"We came back where we left them…I wonder where they went…" Tonya muttered, looking across the sand in a sweep.
"It's only been a few hours…They can't be that far, right?"
"They could be farther than I thought…"
The redhead put a hand on her partner's head, leaning slightly on him.
"We got back on the same day we got sucked into the Digital World…Maybe…Maybe time moves differently in our worlds."
"How?"
"We'd been gone for months…And we got back pretty soon after…Time could move faster here…"
"Well, how could we prove it?"
"I don't know, to be honest."
Smiling sheepishly, Tonya ran a hand through her hair…
"But I'm sure Lizzy could explain it. We've just got to find the others first."
"How are we going to do that?"
"…That's a good question…Just give me a minute. I'll think of something."
"We might be here a while…"
"AGU!"
"I'm kidding!"
A beeping cut them off, and Tonya blinked a moment in confusion before removing her Digivice from her shorts.
Looking at the screen, the redhead was a bit surprised to see a small map on it, with two blinking red dots.
"Well, I guess one of these is us…" She muttered, moving the Digivice in a sweep before her.
"That would be this one…So THAT one must be somebody!"
"Who?"
"How am I supposed to know? Besides, it doesn't matter. It's SOMEBODY!"
Smiling, she started following the signal across the sand, picking up speed.
Agumon chuckled, jogging to catch up to his partner as her excitement leaked into his blood.
The dunes rolled gently around them, like gold waves in a dry sea, and Tonya managed to steer them properly.
She wasn't very sure which direction they should go, or how distance was determined on this small map, but she was guessing.
Thankfully, she hadn't led them very astray, and their destination was actually getting closer.
As the teen focused on the Digivice, Agumon watched the scenery around them.
To make sure they weren't attacked, of course…
Or ran into anything…
Personally, Agumon didn't want his snout flattened unless it was for a good cause…
Grass began to sprout up in tufts, growing thicker and larger the farther they went, and Tonya looked up when she noticed the change.
There was a natural path that twisted down a gentle slope, stopping at a bridge that arched over a small river.
A forest stood on the other end, with gentle green leaves and pliant branches.
"Come on, Agu. Maybe they're in here."
Jogging across the wooden bridge, Tonya stopped on the soft earthy riverbank to wait for her partner.
"Hurry up, Agu! They could be in trouble!"
"I'm going as fast as I can, Tonya!"
Agumon stopped beside his partner, taking hold of her hand.
"Besides, wouldn't we notice if they were in trouble?"
"Have you ever heard of being GAGGED? Anything could have happened while we were gone!"
"I'm sure they're fine, Tonya." Agumon soothed.
"Yeah…"
Her shoulders slowly relaxed…
"I hope so…"
Looking down the river, the redhead studied the body of water on the other side…
"Looks like a lake…"
"Does this mean we're out of the desert?"
Tonya shrugged as the trees encased them in a tunnel, leading them down the path someone had trodden before.
"I suppose. Water means plants, so it makes sense that forest would start up."
"Does that mean food?"
Smiling slightly, she shook her head in amusement at the hopeful look Agumon gave her…
"Is that all you think about? Look, let's find whoever is nearby and THEN eat. Alright?"
"Alright!"
The beeping grew more insistent, more high-pitched, and it caught Tonya's attention.
Looking at the screen once more, she felt excitement speed her heart rate…
"They're close! Come on, Agu!"
Starting to run, her feet hit the ground hard as Agumon raced after on her very heels.
The trees rushed by in blurs of brown and green, and gold eyes stayed fixed on the road ahead until the trees cut off.
Skidding to a halt, with Agumon crashing into her shins, Tonya barely managed to keep her balance before noticing who was before her.
"Tokomon?!"
The little Digimon was before them, looking half-asleep, with TJ's crest, Digivice, and charm on the ground at his side.
Falling on her knees beside the In-Training Digimon, Tonya carefully lifted him into her arms.
"Tokomon, are you alright?"
"Tonya…?"
Tokomon looked up at her, dazed…
"Tonya, is that really you?"
"Who else?"
Smiling, the redhead scooped up the three items left on the floor.
"Where's TJ and the others? Why are you out here on your own?"
"I don't know about the others, but TJ's probably off with her new friends." Tokomon replied venomously.
"New friends? Tokomon, what are you talking about?"
"What happened while we were gone?"
"You guys were gone an awfully long time…We all split up looking for you, until only me, Gabumon, TJ, and Meg were left."
Tonya sighed as the Digimon jumped to the ground, feeling guilty again before pushing the feeling away.
"Then we found an amusement park…"
Flashback:
"Look, Meggie! There are so many rides!"
Meg nodded slightly, giving a tired smile as TJ grinned, Tokomon on her head.
"You want to go on one?"
"I couldn't…"
"Please, Meggie? It'll be fun!"
The black-haired girl kneeled in front of her sister, making eye contact and holding it.
"I need to make sure it's safe here first, alright?"
"Safe?"
"I'll just take a look around the lake, alright? There's a boat I could use."
"Will you be alright? Maybe I should go with you-."
"I'll be fine, Tammy." Meg assured.
"I won't take more than three hours, I promise. You can entertain yourself until I get back, can't you?"
"Yeah…"
Gold eyes dulled a bit at the prospect of being left alone, without even her older sister to lean on…
"Tokomon will be here with you. Just stay out of trouble, okay?"
"Okay…"
Smiling softly, Meg kissed her sister's forehead.
"That's my Tammy. Be good."
"I will."
As the black-haired girl walked towards the lake, Gabumon at her side, TJ sat on a nearby bench.
Staring after her sister as she disappeared from sight, the young teen began to wring her hands.
"It'll be alright, TJ." Tokomon assured, jumping up to her lap.
"Why don't we go on a few rides before eating?"
"Sure."
A forced smile, and TJ hefted her partner up, running towards the roller coaster.
Spending the next few hours on rides, Tokomon went off to find some food for them to eat.
When he returned, he found TJ on the dock, staring out at the lake with a worried expression…
No matter how many days passed, Tokomon was the only one who ever left that spot.
It pulled a bit on their ever-tender bond, but Tokomon always returned, bringing food along with him.
TJ hardly ate anything at all, and would stay watching the horizon before falling asleep from sheer exhaustion.
Her partner usually stayed by her side, concerned at the silence and fear building within their bond.
Tokomon would find his partner praying out to the water, eyes closed and whispering for the safety of her sister and the others.
It became apparent that the young girl thought that Meg was in trouble.
To TJ, it was the only thing that would keep her sibling from coming back…
Of course, however much this comforted her, at the end of the day, it ate away at the young Digidestined's heart.
It had been a week before TJ seemed to snap, her normally naïve exterior cracking to show the self-conscious soul beneath.
Tears shimmered in her bright gold eyes, and Tokomon could hardly keep them at bay.
"Its okay, TJ. They'll be back soon."
"Wh-What if Meggie is hurt? Or dying? I-I wouldn't know because I'm just sitting here!"
"TJ, they're alright."
Tokomon nuzzled her neck, feeling her throat hitch as she held in sobs…
They finally came out, and the black-haired teen buried her face in her partner's fur.
"Now, what's all this?"
Both looked up to see an ashen-furred coyote Spirit Evolution, his bat-winged partner on his shoulder.
"Wh-Who are you?" TJ demanded shakily, standing and backing away.
"Don't worry, sweetie. I'm Jokester, and this is my partner Demidevimon. We're not here to hurt you."
"We heard you crying, and were wondering what we could do to help!"
"Really?"
Tokomon didn't look as sure, but he had no reason not to believe them…
"Now, what are you crying about?"
"My sister…She left a week ago, and she hasn't come back yet…"
"Is that all? I can find her easy!" Demidevimon assured.
"What's her name?"
"Megan…"
"Got it! Back in a flash!"
Leaving his partner behind, he flew across the lake and out of view.
Jokester sat on the pier, running a hand through his dark grey hair as he waited patiently for his Digimon to return.
TJ's need for contact had her guard down, but Tokomon wasn't about to trust so easily.
He'd heard of Demidevimon and Jokester, and wasn't about to believe anything they said.
It didn't take long for the winged Digimon to return, and TJ was excited to hear of anything about her sister.
"Did you find her? What did Meggie say?"
"Of course I found her! What she said…Well, that's the bad news, kiddo."
TJ's smile fell…
"What?"
"She doesn't WANT to come back. Says she doesn't want to watch a baby anymore."
Tokomon felt the hurt spike her heart sharply, and bared his teeth in warning.
"Sh-She…"
"She ain't coming back. Sorry. But who needs her anyway? We'll be your friends!"
The girl wasn't even listening, her pain was so strong…
"M-Meggie promised…Sh-She promised after mommy and daddy split up…Sh-She promised she wouldn't leave me! N-Not like them!"
It almost brought Tokomon to tears, and he almost snarled at Demidevimon.
"I'm sorry, but she said she doesn't want to be your sister anymore."
The agony exploded like a wave of lava, and it scorched her already-scarred heart…
It was too much, and TJ ran away, Tokomon on her heels as the tears ran down her cheeks.
Only stopping when her legs gave out, she curled up on the lakeside, lazily throwing stones into the water.
She stayed there for hours, Tokomon lying on her side as he tried to think of how to help her…
"You know Meg would never just leave you, TJ…"
"…"
"She really cares about you…She would have brought you with if she was leaving…"
"..."
"TJ?"
"…"
Tokomon sighed, jumping to the ground and walking into the forest.
"Demidevimon! Jokester!"
"What is it?"
"Is there something you want to talk about?"
Tokomon saw the evil glint in their eyes, and bared his teeth.
"Stop lying to TJ! You're hurting her!"
"Do you have any PROOF we're lying to her?"
"Well…"
"So just because I'm not a fluffy little fur ball, I must be evil? That's so narrow-minded."
Demidevimon's smile curled sinisterly…
"At least TJ believes me. She's not as foolish as you."
"Stop lying! Bubble Blow!"
"TOKO!"
The shout surprised Tokomon, though not Jokester and Demidevimon, and he almost wilted…
"Why did you attack them?"
"They're lying to you, TJ! They're not your real friends!"
"Toko, that's not nice to say! You apologize!"
The confusion in their mind almost had Tokomon's mind scrambled, and he couldn't blame her.
She wasn't thinking clearly, but it didn't keep his temper from flaring…
"How would you know? You hardly know them, TJ! I'm your Digimon!"
"Maybe I don't want you to be my Digimon anymore!"
The shout cut through the air and slashed Tokomon through to his very heart…
"You don't mean that, do you?"
"I do!"
Even knowing that anger and betrayal and grief clouded her eyes, Tokomon couldn't take it…
"FINE!"
"FINE!"
Pulling off her crest and charm with one hand and her Digivice with the other, TJ threw them all to the ground before running off.
Tokomon began to cry as Jokester and Demidevimon followed her, looking victorious…
End Flashback:
"Oh, Tokomon…"
"We leave for a little while, and everything falls apart…" Agumon mumbled.
"It's alright now, Tokomon." Tonya assured.
"We'll find TJ and patch things up, alright?"
"Really?"
"Of course! Who else could do it?"
Smiling reassuringly, Tonya stood up, Tokomon in the crook of one arm and TJ's items in the other hand.
"Agu, lead the way to the amusement park."
"I'm on it!"
Tokomon looked up at the redhead as they started walking, awed at the confidence and strength he'd been missing.
It was a comforting aura, and he couldn't help relaxing in the safety of her arms.
"Everyone really missed you…"
"What's there not to miss?" The redhead joked lightly.
"Nothing worked when you were gone…"
"I'm sure Jenny just blew everything out of proportion."
"She didn't."
Tonya seemed to stiffen, her light mood falling…
"They tried to work things out, but everything ended up as a fight…No one could agree on anything…"
"You all must have agreed on SOMETHING." Tonya hoped.
"Yeah…That we needed you."
Agumon looked back to see the guilt on her face, the racing thoughts behind her eyes…
'There's nothing you could have done, Tonya. All you can do is fix it.'
'…You're right, Agu. Thanks.'
"I miss TJ…"
"I know you do, Tokomon. Just hand in there a little while longer."
"…Do you think she'll have a new Digimon?"
"Of course not!"
Tonya smiled warmed, fist clenching around the gold Digivice in her hand…
"She'd never be able to replace you!"
"But…"
"Just give her time. You'll be friends again before you know it!"
"…You really think so?"
"How often have I steered you wrong?"
Frankly, Tokomon couldn't think of ANY time Tonya had steered them wrong…
Despite Steph's capture, the redhead had always led them true.
"Hey, is that it?"
"Is WHAT it, Agu?"
"THAT."
Looking above the trees, the very top of a Ferris Wheel appeared.
"We must be getting close, then…"
With the lake on their right and the forest on their left, the trio was led on a natural path to the park's gates.
"TJ's in there…" Tokomon whispered, his soul calling out for its partner…
"Lead the way, then. We'll be right behind you."
"…Okay…"
As the In-Training Digimon was put on the ground, he looked around a moment to get his bearings.
The pull of his bond was asking him to follow, whispering love and encouragement…
Following the insistent tugs, Tokomon led Tonya and Agumon through the amusement park.
Weaving around rides and avoiding abandoned stands, they were soon in the very heart of the space.
"TJ's nearby…" Tokomon whispered, ears erect and eyes watchful.
"Where could she be?" Agumon wondered, spinning to get a three hundred and sixty degree view of his surroundings.
"We won't find anyone if we just stand around." Tonya reasoned, starting towards some nearby tables.
"Let's find some food, too. You look like you're starving."
Tokomon perked, a shuffling catching his attention…
"TJ!"
Soft, almost too low to hear…
"Toko?"
The small Digimon raced towards one of the darkened tables, leaping into a surprised TJ's lap.
"Toko! You're okay!"
"I'm so glad to see you, TJ! Are you okay?"
"Yeah-."
The young teen froze when she saw Tonya approach, as if the blood had frozen in her veins…
"Tonya?"
"The one and only."
The redhead was a bit stunned when TJ hugged her around the waist, looking close to tears.
"I-I knew you'd come back on your own! N-No one believed me!"
"Hey, it's alright…Don't worry about it, TJ…I'll fix everything."
"H-How?"
"Hey, it's me, remember?"
Tonya smiled warmly, putting a hand on the younger girl's head.
"I can do anything I put my mind to."
"…R-Right…"
"Now, let's get this whole misunderstanding cleared up."
Crouching down to TJ's level, Tonya took hold of the girl's shoulders and made eye contact.
"TJ, you know Tokomon really cares about you. He saw you were hurt and was trying to help."
Nodding, she tried to wipe tears from her eyelashes…
"And I don't know what Jokester and Demidevimon have told you, but I KNOW Meg loves you."
"R-Really?"
"You're one of her special treasures, and I'm sure she has a great reason for being gone so long."
"…Do you think she's hurt?"
"Meg's a tough old girl. She's doing fine. Probably trying to find a way back to you."
Agumon stepped forward, nudging his partner's shoulder and nodding towards Tokomon.
"Why don't you two make up?"
TJ locked eyes with her partner, and there was a long moment of silence before the tears spilled over…
"Oh, Toko…I'm so sorry!"
"I'm sorry, too!"
Embracing, the girl tried to hold in her sobs as the emotions she'd attempted to cut off flooded her heart.
Her partner's sadness, regret, pain, washed through her veins and made her tears boil.
"Let's never fight like that again…Deal?"
"Deal…"
Tonya, relieved the dispute was settled, put the crest, Digivice, and charm in TJ's hand.
"I think these are yours."
"…Thanks, Tonya."
"No problem."
"Well, what's this?"
"Who might you two be?"
Standing once she saw Jokester and Demidevimon, gold eyes narrowed as their own roamed her frame.
"So you two told TJ Meg left her?"
"We just told her the truth, sweet cheeks."
"No need to get your panties in a knot, doll face."
A deep, rumbling snarl escaped the tiger-girl's throat, and their eyes widened.
"No, you LIED. That means I can rip you apart if you don't change your attitude!"
Seeming impressed and strangely victorious, Jokester put down a basket of mushrooms.
"Don't get yourself all worked up. We just went to get some food, hot stuff."
Agumon stood beside his partner, eyes like green flames, and Demidevimon hid near his partner more.
"And why should I trust you?"
"Because we can take you to Meg."
Tonya paused, unsure how to respond…
"How do we know YOU even found her?" Agumon demanded.
"You could lead us on a wild goose chase!"
"Aw, come on."
"We're not bad guys."
Tonya crossed her arms, no closer to believing them…
"Why don't we eat?"
"Then we'll show you we're not lying!"
"I AM hungry…" TJ admitted.
"I mean…What could happen?"
Tokomon sniffed the mushrooms, still not convinced.
"I guess a little taste won't hurt…" The redhead relented.
"But we're not eating them raw. Agu, you get me some wood to make a fire."
Once he returned, Tonya cobbled together a 'stove', carefully cooking the food.
Using twigs to skewer them from stem to cap, Tonya turned them when Agumon started the 'potty dance'.
"Go on, Agu. I'll save you some."
"Thanks!"
He was off like a rocket, and she smiled, giggling at his antics.
The mushrooms soon darkened in color, and TJ looked excited to eat.
"Be patient."
"But it looks so good!"
"It'll taste even better once it's done." The redhead teased.
The small fire was beginning to smolder by the time Tonya deemed the food thoroughly cooked.
"Be careful. It's pretty hot-."
Tonya paused, panic flooding through her bond from Agumon…
Still holding a mushroom out to TJ, her grip stayed firm as one thought ricocheted through her mind…
'DON'T EAT THE MUSHROOMS!!!'
Dropping the food to the ground in her haste, Tonya immediately whirled around to punch Jokester in the face.
He cried out, lip splitting, and Demidevimon took to the air in surprise.
"What was that for?!"
"What did you do to the mushrooms?" She demanded.
Agumon finally reached them, grabbing hold of the small Digimon and pulling him down.
"You tried feeding us mushrooms that would make us forget everything!"
"Is that true?" TJ wondered, hurt shining in her eyes.
"You lied about Meg and Gabumon too, didn't you?!" Tokomon accused, baring shark-like teeth.
"It doesn't matter! Give us the crest!" Jokester demanded.
TJ's eyes widened when he dove for the tag hanging around her neck, and Tokomon jumped to her aid.
"TJ!"
"TOKO!"
A bright light, and her Digivice was shining…
"Tokomon, Digivolve to…PATAMON!!"
Head-butting Jokester off-course, Patamon flew into the air after Demidevimon.
Unfortunately, Demidevimon knocked him out of the air and into one of the toy tea cups.
"Pat!"
"Pepper Breath!"
As the Digimon was distracted, Jokester pounced, grabbing TJ from behind.
"AH!"
"HEY!"
"Demi-Darts!"
Tonya cursed, jumping behind a table with Agumon to avoid the syringes aimed for them.
Patamon cried out, jumping out of the way, and TJ kicked her assailant in the shin, running towards him.
Demidevimon lifted the orange Digimon up by his wings, and TJ picked up a rock, throwing it at him.
As the dark-winged one was knocked around, Patamon was released, tumbling onto the rollercoaster tracks.
"You little-!"
Jokester smacked TJ to the ground the same moment Demidevimon 'elbowed' Patamon in the chest, and both cried out.
Jokester towered over the young girl, clearly believing he had one as Demidevimon continued to toss Patamon around.
"You'll never win, little girl. It's over."
Her heart sank, and she realized this wouldn't be like all the other times.
There was no Meg to jump to her aid, no Gabumon to defend Patamon…
She felt strangely alone, knowing that, but her soul lifted.
'I don't need to be protected. I can protect myself!'
Patamon felt her surge of sudden confidence, and he stood up on the Ferris Wheel carriage.
"It's not over yet!" TJ insisted, kicking Jokester in the stomach.
Patamon flew over the arch of the Ferris Wheel, one thought pounding through their bond…
'We're not giving up!'
TJ scrambled to her feet, tackling Jokester while he was still stunned, and her partner head-butted Demidevimon.
Rolling off, TJ started running towards where she saw Patamon, hearing him snarl in his pursuit.
"Boom Bubble!"
As Demidevimon hit the rollercoaster track, tumbling down the hill, Jokester was tripped up by his prey's sudden turn.
"Boom Bubble!"
The coyote Spirit Evolution was surprised when TJ slammed a chair into his back, and Demidevimon was sent flying up the hill…
"BOOM BUBBLE!"
TJ smacked him hard with the chair, and the pair was sent flying into the lake.
"You did it, guys!"
"You were great!"
TJ smiled back at her friend before looking up at her partner, who flew down into her arms.
"You're Pat again!"
"And it's all thanks to you!"
Tonya smiled, watching the two reunited partners, and turned to Agumon.
"Nice save. How'd you know those mushrooms were bad?"
"Well…You see, I don't know…A voice told me."
"A voice?"
Mildly confused, the redhead didn't have time to think about it before TJ tugged on her arm.
"What are we gonna do now?"
"We've got to find the others. We need to be together to save our worlds, remember?"
"Alright!"
The young girl smiled brightly, hugging Patamon to her chest.
"Where are we gonna start?"
"Finding Meg."
As Tonya began to lead them around the lake, TJ nuzzled her partner's familiar fur.
'We're coming, Meggie…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Lord Myotismon, Midnight, we're sorry!"
"The Crest of Hope has regained its light, but we have good news!"
The dark-haired Spirit Evolution stepped forward, deep red eyes narrowed on Jokester.
"And what that good news be?"
"We found the missing member!"
Demidevimon brought up a 'mirror', showing Tonya and TJ walking along the lakeside.
Midnight seemed interested, dark tail swaying lazily behind him, and his claws pressed into Jokester's shoulder.
"Who is that?"
"Tonya. She has the Crest of Courage."
"The Crest of Courage…And her Spirit Animal?"
"Tiger."
Jokester and Demidevimon were hopeful, praying that this new information would save them from a punishment…
"Interesting…"
Licking his lips, he smirked, showing a sharp fang…
"Tonya…I'll remember that…"
Eyes clearly shining with something akin to lust, he turned to walk away from the pair…
"Myotismon…You know what to do."
"Of course."
"NO!"
An evil look crossed Midnight's face at the cries of pain…
'Tonya…When I take over the worlds, perhaps I'll bring you with me…Every kind needs a queen…'