The first day of "Fate" is coming to an end. Needless to say it has been a long day for all involved. And it isn't going to get any easier. That being said, it has been requested by Kirai-Ninja that there be more of an exchange of information between the Digidestined and tamers. I'd be glad to oblige, but keep in mind I can't have too much of that too soon. They need to learn to work together (some will be better at that than others…). I will bring in a few interesting insights I have on the difference between a digidestined and a tamer. There is a difference (other than one is for seasons 01/02 and the other is for season 03).

Anyways, let's get back to the story.

"What are you doing?" inquired Kari.

Most of the group had already left. Takato, Henry, and their respective partners had left with the Digidestined of Knowledge, though the goggle-wearing youth had attempted one last time to remain. Davis and DemiVeemon got out of the household, and away from Rika, as quickly as possible. T.K. and Patamon's exit was calm by comparison, lacking any flinching that Davis exhibited when he met the red-head's gaze. Surprisingly, Destiny agreed to stay at Ken's home. She claimed she wished to speak with him anyway.

Now, Tai and Agumon were attempting to find enough blankets for the remainder of the tamers. Miko, the family cat, finally reappeared when the majority of the strangers vanished. The feline remained wary though. Gatomon was now on the balcony, keeping her fellow champion company.

What held the Digidestined of Light's attention, however, were the tamers. Rika had pulled out a deck of cards. She seemed at first to be playing some form of solitaire, but Kari didn't see a single spade or diamond. After a moment, she realized the red-head was sorting them. Jeri also pulled out a deck, but didn't start sorting. She just looked at them before smiling.

When Kari asked what they were doing, the brown-haired tamer shrugged, "Checking to see what cards we brought. We didn't know we were coming, so we don't have everything."

"'Cards'?" the digidestined asked curiously.

"Digimon cards," Mako explained. "Rika and Jeri have been teaching us how they work and stuff."

Ai nodded, "But they only let us use a few right now. Rika said that it's sometimes better to have no cards than to use the wrong one."

"So we only have a few easy ones," continued the young boy. "But Rika and Jeri have really cool ones. But they're older and have used them more."

"But they're teaching us," reminded his sister.

"I think you two have succeeded in completely confusing her," remarked Rika. "Better let the expert try."

Rika pulled out a card and held it up. Kari recognized it with a shock. On it was an image of Agumon. His name, attacks, and what looked like statistics decorated the surface as well.

"This is a digimon card," she explained. "In addition to the television show, there is a card game and a variety of video games. My specialty, though, is the cards. Even before I met Renamon, I was a natural." The red-haired girl's tone shifted to a bragging one. "No one could hold a Candlemon to my skills. I only lost to…" She paused, looking distant, before continuing her tutorial. "Anyway, these cards are even more important now."

Renamon stepped away from the wall she'd been leaning against. "I'll try to keep the demonstration small, Rika."

The tamer nodded before holding up a white object with a blue ring around the screen. "This is a D-arc. It's like one of your digivices or D-3 or whatever you call them. Only, ours has a few more tricks to it."

Kari, unsure of where this was going, simply watched as Rika slid the card through a slit on the D-arc.

"Digi-modify!" she announced. "Agumon's Pepper Breath Activate!"

Then, Renamon called out "Pepper Breath!" and fired a small flame from her mouth, lighting a candle on the nearby table.

"How…?" began the Digidestined of Light, wondering how this fox-like digion could use an attack her brother's digimon possessed, but realized what had occurred. "The card! You used Agumon's card and then she could use his abilities."

"It gives you a real edge in battle, being able to change you options," nodded Rika. "And it's not just attacks. Strength, speed, stamina, or even wings can be added with the right cards."

"That's amazing," Kari remarked. "If you had enough cards, then…"

"It's not just the number or variety of cards," Jeri explained. "That's an important lesson for all of us. If you try to use a card at the wrong time, you can make things worse."

"So, until the twins have the experience to be able to handle a larger variety," the red-head declared, "they're sticking with the basics. The last thing Impmon needs is to be turned to stone unexpectantly."

"Didn't you say that one of the boys did that to their partner?" asked Jeri.

Kari smiled to herself. Whether they were called digidestined or tamers, this group reminded her of how her friends were. They seemed carefree and innocent, but every single person knew that there were risks. The weight of the worlds always seemed to rest on the shoulders of the young. But she, her friends, and even these new children acted like the responsibility never bothered them.

"Yes, they did," laughed Rika. "It took Goggle-head forever to learn to choose his cards carefully and not just use whatever he had in his hand."

Mako boasted, "We won't do that. Rika and Jeri are teaching us. And Rika's the best card player ever."

"Sounds like you have a fan," remarked Tai as he returned with a stack of blankets. A pile of pillows followed, Kari identifying as Agumon underneath the cushions. He tossed his load on the couch. "Here. Mom's checking to see if we have any more."

"Speaking of fans, you have quite a few, Tai," the red-head smirked. "Takato is the only one here, but his friends, Kazu and Kenta, would kill to see you too. Besides," she glanced at Mako, "the kid's right. I am the best and I have the title to prove it."

"Are Kazu and Kenta digides… tamers too?" asked Agumon. As the tamers and Renamon nodded, the orange digion blinked, "How many are there of you guys?"

"Well, you've met about half of us," Jeri explained. "Kazu is partnered with Guardromon and Kenta with MarineAngemon. Henry's little sister's digimon is Lopmon. And Calumon is partnered with Mr. Yamaki."

"Mr.Yamaki?"

"He's a grown up," smiled Ai. "He acts really serious, but Calumon's fun."

Her brother added, "Even if Impmon calls him 'an annoying creampuff'."

"An adult tamer?" asked a stunned Kari. "That seems so… odd. Oikawa technically had a partner for years, but he didn't met him until… Still, it's not that common."

"And I've never heard of Calumon before," added Agumon.

Renamon nodded, "I doubt you have. Calumon was the physical manifestation of the power of digivolution. Now, he is a regular digimon, more or less."

Tai's face gained an expression of shock and awe. "And now you've gone completely weird. Not that you weren't already, with the whole alternate reality thing. But a digimon as the 'power of digivolution'? How many more surprises do you have?"

"If you're a tamer… or a digidestined," Rika remarked, "you should know that surprises are a part of your everyday life."

Kari narrowed her eyes, "I was wondering… Why do you call yourself tamers rather than digidestined? I mean, you know the term in your reality. Is there a reason?"

"Well, I personally wouldn't want to refer to myself as something off a kid's show," the red-head explained. "No offense. Another thing, I think our… relationship with our digimon is different. It has a different basis."

"What do you mean?" asked Agumon.

Rika sighed, "While I'm not an expert of the show, didn't you your partners get matched up by that Gennai guy? Pretty much, the digimon were selected, destined, to go with specific kids. You are the Digidestined, picked to save the world because you saw monsters when you were younger and an old guy decided 'you'll do'. Us, on the other hand," she smiled back at Renamon, "didn't have it that simple."

"When was it simple?" asked Gatomon, being drawn from her conversation with Leomon. "Try being around Myotismon for most of your early life."

"But once you find your partner, you're good to go," she continued. "Because you're made for each other. Other than maybe Dino-boy and Goggles, our partnerships were more random. We weren't instantly guaranteed to get along or to be partners instantly. Except for a few of us, most of the tamers knew their digimon for a while before they became partners. Like Jeri and Leomon."

"And some relationships were easier than others," smiled Jeri. "Rika and Renamon weren't always the perfect team they are now, according to the others."

"My point is," Rika gave the brown-haired tamer a look of aggravation, "our partnerships aren't clear-cut or instantaneous. And while the term 'digidestined' sounds pompous, claiming to be chosen by destiny, 'tamer' isn't exactly right either. That sounds like we domesticate some wild, mindless creatures. And while some digimon act like animals, many don't. It's an equal partnership, with both groups benefiting."

The yellow rookie nodded, "No matter what you decide to call yourself, digidestined or tamer, what you do is more important. From what I have seen, you are the same as us in that you try to do what you believe to be right."

"Because we're the good guys," declared Mako.

Tai smiled at the child's statement before getting distracted. "Who lit the candle?"

Destiny studied the dark-haired boy whose home she was in. Because of her life and duty, she possessed limited experience with social interactions other than her short-lived friendship with the tamers (if you call one night of exchanging stories before they started hating her because of what the prophecies were doing to them as a 'friendship'). She was most likely to speak to individuals in a wise and all-knowing fashion that kept them at a distance. Ken was little better when it came to dealing with people. He could handle being with the digidestined, though he had reason enough to be ill at ease in their company, but strangers were something different.

"It's so nice to meet another of Ken's friends," remarked Mrs. Ichijouji, placing a pillow and blanket on the couch. "And you're from out of town?"

"Yes, and my usual accommodations are available to me," the girl nodded, thinking of her temple-like structure in the digital world. "Thank you for allowing me to stay in your home."

"It's no trouble at all, dear. And friends of Ken's is always welcome. He must miss that Yolei girl while she's out of town, so it's nice to that he still has company," she assured, patting her shoulder before leaving the two children in the living world with a drowsing Minomon.

"You are still haunted by the past, aren't you?" Destiny observed suddenly.

Ken blinked, startled by her abruptness. He looked down then, trying not to allow ghosts of his former crimes to invade his mind. The dark-haired girl smiled understandingly.

"Even if everyone, even those hurt the worse by your crimes, forgives you and even if you try to move on and make up for your mistakes, you still doubt," the prophetess continued. "You doubt that you will ever earn redemption, if you deserve it, and you fear that you'll sink back into the darkness of your past. You know the pain you caused as the Digimon Emperor. You remember the horror of losing your partner as he risked everything to save you from that darkness. You even wonder if your friend, the one you faced true darkness and power with and became corrupted to protect him, is dead like others believe and if it is your fault. All these ghosts of your past haunt you yet."

"Please…" started the Digidestined of Kindness, but she interrupted.

"I cannot tell you all, but know that what has happened is what was needed. Any change that you wish you could make, all those 'what if's' you want to know, exist somewhere in the universes. And many are even worse. Accept your mistakes, as hard as it may be, and take comfort in that you escaped the darkness planted in your heart before it was too late."

The boy sighed, "I hope that all of my… past stays in the past, but you are right. It's hard to forgive myself and harder still to forget that I could become that way again."

"Stop that. You are not the only being to fall into darkness for a time, as you will learn. And though the shadows of your past will remain, they will serve to remind you of what dangers lurk in that darkness and that it can tempt even the kindest heart. Remember your past without being bound to it, Ken. I believe you've been told this before by your friends."

"What do you mean 'as you'll learn'? Did one of the tamers…?"

"Lose their way?" completed Destiny. "When the time comes, you'll see one who suffers as you do. Go then and speak with your fellow lost soul. It is easier to solve other's problems than your own, so help him and thus help yourself. Both of you can accept your pasts and resolve to guard against your futures, if you chose."

"'Him'?"

She smiled, "You'll see. On the final matter, your lost friend. Don't keep looking for him here or in the digital world you know. He will never again be here. He is and always will be tied tightly in the web of fate. He's always walked a different path than others because he is connected to a powerful entity, but he is now further from this world than ever before. Take comfort in the knowledge that you'll see him again and he is happy." Noticing the expression of the digidestined, she grinned. "And yes, I sound like a fortune cookie. I've been told that before. Talking in riddles is a job requirement."

"I'll say. It's easier to follow Davis' logic than what you to tell me," sighed the boy. "You could be saying he's dead or…"

"Don't worry too much about it. When the time comes, you'll understand everything I've said." She picked up the sleeping Minomon, taking care not to wake the in-training digimon, and handed him to Ken. "Take care of your friend. He cares for you and would do anything for you. But you nearly lost him in the past. And the cruelest thing to suffer is the loss of a partner. I know what it can do to a person; I've seen the damage. Trouble is coming, I know that much, and I don't want any more deaths to break another partnership."

Holding the insectoid form of his resting friend, the digidestined asked, "Do you foresee any? I thought you said you deal with prophecies and destiny."

"That's a normal misconception. Destiny and prophecies hold no guarantees. Free will still exists. Part of the reason, not all of it, that Rika hates me is because she sees me as a threat to her control of her life. She sees the idea of fate as meaning she has no true free will. If that were true, I'd have no purpose. All a prophecy is, truly, is the knowledge of cause and effect needed for the best out-come," Destiny explained.

"Rika reminds me of Yolei," smiled Ken. "Especially her reaction to Davis."

"And this prophecy is… incomplete," continued the girl. "As more is revealed, I'll let you know. Until then, tomorrow promises to be interesting. Sleep well, Digidestined of Kindness."

He nodded, "Good night, Destiny."

"I'm still a little confused on the difference between a 'digidestined' and a 'tamer'," admitted Izzy, unaware a similar conversation had just occurred in the Kamiya household. "You explained that the partnership is more casual, arising by circumstance rather than being chosen. But you also say that these creatures called 'DigiGnomes' were involved, as well as 'blue cards'."

Takato and Guilmon lay curled up on a futon already, both worn out by the excitement of the day. Terriermon and Tentomon had remained awake for a time while their respective humans talked. In time, as the pair exchanged more and more information, the digimon lost interest in the various topics and fell asleep. Now, Henry and Izzy were the only ones awake. The pair sat near the laptop, its glowing screen providing the only illumination.

Henry sighed, "Let's put it this way. Would any of the humans or digimon of a partnership try to sever ties to their partner? Not because they had to or to try and protect their friend, but because they didn't want to be partners anymore?"

The Digidestined of Knowledge shook his head slowly, "No, none of them would ever do that. You can't break that bond. We're made for each other."

"You can't break the bond, but you aren't guaranteed an easy partnership in our cases," explained the tamer. "We've had at least two cases where they've tried to go their separate ways. In one case, the partners remained apart for months to the extent we didn't even know that they were partners. In the end, it all worked out though."

"I see…," Izzy remarked. "Oh, I was checking on some of your digimon and…"

"Let me guess: Guilmon?" grinned the dark-haired boy.

The reddish-brown headed youth nodded, "I have nothing on him. And that bothers me."

"You can't find anything on Guilmon because he's one of a kind. Takato created him. He imagined Guilmon and the DigiGnomes made him real with a blue card," explained Henry.

"Prodigious! That's incredible. Willis attempted to create a digimon artificially on the internet, but that became infected by a virus and turned into Diaboromon. It wasn't good for anyone involved. But I think it's finally gone for good," commented the older boy. "So, Guilmon is Takato's creation with the help of the DigiGnomes. What exactly is a DigiGnome?"

"…The simplest explanation for them is that they're... wish granters," sighed the tamer. "They have incredible power and they essentially grant wishes. They're just part of our digital world and fairly mysterious."

"'Wish granters'? How… odd of a concept. But the digital world does seem to be partially based on the hopes, dreams, and imaginings of humans," Izzy remarked. "I guess that beings that live to make dreams a reality make sense."

"Our digital world is radically different than the one you know, the one portrayed on the show. Ours is harsher, more savage, and less Earth-like. In addition to the presence of the DigiGnomes, the digital world has oddities like data streams, different levels with extremely different terrain, and the whole 'loading digimon's data' practice."

Izzy narrowed his eyes, "What do you mean 'loading digimon's data'?"

"A barbaric practice that was how other digimon gained power. In our digital world, a digimon could be destroyed and stay destroyed if a digimon absorbed its data into their body for extra power. Death for them could be permanent if things happen the wrong way."

The pair sat in silence for a while. They just looked at their sleeping partners. Izzy considered the idea of digimon actually dying permanent deaths and shivered. Patamon would have been lost long ago, along with Ken's partner. Henry wasn't kidding about the harsher world. It sounded terrifyingly dangerous.

The interior of the Hairball's home was dark by the time he made it back. On the balcony, Leomon slept. The champion was covered by a large blanket, doubtlessly at Jeri's insistence. The kind-hearted girl would have worried about her partner being cold, even if it was a warm summer night.

Impmon landed quietly beside the leonine digimon, trying not to awaken him. The rookie rubbed his arm. Most of the numbness was gone by now, but it was still weird feeling. Whatever was in the building was bad news. Still, he wasn't dead. That was always a plus.

He eased the sliding door wider and crept inside. Rika and Jeri were on the floor, cocooned in blankets. Jeri lay near the balcony and her partner, and smiled softly in her sleep. Rika was across the room, her pillow slightly squashed from pounding. Even unconscious, she was violent. Leaning against the wall was Renamon, her ear twitching occasionally. Doubtless the yellow fox would awaken any minute and ask questions. She had a knack for that sort of thing, telling when he was up to something or had something on his mind.

On the couch, his twins were curled up. Impmon felt a small grin on his face. They didn't have any pajamas (due to their abrupt departure), so someone had dug up a couple of oversized t-shirts. Now, the pair slept calmly on the sofa. He carefully tugged the blanket out of Mako's grasp and covered Ai better. The boy was always a blanket hog. The digimon tucked the pair in properly without disturbing his tamers. The girl still wore the D-arc around her neck and even hugged it to her body like a stuffed animal.

The virus type grabbed the blanket someone had left for him and wrapped himself up. He leaned against the couch and dozed off. He never noticed a smile from a certain yellow digimon.

I hope you like it. I think that it is logical that Rika and Jeri would teach the twins how to use cards (and to limit which cards they are allowed to use). Rika is the Digimon Queen and Jeri is patient enough to make a good teacher. I know that the pace has been kind of slow lately, but the next chapter will have a fight in it. I promise. Please leave a review. I love feedback.