A/N: Wow this was a great chapter! I bet you can't wait to read it! Thanks to Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967 who reviewed chapter 5!

Diclaimer: Even at two a.m. in the morning when I wrote this I didn't own digimon, aka I don't own digimon.

The Warrior of Hope
Chapter 6
A Molehill Out of a Mountain

The light on my face woke me up the next morning. Koji's head was resting on mine, and I really didn't want to wake him up, but I knew that we needed to get to the Forest Terminal, so I nudged his side with my elbow. His eyes opened in shock. When he saw that it was just me, he smirked down at me, "Good morning, was my arm comfortable?" I smiled sweetly back at him, "I don't know, but you were obviously comfortable resting your head on mine." He laughed at my comment. I got up, removing his arm from my shoulder and helped him stand up. We scanned the wall for any handholds that we could use to get up. Seeing none, we walked along the wall until we came to a break in the trees.

I looked up the cliff and realized that there was actually an entire mountain there. There didn't look like any way up, and there were more mountains surrounding us, so I doubt we could have walked around them. There were only two choices, walk along the mountain through the forest again, or try to find a way to climb the mountains. We chose the second option, or I should say that Koji chose the second option, because he started walking towards the mountains before I could say anything. When we came to the base of one of the other mountains I noticed that there were train tracks going up the side of the mountain. Koji started to climb the tracks like a ladder and I decided that I'd better hurry and catch up, or a Trailmon might come and squash us both. We finally reached about halfway up the mountain when a Trailmon did start to come. We jumped to a tiny ledge that was barely able to hold the length of our feet. I sighed, knowing that this way was going to be harder than the train tracks, but I didn't want to risk another Trailmon coming, so I followed Koji as he edged his way along the ledge.

We were about a quarter the way around the mountain, almost to the side where we would have to climb down when we heard people calling for help from a cave above us. I looked at Koji, "How are we going to rescue them?" He glanced at the smooth surface of the wall, "I'll have to climb it, and then pull you up when I get up there." I nodded and watched as he carefully but quickly climbed the wall. Once his hands were close enough, he grabbed the edge of the cave and pulled himself up. He reached his arms down so that he could pull me up after looking around to see if any enemies were in the cave. I grabbed his wrists and he grabbed mine. He started to pull me up, but I could see that he wouldn't have enough strength to do it on his own. I tried digging my feet into the cliff, but my shoes couldn't get a good enough grip, so I dug my knees into the rock and used them to push myself up. As soon as I was close enough, I brought my leg over the edge of the cave and used that to get the rest of me in the cave.

I looked around the small cave and I saw some snail-like digimon trapped in a cage with a padlock at the very back of the cave. "Hello?" Koji said, obviously doubting that these were the people calling for help. "Heroes!" "Oh, please you must help us!" "You'll scare them off, don't be so pushy!" The digimon all started talking at once. Koji tried pulling on the padlock, but it wouldn't budge. "Let's be smart about this, Koji." I said, handing him a big rock. He nodded, then started hitting the padlock with the rock, trying to break it. The snails started screaming and I looked behind us, only to be grabbed by the shoulder and tossed out of the cave as if I weighed nothing. I looked over at Koji and then looked down where I saw a pile of who knows what right below us. Well, it's better than falling to the ground.

The collision sent the pile flying in all directions and I heard someone say, "Well, we finish and the universe throws some humans into the works." The digimon dig us out and I gasp, "What was that stuff?" The snail-like digimon gave me a weird look, "It's our leftover slime from last month, we had just gathered all of it up when you two fell into the pile and scattered it." I shuddered, even if they weren't real snails, they still had slime and it was stuck all over my body. "Do you guys have a bathroom anywhere? You know, someplace I could take a bath?" They nodded and said, "Follow us." Koji raised his eyebrows at me. "What? I haven't taken a bath in a while and I really want to get this snail slime off me." "Whatever." I rolled my eyes at his response. We finally reached the bathhouse, and I noticed that it was one of the only buildings that was right side up. I decided to ask about that later and take a bath now. I walked into the lady's side and started to take my grubby clothes off. I grabbed a towel and some soap and then stepped into the warm water. I let myself soak a while before scrubbing myself clean with the soap. As soon as I felt clean, I grabbed my clothes and scrubbed them until they were all clean too.

I stepped out of the bathhouse feeling refreshed and ready to take on whoever pushed us out of that cave. I found out that Koji was in one of the sideways houses and I used a ladder to get to it. My elbows were in the doorway when I saw that the handle of a broom was pointed at me. I raised my eyebrows at Koji, who was holding the broom and he set it down. I pulled myself all the way into the room, but was careful not to land on Koji, who was standing on the wall due to the fact that the house was sideways. "So, what's the plan?" I asked, knowing that he'd have one. "Well, the KaratsukiNumemon were told by Grumblemon that he wanted this mountain's fractal code. The KaratsukiNumemon don't know where it is, and when they told him that, he kidnapped their women and threatened to hurt them if they didn't give him the fractal code. So, the KaratsukiNumemon went in search of heroes, who are going to help us defeat Grumblemon. I definitely want revenge on Grumblemon for throwing us off the mountain." I nodded, accepting his plan. "Oh, by the way, you may want to take the bristles off that broom if you want to look intimidating, because you looked just ridiculous holding that end and pointing the handle at me." He rolled his eyes but pulled the broom head off the stick.

We sat down on the wall/floor and made a battle plan for what we should do. As we were sitting, we gradually came closer together until we were right next to each other. After a while, he reached out and grabbed my hand. I blushed at his boldness, but didn't reject. "Hey Koji, I forgot to ask, why do you wear that bandana?" I asked after a long silence of just enjoying each other's presence. "Well, it was a really long time ago, and I don't remember all of the details, but according to my dad I was about to get my first haircut, because my bangs were in my eyes. I refused to get them cut, I loved my hair the way it was, and so my mom got me this bandana. It pulled the bangs out of my eyes, and made my hair look shorter than it really was. My dad was happy, and I was happy. Every time my dad would even mention a haircut, I would just pull this out to cover up how long it really was. Eventually, I did get my hair cut, but it was only a trim and I was happy that I kept my long hair. After a while I completely forgot why I wore it, and just started to leave it on my dresser, but after my dad told me that my mom had given it to me, I wore it every day and even the teachers stopped getting mad at me for wearing it, because I refused to take it off. It became my trademark." I noticed that during the parts that he had talked about his mom he held my hand tighter as if it was a life preserver, keeping him above the water.

I rested my head on his shoulder and felt him relax, "Thanks for telling me, I know that was hard for you." He smiled down at me and when I saw him leaning closer, I realized that he was going to kiss me. I tilted my face up, and right when our lips were about to meet we heard people coming up the ladder. He sighed and jumped up, getting into a defensive position in between me and the door. A KaratsukiNumemon came in the doorway and said, "You're almost there." "That's great!" I heard a voice that sounded a lot like Takuya's say. Then I heard a voice that sounded like Tommy's say, "Huh, who's that? Hey, wait!" Then goggle-head himself stuck his head through the door. "Yes, wait you guys are here too?" Koji swung the stick around so that it was pointing at Takuya. "You're the people these guys found to help out?" Koji was obviously disappointed, and frankly, I was too. Then the whole gang all had their heads in the doorway, from Neemon to J.P., who was looking like he was going to pass out on the floor from all that climbing. J.P. then exclaimed, "Jade, Koji!" "So, you guys couldn't find any food either?" Takuya was already getting on my nerves. "What are you talking about? We are here to help the KaratsukiNumemon." "Yeah, don't lump us in with you guys, these kids aren't going to be able to help you out at all." Koji said matter-of-factly to the KaratsukiNumemon. "I'll help you, right upside the head!" Takuya held up his fist like he was going to hit Koji from his spot in the doorway. "At least give us a chance!" Tommy yelled. I almost wanted to say yes, just to make the kid happy, but I didn't want him to get hurt.

"Thanks guys, but we can do this on our own." I said to them, but was looking at Takuya. "Just look at you guys, the only thing you would do is getting in our way. Can I help it if you're not up to our level?" Koji phrased that in a meaner way than I would have, but I guess that's the only way to discourage them, or make them want to help even more. "Watch it, stick boy, or I'll-" KaratsukiNumemon cut him off, "Please stop fighting, we are grateful to all of you for coming to help. Now, it's time to eat." Koji rolled his eyes when the others cheered and I sighed, this was going to be interesting. Their cheering forced them to let go of the doorway so they fell into the house, and Koji pushed me out of the way before they could flatten me against the wall/floor.

The KaratsukiNumemon brought out some food that looked like cabbages. I ignored the complaining of the others and grabbed four for me and Koji to share. I brought them over to the spot we had claimed as our corner and I sat next to him. I took a bite of a red cabbage and tasted beef ramen noodles. "Yum, Koji you have to try this!" I held out my cabbage for him to taste. He raised his eyebrows at me, but then took a bite out of the red cabbage. He nodded his head and then gave me a thumbs up before grabbing a white cabbage from his pile and taking a bite from that. I sighed; he can be so unsocial when other people are around us. We ignored everybody else, and ate our cabbage in silence, our hands brushing every once in a while when we reached for another cabbage or shifted our weight to get comfortable.

Once everybody was done eating, Koji started to explain the plan. "Grumblemon has the captives in a cave that is right about here." He pointed to a spot on a map of the mountain the KaratsukiNumemon had supplied for us. "We'll have to get in and out quickly." The KaratsukiNumemon started groaning as our plan started sounding more difficult. "Just relax, have no fear leave everything to us, legendary warriors!" The KaratsukiNumemon were just starting to relax at J.P.'s words, but when he mentioned that we were legendary warriors they all became terrified. "What's the matter?" Zoe asked. Something isn't right, they don't trust legendary warriors? I wasn't even sure if I was one, but I knew that they'd be afraid of me if I was. "You mean all of you are legendary warriors?" The leader of the KaratsukiNumemon asked. "Yeah, in the flesh!" Takuya foolishly blurted out. The KaratsukiNumemon gathered in a huddle as they decided what to do, I hope that they aren't planning on throwing us off the mountain, been there, done that. While they were busy I decided to ask Bokomon about my spirit.

"By the way, Bokomon what does your little book say about my spirit? You never told me what element I am." Bokomon took his green book out of his pink waistband and started scrolling through the pages, "Ah, here it is, DeviAngewomon is supposed to be a myth! Even more legendary than the legendary warriors! She was the one who chose the three new leaders, Seraphimon, Cherubimon, and Ophanimon. Her spirit was the one of Hope. She was known as the princess of the digital world." "Hope? How is an angel combined with a demon hopeful?" I was confused. "It is showing good and evil coming together to a more hopeful future." Bokomon said, as if it were obvious.

By now, the KaratsukiNumemon were done with their little meeting and the leader said, "Well, it's time to go to bed." "And I say, it's time to go rescue the girls!" Takuya interjected. "No, no, get some rest so that you will have a fresh start in the morning!" The KaratsukiNumemon obviously wasn't that worried about their women. "Uh, okay." Takuya just gave up like they weren't acting suspicious at all, I sighed. "Now off to bed with you!"

We were sent into the bedroom where we were forced to sleep on the wall/floor without a bed. I knew that something was up with the KaratsukiNumemon, so I lay awake, trying to hear if they were going to attack us. I heard Takuya whispering to Koji, "You know, I didn't like you at first, but seeing how you're helping the KaratsukiNumemon I guess you're alright." Koji turned the other way, towards me, "They helped us first, but don't think I'll help you." He looked startled that I was wide awake. I heard Takuya grumble and then turn over.

"Why are you still awake? You should get some rest so that we can beat Grumblemon." I was surprised that he hadn't noticed how weird the KaratsukiNumemon were acting. "Just thinking, I can't fall asleep." I lied, not wanting to make him worry. I would wake him up if the KaratsukiNumemon tried anything. "Everything is going to be okay, you are ready for this fight." He obviously thought that I was nervous that I would mess up. "I'll even let you wear this, for good luck." He took his bandana off, letting his hair fall in his face. He then tied it in my hair, folding it until it was just a strip of cloth, making it look like a headband. "Oh, Koji!" I moved across the floor until I was lying next to him, then I pulled him into a tight hug. He chuckled at my emotional reaction and pulled away, telling me to get some sleep.

I was half asleep when I heard them crawl into the room. I sat up, wanting to wake up Koji, but found out that I was their first target when I felt ropes slide around my waist. I was about to scream when a gag found its way into my mouth. I kicked Koji in the stomach, but it was too hard of a kick and left him breathless. The KaratsukiNumemon quickly tied him up and the others. They dragged us outside and attached our ropes to wooden posts sticking out the side of the mountain. They slowly hoisted the others down so that they were just dangling. I was the only one left. They took my gag out of my mouth before lowering me down to where the others were. I looked at Koji with sad eyes. I had failed, I could have saved everyone, but I had made Koji barely able to breathe, let alone yell to wake the others. He smiled at me, "Thanks for waking me up with such loving touch."

I sighed then heard Takuya yell, waking the others and making them yell too. "What's going on here?" Zoe asked. "You don't want to know!" J.P. replied. "Okay, what's going on here?" Koji asked getting right to the point. "We'll give you back to your partner in exchange for our women." The KaratsukiNumemon leader said. "You dirty sneaks, is that why you brought us here?" Takuya yelled up at them. "We are not the dirty sneaks, you are! Pretending to be helpful strangers when you are really legendary warriors!" "I don't understand, what's wrong with that?" Zoe obviously did not like the fact that she was in a skirt suspended over who knows who. "The times for your tricks and lies are over!" He replied. "We aren't lying! The only liars here are you, for pretending to need our help!" I was shaking with anger. "Don't worry; soon you'll be back with your ally." Ally, what ally, what was he talking about? Did Takuya make new friends while Koji and I were gone? "Ally? What are you talking about?" Koji, as always, asked the question that was on my mind.

"Don't play dumb, we know you're all in league with Grumblemon!" The accusation made my hands form fists, "Yeah we are really good friends with the guy who threw us off the mountain!" I wasn't sure if my sarcasm got through due to my yelling, but I was so mad that I didn't care anymore. Suddenly, some rocks blew out of the side of the mountain and a deep voice said, "Now give fractal code, or bad things be happen." Wow his grammar is horrible. "Yeah, says who?" Nice job Takuya, let's be mean to the person who could easily destroy us by cutting the ropes that were holding us. "You call me Grumblemon!" A goblin-like digimon walked out of the cave. He wore a red hat, blue armor and red pants. He had symbols all over his body and a nose that was bigger than my foot. "Hey, look at that symbol!" Zoe exclaimed. "He's also a-a legendary warrior!" Takuya was obviously shocked.

"I didn't realize that there were bad legendary warriors." Bokomon said as if this was just another interesting fact in his book. "Grumblemon, if you want to save your allies, give us back our women, now!" The KaratsukiNumemon leader threatened, and it would have been a pretty good threat, if we were allies, but we weren't. "Holding that knife a little close there!" J.P. brought our attention to what was in the KaratsukiNumemon's hand. "What, so? Me don't care what happen to weak, human things." Grumblemon replied. They brought the knives closer, but all Grumblemon did was stare in interest, obviously waiting for us to fall. "But, they're legendary warriors too!" The KaratsukiNumemon argued. "What, these weaklings be legendary warriors? Me thinks someone got their hands on some spirits and took them when they shouldn't have! Now I take them all back!" He took a hammer out of the ground and prepared to swing it at us.

"Wait, you aren't allies?" The KaratsukiNumemon asked. "Well, duh!" I exclaimed. "That's what we've been trying to tell you!" Tommy yells, exasperated. Grumblemon swings his hammer at the wall and we all bring our legs up, to avoid getting crushed. The KaratsukiNumemon crawl up the wall, dropping their knives in the process. Koji sighs and kicks off the wall, catching one of the falling knives on his ropes, freeing him. He started to fall, but yelled, "Spirit!" He got his D-Tector out and quickly yelled, "Execute, Spirit Evolution!" I watched as he transformed into Lobomon. He jumped up and grabbed the rope that once bound him, swinging towards Grumblemon. On the way, he cut my restraints with his Lobo Kendo so that I was able to quickly pull my D-Tector out as I was falling. "Execute, Spirit Evolution!" I flew up to where Lobomon was battling Grumblemon, flying behind the enemy. "Heaven's Wave!" I shouted, opening my arms so the little demon angels could attack Grumblemon. He was getting hit pretty badly, so he pulled a hammer out of the ground and swung at me, hitting me in the chest. I fell back, but used my wings to keep myself in the air. Grumblemon tackled Lobomon, bringing him through the top of a building, and out the other end so that he was only staying up because his hands were holding on.

Grumblemon laughed as he came to the edge of the hole. He quickly stomped on one of Lobomon's hands with his foot and laughed as he lost his grip and was only hanging on with one hand. I flew up past Lobomon and hit Grumblemon with my claw. He fell against the wall and I yelled, "Evil Charm!" I made a cross in the air with my claw and it flew toward Grumblemon, making him immobile. I turned around and helped Lobomon up. When I turned back around I saw that a giant blue and yellow beetle digimon, who I assume is J.P. had brought Grumblemon to the top of the house, where Agunimon was about to use his Pyro Darts attack on him. "Pyro Darts!" He yelled, and threw little burst of flame at Grumblemon. "No!" I yelled as his fire dissolved my Evil Charm that was holding Grumblemon prisoner. Kazemon and a little white polar bear with green armor came flying over, but I ordered them, "Go and rescue the prisoners! Make sure that the KaratsukiNumemon are safe! "

While I was saying this, the beetle digimon used an attack called Thunder Blitz and hit Grumblemon into a wall, where he dug in. "You want to start digging, or should I?" It was definitely J.P. in there, nobody else would make a joke in the middle of a battle. "Great, now you lost him!" I was seriously starting to like Koji's point of view that we could do this without them. "You haven't lost me yet!" I heard the voice a second before I felt his hammer hit my back, sending me tumbling down the mountain. "DeviAngewomon!" I heard Lobomon yell. I couldn't have him leave the battle for me, so I yelled back, "I'm fine, just get Grumblemon!" I used my wings to make myself stop spinning, but by then I was getting really close to the ground. I tried to pull up, but I only managed to slow myself down before my body hit the ground. I turned back into my human self and looked up in time to see a mud slide coming down the mountain. I jump back and barely avoid getting hit. Next thing I know, J.P.'s digimon self is causing an even bigger one. I avoid the bigger rocks, but that doesn't stop the smaller rocks from hitting me and giving me bruises all over my body.

By the time I can see through all the mud in my eyes, Grumblemon has changed into something even more hideous, a bigger version of himself without armor. His nose was even bigger than before. He was called Gigasmon. He started to twist and knocked Lobomon, Agunimon, and the small polar bear off the ladder that they were clinging to. The polar bear yelled, "Frozen Tundra!" Then turned into a giant icicle and stuck to the mountain, giving Lobomon and Agunimon a place to hold on to.

I was starting to lose consciousness, probably thanks to the beating that I had gotten, but I did see Gigasmon stealing the mountain's fractal code that J.P. had uncovered. I fell into a giant hole that used to be the mountain, and I blacked out.

A/N: I'm sorry if this is terrible but, please tell me if you think it is, or if you think it was great, or if you have any opinions at all for that matter. :)