The rest of the day passed in a blur, the Valkyrie mulling over what had been said. How could they kill something unkillable? In his office, Dumbledore stroked his phoenix, Fawkes in thought. He did not know who this shadowy figure was but he was not worried about that. No, the way Remus was forced to be a wolf in the daylight, and the way he looked when he returned to human form, frail and in pain. He knew he would have to find out how to stop this before the students were placed in danger. He glanced out his window lost in thought when he noticed that there were people meeting.
As the wind whistled through the trees, Ken Ichijoji walked onto the grounds. It was obvious that the answer to Kaskana was not in this world but the next. Tai leapt from a tree, nodding to the Ravenclaw and yet deep in thought. Idly, he practiced his levitation, causing pine needles to fly around the place.
"You remind me of Marcus." Thomas stood, carrying a seventh year spellbook.
Slowly, the Digidestined gathered; Tai, Matt, Sora, Mimi, Joe, Izzy, TK, Kari, Davis, Ken, Cody, Yolei, Willis, Takato, Rika, Ryo, Henry, Suzie, Jeri, Kazu, Kenta, Takuya, Harry, Zoe, JP, Tommy, Koji, Koichi, Marcus, Thomas, Yoshi, Miki, Megumi, and Kristy. Yet still they waited; soon Spencer, Homer, Ai, Mako, and Sampson appeared, slowly making their way to the group. And yet, they waited. Finally the group was completed with the addition of Draco and Ron. Seeing something, Harry looked up, focusing on Dumbledore's eyes. Harry nodded at the old man and then led the group away. Mid-stroll, the group split into little subgroups, Harry stood in the front with Tai behind, surrounded by Mimi, Matt, Sora, Joe, TK, Kari, and Izzy. Willis, Cody, Yolei, and Ken stood by Davis. Behind Takato; Rika, Ryo, Henry, Suzie, Kenta, Kazu, Jeri, Ai, and Mako walked. Next to Harry, Takuya stood; following him were Zoe, JP, Tommy, Koji, and Koichi. In the back came Marcus; Thomas, Kristy, Yoshi, Sampson, Spencer, Homer, Miki, and Megumi falling behind him. Fully bringing up the rear were Draco and Ron, the latter noticing the split. "Hey, what's with the groups?"
"Tai's group is the first generation Digidestined. Davis is the leader of the second generation while Takato leads the Tamers. Takuya is also a leader, that of the Legendary Warriors. And Marcus leads the last group, DATS."
"DATS?"
"Digital Accidents and Tactics Squad. They monitored the barrier between the Digital and Human Worlds." Draco explained.
"Ah. So, everyone came from a different reality?"
"Not everyone. See, Davis and his team took over from Tai's team. Other than that, yes."
"So where are we going?"
"Look around you."
Ron looked and saw the group was in Hogsmeade. They walked toward a strange shop and one by one walked in. Ron recognized this shop and Draco had to drag the boy through, it was the very place he had once come as Randalf's prisoner.
The group fell in and then fell out on a familiar meadow, back in the Digital World. "Valkyrie, it is time. We must return to our birthplace so as to be renewed. Tai take your group to the south and see what you can find there. Davis, to the North. Takato, go to the west while you go to the east Marcus. Koji, I think your group already knows where to go, we will all meet again soon." Harry spoke softly, nodding at each group as they left. Only Harry, Takuya, Joe, Kari, Draco, and Ron remained; each turning toward the trees in the distance.
For the first time ever, Ron would see what was in those trees. He imagined a beautiful forest of diamond trees but what he saw was a forest of rot. "Wha-what happened here?" He asked the others.
Harry stopped just before they entered the forest, "You are still human. You can only see what your eyes tell you, that this place is full of death. When the beast and I rode through here the first time, I grew panicked at the ghostly images. But now, I know that is simply an illusion. Now just follow us, this place is not for humans and as such, is not for your voices." With that, Harry turned on his friend and plunged into the darkness. After hesitating, Ron followed, the others already far ahead.
Once again, the group stopped at the lake. To Ron, it was a large silver diamond, but to the others, it was a block of moving metal. Quickly, Takuya jumped in. As soon as he broke the water, Ron saw the beast floating there. Harry was next, transforming to a half Harry and half Takuya. Without pause, Kari dove in, her body remaining as is, as did Joe. Draco turned to the water and then spun around, raptor eyes piercing through Ron. All of a sudden, Draco jumped and Ron stood alone, staring.
Do you submit to the Ritual of Change?
Yes.
With each moment he stared at the lake, Ron felt the words work power through him. Though he hadn't understood them, instead wanting to help Harry, the words told him that he had to put this aside and give himself to his oath. Ron stared at the withered trees, a shiver running down his spine. When his eyes took in the black sky, Ron felt himself calm, for a moment forgetting Harry's face. All of a sudden, he felt a splash and realized he was underwater, seeing Kari, Draco, and Joe floating near him. Ron held his breath, not wanting to drown and tried to swim upward, held fast by the water.
After a minute or so, Ron could not go another moment without taking a breath. He breathed in through his nose, the water cascading through his nose and causing him to choke. However, he could not, his open mouth frozen. At last, he took another breath and felt the water pouring into him, solidifying itself into strange cords. He was slightly aware that he was breathing easily, each breath as natural as it would be on dry land. Ron felt something touch against him and hold his mind fast.
So, you truly have submitted. Once we were like you, confused at what was now running through us. We quickly learned that no purpose could suit us more than that of the Valkyrie. My Valkyrie live only in service to me and I in service to the world. At this very moment, you have died, not in body but mind. The human Ronald Billius Weasley can never wholly exist again, the Raptor lurking at the very edge of every moment of your life.
The group was released and collapsed on the ground, Ron looking just as he normally would but feeling different. In fact, Ron did not resurface, Raptor rising to take his place. Hakuya now had twin swords on his back, covered by a shield. Hawk, Eagle, and Raven now had their hair to their feet, small weapons now concealed by their head feathers. Even the beast had changed, armor covering every inch of the being. Without a word, each being took to the sky, led by a man riding a strange beast.
A.N. Like Harry, Takuya, Joe, Kari, and Draco Ron had to accept his new life. Luckily he was able to do so in time. Now, the Digidestined are split into two groups, the Valkyrie, the Digidestined, 02, the Tamers, the Legendary Warriors, and DATS. If any of you have watched Frontier, you may be able to guess where the Warriors went but everyone else will have to wait. I hope these next chapters will give the other characters quality time. I also would like to warn you all that as of Tuesday I am in class. Thus, I won't be able to fulfill my promise of posting nightly. However, I will write at every chance I get, posting chapters when they become completed.