"Jeez, Goma-Goma…We've been searching for a while…"
"We can't give up, Jen."
"Yeah…"
Looking down at the charm in her palm, Jenny wiped some dirt off the wolf's dark blue sheen with her thumb.
"I just don't know why Meg left this behind…"
'None of us has ever taken them off…Not since we got them a lifetime ago…'
"I'm sure they're alright. Gabumon's with her, remember?"
'Right…He wouldn't let anything hurt Meg...'
Her fingers curled around the wooden weight…
'Not even herself…'
Gomamon climbed onto his partner's head, looking around again, before smiling.
"I see something!"
Spirits rising, silver eyes darted around like agitated fish trying to find food.
"Where?!"
"Over there!"
…
"That doesn't help!!"
"To your left!"
Turning immediately on her heel, Jenny raced towards the small cliff there, skidding at its edge.
Below, being gently slapped by the waves reaching for shore, was a battered white swan boat…
'The one Meg used before finding me at Digitamamon's diner…The one me and Tonya used to find Mel…'
The old thing had seen better days, but it was still lake-worthy.
"Do you think they're still around, Goma-Goma?"
"Definitely!"
Looking at her Digivice, the blonde released a sigh…
'Where are you, Meg? We need you…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wings flapping at a hurried pace, Talon glanced down at her Digivice once more.
'Still nothing…'
'Don't worry, Talon…We'll find them…'
Nodding slightly, she looked back to see TJ and Patamon clinging to Birdramon's ankle.
'Should I tell them?'
'…Let them rest.'
'…You're right…'
Worry was already gnawing at her heart, she wouldn't pass it on to a younger comrade…
'The Digital World is so big…How can we possibly find them all? It would take weeks to find them, and we don't have WEEKS!'
'Talon, calm.'
She just COULDN'T, not with all this weight on her chest, squeezing her heart and lungs…
'We will find them.'
'HOW? We can't possibly search an entire PLANET, Birdramon!'
'It's destiny, Talon. As the Digidestined, you're all meant to come together again.'
'But how am I supposed to believe destiny? We weren't meant to split up, either!'
'Destiny works in mysterious ways…You must not give up hope.'
Talon couldn't admit that it was already draining out of her…
"Talon?"
Looking back at TJ's questioning eyes, she forced a smile onto her face.
"Yeah?"
"Do you really think we'll find Meggie and the others in time?"
'…Should I tell her the truth?'
Dark eyes flickered a moment before the winged brunette came to a decision…
"We'll find all of them in no time, and then we'll help Tawny beat up Piedmon."
TJ nodded, smiling slightly, as Patamon clung to her shoulder as if he was about to fall off.
'I'll find them because I have to. If I don't, everything we've worked for will be for nothing. If I don't, both our worlds will be destroyed.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
War Tawny cried out, blasted in the chest by the enemy and feeling the pain of her partner echo through her.
An insane laughter followed her as she tried to stand, armor chipped and dangerously cracked.
The preying mantis Spirit Evolution cackled, his blade-like, extended forearms and hands looking deadly sharp.
"And I thought you'd be a CHALLENGE, little Digidestined of Courage!"
"Suck it, Predator…"
Lizzy, crouching behind a boulder with Kitty and Liztech, closed her eyes…
'This can't be how all of this ends…Not after all the heartache and triumphs and love…It CAN'T end like this…'
Even after they had split up, Tonya had never lost hope, had never ONCE believed they would lose to the Dark Masters…
Had never once doubted they'd reunite and end this…
Managing to stand, War Tawny locked eyes with her partner…
'We can do this…Just hold on…'
'I'm trying, Tonya…We can't keep this up…'
'I know…'
Fiery gold eyes glared hotly at Predator…
'We just have to wait for the others…I KNOW they'll get here in time…'
"Great Tornado!"
Piedmon easily avoided the attack, laughing to himself, as Wargreymon struck the rock.
Wincing in sympathy, War Tawny swung her blade at Predator, hoping to return some of the pain.
She missed, falling to one knee before piercing the stone ground with her sword to stay upright.
"Tawny!"
"Let us help you!" Kitty pleaded.
"NO!"
Taken aback at the sharp reply, the young brunette almost flinched, Gatomon's grip tightening on her clothes.
"But why?" Lizzy questioned, looking pained to see her friend being beaten down.
"You guys just fought Ladydevimon and Blooddemon…You need to save your strength until the others get here…"
"You won't last much longer!" Tentomon reasoned.
"We can last as long as it takes." War Tawny answered vehemently.
"You could DIE!" Kitty tried.
"…Dying once was enough to show me that I can't do this alone…I won't let you get hurt without a chance to win."
"…Ton-Ton…"
Turning to face Predator, War Tawny raised her blade as it sparked with fire…
'I won't stop fighting.'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dark walls had closed in around them, a gaping black hole endlessly threatening to swallow them whole…
Gabumon looked around in concern, feeling jumpy at every imagined movement out of the corner of his eye.
Meg walked on as if unaffected, blue eyes glazed over and feet tapping on the dirt in a monotone rhythm.
Concerned about her lack of reaction to their suddenly dank surroundings, Gabumon sped up and pressed against her side.
"Meg? Don't you think we should get out of here?"
"…Yeah…sure…"
Meg's voice did not have that familiar crisp note, that sense of finality anymore, as if she was distracted.
A numb feeling seeped into the bond like spindly dark shadows, and the Digimon took hold of her hand.
"Meg…?"
"…I'm a failure."
"Meg?"
Voice empty even of her normal self-restraint, she seemed…
HOLLOW…
"I always believed that Tammy needed me, that she couldn't survive without me…"
Stopping, the black-haired girl didn't even raise her head at the tug on her hand…
"But I was just lying to myself…Blinding myself to how much she's grown here…How much she no longer needs me…"
"You're her older sister. Of course she needs you. TJ loves you!"
She didn't seem to hear anything her partner was saying, eyes glazed over as sadness and loneliness iced over their bond…
Meg still remembered the look on TJ's face, how proud she'd looked once she'd made her escape alone…
'See? I told you we could take care of ourselves!'
The voices of the others streamed after, loud enough to be heard clearly over the cruel mumblings in the back of Meg's mind…
'That was awesome, TJ!'
'You've really grown!'
'Guess you really aren't the little baby of the family anymore!'
"I needed her more than she needed me…"
Tightening his hold on her hand, Gabumon nuzzled her arm…
"Meg…"
"I'll never be good enough for anyone…What's the point of trying?"
"Don't talk like that…It hurts…"
"The truth hurts…"
Darkness seemed to be closing in around them, like a predator stalking it prey, as her eyes dimmed.
"Nobody needs me…Nobody ever needed me…"
Leaning on the rough rock, Meg let herself slid down to the flow.
"My family doesn't even want me…"
"You have more than one family, and your friends love you!"
"I don't deserve to have friends…"
Black smoke crept across the dirt, threatening to consume her…
"Blue Blaster!"
It retreated at the assault, and Gabumon took hold of his partner's shoulders.
"Of course you deserve friends!"
"I'm not as strong as Tonya or as smart as Lizzy…as talented as Steph or understanding as Jenny…"
Tears almost filled blue eyes…
"Not even as optimistic as Mel or as caring as Kitty…as innocent as Tammy…"
He couldn't think of anything to say…
"I'm nothing…"
"You're MEG! That's SOMETHING!"
The black surrounded her, and her icy eyes looked dull and empty…
The feeling and life had been sucked out of their bond and left to die on the floor…
"Just leave me alone, Gabu…I'm just a worthless piece of trash…"
His heart choked, knowing she really BELIEVED that…
Gabumon's jaws clamped down on Meg's arm, and she finally reacted, pulling away with a cry of pain.
"Gabu, what are you-?!"
"Is there only one of you? Only one Meg in either of our worlds?"
Confused at the question, Meg nodded.
"Then why do you keep comparing yourself to everyone else?!"
The teen paused, unsure how to reply…
"You're YOU, and that's what everyone expects and LOVES about you!!"
"Gabu…"
'He…CARES…'
The vicious voices were lowering from the shouts they had been…
"No one expects you to be like Tonya or Steph or anybody else!! You're smart and selfless and determined, and I've always loved that about you!!"
"But…"
"What would Raph say if he knew what you were saying about yourself?!"
Biting her lip at the question, Meg couldn't talk through her closed-off throat…
"And what do you think about me?! I've waited my entire life to see you!!"
"G-Gabu…"
The fire was dwindling, and the Digimon released a breath as his energy seemed to drain.
"…If you want me to leave, I will. Because I want you to be happy. But only if you REALLY want me to."
Eyes shimmering, Meg couldn't move for a moment, her thoughts were so conflicted…
'He's lying.'
'Never.'
'No one cares about you.'
'Gabu wouldn't lie.'
'You want to be alone.'
"I don't!"
Movement returned in a rush, and she immediately held her partner close, the tears on the edge of release…
"I don't want to be alone, Gabu…No more…"
Embracing her, he let the liquid seep into his shoulder and rested his head on hers.
"You're worth something because you're YOU, Meg…I could never ask for a better partner and friend…"
Breath hitching, she shuddered as the tears came out more forcefully…
"I'm so sorry, Gabu…I just…"
Pulling back, her eyes seemed to start filling up with something other than tears…
"I didn't mean to push you away…It's just…ever since my family split up…"
Meg managed to pull herself together emotionally…
"I've never felt more alone…Especially after my mother…So I just locked myself up inside so no one could see the real me…"
A shudder…
"Then the voices started…and I just couldn't tell anyone…They made me feel…VULNERABLE…"
Her hands clenched as the black-haired teen pulled away from him…
"If I was going to be alone, I wanted to be strong…But…"
Gabumon couldn't take it…
His partner looked so SAD…
"All I ever wanted to do was cry…"
"Meg…"
"I hate being alone, Gabu…"
"You're never alone, never!" Gabumon assured, hugging Meg around the torso and closing his eyes to hold back the tears.
"Cry all you want, it won't make me think any less of you!"
The liquid sadness poured out unbidden, and a sob escaped her heart.
"You can depend on me just as much as I depend on you…I'll never leave you…"
Nodding, Meg smiled slightly, managing to pull her Digimon closer and stand.
"…I can't believe I didn't notice…"
"Notice what?"
"You've been with me this whole time…I've never really been alone…"
"Of course not. That's what I've been trying to tell you."
"I never thought someone would follow me to a place like this…But you're here, and it means so much to me, Gabu…"
"Aw, Meg…"
"I have my family and friends…and so many people that care about me…I'm not alone…"
'I'm not.'
The voices were dying down, now just a faint thrumming, and Gabumon smiled as he felt them recede…
The darkness pulled away, and Meg smiled, standing up with Gabumon in her arms, and kissed his forehead.
"Thanks, Gabu."
"No problem."
Looking over her shoulder, Gabumon tensed, bristling enough to catch her attention.
Turning to face whatever was upsetting him, blue eyes widened at the vortex of shadows in the air.
"What's that?"
"It was around you…Whenever you talked about being alone, it got bigger…"
"…I think I know what it is."
"Really? What?"
"…It's the darkness that was in my heart. My loneliness. It would have consumed me if I had not taken notice of it."
"Consumed you? It would have eaten you for dinner?"
"No, not like that. It would have taken over my entire life. I've been carrying it so long, I feel so weightless."
"Because you're not alone. You never were and never will be."
"Because of you. I promise, I'll be the best friend I can manage for you."
"But, Meg…"
"What?"
"You already are."
Smiling slightly at the sweet reply, she nuzzled his cheek.
"Best friends forever?"
"You had to ask?"
Gabumon grinned.
"And if you ever need to talk, I'm all ears!"
"…Fine. Only with you."
The voices died, and the cave shattered, leaving them in a barren shoreline.
Confused, Meg looked around as she put down Gabumon, turning a bit to get a better view.
"We must have been caught in that cave for a while…"
"HEY, GUYS!!!"
Facing the shout, she quirked an eyebrow at Jenny, who was running up with Gomamon clinging desperately to her shoulder.
"DANG, Meg! You're a hard girl to find!" The blonde mock-whined once within arm's reach.
"What are you doing here? Where are the others?"
"About that…"
Jenny smiled sheepishly, toeing the ground almost shyly.
"You see, me and Mel split off from the others a bit after you did, and I split off from her and some of our friends to find you."
"What for?"
"Well, because we need you to fight the last Dark Masters. And…"
Rooting through her pockets, she finally pulled out the dark blue charm, smiling cheekily.
"You forgot this when you went on your little boat trip. Elecmon found it with his partner."
"…Thanks."
Accepting the small wooden wolf, Meg stared at it a moment before hanging it around her neck.
"Aw, don't mention it. What are friends for?"
Before anything could be said, a scream cut through the air…
Jenny perked, startled.
"Was that…Steph?"
More shouts, echoing off the rocks…
"Tammy…"
Both Digidestined shared a quick look before running towards the source.
Meg easily outpaced her friend in her worry, and Gabumon struggled to keep up as boulders began to come up on both sides.
"TAMMY!"
…
"MEGGIE!!!"
A shape appeared a bit beyond their vision because of the up-slope terrain, but the blue-eyed Digidestined knew who it was.
Speeding up, she only stopped when TJ ran into her stomach, hugging tightly.
"I thought it would take forever to find you!"
"It's alright, Tammy. I'm here."
"What happened?" Jenny wondered.
"I came with Stephie, and she just got dragged into this hole in the ground!"
"What hole?" Meg questioned, eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"It's over here!"
Tugging her sister towards the site, TJ pointed out the gaping mouth in the rock ahead.
"Steph's down there? I feel bad for her…"
"Is Biyomon with her?"
"Yeah..." Patamon answered.
Sharing a look with Gabumon, Meg crouched down to her sister's level, taking hold of the young teen's shoulders.
"We're going down after them, but I need you to be brave for me. Don't show any fear, alright?"
After a moment, TJ nodded, hugging Patamon to her chest.
"You too, Jenny."
"On it!"
Meg noticed her sister studying her eyes, and quirked an eyebrow in question.
"You look…different, somehow."
"We'll talk about it later. We need to go down there first."
"Down there? In the creepy darkness? With the DARKNESS?"
"Don't be a baby, Jenny. If you show fear, it will only cause the darkness to become agitated."
"…Right. No fear. I can do that."
Meg easily slipped over the edge, climbing down and looking up expectantly as Gabumon followed.
"We need to hurry. There isn't much time."
As Jenny, and then TJ, came down after her, the black-haired teen stepped and slid down the rough, uneven rock.
"Hey, Meg. How do you know so much about this place?"
"I was caught in one just before you found me."
The light was unable to reach them after a while, and Meg jumped to the floor of the tunnel.
Gazing up, she caught TJ when she jumped, and Jenny tossed her Gomamon before following suit.
"JEEZ, this place is dark…How are we supposed to find Steph?"
"Follow the tunnel. It's the only way we can go."
"…I knew that…"
Leading the way, sharp blue eyes scoured the area ahead in order to spot anything strange.
Mumbling reached them, and TJ tilted her head curiously, trying to decipher the words…
Then…
"Stephie! Stephie, what's wrong? Stephie?!"
"That's Biyomon!" Gomamon realized.
Picking up the pace without realizing it, the group turned a corner…
"Stephie!"
"Steph! Biyomon!"
The brunette was sitting against the wall, darkness pulsing over her skin and eyes glazed over in emptiness.
Knees pulled into her chest and chin resting on the joints, she shielded her lower face with folded arms.
Biyomon was at her side, looking concerned and flapping her wings.
"Stephie!"
"Biyomon!"
Patamon landed beside the pink bird Digimon.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know! She just started saying something over and over again, and now I can't get her to stand up!"
"Let us try." Jenny suggested.
Each of the girls took an arm or shoulder, pulling up and back with all of their might.
Steph didn't budge, and Jenny almost pulled a muscle trying.
"Hey, listen." TJ advised.
Everyone fell silent, and the mumbled words started to become clear…
"I have to find everyone…I have to go help Tawny…If I don't, our worlds are doomed…If I don't, it will all be my fault…"
"Hey, Steph! We're right here! Come on, girl! Look up!"
Dark eyes lifted to study her face, a faint spark behind the lifeless void…
"Jenny…and Meg…"
"See, it's alright now."
"It's not good enough…I have to go back and help Tawny…If I don't, both worlds…"
"Don't be so hard on yourself! It's not just your responsibility!"
Meg crouched down beside Jenny in front of Steph, staring deep into her eyes and frowning slightly.
"Steph, listen to me."
The brunette's head jerked slightly to face her.
"Your negative thoughts are creating negative energy. They're making a darkness in your heart, which created this cave."
Gabumon nodded, putting a hand on his partner's back for comfort.
"This dark cave is reflecting the dark feelings. You have to dispose of those dark feelings."
'So THAT'S why Meg told TJ and me not to be scared…We'd be caught in here, too…'
"…Those feelings…? What are you talking about?"
"We're not fighting in this war because we're obligated to. We're fighting because we WANT to."
"…But…"
"If you don't want to fight, you don't have to. But only if you really don't want to."
Meg sighed, never breaking eye contact.
"I believe the reason we've come this far is only because we really wanted to."
"…If I don't want to, I don't have to…"
"That's right. If you don't want to, DON'T."
"That's…I can't! We have to do this because we were chosen to do it!"
"Maybe we can't control destiny, but it must be because we can DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT that we're here!" Jenny nearly shouted, hoping to get through.
"…We can do something about it…"
"Doesn't that give you courage?" The blonde questioned.
"We can do something about it…That's why we're here."
Her eyes were brightening, and Biyomon felt familiar warmth coming through their bond…
"We can do it!"
Steph was alive again, and Biyomon smiled, happily hugging her partner as the others stepped.
"I'll never let you do this alone, Stephie…NEVER…"
"You're not alone in this. You've got all of us, Stephie." TJ reminded.
"I know that now. Sorry about all of this…"
"Don't apologize. It's alright." Meg assured.
The cave disappeared, revealing a dark forest, and the group looked around in surprise.
"The darkness in your heart is gone as well."
"We can't just stand here! Tawny's waiting for us!" Jenny reminded.
"Right!"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Death Stroke!"
War Tawny cried out, hitting the ground harshly, armor chipped and cracked dangerously.
A telekinetic blast of rocks struck Wargreymon off his feet, and he landed close to his partner.
"TAWNY!"
"TAWNY, LET US HELP YOU!"
"No!"
Grinding her fangs as she tried to stand, War Tawny glared at her young friend.
"Take care of Kitty. I'll be fine."
"You're not FINE!" Lizzy fretted.
"You can barely stand!"
"They'll come…I know they will…"
Picking up her sword once more as Wargreymon stood, she smiled almost shakily at her Digimon partner.
"Ready?"
"Not really…"
"Come on…"
Another telekinetic blast from Piedmon, and it struck both of them as Predator cackled madly.
Groaning in pain as she tried to feel her toes, the redhead blinked lethargically…
"Tawny, if I don't help, you'll DIE!"
"I have to take care of this…" War Tawny slurred.
"I can do something about it…"
"How can you do that all alone? It makes no sense!"
Kitty was in tears, hugging Gatomon tight as Liztech attempted to soothe her.
"It doesn't have to…"
"You can't handle this alone!"
"I can try…" War Tawny replied, getting onto one knee and using her sword to balance.
"Why won't you let me fight, too?!"
"Final Spell!"
The blast went straight for Wargreymon, and his partner rushed forward to help…
It struck her in the chest, and sprayed out to also hit her Digimon.
Chips and chunks of armor flew, and they hit the ground together, unconscious.
"TAWNY!!!" Both Digidestined screamed.
'W-Wargreymon…W-We can't…st-stop…'
'I-I can't…m-move…'
'…I-I'm sorry…'
'M-Me, too…'
Vaguely, she knew Piedmon and Predator were approaching Lizzy and Kitty…
'NO…'
"TAWNY!"
Eyes fluttering open at the faint shout, War Tawny turned her head…
'Fang…?'
"TAWNY!"
"WE'RE COMING!"
'Talon…Jenny…'
It hurt to breathe, and the tiger-girl shuddered in agony as Wargreymon shielded her with one arm…
'Wargreymon…'
'I won't let anyone take you again…'
'…I know…'
Fang swung off her partner's back, the ground cracking under her feet from the force.
Running towards her fallen 'leader', the wolf-girl hit the ground on her knees and pulling War Tawny from her Digimon's chest.
"Tawny."
A slow smile crossed the redhead's face as her eyes attempted to focus on Fang's face.
"I knew you'd make it…"
"…I'm sorry for taking so long. I didn't think you'd be so hurt."
"It doesn't matter…You still made it…"
"…You're a true friend, and I won't let it be in vain."
The Crest of Friendship gave off brightness, and Garurumon nudged Wargreymon's head as light escaped the contact…
When it died down, Wargreymon and War Tawny were completely healed.
Standing up, War Tawny spun her sword before looking down at herself in astonishment.
"I'm…FINE…"
"The power of Fang's crest must have healed you two!" Talon realized.
The transformations fell away, and Steph pulled Jenny and TJ to the shielding rocks.
Meg smirked, sharing a look with Gabumon.
"It's time for the fight of our lives, Gabu."
"I'm ready."
"Trump Sword!"
"Death Stroke!"
Her charm and crest shone…
"Megan, Warp-Evolve into…METAL FANG!"
"Gabumon, Warp-Digivolve to…METALGARURUMON!!"
Facing the attack directly, the two pairs readied themselves for a counterattack…
"Heaven's Sun!"
"Terra Force!"
"Heaven's Storm!"
"Metal Wolf Claw!"
The attacks merged in midair, destroying their opponent's attacks…
"It seems this will be fun after all, Piedmon!"
"Indeed, Predator."
War Tawny growled, pointing her sword at the pair.
"You two won't be laughing for long! We're not gonna go easy on you!"
"Oh, now that is priceless!"
"We'll see how you laugh when I rip your throats out." Metal Fang replied, fangs bared threateningly.
"OOOH, a little bite in you."
"This will be fun…Clown Trick!"
Metalgarurumon, who had lunged forward to attack, was squeezed around his middle by the fiery ring.
His partner winced in pain, jabbing forward with her katana and slashing at Predator.
Laughing in that insane way of his, he knocked her blade off-course and kicked her in the chest.
With the wind knocked out of her, Metal Fang flew back and hit the ground on her back, skidding.
War Tawny wasn't about to let that go unpunished, and stabbed at the enemy's stomach.
He practically DANCED away, like a crazy drunken ballerina, and smacked her wrist so hard she actually flew into the ground.
At that same moment, Piedmon had brought up a large striped ball and caused Wargreymon to fall off.
When they got up, they were NOT happy…
Metal Fang had a look of murder on her face, and War Tawny looked ready to help her rip them apart.
"No more games."
"This is going to end NOW."
No one else was willing to get up, even to help them…
"I don't think so, little girlies!"
"WE'RE going to be ending this! Trump Sword!"
Some faded out of sight and others buzzed through the air, and they were immediately on guard.
"Metalgarurumon."
"I've got the real ones on my sensors! Wargreymon, War Tawny, to your left!"
Wargreymon used his arm guards to knock the blades away, and they shattered on the floor.
Swinging her blade, War Tawny cut two more in half.
"We'll take care of the rest. Heaven's Storm!"
"Metal Wolf Snout!"
Attack destroyed, the four faced Piedmon and Predator with renewed confidence.
"Your attacks don't work on us anymore! Wargreymon, lets do this!"
"Terra Force!"
"Heaven's Sun!"
Their opponents were struck heavily by the attacks, and hit the rocks behind them.
"Come on, guys! It's time to give 'em all we've got!" War Tawny shouted.
"Right!"
Jenny jumped up, grinning like a child on Christmas morning.
"Let's do this!"
Liztech stood in front of the group with Andromon, looking serious.
"Wait."
"Something's wrong."
Piedmon held up a white handkerchief in both hands, and his partner crouched down like an excited dog.
"What are you doing? Asking for forgiveness?" War Tawny mocked.
"Playtime's over."
The four rushed forward, and the clown-looking Digimon threw it at them.
Metal Fang almost stumbled when it seemed to grow, and it enveloped them like a massive tarp.
Steph almost lurched forward to see electricity flying over it, and then drop down as if covering nothing.
"Tawny?!" Kitty shouted, concerned.
"Fang?! FANG!!"
Piedmon pulled the handkerchief off with a flourish, and Predator cackled as his partner held up…
"Key chains?" Lizzy stated, confused.
"Who turns people into KEY CHAINS?! You two are some messed up fuddy-duddies!!"
"Turn them back NOW!!" Steph demanded.
"Well, why would I do that?"
"They put up such a good fight, we HAD to add them to our collection!"
"Now, who wants to be next?"
TJ was shaking almost violently, but Steph and Jenny pulled her and Kitty in the opposite direction.
Liztech and Andromon herded them all in that direction, and feet pounded the ground in a frantic rhythm.
Laughter hit their backs, and Steph inadvertently picked up the pace…
"Into that cave!"
"Hurry!"
The black gaping mouth rose above them, and Kitty stopped, looking back at their friends.
"What about you?!"
"We'll hold them off!"
"HURRY!"
Jenny tugged her along almost roughly, the darkness encompassing them all.
"They're buying us time, Kitty! We've gotta move!"
Lizzy managed to lead the way through the pitch-black 'tunnel', her headset giving off a beam of light.
Stopping the moment the ground disappeared from her limited field of vision, the blonde held out her arms to keep the others from falling.
Lights came on from below, illuminating two trapeze swings and another cliff across the gap, a doorway above it.
"How are we supposed to get across?" TJ wondered.
"Me and Gatomon can help." Kitty offered, charm shining…
"Cat!"
The shine enveloped her…
"Katharine, Spirit Evolve into…KAT'S EYE!"
Tail flicking a moment, she waited for Gatomon to jump onto her back before easily swinging across.
"Gatomon, you can help them from the second swing. I'll catch."
"Got it."
TJ went first, Patamon clinging to her shoulders like a backpack, and was thrown into her younger comrade's arms.
Steph and Biyomon, Gomamon, Tentomon…
Lizzy had just gotten hold of the swing, Jenny ready to push, when…
"Well, what do we have here?"
"Aren't you having fun?"
"Go, Lizzy!"
Shoving with all of her might, Jenny cried out as she was completely enveloped by white cloth.
Gomamon cried out as his bond gave a painful spasm, and Lizzy was stunned.
"JENNY!"
Another handkerchief covered her, and Tentomon nearly fell as he flew to her aid.
"LIZZY!!!"
As a third caught him as well, Steph scooped up an aching Gomamon and pulled her only fellow Digidestined through the doorway.
'I have to protect them! I HAVE to!'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Come on, guys! We're almost there!" Sincere Luck encouraged.
"Right, Lillymon?"
"Right!"
"The fight's already started!" The Gekomon chorused.
"ALREADY?!"
The rabbit-girl looked concerned, fiddling with her Meteor Hammer…
'I hope the others are alright until I get there…'
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hidden beneath the floorboards of the next room, Steph tried to calm her breathing…
'Stay quiet…They won't find you as long as you stay quiet…'
With TJ pressed to her right and Kat's Eye to her left, with Biyomon at her back, the brunette felt the responsibility.
'I'm the oldest now. I need to protect them no matter what.'
Gomamon looked weak in her arms now, as if a part of him had been ripped away, and she couldn't exactly blame him.
The deeper the bond, the larger the void left by it when it was taken away…
Footsteps echoed through the wood above them, and Patamon cringed.
"It's useless to hide."
"Where, oh where, have the Digidestined gone?"
A sword pierced the ground, barely missing Biyomon, and another almost struck TJ.
Crying out at the unexpected assault, they scrambled to evade.
Cackling rang in everyone's ears, and Steph's charm shone…
"Eagle!"
The light came up through the boards…
"Stephanie, Spirit Evolve into…TALON!"
"Biyomon, Digivolve to…BIRDRAMON!!"
The Crest of Love gave off its power…
"Birdramon, Digivolve to…GARUDAMON!!"
"Transformation of Love into…Loving Talon!"
Kat's Eye ran forward, crest shining…
"Gatomon, Digivolve to…ANGEWOMON!!"
"Transformation of Light into…Pure Angel!"
Busting up through the wood, they stood proudly before a stunned Piedmon and Predator…
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Eternal Light!"
Slashing at Predator, the cat-girl knocked the preying mantis Spirit Evolution into a wall as Piedmon's blades were hit away.
"Wing Blade!"
"Swirling Love!"
A sword-arm smacked the winged eagle-girl, spinning and hitting the ground in an awkward roll.
"Death Stroke!"
The force knocked Pure Angel onto her back, wings sprawled, and Angewomon flew forward to protect her.
"Talon, run!"
"Go! We'll hold them off, Angel!"
"Angewomon…"
"Garudamon…"
They spread their wings, flying towards the nearest exit and picking up TJ, Patamon, and Gomamon…
A handkerchief completely swallowed Garudamon and Angewomon, causing the two to fall to the ground in agony.
Loving Talon regained her feet first, wings limp, and pulled the two girls after her, Pure Angel stumbling along almost blindly.
Her legs were numb from the electrifying pain in her bond, but the eagle-girl pushed on.
Once in a new hallways after some panicked turns, Loving Talon stopped, panting.
"Talon, are you okay?" TJ worried.
"I'm fine…Look, I want you to go ahead with Angel."
"But…"
"You're the only one who can evolve, and Angel's too weak to go on alone without Angewomon."
Crouching down to the younger girl's level, Steph stared at her seriously.
"Be brave for all of us, alright? We believe in you, TJ."
"…Alright."
As Patamon began to fly ahead, TJ took hold of her younger comrade's hand and led her after.
Looking to Gomamon, Loving Talon sighed.
"Go with them. They need you more than I do."
"No. I'm going to save Jenny somehow."
"…Fine."
Wincing as she stood again, the winged Digidestined turned to face Piedmon and Predator as they approached at a leisurely pace.
"Well, well…Didn't run?"
"How interesting…"
"We'll show you!" Gomamon challenged, a fire briefly sparked in his chest, and jumped forward.
Snatching a key chain from Piedmon's belt, he blindly threw it before a foot slammed onto his back.
Catching it, Loving Talon noticed who it was…
'Fang…'
"TJ!"
The young black-haired Digidestined of Hope turned, gold eyes seeing the flying key chain…
"FANG!"
Grabbing it out of midair, she stared in wonder at the small armored figure before facing the door once more.
Managing to push it open, TJ yanked her only junior comrade into the open air of a balcony.
Pure Angel was beginning to regain her senses, and looked at the darkness ahead and the height they were at.
"Oh gosh…"
"We have to get out of here…Can you fly, Angel?"
"I don't think so…"
Trying to spread her wings was a struggle in itself, but trying to flap them was nearly impossible…
"We'll have to find another way…"
The doors behind them were blasted open, and TJ immediately shielded Pure Angel as Patamon ducked to the ground.
"Pat!"
"Let's do it!"
Her charm glowed…
"Husky!"
The light startled Predator, causing his swipe to miss…
"Tammy Jane, Spirit Evolve into…ACE!"
"Patamon, Digivolve to…ANGEMON!!"
"Stay away from her!" Ace demanded.
"We'll see about that, little pup!"
As Piedmon and Angemon clashed with swords and staff, the husky-girl was blocking Predator's sword-like arms.
Knocking his swipes away with her two hand-held shuriken, she kicked off his chest.
"Eternal Hope!"
As the shuriken gave off impressive light, Ace threw one straight at Predator so it would cause more damage.
It looked ready to make a direct hit…
When he moved at the last moment, evading the weapon so it imbedded itself in the stone floor.
The light died as Predator jumped up to stab her, and Ace barely defended herself with her remaining weapon in time.
Pure Angel ducked down to avoid them as they came back down, almost dancing around each other.
Managing to bring her wings up and around her, she tried to hide so as not to cause anymore trouble for Ace.
Stumbling awkwardly and catching her balance just in time, the husky-girl was JUST holding her own…
Catching one of Predator's 'claws' in the hole of her lone shuriken, Ace twisted in order to throw him away.
Jumping for her other shuriken, she had almost reached it…
"Death Stroke!"
Crying out as her side was cut open, Ace flipped through the air and hit the ground rolling.
Angemon flinched as it reverberated through him as well, and Piedmon struck him in the abdomen.
Getting up on her hands and knees, Ace held her side as blood leaked through her fingers…
"A-Angemon…"
"Ace!"
Pure Angel barely made it onto her feet, seeing Predator rushing towards a fallen comrade.
The memories of her own sister's death at the hands of an evil Spirit Evolutions raced through her mind…
"NO!"
Tackling Predator mid-rush, she couldn't even wrestle with him before being thrown into the balcony railing.
The pain in her back was almost mind-numbing, and Pure Angel couldn't help the whimper that escaped her throat.
"ANGEL!"
Not willing to take that, not when she'd been given the job to protect her final friend, Ace was up and slashing at Predator.
Chinking the natural armor on his 'arms' and making paper-thin cuts on his torso, her chaotic technique was beginning to match his.
When they separated, they each had small cuts everywhere, even on their cheeks and chins and foreheads…
Panting, Ace had never been so TIRED in her whole life, even when they'd fought Tainted Midnight…
"Well, what do we have here?"
An evil grin crossed Predator's face as he held a sword-arm to Pure Angel's neck.
Adrenaline began to pump through Ace's veins, and she picked up her second shuriken.
"Leave her alone!"
"Now, now. Don't ruin my fun!"
Piedmon used a telekinetic blast on Angemon, who flew back from the force…
"Trump Sword!"
Feathers flew as he hit the floor, and Ace dropped to one knee as the pain jolted through her body.
"If you care so much…Catch her!"
Predator cackled as he shoved Pure Angel over the railing…
"ANGEL!"
Wide blue eyes met gold just before she disappeared from sight…
"ACE!!!"
Without even thinking, Ace jumped over the edge after her.
Wrapping her arms around the younger girl once within reach, Ace's mind raced to find a way out of this…
'What would Fang do?'
'Tammy.'
Almost startled, the husky-girl pulled the key chain from her waist, staring at it…
'Fang?'
'Don't give up. I know you'll never give up, no matter what happens. You have to hold on and gather all your strength.'
There was a pause, and the next words rang true…
'You have to believe in yourself, because that's all anyone can do. We all believe in you, Tammy. But it won't matter if you don't believe in YOURSELF.'
'You're right…I need to believe in myself. I can do this!'
Holding Pure Angel closer, Ace was fueled with determination.
'If we die, our worlds are doomed. THAT'S why we can't give up! If we believe in ourselves, there's nothing we can't do!'
Her crest shone…
"ANGEMON!"
The Crest of Hope exploded forth with a wave of power…
"Angemon, Digivolve to…MAGNAANGEMON!!"
A column of gold feathers burst up around them, spiraling around each other like shimmering blades…
"Transformation of Hope into…"
Large white wings came free in a snap, shattering the column…
"Hopeful Angel!"
Pulling up with her friend, her wings flapped powerfully to lift them safely into the air.
Settling Pure Angel on the ground below, the newest Ultimate-level Spirit Evolution smiled.
"You stay here. Me and Magnaangemon will take care of them."
Spreading her wings, Hopeful Angel flew back up to join her partner against Piedmon and Predator.
"You can't defeat us so easily!"
"Eat this!"
Magnaangemon cut the handkerchief heading for him with his large arm-mounted laser sword.
"I'm not hungry."
Hopeful Angel pinned the other to the floor with her trusty shuriken.
"We're not playing games anymore! Get 'em, Magnaangemon!"
He slashed at Piedmon's waist with his sword, cutting free the key chains and catching them easily in his other hand.
Kicking Predator in the chest, he flew back into his partner and sent both of them over the edge of the balcony.
Smiling triumphantly, Hopeful Angel hugged her partner's side, tail wagging.
"We did it, Magnaangemon!"
"We did. Come on, Hope. It's time to bring back our friends."
Nodding, she spread her wings with her Digimon and both flew down to rejoin Pure Angel.
Carefully, all three stood up every single key chain on a flat rock before the two Spirit Evolutions stepped back.
"You can bring them back, right?"
"Have faith."
Folding his arms, four of Magnaangemon's wings glowed like rainbows…
"Magna Antidote!"
There was a bright light, and when both angel-girls could see, their friends were returned to normal.
Seeming slightly confused at the change in scenery, they looked around before noticing their saviors.
"…Tammy, you evolved to Ultimate."
Smiling proudly, Hopeful Angel nodded, hugging her older sister.
"All I had to do was believe in myself!"
"Are you alright, Angel?" Angewomon worried, holding her partner close.
"I am now that you're back…"
Jenny grinned as Gomamon climbed up onto her head.
"Well, this sure is a happy ending! What do you think, Goma-Goma?"
"It'd be happier if we had some cake…"
"Goma-Goma!"
Loving Talon shook her wings, smiling as Garudamon closed a hand around her seeking comfort.
Lizzy hugged Tentomon, trying to soothe him because of his remembered pain, as War Tawny checked her sister for injuries.
Once she made sure everyone looked no worse for wear, the tiger-girl relaxed, leaning slightly on her partner.
"I couldn't have asked for a better ending…"
"We can!"
Evil little Digimon and their partners burst from the ground, surrounding the group as Piedmon and Predator stepped forward.
Lizzy brought up her Digimon Analyzer on her headset…
"Vilemon and Stinky, a skunk Spirit Evolution. They're at the Champion level, and Vilemon's attacks are Nightmare Shocker and Demon Darts."
"There are way too many!" Loving Talon worried.
"Besides, aren't we missing somebody?" Jenny agreed.
"Hey, guys!"
A blur raced through the group of Vilemon and Stinky, knocking them away from the force, before it stopped in front of the group.
"Hi, guys!"
"Lucky!" Hopeful Angel realized happily.
"Don't worry, we brought the cavalry along."
Turning back, they saw the entire army following Lillymon towards their destination…
Ogremon and Poisontail, Meramon and Silverwing…
Frigimon and Bearclaw, Elecmon and Dragontail…
Unimon and Baggie, Gekomon and Stripes, Otamamon and Fluffies…
"All of our friends came just to help us…" War Tawny realized.
"That's what friends are for." Metal Fang reminded, smiling slightly.
"Right! Come on, everybody! Let's make it count!"
The two 'armies' clashed with tremendous force…
"Super Thunder Strike!"
"Ariel Shocker!"
Everyone was fighting, and WINNING, against their smaller, more numerous adversaries…
"Pummel Whack!"
Lizzy and Jenny shared a look, ready to join, and turned to their partners.
"Ready, Goma-Goma?"
"It's time to fight!"
"Let's do it!" Both Digimon chorused as their partners' charms shone…
"Dolphin!"
"Ferret!"
Light came up in a wave of power…
"Jennifer, Spirit Evolve into…TRICKSTER!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!!"
"Elizabeth, Spirit Evolve into…TECHIE!"
"Tentomon, Digivolve to…KABUTERIMON!!"
The Crest of Reliability and the Crest of Knowledge gave off light…
"Ikkakumon, Digivolve to…ZUDOMON!!"
"Transformation of Reliability into…Reliable Trickster!"
"Kabuterimon, Digivolve to…MEGAKABUTERIMON!!"
"Transformation of Knowledge into…Knowledgeable Techie!"
They ran straight into the battlefield…
"Vulcan's Hammer!"
"Reliable Hammer!"
Piedmon and Predator decided it was time to join in…
"Trump Sword!"
"Death Stroke!"
"Horn Buster!"
"Healing Knowledge!"
Having neutralized the attack, Knowledgeable Techie smiled.
"Great job, Megakabuterimon!"
"Now it's our turn! Rumbling Sincerity!"
"Flower Cannon!"
Piedmon and Predator avoided the attacks, the former throwing a handkerchief at the rabbit-girl and her partner.
"Celestial Arrow!"
The cloth was torn, falling harmlessly to the ground, and they faced Pure Angel, who held her katana up warningly.
"That's enough out of you two! Swirling Love!"
"Wing Blade!"
Vilemon and Stinky's were hurt in the crossfire, and the two jokesters were flung back.
"Gate of Destiny!"
When it opened, Vilemon and their partners were being sucked in, and Hopeful Angel grinned.
"Alright! Just knock them in, guys!"
Both Mega-level partners faced Piedmon and Predator…
"Gladly."
"After you, Fang?"
"It would be my pleasure."
Both raised their swords, rushing forward with their partners…
"Heaven's Sun!"
"Heaven's Storm!"
"Terra Force!"
"Giga Missile!"
Once the golden gate closed on them, it disintegrated and showered the mountain with stardust.
"Now the Digital World should return to normal…" Loving Talon concluded, looking relieved.
"It's over…" Knowledgeable Techie breathed, as if unable to believe it.
Their friends had to leave, most likely to return to their restored homes, and the Digidestined waved goodbye.
Once they were gone, Knowledgeable Techie almost jumped as a message came up on her headset.
"I've got a message from Gennai on my laptop…"
Opening it and clicking through, up came Mini-Gennai.
"Maybe he wants to throw us a parade!" Reliable Trickster joked.
"Or maybe he forgot to tell us something important…AGAIN…" War Tawny noted.
"…He says that the Dark Masters aren't the real enemy…"
"…What?"
Even Metal Fang was stunned…
"Then who's the real enemy?" Sincere Luck worried.
"It's the very thing that CREATED the Dark Masters…and it caused the distortions in the Digital World…"
"Still, who is it-?"
Pure Angel was cut off when the ground rumbled and shook beneath their feet, the sky darkening ominously.
Rock split open and spikes rose, and when it stopped, the world looked like they hadn't just defeated Piedmon and Predator…
"Oh NUTTY-DOGS…"
"This CAN'T be good." Metal Fang agreed.
Hopeful Angel spread her wings anxiously, shaking her wings…
"I've got a BAD feeling about this…"
Suddenly, darkness ate the entire mountain under their feet, sending the startled Digidestined and Digimon down into a void.
Tumbling head over heels, they shouted in surprise until everyone stopped in midair, immediately clinging to their Digimon.
"At least we stopped…" Sincere Luck pointed out.
"But where are we?" Loving Talon wondered.
Knowledgeable Techie opened her laptop safely once more, and a fuzzy picture of Gennai appeared…
"Aw, so you all made it safely. I hope no one needed a barf bag on the way down."
"Just tell us about this new enemy, Gennai." Metal Fang encouraged.
"I mean, we already beat the Dark Masters. What could be worse?" War Tawny added.
"You now need to defeat the very darkness that brought forth all of the evil you've ever faced in the first place."
…
"Tawny, I think that's worse…" Reliable Trickster noted.
"…Shut up."
"It came from the Wall of Fire. I found a legend about it in the runes on File Island."
"Wall of Fire…Like a firewall?" Pure Angel questioned.
"Possibly." Knowledgeable Techie agreed.
"Long ago, a being came out from behind the Wall of Fire. It's very existence caused a distortion, and threatened the collapse of the Digital World."
"THAT'S not good…" Hopeful Angel whispered.
"The Digimon knew they did not have the power to defeat this evil, and summoned the first Digidestined. They defeated the evil and saved the Digital World."
"Whoa there, fossil-man! There were kids before US?" Reliable Trickster cut in.
"And WE were brought here because something else came out…" Pure Angel concluded.
"There was something else as well. It also said that a great darkness would cover the entire Digital World."
"…You know…It's pretty dark…" Sincere Luck whispered, frightened.
"THIS is our enemy?" War Tawny questioned, looking around warily.
"In a way, yes. But I believe he has an actual form as well."
"He? Don't you mean they?" Hopeful Angel pointed out.
"No, I mean 'he'. Good luck!"
The connection was lost, and the screen immediately went black…
Closing the laptop and putting it away, Knowledgeable Techie looked up at her friends with worry in her violet eyes.
"I don't think this will be like any other fight we've ever had…"
"If those other Digidestined could defeat something like this, so can we." Metal Fang stated determinedly.
"It doesn't matter WHAT it is." Loving Talon agreed.
A dark chuckle filled the air, and all eyes turned to Reliable Trickster…
"What? It's not me!"
NOW they were concerned…
Looking around at the darkness, it seemed to close in around them like a ring of wolves in the night.
Sincere Luck almost felt like she could see glittering eyes circling them…
The chuckling turned to laughter, and Pure Angel clung to her partner as it seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all at once.
Mumbling soon took place of it, a low baritone that made their hearts shake…
"It's…saying something…" War Tawny realized, straining her ears.
"Yes…Listen to the lingering words of our regrets…"
"Regrets?" Hopeful Angel whispered.
"Who are you?" Metal Fang demanded.
A black cube seemed to materialize before them, each side opening outward like spikes and releasing claws.
The top side released what looked like a torso, and a cape billowed in an invisible breeze.
"Um…Techie?" Reliable Trickster hoped.
"One second…"
Bringing up her Digimon Analyzer, she searched frantically for this Digimon…
"It's…Apocalymon, a Mega level…No partner…"
No one could help wincing at that, knowing the pain of not having a partner to share a soul with…
"His attacks are Darkness Zone, Total Annihilation, and…"
Lavender eyes widened…
"Reverse Evolution…"
"So he's the one that appeared from the Wall of Fire…" Loving Talon noted, spreading her wings.
He chuckled, looking evilly grim.
"Do you find me ugly? Repulsive? It's what you're thinking, isn't it?"
"Well…You ARE connected by a bunch of wires to a moon-sized cube, dude…"
"TRICKSTER."
"What?"
"It's alright. After all, we were the ones thwarted through the evolving process."
"We?" Hopeful Angel piped up, clinging to Magnaangemon's arm.
"Every Digimon and Spirit Evolution that ever failed to evolve during the entire history of the Digital World became part of me."
"It's inevitable that some species would be lost…If they can't adapt-."
"SILENCE!"
Knowledgeable Techie was startled and frightened, hugging Megakabuterimon's horn.
"Did you think that one word would put an end to this entire matter?!"
"What do you mean by that?" War Tawny demanded.
"Are you all insinuating that we have no right to live?! That you're BETTER than us?!"
"N-No, I'd never say that! I didn't-!"
"Such sorrow and grief has become our eternal fate."
"You're made from the sadness and darkness of all those souls?" Pure Kitty wondered, eyes filling with sympathy.
"We have been looking forward to meeting you, Digidestined and Digimon."
"Looking forward to it?" Sincere Luck piped up.
"While we were buried within a deep darkness of utter coldness and sorrow, we saw all of you. Laughing and playing in the light!"
His sharp tone almost caused them to recoil, anger almost like acid.
"Never alone, and never despised for merely existing! Why is it that WE deserve to live so, while YOU deserve all life has to offer?!"
Electricity built up around the cube…
"WHY!?!"
It was unleashed in a sudden pulsing wave, and it knocked all sixteen of them back with a sharp jolt.
Once she could feel the numbness fading, War Tawny righted herself and looked over the group.
"Are you guys alright?"
Everyone nodded, shaking off the shock, before facing Apocalymon once more.
"Why must we suffer so?!"
Apocalymon's claws dug into his own shoulders, tearing open flesh to reveal emerald flesh and blood…
"Why must we cry while you enjoy laughter?!"
Pure Angel felt tears, closing her eyes…
"STOP IT! STOP HURTING YOURSELF!"
"I can't watch!" Sincere Luck admitted, covering her eyes and crying as Lillymon cradled her.
"We feel as you feel, cry as you cry!! Who decided that we should be confined to oblivion?!"
"I…I-I don't…"
Loving Talon could find no words…
"We wanted to live and speak of friendship, love, and hope!! We wanted to use this body to be helpful to this world!!"
Even Reliable Trickster could not think of anything, could not show him how things were not nearly so bad…
"Does this mean this world has no need of us?! That we are meaningless?!"
The cuts healed on Apocalymon's shoulders, and Knowledgeable Techie rubbed her arms, remembering her own ability nervously…
"Then we shall rule this world, and force everyone to live as we have lived!! And whoever dares to oppose us will die!!"
War Tawny's knuckles went white over her blade as Hopeful Angel shared a frightened look with her elder sibling…
"May the light be cursed wherever it shines, and its protectors die!!"
A claw morphed…
"River of Power!"
It went straight for Pure Angel, and Angewomon turned to take the attack in her back.
"ANGEWOMON!!!" The young girl cried out, feeling the pain as well.
Another claw…
"Crimson Lightning!"
The attack swiped towards Sincere Luck, but Lillymon pushed her out of the way and took the brunt of it.
Yelping in pain, the Spirit Evolution went towards her partner.
"LILLYMON!!!"
"Giga Cannons!"
A third claw released power, and Loving Talon could not evade before Garudamon was struck instead.
"GARUDAMON!!!"
"He has the power of all the Digimon we've faced before!" Knowledgeable Techie realized.
"So we have to fight them all over again?! Can this day get any WORSE?!"
"We can still win!" Hopeful Angel shouted.
"We just have to work together!"
"We can do this." Metal Fang agreed.
"You underestimate our power! Reverse Evolution!"
The claws came forward, clasping onto and around all of them before the group could escape.
Down on Earth, they could almost hear screams…
When the claws released their hold, the girls had returned to normal, as had their Digimon partners.
"What the-?!"
Tonya looked around in surprise.
"He turned us back! No one said he could do that!" Jenny accused.
"What do we do now?" Kitty wondered.
"We have to do something…" Mel whispered.
"We can't win like this…Not against all the evil we've ever faced…"
"Don't talk like that, Liz!" Tentomon pleaded.
"We can still fight!" Gabumon assured.
"But you can't win at this level." Meg replied.
"We just need to evolve again! Right, Jen?"
"Right! Just go for it, Goma-Goma!"
"I'm a little hungry, though…" Palmon admitted.
"Shrug it off! We're going one more time!" Mel retorted.
"Just put some heart into it! We'll help! Right, Agu?"
"Right!"
"Get your charms and crests ready, guys!"
About to take hold of the two precious items around their necks, Apocalymon surprised them…
"Death Claw!"
Devimon hands escaped the claw, snatching the priceless charms and crests, destroying them with ease.
No one could speak, shock and fear filling their chests and blocking off their throats…
"How can we win now?" Lizzy questioned.
There was no answer…
"There has to be a way…"
Desperate tears filled Tonya's eyes…
"There HAS to be…"
"Darkness Zone!"
As Apocalymon's eyes glowed red, the Digidestined and Digimon began to come apart.
Starting from their feet, they broke down into infinite little pieces, the pace building up the higher it went.
Crying out in surprise and fright at the sudden action, they disappeared…
When senses started to reboot once more, the world was white.
Sequences of ones and zeroes slowly went through the air, constantly changing, but nothing else was there…
Except them.
"Where are we?" Jenny wondered.
"This is the World of Data…We're all data now…" Lizzy answered.
"Can we be put back together?" Mel worried.
"I…I don't know…"
"Well, that's it! We're done for! How are we supposed to fight Apocalymon as bits of DATA?!"
"We can't…"
Steph felt her throat constrict…
"We can't possibly fight like this…"
"So we're finished?" Kitty wondered, blue eyes shimmering with tears.
"I…We've lost…"
"It's all over. There's nothing more we can do." Meg stated, looking towards Tonya's defeated expression.
"Don't talk like that!" Agumon argued.
"There's always a chance!"
"We have to keep trying, Meg!" Gabumon agreed.
"How many times have we thought it was all over, and then won?" Biyomon questioned forcefully.
"Biyo, this is different…"
"Even if we COULD return to normal, we can't evolve without our charms and crests!" Jenny nearly shouted.
"No one knows how…" Lizzy admitted, sounding defeated.
"Liz, did you always know how to win all of those other battles?"
"Well…"
"Don't you see? There are a lot of firsts in an adventure!" Gabumon explained.
"We never knew what was coming before, but we never stopped trying!" Gomamon added.
"…You're right."
Jenny's face lit up, like a happy memory had resurfaced…
"Like that time we climbed up Infinity Mountain. I didn't know what would happen when we reached the top, but I didn't really care."
Smiling, she hugged Gomamon to her chest.
"I was with you, and we were having fun. You showed me my true self, and you helped us defeat Unimon and Baggie."
"Aw, Jen…"
"When we faced Megaseadramon and his stupid partner, I learned about being responsible. I couldn't have done that without you, Goma-Goma…"
Smiling, Gomamon nuzzled her neck…
"There were times I just wanted to cry, and times I just couldn't keep fighting, but…"
Mel smiled slightly, hugging Palmon to her side.
"I'm so glad that we became friends, Pal! Without you, I would have felt so alone…"
"Mel…"
"I feel like I've gotten stronger since I've been here with all of you."
"Of course you are, Mel. I've always thought you were strong."
"I didn't…Not really…Until that time in Toy Town, and when we fought Darktyrannomon and his partner."
Smiling brightly, she rested her head on Palmon's.
"You taught me that being truthful with myself is what made me strong…I can't thank you enough, Pal…"
"You're welcome anyway, Mel…"
"TJ…Until I met you, I didn't think I'd ever want to Digivolve. But once Devimon tried to hurt you and caught me too, I KNEW it was my time."
"Pat…I know…I didn't think I would ever want to grow up. Growing up meant facing the reality that my family wasn't whole…"
Tears filled gold eyes, and TJ wiped them away…
"But I realized that growing up meant being a better person, and help my friends. Growing up didn't mean losing hope. It meant believing in myself."
"Aw, TJ…"
"You're my best friend, Pat…You taught me that I have to fight for what I believe in. And I believe in this!"
Smiling, Patamon flew into his partner's arms…
"Stephie, you've always been so sweet to me…You made me realize what I'd do for someone I love."
"Biyo…You let me see how much my mother really loved me, and how to express my own love."
Tears filling her eyes, Steph hugged Biyomon to her chest…
"If it hadn't been for you, I don't know what I would do…"
"Stephie…"
"Liz, I never realized how sweet a person could be until I met you. There's no one else in the entire galaxy that I'd rather be partnered with!"
"Tento…"
Lizzy gave a watery smile…
"I'm just glad I met you…I've grown so much thanks to you…You helped me realize that I'm not as weak as I thought…"
"But it was thanks to you that we defeated so many enemies. Where would we be if you hadn't figured everything out?"
"I…"
"Even if you never look up from your laptop, we know you're there for us. Like you were there for me against Vademon and Swindler."
"…Tento…"
"I still like that side of you. All of us do."
She couldn't help embracing the bug Digimon…
"Meg…"
"I know, Gabu…"
Smiling softly, the black-haired girl put a hand on his head…
"I know…"
"We're unstoppable together, Tonya! I knew it from the start!"
"Me too, Agu. If it hadn't been for you, I wouldn't have found my courage!"
"And without you, I wouldn't know what it was like to care so deeply for others."
Smiling shyly, Tonya pat his head.
"You're the best, Agu…I still stand by that."
"Tonya…"
"Besides, it's nice to know you'll have my back in a fight."
He smiled at her joke, nuzzling her stomach.
"We can't stop fighting now. If we do, what was the point of searching for Kitty?"
"Gatomon…"
"I searched my whole life for you, Kitty…I will always protect you, no matter what."
"You've done enough…I couldn't ask you to give up anymore…Not after…"
"I won't let Wizardmon and Arrow's death be in vain…I can't…"
Life seemed to have returned to their eyes, and the Digidestined's smiles were so true they almost glowed…
"If I hadn't met you…"
"If I hadn't come to the Digital World…"
"If I hadn't gone on this adventure…"
"We wouldn't be who we are today…"
"Because our Digimon were always with us…"
"Because our friends were with us…"
"Because we worked together…"
"We were able to stay true to ourselves and win!"
It was as if they were all connected, sharing the same thoughts…
"We have people counting on us down on Earth." Lizzy reminded.
"And Digimon and Spirit Evolutions in the Digital World." Jenny agreed.
"I won't let this whole journey be for nothing!" Tonya vowed.
"WE won't." Meg replied.
"We're in this together!" Steph stated.
"We won't stop fighting, no matter what!" Mel added.
"We won't let the hope in us die!"
"We won't let the light go out!"
A surge, courage and friendship and love bubbling in their chests…
"We'll fight, no matter what it takes!"
Light escaped the girls' chests, startling them enough to look down.
Two symbols were pulsing side by side, and Tonya immediately recognized them…
"Our charms and crests…"
"You don't need to carry them around because the power has been inside of you all along! Like your tiger spirit."
"Or your wolf spirit."
"Or your eagle spirit!"
"All we have to do is act upon the symbols of our spirits and our hearts! That's how we've evolved all along!" Lizzy realized.
"Not quite." Meg interjected.
"It wasn't the friendship inside of me that caused my crest to glow. It was everyone's friendship, and it gathered inside my heart."
"One crest is for everyone…And everyone's crest is for one!" Jenny concluded.
"Then the light inside of me is for everyone!"
The charm and crest symbols shone brightly…
"Katharine, Spirit Evolve into…KAT'S EYE!"
"Gatomon, Digivolve to…ANGEWOMON!!"
"Transformation of Light into…Pure Angel!"
"And everyone's hopes are my hopes!"
Charm and crest symbols glowed in unison…
"Tammy Jane, Spirit Evolve into…ACE!"
"Patamon, Digivolve to…ANGEMON!! Angemon, Digivolve to…MAGNAANGEMON!!"
"Transformation of Hope into…Hopeful Angel!"
"Knowledge!"
Charm and crest gave off impressive light…
"Elizabeth, Spirit Evolve into…TECHIE!"
"Tentomon, Digivolve to…KABUTERIMON!! Kabuterimon, Digivolve to…MEGAKABUTERIMON!!"
"Transformation of Knowledge into…Knowledgeable Techie!"
"Sincerity!"
Illumination escaped her chest…
"Melanie, Spirit Evolve into…LUCKY FEET!"
"Palmon, Digivolve to…TOGEMON!! Togemon, Digivolve to…LILLYMON!!"
"Transformation of Sincerity into…Sincere Luck!"
"Reliability!"
A burst of illumination…
"Jennifer, Spirit Evolve into…TRICKSTER!"
"Gomamon, Digivolve to…IKKAKUMON!! Ikkakumon, Digivolve to…ZUDOMON!!"
"Transformation of Reliability into…Reliable Trickster!"
"Love!"
Both symbols burst forth with energy…
"Stephanie, Spirit Evolve into…TALON!"
"Biyomon, Digivolve to…BIRDRAMON!! Birdramon, Digivolve to…GARUDAMON!!"
"Transformation of Love into…Loving Talon!"
"Friendship!"
Charm and crest burst open, giving off a wave of power…
"Megan, Warp-Evolve into…METAL FANG!"
"Gabumon, Warp-Digivolve to…METALGARURUMON!!"
"Courage!"
Her chest opened up, light spilling forth like a volcano…
"Tonya, Warp-Evolve into…WAR TAWNY!"
"Agumon, Warp-Digivolve to…WARGREYMON!!"
The numbers and whiteness began rushing by, and the world started to darken…
In a rush of sound and feeling, they were back, facing Apocalymon and completely intact.
"What!?!"
"You're going to have to get through us to win, Apocalymon!" War Tawny challenged.
"And we won't let you." Metal Fang added, swinging her sword.
"That's IMPOSSIBLE!! How did you evolve without your charms and crests?!"
"You shouldn't underestimate the DIGIDESTINED!!!"
"…Trickster."
"Yes, Talon?"
"NEVER do that again. We're not superheroes."
"…Sorry."
"Now's not the time to fight each other!" Sincere Luck reminded.
"We need to beat Apocalymon!"
"And save the world!"
Knowledgeable Techie smiled at the two angel-girls, nodding.
"We can do it!"
War Tawny nodded, raising her sword as the non-winged Spirit Evolutions mounted their Digimon.
"Digidestined…"
Wings spread as the tiger-girl stepped onto her partner's shielded back…
"ATTACK!!!"
Immediately rushing into the battlefield, they went straight for Apocalymon.
A claw came towards them above, along with a second, and Reliable Trickster jumped to defense with Zudomon.
"Reliable Hammer!"
"Vulcan's Hammer!"
Both exploded into pieces of metal and wire, and the dolphin-girl gripped her partner's horn in triumph.
"HA! Strike one, sucker!"
"Let's help them, Lillymon!"
"Slingshot?"
"Slingshot!"
Lillymon spun her partner in a powerful circle before releasing, sending her towards the two claws racing for them…
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
"Flower Cannon!"
As debris and smoke fell from the DNA-like chain, the fairy Digimon caught her Spirit Evolution.
"YES! We rock!"
Reliable Trickster tugged on Zudomon's horn, and he avoided a claw.
"Yo! Tawny! Fang! We'll take care of the claws!"
"You guys concentrate on attacking the head!"
Metal Fang nodded, tightening her hold on Metalgarurumon to urge him faster.
"Be careful!" War Tawny shouted, grinning.
A look of shock crossed her face as four claws went for them…
"WATCH OUT!!!"
Moment before contact…
"Celestial Arrow!"
"Gate of Destiny!"
"Eternal Light!"
"Shuriken of Hope!"
As they exploded, the four angels grinned proudly.
"Don't worry about us, Tawny!" Pure Angel assured.
"We'll take care of them! Right, Magnaangemon?"
"Of course."
Nodding, she crouched down as Wargreymon flew into a tighter formation beside Metalgarurumon.
Claws tried to close in…
"Reliable Hammer!"
"Vulcan's Hammer!"
They felt adrenaline rush as debris blew past…
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
"Flower Cannon!"
Garudamon and Megakabuterimon came in to shield their sides, Loving Talon spinning slightly in the air.
"You guys concentrate on attacking!"
"We'll protect you!" Knowledgeable Techie assured.
"Virus Grenade!"
As the small projectiles blew up around them like machine gun pellets, Loving Talon shared a look with Garudamon.
"Come on!"
"I'm right behind you, Talon!"
Both flew straight up, and the darkness made the attack seem like fireworks…
"Swirling Love!"
"Wing Blade!"
Apocalymon's assault halted as he dodged their strikes.
"Giga Cannon!"
"Healing Knowledge!"
"Horn Buster!"
The attacks were neutralized in midair, and the ferret-girl smiled broadly.
"Great aim, Megakabuterimon!"
"Aw, it was nothing…"
Explosions at their back as War Tawny and Metal fang left Loving Talon and Knowledgeable Techie behind…
"Swirling Love!"
"Wing Blade!"
"Healing Knowledge!"
"Horn Buster!"
Claws threatening to close in…
"Shuriken of Hope!"
"Gate of Destiny!"
A long snake-like chain blocking their path…
"Eternal Light!"
"Celestial Arrow!"
So CLOSE, but those damn claws persisted…
"Rumbling Sincerity!"
"Flower Cannon!"
Almost there…
"Reliable Hammer!"
"Vulcan's Hammer!"
Gold and blue eyes flashed.
"NOW!"
Jumping off their Digimon's back, both raised their blades…
"Heaven's Storm!"
"Metal Wolf Claw!"
"Heaven's Sun!"
"Terra Force!"
As Apocalymon's torso and head disintegrated into oblivion, the group reassembled.
"What do you think NOW, huh? Are we too MUCH for you, oh great Apocalymon?" Reliable Trickster mocked.
"Just accept defeat. I've got a 'welcome home' party to get to!" Loving Talon agreed.
"There's nothing you can do to win!" Sincere Luck reminded.
That spine-chillingly dark laugh surrounded them once more, causing wings and tails to bristle anxiously.
"Did you really believe we were so easily defeated?!"
"Um…yes…" Hopeful Angel answered quietly.
"You have yet to see our final strike…We will not disappear quietly. We will take both worlds with us!"
A shock of fear…
"Total Annihilation!"
The explosion seemed to be shrinking in slow motion, and no one could move…
'This can't be the end of this…'
'I won't let this journey be for nothing.'
'We didn't come this far for nothing!'
'If he can explode, we'll just have to stop him!'
'There must be SOMETHING that we can do to stop him…'
'We WILL win! We WILL!'
'If I believe in myself and my friends, we can't lose!'
'I won't let him hurt everyone!'
A surge of emotion escaped their chests in a battle-cry…
"WE'LL PROTECT OUR WORLDS!!!"
A beam of light escaped each screen of their Digivices, and came together to make a shining cube around the spherical explosion.
It began to shrink, growing smaller, and the explosion disappeared into an unseen speck.
None of the girls moved, blinking in surprise, before smiles and joy fell over them.
"We did it!"
Cheering, the Digidestined embraced each other and their Digimon, relieved at the sudden lack of a threat.
"Hello, my young friends!"
Turning to see who was calling them, Knowledgeable Techie smiled.
"Gennai!"
"Centarumon and Blade!"
"It's nice to see you all again."
"We've missed you."
Gennai sighed, looking older than he already did…
"I'm afraid I have some news to share with all of you…"
"Gennai?" War Tawny wondered, looking cautious.
"Why don't we go check out Primary Village and I'll explain there…"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Staring up at the morning sky, Leo almost fidgeted worriedly.
'Where are you, Tonya?'
They couldn't denied having been startled when a branch of the army came in to hold unrelated civilians away from the area…
But they'd explained themselves and their purpose, and Leo was just wondering what Tonya would think of it.
Raph was still grumbling, hands fisted as he paced, as Don fiddled with his own fingers.
Michelangelo was practically hopping around, energetic and uncomfortable, as Leatherhead stared unblinkingly at the sky.
"…They're coming."
All eyes snapped upward, the girls' families rousing from their silence to find their children or siblings in the blue expanse.
When a trolley car formed fully, growing larger as it came closer, silence fell over them.
It landed with a squeak of wheels and rolled to a slow stop, the doors opening after a moment.
Tonya stepped out first, Agumon on her back as she yawned, blinking sleep from her eyes.
"Long trip…"
Almost laughing in surprise as Leo practically scooped her up and pulled her close, the redhead wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Happy to see me?"
"Definitely."
TJ and Kitty jumped out, cradling their Digimon, as Meg followed, making sure they were alright.
In a surge, Raph was already holding her, startling the black-haired girl.
Relaxing, she returned the embrace, smiling.
"I told you not to worry. I'm fine."
"Yeah, ya looked fine fightin' that big ol' monster…"
"We won, didn't we?"
"Whate'er…"
Once outside of the trolley, Steph smiled, patting Biyomon's head and looking around.
"BABY!"
"BABE!"
Running towards each other, they met in the middle, hugging enthusiastically.
"You're the best! I missed you SO much, babe!"
"I missed you too, baby. I really did."
As Mel disembarked with Palmon, Jenny swung out the door and looked around excitedly, Gomamon atop her head.
"LEATHERHEAD!"
Running towards him at top speed, the blonde jumped into the large mutant's arms, a smile on her face.
"Did you see that whole epic battle it was so awesome I was TOTALLY not scared well maybe when we disintegrated but we're fine now-!"
Cut off by a secure bear hug, Jenny took a moment to regain her breath.
"Yeah, well…I missed you too, big guy…"
Lizzy looked around from the last step of the trolley car, Tentomon pressing against her knees comfortingly…
"Lizzy!"
A smile crossed her face as Don lifted her up by her hips.
"Are you alright? What happened when you guys disappeared? Where were you while you were gone?"
Wrapping her arms around his neck, Lizzy pecked him on the lips.
"Why can't you just relax and be happy I'm back?"
"…I can do that…"
The sun seemed to flicker as the families reunited, and Tonya looked up at it almost sadly.
"…I've got to tell you something…"
"Why? What's wrong?" Leo worried.
"…Apocalymon…He messed with the connection between the worlds…"
"The gate will close…And if it does, we won't be able to go through again…Ever…" Lizzy explained.
"What can you do?" Don wondered.
"We have some options…" Jenny admitted.
"We can either stay here, where our Digimon will turn week, or stay with them in the Digital World." Meg stated.
"If we try to stay in our own worlds, separate…"
Mel's voice caught…
"The moment the gate closes completely…We'll all die."
Silence fell as the information sunk in…
"But…You were without them for so long…" Mikey tried.
"Our souls are too deeply bonded to be cut off like that…" Steph explained.
"There is…one more option…" Tonya admitted, looking up into Leo's eyes.
"…We could give up our crest powers…And it'll force the gate open again…It's just…"
"We'll never be able to evolve to Ultimate again." Meg explained.
"…I say do it."
All eyes turned to Raph, surprised.
"Raph?"
"It's either watch ya suffer, ya get killed, or this. I'd rather ya be 'appy with Gabumon, too."
After a moment, the other mutants nodded, and the families had nothing to say to the contrary.
Smiling slightly, Lizzy turned to her partner, patting his shell.
"Come on, Tento…"
The Digidestined went at least a few yards away from their loved ones, forming a circle.
Facing inward, each took a deep cleansing breath…
"Ready, guys?" Tonya questioned.
"…Ready."
Smiling at the now familiar chorus, all eyes closed as the group focused on their crest powers.
The symbols began to glow, growing brighter as they began to escape as orbs…
Coming up into the air and spiraling around each other in a column, the colorful energy spheres reached up into the sky and seemed to touch the sky.
The blackness that had begun to cover its yellow surface paused, retreating fully, before colorful light made the sky shimmer like rainbows.
Once the crest power was gone, the girls practically fell over each other in exhausted, panting.
"NO ONE told me it would be that TIRING…" Jenny whined.
"No one knew…" Lizzy replied.
"I hope we never do THAT again…" Mel hoped.
"Me, too…"
"Me three…"
"I can't feel my feet…"
"That's because they're in my face, Steph…"
"…Sorry, Tonya…"
"Don't complain. At least we're alive." Meg spoke up.
A shadow fell over them, and the girls looked up at the kind eyes of an elderly man, his lapel decorated with many medals.
"Hello, young ones. I've heard a lot about you."
"Yeah…It would be nice if we knew something about you." Tonya replied, sitting up.
"I'll explain everything. I also have a proposition for you…"
Meg stood up, brushing off her pants and quirking an eyebrow.
"We're listening."