Khgirl08: Hey! This marks the last chapter in the story. I have an epilogue that I'll tack on the end of this one, and then I'm done! XD

Don't worry, I have a significant bit of a sequel finished. I'll probably post it when summer break starts, so I'll actually have time to work on it. :3 In the meantime, enjoy this final installment and, as always, please review!

-Disclaimer: Why would someone sue me over something as simple as this? Oh, well… I don't own it.-

Kari was holding a still-drowsy Gatomon on her lap while Davis went over the plan one last time before it was put into action. "…and we bust into Myotismon's fortress, give the Digivices to them, and take down Myotismon!"

The others nodded vigorously, except for Kari; she wasn't happy with her role in the plan. "Davis, why are you even taking me with you if I'm not allowed to fight?"

Yolei smiled sweetly. "It's kind of obvious, Kari. If we don't take you with us, you'll follow us by yourself. You'll be safer with us."

"Besides, it will be harder for you to get by us if we know you're going to try." TK put an arm around her shoulder and smiled at her. "We just got you back. We're not going to lose you again."

Kari sighed. "Fine, fine! I'll go with it."

"Alright, to the master suite!" The teens and Digimon went into Kari's parents' room, and Kari followed them without realizing how much pain she would experience. Memories washed over her as soon as she saw the bed, and she had to bite her lip to keep from crying out at the thought of her parents. Her friends, who were concentrating on the computer, were oblivious to her pain, with one exception.

"Kari? Are you alright?" Gatomon was staring up at her in concern, and Kari nodded silently as tears fell down her cheeks. "Are you sure?"

"Yes." It'll be better once I'm out of here.

"D-3s out! Digiport, open!" Yolei gave the familiar battle cry, and soon all six teens and the five Digimon were spinning through the pathway between the two worlds.

"WAHH!!!" Kari, Gatomon and TK landed in a tangled pile, and when they sat up and looked around they gasped. "TK, where are the others?! What happened to them?! Why are we separated?!" I don't like this!

"I have no idea, Kari. They should show up on here, though." TK looked at his D-3 and moaned. "It looks like they're all together, but they're really far away. They have all of the Digivices, too. This isn't helpful at all, but at least they're alright. Everything will be fine, Kari."

Gatomon was staring around them. "Well, it looks like we came to File Island, at least. We'll be able to get Patamon and the others out, although it will be a lot harder with just me to fight…"

"It'll have to do, though. Come on, let's go." TK and Gatomon began walking, but Kari was still trying to get control of her emotions.

I don't like being separated from the others. This feels all wrong… I just hope it does work out like TK said it will.

"Mimi, come on, wake up!" Palmon poked her partner with her long vines while Izzy, Tentomon, Joe, and Gomamon looked on helplessly. Mimi was refusing to move at all from her position on the floor, no matter what any of them tried. "Mimi!"

This is hopeless! Izzy rolled his eyes and shook his head. She just isn't responding to anything.

"And stay in there and keep your yap shut until Myotismon wants you!" The door suddenly opened and Sora and Biyomon tumbled in, looking battered. Izzy groaned at the sight of them.

"Not you too, Sora!" Great, now we have to get both Mimi and Sora back!

"Wait, what do you mean? If you called me Sora… Yes! Izzy, Joe, Mimi, you're all still you!" Sora jumped back to her feet and grinned.

"Not quite… You're right about Joe and I, but Mimi won't listen to us. Look at her." Izzy gestured helplessly to Mimi, who was still staring at the ceiling and twirling her hair around her finger.

"Let me try." Sora knelt down in front of Mimi and stared at her. "Mimi? Meems, it's me, Sora. Come on, answer me! This morning you were still yourself, now come on! Mimi!" Everyone else gasped as Sora smacked her friend so hard that they could hear the snap; Mimi blinked once, then again, before she began sobbing.

"Owowowowowow! That hurts!" Izzy and Joe fell over when they saw Mimi come back to her right mind. "What was that for?!"

Prodigious! Why didn't any of us think of that, a little punch always did work on Matt and Tai when they wouldn't listen...

"I'm sorry, Mimi, but I had to. You wouldn't listen to us."

"Wait, Sora? When did you get here? The last thing I remember is Myotismon coming to talk to me…" Mimi looked around Sora and gasped. "Izzy! Joe! You're here, too?"

"Yes, we're here! We've been here the whole time! Do you really not remember anything?!"

"Um… Nope! Not a thing!" Mimi giggled as everyone else sighed in exasperation.

"Mimi, I'm glad you're back to normal. You were being really mean to me earlier." Palmon hugged her partner tightly, and Mimi gasped again and threw her arms around her.

"PALMON!"

"Mimi, be quiet! If the guards hear you they're going to find out that we aren't under Myotismon's influence anymore!" Izzy held a finger up to his lips until she nodded. "Alright, now that that is done… I've already made a thorough search of the walls and floor, and there is nowhere that we would be able to break through, even with Tentomon, Biyomon and Palmon at full strength and a lake for Gomamon to help in. It looks like the only way out is through the door or maybe, possibly, through the ceiling. I have no idea how high up we are right now, because I woke up inside the fortress and never had a chance to see the outside."

Sora smiled. "We're on the top floor. If the ceiling isn't very thick, maybe we can break through it. Tai was going to try and get Matt back on our side after he dropped me off here. I'm sure he'll be able to help us."

"Maybe it would be better just to stay low for right now." Joe looked worriedly at the Digimon, who were all bruised and weary. "You know, go with their plan. If we cooperate, maybe they'll summon us to Myotismon and we can make a break for it during transit or something."

"Yeah, I like Joe's idea. For one thing, Palmon and the other Digimon are way too tired to attack anyone right now. We should let them rest up." Mimi smiled weakly. "Besides, all of this has given me a huge headache."

"Izzy, I think they're right." Sora shrugged. "What would we do once we got onto the roof or into the corridor, jump? We don't have our Digivices with us…"

"Alright, we'll stay. For now." I don't like just sitting, but I don't see anything that we can do in the meantime. "We're busting out of here at the first opportunity, though."

Gatomon peered around a corner inside the lax-security prison, her ears twitching nervously. TK was standing behind her, his back pressed as close to the wall as was possible, and she was trying to make sure that she wasn't caught by any of them. I wish I had a little bit of help. If we do spot any guards I don't know if I'll be able to stop them single-pawed… "All clear. Come on."

The pair scooted around the corner, still pressing against the wall. When something right behind them moaned in pain they nearly shot out of their skin. "Leave us in peace… We will not harm you…"

"Leomon?" Gatomon and TK turned around and pressed their ears to the door they were against. "Leomon, is that you? It's Gatomon!"

"Gatomon? How- how are you here? I thought you had been captured and destroyed…"

"Not that I know of. I have TK with me, though. Is anyone in there with you?"

"Yes. They put all of us in here together. Ogremon, Frigimon, Patamon, and most recently Elecmon and his babies, who were in a different cell earlier. We're all so weak, though, that we can't fight." Leomon groaned again. "They injured all of us badly during capture, and we think they might have tortured poor Patamon before they brought him here."

TK drew in a sharp breath. "Is he awake, Leomon?"

"No, I'm the only conscious one in here."

Gatomon twitched her ears again; she could hear footsteps in the distance. "Leomon, wake up the others and get away from the door. There's another guard coming, and we're going to bust you out. TK, you stay back there in the shadows so they don't see you."

"Alright." Gatomon and TK melted back into the shadows just as a Veggiemon rounded the corner by the cell, whistling nonchalantly and swinging a key ring on one of his vines. The moment he opened the door, however, Gatomon leaped.

"Lightning Paw!" The Veggiemon flew into the cell and hit the back wall, and Gatomon dashed in after him. "Come on, hurry up, get out of here! Follow TK, he'll lead you out!"

Frigimon and Leomon each picked up an armful of baby Digimon and followed Ogremon out, and Elecmon herded the older babies through the door as well. One Digimon didn't move. "Gatomon? Is that you?"

"Yes, it is. Oh, Patamon, are you alright? Can you get up?" Gatomon hurried to her friend's side and knelt next to him; the little bit of light coming from the open door was lighting up his pale face, and he smiled feebly at his old comrade. He looks awful... What happened to you, my friend?

"Probably not. I haven't had any food since before we left to get Gomamon back, and they beat me up pretty well." Patamon attempted to roll onto his feet, but he tottered for a moment and crashed back onto his side before Gatomon could catch him. "See? Maybe if I can rest a little more and get some food..."

"Alright, hang on. I'll try and help you up, and if I can't I'll get someone else."

Gatomon cursed under her breath and tried unsuccessfully to pick him up before running back to the door of the cell. Elecmon and his babies were just disappearing around the corner, and she dashed to catch up with him. TK was standing at the door of the prison, and she gestured frantically. When he followed her back to the cell, he cried out in alarm and ran to his partner's side. "Patamon! Patamon, are you alright?"

"TK?" Patamon looked up at his partner and smiled again. "TK, you're here! You're really here!"

"Of course I am, buddy."

Gatomon coughed impatiently. "I don't mean to interrupt, but we have to get away. Kari can't be seen near here."

"Oh, right. Come on, Patamon, let's get going." TK picked up his partner and laughed softly. "Thanks for keeping my stuff safe."

"That was your jacket? We thought that it was Tai's, we didn't know you had been in here." TK carried Patamon and his jacket out of the cell, leaving Gatomon to get his hat and lock the guard inside before following them into the dark night.

"Gatomon, TK, Patamon, thank goodness you're safe!" Kari sighed in relief when her friends joined the group. "We thought you had been captured or something."

"Nope, we're all in the clear. Oh, and here's your hat, TK." Gatomon handed the blonde Digidestined his favorite old hat, and he plopped it on his head without a second thought. "Come on, let's get out of here. Can everyone walk a little way?"

There was a chorus of yes's, but another voice filled with malicious glee answered, as well. "They may be able to now, but that could change all too soon! Spike Punch!" A Redveggiemon sent his spiky tendrils zooming at Gatomon, who jumped out of the way as the others scattered.

I have to get him away from Kari! If he figures out who she is, we're toast! "Hey, over here!" Gatomon dodged another attack from the Redveggiemon and jumped into a tree directly above him.

"Chili Pepper Pummel!" Redveggiemon changed targets and sent his red-hot attack zooming towards Elecmon and his babies, who began hopping around trying to avoid a burn. "Hahaha! Dance, you imbecilic escapees! You won't be dancing for long!"

"Fist of the Beast King!" Leomon tried to shoot his attack at the evil Digimon, but it faltered and faded just before hitting him. "I'm just too weak…"

"Pummel Whack!" Ogremon's nearly identical attack had a nearly identical effect on Redveggiemon, in that it died out inches in front of the cocky vegetable. "Me, too…"

"Subzero Ice Punch!"

"Chili Pepper Pummel!" Redveggiemon melted Frigimon's weakened freezing attack the moment he used it, and the remaining peppers hit Frigimon, sending him into a fit of screaming and running around as he tried to put out the flame. "Ha! None of you have strength enough to defeat me!"

All of Elecmon's children began squalling at the same time, and the red rookie immediately began moving to each of them in turn, trying to soothe them. "Hush, little ones, everything will be just fine. Come now, quiet down, children!"

"Let me go, I have to fight!" Patamon began struggling with his partner as Redveggiemon approached Elecmon and the babies, who were trembling behind a bush that had been nearly burned away by his earlier attacks. "I have to help!"

"Don't be ridiculous, Patamon, you can't battle right now! You're hurt!"

Redveggiemon stiffened and turned to stare at TK and Patamon, who were still struggling with each other. "I had almost forgotten the human… Well, well, won't this make Lord Myotismon happy. I have the missing child! Spike-"

"Wait!" Kari ran into the clearing and stood just in front of Redveggiemon. "Just what do you think you're doing?!"

What do you think you're doing, Kari?! You're going to get yourself caught!

"I… er… I'm capturing these escaped prisoners!"

"Escaped?" Kari laughed, a loud, annoying laugh that wasn't her own. "Boy, did you get the wrong idea! They aren't escaped, these are the ones who have joined us!"

"Us?"

Huh?

"Of course! Except for that stupid Patamon, of course. He won't do it, even though his partner's older brother is trying to say that he should. This isn't Hope, this is Friendship. And I'm Sincerity, and we were sent here to collect these Digimon and take them to Myotismon for battle training!" Everyone but Kari and Redveggiemon fell over as she began the annoying imitation of Mimi's laughter. "Ha ha ha ha! Don't tell me that our master didn't even consider you important enough to inform you of the change in plans?"

Redveggiemon blushed. "No, of course he told me! I just thought that maybe these were different ones!"

Kari knelt in front of Redveggiemon and patted him on the head. "Well, they weren't, unfortunately for you. Why don't you go back to your prison like a good servant and we'll just forget this ever happened, alright? I won't tell if you won't!" Redveggiemon blushed even deeper as Kari winked at him, and he nodded as much as he could.

"Of course, Sincerity! Have a nice rest of your day!" Redveggiemon hopped away, and Kari stood up and stared after him before bursting into laughter.

"Oh! What a hoot! I can't believe he fell for that!" Everyone else but the babies soon joined in, and Gatomon leaped down to join the others in the clearing.

"That was some quick thinking, Kari! We would have been completely obliterated otherwise, I don't think I could have taken him even as Nefertimon, and I doubt either of us have the energy for another Angewomon Digivolution."

It was Kari's turn to blush. "Thanks, Gatomon. I was just copying what Mimi always used to do, all those years ago. Half of the Digital World had a crush on her at one point or another…"

"But that was still dangerous, Kari." TK shook his head. "You could have been discovered, and then this would have all been pointless. Promise me that you aren't going to pull that kind of stunt again."

Kari shook her head. "TK, I can't promise that. What if you're about to be killed again and only I can prevent it? I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you now that we're finally together again…"

"Again? What happened, did you two break up? And what did she mean, 'killed again'?" Patamon was staring at his partner curiously, and TK sighed.

"It's a long story, Patamon."

"But we have time. How are we going to get to Myotismon's castle, anyhow?" Gatomon squeezed her eyes shut to think. "I can't carry all three of you as Nefertimon right now, I'm too weary from earlier today."

"There are more than three of us, you know." Leomon looked around the group. "I count two humans and five Digimon who will be strong enough to battle with a little rest and food, plus Patamon and Elecmon's babies. No, we're going to have to think of some other way to travel there."

"I'm sorry, but I can't come. I have to get back to the village and take care of these little ones." Elecmon looked around at all of the still crying young Digimon. "They need to rest."

"I probably wouldn't be much help down there, either. It's too warm for me. Elecmon, why don't I come back and help you rebuild? I heard about the destruction they caused." Frigimon smiled at his smaller red friend, who nodded gratefully, and the great snowman picked up as many of the babies as he could carry. "We'll be off, then. Good luck!"

"Thank you for everything!" Elecmon and Frigimon both bowed their heads at the rest of the group before turned to leave.

"Good-bye! Stay safe!" Kari waved after them before her smile turned into a frown. "I wish there was somebody who could carry us there…"

Ogremon snapped his long, green fingers. "I've got it! Why don't we go find Whamon? I heard that he was hiding right off the coast, and I'm sure he would help a Digidestined in need!"

"That's a great idea, Ogremon! Come on, let's go!" The group tramped down to the beach, where the black ocean spread before them like a pool of black ink just waiting to grab them. Gatomon ran as far into the water as she could, wincing as the chill pierced her fur, and began shouting for their old friend. "Whamon? Are you there? Whamon!"

A whirlpool soon formed right in front of her, and a great bulb of blubber rose from the depths of the sea. "Gatomon, is that you? We all thought you were dead!"

Myotismon must be spreading that rumor in the hopes that the Digidestined believe it or something… "As you can obviously see, I'm still alive and kicking, but we have to get to Myotismon's castle to stop him. Can you help us?"

"Of course I can. There's a current I can hop in that'll get you there by sunrise. Come on, get inside!"

Ogremon was pushed into the whale Digimon's mouth by Leomon, grumbling all the way, and TK was about to climb in with Patamon when Kari placed a hand on his arm. "TK, Gatomon, Patamon, I think you three should go ahead. Gatomon, do you think you would be able to fly these two over as Nefertimon? The others may need their help."

Gatomon nodded. "Of course I can, but I'm not sure I feel safe leaving you alone…"

"We'll take care of her, Gatomon. You just worry about getting rid of Myotismon, and I'll worry about getting Kari, Leomon, and Ogremon over safely. Go on!" Whamon's voice had a reassuring smile in it, so Gatomon took a few steps back and waited.

"Digiarmor Energize!"

"Gatomon, Digivolve to… Nefertimon, the Angel of Light!" Nefertimon knelt down so TK could clamber onto her back.

"Be careful, Kari. Remember what I told you earlier. I don't want to lose you." TK kissed the top of Kari's hair, and she smiled up at him.

"I'll try, but you need to remember what I told you, too. I love you all! Stay safe!"

"Goodbye, Kari!" Nefertimon took flight as Kari stepped gingerly into Whamon's reeking mouth. I certainly hope she stays out of trouble once she gets over there… Oh, Kari, why can't you just take care of yourself only, just this once?

Tai, Matt, Agumon, and Gabumon were sitting in the middle of a rag-tag group of escapees and rogues, including a couple each of Gazimon and Numemon, a large group of Gekomon and Otamamon, and one Nanimon (the last of which whom seemed to derive his bravado from his drunken state), all of whom were sleeping quietly. The two Digidestined and their partners had decided to make the trip back to Text before rounding up a band of rebels to fight with, a choice they were quickly beginning to regret.

Tai had just finished telling the others how TK escaped from the prison in the first place, and Matt sat back and smiled slightly. "I was wondering where he had gotten off to. It's good to know that he's safe and hopefully getting us some help."

Tai nodded drowsily; Agumon and Gabumon had already drifted off, leaning against each other as they slept. "Do you want the first watch, or should I take it?" Please take it, please take it, please take it…

"I'll cover it for you. Go to sleep, I'll wake you up if I get too tired."

"Thanks Matt, you're the-"

"Hey!" Both men shot to their feet when they heard pounding feet running in their direction, but sighed in relief when Davis and Veemon pelted into their camp, smiling brightly and followed by Yolei, Hawkmon, Ken, Wormmon, Cody, and Armadillomon, who were also smiling. "Tai, Matt, you're alright!"

"Davis! How did you find us?!"

"We just came through a portal about a mile back, and we didn't know what direction to go in, so we picked a direction and started walking." Yolei stretched her arms and yawned. "We were about to set up a camp of our own when we heard you talking. It's too dark to do anything now, unless you know how to get to the base."

Matt grinned. "Of course we do. Come on, let's wake this sorry bunch of Digimon up and get moving! We aren't that far from there…"

"Oh, Yolei, maybe you should give them the Digivices." Ken nudged his friend in the side, and she nodded and dug through the bag she was carrying.

"We went to all of your houses and got these for you. Where are the others, so we can give theirs to them?" Yolei held out Tai and Matt's Digivices, and the two older men snatched them up and tossed them in the air simultaneously.

"They're in Myotismon's castle. They also have their partners with them, so all you'll need to do is deliver these to them when we storm it. By the way, how did you get your partners, and how did you know that Myotismon's castle was near here? Text is pretty big, after all."

Cody was the one who answered that time, even more quietly than normal. "Well Tai, we didn't actually mean to come here. We think the portal had a glitch, because we ended up here instead of-"

"Wing Cutter!" Several blades of air hit the grass all around the group, waking up all of the sleeping Digimon, and they looked up to see four Airdramon circling them. One of them roared loudly and left the others, hurtling through the air towards Myotismon's castle. Tai cursed under his breath.

"You four, get those Digivices to the others! That Airdramon must be going to tip off Myotismon. We'll take care of these three and catch up to you, just go!"

"But what about-"

"Davis, come on! We'll tell them later, let's go!" Yolei began pulling him away from the others, and Tai heard all of the younger group's Digimon Digivolve, except for Armadillomon. When Halsemon, Stingmon, and Raidramon were out of sight, Matt and Tai smiled at each other.

"Ready, Tai?"

"When you are, Matt." This is gonna rock! "Digivolve!"

"Agumon, Digivolve to… Greymon!"

"Gabumon, Digivolve to… Garurumon! Howling Blaster!"

"Nova Blast!"

The two Champion Digimon and all of their supporters sent their attacks into the air, knocking the remaining Airdramon to the ground where they proceeded to charge them. Tai and Matt hung back, not wanting to get in the way, but Tai suddenly felt a twinge of unease. What did Davis want to tell us? Why did he look so worried? Davis hardly ever worries…

Sora sat against the cold, stone wall, keeping her eyes on her sleeping friends. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. This was a bad idea. What was I thinking, letting Tai and Agumon go by theirselves? What if Matt turned them in and they're torturing them for more information? Worse, what if they… She quickly shook her head, refusing to let the words come to mind. Even if Tai does somehow manage to snap Matt out of it, how are they going to get in here to us? "How could I have been so dense?"

"Sora?" Biyomon sat up and yawned. "Why are you still awake? I thought you said that we should all rest."

"I couldn't sleep. I've been trying to keep track of time by the guards walking past the door. If I'm right, it should be just about four thirty."

"Oh… Why didn't you try to sleep then?"

"I'm too worried about Tai and Agumon, not to mention Matt and Gabumon and TK and the others. What if they get caught?"

"Sora… They'll be alright. You aren't giving them enough credit." Biyomon nudged her partner's arm lovingly. "Agumon and Gabumon won't let anything bad happen to them."

"I know, I just can't help but worry."

"Why don't you try to sleep? I'm sure it couldn't hurt you."

"Alright…" Sora yawned loudly and was about to lay down when a loud explosion rattled the building. "What?!"

"We're under attack, we're under attack!" Guards ran past the door to the cell, and the other prisoners, who had been woken by the initial explosion, sat up in alarm and excitement.

"Who would be attacking the fortress unless it was Matt and Tai? We're saved!" Mimi jumped to her feet and was about to run to the door when someone knocked it inwards.

"Good, we found you!" Cody, Armadillomon, and Yolei were grinning in at them. "Are you all alright?"

"We're perfect, let's get out of here!" Sora made to run to the door but stopped when Yolei tossed something to her. "My Digivice! Yolei, thank you so much!"

"No problem! Come on, we have everybody's!" Yolei tossed the Digivices towards their respective owners, and as soon as Joe had caught his they all ran down the hall towards the new hole that had been blown through the building. Sora and Biyomon looked at each other and nodded.

"Biyomon, Digivolve to… Birdramon!" Sora's partner carried everyone to the ground just outside of the fortress, and when their partners were safe Armadillomon, Tentomon, Palmon, and Gomamon all began to glow with the light of Digivolution.

"Armadillomon, Digivolve to… Ankylomon!"

"Tentomon, Digivolve to… Kabuterimon!"

"Palmon, Digivolve to… Togemon!"

"Gomamon, Digivolve to… Ikkakumon!"

"Be careful, you guys!" As they watched their Digimon disappear back into the battle Ken and Davis ran up to them, panting heavily.

"We may have a problem. Myotismon has way more minions than we thought, if we want any shot at getting rid of them we're going to need even more help."

"'Help?' Sounds like a job for us!" TK and Gatomon jogged out of the forest behind them as Angemon flew over head. "Thank goodness we got here! If they hadn't sent us ahead, we would have never gotten here on time."

"That's nice to know, TJ, but where is-"

A deep, resounding laughter cut off Davis's question and lightning began crackling in the air as Myotismon's voice called from inside the battle. "My servants, you have done me well thus far, but perhaps you should allow me to prove once again to the Digidestined why I am unstoppable."

Gatomon bared her teeth and scowled at the wall in front of them. "Myotismon! Oh, how I hate him…"

"Come on, let's go take a look at this!" Davis and Ken led the way back to the entrance, and they all stopped in their tracks when they saw Myotismon single-handedly occupying the nine Champions. "No! How the heck can he still be so strong?!"

"Hey! Need a little help?" Greymon, Garurumon, and a host of others stampeded past the Digidestined and joined the melee against Myotismon, and Tai and Matt soon joined the group.

"Tai! You're safe!" Sora threw her arms around Tai, and Mimi did the same to Matt, crying slightly.

"Matt, I was so worried about you! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Mimi. We're both just fine." Matt turned to the battle and whistled. "Someone's been training, hasn't he?"

"I'll say. He's gotten a lot cockier, too." Sora bit her lip as she watched the battle. I just hope his cockiness gets the best of him… Because if it doesn't, I don't know if we can win this.

After another hour and a half of battle, most of the castle and its outer wall was destroyed and Tai was beginning to get anxious. Our guys are beginning to get a little weaker, but Myotismon is only getting stronger if anything and it doesn't look like the sun is going to come out, if this cloud cover is any symbol.

"Enough of these games! Crimson Lightning!" Myotismon's electric whip cracked numerous times, and all of the Digidestined Digimon attacking him de-Digivolved and fell to the ground unconscious while the rogues burst into data. "Are you really so foolish to believe that you could defeat me when you are not even a full team? Digidestined, come forward!"

"Huh?!" The Digidestined and Gatomon suddenly warped to right in front of the vampire Digimon, who grinned mockingly at them.

"Well, well, Gatomon shows her furry little face at last. Why didn't you bring your partner, filth? Has she abandoned you in your time of need? Or maybe she just forgot about you?"

Tai snapped; he was relatively sure that Myotismon had no idea about what had truly happened to Kari, but the words were far too true. He ran forward and threw a punch at Myotismon, a punch so hard that the Ultimate actually took a step back in surprise. "Shut up!"

"Have I struck a nerve with the annoyingly protective big brother? So, where is she? Did she forget all about her big brother while she went to live by herself?"

"GYAHH! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"

"Tai, no!"

"Stop!"

"Come back here!" His friends' shouts of warning meant nothing; if anything, they made Tai want to kill the monster even more.

Don't they care about her at all?! Are they really just going to sit there and listen to this, this thing make fun of my baby sister?!

"Courage, you seem to be taking bravery to a level of foolishness. You will be the first to go." Myotismon summoned another of his deadly whip and wrapped it around Tai, pinning his arms to his sides. "Any last words?"

Tai could only grunt in pain; the whip was binding him so tightly that he couldn't draw enough breath to speak. He could vaguely hear his friends calling for him, but he couldn't make out their words. Is this the end?

One cry finally pierced through the air loudly enough to reach his ears, but it didn't make any sense. "Gatomon, Digivolve to… Angewomon!"

That isn't possible! Even as Tai thought the words he was freed from Myotismon's attack, and he fell to the ground spluttering. Surely enough, Angewomon was floating above him, staring down a rather shocked Myotismon. How did she Digivolve in the first place, and more importantly, how did she Digivolve without Kari's help?!

"Tai!" Sora wrapped her arms around him, and he blinked at her. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, but how-?"

"You foolish angel! Do you honestly think you can do any damage without your partner's energy? Crimson Lightning!"

"Ah!" Angewomon fell from the sky and crashed into a pile of rubble, and Myotismon turned back to Tai with a menacing grimace.

"You shall die! Grisly Wing!"

"No!"

"NO!"

"Stop!" Something came hurtling out of nowhere and rammed into Myotismon's side, forcing his attack to go askew and him to topple over. Tai blinked in confusion at the skinny Digimon in front of him that so resembled a human.

Who is that?

"Come on, Tai, let's get out!" Sora tugged her boyfriend's arm until he stood up and ran with her back to the rest of the Digidestined, his mind still reeling with confusion.

"But, what's going on? Who is that Digimon? It looks just like…"

"What is this?" The strange new Digimon took a few steps back, her ethereal face contorted with fury, as Myotismon stood up once more and glared at her. "Who are you?"

"I'm the reason this battle is taking place, Myotismon. I'm the reason you ever started this battle all those years ago. If you want to pick a fight, pick it with me. Angewomon!"

"Right!" Angewomon shot back into the air, a strange energy falling from her wings, and all of the unconscious Digidestined Digimon woke up and transformed into their Champion or Ultimate stages before advancing on Myotismon with their attacks. Leomon and Ogremon joined the Digidestined and watch, both of them smirking. Tai looked over his shoulder for a split second and saw a pile of incapacitated Digimon moaning on the edge of the forest.

At least someone was having fun with this...

"Giga Blaster!" MetalGreymon shot two missiles from his breast plate at the Lord of the Dead.

"Wing Blade!" Garudamon's attack joined the missiles zooming towards Myotismon.

"Wolf Claw!" WereGarurumon's splitting knuckle attack spliced forward.

"Flower Cannon!" Lilymon lit up the sky with her charge of floral energy.

"Horn Buster!" MegaKabuterimon's electricity crackled towards its target.

"Thor's Hammer!" The resounding clang from Zudomon's attack sent energy hurtling through the air.

"Vee Laser!" ExVeemon's attack joined the others.

"Spiking Strike!" Stingmon's purple claw sent a flash of pain hurtling towards Myotismon.

"Blast Rings!" Aquilamon's circlets joined the rest of the energized attacks.

"Tail Hammer!" Ankylomon's earth-shaking attack caused Myotismon to stumble just before the other attacks hit him, and the Ultimate-level's screams pierced the night air.

"Are you ready, Angewomon?" MagnaAngemon looked at his fellow angel, who nodded and summoned her attack. "Alright, then… Gate of Destiny!"

"Heaven's Charge!" Angewomon's beam of light hit the battered Myotismon in the chest, throwing him backwards into the portal opened by MagnaAngemon, and the gate sealed shut and disintegrated just as the sun finally broke through the cloud bank. The battle was finally over.

The Digidestined erupted into a loud, wordless cheer as they ran to congratulate their de-Digivolved partners. Tai, however, hung back, staring motionlessly at the strange, skinny brunette who was staring right back at him. This can't be true… That CAN'T be Kari, it can't be!

"Tai!" The girl suddenly ran towards him, and he ran towards her, and as he took her in his arms he finally realized the truth. "Tai!"

"Kari…" All of the years of pain, loneliness, and guilt were finally over, and Tai grinned like a madman as tears began flooding his eyes and dripping down his cheeks. "Kari, you remember! You're back!"

"Tai, I'm so sorry! I can't imagine how hard it must have been to not see me anymore, to not talk to me… Oh, Tai!" Kari began sobbing into her brother's filthy shirt as the other Digidestined gathered around her.

"Kari? You remember us?" Sora flung herself onto her boyfriend's younger sister the moment she saw the affirmative nod, and soon Kari had been taken from her brother's arms and was being passed around the entire, jubilant group of Digidestined and Digimon; Tai noticed Davis hugging her at least four times, and even Joe got a little teary-eyed when he got the chance to welcome Kari back.

I can't believe this! I really can't believe it! Kari's back, she's back, and she remembers me! When the tears had finally stopped flowing and the hugs and screams had been reduced to a low murmur, Tai coughed slightly. "Kari, don't hate me for this, but we don't have anywhere to live… I mean, I've been staying at Matt's apartment, but I rented our own out to some guy and his kid…"

Kari grinned even wider. "The 'man' who rented that apartment was Nobunari, the man who I thought was my father until yesterday. He was actually a Divermon who worked for Aguadevimon. He's the one who blew up the car all those years ago. Apparently, he wanted Divermon to prepare me for marriage, and that's why they arranged for me to be taken away all of those years ago. For some reason Nobunari moved back here, right after all of you disappeared into the Digital World, and I met Davis and Cody and Yolei and Ken and TK, and all of them became my friends."

TK, who was holding Kari's hand so tight that both sets of their knuckles were white, took the story from there. "Nobunari ended up attacking her while Gatomon and I were there, and even though Gatomon stopped him Aguadevimon was still able to bring her to the Dark Ocean. We ran to Davis's house for the meeting we were about to have and used Kari's D-3 to open the portal to the Dark Ocean. When we got there she was screaming, there was a huge pink light beam coming from the sky, and Veemon, Hawkmon, Wormmon, and Armadillomon came from it and joined us. We ran to help and started attacking Aguadevimon. We nearly had him beaten when Kari woke up, and I tried to tell her who she was and she didn't believe me until she got hit on the head."

"When I woke up I remembered everything, but Aguadevimon had gotten the upper hand and was about to attack all of us. I got really angry and tried to lead him away, which backfired. I would have been killed if TK hadn't pushed me out of the way and taken the hit for himself." A single tear slid down Kari's smiling face as she glanced at her savior. "Gatomon managed to Digivolve, and she beat him. I thought TK was dead, and I started crying on him, but he woke up and started talking to me again. Then we went back to Earth and got your Digivices before coming here to save you." Kari stared at the bright blue sky and blinked several times before speaking again. "I finally feel whole again."

"Me too, Kari, me too." Tai began to cry silently once more, and the rest of the Digidestined and their partners were soon doing the same.

Six years later, Kari Kamiya was having a panic attack. Deep breaths, Kari, deep breaths. She looked in the mirror, taking in her twenty-two year old reflection and smiling bravely at it. Her shoulder length locks were twisted into an elegant bun, with only a few curled pieces left about her face, and small white flowers from Sora's shop were scattered intermittently throughout the style. Mimi had done an excellent job on her makeup, as usual, and had even been thoughtful enough to use waterproof mascara. She reached one pale hand to her cheek and brushed it gently. Mimi and Yolei had collaborated on her nail polish: Yolei had painted them the exact shade of pink of the Crest of Light before Mimi added minute yellow flowers. You can do this. You CAN do this.

"Kari?" Yolei walked into the small Sunday School room in the rear of the church, sporting a light pink dress and a bright, cheery smile. "You have a visitor."

"Huh?" Kari turned around and squealed in excitement at the sight of her other best friend. "Gatomon! How- I mean, what- I thought you weren't allowed to come!"

Gatomon walked closer to her, grinning. "Patamon and I managed to convince Gennai to let us through on the condition that we didn't actually attend the wedding. I just had to get a look at you before the big day." The small Champion looked her up and down and smiled bigger. "You look amazing, Kari. TK is going to flip!"

Kari knelt down and pulled her Digimon partner into a bear hug, nearly crying. "I'm so glad you're here. I don't know if I could have managed this without seeing you beforehand."

"Kari, we only have five minutes left. Are you about ready?" Sora poked her head in and smiled knowingly. "You look gorgeous. It's great to see you again, Gatomon."

"Yes, but it's probably about time for me to go. I don't want to be tempted to break the rules, now, do I?" Gatomon squeezed her partner one last time before hopping onto the nearby computer table and grinning once more. "I'll see you as soon as you and TK are done unpacking the new house, right?"

"Right. Thanks, Gatomon, for everything. I love you!"

"I love you too, Kari!" Gatomon waved her tail in farewell, and Kari had to blink back tears as Yolei opened the Digiport and her partner disappeared.

"That's settled, then."

"Alright, alright, Tai, I'll let you in as soon as I'm finished inspecting her! Don't make me sic your wife on you!" Mimi pushed Sora the rest of the way through the door and slammed it behind her. She and Sora were both wearing yellow dresses that were identical to Yolei's in design. "Kari, one last check- something old?" Kari touched the necklace that dangled around her throat. "Something new?" Kari lifted her floor length dress to reveal a pair of shiny white slippers. The dress itself was rather plain, strapless and without much lace or tulle, but something about it made Kari glow, whether it be the gentle flair of the skirt or the subtle sparkle of the fabric. "Something borrowed… Well, I let you borrow your hair clip… And something blue?"

"I gave her a blue and pink garter." Sora and Mimi sprouted identical grins of approval. "Alright, time to fly. Let's go, ladies. Good luck, lil' sis." Sora waved cheekily at Kari as she exited, her own wedding band glinting in the light.

"It'll be fine, Kari." Mimi clapped her hands together before she left, showing off her band. "I've always wanted a little sister!"

"Kari, this is amazing! You're finally getting hitched!" The maid of honor hugged her best friend for a split second before dashing out the door. "You can go in now, Tai, but hurry up! It's almost time!"

Tai took one step into the room and stopped dead. "Kari… You look amazing!" His grin broadened as he embraced his younger sibling. "We should probably get out there… Wow, do you look amazing! Mom and Dad would be so proud of you… No, they ARE proud of you."

Kari blushed. "Do you really think so, Tai?"

"I know so. Come on, let's go before your bridesmaids attack me again…" Tai rubbed the top of his newly cut hair ruefully; Sora had let him get away with his former spikes at their own wedding only on the condition that he cut it for his sister's when the time came, and she had forced him to go through with the promise. "Ready?"

"Ready." Kari took Tai's arm and let him lead her out to the entrance of the sanctuary, where the bridesmaids and groomsmen were basically already lined up. Sora and Davis were at the front of the procession, followed by Mimi and Matt. Yolei was being escorted up the aisle by Cody, TK's best man, and the flower girl, Jim Kido's daughter by his wife, Yolei's sister, was twirling in circles behind them, taking care not to dump her basket of rose petals out. Sora had an armful of bouquets that she had put together for the wedding (in fact, she had supplied all of the flowers for the wedding as part of her gift), and she handed Mimi and Yolei their pink and yellow creations before giving Kari a huge bundle of pink and yellow flowers that the bride couldn't identify before swiftly kissing her on the cheek and running back to her position, arranging her own flowers on the way.

Sora and Davis waited until Kari nodded before going around the door and beginning the march down the aisle. Mimi and Matt whispered good luck to Kari and gave her a quick hug each before following. Yolei was grinning so much that Kari was sure the only time she had smiled more was at her own wedding, and little Cody, who had grown much taller than Kari or any of the other Digidestined in the past six years, had to bend down slightly to hug her before they began their trek.

When the soft organ music changed tenor to that familiar refrain, Kari felt the panic rising in her throat once more. Deep breaths! Kari, relax! This is the best moment of your life, don't get nervous about it! When little Maylie Kido stepped around the door and began spreading her flowers all over the aisle, Kari threw one last panicked look at her brother before pasting the best smile she could on her terrified face and turning the corner. Everyone in the church had risen to their feet; Kari was quite sure she had never met most of the people in the back few rows, but the faces grew more and more familiar the closer to the front of the church she traveled. By the time she was looking at the front row of pews, she had to grin at the smiling faces of Ken, who had managed to peel his eyes away from his new(ish) wife long enough to watch the current bride walk, Joe and Lara, who had been married for a little under a year now, and Izzy and Chloe, who some people were beginning to think might be expecting their first child.

Finally Kari took a deep breath through her teeth and looked up at the altar. The wizened old minister standing importantly behind the pulpit was all but invisible to her, because she had eyes only for her husband to be. TK was wearing a white tuxedo and a yellow vest and tie that somehow made her think of the old blue and yellow shirt he wore everywhere when they were younger; she had to bite her tongue to keep from snorting with laughter at the randomness of the thought. His groomsmen were wearing the same outfit, except the tuxedos were black. All of the men were sporting pink boutonnieres. When she and Tai reached the front of the church they paused, and the music finally stopped.

"We gather here today to witness the joining of Miss Kari Kamiya and Mr. TK Takaishi. Who gives away the bride?" The old preacher had a surprisingly strong voice that echoed throughout the church, and Tai hesitated for the briefest of moments before answering.

"I do." Tai hugged his sister one last time before she kissed his cheek and removed herself from his grasp and taking her place next to Yolei.

The ceremony seemed to fly by; the preacher preached, the women in the church sighed at the correct moments, and Kari lost herself in TK's eyes. When it came time to exchange vows and rings, Kari handed her bouquet to Yolei as Maylie's older brother Akio, who was the ring bearer in the ceremony, tripped over his own feet and nearly fell, much to the amusement of the guests and the wedding party. Kari giggled softly as he scrambled to his feet and held the ring-laden pillow up proudly, as if to prove that he hadn't made a complete fool of himself.

Kari and TK slipped the rings onto their soon-to-be spouse's finger as the vows were exchanged, and when Kari said "I do" a loud sigh rippled through the sanctuary.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride."

TK took his new bride's hands and pulled her to him. Under his breath he whispered, "Congratulations, Mrs. Takaishi," sending a thrill down Kari's spine before capturing her lips with his own, which increased the thrill exponentially.

When their first official kiss as a married couple was over, the minister had come around the pulpit and, smiling, he turned the new couple to the guests. "I present to you, for the first time, Mr. and Mrs. TK Takaishi!"

Kari grinned again at the sound of her new name. She heard the applause and saw Yolei and Mimi crying and cheering at the same time, saw Sora and Tai exchange a jubilant glance, and saw all of her best human friends grinning at her before looking up at her new husband.

You know, all this time I thought I was complete, but I was wrong. Finally, everything is whole inside of me. I may have always been the Light of the Digital World, but I'm just now finding my light.