Intertwined Destinies
Previously, in Intertwined Destinies:
The digidestined have been reunited again, and are in the middle of battling against Myotismon. With them are: Matt and TK's dad, Hiroaki; Michael and Akili of the original digidestined; and Susumu and Yuuko, Tai and Kari's parents. Tai has been struck down by Phantomon, and his mother was attempting to heal him. Battling against Myotismon until she no longer could, was Phoenixmon. Without the energy to stay in her digital form, young Jade is almost immobile on the ground. One final attack was launched, not at the digimon, but towards Jade. No one was able to save her, being too far away and too shocked to do anything, except for one loyal digimon.
The end of the battle is now in sight...but maybe not the happy ending everyone wanted.
Chapter 26: The Burden of Hope and Light
No one could believe what had just happened. It was like they were all caught in a time warp, unable to move but helpless to turn away. Jade was on her knees, having lacked to strength to make it to her feet; Tai was being supported by his mother as she worked quickly to stem the flow of blood from his back; the digidestined children were gathered together with Hiroaki and Susumu standing behind them, with Susumu being restrained by Hiroaki to prevent him from rushing into the middle of the fight; the digidestined adults were on the opposite side of the platform with Kari between them; Myotismon was glaring at Jade; and right between the two was Wizardmon.
Myotismon's bats had collided with Wizardmon's chest, the force of the attack blowing his cape open and casting his body into shadow from the light it caused. The attack faded, and ever so slowly Wizardmon collapsed backwards right before Jade. Her face had gone white and using the last of her energy she crawled forward and wrapped her arms around Wizardmon's neck, pulling him up against her body.
"Wizardmon," she whispered as tears started to drip from her eyes.
"Why do you cry?" Wizardmon asked her softly.
"Why did you jump in front of me?"
"Because you are the future of my world," the digimon explained. "I was unable to save my Lily, but I knew that I could save you. You are the best parts of her, and I am honoured to have known you, and been a part of your life."
"I don't want you to die," Jade croaked out through her tears. "I never wanted anyone to die for me."
"I won't be leaving you," Wizardmon reassured her. "I'll be joining your mother, and the two of us will watch over you, together."
Jade started to cry, her shoulders shaking as if her grip could keep Wizardmon in the land of the living. The digimon lifted his hand and placed it on her arm reassuringly, his touch gentle even as his breath started to come in sharp gasps.
"Thank…Gatomon for me, would you?" he requested. "I would have…died long ago…if it…weren't for her. And promise…me…Princess…that…you…will…never…give…up."
"Wizardmon," Jade sobbed.
"I…love…"
"Wizardmon?" Jade leant back slightly as she waited for him to finish his sentence, but the digimon sagged against her. He had stopped breathing. Jade's eyes widened in horror as her own breath started to hitch even worse than before, and then Wizardmon's body burst into data fragments.
"WIZARDMON!"
Off to the side she distantly noticed that Kari's digivice, still in Tai's hands, had burst into life. The boy, ignoring his mother's order to stay still, threw the digivice to his sister. The moment Kari caught the digivice, her eyes clouded by tears at the sight of death before her, Gatomon digivolved into her Ultimate form: Angewomon.
Angewomon was an angel, the female counterpart to Angemon, with brilliant blonde hair, eight wings, a silver helmet with two small white feathers resting above the location of her ears, and a pink ribbon wrapped around her arms and looped over her head. Her appearance caused hope to grow amongst the digidestined, but all Jade could do was stare at her arms where Wizardmon had been. Tears still dripped down her cheeks, her breath hitched in her throat, but when her eyes went black everyone took notice.
She screamed as loud as she could, conveying her sorrow in a wordless scream for everyone to hear. Every digimon still in Japan recoiled from the agony they could hear, even Myotismon. Myotismon stared down at the human child, her scream ripping through his body, and stepped back fearfully. Jade focused her dark eyes on him and stood up, her fists clenching as her scream tapered off. Flames once again blossomed around her, and Phoenixmon stared across the empty platform at Myotismon without an ounce of pity in her gaze.
She flew upwards, with Angemon and Angewomon assisting her in surrounding Myotismon. Not a single digital or human soul had any pity for the vampire, and all were looking forward to seeing what was in store for him.
"Myotismon," Angewomon began. "You've tried to destroy the digidestined and conquer Earth, in doing so you have ruined the lives of humans and digimons alike. On top of everything, you have just killed my friend, Wizardmon, one of the original Protector Digimon of our world. How can you justify yourself?"
"I have no need to justify myself to the likes of you," Myotismon sneered.
"Then justify yourself to me," Phoenixmon said coldly. "You, who claim to be the true ruler of the Universe, have no regard for the lives you're meant to govern over. Wizardmon was loyal to the reigning ruler of the Digital World before me, and that loyalty carried over to me. What do you hope to accomplish by tearing down every protection of every world?"
"Tell me, My Lady," Myotismon grinned up at her. "What use is a ruler of one world, when he can be the ruler of all? As soon as I gather all the energy I need from here, I will merge this world with the Digital World, and then the Shadow World and the Magical World will be easy pickings. With all the power at my disposal, Lucemon won't have a chance against me."
"You have to get through all of us first," Phoenixmon goaded.
"Heaven's Charm!" Angewomon suddenly cried, her arms rising so that they reached for the sky to release a golden halo above her. Myotismon turned towards her, his eyes curious about whatever trick they were up to now, but as his back turned Phoenixmon struck with her flames, the fire working as an unbreakable rope, holding Myotismon in place while Angewomon gathered the needed energy.
"Everyone!" MetalGreymon ordered. "Give your power to Angewomon!"
The digimon, as one, used their strongest attacks and aimed towards the golden halo above the angel digimon. The halo shone bright with the amount of energy it was gathering, but looking at it Phoenixmon knew that it wasn't enough. Her mind brushed against Tai's and he instantly pulled out his digivice, aiming it towards the glowing halo.
"Courage!" he cried. A beam of golden light burst forth from his digivice, and all human eyes looked at him briefly. The adults didn't know what to make of his actions, but the younger digidestined unhesitatingly followed their leader. Digivices were ripped from clothes and pockets and directed up towards the halo.
"Friendship!"
"Love!"
"Sincerity!"
"Reliability!"
"Knowledge!"
"Hope!"
"Light!"
The adults stared at the eight beams of light with wide eyes. From Phoenixmon a single beam of light burst forth from her heart, and while many assumed it was her own crest, Truth, there were a few who knew differently. The spirits of Wizardmon, and the soul of Lily, were fighting this battle just the same as everyone else. Michael and Akili both grinned as they pulled their digivices from their pockets.
"Determination!"
"Wisdom!"
Yuuko stared at the beams of light powering up the golden halo, the three angels, and finally her son who, while still fighting on with determination that rivalled Michael's, was sagging against her side as blood loss weakened him. She stopped healing him, confident that he wouldn't bleed out immediately, and considered her own digivice. She had turned her back on the very world she was once again helping to save, but as she stared at the digivice it was like no time had passed at all.
"For you, Guilmon," she whispered before she lifted the digivice into the air. "Compassion!"
It was like her voice was the final signal. The golden halo turned white as Angewomon gathered all the energy into the form of a single arrow. Myotismon was struggling against the fire bonds, but not even he could escape what was coming next.
"Celestial Arrow!" Angewomon cried as she finally released the gathered energy. The arrow flew straight and true, its sharp point burying itself deep in Myotismon's chest. He gasped out his denial, a scream of rage escaping his throat, before he staggered to his knees. The fire disappeared, but no one moved. Phoenixmon landed gently on the ground, the bells on her ankles making a soft chime from the movement, before she started to walk forwards. Myotismon looked up at her, and for those who could see his face it was like they were looking at a completely different digimon.
"My Lady," he choked out, no hint of mockery in his voice. "Thank-you."
"I'm sorry it took me so long," Phoenixmon whispered back, her tone gentle.
"Look after Master Tom?" Myotismon begged. "He is not gone, and he will come back, but this body will no longer support him."
"We will be ready."
"Long live…the Sovereign," Myotismon gasped out, just before his body burst into data fragments. Phoenixmon gathered up the data that was expelled, another purple bell forming in her hands. Instead of attaching it to her ankle, as she had done with Devimon, this one she attached to the tip of her staff.
"Myotismon…is gone," Kari whispered. Her voice broke through the shock that had settled as their enemy disappeared, and then the cheering started. Nothing could prevent Susumu from darting out on to the platform containing his wife and eldest child, and he was just in time to catch Tai as he finally slipped into unconsciousness. Akili darted forwards at the same time, only his aim was to catch Jade as she joined the leader of the digidestined in unconsciousness, and he held the small body close to him as he stood up straight. The children all hugged each other, though there was a blanket of worry over them as they stared at the two no longer conscious children.
"It's too dangerous up here," Sora stated as the building started to shake.
"Let's get down to the ground then," Matt suggested.
"All aboard the Megakabuterimon Express," Megakabuterimon said instantly as he hovered at just the right height for the children to climb on. "Express to the ground, we're not stopping until we get there."
Izzy started to laugh as he sprung forward to get on to his partner's back. Angewomon swooped down to grab Kari and Michael, while Angemon did the same with TK and Akili. The Kamiya family hopped on to MetalGreymon's shoulder, with Tai being held by his father, and everyone else joined Izzy on Megakabuterimon.
"I'm taking Taichi home so that I can heal him. I'll find you later," Yuuko announced as she stared at the wound on her son's back. She switched to English as she stared at the two adult digidestined. "When I find you two again, we're going to have a serious talk."
The two men gulped, but didn't dare talk back to her as she apparated away with Tai in her arms. Kari rushed towards her father and wrapped her arms around his leg in fear, and the other children also looked around. Their joy at winning was somehow dampened with the knowledge that they hadn't made it out unscathed. The digimon de-digivolved, most returning to their In-Training forms with the exceptions being Agumon, Gabumon, Patamon and Gatomon, and rushed towards their partners. Agumon looked lost, and instead walked closer to Akili so that he could reach out and touch Jade.
"What do we do now?" TK asked from where he was standing closer than usual to Matt.
"We won," Matt told him simply. "The fight should be over."
"Then why hasn't the fog disappeared?" Kari asked, her hand pointing to the sky. All eyes followed her finger and stared at the fog that should have disappeared with the death of Myotismon.
"That's not fair," Joe moaned. "How much more do we need to endure?"
"Well, we can't do much without Tai and Jade," Izzy stated. "I want to go home to check on my parents, I just left them in my room without much of an explanation."
"I want to change out of my pyjamas," Mimi added. "My family should be at Big Sight. I'm going to head there after I've changed if they haven't made it back by the time I'm done."
"I'm going to head home as well," Joe stated. "I need to stock up on supplies. I have a feeling that a certain member of our group will need them."
Sora and Mimi both giggled at the not so subtle reference Joe made to Tai's ability to injure himself regardless of where he was. Izzy suddenly made a sound of exclamation as he looked to his laptop secured to his back. He pulled it off quickly and glanced at what had alerted him before informing the others that he had a message from Gennai.
"Rejoice children!" the email said. "I've found a hint to destroying Myotismon! These are prophetic inscriptions that were discovered in some ancient ruins! Centarumon discovered them whilst repairing the damaged Angel Temple on File Island. First, the sky will be concealed by a flock of bats. The people will chant the name of the Undead Digimon King. When the clock strikes the number of the Beast, the Undead Digimon King will reveal his true form as the Beast. Then angels will let fly the arrows of Hope and Light at the loved ones of those whom they are sent to protect. And a miracle will happen. Well, I wish you luck!"
"Does he mention anything about making the fog go away?" Sora asked as soon as Izzy had finished reading the email aloud. Izzy shook his head as he read over the email again silently. Susumu and Hiroaki were possibly the only two without any clue about what was going on, with Michael and Akili knowing only a small bit more.
"Do you know how to make the fog go away, Michael?" Joe asked. His question had all eyes directed at the blonde movie star. Susumu narrowed his eyes at the name, and as he looked at the two men who he hadn't been introduced to he started to connect the dots in his mind.
"Akili and I haven't been to the Digital World since Jade was there last," Michael admitted. "The time line is so out of sync that it was dangerous for us to do so. Gennai also encouraged us to stay away, and to keep an eye on you guys. We hadn't even heard of Myotismon until our Little Princess here called and told us. His power is different to what digimon are normally capable of. If I hadn't known better, I would have guessed that he was a wizard."
"You are the ones who chose these children to fight?" Susumu asked in a carefully blank tone. Michael nodded to him once, his attention still on the children. Susumu nodded again and before anyone could stop him he punched the actor across the face, breaking his nose. Michael cried out at the unexpected contact, and the children gaped at him.
"How dare you force my children to fight in a war they knew nothing about!" Susumu yelled at him. "What gives you the right to force children to fight anyway?! Why couldn't you have given adults the choice?! My daughter is eight years old, and my son has just turned eleven! They still have their whole lives ahead of them but all they can think of now is the war that is brewing in a world I have no access to…a place where I can't protect them!"
Kari stared at her father in awe. He had never been a dominating person, that was more Yuuko's role in the family, but seeing him now, seeing the passion in his tone and body language, showed Kari that there was more strength to her family than she originally thought. Sora was much the same, but as she stared at her best friend's father, she could easily see Tai's mannerisms. He was just like his father in his passion and desire to protect others, just as he was like his mother in his ability to take the lead. Susumu turned to look at Akili and the man stepped back and clutched Jade a little tighter.
"If you weren't holding that little girl, you would have a broken nose as well," he said coldly. Even not understanding Japanese, Akili realised that Jade had saved his life, again, and he vowed to grovel as best he could to Yuuko and the other families of the children before him.
"I suggest that we meet at Big Sight," Matt put out there. "Everyone was taken there by the Bakemon, and I'm sure Tai will join us once he's awake. We can organise what we're going to do after we've checked everything out."
"You should put some ice on your head Joe," TK said wisely.
"I'm going to take some aspirin once I get back to my place," Joe promised.
"You're not turning into Tai are you?" Mimi asked the oldest boy sternly. "One injury prone boy is more than enough."
"No," Joe promised with a laugh. "I just hit my head on some wood. It's just a bump and will be gone in a day or two."
"Alright," Matt said, cutting over what could have evolved into an argument. "Let's meet at Big Sight at three o'clock. That gives us around four hours to check on our homes and make it to Big Sight, any problems with that?"
There were none, so the group separated. Michael, Akili, Jade and Agumon went straight to Big Sight to check on everyone there and keep an eye on Jade. Mimi and Sora both went straight home to shower and change, and Mimi was going to fill her bag with everything she could need. Matt, TK and Hiroaki headed to the water to see if they could get out and lead anyone else into the fog. Izzy and Joe headed off together to their apartment, and Susumu and Kari started to walk back home to where Yuuko and Tai already were.
And far above the digidestined, sitting on the remains of the battle field, was Demidevimon. He laughed quietly to himself as the group dispersed, leaving behind the red-eye mask that Myotismon had worn. It was the only remanent of the powerful digimon.
"Soon Master," the bat-digimon chuckled. "Soon you shall have your revenge."
Mimi let herself into her house, Tanemon in her arms, and shut the door behind her. The very first thing that she was going to do was cook up whatever was left in the fridge for Tanemon, and while the digimon was eating she would soak her body in the bath and unwind after their victory. She hoped that her family would find their way home once they woke up, which is why she left the door unlocked.
"What are you making Mimi?" Tanemon asked curiously as she hopped up on to the bench.
"I was thinking fried rice and sushi, how does that sound?"
"Yummy!"
Mimi laughed as she started to cook, and not that long later Tanemon was eating everything put before her. The girl was hungry too, she hadn't been able to eat breakfast, but her pyjamas were dirty and she longed to soak in something hot and bubbly. Tanemon promised to call out if her family came home while she was soaking, but other than that the two went their separate ways to relax.
As the bath filled and Mimi stripped from her clothes, she thought about everything that had happened that day, and it was only eleven in the morning. They had nearly died several times, the only reason Jade was alive was because of Wizardmon's sacrifice, and Tai was alive because his mother was apparently a healer magician. Her thoughts, as they often did, turned to their leader.
She couldn't understand how accident prone one person could be. It was like the boy had a contract with Death not to join him until he was older. That, or Tai had the nine lives of a cat, and it was only a matter of time before he ran out of them. It was scary, and Mimi was tired of seeing the people she loved covered in blood.
Half way through her bath Tanemon joined her, sitting next to her and allowing the fragrant steam to seep into her body. It concerned Mimi that her family hadn't come home yet, and hurried up her bath that bit more so that she could hurry over to Big Sight.
"I'm worried about Jade," Tanemon admitted. "And Agumon, and Tai…why is it always them who get hurt?"
"Jade just used up too much energy again," Mimi tried to say reassuringly.
"Did you see her shirt?" Tanemon prodded. "It was ripped and covered in blood."
"I saw," Mimi whispered sadly. "But, to be honest, I think I was more worried about Tai. The only other time I felt that scared was when Etemon blew a hole in his chest when he was protecting Jade."
"Agumon would have felt that," Tanemon explained. "Those two have a very close bond, and I don't think it will take much time before they start being able to read each other's mind, if they can't already."
"The bond between us could do that?"
"I don't see why it couldn't," Tanemon admitted. "Jade speaks with us in our minds, Tai can speak with you guys, how much of a stretch could it be to believe that in time he could speak telepathically with Agumon? I think that we could do it one day too."
"So you'll feel it if I get hurt? That's horrible!"
"I wouldn't mind," Tanemon told her earnestly. "That kind of bond would be great. If we ever got separated we'd still be able to talk to each other, know how the other was. I wouldn't need to be worried about you because I'd know exactly how you were. If the bond was strong enough we would be able to talk over the boarder of the Digital World!"
"I hadn't thought about it like that," Mimi muttered as she brought her knees up to her chest. "How would Agumon be feeling at the moment?"
"Scared," was the instant reply. "He should have gone with Kari and her dad when they went back to check on Tai, but instead he chose to go after Jade. I don't know why, and he won't admit anything."
"Then we should probably go and keep him company until Tai wakes up," Mimi decided. She hopped out of the bath and released the water. "As soon as I'm packed and dressed, let's head over to Big Sight and meet with the others. We should also bring some food for Agumon and Jade."
"That sounds like a good idea."
"I also would like to talk with the older digidestined, Michael and Akili? From what I understood it was those two who picked us, and I would like to talk to them about why. I also want to find my family, they should still be at Big Sight…hopefully."
"Then let's go!" Tanemon stated. "Hurry up Mimi! Go get dressed!"
Izzy once again watched as Joe walked further into their apartment complex, Bukamon floating by his shoulder, before he entered his own apartment with Motimon in his arms. Aside from reassuring his parents that he was still alive, he needed to get some food into his partner. He was half elated to have finally succeeded in defeating their enemy, but at the same time half scared out of his mind over the conditions of Tai and Jade.
A small part of him figured that he should be used to the two of them being hurt, as it was something of a common occurrence, but he couldn't rid the most recent image of the two being injured from his mind. They were all reaching their breaking point, and it wouldn't be long before someone snapped, and if Izzy could take a guess at the first person to snap, it would be Tai. He only hoped that it didn't do more harm than good in the long run.
"Mum? Dad? Are you still here?" he called out as he stepped through the broken down door to his apartment. The Bakemon hadn't stopped from trashing the place just because there wasn't anyone there, and Izzy felt slightly sad as he noticed a family portrait sliced in half on the floor, a cut separating Izzy from his parents very noticeable.
"Koushiro?!" Yoshie Izumi cried as soon as Izzy had stopped speaking. The woman appeared from the bedroom that was still being protected, and she barely took any notice of Motimon before pulling Izzy into a tight hug. Masami was close behind his wife, and he just gathered his family into a tight hug to convey his relief that they were alive and safe again. Izzy would have been content to stay in his parents' arms, if not for the fact that Motimon was slowly being crushed between them.
"Where did you go?" Masami asked as Izzy pulled away from them. "And where did the creäture with you before go?"
"We went to the TV Station," Izzy explained. "And I am more than willing to explain everything that has happened, but only after I get Motimon some food."
"Motimon?" the two adults echoed.
"I'm Motimon!" Motimon said cheerfully. "I was Tentomon earlier, but I used up too much energy so now I'm small again!"
This time Yoshie didn't look like she was about to pass out, which Izzy was grateful for, but she did stare at the small pink digimon intently. She didn't say anything for a long moment, but then she turned and walked to the kitchen so that she could prepare something for them to eat. Izzy was grateful and stated that he was going to have a shower to get rid of the dirt and grime from that morning.
When he finished his shower and changed his clothes into something cleaner, he joined his parents at the table and told them everything. He started at summer camp, explained the Digital World to the best of his ability, only omitting a few of the life threatening incidents, went into detail about Motimon much to his embarrassment, and summed up with what was happening in Odaiba at that moment. He also revealed the prophecy that Gennai had emailed him, and how the fight wasn't yet over. His parents were quiet throughout the recount, but as soon as he was done Yoshie pulled Motimon into a tight hug, thanking him for protecting her son where she couldn't.
"So that's why you've been acting differently since your return from camp," Masami stated. "I'll admit that I was a bit worried about the reason, and if I didn't have proof in front of me I would probably believe that you had just had a very vivid dream. I'm proud of you son, I don't know how many people would be able to do what you and your friends have done, and are still doing. Both your mother and I will support you in whatever way you need us to."
"Thanks dad," Izzy said with relief. He had been worried about how his parents would react, but their support in the matter meant a lot to him. "At three o'clock we need to make our way to Big Sight, as that's where we agreed to meet, but before I leave I need to pack some more supplies."
"Supplies? Why?" Yoshie asked curiously as she released Motimon.
"Our Sovereign is going to go back to the Digital World as soon as everything is sorted out here," Motimon explained. "When she returns, us digimon are going with her."
"And we're going to go as well," Izzy finished. "I don't know what the others plan on doing, but I'm not going to let Jade fight on her own, and they're going to need someone to think rationally."
"Then we're going to help you pack," Masami told him. "Food ration bars, bottled water and a blanket won't go amiss in that bag of yours."
"And some first aid supplies," Yoshie added. "You never know when you'll need band-aides, or bandages. And I think some walkie talkies would work as well, you said your computer worked fine so there's no reason that walkie talkies won't if you get separated again."
"You guys are the best," Izzy told them both with a broad grin.
The next couple of hours were spent packing and organising Izzy's bag, and simple family bonding. For Izzy, it was the best thing that could have happened after seeing his friends get hurt. He knew that he would always have his parents' support, and that meant the world to him. He would be ready to return to the Digital World, and this time he would be ready for anything.
All Joe wanted was an aspirin, some food, a bath, and a sleep in his bed with no interruptions. He could feel Izzy watching him as he walked further away, and Bukamon was watching his face closely from where he was perched on his shoulder. He did his best to ignore the two of them, instead focusing on getting back to his apartment without stepping on any rubble.
The Bakemon hadn't really taken care of the building when they were rounding up people, and the number of doors, pot plants, and glass scattered over the ground was hazardous. They would be spending weeks to get everything repaired, and the TV Station would take a few months bare minimum. The cost of the repairs was going to be huge. Hospitals were going to be crowded, and more than likely several families would be moving away…again.
"Hey, Bukamon?" Joe began softly. "Why did Agumon go with Jade instead of Tai?"
"I don't know," Bukamon replied. "It could be that he knows Tai will be alright and wanted to check on Jade, or Tai ordered him to watch over Jade before he passed out, or the light from the Sovereign is the only thing keeping his mind sane until Tai wakes up…it could be lots of different reasons."
"Keeping his mind sane?"
"You saw the attack, right?" Bukamon tried to explain. "Tai will probably carry that scar for the rest of his life, just as Jade will carry the scars on her face, but while MetalGreymon killed Phantomon, the fact is he hadn't noticed the danger until Tai was already hurt. The fact that he de-digivolved to Agumon instead of Koromon is a good sign, if Tai was much weaker Agumon would have had no choice but to revert to Koromon. And Jade makes us all strong, even when she's unconscious. It's hard to explain."
Joe nodded as he walked into his apartment, frowning at the destruction. It was like everything had been torn apart, and Joe had hoped that his family had escaped the carnage. He didn't really know what he'd do if they had been hurt.
"Mum? Dad?" he called out as he slipped off his shoes at the door purely out of habit. "Hello? Are you here? Mum? Dad?"
The apartment was just as much of a dump as the rest of the building. Books were scattered over the floor, pictures dislodged from the walls, and the chairs and table were lying on their sides. It was depressing, and even Bukamon appeared to lose some of his innate cheer.
"There's no one here Bukamon," Joe muttered as he stared around his bedroom solemnly.
"Do you think they've been captured with all the rest?" Bukamon asked.
"But then why wouldn't they have come back?" Joe asked him, rubbing his head where he had bumped it. "Surely with Myotismon defeated they would be free to come home?"
As he spoke, the sliding door to the closet behind him opened almost inaudibly and a hand emerged from the shadows, grabbing on to Joe's shoulder. Joe let out an unmanly yelp at the unexpected contact, and Bukamon rounded on the enemy, pulling up short when he realised that it was Joe's brother Shin.
"Relax, it's only your brother," Shin remarked as he stepped completely out of the closet. "Who also happens to be totally freaked out by everything..."
"What were you doing in the closet?" Joe asked immediately. "And do you know where mum and dad are? Are you hurt at all?"
"Well, I was kind of sleeping in there when these ghost-like monsters took mum and dad somewhere," Shin explained. "I was too scared to move, even after it went quiet, until I heard you. Honestly, those creepy things tore this place apart looking for something, or possibly me."
"They are creepy, aren't they?" Bukamon chirped happily.
"Frankly, I wouldn't talk if I were you," Shin said, now staring at the little digimon floating at Joe's shoulder.
"Don't worry about this little guy, Shin, he's a friend of mine!" Joe stated with a bright grin that was mirrored on Bukamon's face.
"Hey!" Bukamon suddenly exclaimed in realisation. "You're a doctor right? I remember Joe saying that you were one. Joe needs a doctor for his head."
"I've been saying that for years," Shin muttered before taking in what exactly was said. "What's wrong with your head Joe?"
"I bumped it," Joe said, now glaring at his partner for mentioning his injury. "All I need is some aspirin and maybe an icepack. Really, I'm fine."
Shin stepped closer to Joe and inspected the area of injury, ignoring Joe as he protested being manipulated into different positions so that there would be more light. In the end Shin agreed with Joe's assessment and went off in search for an aspirin and an icepack. Joe allowed his bag to drop to the ground and went to lie down on his bed, only moving when his brother returned with the needed medicine.
"So, what's going on?" Shin eventually asked as he stared down at his younger brother. "I have this feeling that you're right in the middle of it."
"I am," Joe sighed. "And it's not over yet. We're all regrouping in a few hours at Big Sight to come up with another plan."
"Are you going to explain it? Or am I going to have to guess?"
"As soon as I get Bukamon something to eat and this headache recedes a bit I'll tell you everything," Joe mumbled. "Mum and dad should be back by then, I hope."
Shin looked dubious but left the room to scavenge some food from the kitchen for the digimon and Joe. He didn't say it aloud, but he was worried about his little brother. He had noticed the differences from before summer camp and after, even if his parents hadn't, and he had a suspicion that everything that was happening was linked in with the changes. It scared him. Joe had always been a timid kid, and seemed so unsuited to being a doctor, but now it was like a more confident version of his brother had taken over the timid version. He didn't know how to react to it.
Still, he watched in curiosity as Bukamon ate his food as if he hadn't eaten in days, and listened with rapt attention as Joe explained what he had gone through. It didn't seem possible that within the space of two weeks Joe had experienced more than what most grown men experienced in their entire lives. Joe had grown up, and even though he didn't say it, Shin knew that he would be going back to the Digital World. He was awed by Joe's determination, and even knowing that the boy had omitted a large part of what he had gone through, Shin was determined to help out in any way he could.
"There is still so much about this world that I don't know," Shin stated once Joe was finished. "What can I do to help?"
"What?"
"You're my brother, I know that you're going to want to go back," Shin said with a laugh. "Obviously, you'll need some medical supplies to go back with you, some food that's light but nutritious, an umbrella in case it rains, blankets, a change of clothes? I shudder to think that you spent months in the same underwear without changing."
"Thanks Shin," Joe muttered.
"No problem little brother! I may not be able to go to the Digital World, but that doesn't mean that I can't help you."
Joe smiled and allowed his brother to help him. His bag would be full, but everything in it would be necessary. Bukamon helped out by explaining in detail what injuries they had experienced already, despite Joe's continued attempts at shushing him, and Shin provided medical supplies based around that. Once his bag was full, and Joe had a shower and changed his clothes to something more suited to running around in the wilderness, the two brothers and Bukamon left the apartment. They grabbed Izzy and his parents, who had the same idea as Shin, and the digidestined started to walk to Big Sight.
They didn't say it, but they were both unnerved by the fact that no one had left Big Sight to return home. They weren't sure what they would find, but their digimon partners were ready for anything.
TK was more excited about spending time with Hiroaki than Matt was, but that was because he hadn't seen his father in four years. The fact that he now knew his dad was a magician made it so much better, and the journey down to the water and then as Hiroaki used magic to make the blow up boat move, he prattled on about everything he had done in the Digital World, and what life with his mother was like. Hiroaki was able to talk a little about Mahoutokoro for Matt's benefit as the older boy had the option of going there in September.
"So how surprised were you when you were told about us?" Matt asked as he stared through the thick fog.
"Surprised doesn't even begin to cover it," Hiroaki laughed. "I thought my boss was joking. He gathered all of us together and said that the monster attacks were to be dealt with by a special unit. I thought he meant hit-wizards or something, but no, he meant eight children who hadn't even started their magical education yet. I nearly fell off my chair when your names came up, and I was beyond speechless when I was told that the leader of this child squad was a nine-year-old girl."
"I guess that would have been a bit shocking," Matt admitted, grinning as he imagined his father making a fool of himself.
"You wouldn't believe the reaction of several of the younger recruits when they heard that Jade Potter was the child who was leading the others!" Hiroaki continued with a wide smile. "The mere fact that someone as famous as Jade Potter was in Japan was enough for some of them to hunt her down just to say that they'd met her."
"Jade's famous?" TK asked. Gabumon and Patamon twisted slightly so that they were looking at the adult instead of the landscape.
"Yeah, she's the Girl-Who-Lived," he explained, smile sliding off his face. "She's famous for surviving where no one else has. When she was fifteen months old she was hit with a curse known across the world as the Killing Curse, simply because no one has ever survived being hit by it before…until Jade that is. October 31, 1991, the day the war ended and Jade became famous for something I doubt she remembers."
"I think she does remember," Matt muttered. "One night she told a scary story about a family who were killed by this evil green light."
"I remember that," TK added as he shivered. "It was scary."
"She remembers?" Hiroaki asked, his face pale. "How awful…"
The two digimon looked at each other without saying anything. For them, the story just showed how strong Jade really was as she was recognised as a hero in more than one world. It might have made it more difficult for her to decide whether she would stay in the Digital World or not in the long run, but her strength was awe-inspiring.
They began to focus on calling out to anyone who could hear them. There would have been many people waiting on the shores beyond the fog, particularly Natsuko, the boys' mother, but no matter how loud they called, or how far they moved, there was no answer.
"We should head back." Matt suggested after a while. "We need to get some food, and meet up with the others."
"Yeah," TK agreed. "And I want to see Jade again. Do you think she's woken up yet?"
"I can't tell," Matt told him. "Mind talking isn't my strong suite."
"She's still unconscious," Gabumon explained. "And Agumon's stressing himself out. The others seem to be fine, though I can't really speak about Gatomon."
"We don't have a strong bond with her yet," Patamon explained. "But I'm sure she's with Kari, who will be with Tai by now."
"Mind talking?" Hiroaki asked.
"Tai and Jade can talk with us using their minds, regardless of distance," Matt tried to explain. "It's how we're able to coordinate when we're separated, but with both of them out of commission it's a little hard to organise ourselves."
"Ingenious," Hiroaki muttered. "Telepathy is really hard to perfect with training, never mind without training. So Taichi and Jade can use telepathy? Is there a bond between you all to make it easier?"
"We're all digidestined," Matt continued. "We're all linked together in one form or another."
Hiroaki didn't say anything else but the two children and digimon could see that their response had intrigued him. Matt anticipated many discussions in the future about magic and what it was capable of, but at that point in time he was a little more worried about his best friend and the girl he would protect even if it cost him his life.
The five of them had been out on the water for at least an hour attempting to make contact with anyone who could hear them without any luck, but it wasn't until their little boat made it back to the shore that anything happened. TK had noticed them first, his voice crying out as large orange and yellow frog-like digimon started to converge on them. Gabumon and Patamon tried to drive them off, but they were quickly overwhelmed.
"Hop in the van!" Hiroaki ordered as he sent off a couple of curses to drive back the enemy digimon. Gabumon explained that they were Gizamon as they all piled into the van, locking the doors behind them. The light was quickly cut off as the digimon leapt on to the van, covering the windows completely. TK held on to Patamon as the van started to rock, and without any warning the van suddenly tipped over on to its side.
"Ah!" TK cried as he landed on the door. He covered his ears as a new noise, this one more screech-like, overrode the sound of the Gizamon. The light slowly came back, and when TK opened his eyes it was to see a flock of bats finishing off eating the Gizamon.
"Come on guys," Hiroaki ordered as they watched the bats fly away. He helped Matt open the door, then pushed him out before reaching down to help TK.
"What happened?" Matt asked a little unsurely.
"Over there!" TK said, pointing in the direction the bats had flown.
"First, the sky will be concealed by a flock of bats," Hiroaki mumbled. "That was the first line of that prophecy that your friend received via email."
"We're early, but we should get to Big Sight as soon as we can," Matt added.
"I agree," Hiroaki told him. "Gabumon, can you make yourself big again so that we can get the van right way up? I don't fancy the idea of walking."
"Sure Matt's Dad," Gabumon easily agreed. "Matt?"
"Go for it," Matt said.
Sora walked with Susumu and Kari all the way back to their apartment complex. Gatomon was carried in Kari's arms, but Susumu had one hand wrapped tightly around his daughter's, and his eyes were constantly darting around as if looking for danger. Yokomon was content to just rest without conversing, but Sora knew that her partner was just as worried about Tai and Jade as she was.
"Is this type of danger normal?" Susumu eventually asked Sora.
"…I guess you could say that," Sora admitted. "It hasn't exactly been a relaxing vacation for us."
"Tell me honestly Sora," Susumu requested sternly, stopping so that he could completely focus on the child before him. "How much danger have you and the other children experienced, and what haven't I been able to protect my son from?"
"Tai is the one who gets hurt the most," Sora said reluctantly. "He's always trying to protect us, even if it costs him his life."
"What?!" Susumu shouted, anger in his eyes. Sora understood that the anger wasn't directed at her, but she still cringed. She knew that Tai wouldn't be happy with her for what she was about to say, but the man had asked for her honesty.
"If it wasn't for Jade, Tai would have died. He should have died, and looking back, maybe he did for a moment, but Jade used her powers and saved his life. He was then thrust into a rift in space, and he returned after a month or so for us."
"That's when he came home," Kari muttered, her face stark white. "But, he didn't look hurt."
"Tai is a master of hiding his injuries," Sora told her, looking away from the growing anger and fear in Susumu's eyes. "It's a real task to get him to admit when he's not feeling well or he's hurt."
Susumu started to walk again, moving slightly faster than he had been before. Sora had to jog to catch up, and Kari was just about running at her father's side. When they got to the apartment complex, Sora went to her own apartment and promised to meet up with the newest digidestined when she joined them at Big Sight. She was going to eat, shower, change her clothes, pack a small bag and go find her mother. Kari waved her off, but the girl was still in slight shock after hearing that her brother had actually died and they hadn't had any idea.
The apartment was trashed, the door blown in and rubble scattered everywhere. Still, Susumu didn't hesitate to enter and look for his wife and son. He ducked his head into their bedroom to see Tai hovering over the bed face down with Yuuko chanting under her breath to heal the boy. Susumu didn't let Kari enter the room, softly closing the door so that the two wouldn't be disturbed, and made his way to the kitchen to cook up something small for them.
"Is Tai alright?" Kari asked from where she was standing next to the closed bedroom door.
"He will be," Susumu promised. "Your mother is a brilliant healer, and she would have become the best in the world if she hadn't cut herself off from magic. Once this is all over we are going to have a family meeting."
"Gatomon and I need to be at Big Sight at three," Kari reminded the man.
"That's something we're going to have to talk about."
"Daddy! Everyone is counting on us! We need to be together to win. And I know that Tai wouldn't let you hold him back, even if it meant running away. He's the leader! Everyone looks to him when they don't know what to do!"
"How would you know that, little lady?" Susumu asked sternly. "You haven't been involved in all this until today."
"Matt told me when we were waiting for Tai to come back to us," Kari admitted, pulling Gatomon tighter against her chest. "And I've been involved for longer than today. I was chosen a long time ago."
"Yes, and as soon as I see those two again I'm going to make them regret picking children," Susumu threatened, his fists clenching in anger. "Who in their right mind would pick children to fight in a war?"
Kari didn't answer, knowing that the question wasn't directed at her. Instead, she and Gatomon started to eat to regain some energy. But all the while Kari would stare at the closed bedroom door, waiting for her mother to open it and tell her that her brother was going to be fine.
Michael and Akili arrived at Big Sight without any issues, and in complete silence. Agumon walked holding Jade's limp hand, but his attention was focused on Tai's silent presence in his mind. He didn't like it when his partner was unconscious, he always felt that there was something missing. Jade was still bright and warm, even when she was unconscious, and Agumon had gone with her because he knew that there was nothing he could do to help heal Tai.
"It's too quiet," Michael muttered as they walked into Big Sight. "We should have seen someone by now."
"Everyone was unconscious when Tai and I left earlier," Agumon spoke up.
"Even if that's the case now," Akili explained just as quietly as his friend. "We should have met someone, even if it's a digimon guard."
"Agumon, could you scout ahead for us?" Michael asked. "I'll cover the back, but Akili won't be able to attack with Jade in his arms."
Agumon nodded and released Jade's hand, running forwards so that he could look around corners and look for danger. Michael dropped back slightly but was still close enough so that he and Akili could talk. Both of them were concerned with the prophecy Gennai had provided Knowledge with, and knew that it was only a matter of time before it came true. It was why both of them hated prophecies, and ten years previously Lily had ranted about her hate of prophecies as well.
"What on Earth is going on?" Akili stuttered as he stared at the hundreds of adults and children lined up in rows, for all intents and purposes sleeping. They hadn't run across any digimon guards, something that disturbed all of them, and the very still state of the people before them was nerve-wracking.
"I feel like I'm on a movie set and this is where the casualties are counted before they're covered with white sheets," Michael stated, staring around curiously. He walked towards the nearest person and held his fingers to their neck. "Strong pulse, but this isn't a natural sleep. How many people do you know who sleep flat on their back looking like soldiers?"
"Not me," Akili admitted.
"Tai doesn't either," Agumon added. "He likes sleeping like a star or a ball depending on how he feels."
"I'm going to do a headcount," Michael stated.
"Great, then I'm going to put Jade down and find some food," Akili nodded. "Agumon, could you watch over Jade until one of us comes back?"
"I will guard her with my life," Agumon said seriously. The two adults looked at each other, a silent observation passing between the two of them, before they separated. Agumon watched them go before sitting next to Jade's head, resting his hand on her forehead gently.
"Everything will be alright," he promised softly. "We're going to make sure of it."
Over the next couple of hours the digidestined started to gather. Matt and TK were the first to arrive, and they gathered around Jade as they explained what they had seen to Agumon, and did their own check on Jade's state of health. Matt rested a hand on her shoulder, and TK had a one-sided conversation with her about how awesome his dad was with his magic. Mimi and Sora almost came in together, and Mimi had a huge collection of food for everyone who hadn't eaten. Sora had brought some food along as well, which Matt, TK and their digimon devoured. Mimi had also given Agumon a tight hug and told him that everything was going to be alright.
Joe and Izzy arrived together, Izzy bringing his parents and Joe bringing his older brother. They both had extra supplies in their bags, but both were also concerned at the state of the rest of the Odaiba population. Each of the new arrivals stopped first at Jade's side to see how she was, and then Agumon with a brief question as to whether Tai was alright or not. Agumon always replied that he was still unconscious.
Joe's brother went around checking on the sleeping population, and Joe followed him to help out where he could, and to do a little bonding with his brother. Izzy's parents pulled him off to the side to discuss Izzy's adoption, and ended up doing a little bonding when Izzy admitted to knowing that he was adopted.
While that was going on, Sora's mother Toshiko started to sleep talk, scaring everyone in the area.
"Lord Myotismon, lord and master," she repeated over and over in a monotone, soon being joined by the rest of the sleeping people. Sora recoiled from her mother, and Mimi pulled her into a hug as her own parents started to repeat the same thing over and over. They retreated into a group, staring at everyone without any idea of what to do.
"I wish Tai was here," Mimi admitted. "He'd know what to do."
"I wish Jade was awake," Sora added. "But hopefully Tai will be here soon, it's almost three."
"That's if he's awake," Matt told her. All six children nodded their agreement, and each of the digimon looked at each other in concern. They all felt uneasy.
Tai woke up feeling really thirsty. He could hear muffled voices, but his head wasn't clear enough for him to give the words any meaning. He couldn't remember what had happened before he fell asleep, and with a frown on his face he thought back. It was important, he knew that, and he also knew that it was sad and painful, but he couldn't remember anything specific. His eyes opened and he realised that he was in his parents' room, on top of the covers, and he wasn't wearing a shirt. Sitting up, he looked around curiously before figuring that his family was in the lounge room and went to join them.
He was wobbly on his feet, and needed to hold on to the wall so that he wouldn't embarrass himself by collapsing so soon after getting up. When he opened the door he had enough time to blink twice before a yellow blur crashed into his chest with enough force that he ended up on the ground anyway. The 'oomph' he released as he hit the ground caused the yellow blue to recoil in horror, and it was then that Tai realised his sister had hugged him.
"Hey Kari," he said with a smile. "Help me up?"
Kari pulled his extended arm and helped him to his feet. Looking closely at her, he realised that she had been crying and she was trying to hide it behind a smile. He draped an arm across her shoulders and walked across to where his parents were standing, having lurched to their feet when he hit the ground. Gatomon was sitting on the coffee table, her tail moving elegantly as she watched what was going on around her.
"How are you feeling, sweetie?" Yuuko asked as Tai made himself comfortable on the couch.
"Thirsty," Tai admitted. "And really confused."
"What's the last thing you remember?" Susumu asked cautiously.
"…I was running to Big Sight with Agumon," Tai eventually said, his eyes closing to bring up more of the memory. "There's nothing after that though. Did I pass out?"
"Memory loss with a serious injury is common," Yuuko admitted as she ran her fingers through Tai's hair as if he was a cat.
"Serious injury?" he asked, leaning slightly into the touch. "Where's Agumon? And Jade? Something happened to her, didn't it? Are the others alright?"
As he spoke his voice got louder as he realised he had no idea about the state of everyone else. Kari wrapped her arms around his waist again, her head resting on his chest as she attempted to calm him down.
"Your memory will return in time," Yuuko promised. "And as far as I know everyone is still alright."
"Your little dinosaur went with Jade," Susumu explained. "The others all decided to go home to eat and change, among other things, and meet at Big Sight at three o'clock."
"What time is it now?"
"2:43," Kari muttered. "Dad doesn't want us to regroup."
Tai frowned at his dad's unwillingness to let them go, though if he was as injured as he suspected then he could understand his parent's reluctance in letting them leave their sight. He turned to Gatomon who hadn't said a word yet. The cat-digimon blinked at him curiously.
"How are you feeling Gatomon?"
"Pur-fect," Gatomon replied silkily. "I digivolved, Myotismon was defeated, and Kari let me have some human food, so aside from the fact that the fog hasn't lifted I am quite satisfied."
As she spoke Tai saw flashes of what she was referring to. His head tilted to the side as he thought about it, before nodding and stating that he was still thirsty and hungry. Yuuko stood to get him something to eat and drink, but neither Kari nor their dad moved. They watched as Tai ate before Susumu pulled something out from behind his back from where it had been hidden. He handed the object to Tai after he finished his food, his face expressionless. Tai accepted it, realising it was one of his shirts, and then paled as he realised what shirt it was.
It was the shirt he had worn when Etemon hit him.
"I asked Sora how much danger you have actually been in," Susumu began as he watched what little colour Tai had in his face drain away. "She was reluctant, but I got the impression that you had actually died, and if it wasn't for Jade we would never have seen you again, or know what happened to when you didn't return from camp. I found that in your cupboard when I was looking for a replacement shirt for you. Is there anything you would like to say?"
"I'm fine now," Tai said weakly. The shirt had a giant hole in the chest, with a blood stain that went out further, turning the front of the shirt red instead of the blue it had originally been.
"Why should we let you and Hikari go back to this dangerous world?" Susumu continued desperately. "You are my children, and I don't want to see anything bad happen to you. This Digital World is clearly dangerous, and I don't feel comfortable letting you go there without any adult protection."
"We have to go back!" Tai protested.
"Why?!"
"Because we're the only ones that can save it!"
"You're eleven years old!" Susumu yelled at him as the two of them stood up so that they could glare at each other. "You shouldn't have to risk your life!"
"Going to the Digital World is the best thing that could have happened to me, regardless of what danger I was in! You have no idea how angry I was with everything! You have no idea the pressure I put on myself to be perfect for you, just so that you would notice me instead of Kari! You have no idea what it feels like to walk down the street and have kids my age deliberately cross the street so that they wouldn't have to walk passed me because I nearly got Kari killed! The Digital World showed me that I don't have to pretend, that I don't have to hide! I'm not going to let you take that away from me, now that I've finally found a place where I feel I can belong!"
Susumu and Yuuko both went pale through his rant, and Gatomon leapt onto Kari's lap so that she could wrap her arms around something while Tai was waving his own arms around wildly. Their parents were almost in tears, but they could hear the hurt in Tai's voice. Yuuko pulled her son into a hug, her arms strong as she embraced him.
"I'm going to go with you," she whispered to him, but the other two heard just as easily. "It's been a long time since I was last in the Digital World, and I know a lot has changed, but I'm not going to let you fight alone anymore. We're all going to fight with you."
"Yuuko…" Susumu muttered.
"Taichi's right, Susumu," Yuuko stated, pulling back from her son. "The Digital World is going to need him, Hikari and the other children. And I don't want Jade to fight on her own anymore, she needs to know that there are others who will stand by her, behind her, and in front of her to keep her safe…just like we did with the previous ruler of the Digital World."
"Just…keep them both safe, please?"
"I will," Yuuko promised. "Now, let's get that bag I packed earlier and make our way to Big Sight. You should probably let the others know that you're alright, Taichi."
Tai nodded and retreated to his room to put a shirt on. He was about to concentrate enough to call everyone else, but stopped when he felt Jade's familiar mind-presence brush against his own. He promised that he and Kari were on their way, and asked her to give Agumon a hug for him. Once he was ready he walked out of the room, grabbed Kari's hand, and led his family towards Big Sight. The end was finally in sight.
Jade opened her eyes desperately hoping that everything that had happened was a really bad dream. She could hear people talking around her, and only a few of the voices she recognised. Turning her head to the side slightly, she could make out Joe and an older boy who looked like him, Matt and TK with an older man standing just behind them, Michael and Akili, Mimi and Sora, Izzy with two people who had to be his parents, and the digimon all huddled together. She couldn't, however, find Tai or Kari anywhere.
Not wanting to speak aloud, she sent a mental pulse to each digidestined and digimon, and as one six humans and seven digimon looked towards her. Whatever conversations they were involved in were abandoned and they crowded around her, Sora helping her to sit instead of lying down. Agumon leant against her side, and sensing that he was miserable, Jade wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on the top of his head.
"What happened?" she asked softly.
"Lots of stuff," TK stated bluntly.
"TK!" Matt scolded.
"Gennai sent us an email of a prophecy he had discovered in the Digital World," Izzy started to explain before an argument could spring up. "I'm still analysing it, but according to Matt and TK, it's already started to come true."
"Tell me the prophecy in a minute," Jade requested. "But first, where's Tai and Kari?"
"Tai's mum took him back to their apartment to heal him from Phantomon's attack," Sora said quickly. "Kari followed with her dad, but Agumon came here to keep an eye on you."
"We haven't heard from either of them," Matt spoke up. "And none of us are particularly good at mind talking. Is Tai alright?"
Tai?
Jade! I was just about to call you! I'm so glad that you're alright!
I'm glad you're alright as well, Jade mentally said. Are you and Kari coming?
We'll be there soon, tell the others I'm glad they're alright and give Agumon a hug for me, will you? I have a feeling that he's a bit depressed.
"He and Kari are coming this way," Jade said after mentally agreeing with Tai's request. "He's really happy that we're all alright."
There were sighs of relief from everyone after hearing that, and Jade tightened her grip on Agumon, giving him the hug that Tai requested of her. Izzy went on to explain the prophecy, and how the first two lines had already come true.
"So if the first two parts have come true already, what is the next line?"
"When the clock strikes the number of the Beast, the Undead Digimon King will reveal his true form as the Beast," Izzy recited without referring to his computer.
"What's the hour of the beast?" Mimi asked.
"666," Hiroaki stated, drawing attention to himself. "Wizards don't generally follow religion, but there are several rituals based on runes and time. At six seconds and six minutes past six o'clock, there is a great deal of power easily accessible for those who know how to access it."
"So, triple six is our unlucky number?"
"Tai!"
Agumon led the charge towards the boy who had just walked into the room, Kari by his side and his parents behind him. The boy knelt to hug his partner, relief in both their postures, before the smaller group joined the larger group. Tai accepted hugs from everyone before he knelt on the ground so that he was next to Jade. Jade leant her head on his shoulder in relief, and he wrapped an arm around her shoulders briefly.
Two high-pitched yelps disturbed the group of children, and twenty-two pairs of eyes focused on Yuuko, Michael and Akili. Yuuko had her wand drawn, and had levitated the two men upside down and was sending stinging hexes at all parts of their body without remorse. Susumu looked very satisfied with the result, but everyone else, particularly the men, felt extreme sympathy when they noticed the location of a few of the hexes.
The children tuned out the side-show, and spent a couple of minutes explaining what had happened since Tai passed out, and Tai briefly explained the conversation that he'd had with his parents. Sora apologised for revealing what had happened with Etemon, but Tai didn't blame her.
"So we've got about two hours before Myotismon makes his reappearance?" Tai clarified.
"It's not Myotismon," Jade told him. "Myotismon is currently in the shape of a bell on my staff, the soul of the creäture we defeated was not included. I was too slow to grab his data before Myotismon's body fractured. No, the creature that we will be fighting, while he contains the DNA of Myotismon, is actually far older and far more dangerous."
"How do you mean?" TK asked curiously.
"Do you remember the story I told you, about how everything used to exist in one world?" Jade asked him. TK nodded but the other children looked confused. "Basically, there used to be one world where all creatures and humans lived, but it was too crowded and more worlds were created to allow for more room to grow. The creator of the first world was known as God, and he created what is now the Digital World and the Human World after seeing how crowded it was. After he passed on, Lord Lucemon took over management of the Digital World, eventually separating it into two worlds, the Digital World and the Shadow World. The Human World was watched over only a little, and every so often the more powerful digimon would venture across to check over humanity.
"Anyway, God's passing has always been confusing. Lord Lucemon said that it was because the stress of managing over multiple worlds fractured his mind, much like Lord Lucemon's mind fractured at the end, and they fought…but where Tom and I imprisoned Lord Lucemon in the Prison World, God wasn't imprisoned anywhere. I think a part of his soul was trapped in the Digital World, and when Myotismon stumbled into its path he was possessed."
"So we've been fighting against God?" Joe cut in.
"Yes," Jade confirmed. "A dark God, but a God all the same. His goal is to return all the worlds to one, but doing so will cause a lot of damage and could potentially destroy everything. Every world has grown from when he last had control over them, and I know that the Digital and Shadow Worlds aren't compatible with the Human and Magical Worlds anymore."
"So what can we do?" Kari asked nervously.
"Well, we've got about two hours to prepare, and the first thing I plan doing is getting something to eat," Jade stated. "There's not really much we can do until then."
"Most of us have packed bags for our return to the Digital World," Izzy told her. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that we're going to follow you back, and we'll be by your side for as long as you need us."
"And even after that," Tai added. "You're not getting rid of us that easy."
"And we're going to join you as well," Yuuko said, smiling in a satisfied way as she returned to the group, Michael and Akili walking behind her much like severely scolded children might. "I have some belongings that will help in the long run, and having extra firepower won't hurt."
"Gennai will be happy to see you three again," Jade said with a bright smile. "He got old but I'm sure he'll act like a young person when you reunite again. And I know Guilmon will be overjoyed with your return as well."
"Yes, but that 'old' man is going to get his rear end handed to him," Yuuko continued, her expression darkening. "I'm going to give him a piece of my mind."
A couple of the children gave nervous chuckles at her statement, but Tai and Kari stared up at her with wide smiles on their faces. With two hours to waste, Mimi decided to go hunting for the children who had been sent to sleep as they were not in the same room as the adults. She was worried about her baby brother, but her concern for everyone else had kept her from leaving the large room until they were all together again. Sora went with her as emotional support, while the digimon stuck close to their partners. Jade was given some food to eat, and then she wanted to walk around to see the damage, and to get the blood moving through her body again.
Tai, Matt, TK and Kari stuck close by her, while Joe and Izzy grouped together to discuss what supplies they had and what they could use more of based on their past adventures. The adults stayed together, watching the children organise themselves far more efficiently than most adults they knew, and while they were glad to see the organisation, confidence and responsibility they each displayed, the fact that it came about because of a war in another world worried them.
"Alright, what was I hearing about triple six?" Yuuko asked, turning to the other two adult digidestined.
"There's a prophecy Gennai sent to Knowledge, about the fate of this battle," Michael explained quickly, not wanting to anger her anymore. "The 'Undead Digimon King' will appear when the 'clock strikes the number of the Beast', so we'll have some time to prepare. I think we should put some wards up over this area, to prevent more injuries and make sure that every person here is kept unharmed."
"The last line of the prophecy mentioned something about angels and arrows, though I am uncertain of its meaning," Akili added. "It is supposed to grant us a miracle though."
"I can help with the warding," Hiroaki spoke up. "I don't know anything about the Digital World, but I am competent with warding. If this is how I can help my sons, this is what I'll do."
"We don't have any magical skills," Yoshie stated sadly. "We'll just be in the way."
"Knowing that you are supporting your children will be enough," Yuuko stated. "It's something that we always wanted when we were children. My parents never knew about what we went through, and neither did Lily's parents. They thought she was telling stories, so she stopped. The fact that you know, and support what your son is doing, will help more than you think."
Izzy's parents nodded, soft smiles on their faces. Yuuko leant against Susumu, both of them watching Tai and Kari interacting with Jade. In fact, just about every adult was staring at Jade. Having heard about her from their children, each had come up with an expectation upon meeting her, and in regards to the digidestined, what they expected of the new Sovereign. She defied all expectations.
Watching her, it seemed as if she could draw in each of the young digidestined, and even those who were in different areas would look towards her every so often. Her laugh was warm, and she appeared to be very confident and secure surrounded by others. Her behaviour was the complete opposite of how she was at the beginning of summer. She was a light in the darkness of the moment, and instinctively they all realised that it was her spirit that would get them through the coming hours.
At ten to six the children all gathered outside, their eyes drawn to the ever increasing flock of bats flying through the sky, all heading towards one point. The air itself felt heavy, and not because of the fog. The digimon were shifting around nervously, but they didn't move from where they stood next to their partners. And then, as the clock hit six seconds and six minutes past six o'clock, there was an explosion of darkness from the vicinity of the television station.
Kari cried out in shock upon seeing the largest and ugliest looking digimon she had ever seen. It was taller than any building in Japan, with larger than usual arms, beast-like legs covered in fur with sharp talons, shredded wings, devil horns, and a dangerous looking tail. It was hideous, and it oozed darkness. Jade shivered at the sight, instantly knowing what its name was.
"VenomMyotismon," she breathed.
Agumon and Gabumon instantly digivolved into their Champion forms, running forward as they did so. But when that proved to have little to no effect, they digivolved again into Ultimate. Matt and Tai stepped in front of the group, fists clenched in worry as they stared at the clearly one-sided fight. Jade was also worried, for she recognised a Mega digimon when she saw one. The most that MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon were able to achieve was knocking VenomMyotismon to the ground by the force of the explosions.
"This isn't good," Joe observed, a slight hint of panic creeping into his voice. "Will these wards hold?"
The last question was directed to the magicians of the group, and it was Michael who nodded in confirmation.
"These wards will keep that monster out, but the rest of the world is still out there for the taking. If he can't get to the people here, he will go beyond the fog and take people that way."
"So we have to stop him here," Tai stated easily enough.
"We have to destroy him," Gatomon corrected.
"You can count on me!" Patamon instantly declared. The other digimon copied the little digimon, but Gatomon was already shaking her head in refusal. The children stared down at her in confusion, and Gatomon explained that she just needed Patamon to help her as he could digivolve into an angel form.
"As angels, we're the most effective against the darkness," the cat explained. "Everyone else, I need you to conserve your strength, because if this goes wrong then we'll be in a lot of trouble, more trouble than the Sovereign alone could save us from."
The other digimon and children, while reluctant, agreed with Gatomon and the two digimon digivolved into their angel forms to help MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon. Tai, Matt, TK and Kari ran after them, simply so that they could stay close to their partners, while the others remained grouped together to watch for when they were needed. Jade was the only one who refused to stay where she was, so she took on Phoenixmon's form and flew after her friends and Protectors.
The three angels were just in time, for as they reached the area of the battle, VenomMyotismon struck down MetalGreymon and WereGarurumon, forcing them to return to their Rookie forms. Without the protection of their more powerful and larger forms, VenomMyotismon was moments away from stepping on them to delete them. Angemon and Angewomon used their power to push back the dark digimon, and in that moment of hesitation Phoenixmon swooped down and gathered the two Rookies in her arms.
Masami and Yoshie watched with wide eyes as, to them, three angels magically appeared to fight against a demon. Masami was the one who connected 'angels' with the prophecy that had been a huge source of discussion over the last few hours. He quickly asked his son to repeat the last part of the prophecy, and without any hesitation Izzy did so.
"Then angels will let fly the arrows of Hope and Light at the loved ones of those whom they are to protect, and a miracle will happen."
"That would have to mean Angemon and Angewomon," Joe stated, staring up at the fight. "Phoenixmon isn't a Protector Digimon, she's the Sovereign so it can't mean her."
"Right," Izzy agreed. "Then 'those whom they are to protect' would be TK and Kari."
"But it said 'at the loved ones'," Sora protested. "Not TK and Kari."
"Their parents?" Mimi asked.
"No," Izzy said with a shake of his head. "It means Tai and Matt."
"So in order for us to win we have to let Tai and Matt get shot with arrows and hope that 'a miracle will happen'?" Sora asked again. "Does that not sound dangerous to anyone else?"
"If Gennai wrote that stupid script I'm going to kill him," Yuuko muttered under her breath. She, like every other adult, felt useless just standing on the sidelines.
"It may be our only chance," Izzy told them. "VenomMyotismon is a Mega digimon, that's a level above what we could achieve. As we are, even with Phoenixmon helping us, we can't win. There's too much imbalance in the Digital and Shadow Worlds for her to be at full power. We won't win like this."
"Why is it always Tai?" Mimi asked with a sigh. "Does he have a target on his body somewhere that we can't see?"
At that moment Phoenixmon landed in front of Tai and Matt, their partners in her arms. She put them down gently on the ground before turning to the group standing within the wards of Big Sight. She had heard everything that they discussed, but she knew that she didn't have time to explain it to those who would be affected by it. She pushed the two boys, and the youngest of the digidestined, back to the group so that they could discuss it with everyone present.
"So, all we have to do is get Angemon and Angewomon to hit you with their arrows of Hope and Light," Tentomon summed up to the four. Kari was clinging to Tai's wrist in worry, and TK was staring up at his brother in concern as well. The two older boys stared at each other before turning to look at the fight between the three angels and VenomMyotismon.
"I say we go for it," Tai decided. "Kari, TK, can you do this?"
"Are you sure you want to?" TK asked fearfully.
"I don't want you to get hurt," Kari added.
"We'll be fine," Matt said with a grin. "After all, being shot with arrows of Hope and Light will surely be better than being stepped on by that guy."
"Alright," TK said reluctantly. He held his crest in his hands, and Kari copied him with the same amount of apprehension. Calling out as loud as they could as their crests lit up, they asked their partners to shoot their brothers. White arrows hovered in front of the two angel-digimons, and as the arrows formed Phoenixmon sent a wisp of fire at the two, making them glow even brighter.
"Wait! Are you sure about this?!" Gabumon protested.
"What if that prophecy is all wrong?" Agumon added.
"You guys want a miracle to happen?" Tai asked. He was grinning as he pulled out his digivice to hold in his hand, and allowed his crest to rest on the outside of his shirt. Matt copied him, also grinning at his partner.
"Miracles need a little faith," he said.
High above them Phoenixmon created a wall of flames to keep VenomMyotismon from interfering. She was worried, but despite Gennai's age and forgetfulness, he had never given wrong information before. She had faith that a miracle would happen, just as she had faith that no matter the odds, her Protectors would come through and defeat all evil that stood before them.
"One miracle…" Angemon began, preparing to throw his arrow of Hope.
"…coming up," Angewomon finished, her arrow of Light ready to fire from her bow.
As one, the arrows were released. Streaks of white light flew towards the ground, and Tai turned his gaze at the approaching arrow that was aimed at his chest. He ignored the world around him, his parents crying out, his friends gasps of shock and fear, Matt's hand darting forward to grab his own…and locked eyes with Phoenixmon. She stared back at him, her expression confident, and in that moment he knew no fear.
The arrows connected, and a flash of light burst from the two boys. There was a short scream as power rushed through them, diverting towards their digivices and crests, before entering their digimon partners. The two digimon cried out as their power level increased exponentially and they digivolved to a higher form than what they had been able to achieve before.
"Agumon, warp-digivolve to…WarGreymon!"
"Gabumon, warp-digivolve to…MetalGarurumon!"
I'm alive! I'm so sorry it took me so long to post this. My only excuse was that by the time I was ready to post it, my computer decided that it didn't want to work. Luckily, everything I have was backed up and all I had to do was locate another computer to upload. Thanks go to Okami Princess and ShotaroxPhillip for their patient and not so patient prompts for me to get my act together. Sorry it took so long you two.
On a side note, before I get to the review portion of this author's note, I have published a book. It's called There is Hope: Even in the Worst of Circumstances. My writing of that book took up most of my time last year, and finally came out on sale. It was very exciting for me, and my family whom I had been keeping it a secret from XD
Now the review answers!
Impstar: Yes, Jade will get stronger once the darkness is under control, and hopefully we'll get to see more of Tom in the next chapter.
WriterPON3: That's a really good idea, I hadn't thought about it like that before, but I could probably twist that in somewhere. Not for a while yet, but maybe somewhere during the battle against Voldemort.
dream lighting: Yes, I will be doing the movies, I already have a few plans for them as during the movie Yolei was selected as a digidestined. There a few other characters I will be turning into digidestined in the future, but I need to get this series done first. XD
ultima-owner: Probably not, but after the battle a lot of digimon are reborn, I could possibly make Puppetmon a Protector Digimon, but I'd need to find the right child first.
Malcolm Son of Athena-Poseidon: Yes, she is one of the children I want to be a digidestined. Her role will come up later.
DalekDavros: I am aware of the games, though I haven't played them myself, but I understand the basic storyline and will be using part of it to pave the way for season 2.
Next up in Intertwined Destinies:
Chapter 27: I want to go Home