Digimon Memorial

by Ceillising

Basically a personal sequel to Digimon Frontier

3. Episode 16 to 24 end

Episode sixteen Wandering Past

Her speed was so quick that it matched the Kyubimon's. Neither of them could touch each other. Then another Kyubimon attacked secretly from behind her and she fell. Icria stayed in that position.

Haruki grabbed Icria from the ground and secured her by holding onto her arms.

"Let go," she yelled. She wasn't as strong as before and Haruki had no trouble retraining her. She gave in a few minutes later.

"Icria, do you still remember us?" Puissancemon asked calmly.

"I don't care," she snapped. "I just need to destroy all of you."

"But why? We're your friends aren't we?"

"Don't try to play innocent! I don't have any friends." Suoh walked in front of Icria and punched her. Haruki let her fall. He stood in front of Suoh.

"She's just confused," Haruki whispered. "Go easy, that's the real Icria."

"Don't you remember?" Suoh talked back. "She told us not to go easy the next time we saw her." Haruki couldn't argue back.

"You have to fight," the voice called in her mind. "They'll destroy you if you don't."

"That's…not true," Icria replied weakly. "We're a team."

"They weren't there to help you from the beginning, why would they help you now? Who was there when you grew up? Everyone abandoned you from the start."

Icria didn't argue with that. She was already separated from her parents since she was two. No one at the academy accepted her either.

She sat in the corner of the classroom while reading her book. Once in a while, she would lean over to the window to see the other kids playing outside. It wasn't that she couldn't go out and play too; she had no one to play with, so she stayed indoors.

"Um, Icria?" a girl spoke shyly. Icria looked up from her book. "I thought maybe…you would want to go to town with me this weekend. I heard you don't get out of this school a lot. I'm sure the master would allow it." She held two tiny notebooks across her chest. Her hair was down to her shoulders, straight and brown. She had a sweet voice, but she doesn't talk a lot during class.

"I'm not sure," Icria replied softly and stared down at her desk in shyness. They were both in silence for a while.

"You can think about it, and tell me later," she smiled. "Ja ne." Then she walked out of the classroom like everyone else who had just finished class. Icria stayed in the room for a little longer. There were a few girls that were standing in the hallway and blocking the way.

"Did you just talk to her?" one of them asked snobbery. She didn't know what to say and just nodded. The girl bent over while chewing her bubble gum.

"Look, don't even try to get along with that girl," she started. "She's nothing but trouble. One day she'll bite your head off when you're not looking. You better stay away from her." Then she walked off and shoved her slightly. The rest of the girls followed her.

She didn't know what to say, and just run off down the hallway like she never saw them. Icria was still in the classroom, listening. No one wanted to be friends with her because they thought she wasn't like them. She learned faster than the other students. Plus, she was the master's adopted daughter and all the teachers favored her. The classmates took pity of that.

Sometimes they pushed her, or did small pranks. One time they dug up a hole by the river where she always sits. Even though Icria had the power to take revenge, she never used it. Only that girl knew what horrible things the others were doing to her…

Icria got up from the ground with more strength this time. She didn't struggle to attack directly at Suoh. She attacked the others too, but only knocked down Suoh and Puissancemon. Haruki, Lobomon, and Loewemon remained confident to stop her.

"Icria, please stop this," Loewemon yelled. She continued to use punch and kicks, and she managed to jump over and trip him from behind. Lobomon continued to use his light swords as defense, but didn't attack. Icria knocked one of his swords out of his hand, then the other.

"Execute," she yelled. "Aeromon!" Then she attacked Puissancemon again with her staff.

"Earth Dragon Summoning!" Puissancemon blocked her attack with the earth dragon that reached out from below and trapped her into the solid ground.

"Execute!"
"MetalGarudamon!"
"JagerGryphomon!"

"Slide evolution!"
"KendoGarurumon!"

"JagerLoewemon!"

Aeromon had just broken out of the ground. At the same time, everyone blew an attack towards her. Even the Kyubimon joined the battle.

"Lighting Rod!"
"Avalanche Missile!"
"Earth Dragon Summoning!"

"Lupine Laser!"

"Ebony Blast!"

"Foxtail Inferno!"

Aeromon had put up a shield before their attack reached her. She used the time to evolve.

"Aeromon slide evolution, SaberKyubimon!" she growled. She pounced on MetalGarudamon first and then scratched JagerGryphomon. She wasn't as big as they were, but was able to move quick enough so that they couldn't attack.

She looked exactly like a Kyubimon, except in a different color. Her fur was navy colored, and had baby blue spikes on the back of her feet and tails. The ornament around her neck was pointed like a bow and was green and yellow.

"That's Icria?" Puissancemon emphasized. "She's one hell of a beast." SaberKyubimon glared at Puissancemon and disappeared from her spot. She reappeared from behind Puissancemon and bit her on her arm. Blood fell from the wound.

"Howling Star!" Kendogarurumon opened his blades above his body and lowered his wheels. HE ran at the same speed as SaberKyubimon. They traveled side by side for a few miles.

"Koji," she growled.

"Icria, what kind of legendary warrior are you letting the wrong side get to you?" Kendogarurumon snarled.

"Ask your brother," she teased. Koichi was once possessed by darkness.

"He's your brother too!"

"Then it's just a genetic problem, you're no different." Kendogarurumon took a leap and attempted to slash SaberKyubimon with his blades. She jumped and made a run in the opposite direction. They were on their way back to the others.

"Lupin Laser!" KendoGarurumon attacked several times while still running. SaberKyubimon easily dodged them all. They were enclosing in quickly to their previous spot. MetalGarudamon appeared instantly from the side of SaberKyubimon.

"Silver Blaze!" MetalGarudamon yelled and slashed SaberKyubimon with his claws that rose with fire. Not expecting the attack, SaberKyubimon fell and lost her speed. KendoGarurumon instantly slowed down his wheels and turned around.

"Lupin Laser!" he opened his mouth and let a huge laser blow in her direction.

"Dragon Inferno!" SaberKyubimon attacked from her mouth and canceled out his attack. Kyubimon came out from the dense smoke and attacked.

"Dragon Wheel!" Her Body turned into a glowing dragon and knocked into SaberKyubimon. She dedigivolved.

Neither of them attacked anymore and turned back into human. Icria got up and rubbed her head. Kyubimon was still standing in front of her. Icria suddenly got back into action and kicked Kyubimon in the head and knocked her aside. Haruki grabbed her from behind.

"Hime," he called quietly.

"Stop calling me that!" Icria squirmed. She stepped on his toes and did a backdrop.

Icria pushed him onto the ground. She pointed her kunai at his throat. Haruki just stared, but she didn't move. Icria stared back for a long time.

Icria accepted Kohana's request later and traveled around town with her. They became friends easily. The master did approve and was happy Icria found a friend and felt like she belonged at the academy. A year later, Kohana was moving.

"I'll come back sometime and visit," Kohana said. "Wait for me; I'll come back to the academy."

"Alright," Icria promised. Kohana walked away with her two parents and her big brother. Icria and the master stood by the gates and waved goodbye.

Kohana left the academy and moved up north of Japan. She didn't know her new address so they couldn't communicate over the years. She hasn't heard from her since. Suoh, Kris, and Haruki were the only ones that treated her like a friend since Kohana left.

Please, wait for me.

Icria snapped back into reality with the kunai still in her hand.

"Haruki…" she whispered and then slowly took the kunai away from his throat. She gazed at him as if she had made a mistake.

"Hey, you still remember what I said, right?" Haruki asked. Icria dropped her kunai aside and nodded. "I'm keeping that promise." He reached out and pushed Icria down so that she was lying on top of him. She rested her head on his chest.

"Sorry, I did it again," she whispered.

"Just relax," Haruki sighed. Then she closed her eyes and lost consciousness again. Haruki picked her up and started to carry her in his arms. The Kyubimon walked towards him.

"I did a head count the other day," she started. "I knew one of them didn't belong here, but I didn't know which one, nor did I know whether she was a threat or needed a place to stay."

"She's both, for now," Haruki stated.

"Then I'll be happy to watch over her here until she awakens." Haruki placed Icria on her back and Kyubimon walked off back into the cave.

"Is she going to be alright?" Kris asked. Haruki nodded.

"Just for a while though," he sighed.

"We'll leave her here for a bit," Koji continued.

"But what if she hurts the Kyubimons?" Kris asked.

"They can handle her until she wakes up," Suoh replied. "They have a good sense like Haruki."

"To me it's not just a sense. It's more like common sense," Haruki teased. Everyone sighed at his lame joke. They continued to walk around the digital world.

The forest came close to the end and they traveled past vast meadows. Home will have to wait for a few more days. Meanwhile Icria stayed with the Kyubimon tribe, and slept, and dreamed.

Their day of fun ended and they were returning home. Kris was happily playing her Nintendo DS while sitting down on an open seat. Haruki and Icria sat together on the other side of the train. Suoh had to stand, but he was near Kris and watching her play.

"Kris sure has a lot of energy," Icria sighed while staring at her between the crowding people that were standing.

"You do too," Haruki complimented.

"That's because we didn't play a soccer game this morning like some people." Haruki laughed. "That wasn't supposed to be funny."

"I know," he smiled and put his arm around her shoulders.

"Stop that," she blushed.

"Why? You know you like it." Haruki still had a smirk on his face.

"I won't lie about that but, it's…embarrassing," Icria stumbled. "I bet Suoh and Kris know."

"That I kissed you?"

"Somewhere along that line…"

"Hey Icria," Haruki paused.

"What?"

"Promise me something." Icria waited for his request. Haruki leaned closer and whispered it into her ear. She froze and instantly turned bright red.

"I'm serious," he stated after seeing her reaction. Icria looked down at her legs for a while. They didn't talk until two stops later. Haruki waited

"Alright," Icria sighed. Haruki smiled and kissed her on the cheek as a show of appreciation.

"I told you to stop that!" Icria yelled. Haruki laughed again.

Icria had been thinking about what he said on the way home and ignored Kris's babbling. Because she was too focused on the thought, Lilithmon snuck up from behind her and trapped her soul while Icria's body collapsed. Suoh and Haruki rushed back to help. Haruki knew that's when their deal started.

Episode seventeen The Gap Between Future and Past

I don't like any of them, so why should I bother, Haruki thought. His mom came back through the door with another family.

"Haruki, this is the Fujji family," she called pointing to the three people coming through the door. Haruki sat up straight and tried to smile.

"We think their daughter would be the perfect inheritance to our family," his mom continued.

"But mom, I'm only nine," Haruki objected.

"Unless you find someone else that is suited for our family by the time you're eighteen, she's your fiancée," his mom strictly scowled. Then she walked out of the room with the Fujii family. He didn't have to marry her anyways. His mom drove them back home, but got in an accident on the way. With his mom and the girl's family out of the way, no one could make decisions for him.

"Haruki?" Suoh waved his hand in front of his face. Haruki blinked back to reality. "We got to get moving."

"I'm coming," Haruki sighed and got up. They had taken a long rest in the meadow so his butt was sore. Kris was already walking far away with Zoe and JP who had come to the digital world for a visit.

A few hours later, they crossed a small house in the middle of the field. It was poorly built from mud, sticks and straws, but well supported. There were many small digimons bouncing across the field playing together. One group saw them approach.

"Intruder! Intruder!" a digimon shouted. Then the four digimon started to bounce quickly towards them.

"Vee headbutt!" it shouted and smacked JP down with his head.

"What's your problem!?" JP shouted. "Can't we just pass through?!"

"You'll have to fight your way out."

"Stubborn little kid," JP mumbled. "Suoh, give me my spirits!" Suoh was already taking care of another digimon.

"Poison Ivy!" a plant digimon yelled and wrapped up Kris and Zoe. The last one went for Haruki

"Diamond Shell!" Armadillomon curled up into a ball and rolled rapidly. Another digimon came out from the side and attacked back.

"Harguru Attack!" Armadillomon curled out from his shell a few meters from Haruki. Armadillomon and the rest at them stared at Hagurumon harshly.

"You can't attack the legendary warriors!" Hagurumon yelled. The ignored him and walked back to their playground. The little floating gear turned around in joy.

"You've returned! You've returned!" he jumped up and down. Suoh, Haruki, and Kris were in silence and thought he had issues. Then JP bent down and gave Hagurumon a high-five.

"How've you been little guy?" JP smiled.

"Nothing really changed," he shrugged. "Why don't you come inside for a little bit?"

"That'd be great, buddy." Everyone followed Harugurmon and JP, trying not to act stupid by asking any questions.

They entered the little straw hut that had two digimon inside. They were fixing a leak that was high on the roof. One of the digimon had to use the ladder. The other one flew.

"Gabumon!" Zoe cried. He twitched his ears and turned around. Gabumon fell off the ladder from shock. Zoe held onto him tightly.

"Since when did you guys get back?" Gabumon rubbed his head.

"Just today," Zoe replied.

"Well I guess we're in luck. I think we could use a little extra hand up there." Gabumon pointed to the open hole that was half done. The flying digimon finished nailing the last piece of wood and flew down to greet everyone.

"Zoe, JP!" she said cheerfully and hugged them both. She had huge green wings that looked like leaves and had a flower as her head and body.

"Psst, Gabumon," Zoe whispered. "Who is she?"

"That's Lilymon…" he replied.

"You don't remember me, children?" Lilymon released them from her hug. Zoe and JP looked at her for a while.

"Nope," they both replied. Lilymon sighed. Suoh, Haruki, and Kris were getting bored.

"Maybe she's the owner of this place?" Haruki suggested from the absolute silence.

"Togomon?" they both said at once.

"That took you a while," Lilymon smiled.

"Almost everyone in the school has digivolved now," said Hagurumon.

"Oh, you're Kapurimon aren't you?" Zoe asked. Hagurumon gave a blank look.

"You JUST realized?"

"Sorry," Zoe laughed. "It's been too long."

"Zoe, we need to get moving," Haruki whispered.

"I know, but I love this place," Zoe sighed and thought back at the first time she was here. Haruki took out his digivice and released the spirits of wind. It absorbed into Zoe without her feeling anything.

"We're leaving in two hours." Haruki got up and walked away. Zoe returned to the hut where Beetlemon had already joined the party.

"This place is a little bigger than I last remember," Zoe stated.

"It is," Gabumon replied. "Since everyone grew bigger, we had to make the shelter bigger." A few digimon had come through the door with more chopped wood. They left immediately after dropping them off. Gabumon and Hagurumon took a log from the pile and started to carve it nicely.

"You can help bring the wood to them," Gabumon stated after watching Zoe stare at them fomr a long time.

"Right," Zoe briefly spoke. "Execute, Spirit Evolution! Kazemon!" There was a small pile of wood by the corner of the room. Kazemon picked up two and handed them to Beetlemon and Lilymon who were nailing it into the roof. It was the best job since they were the only three who could fly.

"You're not yourself lately," Suoh spoke while approaching Haruki who was leaning under a tree.

"What about it?" Haruki glared.

"It's not right to snap at people around you cause of your own problems."

'Like you said, beast spirits aren't easy."

"That's not your reason."

"Then what do you think it is?"

"Icria." Haruki stopped talking. He closed his eyes and thought for a bit. Then he turned his head in the other direction.

"That's not it either. Just think about it. We're all having emotional breakdowns right now. Icria thinks she doesn't have anyone she can trust. Kris is lacking in friends, and…" Haruki paused.

"What's your problem then?"

"Fear."
"Fear?"

"Fear of becoming someone I don't want to be." They were both quiet.

"Now you're just coping Linkin Park."

"Yeah, I guess so," Haruki laughed. He started to recite their lyrics. "Tired of being what you what me to be; feeling so faithless, lost under the surface. Don't know what you're expecting of me. Put under the pressure, of walking in your shoes."

"So what's the cause?" Haruki sighed and stopped singing.

"I'm too smexy," he joked.

"What?"

"I mean, everyone falls for me just because I'm hot. Even my parents want to arrange my marriage because I attract too many people."

"That's….odd…." Suoh was expecting something more common, like divorce or deaths.

"My parents got me a fiancée when I was nine," Haruki continued. Suoh dropped his jaw. Haruki laughed at his expression. "But she's not my fiancée anymore because they died in a car crash…with my mom...

"Her parents died, so did my mom. I didn't stay long enough to know if my fiancée survived. We moved here in Shinjuku after that. Since that, my dad didn't care who I chose to date, but he said he'll make the final decision later on."

"How many girls have you dated since?" Haruki counted in his head. He took a long time to remember the names.

"Twenty-three or twenty-four," he responded. "But I stopped dating after 7th grade ended; I figured it was pointless anyways."

"Until Icria came?"
"Icria and I aren't dating." Suoh paused.

"But I did make a deal with her," Haruki continued. He didn't want to tell everyone else about it though. Icria especially didn't want anyone to know.

"And what was that?" Suoh asked curiously.

"Not telling."

"Why not?"

"You'll see," Haruki smiled at the clear sky. But then huge dark clouds blew in rapidly and the breeze turned into gust.

"Help us!" A digimon called. It started to run towards them. They were quite far away from the school, which took at least three minutes to run to. The digimon was an in-training digimon.

"Help! Help! They're coming! They're coming!" It jumped up and down rapidly. Haruki grabbed onto the digimon as it shivered in his arms.

"What's coming?" Suoh asked calmly.

"The Wind! The Storm! The tribes! The house is going to go boom!" It rhymed. Suoh and Haruki ran back for the school, pretending to know what the digimon was saying. When the school came into view, There were multiple black dots surrounding the small house. All the little digimon were inside, with the exception of rookie level digimon.

Gabumon, Hagurumon, Palmon, Veemon, Impmon, and Armidillomon stood together on the ground and prepared for a fight. Kris stood with them too. Lilymon, Kazemon, and Beetlemon were high in the air.

"It's them again!" Haruki yelled.

"But why are they here? Aren't they only after the Kyubimons?" Suoh questioned.

"Thunder Blast!" one Raidramon fired at a rookie digimon.

"Blue Blaster!"

"Command Imput!" Gaubmon and Hagurumon attacked at the same time. It canceled out Raidramons' attack. Then war began.

"Execute! Puissiancemon!"

"Slide evolution!" Kazemon and Beetlemon yelled.
"Zephyrmon!"
"MetalKabuterimon!"

"Gabumon digivolve to…Garurumon!"

"Hagurumon digivolve to…Guardromon!"

"Impmon digivolve to…Beelzemon!"

"Suoh face it, we can't do anything," Haruki spoke. Let them have the battle for once.

"At least do something," Suoh rolled his eyes. "It's no fun if we just stand here." Haruki agreed. Suoh took the soccer ball from the playground and Haruki broke the metal pole of the slide to use as a stick.

"I haven't done kendo in a long time," Haurki smiled and twirled the stick in his hand. He dropped the digimon and told him to run inside the house while they were guarding him.

"Let's go."

Suoh and Haruki charged up towards the battlefield. Suoh kicked the soccer ball at them so that they lost balance. Haruki whacked, smash, and poked the Raidramons around him with his stick. The little digimon made it back into the house safely.

Idiots, Puissiancemon thought and continued her battle. Although the rookie digimon were not strong enough, they were easily fought off with the help of Zephyrmon and MetalKabuterimon. Since some of the digimon were now champion levels, they could take on a Raidramon on their own. Their battle ended with only five Raidramons standing. They retreated back into the forest.

The in-training digimon, especially, cheered on spontaneously of their victory. Zephyrmon and MetalKabuterimon were just happy to feel the experience again as a legendary warrior.

"Don't get your hopes up," a voice called from a cliff above them. "I needed to dispose the Raidramons anyways." Haruki's hand clenched into a fist again. Raiden.

"You used them!?" Haruki growled.

"What else was I supposed to do with a pack of Raidramons?"

"Why did you use them in the first place?"

"To get what I was supposed to." Raiden held up the lying fox next to him and threw her off the cliff. The unconscious Kyubimon landed by their feet. Then Raiden picked up Icria from the ground and carried her on his shoulder. "Jealous?"

Haruki wanted to punch him badly, but he had to keep his temper under control. The Kyubimon rose slowly.

"Dragon Wheel!" She leaped higher than Raiden's head and came smashing down. Raiden dodged easily due to Kyubimon's lack of speed and strength. She kept on trying to attack Raiden. Haruki impatiently started to climb the side of the cliff. Suoh followed.

"Sorry, we'll be off now," Zephyrmon called to Lilymon. Kyubimon continued to attack and drew Raiden farther away from the school. The rest of the school watched as they disappeared behind the rocks.

Episode eighteen Elemental Leakage

Haruki swiftly made it to the top of the cliff. He wandered around in the dense forest and was the first to find Raiden. However, Raiden wasn't running away; he was fighting. Raiden and Icria were both fighting with their bare hands, using only punch and kicks.

Even though Icria is a ninja expert, Raiden was already a skilled trainee before he transferred into Icria's ninja academy. They were equally matched.

"If you are so good, why do you bother going to the academy," Icria glared.

"I wanted to see what skills you use so I can beat you easier at times like this," Raiden replied coldly. "But you're just the same as before."

"You didn't see me fight before, only your sister did." Icria paused. Her face was emotionless."Besides that was seven years ago." After countless attacks and no damage, they both switched into spirit mode.

"Execute!"

"Aeromon!"
"Sealsdramon!"

They both clashed their weapons together. Haruki continued to stare at the battle helplessly. Then two digimons slammed into one other and separated the fight. One took Aeromon, the other took Sealsdramon.

"Aeromon, it's me," Lobomon called while restraining her around her neck. Aeromon fiercely struggled and bit his arm. They started to fight.

"What business do you have with my sister?" Loweemon growled. Sealsdramon didn't answer but didn't attack either. He held still in his position.

"Crystal Freeze!" and ice formed below Sealsdramon's feet. Sealsdramon slowly turned around without fear. A bear-like digimon glared back. Then Loweemon attacked while he wasn't looking. The ice broke and he fell back.

"Tommy?" Haruki asked. It was his first time seeing the legendary warrior of ice, other than himself. Kumamon smiled and made a peace sign with his fingers.

"Sorry we're a bit late," he said.

"I don't mind…" Haruki replied plainly. Then Kumamon went on fighting by Lowemon's side. Beetlemon joined in later, while Kazemon and Agunimon slid in with Lobomon. Haruki and Suoh just stood there.

"That one's Takuya right?" Haruki asked while pointing to the man with long, yellow hair and red armor.

"Yea," Suoh briefly replied. They both sighed in boredom.

"Why aren't you fighting?" Suoh turned to Kris who was standing next to them.

"This is a job for the past digidestineds," Kris responded. "Just because no one possessed by spirits before, doesn't mean I should fight just because I have the spirits. Look at them. IT's perfect scenery. Bokomon would've been proud." Kris too sighed, but with relief. She stared mostly at Agunimon and Kumamon because she had never seen them fight.

Sealsdramon and Aeromon fought effortlessly. Aeromon could pass Agunimon's fire punches and block Lobomon's light sabers at the same time. When they both attacked at the same time, she would fly in the air where they couldn't reach and then fought off Kazemon. Her gusts of winds were harmless.

While Sealsdramon and Lowemon also had a sword fight, Kumamon would strike down with his Frozen Tundra. Then Sealsdramon would somehow disappear and be next to Beetlemon the next second.

Suoh stiffened then Haruki and Kris. Aeromon and Sealsdramon stopped fighting and were still too. The rest of the legendary warriors waited. Their senses were not strong enough to detect the new kind of power in the digital world. Sealsdramon suddenly retreated up to the top of the trees. Aeromon bent over to touch her fingers to the ground. She created a huge wind from behind her that blew the legendary warriors father back. Aeromon stopped and made sure they kept that distance.

"Suoh, what's going on?" Agunimon demanded. Suoh slightly trembled, but didn't respond. The three of them stared at Aeromon from the same spot. Agunimon turned to Loweemon. "How about you? Do you feel anything?"

"Just a little," Loweemon said honestly. "The scent is weak, but it's strong."

"Let's change back," Suoh requested. He held out his digivice. Agunimon knew that it'd be pointless for them to be fighting something they can't feel. He accepted and brought the spirit back into his digivice. JP returned his too. Zoe and Tommy gave theirs back to Haruki.

Haruki stared at Aeromon. She had cold eyes but didn't move. The only part that made her seem alive was her long, blue hair swaying to the side. He spoke.

"You again?" Haruki sneered.

"Is that how you greet an old acquaintance?" She appeared behind Aeromon and wrapped her in darkness. Lilithmon petted her face as if she was a doll. Aeromon didn't move.

"Execute!"

"MetalGarudamon!"
"JagerGryphomon!"

"Pussiancemon!" Lilithmon held out her mechanical hand the moment they evolved.

"Darkness Love!" A dark purple ball of spark formed quickly and shot at them. They avoided it fast enough, but it nearly stuck the other helpless digidestineds. Pussiancemon created a giant wall of mud to protect them while they were fighting.

Lilithmon sent more towards MetalGarudamon. JagerGryphomon tackled her from the back, but then Aeromon suddenly shifted and smacked JagerGryphomon with her staff. He growled at her, but Aeromon still showed no emotions.

"As long as she's under my Phantom Pain spell, she'll only obey me," Lilithmon said with her back still turned and attacking. She seemed more amused from teasing MetalGarudamon than actually trying to hit him. "If you want to kill me, you have to get pass her first," she smiled.

Pussiancemon, with nothing to fight, slide evolved into Magiemon. "Coral Escapade!"

Aeromon was wrapped in her vines that rose from the ground. JagerGryphomon passed her and aimed for Lilithmon. Somehow Aeromon got out of her vines quick enough to stop JagerGryphomon again. She kicked him this time and he flew through three trees.

MetalGarudamon flew towards Lilithmon. He started to use his claws to block Lilithmon's attacks instead of flying away. They stung his fingers. He aimed his claws at Lilithmon's face. Lilithmon just smiled as Aeromon came in front of her again and punched MetalGarudamon in the stomach. Then she turned towards Magiemon and pointed her staff at her. Aeromon released her attack.

Magiemon crashed into the wall she made to protect the others. The wall cracked a little, but was still supportive. MetalGarudamon was the only one who was still fighting. They fought higher in the air, cutting down trees one by one. Instead of torturing Haruki and Kris, Lilithmon tilted her head upward and stared at their battle.

They flew at an equal speed. However, Aeromon rarely attacked. MetalGarudamon continued to claw at her. He got her once on her shoulder, but then Aeromon returned the damage on his leg.

"Lightning Rod!"

"Solar Flare!" Whenever MetalGarudamon attacked, Aeromon either dodges it, or cancels out the attack. The battle continued like this for hours.

During one attack, the smoke from the impact was blocking Aeromon's view. MetalGarudamon flew towards the other side and attacked from there. Aeromon fell from the lack of strength. She dropped in front of Lilithmon and dedigivolved.

MetalGarudamon landed several feet away next to everyone else. Icria was still. He prepared for an attack directly at Lilithmon.

"Must I remind you," Lilithmon spoke. "Your friend will defend me with her life." Then Icria started to struggle to stand up. She spread her arms in defense. MetalGarudamon lowered his spear of lightning. He stared at Icria for a while, and then lifted his spear again.

"Suoh!" Everyone screamed. He ignored them.

"Lightning Rod!" MetalGarudamon shouted and threw it directly at Icria. A few moments before it had reached her face, Icria rolled out onto the side and let it hit Lilithmon; a direct hit.

Lilithmon flinched a little, but once she shook the static off of her, she glared at Icria. Icria weakly stood. Lilithmon aimed her hand at her and fired. Icria tired to move, but it hit her on her back. She lay on the floor, struggling to run. With her distracted, MetalGarudamon flew towards Lilithmon. He pulled his hand forward and slashed Lilithmon across her neck.

Without her bodyguard, Lilithmon sneered back at MetalGarudamon and retreated back into the darkness. Suoh met up with the rest of the crowd around Icria.

"How did you know?" Takuya asked. Suoh was puzzled.

"Huh?"

"How did you know she was going to move out of the way?" Takuya repeated.

"She told me," Suoh glimpsed at Icria. Haruki had picked her up onto his back. Her eyes were barely opened, but she nodded at Suoh.

"The first thing I noticed was that her eyes weren't cold anymore," Suoh continued. "Then she made a fast wink that told me to attack."

"At least you understood for once," Icria insulted quietly. Suoh sighed, but then laughed. Koji and Koichi approached towards her and gave her back the spirits.

"You guys did great," she complimented.

"It's too much for us now," Koichi blushed. "It was more fun back then when we had an adventure."

"But now it's your turn to experience it," Koji continued. Icria nodded. The spirits gave her a little more energy. She was wide awake now, but still couldn't walk. They traveled back through Kris's laptop where Katsuharu, Teppi, Chiaki, and Teruo were waiting. Kasuharu and Teppi were playing video games together while Chiaki was reading on the sofa. The digidestineds fell out of the computer while Teruo was surfing the internet. Teruo remained at the bottom of the pile while the others stared blankly at the room.

"Whose house are we in?" Kris questioned.

"It's Chiaki's house," Zoe replied. "She said she'll watch over the computer while we're gone."

"Even if I went back to the digital world, I would've been no help," Chiaki replied with her soft voice. "We all decided to help out as much as we can in the real world."

"Yea, next time you need us to watch over the computer again, we'll be more than glad to do it!" Katsuharu shouted. Then he went back to the game and won later on. Teppi argued about the unfairness of how he always wins.

"So these are the other kids you met before?" Suoh whispered. Takuya nodded. Katsuharu and Teppi were acting immaturely. Chiaki was talking to Zoe and Kris. She seemed shy. Then they noticed there were only three out of the four. They realized they were sitting on Teruo the whole time.

The rest of the afternoon was spent partying in Chiaki's house. They quit the video games and started a karaoke. JP and Tommy were mostly eating. The girls constantly stared at the song list and took a long time to decide on a song. Katsuharu and Teppi sung terrible duets while they were scanning through the list. The rest of the boys talked among each other.

Everyone but Koji, Koichi, Icria, and Terou sung. They forced Icria to sing the last song. She sighed and pointed at a song from the list. In the end, everyone was amazed at how well she could sing. They wanted her to sing another, but she sat down and refused.

"Then how about a duet with me?" Haruki joked. "Would that make you feel better?" Icria slowly pushed him away, but then he approached again and grabbed her around her waist. Everyone stared in surprise.

"You like to humiliate me don't you?" Icria blushed.

"Why not?" Haruki laughed. "You do it all the time to Suoh." Suoh glared. Some of them laughed. "But you still remember your promise right?"

"…yea…" Icria sighed.

"Good, so now we can have some fun tonight."

"What!?"

"I'm kidding…" Haruki kissed her on the forehead and then went back to browsing the list of songs.

"Can you tell me what the promise was now?" Suoh asked. Haruki smiled.

"If we could save her from Lilithmon, then she'd have to date me," he stated proudly.

Episode nineteen A Swim Party

"They're much stronger than before," Lilithmon defended. "It's nothing compared to Lucemon and a year ago." Her hands were folded across her chest, and she was leaning against the wall.

"You let a few children lay a scratch you?" the digimon laughed in his deep voice. "And lost your servant as well, it's very amusing."

"I had a servant of greater power than you do."

"But I had mine longer and more up to its usefulness. Your servant only keeps losing control and fainting," he taunted. "And in the end, she deceived you too."

"The light and darkness is always better than steel and wood. Your servant has also been defeated once," she reminded. "It's time for you to come out of the shadows as well." The digimon smiled evilly, but didn't accept Lilithmon's offer. Instead, Lilithmon went out on her own to fight again.

"Icria, time to wake up," Kris sung while pushing her lightly. Icria was back at home in her bed, but Kris came over to visit. It was already 10am. They stayed up until 2am last night at Chiaki's house. Icria couldn't understand how Kris could still have so much energy with five hours of sleep. She pulled the covers over her head and turned around.

"Lazy bum," Kris snorted.

"I haven't slept for a week in case you haven't noticed. Not like I can really sleep in my own mind…"

"Not like you have anything to be tired from while wandering in your own mind."

"The spirits still haunt me," she muttered.

"Why?"

"Don't ask me, ask Lobomon and Loweemon. They keep showing me their memories of the past. I can barely sleep peacefully with them around."

"Then just give it back to Koji and Koichi."

"I need to get used to it anyways..." Then Icria fell back asleep. Kris didn't bother her. After all, Suoh and Haruki had just entered the room to wake her up.

"We got to go to the amusement park today remember?" Suoh asked. "Koji and Koichi already left, let's get going." Haruki started to lean towards Icria. His lips were next to her ear.

"Get up," Haruki whispered quietly. "Or do I have to help you undress too?"

"I'm up," Icria responded quickly and bounced off the bed. She walked over and opened her drawers. "Boys, out." Suoh was already heading outside door.

"Are you sure you don't need help?" Haurki winked.

"OUT!" Icria repeated. He closed the door behind him.

Icria was done in less than five minutes and they all rode on the train for half an hour to Disneyland. They met up with the rest at the front gate, including Katsuharu, Teppi, Chiaki, and Terou. The group now consisted of fourteen people.

Kris, Zoe, and Chiaki went to Fantasyland where most shops were located. Katsuharu, Teppi, and Tommy mainly went to the arcades. Takuya, Suoh, JP, and Koji (by force) spent their day on the rides. Icria, Haruki, Koichi, and Terou did whatever became their interest. They mostly went on small rides or basic carnival games.

"Let's go on that one now," JP pointed to the huge, green waterslide.

"I'm not getting wet," Koji objected. Takuya had already got in line and dragged him along. It took them two hours to dry off after the ride.

After lunch, they all met back and rode on the bus to the nearby water park, the Typhoon Lagoon. All fourteen stayed together most of the time. Most of the rides were water slides, if not, a ride through the creek that runs through the entire park. They spun around and collided into each other for fun as the current pulls them. A few times, someone would fall into the little hole in the middle of the tube.

Haruki swiftly collided into Icria while she was napping on the tube. She flipped over, grabbed onto another tube, and pulled down the person in front of her along with her into the water. When they got back to the surface, they stared at each other blankly.

"Rai!" Icria yelled in a happy voice. Raiden slightly smile and nodded.

"Sorry, I don't approve of your appearance," Haruki stated and pulled Icria away.

"I'm just taking a vacation like the rest of you," Raiden defended.

"And our enemy just has to wind up in the same place we do all the time, such a coincidence," Haruki emphasized. They swam a little towards the opposite direction of the current so Raiden flowed away father.

"What do you have against him?" Icria demanded.

"Why are you defending him? He's an enemy!"

"He's not like that!" Icria objected. "He's just like me, except he's been brainwashed for a much longer time. Do you think someone like him would really want to kill us?"

"You seem to know something we don't."

"Many things," Icria paused. "But they wouldn't mean anything to you."

"So are you saying you WANT us to lose?"

"We're not losing anything!"

"I'm losing you! You're always taking on his side!"

Then they both shut up after that. The others were floating behind and kept out of the conversation.

"Just give him a chance," Icria muttered. Looking at Haruki's expression, it looked like he didn't want to.

They all left the creek after an hour and went to the surf pool. Most of them spent their time on the sand. Takuya and Suoh went ahead near the big waves. Raiden was also in the same area. He tapped Icria's shoulder while she was sitting down. Icria followed him into the waters secretly when the others weren't looking.

"What is it?" Icria asked.

"Lilithmon's coming back," Raiden stated. They swam towards the deep area of the pool. "She's not after you though. It's Haruki."

"Why him?"

"Cause he has more darkness in his heart than you do." Icria thought about it for a while, and then found out the reason.

"While Phelesmon is still idle, I think I should help," Raiden continued.

"He wouldn't trust you."

"Then tell him to." As a huge wave lifts them up, they were drawn closer to Suoh and Takuya. Suoh drifted into Raiden. He turned around.

"Rai?" Suoh stared. Then saw Icria next to him. He glared at her, demanding an explanation. Raiden spoke for her.

"Lilithmon's coming back to attack," Raiden began.

"And how do you know that?" Suoh spat.

"Cause she's here already." Suoh, Takuya, and Icria looked around for Lilithmon. Nothing. Then Icria glared at the water they were in.

What are you saying now? Icria asked in her head to Lobomon. Then he showed his memory of the battle with Ranamon. There were huge typhoons of water that Ranamon was controlling. She was fighting with Kazemon with a big advantage.

Back in reality, another wave was slowly forming. It appeared larger than normal and it was a good thing no one around them dared to approach it. Some swam back to shore.

"Get Kris!" Icria screamed. "She can handle the water!"

"What about Haruki?" Raiden asked.

"I guess…him too," Icria sighed.

"I'll go get them," Takuya volunteered. He swam as fast as he could back to shore. The small waves helped push him to go faster. The three were already riding on the big wave with no one else around. Everyone had already swum away, but had not left the pool. The wave had swallowed the three of them underwater.

As soon as Takuya got back to shore, Kris and Haruki immediately dived in and swam underwater, avoiding all the legs and feet around them. They used their human spirits to swim faster and did not come out of the water for air.

Air didn't seem necessary. Because Lilithmon had came out of a digital gate somewhere underwater, the fractal code was released into the area around them and allowed them to breathe. Lilithmon was standing gracefully at the bottom of the pool which was fifty feet deep.

At first she just stood there and didn't attack even though she saw everyone present. Then Raiden just wanted to prove to everyone he wasn't an enemy and went to attack without even spirit evolving. Lilithmon took no interest and waved her hand through the water. It created a wavy blow that pushed Raiden farther away.

Magiemon used the same attack on Lilithmon since she was the best in attacking in and with water. Lilithmon slid back an inch. Then this time, Lilithmon used a real attack from her mechanical hand. She first directed one at Raiden, then Magiemon, and then Koorimon.

Their reflexes were slower in water, but Raiden was able to dodge it. Magiemon canceled out the attack with her water defending skills. Koorimon sliced the energy ball in pieces with his sword. Just when he looked up, Lilithmon was swimming closer to him.

She was already less than five feet apart. Magiemon had too many bubbles flying around from the explosion to see or help Koorimon. Lilithmon grabbed onto Koorimon's sword and threw it out of his hands. Defenseless, Lilithmon directly attacked with another energy ball. But then Icria swam in front of her and blocked Koorimon. She held back her attack.

Lilthmon continued to stare at Icria while the others surrounded her. After a while, she gave up and began attacking Magiemon again.

"A dark soul," Icria mouthed to Koorimon. "A dark, defenseless soul is the only thing she can use as power."

"Yet," Raiden continued. "It's the only thing she needs to become invincible."

Episode twenty Fly With Broken Wings

"We'll defeat her," Icria hoped. "Just keep your mind together."

"Are you saying I have a dark soul?" Koorimon replied coldly.

"Why else do you think Lilithmon was just after you? She stopped when I stepped in front of her because I don't have a dark soul and she can't pass me to get to yours."

"Icria, just get in the fight with the rest of us," said Raiden. Icria didn't wait for his reply and swam away towards Lilithmon.

"You can head on back to shore," Raiden said to Koorimon.

"Don't' tell me what to do."

"Or we could use you as bait, but I don't think Icria would be happy with that." Then Raiden began to swim away.

"Wait, how do you know so much?" Koorimon asked with a change of tone in his voice.

"I'm a legendary warrior to aren't I?"

"I meant about Icria."

"I've known her longer than you have. Did she ever talk about Kohana?"

"No."

"Then I shouldn't be saying anything. Look if you want to help, you have to be strong. Can you do that?"

"A lot better than you can," Koorimon teased.

"Execute!"

"Diosmon!"

"Aeromon!"

"Sealsdramon!"

Magiemon's water dragon was still fighting. She was now controlling two of them at once. Sealsdramon was the first to attack. He tackled Lilithmon into the bottom of the pool. Diosmon and Magiemon were still unsure about whose side he was on.

"Death Behind!" Sealsdramon took out his knives and rushed towards Lilithmon. She swam away before he jabbed his knives into the spot where she was lying. Then Diosmon kicked Lilithmon by her waist without the fire rising from his body. She caught him and threw him towards Koorimon.

Aeromon rushed in from behind with her solar flare attack. Lilithmon instantly avoided it and appeared behind Aeromon. She grabbed onto her arms so she couldn't move or attack.

"Forget it, you still can't control the spirits," Lilithmon teased. "Why don't you just let me take away the trouble for you?" Aeromon didn't respond. She was struggling to get free and kicking Lilithmon at the same time. Then some invisible force hit Lilithmon as she let go.

"Coral Escapade!" Magiemon shouted. The sand from the bottom of the pool was rising and clenched tightly around Lilithmon.

"There is so much darkness in your past," Lilithmon growled. "How come you're not affected at all by the darkness?"

"Because there is no need to fear the past, only to survive for the future," Magiemon replied calmly. "The past is never going to change, no matter how you wish it never happened. You can only move on to the things you want for your future."

Magiemon slide evolved into Puissancemon. She summoned a giant dragon, using most of the sand in the entire pool. Unable to move, Lilithmon was struck down.

"Fractal code digitize!" Puissancemon took the fractal code from Lilithmon. Her digiegg drifted towards the center of the digiport, and went back home. Even as digimon, they couldn't breathe without oxygen (unless they were a water type like Seadramon). Now that the gate was sealed up, they returned to their human forms and floated to the surface.

The giant waves were finally settled, thinking it was just an exaggeration to the staff's view. The tourists returned back into the pool and the digidestineds swam back to shore overwhelmed.

"She's gone! Finally gone!" Kris shouted happily. Then she fell onto the sand in exhaustion.

"I guess it wasn't that hard one you found her weakness," Takuya stated.

"How did you know her weakness?" Suoh asked.

"Well duh, why wouldn't I know the weakness of someone who possessed me?" Icria sighed. "There's something else you ought to know." They all turned around.

"Remember the demon lords I mentioned a while back after school? That Lilithmon was one of them and so were three others?" Suoh, Kris and Haruki nodded. Icria didn't know he told them about it before. Back then, she was too far away to listen, plus Lilithmon had erased her memory of the digital world. To Icria, they looked like they were normal teenagers fighting.

"Well, now I'll really tell you," Raiden continued. "And honestly, I didn't think you guys weren't worthy to hold the spirits. I'm really no better at controlling than Icria."

"Funny," Icria glared.

"Anyways," Icria went on. "Lilithmon is one of the demon lords. Phelesmon is another and he's the one that's controlling Rai. We don't know about the last two. But each demon lord has a special ability that will really benefit them in battle.

"Lilithmon's was to control dark souls. It allows her to control the body of the victim. Phelesmon takes over the victim's mind. It will change his/her thoughts into thinking something other than what they really think. But they both need to have a lot of darkness in their hearts in order for the demon lords to control then. I know the last one can manipulate the body without needing a dark heart, as if the victim was just a puppet."

"Is there a certain hideout we could possibly find them in?" Suoh asked.

"No, they're scattered all over the digital world," Raiden replied. "They're not very friendly with each other. Besides, you don't want to run into them now, you're not prepared."

"But we have to or else you'll always be a slave to Phelesmon," Haruki objected.

"That's true but I don't mind that. I mean, I'm not that big of an importance. It's better you stay away from Phelesmon as much as possible. That includes me."

"What do you mean you're not a big importance?" said Suoh. "You're a legendary warrior just like us. We have to help you."

"That's now what you said a few hours ago," Raiden muttered. Suoh didn't hear him.

"Stop acting like Icria all over again," Kris yelled. Icria glared again. "If you're asking us to leave you alone, you're simply just begging us to help you."

"I'd hate to admit but Kris is right," Icria spoke. "All we've been doing this whole time is trying to survive from each other. Now that we're all here, it's time to really be the legendary warriors and save the digital world." Raiden didn't argue with that.

"Alright then," Raiden sighed. "But don't think I'd go easy on you."

"Totally Icria all over again," Kris chuckled. Icria softly dropped her fist on top of Kris's head. They enjoyed the rest of their day digimon free at the Typhoon Lagoon.

When Raiden returned home, his parents weren't back yet. He went into the room of his sister's.

"You should've came," Raiden spoke. His sister was one year younger than him.

"It wouldn't have made much of a difference. I'm glad you had fun though," she responded and smiled sweetly.

Episode Twenty-One Bunnies and Eggs

Raiden was finally accepted into the group of digidestineds. Later on, Haruki introduced him to Takuya and the others. While training, Raiden was able to unleash his beast spirit, Tankdramon, without Phelesmon entering his mind at any moment. They were given about two month's time before the next major adventure and battle occurred. By then the team was getting used to their spirits and are almost there to mastering it.

"Happy Eater!" Kris shouted.

"For the last time Kris, we don't celebrate random bunnies giving out colored eggs in Japan!" Suoh sighed.

"Japan is no fun," she commented. "If we were in America we would have a week of vacation right now.

"Once we go into the digital world you can have fun with your wild bunny imagination and pretend it's America." As usual, the five met up at the abandoned computer lab after school and traveled to the digital world. This time Kris picked the worst spot possible for training, the Primary Village.

"Ugh! You are obsessed!" Suoh groaned when he saw a billion colorful digieggs lying in almost every spot possible.

"It's Easter!" Kris explained.

"NOT IN JAPAN! Now how are we supposed to train with a billion infants everywhere?"

"By having a race to see who can destroy the most the fastest," Rai teased.

"Definitely not funny," Icria commented. Swanmon, the protector of the village, appeared and greeted them. She explained how more are showing up everyday due to the rapid decline in the Digimon population and asks if they could do anything about it.

"It's definitely not possible for us to pinpoint the locations of where Digimon are declining," Kris stated. "The best we can do is defeat the source which has to be one of the remaining three you-know-whats."

"We're not reading for that," Haruki sighed. "Anyways, we have to make sacrifices somehow."

"But on the innocent Digimon?" Suoh questioned. Regardless, the team traveled to the nearest town to investigate. Huge rocks were scattered everywhere and there was not a single Digimon to be seen.

"This can't be a town," Kris stated. "There's nothing here."

"There are a few Digimons that still live here," Haruki corrected. "Their energy is weak but I can still feel it." Suddenly a small buzzing sound came from the distance. They scanned the area to see where it was coming from.

"Maybe that can explain the mass murder," Rai glared as he pointed towards an incoming motorcyclist from far away approaching at an amazing speed.

"It appears to be a Beelzemon," said Icria.

"Actually a Beelzebumon," Rai corrected. "They're slightly stronger than regular Beelzemon. Plus, this one's a servant of the Demon Lords. We shouldn't wait until he approaches. He can attack from a long distance." With that in mind, the five evolved into their beast spirits, MetalGarudamon, JagerGryphomon, SaberKyubimon, Pussiancemon, and Tankdramon. Within seconds Beelzebumon launched his first bullet attack even though he was still at least a mile away. Tankdramon was about to counterattack it with one of his missiles. Seconds after that Beelzebumon was already a few feet away from their standing point.

Their battle continued to consist of defense and counterattacks. No one could achieve an accurate shot that was able to hit Beelzebumon. MetalGarudamon brilliantly decided to set the battle field slightly on fire. Beelzebumon abruptly stopped since he can't ride his motorcycle past the burning flames. Caught in the middle, they launched their attacks.

"Lightning Rod!"

"Avalanche Missle!"

"Ryden Wind!"

"Earth Dragon Summoning!"

"Blast Gatling!"

Although Beelzebumon's motorcycle had been completely blown to pieces, Beelzebumon himself was nowhere to be seen. JagerGryphmon notices a strange shadow being casted from above him. By the time he turned around it was too late.

"Darkness Claw!" Beelzebumon attacked with his glowing sharp claws. MetalGarudamon who was flying next to JagerGryphomon knocked Beelzebumon towards the side short after the attack. JagerGryphomon fell to the ground and dedigivolved. When Beelzebumon aroused from the floor, the rest had already encircled him again. Unexpected, an attack came from behind and hit Beelzebumon. A group of Yukidarumon were standing behind him, ready to attack again. Seeing himself completely outnumbered and surrounded, Beelzebumon quickly fled faster than anyone could see.

The group of abominable snow bears welcomed the digidestineds to their somewhat village. Kris quickly treated Haruki's wound for Beelzebumon's attack contained dark chemicals that could infect his system. Meanwhile the Yukidarumon explained how Beelzebumon have been around for quite a while, destroying any Digimon he sees. That's why most of their village had perished and why they must stay inside the majority of the time.

Everyone was willing to defeat Beelzebumon tomorrow morning. The night was setting and the Yukidarumon agreed to allow them to stay for the night. As usual, Kris and Icria stayed in one room while Suoh, Haruki, and Rai slept in another.

The next morning everyone was in top condition, including Haruki, ready to fight again. They stood outside waiting for their enemy. The Yukidarumon were quietly and secretly watching from their rock-like homes. It didn't take long for Beelzebumon to show up walking out of nowhere.

The battle continued. Everyone, including Beelzebumon, took a few scratches. Beelzebumon swiftly held onto both guns and quickly shot a bullet towards everyone. Tankdramon was able to counterattack it once again with his missiles, but everyone else got hit and was paralyzed for a short moment. Tankdramon was prepared to attack once again in long-range until Beelzebumon suddenly appeared face to face. His claws clashed onto the roof of Tankdramon's shell.

"Why are you working with these fools?" Beelzebumon sneered.

"Because I am one of them," Tankdramon roared.

"Phelesmon is going to make mince meat out of you," he teased again.

"Not unless I do first!" Tankdramon's cannon swiftly changed angles and were only inches away from Beelzebumon. A quick attack finished off Beelzebumon instantly.

The Yukidarumon thanked the team as they took off once again. They were planning to do the same to a number of areas before returning home. They ran into a few more evil murders, but none as vicious as Beelzebumon. In fact, they were merely a challenge and posed no threat.

On the second night, they slept in the woods. Icria was once again along the side of a nearby river thinking to herself. Rai decides to sit next to her.

"You should come to my place after we get home," he suggested. "I think Kohana would be happy to see you. She's too afraid to come herself."

"I'll think about it after this mess is over," she replied. "I don't want to drag her into this. You know the Demon Lords are willing to hurt anyone close to the victim." Rai chuckled.

"Of course they do. I would watch out too if I were you." Icria suddenly recognizes the tone change in his voice and turned. By then Rai had already tackled her and pined her to the ground. Rai knew every secret skill Icria had and therefore she could not break free. Phelesmon was already prepared to control Icria's mind.

"Hey you!" Haruki shouted from nearby. He punched Rai unexpectedly in the stomach and he fell. "What did I say about keeping distances from my girl?"

"Haruki, that's not Rai," Icria stated as she got up.

"You think I can't tell?" Haruki grinned. "I was just teasing." Rai got up and glared at Haruki. The two looked at each other for a long time, and then began their fist fight.

Episode Twenty-Two Demon Lord Part 1

Viciously Haruki and Rai fought with their bare hands. Neither one of them was able to succeed in a direct hit. Eventually they both carelessly fell into the river and continued their fight in there. Icria continued to just watch.

"Why don't you just come out and fight?" Haruki asked.

"None of you are worthy of my time," Phelesmon replied from Rai's mouth.

"That just proves how WEAK you are," he sneered.

"You couldn't defeat me even if I used this child's body," he teased.

"Haruki," Icria called. "Plan C." Immediately she closed her eyes and began to focus on her spirits. The next moment a bright ray of light shined directly at Rai's eyes. While he was blinded, Haruki too concentrated on his spirits and froze the river water enough so that Rai could not break free. He got out of the water.

"Still think we can't defeat you?" Haruki teased back. "We didn't even need to spirit evolve."

"Then if you really think you CAN defeat me go ahead and try." Rai's body suddenly dropped lifeless. There was a long moment of silence.

"Did he-," before Icria could finish something had stabbed her right in the stomach. Instantly Phelesmon was physically there in front of Icria with his trident engraved through her stomach. He's the best image of a devil in black armor anyone could imagine. Fortunately he was no bigger than Lilithmon. Although Icria could barely move, she held onto Phelesmon's trident as the force of it pushed her back. The trident slipped away from Phelesmon's hands.

Icria still stood with one hand against her waist and another hold trident. Scornfully she raised her foot onto it and broke it into two.

"You think that really changes anything?" Phelesmon laughed. Dark energy began to form in his hand. Haruki tried to freeze his legs. It was harder since he was not exactly in water. However it had no effect at all and instead of Icria, Phelesmon unleashed the dark energy on Haruki.

Unfrozen, Rai jumped on Phelesmon to give them time to get help. Sadly, Suoh and Kris were still asleep some distance away. Neither Icria nor Haruki agreed to leave the battlefield even though they were both quite injured and would do no good in battle.

"I've been waiting to battle this guy for ages," Haruki stated. "Just let me handle it."

"Well so have I," Icria argued. "You think I don't want to kill the guy responsible for controlling my friend all this time?"

"You're injured you can't fight."

"You should know that THAT dark energy is infecting your system AGAIN and you could die in minutes once it reaches your heart."

"I think you have a better chance of dying with all that blood coming out."

"Don't be so stubborn!"

"Look who's talking!"

"Both of you just quit it already!" Rai shouted, still clinging onto Phelesmon tightly to prevent him from attacking. "If you both really want to fight do it already and quit arguing before you BOTH die from internal wounds." Icria and Haruki glared at each other and spirit evolved anyways.

"Execute!"
"Saberkyubimon!"

"JagerGryphomon!"

Interested in the battle, Phelesmon carelessly toss Rai off his back. This time dark energy rose from both of his hands. Meanwhile Rai evolved into Tankdramon.

"Ryden Wind!" Saberkyubimon attacked with a huge gust of light directly spinning towards Phelesmon. With the lift of his finger Phelesmon slashed the attack in half.

"Black Statue" Phelesmon attacked. He sent Saberkyubimon flying, landing on JagerGryphomon. JagerGryphomon shook her off and ran towards Phelesmon.

"Zephyr Gale!" JagerGrpyhomon roared, turning his body into a huge tornado. Phelesmon surprisingly catches him and threw him towards Tankdramon.

"This isn't going to work," Tankdramon groaned. "We need to wake up Suoh and Kris." Having no choice, JagerGryphomon agreed and flew as fast as he could back to their camp. Meanwhile, Saberkyubimon and Tankdramon continued to do their best in the battle.

JagerGryphomon returns in less than a minute along with MetalGarudamon and Puissancemon. Using the same technique as when fighting Beelzebumon, the team surrounded Phelesmon and attacked at once. Although the attack was significantly powerful, Phelesmon was still able to deflect it but this time with more effort. One by one everyone tried different techniques and mixed together different elements to defeat him but it was never enough.

The battle continued for a long time. At least an hour has passed and everyone was starting to feel worn out especially with their lack of sleep. Saberkyubimon continued to lose a little blood every minute; her wound is still open. Meanwhile JagerGryphomon slowly starts to feel drowsy and weak with the poison flowing through his veins. Time passes by…

Will they ever defeat Phelesmon?

Episode Twenty-Three Demon Lord Part 2

Time surely passed by…

Each moment, each defense, and each offense seemed to last endlessly. Nothing. They tried everything. Nothing works against Phelesmon. Not water and ice, not fire and darkness, not steel and earth, not wind and thunder, and certainly not wood and light.

Bored with their games, Phelesmon swiftly attacked everyone with a terrible noise, a screech harsher than a thousand nails forced down slowly against a blank chalkboard. The screeching was gone. All the noise is gone. Nothing can be heard. Nothing.

I was never much help to this team, Rai thought. Half the time I was the nemesis. Half the time I injured someone or caused the incident in the first place. Why was I chosen? Why? I could have just lived a normal life with my sister and moved on with schoolwork. Then I could go to college and get a job and everything would be great. I can't help anyone, not Kohana, not Icria, not this team, and definitely not the digital world.

I thought that I could run away from those people that denied you, denied you for who you are, Kris sighed. But you can never run from anything, not from your life or anyone else's. If I had a choice I would run from this battle. But if I run, who will save the digital world? Who can help my friends? And if they are all gone, who will stand by my side back home?

At first I just wanted my family again, Icria stated. I lost my family, my best friend, my home, and even my own identity. Because of the digital world I was able to regain all that back. Everyone is waiting for me back home, my mom, my brothers, and my new friends. I could never give up this battle, for the digital world had given me everything and I will protect it till the end.

I didn't ask for my parents to die, Haruki thought. But I didn't ask for my life to be controlled either. I guess whatever comes is what is meant to happen. Destiny wanted to set me free, but for reason? To be here at this very moment sacrificing my life for the digital world? This was definitely not what I thought I would die from. But…the digital world is not really what I'm trying to protect; it's my friends and everyone else I love.

I don't really have an issue back home, Suoh realized. But it seems like everyone else always had a rough time to begin with. Since the first time I spirit evolved it's as if something new came to me, something that I was meant to do and only for me to do. I'm just the average person back home; constantly playing soccer and studying. But this place is as much as a home as Shinjuku and I am willing to risk anything to save it.

Trees rustle in the wind. The sound reflexes off each other and returns to one's ear. This time everyone stood taller with more confidence building. The battle continued with more effort this time. Phelesmon didn't seem to weaken even the slightest bit. Something else has to be done.

At the same time, Suoh and Icria thought of a remarkable plan. It seemed impossible, but worth the shot. Slowly they both dedigivolved. Tankdramon, looking at the two, probably realized what they were planning and didn't really approve.

"Suoh, Icria, you don't even know how," Tankdramon noted.

"It's the only choice now," Suoh stated.

"Your funeral," Tankdramon sighed.

"Icria," Suoh began. "I'm sorry I denied you at first." Icria understood and nodded.

"Haruki," Icria said and turned to him. "I'm sorry for bitching on you earlier." She walked up to him and pets his soft white fur.

"What's with the apology all of the sudden?" JagerGryphomon asked. He and Pussiancemon also wondered what the hell they could be doing in human form in the middle of the most important battle yet.

"Because," Suoh paused. He didn't know what to say after.

"Because it's probably the last time you'll hear it from us." Icria finished. JagerGryphomon and Pussiancemon remain confused, but knew they were planning something impossible.

"Whatever it is you're doing, it's not good." Pussiancemon argued. "We're not going to allow it."

"Sorry Kris but you don't have much of a choice," Icria chuckled, resting her head on JagerGryphomon one last time.

"Princess," JagerGryphomon purred softly. "I have to agree with Kris. I'm not going to let you do whatever crazy idea you and Suoh have."

"You can't stop me," Icria smiled. She kissed his nose and ran back towards Suoh.

"Whether if you guys are finally done chatting or not," Phelesmon yawned. "I will start annihilating all of you immediately. I don't have all night. Like I said, none of you are worth my time."

"I just want to see you try and defeat ALL of us," Suoh groaned from his annoying talking. Icria grabbed onto his hands tightly.

"Or maybe just one of us," Icria challenged. A small light glowed between their hands. It slowly grew bigger and brighter, bright enough to hurt Phelesmon more than all the attacks previously inflicted combined. Phelesmon started towards them, claws full of dark energy.

"Suoh, quickly!" Icria said nervously. "I think it's working." Seeing the progress they made so far, Suoh believed so too. It was time. They closed their eyes. It was time that every soul and every fractal code that ever existed in the digital world to be untied.

The Gods…

The Digimon...

The Legendary Warriors…

All as one.

Mysteriously JagerGryphomon, Pussiancemon, and Tankdramon dedigivolved on their own. Their spirits were sucked out of them freely and flowed towards Suoh and Icria. The spirits brightened their light which reflected Phelesmon's attack. He had no choice but to only watch now.

"This is a huge step," Icria stated. "Going full without testing EmperorGreymon or MagnaGarurumon…"

"It's a step I'm willing to make," Suoh smiled. "There really isn't a better time than now." Icria nodded.

A year ago, Aldamon and Beowolfmon, a higher evolution of the spirits of fire and light, evolved into a greater stage. With the spirits combined, they formed EmperorGreymon and MagnaGarurumon. Neither was strong enough to defeat the mighty Lucemon, but there was one final solution.

Every legendary spirit united as one unleashed the birth of Susanoomon. Glowing in hot red armor was the digital world's last solution.

Susanoomon looked at Phelesmon. Phelesmon trembled for a second, but then immediately prepared himself for another attack. By some power he enlarged himself to the same size of Susanoomon. (About the size of a full adult to the height of a two-floor house)

The real battle begins here.

Episode Twenty-Four The Final Battle

Evolving into Susanoomon was a huge risk, especially for only two teenagers with little experience with such power. Jumping from a basic legendary warrior to Susanoomon was like Algebra I straight into Calculus. In addition, only Suoh and Icria are trying to stabilize the power instead of everyone together. Inside, Suoh was fighting the whole battle. Meanwhile Icria was stabilizing the spirits since she had more control.

Phelesmon regenerated his trident. Now they were starting with a simple sword fight that lasted for minutes. The rest couldn't do anything but stare at the giants battling and hope not to get squished.

"Celestial Blade!" Susanoomon called while striking his sword through Phelesmon. Phelesmon was truly hit, but unexpectedly Phelesmon also hit Susanoomon at the same time. Not seeing this, Susanoomon was more injured and fell on its knees.

"Icria you ok?" Suoh asked.

"Of course," she replied sarcastically. "Now I only have two holes engraved in my stomach!" She didn't look like she could last much longer. Suoh didn't want to continue fighting in this condition.

"Just go on," she assured him, and Suoh did. This time Susanoomon and Phelesmon were fighting from the air. Once again Susanoomon was hit directly and this time Icria couldn't hold on. Susanoomon came crashing down and dedigivolved.

"Are you guys alright?" Kris gasped. "I told you it wasn't a good idea!"

"I'm fine," Suoh groaned. "C'mon Icria lets start this again."

"No way!" Rai shouted. "Did you not learn your lesson the first time? Besides, Icria can't even move right now!" Suoh didn't even notice. She was still lying on the ground lifeless. Haruki was trying to wake her up. Rai walks by and examines her pulse.

"It's no use," he stated. "Her pulse is very weak; she could die any moment now."

"No…" Icria whispered. "I can still fight…Kris can just heal me and…"

"I'm sorry," Kris replied. "Even if I do heal you I can't guarantee you will survive. You lost too much blood and that will take time to regenerate." Immediately Kris began her work.

"Suoh, you know she can't fight like this," Haruki argued. Although Haruki was poisoned and was healed by Kris, he was not at such a risk as Icria.

"What are you talking about? Of course I can. Just wa-" Icria attempted to stand up but fell quickly due to the pain.

"Haruki's right, Icria," Suoh sighed. "I can't let you get involved in this anymore. Haruki, Kris, Raiden, will you join me?" The three gave him a look.

"Why do you think we're here?" Raiden questioned. "Just to watch Icria die and you get your ass kicked?"

"I can't believe you would think you can get away with this on your own," Haruki continued. "What happened to all that teamwork you always talked about?"

"And," Kris concluded. "This is everyone's battle."

And so they all joined and reformed Susanoomon. This time they knew exactly what to expect and directly attacked Phelesmon. They had more power due to their enormous amount of strength, courage, and hope. Within minutes, they were able to plant an open attack: a good stab in the heart. With that being done, Phelesmon's fractal code scattered across the digital world. And once again, the digital world has been saved.

Quickly they returned to where Icria was lying. She didn't move an inch and they were afraid to go any closer.

"Is she…" Kris didn't finish the question but everyone knew what she was going to say. After a long pause Suoh walked up to her and went down to his knees.

"Icria?" he whispered. There was no response. Suoh sighed and closed his eyes. There was a long moment of silence.

"And I thought you guys were here long enough to realize," someone spoke. Suoh looked up. Icria had opened her eyes and was smiling.

"As humans, you can't die in the digital world silly," she snickered. "Even Digimons don't die; their fractal code just gets regenerated." They were all too happy to be mad at her little trick. Kris ran up and gave her a hard hug right before she started to cry softly.

"But you have to admit, if this was the real world you would've been dead by now," Rai stated.

"Yeah...I would have…" she replied. By then she was trying to get Kris off her body. Kris refused to let go but gave in after a little threat.

"If you died then I wouldn't have a girlfriend," Haruki teased.

"Oh please," Icria sighed. "You could have a girlfriend whenever you want."

"But never one like you," he winked. Icria couldn't help but blush.

"Don't ever do that again," Suoh threatened. "Or else I won't even bother checking to see if you're dead." And everyone couldn't help but laugh.

The good news immediately reached the other digidestineds once they returned home. A party was assembled for the great achievement of defeating yet another demon lord, and for also succeeding in summoning Susanoomon.

"There's still two other demon lords," Takuya reminded them.

"Just chill Takuya, Susanoomon can handle ANYTHING," JP assured.

"Another step closer…" Koji stated.

"Maybe there's something greater than Susanoomon that they'll achieve," Koichi suggested. They all agreed.

Almost one year has passed since their first arrival in the digital world. So many things have changed. Icria reunites with her family and her old best friend. Kris gains many new friends and finally found a place where she belongs. Haruki gains a new girlfriend that he's planning to keep for a long time. Raiden was pretty much just satisfied for the amazing adventure he had, and Suoh felt the same.

At the evening of the party, everyone was busy with their own little conversations. Kris seemed to enjoy herself a lot by playing with Tommy the whole time. They were now in the living room playing card games. Raiden was politely listening to one of Takuya's stories. Meanwhile, Haruki and Icria were sitting together watching T.V. Suoh walked over and asked to talk to Icria personally. She had recovered quickly upon their return back home.

"What is it?" Icria asked when they were alone.

"You didn't know did you," Suoh said bluntly.

"Didn't know what?"

"You didn't know you would have lived, but you risked your life anyways." Icria laughed.

"You caught me," she admitted. "I guess I can't trick you anymore, but...what choice did I have?"

"There's always a choice," Suoh replied. "You could've given up there on the battlefield, but you held on just so I wouldn't get hit. So why did you choice that? Why would you choice to defend me and risk everything?"

"Suoh," Icria began. "You can't be certain about everything that's going on. Sometimes…you just have to go for it and hope for the best. Sure there will be times where you will fall; even you fell a thousand times as a child and trip every so often today. But you're still standing now right? So that's just all it takes: a little courage and faith." Suoh still seemed a bit unsure. Icria continued.

"What I mean is," she paused. "Just clear your mind of any doubts and reach your full potential. I've seen you do it Suoh, so I don't see why you can't understand my situation at that time."

"It's just completely different," Suoh responded. "You seriously would've died."

"Isn't every battle we ever had life-risking?" Then Suoh realized that she was right. From the moment they stepped in the digital world their life was at risk. All of them accepted the challenge knowing it from the inside without realizing it.

"I guess that's just what digidestineds do," Suoh concluded. And sure enough, that's exactly the duty of any digidestined.

The End