"Me-Me?"
Anthony looked to his sister, as if he understood that something wasn't quite right…
Lifting him into her arms, Mel tried to soothe her young brother.
"Don't you worry, Ant. Everything will turn out fine."
Lizzy picked up her own siblings, rubbing their backs and humming a lullaby as Steph sat down on an abandoned car.
Yokomon looked up at her in concern, and Angie leaned on the bumper beside her.
"…Are you worried, Stephie?"
"…A bit…"
Smiling slightly, she ruffled the six year old's hair.
"But you don't have to. I'm sure we can handle this."
After a moment, Angie nodded, leaning into her sister's side…
Meg was glaring up at the sky, a bit frustrated with this long battle against Myotismon and Midnight, as Gabumon nudged her side.
"It's like trying to keep my Aunt Valerie from around the pool…" Jenny whined.
"How old is your aunt?" Leatherhead wondered.
"Nine."
"…"
"Don't ask."
"What else is there for us to do?" Tonya complained, a hand on Agumon's head.
"I mean, they're GONE. We can't really kill them if they're already dead!"
"The fog wouldn't still be up if they were really gone." Leo reasoned.
"So they gotta fin' someone else ta beat up?"
"Someone stronger than those guys? Are you kidding me?!" Mikey exclaimed.
"We just have to deal." Don soothed.
"After all, they can't just give up, and neither can we."
Lizzy jumped as her bag beeped, and she handed her brothers over to Don before pulling out her laptop.
"It's a message from Gennai…"
The other Digidestined were immediately crowding at the blonde's back, and the turtles merely waited to hear what was going on.
"Wonderful news, my friends! I may have found the way to defeat them once and for all!"
A window popped up, showing the worn brown stone of some sort of ruin, small symbols etched into its surface.
"Although this looks like a graham cracker, its actually an ancient text which I've translated!"
"What's it say? What's it say?!" Jenny questioned impatiently.
"'The sky will be darkened by the wings of many bats/The fallen people will invoke the name of the Undead Digimon King/When the clock strikes the hour of the beast/The Undead King will reveal himself in his true form AS the beast/Then angels will shoot arrows of Hope and Light at the loved ones of those they've been sent to protect/And a miracle will happen/Please always recycle'."
Everyone blinked in confusion, Casey scratching his head…
"Is 'e serious?"
"You have no idea." Meg replied.
"That last part seems weird, but good luck!"
As the mini-Gennai disappeared, Mel straightened up, Tanemon in the crook of her arm.
"What does that mean?"
"I don't know…" Lizzy admitted.
"He always does this…He gives up clues, but always withholds the most important information…" Steph grumbled.
"Can you figure out the prophecy, Lizzy?" Tonya wondered.
"I can try…It might take a while…"
"We can't just stand around here…We need to get some things and get to the community center." Mel suggested.
"She's right. We should be prepared for anything that might come our way." Meg agreed.
"Alright…We'll all split up and go to our houses, and meet up outside the community center in an hour." Tonya decided.
Everyone nodded, splitting off…
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing outside of the community center with Kitty and Leo was getting nerve-wracking…
Fidgeting, Tonya checked her Digivice to find that it had nearly been an hour since they'd all separated.
'Where IS everybody?'
She had at least expect Meg and TJ to be back by now…
Having only gotten some first aid supplies, bandages, and food stuffed into a bag, Tonya supposed the others had gotten more.
"Ton-Ton?"
Turning her eyes to Kitty, who was holding Gatomon in her arms carefully, the redhead nodded.
"Yeah?"
"Do you think mommy and daddy and granny are alright?"
"…I'm sure they're alright. We'll get them once the others get here."
The young brunette nodded, looking unsure, and Tonya turned her eyes to Leo, who was sitting on a car to see the others coming.
"Any sign of them?"
"Not yet."
There was silence, more waiting to frazzle her nerves…
"Do you really think they'll come back?"
Leo looked to her, seeing the slight uncertainty and fear hidden in her eyes…
"I'm sure whatever happens will be easy to deal with."
"…Yeah…"
Agumon leaned against her hip, trying to comfort her…
"Hey, guys!"
All eyes lifted up to see Jenny, who was grinning hugely as she ran towards them, Leatherhead at her heels and Bukamon in her arms.
"Sorry it took so long! Bukamon couldn't decide what food he wanted to bring with!"
"Hey, I LIKE Twinkies!"
Stopping by the car, the eldest Digidestined adjusted the bag on her shoulders.
"Anyone else here yet?"
"You're the first."
"Aw MAN…"
"Don't start whining just yet." Meg warned, walking up with TJ and Raph.
"We haven't gotten to the hard part just yet."
"You're such a downer!"
"Let's not start that again." The black-haired girl warned.
"Remember what happened last time."
"A little…"
"Let's not start another fight." Steph interrupted, holding Angie's hand and carrying Yokomon in her other arm.
"Do YOU remember what happened last time you two were at each other's throats?"
Meg seemed slightly embarrassed, looking away, as Jenny twiddled her thumbs guiltily.
"KINDA…"
"Just remember that before you go at it."
"Hey, guys!"
Mel's smile seemed anything but true, but it seemed to help her cracked heart to pretend the damage wasn't there.
Holding Tanemon to her chest with one arm and Anthony close with the other, her small backpack bounced with her jogging pace.
"Sorry I took so long! I had to get changed before getting all my stuff together!"
Stopping, she adjusted her cowgirl hat before bouncing Anthony up higher.
"Am I late?"
"No later than Lizzy, Don, and Mikey."
"It's not like Don to be late…" Leo fretted.
"They had to go to her house and the lair. I'm sure it's just taking longer than they expected." Tonya assured.
"'Sides, Casey's still tryin' ta fin' 'is lucky bat."
"An' I foun' it, thank ya very much!"
As Casey ran up, Mikey was jogging towards them from the opposite direction.
"FART ALERT! FART ALERT!"
He hid behind Steph, covering his mouth and nose, as Don and Lizzy appeared, leading Master Splinter and The Ancient One.
The latter farted again…
Lizzy didn't seem to flinch, though it was obvious it smelled bad, as Don pulled her into a faster pace.
"Everyone ready?" Tonya wondered.
The girls nodded, and she turned to the front doors.
"Ladies first."
As the eight Digidestined rushed in together, the mutants stared after them for a moment before following.
Bakemon and Razor were startled within…
"Lightning Paw!"
"Pepper Breath!"
"Blue Blaster!"
The In-Training Digimon jumped ahead…
"Yokomon, Digivolve to…BIYOMON!!"
"Motimon, Digivolve to…TENTOMON!!"
"Bukamon, Digivolve to…GOMAMON!!"
"Tanemon, Digivolve to…PALMON!!"
The Digimon jumped forward alone to fight the Digimon and Spirit Evolutions, not wanting their partners to get hurt…
"Super Shocker!"
"Marching Fishes!"
"Poison Ivy!"
"Spiral Twister!"
As the guards disappeared before their eyes, they rushed past to the main room.
"Thanks, guys! Now come on!"
The main room was massive, made for plays during the fall and winter months, and full of motionless forms.
Jenny rushed forward first, seeing her grandparents and uncle first.
"Grandma! Grandpa! Sherman!"
Mel turned, spotting her own parents lying far to her right…
"Mom! Dad!"
TJ and Kitty moved next, spotting their own parents.
It was not that Tonya and Meg didn't care about their parents, but it was awkward for them to show affection.
Meg was jaded about her mother, and had not even embraced her favored father since she was a child.
Tonya had been too pressured by her own perfectionist parents, having taken the responsibility for herself and Kitty since her own childhood.
They loved their parents, but their upbringings had kept them from learning how to express it to the people who had given them life…
Steph stepped up to her mother and sister, eyes shimmering with guilty tears as Angie kneeled between them.
"Mom…Jess…"
Lizzy kneeled next to her parents and sister, eyes studying their faces intently…
"…I'll go with Raph to see if we can get through the fog." Meg finally decided, turning to head back out.
"Darlin'…"
If his own father were in such a state, Raph knew he wouldn't leave his side for a moment.
What was going through her mind?
"Wait, Meggie! I'll go with you!" TJ insisted, Patamon on her shoulder.
"It could be dangerous."
"But-!"
"Take her with you, Meg. You might need Patamon if anything goes down."
As the two stared each other down, their Digimon fidgeted anxiously and looked to Leo and Raph.
"You'd stop them if they started fighting, right?"
Eyes widening, everyone in the room was wishing they wouldn't pounce…
After a few more tense moments, and Meg rolled her eyes, turning away.
"Fine. Come on, Tammy."
Smiling hugely, TJ jogged to catch up with her sister, and Raph released a breath before doing the same.
Tonya rubbed her forehead, looking towards the group.
"We need to see what's wrong with all these people. Who wants to check?"
"I can." Jenny admitted.
"My parents taught me."
"Me and Leatherhead, too." Don added.
"See if these people are alright. I'll make sure the rest of this place is clear."
"What about the rest of us?" Steph wondered.
"Relax. Help Lizzy with the prophecy if you can."
Smiling reassuringly, Tonya tried to hide her own uncertainty with the whole thing…
"Everything will turn out fine. I'll make sure of it."
Agumon took hold of her hand, hoping to help her believe it, as she turned to head down a hall.
"Save your strength."
'I'm not sure what kind of battle is coming our way…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leaning back in the rowboat they'd managed to find, Meg sighed in exasperation.
"This fog is too thick. I'm surprised Jenny got through before."
"Her crest helped us…" TJ noted.
"Maybe it's a one-time thing…"
"HELLO, anybody!"
"No, like this. IF YOU FIND US, WE'LL GIVE YOU ANYTHING YOU WANT! EVEN CANDY!!"
Meg rubbed her forehead as Raph chuckled…
"Gabu, that's not much motivation…"
"Oh, okay! HEY-!"
Covering his mouth, her eye twitched.
"Don't."
"…Okay."
"We shoul' go back. Ain't nothin' ta see out 'ere."
"You're right."
Picking up a paddle, Meg paused, hearing something splash nearby…
"Meggie?"
Blinking a moment, she shook her head and started turning the boat around.
"It's nothing."
"…Darlin'…"
Looking up, Meg froze at the defensive look in his eyes…
"What's that?"
Following his gaze, the blue-eyed teen nearly bristled to see something disappear beneath the choppy water.
"…I don't know."
TJ hugged Patamon close, confused and worried about what was coming for them.
"If they're Digimon and Spirit Evolutions, we need to get back to shore."
As the boat aimed itself towards where she smelled land, something bumped into it from below.
Raph cursed as it rocked, and Meg locked eyes with Gabumon.
He nodded, moving to one side as Patamon took the other, ready to defend against any surprise attacks.
They were almost there…
"It's Gizamon and Dragonface!"
The dark-scaled serpentine Spirit Evolutions nearly knocked them completely over, and Meg smacked one across the face with her paddle.
"Blue Blaster!"
"Boom Bubble!"
As they and their frog-like partners were knocked back, the front of their little vessel hit the shore.
Jumping out, Meg punched a Dragonface once it emerged from the murky depths.
"Get into the Battle Shell!" She ordered.
"Not wit'out ya, darlin'!"
Surprised when Raph grabbed her arm and pulled her towards the armored truck, she saw TJ run after them.
"Blue Blaster!"
"Boom Bubble!"
Gizamon were knocked back, and Meg kicked a rock towards their partners.
The door was slammed open, and they jumped inside, the blue-eyed teen dragging her sister in.
Once the Digimon hopped in the back, TJ closed the door with a sharp sound as Raph went for the driver's seat.
Gizamon immediately covered all of the windows, not allowing in any light, as their partners caught the wheels with metal pipes.
"Damn it!"
The engine fought against the holds, and wasn't winning…
Flapping and screeching penetrated the metal, and TJ raised her head.
Slowly, light filtered back in, and Meg's eyes narrowed in suspicion before she rolled down the passenger window.
Leaning out, and only half-aware she was giving Raph a good view of her butt, she looked up at the sky.
Black against the grey clouds, little shapes fluttered around…
"'The sky will be darkened by the wings of many bats'…"
Sitting back down quickly, she faced Raph in a snap.
"We have to go back and tell the others. They need to hear about this."
'The battle is drawing closer…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kitty hugged her knees to her chest, eyes half-lidded and watery as she stared at her parents…
"It's all my fault…"
"No it's not. You didn't do this to them." Gatomon assured.
She couldn't take knowing that her partner was guilty, blaming herself for things neither of them could control…
"If I had turned myself in sooner…"
"But you didn't know."
Taking the young girl's hands, Gatomon tried to give her comfort through the contact.
"You helped as many people as you could, and you helped me defeat Myotismon and Midnight."
"But…I wasn't able to stop him from hurting Tonya…"
The tears threatened to flood past her lashes…
"Because she was trying to protect ME…"
"Because she loves you. You couldn't have stopped her."
"…Maybe…But I should have tried…"
"The past is the past. We should look towards the future."
"…You're right…"
Sniffling, Kitty rubbed one of her eyes to stop the tears, and smiled slightly.
"We should save our strength to help the others…"
"Right."
Steph's eyes turned from Kitty and her partner to her own family, now that she was sure the youngest girl wouldn't cry.
Tonya and Agumon would be back any moment, probably stressed out past their limits, and they wouldn't need that…
Angie hadn't moved from between their mother and sister since the group had arrived, and it didn't seem likely that she'd ever move.
"Hey, babe…"
Mikey sat beside her, not really sure what to say.
He didn't want to make her feel any worse…
"Hey, Mikey…"
Leaning on his shoulder a bit, Steph released a breath.
"Do you think they're okay?"
"Donnie and Leatherhead already checked them out. They're all fine, babe."
"…Right…"
Biyomon climbed into her lap, cuddling into her stomach, as Mikey put an arm around her shoulders.
"…I never got to say sorry…"
"I'm sure she knows you are. It's a parent thing."
"Parents don't know EVERYTHING." She teased, smiling softly.
"Then you've never spent a day with Master Splinter."
"I guess so…" Steph admitted.
Leaning up, she kissed Mikey's cheek, smiling wider as he blushed, not expecting the action.
"Thanks, baby…"
"For what?"
"…Making me feel better…"
After a moment, he tightened his arm around her, resting his head on hers.
"No problem, babe…"
Jenny sighed, rubbing her head as Gomamon curled up in her lap…
"Are you alright, Jenny?"
Looking up at Leatherhead, she smiled, only half-true…
"I'm fine. Just waiting for them to wake up and yell 'April Fools'."
After a moment, Leatherhead lifted her into his arms, sitting down where she had been.
"There's no need for you to hide your worry."
"…It's just…if I start worrying, everyone else will start worrying more. I'm supposed to be the one who isn't affected by anything bad that happens to us…"
"…You don't have to."
"But I do. It's all I CAN do…I'm not as strong or smart or fast as any of the others…"
"That does not mean you should hurt yourself trying to be strong for them."
"I'm just…tired…" Jenny admitted, rubbing her partner behind the ears.
"Of what?"
"…Lying…"
Turning her head up to lock eyes with Leatherhead, she rested her cheek on his shoulder.
"That's all I end up doing…Except with you and Goma-Goma…"
"I'm sure that you're just as amazing without trying."
Blushing at the comment, she nodded, lowering her chin to try and hide it.
"Thanks, Leatherhead…"
Lizzy stared hard at her laptop screen, fingers immobile as she read over the prophecy again and again.
She couldn't concentrate on it, her eyes darting to her parents and sister as Josh and Danny played between them.
'I wasn't able to help them…If I hadn't stayed up so late the night before…'
Don sat beside her, seeing the guilt in her eyes, and put an arm around her shoulders.
"It's alright, Lizzy…I'm sure they'll be alright once this mess is straightened out…"
"…Yeah…This is just part of the spell that's keeping the fog up…" The blonde agreed.
"…What's on your mind?"
Her fingers stopped on the keys, keeping the prophecy from scrolling across the screen once more…
"…I haven't seen my parents in so long…Would they recognize me if they woke up? Would they care how much danger I've been in?"
"I'm sure they would. You're special, remember?"
"Yeah…But…They just want me because I can still run the company when they're gone…"
Taking her chin into his hand, Don looked her straight in the eyes.
"They may not seem like it, but I'm sure your parents love you. Maybe they just can't show it."
"…You're right…"
Don smiled, hoping to cheer her up.
"I usually am."
Returning the smile, Lizzy pecked him on the cheek before turning her eyes back to her laptop.
"Then help me with this prophecy, won't you?"
"Nothing could keep me away."
Mel looked at the entire room, eyes glazed over in grief even as Tonya returned with Agumon.
'Arrow…I miss you so much already…'
Palmon was draped over her back, wrapping her arms around her partner's neck in a comforting hug.
Feeling the brunette's broken heart, the plant Digimon couldn't seem to soothe the pain.
'It's alright, Mel…The pain will pass…'
'When?'
'…I don't know…'
The green-eyed Digidestined jumped when her mother suddenly sat up, looking like an emotionless zombie.
"Mom?"
"Lord Myotismon, lord and master. Lord Midnight, lord and master."
She wouldn't stop repeating herself, no matter how hard Mel shook her…
"What's wrong? Mom!"
Soon, every 'unconscious' person in the room was chanting the same thing, and Tonya looked concerned.
"Another part of the spell?"
"Or part of the prophecy."
The group turned to see Meg, who was holding the door open for Raph and TJ to get in.
"The first part came true! About the bats!"
Leo looked concerned, turning to his brother and Lizzy for some answers.
"What exactly did it say?"
"Well…"
Scrolling back to the beginning, the blonde read carefully.
"'The sky will be darkened by the wings of many bats/The fallen people will invoke the name of the Undead Digimon King'…"
"And next is…'When the clock strikes the hour of the beast/The Undead King will reveal himself in his true form AS the beast'."
"Well, NOW we're screwed. What's the 'hour of the beast'?" Jenny wondered.
"Maybe the Undead King is Myotismon? He was a vampire…" Kitty noted.
"Oh great, so they ARE coming back." Steph grumbled.
"Six, six, six."
All eyes turned to Master Splinter and the Ancient One…
"Six seconds after six minutes past six o'clock."
"The number of the devil."
"But where would they be reborn?" Mikey questioned.
"…Where they died." Tonya realized, pulling her Digivice up to check the time.
"Oh CRAP…"
"What?" Leo worried.
"It's six!"
The redhead was immediately running towards the door, Agumon struggling to keep up.
"I'll make sure she doesn't get herself into trouble." Meg assured, following with Gabumon.
There was a moment of silence before Leo and Raph shared a look…
"…Can't let 'em 'ave all the fun."
"After you."
By the time they got outside, the girls were already pulling their Digimon into the back.
"Took you long enough." Tonya teased.
"Get in and let's go!"
Raph got to the driver's seat first, and all the doors slammed shut before he hit the gas.
Tires squealing, the Battle Shell bolted down the street in a cloud of dust and asphalt.
Meg almost flew back from the sudden movement, and caught Gabumon before glaring a bit.
"Could you not kill us on the way there?"
"Ya wanna get there or not?"
"I'd like to be ALIVE when I get there."
Tonya smiled knowingly, leaning forward against the passenger seat.
"Yeah, she likes him."
"How can you tell?" Leo wondered.
"Have you ever seen Meg talk like that with anyone she hates?"
Her smile grew as she saw he had no comeback, and pecked him on the cheek.
"You're so cute when you can't pick up on our hints."
Blushing a bit, Leo looked steadfastly forward as just the tip of the Foot Headquarters came into view.
Tonya looked down at her Digivice, heart jumping…
"We won't make it in time!"
The seconds ticked by agonizingly slowly, and all eyes were locked on the building…
"Here it comes!"
The entire building seemed to burst open, and a large Digimon rose above it menacingly.
"CRAP…"
His partner looked like a bigger form of himself, like a werecat with red eyes and dripping fangs, wielding a massive double-edged sword.
"…Well, they got bigger." Meg admitted.
"BIGGER? Are you kidding me? They could STEP ON US!"
"We have to stop them either way."
After a second, Tonya nodded, opening the back.
"You're right. Come on!"
"Wait!"
But the girls were already out and on the asphalt, Digimon on their heels as their charms glowed…
"Tiger!"
"Wolf!"
The light was blinding…
"Tonya, Spirit Evolve into…TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Digivolve to…GREYMON!!"
"Megan, Spirit Evolve into…FANG!"
"Gabumon, Digivolve to…GARURUMON!!"
That giant Digimon just had to turn around, and they were almost thrown back by the wind he brought up.
'It's like fighting Devimon again…'
'We can take them, Tawny. Don't worry.'
'Right.'
"Well, would you look at that!"
"Looks like the tiger-girl isn't the only one that can come back from the dead."
"Jokester. Demidevimon." Meg growled.
"We can't wait to see our new masters defeat you this time."
"Venommyotismon and Tainted Midnight will beat you up like it was nothing!"
Tawny lowered her stance, nearly baring her teeth.
Tainted Midnight was at least four times her size, and MUCH scarier…
"We can take them." Fang assured.
"…Right."
"Energy…More energy…"
"We're hungry!"
"Just wait, masters!"
"There's a whole city of people waiting for you at the community center!"
"Why don't we start with a little snack?"
"Gladly."
Venommyotismon easily breathed Demidevimon in, but Tainted Midnight leaped on Jokester and tore his throat open.
Blood gushed, and a gargling scream escaped him as they watched in astonishment and disgust.
"Oh my God…"
Jokester was being eaten alive…
Meg couldn't watch, looking away and holding onto her partner's fur, as Tawny turned completely away from the scene.
Hugging Greymon's helmeted head, she tried to absorb his comfort and drown out the horrible sounds…
"Koneko-chan…"
Turning at the raspy voice, Tawny almost threw up.
Blood was covering his face, and all that was left under his paws were bone…
"Oh SHELL…"
A hand was on her shoulder, and gold eyes flickered back to see Leo, who was glaring threateningly at the were-evolution.
Tainted Midnight seemed ready to pounce, and she snarled in retaliation.
Her crest glowed, as did Fang's…
"Greymon, Digivolve to…METALGREYMON!!"
"Transformation of Courage into…Courageous Tawny!"
"Garurumon, Digivolve to…WEREGARURUMON!!"
"Transformation of Friendship into…Friendly Fang!"
Turning to the turtles, the tiger-girl tightened her hold on her blades.
"You have to warn the others! They're going to head towards the community center and eat everyone!"
"But what 'bout ya guys?"
"We'll hold them off for as long as we can." Friendly Fang assured.
"Just GO."
Leo grabbed his brother's shoulder, pulling him back towards the Battle Shell as they turned back towards their enemies…
"Giga Blaster!"
"Wolf Claw!"
"Blazing Courage!"
"Crushing Friendship!"
The attacks struck with explosive force, and it shook the truck roughly as it aimed back towards the community center…
''Ol' on, darlin'…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Standing in front of the community center, Steph tightened her fists as she saw Venommyotismon in the distance…
"They're holding them off. I don't know how long they can last…"
"We couldn't move all of these people, even if we had all week…" Lizzy stated.
"What are we gonna do? Sit here with a big sign that says 'Dinner over here'?"
"We can't possibly fight them…" Mel mumbled.
"We have to try." TJ insisted.
"We can't run. We have to destroy them."
All eyes turned to Gatomon.
"I have an idea."
"We're all in!" Jenny agreed.
"I'm sorry, but TJ and Patamon are the only ones I need to come with me."
"What? But you'll need us!" Mel insisted.
"I have a plan, like I said. But if it fails, you'll all need your strength."
"…I'll go, too." Lizzy replied.
"You'll need me to figure out the prophecy and defeat them."
"…Alright. But we should hurry."
As the two youngest Digidestined started running towards their destination, Lizzy and most of the turtles went to the Battle Shell.
"Cat!"
"Husky!"
The light was like stars further down the road…
"Katharine, Spirit Evolve into…KAT'S EYE!"
"Tammy Jane, Spirit Evolve into…ACE!"
"Patamon, Digivolve to…ANGEMON!!"
The Crest of Light shone…
"Gatomon, Digivolve to…ANGEWOMON!!"
"Transformation of Light into…Pure Angel!"
Flapping her wings, Pure Angel lifted Ace into the air to follow their partners.
The Battle Shell revved, and Lizzy stared at her laptop as she brought up the Digimon Analyzer and the prophecy.
'Please, lets get there in time…'
"Venom Infusion!"
The rainbow-colored blasts struck buildings they zoomed past, and Leo's knuckles went white on the dashboard.
'Tonya…'
They were within sight of the battle, and saw Courageous Tawny slashing at Tainted Midnight.
Metalgreymon was punched straight out of the air, and Weregarurumon tried to stop his decent.
Both their partners cried out in pain…
"Slashing Death!"
Courageous Tawny was thrown back by the force, hitting the ground in a tumble.
Friendly Fang snarled, rushing towards him with a raised fist, but he struck her in the chest with the butt of his sword.
Thrown back, she hit the ground hard and skidded on her back.
The transformations fell away, and they were sprawled out on the broken street beside their partners…
"TONYA!"
"MEG!"
Venommyotismon raised his foot, ready to squash them…
"Eternal Light!"
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Eternal Hope!"
"Hand of Fate!"
As the pair was blasted back, Ace flipped to the ground, standing protectively in front of her fallen friends.
"Leave them alone!"
"You're just big bullies!" Pure Angel agreed.
Leo and Raph ran to the girls' aid, and the blue-masked turtle lifted Tonya into his arms as Agumon shifted in pain.
"Tonya?"
"…I guess he DOES hit harder now…" She slurred, smiling weakly.
Looking relieved, Leo returned the smile.
"Tonya…"
Carefully touching Meg's face, Raph was almost scared to try and shake her awake.
She looked almost fragile, and he was afraid that being too rough would just break her into pieces…
"I'm fine, so stop looking at me like that…"
Looking up to see blue eyes, he half-smirked…
"Like what, darlin'?"
"…Like I'm going to break."
Lizzy stood back, unsure, as Tentomon hovered by her shoulder…
"Venommyotismon is a…Mega level?"
"Mega?"
Don looked over her shoulder, equally confused.
"I've never heard that one…"
"Me, neither…"
"He's a higher level than Ultimate…His attacks are Venom Infusion and Chaos Flame, and Tainted Midnight's is Slashing Death."
"It's like changing the rules in the middle of a game…" Tonya grumbled, being helped to her feet.
"We need to find a way of beating him." Meg replied, standing on shaky legs.
"Eternal Light!"
"Celestial Arrow!"
As their attacks struck, the two swooped out of the air to avoid any counterattacks…
"Eternal Hope!"
"Hand of Fate!"
Jumping up, Ace jumped onto her partner's back to join him in the sky.
"Your foolish attempts don't work on us!"
"We'll just eat you instead!"
"Angewomon, be careful!"
"Don't let them psych you out, Angemon!"
Don's eyes widened…
"That's it! Lizzy, what did that prophecy say about angels?"
Scrolling through the prophecy as quickly as possible, the blonde paused on the proper place.
"'Then angels will shoot arrows of Hope and Light at the loved ones of those they've been sent to protect/And a miracle will happen'."
"So if Angemon and Angewomon are the angels in the prophecy…" Leo started.
"Who 'ave they been sent ta protect?"
"TJ and Kitty…" Lizzy answered.
"Our Digimon are meant to protect us…"
"Then who are their loved ones? Their parents?" Don wondered.
Violet eyes widened…
"No…"
She looked up, catching the eyes of her older friends…
"Their sisters…"
"What?!"
Leo could help pulling Tonya close, as if to protect her from the very thought.
"It makes sense. Unlike the other Digidestined, they have siblings that ARE Digidestined." Don reasoned.
"And this miracle might give them the strength to defeat Venommyotismon and Tainted Midnight."
Tonya looked back at her sister, fighting against Tainted Midnight, as Meg watched with an icy gaze.
"Why woul' 'ey shoot arrows at 'eir loves ones?!"
"They're not REAL arrows. They never are with Digimon." Lizzy assured.
"…I'll do it."
All eyes turned to Tonya, surprised.
"Tonya…"
"Miracles need a little faith, right?"
After a moment, Meg nodded.
"We should try."
"Are ya crazy, darlin'?!"
Taking hold of her shoulders, Raph couldn't help but try to shake the sanity back into her.
"Ya coul' be killed!!"
"It's a risk I'm willing to take."
"Why?! For TJ?!"
"…"
Looking down in contemplation, Meg finally raised her eyes after a few seconds.
In a rush of movement, she kissed him with a burst of passion that surprised both.
Pulling back after a breathless moment, the teen could hardly control her breathing…
"For you, too…"
There was silence before Raph nodded, loosening his hold on her shoulders…
Tonya held Leo's hands a moment, nuzzling his cheek.
"Don't worry…I'll be careful…"
Nodding slightly, he kissed her forehead and loosened his arm.
Stepping away from the group, the two girls faced their younger siblings.
"Angel!"
"Ace!"
Both Spirit Evolutions stopped, looking back in confusion.
"We want you to tell Angewomon and Angemon to shoot us with their arrows!"
"They won't do it if we tell them to."
Ace looked startled, facing her sister in confusion as she put her shuriken on her back.
"You want us to ask them to SHOOT YOU?"
"You could get hurt!"
"You have to believe in miracles."
Looking into her sister's eyes, Ace eventually nodded…
"Right…"
"But-."
"Angel."
Turning her gaze to Tonya, Pure Angel's wings fluttered.
"Do you trust me?"
"…Yes…"
"Then trust me now."
"…"
Nodding her consent, the angel-winged girl turned towards her partner with Ace.
"Angemon!"
"Angewomon!"
"Shoot Meggie with your arrow of hope!"
The Crest of Hope shone, a beam of light making an arrow for Angemon…
"Shoot Ton-Ton with your arrow of light!"
The Crest of Light gave off a beam, creating an arrow for Angewomon…
Sharing a glance between them, the angel Digimon seemed to come to an agreement, facing the two Digidestined.
"Ready?"
Before they could answer…
"Tonya!"
Agumon hugged his partner around the waist, looking up at her in concern.
"You don't have to! What if you…?"
"Agu, you know I wouldn't take the chance of leaving you guys again. TRUST me."
"…I do…It's just…"
'I'm scared…'
'Be brave for me. Everything will be fine.'
Eventually pulling back, Agumon stepped away to give her space…
'Okay…'
'Thanks, Agu...'
Gabumon and Meg couldn't look away from each other, as if they were reading each other's emotions through their eyes…
'Are you sure about this, Meg?'
'…Yes. I feel it really will work.'
'…Then I won't stop you.'
Her eyes almost shimmered…
'Thank you, Gabu.'
Tonya held up her Digivice, staring at it a moment before turning her gaze towards Meg.
"Are you ready?"
"…Yes."
A slight smile crossed her face…
"Scared, Meg?"
"No…"
Her hand twitched a moment, the one not holding her own Digivice…
"Are you?"
"To death."
A smirk crossed Meg's face, and she took hold of her friend's hand…
"Then I should hold onto you, in case you try to run."
"Same to you."
Their crests began to glow as the arrows were pulled back…
It was like watching a scene in slow motion the moment the arrows were released.
No one could look away, not for a moment.
On impact, they seemed to sink into the girls and make them shine with blinding brilliance…
"Tonya, Warp-Evolve into…WAR TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Warp-Digivolve to…WARGREYMON!!"
"Megan, Warp-Evolve into…METAL FANG!"
"Gabumon, Warp-Digivolve to…METALGARURUMON!!"
When they could see, Leo and Raph stared in shock…
"WHOA…"