixed emotions. She knew none of them were positives one.

"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to talk about it," Mimi told him.

Ryo raised his eyes and said: "Thank you. I just don't want to think about it. I want to forget about!" Ryo shouted. He clenched his hand into a fist.

Mimi knew something was really bad about those marks, but Ryo didn't want to talk about it. They said nothing for a few minutes until Mimi spoke up: "Ryo. How are you holding on about being a chosen child like me and my friends?"

"It's not really easy, but I have Agumon with me. He's really a good friend," Ryo replied with a small smile.

Agumon smiled back: "Do not worry. I'll protect you from the evil digimons who will try to hurt you my friend."

"It is strange...But I feel safer here," Ryo admitted before looking at the ground.

Mimi wondered if Ryo was happy being in the digital world or at least, happier than his home.

"There's something in your mind?" Mimi asked.

"A lot actually. I tried not to think about it, but me and Agumon crossed Millenniumon before fighting Devidramon and he said some strange stuff to us. I'm not sure how to process it."

Mimi eyes miniaturised before she asked: "What did he talk about?"

"He talked about my destiny partner. I don't know why he would bring that up. I know Agumon isn't my destined partner and this isn't the digivice, but why would Millenniumon bring that up?" Ryo asked.

"I already told you he's playing with your mind," Agumon replied. He then aggressively said: "He didn't hesitate to hurt any of us. He surely planned something bad for you."

"He captured us without hesitation and the only reason he keeps us alive was as his trophy. I wasn't there, but Millenniumon was crazy and aggressive," Mimi thought back.

"He is crazy. He laughed and openly mocked us. He wasn't really the kind to plan something more subtle as bringing up your destined partner. He wasn't the type to talk before capturing us," Palmon thought back.

Agumon gasped at the thought. He didn't say anything else.

"You don't really know about it. It's just so confusing right now. Even so, there's a possibility he really knows about it and just messed with me by saying nothing about it," Ryo said. He didn't hear any reply and added: "He gave me one warning. He sounded extremely serious about it that I couldn't just toss it aside."

"What is it?" Palmon asked.

"He said: « Beware of the light »," Ryo said.

Mimi frowned and said nothing for a while. The fire was the only thing resonating through the night. She finally replied: "As a digimon of darkness, he must be wary against the light. Light is his natural enemy. We are chosen by the light to defeat darkness. You are one of us Ryo, but what he said doesn't make sense. Why should the light beware of the light?"

Ryo nodded and replied: "True. He surely lied about everything," Ryo smiled and was more appeased about his encounter with Millenniumon.

Mimi adjusted her pink hat on her long brown hair while Ryo looked at Mimi. Ryo opened his mouth, but he said nothing. He dropped his head and remained silent. Mimi noticed it and asked with a small smile: "Is there something you want to tell me?"

"Yeah. I didn't ask Agumon and Gennai briefly explained it but...How was it to be a chosen child?" Ryo asked.

Mimi lost her smile and dropped her head. She thought about it without replying at first. She thought about it and said: "It's not that easy and I wasn't that useful," she dropped her head. Palmon moved by her side and pat Mimi's arm. Mimi smiled before she continued. She resumed her journey from the beginning to the end. Ryo nodded and remembered when the sky tore open and leaded to the digital world. She ended with the fight against the Dark masters and Apocalymon: "That's how our journey ended."

"So...You gave up fighting the Dark masters? Why?" Ryo asked.

"It all started after the death of Angemon, long before encountering them. Before that, I was more...Self-centered. Angemon death and Takaishi Takeru crying in pain and sadness, makes something slowly changed in me. I hid it, but it was bothering me. I was wondering what would happen if I lose Palmon. Then...After losing more of our friends...I couldn't fight anymore. I saw too much friends dying around me. I couldn't do it anymore. But, when Leomon was dead, I realised that sometimes, you have to fight and kill even if it is wrong," she looked at Ryo and let a few tears fall from her eyes: "Killing is wrong Ryo. What's sad it's that sometimes, you have to do the wrong thing because it's the right thing to do. If we didn't do it, how many digimon and humans would have died? I was glad and sad when it ended. I had to say good-bye to Palmon. When Millenniumon, who's half of the Dark Master Mugendramon half of a Chimairamon appeared. He already caused a lot of damage to the digital world before we came back. I accept to fight Millenniumon because I wanted to see Palmon again and to protect my friends and the digital world," she concluded by cleaning her face of her tears.

"It's not easy to be a chosen child," Ryo commented.

"True. But once you'll find your destined partner, you'll realise how great it is to have him by your side," Mimi said looking at Palmon with a smile.

Ryo smiled lightly and replied: "I can see it. It's starting to make me a little excited about finding my partner myself."

Mimi chuckled. Ryo saw it and also started to chuckle with her. Ryo started to like Mimi.

"Thanks for telling me all this and...I'm sorry if I don't want to talk about myself. It's really personal," Ryo said losing his smile.

"I don't mind," Mimi said understanding him.

Mimi and Ryo started to feel the fatigue getting them.

"We should rest," Agumon said.

"True. Tomorrow, we have a monkey to bring down," Ryo agreed.

They rested for the rest of the night.

AC: I also focused a little more on the chosen children perspective because it will be important later.

Don't forget that the central character remained Millenniumon.

Chapter 7: Victory and Execution.