"This water's so cool…"
Jenny sighed, reaching into the water to try and catch some more fish as Gomamon floated by.
Lunch was being made, and the blonde wouldn't have minded some extra food…
Mel had her feet in the water, Palmon on her lap as they chatted, looking up at clouds.
Tonya was lying on the grass, stretching out on the cool blades as Agumon curled into her side.
"Tonya?"
"Yeah, Agu?"
"…You're going to be alright, aren't you?"
"It'll take more than the likes of him to get to me. Don't worry."
Smiling warmly, she pat his head before looking up at the swaying branches.
"…I'll protect you, Tonya. I promise."
Blinking, the redhead locked eyes with her determined partner…
"…I know, Agu. I know."
"Tonya…"
Looking towards Mel, Tonya sat up so they could speak face to face more easily.
"Now that Myotismon and Midnight are after us…We'll have to run like we did with Etemon and Babyface, won't we?"
"Well, only for now!" Jenny grinned.
"After all, we beat Etemon and Babyface!"
"And we're stronger now, remember?" Tonya added.
"Right…"
Mel grinned…
"We'll get him! Especially once Pal Digivolves!"
"Right!"
"G-Guys!"
Lizzy skidded to a halt, panting from the run as Tentomon landed at her side.
"I-It's Gennai! H-He wants to talk to us!"
The three jumped to their feet, surprised and almost excited.
"What are we waiting for?! Let's go!!" Jenny shouted, pulling everyone at a run through the trees.
Let's just say no one really enjoyed that…
Meg quirked an eyebrow once they arrived, shaking her head slightly in amusement.
"Come on."
"We've been waiting for you to make it." Steph agreed.
"Alright, Gennai. What's up?" Tonya questioned.
"Well, I brought you some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?"
"Good news first!" TJ chirped.
"Actually, you all look like you could use some cheering up…I've been told another child will be joining your group."
"First of all, you old goat, we're not kids! And second…A new kid?"
"…"
SMACK!!!
"OW!"
"Don't talk, Jenny."
"But-!"
"Don't-Talk."
"Why would we need another child to join us?" Steph wondered.
"Well, this is someone you will want as a friend. This someone is a Digidestined."
"Really?"
TJ grinned.
"I hope they're my age!"
"They might even have a Digimon to help us defeat Myotismon and Midnight!" Mel agreed.
"The important thing to remember is that all eight of you must be together. As long as you are separated, the two worlds will not be in harmony with each other. Everything will go wacko, so we must find that other child as soon as possible."
"What's their name?" Meg questioned.
"Uh, the name?"
Meg's eye almost started to twitch…
"Yes. The name."
"It's…I forgot."
"Why do people tell you important things if you're just going to forget them?!" Jenny wondered loudly.
"SERIOUSLY!!"
"Calm down. I do know the location of the child. It's New York."
"New York?"
Lizzy blinked as it dawned on her…
"That's where we live…"
"Where's New York?" Gabumon wondered.
"It's a HUGE city next to a river on Earth." Agumon explained.
"Remember, that was the good news." Gennai stated.
"Alright, tell us. What's the bad news?" Steph wondered.
"Myotismon has heard of the eighth child, and will be going to New York soon. He's gathering his forces as we speak. If he gets to the eighth child first, both of our worlds will be doomed."
"Well, I know what we're gonna do."
Everyone looked towards Tonya, who smiled broadly in return…
"Looks like we're gonna do some infiltration, guys. This'll be fun."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Looking up at the large castle, the forest twisted behind them like evil spikes.
The sky was eternally dark, and everything looked sharp, deadly, as the walls loomed above them.
Finding a tower with an open window aiming outwards, they hunkered down as Gennai appeared.
"We've found our way in. Now we just know what to look for." Tonya informed.
"He has an army in there. We'll need to know if we should go around them." Meg agreed.
"There's a gateway within that connects to your world. It is somewhere inside this castle."
"So they sent Demidevimon and Jokester to distract us…So he could prepare the gate…" Lizzy noted.
"That's right."
"Well, it didn't work out." Steph voiced.
"So let's show him what happens when you mess with the Digidestined like that!"
"I'm with you, Steph!" Jenny agreed, high-fiving the brunette.
"My signal won't work within the castle. Once you're within those walls, you'll be on your own."
"We'll be fine, Gennai." Mel assured.
"Come on, Pal! Time to go!"
"I'm on it! Poison Ivy!"
As the vines wrapped around the edges of the window, Mel grabbed tightly onto her partner as she lifted both up.
Crawling through the opening, the brunette held firmly onto Palmon as they both looked down…
"Poison Ivy!"
The vines cascaded down, and were used to climb into the tower.
Once everyone was inside, they waved to Gennai's hologram before disappearing into the hallway beyond the door.
"Alright, we can split up here. We can rejoin in twenty minutes, alright?"
Everyone nodded, and the group branched off into singles or groups…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meg led the way over some arcs, Gabumon at her heels and TJ sticking close to her side, and studied the darkness.
Such dank places had never proven to be safe, and she wasn't about to drop her guard.
While traveling alone with TJ, she had learned the hard way to stay on her toes.
Ambushes, sneak attacks, traps…
Meg had gotten them out of everything, and now had a seasoned eye for spotting irregularities.
Like Lizzy with her photographic memory or Jenny with her instincts, very few things got past Meg.
TJ trusted her and Patamon for protection, and neither would fail her willingly.
Especially after Meg heard about their fight with Jokester and Demidevimon…
The hallways were strangely winding, twisting like snakes through the bowels of the castle.
It set her on-edge, muscles coiled and ready to spring should Midnight and Myotismon attack.
'They'll be sorry for going after Tonya…'
The group had lost their leader once…
They weren't about to lose her again.
"Meggie?"
"Hm?"
"Does this place feel…WEIRD to you?"
Meg paused, taking the time to take in the immediate surroundings.
The darkness was almost tangible, curling around the doorway before them like spindly fingers.
A light pulsed faintly within, outlining the steps and hallway beyond.
Eyes narrowing, Meg took hold of TJ's hand as Gabumon almost bristled…
"Something's off."
Walking through first, blue irises almost reflected the light to improve her vision.
"TJ…"
"Yeah, Pat?"
"Something's not right…"
All four blinked in confusion at the upside-down torch…
"Great."
Glaring icily, the elder teen clenched her fists.
"What's going on now?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Look at that!"
"Jenny…It's a door."
"A MAGICAL door!"
"There might be something behind it! Maybe even the gate!"
"Mel, don't encourage her!"
"We might as well check it out, right?"
"Onward, noble steed!"
"Jen, I'm not a horse!"
"Just play along, Goma-Goma."
RATTLE!
PULL!
SHOVE!
…
KICK!
"OW!"
"…It's metal…Did you really expect to kick it down?"
"MAYBE…"
"…"
"Look, a lock!"
RATTLE-RATTLE-CHING!
"…Oops?"
"We can't get in without the knob…Let's just keep looking."
"But-."
Glare.
"…Okay."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Tonya, are you SURE you know where we're going?"
"Of course I am! You doubt me?"
"…"
"Agu?"
"…"
"AGU!"
"I'm just kidding!"
"You better be." The redhead mock-growled.
Looking over her shoulder once more, Tonya almost shuddered before picking up the pace.
Paranoia was beginning to sink in, and she couldn't help it.
Knowing someone had been watching her since she had gotten back to the Digital World…
It almost had her senses aflame, desperately trying to find the eyes always on her.
Sometimes, it made Tonya just want to curl up in a ball and hide from the world…
Fortunately, that had never been her style.
More often than not, it angered her to think he was claiming her without consent.
She wasn't some toy you could pick up and play with whenever you pleased.
She was a human being with feelings, and the redhead was definitely starting to feel like hitting Midnight.
In the crotch.
With spiked shoes.
'Would Leo be upset if he knew Midnight wanted me?'
Tonya skidded to a halt at that thought, cheeks turning a bright scarlet.
'Why would I wonder about that? It's not like I LIKE Leo or anything…'
Agumon's hand tightened around her fingers, a knowing smile on his face…
'Are you sure about that, Tonya?'
"…No." She admitted softly, only for their ears, before continuing their trek.
"I've just been thinking about him a lot since we all got back together…"
"You care about him."
"Yeah…I might have a crush…"
A slightly embarrassed look, but Agumon had never seen her eyes so bright…
"Just don't tell anyone, alright Agu?"
"I promise."
Leaning against her hip, the dinosaur Digimon let out a content sigh before scanning their surroundings.
He wasn't about to let anyone take Tonya away from him…
"…Um…Tonya?"
"Yeah?"
"Didn't we go through here already?"
Pausing, Tonya blinked to find that, yes, they'd already been across the 'bridge'.
"How'd that happen? I made sure we didn't go in circles…"
"Tonya?"
Both Digimon and partner perked, looking over the 'railing' to their left.
"Lizzy? We're up here!"
"I think you're a little confused." Tentomon replied.
"WE'RE up here and YOU are down there."
"But…"
Lizzy's eyes widened…
"Uh oh…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It seems Myotismon and Midnight have tweaked the physics, time, and space around this castle…" Lizzy informed the entire group.
"It's like a maze. There's only one true path to the gate." Meg reasoned.
"The only problem is finding it." Steph replied, holding Yokomon to her side.
"It's not like we can ask for directions…" Tonya noted.
"Maybe we could follow someone. They might lead us to the gate!" Mel suggested.
"I think that's a good idea…" TJ voiced.
Gomamon twitched, immediately catching his partner's full attention.
"Goma-Goma?"
"I hear someone coming…"
"Get down." Tonya hissed as the group ducked behind the stone protecting them from a fateful drop.
All gazes turned upward, seeing the dark-looking Digimon pass by on a higher path with their partners.
One paused, his dark rook's wings rising as dark sapphire eyes locked with Mel's emerald pair.
Her breath caught at the sight of him…
He looked young compared to his fellows, no older than Jenny, with the faintest of scars over his nose that added to his roguish charm.
Almost blonde hair fell across his forehead, and his dark shirt and pants accentuated a thin, muscled frame.
When eye contact broke, a smile crossed his face before he disappeared through a doorway after his group.
"We've got to follow them, guys." Tonya ordered, snapping Mel out of her daze.
"Come on!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Feet pounding as they rushed down the large staircase, the only thing keeping Tonya from tiring was adrenaline.
She could almost sense the gate about to open, her doorway to home and Kitty and Leo so close…
Turning a corner, gold eyes narrowed to see a bright light escaping the massive doorway and the carriage below open.
Almost too late, they were about to go through-!
"HEY!"
Taking the steps two at a time, the redhead hit the ground floor as Agumon jumped to keep up.
"You're not going anywhere!"
"Changed your mind already, koneko-chan?"
Glaring even as a group of Vegiemon and Numemon, along with their partners, blocked the Digidestined's path, Tonya almost growled.
"No way in HELL!"
"That's a shame…I suppose we'll be back to get you once we've destroyed the eighth child."
"We're not going to let you!" Steph intervened, looking peeved.
"Unfortunately, we don't have the time to play with you."
"Demidevimon, Jokester. Take care of them."
"Yes, my lord!"
Demidevimon smirked, flying in front of the Digidestined.
"You guys aren't passing through here!"
"We'll see about that!"
Charms began to shine…
"Tiger!"
"Rabbit!"
"Wolf!"
"Ferret!"
"Dolphin!"
The combined light frightened their leaders, Nanimon and a bear Spirit Evolution…
"Tonya, Spirit Evolve into…TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
"Melanie, Spirit Evolve into…LUCKY FEET!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!!"
"Megan, Spirit Evolve into…FANG!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
"Elizabeth, Spirit Evolve into…TECHIE!"
"Tentomon, Digivolve to…KABUTERIMON!!"
"Jennifer, Spirit Evolve into…TRICKSTER!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
Towering over the mini-army, Trickster smirked…
"Boo."
They ran away screaming as the carriage closed, flying through the gateway after the main forces.
"Damn it!"
Trying to rush forward, Tawny skidded to a stop at the sudden sight of a Digimon in her path.
It looked like a cat, with over-sized yellow gloves and a long purple and white striped tail with a golden ring.
'Where's her partner?'
"Demi-Darts!"
"Boom Bubble!"
The cat Digimon stood between them and Demidevimon and Jokester.
"I can't even stand to watch this anymore."
"Another little one! Why don't you get out of the way before you get hurt?" Trickster teased.
"I see you're underestimating me…Watch this."
Jumping into the air, she flipped gracefully.
"Lightning Kick!"
The attack knocked down Greymon, Kabuterimon, and Ikkakumon, startling their partners with pain.
"She's stronger than she looks." Meg admitted.
"We'll get her! Togemon!"
The cat Digimon managed to avoid Togemon's fist, and Lucky Feet was tripped right off her feet.
As she skidded to a halt on her side, Fang tried to land a punch as Garurumon's jaws snapped on empty air.
"Where's your partner?" Tawny snarled, looking around defensively as she stood in front of Steph and TJ to defend them.
"I don't need a partner to defeat you!"
Turning to the rest of the group, Tawny clenched her fists.
"Lucky Feet, Trickster, you guys protect them while they run for the gate. We'll be right behind you."
"On it, boss!"
"You can count on us!"
As the group split up, Gatomon's tail ring began to glow once she evaded Fang's fist.
"I don't think so! You're not getting away!"
The statues on the walls came to life, screeching shrilly, as their demonic Pegasus-like partners pounded harsh metal, flaming hooves.
"HOLY JEBUS ON A POPSICLE STICK!"
"Devidramon and Cerberus!" Techie informed.
"Guardians of the gate!"
"How do you know?" TJ wondered.
"I did a little research…" The ferret-girl admitted, smiling shyly.
At least three each blocked their path, boxing in the Digidestined.
"Nova Blast!"
"Howling Blaster!"
"Electro Shocker!"
The attacks missed, and Techie barely avoided getting run over by an angry Cerberus.
Fang stopped his rampage, holding onto the massive head as the pounding hooves still went on.
Straining against the strength of the almost-beast, the wolf-girl growled…
Rushing in, Tawny shouldered the horse/human/dog hybrid away, glaring fiercely into its demon eyes.
"Harpoon Torpedo!"
"Needle Spray!"
Lucky Feet sprayed the Cerberus with punches, and Trickster slapped it across the face with her powerful tail.
They found, along with their partners, that this wasn't working…
"Dead Eyes!"
As the Digimon were stunned, hypnotized, their Spirit Evolutions managed to stay focused.
"The gate's closing!" TJ shouted.
"We've got to go!" Steph added, pulling the youngest girl after her towards the gate.
"Crimson Claw!"
Techie fell over in pain at the invisible strike, blood dripping from her lip thanks to the force.
"Crimson Claw!"
Trickster hissed as Ikkakumon was struck, her tail smacking a Cerberus under the jaw to distract him before she ducked beneath him.
"Don't give up!" Lucky Feet encouraged, zooming around a Cerberus to distract him as Kabuterimon threw a Devidramon towards Greymon.
"Nova Blast!"
"Howling Blaster!"
Both Tawny and Fang jumped up, punching its partner in the chest so both disintegrated as one.
"THE GATES ALMOST CLOSED!" Techie yelled.
Demidevimon and Jokester raced towards the open sliver, and Patamon blocked their path.
"Boom Bubble!"
The final two Devidramon and their partners blocked the gate from everyone else, and Tawny almost roared.
"Tawny!"
Greymon leapt over the main group, past his fallen comrades, to tackle one of the large demon Digimon.
"Greymon!"
Striking out at its partner, the redhead was caught around the forearm and slammed into the ground.
With the breath knocked clean out of her, static filled her ears as blurry vision began to clear on Greymon's pained face…
"Greymon…"
Her crest began to shine brightly…
"Greymon, Digivolve to…METALGREYMON!!"
"Transformation of Courage into…Courageous Tawny!"
Grabbing her assailant's wrist, Courageous Tawny threw him into a wall, standing as her swords gleamed.
Another tried to rush her, but the tiger-girl flipped backwards to avoid it, allowing them to crash into each other.
"It's the end for you guys! Metalgreymon!"
"Let's do this, Tawny!"
Her blades burst aflame, and his chest opened up…
"Guys, go!" Fang shouted.
"Blazing Courage!"
"Giga Blaster!"
Disintegrating into nothingness, Courageous Tawny and Metalgreymon couldn't find the strength to keep their forms…
As the transformation fell away, Tonya led the rush towards the rapidly-closing gate, where Gatomon knocked Patamon away.
"Unfortunately for you, I can't let you pass!"
The cat Digimon's tail ring began to shine once more, bringing to life more opposition.
"Damn you!"
So close, hearing the others hold off their enemies…
"Goodbye, Digidestined! I'll miss you in New York!"
"You little-!"
Metal crashed against metal, and the redhead crashed into the closed gateway.
Falling onto her butt, she stared up at the unmoving gate in shock…
"No…"
On her feet in an instant, Tonya struck the metal harshly with her fist, not caring that her knuckles burst open.
Glaring at it as her blood smeared on the denting surface, she almost cried out her frustration.
'NO! We can't lose! NOT HERE! The eighth child-!'
Her throat almost closed…
'We're not going to lose!'