The little Digimon all froze, and TJ's expression turned concerned…
"Hey, what's wrong?"
Patamon looked at the curiously, and followed their gaze, turning to look behind…
"Oh no…"
A jolt of icy fear raced through her veins, and TJ turned to her partner.
"Pat…?"
"It's Leomon and Claw!"
Turning around sharply, gold eyes widened at the sight of the imposing pair…
Frozen in terror, the young teen couldn't even breathe as Leomon and Claw ran down from the cliff they'd been standing on.
"TJ!"
Everything seemed to rush back into clarity, and she scrambled out of the way, rolling head-over-heels to avoid Claw.
Leomon's sword struck the ground in front of her, and TJ yelped as she fell backwards to avoid his grab.
"Boom Bubble!"
The lion Digimon backed off as the attack struck his face, and Patamon tackled his partner out of the way of Claw's pounce.
Dazed and panicked, TJ could hardly see straight, the only thought racing through her head being to GET AWAY…
"You'll never get away!"
"We'll destroy you!"
Patamon took to the air, intent on protecting his partner no matter how large his opponent was in comparison.
"Pat!"
Snatching the orange-furred Digimon out of the air, TJ jumped to the side, avoiding Claw's, well…claws…
Scrambling to her feet, she rushed away from Primary Village, not wanting the baby Digimon to be under attack as well.
Claw's snarls didn't die, only seemed to grow louder as she easily gained ground.
TJ was frantic, young, without the stamina necessary to hold out on a long run, and thus easy prey.
Patamon looked over his partner's shoulder as he was jostled, and cerulean eyes widened when Claw jumped at TJ's back.
Tackling the young girl, both girl and Digimon cried out at the pain of claw marks on her back as they fell.
Tossing Patamon so he wasn't crushed beneath her, TJ hit the grass on her chest, wriggling uselessly beneath the leopard-girl.
Hitting the ground rolling, Patamon straightened to land on his feet, eyes wide.
"TJ!"
"Pat, run!"
Wincing as he felt the pain in his back, the blue-eyed Digimon shook his head.
"I won't!"
Rushing forward, he managed to knock Claw off-balance so that TJ could free herself.
Grabbing her partner, she rushed into the trees, shoulder blades pulsing where needle-like claws had punctured skin.
Ducking under branches, she almost tripped, using her free arm to steady herself against a trunk for a moment.
"TJ, I have to fight!"
"No! It won't solve anything!"
Yelping in fright as Leomon cut a young tree to her left, TJ swerved away from the splintering wood.
It seemed the trunk blocked the pairs progress enough that the black-haired child could hide under a thick-branched bush.
Trembling in fright as adrenaline continued to pump powerfully through her system, TJ hugged Patamon to her chest.
Trying to keep silent, she buried her face in her Digimon's fur, quiet pants escaping her.
"What are we gonna do, Pat?" She whispered.
"They're too big…"
Patamon kept watch, almost shaking with the fear he felt through their bond, and curled closer to her.
'I have to protect her…But Leomon's too big and I'm…not…'
Tensing, he tried to look at all sides, hearing Leomon and Claw getting closer…
'If only I could Digivolve…'
"Hey, you!"
"Come out, come out! Wherever you are!"
Both heads snapped around, eyes wide at the sight of Ogremon and Poisontail, the latter holding a little baby Digimon.
"Well, if it isn't the little girl of the group!"
"Why don't you come out here so we can get a good look at you?"
Ogremon's club hung threateningly over the baby's head, and the little white Digimon squeaked, trying to escape.
"If you don't, this little guy will squeak his last squeak."
"We promise you that."
TJ locked eyes with her partner, and his heart ached at the tears building up…
"Pat?"
He didn't know what to do, what to say to make her eyes dry…
'If only Leomon and Claw weren't being controlled…'
Leaves rustled wildly, and TJ screamed in terror as the tree partly shielding them crashed down.
Both gazed upwards in surprise to see Leomon and Claw, both looking intimidating and deadly.
"P-Pat…"
'If we get away from Leomon and Claw, Ogremon and Poisontail will get us…If we stand and fight, we'll lose…'
Looking up at his partner, he almost cried himself…
'What do we do?'
Leomon raised his sword, and TJ closed her eyes, almost curled over her partner to protect him…
"Howling Blaster!"
As Leomon was forced away by the attack, Claw cried out as Fang punched her in the shoulder, sending her flying.
"Tammy!"
"MEGGIE!"
The older girl only had a moment to look over her sister for injuries before Claw tried to get a jump on her.
With a snarl, they collided in midair, Fang's advanced strength sending them both flying into some trees.
As Garurumon engaged Leomon in battle, Poisontail looked down to silence the baby Digimon…
Only to realize that it was no longer there…
"What the-?!"
"Well, would you look at that! I was right, Greymon! I CAN get them mad!"
Ogremon and Poisontail whipped around, ready to beat on the redhead…
Until they saw her very LARGE partner…
Smirking, baby Digimon in the crook of her arm, Tawny tilted her head.
"Aw…Are you mad? Well, Greymon can take care of that. Get 'em, Greymon!"
"Nova Blast!"
As their opponents jumped out of the way, Tawny had the baby Digimon run back to Primary Village before pouncing on Poisontail.
"This is for scaring Agumon!" She hissed, slamming the cobra-girl into a tree.
Fang ducked to avoid her opponent's punch, and brought her foot up for a kick.
Claw dodged to the side, and a tree trunk exploded on impact instead.
Growling as four claw marks opened on her arm, the wolf-girl grabbed a fallen log and swung it at her opponent.
"Howling Blaster!"
As Leomon used his blade to defend against the attack, and was head-butted backwards.
Poisontail wrapped her tail around her enemy's legs, intent on biting her neck to inject poison, but Tawny would have none of that.
Grabbing the snake-girl's tail, she ripped it off her own appendages and spun around.
Releasing the girl a moment later, Poisontail toppled a few trees before stopping.
Greymon was still trying to get a lock on Ogremon, who was considerably smaller, and thus faster, but managed to graze him a bit.
TJ watched worriedly, cradling Patamon close, when something crashed.
Leomon had gotten a punch in, dazing Garurumon, and thus Fang, enough so that he could head for his original target.
Patamon took to the air, intent on protecting his partner this time, but Garurumon beat him to the punch.
Well, technically, he jumped on him, but you get the point!
Fang, not amused at the Digimon's trick, immediately chucking Claw into a boulder.
It immediately broke into pieces, and dust filled the air as Tawny ducked beneath Poisontail's strike.
Something seemed to buzz, and everyone paused, looking up to see what was making the annoying sound…
TJ's eyes widened as she identified the group of Black Gears, and Patamon looked back at her in worry.
Could they defend against what was coming?
Fang tensed as the many devices headed for Leomon, and locked eyes with her partner.
This was it, the deciding moment in the battle, and if they failed…
The Black Gears slid harshly into Leomon's back, and he cried out as the evil flooded him.
Growing, darkening, changing, he faced Garurumon as a more powerful Digimon, and Claw had not gone unaffected.
Her skin turned a dusty grey, her claws long and gnarled, with fangs like a demon and her white eyes now red.
Hissing and baring her teeth as she was, Fang couldn't help but think she looked like a possessed, angry soul.
Claw lunged, and the wolf-girl moved to meet her on instinct, knowing she wouldn't let her win.
They clashed powerfully, their strength equally matched, but it seemed the Clouded Leopard in her opponent's blood made her more flexible.
Sliding beneath Fang's fists, she kicked at her abdomen, sending the wolf-girl flying into a group of trees.
As they fell with thundering force as she connected, Garurumon howled in pain as he tried to avoid Leomon's blade.
"Fist of the Beast King!"
Crashing into a large boulder from the force, he stayed motionless as Fang doubled over, breathless and aching.
Tawny flipped over Poisontail, easily evading her bite, as Greymon almost clenched his teeth around Ogremon.
"Fist of the Beast King!"
Greymon was struck into the buildings surrounding them, and was almost buried under the debris.
Wincing and falling over in pain, Tawny winced as Claw kicked her, sending her flipping through the air to land near her partner.
TJ was trembling as Leomon and Claw turned to her, and Patamon jumped to stand between her and the danger.
"You stay away from her, Leomon!"
He didn't even falter, and TJ scrambled to her feet.
"Pat!"
Patamon knew that the others couldn't protect them right then, and he had to do SOMETHING to keep TJ safe.
"Boom Bubble!"
It didn't affect him at all, and the orange-furred Digimon was getting desperate.
"Boom Bubble! Boom Bubble! Boom Bubble!"
Leomon caught the small Digimon in his massive fist, and it seemed he wasn't even trying to hold Patamon in place.
Claw extended her curling nails, and brought her hand back, ready to split open the youngest girl's throat…
"HEY!"
A blur knocked the leopard-girl away, tumbling head-over-heels as Lucky Feet skidded to a halt.
"Pick on someone your own size! Right, Togemon?"
"Right!"
Togemon jumped down, slamming into Leomon hard enough that he released his prisoner.
Tawny stood up, rubbing her head and grumbling to herself, as Kabuterimon flew down, landing and letting Techie jump off.
"Tawny! I know how we can beat Leomon and Claw!"
"Really?"
Turning to face her younger friend as Greymon stood, the redhead shielded her eyes as Kabuterimon took off once more.
"You know those devices that we got before coming here?"
Techie was so excited she wasn't stuttering, and Tawny noted this happily.
"Yeah, what about them?"
"They're called Digivices. We went to the temple, and found out that they're the preservers of light against the darkness!"
"Light against the darkness?"
"Yeah! The light they give off when we're holding them drives out the darkness the Black Gears have infused Leomon and Claw with!"
Tawny stared at the orange Digivice in her palm, mind whirring, when something crashed.
Both looked up sharply to see Leomon strike Togemon to the ground, Lucky Feet following suit.
It seemed the possessed pair had only one goal, to destroy the youngest of the group, and Patamon couldn't possibly fight them.
Fang wasn't going to take that sitting down, and both her and Garurumon stood in between TJ and her doom.
Snarling threateningly, tail stiff and bristling, the blue-eyed Spirit Evolution wasn't going to budge.
Tawny saw the stubbornness, the intent in her friend's eyes, and knew she had to act before someone was killed.
"Better try this out, then."
Rushing towards them with Greymon thundering at her heels, her hand tightened over the Digivice.
"Hey, Leomon!"
The grey lion Digimon turned to identify this new interruption, and almost growled.
Claw hissed, tail stiff as a broom and ears back, as Tawny kept approaching, picking up the pace.
"TAKE THIS!"
The screen lit up as she jabbed it towards him, and Leomon cried out as it tried to drive off the darkness latched onto his soul.
Claw doubled over in agony, shrieking, and Fang blinked in surprise at the scene playing before her.
'I guess they do something after all…'
Lifting her own blue Digivice, she held it towards the massive Digimon, and the combined light began to force out the Black Gears.
"What is this?!"
"Where'd they get that power?!"
Poisontail hissed as Techie used a vine to catch her arm, pulling her away from the group.
"You've only begun to see our power!" Kabuterimon promised, flying towards Ogremon.
"Electro Shocker!"
As the Digimon flew away at impact, Techie turned to see how Tawny and Fang were doing.
It seemed the Black Gears, and the dark spirit-leech, were just beginning to lose their grip…
Once they fled, dissolving into the sky like shadows meeting the sun, Leomon fell to his knees, returning to normal with his partner.
Lucky Feet got back up with Togemon, coming forward to see if it was safe, as Claw stood up.
"Thank you."
"We were worried that we'd never break free of Devimon and Bloodtongue's powers."
"No problem." Tawny assured as the girls' transformations fell away like shimmering gold dust.
As the Digimon Dedigivolved, Meg went to check on her sister, fussing over the small marks on the young girl's shoulder blades.
"I believe we have much to tell you." Leomon admitted.
"Follow us." Claw agreed, turning to walk away from Primary Village.
Everyone shared a glance before doing just that, Patamon cuddling against his partner as he sulked over their recent battle.
'I couldn't do anything…TJ could have gotten hurt…'
Leomon settled underneath the wide canopy of an old tree, and skin cooled once shade shielded them from the harsher sunlight.
Once the group had settled on the grass, Digimon leaning on their partners or sitting on their laps, Leomon and Claw began.
"According to ancient legend, our world will be taken over by a strange dark force that will change good Digimon into bad ones."
"Our ancestors predicted that a group of children called the Digidestined will appear from another world."
"When they arrive, they will have superpowers that will eventually save our world from destruction."
"We believe their prediction has come true…"
Leomon felt hopeful, saw the determination and courage each of them held…
"File Island has been seized by an evil power. We're in danger of destruction…"
"And now, you've appeared."
"How do you know it's us?" Lizzy wondered, too curious to be shy at the moment.
"It has been foretold that the Digidestined have the ability to make Digimon Digivolve."
"You've done that, and it's all the proof I need."
"And that you bonded to your Digimon so quickly."
"Bonded quickly?" Mel wondered.
"What do you mean by that, Leomon?"
"Digimon and Spirit Evolutions only begin looking for partners at the Rookie level. And even then, it takes a very long time for them to bond."
"You met your Digimon at the In-Training level, and you've bonded fully almost instantly." Claw added.
"Is that a sign?" Tonya inquired, leaning her head on Agumon's.
"It is."
"Does this mean we'll have to fight Devimon and Bloodtongue?" Meg questioned.
"Yes. You are the only ones who can defeat them."
"I-I hope we really are the Digidestined…"
TJ didn't say anything, holding Patamon close and almost cuddling into her sister's side for protection.
"I say we do it." Tonya stated.
The others stared at her in surprise, wondering what had possessed their unspoken leader.
"If we don't beat them, we'll never get to go home."
"She's right." Mel agreed, grinning.
"I mean, we've got to get home somehow, right?"
"W-We're likely to win, with the Digivices and all…"
"It's the only way." Meg admitted.
"But it's still very dangerous."
"Oh, come on!"
Tonya turned to her friend, practically begging with her eyes.
"What's the point of living if you're not willing to take risks to get something done?"
"The risks YOU take are not something my common sense would allow."
"Let's not bring up the lawn mower incident NOW…"
"It will haunt you forever. Trust me."
Tonya pouted childishly, play-shoving Meg.
"Come on! You KNOW I'm right!"
"Well…"
Blue eyes flickered from Tonya to Lizzy to Mel, and landed on TJ…
Her protective mother-bear instincts reared its head, and Meg just couldn't say no.
'Those bastards tried to kill my sister.'
No respectable sibling would let such an act slip by without punishment…
"Alright."
Leomon nodded, both him and Claw relaxing now that they knew the Digidestined would fight, and stood.
"We must go to Infinity Mountain to face them."
"There's a boat we can use to get there."
The five girls nodded, their Digimon a bit silent as they thought of the upcoming battle, and Patamon looked up at the imposing mountain…
'I hope we win…I really do…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The boat landed without incident, and TJ stayed in her seat a moment before she swallowed her fear.
Following the others as they stepped onto land, they headed for the path just before them.
Leomon and Claw led them straight up the mountain, and Tonya was quick to follow, ready for a fight.
Mel was almost jumpy, her anxiety turning to energy, and Lizzy was getting nervous.
Fiddling with her laptop strap and playing with Tentomon's claw, she seemed like a bundle of nerves.
Meg looked calm outwardly, but her muscles were like coiled springs ready to release.
TJ couldn't stop looking up towards the peak, wondering about what was to come and somehow knowing, deep in her heart, that they would make it…
Something rumbled, and everyone looked up in surprise, wondering what was going on now.
The sky darkened unnaturally, and Meg clenched her fists, eyes hard.
Cracking thundered through the air, causing people to jump in surprise as the Greek-like building above shattered under some unknown pressure.
A black blur flew from the broken ruins, stopping to show his silhouette thanks to a flash of thunder.
It was Bloodtongue, covered in dark fur and with the legs and claws of a werewolf-like creature.
His wings seemed tipped in spikes, and his fangs protruded angrily past his lips.
Devimon straightened up, looking like an angry, winged giant forced to leave his home, and the group froze in terror.
Tonya managed to wrestle her nerve back first, and her eyes narrowed before turning to the others.
"We're not scared of him, are we? We're the Digidestined, and I KNOW we can beat him!"
After a moment, the others nodded, prepared for the fight now that their moral was back.
Devimon jumped from his perch on the mountaintop, landing in the forest below them yet still towering above their perch half-way up.
Bloodtongue swooped down to land on his partner's shoulder, crimson eyes looking like hellfire.
Devimon merely bat his wings, and a wind with the strength of a volcano slammed into them.
Striking the mountain-rock, cries of pain echoed in the air as black energy beamed from his hand.
Held in place by dark power, Tonya couldn't find the space to move…
"You fools! Don't expect me to play silly games with you! I'm far too wise for that!"
"Why don't I just suck their blood?" Bloodtongue wondered, licking his fangs.
"They look delicious…"
"Fine."
The bat-boy looked like a kid in a candy store, eyes roving over each girl as if choosing the right one to devour first.
"The little one seems yummy…"
He bared his fangs, ready to lunge, but…
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
As Devimon is struck by the explosives, Bloodtongue darts out of the way, eyes widening as he sees a light gold dolphin's tail ready to smash into his face.
"EAT THIS!!!"
Knocked back from the force, he shrieked in surprise as Trickster landed on the pathway with her friends.
Bloodtongue wasn't given the chance to recover before Talon struck him in midair, sending him into the trees.
"Meteor Wing!"
With Devimon distracted, he could no longer hold the others in a 'prison', and Tonya jumped to her feet.
"We've got to hit him now! Come on, guys!"
Charms began to glow brightly, almost a rainbow effect, as Digivices blinked to life…
"Tiger!"
"Wolf!"
"Ferret!"
"Rabbit!"
As the light engulfed them, Bloodtongue was airborne once more, trying to strike Talon out of the sky…
"Tonya, Spirit Evolve into…TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
"Megan, Spirit Evolve into…FANG!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
"Elizabeth, Spirit Evolve into…TECHIE!"
"Tentomon, Digivolve to…KABUTERIMON!!"
"Melanie, Spirit Evolve into…LUCKY FEET!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!!"
As the light dimmed, everyone jumped into action.
Tawny growled as she lunged for Bloodtongue, managing to grab onto his back so his dive for Talon failed.
"Nova Blast!"
"Howling Blaster!"
Garurumon lunged, biting down on Devimon's arm as Fang picked up a boulder, throwing it at Bloodtongue.
Devimon hurled the wolf Digimon into Greymon, causing both their partners to wince and for Tawny to lose her hold.
As the bat-boy was struck by the boulder, Talon swooped down to catch her redheaded friend before she hit the rocks below.
Mel used her super-speed to fly into the air, trying to hit him feet-first, but he caught her around the ankles before throwing her.
Crying out in surprise, she breathed out as Techie jumped to catch her, taking the brunt of their fall.
As she healed, their partners moved to engage Devimon.
"Electro Shocker!"
"Needle Spray!"
Devimon seemed unaffected, and smacked them straight into the trees, causing their Spirit Evolutions to fall in pain.
Leomon and Claw jumped to try and fight, but Ogremon and Poisontail appeared from Devimon's body and blasted them away.
Talon, after putting Tawny beside her Digimon, dove for Bloodtongue as Birdramon struck at his partner.
Both were grabbed roughly, and Talon struggled as her wings and arms were held tightly against her back.
"I wonder what your blood tastes like…"
Glaring at him hatefully, the brunette kicked his shin.
As he hissed, eyes narrowing, Devimon tossed Birdramon into Greymon and Garurumon, sending them tumbling to the trees.
Crying out at the disembodied pain, Talon was forced to swallow it as his tongue forced its way into her mouth.
Grinning evilly as he pulled back, he licked his lips.
"Sweet…"
"HEY!"
Bloodtongue was struck by Trickster once more, who had used her tail to propel herself into the air, and Talon was free.
Devimon, seeming intent on repaying the pain he'd felt through his dark bond, picked Ikkakumon off the ground.
Trickster, who had grabbed a tree branch to stop her fault, she gasped at the foreign feeling before falling once he was tossed into Kabuterimon.
Techie, who was ready to rejoin the battle, doubled over in pain.
TJ looked around, eyes wide in fear and near-panic…
"Oh no…They're all down, Pat…What are we gonna do?"
Devimon and Bloodtongue turned to the small pair, and the gold-eyed girl almost shrunk in on herself…
"Now to get rid of you!"
"Then we'll have nothing to fear!"
The large hand was reaching for her, and TJ felt tears in her eyes as she backed up against the rocks.
"They said the youngest would destroy me! I'm not going to let that happen!"
So close, and she was sure he'd crush her in his fist as she hugged Patamon as tightly as possible…
"TAMMY!"
Garurumon leapt onto Devimon's arm, sinking his teeth into flesh, as Fang threw a tree trunk up at Bloodtongue.
"Tammy, run!" The wolf-girl ordered, rolling to the side to avoid her opponent's dive.
The Digimon joined forces to latch onto Devimon, sinking fangs or talons or needles into him, as their partners tackled Bloodtongue to the ground.
"Do you forget who we are?!"
"I am Devimon! Supreme master of this island!"
"We have power over ALL Digimon! NO ONE can fight us!"
Black energy escaped both, and came in one powerful wave.
All six Spirit Evolutions and their Digimon flew away from their targets, knocking down trees and crushing boulders once they landed.
"OW…" Tawny whined.
"Damn it…" Fang growled, trying to get up on her elbows.
"I don't have any strength left…" Talon panted.
"I-I can't keep fighting…"
"I think I broke a bird's nest…Sorry…" Mel managed to force out.
"Holy peanut-crickets…THAT hurt…"
TJ took a step towards her fallen sister, concern in her eyes…
"Meggie…?"
"Now to deal with you!"
"You can't escape!"
Patamon climbed onto her shoulder as Devimon reached for her once more, and TJ trembled…
This time, there would be no one to stop him…
"Boom Bubble!"
The attack struck the palm harmlessly, and Patamon jumped forward in the hope of stopping him somehow…
"Boom Bubble! Boom Bubble! BOOM BUBBLE!"
Nothing, and tears were filling his eyes…
'I need to protect her…I have to! But why can't I Digivolve?!'
TJ closed her eyes, praying and wishing that, somehow, that it wouldn't end like this…
Gold light began to grow behind her lids along with her charm, but no one seemed to notice…
A moment before the hand threatened to shut, Patamon clinging to her chest, she let out a single word…
"Husky…"
The fingers closed tightly, and Fang's eyes widened…
"TAMMY!"
Light escaped his fingers, and Devimon cried out in pain, releasing the cocoon of bright essence…
"Oh my gosh…" Mel breathed…
"She's doing it…" Lizzy whispered…
"Tammy Jane, Spirit Evolve into…"
A bright condensation, and it seemed ready to snap…
"ACE!"
As it shattered, Ace hit the ground solidly, with two shuriken strapped to her back.
Black and white dog ears and tail twitched easily, skirt rustling gently and shirt straps almost floating.
The bow in her hair stood out thanks to it's bright gold color, and she stood up straight.
"Patamon, Digivolve to…ANGEMON!!"
Both were practically glowing, and Bloodtongue dropped down to Ace's level.
"What's this? Another foolish attempt?!"
Pulling both shuriken off her back, the husky-girl held them tightly as Bloodtongue bared his fangs.
"The forces of good are more powerful. Even you can't stop us. We'll destroy you and bring peace to the island." The pair said as one, raising their weapons to draw the power of the Digivices…
"That light's so bright!"
"What are you doing to us?!"
As the others changed back to normal, their weapons began to glow as brightly as stars.
"Stop it! We will not allow you to take our power away!"
"You'll have to fight us!"
"I'm afraid we have no other choice. If I can help others, my fate is unimportant!"
The combined shine drove Ogremon and Poisontail from Devimon's body, and he growled angrily.
Ace paused, feeling her partner's resolve, and suddenly realized what he was planning to do…
"Angemon."
She couldn't shout for him to stop, what with Bloodtongue charging, but their seemed to lock eyes…
"I'll get him…Relax…"
Her eyes filled with tears, but she held both shuriken towards her opponent face-first…
"Angemon…"
One second left, and love flooded their bond…
"Hand of Fate!"
"Eternal Hope!"
Digimon and partner screamed as they were destroyed, and once Bloodtongue was gone,
Ace fell to her knees.
As her transformation began to disappear in sparkling gold dust, she looked up…
To see her partner disappearing…
Her vision almost blurred in tears of grief and pain, feeling like half of her was being pulled out of her chest…
"Angemon!"
He looked down at her, and Angemon's expression softened…
"TJ…I'll come back again…If you want me to…"
He was more than halfway gone, and shook her head in denial, shimmering diamond tears flying away…
"NO!!! DON'T GO, ANGEMON!!!"
"I'm sorry, TJ…"
It felt like half her soul was torn away, and she cried out…
"ANGEMON!!!!!!"
The glow died away with him, and TJ fell onto her palms as tears scorched her cheeks.
The fresh wounds to her heart would not stop bleeding, and they throbbed agonizingly.
Meg walked up to her younger sister slowly, feeling guilty that she was unable to protect her sister from the pain…
No one could help feeling guilty at the broken, watery gold eyes that lifted to look towards them…
"TJ…?" Lizzy whispered, crouching down beside the younger girl.
"Are you alright?"
TJ shook her head, sniffling…
"N-No…"
White feathers slowly fell from the sky, and everyone followed their sudden path as they fell in a pile before the black-haired Digidestined.
They glowed brightly, changing shape, to become a gold and white-striped Digiegg.
"A-Angemon?"
Gingerly, TJ picked it up, holding it to her chest…
"He's alright, TJ. He's just resting for a while." Gabumon assured.
"Everything will be fine, Tammy. I promise." Meg added, pulling her sister into a hug.
Tonya sighed, looking up at the sky and half-expecting a vortex to open up…
"Why aren't we going home?" Mel wondered.
"Aren't we done? I mean, there's nothing left to beat!" Jenny agreed.
Rocks shifted, and wide eyes turned to see a strange electronic device on the ground.
It flickered on, sending a beam of rainbow-colored light upwards, and showed a strange old man.
"Ah, I've heard of you kids. I must say, I'm pleased."
"Yeah, but I want to know something…"
Jenny held her arms up wildly…
"What the bubblegum genie is going on here?!"