Tai Kamiya led his team farther south across a roiling desert. Occasionally, they would stop in a town and ask about the shadow Kaskana. However, they had passed the last town near a day ago. The sky grew dark and he called a halt, the rest of the group dropping their bags and making a camp. While he helped get a fire going, Tai noted that this had once been his favorite time of day. Izzy would be using his computer to look something up, Mimi would spout out some fashion advice, Sora and Matt would be debating about what to grill, TK and Kari would be off somewhere gathering sticks, Joe would have a first aid kit out, and Tai would be checking on the group. But now, his little sister Kari and Joe were who knows where. It had been several days but Tai still missed them both.

Tai sat watch, staring at the sky. His orange yellow dinosaur pal, Agumon stared at him. When Tai was handed his letter he was excited about all the spells he would learn. But spellcasting was only taught in two classes. Tai now knew a large amount of magical history from his History of Magic class. His Magical Mythology class taught him about the countless legends of the magical world. Originally, Tai had taken it so he wouldn't have to take a hard class but it had turned out to be one of his favorites. Potions, taught by Severus Snape, was tedious but Tai had several vials of Wiggenweld and other potions he had learned the recipes for over the years. Though he doubted he would find Mandrakes, Devil's Snare, or Venomous Tentactula; Tai now had a good knowledge of plants. Magical creatures had helped him learn about caring for Agumon. Tai was currently scribbling on a sheet of paper, lost in thought.

"Whacha doing Tai?"

"Oh, I'm just making a star chart Agumon."

"What's that?"

"It's like a map of the stars instead of the land. See, in Magical Myth, I learned that non-magic folk use the North Star to find their way because it never seemed to move. Of course, Thomas taught me a spell that makes my wand point north, but I just never noticed the difference between the stars back home and those here."

"You act so serious now Tai."

"Yeah, well we aren't kids anymore. I mean, Kari and Joe are eight feet tall and Izzy has bug armor. Even that kid, Harry is different."

"He is?"

"He's made completely of flame."

"That's hot."

"Isn't it?" A voice rasped. Tai and Agumon spun around and saw the face of Zhuqiaomon, the phoenix Digimon.

"Who are you?"

"I am Zhuqiaomon, I rule the South. I thank you for freeing my brethren, Azulongmon and Ebowamon. I know you seek the answer to Kaskana, the shadow of Earth. However, I have no answers to the shadow imprisoning Baihumon. All I can give is assistance. I know one of you has faced the Trails of Lord's Mountain and yet the others could not bring themselves to it. It takes great wisdom to forgo knowledge and so I give these to you." With this, the phoenix handed over seven chips of what looked like coal, each one tied by a string. "Ah, I see two of your number are not here, as I cannot leave my borders until the shadow of fire, Aodhan is defeated. (A.N. As the tale of the shadows progresses, the freed Sovereign may change. Also, Aodhan will be the fourth shadow as the Goblet of Fire plays a prominent part of the fourth book) However, I ask that two of these medallions be given to the missing children."

"But there are eight of us."

"Yes and so one of you will not receive a medallion. The one called Izzy has no need of the contained power within them. With that business concluded, I must warn you that you are nearing enemy territory and as such will find yourselves in grave danger. Only use the medallions in times of need." With that last speech, Zhuqiaomon flew away, quickly vanishing.

When the morning came, the group continued on. Tai had quickly given Matt, TK, Mimi, and Sora the "medallions," stringing one around his own neck. Each one seemed to beat like a second heartbeat, forcing the wearer's own heart to skip around until it pulsed in the same matter. Tai had told the group about his visitor and what he had said, the group agreeing to go it slow, keeping eyes in all directions.

BOOM!

The group froze, Digimon ready to Digivolve. Quickly, a familiar opponent appeared, Etemon. The monkey Digimon ran toward the group, ready to fight.

"Let's go!" six voices called out.

"Agumon digivolve to… Agumon!"

"Palmon digivolve to… Palmon!"

"Patamon digivolve to… Patamon!"

"Tentamon digivolve to… Tentamon!"

"Biyomon digivolve to… Biyomon!"

"Gabumon digivolve to… Gabumon!"

Normally, they would have changed into forms higher than their own and yet, they were all still the same. Four years ago, Tai would have run at the Digimon anyways but now he drew his wand. "Petrificus Totalus!" He yelled, remembering a first year spell he had learned. A beam shot from the beech wand, freezing Etemon.

The temperature immediately dropped, the desert vanishing along with his friends. Tai felt his medallion beat faster, seemingly in response to the temperature. Tai was standing in front of an icy obelisk, strange carvings running up and down its sides.

A.N. And so the plot thickens. Tai and the group have been separated, and yet only one of them knows why. The fact that Tai has accepted magic means that he has opened himself up to… something. I know this sounds similar to book one but perhaps it will go differently. As I mentioned, the story may change. Now, we leave Tai and the others and jump to another group, Takato's. This is ruled by Baihumon and so it may be more informative. However, I will guarantee that Tai will play a part in this next chapter. Also, the obelisk is in a place neither here nor there. Since Henry is in Takato's group, I will be sharing some knowledge of the martial arts in that chapter and will be focusing on Henry. Now that that's out of the way, please bear with me as I crank out the next chapter.