Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ Mystic Digital War ❯ Chapter 11: The Hope of Friendship ( Chapter 11 )

A young woman with curly blond hair held a microphone close to her mouth as she spoke,"Zis is Catherine DeGual reporting live. For zose of you juzt joing us, Matt waz extreamly jelous of ze fact zat Sora was obessing over Tai's return. While he was training in ze Digital World, ze strange girl zat fought him before appeared. She told him her name was Rika, and zen she gave him a strange card zat changed his Digivice into a D-Arc, like her's.

Sora found out zat Tai had let Oikawa escape during their battle. Sora, having fought Oikawa for five long years, brought Tai to a Digidestined trial. Kari, knowing zat her brother was not a criminal, left from ze Digidestined, taking Michael, Izzy, Davis, Ken, Mina, and Anna with her. Meanwhile, ze Digdestined tracked Oikawa to a uncharted area of ze Digital World called Modem. I waz offiered ze position of reporting the Digidestined while in Modem. It was zen revealed zat Matt had hidden ze evidence zat would prove Tai innocent.

Inside of Modem, Sora's Digidestined forces, lead by T.K., encountered Tai's Digital Warriors, lead by Kari. After refusing to surrender, T.K. gave the order to attack.

Chapter 11: The Hope of Friendship

Oikawa grunted to himself as he flet the familiar burst of movement he came to know was turbulence. He moved his head to try and find the cockpit of the circular shpace ship, that he knew had taken him, but all he saw were glowing rainbow colors, so he just shouted out to everywhere. "Hey! Do you think you can be just a little genteler? You have two injured passengers back here!"

He was answered when the ship jumped, sending him into the air. Oikawa mumbled an obsenaty as he rubbed the back of his head.

The mixture of colors disappeared to complete darkness. Light broke through the black atmosphere. Oikawa saw a very human face staring at him. "Get up!" he ordered.

"I would," Oikawa stared at him,"but, as I have said many times, my legs are broken!"

The man sighed and turned his head. "Hey! Give me a hand!"

A large human-looking Digimon covered in muscules marched towards them. "Help me carry him to the infirmary."

The Digimon nodded. He reached inside and yanked Oikawa and Datiramon out, flipping them over his large shoulders.

As they began walking, Oikawa saw that he had been resting in a small chamber inside the large saucer. He turned his head around and saw that they were ina very large docking bay, with other flying saucers, and mechanics working on them.

They entered a long hallway with blue doors every couple of feet along the green wall.

He was suddenly swung around as the large Digimon entered one of the doors into a room with many beds. Oikawa was then thrown onto one of the beds. "Don't expect a tip!" Oikawa shouted as the Digimon left.

"Where are we, Ukyo?" Datiramon asked.

Before Oikawa could answer, a female voice answered. "You're in the Infirmary of the DMSB."

"Who are you?" Oikawa asked as a dark haired woman walked over to him.

"I am a priestess," she stated,"I have to knowledge to heal you, though I don't know why my boss wants it done!"

"What is your name? And who is your boss? What does he want with me?"

"I am Krake," the women said,"And my employer wants the stone you found in the Santa Carea cave."

"Stone? What stone?"

Krake sighed. "We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. Your choice." She raised her fist back, then slammed it forward. It emitted a blast of red light that blasted into Oikawa's face. The last thing he saw before passing out was Krake laughing.

What am I doing here? Why is that stone I found so important? How did things even get this far?

I guess the answer to that is pretty obvious. I remember the days of my youth, when my friends and I would just play our video games all day, when I still had friends.

We had to grow up sometime, but I refused. It wasn't just an adult playing video games, I still belived in the game world. Sure, I tried to deny it. I even got married, to a woman that I grew quite fond of. We even had a beautiful daughter, but, I could not forget my game world. I had talked to this world, for so long, and it wasn't long before the game world talked back.

I have no idea who the voice was that called me, but it promised me wealth and power if I helped them. I could control the game world that I loved so much as a chld. I don't know who the voice belonged to, but, with the promise of power that he offered me, I quickly excepted. I never head that voice again.

The Digital World was nothing like I had imagined. My dream world was truly real. However, it was under attack from an evil Digimon named Kimeramon. With the help of two other Digidestined, I was able to defeat the monster Digimon.

After that battle, I gathered four evil Digimon to represent the Dark Masters. With me as their leader, we quickly conqured all of the Digital World. I was the master of the mystical dream world.

I ruled it with an iron hand, I was not going to let it slip through my fingers, no matter what. My home life deteriorated. My wife left me. I rarely saw my daughter, but I couldn't let go of the Digital World, I had to have it forever!

But my empire began to come under attack. The sage Geni, and his Resistence battled my rightful supremacy. Then those blasted Digidestined appeared, lead by that witch, Sora Takenouchi. Seven years they fought against me, and I stayed strong. Then, I lost it all, defeated, by a Digidestined thought long dead.

I tried to invade Earth, starting with Tokyo, but I failed. Diaboromon turned up missing, Arukennimon, Plagemon, and Milleniumon were destroyed, and I, humiliated by Tai Kamiya, a Digidestined that was suppose to have died in a battle with the Dark Master's leader Piedmon.

Now, I find myself trapped by a group of Digidestined that want a meaningless stone that I found. What can be so important about it? Maybe I should hold on to it...

When Oikawa opened his eyes, he felt a tremendous pounding in his head. As his vision came into focus, he saw Krake staring over him. "What did you do to me?" he asked.

Krake smiled. "I repaired you."

"What?"

"Move your legs."

Oikawa did, then stared at Krake with wide eyes. "My legs, they've healed. How long have I been out?"

"About four or five hours," she said, crossing her arms,"Now, give me the stone."

"What stone?" Oikawa asked again, staring her in the eyes.

Krake's smile faded. "Do not make the mistake of making me angry. Now, give me the stone."

"You didn't search me for it?"

"I did," Krake said,"But I did not find it."

Oikawa grinned. "Thank you for allowing me some modesty."

"The stone."

"At least tell me why you want it, or what it is."

"It is one of the Zhuqiaomon stones. That is all you need to know."

"The Zhuqiaomon Stones! Are you serious?"

"Hand it over," Krake said, her arms still crossed.

"Right," Oikawa said. He slowly reached towards his waist area, when he suddenly jumped up from the bed and tackled Krake to the ground. Oikawa grabbed Datiramon and charged out the door and down the hall.

"Where are we going, Ukyo?" Datiramon asked, as Oikawa carried him.

"To the Digital World, the land of Modem."

"What?" Datiramon asked,"That land is totally unkown! We have no idea what's inside those mountains that surround it!"

"Yes, but there is a legend that says the rest of the Zhuqiaomon stones are in Modem!"

"How are we even going to get there?"

Oikawa grinned as they ran into the docking bay. He stopped in front of one of the flying sacuer ships. "By comendiring one of these!"

He heard shouting in the hall that he ran out of. Oikawa quickly spied an open hatch to what appeared to be the elusive cockpit of the flying saucer. He jumped inside and slammed the hatch shut.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Datiramon asked, gazing at the array of buttons and knobs.

Oikawa took a deep breath and pressed one of the buttons. The ship lurched to life. "Just maybe," he said with a grin.

"Digidestined," T.K. shouted,"Attack."

"Digital Warriors, attack!" Kari shouted.

Both sides charged at one another, each person finding an oponent and seperating from the others. Noriko Oikawa held tight to her Kuwagamon as he siped his claw at Joe and Ikkakumon. Yolei fell over on Aquillamon's back as he fired his Blast Rings. Mina flinched as her Meramon fell to the ground to avoid it. Ken jumped off of Stingmon to allow his Digimon more agility for his battle against Armadillomon. Betamon dove under a nearby lake. He emerged seconds later as Megaseadramon, staring up at Lillymon. Exveemon dodged a sword attack from Ninjamon, while Davis stared down the mysterious masked Digidestined. T.K. and Kari stood completly still as the others battled around them..

Ikkakumon pointed his horn at Kuwagamon. "Harpoon Torpedo!"

Kuwagamon flew higher into the air, missing the flying missiles. The bug Digimon then open his giant front claws as Ikkakumon swung his giant horn around. Joe's Digimon's horn clashed against Noriko's Digimon's twin mandables. Their faces were wracked with pain as each one struggled to overcome the other.

"Don't give up!" Joe cried.

"Come on," Noriko said,"Don't let him win, Kuwagamon!"

Yoeli gripped tightly to Aquillamon's back as her Digimon twisted in the air to avoid Mearamon's fire attacks. Her knuckles were bare white as Aquillamon did a barrell roll in the air. "What are you doing?!" she shouted as Aquillamon rightened himself.

"I am trying to keep you unhurt," Aquillamon said, hovering in the air.

"Do you have to do it that way? I feel like I'm going to lose my lunch!"

"Sorry," her Digimon replied.

Down on the ground, Mina had her hands held together as she watched Mearamon grew a fireball in his hands. "Here!" he shouted, throwing the ball in his left hand into the air,"Take this one!"

"Careful," Mina called out,"Don't kill them."

"Don't worry," Mearamon laughed as Aquillamon quickly twisted to the left as the fireball passed under the giant bird's stomach,"My fireballs can be very lethel if I wish them to be."

"You did it again!" Yolei shouted as her Digimon straightened himself out,"Stop avoiding! Attack, attack!"

"As you wish," Aquillamon answered. He shot down with his mouth wide open,"Blast Rings!"

"Look out!" Mina shouted. Her Mearamon quickly jumped out of the way as Aquillamon's attack crashed into the ground.

Amradillomon stood on his hind legs and tried to grab Stingmon. "Darn it!" he shouted, trying to swat at Stingmon,"I've got to smash this fly!"

Stingmon just buzzed around in the air only just out of his reach. "Hah," he laughed,"Let's see how you can hurt me way up here!"

"I can't reach him," Amradillomon said, turning to look at his human partner,"What should I do?"

"Don't give up," Cody called out,"You have a long range attack, but all of Stingmon's attacks are close range! He can't hurt you up there, but you can hurt him!"

"Darn it!" Ken said,"He's figured out your weakness, Stingmon, brace yourself!"

Amradillomon moved his tail back, then shot it forward, sending out a hailstorm of spikes, aimed straight for Stingmon. Ken's Digimon threw his arms up in front of his face in an x, and braced for the impact. The spikes slammed into his arms and threw him into the ground. Amradillomon smiled,"Yes!" He galloped over to Stingmon, and jumped into the air, ready to slam down on top of him, but Stingmon shot his blade out of his arm and quickly shoved it into Armadillomon's leg.

"Ahh!" he shouted, hopping back, while Stingmon shot back into the air.

"You're not going to win, Cody!" Ken said.

"We'll see..." Cody said.

Ninjamon gripped tightly to her sword as she charged forward. Exveemon laughed slightly as he watched the small Digimon jumped up into the air. "Does she really think she can stop me?" he thought. He was answered when Ninjamon crashed her sword into the side of Exveemon's head, creating a large red wound.

"You're going to pay for that!" Exveemon shouted. He charged at the small Digimon, his fist connecting with Ninjamon's sword.

As their Digimon battled above them, Davis stared at the mysterious new fighter. "Who are you?" he asked, staring at the red mask that she was wearing, trying to imagine what her face looked like.

"Just call me Mask," the Digidestined said,"And do you have a real name, Master of Courage?"

"Yes," Davis said, adjusting the goggles over his eyes,"But you don't need to know it!" He smirked,"And if you weren't a girl, I'd run over there and show you what a mistake it was of challenging the Master of Courage!"

Mask growled and turned her head to her Digimon. "Beat up that Exveemon! Beat him up! Don't let him win!"

"You know," Mimi said,"considering the circumstances, you are pretty cute."

Micheal crossed his arms. "So I've heard. Are we going to fight, or not?"

Mimi sighed,"Alright. Try not to hurt him, okay, Lillymon?"

"It's going to be hard," Lillymon giggled as she hovered in the air,"Espically with guy as weak as him."

"What?!" Megaseadramon shouted,"I'm going to show you how weak I am!" He jumped up out of the small lake and flew towards Lillymon. He stretched his head back, "Take this!" he shouted, jabbing his horn at Lillymon, only to peirce air.

"Hey, where did she go?" he asked, turning his head around in the air,"Where is sh-ah!" He felt a sharp pain in the back of his head. He spun around and saw Lillymon hovering in the air, a sharp grinn on her face.

"I'll get you yet!" Megaseadramon jabbed at Lillymon, only to have her disapear again.

"Damn it!" he shouted,"She's too fast!" He spun his head around to try and catch her by surprise, but she already was there and slammed her foot into the area above his eye.

"Darn it!" Megaseadramon shouted.

As the battle raged around them, Kari and T.K. were still staring at each other. "I guess we're opponents, huh?" Kari said.

"Kari, you mean so much to me, I l.....please, don't make me do this. Call your team off, surrender, please."

"I'm not going to turn against my brother," Kari said,"My loyalty is to him, and him alone."

"Then I'm sorry," T.K. said,"Pegasusumon, attack!"

"Star Shower!" Pegasusmon cried, blasting his wings open, raining hot balls down on Kari and Nefertimon. The armored Digimon quickly flew out of the way, positioning herself directly in line with Pegasusmon, before fireing her attack, which blasted right into Pegasusumon's side. However, it was not enough to defeat him. He quickly spun around and attacked Nefertimon by slamming his head in her side.

"Darn it," Nefertimon said,"Don't worry Kari, you'll be alright."

"Oneesan," Taisuke cried,"Are we going to go to jail?"

"Of course not," Kari said with a smile,"We're going to be just fine."

She turned back around and stared at T.K. "I hope." she thought.

Matt yawned as he stared at the movie screen in front of him. His eyes started to drop slightly as he watched a woman with red hair kiss a man with dark brown hair. "How did I let Sora talk me into seeing this? I hate romance movies."

He turned his head to see Sora's sparkling eyes as the two main charecter of the movie were kissing, but instead he saw her figiting in her seat. "Sora?" he whispered,"What's wrong?"

"I...I...I don't know," she said.

"Sora," Matt said, lightly touching her shoulder,"what's wrong?"

She shook for a couple of seconds, before whispering,"Get out your D-terminal. I want to know about the battle."

Matt frowned. "I'm sure that T.K.'s team is winning. Heck, I'm sure that he's already won."

"Matt," Sora said in the tone that let Matt know it was an order.

"As you wish," Matt sighed, pulling out his D-terminal."Let's see what Mimi has to say..."

"Thunder Javelin!" Megaseadramon shouted, fireing his electrical attack at the flower sprite. Just as before, Lillymon disapeared, but this time, Megaseadramon held in his attack for mere moments as she droped his head, just as Lillymon's foot flew over top of him. He twisted his body quickly to bring his horn to Lillymon's back. "Got you!" he laughed, firing the rest of his attack at Lillymon's back.

Mimi cried out her Digimon's name as she fell to the earth. She ran over to her Digimon's side, but Lillymon was already back in the air. Mimi's mouth was wide open as she watched her Digimon began to deliver to Megaseadramon a series of punches that he was blocking with ease.

Suddenly she heard her D-terminal buzz out at her. She reached inside her jacket pocket and pulled out her communication device. "This had better be important," she mumbled as she looked at the screen. "What? Sora wants to know how we're doing?" She sighed as she started typing,"Well, we're doing very well, but to be perfectly honest I don't know how much longer we can hold out." She heard a scream and looked just in time to see Ninjamon swated by Exveemon. She flinched as Ninjamon crashed into the ground,"I think we're in alot of trouble," she added before sending the message.

"There," Matt whispered to Sora,"Mimi just e-mailed me back. They're doing fine, in fact, they might win soon." He smiled to himself as he quickly deleted the message, so Sora wouldn't see Mimi's concern about them losing.

"Call them off," Sora said.

"What?" Matt asked in disbelif,"Call them off?"

The other people in the moive theater all shushed them.

"Oh, shut up!" Matt shouted. He turned back to Sora,"Call them off?"

"Yes!" Sora said, jumping up,"Tell them to let the Digital Warriors go!" She started to walk out of the theather, followed by Matt.

"But Sora..."

"Do it Matt. That is an order!"

Matt grumbled. "Yes, ma'am," he hissed, typing his orders to Mimi.

Mimi was in disbeilf as well. She took a few deep breaths before turning her head upward. "T.K.!" she shouted,"We just got new orders from Matt! He wants us to leave!"

"What?" T.K. shouted,"Are you sure?"

"I've got the orders right here!" she said, holding up her D-terminal.

T.K. looked to where Kari was sitting on Nefertimon's back, then back at Mimi. "Digidestined!" he shouted as loud as he could,"Retreate!"

"What?" Cody asked.

"Are you sure?" Joe shouted.

"Yes," T.K. said,"Regroup back at the Digital Gate, now!"

The Digidestined took one last look at their oppents, before quickly running in the other direction. As they were retreating, the girl with the red mask kept her eyes on the Master of Courage till he was out of sight. "Is something wrong, June?" Joe asked, as he looked at his fellow passenger on Ikkakumon's back.

"That boy, the Master of Courage..."

"What about him?

"He looks so familiar, I just wish I knew where I saw him before."

"Well," The Master of Courage said, whipping the sweat from his forehead,"That was easy. I sure should that weird girl what for!"

"Don't get cocky," Michael said, lightly rubbing Betamon's back,"Matt called them off for some reason."

"That wasn't Matt," Kari said as Nefertimon landed,"He would keep them fighting until the bitter end, and the only one that can superceded Matt's authority is Sora." She smiled slightly,"Maybe Sora isn't so intent on arresting us as we thought."

"So what do we do now?" Noriko asked.

"Do you still have the coordinates of that city, Ken?"

"Yeah," he nodded,"But the Digidestined probably have noticed it as well."

"Hmm," Kari said, lightly rubbing her chin"Ken, remember that device you made for Tai so that his Digivice signal would be masked from the Digidestined's tracking system?"

Ken nodded.

"If we got supplies from our ship, would you be able to make some for us?"

"I suppose, if I had the right equipment...."

"Okay," Kari said, looking at her team,"We're going to head back to our ship. Once Ken gets our cloaking devices on line, we'll head towards that city."

"Oneesan," Taisuke yawned,"I'm getting tired."

"Yeah," Veemon said, looking at the sky,"It's getting dark."

"Okay," Kari said,"We'll camp back at the ship. Ken, will you be able to make the cloaking devices by tomorrow?"

"I'll work all night if I have to," he nodded.

"He'll do it too," Wormmon said with a smile.

Kari half-smiled,"Let's go."

Oikawa had his arms crossed as he stared at the grassy field in front of him. "This is Modum, huh?" He took a deep beath. "Wow, this air is so...fresh, so...pure...so...."

"So clean?" Datiramon asked.

"Yeah," Oikawa smiled,"This is the air of peace. There have been no wars in this land. It is full of peace."

"What are we doing here, Ukyo?" Datiramon asked, turning to the downed spacecraft, then back at his human partner.

"We're going to search for information on this," Oikawa said, pulling an object out of an inside pocket on his trench coat.

"Is that the stone?" Datiramon asked, looking at the yellow ruby.

Oikawa nodded, then placed the stone back inside his pocket. "That witch, Krake, said that the others stone might be hidden here. Maybe there's somone here that can explain what these stones are for."

He smiled slightly as he grabbed his Digivice and held it up. "Now, let's see what is here." He stared at the screen to see a thousand lights appear. Suddenly, a small group near his positon disapeared. "Hmm," he said.

"What is it?" Datiramon asked.

"I guesse my Digivice must be overwhelemed by all the Digivice signal's its reciveing. About seven or eight of them just disapeared. Anyway, I'm reading a large amount of Digidestineds about fifty miles to the northeast. Let's see what is there, huh?"

Micheal shot his eyes open and let out a long scream. He sat up and tried to get his breathing under control.

"Micheal?" Betamon asked,"What is it?"

Micheal was about to answer, when the other members of the Digital Warriors got up from their sleeping bags and ran over to Micheal's area of the campsite. "Micheal, are you alright?" Noriko asked,"What happened?"

"I just had another nightmare," he said, whipping the sweat from his forehead.

"What was it about?" Mina's Mearamon asked.

Micheal took a deep breath. "In this dream I-at least I think it was me-was standing with an old man with long white hair, and two middle age women. The old man was saying something about 'the conquest of the Digital World was iminet' and that 'we should strike soon'. I don't know why, but these dreams are pulling at the deepest part of me."

Izzy started to rub his chin. "Micheal, these dreams, you can recall them with perfect clairity?"

"Yeah," Micheal said,"So?"

"I think I might have a possible explanation."

"What?"

"You may be recalling a past life," he said, flatly.

"What?" Ken asked,"You can't be serious!"

"Try and keep an open mind," Tentomon said,"There are very convincing stories..."

"No way," Davis said, shaking his head,"That's totally ridiculous."

"Wait," Micheal said,"I want to hear what Izzy has to say."

"Don't tell me you belive this!" Ken said.

"I don't know, but I want to hear more."

"So do I," Betamon said.

"Well," Izzy said, leaning back against the ship he was repairing,"There have been some cases where people report to have been reincarnations of past lives, and they remember these lives through dreams, like yours. I think that, given time, you might remember more and more."

Michael nodded. "I understand."

Ken just shook his head and turned to Kari. "What time are we heading towards the city tomorrow?"

"Right away," she said, yawning,"Let's try to get back to sleep. We've got a long day tomorrow."

When T.K. stepped into the city that regesterd on his Digivice, the first thing he did was gasp. When the other Digidestined walked past him, they did the same thing.

"I don't beleive it!" Mimi said, her mouth wide open.

"It's...this...." Joe studdered,"this....can't be..."

"The whole city is filled with humans!" Yolei said.

"Not just humans," June said, adjusting the eye holes on her burn mask,"Digidestined humans!"

"Well, boss," Cody said to T.K.,"What do we do?"

"Let's just try to find out if anyone has seen Oikawa," T.K. said, leading the group into the city.

The citizens didn't seem to take any notice of them. They just continued on with their daily lives. T.K.'s group walked through crowds of people that had Digimon of all shapes and sizes following them as they moved down the sidewalks. The buildings were the same as you would find in a normal city: there were apartments, stores, banks, schools, hospitals, and police. Cars and trucks even occupied the roads, although most Digimon that were airworthy flew.

As T.K.'s group followed the sidewalk they were on, they passed a giant grassy park, in front of a massive stone building. There were hundreds of Digimon and people standing in the field, with a half dozen digidestined standing behined a podeum on the steps of the building.

"What do you think is happening there?" Patamon said, resting on top of T.K.'s head.

"Let's go find out," Armadillomon suggested.

"Sure,"T.K. shrugged,"Why not?"

He lead his group across the feild where they mingled into the back of the group. One of the group that was on the stairs approached the podeum, a man wearing a dark black suit with thick glassess, with a shorter human male looking creature at his side. He tapped the microphone and began speaking. "In conclucsion, Ladies and Gentlemen of Modum City, I wish to extended my deepest condolenses to the familes of the missing children. It has been weeks scine this wave of kidnapping has started, and I promise you, that as mayor of this fine city, I will do everything in my power to make sure that your children are found, and that the kidnappers are brought to justice!"

The crowd began to cheer. T.K. turned towards his group and whispered,"I think we should try to see the mayor, maybe he can help us."

"Good idea," Mimi whispered back,"Let's just push through this crowd and get to him before anything happens."

The group nodded to each other and the crowd began to disapear, the Digidestined pushed through the people to reach the stairs of the building. T.K. called out,"Excuse me, Mr. Mayor.."

Suddenly, the smaller man with the staff jumped to the base of the stairs, guarding the mayor."One more step, and I'll fry you!"

"Hold on!" T.K. said, holding up his hands,"We come in peace! We're representatives of the Digidestined Forces, the Army of Geni's Restoration.."

"Geni?" the mayor asked,"You work for Geni?"

"That's right," Patamon said, nodding.

"Jijimon," the mayor said,"It's alright, I would like to talk to them."

His Digimon partner reluctantly lower his staff and stood aside so T.K. could approach the mayor. He held out his hand and shook the mayor's. "I'm Takeru Takashi."

"I am Burett Daruna, Mayor of Modum City. I must say, I haven't seen anyone from outside our borders in over thirty years."

"Wait," Joe said,"You mean this area isn't unchargeted?"

Daruna smiled. "Not by us, but perhapse the outside of the Digital World hasn't recognized us yet, but, yes, there have been outsiders here."

"What did we just hear about missing children?" Gommamon asked.

"We have had a series of unexplanned kidnappings in the past couple of weeks," he said, sighing,"Plus some of the other minor cities in the areas have been destroyed and whiped out by uneplained reasons. So, what brings you to Modum?"

"Ukyo Oikawa," T.K. said, flatly.

"The ruler of most of the Digital World?" Jijimon asked, his eyes open wide,"Does he want to finally aquire Modum into his empire?"

"No," T.K. said,"He's been overthrown. Geni is acting as the Digital World's ruler, until a government can be established, but, he is in Modum."

"Why?" Daruna asked.

"He found a special stone in a cave near Santa Carea, we think he is in Modum looking for some more," Yolei said.

"What is this 'stone'?" Daruna asked.

"Well, um, none of us have actually seen it," Cody said, keeping his head low.

"I did read Izzy's notes before he succeded," Yolei said,"The stone was just a simple jewel, with three lines around the center."

Daruna's face paled. "I know what you are talking about. Please follow me." He turned around and walked down the sidewalk to the adjacent building. He swung open the doors to reveal a long rectangular room that resembled a Christian church, with long benches on both sides of the main isle, and balcolnies near the tops of the walls that the light from the richly decorated stain glass windows did not reach. At the front of the church was a gold alter with an idol of a phoenix on top. Once Daruna reached the front of the church, he turned around to address them.

"I am the mayor of Modum City," Daruna said,"But I am also the sage of the Zhuqiaomon stones."

"The what?" Hawkmon asked.

On the right balcolny, Mina peered over the edge and kept her eyes focused on Daruna. "He has one of the Zhuqiaomon stones?" she whispered.

"I thought they were given to a priest," Davis whispered back.

Kari held up her finger to her lips. "We snuck in here to find out about the stones, just keep quiet!" she mouthed.

On the left balcolny, Datiramon turned to where Oikawa was hidding. "Did you just hear something?" he whispered.

"Shh!" Oikawa ordered,"I want to hear this!"

Daruna nodded at Hawkmon's statement. "At the begaining of time, there were four Digital Guardians that brought about order to the chaos that was the Digital universe. They were benovalent guardians of the Digital World, however, there were forces that hated their goodness and wished to destroy it. These were evil Digimon sages, and they created an evil monstrosity. This demon Digimon began a long battle against the four Digital Soverign, destroying three of them. The only remaing Digital Soverign, Zhuqiomon, used his remainig strength and sealed the evil Digimon away. He then gave a good Digimon priest the five stones he used to seal the evil, then, he perished. The stones were hidden across the Digital World. However, about five centries ago, a group gathered four of the stones to try and resurect the evil Digimon. This act was prevented, but the stones were hidden once again, this time in the land of Modum, where they remain to this day."

Daruna sighed slightly."However, I've heard rumors that other stones were being sought after by a group of powerful Digimon..."

"That's got to be Oikawa!" Yolei said.

"Do you know where the stones are?" T.K. asked.

"I definetly know where one stone is hidden, and I have a general idea where another one is," Daruna said,"One stone is actually here, inside this building."

On the left balcolny, Oikawa's eyes shot open. He was about to pull his head over the edge, when he remembered the Digtal Warriors on the other side. He quickly shot back onto the floor, being very quiet.

On the right side, Mina and Ken peered their heads over the ledge and quietly listened to Daruna and the Digidestined on the floor below.

"What about the other stone?" Mimi asked.

Daruna was about to answer, when a man with a Deramon ran inside. "Mr. Daruna!" he called out,"We just recived word that another town is under attack!"

"What?" Daruna asked,"Which city?"

"Letni," the man said,"People are dying and buildings are being destroyed, by some unkown force!"

Daruna's face paled. "What am I going to do?"

T.K. saw the look of horror on the mayor's aid's face, then the look of desperation on the mayor's face. T.K. felt Patamon give his head a slight squeeze, then T.K. nodded. "Okay," he said, facing his group,"Patamon and I will investigate the city."

"Are you sure?" Joe asked.

"You do not need to do that," Daruna said, however, the look of hope on his face betrayed his voice.

T.K. smiled slightly,"I wouldn't be much of a hero if I didn't try to stop suffering. The rest of you stay here and defend the stone that's here, I'm going to that city."

As Daruna was giving T.K. directions, Kari turned towards the Digital Warriors. "I'm going to follow T.K.," she whispered,"I'm taking Taisuke with me, the rest of you, stay here."

"Wait,"Micheal said,"Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I need to check this out too. Come on, Taisuke, let's go."

"At least let me e-mail Izzy and tell him to meet you," Mina said.

"Okay, keep an eye on them," she said, mentioning to the Digidestined below them,"Let's go, Taisuke." Her younger brother and his Digimon followed her out the roof window they crawled in, while on the other side, Oikawa and Daitramon did the same.

Outside, Oikawa crawled onto the roof, and was just in time to watch T.K. and Pegasusmon flew off, with Kari, Taisuke, Agumon, and Nefertimon flew after them. "What are we going to do, Ukyo?" Datiramon asked.

"Let's try to find some of those stones," Oikawa said,"Digivolve to Pharaohmon, then let's do some searching."

Daitramon nodded, then started to digivolve through his forms until he reached his Mega level. As Oikawa climbed onto Pharaohmon's back, his Digimon asked,"What is the matter? Something seems wrong with you."

"Hmm? Oh, i-it's nothing, I...I just got this weird feeling that...that Noriko is nearby."

"She may be inside the church, do you want to check?"

"No..no, let's go," Oikawa nodded.

"As you wish," Pharaohmon said, as he flew into the air. Oikawa kept his eyes on the church until it was out of sight. He sighed and turned around to face the front.

"Was Noriko there?" Oikawa asked himself,"Or was I just imagining things? What would she be doing there? She's been missing since the festival, and she shows up here with the Digidestined, and why were the Digidestined apart? Kari Kamiya was with Ken Ichijoji and Michael of Santa Carea." He smiled slightly,"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have even found this stone, and...."

He was cut off when Pharaohmon suddenly twisted in the air, sending them into a tail spin that crashed them into the ground. Oikawa flew off of Pharaohmon and slammed face first into the dirt. He rubbed the back of his head as he slowly sat up."What happened?" he asked, turning to where his Digimon were getting up from the ground.

"Something hit me," Pharaohmon said, looking at the missing bandages around his stomach. He started looking around,"Where is the attacker?"

"I'm right here."

Oikawa and Pharaohmon spun around in the grass covered feild and saw what appeared to be a fox walking on two legs, with the bottom half of her face that of a human woman. She had large boots pulled over leather pants, and carried a staff. "Who are you?" Oikawa demanded.

"Her name is Sakuyamon," a red haired girl wearing a trench coat and sun glassess walked around the fox Digimon,"and my name is Rika."

"Why did you attack me?" Pharoahmon demanded.

"To battle you," Sakuyamon said.

"I think maybe you've mistaken us for someone else," Oikawa said,"I don't think we know you."

"You are Ukyo Oikawa, and Pharaohmon, correct?" Rika asked, crossing her arms.

"That's right," Oikawa said.

"Then you are the ones that we want," Rika said,"Sakuyamon, attack."

The fox Digimon shot forward and slammed her staff into Pharaohmon's stomach. Oikawa flinched as his Digimon quickly clutch his stomach. "That was too easy," Sakuyamon laughed,"I would have thought you would have more than that."

"Watch me!" Pharaohmon shouted. He grabbed Sakuyamon's throat with his massive fist, then raised her into the air. Sakuyamon squirmed and twisted as she tried to escape from Pharaohmon's grip.

On the opposite side of the battlefeild, Rika scowled. "Sakuyamon, what are you doing? You're not even trying!"

"I...I'm doing my best, Rika," Sakuyamon said, tearing her claws into Pharaohmon's giant arms,"But he's suffocating me..."

Rika sighed, then reached into her pocket and pulled out a deck of cards. As Sakuyamon was struggling to breath, Rika very carefully choose a card out of the deck. Oikawa was watching the redheaded girl with confusion, she didn't even seem to care that her Digimon was about to die, she was just playing with a deck of cards. He was about to call out to her, when she held up one of the cards. She grabbed her Digivice and slid the card through a slot on the side. "Digi-modify!" she shouted,"Teleport activate!"

"What the-?" Oikawa asked, turning to Sakuyamon, only to watch her vanish from sight.

"What happened?" Pharaohmon asked, turning from side to side,"where did she go?"

"Right here!"

Pharaohmon swung his head around and caught a glimpse of Sakuyamon's foot slam into his nose.

"You are pitiful," the fox Digimon laughed as she gracefully landed on her feet,"I can't believe you held the Digital World in terror for five years!"

"Pharaohmon!" Oikawa shouted,"You're embarrasing me!"

"Sorry about that," Pharaohmon growled, his eyes full of rage,"I am going to kill her!"

Sakuyamon planted her feet firmly on the ground and held her staff at her side. "Come and get me, big boy."

Pharaohmon charged forward, screaming a string of obsenities. Sakuyamon waited untill he was directly in front of her before she jumped up and twisted in the air to land behiend Pharaohmon. However, the mummy Digimon grabbed Sakuyamon's staff and swung it down. Rika's Digimon was too shocked to open her grip, as a result, she slammed face first into the dirt.

Pharaohmon laughed, then jumped high into the air, where he twisted around, and charged back towards the ground with his fist ready to crush Sakuyamon's skull. The fox Digimon jumped up and swung around, planting her feet into Pharaohmon's stomach, throwing him back into the air.

Sakuyamon smiled, and pointed her staff at Oikawa's Digimon, firing out four foxes of different colors that shot into Pharoahmon from all sides, ripping his bandages apart. His eyelids slowly closed and he crashed into the ground.

"Not bad," Rika said, as Sakuyamon landed behined her,"Sakuyamon defeated him, but he did not return to his In-training form, he remained in his Mega level. You are not lacking in strenght, just fighting style." She smiled wickedly,"Well, good luck, I'll see you again."

"Who are you?!" Oikawa shouted, running to where his fallen Digimon was starting to get up,"Why did you attack us?"

Rika just ignored him and started walking away.

"Don't turn you back on me!" Oikawa demanded,"I am Ukyo Oikawa!"

Rika stopped, then turned around. "Are you sure?" she asked.

"What's that suppose to mean?!"

"Tell me, when did you first enter the Digital World?" she asked.

"That's easy," Oikawa said with a smile,"It was....it was...." Suddenly, his face paled and his eyes opened wide,"I...I..."

"And when did you first get your Digimon partner?" Rika asked,"Or when you were able to get him to Digivolve to Mega?"

"I...I..."

Rika smirked. "Okay, why don't we start with something more personal, hmm? What is your daughter's name?"

"Noriko!" Oikawa shouted,"Her name is Noriko!"

"Right, but, when was she born? Where was she born? When were you and your wife married? Where did you get married. Tell me, what is her name?"

"I...I....I don't know!" Oikawa shouted, dropping to his knees,"I don't know. What's happening to me?"

"I'll leave you alone for now," Rika said. She turned back around and she and Sakuyamon slowly disappeared into the ground.

Catherine placed her hand above her eyes to block out the sun as she looked over the rock ledge at the city below her. "Do you know zity zis iz, Floarmon?" she asked.

At her side, her Digimon partner shook her head as she held the portable t.v. camera strapped to her back,"No one has been in this area of the Digital World in a very long time. Any maps that we might have had are probably no longer accurate."

Catherine nodded. "Any idea where to start first?" Floramon asked.

"We zhould find ze Digidestineds," Catherine said, looking around,"Zen we will...hey, isn't zat T.K. Takashi and Pegasusmon?"

"Yes," Floarmon said, nodding,"I think he is landing in the city below us."

Catherine smiled. "Zat was easier zen I zought. Let's go!"

Taisuke shivered as followed his older sister through the opening in the side of the mountain. "Why are we going inside of this cave, Oneesan?" he asked.

"I must echo Taisuke's statement," Izzy said, following them both inside,"Why did you pull me away from reparing our transport ship to explore a cave?"

"I wanted your help because I was going to follow T.K.," Kari said,"But, your Digivice reacted to something down here, too, right?"

Izzy and Taisuke both looked at each other, than shook their heads. "No," Izzy said,"Your's did?"

"Yes," Kari said, taking her pink Digivice from off of her belt,"There's something in this cave that is reacting to my digivice, but what?"

"Oneesan, I'm cold," Taisuke whinned.

"I'll keep you warm," his Agumon answered, rubbing his long nose against his human partner.

"Do you want me to keep you warm, Izzy?" Tentomon asked, buzzing close to Izzy shoulder's.

"Ouch!" he screamed,"Watch what you're doing! That hurt!"

Kari smiled slightly as she examined the rock dome inside of the mountain. There were stalagties and stalamites everywhere, and rock coutners that had been formed into the walls. Everyone one of these natural tables were bare, except for one.

"What is that?" Gatomon asked, pointing to the rock ledge on the right.

"What's on top of there?" Tentomon asked, hovering over to the rock table,"It looks like an orage egg with a spike through the top of it."

"I'd hate to be the chicken that laid that thing," Gatomon mumbled.

"Hey, wait," Kari said, walking over to the egg,"that egg has the symbol of the Crest of Courage on it." She reached inside her shirt and pulled up the two crests that she wore around her neck. She held the Crests of Light and the Crest of Couarge in her palm, staring at the Crest of Courage. "The two symbols are the same, but how can this be?"

"Kari," Izzy said,"Maybe it is a Digi-metal, just like the Digi-metal of Light."

"The Digi-metal of Courage?" she asked herself,"but, then whose is it? Tai is the Digidestined of Courage.."

"But you have his crest," Taisuke pointed out.

"But I never used it," she said,"I mean, I used it just so that the Crest of Light could make Gatomon digivolve to the Mega level, but, I was always the Digidestined of Light. Come to think of it, I should give Tai his Crest back."

"Let's try to pick the egg up," Taisuke's Agumon suggested.

"It should be Tai's," Kari said.

"Taisuke," Tentomon said,"I think you should try to pick the egg up."

"Are you sure?" Kari said,"The Digi-metal of Courage is Tai's, it has to be."

"It couldn't hurt to try, could it?" Izzy asked.

Kari sighed,"I guess not. Go ahead, Taisuke."

Kari's little brother nodded, then walked over to the rock table. He reached up and grabbed the egg firmly between his hands. He took a deep breath and try to lift the egg up, but he couldn't.

"I'm sorry," he said, holding his head down.

"That's okay," Izzy said, patting him on the back,"Kari, why don't you try?"

"Me?" she asked,"But I already have a Digi-metal."

"Come on," Izzy said, opening up his hands,"Humor me."

"Alright, fine," she said. She grabbed the egg and, with simple ease, lifted it off of the rock table.

Kari stared with her mouth open wide at the egg in her hands. "Kari?" Gatomon asked, looking up at her partner.

Kari was breathing quickly, trying to make sense of what just happened. She placed the Digi-egg of Courage into her pink jacket's pocket, then quickly pulled the two crests off from around her neck. Her D-terminal in her pocket suddenly shot the Digi-egg of Light out of it into Kari's other hand. Izzy and the others gasped when the white color of Kari's own Digi-metal faded to gray, then crumbled in her hands. Her eyes drifted to the Crest of Light, only to watch it crack and disappear.

"What just happened?" Tentomon asked.

"I...I have no idea," Izzy said,"I...I guess that Kari...that Kari is the Digidestined of Courage now."

"No!" Kari screamed, throwing the Crest of Courage onto the ground,"No..I...I can't!"

"Oneesan?" Taisuke asked, cautiously,"W..why are you yelling?"

"Tai's the Digidestined of Courage, not me! I...I..." she started shaking,"Izzy, take Taisuke back to Modum City and tell Micheal what's going on. I...I need some time to myself."

She charged out of the cave with Gatomon right behined her partner.

The giant monster growled, saliva dripping from it's massive mouth, its teeth glistening in the sunlight. It raised it's giant claws and slashed its claw into the desert floor, creating a malestrom of sand and dirt.

The man with the crew cut of blond hair quickly jumped threw his arms up to block the sand. A long metal serpent suddenly appeared in front of him. "I will protect you, Nerez!" it shouted.

A young boy was trying to protect himself as well. A large red dinosaur was standing in front of him, trying to sheild the human. "Takato!" Nerez shouted,"How are you holding up?"

"I...I'll make it," he shouted over the howl of the wind,"We've got to stop him, now! This battle has gone on long enough!"

"I agree," Nerez shouted,"On three, we attack together. One....two....three!"

The metal serpent fired a blast of blue energy from it's nose, while the red dinosaur shot a red beam from out of its mouth. A third creature suddenly appeared, one that resembled a giant mummy with a sheild. This one shot one palm forward, firing a red beam that joined with the other two, forming a giant white beam that tore through the first creature's stomach.

The sandstorm instatly stopped, and the giant black creature fell over into the sand. His body broke apart into a million shards that flew staright forward...

Noriko was suddenly woken up when her back sliped away from the pilliar she was leaning against. "What a weird dream," she said to herself,"I wonder what it means.." Suddenly another tremor shot through the small balcolny she and the other Digital Warriors were resting in. "What's going on?" she asked.

Micheal placed his finger to his lips. "This church is under attack, but the Digidestined are still in the chapel below us, gaurding the stone with Daruna. Be quiet!"

"This isn't good!" Daruna shouted, as another attack rattled the windows,"Someone is bombing us!"

"Don't worry," Mimi said, "We're not going to let anyone steal that stone!" She turned towards the rest of her team,"Everyone, group formation! Protect Daruna and the stone!"

The four other Digidestined nodded and quickly surrounded the altar that held the Zhuqiaomon stone, with Daruna in front of it. Mimi stood in the center of the half circle, staring directly at the chruch door. The bombing had stopped, and she was wondering if the assult had ceased, when the church door suddenly blew off of its hindges. Mimi gave the order to duck, but it didn't give them any protection when the flying door crashed into the wall directly behined them, caving in the ceiling.

On the upper right balcolny, when Mina saw the Digidestined with wooden beams and debri pinning down their arms and legs, she was about to jump down to help them, when Michael grabbed her shoulder. "Wait," he said,"Let's see who is attacking first, then we'll help them if they need it. I would prefer not to have to fight the Digidestined, I need to get you guys back to Kari in one piece."

Mina hestated for a second, then nodded. Micheal smiled slightly, then turned his head back to the opening where the door once was. Out of the darkness of the night emerged four figures. The one that was leading the attack was a creaure with large black wings wearing a robe and hood that covered all of his face. The other three figures walked in slowly after the first one, three figures that caused Joe, Mimi, and their Digimon to stare with wide eyes and start to gasp for breath. "No...no, it can't be!" Mimi said.

"It's impossible!" Joe shouted.

"But...they're right in front of us," Palmon said.

"But...but, I...I can't belive it!" Gommamon said.

"It's...it's the Dark Masters!"

"The Dark Mastes?" Ken asked,"I thought Matt and Tai destroyed them all."

"But, they're right there," Mina's Agumon said.

"Puppetmon, Machinedramon and Piedmon," Betamon said,"But, where's Metalseadramon?"

"And whoese that other guy?" Veemon asked.

"That's Daemon," Mina said,"I've seen pictures of that Digimon, but I thought it was an extinct evolution."

Down below, the Digidestined were too in shook to even move. They could only stare as Daemon, Puppetmon, and Machinedramon stopped right in front of them, and moved to the side so Piedmon could walk into view. While the other two Dark Masters were the same, Piedmon was definetly different, his colorful clothes were gone, replaced by a suit of metal armor that covered every inch of his body except for his head. His swords still remained on his back, ready at a moment's notice to be used to bring someone to instant death.

Piedmon grinned as he stared at the Digidestined trapped on the floor. "Well, well, well, I think that this look suits you, with your faces in the dirt where you belong."

"How can it be you!" Mimi shouted,"Wargreymon killed you! I was there!"

"Reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated, as you can well see," he laughed.

"Excuse me, Lord Piedmon," Daemon said,"But we are due back at the ship soon."

Piedmon glared at him for a second, then smiled. "Well, I'm glad that one of us is keeping tack of the time. You do do good work Daemon."

"I live to serve," he said, bowing.

"Now," Piedmon said,"Where is the Zhuqiaomon stone?"

"You'll never get it!" Cody shouted, trying to get on his feet, but his back and legs were trapped under a wooden support beam from the collapsed celing.

"Don't make me laugh," he grinned,"You, Mr. Mayor, where is the stone?"

"Enough of this, I'll just blow this place apart, and we'll pick it up from underneath the rubble!" Puppetmon said, holding up his hammer.

"That could damage the stone," Machinedramon said, a disguisted tone in his voice,"I know your brain is tiny, but use what little you have!"

Puppetmon growled at him. "That was a cheep shot!"

"Queit!" Piedmon shouted. He turned back to face Daruna,"Give me the stone now, or I will let my assiciate Puppetmon destroy everyone in here!"

"Alright, alright," Daruna said, a defeated look on his face. He walked over to where the altar had collapsed after the ceiling fell. He grabbed the phoenix statue that once rested on top of the gold alter. Daruna sighed and handed Piedmon the statue. "The stone you seek is inside."

"Thank you, you've been most helpful. For your gracious assisstence, you will be spared. Goodbye now."

The Dark Masters and Daemon turned around and started to walk out of the church, when something blasted Piedmon in his new metal back. The leader of the Dark Masters spun around. "How dare you?!" he shouted,"How dare you attack me from behined!"

"I'm sorry," Paildramon said,"I'm kind of new at this."

"Yes, I can see that," Piedmon said, getting his anger under control,"Who are you?"

"He's our Digimon," Davis said, jumping down from the ceiling, followed by Ken.

"A DNA Digimon," Machinedramon said,"I had always wanted to meet one."

"Well now you've seen me," he said,"give me the stone, or face the consequence!"

"Ha ha ha!" Piedmon laughed,"You're serious, aren't you?"

"We're serious," Micheal said, jumping down off of the balcolny with the other Digital Warriors,"Now, give us the stone, or prepare for a fight!"

"If you want to fight, then fine," Piedmon said. He handed the stone to Daemon, then placed his fingers together, forming a gun barrall, Puppetmon held up his hammer, while Machinedramon pointed his cannons at them. Micheal turned and looked at the Digital Warriors's Digimon: Paildramon, Megaseadramon, Kuwagamon and Mearamon, then back at the Dark Masters.

"That's what I thought," Piedmon said with a smile. He turned around and followed Daemon and the other Dark Masters out of the church and back into the darkness of the night.

T.K. slowly walked through the streets of the city, an eerie silence filled the air. "Where is everyone?" he asked, stepping over rubble from destroyed buildings,"And what happened here?"

"The destruction continues over here," Pegasusmon said, stepping through an alley,"And it's even worse."

T.K. followed his Digimon through the narrow hall between the buildings to emerge in the center of the city. T.K. gasped at the total destruction of the city. Buildings had collapsed, and were scattered across the streets. Cars had been destroyed, and some were even on fire. Fire hydrants were shooting water into the air, spreading water near downed power lines, a dangerous formula. "Is this the right city?" he asked,"How long has this place been like this? It looks like years!"

"I don't know," Peagusmon said,"That a look at that building, isn't that like the church back in Modum City?"

"Yeah," T.K. nodded,"Maybe a stone is inside of there! Let's go take a look."

As they started walking towards the church, T.K. caught something out of the corner of his eye. He quickly spun around and saw a blond haired girl and a Floramon with a camera walking towards them. "Who are you!" T.K. demanded, "Wait, you're Catherine DeGual, aren't you?"

She nodded. "Zat is correct. Could I azk you a few ques-?"

"What are you doing here?!" he shouted,"Whatever destroyed this city might still be here!"

"Zen isn't zhouting going to let him know?"

T.K growled at her, then took a deep breath, calming himself down. "Miss DeGual, what are you doing here?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Floramon asked,"She's a reporter, and I have taken the role of her camera man."

"Reports, huh?" T.K. said with a disgusted smirk,"My mother is a reporter, and so is my father. Let me give you some advice, get yourself out of this occupation before it's too late."

"I am not going anywhere!" Catherine said,"Your father iz zee one zat sent me here. I am not going to leave until I zis story!"

"Fine!" T.K. said, sighing,"Just stay out of my way."

The four of them started to walk towards the church building. "So," Catherine said, holding the microphone towards T.K.'s face as Floramon focused the camera on him,"What do you zink destroyed zis city."

"I don't know," T.K. said,"But, I think that whatever it was might have been after the Zhuqiaomon Stones."

"Ze what?" Catherine asked.

T.K. was debating whether to tell her or not, when Pegasusmon suddenly stopped and shot his head around. "What is it?" T.K. asked.

"Something's here," he said, looking around,"I feel the chill of evil."

"What?" Catherine asked,"What are you talking about?"

"I can feel it too," Floramon said, shaking,"It's so cold."

"What's causing it?" Catherine asked, starting to become frightened. Her back suddenly stiffend, and she slowly turned around. She jumped into the air, as Floramon ran around her and focused the camera. "W..what is that?"

"The evil, I presume," Catherine said, holding the microphone close to her mouth,"There is some sort of creature in front of us." Despite having her spine as ice, her face showed true courage, and her speech was unwavering. "As you can zee, zis creature in front of me, it.., it is a devil!"

T.K. was gasping for breath at the creature. "D-D-Devimon?" he asked,"But I destroyed you!"

Devimon's face seemed to become darker as he spoke,"Although I am currently in the form of a Devimon, I am not really one, nor am I the Devimon you destroyed on File Island."

"Who are you?" Pegasusmon asked.

"I am Apocalymon, a Mega Digimon," he said, a grin on his face.

"You're a Mega?" T.K. asked.

"Yes," Devimon said, crossing his arms,"You see, I was created to thousand years ago by Dragon to destroy the Digital Guardians for betraying him. Together, the two of us raged a path of destruction across the Digital World before the Guardians finally caught up with us."

He smiled again,"I easily destroyed them, but, I am the Holy Destroyer, I must destroy all in sight, it is why I was created. However, Dragomon, soon realized his mistake in my 'programing' and tried to destroy me.." His smile grew,"so I destoyed him. Now, without anyone holding me back, I started to destroy the Digital World once more, but that blasted Guardian Zhuqiaomon had somehow survived our battle and was intent on stopping me. He used his sorcer spells and sealed all my powers within five crystal stones, returning me to my In-training form, then hid the stones across the Digital World."

"Y...you're the one that Daruna told us about!" T.K. shouted,"But, you were sealed away!"

"Legends can often be changed from the actual fact," he said,"I tried to gather the stones with my power, however, I was mearly an In-training, and was not strong enough to began my search. I wanted to wait until I became stronger. It took two thousand years for me to reach this champion form."

"Why?" Pegasusmon asked.

"Because my true strenght remains in the Zhuqiaomon stones, which is why I need the stones. Once I find all the stones, I will be able to return to my true body, and continue my destruction of the Digital World."

"What?" T.K. asked.

"Why?" Catherine asked,"Why do you want to destroy everything?"

"Because I was created to," he said, as if it was common knowledge,"I destroyed this city to search for the stone that may be here, and you have come here to search for one as well. Thus, I cannot allow you to leave here alive."

"I'm not going to let you return to your Mega from," T.K. said,"I'll stop you right here and now!"

"A fight is it? Good," Devimon said, grinning,"Give me your best shot."

Pegasusmon quickly jumped up into the air, as T.K. turned to the two reports. "Get cover!" he shouted,"Get away from the battlefeild!"

"R-right," Catherine said. She and Floramon jumped behind a pile of fallen debris, but kept their eyes on the battle. Pegasusmon flapped his wings, hard. "Star Shower!" he shouted, firing a rain of glowing meteorites towards he ground, impacting Devimon in an explosion of smoke and light.

"Yez!" Catherine cheered,"You got him!"

"Don't be so naieve!" T.K. said,"That wasn't strong enought to stop him."

"O...oh," was all Catherine could say. She took a deep breath, and spoke into the microphone," Pegasusmon has started to battle ze Devimon calling himself Apocalymon. It appears zat ze creature has been destroyed, but Takashi says that he iz ztill alive."

"Which I am!"

Floramon swung the camera to where the smoke from Pegasusmon's attack was slowly vanishing, revealing a grinning Devimon without a stratch on him. "That's wasn't bad," he said, opening his hands,"But now it's my turn!"

He held his claws out in front of him, then launched into the air towards Pegasusmon. T.K.'s Digimon held his head down and shot a blue beam from his head. Devimon pulled his arm beheined his shoulder, then swung it around and blasted his wrist into the beam, sending it crashing into a remaing building, shattering it to pieces.

Pegasusmon flew out of the way to avoid the claw attack from Devimon's left hand, but he wasn't paying attention to his right hand. Devimon buired that claw deep into Pegasusmon's stomach. He let out a loud moan, then crashed into the ground.

"Get up, Pegasusmon!" T.K. ordered,"He's right above you!"

Pegasusmon tried to jump back onto his feet, but the punch to his stomach left him weak and slower. Devimon was easily able to grab him by the head and lift him into the air. "Put him down!" T.K. shouted,"Apocalymon, put him down now!"

Devimon grinned. "As you wish." He grabbed Pegasusmon's head tighter, then swung him into the air. T.K. watched as Pegasusmon flew across the city and crashed into the church building through the roof. T.K. screamed his Digimon's name as he ran past Devimon and dove into the church building.

Devimon started to laugh as he turned to face Catherine and Floramon. "Now," he said,"It's your turn."

Inside of the church, T.K. saw Patamon lying under a pile of rubble, with the Digi-metal of Hope lying next to him. "Patamon!" T.K. cried, grabbing his Digimon. His stomach was filled with instant horror as Patamon's head fell over in T.K.'s arms. "Oh no," he said, shaking his head,"No..no..no...P-Patamon, you can't be...you can't be dead. No." Tears fell down his eyes as he watched Patamon's body slowly start to break apart,"Patamon, if...you're gone, then...then..." He started crying again, while at his side, the Digi-metal of Hope turned gray, then cracked and broke apart.

T.K. looked up at the ceiling and saw, through tear stained eyes, that Matt's symbol, the Crest of Friendship, was ingraved in the side of the wooden wall, but he ignored that as he watched Patamon slowly start to fade. "I...I can't lose you again...I won't! I won't! Patamon....Patamon..."

His head dropped as he began to remember his fallen friend. He remembered the first time he met Patamon, then the time they were seperated by Devimon, then when Patamon digivolved for the first time, then when T.K. thought he had been destroyed by Devimon, and when they fought Myotismon. He remembered all the good times, and then some of the bad, but his memories returned to the good times, to the times when they laughed and felt like nothing could hurt them simply because they were friends, best friends.

Suddenly, T.K. became aware of a glowing blue light. He reluctantly took his eyes off of where Patamon was vanishing and saw the symbol in the side of the wall was the source of the bright blue light. An object slowly decended from the carving and landed in front of T.K. His tears momentarily stoped when he looked at the item. It looked to him like a flipflop Digi-egg with a spike through it, but what interested him the most, was the symbol of Friendship that was engraved on it.

T.K. slowly reached out and grabed hold of it. As soon as he did, Patamon's body started to glow and pull itself back together. As blue light streamed from the Digi-egg, Patamon opened his eyes and stared at his human partner. "T.K., what's happening?"

"Patamon, you're alive!" he said with a broad smile,"Patamon, I thought I really lost you this time."

Patamon nodded, then said,"T.K., we need to stop Apocalymon, he's about to attack Catherine and Floramon."

T.K. nodded, whipping the tears from his eyes,"This Digi-egg just appeared in front of me. From its symbol, I think it's the Digi-metal of Friendship and I think it's mine. Let's give it a try, huh?"

"I'm ready," Patamon smiled.

T.K. nodded, holding out the egg. "Digi-armor energize!"

"Patamon armor Digivolve to...."

Catherine slowly stepped backwards as she held the microphone out in front of her,"Please, Apocalymon is it? Tell me, what do you really hope to accomplish here? If you want ze ztone, why are you wasting time wiz uz?"

"Very clever," Devimon said with a smile,"But you're not going to get away this easily."

Floramon dropped the camera, then jumped in front of Catherine. "Leave her alone!" she demanded.

"Get out of the way!" Devimon said, swipping her aside with his hand, causing her to drop to the ground.

"Floramon!" Catherine cried.

"Quit winning," Devimon said, raising his claw,"You're next."

"Apocalymon!"

Devimon tensed up and turned look over his shoulder to see T.K. walking out of the church building. "Step away from Miss DeGual and Floramon now!" he said,"Or face the consequences."

Devimon started to laugh as he grabbed Catherine. "You have aroused my curiousity."

T.K. nodded. "As you wish." Suddenly, the ground began to shake violently.

"What's happening?" Devimon demanded.

"My new armor Digimon, that's what," T.K. said,"Stegomon!"

A giant blue stegosauras charged out of the church building, creating crators where ever his feet slammed into the ground. He lifted his head and roared into the air.

"Where did he come from?" Devimon asked, throwing Catherine to the ground,"but, let's see what he's got."

"Get him!" T.K. ordered.

"You've got it!" Stegomon responsed in a deep voice. He charged towards Devimon, his mouth open wide, showcasing his rows of sharp pointed teeth. Devimon laughed as he held out his claws. "Oh come on!" he laughed,"I've seen this routine a thousand times! You're not going to be able to gnaw your teeth into me!"

"Who said I was going to do that?" Stegomon asked, suddenly pushing up with his hind legs.

Devimon's eyes opened wide asd Stegomon flipped upside down, crushing Devimon under a dozen sharp pointed spikes. He howled out in pain as Stegomon's back crushed his body, just as the spikes on Stegomon's back peirced through his skin. Stegomon twisted around back onto his feet, with Devimon still attached to his back. He manuvered his tail underneath of Devimon and flicked him off his back and onto the ground a few feet in front of him. Stegomon raised his right front foot, ready to smash it down on Devimon's head. Suddenly, the evil Digimon shot his claw up into the armor Digimon's eye. Stegomon screamed out, then stagered back.

Devimon flew up into the air, black blood ozing from his open wounds. "We will continue this another day!" he said, flying away from the city,"You have won the battle, but the war will be mine!" He laughed manically as he disapeared from sight.

T.K. let out a deep breath. Suddenly a blue bubble appeared in front of him, slowly decending towards his chest. "What is it now?" he asked, as Crest of Hope slid out of his shirt. The blue bubble inserted itself over the Crest of Hope, which then vanished from sight. T.K. was schocked, then became even more shocked as the Crest of Friendship appeared around his next.

"What the-?" he asked, before he heard moaning. He sighed, then walked over to Catherine. "Are you okay?" he asked, helping her to her feet.

"Yez," she said, brushing the dirt off of her jeans,"Zank you. Wait, Floramon!"

"I'm right here Catherine," she said, holding the camera up,"You're on!"

Catherine smiled as she grabbed her microphone and starting talking,"Zis iz Catherine DeGual, reporting live from ze land of Modum. I am here wiz T.K. Takashi, who has just defeated an evil enemy called Apocalymon. How did you do accomplish zis goal?"

"Well," T.K. said, blushing slightly,"After Pegasusmon was thrown into the church, he started to slip away, but, I found a special Digi-metal which allowed him to armor Digivolve to Stegomon, who was able to drive away the enemy you spoke. Apocalymon was right, though, this war is far from over."

Next:Answers, to your questions! Well, not really, just more questions!