A/N: Wow, I am really on a roll tonight. Thanks to Crystal-Wolf-Guardain-967 and Ebonywolf7 for reviewing my last chapter. :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon.
The Warrior of Hope
Chapter 18
Darkest Before Duskmon
I opened my eyes and found myself deep in the forest in the Continent of Darkness. I was all alone. I started walking, not knowing what else to do. I came through a thick patch of trees only to find myself looking at Koji. He was standing alone in the middle of a clearing. He wasn't looking at me. He looked very different. His heir was cut just above his shoulders. He was wearing a green collared shirt over a red long sleeved shirt, white pants, and green and yellow shoes.
"Koji!" I yelled, but he didn't look up. "Koji, what's wrong?"
He didn't answer me, just continued staring at the ground. Suddenly, he was yelling, "Am I nothing? Is that why you never noticed me? You had everything, and we had nothing! How could you do that to us? I hate you!"
I stumbled backward, surprised by his outburst. My eyes filled with tears, "Koji, what are you talking about? I-I always noticed you. Please, just look at me and tell me what's wrong."
He closed his eyes, "I give up. You won't ever care, and I can't follow you around waiting for you to notice me. I'm done." He turned around and started walking away.
"Wait, don't leave me! I care about you! I have noticed you since the first time we met! No!" I tried to run after him, but my body was in shock. I couldn't move my legs. I just watched as he disappeared into the trees. "No, Koji, I love you!" I shocked myself even more by my own outburst.
"Jade, it's time for you to wake up." A voice came from inside my head.
"What?" I blinked and the dream disappeared.
I looked around and found that I was in a dungeon. I could see my own body slumped to the floor. I was chained to the wall. I quickly walked over to myself, and sighed in relief when I saw myself breathe. I was about to bite my finger, my usually thinking position, when I noticed that my left hand was a claw. That's when I realized that I was DeviAngewomon. Actually, I was only the spirit of DeviAngewomon.
"You're finally catching on." The voice in my head said.
"Who are you?" I asked out loud.
"I am the Warrior of Hope. I am also the former Princess of the Digital World, but you can just call me Hope. I am trying to show you a skill that you have while in the digital world." The voice said.
"Is that skill coming out of my body while I'm asleep?" I asked.
"Yes, it is not something that you can control, but when someone you care about is in danger, you can watch over them in this state. You can't talk or interact with them, but you can lend them your strength, though I don't suggest it while you are so weak from today's fight." Hope told me.
"Are my friends in danger of being attacked by Duskmon?" I asked.
"Yes, they are trying to recover from the fight, but they don't know what to do. Let's go and watch." As soon as Hope stopped talking, we were transported to a campsite. J.P. and Zoe were sitting around the fire. I couldn't see anyone else. They were having a very deep conversation.
"This world can be tough, but we've learned a lot here." J.P. was saying.
"J.P., I'm worried about Koji and Takuya." Zoe said.
"What are you worried about did something happen?" I practically yelled.
"They can't hear you." Hope reminded me. I frowned and started listening again.
"How so?" J.P. asked.
"Well, that fight they got into." Zoe said.
"I wouldn't worry about it." J.P. told her.
"Why?" Zoe asked.
"When you spend as much time together as we do, there's bound to be friction. Besides, if Takuya weren't so hot-headed and Koji were less calculating, we wouldn't be complete, you know?" J.P. said.
"No." Zoe said.
"It's the combination of all of our differences that make us such a good team. We balance each other. Seriously, can you imagine what it'd be like if we had two Takuyas?" J.P. asked.
"Two Takuyas, huh…" I could tell that Zoe was imagining it.
"Yeah, see what I mean?" J.P. asked.
"It's not a pretty picture, is it?" Zoe asked.
"And believe me, it would be the same with two Kojis in the group." J.P. said. Zoe started to imagine it, "You don't have to imagine it, you know."
Zoe sighed in relief, "That's a load off my mind."
"In a way, we're all balanced like this fire is." J.P. said.
"Okay, you lost me. Just how is a fire balanced?" Zoe asked.
"Well, a fire's made up of parts, just like our group is. You need something that'll burn, but the fire also has to have oxygen from the air, or it'll go out. If the wood's too tight, the fire smothers, too loose and the fire won't even start, balance." J.P. explained.
"You know something?" Zoe was looking at him thoughtfully.
"Huh?" J.P. asked.
"There's more to you than I thought." Zoe said.
J.P. smiled, "You should hear my thoughts on love."
"Dude, you totally just ruined the moment!" I laughed.
He turned towards Zoe, "I think-"
Zoe put her hand in his face, "I think I'll take a pass on that."
"Okie doke." J.P. said.
"Let's go see your other friends." Hope said.
"When is Duskmon going to attack? Will it be soon?" I asked after we were transported to where Tommy and Takuya were talking.
"I do not know. I am no longer in tune with the Spirit of Darkness. He has been corrupted by evil." Hope said sadly.
I nodded and then listened to the conversation.
"You know, you worry too much, buddy. Once we put my new plan into action, we'll take that guy out in one shot, he won't know what hit him." Takuya was saying.
"Will we be able to save Jade?" Tommy asked.
Takuya smiled, "Of course we will. There is no way that Duskmon is getting away with that."
Tommy smiled, "You're right."
I frowned, "How can you be so confident? Do you not realize that Duskmon was only playing with you? You need to learn a lesson Takuya, and fast."
"You're right, but it can't be helped. Let's see what the Warrior of Light has to say about all this." Hope suggested before we were transported to a river.
Koji was leaning against a rock wall while Neemon and Bokomon were getting water. Bokomon and Neemon were talking, and Koji was whispering to himself.
"This is all my fault. If I had kept her close to me, this would have never happened." Koji looked up to the sky, "Jade, I am so sorry for failing you. I know that I couldn't have helped you, but I shouldn't have left you. You are our Princess, and you should be the one that we take care of first." Koji sighed, "Now you're all alone with those evil people, and who knows what's happening."
I tried to caress his face with my hand, but I just went right through him. "Oh Koji, it's not your fault, it's mine. I should have been more careful. I don't regret the fact that you got away and I didn't. I'm not important compared to the digital world's only hope, the legendary warriors. Though I am a legendary warrior, I am not included in that group because I am also the princess. My job is to protect this land. I hope that you understand."
"You're right, but he is right also. Your warriors should have protected you." Hope said.
"It's not their fault, I was expecting the real Warrior of Darkness, yet I got Duskmon. If I hadn't been so shocked, I would have thought more carefully. Plus, we weren't expecting anyone to kidnap me. It has never been attempted before, so why would it happen now?" I explained.
"Now that Duskmon is fighting, he wants you to be on their side. He knows that you have power over the Digital World, and he wants to use that." Hope said.
I sighed, "Sometimes I hate being the Princess." I looked around and realized that Koji, Bokomon, and Neemon were gone. "Where did they go?"
"Back to the campfire." Hope said as we were transported there.
"How long did it take you to come up with attack all at once, a second?" Zoe asked.
"That's his big plan?" I asked.
"Apparently." Hope said.
"Yeah, we tried that already, remember?" J.P. asked.
"Now, now, now, I realize it may look like the same plan, but once I lay it out for you, you'll see plenty of differences." Takuya said.
Tommy nodded in agreement.
"Alright Tommy, show them the plan." Takuya said.
"One plan, coming up." Tommy said. He got out a few figurines and set them up, "Now, say this is Duskmon."
"Wow Tommy, did you make that?" Zoe asked. Tommy nodded.
"Wow, it looks just like him." J.P. said.
"I helped too, you know. Now, back to the plan, I'll spirit evolve to Agunimon to stop him." Takuya said.
"Do I get my own doll too?" Zoe asked.
"Yeah, I want one." J.P. said.
They held up five more dolls, "I wouldn't leave you out, everyone's in the plan, so everyone gets one. But, let's get back to my idea."
"Who is the fifth doll for?" Zoe asked.
"It's Jade's, because we didn't want her to be left out, even though she's not here." Tommy said and everyone looked away sadly. Koji's hands became fists as he looked at the ground.
"Okay, so as I stop him, everyone will be beast spirit evolved, then MetalKabuterimon and Korikakumon will move in. Zephyrmon and KendoGarurumon will sneak up on his flank. Then, when I give the signal, we'll all attack." Takuya knocked over the Duskmon doll. "And that's that. So, any questions?"
"Just one, when do we get going?" Tommy asked.
"I'm in shock, that looks like it might really work." Zoe said.
"I don't know, there's still a big problem." J.P. said.
"What do you mean? Where is there a problem?" Takuya asked.
"Oh yeah, how do you plan on stopping Duskmon?" Zoe asked.
"I mean, he knocked you all over the place last time, and that was your beast spirit." J.P. pointed out.
"Yeah, well last time I wasn't on guard, this time I'll know what to expect." Takuya said. Tommy nodded in agreement.
"He sure is confident." Neemon said.
"A little too confident." I muttered.
"I don't like it." Koji said.
"Aw, what's the matter? Not enough running away for you?" Takuya mocked. "I can't believe him. When did he become such a chicken?" I wanted to punch Takuya for that comment.
"Duskmon's different from anyone we've ever fought before. Instead of fighting, we should-" Koji was interrupted.
"Wait, you're not really thinking of running away, are you?" Takuya asked.
"Yes, I am." Koji said.
"You're pathetic! What makes you think that we'd be able to get away even if we wanted to?" Takuya asked.
"Come on, don't fight." Tommy said.
"Takuya, let's talk." Koji said as he walked away from the group.
"Yeah, let's." Takuya followed him.
"Guys, don't do anything stupid." Zoe said.
"Don't worry, we're just going to talk." Koji said.
"Yeah, if he's lucky, that's all we'll do." Takuya said.
I followed after them, wanting to hear what they had to say. They walked into the stone building near the campsite. They walked all the way down to the basement.
"Alright, so start talking." Takuya said.
"Why do you think you're here, Takuya?" Koji asked. When Takuya didn't answer, "Answer me, I want to know why you're here."
"Well, you know, we're here to save the world." Takuya said unsurely.
"You say that like you don't know what that means, what's at stake. This isn't just some video game you can walk away from if things don't work out." Koji said.
"I'm not stupid you know, I know that!" Takuya said.
"Sometimes I really don't think you do. There's no second chances for us, get it? If we mess up here, it's over." Koji said.
"Y-yeah, I know." Takuya was starting to doubt himself.
"Then how can you stake our lives on some plan that you only assume is going to work? We don't know anything about this guy!" Koji said.
"So, what? We'll all be safe if we run away?" Takuya asked.
Koji groaned, "I didn't say that!"
"Then what are you saying?" Takuya asked.
Koji grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him up against the wall, "Listen Takuya, You weren't there when I crossed swords with him, okay? I doubt he was using even half his strength against me! That whole fight, all he was doing was playing with us!"
"Yeah, okay, maybe, but we're the good guys, there must be a way to win." Takuya said.
"He's too strong." Koji said.
"I know he's strong, but every time we've run into someone more powerful than us, we've worked together and everything just turned out fine! I really believe that if we just attack as one, we can't lose!" Takuya said.
"Takuya, open your eyes." Koji said.
"Open your own eyes, we're more powerful together than you think!" Takuya said.
They glared at each other for a while, then Koji let him go and closed his eyes, "You just don't get it, do you? Tell me something, it's obvious you don't care about yourself, but can you promise me the others won't get hurt? Because if you can't, then you might as well just go home now, because I won't let you risk their lives. We already lost Jade, because we were careless, could you forgive yourself if someone else got hurt because of your plan?"
The building started shaking and I looked around in alarm, "He's here!"
"An earthquake?" Takuya asked.
"No, it's him." Koji said.
"Oh no, this is bad." I said.
"You don't believe that they can do it?" Hope asked.
"Of course they can't do it. They aren't powerful enough. Sure, they might do a little damage, but they can't actually defeat him. Maybe if I give them my power…" I said.
"No, you are too weak. If you give them your power, you could die. How would you escape your imprisonment if you couldn't even stand?" Hope asked.
I sighed, "Fine, but I will watch this fight. I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something bad happened and I turned away because I was too afraid to watch."
The guys started running up the stairs and I flew after them.
"I guess we couldn't have run away from this guy, even if we wanted to, Koji." Takuya said.
Koji didn't reply, just ran. When we got a little closer, they both got their D-Tectors out, "Execute, Beast Spirit Evolution!" Koji digivolved into KendoGarurumon.
"Execute, Spirit Evolution!" Takuya yelled before he digivolved into Agunimon. They were now next to the others, who were all digivolved to their beast spirits. "This is it guys, attack!" Agunimon charged.
"Wait!" KendoGarurumon yelled.
"I guess we have to follow Takuya's plan now." MetalKabuterimon said.
"Hey don't worry, it's a good plan." Korikakumon said.
"Let's hope so." KendoGarurumon said.
"You're nothing against all of us together, Duskmon. So, you want to fight?" Agunimon said and then launched fire out of his fists.
Duskmon dodged it effortlessly.
"Alright speedy, dodge this! Pyro Tornado!" Agunimon said. He kicked Duskmon in the face.
Duskmon started to laugh. It was really creepy. "You fool, did you learn nothing from our last meeting?"
"No, I can't lose." Agunimon ran at Duskmon, punching him like crazy.
"Are you finished?" Duskmon asked calmly.
"He's so strong." Agunimon went in for another punch, then went around and held Duskmon from behind, "Attack now!"
"That's our cue." Zephyrmon said.
"Right." The boys said.
The Legendary Warriors surrounded Duskmon.
"It's over Duskmon, you're finished! Let him have it!" Agunimon yelled. Everyone attacked at once as Agunimon jumped out of the way. There was a huge multi-colored explosion.
Since I was only a spirit, I found nothing wrong with standing inside the explosion, looking at the bored expression on Duskmon's face. "No, this is horrible. They won't be prepared for an attack. They could get majorly hurt!"
"I'm sorry, but you can't do anything. This may be painful to watch, but maybe you can learn something from this." Hope said.
The colors disappeared, revealing Duskmon, who wasn't even hurt.
"It's not possible!" Agunimon said.
Duskmon turned to look at him, "You shall be first." He practically disappeared and reappeared in front of Agunimon.
"No." KendoGarurumon said.
Duskmon lifted his sword. Agunimon closed his eyes. Duskmon brought down his sword on…Koji.
"Koji!" Everyone yelled.
"Koji! No, no, no, why did it have to be Koji?" I was yelling.
Koji was lying on the ground.
"Koji." Agunimon knelt down beside him.
"K-Koji?" Duskmon whispered, just loud enough for me to hear.
"Koji, why?" Agunimon asked. "Koji!"
Duskmon started to back up, "What? What is it?"
"What's wrong with him?" Zephyrmon asked.
"I don't know, he's acting weird." Korikakumon said.
"No kidding!" MetalKabuterimon said.
"What is happening?" Duskmon asked.
"This, this is all my fault. Oh, Koji. Koji!" Agunimon said.
Duskmon was yelling, "Koji!" A black shadow surrounded him and everything disappeared.
"Koji! What's going on Hope? Where did everybody go?" I asked.
"You are waking up. Be strong, escape your prison so that you can help them!" Hope's voice faded.
A female voice disturbed me, "Please, wake up. You're having a bad dream, Princess."
I opened my eyes to see the face of a cat. It looked exactly like Gatomon, except it was black and purple instead of white and purple and it was missing a holy ring.
I blinked, "Who are you?"
The cat bowed, "I am BlackGatomon, and I am here to serve your food, Princess."
I nodded, "You don't have to call me Princess, you can call me Jade."
BlackGatomon blinked in surprise, "I thought that only your friends called you by your first name."
I smiled, "You are my friend, you saved me from my bad dream."
BlackGatomon blushed, "Thank you, Princess, I mean, Jade. Listen, everyone is gone, so now would be the purrfect time to break out."
I felt the cuffs digging into my hands, "I can't, I'm chained to the wall."
"Well, I might just accidentally break your chains." BlackGatomon winked at me.
I smiled, "Thank you so much. You should come with me, I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble. They might hurt you."
"I would love to come with you, but we have to hurry." She said.
I nodded, "Right."
"Lightning Kick!" BlackGatomon kicked the chains and they broke. I still had the cuffs around my wrists, but now I could escape.
"Let's get out of here." I said.
"Through here." BlackGatomon led me out the door and into the room that the evil Legendary Warriors hung out in. It was completely empty.
"Wait, where's my D-Tector?" I asked, looking around the room.
"Your what?" She asked.
"The device that helps me digivolve." I said.
"I have no idea. We should probably find it." She said.
We looked everywhere in the room, but we still didn't find it. "Where could it be?"
"It could be in his room." BlackGatomon said.
"You mean Duskmon's room?" I asked.
BlackGatomon nodded, "He would want to keep it close to him. He wants you on their side."
I looked at her, "Weren't you on their side?"
"I was, but then I found out that the Princess was back. I couldn't believe it. Then, when they chained you up, I got really mad. My species was always close to the Princess, all those years ago. Mostly it was the Gatomon who got close to her, but some BlackGatomon were always with her too." BlackGatomon explained.
I nodded, "I resemble hope, and hope can go both ways, light and darkness."
She nodded, "We should find your D-Tector." She led me into the darkest place I had ever seen. There was only one piece of furniture in the whole room, a bed.
"Where would it be?" I asked.
"What are you doing in here?" I looked behind me to see Duskmon leaning against the door, glaring at me.
"Duskmon!" I tried to run past him, but he just picked me up.
"Lightning Paw!" BlackGatomon hit Duskmon in the face, doing little damage.
"You pesky little traitor, get off me." Duskmon said and then he threw BlackGatomon into the wall. She fell to the floor.
"BlackGatomon! Let me go, Duskmon!" I yelled.
He dropped me and I landed in a crouch. I ran over to BlackGatomon and knelt beside her, "Are you okay?"
BlackGatomon shook her head, "I'm only champion level, I can't fight him, but you can. I'm giving you my strength, so kick his butt!"
A bright purple light came out of her and towards me. My D-Tector flew out from under Duskmon's pillow and landed in my hand. The purple light went into my D-Tector and then surrounded me. I looked to my left and saw the spirit of DeviAngewomon. On my right was the spirit of Gatowomon. I could feel them come together to make a new digivolution.
"Execute, Fusion Evolution!" I felt long, black hair grow down to my waist, black cat ears with purple tips grew on my head, a black and purple tail grew, my eyes turned yellow, fangs grew from my mouth, black, tattered wings grow out of my back, and whiskers appeared on my cheeks. I was wearing purple and red striped gloves with black cat claws, a black version of the mask I wore as Gatowomon, a low-cut black dress with long sleeves that went down to mid-thigh, black ankle boots, and a chain belt. "LadyBlackGatowomon!"
Duskmon stared at me in shock, "How were you able to digivolve into something new?"
I glared at him, "I have strength that you'll never have. The strength of being loved. BlackGatomon gave her life for me. The love that she had for her Princess was so great, that I was able to digivolve into this combination of my two spirits."
"So now you're even more powerful? That just makes you more desirable." Duskmon advanced towards me.
I was about to take a step back, then I remembered what he did to Koji, "I will never be on your side, you are filled with evil, and that is something that I will never be."
"Can you not feel our dark energy coming together as we get closer? We were obviously meant to be partners." Duskmon said as he took another step towards me.
I could feel the energy. It was dark, filling the room completely. But, there was also light. The light from my love of Koji. Oh God, did I just say love? That word just kept on coming up today, rocking me to my core. My shock made me freeze. I'm in love with Koji? My thoughts made me forget about Duskmon until he was only a couple inches away, looking me straight in the eye.
"I see that you feel it too. It confuses you, but let me show you what it means." The lower part of his mask disappeared, revealing the human face beneath. He closed the distance between us hesitantly, as if he didn't want to scare me off. I was completely shocked by his approach. I had expected force, not kissing me. Soon, his lips were brushing against mine and his arms were holding my body to him. I stiffened; I didn't like him in my personal space like this. I tried to pull away, but he just held my tighter, his arms becoming prison bars. I glared at him, but he seemed lost in the kiss. So, I used my new powers.
"Poison Fang!" My fangs lengthened slightly and I turned my head to bite his now exposed neck. I felt my poison that would take his energy and make him fall asleep flow into his blood stream.
He looked at me in surprise, "Why?"
I glared back, "Because I don't like to be forced to like someone."
He collapsed, asleep before he even hit the ground. I smirked down at him, "Sweet dreams."
I ran out of the evil headquarters, following the way that we had come in. Once outside, I took to the sky, following my instincts to find my fellow Legendary Warriors.
I found Zoe, Tommy, and J.P. chained to a wall and being tortured by Ranamon. Behind a barrier, some Datamon were hitting their D-Tectors. Mercurymon was just standing around, looking pleased with himself.
"Dark Vapor!" Ranamon surrounded J.P. with a dark mist.
"Stop it!" Tommy yelled.
"Leave him alone!" Zoe yelled.
"Oh man, this has got to be a dream, a really bad dream!" J.P. yelled. J.P. cried out in pain.
"Stop, okay, we'll talk!" Zoe yelled.
"I have to help!" I rush at Ranamon, "Wicked Claws!" My claws lengthened and I slashed the air in front of me, causing a red mark to appear in the air and head straight for Ranamon. It hit her right on and sent her flying back.
She was very angry when she stood up, "I don't believe that we invited you to this party. Who are you? Sugar, I don't think that you have any idea who you're messing with!" Ranamon said.
"Actually, Sugar, I think I do." I mocked her.
"Sugar, you are going to regret that! Drainin' Rain!" Ranamon sent her storm cloud at me.
I quickly avoided the attack, but the cloud just kept following me.
"Execute, Spirit Evolution! Lobomon!" I heard from behind me just before Lobomon appeared from behind a rock. He kicked Ranamon so that her attack disappeared.
"That is no way to treat a lady! Didn't your parents teach you any better?" Ranamon complained.
"And so, the fourth hath joined us." Mercurymon said, coming up behind Lobomon.
I was fine with them not knowing who I was. "Ah, but you forget that I'm still here.
"Ah, yes, the mysterious digimon who appeared out of nowhere, I am very curious as to who you are." Mercurymon said.
"You may call me LadyBlackGatowomon." I said.
"What quarrel do you have with us?" Mercurymon asked.
"I just hate to see you torturing innocent people." I replied.
"How does thou know that they are innocent?" Mercurymon asked.
My eyes flashed, "Because, they are just children, and I know that you two serve under Cherubimon, who is evil. Who else would you be torturing but innocent people?" It was only a half lie, because I knew that my friends weren't just children, they were legendary warriors.
"Enough talk!" Lobomon said.
I nodded, "Wicked Claws!" I sent this attack at Ranamon, wanting to get her out of the way before I had to face Mercurymon, but she moved so that I only hit her arm.
"Sugar, you have made me very angry!" Ranamon said.
"Lobo Kendo!" Lobomon attacked Mercurymon.
"I think not, Dark Reflection!" Mercurymon blocked his attack with his mirrors and sent it back at him.
"Lobomon!" I yelled.
"Sugar, you are really bad at this, Dark Vapor!" Ranamon said.
I quickly avoided the mist, "You really need some new attacks."
"Fine, Ranamon, Slide Evolution! Calmaramon!" She looked especially ugly with the dark clouds behind her.
"Wow, you really are ugly. Let me help you with that, Demonic Shock!" I created a ball filled with dark energy and sent it flying at her. It hit her right in the stomach.
"Honey, you will regret that, Acid Ink!" She hit my arm and I hissed. She grabbed me with her tentacle. She walked over to where Lobomon was on the roof from Mercurymon's attack and picked him up in one of her other tentacles.
She slammed us both into the roof, causing it to break and sending us down to the ground inside the building.
They both came down, but Calmaramon had transformed back into Ranamon.
"Don't tell me that you're done playing with me." Ranamon said.
"Maybe they need a bit of refreshment." Mercurymon suggested.
"You are so thoughtful, two drinks of water, coming right up. Drainin' Rain!" Ranamon laughed as the water poured down on us. The water filled up the building, until we were forced out the door by the pressure.
"Have you no control?" Mercurymon yelled at Ranamon.
"Why are you mad at me? It was you idea." Ranamon said.
"Ugh, I'm surrounded by buffoons." Mercurymon said.
I struggled to my feet as Mercurymon walked towards us.
"Lobomon!" J.P. yelled.
"Give me your best shot." Lobomon said.
"As you wish." Mercurymon hit Lobomon in the face, sending him backward.
"Leave him alone!" I said, glaring at Mercurymon.
"Still have strength, do we? I'll fix that right now." Before Mercurymon could make a move against me, a storm started.
The sky was filled with thunder, lightning, strong winds, and then it started snowing. I looked around in confusion.
As I was distracted, Mercurymon punched me in the face. "You wretch, pay attention to our battle."
"Fine, Demonic Shock!" I sent the ball of dark energy at him.
He laughed as he brought up his mirrors, "Dark Reflection!"
I flew back and hit the bottom of the rock that my friends were attached. I groaned in pain.
Mercurymon then picked up Lobomon and hit him against the wall, "Have you had enough?"
"Leave him alone!" My other friends shouted.
I heard yelling and looked up to see Agunimon running through the snow at Mercurymon.
"At last, the last player hath arrived." Mercurymon said.
"Then let's get this show on the road!" Ranamon said as she ran towards Agunimon.
"Pyro Darts!" Agunimon shot his darts at Ranamon's feet.
"Missed me, missed me, now you got to k-" She was cut off by his darts hitting her in the stomach, knocking her back.
"Thanks, but no thanks." Agunimon said.
"That little whelp is much stronger than I remember." Mercurymon said.
"Pyro Tornado!" He completely missed Mercurymon, but hit one of the supports for the barrier that held the Datamon and the others' D-Tectors.
"Now Lobomon, free the others!" Agunimon said.
"Lobo Kendo!" Lobomon used his sword to free the others.
"Alright guys, it's your turn." Agunimon told them as they each caught their D-Tectors.
"Execute, Spirit Evolution!" They all said at once.
"Beetlemon!"
"Kazemon!"
"Kumamon!"
I couldn't stand next to my fellow warriors, I wasn't strong enough.
"Ah, isn't this sweet, together at last, I love reunions." Mercurymon laughed. "It appears it's time for the final act of our little play."
"I should put on something more appropriate." Ranamon said. "Ranamon, Slide Evolution! Calmaramon!"
"You don't really think you can win, haven't you heard, it's not nice to mess with Mother Nature!"
We all attacked at once.
"Let's finish this, Thunder Fist!" Beetlemon hit the ground and the shock went up Calmaramon's body.
"Tempest Twist!" Kazemon kicked her back into the dirt.
"What is going on?" Mercurymon asked.
"Blizzard Blaster!" Kumamon froze Mercurymon's legs.
"Lobo Kendo!" Lobomon hit Mercurymon's mirror shields, but still managed to send him back onto the ground.
"How did ya'll get so strong?" Calmaramon asked.
"We have a stronger ally then you could ever imagine!" Agunimon said.
"They're using the forces of mother nature to amplify their attacks. The master will be displeased." Mercurymon said.
"Forget the master, what about us?" Calmaramon asked.
"Will you stop sniffling, woman!" Mercurymon complained.
"You won't defeat us ever again!" Agunimon sent flames shooting at them.
"Well, now what do we do?" Calmaramon asked as my friends started walking towards them again.
"Retreat and regroup." Mercurymon answered, and then disappeared into his mirrors.
"You little brats, this isn't over!" Calmaramon yelled as she fled.
My friends cheered when she was out of sight.
"Hey Koji, what happened to that digimon who tried to help you?" Kazemon asked.
Everyone turned around and ran toward me.
I was talking to myself, "Why am I still so weak? Even after all this, I was no help to the others."
"Excuse me, but I'd like to thank you for trying to help me." Lobomon said.
I looked up at him, "Trying to help you…"
"Are you okay?" Kazemon asked.
"No, I'm weak, and I couldn't do anything to help!" I yelled.
Everyone looked uncomfortable.
I sighed, and then realized that I just needed a hug, so I quickly pulled Lobomon into my arms.
He stiffened, "What are you…"
He stopped when everyone suddenly turned back to normal.
He blinked, "Jade?"
I put my head on his shoulder, "Yeah."
"Jade!" Everyone else yelled. They gathered around me and started asking questions.
"Are you okay?"
"What happened?"
"Did they hurt you?"
I held up my hands as I pulled away from Koji, "Let me talk." I told them what happened, leaving out the beginning of my dream where I was in the forest with Koji.
"Wow, so BlackGatomon gave you the power to digivolve into something new?" Bokomon asked.
I nodded, "Yeah."
"Well, I'm just glad that you're okay." Koji said as he took my hand.
I smiled, "Yeah, same for you."
"Anyway, I'm so sorry you guys, this was all my fault." Takuya said.
"What are you talking about? You're the one who rescued us." Zoe said.
"But-" Takuya started.
"It's okay, Takuya. We were worried about you, but I knew you'd come through." Tommy said.
"I guess I really owe you guys, Koji, and Jade." J.P. said.
I shook my head.
"Nah, all of us really owe Takuya, you've really changed." Koji said.
"Yeah, I hardly recognize myself." Takuya said. "I don't feel like a kid anymore. I think I finally understand what being a digimon is all about. We're in for an amazing ride, all of us."
A/N: Jade's personality is really coming clearer, don't you think? Please review. :)