Hey everybody, I hope you're eager for the next part of the story, we've got a lot of collateral damage and now for the cleanup. I tihnk it's going to be one of the best chapters yet, so buckle in and enjoy!

Legend of the D-Knights

Chapter 13

Wounded Knights

As we last left our knights, three of them were injured or unconscious and the others were licking their wounds from battle. Ex-Veemon was cradling Davis as he walked back toward the clearing. "Guys, can I get a little help here?!"

Tai slid his sword back in his scabbard as Agumon ran up and pointed towards Ex-Veemon. "Tai, Davis is hurt…"

"Davis!" Tai ran up to Ex-Veemon with Agumon in tow. As he neared, he saw a poorly bandaged chest wound bleeding through the tattered cloth. "What happened?!"

Ex-Veemon placed Davis gently up against a tree and kneeled and bowed his head. "He took off running and drew some of the soldiers away from me so I could fight back. Then they cornered him and….and…I told him he wasn't ready! Why didn't he listen?"

Agumon patted his larger friend on the shoulder. "You couldn't have kept him out of the fight even if you wanted to. I know Tai would have done the same."

Tai nodded and kneeled to shake Davis gently. "Hey buddy, are you feeling ok?"

Davis opened his eyes weakly. "I'm not dead yet Tai, but…" he motioned to his bleeding chest. "It's not through lack of trying…"

Tai nodded grimly. "You did your best Davis and it's all I can ask out of anyone. Let's get you home to rest up."

Davis groaned. "But, we still have to train; you can't stop because of me."

Tai shook his head. "Either we all go, or none of us go. Shin can fight me all he wants on this" Tai bent down and grabbed Davis's arm and slung it over his shoulder to help him support his weight. "Hey guys, we need to find the others and get out of here before more of those things show up."

Ex-Veemon nodded as Agumon hopped up on his shoulder. "Let's do it."

Ex-Veemon jumped into the sky and started flying around the battlefield, scanning for the rest of the group.

Takato and Guilmon were searching for the rest of their friends as well until they stumbled upon a tired Takuya who was trudging through the snow in full armor. Takato, also still in full armor, ran up to his friend clumsily and clapped him on the shoulder. "Takuya! Am I ever glad to see you!"

Guilmon half-tackled the knight of flame as well. "Takuya!"

Takuya looked relieved to see the pair and rubbed Guilmon's head even as he almost fell into the cold snow. "Hey guys! I was worried I had to fight more of those nasty creatures."

Guilmon wagged his tail and started sniffing the air. "Hey, I smell…I smell….Ex-veemon!" he pointed up and the two D-Knights looked into the sky and started waving at the enlarging blue and orange figures. "Hey guys, what's up?!" called Takuya.

Ex-Veemon landed in front of them quickly and solemnly. "Davis is hurt; we have to get him some help."

The smiles on all three of their faces faded quickly. "Where are they now?" asked Takato.

Ex-Veemon pointed toward the way he came. "Not far, but we have to hurry. Can you guys fly?"

Takato and Takuya nodded, but before they took off, Guilmon raised his snout in the air again. "Wait, there's something else coming." He looked to the east and Ginryumon came bounding out of the trees with Gustmon on his back and their two partners limp slung across his back as well.

Ginryumon sped toward them and skidded to a halt. "We have to go back, these two need to get to a healer or something!" Gustmon nodded and the group looked worriedly at one another.

Takato nodded. "Alright, let's go. Guilmon, you head with Ginryumon and guide him through the trees, the rest of us will fly above so you can track us."

Guilmon nodded. "You got it Takato." He mounted Ginryumon behind Gustmon and gently secured the two fallen D-Knights.

Takuya spread his wings. "You heard him, let's move it!"

Everyone took off and Guilmon pointed his nose to the sky, patted Ginryumon and pointed towards where their friends were flying. "Let's go big guy!"

Ginryumon nodded. "Alright!" He spend along the forest floor right on the D-Knights' trail until he saw Tai and Davis where the rest had landed. "This was a disaster "Ginryumon commented.

Guilmon's ears drooped. "We did our best….."

Gustmon shook her head. "You guys were probably better off sticking together."

Ginryumon approached Tai and Davis at a blazing speed and when he stopped next to them, Tai immediately inspected Shin, checking his pulse and then Saya's. "Shin still feels warm, but this girl, Saya, she doesn't look too good, back to Talon's Reach!"

Those assembled flew if they could, but Ginryumon ran with Gustmon, Guilmon and Agumon on his back. The storm had started up again full force and Ex-Veemon, who was carrying Davis, struggled to stay aloft. Davis wrapped his bloodied cloak around himself and shivered. "You know, having all your blood goes a long way when it comes to staying warm." Davis chuckled, but Ex-Veemon's face twisted into a deep frown.

Davis frowned. "I'm going to be ok buddy, would you crack a smile at least?"

Ex-Veemon shook his head. "I let you down, next time we might not be so lucky Davis. I can't help but think I'm not doing something to get you your armor."

Davis stared at Ex-Veemon in disbelief. "Ex-Veemon, if anybody's the problem, it's me. I tried to force it, but that's not being brave, it's being stupid. I just hate feeling so useless."

Ex-Veemon sighed. "We'll just have to work better together, maybe when we can actually train, you and I can kick some butt."

Davis nodded. "I can't wait." He winced in pain as the wind shifted "and hey, chicks digs scars right? You think Kari will take care of me?"

Ex-Veemon finally cracked a small smile and shook his head incredulously "Yeah Davis, maybe….."

Tai had his battle sight activated at the head of the group, scanning to see the town in the snowstorm. Takato flew next to him and asked "See anything yet?"

"I'm looking, but it's kind of hard to concentrate. I got all turned around in the fighting" Tai responded without breaking his hard stare.

Taking the hint, Takato remained silent.

Tai saw the first bits of civilization and pointed his gauntlet down. "There! We can find some help there!"

Takato nodded and flew back around to Ginryumon on the ground. "The village is just a little bit farther that way." Ginryumon nodded and sped in that direction with the digimon on his back holding on for dear life. The group landed in the town's main square and saw that it had been vacated, likely as a result of their battle with the nightmare soldiers.

Tai landed and looked around desperately. "Somebody help! We have people hurt!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. There was no response but the howl of the bitter winter wind. Tai looked at Takato and Takuya "Why isn't anyone listening?"

As Ginryumon entered the square he immediately grasped the situation. "They're afraid to help us…."

Ex-Veemon growled as he clutched the shivering Davis closer. "Or maybe we're just not making enough noise!"

Ex-Veemon and Ginryumon made eye contact and nodded. "Guys, cover your ears…" said Ex-Veemon.

Tai, Takato and Takuya were bewildered, but did as they were bid as did Davis the best he could. The two dragon champions inhaled and from them burst forth an earth-rendering roar that unsteadied the three standing D-Knights.

The buildings and houses trembled from the force and all the windows in a three hundred foot radius were shattered. When they finally stopped, nothing seemed to stir from behind the ruined windows. Ginryumon puffed out flame in frustration. "Again!" he snarled.

As the two prepared another, more furious call, the group heard "Wait!"

Everyone turned toward the small voice and saw Jijimon hurry out to them as fast as his frail frame would allow. "Please young warriors stop this senseless destruction and follow me, quickly!"

He motioned for them to come back to his shop, but as they all ran and flew past him while he struggled to make his way back, Ginryumon turned around and asked, exasperated. "Would you like some help old-timer?"

Jijimon scowled at him and whacked him over the head with his staff. "I can take care of myself you youngling!" Ginryumon rubbed his head with a front paw and grunted. "We don't have time for this!" He grabbed the back of Jijimon's tunic in his mouth and carried the flailing digimon back with him in full gallop.

"Put me down you overgrown lizard! This is not the way to treat your elders!" Jijimon's staff flew through mostly empty air but managed to strike Ginryumon in the face a few times. With a mouth full of clothing Ginryumon still managed to speak a final warning to the cantankerous old digimon. "Keep it up and I just might eat you old man."

Jijimon stopped flailing and crossed his arms indignantly, allowing the last few yards to his shop to pass uneventfully. When Ginryumon ran up with Jijimon in his mouth, the D-Knights had to repress laughter as the old digimon waved the large dragon off once they reached the shop.

"Alright put me down! Come inside and lay the injured on the cots in the back." Ginryumon de-digivolved back into Ryudamon and Takuya picked up Saya while Takato and Tai picked up Shin who had the heavier armor. Ex-Veemon managed to duck inside with Davis in his arms and the digimon followed suit.

They found the cots and laid Shin and Saya next to each other while Ex-Veemon gingerly laid Davis down in the third spot. Davis winced has his body stretched out and made his wounds hurt and bleed a little more. He looked down and put a hand on his chest. "You know, this is kind of deep…."

Tai grimaced. "Don't touch it Davis, you could get it infected" He looked over to Jijimon who was locking up the front of his shop and bringing some vials and bandages over to the group. "Old-timer, what can you do about Davis?"

Jijimon looked at Tai with disdain. "Please boy, I'm the best hope these poor souls have and call me Jijimon."

Tai nodded and took off his helmet. "I'm sorry, Jijimon, we'll let you work."

Jijimon nodded and motioned to the other two. "I need you to take their armor off."

Takuya shot the other two a confused look. "How are we supposed to do that?"

Takato shrugged and walked over to Shin's sword side and Shin's katana started glowing when he approached. Takato hesitantly reached for the hilt of his friend's sword. "Maybe this'll do it."

Takato touched the sword handle and the armor around Shin dissipated in a flash of crimson. "Glad that worked, now" He nodded toward Saya "What about her?"

Takuya tried to grab her sword handle, but nothing happened. "Maybe we can only do that for our armor."

Gustmon jumped up onto her partner's cot and the sword started glowing when she neared so she touched it and a pink flash, Saya's armor disappeared as well. He red hair spilled out once the helmet was removed and she looked far more the worse for wear than Shin. She had a cut above her left eyebrow, a bloodied right lip and what looked like a lot of bruising extending from her neck down. Davis looked over at her and frantically pointed towards her. "Help her first! I'm only a little woozy….."

Jijimon nodded and looked over the young woman while the falcon digimon looked on with concern. Jijimon shook his head as he cleaned her up and shook his staff over her. "What did you let this young woman get herself into?" A soft glow covered Saya's body and the bruising faded a bit, her lip became less swollen and the cut above her eye healed up.

She started coughing and her eyes opened slightly. "Ugh…where am I?"She tried to rise but Jijimon gently pushed her down. "Shush young lady, you've been through a lot, you need to rest." She settled back in and looked over to where Shin was unconscious and let out a soft gasp. "Shin!" she tried to get up again, but Gustmon urged her to rest again. "He'll be ok, just rest Saya."

Saya relented reluctantly but kept her gaze on the young man lying next to her. She swallowed the lump in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes. "What happened?"

Takato and Takuya turned to Ryudamon expectantly clearly interested in his viewpoints of the story. Ryudamon looked at the two D-Knights and sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you what I know. We cleared what was left of our bad guys, but then Shin saw Saya getting crushed and the hothead just took off without me."

Ryudamon looked over to Saya and paused for a moment. She silently implored him to continue. "So, Shin slammed into that creature and they hit the mountain. Then he let loose one of the biggest attacks I've ever seen. The creature got burned to ashes and there was a pile of glass left where there was a mountain behind it. Afterward I didn't see Shin until I found him lying next to you Saya, seems like he started a fire to keep you warm before he passed out."

The other D-Knights looked at Shin in shock while Saya bit her lip and sniffled as she looked at Shin. "After all we've been through, he still saved me…."

Ryudamon sighed. "Of course he saved you Saya, that's how he is."

Saya nodded and closed her eyes. "Yeah..."

Jijimon looked Shin over and didn't see much wrong with him except that he looked exhausted and shook his staff over the young man who was also covered in a soft glow. He started coughing violently and rolled over to his side to cough into his hands, which he pulled away from his face with bits of blood in them. "Ugh, I don't feel so good." He wiped it off on his shirt and saw Davis on the other cot. "Davis buddy, what happened?" he looked around "where are we?"

He turned over and saw Saya looking and smiling at him on the other cot and he stifled another cough. "Saya!" he almost fell off the cot but when he saw the bruising on her neck and the healed over cut he laid back in the cot and rubbed his forehead. "You got hurt….."

Saya tried to get up but couldn't on her own this time. "I'm ok, just a little bruised." She coughed. "Ok, maybe really bruised."

Shin sat up at the end of his cot and stole a few sideways glances as if he wasn't sure what to do. He looked at his companions and mumbled. "I'll be outside…." He got up and quickly left the shop.

Tai sighed and tapped Takuya on the shoulder. "Come on, let's go make sure he doesn't get himself into trouble." Tai put on his helmet and followed Shin out the door

Takuya sighed and did the same. "Oh joy."

Ryudamon and Agumon followed them out as well. Davis touched his bleeding chest wound and winced. "Oh yeah, just leave your friend here bleeding guys, I don't mind." He scoffed.

Saya smiled a little at that.

Takato sat down on a stool and relaxed. "So Jijimon, can you patch Davis up too?"

Jijimon scoffed indignantly. "I'll have you know I'm one of the finest healers in the digital world boy!"

Takato raised his hands in defense. "Ok, ok, just don't hit me with that stick."

Jijimon had raised his staff to hit Takato but turned to Davis. "Just watch and be amazed!" He shook his staff over Davis and the wound began to close up and show signs of healing, the flesh began to knit and the bleeding stopped. Davis looked at his chest and gagged a little. "Should I be awake for this?!"

Jijimon shrugged. "Probably not. Hold Still!"

Davis groaned as the last bits of his flesh grew back in and then marveled at the three little scars that were once a gaping chest wound. He looked amazed and a little sickened as he poked his chest where the scars had formed. "That was so cool….also pretty gross."

Jijimon smiled triumphantly. "I told you, I'm very good."

Takato nodded. "How're you feeling Davis?"

Davis shrugged. "I'm not losing anymore blood and I don't feel the cold INSIDE my chest, I'm pretty good."

Ex-Veemon de-digivolved back into Veemon, looking quite exhausted, but he hopped up on to Davis's cot and hugged him with as much energy as he could muster. "I'm so glad you're ok Davis."

Davis smiled and hugged his partner as best he could but he was still a little weak from the blood loss. "Careful buddy, I'm not 100% just yet." Veemon relented and sat next to his partner on the cot.

The group sat in a sort of uncomfortable silence as Takato scratched behind Guilmon's ear and Jijimon moved around the room looking at his supplies. He poured something from a green vial onto a towel and made his way over to Saya's side. "Here young lady, this will help you rest."

She tried to shoo him away. "Wait, I wanted to talk to Shin." Jijimon relented a bit, looking disappointed. "Young lady, you're not in any immediate danger but you need some actual human medicine." Saya frowned and lie back in the cot.

Davis looked over at her and said "I'm sure Shin and the rest will be back soon."

Takato nodded. "Hopefully….."

Jijimon excused himself. "I'll give you all some privacy, let me know if you need anything else." He walked out and around to mind the rest of his shop and sweep up some of the shattered glass.

Meanwhile, with the others…

Shin had stepped outside and leant up against the side of the shop, flexing his hands, feeling the bones crack. He summoned flame into his hands and put them near his face. "Stinkin' cold…."

Tai, Takuya, Ryudamon and Agumon stepped out of the shop and initially passed him since he was leaning right next to the door.

Tai stopped and looked in one direction, Takuya the other. "Where did he go?" The older D-Knight asked his companions.

Shin cleared his throat. "I'm right here guys."

They turned around and gathered around him. Shin looked at the two still-armored D-knights and asked "Aren't you guys tired of having the armor on? The fighting's done for now."

Tai and Takuya looked at each other and seemingly realized that there was no reason to have their armor on.

Takuya shrugged. "Kind of got caught up in the moment, besides," he hugged himself "it's warm and comforting, kind of like hugging Zoe."

Tai nodded. "That's a good way to put it." He patted his gauntlets. "I love the feel of this armor, no matter how heavy it is."

Shin smiled. "Well, as awesome as it is, I'm going to recommend you take it off, or else you'll probably tire yourselves out before we hit the mountain."

Tai frowned as he took off his armor. "You still want us to hit the mountain today?"

Takuya looked concerned as well. "Yeah, I don't think we're in any shape at all to climb that thing, can't we fly? Or maybe we can try again when Davis is better?"

Shin shook his head, getting impatient. "It's a test for us to get up there without using our powers, the winds would send us crashing into the mountains before we even got close to landing. Look, we can't bring Davis with us as he is now; he'll only wind up getting hurt."

Tai, agitated, stepped towards Shin. "Why can't we wait a few days then?"

Shin got in Tai's face "You saw those nightmare soldiers! I don't know how they found us but they did, so we could just be waiting to get ambushed! We're safer up on the mountain and we can get to work stopping these things."

The two stared each other down while Agumon and Ryudamon silently looked on, sighing at their partners' stubbornness. Shin eyed Tai dangerously. "If Davis comes with us, I can't guarantee his safety, can you? Can you live with his blood on your hands if something happens to him?!"

Tai snarled, grabbed Shin's collar and slammed him up against the wall. "He's one of us! You can't just leave a man behind!"

Shin struggled slightly against Tai's grip, still not completely recovered from his battle. "Look, I'd rather have him go back to the real world and recover than get himself killed out here."

Takuya crossed his arms, regarding the two options. Ryudamon and Agumon looked at each other, exasperated.

Ryudamon approached, hands held out, "Come on guys, haven't we fought enough today?"

Agumon tugged at Tai's coat. "He could be right Tai, Davis didn't look so good."

Tai didn't relent. "I told him I wouldn't leave him behind."

Shin sighed. "I'll take the heat, I'll tell him I need him to make sure Saya gets back to the real world too"

Tai released him and dusted him off. He sighed, "Fine, you tell him then."

Takuya chimed in. "What makes you think Saya will go?"

Shin groaned and massaged the bridge of his nose. "That's a whole other mess; I don't even know why she's here. She's going to get herself killed out here too."

Ryudamon frowned at his partner and punched his leg. "You know damn well why she's here…"

Shin flicked his partner on the forehead. "Cut it out, we're not getting into this here." Shin walked past Ryudamon and back into the old digimon's shop.

Takuya shook his head. "Oh, this is not going to be pretty….." he walked in behind Shin. Tai sighed and nodded, following Takuya. "What was your first clue?"

As they entered, Saya stirred in her bed, as did Davis, both expectedly looking at Shin while Takato scratched Guilmon behind the ears. Davis's suspicions arose when neither Takuya nor Tai would look at him in the eyes.

"What's going on guys?" Davis cocked an eyebrow. Shin sighed, grabbed a chair and sat down in front of his cot. "Davis, I need you to go back to the real world….."

The room stood quiet for what seemed like the longest 30 seconds of Shin's life. Takato's mouth dropped open as he looked between Tai and Takuya, who seemed ashamed with themselves.

Davis's face was contorted with anger, shame and humiliation. He tried to stand and rose shakily to get into Shin's face. "I'm not going back like this, you can't send me back!" He tried to put his hands on Shin but Shin rose and nudged Davis roughly back onto the cot.

Davis fell back into the cot and tried to get up again but Shin put the end of his scabbard on Davis's chest and Davis lied still. "You're not healthy enough to keep going Davis; I'm making the call because we can't afford to have you killed before we take on the big guys."

Davis choked up a little. "Look, I get it; I'm a failure, just come out and say it."

Tai interjected "That's not what we think at all Davis, but if I let you get hurt out here, not only will I have to tell your parents, your sister, but the rest of our friends, Kari or Ken would probably have my head man."

Davis knocked Shin's scabbard from off of his chest. "Look, I'll take my chances, to go back a failure now will prove that I'm not good enough, I can't face the rest of our friends like this, I can't face Kari like this…."

Shin sighed. "Look, take a couple of days, get your strength back and then come back and challenge the mountain, if you take the mountain on with just Veemon, you're going to prove you belong up there just as much as the rest of us."

Davis looked skeptically at Shin and then at Veemon who put his hand on Davis's shoulder. "We can do it ourselves Davis, just you and me."

Shin nodded. "I'm not just saying this to BS you Davis, I also need to make sure that Saya makes it to the real world too. The digital world is too dangerous with you two injured, those nightmare soldiers found us somehow and they could find us again."

At this Saya struggled and sat straight up in her cot. "No way I'm going to leave now that I've found you again!"

Shin spun on her in a fury. "You're in worse off shape than Davis is, and you've already nearly gotten me killed once today!"

The force in his voice took her aback. "Shin, I just want to help-"

Through gritted teeth he said "You've done enough to me….. We can handle this problem ourselves. Once we're done protecting this world, you're going back to the rest of our friends."

Takato looked at Shin incredulously, not believing the chewing out he was giving Saya. Davis wasn't making eye contact with anyone at this point, clearly upset at the current state of events.

She gained her composure and locked her deep brown eyes to his hazel ones. "You think you can order me around? I'm trying to help you, you stubborn idiot!"

Shin poked her bruise hard and she winced. "Go see a doctor in the real world and stay out of it, I don't want to risk my life for yours ever again. Consider what I did the last act of what I used to feel for you."

Agumon and Veemon were obviously uncomfortable, Guilmon's ears were drooped even though Takato could swear he didn't grasp the entire gravity of the situation.

Her resolve was severely shaken and she broke off eye contact, staring intently at her trembling hands. "You can't mean that…."

He spun away from her. "See if I'm lying…."

Tai was visibly angered by this display and said, in a dangerously low tone of voice "that's enough Shin" as he assumed a warning stance.

Shin, largely ignoring Tai's warning, clapped Davis on the shoulder, assuring him and then walked out of the building. "I'll see the rest of you guys outside."

Ryudamon shook his head, disgusted and placed a claw on Saya's hand. "Please, just go for now, I'll make sure he doesn't get himself killed and maybe I can get him to stop being so stubborn."

Saya put her other hand on Ryudamon's claw and said "thank you."

Ryudamon nodded and then addressed Gustmon. "Well, I would have liked to hang around for a little while longer, but Shin's being difficult."

She kissed him on the cheek. "Just come back in one piece ok?"

Ryudamon smiled, grabbed her around the waist, drew her close, stared deep into her eyes and planted a kiss on her lips. Her feathers ruffled and she grew a little weak in the knees. As they parted, they both smiled. Ryudamon smirked confidently and released her. "I've lived this long being Shin's partner, I'm coming back, that's a promise."

She grinned and blushed. "Go."

Ryudamon strode out of the building with head held high, leaving the rest of the D-Knights and their digimon either smirking or chuckling at the small dragon's bravado. Gustmon looked at her partner, who smiled warmly at her. "How long had that been going on?"

Gustmon shrugged her shoulders. "Oh, you know, just a little while."

Veemon and Agumon both felt a little envious of their companion. Tai, still smirking came up to Davis and offered a fist bump. "Come back soon bro, we'll be waiting."

Davis half-heartedly bumped Tai's fist with his own. "You know I hate doing this, but you guys shouldn't have to handle my dead weight."

Tai frowned as he stuffed his unruly hair into his winter hat. "It'll happen Davis, I know it's not because you need more courage. You're one of the bravest guys I know" He patted Davis on the back, nodded at Saya and Gustmon and walked out. "Let's hit it Agumon."

Agumon gave Davis and Veemon a thumbs-up. "You guys are going to do great."

Veemon and Davis reciprocated the thumbs-up and Agumon walked after shooting a smile at Gustmon and Saya. "See you around ladies."

Guilmon jumped up onto Davis's cot and enveloped both him and Veemon in a hug. "Come back soon ok?"

Davis hugged the red digimon and said "We'll be back as soon as possible." Veemon added "Count on it."

Satisfied, Guilmon jumped off the cot and waved to Saya and Gustmon as he departed. "Bye, bye!"

Saya waved at the friendly dragon digimon. "Bye!" She turned to Takato and asked "He's your partner I assume? I've never seen a digimon like him."

Takato, embarrassed, rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, it's a long story, but my digivice created him from one of my drawings."

Saya nodded. "He's so nice; you must be doing something right."

Takato chuckled and blushed a little. "I do my best; he's really just like that on his own." He walked over to Davis and extended a hand. As Davis shook it Takato said "If I can do this armor stuff, I'm betting you can too, if you haven't noticed I'm not the strongest of us."

Davis chuckled. "Don't be so hard on yourself, you've already fought for something you cared about, I guess I haven't done that yet, heh."

Takato looked concerned as he broke off the handshake. "Hang in there Davis, your time's coming."

Davis nodded even as he sighed. "I'll do my best."

Takato left with a parting wave to the other two as he left. "Take care Saya, Gustmon." He walked out without another word

Takuya stood up from the wall he was leaning on. "Well I guess it's my turn?"

Davis shrugged. "You don't have to say anything man, we don't know each other that well."

Takuya shook his head. "Not yet, but from what I've seen…" he pointed to the fresh scar on Davis's chest. "You and I aren't that different."

Davis smirked. "Seems like it. I'll see you when we get to the top."

They fist bumped and Takuya said "I can't wait." He patted Veemon on the head. "It must be nice to have a partner."

Veemon shrugged. "It has its ups and downs, but he's my best friend."

Davis said "Yeah, he's going to be what helps me get through this mess."

Veemon smiled. "That's right."

Takuya grinned. "I hope so, I'll see you guys."

He turned to walk out but stopped when he saw Saya. "I-um, I-"

He struggled with what he was going to say to her, but her kind and attentive face helped him find his words. "I don't know what kind of history you have with Shin, but what I do know is that no matter what he says…." He paused for a moment. "He's not just doing this because it's his job or because he enjoys it."

He rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "Ah, well…he didn't save you from that thing because he felt like it's his job, he did it because there's still a part of him that cares, even if he's too stubborn to admit it. At least that's what I think. "

She implored him to continue "What makes you think so?"

Takuya shrugged. "He did turn a mountain into glass to make sure he took that thing down hard. If he didn't care, he would have just taken it out and left you there."

He gauged her face for a response and was content to see that she seemed less distressed. "He pushed himself so much that he passed out, but he still made the effort to make sure you were warm before he did."

Saya considered his point for a second, but then started "But he said-"

Takuya raised a hand, pleading her for silence. "I know what he said, but the truth is… I don't know anybody that would go that far for someone they hate as much as he says he hates you… and I just hope that if I have to do that for the woman I care about, I can do the same for her."

Saya's eyes welled up slightly. "I see….." She fretted with her hands. "So you have a special lady in the real world?"

Takuya nodded agreeably. "I do, and she's what's going to keep me going when the going gets rough."

Saya smiled. "She sounds wonderful; I hope I get to met her someday."

Takuya said "I'm sure you will, she'll probably be the first girl you meet who jumps on you with a hug when you get there." He waved as he made ready to depart. "Take care guys, I'm out of here." He left into the bitter winter cold, thanking Jijimon as he left.

Davis and Saya looked at each other uncomfortably until Davis finally said "So, are you ready to get going?"

Saya attempted to get up from her bed and tested her body, but could not move very well. She winced as she put on the winter clothes Jijimon had left out for her. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Davis stood shakily as well and got his things together. "Veemon, I might need you to digivolve when we get out there, the cave with the digi-port is pretty far out there."

Veemon nodded. "No problem Davis, but I can't carry both of you."

Gustmon said "I can digivolve too, no problem, I'm not feeling too bad after that fight."

Saya patted her partners head "I'd appreciate it." As she started walking, she had a limp and then cried out as she almost fell, but Davis caught her "whoa there, better let me help you." He slung her arm around his shoulders and helped support her weight.

"You don't have to do that" she said.

Davis gave her one of his patented goofy smiles "Don't worry about it."

As they left Jijimon opened the door. "Stay out of trouble kids, don't mess up my handiwork."

Saya waved him off. "We'll be ok Jijmon, thank you for everything."

Davis said "Ditto."

As they reached the frozen hell outside their partner digimon digivolved into their champion forms

Veemon Digivolve to…Exveemon!

Gustmon Digivolve to…..Sabredramon!

Exveemon helped load Saya onto Sabredramon's back and then picked Davis up again, who let his partner do so with minimal grumbling. As they flew towards the cave and the portal, Davis's mind was filled with what he was going to tell his friends when they saw he was the only one who came back early. "This is going to be awful."

While Davis dreaded facing his friends, Saya looked behind her at Musashi and regretted leaving deep in her heart. "Shin, if only you knew how difficult this was for me….."

They landed at the mouth of the cave and their partners de-digivolved back into rookies. Davis Helped Saya into the cave and held out his worn and weathered D-3 "Digi-Port open!"

The four were swallowed by the portal's light.

Yeah...kind of a downer ending this time, but it can't all be sunshine and rainbows right? I'll hopefully have a new chapter up sooner rather than later, but no promises on timetable, I do promise to get this damn thing done however