"Ton-Ton?"
"Hm?"
Eyes fluttering open, Kitty's concerned face filled her vision as an arm's warm weight shifted on her hip.
"Kitty? What's up?"
"Nothing's working."
"What's not working?"
"Ever since that fog came in…Mommy and daddy have been saying that their cars and phones don't work…"
More awake now, Tonya sat up, shaking Leo's shoulder distractedly.
"Are they still home?"
"Yeah…They're mad…"
Leo was already awake by now, and slipped out of the bed so a dozing Agumon could roll over.
The night before, Tonya had woken up near her home and had come in to find her parents had gotten home.
Grandmother Beverly had explained everything about why they got back, and the redhead had said her usual greeting.
Going immediately to her room, Tonya had collapsed on the bed with Agumon and curled up to sleep.
Leo, loath to leave her when it seemed she couldn't defend herself, had joined her…
"I'll check it out, Kitty…Just stay in here with Agu…"
The brunette nodded as her sister stood up fully, walking out into the main room.
Ignoring her mother's rant about her messing up the freshly-cleaned floor, Tonya picked up her cell phone.
Flipping it open, static was the only thing filling her ear…
'Darn…'
Putting it down and putting in the recharge cord, her eyes turned to look past the balcony.
'The fog is pretty thick…'
"Young lady, what do you think you're doing?"
"Standing, dad."
Something was knotting her stomach, and Tonya did not like it…
The doorbell rang, and her sense of danger, sharpened from so long in the Digital World, went off.
"I wonder who's at the door-."
"Mom, DON'T!"
It was too late, the door was opened, and a scream cut through the air as Bakemon and their crow partners swarmed in.
"Damn-!"
One Bakemon grabbed her arm, and Tonya snarled threateningly before kicking him soundly in the face.
The bedroom door opened…
"Pepper Breath!"
"Tonya!"
"Stay with Kitty!"
The Bakemon were pulling the three adults out of the apartment, and Tonya wasn't going to stand for that.
Rushing after them, her charm glowed…
"Tiger!"
Agumon was at her side, the burst of strength rushing through their bond as the street full of hostages greeted them past the door…
"Tonya, Spirit Evolve into…TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
Cement crumbled as the dinosaur Digimon hit the asphalt, and Tawny landed on his shoulder.
"Mom! Dad! Granny!"
"Tonya!"
"What's going on?!"
"Get away from that monster!!"
"Relax! Greymon, let's get them."
"Right."
"Shadow Scythe!"
"Slash of Death!"
Both Spirit Evolution and Digimon cried out at the simultaneous pain, and Tawny fell off her partner's shoulder to hit the street.
"TON-TON!"
"Are you alright?"
"I'm...okay…"
Leo jumped down, Kitty on his shell, onto Greymon's shoulder as he stood up.
Standing, Tawny glared up at the Spirit Evolution that had attacked her, a bloody gash dripping from her side and diagonally down her stomach.
It looked like a bone-winged figure in a long cape and hood, only red shining through to show the eyes.
Bony, ashen hands gripped a bone-handled, silver, arched scythe, and it dripped with her blood.
"Midnight won't be mad if I slash you up a bit…As long as I don't scar that pretty face of yours…"
"We'll see how far you get…"
"Nova Blast!"
His attack missed, and Greymon growled in pain, standing.
'Tawny, we have to retreat…'
'But…'
'We'll get them later. I promise.'
After a moment, the tiger-girl allowed him to lift her onto his shoulder, Leo putting pressure on her wound.
'I'll be back…I promise…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meg's eyes drifted up to the ceiling, and something was clearly bothering her…
"Meg?"
"…Mother never came home. She's usually back early in the morning."
"…Do you think she's alright?"
"…I don't know."
It was early in the morning, the sun barely having passed the horizon, but the black-haired girl couldn't sleep.
With Gabumon sprawled over her torso, she hadn't felt the need to go to her own room for the night.
Sleeping in a bed felt strange now, and even resting on the couch as she was now seemed foreign.
At least with Gabumon near her, Meg didn't feel quite so out of place.
With Raph, she never felt that way at all…
Shaking the thought away, she sat up, letting Gabumon grab a cereal bar before grabbing the house phone.
Static hit her ear…
'The phone's out?'
Mist passed the wind like long fingers, and blue eyes narrowed.
'I have a bad feeling about this, Gabu…'
'Me, too…'
A knock at the door, and her gaze snapped to the door.
'No one ever comes over…And mother doesn't knock…'
The wood splintered under a harsh weight, and eventually gave way to the Bakemon and their winged companions.
It seemed they regretted the decisions when met with Meg's cold glare…
"Get out of my house."
"Blue Blaster!"
Thrown out of the open doorway, they scattered in terror before the pair locked gazes.
"They've made their move."
"We have to warn the others!"
Screams echoed up from the streets…
"I'm pretty sure they know."
Rushing out onto the sidewalk outside the quaint little one-story house, Meg immediately had her brain whirling.
'We need a base.'
Taking hold of Gabumon's hand, she raced down the street, abandoned now thanks to the evil Digimon and their partners.
A crash in the alley, and Meg skidded to a halt to hear cursing.
"Damn it, Raph! What are these thin's?!"
"It's a lon' story, Case."
'Raph?!'
In the shadows of the buildings, she saw Raph and a human trying to fight off Bakemon.
"Blue Blaster!"
As the ghost Digimon were knocked out of the air, the hockey-masked man turned to them in surprise.
"What the-?"
"Not now."
The back of her fist struck a crow-girl in the nose, her own expression blank.
"We have to go."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Me-Me!"
Someone was shaking her shoulder, and Mel managed to raise her head and see a concerned Palmon.
"The Bakemon are here! We have to go!"
"Bakemon?"
Sleep dispersed from her mind, and the brunette shot up, eyes wide.
"Bakemon!"
Throwing the blankets off in a rush, Mel hardly noticed that she was in her pajamas as she went straight for the door.
That shout she had heard in her sleep…
'It was Ant!'
"Mel, wait!"
The entire estate was swarming with Bakemon, she could tell just from stepping out into the hallway.
'Oh no!'
A crow-boy tackled her, and Mel lost her breath from the collision…
Managing to knock him off, the green-eyed girl scrambled to her feet as Palmon came after her.
Covered by a cowgirl hat and a long sweater, she didn't seem like a Digimon at that moment.
"Come on, Pal!"
Pulling her Digimon along, the girl was ambushed by a mob of crow-people.
"AH!"
Everything went black…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steph looked at the wall, Biyomon cuddled into her chest and Mikey breathing heavily against her neck…
'Everything's so quiet…'
Angie was also sleeping in the bed, which was large enough for all of them.
She'd been so upset the night before, Steph couldn't bring herself to push the young girl into her own room.
Light streamed into her room, shining off the trophies and the curtains…
The brunette blinked in surprise, realizing that the light was dimmer and shimmering like it was going through something.
About to sit up, Steph almost yelped as Mikey's arm, draped over her waist, tightened.
Deciding she wasn't going to move for a while, the brunette craned her neck to look out the window.
'Whoa…That fog is pretty thick…Thicker than normal…'
She just KNEW this wasn't going to be good…
"AHHH!!!"
The scream and the sound of splintering wood confirmed that, and Steph jumped out of bed, still dressed from the day before.
Mikey was startled out of sleep, as was Biyomon, but it was Angie that locked eyes with her sister.
"Stephie?"
"Stay in here."
Heading out into the hallway, she immediately took in the situation.
Jessica was already beginning to be dragged out, but Steph was in time to save her mother.
Jumping on a crow-girl and pinning her wings, red bangs got in her eyes as the Spirit Evolution bucked.
"Mom, get to my room!"
As the woman ran for the cover, Steph kicked off her opponent's back and followed her.
The door was slammed shut, and the brunette leaned against it as the forces beyond regrouped.
"We need to get out of here."
"Babe, what's going on?"
"They've made their move."
"We can get out this way." Biyomon suggested, opening the window.
"Follow Biyo."
Angie climbed out onto the fire escape first, then their mother, and just as Mikey was crouched on the sill…
The door exploded inward.
"Babe-!"
"GO!"
Shoving him out, Steph pulled the window shut with a bang.
Her heart was already aching as Biyomon led them on, knowing her partner's intentions, when harsh holds pulled her back.
"BABE!"
"MIKEY!"
Her vision went black…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Jen…Jen. Jen! JEN!"
"WHAT?"
"Everyone's gone. And the news is saying something's going on across the river!"
"Huh?"
Blinking dazedly, Jenny sat up, rubbing her eyes to focus her vision.
"The news?"
"Jen…Your grandparents and uncle went across the river."
Her brain was starting to awaken, and the blonde reached for the remote.
Turning off the mute, Jenny tried to shake the buzz out of her head…
"It became apparent early this morning that one entire half of New York is covered by thick fog. There is no way to communicate with them."
"…Across the river…"
Silver eyes widened…
"AND THEY WENT ACROSS THE RIVER?!"
Gomamon fell backwards at his partner's sudden movement, and Jenny tried to get out of bed as quickly as possible.
Unfortunately, she hadn't realized the blankets were tangled around her legs…
BAM!!!
"AH! I CAN'T SEE!"
"Jen, it's your covers."
"…I knew that…"
Throwing them off, she leapt for the phone and tried dialing in numbers.
A faint ring echoed through her ears until…
"Hello?"
"TJ! Little buddy, we've got a problem!"
"Really? What's wrong?"
"It's on the news! Midnight and Myotismon have made their move! And it's a pretty good one!"
She could hear the TV click on, and then TJ's gasp.
"Uh oh!"
"Uh oh? I don't want to hear you say 'uh oh'!"
"Daddy went over to shop!"
"…Oh CRAP…"
'Did EVERYONE but us choose to go over there today?!'
"Don't worry, TJ. We'll get to them."
A sniffle on the other end…
"Really?"
"Of course! Just get ready, and I'll meet you at the pier."
"A-Alright…Do you think they're okay?"
Jenny paused, locking eyes with Gomamon…
"…They will be. I just know it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mel looked around, concerned, as she hugged a disguised Palmon to her chest.
They were all cooped up in the community center, being guarded by Bakemon and Purple Dragons.
Everyone in that section of the city, hundreds of people…
Kids were crying, mothers were shaking, and men were silent and solemn.
'What am I gonna do? I haven't fought alone since Toy Town…And this…'
Shaking arms tightened around Palmon…
'This is so much bigger…'
"Mel?"
Emerald eyes shot up, widening at the sight before her.
"Steph?"
"Mel!"
The brunette hugged her younger friend, relieved that she was alright.
"You're alright?"
"Yeah…I'm alright."
"Where's Palmon?"
"Right here!"
Tilting up the cowboy hat, the plant Digimon grinned.
"At least you two can evolve, then."
"What about you and Biyomon?"
Steph flinched, reminded of her pain…
"She's protecting my family. Well…Most of them…"
"Steph…"
Jessica looked uncomfortable, eyes turning to the much younger brunette.
"I'm sorry…"
"…It's alright, Jessica. Everything will be alright."
"Where do you think the others are, Steph?"
"Probably finding a way to save all of us. But we'll need to meet them halfway…"
A familiar voice drifted to them, and all three girls turned to see familiar faces at a table.
"All the parents…"
Tonya and Kitty's mother was practically wailing, their father attempting to comfort her.
Like her youngest daughter, she was a brunette, with bright gold eyes and a straight-edged face.
Their father, on the other hand, was a blue-eyed redhead, with a softer face.
"That MONSTER must have eaten them!"
"That dinosaur-."
"Was evil! I just know it!"
"No he isn't."
All eyes turned to her, and Steph was faced with Tonya's parents, Meg's, Mel's, Lizzy's, and even Jenny's grandparents and uncle.
"That dinosaur would never hurt Tonya."
"How can you be so sure?" Meg's mother wondered, clearly skeptical.
"He's one of our friends. He'll come back with others and save us. I'm sure of it."
"What makes you think anyone will come save us?" Sherman questioned.
"Because Tonya's not about to let them win."
"What do you suggest we do? Sit around and wait for them?" Mel's father replied.
"Of course not."
Steph's smile became conspiratorial.
"I have a plan to beat the Bakemon and their partners, actually…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"What's going on here? What were those things?!"
"Calm down, ma'am." Mikey pleaded.
Angie was on his back, clinging to his shell tightly as Biyomon panted, pain burning her torso.
"It's pretty complicated, you see. They're kidnapping people, I guess…"
"We have to save Stephie." Biyomon stated, catching their attention.
"But how?"
Mikey grinned…
"I've got an idea."
As he set about making disguises, the woman turned to the pink Digimon…
"You know Stephanie well?"
"Very well."
"Do you know if she…Does she…Does Stephanie hate me?"
"Hate you? Never!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Everyone ready?"
Snapping the CD into the stereo, Steph locked eyes with the group they had assembled.
"This tape will only take down the ghosts and their partners. Team B will take out the Purple Dragons while Team A chants, alright?"
"Right!"
"Then let's go!"
Hefting it onto her shoulder, the brunette nodded to Mel and Jessica.
"If anything happens, you keep going."
"But what about you?"
"Don't worry about me, Mel. If ANYTHING happens, you keep going."
"…I will."
With a sharp nod, the groups split off from each other and jumped into action…
"Bakemon, lose your power! Razor, lose your power! Bakemon, lose your power! Razor, lose your power!"
As bodies hit the floor, Steph ran ahead of the women and children as the Purple Dragons were bombarded.
The halls were going by fast as blurs, and the brunette felt the familiar thrill of adrenaline tingling in her veins.
"I don't think so!"
Something barreled into her like a freighter, and she cried out as she flew through the air, hitting the ground on her feet.
Glaring at the mountain of a man that had hindered her run, dark eyes flickered to a startled Mel.
"Mel!"
Tossing the stereo, she smiled slightly as the younger teen caught it, slightly awkward as Palmon tilted up her cowgirl hat.
"Keep going."
"But-."
"Mel."
After a moment, she nodded, grabbing her partner's hand.
"Come on! This way!"
As the group thundered past, Steph slid into a stance.
"I won't let you stop us."
"We'll see about that, small fry."
Charging at the brunette, he was surprised when she slipped out of the way, foot snapping into the side of his knee.
As the man of muscle hit the ground on the opposite joint, he glowered at the cocky teen.
"Maybe you need to try a bit harder than that."
"You little…"
"HEY!"
A little foot knocked into his chin pretty hard, and Steph blinked in surprise before looking at the owner.
It was a little redhead, with bright blue eyes and her hair in a short braid.
She couldn't have been older than TJ…
"Watch out!"
Before a HUGE fist could knock against the side of the girl's head, Steph scooped her up and jumped back.
"No, let me fight! I want to help!"
"This is too dangerous!" Steph chastised.
"But-!"
"Maybe when you're older, you can try saving the world. Right now, it's not your time."
"DES!"
Another little girl, with longer brunette hair and dark eyes, was running towards them.
"You said you wouldn't do that!"
"You two follow the others." Steph ordered, pushing both of them towards the hallway the group had escaped through.
"And don't even THINK of fighting any monsters!" She shouted after them.
A blow to her back sent the girl flying head-over-heels, and the brunette landed on her chest.
"OW…"
"Not so tough now, are you?"
"You just made the wrong move…"
Flipping to her feet, Steph turned to glare menacingly…
"The gloves are off now."
They charged at each other, but the brunette slid under his blow, coming up to kick him in the back.
"Slash of Death!"
Managing to avoid the swipe, Steph rolled to land on her feet, back to a balcony…
"That's enough of that."
"We've had enough of your futile attempts."
Glaring at the Digimon and his partner, Steph backed up against the railing as Bakemon and Razor came up behind their leaders.
"Poor little Digidestined…Where's your bird friend?"
"I don't need her to beat you!"
"We'll see, little girl…"
"Hun, why don't you have the honor?"
"Gladly…"
Raising his fists up, Hun was ready to bring them down with crushing force…
"Whoa there, dude!"
A green foot smacked into his face, knocking him out of the way.
"That's no way to treat a lady!"
"Mikey?!"
The Bakemon were being knocked out of the air by her mother, and Biyomon was flying toward her in a rush, eager for the relief of reuniting…
Steph's charm began to glow…
"Biyo!"
They were within reach, and she felt the rush of power…
"Eagle!"
The light encompassed them both, and the sudden release of their pain was like heaven…
"Stephanie, Spirit Evolve into…TALON!"
"Biyomon, Digivolve to…BIRDRAMON!!"
Spreading their wings, they took to the air, startling their enemies.
"Mikey, get on Birdramon!"
"Babe-!"
"GET ON BIRDRAMON!"
Diving towards the Spirit Evolution as Birdramon distracted her partner, Talon hit shoulder-first.
Twirling to avoid the silver scythe, Talon hovered beside her mother, grabbing her arm.
"Mom, get on Birdramon!"
"No! You need to get away!"
"I'm not leaving without you!"
Angie shouted in a panic, and Jessica, who had obviously not heeded her sister's warning, went to save her.
"I'll be with your sisters! You need to follow your destiny!"
"Not without my family!"
"You have another family to take care of, Stephanie!"
"MOM!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mel looked back, noticing that Jessica had abandoned them, and they broke out into the street.
Palmon clung to her side, and the crowd was slowing now that everything seemed safe…
Something made the ground quake, and all eyes darted around to find the culprit.
"That sounded like…"
"Footsteps."
Green eyes met green…
"Uh oh…"
A large form rose above the sign off to their left, black skin marked with red stripes.
"It looks like a Tyrannomon!" Mel realized, backing away.
"It's Darktyrannomon and Spike!"
The Digimon roared so loudly the building shook violently, and his porcupine partner, black and ashen grey, made her quills straighten.
"Melanie!"
"Get away from them!"
"Mom! Dad!"
Her heart pounded as her charm began to glow…
"Stay back!"
The porcupine-girl jumped, rolling up into a ball to strike the pair…
"Rabbit!"
Bright light surprised the evil Spirit Evolution…
"Melanie, Spirit Evolve into…LUCKY FEET!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!!"
Like a blur, Lucky Feet scooped up her parents and pulled them out of danger.
Spike struck the ground with tremendous force, and the rabbit-girl winced as Togemon made contact with Darktyrannomon.
"Lead them out of here."
"But honey-."
"We'll be alright. We can hold them off while you escape."
Both looked her straight in the eye, and finally nodded…
"Be safe."
"Don't take any chances."
"I won't."
Turning to face Spike as she dislodged herself from the ground, emerald eyes narrowed…
"I'll be back. I promise."
Zooming towards the risen enemy, super-fast punches rained down on her chest.
As the crowd raced away, Lucky Feet was surprised by a quill slashing her across the shoulder.
Spun back, the brunette struggled to regain her bearings before Spike rammed into her chest.
Crying out as she was knocked to the ground and flung head-over-heels, the rabbit-girl lay, dazed, on her stomach.
"Togemon…"
The plant Digimon was slammed to the ground on her back, and Lucky Feet gasped at the foreign pain…
"Fire Blast!"
Unseen heat scorched her belly, and the Spirit Evolution rolled over in a vain attempt to escape it.
"TOGEMON!"
"Hold on, Lucky…I'll handle this…"
Managing to lever herself up, Lucky Feet stared at a triumphant Spike with dazed eyes…
'Why are they doing this? What have we done to them? Is this some sort of game to them?'
Tears blurred her vision…
'It's all over…They've won…How can I hope to beat them?'
Togemon cried out, and the pain in her heart fueled her determination.
'No. I won't let them hurt my family! Either of my families!'
Her crest began to give off light…
'There has to be SOMETHING I can do!'
The light sent strength through both girl and Digimon…
"Togemon, Digivolve to…LILLYMON!!"
A spiraling column of emerald leaves shot up around the rabbit girl…
"Transformation of Sincerity into…"
Bursting from the energy, she spun a large Meteor Hammer over her head…
"Sincere Luck!"
Stunned at the transformation, the girl looked up at her flying partner.
'Lillymon…We evolved…'
'Your sincerity did it, Lucky. Your wish to help your loved ones brought us into existence.'
'Lillymon…'
'Let's take these guys on.'
Nodding, Sincere Luck zoomed forward…
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
"Flower Cannon!"
Spike and Darktyrannomon were knocked off their feet, and the rabbit-girl couldn't help laughing in glee.
She felt free somehow…
'Your love for everyone around you is so powerful we evolved, Lucky. I'll always cherish this connection with you.'
'Lillymon…'
'Now to stop Darktyrannomon and Spike!'
"Flower Wreath!"
The necklace of flowers seemed to subdue the large Digimon, and his partner relaxed as well.
"My Flower Wreath counteracted the virus, so they should be sweet as lambs from now on!"
"Great job, Lillymon!"
"Nice try."
Both spun around to see Myotismon and Midnight…
"But not good enough."
"Crimson Lightning!"
"Whip of Decay!"
Darktyrannomon and Spike shrieked as they disappeared into oblivion, and Sincere Luck covered her mouth in shock.
"You're such a bad sport!"
"You, meddlesome little flower child! It's time I plucked your petals!"
"We can't have you running around to help your friends."
"Just try it!"
"We won't let you guys win!"
"Crimson Lightning!"
"Whip of Decay!"
Both avoided the strikes, and Sincere Luck kicked up dust as she ran up a wall to get closer to the hovering pair…
"Flower Cannon!"
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Are you alright, Tonya?"
"I'm fine now, Leo…It just aches…"
"Agumon, how about you?"
"I'll live, Kitty…"
"You two shouldn't have been so reckless…"
"Taking a risk is better than sitting back and waiting, I've always said…"
"So I suppose this happens often?"
"Now that you mention it…"
"Yo, Fearless!"
"Tonya."
All four turned to face the source of the voices, and saw the rooftop to their left had a large water tower atop it.
Beneath it…
"Meg!"
"Raph! Casey!"
Picking up Tonya, Leo managed to lead them across the street and unite both groups in the shade.
"What 'appened ta ya guys?" Casey wondered.
"We ran into some trouble." Tonya replied, patting Agumon's head.
"With who?"
"Agu says they're called Phantomon and Reaper. They're at the Ultimate level."
"They did quite a bit of damage…" Gabumon noted.
"You're alright?"
"I'm fine, Meg. No need to fuss."
Kitty hugged her sitting sister, trying to soothe her own pain by clinging to her main source of protection.
"It's not too late to find the eighth child."
"We don't need to worry about that."
"Don't need ta worry 'bout that? We shoul' be!" Raph protested.
"We don't need to worry about it because we've already found the eighth child." Leo explained.
"Really?"
"Who?"
Tonya and Leo both looked down at Kitty, and it caught the attention of the others.
"Kitty?"
"Who is she?"
"She's my little sister…" Tonya admitted, rubbing her sibling's back.
"And now she's Midnight and Myotismon's target…"