Well, I guess I'm a bit late… But sorry again, school is a pain (Honestly, why do all teachers have to hold their tests within a span of three weeks; isn't their any law against?). Anyway I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter of 'Guardian of the Spirit', where you'll find out how this story got to it's name. Merry (belated) Christmas and happy New Year.
Warnings: a bit AU and OOC, crossover with Zero Two, Frontier and a bit Tamers
Pairings: Taiora, Takari, Kenyako, Takumi and maybe Mimato (other Pairings will be introduced later on)
Ages:
Yamaki: 32
Tally, Riley: 29
Joey: 24
Tai, Matt, Sora: 23
Izzy, Mimi: 22
Yolei: 21
Davis, T.K., Kari, Ken, Ryo: 20
Takato, Rika, Henry, Jeri, Kenta, Kazu, J.P.: 18
Cody, Takuya, Kouji, Kouichi, Zoe, 17
Tommy: 14
Last time: While Agumon resettles badly hurt in the Flame Terminal, after a hard Kendo Match with his new friend and rival Kouji, Cody manages to gain back his Digivice. A few days later Tai finds his way back into the Digital World only to find out that several things have changed. In the real world Yamaki and Izzy both register a strange disturbance and a with Agumon reunited Tai suddenly finds himself facing an old enemy…
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
"…" – Speaking
'…' – Thinking
--- … --- – Scene-change
--- Guardian of the Spirit ---
Chapter 02: Burning Courage
--- 13. 10. 2011 ---
--- Flame Terminal, Digital World ---
"So now tell me: Where did you hide the Spirits!"
The words kept ringing in Agumon's ears, as he tried to work trough their meaning. He had already heard that once one of the Legendary Spirits had been hidden at the Flame Terminal but their disappearance so long ago had led him to believe that they had been destroyed along with Lucemon.
Agumon shook his head, this was certainly not the time for musings and he could feel Tai's confused glance in his neck, and he would've explained but there was no time. Quickly he shoved his human counterpart down, Etemon hadn't noticed them yet and Agumon preferred to keep it this way for a while. They landed behind the rest of a house wall and to his credit Tai kept down.
"What is HE doing here?" the human whispered seemingly confused and annoyed, while keeping a wary eye on Etemon. "And what is that ghost stuff he is babbling about?"
"Spirits." Agumon corrected automatically, not acknowledging the first question. "They were created by the ten legendary warriors, who appeared first after the defeat of the D-Reaper. Some say, they were created as last act of the Sovereigns."
When he noticed Tai's confused glance changed into a look of horror, Agumon cursed himself. His partner had been out of the picture for seven of his years, he had no way of knowing about the waste changes that had taken place in Digiworld.
Tai shook his head. "Lets talk later about that." the former leader of the DigiDestined decided.
"Do you know if this Spirit-thing is anywhere here?" Agumon shrugged, but smiled inwardly. Such an amount of concentration and focus was formerly unheard of his partner.
"I wouldn't know." He replied finally. "I just came recently to Flame Terminal. Although I heard that a spirit was once here, I never saw it. I thought that they had been destroyed."
"I see…" Tai said, while they watched how Etemon caused havoc, and both of them were shaking in anger and despair because of their helplessness. Agumon clenched his claws to fists to stop himself from inferring, and regretted that action immediately when his wound started to hurt. He hissed in pain and then he saw Tai looking at him in worry. He followed his partner's glance and noticed that the ugly black spot on his hand had gotten bigger and was now pulsing in an angry red.
"That doesn't look good." Tai said, focusing all of his attention on Agumon, who went into a slight stance of defence. "We better…"
But Agumon never found out what would have been 'better' for them to do because suddenly they were surrounded by nothing but blinding light, flying debris and deafening sound — and just as sudden another flash of light hit him, but this time it was comforting and for the first time in so long Agumon felt the exciting feeling of digivolution.
Agumon digivolve to GREYMON!
Proudly, Greymon rose from the rests of the destroyed house, standing protectively above his human partner who had caused the transformation. And in front of him was Etemon, grinning evilly at Tai, who was struggling to get up, "So we meet again… Chosen of Courage."
------
Tai was finally back up on his feet and now held his eyes locked with Etemon's, the enemy from what seemeda lifetime ago. He needed a moment to regain balance but he felt quite safer with the now evolved Greymon. That was until he looked up.
Because even though Greymon seemed to be ready to fight, the now totally black right arm, that was still pulsing red now and then, proved him otherwise. The wound had spread. Greymon was hurt and in no position to challenge another Digimon, especially one with far higher level like Etemon. But on the other hand… what choice had they left?
Before he could make up his mind, Etemon charged forward, deciding the course of action for him. Greymon responded immediately by spiting a large fireball and Tai himself dropped down, taking advantage of his still existent soccer reflexes and rolled to the side.
But (not unsurprisingly) Etemon emerged unharmed, without even a scratch, and jumped high, his fist meeting Greymon's chin and causing the larger Digimon to fall. Anger burned in Tai's eyes while he watched how his partner Digimon took hit after hit, unable and to weak to defend himself.
But again the decision was taken out of his hand, when he heard a frightened scream from somewhere behind him. Quickly he turned to the direction only to see the smoke covering the remains of the main road and hearing muffled screams coming through to him. While watching Greymon taking another blow, he was torn between helping those he could and lending his moral support to is digital partner.
He was torn in indecision and fear – fear for himself, for Agumon and everyone else – held him tightly, as he watched Etemon come from above them, starring at him with madding glance, coming closer and closer – and his body wouldn't move, even though the mind was in panic… before a large orange, blue striped tail came from… somewhere and finally landed a firm blow, throwing the puppet Digimon into one of the buildings.
"Are you alright, Tai?" he heard the deep voice of Greymon ask in concern, causing him to look up to his Digimon, and something in his stomach turned into ice at the sight of the large dinosaur. Greymon was panting, struggling to keep standing and seemed at the verge of defeat.
The wound had spread even further; it had claimed Greymon's right shoulder as well as parts of the torso (and for a moment he could have sworn he had seen a fine red bolt wander over it). That the tall champion level still was concerned for his wellbeing, touched Tai deeply.
'We were far too long separated…' he thought absently.
Unlike him, Greymon had quite a focus on the situation and pulled him out of his thoughts, when he proposed: "You better go and help whoever screamed back there."
Tai just starred up.
"And abandon you?" he couldn't help but whisper, though he hadn't intended to say it out loud. Greymon shook his head. "There is nothing that you can do here. GO! I'll hold Etemon off your back, as long as I can!"
Both of them knew that wouldn't, couldn't be for very long. A moment of silence past between them and he heard no noise even though chaos was all around them. Then he gave Greymon a short nod – his throat felt to thick to say anything – turned around and ran down the main road. He didn't look back; for he knew that then he would stay, if he did.
He ran through the large train station complex, watching how many young and fearful Digimon tried to flee, to get away from all the chaos around them and how the Trailmon, who still where there, were unable to take the panicked masses.
A moment he was not sure how to take on the problem, evacuating Digimon wasn't something he had ever done, it was much more the forte of the younger destined. But then a fleeting memory hit him and slightly amused he told himself that there wouldn't be much different to a student council meeting.
Concentrated on his self-appointed assignment, he managed to gain the Digimon's attention and while he appointed to older ones to look over the younger, he wonder distinctly over the level of authority being in the Digiworld seem to regard him with and some of the older Digimon made short remarks about being glade to see human again in their world.
Guiding them, he managed solve their problems, even though there was no time because, there was no way Greymon could hold out much longer, he could hear the fleeting noises of the fight even here.
Now assured that the Digimon would be able to take care of themselves, a wave of exhaustion and worry threatened to overcome him, but then he noticed in the corner of his eye something or rather someone sneaking out of the station. Quickly he set after… whoever it was and was led out of the terminal to some kind of cliff. Quickly he climbed it down, recognising that he was following somebody, who was quite quick.
Now he recognised his charges as to Digimon, both rather small (about the size of his sisters Digimon-partner Gatomon) one white with some kind of pink cloth and one yellow with red trousers. He was just taking the last step down, silently thanking the fact that he hadn't slacked that much since giving up on soccer, when he called out: "Hey, what do you think you are doing there?"
The two Digimon froze and turned around, maybe a bit guiltily, but they didn't relax when they noticed that he was human. Quickly he had reached them and they looked up to him.
"Why haven't you gone with the other Digimon.", he asked, angry that they didn't notice the sacrifice that was made for them.
The yellow one answered at first, underlining it's words with a shoulder shroud: "Well, I would have but Bokomon here thought…" but it couldn't go further since it's partner took the liberty of hitting it over the head.
"Don't say everything you idiot, what when he is with the lords?", it hissed apparently rather angry.
'The lords?' Tai thought confused. This was getting somehow familiar. Now the white Digimon (Bokomon?) turned to face him. "Don't even try to play innocent, you know what I'm talking about."
Then it hid the face in its hands and whispered about wishing for somebody (Kuya-han?) to be there. Confused and slightly annoyed, Tai said: "Listen I don't know any lords and despite your claims, I have no idea of what you are talking about, but I'm a DigiDestined and if we don't hurry then Greymon will fall!"
Somehow it seemed that he had finally had reached the strange Digimon, since in his short triad it had looked at him as if to judge him and now it bit its lip, trying to decide.
He crouched down so, that he was near eye level with the small Digimon. Black eyes met brown and for a moment there was a short battle of wills, but then Bokomon had met his decision. It nodded to Tai, and he had to smile, glade that he had earned Bokomon's trust. "We were looking for the spirit. We can't let the lords get their hands on it."
Tai blinked. "So there is a spirit here?", he asked. "Agumon wasn't sure about it."
Bokomon was shortly distracted by it's yellow counterpart ("Didn't you just say not to tell him anything?" ZAAAP! "Shut up, baka Neemon!"), but then confirmed: "Yes, at least it was here some years ago, so we hope to find it again."
Tai took the confirmation somehow with relieve, but somewhere in the back of his mind he was unnerved, for it was entirely to silent around them…
But Bokomon snapped him out of his thoughts when it tugged on his trousers and asked hesitantly, almost shyly: "You wouldn't mind helping us."
But before Tai could even think of an answer, the decision was taken from him, because suddenly all he heard was a large BANG! And in the next moment he found himself on the ground, Bokomon and Neemon beneath him and an insane sounding laugh filled the air. "Thank you, for showing me, where I need to search, Chosen of Courage."
Tai fought himself to his knees; somewhere he registered how Bokomon and Neemon, hid hugged his legs trying to hid. He glared up the cliff and his eyes met Etemon's and their insane yet victorious glance. He remained silent; telling himself that now any second Greymon would appear and somehow they would be able to defeat Etemon, but deep down he knew the only reason why Etemon could have reached them was because Greymon had fallen.
And as if he could read his mind, Etemon pulled back one foot and kicked out, tossing a lifeless figure down the cliff. Shocked as he was, Tai starred and only when the figure met the ground, his ability returned. He rushed forward, praying, pleading, but the sight he met made his stomach turn.
Lying in the by the fall created crate was Agumon, but not as he knew him. Instead of having his healthy orange colour, Agumon was totally black and seemed as if barley in one piece, something that was made more clear through the strong red pulse that appeared now in a much quicker interval. He took the last steps as if in trance, nearly unaware of Bokomon's and Neemon's additional weight (The two had climbed up his back and peered slightly over his shoulder.). He crouched down beside Agumon, pulling his Digimon-partners head to him.
"Agumon…" he whispered, his throat felt raw, and he was surprised that any syllable left his mouth. But the much bigger surprise hit him when Agumon slowly managed to open an eye and although he vaguely registered the whispered plead for him to run and get to safety, he was effected the most by the lost look of Agumon's green eyes; the only sign of life that he saw of his partner before his eyes closed again.
Etemon, amused by the drama, chuckled evilly and then jumped down from the cliff, right in front of Tai and the Digimon. "By now you should realise the hopelessness of your situation, Chosen of Courage. Show me where the spirits lie!"
A shiver raced down Tai's back at those words, he felt fire, for what Etemon didn't, couldn't know was that in his arrogance he had awoken something in the DigiDestined. He had awoken the fighting spirit of the old times, the very power of heart that made a Digimon digivolve.
When Tai stood up, he had changed. Gone was the confused and unsure human that had re-entered a world, different to what he had seen last. Instead he found again the strength that had kept him moving twelve years ago in the hopeless fight against Piedmon, firmly believing that Matt would come to back him up, the strength with that he had led the other DigiDestined against more than one enemy.
Bokomon and Neemon had left his back and when he shortly turned around to face them, he saw them looking up some kind of awe showing in their eyes.
"Watch out for Agumon." he said, no ordered and they obeyed, though later he would wonder why they had, for he held no power over them.
Tai turned back to face Etemon; tall and alone he stood there, a defiant look on his face. "You will not defeat me, Etemon." he said.
He had no plan, no idea how to defeat this so much stronger enemy without Agumon's help, but the only thing he was sure of was that he would not be defeated.
He didn't notice the orange gleam, coming from the reawakened crest, nor the light that hit him, a moment later.
All he felt was determination, and the knowledge that he no longer ran, but faced his enemy, his fear and that was all he needed.
And then his entire world was white…
------
He was everywhere…
Yet he was nowhere at all…
Somehow he had the feeling that right now he should be somewhere else, but he couldn't remember…
Taichi…
He heard a voice call out a name, but it was neither loud nor clear. Concentrating on the voice he tried to listen…
Taichi Yagami…
Taichi Yagami? It sounded like a name. He had the feeling that he had heard it somewhere before…
Taichi Yagami!
Yes it was a name. It was his name!
With a deep breath, Tai awoke from… whatever had held him. Blinking once then a second time, he tried to get a grip of his surroundings. The three Digimon behind him where gone. So was Etemon. All that he saw was white. There was no shadow.
"Finally you heard my call."
Surprised he turned around, only to meet nothing. He had spoken? Or was he going mad? 'Well Taichi…' he thought wirily, 'Matt always prophesied you that one day the madness of politics would drive you insane.'
"Oh I assure you Taichi, you are totally sane."
'What?' Taichi blinked. Had he talked out loud? Or had the voice read his thoughts?
"Thoughts an speech are the same here."
Again that voice! Taichi looked around him, but there was nobody but him. But then again the voice sounded as if coming from everywhere.
"Who are you?" he called out. 'And where are you?', he added in thought.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hide from you."
Finally the voice settled for somewhere behind him. Turning around again, he was just in time to see it take form. Blue data and fire surrounded the point where it came from, and after the storm had settled he was face to face with a tall red warrior-like Digimon, with yellow hair. It reminded him of some kind of ancient samurai warrior.
"My name is Agunimon." the Digimon, now confirming that it was a Digimon, told him. "I'm the incarnation of the human spirit of Fire."
That hit Tai by surprise.
'So this is a spirit?' he thought.
"At least one of them." Agunimon answered the unspoken question. Tai shook his head, getting finally his thoughts back in order. Those spirit-things had appeared after the portals closing and Agumon hadn't been able to tell him much about them. It was time to get some facts straight.
"You said you were the human spirit of Fire. Does that mean there are more forms of the Fire spirit?" he asked.
Agunimon smiled.
"You are a sharp human, Taichi. Yes there are more forms, although we are one and the same being." Then suddenly Agunimon was surrounded by blue data (or at least it looked like data). Tai took confused and alarmed a step back. The data disappeared and instead of Agunimon stood a huge dragon like Digimon with a large red amour.
"This is BurningGreymon, my beast spirit form." the Digimon, that was now called BurningGreymon, explained.
"So the switch between your spirit forms are like digivolution." Tai stated.
BurningGreymon nodded as if in thought. "I guess you could say that. It is a bit more complicated but even I don't understand all the details."
Tai nodded. He had just gained quite some information. Izzy would have another thousand questions, but he didn't have the time for that. He didn't know how quick time flew by here (wherever here was) and in the Digital realm was everything possible.
"Why am I here?" he finally asked.
"You are here because I called you." Tai greeted his teeth. This Agunimon was about as cryptic as Genai had been sometimes. But then again, Genai had always answered when the right question had been asked. While Tai's searched for the right question, BurningGreymon switched back to Agunimon.
After taking a breath, Tai asked the question anew: "Why did you call me?"
Agunimon smiled, what made Tai somewhat certain that he had gotten the question right. "I called you, to make you a proposal."
At Tai's sceptical look, Agunimon took a short break and then started his explanation. "You probably noticed, but the Digital Realm is about to face a new time of darkness."
Tai nodded; Etemon's appearance had kind of stated the obvious. "Bokomon and Neemon told my about some lord."
"The spirits are part of the new security system, that protects the Digiworld. Normally in case of attack I would summon my… well, you could call it partner. My partner would set free my powers and by combining my powers with the other spirits, we would defeat the darkness." Agunimon continued.
"Then why calling me?" Tai asked calmly, though somewhere he felt sad that they now had been reduced to second choice. Hadn't they shown their concern about the Digital World? "Why not call your partner, and be done with it?"
Agunimon chuckled bitterly and looked to the ground for a moment. "Well there comes my dilemma."
Their eyes met again. "I don't know how, but the new darkness managed to cut of the connection to my partner as well as to the other spirits. I presume that the other spirits have the same problem. I needed to find a new way of contacting the outside world."
"And that is the reason you called me?" Tai asked to confirm his assumption.
"It is. I ask you to take bring me to my partner so that we can defeat the darkness. In return you shall be the Guardian of Fire with all privileges that come with this responsibility." Agunimon said.
Tai raised his eyebrow again, for he wasn't sure how much he could trust this Digimon.
"What are those privileges as you called it?" he asked carefully. He had studied politics long enough to know that most deals were more than met the eye.
"You will see that with time, though I hope by then you will have stopped distrusting me." Tai flinched, normally he wasn't that transparent but then he remembered what Agunimon had said about this place.
But Agunimon held out his hand, unfazed by all wary thoughts Tai held against him. "What will it be Taichi Yagami, Chosen of Courage? Will you accept the responsibility of guarding the Spirits of Fire, until they reach their true owner?"
Tai closed his eyes, trying to decide. This could be a horrible trap; after all he only knew what Agunimon had told him. But on the other hand, had the thought of a trap ever held him back? Now was his chance to gain back the adventures of his teenage years, the chance to fight, to make a difference. And that was nothing he would, could pass off.
He took Agunimon's hand, sealing the deal. "I accept."
Agunimon smiled. "Then awake now, Guardian of Fire!"
He saw a glow and looked down just in time to see that it came from his Digivice. Quickly he grabbed the device of miracles just in time to see it change and he watched how it grew larger and changed its form. Just before it settled, Tai was distracted by another glow, orange this time, and now he stared at his crest, that had prideful returned to it's own strength. He looked up the Agunimon, but before he could even think of a question his world disappeared in blazing white.
------
When the world was set right again, he was assaulted by colours, a welcome difference to the white realm he had been. He was down on one knee, a bit confused and not really sure if the meeting with Agunimon had really been reality and not the result of his own desperation.
It took Tai a moment to gain back his orientation but then he realised that he was back at the beginning, Etemon in front of him and Bokomon and Neemon with an injured Agumon behind him. But when he noticed the stares he got from both sides, he realised that it wasn't the situation that had changed, but him.
He stood up and starring down on himself, the first thing he noticed was the cloak, that the Digiworld had donned him with. The cloak was similar to the one Genai and his partner had worn when they had teamed up against the invasion of the Real World, nine years before. The only notable difference where the orange and red flames, that grazed the edge.
Under the cloak he was wearing black shirt and trousers, both felt as if made for him and when he searched through the pockets of his belt he noticed his D-Terminal and another small device, he didn't recognize. He pulled it out for a moment, examining it and smiled when he noticed how much it looked like Izzy's new main project.
It was a blue and silver headphone, hardly longer than the span of his hand plate. 'Well at least now you can stop worrying about the D-Phones production fee, Izzy.' Tai thought amused.
But while he had examined his equipment, Etemon had awoken from his shock.
"What have you done, DigiDestined!" he snarled, eyes now blazing in anger. Tai looked at Etemon then at himself and again back to Etemon and a slightly cocky smile that fast evolved into a grin found it's way on his face.
"I found a way to defeat you." And those words were enough to make Etemon realise just what had happened.
"You have the spirit!" he whispered and then anger overwhelmed it and as it rushed forward it screamed: "GIVE THEM TO ME!"
The world around Tai seemed to cease existing. All he saw was Etemon nearing, all he heard was the pulsing of his own heart in his ear, and all he felt was not fear, but unending determination, determination to stop Etemon no matter what, and deep down he knew that Etemon would never defeat him. He didn't notice the orange glow of his crest nor the cries of surprise behind him, coming from Bokomon and Neemon when they saw the miracle take place and Agumon heal.
The next thing he would remember was the Fireball that flew over his shoulder, a bright shine it was in the dark night, and that hit Etemon in surprise, square over the chest, and threw him back to the ground. Equally surprised Tai turned around only to see Agumon stand there, back to full glory and strength.
The strange black wound that had covered his whole body was gone and stead the little saurian's skin was back to healthy orange. Bokomon and Neemon had been thrown back and were staring open mouthed.
In the meantime Etemon had gotten back to his feet.
"You are mistaken if you think you will get the better of me." it whispered in deadly voice, the eyes behind it's sunglasses glowing red, and moments later it was surrounded by data, not blue like Tai had seen with Agunimon but angry red, closing it off like a cocoon.
Etemon digivolve to METALETEMON!
Now standing before him was a Digimon that he, although he had never seen it personally, could recognise easily through Joe and Mimi's stories of the time they had spent split from the group in the fight against the Dark Masters. It was MetalEtemon, the mega level form that Etemon had reached after the defeat through him and MetalGreymon. And MetalEtemon didn't look as if it just wanted come by for a chat. The dark night sky reflected on the metal skin and its eyes were narrowed in challenge, for now their fight was beyond words.
His hand settled around the new Digivice, and for a moment he truly looked at it. It looked similar to the D3-Digivices but there were already differences in form. Instead of the usual white it was orange with flame-red grips and when he turned it around he was greeted by the sight of the sign of fire, graved into the backside of the device.
He turned back to his opponent and in mild surprise Tai noticed, that he wasn't really worried about what would happen, for Agumon was back at his side and despite his distrust, he felt that the acceptation of the guardianship of the Fire Spirit, had been the turning point. It was time to try out whatever powers Agunimon had granted Agumon and him.
------
Agumon, who still didn't really knew what had happened, only that what happened was to their advantage, settled at his side, looked up and their eyes met. They exchanged mutual trust and affection and Agumon was calmed by the knowing look of his human partners eyes, by the knowledge that whatever they would face, they would do it together.
That was enough for Agumon and in appreciation of the coming fight he took a step forward knowing that he would meet MetalEtemon with equal strength (though he wasn't sure how, after all he was just a Rookie level). A second later MetalEtemon was already rushing towards them and Agumon squared his feet to intercept the Mega level. He barley noticed, how Tai held high his new Digivice, for in the next moment his senses were overloaded with energy. He hadn't felt this much energy in a long time and his eyes gleamed as his energy level sky rocked, up to a level he had thought he would never reach again.
Agumon Warp digivolve to WARGREYMON!
When WarGreymon saw MetalEtemon nearing, he didn't think, he reacted. Intercepting the other Mega level he locked his arms beneath his opponents keeping him effectively from moving. A moment later, MetalEtemon was sent flying, hitting the cliff wall hard.
Normally WarGreymon would have pursuit his opponent but he was still far too surprised of the transformation that had taken place. The energy, that coursed through him was strong and highly concentrated, giving him a new edge.
But taking this moment for himself, proved fatal as MetalEtemon's Metal Punch connected with his chin, forcing him back. Angry with himself for letting down his defence, WarGreymon concentrated back at his opponent, whose grin send a short surge of annoyance through him. Why did most his virus-type opponents have to be mentally unstable? In the corner of his eye he noticed that Tai had gathered the still amazed Bokomon and Neemon and taken refuge behind a rock, knowing that a fight between Mega levels was often unhealthy for the surrounding area.
He closed his eyes, his eyes were not good to work at this speed especially at nighttime and instead he concentrated his other senses, smell and hearing. A moment later WarGreymon found himself blocking a fury of attacks, his eyes snapped open again and somehow he had the feeling of being stronger then ever. Then he was up in the air, to take a short breath, for MetalEtemon couldn't follow him upwards, at least not without trees, and now was the moment to start his own attack.
Quickly he started to spin, becoming indeed a 'Great Tornado', and rushed towards the ground. MetalEtemon jumped aside, but he had already foreseen that and planned, so instead of turning around and trying anew, he dug into the ground, never stopping his spin.
He knew that his opponent was somewhere above him, and instead of guessing and missing, he felt out and somehow (though he wasn't sure how) he suddenly could MetalEtemon, and not just MetalEtemon but everything around him.
Everything was a part of him.
He was a part of everything.
He tore through the ground, hitting his opponent in surprise, and managed to crack the hard metal skin with his Dramon Killers. Then he was up in the sky again, felling dizzy for a moment, but the feeling passed just in time for him to see how MetalEtemon launched lighting at him. Throwing back his arms he gathered all his energy and all energy around him into one last attack, for all his instincts told him that this was the last move in this battle.
"Terra Force!" he called out, as he launched the orange energy ball and in mid air both attacks met for one grand final.
MetalEtemon met his end, never realising what had beaten him. He never realised that in the moment the attacks met, WarGreymon started to convert the dark lightning into light energy, and that he absorbed that energy into his own attack. All he saw was the orange energy breaking seemingly effortless through his attack and an instant later he was hit, the crack from before ripping through his skin.
Then the nightmare was over and MetalEtemon busted into a swarm of dark red and black particle, which had disappeared a moment later.
Slowly the sun rose over the battlefield, driving away the shadows.
WarGreymon looked up at the orange, red sky that reminded him of his last attack.
'Yes…' he thought. 'The nightmare is over.'
'For now.'
------
It had been a long time since Bokomon had witnessed such a fight. This particular battle between WarGreymon and MetalEtemon reminded him of the battles that his human friends had fought against the Royal Knights Crusadermon and Dynasmon. At least now he had no doubt anymore that the new human that had appeared and protected them was indeed a DigiDestined.
He watched the human approach his partner, who had dedigivolved into the In-Training Koromon, how he picked the small pink Digimon up and hugged it with a small grin on the face, which reminded Bokomon of Takuya-han's post victory moods.
The human walked back to them, his steps radiated confidence, and set down in front of them. "I never got around to introduce myself!" he said, holding out a hand in greeting.
"I'm Taichi Yagami. But it's enough if you call me Tai."
Bokomon took the hand, secretly glad that the human, Tai-san, had forgiven him the earlier distrust. "I'm Bokomon and that idiot here" he pointed at his yellow counterpart, "is Neemon."
Tai-san nodded. "It's nice to meet you two." Now Tai-sans partner looked shortly up, asking him to explain just how he had turned the battle around.
Tai-san sighed, "Well, that was…"
And then he explained. Bokomon's eyes widened when Tai-san spoke about his meeting with Agunimon and the assignment to find Takuya-han, given to him by the Human Spirit of Fire, apparently in exchange for the power to help his partner to digivolve up to the highest level again (It seemed that Tai-san had already once had saved the Digiworld but Bokomon couldn't remember any records that would mention him).
After Tai-san had ended, Koromon asked: "So, what are we going to do next?"
Tai-san stood up and stretched and yawned, he seemed rather tired.
"Well I guess, why should start looking for a way to return to the Real World. Agunimon's partner should be there and since you said that the TV's don't exist anymore…" frustrated he massaged his forehead with one hand, the other still held Koromon. Bokomon noticed that the human swayed a little. Was he that tired?
"Could the new Digivice help us?" Koromon asked in a whisper, apparently too dead tired. Tai-san shrugged, while he pulled out the device. It had similarities to the D-Tectors. "Who knows. I wish Izzy where here, he could…"
But Tai-san was never able to say, what this Izzy was able to do, for in that moment white light started to come from the Digivice, swallowing the human and his partner Digimon, and when the light faded he was gone.
Bokomon start at the spot, where the human had stood, just seconds ago. Only Neemon was able to snap him out of his thoughts. "Hey, Bokomon… Shouldn't we have told them about Takuya and the lords?"
Now Bokomon realised his mistake, Tai-san had neither an idea who he was looking for nor what he would be fighting against, but he wasn't about to tell Neemon about this mistake. Instead he relived himself of that anger by simply hitting Neemon over the head and then led his counterpart to the cliff, where they started to climb back to the Flame Terminal.
The attack at the Flame Terminal had been the first to hit a large city, but for over a month now Bokomon had heard rumours about attacks and the strange lords who seemed to pull the strings in the background. Nobody knew if the lords were human, Digimon or something else, only that nobody survived crossing them.
'I'm really glad that the Spirits started to take action.' Bokomon thought grimly, while fighting his way up the cliff.
And then: 'I really hope that Tai-san manages to find Takuya-han…'
--- Odaiba, Real World ---
Just like it's digital counterpart, came the sun out over Odaiba, while Sora strode towards the flat that her boyfriend Tai shared with his best friend (and her ex boyfriend) Matt.
Silently she wondered why she was actually here at all; after all it had been Tai, who had apparently forgotten their date and left her waiting without explanation for three hours until she had went home, furiously cursing her missing boyfriend.
But then again, such behaviour was totally untypical for Tai, who always called, when he couldn't make it or was to be late. So after rolling restless around in her bed, her mood switching between anger and worry, she had decided to find out if everything was all right and had taken on the walk from her flat to his.
She had already called Matt, who had practiced almost through the night with his band and then had stayed over there. Matt had been tired and at first annoyed that she had woken him but after hearing her out he too had sounded concerned, but then said that she shouldn't worry and joked that one of the council meetings had given him the rest, or similar.
Sora had laughed at this, but her worries hadn't ceased, but rather grown. Finally she was standing in front of her loves door, debating with herself if she should wait or just ring him out of the bed. She shook her head and then rang the bell; it would be only fair to wake him, after he had held her from sleep the whole night.
Then after nobody answered even after her second assault through the doorbell, worry nagged on her and she just tried to open the door, although she was sure that it was locked, but to her surprise the door swung open as if to welcome her.
Slowly and on guard she entered, calling out for Tai. But then she blinked, why was she so tense, 'After all…' she thought 'This isn't a horror movie.'
More relaxed but not totally trusting, Sora looked though the rooms, but no matter where she looked, Tai was nowhere found. More worried than ever, she found herself standing in the middle of the living. She took out her cell phone to call Matt and had almost called when the strong white light that suddenly filled the whole living room surprised her.
In reflex she protected her eyes with her hands, only after the light had faded she dared to look again and what she saw was enough to take her breath. Standing just in front of her was Tai, but the look on his face was one that she hadn't seen in a long time.
Sure he looked beaten and tired on the surface, with tears in his cloths a few scratches on the temples, and only somebody, who had known him as long as she had, would notice the glow of his eyes, the fighter spirit and the confidence with that he had always led the DigiDestined.
"Hi Sora." he greeted her, only mildly surprised. She couldn't answer, for she still was too confused but the next thing she noticed was the pink ball that he held with one arm, and suddenly she recognized Koromon. She looked back up to him and before she could say anything he continued. "I'm sorry that I missed our date."
And then he collapsed.
--- Unknown location, Digital World ---
In the heart of the darkness was a castle where only shade and shadow existed. Nobody could say when it had been created but only few even knew that it existed. And most those who did, had already found their end, for the darkness was patient and hated to give away it's secrets to soon.
In the middle of the castle, looking at a bowl of water stood a man, shrouded in darkness and filling the air with despair, but it wasn't just a bowl of water that he watched, for the waters surface showed him the battle of the Flame Terminal.
He watched how Etemon, the minion that he had send in order to gain the Spirits of Fire, was destroyed and how the DigiDestined returned to the Real World, successfully escaping his wrath. The pictures disappeared and he was left in darkness.
"That was… unexpected." he said at last and then turned around to the woman that had appeared in the room.
"Indeed." she answered while walking to his side.
"It seems that the Spirits have found another way of contacting their vessels." he continued. The woman nodded while sliding an arm around his waist.
"What are we going to do about it?" she asked and he could see her slight smile. He closed his eyes and a plan started to form, evil and cunning. He had already built up the foundation, although for another plan but this one was so much better.
"Nothing, my love." he said. "We will do nothing."
"Oh?" she looked surprised and then she stretched, whispering seductively in his ear: "Is there something you don't telling me, dear?"
He grinned and drew her closer. "Just let me tell you, in the end… the DigiDestined will have dug their own grave. And the Spirits will be ours."
And then he claimed her lips in a kiss.
--- 14. 10. 2011 ---
--- Shibuya High School ---
Within the Shibuya High School the air was loaded with tension, the impatience of the students, who all knew that in a few hours they would be free to go into weekend. Those, most teachers had problems in their Friday lessons, for the tension pressed on their mind, and most of them didn't even know that it was this tension that made them feel uncomfortable.
And right now Cody wondered if it was this phenomenon that made Izzy seem so uneasy. Not that it showed in his way of teaching, no Izzy was as brilliant as always, making the whole class cling to his words, and Cody wouldn't have noticed hadn't he known the computer genius for such a long time.
It was something underlying, the slight shadows in his eyes and a few unnecessary hand gestures that gave him away. Something troubled his mentor Cody just knew it. But it wasn't exactly like he could ask about it just like that, at least not in front of the rest of the class. No, Cody would have to wait until the lesson had entered and stay back.
So he settled back and concentrated back on the lesson. But a small part of him still stayed alerted and watched the shadows.
------
But Cody wasn't the only one to notice the substitute teacher's worries.
Takuya too, had noticed the nervous movements, something that probably nobody had thought him of all people to be able to see (especially Zoe). He had also noticed the shortly narrowed eyes of his neighbour Cody, who Zoe suspected to have a deeper connection with Koushiro-san.
Takuya wasn't sure what he should think about this; both of them were always formal with each other in lesson, but that didn't mean anything yet. Takuya wasn't even sure what Zoe was looking for, after all even if the two had already know each other, it wasn't exactly their business.
Finally the lesson had ended, and after gathering his stuff, Takuya walked out the classroom, into the main corridor and settled beside one of the large windows to escape the main stream of students, who wandered to their next class and to wait up for Zoe and Cody. A minute later Zoe was already beside him.
"Did you notice, how uneasy Koushiro-san was?" she asked without taking a breath, her blue eyes sparkling with curiosity. Takuya crossed his arms and nodded.
"Yes, indeed I did." He said, and caused Zoe to raise an eyebrow.
"What? I really did!" he defended himself, and Zoe chuckled. "Okay, okay I believe you."
Silently fuming a bit in anger Takuya looked around, searching for their missing friend, but Cody was nowhere seen. Puzzled he asked out loud: "Cody noticed as well. Do you think he stayed behind?"
Zoe, feeling confirmed with her suspicion (whatever it was), nodded and both of them walked back to the class, seeing how the last students escaped and now the corridor was silent. Cody was nowhere in sight.
Prying the door open a bit, the settled in front of the gab, they now had a perfect view to the teacher's desk. Sitting there was Koushiro-san apparently sorting though his notes and standing in front of the desk was Cody, speaking seriously: "And you are sure about that… disturbance, Izzy?"
Izzy seemed to be the teacher's nickname (Takuya had heard him use it when answering his cell phone) but that Cody used it, was a sign that the both of them were close; after all he still refused to call Zoe anything other than Izumi-san.
"More than sure, Cody." the substitute teacher answered slightly irritated. "I haven't seen that much activity since the Shibuya-incident."
Koushiro-san sighed, stood up and started to pace, Cody's eyes never leaving him. "The problem is that somebody managed to hack into my system and cut of my connection before I could look properly into it."
"What!" exclaimed Cody in shock. Koushiro-san just looked at him and then ran a hand through his hair. "Yeah, but that isn't the strangest!" (Takuya failed to see how a hacker attack could be strange. At best it was annoying and at worst it was frightening.)
Koushiro-san walked back to the desk, pulled out pen and paper and drew something on it. "After my computer had crashed, this sign was shown on the monitor." Cody pulled the paper closer, examining it. "I have never seen this one before. And you ARE sure, that…"
Koushiro-san nodded tiredly "I know it sounds crazy, especially after six years without any sign, but this all just screams like…"
But Takuya and Zoe never found out what exactly it 'screamed like', for in that moment the substitutes cell phone ringed. Koushiro pulled it out and checked the name.
"It's Tai." he said, the irritation fully back in his voice.
"Finally!" he answered not bother to hide his mood, while starting pacing again. "I tried to reach the whole night; what the hell is going-" but the receptor of the triad, managed to cut Koushiro-san off.
"Wait, wait, Sora… You are saying that-What?" was the next thing they heard him say. He looked like he had trouble to believe, what he was hearing.
"Okay, okay… A meeting? Today afternoon, three o'clock at the usual place… Sure, I will be there. Everything, so I can get finally a straight answer to what is going on… I'll see you there." He closed the cell phone and sank exhausted into his chair.
"What did she say?" they heard Cody ask carefully a moment later.
Koushiro-san chuckled lowly. "Not much, I couldn't fully understand her. She seemed… confused. But whatever this meeting is about, it is probably connected with that hacker attack."
He looked at the clock on his arm. "I guess it's almost time for the next lesson."
He stood up and started gathering his things.
"I'll tell you how the meeting went…" as Takuya listen to those words, he realized that Zoe and he would be get caught eavesdropping if they stayed where they were.
Quickly he grabbed the surprised girl, pulled her with him to the next door which he knew to be a broom closet, opened it and hauled first Zoe then himself into it. Closing it of he pulled the girl back to him and when she tried to say something he silenced her, putting his hand over her mouth. Still tensed up he listened how Cody and Koushiro-san left the class and the corridor and when only after he couldn't hear them anymore, he relax.
"HmrHm!"
Takuya heard how Zoe cleared her throat, outwardly calm but her eyes shone in anger. In that moment he realised, just how awkward their position was. Quickly he released her and his blush rose even quicker. Zoe spun around and for then their eyes met.
"Zoe, I…" Takuya tried to explain himself but it was already to late. The next thing he felt was collision of Zoe's fist with his cheekbone.
"Baka Takuya!"
--- Shinjuku, Real World ---
"And please greet Takato for me." Megumi "Tally" Onodora requested from the former Tamers mother, as she paid for her weekend purchase. The woman nodded and pulled out the change. "I'm sure he will be thrilled to hear of you."
"It was nice seeing you again, Onodora-san." Matsuda-san called after her as she left the small bakery.
"Until next time, Matsuda-san.", Tally said, while shifting the bags with bread in her arm and stepped out to the street to make her way back home.
It had been so long since she had worked for Hypnos and ever since the organisation had been disbanded, a part of her longed back for the years as System Operator and the search of 'Wild Ones'. Of course life wasn't bad now but it lacked the thrill she had experienced with Hypnos (not to mention the sleepless nights).
Since she had been relieved from her work for the government she had gone from one job to the next, never really satisfied with herself and her work. She had even taken on a further education in Pedagogy, thinking that maybe teaching would be a challenge for her to take on.
'It's kind of ironic…' she thought, 'that after all the trouble with them, I wish so much for the Digimon to come back. Maybe that is some kind of…' But before she could finish her thought, her cell phone snapped her out of her musings.
"Onodora, hello?" she answered and was surprised to hear the voice of her former chef Mitsuo Yamaki. "Hello Tally."
"Yamaki-san, sir, h-how are you?" Tally stumbled over her own words, she hadn't heard of the stern man in nearly a year.
"I have no time for pleasantries, Tally. I would like you to meet up with me and Riley today four p.m. at my flat." Well one thing hadn't changed: Yamaki was still straight to the point.
"Sure, sir." she answered, still a bit rattled. "May I ask for the reason this meeting."
Her former boss sighed, apparently thinking about how much he could give away.
"Last night a contact between the worlds was made." he answered finally. "The nature of this contact makes me believe that soon we will face another Digimon crisis. I'll tell you and Riley the details at today's meeting." With that he closed the conversation.
Tally couldn't help but stare on her cell phone. Then she shook her head and continued her way home to make herself ready for her afternoon meeting, which was bound to become… interesting. Then she started the chuckle. 'Well Tally, apparently you should have been more careful with what you wished for… it just came true.'
TBC…
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Review replies:
Courage Sun: I can just return the compliment; after all I really love reading your 'Arrows to the heart'. Can't wait to see how that will continue.
alamodie: Thank you for your nice review. Sometimes I need some kind of sign that people really want to know what is going to happen next. I'm sorry that it takes so long for me to update, but as you guessed life (and mostly school work) prevent me from being quicker. I hope my chapter length makes somewhat up for the long wait. As for the Tamers gang, well don't worry they will get their piece of the story, it just won't happen for a while. Instead you'll get much Hypnos next chapter, I hope that makes up a bit ;).
Thanks also to sightbent, Holymisery, katana777 and wogan for reviewing and to Dani and Neiji, who always keep me motivated to continue this story.
Things, I feel like explaining:
1. Ghost-Spirit pun:I don't know if anybody who doesn't speak German gets that one, but for the people who don't I'll explain just in case. In German ghost and spirit can be translated as the same word 'Geist'. I guess it isn't much of a good joke, but I just couldn't pass on that one, he he he…
2. D-Phone: I know it might sound like a Savers rip-off, but I really already planned this thing before I had a chance to watch Savers (Okay it wasn't blue back then, but hey). When I watched Savers then, I thought about taking it out of the story, but I think it is a nice feature and the good old D-Terminal needs some upgrading anyway (We ARE in the year 2011 after all).
Preview: Although Tai and Agumon had success in their trial; the danger is far from passed yet. So while our heroes regroup, Yamaki calls Hypnos back into action and Tally finds herself with an assignment that might turn out a bit different than she though. At the same time Takuya calls the Frontier gang together, unsure how to think about the conversation he has overheard. And suddenly Matt finds himself in the Digital World, but nothing is like he expected…
Action is just about to begin, so be prepared for next time: Chapter 03: Twenty Questions
Please review!
REVISIONED: 31st August 2009
