Digimon Fan Fiction ❯ The Ressurection War ❯ Dark SEED: The Bearer of Sincerity ( Chapter 11 )

Cody here. Yolei was having a difficult time accepting the fact that Kari and Tk were developing feelings for each other. She was captured by Dark SEED and forced to accept the Crest of Hate. This made her own feelings against Kari that much stronger. She joined with Diaboromon and they were looking for the Digimon Key Cards, whatever they are. During the battle, Exveemon digivolved again to Paildramon, but Diaboromon escaped. Yolei fought against Kari, but Kari wasn't able to get her back before they escaped. Now one of our friends is fighting for Dark SEED.

Why are you always, always running away?

If you're always afraid of making mistakes, you can't do anything.

No matter how many times you get discouraged, it's still OK, isn't it?

Try believing in yourself and the road will be opened to you.

To get closer to the ideal you,

That's right, isn't tomorrow coming!?

Hey! Lift up your face!!

No matter what hard times you have, you should laugh with a smile

Say "Goodbye" to the crybaby you, someday Super Girl!!

Why do you stop action like yourself?

It's boring if everyone is the same.

Don't paint over the map that smiled so many times,

Try feeling your own feelings and you'll be able to see the road.

To get closer to the you that you saw in your dreams,

That's right, isn't the future coming?

Hey! Reach out your hand!!

No matter what hard things come your way, let's return to your memories,

Say "Goodbye" to the wimpy you, wake up Super Girl!!

No matter what hard times you have, you should laugh with a smile

Say "Goodbye" to the crybaby you, someday Super Girl!!

No matter what hard things come your way, let's return to your memories,

Say "Goodbye" to the wimpy you, wake up Super Girl!!

"Super Girl"- Mimi's Song

Dark SEED: The Bearer of Sincerity

A small mountain in the Northern Section of the Digital World was blown apart as a series of red rings tore through it. A large brown bird shot through the debris and soared over the green plains. The purple-haired girl riding on top of the bird sighed in frustration. "Still no sign of those blasted cards!"

"Those Gazimon were helpful," Aquillamon pointed out.

"They probably lied."

"They were too stupid to lie," the bird replied.

"Maybe, but any searching is gonna have to wait. I'm going to be late for school."

"Why are you still going there anyway?" her partner asked.

"Because, I don't want my parents to realize what's happening," she smiled slyly, "Until it's too late, that is."

The duo reached a small television set that was resting on a cliff. Yolei held out her digivice to open the Digital Gate and pull them back to the purple-haired girl's room. Hawkmon sighed as he watched Yolei dress in her school uniform. "Another day of sitting here alone."

"Don't worry," Yolei said, pulling her green top over the white blouse, "Just a few more days, and school will be out. Then we can fully join Lord Hiroshi on his search. I'll see you later."

The bird nodded.

Yolei grabbed her school bag and exited the room.

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"Hey, Kari," Davis said.

The brown-haired girl looked up from her school desk and smiled slightly at the goggle-wearer. "Hi, Davis."

"So, how are you holding up?" he asked.

She shook her head. "Not good. It's all my fault!" She sighed, "Just like everything else."

"How is it your fault?" Davis asked.

She stared at him. "Yolei hates me remember?"

"No she doesn't, she just thinks she does! I'm sure that if we can get her back to her real feelings, everything'll be okay."

Kari smiled warmly at him, but then frowned again. Davis spun around and saw that Yolei had entered the classroom. She flashed an evil smile at Kari and Davis before taking her seat. Davis lightly patted Kari on the back before moving over to his seat.

The brown-haired girl sighed again. How could this have happened? Yolei was Sora, she should never hate Kari, who was Tai. However, she did. Probably because Kari messed up and fell in love with Tk. That would not be so bad, except for the fact that Kari was really Tai and Tk was really Matt. Taichi Kamiya had fallen in love with Yamato Ishida, and had turned his back on the one person that he should be in love with, Sora Takenouchi.

No, that was not entirely true, Kari was in love with Yolei, but she was also in love with Tk. A love triangle that was driving her crazy and making her head exploded, and now Yolei was her enemy. What was she going to do?

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

A small village of Betamons was shaken violently as a massive tremor exploded through the small island that it rested on. Every citizen came running out of their homes, trying to locate the source of the fierce vibration. The small frog digimon were stricken with horror as they realized that the earthquakes were not caused by a force of nature, but by a powerful evil. Specifically, a group of spider digimon, all with bar codes on a section of their bodies, who were dropping into the village from a floating ship.

On the deck of this floating vessel, the captain turned to her passenger. "Do you want me to stay and help you?" Ladydevimon asked.

Diaboromon shook his head. "No. The folklore of the sea seems to say that the Destiny Stone of Water is here. We'll just get in, destroy the stone and leave. You'd better keep searching for the Destiny Stone of Light."

She nodded. "Right. Good luck."

The large spider mega nodded and jumped off of the ship's deck to slam in the center of the village. He surveyed the work his soldiers had done; dozens of the city's citizens had been captured in giant webs, spun by his spider army. He walked through the captured city as Infermon crawled over to him. "We have captured the leader of this village, my lord."

"Excellent!"

Infermon lead the dark general through the occupied town until he reached a web up Betamon with a white beard. "So," Diaboromon said, "You are the leader of this village?"

"I am, what of it?"

"Fine, I'll get right down to it. Where is the Destiny Stone of Water?"

"Destiny Stone?" he asked, "What's a Destiny Stone?"

Diaboromon sighed and slammed his fist into the ground. "Do not play dumb with me!" he shouted, "We require only two more stones! Tell me where the Destiny Stone of Water is right now, or be destroyed!"

"I would rather die, then help you destroy the Digital World."

Diaboromon's chest flung open to reveal two sets of gun barrels. "Web Wrecker!" The elder Betamon screamed as his body was torn apart. The Dark SEED General turned to Infermon. "Find that stone!"

"As you wish, my lord."

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"Mon Dieu!" Catherine gasped, "Yolei iz now part of Dark ZEED?"

Davis nodded. "Yeah. She has the Crest of Hate."

"Ze Crest of Hate? You've got to be kidding!"

"No, I'm not."

The blond girl placed a hand over her mouth. "Oh, poor Kari."

Davis leaned back in his seat and rested the back of his head in his hands. He stared up at the white ceiling above his kitchen table. "Yeah, this really stinks! I've known Yolei for a long time." He tipped onto the chair's back legs and balanced himself. "We've got to think of something to get her back."

Derek thought for a moment. "How would we free her? We've jus' gotta find a way ta knock some sense back inta her head, right?"

Veemon nodded. "Well, yeah."

"I think that it should be in her heart not her head," Floramon said.

"Yeah, that makes sense," Crabmon replied.

Catherine sighed. "I can't believe zat Yolei would be on our enemy's zide." She turned to Derek, "Remember when we were Mimi and Joe? Remember Zora? How kind and considerate zhe always waz?"

"Yeah," Derek nodded, "I also remember her basically following Tai around like a puppy. If Kari did fall in love with Tk, I can kinda see why she's be so upset."

The blond girl nodded again, then sighed. "What's wrong now?" Crabmon asked.

"I alzo remember my Crezt of Zincerity. It was quite a zhock when I first found out about who I use to be." She smiled slightly, "Zat was quite an adjustment. Suddenly, not only waz I able to zpeak Japanese, but I started acting like it alzo."

"Same here," Derek said, "The biggest thing for me was that I use to be kinda stuck up and worried about a lot of things, but now, I'm almost a completely different person."

"But I miss my crest," Catherine said, "I want my crest back!"

"You'll get it back," Floramon said, "Don't worry."

"What about you?" Crabmon asked his partner, "Don't you want your crest?"

Derek grinned. "Tk said that someone he knows now has it, but he can't ever find her. So, I don't really care."

Davis pushed himself forward so the chair was back on all four legs. "But what are…" He was cut off when he heard the door to the apartment open.

"Hey loser, where are you?"

Davis paled and Veemon mentioned to the other digimon. "Under the table, quick!"

"What?" Floramon asked.

"Under the table!" the blue digimon hissed, "Now!"

"What's the problem?" Crabmon asked.

"Be quiet!" Veemon ordered. The three digimon were silent as they looked out from underneath the table. A pair of feminine legs wearing high boots walked into the kitchen.

"Hey squirt," the girl said, rubbing the top of Davis's head, "What's up little brother?"

"Little brother?" Catherine and Derek gasped.

Davis pushed the girl's hand away from his hair. "Catherine, Derek, this is my older sister, June."

"It iz very nice to meet you," Catherine said.

"Likewise," Derek nodded.

The older girl laughed as she messed up Davis's hair again. "Don't forget that since Mom and Dad won't be home tonight, I'm making dinner."

"Actually," Davis said, "The three of us were going out to a pizza place."

June shrugged. "Suit yourself." She walked into her room and closed the door. Davis bolted onto his feet.

"Let's get out of here while we have the chance!"

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

Hiroshi walked over to the large stain glass window to look at the blue sky. "So, they chose Miyako Inoe?'

Yuehon nodded. "That's right, Lord Hiroshi."

"She really took to it, too," Candlemon grinned.

Hiroshi's Penmon chuckled. "Great! Those Digidestined are going to get killed by..wait, what does Daemon have her doing?"

"Looking for the Key Cards," Yuehon answered.

Hiroshi frowned. "She was supposed to be fighting the Digidestined, but I suppose just by having her with us is enough." He grinned, "I know about the love between Sora Takenouchi and Taichi Kamiya, the love that was suppose to be. I'm sure that this is killing Hikari Kamiya right now." His smile faded.

"Lord Hiroshi?" Yuehon asked.

The Dark SEED leader turned around and stared at Yuehon. "Do you remember when we met each other?"

The Chinese girl nodded. "Yes. I was ten years old and my parents had just been killed."

Hiroshi nodded. "You were brought to my parents' mansion to become one of the servants. Because our ages were so similar, they made you my personal servant. We went through everything together, even getting our digimon partners at the same time. You stood by me when my parents through me out because I had a digimon partner."

Yuehon and Candlemon bowed. "We are, and always shall be your servants, My Lord. But, why may I ask, are you bringing that up?"

Hiroshi turned back to gazing out the window. "Sometimes I forget how much you really mean to me, and how the entire Digital World would pay if anything happened to you."

The Chinese girl shifted uncomfortably. "Thank you."

Hiroshi nodded. "Now, head to the Betamon village and aid Diaboromon. Kamiya and the rest of her brats usually show up every time a Destiny Stone is under attack."

"As you wish, Lord Hiroshi."

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

Yolei sat on Aquillamon's back as he flew across the same plains that they had tried to search earlier in the morning. The purple-haired girl looked at the sea of green and growled again. "Those stupid Gazimon did lie! I don't see anything that looks like a giant shell!"

"I think they said a turtle shell," the bird clarified.

"Giant shell, turtle shell, the same thing," she growled, "If I ever find them, they're going to be sorry!"

Aquillamon stop short, throwing Yolei's face into his back. "What'd you do that for?" She pushed herself back onto rear and stared forward. Floating in the air before her and Aquillamon was an Airdramon, with a girl with braided hair resting on top. "Who are you?"

The girl smiled. "I am Tatum."

Yolei smirked, "Fine, 'Tatum,' get out of my way, or you'll be sorry."

Tatum stared at the purple-haired girl with a blank expression on her face. "Miyako Inoue, reborn Sora Takenouchi."

Yolei gasped as her eyes shot open. "How did you know that?" Her eyes narrowed as she noticed the medallion hanging around the other girl's neck. "And where did you get that crest?"

"I inherited it after Joe Kido passed on," she explained, "And as to how I know your name, I know many things about you."

"What do you want?" she asked.

"To remind you that you do not belong with Dark SEED, you belong with Hikari Kamiya."

Yolei growled. "Hikari Kamiya turned her back on me, all I have left for her is hate!"

Tatum sighed. "Remember your true power is love, not hate. Do not forget that."

The purple-haired girl was going to protest, but a loud banging noise behind cause her to spin around to investigate. When she turned to face Tatum once again, the braided-haired girl was gone.

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

Tk sat in his chair and stared at the white sword that was resting on his desk. Patamon fluttered over to his human partner and looked at the object. "The Holy Sword?"

Tk nodded. "Yeah. Tatum said that I found it and gave it to her, do you remember that?"

The small digimon shook his head. "No. I'm having a lot of trouble lately remembering what happened when I was Tsukaimon."

The blond teenager sighed. "Just great. The Dark SEED leader was able to use his Holy Weapon. I have to figure out how to use this one."

"I'm sure we will," Patamon said.

Tk grabbed the Holy Sword and brought it over to his bed. He knelt down and carefully wrapped the object around in the same white cloth that Tatum gave to him. He placed the wrapped sword into a large safe and locked it tightly. He pushed it back under the bed, making extra sure that the safe was hidden by other boxes.

He lay down on his bed and stared at the ceiling. "There's something else bothering you too, isn't there?" Patamon asked.

"Yeah," Tk said, "I'm feeling really guilty about what happened to Yolei." He frowned, "I know what's she going through. I want to help her. Kari was able to save me when she defeated us, but maybe we can help Yolei another way."

There was a knock on the door. "Takeru, honey?"

He quickly sat up as Patamon dove to hide under the bed. "What Mom?"

Miss Takashi poked her head through the door. "The phone is for you."

He jumped off of his bed and walked into the kitchen to grab the phone receiver that was lying on the table. "Hello?"

"Tk, is that you?"

The blond teenager walked into the living room to avoid the questioning gaze of his mother, who was sitting at the kitchen table. "Kari?"

"Yes. Listen, I just got an e-mail from Gennai. He wants you and me to meet him at his house. He and Ryo have something important to tell us."

"What about the others?"

"I asked, but Gennai just said just us, and our digimon of course."

Tk nodded. "Okay, I'll meet you at your house, then we'll go. Okay, see ya." He walked back into the kitchen and placed the phone on the wall. He turned to walk into his room, but when he did he caught the smile on his mother's face. "What?"

"Was that a girl?" Miss Takashi asked.

"Mom!" Tk protested, "Where you listening?"

Miss Takashi laughed slightly. "Was that the same girl that I saw you with in that café a few days ago?"

Tk started to turn red. "I've got to go." He ran into his room, only to emerge a few seconds later with a backpack. He ran to the door and pulled his shoes on. "I'll be back later."

Miss Takashi smiled as she watched her son leave. He reminded her so much of Yamato.

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

Davis allowed his eyes to adjust to normal sunlight after the blinding light of the Digital Gate. He, Catherine and Derek had arrived on what appeared to be a beach, with a rolling ocean in front of them. "I don't see Ken or Cody."

"Over here!" Crabmon shouted, pointing a claw down the beach.

The others ran to meet their other members. "All right, Ken," Davis said, "We're here."

The brown-haired teenager nodded. "Yes. Diaboromon is back."

"Where?" Veemon asked.

Wormmon mentioned to an area of the beach that sloped down. A small group of houses and buildings were roasting in a reddish orange haze, sending smoke into the air. "Down there."

Davis ran past the others and stopped right before the slopping hill. He stared with horror at the burning village. "It's…it's gone! The entire village!"

Catherine gasped and placed her hands over her mouth. "Mon Dieu!"

Davis growled and clenched his fists. "Is Diaboromon down there right now?"

Ken nodded. "As far as I…"

The goggle-wearer shoved his digivice towards his digimon partner. The screen started to glow brightly. "Veemon!"

"Veemon digivolve to Exveemon!"

"Davis!" Derek shouted, "Wait!"

The goggle-wearer ignored him as he jumped into his partner's arms. "Let's go, now!" The blue Champion digimon jumped into the air and shot towards the burning city.

"What's he doing?" Cody gasped, "He's going to get himself killed! We've got to go after him!"

"Armadillomon digivolve to Ankylomon!"

"Wormmon digivolve to Stingmon!"

"Floramon digivolve to Kiwimon!"

"Crabmon digivolve to Colemon!"

Down below in the village, a Keramon jumped and hopped through the streets, chasing after an escaping Betamon. The water digimon ran as fast as he could, trying to lose his pursers by jumping through the maze of alleys. It was not any use; the spider-digimon remained behind him. Eventually, the frog-like digimon lost his strength and fell onto the ground. He spun around and stared with horror as the spider-digimon closed in on him. Keramon opened his mouth, ready to attack with his "Bug Blaster," when the Rookie digimon was suddenly attacked by a large blue dragon digimon. The spider was easily overpowered, being destroyed instantly.

The Betamon stared with awe and wonder as more humans and digimon arrived. A human jumped off of the digimon and ran over to him. "I'm Davis Motomiya, are you okay?"

The Betamon nodded. "Yeah, you're Digidestined, aren't you?"

"That's right," he answered, "What's going on here?"

"Some kind of group called Dark SEED is looking for our Destiny Stone of Water."

Davis growled. "Where is the Destiny Stone?" Ken asked.

"I can't tell you. Only our Elder knows where it is, and he's been captured!"

"Then we're going to have to rescue him first," Davis said, "Lead the way."

The Betamon quietly lead them to the heart of the village, which was currently swarming with Keramons, Chrysalimons and a variety of other spider digimon. In the very center was a massive spider web containing the Betamon Elder as well as other Betamon prisoners. "How are we gonna get them out?" Derek asked.

Davis sighed slightly. "There are too many digimon to sneak in, there's no way we won't be seen. I guess we should just fly right through the center."

"What?" Cody protested, "No way!"

"I agree with him," Ken said, "We'll be killed."

Davis shook his head. "We've got no choice! Exveemon?"

The dragon digimon roared and leapt into the center of the spider digimon. He began pounding and tearing through the evil army, but he was soon over powered. "Hey guys! I could use some help here!"

"We'd better help him," Stingmon said. He propelled himself off of the cliff and used his glowing saber to pierce the back of one of the Chrysalimons that was attacking Exveemon. Ankylomon headed some Keramons while Colemon attacked from the water and Kiwimon acted like an archer, firing her bird daggers from a safe distance.

While their digimon kept the army busy, the Digidestined were able to travel to the giant web in the center. "Elder!" the Betamon with the Digidestined shouted.

Elder Betamon weakly looked down at them. "My son, what are you doing here"

"I've brought the Digidestined."

"Don't worry," Davis said, "We'll have you down in no time."

"Oh really?" a shrill, female voice said from behind. When the humans spun around, they saw Yuehon and Mammothmon stomping down the battlefield, with Diaboromon right behind them. "You're going to have to stop us first!"

Davis turned to where his digimon was destroying the last of the spider army. "Exveemon!" Underneath of his shirt, the Crest of Miracles began to glow.

"Exveemon digivolve to Paildramon!"

Diaboromon laughed as he held up his gauntlet hands. "Even if you have a Ultimate, you'll never beat me and my Holy Weapons!"

"You have a Holy Weapon?" Ken gasped.

Diaboromon nodded. "Yes, my Holy Gauntlets! Now, prepare to be destroyed!"

The dragon man digimon flew over to engage Diaboromon in battle, but the spider-mega leapt into the air and tackled Davis's partner to the ground. Stingmon flew over and executed his leg kick attack, but Diaboromon batted him away with simple ease. Colemon leapt out of the ocean and started firing his dart attack. It was able to cause Diaboromon some harm, mostly because Stingmon kept the evil mega distracted long enough.

Catherine stared evil daggers at Yuehon. "I am taking my Crezt back today!" she shouted.

Yuehon grinned as she jumped off of her elephant partner. "You're nothing but a spoiled brat! Mammothmon, destroy them!"

Kiwimon stood firmly in place and began to fire her bird daggers at the woolly mammoth, but Mammothmon kept charging. "Look out!" Ankylomon shouted, pushing the small bird digimon out of harms way. The land digimon used his impressive size and strength to hold back Yuehon's partner.

"Where are Kari and Tk?" Davis shouted, "Oh man, we need help!"

"It's not like you to be pessimistic," Ken said.

"I'm just stating the obvious," he sighed, "Diaboromon has a Holy Weapon! Tk and Kari are the only ones that have them!" He turned back to watching as Paildramon grew a giant blade from each of his hands.

"Prepare to die!" Paildramon shouted, jabbing at Diaboromon with his right blade, then using his left blade to slash across the evil mega's chest. Stingmon shot from behind the dragon ultimate and executed his Spinning Strike to disorient and annoy Diaboromon. The spider mega went to grab one of Stingmon's legs, but the insect was fast enough to shoot out of the way. Paildramon jumped back to attack Diaboromon, slashing his long spikes across his chest. Before Diaboromon could react, Davis's partner slammed one of his spike's into Diaboromon's chest, then executed a flip, causing the injury to dig even deeper. He used his other spike to make three large slash marks across the evil spider's chest before jumping back to a safer distance. "How's that?"

"Great job!" Davis cheered, "I think did it!"

"Hardly!" Diaboromon chuckled, standing up to reveal his full glory, "Do you think that puny little attack is going to hurt me? Ha!"

"Tusk Crusher!" Mammothmon shouted, firing two glowing missiles at Ankylomon and Kiwimon. The land digimon pushed Kiwimon out of harm's way once again before attacking the wooly mammoth with his Tail Hammer attack. The Ultimate elephant batted him away with his large trunk.

Yuehon laughed from her place on the sideline. "Tear them apart, Mammothmon!"

"Zat iz it!" Catherine shouted, charging over to Yuehon, "You have abused ze powers of Sincerity! I am taking it from you, right now!" The French girl tackled the Chinese girl to the ground, while Cody gasped.

"Wow, I never realized about Catherine's temper before."

Ankylomon and Kiwimon kept up their attack on Mammothmon by executing a two-way assault. The bird digimon jumped onto the land digimon's back as he charged at Mammothmon. When they were close enough, Kiwimon leapt into the air while Ankylomon shouted, "Tail Hammer!"

He spun around, knocking his spiked tail into Mammothmon's feet. Kiwimon landed on top of the wooly digimon and began firing her Pummel Peck into his back. He attempted to knock her off with his trunk, but Ankylomon slammed his foot down onto Mammothmon's nose. "Gotcha now!" he grinned.

Yuehon gasped as she saw her partner trapped. Kiwimon may only be a Champion level digimon, but if she kept firing those bird daggers at his back, especially at such close range and without his ability to push her off, it would only be a matter of time before he was defeated. Unfortunately, she could not help him as she and Catherine were rolling around on the ground, trying to overpower one another.

Yuehon was finally able to put her feet underneath of Catherine's stomach and push her off. The French girl stumbled backwards but had to recover quickly as the Chinese girl was not yet finished with her assault. Yuehon removed her black robe, giving her more mobility. She charged at Catherine as if she was going to tackle her again, but at the last second pivoted on her right foot and slammed her left foot into the blond girl's face, throwing her to the ground., The French girl quickly recovered and grabbed Yuehon's foot, making the Chinese girl lose her balance. When she was on the ground once again, Catherine landed on top of her, bringing her knees into the most sensitive area of a woman's chest. Yuehon shouted out loud with small tears forming in her eyes, but did not quite the fight just yet. She punched Catherine in the face, knocking her off top of her. She tried to get up, but the pain was too great.

Catherine stood up and rubbed her sore jaw. She walked over to where the Chinese girl was lying and knelt beside her. "Truly believe me when I zay zat I did not want to hurt you," she looked away, with tears forming in her own eyes, "I hate to hurt ozer people, but you were corrupting ze powerz of sincerity. To truly understand zeir powerz, you must have a pure heart, but you have deceived yourzelf, zat must be why it became ze Crezt of Deception." Catherine gently reached over and removed the Crest of Deception from around Yuehon's neck.

She took a deep breath and placed it around her own neck. Instantly, she could feel a change from the corrupted crest. Looking down, she smiled to herself as the Crest of Deception glowed a bright green and transformed back into the Crest of Sincerity. She looked back down at Yuehon, who had a shocked expression on her face. "You understand?"

The Chinese girl nodded. "Yes, I believe that I do. And maybe you're right, I have been deceiving myself, about a lot of things. Yes, I understand."

Catherine reached a hand down to help Yuehon to her feet, but the Chinese girl batted it way. "Just leave me. Your friends are going to need your help if you hope to defeat Diaboromon."

The French girl spun her head back to the battlefield. Ankylomon and Kiwimon had triumphed over Mammothmon, who had changed back into Candlemon, and was now running to meet his partner. She hesitated, but ran over to join a shocked Cody.

"Come!" she shouted, "We must help ze ozers!" She glanced down to her chest and grinned as she saw the Crest of Sincerity glowing. "Kiwimon!"

Catherine's Digivice vibrated fiercely then changed to an green hue.It fired a beam of light from its screen up to her Crest of Sincerity.The symbol of the crest was pushed up by the beam of light, continuing its ascent.The symbol twisted and turned, shattering through a smoke filled sky as it gathered bits of energy and exploded, sending a twisting spiral down, merging with a twisting Kiwimon.

"Kiwimon digivolve to…"

The bird digimon jumped into the air, then dove underneath the ground.A rainstorm came and flooded the area before the earth absorbed the water.The sun shown rays of light down as small green plants began to grow.A giant sunflower shot out of the ground.Thick green vines exploded from behind the flower, which grew small red buds with mouths that bit into the air.A face formed on the flower, and fired two glowing beams into the sky."Blossumon!"

Diaboromon grinned wickedly as he held Colemon and Stingmon in his gauntlet hands. Paildramon stood off to the side, afraid that if he moved, both of his friends would be dead. "Now," the evil mega grinned, "If you don't want to lose these two, I suggest you stand back."

"I've got no choice," the dragon man said.

"That's right," Diaboromon responded, "You Digidestined can't beat me! Dark SEED is undefeatable!"

"Polinosis Shower!" Blossumon shouted, firing a series of glowing beams from her eyes into Diaboromon's back. The shock caused him to release Stingmon and Colemon. The flower Ultimate and Ankylomon charged over to stand beside the other digimon.

Diaboromon growled. "All right, so you think that you can stop me? Fine!" He held out his spiked gauntlets, "Let's end this!"

"All right!" Davis shouted, "Attack him together!"

Paildramon lead the attack by jabbing Diaboromon with his twin spikes, creating two giant slash marks across the mega's chest. He jumped out of the way, allowing Stingmon to jump into attack.

"Spinning Spiking Strike!" he shouted, slamming his feet into Diaboromon's already injured chest. Ankylomon leapt into action next, bringing his Tail Hammer into the slash marks, ripping the black skin apart. Colemon attacked next.

"Fossil Bite!" he shouted, throwing a group of darts into the hole on Diaboromon's chest. He roared in pain but the Digidestined were not yet finished with their assault. Blossumon fired her Polinosis Shower into the hole stopping the evil mega in his track.

"Great work!" Paildramon shouted, "Now let me finish him off!" He swung around his twin gun barrels and pointed them at Diaboromon's missing chest. "Desperado Blaster!" His glowing bullets tore into the gapping hole, ripping through the other side. The evil mega gave a final scream before his data was scattered.

"Yes!" Davis shouted, "We did it!"

"Davis," Paildramon said, "We may have another problem."

The goggle wearer turned to where his partner was pointing. Diaboromon's two gauntlets remained floating in the air. The two metal gloves glowed for a second before shrinking down to human size and clanging onto the ground. The Digidestined approached with caution. "What's going on?" Derek asked.

Ken cautiously approached to the two gauntlets. "He said they were Holy Weapons. Maybe since he's been destroyed, they need another owner?"

Davis nodded. "Well, I think I'm the best man for the job."

"What?" Cody gasped, "Are you sure?"

He grinned confidently. "Of course." He walked over and lifted up the metal gloves. He did not let the others see, but he took a deep breath and shoved the Holy Gauntlets onto his hands. He breathed with relief. "At least I'm still alive."

"I just realized somethin'," Derek said, "We actually saved a Destiny Stone!"

"Hey, you're right!" Davis cheered, "Hey, maybe we should actually see that stone."

The Betamon came crawling back to the center of town. "You guys did it!" one of the Betamon shouted.

Another Betamon bowed. "Please follow me, the Elder would like to talk to you."

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

Gennai smiled warmly as the two teenagers entered his house. "Come in, come in. Make yourselves at home."

Kari and Tk nodded as they walked into the living room. They sat down on the couch with their digimon partners resting on their laps. Ryo was already in the room, and nodded to them as they entered. "How are you two holding up?" he asked, "I can only imagine what it's like to have all of these memories you didn't know you had coming into your mind."

Tk shrugged. "I'm okay, I guess."

"Yeah," Kari lied, "I'm fine too."

Gennai entered the room a second later, carrying a tray of food and tea. He placed it on the table. "Please, help yourself."

"Thanks!" Salamon and Patamon exclaimed, diving for the food. Kari laughed slightly while Tk turned to Ryo and Gennai.

"So, why did you want to talk to us?"

"Well," the old man said, "We think that both of you have adjusted enough to your past lives that it's time to tell you some things that you may not remember."

"Like what?" Kari asked.

Gennai turned to Ryo. The younger man stepped forward. "Well, as you probably know, I'm from Earth. I came to the Digital World a few years before you did. I was the leader of a small group and our mission was to fight against a powerful digimon named Milleniumon. We destroyed him, but everyone else went back home, except for me. I wandered around the Digital World for a few years before a group of digimon approached me and wanted to know if I would help them. They told me that if I did, they would find a way to send me back home." He sighed with regret, "They were the Dark Masters."

"What?" Kari gasped, "The Dark Masters?"

Ryo nodded with shame and regret in his eyes. "Yeah. I didn't know what else to do. They convinced me that they just wanted to help the Digital World. It really seemed like that when Myotismon entered Earth. We were very worried about what might happen if others crossed through the barrier. So, when you were on Earth, fighting against Myotismon, The Dark Masters and I joined with Gennai."

"What?" Tk asked.

"Yes," he continued, "Even Piedmon was afraid of what might happen if the barrier between worlds was weakened enough. So we used the power of the Destiny Stones of the Elements to create a barrier to protect the Digital World. This way no one would be able to use a Digital Gate except with a digivice."

Gennai sighed. "In order to make that seal, I had to give them a lot of information about the fabric of the digital plane. The Dark Masters used that information to warp the Digital World into Spiral Mountain."

"I realized what they were doing," Ryo said, moving so he could sit down on the couch, "I left them, and joined with Gennai's Guardians. After you died fighting Apocalymon, I was the one that took your crests to guard them until new Digidestined were formed. Both of us had no idea that you would be reborn as the new Digidestineds. I took the Crest of Knowledge as my own, figuring that if I was going to be a Guardian of the Digital World, then I should know a lot about it."

"What about Tatum?" Tk asked.

"Tatum?" Ryo asked, looking at Gennai, "Who's Tatum?"

"You don't know who Tatum is?" Patamon asked, "She's wearing the same robe that you guys do."

"A Guardian's robe?" Gennai asked, "But, Ryo and I are the last two Guardians. The rest were killed by the Dark Masters."

Tk was in shock. "I thought that…Well, Tatum has the Crest of Reliability, and she knew a lot about the other crests and the Holy Weapons."

Ryo and Gennai stared at one another. "The Crest of Reliability," Ryo said slowly, "Was stolen from me a few years ago by a girl and a giant red dragon digimon."

"Stolen?" Tk gasped, "Tatum…is a thief? But, she told me that….that I know her, but just can't remember. She even gave me the Holy Sword."

"I don't know how she got that sword," Ryo said, "But I would be careful around her, very careful."

"I don't mean to interrupt," Kari said, "But, what about that seal with the Destiny Stones?"

"Well, there are more then just the Element Stones," Gennai explained, "There are many more, but the eyes of darkness are everywhere, so you'll forgive me if I don't tell you where the others are."

"How many?" Salamon asked, curiously.

Gennai stood up and began to pace the room. "The Digital World is kept in balance by four quadrants, the four directions of any map: North, South, East and West. Each one of these quadrants has their own guardian beast, Azulongmon the dragon to the East, Ebonwumon the turtle to the Noth, Zhuqioamon the phoenix to the South, and Baihumon the tiger to the West. Each one of these Holy Beasts adds their own special balance to the Digital World. Zhuqioamon keeps the sky in balance while Ebonwumon holds the sea, Baihumon keeps the Digital World's ground in check and Azulongmon watches over the very digimon themselves. So, there is a 'Control' Destiny Stone for each one. The other Destiny Stones I believe you know: Courage, Friendship, Love, Knowledge, Sincerity, Reliability, Miracles and Spirit. Now, each Destiny Stone goes with a "Control" Stone. For Azulongmon's Control Stone: Courage, Friendship, and the Element Stone, Light."

Kari nodded. "Okay, I think I get it."

"But don't worry about those just yet. From what we've observed with Dark SEED's attack patterns, they seem to only know about the Element Stones." He frowned. "We think that Hiroshi is trying to find a way to break that seal. That's most likely, with his recent attempts to get the Key Cards. If we only knew where he was trying to go."

"And what are the Key Cards?" Tk asked.

"I'm surprised you don't remember," Gennai continued, "The Key Cards were used by Myotismon to enter Earth. Depending on the location of the ten cards in nine different slots, nine cards on the diagram, one left out, you can enter whatever world you want."

"So Hiroshi can go to a world where he can get, let's say, unlimited power?" Kari asked.

Gennai nodded. "Yes."

Kari turned to Tk. "We've got to stop him."

"Yeah, but he's been beating us so far."

"We can't stop now!" Kari almost shouted, "Quick, where are those Key Cards?"

"We don't know," Ryo frowned, "They were lost when Myotismon's castle was destroyed."

Kari felt her hopes began to drop. "Great."

"But we're looking," Gennai said, "Don't worry, everything's going to work out just fine."

%% %% %% %% %% %% %% %% %%

The Betamon lead the Digidestined away from the village and into a cave resting near the water line. Inside, the other Betamon and the Elder Betamon were standing around a giant glowing blue stone. "The Destiny Stone of Water," Ken said.

"Yes," Elder Betamon nodded, "Eons ago, our ancestors were charged by the great sea god, Ebonwumon with protecting and guarding this stone. It has always given us bounty and blessed our lives near the sea. I would have greatly feared what might have happened if it was destroyed."

"Well you're about to find out!"

They spun to the entrance and saw Infermon bouncing inside. "Forgot about me! Spider Shooter!"

Davis twirled to his partner. "Paildramon, you've got to attack, quick!"

"No time!" he shouted, tackling Davis to the ground seconds before Infermon's attack shot over their heads. His glowing balls of energy crashed into the Destiny Stone of Water, splintering it into rubble. With simple ease, Infermon leapt over the heads of the Digidestined and cowering Betamon and grabbed the medium sized stone from the center of the Destiny Stone.

"Farewell!" he laughed, jumping back to the entrance of the cave.

"Hold it!" Paildramon shouted, "I'm not through with you yet! Desperado Blaster!" The attack slammed into the spider-ultimate, deleting him in a spasm of light and energy. The heart of the Destiny Stone flung through the air before being caught by the Chinese girl.

"Yuehon!" Catherine gasped.

She gave a final nod of her head before disappearing around the cave's entrance. Paildramon and Stingmon quickly flew outside, but she was gone.

"Just great!" Davis growled, "We almost did it, we almost saved one."

"Now's there's only one left," Ken sighed, "We can't let Dark SEED get to it."

Floramon turned to her partner and saw a depressed look on her face. "Catherine?"

"I t'ought I had gotten t'rough to her," she sighed," I guess not."

"Don't feel bad," Floramon said, lighting patting the blond girl's back, "Maybe you can still help her."

"Oui, maybe."

To be continued……

Author's note: For the purpose of this story, some of the Digimon storylines had to be changed.

There is more to Ryo's story, especially his connection to Tai and Matt.

I have made a change to Chapter 7: Masters of Darkness. Not anything too major, but if you want to re-read it, it might be a good idea.