Chapter 4: Tai Finds Courage
The children all stepped out from Seraphimon's castle to finish their quest only to find that this world is completely different from their own world.
"Tai is there something wrong?" Agumon asked
"I don't even know where we are, I mean I know we are in your world but how are we going to save your world when we don't even know if we are going in the right direction?" Tai asked
"He does have a point we all are new here and we don't know where we are." Sora said
"Don't worry about it for we won't let anything to happen to you and we will be with you every step of the way." Biyomon said
"Something tells me that we should go this way I smell water and where there is water there is usually a river and we could follow it to see where it leads." Gomamon said
The digidestined and their partners all headed to the river but little did they know they were being followed.
"These humans are interesting little creatures, they look puny and weak but I also remember the ancient history which shows humans being more powerful than Digimon." Astamon said
"Are you afraid of 6 little humans and their pets?" Boogeymon asked
"What will a champion know of this matter? We can't take these humans lightly but if you are willing to risk it then bring me the girl with red hair and the girl with brown hair. If we separate them from the boys then we will be able to see their true potential." Astamon said
"Why do you want to see their true potential they are rodents in which needs to be exterminated?" Kyukimon said
"They all hold the ancient crests of courage, love, friendship, knowledge, sincerity, and reliability but I also sense that the crests of hope, innocence, life, and light have been activated." Karatenmon said
"Do you still want to contend with these humans Boogeymon when they all hold part of the ancient powers?" Astamon asked
"For one the ancient powers haven't been activated and 2 it is only a portion of the powers if the crests of hope, innocence, life, and light was present then that would be different for those powers are impossible to destroy." Boogeymon said
"He is right the powers haven't been activated and we could attack them with out them realizing what is going on." Kyukimon said
"I want the 2 girls and they are weaker when they are apart rather than being together." Astamon said
Meanwhile nearby Lilamon overheard what was going on and she knew she must protect the children from Astamon and the others.
"My lady they are going to attack the children and I fear that the children are not going to suspect anything and defend themselves." Lilamon said
"I want you to keep an eye on the children and be careful for the darkness is spreading and they are going to need their strength to stop the darkness." Rosemon said
"Yes my lady, I will watch over the children and help them where ever I can." Lilamon said
The children followed the river up to a beach where they decided to make camp for the night.
"This is a beautiful night and it seems different from the world we live in." Mimi said
"We should make camp for the night being we don't want to tire our selves out for tomorrow." Tai suggested
"Where are we going to sleep?" Mimi asked
"On the ground Mimi it is like camping where you sleep with nature." Sora said
"If you think I am sleeping in the dirt then you must be delirious I refuse to sleep in the dirt." Mimi said
"Then where you propose we sleep for the night Mimi for it is late and right now this is the only logical place to sleep." Izzy said
"How about we sleep over there, we could set up a fire and then stand guard for the night. We could sleep inside and not have to worry about Mimi complaining all night about the dirt." Matt said
"That is a great idea for I refuse to sleep on the ground and get dirty." Mimi said
"With things going we should figure out who the first watch is and if anything happens then just yell to warn the others." Tai said
"I will take the first watch for the night; after we all eat we will set up camp and then I will take my post next to the fire." Joe said
"Ok I shall take the 2nd shift for I would rather help out when I could." Sora said
"I will take the 3rd shift for I want to study this world." Izzy said
"I will take the 4th shift." Tai said
"I will take the 5th shift then." Matt said
"Mimi, are you going to take the last shift?" Palmon asked
"No for I don't stand guard I would rather be sleeping." Mimi said
"Mimi you have to do your part for we all are a group and we need you to help out." Sora said
"Do I have to?" Mimi complained
"Yes!" All the boys said
"This is no fun." Mimi said
After dinner the digidestined all set up camp where Joe took the first shift and nothing happened during his shift then he woke Sora up so she could start her shift then went to bed. Sora would probably wish that her shift was uneventful but it was anything but that.
"Hello my dear!" A voice announced in the darkness
"Who is there?" Sora asked
"What are you afraid my dear?" The voice taunted
"I am afraid of nothing but who is there?" Sora asked again
"I am your worst nightmare." The voice taunted
"Show yourself." Sora demanded
"Why are you afraid of the unknown?" The voice asked
'Biyomon, could you sense where the voice is coming from?" Sora asked
"No it seems to be surrounding us and I don't know where it is coming from." Biyomon said
"We must warn the others." Sora said
"Then allow me to warn them! Blade twister!" Kyukimon fired
"Why did you do that I wanted to have fun with the girl." Boogeymon said
"Sora watch out I recognize these 2 they are Boogeymon and Kyukimon. Boogeymon is a champion level Digimon who uses the shadows of night to feed off its enemies." Biyomon said
"Lilac dagger!" Lilamon fired and hit Kyukimon in the chest
"Lilamon you will pay for that." Kyukimon said
"You are to leave the children alone." Lilamon said
"Who is going to make me?" Kyukimon said
"Sora, watch out!" Tai yelled
Biyomon was blasted by Boogeymon and he managed to capture Biyomon and Sora then disappeared in the shadows.
"You have won this time but I will destroy you for I have one of the targets I was sent to capture." Kyukimon said
Kyukimon disappeared back to where he came from and they all had Sora bound and tied which Astamon kept her near him.
"Don't worry my dear nothing is going to happen to you for I am interested in seeing the strength of your friends." Astamon said
"I think we should destroy her right now." Kyukimon said
"No this girl is not to be harmed, don't ever underestimate these children Kyukimon!" Astamon said
Meanwhile the digidestined are trying to figure out how to save Sora from Kyukimon and Boogeymon.
"Who are you and where did they take Sora?" Tai asked
"I am Lilamon and I have been sent here to protect you children, I am sorry I couldn't stop them but I do know they are not going to bring harm to her for they are only testing you. Their leader Astamon won't let them harm her for he wants to test your strength as a group and see if you are truly the digidestined." Lilamon said
"How do we know this is not a trap?" Matt asked
"It is not a trap for I sense that she is very sincere and she wants to help us." Mimi said
"Astamon is the most powerful out of the 4 and he is more interested in testing you rather than destroying you. He is more interested in testing the boys rather than the girls and he won't let Sora out of his sight or the others will destroy her. Right now he wants to see where your courage and friendship lies and how you use the powers that you possess." Lilamon said
"By the way you are describing it Astamon is not a bad guy but more of an antagonist who is willing to see our strengths and weaknesses while the other 3 are more interested in destruction." Izzy said
"Don't be fooled by Astamon for he will challenge you but I don't think he intends to kill you but he does plan other things to you." Lilamon said
"Are you working for Astamon?" Joe asked
"No I work for Rosemon who is the queen of plants and life." Lilamon said
"What side does her allegiance lies?" Izzy inquired
"Her allegiance lies with Lord Seraphimon and Lady Ophanimon and that is where her allegiance has always lied." Lilamon said
"Astamon sounds like he has plans for us if he is not interested in killing us." Tai said
"Kyukimon, Boogeymon and Karatenmon are not the only threat out there for there is the true king of darkness and there are others as well who are out there who wants to see you fail." Lilamon said
"Why do you mention Astamon a lot?" Mimi asked
"I mention him because we use to be friends and even more but a virus has infected him but he doesn't act like a normal virus type Digimon." Lilamon said
"Well we are going to have to come up with a plan if we are going to save Sora." Tai said
Meanwhile Astamon is keeping watch over Sora even though 2 of the 3 other Digimon want to see her suffer and then die.
"My dear do you fear me or is it the unknown that you fear?" Astamon asked
"I don't fear what I don't see but I am scared right now for Biyomon and my friends." Sora said
"Don't worry your friends are all different and I know that they will come for you and your pet Biyomon. You all may look weak but what the other 3 Digimon don't realize your strengths come from your heart and emotions. I do not plan on destroying you humans or your Digimon partners but I do have other things planned for you all." Astamon said
"What do you have planned for us all if you do not plan on destroying us?" Sora asked curiously
"If I wanted you dead I wouldn't take the time to see your strengths and powers I would just attack and kill. I find that you humans are better alive rather than dead and with that said it says 6 will come and pave the way for the queen of light and the angel of hope, innocence, and life. You children are the 6 for you each holds a power that when combined it creates the light of hope." Astamon said
"How do you know this?" Sora asked
"I have seen it and the true king of darkness will fear the queen of light and the child of hope for they are the keys to his destruction but they are going to need the guidance of the 6 warriors. I plan on having you children use your powers and when all the powers activate then I plan on training you all for a greater purpose." Astamon said
"What is this purpose?" Sora asked
"There is an ancient technique in which is said that only few could achieve. I plan on a fusion evolution in which you and your partners become one for life and with the 6 warriors of light fighting side by side then it would pave the way for the queen of light." Astamon said
But in order for this to happen things are going to change for once you fuse with your partner then a DNA digivolution takes place then 3 ultimate warriors will appear." Astamon said
"Wait if we fuse with our partners then we DNA digivolve how will we ever separate?" Sora asked
"There are 3 levels to a fusion evolution, one is bio merge in which the Digimon and its partner partially becomes one, spirit evolution is where the spirits of the elements fuse with a human and the human becomes a Digimon but is able to revert back to their human form, and the final form of fusion evolution is where a Digimon and a human becomes one for life and in order to combine they take their blood and mix it together. When this form of fusion evolution takes place the Digimon becomes your shadow and while you are sleeping the Digimon has a choice either to be free and scope around or sleep. This form of fusion evolution like spirit evolution allows the human to be free except when he or she calls upon the fusion to take place then both the human and Digimon fight as one. This form is extremely hard and rare for only one has achieved this form." Astamon said
"Who has achieved the highest form of fusion evolution?" Biyomon asked
"Long ago there was a child who possessed the gifts of Hope, Innocence, and life and it is said that in order to make it so not everyone except the child who possesses the qualities would be able to use his powers. After he created the 3 ancient crests he fused his soul with Seraphimon himself where he will always be apart of him like a silent guardian watching over the night. He was the one who was able to use his powers to fuse with a Digimon and he was the one who started the research on fusion evolution and it is my goal to teach that technique to those." Astamon said
"Then what about DNA evolution you still hasn't answered that question?" Sora asked
"DNA digivolution is where 2 Digimon combine into one, it is the closest thing that we have for a fusion evolution. Like I said fusion evolution is between a human and a Digimon but DNA evolution is between 2 Digimon and that is the only way one could achieve this. Omnimon was a DNA Digimon who is made up on War Greymon and Metal Garurumon and even then they were able to separate and revert back to 2 digieggs which is said that 2 of your friends have as partners." Astamon said
Meanwhile Boogeymon and Kyukimon are wondering what Astamon is up to for he is not following orders to destroy the digidestined.
"What are we going to do our master is going to furious if the digidestined are not destroyed?" Boogeymon said
"We are going to have to attack the digidestined with or without Astamon on our side even though he is more powerful if we all attack him at once we will be able to remove him from the picture. We will also attack the girl that he has by his side and we must hurry for if we don't capture those crests our master will be even more furious." Kyukimon said
"Then how do you propose we go after them and survive especially with Astamon on their side?" Karatenmon asked coming out of the shadows and startling the 2 Digimon.
"This is none of your concerns you know how to survive against them we on the other hand have to figure out their weakness." Boogeymon said
"I also know your weakness and it won't be very hard to use it against you." Karatenmon said
"Knock it off before Astamon comes and hears us." Kyukimon said
"What are you afraid of especially if you plan on over powering him?" Karatenmon said
"How long have you been listening?" Kyukimon asked
"I have been here the whole time and Boogeymon should have sensed me being the shadows are his element." Karatenmon said
"Well what do you want?" Boogeymon asked
"The same thing you do but I was trying to sleep while you 2 were rambling about how to destroy the digidestined which there is only one way you could do that and that is to play with the child of courage's greatest fear and the child of friendship's greatest fear. With those 2 out of the way then the others will fall like flies." Karatenmon said
"You want something for you wouldn't give us that information if you didn't want anything." Kyukimon said
"I want the crest of courage and friendship for those is the keys to finding the children of the crests of hope, innocence, life, and light." Karatenmon said
"What do you want with those children?" Kyukimon said
"They are absolute power and they are the key to eternal power." Karatenmon said
"Fine we will give you the crests of friendship and courage but won't you need all 6 crests to uncloak the 2 prophesized children?" Boogeymon asked
"Yes I will but I could use the crests of friendship and courage to warp to the 2 children in this time and bring them here to be mine. Now the 5 remaining children will be coming very soon to get their precious teammate." Karatenmon said
Meanwhile Tai and the others make their way to the dark pool in which Sora is being held captive and when they get there Karatenmon brings Tai's greatest fear to life.
"Tai where are you?" Kari said
"Kari what are you doing here?" Tai said
"Mom sent me to look for you, I am feeling much better Tai could I play with you and your friends. I promise I won't get in the way please, pretty please?" Kari asked
"Kari, look out!" Tai shouted
Kyukimon then stabbed the little girl killing her instantly and Tai lost it.
"Kari no! Kari!" Tai cried
"Tai snap out of it Kari is not here, she never was." Matt said
"Kari is dead." Tai cried
"No she is not she was never here." Izzy said
"Come on Tai you have to fight this it was only a figment of your imagination." Mimi said
Karatenmon then did the same thing to Matt.
"Tk?" Matt questioned
"Matt where are you…I am scared…Matt brother please help me." Tk said
"Tk I'm right here." Matt said
"Matt help me…I can't see you please help me." Tk said
"KARI NO!" Tai yelled
Suddenly Matt snapped out of the trance he was in and he went to help Tai when Astamon, Sora, & Biyomon showed to see what the commotion was. Boogeymon, Kyukimon, and Karatenmon appeared behind Sora and were about to attack when Tai realized what was going to happen and he ran and tackled Sora before the attack hit her. With the attack grazing Tai his crest started to glow along with Agumon and then Agumon became War Greymon and used his Terra Force and destroyed Boogeymon while the other 2 Digimon left leaving Astamon and Sora.
"I am impressed that you were able to skip champion and ultimate form and become a mega; I guess those crests hold more power than we all thought." Astamon said
"What do you mean by that?" Tai asked
"Well they tried to use your fears against you so your crest wouldn't activate but what they didn't count on was the fact of your friend Sora showing up which made you come back to reality. It shows that it takes a lot of courage to face your fears and help your friends and that is why you were able to activate your crest." Astamon said
"If the rest of you could find your powers to activate your crests then you would succeed in defeating the king of darkness." Lilamon said
