Angewomon carefully held an unconscious Michael in one arm while the other was holding Guardiamon's digi-egg as she guided Zoe, Tommy, Bokomon, and Neemon to the edge of a forest just outside of the fortune tellers village. She looked back to see that the beast Digimon that possessed Takuya kicked Beetlemon into a stone pillar crumbling it.
"Takuya, stop!" KendoGarurumon ran over to help Beetlemon only to be knocked back when the beast Digimon swung its tail at him. The beast Digimon grabbed Beetlemon by the head before charging at KendoGarurumon.
"Put me down!" Beetlemon yelled, trying to get out of the beast Digimon's grip as WarGreymon punched the beast Digimon into the forest.
"There has to be a way to stop him." KendoGarurumon said as he got back up to his feet with Beetlemon standing beside him.
"But how?" Beetlemon asked never taking his eyes off the beast Digimon. "Talking to him won't work and Michael's unconscious, so what do we do?"
"Isn't there anything we can do?" Zoe asked clasping her hands in worry.
"Yes, get out of here before it's too late." Bokomon said nervously as they watch the four Digimon fight one another.
"Alright." KendoGarurumon stepped forward crouching slightly in preparation to attack. "If it's a fight you want, fight me!"
"Is he really going to try to fight him?" Zoe asked in disbelief as the two beast Digimon stared each other down. "What if they hurt each other?"
"At this point, he has no choice but to fight." Angewomon said grimly as the beast Digimon began to charge at KendoGarurumon. "If he doesn't, then I am afraid Takuya will continue to rampage until there is nothing left." She bit her lower lip and looked down to the digi-egg in her arm to see that it was still intact. 'If only Lord Guardiamon were here, he could stop this fight and save Takuya.'
"Lupine Laser!" KendoGarurumon gathered particles of light in his mouth before firing it as a laser but the beast digimon jumped over it and slammed its knee onto KendoGarurumon's head bringing his its claws up to strike.
"Not so fast!" Beetlemon flew over and tackled the beast digimon knocking it away from KendoGarurumon. "Come on, before one of us gets hurt!" He and KendoGarurumon quickly went into the forest to use as coverage.
"Pyro Barrage!" Using the blasters on its arms, the beast digimon began to fire a flurry of blasts into the forest setting the trees ablaze.
"We have to do something before he levels the whole forest!" Beetlemon said as the flames began to surround him, WarGreymon and KendoGarurumon. "Or the whole world!"
"We'll put the fire out. Great Tornado." The fires were extinguished after they lost oxygen.
"Howling Star!" He then charged at an extremely high speed, cutting down the burning trees in his path.
"We're supposed to stop him, not help wreck the place!" Beetlemon called out pushing aside the trees in his way.
"If we ever have to fight trees, he'll be deadly." Neemon pointed out as they watched the trees in front of them burn and get closer.
"Then count your blessings we're not trees!" Bokomon said in panic as he Neemon, Zoe, and Angewomon carrying Michael and Guardiamon's digi-egg ran in the opposite direction of the flames. Tommy stayed where he stood, watching helplessly at the fire burned the trees in front of him.
'If only I can spirit evolve into Kumamon.' Tommy thought as he envisioned that if he still had his spirit, then he could freeze the trees stopping the fire from spreading. 'But, I can't!'
"Tommy, this is no time for daydreaming!" Zoe ran back to the youngest of their group grabbing him by the arm and started to pull him along to the others.
"Oh man, if he keeps this up, they're gonna have to rename it the 'Burnt-to-a-crisp Kingdom'." Beetlmon commented looking over all the trees that have been burnt to ashes. KendoGarurumon looked over to the beast digimon as it charged at them again kicking KendoGarurumon before tackling Beetlemon knocking him onto his back and standing over him. "Takuya, don't!" The beast digimon stomped on his chest to keep him on the ground bringing its claws up to strike. "It's me!"
The beast Digimon's went from red to blue as it lowered its claws. 'Wait, w-what am I doing?' Takuya, now in control, removed his foot from Beetlemon's chest and the warrior of thunder quickly got away to stand beside KendoGarurumon. 'Gotta stay calm, stay in control. These guys are my friends, I have to keep reminding myself that.' He looked around until his eyes landed on Beetlemon and KendoGarurumon. 'Wait a second, if they are my friends, why are they attacking me?' his vision began to turn red the two legendary warriors appearances became more menacing. 'Maybe they are the enemy. And where's Michael, did they hurt him?' The beast Digimon began to growl menacingly before charging at the two legendary warriors who jumped out of the way and letting out a roar that sounded more like a wild animal than a human.
"Ugh, what a horrible noise!" Zoe said covering her ears to block out the inhuman roar. "It doesn't even sound human at all!"
"Well, of course not, that's why they call it a 'Beast Spirit'." Bokomon said with a matter of fact tone in his voice. "Isn't it obvious?"
"But it's like Takuya isn't even in there." Zoe said in concern. "Can't we help him like how he helped Michael?"
"Not really." Bokomon said as they began to climb up a hill to get to a safe distance away from the fighting. "He has to learn to control the beast spirit on his own. Sooner or later he will."
"It's the later part I'm worried about." Neemon said walking beside Bokomon.
"Besides." Angewomon added looking to Michael who showed no signs of waking. "None of us shares a past like Takuya and Michael do, so the likelihood of us reaching him is close to impossible." Suddenly, the rock in front of them burst apart revealing the beast Digimon standing before them.
"When's sooner gonna get here!" Neemon shouted in panic as Beetlemon flew over them and tackled the beast digimon diverting its attention to him.
"I must help." Angewomon said handing the digi-egg to Bokomon and Michael to Zoe. "You all hurry to someplace safe!" She then flew over to assist Beetlemon in distracting the beast Digimon by extending the wings on her glove. "Celestial Arrow!" An arrow of white lightning formed in her right hand and drew it back on the bowstring of her makeshift bow and released it flying towards the beast Digimon who knocked it away.
"Back to the burning forest!" Bokomon shouted holding onto Guardiamon's digi-egg with Zoe having one of Michael's arms over her shoulder as they ran back to the burnt forest. "I can't believe I said that."
Tommy stopped running to look back to see that the beast Digimon had its claws around Beetlemon's head and its foot pinning down Angewomon. 'I can't keep running away, Takuya needs me.' KendoGarurumon came running to help only for the beast Digimon to throw Beetlemon at him followed by kicking Angewomon. 'This is like before, back in the real world.'
WarGreymon then retaliated with a punch, forcing the beast Digimon back.
Zoe stopped running when she noticed that they were missing someone and looked back to see Tommy was watching the beast Digimon fight Beetlemon, WarGreymon, KendoGarurumon, and Angewomon. "Tommy, come on!" Tommy began to run over to the beast Digimon. "Tommy, come back!"
"Takuya!" Tommy called out as the beast Digimon pulled KendoGarurumon by his tail before lifting him up and slamming him to the ground. KendoGarurumon jumped away from the beast digimon who narrowed its eyes at the young boy. "Please, you gotta stop this! Fight it, Takuya, I know you don't wanna hurt any of us! This isn't really you, you're just out of control and afraid!" Tommy took a step forward and the beast Digimon took a step back giving the boy a roar in warning to stay back.
"Takuya, listen to him!" KendoGarurumon shouted as the beast Digimon continued to roar.
"Come on, Taky, it's us!" Beetlemon called out as he and Angewomon floated near Tommy to protect him.
"You must fight the beast spirit's control over you!" Angewomon said as she prepared another Celestial Arrow and drew it back on the bowstring. "Please don't make us do something we'll regret!"
The beast Digimon ignored everyone else and kept it's eyes on Tommy as he took another step forward before his appearance changed in its eyes to something terrifying. It recoiled in fear and ran towards Tommy deflecting Angewomon's Celestial Arrow when she fired it and grabbed the boy holding him up in the air and started to squeeze him tightly.
"Tommy!" Beetlemon called out in concern as he prepared a Thunder Fist.
"Wait!" Angewomon got in front of Beetlemon halting his attack. "You will hit Tommy with that attack!"
"Then what are we supposed to do?" Beetlemon asked in impatience looking to Tommy in worry.
"Takuya, wait a minute!" Tommy fought through the pain of being squeezed and opened his eyes to look at the beast Digimon. "Don't you remember what happened?"
"What is he talking about, Beetlemon?" Angewomon asked looking to the warrior of thunder in confusion.
"He must be talking about when he was affected by Bakumon's Nightmare Syndrome." Beetlemon explained as Tommy started detailing what happened. "Bakumon's Nightmare Syndrome made Tommy have nightmares of us bullying him in our world, so he spirit evolved and started to attack us." He looked to the beast digimon hoping that Tommy words were reaching their hotheaded friend. "It was Takuya that snapped him out of it, I just hope Tommy can do the same.
"I learned that true courage isn't paying bullies back." Tears started to build up in Tommy's eyes when it seemed his words weren't reaching Takuya. "It's just standing up to them. You help me see that fighting back in fear is just as bad as being a bully. You can't let fear control you, you have to fight it." The tears in Tommy's eyes continued to build when the beast Digimon's grip on him hasn't lessened. "I know you won't hurt me if you remember we're friends."
A single tear fell out of Tommy's eyes and touched the beast Digimon's eye. The beast Digimon blinked, cerulean blue eyes replacing crimson red and recognition shone in them as it brought Tommy closer. It then gently placed Tommy down to the ground before running to a nearby rock and began to slam its head against it repeatedly until it shattered letting out a roar filled with remorse.
Michael let out a moan as his eyes slowly start to open and looked to where he saw the beast Digimon that is his childhood friend continued to roar in remorse. "Takuya."
Michael's feather necklace began to glow as a small orb of light left the feather and soared towards the beast Digimon. When the light reached its target, the area was engulfed in a bright flash of light that had everyone looking away shutting their eyes tightly at its brightness.
Takuya found himself floating in a dark place, completely void of light, there was nothing but pitch black wherever he looked. "Where am I, what is this place."
"Holder of the spirits of flame." A voice vaguely familiar to Takuya said as a sudden flash of light had him shut his eyes holding an arm over them. When he lowered his arm and opened his eyes, Takuya was now in an open field that was filled with different colored flowers and a big tree on top of a hill. Sitting on one of the trees many branches was a boy that looked identical to Michael, the only difference is that this boy had had eight angelic wings on his back and he was wrapped in white cloth. The boy gave Takuya a warm and welcoming smile when he noticed him. "Welcome, Takuya Kanbara."
"Michael?!" Takuya exclaimed in shock before shaking his head and looked at the boy carefully, having noticed the wings and his attire. "Wait, are you Guardiamon?"
"Indeed I am." Guardiamon nodded in confirmation flapping his wings to float off the branch and descended down to Takuya. "Although, I am but a fragment of what is left of my consciousness that resides in the feather that Michael wears around his neck."
"How are you here?" Takuya couldn't help but ask in confusion at the angel Digimon's appearance before looking around the field. "Where is here anyway?"
"We are deep within your subconscious." Gurdiamon replied as he looked around the open field as well with a nostalgic look on his face. "I hope you do not mind, but I took the liberty of changing the scenery so we can talk in a more peaceful setting." He then turned his attention back to the goggle wearing human in front of him who was still looking around in wonder. "As for how I am here, you have your friends to thank for that."
"My friends?" Takuya asked in surprise turning his attention to the angel digimon who nodded in confirmation. "How?"
"It is because they wished to help you when you lost control." Guardiamon replied taking Takuya by the hand and gently pulled him towards the tree the angel digimon was sitting on. "I could sense that they wanted to save you. So by using their wishes as a conduit, I waited until you regained control over your senses and used some of what little power I had left to come here."
"But, why?" Takuya couldn't help the question that left his lips as memories of what transpired when he was consumed by the beast spirit flashed before his eyes. The gogglehead had a remorseful look on his face before shutting his eyes tightly in frustration at himself for losing control. "I almost destroyed everyone, some digidestined I turned out to be."
"It is not your fault, Takuya." When they reached the base of the tree, Guardiamon wrapped his wings around him and sat down patting the grass next to him inviting Takuya to sit next to him. Takuya accepted the silent invitation and sat cross legged next to Guardiamon, waiting for the angel digimon to continue. "You cannot expect to control a beast spirit so soon after obtaining it. It is only natural you would be consumed by the instincts of the beast spirit."
"Instinct?" Takuya asked in confusion, watching the angel digimon pluck a flower to smell it. "What do you mean?"
"Think of the beast spirits as animals from your world." The flower in Guardiamon's hand began to give off a faint glow before turning into an orb of light that depicted different animals from the human world. "Just as animals are guided by their instincts, the beast spirits are guided by theirs." The orb of light dispersed into particles and Guardiamon turned his head to face Takuya. "It is because of this instinct that it is difficult for you and your friends to control the beast spirits."
"I don't get it." Takuya furrowed his eyebrows, trying to make sense of the angel digimon's words.
"It is because you and your friends are not accustomed to fighting with your instincts." Guardiamon explained, unwrapped a pair of his wings to shake off a few loose feathers that gave off a faint glow before dissolving into nothingness. "The beast spirits will not deem you worthy of their power unless you prove that you can."
"How do I do that?" Takuya was even more confused by Guardiamon's words as the angel Digimon wrapped his wings around himself again.
"That is why I am here, Takuya." Guardiamon gave a small smile before holding up his right hand and an orb of light formed over it with the beast spirit of flame inside. "I came here to assist you in controlling the beast spirit of flame, BurningGreymon."
"BurningGreymon?" Takuya looked down to the beast spirit, fear evident in his eyes when he remembered how he lost control and hurt his friends.
Guardiamon saw the fear in Takuya's eyes and smiled in understanding. "You are afraid you will lose control again, am I correct?" When Takuya flinched, Guardiamon had his answer as he gently took one of Takuya's hands and placing it over the beast spirit. Guardiamon continued to smile when Takuya gave him a confused look. "Listen, listen for the voice of the beast spirit of flame."
'The voice of the beast spirit?' Takuya looked down to the beast spirit and fought the urge to remove his hand and back away from the totem as the eyes flashed red. Drawing an apprehensive breath, Takuya closed his eyes and concentrated on listening for the beast spirit's 'voice'.
At first he heard nothing, but after a few minutes of silence, he started to hear the rhythmic thumping of a beating heart. Slowly, but surely, the thumping started to follow the pace of his own beating heart as instinct engulfed him like a raging fire that was almost unbearable. He could hear the mighty roar of BurningGreymon and was afraid that it would take him over again and hurt his friends.
"Do not let fear overwhelm you." Guardiamon's gentle voice reached Takuya's ears as the angel digimon slowly removed his hands from Takuya's and the orb that held the beast spirit of flame. "Do not fear the beast spirit, embrace it, accept it. It is a part of you, just as you are a part of it."
Takuya took another breath as he once again listened to the roars of his beast spirit. 'Stay calm, Takuya, remember what Guardiamon told you. Don't let fear overwhelm you.' As he listened to the 'voice' of BurningGreymon, Takuya could only hear rage in the beast spirit's roars.
'I have done everything that I can.' Guardiamon thought as he watch Takuya held the orb with both hands and the said orb was now crimson red in color. 'The rest is now up to you, Takuya.'
Takuya heard another roar of rage from BurningGreymon but didn't back down and continued to listen to the beast spirits roars. Eventually, Takuya could hear another emotion other than rage hidden deep in the beast spirits roars. No matter how hard he tried, the goggled wearing boy couldn't understand what emotions he was hearing under the rage.
Guardiamon frowned in worry as he watched the crimson light began to engulf the young human's hands and slowly crept up his arms. The angel Digimon reached over to Takuya to intervene when a large hand on his shoulder halted him. When he turned to see who it was that stopped him, Guardiamon was surprised to see the astral form of Agunimon kneeling before him with his head lowered.
"You want me to wait?" Guardiamon questioned the human spirit of flame who nodded before raising his head to look the angel Digimon in the eye. Guardiamon could see the faith that Agunimon had in his human host and lowered his arm before turning his attention back to Takuya. "Very well, I will not intervene."
Fear, that's the emotion Takuya could hear under BurningGreymon's roars of rage. The gogglehead didn't know why the beast spirit of flame was so scared, but he did know that if he doesn't calm it down soon, he'll be overcome by instinct and rampage again. Without thinking, Takuya wrapped his arms around the crimson orb and held it close to his chest, an action that took Guardiamon by surprise. BurningGreymon's roars ceased for a moment before continuing with even more ferocity and the crimson orb began to burst into flames that engulfed Takuya and Guardiamon had to fly a distance away to avoid being burned.
'It's hot.' Takuya gritted his teeth at the heat around him and tightened his hold on the orb. 'If you think this is enough to make me let go then think again!' As if to take the challenge, the flames around the gogglehead grew in size and intensity. Takuya groaned in discomfort when the heat became unbearable but stubbornly held on to the crimson orb. 'I'm not letting go, no matter what!'
Guardiamon continued to watch anxiously as Takuya's body from the neck down was now shrouded by the crimson light. Just as the angel Digimon was about to intervene, Guardiamon sensed BurningGreymon's rage slowly began to recede and the crimson light from the orb and Takuya changed to crystal blue. Guardiamon was shocked beyond belief that a human child, who had his beast spirit for no more than minutes, was able to quell BurningGreymon's rage before a proud smile etched itself on his face. The orb that held the beast spirit flashed for a moment before it entered Takuya's chest flooding his body with an indescribable warmth.
"Congratulations, Takuya." Guardiamon flew down to stand in front of Takuya as the boy's eyes opened for the angel Digimon to see that they were ablaze with determination that will never be snuffed out. "How do you feel? Are you still afraid of BurningGreymon?"
"To be honest, not really." Takuya replied honestly as he looked down to his hands clenching them into fists and opening them before looking back to Guardiamon with a confused frown. "BurningGreymon was scared under all that rage, but I don't know what he's so scared of."
"He is afraid of what will become of the digital world." Guardiamon said grimly, looking up to the tree that remained unharmed from the fire. "While he and the other spirits were asleep, the digital world began to fall apart." He walked over and placed a hand against the trunk of the tree. "They all fear that they will not be awakened soon enough to save it."
"But, aren't they awake now?" Takuya asked, pulling his D-tector out from his pocket to stare at the screen that showed his human and beast spirits.
"They are." Guardiamon nodded in confirmation removing his hand from the tree and turned to face Takuya. "However, if you recall, Cherubimon corrupted the spirit of earth, Grumblemon." Takuya's eyes widened when the human boy remembered his encounters with the gnome Digimon. "That is why BurningGreymon is afraid, he is afraid that Cherubimon will corrupt him along with the other spirits."
"I won't let that happen!" Guardiamon blinked in surprise at Takuya's declaration as the goggle wearing boy tightened his grip on his D-tector and brought it up to hold protectively against his chest. "I swear I'll get Zoe and Tommy's spirits back, and not just them." When Takuya looked Guardiamon in the eye, the angel could see the blazing determination in his eyes were burning brighter with each word spoken. "I'll also get back the other corrupted spirits and beat Cherubimon!"
As Guardiamon looked Takuya over, he could see that the human boy meant every word he said. There was no fear or hesitation in his voice or body language, just pure determination and recklessness. Seeing this has put Guardiamon's mind at ease as he gave Takuya a small smile.
"Thank you, I have one more thing to say before I must depart." Guardiamon approached Takuya and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. "The spirits of flame are a part of you now, just as you are now a part of them." He spreads his wings and floated up to once again sit on the tree branch he sat on when Takuya arrived. "Remember this whenever you spirit evolve into either Agunimon or BurningGreymon and you will not need to fear their power."
"Wait!" Takuya called out getting an inquisitive look from the angel digimon. "I want to ask you a couple of things." Guardiamon nodded his head gesturing Takuya to ask his questions. "Why were you watching Michael ever since he was a baby and do you know about the lady in his dreams telling him to remember?"
"I thought those might have been your questions." Guardiamon sighed before giving Takuya an apologetic look which confused the human boy. "I apologize on the lady's behalf, it would appear that a mistake in identity has caused young Michael grief." He wrapped his wings around himself as the tree he was sitting on started to slowly vanish from top to bottom. "As for your first question, I have been watching over Michael because he is a very special boy."
"Michael's special?" Takuya asked in confusion trying to make sense of the angel Digimon's words. "What do you mean?"
"I have said all that I can." Was all Guardiamon said in response as the feathers on his wings began to glow faintly as they vanish. "I wish you and your friends the best of luck in saving the digital world." After his wings completely vanished, Guardiamon's body began to vanish from the feet up as a single tear escaped his eye and trailed down his face.
'Is he crying?' Takuya thought when he saw the tear before bringing up his arms to shield his eyes as Guardiamon became a blinding flash of light.
"I had sincerely hoped it would not come to this." Takuya could hear the regret in the angel Digimon's voice as it got softer like distance was being made between them. "But alas, we Digimon had to call upon human children to fight our battles. I can only hope that you and your friends will accomplish where I have failed."
Michael was the first to recover from the bright flash of light and looked to where Takuya and Tommy were and was relieved to see that Tommy was safe and unharmed. When he looked to where BurningGreymon was a big smile etched itself on the blond's face to see that instead of the beast Digimon of flame he saw Takuya holding his D-tector close to his chest.
"Takuya!" Michael removed his arm from Zoe's shoulder and took a step forward, ignoring how sore his body felt and ran over to his childhood friend only to trip on a rock. When Takuya turned to the blond to see that he was stumbling towards him and quickly caught Michael before he could fall to the ground.
"Whoa, Michael." Takuya couldn't help but grin as he straightened his childhood friend. "It's so unlike you to trip so easily."
"Shut up." Michael muttered under his breath before sighing as a relieved smile spreads across his face. "But, I suppose you're fine if you're teasing me."
"Of course I'm fine." Takuya continued to grin resting his hands behind his head. "Why wouldn't I be?"
"Oh, I don't know." Michael rested his hands on his hips looking up in faux thought before looking back to Takuya with an annoyed look on his face. "Maybe because you went berserk and attacked our friends?"
"You did it too!" Takuya shouted pointing at Michael before turning his back to the blond and crossed his arms. "If it weren't for me, then you'd still be possessed by the beast spirit and did something you'd regret later!"
"You don't think I know that?" Michael narrowed his eyes at Takuya before shrugging and turning his back to the gogglehead as well. "Not like it did any good since you couldn't even control it."
"Say that again, I dare you!" Takuya turned back to glare at his blond friend who looked back to return the glare as the rest of their group watched on nervously.
"I'll say it as many times as you'd like." Michael turned to face Takuya not backing down from the intensity of the gogglehead's glare. "You. Can't. Control. Your. Beast. Spirit."
"I can so!" The two childhood friends continued to glare at each other before they suddenly started to laugh to the confusion of their travel companions.
"Weren't they fighting a minute ago?" Neemon asked in confusion at how quickly it went from the two human boys fighting to them laughing at an unspoken joke.
"Human friendship is such a peculiar thing." Bokomon shrugged, shaking his head as the two boys looped an arm over the other's shoulder to support themselves at how hard they were laughing. "The more they fight, the closer they are."
"But in all seriousness." Michael said after getting over his laughing fit wiping a tear from the corner of his eye and gave his goggleheaded friend a worried look. "Can you really control your beast spirit?"
"Yup." Takuya nodded sheepishly scratching his cheek. "I did had some help, though."
"You had help?" Michael raised an eyebrow as they removed their arms from the other's shoulder. "From who?"
"It was Guardiamon." Takuya replied to the surprise of everyone that heard him.
"Guardiamon helped Takuya?" Angewomon muttered looking to Michael's necklace to see that the feather gave off a faint glow before dimming. 'Could it be?'
"Did Guardiamon say anything to you, Takuya?" Bokomon asked as he and their friends approached the two childhood friends.
Takuya crossed his arms lowering his head in deep thought as he tried to remember everything the angel Digimon told him. "He said something about me being a part of my spirits like how their now a part of me and that I shouldn't fear them."
"Anything else?" Koji asked with his hands in his pocket. He was still skeptical about Guardiamon actually being the one talking to Michael and now Takuya.
"Nothing that seemed important." Takuya's eyes landed on Michael as he remembered the angel Digimon's answers to his questions involving the blond. "He did said that Michael was special and that the lady's voice in his dreams mistook him for Guardiamon."
"But why?" Michael looked down to his feather necklace then to Guardiamon's digi-egg in Bokomon's arms. He knelt down and gently took the digi-egg from Bokomon, holding it close to his chest. "How am I special?"
"Perhaps you are connected to the digital world in someway, Michael." Michael looked to Bokomon as he reached into his waistband and pulled out his book before leafing through its pages. "Now where is it? I know it's here somewhere... Aha!" He stopped when he found the page he was looking for and began to mutter under his breath as he read the page. "According to what is written, there are some instances where a human has a deep connection with the digital world, or more specifically, with a digimon."
"A deep connection with a Digimon?" Koji looked to Michael, then to his necklace that held Guardiamon's feather, and finally to Guardiamon's digi-egg in the blond boy's arms with a contemplative look on his face. "Are you saying that Michael has some sort of connection with Guardiamon?"
"Everything seems to point to that conclusion." Bokomon said as he returned his book to his waistband. "What with Michael obtaining lord Guardiamon's feather, being contacted through dreams, and finding his digi-egg. It's understandable to think Michael has a connection to lord Gurdiamon."
"The question now is what kind of connection." Angewomon said, turning the group's attention to her. "Throughout the many years I have served under Lord Guardiamon, he always had a reason behind his actions." She turned her attention to Michael to see in the young human's eyes that he was confused and scared of what everything said could mean for him. "Perhaps Lord Guardiamon wanted Michael to find his feather and digi-egg for a purpose we are unaware of."
"A purpose?" Michael mumbled, looking down to the feather hanging on the string around his neck. "What could I possibly do?"
"Good question." Michael looked up to Koji who had his hands in his pockets. "From what I could see from our previous encounters, all you do is get in everyone's way."
"That's not true, Koji!" Takuya yelled, standing in front of Michael as if to protect him from Koji's words. "Michael has been a major help to us!"
"Oh, really?" Koji gave the goggledhead a bland look before nodding his head to Michael. "Name one time that he actually helped us in fighting a strong opponent like Grumblemon."
"Uh, well." Takuya said hesitantly as he tried to recall all the battles they had up to now. "Michael fought those Pagumon!"
"Up until they digivolved to Raremon." Koji immediately countered narrowing his eyes.
"He couldn't turn into a Digimon!" Takuya retorted clenching his hands into fists. "There was no way he could beat Raremon!"
"And yet he could beat someone like RedVegiemon?" Michael's eyes widened in shock which Koji saw. "Yeah, I saw your fight and how you barely beat him by the skin of your teeth." He then turned his attention back to Takuya. "If he's struggling to even beat a champion level Digimon, then he's a burden and will just be in the way."
Michael sadly lowered his head, knowing what Koji was saying was the truth. He couldn't turn into a Digimon like his friends can, and he can't fight a Digimon without getting hurt in someway. Whenever an enemy shows up, Michael is always standing to the side, watching his friends risking their lives to defeat them while he stayed a safe distance away. Michael tightened his hold on Guardiamon's digi-egg when he remembered his encounter with the Devi Gang and how defenseless he was. His body shook when he remembered the immense pain he was in when Angewomon, who was LadyDevimon at the time, use the Mirror of Truth on him and being struck by DemiDevimon's DemiDarts.
"You're wrong!" Takuya shook his head furiously at Koji's words. "You don't know the first thing about Michael, Koji!" The goggledhead looked back to the blond noticing how quiet his childhood friend was. "Come on, Michael, tell him that you weren't a burden to us!" Michael said nothing, he didn't even raised his head to look anyone in the eye which worried Takuya. "Michael?" Suddenly, the blond boy turned his back to the group before running in the direction of a deep forest. "Michael, come back!"
Michael ignored Takuya calling out to him and continued to run without looking back. The blond human paid no attention to his surroundings, occasionally stumbling over when his foot got caught on a tree root. Eventually, Michael stopped running to catch his breath before inspecting the digi-egg in his arms for any signs of damage and sighed in relief when he found none.
"I'm sorry, Takuya." Michael leaned his back against a tree and looked up to the sky through the leaves. "But at least I won't be a burden to you guys this way." He looked in the direction he came from to see if anyone ran after him to see Angewomon flying in his general location. Thinking quickly, Michael ducked into a group of bushes and stayed completely still as the angel Digimon stopped and floated over him.
"Michael!" Angewomon called out frantically looked around the area. "Please, come back!" She looked down to a group of bushes where Michael was hiding and he held his breath. Angewomon stared to the bushes for a moment before flying back in the direction she came from.
Michael let out the breath he was holding before coming out of the bushes. He looked in the direction Angewomon just flew before running through the forest again. The blond knew he was just running away from his problems, but running was all he could do in his current situation. The blond knew that if he stayed with the group, he will eventually become a target to use as a hostage or worse that would put his friends in danger. He'd rather be away from them than let that happen and hastened his pace to get as far away from the group as possible.
"You no go far!" Suddenly, Grumblemon jumped out of the ground and landed in front of Michael.
"Grumblemon!" Michael's eyes widened in fear at seeing the gnome Digimon and turned to run only to be caught in a lasso made from a vine. Michael struggled to break free, but the lasso only tightened as Grumblemon tugged on the vine. "Let me go!"
"Me no think so." Grumblemon snickered as he tugged on the vine, pulling Michael closer to the gnome digimon. "Me have special job for defenseless human kid."
"Whatever it is, I want no part of it!" Michael yelled, doubling his efforts to break free and escape the corrupted warrior of earth.
"Too bad." When Michael was close enough, Grumblemon took Guardiamon's digi-egg from Michaels arms and tied the vine around the blond boy. "Me give you no choice." He sets the digi-egg down before pushing Michael against a tree. "You be bait to trap little spirit kids."
"What?" Michael asked softly, eyes wide in terror when the blond realized the mistake he made. "Oh no."
"Oh yes." Grumblemon smirked at seeing the realization in the human boy's eyes. "Me thank light human spirit kid." The gnome Digimon pulled his spiked hammer out of the ground and held it with both hands. "It thank to his words that defenseless human kid ran from others."
'It's my fault.' Michael's body shook as tears built up in his sky blue eyes. 'Because I ran away, Grumblemon has the advantage now.' The blond tightly shut his crystal blue eyes to keep the tears from falling. 'Koji was right, I am a burden to everyone.'
"Michael!" Michael's eyes flew wide open at hearing Takuya's voice calling out to him. "Michael, where are you?!"
"Takuya." Michael muttered under his breath, hope shining in his eyes that was quickly shattered when he remembered the situation he was in. The blond could see Takuya and the rest of their group running towards him but couldn't see Grumblemon anywhere. Michael quickly turned to Takuya with a desperate look on his face. "Stay away! It's a trap!"
"Too late!" Grumblemon jumped out of the ground with his spiked hammer held over his head. "Seismic Sledge!" Grumblemon brought his hammer down towards Takuya who rolled to the side to dodge. The gnome digimon smirked as the ground where he struck opened into a fissure under the rest of the groups feet and they dropped inside before closing slightly to restrict their movements. "Now me have all but one."
"I can't reach my D-tector!" J.P. said, trying to reach into his pocket where his D-tector was but couldn't due to the limited space.
"Me neither." Koji muttered, his arms pinned to the wall of the fissure by Zoe and Tommy.
"Grumblemon." Takuya growled clenching his hands into fists. "Let everyone go right now!"
"Me will." Grumblemon snickered before jumping back to stand next to Michael. "Just give me spirits."
"You want them?" Takuya pulled out his D-tector as his left hand had a ring of data around it. "Then you'll have to take them!" Just as Takuya was about to scan the data with his D-tector, he stopped when Grumblemon swung his hammer towards Michael smashing the tree behind him. "Michael!"
"Me think carefully if me were you." Grumblemon said, holding his hammer over Michael's head who was shaking at how close the hammer was to hitting him. "You spirit evolve, he pay price."
"That's playing dirty!" Tommy shouted from the fissure.
"He's using Michael as a hostage." Bokomon said worriedly when he managed to poke his head out of the fissure. "This is bad."
"I knew this would happen." Koji muttered gritting his teeth in frustration.
"This wouldn't have happened if you weren't being a jerk earlier." Zoe glared at the bandana wearing boy before struggling to climb out. "We need to help Michael and Takuya!"
"So, what be?" Grumblemon lowered his hammer slightly so a spike was inches from Michael's head. "Spirits or friend?"
WarGreymon rapidly descended to swipe at Grumblemon, who blocked the attack with his hammer.
Takuya gritted his teeth and tightly clenching his D-tector in his hand, trying to think of a solution out of this situation. He could always spirit evolve, but then Grumblemon will strike Michael. But if he didn't, then Grumblemon will take their spirits. No matter how many times Takuya thinks it over, there was no solution that would save Michael and keep their spirits out of Grumblemon's clutches. Michael could see the conflict going on in Takuya's eyes and knew it was his fault that his childhood friend's in this situation. Guilt and fear filled his heart at the thought that the gogglehead would give up his spirits just to save him. Taking a shaky breath, Michael steeled himself for what he was about to do.
"Takuya!" Takuya looked to Michael who was still shaking but kept a brave face as he look his childhood friend in the eye. "Spirit evolve!"
"But, if I do that…" Takuya said with a conflicted look on his face as he stared down to his D-tector then to Michael trying to decide what would be the best course of action.
"Don't worry about me!" Michael forced a reassuring smile which was anything but with his shaking body and the spiked hammer hovering over his head. "You can't let Grumblemon get those spirits, the digital world needs you and the others to save it."
"Is he saying what I think he's saying?" J.P. asked in disbelief at what he was hearing.
"He's willing to sacrificing himself just so we could beat Grumblemon." Angewomon muttered grimly, confirming what J.P. was insinuating. 'He's willing to go this far for those he cares about.' She could see that the young blond was scared, but wouldn't let it show as he stood under Grumblemon's hammer with determination burning in his blue eyes. 'Is this what you saw in him, Lord Guardiamon?'
"I may not be able to become a Digimon like you guys." Michael closed his eyes as he remembered the times he watched his friends spirit evolved into the legendary warriors to save the day. "And Koji may be right about me being a burden, but I'm okay with that." The blond thought to all that has happened and Koji's words before a sincere smile etched itself as he opened his eyes. "Because I got to see a beautiful world and made irreplaceable friends that I wouldn't trade for anything."
"Michael." Takuya said softly, his tight grip on his D-tector easing with each word Michael spoke.
"That's why you can't let Cherubimon win." Tears built up in Michael's eyes again but held them back as he took a deep breath. "So forget about me and spirit evolve, Takuya!"
"You talk too much." Grumblemon raised his hammer and Michael shuts his eyes tightly. "Me make you quiet now!"
"Michael!" Everyone could do nothing more than watch as Grumblemon brought his hammer down towards Michael.
Suddenly, Michael's Feather necklace began to shine brightly, halting Grumblemon's swing as the gnome Digimon brought an arm up to shield his eyes. A beam of light shot out of the feather and into Guardiamon's digi-egg before another beam shot out towards Michael's left pocket. The vines used to tie Michael up were torn apart as the blond's phone shot out of his pocket to float in front of him. Michael watched in awe as his phone glowed and morphed into a gold D-tector with a white grip. On the screen was the 精 character.
"It is time." Michael's eyes widened at hearing the woman's voice that haunted his dreams. Shaking his head, Michael reached out and grabbed the gold and white D-tector and held it close to his chest. He held out his left hand as a ring of data surrounded it before swiping his D-tector against it.
"No way." Koji muttered in disbelief at what he was seeing.
"Is he…" Zoe's eyes widened in shock when she realized what Michael was doing.
"It would seem I was right. He was the last of the six to turn into a Digimon." Ryu stated out loud.
"Execute!" Michael fully swiped his D-tector over the data and it started to surround him. "Spirit Evolution!" Screens of data covered Michael from the front and back as a white and gold toga appeared with a red sash on the front screen and six angelic white wings appeared in the back screen. The screens came closer and in Michael's place was a tall man with long blond hair reaching his mid-back tied in a braid wearing a white and gold toga, a red sash over his right shoulder with the 真実 character, a pair of calceus, and six angelic white wings on his back before descending onto a platform and wrapped his wings around himself. "Saintmon!"